So Not Fair

So Not Fair

Imagine: you work your whole life to compete in the Olympics, only to blow it, not just for yourself but for your entire team. Sure, most people (aside from a few mean-spirited bloggers and critical sports reporters) say it wasn’t completely your fault. Other girls on the team messed up too. But you know that you made the most glaring errors. It’s your routine that they keep replaying from every angle in slow motion, inserting the usual gasps and “That’s it. Wow. She really needs to get it together now. How DO you come back from that?”

A few days later you get a chance for redemption. The whole country is rooting for you. Although you make a couple of small mistakes you do not disappoint. When one competitor steps out of bounds and another falls those watching assume that a medal is yours. So do you. Then the unthinkable happens. Despite their blunders those girls score higher than you, sending you to the cruel 4th place position. How could this have happened? Everyone keeps repeating the phrase “higher difficulty level.” Shouldn’t that go out the window when one steps out of bounds and/or falls? Did any judges give you a high-difficulty-level break when you fell off the beam?

At least this time reporters and bloggers are all on your side, saying you’ve been robbed instead of “She single-handedly blew the gold medal for the U.S.” But how can that make up for the unfairness of it all? Sure, Google practically crashed due to the mass searches for your name. You’ve gained a few fan sites from the whole mess, and a country full of moms who wanted to hop the next plane to China so they could give you a hug. A large percentage of guys apparently think you’re hot. Still, you’ll always be remembered as that poor girl who fell off the beam, who followed it up with a tumble in her floor routine, who got cheated out of medal on vault. Snap shots of your career will always include a close-up of your feet losing contact with the beam, you biting your lip as you wait for those dreaded scores, and your tear-filled eyes as you see your goals dashed, not once but twice.

What do you do?

Comfort yourself with the idea that at least your family’s livelihood doesn’t depend on you bringing home the gold. At least your team didn't arrive at the games weighed down by the pressure that less than a certain number of golds would equal failure. At least you didn’t spend your entire childhood in a training center far from your parents. That might help for say, five minutes.

Adopt the attitude of all the non-Olympians who pat you on the shoulder and remind you that you’ve gone further than many can ever hope to—that at the end of the day you are an Olympic gymnast with a silver medal to prove it. Maybe when you’re a mom comforting your own daughter through a disappointment this will stick. For now it’s one of those truths that sounds great but doesn’t take the sting away.

Challenge the judge’s ruling and get a little trash talk going about the girls who beat you out for medals on vault in hopes that at least one will be disqualified, giving you the bronze? Not only would it be a waste of time but it wouldn’t help your reputation. All those moms out there might want to give you a swat instead of a hug.

At some point you’d have to choose to move on, hold onto the goals that you accomplished instead of dwelling on those that didn’t happen and somehow take some good from the experience, even if only “this is what I’ll do next time.” At some point you'd have to thank God for getting you as far as you got.

Watching Alicia Sacramone and so many other athletes get to the Olympics only to make a costly mistake, have to drop out due to injury, or have some strange circumstance remove all hope of gold reminds us that disappointments can come at the worst possible time, including when we’ve sacrificed and worked our hardest. The question isn’t why such crushing blows come but how we respond to them. You and I may not have to worry about losing our shot at a gold medal or making the mistake of our lives on international television, but we all have days when our best attempts fall apart, our plans fizzle for no apparent reason, or we are shoved aside thanks to sheer unfairness.

No matter what anyone says, it can hurt and just doesn’t seem right. As God’s children at least we have the hope that He still loves us, that He can use it all - including the ugly snapshot reminders - for His good.

straight from the Word:

Jeremiah 29: 11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Peter 2:12 - Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

adapted from: http://www.girlsgodgoodlife.blogspot.com/

ANNOUNCEMENT!

this coming saturday (National Day) there will be a seminar about WORSHIP, and its a seminar for youths. here are the details!

event: 青少年与敬拜座谈会 (Youth Seminar on Worship)
theme: 传统敬拜 与 现代敬拜 (traditional worship vs contemporary worship)

workshop #1: 如何在教会掌握敬拜风格 - 在传统和现代音乐之间 (bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary music for effective worship)
workshop #2: 敬拜与灵命成长的关系 (the link between praise&worship and spiritual growth)
workshop #3: 现代流行音乐风格可以在教会扮演什么角色 (how modern/pop music trends can have a place in church)

date: 9 August 2008
time: 9.30am - 3pm
venue: 新加坡神学院 - 多用途室. 第一座，第三楼 (Singapore Bible College, Multi-Purpose Hall. Level 3 of the 1st Block)
registration fee: $5 (includes lunch)

*CAN JUST REGISTER AND GO FOR IT ON THAT DAY! 可以当场报名参加*

to contact the people-in-charge: y.care.fellowship@gmail.com or 91080937

here is the link to the site:
http://ortvsingapore.com/main/index.php?option=com_extcalendar&Itemid=99999999&extmode=view&extid=151


so sorry for not making this announcement on sunday! anyway, if anyone is free on that day (and does not feel patriotic, haha) this would be quite a good seminar to go for. it will be completely in CHINESE though (english translations above done by me ^^)

oh yes, lunsiong is very interested to go, he would like some company!


becky

Festival Of Praise 2008!

HELLO everyone!
its the annual Festival Of Praise!
*so excited*
although this year, there isnt any singers or band that i know of, but i still want to urge you guys to attend.

Reasons:
1) Its once a year.
2) We will be worshiping God together with
other christians with other churches, other denominations.
3) It will be
great to learn new songs together.
4) Last but not least, we get to bond and
interact as we go for this and worship God together!

so why not come for this? (:

those who are interested, please ask your parents for permission as this event might end late like around 10.
we wouldnt want your parents to come after us!

we will most probably be going for the friday session.
those who are going, please inform me asap so that we can make necessary arrangements.

God bless,
Yvonne :D

presenting...

our very own youth choir...
天路客！

hope you've enjoyed it! :D

super sorry for the lack of updates.
i'll upload and share the pics soon because sharing is caring! (:

THE BEST RESTAURANT EVER... another restaurant story =)

THE BEST RESTAURANT EVER... (another restaurant story)

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place.

After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and I had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place.

Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, “Come as you are. No jacket required” and found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy.

All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn’t shake the grime that clung to my body.

As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me…”Come as you are. No jacket required.” I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. “Your name, sir?” he asked me with a smile. “Jimmy D. Brown,” I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn’t seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, “Very good, sir.

A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?” I couldn’t believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, “Yes, of course!” He led me to a table, and sure enough, there was a place-card with my name written on it in a deep, dark red.

As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, “peace,” “joy,” “blessings,” “confidence,” “assurance,” “hope,” “love,” “faith,” and “mercy.” I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was at…”God’s Grace,” was the name of this place.

The man returned and said, “I recommend the ‘Special of the Day’. With it you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu.” You’ve got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this?! “What is the ‘Special of the Day’?” I asked with excitement ringing in my voice. “Salvation,” was his reply. “I’ll take it,” I practically cried out. Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body.

A sick painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said…”Mister, look at me. I’m dirty and nasty. I am unclean and unworthy of such things. I’d love to have all of this, but, but, I just can’t afford it.” Undaunted, the man smiled again. “Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there,” he said as he pointed to the front of the room. “His name is Jesus.”

Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in a shaking voice I whispered, “Sir, I’ll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I’ll do anything I can do to repay You for all this.” He opened His arms and said with a smile, “Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you.”

Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, “Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me this new life.” Immediately, I heard the words, “It is finished.” I looked down and white robes adorned my body. Something strange and wonderful had happened.

I felt new, like a weight had been lifted and I found myself seated at His table. “The ‘Special of the Day’ has been served,” the Lord said to me. “Salvation is yours.” We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like for me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God’s Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible. As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the “real world,” He whispered to me softly, “And Lo, I am with you always.”

And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said…”My child, do you see these empty tables?” “Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?” I replied. “These are reserved tables…but the individuals whose names are on each place-card have not accepted their invitation yet.

Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us as yet?” Jesus asked. “Of course,” I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations. “Go ye therefore into all nations.” He said as I turned to leave. I walked into God’s Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags.

And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man…robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I’ll keep my promise to my Lord. I’ll go. I’ll spread the Word. I’ll share the Gospel… I’ll hand out the invitations.

And I’ll start with you. Have you been to God’s Grace? There’s a table reserved in your name, and here’s your invitation…

“Come as you are. No jacket required.” —— “For by grace are you saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” - Ephesians 2: 8

video recommended by LJDS (: hope you all find it touching



alternatively, click this link if it loads too slowly:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

table for two.

He sits by himself at a table for two.
The uniformed waiter returns to his side and ask.
"Would you like to go ahead and order, sir?"
The man has, after all been waiting since seven o'clock -- almost half an hour.
"No, thank you," the man smiles. "I'll wait for her a while longer. How about some more coffee?"
"Certainly, sir."

The man sits, his clear blue eyes gazing straight through the flowered centrepiece. He fingers his napkin, allowing the sound of light chatter, tingling silverware, and mellow music to fill his mind. He dressed in sports coat and tie. His brown hair is neatly combed, but one stray lock insists on dropping to his forehead. The scent of his cologne adds to his clean cut image. He is dressed up enough to make a companion feel important, respected, loved. yet he is not so formal as to make one uncomfortable. It seems that he has taken every precaution to make others feel at ease with him.

Still, he sits alone.
The waiter return to fill the man's coffee cup.
"Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?"
"No, thank you."
The waiter remains standing at the table. Something tugs at his curiosity.
"I don't mean to pry, but ..." His voice trail off. This line of conversation could jeopardize his tip.
"Go ahead," the man encourages. His strong yet sensitive, inviting conversation.
"Why do you bother waiting for her?" the waiter finally blurts out. This man has been at the restaurant other evenings, always patiently alone.
Says the man quietly, "Because she needs me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Well, sir, no offense, but assuming that she needs you, she sure isnt acting much like it. She stood you up three times this week."
The man winces, and looks down at the table, "Yes, I know."
"Then why do you still come here and wait?"
"Cassie said that she would be here."
"She said that before," the waiter protests. "I wouldn't put up with it. Why do you?"
Now the man looks up, smiles at the waiter, and says simply, "Because I love her."

The waiter walks away, wondering how one could love a girl who stand him up three times a week. The man must be crazy, he decides. Across the room, he turns to look at the man again. The man slowly pours cream into his coffee. He twirls his spoon between his finger a few times before stirring sweetner into his cup. After staring for a moment into the liquid, the man brings the cup to his mouth and sips, silently watching those around him. He doesn't look crazy, the waiter admits. Maybe the girl has qualities that I don't know about. Or maybe the man's love is stronger than most. The waiter shakes himself out of his musing to take order from a party of five.

The man watches the waiter, wonders if he's ever been stood up. The man has, many times. But he still can't get used to it. Each time, it hurts. He'e looked forward to this evening all day. He has many things, exciting things, to tell Cassie. But, more importantly, he wants to hear Cassie's voice. He wants her to tell him all about her day, her triumphs, her defeats ... anything, really. He'd just like to know that she cares for him, too. He sips sporadically at the coffee, and loses himself in thought, knowing that Cassie is late, but still hoping that she will arrive.

The clock says nine-thirty when the waiter returns to the man's table.

"Is there anything I can get for you?"
The still empty chairs stabs at the man.
"No, I think that will be all for tonight. May I have the check please?"
"Yes, sir."

When the waiter leaves, the man picks up the check. He pulls out his wallet and signs. He has enough money to have given Cassie a feast. But he takes out only enough to pay for his five cups of coffee and the tip. Why do you do this Cassie, his mind cries as he gets up from the table.

"Good-bye," the waiter says, as the man walks towards the door.
"Good night. Thank you for your service."
"You're welcome, sir," says the waiter softly, for he sees the hurt in the man's eyes that his smile doesn't hide.
The man passes a laughing young couple on his way out, and his eyes glisten as he thinks of the good time he and Cassie could have had. He stops at the front and makes reservations for tomorrow. Maybe Cassie will be able to make it, he thinks.

"Seven o'clock tomorrow for party of two?" the hostess confirms.
"That's right," the man replies.
"Do you think she'll come?" asks the hostess. She doesnt mean to be rude. but she has watched the man many times alone at his table for two.
"Someday, yes. And I will wait for her." The man buttons his overcoat and walks out of the restaurant, alone. His shoulder are hunched, but through the windows the hostess can only guess whether they are hunched the wind or against the man's hurt.

As the man turns towards home, Cassie turns into bed. She is tired after an evening out with her friends. As she reaches towards her night stand to set the alarm, she sees the note that she scribbled to herself last night. '7:00,' it says.

'Spend some time in prayer.' Darn, she thinks. She forgot again. She feels a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushes it aside. She needed that time with her friends. And now she needs her sleep. She can pray tomorrow night. Jesus will forgive her. And she's sure HE doesn't mind.

- Kristen Burgees

**I apologise for being lazy and not updating. xP
so, to compensate, i typed this article by myself, got it from my cell group.
i posted this in my blog too!
hope that you guys will be encouraged by this short story and yearn to meet up with God everyday.
don't make Him wait anymore! :D
-Yvonne**