Hello Praying Hands,
Wanted to update you guys. My uncle passed away suddenly on Sunday. He left behind his wife (my aunty Geeta) and his daughter Shoba & son Vickresh.
After the Hindu cremation service, I was having a chat with my cousin Shoba in her room..trying to be of some comfort to her ( I was babbling awayas usual... did'nt know what to say). I gave her a copy of the Purpose-Driven Life I brought along with me; cos she told me once that she wanted to read it for the longest time. We chatted somemore..then I just took a shotlah..I asked her to come for the Alpha course. I had been praying abt inviting her the night before and on the way too there but was just not sure about it. To my delight Shoba accepted.
She mentioned she had come to church once or twice before. In fact, I forgot that I invited her to Christmas service at AMKMC 2 yrs ago..haha! Then my other cousin, Hardeep, who is already coming to Alpha this Friday, walked in the room and said ' You know, I was thinking..why don't you ask Shoba to come along to church on Friday!" I just started laffing...and told Shoba that she can't turn down 2 invites! The story's not over.
The next day (yesterday), I smsed Shoba to ask one of her close friends/classmates to come to Alpha with her. Her friend, Jaya, was shadowing her throughout the past few days...being with her and answering her phonecalls and basically being her pillar of strength. Shoba replied the sms saying that my cousin Hardeep had already suggested asking Jaya to come too and that she would bring her along...At that point, I thanked the Lord and laughed and went silent..heehee!
I'm now praying that God will put it in their hearts (Hardeep, Shoba & Jaya and all the other participants) to come despite whatever state their hearts and schedules are in, even those who have yet to be appraoched. God knows already, in his timing, who he has chosen to come for Alpha..He is a faithful God. And when we do our part in serving Him, He will show us His glory! "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:7-8)
I hope this story has encouraged all of you to see how God is working within us and through us in this Alpha course. Its gonna be really exciting these next 10wks seeing how God will impact and transform more lives (including ours) for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven! Let's not just pray for attendance but for Salvations! Lets not limit our prayers because we have a LIMITLESS GOD...Almighty is his name!
See you guys at Friday...6.30 pm! Keep praying and abiding and bearing fruit in Christ!
Glory to God!
Rakesh
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Spiritual Formation Retreat 101
Hi Praying Hands!
You would have noticed the Spiritual Formation Retreat 101 being publicised in the church Sunday bulletin the past 2 weeks. This is Phase 1 of silent retreat. It is schedules for 21st April 07 from 9am to 6pm @ Lifesprings Canossian Spiritual Centre. Fee is $20 (INCLUSIVE OF TRANSPORT) The SF Retreats are going to be established as an annual church program. Last year, the church held five 101 retreats. For 2007, there will only be two 101 retreats and each retreat is limited to 18 participants. If you have never attended any such silent retreats, you are strongly encouraged to take time out for God; to contemplate on God. You will find it a refreshing and enriching experience as you learn to be still and commune with God away from the hustle and bustle of daily activities.
Simon & myself have attended the retreat last year, and we experienced a renewing and intimate time with Christ that's priceless (what's 1 day out of your year for such a special time with God, especially if you are desiring for God's peace to fill you). I'm sure I speak on behalf of Simon that we highly reccomend you going for this. Places are limited, so act fast to sign up...closing date for registration is 31st March 2007.
Pls call Sue Chiam @9687 0579 or Roland Ang @9683 9473 to register.
Walk hand-in-hand with Jesus this week,
~Rakesh
You would have noticed the Spiritual Formation Retreat 101 being publicised in the church Sunday bulletin the past 2 weeks. This is Phase 1 of silent retreat. It is schedules for 21st April 07 from 9am to 6pm @ Lifesprings Canossian Spiritual Centre. Fee is $20 (INCLUSIVE OF TRANSPORT) The SF Retreats are going to be established as an annual church program. Last year, the church held five 101 retreats. For 2007, there will only be two 101 retreats and each retreat is limited to 18 participants. If you have never attended any such silent retreats, you are strongly encouraged to take time out for God; to contemplate on God. You will find it a refreshing and enriching experience as you learn to be still and commune with God away from the hustle and bustle of daily activities.
Simon & myself have attended the retreat last year, and we experienced a renewing and intimate time with Christ that's priceless (what's 1 day out of your year for such a special time with God, especially if you are desiring for God's peace to fill you). I'm sure I speak on behalf of Simon that we highly reccomend you going for this. Places are limited, so act fast to sign up...closing date for registration is 31st March 2007.
Pls call Sue Chiam @9687 0579 or Roland Ang @9683 9473 to register.
Walk hand-in-hand with Jesus this week,
~Rakesh
Malachi 3:3
An interesting and enlightening lesson to share with you.
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 refiningSilver. 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.
~Simon
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 refiningSilver. 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.
~Simon
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Some Old Posts by Rakesh
12 February 2007
Today this verse from Joshua 1:6-9 is gonna see me through as I face certain uncertainties in my work day. Just want to give a shout out to you guys to be affirmed that we need not fear or be discouraged 'cos Jesus is with us at all times. Eyes on the Lord and His way! No lookin left or right just His way!
Joshua 1:6-9 NIV
08 February 2007
Hallo Cell Group!
Keep speaking to Him in all circumstances. I pray this blog will be another way for us draw closer to each other...and to glorify Him.
Many blessings!
~Rakesh
Our new home!
Hello People of Praying Hands
We've got new home! This time each of us will have the chance to post something on this blog.
Just remember to sign off with your name at the end of the post, ya!
~Eunice
We've got new home! This time each of us will have the chance to post something on this blog.
Just remember to sign off with your name at the end of the post, ya!
~Eunice
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