Small Groups (also known in various other names such as Cell Groups, Care Groups, etc) are important components in a church and it is vital for a Christian to belong to one. In fact, Christ modelled His ministry in a small group by living out His life amongst a group of 12 men (later known as the Apostles).

Makan-makan after small group activity

When I was writing out this testimony, I had to keep it short for otherwise, it could end up being as long as the sermon. There REALLY is so MUCH to share about the small groups.

I thought I would share my testimony here with you.

Good morning.

My name is Gary Ng.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my saviour back in 1998 and began attending Sunday worship service at KL Wesley Methodist Church on a regular basis at the end of year 2001.

One of the reasons why I chose to attend the worship service here is because I remain anonymous. I can come and leave the church without anyone noticing me. That was great, or at least, in the initial years.

For 2 years, my only Christian involvement was to attend the Sunday worship service. However, I began feeling that there is still emptiness within me in my walk with God.

I was struggling to find what it means to be close to God and to be His follower. I was unable to understand the Bible though I tried reading them in earnest. I was unable to pray apart from asking God to protect and bless my life as well as my family’s. I knew then that I must be missing out on something.

I contemplated attending a small group but there was a fear in me. I was, after all, an infant Christian and I was of the view that only the matured Christians attend small groups.

Nevertheless, after much pondering, I summoned courage and signed up for the Alpha course with my wife. We began to know other members of the church. After we completed the course, we attended a small group in Ampang.

For the last 3 years, I have been attending small group meetings and am currently involved in the ministry as a small group leader in Cheras.

My spiritual walk with God has grown ever closer through my attendance in the small group meetings. I learnt that attending a small group does not require Bible knowledge but rather, whether you are willing to allow God to work through you for the good of everyone in the small group. I also learnt that my small group members are also like me, ordinary people with life’s problems with whom I could relate to. Through sharing our struggles, we uphold each other and keep ourselves accountable to one another in our Christian walk.

I am now able to pray with confidence as well as being more sensitive to God’s teaching through the small group sessions.

My small group members have also been there for me during my testing periods and this has made me realise how God extends His love and care for me through my small group members.

Last year, my daughter of 2 years old was diagnosed with coxsackie and upon hearing the diagnosis from the doctor, I was momentarily at a lost wondering what I shall do. The doctor informed that we would need to continue monitoring the condition as it may get worse. It was then that I remember that I have many brothers and sisters in Christ whom I know in the small group. I began to sms to them requesting them to pray for my daughter’s healing. Through the networking of the small groups, my request for prayer was transmitted throughout the church. Praise God, my daughter was healed immediately and did not show any sign of worsening of the symptoms. If I had not been in a small group community and had continued being a Sunday Service worshipper with no connection to church members, I would not have brothers and sisters in Christ to turn to for prayer and would probably be worried sick.

Truly, I have no regrets of having joined a small group. If you have not, it is my prayer that you will do so.

Christmas 2005 Gathering

Why Disneyland Is Not Interested In Johor

Recent conversation between President of Disneyland International(A) and his Senior Vice-President of International Marketing(B):

A: So what's the latest on the international front?
B: Let's see. Yes, we have an enquiry from Malaisher.

A: Malaisher? Where's that? In Thailand?
B: No, that's somewhere south of Thailand.. Small country, shaped like a banana.

A: Okay, what do they want?
B: They are interested in setting up Disneyland there.

A: Oh really? That must be near Hongkong. How are we doing in Hongkong?
B: Oh Hongkong is fine. That's because the weather in Hongkong is great, very conducive to outdoor action for the whole family.

A: What about the weather in Malaisher then?
B: Blistering hot, up to the thirties. Then they have two monsoons, six months apart.

A: Hmm, go on.
B: And when it rains, the place floods like hell. Cars washed away, trees uprooted, landslides.

A: You're kidding.
B: No sir. I've got a report here that says only 4 days ago an Indonesian community was washed away by a landslide.

A: Indonesian community? I thought you said Malaisher?
B: Oh yes, but they have hundreds of thousands of illegal workers, mainly from Indonesia.

A: What's the crime rate like in Malaisher?
B: Pretty bad. Snatch thieves, children kidnapped and killed ... last week a little girl was found dead. And the crime rate is expected to go up.

A: Expected to go up? Who said that?
B: The police themselves. They threatened to let the crime rate go up if the government sets up a commission that all of them don't like. See, it's here on the Net.

A: They even circulated that kind of threat on the Net?
B: Apparently a dumb corporal did it by mistake.

A: Tell me more about the police there.
B: Well, a report here says last week there was a peaceful demonstration against some tariff hikes and the police bashed them up, beat the hell out of them. I've got pictures.

A: Sounds brutally efficient.
B: Not really, cos last month there was another demonstration; this time against a forum that was being held in a hotel, and the police couldn't control that crowd. They actually asked the people in the forum to go home.

A: What more can you tell me about Malaisher?
B: Let's see ... oh yes, they produce fake DVDs by the thousands and actually sell them openly.

A: Gee, that bad huh? Well we can't let them touch our merchandise then,can we?
B: No sir. Oh, one more thing. They support Iran's nuclear program.

A: Tell me you're kidding!
B: No sir, they just had a regional meeting and their PM declared his stand. It's all in their on-line news.

A: Alright, listen. I've heard enough. We are not sending Mickey Mouse there

Pablo, You're Princess Leia Organa

The Classic Star Wars Test

Brought to you by Tickle

"This is some rescue. When you came in here, did you have a plan for getting out?" Technically you're a princess, but there's nothing dainty about you. When your royal blood runs hot, you speak your mind and tell it like it is. Only a true leader would have the courage to stand up to an enemy as ruthless as Darth Vader, and like Leia, your strength lies between your ears (although you're never afraid to go head-to-head with the boys).

You are the type of person who fights for their causes. You are a defender of the downtrodden and an inspiration to all those who have been oppressed. You may come off as a little headstrong and cocky, but how else could you pull off the "ear-muff" hairdo?

Hey, listen! I don't want to be Leia.

Aside from the fact that she's a woman (and I am not), I also found her rather irritating at times with her regalness.

But then, after reading the part about being "the type of person who fights for their causes... a defender of the downtroden...", perhaps, maybe perhaps, it is true after all since it is my profession to protect my client's rights.

Secretly, I was hoping that the result would end up declaring that I am Yoda.

Yup! That green coloured Jedi Master.

Jedi Master Yoda

Yoda is a favourite amongst fans of Star Wars.

He portrays wisdom, calmness and wit. Wonderfully, he speaks and amused, you will be. Nimble is he and great is his lightsabre skill.

He was my boyhood hero actually.

Perhaps, I don't have as much of the same character as Yoda and that's why I am more like Princess Leia instead.

Still....his image my profile shall be.

South Korea's Lee Chun Soo , left, scores against Togo during the
Group G match between South Korea and Togo at the soccer
World Cup 2006 at the World Cup Stadium in Frankfurt, Germany,
Tuesday, June 13, 2006. The other teams in Group G are France
and Switzerland. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Copyright: AP (Fifa World Cup 2006 Website)

Copyright: AP (Fifa World Cup 2006 Website)

He celebrated.

Copyright: AP (Fifa World Cup 2006 Website)

And he continued celebrating.

I must say it takes a bit of getting used to seeing a blonde Korean. He definitely came to impress and he did.

But the best was yet to come. In the 2002 World Cup which was jointly held by Korea and Japan, Korea's darling was a striker named Ahn Jung Hwan. He was their pin-up poster boy who broke the hearts of the Italians. This time, he broke the hearts of the Togolese nation who have qualified for their first ever World Cup.

He struck the winning goal in the 72nd minute. It was a beautiful goal which every player would be proud of.

He celebrated.

He is going to be more popular in Korea than ever. Perhaps not to the Italians nor Togolese.

The nation celebrates.

South Korean soccer fans react after their soccer team scored the second goal
against Togo during 2006 FIFA World Cup Group G game, in Seoul Tuesday,
June 13, 2006. South Korea defeated Togo with 2-1. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Copyright: AP

I celebrated. It was a win for Korea...the fans were magnificient with their support.

It was also a win for Asia.

Daehan Minguk!



(Photo credits to the Fifa World Cup 2006 website and Manchester United Football Club website)

The Dangers of the Rat Race
Anna Aven
6/13/2006

When I lived in the city of Los Angeles, the rat race metaphor for life took on a whole new meaning. People everywhere, racing around to get somewhere, to do something. To live in LA is to live in your car a lot of the time. For some unknown reason, no one seems to live near where they work; so mornings and evenings consist of the entire megalopolis switching places in some gigantic game of musical chairs. And if you miss your traffic window, then you are the one left in the wrong place when the music stops.

But we can’t just blame big cities for the rat race; the rat race finds its way to just about every corner of the country. The American dream seems to have solidified into working for the next big thing—not just to survive or to give your kids a better future, but to get a better car, a bigger house, or simply bigger and better things that we’ve been convinced by advertising that we positively cannot live without. So we rush about trying to make more money to get to a better place in life so that we can buy a bigger house and have to make more money to keep it up. And we get sucked into the lie that somehow all of this is what is fulfilling.

The letter of James has something to say about the rat race and striving for riches. James 1:11 says that “the hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.” It’s been said that we can’t take anything with us, and this verse illustrates that fact. All the stuff that we get here on earth stays here on earth, so if our lives have been spent focused on the things this world cares about, then what we have done will not last.

Our focus then must be on what God cares about. James also says this: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (1:27). Can riches be an asset to caring for those in distress? Of course it can, but riches can never be an end in itself because it just fades away. If God blesses you with money, then refuse to let the world corrupt you—spend wisely and help those in need. And don’t succumb to the pull of the rat race that would constantly keep us working for the next big achievement in the world’s eyes, because those things are temporary and fade away.

(Taken from The New Living Translation Website)