So, Iba Unplugged has just ended. Although we were not given any placing, I am sure our band did a good job. YTM resumes this coming Saturday, we will be having the usual captain ball at Taman Zaaba. This Sunday, we'll be having a talk entitled "Why am I afraid to tell you who am I?". So I shall see you!
Have a good week.
Till then,
Ashley.
Aug 27, 2008
Aug 19, 2008
Making others happy
Something for you to think about.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.
Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fineview of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man onthe other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.
Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fineview of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man onthe other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'
Attention!
ATTENTION!
IBA Unplugged
SAGC (Shah Alam Gospel Centre)
23rd August 2008, THIS Saturday
'IBA Unplugged' is a music competition for Brethren churches. Something like "battle of the bands". Do come and support our very own church band.
For those of you who want to go and have no transport. Please meet in church at 2pm and you will be back by 630pm. Also leave a comment on this post to let us know that you are coming! Come and support and go hooray!!
Ashley.
Remember to leave a comment if you want to go!
Aug 18, 2008
IBA Unplugged 2008
ALL THE BEST TO
Johnson Khor- Vocalist
Evelyn Tan- Vocalist
Kuang Ern- Lead Gutarist
Ian-Bassist
Alex- Drummer
Ooi Wen-Li- Rhythm Guitarist
Niki Ho- Pianist
They will be participating in the upcoming IBA Unplugged and I hope that they will do well, even if they don't win or anything. We are doing it for God's glory.
All the best!
Aug 15, 2008
Chin Wuen's Birthday!
On the 2nd August 2008 was CHIN WUEN'S b'day! Aunt Maggi (his mum) had been so kind to invite the WHOLE youth to his place....and the best part was, Aunt Maggi prepared food for us too!
So at around 5 pm we left from church to his place, which is just a couple of minutes away from church. As we arrived, we wished him and just started to hang out in his house..However, later on, Yit Mun suggested to play a game, which led Alex to say....
' I KNOW I KNOW, let's play SIGN'S '...and so we did.... let me brief you on how the game is played.
Step 1 : Form a circle. Choose a 'monkey' to be placed in the centre of the circle.
Step 2 : Every individual is to create a gesture to represent themselves. As soon as everyone has created their one and only gesture, each and everyone has to demonstrate it.
Step 3 : Recognize all gestures.
The game begins with a person beginning with his/her own gesture and passing his/her turn to another person. However to do so, he/she must remember the other person's gesture before he/she is able to move on. So basically, to pass your turn to another, you must first perform your own gesture followed by the other person's gesture that you intend to pass the turn to.
The objective of this game is basically, to not be caught by the 'monkey'. :)
Some of the weird or rather extremely weird gesture that was created was for example, 'slapping urself' and the 'banghra move'(or some say like changing light bulbs) :P
The game was really fun! It requires one to think extremely fast and it test one's memorization skills. Way to go Alex, for introducing the game to us... will continue the game to the next person's b'day hse okay! :)
-Chin Wuen, the birthday boy, as the 'monkey'-
-Chin Wuen not being the 'monkey'-
Later on, Aunt Maggi invited us for a sumptious home cook meal that she prepared. Although it was simple, it was delicious! :) Some of the food that she prepared was, salad, agar-agar and noodles. It was so good that we left the bowls empty! :) Pretty sure she was happy that everything was 'sapu-ed'.
After the tea-time-meal, we then sang Chin Wuen his b'day song! The cake was so beautiful that Aunt Maggi told me, 'Er, how to cut ah, so nice'? :) I replied, 'Auntie, I cut la'. And so after Chin Wuen made the first cut, I managed to cut it to small slices.
So below are some of the snapshots taken that day. Finally on behalf of the YTM, we would like to wish our brethren, Chin Wuen a Happy (belated) 22nd Birthday! God Bless! and thank you so much Aunt Maggi! :)
-Chin Wuen blowing the candles-
- The beautiful cake -
-THE FAMILY OF YOUTH TEEN MINISTRY-
(wait I think there's suppose to be more people :P)
P.s guys : Aunt Maggi told me, "Maybe next time we can have a barbeque" :)
Posted by Jeremy :P
So at around 5 pm we left from church to his place, which is just a couple of minutes away from church. As we arrived, we wished him and just started to hang out in his house..However, later on, Yit Mun suggested to play a game, which led Alex to say....
' I KNOW I KNOW, let's play SIGN'S '...and so we did.... let me brief you on how the game is played.
Step 1 : Form a circle. Choose a 'monkey' to be placed in the centre of the circle.
Step 2 : Every individual is to create a gesture to represent themselves. As soon as everyone has created their one and only gesture, each and everyone has to demonstrate it.
Step 3 : Recognize all gestures.
The game begins with a person beginning with his/her own gesture and passing his/her turn to another person. However to do so, he/she must remember the other person's gesture before he/she is able to move on. So basically, to pass your turn to another, you must first perform your own gesture followed by the other person's gesture that you intend to pass the turn to.
The objective of this game is basically, to not be caught by the 'monkey'. :)
Some of the weird or rather extremely weird gesture that was created was for example, 'slapping urself' and the 'banghra move'(or some say like changing light bulbs) :P
The game was really fun! It requires one to think extremely fast and it test one's memorization skills. Way to go Alex, for introducing the game to us... will continue the game to the next person's b'day hse okay! :)
-Chin Wuen, the birthday boy, as the 'monkey'-
-Chin Wuen not being the 'monkey'-Later on, Aunt Maggi invited us for a sumptious home cook meal that she prepared. Although it was simple, it was delicious! :) Some of the food that she prepared was, salad, agar-agar and noodles. It was so good that we left the bowls empty! :) Pretty sure she was happy that everything was 'sapu-ed'.
After the tea-time-meal, we then sang Chin Wuen his b'day song! The cake was so beautiful that Aunt Maggi told me, 'Er, how to cut ah, so nice'? :) I replied, 'Auntie, I cut la'. And so after Chin Wuen made the first cut, I managed to cut it to small slices.
So below are some of the snapshots taken that day. Finally on behalf of the YTM, we would like to wish our brethren, Chin Wuen a Happy (belated) 22nd Birthday! God Bless! and thank you so much Aunt Maggi! :)
-Chin Wuen blowing the candles-
- The beautiful cake - 
-THE FAMILY OF YOUTH TEEN MINISTRY-(wait I think there's suppose to be more people :P)
P.s guys : Aunt Maggi told me, "Maybe next time we can have a barbeque" :)
Posted by Jeremy :P
Aug 14, 2008
Anger
Matthew 5:39
"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person . If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
Many times, we face criticisms, destructive, constructive, insults so on and so forth. And at many many times, we tend to react in a negative manner. Can we swallow the statements people make about us and not retaliate? Especially when it is all not true. Most of the time we retaliate, we plan the most evil ways to get back at people to get even. It is indeed difficult to turn the left cheek when someone wrongs us. We tend to get back to make ourselves feel better. Here's a verse from the bible, to guide and to remind us every time we face problems as such.
Ephesians 4:26
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil the foothold.
Never ever give the devil the foothold in our lives.
Enjoy the rest of the week and Happy Holidays to all!
Ashley.
"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person . If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
Many times, we face criticisms, destructive, constructive, insults so on and so forth. And at many many times, we tend to react in a negative manner. Can we swallow the statements people make about us and not retaliate? Especially when it is all not true. Most of the time we retaliate, we plan the most evil ways to get back at people to get even. It is indeed difficult to turn the left cheek when someone wrongs us. We tend to get back to make ourselves feel better. Here's a verse from the bible, to guide and to remind us every time we face problems as such.
Ephesians 4:26
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil the foothold.
Never ever give the devil the foothold in our lives.
Enjoy the rest of the week and Happy Holidays to all!
Ashley.
Aug 5, 2008
I Kissed Dating Goodbye
I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
Josh started his book by giving this graphic example. A bride and the groom are at the altar. When the groom was reciting his marriage vows, one by one, six ladies stood beside him, each holding his hand. Slowly, a lady whispered in his ears, "Did you tell her about all the sweet promises you used to whisper in my ear?", another said, "Does she know about me?". The bride began to tear, she asked him, "What is going on?". He looked down and said, "You are my 7th".
Shocking? Yes you can say that again. As you've read, the groom gave his heart to 6 ladies before his bride. Therefore she has the leftovers of his heart or whatever that is left over. I was literally shaking after I read the story. Surely I do not want my bride to have the leftovers.
What Joshua was trying to say is pretty clear. He says that we should ONLY give our heart to our spouse. How do I even do that? How do I know that he/she is the one? Should I date? Dating is not encouraged because it gives a false impression to the other person, involves no commitment. "The joy of intimacy is the fruit of commitment" that's the golden rule as Josh puts it. As long as you're not thinking of a long-term commitment, FORGET IT. Are you only interested in the other person's body/flesh/looks? . . . idk what to say if that is what you're looking for. Looks are only temporal, but our character lasts a lifetime. Looks fade away, but our character lasts till eternity. We can't bring our looks into heaven. I do not believe in dating, only courtship. Enter courtship with marriage in mind.
So then how should I treat the opposite gender? Well, just be friends. Friends build on something they have in common. How do I know if I've crossed the line between merely friends and more than just friends? Well, more than just friends tend to focus on themselves rather than something in common. Friends do stuff which they have in common, but "more than just friends" focuses on themselves rather than the things they have in common. If you get what I'm trying to say..
Josh also gave another pretty good explanation. Though it good that you're there for the opposite gender and all but think about the future. When you're married next time and want a shoulder to lean on, who do you go to? The opposite gender? That's a big NO. Obviously you go to someone of the same gender, you share more in common with them. An excellent example is, do you see any aunty or uncle doing that? No right? (I'm sorry for the example but I can't think of any other).
This is in response to Keith's sermonette. Where he mentioned something about having to wait twice the length of your life before experiencing sex. God knows what He's doing by designing it so. The wait (for guys) builds character. It's called delayed gratification. And don't even think of "trying". This is what Josh said in response to a radio interview he had with a DJ. The DJ was asking him, "What if your spouse is not good in bed?". Josh simply replied, "Well, I won't have anyone to compare". There you go!!
That was a short summary of the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris. I'm sorry if I left out anything or added anything unintentionally. I truly recommend that book to everyone. It's definitely worth it.
God bless =)
Aug 3, 2008
"Sermonettes"
Hey everyone, Ian here. Last Sunday, we had out very own youth speakers, Kuang Ern , Johnson, Keith, Greg and Jeremy. Believe me they were good, Greg started off with his talk regarding the sermon on the mount and cross referencing from verses throughout the bible, I personally found very easy to understand as he went down to our level and spoke well. The way explained was very well put as it was straightforward. Next up was Kuang Ern or was it Keith. Kuang Ern spoke on worship and music, in his sermonette, he talks about how music and worship blend together to praise God. Music, something we all love, yes its important to have music during worship, but as we can see nowadays, the music is taking over the worship, instead of the worship driving it. Most bands nowadays often forget the true meaning of worship as they usually rip through their guitars with fanciful solos. The aim is no longer there to give glory to God anymore, but it has now become merely a presentation for you to show off. Yes, I, myself along with the band are experiencing things like that. But after a quick word from Johnson, we usually bring ourselves back down to earth. Our main objective, to praise and give glory to God, not ourselves.
Next up was Keith, who I thought was too fast. He talked about the big BGR which we've been through a million times. Just that this time, its coming from someone who has been through this things and is at our level of understanding. Keith had some very good points, as I quote, teenagers nowadays don’t even understand the true meaning of love, in fact they don’t even know how to spell love. Keith, this is for you. LOVE. Beat that!. Ok back to the point, many of us teenagers nowadays, tend to fall in ‘’love’’ which actually is just nonsensical. We think we understand that person so well that we want to engage in a relationship with that person. Believe me you re wrong. To think that you would last for a long time with that love of your life, its just puppy love as I like to call it. To actually engage in a relationship means committing yourself to the other person s life. Which we like to call Marriage. After you are completely sure that this is the person you would want to spend your entire life with then go ahead!. By God s grace, you two will make a happy couple. Me and the guys usually talk about this and Alex himself said that, a relationship like puppy love wont even last a year or so.
Next, Jeremy, he started off saying he hated golf. Yes I hate golf too. Why do they even put it on TV?! Its ridiculous. Jeremy talked about sports and its witnesses. I cant remember much, but I know he usually jogs at the Kiara park behind church with this uncle, and one day this uncle asked him to join them for a trail walk through the jungle on a Sunday. Jeremy declined the invitation saying that he has church, and the uncle asked him "How come every Sunday, when I pass there ah, always got makan one?". Jeremy answered him and did not seize the opportunity to invite him to church, saying probably it would be awkward inviting an uncle over. Bottomline was, he was busy wondering on the awkwardness rather than bringing him to Christ. The thing is, while we do our daily activities, be it sports or other things, we usually meet people who do not know Christ. Its our duty as Christians to bring to the Lord and help them understand better about the word of God.
Finally Johnson, where do I start, I grew up with him along with the other "kaki-s" and he talked about friendship. Which really gave me something to think about. The word accept is a very big word especially when it comes to choosing friends, you may think you re all that and when you see someone who you think is not up your ‘’coolness’’ as I may say, you wont want to accept that person into your clique. He also pointed out that if we are friends, we should acknowledge one another as this is a sign of telling the person that you are welcoming him or her. Like John said, you can go up to someone and ask, may I be your friend? And he finds the ways of making friends freaky. No doubt that should acknowledge our friends. As for when we are in church, we should greet newcomers with an open heart not by saying, "this guy is so not cool" not good looking la and all the other nonsense, this is totally being judgemental. I plead guilty of not actually warmly welcoming some of the newcomers and I want to apologize. By greeting them nicely and welcoming them to our church, they can be comfortable around us. And through that we can bring them closer to God step by step by first of all being their friends. I for once found today's session really good and next up, the form 4's. Great, they stole my topics already haha. Anyways I'll be writing more posts, I hope. Take care and God bless.
Ian
Next up was Keith, who I thought was too fast. He talked about the big BGR which we've been through a million times. Just that this time, its coming from someone who has been through this things and is at our level of understanding. Keith had some very good points, as I quote, teenagers nowadays don’t even understand the true meaning of love, in fact they don’t even know how to spell love. Keith, this is for you. LOVE. Beat that!. Ok back to the point, many of us teenagers nowadays, tend to fall in ‘’love’’ which actually is just nonsensical. We think we understand that person so well that we want to engage in a relationship with that person. Believe me you re wrong. To think that you would last for a long time with that love of your life, its just puppy love as I like to call it. To actually engage in a relationship means committing yourself to the other person s life. Which we like to call Marriage. After you are completely sure that this is the person you would want to spend your entire life with then go ahead!. By God s grace, you two will make a happy couple. Me and the guys usually talk about this and Alex himself said that, a relationship like puppy love wont even last a year or so.
Next, Jeremy, he started off saying he hated golf. Yes I hate golf too. Why do they even put it on TV?! Its ridiculous. Jeremy talked about sports and its witnesses. I cant remember much, but I know he usually jogs at the Kiara park behind church with this uncle, and one day this uncle asked him to join them for a trail walk through the jungle on a Sunday. Jeremy declined the invitation saying that he has church, and the uncle asked him "How come every Sunday, when I pass there ah, always got makan one?". Jeremy answered him and did not seize the opportunity to invite him to church, saying probably it would be awkward inviting an uncle over. Bottomline was, he was busy wondering on the awkwardness rather than bringing him to Christ. The thing is, while we do our daily activities, be it sports or other things, we usually meet people who do not know Christ. Its our duty as Christians to bring to the Lord and help them understand better about the word of God.
Finally Johnson, where do I start, I grew up with him along with the other "kaki-s" and he talked about friendship. Which really gave me something to think about. The word accept is a very big word especially when it comes to choosing friends, you may think you re all that and when you see someone who you think is not up your ‘’coolness’’ as I may say, you wont want to accept that person into your clique. He also pointed out that if we are friends, we should acknowledge one another as this is a sign of telling the person that you are welcoming him or her. Like John said, you can go up to someone and ask, may I be your friend? And he finds the ways of making friends freaky. No doubt that should acknowledge our friends. As for when we are in church, we should greet newcomers with an open heart not by saying, "this guy is so not cool" not good looking la and all the other nonsense, this is totally being judgemental. I plead guilty of not actually warmly welcoming some of the newcomers and I want to apologize. By greeting them nicely and welcoming them to our church, they can be comfortable around us. And through that we can bring them closer to God step by step by first of all being their friends. I for once found today's session really good and next up, the form 4's. Great, they stole my topics already haha. Anyways I'll be writing more posts, I hope. Take care and God bless.
Ian
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