Went for the 8am service yesterday, so as to make it for the badminton session later at 10am. Nearly couldn't make it for the start of the 8am service, as it was drizzling slightly just before dawn i.e. the weather was super-conducive for a lie-in. Doesn't help that the day before was "brother"-ing at a dear friend's wedding for the whole day. In the end, was glad I made it for the whole service, as it was a special service, spearheaded by the youths in our church. Great delivery by the youths - even though early in the morning, the youths were already up and going, giving their best to the Lord.
The message about encouragement by the speaker was a much needed one, not only for the parents and the youths, but for everyone. We all need to encourage someone, not as to be appearing as "benevolent" in lavishing "charitable" commendations, but to be sincere in caring for the other person. By giving encouragement, we are also giving hope to the person, in the sense that we acknowledge his or hers efforts and growth. Maybe I should go get the CD...
After service ended, went with 3 other friends to play badminton. I must confess, I always thought badminton was a "lost" sport. I only played a few times up in my life, and I'm not particularly good at it. And you need more equipment and people to play it, than say soccer or jogging, and I don't get "jio" by my kakis. So I've always regarded it as "lost" in that sense. Am glad that through the church camp and yesterday's session, found a new healthy thing to do with with my friends, besides the fellowshipping, "fei-lou-shipping" and "fellow-shopping"*. :D
Went back to grab a quick lunch at Greenridge in the afternoon, before going to help a friend shift office on a Sunday. I really like his and his wife's new office at Purvis Street. Great location, business- and makan-sense wise, and I really loved the artsy decor. Must ask them to give me a pic when it's fully furbished.
Chilled for a while before heading home for dinner. Hadn't been home physically for the most part of Saturday and yesterday day-time, so must go home to at least take meal and spend time with family. After that, checked mail and made arrangements to go to friend's place to watch the England-Ecuador match. The match was lousy (1 goal only, both teams played listlessly, if not for free kick, much doubted Beckam would have scored). But the fellowship, the between-friends' rebuttals and jokes, the beer^^ and the crisply-fried chicken wings (thanks to Kirk and his wife!) were superb. Wanted to watch the Portugal-Netherlands match, but was just too tired. In the end, I concussed out 30 minis before the start of the 3am match.
"Wa, such a full day!" you may exclaim. "I thought the whole idea of sabbath is to rest, huh, huh?"
Allo, the body may be busy, but the spirit can be still rested in Him, okay? Rest is not only physical, it is also spiritual. Ergo, rest is not just the absence of physical exertion, but the totality of both mind and body abiding in the Lord...
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*okay, so fellowshipping (company with others in worship and praise and study and prayers) is healthy, but how do I justify "fei-lou-shipping" (eating with one another) and "fellow-shopping" (shopping with one another)?
well, if you look at the earliest liturgical definition of "communion", basically it is the act of "breaking the bread" and "sharing the cup" in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. And basically we don't break the bread and pass around the cup for ceremonial sake's only, we also eat and drink of the food, to eat of God's goodness. So "fei-lou-ship" is holy**
"okay", you may say, "the eating and drinking part sounds justifiable, but what about fellow-shopping part? Didn't the Lord Jesus told us not to worship money and earthly possessions?" Which is all the more we should go shopping with our fellow believers - in the sense we act as each other's keepers in our spending habits. Also, the act of buying posssions is a way of checking against our desire to hoard money for money's sake.^
** as long as you dun go into excesses. remember, B A L A N C E.
^ Even as I write this, I realise a lot of brothers will be wanting to throw stones at me, because they'll be thinking "How can you write this in fr0nt of my girlfriend/wife? Now I'll have no excuse not to accompany my darling on her shopping trip!" To which I humbly reply, hey brother, I just write what the inspiration hits me. Anyway, a couple that does things together, stays together. And shopping with your honey can be a lot of fun too. And who says you are shopping with her only? Make her shop with you too la. take her to all your favourite toys haunt. duh... :p
plus, it'll be good exercise from al that sitting in front of the TV watching World Cup.
^^ Had 2 Carlsberg's - "probably the best beer in th world!" - because the 3 bottle of Qing-dao were left chilling in the freezer. I hope my friend would remember to take them out later; if not he's gonna have Qing dao popsicles in his fridge...
(Third pic taken from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2006-06/26/content_625797_3.htm)
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