IPC Retreat 2005

SEPI ... that was my first impression when I heard there is not many people coming to the retreat. I did not have big expectation, being my normal self, went along with the flow. The theme of the retreat was mainly about being Christ's disciples: Walking with Jesus, live for Jesus.

Got a little excited on my way to Merroo convention centre, knowing that I will be in the same room as Hans, Andy, David Liu, Aldo, Freddy, Yudi, and Leo. I felt comfortable with some of them already and since I was not a room leader this time, I could relax a bit. I thought I will get to know some new people like freddy and yudi which is from Malang ... how good is that?

First night, I could not sleep .. There was too much noise in the room and I slept pretty late anyway :). I woke up pretty early and took early shower. The morning devotion was very good and hans led the devotion since he was the room leader. After that I headed straight to breakfast and session.

The first session was AMAZING .. We had to share in a group .. I was sort of leading the discussion, since no one took initiatives ... but the amazing thing was tante Hung2 and om David and Gaby Tjeng and everyone in the group. We had to share our struggle being Christ's disciple and pray for one another. Man, how God worked through that sharing ... I was seriously felt encouraged ...

Second session, I was so sleepy after playing basketball during the break.

The third session was good sermon and that night I slept having so many things in my mind, renewing my commitment to God about prayer and other things. Overall the kotbah was EXCELLENT ... praise God ... lots of application and follow through clear outline ... I guess the speaker is so experienced and love God ... He is concerned with young people's spiritual matters and he is so good even if I do not know him personally ...

Fourth and Fifth sessions were also very good ... I enjoyed the sermon series in the retreat very much .. When was the last time I enjoyed sermon? huh ... not lately I think ...

Got to know some new friends and come to think of it now, it was worth going ... Now, I just have to be discipline in the commitment that I made to God ...

Last advice from my ethics tutor

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.



Go forth and communicate!
Good luck!

noa@...

All things

Verse:
Every thing that we see
Every thing that we can touch
All things that we have
All wealth, all possession, and pow'r
Belong to our God

Chorus:
Naked we came
Naked we will depart
All glory to our God

Born with nothing
We'll bring none when we die
All glory to our God

Saying No / Yes to someone you respect

Personally, I feel it is hard to say NO, especially to someone close to you or someone that you respect. Some friends these days told me that I have a choleric personality in me. I don't think I even had this personality a few years ago.

At times when I am being choleric, I am turned into someone who strives to lead and be in control of things. I will say a big NO without any hesitation if I feel that's the right answer, and can be nasty too sometimes. The problem is, there is also the other side of me which does not want to dissapoint others. After that, conflict usualy arises within me and I think about it more at night when I am alone (post decision syndrome?) hehehe ..

Well, I had to say a big NO to someone I respect today, not because I don't want to help but I want to concentrate on other things at the moment and just don't have the time to help. Imagine my normal schedule for a week:

- Fulltime work 9-5.30 from Monday to Friday
- 3 nights of master course lectures
- do some reading and assignments during the week
- Saturday: bible study in the afternoon, followed by music practice and youth fellowship
- Sunday: church in the morning and followed by bible study preparation until 12.

Frankly speaking, I only have my rest on Sunday afternoon for the whole days. I just had to say NO or I won't be much help either and will even dissapoint more in the end.

Perceptions about God

One friend once told me this

• Friend(F): I heard in the bible God took away one person's wife and kill his children just to test if the guy is really faithful to Him and discuss it with Satan. That's really unfair and unjust.
  
• (I): Well, God is God and He can do whatever He likes. Our life is made and belongs to Him.
  
• (F): I wouldn't want to worship that kind of God even though in the end, I heard God gave the man a new children and wealth. Why would I? He is not just at all ..
  

• (F): It does not make sense to me that we are sinful because of our parents' sin and granparents' sins. Why am I sinful because of Eve? What do you think about a 'baby'? Is the baby sinful too? NO .. No way that is the case ..
  
• (I): We are sinful not because of our parents' sin. Sin entered the world through adam and eve, but we are sinful because we reject God and say to God: I don't need you.
• (F): Well, still don't understand, whatevaaa.
  

• (F): If there is a God why doesn't he come down and show himself to everyone and to me?
• (I): yes He did, 2000 years ago in the person of Jesus.
  
• (F): Oh in ancient time yes. Then I suggest he does that more often, maybe every 500 years. Don't be so lazy.

• (F): What are you praying for?
• (I): I say thanks for the meal
• (F): Emm, do you think if you don't work you can still eat like this?
• (I): No, but I believe that God is in control of everything. My work comes from God too.
• (F): Well, that's just stupid. God does not have anything to do with it, why should I pray to a God that does not contribute to this meal?
• (F): Well I don't believe in any religion. I think people misuse religion to have control over other people. I am in control of myself now.
  

• (F): So you are a christian aren't you? *giving some weird look in the eyes* .. Interesting ...
  

• (I): So what is it that you believe in?
• (F): I believe in myself. I control everything. If I want something, I buy it. I don't need a God to give me that. I am god.
• (I): Well, if you say that man is a god to himself, it is obvious that we do not have control over many things in life. That cannot be true.
  
• (F): I believe that in this life I should work hard if I want something. I like money, girls, and I don't think God has anything to do with it. You should work hard to get them and at the same time enjoy life. It is stupid to thank a God ....