Something we ALL know... (yet we need to be reminded from time to time...)

Pursue above all the kingdom of God and his righteousness, Jesus said, and everything else will be thrown in in the bargain. Apart from this, everything else is a trivial pursuit.

New Testament theologian Walter Wink wrote that one of Jesus' most effective teaching techniques was "deliberately-induced frustration." He was forever giving his disciples questions they couldn't answer, assignments they couldn't complete, teaching they couldn't understand. He understood that frustration gets our attention, can open us up to receiving help from beyond ourselves.

Waning

Sorry for the confusion. This is an updated post :)

La Vita
Thursday, 28 September 2006
7:29pm @ Sarah's Place
( 621 Castle St North).

- The hurt of unanswered prayer.

- Prayer busters.

See you guys on Thursday! =)

vK & Waaaning

La Vita

Thursday, 28 September 2006

7:29pm @ Wan Ing's Place(223A, Leith St).

This week:
- The hurt of unanswered prayer.
- Prayer busters.

See you guys on Thursday! =)

vK & Waning

PRAYER III

Hi La Vitans!

It was good to see you all again yesterday. Too bad Annette couldn't make it. Where were you? *sad*.
Kai led worship, with Jerry on guitar. Well done! (I forgot to bring my shaker! My bad!)
My heart absolutely stopped for 2 mins when Kai got the phonecall, but it's all good, coz Yu Kai is now RA Officer Lim! Congrats!
Nette, how'd you go?

Recap of yesterday's meeting:

The "ACTS" Prayer

Adoration (Worship)
Why worship when praying?
1. sets the tone for the entire prayer: reminds us whom we are addressing, whose presence we have entered, whose attention we have gained. Focuses our attention to God.
2. reminds us of God's identity and nature: He is faithful, righteous, just, merciful, gracious, willing to provide, attentive, unchanging.
3. purifies the one who is praying: When we have spent a few minutes praising God for who he is, our spirit is softened and our agenda changes. Our sense of desperation subsides, our burning issues seem less crucial.
4. God is worthy of adoration: A God who is All-powerful, all-knowing, and yet who loves us, watches over us, gives us good gifts - amazing! he is worthy of our worship!

Confession
Why confess?
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
1. Our conscience will be cleared: I'm getting honest with God, I'm not playing games anymore, and this feels good.
2. We'll be flooded with relief that God has a forgiving nature.
3. We'll be free to pray.

Thanksgiving
There is a difference between feeling grateful and expressing thanks.
God is our Father, and he too is moved when we express our thanksgiving.
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Chrsit Jesus." 1 Thess 5:18

Supplication (Request)
"In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Nothing is too big for God to handle or too small for him to be interest in!
_________

TO DO for this week:

- Continue to set aside time everyday and pray in our prayer corner, away from all distractions and spend solid time with God, just chilling out and sharing our lives with God our Father. Not coz it's a chore or a must, but because we want to have a closer relationship with God, get to know Him, and allow Him to bless our lives with his awesome power!

- Start our prayer time with Adoration/Worship,

e.g: sing a song, play your favourite song that praises God or read a chapter from Psalms and just give God glory.

- Confess. Not just say a general statement covering all our sins, but state each sin.

- Say "thanks" to God, coz He is good!

Next week:
- The hurt of un-answered prayer.
- Prayer-busters: causes for unanswered prayers.

I pray that everyone will have an awesome week ahead. Gimme a text to have coffee and meet up, if you have time! Dun be a stranger!

Meeting this Week!

La Vita
Monday, 18 September 2006
7:31pm @ Wan Ing's Place
(223A, Leith St).

Yu Kai's leading Praise and Worship, again, Thanks!
We'll continue to learn about prayer by talking about:
How did Jesus Pray?

Come along!
Dont' forget to bring your Bible & Prayer Journal!

-vK-

PRAYER II

WELCOME SARAH AND EVE!
It was great having you guys at the meeting. Hope you guys felt at home.

We missed you Jerry and Vincent!
Hope your assignment went well, we're praying for you.
Good stuff for accompanying Eddie to La Vie, Vincent!


What we did last week:
Firstly,
We learned from the story of the Judge and the Widow that God is willing to respond to our prayers.

From the God's word, we learn that God has given us a personal invitation!
An invitation to each one of us, to come before Him in prayer. To talk to Him. To tell Him how we're doing, to tell Him what we need, and to hear what He has to say to us.
I hope the letter we pasted in our Prayer Journals reminders us that God loves it when we talk to Him, kinda like how our parents back in Asia are always happy when we call them up to chat.

Secondly,
If we wanna learn about combat strategy, we ask Yu Kai. If we wanna zh'ng our car, we ask Sunny, if we wanna knit, we ask Wan Ing. Why? Coz they are the experts.
If we wanna learn about prayer, we ask Jesus. So what does he say about Prayer?

Matt 6:⁵"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But 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. ⁷And 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.

So we learn 3 Heart-Building Habits:
1. Pray regularly
2. Pray privately
3. Pray sincerely

So this week's commitment:
- Continue our Prayer Journal.
- Set aside time, every day, to pray.
- Find a place where we can get away from distractions, and create a "Prayer Corner". Create an atmosphere where it can be your "one-on-one" chill out place with God.
- Don't babble, just say what you mean, be honest, be sincere when talking with God.

I hope we're all still excited about this journey to becoming Prayer Warriors! I am! Come on!

Check This Out! :)

http://lavitamembers.blogspot.com/

Any protests? :) <----- *Angelic Smile*

Waaaning & Louis

Not Just Another SPEECH...

525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.

525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?

How about love? How about love? How about love?

Measure in love.

Seasons of love.

I quote Rent: Seasons of Love

Love is in the air!!! (well... Actually, pollens are in the air... -.-) *irritating*

This week passes by REALLY quickly... Sometimes we really have to live like there is no tomorrow. I dont know where i am going but i am just gonna randomly type my thoughts... Anw, it PAYS to call me Speechy Auntie Elepboon :)

It's Friday! Last night Louis and I were supposed to be doing "work" in the library... However, as usual... we ended up doing everything except for work. I think we need some kinda studying supervisor... Officer YuKai! We NEED you! wahaha... Or maybe some WISE & MATURE person to keep us on track... (I wonder who... >.-) haha...

I just found out yesterday that this guy got penalised 50% for his essay too! Erm... He has spent alot of time and effort on it so i guess I shant complain abt it... He only scored 3% more than me after the penalisation. Moral of the story: Remember to do In-Text-Citation when u refer to other people's idea while writing ur piece of work.

It was really encouraging to see everyone being so devoted in their prayer journal... :) Esp on Tuesday night when everyone have some thoughts to share about their Prayer routine. *COMMON!* It takes alot of effort to actually Do Life Together... And, the fact that we are all into this together, giving support to one another, keeping one another on track and of cos! The Love Beyond Reason! Exactly, come to think about it... How do we actually measure our years on Earth? I've never thought about it until i heard that song (lyrics above... If u guys want the song, just get it off me... It's GOOD.)

Just 3 days ago, we realised it has only been 1 month after WTP 2006. (*whoa* we haven't seen this WTP 2006 in awhile, have we?) The passion and fire kinda died down after the event. I'm not sure about everyone else, but i feel that i am not as energised and motivated as how i used to be during the preparation of WTP 2006. I reflected on the changes that i saw in my life after the event. Also, i thought abt the changes that i saw in others ever since the event touched their lives. And i realised that this is not the time to stop. Instead, lets pick ourselves up from where we have left behind, move on, and allow God to continue creating miracles in our lives!

Yes... My bad... I just realised that i'm Speeching again... oh well! At least, Uncle Bp can read it tonight during his free time when he's on-call. ^^ And! Dun worry, Louis, YuKai and Sunny, Jerry too... I will force u guys (violence-free) to read this... Mart, I am sure u will read it regardless... (so sweet of u... ) Vincent, Annette and Jasper i aint sure... Cant apply violence... But yea... I am quite sure i will be talking abt this everytime i see u guys anw... So! I shall move on to my next point! (Nah... Just Kidding...) Aight!

waaaning

PS: ANYONE KEEN TO PLAY BBALL ON SAT???

Meeting this Week!

La Vita
Tuesday 12 September 2006
7:31pm @ Vince's Place.

Yu Kai's leading Praise and Worship
We'll continue to learn about prayer by talking about:
God's able, is he willing? What are some heart building habits we can cultivate to be effective. How did Jesus Pray?

Come along!
Dont' forget to bring your Bible & Prayer Journal!

-vK-

Heads Up Guys - Prayer Module

These 2 Verses were from the 'Word for Today' (my only resource =)) and yea it was about prayer...

Pray without ceasing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - This tells us to be in constant consious conversation with God (CCC)

He did what was right...but not wholeheartedly. - 2 Chronicles 25:2 NIV - Pray with your whole heart and mean it! If you want a change mean it.. and really let God change you.. believe whole heartedly.. and i can testify with the last week.. it really happens..

hope u guys n gals have a smashing week ahead ay... stay cool, pray heaps.
Kai

Giving your best!

Good stuff, Kai. Love it!
The theme keeps coming up for the La Vitans.

We choose what level we play at. Do we choose to play at the highest level, or just make do?
Do we want to live on the edge with God? Live a life fully anointed and purposeful?

With everything we do in our daily lives, have we been doing our best? Are we gonna choose to do our best? If not, why not?

-vK-

Why Not? - The Word For Today 090906

Hey guys.. read this... and keep the flame burning.. this gave me a good reality check (coupled with it some encouragement).. as Waning would say "aza aza fight on"

Read On..

Be zealous...and be so always. - Galatians 4:18 NIV

Why Not?

Admiral Hyman Rickover, who was once head of the United States Nuclear Navy, personally interviewed every officer on board his nuclear submarines. Among them was former President Jimmy Carter. This is Carter's account of the interview: "He looked straight into my eyes. He
never smiled. I was saturated with cold sweat. Finally he asked a question and I thought I could redeem myself. 'How did you stand in your class at the Naval Academy?' I had done very well so I swelled my chest with pride and answered, 'Sir, I stood fifty-ninth out of a class of
eight hundred and twenty!' I sat back waiting for congratulations - which never came. Instead, the question: 'Did you do your best?' I started to say, 'Yes, sir,' but I remembered who this was and recalled several times at the Academy when I could have learned more about our allies, our
enemies, weapons, strategy, and so forth. I was just human. I finally gulped and said, 'No, sir, I didn't always do my best.' He looked at me for a long time, then turned his chair around to end the interview. He asked one final question, which I have never been able to forget - or to answer. He said, 'Why not?' I sat there for a while, shaken, then slowly left the room."

That's a question we need to ask ourselves at the end of each day: "Did I do my best?" You can be certain it's a question you'll face when you stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ to be evaluated and rewarded. If you can't answer yes, the question then will be, "Why not?"

Auntie Elepboon In ACTION!

Eph 3:20
God can do anything, you know - for more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us.

I was just reading through the blog that vK posted, and I thought about this verse that he shared with us on the first night of LaVitans' meeting (05092006) with FULL attendance! *Praise to our Heavenly Father*

Stepping out in faith is a wonderful thing, something that God often asks and expects us to do. But, it is also wonderful in HIS sight that we use Godly wisdom, and when we recognise that we dont have peace about something we have prayed and sought God about.

Prayer is an amazing tool! I am starting to share the excitement vK has for this Prayer Module that we are gonna invest in. I'm currently incorporating my lil' Prayer Journal into my daily life. :) Also, i realised that i am actually much more sensitive to those around me... As i reflect about what i have done, and people i have met throughout that day, I saw the bigger picture of Prayers. And, yes... It does make a difference!

To: Louis & Yukai & Vincent
Staaaar-Dy!!!! U boys have gotta study and stop procrastinating! ^^ Yup! Sitting opposite me is Yukai, on my right is Louis, and my left vincent. Oh WAIT! I should be studying too... But, thanx to the wireless connection~ Now, I can make postings on our blog up in the link! The wonders of technology~ ^^
Anw, it's good that we encourage one another to settle down and study! :) Good Stuff, boys! Keep it up!!!

To: Mart
It's good seeing more laughters from you tonight. :) And, I'm really glad that u turned up on Sat night. Take it slow, one step at a time... Ever in need of laughters? I've got A NEW JOKE!

To: Sunny
Haven seen u in awhile... Keep going! All the best with BIOC 111

To: Jerry
Been praying for ur financial blessings... Hopefully it'll get better soon! My ankle has completely healed today! Ain't depending on painkillers no more~~~ So, my point being... Prayer is so powerful... WAY beyond our comprehension... :) (Ps: I haven't try praying for healing for ur spoiler... cos'... erm.... yea... -.-")

To: Annette
Hey Girl! Feeling better now? Have u had ur fudge yet? Hope that this week hasnt been too packed for you! Study hard for ur test on Mon yea? ^^ Will keep praying abt it! ^^ Love ya heaps!

To: Jasper
A HUGE WELCOME to you! Enjoy the rest of ur hols! :)

To: vK aka Uncle BaPhant
:) Good Good Good... (Ps: For ONCE, Auntie Elepboon's not speechy!)

waaaning

Snip Snip!

I need a haircut.
So I'm going to Hannah's (Hannah's Hair Design) sometime this week.
Anyone else wanna come? Let me know and we can go together.

-vK-

PRAYER I

First of all, WELCOME JASPER! It's great to have you. I hope you find a home away from home in the La Vitans, as we journey together as a lifegroup, to sow and grow in our relationship with Christ and each other in-Christ!

And Martin, it was good to see you at the meeting. The La Vitan Meetin' finally fell on a night that you can come. :)

Boy, am I excited!
I truly believe that as we learn more about PRAYER, we're embarking on a wonderful, life-changing adventure together!

So this is the plan,

Over the next 5-6 weeks, we're gonna embark on this journey of learning more about prayer and actually using what we learn, in our daily lives.

We all have our Prayer Journals, so let's do this together!

So this week, we start by:

Firstly, commiting ourselves to record our prayers in our journal (starting from the back page) with the start date, the item you're praying for. When the prayer is answered, tick it off with the date on which it was answered.
(Be creative in this and try a different approach to recording your prayer needs, coz I know different people do things differently. Do what works for you!)

Secondly, PRAY! Let us commit ourselves to really taking the time out each day to get together with God, not talking on the run, but carrying on substantial, soul-searching conversations.
(Let's not just talk about prayer, but actually PRAY! and see what prayer can do in our lives.)

--------------------------------------------------------------

A recap of what we talked about on the 5.09.06 La Vitan Meetin'

What is prayer? We thought:
- cellphone
- conversations with God/bonding with God
- asking God for favours
- anytime, anywhere 24hours channel to God
- feels like calling and getting voice mailbox/engaged tone sometimes

What draws us to pray?
- troubled times, obligation, good times, belief/faith, love.
What causes us to resist praying?
- guilt/sin, when things are going well, disappointments/unanswered prayers, laziness.
(We'll bear these points in mind and hopefully address them as we go along with this module.)

Why do we pray? We discussed 2 reasons:
1) The most intimate communion with God comes only through prayer.
- Let's get together with God and have substantial, honest conversations with him. Get to know him better, share our lives with him. Build a relationship.

2) Prayer is the key to unlocking God's prevailing power in our lives.
- It boils down to this, if you are willing to invite God to involve himself in our daily challenges, you will experience his prevailing power, wherever it is needing.
-It's hard for God to release his power in our lives when we put our hands in our pockets and say, 'I can handle this on my own'.

Over the next few weeks, we'll talk about:
- God is able, is God willing?
- God's gracious invitation for us to come to him as to a father.
- Habits and attitudes that Jesus said we must cultivate in order to pray effectively.
- The reasons why our prayers are not always answered the way we wish.
- Some reason why our prayer life dries up from time to time.
- How to hear God's leading/God speaking to our hearts.

Can't wait till the next meeting! Love you guys!

-vK-

Yes

Yeah I can hook you up with wireless, lol but only if you come to our library.
Haha i'm listening to the Mr Brown show, so funny, best thing outa singapore yet.


Louis

Soooooooooooo Happy

I'm sooooooooooooooooooo happy, auntie elepboon is a good luck charm. How I wish every single one of you were here to share my glory. It's because I managed to get the library's wireless internet going even after the library computing technician couldn't get it to work on any other pc's. Lol I think that I should go and give them my CV. Lol nah just kidding. But really I shuld (but no probably not)

Louis