THIS SATURDAY (14 Nov 2009) - Part 2

Ok sorry guys, this is a further update about saturday!

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On saturday, we would be having the games in the Fairfield primary school compound (hahah not so exciting now that its out) so for those who are coming late, you can just find us there!

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Im sure all of you got the sms from the Youthphoria web-based system thing, so further reminder, please bring an extra set of clothes cause you guys are gonna get ____!

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IN ADDITION, there will be a theme for this games day! The theme is PIRATES so please do come dressed in your most pirate-y outfit with props or anything if you want! hahaha how exciting is this right? There would be phototaking too, so if you want to have nice photos DRESS UP and join the fun ~

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Alright, SEE YOU GUYS! :)

THIS SATURDAY (14 Nov 2009)

HI guys, nice to see that so many of you are checking regularly! Always encourages me though this website kind of gives me a headache cause everything stands out from the black HAHA ok nvm.

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Anyways, this Saturday Youthphoria is holding games day! whoo hoo! This is to commerate (i think. i dno if im using the right word) the end of the Full Flame Series which WAS GREAT!!

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Date: 14 November 2009

Venue: Church

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Time: 3.30pm (DONT BE LATE OR YOULL BE MET WITH AN EMPTY CHURCH. WE FOCUS ON PUNCTUALITY. Being punctual is a virtue!)

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Details: Yuliang the genius says the next venue is to be confirmed (It's a surprise!) and arnt we all just SO EXCITED because 'The magic lies in the mystery...' HAHAHAHA (some disney channel quote. I overuse it)

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So, since most**** of you guys exams are over by then, (HURRAY TO THE O LEVEL KIDS!!! YOU GUYS HAVE DONE WELL, YOU HAVE WORKED HARD!!!!!!!) Please do come down to chilll and just take a break from whatever youre doing! :)

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And, do invite your friends too! Im sure they'll enjoy being in the company of fellow church ppl like us ~ and this is another form of outreach too! hahahah

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SEE YOU (you have no choice)

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Anonymous youthphorian.

Dear friend.. (Part 2)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS NOTE IS A NOTE TO POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, TO SEEK THE BEST FOR YOURSELF. NOTES LIKE THIS ARE NOTED BY NOTEWORTHY PEOPLE WHO NOTE THAT ONE MAN'S OPINIONS MIGHT NOT BE NOTEWORTHY TO OTHER NOTEWORTHY PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF. SO THE DISCLAIMER OF THIS NOTE IS THAT IT IS A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE SHARING, BUT I AM SURE THE EVENTUAL OUTCOME WILL BE.. NOTEWORTHY.

"The best is yet to be."

I'm sure everyone is quite familiar with the famous AC motto. It speaks of the coming and anticipation of something greater, something better than what we see now, what we're experiencing now. Well, that all seems great to me, except for the fact i like things the way they are now.

What if I don't want something better? What if i want things to stay how they are now? What if i am content with the present? Can i not want more? Would i be weird to you? Would you criticize me for being a "bad Christian"? Isn't that what Christianity is essentially about? Anticipation of something better--a better tomorrow, a better future, the fulfillment of God's perfect will in each of our lives would have to been something better than what it is now.

4 months ago, i felt that my life was perfect. I was living a God centered life, serving as a PCGL at church, preparing to get into the worship team for Youthphoria, my studies were fine, i was doing regular QT, i was engaging with friends about Christianity, and i was seeing the girl of my dreams. We had plans to do a second ORTABO for the needy students at Fairfield Primary, we talked about a future together, serving God in Indonesia as missionaries, getting married, having 3 kids (2 girls and 1 guy), 3 brichon frises. Everything seemed, well, perfect. At that point of time, i thought that it must have been God's perfect will, that things unfolded the way they did, everything seemed to fall into place, for my relationship with J, and the progress we were making.

“You can't stop loving or wanting to love because when its right, it's the best thing in the world. When you're in a relationship and it's good, even if nothing else in your life is right, you feel like your whole world is complete.”

I felt like my life was complete with J. Then things started to go wrong. I wanted more, like all that wasn't enough. I replaced God with other things, and my relationship started to take a downhill spiral that neither of us was fully prepared for.

For those of you who are in a relationship now, i advise you to read "Choosing God's Best", and more importantly, to communicate with each other in ALL honesty. For those who are thinking of getting into one. I hope you will learn from my mistakes.

There are 2 people i need to apologize to before i go on.

Wendy. I'm sorry i neglected your advice. I'm sorry i let you down, and i am sorry for all this crap. She told me to wait, a year before i got together with J. I waited a month. I could have avoided all this emotional breakdown if only i had listened to wait. To those considering "dating", treasure your singlehood, make sure you're both serving in church before you start, make sure the guy is spiritually more mature (it's biblical), and get an accountability couple. Trust me, you'll need it, once you get to the point i'm at, it's too late already.

Rachel Tham. I'm sorry i didn't do what you asked me to do. I was wrong. Often i find myself looking back at that evening, where you told me to just come out with the truth. But i didn't, and now it's ended up just like you said it would. I should have listened, and i shouldn't have been so proud and full of myself. I am sorry.

This weekend, after spending a long time asking God why He had to teach me these lessons by means of a breakup and not through other events, i found myself asking me this question, would i be any less a Christian if i settled for His permissible will instead of His perfect will? Both are allowed, both are right. It's just one is better. Can't i be "humble" and not want the perfect will? Maybe i'm just too lazy, i'm happy where i am. Rather, i was happy were i was. Obviously J and i together that this point of time wasn't the perfect will, or we would still be together now. But it was permissive wasn't it? Before we crossed the line, before i crossed the line and demoted God to second place.

I'll be content with permissive in that case. Can i be? Can i not want the best and stick to where i was?

This afternoon, i sent this message to a few of the spiritually more mature "youths", and asked for their opinion, without giving them any background info or examples, i asked them this:

Is it wrong for a Christian to not want God's perfect will but settle instead for his permissible will instead?

The first to respond was Chris Chng:

Haha, you won't be bad. You just wont be happy? Like a father who allows his kid to choose between church and clubbing. Which is best the father knows, but he wont stop his kid from going.

He sent me a personal note of encouragement which i will selfishly keep to myself.

Next to respond was Ashley:

Hmmm.. I can say that since we are fallen.. we'll probably never be able to grasp God's will to the full. I don't think we can separate God's will into permissible and perfect. I mean He is a perfect God, isn't He? 1 Cor 10:23, Matt 5:8. From those 2 verses. Ya. We should always seek His perfect will. But when we fail to live it out, then i believe comes the room for His love, mercy and grace. =)

Then there was Rufus:

It depends whether u know what's God's perfect will for your life. It may happen tt ur perceived permissible will is what God wants for your life. There's also nothing wrong in choosing a permissible will in my opinion since u said it, its permissible but may not be the best or beneficial thats all. That's how i would look at it. :)

As more of the others respond, i will add them up here. Some people to look forward to include:

Rudy, Wendy, and Shernise

-Ah Ham-

(Taken from Purpose Driven Devotional. Thought it's meaningful.. :D ) November 06, 2009 Snatching from God’s Hands of God by Jon Walker "Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty--he is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:8, 10 NIV).

This guest devotional is by Jon Walker, author of 'Growing with Purpose.' In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to man. We, too, steal things from the One True God: - We steal when we take matters into our own hands, thinking God is too slow or not coming at all; - We steal when we insist on our own answer instead of being content with God's; - We steal when we grab for something we want, because we think God won't give it to us; - We steal when we say we did it when the truth is it only happened because God worked through us. The problem with this promethean pattern is it destroys our ability to be grateful. If we took it, then we got it no thanks to God or anyone else. When we snatch things out of the hands of God, it says more about our ability to trust God than it does about whether or not God is trustworthy. When we grab for what we want, it quite possibly reveals a root of bitterness growing within us, defiling us to think God will not be there for us when we need him (Hebrews 12:15). When we steal from God's infinite bounty, we're submitting to the lie that we're unworthy to be blessed by God and so we have to take because he's unlikely to give. Gratitude is one gauge that measures our dependence on God. The more dependent we are, the more grateful we become. The psalmist sings of gratitude that overflows your soul, compelling you to praise the Almighty, King of Glory: "I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God" (Psalm 84:2 NLT).

Dear friend..

Is your heart amazed by the grace of God?
Is your mind gripped by the truth of God?
Is your sense of right and wrong permeated by the justice of God,?
Is your faith resting in the power of God?
Is your imagination guided by the beauty of God?
Is your life is steadied by the sovereignty of God?
Is your hope filled with the glory of God?


If you answered no to most if not all of the above questions, then like me, you have labored in vain, because we have been doing works of the law, and not of the Spirit. Work for God that is not sustained by wonder at God is a weariness of the flesh. So, stand in awe of God today and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.

I know what i have been doing all this time was mortal. It was human. But is that really an excuse?
I know what i have done all this time has hurt someone. It was human. But is that really an excuse?
I know what i will do will cause me great suffering. It is human. But will i let that be an excuse?

God can be trusted. I want to trust Him.

Show me how, God.

-Ah Ham-

HEY ALL!

There will be no Youthphoria session this Saturday, 7 Nov. Do take note :)

Full Flame - Principles for Success (Final Episode)

HEY Youthphorians!

Come down this Saturday for the *final* episode of Full Flame! Find out what renowned evangelist Reinhard describe as the 8 Principles for Success for doing God's work, as we recap what has been shared so far in the series!

**UPDATE**

There will be a celebration to round off the finale of Full Flame Series!!! So do come down and bring your friends for a time of fun and learning, and of course, worship :)

See ya :D

Is it too late for me & my white horse to catch you?

It's been a week since my breakup, and i for one have been thrust back into our regular rhythm of life: school, work and the whole circus of distractions that often surround me. I know that i have experienced a real spiritual, emotional high during my time with God over the past week. I was lost in the wonder of God, amazed by His beauty and captured by His majesty. It was also just awesome seeing His Spirit move in my life, and i thought that i was really starting to see fruit in surrendering.

But how have things been since? A big blow came this morning, i logged onto facebook, and strangely noticed why J wasn't on my 6 friends list on the left column, so i clicked on her name via one of her earlier posts, to my horror, it said "Add as friend". A part of me wanted so bad to break down again. She said she wanted us to be best friends just a day before. Now it's like this.

What's the cause of all this?

I realise how much I've been drifting unconsciouly away from God. My quiet time has been irregular, and I've utterly failed to make time to talk to God and bring my pains and feelings to Him. I was just thinking about some stuff in my life that was getting me angry and upset, then it dawned upon me: Why haven't you just come to God?

I realize that i place J in such a high regard in my life, i had almost replaced God with her. She was my everything. Need someone to talk to when the lecturer was boring? "Dearrrrrr, the lecturer is sooooo boring!! Help!! =(" and then she would save me. When i needed something to do in my absolute free time? "Dearrr, can i meet u nao!!" And the problem would be solved. Ha. What happened to God? He was the ONE on tuesdays, saturdays and sundays. And the after that, J took over. When she left, and now she's reallt left (like totally), my life seemed to fall apart. When i told my parents they were shocked, "Shit, what happened?" and "thank god we didn't buy her ticket to the states yet" (we were going to holiday together in dec, and i convinced them to pay for hers, a bit). My exams are coming soon, and i've already missed so many lectures and labs and tutorials in my desperate attempt to save this relationship. I hope i'll be able to catch up.

And so, a fellow broken, weak-hearted sinner humbly asks you to keep close to God. Don't forget Him, although the distractions and emotions of the world often do a tremendous job of pulling our eyes away from Him. But i'm glad to say i'm not alone in this journey! And neither will you be. We have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to counsel us and guide us. And there's also each other in church, that we can come together and just be with one another and encourage one another - just like it says in Hebrews 10:23-25, which says:
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I don't know how long i'll need to really forget her totally, and i don't know if i can. The good memories are just so good. It's like, heaven on earth at that time. She was the best thing to happen to me ever, and i threw her away, just like that. I know i brought this misery upon myself, but isnt there a way for me to.. to take it back? To make things right? Now we can't even be friends? Sigh.

Just 2 weeks ago i was showing her off to my entire bench, and everyone went "wah, she so pretty, you damn lucky la!" yea. I wish.

-Ah Ham-

Givena2ndchance

For those of you who do not follow my facebook or life status that much, this will probably come as a shocker. Last week, my girlfriend of 6 months broke up with me. Let me just say it was her decision to do it, and i would have it any other way but this. Of course i was devastated, but i brought this misery on myself. I hurt her in many ways (those who need to know the specifics, you know, the rest, sorry). I hurt her many times.

You know, my emails usually reflect the state of my life. My previous one was whydunyoulikeme@hotmail.com, which i deleted, after the first chance she gave me. I changed it to givena2ndchance@gmail.com (which is my current msn, so you can add me if you want). I was relieved to get this second chance to make things right. But i relied on my own strength, i had God for the first week, then i became complacent, and went back to my old ways. I struggled, and eventually, i hurt her again. I cannot believe that she gave me another chance, but she did, that's love by the way.

So i tried again, first week, easy. God was always there to guide. Then i went back to my own ways again. It's hard for me to fully surrender and yield my life to God, some areas i just dumbly feel that i know better. So i hurt her again, and again, and again. Each time she forgives me, and the selfish me goes on with the relationship thinking we've gotten past the hurt.

But i was wrong. This time was the last chance. I would not be taken in again. I hurt her a month ago, but it only came to light now. And she had had enough. We were finished. You should know i am not an emotional person, but when it came to this, i begged and cried like a baby, to no avail of course.

I had victimized and forsaken the person that meant the most to me.

Now, before you say "hello, this is a ministry blog, if you want to rant go to your own.." Stop. I have a point here ok.

Where was God? I threw him aside, i made him play second fiddle to my own desires and motives. She suffers now because i wouldn't let God rule fully over my life. She suffers because i didn't let God work in me enough. Who suffers when you sin? Really? It's not you. It's the people you love most that do.

I want God to be the center of my life, i really do, but do i really believe that God is more than enough for me? Do i really believe that he has the greatest plans for me and my loved ones? Do i really believe that by surrendering EVERYTHING, i will gain even more? Do i believe?

Do you believe?

I might have wasted all my chances with her, and i might never get her back. But at least i can be sure that i still have a chance with God:

You called my name
Reached out Your hand
Restored my life
And I was redeemed
The moment You entered my life

Amazing grace
Christ gave that day
My life was changed
When from my shoulders
Fell the weight of my sin

So it’s with everything I am
I reach out for Your hand
The hope for change
The second chance I’ve gained

On You I throw my life
Casting all my fears aside
How could greater love than this
Ever possibly exist

Consume my thoughts
As I rest in You
I’m now in love
With a Saviour
Bearing the marks of His love

So I’ll wait upon You now
With my hands released to You
Where a little faith’s enough
To see mountains lift and move

And I’ll wait upon You now
Dedicated to Your will
To this love that will remain
A love that never fails

Courtesy of Hillsong United. I think this song really speaks volumes of the difference between man's love and God's love.

I wish i could turn back time and really take those chances she gave me. I wish i could make it all better, i wish i could be with her again. But then again, shouldn't i be wishing that for God as well?

Don't you wish you could turn back time and not sin, so he didn't have to die on the cross? Don't you wish you could make it all better with God? Don't you wish you could be close to God, back into the intimate relationship you once had?

Let me assure you. It is never too late. This coming from me, you should believe. I really hope none of you ever have to go through what J (my ex) and I have gone through. It really hurts both parties a lot. But if you have, or are going through it now, let me also say that you're not alone. Youthphoria is blessed with people who know what to say and when to say it, such that it the reconciliation phase is just so much easier.

I'm won't say it's going to be easy. Trust me, it's not. It sucks when you wet your bed with tears every single night. It sucks when everywhere you look, it reminds you of that person, it reminds you of your failures, it reminds you how much it hurts, and more importantly, how much it hurts them. It's difficult to let go of such things. But then it goes back to the original question.

Do you believe that by surrendering everything, you'll gain so much more?

I want to believe, how about you?

-Ah Ham-

Hey all,

How are y'all doing?

After the long respite, YOUTHPHORIA IS FINALLY BACK this Saturday, usual time, usual place :)

This week, we have *SPECIAL GUESTS FROM PERTH**

Friends from Youth With A Mission (YWAM) we come and share their experiences with us :D

So do come down, and bring your friends!!

Spread the word :)

hey all, just a gentle reminder that

1) THERE IS NO YOUTHPHORIA SESSION THIS SATURDAY. which is actually today. 17 Oct. we'll meet again on.. 24 Oct :)

2) ENCOUNTER '09 CAMP REGISTRATION IS ON! so hurry grab a form, fill it up (and pay up!) and register on THIS SUNDAY

3) we should PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER :)

- those going to go thru exams and tests soon, esp. those taking major exams like O, N, A Levels, promos, poly, uni end-of-semester exam, driving test, blood test, etc. etc..

- those in army going overseas for training soon, Yuliang and Kenneth, THE DECISIVE FORCE :D (anyone else?!)

- our Youthphorians studying overseas! Woeixi, Joanne Goh, Jun Ming, Beverly, Annabel, Dai Nan, and _________(insert names here)

- And pray for the ministry of Youthphoria!

- pls tag on the tagboard if you have any other prayer requests :D

Have a blessed weekend!

PS Thanksgiving for Rufus and Gracia! who are blissfully JUST MARRIED!

Tangled.

I been watching a couple of videos this week. And (not) surprisingly, they all seemed to have the same message for me. Which is: Who makes my decisions? Maybe the question seems a little odd to you all, so let me explain a bit. For those of you who know me, i'm the type of person who likes to rush into situations, to follow my gut feel. I'm head strong and i feel like when i want to do something, nothing, or no one can stop me. Which is bad sometimes, because i let emotion and/or reason get in the way of hearing what God wants me to do. Which is bad, because, well, it's just bad.

So what's the message i got? Well. Let me simulate a conversion i would have possibly had..

Jesus: Do you trust me?
Me: Sure.
Jesus: Fall back.
Me: Say what? $%^&*#$%^
Jesus: Fall back.
Me: But you'e standing in front of me.
Jesus: Do you trust me?
Me: Sure i do.
Jesus: Then fall back
Me: Dang. Hang on a minute Lord. That doesn't make any sense.
Jesus: You do your part, and i'll do mine. You fall, and i'll settle the rest.
Me: Yea yea. I get that part. But if you could just understand what exactly you are going to do.. then maybe it'll be easier to well.. fall.
Jesus: Do you trust me?
Me: Sure i do, i just need to understand..

-End of Part 1-

Jesus: I want you to be real with me.
Me: God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
Jesus: That's great.. but..
Me: Amazing graceee, how sweet the sound.. that saved a wretch like meeeee!!
Jesus: Be real.
Me: Come on Lord, i live for you every single day.
Jesus: I don't want you to live FOR me, i want you to live IN me, because it's when you're living in when you understand who you really are.

-End of Part 2-

Jesus: Look at the sorry state of the world today.
Me: yea. the world kinda stinks. Got devils winning everything (sorry couldn't resist the cheap shot at man u fans), but it's not my problem, it was here before i got here.
Jesus: Then who's problem is it?
Me: How would i know? It was there before i got here.
Jesus: But there's only you there.
Me: So? I can't make everything my problem.
Jesus: Is that right?
Me: Yea. Let's just turn away and pretend it's not there. *turns away* See! No more problem.
Jesus: Turn around.
Me: okay.. *turns around*
Jesus: Good. Now make it your problem.

-End of Part 3-

So some questions..

Where's the line between truth and opinion? Who determines what is truth and what isn't? If the truth is true, then doesn't that make everything else a lie?

Do you really trust God? Or is it only when He's making sense?

Is Jesus really in charge of your life?

Are you real to God?

Is God real to you?



On a lighter note:
Congrats in advance to Rufus & Gracia Chan is advance.

-Ah Ham-

Hey all,

There is no Youthphoria session on this sat and the next. That is 10 Oct and 17 Oct. We'll be back for FULL FLAME FINALE on 24 Oct!!! How exciting!!!!

On another note, registration for ENCOUNTER '09 is open on 11 OCT! so keep a look out for the registration booth! And register!!!

:D

A Letter from Hell

How much time do we each have left?

How much time do our friends have left?

I did a random sampling of Youthphoria members' facebook accounts:

I have 770 friends.

Junlong has 669

Chee Siong has 278

Ethel has 330

Irwin has 228

All the rachels combined have 1301.

Out of my 770. I wonder how many names are in the Book of Life.

I've been so busy and caught up in my own life. I never bothered about it. Even though i hear about the urgency of it in the Full flame series week in week out.

Wonder if anyone feels the same.

-Ah Ham-

Full Flame Pt. 7 - The Man is the Message | The Revival Detonator

Hey friends,

This week in Youthphoria, we'll look at how we are to be the light of the world through constant prayer and intercession with humility for the world around us!

May we be empowered by God in this upcoming session to be doing God's purposes in our very own lives, and see the glory of God in following His will!

Reign in us :)

You thought of us before the world began to breathe
And You knew our names before we came to be
You saw the very day we'd fall away from You
And how desperately we need to be redeemed

Lord Jesus come lead us
We're desperate for Your touch

Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come
That You would reign, that You would reign in us
We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice
That You would reign, that You would reign in us

Spirit of the Living God fall fresh again
Come search our hearts and purify our lives
We need Your perfect love
We need Your discipline
We're lost unless You guide us with Your light

Lord Jesus come lead us
We're desperate for Your touch

We cry out
For Your love to refine us cry out
For Your love to define us cry out
For Your mercy to keep us blameless until You return

You would reign in us

So reign, please reign in us
Come purify our hearts we need Your touch
Come cleanse us like a flood and send us out
So the world may know You reign, You reign in us

lest we forget what it means to love deeply

Hey all (:

here are some of my thoughts and reflections that i've been chewing on since the end of the retreat. i thought of sharing this with all of you not only because it's something close to my heart, but because i believe that it is too, close to God's heart. some of you may have already read this on Facebook, but this post is really for those who don't have facebook. and all of the younger ones who are not on my fb! hello, pls add me (: there're too many of you to keep track of. hahaha.

i feel very strongly about how this message ought/needs to be heard; it needs to get out there, to hopefully change the way we look at people; the way we love; the way we live our lives. at the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves if we have lived in a way that's a sweet offering of a heart of worship to God; to ask ourselves the hard question of whether we've walked the talk. aight, shall leave you to read it now (:

*ps: it's a bit long... but pls bear with it k! (:

much love,

minyi (:

***

i have come away from the retreat, more in awe of God's person. i was/am blown away by so many things, but even more so, by the way He binds us all by the tapestry of His Love (:

without even realizing, God has been constantly drawing my attention to Love; of what it means to love with the truth, to love deeply and fearlessly. my recent journal entries - they're all about love. the season of conflict that i've come out of made me realize that love conquers all. during one of the nights' prayer and praise session, Wendy gave an invitation for anyone of us to share about whatever that God had impressed upon our hearts and every single person who shared, shared about - yep, you guessed it - LOVE. the one and only constant recurring theme. sharing after sharing after sharing. LOVE. FAMILY. UNITY. COMMUNITY. LOVE.

need i say more?

to love deeply and freely, to let love bind this family together, to realize that there should be no half measure in loving.

"if i speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, i am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. if i have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, i am nothing. if i give all i possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, i gain nothing." - 1 cor 13:1-3.

Rudy shared:
"therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves withcompassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. forgive as the Lord forgave you. and over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect UNITY. let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body yuo were called to peace. and be thankful. and let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. and whatever you do, whether in word or deedm do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."- col:3:12-17

having had disagreements before, i'm reminded again of luke 7:47 - "for her many sins were forgiven -- for she loved much. but he who has been forgiven little, loves little."

this quote is more often than not, misquoted as: he who forgives much, loves much. he who forgives little, loves little. much as this quote is not wrong, it's important to remember the value and the meaning of forgiveness that is first given by God. we can love because God first loved us; and because of His love for us, He FORGIVES us of our sins. therefore we experience the power of His redeeming grace to in turn, forgive others. even in the word "forgive", much is said. quoting(paraphrased) from Billy Otto: if we break up the word "forgive", it is to "for-give" or "forE-give"; to givebeforehand. wow. to FOREGIVE. God FORGAVE us of our sins!

i suppose the value of "forgiving" holds a special place in my heart because there's so much power in that. not forgiving can render powerlessness, yet forgiving EMPOWERS.one loves so much more when we're able to forgive, simply because we've come to love people for all their idiosyncrasies, for all their shortcomings, to truly embrace them for who they are. again, it is to see beyond the ugly and persist to see the gold, for love keeps no records of wrongdoings. that, is the perfect standard of God's love; that is how He loves. in Him, our slates are wiped clean, our sins forgiven by His blood and His sacrifice on the Cross. thank You, God, for not giving up on me when i mess up. instead, He pursues us out of His Love - we are His Beloved; He gives freely to us the countless second chances to be better.

do we then, offer that second chance to people?

to love God is the very first commandment. it's followed by loving others as ourselves. it ranks above not murdering, not bearing false witness etc. why? why love? what is it about love that it is so powerful and important? Love in Hebrew means "i give". to love is to give. to give of ourselves for others. we can love because God first loved us. God GAVE His Son to die for us. a quote from a website that i stumbled across - "Giving is a condition that creates and sustains love. Without giving, there is no connection that is sustaining." and i absolutely agree. giving is at the core of what it means to love.

even when we choose our friends, do we choose them because they appear better, speak better, present themselves better etc? Jesus came straight for the the people deemed as the lowest of the low; He dined with the lepers, the tax collectors, the harlots. how many times have we been guilty of not reaching out simply because we were afraid of what people would think of us? i know i have. but i think, the key is intrying. loving the less lovely, loving those who are difficult, persisting to unearth the gem in him or her. if not for patient and loving people who chose to commit to nurturing and guiding me all these years, i wouldn't be where i am now - given a second chance. do we choose to love or shun people when they're at their worst? do we persist to love?

choosing to ignore and step away from the person when that happens is so much easier than doing what love demands. if we were to compare both in terms of eternal value, i'd say loving trumps not loving in spite of the hurts that may come with vulnerability. for Love is the greatest these. to be clothed with compassion and not impassion, to love with truth and not superficiality.

to love deeply is to give freely.

have you given today?

Full Flame Pt. 6 - Living in the Miraculous | The Power of Proclamation

Hey all,

The youth leaders are back from the retreat and are ready to rumble! This saturday, we'll be looking into the Full Flame film series again, this time about taking the first step, to get out of our comfort zones, to trust God and do His will :)

This sat as there is the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in church, we are required to move out of the basement room by 6pm so this Sat's session is 4pm-6pm so do take note!

And you are encouraged to help our brother Joel Tan as he conducts the children's programme (read post below) and play with little kids! but mainly helping Joel :)

-cs

church mid-autumn festival..help needed.. :)

hey guys n gals! :)

Joel tan here...


as you guys may know..i need help!


Church is organising a MEGA mid-autumn festival for the Dover Community/Pre-believers and we're expecting 500 ppl!




Date: 26 Sept (Sat)

Time: 7.30pm - (Youthphoria will end earlier at 6pm)

And here's an opportunity to help!


I'm going to conduct a balloon workshop for the kids in the basement whereas the adults will have a session w artiste Amy Lim. And i need helpers!

I need youths to help kids tie balloons, show them how to make the twists and ensure that every kid enjoys himself/herself.. also to bring them around the field to carry their candle-lit lanterns


Things i'll be teaching:


1) Fish on a rod
2) Bee lantern
3) butterfly lantern (if time permits)


You get to learn all these amazing sulptures :)

If you're willing to help.. i need you to come for the Train-The-Helpers Workshop on 20 Sept (Sun) at 1.30pm in church and I will be teaching you the balloon sculptures before the event!

If time permits, i'll even throw in free lessons for making flowers, bears, dogs, and swords!

Free balloons...free use of pumps... free lessons!

(feel free to invite your friends to learn too! but all attendees must commit to help out on 26 Sept)


So if you're willing to help..pls pls just tag the tagboard so i know if there's a strong response and hopefully i can find enough help from YOUTHPHORIA!

Remb.. we need to reach out to others and the community around us.. and this is a good opportunity to share God's love with others..




All for Jesus ya? =)

If you can spare 20mins of your time:

Full Flame Pt. 5 - Fire: The Ensign of The Gospel/Relying on the Anointing

Hi friends!

Hope that you guys are doing well this week :)

This Saturday, we continue with Part 5 our Full Flame film series (we're halfway there!) on soul-winning for Christ!

Follow world renowned evangelist Reinhard Bonkke as he travels to Australia and Japan to share the topic on the fire of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to win souls for Christ!

Come join us!




Blessings,
cheesiong

PS That was from Encounter '07 - The Quest for Camelot :D