Have a question or suggestion? Email us at uwalive@gmail.com!

Have a question or suggestion? Email us at uwalive@gmail.com!

An idea is birthed, what it becomes is determined by the person. No great structure or event happens over night. It often takes hours of work and planning and I believe this is the beginning of great things to come.

What am I talking about? I’m sure you brilliant people know it.
After much wait it’s finally here. Just hours away, many will be united competing for the title of Tribe of the Year.


So guys, prepare well, plan well and get yourselves all ready as I believe everyone will be bringing their best to win and be the First Tribe of Year.

Much speculation has been going on in Facebook so to which cell(s) will be claiming the title this year. The bets are on Li Jin’s cell BUT only time will tell, so to all cells out there ... let’s bring it on.


Written by blog writer, 
~Michael~


Have a question or suggestion? Email us at uwalive@gmail.com!

Still riding on a high after Search For A Star?
Can't seem to get enough of the performances and/or performers?
Follow us as we go behind the scenes to interview some organisers and perfomers to see what goes on in their minds' while preparing for our annual event.


First up today, we have a short interview with the organiser of the whole event, Jerry to share some insights.
We managed to snag Jerry for a few minutes after the full dress rehearsal to ask him a few questions.


Hi Jerry, thanks for sparing us some time so our readers can get to know more about what its like to organise a large scale event such as this.

Oh, not a problem. I've never been interviewed before, so this will be interesting for me as well.

First question, on a scale from 1-10, what is the stress factor like for organizing SFAS? 

Hmm, on a whole, I think, maybe 8.75? It's pretty high because a lot of frustration involves dealing with people. The more people you deal with, the more you’re bound to have differences so miscommunication happens a lot. So yeah, 8.75 sounds about right.

Right, so which is your favorite performance of the night? 

How am I to choose? To me, each and every person who performs with a passion, with their heart and soul, who give it all they've got each time they're on stage are my favorites. Because I know a lot effort was put into it and even if ultimately, it isn’t to the best of standards, everyone gave it the best they got! :)


Okay, you're really diplomatic. But I can understand. I'd find it hard to choose as well. Now, if you had a choice, who do you NOT want to be tonight? 

Hmmm, everyone plays an important part in making tonight a success; from backstage crew to performer to usher to even the person who picks up litter. I guess the person I least want to be is one who’s not involved.

Now, what do you feel is the hardest thing about your role as organiser?

Oh, that's simple! TIME. Managing time, coordinating personal commitments with planning, execution , quality check and all other areas for the event. Trying to please everyone while striving to meet expectations etc.

So if you had a choice right now, what is the ONE thing you’d want most?

Oh, I haven't thought about that. I guess I just wish for everyone who is involved in SFAS to grow. To learn from each other and from experience, and to know that everyone shares the same vision and is working to achieve that.

Ok, I can see that you're very busy and there are a few people after you already. Last few questions! If you could turn back time, what is the one thing you wish you could change?

Nothing I guess. At this stage, we've done all we can and it's all in God’s hands.


Oh, that's good. What is your biggest fear right now for this event then?

Well, it's probably people not turning up. Visitors whom we've invited not coming at the last minute etc. Having said that, we’re asked to fear the lord, not man. So no matter what happens or whatever the attendance, we’ll continue in faith in the hope that some of our visitors will be touched and that they will get to know Jesus on a personal level.

Great, last question! What sort of acts will you like to see in future SFAS performances?

Oh, haha, performances that are unique? Not to say any performance tonight is not good but every year we try to get a variety of performances. So maybe in the future we'll see clowns, juggling acts, or fire breathers? But that’s just saying, doesn't mean we won't still look forward to the singing and dancing we have right now. ;)

Hahaha, fire breathers and jugglers huh? That might really be interesting. Anyway, thanks so much for your time Jerry. I'll let you get back to the final checks now. All the best for your event!


That concludes our interview with Jerry, Head Coordinator of SFAS. The UWA Blog team was out in full force for this year's SFAS, so remember to stay tuned for more pieces!

Written by Anonymous!


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I was just randomly scrolling through Facebook while taking a break from studying slacking and I saw something interesting. It was a screenshot of someone’s Twitter page and it looks something like this:


My first reaction was “Haha that’s quite funny”. My second reaction was “Omgosh God has a Twitter account!?”

So I proceed hastily to google up “almightygod tweeter” in hope of finding this account. And because google never fails, eventually I managed to find this twitter account, read all the tweets and finally found the original tweet:


And after reading all the tweets, to my horror the writer of this tweeter account is not God himself! In fact the writer was an ATHEIST!! Nooo….

Okay enough of my randomness. Obviously I’ve guessed that a Christian couldn’t have possibly created this account because it would be blasphemous to use God’s name. So it must have been some non-believer trying to make fun of God and Christianity.

But that’s not the point of me writing this blog post. The thing that I find interesting is the statement itself: “To most Christians, the Bible is like a software license. Nobody actually reads it. They just scroll to the bottom and click “I agree.”

So why did I find it funny? Maybe I did not consider myself to be one of the “most Christians” mentioned above? Probably, but the saddening thing is that the statement itself does have some truth in it. How many of your friends claim to be Christians but rarely reads the bible? How many of us clicked on the “I agree” button without counting the cost of carrying the cross daily?

I hope that our Church will not be in that “most Christians” category. Let’s not be a Christian just because all of our friends are Christians, it is very dangerous for us to do so. It will be very easy for us to fall away especially when our supportive Christian friends are not around us.

It is not enough for us to just read the bible once every week in cell and in church. There’s only so much the church or cell can teach you every week. We must make reading the bible part of our daily routines, then we can really be a bible based Christian.


Written by Blog Counsel,
~Wilson~

Have a question or suggestion? Email us at uwalive@gmail.com!

I’ve lost count of the times I wished that I was a bird in the sky or a duck in the lake, you know, when there is not a care in the world. You live, you die, simple. No stress, no pressure, just plain living. But that’s not life, life’s tough. There are ups and downs, and all the in-betweens.

Being in college now, the thought of not knowing what to do in the future is killing me. I mean, I am one of those ‘planners’ where I plan every single day, sometimes (just for kicks) planning in a week’s advance. So the thought of ‘not knowing’ really drives me nuts. And the constant bombardment of assignments and tests (4 to 5 a week!) isn’t helping either. To top it off, I’m really stress-prone!

Well, you may not be exactly like me, maybe a lil’ ‘sane-ner’, but we all have those moments, where life just throws everything at you mercilessly and you feel like you’re suffocating. You kick and wrestle, desperate for a gasp of air, just one break from all the struggling - an escape from all this chaos please!


The most tragic thing is this – we start to feel that God ain’t grand in our lives anymore. God doesn’t appear to be real. I mean as a Christian, I know that my future is in God’s hands and that tomorrow will worry about itself. But during these moments when stress has blinded me, all these verses seem so …… hollow. I begin to doubt and be overwhelmed by my own reasoning and common sense. Fear begins to sip in as my worries and insecurities chewed up my faith in God. Disappointments like bad results start to appear as death. During these moments, God seems to become so abstract and unreachable.

But God is good all the time and all the time God is good ... TO ME.

One night, after a long study of Physics which had probably shortened my life by a few days (kidding XD, no seriously), I took up Joseph Prince’s ‘Destined to Reign Devotional’ book that has been sitting on my table for so long untouched. Then I came across this verse:


Yea yea, I know, you are thinking, what has the devil gotta do with any of this?

But the key word here is neither the devil nor the armour of God, it’s the word ‘stand’. Yes, STAND! All God is asking us to do is to STAND, not wrestle, not challenge, and definitely not suffer! The word ‘stand’ implies that we are fighting FROM victory ground, not FOR victory. It’s amazing how God could use ordinary words to reveal extraordinary revelations.

Victory has always been ours since the very moment, the very nanosecond we believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. For it is written:


What’s even more awesome is that we already have everything in Christ! This is proven in 1 Corinthians 3: 22 – whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours.

So, after reading this, I found myself asking, why on Earth am I struggling when victory and everything in the world already belongs to me? After this revelation, I could practically feel the weight lifted off my shoulders and I could actually … breathe.

In today’s society, many feel entrapped and imprisoned by oneself. But there is a particular group of people, who are going through what I had experienced. They are being locked with chains when the key to these locks is in their hands, the key being Jesus Christ. As you might have already guessed, this group of people are the Christians, the chosen ones of God.

Are you one of them?

Well, I was one of them, but am no longer one because I’ve received the revelation!

My friend, you are victorious in Christ, yes, even right now as you’re reading this. We, as the children of God, are the salt and light of the world. So, if we are not living a victorious life, what difference are we to them? For us to be victorious and successful in life without having to slave over it, is something that shouldn’t be taken granted for! Our Abba Daddy has sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for us, so that we may be free of all bondages, including stresses in life!

So, I would like to challenge you today, to take this step of faith, to live a victorious life, to be a history maker. Whatever life throws at you, return to basics, return to your first love. Our loving Papa wants nothing but the best for us. Life is smashing and victorious with God on our side.


Written by Blog Writer,
~Julia~


Have a question or suggestion? Email us at uwalive@gmail.com!

I believe that most of us have heard of this phrase before. So what is a habit? Based on Wikipedia (this finally being a place you can quote Wikipedia!), a habit is an acquired pattern of behaviour that often occurs automatically. Well if it’s in our nature to give and do what is right automatically then that will be a good habit to keep. But for this article we’ll be looking at a bad habit which is much seen in our church today. And this habit is regarding punctuality.

From my point of view, I believe that much needs to be done regarding this as the longer this habit stays with us, the harder it’ll be to let go. Like ice-cream/Starcraft. Haha. Now let us see a few issues which need to be looked at.

1. Church:
As all of us know UWA service starts at 9am Sunday morning and this has been the time our service starts since the beginning of the year. At the beginning of the year it may seem ok that you see people entering through the backdoor of service (late) as they’re not used to waking up early for church. But sadly when hanging around church at 8:50am on the last UWA service for semester 1, I could only see a handful of people gathering outside the doors of our church. With much hope of a better semester 2, I went to ask the ushers of our church on what it’s like this time around and their respond was saying yes, it is getting better, but just a little.

2. When telling each other the time for an event:
What do I mean by this? Well, let me list an example of a dialogue between 2 people.
Example:
Louis: Hey tomorrow you coming right?
Will: Ya, what time is it?
Louis: It’s at 6. But more or less everyone will reach at 6:30.

I know that this occurs a lot when it comes to our events and this creates a mindset of:
(Time 6:00pm)
Ooo.. It’s already six, don’t worry the rest wouldn’t be there yet, I can start getting ready now. (Unrushed)

Isn’t it weird why so many of us can arrive at our exam halls much earlier than the paper itself but we can’t seem to arrive at God’s house on time? Whose waiting on who? Is the Lord Almighty in all His majesty waiting on us or are we waiting on Him?

I really hope that this issue can come to a close as soon as possible before Zion Praise Harvest becomes a church labelled for its lateness. Don’t think this can happen? Just to drive the point home, when arriving on time to an event organised by ex church members they were very much surprised and were expecting us to be late. ):

Hope ALL of you can see the importance of this. Let us together make the right decisions rather than excuses anymore, as bad habits are easier to abandon TODAY than tomorrow.



Let’s create a greater image for our church when it comes to punctuality and remember it starts with YOU. Remember what we learned last semester about an unstoppable generation? Well how can an unstoppable generation be late? To end this let me add something to the beginning quote, ‘old habits die hard,’ but they still have to die. (:

Written by Blog Writer,
~Michael~


Have a question or suggestion? Email us at uwalive@gmail.com!

Another year has passed, and before you know it, we’re in the busy busy busy month of September! With so many events held by our church in the span of a month from mid august to September, let us not forget about the Australian Father’s day which was last weekend!

How long has it been since you last said “I LOVE YOU” to your dad? When was the last time you spoke to him on the phone? Has it been too long to remember the last time you hugged your dad tightly? Did you notice that the grays threading through his hair are more obvious now?

It’s been 9 long months since I last saw my father. And yes, you’re right, I really do miss him badly. How I wish I can just hop on a plane right now and pay him a visit! But, the truth of it is, I can’t. What I can do instead is to remember to call home and share my life here in Perth as a student with him.

My dad is a strict parent, and not one that expresses himself well. There are times, when I see my friends playing or joking with their fathers, I find myself being jealous and envious of that comfortable relationship they have with their dads. Thoughts like “why isn’t my father like that?” or “ why does my dad not do what XYZ’s dad does for her?” and sadly also, “if only my dad was more like Uncle ABC” runs through my head. Even though he prepares breakfast for me every single morning, takes care of me when I am ill and works long hours for my tuition fees… I never really saw what he has been doing for our family. I was completely blindsided by the jealousy in me.

Only when I came to Perth did I notice the things my dad has been doing for me. Now, there isn’t anyone who gets up at 5 to prepare breakfast for me, to fetch me to school, or drive me around to visit the shops etc. I’ve come to realize that my father’s love is like sand. Each and every grain looks so small and insignificant, but when accumulated, it overwhelms.


Father’s day is but just a day, but being a dad is a lifetime vocation. I still recall my Sunday School teacher telling us that we have 2 fathers in our life, our Heavenly Father, and our earthly father. Our earthly father, was chosen by our heavenly Father to protect and nurture us. He is an angel as well as a servant chosen by our dear Heavenly Father.


God blesses us abundantly; with our lovely parents, our friends, and most importantly, life. And because of Him, I have the inspiration and opportunity to share about this with you guys.

As a child, all we do is receive and benefit from our father’s actions. Well, it is time to remember that dads (manly as they are) also need our love and encouragement! Remember to say “thank you” and “l love you” to your fathers, you never know how much it means to them!

God Bless! :)

Written by blog writer,
Mary-Ann


Have a question or suggestion? Email us at uwalive@gmail.com!

On the 19th of January 2010, she ventured into an unknown territory, a place called Perth. It was foreign to her as it was a place she’s never been to before. It was her first time being away from her family, her home and her friends ... she was alone. During her first few days in Perth, her mind was flooded with questions and self-doubt. Why did she choose to come to a place where English is the first language when she was doubtful of her own command of the language? If she is unable to communicate with the people here, wouldn’t that affect her chances of getting good results for her studies as well? And if that was the case, then what’s the point?


Well, friends, if you haven’t already realized, our dear heavenly Father is always making the first move towards us in every situation. Whenever we’re in need, He’s always there to provide love, comfort, support and timely help. Everything He does has its own purpose.

Before long, the freshie stopped worrying and started placing her trust in God. His plans are always purposeful and well timed, and she is sure of this, as she is living proof.

107, French Street is the house she is currently staying in. This house is a BIG present that she has been blessed with. Initially, it felt more like a torment than a blessing for her to live in this place. There were many problems with the house when she first moved in, and almost everything in this house just didn’t seem to work the way it should. She complained and complained constantly and hoped the people in-charge of housing for her college would shift her to a better house.

That was until the 22nd of March 2010, when the hailstorm occurred in Perth. Only then did she and her housemates realize that God was protecting them and had blessed them with the best house in that area. The house of 107 was the only house that was not flooded or damaged during the hailstorm. It was actually the SAFEST house in the WHOLE AREA! The hailstorm had shifted her perspective and led her to truly appreciate this house for what it is. She could think of no other reason why hers was the only house unaffected besides it being God’s work and His present to her and her housemates!


Regardless of what time and season we are in, our heavenly Father is constantly guiding us, never once losing sight of us. He has your future and every little detail concerning you all mapped out, yet the details are never forthcoming. Only at the right time will the details be revealed, and all we can do in the meantime is to prepare ourselves to receive His GREAT plan.


So friends, be patient and wait in anticipation of the great things that are in store for you! THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

Written by blog writer,
~Mary-Ann~

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I felt exhausted and frustrated at myself and I didn’t feel like doing my quiet time. During one of my ‘talks’ with God, I was suddenly reminded of this verse:

1. Handle our personal issues 
2. Complete that assignment 
3. Conclude that arguement 
4. Rule the world (just joking)