Monday, 25 October 2010

Finally Decided

I have started searching for job since 15th day of September 2010, and finally I have found a job on 15th day of October 2010. After a month, finally I have decided to give myself another chance to continue in practice.

Just a few minutes after I accepted the offer to work at a legal firm, I got a call from a construction firm, calling me up for second interview. At that time, I was at crossroad once again, because both were opportunities to me. I decided to attend the second interview and they made an offer to me as well.

I was to start work on 18th day of October 2010, and finally decided to sign the Letter of Appointment after lunch time; I spent half day to observe the environment.

Now that I am here, it is a totally different environment; the people here are friendly and I do have sense of belonging. I hope that this would persist as long as I am here. I give myself three (3) years to be in practice and see how it goes thereafter.

Jesus, be my only satisfaction. You have granted me this job and I pray that You would lead me through. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

My Lovely Sister [II]

Cerlyn Yee Zing Zing =)
Sometimes when inspiration comes, it is difficult for us to stop. Somehow there are a lot of feelings in me right now. As I was burning the CDs for the children, checking out on FB, chatting with friend, surfing the net for costumes and dance steps, a lot of things were running in my mind.

From family, to Church, to tambourine, to children, to friends, et cetera. For now, I would like to share about this good Sister of mine.

It was in August 2006, if I remember correctly. I was wearing a red T-shirt and was asked to join the Youth Sunday Service downstairs. I was very reluctant to do so, because I have been joining the Church for few months, yet no one approached me. So, I was a bit uncomfortable with the idea. Nonetheless I had no choice because if I were to go upstairs, I would be asked to go down again.

I remember my own response when I entered the Chapel. I was wearing RED, I have black hair although I am fair, yet I was invisible. Yes, that was my reaction, I was so surprised that I was not noticed by the people inside because back in my former Church, we we taught to be sensitive to new comers.

I could not remember how, but I was seated next to HER and she was one of my very first friend I made in this Church. Despite the "cool" welcome at the start, I felt warm because of her :) Please allow me to introduce to you, Cerlyn Yee Zing Zing =)

I remember after the service, she introduced me to her sister and other Sisters-in-Christ. We also had some initial conversations.

Whilst I was talking to a Brother-in-Christ, another one of the very first persons I knew in this Church, she took me a drink. I have a habit of fasting for breakfast on Sunday morning but I took the tea anyway because that was a very thoughtful act of her :)

From then on, I have made a new friend in this Church together with another Sister, Kit. If I remember correctly, I knew Kit before I knew Cerlyn. Anyway, most important is we are good friends now :)

I remember that I would send forwarded SMS to the three [3] people I know in this Church during festive seasons, as I have the habit of doing so to people whom I know and I would feel excited when I get their replies, because that would imply that they do remember me :)

She encouraged me to join their activities, but I was always hesitant to join. Nevertheless, she did not give up on me. In August 2008, an announcement to Charis Home was made and I had the urge to join this event. I was still hesitant and shared with Kit about my desire to join, and she advised me to ask Cerlyn along.

Finally one day I asked her on MSN whether she was going for the event, and what she said touched me, "If you want to go, I can accompany you". Indeed, she accompanied me to the event.

As the venue was at Seri Petaling, so we needed to depart from different places because she stayed at Seri Petaling. I was a bit worried, because an unknown Brother called me and told me about the arrangement and I had to go there by myself. At the very last minute, I did intend to withdraw my intention to attend but I could not do so, as I knew she was there because of me :)

Well, to my amaze, I met another new friend in the Gospel Van ~ LOL, I must have been a very friendly person :p The story about this Sister might be posted in due course, depending on availability of time, and of course, INSPIRATIONS :p

I did enjoy the event and I remembered that from that day onwards, I started to join their Youth Fellowship [YF], and again, she had volunteered to accompany me to YF.

In her, I see love and sincerity. I do cherish our friendship and I thank God for her. I guess without her willingness to accompany me back then, I would not be at where I am now. I am grateful to God for such a sweet friend like her =)

There was a moment of silence between us but that did not stop us from taking the initiative to catch up with each other's lives.

To Cerlyn, I wish to thank you for your love and patience. I hope that we can continue to enjoy the journey together in God's presence. I love you =)

She has always been a rational and wise person. I like to get her advice in a lot of aspects, and I know that she can be trusted. Sometimes I do feel guilty because I have not done enough for her. I hope that I will improve myself as a friend from time to time.

Okay, it is now 23:40. I planned to write till 23:30, and I guess I got what I wished for, because I am lack of inspirations now :p After one long day, my mind is tired *yawning*

Good night and God bless!
Immanuel, Shalom and Agape ^ ^

Inspirations

As I was surfing the net yesterday I received a call from my tambourine students. They have been absent for about a month now, because their father disallowed them to attend Church. When I first got to know about it, I felt that it was such a pity because they have the potential to serve God with the tambourine.

What surprised me was, they sent me a letter, together with their contact particulars and asked for mine. When I have given them mine, they called me to chat. Yesterday was the second time I received their call. I was happy to talk to them despite having no idea what to talk about. I was happy that they remembered me even though they are sitting for examination now.

As I was taking my shower this evening, an inspiration came to my mind. I have no idea if this plan would work out but I would like to give it a try. It may not be easy to implement, and I am not sure if the outcome is positive. Actions are always better than words; actions are more powerful. Therefore I would definitely want to include God in this Project.

As I was having that inspiration, I believed that it came from God. I pray hard to God that this Project will be successful, because He makes it workable.

I was browsing through FB a moment ago and a friend posted this:

"Inspiration plus perspiration combine to produce success"

What a coincidence! Lord, I cast this Project unto You. Please give me the wisdom to have this done for You. May Your will be done! In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.

365 DAYS OF LOVE: DAY 284 ~ THE 5 PILLARS OF MANHOOD (HOW MEN SHOULD LOVE & RESPECT WOMEN) ~ by Jaeson Ma


I saw this, I feel that I really need to share this out =)

WE NEED MEN OF GOD WHO WILL LOVE & RESPECT WOMEN OF FAITH...NEXT STOP "MANHOOD"

I spent the day with a group of men in our house church learning what it takes to be a man of God when it comes to loving and respecting women. In our day an age most men are not men, they are boys. Most guys still want to marry their mom, have a women serve and take care of them, are not willing to take initiative or commit in a relationship, most men are still living in fear, not pursuing their callings for settling for “safe” because its easy. This is sad, upsetting and the standard must change.

Women don’t want to marry boys, they want to marry men. Women don’t want boys they have to put up with, clean up after and take care of, they want to be lead, pursued and taken on an exciting life adventure. If you go to most of the churches in the Western world today, you will find that there are very few spiritual men, instead there are many spiritual women. It’s disappointing, but I hear it from women of faith all the time, “Pastor Jaeson, where are the godly men?”

Today, a good brother and leader in our GBS community Daniel Ra explained what God showed him to be the “5 Pillars of Manhood” in how men must love, respect and serve women. It was enlightening and reinforcing from what I have been teaching men for years when it comes to pursuing a woman of God… of course none of us are perfect, we all have our mistakes, but we must each strive to be better and greater than what we were before yesterday, everyday making an effort to be more like God, to be just like Jesus, to be a man of faith and honor.

The 5 Pillars of Manhood…

1. Lead - A man must be a leader in a relationship, in a marriage, in a family. There are no excuses. A woman doesn’t want to make the decisions for her man, she wants her man to lead in the relationship. A man must take initiative. A man of God is leader, not a follower, a servant, not a slave, a hero not a coward. A man of God knows God and therefore knows himself. He should be the leader spiritually first, emotionally, mentally and physically he should set the standard for others to follow.

2. Protect - A real man of God will protect his partner. That means he is willing to lay down his very own life, needs and wants for the protection of the one he loves. Every decision he makes when it comes to a relationship has her protection in mind. A woman needs to feel secure, that she is protected and safe with her man. She doesn’t need to second guess, wonder if she will be okay, or have her heart and mind played with. A real man of God will not only protect his woman physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He always has the highest good in his mind for her safety, well being and wholeness. This is for the Christian guys out there, don’t emotionally rape a sister, play with her heart and tell her you are just her brother or friend. That is BS. Man up. You either pursue a woman of God because she is God’s precious creation, or you don’t try touching it at all, or play with their hearts emotionally, unless you are willing to be up front and clear with your intentions and the direction of the relationship from the start. Emotional rape is as painful to a woman as physical rape. Women are emotional beings and their hearts are not to be played with. Protect your sisters heart.

3. Provide – A real man of God will do whatever it takes to provide for his significant other. That means monetarily in finances, in basic needs and as well as what she desires. When a man asks a father for his daughter in marriage, the father will not ask, “How are you doing spiritually first?” No, the first thing the father will ask is, “How will you provide for my daughter?” Because part of being and becoming a man is providing for others, especially your wife and children. If a man can’t provide, he isn’t a man. God gave us hands and we must put our hands to work, no excuses to be lazy, God made us to rule the earth. Women are not be treated as toys, trophies or a luxury item, women are God’s highest creation, the very image of God.

I tell men all the time, “Treat your woman like a queen and you will live like a king.” Don’t be cheap brothers, you need to go all out when it comes to pursuing a woman. This is not a one time thing, but a continual practice. Women were created for beauty. They were created beautiful, to feel beautiful to be treated beautiful. You don’t handle a rose without care, it is the same with a woman of God, you treat her with the utmost care, honor and respect. Practically, that means you don’t take a woman to Denny’s on a first date, you take her to a place that hurts your wallet, but it’s worth it because she is worthy.

Also, men must also provide for women emotionally. When a women asks you, “How are you doing?” She is really asking, “How are you being?” Meaning, what are you feeling, thinking, seeing, being about at the moment. To love a women we must provide at every level – basic needs all the way to providing for them mentally, emotionally and spiritually, if not their hearts will die. Be a man, provide for your women.

4. Integrity – A true man of God is a man of his word. Too many men in our culture break promises, play with women’s hearts, date girls as if it was a game, and have no respect for women at all. This is disgusting. In old times, when a man said “You have my word!” that word was bond, it was as if an actual contract had been written, because your word was your reputation. How many men do we know today who say one thing, but do another? Men who do not keep their word, their promise or follow through with their verbal commitments. In our culture we don’t take words seriously, but in God’s world words are everything. Blessings and curses come out of the same mouth. What comes out of our mouths determines what is truly in our hearts.

What a woman wants is a man of integrity. Someone who says what he does and does what he says. Someone they can trust at their word. So as a man you must come through. Words means nothing if they are not backed up with action. Don’t sorry unless you mean it. Don’t say sorry unless you are able to back up your apologies with doing the right thing. Integrity is doing what is right, whether people are watching or not. Integrity is what you do when no one is looking. Does your woman trust you completely? If not, it is a question of integrity. Don’t tell a women you love her unless your love shows, words carry weight. They either carry false weight or real weight, a woman knows when a man means what he says.

So live by your words, live by action, be a living proof of your values, convictions and commitments. Don’t get involved in a relationship unless you are sure this what you want and what God is leading you both to do. I’ve had my share of mistakes in the past, where I got into a relationship without thinking about the consequences, protecting my sisters heart and the fear of the Lord from the get go, I’ve had to make amends and face the results of my sin and foolishness. Trust me brothers, don’t do what I’ve done in the past, don’t play games, don’t feed your fleshly desires, rather seek God, seek the best interest of the one you are pursuing, be honest, forthright from the start about your commitment and your vision for the relationship and stick to your word. Be a man of integrity.

If you pursue a women, it should be with the intentions of marriage. If not, stop playing yourself and her. It’s not about finding the right woman, it’s about being the right man. That starts with first knowing God in order to know yourself, then you will know how to love and respect a woman.

5) Courage - You are not a man until you climb the great wall of China! This is what it says at the actual great wall. Well, I have climbed the Great Wall of China so I guess I must be more of a man than others, just kidding. What is the greater underlying message here? It is a message of courage. It is a message of adventure. A man of God is a man of courage, a man of adventure, a man who is willing to take risks and do the impossible. Men were born to live a life of great adventure. Men were created to fight battles. Men were created to rescue beauties. Men were created to live.

Sadly, most men are not living. Most men are cowards, fearful and afraid of failure. Imprisoned by their own thinking and what others think about them. Many men are just boys waiting for their mother’s approval, or the approval of others in society. Most men I know are people pleasers, not God pleasers. They are more afraid of how others may reject them or not accept them if they choose to take the road less traveled.
All men die, few men truly live.

Women don’t want nice guys or good boys, women want men on a mission, men on adventure, men who are dangerous. This is why many women are drawn to bad boys because bad boys live with a sense of risk, danger, mystery and unknown. Men were created to live fearless and to live by faith. But if you walk into a church today what you find are a bunch of boys playing with their toys, working at predictable jobs, and living boring lives. It’s sad, but most guys get their sense of adventure from playing video games or watching TV, what happened to our men?

A man of faith will sweep a woman of God off of her feet. He will challenge her to go the distance in God, in their relationship and in life. A man of courage is someone who in the face of fear still chooses to move forward with trust in God, setting out to obey God’s voice at whatever the cost, because that is what matters the most. We need men who have hearts fully alive, hearts full of passion and are on a mission to change the world. There is a high cost to being a man of courage, there is a price to pay if we want to be a real hero, it means we are willing to go against the grain, follow God against all odds and live a life of honor, courage and righteousness.

When a woman finds a man of courage, it will encourage her to be all that God has created her to be. As a man, your goal is not how your woman can serve you, but how can you serve your woman? As a man, your goal is not how a woman can serve your destiny, but how can you do all that you possibly can to release the fullness of God’s glory and destiny in her.

Men take the lead, protect at all costs, provide in every way, live by your word and live a life of adventure with the Holy Spirit — obey God, not man and you will be the man of God you were created to be — and your woman will love you for it.

Thursday, 7 October 2010

PDYM ~ Component 2: Discovering the Five Purposes for Your Youth Ministry

Summary:

The MOST IMPORTANT Q: WHY DOES OUR YOUTH MINISTRY EXIST?

~ "Any Youth Ministry is capable of growth when it is built on God's purposes for the Church"
~ "The process of understanding God's purposes and applying them will slow down the get-in-there-and-get-some-programs-going mentality"

The Five [5] Eternal Purposes of a PYDM
 We do not create the five [5] purposes; we DISCOVER them
~ the element of innovation does not rest with us when it comes to God's purposes for His Church
~ " Our programs and style may reflect our personality and creativity, but God's purposes reflect his plan and love for the church"

THE GREAT COMMANDMENT
Matthew 22: 37-40
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[d] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[e] 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” 

THE GREAT COMMISSION
Matthew 28: 19-20
19 Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.[d]

The five [5] purposes are found in these two [2] passages:-  
1. Worship ~ "Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart"
2. Ministry ~ "Love your neighbour as yourself"
3. Evangelism ~ "Go and make disciples"
4. Fellowship ~ "Baptising them"
5. Discipleship ~ "Teaching them to obey"

"When the five [5] purposes lay the foundation for why you do what you do, yours will become a PYDM" 


The Purpose of Evangelism
- evangelism: sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who have yet to build a personal relationship with Him
- Acts 1:8 
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 
- Adult leadership must model the purpose of evangelism in order to show the students the importance of this commission
- Evangelism is not only our responsibility as believers but it is also our privilege
- "This growth won't depend on an evangelistic program but will happen because of evangelistic students"


The Purpose of Worship
- worship: celebrating God's presence and honouring Him with our lifestyle
- Romans 12:1
 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
- worship is expressed in several ways:-

(a) praying ~ Psalm 95:6
 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
         Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

(b) hearing the Word
John 17:17 -  17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Deuteronomy 31:11 - 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

(c) baptising ~ Romans 6: 3-4
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

(d) giving ~ 1 Corinthians 16: 1-2
 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

(e) meditating ~ Habakkuk 2: 20
20 “ But the LORD is in His holy temple.
      Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

(f) partaking of the Lord's Supper ~ 1 Corinthians 11: 23-36
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat;[b] this is My body which is broken[c] for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.


The Purpose of Fellowship
- Ephesians 2:19
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
- "True fellowship happens when students are known, cared for, held accountable, and encouraged in their spiritual journey"


The Purpose of Discipleship
- discipleship: building up or strengthening of believers in their quest to be like Christ
- Hebrews 6:1
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,  
- "Discipleship is a lifelong process that God uses to bring us to maturity in Christ"
- "Healthy discipleship flourishes under spiritual leaders who are willing to do the possible. They consistently plant seeds and water students' faith. All this is done with faith that God will do the impossible and growth"
- 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 


The Purpose of Ministry
- ministry: "meeting needs with love"
- "A healthy youth ministry will constantly encourage students to discover their gifts and put them into practice through ministry and mission opportunities"

Q: How would you grade the purposes in your youth ministry?
Q: Perhaps your youth ministry emphasises a few purposes more strongly than others. Create an action plan that brings balance to your ministry. What steps can we take to strengthen our ministry?
Q: What will it take to ensure that our ministry expresses all five [5] purposes?

WORDS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT ACTIONS ARE MORE IMPORTANT

Praise Dance

PraiseDance
by Alice Weng Yin Chan on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 2:40pm

PraiseDance is a kind of 'exercise' created by a Sister-in-Christ at the age of 75 (if I remember correctly). She composed the songs and created the steps based on the verses in the Bible. One would be impressed, because at this age, she could do such a thing! This, is the grace and gift from God.

This exercise, not only targets on our physical health, but it also emphasises on our mind and soul. The songs and steps are based on Bible verses, thus, every move is actually an act of 'praise and worship'. It nourishes our soul, deeply.

The first impression would be that, this exercise is created for 'aunties' because those who join the PraiseDance, is mostly the 'elderly' people. I wouldn't say 'elderly' because middle-age people join as well, and most of them are women.

I remember one Uncle, who joins PraiseDance asked us, youngsters what was our opinion on PraiseDance. We replied that it's boring, it's for aunties, it's 'womanly' etc. As for myself, after giving it a try for few times, I find it a bit mundane.

God has His way to work wonders. The theme for our Church is 'Missionary Work' and a Sister from Taiwan came yesterday to share about PraiseDance, and how it works as a missionary exercise. She also taught us some moves that are beneficial to our body; and showed us a video clip describing how PraiseDance was born, and there were various people from different backgrounds sharing their personal testimony.

Seven years ago, PraiseDance started with only six people ('aunties') in Taiwan and seven years later, PraiseDance is known and practised in many countries, by the old and young, male and female, and people of all kinds of ethnicity. Wow, isn't God amazing?

Personally, I was touched by those testimonies and I was close to tears when I heard about the stories of those people who were touched by God through PraiseDance; and I have a different perception on this exercise - it is still boring, but sometimes it is the not-so-happening thing that will bring results. It is not the step that matters, what is more important is the benefit that we gain from such activity.

We work out, so that we are fitter and more healthy; our body is healthy, thus our mind is healthy. PraiseDance is different. We exercise PraiseDance so that our soul is fed with the most precious food on earth i.e. the Word of God, and with a healthy soul, we have a healthy mind and body.

Can you believe that PraiseDance is able to heal diseases? depressions? mental problems? chronic illnesses? Yes! Those people were healed by God personally just by doing the exercise. It may sound unbelievable but it is true.

When our soul is healthy, our mind is healthy; when our mind is healthy, our physical body will be healthy. This is something general that all of us are familiar with.

A doctor said, you have to know the cause of your sickness and heal the cause; if the cause is not healed, the sickness remains. Can I say, our soul, although unseen, plays a more important role in us?

Again, with a healthy soul, comes a healthy mind and body!

God bless!

PDYM ~ Component 1: Healthy Youth Ministries have Spiritually Healthy Leaders

Summary:-

Problem 1 - I Couldn't Create Attractive Programs Like Those of Other Churches
~ "Copying someone else's program always led to failure"

Problem 2 - Perhaps I Wasn't the Right Person for Youth Ministry
~ "My desire for doing ministry had long moved from pleasing God to appeasing people"

Problem 3 - I Could Never Do Enough to Please Everyone
~ "I sensed God saying, "Doug, you'll never be able to do enough to please everyone. Focus on me. Rest in me. Abide in me. When your heart is turned toward me, we can work together and do some good things.""
~ "I was spending all my time doing the work of God without being a person of God"
~ "...if I stayed dependent and focused on God, he would empower me to be his servant and thus accomplish his purposes in my ministry"

Q: How does one become a Youth Worker who depends on God?

Answer 1 - Recognise God's Power Through Personal Humility
~ "God doesn't need a program in order to work"
~ "When lives are changed, when attendance increases, when good things happen, we need to recognise God's power and give praise and credit to him"
~ "It is truly humbling to think about the awesome privilege and responsibility of being used by God"

Answer 2 - Submit Your Abilities to God and Allow His Power to Work Through Who You Are
~ "Allow your abilities to be ignited by the divine power that is revealed in a believer's life. Rejoice that your presence and your words give the power of God another opportunity to be communicated to student whom God loves"

Answer 3 - Focus on Being a Person of God Before Doing the Work of God
~ "You can never do enough"
~ "Don't allow doing the work of God to come at the expense of being God's person"
~ "Strengthen your youth ministry by placing a higher priority on being than doing"
~ "The power of God working in the lives of leaders is the foundation of a healthy youth ministry"

"Olley, Olley Oxen, Free, Free, Free"
~ "God is compassionately calling us back home where we are free to be safe and secure in our relationship with him. It is here that we can put first things first by developing our own spiritual lives and focusing on growing in Christ"
~ the students need a living model - a person of God who is passionate about his or her faith
~ our faith will help us develop a strong foundation for a healthy youth ministry
~ "No youth ministry idea or program can compete with God's power working in and through you as he gives you a passion for students and you give him a pure heart"
~ "By relying on God and trusting in his power, you leave room for him to do his work"

Making It Personal
~ our spiritual walk is a vital part of our ministry's health equation
1. Admit our struggles to ourselves
2. Ask God for the power to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness [1 Timothy 4:7]
3. Ask God for the courage to confess these struggles to a friend who cares deeply about us and who can help us
4. Work with this friend on a spiritual restoration plan

Discussion:
1. Do you have a youth ministry environment where spiritual growth is valued?
2. Do your students sense that the youth ministry leaders are men and women of God?
3. What role does prayer play in your ministry?
4. As a team, are you honestly concerned with students' spiritual health or the exhilaration from the hype of great programs?
5. How can you encourage spirituality among your leadership?
6. What will you do if you see a leader showing signs of a hard heart?
7. Where is God's power evident in your ministry?

Tuesday, 5 October 2010

The 9 Components of a Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry ~ Doug Fields

Perseverance ~ knowing how to stay focused, remain fresh – and stay alive!
- learning how to survive the overwhelming responsibilities, discipline problems, and the adventure of change

Participating Leaders ~ knowing how to bring others on board to help fulfil the purposes
- finding volunteers and developing them into ministries who fulfil the purposes

Parents ~ teaming up with the family for a stronger youth ministry
- teaming up with the family for a stronger youth ministry and church

Planned Values ~ identifying the beliefs and styles that will help support the purposes
- defining what values will strengthen your ministry and enhance your purposes

Process ~ showing how you intend to move your audience toward spiritual maturity
- displaying your programs so you can help students move toward spiritual maturity

Programs ~ creating programs to fulfil the purposes and reach the potential audiences
- deciding what programs will reach your potential audience and help fulfil God’s purposes

Potential Audience ~ identifying your students and their receptivity to your purposes
- identifying which students are the target for the purposes

Purpose ~ knowing why your ministry exists, writing it out, and putting leadership behind it
- discovering why your ministry exists and following it up with communication and leadership

Power of God ~ helping passionate leaders with pure hearts to rely on God
- working through passionate leaders with pure hearts

The 5 Eternal Purposes:-
1) Evangelism
2) Worship
3) Fellowship
4) Discipleship
5) Ministry

Christmas Isn't Christmas

 I like the lyrics of this song, initially wanted to choose this song for the tambourine performance but it is a bit slow...


Christmas isn’t Christmas ‘til it’s Christmas in your heart
Somewhere, deep inside you, is where Christmas really starts
So, give your heart to Jesus, you’ll discover when you do
That’s it Christmas, really Christmas for you.

Jesus brings warmth like a winter fire, a light like a candle’s glow
He’s waiting now to come inside, like He did so long ago
Jesus brings gifts of truth and life and makes them bloom and grow
So welcome Him with a song of joy, and when He comes you’ll know….

That Christmas isn’t Christmas ‘til it’s Christmas in your heart
Somewhere, deep inside you, is where Christmas really starts
So, give your heart to Jesus, you’ll discover when you do
That’s it Christmas, really Christmas

Christmas, really Christmas
Christmas, really Christmas for your

Sunday, 3 October 2010

Expectation

I have been teaching tambourine since July this year. Frankly, I have no idea why I took up the responsibility, probably because of my love for tambourine. Today I figured out that I have high expectations on the children. I am preparing them for the Christmas presentation and started to teach them the steps today. I was "fierce" to them and some of them were not too happy about it. Hm, something that was "fun" to them, turns out to be very stressful.

It is not my intention to make them feel stressful about the presentation. Perhaps the fact that I grew up in a strict environment, I just applied what I have learnt in the past. However, I seemed to forget that they may be different from me.

I went to Church Camp and became close to two [2] of my pupils. They could not come to Church because their father opposed to them attending Church service. They wrote me a letter telling me so, and I replied their letter [in Chinese :p]. I left my number with them and they called me today.

I could feel the joy being a teacher, and because I could feel that the children like me too. Once I received a card from another student telling me that she was sorry because she could not be consistent in her attendance. This is the second case.

Lord, what do you want me to learn from here? I pray for Your guidance.

Friday, 1 October 2010

Kingdom Online 2010 [X] ~ Finale

Phew, after typing for about three [3] hours, I feel so relieved that I have finally typed out the whole message! Two [2] purpose:- firstly, to remind myself of what I have learnt during the camp, and secondly, to share with those who did not attend the camp.

As I was typing, my memory flashed back to about two [2] months ago. I was at first enthusiastic about the camp when I first knew about it. However, I was disappointed that no one [young adults or youths] wanted to join. As time went by, I no longer wanted to go.

Somehow, something in me kept pushing me. At that time, I wanted to spend some quiet time with God, to discuss with Him on my career; so I was reluctant to attend. Anyway, in the end I registered myself at the very last minute.

Expected and unexpectedly, I did enjoy the camp. I was a bit lonely in the sense that I had no one to be with initially. I was glad to know that a junior youth went and she accompanied me most of the time. Unexpectedly, I made friends with children :s; and I did enjoy my time with them. Oh, how I love children :)

In the past, whenever we attended Church Camp, we would expect altar call sessions; but there was none here. Nonetheless, it did not matter, because I was touched by God most of the time. Kingdom Online, the theme for the camp, reminds us to get connected with God ALL the time! It turns out that when we have a intimate relationship with God, everything is going to be all right :)


Do you see this? What a beautiful scenery! As a nature lover, I love scenery! Given the chance, I would attend a Church Camp again. Oh, by the way, although I have been to Peacehaven numerous times, this was the first time I slept in the dormitory. Hm, not a bad experience after all :)

Finally, Praise the Lord and thank You to JESUS for giving me the opportunity to attend this camp, and to build up a relationship with Him.

Jesus, be my only satisfaction~ Amen!

Continuance of Message from Kingdom Online 2010 ~ 12th September 2010

I wanted to attend the Sunday Service at Mother Church but coud not make it. Thanks to Sister Marilyn for the notes =)

Gideon
Three [3] hundred warrior 

Judges 6: 1-16, 34-35 [please refer to Kingdom Online 2010 [IX] for the verse]

- if we are excited, God will respond to us
- if we are hungry, the power of God will manifest

Judges 7: 2-9 [please refer to Kingdom Online 2010 [IX] for the verse]

- the Bible tells us how to live in blessed life
- we must live like Joshua generation ~ he fought but never failed! 
- our feet will crash the enemy's head
- the Lord said: "do not be afraid, I will be with you. If you follow the rules and the word of God, you will prosper in whatever you do
- in God we trust ~ God will bless our lives
- we must always confess our sins and do not let our heart to be like a stone, we must always ask for the grace of the Lord.
Q: how God choose His people?

1) Ordinary people, provided that you are willing to let God use you
- follow God; He can use our failure and weakness to bless us.
- trust Him whole-hearted ~ normally ordinary people will humbly trust Him.

2) Moses life's 
(a) I am somebody (40 years ago) 
(b) I am nobody (when he was in the desert) 
(c) I am God's body ~ Exodus 3: 10-12
10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."
11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you [a] will worship God on this mountain."
- he was a man who trusted God and the Lord was with him; and he became a strong weapon of God's hands

3) People with a "whole" heart 
Judges 4: 4-7
 4 Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading [a] Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided. 6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: 'Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. 7 I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.' "

- the men believe that they will do their best, because they believe that's why we share the gospel.
- the Mighty God will bless those who believe in Him and do their best!

Hope the message shared will bless all of you =)

Kingdom Online 2010 [IX] ~ Last Session, 11th September

21st Century belongs to CHINESE

Matthew 28: 18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

- the Lord gives us a great mission
- main point: power and authority on heaven and earth have been given to us, therefore we must preach the gospel
- Jesus: "I will use the greatest source and power to fulfil my purpose"
- we live in this world to preach the gospel, we must bring our brothers and sisters to return to the Lord
- we are so precious that God is willing to shed all his blood for us
- when we are successful, God is successful
- we must connect our success with God's success
- we must love people, build relationships with other people
- we must care for those who care for us
- we must live in accordance to God's purpose, His purpose is our purpose

Kingdom Online 2010 [VIII] ~ Evening Session, 10th September

This was the last evening session, and I was expecting an altar call; however there was none. I came to realise that altar call was not the main selling point, most important was the message. From my past experiences, we always looked forward to altar call, however the truth was, if God wants to touch us, He does not need a special session, He could have just touch us there and then.

The message that night was about Gideon ~ Judges 6

v. 1-16
Gideon 
1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 
2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 
3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 
4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 
5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 
6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help.
7 When the Israelites cried to the LORD because of Midian, 
8 he sent them a prophet, who said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
9 I snatched you from the power of Egypt and from the hand of all your oppressors. I drove them from before you and gave you their land. 
10 I said to you, 'I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.' But you have not listened to me."
11 The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 
12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
13 "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."
14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
15 "But Lord , [a] " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."
16 The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."
v. 34-35
34 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 
35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.
Judges 7: 2-9
2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' " So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.  4 But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."
 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." 6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
 7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
      Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 
4 Cycles
Evil - Slavery - Cry - God Saves - Evil - Slavery - Cry - God Saves (and it continues...)
- leaving God, sin - enemy's oppression
- Judges 2-6 [please refer to the Bible]
Q: What type of people does God use?
Plain and Normal people!
Weak People
1 Samuel 2:8
 8 He raises the poor from the dust
       and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
       he seats them with princes
       and has them inherit a throne of honor.
       "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's;
       upon them he has set the world.
Judges 6:12 [above]

- we must speak the word of truth
- when we meet obstacles, we must not speak language of "circumstances"
- we must look to God, look to His will, look to His plan
- we must learn to speak Bible's language and word
- we must see from God's perspective
- everyone is a champion
- only God's blessing can break the curse

Kingdom Online 2010 [VII] ~ Special Session, 10th September

Our Speaker, teaching us how to be a WISE WOMAN =)

Proverbs 31
The Words of King Lemuel’s Mother
 1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
       2 What, my son?
      And what, son of my womb?
      And what, son of my vows?
       3 Do not give your strength to women,
      Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
       4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
      
It is not for kings to drink wine,
      Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
       5 Lest they drink and forget the law,
      And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
       6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
      And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
       7 Let him drink and forget his poverty,
      And remember his misery no more.
       8 Open your mouth for the speechless,
      In the cause of all
who are appointed to die.[a]
       9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
      And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The Virtuous Wife
    10 Who[b] can find a virtuous[c] wife?
      For her worth
is far above rubies.
       11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
      So he will have no lack of gain.
       12 She does him good and not evil
      All the days of her life.
       13 She seeks wool and flax,
      And willingly works with her hands.
       14 She is like the merchant ships,
      She brings her food from afar.
       15 She also rises while it is yet night,
      And provides food for her household,
      And a portion for her maidservants.
       16 She considers a field and buys it;
      From her profits she plants a vineyard.
       17 She girds herself with strength,
      And strengthens her arms.
       18 She perceives that her merchandise
is good,
      And her lamp does not go out by night.
       19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
      And her hand holds the spindle.
       20 She extends her hand to the poor,
      Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
       21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
      For all her household
is clothed with scarlet.
       22 She makes tapestry for herself;
      Her clothing
is fine linen and purple.
       23 Her husband is known in the gates,
      When he sits among the elders of the land.
       24 She makes linen garments and sells
them,
      And supplies sashes for the merchants.
       25 Strength and honor
are her clothing;
      She shall rejoice in time to come.
       26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
      And on her tongue
is the law of kindness.
       27 She watches over the ways of her household,
      And does not eat the bread of idleness.
       28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
      Her husband
also, and he praises her:
       29 “ Many daughters have done well,
      But you excel them all.”
       30 Charm
is deceitful and beauty is passing,
      But a woman
who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
       31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
      And let her own works praise her in the gates. 

Proverbs 14: 1
 1 The wise woman builds her house,
      But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. 

- we must be responsible in our destiny

A) Build up an independent character, break up the women' curse
- looked down by men, we must break this curse
- God is the only one who can fulfil us, we cannot depend on another human
- we must give freedom to our partner
- curse on the single: single women tend to think one must get married

B) Accept husband's character, do not think of changing him
- love him, then he will change
- must encourage our partner
- look into their strengths, and not weaknesses
- pray about his weaknesses, need not share with other people
- men long to be respected, accepted and loved

C) Do not be a foolish woman, avoid arguments and nagging
Proverbs 19: 13
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
      And the contentions of a wife
are a continual dripping. 

Proverbs 21: 9, 19
   9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
      Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 
  19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,
      Than with a contentious and angry woman.  

Kingdom Online 2010 [VI] ~ Day Session, 10th September

As usual, we wake up early for devotion, Praise Dance, breakfast, Praise and Worship, and finally, to feed our souls with the Daily Bread =)

John 21: 1-14 (please refer to Kingdom Online 2010 [II] for the verse)

- we must build up a culture of the kingdom
- we must be a positive influence to other people
- God gives us the same chance, it is up to us whether we want to grab it or otherwise
- John 21 is meant for Peter

A) Jesus appears again before His disciples

- God does appear before us [Hosea 6:3] (please refer to Kingdom Online 2010 [II] for the verse)
- no one can use the past to be used today ~ new wine must be filled into new wineskin
- we must seek God continuously, invite God to appear before us

B) God will prepare breakfast for us


- Philippians 4: 4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- God will prepare breakfast for us
- John 21: 5 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.” 
- one who has Jesus in life: EATS WELL, SLEEP WELL, LAUGH WELL
- whatever that God gives us,the world cannot give us
- Jesus is coming soon
- God cares for us everyday
- He enters into our heart
- our God is too great
- Morgan: God has a greater planning among His nation, He would not neglect our needs
- God has a special plan for each of us
- we must get to know God personally, to a deeper level
- Israel is an example to the world
- when we read the Bible, our purpose must be to know God better
- John 12: 26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 
- when we love God, He will remember us
- faith grows, it does not pops out just like that

C) God will give us prosperity ~ heading towards right

John 21: 6, 11
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 

Psalm 127: 1
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain. 

John 3: 27 
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 

Matthew 15: 13
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

- God will let us to be prosperous
- our life will be changed when God is in us
- we must live in His plan
- our God wants to take part in our life, He speaks to us
- we do not know about tomorrow, but God knows it
- one's success is based on our relationship with God
- main point is: we must listen to God's voice and follow His voice
- we must involve God in our lives

Phew, time to rest again! Oops, forgot that we have a special session for Sisters ONLY :p

Stay tune ;-)

Kingdom Online 2010 [V] ~ Evening Session, 9th September

Erm, due to some technicalities, I have "terbalik" the second [II] and the third [III] sharing :p I guess so long as the message is there, that is the most important thing =)

The evening session started with Praise and Worship, followed by the Sermon:-

- if we are willing to be used by God, He may put us in a high position and/or do something great for Him
- we must prepare ourselves; although what we are doing may be very brief or for a short period of time (e.g. 20 seconds), but we must be well prepared ~ e.g. David and Goliath - he was trained for many years and made use of the skill
- we must be courageous to ask and to visualise
- we must enter the world in order to fulfil God's will
- whatever we do, we must do it for the will of God, to live on God's will
- do not lean on our own understanding, we must rely on God
- miracles belong to God
- we live according to God's word
- our biggest obstacle: we are not willing to live in accordance to God's word
- Christianity is NOT a religion
- we live to destroy Satan's plan, and to carry out God's plan
- we must not be narrow minded or self-centred, we must have a vision for God's kingdom
- we must change our perspective on Christianity
- it is useless for us to worry over petty things, we must look far, look to the sky like the eagle
- God is our provider, our shield, when we walk in accordance to His will

Phew, after a tiring day, it is time to sleep!