Carecells: "Too Busy Not To Pray"

Most of us have trouble finding time to pray. There's church and school and neighborhood and job and friends and recreation. And then the crises hit! Time for prayer seems impossible to find.

As a pastor, Bill Hybels knows hundreds of people with schedules like this. Yet in his own life he has made the hard discovery that prayer doesn't happen on the run. He decided he was too busy not to pray. This quarter in Youth Carecells will discover the ideas in Too Busy Not To Pray that will help us to learn to slow down to be with God as well.

Join us in Youth Carecells today, "Livin' Large in Small Groups"
Saturdays, 4:30PM-6:30PM
Binondo Full Gospel Family Center

Memoirs of a Preacher's Kid

By: Kimberly Lim

Have you ever felt all alone? That nobody, not your parents, friends, sibling, or even your “bestest” friend, could understand the situation or problem you’re struggling with? That every night before you go to sleep, you cry your heart out until no more tears come out of your eyes because of that heavy load you’re carrying? Well guess what… somebody cares!

Yes, this is another cheesy article about experiencing God but I hope you would find my case interesting and learn something from it.

First, let me introduce myself. I grew up in a Christian home, fact is, I’m what you call a “preacher’s kid.” You can assume that I’m already familiar with spiritual stuff like miracles, answered prayers, visions, etc. Nothing really surprises me anymore. I’m one of the most indifferent people you’ll ever meet when it comes to spiritual stuff. I grew up with all these things happening around me, but instead of making me more passionate for Jesus, it just made me bored! I even questioned God why I became like that. How come I didn’t experience the enthusiasm that new converts (those who didn’t grow up in a Christian home) experience? How come God doesn’t speak to me personally?

This all changed one night. It was the most depressing period in my life. You see I have this friend whom I’m very fond of. We were very close, but as time passed, we both grew apart from each other. I always tried to keeping touch with this friend but it seemed that she’d only contact me when she needed something. I got really depressed over this. This may seem shallow to some people, but imagine someone close to you treating you like that and you cant seem to get angry at this person. I wanted to just forget about this friend but I couldn’t. I didn’t bother telling this to my parents and sister because I know they won’t understand my situation. So I prayed and poured my heart out to God. I asked Him why He was letting me go through this. What lesson am I going to learn from this? Then suddenly, He answered, “Child, can’t you see that this situation is so familiar?” I suddenly realized what I was doing to God all those years that I’ve known Him. I was ignoring Him and taking Him for granted, calling upon Him only when I needed something. I felt so ashamed so I asked for forgiveness and thanked Him that He finally opened my eyes.

From that experience, I learned that God definitely knows what every person feels and that even if it’s “mababaw,” He still cares. He’s always there, waiting for you to open up yourself to Him. He knows your every aches and pain and maybe even cries if He sees how heartbroken you are.

From then on, my prayer life improved compared before. As for my friend, we’re OK now, we still keep in touch, although not as often as before. But it’s okay because I know that Jesus is always there for me and I know that having Him as my best friend is way much better than any person in the world.

Where is My Passion?

By: Lawrence Tan

Have you ever felt tired and spiritually burned out? What do you think causes these things to happen in your life?

It’s amazing that God called me to be his minister. Imagine how privileged I am to work for the one who created the heavens and the earth? But there are times when I feel loaded with things to do, making me feel tired and burned out. It’s not good to say we are losing our passion for serving God, but it is happening in our spiritual life. Sometimes I ask myself, “Why am I so much ‘on fire’ after a retreat or a camp?” Can you relate? During the last leadership retreat I attended, God impressed in me the answer to these questions. God revealed to me that we are not doing our service for other people, but for HIM, the GREAT and MIGHTY GOD. We must not feel discouraged if no one is appreciating us because GOD is smiling on what we are doing, for His glory.

We must face the reality in this life. When we are sinning, ask for forgiveness and our Father in heaven will forgive us, just like the prodigal Son. Always remember that God is the strength of our hearts. In Him, we can find the strength we need when we feel down and burned out.

In conclusion, I want to share this scripture that God has revealed to me – “Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

New Year, New Season!

by Patrick Tan

Hi there, a blessed and happy new year to you my friend. The week-long vacation is over, balik eskuwela and work na naman tayo. Praise God for year 2005, I believe that every victory and challenge we faced last year, personal man or as a group, has taught us something right? Ano ang nadiscover mo about God? About sa sarili mo? Kung hindi mo pa ito nabigayn pansin, I encourage you to take time to stop and think about how God has been faithful to you. For me, I praise God for His abounding grace and faithfulness in my life and the youth in season and out of season.

Three things I want to share with you as we face the New Year. First, evaluate the past and take the good things and the lessons you've learned. Modify your strategies that didn't quite work as expected. Second, while we should never forget our victories, huwag tayo mag-dwell dun. May nabasa nga ako, ang sabi "Those who talk about past victories hasn't done much today." Ibig sabihin, huwag tayong makuntento (in a positive sense) na hanggang dun na lamang ang kakayanin natin. Set higher goals and always excel for the Lord. Lastly, of course we must not dwell on past failures. Fear ang nakakapagpa-paralyze ng drive natin to conquer the unknown. This year is different from last year, sabi nga sa Bible, "His mercies are new every morning” (Lam 3:23). Kahit ano pa sabihin ng mga manghuhula about your kapalaran, walang katuturan yun dahil ang taong nagtitiwala kay Lord ay hindi napapahiya sabi sa Kanyang Salita (Romans 10:11).

We have lots in store for 2006 in our youth ministry. First, balik 4:30PM Saturday na ang lahat ng cellgroups natin. I encourage you to come on time so we can worship together. We're also bringing back the band and APAW (All-out Praise and Worship) in February. And for this year, we are going to have a discipleship program. I want you to read carefully. Bali each of the youth leaders will be open to disciple 1-3 youth once a week. Una, we need to realize the importance of discipleship, dahil una sa Matthew 28:19 na sabi ni Lord "go and make disciples..." and pangalawa, it is our destiny, to become like Jesus Christ. And I believe in our leaders that they will impart that to you. Sa discipleship program na ito, matutunan ng isang batang Kristyano ang basics sa pagiging isang disciple ni Jesus. Ang kagandahan nito, one-on-one ang pagtuturo, ibig sabihin mas mabibigyan focus ka kaysa kung gagawin as a group. Ang hinihingi lang naming leaders ay commitment and willingness to really become a disciple. I hope you take this opportunity for growth this year 2006. This is the year for growth!

Patuloy nating alalahanin ang mga pangako ng Panginoon sa atin sa Kanyang Salita. Huwag nating iasa sa ibang tao ang paglago ng ating sariling spiritual life, yan ay partnership ninyo ni Lord. Ibig sabihin, may part ang Lord, may part ka din. We will also do our best to help you grow. Let us hold fast to our faith and excel on it in every way! Walang iwanan sa Panginoon, walang bibitaw. Jesus Freak tayo. God bless you friend.