TWOS Fellowship Special Treat

Hello Sisters,

Our next monthly TWOS Fellowship will be held as per normal on 3 Nov 07 at 3.30 p.m.

As for our December Fellowship, we shall advance it to 8 Nov 07 (Public Holiday) as there will be lots of activities packed for us this Christmas season in our church. Therefore, we have arranged a special treat for TWOS Fellowship sisters/ladies to unwind at Andana HelioAsia for this date at a very special price for TWOS group. Please see the following details:

Date: 8 Nov 07 (Public Holiday)

Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m (those who need to leave early may do so)

Place: Andana HelioAsia
290 Orchard Road
#06-19 Paragon
Singapore 238859

Price: $20 per person, inclusive of spa, lunch, beauty talks, and exclusive use of the facilities
(50% discount off retail price for body massage or other services are available on the spot)

Payment: Please make payment ($20) to sister Del either on 3 Nov 07 (TWOS Fellowship day) or 4 Nov 07 (after Sunday Service). Your female friends may come along with you at the same price if booked in advance.


All ladies are welcome to join us for this special treat. For more info, please contact Del, or Betty, or email to jointwos-owner@googlegroups.com


Cheer!

The following are sharing by sister Mimi on her thoughts about last Sunday Service message (I missed it as I was in the mission trip last weekend).........



Hi,
After yesterday’s preaching by Pastor Edgar I think a lot of us came away with tears in our eyes as the Holy Spirit convicted our hearts. We recognized our failings and repented our insensitivity and indifference towards others.

I particularly cried that I failed to meet up to God’s expectations and as I watched our Pastor Mark with tears rolling down his face as he tried desperately to wipe off tears and mucus from his nose (nobody gave him any tissue ) I just seemed to feel his burden. As he confessed about his human tiredness and sometimes, his reluctance to answer calls of help, and his struggles, my heart went out for him as I realized, it is no easy task but a huge responsibility having to organize a church, to take care of members, and to carry out his duties the best he could.

A lot of times we have strong opinions about our pastor, how the church could be run better but have we ever put ourselves in his position to understand the heavy responsibility he had to undertake to run a church, to meet someone’s call for help, to visit someone who’s sick in hospital, to attend to someone’s wake, to attend to marriage problems, children’s problem, to speak in another church, to go on mission and the list goes on.

What about his own family’s concerns too?

2 Peter 1:5-8 says (NIV)

“For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith;
and to goodness, add knowledge; and to knowledge add self-control;
and to self-control add endurance; and to endurance add godliness;
and to godliness add brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness add love.
These are the qualities we need, and if we have them in abundance, they will make us active and effective in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ABOVE VERSE...

Wow! What a message.
Peter is saying,
"Okay folks, God wants you to get with it and make a difference in and
through your life!"
Are you ready?
“I’m not ready Lord but I am willing!”
So Let's begin today.

In James 3:13, James also says,

“If we declare to be wise children of God, we must make sure that our living back us up.”

Read 3:14-18....
James is saying that we must make sure our actions in life match our words. To live right rather than talk right should be our motto in life. God sees the heart not the externals. We cannot live two lives, the private and the public. There should be uniformity of goodness, self-control, godliness and love all the time, not some of the time and not to only those you want to and curse those you do not want to.

Let us all pray and support our pastor and each other, not only in words but also in action, proactive in our support of one another, be sensitive to each other’s needs and be a doer to help and not just a talker.


MY PRAYER...

Holy God, we are going to put out great efforts to grow in your grace.
Please bless our efforts and receive them as our heartfelt appreciation
for loving us when we were unlovable and redeeming us when we were lost.

We want to be obedient, productive. We want to touch lives, to make a difference, to show love and care in gentleness and patience.

Let the Fruit of the Spirit flows through us that we may walk in love.
Use us o Lord, anoint us with the Holy Spirit’s teaching, as we get ready to do Your Will, give us the boldness to get out of our comfort zone to approach even strangers in church, and help us to minister to them. Cause our prayer to sow Holy Spirit seed into their hearts and let the Word grow and cause them to find your Peace that surpasses all understanding as You guard their minds and hearts. As you blessed us Lord, cause us to be a blessing also to others in the most powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

We give you Father God all the glory in and through our Lord, Jesus whom we worship and praise.
Amen.

ML

Disclaimer:
The above are thoughts of the author and may not represent the views of the group

Psalm 23

Dear All,

Please please watch this! It's really sweet....! Be blessed. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9e7c4b40cf5a13cea6ca

Disclaimer:
The above are thoughts of the author and may not represent the views of the group

Unless the Lord Builds the House

Unless the Lord Builds the House
Barry R. Leventhal, Ph.D.
Two Becoming One

One sign of a growing economy is the increase of building projects. And in the divine economy, the same is true. However else we may measure spiritual growth and development, especially in our marriages and families, one thing is for sure: “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” That is the way the wise King Solomon put it in Psalm 127.

He knew what we need to constantly bear in mind: We are totally dependent on God to build our marriages and families. Without such a total reliance upon Him, all of our marriage seminars, biblical principles, and church activities are doomed to failure.

So what does this kind of total dependency on God look like? If we are to keep from “laboring in vain” in our marriages and families, how can we trust Him in all aspects of our lives? In Psalm 127, King Solomon gives us the divine blueprint for marriage and family faith. This building blueprint comprises three spiritual bricks that we must lay in building our marriage and family life of faith.

1. Faith Building Brick #1: The realization that we are inadequate on our own to build our marriages and families (Psalm 127:1):
“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand in guard in vain.”

Most of us think that if we can just go to more marriage seminars or learn more biblical principles, our marriages and families will thrive. But although these kinds of things are necessary, without a conscious dependence on the Lord of heaven and earth, all of our good efforts will be futile and our homes will ultimately collapse into ruins, as many current Christian marriages are now experiencing.

Along with the truths of God for marriage and family, we need to seek the Lord in dependent worship and prayer on a regular basis. For He alone can “build” and “watch over” our marriages and families. The only way that we can truly reflect God’s image in our marriages is to develop a faith relationship with Him and with each other.


2. Faith Building Brick #2: The refusal to get caught up in the typical rat race and workaholic syndrome (Psalm 127:2):
“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for He grants sleep to those He loves.”

It is so easy to get caught up in the worldly rat race to keep getting more and more stuff: working 12-hour plus days or husbands and wives both dashing off to jobs that will keep them in a lifestyle that matches the neighbors or that will get them more things to keep the happy veneer intact.

But the awful reality is that none of these workaholic pursuits will ever give us the sustaining joy and fulfillment that God desires to freely give us. Not only does He provide for proper seasons of rest, He also provides for us while we are resting — gifts like physical and emotional recovery; spiritual renewal and vision; new and wonderful surprises for the dawning day.

Is it any wonder that so many Christians are collapsing under the weight of such an enslaving lifestyle? If we are going to rein in spiritual warfare in our marriages, for the glory of God, then we are going to have to put the brakes on our rat race lifestyle and trust God to provide all that we will ever need.


3. Faith Building Brick #3: The recognition that children, when God grants them, are His gifts (Psalm 127:3-5):
“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”

God is committed to glorifying Himself generation after generation. And when He grants us the gift of children, He will also empower us to reproduce a godly heritage for His sake. Not only are children a gift and a blessing from God to us, they are also His special disciples for the coming years, shot out like arrows against His enemies.

In light of God’s total commitment to building your marriage and family, prayerfully consider the following questions:

1. Who are you trusting to build your marriage and family? Your parents? Your mate? Your job? Your savings or investments? Your church? Etc.? Or the Lord?

2. How much of your typical day is given over to work? To play? To rest? Where do you need to adjust your priorities and schedule in order to escape from the typical rat race?

3. If God has given you children, how do you view them? As a pain in the neck? As a nuisance? Or as God’s gifts and blessings to be launched out for Him to make an impact for the kingdom and glory of God?

Disclaimer:
The above are thoughts of the author and may not represent the views of the group

Dusty Old Shoe

A touching account taken from Dusty Old Shoe. Read on and share your thoughts here...


My alarm went off - it was Sunday again.
I was sleepy and tired, my one day to sleep in.
But the guilt I would feel the rest of the day
Would have been too much, so I'd go and I'd pray.

I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat.............. in a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer......... as I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me ..... touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side ..... I thought,
" Why must our soles touch ? "
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine ... but it didn't bother him much.
A prayer began: " Our Father ".............
I thought, " This man with the shoes has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched.
Even worse, there are holes on the side ! "

" Thank You for blessings, " the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer....... but my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best, when walking through that door ?
" Well, this certainly isn't it, " I thought, glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended ............ and the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud ...... sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters ......... his hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear …. the shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering ......... and what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out, what the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft "clink" as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me to tears, and that's no lie
It was the same for the shoe man..... for tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the end of the service........ as is the custom here
We must greet new visitors, and show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow ............ and wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer.......... I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark ..... and his hair was truly a mess.
But I thanked him for coming ........ for being our guest.

He said, " My name is Charles ......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend. "
There were tears in his eyes......... but he had a large, wide grin
" Let me explain ," he said........... wiping tears from his eyes
" I've been coming here for months .... and you're the first to say 'Hi.'"

" I know that my appearance is not like all the rest
" But I really do try................to always look my best."
" I always clean and polish my shoes before my very long walk.
" But by the time I get here.........they're dirty and dusty, like chalk."

My heart filled with pain............ and I swallowed to hide my tears
As he continued to apologize......... for daring to sit so near
He said, " When I get here..........." I know I must look a sight.
" But I thought if I could touch you, then maybe our souls might unite. "

I was silent for a moment........... knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison .... I spoke from my heart, not my head
" Oh, you've touched me, " I said......" And taught me, in part;
" That the best of any man............is what is found in his heart. "

The rest, I thought ............. this shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am ….
that his dusty old shoe touched my soul.

Disclaimer:
The above are thoughts of the author and may not represent the views of the group

TWOS Poll: Days for Fellowship

Dear Ladies,

There are suggestions that we should hold our TWOS Fellowship on other days of the month or to alternate them for different months, e.g.
Oct 07 - 1st Sat
Nov 07 - 1st Sun
Dec 07 - 1st Sat
Jan 08 - 1st Sun, etc

This is to enable ladies who could not join our current Sat Fellowship to have a chance to join us on other days.

Please take a few seconds of your time to vote the days you can make it (see above poll). You may vote for more than one answer, though the fellowship is likely to be held only once a month. We may use the 2 highest votes to alternate our fellowship day/time.

Poll Closing Date: 30 Nov 07

Thank you.

Second TWOS Fellowship Update

Praise God for the 10 sisters (3 from Youth/English Service) who came for our 2nd TWOS Fellowship yesterday (1st Sep 07), with one new sisters who attended our Sunday Services once in awhile.


The order of event:

Maryaan (Chairperson) - Introduction and welcome
Rachel (Worship Leader) & Deborah (Musician) - Worship with 2 songs
Deborah (Programme Coordinator) - Testimonies and sharing from sisters
Del (Speaker) - Study and discussion on "How To Be A Secured Woman: Knowing my Heart"
Mimi (Refreshment Chief) - encouraged sisters to have fellowship and refreshment


Gist of the Discussion:

Title: "How To Be A Secured Woman: Knowing my Heart - the alternative routes women take to find identity"

Questions: What are the things women hold on to instead of holding on to God? What do we use to compensate for lack of love, value or purpose?

Sisters shared their views on possible things women or themselves may hold on:
1. Career - Achievements - Status
2. Family relationships
3. Appearance
4. Possessions
5. Food or drink
6. Ideal home
7. Being spiritual
8. Flirtation affects
9. Close friendships

Conclusion: Our answers show the source of our security. Maturity is when we depend not on the things of God, but ON GOD Himself.



My Reflection:

Although our attendance was slightly lower than our 1st TWOS Fellowship (11 Aug 07), our fellowship was indeed heartwarming and touching when two sisters shared their deepest struggles in their lives. Such sharing not only helped these sisters to feel more relieved, instead of keeping their struggles to themselves, but also help the rest of us to learn what it means to minister to each other and to bear one another's burdens. We practised these through prayers, encouraging words, sensitivity, understanding, and even a shoulder to cry (literally).

During the meeting my conviction regarding having the sisters support group became even stronger. I began to see that things are not always what they seemed, so are sisters. Behind a happy face or a strong personality, may be a sister crying out for help in silence. Indeed, all sisters need such a group/place to pour out their sorrows and struggles. In so doing, they can be comforted, encouraged, and be more effective in serving God or be a better wife and mother.

Praise God for this sister fellowship that is made possible by the sisters who came. I want to thank the sisters who have helped/served in the various roles to make TWOS a success.

We look forward to seeing more sisters joining us for our 3rd TWOS Fellowship on 6 Oct 07, at 3.30 p.m.

Cheers!

A Prayer Request

This entry should have been written long ago, but it's still not too late. :) Do you remember Suyen? She is now in Monterey, California, together with her husband who is there to study. And recently, she has given birth to her second child, a lovely baby girl by the name of Chelsea. And she has allowed me to re-post what she wrote in her blog:

I had PUPP during the last month of my pregnancy. It is a skin rash aptly named Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. It really is a plague, and the dermatologist told me that it would go away after I give birth. The papules did go away, but urticaria (hives) appeared after Chelsea was born. Want to know how my arms and legs look like now? Ta Da.....now I really am confined during confinement.

Hives are really itchy esp at night. Some nights, before I had taken medication (that finally works) and a shot to ease the itch, I felt like scraping my skin off with a paring knife. Last 2 weeks have really been trying. I was worn out from all the night feeds and I couldn't rest well because of the itch. I was literally going nuts.

Thankfully, Zyrtec worked and now the hives are drying up. According to the dermatologist, the marks will disappear completely and will not leave any kind of scars (the only part of the diagnosis that I was glad about). He attributed my bout of hives to hormonal imbalance. When will the hormones balance out? Hurry, hurry, cos I can't wait to go out.

I think she is recovering, but please keep her in your prayers, as prayer is NEVER wasted. And a note to all sisters who are working, studying, or just living away from Singapore (we actually do have quite a few), you are loved and blessed! And physical distance is never too far to keep God and our fellowship with you away.

First TWOS Fellowship Update

Thank God for the 13 sisters (3 from Youth/English service) who came for our 1st TWOS fellowship on 11 Aug 07 (Sat).

The order of event:

Del (Chairperson) - Introduction and welcome
Tresa (Worship Leader) & Deborah (Musician) - Worship with 2 songs
Ps Mark (Speaker) - Message on the importance of sisters' role in the "hurting" ministry
Irene (Programme Coordinator) - Ice breaking game on "fire, tree, wind" and also "paper that represents my feeling now"
Irene (Programme Coordinator) - facilitated discussion on "Myself, Programme, What we can Teach, and What ladies need"
Del (Refreshment Chief) - encouraged sisters to have fellowship and refreshment


Gist of Ps Mark's Message:
TWOS is a ministry to hurting women. Some examples of hurting women are:

• women who can't conceive
• widowed women
• single ladies
• single mothers
• women who had abortion
• women with unfaithful husbands
• women going through menopause

Wives of husbands in ministries need help, for what affects the wives affects the husbands and their ministries.

Sisters in TWOS need to learn how to identify "hurting" women. They need to:

• Train their spiritual eyes - to detect women with depression, have been spouse abused, with troubled marriage, experiencing menopause mood swing, etc.
• Educate themselves - by reading more on hurting women issues
• Organize support group - for each unique women's problems
• Organize Workshop - by special speakers
• Counsel Women - some e.g.
  - Titus 2, Women2women
  - Shepherd Women, befriend a hurting women, walk through life with her
  - Wounded Healer, helping another woman in crisis after we have personally recovered from a similar crisis
  - Practical Helpers, e.g. hospital visits, demonstrate how to care for new born, etc
  

Discussion on what sisters want out of TWOS:

For Myself - what each sister wants for themselves

• learn how to help other sisters
• to train my spiritual eyes to identify troubled women
• to grow in godly wisdom
• mutual encouragement
• counselling skills
• learn to sing, keep fit, how to find right mate (for the singles), how to keep marriages
• learn skills in cooking, handicraft, paperwork, home & interior decoration, props making

The Programme - the activities each sister like to participate

• Workshop by good speakers
• 1 to one discipleship/bible study
• evangelism
• mission trip
• community works
• visitation
• lessons on cooking, grooming
• outdoor together, e.g. movies, walks, spa, Hi-tea
  

What I can teach - some of the things sisters can teach each other at TWOS

• Mrs Alan - baking/cooking
• Sharon - languages
• Betty - blogging
• Betsy - magic show
• Maryaan - keep fit
• Janet - singing, stewardship of money
• Tresa - personal grooming
  

People in need of help - list people we know who needs help


My Reflection:

I felt very encouraged, especially by the young sisters and also a few sisters who came, though I thought they would not have come. Some sisters who were supposed to come didn't show up though... I guess they may have some last minute commitments. I hope they can make it for our 2nd TWOS Fellowship on 1 Sep 07.

Personally, I feel that our 1st TWO Fellowship is a success, even though the number who came wasn't a big crowd. It was a time for me to get to know some sisters a little bit more on their gifts, strengths and struggles as we worship the Lord and play together. Yes, we literally played together and it reminded me of my younger days. :D Some sisters were very transparent in sharing their feelings and struggles. That helps me to know what to pray for them.

I look forward to a even more fruitful time for our 2nd TWOS Fellowship. I hope more sisters will come together to make TWOS their 'hiding place' from all their cares of life. TWOS Fellowship exists because of YOU, ladies! :)

5 Good Ways to Tell If Your Walk with God is Shallow

1. If you follow the Lord for only what He can do for you, your walk with Him is shallow. If you love Him enough to ask Him what you can do for Him, then your relationship is growing deep.

2. If you only pray to God when things are tough or you need something, then Your walk with Him is shallow. If you find yourself praying to Him many times a day just because you love to be in His presence, then your relationship is growing deep.

3. If you get mad at God or disappointed in Him when He doesn't do what you want, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you can praise God no matter what is going on in your life, then your relationship with Him is growing deep.

4. If you love God only because of what He does, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you love and reverence him for who He is, then your relationship with Him is growing deep.

5. If you think you have to beg God or twist His arm to get Him to answer your prayers, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you believe that God wants to answer yhe prayers you pray in line with His will, then your relationship with Him is growing deep.

-excerpts from "The Power of a Praying Woman" by Stormie Omartian

Disclaimer:
The above are thoughts of the author and may not represent the views of the group

Feeling Too Small?

"If you think you're too small to make a difference,
try going to bed with a mosquito in the room."
-- Unknown




Hahaha.... this statement makes me laugh, but it's so true. :)

So ladies, you can make a world of difference to the people around you. Your presence counts in this coming TWOS Fellowship, which is this Sat, at 3.30 p.m. If you can, please come earlier at 3 p.m. for a time of prayer.

See you!

What's So Good About Blogging?

Hello ladies,

Firstly, let me welcome you to our TWOS Blog. To date, the followings are our registered contributors or readers while we are still waiting for the rest to accept the invitations before they expire.

Contributors (cum Readers)
Betty, Claudia, Jyanthi, Stephnie, and Sylvyn.... (still waiting for your posts)

Readers
Tresa, Ting Choo, Dawn, Erni, Helena, Veron, Eliza, Anna, Elyna, May, Pauline, Gracia, Jenicia, Rachel.... (Hope you will 'upgrade' yourself to be Contributors soon.)


Some of you told me that the TWOS blog standard is 'too high' and that's why you aren't blogging here. Hmmn... what makes you say so? This is just another blog but dedicated to our sisters in Christ. Perhaps, I just share with you how I started blogging.


How I Started Blogging
I learned about blogging back in 2003, when blogging was something still quite new and almost a non-existence in Singapore. Blogging was confined in the US between 2001 and 2004 before it was slowly picked up by other nations. It gained its popularity in Singapore only in late 2005, and getting hotter here now. You may also read about the history of blogging at Blog.



Benefits of Blogging
I used blogging back then to help me chart my research study journal and also helped me relieve my frustrations occasionally, like how we use a personal diary. ;) But in the process I got inspired to compose many poem as I interacted with other bloggers. I discovered that the things bloggers write about can be a great influence to their readers, me included. There were many occasions that my writings helped or encouraged my readers and influenced them in many ways. There were also other bloggers who have helped me through their writings too. Blogging has become a way for me to reach out to many people whom I do not know. How then do I know that? Through the comments left at my blog posts or entries. Sometimes they also blog about what I wrote at their own blogs, which I visited often too.

Types of Blogs
Personally, I have many blogs with different theme each. Some examples are:

• personal journal
• study journal
• poem blog
  
• group blog
• photo blog
• fun blog
• work blog
• professional blog
  
• devotion blog
• tech blog
• church blog
• ladies blog
• etc

Don't think that I know how to blog right from the start. I wasn't Internet savvy back then and could get lost in the 'www maze' very easily when I went online. I fumbled many times but I learned my way around by reading articles or by asking other bloggers. If there is a will, there is a way, right? So can you too! :)

10 Blogging Tips
1. Choose a theme for your blog and stay with it when you write so that your blog won't become a 'rojak' blog. You can create as many blogs with different themes as you like.
2. Unless you don't want anyone to read your blog, please use proper English. Occasional slang is acceptable though for personal blog.
3. You may add some relevant pictures to your posts so it's easier to locate them.
4. Make sure your blog background and text colours, and also the font size, won't make readers strain their eyes.
5. Break your long post into parts and post on different days so that it's not too tiring to read.
6. Remember to give references or credits to writings you took from someone else. Do not commit plagiarism, which is a serious offense.
7. Be yourself and develop your own style of writing, don't copy somebody's style.
8. Write because you want to, not because you are forced to.
9. Comment at others' blog if you also like others to do it at yours.
10. Ask God to show you what you may blog at TWOS to encourage just ONE reader here.

How Do We Live Our Life?

The adventure of life is to learn.
The purpose of life is to grow.
The nature of life is to change.
The challenge of life is to overcome.
The essence of life is to care.
The opportunity of life is to serve.
The secret of life is to dare.
The spice of life is to befriend.
The beauty of life is to give.
The joy of life is to love.

- William Arthur Ward

Encouragement

A timely message for us sisters from Daily Encounter while we are in our process to start our TWOS fellowship.

"Let us encourage one another."Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).

One writer observed a mother walking with a small handicapped child whose both legs were in braces. He was having a difficult time but his mother was right there with him encouraging him at every step.

"That's great! You're doing splendidly," she kept repeating.

"I want to run," the boy called.

"Very well, try it," his mother encouraged enthusiastically. As he did, he tripped and almost fell and would have except his mother was right there beside him and caught him so he wouldn't hurt himself.
"You did fine," she said again, "and next time you will do even better."

God, too, knows our limitations. He sees our brokenness and doesn't expect us to be able to make it alone. He knows we can't run with a broken leg. He also knows we can't live the Christian life without help and encouragement. He wants us to know that he is right there beside us to encourage us to keep trying and to keep growing and become stronger.

God also knows that we need supporting friends to encourage us, to help keep us on track, and to keep us accountable--as none of us can make it alone.



Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be an encouraging and supporting friend to the people you bring into my life. And help me not to be too proud or afraid to ask for help when I need a friend to lean on. And thank you that I can always ask for and receive your help as needed. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."


<:))))><

Free Christian Films

I came across a link with free Christian films. You may either download them or watch them online at TBN Film. One of the films I like is "The China Cry". The summary of the show:

The true story of Sung Neng Yee, now known as Nora Lam, who escaped from Communist China to Hong Kong some thirty years ago and now lives in the United States. Her childhood faith became real as she suffered under Communist persecution. She refused to deny Christ even while enduring physical abuse late in her pregnancy. A gripping story of love, struggle and flight to freedom.
I hope The China Cry would encourage sisters to stay strong in the Lord, regardless of your difficulties and struggles. We shall all strive to be The Women of Substance.

Enjoy watching! :D

Identity In Christ For Sisters

The following is the email sharing by sister Del to all TWOS sisters, posted with permission...


Dear Sisters,

We want to look to GOD for bringing the Sisters Fellowship for its purpose of finding our identity in HIM.

The word 'security' is a word that takes its meaning largely from its context. A house is said to be 'secure' when it is effectively locked up and protected. People are said to be 'secure' when they have good financial resources. The highest form of security however, is spiritual and emotional security, the sense of inner poise that comes from trusting in the work of a FAITHFUL GOD.

One of the greatest biblical examples of a 'secure' woman is Esther, whose faith and trust in GOD gave her tremendous strength and poise in a dangerous situation. She sensed that GOD had put her in a strategic position for a special purpose and gave herself to the task of representing HIM in the sure knowledge that HIS Purpose would come to pass. We may not be used, as Esther was, to turn-away a national crises, but each one of us can experience the sense of destiny that comes from knowing we are brought to the kingdom 'FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS'

Matt 25:25 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'

Matt 9:37 "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are. "Therefore pray the LORD of the harvest to send our laborers into HIS harvest."

Shalom,
Del

Greatness In Serving Others

The following is an email message by sister Mimi to all TWOS sisters, posted with permission....


Shalom Betty & Sisters,

That was a very detailed report of the meeting we had on Sunday and truly I do believe that in every church, this part of the ministry which is so vitally important for the growth and welfare of the members, yet seemed to be overlooked. This step we are embarking on now, will certainly see the birth of many Women of God, women of substance, women who will make a difference not only to other lives but also to their own. Also, we are taking steps to be obedient and be more like CHrist in our love and genuine care for others, to serve, to help and to uphold others in their times of need, to elevate others above ourselves..

In Jesus estimation the greatest is he who is least among you. "The way of greatness is not through winning over others. The way is through serving others" It takes more character to be great by being the least.

Willingness to be the least is possible only when we are comfortable with ourselves and who we are.

Secondly, its a choice.
Just like Jesus who is equal to God yet made himself nothing to become a servant.

Thirdly, it can never be motivated by success, $, self exaltation and honour. People desperate for recognition and for praise will find it hard to move in a direction of the least. True glory is the result of a choice we make when we want to do all we can to elevate others above ourselves.
We belong to Christ, we are already Winners.

Christ said in Gal. 6-9
"Let us not be weary in doing good for at a proper time will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the Family of Believers"

Amen.
YOU ARE ALL BLESSED. :)

More About TWOS

Majority of the sisters from our Church have stayed behind after the last Sunday Service, on 14 Jul 07, for a short briefing on our desire to start a women's support group in Church. The following is a quick summary:

1. The Group
- The Women of Substance (TWOS)
- We want to be women of substance and excellence for God

2. The Purpose
- to encourage sisters to grow in Christ, to serve in the church, and to harvest for Christ (reach out to other ladies outside our church)
- to provide bonding and support for one another spiritually, emotionally and socially
- to close the age gap amongst sisters and provide mentoring for the younger ones
- to pray for the church and the leaders

3. The Methodology
- have regular fellowship meetings to study the word of God (pertaining to women's roles)
- organize adhoc activities/talks for ladies, including our female friends
- do home visits to sisters in and outside the church when the needs arise
- create a "TWOS" blog for all members to share testimonies or things they learned from God, and to announce events.

4. The Meetings
- Our 1st "TWOS" meeting will be held on 11 Aug 07 (Sat) at 3.15 p.m. at Alpha & Omega (subject to change)
- Subsequent meetings will be on every 1st Sat of the month at 3.15 p.m. (after church worship practice, basing on majority feedback but may change sometimes if it clashes with major Church activities)

5. What the Group Is Not
- not for personal gain, such as personal business transactions or selling
- not for gossiping or sharing negative views
- not for power or status striving
- not a threat to the brothers nor 'anti-male'

6. Personal/Spiritual Development Opportunities
The followings are ways you may help to make TWOS a success. In serving and helping you will learn to develop yourselves and other sisters into women of substance.

1. Chairpersons - to ensure smooth meeting operation
2. Worship Leaders - to chair and lead short worship, just 1 or 2 songs during meetings
3. Musicians - to work with worship leaders
4. Refreshment Chiefs - to provide simple light drinks
5. Liaison Persons - to help contact sisters for meetings, activities, etc
6. Prayer Warriors - to specially pray for the meetings, activities, needs
7. Programme Planners - to organize special bonding activities outside TWOS meetings
8. Study Facilitators - to lead small bible study group discussions during TWOS meetings
9. Mentors - to commit to mentor certain sisters for an agreed period
10. Treasurers - to keep account of offerings or collections for activities
11. Home Hosts - for TWOS meetings, if necessary (please specify day/time available)
12. Blog Contributors - to share at TWOS blog your thoughts, testimonies or things you learned that are beneficial for sisters (twice a month or more)
13. Blog Readers - to read the sharing or testimonies of TWOS blog contributors and offer comments or encouragements for them and others

Finally, please pray for this group and our sisters, that Satan will have no chance to attack us through negativity, disbelief, doubts, fears, complacencies, or indifference. Yes, our worse enemy may be our INDIFFERENCE.

Please feel free to email us if you have any questions, comments or suggestions on the above.

May the Lord bless all of you richly.

Cheers!

The TWOS Team

The Story of TWOS

If it is of God, the devil will shoot.
Yet if it is of God, it will bear fruits.
If it is of God, there will be obstacles.
Yet if is of God, we shall see miracles.
- BT


Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
- Psalm 127:1


On 12 July 2007, two Christian sisters and a brother were sharing with each other their thoughts on their Church's performance over the last more than twenty years, and what could have been done to make it grow more.

After they left that brother, the two sisters continued to talk about the negative comments and murmuring they heard from certain members of the Church.

As they were still talking about it, the Lord spoke to one of the sister's heart, "What is the point of you both talking about it? Why don't you do something about it, instead of becoming just like the people you talked about?"

Instantly, that sister felt convicted by the Lord. Instead of continuing to speak negatively, she told the other sister that they should stop complaining and do something positive to change the situation. They were reminded about what they heard during the Church retreat on the roles of sisters in the Church. Sisters could be a powerful force to help in Church growth. The Lord prompted that sister with the idea of starting a sisters' fellowship.

It was no coincidence that that evening was the Church Board's meeting. The two sisters immediately sms the Board to seek its blessing to start the sisters' fellowship. The Board agreed. Praise God!

Yes, the idea of starting the sisters' fellowship did not come from the two sisters but from God who had planted the seed in their hearts. The sisters just obeyed. The Group's name, TWOS was born, as it is the desire of the two sisters that all the sisters will become women of substance for God.

Location Map

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Address:
159 Sing Ming Road
#02-02 Amtech Building
(enter via Lobby 1)
Singapore

Enquiry: Tel: 6454 6160