Let's all put our hand together for Adeline Loh as she accepted Christ in YA Retreat on 31st August 2009 at about 10.30-ish! Yay~!
All the heavens are rejoicing and the angels blowing their trumpet~! Can you imagine that? What a beautiful sight that would be!
To be honest, I'm super duper duper duper happy~! hehehe.....I'll add some images here of the YA retreat once I get them yea? See ya all at cell. :)
Our "kinda new" cell member just got baptized! Su Yin got baptize at Glad Tiding's Petaling Jaya on 16th Aug 2009. Here are some pictures of the baptism. I think the pictures speak louder than words can say. haha...
Prayer before the baptism...
Su Yin: "When is my turn? Can't wait!"
Su Yin: "Oo, warm water!"PJK: "Careful, don't slip!"
1...2...3...GO~!
Yay~! All the heavens are rejoicing~!
Finally, all the roses join in to take a picture with the thorn. Haha...I mean the other way round. :PHi all,
We have officially 're-launched' the Secret Barnabas project with more people this time round. For the next two months, this post will be kept at the top on the blog so that any comments can be anonymously posted here.
Remember that the whole purpose of the exercise is to encourage one another anonymously, whether through a message here, an sms through an unknown phone, or a gift/card/message sent through someone else.
Please do not reveal who your 'Secret Barnabee' is so that it remains a complete secret until we reveal it two months later! Ready, set, go!
(Just click on the comments section below this post to write an anonymous comment)
As I woke up to the sound of clanging and banging, sounds of fork and spoon clashing together, I was curious who could it be making all that ruckus?! I thought it must a be thief! So I woke up slowly and open the door, light starting to flood in my room, I start creep, every step so slowly and gently, then Sasha rushed out suddenly I was like "Sasha!" then I peeked......I saw my mom in the kitchen preparing sushi roll with a twist of hot dog, eggs and a-cha and Sasha was jumping around hoping to get some as she always do. haha. I was relieved and walked to the bathroom to refresh myself and get myself ready for work.... (this was at 6.30am)
Then I found out that my mom actually woke up at 4.30am to prepare the sushi rice and was awake since to prepare all of us a SUPER breakfast of sushi roll. And I thought to myself, WOW! so much love was put into the breakfast, then I drove to work happily and during the whole time of driving to work, my mind was all set and focus on the bento tupperware of sushi. hahaha....
Do you know that God also prepare us a bento of love as well? Actually, He doesn't even sleep just to plan and craft our day for us! Imagine your bento would be packed with some blessing, some adversities, some people that He planned for you to meet, and so much more! Just to see us grow and mature. And He does so EVERYDAY! He does so withouth FAIL! And He does so for EVERYONE! Did I emphasize this enough? EVERYONE, yes EVERYONE OF US! How much of LOVE was put into that bento of ours? I would say it is A LOT~! INFINITE! That's how valuable He sees everyone of us. We are all a Child of GOD!
So embrace today with the assurance that it is filled with love from our God. Look forward to the day ahead! We are all Valuable, Secure and Significant in God's eyes. That's how He sees us. He has plan for all of us, a plan to prosper and not to harm us in any way.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" (James 1:2-3)
Last Friday at cell it was a blast! We did an Ice Breaker called "You are Chosen to..." and everyone had so much fun! Here's a few clip of what we did!
We also celebrated Say Leng birthday as well. Here's some photo of the handsome fella. haha. Happy Birthday, Say Leng! Also not forgetting, Edwin our beloved cell member officially accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior! The angels in heavens are rejoicing!
This verse spoke to me today as I sat in my Monday blues... =P The Message version of the bible comes up with some pretty interesting interpretatiions. It shouldn't be used as a primary reference point for the Word but it is powerful and not boring to read, nonetheless.
"One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory. He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions. It's smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies."
~Psalm 84:10-12 (Taken from The Message version)~
by Rick Warren
God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise. Some animals run, some hop, some swim, some burrow, and some fly. Each has a particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. The same is true with humans. Each of us is uniquely designed, or "shaped," to do certain things.
Before architects design any new building they first ask, "What will be its purpose? How will it be used?" The intended function always determines the form of the building.
Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth. He planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him, and then he shaped you for those tasks. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry.
The Bible says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." You're God's handcrafted work of art. You're not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without thought. You're a custom designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece.
God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve him in a way that makes your ministry unique. He carefully mixed the DNA recipe that created you. David praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail God gave in designing each of us: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14 NLT).
Not only did God shape you before your birth, he planned every day of your life to support his shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16 NLT).
This means nothing that happens in your life is insignificant. God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others and shape you for your service to him.
God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. By identifying and understanding these factors you can discover God's will for your life.
The Bible says you are "wonderfully complex." You're a combination of many different factors: "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises" (Isaiah 43:21 NJB).
(I was reading this devotional today and it really spoke into my heart. It is so powerful to read the word of God in a simple devotional. We are "God's workmanship", His 'handcrafted work of art', a 'custom designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece'.
How awesome is that?
He shaped each of us for a wonderful and specific purpose - each of abilities, experiences, idiosyncrasies can be used for His glory when committed to Him.
The pain that we go through is not wasted. The joys of our victory in Him are not short-lived but are sustained because they are true victories in Jesus that we can testify of forever.
Hope you've been blessed - have a great week ahead! =)
Does anyone have a secret ambition to be a photographer? Or maybe just have a passion for taking pictures as a hobby?
There is an exciting event coming up this Labour Day just for you!
Details are as follows:
Date: 1 May
Time : Morning to Lunch Time
Team: 7 to 10 pax per team
Cost : RM10 per person
Flag Off : GTPJ Section 13
Finishing Line : GTPJ Section 13
General rules:
1. Each team will be given a no of items to hunt and take a photo of that item within a set time at various locations. Each team is only allowed to submit One Memory Card (its not the camera that counts, its how creative your team takes the shot and whether u follow instructions properly. If you use more than one camera, please remember that u can only submit ONE Memory Card, so the team needs to think how they can put all the photos into that one stick).
2. There will be clues and criteria set to successfully complete each item.
3. A panel of judges will judge and rate the photos on a point system according to the set criteria.
4. Top 3 teams with the most point will WIN Prizes!
5. Its not about speed, its about team work, planning & creativity that will determine the winner!!
We're looking to register at least one team from our cell so please inform me if you want to join or if you have friends in your OIKOS you want to invite. I'll communicate more on it during cell tomorrow!
(The deadline for registration is this Saturday.)
is coming up!
Influence Conference 2009 is happening on 24-25 July with a very relevant theme of Challenging times.
"With this global economic meltdown, this is the best time for Christian young adults to show and prove to an unbelieving world that the Word of God is true.
The principles of the Word of God not only remain relevant but prove that it can bring prosperity.
There is no better time than to influence the market place and let them know that God means what He said in His Word 'He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage' – Pro 11:28"
Rev Clement Wong
Director Youth Alive Malaysia
Block it off on your calenders and come for a time of learning and discussion of how to apply biblical principles to face this time of uncertainty, turbulence and fear.
See you there!
God is Amazing! I’ve shared this with the worship team, and would like to encourage you all with what happened a week ago . .. . . . .. Just the Saturday before the Easter Weekend on 4th April, PGC & I were worship leading, when Ps Julie came up and took over the service whilst we sang “At The Cross”. After PJK challenged the congregation, we continued singing the song. When we hit the Bridge of the song ... You Tore The Veil You Made The Way When You Said That It Is Done .. .. it was just at that point ... when the Holy Spirit spoke into my Heart. “Daren, Nathanael’s Healing It Is Done!” Wah... it was an extremely powerful Word that came to me and tears were just running down and i was like YES LORD!!. It was the Rhema Word of God speaking so distinctly and so clearly ... It Is Done!! So after sharing that with the worship team back stage on what i experienced, i went out and share with Tiff what God spoke about Nathanael..... and guess what? Tiff was worshipping in front and just at that same moment... when we sang the bridge of At The Cross, the Holy Spirit also spoke to her that’s Nathanael’s condition... IT IS DONE! Amazing! God is Amazing! He works on a Stereo Sound effect, ... u know what i mean, God chose to speak to both the father and the mother and not just one of us. That strengthens our faith even more! And we were just giving Thanks everyday, and proclaiming the Finish Work of God over Nathanael .... and in less than one week .... Nathanael Walks! See ..... sorry for being so cheong hei ... but the above Praise Report cant be kept in, i hope u are blest! That whatever your need is... God has a plan for you and your life, and He is not slow to His promise! Just wait on him and claim His promise daily!!! Woo Hoo!! God is GREAT!!!
Received an email from Daren saying that Nathanael walked~! I was so blessed by the message. You know, I was thinking about it and I'm ashamed of myself. All I think about everyday is "Oh man, what should I do? My boss is resigning, my designer is resigning and my copywriter just disappear like that! What should I do?". What lack of FAITH!
We all have someOne that is able to do the IMPOSSIBLE. He has promised that He will not leave us even if we lost in our own ways. He has promised to grant the desires of your heart. He is the One who send His own Son to die on the cross for our sins. That is our God, our Father.
As long as you believed in Him, He will guide you through the storm. He will never put you in a position where you not able to handle the situation. So think about it, if you are thinking about questions like "what should I do in this time of uncertainty?" "What am I suppose to do?" "Will I lose my job" and etc etc. I urge you to be still and know that He is God. :) Nothing is impossible for God.
Let's all continue to pray for Nathanael's quick recovery. :) Anyway, here's the email from Daren:
Nathanael achieved a new milestone on Good Friday, he was standing up (unassisted) and decided to take few steps (unassisted) on His own in church! We are really so Blest ... and we wanna Praise God for touching Nathanael! TQ so much for all your prayers, we’ve been “wanting” and waiting for Nathanael to walk for the longest time, and amazingly ... on Good Friday he did. So so so so Awesome!! U can watch a video of him today @ school Walking –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjmI_WZ58hg
http://www.darentiff.com/2
I read this and found it very relevant to me! I hardly have enough sleep most days and I eat so much unhealthy food during mamak. Just something interesting to read and think about. Enjoy!
Your Love Prescription: Take Care of Your Body!
by Rick Warren
In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage:
"You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands" (Psalm 119:73 NLT).
Many of us are just too tired to love. We want to build deep relationships with those we care about, like family and friends. We want to love people in our community who are hurting. But we're just too tired. You can't love when you're tired.
What happens to your relationships when you're out of energy? Little issues become big problems and love withers. It takes physical energy to listen to people and put their needs first. I'm convinced that many married couples could avoid spending time with a divorce lawyer if they spent a little more time with a mattress salesman or a personal trainer.
The Bible mentions three habits that will refresh you physically and give you the strength to love others.
1. Get regular rest. "It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest" (Psalm 127:2 LB). Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap. Too tired to love your spouse and kids? Your problem isn't spiritual, it's physical. Get some sleep!
2. Eat a balanced diet. "You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws" (Psalm 119:73 LB). God made your body to use a certain combination of foods as its energy source. Eating right will help give you the energy you need to love more faithfully.
3. Exercise regularly. "...Honor the Lord with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20 NIV). Our bodies were made for activity. In biblical times they didn't have to exercise. People walked everywhere. They did physical work. But we have a sedentary life and drive everywhere we go. We need to exercise regularly.
Guess what?
We have our very own GT Easter Drama production coming up on 10th and 11th April!!! It's called Beyond Tears and we have people from our cell and our 'extended' cell involved in it so let's show all the support that we can. =)
"When 21 year old Kevin’s life comes to an abrupt halt, his parents are faced with many unexpected decisions. As their only child’s life unfolds before them, they realize that the decisions they make now will not only affect them. Will they be able to find strength amidst their pain and grief? What will they find when they look beyond their tears?"
These are graphic files of the brochures if you want to e-mail out to any of your friends or family! I have higher quality pictures if you need them - just tell me and I'll send them across.
Venue: Glad Tidings PJ, No 6 Jalan 13/4, 46200 Petaling Jaya
Friday 10 April 09, 8.30pm
Saturday 11 April 09, 5.00pm
Additional links for information:
Beyond Tears on GTPJ.com
Beyond Tears on Facebook
Beyond Tears Video Teaser on Youtube
I was just remembering the roots of our cell group today. From Section 19, to SS2, to Seapark, to Ara Jaya and now to Taman Tun. Over 10 years, three multiplications and two restructurings later, we have progressed to the place that we are today.
God's grace and faithfulness have continued to be so evident in and through all the lives of the cell members, and it's so encouraging for me to look back and see His mighty right hand at work the whole time.
After so many years of being involved, I don't feel burnt out or tired in cell (although there are seasons that I have before); I'm as excited or even more excited of what the future holds than when I started out.
I have a feeling that this is going to be a great year with God!
by Os Hillman
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Colossians 3:23-24
"I didn't know you were in full-time Christian work," said my close friend as we were driving. "I didn't realize that," she went on. I responded, "Every person who has followed the will of God in their life is in full-time Christian work." God calls some to the mission field, others to be accountants, and others to be advertising executives, and still others to be construction workers. God never made a distinction between sacred and secular. In fact, the Hebrew word avodah is the root word having the same meaning of "work" and "worship." God sees our work as worship.
We have incorrectly elevated the role of the Christian worker to be more holy and committed than the person who is serving in a more secular environment. Yet the call to the secular workplace is as important as any other calling. God has to have His people in every sphere of life. Otherwise, many would never come to know Him because they would be separated from society.
I learned this lesson personally when I sought to go into "full-time" service as a pastor in my late twenties, only to have God thrust me back into the business world unwillingly. This turned out to be the best thing He could have done for me, because it was never His will for me to be a pastor. He knew I was more suited for the workplace.
We are all in missions. Some are called to foreign lands. Some are called to the jungles of the workplace. Wherever you are called, serve the Lord in that place. Let Him demonstrate His power through your life so that others might experience Him through you today and see your vocation as worship to His glory.
(I found this article simple and yet very relevant to each of us. Hope you enjoyed the read! =)
Su Wong marries Lee Wong. The next year, the Wongs have a new baby.
The nurse brings out a lovely, healthy, bouncy, but definitely a Caucasian, WHITE baby boy.
"Congratulations!" says the nurse to the new parents.
"Well Mr. Wong, what will you and Mrs. Wong name the baby?"
The puzzled father looks at his new baby boy and says,
"Well, two Wong's don't make a white, so I think we will name him..."
(Some more nostalgic cell pics...we really have to take more new pictures!)
This thought came to mind this afternoon: Today is the first day for the rest of your life. I just felt that something new is happening in our cell, in the members' lives, and that this year is going to be quite an amazing one with God. Challenging, yes. But filled with purpose and progress. =)
I've been checking the blog stats and noticed that for the last two days, hardly anyone came to visit. That's probably the result of me blogging on the cell blog so irregularly nowadays. I'm committing to changing that and I will provide updates, thoughts, testimonies and anything else appropriate at least once a week. Anyone who wants to write here, please do inform me and I will put you on the author's list (but you will need a google or blogger account set up I think, if you don't have one already).
How has your prayer and fasting gone this week? I have a confession to make. I've never kept to my fasting commitments for an extended period of time until this week. Since Sunday, I had fasted lunch and after almost a week, I am seeing changes happen in my spiritual walk...things that I did not anticipate and even things that I did not really want to happen.
I just want to share a bit. Every night, when I try to sleep, I've been feeling such a burden to pray and I've been praying for all of you by name and for your situations, many times crying (So manly, right?). But I'm sensing a change in the spiritul atmosphere and in my faith level, and I strongly feel that there will be a breakthrough in many of our lives as a result of this month's focus. Please join me even as we fast and pray for God's hand, breakthrough and presence to pour out on our lives and those around us in March.
Tonight, we're officially moving our cell venue to Sarah's house. I keep saying this but we're really so blessed to have her mom open up the house to us. It is such a great place to have cell and to achieve our cell's purpose. I'm believing God for spiritual growth and maturity this year. I'm believing God that our cell will grow and reach out to more people. And I'm believing God for multiplication this year for our cell. Time to rise up and take our position in the kingdom of God.
Finally, the emphasis this month is on being positioned for service. The verse given is from Ephesians 4:11-12: "It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be build up." To each person, God has provided giftings, and I challenge each of us to try to find those giftings and begin activating them to bless and honour Him.
See you all tonight! I'm excited about cell because we're having some of the transitioning college cell members joining us from today. I hope Aunty cooks...Hahaha! So very hungry already...
Hi all,
The last two weeks we discussed on Elijah and Elisha in our cell meetings. When I read this devotion today, I realised that it is very relevant to what we have been sharing in cell.
Do we have the hunger to have a greater anointing than our leaders, not to be better than them, but to accomplish more for God?
The devotion is shown below. Hope that it blesses you!
A Man Who Has God's Favor
by Os Hillman
"...Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you." - Zechariah 8:23
Few men of God have become extraordinary people of faith without the influence of mentors. A mentor is one who takes responsibility for the spiritual and, sometimes, physical care of another. It requires a commitment from the teacher and the student.
Elijah mentored Elisha. Elisha became one of the greatest prophets in the entire Bible. One of the primary reasons for this was Elisha's hunger. Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit. It was this hunger that drove Elisha to be sold out to God's purposes for his life.
I have been privileged to have had many mentors throughout my spiritual life. In each stage of my maturity, God brought new mentors who had unique gifts that the previous mentor did not have. God has given me the hunger to desire a double portion of those positive attributes of my mentors. This desire is sorely missing among many today. I fail to see the hunger among many who could be used greatly in the Kingdom. Instead, the cares of this world distract them. It is an attitude of a la carte versus an attitude of pressing in to the full measure of what God might have for them.
Who are the people of God He has placed in your life? Are you learning from them? Are you seeking a double portion of their anointing? What prevents you from gaining from their wisdom and experience? God may have brought them into your life to prepare you to be a man or woman of God with great anointing. However, there is a time of training and waiting to prove out your own faith. Ask God today if there is someone He would have you mentor or be mentored by.
that I can't make it for cell today.
I was so excited over this week's cell especially because we have so many new faces joining us.
Haha, I wonder if I can ponteng the seminar at church to go for cell...maybe I'll sneak out early. =P
Well, tonight's going to be an important time of learning about the TCC cell model while you all have fun at cell! I'll make sure to keep you all updated on how we will be transitioning to the new model (not Cindy Crawford).
Have an awesome time at cell everyone!
(By the way, that's our assistant cell leader in the picture...=)
Hi all,
Cell starts up again tomorrow. I really miss you all and I'm expecting awesome things for this year.
Don't know why I was feeling so nostalgic today looking through old cell pictures and I decided to post up one. Wah...really miss the other side as well. We should really get together for a combined dinner sometime.
Will share more soon about this year and what I envision. By the way, this month focuses on being positioned for success (Nehemiah 2:20). Haha! Who wants prayer for a promotion? =P
Hope to see you all tomorrow then. Take care, yea?
Our cell leader has always said this "Our cell is truly blessed!" and I agree to that. Not only has the cell multiplied, even our cell members have multiplied! Introducing our new cell members! (Aren't they cute!)
Marcus Jay Wong (Bergson & Mei's Son)*Look like Bergson (personal opinnion..hehe)*
Naomi (Crystal Bee & Husband's Daughter)Naomi was so busy that she fell asleep while talking on the phone. hahaha.
The proud mother and fatherMarcus: Yawn~* Why all these people looking at me?
Crystal and Naomi (Naomi Full Moon Party)
Crystal, Naomi & FeliciaNaomi still on the phone. Wonder how Crystal's gonna pay for the phone bill. hahahaha....
The mothers are discussing the marriage plans already. hahaha. (Just kidding)See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19a
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Even as each of us enters into the new year, realise that God is doing something new. Something new in Church, in cell and in each of our lives.
Where there used to be only desert land and wasteland, there will be streams and pathways. He will form an oasis in the middle of a parched desert and life will spring forth from it.
There are three questions that are essential to build on:
1. What new thing is God doing? (In Church, cell and your life)
2. Do you want to be involved in what God is doing?
3. If you want to be involved, to what extent (how much) do you want to get involved?
Answering these three questions will provide a starting indication of God's will for you in this season (if you're curious about what it is =). As you evaluate them, do so knowing with complete assurance that God's master plan works for the good of those who love Him.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".
Jeremiah 29:11
Hi all,
Tomorrow is our first cell of 2009 and I thought I’d write a post to communicate the vision for this year in Church as shared by Pastor Vincent last weekend.
Last year was the Year of Empowerment and this year is the Year of Positioning!
The verse that we’ll be referring to as a basis is from Ephesians 4:16:
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
The main message is that every person in the body of Christ has an important purpose and part to play. Each of us are very different as individuals but have a perfect fit in the body, that has been set aside for us by God. When one part of the body hurts, the rest of the body suffers along.
In 1 Corinthians 12:18, the verse states that, “God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be”.
I’m excited for this year. We’ve shared so many experiences together as a cell; within cell meetings playing ice breakers, worshipping together and discussing the relevance of the Word in our daily lives, as well as outside cell meetings with boardgames, sports, countless mamak sessions and dinners.
We went through multiplication into two cells and several harvest events, including the recent LIITA event which was the largest harvest event we’ve ever tried to handle (Yen’s side had 41 people and our side had 39 people attending). Two cell members had their first baby son, Marcus. We supported each other through job changes, migration plans, family and financial situations, mean bosses and tyre punctures.
2008 was an awesome year. It wasn’t easy by any means with many challenges and rough times but I’ve seen many individuals grow and develop even as they learn to trust God through their trials. It was a year of transition and the power of God was demonstrated in our lives many times even as He remained faithful.
I’m believing God for a greater 2009, where each cell member is going to find their place in the body of Christ, understand the purpose for which God has prepared for them, and be positioned there effectively. It will be a year of growth and and a year of release.
I’m constantly grateful for all of you and the way you have been involved in cell. Thank you for your support and love. It was an honour to serve with and alongside many of you.
Happy New Year.
(Last LIITA picture post)
Wah, thanks Bergson for taking all the pictures! I didn't realise how many pictures you took even though you were running around, organising food and talking to people. =) Really appreciate it!
