Reflections Of A Church Intern

Psalm 1: 1-3
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

I guess these two parallel verses above sums up my internship experience here in Trinity Methodist Church. Having just graduated from polytechnic, I was considering whether continue an internship in the media industry or to do something else. The Lord impressed upon me Psalms 1. It took me awhile to understand the meaning behind what was said and eventually that’s how I decided to do an internship in church.

I thank God for Ivan, Pastor Bernard and Pastor Dianna for closely supervising my time here and giving me opportunities to experience different areas of ministry. Also, the church staff has also been very nice to me, feeding me and helping me when I’m in need.

Here are some of the experiences I had and some thoughts I have about them:

Visiting the sick in hospital
Visiting the sick is one of the ways to express concern and care for them and at the same time, strengthen and develop social relationships with them and their family. Being ambassadors of Christ we put hope and optimism into their hearts as we encourage them to be strong and pray for their recovery.

Serving Communion to the homebound
This is about bringing Jesus to the people who are unable to go to church. It symbolizes the presence of God with them even if they were not able to worship together as a corporate body in church. I feel that this is one of the beautiful things in Christian ministry – being able to bring or share God’s love even to those who can’t make it to church.

The Connection
I’ve enjoyed attending the connection so far. I have gained many insights into the Lord’s Prayer in the past few sessions. Worship leading during the prayer meeting forces me to think of songs to fit the theme and also the congregation. This too helped me in improving my worship leading skills.

Youth Ministry Work
With more time at hand, I could look more into youth ministry stuff. I had a great time meeting up with the core group, with Pastor Bernard and also with some of the youths. Planning and developing plans for youth ministry and also fellowship and catching up with one another. I could also look more into my worship team and my worship leading skills. I also managed to have a feel of Contact 123 and the Alpha Course, both outreach programmes. I see that they have great potential with the youth ministry. Youth Ministry is definitely something I enjoy doing for now; after being so intimately involved with it. Let’s see how the Lord leads.

LMS Planning Retreat
Through this retreat and the many Wednesday morning meetings. I have come to learn more about the church and its ministries. I’ve learnt the way the church functions and of the big dreams and visions that we have. I also got to know the lay ministry staff and the pastors better.
Photo-taking Exercise
This was a difficult one. I learnt to put my trust in the youths. Knowing that if anything goes wrong, it would be hard to rectify. It has taught me several administrative skills and also how to manage and handle a team.

Church Camp
400+ people at camp was amazing. It is definitely God’s work. I thank God for the great youth “party” that was carried out on the second day. To see the happy faces and good response from the youths is definitely satisfying after the laborious planning with Eugene and Xiaorong. I also thank God for the opportunity to work with some of the adults leading worship and also a chance to lead a worship session. Leading a congregation of 300 is probably nerve-wrecking but surprisingly it wasn’t that bad. I got to work on my pitch. It was a great camp. I managed to “connect” with some youths which I have not had the chance to during YM. I thank also thank God for the powerful prayers of the Chinese ministry that really touch my heart.

In conclusion,

The fruit of the spirit – love. As I spoke about loving God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength to the youths during one of the youth meetings, I mentioned that: “As I ponder upon this commandment and be honest to myself, I am humbled and broken, because I realize that,”I do not love him with all my heart, soul, and strength! My mind and feelings do not dwell completely in the Lord. My heart does not beat for God only, my subconscious is not filled with the love of God and my inner being is not directed toward the Creator alone. I do love God but I have not loved him with all my being.”

As I look at the church at work, as I see how God is moving in this church, I am beginning to appreciate the things that God has done. I’ve begin to give thanks more often and always praise Him for what He has done. I’ve begin to learn what it means to live from the inside out and what it means to be putting others before self. As I begin the next chapter of my youth, I look forward to see what God is going to do.

Is Enough Enough?

After a series of reflections... I asked myself have i been giving of my time to God out of comfort?
Do I lead worship, play the guitar, be a small group leader, plan events out of my own free time?

or do i like in Deuteronomy 6

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

ALL is the key word here.

Come, ye that love the Lord,
And let your joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
While ye surround his throne:
Let those refuse to sing
Who never knew our God;
But servants of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad

The God that rules on high,
That all the earth surveys
That rides upon the stormy sky,
And calms the roaring seas-
This awful God is ours,
Our Father and our love;
He will send down his heavenly powers,
To carry us above.

There we shall see his face,
And never, never sin;
There, from the rivers of his grace,
Drink endless pleasures in:
Yea, and before we rise
To that immortal state,
The thoughts of such amazing bliss
Should constant joys create.

The men of grace have found
Glory begun below;
Celestial fruit on earthly ground
From faith and hope may grow:
Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We are marching through Immanuel's grounds
To fairer worlds on high.

John Wesley

Unbelievers in the Worship Team?!?

Can an unbeliever lead a believer in worship?

A REBELution

Luke 22:37 (New Living Translation)
37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled:
‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”

Isaiah 53:12 (New Living Translation)
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels

WHY? AND I WILL ...

Why do people shy away, afraid to say your name?
What is it that scares them, for all things you are blamed?
Why is it that people talk, so low it's hard to hear..
Do you know precisely ... what do your people fear?
Does not every life created, breathing in your air..
want to get to know you and how you truly care?
Don't they want to know of you and how you're in their lives,
even though they can't see, the love that's in their eyes?
Don't they know you love them all, separate as they are,
and you're right beside them, never gone afar?
I will do my best, to tell them of your name.
I will always love you, and never be ashamed.
I will hold my head up high and try to make you proud.
I will talk about you, even in a crowd.
I will spread the gospel of your every single word.
I will let the others know, and pray it will be heard.
Never will I lose the hope, that all your people know,
You are a Loving Father, who will never let us go....

Ellen C. Doucette

Hymns of adoration sing

Hello!!

I'm back blogging once again. Its been great doing internship in church and God has been opening doors for me to experience His goodness and see His work. Thank You God.

Well, its been some time since habakkuk; here's what i did

A Walk through Habakkuk’s Prayer

Station 1 - Habakkuk 1, 2 - Asking God Questions

Write on the piece of paper provided questions you have about God, man, Christianity etc

Station 2 - Habakkuk 3:3-15 – A Proclamation of God’s Greatness in the past.

Because of our human tendency to worry, we often forget the times God has blessed us. Take a few moments to see if we can recall any time in our lives when we felt God’s goodness in our lives.

Activity: Write or draw one such event on the piece of paper provided as an act of proclamation of God’s grace.

Station 3 - Habakkuk 3:17 - “though the fig tree does not blossom…”

Habakkuk was thinking of the worst that could happen (famine and starvation).

Activity: Take a few minutes to think of one or more of your most significant fears. Write or draw it down on the piece of paper provided

Station 4 - Habakkuk 3:18-19 – A Pledge to God’s Praise Forever.

Habakkuk was not being morbid by thinking of the worst that could happen (famine and starvation). He was making a resolution to remain faithful to God and His righteousness no matter what.

Activity: Praying for one another

Meditate on the closing words of Habakkuk’s book:

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Habbakuk's Prayer

Though the fig tree does not blossom
And there are no grapes on the vines
Though the olive tree is barren
And the fields produce no fruit
Though there are no sheep in the penfold
And no cattle in the stalls
I know the Sovereign Lord my Saviour
Is my strength and is my job

The Sovereign Lord is my strength
He makes my feet like those of deer
I can walk on my high places
Treading bravely without fear.

Chorus:
So I will exalt in the Lord
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
I will exalt in the Lord
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

As we come into His presence
Humbly bow before our King
As we bow our hearts to worship
Hymns of adoration sing
He has promised He will meet us
If we truly seek His face
As we come into His presence
Resting only in His grace
As we come into His presence
We will worship and adore
Christ our one and only Saviour
King of kings forevermore

Many of the youths responded to the challeng to live in faith and by whenever trials and tribulations come their way. I pray that whenever that is, you will remain faithful to the God who has always been so faithful to you :) Jesus Christ

Question the Question

Apologies for the lagg of posts. Been lazy and playing this new game Cabal. This kinda mmopg games really get you hooked on fast.

Anyways, i've been out visiting a few people in hospital in the past month. Brings back memories of when my mum was in hospital. Looking at the patient, looking at the family - i cannot help but try to figure out what is going on in their minds, especially with those whose family member is just on the verge of death. I've gone down this road before and i can empathise. And i'm going to ask this question - Why does God allow us to suffer? Isn't He the God of love, mercy and compassion? Surely He would not bear to see us suffer.

Do we suffer because, it is a test from God of our faith?
Do we suffer because, He wants us to draw near to Him?
Do we suffer because, He wants to teach us something?
Do we suffer because, God is using us as part of His plan?
Do we suffer because, we are sinful by nature?
Do we suffer because, we chose God?

To push the question further, Why does God allow the righteous/innocent to suffer? Look at the wars happening around the world, natural diseasters, violence, crimes. This is exactly the same question the prophet Habbakuk struggled with.

Habakkuk cried to God because the wicked people were treating the good people very badly. He wondered how God could allow the wicked people to do mean things for so long. After a "short dialouge" with God, the answer comes...

The final conclusion of Habakkuk is that we must allow God to be God, and allow Him to do things His way and in His own good time. Our job is to trust Him and to live by faith! "The righteous will live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4) --- the key verse of this entire book!! Although things do not always turn out as we would like, yet we will rejoice in the Lord anyway! (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

I have come to terms with this. Whenever we “wrestle” (which is actually what the name Habakkuk means) with such doubts or questions. Have this in the back of your head. Our job is to trust Him and to live by faith! Although things do not always turn out as we would like, yet we will rejoice in the Lord anyway. Faith, Hope and Love.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." - Revelation 21:4