LEARNING TO SWIM

Learning to swim are always very exciting times for the parents and for the kids, it's fun ... after the first time that is... but most would agree that once they get a taste of it, they will enjoy getting into the water and would be a difficult task just to get them out of the water!!!

But even when they know how to "swim"or at least learn to enjoy the water, they are still restricted to the "kid's pool" until they are tall enough to go into the big pool.

I guess one of the key goals/objectives of a youth leader is to:

1. Teach the youths to enjoy the "water" and not be afraid of life
   
2. Teach the youths how to swim in the "water" - walk in life

ie to prepare them to enter the big pool - when they enter adulthood where no parental guidance are given anymore.

In the youth ministry in church, we are like the doting parent watching over the youths; making sure they stay in the restricted pool, enjoying the water, learning to swim correctly, identifying those who are ready to enter the bigger pool and train/teach them, teaching them different swim strokes, staying afloat, etc...

And learning to swim is a gradual process, and once you know how to swim, you will never forget how to swim.

So let us all work together and teach the youths to understand life, live life and enjoy life with Christ.

WAYS TO FEED AN OSTRICH



1. Let them eat out from your hands OR






2. Throw them on the ground and let them eat from the ground OR





3. Throw them into the air and expect them to catch it


I guess there are many ways to teaching (feeding) youths (akin to feeding ostriches). You can teach them gently and guiding them and literally feeding them OR you can make them work hard at learning where it becomes "learning by experience" OR you can provide them the lessons whether they want it then and then AND then, when they becomes hungry or when they need the food, they are able to look for it even when you are not around.

We really need all 3 methods of teaching. We cannot be there 100% of the time holding their hands for the rest of their lives and sometimes, they will feel that the lessons/teachings are not relevant yet so they will not get excited and "pounce" on the "food" as it is being dished out. Sometimes, it takes time to learn, and what we youth leaders really ought to do is make sure the youths know where to search for the food, learn how to eat, and what to eat.

But we have to remember that there are the little ones behind those "bigger youths" that are hungry for the Word of God. So - don't let the older youths demand for attention distract us from feeding the younger ones.

JE Pics

so, lovely ladies and stunning hunks, check yourselves out at my photo album in yahoo, by clicking the following link: (or cut and paste)

not sure if you want to do so? here's another teaser for you..... so what's in there and who's that lookin' in there?
http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrmichaelfun/album?.dir=/3c12&urlhint=actn,del%3as,23%3af,0

DON'T GIVE UP!

Have you ever been ready just to give up - especially when it comes to serving the Lord. You’ve learned about Him, given your heart to Him, then stepped out either to share the Lord with someone or in some kind of ministry and nothing seems to be going right.

You are ready to throw in the towel and say "I’ve had enough."

Timothy is obviously upset about how things are going in Ephesus. In his second letter, the Apostle Paul encourages him in several ways:

• Have a clear conscience (vs 3) that you are doing the right thing just as those who came before me.

• (vs 4) I want you to think about us being together - filled with joy

• (vs 5) You are a true believer (no matter what anyone says) and don’t forget those that came before you in that faith.

• Don’t let discouragement drown out the Spirit (vs 6)

• (vs 8) Don’t think of your situation as punishment but as an opportunity to suffer for Jesus with me.

• (vs 9) Because it’s not yours to decide what happens - everything is happening according to what the God you serve wants to happen.

• (vs 10) Remember that Jesus overcame every obstacle that faces you.

• (vs 11-12) And also know that the work you are doing is for Him and will stand in Him – there are no wasted effort.

• No matter what anyone says: don’t let go of what I shared with you in how to be a good pastor and help heal your flock (vs 13-14)

• (vs 15-18) I too have felt deserted like you - but although there are some who cause harm, there are also those who bring comfort – even as I am giving you comfort.

• Chapter 2: Remember your place (you are a soldier) and remind your people of the truth

• Chapter 3: Realize the times and the flesh of men, what they are capable of - but know that God will rescue you from them all.

• Chapter 4: Be Ready - no matter what: preach the Word, keep your head, and come comfort me soon!

Conclusions to 2Timothy Chapter 1

• Don’t be ashamed of suffering - it doesn’t mean you are a bad person, but following in the footsteps of the patriarch’s, of the Apostles, of Timothy, and of Jesus Himself. You know whom you have believed!

• Is there a spiritual gift that has died down in your life? Let the Spirit fan it again into flame.

• Are you going through tough times? Seek out others who you know have also experienced pain for prayer and fellowship. And if you have gone through stuff in your life - be open to sharing about it so that when others experience similar things they know who to turn to.

• Review who you are, where you’ve come from, and where you are going! Then rejoice - its going to be okay.

READ THE MANUAL


One of humankind's favorite past time is complaining. We can talk, talk, talk, share, share, share and yet never do a thing about it. For some, it seemed like we have been wallowing in the "miry clay" (mud) forever, without seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.... even for christians....

For most of us, especially the males, when we buy a new toy/electronic gadget, we always chuck the manual one side, and expect the gadget to work plug-n-play...and when it doesn't, we just repack everything back into the box and returned it to the shop and complain.

why don't we ever read the manual? As if life is not difficult and complicated enough...

So when God made us, did we come with a manual?

When we hit the wall - go back to basics and read the manual
When we feel lost - go back to basics and read the manual
When we are hurt - go back to basics and read the manual
When we feel dry in our Christian walk - go back to basics and read the manual
When we feel that God is not with us - go back to basics and read the manual

You get the point. - go back to basics - read the manual

Changes? what changes?

YWAP has gone through much development and growth in the last few years and I have been very happy to see how you guys have grown so much (more happier, handsomer and prettier, at least most of you did...sorry, Siti - nothing personal...) under the leadership of LSH and gang.

I must commend the good works of LSH, KC, Cheryl, Agnes, caroline, kev and joyce and will definitely put in a good word for you guys when I see God later to talk about your applications for extension and renovation works for your bungalows in Futureland Garden. It IS good to see the works of your hands flourishing and blossoming into a garden of pretty flowers (again, sorry Siti).

So "Changes? what changes?" is not something I wish to do, but YWAP is about changes and if you still don't see it, go to point A below, otherwise, for the smarter ones (sorry Siti and Kev), go to Point B.

POINT A

What changes?
1. YWAP was never called YWAP
2. Youth Fellowship (YF) used to be a sunday school class on a sunday (duh)
3. YF used to be an all girls group (plus 1 boy)
4. YF used to be just 5 "kids"
5. YF didn't have a notice board
6. YF didn't have a BLOG (chewah)
7. YF didn't have a band before
8. YF didn't have its own worship/singspiration sessions
9. YF didn't have youths taller than 5ft before
10. YF didn't have BGRs
11. YF didn't have youth camps
12. YF didn't need to pray for any SPMers before
13. Chung, Ian and Andrew used to be the annoying 3 musketeers (ok - so no changes here but u get the point)


POINT B

so what's the point? The point is YWAP is change and Change is never a constant (some Einstein words? no.) But I am praying that Change becomes a constant for YWAP - that YWAP will always develop and grow and mature - Change, we must; always for the better...

From Genesis till Revelation, we saw changes everyday on the face of earth, in the face of people, at the face of time. Change is inevitable. We must prepare for changes.

When God made and created the world, He said, "it is GOOD", but we now see a decaying world, full of rubbish and contamination.

When God made and created mankind, He said, "It is GOOD", but we see a decaying spirit man with growing statistics of physical diseases, wasted lives and godliness.

We must prepare for changes - it is inevitable, it is unavoidable, it is going to happen.

The difference is - who can help you change, for the better or worse..... You choose.



So Changes, what Changes?

2006 is near. What is installed for YWAP in 2006?

Expect the Unexpected

Mike.