dEi-SpErAtE

LoSt GeNeRation

2009-03-16T22:39:00.001+08:00

Hi guys n gals,
our blog is like... *rusting &collecting dirt*

saw tis video in my bro's blog, decided to post it...
it's interesting n quite true... =)
at least to me, it is lah...
haha....

what do u think abt tis generation??
Do u hav ur priorities in order??
Where do ur happiness comes from??
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.
.
.
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Are u part of the lost generation??

Using what you have to do the Great Commission

2009-01-24T12:53:00.003+08:00

Hi people! I'd like to share this magazine article on how youth evangelise using the new media--the Internet. Click here to read the article!

REVIVED!

2009-01-05T11:22:00.001+08:00

W: 18 January 2008
W: 1.30pm-3.30pm
W: 5th floor of church!
W: come in royal colours!

2008-11-13T16:13:00.000+08:00

Hello one and all!

(sorry I haven't been emailing!)

Well, we have come to the last week of bible study for this year! I hope you all had an enriching experience walking through the 10 Commandments. Say, uncle Fuji and I have a crazy idea, i.e. to propose to the church to do the series! And maybe the youth could take turns to facilitate... "WHOA!" yup. That's right. haha, let me know what you think. Sometimes, instead of always asking WHY, we should learn to ask, WHY NOT?

Secondly, I need to know your replies for youth camp! Vanessa wrote some of your names down but I still need you to confirm with me personally okay?
(details of the camp are on our blog)

I'm sorry for the clashing of youth camp dates with the prison carolling!!!! A thousand apologies!!!! We'll go next year okay? You all are still free to join the rehearsals for fun if you want :X

OOps.

Anyways, I'll see you all this Sunday for our FINAL SHOWDOWN at Uncle Fuji's place. We'll be taking a bus there (it's ULTRA near). Please bring $5 to defray food costs because there'll be a surprise guest cooking for us!

Meanwhile, all the best to those having exams! Break a leg now!

www.dei-sperate.blogspot.com

Youth Camp!

2008-10-27T01:57:00.003+08:00

Hey Peeps! Start registering with me for youth camp!

I know that we're not a big group this year, but I bet we'll still have a lot of fun together!

Anyway, our speaker has been confirmed.

He is Pastor Daniel Ross. (click) He will be speaking at our main service on 14th December and during our camp on the 19th and 20th!

Get ready for an awesome time!

This year's camp theme is Self-LESS. As you all probably have heard, the church is embarking on "Preparing for the Harvest" in 2009. And in this time of preparation, we're hoping that we will first experience an inner transformation that is crucial to harvesting. The waiting on Him and the learning the attitude of surrender and give up our rights need to come from the inside out. Less of us and more of Him.

Are you ready to take up the towel?

Chilling is important :)

2008-10-15T21:16:00.000+08:00

Hello again!

Haha, are you bored receiving emails from INK? Do you delete them because you know you want to avoid knowing our programmes so that you can avoid coming?

If you are like that, or you know someone like that, please tell them that they are MISSING OUT!!

Well, after the honest discussion about honouring our parents, I believe that the Holy Spirit is working in each one of you! Find a time to honour your parents this week, even if it is just being nice for 24 hours!! LOL!

Anyway, this week we will be hanging out!! Don't AVOID the fellowship and makan just because there is no Bible Study!!!!!!!!!!!! It is still important!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We will having BA CHOR MEE (by special request of Michelle) for lunch, then going to east coast or just chill at my place. Dinner will be prepared by Tracie and Myself! HUr hUr hUr....

So, SEE YOU THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

P/S. Please pray for me, I'm going to be driving the church van! Yea!

Have a blessed week,
Deniece

HOT !! HOT !!

2008-10-10T17:27:00.002+08:00

Hey peeps!

This week we resume our weekly cell meetings and we'll be discussing on a HOT HOT topic!! We'll be learning about honouring our parents. What does the word honour mean? Is it the same as obey? When do we honour them? How do we honour them? Why must we when it seems so difficult at times?

I'm sure this topic is close to our hearts. So come and expect to be spiritual fed this Sunday!

See you!

Deniece

Updating........3,2,1.

2008-09-30T10:55:00.000+08:00

Hey everyone!

How's it going?

I enjoyed last week's bible study especially because I've learned much about how anger is related to murder and the reflection time we had (though short) made me identify the people that I need to reconcile with. Hope that you've taken home a few good and useful points too!

Those who took notes for your friends, please try to spend at least 15mins this week to go through the lesson with them! (On the phone is cool too)

Anyway, there won't be cell this week because it's the first week of the month again! And I strongly encourage you all to come for prayer meeting on Friday, 8pm! Not to be missed!

Lastly, please continue to keep these people in prayer:
- Cheryl Tan (pray that she gets well soon)
- Tracie & Eunice (Exams - pray for confidence and wisdom!)
- Shawn (Tests)
- Gracie (Getting results soon!)

Youth Cell will resume on 12 October! You're halfway through God's TOP TEN! Yeah!!!!!!!!! 5 more to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Press on!!!!!!!!!!

Newcomers are welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love y'all,

Deniece

We're back!

2008-09-13T00:00:00.000+08:00

Hello again!

I hope you guys had a fun time chilling out last week with your friends! For me, I had to take care of Poochie so I went home after service.. hehehe..

I'm so excited about this week's DEEP IMPACT! (the name inspired by the vision to be deeply impacted by God's word every week) We'll be touching on the 7th commandment: "Do not steal," found in Exodus 20:15. We often associate stealing with taking something from a shop without paying. But think about this: WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF THINGS THAT WE CAN STEAL? Think beyond material possessions. Mmm... Come and find out the answer this Sunday! Uncle Fuji will be with us!

So, we all know that 1 Sep was teacher's day right? On top of bible study this week, we will be celebrating teacher's day to appreciate Uncle Fuji for his investment into us, always challenging us to grow in God's word and in faith!

Looking forward to seeing you all there this Sunday, 1.30pm-3pm!

"It's time for this generation to rise up!"

Deniece

Deep Impact 31 AUG!!

2008-08-27T23:54:00.002+08:00

Wow!!!

It was so fun celebrating Vanessa's birthday last week! Hope that the emotional words of love touched her heart and made her feel appreciated :)

This week, we're going to be learning about what is truth? What is speaking falsely?

I am very glad to see so many of you last week, let us continue to persevere and learn more about his commandments for our lives.

Live to love him and each other.

Serving with joy,
Deniece

Ten Commandments

2008-08-21T13:29:00.002+08:00

Hey guys, last week we had Uncle Fuji lead the introduction to the 10 Commandments. All of us had something to take away with us from last week's lesson!

This week, as I read through the material we're going to cover, I am being challenged by what it means not to covet but instead be contented. I struggle with being content as I am by nature, a perfectionist (have mellowed down a lot over the years).

And so I am looking forward for another exciting time with u all this week!

If you know of any one desiring to grow deeper in God and want to be part of a community of vibrant young people with inextinguishable enthusiasm, invite them to join us too!

See you all this week!

Deniece

Deep Impact

2008-08-15T02:04:00.002+08:00

Come for Deep Impact meetings on Sundays, 1.30pm-3pm!!!

It's a time where young people...

-share their lives with each other
-worship
-dig into the word
-MAKAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be deeply impacted by testimonies, prayer, and the sharing by Uncle Fuji!

Make a date with us!

A picture speaks a thousand words...

2008-07-29T01:10:00.003+08:00

Happy first anniversary to INK!!

Indeed God has been good to us... Let's pray that we'll see greater things happening in the coming years...

To many more God-years ahead...

Loving and praying for you all,

Deniece

LOOK HERE!

2008-06-12T22:44:00.009+08:00

HEY LEADERS of the FUTURE!

LOOK HERE!

Sir Stamford Raffles have got something to say:

:)

Anyway, here's 4/108 of cool pics we took on the 25th May 2008.

Specially for you guys. :)

Last but not least,

SEE YA AROUND.
DON'T FORGET! :)

Cell 11 May!

2008-05-13T11:11:00.005+08:00

We made popcorn!! I think this is the sweet popcorn coz the white grains look bigger than the salt.. hehe...
Uncle fuji shared with us... Are you a voice or a noise?
We did reflection with the candles...
And we cam-whored!!
Join us this week for a another week of learning and growing and fun!!

NEXT CELL: 18 May, Sunday!

Don't forget to sign up with Michelle for our outing next Sunday too!

OUTING: 25 May! (Check out the post on Forest Adventure!)

For other pictures and video, join facebook!

The gospel preached, using rap & graffiti

2008-05-10T22:31:00.000+08:00

Umbrella Christ Remix

2008-04-28T12:11:00.000+08:00

Fun Together!!

2008-04-28T11:09:00.003+08:00

Let's go out and have some fun together! Invite your friends too!

What is Forest Adventure?

An aerial course through the trees comprising ladders, bridges, swings, nets, trapezes and slides where participants move unaccompanied, from tree to tree, 5 meters above ground.
All participants are equipped with harnesses and are responsible for securing themselves to a safety line at each stage.
Forest Adventure is a fun, recreational and outdoor activity for family and friends as well as groups (school and corporates).
Using trees as a support, Forest Adventure provides an exquisite way to touch and feel the trees and nature in general.

Date: 25 May 2008, Sunday
Time: 2.30pm-4.30pm (We'll leave together from church)
Cost: Below 16 - $20, Students - $22, Adults - $25
Sign up with: Michelle

Sign up as soon as possible so that we can place a booking early!

For further information, you can check out the website @ Forest Adventure (click)

2008-04-20T21:52:00.003+08:00

Keeping The Faith

2008-04-10T00:07:00.002+08:00

Dear Inkers,

As the ministry is going through a period of testing,

So is our faith.

Remember how we all felt during youth camp last year?

Never forget that experience.

But at the same time, that spiritual high that we felt will be tested.

God wants to know whether the testimonies and stories shared during the camp are true or are they just fads.

So whatever you are going through right now, remember how you once felt so close to him. Remember your altar.

Have faith to believe that God will tide us through this storm.

Be encouraged,
Deniece

A conversation with God

2008-04-03T23:45:00.003+08:00

God: Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No.. who is this?

God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don't know. But I cant find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Me: I understand. But I still cant figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?

God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty...

God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God: Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why cant we be free from problems?

God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading....

God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

God: When they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.

God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

God: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat.

God: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Bible Study Methods

2008-04-01T23:05:00.002+08:00

Yo INKers!

We have just finished a whole series of 1 John!

Those who came for every lesson, you persevered and made it through! Congratulations!

Those who did not, join us in April to learn why is it important to study the bible and how can we apply truths in the bible to our lives today!

This year, we are focusing on building deep in the word and our relationships with each other!

So come for cell this month and discover how you can grow intimately with God through His written word!

See you there!

Deniece

The Fern And The Bamboo

2008-03-29T12:16:00.000+08:00

Don't give up.....

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I t ook very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6
months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".
"I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He said.
"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?"
I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

2008-03-28T17:00:00.002+08:00

Many times we tend to plan our life and forget that God's the ultimate author of it.

Watch this video and take some time to reflect on whether you are ready to give Him all of you and nothing less.

Surrender to Him what is yours and let Him do the work.

Be blessed and encouraged!

"Not yet"

2008-03-17T17:32:00.003+08:00

A story found in Joyce Meyer's New Day, New You, March 14. It really brings a smile on my face & reminded me of God's constant moulding to make us beautiful. Thanks Gracie, for sharing it with me.

Submit to the Potter's Hands
"I like the story about the couple who went into an antique shop one day and found a beautiful teacup sitting on a shelf.They took it off the shelf so they could look at it more closely, and they said, "We really want to buy this gorgeous cup."

All of a sudden, the teacup began to talk, saying, "I wasn't always like this. There was a time when I was just a cold, hard, colourless lump of clay. One day my master picked me up and said, 'I could do something with this.' Then he started to pat me, and roll me, and change my shape. I said,'What are you doing? That hurts. I don't know if i want to look like this! Stop!'But he said, ' Not yet'

"Then he put me on a wheel and began to spin me around and around and around, until I screamed, 'Let me off, i am getting dizzy!' 'Not yet,' he said. Then he shaped me into a cup and put me in hot oven, I cried, 'Let me out! It's hot in here, I am suffocating.' But he just looked at me through that little glass window and smiled and said,'Not yet.'

"When he took me out, I thought his work on me was over, but then he started to paint me. I couldn't believe what he did next. He put me back into the oven, and I said, 'You have to believe me; i cant stand this! Please let me out!'But he said, 'Not yet.' Finally he took me out of the oven and set me on on a shelf and I thought he had forgotten me. Then one day he took me off the shelf and held me before a mirror. I couldn't believe my eyes, I had become a beautiful teacup that everyone wants to buy."

There may be things going on inside of us that we do not understand. But when we finally arrive at the place where God wants to bring us, we will see how it has prepared us for what God wanted for us all along."

Dearest brothers & sisters, when we're faced with difficulties, like this teacup, do we give up easily, thinking that God is not on our side; not there to help us?

As you can see, it is a process ALL of us have to go through. God never does things that is harmful to us. It is how we look at the situation, whether we see it with our own narrow perspective or we see with God's perspective. Ask for a godly vision!

Ask & it shall me given!

Sentosa

2008-03-12T15:32:00.013+08:00

On a nice monday morning... :)

WE WENT TO THE BEACH at SENTOSA! :)

Ooh! the guy with the hottest bod in INK! :)
lying on the bench while the others play volleyball in the background...

And just look at this guy... just what he thinks he is doing?!?!
wanna guess who?!?! hahaha...

There! Reveal of the face behind the Jap book!
Ah! Drinking somemore! haha...
Playing Volleyball... :)
(Joshua, Luke, Angel, Samuel and Sean in one team)
And the other team
(Isa, Shannon, Aaron, benedict)
After a game of volleyball, it's back to.... soccer... 3 hunks and a pretty lady.. :)

Last look at the hunks:

These are only the morning pictures! If you have more post! :)

Family Day

2008-03-11T15:16:00.005+08:00

Hi all!

For those who went for the sentosa outing, I hope you have enjoyed it thoroughly! haha... i will post some of the pictures in my phone soon soon!!! :) hahaha... (dun blame me if there are too many of one person (i.e. Shannon Tan) for SOMEONE (you know who) is frantically taking his picture while he plays volleyball! hahaha...

Anyway, Family Day, as you all know (or not), is on GOOD FRIDAY itself!

Friday, 21 March 2008
9am - 1pm
ECP, open Space near Car Park D1
(in case you wanna know, it's free parking)

Bring your soccer/blading/ ball game/ beach gears for a fun rocking time! :)

We would need help in some of these areas:

(1) CONFIRM your ATTENDANCE with Deniece or me! :)
please please! the church needs it to know how much food to cater for! :)

(2) Helpers/ Ushers for that day
The committee hopes for the youth to come help them out with ushering the people and crowd control! so yup~ Please inform Deniece or me if you can help out! :) We can all do it together! :) No need to crowd control the whole time, but we just need some people to help wherever is needed, like food, or logistics or demo for games etc! :) It's a casual event! :)

LASTLY,
(3) we need CAMPERS!!!
calling all who loves night life, staying up allll night, roughing it out on the beach, this task is for you! :) we need some campers to stay over at the beach (dun worry, some young adults will also be there too) just to make sure that we get the place (as it's public area)

haha... so if you're game for some night cycling, blading, board games, card games, camping... JUST JOIN US!!! :)

Look for Deniece/ Lindy/ Alan/ Esther for more details! :)

in the meantime, TA! :)

UNDER GRACE - What is The Correct Response to Grace?

2008-02-21T09:50:00.001+08:00

Food for thought: An article by Hillsong's worship pastor, Darlene Zschech. :)

Click here!

Gala Nite pics!

2008-02-17T23:41:00.011+08:00

Check out Deniece's Facebook photo album for more!

Reflection: Gala Nite.. God, U & I Dance!

2008-02-17T22:31:00.003+08:00

My first thought as I stepped into the function room at Laguna Park was a sarcastic, “Oh. Wow.” It was not what you would have expected of gala-valentines-dinner-dance event. Although I did remember seeing a non-revolving disco ball hanging from the ceiling, the chandeliers were absent, we had potato chips for entrée… You get the picture. It was not very showy.

Then again, so what? Those are just secondary to what really went on that night, which was a BLAST!

Couples (friends) were all around, enjoying each another’s company, especially during the super fun dance that was led by Deniece & Isa. It was a truly heartwarming & rather entertaining sight. The skit by Lindy & Deniece further helped me understand how important friends are to us, that nobody can work or live alone. Add to the fact that everyone was sincerely wrecking our brain juices to come up with a design and a message to our lovely partners on those wooden door hangers pretty much shows that we do love our friends, eventhough we may not show it all the time.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12

Just as Jesus unconditionally died for us, a true friend who loves you deeply would protect you to the best of his/her ability & hence one of the reason why God is constantly reminding us to “love one another” – to protect & lift one another up. In short, here’s what I learnt that night - that God is love and when we love our friend with His love, this bond unbreakable, so are we.

Finally, we don’t need chandeliers or fancy dresses. (although they do make very nice bonuses) God’s very presence that night, as we basked and danced in it, have made the event very glamourous indeed!

Gala-rious Nite in celebration of V-Day

2008-02-16T21:10:00.001+08:00

By Cheryl Tan

It was the first time in Ink’s history that a Valentine’s Day event was organised. The dinner and dance event was held at the function room of Laguna Park Friday evening.

Youths of all ages attended the event dressed to the nines - the girls came in their most glamorous dresses, and the boys wowed the girls over in their shirts, and dress pants. This made the event all the more interesting. As Alysia Tan puts it, “Dressing up is something we don’t get to do every other day.”

The highlight of the event was the dance choreographed by Deniece Foo and Isa Sim. Everyone was invited to the dance floor where they danced to the catchy beat of the song, You Can’t Stop The Beat from the Hairspray soundtrack with their dates.

Deniece said, “The dance was a bit chaotic but it was very fun, and the changing partners part was the ‘funnest’. The emphasis of the night wasn’t on BGR (boy-girl relationship), but about appreciating each other. And also, it doesn’t make you feel very weird to stick to the same person.”

Dance is Ink’s trademark and as the ministry head of youth, Deniece sees an importance in dance. “Dance bonds, everyone does the same thing at the same time, and you end up feeling very united.”

Despite staying up till 11 the night before to choreograph the five-minute dance with Isa the night before, she felt it was definitely worth the trouble, adding that, “If you party you must dance!”

Aaron Ang, one of the organisers for the event, said, “Gala Nite was a good chance to invite my friend (Tricia). And I enjoyed the dancing, although I sucked. But Tricia was good!”

The message of the night was given by Deniece and Lindy Teo, in a short skit. It was about appreciating one another and how having another person with you is always better than doing things alone, because, like what they said, “if one falls, the other person can help him up.”
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Stay tuned with dei-sperate.blogspot.com for more updates on Gala Nite!

Blessed New Year!

2008-02-08T01:00:00.000+08:00

Dear INKers,

It’s the beginning of February and we’re in the middle of CNY!

Let’s just think back for a moment when we first ended camp. Felt like you were on a spiritual high? Felt emotionally charged up for God?

I remember during the time when we all shared our success stories, or if some of you prefer to call it “testimonies”, we were all talking about life-changing encounters with God during camp.

But how come it’s only about two months after camp and we’ve already lost the emotional drive that we felt during camp?

We struggle on a Sunday morning to get up early to come to church after a late Saturday night out with friends and family. We find it so hard to commit to spending time with God everyday. We are overloaded with school work that we keep saying we do not have time for God.

I just want to encourage you with this verse.

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Paul is bidding farewell to the church in Ephesus. It was one of his missionary journeys and he was facing the weight of the calling that God has for him. But he is committed to go and stand trial before the kings and rulers of the various cities to present his case. It was tremendous task as he is putting his life at stake.

As we are starting to feel the pull of life’s responsibilities on us – school, work, family, friends – we need to stay focused and discipline as individuals to grow spiritually, and as a corporate body by meeting up as often as we can to share our struggles and experiences with each other that we might be able to uplift each other with words and prayer. We need to be a community that can stand by each other during stormy weathers. (Heb 10:25)

“Discipline is what we must have, to make us do the things we should do, in order to have the things we say we want to have.” – Joyce Meyer

If we want a greater breakthrough in our walk with God and in our ministry, we must not neglect this often looked over word, “discipline”.

James 1:12 “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.” – The Message

As we face challenges in our lives as we walk with God, we are to face it “head-on” and emerge victorious!

Remember that God has called us to be overcomers and victors, not defeaters!

Have a blessed new year!

Deniece

West Cell - Angel/Mortal

2008-02-05T09:31:00.000+08:00

Hi West Cell! :)

As agreed on Sunday,

The 2 Group norms we are to focus for the next 2 weeks would be:

Love One Another

and

There must be food in every session. Everyone must EAT!

We've also started Angel/Mortal in order to promote LOVE...
haha...

If you have forgotten your mortal's birthday, here is the list!

Lindy - May 14
Eunice - Oct 24
Alysia - Nov 16
Shannon - Feb 1
Yuting - Sep 21
Shawn - April 18
Vanessa - Aug 26
Michelle - Jan 06
Gracie - Apr 12

If you even forgot the birthday you have picked... i feel really sorry for your mortal... You can be ALL OUR ANGEL THEN! :)

It was a great time on Sunday. :)

see you next in Gala! And remember: LOVE YOUR MORTAL/ANGEL ON GALA!!! :)

Love,
Lindy

Shaping Our Culture

2008-01-31T23:08:00.000+08:00

by Ron Luce

Your child doesn’t have to wait to be an ordained minister before they can share God’s message. God wants us to testify of His greatness right now, with everything inside of us. It has been said that approximately 98 percent of our population follows the culture and only 2 percent shapes the culture.

If you have heard your kids say things like, “Hey, I can’t wait until that new movie comes out,” or, “So-and-so’s new CD is really awesome,” you’ve witnessed the pull they feel to follow culture. They are part of the 98 percent. The other 2 percent shape our kids and shape our society. It’s time for us to encourage our young people to be part of that 2 percent. It’s time for the 2 percent that shape our culture to be Spirit-filled, on-fire young men and women of God. Shouldn’t we be the ones who use our Spirit-filled creativity to shape the rest of the culture with godly values, insight and ministry?

The young men and women of today’s society are already finding ways to hone their creativity. Things like Facebook, MySpace and other blogging accounts are powerful tools that most teens don’t even realize they have. As children of God, we are to shine our light in the darkness of this world.

It just makes sense to use these blogging sites as a tool to send out a message of God’s amazing power and love for everyone.

Get creative.

We need to encourage our teens to use powerful tools such as You Tube. Teens can record videos and post them online or send them to each other. What better way is there for your teen to illustrate a life-changing thought God has revealed to them?

Maybe they want to post their own music online as well. Your child doesn’t have to wait to be an ordained minister before they can share God’s message. God wants us to testify of His greatness right now, with everything inside of us.

Do you know teens who like to write? Teach them to write press releases for church events and articles for newspapers. Do you know teens who are desperate for a challenge? Teach them how to start a Bible study at their school. We need to think of how we can empower our kids to raise their voice and be part of the 2 percent that shape the culture.

Take a stand.

Another great way to encourage your teens to take a stand for what they believe and to hear firsthand from other teens who are doing the same is through www.battlecry.com. This site hosts blogging and networking for anyone who wants to join. Teens are challenged to make goals for specific ways they want to minister to the world. At www.acquirethefire.com, people from all over the world are posting videos, writing articles and downloading music as a testimony of their life in Christ. The purpose of the media that is posted is to glorify God. It’s time for our teenagers to let their voices be heard!

Through all of these outlets, teens can influence their peers in their own towns, all over the United States, and even throughout the world. This is enacting the directions Jesus gave to His followers in Acts 1:8 to share the Gospel in our communities, in our regions and all over the world. This is Teen Mania’s focus this year.

Our Acquire the Fire events will spotlight all of these areas of creativity in young people and encourage them to post a million pieces of this creativity on our acquirethefire website for the world to see. These pieces could include video clips, blogs, music or writing pieces. We want today’s teens to relay their love for Jesus in cyberspace and allow the world to hear their voice and be shaped by the Jesus in them. Your mission is to make sure that the kids in your home and in your church are a part of the solution.

Go to www.battlecry.com or www.acquirethefire.com to find an event near you or to view the creativity of teens that is being showcased on our website.

East Cell pictures!

2008-01-30T12:53:00.001+08:00

So, how was East Cell?

Awesome, I'd say.

There's Deniece singing a song, with Aaron strumming the guitar. Left to right: Isa's sexy pout, Angel's charming smilePrisca and I! Do we look like sisters?

The guys. Left to right: Caleb, Joshua, Sean Richards, Simeon

Shining the torch in the darkness.

We're all happy when there's food, I guess! :)

East Cell! 25th Jan

2008-01-30T00:07:00.000+08:00

God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
- 1 John 1:5-7

The wonderful night began with Caleb leading worship, together with Joshua and Luke on the guitars. One of the songs we sang, Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) made me realise that God’s love for us is truly amazing, steady and unchanging, and when all else fails, it is His love that carries us through.

We went on to watch a short video about the gospel of John. Deniece then led us in activities which opened up our eyes, and led us to think deeper about sin, and how Jesus was the only way that we could be cleansed from all sin.

One of the activities we did involved us sitting in a tight circle with the room only illuminated by the light from outside. Passing around a small mirror and a torch, we took turns to look into that mirror, and share with the others what we like and did not like about our faces.

By the time we were done, our eyes had grown accustomed to the dark. When the lights in the room were turned on again, my eyes were stung by the glare but at the same time, I was flooded with relief that there was light and I could see clearly once again. In the same way, living in sin is like being in the dark.

We ended the session praying for the friends we knew who are still living in darkness, and have not yet known the joy of coming into Jesus’ light.

I was left feeling refreshed and spiritually refuelled, and I can't wait for the next session!
See you guys there! :D

O Level Results

2008-01-24T14:25:00.001+08:00

All the best to those collecting O Level results today!

I Am Legend (2007)

2008-01-24T11:32:00.000+08:00

I watched the movie and was very inspired by the profound statements it contained. I found this review very refreshing and spiritual encouraging.

May you enjoy reading it too. :)

Deniece

------------------------------------------------------------------
written by Maurice Broaddus

Adapted from the classic (1954) Richard Matheson horror novel of the same name, this is I Am Legend’s third incarnation on the screen. First there was Vincent Price’s 1964 The Last Man on Earth, then Charlton Heston’s 1971 The Omega Man and now it comes to us on the impressive shoulders of Will Smith.

The movie veers between haunting and terrifying. Set in a desolate Manhattan, in the near future of 2012, nature slowly reclaims the concrete jungle with grass breaking up the roads and escaped zoo animals running free. Alone in this environment, we have a man and his dog. Will Smith, as Robert Neville, fills his day hunting, searching for other survivors, and striving for a cure for the disease that has left all but him either dead or changed.

“God didn’t do this. We did.” –Robert

The movie is steeped in spiritual overtones and imagery, ever interesting considering the amount of science fiction in this horror work. Once again, we are presented with the consequences of the over-reach of man tampering with the natural order of things, the same hubris presented in stories from the biblical (the Tower of Babel) to the classic Frankenstein. In this case, KV, the virus originally reprogrammed as a cure for cancer, instead spreads a different sort of infection. Survivors of it develop red eyes, reduced pigmentation, heightened aggression, and a sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight). In other words, they become vampires in place of the zombies from 28 Days/Weeks Later. Military scientist Robert Neville proves to be immune from the effects of the virus and remains behind to try to find a cure.

“Everything just fell apart.” –Robert

KV dehumanizes humanity, reducing them to vampire-like “dark seekers.” It is a contagion of social de-evolution, spread from person to person until all have been affected. It is the condition that everyone finds themselves in, no longer what they were meant to be, no longer living how they were created to live, and no longer capable of communing with one another, much less anything else, they way they were meant to.

Though still outwardly human, they have lost the essence of their true humanity. They suffer from a profound loneliness, this loss of existential connection, that even Robert is are driven slowly mad just wanting so bad to hear someone just say “hello.” He tries to forge the semblance of connection with his dog (Sam) and even mannequin (Fred). Routine and discipline anchor him to sanity, living in hope of finding other survivors as well as a cure.

"If we listen, we can hear God’s plan.” –Anna (Alice Braga)

Despite the tragedy, the loss, the death, the destruction, and the seeming unfairness of life, God still has a plan and His Spirit still moves among people for a reason. Posters in the background of the movie continue to remind us that “God still loves us.”

Robert tells the story of Bob Marley’s theory on curing racism by “injecting music and love into people’s lives… the people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off. Why should I?” That’s the core message of the movie, that one man can make a difference, can provide hope for a new way of living, through blood and sacrifice to defend the cure. Through sacrificial love, by injecting love to light up the darkness, life can be lived in light of hope, be it a new colony or a new earth, a quieter earth, with the chance to do things right as a legacy to that sacrifice of love. Robert Neville is a Messianic figure that passes into legend.

Will Smith carries the movie through its long silences and terrifying sequences, displaying quite the range of emotions, especially in the scenes with his dog. While the desolation of New York after the devastation continue to haunt and the dark seekers terrify, it is the character-driven nature (as Robert wrestles with both his faith and loneliness) and thoughtfulness of the plot that bring this movie home.

WonderFOOL~

2008-01-19T20:51:00.000+08:00

First of all, wanna apologise for such a delay in my posting of this.
Honestly, I don't know how to write this thingy, but I'll try my best. And I'll try not to write in Singlish.

WonderFOOL. That's the only word I can think of that can fully explain the afternoon with justice :D

I bet that the impact of Sunday's Jailhouse Rock is still heavily but wonderfully cemented in your hearts.

But of course, I heard the wonderful singing of a powerful Youth group. And our very own Youth band~

There was loads of dancing too :D

And we have the cookie-monster Pastor Kel

Oh yes, I still owe you an explaination as to why I would describe this experience as WonderFOOL.

Let's say, we take a fool as someone who isn't very educated. You show him how algebraic equations work out. He'd be very stunned and shocked. He'll marvel at the wonder of algebra. That's how I felt that day.
Doesn't God have a way of just making a huge impact on you everytime? You'll never grow sick of it. You just want more. And he never grows sick of engulfing you in his never-ending love.

And that's the fact that is wonderful to me. And it wonders me, as if I'm fool learning algebra. But as long as I'm a fool for God, it doesn't matter doesn't it?(:

&, Jeslynn is gonna go, going, and went *POOF*

PS; I honestly don't know what I'm thinking as I wrote this post. The words just typed themselves out =\
PPS; I hope this post is to your liking and you understand what I've, or rather, what the words itselves has written =\

Another conference for you

2008-01-18T16:23:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

In case you are interested:

INK 2008

2008-01-08T14:16:00.001+08:00

Trust that you all had fun during INK camp 2007 and are looking forward to the year ahead.

The church's theme this year is Building & Restoration

Similarly, all ministries in the church will submit to the church's theme and plan our bible studies and programmes around it.

For INK, the CORE group will meet this weekend to talk more about our direction for this year.

But to keep INKers in the know of things,

our sense is that this year, we want to build deep. Building deep in our relationships is key this year, as well as grounding ourselves in the word.

Luke 6:46-49 teaches us about the wise and foolish builders.

The first builder built his house upon a sand. While the second builder built his house upon a ground with foundation.

As an establishing and pioneering ministry, we need to start by building our foundation - the foundation upon God's word and the foundation in our relationships. The firmer our foundation, the longer we will stand the test of time.

Praise God for the journey that we have travelled together so far.

I pray that in 2008, we will actively participate in getting our basics right. For our relationships, I pray that we will all aim to take off our masks, to remove pretense and be sincere and genuine during times of sharing and fellowship. It always takes two hands to clap. So we need to be in this together.

It's going to be another exciting year! So take heart and press on into the things of God!

He is doing great and marvelous things among us!

Have a blessed year,

Deniece

Youth Leadership Team

2008-01-05T01:38:00.000+08:00

The newly formed Leadership Team met today.We fellowshipped at Starbucks till 12.30am!!! Is was an awesome time of getting to know each other better!! Missed Caleb & Lindy :(

Before that, we had dinner at MoS bUrGer....................................................... Shawn ate a big piece of lettuce......... good on you!

The formation of the Youth Leadership Team..............................................

Work, work and more work................................................................

Praise God for willing hearts and servant leaders. As we will all be struggling to serve God while balancing our school, work and parents, for some of us, who will be in National Service, it will even harder to manage our time. So we need to pray for strength and undying passion to keep us in our race. When we are weak, then He is strong.

Thank You Lord.

Worship Experience

2008-01-03T14:38:00.000+08:00

Anyone interested? Seats are 1st come 1st served! Ink could go together! :)

10&11 April 2008, 7.30pm
The Mac Pavilion@ Singapore Expo, Hall 10
Free Admission

http://www.alpha.org.sg/wcps/index.html for more infomation

CORE Retreat

2008-01-03T14:32:00.001+08:00

Re: Shuling's Video

2008-01-03T11:11:00.000+08:00

I wanted to post it as a tag, but i realised i got too long-winded, so here goes! haha... :p

I saw Shuling's video, and i believe many of you have, and i just wonder:

What went through your mind when you see that video?

What is a spiritual lesson that you can take home even through a secular video?

I'm not sure about you, but it really got me thinking about the 2nd question.

I saw how one person who arises with a mission can light up the world of others, and inspire others to move in whatever the person has started out for.

How he was, at first alone in the streets, calling for 'Free Hugs' through a ply card, and no one came. Some were shy, others were skeptical. Some even thought he was crazy.

There were a few who paused and came up to him and eventually hugged him. And it brought a smile on that person's face. Slowly, the movement became greater, and in the end, a pledge card of 10,000 signatures were solicited.

i dunno, but i see a similarity between this and the Christian movement.

---

How that one person, be it our pastor, leader, or anyone is able to inspire others, share his/her passion with others and ignite in them the passion as well to call others.

i can only be reminded of our best example, Jesus, who 1st called his disciples, Peter by saying, "Come, follow me, and i will make you fishers of men." (Matt4:19). He had a mission - to reconcile the world to God, and he shared and passed on the flame to his disciples, and many others followed Him. He not only had 10,000 followers and people who pledged their signatures, He had MILLIONS who pledged their lives to HIM!

Some were skeptical, others called Him and His followers crazy, and as Shuling told us, the movement was even banned. It was banned as it created such a big whoohaa! It disrupted people's comfortable lifestyle! It was out of the way, inconvenient, and WEIRD.

I wonder next: ARE WE CRAZY AND PASSIONATE ENOUGH FOR JESUS THAT WOULD RESULT IN SOMEONE OSTRACIZING US, BANNING US?

Christians in the world today, even you and i, have become so easy on ourselves that sometimes, no one even notices the Christian around them. Are we called to be this way? Can we make a difference in wherever we are?

I pray that this reflection piece of mine will really stir in you, once again, a desire to WALK WITH THE LORD, no matter what others may say. To be DESPERATE PEOPLE FOR THE LORD, and not for others.

TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF GOD.

Claim your authority!

2008-01-03T00:17:00.000+08:00

Hello INKers!!!

I'm glad to be part of the Ink Publications team, to serve you guys in a greater measure. As Ink's newsletter is still in the planning stage, hope you guys will stay in tune hErE for some food for thought.

Okay, I read this article entitled "I Think I Can... I Think I Can..." from Joyce Meyer's Enjoying Everyday Life January issue. It talks about not letting your own negative thoughts affect your knowing of your identity in Christ. Do check it out.

It is not abnormal to esteem ourselves lower than we actually are and usually, the source could come from comments of others. For myself, I get affected by what others say or do too. for example my studies and grades. I'm not a fantastic student and sometimes, hearing how well others score just caused me to think negatively. But God says in Isaiah 55:8-9:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways," declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts. (NIV)

He has a wonderful plan for all of us. Sometimes we think we just can't make it, but no no, you are definitely wrong! Let's just keep in mind of God's promises:

God says we are His royal priests (see 1 Pet 2:9)
God says we are the head, and not the tail if we obey Him(see Deut
28:13)
God has given us the keys to the kingdom of heaven so that we can bind and
loose with authority (see Matt 16:19)

You are precious in God's sight and He has many, many, many good things for you to unfold! Don't think you can; fret not! YOU CAN DEFINITELY DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF YOUR STRENGTH! (Phil 4:13) Claim your authority!!!

Sometimes, a hug is all what we need.

2008-01-02T22:25:00.000+08:00

Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives. In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal. As this symbol of human hope spread across the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring.

Warm & fuzzy & inspiring! Hope it put a smile on your face! =)

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Hebrew 10:24

(source:http://www.freehugscampaign.org/)

CORE to NoTE! :)

2008-01-02T10:09:00.000+08:00

To CORE!

Please Please keep the 11-13 Jan free! We'll be having our 1st (and not the last) RETREAT to have some fun, to relax, to refresh ourselves in the Lord for the years ahead and some planning! :)

Please note that we will be going to church DIRECTLY on Sunday. For those who can't wait for Sunday to get the schedule, here is a preview! hahaha... :)

So bring along your balls, frisbees, and any other recreational tools you need to have a refreshing time! :)

Oh! Also, please bring $10 for the retreat, and adequate cash for lunch and dinner. Only the 2 Bs - no! not Bible and Brain, you still have to bring them, but Breakfast and BBQ will be provided.)

For those who need to help out in this retreat, you will be individually approached, if not, JUST ENJOY! :)

Ink Publications Team formed!

2008-01-01T20:16:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday, the Ink Publications team met up to discuss & finalise the role of each committee members.

I'm glad God put in each & everyone of us the desire to establish a newsletter for Ink.

Erm... Somebody's missing...

I hereby present you the Ink Publications committee members!

Advisors: Deniece Grace Foo & Hannah Lindy Teo
Editor: Cheryl Lim
Writers: Jeslynn Ong & Cheryl Lim
Photographer: Sylvia Wee & Wong Qian Min
Designers: Quek Shuling & Jeslynn Ong
Administrators: Vanessa Yoong, Wong Qian Min & Sylvia Wee

Day Out With PGL

2007-12-29T01:13:00.000+08:00

Before I start this entry, INKers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pen down your thoughts for the youth camp here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Refer to Lindy's previous entry)

Shan, Lin & I (Deniece) went out with Pastor Glenn today to St. Francis Methodist School to observe Him conducting sessions for SJSM, St. John St. Margarets. It was a good time of learning from Pastor Glenn personally and how the youth ministry there was structured. After having lunch at the camp, we decided that it was not enough, so we headed down to the rail mall, not knowing what is there to eat until we bumped into a 24 hours "Ah Mei" Kaya Toast cafe. Zhang Hui Mei is my favourite Chinese Singer, but unfortunately, this coffee house was not opened by her.. hahaha...

So on the left is the picture of the cafe's signature signboard! By the way, their tea is called Ah Mei Cha I think... Lin drank it... and I googled them online and found out that their Murtabak is really good. They have prata there too I think... One of these days must go there for supper...

On the right, spot Lin, Shan and PGL ordering their food...

Unleashing Pastor Glenn's vain side. He likes close up shots so I took another one with him and Shan close up. Look at them acting cute! And it's not even Lindy!

Do not judge a person by his appearance. They look kind of cute together.

Finally, the last and lousiest picture!!!! The man who took this picture had unsteady hands so the picture came out blur. Oh well, I like this picture nevertheless coz it captures our moment at Ah mei Cafe. hahaha.... next time when you see Pastor Glenn, make sure you greet him with this pose!

Check Out the Updates!

2007-12-26T16:47:00.000+08:00

HeyHey!!!! :)

Check out the updates!

There have been some changes made to the blog! Can anyone spot them?!?! :p

It feels like 2008 now, although it's only.... the 26 DECEMBER!?!??!?!?!!!!!!!!

Can someone PLEASE update this blog with some youth camp commentary?!?! Like ting?!? or anyone! If you do not have the access to blog here, do email Deniece@ deniece_grace@hotmail.com or Lindy at hannah.lindee@gmail.com and we'll gladly do it for you!!!!

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!!!! :)

Alright! Ta now!!! :)

Guys/Girls

2007-12-12T16:15:00.000+08:00

Chanced upon this interesting article: http://www.walkthru.org/site/PageServer?pagename=YWguysgirls

Guys
Simeon

Simeon is one of the guys who doesn’t get much coverage in the Christmas story. Luke 2:25-35 tells us all we really know about Simeon—that he was righteous, devout, that the Holy Spirit was upon him, and that he was hoping to see the Messiah during his lifetime.

But there are a few other things I think are true about Simeon. First, I think he was old. The Holy Spirit had told him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Messiah, which makes me think that death was at least a real possibility.

Second, I think he was patient. “He eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel” (Luke 2:25 NLT). We don’t know exactly how long it was between when the Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would see the Messiah and when he actually did, but I have a feeling that Simeon had waited a while. How could he still be waiting eagerly? Most people I know get tired of waiting after just a short while. But not Simeon.

That waiting takes true faith, which is the third thing I think was true about Simeon. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would see the Messiah, and Simeon believed Him. He waited eagerly, expecting God to fulfill what He had said. That takes great faith.

Finally, I think Simeon was very in touch with God’s Spirit and Word. The only way he could have continued to have such a strong faith would’ve been if he was continually reading the Word of God, praying, worshiping, and listening carefully. In fact, it was Simeon’s listening to God’s prompting that led him to finally see the Messiah. On the day Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, Simeon just happened to be there. Why? Because that day, the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there (Luke 2:27-28).

Simeon was there! He held Jesus in his own arms, just as he’d hoped and believed would happen.

How many amazing things do we miss out on because we don’t listen to God’s voice or the Spirit’s prompting? Wouldn’t it have been tragic if Simeon wasn’t there because he hadn’t followed where the Spirit led him? We all need to learn how to listen more carefully for God’s voice and the Spirit’s prompting. Sometimes it appears through the words of Scripture, sometimes through the words of another person, and sometimes in our minds or hearts.

Learn from Simeon. Be patient. Trust. Listen carefully. Pay attention. And then obey. That way you won’t miss out on what God has in store for you and you will be there to experience the Lord working in your life.

Girls
Mary

Most Bible scholars believe that Mary was probably a teenager when she gave birth to Jesus. Imagine what it must’ve been like to be visited by an angel who told you: 1) that he was a messenger from God, 2) that you were going to get pregnant while still a teenaged virgin, and 3) that your baby was going to be the Son of God. My first reaction would

probably be, “Mmm-hmmm. Right. Whatever.” My second would probably be, “Oh man, my mom is going to FREAK!?!?!?!” My third would probably be, “God, clearly You haven’t thought this through very carefully. I mean, I’m not even married yet. And there are tons of girls who would be a better choice than me. What about Hannah? Or Deborah?!” After that, I’d probably freak out for a while. C’mon . . . a baby? While a virgin? The Son of God?

It doesn’t get any more outrageous than that.

But Mary didn’t say those things. They might have crossed her mind, but she responded humbly and obediently and basically said, “Okay, God. This is scary. But I trust You. I believe You. If You say this is Your plan, and if this is what You want me to do, count me in . . .”

In a few moments, Mary’s life was turned upside down. God asked her to do what seemed impossible. He asked her to trust Him even when things seemed unbelievable. He asked her to believe that He had a plan and that He knew what He was doing. And she did.

Even in situations that are less intense than Mary’s, trusting God can be difficult. We live in a world that teaches us to watch out for ourselves and encourages us to do what’s best for our own personal gain. The world isn’t very trust-in-God friendly, no matter what the coins and the license plates say.

In the world’s opinion, trusting God the way Mary did seems foolish, ridiculous, stupid, idiotic even. But it’s what Christians are called to do. When God presents us with situations that seem foolish, ridiculous, stupid, and even idiotic, we need to listen to His Word, then take a deep breath and trust Him. Like Mary, we need to say, “Okay, God. This makes no sense. This is scary. But count me in. I am Your servant, and I will obey.”

This Christmas, while you’re celebrating the birth of Jesus, take some time to think about Mary’s obedience. She’s an example of true faith and genuine humility for all young women. The world needs people with a heart like Mary’s. You can be one of those people.

PPP Night

2007-11-30T15:27:00.003+08:00

Hey everybody! Watch this space for more photos!

These are just starters!

Starting a Conversation

2007-11-18T00:14:00.000+08:00

We talked about this topic briefly on Friday, which I believe is a relevant issue for everybody.

Why is it so difficult to start conversations with people?

We had a few contributions to the first question.
1) Because there's nothing to talk about
2) Because of awkward silences
3) Because some people are mono-syllabic in their responses

These are very practical reasons why talking to people whom we are unfamiliar with is a challenge.

I found this quote an interesting one to unpeg.

"A gossip is one who talks to you about other people. A bore is one who talks to
you about himself. And a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you
about yourself." -William King

Seriously think about it for a moment. Start to reflect on your conversations with other people. Are you mostly talking about others, yourself, or are you genuinely listening to the person you're talking to? Are you taking interest in them? Are you asking questions to get to know them better?

Still, there seems to be a major wall between us and a new friend that we refuse to tear down. The million dollar question is, "so what do we talk about? where and how do we start?"

If you're interested in the subject of building relationships with peope and you want to improve in your skills in how to make people feel like a million bucks,

check out this book: "25 ways to win with people" by John C. Maxwell

The Test

2007-11-07T09:27:00.000+08:00

Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: "Since you are God's Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread."

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."

For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, "Since you are God's Son, jump." The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: "He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone."

Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: "Don't you dare test the Lord your God."

For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth's kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, "They're yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they're yours."

Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!" He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."

The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you read this familiar piece of text, let me share with you a different perspective that I've gleaned from this passage.

The First Temptation: The temptation to use authority and power.

Jesus has the ability to turn stones into bread because his authority comes from his Father. And after a fast of forty days, he WAS hungry. He was faced with a temptation to demand and use his own rights. But his response was a response of a son, which is to obey the will of his Father.

Our test: To use our own rights as sons and daughters to fulfil our desires.

The Second Temptation: The tempation to doubt God's word.

The Devil quoted a scripture and used it to tempt Jesus.

Our test: Don't we have friends who use the Bible against us and we are stumped because we do not know how to give an answer? The fact is that we do not have answers to everything. By not having answers, that does not mean the word of God is fallible and God made a mistake. We must not doubt his word nevertheless, because when we question the integrity of God's word, we are questioning the character of God. When that trust is broken, it separates relationship.

The Third Temptation: The temptation to take short cuts.

Jesus was given an option to bow before Satan and gain the dominion over the earth. He could have achieved global power and glory without the cross. He did not have to endure the suffering, the humiliation and the long ardous journey to the cross. But was was his response? It was a response of Lordship.

Our test: Can you see the Satanic lure here? It is a voice that offers us a way out of paying the price for what we believe to be right. So many times when we decide to fulfil the call of God in our lives, there seems to be something better that beckons us to neglect our responsibility, that causes us to lose focus of our goal.

We need to identify where the grave temptations of Satan lurk in our lives and cut him off. Respond only to God. He will never fail you.

Youth Cell Hoorah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-29T21:51:00.000+08:00

Praise God! 2 youth cell meetings looking good!

19 October 2007

26 October 2007!

Do join us this Sunday as we whack it out @ East Coast Park!
We'll be heading there right after church for a fun time of cycling, roller blading and maybe even cable skiing! Are you GAME enough?

Lunch time ramblings...

2007-10-16T13:31:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

This excerpt is taken from Lisa Bevere's (Wife of John Bevere) 'Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry'.

I really love this illustration of how sometimes, or rather, many times, we operate so independently from Jesus, ignoring His feelings... i think this short passage just drives home one question that all of us have to answer...

“Do i love God more than these?”

Have fun this week! :)

“A radiant bride greeted her guests with a brilliant smile as she entered the reception hall after the wedding ceremony. She gracefully moved and milled about the room, the train of her stunning while gown flowing along the floor behind her, her veil cascading down her button-adorned back.

She conversed with each guest, one by one, taking the time to mingle and soak up the compliments. “You look absolutely lovely.” “Your dress is divine.” “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride.” “What a stunning ceremony.” The lavish praises rang on and on. The bride couldn’t be more proud or more appreciative of the crowd’s adoration. She could have listened to them swoon over her all evening. As a matter of fact, she did.

But where was the groom? All the attention focused on the bride and never once did she call anyone’s attention to her husband. She didn’t even notice his absence at her side. Scanning the room, I searched for him, wondering, “Where could he be?”

I finally found him, but not where i expected him to be. The groom stood alone over in the corner of the room with his head down. As he stared at his ring, twisting the gold band that had just been placed on his finger by his bride, tears trickled down his cheeks and onto his hands. That is when i noticed the nail scars. THe groom was Jesus.

He waited, but the bride never once turned her face toward her groom. She never held his hand. SHe never introduces the guests to Him. She operated independently of Him. I awoke from my dream with a sick feeling in my stomach. “Lord, is this how i made you feel when i was looking for love in all the wrong places?” I wept at the thought of hurting Him so deeply.

Unfortunately, this dream illustrates exactly what is happening between GOd and millions of His people. He betroths Himself to us, we take His name (as “Christians”), and then we go about our lives looking for love, attention, and affection from every source under the sun exceppt fromt he Son of GOd, the Lover of our souls.

Oh, how Jesus longs for His own to acknowledge Him, to introduce Him to our friends, to withdraw to be alone with Him, to cling to Him for our identity, to gaze longingly into His eyes, to love Him with all our heart and soul.

What about you? Do you have this kind of love relationship with Christ? Do you experience the inexplicable joy of intimacy with the One who loves you with a passion far deeper, far greater than anything you could find here on earth? I know from experience that you can.”

Be a Simpson Character

2007-10-05T23:30:00.000+08:00

Hey Guys! : ) Go get your own personalized simpson character! Just upload your photo at www.simpsonizeme.com and you can see how you look like in the simpsons world! Lets all do it and create a youth core group simpson photo album!!!

Above is how i look like in the simpson world!!! cool right?!?!

Shawn, the simpson

One Thing

2007-10-05T11:18:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

This is an article by this author, Mike Bickle, on 'Becoming a Person of One Thing'. He actually has this organisation called International House of Prayer. Power ministry there! If you have the desire to seek God (overseas! haha!), do consider iHop as a choice. They provide internships for ppl below the age of 25, if i'm not wrong, and has really REALLY stringent rules! haha... do check it out... :)

I really love this guy and if you ever chance upon his book, 'a Man after God's Heart' do grab it! :) Really powerful book. If you are interested in the book, do ask me for it, i could lend you! :) BUT MUST RETURN!!! HAHAH!!!! So here goes!

Cheers!

Lindy

Becoming a Person of One Thing

Mike Bickle

Preoccupied with Intimacy

For most of us, life presents dozens of options for career and lifestyle, passions and hobbies. In our pursuit of pleasure and meaning we run here and there, trying one job or recreational activity after another, collecting experiences but never devoting ourselves to one direction. Christians do this in their spiritual lives and ministries as well, bouncing from one teaching or church to another, trying on ministries like they try on clothes. But today, the call of God to the church is to dismiss ourselves from hither-and-thither chasings and cultivate a heart of unwavering devotion. He wants us to love Him, first and foremost, with all of our hearts. He wants us to be a people of one thing.

As you gaze upon the heart of God and begin to grasp that His emotions toward you are of gladness and burning passion for intimacy, nothing in the world will suffice. What you enjoy and desire narrows down to one thing. You begin to want to pour out your life in extravagant devotion upon the feet of Jesus. When your heart is conquered by the One who is fascinating, then no other captivation will satisfy. You will refuse to dwell anywhere but in this position of waiting on Him. You'll pursue Him alone, not allowing yourself to be distracted by anything less. Your hunger will be fixed on a single Source. There will be no going back to what used to bring satisfaction. Secondary pleasures will fade away.

This way of living, while exhilarating, disturbs and provokes people who are still living for many things. They ask, "Why waste your time on that? Why this extreme devotion? What's going on here? You've got to diversify, be more well-rounded, cultivate other interests. You're putting all your eggs in one basket." They don't understand the extravagance of being single-mindedly His. They feel blamed because their lifestyle is not focused on one thing. They might conclude that the person of one thing is mentally off or caught up in religious fanaticism, or has gone too far and will eventually swing back to normal.

Asking the Right Question

But they misunderstand what's on the heart of God. The first commandment, the primary thing God is concerned with, is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind." That is precisely what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church world-wide. He is cultivating hearts that are unreserved. He is promoting the kind of single-minded devotion the world is frightened of. Many in the church will reject it, and many will embrace it, but when the transformation is complete we will no longer ask, "What is the minimum that is required of me? What can I get by with?" Rather, we'll ask, "What is the very most I can give? I want to give it all!" When you discover the pleasure of living for one thing, you become ruined for anything less.

A Costly Offering

The Bible gives compelling illustrations of extravagant devotion we can use as models for becoming people of one thing. The first picture is in 2 Samuel 23 when three of David's mighty men performed an amazing feat on behalf of their king. "Then three of the thirty chief men ...came to David at the cave of Adullum...and David said with a longing, oh, that someone would give me a drink from the water which is from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate (2 Sam. 23:13-17)."

At this time, David had been anointed king, but he was not yet king. Jealous King Saul was chasing him from cave to cave. In fleeing this evil pursuit, David wandered in the wilderness for about seven years as three thousand or so men searched for him to kill him. About six hundred men joined David and they made their main headquarters the cave of Adullum. The Philistines were defeating the nation of Israel and had just captured David's hometown, Bethlehem. It was probably late one night, and David was likely bemoaning the fact that the Philistines were moving in and taking so much of the land. I imagine him and his men around the fire, the firelight and shadows dancing across their faces, and David saying with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"

Some of the mighty warriors of David's army were at the front of the cave, no doubt guarding it from attack. Hearing David's longing, they got together and said, "Let's go get him some of that water." They knew it might cost them their lives, but they loved David with extravagance, and it thrilled their hearts to answer his request. They were a picture of the passionate loyalty we should have to Christ Jesus. They went far beyond the call of duty to answer the longing in their king's heart.

These three mighty men gathered their swords and spears and went out. Undoubtedly as they approached the Philistine front line, they saw hundreds of enemy soldiers. Perhaps they were afraid for a moment, but that fear was overcome by the anticipation of that moment when they would bring their king what he desired, and so David's mighty men broke through the Philistine camp and went all the way through the front line. I picture them working their way to the well and fighting for every inch of ground. Two of them probably fought while one scooped up the water. Once they retrieved it, they started back through the enemy line toward the cave of Adullum. I imagine them hissing to each other, "Don't spill that water, whatever you do! It's precious stuff." When they got back to the cave, they presented the water to David and proudly proclaimed, "We have the very water from the well of Bethlehem."

David's eyes probably grew wide. I can imagine the appreciation, the thirst, the amazement he was feeling. But he would not drink the water he so desired because of its preciousness. He said, "Far be it from me, oh Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives (v. 17)?" He recognized that the water could have cost his men everything. He might have looked them square in the eye and said, "Your children could have been orphans. Your wives could have been widowed. You could have lost everything to get me this water. It's too holy for a man to drink because it represents your entire life." So David took the water and went before the Lord. The water was one of the most holy gifts that had ever been given to him, and he poured it out to the Lord and worshiped God with words that probably expressed this idea: "Father, only You are worthy of this water."

Of all the stories that could have been told of David and his men, this story became famous as one of the most extravagant acts of devotion toward the king. There were 1.3 million soldiers in David's army at the peak of his military career. From that number, God highlighted only three examples of exceptional valor and commitment to David. It's important to pay attention to them. For us, this becomes a picture of devotion to King Jesus. It's a pattern for becoming people of one thing, with hearts after God's.

Hearts of Passionate Extravagance

What made those men risk their lives for a few drinks of water? Was it boredom? Bluster? Misplaced bravery? Desire for fame? Desire for promotion? Did they want a pay raise from David, or an easier schedule, or some time off to spend with their families? I don't think so. I believe the courage of David's mighty men came from one thing: their absolute, to-the-death devotion to him. Their boldness and perseverance which spurred them to unusual feats of bravery sprang from sold-out commitment to David, representing for us the Lord Jesus. I imagine them answering to David for sneaking off to get the water. I can almost hear them say, "David, we didn't care about losing our lives. Don't you see? We lost our lives when we joined you." David was a symbol of their salvation. When these mighty men came to him, they were distressed, discontented and in debt and David became their captain. The crowd that gathered to him in the cave of Adullum was the most motley youth group in the history of Israel. David redeemed them from worthless lives. When they had nothing to live for, he gave them a vision and a cause. He trained them and made them an army and a family. He shared his heart with them, and their hearts were ennobled and encouraged. They saw the beauty of who David was, his godliness and the favor of God upon him. They became men of one thing, willing to live courageously because of their burning love for him. It illustrates exactly the kind of abandonment God wants us to give to Christ Jesus.

Beloved, the only way we will have the courage to do extravagant acts of valor is if our hearts are enraptured by our God. The Lord desires people who go beyond the minimum requirements. He searches for lives of lavish commitment. Our goal should be to stand before Him on the last day and offer ourselves to Him like these three men offered the water to David at expense of their lives. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:28 that on the last day Jesus will gather all of these sweet things called the devotion of His people and place them at His Father's feet. Then He will kneel down and offer Himself to His Father so that His Father will be all in all. In that moment we will be Jesus' gift back to His Father. We will be the sweet water He offers. This prophetic picture will be complete. He will take us like David did and pour us out to God the Father.

The Straits Times

2007-10-04T23:47:00.000+08:00

Sep 19, 2007

Some mega churches affect students adversely

I READ with deep interest the article, 'Drawing the line between Caesar and God' (ST, Aug 2).

The objection of one of the large independent churches in Singapore to complying with provisions in the draft code of governance for charities would logically provoke concern about its financial transparency.

This is especially so as these are 'rich' churches, judging by their well-equipped premises and set-up.

These circumstances bring to light another concern. Some of these 'mega churches' have relentless recruitment activities in many schools and junior colleges.

My friends and I have loved ones whose lives and attitude have changed after they joined these churches.

They lose interest in schoolwork to the point of academic failure. Family time is curtailed drastically, and they stop attending family functions. Parental objections are ignored, family squabbles ensue and family harmony is disrupted. It's heartbreaking. It is like we have lost our children.

I write this not to impugn any religion, but to warn against the abuse of religion. Having had such traumatic experiences, I cannot remain silent. I hope this letter will serve as a warning to parents regarding such youth activities that may destroy their personal lives and family harmony.

Dr Lee Bee Wah
-----------------------------------------------

This article was printed in the FORUM page that day.

I believe this teaches us two things:

1) Always discern what you read. Know the difference between facts and fiction. Differentiate the exception from the rule. Since this person cannot provide us adequate case studies and statistics of churches using youth activities to lure the youth away from family and homework, it is quite likely that this child might not be an adequate representation of the majority.

2) Churches must build good relationships with parents and family members of their members and keep them updated on the church life. This is not a problem solver, but a mere suggestion to prevent these kinds of accusations.

(Do contribute what you think too! - there is no right and wrong!)

Deniece

everything

2007-10-03T14:04:00.000+08:00

Taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

Is God your EVERYTHING?
remember when you are engaging with 'the world', how God is yearning to draw you back to Him...

Blessed week. :)

Lindy

Appreciation

2007-10-01T19:43:00.000+08:00

Uncle Alan Ang for sponsoring the food

Pastor Piteulia for sponsoring the drinks

Aunty Christine for sponsoring the jelly

Wesleyan Community Church for accepting the invitation to minister to us at such a crucial time

Uncle Fuji for ministering to us through the word

and

Uncle Stanley for sending us to the MRT!

Do The Impossible, See The Invisible

2007-09-26T22:09:00.000+08:00

There are various interpretations to this statement.

But, I think for this week, our ministry has indeed experienced the hand of God orchestrating everything according to his plan and timing.

After the news of Kel Tay not being able to make it for JHR1, we have been trying other people but because we contacted them at the eleventh hour, they were not able to fit us into their schedule and well, I must say that I wasn't expecting anyone to accept the invitation too.

However, for no apparent reason, I chose to call Wesley Community Church the last just this Monday. And for only God knows why, they have agreed to come! Praise God!

A second miracle that happened this week just occurred today. Aaron's dad, Uncle Alan, has generously sponsored the bulk of the food we are going to purchase for JHR1 this Sunday so that we can use the money budgeted for other purposes.

God is good, amen?

2 Cor 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

He promises that his grace will always be enough for us. Only when we are in difficulty, they we can experience his goodness. Only when we are week, then we are able to know his power and strength

Continue to trust God in your life, even when the going gets tough.

Do the impossible and you will see the invisible hand of God move.

Be encouraged,

Deniece

Lord, help us to control our tongue

2007-09-19T14:41:00.000+08:00

Hello! :)

I got this from an email sent by Alan Ong. Thought it was a good reminder for you and me. :)

PROVERBS 10:19 ICB
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.

1 PETER 3:10 LB
10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.

JAMES 1:19 NLT
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

PROVERBS 17:27-28 ICB 27
The person who has knowledge says very little. And a person with understanding stays calm. 28 Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He appears to have understanding if he doesn't speak.

ECCLESIASTES 5:3 NLT
3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool makes you a blabbermouth.

TITUS 3:2 NKJ
2 To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

2 TIMOTHY 2:16 NKJ
16 But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

1 TIMOTHY 1:6 NIV
6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.

1 TIMOTHY 5:13 NKJ
13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

MATTHEW 12:36-37 NKJ
36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to control my tongue and only say what is acceptable to you.

In preparation of Last Sunday's INK...

2007-09-18T16:26:00.000+08:00

In preparation of INK last Sunday, Deniece and I tried on the stocking...

hehe... and this is the unglam shot of Deniece and I...

Just for laughs... :)

Happy week! :)

Building A Team

2007-09-14T23:16:00.000+08:00

Hi y'all,

Just want to drop a thought to everybody. I shared this last week during the CORE meet but I think that we're not just building a team amongst the CORE but the whole Charis Youth INK needs to be a group that is closely knitted and will support each other both spiritually and naturally.

Here are 3 layers that are essential in building a team.

First, the team needs to be in AGREEMENT. This fundamentally means that there is no disagreement. In theory, there is no objections.

The second level is for a team to be COMMITTED. This means that the team believes in the vision and the goal set out to accomplish. Here, we've moved from having just no objections to believing.

The third aspect is for a team to achieve RESONANCE. Aside from its technical definitions in physics, linguistics and chemistry which you can read up, resonance exemplifies the cause. Is there something that you willing to go the extra mile for? A reason, a purpose for what we are doing. Christ had a reason to come into this world. His cause was to die for us, and pay the penalty for our sins. He came for us so that we might be compelled to choose him. The reason behind our actions need to be because of Christ.

Our head, heart and hand needs to function together. Being in agreement isn't enough. We need to be committed to a cause in order for us to achieve TEAM RESONANCE.

So, will you decide to be a part or apart of us? Are you ready to resonate with us?

If you are, then be prepared to be blown away in a Christ-up! adventure........

See you at Jailhouse Rock!

Deniece

In Lecture Now........... Haiz..... Zzzzzzz.....

2007-08-30T15:56:00.000+08:00

This is lameman 100502xyz444ddd reporting from genes and society lecture... As you can see i am talking to all you unlame people from school: )

It's been so long since i posted. So busy will adjusting with school and homwwork and tutorials and lectures and labs and ... ... and ... ... and the aunty who scold me for using the toliet when she's cleaning it and ... ... and .... ... and Zzzzzzz... and [You all get the point. Ah!!!!!]

BUT! it cool... i'm fine... i love school: )

Anyway, i am actually posting to encourage all you unlame people to sign up for the IDMC conference... i think it will be really good for the core group to grow together and stuff. I can't attend the IDMC conference as i am attending another conference that happens on the same period. ( would love to join you guyz otherwise). So PLS!!! go for the conference!!! haha...

Alright: ) that's all folks.. have to get back to my lecture... so this is lameman 1005d3c3pozzzxyzxyzxyz, signing out...

- Shawn: 0

TO: YOUTH CORE

2007-08-29T17:24:00.000+08:00

hey hey YOUTH INK-ies! hahaha...

Can you please accept the invitation to the blog and start BLOGGING? :)

Yup... :)

That's all... :)

Lindy

IDMC Conference - Inspiring Resonance

2007-08-24T16:04:00.000+08:00

Hey CORE!

I believe we have shared about IDMC quite a few times but have not explained much about IDMC and what is it all about.

If you have the paper which i have photocopied to you, i think you should have this excerpt too about this conference.

I think it is really vital that all of us read this, and consider if you should take some time off to attend this conference.
As CORE, and future leaders of the ministry (we will not be here forever! WE need NEW BLOOD!), we really do see that this is a very good conference that is worth going, be it whether you are leading any ministry upfront now or not. It will be useful to you in your later years.. :) That is why this is ONLY open to CORE! You are the privileged few! :)

Whatever that is written here mentions the CHURCH. But i think to put it more in context for us, you can change the CHURCH to the YOUTH MINISTRY, or basically, any ministry. :)

Here goes:

A Critical Concern

Church health is a vital issue. To have a truly healthy church, it is not enough just to have a common leadershup agreement. A common heartbeat is CRUCIAL - a shared ownership and leadership commitment to a compelling vision. In other words, Leadership Resonance.

However, one of the prevailing problems in developing disciplemaking churches is the lack of such resonance. Leading a church is a high calling. It is also an enormous chllenge, because Satan does not want us to succeed. On top of that, it requires a different set of leadership skills. It is one thing to lead a secular organization of paid workers. It is quite another to lead a volunteer organisation spiritually especially when different ones have disparate ideas and all want to have their say in how the church should be led. Dissonance rather than resonance often results.

Such dissonance manifests itself in leadership conflicts. Board-Pastor discord, lack of laity mobilization, an unclear philosophy of ministry, and other similar problems.

Details:

6 -8 Sept 2007 (Thu, Fri, Sat)

Thursday (8pm-10pm)

Friday and Saturday (9am - 5.30pm)

Conference Fees: $140

BUT

the church has kindly offer to subsidise half of the fees!

So, the fees is $70 after subsidy!

So what say you?!

COME ON BOARD TO JOIN US FOR THIS CONFERENCE! :)

You can visit http://www.idmc.org.sg/ for more information.

From your friendly Youth Com. :)

Raising The Standard For Youth Ministry

2007-08-21T00:19:00.000+08:00

by Ron Luce

"For too long, youth ministry has been at the bottom of the totem pole. To a great degree, this reflects the value we as adults have placed on teenagers. When others—especially church leaders—don’t treat youth ministry as if it were important, it often causes the youth pastor and the people in the congregation to do the same. As a result, we fail to give our teens what they deserve—a world-class youth ministry..."

To access this article, click on the link below
http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Magazine/0707/Raising+the+Standard+for+Youth+Ministry.htm

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you Lindy for the wonderful poem. After reading your poem i start to notice that many people around us and in the CORE group are also waiting upon God for an answer to their questions, even myself.

That's a lovely poem.

I want to thank Uncle Fuji for sharing with us in our last CORE group mtg. I never knew that scene 8 of the Matrix could be such a thought provoking scene, with its dialogue so relevant to us. One of the many versus Uncle Fuji shared with us was Matthew 16:24. It says in the NIV

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mark 8:34 puts Jesus' words in a similar way. But Dr Luke added in another word. Chek out Luke 9:23.

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.

Wow! Think for a moment. Why would Luke add this variable in? What's the difference betwen denying yourself once and denying yourself daily. A BIG DIFFERENCE. Which is harder? Denying yourself DAILY is.

Here's how Eugene Peterson puts Matthew 16:24-25.

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.

Wow. Eugene Peterson's interpretation of it is a strong delivery of Jesus' point. Do you agree with how he interprets it? Who likes suffering? Is it true that we have to suffer? How can any one embrace it? Surely he must be kidding.

What are your thoughts?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look at the TITLE of this post and the following paragraph.

Do you agree with what Ron Luce is saying about having a 'world-class' ministry?

Yes?

Are you sure?

But have you thought about what it takes to building a 'world-class' youth ministry?

How much patience is required?

How much perseverance?

We'll explore more of these questions in our next discussion on Ron Luce's article, "Raising the Standard For Youth Ministry".

Count the cost. Pay the price. You decide.

Deniece

Just wait

2007-08-12T23:34:00.000+08:00

For those who are currently in the season of waiting,

Here is a very very nice poem that i found, and i really loved it..

here goes:

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.

Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I pled and i wept for a clue to my fate,

and the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, i need to know why!"

Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming Your Word.

My future and all to which I relate

hangs in a balance and You tell me to wait?

I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.

Or even a 'no', to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

we need but to ask, and we shall receive.

Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

as my Master replied again, "Wait."

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

and grumbled to God, "So I'm waiting... for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...

and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.

You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't KNOW ME.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that i give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;

You'd not learn to trust by knowing I'm there.

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me

when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love

when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.

You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,

but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,

the faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask

from an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,

what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,

but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see

that the greatest of gifts is to TRULY KNOW ME.

And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still... WAIT."

Have a good week in school!!! And those in NUS.... happy 1st week of school!!!! :) *missing NUS*

Blessings!

Lindy

Where Are We Going Next Week?

2007-08-12T15:48:00.000+08:00

Hey!!

We need answers............................................................ LoL................................................. Leave a comment.................................................

-CORE-

Rush Hour Fever!!

2007-08-09T18:29:00.001+08:00

WOW!!!

We all had so much fun yesterday eating Tao Huay and watching Rush Hour 3 although half of us were SuupPpeR sLeepy after the show.. Thankfully i could still drive back with my eyes open.

I would like to thank a few people who made yesterday's outing possible...

Firstly, Lindy Teo for coordinating the transportation, payment, indemnity forms and tickets.

Secondly, Shawn Chow, Vanessa Yoong and TingTingTan for making everyone feel so welcome and being such great supporters to ensure everyone's safety.

Thirdly, Uncle Stanley for kindly offering his help to ferry so many people back. I know Caleb reached home around 4.40am and Uncle Stanley did not sleep after that because he needed to go to the airport and then head down to the wake. We want to appreciate him and the sacrifices that he has made to make everything possible.

Lastly, EVERYONE who came. Without all of you, there will be no fellowship and there will be no fun!! I hope that you all got to know each other a little better :)

Of course, we also want to praise God for giving us journey mercy and his protection over everyone.

Looking forward for our next mass outing!

Hope to see you there!

Lots of love,

Deniece

P/S: More pictures will be uploaded soon.....

Prayer Request

2007-08-04T22:29:00.000+08:00

Hi every one,

After learning about such a condition that most of us would experience daily (if you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the link on the previous post),

Let's add something else to our daily routine.

Some of you might already know that several units were affected by gas explosion at a Jalan Bukit Merah flat yesterday. One of the residents who was in critical condition is Jordan's grandfather, with 80% burns on his body. We went to visit him in SGH's ICU last night after prayer meeting. Unfortunately, he just passed away today.

May I encourage you to keep Jordan and his family in prayer.

Firstly, please pray that God will comfort them in this time of sudden loss of a family member, and also that they will be strong and united, supporting each other during this painful ordeal.

Secondly, please pray that God will turn a seemingly unfortunate situation around, to make an open door for the gospel to be shared with the family as Jordan is the only believer now.

Besides praying for them, may I also encourage you to stand with Jordan and show your care and concern to him.

Phil 1:7 "Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people."

Let's practice our faith together

With love,

Deniece

2007-07-27T13:17:00.000+08:00

Hey guys,

Seriously, check this out... Really important info... i think everyone should know this... READ IT NOW!!!!

Here it is: http://home.nycap.rr.com/useless/nose/index.html

Chow Babez,
Shawn

KFC Day

2007-07-26T13:56:00.000+08:00

We (Deniece and I) ordered KFC today at the office! Recorded a video... will post it up soon! hahaha...

Anyway, Deniece did something which is sooooo diao lor.. hahaha...
"-_-

(1) She was the 女主角 for the video and it's hilarious lah! hahaha... must post one day! post one day!

(2) We ordered Family Feast B, which is supposed to come with a free toiletries pouch. BUT! It did not come! And we only realised it only when we finished eating!

SO!!!! tt gal called KFC again to tell them that they did not give us the pouch! They asked if we wanted the driver to come over again to bring us the pouch or they will bring it to us when we order again... haha... so we settled on them bringing it to us again...

"-_- right? hahaha... :p

*ok latest update: the KFC man came back, and gave us the toiletries bag!!! hahaha... i went out to "welcome" him.. i bet he must have thought it was me... while Deniece is hiding behind the comp.. hahaha... and we got a blue toiletries bag.

We were saying we should call them to tell them that we demand the red one that we saw on the advertisement! hahaha...
"-_-

Creativity and Innovation

2007-07-23T11:21:00.000+08:00

Wow, Wow, Wow!

These were the words spoken over the ministry on sunday.

"Creativity and Innovation"

"You will begin to do things you have never done before."

"You will do things that other people have not done"

I am awed by such words of knowledge and wisdom. Are you?

God indeed has a specific purpose for every ministry and we praise Him for speaking into our ministry.

Are we ready for breakthroughS and the "suddenlieS" of God to strike?

Are we ready for God's manifest presence and not just his omnipresence?

I pray that we are.

Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with people standing by and mocking. He finished it.

Joshua led his people to march round the walls of Jericho, and after seven times, it fell. They finished what the Lord told them to do.

I think we cannot agree more that we are walking into God's timing and plan for this church.

Pastor at the beginning of the year prophesied about breakthrough over us.
Pastor Kevin echoed the same words yesterday about breakthough.
Pastor Chris preached about the "suddenlieS" of God.
Pastor Kevin echoed it too.

Friends! believe and be prepared to receive what God has in store for us! We are walking into Happening times!

Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

Matthew 22:37-40

Serving God together with you,

Deniece

Know God, know your identity in God, know your purpose in God

Post-(Lame)Bomb Entry

2007-07-19T11:27:00.000+08:00

Hey all.. haha...

After Shawn's super LAME post, this post would fade in the back scenes cuz he is definitely the lamest of all lame people... But still, i wanna post!!!!!!!

Nothing official, not promoting for the church just because i'm working in the church now, but really encourage all of you to come on Friday and Sunday for Rev Kevin Forlong's sessions. My heart was really encouraged after the leader's session last night and Wow, the couple just spoke into my life as if i had a piece of paper stuck to me about my conversations with God and they just read off it! Not trying to promote chasing after prophecy also, but i think if we have ministers who are really sharp in the word of God and are directly hearing from God, we should be there, listen and be encouraged! :)

Yesterday, he spoke about living beyond yourself.

One thing that stuck to my head was:

How often we see ourselves in the mirror every morning and the 1st thing we see are our weaknesses and faults and end up belittling ourselves instead of seeing our strengths and potential we have in us!

We forgot that Scriptures says that God's mercies are new every morning, and great is thy faithfulness! (Lam 3:22-23) God is always trying to tell us that 'Hey! You are MORE than what you think you are! I want to bring you to a higher level in me! A greater challenge!"

But often, are we ready? We often shrink back like Moses, like Jeremiah and start giving excuses... "I'm too... I can't..." Rev Kev also said, we often be so self-focussed that we cannot see how God can work through us! How we must change this attitude, and be bold to face our fears!

In a nutshell, it really spoke to me so much about my life, my calling, and how often i always tell God, "Wow.. i really cannot do it... look at where i am now! How can i even become the person that you have shown me that you want me to be? Cannot lah

But God is telling me, "I can! I did it with Moses! I did it with Jeremiah! I did it with Mary (Jesus' mother)! I did it with David! What more can i not do!" I was reminded that these people in the bible and not mere legends or characters in a story book, but they are REAL! THEY are ALSO HUMAN! If God can do it with them thousand years ago, why can't He do it with you and me today?! Our God is a living God!

Yup! So wanna encourage you with Rev Kev's 3 points:
(1) Forget the past
(2) Conquer your fears
(3) Create opportunities

for you to grow, to live out the destiny that God has purposed you to. :)

Till next time,

Ta!

Hannah Lindy :)

First blog.......... EVER!!! (seriously, this is a technological breakthrough for me...)

2007-07-17T15:26:00.000+08:00

Hi to all who's reading this,

this is me, shawn, blogging for the very first (hopefully not the last) time! Amazing right?!?! As soon as i learn how to included pictures and videos in a blog, i will start doing that so as to make my entries more interesting. Er.... Yes. you are right (this is my answer for those of you thinking, " what an IT idiot shawn is")

Ok, enough of the self intro, this blog is not about me; it's about getting the youth updated on the youth ministry,the leaders sharing our spiritual life and devotions and staying connected to the youth community in church(as Deniece have mention). So i will let you all know what to expect from my blog entries:) ( as if there's any expectation)

In each of my entries i promise you:

-- Update on my Life/church/ministry( What's going on recently and what's God teaching me)

-- Short Bible Sharing( Try my best to put one up for each entry)

-- An exciting quote of the Day ( feel free to use it as and when you like: ) )

Update

Well, in the church ministry part, i have recommited to serving in the youth ministry. Just feel the sense of excitment and refreshment regarding serving in the youth min. God has really sent encouragement my way and i'm blessed. (God bless Brother Fuji and podcast@simplyouthministry.com) Praying that God will use me to a greater extent and help me overcome my weaknesses.

Short Bible Sharing

James 1: 2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Was reading James yesterday and was doing a brief study on this passage. Notice how James says that we should consider it a joyful thing to face trials of many kinds. It's almost like he's telling you to response like this: "Hey, i'm facing alot of trouble! Never been so joyful in my life! Yippee!!!." weird way to response and most people will probably think you're nuts if you response this way. But check out what it says next...

It says that -----> the testing of our faith produce perseverance -----> perseverance when it's work is done makes you mature and complete, NOT LACKING ANYTHING! wow... Ultimately these trials work out for our good (Roms 8:28).

I'm still not sure how we can not be lacking in anything when we have perseverance. Maybe when i actually have that character i'd know. However, what puzzle me is still the fact that we have to remain joyful when we are going through this trials. How do i remain joyful in these stressful situations? Is it even humanly possible?

I don't have the answer and i don't want to try to give you a standard answer for questions like this. The truth is, i am still seeking God about this as well. I am asking Him to teach me what being joyful in these situations means. And i urge you to seek God on this with me. If the bible tells us to do it, it must be possible. It may not be humanly possible, but with the Holy Spirit living in us, what's to stop us from achieving the impossible?

Let's learn the secret of being joyful, from the Lord.

Quote of the day

For those patient enough to read through the whole top portion, here it is, the most awesome quote of the day:

Question: What do you call a lame man who doesn't need a wheelchair?

Ans: Shawn

Alrighty, until next time!

chow babez; )

14 July Prayer & Planning

2007-07-16T12:31:00.000+08:00

Ps 127 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

We did a bible study and discussion on this verse on saturday.

The question asked to us was to list down the things needed to build a house. We listed down several items like tools, design, bricks, materials, soil, people, time, investment.

Then Uncle Fuji began to share.. these are some points that i took down...

We are the builders, but God is the designer
There is a specific blueprint or design for the house and it must be built on God's intention.
We are God's design, we have a purpose
If we do not do what God wants, we labour in vain, that is, your calling, your purpose.
Do you know the calling/purpose of God?

Luke 14 talks about the cost of being a disciple.
There are costs in every thing we do.
Get to know people who have walked through the path before and they will tell you that actually the cost is not too big.
When there is a calling, there is a cost.
If you don't align your plans to God's blurprint, there will be the cost of failure.
Disobedience costs more and it yields no returns.
Obedience costs but there are high returns.

We need tools.
Your objective determines the tools you need. The bigger your objective, the bigger your tool. The greater your vision, the greater your tool. How to get it? Work for it.
Know how to use your tools. David killed Goliath with a sling and stones. He knew how to use it because he killed the lions and the bears with it. Use it, practice it, expand it.
Tools are such as prayer, worship, meeting up with people. Get the appropriate tools.
If we are spiritual and not real to people, we are useless, and if we're real with people and not spiritual at all, we're not making a difference.
The bigger the investment, the bigger the returns.
We reap what we sow.
Eg. Resources, space, time, network, leaders, getting prepared.
We need to lay the materials and start investing. Get our tools right.

Energy. We need to conserve our energy and release it at the appropriate time. Youth absorb alot of energy and we need to know how to appropriate it.

Time line (Ecc 3:11) In His Time
The quality of the house is determined by us but the timing is determined by God.

Luke 14 involves commitment, cost and blueprint.
Verse 28-30 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
Beginning is easy, finishing is difficult.
We need to do it phase by phase.
When God created the world, he ended every phase by saying "It is good".
Celebrate every phase.
The hallmark of a Christian is finishing.
We need to move gradually but we have to finish it.

These points were very thought provoking for all of us and we continued to share about how we could identify with various points.

How about you?

Do you know God's calling and purpose for your life?

Do you have the habit of starting something but not finishing it?

Are you using the tools that God has given you for your life well?

It's always good to think and reflect about ourselves from time to time :)___________________________________________________________

6 more days before we meet again!

Take care!

Praying for you,

Deniece

In The Name Of...

2007-07-13T14:05:00.000+08:00

Today is Friday the 13th. A bad luck day for those who are superstitious but a day that should not have such significance for us.

Anyway, i was reading the devotion today about using or misusing God's name. There are some reflective questions which I think it is good for all of us to reflect on too.

1. Are you someone who simply loves to advertise "Jesus"? You plater your car with Christian symbols and statements. But then you are a reckless driver and have a terrible habit of breaking the speed limit. Such misconduct discredits Jesus and dishonours His name.

My response: May be you aren't a driver and cannot identify with this question but try to contextualise it. Are you someone who tells others that you are a Christian but have a terrible habit of using swear words and breaking school rules or not handing in your homework punctually? Late for school? Or even playing truant? I know i have carelessly lived my life this way at times. More often than not, i choose to behave when I like the teacher and misbehave when I dislike the teacher. It takes me more effort to obey and submit to them but i need to because such misconduct discredits Jesus and dishonours his name. Do you have a similar experience?

2. Have you ever publicly declared that it was God's will for your group to pursue a certain direction when in fact, you were driven by your own emotions? That's manipulation. That's deception. We misuse the name of God when we put His signature of approval to our own flights of fancy.

My response: It is a very thin line between believing that it is God's will and following your emotions. And one of the reasons I think the committee of the youth ministry need to come together and pray together and seek God together is because of this area. I believe that we are all altered specially and have our natural desires and inclinations. If we are operating in disunity and wanting to do youth ministry in different ways then we're definitely not tuning in to the Spirit. But I believe that God works wonderfully and if we are tuned in to him, we would be heading towards the same direction.

The first question requires us to pray for ourselves and for Him to give us strength and enable us to be God's light everywhere we go. The second question requires us to pray for our leaders, for them to be sensitive to God's directing.

I pray that you will sincerely reflect upon the devotions in order to grow and be a stronger Christian, practicing your faith and being doers of the word.

Growth = Change = Growth = Change = Growth = Change = Growth = Change = Growth

Have a great weekend! See You this Sunday!

Deniece

Youth Prayer & Planning

2007-07-10T00:26:00.000+08:00

hey!

it was a great time of sharing, worship, prayer and fellowship(though maybe we did this the least)!

Firstly, I just want to thank all those who were there last saturday, Shawn, Lindy, Evan and Uncle Fuji, you are all a great support to the ministry.

An update of what we did..

1. We went through a devotion, picked out by Lindy from the 40 days love singapore devotions entitled: Change of Hearts. It was a good time of reflection of our own spiritual life and youth ministry currently. You will see the devotion on the previous entry posted by Lindy. I praise God for the opportunity to share a bit of my testimony in terms of purity.

2. We went into a time of worship and spontaneous prayer, asking God to give us clean hands and pure hearts, and to have a sense of purpose in what we are doing.

3. Updates!! The youth notice board is up and running! So is the youth blog! But both aren't officially announced yet. We also reviewed the commitment of individual persons. The most exciting part which triggered more exciting discussions is about the tentative plans that Lindy and I have come up with. Shawn gave excellent feedback and Fuji challenged us in terms of how convinced we are about transformation. I like these kinds of thought provoking challenge coz it makes me think!!! and not just do ministry for the sake of doing ministry!!! (just like the opening paragraph of the 7 July devotion.. "don't change for the sake of changing")

Well.. i think that we should really ask ourselves.. why are we doing youth ministry? I believe that there is a need for such a ministry.. for the youths..

I spoke to Kel today... he's one of my mentors who gives me very good advice for youth ministry and worship.. i'll be meeting Lindy tomorrow and will bounce some ideas off her and see what she says before i post some more!

MINISTRY is EXCITING !!!!!

Making disciples together with you,
Deniece

Changing of our hearts

2007-07-06T09:57:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

I think i am officially (at least for this week), a strong advocate for the 40 day prayer booklet by Love Singapore. So please please!!!! Take a copy of it if you haven't today during Prayer meeting or on Sunday during service!!! Alternatively, i have found the webby. You can go to: http://www.lovesingapore.org.sg/ to access the devotions online. Just click the 'more>>' button to look for the devotions. :)

Today's topic really speaks of what our Youth Ministry's situation.

Honestly, being involved in the youth for 2 years, i've been through many many hard knocks and it is really really not easy. So youths, if you see this post, DO PRAY FOR THE LEADERS AND FOR THE MINISTRY!! Before we embark on anything, Prayer is the 'Step 0'. Do the 'Step 0', before going into the 'Step 1' of things!

Remember! This is not only for spiritual matters, but as a Christian, this applies to EVERY PART OF YOUR LIFE! Including studying for exams! I personally can testify, as a fresh graduate from the studying career, that prayer/spending time with God before embarking on our work does work for receiving blessings and effectiveness in studies! :) I am now, also adjusting to working life, and setting aside my 1st 15 to half hour after i come into the office to spend time with God and His word. Yup... :)

Ok, enough said, i have kindly copied today's devotion as i felt that the whole thing explains it all. I will not put in the Bible reference in however. So do a little flipping of the Bible to Ezekiel 11:16-20

It’s a picture of radical hope.

Israel was in deep spiritual crisis. Sin was spreading like cancer. Idol worship was happening even inside the house of God [Ezekiel 8]. The prophet Ezekiel was an exile in a foreign land and faced an uncertain future. Surely God had forgotten His people, surely there was no more hope.

But amid great despair and depravity, God intervenes and speaks words so radical that we are shocked speechless: My child, I will give you a new heart. You will truly live and learn what it means to love Me. You will be Mine, and I will be yours.

It’s sad that we often only accept and appreciate help when we have hit rock bottom, when very fi bre of pride has been broken, when every human plan has backfi red. The truth is, only God can effect the kind of change that we need so desperately. Self-help techniques can never transform the inner man. Human effort will only lead to more defeats and repeats.

Today, ask yourself these questions and honestly pray:

Have you come to the end of your rope? Are you relying on the worldly wisdom of management gurus to psychoanalyse your situation and reverse your misfortunes? Are
you genuinely hungry for real change, lasting change? Are you ready to surrender and lay down your arms in fi ghting God? If so, God’s help is just a prayer away. Pray now.

Is your church in some sort of a spiritual exile, some prolonged doldrum that is keeping it dull, dry and disillusioned? Do you feel like you’ve driven yourselves into a dead end? Has there been a scattering of sheep? More subtractions than additions, more division than multiplication? Soul search. Are there offenses against God, and within the church? Fiercely confront the issues. Remove the stumbling stones. Repent and reconcile. Receive His healing and the promise of transformation: a new heart, a fresh new start.

Coincidentally, this is the season for the word TRANSFORM. The world is crazy over the movie, TRANSFORMERS and a meeting with Fuji 2 days ago also talked about Transformation.
How all of us hope to be transformed! Fuji shared something which really struck Deniece and I the other day. I got the essence, but this is me paraphrasing what he said:

People now are being conformed. We can't have conformists - people who follow blindly what others/their religion says about a certain lifestyle. We have to have people who are TRANSFORMED by God, that is. And the people around the transformed are those who will recognise their transformed lives, and they are the fireseeds that will change the whole dynamics of their surroundings.

SO! Are you a Transform-er? :)

If not, BE THAT TRANSFORM-ER! :)

Rom 12:2
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "

Still in the process of being a Transform-er,

Hannah Lindy :)

Revival starts with us

2007-07-04T09:49:00.001+08:00

Hi all! :)

My first post here on our YOUTH BLOG!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!!

I would like to share something which really got me thinking alot...

I'm sure all (or at least most of you) have gotten a copy of the 40 day Love Singapore devotion/prayer book last Sunday. If you haven't i urge you to do so this Sunday! It is really really good... ;) Spoke to me LOTS....

As the theme is 'The Stones Cry Out', every devotion (at least for the past 4 days) have been on passages on stones.. and today's one was taken in reference of Matthew 3

It talked about the Pharisees and Saduccess, translated to today's context, are the religious and reowned scholars and experts of God's word. They claimed to know God the most, but missed the day of His visitation COMPLETELY, all because they had religion but no revelation. They relied on their traditions, heritage, lineage, history more than anything. And this is also one thing that may hinder us from reaching God. It will cause our hearts to grow hard and cold. The article also says that the Lord was not impressed with our own achievements, social standing, educational background, clerical rank, denominal origin or family connections! the last line of the devotion wrote: 'If need be, He will raise up sons and daughters from stones.'

I reflected on this devotion and was really really touched by it. I prayed and confessed my sins. Many times, i relied on my knowledge of the Word and my own wisdom, but not putting God in the picture. How my heart can easily grow cold and hard on a certain subject matter because i choose to rebel against God. I know the Word of God well - what pleases Him and what does not, and yet ignore it and sin against God, and worse, am a given a group of God's people to lead and guide, HOW MUCH WILL I BE JUDGED BY GOD AT THE END OF THE DAY?!?!

This really really was a sound reminder to me, that i must be real before God and man. I have to look past my achievements, and focus on my identity in Christ, and others' position in Christ as well. Revival starts with individuals turning their hearts to God. Revival starts with me.

Finally, would like to end with the last line of the prayer by Bishop Moses Tay:
'Free us from ritual without relationship, peity without power, faith without fire, systems without Spirit. Revive us today!'

In His Love,
Hannah Lindy

Youth Calender JULY

2007-07-03T01:00:00.000+08:00

Saturday Prayer & Planning

† 30 June Prayer

† 7 July Prayer

† 14 July Prayer/Planning

† 21 July Planning

† 28 July Planning

Evangelism & Discipleship

2007-06-29T11:54:00.000+08:00

This point was brought up by Bro Fuji...

and it quite falls in line with our church's mission statement ya?

"To Win. To Build. To Send."

Hearing feedback from UROC before he left, he also wanted to see some kind of discipleship happening in the youth..

and because of our lack of leaders to do one-to-one mentoring.. probably group discipleship will be a good platform to start?

evaluating from how we organised youth programmes and how we structured it, i think the one thing that really kicked off was the one hour discipleship group before service started..

i'm thinking along the same lines too...

as the leaders gather every week on saturday to pray for the next 4 weeks, we could start thinking about how can we go about the discipleship group thing again... though that model might have worked well in the past.. it might not work for us now. But anyways.. now that we are better informed of what discipleship means... how can we better improve it?

should there be a mutual agreement between the discipler and the disciple as to how long will the relationship last - for a lifetime? what are the areas that we are focusing on? only spiritual growth? can there be others?

Anyway.. besides the small group discipling.. i'm proposing that we have a once in four weeks outing (not necessarily have to cost.. even dinner outing is good... as informal as possible) and once in 8 weeks worship encounter... a yearly retreat/trip/camp.. as in it need not be like a youth camp in navigators every year.. but how about mountain climbing/trekking? Eg. Mount Kinabalu... or to Msia? Kelong fishing? well... i think need to expand creativity!!!

Alright.. Post Modern Generation People... here's what we are...
- Relativism
- Searching for spirituality
- Adoring Nature
- Pessimistic (no hope liao.. but how about the Idol trend? isn't it providing hope and fulfiling dreams?)
- Narcisisstic
- Individualistic vs. Communal (because of technology.. eg.internet.. everything can be personalized)
- Whatever Lor... Anything Lor... no longer taking a position (why not whatever LorD?
- Feelings/emotions dominated
- Entertainment driven (hence, the need to be creative!!!!!)

(to be continued...)

Youth Mentoring Style - Can it Be?

2007-06-29T11:47:00.000+08:00

Begin with a friend

Most friendships involve varying degrees of informal mentoring - we just need to become a little more intentional for the relationship to become more effective in producing encouragement, support, confidence and transformation.

Set Aside Regular Times To Be Together

rearrgange your schedule and activities so that you have adequate time to build a relatioship that moves deeper than the relatively superficial level of most friendships. A mutual commitment to meet regularly helps develop relationship by enabling up to date reporting back to each other and ongoing support.

Maximise Your Times Together
- Maintain a balance in your relationship
- Seek to be transparent with each other.

Focus On Major Areas Where We Can Stray
- Friendships
- Spouse / family
- Self-centredness
- Management of time
- Pride / self-image
- Lust
- Greed / attitude towards money
- Honest
- Power
- Acknowledgement of authority
- Servanthood
- Avaialability for service

Ask Good Questions

Be Mutually Accountable

Show Mutual Respoect

Take Scripture Seriously

Pray Together

Laugh/Cry/Have Fun Together!

Arrange Special Times Together

Peer Mentoring in Small Groups (to be continued...)

hEy... chEck tHiS oUt!!

2007-06-25T23:20:00.000+08:00

Hey people..

i've asked around and i think many are not keen to watch JESUS CAMP or TRANSFORMERS and SURF'S UP is not exactly fantastic either...

how about.. DIE HARD 4.0??

check out this trailer.. super cool!!

OuTiNg & mEeTiNg

2007-06-24T00:20:00.001+08:00

1 July 07

Movie + Dinner

So would it be Jesus Camp? Surf's Up? or Transformers? haha... your choice...

youth core team to meet to pray
next saturday, 30 June
4-5pm
Let me know if you can or cannot make it. Thanks!

LaTeSt UpDaTeS

2007-06-24T00:14:00.000+08:00

so....

today the youth leaders met up..

but not all turned up..

anyway i felt that it was a fruitful meeting..

really..

taking over the youth ministry is not easy.. i didn't think it would be easy.. i'm just trying to do my best for Him..

the fear seems to be here again.. the fear of not being able to please everybody.. the fear that people will point and criticize.. the fear that i'm not doing anything right and everything wrong.. the fear of gossip.. the fear of not being a good role model..

the pressure is also surmounting.. the most intense pressure is living up to expectations..

Dear God,

help me as i carry out your plans.. may i learn to spend more time with you to listen to what you are saying for this ministry.. i pray that the leadership team will be in unity and be the influencers.. show us who we should put into this core team Lord.. show us your ways.. i love you Lord..

ApOLoGiEs

2007-06-21T13:38:00.000+08:00

HeY... this goes out to ALL the ChAriS YAMMERs.....

today uncle stanley talked to me in church so did my mom..

they explained that some people have passed some comments about the malacca trip i'm planning to organise... that is the one to A'Formosa....

so let me just clarify..

it was intended to be a PERSONAL trip between michelle and i...

but i thought it would be kinda selfish if i dun invite anyone along... and the national day period is actually a good few days of holiday... so i was thinking since the YAMMERS have sth... the youths should not feel left out but have sth too...

so i probably spread the word around a bit and approached uncle Samuel about it and see whether he and aunty chloe can be chaperons (is it spelled this way)...

so maybe some people perceived that i was a threat or trying to steal sheep...

firstly, i want to apologise for any misunderstanding caused because it wasn't even officially announced... it wasn't intended to be a formally organised outing but meant to be informal between a few people..

secondly, please understand that i have no intention of ruining the relationship between youth and YAM... i sincerely believe that this two ministries are sister ministries (or brother ministries, depending whether u're a feminist or patriachist) should coorperate and work together..

so.. please do not get me wrong.. thanks.

MaNaGiNg ExPeCtaTiOnS

2007-06-14T11:14:00.000+08:00

i think when the commitee or leaders come together and discuss on how are we going about to handle the second half of the year for the youth group...

we will need to talk about expectations... something that we should be open about.. ya?

1) What we expect of ourselves as leaders

2) What we expect of our peer leaders

3) What we expect of the youths

and i think we also need to evaluate our commitment levels.

Here are our current 'committee' members

- Roland (Leaving us in July)
- Ruth (Advisor)
- Bala
- Lindy
- Shawn
- Evan
- Deniece

Let's do a rain check and manage our expectations.. if we feel that we're not up to doing the job then we better think again...

A GoD iN a PoSt MoDeRn WoRLd

2007-06-14T11:07:00.001+08:00

Can the God of the bible be relevant to a post modern generation now?

i think the biggest challenge that youth leaders and youth groups are facing now is offering a package deal to the youths of today, to attract them to come for youth group.

a post modern generation says... "i don't feel like coming today, so i don't come. i feel like doing something else today." Post modernist go by theis feelings

Sounds like you?

a post modern generation says... "everything is subjective. Nothing is objective. We can agree to disagree. Whatever you say is correct. But i also have my rights to be correct. We can both right. It all depends what we believe in. You are what you believe." Hence, is the bible subjective too? Can the bible and the world be right at the same time?

Sounds like you?

Are Charismatic churches the answer to this post modern generation as what Pastor Wilson has said?

What is?

God, how are you the same today?

a youth blog?

2007-06-08T01:04:00.000+08:00

Wow... everyone's getting to IT orientated these days...

the yammers have already set up their blog....

so... how are we facing up to the competition?

here are some of my ideas..

Dad has already told me that i will have to step up as youth coordinator in July because UROC will be leaving in the end of June... that's not his real name by the way...

i will have to preferably NOT restructure the youth because people prefer to stick to predicatable circumstances.... but then again..... youths are youths..... change is needed!

After coming back from camp.. i realised that the new group of youths are very closely stuck to each other and we probably have to coorperate with the yammers to 'split' (not in a bad sense) them up...

oh ya... so back to our topic...

the yammers not have a blog... and i'm not afraid to announce it...

it's charis-yam.blogspot.com

ok! chill......

our's is coming up very soon........

i intend to keep this blog to blog about my thoughts and feelings as a youth leader in charis and also for other people to share their ideas and be open about what changes they want to see in youth and whether or not they can make it for this event or that event... it's like a forum simplified... get what i mean? i post stuff and people reply... even if they don't like what is currently going on... shoot!! i still have the right to NOT post their comment right? haha... well.. at least it gives room for a two way communication... and for them to respond...

but the bigger picture is this...

setting up a PORTAL... i know it will take time to do up everything.... but i'm just looking for basics now... yea just the basics... a few functions...

a blog for me to write and for updates( the main page.. like elaine's website ) - so this blog will be shifted there
a 'member' registration thing... where youths can log on
if possible, members' account... to download stuff into it... and view upcoming stuff plus plus
a sms system... where we can sms everyone who is a member of the portal
uploading and downloading functions where youth leaders can upload devotional material, articles, mp3, pictures, videos and members can download them for personal spiritual growth as well as fun stuff... need not all be christian stuff...
forum - for interaction
a links page ( to advertise websites and blogs )
a contact us page where the particulars of the leaders will be posted there and also youth service timings as well as the main service, yammers, chinese church, children's church and bla bla... all the church timings so youths who view our website can also bring their parents and grandparents and friends of other ages here!
AOB

yup... so that's about it...

now.. i have to look for a portal designer!!!!!!! is that what they are called? or website designer? oh well.. whatever works... hehe...

JusT bLogGinG

2007-06-01T15:56:00.000+08:00

alright..... so what plans are coming up for the youth the second half of the year?

not quite sure... everything's so un-structured...

well... rather have an unstructured informal every week outing then have a structured compulsory must come and must grow every alternate week 'service'?

was doing much thinking about the youth structure and everything... from the leadership to the members...

one major thought in my mind is thinking about the difference between formal and informal learning... while formal learning is good... most of the learning (as surveyed) comes from informal sessions.. don't you agree? It's when you learn to live it out and be an example so that others can model from you... sounds familiar? (imitate me as i imitate Christ - Paul da man)...

So... how have we been doing for at least the past year? It has always been trying to get people to come for youth... which when we say that... we are implying that we want them to come for a time of worship, games, listening to the word and maybe once in a while.. an outing...

exactly why would anyone want to be part of this group? They get to participate in worship and listen to the word on sundays already.. so we are just repeating sunday stuff for them... are we not?

just imagine... 5 days of formal learning in school..... and one more day of formal learning on sunday... why make our youth a place for another formal learning... While i do believe in formal learning strongly... i would put it in if we were having a separate service altogether... separated from the adults... which is not in this case...

so i'm thinking of really scraping the idea of having a youth group IF nobody buys the idea... because it's not going to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yea....... we can go on and talk about this and argue that it's necessary........ i'm not saying it's not necessary... i'm just saying that we are in name youths..... but come on man! it's a post-modern generation...... untill we get everyone to feel that there is a need for a youth group and challenge some leaders to rise up..... we ain't going no where...

while i also agree that a great ministry births from a great structure.. i'm pretty much sticking to informal gatherings first... let's say every week... there's a whole lot of things we can do... i mean if we just do one each week... (of course soccer is possible... if other people take the initiative to organise... i'm not gd at organising soccer...)....

say....

dinners
bowling
movies (even midnight is possible with NR)
short trips to msia/batam
overnight at sentosa
soccer
ice skating
roller blading
plus plus.....

if we just do one each week... (like what i'm trying to do with isa and the rest)... we pretty much have a regular group of youths going out together...... when we have a big enough group... then we can start to think of adding on bible studies IF they wanto...coz they seem like them have enough spiritual feeding as they do come every sunday...

activity based for the time being... as it's non-threatening an casual.. anyone can join... you don't even need to be a Christian...

buy it?

The Habitudes Experience

2007-05-29T21:04:00.000+08:00

http://www.equippingleadersasia.org/index.php/the-habitudes-experience/

Just 1 can influence 10,000 - YOU can be the 1The Habitudes Experience "The Art of Self-Leadership"

Date: 2 June 2007Time: 9:30am-4:30pm (2 coffee breaks & lunch on your own)Venue: Bethesda Cathedral (map: http://www.bc.org.sg)Sponsored by: Equipping Leaders for Asia, Campus Crusade Media, Girls Brigade, and Growing LeadersPrices: Before 11 May: S$10 / After 11 May: S$15Click here to download a registration form (print page 2)Complete and mail with FULL payment to Equipping Leaders for Asia, 39A Jalan Pemimpin #05-03, Halcyon Building, Singapore, 577183.

Youth and Young Adults,Did you know studies have shown that the most introverted of people will influence 10,000 others in their lifetime? Leadership is influence. So how do you influence others? Hitler influenced, so did Mother Teresa. We need to decide what sort of difference we want to make in the world that we live in.

Get ready to experience. Get set for speed. What are you waiting for? GO!The Habitudes Experience - The Art of Self-Leadership A Fast-Paced Multi-Media Seminar by Dr. Tim Elmore to Nurture Young Servant-Leaders

What is leadership?Plainly and simply put, leadership is influence? It is not a title; it is not a position. When you have people around you whom you can influence, you have an opportunity to exercise leadership. The leadership journey really begins with self-leadership. Only when we lead ourselves capably, should we then prepare for others to follow us.

What is the Habitudes Experience?The Habitudes Experience uses images to teach leadership truths that will enable you to wisely influence your world. Author Leonard Sweet says that images are the language of the 21st century, not words. Images stick. Images illustrate.
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Who should attend?We believe that every young person is called to lead - First to lead ourselves, and then to influence those whom God places around us. If you desire to grow as a leader, or to discover how God can use you more effectively, then this seminar is for you!
If you work with young people and have a passion to raise emerging leaders for Jesus Christ, do challenge your emerging leaders to attend this seminar together with you. You will gain valuable momentum for developing a leadership culture within your ministry.