Beyond These Four Walls


"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matt. 25:40)

Is what we’re doing within the four walls of our church having any affect on those outside of it? This is a difficult question to ask ourselves. It’s much easier to put distressing issues such as poverty, war, illiteracy and prejudice out of sight and out of mind. It is also easier have knowledge of these issues and every intention to help than to actually share what we hold in our possession.

A conversation I had with a friend years ago has stayed with me to this day because it challenged me with the very issues I proclaimed to be concerned about. She discussed her involvement with the charity works and social concern efforts of a non-Christian organisation. At that point, James 2:26 came to mind; ‘faith without deeds is dead’. While a non-Christian friend was giving up her time and money to help those in need, I was merely regurgitating what Jesus had commanded His followers to do. I was forced to ask myself, what was I actually doing in response to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20) and the parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt. 25:31-46)?

God is perfect. His plan is perfect. His instructions are perfect. His love is perfect and should result in our love extending to families, fellow believers and those outside our circles. Perhaps that means humans are responsible for the injustice and uneven distribution of wealth in the world. We need to fight the feeling of apathy and ignorance towards those less fortunate. We need to have a deep dissatisfaction with how things are and a desire for how things should be. It’s not enough to merely know what displeases God and pray that God will fix it without surrendering ourselves to Him. Prayer and action come hand in hand. They are not alternative options.

It is essential that we pray and involve God in God’s work. We need to make sure that we do his work in line with his heart and Word. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance, compassion in our hearts, and spiritual maturity to be able to make appropriate decisions and actions in his ministry. With a God-focused mind and the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can develop realistic ideas and practical plans for our church to tend to the needs of others. Although God gave us different skills and abilities, we all have something to offer the downtrodden. What a beautiful thing it would be if all Christians and churches were united in this cause.

It is human nature to be fearful of anything outside our comfort zone. We fear sacrifice and we fear failure. But our God is not a selfish God nor is he oblivious to our needs. He is both able and willing to provide us with everything we need to do his work. When Moses was called by God to rescue the Israelites from Egypt, he felt that he was not equipped to carry out the task. He thought the people wouldn’t listen or believe. God gave him the staff and performed miracles through him. He thought he wasn’t a good speaker. God allowed his brother Aaron be the mouthpiece. Perhaps we think we’re too young or too old. Perhaps we think we don’t have enough skills or resources to offer; however, it is important for us to remember that we may be limited but nothing is impossible for God. We were not called to save the world. That is God’s job. We were called to do our best with the talents God gave us (Matt. 25:14-30).

We don’t need to wait for a miraculous calling to help the needy. God has already given us instruction through the Bible. If we see a need, let us go and meet it. Poverty does not exist in Africa alone. Let us not turn a blind eye to the people in our own community who need compassion shown to them. Let us not merely say ‘God be with you’ and walk away from their outstretched hand. Let us be the light of the world as Jesus intended.

Being Content - Sunday School Lesson

Paul used to be high up in the religious world of the Pharisees. But after Jesus chose him to do his work, Paul gave up all his wealth and power to be persecuted for the glory of God. Before his imprisonment in Rome, he was tortured, flogged, insulted, misrepresented, was in a storm at sea, and spent 2 years under house arrest. But he still rejoiced and he was still content. How could this be possible?


I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:10-13


Sometimes we all get that lightbulb moment when we're in our lows. When we just turn back to the God and realise He is all we ever need and more, that's when we can let go of the things that we think we deserve.

The Race (this week's Sunday School Lesson :P)

It's easy to get tired of running the race. There's a lot of training and preparation that we don't want to do. There are obstacles that we don't want to go over. And sometimes the goal seems impossible to reach. But God offers strength, perseverance and endurance. He gives us everything that we need for us to do what He wants us to do. Although nothing I do can ever be enough to repay Him, I pray that when I see Him in heaven, He'll call me faithful.

Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

One of the best things about teaching in Sunday School is that you learn so much yourself.

Philippians 2
Imitating Christ's Humility
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.


As Bui likes to say, I couldn't have said it better myself.

AMYC Promo Vid 2



For more info: http://www.amyc2010.cmca.ws/

Why Do I Deserve Any Better?


Why do I deserve any better than the kid living on the street with what appears to be no future ahead of him? Why do I deserve any better than the girl who struggles to stay in school and can barely make it past grade 10? Is it because I was born into a family that supports me? Is it because I grew up in a church that taught me good values? Is it because I was brought up to value my education? Is it because I had enough money to buy everything I needed for school plus the luxuries I wanted? I didn't deserve any of those things.

I didn't earn my way into a supportive family and community. It's only by God's grace that I was given wide open doors of opportunities. So if I don't deserve all the things that I've been blessed with, why is it that I still hold them in my possession while others only have a fraction of what I have? Maybe I can complain about it. Maybe I can keep asking God why there's so much injustice in the world. Maybe I can get angry or sad about it. Yeah. That'll be enough.

Am I supposed to share what I have? Surely there's got to be an easier way. It's not even my fault. I didn't make the world the way it is. I had no part in the problem. Therefore, I will have no part in the solution. Actually, I worked hard for my future. I went to school everyday. I did my homework. I got a job like every other person should. What I have is a result of the time and effort I dedicated to my education. While those other kids were getting hammered and high, I was working hard. I'm just one person anyway. I can't save the world on my own.

Maybe God has a plan. Maybe he just wanted us to stand for what He stands for... love. Maybe we're supposed to do what the Bible has been telling us to do for centuries.

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
Psalms 140:12

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matthew 25:37-40

Maybe it wasn't enough to merely identify the problems in the world. Perhaps the realisation that I don't deserve anything that I have was God telling me to share my blessings. Maybe God had the solution all along. But we're we willing to be a part of that solution?



http://www.ymcaschool.org/

Labour Day Song

Sisters' Night - She Likes Me For Me


Sisters' Night - Blind Trust Game

50 Ways to be Environmentally Friendly
When MYF became an after-school TV show.

Max's 21st surprise dance

Deck of Pain

Shuffle deck of cards and pull out a card
Hearts = blurpies, Diamonds = diamond push up, Spades = lunges and Clubs = regular push ups
Number on the card is the number of repetitions
Character cards = 10 reps
Joker = 5 reps of all four exercises


Frances:
my legs dont work anymore
Wendyyy:
i knowwwww
me too
hahahaha
i was at the mailbox
and dropped a few catalogues
and just left them there
coz i can't be stuffed bending over to pick them up
Frances:
i know hey
everytime i dropped something today
*damn*
Wendyyy:
blood drains from ur face
Frances:
start doing the pregnant lady stance
easy
eeeeasy



Frances:
im considering chopping off my legs instead of waitin for the pain to go away
NicK:
HAHAHAH
loooooooool frankeh
the lunges got ya hey
u know what?! im actually feeling the ache NOW
like this morning i was still fine
Frances:
ME TOOOO
NicK:
i think they call this... delayed onset fatigue or pain
i think
Frances:
cuz when i woke up
i was like "okay prepare for the worst"
*gets up*
HAHA! IN YOUR FACE DECK OF PAIN!!!
"let us now stand for the Gloria Patri"
HOOOOH MENGGGG



Frances:
everytime i dropped something
i had to think bout whether i really needed it
|\|ä†h³ÅѲ:
hahah
yeah i do that even without deck of cards
Frances:
"my wallet... hmm.."

Me and Sharon at the bank getting signatories done for MYF

Me: *hands ID to lady*
Sharon: *hands ID to lady*
Bank Lady: *does her bank thang* *gets ready to hand our IDs back* *looks at us two Asians* *looks at IDs* *looks back at us* Ummm.... :S
Me: *lulululul 50/50 chance, can you guess which one's mine??*
Sharon: It's okay, we'll handle it. *takes IDs*

hey family and friends (but really just my friends, because my parents would never see this blog)

I'd like you to meet Wendy (the guitar).
I brought her home on the 10th of March 2010.

It was love at first sight but I had my doubts. Was this love too fast and immature? Was I getting ahead of myself? Was I just an Asian trying to get a good deal? $799 down to $499 was her tempting call, along with her red maple top body.

I had to make sure this love was real by letting her go and exploring other guitars before settling down. But once I was about to committ to a Yamaha, I knew that my heart lied with the Epiphone.



She seems to be getting along with Barry. It's no doubt there will be sibling rivalry and that they'll be fighting for my affection. But I'll love them just the same.

Frank is a silly name


I was sitting at the lunch table with all the workers from my prac. They all know me as Frances.

Worker 1: Picking baby names is so hard.
Worker 2: Oh yes I know. I had a tough time picking a name for my son Patrick. It was a toss up between Patrick and Francis, actually.
Worker 1: mmm I like the name Francis.
Me: *yeah, for a dude*
Worker 2: Yes me too. But the only thing I didn't like about it was Frank as a nickname.
Worker 1: Oh yes, I can't imagine a young person being called Frank.
Worker 2: mmm yes, that would be quite silly, wouldn't it? Frank. Frank. FRANK. hahahaha what a silly name.
Worker 1: hahahahaha
Me: hahahah ha ha ha. ahhh... *throws lunch and runs from table*

For Springwooders

History Class


In a Second


Tribute


Milena and Jason

Wendyyyy... † says:
hey heyyy
oh yeah
i wonder which awesome photographer took that

† ♥ Frances - Christmas Items - http://fannydong.blogspot.com/ says:
lol jacky?
Wendyyyy... † says:
mm?
jacky?
† ♥ Frances - Christmas Items - http://fannydong.blogspot.com/ says:
i didnt take that photo
because im IN IT
lolololol

CNY '10

JMYF


RL


Sola Gratia


Chinese Choir


YAG

You raise me up

Kfang's last day



Wendy vs. Nathan



Maccas with kfang



Ness' 21st bday



Nick's smile



Em vs. Anna

Kfang's holiday in Brisbane

Anna's message

Ness' 21st

Kfang and Wendy's song



Ness' Message Video pt 1



Ness' Message Video pt 2

Agent Holy Bloopers


Done by Max

For more information (but currently under construction but check on it):
http://www.amyc2010.cmca.ws/