endurance run

I had my remedial training earlier today. no, it has nothing to do with science or maths but rather, it's a physical remedial training.

so what we do? we run.

we had this endurance run today. 30 mins, run, non stop around the stadium. no minimum rounds, no minimum speed. the rule was simple -- just don't walk.

and while running, suddenly God spoke to me about something. i really didn't think about it this way until earlier on when it dawned on me.

you see, life is like this long run. some run a longer distance, some run a shorter distance. some try to cut the corners of the running track, but they all end the same way -- there is an end point.

and we are all of a different stamina. some run like they have unlimited resources of energy, like they could just go on and on and not feel tired.

others run slowly and give up easily when they tire.

and sometimes, you will notice, the faster ones will try to encourage the slower ones by pacing them -- running alongside them, to encourage them just so they will not walk or quit running all together.

sometimes the slower ones accept this, and run alongside the stronger runners, trying to keep up with them.

sometimes they give up, and rather walk at their own leisurely pace, preferring to enjoy the cool evening breeze.

Christianhood is exactly like that.

We, having God's grace, should be the stronger runners, with limitless amounts of energy to keep on running. and more importantly, we should be running alongside the slower ones, encouraging them to keep up with us. if they slow down, try to encourage them. if they stop, give them a gentle nudge.

what we shouldn't do is to just say "hey! don't stop! come on! keep on running! finish the run!" and then when they still can't keep up with us, we leave them behind, without pushing them to keep their pace or increase it.

so hope this little insight will enourage some of us (including me) who are trying to reach out to others not to give up and instead, enourage them all the way. who knows one day, they might accept it and run alongside with you!

Prayers for Team China!

Dear Youthies,

If you read this before 24th July, do pray for team China..as in the team that's going to China! - Pastor, Irving, Carmen & Mary...

• Pray for safety as we travel from Singapore --> Kunming --> Lijiang --> Kunming --> Singapore --> Hougang/Punggol/Marine Parade/Bukit Batok ... haa

• Pray for good health (especially for Pastor that he won't have spinning headaches or diarhoea) & for Irving who just recovered..
  
• Pray we will be a blessing to our China friends. We're doing WAIT tr'g for the youths there...do pray they will benefit from our tr'g & be changed for His kingdom!

• Pray for Mary & Irving to not be tongue-tied in their expression of our mother-tongue!
  

• Pray the team will love one another, just as how Christ has loved us!
  

Keep us in your prayers~ Thank You!!!!!!

Do you want to be like Moses?

Exodus 3:11-12

11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”

Exodus 4:10-17

10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

14 Then the Lord became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you.

15 Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do.

16 Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.

17 And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.”



i saw this scripture while reading someone's blog and it struck me, most of us are like Moses. we want to obey God but when He asks us to do certain things, we find ways and excuses to get around it because of our insecurities. Even though He assures us He will be with us, our faith is still tiny.

so the next time we feel intimidated of the task that God has told us to do, like reaching out to others for instance, remember, Moses was once in our position.

But he became a great leader in the end.

Good Job!

This wouldn't fit into the tag board so decided to write it here.

I was very encouraged to see so many new faces that evening at the BBQ. Kudos to those who managed to bring friends cos we know how difficult it is.

Especially Hannah. She brought 2 new people that night and that is a remarkable achievement cos usually when we invite, people may be hesistant and come up with a billion excuses in their heads why they cannot come or whatever. Or some may genuinely have reasons that they cannot make it and sometimes these can add up to our discouragement.

But let us not be discouraged for in God's timing, he will "reap a harvest", as the Bible says. Yes, you might feel tired after awhile getting rejected and keep seeing only the same regular faces every time that there's an event but we have to press on, to invite the people that rejected us last week, last month or even last year.

For if we let our guard down, or we lose hope in the person and feel that maybe we should invite someone else who is easier to reach out to (which is really not the point of evangelism as there is no "score" system on who brings the most friends) or worse, feel that maybe you weren't "called to reach out to others", Satan steps in and uses his tools of disappointment and discouragement and it could set us into a freefall in our faith.

For those who have a fear of inviting, fear that their friends may not like joining this sort of events, that in their mind they think that you are weird by asking them to have a BBQ with a bunch of strangers -- don't place your own obstacles in your own path. Sure it may be a bit awkward, or you might feel a bit shy, but you can never really know the outcome unless you ask.

Some might wonder how to start up a conversation. I just happen to be really bad at it too. So what i did -- i got straight to the point. Well, it helps that the person i'm reaching out to is a backslider so he does have some knowledge about God. So i just told him as simply as possible, that our church was having a BBQ and was wondering if he would like to be able to fellowship again with fellow Christians in an informal setting. Then you can go on to promote about the games and the food and the people and the car in the lucky draw etc etc. It's just that simple.

So to end off what wouldn't fit into the tagboard, just wanna say well done to those who managed to bring friends and I hope they would follow up with them and pray for them that they might come to know Christ sooner rather than later. For those wondering to invite their friends for future events/church service, pick up the courage and let's spread God's word!

Great Time of Fellowship

A big shout out to the peeps who organized the BBQ!

THANK YOU!!

(Cynthia + Judith + Josephine + Derrick)

Cynthia led the group of superheroes (namely Glen aka Spiderman, Derrick aka Ironman, Josephine aka Wonderwoman, and Irving aka Shrek) for some grocery hunting @ NTUC. Mary aka the Powerpuff girl joined after our hunt and we started making our way to Glen's house. It started pouring, I sang the off-tune version of Showers of Blessings while Derrick sung, of course ever in tune, Hear My Cry, O Lord... as we prod towards our FINAL DESTINATION.

Took a short rest before more of the youths came to join us! Kudos to Hannah Montana for bringing 2 friends along -- Zhi Sheng and Nicole! (*hope you guys had a great time!) Josephine led us in various indoor games which got us exposing some unique and interesting facts about ourselves. Pilot-tress (Esther), Anti-chewing gum and Mee Rebus rebel (Carmen) etc.. etc..

Then we moved on to the outdoor games! I'll let the photos do the talking.... and deepest apology... only got the photos of one team! @_@ Feel free to add on to the photo collection!













Ok... after uploading all the pictures... I am beginning to wonder... if any of the car owners will chance upon this blog! [x_@]

After which, the finale... the highlight.... the one... the only... BARBEQUE FIESTA! Cynthia single-handedly started the BBQ fire (despite much warnings not to play with fire.. Haha). After which, that was when I witnessed FIBC youth spirit burn passionately and furiously... everyone was playing their part... pple cooked... pple served... and more importantly... pple ate!

Putting this in another perspective with regards to spiritual growth.... Just like our hunger for BBQ food... let us all hunger for God's word together... and constantly edify one another in one way or another!

*Raises marshmallow with pride...*
(-_-)" ... zzz..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

BLESSED BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

BLESSED BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

BLESSED BIRTHDAY TO SHAUNIE BUTT!

BLESSED BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

卡啦OK!

God's Symphony

I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend YF today because of my brother's birthday but I have a praise item that I would like to share to readers of this blog.

Some months ago, I shared about my friend, Joreen, who was undergoing chemotherapy for her lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. At last mention, we were raising money for her to repay her debts due to her medical expenses. Praise the Lord cos he has provided twice of what her debt was and that she had managed to go on receiving more treatment from the doctors and nurses at SGH, national cancer center.

Unfortunately, Joreen did not respond well to the treatments that were to follow as one of the side effects caused her stomach to have ulcers which bled continuously, making it nearly impossible to eat, or pass motion. With her immune system at its weakest point, things seemed bleak and all that her friends and family could do were to pray for her.

But thankfully, God intervened. By placing people in her life, God managed to use this situation, to create something beautiful. Joreen accepted Christ in January, along with her entire family of her parents and 2 other younger brothers. Her boyfriend of 10 years also said the sinner's prayer and accepted Christ as his saviour. Praise the Lord indeed. In one move, God used Joreen to bring her ENTIRE family to Christ, and i believe this is something that most of us are trying really hard to do -- to reach out to our unsaved family members.

By this incident, I've seen with my own eyes, the invisible hand of God, orchestrating a symphony, using us in ways we will never realise until His work has been done. He used this story to demonstrate what unconditional love really is, both from within the family, and from the outside. And He also shows us that every subtle action of ours can impact others in ways we cannot imagine. It was from an sms that He urged me to send to Joreen that I got to know of her condition and also by putting others in Joreen's life, He managed to bring to her and her family salvation. He has also shown to me so many qualities that Joreen has which I find i lack and i really hope to improve on my character in near future. He is truly amazing.

Sadly though, He called Joreen back to be by His side earlier this week on the 28th of April and although it was very sad, He yet again showed us that we have hope even in death. I was initially very heart broken when i first heard of Joreen's passing. It came suddenly to me as only a month ago, her health seemed to be on the trail of recovery.

But i trust fully in Jesus. Yes, he has taken away a very close friend of mine, but at least i know in my heart that she's in a better place now, and moreover, she's with Jesus. That's the most important thing. 2 Tim 4:7 says "i have fought a good fight, i have finished my course, i have kept the faith." How aptly a verse to describe the attitude that Joreen carried with her even till her last breathe.

This incident had also brought many new people into contact with me and i'm hoping to be able to share God's word with them, through my blog and hopefully meeting them in the future. So do keep me in your prayers as well, that God uses me in whatever way He pleases. At the same time, keep PUSHing* on with our prayers to bring our family to know the God we love and never give up!

Gal 6:9 "let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

To know more about Joreen's case, do visit my blog at phderrick.blogspot.com



*PUSH = Pray Until Something Happens

Happy Birthday to...

- M.A.R.Y -

Happy Birthday to You (x2)
Happy Birthday to Mary!
Happy Birthday to YOU!

-FIBC Youths-

Enjoy!

Burning or burnt out?

Are you burning or burnt-out?

Bringing you a one-time special @ this Sat's Young Adults Fellowship..

AVOIDING BURNT-OUTS

Date: 26 April 08 (Sat)
Venue: Church Office
Time: 4.30pm

Do try and make it, contact Michelle/Esther/Juliana to confirm your attendance..

-carmen

1st YAF Outing

Thank You Michelle, Spencer & William for organising the 1st YAF Outing!

We had fun though we didn't get to eat the much-anticipated steamboat! Ha.. check out on Facebook the full story but here are just some group photos we took!

and the photo of the year! Heroes (FIBC YA version)

haha

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CYNTHIA!

From FIBC youths! =)


May you continue to grow in spirit and in truth!

Drumroll....YAF 001!

Calling all Young Adults in FIBC!!!

You're cordially invited to the first official Young Adults Fellowship!

Date: 26 Jan 08 (Sat)
Time: 3.30pm
Venue: Marina Bay

Join us for a time of bonding, fun & fellowship at Marina Bay. Bowling, soccer and most importantly yummy steamboat dinner awaits you! Let's begin the new year with a great time of sharing of God's goodness to us! We will also share with you the programme for YAF in 2008!

Inform Spencer, William or Michelle on your attendance! See you there!


* Note: Young Adults Fellowship will be on a monthly basis, falling on the last week of the month unless it clashes with church's events or public holidays. Therefore, do slot out this month to come for this special gathering! If you've unchurched or unsaved Young Adults friends (army, university or working young adults below 35), do invite them along too!

Youth Fellowship

YES! Let's put our hands together... to welcome.................

*glitter* The 1st YOUTH FELLOWSHIP in 2008 *glitter*

"Director": God
"Starring": Pastor
"Co-starring": Irving and Shane

Ok, yes.. Enough of nonsense from me, this is a reminder to all! Youth fellowship will be held this Saturday, 12/01/08, at 4.30pm SHARP (*not hitachi*, lols). -_-" And yes, remember to bring along our bibles, writing materials and prepare our hearts to receive God's word and be challenged with Pastor's sharing.

In addition, we'll also have a short time of sharing so do prepare a short sharing with regards to how the new year has began for you.

In His love,
Irving

Recounting 2007!

The last four 2007 happening events for FIBC Youthies! (bear with the long entry!)

SYFC PRC Christmas Party

Though it was not the first time that FI was carolling, we were glad to bring cheer to a group of Chinese nationals (polytechnic students) at this warm (*pun intended) & cosy Christmas party. Amidst the rain, the lack of a good stage, we bravely put up a repertoire of 7-10 Christmas items, including "We Were The Reason", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" in parts (Woohoo!), "Siyahamba", Derrick aka Huaxing's solo "O Holy Night" and 2 Chinese carols!
Decked in black, the carollers were the stars for the night as many of the audience took pix and videos of their singing! But most importantly, we were glad to be part of an evangelistic programme for the night! Thank God for the good response as the PRCs sung & hum along with us...Kudos to Derrick & Michelle who co-ordinated the pieces & Spencer & Irving for their lovely guitaring and to all the youths who participated in this event!

Christmas Service 2007

This year, we were back with the lovely Christmas lunch at Ferntree Cafe. Thank God for Brother Choon Yee's hard work as we tuck into our favourite Christmas foods! It was a great time of encouragement as we listened to Pastor's sermon and reminded by the carols of God's great love for us... Yes, the youths performed again!

We thank God for the good turnout and for the opportunity to catch up with old friends & also the chance to bring our loved ones and friends to church.. here are some photos to savour the moments!

(Edit: I realised i don't have any photos now...Ha...just imagine k?)

Youth Camp 2007: Waiting For The Best!

Yup, this is probably the highlight of the year for the FIBC Youth Ministry! A total of 27 campers (full-time & part-time) turned up for this exciting camp themed: Waiting For The Best! Through Pastor's preaching, we learned the importance of abstinence from sex before marriage, pros & cons of dating and also personally set standards for our dating relationships.

Check out what happened over the three days of camp...

Day 01 (29 December 07)

A round of introduction of ourselves cos' some were new to one another...

Then time to make our group identity! You will be surprised at the creativity of the FIBC Youths!

We had a romantic lunch at the boardwalk shelter cos' it rained while we were eating! Ha ha.. After lunch, we proceeded to check-in at the chalet...

Amanda painting the small flowers for Faithfulness. William & Johanna drawing their 3-D sheep!

@ Aloha Changi Chalet M, we had...icebreaker games for you & me!
Demonstration by our models Seth & Glen :)

On the first round, Pastor brought us through fast facts of Sex in Sin City. It was alarming to know that more and more youths were involved in pre-marital sex. There was also an increase of youth seeking help for sex-related diseases. We also presented the kind of qualities we looked for our life partners. It was quite fun seeing traits such as beautiful, > 1.74m tall being presented.

Pastor reminded us that it's alright to have certain kind of preferences when it comes to attraction of the opposite gender. However, we need to remember not to yoke with unbelievers as that will be totally against God's agenda for us.

Two verses that Pastor reminded us were in Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable"

Day 02 (30 December 07)

All sleeply-heads headed off for service...Many caught naps in the bus so that we will pay full attention during Pastor's preaching. After lunch at Zion Food Centre, we zoomed off to camp site again for our group games!













Group Faithfulness' hero Jeriel saved the day by running fast & swift! With little covering, he still managed to keep his "little girl" picture intact! So the winning group was...

FAITHFULNESS!

(Note: prophecy? cos' this was the only group that took photo before the actual games started.....scary!!haa)

our unsung heroes!

we watched a video titled Choices after the sumptuous zichar dinner & roasted chicken (thanks to deacon edwin & auntie lucilla's treat!) A humble local production, it reminded the youths about choices that we all have to make in life, especially about relationships. The abortion images captured our attention greatly. It never occurred to us that the processes of abortion could be so graphic. Never listen to the myths that it's just flushing out of some cells. As long as the foetus is formed, it's a new life in one's body.

We rounded off the night with signing of the abstinence pledge, a covenant between us & God to abstain from sex before marriage.

Day 03 (31 December 07)

Last day of camp! Most of the young adults left for work but we spent time to recap on the camp & also write our testimonies for the night.

During watchnight, we presented the Best Camper award to Ian! Most of us were encouraged by his great attitude during this camp. Faithfulness was the winning group! Pastor also presented our lovely souvenirs to each camper!

we took turns to share our thanksgivings for 2007. the youths were well-prepared with their RBC sheep cards. We also were blessed by Pastor's sharing, watching Bro Wilson's video & also the touching testimony of a nose cancer patient. And as usual, we started the first few moments of 2008 with sparklers!

It was a great 4D3N spent with the lovely FIBC Youths. May we continue to cherish the lessons learnt, reminisce the great moments of 2007. Let's stay united for Christ in 2008!

RE: Youth Camp 2007

Hello people, our e-invite is out! TADAAAA......

Credits to Shane and Spencer!

So do pass around the e-invite to friends or family members! I will be sending out the detailed schedule for the youth camp to everyone in church soon. For now, meeting point is at Tampines Bus Interchange, specifically in front of the bus 29 queue! Do pray for the camp, eg. the weather, for pastor, for the camp committee members etc...

Through this camp, the committee hopes we can start working on the theme set for FIBC in the coming year... Together we Build, United we Grow! By God's grace, I'm sure we'll all benefit from His word and have a great time "fellow-sheeping" and bonding with one another... =P

love came down at Christmas

Came across this song that got stuck in my head.
i listened to it no less than 7 times since i found it.
Hope u enjoy it too.



Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love from God to all of us,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

He Paid the Price!

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response,

Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 'Just some old birds,' came the reply.
'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.

'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time' '

But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'

'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'

The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'

'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'

'How much?' the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation.

Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'

'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.

Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'

'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly.

'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked

'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'

'How much?' He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'

Jesus said, 'DONE!'
Then He paid the price.

Be blessed. :)

W.A.I.T. Camp 2007

Help! Everyone in class has a steady except me!!!

Can I hold her hands when we're out?

When love comes knocking, what do you do?

How do you love in God's timing? When is the right age to date?

Seek Godly answers at this year's youth camp!

Presenting ....


W.A.I.T. 2007 - Why Am I Tempted is the theme of this year's youth camp.
We invite all youths and young adults to be part of this camp! Explore together BGR issues such as dating, sexual abstinence and down to the basics of dealing with the opposite gender!

Dates: 29 - 31 Dec 07 (Sat - Mon)
Time: 10am (29 Dec) - 12pm (31 Dec)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ang
Venue: Aloha Changi Chalet M
Committee Head: Irving & Carmen
Committee members: Shane, Judith & Hannah

Sign up today!

Keep a look-out for more updates on the youth blog!

- Youth Camp Comm -