We’ll be running this new Orientation 101 Course in rather unique way…. Come and discover.. Why Children’s Ministry? What is History Teaching Us? HopeKids Dynamics? What Is HopeKids Doing? Games & Fun and a chance to interact with the HopeKids Leaders.
If you are in Singapore, come to…
- Asia Room, Nexus Auditorium
- Sunday, 3 February 2008
- 1:30 - 3 pm.
My car wheels were clamped on Saturday night. I had to go back to the office to print my Leadership Huddle notes. Someone had his car parked in our reserved lot, so I thought its okay to park in someone else’s since it’ll only take 10 minutes to print 15 copies. Also I didn’t want to park too far away when its 11pm dark. It took me just a bit longer than 10 minutes but when I finally got it done, came out, I saw the staff of the parking lot management just completed clamping my wheels.
He was still there so I talked with him, I pleaded, I begged. I asked for mercy. He wouldn’t budge. I surrendered and paid my due.
I wasn’t angry. It was my wrong, the officer wasn’t against me, he was just doing his job.
I think the person who parked in our reserved lot wasn’t against me either. He was about his own thing.
And I surely wasn’t against the person whom I parked at his lot as well. For a split second I was just thinking of getting my job done and go home.
Yes “People aren’t against us, they are just for themselves”. Knowing this, gives me more order and opportunity in life and ministry than many other things.
I remember the promise of God’s blessings, I remember character needed to contain it.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
What I’ve been researching and thinking about is how our thought life is such a big part of our spiritual life.
When we pray, it involves thought
When we read God’s word, we become thoughtful
When we sin and lust, it starts first with a thought
When God gives us dreams and visions, we see it in thoughts
When God transforms us, He would renew our mind and our thought.
It is so significant! I really think our thought life is our spiritual life because every spiritual act we do starts with the will first.
If we just let our Christian action shape us (without considering what’s happening inside in the form of we think), then its tragedy waiting to happen.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Oh by the way that last piece of advice was from God …. and its not only for brothers but for you sisters too.
2 nights ago, I was out with my long time friend for a drink at McDonalds. Met him at Woodlands 12 midnight and talked until 1:30am. Reach home at 2am which is perhaps the latest for quite some time as a married man with 3 kids. Yesterday had lunch with 5 of my former NCS colleagues and in the evening spending time with my care group. Today is just the day to get set for a wild weekend. It’s going to be Chern Han and another friends birthday on Saturday and Adult service leading plus HopeKids leadership huddle on Sunday.
All these events and catching up with people can be exhausting. Furthermore I haven’t really been too discipline (after the stomach problem in KL) which resulted in the past few days of un-engagement. Chasing time, doing the motion in many things and just rushing, this morning, I try to re-engaged again.
I read Psalm 37 and it whispers to me all these things…
…Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight myself in the Lord and he will give me the desires of my heart.
Commit my way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make my righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of my cause like the moonday sun.
Yes ‘commit’, ‘trust’, ‘delight in Him’ ….. It is going to be well with my soul.
It’s going to be dad’s birthday. I’m looking for a CD Player. This second hand one is going for cheap.
I realise when I look for a CD Player, I don’t just go to K-Mart, Courts, or Best Denki to choose one. Instead I go to the web, I gather information, I ask, I research, I compare, and single out one I would like to look at. I do all that because I care about the player I buy. Similarly I get a lot of books, resources and CDs specially ordered because I care about what I read and listen to.
A few days ago, I went to Coffee Bean for a latte. It wasn’t too bad. I wondered why I never go there. Whenever I look for coffee, I just go to Starbucks by default. Is there other better place that serves the best coffee for me? Don’t I care about my coffee?
Where do we go when you look for a community? Do we just go to any church? Maybe conveniently drop by the biggest one in town. Don’t you think its good to pray and consider one you can belong to, serve in and make a difference?
If so, I recommend my community at Hope Church. Talk to me. Spend some time. Do it because you care about your life.
I came to know a Mac as a student around 17 years ago. I owned a Mac LCIII and was even a Mac programmer for a year. Then I backslided for almost 13 years before coming back 6 months ago having decided to re-commit to the Mac. Today I know I’m saved because I use a Mac Mini, a product from a very innovative & progressive company.