ABEng.Com FCG Blog
Monday, December 3, 2007
Blind Ambition
This passage is taken from the book "God Came Near" by Max Lucado.
BLIND AMBITION
Their dream was a tower. A tower that would be taller than anyone had ever dreamed. A tower would punch through the clouds and scratch the heavens. And what was the purpose of the tower? To glorify God? No. To try to find God? No. To call people to look upward to God? Try again. To provide a heavenly haven of prayer? Still wrong.
The purpose of the work caused its eventual abortion. The method was right. The plan was effective. But the motive was wrong. Dead wrong. Read these minutes from the "Tower Planning Committee Meeting" and see what I mean: "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in theheavens, and [watch out] let us make a name for ourselves." (Gen 11:4)
Why was the tower being built? Selfishness. Pure, 100% selfishness. The bricks were made of inflated egos and the mortar was made of pride. Men were giving sweat and blood for a pillar. Why? So that somebody's name could be remembered.
We make heroes out of people who are ambitious. We hold them up as models for our kids and put their pictures on the covers of our magazines.And rightly so. This world would be in sad shape without people who dream of touching the heavens. Ambition is that grit in the soul which creates disenchantment with the ordinary and puts the dare into dreams.
But left unchecked it becomes an insatiable addiction to power and prestige; a roaring hunger for achievement that devours people as alion devours an animal, leaving behind only the skeletal remains ofrelationships.The classic examples of nearsighted tower builders come to mind quickly. You'll recognize them, perhaps too well.
The husband who feeds his career with twelve-hour days, flightschedules, and apologies for being gone so much. "But it's just amatter of time, and I'll get my feet on the ground."
The social-conscious mother of three who never misses a chance toserve on a committee or attend a luncheon. "It's all for a good cause," she fools herself.
"I'll only need to do it this once," justifies the salesman as he lies about his product. Anything to get to the top of the tower.
BLIND AMBITION
Their dream was a tower. A tower that would be taller than anyone had ever dreamed. A tower would punch through the clouds and scratch the heavens. And what was the purpose of the tower? To glorify God? No. To try to find God? No. To call people to look upward to God? Try again. To provide a heavenly haven of prayer? Still wrong.
The purpose of the work caused its eventual abortion. The method was right. The plan was effective. But the motive was wrong. Dead wrong. Read these minutes from the "Tower Planning Committee Meeting" and see what I mean: "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in theheavens, and [watch out] let us make a name for ourselves." (Gen 11:4)
Why was the tower being built? Selfishness. Pure, 100% selfishness. The bricks were made of inflated egos and the mortar was made of pride. Men were giving sweat and blood for a pillar. Why? So that somebody's name could be remembered.
We have a name for that: blind ambition. Success at all cost. Becoming a legend in one's own time. Climbing the ladder to the top. King of the mountain. Top of the heap. "I did it my way."
We make heroes out of people who are ambitious. We hold them up as models for our kids and put their pictures on the covers of our magazines.And rightly so. This world would be in sad shape without people who dream of touching the heavens. Ambition is that grit in the soul which creates disenchantment with the ordinary and puts the dare into dreams.
But left unchecked it becomes an insatiable addiction to power and prestige; a roaring hunger for achievement that devours people as alion devours an animal, leaving behind only the skeletal remains ofrelationships.The classic examples of nearsighted tower builders come to mind quickly. You'll recognize them, perhaps too well.
The husband who feeds his career with twelve-hour days, flightschedules, and apologies for being gone so much. "But it's just amatter of time, and I'll get my feet on the ground."
The social-conscious mother of three who never misses a chance toserve on a committee or attend a luncheon. "It's all for a good cause," she fools herself.
"I'll only need to do it this once," justifies the salesman as he lies about his product. Anything to get to the top of the tower.
Blind ambition. Distorted values. The result? Rootless lives bouncing like tumbleweeds through ghost towns. Abandoned dreams. Crumbling homes. Windswept futures. All with one thing in common: a half-finished tower that stands as a stirring epitaph to those who follow. God won't tolerate it. He didn't then and He won't now. He took the"Climb to Heaven Campaign" into His hands. With one sweep He painted the tower gray with confusion and sent workers babbling in all directions. He took man's greatest achievement and blew it into the winds like a child blows a dandelion.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Bulletin Week 04 (03 September - 09 September)
Hey guys!!
we have had a very eventful start to the new year. And our journey for the past weeks have finally lead us here, a new start for some of you whereas for some, like the out-going committee, will be closing another chapter of their lives. A toast to everyone!!! YAAAAAAAMMMM SEEEEENG!! (dunno how to spell :P)
we have had a very eventful start to the new year. And our journey for the past weeks have finally lead us here, a new start for some of you whereas for some, like the out-going committee, will be closing another chapter of their lives. A toast to everyone!!! YAAAAAAAMMMM SEEEEENG!! (dunno how to spell :P)
3rd September 2007
Regular CG - Listen, Share and Experience!! ABEng CGs on Mondays!! Combined with Science. Come, listen and share your spiritual experience with our brothers and sisters from Science and ABEng
Venue: SDE3 3rd floor classrooms
Time: 6:20pm
Contacts: Desmond 8123 1534, Benedict Luo 9172 6182.
4th September 2007
Combined Faculty Cell Group/Ministry Committee Commissioning Mass! – Please come for the Mass and witness the commissioning of Alex and Cecily into the new ABEng committee, Joel into the new MM committee and the commissioning of other CSS members into their respective FCG/ministry committee. Come also to pray together for these new leaders for the coming year ahead, may they lead CSS with wisdom and may they always dicern what God's plan is for us.
Venue: NUS Museum, Celadon Room (next to University Cultural Centre) pls refer to the link if you aren't sure of how to get there.
http://nus.edu.sg/cfa/facilities/ucc/location/index.html
Time: 6.15pm
Contacts: Dwi 98414006, Ryan 98457597
7th September 2007
EXCO Commissioning Mass - Let us show our support to Shimon and Alex who will be commissioned into EXCO 18 as Publicity Secretary and ABEng Head respectively and join the community to pray for these 18 leaders and also for the future of CSS.
Venue: LT17
Time: 6.15pm
with Love and sincerity,
CSS/ABEng Committee 06/07, Out-going.
4th September 2007
Combined Faculty Cell Group/Ministry Committee Commissioning Mass! – Please come for the Mass and witness the commissioning of Alex and Cecily into the new ABEng committee, Joel into the new MM committee and the commissioning of other CSS members into their respective FCG/ministry committee. Come also to pray together for these new leaders for the coming year ahead, may they lead CSS with wisdom and may they always dicern what God's plan is for us.
Venue: NUS Museum, Celadon Room (next to University Cultural Centre) pls refer to the link if you aren't sure of how to get there.
http://nus.edu.sg/cfa/facilities/ucc/location/index.html
Time: 6.15pm
Contacts: Dwi 98414006, Ryan 98457597
7th September 2007
EXCO Commissioning Mass - Let us show our support to Shimon and Alex who will be commissioned into EXCO 18 as Publicity Secretary and ABEng Head respectively and join the community to pray for these 18 leaders and also for the future of CSS.
Venue: LT17
Time: 6.15pm
with Love and sincerity,
CSS/ABEng Committee 06/07, Out-going.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Bulletin Week 03 (27 August - 02 September)
Hey guys!!
hows the weekend for you? I hope you had a restful but an eventful one. Anywayz, here are the events for this week:
27th August 2007
Regular CG starting today!! LATER!! OMGosh!! - I apologise for the extremely last minute info. I just found out today :P As for the day of abeng cgs, it has already been pre-determined by the EXCO to be on Mondays. Dont panic yet.. hear me out first ok? Based on our past circumstances, of having one CGL only for the coming year, Benedict (from env eng) has been paired up with Desmond from Science, meaning to say that we will have combined cgs with our fellow brothers and sisters from the Science faculty. What about for those who cant make it on Mondays? I am aware that there are quite a number who picked Tuesdays and Wednesdays as the preferred day therefore, if you are comfortable with the arrangement, we'll refer you to other CGs. After experiencing the combined cgs last week, I feel that you guys wont have much difficulty in joining other CGs. We did have a wonderful session and seems like nobody felt out of place. However, I do apologise for this.. hmm somehow I feel that its out of my hands as well and I can only hope that most of you can make it on Mondays. On the bright side, monday cg may help to start your week on a high note :)
Venue: SDE3 3rd floor classrooms (usual place as our welcome tea)
Time: 6:20pm
Contacts: Desmond 8123 1534, Benedict Luo 9172 6182.
Ryan and I will still be around so you can contact us as well.
29th August 2007
ABENG Annual General Meeting - I hope you guys have not forgotten about it :) How's your own discernment been? Don't worry, you'll still have time if you have not started :P Straight to the point, we are looking for 4 abengs with the heart of service! If you are not intending to run for the committee, pls come down as well as we'll need everyone's support. Let us come together as one community to pray for good leadership and the spiritual growth of everyone.
Venue: YIH, Function Room 1
Time: 6.15pm - ???
Contacts: Dwi 9841 4006, Ryan 9845 7597
Note: Do take note that successful elects will have to go for discernment on Saturday, 1st September @ Risen Christ Church from 830-1230pm, followed by the first comm meeting 1pm-4pm(appx)
31st August 2007
CGL Commissioning Mass - All the new CGLs will be commissioned during Mass. Hope you can witness this highly anticipated event and provide the CGLs with both your physical and spiritual support!
Venue: TBC
Time: 6.15pm
Venue: TBC
Time: 6.15pm
with Love and sincerity,
CSS/ABEng Committee 06/07
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Bulletin Week 02 (20-26 August)
Hey hey!!
its week 2 already. Hope everyone's still going strong!! Here are the activities for this coming week:
20 & 22 August 2007
1) GOD1101A: God in Our Studies
Date: Monday 20 August 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Yusof Ishak House Function Room 2
2) GOD1101B: God in Our Everyday Life
Date: Wednesday 22 August 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: AS1 (one of the classrooms on the second floor)
Hope to see you guys there for the CGs!!
24th August 2007
Venue: LT 17
with Love and sincerity,
CSS/ABEng Committee 06/07
its week 2 already. Hope everyone's still going strong!! Here are the activities for this coming week:
20 & 22 August 2007
Combine CGs - There will be 2 combine CGs next week, on Monday and Wednesday respectively. You can go for either one or better still, both sessions :) Unfortunately, ABEng regular CGs will not start until week4 due to our AGM in week3. So hopefully, everyone can be patient until then. you guys cant wait for cgs to start right? :P
1) GOD1101A: God in Our Studies
Date: Monday 20 August 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Yusof Ishak House Function Room 2
2) GOD1101B: God in Our Everyday Life
Date: Wednesday 22 August 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: AS1 (one of the classrooms on the second floor)
Hope to see you guys there for the CGs!!
24th August 2007
CSS Annual General Meeting - No worries, there will still be Mass, after which AGM will be held @ 7.15pm. What's happenining during AGM? The current EXCO will give a report on CSS past activities and initiatives as well as a financial report. Following which the nominations and elections of new leaders will take place. Please note that before you can nominate anyone, the nominee must be agreeable to it plus you need a seconder. And yes, nominations are already opened. But no worries, you can make the nominations on this day itself. Do bear it mind that it will be a long process therefore, the EXCO will require your patience once again. Your attendance will be very much appreaciated as every votes do count. Why? Everyone else will be discerning and not just the nominees and therefore, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, suitable new leaders will be elected through each one of you. So pls pls pls come down and make this very important decision. As cliche it may sound, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Time: 6.15pm Mass, 7.00 AGMVenue: LT 17
with Love and sincerity,
CSS/ABEng Committee 06/07
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Bulletin Week 01 (13-19 August)
Hello guys!
All geared up for the first week of school? Hope everyone is fine and has sufficient rest. So what's up for next week? Mark these two dates on your calendar pls.
14th August 2007 (Tuesday)
CSS/ABEng (Architecture, Building & Engineering) Welcome Tea
17th August 2007 (Friday)
CSS Welcome Mass
Any queries? Contact Dwi 98414006 or Ryan 98457597
with Love,
CSS/ABEng Committee 06/07
All geared up for the first week of school? Hope everyone is fine and has sufficient rest. So what's up for next week? Mark these two dates on your calendar pls.
14th August 2007 (Tuesday)
CSS/ABEng (Architecture, Building & Engineering) Welcome Tea
Do join us for an evening of fellowship with the seniors and freshmen. There will be a short activity followed by a brief introduction to CSS plus a Q & A session over dinner!! Sounds short and sweet? :)
Meeting place: NUS MacDonalds (next to Engineering canteen, TechnoEdge)
Time: 6.00pm.Meeting place: NUS MacDonalds (next to Engineering canteen, TechnoEdge)
17th August 2007 (Friday)
CSS Welcome Mass
-What a better way to end the week than to spend 45 mins with the Lord? Lift up your heavy burdens and He will give you rest.
-Fellowship usually comes after that over dinner and this will be a great opportunity to meet everyone else. But do bear in mind that the focus is the Mass.
Venue: LT 17, School of Business.
Venue: LT 17, School of Business.
Time: 615pm. Pls be seated by this time. If you are coming late, please enter by the entrance at the back of the lecture theatre and do come in quietly :)
Any queries? Contact Dwi 98414006 or Ryan 98457597
with Love,
CSS/ABEng Committee 06/07
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thank You For The Gift Of Life by Nicholas Gordon
Thank you for the gift of life,
For letting me be me,
For all that I can know by words
And all that I can see,
For all the music I can hear
And all the songs I sing,
For all the joy that comes to me
And all the joy I bring,
For all the food that I can taste
And all the sweet scents smell,
For all the loved ones I can touch,
Who love and wish me well,
For all the beauty of the world,
Ever fresh and new,
I don't know whom else I can thank,
And so I'm thanking you.
For letting me be me,
For all that I can know by words
And all that I can see,
For all the music I can hear
And all the songs I sing,
For all the joy that comes to me
And all the joy I bring,
For all the food that I can taste
And all the sweet scents smell,
For all the loved ones I can touch,
Who love and wish me well,
For all the beauty of the world,
Ever fresh and new,
I don't know whom else I can thank,
And so I'm thanking you.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Experiencing Taize, Taize Workshop 9th July 2007
It was worth my time… About three years back, I was apprehensive at first about Taize as I had just made a comeback to the Church and I was still making the transition. At that point in time I wasn’t ready for something new, however, I could not run away from it. My first exposure to Taize was during a freshmen orientation camp in which I was a facilitator. I had a very good experience and what struck me the most was the solemn and meditative nature of Taize that helped to put my focus on the presence of God. Since then, my attitude towards it changed positively.
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Last Monday, a strong crowd of about forty participants came for the Taize Prayer Workshop that was conducted by Brother Ghislain who came all the way from the town of Taize itself. He gave a brief introduction that was complemented by a 20 minutes video. Taize is a form of meditative prayer originating from the Taizé, France. Founded by the late Br. Roger Schutz (who was a protestant pastor) in 1940, the Taizé community now consists of over a hundred brothers, Catholics and Christians from various denominations coming from more than 25 nations, with its aims of ecumenism and the reconciliation between Christians and people of all nations. Following that, he went through the Taize songs and the sequence of the prayer with the participants and finally the session ended with the prayer itself...
As I sang and meditated upon the words of the songs, I began to put aside the score sheet, to allow myself to sing from the heart and soul; occasionally referring back to the scores with each new song. Is it an all powerful prayer that makes me wants to shout in praise? Well for me its not. It is more of a prayer that leaves you feeling more peaceful and with renewed spirit.
Yours truly,
Dwi
