Thursday 30 April 2015

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How Do You Explain the Unspeakable Sufferings Caused by ISIS to Your Child?


This is A Poem of Hope:
Two Rows by the Sea

Two rows of men walked the shore of the sea,

On a day when the world’s tears would run free,

One a row of assassins, who thought they did right,

The other of innocents, true sons of the light,

One holding knives in hands held high,

The other with hands empty, defenceless and tied,

One row of slits to conceal glaring-dead eyes,

The other with living eyes raised to the skies,

One row stood steady, pall-bearers of death,

The other knelt ready, welcoming heaven’s breath,

One row spewed wretched, contemptible threats,

The other spread God-given peace and rest.

A Question…

Who fears the other?

The row in orange, watching paradise open?

Or the row in black, with minds evil and broken?

Each time I flip open the newspapers, I am confronted by all kinds of disasters and terrible things happening in the world. One of the most gruesome and unspeakable horrors are the atrocities committed by ISIS.

How does one explain the unspeakable sufferings caused by ISIS to our child? Or to oneself? For if I can't explain it to myself, how can I explain it to my child? I struggled hard with it. (My faith is tested, will it come forth as gold?)

How does one make sense of it?

Is God still in control?

Will goodness triumph over evil?

Where is God in the picture?

I am filled with doubts. My faith is shaken. My mind is full of questions. But God in His graciousness answered me.

When I was back in March to Singapore for my father's funeral, the Lord met me there and then. My mum brought me to her church. On that evening, there was a visiting preacher from the UK. He is an elderly British missionary who had been serving in the Middle East for most of his life. He shared first hand of his encounters of the Lord's hand in bringing in Bibles into the Middle East, the dangers he faced and how the Lord delivered him from the troubles he faced at customs, sometimes even in the most humourous way. He is now already back to the UK, but his contacts in the Middle East testified of the works God is doing despite the evil in the world, which he shared during the service.

The one thing that the preacher shared that went straight into my heart, and that was the recent case of ISIS executions of the 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians. The preacher shared how God was able to use this seemingly bad situation to for good. Because of this horrible incident, in such period of deep sorrows and pains, the people of Middle East and especially Egypt started asking deeper and deeper questions about life, faith and God - things we take for granted in the west. From their seeking and searching, God was able to meet them where they are, show them His grace and draw people to Him like never before. This incident also united the Egyptian Christians and Muslims like never before. What men meant it for evil, but God was able to turn it around and used it for good.

I quote from Malvern Mashal about the testimony of the Director of the Bible Society of Egypt:

Ramez writes, “As I arrived at the Bible Society of Egypt office in the morning, feeling sad and depressed, I met a young co-worker who told me that she was “very encouraged.”  I could not imagine what on earth could encourage her! She replied,

“I am encouraged because now I know that what we have been taught in history books about Egyptian Christians being martyred for their faith is not just history, but that there are Christians today who are brave enough to face death rather than deny their Lord!  When I saw these young men praying as they were being prepared for execution and then many of them shouting “O Lord Jesus” as their throats were being slit, I realized that the Gospel message can still help us to hold on to the promises of God even when facing death!”

You can see the full tract from the Egyptian Bible Society here.

All my questions were answered during that service at my mum's church. Thank you God. You saw my struggle, and my wrestling with doubts, and You answered it.

I now know how to answer our Little FECS, should he one day ask me about ISIS. I would be able to look into his eyes and speak with conviction that God is still in control. He makes all things work for those who love him. What men meant for evil, God is able to use it for good.

Indeed God is the one who answers prayers, and clear our doubts. My heart is filled with gratefulness and my spirit is encouraged. Despite all the evil going on in the world, there is hope - real hope.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:37-39

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28

Conclusion:

In conclusion:

1. How Do You Explain the Unspeakable Sufferings Caused by ISIS to Your Child?

To our Little FECS, I will tell him, there is hope. God is still working even in the midst of all the evil around us. God is able to use them to show His love, to bring comfort and to bring people to Him. When trials increase, grace increases even more in those trying times and places. When people accept Jesus as their Lord during such times, you know they do so with great conviction, knowing that evil men could kill the body, but could not kill the soul. I will share with Our Little FECS those testimonies that I have heard from the preacher working on Ground Zero. We in the peaceful West are not able to see it, but God does make His presence known mightily, even when these 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians lost their lives. God receives them into Paradise, God takes care of them and will make justice known one day in His time. We need only to trust in God, to continue to show mercy and forgiveness to others.

2. What Is Required of Your Child?

And what is required of our Little FECS?

As someone commented, when we feel overwhelmed by all the evil happening in the world each time we flip open the newspapers, this is what the Lord says He require of us from the Bible:

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

My heart is at rest. My doubts are answered. I thank God for His faithfulness in answering my questions.

References:

http://www.unitedbiblesocieties.org/two-rows-men-poem-faith-face-adversity/

https://ruachmin.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/following-the-death-of-the-21-coptic-christians-hebrews-11-is-being-reenacted-today/

http://communicatingacrossboundariesblog.com/2015/02/24/a-poem-of-hope-two-rows-by-the-sea/

http://www.biblesociety.org.au/news/bible-society-egypt-responds-love-enemy-message-christians-killed

https://ruachmin.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/two-rows-by-the-sea/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/february-web-only/how-libyas-martyrs-are-evangelizing-egypt.html

Wednesday 29 April 2015

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J Summary (4Y1M23D) - Got on A Wrong Start at Piano Recital...



28 April 2015 (6Y1M23D) - Our Little FECS playing "Vuggevisen" at the piano recital, but got on an unfortunate wrong start right from the beginning, and lost all his form as a result. Courageously he did not give up, but soldiered on, and ended well. Completing the song is more important than playing a perfect piece. A big hug from mommy and daddy.
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A Letter to Pa

Pa, ma and JN's visit to Denmark on 5 June 2013
Dear Pa

It is soon 2 months... I still think of you... and my heart ached again... this song brought great comfort... J is well, soon starting school. He is very eager for school, and very eager to join scouts. I am well, and I know you are well too. I know we can trust in our good Lord Jesus...

I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
While traveling through, this world of woe.
Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright land, to which I go.
I’m going there to see my father
I’m going there no more to roam;
I’m just a going over Jordan
I’m just a going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather o’er me
I know my way is rough and steep;
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God’s redeemed, their vigils keep
I’m going there to see my mother
She said she’d meet me when I come;
I’m just a going over Jordan
I’m just a going over home.
I want to wear a crown of Glory
When I get home to that good land
I want to shout Salvation’s story
In concert with the Blood-Washed Band
I’m going there to meet my Saviour
To sing his praise forever more;
I’m just a going over Jordan
I’m just a going over home.
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3. Lyngby Gruppe Scout Group

This is the house of the 3. Lyngby Gruppe

Yet another nice day with wonderful Danish spring weather. Today, we tried out 3. Lyngby Gruppe Scout Group. It is further from our place and takes about 15 minutes to walk there. It takes 5 minutes to drive there. They meet every Wednesday at 5 -6.30pm. 

This scout group is supposedly the biggest in Lyngby. The grade 0. group is also bigger than the FDF Kgs. Lyngby scout group we tried on Monday. There are many leaders - altogether 6 of them. For our Little FECS' age group, there are 14 kids altogether, excluding our Little FECS, which is 8 more than the previous Scout group. So there are definitely more adults to kids, compared to the group we tried on Monday. Most of the kids came from Engelsborgskole or Lyngby Friskole.

For this scout group, they live by this motto - to have activities that are aimed to challenge the kids. Today, the kids learned to pack their own lunch box (we came late, because we could not find the place, so we did not take part in this activity). Then they learned to sew their badges using needle and thread. This scout group seemed to emphasize on challenging the kids, but I think this sewing activity was too challenging for our Little FECS at 6 years old and also for all the other kids. So I had to help him thread the needle and sew. Our Little FECS didn't enjoyed this activity much, but I was impressed that he asked to try again the second round, trying hard to succeed and not giving up. No, he didn't succeed, and got a little frustrated, but I am touched by his strength and determination. Then they roasted buns over fire (Snorbrød), which was really fun.

There seemed to be quite disciplined. Despite having so many kids, there were order. The kids lined up to go into the Scout house. Before entering inside the house, they lined up again to brush clean their shoes. This Scout group emphasized self-reliance. One of the youth leader told our Little FECS to try the second sewing, as when one is a Scout, one learns to do things for one self without relying on mommy - making lunch pack by oneself, sewing badges by one self. Although it is a little hard for the kids and for our Little FECS, it is good that they insisted and encouraged the kids to try and not to give up,

It took a longer time for our Little FECS to break the ice, because first we arrived late 15 minutes late. Second, it would probably helped to break the ice, if they had introduced our Little FECS by name. Third, none of them came forward to talk to our Little FECS, unlike the first group we visited on Monday. However, when the final activity of making snorbrød started, our Little FECS had finally broken the ice, and became more at least, as you could see from the photos, he began to smile.

This Scout group has no direct access to the river and does not seem to have their own canoes.

Although it is a Christian-based Scout group, it also seems to be so only by name. They did not end with a prayer. They did not sing any Bible kids songs, but it was also our first visit, so we could be wrong. 

Parents considering joining this Scout group are allowed to try out 2-3 times for free, before making a decision. 

We left enriched, not just our Little FECS, but me too. Wished I had, or my parents had enrolled me in scouts when I was a child.

I forgot to ask about the alcohol policy again. I will do so next time.

Practical Information:

- 3. Lyngby Gruppe
- Christian-based - KFUM - Grønne spejdere
- Meets Wednesday from 5-6.30pm at Chr. X’s Allé 106A, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- 575 kr/half year
- Camp: 5-7 June, 1-8 August
- Contact: Søren Vilsøe
- Tel: 39 67 19 95/40 56 15 53
- Email: baeverleder@3lyngby.dk
http://3lyngby.dk/nyheder/gruppen/baeverne
https://www.facebook.com/3Lyngby


The young scouts playing catching

The young scouts standing in a line before entering the house

Here you can see all the kids (two more came later) and the leaders (one more came later to make the fire for the bread) - this group has a good mix of youth leaders and experienced leaders

Standing in a line to brush dust off their shoes before entering the house - good discipline and cleanliness :-) I like :-)

The young scouts brushing their shoes

Inside the scouts hut, the leader demonstrating how to thread a needle

The young scouts seated in 3 tables

Our Little FECS learning and trying very hard to thread the needle. He was too young, he did not succeed.

Our Little FECS trying to sew... all full of concentration


The last activity - making snorbrød with the leader called Christian

The young scouts asked to point their sticks of bread towards God, while Christian prepared the fire


Our Little FECS finally loosened himself and broken the ice with the other kids

Making snorbrød. I like that the leaders took this opportunity to teach the kids that it requires patience.

The leaders emphasized that making snorbrød required patience... 

I am also learning, both in terms of patience, and in terms of how to lead the kids and teach the kids



The smoke was a little irritating to the eyes



This is how their back-yard looks like, where there is a place to make out-door fire

Our Little FECS chose to have jam on his bread, while some chose ketup

Monday 27 April 2015

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FDF Kgs. Lyngby Scout Group

This is the house of FDF Kgs. Lyngby scout group, which is just a stone throw from where we live, so it is super convenient

We talked about looking for a good Scouts group for our Little FECS. The weather was wonderful today and perfect for canoeing, so we decided to try out the FDF Kgs. Lyngby Scouts Group, who is going caneoing today. This is also the Scout group nearest to our home. They meet once a week on Monday from 5.30-7pm. 

This Scout group is blessed with a direct access to the river just straight from their garden. It also have many canoes. So it is super convenient for them to go canoeing, when the weather is nice. This Scout group has their own house and facilities, which is owned by Lyngby-Taarbæk county.
We canoed all the way to the open grass lawn near the Lyngby library. We got out of our canoe and the kids played catching. We got back to the Scouts hut, and all kids learned to clean the canoes with wet cloth - super :-)

It is a small group, but the youth leaders are very competent and caring. The kids are extremely lovely - very welcoming, caring and inviting. There was this girl of 8 years old, who took the initiative to talk to our Little FECS, held his hand and led him into the group. This other boy of the same age talked to our Little FECS, when we shared a canoe. Overall, I am left with a very positive impression of this group of children. There seems to be a good chemistry. They will be good peer influence. 

Unlike some of the other Scout groups, there are no kids from 0. grade, but only from 1. grade onwards. However, it may not necessary be a minus point.

Although it is a Christian-based Scout group, it seems to be only so by name. They did not start with an opening prayer nor end with a closing prayer. They did not sing any Bible kids songs, but it was also our first visit, so we could be wrong. 

Parents considering joining this Scout group are allowed to try out three times for free, before making a final decision. Our Little FECS enjoyed the canoeing activity, so we will definitely consider it. But he would like to visit a few more Scout groups, before making up his mind. Next week, they will be going for canoeing again. If the weather is nice, we will join them again.

I forgot to ask about the alcohol policy. I will do so next time.

Practical Information:

- FDF Kgs. Lyngby
- Christian-based - affiliated with Christianskirken Lyngby
- Meets every Monday from 5.30-7.30pm at Rustenborgvej 15A, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby near the main Lyngby library
- 500 kr/half year
- Equivalent to Boys Brigade
- Contact: Morten Jarlbæk Pedersen
- Tel: 5091 6268
- Email:jarlbaek.pedersen@gmail.com
http://www.fdf-kgs-lyngby.dk/FDF/Forside.html
https://www.facebook.com/fdfkongenslyngby

Walking to the garden where the canoes are kept and where the river is

This scout group has many canoes and more canoes inside the canoe hut further down the sign "FDF"


The back of the scout house leading directly to the river and so super convenient for canoeing



This was the sweet girl who came over to talk to our Little FECS, held his hands and led him gently into the group... I was so touched and impressed with this group of kids

Our Little FECS learning how to canoe... did not quite succeed, but had a lot of fun












Our Little FECS really enjoyed cleaning the canoe...

And it seemed that all the kids too :-) In fact, they seemed to enjoy cleaning the canoe more than the canoeing itself... ha ha...


This is the sweet boy who stroke a conversation with our Little FECS, making him felt very welcome


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