Sunday, March 28, 2010

It's All About Him

Many adults told me that serving in the youth ministry isn't easy, and I have to agree. The first, of course is because of the heartaches that are involved. This ministry has a high turnover, the youths leave after they finish their secondary schooling so the most we have of them would be about 7 years, assuming they join when they're in Form 1. We've lost count of the number of times we've gone to the airport to send them off when they continue their studies overseas.

So anyway, yesterday our planned programme was Buzz Groups (small group sharing)but around 5pm, Ps Ivy called me and asked if we could help to make palm crosses for Palm Sunday, which is today. I told her; 'of course we'll help' and I gotta admit, I was relieved in a way, because I was supposed to be sharing. I was only thinking of myself, that I'll have a break from sharing. But the conversation I had while making palm crosses changed my mind.

One of our leaders asked me why we changed our programme, so I explained and asked him why he asked me that. He said; "one whole week we go through life, when Saturday comes, I can't wait to listen to God's Words and be refreshed." It hit me that I was only thinking of myself, that I didn't have to share, but I forgot about the youths and their eagerness to come and listen. This is what youth ministry is about, serving the youths, meeting their needs. Many times little conversations like this makes it worthwhile, and I forget the toil and effort. If you ask me what have I done in all my years in the ministry, I can only tell you that it's having these meaningful chats with the youths, when they come and tell me something personal, that's what's I've done. It's not about us, and our wanting a break, it's about God, it's all about Him. I am reminded once again what a privilege it is to serve God and His people.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

On Facebook

Hey everyone, we finally got a Facebook page. Yes yes, we are very late in setting one up.. but never mind la.. better late than never ok? So check it out! We're under cclyouths lah, what else.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Peace

This week our topic for Buzz group discussion was peace. That God called us to be peacemakers, and how we need this peace ourselves and some steps on how to be peacemakers (pray, listen, explain and bring together. When we broke into our groups, one of the question was on why it is so difficult to have peace and many reasons were given, from; misunderstanding, ego and pride. Some of us also shared their life experiences in mediating conflicts and being involved in conflict. It was really an eye opener for everyone, I think.

We had 5 friends with us tonight, Mark and Waltson came back. This Clement told me that he's bringing an Indian friend from India, so I thought, ok, that's nice. I mean, how would I know what friends Clement has right? So ten minutes later, someone gave me a hug from behind! Hahah.. I know that hug anywhere! It's Mark! He came home! Oh.. it's soooooo good to see his face! Then Adriel told me he's bringing a friend but I straightaway looked towards the door and Waltson came in! Man.. I am sooo happy to see them. Abigail and Abraham also joined us. A special mention of course for Waltson's girlfriend Chloe who also joined us (she got scared when we started playing games.. hahaha.. our usual Giants Wizards and Elf game)

Just wanna post something about Adriel now, his grandfather isn't well now and he's presently in China. Do remember his grandad in your prayers, please pray for protection, and journey mercies for his grandad. Pray also for Adriel's whole family and relatives at this time, that God's peace will be with them and His protection too. We talked about peace, let us ask God to fill us with that peace that can only come from Him.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Watching Alice

Hey all! This Saturday we're going for our annual movie nite, which is to watch Alice in Wonderland. No, it's not in 3D, as Jeremiah asked.. let's be happy with 2D or 2A or whatever la ok? Speaking about A's.. Aaron Pan scored mighty fine in his SPM! He got 10As and 1B. Everyone give him a clap! Heheh.. congrats Aaron.. go out! celebrate! (but ask your mom for money first.. hehe) His results is the only one I heard of so far.. not sure about the rest.. who else sat for SPM last year?

So back to our movie nite.. take note of the time and place ya?

Meet at Cathay cinema KK at 7.15pm Saturday (13/3) sharp. Movie starts at 7.40pm and will end at 9.30pm. You need only pay RM4 for the movie tickets, popcorn you're on your own ok?

And one last thought about our movie nite, and I don't mean to criticise anyone here ok? Now, in our group this Saturday night will be 2 ASC youths. The reason they are here is because they are worshipping in CCL Sundays so our youths asked them along for movie nite. But all the while, when we asked them to come join CCL youths, they said they are with ASC and they are committed there. So why suddenly on movie nite, they can come to CCL? CCL do not take people's sheep, especially more when they are from another Anglican church. I wish they would make a stand, to choose one church. We welcome you should you decide to join CCL youths, but honestly, you gotta choose man!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Don't Forget

Taken from Our Daily Bread

One of my favourite Far Side cartoons is captioned "Superman in his later years." It shows the elderly Man of Steel perched on a window ledge, ready to leap, as he looks back and say, "Now where was I going?"

Forgetfulness happens to us all, and while our occasional lapses may be amusing or annoying, a lack of memory toward God can be disastrous. With the people of Israel poised to enter the Promised Land, Moses challenged them to "remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness" (Deut 8:2) and to "beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments" (v. 11)

Forgetting God can spring from:
Testing (vv 2-4) God allowed his people to hunger and then provided manna. When we lack the necessities of life, it's easy to feel that God has somehow forgotten us.
Satisfaction (vv10-11) Abundance or need may produce spiritual amnesia because both cause us to focus on ourselves, not on God who provides.
Pride (vv12-16) If prosperity brings a feeling of self-accomplishment, then we have forgotten God.

Humility, obedience and praise help us remember God's faithful provision and care. Let's not forget to thank Him today for all He's done.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony,
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.