Workshops that I've attended in NCL/WnPC

We have to register the workshops to which we will go during this conference, only 7 out of 60, that was hard for me, and as I glanced through the list, I felt bad that I was only ONE ME.

After a quick n short consideration and 'struggling', and... even a little of 'arguing', I took up:

1. Mentoring the Internet Generation Online & Offline (MIGO2) Session 1, 2 and 3, shared by Pastor Daniel Tan from SIBKL, these 3 workshops were on the first day.
2. Go! (Outreach) Shared by Pastor Andy Loh, a youth pastor from SIBKL.
3. Writing Clown Material/Skits, shared by Pastor Randy Christensen, a children pastor from U.S.
4. The Joy of the Lord, Shared by Pastor Randy Christensen.
5. Writing Kid-relevant Sermons, shared b Pastor Randy Christensen.

By looking at this list, I am so blessed by them, there were all interesting and helpful.

Allow me to share some ideas from each workshop.

Mentoring the Internet Generation Online & Offline (MIGO2)

I love this one, I have had the same insight with Pastor Daniel, you could imagine the joy of hearing his sharing, I hardly feel sleepy, even after a nice, delicious, heavy lunch, because I nodded my head non-stop in the workshop. I felt I am in the right track, non the less because of I blog, I read, I facebook, I MSN, I google, I love social networking..... At times, people had ideas on me spending too much time on internet, which I felt sad about their comments lah, the word 'felt' means I am alright now, I know what I am doing and most importantly I know I am in the right track.

He did mention, 'Isolation is not the solution', right, agree! Therefore I rather be the first one to teach Gabriel to blog, to search, to play games, it is not hard to understand, whenever we picking up something new, we will go back to the one who teaches us if we have any problem or question, that's right, Gab will come back to me when he reaches difficulty, at least this time, I know he trusts me, and he listening, he is learning things in the right attitude and right perspective, which parent could guide them personally, implant some good values as well as molding their character, such as self-control, such as they could play only at a period of time.

When teens and youths are hooked up to internet, this applies to adult too, we often ask them this question: 'Why do you play internet all the time?', this is a wrong question at all time! (quite true though) We need to try to understand why do they wanted to spend their time with internet rather than spending time with you? May be we should find out what are the thing they are getting hook with. May be we as a parent should plan out something for them, we plan some outings, which most parent would rather stay in house under the hot sun.

There is nothing wrong with internet, in fact, the world can't live without internet a single hour, of course it is not applicable to those who don't know about internet.

Nevertheless, we need to be aware, there are dangers of blogging, social networking, and consequences over misuse of internet.

There are a few psychological views over Internet Addiction, 'How to mentor?', 'Gaming', 'Pornography', ;Principle of mentoring', 'Be an FBI agent', but it is too long to share over here, perhaps will talk about it in next blog.

At the end of this workshop, everybody gets a handbook of 'Cyber Wellness' for parents, brought in from Singapore, lots of information!

Go! (Outreach)
Overall, it was just a sharing on their outreach to the poor community and Miamis refuge's orphan. I pray that God will continue enlarging this territory!


Writing Clown Material/Skits and Writing Kid-relevant Sermons
Both workshop given by Pastor Randy, gifted and creative children pastor, I have got many funny and creative ideas over teaching material, we are inspired by his joyous spirit indeed.

Tips and steps were given, practical and relevant, power-up a lot from these workshops.
Such as:
Introduction: Blend the message with the method. Have quality thought and quality presentation.
Basic Process of Skit Development, Elements of Strong Skits, Comedy Concepts, Writing Models, Scripture Interaction Ideas, Sermon preparation process: The S.C.O.P.E, Ooosh, so many so many so many ..... those ideas were practical and can be achieved, love these two workshops.



Joy of the Lord

Introduction: The need for laughter in the human experience.

Psalm 100:2 "Serve the Lord with gladness..."

Nehemiah 8:10 "The joy of the Lord is your strength..."

These two verses are my favourite!

Pastor Randy gave us a few quotes:

"God is not a God of sadness, but the Devil is. Christ is a God of joy. It is pleasing to the dear god whenever though rejoicest or laughest from the bottom of thy heart."

-Martin Luther

"Sour godliness is the Devil's religion." - John Wesley
"Leave sadness to the Devil. The Devil has reason to be sad." - Francis of Assisi

Physically and psychologically proven that Joy Brings Healing into our life. So comrade, don't forget to laugh, don't forget to enjoy the joy that God has given to us! Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always."

Jane Lee