Book Recommendation : "The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image" by Jay E Adams

Jay E Adams, “The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image”, Harvest House Publishers, 1986.

Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Familiar questions in our day and age. But has our search for answers led us too far in the wrong direction: away from our true position in Christ and toward a dangerous emphasis on self such as “self-image”, “self-esteem”, “self-worth” and “self-love”?

Now well-known biblical counselor and noted author Jay E Adams brings much-needed clarification to the area of self-esteem and offers the church and every believer a truly biblical view of self. “.…Jesus sets forth self-denial rather than self-affirmation as the way to enter into a proper relationship with God. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.” (Matt. 16:24-25)………”

Synod Youth Games Day

To all,


1. Pls ask your youths to fill up their NRIC no. in the registration form. This is to allow randomization of grouping.

2. Pls encourage your youths to invite 1 or more unbelieving classmates/friends to participate this Games Day. Later they can be invited to our Synod Musical Rally on 27-29 Nov 08.

Thank you for your participation.

Vincent Koh

My latest poem

I call it The Philosophy of Time, enjoy.

The days are long,
even longer than the years.
Killing time is tough,
recalling yet an instant disappear.
Allow me to count the seconds distinct,
money in the hands of a cautious cashier;
attempts yet so foolish when considered,
keeping time for moments so dear.
Keg of beer, O keg of good cheer,
ever a companion,
the friend without peer.

My latest and last poem for a long, long time. It's not hard to see why. ;)

Internet Debates

This is an interesting comic from www.xkcd.com

This is a common scenario for me. Over time, I learn to be respectful and cautious with my debates online, especially on religious issues.

I read this somewhere:
The bottom line - this is an internet discussion on a boardgame site. Little to no progress will be made, people will disagree with each other and say rude things about each other's cherished beliefs with little to no justification and a huge dose of ignorance (this goes for both sides in these sorts of debates). People will make impassioned claims based on limited, distorted experience and will dogmatically hold to their positions come hell or highwater. That's an internet discussion about religion or politics in a nutshell.

Comments?

4th Synod Youth Games Day

3rd April 2008

Dear Ministers, Youth Pastors and Youth Mentors/Co-ordinators,

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Thank you for your support and participation in our 3rd Synod Youth Leadership Camp held on 7-8 Mar 08. We hereby want to invite you and your church’s youths to attend our 4th Synod Youth Games Day: “An epic race across physical space, mental space and cyber space!” The event will begin at Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School and it will take the youths to 60 different locations. The theme and purpose of this Games Day is to enable the youths of different Presbyterian Churches to network and interact with one another.

We are delighted to have Rev. Wong Siow Hwee to be the main organizer of this Games Day. This event promises to be a truly unique and memorable activity that synod has ever held.

The rest of the details of the Games Day are as follows.

Main Theme: An epic race across physical space, mental space and cyberspace
Date: 31st May 08 (Sat), 10am-6pm
Meet-up Venue: Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School ，10 Bishan St 13, Singapore 579795. Tel: 6259-3811
Cost: free (But each person must bring money for meals, “ez link” card for transport and umbrella just in case it rains.)
Attire: Sports wear
Age: 13 - 25 years old

Please contact the following persons for more information:

1) Rev Vincent Koh
Tel: 6338-7268 （O） Fax: 63394076 Mobile: 83335679
Email: vincent@presbysing.org.sg
Synod Youth Ministry homepage: http://synodym.blogspot.com/

2) Rev. Wong Siow Hwee
Tel: 6223-5203 (Church) Fax: 6227-2671 Mobile: 97261553
Email: siowhwee@jubileechurchsingapore.org

Please submit the registration forms (Annex 1) to Rev Vincent Koh by 17 May 2008 (Sat).
Address: Presbyterian Church House, 132 Sophia Road, S (228186)

Note: No late applications will be accepted because grouping arrangements have to be finalized before the event to ensure successful game implementation. Thank You.

Yours sincerely,

Rev Dr Lim Boon Young
Synod Youth Council Chairman

_______________________________________________________________________________

Annex 1 Presbyterian Church of Singapore (PCS) Synod Youth Games Day（31 May 08） Registration Form
Participant Full Name: ____________________________ Gender: M/F
NRIC No. : ___________________________ Age: ______
Home Address: _________________________________________ Home Tel: _______________
Mobile Tel: ________________ Email Address: _______________________________________
Church: ____________________________ Position in the Youth Ministry: ___________________
Contact person in case of emergency: ____________________Contact number: ______________

For the parents or guardian of the participant (under 18 years of age):
"I am aware of, and understand the risks, dangers and hazards associated with games day. In consideration of this, I hereby give permission for my child to participate in the games day and its activities as mentioned above."

Parent or Guardian‘s Name and Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ________________


Please submit registration form (Annex 1) to Rev. Vincent Koh by 17 May 2008.
Address: The Presbyterian Church House ， 132 Sophia Road, S(228186)

4th Synod Youth Games Day

亲爱的主理牧师，青年牧师/传道和 青年导师/协调者们，

愿恩惠`平安从我们的父神和主耶稣基督临到你们。

首先， 我们很感谢你们的支持来参加在二零零八年三月七日-八日 的大会青年领袖训练营。现在，我们邀请你们和你们的教会的青年来参加第四届大会青年运动会/游戏日：“一场无与伦比，斗智斗勇，跨越时空的竞赛 ”。这活动将会从国专长老会中学开始， 然后带我们的青年走过六十个不同的地方。这次运动会/游戏日的主题和目的是让来自不同长老教会的青年们能互相交流和建立网络。

我们很荣幸的有王晓辉牧师为这次运动会/游戏日的主办者。这活动承諾将会是大会举办过的活动中一个真正独特和值得回忆的活动。其他有关这次运动会/游戏日的详情有如下：

主题：“一场无与伦比，斗智斗勇，跨越时空的竞赛 ”
日期和时间：二零零八年五月三十一日 （早上10点 到 傍晚6点）
聚集的地点：国专长老会中学，10 BishanSt.13， SG 579795. 电话：6259-3811.
费用： 免费 （但每一个人需带用餐的钱， “EZ Link”交通卡和雨伞 （若有下雨时用）
服装：运动装
年龄：13-25岁

请联络以下的人来询问更多的详情：

1） 许联发牧师 6338-7268（办公室），6339-4076（传真）， 8333-5679（手提）
电邮：vincent@presbysing.org.sg ; 大会青年事工网站：“synodym.blogspot.com“

2） 王晓辉牧师 6223-5203（教会），6227-2671（传真）， 9726-1553 （手提）
电邮：siowhwee@jubileechurchsingapore.org

请把报名表格（附件一）在五月十七日（星期六）以前寄给许联发牧师，长老大会所，132， Sophia Road, SG（228186）。

注：迟交的报名表格将不会被接受。这是因为组别的安排需要在活动之前预先安排好来促进游戏的成功。谢谢您。


敬上

林文远牧师
大会青年委员会主席

二零零八年四月三日

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Annex 1 附件1 : 新加坡长老大会运动会/游戏日（31 May 08）报名表格
参加者姓名： ________________________性别:男/女 登记号码：_____________ 年龄：________
住址：_________________________________________ 住家电话号码：_____________
手机号码：________________ 电邮地址: _______________________________________
教会名称：____________________________ 在青年事工担任的职份：_______________
紧急事件联络人姓名： ____________________ 联络电话号码： ______________

家长承诺书 (对于18岁以下的参加者)：
“我意识并了解到运动会/游戏日可能会有冒险，危险及困难情况。经过考虑，我允许我的孩子参加此运动会/游戏日其中的活动。”

家长或监护人的姓名：_______________
家长或监护人的签名: ________________ Date: ________________

请将报名表格（见附件1）在五月十七日（星期六）以前交给许联发牧师，地址：The Presbyterian Church House, 132 Sophia Road S(228186). (截止日期：17 May 08) 谢谢您。

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Get ready for this!

Synod Youth Leadership Camp 2008

www.flickr.com

Remembering Martin Jr. King

Inspired by this.

Let's all do it.

I have a dream.

I have a dream that the church will be in unity in support of one another, and in work and evangelism to the world.

I have a dream that we can accept one another in authenticity and serve the ministries with humility and joy.

I have a dream that we will enjoy learning, and yearn to express the truth with beauty and a compassionate heart.

I have a dream that we will all work together to bring back the lost, and to cherish what we have now.

Past it on, and leave a comment if you will.

Devotion: 10/1 - The Opened Sight

Today's reflection explains why some people still are the same after their "conversion" experience. There needs to be regeneration. And regeneration is to receive true forgiveness of sins in your heart. It is not your decision to follow Jesus that saves you. It is the forgiveness of your sins by the blood of Christ that truly saves you. If we do not receive this gift, we are still sinners. This is what it means to be truly born again. Many people look for the "conversion" experience, or the "religious" high when they go to church or some evangelistic events, but we must not forget that conversion does not save you. It is merely the Spirit opening our eyes to see God for the first time. We need to take the next step to leap into faith to be renewed by God, shaped by His own mighty hands.

Devotion: 9/1 - Prayerful Inner-Searching

Thanks to Gordon who has kicked start our devotion group on Facebook. I'll be in Japan for the next two weeks, so may be hard for me to update online but will write my thoughts all down while I am there and will post them when I return.

I was always puzzled if we can ever be forgiven for sins which we are not even aware of. Today's message answered this for me. This is the power of God's forgiveness, the cleansing of ALL our sins, known or unknown, revealed or hidden. The height and depth of God's love that searches out for us goes beyond what our cognitive mind can ever fathom. God is not only powerful, He is always merciful. Not only does He punishes but He also forgives and loves. No greater love is there then he who gives his life for his friends. I'm sure glad that He's on our side. Jesus is our Friend for Life!

Synod Youth Camp 2007

www.flickr.com

synod youth camp 2007

Jubilee Church Cell Leaders' Training (Open to All Presbyterians Youth Leaders)

This is the Cell leader training I am opening to all Presbyterian Youth ministry youth leaders. It will be based on a discussion from the book "Making Small Groups Work" by Cloud and Townsend. It will be every 2nd Tues night 8-9.30pm in Jubilee Presbyterian Church.

8 Jan How small groups help people grow
12 Feb What happens in a good group (I)
11 Mar What happens in a good group (II)
8 Apr What happens in a good group (III)
13 May Starting a small group
10 Jun The responsibilities of group facilitators(I)
8 July The responsibilities of group facilitators (II)
12 Aug The responsibilities of group facilitators (III)
9 Sep The responsibilities of group members (I)
14 Oct The responsibilities of group members (II)
11 Nov How to deal with problems in groups (I)
9 Dec How to deal with problems in groups (II)

I will be leading the sharing and discussions.

Rev. Wong Siow Hwee
Jubilee Presbyterian Church
97261553

coming soon !!!

have you heard of the latest happening in singapore?

no? no one told you about it?!?!?!? hmm... -.-

keep scrolling down...








well.... let me tell you.

click on this!

SYNOD YOUTH CAMP 2007 is coming to town!!!

it's a gathering of many like-minded, fun, energetic youths like you and me for a 4 days 3 nights camp!

so what are you waiting for?

join us today! :D

The faithful prayer warriors of the Synod Youth Camp

SYCamp2007 Video!!!

SYCamp2007 Poster

The peaceable kingdom

All of creation belongs together in the arms of its Creator. The final vision is that not only will all men and women recognise that they are brothers and sisters called to live in unity, but all members of God's creation will come together in complete harmony. Jesus the Christ came to realise that vision. Long before he was born, the prophet Isaiah saw it:

　

The wolf will live with the lamb
the panther lie down with the kid,
calf, lion and fat-stock beast together
with a little boy to lead them.
The cow and the bear will graze their young will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like the ox.
The infant will play over the den of the adder;
the baby will put his hand into the viper's lair:
No hurt, no harm will be done
on all my holy mountain,
for the country will be full of the knowledge of
Yahweh as the waters cover the sea
(Isaiah 11:6-9)

　

We must keep this vision alive.

(Taken from Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen)

Looking for more local presbyterian youth blogs...

Hello youths in our Presbyterian churches...if you know of any local presbyterian youth blogs, please send me the links. I will like to consolidate all here at our Synod Youth Ministry.

Two new editions this week:
1) GUM (Glory Presbyterian Chinese YM)
2) Prinsep Lighthouse (Prinsep YM)

Keep it coming! Thanks