Radically Consumed

2010

2010-01-12T05:03:00.000-08:00

All the best for the year ahead!

Let's be blessed to be a blessing!

2010 SO FAR HAS BEEN GOOD!

2010-01-12T04:35:00.000-08:00

hiii Radics! haha today is the 1st day i ever have no hmwk! So I decided to come here and post. Anyway, since we have combined with Consumed, should we open out our blog to them if they haven't got one?

I've been holding on to the Prophetic Word of the Year (Watchnight sermon), meaning everyday seeing which pointer that I didn't do and then try to do it the next time. It brings me much hope whenever I look at the sermon; that this is God's will for everyone this year and we are blessed to be a blesser!

Recently, God has been speaking to me through TAWG about serving Him. For JC, there'll be times when we're really physically tired and strained. But Bible says that when we wait in the Lord, He will renew our strength! To wait on also means to serve. And to serve the Lord also means to serve others. Cos Jesus said when we serve other people, its just like doing the same thing to Him!

So let us use our enerygy for God's purpose,to bless others, and He will come and renew our strength.

Oh and of course lets not forget the thanksgiving part which is the first pointer of the Watchnight sermon. To thank God for everything.

I wanna thank God for/that
having me smile more in school than I used to,
I've understood every lecture so far,
I'm kind of more accepting of others,
Chuiyi cos the last few days I realised that when I think of her, it makes me happy!
revealing His heartbeat to me in times of trials
I am in the light!
God loves me so so much!
Bryan (my oiko)!
everything is possible through Him!
that the Gospel is the power of God for those who believe!
and I also wanna thank God for who He is..that He is sovereign.

Oh I want to tell you guys that in my GP lecture, the teacher said that the Roman Catholic Church once hated Galileo Galilei for claiming that the earth revolved around the Sun when they believed that the earth was the centre of the universe..? I don't want to guess anything cos I only want to hear the truth about it. So I'm gonna ask someone this Sunday haha:)

Joy unspeakable that won't go away
and Just enough strength to live for today
so I'll never have to worry what tomorrow will bring
cos my faith is on solid rock
I am counting on God!

Valerie

Malachi 3:3

2009-10-13T05:45:00.000-07:00

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them.

And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

2009-09-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

Thank God for a successful event!

All 4 ONE

Joel

True Fasting and Prayer

2009-08-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

It was a great time of fasting and praying these few days for me! On my last day of fasting(which was wed), i was just praying in the locker room during my lunch break for my oikos, for Radics, for ignyte ministry and 30mins just flew by and I couldn't even finish what I wanted to pray. Its amazing how God stirs up within us a burden for the things around us and shows us what to pray for as we declare our dependency on Him!

Some things to thank God for :)
1. Two people so far from my department have agreed to come for 4 ONE! (Though it must be noted that I must follow up on this. We all know how often people have something "cropped up" at the very last min)
2. One of my former jc section-mates, who backslided about a year ago, will most probably be coming back to ignyte service this weekend!

Let me elaborate on the second point :)
A few of us were hanging out in the office(in fact we were hiding from the watchful eye of our boss) and one of the guys plugged in his ipod. Then this guy called dino(pronounced dee-know) walked over and chose the song "Heart of Worship" and we started singing along hahaha. Actually come to think of it, all of us gathered there happened to be christians.
After about 2 mins, my old friend walked in and joined us. He chose the song "With All I am" and started reminiscing about the old times he was active in church, how he used to be an SP an how God spoke to him in his TAWG through this song.
At that very moment, I knew God was doing something special :)

I am just so filled with awe and wonder at the way God works in our daily lives. Lets not underestimate the power of prayer! Because when we call upon His name, pray against the work of the devil and intercede for our workplaces/schools, it paves the way for God to open the floodgates of heaven and do His work wherever we are!

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." 2 Chronicles 7:14

If any of you have any other testimonies to share, feel free to post! :)

- Bro Nic

2009-08-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

And I know that I can find You here
'Cause You promised me You'll always be there
Times like these, it's hard to see
But somehow I have a peace, You're near
And I pray that You will use my life
In whatever way Your name is glorified
Even if surrendering
Means leaving everything behind

My life has never been this clear
Now I know the reason why I'm here
You never know why You're alive
Until you know what you would die for
I would die for You

And I know I don't have much to give
But I promise You I will give You all there is
Can I possibly do less
When through Your own death I live?

No greater love is found
Than of those who lay their own lives down
As sure as I live and breathe
Now I know what it means to be free

I was look for the song I would die for You by Mercy Me, the song played during chapel, and I came across this video using the song as the music. It really touched me, the things in the video. I hope you guys have the time to watch the whole thing, and it is my prayer that this video will impact you.

Going beyond religion

2009-08-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

Surely children weren't made for the streets
And fathers were not made to leave
Surely this isn't how it should be
Let Your Kingdom come
Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Your Name
Is a shelter for the hurting
Jesus Your Name
Is a refuge for the weak
Only Your Name
Can redeem the undeserving
Jesus Your Name
Holds everything I need

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

"I am not going to be religious."

Does that statement shock you? I think the song is very apt for what God calls us to do, and especially the line in the chorus, go beyond religion.

Are we just being religious Christians who go to church, pray everyday and do our TAWG? Or are we being true Christians who are living for God, reaching out for the lost and broken around us?

Especially now since we're having SPA, since we're getting closer to promos, since we're all slowly but surely feeling the pressure of JC life. Are we letting these unimportant things get in the way of what God is trying to do in our lives, or through them?

This line was shared during chapel in school, "You are not truly alive until you know what you would die for."

The answer definitely isn't our grades, but God. Are we making that extra effort as Christians, as IGNYTErs, as God's tools, to impact those around us and bless them? Let's continue to pray for the strength to do so, even as we juggle our schoolwork. Let's not lose sight of God's plans for us!

In His service,
Xiang An

Some thoughts for the day.

2009-08-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

When I say..." I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost"
"That is why I chose this way"

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are all too visible
but God believes I'm worth it

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved

This poem was shared by a teacher during morning Scripture reading in school :) Let us never forget God's grace and love working in our lives, and trust in Him as our guide!

I know a lot of Christian friends who get emo over failure and making mistakes, but I believe as Christians we're not called to be perfect or "holier than thou" to others, but to live our lives the best we can to glorify God and be a good testimony to His name. Let us continue to encourage each other and our friends around us. Our Father in heaven never judges us by our mistakes and failures, but by our hearts, so let's keep our hearts pure and do our best!

Have a great week ahead!

Xiang An

2009-08-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

This week is SPA week for some of us.

May we carry out our experiments with faith and precision.

May we be able to answer the questions with wisdom and accuracy.

May we be able to finish the practical on time.

May we continue to trust in God for good results in our Science Pratical Assessment.

All the best guys.

Joel

Your Hands and Feet

2009-08-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at the Radics cell vision:

Dare to be Different
Look at things from God's point of view
Step out of comfort zone
Intensive Care Unit
To be a light and build people up

I might not have been here when this vision was birthed, but I really believe in it! 8 months have passed since the start of the year and the question i have is whether every single person in this cell has been embracing it. Many of us have been caught up in the whole busy-ness of jc life, of tutorials and projects and cca practices and new friends and new love and the list goes on.
I've been through it! And its really not easy.

But you know, one solid truth that I've learnt through those times was that when we take care of the Father's business, He will take care of yours.

Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

God never fails you, sometimes we just need to take that step of faith before He begins to pour out His miracles into your life.

So, remember His promises and hold on tight to your vision for the cell! We're going to make the last quarter of this year 2009 count for Jesus! :)

-Brother Nic (to val: I am niclam haha!)

Recently

2009-07-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

I find myself thinking more about Emma Watson these days cos she handles acting and studies so well hahaha!

Yay, homework hasn't gone full scale yet, so I'm glad I have time for blog updating here today!

I'm going to share some closer things today.

God spoke to me today about offering Him a sacrifice of praise: the fruit of our lips that confess His name. To use what I say to glorify Him, instead of the bad things that I can or am urged to say. A few seconds before He thought me this, a few students who were actually studying, started to talk again. I was disturbed. At that time, I actually murmured to myself,"Again?!" But after learning, I know I have to change some small murmurs cos I tend to do that a lot.

Yesterday, God actually spoke to me personally about my parents! wow! Hebrews wrote that The Lord rebukes those He loves, and punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Our earthly father disciplined us and we respected him for it. How much more then should we submit to God?
A little about my history: there were times when a pastor said 'spare the rod and spoil the child', but I always didnt understand why there werent alternatives for teaching a child. I couldnt accept it. Then God told me that if I dont even understand why my own father punishes me and love him for it, it'll be harder to understand and submit to God.
Hebrews continued No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

I thank God for showing me this. Maybe this is what I need to hear? Maybe my father disciplined me and looked at the outcome. But he didnt mean for me to focus on the pain. Maybe I got it wrong at the beginning? I think so. I pray that God will teach me more. The important part however, is to start applying what I know to my daily life and start understanding my father more... please ask me about it now and then to help me keep up :D

ya thats all~! I'm gonna do my econs now bye!

Valerie

By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North

2009-07-14T06:40:00.001-07:00

Lyrics are in the video, I guess what the song is saying is obvious enough :) Just thought I'd share with you guys.

God's Chisel

2009-07-01T08:02:00.001-07:00

A video my CF Pres posted on her blog, just thought I'd share with you guys, it's really meaningful =)

Are we holding on to anything instead of letting God take control of it?

Father's Day and Cell

2009-06-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day! A bit too late now but still Happy Father's Day! Let's appreciate our parents and what they've done for us. I always tell myself that without them, you wouldn't be alive and being alive ... that's one of the greatest gifts (if not the greatest) that we could ever receive from them.

And thank God for another successful cell outing and Abel's farewell party. I wanted to upload photos here but I can't copy the photos from facebook using Google Chrome. Anyway, all the best for the rest of the holidays and for school.

Praise God! God bless. Thanks everyone.

Joel

2009-06-21T06:25:00.000-07:00

Today is Father's day! Let's not for get our Daddy in heaven and really thank Him for being a wonderful Father to us! =P

2009-06-10T02:50:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I've been away at camp for our new campus ministry for the past few days. We've just started it in school and the camp was to help us learn what it means to serve God and to equip us for it. I'm under the Evangelism ministry, and it's been a fun couple of days, getting to know more Christians in SA and of course learning how to approach evangelism.

I was reading Numbers 13:26, talking about how the Israelite spies Moses sent to the promised land came back and said the inhabitants there were giants and they would not be able to overcome it, although God had already promised that the land would belong to them. They called themselves "grasshoppers" and said they were seen that way in the eyes of the enemy even though it was not what their enemies were saying.

Are we sometimes too afraid to claim God's promise for us in our lives? I'm certain there are times when we feel intimidated or incapable of handling a situation when God calls us into it, but let's just remember that the battle has already been won, not by us, but by God.

We watched "Facing the Giants" during camp, and there were a lot of parts in the film where we could certainly learn a few things. The scene that really spoke to me was this part where Brooke, a woman who was trying to conceive, went to the clinic when she suspected she was pregnant, and upon receiving the news that she was not, she said "I will still love You." to God. Can we be like her, to always love God even if He denies of the things we want the most?

Just a little sharing =)

Hope you guys have a great holiday! =D

I miss radics :D

2009-06-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

Hey radics..
i'm using a blog for the very first time in my life!! WOW. Though i dont know how it really works. But i've read ur posts and its really encouraging to hear from u'guys about ur week. :))

I just got back from my leadership camp and it taught me many different ways to bring a group of people together ( CCA: my netball team).. How important it was to bond the group too. I also can apply the teachings and lesson learnt into our cell-RADICS! (haha,sounds like PW)
Anw i think its really important to ensure that our cell is bonded. Hence there's this blog to do so :P
Okay about my week?? I like to thank God for the camp group im in ,we're really bonded & thats when we support one another to make situation better. In the same way: Believing that as a cell we 'make things happen & not wait for things to happen." I also like to thank God for the cell im in!! seriously! i think u'guys are efficient:)) I've been also constantly reminding myself to put God first in all that i do.- not studies, CCA, personal leisure. Instead of my selfish desires, asking myself constantly 'what would Jesus do?' & place myself in his shoes.
Its a tough season for me now: i know now that i'm sort of facing challenges ( time management & making decisions ) but his grace has always been upon me. :) I dont need to worry about anything( what i'll do tmr? what i'll wear? will i be able to meet my ex-classmtes tmr?), just trust the Lord our God. & that too has been a challenge for me!! but im learning along the way with every step i take ( with the hope in the lord that i know he is there :D)-just that sometimes he seems silent.

Anw, i hope to update the blog soon! Got to go for training now .

Love joan :D

2009-06-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

These 2 weeks have been quite hectic, especially the past few days, due to heavy swimming training, including this morning. I want to thank God for sustaining me and my friends throughout the trainings and for swimming 60 laps in one session which was a record for us. I pray for God's guidance to be with us as we continue to work towards the nationals next year.

I want to thank God for the successful Welcome to the Trinity Family Session that I had on the last day of May. I managed to meet my old primary school friend there and kept her company. We talked about God and our lives. I thank God for the surprise opportunity to pray for her and grow stronger in our faith. I thank God for the 4 dynamic speakers during the Welcome to the Trinity Family session too. I feel that we all have the potential to grow and become stronger leaders for God and our people!

I also want to thank God for the successful Famine Camp held last weekend, and for sustaining the campers throughout the 30 hours without food. We did have drinks though. The talks, videos and performances were touching. I want to help the poor in other countries next time. The whole camp made us feel so blessed to be in Singapore, where even the poor in Singapore earn about 10 times that of those in poorer nations.

To God be the Glory and the Best is yet to be!

Joel

Hello

2009-06-09T09:43:00.001-07:00

Hiiii everyone! Thanks Joel for creating the blog..it is you right?;D

hmm...oh ya just update all of us about the Life Charity Concert. We're practising everyday except on Saturdays, so we can pray for physical strength. Ya and that we will adopt that spirit of excellence in every opportunity to dance, act or others! Do look forward to a funny and entertaining show^^

Let me share with you the latest verse that I'm memorising;
Proverbs 15:32-33
"He who ignores discipline despises himself
but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom
and humility comes before honor."
Lets memorise verses!!! cos its a very good way of being sure of God's word, wherever you go.

oh and remember we shared about letting each other know whats happening to us? okay I shall blog it out..haha!
well, i was stuck at heb 7 for TAWG. but remember bro Titus suggested getting another version to study the word of God together? so I found the 'New American Standard Bible' version and I managed to learn a valuable lesson about God's gift; Jesus!

and..and...songs that have been on my mind recently: the Desert song, This is our God, I will go,..

haha do I sound happy today? Yes I am happy! ahaha...

oh hey do u all want a playlist? I have you know..if you want to see what its like, u can see my blog in the link list.

Valerie

Radics

2009-06-09T02:25:00.001-07:00

We are Radics for Christ!