bills....all kinds....
I was surfing last night and something dawned on me! I need to clear all my bills by this week. I must admit that I'll like to procrastinate when comes to routine work. Routine work like packing and tidying room, packing my wardrobe, paying bills! yes, paying bills...
Whenever I opened my letter box, there are many letters. And 80% of them are bills, bank statement or insurance statement. another 20% is flyers. When comes to routine matter, I will tend to procrastinate. I will tell myself, I will do it tomorrow and tomorrow never comes. Actually it's not difficult but just lazy??!?!
I remembered I told Lennon few months ago, that I was fine for late payment of my credit card biils. Man, I was penalise because I procrastinate. I learnt my lesson!
I may delayed paying many other bills (phone, income tax, SVC, internet, credit card, etc...) but there is another "bill" to pay is my tithing. Thank God, I have not forgotten paying my tithe! It's something that I don't want to owe God. There are times I delayed and I quickly remind myself to do so via internet banking!
So let's remind each other to pay our tithe, give our offering and settle all other bills the moment when the bill comes. So that we are no man's debtors. Don't owe anyone or any company any debt but only 1 debt are left for us to clear is the debt of God's love and sacrifice for us....
so clear as quickly as the bill comes..... :)
Charisma
Last Sunday, as few of us where sharing 1 personal prayer needs and 1 ministry prayer need. Colin mentioned about raising stronger leaders. Leaders who has charisma that can influence and impact larger number of guys and gals for Jesus.
As we prayed, this lesson that I learnt few years ago taught by Ps Jeff (it was taken from John C Maxwell book). I remembered I taught in one of the CLM and remembered few of the characteristic being a charismatic leader. We claimed that as we prayed for our leaders to grow in those characteristic!
Let me shared this short lessons on what is a leaders with charisma!
Concern - the ability to show you care
Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are in making them feel good about you.
Phi 2:3 - Consider others better yourself….Help – the ability to reach out
All people have needs that need to be met. Find the hole in the heart and meet it. The key is to look for it and meet it! Most of the time we need to help out of our comfort zone.
Action – the ability to make things happen
Optimists see opportunity in every difficulty. Pessimists see difficulty in every opportunity. People are attracted to people who see solutions
Results – the ability to produce
Charismatic people are winners and they want to win and help others to win as well. That makes them becomes productive. God makes us to enjoy producing. He makes us fruitful and not fruitless. This applies all areas of our lives. Studies, Family, Church...
Influence – the ability to lead
Leadership is influence. If you have something interesting happening in your life, you would want to share it with others. Influence means to change and bring impact on others. Know and believe that we can and we have to influence. You can influence when we shape our lives with others. We can inspire by people who are far away. However, we can only be influence by people who do lives together with us. Jesus is among the people and influence and not being admired.
Sensitivity – the ability to feel and respond
Charismatic people are able to feel and respond appropriately to changing situation. Find out the changing mood of the people we are reaching out and respond to them. We have thick skin and a thin heart. We are not sensitive to ourselves but sensitive to others.
Motivation – the ability to give hope
You are to motivate others is to give others hope. We can motivate when we see that they can meet the standard. We ought to convey hope and not despair to the people around us.
Affirmation – the ability to build up
Everyone wants and needs to be affirmed. We tend to become what the most important person in our lives think we will become. We can only affirm others when we have a healthy self-image of ourselves.
So how charismatic am I? I will give a range of 1-10. 1 is far from these characteristic. 10 is you are perfect to these characteristic. I will give a myself a mark of 6. I think I can improve in Concern and Help. Feel and really help people especially my sheep and 2nd tier leaders and especially my family members!
Lord, help me to build charisma so I can win people to love you and serve you! Let's rise to be a troop of charismatic leaders as Jesus would live on earth!
what a harvest!
This afternoon in RDMM, we did a name to name check on the number of new friends that have said Yes to Jesus the 1st time...
From Imposter service till last Saturday, 21st June 08, we had total of 39 of them! Out of 39, we had 32 of them connected to 1-1, CG/Service! Wow! We met at Funan and there were a surge of joy in all of our hearts! That's the reasons of matthew events, CYL, ESS....Our desire is to see each of them grow in experience Jesus and experience church in a real way!
Thanks poly peeps in loving them 1 by 1 into your CGs! Well done dudes!
I know some of you are expanding your CG to contain all new friends. And few more CGs in each CGs wants to see 1-2 more friends to say yes to Jesus this week! We will see another 18 new friends to say Jesus and be connected to the CG! :):):)
What a harvest! I'm glad many of us stepped out in faith to lead and love! Another week of miracles!
Yes, Building the most global Polytechnic ministry ever!
Gen Z - our future!
Well, I have mentioned in one of the sermon that Student ministry has to prepare in 5-9 years time to embrace Gen Z. Gen Z refers to Millennium babies where are are born from the year 2000 onwards!
As Tertiary group continue to learn and grow to reach Gen Y effectively but we also need to prepare ourselves to embarce Gen Z in 9-10 years time. So the current group who are reaching Gen Z will be the Children Church! Whoo!
I have a chance to mingle with the Gen Z and I have 3 babies in my family who belong in this Generation! Cool! Let me show you my new born nephew!
A frowning boy... (say cheese....)
Boy, you are the future of the world!
kong fu panda "hahahahaha"
after the Tertiary ESS, some fo us went for a midnight show - Kong fu Panda!
Initially i thought this show is going to be cheesy type.. but after hearing some good reviews, I decided to give a try on this commedy movie!
I loveeeeeee itttttttt!
why i like this movie....
* very very funny!
* many good life principles... don't limit someone's potential, customise training methods to different individual, don't stereo type people
* fat panda can fight and win the fight!
* I like the panda! I like the shifu!
one of rare movie that make me laugh so much and also touched at certain moment...hahahaha!
what a way to enjoy life after working hard.... "weeeweee"
Dad's day!
15th June is dad's day and dad's bdae! dad is 70 this year... man, time realli flies. I remembered he was driving SBS bus and I arrive at certain bus-stop to meet him at a certain time to pass him some home cooked food during Chinese new year. Man, that was so many years ago... and now, he is ready 70!
jie and ko, wilson and I decided to have the celebration at home as it will be easier for the new born baby and easier for dad. To go out for a family dinner during Father's day is madness! so we decided to celebrate at home yesterday and have more comfort and my dad can play with niece and nephew!
everything was really great, simple food, simple gathering but rich in fellowship and love. that's a good family! but i did one very stupid thing is that I bought an ice cream from Swensen but I didn't put it in freezer but the noral compartment of the fridge! wah man, by the time we suppose to sing birthday song, the care melted! what a disppointment! sorry father! I forget I bought an ice cream cake and I treat it like a ordinary birthday cake! diao! my niece and nephew has to wait for another 30mins to get the cake frozen. they kept coming to me and remind of the cake.... *sobsob*
dad, you are very dear to me! you have worked very hard in your younger days to provide for the family. you stayed up late to wait for me to reach home, then you will return to your bed. I know you care and love all of us. You took off to bring sis and brother to carnival. You are a filia son as you took good care of ah ma when she is around! I know you will not be able to read this blog because you don't surf internet. I have last prayer for you, may you grow so much in the Lord so you know He loves and cares for you! I will continue to claim your healing in faith!
xie xie father!
check this out for the video clip...
"Hailstones" experience
what a ESS! Many of us have mixed feelings on Friday and Saturday. I have read many blogs and many have commented how they were very concerned and nervous when they have watched the rehearsals. ha! we seemed to need more time to rehearse but time is running out! we seemed to need to perfect the steps and tighten the transition and we need time and rehearse over and over again... I remembered when Joshua fight, he needed time.
Well, the Lord didn't stop the sun for us, but he did it in a unique way! He bring people to gather to giev their best in the shortest time and rely on him in the longest time! I heard many people at the back stage praying and pray even harder during the altar call!
I have my story to tell too. I spent a long time in my room in the morning just praying and praying! Then when I reached Nexus, I saw many hardwording volunteers arrived earlier to preapre the service and rehearsal! I can sensed a different spirit. I can sensed joy and confidence in the hearts of the people! When we rely on God, we are different people when face challenges!
There, the service started and many friends walked in. I took a toilet break during the production. I was in the cubicle and told the Holy Spirit that in 10mins time, I will be on stage to speak. I asked him, Can I stay here longer and not go out?! ha! I knew the answer and I told him to partner with me. I walked to Nexus and stayed at the recep area until the last part of the production. Man, my walk from the toilet to the recep area seemed the longest time taken!
I just walked up and speak by faith and in love! I can sensed Holy Spirit guided me! During the altar call, we worship and though we overrun the time we just go in the 2nd worship song. Thank You Lord, you visited us! I can sensed your presence so strongly! I think I will die if you don't show up! you showed up! really on time!
15 of our friends make decision to accept Jesus! wow! I can sensed the excitement among the people! thanks for Uni leaders, brothers and sisters who prayed earnestly during the altar call. thanks for TSPT peeps who kept the whole event in prayer for the whole week! Thank you Poly peeps who sowed hard! Thanks for your CLs who led your people to meet the freshmen and connect with them! Thanks to all who knew this event is going on and prayed for us and with us! We had 4 new friends during weekdays! thanks to Nel who oversee this event. Thanks Abigail who led the P&W and the band! thanks to decor team - Jolene and Bingquan! Thanks to Jorris on image! Thanks MM, lights, sound and team hope to make the service possible! thanks to the drama team and dancers! i can't list out all, but if i have missed out, knows that i didn't mean too but you are greatly treasure!
I overheard that there is some stirring in one campus - NYP! in 7 days, they had 8 new friends crossed the line! I think the momentum will be coming and going! I'm also very proud of other campuses as I heard that some have weekly Friday event for freshmen! wow! You will reap the harvest as long as you don't give up!
there will be more momentum in the next 2 weeks..... more to come in the next 2 saturday! Bring the ESS atmosphere to every Saturday service. Have a great anticipation of the flow of the Holy Spirit every sat!
all glory be unto Him!
How to have victory in difficult times
I have taught this lesson in last sat CLM. As we have embarked the 12am prayer since last Sat till now. I will like to share this lesson with you and also share with you what has took place as we are walking through synchronise prayer as a whole region.
Joshua 10:5-15When we face great challenge, either we will have great victory or great defeat. So what's the key to receive victory.
1. Believe that God will give you the victory v8 "The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.""Don't limit God. When we do anything in the bible according to God's will, we will be successful. When we believe, we believe in the person. When we believe in the person, we believe in his words.
Matthew 21:22, Mark 9:23-24
2. Obey God to obtain the victory v9
"After an all-night march from Gilgal,..."Obedience is the hall mark for believers. Everyone believe but not everybody practice on what they believe. Our words and our actions goes hand in hands. Joshua led the troop to march for the whole night to fight.
James 1:22, James 2:17, Rom 12:8 (Leaders lead diligently. Leaders pay the price.)
3. Pray to God for the victory v12-13
"..Joshua said to the Lord in the presense of Israel:.." "So.."Besides we believe God, obey and act on what we beliefs, we pray for victory. In the midst of the battle, Joshua led with the most important weapon -prayer. Joshua knew that he lack many resources to win the battle. He lacks skillful troops, he lacks time to fight. He knew he can't make any changes on his own, he look to God! Leaders lead their people to depend on God in the midst of fulfilling the task God has called them.
1John 5:14-15, Joshua 10:14 (The Lord stopped the sun for Joshua and Israel!)
As we have embarked the 12am prayer, I can sensed God stirring in my hearts as I prayed. Depend on God is not easy. Praying at 12am is not easy. There are 101 things I'm distracted to do. But when I start to pray, I just enjoy praying. God has led me to have ideas for the sermon preparation. He increased my love and burden for the freshmen. He showed me what to pray for them (their needs, theit struggles, what stops them.) I claimed the victory!
Lord, grow me and show me more of your heart for the people.... God, thanks for the 2 new friends that has crossed the line! 40 visitors confirmed as of last night. Continue to make miracles!
God is with us!
12am prayer, peeps!
last night, after the preachings in saturday services, Poly CL and above meet together for a time of prayer, learning the Word and worshiping together! thanks peeps, so glad to just serve God with you guys...
I was really so tired before the CLM but was encouraged and refreshed after the worship, prayer. initially i was having a slight headache before the teaching. but I was healed as I was in the midst of the teaching, thank you Lord!
I was reminded of God's power as I teached about the life of Joshua. How he believed the Lord of a won battle, how he obey the Lord to fight diligently for the battle and how he prayed till he receive the total victory...check In Joshua 10:5-15....
We were encouraged what God has done in those days will do like wise in our times. We are believing for a breakthough harvest this week! we will do to our utmost in sowing and connecting... and most of all, we gonna to look to God and pray for victory. we have fixed in the whole region leadership that we will set aside 5-10misn to pray at 12am for a breakthrough harvest!
- pray for at least 33 new friends to cross the line of faith
- pray for a strong anticipation and faith in the hearts of all sowers
- pray for strong spiritual atmosphere in this coming Sat service
- pray for anointing on the production, praise and worship and preaching!
lord, as you throw hailstones to help Joshua to win the battle, so we need your spiritual hailstones too! people really matters to you so do so for us...:)
you are with us, and that's enough!
creative and innovative marketing
i'm taking a few mintues again and I was surfing a website - Marketing and advertising website.
make a guess what store is the poster below trying to market? A toy store? An electrical outlet? A home improvement store?
I thought it's pretty refreshing for me to see how normal product or company can re-invent themselves through advertising and marketing channel. I like the idea of continually re-invent ourselves. Of course, values never change but the rest can change to meet the ever changing society.
Check out this website... http://retailloop.aslouken.com/
Enjoy! If you have any good design website, advertising website do share with me. I like to know and experience new ideas to old product!
okay... going back for sermon preparation....prepare...prepare.... holy Spirit, my good buddy...come on, let's do it again!
a dose of doubt may strenghten your faith
i was taking a break from sermon preparation. I took a book to read by Lee Strobel : God's outrageous claim. I have read this book 1 year ago i think and just now i was taking a break so I combed through my book shelve and thought of reading it again.
I like the chapter that talks about how doubts can build up our faith. doubt scares many Christians. they are pestered by ague uncertainties and persistent questions that make them feel anxious and vulnerable. and to make the matters worse, most Christians are reluctant to breathe a word about this, because they don't want to be embarrassed.
most Christians think that doubt is the opposite of faith, but it isn't. the opposite of faith is unbelief. Doubt comes from a word meaning "two". To believe is to be 'in one mind' abt accepting something is true; to disbelieve is to be 'in one mind' abt rejecting it. To doubt is to waver btw the two, to believe and disbelieve at once and so to be 'in two minds'. doubt only means swaying and staggering btw yes and no.
True believers can experience doubt. In both OT and NT, believers clearly express wide ranges of questioning, especially on topics as pain and evil, god's personal dealing with his people, and the issue of evidence of one's belief.
If you infected with doubts, it's needed to to something to regain our spiritual heath. and often that's not easy. don't be mislead to think that there's some spiritual elixir that will cure your questions. some people end up frustrated. but there is hope! when does doubt bcome unbelief? asked Alister McGrath (an experience theologian). She answered, when you let it...Do don't let it! so take action, you can prevent questions, concerns or doubts from mulitphying of control into full fledge unbelief.
Step 1 : Find the root of your doubt
This is the diagnostic phase, the time when you find out what's behind your particular strain of doubt.
Step 2 : Ask God and others for help
Turn to God for help - not as last resort but as top priority. Ask him to lead you to answers, to provide you with insight, to give you wisdom and to bloster your confidence. then turn to Christians in your life. While faith isn't literally contagious, we can benefit from hanging around with people who have deep and abiding beliefs.
Step 3 : Implement a course of treatment
Once you know the root cause and seek advices from God and advisors, then you'are in a better position to identify and implement a strategy for fighting doubt virus. If it's a matter of the will, ask yourself specifically where you're holding back from God. after all, the choice is yours.
Step 4 : Take scrupulous care of your spiritual health
A body is less suscepticle to viruses when it's healthy because it can fight off minor infections before they become serious. In a similar way, s strong faith is better able to fight off the doubt virus before it gains a foothold and threatens to overwhelm your defenses. your faith becomes stronger throgh knowledge and action.
Knowledge : get serious abt knowing more about God and why he is trust worthy. that involves not only read the bible but study the bible itself in a consistent and systematic way.
Action : We learn best by doing. We learn best about the trustworthiness of God when we make daily decision to submit to him. That's how we develop a shield!
Step 5 : Hold your remaining questions in tension
God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. We're limited people with limited minds, so we can't expect to understand everything about our unlimited God. Consequently, there are bound to be some mysteries that won't be resolved for the time being.
In some cases we'll get a better glimpse of an answer as we mature in our faith through the years. But in many instances we'll have to wait for eternity, when we meet Jesus then.
I will like to ask 'why disasters again and again? why is this one one way to approach the end times?'
So as you deal with your doubts, remember this : we may feel perplexed by mysteries, but there is no mystery to God. Apostles Paul also knew this truth. And Paul understood how little he himself knew. When you're fighting off a doubt virus, try transforming his words into a personal prayer..
"Lord, I can see and understand only a little about you now, as if I were peering at your reflection in a poor mirror, but someday I am going to see you in completeness, face to face. now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as you see into my heart right now."
okay, i need to get back to my sermon liao... prepare..prepare...prepare.....:):):)
satisfying your desires - 14th June!
After a great CYL on Sunday, we are all gearing up for a breakthrough harvest next Saturday! We will be having our 2nd ESS on 14th June, Satisfying ur desires. There will be a skit cum dance cum songs that talks about various young people's desires of their lives.
Indeed, God created us to have desires. Human being are passionate creatures. We live, we feel and we are created to be needed and accepted. We will explore together what are those desires and how it can be satisfy.
I could sensed a strong sense of anticipation from many leaders that we will see a breakthrough harvest next Saturday! Some are in fasting and praying. Some are having regular meet up with freshmen. Some are running matthew events.
Nel and I prayed togther that God will bless us with a breakthough harvest. God's presence and power will be on every one who are involved and move mightly in all hearts of freshmen!
Well, let's overflow Nexus and see overflow in the front of the stage and pack in more chairs! whoo!
PolyDiNs, let's pray hard and work hard on invitation and sharing our faith to our friends. So every CG have at least 1 new friend say yes to Jesus next week!
This is the link to send to your friends and freshmen as you invite them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGqSqBCVLV8
praying desperately...
lord, I'm coming before you to ask you to bless me, my leaders and the whole region! I come before unshamefully to ask you to bless us 200 times more! It's your desire to prosper your children. I claim that for my life and my leaders!
* grant us
good weather later!
* a great bonding with the visitors and freshmen!
* visitors will see PolyDiNs members' life and
curious to know more
* they will be interested to know about Jesus and will
say yes very soon
* all volunteers to be strong
* grant your
protection from physical harm
* bless us another
33 salvations in month of June
* Strengthen and encourage all Poly members to have urgency for harvest
* More
new shepherds and CLs raise up
* grant ULs and SDLs wisdom, courage and anointing to lead their group
* Poly to retain
450 in SS!
The future and destiny of our lives and group is fruitfulness!
Isa 54 : 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes."Numbers 11:23 "Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."yeappy! *meditating it and internalise it" Of course, we are born for more than these! yes, Lord, we will cross over the and take hold of our destiny. Thank you Jesus, in your name I pray, AMEN!
going to sleep and meeting NYP leaders for breakfast at 9am!
