Floodgates 100_Issue1_2019_FINAL

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Events en’s Encounter Weekend JOSEPH TAN, PJN3 Attending the Men’s Encounter Weekend (MEW) in July 2018 was my very first MenAlive event. I had wanted to attend a MenAlive meeting for a while but never actually got to doing it. One weekend after celebration on Sunday, I felt convicted to sign up and spend time in solitude with God and other men after watching the promo video. I did so after checking with my wife. The month of July is an extremely busy period in my line of work, which oftentimes includes weekends. I work in a very small firm with a lean headcount. With a very low chance of leave approval due to the MEW dates being neither so far ahead to give ample notice nor close enough to know that my schedule will be free, I paid and signed up in faith that God will ensure I go. God is indeed faithful and made it happen as I had no issues with getting my leave approved and no clashing work commitments. During the MEW, I encountered God in the time of solitude and was deeply encouraged by the authenticity of a band of brothers in sharing on their struggles, brokenness and God’s faithfulness in His redemptive grace. I saw and heard from other men who reminded me that we are all WIP (work in progress) in our journey towards Christlikeness. Our struggles are real and more common than we think, but God never leaves us alone. There were two extremely memorable highlights for me during this MEW.
Events The first one was spending time watching the movie “I Can Only Imagine”. I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to most of the 30 men present that night. Most, if not all of us, were in tears as the Spirit had a unique message for each of us. Throughout and after the movie, the Holy Spirit revealed to me my lack of understanding of the personal relationship I can have with God the Father. My distorted view was largely due to my experience with my absent earthly father. My biological father passed away when I was 5 years old. Growing up with an “absent” father, I lacked a father figure, lacked discipline and lacked an understanding of how a personal, loving relationship with my father could be. Subconsciously, despite living as a Christian for years, I did not know how to yearn for more of my heavenly Father who is perfect and always reaching out to me. I had a distorted image of a heavenly father who is not so involved in my life. Yet I could feel that night the revelation of the Holy Spirit saying that THERE IS SO MUCH MORE to this intensely personal God. I realized that I need Him to redeem this distorted understanding and have my relationship right with Him, the God who is so much more. The second highlight for me during the MEW was during our time out session where we learnt to be still and spend quiet moments with God in solitude. We silently walked from our hotel to a very serene park. I enjoyed the fresh air, the different trees and plants, the view of the lake, the mountains in the distance and the ecosystem of where we were. There were different birds, insects, fish, water spiders etc. Observing it all, my spirit began to wonder and marvel at God’s creation. I felt the Holy Spirit calling out to me to enjoy His Presence and His Creation. The verse “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” was clear in my mind. I felt extremely relaxed and at peace especially after the encounter with God the night before. Then I began to think to myself: “I don’t have to travel all the way to Kampar to do this. There are plenty of places I can do this right where I live.” Shortly after, two questions came to me: “My Son, what are you occupying and busying yourself with?” and “What are you running away from?” With the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I realised that I had been immersing myself in reading novels and fiction whenever I had the time. It was due to many reasons which involved my hiding and running away from my struggles with responsibilities: in my calling as a husband to my wife, as an only son to my only parent, the complications of an extended family, being purposeful in my responsibilities in God’s ministry and my career in the secular world, amongst others. God clearly gave me two words after the realisation, and it was to “Man Up”. He was asking me to take responsibility for my life; responsibility in submitting all to Him. I did not know how, but God said, “It’s okay. I will show you.” Then I heard sounds of water rushing and saw them coming from a man-made waterfall as I continued to walk in the park. The Holy Spirit then impressed Now when I pray, “Our Father in Heaven”, I know in my spirit that I am calling out to my Abba Father... upon my heart that God will not only show me, but He will be Intensely Personal with me and will refresh me like rushing waters in my journey, if I continue to let him. I was and am truly refreshed. I believe that it was no coincidence that we were going through the prayer series in church. Now when I pray, “Our Father in Heaven”, I know in my spirit that I am calling out to my Abba Father who is extremely involved in my life and I yearn to enjoy a deeper, more intimate walk with my Father who is so much more. 5
Page 1 and 2: ISSUE 100 JANUARY TO MARCH, 2019 In
Page 3 and 4: Message from Senior Pastor Step For
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Page 9 and 10: Events by Michelle MY Chan, PJN5 PR
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Page 13 and 14: Events THE FIVE SUB-ZONE LEADERS WE
Page 15 and 16: Message from Founding Senior Pastor
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Page 23 and 24: Features Winter Time Wonders of God
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Page 29 and 30: Features As we Step Forward into 20
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Floodgates 100_Issue1_2019_FINAL

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