Have you seeked Him today?
please read the entry below after this (:
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:
'I don't believe that God exists.'
'Why do you say that?' asked the customer.
'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things.'
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and un-kept.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: 'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'
'How can you say that?'
asked the surprised barber.
'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!'
'No!' the customer exclaimed.
'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'
'Ah, but barbers DO exist!
What happens is, people do not come to me.'
'Exactly!'-
affirmed the customer.
'That's the point!
God, too, DOES exist!
What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him.
That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'
great la, i just realised i posted in the wrong blog, and then i also changed the tagboard in the old blogger. dang. -.- (no wonder i didnt know what sandra was talking about)
this sunday 2/12 !sakae sushi @ downtown east after church!after that to melody's chalet @ coasta sands for dinner (till about 7 plus 8)!bring cash approximately $20 (no cheques allowed)Christmas is coming : Christmas outreach tickets- $3!Studying sessions starting from Dec: unconfirmed but definitely will have @ chapel office (only studying) CGLs may come to offer help if available!YAY :D
P.S The flooble chatterbox is irritating, so i changed to a sleeker and more convenient Cbox! 3 cheers (:
tania the lady who is sitting by the window.
Guilt
Guilt From Unhealthy Self-JudgementWhen we do something that harms someone, we experience a feeling called guilt. This kind of guilt is important to have because it keeps us in check. Otherwise we'd all think nothing of hurting others.
However, the kind of guilt many people experience is of a different and much less positive kind. In fact, you can say it has no rewards at all. This is the kind of guilt that you feel when you have actually done nothing wrong but because of certain born or bred mindsets, you're judging yourself to have been a bad person.
For example, some people feel responsible for all the happiness and unhappiness of their family members. A family member may be feeling needy and is increasingly seeking and wanting more of your assurances and help and time. Now of course you should help your family members but if you feel a deep sense of guilt every time you "weren't there" for example, or said something that appeared to hurt the other person, then you are falsely judging yourself.
You are not wholly responsible for your loved one's state of mind or happiness, although you can play a part. If a loved one becomes testy whenever you aren't able to fulfill a task he or she expected you to do, then you have become a crutch for them. For example, they aren't able to do simple things like calling a service provider or going to the doctor for a minor flu on their own.
When you make yourself wholly responsible for a loved one's happiness and feel guilty whenever you miss the mark, you're also teaching your loved one to be dependent. When this happens, the sense of betrayal just gets stronger and stronger each time you're not able to deliver. Needless to say, this only strains the relationship in the long run.
Now you know that you're not doing anything wrong, or directly damaging, yet you continue to judge yourself whenever others around you get upset. On some level you believe that by accommodating people all the time, you will get their love and acceptance. But it's doesn't work that way. Building up false expectations only builds disappointment and resentment.
Remember, you cannot control others' feelings and behaviour by doing things "right". You shouldn't judge yourself whenever you're unable to do things "right". Fully accept that you can't be wholly responsible for another person's feelings and release the self-judgement and guilt.
Icebreakers and Games
Here are suggested icebreakers and games.. pick and choose which one you wanna use ok?
Icebreakers1. StickoGroup is seated in two circles one inside another. One person is chosen as the “sticker”. He will chose a person to call out a name. Once a name is called, he must run over to tag the person. The person whose name is being called must prevent himself from being tag by shouting another person’s name. If the “sticker”succeeds in taggin the person, that tagged person will be the new “sticker”. If the “sticker” is not successful (when the person whose name is being called calls out the name of another person), then the “sticker” will have to search for the other person’s name.
2. Passing the Message
The groups are line up with their backs facing the front. The first person will be given a phrase. He will then have to pass the message down the line by actions. Each person is given a time limit to carry out their actions. Groups with the correct message will be awarded points. This will be the first group activity that will be awarded points.
3. CheersGroups are to come up with at least 1 cheer for use during the stations. GL are to facilitate in providing them with cheers and teaching them how the cheers are done.
Games1. Charades Unlimited
Each group will send out a representative to act out a series of words and phrases for the rest to guess. Points are given for every right guess.
2. Chair WalkEach group will have to traverse along a string of chairs from one end to another. They are not to step onto the floor at any point in time. The Gls and Station Master will ensure the safety of each player.
3. Blindfold Caterpillar WalkThe group is to be blinded folded.They are to stand in a line with each of them holding each other’s shoulders. They will then be lead by the GLs and the Station Master through a series of “obstacles”.
4. Land Mine
The group will be introduced to a large grid drawn on the floor by chalk. The grid will be numbered. The goal of the team is to try to walk through the mine-filled grid in the shortest possible time.
5. So you think you can dance?Groups will be played a series of 3 genre of songs. They must dance to each music genre for 2 minutes. Anyone who stops dancing during this time will be “kicked” out. The most number of dancers remaining will be given points for scoring.
6. What is the Time?The group will be arranged around a pillar with their backs facing the pillar. They are to hold hands and not break the chain when carrying out this station. One group member will be the hour hand, one member will be the minute hand and one member will be the second hand. In front of each player will be a number. When the station master shouts out a certain time, the group must rotate to the respective hour, minute and seconds consecutively. The timings will be taken down for scoring.
*mell*
A special announcement from PAT:
Reflections and photos for SCOOP Bumper issue will take place on 18 nov.So make sure you come nicely dressed then! =)
latest draft
People helping out: Amos lim zhi kai, Daryl, Hannah…
Worship: Melody
Games: Amanda, Sheila
Logistics: Tania, Jeredy & Amos
Food: Bin, Jeredy
Puppet show: RuiJing
Accommodation: Dora
BY 9/11 - Schedules for puppet show and worship
By 18/11 - everything sorted out nicely :)
We’re going to stay over in church on 23/11.
There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 'Just some old birds,' came the reply.
'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.
'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time' 'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'
'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'
'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'
'How much?' the pastor asked again.
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'
The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.
The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.
Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!''What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.
Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'
'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly. 'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked
'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'
'How much?' He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'
Jesus said, 'DONE!'
Then He paid the price.
The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.
Notes: Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.?Isn't it funny how someone can say 'I believe in God' but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also 'believes' in God)? For example, i have this class mate, he thinks of himself as a christian,but is racist. i was really disappointed in him when he made a racist comment to my malay friend.but i hope that he has realised his mistake.toodles!melody :)
