Monday, November 24, 2008

Pop Corn

Everyone loves pop corn. I read somewhere that there are 4 types of corn, and only 1 can pop. And the thing that makes it pop is water. Huh? What? Water? you don't put water to pop popcorn.. ah.... but it's true. Inside the seed of corn is a small amount of water. And surrounding the water is a hard shell that protects it. When you put the corn inside the pot, the heat makes the water expands and that in turn pushes against the shell. When it gets hot enough, the hard shell explodes (hence the 'pop') and the corn turns inside out, the water turns into steam and vaporise, and you get pop corn.

Everytime I think of memory verses, I think of pop corn; it's light, very easy to eat, but eat enough of it and you will get full. Memory verse are like that; it's light to read, easy to memorise and have enough of it, it will make you spiritually richer. Memorising verses aren't just for little kids, they're for everyone. How many of us have gone through some troubling issues or periods and suddenly we remember one comforting verse which makes us feel better? That is when memory verses come in handy. I am not saying we don't have to read our Bibles, but memory verses are important when we can't remember the whole Bible. Break it down into little verses and we tend to remember the Bible more. And like the light pop corn, memory verses pack enough punch to sustain us.

I used to work in Lintas and it'd be a 20 minute drive from my house. During that time, when I was stuck in the jam, I'd memorise a verse. I had a memory verse box in my car and everyday I'd memorise one. Make some effort to print out some verses and commit 2 minutes everyday to this.. what's 2 minutes right? 2 minutes a day in this life makes for an eternity, believe me. Make this your aim for next year.. or start now.

Holidays

Ah.. the holidays are here, and the key operative word is sheer enjoyment! I can feel every head nodding (for students, anyway) with agreement. Holidays are the times where you don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn, drag yourself to the toilet, get dressed, pack into school buses or sleep in your parent's car sending you to face annoying and dreadful teachers (unless it's your fav teacher la). Holidays are times when you can play Dota till your eyes pop out, or your brain drops out, or stay up late just for the heck of it and going shopping or movies.. I don't know about you but I'm in envy city right now! Argggggggggghhhhhhh..

But yesterday in church before the service, I had a chat with some of the guys and I heard something I never thought I'd hear... someone said Dota was boring! Oh.. the shock! hahahahah.. And that, my dear friends, is life. We need variety, it's the spice of life. No matter how nice something is, like Dota, or fast food, play or eat it long enough you will get bored. Hahaha.. but do enjoy your holidays cos soon it'll be time to start school again! Hahaha..

Friday, November 14, 2008

Tis The Season

With a blink of an eye, it's now November and the start of Christmas season. Well, perhaps a bit early for some of us, but school holidays are almost upon us and we've already started practising for Christmas plays and plans are in place for parties. Plus, church sermons have already started on the Christmas series, which I find really great because it prepares our hearts for Christmas.

Too often and too easily we become wrapped up in the festivities of Christmas; the presents, parties, carolling, Christmas plays, singing, food (who can forget that?), setting up the Christmas tree, shopping, fairy lights, the list goes on and I bet you can add a few more items. These things are all well and good, but let's not forget the actual reason for Christmas; peace on earth, goodwill towards men. When we actually participate in the festivities, do we actually think about God? Where is God in this?

When we are practising for our Christmas play, do we do it for God? Is there that gratitude in our hearts, that we are able to be a part of the Christmas message to people, that our little part in the play will touch a non-believer? Or do we grumble with tiredness about practising? When we practise our carols, do we sing for the sake of singing, or do we sing from our hearts that God came down to earth to save us from our sins?

Let us remember God this Christmas, in the midst of the merriment of the season, and let us intentionally reach out to other people who may be less fortunate than us. I'm not just talking about people we don't know, but our friends, who may have less food on the table than us, who may have less presents than us. Let us remember others more than we remember about ourselves and our comfort.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Condolences

Our condolences go to our dear friends Mark, Moses and Matthew for the passing away of their cousin, who were very close to them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this sorrowful time, and we pray God will comfort them and grant them strength and peace.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Away From Home - Leon : Maturing / Growing up

Note: Terribly sorry Leon, I only managed to post this up now...

Have you ever asked this question
Why do I need to grow up??
Why do I need to mature??
Can't I choose not to grow up?

I know I've asked this question when I was way way little (but still older than most of you )

Why is it we need to grow up?
Well, I have the answer. Because growing up tells us that we are ALIVE AND KICKING !
The only thing that does not grow is a DEAD thing. You may argue and say well grown ups don't grow.
Yes they do... just not in height hehehehe (maybe in "wideness") but they do grow, mostly in maturity in their mind.

Consider this verse
James 1: 4 (NIV) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

In this context, the verse is not refering to our physical body, for if it was then we would have been "complete" when we finally reach adulthood. This verse instead point towards our spiritual body. Is your spirit man the same as it was before 3 years ago??

Another question .. what does it mean to be "mature and complete"?
Is it to seek perfection?
No.. because if we were to seek perfection.... we'll always come short because

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

But we should try our very best to follow in the foot step of Jesus. That is one of our goals in life.

How do we do it?

1. Spend time with God
You can start by spending 15 minutes a day reading your Bible and praying and slowly build it to 30, 40 even 1 hour.
Jesus often spend hours on end praying to God in the quietness. If Jesus needed to pray to God the Father.. I'm guessing we pretty ,uch should do the same

2. Get a devotional book
Ask your parents or Caroline for a good one like daily bread of the like.
These books are tools to guide you as you read the Bible.

3. Meet in Youth often
I know most of you are doing this but remember the objective of going to Youth is not only to meet up with your friends but also to meet up with GOD. Remember your objective is to worhsip Him.

Well that's all for now.
Remember God wants you to grow up not only in body but also in Spirit. God bless!!

Bro in Christ
Leon