People Never Crumble in a Day

Slow Fade
by Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

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Hi guys, this is the cool song which we heard in service on Sunday which Ps Khong shared with us. I posted the MTV here for us to listen again.. but more importantly I want us to read the lyrics clearly and reflect what it means for ourselves.

Let's not play hide-and-seek with God anymore and answer these questions truthfully:

1. How are we doing in our Christian walk? Give a 1-10 rating to it.

2. Are we crumbling in our spiritual walk already?

3. If yes, reflect and ask yourself why? What were some things that you did, or didn't do that cause your walk to crumble?

4. Are there any areas in our life that we may have crossed the line on God, or are potentially nearing the line?

5. Are we flirting with sins in our lives and still keeping it hidden under the carpet, refusing to repent before the Lord and let things come to light?

6. Do we have any desire to want to improve our current situation?

7. If yes, what do you think you should do practically? If no, why?

Let's get serious in our walk with Lord. Let's not play religious games with the Lord anymore. Let's reflect and question ourselves to the very depths of our souls - Are we serious about God? Do we really desire to grow?

If Yes, then the decision is clear! It's time to kick away those addictive habits. Stop being loose with our words. Stop looking down on ourselves and think negatively. Stop being emo and eating worms in our sorrows. If we are serious, we got to taken practical actions to the nice words we utter!

If No, then the decision is clear too. You can float along but in the end, you do not know where you are going. You just want to feel good by coming to church but yet not serious about changing your life. Honestly, there won't be much growth.

I would like to implore of us to reflect and make a personal decision about your relationship with God and where it's going to go.

Our Time is Up! Don't drift around anymore! Stop playing church or the religious game anymore! No man can serve two masters - we either be committed to the Lord and though Him serve and be a blessing to the world, or we be committed to the World and treat God like a religion.

It's time to get serious with God!

Staying Upbeat All The Time!

This upcoming week ahead will definitely "force" me to move out in faith and tap upon God. Reason being:

• MONDAY: Dating Day
• TUESDAY: Worship Rehearsal for Baptism Service
• WEDNESDAY: Benny Ho School of Ministry Seminar
• THURSDAY: Worship Rehearsal for Sunday Service
• FRIDAY: Lead Worship at Baptism Service
• SATURDAY: Parents' Talk in the Morning & Cell Group Games Outreach in Afternoon
• SUNDAY: Worship Team for Sunday Service
• (Next) MONDAY: Rest & Dating Day
• (Next) TUESDAY: Lead Worship for SP1728 Meeting

Yes, on top of all these above, I do still have a daily 9AM - 6PM job to carry out. =D

Q: WOW! EeJay, how do you feel about your crazy schedule ahead?
A: Honestly, I am really excited and looking forward. It is really a privilege to be able to serve the body of Christ in whatever capacity I can offer or being tasked to. Though it can be stretching and tiring at times, but I always believe in the "Rubber-Band" Principle - stretched beyond the elastic limit which will give me greater capacity to give and serve. =D

Q: How do you keep yourself so "UP" despite having so many things?
A: Well, I apply what I learn from sermon every week. The sermon that really spoke to me a lot in this period was what Ps Khong shared about "Fixing Our Eyes Upon Jesus". Every morning when I wake up, I pray, worship and read the Word to help me turn my attention to Jesus and NOT my problems and worries. That really helps me in staying focused! =D

Q: What was your take back about this week's sermon on "Facing The Giants"?
A: Focus on Giants - You Stumble. Focus on God - Your Giants Tumble!

Guys' Discipleship Forum 10 - 11 April 2009

Hi Guys, just want to say a special thanks to all those who came (Alvin, Bobby, Gabriel, Nelson, Wesker, Wayne, Leonard Koh, Jaren & Junjie) for the Guys' Discipleship Forum @ Changi Rise over the Easter Weekend. I hope you guys have benefited from the sharing from myself and also hearing from each other.

Personally I am very encouraged by all your open sharing and I definitely look forward to the next session (maybe end April / Early May) where we get together again. This time round, we will talk about more "deeper" issues and concerns.

I gave some reflection questions to think about over the discipleship forum. Am putting them up here so that we can continue to ponder. Also good for those who weren't there to think through as well. Don't worry, you are not short changed.. more to come in next session... Akan datang! =D

BGR Session
1. Look through your daily SMSes sent/received. Who dominates the most count in your inbox?
2. List down 5 criterias which you would look for in your future girlfriend/wife.
3. What age do you think you would be suitable to get attached/married? (Note: This is a deeper question than you think... think further...)

Guy Sexuality Session
1. God's desire for us is "not even a hint of sexual immorality" (Ephesians 5:3).. What other areas in our sexuality do we still struggle in?
2. Learn to establish your boundaries of defense i.e. no second look, pre-ampt and look away, computer in living room...etc
3. Pursue an active relationship with God through worship, prayer and reading His Word

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17

I also face trials & temptations everyday....

Galatians 5:1

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

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Let me first of all debunk the myth that cell leaders/pastors/church leaders are super humans who do not face trials and temptations. In fact, we are just like any normal person and we are challenged and tempted as much... so honestly there is no difference.

Example of things which I face daily in the past and present:

1. During NUS days, temptation to copy my lab reports or programming codes because I was lazy to do.
2. During Army days, temptation to "chao keng" through skiving for "Attend B" so I can excused from morning PTs, lie about my leaves and off-in-lieu to my officers, lie about my medical appointment (half day, but I say it is full day)...etc
3. Everyday I have to remind myself to speak words of faith and words that edify and not hurt people. Trust me.. it is so so easily to speak prickly words of condemnation out of coarse joking.
4. Lust of the eyes (the trouble for every guy out there) is major problem too with sexuality explicit advertisements everywhere.
5. My attitude when I am at home.. How do I talk to my parents?

Phew! Honestly, it may sound like living everyday is a big challenge. But what makes it easier for me is that everyday I under girth myself with the Word of God before leaving the house. Which means that whatever "attacks" I face outside, my first defense is the Word of God!

I know I can stand firm and be set free because of what Jesus did on the Cross! And with that knowledge and conviction in my mind and heart, I live my life around that. Period.


Want to be set free? The easiest way is to take the Word of God seriously at face value. =D

PS: Bless ya all with the lyrics of this song "Set Me Free" which I love. =D

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"Set Me Free" lyrics by Paradise Church

It's only by Your blood I am saved
Your power washed away the stains that blemished me
How can I even start to repay
The price You paid at Calvary
You paid for me

How can I deserve this love
What can I do that's enough

If I could shout one thing to the world
It would be to know You
If I could give my life to a cause
It would be for You
If I had just one reason to testify
It would be about the way
You set me free
You set me free

Hey!!! Its time to pray!!!

Dear family, VaZe here to bring a message...

I believe that from the G12 conference, pastor's sermon, EJ/AO's message, and my personal walk that PRAYER is the ultimate importance as a Christian...

I can quote numerous scriptures to support why we need to pray and I'm sure u are able to...
But right now, its really important to pray for our brothers and sisters in the combined cell... Yeah, you heard correctly... Sisters as well...

As i fellowshipped with the members of the combined cell, I can really see that Julee's girls are taxed and stretched in this particular season...

144 level - mainly common tests, schoolwork overload
Hui Yu - Studies for A levels (Its not easy, trust me)
Joadine - Final exams in month of May
Michelle & Si Jia - Lab report
Jocelyn - Final exams in april or may.... Plenty of work to rush nw...
Olivia - Schoolwork in JC (its tough being a JC student, trust me a 2nd time)
*
* Dear other Julee girls, sorry, its beyond my ability to know wats going on in every person's life *

Guys side:

Johnathan - Plenty of training in camp, flying to Taiwan soon for further training
Jasper - India "vacation" sponsored by SAF
Hafiz - Family persecution for his faith in God
Wayne - Attachment to some company, may be quite xiong
Jaren - Church choir, teaching as a part time job... (its tough to be a free man from army as well)

Of course... Please feel free to add to this prayer list your requests so that we can pray for all...

Ephesians 6:18:
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The reality of life... How much we really need to hear God?

Hello its me Vaze... Having bloc leave till 22nd this month...

I listened to Casting Crowns - East to West track and one of the phrase which strucks me was "time and time again your truth is drowned out by the storms I'm in" Brothers.. Do we also face the same problem that the words of the world speaks louder than the words of God? Do we also the same struggle of remembering the sermon just 5 working days after pastor preaches it?

I realized from the 1st day since i become God's man is that its super super easy to let the words & things of the world distract and silences God's word to us... Even as G12 comes to a close this year, one thing that i keep reminding myself is to remember as much of teachings of the pastors...

I'm very sure that by now, I couldn't emphasize more on "why we need to hear from God", the understanding of the Word that brings strength, hope, faith to last us each day... But now.. Let me give u some handles to remember God's Word...

Remembering God's Word is more or less a man-made effort...
- Prayer
- Discipline

1. Prayer:
For me to remember God's Word through prayer... I will always pray before pastor preach and before quiet time... To ask God for revelation of His Word, to guard the Word in my heart, to send the Holy Ghost to help me to recall His Word in the tough times... I will also give thanks to God for His Word, and even recite the Word back to God by heart as an prophetic act of applying wat i learn

2. Discipline
To remember God's Word thru discipline, u jus have to find all the possible human ways to do it... For me, i have to make all effort to do it... Copy down the scripture from the bible into my devotional book, then memorizing it word for word... Even have to recite it when i'm on the move... Periodically give myself some memory tests to really see if I can memorize the verse completely or nt... Most impt, I need to learn to PAUSE & THINK during my tough times so that I can try to recall my memorized verses...

Afterall... all I can say is that its always part man - part God that helps to work... Do make an effort to recall God's Word, so that in times of trouble and overhwhelming situations, God's Word will speak louder than the world's!!

To end... I will put up the lyrics by Casting Crowns here... Here wat they say and try to connect with them....

1st stanza:
Here I am Lord and I'm drowning In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where you found me
And it echoes in my mind, Keeps me awake tonight

2nd stanza:
I know you've cast my sins as far As the East is from the West
And I stand before you now As though I've never sinned
but today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Chorus:
Jesus can you show me Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

3rd stanza
I start the day the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your Truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

intermission:
I know you've washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel
But by the truth your word reveals
I'm not holding on to you
But you're holding on to me
Your holding on to me....

Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo

A-B-C Guide to Success in Life

In my Junior College days, I was one of the top Ten-Pin bowler chalking an average of 200 PPG (points-per-game). I trained hard and my dream was to one day win an Open competition and be part of the Singapore National Bowling Team.

In the first year of my National Service, I crack-fractured my right wrist (my master hand) during the Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) test. I went through 1 year of physiotherapy and rehab, but never able to carry heavy stuff using my right hand again. I was downgraded to PES C1L2 and I was never able to take part in competitive bowling again. [Reality strikes and my world just collaspe around me... it's a lousy feeling. ]

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In my university days, I was an avid sportsman. I played soccer, basketball, soccer, squash and almost any ball games. In January 2006 during my Masters' studies, I had a freak accident on a rainy day. I slipped, fell and sprained my right ankle (my master foot)really badly. I was out of sports action for almost 6 months, unable to do even light jogging. [I felt really lousy about myself.]

During the 6 months, I went through intensive rehab and physiotherapy (up to 2-3 times a week, sweating like a madman at every physio session!). In November - December 2006, I took part in a 100KM walkathon, climbed the 72-storey Vertical Marathon @ Swissotel and completed the 42KM Singapore Marathon.

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During my Masters' studies in Bioengineering (2004 - 2006), I was required to take Biology subjects, understand Biology concepts and theories, write reports and do up presentations on them. These were a major challenge for me as I have never ever taken Biology before in my life!

I mugged, studied, burned midnight oil studying and preparing for every single homework, test, exams and presentation. This is on top of being a cell leader and serving in church.

In end-2007, I was conferred my Masters' Degree in Engineering. Together with it, I had three conference presentations, two journal papers, and one patent application to my name. I just collected my Masters' Degree graduation certificate this week. *All Smiles*

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Success in life doesn't mean having a glamourous lifestyle, great achievements, nor popular and accepted by people. All these are good and important things in life. BUT... Is that how you really would define Success?

To me, the A-B-C guide to Success is:

1. Able to star at every challenges that comes in life and see the opportunity for growth.
2. Being able to bounce back from defeats and failures in life - having a never-say-die attitude.
3. Choosing not to compare and envy the people around you, but follow your principles, values and convictions of life.

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. - Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)

Unless we learn to put God as central in the area of our work / studies, else we will always be toiling and struggling with the affairs of the world.

C.N.Y "Love Thy Family" Applications

EeJay: Take one day leave this week to help out with spring cleaning at home (particularly my own room)

Alvin: Talk more to Dad and helping Mum with housework proactively

Jonathan: Take leave and follow Dad to go bird-watching. Help Mum with housework.

Bobby: Initiate dinner with Dad. Do housework for Mum without complaining.

Gabriel: Help Mum prepae CNY dishes. Talk more with Dad and help with furniture arrangements.

Daryl: Visit and spend time with Mum. Talk more with Dad. Help Grandma with housework.

Jasper: Eat breakfast with Mum. Talk more with Dad and support him through acts of service - Make Dad proud of children.

Andre: Help Mum with housework. Spend time with Dad e.g. shopping

Leonard Seow: Help Mum with spring cleaning. Spend time talk to Dad.

Junjie: Go extra mile in doing housework regime.

Nelson: Accompany parents to Chinatown

Frans: Wash car for Mum

Wayne: Drive family around during CNY. Help in washing dishes.

Jaren: Have meal with Mum. Initiate responsive conversation with Dad.

Intentions without Actions = Nothing!

Exciting to see all of us listing down these aims and goals... no it is time to put actions to what we say! Go for it! =D