Purgatory, anyone?

Since Jo Ann and Jaclynn were on the topic of denominations and such, I had my own sticky situation a few days ago..

I've been leading a few of the new believers from the ISCF rally in a nurturing class. They're all form 1's, and out of the four of them, 2 are Catholics. During the previous class, we were discussing about Heaven and how sure we are of our faith. I'll do it dialog way, like Jac.

#1 : We've to go to purgatory before we go to heaven
other protestants: Huh? What's purgatory?
#1 : A place you go to burn for your sins before you reach heaven

[gasps of shock from fellow protestants and eyes widen in new revelation]

I know a tiny bit about purgatory, but when all turned to me for explanations I seriously went blank for a bit. Thankfully, I was helped by the Holy Spirit..managed to get Ephesians 2:8 in to my head. 'Cos you see, the Catholics believe that the more sins you "do", the longer time you'll "burn" in purgatory. And so I tried to convince them that it is my grace we have been saved.

And then the protestants didn't look that confused anymore. But I'm not sure about the 2 catholic girls. I think I'll try explaining again. Sigh, sticky sticky..

Perseverance is the ability to withstand difficulties. Difficulties from our everyday life. Challenges are part and parcel in our life . Even we were born, we don't just one day get up and walk, but we have to learn and walk, by crawling and then you start walking. It is not easy, in order to overcome challenges we need perseverance.

one famous character in the old testament is Job. Job is a blameless and upright person. He is a God fearing person and shunned evil. The most important he obeys God and Loves him very much. ( read Job chap:1 -2 )

A gathering in heaven was held and Satan also was there. God ask Satan where he came from?: Satan replied; to and from the surface of the earth. Then God said; have you notice my servant Job who is upright and blameless? Then Satan said stretch out your hand and lay your hand on all his possesions and he will surely curse you. God allow Satan to test him but spare his life.

One by one his possessions are taken away. Jobs servant were killed, sheeps were burnt when balls of fire came down , camels were raided, and even his sons were killed when four corners of the house were struck by a great wind.

Job said this :
21 And he said:
Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job persevered and did not even curse GOD. Then Satan tested him for the second, this time surely he will curse you; said Satan to GOD. Job was struck with painful boils from the crown of his head to the foot of his toe. But yet he did not even curse God. His wife said; curse God and die !!. But Job persevered all this without cursing GOD.

a. Why You Need Perseverance
Perseverance helps you to grow stronger in character, faith and ability to withstand greater challenges that you may face. Perseverance help you to built your character to a next level and prepares you cope with a greater challenge that Go dhas in store.

b. Patience + Time = Perseverance
Patience, time are part and parcel in your journey. It takes time and patience and thats where you are challenge. It is not easy and hard, but by the end of the day you have accomplish something.

c. "You" Cannot Persevere Alone
This is one true fact that you cannot persevere alone and when you go through this alone you will fall cause there no one there to catch you when you fall. Well of course you know that GOD is always with us and actually GOD continues to work in us everyday. GOD continues to challenge us to greater levels and only with GOD you can endure the challenges that are facing you.

What you can do is PRAY. Ask GOD for his guidance and help. Aways know that GOD is with you and He is there all the time. Read the Word of GOD (bible). Remember that the seed is the word of GOD and men shall not live by bread alone. Before I end remember this. Do not depend on people cause people will let you down, but depend on GOD cause he is our provider.

This article is by "RayKhor" @2005oct

Interesting conversation I had.

In line with what Jo Ann has shared about denominations and what-not, it reminded me of a conversation that I had with a freshman just today.

We at IV (Intervarsity Christian Fellowship) just had our regional fall conference for the past two days. It was GREAT! got to know alot of people in my chapter better, especially the freshmans. I think my favorite part was when we played the game called "The amazing-er race". Basically, it works just like the amazing race but doing crazy stuff around the church where we stayed the night at. Yeah, one of the things we had to do was stick one of your teammates up on a wall with duct tape. And the duct tape has to be able to hold your teammate up for 30 seconds. So guess who got to be the victim? haha.. yeah .. so first time in my life i got taped to a wall. Pretty interesting. Another one of my favorites was when we had to drive to a nearby mall...build a human pyramid at the park outside the mall, and sing "row-row-row your boat" as a team out loud in front of everyone. It was killer.

So anyways, today after we had some sharing time, I got into a convo with one of the freshman that I've been interacting with this semester. Don't know how it all started but it went smth like this:

Brad: So Jaclynn, what religion are you?
Me: *confused*..... erh.. Christian?
Brad: Well, yeah I know that, but what denomination?
Me: well, I go to a Baptist church......?

Then after talking more, he asked me if i wanted to join him at a catholic church tomorrow. Or if I would be willing. So I said I would, but not tomorrow...since I had my China teammates stay the night tonight. And we're going to my church tomorrow. So anyway, found out he was a Catholic but he comes for IV, which is interesting...cos IV is really NOT like the catholic church at all. But well, as we were talking, he started explaining about the concept of praying through mother Mary. That was interesting too. Cos other than that concept...everything else he believes is like what I believe. And yeah, they don't pray TO mother Mary, they just pray through her, cos they too don't believe that she is God. However, they believe she should be like..acknowledged in some way since she was chosen to bear God's son.
What do you guys think?

The whole catholic and protestant thing is confusing sometimes. And the fact with the different denominations too. I think with denominations, it doesn't matter what denomination you are in as long not some cultish one enough ady.

Anyway, just thought I throw that question out there for you all. And just blogging cos Mary-Ruth said it was an obligation. hehehe.

Other than that, I really had alot of fun at "deeper-er" (conference) the past two days. Learned alot, and did lots of crazy things... Like trying out prom dresses during our free time and taking pictures of it after. Yeah, played dress up like little girls. Well, especially since we coudn't afford the dresses. ahaha. But, helping lead worship by playing music was the best. I haven't had that much fun playing music for quite awhile. And God was really present in our midst.

Okay, it's 2 am and I think I am going to go spend some quality time with my pillow now.

Up Coming Events! In Malaysia

AYA Festival
Featuring: Delirious

2 Febuary 2006 Putra Indoor Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

So "MARK" your Calenders "Now" Ask Raykhor For more "info" or Check back here in the time to come

-







Planet Shakers 2005 Conference

Sunway Pyramid Convention Center
9 - 11 November 2005
Nightly Concerts are Free: Starts At 7pm
Day Sessions: RM45
Conference Fee: RM85

For More Info ask "Raykhor"

Wake Up and Blog!

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.


Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters of KBC youth, in view of our blog, offer your life experiences and jokes as food to keep this blog alive, this is your way of encouraging the others too, and giving glory to God.

You don't need to be a 15 year old piano teacher with an inspiring autistic student to blog.

You don't need to get visions and prophesies to blog.

You don't need to have information about the upcoming conferences before you blog.

You don't need to insert Bible verses into your blog either.

You don't need to talk about old dying women and corduroy recliners.

Just be honest, open, encouraging.

It could be a funny joke you heard.

Or something that happened during class.

Or an excerpt from what you read during your devotion.

Or just a Bible verse that signifies something strongly in your life.

Or a poem.

Or about an issue you feel very strongly about.

Or about a dream you have

Or tell us something about yourself



All these are in response to Jaclynn's questions on what is so-called 'allowed' and 'not allowed'.

One thing I might like to add though, this is a blog, and though pictures are allowed, it would be encouraged to write more than posting pictures, not because of anything, but because this is a blog, meant for writings, not a photoblog, which is of a different purpose.

However, if you feel a picture can lighten someone's day up, or encourage up someone, go ahead. Be edifying, encouraging, and funny.

Another one last thing, everyone is encouraged to blog. Eh, wait, rephrase: Everyone is required to blog. Including the so-called non-youths. You were invited to join the blog to blog. Yeap, I'm sorry but you're stuck in the mud already.

Heh heh heh heh.

Mary-Ruth

Threat

I'm afraid I've to take an extremely drastic measure here:

If all the members of this blog do not blog soon, the blog will just die off and *POOF*.

So, please, pleeease write, or else...

Conference 05 (9 - 11 Nov)


Vanue: Sunway Pyramid Convention center
For more Details : www.planetshakers.com.my

For those who wants to register for the conference pls see RayKhor for details and registration form.

Conference fee:

1. Rm 70 before 7 october
2. Rm 85 after 7 october
3. Day pass is at Rm 45