“But if we are living in the light as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony…Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom that He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:12-17)

In my previous article, I mentioned that God is the living water that satisfies us more than anything else in the world, yet people still turned to worldly pursuits that are as stale as water from a broken, earthen cistern. The same can be said about our relationships with people. If God is the living water, then a desert is where there is no God. Even things that are pleasurable in our culture can be a desert if we leave God out of them. For instance, having a relationship with a very attractive person would be like a desert when we do not involve God in it because we would only get to experience the fleeting joys of a superficial relationship unless we know how to love. And we would not know how to love unless we have received love from Jesus. True, meaningful fellowship will only happen when we are on the right track with Jesus. 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we are living in the light as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other.”

When we have received the Holy Spirit to live with us, the spring of living water that is Jesus lives in us so we can pour living water into other people just like Jesus did. We begin first by loving the Lord our God with all our heart, our entire mind, and all our strength. Then we proceed to love our neighbours just as we love ourselves. This commandment requires us to be proactive in our relationships. Jesus exemplified this by moving towards people to bless them, rather than take the back seat and wait for people to come to Him. He stepped down from His high and lofty throne in heaven and took the initiative to give to the lowly peasants of Earth. If He can do this, then we who are His disciples should follow our Rabbi’s example, and do even more. We can perform an act of random kindness for our friends and turn an ordinary day into a memorable one. We can take the first step to crack a joke with a loved one and strike up a good conversation. We can offer our listening ears and impart wisdom as we counsel. We can bend our knees and pray with a person, be it in church, in the office, in a classroom, or over a phone call.

Just as it takes both hands to clap, a friendship can only work if both parties are proactive. When one party simply enjoys the privileges of the friendship without investing his own emotions and efforts to make the relationship grow, he has become a desert to the other friend who gives. The heat and dryness cannot be put out no matter how much water the giving friend pours in. When this happens, the friendship begins to stale. There is hardly any excitement because their hearts no longer connect. If the giving friend is not careful, resentment sets in and giving will become a dreaded chore. On the other hand, the passive friend has failed to be a representative of Jesus.

We need to realize that God has never called us to wait for things to be served to us on a golden platter. He wants us to be proactive givers and let our light shine before all people to glorify Him and encourage them. When we have received the spring of living water into our hearts, we supernaturally transform from a desert to a life-giving oasis in our relationships with people. If you encounter a friend who is being a desert, pray for him and trust Jesus to place a personal conviction in him to love and move him with unconditional love. A little prayer like that can go a long way for your friendship. And remember, as long as Jesus stays involved in your friendship, it will not crumble away, and He will fill it up to be an oasis.  

1. FISHERS OF MEN : THIS SUNDAY “MOVIE AFTERNOON!”
Today the Fishers of Men will be watching a movie that talks about how men cope with the pressures & demands of life N relationships. We have invited a few married men to come & share with us their experiences when we have our little discussion after the movie.
Movie title : "Not Easily Broken"                                                                                      
Time         : 2.45pm to 530pm                                                                                                      
Venue      : Church Office, 2nd level

2. COMBINED PRAYER  : 6TH SEPTEMBER, SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Quotable Quote "The most protective thing in one’s life is to have good solid relationships, to have someone reach towards you so you can reach back - they can help you fully enjoy the work you do and help you to be a better person." - Dr Ruth Wilson
September Combined Prayer is devoted to praying for all our relationships we’ve cultivated.
Time        : 2.45pm to 4.00pm                                                                                                      
Venue      : Church Office, 2nd level

3. INTERNATIONAL CLUB - ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASS
ACC International Club will be conducting free English Conversation Classes for foreign nationals. If you’re interested to participate as a student or a teaching volunteer, please contact Sakura at sayumijoyin@yahoo.com.sg
Dates       : will be announced later
Time         : 7.45pm to 9.15pm
Open to all. No age limitations. All nationalities.

4. MANDARIN SERVICE ON FIRST & THIRD WEEK OF EVERY MONTH
Dates       :  5th & 19th September 2009 (Sunday)
Time        :  10.00am to 11.00am
Venue      :  Church Office, Tweenies Room.

5. OASIS FRIDAY - Refreshing Worship into the heart of God. 
Date         : 4th & 18th September 2009 (every fortnight, Friday )
Time        : 7.45pm
Venue      : Sanctuary
Explore. Experience. Soak in the Rain of God’s Presence.
Let it Wash Over You and Renew You.

Join us for a time where God wants to Refresh, Restore, and Revive His people, Renewing the dreams and visions He has spoken over us. Let the open worship allow His Spirit to freely move amongst us and through us as we jointly encounter His presence.

6. FILIPINO FELLOWSHIP EVERY SECOND & THIRD WEEK IF EVERY MONTH
Dates      :  12th & 19th September (Sunday)
Time       :  1.30pm to 2.30pm
Venue     :  Church Training Room

Dear Friends,

Let the Peace of God Reign

Every man dies. Not every man really lives.  W Wallace

And what a life she lived!  Barbara Ann Willoughby nee Denning, wife, mother, friend, musician, pastor’s wife, missionary, Bible School graduate, mentor, author, Sunday School teacher, fighter and her most prized title – worshipper. On Friday evening at 21 August 2009 shortly after 11.00 pm with her family lovingly at her side, her loving Father called her home.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1959, Barbara Willoughby fondly known as ‘Sis Barb’ or ‘Sis Barbs’ placed her life in God’s care at an early age. Spiritually nurtured by Rev Derold and Judy Doughty from Apostolic Center, Mattoon, Illinois a burden for missions was placed in her life in her teens. At the Apostolic Bible Institute in St Paul, Minnesota, Barbara met a young man, Steve Willoughby who possessed a similar burden for missions. They eventually married and set out on the missions trail. Prior to establishing themselves in Singapore, the Willoughbys ministered in Pakistan and Malaysia. Sis Barbara was blessed with three children, Meghan, Barak and Mikayla.

During her 12 year battle with cancer, Sis Barbara taught her church family, Tabernacle of Joy many wonderful life lessons. She taught us how to worship in the storm, how to lean on Him and how to turn fear and doubt to worship. She was a fighter who never gave up. Worship and praise were her daily weapons to triumph over fear.

“Why?” is a question that many of us have at this time. Earlier this week, a dear friend of Tabernacle of Joy shared that when she was crying out to God saying ‘This is just not fair! It doesn’t make sense! She heard a voice from another place finish each sentence: “It isn’t fair … on this side of eternity.” “It doesn’t make sense … on this side of eternity.” Only on “the other side” does it make any kind of sense at all.  This does not make sense “on this side of eternity” but when you serve a sovereign Lord, He calls the shots from a whole different perspective … His side of eternity. ‘

As the Tabernacle of Joy family mourns the passing of Sis Barbara with Bishop Steve Willoughby, Meghan, Barak, Mikayla and Sis Barbara’s parents, Alvie and Mary Denning, your constancy in prayer has provided much strength and comfort to us over the past months.

Many of you have been inquiring about Bishop Steve Willoughby and his children at this time. Although they are sorrowful having lost a beloved wife and mother, they take comfort in the knowledge that Sis Barbara is no longer suffering and is in a far better place with her Heavenly Father.  God has blanketed the family with His peace and presence at this time. They stand confident that they will see her again one day. 

Sis Barbara fought a good fight, finished her race and did well.  She impacted many lives not only in Singapore but also in the far reaches of the globe.

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held in Singapore on 28 August, Friday at 7.00 pm in Tabernacle of Joy, Chinatown Point.

It will not be a time of mourning but rather of celebration and thanksgiving. Worship is a place where we can drown out the voices of sorrow and doubt with floods of adoration and praise. Worship was her passion and worship we will do as we reminisce about a remarkable and courageous woman. We will approach God with a heart of gratitude and thank him for allowing us to know and to love Sis Barbara.

Sis Barbara had requested donations to ‘Missions’ in lieu of flowers and wreaths. Cards maybe sent to Tabernacle of Joy Singapore, 133 New Bridge Road, #05-02 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413.

1. FISHERS OF MEN : 30th AUGUST, SUNDAY “MOVIE AFTERNOON!”

When life get tough, the men gets going… Ever pause to consider how men cope with the demands of life? This movie will give you some insights. Join us on a lazy afternoon for a movie. There will be a little discussion after the movie. 

We are very blessed to have a few married men who will join us & share their life experiences.

Movie title  : " Not Easily Broken "                                                                                      
Time          : 2.45pm – 5.30pm                                                                                                       
Venue        : Church Office, 2nd level
Any queries, kindly direct them to Paul.

2. INTERNATIONAL CLUB - ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASS
ACC International Club will be conducting free English Conversation Classes for foreign nationals. If you’re interested to participate as a student or a teaching volunteer, please contact Sakura at sayumijoyin@yahoo.com.sg
Dates       : 28th Aug 09, Friday
Time        : 7.45pm - 9.15pm
Open to all. No age limitations. All nationalities.

3. IMAGEBEARERS YOUTH MEETING ON EVERY 2nd & 4th SUNDAY
Date        : 23rd August 2009 (Sunday)
Time       : 2.45pm
Venue     : Church Office
Event      : What’s the big deal about worship? Do you know why you worship?
Come and discover more about worship with us!

4. THE ALIVE PATHWAY PROGRAMME CLASS ON 26th AUGUST
Pastor invites you to join him as he teaches The ALIVE Basics.
Time        : 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Venue      : Church Training Room
Please contact Clarence at hockey@alivecommunity.net to confirm attendance.
You may also drop him a mail if you have any queries.

5. OASIS FRIDAY - Refreshing Worship into the heart of God. 
Date         : 21st August & 4th September 2009 (every fortnight, Friday )
Time         : 7.45pm
Venue       : Sanctuary
Explore. Experience. Soak in the Rain of God’s Presence. Let it Wash Over You and Renew You.
Join us for a time where God wants to Refresh, Restore, and Revive His people, Renewing the dreams and visions He has spoken over us. Let the open worship allow His Spirit to freely move amongst us and through us as we jointly encounter His presence.

6. COMBINED PRAYER  : 6th SEPTEMBER, SUNDAY AFTERNOON
"The most protective thing in one’s life is to have good solid relationships, to have someone reach towards you so you can reach back - they can help you fully enjoy the work you do and help you to be a better person." -  quote by Dr Ruth Wilson
In September, we’ll be devoting time to pray for all the relationships we cultivated in our life.
Time       : 2.45pm to 4.00pm
Venue     : Church Office, 2nd level