Above all else

Hi Our cell should be a real cell, rather than a time to meet and talk, which is a totally different thing. I think we realise that meeting each week just to talk in general is playing religion. We all have no time to play religion. Some ground rules to make our cell a real cell: a. no talking about house, car or other material goods, unless it is a huge decision that requires corporate prayer; b. no talking about job, good or bad, unless it will clearly edify the group or requires corporate prayer; and c. no talking about children or other family stuff unless, again, it will clearly edify the group or requires corporate prayer. Well, what else is there to talk about if we don't talk about these things? Going by our past experience, not much, because that's often all we talk about. That can't be right. Why do I say we should stop talking about house, car, job, children? Because they are all inherently selfish things. Why haven't we been talking about other people...

Hi guys Preparing for my trip to Lijiang. Learnt some interesting possibilities from the team yesterday evening at my house. Can show you when we meet next week. Also showed them how to do the MOL magic tricks to share haha. Anyway, found an old favourite, so bookmark this if you find (like me) that you tend to forget how to use it (sadly, through lack of practice - let's buck up guys!!) http://www.simusic.com/john316/john316_cover.html So many things happening at home (selling flat) and at work (changing responsibilities) that sometimes it's difficult to think about the really important work - to love God and to demonstrate that love by loving our neighbour as ourselves. (Matt 28:38-39) Please pray that we (and the kids to the extent that they are able) will be able to prepare our hearts and minds from now till we leave on 5 Dec, emptying ourselves of our "selfish ambition or vain conceit" (Phi 2:3) so that we can be full of the Spirit, empowered to hear Him clea...

Hi It strikes me that we seldom pray as much as we "do". Many of us live in exciting times now, in relation to our family, our work and our ministry. But how often do we really stop and pray before making a decision? Or is it more common for us to make a decision and then pray than God will help us to succeed in that decision. I suspect it's the latter. There is of course nothing wrong with praying after a decision is made - just that it is even better to pray for that very decision itself. James 5:13-14 shows us that we should pray in all things, giving thanks and presenting our requests for ourselves and others. Lots of things to pray for this year-end - I'll contribute some for our prayer now: 1. journey mercy for our cell leader as he travels and protection for his family while he is away 2. journey mercy, miraculous improvement in Mandarin :P and compassion for the Chinese for me and my family when we leave for Lijiang 5-13 Dec 3. open doors for us to share ...

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:13-14 Hi guys Phew, it's been a tough 3 weeks at work - working to 10 or midnight almost everyday! Still, the week has gotten off to a promising start - unlikely to have to stay late today. Thank God for that! So, just have enough time to shoot off this email before I make the Great Escape. As I am constantly reminded, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Cor 10:13. I trust that God will help me to keep my priorities straight, even as work threatens to gobble up my time, so that I will not be tempted by the glory of work recognition, material su...

Hello friends :) Long time no sharing. Past 2 weeks have had good sermons. So here goes. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46 This struck me: The "pearl" is the most expensive thing in the world BUT Everyone can afford it BECAUSE It simply costs everything the buyer has SO Whether rich or poor, everyone can afford it. So, therefore, there is no excuse. Rich or poor in terms of money, time, friends, family - everyone can afford to buy the pearl. The issue, as always, is DO WE WANT TO. And the more we have in this world, the harder it is to give up. Sigh. Another amazing thing is, after we hand over everything to God, He turns around and says "Here, take it all...