The Day I was Silent

Hi peeps, back after my 3rd/4th week of SOT! Lost count with my crazy schedule over the weeks...

This week, Pst Ming took all our lessons. Aside from charming us with his fantabulous humour, he also shared a story that impacted me a lot.

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*real story*

A man boarded the train in one of Europe's busy subways, dragging his 2-3 year old son behind him. He looked terribly unkempt, complete with messy hair, dark circles and a 3-day old stubble. His shoulders were drooped and his head hung low. He walked to an empty seat and slumped into it, his lifeless eyes staring blankly into the distance. His son wriggled free of his grip and proceeded to dash around the train cabin, jumping onto seats, throwing things at passengers, screaming, shouting, and generally making a nuisance of himself.

A passenger sitting opposite the man observed this situation for about 20 minutes. Apart from having his toes trampled by the tyrant of a kid, he had been interrupted from his reading by the chaos and noise generated. He resisted the urge to grab the boy and give him a thrashing, and contemplated confronting the father. After another 5 minutes, he finally stood up, strode across the train to the man, and said,

"Sir, I'm sorry. But this is a public train. Could you please stop your son from disturbing and irritating the passengers?"

The father blinked, and casted his lifeless gaze on the man standing before him.

"Maybe I should, maybe I shouldn't. All I know is, my wife -the mother of this boy- just passed away 30 minutes ago in the hospital."

With that, he lowered his gaze and resumed his vacant observation of the grey cabin walls.

The passenger, speechless and at a loss, stood rooted to the spot before this picture of gloom.

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Most of the time, when we observe situations and make our judgments, we fail to see the full picture. We neglect to understand the extent of pain or suffering the parties involved had gone through. Instead, we arrive at unfair conclusions and blast it out in self-righteous tones.

Have you ever criticised a friend? Have you ever complained about the way things are done?

Have you ever refused to cooperate just because you don't like the situation?

My answers to all the questions are yes's. What are yours?

In conclusion, I think you guys would surely go out and try to listen and understand more instead of judging people. On the other hand, I would like to beseech all of you to stand up for our leaders. Here's men and women of God who have laid down their lives for God and sacrificed countless time, energy and finances both for the church and for the welfare of their members: us. Lets lay down our lives to protect and serve our leaders, all the way from the pastors to the cell group leaders.

Why? Because though they are all not perfect, we do not see how many tears they have shed and how many sacrifices they have made for God and for their people.

When Pst Ming shared this story in SOT, I was struck dumb. I had to stop writing and reflect on my attitudes over the years. You might point out that no one sees the things YOU go through too. The crux then, is this: my leaders have maintained a top-rate attitude in spite of all things, and this great attitude goes up to heaven as a sweet-smelling aroma towards God. Dare you say the same of yourself?

I would lay down my life for these guys, to do my very very best to make their dreams happen. Would you?

Never never give up...

One day I decided to quit…

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

‘God’, I asked, ‘Can you give me one good reason not to quit?’

His answer surprised me…

‘Look around’, He said. ‘Do you see the fern and the bamboo?’

‘Yes’, I replied.

‘When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on
the bamboo. He said.

‘In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would

not quit.’ He said.

‘Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared

to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6

months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong
and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.’

He asked me. ‘Did you know, my child, that all this time you have
been struggling, you have actually been growing roots’.

‘I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you.’

‘Don’t compare yourself to others.’

He said.

‘The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful.’

‘Your time will come’, God said to me.

‘You will rise high’

‘How high should I rise?’

I asked.

‘How high will the bamboo rise?’ He asked in return.

‘As high as it can?’ I questioned.

‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Give me glory by rising as high as you can.’

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never, Never, Never Give up.

For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don’t tell the Lord how big the problem is,

tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heavens door open this morning, God asked me…

‘My CHILD, what can I do for you?’

And I said, ‘FATHER, please protect and bless the one reading this message.’

God smiled and answered, ‘Request granted.’

This message is now in your hands.

What will YOU do with it?

Ken Lee by Mariah Carey??!

so hilarious!!!

Alleluia to Christ The Lord - True Worshippers Youth

Happy Birthday to our dearies! (30th march 2008)

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” -Matt 3:16,17