THIS WEEKEND : IMPORTANT EVENTS!!!

1st MHI MEN's FELLOWSHIP
DATE : Saturday, 28th March
TIME : 1pm
VENUE : DIC, YWCA

And reminder for Family Life Worship
*there will be no interpretation at the main service.

DATE : Sunday, 29th MARCH
TIME : 10am
VENUE : YWCA, 1st Floor

Life Is a Temporary Assignment - 22nd March

Lets praise God for the safe return of all our team members from Laguna. It was such an exciting trip and the team has so much to share with all of us from their experiences. Look out for the official debrief date. We want to thank the Lord for being with the team throughout their trip and the impact the trip had on everyone.

Last week the video continued with "Life is a Temporary Assignment". We spoke earlier that life is a TEST, a TRUST and a TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT. What does that mean?

Basically, the video reminded us that our life does not end when we breathe our last breath on earth. We are not home yet! Pastor Warren reminds us that "God’s Word compares life on earth to temporarily living in a foreign country. This is not your permanent home or final destination." We are now ambassadors for Christ on earth.

Our identity should be focus on eternity and once we understand this concept, we would not be focus in chasing all the things on earth. "It is a fatal mistake to assume that God’s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it. The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or even in ministry. Never focus on temporary crowns.”

Life on earth is a preparation for eternity which is even better than what earth has to offer. Instead what shall we do?

We are asked to focus our eyes on things unseen for what is unseen is eternal. God is more interested in building our characters than our comfort. Let us remember John the Baptist who remained faithful to God yet was beheaded or Paul who was imprisoned. "In God’s eyes, the greatest heroes are not those who achieve prosperity, success, and power in this life, but those who treat this life as a temporary assignment and serve faithfully, expecting their promised reward in eternity."

So brothers and sisters? What shall we do?
Do we continue to store up our treasures on earth or should
we all learn to treat our lives on earth as a temporary assignment?

cartoon from joyfultoons

Outreach Trip - Laguna, Philippines

Many of you may have wondered where the team went? Well, here is a little post about the Deaf School in Laguna. The school (marked A) is about 2 hours from Manila, the capital city of Philippines.

To get there, you would need to take about a 90 minutes car ride to the bottom of the hill. After that, you have 2 choices to get up to the school.

• By tractor, which will take another 30 minutes
• By walking the 8km trek

As the roads are not tarred, it can get really muddy when it rains and make it difficult to climb. The air is fresh and its surrounded by an amazing view. I will not spoil the surprise from the trippers and await them to tell you more :)

*picture from googlemaps

You may click on this link to find out more about the school and DEAF, Inc.

MHI Outreach Team - Laguna, Philippines

Anthony is leading a group of 11 to the Christian Deaf School in Laguna, Philippines.

Want to find our more where they are going? Watch out the next few days.

Seeing Life from God's View

Last SUNDAY, we welcomed PengPeng, Jasmine, Anthony, Alan and Shifeng to SF . It was good to see friends from MHI's past and our fellowship was definitely enriched with their presence. We all look forward to having fellowship with them again on the 22nd March.

In the video by Pastor Rick Warren, he asked us what is our life's metaphor (image/symbol/analogy)? What is yours? A pack of cards? A roller coaster? A puzzle? A party? We are reminded the metaphor we have of our lives will reflect the way we live our lives. If we think of life like a party, then all we aim to do is to have fun. If we think of life as a competition, our life will be just about winning. Is your life metaphor based on the world's metaphor of success?

The bible mentions 3 metaphors that teach us about God's view on life.

• Life is a test
• Life is a trust
• Life is a temporary assignment (next session)

Our entire life is a test!! Wow.... Our characters are developed and revealed through test that God has given to us. "We will be tested by major changes, by delayed promises, by impossible problems, by unanswered prayers and by undeserved criticism." During these tests, there will be moments that we will not feel the presence of God just like King Hezekiah (read 2 Chronicles 32). What do we do in moments like these? Do we turn our backs on Him? Do we give up? Let us all understand that God will never test us beyond our capabilities and will always give us strength to endure them. Do read 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Our life is also a trust. The "energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts that God has entrusted to our care and management." We were reminded that God has placed us as stewards and guardians for these things. One item which the video specifically highlighted is money. Are we good managers of our money? Does the manner in which we manage money prevents God from doing more in our lives?

Indeed life is a test and a trust. What are YOU going to do about it? Let us all reflect on these points. Here is a quick summary from Lynette on pdf.

Publish at Scribd or explore
Cartoon from Joyfultoons

A Reminder To All !

This SUNDAY church service is at 830 am !

It's the 124th anniversary of Wesley Methodist Church

This Sat, there is badminton practice @ 330pm :)
Kindly refer to the section MHI Events for more details.

Thanks!

See you all over this weekend !

What Drives Your Life?

Indeed that is an interesting question. It made me take a hard look at myself and reflect the driving forces of my life.


Rick Warren lists 5 of the most common driving forces of our lives in this chapter.

• Guilt- Many people live their lives burdened by past guilt. Perhaps it is regret or hiding in shame for an episode long ago. "We are products of our past but we do not have to be prisoners of it". God wants to give us fresh start. (Psalm 32:1)

• Resentment & Anger- You may feel there is some unfairness. Because of that you may feel resentful and even anger. While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, we may continue to feel resentful and allow it to continue to hurt us. Warren’s advice is “For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.” (Job 5:2)
  

• Fear - Fear is a self-imposed prison that keeps us from becoming what God intends us to be. Perhaps we fear due to an unrealistic expectation or growing up in a tightly controlled environment. During our sharing, someone mentioned that we in Singapore tend to have a fear of "losing out". We banish fear with faith and love. (1 John 4:18)
  

• Materialism - We are all driven by material things. A new phone, a new bag or a new laptop? Even a new car or a new house. We want more things because society has taught us that more is better, more can make us feel more happy, contented and even superior. Our value is not determined by our valuables. God reminds us that the most valuable things in life are not things! (Matthew 6:24)

• Need For Approval -Have you ever felt that you didn't want to disappoint your parents, friends, teachers or partners? In school or office we try to be "cool" and live our life seeking reassurance/confirmation or approval from others for the things we do. Being controlled by the opinions of other is a guaranteed way to miss God’s purposes for your life.

All these 5 reasons will lead us to unused potential, unnecessary stress, and an unfulfilled life. That is why it is important to know God's purpose in our life. In the next week, we will go through 5 benefits to knowing our purpose and lead a more meaningful (purposeful) life.

I am encouraged by this chapter and I want to look beyond the mistakes of my past. I want to live a life that God intended for me.

Care to Join me?

Purpose Driven Life
Image from Google. Link here.

CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTY

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

7th Feb, Sat @ 4pm
8th Floor, YWCA

Many games,
Plenty activities,
Loads of yummie food,
Tons of fun !!!

See you all there :)

You are not an accident!!!

Indeed we are not!
In Isaiah 44:2, it says...

I am your Creator.
You were in my care even before you were born.

We watched the video by Pastor Rick Warren, who reminded us that God decided how and when we were to be born. As God never makes mistakes, you and I are not accidents. Phew! We have been part of His plans all along, our lives in His mind even before the world was created.

He created us because God is love. All of us are His expression of love towards us. That is why we have this world to live in, a place so meticulously and specially designed that experts have concluded that the fundamental goal and purpose of the cosmos was to be inhabited by mankind :)

In our discussion group last week, we explored areas where we may not be happy with the way we were created. Perhaps some areas of ourselves, our weight, our face, our hair or even our height? (WT?) Perhaps our past or background is not something we are proud of. It was interesting to listen to everyone share about some insecurities and discover that each of us is not perfect.

Yet all of us were reassured by the passage in the bible that God is our Creator and has a purpose for each and everyone of us.

Check out Isaiah 46:3-4 , Isaiah 45:18, James 1:18 and Romans 12:3

It all starts with God !!

Greetings in the name of the Lord !!!

For the next 3 months (6 sessions), SF will be going through the book, Purpose Driven Life - Chapter 1, What on Earth Am I Here For?

Last Sunday, we looked at Session 1 - It All Starts With God!
There was a short video (which i unfortunately cannot reproduce here due to copyright issues) but will try to summarise here.

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. - Eph 1:11 (The Message)

We talked about a car. We all know cars are used to transport us from one place to another. However for someone who has never drove a car, been driven in a car or seen a car, he or she will wonder what is the car used for? he or she will need to ask the creator of the car to find out its purpose.....

Similarly, since we did not create ourselves, would it not be wise if we ask our Creator? Should we not ask God the purpose He created you and I?

We went through a few questions this week..
1. You discover your purpose and identity through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. God was thinking of you long before you ever thought about Him.
3. The purpose of your life fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity.
Do take some time and read what the bible has to say on this, (Hint: read Psalm 57:2, Job 12:10)

See you this coming SUNDAY,

I would leave all of you with this question today,

How does knowing God's purpose make a difference in your life?

Bible as the Word of God - 12th Dec 2008

A couple of weeks back, we looked at the Bible a little more closely.
Indeed many of us own a bible, some even more than one (like me)
But have we asked ourselves,

How did the bible come about?
Who decided what books goes into the bible?
Is the bible just a book on history?

The bible is more than just a book of our christian history. Many shared during our discussion that the bible is a book where we discover God intimately and His will for us, a source of comfort in times of distress and a guide in our life.

Owning a bible is simple. Reading the bible daily and engaging God is where all the fun and joy begins. As we start 2009, let us try and make it a point to engage God and read the bible as often as we can.

I have attached a link where you can read God's work and do some personal quiet time.
OUR DAILY BREAD

See you all on SUNDAY :)

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

A BLESSED NEW YEAR :)

From all of us in MHI, we wish you a very

BLESSED NEW YEAR :)

What a year it has been for us in MHI...
As we start this new year, let us just take a few minutes
and reflect on 2008 and the things we did.

Anything you want to repeat in 2009?
I am sure we can think of many....

May one of it be a closer and deeper relationship
with God, our Father in Heaven.

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Have a blessed year ahead people :)

Watchnight Covenant Renewal Service

Dear all,

Kindly take note that if you are attending Watchnight Service or if you know of any HIs who is attending it and not reading this blog, do notify me so that I can look for interpreters.

The service starts at 10.00pm. I'm not sure what time it ends but according to my experience, it ends around 1.00 am.

In His Blessings,
Anthony

Hi all,

It's me Joyce here.
I want to say something about yesterday candlelight service.
IT WAS TRULY AWESOME !
I love it !
It inspired me alot, and i finally have the Christmas feeling !
Waiting for updates from SF leaders =p

Okay, see you all tomorrow @ church at 830am ! =)
Have a blessed evening ahead !!

Carols By Candlelight

Feeling the warmth of Christmas yet?
Want to experience the joy of singing carols in the midst of candlelights?

A glimpse of 2007 Carols By Candlelight during the litany

Join us on 23 Dec this year! Do come as early as 7.00pm to get seats.

Don't miss this annual event of the year!

See you there!

The Christmas Party last Sunday was successful !!

WELL DONE !!

Thanks to God for His guidance !!
Praise to God..

Christmas Party

Are you all excited?

MHI Christmas Party is in 2 days!!!

Family Life Worship & Penang Adventure

This SUNDAY we will have an update from the team that went to Penang. Loads of stories to share with all of us including the many friends they met during their trip up north..

But before that, we will be joining Family Life Service at YWCA (details from Ant below).

See all of you there !!!!

-----
Dear all,

MHI will be joining in Family Life Worship at YWCA this SUNDAY (30 Nov). Kindly take note of the details:
Event: Family Life Worship
Venue: YWCA Ballroom (Level 2)
Date: 30 November 2008
Time: 10.00am to 11.30am

The organising committee has kindly reserved 3 rows of seats for our ministry on the left front section of the ballroom. Do join us for a time of family bonding in Christ!

Please take note that there will be no interpreted service at Wesley Prayer & Praise Hall on 30 Nov.

*image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Wesleypg2.jpg

Jesus Will Come Again - 23rd Nov 2008

Last Sunday we were reminded that Jesus will return again to bring us all to be with Him. Some people ask..., when will Jesus return? why is Jesus returning? how will He return?

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am

These are all very valid questions and we should take time to learn and discover the answers. Have a look through the presentation...to find your answers.

If you have any questions or doubts...you can speak to any of your discussion leaders in SF. Have a blessed week ahead.

SF231108
Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Church as a body of Christ - 9th Nov 2008

Yesterday, Lynette led us in our study and discussion on the "Church as a body of Christ."

All of us must feel honoured that we make up the Church. It is not the buildings we congregate each Sunday or during Easter/Christmas. The church is made up of the people, you and I.
We are the church!!!!

Knowing the fact that we make up the church gives each of us a responsibility to uphold. Read the preso below and see some suggestions on how we can work together and build each other in growing our "church".

SF091108Get your own at Scribd or explore others: