引誘與試探

Jame 1: 9-19

"Mom, QT this morning." while I was still in bed at 7:30am, Terence came in to my room and waked me up. Woow! what a surprise but encouraging wake up call, in particular it's from the mouth of Terence. After half an hour of morning self-caring, we began QT at the living room. Today the sky is the brightest after a week of stormy rain. I did not require reading glass to read the Bible words.

We began with a short recap on last week's learning and how well we've practiced them in our daily life. Terence said he began to pray everyday before bed. When I asked him what did he pray for, he said for a better sleep. I, then, reminded him that he has made decision to pray for wisdom. It sounded that he has forgot the theme. Michelle has nothing to share.

Terence began the sharing with v9-10.

"For v9 -The brother in humble circusmstances ought to take pride in his high position. I want to tell you how I'm practicing and experiencing this verse. When I walked in to Trever's band room, I did not boost how good is my band. Though they are comparatively weak in average, I would rather be hunber and tell them what makes my band being good in some areas. This works."

"How do you look at v10 about the rich?" I asked.

"Money creates competition. From there, boosting will take place to create conflicts."

Michelle shared v12-15.

"Before reading this verse, I though temptation comes from outside. However v14 tells me that "......each one is tempted when, by his own desire.". Now I came to understand it is because of myself."

"What tempt you the most?"

"Object."

"How would you like to do about this temptation issue?"

"Don't spend money on Objects!" Terence suggested.

"Well, I think I have to control myself, my desire." Michelle said quite determinely.

Bonnie shared v12.

"I have recognized that in order to be blessed, I have to be strong enough to accept trials - To stand the test instead of being fear and escape."

Michelle said, "I like the phase of TO STAND THE TEST."

"Well, how shall we commite ourself in these learnings?"

Terence: to keep on praying everyday for God's wisdom.
Michelle: to be able to stand the test.
Bonnie: to love God 1 step more.

The time control for aorund 15 mins was good and they still could concentrate and response clearly.

終於也說了

When our way home after my mother's birthday dinner at Kowloon Bay, Terence asked me to go with him to Welcome for buying the body spray so we separated from Ben and Michelle. He got a big size Gillett Body Spray for HK$40.50.

We took MTR home as usual and on the way he talked a lot to me.

"Mom, I don't want to go to teens!!!!!!" Terence said with a reluctant tone. "Usually they have the BT on Saturday afternoon and then I could no more able to play music with my friends on Saturday."

"Is it possible for you to arrange the band practice prior to the BT?" I asked.

"Anyway, I don't want to go to teens! Saturday is my play time................"

"Well, do you want to stay at pre-teens until Michael and Brain all go to teens?"

"Yes, because I don't want to go to the Saturday stuff and get baptism. Stephan once asked me am I still going to church? They want you to get baptism."

I explained to Terence that, "It's not neccessary for you to get baptism unless that is what you want."

"I just dont know but that is my true feeling that I dont want to go to church. These days I go to church is simply because I can meet with my friends; Peter and Joushua."

"Terence, thank you for telling me your true feeling. Does it mean that you are getting less close to God?"

"Mom. it's my true feeling. I don't want to do bad things and I don't feel close to Satun."

"Then, do you really want to stop going to church in the near future?"

"That'll make people feel upset. I dont want to make them feel like that."

"Is it possible for you to discuss with them about how you feel and what you want to do about the Saturday BT schedule?"

"Mom, if I dont go every week that will border the others. I dont feel right doing that."

"Well, take more time to feel what you feel. We can talk more on this subject."

I have been seeing other pre-teens dropped off in the past few years, including Man Ho, Leo, Man Man, Kei Kei, Kar Hei. Now is my son telling me that he does not want to go to church. How I felt? No surpirse because he told me several times that he does not want to go to teens because of the Sat BT. But it's a fact that I heard from him about not wanting to go to church.

Shall I try to persuade him to stay or shall I let him make his decision and be responsible for the consequence too. I cannot stop anything to happen. At least I feel grateful that he is still honest to me and himself. I see God is testing him for his maturity to become a real young adult.

to be con't........

理清給與力量和決定

智慧、忍耐、信心

James 1: 1-8

Terence: "If we have wisdom, there will be no doubt. And easier to succeed."

Bonnie: " Where comes the wisdom?"

Terence: "From God."

Bonnie: "What is your decision to get yourself be connected with that wisdom?"

Terence did not answer but holding up his hands in a gesture of prayer.

Bonnie: " How often do you pray in a day."

Terence respond by putting his thumb and first finger together to make a circle.

Bonnie: " What is your decision now?"

Terence: "I'll pray for the wisdom once a day before I go to bed." That sounds a good start for Terence.

Michelle: " I would like to share v4 (Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.). I have to learn completing its work."

Bonnie:" What's the benefit of completing the work?"

Michelle: "Most of the work we are doing are difficult and people tend to give up. I dont want to give up but must complete it."

Bonnie: "Well, your bold commitment sounds very powerful. Can you tell me more."

Michelle: " By going through the difficulties in the process of a work, I can learn a lot and which makes me mature. So that when same difficulty comes to me next time, I can handle it."

Bonnie: "It's my turn to share. I have picked v3 (because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.). Here teaches me that perseverance comes from faith in God. Am I believe God has such power to overcome the difficuties I'm facing? Am I believe God is looking after me? I know if I dont have faith in God, I will start to worry as v6 (he who doubts is like a wave of sea, blown and tossed by the wond.) It is good that it's a test, by which can remind me where I am.

Bonnie: " Well, what is the key word in these scriptures that we can use for the upcoming week for our spiritual growth?"

Terence: " Wisdom and Prayer."

Michelle : " Perseverance."

Bonnie: " Faith."

Ben was sitting in the living and I assumed he listened what we said and saw what we did.

Bonnie: " Did I overrun?"

Terence: " OK"

Michelle: " I found it's easy to have QT like this. It's simple and easy to understand. What we are doing on every Sunday is a bit too difficult to me and I could not understand."

Bonnie: " Well, that's where you can practice your perseverance."

新一頁的開始

I talked with Terence and Michelle on how they see their QT. It's no surprise that they only do QT on every Sunday before church.

I, then, suggested that usually adudlt chistians have their QT everyday, preferably in the freshest morning. Their responses were same - "impossible". I could understand the situation that Terence has to leave home at 6:40am.

"Well, shall we take one step a time? " I said.

"That sounds doable." - The conclusion is to increase the QT frequency from 1/7 to 2/7 in a week. They requested my support to have a 3-person group QT on every Saturday. We name it as a "15 Minutes QT".

Terence has no preference on what to read while Michelle suggested to read the New Testament just because it is "New". We have chosen a short book to start with - James.

一言驚醒夢中人

Dear parents of preteens,

'You were created to become like Christ' is the theme for the classes of Isd Central Preteens Ministry this summer. All the classes are based on the purpose #3 of the book 'The Purpose Driven Life'.

For your information, the preteens are usually divided into two groups according to their age when we are having class. Group A (oldermembers) includes Joshua, Peter, Terence, Michelle, Miko and Jessica. Group B's members are Jacky (Ho-yin), Michael, Brian, Chun-kit, Lok-hin, Rico, Leo and Bun.

Every Sunday (except those we do not meet at Wah-whui 華匯), all preteens are encouraged to have quiet time with us at the food court of Island Place (港運城) at 9 am. We also expect the Group A's preteens to start having their own plan for quiet time. Your encouragement, involvement and support are very essential and crucial influences to their building friendship with God.

Attached please find the schedule from June to August 2005 for your reference. Please note that we've also scheduled to have lunch with them on every 2nd Sunday. Please let us know if you are OK with it.

We look forward to having more contacts with you. Please feel free to communicate with us. Thank you for entrusting your children to our care.

Love,
Daniel, Renee, Steve and ElaineIsd Central Preteens Ministry
PS: Our contact phone numbers are --
Daniel Leung – 96436742
Renee Li – 92876226
Steve Lai – 94223640
Elaine Lai – 62886620