FUNFUNFUN

I Survived!

2007-01-15T01:34:00.000+08:00

I have officially survived 12 months with yw@p and I am STILL Standing!!!

woah!! In fact, I would have been jumping up and down more often if not for the old bones and muscles strained at the recent youth camp in Pangkor!! That was so so fun!

It had been ages since I played SADOODOO but thanks to the wonderful energetic 'stansanians...(psst.. after all the countrystans ie group names), I was flying all over the beach. The digging for the nice grandma underwear was really tough but really satisfying when it was finally found!! (Thanks to all the dum dums that forgot where they actually buried it!!!)

Back in the hall, we were like rocking to heaven with classics like "One Way", "Salvation is here!", and one new to be classic.. "Running after you"... Unc Steven was way cool too!! Everybody, and I meant every soul in the room, was either touched by God or challenged!.. and I quote.. "whatever the theme for the next camp, just bring Unc Steven along.." ... so mighty was this servant of God as we raise our Hallelujahs to the Almighty God for the many hands that were raised in the challenge to run the Amazing Race with the grace given by God himself through Jesus Christ by his death on the cross and with the Holy Spirit living within us, charging our batteries as we run the race to the finish line...

We had our difficulties... we had our differences in ideas.. we had hiccups.. but at the end of it all, what really mattered was...

Souls were saved!
Christians were challenged!
and God rejoices!!

God bless you all from the various 'stans... wherever you are now...

Keep on WALKIN'

2006-06-07T13:40:00.000+08:00

That was the theme of our recently concluded Family Camp....

How appropriate the message of God, through our brother Steven, screamed through the hall and among the laughters and stories, the message from God was both clear and plain simple - "Keep on Walking - and Finish the Race"

The camp theme was to urge the brethren to keep on walking but God reminded us that finishing the race was important too! We cannot and must not remain at the conversion stage but to move on to

Consecration (Lk 9:23 - deny oneself and take up His cross DAILY - commit to discipleship) and to
Conduct and to
Communion (Matt 22:31 - love things that Jesus loves) and to,
Character (hates the things that Jesus hates - and allow ppl to see Jesus in us) and to
Core (motive for doing things that we do) and finally to
Convergence (bearing fruits... reasons for existence...)

In order to run the race, we need to undergo STRICT training (1Cor 9:24-27) and run with perseverence (Heb 12:1-3) and throw away all things that hinders us or easily entangles us.

Don't just start strong - we have to finish the race....

I thought this quote was very good:

"...An amazing race that starts with an amazing Grace"

where do we draw the line?

2006-05-26T17:54:00.000+08:00

I have been observing a growing and disturbing trend among parenting techniques the last few months. My observation: school education is slowly removing christianity from the life of the child.

We used to be sent to sunday school when we were young. It used to be so excited to go to church. It used to be exciting to study the Bible and we always compete to finish our assignment/ homework for sunday school/bible classes

We were taught to

"put God first",
"Quiet time is important and must be done everyday",
"knowing the bible is the way to teach, mold and bring-up a child in the fear of the Lord"

These have been replaced with

"Stay home and study - passing your exams are more imporatnt - You can serve God later when you finish your studies!"
"Tuition and regular revision is important"
"Ensuring your child in scoring straight As, 100% school attendence, colourful extra school curricular activities is the way to bring up the child"

We are now struggling with

a decent prayer "mumbled" by a youth. the only constant is probably in praying before the exams!
knowing where we put the bible, never mind knowing what's the first book of the bible or the last book.. "Did we leave it in church?" (I know someone who leaves the bible in church since the person feels that it is only sunday that the bible needs to be open ...and that only when and if the speaker asks us to do so...)
our quiet time is away from chattering kids OR nagging parents... Our quiet time has taken the form of SLEEPING (more likely)
making sure our kids stays in the competition in the rat race

Before long, we will stand to regret that

Our child will lose the interest of studying the bible because it is not important as career, family, friends, tv, sports, etc are more important
Our child will not discover the personal relationship with God - since quiet time, prayer and the joy of serving God is not taught
Our child will not know our God as the bible is not taught.
Our child will not go to church because we prohibited them from coming to church and knowing the imporatance of church life.
Our child will not serve in the church because circular career and making money is more important
Our child will not be a Christian because we taught our child the ways of the world.
Our child will not go to heaven because they do not know Christ...

Where do we draw the line?

Youth Leaders

2006-05-18T18:33:00.000+08:00

To Youth,

Your Youth Leader needs to be made aware - in creative, loving ways - how to meet your needs. Remember, you're in the process of sharing with him how to love you, and he's in the process of learning. If you're on the same train, don't expect him to get to the destination before you do.

"It takes two to tango"

Wisdom

2006-05-18T18:31:00.000+08:00

"Wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future."

Proverbs 24:14

Aspiration #2 - Parents Involvement

2006-05-18T18:11:00.000+08:00

The chinese saying goes, "an adult would have eaten more salt than a young person would have eaten rice".... and I think that the real essence of youth ministry is not to take the position and responsibilities of the parents to educate the youth, especially not in the areas of spiritual development.

Parents must recognise the fact that they have the most influence on their child's life. They spent more time at home, with the family (or at least they should) then anywhere else..... but modern living has driven us away from building core values from within the families. We the adults, the parents have unknowingly passed on the responsibilities of education to other media... particularly the TELEVISION.

Nowadays, anyting to do with children is a thriving business - look at McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut.... all their advertisements are targeted towards the kid..... look at children boutiques and shops mushrooming at every mall and shopping centre ..... notice the growing populations of kindergartens, nurseries, and child education centres at EVERY residential areas!!!! No wonder that child education franchises is one of the fastest and most popular franchise business in Malaysia!

I think the modern living aspirations are slowly driving us towards measuring success in our life to be reflected in our child's life! Is it a kiasu mentality? Is it a matter of life and death? is it a matter of our child being able to, at the very least, be able to survive in a dog-eat-dog world?

Assuming that we did it for the love of our child..... If the kindergartens, and nurseries, and tuition centres, and education centres help take care of the education, who then takes care of their spiritual development? The Maid? The ChildMinder? The Babysitter? The TV? The Computer? The Internet?

Where is your child's spiritual role model? Who is your child's spiritual role model?

It is my prayer to see more parents and adults getting involved in the lives of their own child or in the life of a youth.

The youth ministry in a church is not a place to babysit a child. The youth ministry is not someone who can "take over" the education and role models for the spiritual development of a child. It is not the role of the youth ministry to be the education centre or school for the child. Spiritual development in a youth does not work that way.

The parents must recognise that the youth ministry is there to assist in the spiritual development of the youth. I read somehwere that the youth ministry is the "Robin" as to the parents being the Batman, the "spiritual" hero, for the child.

So parents, recognise your role and responsibility - make yourself count in your shild's life!

PIP

2006-05-18T17:55:00.000+08:00

WOW - we had our first edition of the Parents In Partnership Newsletter out this month and we had great reviews on it! Everybody gave the thumbs-up for the limited, privately circulated PIP Newsletter..... well..almost all.... someone commented that the fonts used were too small...they are after all moving up in age.... (hmmm....)

BUT overall, I had great fun doing it and the encouragements were amazingly healing to the soul.

So what happened????

2006-05-18T16:30:00.000+08:00

continuing on happenings in 1Q 2006, looking back..... lotsa things to praise God for:

The parents in Partnership program kicked off with 20++ parents attended the meeting and it was an informative session.
The Youth Leadership training was planned and carried out with less than 2 weeks planning!!
We managed our first "off the block" meeting with yw@p meeting in yw@p cafe (no relations) but it was a cool affair
the waterfall trip was also an interesting affair - we had parents coming along!!!
in between we talked, learned, and laughed about relating to parents, friends, watched Left Behind 1 & 2....
We even managed an outstation speaker!!! (ok...prob that not so fair since it was afterall my dad!!! but still we had a great turnout!

All in all, we had lots of fun in 1Q, although we had pretty poor attendance with averages of 12 in 1Q (although we had better turnout in early part of the year, it sorta fizzled out towards march because of the exams)

But - we're gonna work harder.... and see how God will continue to bless....

1st Quarter 2006 Over

2006-05-18T16:22:00.000+08:00

Well...time flies when you are having fun....

For me, time flew by also because of work ...but all in all, a mixture of fun, work and sweat..... no tears needed to be shed although it was a tough period for me at work but the cool dudes at yw@p and bsgc was my backup batteries.

Already totally running on flat batteries - God worked thru the youths to push me through!

I seriously know how exactly I survived 1st Quarter of 2006 but for the strength of God, the laughter of the youths and the support from me wifey - I guessed that's how I pulled thru!

I also proudly declare that I survived my first quarter in the youth ministry! Never thought that at my age and with my commitments and workload, I would be able to work on Yw@p but as God has it planned out... yw@p turned out to be a ministry TO me!!!

Aspiration #1 - ywap @live

2006-01-23T16:07:00.000+08:00

youth with a purpose alive (ywap @live) is the aspiration of the ministry in the new Master Plan as we move to the next step of our church's ministry among the young people and youth in the church and in the community.

ywap @live is all about the ministry of helping youths

search for,
discover,
live for,
work towards

their Purpose(s) in life.

While God's purpose(s) for each person's in their life may be vastly different, it is the main Challenge for the ministry staff that all that come into contact with the Ministry may come to know the saving grace of God and experience the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit in their lives. This is this first step of the journey that is most challenging and most exciting! This is THE Purpose for any individual in our walk on earth!

"A person that has discovered his purpose(s) in life, has discovered LIFE and is alive, but unless he continues to live for and work towards that purpose, he is not alive but merely subsisting a life of decay and death."

2006 directions in the Youth Ministry

2006-01-19T14:19:00.000+08:00

I had been doing a lot of reading (books, forums, online searchs, ..) and praying lately. Searching for directions, searching for inspirations for the youth ministry, searching for God's approvals in some of the plans that I have laid out...

"Why am I in this ministry?"
"What should/can I do with the Youth Ministry?";
"What am I doing in this ministry?";
"Am I prepared to face the parents' expectations?"
"....Am I prepared to face the youths' expectations?"

For 2006, in relation to the ministry, I prayed to God

to give me the courage to work hard in the ministry and face hurdles and obstacles headon
to be accepted by the youth as a friend, as a mentor, as a big brother
to be used as an instrument to changing lives
to gain the support of the parents and the church
to gain new friendships and build lasting relationships
to learn from the youths
to learn from the parents of the youths
to learn from God himself
to be humble and meek like Jesus
to be courageous to stand up for what's right and what should be.

So God Help me survive 2006...

Milestone

2006-01-18T11:16:00.000+08:00

Today our car celebrated her 100,000km! What a milestone!! We praise God that she is still in the pink of health with no major symptoms/causes for concerns.

Could the reason be luck? after all, it's a Proton (the national car project) and it has its fair share of criticism and supported by historical statisticsof breakdowns.... :)

Or could the reason be regular preventive maintenance? and care? I don't know really - I am not a "car-person" myself and we hardly do much "care" but just following the recommended maintenance schedule.

I would like to think that it is a combination of multiple reasons - from regular care, regular preventive maintenance, careful use by owner/driver(s), careful environment, etc.. (what about the possibility/existence of luck? - will tackle this on another time)

What about us? Physical Health - Are we in the pink of health as we celebrate our life milestone. Nowadays, age is no barrier to major diseases - we need regular care, conduct regular preventive "maintenance", go for regular checks, careful use of the body (no substance abuse like alcohol and smoking/drugs) , do regular exercises, etc...

What about our spiritual health? have we been doing regular care? regular preventive maintenance? regular exercises? regular talks with God? regular quiet time with God? still on the right track?

What about family health?

As we arrive at our milestones - what are our reasons to celebrate? Good Physical health? Good Mental Health? Good Spiritual Health? Good Family Health?

Ministry

2006-01-17T13:50:00.000+08:00

I have been asking myself lately "what's a ministry?"

Do we use it to define working for the Lord? And only for working for God?

How do you define Ministry?

What's the differences between "a function", "a lifestyle" and "a ministry"?

What is the one thing that qualifies you to be in a "ministry"? - that one is already adopting the function as a lifestyle? that one has talents/giftings in a particular function and as such, are given the opportunities to practice it as a lifestyle are called to the "ministry"?

What is a "Full Time Worker" of the Lord? Why is it always refered to as "going into full time ministry" when one person opts to forgo "the world" and work for God "full time"?

Questions, questions, questions....

2006-01-05T15:20:00.000+08:00

cool dude

2006-01-05T14:42:00.000+08:00

me angel

2006-01-05T10:19:00.000+08:00

Kids communicate if someone is listening.

Saw this article from Baptist Press: thought I share it with you guys...

Kids communicate if someone is listening.

That's the biggest lesson author Rodney Gage has learned during 10 years of speaking to more than three million teenagers.

"Young people can communicate their unspoken needs without necessarily verbalizing anything," Gage said. "Kids communicate with their eyes, facial expressions, body language, attitude and appearance."

Understanding teen needs is a key to understanding their behavior, Gage writes in his new book, "Why Your Kids Do What They Do: Responding to the Driving Forces Behind Your Teen's Behavior." The book is published by the Broadman & Holman division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Using an acrostic, he identifies five basic emotional needs that must be met in order for teens to develop into healthy, mature adults.

"Every teenager has a need to be noticed, to receive encouragement, to receive empathy, to receive direction and to receive security," he writes.

Teen needs will not be met by giving them material objects, Gage said. Therefore, a car, a CD or a computer won't satisfy them.

"The truth is, God has created us with needs so that we might constantly look to him, allowing him to meet our needs directly or indirectly through others," Gage writes.

Parents can use needs displayed by their teens as a gauge to determine what they require. For example, the need to be noticed tells parents their teen should receive focused attention, respect, appreciation and value an individual.

Likewise, questions such as 'Who am I? Who am I physically, sexually, emotionally, in my relationships, in my faith, in my values?' indicate teens need to feel a sense of significance and purpose in life, he said.

"Even if teenagers don't articulate those basic questions about their lives, they do want assurance their presence on earth is important and valuable to someone," Gage writes.

When teen needs aren't met, serious problems can develop, he said.

"We spent a year researching behavioral problems among today's youth," said Gage who heads the ministry organization, Rodney Gage International, an interdenominational ministry aimed at helping parents and teenagers. "We discovered that almost all major behavioral problems were linked to unmet emotional needs."

Armed with information about their teen's needs, parents' next step is action, he said.

This step, Gage says, is a challenging one: "Actions speak louder than words. You can fool a fool, you can con a con, but you can't kid a kid.

"Teens know whether their parents are for real. I believe the greatest thing parents can do is model Christlikeness to their kids. Kids may not believe what you say, but they will believe what you do."

Gage has much to say about ineffective parenting. He highlighted three roles parents usually play that can sabotage a relationship with a teenager:

1. Nagging. Some parents substitute nagging for communication. "Nagging can be habit-forming."

2. Escaping from responsibility. "This type of parent usually casts blame on others, even the teenager, for irresponsibility."

3. The 'Spy.' "This parent is like 007, always snooping into the teen's business as if they're trying to catch the teen doing something wrong. Parents must remember to look for a pattern of behavior with supporting signs before 'spying' on their kids."

In his book Gage addresses six false assumptions parents can make about their kids.

They are:

1. My teenager seems OK; I must be doing everything right.

2. My teenager is a mess. I'm a terrible parent. I can't possibly meet this kid's needs.

3. It's just a phase of adolescence. I made it through my teenage years.

4. It's too late or it's too early.

5. My teenager will turn out better than I did.

6. I'm (select a problem, ex. single parent), so I don't have (select an excuse, eg. time) to determine my teenager's needs and meet them.

Gage said the assumption a teenager who acts out is just going through a phase is wrong. Such faulty thinking, he said, ignores the fact youth are being raised in a whole new world. Divorce, materialism, working parents and television create a new environment. On top of those pressures, Americans have a culture that no longer embraces moral and biblical values.

Kids are exposed to more destructive ideas than any other generation.

"It has been said that today's youth could be labeled the 'Polaroid Generation': They are overexposed and underdeveloped," he said.

Gage's accompanying devotional book, "Becoming the Parent Your Teenager Needs: Inspirations for Daily Encouragement" is designed to encourage parents as they meet the challenges of raising teenagers today.

Gage believes the challenge he presents to parents by asking them to focus on the emotional needs of youth can be revolutionary.

"Parents may have to put their needs on hold in order to invest time, energy and emotions into raising their teenagers. They need to stay in touch with their kids as much as they can so they can discern when a particular need may be going unmet," Gage said.

"Behind every deed, there is a need."

http://www.bpnews.net

2005-12-29T14:30:00.000+08:00

Christmas YA style..... from the old youths....... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

check out photos at:

http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrmichaelfun/album?.dir=/6509&.src=ph&.tok=phKtiKEBJGCL6HtJ

2005-12-29T13:40:00.000+08:00

So who said I was drunk???

check out the Christmas @ NTC photos....

http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrmichaelfun/album?.dir=/d97c&.src=ph&.tok=ph60hKEB1TxOr36M

2005-12-29T11:39:00.000+08:00

Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year

It's never too late to wish someone ..... or celebrate Christmas.... or for that matter, go ahead and celebrate Christmas everyday of the year ... minus of course the gifts, the dinners, the "christmas tree", the wine, the beer, the pasta, the turkey, the shopping, the "santa claus" and "santarinas", the mistletoes, the tequila pops, the margaritas, the parties...... and what do you have?

A blessed Christ.

Happy New Year and Blessed Christmas again everyone....

2005-12-21T11:10:00.000+08:00

YW@P CAMP 2005 IS OFFICIALLY OVER......NOT

The camp, to me, was a show of appreciation and shower of blessings from God. Every step we took, every winding road we turned, every obstacle we overcame, it had the familiar trademark of God's footprint in the sand. It IS God who chose to shake the foundation and moved us to strive for improvement and excellence.

When we saw only 35 camp applicants a week before the camp, I guess many thoughts that ran through the committee minds, and mine, was .... "well, that's good isn't it. at least we have 35..." or maybe a dissapointing "ONLY 35? what happened? did we do something wrong somewhere?"

But when we leave it to GOD, miracles can happen.

To my camp committee and youth committtee - What did God tell Joshua??..."Do NOT be Discouraged."

We got 81!!! more than double our target! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

The camp may be over but OUR work has just began.....
We must ANTICIPATE more God's miracles as HE moved among us and blessed the seeds that were sown.

2005-12-04T17:50:00.000+08:00

YWAP CAMP 2005

YWAP CAMP 2005 is around the corner and it was like we were just enjoying ourselves in Broga, YWAP 2004!! So, here are some photos of YWAP 2004 Broga for us all to enjoy as a prelude to what's to come in Kundang!

For those who have yet to sign up - please make it fast and drop in your registration forms!

For more photos, please follow the link below:

http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrmichaelfun/album?.dir=/f330&.src=ph&.tok=phTFWCEBfDv02aV4

2005-11-30T18:40:00.000+08:00

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:

Teach the youths to enjoy the "water" and not be afraid of life
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.

2005-11-24T17:28:00.000+08:00

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.

2005-11-22T12:17:00.000+08:00

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

2005-11-14T16:17:00.000+08:00

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.

2005-11-10T15:32:00.000+08:00

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

2005-11-07T12:25:00.000+08:00

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.

Back at it again

2005-10-31T18:25:00.000+08:00

well...I thought I had seen the last of it BUT NOOOHHHHH...I had to go and say yes......

What am I talking about? well, it's official - I am back serving in the youth ministry of the church. I thought I could at least grow old peacefully and with some black hair...or at least put a stop to any harline crisis when I stepped down after becoming a new father in 2001. Back then, many of the "youths" today were still kids that drive everyone crazy with their never ending-rants and energy. It was time like those when you feel a sudden nudge inside that says, "You're getting too old for this!"

NOW, five years and two kids later, I am back at what I missed most- serving the youth ministry/ I never thought I was going to say this, but the youth ministry in BSGC has always been the closest to my heart and letting go of it in 2000 was tough but I had to pass on the baton to someone with more time and resources for the guys.

But as if with 2 very young kids are not taxing enough on the schedule, I had to go and take up 30 ++ odd teenagers bursting with adrenaline and acnes!!! Well, the joy of being a father..... when you don't have them, you misses them like h**l but when you have them, you also complain like h**l (mind the language but it sorta helps put things in perspective, don u think?)

I didn't feel I was the best person to take over from LSH, when I was first approached (I still don't now) but God works in very funny ways..... and sometimes in very ackward times and situation. I took a long time to diliberate and prayed over the matter. I wasn't afraid to take up the challenge nor was I afraid of the Devil - but I felt the youth deserved someone better. LSH had set a pretty high standard for anyone to follow through and had been very successful in implementing many plans and activities for YWAP. Kudos to LSH. I will not share about how I arrive at the deciision on this blog as yet, but will try to find the right time to share about that struggle.

Meanwhile, thanks to all those who shared and prayed with me. It is your support and love in the struggle and work that made the difference. May God bless you (and help you keep your faith and support for YWAP and for me.)

To any of the youths who may be reading this, I hope that you will give me a chance and work with me for the glory of God and for the salvation of YWAP BSGC. I am just your regular guy and no need to treat me any different. I am still Uncle Michael - or Michael, if you are more comfortable in addressing me that way - and hope to be your friend and brother.

I am starting this blog in conjumction with ywap blog and have entitled it funfunfun and hope to keep this blog as just that - funfunfun.... this will be where I will share my thoughts on ideas for ywap and hope that this will help you guys see through me as I hope to learn to make myself more transparent to all of you....at least with regards to YWAP for a start....and hopefully, by doing so, you guys can help me help you and YWAP become a better place to be in, at and be with..... so guys.....please make me feel like a teenager again.

God bless.
Uncle Mike!
\-p