Next event coming up from our church: The Alpha Course
I have learned so much about Christianity through this course and I recommend it to anyone who wants to explore everything you want to want to know about it.. hee!
Do send us an email if you wish to attend!
What is Alpha?
The Alpha Course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith, and it consists of a series of talks addressing key issues relating to the Christian faith.
It’s relaxed, low-key, friendly and fun.
Meal: There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives people a chance to get to know each other.
Talk: There will be a talk by Rev Nicky Gumbel on video, or done live by a speaker on topics of interest. See below for topics.
Coffee & Small groups: Listen, learn, discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile.
Talk Topics
1) Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant? [11-Sep-08]
2) Who is Jesus? [18-Sep-08]
3) Why did Jesus die? [25-Sep-08]
4) How can I be sure of my faith? [02-Oct-08]
5) Why and how should I read the Bible? [09-Oct-08]
6) Why and how should I pray? [16-Oct-08]
7) How does God guide us? [23-Oct-08]
8) Who is the Holy Spirit? [01-No-08] Saturday
What does the Holy Spirit do?
How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?
9) How can I resist evil? [06-Nov-08]
10) Does God heal today? [13-Nov-08]
11) How can I make the most of the rest of my life? [20-Nov-08]
Who is it for?
Anyone can join a Alpha Course and it is free!
(You may be asked to pay a contribution towards the cost of the dinner and the weekend)
Alpha is for everyone, especially:
- Those wanting to investigate Christianity
- New Christians
- Newcomers to the church
- Those who want to brush up on the basics
Alpha runs in every type of church, including Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Salvation Army, Free Church, Pentecostal, Assemblies of God and Independent Churches. All the churches provide the same material, making alterations only to suit local culture
Alpha is also run in homes, offices, prisons and halfway houses. There are also special courses catering to youths, students, different languages e.g. Mandarin, Japanese, Tamil, Burmese, etc.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Battles Follow Blessings ...
got this from the mail
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2005/004/10.17.html
can definity relate to it, a good constant reminder to look to Jesus in times of troubles :)
Battles Follow Blessings
Satan often targets us when we're least expecting it.
By Anne Graham Lotz
A few years ago, in the course of one week, the hot-water heater broke, water pipes burst in the ceiling of our living room, and the showerhead fell off in the bathroom. In the midst of organizing cleanup and repairs, I was confronted with friction between family members as well as problems with my ministry staff. I was tempted to lose my temper, to worry instead of trust, and to neglect my prayer life. What looked like ordinary frustration on the surface was actually something more sinister. I began to see how Satan attacks our weakened defenses in the mundane areas of our lives.
The model for battling the enemy of our soul was established for us by the Lord Jesus Himself. Immediately following the spiritual blessing He received at His baptism—when the Father leaned out of heaven and said, "This is My Son"—Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert "to be tempted by the devil" (Matt. 4:1-11). There are important issues for us to glean from this event:
• Don't rest in success.
Notice the timing of Satan's attack in Matthew 4; it came on the heels of a very sacred and spiritually thrilling moment. Often, after the benediction comes the battle. What incredible blessing has God recently given you? Whether it involves your ministry, your family, your career, or your personal walk with God, watch out! Satan often targets us when we are off-guard—when we're relaxing in a victory achieved, or an honor received.
• Stay in God's will.
Jesus was in God's will when the enemy assaulted Him. Have you ever struggled to carry out what you thought was God's plan, thinking, If it's this hard, it can't be God's will, and therefore you decided to quit? Well, just because you're doing the right thing doesn't mean you're safe. Satan attacks those in God's will, too. And it's important not to fall back on your own devices when things look bleak. God's will is the safest place we can be, regardless of the circumstances.
• Know God's Word.
Each time Jesus was attacked, He countered with "For it is written … " The Word of God is called "the sword of the Spirit" because it is our primary offensive weapon against temptation and evil (Eph. 6:17). And if Jesus used it to defeat the devil, why should it be any different for us?
Our Lord Jesus Christ gripped His sword and effectively countered every thrust of the enemy. Following Christ's example—and empowered by His Spirit—we can win our daily battles with the enemy, too. Remember, "The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Anne Graham Lotz is founder and president of AnGeL Ministries, http://www.angelministries.org/.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2005/004/10.17.html
can definity relate to it, a good constant reminder to look to Jesus in times of troubles :)
Battles Follow Blessings
Satan often targets us when we're least expecting it.
By Anne Graham Lotz
A few years ago, in the course of one week, the hot-water heater broke, water pipes burst in the ceiling of our living room, and the showerhead fell off in the bathroom. In the midst of organizing cleanup and repairs, I was confronted with friction between family members as well as problems with my ministry staff. I was tempted to lose my temper, to worry instead of trust, and to neglect my prayer life. What looked like ordinary frustration on the surface was actually something more sinister. I began to see how Satan attacks our weakened defenses in the mundane areas of our lives.
The model for battling the enemy of our soul was established for us by the Lord Jesus Himself. Immediately following the spiritual blessing He received at His baptism—when the Father leaned out of heaven and said, "This is My Son"—Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert "to be tempted by the devil" (Matt. 4:1-11). There are important issues for us to glean from this event:
• Don't rest in success.
Notice the timing of Satan's attack in Matthew 4; it came on the heels of a very sacred and spiritually thrilling moment. Often, after the benediction comes the battle. What incredible blessing has God recently given you? Whether it involves your ministry, your family, your career, or your personal walk with God, watch out! Satan often targets us when we are off-guard—when we're relaxing in a victory achieved, or an honor received.
• Stay in God's will.
Jesus was in God's will when the enemy assaulted Him. Have you ever struggled to carry out what you thought was God's plan, thinking, If it's this hard, it can't be God's will, and therefore you decided to quit? Well, just because you're doing the right thing doesn't mean you're safe. Satan attacks those in God's will, too. And it's important not to fall back on your own devices when things look bleak. God's will is the safest place we can be, regardless of the circumstances.
• Know God's Word.
Each time Jesus was attacked, He countered with "For it is written … " The Word of God is called "the sword of the Spirit" because it is our primary offensive weapon against temptation and evil (Eph. 6:17). And if Jesus used it to defeat the devil, why should it be any different for us?
Our Lord Jesus Christ gripped His sword and effectively countered every thrust of the enemy. Following Christ's example—and empowered by His Spirit—we can win our daily battles with the enemy, too. Remember, "The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Anne Graham Lotz is founder and president of AnGeL Ministries, http://www.angelministries.org/.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine.
belated thanksgiving :)
it has been a long while since we last blogged about what's been happening in our life =p
Charlotte, our cell leader had recently quoted our example of God's grace upon His children :)
i just really realise and appreciate how blessed we truly are ;o)
thinking through...
there are actually so so many things that we want to thank God for...
for a good one-year marriage, (esp me haa...thank God for a wonderful husband =p)
for loving parents & parents in law
for helpful & encouraging cell mates
for good work colleagues & favor from bosses
& the LATEST BIGGEST thing that we want to give thanks for is our NEW HOUSE !!! yeah!!!
since last year before and after our wedding, we had been looking for a place of our own, we wanted it to be close to our parents & at a certain price which we could afford...
we visited a lot of houses, some were nice but others were not, but generally old units...& not cheap :( it seems almost impossible to get a nice unit @ de price & location we want...
so we decided to pause for a while (quite long while haa) & started to pray for a unit @ the bedok central which was new & strategically located, it was our dream location, a new unit, in bedok, near to parents & ammenities :)
it was very hot property...humanly speaking...it seems impossible...
by faith, we balloted & laid hands to pray for a unit each time we passed by the new blocks on mrt haa. the 3 mths wait for a result felt like eternity...& we finally got de letter!! but our queue no was actually within the 200 percent range...meaning to say...we can only get to choose if people within the 100 percent range gives up choosing a unit...:(
i couldnt imagine why would anyone give up such a strategic location?? so it felt impossible again.. :(
we waited & waited & HDB website became our most visited website..haa
each day we would monitor how many units were left & it seems that there would be no more for us when its our turn to pick.. ahhh kan cheong :(
finally the day came for us to go to HDB to pick a unit...from the website, there were 6 units left, but when its finally our turn to go in, we were left with only 2 choices, both werent our ideal units, but its an ideal location which we both like very much, so we picked de 2nd last one!! so now we are going to ve a house of our own!!! yeah!!!
it was all amazing because now we had more money & our cpf was sufficient to pay for the house monthly installment w/out having to top up cash. & it being a new house, we didnt had to spend extra on reno to repair & reconstruct, so though it was a long wait for a house of our own, it was de best deal we can ever get!! praise God for His timing which is always the RIGHT time :)
then after ...
it was another stressful deal to find a good contractor, but really thank God for good friends & good vendors, the contractors recommended were very good & felt nice to work with, however as we had a modest budget for our house reno ..... some of the quotes were higher than we could afford...though they were considered the usual market rates..
i couldnt helped feeling disappointed & depressed again ..it seems that i wont be able to ve a nice & cosy home, given the modest budget we have ;(
so we again took quite a while to look for the right contractor, it happened that we attended an ex-colleague's wedding dinner & he had invited his house ID & contractor too, in his thanksgiving speech, he was full of praise for his house ID & contractor :) another timely event ^.*
we felt that they could be the one & we really liked about the idea of having christian ID & contractor do up our house, cos we know they are godly & they would be able to understand & relate to our requirements better...
we met them up, found them really nice people, & amazing, miracleously, graciously, their quote was the cheapest of all & within our budget!!! wow!!! we were so awed, especially me...
throughout the many buyings & selection of things for the house reno...
God had taught & shown me many times & things...
that despite our finanical limitations & the world standard of things,
He is able to grant me the desires of my heart ;)
i remember ling fong once shared ..
if God made us wait very long, it must be a very good thing that He will finally give to us ;)
i realise the difficult part for me, is not that i dont believe that God will not give me what is the best, but that He will take a long time to bring it to pass =p
yet God has taught me through the house reno & precept lessons on Abraham, that His timing is always good :)
so we really want to give thanks to God!
for His grace & mercy to us,
for giving us a house of our dream location,
for bringing the right people to us @ the right time @ the right price.
He is indeed our provider whom we can trust!!!
All Glory to God! Praise be to God :)
Charlotte, our cell leader had recently quoted our example of God's grace upon His children :)
i just really realise and appreciate how blessed we truly are ;o)
thinking through...
there are actually so so many things that we want to thank God for...
for a good one-year marriage, (esp me haa...thank God for a wonderful husband =p)
for loving parents & parents in law
for helpful & encouraging cell mates
for good work colleagues & favor from bosses
& the LATEST BIGGEST thing that we want to give thanks for is our NEW HOUSE !!! yeah!!!
since last year before and after our wedding, we had been looking for a place of our own, we wanted it to be close to our parents & at a certain price which we could afford...
we visited a lot of houses, some were nice but others were not, but generally old units...& not cheap :( it seems almost impossible to get a nice unit @ de price & location we want...
so we decided to pause for a while (quite long while haa) & started to pray for a unit @ the bedok central which was new & strategically located, it was our dream location, a new unit, in bedok, near to parents & ammenities :)
it was very hot property...humanly speaking...it seems impossible...
by faith, we balloted & laid hands to pray for a unit each time we passed by the new blocks on mrt haa. the 3 mths wait for a result felt like eternity...& we finally got de letter!! but our queue no was actually within the 200 percent range...meaning to say...we can only get to choose if people within the 100 percent range gives up choosing a unit...:(
i couldnt imagine why would anyone give up such a strategic location?? so it felt impossible again.. :(
we waited & waited & HDB website became our most visited website..haa
each day we would monitor how many units were left & it seems that there would be no more for us when its our turn to pick.. ahhh kan cheong :(
finally the day came for us to go to HDB to pick a unit...from the website, there were 6 units left, but when its finally our turn to go in, we were left with only 2 choices, both werent our ideal units, but its an ideal location which we both like very much, so we picked de 2nd last one!! so now we are going to ve a house of our own!!! yeah!!!
it was all amazing because now we had more money & our cpf was sufficient to pay for the house monthly installment w/out having to top up cash. & it being a new house, we didnt had to spend extra on reno to repair & reconstruct, so though it was a long wait for a house of our own, it was de best deal we can ever get!! praise God for His timing which is always the RIGHT time :)
then after ...
it was another stressful deal to find a good contractor, but really thank God for good friends & good vendors, the contractors recommended were very good & felt nice to work with, however as we had a modest budget for our house reno ..... some of the quotes were higher than we could afford...though they were considered the usual market rates..
i couldnt helped feeling disappointed & depressed again ..it seems that i wont be able to ve a nice & cosy home, given the modest budget we have ;(
so we again took quite a while to look for the right contractor, it happened that we attended an ex-colleague's wedding dinner & he had invited his house ID & contractor too, in his thanksgiving speech, he was full of praise for his house ID & contractor :) another timely event ^.*
we felt that they could be the one & we really liked about the idea of having christian ID & contractor do up our house, cos we know they are godly & they would be able to understand & relate to our requirements better...
we met them up, found them really nice people, & amazing, miracleously, graciously, their quote was the cheapest of all & within our budget!!! wow!!! we were so awed, especially me...
throughout the many buyings & selection of things for the house reno...
God had taught & shown me many times & things...
that despite our finanical limitations & the world standard of things,
He is able to grant me the desires of my heart ;)
i remember ling fong once shared ..
if God made us wait very long, it must be a very good thing that He will finally give to us ;)
i realise the difficult part for me, is not that i dont believe that God will not give me what is the best, but that He will take a long time to bring it to pass =p
yet God has taught me through the house reno & precept lessons on Abraham, that His timing is always good :)
so we really want to give thanks to God!
for His grace & mercy to us,
for giving us a house of our dream location,
for bringing the right people to us @ the right time @ the right price.
He is indeed our provider whom we can trust!!!
All Glory to God! Praise be to God :)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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