heartbeat of the fellowship

China Ban Bibles

2007-11-09T06:42:00.000+08:00

TESTING THE FAITH
Bibles banned from 2008 Olympic village
China also warns visitors not to bring more than single copy

Posted: November 7, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

Chinese Christian reading the Bible

Chinese officials have announced athletes who compete in the 2008 Beijing Games will be banned from having Bibles in their Olympic village housing, and even visitors are being warned not to bring more than a single Bible with them when they come to China.

According to a report from the Catholic News Agency, Bibles will be among the list of "prohibited objects" for athletes at the Beijing housing complexes being built now for the thousands of athletes expected to participate.

"According to the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, organizers have cited 'security reasons' and have prohibited athletes from bearing any kind of religious symbol at Olympic facilities," the report said.

Read more at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58544

Word of the Day 20 October

2007-10-20T06:31:00.000+08:00

Who is among you that feareth the Lord … that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God
Isa. 50:10

“In fierce storms,” said an old seaman, “we can do but one thing, there is only one way; we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”

This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you; and then you can do but one thing; there is only one way.

Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Even prayer fetches no consolation. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there.

You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may—winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers—no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm, and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness, His covenant engagement, His everlasting love in Christ Jesus.
Richard Fuller

Word of the day - 11 October 2007

2007-10-11T00:45:00.000+08:00

Word of the day for you! you know who you are. =D

O Lord God, thou knowest

Ezek. 37:3

Here is the response of faith. “Thou knowest!” What a pillow for the heart to repose upon! “Thou knowest!” What few but comprehensive words to sum up and express the heart’s difficulties and perplexities and trials. “Thou knowest!” What an inexpressibly sweet resting-place in the midst of life’s tumultuous heavings; in the midst of a sea that knows no calm; in the midst of a scene in which tossings to and fro are the hourly history! What an answer they contain for every heart that can find no words to express its big emotions; for a heart whose sorrows are too deep for language to find its way to God! Oh, that they were ever uppermost in the soul, as the response to every difficulty in our path! They are God’s answer to everything we cannot fathom; God’s answer for our hearts to rest upon, and our lips to utter, when every way is hedged up so that we cannot pass. “O Lord God, thou knowest!” Rest here, believer. Lean thy soul on these words. Repose calmly on the bosom of thy God, and carry them with thee into every scene of life. “O Lord God, thou knowest.”

Motivation - by Phil Pringle

2007-10-10T23:16:00.000+08:00

MOTIVATION

Quote - ' People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing; that's why we recommend it daily.' - Zig Ziglar

You're going to love this;

Getting motivated is essential.

From the inside, the outside, from wherever.

'Why sit we here till we die', say the four lepers in the Biblical record as they sit outside the besieged city of Samaria.

If we sit forever, we will sit till we die.

Being motivated is not just being inspired though.

Motivation goes to work.

If motivation doesn't result in action it is futile.

Embrace work as your best friend.

As you go to work the motivation increases.

Accept work as your life. Accept life as work.

Not obsessive work without rest; not activity without productivity, but work that is paced, purposeful and productive.

The dreams of a lazy man will kill him.

Renounce laziness; embrace industry. Go for it!

Do something!

Stepping out with you,

Word of the day 9 October 2007

2007-10-09T02:47:00.001+08:00

When I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me

Micah 7:8

If you are willing to choose the seeming darkness of faith instead of the illumination of reason, wonderful light will break out upon you from the Word of God.

A. J. Gordon

Word of the day 4 October 2007

2007-10-04T00:36:00.001+08:00

Specially selected for many of us. You know who you are. =DDD

Be not afraid, only believe

Mark 5:36

Be not downcast if difficulties and trials surround you in your heavenly life. They may be purposely placed there by God to train and discipline you for higher developments of faith. If He calls you to “toiling in rowing,” it may be to make you the hardier seaman, to lead you to lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and, above all, to drive you to a holier trust in Him who has the vessel and its destinies in His hand, and who, amid gathering clouds and darkened horizon and crested billows is ever uttering the mild rebuke to our misgivings—”Said I not unto thee, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God?”

Macduff

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (October 4). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Word of the day 2 October 2007

2007-10-02T01:53:00.001+08:00

God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him

1 John 4:16

God is love; and it is good, as it is true, to think that every sun-ray that touches the earth has the sun at the other end of it; so every bit of love upon God’s earth has God at the other end of it.

Mark Guy Pearse

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (October 2). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Word of the day 27 Sept 07

2007-09-27T12:32:00.000+08:00

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom

Ps. 90:12

Every day is a little life; and our whole life is but a day repeated: whence it is that old Jacob numbers his life by days; and Moses desires to be taught this point of holy arithmetic—to number not his years, but his days. Those, therefore, that dare lose a day, are dangerously prodigal; those that dare misspend it, desperate.

Understanding that we are living in the grace of God in each and every of our living days can only propel us to live our lives to the fullest for Him.

Truly YF (YF = old)

2007-09-17T01:31:00.000+08:00

haha.. i found this picture. You guys certainly can't believe this

i have three words....

LOL

Word of the day 17 September

2007-09-17T01:16:00.000+08:00

The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many

Matt. 20:28

We are so to surrender ourselves to Christ that this great purpose of His coming shall claim and possess the whole life. We are to live, like God, to bless others. This is His will, His purpose concerning us. This is what His power waits to do for us. And this too, is the claim of His great love upon us.

Do not sigh a poor assent to the truth of it, and then pass by neglectfully on the other side. Do not think about it and pray about it without even a passing hope that the prayer will be answered. Do not gather yourself up in great resolutions to be good and useful. Kneel in sight of the Crucified. In the cross of Christ spell out His great purpose and yearning love to men. Let the heart feel all the might of the appeal that comes to us from those torn hands and feet and bleeding brow, from all the dreadful shame and agony of our dear Lord. And, bought and bound by all this, surrender yourself to Him for His great purpose. Take Him as your strength for this life-work.

Word of The Day 6 September 2007

2007-09-06T22:54:00.000+08:00

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness

Dan. 9:9

As a spring lock closes itself, but cannot be unlocked without a key, so we ourselves may run into sin, but cannot return without the key of God’s grace.

Daniel's Prayer

2007-09-05T01:32:00.001+08:00

Today I was reading this passage, and I wonder if it speaks to you as much as it did to me.

Daniel 9

Daniel's Prayer

1 In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus ^[a] (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian ^[b] kingdom- 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 "Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
"Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

Word of the Day 30 August 2007

2007-08-30T00:33:00.001+08:00

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world

1 John 2:15

If you will go to the banks of a little stream, and watch the flies that come to bathe in it, you will notice that, while they plunge their bodies into the water, they keep their wings high out of the water; and, after swimming about a little while, they fly away with their wings unwet through the sunny air. Now, that is the lesson for us. Here we are immersed in the cares and business of the world; but let us keep the wings of our soul, our faith and our love, out of the world, that, with these unclogged, we may be ready to take our flight to Heaven.

J. Inglis

We are not flies, but it works the same. hahaha

Photos of Captain Ball Friendly

2007-08-27T23:03:00.002+08:00

The photos of our captain's ball friendly match with St Paul's Church is out!
although we only played 2 matches before God decided to give us a good bath, i'm sure we had fun that day.

Click here for more photos!

Word of the Day 26 August 2007

2007-08-26T09:06:00.000+08:00

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him

2 Tim. 2:12

The photographer must have a negative, as he calls it, in order to furnish you with a picture. Now, the earthly cross is the negative from which the heavenly crown is to be made; the suffering and sorrow of the present time determining the glory, honor and immortality of the life to come.

A. J. Gordon

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (August 26). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Fall

2007-08-21T16:50:00.001+08:00

I love to worship You, my God
I love to worship You, my Lord
And see Your Spirit fall in power
Your love unfolding
Gifts from heaven

I love to worship You, my God
I love to worship You, my Lord
And feel Your precious
Breath of heaven
Your all consuming love

Holy Spirit come in power
Change my heart
I want to live for You, my God
Let Your Spirit come in power
Change my life
That I may live for You my Lord
Fall on us Lord

So I yearn for You
Long to see You move
Lord, I lift my hands before my King and pray

Just Stop and Think

2007-08-21T00:33:00.001+08:00

Courtesy of Song Lee...

Word of The Day 16 August 2007

2007-08-16T11:25:00.000+08:00

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness

2 Cor. 12:9

God’s way of answering His people’s prayers is not by removing the pressure, but by increasing their strength to bear it. The pressure is often the fence between the narrow way of life and the broad road to ruin; and if our Heavenly Father were to remove it, it might be at the sacrifice of Heaven. Oh, if God had removed that thorny fence in answer, often to earnest prayers, how many of us would now be castaways! How the song of many a saint now in glory would be hushed! How many a harp would be unstrung! How many a place in the mansions of the redeemed would be unfilled! If God answered all the prayers we put up to Heaven, we should need no other scourge. Blessed it is that we have One who is too loving to grant what we too often so rashly ask.

F. Whitfield

next post, sermon collection in NLW for the past month. Stay tuned....

A response from the heart

2007-08-07T02:50:00.000+08:00

I was just looking for a song to respond my love to God when this song suddenly played on my Winamp. Guess I'll share with us all; because this song seriously brought every single response out from my heart.

诗歌名称：仰望恩典
所属专辑：让爱走动
所在系列：赞美之泉系列

歌词：
每一天，每一夜
每一分钟，我仰望你的恩典
患难时，在我喜乐时
你双手领我进入你恩典

主耶稣你宝血
洗净我一切的罪孽
为我死，为我而流泪
赐给我无尽的恩典

我能有什么给你啊，能报答你付的代价
每当我定睛你十架，眼泪不禁潸然地落下
我的心不要忘记啊
他鞭伤换来新的生命啊
从此不再忧伤，不再挣扎
在耶稣怀里我有平安自由、希望

All Glory to God! and Songlee.. please remember to write the article. hahahaha

Festival of Praise!!!!

2007-08-05T02:48:00.001+08:00

The festival of praise was a great time for us to gather and celebrate several things:

- The growing young Christian population

- The nation’s prosperity and peace

- A greater unity between the Singapore and even International Church

A festival in the OT, normally found in significant events like after a victorious war, or a construction of something grand for God, lasts for days, and is accompanied by great joy, dancing, singing, praising and basically – giving glory and thanksgiving to God for all that had happened.

Similarly today, we celebrate and give thanks for all God has provided: the reason why Don Moen fittingly started today’s proceedings with the song “Give Thanks”

However, I do realize that with the increasing number of youth population believing in Christ; amidst the celebration, we also need to educate and ensure the correct purpose is brought out.

For those who attended the Festival of Praise (FOP) for the first time, or have attended it for a few times and are unsure, or wish to discuss several issues regarding it; this article is for that purpose. To educate, discuss, clarify and ensure that a common understanding and even a correct purpose is met and delivered.

I believe it is paramount that as worshippers of the same church, we have a common understanding or sacraments, of worship, of thanksgiving, and of a festival to glorify God.

Please do not mistaken when I mean educate and discuss. Firstly, nothing is done wrongly. The intention of this festival is genuinely to glorify God, and I have no doubts over that; but there are things to learn from this episode in our lives, and more certainly, will be good if we can learn them together and understand each other before we move on to greater pastures for our God.

1. Expectations

Don Moen and Delirious? are 2 very celebrated international worship teams. I particularly enjoy Don Moen’s songs and repeatedly play them on youtube without feeling sick of it.

Phil Pringle too is a celebrated figure, and I myself subscribe to his newsletters. I like his entertaining yet enriching preaching and I certainly enjoyed listening to him live.

However, with all these excitement, all these celebrated figures attending this festival; where did our expectations before we came for this festival really lie at?

I’m not trying to suggest that we are here for these people, no. But sometimes, with an establishment of a particular event or activity, we tend to lose the purpose of the correct expectation. Did we really come here to celebrate what God has done in our lives, or to experience and encounter something different, or even to seek something we thought we could not find in our own local church, or worst still just to see these people.

It is a very dangerous area to trudge into, and fundamentally, it challenges the fact that God is omnipresent and even to the extreme extent of promoting idolatry.

2. Worship Teams

I enjoy having Don Moen leading worship because he is able to put and explain 3 components of worship into every song.

1. Encouragement

2. Verse and biblical meaning

3. Response through singing and instrumental worship

He simply is a man anointed by God for the music ministry, and I truly have no doubts more believers will be touched by God through his worship ministry.

Delirious? on the other hand is a popular evangelistic band. If you noticed, there is a significant difference of being a church music ministry worship leader and an evangelistic band worship leader.

Worship teams like planet shakers, hillsongs, Christian city church worship team are all dedicated worship ministries in their local church. There is a significant difference in delivery compared to evangelistic bands like Third Day, Delirious? to name a few.

These evangelistic bands are more “performance based”. They provide the gap between unbelievers and Christian music, evangelizing through their live’s responses via the song lyrics and their testimonies.

Therefore there might a certain culture shock when we experience Delirious?’s music for the first time. They might seem a little more like performing than worshipping, although their songs do indeed contain deep and even biblical meaning.

All in all, God works in ways we cannot see, and it is not in our ability to judge. But there is a reminder that we need to take note from this. For those performing servant artists chosen to play instruments for God or lead worship; today as we step up on stage: remember, that we should enjoy worshipping, and not enjoy performing.

3. Offering

Many churches are adopting a style of offering between the sermon and worship. And before the offering, the pastor provides a simple encouragement to the congregation, reminding them about the meaning of offering.

Many people view this as a pep talk to induce people to offer more, or to invoke the hearts of people with the word of God. The latter will be valid if the words preached indeed come from the word of God. While the former is subjective to interpretation and I reiterate our position not to judge, but to accept that God is in control.

The Pastor from Assemblies of God used Psalm 50:10-12 as a verse to encourage. It mentions that everything belongs to God, and God is not in need. He is like a rich friend that we have problem finding a birthday gift to.

He then used this story to transit from the biblical verse into his own theory: that whatever is precious to us, is precious to God. His theory and the verse he used has as little correlation as I can think of.

This statement is subjected to context interpretation and I will not discuss it. Rather, I wish to point out that from this juncture onwards, he related the third part of his preaching on this theory he conjured; treating it like it came from the bible.

A heart of discernment is something we should always pray for. But yet I do not fully agree that this is wrong. As a preacher myself, I do get misunderstood easily, and I do believe that a single message does not preach to everyone in the congregation. So I leave the teaching work to the spirit and stop this section here.

4. Speaking of tongues

Speaking of tongues is a common phenomenon in all charismatic churches. In every FOP, there will definitely be speaking of tongues. However in previous FOPs, the preacher will distant himself from the microphone while praying in tongues; this year is a little different.

Speaking of tongues was discussed by Paul to the Corinthian Churches. It is a gift from the spirit, just like any other gift that we receive from God. And the Methodist viewpoint is that not everyone will receive this gift. Just like how not everybody receives the similar gift of administration, or music.

As such, the speaking of tongues is not a necessary component is presenting our worship to God, or an ascertainment of our identity with Christ.

Also, Paul mentioned in his letters to the Corinth church, that the speaking of tongues shall be done without stumbling other brothers.

The gift of tongues is a personal intimate language spoken to praise and worship God. However, as mentioned, this personal language does not signify exclusiveness; which is what the church in Corinth is facing - a case of spiritual caste segregation because of tongues.

In this light, Paul encouraged the church to fully utilize the gift that God gave us, but not at the expense of stumbling our brothers, sisters or even newcomers in our midst. So it must be practiced with an important attribute that I will mention again: discernment from the spirit.

There are still certain issues I will love to discuss and hopefully we can learn from each other. But all in all, the festival of praise had been a great time of worshipping and I can’t help to keep thanking God for how He has really changed lives using such an incredible tool.

The sight of my brothers and sisters in Christ being touched by the spirit and weeping, lifting their hands to worship and surrendering their lives to God really encourages me. And I am convinced God will make greater use of this festival for His purpose.

I hope this article has been helpful to you in understanding and noticing certain viewpoints that might not be seen to you. We as Christians must be aware of the happenings around us, to prevent the bad from happening and to encourage the good.

All praise and glory to God. Amen!

Word of the Day 4 August

2007-08-04T12:28:00.000+08:00

He entered into one of the ships … and … sat down

Luke 5:3

When Jesus sits in the ship everything is in its right place. The cargo is in the hold, not in the heart. Cares and gains, fears and losses, yesterday’s failure and today’s success do not thrust themselves in between us and His presence. The heart cleaves to Him. “Goodness and mercy shall follow me”, sang the Psalmist. Alas, when the goodness and mercy come before us, and our blessings shut Jesus from view! Here is the blessed order—the Lord ever first, I following Him, His goodness and mercy following me.

Mark Guy Pearse

So... what is your priority today?

Festival of Praise 2007

2007-07-30T22:37:00.001+08:00

The annual Festival of Praise (FOP) is back again on 3 - 5 Aug 07. Come and be renewed with Mike MacIntosh, Don Moen and Delirious? for a time of passionate praise and worship.

Details are as follows:

Date: 3 - 5 August

Times:

Fri (3 Aug): 1930h

Sat (4 Aug): 1930h (LETS GO ON THIS DATE)

Sun (5 Aug): 1930h

Venue:

Singapore Indoor Stadium
2 Stadium Walk
Singapore 397691
Contact: +65 6737-6266

Dear all, interested parties to go for FOP this saturday please leave a comment.

We should be leaving church by 4pm to queue up. Saboteur and Blokus will be available for queuing up entertainment. hahahahah. Inform anyone you can about this link now!

The Greatest Love of All

2007-07-18T02:18:00.000+08:00

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?

And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.

"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an Institution.''

But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''

"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want To do that.''

Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore For two weeks.''

That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, It felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''

And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a Single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''

How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.

Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you Think?

Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.

``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' One doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.

``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''

And the video is below....

The creator of this video used the song "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. Listen carefully to the song; the creator meant for us to put Dick's love for Rick in parallel with God's fatherly love for us - at an even greater extent of even giving us His only son's life for our sake. If we could only imagine this great love....

feel touched, feel inspired.. and most importantly for today: FEEL LOVED

Correct Focus

2007-07-17T00:09:00.000+08:00

King Saul brings about a negative connotation of the kings in Israel's history; not withstanding the fact that he is in fact the first appointed king over might Israel under the Lord's command.

He was a man after God's heart initially and thus Israel was mighty and blessed under his stewardship. However this wasn't the case for his entire kingship, he lost the correct focus near the end of his era.

God revealed his successor, an insulting gesture if king Saul was the one in charge; but he wasn't, and he saw that revelation as offensive. It was no longer God's Kingdom; but rather, the focus switched to King Saul's Kingdom. It was no longer stewardship, it became a monarchy: a monarch of his own life.

He tried to retain his place and fought David's army - the Lord's army, and lost a humiliating battle; dying at the hands of his most hated nemesis: the Philistines.

It was no one's fault but his. His focus was distorted during the process of serving God.

John the Baptist had followers, people who were eager to listen to him preach about the coming of Christ. He had all the attention, all the "glamour" and all the authority in his speeches.

Until this man Jesus really came, John the Baptist was left to nothing. His followers followed Jesus, people stopped consulting him and went for the real deal. But John the Baptist humbly followed and continued serving the Lord till his last breath - his death also a result of serving God.

John's focus was never swayed: he knew he was the steward from the start, and never the star. He knew God was the star and he laid down his life just to attribute all glory to Him.

Today as we consider these 2 characters in the bible; let us reflect whether our focus have swayed in any manner; that an implementation of a certain structure such as ministry, programs, events or even a kingdom like Saul's, can make us lose our focus of why we started the structure in the first place.

It might not be as extreme as fighting God head on, but mild possessiveness, personal agendas and even serving as a habit can become a hazardous reagent in our spiritual life.

I end with a verse reminding us that the best man in the wedding is happy that the groom is the star of the show, and not stealing the limelight from him. God must increase, and we must decrease.

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.

John 3:29-30

Intensity of action

2007-07-10T02:25:00.000+08:00

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

There is no excuse, all intensities are covered: walking, standing and even sitting.

"But I didn't do anything!! I was just merely sitting down with them!"
- oh no my dear lazy bummer friend who just sits down with mockers and live in self denial that the intensity is not great enough to constitute sin; YOU ARE NOT BLESSED! lol

Be careful when we read this psalm though. Although we detest the sin, we must love the sinner. A very fine line at times, but it is something we must discern and act accordingly. People say the bible is contradicting, they just don't read deep enough into it. =D

Food for thought today. and for those who have not memorized the ten commandments, you are officially 2 days due from deadline. =D

First person to comment with the 10 commandments without referring to anything gets a free chocolate on Sunday. =D

Sinning

2007-07-03T01:07:00.000+08:00

Paraphrasing from Pastor Chua's sermon on Sunday,

"Sinning is not immediate event. Rather, it is a reaction originating from the source of a lifestyle revolving around sin itself."

The next time you fall into temptation and subsequently into sin, don't blame yourself too much for that immediate event or that wrong choice you made; instead, seek out the source of where that choice originated from.

Remember,

no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

Till next time, stay focused and remove the source of your sin.

Summer School Motivation! Part 5

2007-06-30T01:06:00.001+08:00

let's not forget the backstage heroes... hilarious clip.. a pastor goes backstage... only pastor teoh can pull that off i'm sure...

Summer School Motivation! Part 4

2007-06-30T00:44:00.001+08:00

How can we forget... the drums... hahahahahahahahaha

Summer School Motivation! Part 3

2007-06-30T00:38:00.000+08:00

ok... by the popular demand of our keyboardist...

its the same song.. wonderfully done...

Summer School Motivation! Part 2

2007-06-29T14:50:00.000+08:00

Blown away by His Amazing Grace yet? now for guitars and vocals. Something simpler and achievable.

Summer School Motivation! Part 1

2007-06-29T14:03:00.000+08:00

haha.. to motivate those people attending summer school. We will be featuring a series of videos of several instruments. We'll start with the bass! haha.. you might have watched this before.. but trust me, you'll never get sick of this amazing grace... =D

Word of the day: 29 June 07

2007-06-29T14:01:00.000+08:00

Sleep on now, and take your rest

Mark 14:41

Never did that sacred opportunity to watch with Christ return to His disciples. Lost then, it was lost forever. And now when Jesus is still beholding the travail of His soul in the redemption of the world, if you fail to be with Him watching for souls as they that must give account, remember that the opportunity will never return. “Watch, therefore,” says your Lord, “lest coming suddenly, he may find you sleeping.”

A. J. Gordon

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (June 29). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

For cat lovers

2007-06-23T01:28:00.002+08:00

Just for fun stuff... posting a couple of photos of one of JC's cats.

If you find her cute, check her out at JC's house. Appointment basis only.

Word of the day: 23rd June 07

2007-06-23T01:28:00.001+08:00

As thy days, so shall thy strength be .… I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

Deut. 33:25 ; Phil. 4:13

He will not impose upon you one needless burden. He will not exact more than He knows your strength will bear. He will ask no Peter to come to Him on the water, unless He impart at the same time strength and support on the unstable waves. He will not ask you to draw water if the well is too deep, or to withdraw the stone if too heavy. But neither at the same time will He admit as an impossibility that which, as a free and responsible agent, it is in your power to avert. He will not regard as your misfortune what is your crime.

Macduff

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (June 23). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Sentosa Outing Photos

2007-06-19T22:34:00.000+08:00

photos courtesy of Song Lee.

Excited for another Sentosa outing again? We'll be planning one in the next few weeks. Come back here for updates.

Word of the day: 19 June 07

2007-06-19T12:30:00.000+08:00

Endure … as a good soldier of Jesus Christ

2 Tim. 2:3

Life is not victory, but battle. Be patient a little longer. By-and-by, each in his turn, we shall hear the sunset gun.

Selected

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (June 19). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

NS Cell Update 17 June 07

2007-06-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

6 of us met at clubhouse on a saturday evening, shared with each other our week's dealings and proceeded to pray for each other. It was supposed to be held at Jasper's house, but the close proximity of the Ong residence to Tekong was too overbearing for the enslaved populace. Terrible...

But all was not lost when we found hope in a botak recruit called jones. The sword of honour was conferred to Tommie that night for valiance in finishing his section's rations; and the sword of merit to Xiang for wayanging. Good job gentlemen!

It was unfortunate that several of our crew were not able to attend. Noticable absentees includes the 2 occifers who went mess for meeting; one was in the brunei mess and the other at the mandarin hotel mess. The private..... popped into thin air. =D
The rest just awoled and MPs are dispatched as we speak. lol no i'm kidding.

Anyhow, we raided the place so bad that Mr Jones had to plead for mercy with several bribes. It all started with the free jalepeno suace, a complimentary single botak burger, 2 cheesecakes and 2 free vouchers before we agreed to the terms.

Till next NS cell........ fall out and remember lights off at 2230.

Word of the day: 18 June 2007

2007-06-17T23:58:00.000+08:00

I know whom I have believed

2 Tim. 1:12

Personal acquaintance with Christ is a living thing. Like a tree that uses every hour for growth, it thrives in sunshine, it is refreshed by rain—even the storm drives it to fasten its grip more firmly in the earth for its support. So, troubled heart, in all experiences, say, “This comes that I may make closer acquaintance with my Lord.”

Selected

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Late night entertainment

2007-06-16T00:51:00.000+08:00

good stuff. enjoy

word of the day coming next. =D

Word of the day: 15 June 2007

2007-06-15T04:25:00.000+08:00

Get a move on

In the Matter of Drudgery. And beside this, . . . add. 2 Peter 1:5 .

You have inherited the Divine nature, says Peter (v. 4), now screw your attention down and form habits, give diligence, concentrate. “Add” means all that character means. No man is born either naturally or supernaturally with character; he has to make character. Nor are we born with habits; we have to form habits on the basis of the new life God has put into us. We are not meant to be illuminated versions, but the common stuff of ordinary life exhibiting the marvel of the grace of God. Drudgery is the touchstone of character. The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do. “Jesus took a towel . . ., and began to wash the disciples’ feet.”

There are times when there is no illumination and no thrill, but just the daily round, the common task. Routine is God’s way of saving us between our times of inspiration. Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery by the power of God.

It is the ‘adding’ that is difficult. We say we do not expect God to carry us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, and yet we act as if we did! The tiniest detail in which I obey has all the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If I do my duty, not for duty’s sake, but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience the whole superb grace of God is mine through the Atonement.

Chambers, O. (1993, c1935). My utmost for his highest : Selections for the year (June 15). Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers.

Word of the day: 12 June 2007

2007-06-12T13:53:00.000+08:00

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

2 Tim. 2:15

Have thy tools ready; God will find thee work.

Charles Kingsley

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (June 12). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Let us also take this time to pray for our brothers and sisters leaving for Buru, an Indonesian island for mission work. They will be departing Singapore on 13 June. Keep them in prayers:
- Baoqi
- Cindy
- David
- Jingyi
- Lawrence
- Xinpei

Have thy tools ready, and God will find thee work.

don't judge a book by its cover

2007-06-12T03:28:00.001+08:00

Lesson for today as suggested by the title. Enjoy.

History is Interesting Part 2

2007-06-08T13:17:00.001+08:00

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables a and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

Englandis old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they
realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone
could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.

History is Interesting Part 1

2007-06-07T14:02:00.000+08:00

In The 1500's

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.
Here are some facts about the 1500s:

These are interesting...

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water..

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying It's raining cats and dogs.

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house.. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way. Hence the saying a threshhold.

Check out Part 2 tomorrow

Word of the day: 6 June 2007

2007-06-06T10:02:00.000+08:00

A common tool I use for QT; CIPS: communion, intercession, petition and supplementaries. Remember, a prayer is never enough. =D

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord … I know that … whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day

John 11:21 , 22 , 23 ,

Beware, in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time you intercede, be quiet first and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, of how He delights to hear Christ, of your place in Christ; and expect great things.

Andrew Murray

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (June 6). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Random photo of the day

2007-06-05T13:20:00.000+08:00

Captain's Ball at Yishun; 2 June 2006

Word of the day: 5 June 2007

2007-06-05T13:19:00.001+08:00

Food for thought. Please leave your comments. =D

A certain man … who never had walked … heard Paul speak: who … perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said … Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked

Acts 14:8 , 9 , 10

Where true faith is, it will induce obedience; and where it does induce obedience, it will always, in one form or another, bring a blessing.

W. Hay Aitken

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (June 5). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

Pray unceasingly and give unconditionally

2007-06-04T11:43:00.000+08:00

Three words - pray and give

oh the wondrous Cross

2007-06-04T02:46:00.001+08:00

A response to Pastor Chua's sermon about the true gospel in our lives.

word of the day: 4 June 2007

2007-06-04T02:39:00.000+08:00

David enquired of the Lord

2 Sam. 5:19

Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid if we would leave it to His sovereign will to choose and to command. The Puritan said, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself he’ll cut his own fingers.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go” is God’s promise to His people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to Him and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Leave not thy chamber this morning without inquiring of the Lord.

Spurgeon

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (June 4). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

word of the day: 2 june 2007

2007-06-02T13:12:00.000+08:00

Without me ye can do nothing .… I can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth me

John 15:5 ; Phil. 4:13

Apart from Him we can do nothing. Whilst we are abiding in Him nothing is impossible. The one purpose of our life should therefore be to remain in living and intense union with Christ, guarding against everything that would break it, employing every means of cementing and enlarging it. And just in proportion as we do so, we shall find His strength flowing into us for every possible emergency. We may not feel its presence; but we shall find it present whenever we begin to draw on it. There is no temptation which we cannot master; no privation which we cannot patiently bear; no difficulty with which we cannot cope; no work which we cannot perform; no confession or testimony which we cannot make, if only our souls are living in healthy union with Jesus Christ; for as our day or hour, so shall our strength be.

F. B. Meyer

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

who are you in church?

2007-05-31T10:56:00.001+08:00

i was doing some demographic study about church population and came up with this rough estimate.

15% of christians are active
30% are devoted christians
50% are spectator christians
5% are not christians

where do you belong?

most of you reading this blog would choose that you are either active or devoted. how true is that? let us evaluate.

active christian
serving actively in the ministry alone doesn't make you an active christian. serving is not the yardstick to measure activity, because it can be driven by a variety of reasons such as duty, pride and un-relinquished momentum.

Rather, it is the work of the Lord; loving God, your neighbour and spreading the gospel to people around you by bearing witness and being a good testimony, that should truly be considered serving.

it is the work of the Lord we should be striving for, not the Lord's work. leave the Lord's work to the Lord; are we dwelling too much on the unnecessary and not praying enough?

So does that make you an active christian? loving God; loving, caring and impacting your neighbours; and actively spreading the word to your friends? or are you just merely doing the Lord's work in church.

if not;

devoted christian
A devoted christian comes to church only to "visit" the Lord. he/she does not necessarily serve in the ministry, or bothers too much about the people around them in terms of their physical, mental or spiritual livelihood.

the paradox is that a devoted christian should be evolved into an active one. the only restriction stopping him/her from doing so will be him/herself. a common excuse would be using the word "commitment". many people believe in God, but are not willing to do the work of the Lord.

even so, a devoted christian comes to God's courts. so at least this qualifies you to belong here if not in the active christian category right? wrong. =D

a devoted christian is defined to come to church punctually, because he/she is meeting a God he/she knows exists. i'm sure you don't come late for an appointment with your boss at work, so what quantifies you to come late for appointments with the big boss.

so does that make you a spectator christian?

what are we doing in church today? every christian should strive to become an active one, after developing from the devotion stage. if you're unable to justify your existence in church, it's time to work on it. be careful how we find excuses as a pretext for our existence in church; spend a short time in prayer and reflecting our existence together with God.

drop a comment and share on where you stand, and about some insights regarding this matter. =)

church prayer meeting - 1 june (friday) @ 730pm

2007-05-30T22:42:00.000+08:00

dear all,

for those who are not attending the ym camp, please come for the church prayer meeting this friday at 730pm; it will be held at the fellowship hall.

we will be praying especially for the church rebuilding, the church in general as well as the ym camp.

lets gather and pray this friday, for i'm sure God will be pleased if we do so. =D

word of the day: 30 may 2007

2007-05-30T22:35:00.000+08:00

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid

Matt. 5:14

Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. A lighthouse sounds no drum, it beats no gong; and yet far over the waters its friendly spark is seen by the mariner. So let your actions shine out your religion. Let the main sermon of your life be illustrated by all your conduct.

Spurgeon

Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1998, c1997, c1994, c1990). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990. (May 30). Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

faith is stronger than my fears

2007-05-30T22:33:00.001+08:00

Sometimes my cross is hard to bear
for there is darkness everywhere
and troubles pile around my door
like autumn leaves forevermore.

The morning light seems far away
like I am stuck in yesterday
My heart is beating like a drum
I try to pray, but words won't come

But then the sun begins to rise
and hope is born within my eyes
A rainbow forms among my tears
for faith is stronger than my fears

anonymous

this is the truth

2007-05-30T01:06:00.000+08:00

amazing literature. pretty true too.

yf retreat and chalet photos

2007-05-30T00:15:00.000+08:00

held on 11-13 May 2007, yf had it's first leader's retreat for the year followed by a chalet and bbq for all yfers. sneak peak for whats up.

taboo

morning devotion

click here for the full album of photos. Courtesy of Jinwei.

word of the day: 29 may 07

2007-05-29T21:51:00.000+08:00

appellation \ap-uh-LAY-shun\, noun:
1. The word by which a particular person or thing is called and known; name; title; designation.
2. The act of naming.

from dictionary.com

heartbeat of the fellowship: our fellowship

2007-05-29T20:21:00.000+08:00

Lord have your way in us

The fellowship that honours you

Bind the hearts of love and spread the word of hope

Praise Your name forevermore

Amen!

a brand new start: a new heaven, a new earth, a new blog

2007-05-29T19:18:00.001+08:00

if this is your first time here, welcome to the spanking new yf blog!

here, you can be updated of the latest yf activities, or browse through articles regarding

Christianity,
current affairs,
politics,
funny stuff,
interesting incidents,
uploaded photos,
unnatural occurrences,
deep insights,
thoughtful analyses ,
and that's only the icing on the cake.

do leave your comments after each article and remember to tag on the tagboard before you leave.

don't forget to bookmark this page: http://fellowshiping.blogspot.com

yes... its fellowshiping with one P, and it isn't a spelling mistake -_-''. fellowshiping can be spelt with one or two Ps and the web address with two Ps is already taken up. lol.

till next time!