Church again?

A friend of mine asked me why do i go to church so often. My friend probably felt so because I seem extremely occupied during Friday nights and the weekends. It struck me that many of my friends actually don't know what on earth I do in church or more precisely, why do I spend so much of my time on church related activities. What do I do there? Go to church a few days a week and pray there? I have to admit that many times, I don't really explain in details what I do. Why? Well.....I dunno. Probably I just felt that most people aren't interested. Also, many questions will be shot right in my face. Not that I fear answering but more of...confusing others with what I say.

I realised my dear friend had a genuine concern for me. Afraid I get overly involve and spending too much time in things that do not contribute to my future or rather my life here on earth. The good thing is, I know I have friends who care!!!

I would really like my friends to know. Before anyone starts thinking I'm into some occult-money-cheating-animal-killing thing. So, I guess if anyone is interested, you can read on. Honestly, I really dunno where to start. Here goes.....

I am a member of a church called Damansara Utama Methodist Church. It's not situated in Damansara Utama. Well, it was initially, then the church moved a few times to larger premises. It is currently in SEA Park. Many would call it the ex-Ruby Cinema. The church has 3 English service or what we would usually call Celebrations, 1 on Saturday nights and 2 on Sunday mornings. There is also a BM and Chinese celebration.

Most Christian volunteer and offer whatever we can do in or outside church. Nobody forces us to "volunteer". We won't be strike by lightning if we don't. It's just our own desire to be useful for God. There are many things that Christians can volunteer to do. I guess I'll just list a few. Ushering people into the church, playing musical instrument or singing for worship. In DUMC, we also have traffic marshals (to control the traffic within the church compound and to accommodate as many cars as possible in to the car park), securities and DewCrew(the audio and video department). Other than that we have people who manage the website, photographers for special events, people who organise programmes for the elderly, training programmes for special children, distribution of food to the street people. We have actors who perform during our musical drama. All those people involve have full time jobs. Most of their jobs are very much unrelated to what we do in church. We have company directors, CEOs who are directing the traffic on sunday under the hot sun and as securities. Well, there are those who lend their professional abilities such as a professional painter who paints the backdrop and props for church dramas.

Other than the weekly church celebration, the church organises training (life is a learning process, there will never be enough or an end to training) on bible knowledge, life, sometimes for students, study skills, career opportunities and even sex education! Once in a while there's a wedding (think there's a wedding planner ministry).

In DUMC, everyone is encouraged to be in a cell group. A small group of about 10-15 people that meet at homes all around Klang Valley. Most cell groups are either on Wednesdays or Fridays.

OK. Now about what Julia does. I attend a cell group. Mine is a group of campus students i.e. studying in colleges around here. We have a few working ppl there too. We meet every week on Friday. Yes, we learn about the bible, but we also learn about life from each other. Sometimes we hang out together, we talk about our family, our studies, EXAM!!!!, latest music, latest movie, well practically everything else you would talk to a "normal" friend about.

I'm with the audio and video ministry. We have 3 teams. An average of 10-12 ppl each team. We rotate what we do. Sometimes we are the camera person, sometimes the video mixer (we do multicam live mixing/switching for images to be projected on the big screen so that everyone could see), sometimes the visual aid (we have lyrics during worship and sermon notes when the pastor speaks). We have also ppl to manage the stage sound (i.e controls what the singers and musicians hear) and house sound (what everyone else hears). For special production, we have more ppl on cameras, we have stage managers and a few to do the lightings.

If I don't serve, I only attend celebration once a week. If I am, I'll be attending all 3 celebration and also rehearsals on Thursday nights. It sounds as if it's a lot of work and time. Well, have to admit sometimes it does take up a lot of time. So, usually when my exams are near, I'll swap with somebody. Sometimes, if some of us are really tied up, whether studies or work, we can take sabbatical. We are also serving whenever there's any meeting, event, production and wedding held at the church premise.

Because most of us have absolutely no idea how these machines work, we have trainings for new recruits and also on new equipments. Some of us have the privilege to be trained my industry professionals like Jim on sound mixing!!!

I personally enjoy every moment serving during the normal celebrations, trainings and mamak sessions. Most of the crews are younger adults. They always think I'm the youngest although that is not true now (once a upon a time it was lah).

I am thankful that I'm more useful than I was before and even more thankful that I'm useful to God. I can't exactly explain but I really enjoy attending CG, being part of the crew even if it takes time. How do I explain the sense of joy I feel?

My friend was advising me to set my priority right. I said my number 1 priority is and will always be God. I guess I didn't answer correctly (to them). But what is right to every person is obviously subjective. It's based on our own life purpose that we set out priorities! I live for God. Some live to be the richest/ have the most successful career.

I think this is why a number of friends asked me, since I like spending time in church stuff, why don't I just be a pastor. Well, first of all, no one on earth can JUST be a pastor, pastor are not ppl who just hang out in church. They have a lot of work. By the way, pastors have offices that they work in. Not only they prepare sermon, conduct funerals, weddings, counsel ppl, watching over cell group leaders, spiritual life of the ppl under their care, and hullloooo, which job on earth never involve paperwork? This list can go on forever. Did I mention my church have a average attendance of 2400. Another thing is not everyone who loves God must be a pastor. (By the way, not all church staffs are pastors) Imagine what happens if every Christian quits their job! Everyone exists for a unique purpose. There will be people that who will be pastor and there will be those who could be like Francis Yeoh of YTL. By the way, Christians are allowed to make lots of money too! Me? we'll just see where God leads me...

Another question a friend asked was, why must I include God in everything? Ok, won't you include your bf/gf/husband/wife/father/mother in your life? I guess it depends how important that person is in your life. I would think that if that person is important and you truly love that person, that person's opinion, approval, feeling will be something you would think of, consider whenever you make any decision in life. (although sometimes we don't but atleast most of the time)

See, I dunno know how many of you out there are confuse now?! I doubt I really explain things well. If I can think of anything else, I guess I'll add on later. Well, you can always try asking God, I'm sure He explains better.

Temporary work

I've started working part time with Alex. Just helping out Jolene with some of the accounting work. Wasn't planning to look for anything full time till I finish my last paper. I have started studying....a few page....know I have to start picking up the pace.

Actually I'm asking around to see what alternative job I can actually apply for. Although I studied accounting and finance, I doubt I can last long doing accounting only. Seriously, don't know why I pick accounting for studies, probably because it's suppose to be an area where it is easier to secure a job. But the thought of doing extremely routine job and stuck in the office all day long.....that isn't quite me. Many have adviced me to atleast give it a try after all those years of studies. Well, I guess i should....

The only thing that really scares me is the thought of studying again. It is necessary for anyone doing accounts today to have professional papers....yikes! study more accounts....I DON'T THINK SO Then again, I'm probably just sick of studying right now.

What I would really wanna do for the next month or atleast before I start working is to learn diving and go for a mission trip. The thing is, if I start working, all these will have to delay for atleast another year. Don't think any boss will be too impress with their new staff taking a whole week off. But to do that, the balance in my bank will probably have to multiply by 10. And there are some more important stuff I need to get since I'm planning to work soon. Like get clothes that will atleast last me 2 weeks!!!

GOsh, I sound like such an "excellent" complainer....guess that's enough complain for a day. Then again, I just realise it's always the same thing that I'm complaining about. Better do something about it.

Movies!

Since I didn't manage to catch Spiderman2 last week , I wanna make sure I could this week. Was so tempted to go watch without the CG ...hehehe. Monica and Karen was watchin it yesterday.

So earlier today, went to TGV to get tickets for Friday night show for the CG. I knew if i wanted to get good seats for all 12 of us, it's better to get it as early as possible. My failure to obtain tickets is really getting to me They were not selling until the evening...and someone told me they sell a week in advanced!

Thank God, Sook Fern offered to get the tickets in the evening. Was getting a little more than disappointed.... Hopefully all goes well.

Am finally going to watch Shrek2 tomorrow with JeeIng. I suspect it's the last day of screening. She actually took leave just for it. A very well deserving break after working without a day off for atleast 12days. Since the nearest cinema still showing it is GCS, we'll have to go to mid valley. Honestly, I don't know if it's worth the distance. Maybe we should watch something else too...hehehe.

Quite sleepy. Slept at 6am this morning. Was trying ot finish off Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I did finish it......amazing, it 's so much harder when it's anything to do with my studies. It's a great challenge to even stay awake till 2am!!! Well, I haven't been reading a story book for a pretty long time.

Phone update

Got my phone fixed....but they upgraded my software...meaning there goes all the games i've ever downloaded and the wallpapers..*sob* *sob* I'm trying to look at the bright side. I only paid for the wallpapers, my free nokia logo ID is gone...i didn't pay for the downloaded games thanx to andrea hehe. Those are ex! Good thing I've also finished playing all the games.

A little worried about the CG outing tomorrow. I've actually booked tickets for spiderman on Wednesday 12.10am online for Friday's show...just to make sure I get the tickets. I even have the reference ID. Brother was suppose to collect the tickets this morning. Guess what....no such ID existed ...can't believe it. Am praying now that my bookings would eventually turn up...some how. It's really too late to buy from any cinema now...especially when I need 10 tickets. Well, worst thing would be to have a change of plans...just that I think it would be disappointing...

Fragile phone

Drop my phone last night! Since then, there no sound from the phone. Can't play music and no sound when call comes in nad msg is received! Actually, it happened before. But the sound came back after a while. But I think I better get it to the service ctr. Else I'll be missing phone calls etc.

Free tickets and more

I finally got to watch Harry Potter and The Day after Tomorrow on Friday. Was late for Harry Potter. Think i missed at least 10 minutes. This was because my brother woke up late, had to find parking etc. I tried pretty hard not to complain since he's getting me the free tix. I really cannot stand being late for the movies! Cannot miss any part of the movie....

went and watch alone. Actually, i always do that. This way, I get to watch the movie I want. Don't have to watch stuffs I think are a waste to watch on the big screen.

Have to admit the 2 movies are only OK. The Day was quite below my expectation. Too predictable and nothing great other than the effects.

Spent Saturday at the Discipleship Breakthrough Conference. Have to confess that i didn't intend to go initially BUT was schdule on to help out so...there i was. It was a truly good conference and a divine appointment.

Went out for dinner with Yoong Yit and her Dew Crew team for farewell. Didn't realise, we were an hour late! Also found out that Hoi Hian was going to propose (and yup....Cynthia said YES!) Hehe. When we found out after dinner, everyone was trying to "HELP" by giving all sorts of ideas. The funniest was when we were trying to come out with a poem for him. Philip told Hoi Hian that if he wasn't going to use it, Philip himself would!

Today.....was suppose to get up early and go for a morning walk. Told myself i will do that after i get my sport shoes but was just so sleepy! Hehe. Was reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire till pretty late. Somehow i always have excuse. Last week was because the shoe was wet and took quite a while to dry.

Chen Ni gave me the Harry Potter book at least 3 years ago. Been sitting on the shelf since then. My initial plan was to read the first 3 book then read it. BUT, it didn't happen. Don't know anyone with the complete collection except her---and she 's in UK!Bad excuse. Well, since i've watched all 3 in the movies, i thought i'll just read it....a little short cut. I STILL have the LOTR to read.....I'll do that....once i get the books....hehehe.

My first post

Hmmm, thought of checking this out for a long time. Well since I'm "unemployed" now and quite free....well not exactly too, have tons of stuff to do but just can't seem to get started on it.

Like what? like clean my room....books are not everyhwere....i just dump them all in the cupboard!!!so it's not a visibly messy...JeeIng warned me if i don't do it soon...it's gonna be like that permanently!!!

I promise myself i'll watch all the good movies in the cinema. So far i've only watched Troy and Van Helsing. Somehow there was a rumour that I've watch everything in the cinema....WELL, NOT true! Still hoping to catch Harry Potter and The Day after Tomorrow. No, haven't watch Shrek2 either....see??? I haven't been watching that much movies.

Actually I've just read yihwen's blog, didn't know i was "accuse" of such allegations. Proof? WELL, read it in her chatterbox.