Esther's Secret Visitor
Esther was six years old and lived in a tiny country in Asia callled Brunei. She lived with her father and mother and sister. Her sister was "autistic," which means that she was very sick and had trouble e talking. Sometimes, Esther's sister would yell or hit or do strange things. Esther herself was a pretty wild child too! Her teachers thought she was rebellious and loud and out of control. Esther had trouble sitting still for even one minute.
For Esther's parents, raising Esther and her autistic sister was very, very difficult. Sometimes her mother and father just wanted to give up!
They never had peace or quiet.
Then one normal day, as Esther's mother was driving Esther and her sister home as usual from grocery shopping, her mother noticed a very strange thing. There was absolutely no noise coming from the back seat of the car where Esther and her sister were sitting!
"Oh My!" Thought Esther's mother. "I wonder if something terrible has happened to my girls!"
This was because the two girls would usually be in the back seat of the car yelling, hitting, fighting, and generally making a mess of everything! They would make so much noise! But today, they were totally silent! What was wrong?
Esther's mother looked into the rear-view mirror and saw an odd thing - both girls were just sitting quietly and smiling. Now, for some families, it isn't odd for such a thing to happen, but for there two girls it was not only strange...it had never happened before!
When they got home, Esther's mom watched the girls very, very carefully. Still, they remained quiet.
Esther's mom finally turned to Esther (because Esther's autistic sister could not talk well) and asked,"Esther, are you okay?"
Sure, mommy," answered Esther.
"Esther. Did something happen to you and your sister just now in the car?"
"What, mommy? Like what?"
"I don't know! Anything...You look so...so strange...?"
Esther smiled.
She was quiet for a while, then she said,"But mommy, didn't you see him?"
"Him? Who?"
"Jesus!"
"Where?" asked Esther's mother. Was Esther just making up a story? Esther was wild, noisy, even rebellious, but she never told lies to her mother. What was going on?
"In the car, mommy! You looked in the mirror right at him. Didn't you see him?"
"No, I didn't." Esther's mother was suspicious. She didn't see Jesus. COuld Esther be making this up? "So what did he look like?"
"He had all white on. He had a bearch...and...he was shining like a light..."Esther's mother thought that Esther was just making the story up from books she'd seen in church.
"And what did he say?" asked Esther's mother.
"He siad something I didn't understand," Esther replied. " He said,'Esther, give me your heart.'"
"And?"
"But mommy, I can't take off my shirt? I can't do that kind of thing. I can't just take my heart out and open it and give it to him!" said Esther, sounding upset. She was almost crying.
Esther though she had to somehow reach in and take her heart out and give it to Jesus! Her mother laughed becuase that sounded like her daughter! Her mother knew Esther was not making the story up. This was not a usual Sunday School story!
"So what did you say?"
Esther was upset. "Then Jesus just laughed and laughed. He said,'Well, Esther, if you can't do that, can you just come closer to me?'"
"I said, 'Sure Jesus. No problem.' Mother I can do that, can't I? And i moved closer to him. Then he put his one arm around me and the other around sister."
"Then?"
"That's it. It felt really nice. Suddenly, i felt nice. Even sister became quiet."
After that day when Esther had a secret visitor, she has grown up into a wonderful young girl. Esther has even sat through long meetings without even moving about. Esther really did have a secret visitor that day.
Esther's mom and dad were also encourage by the unique visitation. A sign that He was in they lives and He would take of their children.
When I heard this testimony from Joe Ozawa in his visits around the world, it strangely dawn on me that Jesus knew our every cry and prayer. That He knew when He would answer them, when it was just right for Him to reveal Himself or His purposes.
Jesus is really interested in our everyday lives and our every concern.
May you and I never miss His strange and untimely visitation, each time He shows up.
PsD
Congregation meeting on 5th June
Congregation meeting was one that refreshed my spirit. As Pastor Eve shared about her testimony about praying blessings into the life of her colleague, I reflected and realized that indeed as long as we do our part to be a blessing to someone, to pray or even share Christ, God is already working among and within us.
There are times where I felt really dejected why I could not be that vessel for God to use and bring people to church, but through this I was reaffirmed that so long as I give my best to glorify God in my actions, He is pleased. Pastor Danny also gave some pointers regarding Faith, which is the focus of the meeting. As I pray and seek God to renew that faith in my heart, especially in the area of my family, He spoke and said,” take my hand and follow me.” It was simple sentence yet I struggled at the first instance! But as I reflect on the way home, I answered a firm ‘yes’ as I know that everything will only fall in place when we choose to follow God and give in to Him.
Liangming sent this SMS a few weeks ago that goes like this:
Fear imprisons, faith liberates.
Fear paralyzes, faith empowers.
Fear disheartens, faith encourages.
Fear sickens, faith heals.
Fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable.
Most of all, fear puts hopeless at the heart of life while faith rejoices in God.
Love,
kriss.
healing in my jaw
I used to have bad digestive problems in the past until I realised in sec 3, that the cause of it was because I had a jaw problem. Dentist said that I wasn’t able to put on braces as my case was a serious one. I was then referred to an orthodontist.
During my first visit at the orthodontist in Jan 2008, he said that my case was a very complicated one and I needed to go for operation. I took X rays and was scheduled for an operation in Jan 2009. I started off with braces first as my teeth needed to be straight first before I was able to go for the operation. It was said that my jaw would be more emphasized after my teeth are being straightened. Still, my parents committed me to the Lord and believed that a miracle would happen. I told God that no matter what, operation for me is a No.
By September 2008, my teeth were completely straight already. There was improvement in my jaw as compared to previously. My orthodontist was amazed but still, he said that if I’d stop improving, then I may want to consider going for the operation due in another 4 months.
However, God is awesome! My jaw continued to have vast improvements under the treatment of my orthodontist. I was asked to put on rubber bands in my mouth in order to move my jaw to the left since it’s crooked to the right. The treatment was an uncomfortable yet encouraging one as I see the hands of God upon me. By December 2008, my jaw was totally straightened but both the upper and lower jaw still wasn’t able to meet. By December, my orthodontist was very pleased with my improvement and said that I no longer need to undergo operation. Hence, operation plans was cancelled. Healing still continued with constant prayers. By May, I was able to have a perfect bite and my jaw is now completely healed!
I was the first miracle case to my orthodontist. He said that it was near impossible that such a complicated case like mine is able to avoid operation. Little did I know that my orthodontist’s a Christian too. I believe that it wasn’t by mere coincidence that I was referred to him. I believe that God was using his hands to heal me. Praise God! God truly answers prayers!
E Tribe Meeting
E-Tribe Congregation Meeting at Pastor Eve’s house
25th April 2009 @2pm
25th April 2009 @2pm
-picture proudly found by chuanz-
No matter what the level of your ability, you have more potential than you can ever develop in a lifetime.
- James T. Mccay
No matter what the level of your ability, you have more potential than you can ever develop in a lifetime.
- James T. Mccay
The girls from DE-Tribe had a wonderful and powerful congregation meeting with Ps Eve. Ps Eve shared with us on the topic of the potential. All of us have a potential within us that we have to discover this potential and realise it.
Potential is defined as a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
Yes, potential is something undiscovered, something that we need to spend time to realise it so as to make it real in life.
But, how can we realise it?
- Believe and go do it with FAITH.
- Willing to explore all opportunities: Dare to say: “Yes, I will do. I can do!”
- Experiment the area: Don’t get into the habit of “Huh, cannot lah”
Eph 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do so.”
It is not about how small, weak, good you are, it is all about how great, how wonderful God is. Are you willing to let God turn your situation around and fulfil His purpose? What we have are we willing to serve God? Are we putting the “I” bigger that “GOD” in our hearts?
These are a few questions that God placed upon my heart. And I responded. It is not an easy route. But it will be a wonderful and fruitful route and journey. God says, fix your eyes onto Me, fix your mind on My word.
God is willing to mould us to the person with the potential He has placed within us long before we are born, may we too be willing for Him to be moulded by Him.
God bless you,
Kwai Hoong
Liang Ming's Cell
Thanking God it’s Friday
TGIF is often thought of as an outreach event to bless pre believers and I agree that it is very much. At the same time though less often mentioned is that it is also a time of blessing for believers.
This TGIF, I was richly blessed by the Lord because of a few reasons and here I would like to give thanks… I would like thank God for the unity the cell displayed in pulling the event through.
I thank God for 
Clar and Val, without their creative ideas and energy the planning and preparation phase for the event would not have been so smooth. Also, thank God for Pastor Danny and Lionel for lending their support and encouragements. Valerie, Candice came and helped to prepare the food. Others came by to help out later. Chantel, together with Clar, Jia Jing and Dinali led us to play some interesting icebreakers. It was a good time spent that allow us all from various groups to engage in some good clean fun. Then Clare came to lead us into worship. God was using her mightily. God came and ministered to us and really set the stage for the testimony sharing.
I
thank God that in the midst of sharing, God came and communicated the message to the guests in ways that mere mortal words can’t. I believe in either big or small ways, the seeds have been sown.In the latter part where we broke into small groups to share, each and every member made an effort to help the guests to settle down and mingle. In such a holy setting, food is a must. And everyone settled in to eat and well… all was finished…
Through it all, I felt God’s reassuring presence not just in His presence but also in the community that He has provided. I thank God it’s Good Friday because of Him and His people…
Liting's Cluster TGIFSowing Seeds of Faith...
TGIF for me started on Thursday so its TGIT for me… On Thursday night, we went over to Ps Eve’s place with all our ingredients for food and stationery for gifts/name tags making. It was pretty effective for us. Paulina came out with the icebreaker games while Juliana wrote out her 1-min testimony. I did up the name tags and liked the effect. Pastors came back and led us into a time of praying for the various TGIF events that the tribe was having.
Although we were still preparing, the 1hr that we stopped what we are doing and turned our attention on God, was the most memorable part in the preparation. At 1am, we could feel the presence of God lingering in the hall, where we would be having our harvest event.
We woke up and continue our preparation, frying the foods and buying last minute items. We even had time to bring Ignez out for breakfast and morning exercise! It was simply delighting to see the whole cell come together, be it to prepare for food or taking care of Ignez. That definitely trained us in hospitality, i.e. taking care of the guests!
Guests started appearing at 2pm. As they entered the ‘Supreme Court’, they were given a name tag and welcome drink. We lingered for a while until the last of our guests reached and started with the icebreakers. We played the simple H2O game, where a pair of participants (Hydrogen x 2) has to find another person to make up the Oxygen. The first pair that was forfeited was Luther (my pupil) and Terry. The forfeit was to finish the whole packet of Twisties in one mouth!
After 2 games, we entered into a time of worship that was led by our (new) resident guitarist, Jocelyn. Although we had pre-believers among us, we were not inhibited. Praise and appreciation flowed out of our hearts towards our Saviour and Sacrificial Lamb, Jesus. After worship, one of the visitors Weekwang shared that he teared during worship. Thank God for His presence and for ministering to us.
Ps Eve challenged us to prepare our altar call script and rehearse it. This way, we would not be nervous and leave out important points or be fumbled. As we moved into the video, I was rehearsing the altar call lines in my heart. This round, I wrote out my script and just followed it. I felt calmer than during MyHope event. As our theme was Courtroom, we have 2 ‘witnesses’ to testify that Jesus is real and alive! Thanks to Juliana and Krystle who shared their 1-min testimony vulnerably.
In our lives, we will one day have to face the Judge and the consequences of our decisions and deeds. Who you choose as your Lawyer? If Jesus represents us in the Courtroom of Life, no charges can stand against us, because these charges are now on Him. The invitation was open for the visitors to choose the Best Lawyer for their lives now. By God’s grace, we have 2 salvations and 1 who rededicated their lives to Jesus.
I must say, planning for TGIF and opening the invitation for altar call was a big step of Faith for me. Through this event, I was reminded of how seeds were sowed in my life since Sec 1, until I finally came to know Him in sec 4. I pray for the seeds that we had sown on 10 April that one day these seeds will become strong trees of Faith! Start small, and be faithful!
D Press Release
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Holy Spirit visits TGIF event in Eastern part of Singapore
The Holy Spirit has reportedly visited one of the Thank God It's Friday (TGIF) events held in Singapore over the weekend of 10-12 April 2009.
Speaking to the media shortly after the event, Kevin Ng, a 16 year old participant shared that he could sense the presense of the Holy Spirit throughout the event. He said, "I could sense the presence of the Holy spirit throughout the event, especially during the worship session as well as while watching the video".
More than 20 participants gathered at an undisclosed location in the eastern part of Singapore on Friday, 10 April 2009. The event started with games that involved throwing marshmellows into the air and catching them with mouths. The participants were also made to act as boats and lighthouses. The games ended with Nutella all over the faces of popular hosts Steven and Derrick. A time of praise and worship to the Lord was followed by a screening of "The Crossing" video before the participants broke up into their groups.
One of the event organisers, Mr Lionel Chan commented that the event was meant to be a simple and meaningful affair allowing participants to have a good and fun family time. A good and fun family time it was indeed. 25 year old university student Benjamin Lee said, "It was a great and fun time for bonding among the guys in DE Tribe". He added, "We should have it more often since we don't always get a chance to interact with guys from other cells". Responding to this positive feedback, organisers have announced that plans are underway to organise an "All Guys" outing. In a telephone interview, Mr Terry Lim, spokesperson for the organisers said, "I think so.....yes.....it (an "All Guys" outing) definitely is in the pipeline. We should have a clearer picture in the next couple of weeks."
The public is advised to wait for further instructions on the "All Guys" outing or alternatively, they can enquire with their cell leaders.
Terry Lim
Captivating enough?
"The reason we fear to step out is because we know that it might not go well. We have a history of wounds screaming at us to play it safe. We feel so deeply that if it doesn't go well, if we are not received well, their reaction becomes the verdict on our lives, on our very beings, on our heart."
Doesn't that sounds familiar? That it always happen to us? But this is what follows after...
"That is why we can only risk stepping out when we are resting in the love of God. When we have received his verdict on our lives-that we are chosen and dearly loved. That he finds us captivating. Then we are free to offer. "
Entering the time into the 100k campaign, some of us the NDP, examinations or even into a new phrase of life, we need to deeply root ourselves in the love of God. Knowing that He's all that matters. To return back to that love which brought us thus far.
Be bless,
Chuan Lian
LM's Cell
Ps, Quoted Parts from the book, Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge
Outcast? Who cares?
Outcast? - Who cares?
It had been some time since I wrote a devotion post. Many things happened and life went on piling up with experiences upon experiences. I came to a major crossroad of my life just about 3 months back. That was the end of my 3 years of poly life. I need to chose between working or continue studying on. Honestly speaking, I did not have the financial ability to continue in pursuing
my degree. I would either need to get a bank loan or to work and earn school fees.
In one of the service, Pastor preached about crossroads. I asked the Lord. What do you want me to do? Which step is the best for me? If I go out and work now, am I ready? I was filled with uncertainty about how I am going to handle the new life that is approaching me. I was sitting on the fence and couldn’t decide what to do next. The Lord spoke. Everyone have their own life to live and I have my own. What may seem best for someone else may not be the same for my case. Each person is carefully and wonderfully made by the Lord with a different purpose of life in them.
God opened a door for me in this midst after speaking that I should work for the money then continue to study. I was initially interested in events management/ coordinator and office job. But there is no such combination from what I have seen so far. You either be in the events industry where work time is not defined and all around the clock or it would be a pure 9-5 job where I would be desk bounded. However, we have a creative God who plans things in a unique way. He led my current manager to share with me about the position of central support officer in church. Then I realise that such position does exist. Although that meant that I would need to sacrifice things that I quite treasured like the time I sit together with the tribe and have a mini gathering cum briefing with the tribe every Sunday, it is a place where I knew that my spiritual life would not be depleted by the job but rather grow in my walk with the Lord.
I went for the interview and after a few days of anticipation day and night, I was accepted. About 2 weeks later, I went for Service learning facilitation course. One of the facilitation illustrations was asking the participants to walk in circles along and within the track. Those who cannot keep up with the speed of the others will be called an outcast and brought to another room which is dark and there we are all isolated somewhere in the corner of the room and isolated from the others. That game was called “Pace of life”. The Lord made me understand that I do not need to follow people’s pace all the time. I can be the pace setter or chose to be the outcast. There are two kinds of outcast - One that chose to be an outcast or one who is labelled as outcast when you cannot keep up with the pace of the society.
In this part of my life, I chose to be that outcast. To believe that I am different and there is no need to follow everyone else in the same pace knowing that it may not be suitable for me. The facilitator of the program sat us down and asked us how we felt being an outcast and those who are left on the track. There are many answers but with a little of feeling of being left out and felt uneasy, I still said “Who cares?” That was truly how I felt when I chose to work full time and committing myself to the Lord. It is not an easy journey with many family objections and discouragements added with many questions darted at me. Many could not understand and agree with what I was doing. But the Lord reminded me that I am his special one and he plans the best route for me in my life. As long as I trust in him, he will bring me through and gain victorious battles.
At the end of the day, it is your choice. To choose to be an outcast or to chase after the pace of the pace setters in your life and be labelled as outcast when you cannot follow up with their footsteps. I pray that you would be able to say, “Outcast? Who cares?” when people name you that. May God reveal his plans to you.
Jovii Lim
Liang Ming’s Cell
Thank God It's Good Friday!
Good Friday party at Liang Ming’s house was a blast! With all the yummylicious food, drinks 
and fun people we have invited, it is no wonder Vanilla, the cutest dog in the world, was so hyperactive that day.
We started at around 2pm after all the guest arrived and had ice-breakers led by Kwai Hoong and Audrey which got all of us laughing hard with the first game called ‘Tick-tock’.
After that, it was charade that got us all pulling our hair and putting on question-marks above our heads. The response from the guest was most heart-warming as they volunteered to be the ones to acting out the clues. One of the many that got us so hyped would be Soy-joy (The recent advertisement of a woman sitting on an invisible chair.) and ‘Fire in the hole’.
We then had a short time of worship with Ming Chin leading us into the presence of God before we watched The Crossing.
We spend 20 minutes or so with the guests one to one to share our own testimonies and the
John 3:16 diagram. After that, we had food, which includes fruit salad (It looks tasty right!!), curry chicken, chawamushi and many more. We were super duper bloated by the end of the day.And here’s a short video showing the game master teaching us the game, Tick-tock! Enjoy.
Below are some learning points that i've consolidated from the cell group... hope it encourages! :)
"one take away from me yesterday would be i can influencing someone's action unknowningly and i fell that i should be more mindful and positive in what i do and say. Not only to the next generation but also, to my spiritual family, family and friends... "
-kwai hoong
"the love of the Lord to us. and we have to use back the same love that He loves us to lvoe the next generation. something that i really took back home is the love that i have for the Lord and His people..."
-jialing
"i caught the glimpse of the next generation when i saw jialing's cousins, one p4 and another p5. I sense the Lord preparing my heart that i must go beyond myself to play with them and go crazy. they are really hyperactive, but they are certainly wanted into the kingdom of God.."
-liangming
Finding God beyond the limits of Man
Finding God beyond the limits of Man
The word which i believe God is speaking to us this season is to live a life of true faith. 
True faith is to rely on God and leave no man-made back up plans. As Senior Pastor relaunched the church into believing God for the multitudes, this same word has to be embraced at every level in the church.
For my Good Friday event, i combined with 2 other cells from Ps Timothy's side. The collaboration was a strategic one to reach out to the schools in the north (esp Canberra, where my BB work is based) For 2 months we gathered boys from the BB company and our cells for rock climbing and abseiling at Yishun Safra on Tuesdays. This Good Friday event was a finale for this 2-month fellowshipping. We did a canopy challenge walk (high ropes course) at Yishun Safra in the morning and ended the session with a testimony sharing by David Lim, a former member of a 4-men Antartica Expedition team.
Many thankgivings to share.
1. That week itself had many wet days including Good Friday itself when it was pouring heavily in the north at dawn (i was awakened by the rain). Thankfully, God heard my simple prayer and the weather was perfect when i walked to Safra later the morning.
2. We booked a room for our games and testimony presentation. When i reached, i realized it was used by another group and apparently the staff made a mistake. The mistake was good for us as they gave us a much better conference room. Bigger space, better set up, colder air con and nice carpeted floor.
3. After some warm up games, we headed for the adventure. The experience was not conducted by me but i thank God that it did bring many of our boys to a point of recognizing their fears and their limits. Even those who thought they are brave enough felt it was challenging. This was what i wanted to link to the main message of our Good Friday event.
4. I met up with David. We have no prior discussion on his sharing but when he ran through with me his testimony and slides. It fitted with my message perfectly. He is a friend introduced by Kenneth Tan and is in our FCBC Men's Network. His testimony about his journey with God was amazing and in many of the boys' feedback, that was the highlight of the day. The trip to South Pole (Antartica) is known to be the toughest journey on earth. His sharing basically tells us that when all things fail, we only can rely on God. We all need God in our lives.
5. I transited into a message for the boys to know what Good Friday was about and what God did for us. My message was intentionally given for both believers and prebelievers about believing in a God who offers a life beyond human limits and understanding. Upon collecting the response card, we had 2 salvations, 1 rededication and 1 other cell member who raised his hand to re commit to a life to believing God again. I believe the heavens rejoiced.
6. Personally, i thank God as i saw my own guys rallied together in supporting the event in logistics and refreshment. This is the first time i saw them together serving with me in the north.
7. Finally, when i worked out my accounts for the event, every dollar and cent i got (tribe fund or collection) covered perfectly for all expenses. God is good!
We have a God who answers the cries of our hearts. We have a God who offers an adventure beyond the limits and understanding of Man. Are you willing to walk this journey with Him? Decide today and live it out.
Amos
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tMv2bBj8yFZG6LSMTPZyX5e1wN0a4KusXWeDzlkDrkd-IZyn4XoWW_6jMUI2EC3ZOy0Z-RzMxBR9FopNqEoB7bMlgb0tpE0uweiTBMN7A_BOJsgMAGACbK1Qy6sAi3HMpNKimAnXy90Iv2WHBFxMFO=s0-d)
God is good all the time.
I had a concert in march and it turned out well, so I thank God for sustaining me throughout the whole concert preparation. Its not my personal performance, the concert has many performers.
For this concert I had to do a lot of technical and production planning and coaching conducting, but it was quite alright cos God provided me with some really nice friends in the club to help me.
The tough part of this thing- the concert preparation- is that there were a lot of dissatisfaction and cynical remarks from the members. And many people thought we were sleeping on our job so I was secretly angry at them. But I thank God for helping me cope with grace and forgiveness. Though on the surface I was scoffing at the asininity of all the gossip and behavior and nonchalant at the same time, I was really quite affected.
we had AJC as our guest performers a few weeks before the concert when we had already long finished planning so a lot of the documents had to be amended, which we managed to, so thank God.
then one week before the concert, the director of the management came and spoke to the members and said some hurting words- according to them- cos i was at the g12. reason was because out of 343 tickets, only 26 were sold so he said that if ticket sales do not reach 80% in 3 days, the concert will be off and of course this is bad news to especially those who almost died preparing for this concert, but the concert turned out to be a full house, so thank God. though i personally only sold 9, God really works in ways we cannot see.
And I was returning home late 4 days a week just for guitar, so my parents were not happy but they were surprisingly accommodating
the concert- playing sound lighting entrance exit logistics- went on smoothly. I pleaded alot, if you knew how much. Many people thought it was impossible, and that’s why I know it is not by our might, but God’s.
I am very glad it is over because it was draining most of me. I hope the concerts will look good on my resume in the future.
But all glory belongs to God
mingchin
If God is for us, who can be against us?
My grandma passed away on the week of G12 conference. All my family and relatives are pre-believers except for one distant cousin, who has not been going to church for four years. They planned a Taoist funeral for my grandma, so I was quite concerned if I would be made to go through any of those rituals. I spoke to my dad on the first day, and asked to be excused for the rituals. He told me to participate and he walked away without negotiation.
A tent was built to house an altar full of deities and idols for the procession on the final night. I felt very uncomfortable and do not want to compromise what I believe in. I decided to speak to ask my dad again, praying that he will soften his heart. However, he got angrier with me. In turn, I was also very upset.
To avoid facing my dad and relatives who are gossiping about me, I went for G12 conference on Friday. I know I will be comforted after meeting my cell group and leader. I managed to speak to Pastor Danny and my cell group, pouring out what I had kept for the past 3 days – persecution, gossip, pressure to compromise, etc. They prayed for me and I felt better after that. Though there was still fear in me to confront the situation when I returned home, I knelt and ask God to make a way for me. I was afraid that my father might chase me out of the funeral.
When I reached home, I asked my mother if I still must participant in the ritual. She said she will talk to my dad. Eventually, my dad agreed that I will not participate though he was still unhappy about it!
My relatives continued to gossip about me on this matter, this caused my mum to be heartbroken. Yet in my heart, I was fully secured in the Lord and was really feeling okay with what they said. They do not know what they are doing.
I believed this is not just a funeral that traditions and practices are enforced on unwilling daughter, but a lesson to teach me and make a stand. I learnt to stand up for my God and not to compromise when situation seems to be so difficult. If God is for me, who can be against me?
Romans 8:31 – “…If God is for us, who can be against us?”
impossible is NOTHING to GOD!
The thing that I brought home (literally, as you will see if you read on) from the conference was a greater impartation of faith. Not just for the multitudes but also for what He can do for my family.
My maid and my mother have a rather disharmonious relationship. Basically their communication consists largely of my mom screaming at her for screwing up and my maid trying hard to understand where she went wrong because of her poor grasp of the English language and my mother’s apparent “accent” (in my maid’s own words). As spectators to this bloody sport, my sis and I will try to stop my mom from going too far, but this usually produces the opposite result, unfortunately.
There were also times when my mom contemplated sending her back. When this happens, I usually get an sms from her telling me such. Coincidentally, it ALWAYS happens when I’m in church and it will ALWAYS be followed by an SMS by my sister telling me how scared she is and how lonely she will be when the maid leaves. This will ALWAYS leave me feeling horrendously guilty for not being there for my family.
Keeping to that rather morbid pattern, I received several smses from my mom and sis regarding the abovementioned topic during the G12 conference. This time it seemed final. My maid was actually packing her bags at that very same time. I felt very discouraged. It felt like the Hiroshima end days of my nuclear family. The subsequent SMS exchange I had with my sister was nothing short of depressing as she shared about what transpired and how she felt about it (she cried).
I was all ready to cave in to the belief that in real life things never change, when I remembered one of the pastors saying something like “you can never please God without faith” and thus one should believe. It was then that I made a desperate prayer to the lord to resolve my little domestic situation. I cannot remember the exact words I uttered but it was something to the effect of asking God to preserve the sanctity of the familial institution.
What happened next was nothing short of amazing.
The next SMS I received was from my mom telling me that she was keeping my maid.
She added that she talked to my maid and they HUGGED (I expected an exchange of blows actually) and my maid told my mom that my mom was just like a mother to her.
That left me speechless.
It is not one-off too, what happened with my family. I can sense my mother making an effort to be more patient with my maid. She fails sometimes, but it’s a work in progress and I’m thankful.
To shamelessly rip off a certain sportswear label, impossible is nothing to God.
So today, make the choice to hope and believe.
There can be change.
If you make that change to keep the faith regardless, everything will change.
Krystle
When you change, everything can change
'When you change, everything can change.'
This is something a lot of people caught during the G12 conference and it has never been more real to me.
I am a first generation Christian in my family and it is often difficult to stand strong because of the many persecutions I face at home. My whole family believes in Buddhism. As if the generation gap between my parents and I was not bad enough, the difference in faith made it worse altogether. All along they cannot accept the fact that I have already converted and deep in their hearts, they cling onto a hope similar to mine- that is to convert the other party to the same faith. This is very evident in my home.
A huge wooden Buddha statue was placed in my not-very-big room, on it hung numerous pendants of idols. From the start, I knew better than to voice out my negative feelings towards the arrangement because my parents are very authoritative- being the traditional Chinese family. So I kept telling myself that “it is okay” but deep down in my heart I know this has shook my faith. It was just disturbing having to wake up seeing the statue and going to bed facing it too. What can I do but to pray?
During the Delirious? worship concert, everyone went forward to worship including me. The music was super loud, and I found myself soaked in the whole atmosphere. But God brought my mind back the situation at home; I started crying out to God. Taking advantage of the loud worship and music, it gave me courage to shout onto the Lord and ask Him to come and change things at home because I am so sick and tired of the constant. I told God I will not stop shouting unless He come and do something, anything in my home. Indeed, God did something.
After the end of conference, I received a message from my mum. It read 'When are you coming back? I've got a surprise for you in your room.' At first, it did not really appeal to me, in fact I started to reflect if I have done anything wrong, like “my phone-bill went out of hand again" or "I left my room in a mess this morning?". When I reached home, I immediately went to my table to look for any phone bill.
Surprisingly, there was none. It took me a few minutes to realize that my room was rearranged. And the big wooden buddha statue was removed! It was removed without involving any fights or quarrels, but by mere grace, prayer and faith. I was so shocked and pleasantly surprised for I know this surprise came not from my mum, but from God. He answered my prayer! I did not shout in vain! I praise the Lord for everything He has done, from the bottom of my heart and I am sure He is doing something in each and every person's life, its only whether we want to let God or limit God. Do not ever decide for God by limiting your faith or ceasing in prayer because He is the Almighty King!
Paulina
Reflecting G12 Conference- Day 4
After going through so many days of listening to the Holy spirit, and hearing from many anointed men/women of God speaking, we've come to the last day of G12 conference. whereby Pastor Cesar preached about living in God's divine purpose. And one sentence that he made on that sunday really spoke to me. He said that whatever God has for us, we cannot see it through our naked eyes.
And that really spoke to me. Many times, when we choose to look at God's divine purposes and plans for us using our naked eyes, we will tend to ask God why is it this way and why can't it be that way. But when we choose to look at it from God's perspective, our spiritual eyes, God's words, we will know that God has a plan/purpose to prosper us and not to harm us. A plan to give us a hope and a future.
I really asked myself, questioned God, asked my friends, even grumbled to my schoolmates about the fact that I did not manage to get a CapitaLand scholarship. The background is this, about September last year, CapitaLand shortlisted some of us from my course and I am also part of the team.
At that point of time, i really thank God for this divine chance to ease my family burden. And I really prayed hard for it. But the moment i knew that i did not get that scholarship, my heart sank. I start to question God why gave me this chance and yet take it away?
But after last sunday's sermon, as i was reflecting upon it (Yes, i still think about it some time) I realized that i was looking at a very superficial level of that opportunity. I neglected the experience I've gained from that interview (in front of a panel of 'jugdes')
Today, i just came back from my second interview for my internship program. And i dare to say that i believe i did better this time and with so much confident as compare to last time. Continue to pray together with me because i believe God is using me in a deeper measure.
Praise the Lord!
Chuanlian
Reflecting G12 Conference - Day 3
G12 Conference 2006
G12 Conference 2007
Cell Retreat 2008
G12 Conference 2009
GOD IS FAILTHFUL and I BELIEVE!-
A new believe has arose, Faith is arising
here comes the multitudes for GOD!
BE THE CHURCH!
G12 Conference 2007
Cell Retreat 2008
G12 Conference 2009
GOD IS FAILTHFUL and I BELIEVE!-G12 Conference for me this year was very different... I entered this season with loads of anticipation, knowing that God will do something marvellous and miraculous for me. There was a sense of excitement within my heart that no words can describe. As I look back at the previous years, I can only conclude that GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL and HE IS FAITHFUL.
Even as I start to ask and believe God for the multitudes this year, I just sense the timing is just right and just nice! God has indeed preserved and kept each one of those that had been placed under my care. If there is a perfect time for this cell to start reaching out, it is NOW, not yesterday, not tomorrow but NOW!
2006 was the start of this cell – where there was only 5 of us. Come 2007, there were about 8 of us. 2008 was a time of restoring and rebuilding for this cell group where God allowed each one of us to walk through our struggles within ourselves and within the cell group. I would say there was a major breakthrough in this cell, be it personal or as a cell group. I sense that 2008 was really a time of preparation and testing for this cell group.
2009 – Here we are. G12 Conference has passed. But if there was one take away I would share, it would be on the word BELIEVE. There was a changed attitude in my heart towards this word – BELIEVE. Every time, we always say we must believe, we must believe and we must believe. But the question I ask myself is, DO I TRULY BELIEVE? I remember for 2006 and 2007’s G12 Conference, Ps Cesar did talk about WE MUST BELIEVE GOD FOR THE MULTITUDES. If you ask me if I truly believed then, the answer is NO. There and then, it just seemed so far-fetched and impossible for an 18 year old to believe. However, each time when Pastor ask those who believe, raise your hand, I would just do so since everyone is doing so. However, this year I could really say with Faith that I BELIEVE... no logic or reason I can give, but I know God has deposited something into my heart and spirit during this G12 Conference in regards to BELIEVING GOD FOR THE MULTITUDES.
Even as I start to ask and believe God for the multitudes this year, I just sense the timing is just right and just nice! God has indeed preserved and kept each one of those that had been placed under my care. If there is a perfect time for this cell to start reaching out, it is NOW, not yesterday, not tomorrow but NOW!
2006 was the start of this cell – where there was only 5 of us. Come 2007, there were about 8 of us. 2008 was a time of restoring and rebuilding for this cell group where God allowed each one of us to walk through our struggles within ourselves and within the cell group. I would say there was a major breakthrough in this cell, be it personal or as a cell group. I sense that 2008 was really a time of preparation and testing for this cell group.
2009 – Here we are. G12 Conference has passed. But if there was one take away I would share, it would be on the word BELIEVE. There was a changed attitude in my heart towards this word – BELIEVE. Every time, we always say we must believe, we must believe and we must believe. But the question I ask myself is, DO I TRULY BELIEVE? I remember for 2006 and 2007’s G12 Conference, Ps Cesar did talk about WE MUST BELIEVE GOD FOR THE MULTITUDES. If you ask me if I truly believed then, the answer is NO. There and then, it just seemed so far-fetched and impossible for an 18 year old to believe. However, each time when Pastor ask those who believe, raise your hand, I would just do so since everyone is doing so. However, this year I could really say with Faith that I BELIEVE... no logic or reason I can give, but I know God has deposited something into my heart and spirit during this G12 Conference in regards to BELIEVING GOD FOR THE MULTITUDES.
A new believe has arose, Faith is arising
here comes the multitudes for GOD!
BE THE CHURCH!
Dare to believe,
Liang Ming (:
Liang Ming (:
Reflecting G12 Conference - Day 2
Many issues were covered on Day 2 and definitely, God has been faithful and spoken to me through many of the sessions. One of which that really impacted me was when Sarah went on stage to preach on the Spirit. It was really inspiring to see a 17-year old young lady being that ambassador for God!
Being at the crossroad of choosing which courses I should apply to my advantage, her message was timely to guide me in my decisions. The Spirit is the one that gives us purpose, and hence, in the process of deliberation, I have to align my thoughts to the spirit, to my purpose God has for me on earth.
On top of this, in the later session, Pastor Claudia also preached on finding the star, that destiny God has set for us. Sarah also shared that the spirit gives us strength. Indeed, I trust and hope in the Lord that He will empower me even in such times where I feel hopeless in my situation.
Be blessed,
Kristine
Reflecting G12 Conference- Day 1
God spoke to me that day about when Pastor Cesar said that many of us often was holding onto Jesus, who is pure and holy, yet at the same time holding onto our pass sins and earthly processions. And because of this we cannot enter into God's kingdom. Pastor Cesar also said that the way to enter into God's kingdom is to let our pass sins and earthly processions go.
This part spoke to me a lot because it made me realized that i cannot hold onto things that does not belongs to the kingdom of God. And by holding on to it, i cannot enter the kingdom of God and I cant enjoy the fullness of God's grace and mercy in my life. Not only that, the devil will also continue to attack me because i did not let go of my pass sins. Also, the continuous action of dwelling in my pass sins will not allow me to grow as fast as God wants me to.
In all, i am still learning how to let go of my pass sins and to set my eyes onto the Lord, our God.
God Bless,
Jialing.
Chuanlian is BAPTISED!
On the 27 Feb 2009, I started a whole new journey in my walk with God as i walk through the water of baptism. It was really amazing and heartwarming to see so many who came to support me that day. And especially I was really thankful that my mother came for my baptism and until now still tries to apply what Pastor William Loke preach about patient that day.
The first thing i encountered after i came out from the baptism pool was that i felt very light, almost like the feeling of fainting. I felt very light-hearted and as though i was floating in the air.
I believe that was a sign of the Holy Spirit telling me that my old self has gone and the new have come. The light-heartedness is a representation of my new self. Whereby from that minute onwards I am a new creation.
As I start this new journey, the prayer i made to God was that he would take me, make me, use me and mould me. And i would like to encourage all those who have not being baptised, and are from a yet-to-be-believers family to pray and believe in God. I believe that God can do what he did to me to you! God bless.
Press below to read more about my testimony!
Testimony: Ong Chuan Lian
I was from a traditional Taoist family. And being traditional, my family never shown their love and concern for me. Hence, I grew up without any touch of security, love and concern from them. Because of that, I tend to place my sense of trust, security and love with the friends around me. I was telling myself during primary school till secondary. "No matter what happened, I must get to know all the 'popular' students in the school. And all those high-profile students must be my good friends. That's when I can turn high-profile and hence feel the sense of security, love and care from.
But I was wrong, with so many friends, none of them were truthful. Betrayal, conflicts soon slipped in. I was deeply hurt by all those friends whom I placed my trust in. I start to question, why must they betray me, haven’t I found that sense of belonging already? And many times, I find myself sitting at home, feeling that sense of emptiness and loneliness. In school, I may be a high-profile kid. But at home, I’m still the same nobody. With no attention given and no respect given, I wondered why am I in this world.
Everything changes when my Sec4 best friend, someone who's high-profile in school, invited me to her church camp. I went because it was a FOC camp. Well, free accommodation, food and more friends was the reason I agreed to go for the camp. And after that I became very interested about this GOD that they were talking about during the camp, from which I began to start my research on the internet about this Jesus Christ.
I can’t believe the fact that this JESUS actually like love me so much that he died for me. And to someone who has not experienced love, care and concern, and sense of security, it's kind of ridiculous for someone to die for you. So I decided to give it a try, "No harm anyway right?" that was what I told myself. I gave my life to Jesus on the 18th January 2006, in the small bedroom of mine alone. I approached a classmate of mine during lunch one day and asked her if she was attending any churches. That was when she brought me to Faith Community Baptist Church.
After I believed in God and accepted the fact that Jesus came and died for me. I was free from seeking security, love and care from friends around me. I learn to accept everyone as my friends and not just the high-profile ones. I realized that humans will always fail you and not meet your expectation. But God is the one who's always constant. His love for you is always constant. God was able to exceed the desire of love, security and concern I always yearned for.
I’ve also learned to trust God for all things around. From someone who takes no initiative and discipline to study until now, being the top 10% in my cohort. A verse that I always carry with me through thick and thin, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil4:13) allows me to achieve such good grades and now I am, being a living testimony amongst my family and friends.
Not only that, with my cell group supporting every decision I made, and offering any prayers that I needed, I was able to walk out of the invisible wall of defense I built over the years. I really thanked God for this bunch of crazy sisters whom I go through many circumstances together. Without God, I would never ever meet such lovely sisters in my life, and I would probably be too friends-driven. Because of them, I have learnt to be God-driven, putting God as the centre of my life.
Today, I am someone who seeks God for love, security and care. I am also someone who still makes a lot of friends. But the different is that, I’ve learned to let go of things when conflicts sinks in. I’ve learned to let God take control of things happening around me. I’ve learnt to forgive my family for the past, and the fact that they allowed me to get baptize today is an act of love for me. Praise the Lord!
Prayer Meeting on 20 Feb
Before anything, let’s take a look at a video that helps to recap on what were the key points during last Friday’s prayer meeting, that’s based on 2Cor 1:6-11.
1) That which we must face.
What happen to you is not as important as how we perceive it to be. But how we perceive it to be, is not as important as how we response to it! We must all face the fact that Christians have trials to face too.
Pain is unavoidable, but misery is optional.
2) That which we must know.
We must understand the fact that human needs trials to grow. And we must know that God gives trials so that we can grow. And he will never give us what we cannot handle.
Trials are good for our spiritual health.
3) That which we must want.
We must want the will of God. The question here is, do we desire to walk the will of God or do we tend to do things our way? Many other trials will come when we choose to walk God’s will.
Do you choose to walk his will?
4) That which we must do.
We need to seek God for guidance and help. Trust that God will make a way when there seems to be no way. We have to create a spiritual instinct that we will ask God for help in times of troubles.
In our darkest moments, God does his deepest work.
5) That which we must hold fast to.
Hold on to the promises that God will deliver us. The purpose of trials is not to humiliate us, but to build our spiritual muscles. In terms of trials, God always want to draw us close, set us free and use us more.
There is always a good reason behind a bad day.
Now, Kwaihoong has got something to share about the prayer meeting. (Kwaihoong, please)
“In our darkest moments, God does the deepest work”
Everyone will face a bad day, but how do we respond?
God spoke to me during the prayer meet last Friday that every trial we faced happens for a reason. God gives us His comfort that there’s a purpose for each and everything that has happens, nothing is coincidental. He wants to strengthen our faith muscles and with that, we must want the will of God.
Before, when things are not going on smoothly, I would ask God why is this happening, asking God whether the reason for the things that are happening to me lies with me?
God said to me, trials happened not to discourage you, but to allow God’s purpose within us to be fulfilled. Human beings cannot grow without trials. With trials, we then are able to see the imperfection and limitations we have. And from there, we are able to strengthen our faith muscles as God will make a way.
“In our darkest moments, God does the deepest work” When bad days happen, face it with God’s strength and faith for God’ purpose to be done!
“God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.”
Everyday Deserves A Chance
One of the books I have read recently was a book called "Everyday Deserves A Chance" by Max Lucado And I read it during one of my most busy period at work and it sustains me, by readjusting my eyes to the potential of each day. How good/bad the day will be, is in my control. So I will be posting some of this short writings called Day Lifter at the end of each chapter and you can read it every time you feel down! It worked for me. I have a link also to the first chapter of the book, really do highly recommend this book to everyone! http://maxlucado.net/pdf/everyday.chapter1.pdf Kenny Foo Day Lifter "The next time you are mired in a bad day, check your outlook with these three questions: 1. What do I feel guilty about? 2. What am I worried about? 3. What am I about? Reflect on your answers with these reminders: Yesterday . . . forgiven. Tomorrow . . . surrendered. Today . . . clarified. Jesus’ design for a good day makes such sense. His grace erases guilt. His oversight removes fear. His direction removes confusion. 
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
