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.