Responding to 3 Challenges

CG 27 August 2010 – Responding to God’s Challenges (some thoughts)

Responding to challenge 1 - Learning to be involved again
Recently, I am involving myself to help out more in some events in our region like Movie Nite and DnD

What makes me do it?
There is always a need for more help, share the load with each other.
The realization that I have something to offer, no matter how small.
(All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.)

Learning points while serving
You can only serve well if you do not care who will get the credits. (1 Cor 3:6)
A sense of peace when you know that you have invested what God has entrusted you with, the right way. (matthew 25:14-30)
You have ownership when you are involved
Physically may be tired but spiritually refreshed
Confidence that God takes care of the rest of your concerns when you serve him.

Responding to challenge 2 – Learning to prepare my own teaching materials to feed my flock
I need to continue to be observant and sensitive to the things around me, to see God working in the everyday situations so that CG discussion/teachings can be more interesting. (Romans 12:6-8)
I have created a blog
http://the-first-garden.blogspot.com/
as a platform to post some thoughts, teachings, sermon notes

What makes me do it?
If you love me, feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
Feed with good quality food.
When we pluck other teachings wholesale and overload with bible verses, it becomes poor quality food for my sheeps.
You cannot give what you do not have. So I must be able to internalize what I have learnt, draw biblical lessons from my experience before I can deliver it.


Responding to challenge 3 – Learning to make CG nites different
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100724-0000048/Its-PE-,,,-but-not-as-I-knew-it

Even Physical Education is now being done so much differently, why not CG? As long as we keep the end goals in mind, we can explore different methods of delivering it.
Another example is my nephew’s school. They have so much experiential learning that even adult (i.e. Theresa finds it very interesting)
Remember the principle of contextualization (the need to make CG relevant to the people)
and the principle of competition (the need to ensure CG is still attractive )
It’s a happenin Friday evening; I can choose to chill out with my friends, why do I still choose to attend CG?

Lion and the lamb

Last Sunday, we started on the 1st part of our ESS, titled Marshmallow Man.
Pastor Jeff started off by sharing about how different people have different ideas of what defines a “TRUE MAN”.
Is he the muscular, alpha male type like Stallone, Bruce Lee? or is he the SNAG metro sexual type (Zac Effron, Becks). Definition of true man evolves over the years and changes regularly with society’s expectations and demands as well as media portrayal…
So what is the bible’s take on the definition of True Man??
Firstly, a true man is TENDER.
In particularly, tender to express emotions.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41 and in John 11:35 Jesus wept over Lazarus his good friend.
Contrary to many Asian cultures, it is really ok for man to exhibit our emotions appropriately
A true man is also tender towards other people.
Especially the seemingly weaker group. (Children, elderly and women) as illustrated in John 8:9-11 and mark 10:13-16.
A true man is not a robot neither is he a block of wood. A true man is someone in touch with his emotions and he is not afraid to express it appropriately.
Secondly, a real man is also TOUGH.
Tough when it comes to what is right.
Although he is soft in heart, he is strong in character and mind as displayed by Jesus in John 2:13-16.
Something that pastor shared which is key to this point is “When we do not stand for anything, we will fall for everything.” That is so true…it is indeed frustrating to see man without any kind of convictions and principles and who goes wherever the wind blows. They flow towards whichever direction that bring them the most advantage even though they are clearly walking in the wrong path.
A real man is also tough in the face of difficulties.
They take personal responsibility to stay strong in marriage, family and work even when the going gets tough. They never give up but become more determine to overcome that situation they are in.
In conclusion, it is not easy to be a real man because we tend to veer towards the extremes. However, if we take the life of Jesus as a guide we will get pretty close to being the ultimate real man… After all, He is not known as The Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God for nothing…

Guten Tag

Was chatting with wifey just the other day about the topic of furthering of studies and we both came to a conclusion that both of us dislike the idea of going for more academic studies.Really admire those who work and study at the same time. However we want to learn things that we like or some life skills along the way. Things like keyboard, handyman, cooking etc... short, affordable courses from the cc. It will be good if we can learn together. Learning a new language will be pretty useful too... German anyone?
Deutsch English
Everyday Pleasantries
Guten Tag! - Tag! Hello! - Hi!
Grüß Gott! Hello! (southern Germany & Austria)
Grüß dich! Hello! (familiar, informal)
Guten Morgen! - Morgen! Good morning! - Morning!
Guten Abend! Good evening!
Gute Nacht! Good night!
Wie geht es Ihnen? How are you?
Wie geht's? How are you? (familiar, informal)
Danke, gut. Fine, thanks.
Also see:
10 Ways to Say 'Thank You' in German
Sehr gut. Great.
Es geht. Okay. So-so.
Nicht so gut. Not so well.
Auf Wiedersehen. Good-bye.
Tschüs! Bye! See you later. (casual)
Requests - Bitten
Was möchten Sie? What would you like?
Ich möchte... I would like...
Darf ich? May I?
Können Sie mir helfen? Can you help me?
Yes/No - Thanks - You're Welcome
Bitte! - Ja, bitte! Please! - Yes, please!
Danke! Thanks! - No thanks!
Note: "Danke!" in response to an offer usually means "No thanks!" If you want to indicate a positive response to an offer, say "Bitte!"
Danke schön! Thank you!
Vielen Dank! Thanks a lot! - Many thanks!
Bitte schön! You're welcome! (in response to "Danke schön!")
Nein, danke! No thanks!

One - Star Spain

write the future ? ... they just did it ! FIFA World Cup Champion 2010... ESPANA!!!!

Truth Telling

Was listening to Ps Jeff's sermon online during lunch yesterday. He spoke about the topic of truth telling. We need to be truth tellers and we need to take in the advise of truth tellers in our life so that we can be a better disciple and disciple maker in the kingdom of God. The most important point about truth telling?...
it needs to be done with LOVE. If we are correcting somebody, always always check our intention and motives. Are we being self righteous and will our comment/remark tear the person down??? Truth telling MUST always be done with the intention of helping the other party cover his blind spot and to build him/her up. Something he quoted really sums up this point beautifully.. " we do not want uncritical lovers and we certainly do not need unloving critics " If we care , we will tell someone the truth which he or she cannot see... lovingly.

Nike Tiempo Mystic III FG (Performance)

Wifey bought me this pair of boots, after my old pair gave way last week playing against the JEDI. Bought it at Queensway Weston after much deliberation. Tried numerous pairs Addidas Predator X, Nike T90 Strike III FG amongst them. Finally decided on this pair because it is the most comfortable and the least flamboyant. I still like my boots in plain, simple design.. haha..Just like the wearer..Thank you wifey, i absolutely love my advance birthday present . ;o)

Titans FC - Hope Premier League Champions 2010

A great team to play for ...