Sunday, December 28, 2008
@ 6:23 PM
sometimes, we wonder why people won't listen.
we hold rallies, we have gospel nites, skits here and song items there.
messages, testimonies.
we invite ppl, we give out tracks
but in the end, it's still tough for them to believe.
many times, we get discouraged.
at the turn out rate, at the number of people who raise their hands during altar call,
at the comments they make on the presentations
at how they slam the doors at us or distance from us when we want to give an invitation.
we think what's the point of all this?
why do we have to keep trying week after week
'hey can you go for yp this time?'
'hello, did you rmb the rally i was sharing with you the other time? wanna go with me?'
'there's this awesome sport's day coming! free t-shirt! free lunch!'
.
.
at times, we get frustrated
about why we can't win our friends over
why they can't see that we love them and are trying to show them the right way
the only way to salvation.
you might ask why we go so far
cos God went that far for us.
"We love because He [God] first loved us." 1 John 4:19
the more you receive invitations from christian friends
the more you see the christ-like examples exemplified by them
the more you realise that there must be a God in this world
the more you hear about the gospel being repeated
the more you taste failure and are convinced that you're imperfect
the more you know that you need God to live
that just shows how God goes so far for you.
and for brothers and sisters in Christ
do not weary in spreading the gospel and witnessing to others
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
@ 1:55 PM
The birth of christ brought God to man.
The cross of christ brought man to God.
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008
@ 9:59 PM
thank God i could go for games day today. was really fruitful.
what ren an shared was a burden for my heart for quite some time.
the statement of 'doing the Lord's work' have often been misused at this point in time. I really thank God for the families who went over 4 years ago. As uncle Andrew said, it wasn't easy for them. Sure they must have gone through discouragements and disappointments but they encouraged each other and pressed on.
Today, we have a new church maturing. Though not fully yet but sure, in a few years' time they will. Many of us simply can't stand to break away from the fellowship of childhood friends who grew up together since young at bethesda amk. Some decided to move over. Even I was tempted. Given many reasons, I somehow felt that I should be there. I reasoned with my parents, even laid down my justifications.
But they were all shallow desires. I realised that while depot needs people to help, amk needs even more people to stay put to continue building the church.
It took me almost a year of thinking and prayer. And I learnt that it didn't matter where you live, who your friends were but what was important was that you had to go according to God's perfect plan and will.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith - Hebrews 12:2
After youth camp, I think God wants me to lead the P6 and Sec 1 batches. The transition from primary to secondary school is immense and for many, that's the turning point of their maturity. Even as Ren An shared, we as youths have to prepare ourselves to take over the church in future. We gotta start early.
It's tough in the face of life to keep trusting God and clinging on to the cross always. and that's where saints should uphold one another, praying for one another.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:5-6
i love my church :D
Monday, December 22, 2008
@ 11:05 PM
i keep singing to myself the camp song
and replaying every scene in camp.
so vividly.
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Sunday, December 21, 2008
@ 9:42 PM
i'm going to
improve on my time management, before i have any other commitments
a week for me to reflect and reminisce the past year
and plan for the next year
most importantly,
to re-discover the true meaning of christmas.
I stand in awe of You.
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
@ 10:52 PM
like people say, each year's youth camp gets better.
but i say,
"this year was it."
i thank God for how He worked in my life this whole year. this year i must say has been one fruitful and eventful year. accident council testimony sabah humanities beijing lots and lots more. and wow, what a way to close this chapter.
as a dorm leader, i was really touched by how the little lives could be changed. previously, i sorta dreaded having to take charge of a batch of playful and naughty kids. i thot that nothing would happen cos they were simply not interested in the things of God. but i was so wrong.
i was really encouraged by how people like albern, ivan, joshua really turned around. thanks to samuel ten, it was by God's grace that we were able to bring across the message about God's love through the dorm devotions. and to see how by the 3rd night, they began to start sharing their inner struggles and lead in prayer. boy, that was amazing.
i'll be praying for them. surely.
games was estherific as ever, haha. really thank ren an, elsia and jet for leading our group. not forgetting the other group leaders too. cos i know it isn't easy at all. but i'm sure that every camper was touched by your generosity and love for them :D
the bible study sessions, camp talks were especially thought-provoking. it gave me a deeper insight on the heroes of faith, on obedience and demonstration of their faith. it struck me that i should keep shining and shine brighter for the Lord. it's this faith that's living and keeps me living. and i want to show it to others, to share with them.
workshop was fruitful too. i had a different perspective on servant leadership, and can't wait to apply it on my council life next year :)
last night was exceptionally exciting, hahaa. but everyday was like well spent to the fullest.
"draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
faITh.
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
@ 1:16 PM
hello
to those faithfuls who have been coming here. i am so so very sorry for my unfaithfulness.
china has been a wonderful experience that i would never exchange it for anything else :) if you need updates, talk to me haha. cos there's just so much to tell.
but for those stuck in madagascar, life in beijing is
1. cold
2. crowded
3. clean (quite)
4. cheap (for the stuff i bought, heh)
and i would to thank the whole gang of 35 VICTORS '08 man, you made my world there :D
all the eating out at jap restaurant and the pizza buffet which we should have gone there right from the start
all the sins we commited at night at hao ling ju
all the soccer matches and rounds about the school track, no sweat
the nevermeltice at mcdonalds
the super uber nice chinese friends we made at er fu zhong
all the camwhores at temples, what a place to do that mann
all the dorm bonding sessions and bridging
the prejudice against xunda and co. though we honestly didn't mean it!
but now even as we head back to our normal lives, i'm sure that those 6 weeks, or rather
1008 hours
60480 minutes
3628800 seconds
will take a very chim math paper to replace that memory space in our heads :)
thanks for yesterday :D
P.S i have not decided whether to continue blogging or not.
depends, haha.
what a convenient word.
ciao!
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