Equip 2015 - One Body One Life One Lord

There was a life streaming on Equip 2015 topic at Ci Icing's humble abode. A couple of girls from church came to her place to listen to it since apparently the tickets of Equip were sold out. The topic this year was 1 Body, 1 Life, 1 Lord. 

Glorifying God With Your Body 

[1 Corinthians 6:12 - 7:7]

presented by Carmelina Read

The world's view : "My body, my choice" 

No one has the right to tell me what to do

The Lord's view

This is different to the world's view because the world's view has eternal consequences (6:9-11). Revealing our choice than God will lead us to not inheriting the kingdom. We are all guilty and the choices we made in our body condemn us. But it is a relief that Jesus wash us clean and sanctify us, justify us. We are not guilty anymore so that we can inherit the kingdom of God. We are a new person and therefore we need an elevated view. An elevated view is to see your body is for the Lord. And that is by setting free from slavery (6:12). Paula agrees to the freedom but the wrong choice may enslave us. Sex outside of God's plan enslave us. Our bodies and soul are cared by the Lord and there are 3 proofs: 

i) God the father will raise our body and soul (v.14) when Jesus comes back 

ii) Jesus the son is united with the body (v.15), the body and the spirit and the Christ in an unbreakable union

iii) The holy spirit lives in our body (v.18). The body is incredibly precious and unity to Father, Son and Spirit

We are bought with a price and Jesus paid our debt. Our purpose is to honour God (6:20b). Reflect on Paul's teaching. As Christians, we are so blind to my choice influence but Paul challenged us to rethink our bodies that when it comes to our bodies it is NOT my choice but the Lord's choice. 

The Christian woman's view: "The Lord's body, The Lord's Choice" 

Pauls has challenged us that it is not my choice but the Lord's choice. Belonging to Jesus is a great decision ever made. Believe the good news. There is nothing that Jesus cannot forgive.

Application

1) Honor God by fleeing from sexual immorality. Sex in any content dishonours God: flirting/oral sex/ fantasizing. The Lord who bought us says that sexual immorality is bad for us but his sayings are opposed by the world. How can we flee? We should be selective, do drastic actions to FLEE and honour God

2) Embrace sex in your marriage. God gives permission and that we should join with out husbands. Things may hinder sex in marriage: there is no perfect husband or even a perfect wife. Ask God to love one another, God's way is always good for you. Don't deprive.. married sex honours God (7:1-6)

Glorifying God With Your Sexual Desire

presented by Dr Patricia Weerakoon

The science of sexual desire 

             A sexual desire is a testosterone induced feeling which drives a desire of I want sex. It is the urge or sexual intimacy in the brain. The opposite is to not want sex but disinterested. The desire is determined involuntarily as well as voluntarily. Scripting occurs as you grow up. It is forming a screen for sexual attraction. However, with bad influence around us, poor scripts will get built into the brain. This is an involuntary action. On the other hand, Neuroplasticity is what you choose to feed your brain, a voluntary action. It reflects on what we are watching/reading/feeding our minds on. It will wire our desire patterns and what is wired can be re-wired. This means that the voluntary action is not permanent and nothing in your brain should stay the way it is. The desire is not static that is there is variation between individuals, with age, relationships and gender. Man and woman are different. Man is visual and quick like a microwave. Unlike man, woman is more like an oven that need to be pre-heated. So the question is, do we have control over sexual desire? It is always a choice. We have centres in the brain that processes the decision to be godly or not. We are not controlled by our desires. We are unique because we are created in the image of God. 

Understanding the world view on sexual desire

            Sexual desire as an irrepressible need that must be met. Human right is to have the desire filled. Commodity to be offered and bought for self-expression. No objective truth, it is about self-gratification not about honour. 

God's pattern for sexual desire

               It is a good gift, powerful, seductive and fragile (Genesis 2:18-25; Song of Solomons 8:6-7; Proverbs 6:27-28). To be treated with care, caution and self-control. Be celebrated in the context of marriage. And joyously lived without as a celibate single. 

Dealing with sexual desire

                There are problems like: self-stimulation (masturbation), same-sex attraction and pornography. Masturbation is getting yourself a sexual kick. It becomes a habit and it needs a kick of lustful stimulation. Same sex attraction is more to gender than sexual orientation. If you have any desires regarding same-sex attraction, you should know that close same-sex friendships are good and healthy but do not sexualise the friendship. Name it as a desire and ask for help to live a godly life. Attraction is a desire and you are able to choose. Pornography is hijacking the brain with super stimulation and therefore reality becomes boring. Wiring can be re-wired so break out of it and repent yourself. 

Keep remembering that there is hope because Jesus comes for sinners of whom I am the worst. Live in the beautiful life of God's glory. 

Glorifying God with Your Life

[1 Corinthians 7:8-40]

presented by Jane Tooher

     The principle of the passage is REMAIN as you are when God called you to be a Christian. There are options that are fine and godly to choose as mentioned by Paul to the Corinthians. But for some you can change your situation. This world won't last so do not become so consumed and prioritise to be here and now. Why should we remain? Paul's motivation for telling the Corinthians and us to remain is so that we can better understand the time.

     There are seven different life situations as mentioned by Paul. 

1) The unmarried and the widows (v.8-9) - We don't know Paul's marital history but we all know that he is single. According to Roman culture, if woman stays single after husband died they are called widows and v.9 says that if they cannot keep their self control, it is best for them to marry 

2) The married (v.10-11)  - The christian norm is not to divorce. This is a command (Matthew 5, Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 16). God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). But there are exceptions in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 that is if a divorce occurs, it is good to stay unmarried or reconcile to the divorced partner. Divorce is permitted if adultery happens but it is not required. Try and remain married. marriage covenant broken if there is domestic violence. A marriage should be a safe place. If you are suffering from domestic violence try to remove it, do not deny and find a safe home to rebuild lives. 

3) The Christian married to an unbeliever who is willing to keep living with the Christian (v.12-14) - Jesus and Paul's ministry are at different stages. Recent believers might be married to people who are not Christians. Living a godly life is to act and how to relate. The unbelieving partner can be exposed to his believed partner, impacting in a good result.

4) The Christian married to an unbeliever who is not willing to keep living with the Christian (v.15-16) - It is their choice but trust God in his sovereignty and mercy. The norm might be to remain but maybe it is not their choice. 

5) Live the life God gives you (v.17-24) - Live as a believer just as God has called them. No hiding. Keep God's command is what counts. Remain in situation. In verse 21-22, slavery is described. Slavery means: badly treated; not always oppressive; complicated; economic security, move up the social ladder; early Christians were formal slaves. If you are a slave, do not be concerned because everyone was bought with a price. We are not defined by our status. Slave to Christ is what counts. 

6) Virgins (v.25-38) - This is long-term singleness and could be a concern for old males but sympathy for old women. The reactions to this would drive them crazy. In terms of time, flexibility is offered in a single person. There are lots of stereotypes but if you make the most of it, it would be attractive. Be obedient to God's commands. Take initiative and be welcoming to glorify God. 

7) Widows (v.39-40) - Free to marry after partner has died but he/she should belong to God. Younger widows should marry because of sexual urges (1 Tim 5:11)

    In summary, obedience to God is what matters and your life is about Glorifying God. 

Equip Women Conference 2013- Women Meeting Jesus

I could not believe myself that I did not have the urge of waking up on a cold Saturday morning. I set an alarm but then I kept on snoozing it until it was 7-ish. There is an annual women conference today in the city and we could not afford to be late.

Took a shower and this was probably the first time I shivered in coldness endlessly. Winter is just around the corner and I have no clue what I would be like during then. Ate a quick breakfast of muesli and greek yogurt and the three of us left the house to the bus stop. And city, here we come.

In the bus, met up with the Maroubians (just learned a new term from Ci Icing in which all the people living in Maroubra are called that) while us (I'm not sure if I am counted as well, wait, I think I do, along with Ci Icing and Cim) are called the Kensingtors.. Met Sapi, Ci[Fefe, Hilda, Copin, Yenli, Tika, Grid, Lily, Fen2] and I think that's it. Not sure if I am missing someone else.

Waited for Ci Frida too and together met up with the others at Starbucks, Darling Harbor.

After a while, we went inside the convention center of Equip Women Conference. This year's title is about Women Meeting Jesus.

convention centre bayside with ci tika and ci copin's back..

had to print out these tickets from the email we received.

people were just arriving. the conference hasn't started yet

The conference was divided into about 3 sessions. There were a total of five talks and one elective. So for the first session there were 3 talks brought by 3 different speakers. Then, morning tea. Followed by another 2 talks and an elective (Following Jesus, Serving Jesus and Questioning Jesus) with a lunch break in between.

I picked Following Jesus as my elective. And I would tell more about it later on in this post.

Let's glance through the talks!

As the title is about Women Meeting Jesus, we looked through all the women biblical characters that met Jesus.

Talk one was presented by Lisa Thompson. The first woman encountering Jesus was Mary (Luke 1:26-55). Yes, virgin Mary who gave birth to an extraordinary son, Jesus Christ, the saviour of mankind. The speaker illustrated Mary's lives like a bunch of flipping photos in a photo album. Where there is a loss, there is a gain. Likewise, Mary had her ups and downs of being a mother. Mary's loss includes that a sword will pierce Mary's heart, she struggles to keep being reminded that her son is also the Son of God and death of Jesus. However, coming to her gain, Mary is rejoice of Jesus's ascension, she used to be delighted of being the mother of God but now she is delighted to be the child of God.

Talk two was brought by Kelly Landrigan. The second woman was a sinful woman where she came to a Pharisee's house where Jesus was dining (Luke 7:36-50). She brought an alabaster jar of perfume with her and started to wet Jesus' feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair and kissed them, and poured the perfume on them (Luke 7:38). The sinful woman knew very well of her unrighteous state for she had sinned too many. However, this woman knew that her sins could be forgiven through Jesus just before His crucifixion. As we are all sinners, we should therefore be like this woman to treat God extravagantly and kneel before him for him to forgive our sins.

Talk three was brought by Annabel Nixey. The third woman was a sick woman (Luke 8:40-56). She had suffered bleeding for 12 years and no one could heal her. But then, she touched Jesus's cloak, her bleeding immediately stopped. On the contrary, Jesus suddenly shouted "who touched me" while walking in the crowd. Everyone was in fact touching him as it was really crowded. However, this cornered the woman out and she confessed why she had touched him. Jesus told her that it was not by the power released when someone touched him or something, but her faith has healed her. It was not the touch that healed her but her faith in Jesus.

We sang a couple of songs before break. What I find interesting about the surrounding that day was that even the deaf were singing along using sign languages. That literally moved my heart. I almost shed a tear but then I held it in. I was actually motivated to sing even more though.

Then there was morning tea! A bit shocked with the portion size though but it was all good. I was stuffed with the snacks provided! 

Yes, like any other posts, I would usually mention all the names here. But let's play a game.. Time to guess.. Put down the answers down in the comment section below. The winner gets the prize of something really great and extremely special that is me congratulating you via a reply comment. HUAHAHAHA *EVIL LAUGH*, But seriously, guess the names.. -_-.. although i guess most probably would already know the name and when i see the comments below, they'll be no one answering the trivia i'm giving now. 

morning tea! 

Talk four presented by Anna Moss about Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Martha was trying so hard to serve but she got all the point of serving all wrong. There was a problem in her heart. Her rage immersing under the surface. She even told Jesus what to do, "Lord, don't you care..". Her serving stopped her from listening to Jesus. It is easy to give what we want to give for others. Most of the times, we want to show and give our abilities to Jesus. But Jesus does not want that. He only wants us to be needy of him. He wants us to open up ourselves to God. We should urge ourselves to stop being busy and listen to Jesus. Beside, Jesus comes to the world not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Likewise, while he was dining in Martha and Mary's abode, he was trying to give out the good portion of life that is salvation.

Talk five brought by Carmelina Read about the resurrection women. It is our duty to worship and praise God. We cannot be called anything other than we are. Jesus is worth living for and dying for.

After the last talk, there was a lunch break. Ci Fen2, Cim and I went to take a look at the bookshop. Cim and I bought three books: Lost, Truth and Sex is not a problem but lust is. Then we went to buy lunch. This moment, we were separated from the other girls. But then we met one another up again while eating our lunch.

Stopped by at a Photobooth too.

Photo Booth

Bought lunch! 

lunch! kebab! 

bon apetit aka afiyet olsun (in Turkish)

Cim's ricotta with spinach. 

Subsequently, we returned for the elective we had chosen! I chose Following Jesus. And the elective was a little bit like a talk show involving six different women sharing how they follow Jesus. It was merely a great inspiration and motivation for all of us. They love Jesus so much that they are ready to sacrifice everything to serve Him.

After the conference of 2013 was over, took some more photos in the Photo Booth and then me, Cim, Ci Tika and Kriska decided to go back home. Well, we decided to make a quick stop at a macaroon shop called the Blackflower located near Chinatown to redeem the free macaroon coupon I got during orientation week.

ibises are everywhere in sydney. And it appears that these birds are actually taken care by the government. You can see that each bird has a green tag wrapped on one of its feet. 

super cool street musician. 

I chose the Thai milk tea flavored macaroon! It was really delicious. Cut it equally into quarters and shared it with Ci Tika, Kriska and Cim. Should have taken a photo of it. grr.. How I regret it.

blackflower! kyaa. adorable little burger and watermelon macaroons. 

LOL Thainatown instead of Chinatown. How creative

Walked to the bus stop. I have got skin peeling off from the shoes I was wearing. There were blisters everywhere but I managed to survive. While waiting for the bus stop, I talked with Kriska about animation videos! Super fun. I thought me and Vivi were the only ones watching animation videos on youtube. We are not alone.. LOL.

Went back to Ci Icing's place. Read a book that Ko Sui and Ci Grid lent us. It's called God's Big Picture. Read it together with Cim. We read aloud this time to avoid being sleepy and dozing off. We should hurry in finishing the book as Ko Sui and Ci Grid were getting ready to pack up, as they're leaving to Indonesia for good.. TT_TT.. I have only known them for like 11 weeks. And now, they are leaving.

Oh yeah, ate some porridge cooked by Ko Jeffry! Delicious! Then after reading, we went to have dessert outing to Bondi to Max Brenner! Chocolate galore!

cute menu

it was 9ish at night and yet it was still crowded

ci icing and cim

lining up

ko jeffry and ci icing

waffles

banana sundae with chocolate lick and peanuts. 

I felt so guilty eating chocolates so late at night. However, both of these were such a treat! 

Afterwards, stopped by at Woolworths and shopped there for the afternoon tea tomorrow.