C.O.O.L stands for [City of Our Lord]
" For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architectand builder is God. "
Hebrews 11:10
easter camp has been a really great blessing. so glad i went. there were sermons and workshops. and the workshops (tho almost like mini sermons) were so rewarding i think this shld be introduced in occ camps next time! the difference is that u get to chose which one u wan to go for, and that means it's probably gg to be most applicable in your life, hence the great take-home message. i chose one headed as 'case for christ' based on the bk wif the same title and another one headed 'leadership - surviving the leadership race'.
for the benefit of all u leaders out there, here are the notes:
- christian leadership is eternal, a lifelong process (tho some say even longer than life itself - if u noe what i mean)
- the 360degrees leader: lead ppl above you, below you, ur peers and urself
- how to survive the race (and prevent burnout): [hebrews 12:1-3]
throw off everything that hinders and every sin that entangles us: notice running shorts dun hav pockets? we run with as little as possible, you cant finish the race with baggage. and sin has consequences, the biggest being that it stops US from coming close to God - we feel dirty and unworthy (it doesnt stop God coming to us tho, thankfully). use james 5:16. unforgiveness makes it hard for us to minister/lead as it undermines the foundation of love. also, we have to throw out other things that hinder us (not necessarily sin eg. stress, laziness, worry, apathy).
run with PERSEVERANCE the race MARKED OUT FOR US: we each have our OWN specific race to run, God's specific plan for us. leadership is about playing YOUR part in YOUR race. stop meddling or criticizing others running their race, focus on urs. God always wants the best for us, leadership is for your own benefit. so dont complain or reluctantly serve God cos u think thats what you're compelled to do. God can actually handle everything Himself. in addition, if we miss our race, we miss its blessings+lessons, and others will jus fill in for us.
fix our eyes on Jesus: dont lose focus, we need God-led revelation, not inspiration, since not every good idea may be a God idea. busy-ness is what is preventing most churches from growing these days.
know that the race is not going to be easy: 1 peter 1: 6-7, God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. so while we know that the process is painful and tiring, let us rejoice for we know the sense of satisfaction at the finishing line
know that Jesus did it 1st for us: leadership comes with a cost, a price to pay
ok, apart from the above mentioned, on one ocassion they also split us up according to our genders and gave us sermons in different halls. the guy's one headlined the book 'wild at heart' while the gals did 'captivating'. the speaker delivered the 6 pts to being a beautiful radiant woman of God and a princess warrior for Him. not going to elaborate much so that the guys out there wun know our 'secret' but yes, i'm definitely empowered by the message. it touched on the big R and it made me realise that many a time, we forget that Jesus is the ultimate lover.
i am so not going to be an 'old shrivelled up prune' :p
met dear xiuhua! its a small small world :)
COOLfest (talent time): UV lights hype the mood
[more pics coming up]
below is one of the songs sung during COOLfest.
it's a reminder of what the Lord did for each and every one of us on gd friday,
as seen through the eyes of an innocent little child.
it touched my heart so much, i teared.
Nichole Nordeman//Why
We rode into town the other day
Just me and my Daddy
He said I'd finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse
That of course was not quite as wide
We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that man
That my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes
So I said "Daddy, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
I'll bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows
Daddy, please can't you do something?
He looks as though He's gonna cry
you said He was stronger than all of those guys
Daddy, please tell me why
Why does everyone want Him to die?"
Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And Daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering
If there was something he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds
To a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross
And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows
Father, please can't You do something?
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle the cross of this size
Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?
When will I understand why?"
"My precious Son, I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I've heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below, see the child
Trembling by her father's side
Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die"
i fluttered by;
1:36 AM
