200TH POST!

Sooo guess what?!

This is www.firebrands-irri.blogspot.com's two-hundredth post!

(Well according to blogger. You can go ahead and count if you want but I wouldn't bother.)

This calls for a round of applause!

*resounding claps*

And to celebrate, we're gonna have a round of champagne for everyone!

*even louder claps*

Plus, we're gonna be like Oprah and give all of you free cars!

*screams and shouts and cheers and tears*

...no, not really. Cause most of you are prolly underaged for alcohol consumption, and we're not that rich.

See if we were that financially rich (like Oprah rich), we wouldn't really have to have fundraisers for our Annual Youth Camp 2011.

Which we will be having!

This Sunday (3rd Dec - wow, december already?! - 2011), youth camp fundraising is at central zone, right after Sunday service.

Next Sunday (10th Dec), it'll be at north zone.

If you're a fireBRAND who's coming to help out, wear the INFLUENZA shirt; but if you don't have that then any other camp t-shirt is fine.

If you're not, then please do come and support us!

...

Okay that was probably the longest post introduction we've had for quite a while.

Right then, back to.. youth service on the 26th of November.

Kicked off with prayer at 7.15p.m. led by our faithful prayer coordinator week-by-week, Sarah Wong.

This time round, a few leaders of fireBRANDS formed a hexagon. (USA has the Pentagon, we got the hexagon xP)

More people came around them.

And collectively, we formed a snowflake:) partly due to Christmas coming round the corner!

Prayed for:

the (then, but now no longer!:D) SPMers,

the leaders of fireBRANDS,

Annual Youth Camp 2011,

and of course, youth service that night.

Next up, icebreaker!

Facilitated by Eulene, we played everyone's 'favourite' game that we all 'look forward' to (except whoever happens to be sitting next to Beverly xP).

This is a traditional game, passed down from generation to generation in fireBRANDS since the time of (sorry for making him sound old - well not forgotten at least) Daniel Teoh.

It's...

...the SLAPPING game!

It's a fast-paced, action(and reaction!)-based game, where you sit, legs crossed, hands up, adrenaline coursing through your veins, ears alert to the next number called out, heart racing and mind focussed.

In short, it's good fun!

But there's a twist, the wind blows! And here's everyone getting up:

(some faster than others).

Settle into new positions and again! Back to the action.

Which also basically explains the next two photos:

All good things must come to an end, but joyfully so when there are better things in store!

Such is the case when icebreaker gave way to praise and worship led by Yan-Y.

And believe me when I say that it was a blast!

Whether you're on a slightly more elevated platform (stage, in other words)...

...or you're in the crowd, the fireBRANDS united to give praise to Him who's worthy of it.

And our desire is that God would see that it was good.

Moving on, it's message time! By our current and truly awesome leader, Leroy!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."-Romans 8:28 (NIV)

⁵ I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,

- Isaiah 45:5 (NIV)

That 2nd verse, (the one in chunky letters) was to King Cyrus, a mighty emperor, great conqueror & planner, and proactive leader. It shows that behind his conquest God has a greater purpose.

Likewise, behind all our clever planning, God has a greater plan for us.

KEY SENTENCE YOU SHOULD REMEMBER:

"Sometimes God has to allow our plans to be broken so that we, with Him, can build bigger and better ones."

We see this through the story of Joseph! (around Genesis 37-41)

When he slept and got the two dreams (Gen 37:5-11) of his brothers and then his father, mother and brothers bowing down to him, he probably thought, "Maybe God'll make me a great farmer" or in today's term's, "my school's head prefect."

BUT God had a bigger plan!

After he got thrown into a cistern and subsequently sold to the Midianites by his brothers, well to him, his plans were coming apart. Next, the Midianites didn't even want him and sold him to Potiphar instead.

But Joseph, young, strapping and handsome man he was, was the target of seduction from Potiphar's wife, horny woman she was.

To keep the shory stort story short, Joseph landed in jail but then was brought all the way up to 2nd-in-command of Egypt, 2nd only to Pharoah, cause he could interpret Pharoah's dreams.

So the point?

Joseph thought, okay, my father, mother and brothers'll bow down to me. Wow.

But God's plan? The WHOLE of Egypt bowing down to Joseph. FUYOHHHH!

Sometimes our plans are just too small and God has to break our 'clever' planning to give us the best.

Prayer :)

Welcome back to another issue of Irresistible Influence (Also known
as fireBRANDS!!)

Well, service started with a prayer session.
We prayed for the SPM and STPM and go-ers and for the person
in front of us in a
train like way
*Choo-Choo!*

Amazing things happen when you pray!
You'll find out soon :)

Well, after prayer. Toilet Break for those people whom nature has called
(Get it?)

^ Tsk tsk. Spying on someone I suppose? ^

Ok! It's out tradition to welcome new-comers to our
Youth Service, so go to them and give them a warm welcome :D

Well, its time for..............
ICEBREAKER!
Well, since they couldn't think of any games to play. They decided
to have 3 games!!

Sword Drill was one of them !!
(Preparation for Youth Camp!)

Well, those who had lost the previous game had to do a
forfeit.
What you ask?
The Banana Dance!!!

After ice-breakers was worship.
Notice anyone different?
Yes? No? No? Yes?

Well! It's time for Announcements!
Well, what do we have here.
A RevoGarden shirt!
Well, as you all know St. Xavier's Institution has finished their RevoGarden Project this March
Now they're in the process of maintaining it, the CF Committe
have decided to lower the price from RM 25 to RM7.
So grab your RevoGarden Shirts now!
Find Isaac or Ken-Jeen for this :)

Now its time for the sermon!
Btw, This is Leroy's way of saying
"Are you ready to rumble!!"
just joking.

Well, tonight we have Sarah Khoo! As our speaker who
had no title (in word form) for her message tonight :)

What she preached about: Prayer :)

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)

⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:6(NIV)

⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Romans 2:12-13(NIV)

¹² All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

John 16:33(NIV)

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

In short. Worry, Stop, Pray!!!

Well thats all for today. Peace out! :D

Heloooooo......FIREBRANDS!

Youth service on the 12th of November..... Newcomers!!! The whole firebrands gave a warm welcome..."Hello....nice to see you.."(something like that..)

And then the moment you've all been waiting for...*jeng jeng jeng* ICEBREAKER led by Tania... All of us are required to pass a drawing to the person in front of you. Each person shall copy the drawing....

Selepas itu, it's worship time.... led by Joyce Lim. We sing praises to the Lord.. .allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through us... glorifying His name.

And then, we had new video clips for firebrands AYC 2011!*Cheers*Attention to the ones that haven't sign up yet, please do..... bring your friends along too..Ahem...ok..back to story...

We then prayed for the ones taking their SPM and STPM..Prayed that God will be with them throughout the exam...giving them knowledge to answer the questions. :)

We had Pastor Heok Cheow to be speaker for the night.

The Message:-

Psalms:(32:9)-Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.

• Senseless horse are like people impatient and doing something ahead of God while a donkey are like people who are passive.
• Don't be like senseless horse and donkey but run with discipline horses,as a team.
• Romans (8:37)-No, despite all these things,overwhelming victory is ours through Christ,who loved us.
• Become God's winner

Who are YOU???

• A victim person - sees that it's all fate... nothing could have been changed
• A maintenance mode of thinking - not concern about the future
• Someday mode of thinking- do not attempt to do it ...but just by words
• Only if mode of thinking- comparing with others

Interesting facts....

According to the principle of aerodynamics,bumblebees cant fly...but they don't care ..but just fly. (they're too fat and heavy...sorry bumblebees...)

Question....

Do I really believe that what I believe is really real? Think about that :)

"Do i believe what is what!!!???? don't worry..you'll catch up!

See you in the next blog!

PS from the Ed: Congrats to all you SPMers who just finished BM! No more bringing KOMSAS books to church -.- hope y'all'll hit the cepumas with your results!

The Church

Welcome fireBRANDS blog readers. Here's another update of what happened at last week's youth service.

As usual, service starts with prayers.

Led by Sarah Wong

Prayer points:

-Speaker for that night Pastor Cowan

- Those about to take exams (SPM)

- Worship team for that night

Next, it was time to break some ice.

This time by Joyce Lim :)

What was the ice-breaker about??

Get a pair of shoes that aren't yours, and return them to its rightful owner.

Sound simple? Well thats up to you too decide.

After the ice-breaker, it was time for worship.

Speaker of the night:

Pastor Cowan. Woohoo!! :D

His message: The Church

In Greek the word church is ekklesia which means to gather.

It also has four specific characteristics such as:
-call out from among others

-gather together for a specific purpose

-maintained distinct functions

-operate independently

Purposes of the Church

1. The ministry of God is worship

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Ephesians 1:12(NIV)

¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The Ministry to Believers:NURTURE

Colossians 1:28-29(NIV)

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Ephesians 4:11-13(NIV)

¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

3. Ministry to the world: Evangelism and Mercy

Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV)

²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Adventreasure!

Pertama sekali, minta maaf, banyak-banyak maaf sebab lambat sangat post nih.

That aside..

We had a totally gobsmackeringly doodlediddlelee great theme night on the 29th of October.

And to smacker your gobs and to diddlelee your doodles, and in keeping with the theme of the night...

...you're invited to EXPLORE beyond this blog and click here to see photos and photos of the night!

The album's a work in progress so be patient but enjoy the photos that're already up. Like, comment, make it your profile picture, help tag your friends (highly recommended activity if you're bored stiff or wanna be philanthropic).

THANKS for stopping by here!

And so this post isn't all words, and to give you a foretaste of the album and a sense of the kemeriahan of the night: