Youth Bites

Youth Confirmation and Cell

2009-10-05T08:33:00.009+08:00

We celebrated the confirmation of five young people yesterday- Marcus, Alison, Jeaphony, Amanda and Joel Seow! Yay!! Congratulations to everyone =)! Personally, I was really blessed by the sermon delivered by Bishop JohnTan... it was powerful, inspiring and truly a word in season from the Lord. The call to return to our daily sanctuary is such an important discipline and practice in the Christian life that if we were to fail in this area, it has dire consequences on all other areas of our lives. So, once again, I'm reminded to be faithful, to learn 'a new word' a day and to listen to God speak.

After service, the older youth gathered for cell. We were mindful of Philippians 2:14-15 "Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be innocent and without any wrong. You will be God's children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you, among whom you shines like stars in the dark world." The cell had a meaningful and powerful moment as we affirmed one another to shine for Jesus in the darkness all around us. It was a heartwarming and touching moment as each cell member encouraged the person on their left how they were shining for God in their lives, and lighting up their candles as they passed the light on. At the end of this, we realised how beautiful it was when Christians shine together for God- it transforms and brightens up the whole world around them! May we all continue to SHINE brightly for Jesus in our lives!

Last, but not least, enjoy these macho shots of our soccer boys! YAY! If you want the soccer tee, volunteer at the Family Day next year =)

More pictures from the DSS exhibition...

2009-09-25T12:34:00.006+08:00

In case some of you were wondering how come the DSS exhibition ended up having mainly pictures of our youths instead of the exhibits... oh well, blame it on me la =) Had a pretty hard time uploading the pics on blogspot...sometimes it hanged... sometimes it looked bad..etc etc. But here are the more important shots- THE EXHIBITS themselves, and the stories they tell of God's faithfulness in preserving a legacy for our faith =) Enjoy!

A fragment of the DSS scroll

Kerilyn poking Martin Luther's face

The Geneva Bible

Clay figurines

The First Bible that went to space- in Microfilm

Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition... a living legacy

2009-09-16T12:10:00.005+08:00

Walking through the exhibition was an amazing experience for me, as history unravelled before my eyes... God's history, that is. I can imagine how our heavenly Father has ordained and prepared for all the different individuals to carry out His passion and purposes in the presevation and transmission of His word, so that indeed, all the world may know Him and worship Him! Personally, my faith was strenghtened in God's word, not because we managed to catch a glimpse of the 4 pcs of dead seas scrolls which cements yet another archaelogical evidence for the solidarity of the Old Testament, but really, because I am amazed at how our God and Creator has orchestrated the history of events to make His word available and known to the world today! God knows that people living in our era need that evidence for His word... this would have been quite irrelevant to people living in previous centuries because no one would have ever dared doubt the authenticity and validity of the Bible.

With the advancement of technology, I can surely see how the good news of Jesus will reach the ends of the earth in greater and more powerful ways than ever before! Which again, brings us to a sober reminder of Matt 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." May we be diligent students, exemplars and loudhailers for God's truth!

The happy bunch of folks waiting to get inside The Arts House! Shawn posing with an interesting 'rice grain' sculpture outside... waiting for the rest to come and viola! We're in the theater watching a video...

A clay tablet depicting ancient writing- looks a bit like hieroglyphic to me. There were other exhibits that displayed cuneiform writing, which are written using a scalpel like pen to carve words onto clay.

CCK Anniversary Aug 09

2009-09-14T14:58:00.005+08:00

We had a really great time celebrating God's faithfulness in our church and lives! Indeed, He is our very present help in times of need, and this year's anniversary reminded me of how faithful and great our God is... =)

Judith's 13th Birthday =)

2009-09-14T14:53:00.002+08:00

Happy Sweet 13th!

YOUTH ICE CREAM PARTYYYY! =)

2009-09-14T14:35:00.005+08:00

Yes I know, once again my overdued pictures arrive late on the scene and its Sept already!!! Heheh... oh well, better late than never =) Pretty ladies and hunky gents... well at least most of us bothered to dress up for the occasion! Chill =)

Youth Month Pictures!!! =)

2009-09-07T11:52:00.002+08:00

Hi dudes and duddetes!

Please find below our missing links over the past few months...kekek...like the games we had in youth month =) A BIG THANKS TO DANIEL AND HIS REALLY CREATIVE COMMITTEE WHO CAME UP WITH THE IDEAS...and quirky prizes that made everyone's day, I'm sure!

Playmax 13Jun09

2009-06-13T23:20:00.005+08:00

Enjoy this video! Hope you all had fun at Playmax... oh well at least I did enjoy watching you guys spoof around and crack your brains trying to solve the different challenges and puzzles!! =)

Youth Gals@Island Cremery and Tea Party 19May09

2009-06-13T22:57:00.006+08:00

Yay yay! It was a gal's hangout time at the delicious Island cremery then game time at Tea Party's =)

Gal's Cooking and Hangout at May's 30 May 09

2009-06-13T22:29:00.008+08:00

Well, the school holidays have just begun! And the gals came over to my place to cook up a storm...hahah... we had roast chicken, yummilicious muffins, Aunty Virla's fantastic maggie noodle salad, humgarian mushroom soup plus all the other regular sides that my mom always contributes =) As for the guys, they came over to play some Japo PS2 Taiko drumming game... it was hilarious watching them!! Well, at least we know now who the best drummer award goes to... JOEL SEOW!!!! Then after, we celebrated Shawn and Jeremy's birthday YAY!! Thanks to all the young gals who decorated the muffins which looked too delicious to be eaten... heheh...

Alison's Birthday Pics

2009-04-02T10:28:00.006+08:00

Alison's Birthday!!
Yeah!! We had great fun at Fish & Co and later at TCC =) My deepest apologies to those who felt the pinch at the overpriced drinks and food... Le Pastor will humbly repent and stick to foodcourt deals and fast food hangouts in future...!

TJC East Coast Outing 20Mar09

2009-04-02T10:20:00.005+08:00

Okies for those who went to the East Coast on 20thMar09... hip hip hurray! I had a really fun time cycling and just relaxing by the beach... =)! All praise and thanks be to God who blessed us once again with an incredible weather in spite of the threatening, dark clouds and heavy rains in the other parts of Singapore... Our God is indeed faithful to answer our prayers!

April Updates!

2009-04-02T10:14:00.003+08:00

Hi All! Once again my very delayed updates and pictures come onto the blog... after such a long procrastination (which I'm really not very proud of... where are my bloggers???HELP!!)!! Most of the pictures are actually available on Lyd's and Rah's multiply sites, but for the comfort of your viewing, I'm adding in some of the more recent events, so ENJOY! =)

Wargames II 2008

2008-09-03T18:20:00.028+08:00

A big THANK YOU to all for making the WARGAMES such a success =)! KUDOS to the great effort put in by the committee, the amazing group leaders and all the participants who gave us your warm and enthusiastic support, in spite of the glitches and hiccups here and there...=) thank you for your patience and understanding. This year's WARGAMES has been one of our best attended events and we want to give thanks to God for bringing all of you to join in our fun, and also for blessing us with a great weather (it had been pouring buckets just a few days prior to Sunday)! Anyway, enjoy these pictures ...=)there'll be more posted at a later date. God bless!

THE SHIELD...

IN THE BATTLEFIELD...

STRUCK DOWN BUT NOT DESTROYED...

HAPPY POSES...=)

THE WAIT...

SOMETHING ABOUT A BLUE CONE...

DINNER TIME!
Believe it or not, dinner was meant to be- Buttered Rice, Braised Chicken Bonne Femme,Glazed Carrot, Buttered French Bean,Frankfurter Sausage... I've taken note of the cheers and disappointments concerning the palate-assaulting food that has feedback ranging from delicious to plasticine-like chicken...!!

CCK Anniversary Jul 2008

2008-08-21T15:20:00.011+08:00

Ok babes and dudes, I guess Im been procrastinating quite a bit and for a while on uploading pictures... but hey! I'm finally down to it!! Hahaha... =)Anyway, just want to say that I'm really so proud of you guys and gals for the wonderful performance... indeed it was more than that- it was a spectacular and heart-warming worship that moved many hearts. Keep up the spirit! I can see God gifting many of you to worship Him with music and dance, and may you continue to grow in this grace =)!

Girls' Picnic@Mt Emily =)

2008-05-14T10:00:00.010+08:00

Yippee! It was a GIRLPOWER turnout at the park on Mt Emily !!! =) We had a great time picnic-ing under the very hot and humid weather (most of us suffered a tan/sunburn after the whole event!)...fellowshipping, enjoying all the yummilicious food and learning about Giving from God's word... and practising our giving to one another! (which explains all the hugs and gift exchanges you will see in the photos below...=) We ended our time with celebrating Penny's birthday! Yay!! It turned out well...except that the candles were not lit (yet...), and we were constantly interrupted by flying soccer balls over our heads! (haiya...some bunch of boys from the church down the road came up to try and attract the attention of our lovely sistas...=)) Anyway, we'll have another picnic soon gals!!! Enjoy the pictures ;)

Revelation Song

2008-04-28T10:31:00.001+08:00

Hi All!

Someone sent me this beautiful worship song... enjoy;)!

Lydia's Graduation and Birthday!

2008-04-20T19:09:00.005+08:00

Yay!!! Congratulations to Lydia on her graduation from Tung Ling Bible College with distinction! =) WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU BABE!! Well, it was such an honor for us to be there to support her at her graduation ceremony and see how our very might God and loving Father has richly blessed her through her course of study.

LYD RECEIVING HER CERTIFICATE

LYD AND HER FAMILY

Also, the older youth (aka YA) brought her out after cell on saturday to celebrate her birthday at Dempseys! Woohoo...! Well, we feasted on fine delicacies from Olio Dome..[look at our pics for more details... haa...] and took quite a number of pics. But due to space (and time) constraint,we've only included a few pics.
FOr those of you who owe the bday babes and dudes their pressies... DO SOMETHING ABOUT it!!

Alicia and Rebecca's Bdays! Feb08

2008-04-20T19:07:00.001+08:00

Babies born in the month of love....=)

YOUTH SERVICE FEB 08

2008-04-20T19:03:00.002+08:00

Yay!!! What a beautiful and awesome time we had with God and one another =) All praise and glory to God for the time of worship, fun and games! Thanks guys...you rock! =)

Our very beautiful receptionists!

Games, games, games...

Mr Congeniality competition...

Danny's Birthday in January 08...=)

2008-04-20T18:59:00.002+08:00

THE BIRTHDAY BOY

THE BOYS IN PRAYER... =)

MALE POWER!

Jesu's Farewell in January...

2008-04-20T18:54:00.003+08:00

Ok, so this is part of me effort to upload all our youth pics so far on the blog!!!! Do be patient with me... as you all might already know, i'm really not that IT savvy..heheh..=) le pastor!

THE GANG AT SUSHI PLACE... YUMMY!!!

ISN'T THIS CUTEE!!! oK, SO THE PERSON WHO CAN GUESS WHO'S IN THIS PICTURE AND ENTERS IT IN OUR TAG WILL GET A SPECIAL GIFT FROM ME... HAHAHA.. [erm, of course the people in the pic themselves won't qualify la...]

Testing.... photos from the ROCK at Holland V!

2008-04-15T17:51:00.003+08:00

Ok this is a test to see if the pictures will upload properly...=) Anyway, we had quite a treat to Ice Cream that Sunday after church! A bit of publicity for the ROCKS- a cool ice cream hangout place at Holland V!!! THey'll mash your ice cream on the spot with any kind of topping you choose- M&Ms, choc chips, jelly beans, lollies, gum...etc...Wanna guess who's the one with the sugar high?? =)

2008-04-07T14:27:00.000+08:00

The following was taken from a book call:

extreme answers
To extreme
questions.

AUTHORITY

Do I have to listen to people just because they’re older than me?

Ever had someone say,”You think you know everything?” They were being sarcastic,taking a jab at you.They were reminding you that your knowledge is limited.The Book of Job says the same thing – that you are only on this earth a short time,and you know very little.Job says that you would be wise to learn from your parents and grandparents,and all the years they have already lived.Because of their age,we sometimes assume they couldn’t possibly contribute anything to our generation.Not so..You’d be foolish to believe they haven’t felt the emotions you deal with or struggled to make hard decisions.So lay down your stereotypes,listen to your ancestors,and learn from their understanding.The more you listen,the more you learn.

Verse lookup: Prov 4:1-5

My insight

Hello kings queens princes princesses.frogs?
Basically, hello!

Ok.Authority.Face it people.Rules makes the world a better place.

Close your eyes for a moment.
Imagine there is no authority in this world.

You are walking home one day.
You see your best friend stealing a wallet.
A policeman is watching the whole incident.
He does nothing.
The next day you see your mom doing the same thing.

What goes around comes around doesn’t it?.
What I’m trying to say is this.
When there is no authority,there is chaos.
Which means there’s no gurantee that your loved ones won’t commit a crime too.
Would you like to see that happen?
Not listening to rules isn’t cool.
It is going against God.
Going against God means,lets see..hmm..
Being striked to death?
This is not a threat.
It is the truth.

Valentine Day Special

2008-01-22T18:08:00.001+08:00

WELCOME TO ONE AND ALL (:

Introducing to you our V Day Special Saturday at CCK~! TA-DAH!

Impressive art don't you think? (:

If you are between 12-30, or feeling young at heart (even with receding hairline, visible wrinkles and head covered in white hair), here's an invitation nonetheless!

So come and experience the love of our Saviour for no cost! (His death on the cross while we were still sinners! How amazing!) What's more dinner is provided! YUM YUM

See you there!(:

2008 - Things can only get better!

2008-01-16T19:42:00.001+08:00

This blog is seriously infested with cob webs and needs more attention! There will soon be a committee to constantly update and frequent this place :) This is called the Blog Revival Project YAY!!

Anyway 2007 ended off with a youthcamp- Chain Reaction! I think it kinda prepared us for what it is to come in the year ahead. What struck me hardest was the inside-out transformation! :) Can anyone still remember what was that about? Tsktsk.

01 Put off the old nature
02 Put on the neew nature
03 Walk in a manner worthy of our calling
04 God will make a way for us to live the Christian life

Easier to be said than done aye!

The committee did a great job in planning the camp because I personally enjoyed every bit of it! Sessions were inspiring and enlightening (needless to say), games were crazy and fun (thanks to Jomel and Penny!), food was more than enough (happy people with filled tummies) and basically everything went smoothly (thanks to admin and logistics!). Really hafta thank God for His provision and grace :D

There has been major changes in the Youth too if any of you realised! The strongly encouraged Friday corp prayers, Youth Service that falls on every first Saturday of the month and the slight changes within cells. With all these changes made, it really feels that God is drawing TJC closer to Him. Shouldn't we count our blessings everytime we know him a lil more and more? :)

Let's take the opportunity to practice what was preached: to spark a chain reaction and by inviting our friends to join us in youth service for starters! :D

God bless! xoxo

Serene's Journal

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

Hello!
I've always wanted to write the journal but always got distracted by Facebook. But haha... now I got more things to write. :DD God was faithful & never failed to show me His love & compassion each day. Now, I have a closer walk with him due to the good times & the bad times I've had. If I were to write all God has done that would take HOURS. & you wont have time to play facebook anymore so i'm going to make this short & sweet. :DD

Well so let's just talk about this hectic examzie period ok? I wasn't really very well prepared so i sorta panicked when exams came around. & I know tt i'm not the chiong until 4 am that kind. so i really REALLY was scared. i prayed. you know i was like 'sorry God for screwing up all my time (thanks to facebook) & spoiling my mid-year exam results. i'm really so sorry God.' i really meant a single word that i said. i wanted to change. i told God too that if eoys didnt turn out so well then i know that i deserved it. but you know, God is very VERY nice so this is going to be a happy ending-- no need for tissues. XDD anyway, i tried my best to make up. i did really hard core revision, studied like dont know what. but i think the really smart move that i made was to really discipline myself to do quiet time with God. and God saw tt.

then came the dilemia. should i stay up late to chiong or go & sleep @ 9pm? which is my tradition when it comes to exam time. good sleep gives you energy. =) but i was seriously TEMPTED. but i slept @ 9++ pm which was what God wanted me to do too. He delivered the message strong & clear to me. i obeyed. & had faith. that God has a plan for all this. that week's devotion was abt faith too. :)) i'm a good gal. ok, that's out of point but. still. :DDD haha. anyway each day God told me his different plans, some of which sounded totally atrocious. but i followed. cos i wanted to please God! =)

exams came. i looked at the exam paper. ooohhh! so many tough qns!! !!!! help! GOD WAS PLANNING ME TO FAIL?! nope. nothing like tt. he GAVE GAVE me the answers! really! i know all that doesnt come from me. so through the diff. papers he did that.

ART paper. oooohhh! i'm not the kind who would sit still & really concentrate on drawing. i would give up aft 5 mins cos what i drew doesnt look like mona lisa. (i'm an I person. very little patience & cant be bothered with details.) i mugged really long but cant really get a thing. then God said, "serene, stop using mechanical pencil. go find your set of drawing pencils & find the colour pencils" loud & clear. of course i didnt really heard anything but i felt it. i sighed. i'm a very disorganised person & my table is like rubbish dump--everything piled on top of one another. HOW AM I GOING TO FIND THEM??! i dragged myself & forced myself to go look. it took me only a few seconds to find them. i smiled. it's good to be a good gal. :DD then i worked. aft din-din. but cant get anything. then God said, "serene, go may's house." i was like AT THIS TIME?! but then i went. THANKS MAY! :DD & may patiently guided me through the prep work. then i completed it! at 2 am though but worth it. this time God didnt tell me to go sleep so early. he wanted me to know my art stuff well.

day of art exam. nervous. panic. i suck at art ok?! i almost wanted to cry. too late. it started & anyway i didnt bring any tissue so, oh well. then MIRACLE happened. God guided my hand, told me which colours to use & just HOW to make it just BEAUTIFUL. in the end i realised that my work was much better than my classmates. ;DD most of the time i'm like the 2nd last in class. & the most amazing thing is i had PATIENCE-- something that is just not me. i know all this come from God. all of this. all my papers.

He KNOWS just what are our desires. sometimes i wonder. if only we would trust & obey him ALL the time like tt, we have everything under control & all things will turn out just the way you wanted it to be. cos you WALK WITH GOD & OBEY HIM. this was really a great experience for me. i witnessed what God is capable of. he can do ALL things-- if only you would TRUST him.

serenee. =))
**this is a public journal. go post it on the blog! share the LOVE! :DD

Ju's Journal 2

2007-10-18T10:51:00.000+08:00

Journal (2)

My second journal for this week got me reflecting on all the things that I’ve been through and done over the past few years of my life.

In the devotion, “Just as you are”, I understood what it means to be myself and not having to go after certain goals or dreams just to fulfill the need to be accepted. Back in the primary school days and secondary school days, they were spent chasing after a certain aim, a certain aspiration, chasing after CCA titles and getting down and out when things don’t go the way I expected it to. I still vividly remember how much time and effort being put into the prefectorial board just so I could have a place in the executive committee. How foolish I was to sacrifice things that were even more important for a mere title.

I questioned myself after reading. Have I been doing the things that I have been doing to be accepted, to feel loved, to satisfy an inner longing for more and more? Or am I doing all these for the glory of God, no other motives, just purely that? Indeed, it can be hard to give a definite answer because to be frank, most of the time, doing something would probably have a motive or reason behind it, even if half the time, these motive or reason is in “fine print”.

“The Lord did not set His affection on you and chose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you.” Deuteronomy 7:7-8. These verses spoke to me. God loved me, not because of how many talents I have, not because I was so and so but because He wants to. It’s just so simple. No impressions, no pretense.

Sometimes I wonder why it took me so long to realize that life isn’t all about me, me, me but You. But praise God for opening up my eyes and setting me free from mindless pursuits and for leading me right back to You. (:

Juanna (:

Prayer requests

2007-09-27T10:04:00.001+08:00

Hi Guys!

As the exam fever approaches, let's continue to uplift one another in prayer and call on Him ho is able to do immeasurably more than what we ask or imagine (Eph 3:20)!

Pray for our youth as they're having their N Levels in the coming week ahead:
Shawn Lim- Mon 1/10 (Maths P1), Tues 2/10 (Phy/Bio), Wed 3/10 (Maths P2), Tues 9/10 (DNT)
Adam Soh- Mon 1/10 (Geog & Maths P1), Tues 2/10 (Phy/Chem), Wed 3/10 (Maths P2), Thurs 4/10 (Hist).

If any of you have further prayer needs, feel free to email me at may@cck.org.sg.

KEEP ON PRAYING!

Korean Hostages 13 Sep 07 News

2007-09-25T16:23:00.000+08:00

Hi Youth,
I got this information over an email. Do read and continue to keep our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world in prayer. This article was dated 13 Sep 07 from http://www.persecution.com/news/index.cfm?action=fullstory&newsID=549.

Korean Hostages Told Convert to Islam or Die
September 13, 2007

SOUTH KOREA – UPDATE: On September 12, South Korean Christian aid workers held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan for six weeks, reported being beaten and ordered at gun point to convert to Islam, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

According to the BBC, the former hostages told a press conference they were made to work like slaves while in captivity. Jae Chang-hee told reporters, “We were beaten with a tree branch or kicked around. Some kidnappers threatened us with death at gunpoint to force us to follow them in chanting their Islamic prayer for conversion. I was beaten many times. They pointed a rifle and bayonet at me and tried to force me to convert.” Jae Chang-hee added, “We lived like slaves. We had to level the ground for motorbikes, and get water and make a fire.”

BBC reported that Yu Jung-hwa said she thought she was going to die. “The most difficult moment, when I had a big fear of death, was when the Taliban shot a video. All 23 of us leaned against a wall and armed Taliban aimed their guns at us, and a pit was before me. They said they will save us if we believe in Islam. I almost fainted at the time and I still cannot look at cameras.”

On July 19, the Taliban kidnapped the 23 South Korean Christian aid workers when they were traveling by bus from Kabul to Kandahar. The group’s leader, Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, and another male hostage were killed. Twenty-one members of the group were released last month following an agreement between South Korea and the Taliban.

Recalling how Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu was led away to his death, the BBC said Han Ji-young, in tears, added, “Bae didn’t even look at us when he was leaving the room. He only said, ‘Overcome with faith.’”

Continue praying for God to touch the lives of these believers as they deal with their experience in Afghanistan. Pray God comforts the families of the two that were killed. Pray the testimony of these Christians will draw non-believers into fellowship with Him.

2007-09-24T20:37:00.000+08:00

Hello!

Found a youthbites bit that i wanna share with the youth!
here it is: http://mytruefriend.org/
Cool site to explore! go go go!

SArah :0)

Ju's Journal 1

2007-09-24T20:32:00.001+08:00

This week's devotions from the new devotion book is really good. But what spoke to me most is the devotion on "You're invited". I especially like the way the book illustrated God's invitation to His kingdom using a fridge of gross food items to a great spread of food at a friend's house. Yes, it is indeed a no-brainer. It would be quite obvious to choose the great spread. This seemingly easy choice is in fact a difficult one for many, even people who call themselve christians. Difficult meaning that sometimes we are decieved into believing that the fridge of rotting food could actually benefit us and would still taste equally good.

I think that there is a great need to lead people to see what's truly wonderful at the great spread in comparison to the rotting food. The passage encourages me to be a fisher of men. Right in front of me is a "spread" God has prepared for my benefit and good. I want to share this "spread" with people who have yet tasted His goodness.

Sometimes, I have to admit, being caught up in the busy life, has caused me to lose sight of God's invitation to feast at His table. But God has been ever so faithful to remind me that His invitation is still there, waiting for me. He hasn't cancelled my invitation but waiting for me once again. (:

God invites us into His kingdom with open arms. I do not have to bring expensive gifts, I just have to bring myself to the venue- Our heavenly Father's open arms!

This devotion reminded me that God is always there waiting never forsaking. Let's come to our Father today!

Juanna (:

Attitudes

2007-09-24T14:19:00.000+08:00

ATTITUDES

What should my attitude be about my life?
The past is long gone. Tomorrow is a dream, and right now is the only moment you have to enjoy. Are you wishing your life away, hoping that the next thing will make you happy? When I get my driver’s license. When I graduate. When I get to college. When I get married. The wish list could go on. One day you’ll be old and realize you missed the whole thing. God has given you every moment of your life as a gift. How are you living this gift? Are you hoping someone will come into your life and give you meaning? Are you wanting your teenage years to be over so you can be an adult? Are you wishing it would all just go away? Are you just numb to the passage of time? If so, ask the Lord to restore your joy, to give you eyes to see your purpose, and to help you make the most of these once-in-a-lifetime days.

Verse to digest>>>
Ecc 11:8 (ESV)
“So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.”

Prov 27:1 (ESV)
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

Ecc 3:11-13 (ESV)
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

1 Pet 4:7
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

Heartlight Devotional~ 18 Sep 2007

2007-09-18T11:49:00.000+08:00

Heartlight Devotional~ 18 Sep 2007

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."-- 1 Chronicles 16:11

THOUGHT:After restoring the presence of God to his people through theArk of the Covenant, David and Asaph gave them these verses as asong to perpetually remind them of the importance of seeking Godbecause ... our strength is found in him ... our grace is from hisloving presence ... and our hope is in seeing him face to face andknowing him even as we are known by him. We must look to the Lordand not seek our own way or follow our own path.

PRAYER:O Lord, I know you created me uniquely as you fashioned me in mymother's womb. Yet I know I can never have the freedom orcreativity in my life that you long for me to discover, unless Ifirst seek you and your strength. Please bless me with theassurance of your nearness as I seek you with all of my heart anduse my abilities in creative ways to bring you glory. In Jesus'name I pray. Amen.

Must See Lifehouse Skit

2007-09-14T21:19:00.000+08:00

a very meaningful skit from lifehouse, enjoy :)

CHARACTER 101

2007-09-10T14:37:00.000+08:00

How do I "walk the walk"?

"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." Ps 101:3

A club's iniation is like a test to see if you are worthy of the club. The greater test, in this case, is the test of your character. At many times in your walk as a believer, you will be tested, most of the time in your weakest places. A character test puts all your talk on the line. You may have been talking "Jesus talk" for a long time, but it's time to walk the talk. If your club or group of friends asks you to do something illegal, or immoral, or offensive- don't. Don't even try to rationalise it. Just walk away. If they won't allow you to join- that's their loss. Why associate yourself with people who look cool on the outside but encourage evil on the inside? Doing the right thing may cost you. It may cost you the club, or some friends, or some status thing. But God promises to honor your right decisions. He will bless you for choosing well.

Hey Hey! Pics from our Youth Outing =)

2007-09-10T14:21:00.000+08:00

Our Youth Outing on 7 Sep 07
Ok, so we didn't end up at Jurong Pool after all. We had a mini-conference in my home in the morning and then decided to head for the movies instead! The guys watched "Ratatouille", while Serene and I ended up watching "No Reservations" (there were only 3 persons in the cinema... how sad!But it was great fun nonetheless =). Then the youth came over to my place for some of mommy's yummilicious steamboat and watched a hilarious Korean flick 'Cool Guy'. We played a few rounds of 'truth or dare' (quite funny la, especially when you watch people screaming stuff out of my window and trying to compose poems about themselves with some very random words like apple, orange and refrigerator...)! Then we headed down to Ben and Jerry's... (What's a youth outing without ice cream, right?). Oki here's some of the fun we had at Ben and Jerry's captured on our mobiles...Enjoy ;)

Teen Devotional 24 Aug 2007

2007-08-24T19:44:00.000+08:00

Teen Devotional 24 Aug 2007

FOUR WORDS THAT WORK
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
{Mark 11:24}

Believing. That's the key to everything in the Christian life.

It's the way we tap into the very power of God Himself.
You might already know that, but do you know how to put it
into action?

It's as simple as doing what Mark 11:24 says to do. Simply
believe you receive. Say that: "I believe I receive."

Something happens inside you when you say those words. I
don't understand how, but it does. I don't understand how my
digestive system knows what to do when I swallow some-
thing, but it does. All I have to do is take a bit of food and it
goes to work. It just happens. That's the way the body is made.

In much the same way, when you feed on the promises in God's Word and 'Swallow' them
into your spirit by saying, "I believe I receive," faith is released. It just happens.

When you constantly say, "I believe I receive my healing" or "I believe I received my needs
met," and then quote the scriptures that back those words, faith is released. And faith brings
power to meet those needs.

Say those words when you pray. Say them when you read the Bible. And be sure to say
them in the face of darkness, when it looks like nothing is happening. When everything
looks the worst, say it the loudest. I believe I receive!

Activate your faith today-by making those four key words the most important words in
your vocabulary.

Talk the Truth-->"I believe I receive what I ask for in prayer." {Mark 11:24}

Study the Truth-->Mark 11:12-24

Read the Truth-->Exodus 16,17; Mark 8

Discipline

2007-08-13T19:44:00.000+08:00

DISCIPLINE
Well, this is not exactly a word that most of us really like to hear. Then again, I felt that it is a timely reminder for all who are going through your major exams (and other not so major exams) to press on in disciplining and prioritizing your time. There’re always so many things screaming for our attention- friends, handphone, girls/boys, the TV, our computers…more friends… Anyway, you get my drift. So, here’s a write up I got from this book entitled, ‘Being a Happy Teen,’ which I hope would give you some nuggets of wisdom on the importance of discipline in our lives…=) Enjoy.

Discipline in the little things go a long way…Have discipline to do little things you don’t like, and you can spend your life doing the big things you do like. Discipline is not everyone’s favourite word. In popularity, it probably slots somewhere between dentist and diarrhea. But self-discipline makes all the difference. Life is a trade-off between instant pleasure and long term reward.

Self-discipline in the little things- studying instead of TV- leads to a big thing- better results.
Self-discipline in the little things- three sessions a week at the gym (or exercising!)- leads to a big thing- a healthier life.
Self-discipline in the little things- saving five dollars a day instead of blowing it on junk food- leads to a big thing- your own car.

The key to self-discipline is knowing WHY you want something. If you have a target and something to save for, it’s easier to save. If you are clear about why you want to improve your results, it’s easier to study.

Something else about discipline: when you are self-disciplined, you don’t need to get disciplined from anywhere else. As a result, you run your own life and people don’t tell you what to do.

When you don’t have self-discipline, you get it from outside. People who have absolutely no self-discipline, get themselves locked up!

The frog principle…There is an old story about a frog and a bucket of water. It illustrates the law of deterioration…

If you take an intelligent, happy frog and drop him into a bucket of boiling water, what will the frog do? Jump out! Instantly, the frog decides: “This is no fun- I’m gone!”

But take the same frog, or a relative, and drop him into a bucket of cold water, put the bucket on the stove and gradually heat up the bucket. What then? The frog’s relaxing, and a few minutes later he says to himself: “It seems warm in here.” Soon enough, you have a cooked frog.

The moral of the story? When change is gradual, the frog doesn’t notice what is happening until it’s too late. Like the frog, we can also be fooled, and suddenly it’s too late!

Question- If you woke up tomorrow 20 kilos heavier, would you be worried? Sure you would! You would be calling the hospital: “Emergency! I’m fat!” But when things happen gradually, a kilo this month, a kilo next month, we tend to let it go. Suddenly you are 20 kilos heavier.

When you overspend on your budget by ten dollars in one day, it’s no big deal. But if you do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, you end up broke. For people who go broke, put on weight, fail their exams, it usually isn’t one big disaster- it’s a bit today and a bit tomorrow- and then one day “Kaboom!”- and they say: “What happened?”

Little things add up to big things- like the drops of water that wear away the rock. The frog principle is telling us to watch the trends. Each day, we ask ourselves: “Where am I heading? Am I fitter, healthier, happier, godlier, a stronger Christian than I was last year?” If not, we need to change what we’re doing.

IN A NUTSHELL…There’s no standing still- you’re either gaining or slipping.

Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 13:18
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Proverbs 15:32
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Prayer…Father, I thank You for reminding me today about the importance of holding to the age-old wisdom of having discipline in my life. Help me, dear Lord, to make wise decisions every day about my time, studies, and friendships, as I plan to work on inculcating discipline in my life, so that I might not waste away or fall to complacency, but grow from strength to strength in Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Restoring a Masterpiece by Martha Krienke

2007-08-07T19:46:00.000+08:00

:: This is a beautiful write up by Martha Krienke that I took off the latest Brio&Beyond Aug 2007 Magazine. She visits a young missionary. Lindy, in Cambodia who uses her gift in art as therapy for victims of abuse. I hope that you'll be blessed and touched by this... =)::

I’m a virgin. But I never realized how privileged I am to have made that choice. Because in March, I was surrounded by teen girls (and some even younger) who never got to make that decision.

They’d love to be virgins, but saving themselves for marriage is a reality that they’ll never know. Looking into blank eyes grown numb by violence, rape and abuse, my heart broke for Cambodian girls who had been forced into prostitution. I knew this story would break me. But I didn’t know how deeply until I heard Srey’s story.

Thirteen year old Srey was sold to a brothel, a house of prostitution. No one cares to know her name. Her customers (usually over twice her age) only see a body can bring them pleasure. And Srey often blames herself for being tricked into this situation. She was told that she was getting a good job in the city to help her mom pay off a loan. In fact, her “job” is to sell her body to whomever could afford the price tag. Except she never sees the money. Someone else gets that.

In 2005, World Hope Internaitonal (WHI) opened an assessment center in Cambodia to be an initial placement for girls rescued by police raids on brothels. Some are also survivors of rape, usually by a community or family member. The center is high-security and low-profile. Most people don’t know the location, because that could endanger the girls or staff if the wrong people found out.

While the girls live at the center, the staff provides counseling, medical treatment, legal support, assessments and meetings with families to help decide what the next best step is. The girls also learn music, art, hair care, regular school subjects, sewing and dance.

Here’s a glance at how one young woman is using her passions for art and ministry to bring back these girls’ identity and self-worth.

Finding Hope
With a quick scan of the center’s classroom one Saturday morning, you’ll see about 25 girls ranging from ages 4 to 16 scribbling on 8-by-12 sheets of paper. Warm, humid air lingers in the room with little, if any, circulation. The entrance is open, shedding sunlight on the rows of flip-flops left at the door. Colored pencils rattle on the tile floor, and a faint sound of Christ Tomlin’s singing drifts from the CD player on the table.

Barefoot and dressed in a modest denim skirt, a 20 something English speaking woman surveys the room. Her name is Lindy Morgan. She’s come to practice art therapy as a way to help these girls heal from their past. This week’s project is to create books that describe who they are and what they care about.

Lindy helps girls find the art supplies they need, asks about their drawings and compliments their hard work. As Leang shows off her favourite animals, Lindy remembers Leang came to the center due to sexual abuse by her father.

She moves on to help Chan, whose family sold her to cover a debt. A wealthy businessman believed sleeping with her would bring him good luck.

Then there’s Thy, who arrived at the center only two weeks ago high on drugs. She had worked willingly as a waitress but was also prostituted out of a local restaurant. When asked her age, she lies by saying 22. She’s really only 14.

Yes, these girls are victims of crime, but despite their trauma Lindy sees girls full of life, resilience and love. When Thy entered their care, she said upon arrival she was a long-time addict. She would throw herself on the floor and beg to return to her other life. About two days later she had extreme withdrawal symptoms from the drugs in her body. The staff took her to a clinic, and they provided medication to get her through the worst days.

Two staff members rotated caring for her day and night. Lindy stayed with Thy most of the first 48 hours and wrote the following in her journal reflection on her time at the clinic and after: I had to “be OK.” I had to be strong. I felt the presence of God, not in a happy, feel-better sort of way, but in a battling over the darkness in the room- battling the darkness in her and in my own heart-kind of way.

Fighting for the hearts and health of these girls has often cause Lindy to feel empty and call on God for help. “It’s in those moments that you find out God is real and He is love in a deeper, truer way than any person could provide or emotion could muster,” she says.

After returning from the clinic, Thy told one of the staff members that she no longer wanted to go back where she came from. She told the staff that she realized nothing was left for her in her old lifestyle. She knew the people at the center truly loved her.

“The road will be long, but she won’t travel it alone anymore. She’s teaching us that love always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres,” Lindy says.

Art Therapy
Dring her year in Cambodia as a WHI Hope Corps volunteer, Lindy has use art as and for therapy. Art as therapy believes creativity can actually be part of healing. “Your soul is restored as you use your hands, mind and imagination to create things, sometimes by yourself and sometimes with others,” Lindy says.

Each Saturday she’s in charge of about three hours with the girls to exercise their creativity in a variety of ways. The projects include things such as group murals, puppet shows and a glass mosaic butterfly. Lindy designed the mosaic, and the girls put the 900 tiles in place.

“It’s about three feet square and is now hanging in the classroom,” Lindy says. “Occasionally I’ll catch [the girls] pointing out to each other the section they completed or running their fingers along the cool bright glass as they go by. They’re proud of what they’ve made. It also serves as a useful tool in teaching them about the plan that’s truly there in the midst of all the pieces and confusion we sometimes feel.”

The art for therapy method uses art in a counseling setting. Art is used to express and understand more about one’s life and experiences. Often events too difficult to explain or too painful to say aloud can be put into pictures.

“I haven’t tried to counsel the girls beyond my knowledge or ability,” Lindy says. “We’ve fantastic Khmer counseling staff equipped to do that work. I’m here to help in the process of expression and healing. I often pray and ask God to show me clearly what the girls need to express and believe and how I can help them dot hat. He’s really honored that request.”

Gaining Courage
Lindy co-leads a weekly group therapy/education session when the girls create collages and illustrations for stories that have meaning fro their lives. One particular week Lindy shared an allegory she had written for them. The story was about a kite whose string is cut, causing it to crash. The bird, who is at first a friend to the kite, later mocks the kite for being broken. Later, the owner finds the kite stuck in a tree and takes it home to mend its tears.

“Afterward we talked about it and how it might apply to their lives,” she says. “Girls who have been sexually abused and exploited feel a great deal of shame and guilt for what has happened to them. In Cambodia, especially, you never talk about these feelings with each other. So I was worried that no one would talk about the story.”

However, one teen girl spoke up. She told how she had a friend who was similar to the character of the bird in the story. She explained how her friend had lied and tricked her into a bad situation. She said she was grateful for this assessment center and thanked them for rescuing her and giving her a new life. Her honesty have other girls the courage to share their stories with each other.

“I was very encouraged by that day,” Lindy says. “We work with a lot of broken girls, and healing often takes a lifetime. We only get to see a tiny piece of that journey.”

The story Lindy wrote was simple, but God showed her she just needed to offer truth to the girls about His love, and He’ll do the rest.

“Sometimes I feel so helpless, but He reminded me that it’s His job to heal them. It’s my job to pray and to be a place they can find His love. These are His girls- His precious, beautiful daughters. He is our rescuer, our kite mender!”

Becoming Like Jesus

2007-07-22T19:49:00.000+08:00

Becoming like Jesus
The Number One Goal: How do I become like Christ?

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Prov 4:18

A match is struck inside the heart of each believer at the very moment he or she decisdes to trust in Jesus Christ as the One who delivers him or her from sin. For some, the flame burns dimly for a while. And for others, it’s the match that sets the forest on fire. As you begin to learn more about the Lord- His forgiveness and grace- the flame begins to burn brighter. At some point you decide to begin living what you believe- giving forgiveness and grace to others. The flame burns brighter still. You grow in knowledge and in truth.

You being to understand why they call grace amazing. Then one day you realize you look more like Jesus today than you did this time last year. You decide that that’s a great goal- each year looking more like Jesus than you ever have before. The fire has become a blaze, and your lifestyle keeps getting brighter and brighter…!

Prayer- Lord, I ask that you will daily guide each one of us how to live as you did. I ask for the freedom and joy of discovering you more and more each day in my life, and to know how much you desire for me to live according to Your will… for Your plans are greater, higher, better than all I could imagine or ask for… Let me shine Jesus in my life more and more every year, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Anger Management

2007-07-09T19:49:00.000+08:00

ANGER Management

Anger- Does being a Christian mean never getting mad?

No. We feel angry when we are mistreated or we see someone else mistreated. Anger is a natural emotion just like all of our other emotions. It’s a warning sign that something is happening that we need to respond to. However, our response is the part where we need to be in check of. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Be angry, and do not sin.” The anger wasn’t the sin he was referring to (duh~!), but the response could be. It’s like how God commands us to live one way, but we become angry and throw all that out the window. We say things we normally wouldn’t say, and we treat people in ways that we know we shouldn’t. Christians should treat other people with respect. Our anger doesn’t give us a reason to throw out God’s commands to love others. We have to stay in control of our anger and not let it run our lives. It’s our anger that gets us into trouble as much as our lack of control over our anger.

2007-05-03T19:50:00.001+08:00

It is that time of the year again when everyone scrambles to clear their revision (not necessarily their homework!) for the dreaded MYE! Yes, I am talking about the Mid Year Examinations.

Wait, won’t that mean I would be writing this article for no reason? Hmmm… On one hand that would be true, but I am going to trust God to use this article to speak to you even when you have completed the exams and are surfing this site for fun.

So exactly what is this article is going to be about? Let’s read on shall we?

Jeremiah 45:5 (New Living Translation)
“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

Life as a Reward

Have you ever taught about it? Having your life as a reward. Or do you look at it as something your dread. Most of us are living our lives as students. The routine of school, tuition, homework, CCA etc… Not to mention the pressures of friends, peers, classmates, relationships etc… How can we ever consider our lives as a reward? On the other hand, some of us may be thinking if this title is really true. Life as a Reward? My life is a reward? What exactly have I done to deserve a reward from God?

In fact, our lives are such wonderful gifts from God. Imagine if one day God were to take it way from you. Then there would be nothing much right? Death ends it. Our life, the very breath that we breathe is indeed a gift from God. But a reward? A reward (according to the Cambridge Dictionary) is something given in exchange for good behaviour or good work. That basically means that this life we are living is a reward for something we have done. Or should I correct myself and say, a reward for something that God expects from us.

God is expecting us to totally surrender ourselves to Him. Abandoning all your decisions and plans to trusting God to tell you what to do and to lean on Him to give you all you need for the unknown future ahead. No questions asked. No queries. No doubts. No fears. Nothing.

Giving God the absolute control of our lives that He may bless us and give us the life – the reward. I quote from “My Utmost For His Highest”: ‘The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything – they have not been give their life “as a prize”’. The reason why we are so bothered, tired, stressed out and just not enjoying life on earth is because God has not rewarded us. And it is only because He can’t. He is waiting for us to give our lives us that we may receive that reward of a life.

John 10:10b (New Living Translation)
“…My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life”.

Yes! There it is in black and white what God wants to give us. This is what He wants to reward us! It is a rich and satisfying life where we do not have to worry and feel that we never have enough. All we need to get that reward is to surrender and give our all to Him, without any limitations. No holds barred.

We only have 2 choices. To disobey and let that reward slip us by and return the life that we lead. OR we can choose to obey, surrender each and every part of our being to God and in return experience the true reward of life that He has promised.

It is up to you. What is your response?

2007-05-03T19:50:00.000+08:00

2007-03-29T19:53:00.000+08:00

Hey all, I'm finally writing something in this blog... after failing miserably in my attempts at trying to pen something down regularly =) Do be gracious with me la! But hey, I was really inspired by what Dawn shared... Thank you for baring your soul with such transparency. It is because of testimonies like yours that we remember how frail we are and yet how gracious and amazing our God can be to make a way out whenever there seems to be no way!

Just wanted to share some of my own thoughts as i reflect upon a sermon i heard today in school. It was a time of refreshing for me especially as most of you know by now that i have been quite stressed out with school work and assignments lately... work seems to be this insurmountable mountain that I struggle to climb, even though as Bible College students and future ministry leaders, you would have thought that we're able to handle it better, right? =) Anyway, just as i was mulling over a probable burn out, lack of vision and spiritual dryness, God spoke to me through this wonderful speaker in my school chapel. He said that we are all so familiar with the saying that God helps those who help themselves. But what happens when we are unable to help ourselves? What happens when we fall so weak and far below that we have no more energy and strength left to keep going on? Would God still help us then?? And this is our hope- that it is especially in those moments when we can't do anything for ourselves [or for anyone else] that God would lift us up in our times of need/ trouble/ burn out/ sorrow/ pain/ brokenness. It is just as what the prophet Isaiah says in

Isaiah 40:29 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

Our God gives us strength especially when we are weak and weary. Even though i feel helpless when i think of all the assigments yet undone and the other many responsibilities i have to bear, I am greatly comforted to know that God cares for me, watches over me and will see my through it all. So if you're feeling hopelessly weak and helpless, take comfort that God is our everpresent help, our faithful deliverer, comforter and friend. Take courage, take heart- He will save you when you cry out to Him =).

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Title this The Chicken Soup Entry with Better Spices

2007-03-14T19:54:00.000+08:00

Title this The Chicken Soup Entry with Better Spices

Now that the March hols are here to stay for a while, I am glad to be back here to give you my 2 cents worth of thoughts on 2007 so far.

Basically, I think we all started Year 2007 on a good foot. We ended 2006 with ICA Camp, and I felt that it was all God-planned. For most of us, ICA Camp was an enriching journey where we could really experience the presence of our Father working in our lives. It did ignite a fire in many of us to want to know Him more. And Amen to that. (: In other words, it prepared us for what He has installed in 2007.

If I hadn't remembered wrongly, at the first session of youth cell on Sunday, May wanted us to pen down our expectations for 2007. Not so much on new year resolutions this time but more on what we expect to see ourselves in 2007. There's a difference right. That's not the point anyway.

From the girls' side, when we sit around and shared our expectations, I realised that most of us are expecting 2007 to be a year of miracle. For Sal and Penny, their 'O' results, Sam, her big As and myself, a confirmation for a place in j2.

The results have been out and although I did not managed to earn my position in j2, I am really glad that He has put me back in j1. On one hand, He knows how much I have to brush up on my foundation and that the previous combination I was taking wasn't bringing out the best in me.

Yknow they always say that "there's a reason for everything", but really, do you buy that? Even at bad times when everything seems to be going downhill, do we still think and smile to ourselves, shrug and say,"everything happens for a reason". Unless of course if we don't put any effort to whatever-that-has-to-be-done, we can't expect any good results. We reap what we sow, but what happens if we keep trying and there's nothing to celebrate for at the end?

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor His ear too dull to hear.
Isaiah 59:1

A friend of mine reminded me this song - With Christ in the vessel - when I was feeling really awful at one time. I remember singing that song and learning the actions for it in Sunday School but never really pondered on the lyrics. And as I look back, we can indeed smile at the storm.

It's assuring to know that for all the storms we face in life, God is with us because we are His children. And it's even more assuring to know that for all the storms we face or even about to, they are all God-sent. They are after all meant to build us up to be stronger christians for harder challenges.

A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psam 34:19

Bottomline? We can still look forward to ~~a year~~ years of mircales ahead.

You are the God who performs miracles;
You display Your power among the peoples.
Psalm 77:14