Sharing His love (SM main page)

Who can compare?

2010-03-06T09:11:00.002+08:00

Reading numerous GP packages have yes, enlightened me with the current affairs of our world. But before we forget, it's not our world but rather God's world. I have understood better the atrocities of God's children, the corruption of His people, the wicked mentality of His creation who have adopted the persistent greed that shadows their thoughts all day long. Not to mention the superiority complex that God's people have, regarding themselves all high and mighty and of course the spiteful judgement they impose on others. And before we forget, God's creation, God's people, God's children - that's us.

Now imagine, our Father up in heaven more than aware of the disfiguration of the world He created, caused by His children. God knows of the past, present and even the future foolish decisions His dear children made, makes and will make.

The nuclear arms race. How did we end up at such a state, really? The more important question would be why we chose to. The destruction and unflattering truth of the world now, disheartens me. Maybe that's why they say - ignorance is bliss. But then you might wonder, would God choose to ignore? Well if He did, God would not have made the effort and the greatest sacrifice two thousand years ago, sacrificing His only son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. And "us" being the people who often prioritize other things over God, people who defy God's word, people who hypocritically say we love God but do not live up to it. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave us his one and only son, that whoever who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". God's love, who can compare? My heart cries when I read Joshua 1:9, it says "the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go", where God so faithfully watches and protects us, but we simply take it for granted.

Jeremiah 29:12 always comforts me - "call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you". No matter how smallour cry might be, God hears us, He knows when we call Him. And then now, you might delve in to a pit of guilt of not hearing or choosing to listen to God when He calls us to something.

As a child, I always imagined God's voice to be this loud booming voice, one that would tremble the earth, thunder cracking at the background and when God speaks, the whole earth stops and listens. Even though, yes God doesn't always speak to us directly with His voice, He speaks to us through so many other avenues - loved ones, songs and of course, His word (the bible)

God has really done so much for us, nothing can compare. The next time when He speaks to you, will you stop and listen? Or would you dismiss God's call to you? God has done an incomparable amount of things for us and it is time for us to give back to this God of ours, who deserves it all.

Take care & God bless,
Diane

Riches and power? God has both.

2010-02-23T20:11:00.000+08:00

Before I begin this post, everyone in the sparked movement team would like to wish all of you a very Happy Lunar New Year to everyone! :)

Well so 2 nights ago, I was in the car with my mom and sister. My sister brought up this topic of money, fame and power. She highlighted the harsh reality of our world, that indeed our practicality has overwhelmed us that insubstantial things such as money, fame and power has engulfed us. The thought of how our lives has become so materially-centred led to the thought of how God watches His children. How families are torn apart by disputes over inheritance, how people stoop down low using unscrupulous means to attain fame and power, how so many in the world are blinded by greed for these superficial things. It pains me. But can you imagine the hurt that our Father feels?

2 Corinthians 5:7 says "For we walk by faith and not by sight" Why is it then that we live to attain these material riches rather than God's riches?

Why is it then that we compromise the values that Christ has taught us just to satisfy our greed for the temporal limelight? Why is then also, that we worship money and power instead of believing that God is the ultimate provider?

I used to wonder what God meant by "riches". Being "rich" wasn't dependent on the monetary wealth of a person, but rather it was the richness in spirit and faith that determined how "rich" you were.

Hebrews 13:5 says "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” "

Do remember that God will provide, and it's not necessary for us to fret over matters such as not having enough money or a job that does not pay well. Whatever situation God puts you in, He provides you with what He deems sufficient. Also, what i find amazing in this God of ours is that while being the most powerful, God does not abuse His power, He does not succumb to bribery or treachery but our faithful God loves us above everything else. And you don't need to gain recognition via means of fame and power because the most High, our Everlasting God recognizes you.

So the next time you grow envious of someone apparently "rich, famous and powerful", do know that man only has that amount of access to those and it all eventually comes to an end. However, our God who is truly rich, famous and powerful is the everlasting God, the alpha and the omega and His glory and love endures forever.

Take care & God bless,
Diane

Why believe in God’s existence, when it can’t be proven scientifically?

2010-02-07T22:04:00.001+08:00

If you truly stop and ask yourself. Have you really ever doubted God;s existence before? God exists everywhere, in every corner of our lives. We can feel it because we're His children. Yet, how do you prove to your friends and family that God truly exists?

Well, I chanced upon this article, on RBC website. Do take a look (:

Something that can be demonstrated by the scientific method is a scientific fact. But it doesn’t follow that just because something can’t be demonstrated scientifically it is less “real” or important than “scientific fact.”

For example, the survival of human civilization depends on the distinction that most people make between good and evil. Yet moral values like good and evil can’t be scientifically proven. Does the fact that moral values can’t be proven imply that they are less real—less “factual” in an ultimate sense—than the things that science can prove?

Most people would consider it morally evil for a man/woman to abandon his/her wife/husband and young children to begin a new life with another woman/man. Most people would consider this a serious moral failure, one of the “worst” things a person could do. But is there any compelling “scientific evidence” that could be brought to bear on such behavior to “prove” that it is wrong?

What “scientific evidence” could prove that murder, rape, and robbery are wrong? What would become of our system of justice if the prosecution had to scientifically prove that it is wrong for one person to kill, rape, or rob another person!

The existence of love, evil, and good are not “falsifiable hypotheses.” Yet most people—including atheists—admit that values like “love,” “goodness,” “friendship,” and “loyalty” are moral/spiritual realities that truly exist. Theists, whether Christian or non-Christian, have long considered the mind-boggling complexity of the material universe as evidence of a Creator. Although the scientific “spirit of the age” of the 20thcentury once insisted that the material world was nothing more than the product of impersonal, random evolution, today’s scientific consensus is shifting towards the conclusion that the universe was consciously designed (with incredible exactitude) for the development of life.1

Just as it is reasonable to assume that everything in physical reality has a cause, it is reasonable to assume that everything in spiritual reality has a cause. Immaterial spiritual values like love and goodness are even more amazing than the material wonders of the universe.

God’s existence cannot be proven scientifically. But although God’s existence can’t be proven, reasonable people acknowledge that the small number of alternative explanations for the wonders of material and spiritual reality can’t be proven either. Although faith is as much a matter of the heart as the mind, and belief in God is a moral as well as a rational decision, the rational case for the existence of God as the source of all reality is stronger than any other explanation.

http://rbc.org/questionsDetail.aspx?id=45738&Topic=784

jieyi(:

Isaiah 41

2010-01-21T11:04:00.003+08:00

Hello! Apologies for the lack of posts. We will try to do this on a more regular basis!

Anyway, here's a photo accompanied by a really powerful verse. I'm not sure what how everyone's doing, but what I know for sure is that there will be many a times when we feel down, afraid, and unsure about our life, and our days ahead. So here's just an encouragement! Thank God for His amazing love powerful enough to say these words!

taken during cambodia mission trip 2009

take care everyone! (:

love,tiff

A standard to follow

2009-12-24T00:35:00.002+08:00

For the past couple of months, God has really been teaching me alot on thanksgiving. Thanking God for the bare necessities that we often overlook. Thanking God for the food, the water, the parents, friends and loved ones which and whom we often complain or resent about, often because they don't meet our apparent "optimum standard". But then again, who are we to set a standard? Especially when God, the most high loves us unconditionally even when we very obviously, sin and don't meet His standard.

The following is an entry by Roxanne Robbins in my ODJ issue entitled "Praise in the slum", which intrigued me to share this with you.

So here goes: "More than a million people live in Kibera, East Africa's largest slum, located in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya. A railroad track divides the massive area in half and, when no train is chugging through, also serves as a walking path for Kibera residents and visitors.

One day, as I was trekking down the track, a man in a shabby suit approached my friend and me. "i've just come from church," he proclaimed. Appearing to be oblivious to the horrible stench that prmeates his s600-acres slum home, he thanked us for coming by and added with a smile, "The Lord loves us and will provide for us." He then shook our hands and walked away.

Surely this man craved better circumstances, but somehow he could still "Acknowledge that the Lord is God" and that the Lord will take care of him "as a sheep of his pasture" (Psalm 100:3)

His secret? Perhaps, more often than most of us, he has searched for water and found none; then, with a parched tongue, he's cried out to God for provision - and He delivered. Perhaps a mere cup at first. But then more. Of the poor and needy, God says, "I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them..Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground" (Isaiah 41:17-18)

Through this man was a stranger, his life and faith have greatly inspired me. He showed me it's possible to praise God while living in squalor. We can, regardless of our physical circumstances, "worship the Lord with gladness...singing with joy" (Psalm 100:2). For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever" (Psalm 100:5)."

This entry struck me that while those who are desolate, desperate and in dire straits still holds strongly to their faith, with no complain or resentment, trusting and knowing He'd provide, people like us, who live in comfort not having to worry about the next meal. Really, what have we to complain about? And that wasn't the only point that struck out. The fact that the man in the story spoke with courage to the author and her friend, without hesitation of how they'd view him, from his shabby clothes, probably also reflects on how he understood God's theory of "not judging". We're all guilty of judging the person next to us, a stranger on the street of all sorts of things. But why is it that we care so much of how others look at us rather than how God views us, especially when we shouldn't even be judging in the first place.

So friends, the next time you pause in hesitation, wondering of how people are going to judge you, tell yourself that God loves you no matter what you wear, how you smell etc. The only standard we should take note off is the standard we should follow - God's standard.

Take care & God bless,

Diane

Temporal or eternal worth?

2009-11-23T13:09:00.000+08:00

Hey friends!

"There are some things on earth that money can't buy."

I'm quite sure many have heard of that statement before. The other day I was just pondering over it, and a thought came across my mind:

There are two types of 'things' on earth. the type which money CAN buy, and the type which money CAN'T buy.

The first type would mean material things like clothes, food, electronic items and whatever else. They are things which plays a highly significant role in our daily lives now.

The other type which money can't buy would be things like family, (true) friendships, time. These play a much bigger role in our lives compared those stated in the previous para, but we tend to take them for granted so many a times.

And so the point is, why the difference between the two?

My answer would be, the stuff that money can buy, are things that are created by human hands.

Whilst for the precious things that money can't buy, are created by much Bigger, Wiser, and Purposeful hands. -God's :)

The God who is eternal, forever. Family, friendships, time can go on and on forever for eternity too, if we choose to look at it and keep it that way. :) While as we all know, material things don't. In fact, most of it don't even last for our lifetime here on earth!

Personally, this thought left me quite in awe. I am in awe of this God I acknowledge as my God, because He took on the job of creating things for us by himself which would really end up the most precious of all - in comparison to the other things which He gave us the talent to create.

Another reason to praise God! haha yayyy. Happy holidays to all the secondary school people, very soon for JC, poly and uni ones! Remember to take these last few months of the year to discover reasons to keep yourself continually praising Him! :D

love,tiff(:

PS: Our tagboard is rather dead! when you visit here, tag please! It'll leave us encouraged and more inspired to post more posts!

2009-11-14T23:42:00.001+08:00

I can't agree more with Diane's post! God is our loving Abba Father who loves us beyond what we can imagine. A recent devotion caused me to think: I know God loves me, sure, but do I really BELIEVE that?

1 John 4:16 - And we have known and believed the love that God has for us …

In the same way, while we often know how great & powerful God is, that He can do anything & everything (except lie), we don't always believe He is willing to do it for us. Remember the leper in Matthew 8? He came to Jesus, bowed down, & said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." He had no doubt that Jesus had the power. But he didn't know if Jesus was WILLING.

I have been searching my heart & soul lately, wondering if I, too, like the leper, doubt that God is willing. Do i only know that God loves me, and not truly believe it in my heart of hearts?

As I come to the word, and read "For God so loved the world that He gave .... " I cannot help but linger on those first few words - and then it hits me afresh again. Yes, He loves me SOOOO much that Jesus died, a perfectly sinless man (God's only Son), on that cruel cross, so that ALL my sins (past, present & future) were nailed to the cross with Him. I realise I have to and I really want to daily spend time renewing my mind with the truth - God's word, so that I can understand, experience & BELIEVE more & more just how deeply I am loved.

So it is no wonder, that the book of 1 John is filled with reminders of how deeply our Abba Father loves us. "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God ...." [chpt 3:1]

Beloved daughter of the Most High King, rest in His love today! And give thanks! [In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:18]

Rejoicing in His abundant love,
elaine

TGFE

2009-11-02T22:39:00.000+08:00

Often a time, we see people use the abbreviation - TGIF aka Thank God It's Friday. And yes, every week after a tiresome week long of school, I too often go "woohoo, TGIF!". Indeed, thank God it's Friday! But why is it only on Fridays that we exclaim out that phrase? Why is it that we never see people go TGIM/TGIT/TGIW etc.? We usually say TGIF because the weekend has arrived and rest awaits us, am i right? And also, we thank God for bringing us through the week. But why only proclaim our thanksgiving on Friday? I suggest we thank God everyday, for everything. Like literally, everything. It doesn't mean we only thank God when our apparent "good" things befall upon us and carry a heavy heart when we are put through suffering. At the toughest times, we should remain thankful.

For example, when your mother is nagging at you to go study, revise, tuition whatnot. Do not resent such a situation but instead face it with a heart of thanksgiving, thankful for even having a mother stand before you and nag at you, a mother who painstakingly brought you up. Or when you're done with your school work, it's 2am and you have to wake up at 6 for school. Don't bat your eyelids and wish there wasn't school. Instead, thank God that you have school to attend, an opportunity for a future, thankful that you're one of the top 10% of kids in the world who have the chance to attend school while others slog out in the fields or are forced to slave with their only hope for education unconceivable.

The night before promo results were released, I was fretting, panicking, foolishly not trusting enough in God. I sat at my computer and told God, "God, grant me comfort and peace." Soon after, I visited a blog of one of my friends and there was a youtube video on 2 Ugandan children. [Go check it out: type "Sam and Esther" on youtube]. Somehow, I was drawn to the video and as it delved deeper into the video, by the 3rd minute, I was bawling my eyes out. It simply magnified the many blessings around me, the hope that awaits me. After that video, there almost seemed no worry in me because it struck me that I should be thankful for whatever results I achieve. Be it above/below/on par with my expectations, it didn't matter any more. I felt just so thankful that night that I even had the opportunity to sit for my promos, to be in school, to be sitting in a sheltered room (in comfort) fretting over promos. I realised that you can only fully enjoy life when you are thankful and appreciate every little bit of it.

So to those facing one of the greatest adversities of life, remember to look at life with an unfailing heart of thanksgiving. Just like what Colossians 2:7 says "strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Remember to never forget to thank God for all things that He has blessed you with. It's tough to be thankful especially when you're in a dire situation, but remember when you fill your hearts with thanksgiving, you see the hope in life, or more likely, His hope for you in life. So yes, lets exercise what LoveMG09 has taught us - REJOICE! Rejoice and be grateful for all that He has done for you. :)

Take care & God bless,
Diane

the Victory is ours.

2009-10-01T21:26:00.001+08:00

Hello everyone :)

It's the time of the year where everyone is digging in their books, mugging for exams and maybe so stressed out that your hair starts to grey. Well yes, for many of you exams might have already begun, is soon approaching or it might even be over! I sure hope this post didn't come too late a notice, but I'd like to share with you some exam advice. And instead of imparting studying techniques for you to gear up for this battle against your "daunting" exams, I'd like to share with you guys how to win this battle. The answer is in God.

I often tell my friends - Do your best and let God do the rest. And yes, I assure you that is the answer to your victory. I quote Mrs Ong (this was from a email when loveMG was confirmed postponed) - While we cannot deny God's sovereignty, we must also not forget man's responsibility.

I can't agree more. We cannot think complacently, thinking that God will assure us our good grades when the only studying we did was the night before. We have to be honest with ourselves, and reflect - Have I done my best? Can i do more than I have already done? And when you've given your best effort, don't forget the key ingredient - to commit all to God. Similarly, we cannot rely on ourselves for the ultimate victory because the victory lies in the hands of our Creator. He ultimately determines how you would perform and no matter what happens, really, do not forget to trust in Him. God knows what He is doing so never doubt of what comes your way because there is certainly a purpose and if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

I am certain that if you truly commit all your effort and completely trust that He will bring you through, you can most definitely proclaim 2 Timothy 4:7 - 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.'

So don't fret because God is here with you. He is ready to take your hand and lead you. Are you ready to take the first step? Below is a Student Prayer that my teachers in MG actually shared with my class in sec 3 and 4. I pray this every night before my paper and as effective as it is for me, I hope it'd be for you too. :)

A Student Prayer

Lord, grant me a quiet heart,
Before the examinations start.
Lead me to use my leisure hours,
To reinvigorate my powers.

My mind from daydreams liberate,
Give me the will to concentrate.
From all distractions set me free,
That in my studies I may be.

A student with a sole intent,
To make my work a sacrament.
From my faint heart in love expel,
All failure, fears that there in dwell.

And from my pillow drive away,
All dark forebodings of the day.
Help me in faith to rest so deep,
That I may have untroubled sleep.

While notes and subjects I prepare,
May I not lose my zest for prayer.
And may I not forget to look,
For daily guidance in Thy Book.

In quietness, confidence and peace,
May I have quick and sure release.
From needless fears and apprehension,
From outward strain and tension.

So may examinations find,
Each one alert in heart and mind.
Thus inward joy and peace possessing,
May examinations prove a blessing.

The sparked movement team will keep all of you in prayer :)

Take care & God bless,
Diane

Oh My God!

2009-09-27T20:59:00.000+08:00

Do you swear? How often do you swear??

"Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned." James 5:12

Is the bible really telling us not to swear? In this case here, swear does not mean the everyday "OMG", all the four letter words, and all those everyday swears. But in the sense of really swearing.

If we look at the other parts of the bible, many people have sworn before. Even God has sworn in his own name. So, what is James 5:12 trying to say?

Why do we swear? To emphasize that whatever we are saying at that time is true and real. "I swear to God, i'll never cheat on you again"

In fact, the preacher here is trying to tell us not to swear, because he wants us to be truthful and honest all the time. By being truthful and honest all the time, we do not have to swear to make others believe that our sentence is true. Because you've been truthful and honest, they can hold you accountable for your word, and therefore, there is no need to swear!

Of course, this does not mean "Oh My God" and other curse words are allowed. Remember not to proclaim the Lord's name in vain!

-jie

I AM WHO I AM

2009-09-21T01:20:00.000+08:00

Who is God, really?

So many times we wonder,where do we find our answers ?
Or do we just live life and expect an answer to fall from the sky.

So often we come across the verse Exodus 3:14

14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . [a] This is what you are to say to the
Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'

You may look at that verse and question what God was trying to say.What exactly was his intention in calling himself "I AM"?

Think about it, Who has the name "I AM".
Logically speaking, that isn't even a noun.

What God is saying is "whatever you need, that's what I AM"

This was what God said to Moses when Moses needed encouragement and strength in his life.
Later in this chapter,verse 15 God carries on saying,

God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, [c] the God of your
fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be
remembered from generation to generation.

God IS still I AM today.
He is still what you need.

Is Comfort your need?

"Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7

Do we need victory?

"But thanks be to God!He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1Cor 15:57

Do we need love?

"God is love" 1 John 4:8

Whatever your need is, ask of Him for God the Father will not give you stone when you ask for bread, he will give good gifts to those who ask Him as in Matthew 7.

Matthew 7:7-12

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and
to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9"Which of you, if his son
asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him
a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those
who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to
you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

God is the great I AM.
God be with you.

Grace

Here

2009-09-13T22:52:00.004+08:00

Tomorrow marks the start of the final term for those still studying, esp in MG, and I'm sure that as today draws to a close many have mixed feelings. Happy, sad, excited, worried, anxious, etc. The start of the 4th term means that EOYS and Os are coming up REALLY quick,yeah! :) Going through a decade (10years) of that , I daresay I perfectly understand .

I don't know how you've spent the holidays, whether you've rested enough, played enough, studied enough. Whatever it is, school starts tomorrow. Reality starts again. You know what's reality? You might say the studying, the unfinished pile of homework that is calling out to you, the teachers' nagging, the big exams coming up. But there is a far greater reality that is coming up, that has already been existance for a long time. A reality that needs to be REALized.

God is there, dwelling in every corner of this school we call so dearly ours. I believe that God calls MGS-His dearly own too. How do we know? His faithfulness to the school has been evident of course - that is one thing we never fail to speak of and reflect during prize giving and on founders' day during the Principal's speech. However there's one thing we've probably failed to realize every school day, the one important thing that proves that God loves and watches over MG.

That is, you and I.

He made you, and because of the grace which flowed down with much love from the cross, He lives in us as well. If He dwells in us, then every part of the school should shine with His glory , and His presence felt, because we are everywhere :D

Since we ARE the school.
The question now is, are you/we a vessel of Christ that shines God's glory?

But is it so? Do you actually feel Christ in school? Or do you more often feel downcast, with mind bogged down with school and other personal matters?

Well, maybe because we're suppressing the Spirit's promptings in our hearts, we're not allowing Him to take full control of our lives, not allowing His glory to radiate through us.

Then its time for that to change.

One thing MGS is so blessed with, are the Christian values that are openly encouraged and taught. If this is so, there is no good reason for us to be keeping our faith at minimal level. Ever heard how people from both inside and outside of MG say that in mission schools, sometimes faith becomes mediocre? WE CAN CHANGE THAT, IF WE BELIEVE AND WANT TO! I believe that God has called MGS to be different, to be indeed a place where He is so strongly felt, where chains are broken and lives are healed. Indeed, whether God can be seen and felt, it is really up to us. Each one of us!

Believe me, God is already present within our grey and white walls. We just need to make Him visible. Am reading "Finding God in Unexpected Places" by Philip Yancey (its a really good book, go get it :D), and in his introduction, one thing he said was this:
"In the world of faith, particularly, some things have to be believed to be seen."

So take heart my dearest friends. Believe that He is there, and He is definitely watching, loving and caring for each one of you. From tomorrow, all the way till the last day of the school year, and for the rest of this life He has given you. When you believe in that- you'll feel it, people will around will sense it & soon, everyone would be REJOICING in the Lord all the time, regardless of good times or bad! :)

Tiff

The Marker

2009-09-02T22:31:00.005+08:00

Once upon a time there was a marker, named Painty. Thus its full name was Painty Marker. Say hello to Painty Marker!

Painty was delivered to Popular Bookshop for sale. Before it got packaged into the box, the kindly manufacturer told him:

"Remember that your job is to be a useful tool to your future owner. Never
struggle against him, just let him use you as he intends to. You're full of so
much more potential than you've ever imagined. Perhaps when you get a chance to
look at what your owner created with you, you'll be surprised and amazed."

Painty promised he would remember all that.

The next thing he knew, he was sitting on a display at the Popular Bookshop. Immediately he was awed by the sight of the many many different kinds of markers he saw sitting all around him on display too! For awhile, he felt small and insignificant, because there seemed to be sooo many more markers that looked bigger and more impt than him! His fears were soon replaced when a man stepped into the shop and while scanning through all the markers, picked and bought him! Painty was overjoyed - perhaps he isn't so insignificant anymore! The whole journey home, Painty was just full of excited thoughts and questions about his new life ahead.

When they got home, the man took him out, as well as some old cardboard pieces. Painty was slightly taken aback - surely his owner wouldn't want him to mix around with such old and dirty things! Or even worse.. WRITE on it?! But thats just what the man did. Painty was horrified and about to struggle when he suddenly remembered the kind manufacturer's advice. Never struggle against him. It wasn't easy trying to, but eventually the little marker did so. Slowly, he got into the rhythmical pattern the man was making him go through and started enjoying himself.

However, things got uncomfortable soon after. Somehow, Painty went dry!

"Uhoh.. how did that happen? Will the man throw me away?" thought the marker.

Apparently not, but something worse and a lot more uncomfortable happened. The man started shaking and pressing the tip violently nonstop!

"AHHHHHHH",the marker moaned.

It was so painful! Eventually the man stopped, and continued using Painty to write. To Painty's surprise, he found himself having much more ink now to write! In fact, writing became even easier because so much was overflowing out of him.

"Hey, perhaps that wasn't so bad after all",the marker thought, and smiled to itself.

The shaking and pressing of Painty's tip happened several times, but as the little marker discovered, he worked better after that. :)

Finally, the man finished his intended work and laid it out. Painty, who never knew what he was doing as it only could see that exact point of contact he had with the cardboard at that moment, rolled over and tried to see what the man had done. When he saw what it was, he gasped.

The man had used Painty, to write a message of love - bolded and declared loudly to the one he loved.

--

We're kinda like the marker, while God's the man in that story. He picked us out of millions of other things and called us His own. He has a plan, a purpose, a calling for us - He had it all mapped out already in His mind. Lovingly, He picks us up and uses us - sometimes in places we can't imagine or never thought possible. We might struggle at first, because we don't understand why here, or why this. And when that happens, He can't use us.. till we surrender.

Okay so we surrender, we accept his unknown ways.. just trusting. But sometimes unknowingly, we go dry. So dry till we don't realize it till we get shaken. Like the story, God sometimes needs to shake us (violently at times), before we get going again, overflowing with His hope, love and faith.

Oh yes, don't expect yourself to get shaken just once. We can go dry more than once, so yeah, sometimes we just go through those painful times a few times. But know that He is still there, holding you, watching you :) Instead of wondering "where is God, why did He let me go through all these crap", why don't tell yourself "God has a perfect reason for all these happening, and i'm gonna wait on Him, trust, and know that there is a light at the end of this dark, cold tunnel"

You'll find yourself a lot stronger after all these trials really. In His time. :)

And perhaps one day when you look back, when you're done running that race, you'll gasp as well. Because you'll find out that all those times, He was actually using your life as a testimony of His abundant love, in those places you once thought undesirable. Look back, and see His love glowing all over the dark and dirty areas, through your life, through your heart.

Hope this spoke to you(:

Tiff

PS: Hhahaha I came up with the painty marker analogy while doing signs and goodbye cards for the several loved friends who left Singapore for further studies in various overseas institutions :) To them (who should be reading this), TAKECARE(:

Solution? Real love

2009-08-18T14:14:00.003+08:00

Hey friends!

Recently, i've been thinking and seeing the word "Love" in my quiet time, in church, and in my random thoughts. Even coming to this page reminds me yet again of Love. (if you noticed, that word seems to appear a number of times here). Hence, I was just pondering and reflecting about it and here's just some thought for us all. :)

We've all been through the crisis. Well if you haven't, I believe you will eventually ;) That is, the identity crisis. We wonder who we are, we start thinking if we are of any use to this world, if we're good enough for those around us. If we were to seach deep down in our hearts on why we go through this supposed crisis, it is simply because we are looking for love. In our perception, love means being accepted. Getting rejected by friends, family, or maybe the opposite sex plunges us down into a sea of sadness. In sadness, one feels no love. Nowadays, we call it "emo". Haha. Those who are still a current mg girls, i'm sure you know at least 2 or 3 friends who are in the emo stage. Maybe, you too are in that stage.

We feel so empty.. so unloved. Sometimes we resort to other things to just fill up that empty part in our hearts. Getting addicted to tv, facebook, blogging, or maybe even mugging our lives away (that takes up a lot of time) are perhaps some things we try to fill ourselves up with, so that we can have some sort of satisfaction and pleasure in life. The problem is, these are temporal things. Whether you know it now or not, when all these are taken away you'll be back at square one. The emptiness rushes in again. Our heart, soul and spirit is simply - :( :( :( (1 sad face for each haha)

You're only 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and maybe older. Technically, you're not even halfway through your life. I dont know about you, but for me the thought of spending and living the rest of your life on temporal happiness dosen't sound very exciting, nor very nice.

We need a solution.

Let me bring you to this famous part of the Bible. "It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" 1 Corinthians 13:7-8. God is love. So in other words, it says that "God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always peseveres. God never fails"

Isnt that wonderful? He never fails. Everything else in life may fail; your friends, family, computer, exams. But He simply dosen't. This also means that the joy and love He gives is everlasting. We don't need to go searching for other things that gives us temporal joy, because we have found the one that lasts forever. This Love also has a greater meaning. It protects, trusts, hopes, peseveres. In fact it is a lot more, this only describes a little on what this Love really is.

I believe that our identity crisis ends when we find real love, which is Christ. Our identity has also been found, which is Him! When we accept and invite Him into our hearts truly, He comes ever so lovingly and willingly into our lives. What He does, is overflow and fill up your life with so much joy, love hope and peace. I can tell you that with much confidence because I've personally experienced that. It dosen't mean that your problems will disappear, but it does means that you're not alone fighting your problems. He is there, He is there.

And you know, when you're so full of love, a bit tends to spill out. Soon, you'll find yourself having the extra strength to love those around you so much more! This, is what we call Sharing His Love :)

Tiff

He saves the humble.

2009-08-10T18:44:00.001+08:00

Helloo friends :)

this is my first post and I'm really excited to share with you God's word! So firstly, let me begin with a verse from Psalms.

"For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." (Psalm 149:4)

I got this verse from Facebook. And yes you heard me right, FACEBOOK. Well this application was added to my fb account ever since I got one. The application is called - Daily Bible Scriptures, if you're interested to know. Thank God for this application, really. They've got some really amazing verses :)

I believe many of you are probably like me - Facebook addicts. You log on to your internet, check your mail and you're immediately drawn to facebook every single day. Well at least, i know that's almost my daily routine! Your time and energy is just sapped away as you check out your friend's new pictures or play the numerous games on the website. And then after that, you're overwhelmed by the guilt that you've neglected your work because you spent most of the time on the internet, or maybe, you're overwhelmed by the guilt that you've neglected, God.

I cannot deny that this has happened to me, not once but countless occasions. Surfing the internet till 11ish, and then going up to bed, almost ready to do QT and bam, i fall asleep. This has happened to me so many times over the past term and it's definitely not an example to follow. Have you ever considered using the amount of time on FB, doing something more wholesome, more fruitful, like reading the Bible? My sister went on this 40-day fast from FB and she has definitely grown in faith. Nothing beats the joy of acknowledging God's faithfulness to us. He is the almighty, our strength and our fortress.

I'd consider the Bible as God's Face-book, because it provides us a reflection of our sins, and it also reflects God's greatness and love. So we've got 2 choices now, indulging in the eternal facebook of God's word, or the facebook that only brings us temporal joy.

I know it's hard kicking the entire facebooking habit immediately, so if it might help, you can add the 'Daily Bible Scriptures' to your bookmarks on fb. But NEVER replace your QT with that one Bible verse on fb. Remember QT is a time for only you and Christ.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)

Our God is faithful, and He heals and rescues all those with burdened hearts. Do commit and do not be afraid of judgement because do remember, He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

Have a blessed week :)

Take care & God bless,

Diane

We want your stories!

2009-08-02T00:10:00.003+08:00

Hey friends!

To get this blog started & a little more alive, we're welcoming testimonies and little sharings from you about LoveMG!

There's basically two categories here.. one for LoveMG2009, and another for previous LoveMGs! We'll like to hear about how/what did God speak to you about and your best memory of LoveMG. Basically, your experience of LoveMG (: We want to celebrate with the little stories we all got together!

So, start emailing sparked.movement@gmail.com and we'll respond to you indicating we've got it. Do leave your class/level (if you're still studying in MG), or your graduating class (eg: class of 2005) if you've graduated, in the email. If you wish to remain anonymous that is fine as well.

Thank you, we hope to see some mail coming in soon! :D

much love,
Tiff

Lean not on our own understandings.

2009-07-29T21:25:00.006+08:00

Hello y'all. :)
Praise God! Ever heard of this man: Nick Vujicic? A great man of God... May these videos be an encouragement to all of you. You're not an accident, and He loves you. It's true. The Lord wants you to experience His great love in a personal, intimate way. Don't let the Enemy's lies or life's hardships, questions steal the enjoyment and security of this great blessing. When your doubts arise, rely on the truth of God's Word. He loves you! Believe it, and eventually you will feel it!

God knows it all - frustrations, discouragement, anxiety, disappointments, goals, dreams, weariness, hurt, suffering...Lay it all down at the feet of Jesus. :)

Hope you're all holding up well. Trust that God will only settle for what's best for you, never the second best. Do email us if you've got any prayer requests k :) We believe that God hears and listens, and never at any time will there be only one person praying for/about/over something...There's always someone else God is hearing from. Every beat, every cry, of our hearts, He never misses.
Continue to rejoice in faith, strong or weak,
Gillian

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." (lamentations 3:21,22)
/His mercies are new every morning!/

2009-07-24T00:55:00.001+08:00

Don't know if anyone would see this on time but...

LOVEMG IS TODAY! (So is founders day! :D)

ARE YOU COMING? :)

6pm (preservice), 7pm (service starts!) SEE YOU THERE.

Sparked Movement; first post!

2009-07-22T23:45:00.000+08:00

Hello!(:

So, this is the very first post of this very pretty blog! It seems almost unreal to be posting here, because something that has been a dream for very long is actually HERE, right now! I cannot say how joyful I am now, and how many thankyous I want to say to our God because they are simply uncountable! Without Him, this would be absolutely impossible. I am not sure what I'm suppose to be posting on the first post (a lot of pressure here heh), but perhaps i'll take this opportunity to elaborate a little more on what has been written in the little circle at the top!

Around Nov 2007, I was at my youth service and there was a guest speaker who was talking about making a (Godly) difference in our schools. He gave an example of a group of girls belonging to a particular secondary school (shan't name schools here!) who made little cards displaying the message of God's love and gave it out to random students in the school! Somehow, God really spoke through that and I thought "If a non mission school could do it, why can't a mission school have such people daring to make such a difference?" So that was the beginning of this little organization we now call Sparked Movement. We don't know if you remember - but in 2008 we made little cards and bookmarks and left it on the class tables and pigeon holes :) Its okay if you don't, because we think plenty didn't!

In 2009, many of us graduated and although we did come back to give out another bookmark in feb, we subconciously forgot about this movement due to the busyness and excitement of settling down in our various new schools. God didn't forget however, and through certain events that happened, He moved once again in our hearts to convict us to come back together and start this all over again.

So, what are we doing now? Are we back to making little gifts for you all again? Well to a certain extent yes, but this time its through LOVEMG: MG REJOICE! We wanted to do the same theme (rejoicing) as them and somehow along the way... God brought us to contribute to the LoveMG event itself! What exactly are we doing and how we're doing it is secret for now.. so you have to come! :D Ever since we've entered into the LoveMG picture, its been such a journey of faith - full of miracles, promises, hope and love. As you should know, LoveMG was postponed and I assure you, much good and testimonies testifying of His love has come out of it! :)

Okay you may be wondering how does this blog link up to LoveMG. We pray and hope that this blog would be an extention of the event, because it is here where we continue rejoicing in His name as an MG family! Posts that would hopefully speak to you will be up, and so will testimonies from ourselves and YOU (see right hand column for more details) will be posted up too! Isn't that exciting!! We've recognized that there is a hunger & desperation for God in MGS, and so we sincerely hope that this blog would encourage us all past and present MG girls as we run this race Christ has laid out for us. And, that this place would reflect on how God is so real to us in our daily lives. That can happen in your life too you know?(:

Also, we are opening up our email for you to send your prayer requests so that we can pray for you! Hurts, sorrows, emo-ness is something that many of us go through and we want to be praying for you! So don't be afraid, and just drop us an email anytime okay? More details on the right hand column too!

For now, the 8 of us are just really excited for LoveMG because we are sure it will be an amazing night where His presence will be SO real! So (okay publicity time),

DO COME FOR LOVEMG, 6PM, 24TH JUL'09!

We promise, it'll be an amazing night. Come, discover God and join in us truly rejoicing :)

And on behalf of the rest of the team, WELCOME (: to the Sparked Movement blog! I hope this post hasn't been too long and boring haha. Spread this link to as many of your MG friends, because this blog is simply meant for all of you! As an MG family, let us come together to share His love and faithfulness through the Electronic way! Honestly, with most of us staring at this delightful screen belonging to the invention called the computer almost everyday, what better way is there to share and rejoice together all the time?

Much of His love and mine,
Tiffany

"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!"
(Psalm 118:24)