Monday, April 27, 2009

Thanksgiving

It was a tiring, long yet beautiful weekend. 

Thank You God.

Details won't be put here but I want to live my life constantly thanking God for the things He has done for me.

Some thing on the other hand are not so good, but Jesus I have learnt to thank You as well and to put my hope only in You.

I shall look forth ahead and no turning back, 

Jesus is my help in times of need.

Amen.

Passion

Today was AGM after combined service.

Overall, I felt really discouraged by the session.

Since I'm blogging here, I will post my thoughts with utmost frankness.

Point 1 - I agree that times are down and bad and the whole world is going nuts over how to survive another day. But what about us as Christians? Do we need to worry like the world does? Did Jesus not feed the 5000 and even the 4000 on another occasion? If it is not known to anyone, Jesus actually needed more bread and fish to feed the 4000 than the 5000!

So what do I think about the economy and budgetting? 

Yes I agree we need prudence! We need to know how every cent is spent in the church to prevent anyone from falling into temptation by money, BUT let us not be blinded by the constraints of the economy. Let us stop worrying so much about how the economy will affect our church's progress.

You and me serve GOD, not money. So beat it Devil, you shall have no stronghold in our Church in JESUS' NAME!

Point 2 - Want to know how many salvations and attendees for the events, especially for the youth? I would say please look back and if anyone does not remember, it WAS reported that Le Grande had 60 visitors and 6 salvations!

If you are reading my posts and wondering why the over-reacted posts, it's simply because I cannot stand the questions asked during AGM and I was the chairman of Le Grande. 
I feel hurt by the judgemental criticisms/comments/remarks/questions.

Here's my views for whoever is interested:
1 - Tell me any events ever in WRPF history that had 6 salvations during the event itself. I can hardly remember. If you do, please tag me and remind me. I will thank God for that and keep it in my heart.

2 - Tell me is it a rationale to compare dollar for every soul saved? Then can anyone explain why events that costs tens of thousands cannot gain more souls that 1 Le Grande which costed about 3k?

3 - Tell me if I am wrong, that the youths and Young Adults did not put their efforts into the 2 events? I still remembered Le Papillon's organisers in Church the night before, trying to rush out every detail to make sure the event would be presentable. And Le Grande, does anyone know how many people were involved and how much manpower was put into it? 

Seriously I have so much more to blast out here but I refuse to. For the Glory of God and may God have mercy on me, I pray that we are doing our individual best for God and not stand one side criticising what others are doing for God and forgetting what they are really trying to achieve. 

I thought AGM was all about God's House and His business.

Yet today it felt like a circus to me; a joke. 

I hope we did not have any visitors sitting in today, may God forgive us for our ignorance.


Finally to my dear readers, I hope to let you understand that I believe in using every effort to reach out and win souls for God, no matter what the cost! 

And that our lives would show how true our faith is in Christ. No need for evaluation. God sees our hearts and He will know. So why not start living out our lives the way God wants us to!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Higher

Jesus was raised from the dead by God.

God can do the same for my finances, for my work/studies and even my relationships.

He can do the same for you too.

He can set you free from your sins.

Do you want Him to?

God bless!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

I don't understand

There it was, the trip I did not expect to sign up for.
I did, on that day I took the form.
I did not know and I did not expect the unexpected.

I told God I don't know how I would handle it.
I asked Him to show me how or make a way for me.

In the end, I guess He really did. 

I'm confused. So many possiblities running through my mind. 
Should I have never agreed to go?

If there is one thing I've learnt, 
God is faithful in every seaon and I should (or must) trust in Him.

Jesus, Lifter of my head I hold on to You

Monday, April 13, 2009

Praise the Lord

God is good all the time and
all the time God is good!

Church income has increased in 2008 despite the downturns and I choose to believe that it was God who has provided all this time.

May we continue to trust in Him to bring us through every season and let us not be in want for He is our Good Shepherd.

Warriors of God rise up and know that He has never forsaken us in our crusade for Christ =)

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter

Today is Easter. This week was remembrance of Jesus' death and resurrection.

I am reminded once again of His great Love, Agape love that supercedes everything.

Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.

This week went by really quick since it was a 4 day work week.
Got to see how God worked in my camp with my friends.
I pray that one day, they will come to know You Jesus.

On a side note, I was speaking to A Mary today and heard a news that kind of surprised me.
I don't know how I will handle it but I guess God has a plan =)

Jesus loves you and me!

Friday, April 10, 2009

The reason I live

And this day, I dedicate this post to You.

You who came to this world;

To take all my sin and shame;

To make a way for me;

Irregardless of who I am or what I had done;

You loved me and You still love me.

This is for You, Lord Jesus!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Fairness?

At a recent competition of the Nationals’ Inter-Schools Badminton round robin, I have very strong reasons to believe a questionable judgment was made. Anglican High and Maris Stella High were involved in this incident were playing against each other, deciding who will proceed to the next level of the Nationals which is held yearly.

The match was played over 5 games, namely 3 singles and 2 doubles games in the Lower Secondary Division, commonly known as the C’ Division in the school sporting scene. The event came down right to the very last moment as both sides had won 2 games each, the school that wins the final singles game will win the match and eventually proceed to the next round robin.

As it was held at Tampines Indoor Sports Hall and the match was the last game of the day that was ongoing, spectators from other participating schools and onlookers gathered around to watch the single deciding game that meant a lot to both schools involved.

The game went on to a 3rd set that dragged on even to deuce at 20 plus points, which in the badminton scene is quite a rare occasion. Both sides were determined to enter the next round. I happened to be a graduate from Maris Stella High; I feel that Singaporeans need to know that the local schools sporting scene does not only promote excellence but should also enforce honesty and fairness in every sport.

Right down to the crucial moment, my school’s player dived to receive a smash from his opponent and managed to receive the shuttlecock over the net. He won the game point. The line-judge, who was from a third-party school, declared the shuttle in the court (which was very obviously within the court) to the umpire(also known as the referee). My school team jumped to their feet, rejoicing and cheering over the victory they would had gave away just moments ago.

At this point, the umpire did not announce the results and which school was the winner, which was questionable as the Rules state that the umpire must declare the winner immediately once the game point was won. The umpire was then seen by many speaking to the opposing team’s head coach, who is a well-known name in the local badminton scene, before declaring to my school’s team that they actually lost as he had judged the shuttlecock out of the court.

This was contrary to the line-judge’s decision and I believed many spectators at the game. My point here is why did the umpire not declared the winner immediately as the Rules stated?  And by having spoken to the opposing team’s coach in private, what happened to affect his final decision in declaring the winning team?

I am encouraged to hear that Singapore will be hosting the Youth Olympic Games, which would bring together the world’s finest youth athletes. Yet, such incidents that might be happening around in the local sporting scene has brought up doubts in my heart such as fairness in the sporting scene.

I am disappointed to know that my school’s team has lost their chance to proceed to the next level. Though having submitted their appeal to the Convener for the games, chances are slim that the judgment be overturned. But I am writing in belief that our sporting scene would become one that is world-class in terms of standards and free of questionable factors.