Recollections
Breakaway Youth Camp-Day 2 and 3
I'm so sorry everyone! I realised that I haven post anything about the breakaway camp like I promised 'nong nong ago'.
Since it has been quite a while after the camp, I doubt I can remember all the details. Thus, I will post all those memorable moments.
Day 2
Woke up at 6.30am, with the help of my faithful handphone's alarm ^^. Most of my bunkmates are still soundly asleep, and dawn has not broken forth yet. And I took out my toothbrush, paste, towel and walked automatically to the toliet; been trained to do so since young. I realised how peaceful and solemn the whole school is in the morning. So melancholic, making me fall in love with the school instantly.
And then breakfast. Yay, I love food. Always let the sister and members go 1st, then I go. Cause I dun like queuing up, and I'm not hungry till the point of doing so =p. Then Edwin always one corner doing some camp stuffs, 1st day is cut trash bags. He said he need 500 scissors!!! Oh man, how to find so many? In the end, only got 1 from Wei Ren -.-. But its better than nothing. And of course, the blindfold is for the night activity.
Then 2nd day he spent time fellowshiping with us, amidst his business. All the ex-W146 and W453 came together. Nothing beats eating with your fellow friends together ^^. Then after breakfast, went to audi for session. This time, it was brother Eric preaching. He is quite humorous and relevant too. Esp the part on 'The boy sms to the girl: ''Good nite, dun let the bed bugs bite.'' The whole audi was roaring with laughter.
After that, we had scavenger hunt. Ok, by now, I'm already feeling really really sick. I ate some medicine b4 the session and the effect of it was making me giddy. Still, I ran along with my team and played the scavenger hunt. Cannot let the team to have low morale. Must rar rar with them. lol. Then, we only need ONE more piece(reminds me of one piece) to complete. Someone took ours, I suspect its paladin. Then we also took priest 2 piece. Sry priest 2, people took our piece 1st, we had no choice.
After that, suppose to play waterbomb game again, but it started raining. Woo, so cooling. Good timing too, esp. when everyone was perspiring profusely after the activities. So the houses went to practise for the items during campfire. I didnt participate, afraid will fall sick later on.
Knight was doing drama, and it was about Wei Ren's life. Actually, Edwin and Wei Ren commented that it was not very good, cause didn't portray the knight spirit, but only Wei Ren. It is like the whole house is based on one person only-Wei Ren. Oh well, we didn't have much time planning it anyway. Overall quite good to me, its the effort that counts.
After the planning, we went down for dinner cum campfire. Yay, knights turn to serve the people food. I dunno why, but I just love serving people. I did both shifts cause I'm wasnt hungry, but still ate in the end cause Cindy asked me to eat. Dun want to make her worry.
Then everyone assembled for the campfire, but I'm still inside. Don't really like campfires, very hot and noisy, lol. Same as Jiray. But I'm adaptable =). Came in and went to sit infront. Then later sang some campfire songs and did the dance. Very very very very very to the power of infinity AWKWARD moment. They asked us to pair boy-girl-boy-girl and evidently, many were reluctant to do so. 2 rows nv do I think. Then I'm like...ok...it is just for the fun...no harm right...haha...but...hmm...oh well...better do and get over it...
Then after that, everyone went to the audi, but a few of us stayed back to clear up the place. Alvin, Lennard and me stayed together and being to pick up the rubbish. Bleachx, so much wasted food, how come like this?? Why people don't treasure the food? Don't they know that millions are dying of starvation in South Africa? Why....?? Perhaps they don't...?
Then we entered the audi by the back door and well, it was already Ninja's drama. Missed 2 houses I think. Thankfully, never miss own house's drama. Lol, most of the drama team all do altar call scene, hilarious =D. I think Pastor must be at a lost, later he give altar call the new friends will not be serious.
Then sang 'O holy night' in candlelit style. Cool. After that, pastor preached and gave altar call. Then everyone went to bath. Surprisingly, most of the people are still awake, but all scattered. Some were in the canteen, some were in the bunk and many were still bathing. I bathed at around 1am, to avoid the queuing. Then went to the canteen to grab some food. And went to play the piano. W388 people were there too and then I played songs like 'Hide me now', 'Come to the Father', 'I want to sing', etc. Not bad leh, in that small place, still can have presence of God. This shows that God is omnipresent.
Ok, skip skip skip, too long le. Went to sleep at 2.30am. Heard that CC and the rest slp at 5+ am. Imba people...
Day 3(at last)
Woke up at 6.30 am again. and blah blah blah. Haha. Then ate breakfast with Siu Jin they all. And...I'm feeling better already, but the sore throat still there. Rawr...so low de, so pain de, but it is all worth it. Then went to audi for the final session with sister Yi Lun. Her preaching also very dynamic. And man! I just like the song raindown. Will make the whole audi jump de, haha. Then worship was also very good. Knelt down again and presence of God just flowed.
Then after the session, went back bunk to pack up our stuffs. I volunteered to clean the classroom. Then Jasper thanked me for the help. Thanks Jasper, you are really encouraging and deserved to be best male camper =). Really glad to be in your team for 3 whole days, and to be working together with you as an IC. Learned that being a leader means being a servant, and the people always come first, even at our own expense, even if we were to fall sick, even if we were to sacrifice everything, at the end of the day, its not our will, but God's will to be done. Looking forward to be with you again for the next camp if it is possible.
Then, took the bus back to clementi. And ate at MAC. Oh gosh, I was so tired and I fell asleep. Hahax, woke up at 6pm at MAC. Then went home with Hui Wen. Went to lakeside cheers to buy starbucks coffee to revitalise myself. Then waited for 98 bus together with Hui Wen. Then after that, walked home. So tired, but so happy. So many memories.
This is not the end, but the start of something new. ( High school musical rox!)
Hope everyone has broken away and get ready for 2008, cause it is going to be a greater, powerful, busier no doubt, but a history-making, world-shaking year!
sorry for the slightly long post again =X
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
An end of something, A beginning of another
Hmm, why am I still blogging? Good question! I just cant get to sleep, despite waking up so early and going out till evening. Queer. Hmm, this shall be more of a reflection session, and a food for thought for all those who wandered here aimlessly. Heh, I'm a H.V.F.(Ask me personally what it means =p)
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'We hope you have enjoyed the service. Service has just ended, but the fellowship has just begun.'
Usually, after a phase in our life, a new chapter yet unfolds. It is just like a tributary, leading on to a river, and then a stream, a lake, the sea and finally to the vast ocean. Life is just going to move on, and if you don't move on, you get washed ashore.
Christmas is over, 2007 will soon be over, in a twinkle of an eye, slowly but surely. What have you achieved so far for the past 1 year? Achievements, are themselves ambigous. To ordinary old folks, being able to live happily in their haven is an achievement. To the businessmen, to be able to have 'one millon sales on Christmas Eve' is an achievement. Well, for the students, like me, to be able to get Straight As for our exams is an achievement. Saying this, I guess we all got lots of unrealised dreams, dont you? I'm not excluded as well.
Finishing O level is an achievement, and I thank God regardless of the results I will get in 1-2 months time. Going to Junior College is an achievement, be it the top 5 Jcs or the bottom 5 Jcs, as long as I have a chance to learn; Millions living in the rural areas of the world are unfortunately deprived of the opportunity to do so. Going to Jurong Junior College is an achievement, however how easy it may seem for others, for I come from a neighbourhood school and have done my very best. I have no regrets.
Seemingly, the places that I have been today keep making me recall the past.
Expo...when was the first time I took my first step on the floor? I was already an usher, but a young and inexperience one. Probably 7/12/2005. And no, I dun have such a good memory. I checked the events calendar on the church website =x. I remembered that I dun know how to smile and Sister Siu Zhen keep asking me to smile, but I cant. I remembered that my CG would always ask me to join them for service and fellowship, but I always sat alone and left immediatly after service. I remembered that I didn't have any friends at all! My best friend was myself, how pathetic, right?
Then, after Expo, went to Hong Kong cafe at Marina Square to eat very very late lunch( 5pm). Again, we were talking so happily among each other, with Edwin's countless lame jokes, Ahahahahahahah. I remembered that whenever I eat, it's as if the battle of armageddon is approaching. Silence prevails, and not a single word is uttered. And you will realise soon enough why this is so, cause I'm always eating alone.
Then the journey home on the MRT. Usually, this is the part of life that I dreaded the most. Everyone will either be asleep or busy playing with their PSP. I remembered that I often stayed at one corner and not mingle with my CG. I remembered how dead and lifeless I was, feigning to be tired just to escape conversations; being left alone was the only thought in my mind. Now, I chat with my members and realised that times like this are important time of fellowship, and not to be taken for granted.
Oh, all the times of reminisce, how much I have changed. Thank God for changing my life, that I do not need to live in the shadows of the past, but able to move on from glory to glory. God is the reason, He is my freedom. I experienced it, no one can veto it, and I'm loving it =).
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. ' Be still, and know that I am God.' says the Lord. Just 5 more days to a brand new year. 360 days have passed. Thats 8640 hours/518400 minutes/31104000 seconds. Have you made every second count? Even if you didn't, fret not. 2008 is a leap year! And you have 31622400 seconds next year. Treasure every second wisely, for lost time cannot be purchased back.
Once again, I apologise for the slightly long post. Continue to tag my tagbox and I will be your friend. 'Come buy a candy from Aunty and I'll be your friend'. Aww, don't you just love the drama team? They are so irresistably cute, lol!
Signing off is none other than your one and only,
Karaoke Man!-Gary Neo =D
P.S.: I wanna act so badly...but I dun want to join the drama ministry. Is it possible?? O.o
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Hmm, why am I still blogging? Good question! I just cant get to sleep, despite waking up so early and going out till evening. Queer. Hmm, this shall be more of a reflection session, and a food for thought for all those who wandered here aimlessly. Heh, I'm a H.V.F.(Ask me personally what it means =p)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'We hope you have enjoyed the service. Service has just ended, but the fellowship has just begun.'
Usually, after a phase in our life, a new chapter yet unfolds. It is just like a tributary, leading on to a river, and then a stream, a lake, the sea and finally to the vast ocean. Life is just going to move on, and if you don't move on, you get washed ashore.
Christmas is over, 2007 will soon be over, in a twinkle of an eye, slowly but surely. What have you achieved so far for the past 1 year? Achievements, are themselves ambigous. To ordinary old folks, being able to live happily in their haven is an achievement. To the businessmen, to be able to have 'one millon sales on Christmas Eve' is an achievement. Well, for the students, like me, to be able to get Straight As for our exams is an achievement. Saying this, I guess we all got lots of unrealised dreams, dont you? I'm not excluded as well.
Finishing O level is an achievement, and I thank God regardless of the results I will get in 1-2 months time. Going to Junior College is an achievement, be it the top 5 Jcs or the bottom 5 Jcs, as long as I have a chance to learn; Millions living in the rural areas of the world are unfortunately deprived of the opportunity to do so. Going to Jurong Junior College is an achievement, however how easy it may seem for others, for I come from a neighbourhood school and have done my very best. I have no regrets.
Seemingly, the places that I have been today keep making me recall the past.
Expo...when was the first time I took my first step on the floor? I was already an usher, but a young and inexperience one. Probably 7/12/2005. And no, I dun have such a good memory. I checked the events calendar on the church website =x. I remembered that I dun know how to smile and Sister Siu Zhen keep asking me to smile, but I cant. I remembered that my CG would always ask me to join them for service and fellowship, but I always sat alone and left immediatly after service. I remembered that I didn't have any friends at all! My best friend was myself, how pathetic, right?
Then, after Expo, went to Hong Kong cafe at Marina Square to eat very very late lunch( 5pm). Again, we were talking so happily among each other, with Edwin's countless lame jokes, Ahahahahahahah. I remembered that whenever I eat, it's as if the battle of armageddon is approaching. Silence prevails, and not a single word is uttered. And you will realise soon enough why this is so, cause I'm always eating alone.
Then the journey home on the MRT. Usually, this is the part of life that I dreaded the most. Everyone will either be asleep or busy playing with their PSP. I remembered that I often stayed at one corner and not mingle with my CG. I remembered how dead and lifeless I was, feigning to be tired just to escape conversations; being left alone was the only thought in my mind. Now, I chat with my members and realised that times like this are important time of fellowship, and not to be taken for granted.
Oh, all the times of reminisce, how much I have changed. Thank God for changing my life, that I do not need to live in the shadows of the past, but able to move on from glory to glory. God is the reason, He is my freedom. I experienced it, no one can veto it, and I'm loving it =).
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. ' Be still, and know that I am God.' says the Lord. Just 5 more days to a brand new year. 360 days have passed. Thats 8640 hours/518400 minutes/31104000 seconds. Have you made every second count? Even if you didn't, fret not. 2008 is a leap year! And you have 31622400 seconds next year. Treasure every second wisely, for lost time cannot be purchased back.
Once again, I apologise for the slightly long post. Continue to tag my tagbox and I will be your friend. 'Come buy a candy from Aunty and I'll be your friend'. Aww, don't you just love the drama team? They are so irresistably cute, lol!
Signing off is none other than your one and only,
Karaoke Man!-Gary Neo =D
P.S.: I wanna act so badly...but I dun want to join the drama ministry. Is it possible?? O.o
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Tuesday, December 25, 2007
He is the reason for the season
'Woo, it's this time of the year again, Christmas! Everybody loves Christmas, how about you?'
Lol, just love the drama team. So creative and cute at some times. So many young and new actors, yet they are able to portray the Christmas Story so explicitly, Kudos to all!
Christmas-This surely reminds you of Jesus, and true enough, Christmas originated from Jesus Christ. Without him, no Christmas. Without him, no shopping, no lights at Orchard Road, no Drama!!
Thank God for sending his son 2007 years ago; that on this day, there can be peace on Earth and goodwill to all men. Families get reunited and relationships get restored on Christmas. It never fail to amaze me that God send his son, the light of the world, on one of the darkest night in the history of mankind. If I'm not wrong, during the era of Jesus, there must be a lot of corruption and tyranny in the country. If not, how come there are so many that are blind, sick, demon-possessed, poor and devestated? So, this goes to show that no matter how dark your circumstances is, the light of God is able to dispel all the darkness. And that is what the title of this blog means too.
How are you going to celebrate Christmas again? Maybe you could go and eat Christmas turkey with your loved ones(Oh man, cant wait for 29 dec). Maybe you could go shopping and buy all your wishlists items. But I guarantee you that it will be just another Christmas if you don't celebrate it with the love of God.
Let this Christmas be a special one, a one that impacts and touches the heart of the people around you. Thank God for being able to touch the hearts of my 2 friends, Joel and Jerome. Indeed, just like what pastor preached today, that they are my C.R.I.B.S; I will not take them for granted like I did in the past. That includes all of You! and You! and You! =D
With this, let me bid farewell with season greetings.
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart~
Merry Christmas! (Drums Ringing) =)
'Woo, it's this time of the year again, Christmas! Everybody loves Christmas, how about you?'
Lol, just love the drama team. So creative and cute at some times. So many young and new actors, yet they are able to portray the Christmas Story so explicitly, Kudos to all!
Christmas-This surely reminds you of Jesus, and true enough, Christmas originated from Jesus Christ. Without him, no Christmas. Without him, no shopping, no lights at Orchard Road, no Drama!!
Thank God for sending his son 2007 years ago; that on this day, there can be peace on Earth and goodwill to all men. Families get reunited and relationships get restored on Christmas. It never fail to amaze me that God send his son, the light of the world, on one of the darkest night in the history of mankind. If I'm not wrong, during the era of Jesus, there must be a lot of corruption and tyranny in the country. If not, how come there are so many that are blind, sick, demon-possessed, poor and devestated? So, this goes to show that no matter how dark your circumstances is, the light of God is able to dispel all the darkness. And that is what the title of this blog means too.
How are you going to celebrate Christmas again? Maybe you could go and eat Christmas turkey with your loved ones(Oh man, cant wait for 29 dec). Maybe you could go shopping and buy all your wishlists items. But I guarantee you that it will be just another Christmas if you don't celebrate it with the love of God.
Let this Christmas be a special one, a one that impacts and touches the heart of the people around you. Thank God for being able to touch the hearts of my 2 friends, Joel and Jerome. Indeed, just like what pastor preached today, that they are my C.R.I.B.S; I will not take them for granted like I did in the past. That includes all of You! and You! and You! =D
With this, let me bid farewell with season greetings.
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart~
Merry Christmas! (Drums Ringing) =)
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Breakaway from the Original
Lol, due to the unanimous complains that my posts have been slightly too long, assuredly i say to you, this is going to be a very short post.
Woo, came back from support today at Jw and reached home at ard 11.30pm. Then my cousin asked me to play dota with him immediately after I stepped into my house; I was stinking all over and quite tired too. Then played with him, tried to invite him for Christmas. Again, the usual reply: See first. Grr, Im starting to dislike those 2 words. Its like I rather you say you cant make it cause got something on, or you not interested. Then dont need to harbour false hopes. Usually after 'See first' is 'Sorry cant make it'. Cause you never really consider it in your mind in the first place. Its not 'Think first', Its 'See first'.
Ok, enough of my 'preaching' le, like I promised that this is a short post. So
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol, due to the unanimous complains that my posts have been slightly too long, assuredly i say to you, this is going to be a very short post.
Woo, came back from support today at Jw and reached home at ard 11.30pm. Then my cousin asked me to play dota with him immediately after I stepped into my house; I was stinking all over and quite tired too. Then played with him, tried to invite him for Christmas. Again, the usual reply: See first. Grr, Im starting to dislike those 2 words. Its like I rather you say you cant make it cause got something on, or you not interested. Then dont need to harbour false hopes. Usually after 'See first' is 'Sorry cant make it'. Cause you never really consider it in your mind in the first place. Its not 'Think first', Its 'See first'.
Ok, enough of my 'preaching' le, like I promised that this is a short post. So
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Breakaway Youth Camp-Day 1
As promised, I'm going to post again =). Pardon me for not posting for so long, didn't have the right mood to do so, until now. Just came back from bank and withdrawed $300 and did a lot of admin stuffs, like upgrading from Youth Savers Account to Adults Account and accompanied my mother to sign up for THREE plans. I think she signed at least 5 forms, so mafan...
Ok, back to the topic. Hmm, really thank God for the opportunity to be a Team Ic during the breakaway camp. Its quite a last minute decision and I only got to know it like 2 days before the camp? A lot of people also got transferred here and there, like Shirley from Priest transferred to Knights last minute. Then I went to the prayer meeting on 12/12/2007 and got to know many other Team Ics too, which was crucial as they helped me along. 3 cheers to all the Team Ics and especially Jasper =D. Best male camper wor...So proud to be part of your team. =)
Woke up at 5am for the 1st day, yawns. Gave morning call to Hui Wen and Jiray but they already awake le, so power lo...haha. Met up with Rosalyn at JE at 6am, and unexpectedly saw Lava, with his faithful guitar. Then he alighted at Bukit Gombak to meet his members, and we carried on our voyage. So long lo, 41 mins from JE to Bishan, yawns. Tried sleeping in the train but for the 1st time, cant fall asleep. Too excited and somewhat afraid later miss the stop.
Reached KCPSS at 7.15am, then go to the audi and carried all the T-shirts to the hall. Already got members reached le; I admire their punctuality, and must learn from them also. Kauz i got a habit of being late. Skip to 8am.
Woo, Kelvin Tan is here to address us. He got that attention-catching aura which makes everyone look at him when he comes, lol. Then he say all the rules and go through the list. After that play ice-breaker games. Lol, the whacko game. I think my members very soft-spoken, cant hear many of their names...Oh well. At least i never gana sabo-ed. But actually I want to play 1. Rosalyn so ke lian lo, keep running around. Hahahahaha.
Then got to know some of the team members, especially the new friends ba. They a bit vulgar but can understand. Understanding doesn't mean accepting. Of course, one of my hates is vulgarities. I wont accept their lifestyle but hope that they will change after the camp.
Then started playing the games, forget the name le. But the new friends really gungho, esp. Darren. He tio whacked by the eggs 2 times during the 'wugui wugui tiao' game.
Then the waterbomb game ah, haix. Dun want say le. The warriors foul and crossed the boundary. The game starts, 1 second later, whole body wet and my specs flew out, very drama hors...-.-. Its like blatant rule breaking lor, they go beside the newspaper, and WHACK. Obviously, You dun need to be a rocket scientist to predict the outcome of the newspapaer.
But nvm, Sharon told the referee after that.
Ah, my whole shirt wet, but very cooling =D. After that, it was the bathing routine. Ninja went 1st, followed by us. Some of people not used to waiting and eventually cried. I was one of the Bathing Ic and guided my members to the various toliets. By now, all the F and S words were uttered by the seemingly irritated people. I tried to calm them by saying that this is a camp and I will help you all to find pails, scoop etc. Then they said thank you to me, and I felt very touched, haha. I remember the Chinese proverb: 'Helping other people is the basis of happiness.'( Indirect Translation)
Ok, skip to session 1. Knights 1 and 2 sat on the floor. Woo, I love sitting on the floor, can be closer to the stage and pastor. Then if want kneel also easier, lol. The presence of God was evident and many had tears flowing down their cheeks. So many people responded, just 40+ for the 1st day. Thank God for the open hearts and the love of God. Hui Wen also responded, yay! Hope she will be integrated in the CG and build lasting friendships.
After that, the people went to the hall and the Team Ics went to the canteen for the night activity briefing; 'Kidnapped'. Skip Skip Skip. Went back to the hall and acted blur as told to do so. Haha, I'm the best at acting blur, second to none =D. Then at 11.45, Edwin marched into the hall with his group of 'terrorists'. So suave and cool, lol. Then the people a bit panic, esp when the lights out. Again, all the blankedy blank blank starts come out. Oh well, new friends.
The CGL guiding my team very funny lo, make them climb up and down chairs and tables, hahaha. Then Jasper go spray water on them. Naughty Naughty =x. After all the 'torturing', went back to the hall. Then we were told to go audi look for key. But hey, how come we cant find the key to unlock Wei Ren. Then when we come back, Wei Ren was happily walking around. O.o. Is he david copperfield or the Holy Spirit come unlock him ah? I think is the latter =).
Then its like 1am le, everyone go back bunk sleep. The team Ics went to meet Wei Ren for some stuffs, many I think. Then 2+am go back to bunk. Jasper got patrol duty and stood up to 4 am. Yawns, lights out~. Wonder why is it so ez to sleep. Guess too tired le.
Ok, thats all folk(just kidding).
Will be posting on the second day of the camp ASAP. All 3 days of the camp should be duly ready after christmas. So come and get them while stocks last! =p.
Your humorous and act blur friend,
Gary Neo =)
As promised, I'm going to post again =). Pardon me for not posting for so long, didn't have the right mood to do so, until now. Just came back from bank and withdrawed $300 and did a lot of admin stuffs, like upgrading from Youth Savers Account to Adults Account and accompanied my mother to sign up for THREE plans. I think she signed at least 5 forms, so mafan...
Ok, back to the topic. Hmm, really thank God for the opportunity to be a Team Ic during the breakaway camp. Its quite a last minute decision and I only got to know it like 2 days before the camp? A lot of people also got transferred here and there, like Shirley from Priest transferred to Knights last minute. Then I went to the prayer meeting on 12/12/2007 and got to know many other Team Ics too, which was crucial as they helped me along. 3 cheers to all the Team Ics and especially Jasper =D. Best male camper wor...So proud to be part of your team. =)
Woke up at 5am for the 1st day, yawns. Gave morning call to Hui Wen and Jiray but they already awake le, so power lo...haha. Met up with Rosalyn at JE at 6am, and unexpectedly saw Lava, with his faithful guitar. Then he alighted at Bukit Gombak to meet his members, and we carried on our voyage. So long lo, 41 mins from JE to Bishan, yawns. Tried sleeping in the train but for the 1st time, cant fall asleep. Too excited and somewhat afraid later miss the stop.
Reached KCPSS at 7.15am, then go to the audi and carried all the T-shirts to the hall. Already got members reached le; I admire their punctuality, and must learn from them also. Kauz i got a habit of being late. Skip to 8am.
Woo, Kelvin Tan is here to address us. He got that attention-catching aura which makes everyone look at him when he comes, lol. Then he say all the rules and go through the list. After that play ice-breaker games. Lol, the whacko game. I think my members very soft-spoken, cant hear many of their names...Oh well. At least i never gana sabo-ed. But actually I want to play 1. Rosalyn so ke lian lo, keep running around. Hahahahaha.
Then got to know some of the team members, especially the new friends ba. They a bit vulgar but can understand. Understanding doesn't mean accepting. Of course, one of my hates is vulgarities. I wont accept their lifestyle but hope that they will change after the camp.
Then started playing the games, forget the name le. But the new friends really gungho, esp. Darren. He tio whacked by the eggs 2 times during the 'wugui wugui tiao' game.
Then the waterbomb game ah, haix. Dun want say le. The warriors foul and crossed the boundary. The game starts, 1 second later, whole body wet and my specs flew out, very drama hors...-.-. Its like blatant rule breaking lor, they go beside the newspaper, and WHACK. Obviously, You dun need to be a rocket scientist to predict the outcome of the newspapaer.
But nvm, Sharon told the referee after that.
Ah, my whole shirt wet, but very cooling =D. After that, it was the bathing routine. Ninja went 1st, followed by us. Some of people not used to waiting and eventually cried. I was one of the Bathing Ic and guided my members to the various toliets. By now, all the F and S words were uttered by the seemingly irritated people. I tried to calm them by saying that this is a camp and I will help you all to find pails, scoop etc. Then they said thank you to me, and I felt very touched, haha. I remember the Chinese proverb: 'Helping other people is the basis of happiness.'( Indirect Translation)
Ok, skip to session 1. Knights 1 and 2 sat on the floor. Woo, I love sitting on the floor, can be closer to the stage and pastor. Then if want kneel also easier, lol. The presence of God was evident and many had tears flowing down their cheeks. So many people responded, just 40+ for the 1st day. Thank God for the open hearts and the love of God. Hui Wen also responded, yay! Hope she will be integrated in the CG and build lasting friendships.
After that, the people went to the hall and the Team Ics went to the canteen for the night activity briefing; 'Kidnapped'. Skip Skip Skip. Went back to the hall and acted blur as told to do so. Haha, I'm the best at acting blur, second to none =D. Then at 11.45, Edwin marched into the hall with his group of 'terrorists'. So suave and cool, lol. Then the people a bit panic, esp when the lights out. Again, all the blankedy blank blank starts come out. Oh well, new friends.
The CGL guiding my team very funny lo, make them climb up and down chairs and tables, hahaha. Then Jasper go spray water on them. Naughty Naughty =x. After all the 'torturing', went back to the hall. Then we were told to go audi look for key. But hey, how come we cant find the key to unlock Wei Ren. Then when we come back, Wei Ren was happily walking around. O.o. Is he david copperfield or the Holy Spirit come unlock him ah? I think is the latter =).
Then its like 1am le, everyone go back bunk sleep. The team Ics went to meet Wei Ren for some stuffs, many I think. Then 2+am go back to bunk. Jasper got patrol duty and stood up to 4 am. Yawns, lights out~. Wonder why is it so ez to sleep. Guess too tired le.
Ok, thats all folk(just kidding).
Will be posting on the second day of the camp ASAP. All 3 days of the camp should be duly ready after christmas. So come and get them while stocks last! =p.
Your humorous and act blur friend,
Gary Neo =)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Warning, this is going to be a very long post which will take more than 30 mins to read finish. Pls do not read this post if you are in a hurry. Come back again later.
But i guess u won't have come here if you were in a hurry right?
Hmm, why am i able to post again? Oh...my brother is back in camp. How i miss him...
This reminds me of a somewhat famous sentence: '' You only learn to treasure the things around you after you have lost them''. Quite true, and experiencing it makes it easier to understand the gist of the sentence. This subsequently made me recall about the past...
When I was in lower sec, I always loathe my brother's presence at home; his presence meant that the only one gadget which I grew so close to was inaccessible-computer. As you can guess, my only companion was perhaps Maplestory. Everyday without fail, be it sunshine or rainy days, I will rush home and immediately on my computer. Oh fyi, I was a level 110 hermit in bootes ^^. Thats like 1+ years ago? How time flys.
Okok, back to business. And everytime my brother came back, he will 'command' me( So NS lor..haha) to off the computer. And the ironic thing is, there is 2 computers at home!! All my friends will laugh at me and say that I am 'hum'. But I know it is not right for me to go against my brother...Even so, a lost is inevitable; Hes like 3 years older than me!
Now that my brother is in NS, he has changed so much. For the better I hope =X.
Oh ya, he just bought a book called ' ANSWERS to Life's Difficult QUESTIONS' by RICK WARREN. I think it is a very captivating book, which is able to attract many readers. His other book 'The purpose-driven life' has sold 26 million copies!! Thats like 6.5 times the size of Singapore population. O.o.
The chapters in the book are:
1. How can I cope with stress?
2. How can I rebound from failure?
3. How can I defeat depression?
4. How can I live above average?
5. How can I have peace of mind?
6. How can I handle discouragement?
7. How can I overcome my problems?
8. How can I be confident in a crisis?
9. How can I ever change? ( Gonna share about this 1)
10. How did I get myself into this mess?
11. Why is this happening to me?
12. How can I overcome loneliness?
How can I ever change?
I just read this chapter this morning and i felt led to share it. Because you dont need to be a rocket scientist to understand what I am about to share. All you need to be is yourself, and be open to change. Furthermore, this chapter is the most applicable of all the chapters I have read. So seat back, relax and prepare your heart for a life-changing moment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What would you most like to change about yourself? If you could change one thing, what would it be? A great tragedy is a wasted life, a life that is never willing to change. Change is a necessary part of a growing life, and we need change in order to remain fresh and to keep progressing.
Most of us are interested in change. Of the fifteen recent bestsellers, ten of them were self-help books-titles such as ''Thirty Days to A New You.'' We go to seminars and read books and try diets and listen to tapes, but somehow, the new ideas just don't seem to last. Maybe we'll change for a while, but each new idea doesn't have a permanent effect. The main reason for this is that we work on the exterior, our outside behavior, instead of on our interior motives. Any lasting change must begin on the inside, and that's a work of God.
THE FOUR-STEP PROCESS
In Genesis, chapter 32, we see the process that GOd uses in changing us, in helping us become the kinds of persons we've always wanted to be. God wants to change us, and we want to change. We'll see how to change by looking at the life of Jacob, the father of Joseph. The incident recorded in this chapter was a turning point in Jacobs' life, and serves as a dramatic example of how God can change us as individuals.
Jacob was a somewhat shifty fellow. Even his name means ''cheater'' or ''schemer''. But a turning-point experience transformed him into a new person, and he became Israel, the man whom the entire nation of Israel is named after. It was such a transforming experience that he was never the same again.
In this story we have a clear expression of the four-step process that God uses to change us into the kind of people we want to be. It's a truly encouraging message. It's a message that says we don't have to stay in the rut where we are: God will help us to change, to overcome that weakness or area in our life, if we'll just let him.
How do we let him? Let's look at Genesis 32:24-30: '' Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the Man saw that He could not overpower him, He touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the Man. Then the Man replied, 'Let Me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, ' I will not let You go unless You bless me.' The Man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, ' Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Isreal, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.' Jacob said, ' Please tell me Your name.' But He replied, 'Why do you ask my name?' Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying' It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.' ''( The work ''Peniel'' is a Hebrew Wod for ''the face of God''.)
What does a wrestling match with an angel several thousand years ago have to do with changing me today? There are some important insights in this incident which show clearly how God changes people. There are four steps that God uses to change us into the persons we want to become.
CRISIS
The first step is the crisis phase. Jacob had a long wrestling match with an angel, and the angel was really struggling, but it was a no-win situation for both of them. By daybreak Jacob was getting tired of the struggle because he saw that he could not win. It was a situation beyond his control.
The lesson we see in this is that when God wants to change us, He starts by getting our attention, by putting us in a frustrating situation that is totally beyond our control. We cannot win, and we just keep getting more tired and more tired. God uses experiences and problems and crises to get our attention. If we're experiencing a crisis right now, it's because God is getting ready to change us for the better. We never change until we get fed up with our current situation, with the status quo. We never change until we get uncomfortable and discontented and start feeling miserable. When we get miserable and uncomfortable and dissatisfied enough, we finally get motivated to let God do something in our lives.
A mother eagle will take the nest of her young and stir it up. She'll make them uncomfortable and miserable, then kick them out and force them to learn to fly-for their own good in life. God does that in our lives: He makes us uncomfortable if that's what it takes, because He knows what is best and He wants us to grow. He will allow a crisis or problem or irritation or frustration in our lives to get our attention. He needs to do this because we don't change until our fear of change is exceeded by the pain we're experiencing.
COMMITMENT
The second step in being changed by God is the commitment phase. Look what the angel and Jacob said: ''The man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me' ''(v.26). Jacob was commited; he was persistent; he stayed with the situation until he worked it out. He was in a situation he didn't like-it was frustrating and it was getting him down-but he said, '' I am 100 percent commited to staying with the situation until God turns it around for good.''
Here's the lesson we get from this: After God gets our attention with a problem, He doesn't solve it immediately. He waits a little longer to see if we really mean business. Most people miss God's best for their lives because they give up too soon. They cop out. they get discouraged. When God allows a problem in their lives, instead of hanging in there and saying, ''God, I'm not going to let go of this until You bless me, until You turn it around, '' they just give up and miss God's best.
Often when people come to me for counseling I'll ask, ''Have you tried praying about the situation?''
They'll reply, ''Oh yes, I've prayed.''
''How many times?''
''Once.''
We're so conditioned to having instant everything, including instant success, that if we don't have an instant answer to our one prayer, or instant success or an instant turnaround, we say, ''Forget it, God.''
Even if we really want to change, we need to remember that we didn't get into our present mess overnight. Those attitudes and actions and habits and fears and weaknesses took years to develop, and sometimes God has to remove them layer-by-layer. Usually it takes awhile for God to change you. But don't give up. There's hope. Hang in there. Be commited to getting God's best for your life.
Psychologists tell us that it takes us six weeks of doing something every day before it becomes a habit in our lives. Now that's why a lot of people never get into the Bibles. We read the Bible for two or three days and then we miss it for a few days and then we read it for a few days. We never get past that six-week barrier and as a result we never feel comfortable with it. We've got to do it every day for at least six weeks before we start becoming comfortable with this new and good habit.
CONFESSION
The third step in being changed by God is the confession phase. The angel said to Jacob, ''What is your name?'' And he answered, ''Jacob.'' What was the purpose of the angel's question? It was to get Jacob to acknowledge his character by stating his name, which means ''cheater'' or ''schemer''. Jacob remembered the heartache he had caused by his scheming against his brother Esau, so when the angel asked, ''What are you really like? What's your character?'' Jacob admitted, '' I'm a cheater. I'm a schemer.'' He admitted his weaknesses because he was honest. When he identified himself as ''Jacob'', he was admitting his character flaws.
This is an important process in God changing us, because we never change until we honestly face and admit our faults and sins and weaknesses and mistakes. God will not go to work on our problem until we first admit that we've got a problem. We need to say, '' Lord, I'm in a mess. I've got a problem and I admit I made it.'' Then God can go to work.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to make excuses for our problems? We become experts at blaming other people. ''It's not really my fault , you know. It's the environment I was brought up in-my parents caused it.'' Or ''The situation I'm in right now is caused by my boss at work.''
Why should we confess our faults to God? To let Him know what's going on? No. When we tell God we've sinned, it's no big surprise go Him, because He knows what our problems are all along. We confess to Him because He wants us to say, '' You're right, God. I've got a problem. There's my error or weakness.'' It's humbling to admit our mistakes, but once we do, God gives us all His resources and all His power to help us change for the better. At that point we can start becoming the persons we've always wanted to be.
This event in Jacob's life was much more than just a wrestling match. It was an example of how God works in our own lives. It was an example of how God works in our own lives. First He brings a frustrating crisis, like the wrestling match, in which we really struggle with the situation. Finally we acknowledge, '' It's obvious that I'm not going to win. I can't get this situation under control-in my own power I'm just going to keep on blowing it.''
Then we need to continue: '' But I'm going to commit myself to sticking with the situation and letting God work it out.''
God replies, '' I'm not going to bail you out right away, because I want to see if you really mean business. You said you wanted to change, so now I'm going to allow the problem to stay just a little longer to see if you really mean business.''
If we cop out at this point we'll just get another problem of the same nature a little farther down the line. If we don't learn the lesson now, we'll have to learn it later, because God is going to teach it to us one way or the other. We can save ourselves a lot of problems by responding properly when the crisis first come along.
COOPERATION
The fourth step in being changed by God is the cooperation phase. God began changing Jacob as soon as he admitted who he was and began to cooperate with God's plan. Jacob called the place ''Peniel'', meaning ''the face of God'' (v. 30). Jacob came face to face with God. Every one of us must eventually come face to face with God, and when we do that , God can change us. God said to Jacob, ''Now we can get down to business. I want you to relax. Just cooperate and trust Me, and I will make the changes that you want made, and I will bless you.'' God didn't say, ''Jacob, try real hard and use all your willpower to become perfect.'' That doesn't work. Willpower simply does not make permanent changes in our lives. That's attacking the outward circumstance. It's the internal motivation that makes the permanent changes, and that's what God works on.
When Jacob began to cooperate, God started working, and the first thing God did was to give him a new name, a new identity. God said, '' Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel'' (v. 28). After we have had a personal encounter with God we can no longer be the same. God changed Jacob from a cheater and schemer to an Israel, a '' Prince of God''. God knew Jacob's potential; He saw beneath his exterior of trying to be a wordly wise tough guy. God saw all of Jacob's weaknesses, but He also saw beneath the surface: '' That's not the real you, Jacob. You're actually an Israel. You're a prince.'' God saw the prince in Jacob, and the former cheater began to become the man whom the entire nation of Israel was named after.
DON'T RUN, BUT STAND
There's another insight that we get from this incident in Jacob's life. He often got himself into trouble because he was a cheater, and he often reaped what he sowed. But everytime he got himself intoa mess he ran away with it. He just copped out. So God said, '' I know how to take care of that temptation-I'll put a limp in his walk.'' Never again could Jacob run away from a difficult situation. For the rest of his life he would have to stand and face his problems, not in his own strength but in God's strength. God often puts an obvious weakness in people whom he blesses, and often the weakness is some kind of physical problem. For example, Paul had his thorn.
What about you? How would you like to be permanently changed? What's the one thing you would most like to change about your life? Maybe it's a habit. Maybe it's a weakness. Maybe it's a character difficulty. Maybe it's something that's gotten you into more trouble than you could have imagined, and now the situation is beyond your control. Maybe you're in a no-won situation that bothers and bugs you and keeps you from developing the potential that God wants you to develop.
Do you want God to change it? He will, but in His own way. He will use the processes of crisis, commitment, confession and cooperation. And when He does the changing, it will be a permanent change. You won't have to worry about willpower and staying with it because you'll be cooperating with God, relaxing and trusting Him.
Maybe you've been limiting God by making excuses, blaming other people, or rationalizing. It's hard to drop your mask and say, '' God, I've got a weakness. I admit I've got a problem.'' But until you do this, things will just stay the same as they are now.
The good news is this: Beneath all those things you know about yourself that you don't like, God sees an Israel. He sees the prince or princess in your life. He sees what you can become. He sees your potential, and He wants to change you form a Jacob to an Israel. Let God do His changing!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahem! Hope you are blessed as much as I am =).
But i guess u won't have come here if you were in a hurry right?
Hmm, why am i able to post again? Oh...my brother is back in camp. How i miss him...
This reminds me of a somewhat famous sentence: '' You only learn to treasure the things around you after you have lost them''. Quite true, and experiencing it makes it easier to understand the gist of the sentence. This subsequently made me recall about the past...
When I was in lower sec, I always loathe my brother's presence at home; his presence meant that the only one gadget which I grew so close to was inaccessible-computer. As you can guess, my only companion was perhaps Maplestory. Everyday without fail, be it sunshine or rainy days, I will rush home and immediately on my computer. Oh fyi, I was a level 110 hermit in bootes ^^. Thats like 1+ years ago? How time flys.
Okok, back to business. And everytime my brother came back, he will 'command' me( So NS lor..haha) to off the computer. And the ironic thing is, there is 2 computers at home!! All my friends will laugh at me and say that I am 'hum'. But I know it is not right for me to go against my brother...Even so, a lost is inevitable; Hes like 3 years older than me!
Now that my brother is in NS, he has changed so much. For the better I hope =X.
Oh ya, he just bought a book called ' ANSWERS to Life's Difficult QUESTIONS' by RICK WARREN. I think it is a very captivating book, which is able to attract many readers. His other book 'The purpose-driven life' has sold 26 million copies!! Thats like 6.5 times the size of Singapore population. O.o.
The chapters in the book are:
1. How can I cope with stress?
2. How can I rebound from failure?
3. How can I defeat depression?
4. How can I live above average?
5. How can I have peace of mind?
6. How can I handle discouragement?
7. How can I overcome my problems?
8. How can I be confident in a crisis?
9. How can I ever change? ( Gonna share about this 1)
10. How did I get myself into this mess?
11. Why is this happening to me?
12. How can I overcome loneliness?
How can I ever change?
I just read this chapter this morning and i felt led to share it. Because you dont need to be a rocket scientist to understand what I am about to share. All you need to be is yourself, and be open to change. Furthermore, this chapter is the most applicable of all the chapters I have read. So seat back, relax and prepare your heart for a life-changing moment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What would you most like to change about yourself? If you could change one thing, what would it be? A great tragedy is a wasted life, a life that is never willing to change. Change is a necessary part of a growing life, and we need change in order to remain fresh and to keep progressing.
Most of us are interested in change. Of the fifteen recent bestsellers, ten of them were self-help books-titles such as ''Thirty Days to A New You.'' We go to seminars and read books and try diets and listen to tapes, but somehow, the new ideas just don't seem to last. Maybe we'll change for a while, but each new idea doesn't have a permanent effect. The main reason for this is that we work on the exterior, our outside behavior, instead of on our interior motives. Any lasting change must begin on the inside, and that's a work of God.
THE FOUR-STEP PROCESS
In Genesis, chapter 32, we see the process that GOd uses in changing us, in helping us become the kinds of persons we've always wanted to be. God wants to change us, and we want to change. We'll see how to change by looking at the life of Jacob, the father of Joseph. The incident recorded in this chapter was a turning point in Jacobs' life, and serves as a dramatic example of how God can change us as individuals.
Jacob was a somewhat shifty fellow. Even his name means ''cheater'' or ''schemer''. But a turning-point experience transformed him into a new person, and he became Israel, the man whom the entire nation of Israel is named after. It was such a transforming experience that he was never the same again.
In this story we have a clear expression of the four-step process that God uses to change us into the kind of people we want to be. It's a truly encouraging message. It's a message that says we don't have to stay in the rut where we are: God will help us to change, to overcome that weakness or area in our life, if we'll just let him.
How do we let him? Let's look at Genesis 32:24-30: '' Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the Man saw that He could not overpower him, He touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the Man. Then the Man replied, 'Let Me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, ' I will not let You go unless You bless me.' The Man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, ' Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Isreal, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.' Jacob said, ' Please tell me Your name.' But He replied, 'Why do you ask my name?' Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying' It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.' ''( The work ''Peniel'' is a Hebrew Wod for ''the face of God''.)
What does a wrestling match with an angel several thousand years ago have to do with changing me today? There are some important insights in this incident which show clearly how God changes people. There are four steps that God uses to change us into the persons we want to become.
CRISIS
The first step is the crisis phase. Jacob had a long wrestling match with an angel, and the angel was really struggling, but it was a no-win situation for both of them. By daybreak Jacob was getting tired of the struggle because he saw that he could not win. It was a situation beyond his control.
The lesson we see in this is that when God wants to change us, He starts by getting our attention, by putting us in a frustrating situation that is totally beyond our control. We cannot win, and we just keep getting more tired and more tired. God uses experiences and problems and crises to get our attention. If we're experiencing a crisis right now, it's because God is getting ready to change us for the better. We never change until we get fed up with our current situation, with the status quo. We never change until we get uncomfortable and discontented and start feeling miserable. When we get miserable and uncomfortable and dissatisfied enough, we finally get motivated to let God do something in our lives.
A mother eagle will take the nest of her young and stir it up. She'll make them uncomfortable and miserable, then kick them out and force them to learn to fly-for their own good in life. God does that in our lives: He makes us uncomfortable if that's what it takes, because He knows what is best and He wants us to grow. He will allow a crisis or problem or irritation or frustration in our lives to get our attention. He needs to do this because we don't change until our fear of change is exceeded by the pain we're experiencing.
COMMITMENT
The second step in being changed by God is the commitment phase. Look what the angel and Jacob said: ''The man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me' ''(v.26). Jacob was commited; he was persistent; he stayed with the situation until he worked it out. He was in a situation he didn't like-it was frustrating and it was getting him down-but he said, '' I am 100 percent commited to staying with the situation until God turns it around for good.''
Here's the lesson we get from this: After God gets our attention with a problem, He doesn't solve it immediately. He waits a little longer to see if we really mean business. Most people miss God's best for their lives because they give up too soon. They cop out. they get discouraged. When God allows a problem in their lives, instead of hanging in there and saying, ''God, I'm not going to let go of this until You bless me, until You turn it around, '' they just give up and miss God's best.
Often when people come to me for counseling I'll ask, ''Have you tried praying about the situation?''
They'll reply, ''Oh yes, I've prayed.''
''How many times?''
''Once.''
We're so conditioned to having instant everything, including instant success, that if we don't have an instant answer to our one prayer, or instant success or an instant turnaround, we say, ''Forget it, God.''
Even if we really want to change, we need to remember that we didn't get into our present mess overnight. Those attitudes and actions and habits and fears and weaknesses took years to develop, and sometimes God has to remove them layer-by-layer. Usually it takes awhile for God to change you. But don't give up. There's hope. Hang in there. Be commited to getting God's best for your life.
Psychologists tell us that it takes us six weeks of doing something every day before it becomes a habit in our lives. Now that's why a lot of people never get into the Bibles. We read the Bible for two or three days and then we miss it for a few days and then we read it for a few days. We never get past that six-week barrier and as a result we never feel comfortable with it. We've got to do it every day for at least six weeks before we start becoming comfortable with this new and good habit.
CONFESSION
The third step in being changed by God is the confession phase. The angel said to Jacob, ''What is your name?'' And he answered, ''Jacob.'' What was the purpose of the angel's question? It was to get Jacob to acknowledge his character by stating his name, which means ''cheater'' or ''schemer''. Jacob remembered the heartache he had caused by his scheming against his brother Esau, so when the angel asked, ''What are you really like? What's your character?'' Jacob admitted, '' I'm a cheater. I'm a schemer.'' He admitted his weaknesses because he was honest. When he identified himself as ''Jacob'', he was admitting his character flaws.
This is an important process in God changing us, because we never change until we honestly face and admit our faults and sins and weaknesses and mistakes. God will not go to work on our problem until we first admit that we've got a problem. We need to say, '' Lord, I'm in a mess. I've got a problem and I admit I made it.'' Then God can go to work.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to make excuses for our problems? We become experts at blaming other people. ''It's not really my fault , you know. It's the environment I was brought up in-my parents caused it.'' Or ''The situation I'm in right now is caused by my boss at work.''
Why should we confess our faults to God? To let Him know what's going on? No. When we tell God we've sinned, it's no big surprise go Him, because He knows what our problems are all along. We confess to Him because He wants us to say, '' You're right, God. I've got a problem. There's my error or weakness.'' It's humbling to admit our mistakes, but once we do, God gives us all His resources and all His power to help us change for the better. At that point we can start becoming the persons we've always wanted to be.
This event in Jacob's life was much more than just a wrestling match. It was an example of how God works in our own lives. It was an example of how God works in our own lives. First He brings a frustrating crisis, like the wrestling match, in which we really struggle with the situation. Finally we acknowledge, '' It's obvious that I'm not going to win. I can't get this situation under control-in my own power I'm just going to keep on blowing it.''
Then we need to continue: '' But I'm going to commit myself to sticking with the situation and letting God work it out.''
God replies, '' I'm not going to bail you out right away, because I want to see if you really mean business. You said you wanted to change, so now I'm going to allow the problem to stay just a little longer to see if you really mean business.''
If we cop out at this point we'll just get another problem of the same nature a little farther down the line. If we don't learn the lesson now, we'll have to learn it later, because God is going to teach it to us one way or the other. We can save ourselves a lot of problems by responding properly when the crisis first come along.
COOPERATION
The fourth step in being changed by God is the cooperation phase. God began changing Jacob as soon as he admitted who he was and began to cooperate with God's plan. Jacob called the place ''Peniel'', meaning ''the face of God'' (v. 30). Jacob came face to face with God. Every one of us must eventually come face to face with God, and when we do that , God can change us. God said to Jacob, ''Now we can get down to business. I want you to relax. Just cooperate and trust Me, and I will make the changes that you want made, and I will bless you.'' God didn't say, ''Jacob, try real hard and use all your willpower to become perfect.'' That doesn't work. Willpower simply does not make permanent changes in our lives. That's attacking the outward circumstance. It's the internal motivation that makes the permanent changes, and that's what God works on.
When Jacob began to cooperate, God started working, and the first thing God did was to give him a new name, a new identity. God said, '' Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel'' (v. 28). After we have had a personal encounter with God we can no longer be the same. God changed Jacob from a cheater and schemer to an Israel, a '' Prince of God''. God knew Jacob's potential; He saw beneath his exterior of trying to be a wordly wise tough guy. God saw all of Jacob's weaknesses, but He also saw beneath the surface: '' That's not the real you, Jacob. You're actually an Israel. You're a prince.'' God saw the prince in Jacob, and the former cheater began to become the man whom the entire nation of Israel was named after.
DON'T RUN, BUT STAND
There's another insight that we get from this incident in Jacob's life. He often got himself into trouble because he was a cheater, and he often reaped what he sowed. But everytime he got himself intoa mess he ran away with it. He just copped out. So God said, '' I know how to take care of that temptation-I'll put a limp in his walk.'' Never again could Jacob run away from a difficult situation. For the rest of his life he would have to stand and face his problems, not in his own strength but in God's strength. God often puts an obvious weakness in people whom he blesses, and often the weakness is some kind of physical problem. For example, Paul had his thorn.
What about you? How would you like to be permanently changed? What's the one thing you would most like to change about your life? Maybe it's a habit. Maybe it's a weakness. Maybe it's a character difficulty. Maybe it's something that's gotten you into more trouble than you could have imagined, and now the situation is beyond your control. Maybe you're in a no-won situation that bothers and bugs you and keeps you from developing the potential that God wants you to develop.
Do you want God to change it? He will, but in His own way. He will use the processes of crisis, commitment, confession and cooperation. And when He does the changing, it will be a permanent change. You won't have to worry about willpower and staying with it because you'll be cooperating with God, relaxing and trusting Him.
Maybe you've been limiting God by making excuses, blaming other people, or rationalizing. It's hard to drop your mask and say, '' God, I've got a weakness. I admit I've got a problem.'' But until you do this, things will just stay the same as they are now.
The good news is this: Beneath all those things you know about yourself that you don't like, God sees an Israel. He sees the prince or princess in your life. He sees what you can become. He sees your potential, and He wants to change you form a Jacob to an Israel. Let God do His changing!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahem! Hope you are blessed as much as I am =).
-Let's change together for the better-
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Wanted to post yesterday but my brother was using the com. Must let him use 1st, cause he is seldom at home. Lol, I guess i love my brother too much =D.
Yesterday, Edwin flew off to Taiwan at 10am. I stayed up to 2am to message him in case I overslept, and he is still awake. Guess that the excitement overwhelmed his physical tiredness. And I really overslept, lolx. Woke up at 10.30am. Yawns...
Now must stand in the gap for the CG le. No more 'Sry Edwin, my mistake'. Alas, I can imagine how busy and burdened he must be sometimes. Edwin, must enjoy your holiday and take lots and lots of pictures hor. Haha...
W453 will miss you deeply and those that are also overseas. Namely Rebecca(Malaysia) and Rosalyn(Genting).
I wanna go overseas too...Oh well.
Yesterday, Edwin flew off to Taiwan at 10am. I stayed up to 2am to message him in case I overslept, and he is still awake. Guess that the excitement overwhelmed his physical tiredness. And I really overslept, lolx. Woke up at 10.30am. Yawns...
Now must stand in the gap for the CG le. No more 'Sry Edwin, my mistake'. Alas, I can imagine how busy and burdened he must be sometimes. Edwin, must enjoy your holiday and take lots and lots of pictures hor. Haha...
W453 will miss you deeply and those that are also overseas. Namely Rebecca(Malaysia) and Rosalyn(Genting).
I wanna go overseas too...Oh well.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Hurray! My blog is finally done. Spent quite some time( I think 3 hrs) to edit the blogskins and well, explore html code quite a bit. As you know, i'm not computer-savvy at all, only good with maths, haha. Really thank God for the wisdom and quick understanding. If not, this might have take more than 3 hrs.
Actually, I wanted to have a blog quite some time ago. Just that i was too busy then and now O levels are over, i got more time to relax. Why blog? Well, personally I think that they are many benefits.
1. You get to release your bottled-up emotions and relieve stress. Hey come on, we are humans ok...We cant suppress our feelings 24/7. Even if you can, you will not enjoy doing so. By writing out all your burdens and worries, research have shown that you will live longer and lesser winkles(not applicable to me but i reckon so for the fairer sex =D).
2. You learn to be accountable and transparent. When you grow up next time, being accoutable to your boss is second nature. You don't have to wear masks too and get confused with your pseudo self, which many of us unfortunately do so.
3. You get to improve your studies!! Yes, to all the students out there, if you write in standard English and be meticulous in your spelling, blogging may well be a tool for improving the style of your writing. This is quintessential for getting good grades in English, which is my weakest sujbect T.T. So hopefully, I can improve my English by blogging. And I hope you can too ^^.
4. You get to have another hobby. Yup, blogging is fun and enjoyable(generally). You get to be lame, happy, sad, angry, etc. anytime you want. Its your blog so you call the shots. But pls!!! Remember that your blog is not invisible to the public and do consider their feelings before you hit the 'Enter' button on your keyboard.
With that, I do hope that this will be an avenue where I can share my thoughts and get to know more friends. Do tag at the tag box as well. Assuredly I say to you, I wont eat you up =D.
God loves you and I love you too =)
Actually, I wanted to have a blog quite some time ago. Just that i was too busy then and now O levels are over, i got more time to relax. Why blog? Well, personally I think that they are many benefits.
1. You get to release your bottled-up emotions and relieve stress. Hey come on, we are humans ok...We cant suppress our feelings 24/7. Even if you can, you will not enjoy doing so. By writing out all your burdens and worries, research have shown that you will live longer and lesser winkles(not applicable to me but i reckon so for the fairer sex =D).
2. You learn to be accountable and transparent. When you grow up next time, being accoutable to your boss is second nature. You don't have to wear masks too and get confused with your pseudo self, which many of us unfortunately do so.
3. You get to improve your studies!! Yes, to all the students out there, if you write in standard English and be meticulous in your spelling, blogging may well be a tool for improving the style of your writing. This is quintessential for getting good grades in English, which is my weakest sujbect T.T. So hopefully, I can improve my English by blogging. And I hope you can too ^^.
4. You get to have another hobby. Yup, blogging is fun and enjoyable(generally). You get to be lame, happy, sad, angry, etc. anytime you want. Its your blog so you call the shots. But pls!!! Remember that your blog is not invisible to the public and do consider their feelings before you hit the 'Enter' button on your keyboard.
With that, I do hope that this will be an avenue where I can share my thoughts and get to know more friends. Do tag at the tag box as well. Assuredly I say to you, I wont eat you up =D.
God loves you and I love you too =)
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