Renewed Life – A New Creation

The year 2012 has passed and the month of January 2013, has almost come to an end. Do you have something that you resolute to do last year but failed, and you try to make up to it this year?

As I reflect on my life in year 2012, I have become remorseful due to the many precious years that I have wasted, plagued by my laziness and “tidak apa” attitude. I hope I could turn back time but the fact of life is that time wasted is gone, and will never return.

As I am working on my laziness, I find that it has proliferated to so many areas of my life. It has caused me to “just do it” without thinking of the consequences, unable to multitask, find it difficult to pick up new skills, languages or to obtain knowledge.

Last year was a “carry-forward” year of repenting from laziness. However, due to my over ambitious goals and overlooking certain factors such as planning for youth events, falling sick and relying on my own strength for most of the things that I wanted to do - I fell short of my aim.

As I allowed God to change me, He also placed in many challenges in my life towards the end of last year. I had to work long hours in my job while not slacking in quiet time, prayer, sports and my prior engagements.

I am thankful to Him that through those challenges, God has also used me as a testimony for His glory. The willingness to take on the challenges at work has caught my colleagues attention to Christ whereby I could share my testimony. Eventually, I even brought one of my colleagues to our church Christmas lunch last year! =)

Very miraculously, God sustained my health through the that specific period of time until all my tasks have been completed by mid Jan’13. It was always the case that I would fall sick and be unwell frequently. The verse 2 Corinthians 12:9 echoes in my mind,

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

No doubt, I have also have my “down” times whereby I felt tempted to relapse back to my old-self but thanks be to God for His constant reminders. His promise at 1 Cor 10: 13, NKJV (No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it) and a mentor who never gave up on me.

I remembered one of our youth advisors did mention that we would get busier and busier, I too had the expectation of myself to get busier in this new year as I have a renewed aim and things that I want to learn and press on for change.

God affirmed that I could be a new creation as the old has passed away and new has come (2 Cor 5:17, NKJV). I am indeed very excited of the things that I wanted to learn and press on.

Sharing from a personal experience, let us instead of spending excessive time in studies/computer games/hang out with friends – perhaps we should consider the desire to spend quality time with your Lover above, to show care to someone in need or to spend more time with your family!


In Him,
Yit Mun (aka IP Man)

Images taken from:
http://blogs.adobe.com/digitalmarketing/personalization/how-to-stick-to-an-optimization-solution/
http://brainlesionandme.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/hawmc-day-27-5-challenges-and-5-small-victories/
http://grist.org/article/2010-11-23-behavior-change-causes-changes-in-beliefs-not-vice-versa/

2012 Youth Camp - A Perspective

Hi guys! Its been a while since camp but here is my take from it. The theme of the camp in 2012 was the same as the Youth theme, which was “I Am His and He Is Mine”. The 2 things that really stood out during camp were - numbness and worth.

Numbness. A number of people shared, both within the groups and with the rest of the campers how they had gone through painful times in their lives. What happens when one experiences pain/conflict? 2 reactions, fight or flight. You can not actually “fight” a pain literally so fight here would mean to confront/face. Or flight, which is basically running away from whatever. Many shared how they at first tried or are still trying to run away from their hurts. As often preached in movies and music is the saying, “time will heal all things”. This message has permeated into the world and a lot of people actually live by this. Problem occurs, ignore it, live normally and hope that it will go away. Now these problems can range from relationships to bad habits to basically anything. We try to tell ourselves that everything is “ok” and that we can “move on” by just avoiding it. We numb ourselves to it. We just stop thinking about it. We cut out our “feelings”. Just imagined if we did this with every problem that we had in our lives. After a while, you will probably end up as someone who trust no one and who relies only on himself. “Well at the end of the day, I feel better so it does not matter” is our thought.

Worth. This was an issue that lot of people shared about. Where they placed their worth in whether it be their abilities, friends, family or achievements. It’s a struggle, especially when we live in a world that screams, “YOU can do it”, “work hard and you will make it” and the likes.

These things change our worldview. As Christians, we have been called to live a life for Christ. We have been called to spread the good news. We have been reassured that it is not by our works but by grace that we have been saved.

Psalm 62:1-2“Truly my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from Him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress and I will never be shaken.”

How can we live for God when we have numbed ourselves to others? How can we proclaim that we have been saved by grace when we place our worth in ourselves? Jesus has called us to deny ourselves, take up our, cross and follow Him. As king David has expressed, God provides the way out. Surrender your pain to Him and confront the pain. Surely it would not be a pleasant experience but at the end of the day, in Him, we will not be shaken.

To end things, I would like to remind all of you about the people around you who you know are hurting. Whether it be from camp, in youth or just in school, care for them. Reassure them that God does in fact love them no matter what.

- Alex Tan

PS: snowed for a few hours here!

Images taken from:

http://oligo-lucky.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-symptoms-portent-for-3rd-recurrance.html
http://www.smarta.com/blog/2010/2

Be a Disciple in the Lord's Service

During my stay in Kolkata, in the face of extreme poverty and despair, my friend asked me, “How can you still believe in a God after all that you have seen?”

I couldn’t answer him that, but what I did say was this. “True, the poverty and suffering here is very real, but there is also one thing that is true, and that is there are many sisters (the nuns) here, Christian volunteers and missionaries who gave up everything in their lives to help these people out of love.”

We went on to talk more about God, perhaps he still wasn’t convinced by the case I made, but he too couldn’t deny the good that the Christians were doing here in Kolkata.

The theme for our Church this year is “BE A DISCIPLE IN THE LORD’S SERVICE”. I personally like this theme a lot._.

Action speaks louder than words. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. And as light shines through the darkness, so is the kindness and love the Christian show to the world through humble service towards others. And ultimately others will see the love of God through us, His children.

 1 Corinthians 15:58  

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

There are still many questions that remain unanswered within me, but I believe if I persevere and serve the Lord, I would find the answers that I am looking for. Seek and you shall find. Rock steady my brothers and sisters in Christ (#._.)

- Derrick Khor Zhong Wei

Images taken from:

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/dey/sets/103207/
http://renrutkram.com/2010/03/15/being-a-follower-of-christ/

Yes, yes we get it. The world didn't come to an end!

So here we are, entering the brand new year of 2013 together as TTDIGC Youth.

For some, you might be wondering, what would be this year's theme for the youth? After much thought and discussion, we'd like to continue emphasizing on the theme of - "I am His and He is mine." for the year of 2013.

We've seen much lives changed and bonds got closer among the the youth and it's truly an indescribable joy to witness such fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ! We've got activities lined up for this year so be sure to attend for the upcoming activity tomorrow for "Mirror, mirror on the wall 2012" and the roll call on this coming Sunday morning, to kick start the year together as the youth of TTDGIC! For those who might has missed out the teaser for "Mirror, mirror on the wall 2012":-



- daryl 's u n d a e' heng

Images taken from:-
http://village14.com/netwon-ma/2012/12/predictions-for-newton-for-2013/#axzz2H06Dk8ct