sleeper

ever fallen asleep during a sermon? or even in a car driving down to school? sometimes, its all down how we keep ourselves ready and alert, or are we complacent to succumb to sweet sweet sleep = )


the story goes of a young man (just like you and me) named Eutychus. while he was listening to the apostle Paul preach he fell asleep (just like you and me as well). some of us might get away with it by saying we were 'praying' : P but poor Eutychus as he was sleeping at a windowstill and presumably died as he fell off three storeys down. 

there's something close to my heart, as i search God's will for our youth group and how will He want WinGS to be this 2009. how tragic would it be if we remained 'complacent' and comfortable in our cosy environment that before we know it - we like Eutychus will fall asleep and be spiritually dead. 

the story of Eutychus does not end there, as Paul goes down and 'revives' young Eutychus.  to the sleepers out there, there is still time for us to be awaken. let this year be our awakening because i truly believe that there are many amongst us that are sleeping giants. think of how the Lord can use us as a youth group! and we already know what we are capable of as a youth group, a body of Christ. spending time with God through His Word and prayer would keep us from 'sleeping' in.

2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (Revelation 3:2 & 3)

Eutychus' story can be found in Acts 20.

Here we are now with the falling sky and the rain,
We're awakening
Here we are now with our desperate youth and the pain,
We're awakening
Maybe it's called ambition, you've been talking in your sleep
About a dream, we're awakening



Posted at at 10:34 PM on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 by Posted by tim | 0 comments   | Filed under:

not turning away

Dusty roads filled with throngs of sandals. People from the surrounding regions have come to see this Great Healer. Everyone has seen their own fair share of mysticism and doubt its authenticity but this was different. He was driving out demons and making the lame walk. The people needed a break from the harshness of life, and this seemed like the next big thing. The Great Healer was performing miracles. Just an ordinary citizen, with ordinary robes, with an ordinary appearance-commanding such attention.

Crowds grew by the hour, as word spread through the busy lanes . They all wanted a piece of the miracle to touch their worthless lives. It seemed only fair that something good would come out of this for each of them. The Great Healer was not even charging them for anything.

By now, the lakeside was overflowing with curious onlookers, living proofs of the Great Healer's miracles eager for another one, doubtful religious teachers and the followers of the Great Healer. Then the Great Healer retreated to a boat and was pushed offshore.

The Great Healer began speaking. The crowds listened on, to what seemed like simple parables yet it left many puzzled and they could not understand what he meant. This was no signs and wonders nor miracles. One after the other, people started turning away disappointed. With each person leaving, the Great Healer's eyes looked on with a glance of sadness. A sadness that could only be explained by how much He loved them to stay. Even some of the ones that were healed moved on. Then His gentle loving eyes turned to mine to see whether I would be next.

These passages in the Bible about the parable of the Sower always get to me. Jesus was so popular and yet He does not beg for the people to stay. He is the Almighty and not until we realize how inadequate we are and needful of Him to save us, we will never realize what it really means to follow Him.
Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 8

Posted at at 11:06 AM on Saturday, December 13, 2008 by Posted by tim | 0 comments   | Filed under:
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