This was featured in Xt3.com (http://www.xt3.com/library/view.php?id=4195)
A man from Vietnam is on an incredible solo mission to cut the country's abortion rate, one of the highest in the world. Tong Phuoc Phuc has opened his home as a refuge for abandoned babies and looks after more than 50. He has pledged to care for unwanted children rather than see women terminate their pregnancies.
Youth Arise Ministry celebrates our 10th Year Anniversary! The ministry was started in 1999 by Paul, but it was in Dec 2000 that we held our first Revival Seminar Camp which became the first camp leading on to regular ministry sessions for YAM. Since that camp, it's been 10 years and some of those participants are still current members of the ministry today!
So we invite you to rejoice with us over this journey since, and for the years ahead to come. Let us "Let GOD" and be surprised by what He can still do for us, in the future. Don't you know our God is a Big God? Dream big!
I am always grateful to YAM for the seeds of faith planted in me that have grown and inspired me and still inspire me to greater love and service. i wish for all the members young and old (like me) to come to know daily and always the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God, in order to live truly and love authentically! Blessed 10th anniversary YAM!
KRISH
Dear Youth Arise Ministy,
Happy 10th Anniversary! It has been a great journey indeed and I stand amazed at how awesome our God is! Kudos to Gavin, Jane, Jacqueline, Samantha, Eugene, Marlene, Sury, Krish, Natalie and myself, who has seen the ministry grow all these years.
Youth Arise Ministry started off as a small group of people hungry to make a difference to do something greater and to discover God in a real and tangible way and to share that encounter with the people around us. Not having much experiences nor clear direction, we decided to gather to pray, the intercessory phase took place for one year, at the end of the year we had our very first Revival Seminar in Dec 1999.
Since then, the ministry has always been growing and know for its personal mentoring and service to the church of OLPS as well as the Archdiocease. I feel very blessed to be part of this wonderful community, of which I carry many memories and sentiments in my heart.
The greatest things in life is measured by the level of peace and happiness from within, doesn't need to be anything fanciful but something deeper than that, a relationship with God. I've been involved in ministry since the age of 13 and knowing Jesus has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has given be a purpose and direction in my life.
For each and every one of you in YAM, my prayer for you is to have a strong relationship with Jesus and be well connected to the community. I cannot emphasize more that daily prayer brings us in a position of confidence with Jesus and community living, brings the spiritual in line with the physical. Yes, we are not perfect, that is where we have to grow in love and support for each other.
Finally, though I'm here in Australia, my heart is always with the ministry and I do think and pray for you all often. Continue to run the race for Jesus, making a difference bringing healing and revival to our land! May the vision remain very personal to each of you: To raise up a generation of people to praise and worship the Lord wholeheartedly!
God bless,
Paul Wan
Hi all,
As I was pondering over the homily of Novena service at Novena church (St Alphonsus' church) last Saturday, it was about how we can become the saints. As Mother Teresa said, we really don't need the high IQ, higher studies like degree, master, phD, fame and money to become the saints. Just simply pick the pin on the floor so that the children will not hurt their feet when they run across the corridor. It meant that we have to do lesser things but with great love. That's how we can be the saints. Really. Just act your normal life but do anything with great love. Ask God to give you the great love. That was what the priest (I don't know his name) preached. He also said he always did simple things like preaching in the church with great love. He could not say, "Aiyah, it's so tiring and boring. Just do it fast and quick." but did it with much zeal and eagerness. If he did it without love, he's like the machine. It reminds me of some verses: "1.I may be able to speak languages of men and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. 2.I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. 3. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned - but if I have no love, this does me no good." (1 Cor 13:1-3 Good News Bible)
As I was discussing with my friend about it today, he showed me the story. Thought it might be good and inspiring story for you.
http://pedicularis.blogspot.com/2008/04/donut-story.html
Cheers!
With love in Christ,
~Michael
Fwhahaha! This notebook was found in Taiwan. Cool? What does it tell you about YAM? share your thouhgts! ;) hehe..
Introducing a new song... "Live What I Believe" by Russ Lee.
Not the "It's My Life" style... but in the "One Way, Jesus" style...
Lyrics: Live What I Believe
These are the days
For the children of faith
To stand up and be counted
Now is the time
For the light in us to shine
On whoever's around it
One life can be the proof
Of the hope that is You
I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right
So that everyone can see
It's Jesus that they need
I'm gonna live what I believe
The world will see God's grace
When we work and we pray
And then love like we mean it
if there's ever been a day
To give ourselves away
Well, I think we're in it
There's a passion deep inside
For my life to testify
Lord, let me be used
As a witness for You
With faith and conviction
You've called me by Your name
And I will not be ashamed
Gonna walk that line
I'm gonna stand for what is right
Hey, it's Jesus that they need
At the prep session with Brian Butler. He is so inspirational!
Who is Brian Butler?
Brian Butler is the co-author of Theology of the Body for Teens, the first published curriculum which applies the Theology of the Body to the lives of teenagers, specifically addressing questions relating to chastity and sexuality. He served as the associate director for youth catechesis in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has taught and coordinated campus ministry at the high school level for five years, and has more than twelve years of experience in youth ministry. He is the co-founder and president of Dumb Ox Productions Inc, a nonprofit organization that offers retreats, speakers, programs and resources focusing on chastity and vocation formation for teenagers.
Below are some of the facils/youth min volunteers & cats who will be involved in the upcoming AYD 2010! Some people missing from photo cos they left earlier!...
Read something inspirational from the Padre Pio book again:"We often see the situations we are in, and we pray for God's help. If we dun think it gets answered, we get disillusioned. BUT, we do not see what God has really spared us from by not answering the prayer our way."
Gav
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD!!
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD!!
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD!!
Painful moments, TRUST GOD!!
Every moment, THANK GOD!!!
1. God is truly in control. If God is God, then nothing happens apart from His knowledge and permission.
While it is difficult to imagine why God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion that He is willing and able to sustain us during the worst of times.
We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead.
(2 Corinthians1:8-9)
2. There is an eternal life to come.
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later.
(Romans 8:18)
He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
(1 Corinthians 1:8)
3. The story isn’t finished yet.
Time after time, the Bible records hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Job's sickness, Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers, David's adultery and the many who were healed in mind, body and spirit.
But Joseph told them, don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:19-20)
4. God has not given up on you!
Don't give up on Him.
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
5. There is likely purpose in your pain.
Ask God to reveal His purpose in allowing this difficulty in your life. That's a legitimate question to ask. Often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstance.
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
(James 1:2-4)
6. You are loved!
Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore their relationship. God does love you!
He sees your pain and weeps with you.
He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed... To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory.
(Isaiah 61:1-3)
You parents, if your children ask you for loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?
(Matthew 7:9-11)
8. You are not facing this alone.
For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
(Hebrews 13:5-6)
9. Others have made it through you can too.
Try to connect with others who have gone through similar situations. You will find hope, strength and encouragement.
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
(Ecclesiastes 4:12)
10. Reach out to someone else who is struggling.
Place your focus on someone else and invest your life in them. You may discover that your peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
God bless you!
"Believe in The Lord Jesus, you will be saved, you and your family." (Acts 16:31)
Philippians 2:1-3 If there be therefore any consolation [encouragement] in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil you my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife [hostility] or vainglory [the king of pride]: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
I read 2 interesting articles today:
Check it out:
http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.details/ID/507/Spiritual-Mark-of-Beast.htm
http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.details/ID/191/Self-Government-Responsibility-Part-2.htm
~ Sam
:)
When interceding for others, we need to have faith, and believe GOD is with us. HE is trustworthy, he is our best friend. Surely he will hear us... But like a friend, he is not happy with evil. If we have sinned, we sin against God, we need to ask for forgiveness FIRST before we can ask for other favours isn't it? ;)
Anyway, our reading for the night comes from 1 John 4:7 - 1 John 5:5
God's Love and Ours 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.1 John 5 - Faith in the Son of God
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
AND this is a song we sang tonight and I don't think my guitar did it justice so am posting it here:
Anyway, here's my personal sharing from our intercessory night ---- I felt God telling me to "Be of Good Cheer, rejoice". I had an inkling that I heard it many times in the bible but didn't know where. Then a quick check online got me really interested. IT appears SO Many times in the bible. READ this PDF for an idea. God is so interesting! he's always ...been saying "the joy of the lord is your strength" but I seem to never listen, so he says something new for me this time - "Be of Good Cheer!"
Read the link here & REJOICE too in the midst of adversity:
http://adventuresingod.com/teachings/be_of_good_cheer.pdf
Luv
Sam
Haha this is a blank post... because we want to just ask anyone passing by this blogpost - what is holiness? what is your take on holiness?
Cheers!
Ministry life is not easy. We have ups and downs, closeness & also sometimes a kind of sinful distance from God... And this phenomena also exists between people and people. Our families, friends, work/school mates, we have conflicts and struggles to really love people. The question boils down to the basic fact - Do you love God? If we love God, we will love our neighbour. Do we have passion for Ministry? for the mission of spreading the Good news to those around us? If we do, we would pray hard, for God to empower us because we are such weak people.
This song speaks it all. We need the Spirit of God to fall upon us, that we may walk along God's ways not man's ways. We need God to stir it up in our hearts, "a passion for His Name". Not my name, not your name. We need God even more than ever. We do not realise but in reality we are blind, lame and deaf. We need God's spirit to open our eyes, minds, ears, and to let us walk - to become HIS Instruments of Love, rather than instruments of destruction (death, sin, negative things opposed to LOVE).
Isn't that only right? feel free to disagree in the comments... ;) hehe.
God Bless,
Sam
Tim Hughes - Consuming Fire LYRICS:
There must be more than this,
O breath of God come breathe within,
There must be more than this,
Spirit of God we wait for You.
Fill us anew we pray,
Fill us anew we pray.
(Chorus)
Consuming fire fan into flame,
A passion for Your Name,
Spirit of God fall in this place,
Lord have Your way,
Lord have Your way with us,
Come like a rushing wind,
Clothe us with power from on high,
Now set the captives free,
Leave us abandoned to Your praise.
Lord let Your glory fall,
Lord let Your glory fall.
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
A passion for Your Name.
Donald Miller says who you hang out with matters more than you think.
Last month I visited a prison in Texas. I had the chance to guest-teach a class in a progressive rehabilitation program. I taught, but mostly I listened. As the guys told me their stories, their reasons for being in prison, I noticed a common thread. The real reason they were in prison was not because they had committed crimes, though they had, but rather it was because of the people they hung out with. Almost all problems and success in life boil down to relationships. These guys had gotten themselves into relationships that led to trouble. Either they had joined gangs or hung out with drug addicts or met girls who took them down a bad path.
READ full article HERE at Relevant.com
WELL, what to say..... if Jesus is YOUR Friend, and if you hang out with Him sufficiently each day, then you "should" become more like Him! Once again we would like to highlight this article: http://www.fathershands.com/jim/
A simple prayer for your friend, Jesus:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I
THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."
“Today’s sunshine was pretty. Thanks, God. Bye!”That was the ending of a prayer I once heard made by a 5-year-old girl. I’ve come to believe it to be the most selfless, beautiful, profound prayer I’ve ever heard.
How can we be assured of our own salvation if St. Paul wasn't (1 Corinthians 9:27)? Catholics believe: Salvation is not a "one time" event, but an ongoing process until "the end" (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13).
READ MORE:
http://www.catscans.com/catholicsite/saved.htm
For those who missed out last Sat, here's a summary (make sure to read, or at least scroll, to the end for this week's "Homework"):
Watch these 2 clips first:
1. Reading of Pentecost account
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOm1DMZJITs
2. Short teaching by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa abt Pentecost
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFZ1N9gbSHY
The first video evokes the feel of dramatic events which took place at Pentecost. This is how we usually view Pentecost... tongues of fire, people speaking in tongues, mega rally and the radical conversion of 3000.. all the big stuff, the drama stuff.
In the second video, Father brought everyone to the core event of Pentecost. Look deeper behind the 'wow' events, and we see that Pentecost is really about being 'filled with the love of God' in an intimate way.
The apostles were with Jesus every day for 3 years, seeing His miracles firsthand, having private sessions with Him away from the public, sharing meals with Him.
But only after Pentecost, after experiencing His love intimately (through the infilling of the Spirit), did they find the courage to live their mission.
They were transformed by the love of God, much like many of us when we experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, through YISS or other retreats.
Now, we've learned what is the Pentecost experience about, let's look back again... What happened before Pentecost? How did the disciples prepare for this great event?
1. They waited
- Acts 1:4 "... Wait for the gift my Father promised..."
- Most people don't like to wait, esp in today's world where we seem to be rushing from one thing to the next.
- We tend to want to do things our way, instead of consulting God, "waiting" upon God to show us the right way.
- Sunday's first reading is a great example, Acts 15:28 says "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us..." --> illustrates beautifully the partnership between man and God, which is still very much vital in today's context as well.
2. They prayed
- "They joined together constantly in prayer" - Read Acts 1:12-14
- Most of us experienced Pentecost in a dramatic way, through the praying over, resting in the Spirit, manifestations of joy, repentance, etc.
- The First Pentecost happened through prayer
- The "New Pentecost" in Duquesne University, 1967 (which is generally regarded as the birth of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal) also happened in prayer, while some young men & women were in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
We too can experience Pentecost, the infilling of God's love thru His Holy Spirit, in our times of prayer. Go before the Blessed Sacrament in humble adoration, for it is literally the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Why do I say it is the heart of Jesus?
Read here about the Eucharistic Miracle at Lanciano, Italy
http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html
http://www.miraclerosarymission.org/lanciano.html
http://www.zenit.org/article-12933?l=english
It's truly a wonder.. Jesus loves us so much that when He ascended into Heaven, He left His heart behind on earth. Every time we celebrate mass or go for adoration, we behold the very heart of our Saviour, our Lord and our God.
A good poem recommended from Michael!
http://www.knowjesus.com/Encourage_love.shtml
This was an interesting incident recently with John 15:7-8.. the verse goes like this:
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.BUT if you read it "wrongly" without separating the verses 7 and 8 and looking at the punctuation, you could get:
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory....So it means, ask and it will be given and it will be glorifying to God? Ask "anything"? and God will give it to be glorified? hmm... a bit weird rite?...
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.Now this means that it is To our Father's glory >> THAT WE BEAR MUCH FRUIT when showing ourselves to be His disciples.
Something interesting... what's the 7 heavenly virtues in Japanese? I'm sure some of us who know chinese traditional characters will recognise some:
Faith (Shinnen)
Pope Benedict XVI has come under intense scrutiny over the last few weeks, regarding the sexual abuse scandals. This page seeks to set out the facts, in an attempt to rectify and combat some of the biased and incorrect media coverage that has surrounded this issue. Sexual abuse of children is a horrific crime. No coverage of this issue would be complete without a frank acknowledgement of the errors that have been made in the handling of child sexual abuse cases in the past. Pope Benedict XVI has apologised on behalf of the entire Catholic Church, and met with victims in several countries. At the same time, it is important to recognise the extraordinary efforts that the Church now goes to assist victims of sexual abuse in their healing, to remove offenders from positions of responsibility, and to safeguard children in our institutions and parishes.
More at: http://www.xt3.com/smallprint/media.php
Enjoy this Guitar rendition of --- "Be Thou My Vision"
Lyrics:
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
2. Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
3. Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
4. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
5. High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Last month we were focusing on being "ALIVE" at the OLPS Youth gathering on 27 FEB. But interestingly, this post is an interesting take on Death.... a topic that comes up during the time of lent when we focus on dying to "ourselves" and becoming alive in Christ!
I believe Christ must have endured a harsh death, but was so ever eager to return to our FATHER in heaven. What about you? Do you wish to return to your Master? Is your Master truly Jesus? or is something else our masters? DO we have many masters? (e.g. our worldly desires, greed, lust, fame, pride, unforgiveness, etc)... Drop all of that and focus on JESUS!!!
~DEATH~
A view to the future....for those who are afraid of death, the final experience on Earth.
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT .
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to Leave the examination room and said, Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.'
Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'
'You don't know? You're, a Christian man, and don't know what's on the other side?'
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, 'Did you notice my dog?
He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.
I know little of what is on the other side of death, But I do know one thing...
I know my Master is there and that is good enough.'
Hi all, Yesterday some of us attended ALIVE! It was thought provoking, especially the video that David shared with everyone, called "Shaking Tokyo". It made us reflect about our lives and whether we are really alive?
Read more at http://olpsyouth.blogspot.com/2010/02/alive.html
Article by Elsie Yeo
Fasts have a tendency to be oriented towards things like giving up food or television. However, there are other creative ways we can welcome Jesus' healing touch during Lent.
Here are some suggestions you may want to consider:
1. Fast from Anger and Hatred
Give your loved ones an extra dose of love each day.
2. Fast from Judging Others
Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks your faults.
3. Fast from Discouragement
Hold on to Jesus' promise that He has a perfect plan for your life.
4. Fast from Complaining
When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyers and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you.
5. Fast from Resentment and Bitterness
Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.
6. Fast from Spending Too Much Money
Try to reduce spending by 10% and give those savings to the needy.
GOD BLESS!
Hi all,
This is a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Eugene!!! Let's thank God for Eugene who has been faithfully in YAM since the early years. He's been such as loyal member, friend, servant, helper, believer, worship leader, teacher, counsellor, encourager, and YAMer!!!
And..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY also to Alex!!! ;) YOU ARE one of our inspiring young members,... we really love you and hope you will continue to grow in Faith and be hungry for God and for a deeper experience with GOD OUR FATHER who is also LORD of our lives and our Best FRIEND! ;)
God Bless,
YAM
Hi all,
Mark from the SFX retreat sends us his thanks for helping out at his retreat last 23rd Jan! He says:
Morning YAM, just wanna really really thank you'll so so much for serving at my community's retreat... a lot of them were realy touched by the love of God, especially those that were prayed over... Thanks for really sacrificing your time to be that Jesus to each one of us... Praise God... I pray that God will move in YAM and continue to build this community of such great love...
THANKS Mark for that sweet message!~
It is our pleasure to be instruments of God and like St. Francis says, Lord make me an instrument of your Love... :)
Thought For The Day
To Achieve Your Dreams Remember Your ABCs
Copyright 1991 By Wanda Hope Carter
Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits
Believe in yourself
Consider things from every angle
Don't give up and don't give in
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.
Family and Friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches
Give more than you planned to
Hang on to your dreams
Ignore those who try to discourage you
Just do it
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier
Love yourself first and foremost
Make it happen
Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes and see things as they really are
Practice makes perfect
Quitters never win and winners never quit
Read study and learn about everything important in life
Stop procrastinating
Take control of your own destiny
Understand yourself in order to understand others
Visualize it
Want it more than anything
Xccelerate your efforts
You are unique of all God's creations nothing can replace you
Zero in on your target and go for it!
Well, as christians, we do have something beyond the A-Z of life. Our lives can start and end with GOD, for He is the Alpha (beginning) and the Omega (end). So Add GOD into the factor!
Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 30:9-10
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
-- Psalm 37:3-6
TRUST, really trust God because God's dreams are far bigger than we could ever imagine ourselves.
This is our first session of the year after our retreat over 9-10 Jan 2010! Haha, ok technically, the retreat is the first session. Anyway, here's some pics:
SMILE! ;)
Next week, we'll be helping out at the SFX Youth Vineyard Ministry Retreat.... remember to pray and prepare ourselves this week for the mission ahead!
Was listening to some songs on youtube tonight and came across this song by Enya, and interestingly, found out later that this song has a very meaningful translation which goes as this. Haha... praise God that I was actually meditating to a song of worship... not some weird lyrics. haahaha..
Athair Ar Neamh - aka, "Heavenly Father"
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Athair ar Neamh, Dia linn Heavenly Father, God is with us
Athair ar Neamh, Dia liom Heavenly Father, God is with me
m'anam, mo chroí, mo ghlóir, my soul, my heart, my glory,
moladh duit, a Dhia. a praise to you, God.
Fada an lá, go sámh, A long and peaceful day
Fada an oích', gan ghruaim, A long night without gloom
aoibhneas, áthas, grá beauty, joy, love,
moladh duit, a Dhia. a praise to you, God.
Móraim thú ó lá go lá. I glorify you day by day.
Móraim thú ó oích' go hóich'. I glorify you night after night.
Athair ar Neamh, Dia linn Heavenly Father, God is with us
Athair ar Neamh, Dia liom Heavenly Father, God is with me
an ghealach, an ghrian, an ghaoth, the moon, the sun, the wind,
moladh duit, a Dhia. a praise to you, God.
Listen:
Athair ar Neamh is gaelic for “Our Father in Heaven” or Heavenly Father. It takes it’s cue from the first line of the Lord’s Prayer in gaelic “Ar n’Athair ata ar Neamh” - Our Father who art in Heaven and the songs lyrics are a setting of key passages from The Lord’s Prayer in Gaelic and English set to Enya’s typical musical treatement which is itself highly influenced by Gregorian Chant.
Enya’s (Eithne Ni Bhranoin) family are the Brennan family from the Gweedore Gaelteacht (Irish speaking area) of Co. Donegal in north-west Ireland and her other siblings are the members of the Irish Folk Group, Clannad. It is an area which clung to its culture and religion during English rule and where because of the anti-catholic Penal laws religious observance was often in family groups or in each other’s houses.
This song reflects that devotional tradition of rural Ireland. The gaelic word for Heaven “Neamh” also appears in other languages as in “Ben Nevis” - the heavenly mountain or “Sierra Nevada” in Spain or the state of “Nevada” in the USA.
A Quote from Os Hillman's daily devotionals:
When we go through a trial of adversity, we need to understand that God is performing radical surgery on our life. The purpose of this surgery is not to destroy us, but to give us a new heart. God is making a fundamental change in who we are and who we will be.
