Exodus 15:1-2
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD : "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
This was the thanksgiving song of Moses after the crossing of the Red sea. God had just performed one of the greatest miracle to deliver the nation of Israel by parting the Red sea for Israel to cross and destruction of the Egyptian army as the Red sea closed in on them. One can imagine the jubilee and joyous victory amongst the Israelites as they witnessed the awesome crashing of waves upon their former slave masters.
Today, I'm reminded of the need for us to count our blessings and take time to be greatful to the Lord.
Yesterday was an eye opening moment for the Rangers who went with us to FCBC to assist their Rangers programme. From the moment we saw the throngs of young people inside the MRT station to the time we stepped foot into the cavernous Expo hall, we aimlessly wandered until we found the open location of the Rangers gathering area. It made many of us feel like mountain tortoise because we never could imagine that there would be so many young people and young adults alike attending church in this far flung location of Singapore Expo.
With 8 faithful Rangers, we were grateful that only 40% of the FCBC rangers attendees came as we were kinda overwhelmed with the conditions and situation before us. Huge, open and noisy, the environment was something that made us feel bare and vulnerable. Didn't help that the kids weren't exactly docile and quiet, but rather the opposite.
As I glanced at the younger Rangers who were handling the DR group, it was an impressive sight to observe as I watched them attempt to match the DR kids energy and lead them. Looking at the hyper DR kids as they played games, it reminded me of the Cebu children of my first mission trip who played catching with wild abandon and always ran out of the game boundaries.
I'm not sure if all the Rangers who went enjoyed themselves or were blessed to be there amidst the chaos and confusion, but I was really blessed to see each of the youth step out and attempt to help out.
Its nothing awesome like the parting of the mighty Red sea, but trust me, it was an incredible sight and feeling to observe ordinary teenagers step out of their self-centred, bless me lives and ever procrestinating attitude to contribute to the Kingdom of God. Especially in a mega-church and in situations of non-optimum environment, few trained leaders and maddening throng of kids.
It strikes a cord similiar to Luke 10:2 where Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
This was made more poignant when the youth service ended and the Expo hall was filled with youths gathering in circles having their cell groups and fellowship for the week. The contrast of ERs attempting to give much to help DR, versus youths gathering to receive more ministry really blessed my heart because I firmly believe that the time is here where youths are to arise and partake of selfless giving to the body of Christ rather than sit about to receive blessings.
For a brief moment yesterday, I witnessed how this plain vanilla generation from a little nondescript "mountain tortoise" church can be called to stretch its arms and start impacting many from a giant church and I'm truely greatful for the opportunity to witness this work of God. So, today I count my blessings for their willingness to obediently serve the Body of Christ to the best of their availability, despite their lack of formal training. More so when I see how they abandoned all pride as they stuck with their tasks in their "goofy uniforms" instead of feeling overwhelmed by embarressment in front of the 600-1000 trendy youths.
May the Holy Spirit speak to you today and enable you to say "In all I think and do, Lord I lift them unto you, come Holy Spirit take over my wilful heart as Lord I lift this life as worship unto you and am willing to be used to bless those you lead me to".
Blessings,
M.
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;he does great things beyond our understanding.He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'So that all men he has made may know his work,he stops every man from his labor. (Job 37:5-7)
26 February 2007
Mountain Tortoise Experience
Exodus 15:1-2
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD : "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
This was the thanksgiving song of Moses after the crossing of the Red sea. God had just performed one of the greatest miracle to deliver the nation of Israel by parting the Red sea for Israel to cross and destruction of the Egyptian army as the Red sea closed in on them. One can imagine the jubilee and joyous victory amongst the Israelites as they witnessed the awesome crashing of waves upon their former slave masters.
Today, I'm reminded of the need for us to count our blessings and take time to be greatful to the Lord.
Yesterday was an eye opening moment for the Rangers who went with us to FCBC to assist their Rangers programme. From the moment we saw the throngs of young people inside the MRT station to the time we stepped foot into the cavernous Expo hall, we aimlessly wandered until we found the open location of the Rangers gathering area. It made many of us feel like mountain tortoise because we never could imagine that there would be so many young people and young adults alike attending church in this far flung location of Singapore Expo.
With 8 faithful Rangers, we were grateful that only 40% of the FCBC rangers attendees came as we were kinda overwhelmed with the conditions and situation before us. Huge, open and noisy, the environment was something that made us feel bare and vulnerable. Didn't help that the kids weren't exactly docile and quiet, but rather the opposite.
As I glanced at the younger Rangers who were handling the DR group, it was an impressive sight to observe as I watched them attempt to match the DR kids energy and lead them. Looking at the hyper DR kids as they played games, it reminded me of the Cebu children of my first mission trip who played catching with wild abandon and always ran out of the game boundaries.
I'm not sure if all the Rangers who went enjoyed themselves or were blessed to be there amidst the chaos and confusion, but I was really blessed to see each of the youth step out and attempt to help out.
Its nothing awesome like the parting of the mighty Red sea, but trust me, it was an incredible sight and feeling to observe ordinary teenagers step out of their self-centred, bless me lives and ever procrestinating attitude to contribute to the Kingdom of God. Especially in a mega-church and in situations of non-optimum environment, few trained leaders and maddening throng of kids.
It strikes a cord similiar to Luke 10:2 where Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
This was made more poignant when the youth service ended and the Expo hall was filled with youths gathering in circles having their cell groups and fellowship for the week. The contrast of ERs attempting to give much to help DR, versus youths gathering to receive more ministry really blessed my heart because I firmly believe that the time is here where youths are to arise and partake of selfless giving to the body of Christ rather than sit about to receive blessings.
For a brief moment yesterday, I witnessed how this plain vanilla generation from a little nondescript "mountain tortoise" church can be called to stretch its arms and start impacting many from a giant church and I'm truely greatful for the opportunity to witness this work of God. So, today I count my blessings for their willingness to obediently serve the Body of Christ to the best of their availability, despite their lack of formal training. More so when I see how they abandoned all pride as they stuck with their tasks in their "goofy uniforms" instead of feeling overwhelmed by embarressment in front of the 600-1000 trendy youths.
May the Holy Spirit speak to you today and enable you to say "In all I think and do, Lord I lift them unto you, come Holy Spirit take over my wilful heart as Lord I lift this life as worship unto you and am willing to be used to bless those you lead me to".
Blessings,
M.
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;he does great things beyond our understanding.He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'So that all men he has made may know his work,he stops every man from his labor. (Job 37:5-7)
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD : "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
This was the thanksgiving song of Moses after the crossing of the Red sea. God had just performed one of the greatest miracle to deliver the nation of Israel by parting the Red sea for Israel to cross and destruction of the Egyptian army as the Red sea closed in on them. One can imagine the jubilee and joyous victory amongst the Israelites as they witnessed the awesome crashing of waves upon their former slave masters.
Today, I'm reminded of the need for us to count our blessings and take time to be greatful to the Lord.
Yesterday was an eye opening moment for the Rangers who went with us to FCBC to assist their Rangers programme. From the moment we saw the throngs of young people inside the MRT station to the time we stepped foot into the cavernous Expo hall, we aimlessly wandered until we found the open location of the Rangers gathering area. It made many of us feel like mountain tortoise because we never could imagine that there would be so many young people and young adults alike attending church in this far flung location of Singapore Expo.
With 8 faithful Rangers, we were grateful that only 40% of the FCBC rangers attendees came as we were kinda overwhelmed with the conditions and situation before us. Huge, open and noisy, the environment was something that made us feel bare and vulnerable. Didn't help that the kids weren't exactly docile and quiet, but rather the opposite.
As I glanced at the younger Rangers who were handling the DR group, it was an impressive sight to observe as I watched them attempt to match the DR kids energy and lead them. Looking at the hyper DR kids as they played games, it reminded me of the Cebu children of my first mission trip who played catching with wild abandon and always ran out of the game boundaries.
I'm not sure if all the Rangers who went enjoyed themselves or were blessed to be there amidst the chaos and confusion, but I was really blessed to see each of the youth step out and attempt to help out.
Its nothing awesome like the parting of the mighty Red sea, but trust me, it was an incredible sight and feeling to observe ordinary teenagers step out of their self-centred, bless me lives and ever procrestinating attitude to contribute to the Kingdom of God. Especially in a mega-church and in situations of non-optimum environment, few trained leaders and maddening throng of kids.
It strikes a cord similiar to Luke 10:2 where Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
This was made more poignant when the youth service ended and the Expo hall was filled with youths gathering in circles having their cell groups and fellowship for the week. The contrast of ERs attempting to give much to help DR, versus youths gathering to receive more ministry really blessed my heart because I firmly believe that the time is here where youths are to arise and partake of selfless giving to the body of Christ rather than sit about to receive blessings.
For a brief moment yesterday, I witnessed how this plain vanilla generation from a little nondescript "mountain tortoise" church can be called to stretch its arms and start impacting many from a giant church and I'm truely greatful for the opportunity to witness this work of God. So, today I count my blessings for their willingness to obediently serve the Body of Christ to the best of their availability, despite their lack of formal training. More so when I see how they abandoned all pride as they stuck with their tasks in their "goofy uniforms" instead of feeling overwhelmed by embarressment in front of the 600-1000 trendy youths.
May the Holy Spirit speak to you today and enable you to say "In all I think and do, Lord I lift them unto you, come Holy Spirit take over my wilful heart as Lord I lift this life as worship unto you and am willing to be used to bless those you lead me to".
Blessings,
M.
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;he does great things beyond our understanding.He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'So that all men he has made may know his work,he stops every man from his labor. (Job 37:5-7)
