First Believe, Then You Will See...

Watching the fireBRANDS playing their respective games in the recent Wave Challenge, I can’t help but reflect on my life, and how long a journey it was that I took with them.

10 years and 5 months I’ve been with the fireBRANDS, regularly attending Saturday night services at Air Itam. Can you imagine that? 10 years… Doesn’t seem like that long ago when I first stepped into Sanctuary 2 of Air Itam, attending my very first youth service. At the same time, it feels like it’s been forever that I was with the fireBRANDS.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

I think often times we hear people say “have faith, follow God and trust Him, because He knows best…” or anything along those lines. Yes, it’s easy to say those words, but don’t we all agree following them is another story? I think most, if not all of us, would really want to do that. Deep down inside, there is that longing of just wanting to believe in God, who at many times seem very intangible to us.

Well, I think 10 years is sufficient enough for me to give you something tangible to believe those words…

You see, I strongly believed that my years spent growing up here with the fireBRANDS really defined who I am today. Not directly because of the fireBRANDS, but rather because of how God has moulded me to become who I am today THROUGH the fireBRANDS.

I’m going to be really frank here. Many times it felt as though I’ve been “forced” into things. May it be the inevitable dramas of the teenage life, or even having to take up roles and responsibilities. And so often have I felt tired and just wanting to give up. Very often my friends… But I did what every Christian would probably say, “pray… leave it to God…” But what happens after that? To be honest, most often it felt like nothing did happened… in the short-run that is.

“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” – James 2: 20-24

So with those words, I held on… and do what I believed was right. So if I was given a role, I made sure I tried to do it with excellence (not perfection). If caught in the middle of some circumstance, I tried to “swallow instead of spit” even if I was branded foolish in the eyes of man. It’s painful process at times I must say.

Well, it wasn’t until I was studying for my degree that I realized, that I have an upper hand in many things (I’m not trying to boast here, so please don’t get me wrong. Just wanting to give you something tangible). :)

Because of the different roles and responsibilities, I found myself gaining many skills. Being a naturally quiet and shy person, I’ve learned to speak confidently (if not, for the most part la) in front of a large crowd etc. I’ve even picked up some management skills along the way, learning how to work with people, planning, organizing, coordinating, problem solving, etc… I even discovered talents I never knew I had.

More importantly, I think was the development of my character. I won’t say much on this because it’s not for me to judge, really. But with all that I’ve been through, held on and persevered, I believe I’ve matured well enough.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4

Again, don’t get me wrong. I still have much to learn. MUCH to learn. Now being in the working life for almost 8 months, I find many things I don’t have the answers to. But I’ll continue to stick to how I play my game... :)

So to end this uber long post, I’m thankful for the fireBRANDS because of how God has moulded me through the years with them. How long will I be serving in the fireBRANDS? It’s up to Him ;) So to all of you (if you’ve managed to reach this portion of my post), persevere! The thing about faith is you got to first believe, then you will see…


From: Leroy

Youth Wave Challenge Week 1 (Captain Ball)

Youth Wave Challenge Week 1

Hey guys :) Welcome back to the fireBRANDS blog. Well as most of you know, last Saturday was the first week of Youth Wave Challenge/ Wave Challenge . We sent 5 teams to participate. 2 teams in the Under 17 category, 1 team in the Girls Open category and 2 teams in the Men Open category.

 Here's some pictures to give ya'll a description of what happen. 

Waiting for the participants 

The hall where most of the action happened 

More pictures of waiting

And some more.....

And many more.......

And also taking random pictures 

Well we also used the free time to strategize,......  

Some last moment briefing,.......

And not to forget practice! 

Oh and the most important part, warming up :)

And lunch 

A little last minute briefing before starting Youth Wave Challenge/Wave Challenge 

And "LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!"

The Girls open category team getting ready for their fist match

Adrenaline pumping

The 2 teams for the Under 17 boys anxiously waiting for their turn

How we get ready for our next match

Taking more random photos 

The awkward moment when both teams from fireBRANDS  compete against each other

Well after a whole day (well almost) of playing Captain Ball, here are the results......

For the Under 17 Boys category......both teams lost all 3 matches.

The Girls Open category.......they won 2 matches and lost 2.

And for the Mens Open category.......one team won all the way till semi-finals, the other lost a match during qualifiers but still made it. Both teams lost at the semi finals and faced each other for 3rd place.

Hope ya'll enjoyed this weeks post. Come this Saturday to support fireBRANDS floorball team!!! Woohoo!!!! See you guys and gals there. Oh and all these pictures were taken using an android phone. 

Youth on the 7th of APRIL two zero one two =)

Selamat Pagi/Petang/Malam!! Ini DJ Z taking you back to what happened last Saturday!

So, we started off with Pre-Service Prayer :)

 (Prayer really works! So come early for Youth to attend it!)

Well, after prayer. We had some fun with Ice-Breaker!! :D 

Yay!!!

Led by our one and only Confucius Benjamin Yeoh!!

We played the Name Game!

Basically, we have to guess the person on the other side's name, age and school 

when the sheets are down

Oi! Eulene! No peeking!! 

Jonathan : It's so easy!!

Ken-Jeen : I still don't know!!

Naomi : Leroy! 23! Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Orang Tua Dream Catcher!!

5 vs. 5

Boys vs. Girls

Who won?

Er.. well. Let's just say it was evenly matched :D

A draw!

After that awesome time of ice-breakers, we went for worship :)

Back to basics, No Drummers, No Electric Guitars,.

You have turned! My mourning into dancing!! :)

Oh yes! Before I forget. A few announcements 

• There will be NO Youth Services for the next two weeks (April 14th and April 21st)              Why? Cause' it's Youth Wave :D Come and support fireBRANDS as we battle it out haha!
• Youth Service will resume the week after 21st April
• On the 5th of May there will be no Youth Service again. Why? Cause it's REVO@PISA!!

Note: If you guys do not have transport to any of these events. Contact the older Youths for it! :) 

Oh yeah.

Like our fireBRANDS Facebook Page :)

It's awesumsz! It's filled with photos, fun stuff videos and many more :P

So go and like it! :D

Heheh! Look who's hear to speak the Word of God! :)

None other than......... *drumrolls*

Uncle Heok Hooi! :D

Title: Following Jesus At A Distance

The closer we are to Jesus, 

the more clearly we hear Him,

the more clearly we hear Him,

the more likely we are NOT to sin.

Question?

What happens when the remote controlled car/helicopter is out of range? 

It cannot receive the signal.

But when we follow Jesus at a distance

-We cannot clearly discern His will

-Were you surprised that the car/helicopter stopped responding to the remote control?

-What happens when your parents are trying to shout something across the field? Can you hear them?

-Do you think we hear God more clearly when we are near to Him? Why?

 Because we are in range.

-What are some things that keeps us from being close to God?

 Facebook? Farmville? 9Gag? Tetris Battle?

Luke 22: 54-62

⁵⁴ Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.⁵⁵ And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. ⁵⁶ A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

 ⁵⁷ But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

 ⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

   “Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

 ⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

 ⁶⁰ Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Let us explore this chapter

-Go back and read the passage especially Verse 54

-How does the Bible say Peter was following Jesus?

-Why do you think Peter was following Jesus at a distance?(Because he was scared? A coward? Fearful?)

- What did Peter end up doing that night? 

 (Sitting around the campfire denying Jesus-he ended up doing it 3 times)

-Do you think that Peter's following Jesus at a distance had anything to do with his denying Jesus? (Think about it)

-We are told how Peter responded to his sin: He wept bitterly

 But how do you think Jesus responded to Peter's sin? (Jesus forgave Peter)

-Do you know that Peter was one of Jesus' inner circle and he was one of the closest disciple of Jesus?

-Have you ever wondered how someone could deny Jesus after being with Him so much?

(Luke 22- Peter was following Jesus at a distance)

-Do you KEEP A DISTANCE between yourself and Jesus? If so, why?

-If you are closer with God, you will hear God more clearly

-In your own life, do you think you sin more or sin less with God?

-What do you need to do (or change) that will help you follow Jesus more closely? 

 Cut down on Internet, pray, come for youth, go for cell group, read your Bible etc.

Wrapping up:

The further we are from Jesus, 

the less clear like becomes,

the less clear life becomes,

the more likely WE ARE to sin.

Question of the day:

Would you surrender that 'thing' so that you can draw closer to Him? 

Well, that wraps up

You, reader, has been INVITED!

Start your essay with the 5 words given above. Your post must not be less than 6 words, including the 5 words given. 

You, reader, has been INVITED! Yes, you were, for the fireBRANDS ball, duh. So for those who went, and decided to see if your picture is in here, you're welcomed. For those who did not go, and wanted to see what actually happened, you're welcomed too :)

Details
Sanctuary 2, 7pm.
Dress code
Like a sir/Like a lady, with a mask (Formal wear)
Date
31/4

So, the night started off with the arrival of guests (I shall refer to the participants as guests). But surprise, surprise! As much as the decoration for that special night looked like it is prepared for a formal dinner, it wasn't. Sir Brian and Lady Sam would gladly announce that it was, in fact, something grander than a dinner! It was... The auction... Of... The... MONA LISA yo!!!
And as the bid begins, a shadow lurked in the corner, stealthily sneaking amongst the guests unknown. Flying past the guards undetected (well, not literally). Dressed as a fine young gentleman, he is. The crowd sensed nothing fishy (as no fish was served that night). What a fine night for a ... *LIGHTS OFF* *CROWD GASPS* *LIGHTS ON* *BRIAN SHOCKED* *SAMANTHA SHOCKED* *CROWD SHOCKED* *WHY?* *MONA LISA MISSING yo!!!*

Well of course, the search for it begins. One can't expect only one guard to find for the painting right?
LADIES, GENTLEMEN, ON YOUR FEET AND let the hunger games begin SEARCH FOR THE PAINTING!!!

The games were divided into 4 different stations. The first, is Faith and Natasha's station. Rules are, answer the questions correctly and marks will be given based on the level of difficulty. Simple? If you choose to think so :)
Second station was manned by Isaac and Brian. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Marks given based on level of difficulty and teamwork. Their "Difficult" level was really difficult so :)
Third one up was Samantha and Ben's. Find a replica of a picture shown and spot the mistakes in both the pictures. Then, do a spontaneous dance. Marks given based on team effort as well. Just dance, gonna be okay cos marks are given :)
Fourth, Ken-Jeen and Shiau Ting. Get a partner, face your backs to each other, and place a balloon in between while navigating through a course. And yes, this is where the "LOOK MA, NO HANDS" saying applies. No touchy the balloony :)

My, my Isaac, what big panda eyes you have

Oh look at that penguin! :P

What I meant by "dance" in the third station

Seems kinda hard to see who it really is behind those masks.

Station 2 game: Jigsaw puzzle

And while all the four stations are done with, unfortunately, the painting hasn't been found. That's where all those hours of watching Sherlock Holmes, reading about Sherlock Holmes, and understanding the concept behind the movie "Inception" comes into good use. Each group was given a clue leading to a particular spot (each group different spots), and they are to find the second clue there, and solve it in order to get their hands on the thief.

So, after many hours under the bright, full moon, the thief has been found, and as hoped for, with the painting. As the guests return, feeling elated and satisfied, the auction organisers have planned something for them! Well no theme night is COMPLETE without the handing of prizes to the "Best _________" that deserves it. So here goes. The thief can wait, I'm sure. Don't you run away now.

Best Dressed Male, Sir Jonathan

*Inserts picture of Sarah Wong*

Best Dressed Female, Lady Sarah Wong

Best Mask, Lady Kelly

And a prize (unfortunately only one) for them for bringing at least a friend for the night

And with that, I would like to thank the organisers, Brian, Isaac, Natasha, Faith, Ben, Ken-Jeen, Samantha and Shiau Ting for a great night once again!