Some thoughts from the midst of exams...

these days have been tough ones for me since the time i've stepped into university and i've been constantly 'haunted' by even more distractions and intense pressures to study for my papers. Just as i've entered into the exam hall, my whole body panicked and shook in fear as the topics i've studied didn't really come out. For a few of my friends however, went away with smiles because they've spotted the questions really well. 

My world for a moment tumbled because i was left dumbfounded. Relentless effort of overwhelming God with 'whys' couldn't stop because the situation was disadvantage to me and i felt so 'cheated'. Why could others just simply study for the right questions and get away with it while no matter how hard i studied, its never enough and worse, didn't came out for the questions. My heart was fuming, disappointed and certainly at a loss...

There was no way i could dramatize this because at the instantaneous moment, my world almost collapsed. This couldn't be what i was praying for in blessings and abundance. Hello... My soul was left to disintegrate in despair! 

Then i realized, no matter what kind of leader i am in any areas could separate me from my trials. 

I decided to share with you guys this is because you all have been appointed leaders by God and being human, you are not expected to be able to endure all sorts of struggles and take it in your stride alone. I can't be really cool about it because I apprehended my dependencies had to be wholly relied on God as i was desperate and fearful i couldn't pass my exams. 

Nevertheless, i was more than comforted to have you guys to send in your loving and encouraging sms-es because that was when i felt how a support group served it's role. Cos those heavenly sent messages and concern could make a difference and i immediately thought of our members and how they might just need our encouragements in their struggles and needs. My heart was suddenly directed to them and my heart was heavy because i asked myself if i was there enough for you guys as well. 

By the way, you know right? As you're officiated into the zone, i'll be taking responsibility over you. So, be it any needs or ANYTHING in the world, if you ever need a listening ear, someone to talk to, need advise, wanna hang out or hang in, i am around and here for you. I might not be the exact solution but this is my pledge, i promise to walk this journey with you. (*need any tissues?)

As the support group serves it's purpose, know that as leaders you are also vulnerable but not defeated. It is during times like these when you need to hold another brother and sister even tightly (tt's why we hug) and build relationships that are strong, passionate and full the love of Christ for one another. It's been long time i've seen that kind of bond between Christians and i pray that it will overflow our hearts...

~it is when i am diminished then can God be magnified~

-vin

dynamic & upfront

PRAYER REQUESTS

Hey everyone! (: i hope you guys are coping well .. especially alvin and Jared with their exams around the corner! Do keep each other in prayer yes? Vivienne says hi. (she is on the phone with me) =P

Vivienne:
1. Council Rally on 22nd April 08. ( she is very very scared..)
2. Needs help to get her priorities right and to have proper time management.
3. Peer pressure
4. Knee (starting to hurt badly again)

Chermain:
1. persistent headache especially when i cough, clear my throat or laugh (i can't laugh D= )
2. upcoming tests and assignments (esp CHEMISTRY)

When many join hands to pray, the prayer is more powerful ! God Bless you all (:

-POON! regards from vivienne as well [:

Speedlight Leaders' Retreat

Forwarded. Originals sent to your lovely emails. 2 short things to take note: 1) Date Changed. 2) Fees (i know it's not cheap but pray that the funds will come to you k?=)

Dear Ministry Leaders!
Greetings in the name of the Lord!
Just to let you guys know, there will be a Combined Leaders Retreat 
for all Speedlight Leaders & Ministry Leaders! The date will be on the 
13th - 14th June (DATE CHANGED!!!) Do keep both days and nights free. 
Please mark the dates down as it is compulsory for all to attend!!!
For this retreat, we'll be getting 2 powerful guest speakers to enrich us as leaders! 
It will also be a time of mingling among the leaders of both centres, 
a time for fun and also to be ministered and refreshed by the Presence of God. 
It’s a retreat not to be missed!

Venue: To Be Confirmed 
- awaiting confirmation from the respective organisations 
We'll try to get a venue accessible by public transport for your convenience 
**if you have a good venue that can house 60-70 people overnight do let me know!!!
Fees: $25 for leaders who pay up by 27th April or latest 4th May. 
- this is an early bird price, for those paying after 4th May, the fees will be $30. 
PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT AS THIS IS A COMPULSORY RETREAT, LEADERS WHO 
CAN ONLY ATTEND PART OF THE RETREAT OR CANNOT ATTEND IT AT ALL WILL ALSO 
BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE RETREAT FEES AS THE BUDGET INCLUDES YOUR SHARE 
OF LODGING, MEALS ETC. So do pay up early to enjoy the early bird rate! =D

Also, please do continue to pray for Speedlight!
Something wonderful is happening and it’s starting to brew already!! 
Let's pray and ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit 
like never before and flood the entire Speedlight!! LET'S BELIEVE!!! 
Believing is the start of every change & REVIVAL!! 
We look forward to your participation in this revival!

In His Love, 
Vinnie Lau 
SPEEDLIGHT ADMIN OFFICER 
(Leaders' Retreat IC)

Alvin

Prayer Items

Dearest(s), since our directions now are on prayers and change, i sincerely believe that we're all moving one step closer to God each time. In this pursuit of His love, nothing comes closer than prayer because worship and prayer is indeed the heart of Christianity.

When Jesus walked on earth, remember all the instances He prayed? Insane! Lots of it. He prayed, fasted and pray over and again when He was tempted, when he was in the dessert, when He was at Gethsemane before He was betrayed, when He was at the cross praying for us. Jesus was prayerful and as lovers of Christ, being changed and crafted into His likeness ...

2 Corinthians 3: 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

So make it a point to make prayer a part of your lifestyle.

The below is my prayer item which is quite dire:

uni exams:
-first paper starts on the 25th April and i'm not near completion even yet!
-i have 4 taxing exam papers to attempt

personal:
-failed 1 of my test- History of Management Thought. (i've never really failed so badly in my entire life and the truth is, i scored only 5/20)
-my failure of the above left an emotional scar and baggage because i'm under quite alot of peer pressure and exam stress (of which i'm can easily deal with but its haunting me over and again! irritating!)

-personal discipline over mind and physical body training
-time management because God is fair to everyone but i'm running out of time (anyone can lend me some time?)
-need to juggle a lot of stuff in the midst of exams. (eg, ministries like zone, music and speedhost, dance practices, support group, bible study and i demand my personal time to relax but i cannot!=X)

i just need some love prayers going and give me an assuring and supporting hug when you see me then!

Press on!

Alvin

Prayer list

People. Prayer prayer prayer. Yes we ought to pray more for each other. So i start off with my prayer needs first can? and you post yours so i can know what to pray for you can?

Family
-brother to go church regularly (he stopped going)
-sister to get into a uni of her choice.
-parents to stop falling ill
-financial stability
-strive to end with my paternal relatives

Studies
-discipline to do tutorials
-stop feeling demoralized and find new motivation towards studies

Friends
-classmate to come to Christ. she was healed from her back pain that she got in her training for high jump. but only recently the pain came back and she is doubting again. pray against the spirit of doubt.

Ministries
-focus in musiclight
-to teach with more passion

Zone aka division
-new anointing to fall on the division
-leaders to lead with confidence from the Lord
-our kids will not rebel against the split!
-revere Christ as the head of the division.
-chia to give us a clear direction/mission/vission,V3R ect in both short run and long run.
-worship to be more dynamic
-imptly, spiritual growth of our kids!
-MORE imptly, our own growth!

Personal
-peace to come upon me.
-be more patient esp towards my younger brother.
-think before i speak/act...Haha.

Wow...you never know how much we need to pray until we start to list them one by one. So many things to intercede for. and this excludes our friends who needs our prayers! So yea. Let's be watchful and prayerful.

Hope you all are doing fine in your studies/exams/PW!/work/slack/poly. Yes it'll only be tougher as times go by, but we can always draw strength from the One up there! =)

Jianhan

Speedlight Leaders' Retreat

Forwarded. Original has been sent to your lovely emails.

Dear Speedlight Supervisors! Greetings in the name of the Lord! Just to let you guys know, there will be a Leaders Retreat for all Speedlight Leaders in June! The date will most probably be on the 19th -20th June and inconjunction with SNOW 2008!!! Please inform all your leaders to mark this dates down and it is compulsory!!! During this retreat, we'll be trying to get 2 powerful guest speakers to enrich us as leaders! It will also be a time of mingling among the leaders of both centres, fun and a time where we minister and be refreshed by the Presence of God. It’s a retreat not to be missed! Secondly, please ask your leaders to submit their cell contact lists!! Its long long overdue! Please kindly ask your leaders to submit their updated contact lists to Vinnie! Thanks!Lastly, please do continue to pray for Speedlight! Something wonderful is happening and its starting to brew already!! Let's pray and ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit like never before and flood the entire Speedlight!! LET'S BELIEVE!!! Belief is the start of every change & REVIVAL!!
In His Love,
Douglas Christian Yeap
YOUTH COORDINATOR

Alvin Chia

There will be an outing to Bukit Timah for hiking and if you guys are interested in endurance training, i can help plan our journey and action plan. In order to make it happen, i need you guys to be proactive on it. Here's the operation order:

1) i need a dedicated team to find out on the availability of our leaders and set the details (meeting day and time)

2) those who are keen(i hope all of us can make it somehow..) be proactive and provide details to the team

3) another team to determine itinerary for the day (like wad time what happens)

okiez, go plan out something and wow me kz? wahaha... if u need me to do some training plans, can always approach me =)

Rocks!

Vin