Don’t rely on leadership skills to lead, use the skill of ourselves immerse in the presence of God. How can we use that skill when we do not know or aren’t familiar with how it feels to be in God’s presence? To carry His presence, we need to be present in His presence. The tip of the day is to start your day being in the intensity of His presence.

I did it this morning. Woke up at 5 to fulfill a promise, run and spend quality time with the Lord. I managed to wash the car and fill up petrol in the tank too.

Oh what a feeling! Yes we lead better when all our tanks are full!

Looking at the design for the stickers we are doing for HopeKids birthday presents this year.

As I’m doing this, I’m reminded that we are one of many parts of the body of Christ with unique makeup and functions. We celebrate birthdays to highlight that every one is special. Often in the hustle of busyness we forget who we are and so unconciously blend into systems and norms that makes us sacrifice who we are.

Re-clarifying our purpose prayerfully in a regular manner if not daily makes a difference. I did that this morning where I’m reminded that …..

I’m loved and directed and my purpose is to
Work hard, pray hard,
invest in whatever makes the biggest
difference in people’s lives

* MY (H-A-P-P-Y) VALUES *

H-ave a Cup of Coffee
(Don’t Take Life Too Seriously)
A-dd Value To Life
(Maximise Quality & Time For Life)
P-ut People First
(People Before Stuff)
P-ay Now, Play Later
(Give & For What Is Better Later)
Y-ield Myself To God
(Connect to Shine For Him Everyday)

I’m His.

We tried it twice. Once on the last Sunday of 2009 and another recently at Suntec Convention Hall. To have parents, infants, toddlers and kids up to 12 in the same room is by human logic a big nightmare.  But I thought the team did well in both these events. It went as planned admist some inexperience on our part in communicating and leading the motley crew. But I’m not too sure what becomes of these events but we really dream that it can turn out to be regular adults & kids experience that will inspire more discipleship at home.

Penny took pictures that capture the Suntec event

Every Chinese New Year, we do a paternal side reunion on the first day but this year is different. We went to Johor Bahru and had a great time with Mag’s family. The family team is getting younger with 6 kids in our midst. Our focus seemed to be shifting from ourselves to what is to be the next generation.

Awesome!

Extracted directly from Children’s Ministry 1234
http://childrensministry1234.com/cmblog/?p=717

Breaking The Pain Barrier by Paul Orton

Researchers at Melbourne’s Howard Florey Institute have discovered how the brain prioritises pain and thirst in order to survive. A mechanism that helps athletes ‘push through the pain barrier’.

Read on: http://www.thankyouday.org/content/documents/BrainPainThirst_30.01.06.pdf

So many leave ministry, step down, back up as they approach the barrier of pain. Our flesh is constantly fighting with our spirit as we tirelessly serve in the church. Isn’t it interesting that our thirst determines the extremity of our pain? There is no doubt, that as we serve in a church full of people, that there will be pain. People will hurt us along our journey.

I can’t wait to meet Joseph, a man who was betrayed by his own brothers, punished for a sin he didn’t commit, and because he magnified and drew his strength from the Lord, he was taken to a place of honour and favour.

Sometimes In your ministry you may feel like there is never enough time, resource, money or leaders. Maybe you’ve lost your thirst, or you’re at a place where you feel exhausted, undervalued, enough is enough…you may have even decided that next Sunday is your last week.

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:37-38)

If you’re pain feels overwhelming, maybe it’s time to check your hydration. Are you thirsty? Where are you planted and positioned? The enemy will come to isolate and disconnect, allowing the individual to feel alone in their trial. How many times do friends, leaders in the church suddenly disappear, leaving only a message that they have moved on or were looking elsewhere? Could this be the dry mark of the thirsty?

“He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8)

When was the last time you felt the overflow that comes with spending time in His presence? He wants to breathe His life on you today, right where you are. He is faithful, and He will fill you again and again. You were never made to do it alone.

11Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

(2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Let’s draw from Him, live with Him and reign with Him as we prepare ourselves for ‘Even Greater’ in 2010.

If problems are called problems it’ll remain problems.

If it is called ‘opportunities’ or ‘a chance to better ourselves and let Christ shine’, then things changes. Things change because our words (which reflects what is inside) change.

Change because things only change when we do………….

Went back to Kuala Lumpur for early chinese new year. Back and barely surviving the food and travel. The roast lamb was simply irresistable.

This is Day 12. Morning club is a light jog, prayer and learning that life is about exchanges. We either ‘give to get’ or ‘give to live’. People settle for the former and love through sacrifice as modelled to us by the Lord is fast becoming a lost art.

We have remodelling to do.

Upgraded from Photoshop Elements to full Photoshop 7. I know its an old version but its new to me and I’m so excited by features that were unavailable to me in my old version. Raymond kindly took some time to teach me the Pen Tool which is a fantastic new tool for cartooning and other imaging needs we do children’s ministry. Ray used his talent to serve me and I thought that it was a wonderful example of service in the staff team.

I learned from Andy Stanley to ask “How may I use my talents to help you with your work in your department?” to increase mutual submission and help to one another. If everyone spends some time with the habit of asking this question, it will unite the team to fulfill God’s vision and mission in our church. I tried it out with Cryst in the Education department one day and she was caught by surprise. So she thought for a long time. A few minutes later, she finally thought of something but before she could continue, I blurted out “times up!”.

I do have a lot to learn about being less busy and more available to help. It is a great dream that we are submissive to one another. To honor and be honorable. To serve and to be allowed service so that together we are united in purpose.

I have done better with others after that and we are moving on!