{Friday, June 29, 2007
. My first vaulable Life Lesson =)}
HaHa Hello everyone =) Just wanted to post about my recent Trial& Tribulation before God and cant say I did very well.
Ok It all started after MIT. When I just found out that church didnt encourage BGRs, so I readily just gave it up. Then rumours went around that I was a playboy so was really ticked off by that. That was just the beginning. Then about 4 days after that, my best friend for 9 years died of stress and a heart condition. The best part was thatI was too caught up in my own problems to help her. So I felt really guilty.
Thats when Satan really started to attack me and I am quite ashamed that I believed him because I started to feel like God had left me. I started feeling really lousy, then I went back to my old self. For those who know, then you should know what I am talking about. Anyway, I had thoughts about dropping out of IGNYTE for some reason. Then I got alot of msn messages about it. Then one night or rather really early morning Sister Brenda talked/ scolded me. Even though I knew it was out of concern I still felt rather angry.
Then I started to pray again =). Still didn't manage to sleep but I had my longest TAWG, around 4 hours. Then I had to leave for training, still feeling sad but felt some weight lifted.
The came Life conference. I went there just like my normal self. So don't think anbody noticed that I was sad. Then during the sermon by Pastor Dowdy, God was speaking to me about something ENTIRELY different then what she was sharing about. Then that night when I came home, I really just began to let it all go to God. Won't go so much into detail about that but it wasn't pretty.
Then I really felt better, much better than anyone could have made me feel, for the first time after about a week I finally caught some good sleep because other than that, I didnt sleep for 5 days and for 2 nights I slept 1-3 hours but woke up because of terrible nightmares. All in all this was a real test for my faith and now I realise that I really just have to keep believing no matter what circumstances I am in and you should too.
Now for the acknowledgements =)
SISTER BRENDA!!!- Thanks for that waking up talk that early morning, even though you were super tired, but without it I wouldnt have reflected at all.
Brother Zhi hao- For sorta counselling me =)
Buzz group - For scolding me >.> and kept telling me not to leave and yea it was for my own good... and I am GLAD that I didn't.
God - For without Him I would be dead right about now.
Just wanna share a little bit about how my greatest lesson learnt from MIT was brought back. PRAYER! 3 instances: 1. I'm doing my very best to keep that 15mins-a-day prayer commitment. And praying very hard that I will keep praying =/
2. Talking with an FTV over the phone.. Every SP should know that we should always take time to pray with our SBs, or for everyone, we should try to pray with other Christian friends regularly. Prayer is how I try to end every phone call with anybody I know from church. So it happens that I quite ran out of things to talk about (I'm sure you guys have noticed how I'm not very good at fueling conversations) and wanted to end a phone call with an FTV. So I just prayed. I want to thank God that she was willing to pray before I did (I asked her to pray for the combined event)! That's the first time this year that an SB/FTV was willing to pray aloud with me. And after I finished praying, I didn't know why but she just thanked me for praying for her and started to share. That fueled our conversation.. We began to talk about deepening relationships with God and then about speaking in tongues. I don't have solid knowledge about the works of the Holy Spirit but because we prayed for the congregation at the altars in Nonthaburi, I could testify to her about how when we prayed in tongues, prayed through the Holy Spirit in english, we could still minister to people who didn't know what we were saying! It's the work of the Holy Spirit; surpassing every language barrier.. She then shared with me that yea, she agrees; because the prayer I prayed touched her heart... I don't believe we could have had such a deep conversation (this is the 1st time i'm talking to her since we met the previous sat) if not for the point when the Holy Spirit ministered to her through prayer. For all who remember, do pray so that she may be able to come for service and FUEL this sat and bring her sister as well!
3. It was the day before fathers' day when I just suddenly thought of gathering my brother and I to pray for my family. Firstly, I am thankful that the Holy Spirit reminded me to gather them, just as I had asked sincerely for (cos i'm a forgetful person). Then, I also wanna give God all the praise because I'm sure those short 5-10mins of prayer with my family gave us the opportunity for us to encourage and spur each other on in prayer!
Prayer can, as Sis Kim shared, be trained.. It gets better and better but we cannot stop "for a break".
Yup that's my heart's praise to God. Just wanna encourage you guys to invite friends to the combined event at PL! It's our chance to bring back what we learnt from Thailand in full force! "Played Out: Reality Bites" *down into prayer list* ;)
{Tuesday, June 19, 2007
. Trails of IGNYTE in Thailand.}
Hi everybody, my occasional entry for this blog.*think it's my first time* yea!! hahaha Sis Vivi was really blessed to go with all of you in the trip and see not only you impacting lives there, but God transforming your perspectives and your heart.
An anointed team of 13 with our ever spontaneous and courageous pastor Gary leading the pack..I felt I had received so much more spiritually than I had given in the physical terms.. see you guys real soon for the gathering*cross my fingers and hope it will happen*
P.S: i miss the squids and the mango coconut sticky rice:P
guys and girls... It's been an awesome trip. Here's my note to each one of you! :)
Eugene: Hey superstar! I always thought that you were some dao punk who is super zai in soccer! But this trip really allowed me to see how much you have grown and matured too. I think you've risen up to the occasions and i've been encouraged by your testimonies about how much you appreciate the Thais and how the mit had impacted you the way you see your sbs. Keep up the fire and of cos remember the call which God has for you!
Eliza: Room-mate! It's really nice to have you sleeping with me and looking at the weird painting in the room!!hahahha. Well, thank God for this opportunity so that we could get to know each other. Hey, i see so much in you that you can give. So, just give ok! God will honour you! And continue to dance for Him!
Joshua: Josh got burnt! (josh gorban?) haha. lame. Well, this is the kind of thing you would say to us also right? Well, i'm glad that you've learnt so much through this trip. Remember what the Lord has done in Thailand through you. You're so young and there're many many more opportunities that God can use you! Let God mould you in wherever you are.
Chermaine: Hey babe! Don't be confused anymore you're feeler or thinker k? You are special and unique and awesome and wonderful in God's eyes! I think you've stepped out of your comfort zone in Thailand and I'm encouraged by that. Let this continue in Singapore and in your school as well.
Lenice: I shall call you the EVERYWHERE-SLEEPER. I never really knew you until this mit. MAN, i've never met someone who has such strong sense of touch as a love language! haha. It was really sweet of you to help some of us to massage. And yeah, i will never forget the time when you slept in my arms in Not's car la! you slept anywhere and everywhere and anytime and er...ok not everytime. But i'm glad you've been blessed by God in this trip. Hope to see you rising up to serve in church as well too!
Chui Yi: Seeing you growing up since last year has truly been a blessing. I think you've been a teachable girl and you've never stopped considering for others. Your servant heart has blessed many ones in the team. Yes, let the things which God spoke to you about IH continue to be upon your heart. You're appreciated.
Nathan: NATHANNN!!!!! okok. i'm sorry but i'm still very amused by the incident that happened in that morning in joshua's and eugene's room where eliza and i were there. BUT BUT BUT, i'm proud of you. From the day when i was teaching you how to act punk rock till end of the trip, i'm really proud of you. Much was given to the Thais and much was received by you as well i guess? Keep shining dude.
Zech: Yo brudder! Well, i think this trip has been so much fun with you around cos of your unique character. Fun as it may be, i think u've taken care the younger ones good enough especially joshua. haha. It's a privilege to be serving with you for the first time. You've been someone who showed courage and faith when you prayed for the handicapped. Keep it up! :)
Coco: COCONUT!!! *lol* Sister!!!!!! it's been so long and i thank God for this opportunity to serve and hear from you again. We all love you even though u could be blur at times! It's been really nice to have you around! Sometimes i think you're like a big sister looking out for us. I'm just so impressed by your sincerity to talk to the Thais and making efforts to talk to many people in this trip. And i'm sure God has blessed your heart as well. Cheers to the many years of friendships ahead!
Kim: KIMCHIE!!!!! HELLOE HELLOE HELLOE! HELLOE HOW DO YOU DO!? I'm GLAD TO MEET WITH YOU. AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU!!!! lalalalalalalalalalalalal.....ok. i think God has bonded us like through everything this year! from being in the same section to games day comm to mit! WOW kim! i think you've left the team with much craziness and siaoness and fun and also a meaningful devotion. We're all no longer cripplers. Come on pple, let's take our mat and go! *zzzsshrrroooom*
VV: VV! First and foremost, I've been blessed by your prophetic anointing and the kind of confidence which you carry as you share the love of God. You're like a hidden treasure in our team because nothing beats seeing people getting saved and healed in the presence of God. bottomline: you're the bomb. :)
Pgary: Well pastor, there's too much to say and we all know that you've been so inspiring to us. Personally, i picked up many things from you especially when we visited houses and oikos. I guess we all remember the line that you said, "We'll go on ministering even after a long day." Yes, hot sun, bumpy roads, sleepy eyes, come what may! All glory to God. :)
"DON'T let anyone look down on you because you are YOUNG, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
"I have given you authority to TRAMPLE on snakes and scorpions and to OVERCOME ALL the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:19-20
"And these signs will accompany those who BELIEVE: In my name they WILL drive out demons..." Mark 16:17a
"the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me(us) , because the LORD has anointed me(us) to preach GOOD NEWS to the poor, He has sent me(us) to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim FREEDOM for the captives and RELEASE from darkness for the prisoners," Isaiah 61:1
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:13
{Wednesday, May 30, 2007
. Thoughts from Zechariah}
I named this post "thoughts from Zechariah". No I'm not Zechariah but I've been reading Zechariah for TAWG for the past week or so. Yea the books on the Prophets sure ain't altogether interesting but I thank God that He has been teaching me things, and recently, things about our trip.
Today I read Zec 11. From my interpretation, it talks (figuratively) about how the nation of Israel had various evil leaders, and God had to punish Israel as a whole but ultimately there were still some remnant "sheep" (Israelites). Then God (the best shepherd around!) took Israel under His care but when He came down to earth in the form of Jesus Christ, the people rejected Him! So, the Lord would let evil shepherds take over Israel; after Jesus' death, the Romans took over Israel.
2 thoughts: 1. We ought to be thankful for our leaders! Thank God for Pas Gary and the great annointing he has; for Sis Corinna and her ever-encouraging words; for Sis Kimberly and her dynamism, for Sis Brenda and her amazing ability to touch down into people's heart, for Sis Vivian and her resourcefulness no matter how sick/tired she is! I think that even as our trip draw nears, we should pray for God's guidance to be upon our leaders. They've been doing a lot of preparations and need God's strength. Pray even for the leaders in Thailand! Spiritual leaders e.g. Pas Sammat.. the political leaders. In olden Israelite terms, leaders are like shepherds; the people really follow and are "lost" without a shepherd!
2. I pray that we'll also draw near to God as our mission trip draws near! Yea we may have heard it many times, but it was still very encouraging for me to read that hey, God's will is actually to bless us, to have a close relationship with us.
To end off, take a look at Zec 8: 20-23. vs 23 ... In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, "Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you."
"those days" are unfolding now! Can you guys imagine people around us telling us "Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you"? Now wouldn't that be exciting?
Today we had our first practice of our mime. I shall call it "The Heart"- A story of a girl exchanging her heart with different characters and ending up with brokenness and even attempted suicide, but Jesus comes in and saves her life as He intercepts her. A simple but real situation which we face in life. Perhaps, we were once like this girl in the story who gives her heart to people whom we trust, love, adore and many more but ends up with her heart shattered. And maybe, it's also a good reminder that God heals and restores us. If you have a hurt and shattered heart today, know that Jesus cares and loves you.
Helloe to ourVERY FIRST IGNYTE MISSION IMPACT TRIP TEAM!!! Happy greetingsto you!!! This is a place where we can blog about our thoughts and also things which you think God has been speaking to you about the whole MIT. The reason for this blog being called I-Fisher Of Men because "I" stands for "Ignyte" and also stands for "I" (ie. you!). So each time you come here is also a self-declaration of you being fisher of men. All of us are going for our first MIT this Jun and I'm sure we're all very excited about it. Let's continue to pray and seek God for salvation in Thailand. We're all here together in the same team for the same purpose and that is to reach out to the lost. At the same time, let's encourage one another through this blog and i believe we can grow deeper in God together. So, keep visiting here for updates ya? love you peeps!
Remember: Live a life of Conviction, NOT Preference.
A Night of Delight and Celebration
Today we had our first practice of our mime. I shall call it "The Heart"- A story of a girl exchanging her heart with different characters and ending up with brokenness and even attempted suicide, but Jesus comes in and saves her life as He intercepts her. A simple but real situation which we face in life. Perhaps, we were once like this girl in the story who gives her heart to people whom we trust, love, adore and many more but ends up with her heart shattered. And maybe, it's also a good reminder that God heals and restores us. If you have a hurt and shattered heart today, know that Jesus cares and loves you.