Open Letter to Ps Nina from Jhee

Hello Ps Nina,

Firstly, I want to thank you for speaking into my life at this Conference. I saw in you a life example of FAITHFULNESS and OBEDIENCE to the Lord. You did this by just standing up to speak, on platform, despite the obstacles you have to face personally, and that to me was a great learning point. You have demonstrated FAITHFULNESS and OBEDIENCE.

I did not just see that from the words you spoke, but from a LIFE that demonstrated it.

Secondly, I am very proud of you as the Spiritual Mother of this church. Many times it was said, on pulpit, that you have and will release women into the ministry. I want to add on to that, I believe that you have released MEN into believing in God, to top us up in our weaknesses.

My spirit is changed. I may be doing the same thing, but now with GREATER depth of faith.

Thirdly, I processed with some of my cells about my learning (not cognitive learning but more affective), when you stood up to speak, many shared that they felt the same way too. There are many who are impacted by the fact that you stood up to speak.

I pray that this would encourage you - when you speak, you demonstrate a life submitted to the Lord. That speaks to me POWERFULLY.

Thank you Pastor, and may God continue to use you mightily. :)

Hee Jhee (red t-shirt in photo above)
Ps Eugene Seow's 12 (Click here to read full post)

15th March Sermon Discussion - "Living in God's Divine Purpose"

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:7-9 & Ephesians 2:10

1. Share 1 thing (item, song, card, etc) that you have “created” that you were really proud of. Explain why you were so proud of it.

Read aloud Genesis 2:7-9 and Ephesians 2:10.

Go around to at least 5 persons and say, “I am God’s workmanship, I am happy to be me!”

2. To live in God’s purpose, we must first recognize that we are God’s Workmanship

Read again Eph 2:10. What does this passage tell us about the purpose that God created us for?

Share with one another the good works that you think God has prepared for you in advance to do.

3. Discover the Garden of Blessing

Before sin came into the world, the Garden of Eden was a garden of blessing.

Do you know that God has given you every blessing you need to live in His purpose?
See Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

What is one spiritual blessing that you need today, share it and pray for one another? (Click here to read full post)

Taking the I M out of the IMpossible

In every journey of life all have our milestones to climb, giants to kill, storms to face. Having so much to say, so much thanks to give. Here is my account how Christ has brought me through all. Bearing witness that this is My God...

With a tendency enjoying tough challenges, I took up the possibly the ultimate physical endeavor ever and thats the Ironman Triathlon last year. 3.8km Swim 180km Bike 42km Run. Its a race that test your limits, stretches your body and mind. With a reason, desire and my God, I beat my body, disciplined in not just training, but also to love, hope, trust more. My journey wasn't just a personal thing but one that was connected to the community and the people I love.

At the age of 18, I wanted to be among the youngest Ironman in the country. But on 23 Feb 2008, at Langkawi Ironman, I raced my hearts out and it almost came out literally. My kidney failed, as high potassium in my body. Leaving me to puke 12 times and came close to heart attack. I was asked to give up and I did. It hurt more to stop than to keep going. But as those words left my lips, Christ caught me in his arms and held my heart. It was so intense that I know He's closer than I think, He's with me, He's not some theological concept or a belief but its the real deal.

Coming back discouraged and broken, it was painful to even give thanks. But as I pour out my heart, I remembered that I am to give thanks in all circumstances and not for all circumstances. I grew grateful, strong and know the best is yet to be.

Being diagnosed with Bronchospasm, a breathing disorder, having exams one day before the race, fear, past defeats were just a few of the things against me. If impossible could get more difficult this was it. Sometimes in life we do not need a guarantee but just an assurance that He is with us. I once again embrace the truth and build myself up not just to be an Ironman by name but by spirit. Having that steel within. Being a man of resilience and strong character. To conquer fears and discouragement. I learnt that strong character is never given, but always forged. Heated and hammered in challenges of life. Growing in deep dependence of Him. I committed to race with open hands, surrendering all expectations, pressure to someone whose faith and strength is more than me. How can I not let go? When someone stronger holds my fists.

Slowly it became not just another race but something so much more.

Finally, the day came. I slept little, realizing I forgot my goggles didn't help at all. I had to be discipline to let go of the anxiety because the way will be made. Its an insane mistake, but thank God He provides, I managed to borrow a goggles from a Japanese. Having high degree on both eyes, I couldn't see. But it was good enough to get the salt out of my eyes.

Conquering each loop of the bike, each turn on the run. Singing, talking to God, people, lifting my eyes to the hills, meditating Psalm 121. The focus I got into engaging with Him, the stronger I was, more certain and confident I was. As I reach to the point where I given up before, more fear came. It was an constant effort to let it go, to hope, to trust that He is my help, He will sustain me, He will protect me from harm. Holding fast onto his word and Him. We ran it together. Indeed, we have a God we can depend and NEVER fails.

With no one in front or the back. The finish was staged for me. Raising my heart speech and hands to the heavens. Committing it all to Him and the people I love. Finishing at 14 hrs 9 mins. I rejoiced in His name, truly my God with the name of I M (Exodus 14:3) has taken the IM out of the word IMpossible in the IronMan Triathlon (IM is the short form for Ironman). He qualified me to face the IMpossible and made it possible.

Looking forward for my next milestone in life as I grow from strength to strength.

Last thanks to Ming, Syl for being there for me. Sam, Sebas Teo and Pastor Yong Howe for advice and prayers. Josh Kwah for being my good all trusting brother, cell leader, mentor. Not to forget family and friends of their prayers. We did it.

by Sky Kwah

(Click here to read full post)

8th March Sermon Discussion - "The Spirit and The Blood"

Hebrews 9:13-14

1. Warm Up: On a blank sheet of paper, draw pictures or images that come to your mind when you think of the Holy Spirit. Share with one another what those pictures or images mean to you.
2. Who is the Holy Spirit?
3. Why do we need the Holy Spirit? Review the 3 reasons from the sermon as to why the Holy Spirit is so important.

a) The Spirit of God illuminates God's perspective.
(John 16:13 The Spirit of God opens our eyes and helps us understand the reality of God's truth.)

b) The Spirit of God ignites God's passion
(Acts 2:1-4 The disciples of Jesus who were fearful of men and cowardly became courageous and God-fearing when the Spirit of God came upon them on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were set on fire for God. They began to speak in other tongues and Peter even preached the word of the Lord fearlessly and led the people to repent.)

c) The Spirit of God imparts God's power
(Acts 5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. Many sick were healed, those tormented by evil spirits were set free and more and more men and women believed in the Lord. These were all done through the power of the Holy Spirit.”)

Out of the 3 aspects of the Holy Spirit, which one do you need the most now in your life? Share with the group and minister to each other in the area that was shared.

4. As a cell group, what breakthroughs or miracles can we trust God for together? Let's pray together in anticipation for this to take place. (Click here to read full post)

1st March Sermon Discussion - “The Blood on the Table”

1. What is one interesting present that you have received before? How did you feel and why?
2. Read 1 Cor 11:17-34 and state the 3 reasons why we take the Lord's Supper?
3. Are there relationships/activities in your cell group that do not represent the Body of Christ well? What would you do differently? Share and pray for one another.

(Click here to read full post)

Shining in Campus Superstar - Rachael Chang

In this round when I got eliminated.. I really wanna thank God because he gave me peace in my heart. He touched my heart & took away my sadness...I thought I would feel sad or down but in fact I never felt any pain.

All I would like to say is that I let everyone down.. but it's ok.. God gave me the confidence & motivation to do my best in the revival round..

I will do whatever it takes & do my utmost.

Anyway, I wanna thank Mamag, Shiying..JWSS school mates... Colin, last year's classmates.. and dorothy for all the never ending support & presense for my rounds through this whole thing..

I will not let all of them down & those that voted for me at home too..

Thank you so much..

I hope you'll will await to hear my improvement & my revival round song..

I will do it for the glory of God, my mum.. all my supporters & myself !

Catch Rachael in the "Revival Round" on Campus SuperStar on Channel U, TONIGHT @ 8:00pm. Vote for her too @ http://css2009.mediacorptv.sg/

Photo source: http://rachaelfc.blogspot.com/(Rachael's Fan Club Blog) (Click here to read full post)

With Jesus, my life has so much more meaning!

Before I trusted Christ, even though I was born in a Christian family, I did not know anything about Christ. When I was little, my parents did mention to me about the story of Jesus. Being small then, I was not very interested about it. I kept wondering 'Why do I need Jesus in my life?'; I thought that as long as I maintained a good attitude in life and did well in my studies, that was all I needed. But I was wrong.

My friend Yan Zhi invited me to his church (FCBC) in 2008. At first I hesitated because I remembered going to my first church and feeling not too belonging there. After much consideration, I attended FCBC's service and followed the pastor in saying the sinner's prayer for the first time in my life. Continuing to attend service with my cell, I even went for the Encounter Weekend with a few sisters. Never had I known so much about Jesus and God's truth and allowed Him to work so powerfully in my life. I began to better understand that sin had separated me from God and the victorious life He has for me.

God continued to shine light into the areas of my life that He wanted to work in - many of which I never thought were important to change. But they have been very important to Jesus all these while! I thank God that He never lets go of me all these years. After knowing Jesus in a deeper way and belonging to a family of God, I have learnt how to forgive people, like how Jesus had forgiven me of my sins. I also became more confident of myself and do not feel overly worried about my problems anymore. My relationships with my family and friends have improved a lot too. With Jesus with me, my life has had so much more meaning.

Have these ever happened in your life? :)

Cassandra Lee
(Testimony dated 27th February 2009)

(Click here to read full post)