Monday, August 29

"blacklisted" on the first day i think (*_________*)

perception is a very powerful thing...this sentence crawled all over me today during my orientation. First of all, tell me why would an organisation put lessons on orientation days? I mean don't you need to be oriented to the flow of the school programs and schedules before starting anything? Ahhhhhhhh...however I have only myself to blame. Why? because I didn't look at my lesson plan properly as it stated 9.50pm - ACTS Lesson by Lecturer Lily Lim...*ian smacks his head* and I happily strolled into orientation and listened to boring but important guides into the schools belief and regulations. When suddenly it was break time, the facilitator of the orientation was actually Lily Lim and she asked me why I wasn't in class this morning???$^*%%&(%*) I was white washed :( and embarassed! told her truth that I didn't know anything about it and that I thought wrongly. I apologise like profusely...she gave a weird giggle and told me it was fine. Well that was a relief!

Made a really good friend in the same course and his name is "Safire Saion" He is one cool dude made by the Lord and delivered to do great stuff in future for his hometown in Bangladesh. He is of third generation from a family of Evangelist, I was listening to his testimony and I was thinking what rich heritage he has. Can somehow sense that anointing was bestowed upon him, greater than the previous generations. God please bless him in his time here as he will bless your name in Bangladesh. The week has just began for me. Looking good (^______^)^


Saturday, August 27

a revelation @ 215am

oh God my Father. I come to you through Jesus Christ, my Savior. You have put in my heart a desire for the fear of the Lord. i am asking You from now on to lead me, to teach me, to impart to me this wonderful treasure of Yours "the fear of the Lord" in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Proverbs 2:1-5
1 My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.

i'm crying for the desire that is within me. I need more to go to another level of intimacy with Him. What I have now is not enough and how can my heart be contented...i need to seek and seeking needs a purpose,"Understanding the spiritual fear of my God" However I must first establish His word and commands...HS I need to be a Junkie not just the in the spirit but also in His Holy Word.

Going to bible school on Monday...new chapter...new level to chase for God...Thank you Jesus!

Tuesday, August 23

ObsessionConference 05 that happened during June...just stumbled upon this photo, didn't know I had it, but it is always amazing to see people engaged with the presence of God. "Hey guys, lift your hands higher man!" Posted by Picasa
like spiritual babies craving spiritual milk...hehehe...an overnight prayer meeting that just happened recently at Orchid Country Club that gathered all the youth leaders to pray fervently for this generation of young people. (left to right) Rey,Collin,Me and Aly. Posted by Picasa
this is GTO [Great Teacher Onizuka] God wills I would want to be a GPI [Great Pastor Ian] for now I will continue to conscrate myself in order for God to use me mightily (^__________^) Posted by Picasa
HS[Holy Spirit] Junkie

to go all out or not to? a half-past six Christian or a full on HS Junkie for Jesus? Of course a HS Junkie lah...I mean when you have believed in something and open the doors of your heart to somebody who has chosen you since the beginning of time, won't you like just be consumed and be ultimately in love. When you invest love in something, it changes your life pattern and it contorts your personality into something different, because it is this love that drives you to express care and devotion, which other people who don't love or involve in wrong love cannot experience. I am talking about a higher kind of love, a spiritual one that was given by God in the form of Jesus...dying to allow the void that exist in us to be filled forever, rather than what the world wants to put in that void of ours that are temporal. He is forever and if we make that decision to put this love in Him, then we got to go all the way to be a HS Junkie, wanting more of Him always and expressing our love for Him in our actions which are willed by Him. However being a HS Junkie isn't all that "sunshine and flower" always. Why? Read this:

2 Corinthians 4

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written,“I believed and therefore I spoke,”[a]we also believe and therefore speak,14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

paul [HS Junkie as well] writing to the Church in Corinth. Telling them that troubles and confusions will hit them but rest assured they will bounce up from it, all because of what's dwelling within them. Paul explains that the treasure (Jesus) that is within them will manifest itself as it is the Christ that put death into their flesh so that He may be displayed in glorious fashion within the human vessel. What priviledge it is for us to have this relation with Jesus to dwell in us! v10-12 describes that we are like dead men actually walking. Also read Gal 2:20

There can be two reactions when people see dead people walk:
1) They scream and run to the nearest shelter, telling others to run as well from zombies because it isn't the norm
2) They get stunned and question how is this possible and they would want to know the answer!

If you have chosen to be a HS Junkie, you will be a dead person walking! And you have the answer to those that wants it...cos it Christ that lives in us, that we (the flesh) is dead. We have the answer and we need to provide it. Not to be gory bout zombies and dead people because Paul did explain us as "treasure in jars of clay" but I guess you get the picture.

HS Junkie has it's previledges [
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.]

We have God on our side, and there is a given power and authority from Him that is exhibited through our lives that will speak of Him and not us. Once He filled our void, emptiness that the world bring through many mediums will start to die away, that's why the bible says in John that there must be more of Him and less of us.

HS Junkie has it's troubles [
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. ]

Troubles may come but never will we be beaten down, because the hopeless death that exist within ourselves are given the hope that is in our Risen Christ! We will and are made alive because of this fact. He is the hope that our dead flesh is bound to and this changes our lives as a HS Junkie. We are given hope hence we can NEVER be beaten down by anything if we hold fast to the life of Jesus given in grace.

HS Junkie must walk the talk [
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written,“I believed and therefore I spoke,”[a]we also believe and therefore speak,14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.]

We are the self confessed HS Junkie, we lift our hands to allow Him to come and be sitted in the throne of our hearts, we are of the same faith and spirit! Henceforth we cannot cease to contain all this goodness that exist within us. Like paul, he believed and he spoke about it because he knows what exist within him and he is with us, a HS Junkie. He told young timothy in 2 tim 4:

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at[a] His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

We are the young Timothys of this generation and I believe Paul the HS Junkie is encouraging us not deny ourselves as the treasure in the jars of clay, which is us and that when hard times come we need to hold on to that truth which is Jesus then we will prevail against all opposition. Paul also encourages us to spread this this good news that is within us to bring glory to the name of God. The ultimate teacher Jesus also says in
Matthew 5:14 - You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Let's not hide our HS Junkie identity nor deny it due to pressures from school, workplaces, friends, families or even church mates from other churches. But continue to stand firm in our beliefs and values written in the word that is given by God, expressing it always because we have the faith within us that God will do the delivering, we just do what is required of us. That is to love and worship Him inward and outwardly. Singapore! Get ready for a Brighton Youth HS Junkie Movement...that will change values and cultures! Bringing hope to those who think there isn't one

...Are you willing to risk your reputation and be a HS Junkie?

I am willing :)


Thursday, August 18

my fave actress Ye Jin is starring in upcoming "April Snow" with Mr Bae...gonna be another tear jerker...sigh! I wanna KOREA!!! (*_____*) doesn't she look beautiful...hmmm Posted by Picasa

Sunday, August 14

Oh Andrea,give up...you are tired I said. But she says...NO, a princess never gives up! Andrea in front of No.4 guy grinning in the face of temptation of giving up! Posted by Picasa
the junior youth of prestigious brighton youth ministry are playing temptation island...will they be tempted to give up their dreams that God has set them apart to do, or will they run from temptation and in the end, receive the prize of good faith? Don't worry guys, God will provide the 30 friends, we just need to go in faith to invite them ya (*__________*) Posted by Picasa
Our cell is going to be as beautiful as this shoe house...when new friends come, they will the smell the fragrance of the sho...no...GOD and they will know that this place have LOVE that will embrace them forever. Steph, continue to let the love shine ya :) Posted by Picasa
Object lesson that all of us are different parts of the house that makes it beautiful and nice. We are responsible to make our cell the "EXCITING" cell we want it to be. It counts on me and all of us...GO GO GO BYJ!!! Posted by Picasa
jieyi (in black) as the leader of her pack, about to lead them in a versus game of "HUNT HUNT HUNT" Sean (leaning against the wall) have doubts if her crazy leader can help him win...know what? SHE CAN!!!  Posted by Picasa
Steph (in red sweats) as the leader of the pack for her cell in the game called by jieyi "HUNT HUNT HUNT" the funniest name I ever come across for a game :) Posted by Picasa

Friday, August 12

Sleepless in Whampoa PartII

走在熙来攘往的街头 你不再牵着我的手 小心翼翼的将你的小指勾 泪也小心翼翼的流 有些事情你在瞒着我 你终於还是开了口 淡淡一句~还是朋友 撕裂的心 犹如刀割 知道分手後你不难过 你比从前快乐 那祝福的话叫我如何能够说的出口 过往的欢乐是否褪色 想问你怎麽舍得 不要在耳边再说你会想我

why am I not sleeping? I just can't stop this frustration of feelings. I have to contain it...I cannot wake up before God has woken me up from my spiritual sleep. I have to, even if it hurts me. I have to. In my spiritual sleep, God is preparing me to meet with my destinies. I cannot jepordise :(

the above is a song which i like a lot. shocking ah? for someone that speaks so little of my native language. Not sure why i want to put it here in my blog but I hope it is something I could express to leak the frustrations of my heart. stupid frail heart *ian sitting on his heart suppressing it*

God, will she be comparable to me? which and who is she? could you give me dreams about her? I trust in you HS and will wait upon you.

Saturday, August 6

i miss aeroplane food! this is a meal that I took before landing on Jakarta soil in the last mission trip...Lord send me again man...YAHOO! Posted by Picasa
this is my beautiful friend hu ying and her inseperable camera...a real diamond of a talent she is in capturing moments of life with her cammy :) Posted by Picasa
this is my good brother David Yeo, hu ying's expression of him in sketches...how cool looking eh? Posted by Picasa
sleepless in whampoa drive

the tom hanks show "sleepless in seattle" was one of my all time movie must watch. It was on the road when he was tuning to the radio where he identify with the caller of the radio station regarding the affairs of love and what is it like to fall in love. And the caller [played by Meg Ryan of course] said "to love is like MAGIC" Though I don't quite agree but it is the twinkle in both their eyes that made me believe that true love can exist when both is a willing and commited party to start this whole love affair otherwise,why fall in love?

1) To know what is it like to hold a hand or how a kiss is like? [try smooching a carrot lah]
2) To have a person wait on you whenever?
3) Someone to talk to?
4) To experience pre-marital consumation?
5) Just to be together so that it is of a status kinda thingy?

these are only some of the few reasons majority would like to try out. But if these are the launch of pad for any initial relationship, it'll be doom to fail. Relationship hitting rocks in no time. And most of the time, the girls get the bigger share of the sour cake.

love that potrays in movies are only the screen savers of the many failed realtionships that has happened in the world. How many famous personalities that we know actually start and finish a relationship or rather marriage properly? Sigh...why am I talking about this? I have no opinion bout this whatsoever? Suddenly feel lonely in this wee hours of the morning. God will bring her to me right? heh...what a thought! so I better go sleep and don't ever wake up before God prepares me the best, otherwise it would be
catastrophic. I am pondering over a three year covenant with God, but can I? My desire is to get married by 28 but hey it is man's plan. God please speak to me, or prepare me to hear from you if I am not prepared. f i am rude not to provide the offering, be harsh and allow me to know what is needed, for the glory of Your name is always of first importance! not my name.

Isaiah 55

8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

God does whatever He pleases, I must acknowledge His Sovereignity even in my loneliness and wanting to be loved mundanely. He'll provide a way out. Somehow...always...it happened before!

I am sure it is okay to pray for a spouse who will love God more than me. Someone simple not complex, not having foul moods or hidden ambitions, faithful...I NEED SOMEONE LIKE RUTH!!! hehehe...bible study also bout her nowadays, Lord send me diva dreams...oops...divine...i mean divine dreams *ian slaps himself*

Loneliness is slowly embracing but prayer slaps in away for prayer brings about the presence of the Almighty who is already carrying me on the shoulders. In Him I trust will lean on for my providence and needs. He gives and takes away. I love you Jesus (^___________^)^




Wednesday, August 3

two of the coolest leaders I know from youth ministry, boy is this ministry blessed. (Rey on left & Winston on right) Girls having any ideas, pls stay off them till perhaps 20+??? Posted by Picasa
i have informed IMH...one of their residents have escaped. Thinks that it is her birthday hence she claims to be the flower of all flowers *puke* Posted by Picasa
oh dear Xiang Xiang getting the high from all the *prawns* she ate, just look at the ecstacy on her face! Posted by Picasa
Last June Camp Committee Celebration @ Fish & Co...well done Padres! Next stop will be December's YP Camp (*_________*) Posted by Picasa

Jesus I love You! But don’t cramp my style

Mark 10

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

(C) 17Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

18So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,' "Do not murder,' "Do not steal,' "Do not bear false witness,' "Do not defraud,' "Honor your father and your mother."'[c]

20And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

21Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

22But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Luke 9

23Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

John14

6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[Prayer]

Scrabble

You know I was never really into board games until I am taught how to play one and I was exposed to “Scrabble” of a different kind that is and it was called “Snatch” We pick randomly from the pile of words in the middle and we form words…it was really fun and intriguing…until weird words started to come out and I question my playmate,

“you sure this word exist?”

and she said “Of course, didn’t you know…it is a very common word used.”

“Okay” I said

…okay at this point was a kind of recovery I must take to have my ego treated, because guy losing to a girl, isn’t really going the flow of nature…just kidding! But this isn’t the way to play the game. She is forcing me to play by her rules, her range of vocabulary without even an official dictionary to proof the point. This is just one example.

When I was young I really don’t like to play games with certain people. Have you ever encounter people whom you play games with says,

“Okay this is the way we play this game”

And I’ll say, “Excuse me, there are rules”

“No no, this is the way we play this game”

And I say again, “I don’t care how you play but these are the rules of the game, there is a manual to it”

“Nope, we play it our way! We always play it this way, it’s more fun, trust me”

“Maybe you don’t understand the words that are coming out of my mouth, there is a manual and the manual says this is how you play. I don’t play wanna play your way.”

And the person proceeds to say that if I am going to play with him, I have to play by his way. If not, it won’t fun at all.

This example suggests that my participation hinges on that person’s ability to play it his way, just him saying that thing, “you got to play it my way, my rules.”

[How many of you encounter such situations before either you are the person that participates or the person that says, “You have to play it my way!”]

Today, this is the mentality which I want to highlight. It is scares me this sort mentality because I meet young people and this “Play it my way” mentality is sneaky and subtle but detectable, and it gets into their relationship with God. Hence they start relating to God on the basis of their own rules.

And as long as God abide by their rules and their conditions, they will participate in this thing called “Christianity”

Of course this mentality will overflow into their relationship with church or youth ministry, because the same way they relate to God,

They relate it to the Pastor,

They relate it to the cell group leader,

They relate it to their friends.

As long their Pastor likes them and nice to them and gives them what they want, they will stay in church and act like a Christian.

BUT how dare you try to ask them to do something on your terms?

How dare God demand them to do something?

These are very harsh remarks on people who want God to play it their way, but here I am trying to make a point this afternoon.

There is a spirit and I call it the Spirit of Independence.

It sneaks into the lives of young people especially, because “strength” often times finds its expression in independence.

For this rich young ruler, his strength is built around his possessions; hence it is the birthplace of his independent spirit. This spirit has taken root in him to the point, where he cannot depend or recognize that God can be that source of his riches and possessions or rather his “strength” primarily.

[Whisper]

Strength likes to express itself in independence. This spirit sneaky and subtle and it is invading into the kingdom of God, into this youth ministry, into our relationship with God. This spirit of independence that says:

I’m on my knees…but on my own terms

I raise my hands…but on my own terms

I read my bible…but on my own terms

I attend church…but on my own terms

And it is sneaky as it hides itself in different forms in different identities.

Argh! Ian, this spirit of independence, how do we deal with it? First we must identify it.

Three identities of the “Spirit of Independence

17Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

18So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,' "Do not murder,' "Do not steal,' "Do not bear false witness,' "Do not defraud,' "Honor your father and your mother."'[c]

20And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

1) First Identity – When you go about your “OWN” kind of worship

Let’s profile this “Rich young Ruler” First of all there is nothing wrong with being rich, because being rich is a blessing from God. [In this instance is a obstacle for him, explain later]

This rich young ruler is a very passionate worshipper most probably like most of us here or like those expressive kinds, when they pray they knitted their brows, when they worship, he jumps the highest, when he sings he sings LOUD. He is probably those kinds of youth which you know will shout exclamations like, “That was the best conference, and I want to bring in 100 friends for Jesus! Or I want this to be done so that church can grow. A lot of I wants”

He is a passionate worshipper. And this passionate rich young person was walking one day and saw Jesus. He recognized Him, ran and knelt down before Jesus. Passionate he is, BUT is it for the correct cause?

Let’s look at what the rich boy says.

"Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

The bible indicates that this young man was thinking in terms of earning righteousness points to merit eternal life, to inherit eternal life.

How many of you felt this way before? I did…if you still do…you are about your “OWN” kind of worship.

It all begins from the starting point.

On what perspective are looking at initially…did you understand that by doing things, going about earning righteousness points does not merit you eternal life. On the flipside, Jesus taught that eternal life is a gift to be received.

[Read Mark10:15] – …like a little child…a child is filled with openness and receptivity, with no questions asked, they just receive it! It is a gift.

There was once I gave gifts out of the sudden because my love language of gifts suddenly kicked in, and I felt like blessing someone. When I gave the gift to a particularly bright youth, she answered,

“What is this for?”

I said “Nothing, just a blessing”

“No…seriously what is for? It isn’t my birthday? Now what did I do to have this?”

I was like “It is just a blessing, I want to give to you”

“Eh…it isn’t because you like me ah I hope”

“huh”

On the flipside, when I give something to a child, they just grab it, no questions asked. For the matter a fact, before I could finish what I have to say, “Lala, this for…Whoosh!” there goes the gift and the person…in a flash.

When you are about your “OWN” kind of worship, it is telling from the speech patterns and daily actions. Let’s go back to the passage.

The young man says

"Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

Note: when your worship has a lot of “I” in it…something is wrong*

Jesus recognized it immediately and guides the rich young man that his perspective is wrong.

18So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

The bible indicates that Jesus isn’t denying His own goodness but guiding the young man to understand that his only hope is to rely on God totally who alone can give eternal life. Then Jesus continued to probe him by mentioning six commandments which disallows wrong actions and attitudes against another fellow person.

"Do not commit adultery,'

"Do not murder,'

"Do not steal,'

"Do not bear false witness,'

"Do not defraud,'

"Honor your father and your mother."

20And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

Realize that all this Jesus has mentioned is of external obedience, very of the outside. But Jesus also requires inner obedience which most often the hardest to do. Here again the rich young man proclaim the BIG “I”

"Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

However we know that here he is indeed teachable because now he calls Jesus “Teacher” but he is missing the point. If we put this scene in today, how would it look? How would your “OWN” worship manifest itself?

Some of you might say

Ian, I pray, I sing in worship, I lift my hands, I kneel, I serve in a ministry, I sign celibacy covenants, which is very popular right now, I always do my dg homework. I mean I earn right to be here with all my friends, as long as I do those, I think God is happy. Are you happy? YES (fake voice) See…so what’s up with your have to give up this and that? Go away.

NO…you are missing the point here, we cannot make God what we want Him to be like. That’s the identity of an independent spirit, your own worship. Worshipping is not a “to do list”, not a CCA called religion, it is a relationship. [Read Php2:12-13] Here it indicates that it is a response to God’s grace in whatever we do. We have to do it in reverence (Fear and trembling) and singleness of purpose in response to His grace. To put it straight forward, you don’t have to do things in order to gain love from those who already love you. It is because of the love they have expressed which causes and motivates you to do the things that show love back.

21Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

2) Second Identity – When you know you are wearing a “MASK”

There is a town where only ducks live in it. Every Sunday the ducks will waddle [everyone say waddle] out of their houses and waddle down the main street to their church. They waddle into the sanctuary and squat in their proper pews. The Duck choir waddles in and takes its place, and then the Duck pastor comes forward and opens the duck bible. (We have NKJV, NIV, Living translation, they have their own version)

He reads to them: “Ducks! God the almighty has given you wings! With wings you can mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine you! No fences can hold you! You have wings. God has given you wings and you can fly like birds!”

All the ducks shouted, “AMEN!” and they all waddled home.

Are you with me?

This is descriptive of some of the young people in youth ministries today. It is the picture of young people wearing mask to church, to do all the right things but after is another thing.

The bible actually talks about “Hypocrisy”

How many of you heard the term “Hypocrite”?

How many of you heard somebody say that there are hypocrites in the church?

The word “Hypocrisy” is not a lifestyle or an action, “Hypocrisy” in its biblical language, in its original language actually falls more closely to a drama or an actor who says his lines behind a mask. In bible times, actors aren’t like today where they put make up as such, they wore Mask

So when the bible uses the term “Hypocrisy” it is actually speaking of actors who wears masks and say lines. The truth is hypocrites are everywhere. People who are behind the mask who say lines that they know they are supposed to say to people who are waiting to hear from them.

The truth is, in religious atmospheres, churches, conferences and youth ministries, where we are most prone to this acting where we wear mask and say lines because it is what we are supposed to say.

20And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."

The fact is Jesus only mention six commandments, He didn’t mention the rest that will deal with this young man’s inner convictions. This young man is wearing a mask! The spirit of independence is strong within him. That’s why he is quick to please Jesus by saying v20.

This mask has cause lines to be part of our culture in church today, lines that ought to be said

“I am seeking Lord”

“I’ll be praying for you”

“How is your walk with God?” “Good never been better”

I meet with young people a lot and I know when they have the mask on!

“How are you?”

“I am doing really good. Honestly Ian, I have been reading the bible and the pages of the word have been supernaturally speaking to me.”

“Really’

“Ya, lately I have been getting into the presence of God and I have gotten lots of rheama from the word of God lately that is”

“Rheama”

And they give me lines because that is what they are supposed to do, because that is what is expected from them. The scary thing today is that we have multiple masks for every situation, so we have to get our lines down: Lines for youth pastor, lines for parents, lines for cell group leaders, lines for friends and so forth. So we need to get our lines down for every person.

However, sometimes there is a breakdown of this mask act and I catch glimpses of it. Because they forgot that they are not speaking to their teachers, they are speaking to me…they are not speaking to their parents, they are speaking to me and sometimes the lines for teachers will come to me. On Saturday, they come to me to say teachers are good and fulfilling, next I see on their msn nick that teachers are gross and f******

We need to understand that behind mask and behind lines, young people are dying. Because behind those lines for people comes acceptance. Where people will like you! You go to your youth pastor and you say those lines because you want him to like you. You want the whole world to like you! So you have lines prepared for everyone!

Aren’t you tired?

You can’t tell anyone what’s really going on in your life because what will they think of me?

What will they say?

I am suppose to be somebody’s son or somebody’s daughter

I am suppose to be part of Brighton Youth Ministry

I am in the worship team

I am…that’s why I need to get my lines down; so that people will think that I am in it.

Today Jesus wants to unmask some of you, because He loves you and he knows that it is hurting, this secret sin behind the mask.

21Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

Jesus loves this rich young man hence the breaking of mask comes in the form of those words “One thing you lack” because Jesus knows behind that mask, there is something else. The spirit of independence that worships with our conditions or terms finds comfort behind the mask, do you have that mask?

RECAP

1) First Identity – When you go about your “OWN” kind of worship

2) Second Identity – When you know you are wearing a “MASK”

22But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

3) Third Identity – When you “HOLD BACK” at the altar [This identity is clear, no need much of explanation]

Jesus’ intentions was not to shame him by exposing his failure to understand the spiritual depth of the commandments but was an expression of Jesus’ genuine love. Jesus knows his primary problem that’s why there were the words

“One thing you lack…go, sell everything”

It is because between this rich young ruler and the kingdom of heaven, there is an altar. And on this altar, when it is shown to you, you will need to put something that you love because if you don’t love it God doesn’t want it. For this instance, his riches were the primary problem. It isn’t wrong to be rich, so why is Jesus saying this as the one thing he lacks?

It is because the gift of eternal life or the kingdom of heaven is to be received only by following Jesus. In giving up his wealth and riches, the young man would have removed an obstacle that kept him from trusting in Jesus. He went away, giving clear indication that he had greater love for his riches than eternal life.

[Abraham and Isaac story] Gen22

I know reaching 120 people by the end of this year is the goal and target for this youth ministry. But before that comes to passé. Today I want to highlight something more important which is YOU receiving true fulfillment in your Christian life. But what are you to place at the altar? Something you love.

Perhaps the hold back at the altar is due to the spirit of independence telling you that it is impossible to let go that addiction, that relationship, that comfort or that popularity you have. However, did you ever give that thought that if you put those on the altar and just trust God, instead of independency in whatever you have behind that mask or behind your OWN worship, there is dependency on Him and He will give us much more?

[Worship Team]

As you can see Jesus didn’t run back to the rich young man and tell him that is okay, he can keep his riches, can you please come back and play games with me, we can play by your rules…

John14

6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

RECAP

1) First Identity – When you go about your “OWN” kind of worship

2) Second Identity – When you know you are wearing a “MASK”

3) Third Identity – When you “HOLD BACK” at the altar

These are the identities that the independent spirit takes form.

This youth ministry is going to be tested. Your worship, your position of your knees and your lifting of hands will now have to make a decision. Are we saying Jesus I love you, but on our terms and conditions having that independent spirit within us.

Ian, how we know that we are worshipping Him on my conditions, my terms and my rules?

Like the young rich ruler. You are passionate for God, as long as He doesn’t interfere with your other passion.

Jesus I love you but don’t cramp my style

[End prayer]

Tuesday, August 2

my seclusion to be a person of 800

for me to be able to honour God...i thought to myself...there is no other way then to live a disciplined life. They say rules are to restrict, but after much thought I really start to understand that rules are ladders that guide you up to a point where there will be no more steps to take and then you SOAR! What a theory...really hope it works, after much dwelling in thoughts of Him. I came out with resolutions to keep me in check. Though it seems like a tall order but HECK! I want to be a SELL OUT for Him??? I must do something

1) Computer Usage 1hr each day [too much surfing might bring you a wipeout]
2) Two hours on Bible Study each day
3) Always write out my sermon outline before final draft
4) Always find opportunity to impart myself to my younglings
5) Pray for an hour each day at 8am

well God bless me :)

*ian is going up to a God given mountain and hide in cave to learn kung fu on walls*

I really wonder what will be in store for me. Right now, my feelings are almost similar to those back when I was just entering in to Performing Arts School. But this time it is totally different because I am going to Bible School to pick up skills and attributes to do my Heavenly Father's business.I still feel really free spirited,though I have been regimented a lot by teachings of leadership, which I have gathered over two years of youth ministry. I have officially forgotten the joy of loving children and teaching them, guiding and having fun. I need to find that back all over again. I forgot how to be me :( God blessed me for me being me because I honoured Him.

Lord let me honour You again. Give me what I need and I will continue this journey you set me out to do. Be it in youth or anywhere else, I'll go.