芦苇艺术团体

http://www.luweiarts.org.sg./index.html
芦苇简介

芦苇从开始到成长。。。。。。

二十二年前，几个年轻人在一起做一个梦。。。。

没有受过正式的戏剧训练，没有支持者，没有经验，没有金钱。几颗年轻的心，只有一个简单的异象和一股热诚：我们要藉表演艺术领人归主。

没有过多的顾虑，没有惧怕担忧的心，经过一番的祷告及筹备，两年后，也就是1986年7月25日，芦苇艺术团契终于在政府当局的批准下正式成立。不再是梦，是真正落实在这群年轻人当中。

有人问起，为何取名芦苇？

第一，芦苇是圣经中提过的一种植物，它富有浓厚的艺术气质，用途甚广。
第二，芦苇是脆弱的草本植物，藉着它能提醒我们人是软弱的，若不倚靠主，我们什么也不能做。就如哥林多后书12：9所说：“他对我说，我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力，是在人的软弱上显得完全。所以我更喜欢夸自己的软弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。”

团契的开始，是异象和负担；事奉的过程，是一个接一个的困难。缺乏组织团体的经验，经济上的需要，没有固定的团契活动场所，这一切虽令人伤神，却不至于却步。

感谢神的带领，两年后我们迁入第一个属于自己的会所，积极展开以表演艺术传福音的事工。

这二十年来，芦苇在主的带领下，经过高山，也行过幽谷。我们深深感恩，在每一段不同的日子，他自己兴起自己的儿女来为这事工效力，芦苇在许多热心的义工支持下，事工得以推进。

事奉的道路并不平坦，这么多年来，芦苇经历过负债，停薪甚至裁员的境况，会所也是一迁再迁。但是上帝并没有忘记我们，他还是常常兴起一些主内的弟兄姐妹来与我们同心同行。

芦苇的事工是与教会配搭，借戏剧传扬福音。我们不单有舞台演出，也拍摄福音电视剧，让福音借戏剧传入人群中。就如歌罗西书1：28所说：“我们传扬他，是用诸般的智慧，劝诫各人，教导各人，要把各人在基督里完完全全地引到神面前。”

感谢主的恩典，芦苇这些年来的演出，深得教会及弟兄姐妹的赞赏和支持。有许多人也因观赏演出而认识主或在信仰上得到帮助。因此，我们深信表演艺术是神为我们兴起的另一个传福音的管道。

芦苇二十年，我们为着过去的一切感恩，也为着将来展望：愿上帝自己兴起更多的教会和弟兄姐妹有这样的看见，愿意与芦苇同心同行，参与芦苇，支持芦苇，让芦苇带着福音走进教会，走入人群。

TWR Christmas Party - 21 Dec

Ah, pics of the party at night, after our farm retreat~

on tobogganing down a 4,000 feet slope

ok, I always get this weird, kinda off-tangent inspiration from lessons over the pulpit. For instance, as Pastor Kay Kiong was sharing about Sir Ernest's and his other companions' escape from that impassable mountain impass, I was going "wow! what FUN! WooHOO!" Think maybe I've got death-wish written all over me, or am not really thinking straight in the wee hours of the morning.

One other thought that did come to mind is that would I be willing to descend down into the depths? I think we are made to reach upwards, and many times, we tend to focus on upward mobility. To consider taking a downwards move, is like regression instead of progression. Then again, the ways of the Lord is mysterious*. Sometimes moving back and down IS the way forward. And sometimes we are told to go sledding down 4,000 feet... in the dark... with only a toboggan beneath us... What would you do then?


Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Shackleton


*at least to me la :p Dunno about you rest, though.

大哥是对的！

haha, my friend just found for me a phrase which I've been looking for from the movie "The Warlords"

兄弟乱我兄弟者，持投名状，必杀之。。。

on bawling like a baby* in last service of 2007...

yea, dunno whether it was the tiredness from the previous day's activities, or drank too much alcohol (also from the previous night). Just felt the lethargicness of body and mind even as I woke up that morning. Still, managed to get into church on time. Somehow, the overwhelming sense of bitter-sweetness just came over me, even as we sing the songs during worship and praise. Just broke down and wept, and I can't mouth the words to the chorus of "Blessed Be Your Name".

Indeed God has been good to me in 2007, and He has given and taken away. Blessed be His Name!

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

Blessed Be Your Name

by Matt Redman

album: Where Angels Fear To Tread (2002)

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful 
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out 
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering 
Though there's pain in the offering 
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out 
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

(taken from http://www.lyricsbox.com/matt-redman-lyrics-blessed-be-your-name-pfs45jc.html)




* Ok, not quite technically correct, More like silent weeping, with the tears flowing down my nose. Worst thing was that it was during worship, and didn't want to disturb the people around me by asking for tissue. Argh, so UNGLAM!

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Comedy

Borrowed this from my friend, as wanted to see more of Anne Hathaway after catching her in "Ella Enchanted". Not a bad show, as it's not your typical chick-flick. The built-up of tension mixed with great liners and comedic timing made it an enjoyable watch. Plus you really get to see all the "bling" girls wear on high-fashion street New York.

Wasn't overtly impressed with Hathaway's acting; in fact, enjoyed the character built-up of Stanley Tucci/"Nigel" and Emily Blunt/"Emily". And Meryl Streep is absolutely wicked as la grande dame "Miranda Priestly".

Oh, if you have the DVD version, must watch the Gag reel, superbly done and very hilarious!

"Gird your loins!"
"That's all."

Official Site:
http://www.foxstore.com/detail?item=2655

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458352/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_Wears_Prada_%28film%29

Mr and Mrs Smith (2005)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

Watched this over the National TV channel during the new year period. Didn't catch it in the big screen 3 years back, because didn't think much of it. After watching it, revising my opinion - it's a pretty entertaining show, there was definitely chemistry between the leads. Still, a predictable Hollywood flick.

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356910/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._&_Mrs._Smith_(2005_film)