Care Act

On Tuesday, went to a coffee shop opposite Siemens Center which serve great beef kwey teow, jelly bean curd and fritters.
I bought 2 banana fritters, intending to give to 2 colleagues. One for my hearing impaired colleague and my only other female colleague.
When I gave the fritter, she looked surprised and told me over msn that actually she wanted to sms me to help her get some snacks but then later drop the idea. She thought perhaps it was a coincidence.
After what she said, I felt glad and bless at heart. I am glad that God used my small action so significantly. Isn't God amazing? I was slightly surprise for her to speculate that it's a coincidence for she claim that she believes prayers are powerful. (she is Christian but have not been to church for 2 years) Wanted to tell her that it's indeed God who did it. But somehow I did not tell her as I believed God is already showing her something.
Personally this experience has encouraged me! =) It's always better to give than to receive and in giving, both parties are blessed.

Do you ... CARE?

Discussing about what is 'caring', brings many different answers.

To some, it's the extra mile or effort that someone takes, unexpectedly. Others say, it involves a sacrifice of time or money, with no ulterior motive, a genuine sincere concern, something done that touches you, simple things like a timely word at the right time.

And looking at the past week, many were touched by the small things people had done for them. An sms 'heard that you were sick...' / 'this verse is to encourage you'; a listening ear, an unexpected lunch, words of encouragement about the matters they worry about... Small things that don't take much effort, just care.

We can, too. Care for the people around us, by doing likewise - a CARE ACT. For our oikos who needs to know Jesus - send them a tract. For our parents who needs healing and breakthroughs - let them know we are praying. Share an umbrella with the person who has none. In arguments, forsake your natural reactions and choose to care, to respond in kindness.

I challenge us to live like the church in Acts (Acts 2:42-45). Imagine, would you sell your handphone, your car, your beloved bags or clothes, to raise funds and pool it together for the destitute in your community? That is what they did! For us today, we can do a little bit, just by donating our spare change to CCSS' donation box. Although you would not have a chance to see where the aid is being sent to, take heart that by just giving your coins, you are giving to a greater cause. To help the standard of living, for some people. And somewhere out there, someone knows... you care.

SunnyDale

CLUB HOPE

Our First CLUB HOPE Team return on 16 July 2005. They returned with many smiles. Let's continue to build Hope in people. Though we may not go, we could pray for other teams going to Aceh and Nias.
Pray for their safety, good health; and God protection, provision.

Festival of Praise!

Cell discussions: The IDENTITY Series

In our journey with God, what do we need to know?

Knowing our identity gives us a clearer picture of who we are
and our purposes.

These questions, previously discussed during cell,
provides food for thought:

1. What influences my identity?

In cell, we said that our beliefs, the Bible, the language we speak; value systems, Jesus, friends, country and culture we are in, genes, school teachers, books, etc, all play a role in influencing our identity.
Also, we thought about how someone/something influenced us/our thinking, by doing something for us or by something that has happened.

Eph 1: 11-14 gives us a godly insight about our identity, that
he identified us as His own. (v13b)

It's wonderful to know the truth and begin to take steps to know our identity!


2. What defines my identity?

3 questions were posed, What is one thing we want to achieve in life? How about one accomplishment we are proud of? And lastly; What do we want to achieve in our spiritual lives?

Often, we have many things we want to achieve - like an early retirement, or getting that degree, even simple things like being a good spouse or a good parent. Definitely through life we also have things that we are proud of: Being a good friend, getting that honors degree, job accomplishments, etc.

But sometimes we do not seriously consider what God wants for us, spiritually, are we also seeking to excel, to improve and learn more about His ways in our lives? Let's remember that we are not only physical beings (nothing wrong in wanting to achieve certain things in life), more importantly, all of us are on a spiritual journey. Let's begin to understand that we can also achieve something good, spiritually, and begin to have that desire to grow more.

Romans 12:1-2:
Let God transform us into a new person by changing the way we think.


3. What determines my identity?

In cell, we discovered our spiritual giftings, through the spiritual gifts test. (http://www.praize.com/sgifts/) We took note of the gifts we are good at, and what we could improve in. Discovering our spiritual identity is a lifelong process, and knowing our spiritual giftings helps us to learn about how we can better serve God in the areas we naturally excel at.


I hope that you will continue to seek God's purposes along life's journey, and keep a faithful spirit in desiring His will and ways more! Cheers!