Pastorpher's Adventures!!!: September 2005

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Perak District Network

It was truly heartwarming to see Counselors from Teluk Intan, Sitiawan, Ipoh coming together for Perak’s Counselors’ Network Meeting which was held today, 24 September. All together there were ten of us. The programme which started at 10.30 began with a short time of worship. I remember one of our prayers was to ask for God’s Presence to be with us, and indeed He was!

We watched Howard Hendricks’ talk at the Catalyst Conference. I must say that although I have heard this message several times, God never fails to speak to me afresh and anew every time I hear it. The challenge that I heard clearly today was the call to take up the challenge of leadership. I must say that this has been my biggest struggle in ministry. But I heard God speak clearly in my heart.

The highlight for me was the sharing of lives that took place in the meeting. The introduction of each other was very meaningful. Furthermore, we also shared our passions in ministry. I realized how sacred and special that moment was. There is something about people’s name, their work and their passion. Indeed there is no competition here. God has made each one of us in a unique way, and we all have a unique place in the work of the Kingdom.

The most blessed moment was when we took a bit of time to pray for each other. I am reminded again that our meeting is not just about us. It is about meeting God, and something changes when we come face to face with the living God.

Later, when we were coming back to KL, we were praising God for the wonderful experience that He has blessed us with. I am very excited about this work that God has called me to do. Although there are times when I feel down and low, when I feel like a failure, times when I feel like running and hiding in a cave, it is in moments like these that I am grateful to God for calling me to be here doing what I enjoy the most.

My mind was working on overdrive mode. There was a hundred and one things that I felt we must be doing. But what was equally exciting was to see Choy Quin getting good ideas on how to further develop the ministry.

My dream is that our Counselors will continue to see the vision and need to network with one another. If our Counselors can be strengthened, encouraged and empowered, our youth ministry will experience tremendous blessing and growth. Believe me when I say that Counselors are one of the most important key to effective and significant Youth Ministry.

Friday, September 23, 2005

Trip to Singapore

Live in Singapore is really tough! I couldn’t help but feeling kinda helpless as our young people studying in Singapore shared their struggles. On top of their regular study which is in itself demanding, they have to cope with tons of extra curriculum activities. Plus, the competitive spirit of Singapore society doesn’t help.

Yet, our hearts were very encouraged when we heard that they are coping well. Please do remember to pray for them. Pray that God will enable them to truly shine for His glory and honour. Pray that they will not be conformed by the ‘standards of the world’ but be transformed by the renewing of their according to God’s Word and His Spirit.

We are very glad and blessed to have visited Singapore on last weekend, September 16 – 18.

Thanksgiving:
· Safe journey
· No problem in entry to Singapore (my Passport is expiring in Nov)
· God’s provision: place to stay, travel expenses
· Encouraging time with friends in Singapore (eight students we met for lunch on Saturday)
· Our dear friend and host: Fiona who spend three days with us

One of our objectives of going down to Singapore was to challenge the youths there to meet once a month of a time of fellowship, accountability and encouragement. It was really heart warming to see them swamping their hand-phone number with one another. Hopeful this spark would grow into something wonderful for them.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

News from TRAC Youth (Sept 13)

Some of you are aware of the fact that next year will be the Year of the Youth for TRAC. I would like to bring to your attention some of the plans that BOYW have scheduled for 2006:

Youth led worship services in TRAC Churches
National Youth Mission Trip (27 March – 4 April)
National Youth Prayer Day (June 4 – online thing)
National Youth Prayer Conference (March 11 – 14)
Youth Quake (Dec. 7 – 10)

Btw, the registration forms for YLDP is out! For those interested to attend kindly submit your forms quickly. Last year we had to turn out about 20 participants. So you may want to respond as quickly as possible.

Some thing new in YLDP: we have level 3! Yeah, level 3 is on. If you are interested to attend you must read: the Gospel of Luke and the book, Celebration of Discipline. Some homework….but let me assure you, its worth it if you are really interested to grow!

One more item for your attention: there would be a Mission Trip to Myanmar at the end of this year….in the month of November. The dates: Nov. 24 – 29. Please get in touch with me if you are interested.

Sacrifice

One of the things that we have been doing in the last two weeks is listening to messages by Peter Tsukahira. He is a Japanese American who is currently a citizen of Israel. He pastors a church at Mount Carmel. He was invited to speak at the recent NECF Prayer Conference. Listening to him reminded me of my days in Glad Sounds where I had many opportunities to listen to David Pawson’s preaching / teachings. (I think this gave birth to my passion to preach God’s Word). My heart just burnt as I listened to him expounding the Word of God.
One key thought that has sort of left a deep imprint in my heart since I heard Tsukahira’s message was the word “sacrifice”. I think many of us don’t think much about it since sacrifices were no longer needed after Jesus did the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary. Yet, God through Tsukahira reminded me that we are called to be living sacrifices, which is our spiritual act of worship. When we offer our lives as sacrifice – pleasing and acceptable to God, the power and anointing of God will rest in our lives. It must be said, and I must emphasize this that the laying down of our lives is not to receive any particular benefits from God. As Tsukahira rightly pointed out, the act of bowing down before God (worship) is in response to who God is. He is the Lord, and we His children worship Him for who He is; not what we can get out of Him.
I think it makes a world of difference when we see our walk with God as an act of laying down our will at the altar of His grace. I think it would be much easier to let go of things if we realize that our life is no longer our own.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Busy week

The last two weeks has really been very hectic for me. It started off with Joint Board in Seremban on September 2 – 5. And then Wednesday was pack with meetings – General Conference Youth Council Meeting, Methodist College CF, and dinner with some friends in the evening. On Thursday, I had to rush to get some work done for the coming YLDP meeting and in the evening had dinner with some wonderful people from KL Wesley. We realize how much Rhema and I, were one with them in spirit. I came back home all fired up to do what has called us to do. On Friday, my uncle had an accident and we had to be in the hospital in the evening. (Came back home at about 12.30 a.m. the next day). On Saturday, I was really tired….knock out in exhaustion. By God’s grace, I made it to Raub on Saturday night. On Sunday, God gave me strength and grace to bring His Word to the Congregations in Raub and Bentong.

I am very sorry for not blogging for the last two weeks. All through the week I have been thinking of blogging but just found it difficult to do so. I hope you will pray for me so this good practice will not be neglected.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Southern District Counselors Meeting

The Counselors in the Southern District met on August 31 at Melaka Wesley. The JB team drove all the way from JB to be present at the meeting, and we are very grateful for all those who made a special effort to be there. Thank You. Your presence and support goes a long way in the development of Youth Ministry in TRAC. Our three hours meeting started off with worship. Then we watched a video together, "The Columbine Story". Everyone had the opportunity to share about their own local Youth Ministry and we also spent some time praying together.

I guess one of the challenges that came across at this meeting was to see the work of God in the lives of our young people. We must never underestimate the authenticity and depth of their spiritual experiences. Born again Youths are very much in tune with God.

Have you wondered why in Joel God says that "your children will prophecy"? I think it is because they have to rely totally upon God to tell them what to do. Somehow as the years goes by we become a bit dull in hearing God. "The Haze" begins to set in.

One major concern that the Counselors brought out in the discussion was the relationship between parents and Youth Ministry. We began to see how important it is in Youth Ministry to touch base with parents. Anyone serious about relating to Youths cannot avoid relating to their parents. I have often found that parents are more than willing to talk about their children to the Youth Worker and they are really delighted when we pray together with them. We must always be encouraged to see parents as "co-parterners" in ministering to the needs of the Youths. In fact, they have a much major role and responsibilities!

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Miracle!

You won’t believe what happened to us. On Sunday night we received news that Rhema’s grandma passed away in Sg. Petani. At about 10.30 p.m. we drove down to Melaka to pick up Rhema’s brother, Thiru. Then we drove back to KL and reached home at 3 a.m. On Monday morning, we drove up to Sungai Petani. We reached Sg. Petani about 4 p.m. We want to praise God for giving us the opportunity to be present there in the funeral. We are also very grateful that God granted Rhema an opportunity to see her grandma for the last time. After the funeral we left SP. At about 7 p.m. Thiru jumped in the car as he pointed me to the temperature meter in my car. The car was overheating. The needle was at the very end of the meter. Immediately, I stopped the car and opened my engine bonnet. Water was just evaporating……smoking out of the car. I panic!

Although, I had no extra water in my car, there was a small stream beside the place I pulled over. Praise God, I could get water to refill the car radiator. Right in front of me was a huge sign board that read, “Butterworth, 2 KM”. So we decided to drive to Penang, and spend the night there.

As I looked back at the entire incident I can give thanks to God for the following things:
· Detecting the overheat at the right time
· Water from stream
· Place to stay in Penang (Joseph’s mom responded immediately to our SMS)
· Directing us to the right mechanic
· Providing cash for the car repair
· Supper with Lawrence
· Ministry to someone who was sick
· Bring us back home (which was really a miracle)

What was really amazing was that on Sunday night when the youths in Joshua House were praying for us, the Lord led them to pray for my car!! I am sure that if they have not prayed for us, things would really be bad now.

What I learn from this situation? God loves us and He will answer us when we call on His name!

NECF Prayer Conference

Rhema and I were really blessed and revived after attending the NECF Prayer Conference. (August 25 – 27). God spoke to us in a very clear and remarkable manner. On the first night of the Conference, God showed me what He was doing at the present time. The challenge was not to miss out on what God is doing in the world. We have to discern God’s work in the world and avail ourselves to be used by Him in fulfilling His plan and purposes. In the second message, God spoke to me about worship. In Genesis 22, worship is referred to the act of ‘bowing down’ (i.e. submission / yielding / reverence to His Lordship). There is a need to rebuild the altar of our lives (our hearts) to the Lord. On the third talk, God challenged me to lay down my life as a living sacrifice before Him. As Rhema and I responded to God’s message, we felt the Holy Spirit reviving and renewing us.

Youth Praying

Many youths might think that Prayer is boring; what more attending Prayer Meetings. But if one understands what true prayer is, this perception is most like to change. I sat with four other youths in the Prayer Conference to pray. I began by asking the Holy Spirit to lead us in prayer. Then He gave me an idea about how to lead these youths in prayer. He began to show me what to pray for…one item at a time. As soon as I heard what the Lord said, I made the request known to the group and challenged someone to pray. This went on for about 20 minutes. Everyone in the group took turns to pray. Then the Lord impressed in my heart to tell the Youths that they should ask the Lord on what to pray. What happened next was really a surprise to me. As these young Christians waited upon the Lord, they began to pray short prayers. This happened for about 20 minutes. After this, we stopped and I asked them about what they feel very strongly about the items that we have been praying for? One of them shared a word that was in his heart. Then everyone centered their prayer on that particular item. Wow…this was simply amazing! God was indeed leading us. I think if we catch glimpses of what God is doing in our prayer meeting, Prayer would indeed be very exciting.

As I reflected on this experience I realized one thing. We always tell me to pray but we don’t show them how to pray. I think if people begin to experience how prayer is done….they would most like to catch the vision to pray. Please don’t get me wrong. I am not reducing prayer to certain formulas or methods. But I think there is a great needs for more matured Christians to sit down with younger Christians and pray. The spirit and essence of prayer is most like to be caught and thought. (this is not to say that teaching is not important).

Pastorpher's Adventures!!!