... woke up and felt dizzy. Did my mundance things in the morning... brushin, washin and visitin the toilet... It's Sat.

Turn on my computer, and received news of someone death died in his workplace. A cloud of sadness hanged over my head. He also mentioned that the person died at 9am earlier this morning. Reflecting on this and realised that I was so priviledge to be alive to grumble on my mundance life while somewhere in S'pore... a life was left without having the strength to breathe anymore.

I prayed a short prayer for the decreased family members. Asking God to comfort and restore the family. Prayed that there will be people there to comfort them finanically, emotionally and spiritually. This is the least I can do for them.

Comfort them Lord!

I'm still very sad and burdened to read an email last night. I felt disturbed and troubled. My heart ached for the person. Moreso, because I can't do anything to change the situation around. It's beyond me. It's not my duty to change it. I shouldn't be in the picture at all. God should be the One who will comfort and guide in the person's journey.

I will just leave it as it is... minding my own business... though it's not my style. I'm not God.

Pardon my mindless... rattling in a early sat morning...

Hmm... looking at the bright side, I am going to Raffles Hotel Jubilee Hall for a Musical play later.
Going to cut my unkempt and horribly long hair.

Short and neat is still the best for me.

Blessed weekend!

Catch
... First and foremost, all praise and appluase to my one and only God. I can't believed that it had just ended. All the hard work accomplished over the two services. However, I totally must agree that it was worth it.

The whole two services were more than SUPERB. The dancers danced with so much energy. The singers sung with their hearts out. The worship team played tremendously well. The ushers were warm and welcoming, so much hospitality were exhibated. The logistics team, the hospitality team... and there were so many other people who had contributed so much into today's event.

This can only be done when God united and kindled our hearts together to execute such a big event.

God be the glory~! Amen~!

The 1st service was already pretty packed... which to me it was kinda of surprising coz normally there will be still a few section of the sanctuary not occupy. The 2nd service was even more amazing. The whole sanctury was packed till the people from the Young People's Ministry(YPM) need to give up their seats to the adult. Praise God... that could mean there are people whom we invited in the streets or the friends we invited came.

"O, What A Catch!"
The speaker for today's sermon was Pastor David Leong from the Scripture Union. He used John 21:1-22 to talk about the disciples encounter with the Lord Jesus.

After Jesus resurrention, he appeared to His disciples a 2nd time... to remain them that they need to fish on the correct side... not so much as in literal sense but a spiritual sense. They need to catch Men instead of fishes. In other words, catch the vision of the Lord's heartbeat. Disicple-making.

Though, today is a youth sun... the sermon I felt was not targeted to the youth only... it was for the adult as well. As much as we need to catch the vision of disciple-making. We need mentors which this the adults to help us with the monitor our progession and encourage on the vision.

In order for us to maintain the vision. We need to:
- Fall deeply in love with Jesus to know his heartbeat for the lost.
- Feed His lambs/take care of His sheep. What better way to really serve, is to minister to the lost and the believers.
- Follow Jesus all the way. Indeed I like what Pastor David mention. We, the YPM should not treat Pastor Swee Boo, Matt and Looyi as God, the Father, Son and Spirit. It will be a grave mistake to look at men. Man will fail and disappoint but God will not. They are there help, encourage and inspired. not there to give us eternal life. Only God has the power to do that.

David gave a altar call for both the pre-believers and christians who want to surrender or rededicate their lives back to Jesus. There were quite a no of ladies who stood up. Praise God for these people. I pray and hope that their encounter wil not just stop in the sanctury today but a beginning in to their daily walk with the Lord... that it will be a daily encounter with the Lord Jesus.

I'm Dying
After the service, we break for lunch and headed to Singapore Polytechnic for a games day. Had fewa good games of frisbee with Kel Tan, Kel Choo, Willie, Ian, Ronald, Ben, two other guys and myself. I was totally wrapped out.

Moments after the games, my brain started to go dead, my whole body began to grow weak. I couldn't concentrate... everything around me began spinning. Felt dizzy. Went to the toilet to throw out... I think I practically threw out my entire lunch... went up the audience stand to rest... still not okie. Felt terrible. My guess was that I dun have enough rest the night before at Tim's place. Slept at 2am. I had to admit I'm no longer young liao. Got to take good care of my physical body. Must start planning a exercise program for either running or swimming. To work out my heart and bulid my stamina...

Thanked God for Kel Choo who was senstive enough to ask about my condition. Advised me to drink some sugared water to replenished my lost energy. Took a few slips, felt slightly better. Took some rest... then the headache came back again. Excruciating pain encamped me. I felt like dying...

He suggested I join them for dinner even though I coudn't eat with such condition so that I could recover in time to ride my bike. It was too dangerous to ride. Hopped into his car...

As they ordered their food, I sat there with my cup of 100plus. Glutted down one can and stoned there. While Kel Choo ordered another can for me. Glutted down after I was slightly better. Rest some more... When the whole gang finished their dinner. Someone in the table prayed for me while the rest bow in prayer... wait I started to recall. Josh and Johnny prayed for me. Kel and Johnny laid their hands on me while Josh prayed aloud.

Kel, Zhen Yang and I parted with the rest of the people after the prayer. My headache was gone, I felt almost completely healed. I was praising God as I made my way to Kel's car. He drove me back to my bike which was parked at SP. He was cared enough to say that he will escort me from behind...

I lost them along the way when there was a red traffic light which cut us... I smsed them including those seated at the table that I was safe and sound. Praise God for sustaining my life.

It made me realised that my life is just vulnerable without God. I can just die if God will stop my breath for a few mins. Then I will start to be brain dead and die. Praise God my creator who loves me enough to allow me to breathe. Amen~!

My life is His... and His alone.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Gal 2:20

Praise and Pray
... Oops it's already 12plus so can't say it's tonite's Praise and Pray was excellent. The focus was the Youth Sunday.

Thankful I was able to finish up my work for yesterday. Rush to church from work... though I was tired, I still wanted to go down to be recharged and refreshed.

Decided to go to Greenridge to have a quick dinner. Saw the rest of the lighthse and livingstone CG so joined in to their table. Grabbed my economical rice and ate.

Left briefly so that I could prepare my heart to worship the Lord in the sanctuary... Pastor Fabian led in the worship, my heart was kinda of not right to worship the Lord. Thankfully, Pastor KK started a
session of prayer to prepare our hearts to worship the Lord. Prayed together with Ben. My spirit was better after that prayer session.

After which Pastor KK asked the congregation to pray for the youths in the sanctuary. We left for a briefing before departing to do prayer walk. Barnabas, Ruihao and Huiqi shared of their burden for the people out there... Praise God for their hearts. Although their sharing were different but common thing was they want people to come to know the Lord.

Looiyi gave us a short briefing and requested us to pair up in groups of four. Two brothers and two sisters. Wise choice. In this way, we can talk to anyone... if there are guys, as brothers we can help to advertise the Catch, if gals, the sisters can take over. Zhen yang, Shuping and another sister who I didn't bother to find out her name were in the same group as I was.

Along the way, there were people who rejected us flatly. There were those we were quite okie about it. Yes, there were discouragements... it just made my heart aches to see them rejected to have a chance to get to know God a step closer... They were not rejecting us but they were rejecting God instead. We prayed for them... that God will bring other people to come into their lives in the future to minister to them.

I remembered I did not come to know the Lord straight away... but it's those faithful ones who ministered to me one way or another that I am who I am now.

When we were about to return to church , we met an elderly lady in her 80s. She was having difficulties getting down from the escalator. Zhen Yang helped her down while I helped her with her groceries... she began to relate her life to us. Interestingly, the rest of the group wasn't able to speak well hokkien... so I was left to interact with her more... Shuping was there to communicate to her to make her more at ease.

She kept saying it's her good fortunate that she bumped into us. We knew it's we divine appointment from God. Shuping and I was trying to relate that it was God's blessing bestow upon her. Tried inviting her to our Hokkien service. Was kinda of difficult b'coz she was hard of hearing... hence we repeated a few times... Nevertheless, the message was brought across. Hopeful and prayerful she would come to the service. Accompanied back to her doorstep. Her son wasn't very pleasant to see strangers like us accompanied his mum back.

Yet, he continued to thank us... and closed the door behind us. I was troubled by the son's reaction... will I do that when my parents are old and slow.... I questioned myself. I prayed that I will not be like that when my parents grew old and slow.

Zhen Yang led a short prayer for this granny as we walked. I echoed his prayer. We headed back to church. The rest of the groups had already gathered back. Looiyi was asking for any testimony to be shared. Zhen Yang took the initiative to share about our group's encounter with the elderly lady. I believed it as a blessing to the rest of my brothers and sisters. Looiyi shared that the harvest was not only for the youth... although our focus was the youth last nite. I could agree more... the Father's heart is burden of all His creation... young, old, healthy, sick, rich or poor they are all precious in my Father's eyes.

Ended the night with Zhen Yang, Royston, Alvin and Looiyi saying the concluding prayer...

Youth Sunday... I'm excited, so are those people who had been praying hard for it.

Catch the soul, the vision and the fire. Come join us... and be blessed

Day Two of Retreat - Part 1
Did Quiet Time on Romans 8:1-17. I was rather an interesting passage... but did dwell very much into the passage. My mind was half here, half somewhere else.

Breakfast was great. Had a packet of fried mee hoon and another packet of fried mee. I'm a pig. Ate the entire two packet by myself. Lol.

Roy came timely for his message on F.A.I.T.H. Roy was my spiritual mentor when I was in Singapore Polytechnic. He is a insightful, wisdom and humble man of God. The few Man to man sessions helped me through some of my difficult issues in my life.

F - aithful
A - vailable
I - nitiative
T - eachable
H - umble

That was the break out of his message. He started off with the last alphabet.

Humbility
Humbility is seeing ourselves as who we are... not more, not less.
Humbility needs to be cultivated and protected.
God loves the humble

Teachable
A continous eagerness to learn and to be taught
We stopped being teachable when we think that we had known everything.
We need to constantly desire to learn to keep in step with the Father.
We can learn from everyone, young or old.

Initiative
Jesus took the initiative in many of the passage in Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Eg. Feeding the thousands, calming the storm, washing his disciples feet etc...
We don't take the initiative b'coz it is unimportant.
Thus, we need to be initiative.... to complete the Lord's task

Availablility
We can be available for the wrong reasons.
Sometimes, be are available to ministry b'coz we want to run away fromour home.
Sometimes been available means to stay in the ministry too.
Be available even it is boring, mundance etc.

Faithfulness
Do things well, not for the things that can be seen but not seen.

"Our goal in life is to please HIM whether visuable or invisuable."

Lastly, Faithfulness & Humbility are the two pillars while Availability, Initiative and Teachablity are the application of Faithfulness & Humbility.

To be continued...

... back from the retreat yesterday. It was both enriching and tiring experience. Little sleep, lots of talking and seeking after the Lord. The four days, three nights went past with a blink of an eye.

Day One of Retreat
Before the whole retreat had started, I had already experience the Lord's blessing. I was having doubts on whether I would be able to make it since my leave was pending on the actual day. I was praying madly for the Lord to create a miracle to allow me be there without having to worry about my work.

Praise God! My leave was signed in the morning and thus I was able be on leave after 12pm.

My heart skipped a beat for that. I tried to clear as much work as I could.

Packed my stuff and cleared my table. Print out some notes for the recreation. Went over to Marine Burger King, had this new burger which was launched. Grabbed a quick bite before sped down to Navigators building.

Quite a no. of teens and labourers had arrived. Greeting them before settled down and changed to my sports wear. Shortly, they were getting ready to clean up the place while Hungkiat and I retreated to one corner to go through our recreation. Checking the procedure and the logistics need for each games that we played.

After Kia Yuan finished his briefing, we started our indoor recreation. Had quite abit of hard time trying to get these people to settle down. I wasn't in the mood to try to catch their attention. My engine was still running cold... I guessed I was still trying to put off the hectic week at work. Nevertheless, thanked God they were able to settle down after much prompting.

Started out first game, 'Scissors, paper, talcum powder'. The game was played in a such a way when the loser would get a stroke of talcum powder drawn on his/her face. The game were played for 3rounds, 10mins each.

Everyone was having lotsa of fun in this game. Many of their faces were painted white. Carried on with some other more games... Ended the last game with everyone trying to have the most cloth packs on his/her body. I was impressed by Jas that she could put so many of them on her face and not feel any pain. I was the last to played... couldn't put much on my arms... I should have tried put the on my tummy, I could have a better chance of winning.

After washed up, when everyone was thinking that the speaker, Tah Chong would start with the topic of Vision of Disciple-Making. Kingmum told the teens that they would having TMS(Topical Memory System) Quiz. Everyone was booing.. that don't play this kind of practical joke. It was scheduled in the program sheet.

Hee, it was part of our planning to include TMS Quiz anytime of the retreat. Most of them were taking aback but they did their best for it.

How I wish, I could participate in the TMS. It was my motivation every time, I go to camp... it's was a highlight for me in the camp. However, over the years there wasn't chance for me to challenge with anyone over 60verses... most of the time, the quiz only stopped till 30verses. In order to encourage the younger ones to participate. Now, I'm a labourer, there wasn't much chances to compete with anyone anymore.

15mins after the unprompted TMS Quiz, TC began his message.

What is vision of disciple-making?

"A clear mental image of a preferable future imprinted by God to His servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstance."

It's investing your life in the life of another, with the aim of helping him/her to grow and mature as a fruitful life.

Matthew 4:19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

However, there are cataracts in disciple-making if we don't deal with them properly.

1) Shallow conversion
2) Faulty discipleship
3) Making poor transitions of new phases of life
4) Overcome by the cares of this world
5) Lacking God's wisdom

The ending note... "Start Investing Your Life today..."

Had a 15mins short prayer for the various aspects of the camp.

The last program for the night was conducted by Chris Lian, Serendipity. An interesting time of making the various group(F.A.I.T.H) to promote their team to apply for a job from the Navigators. It was a wonderful time.. The night were on a higher note when Kenneth make a presentation on behalf of the labourers. I almost fell from the chair with him making such presentation... eg. our combined prayer hours was something x 10 to the power of 53 hrs. We fed 1000 people blah blah. All these chaps. It was a hilarious.Only he could have such an ability to make the whole session a laughter-filled time.

Finally, it was time for wash up... Day one of the retreat was over...

To be continued...