PASSION WEEK - 7 Days to Live - by Bill Hybels

What can we learn from Jesus' last week on earth?

What if you knew you had only one week to live?

What actions, what priorities, would be captured?

Passion Week—the last week of Jesus' life, before he faced a criminal's execution on a cross—was an extraordinary week. Jesus knew he was going to die in seven days. He knew it would be an excruciatingly painful death. But there's much we can learn from what Jesus taught and from how he acted in the week preceding Easter Sunday.

The last week of Jesus' life will be featured in this blog based on a day-to-day basis.

SATURDAY

The weekend before his death, Jesus stayed at the home of three of his closest friends in the small town of Bethany, about two miles outside Jerusalem. These people weren't among his 12 disciples; they were personal friends—Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Jesus chose to spend his last days of freedom with them.
Throughout Jesus' teaching ministry, he emphasizes the importance of community. Jesus continually told all who would listen, "You were created for community with God and others. You were created with a yearning to know and be known, to love and be loved, to serve and be served, to celebrate and be celebrated."
Have you found this kind of community in your life? It's more than good relationships with your family. You need an inner circle of friends who are fellow believers—just as Jesus had—with whom you can be honest, with whom you can "do life" together.

TEENAGE PEER PRESSURE

Teenage peer pressure is a very serious problem that affects teenagers and many parents are lost and helpless when they are faced with this issue. A peer is someone almost the same age who shares similar values and interests. Peers often spend time together doing common activities and having fun together. When a teenager feels that he must do the same things as his peers in order to fit in, he/she is under peer pressure. This is a time where the teenager starts becoming rebellious and has a higher possibility of picking up bad habits such as smoking and drinking.

Positive Peer Pressure
Positive peer pressure causes teenagers to engage in meaningful and healthy activities with friends such as studying together, doing projects, playing games and going for barbecues and picnics.

Negative Peer Pressure
Negative Peer Pressure causes teenagers to engage in unhealthy and sometimes illegal activities that would only cause harm to himself/herself or other people. Examples of these activities are smoking, drinking, taking of drugs, spending money excessively and pre-marital sex.

Reasons Why Teenagers Listen More To Their Friends Than To Parents

Forming An Identity Of Their Own
During the growing up process, a teenager needs to form his own identity. He takes his friends' view and opinions into consideration and tries them out. He starts to form his own ideas of life, learns to make decisions and responsibility for the choices and actions done.

Emotional Support In Peer Groups
As a teenager is learning to live a life that is independent of his parents, there are times where he/she will face the feeling of being lonely which can be rather frightening at times. Therefore, it is natural to seek out people who are experiencing the same things for emotional support.

Building A Strong Foundation To Resist Negative Peer Pressure

• To prevent teenagers from falling negative peer pressure, there are a few important things that have to be done.
• Instilling the right values from young would allow the child to be able to know what is right and wrong.
• Building up your child's self esteem and having a trusting relationship with him/her would enable both parent and child to be closer.
• Training your child to make decisions and solve his own problems and to take responsibility and account for his/her actions is essential in character building. Creating opportunities and teaching your child how to handle friends would help him widen his social circle and at the same time equip him with interaction skills. It is also important to help your child develop a sense of purpose in life so that he/she knows what he wants and would work to achieving it.

Solutions If Teenager Refuses To Heed Advice

Most of the time teenagers would not heed the advice of their parents during that phase of their lives. Parents can try to discuss with the teenager about the friend that they mix with in a good manner. If the teenager agrees that he is under negative pressure and whished to do something about it, it is important to teach him/her decision-making skills and how to resist the pressure. If he disagrees that he is under negative peer pressure, continue to talk to him/her and ask him to share why he/she thinks they are not under negative peer pressure. If the teenager insists on having his way, let him/she know the consequences and hold them accountable for their actions.

Special Maundy Thursday Service @ PHS

Presbyterian High School is having our Maundy Thursday service on 9th April (Thu), 12.40pm, School's Chapel.

Worship session will be led by Mr. Lim Yan Hock (Principal) and message will be shared by Rev. Wee.

All parents, are invited to join us for this Service.

THE SEASON OF LENT

Lent is a forty-day season of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

The season begins on Ash Wednesday, when pastors mark the foreheads of Christians with ashes as a reminder that we are created from dust and to dust we shall return.

During Lent we follow Jesus from his adult ministry through his suffering during Holy Week to his crucifixion and death on Good Friday. And we read the Psalms that foretold what happened during that week.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, also called the Sunday of the Passion, and continues through Holy Thursday (when Holy Communion was instituted at the Last Supper) and Good Friday, when Jesus was tried, crucified, and buried.

Because the Last Supper was celebrated during the Feast of the Passover, which is calculated on the phases of the moon, Easter is called a movable feast. Lent is scheduled backwards from Easter. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox.

The forty days of fasting and penitence during Lent do not include Sundays. Christians always celebrate Sunday as the day Jesus rose from the dead, so it is never a day of fasting.

Many Northern Europeans celebrate the day before Ash Wednesday, mardi gras (French for Fat Tuesday, also called Shrove Tuesday), by eating up everything good in the house that medieval Christians believed was inappropriate to eat during Lent (eggs, butter, cream, meat).

This celebration has expanded into all sorts of festivals all over the world, although most modern Christians do eat some - or all - of those foods during Lent.

Lent is a time of stripping down to essentials, as each Christian focuses on his or her individual relationship with God. It is a time when Christians remember our baptisms, when Jesus washed away our sins, giving us newness of life to celebrate in the triumph of Palm Sunday and the glory of Easter. Many early Christians were baptized on Easter Sunday, so Lent became a special time of study and prayer in preparation for their baptisms. Later the entire congregation joined in the study and prayer as they looked forward to the anniversary of their baptisms on Easter.

Because Lent is a time of letting go of the bondage of sin, it is also a time of celebrating the freedom from the bondage of slavery. At the Feast of the Passover, all Jews give thanks for their freedom from the captivity of the Egyptians.
And Christians give thanks for the freedom of all slaves in every culture everywhere.

HOT or COLD ... But LUKEWARM??

ARE WE

HOT or COLD...

or LUKEWARM?

I had a very 'refreshing' sermon last Sunday whereby the pastor shared on the topic of being a Hot, Cold or Lukewarm Christian.

Sermon was based on Revelations 3:14-22 (*)



What's being 'lukewarm"?

-Were we once 'hot' but has gradually and progressively gone cold?
-Are we in that 'comfort zone' of lukewarm that we are sitting on the fence and lacking fervor?

Take a moment ... ask ourselves:

• What has happened to the passion and zeal?
• What's our spiritual 'temperature' at this point in life?
• What are our priorities in life?
• Have we, as believers, gone 'cold' and complacent?

There is no better time than NOW, to re-think and take actions of our lives....


What is your preference - Hot, Cold or Lukewarm?

REFERENCE: (*)
Revelation 3:14-22 (New International Version)
To the Church in Laodicea 14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Girls' Brigade & Boys' Brigade Combined Enrolment Service

29th March 2009, marked a beautiful & significant Sunday for both the Girls’ Brigade and the Boys’ Brigade of Presbyterian High. It was, in fact, the GB/BB Combined Enrolment Service, held at our school’s parade ground.

We had the privilege of having Mrs. Sally Chew, Brigade President of the Girls’ Brigade Singapore as our Guest-Of-Honor.

A simple, yet meaningful banner from the Girls’ Brigade reads “Celebrating 40 years of God’s Goodness”. It will remain a constant reminder of the GB’s motto “Seek, Serve and Follow Christ.”

Not forgetting the GB's mission for the 21st Century:
Developing each girl and officer to her fullest potential by equipping, empowering and enabling
Every Girl to be a Leader, and
Every Officer, a Servant Leader

As for the BB, staying through your Mission statement of:

To nurture youth based on Christian values to lead and serve.

Devotionals for the Week - by Pastor Beng Kwee

AHAVA & CSC YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS COMPETITION

CONGRATULATIONS AHAVA CHAMPS!

YOU WENT, YOU CONQUERED -

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

YOUR TEAMWORK, DEDICATION & PASSION ARE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS!

STAY FOCUSED AND CONTINUE TO EXCEL!

AHAVA ROCKS!
Winner of the Most Creative

Business Idea Award

Specially for the students at PHS who are reading this blog....

Life holds many challenges, but God provides guidance for the best way to handle them…

When you wonder about your future…

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare [peace] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

When no one seems to understand you…

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1-2

When you are lonely…

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13

I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

When you need guidance…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

When God doesn’t seem real to you…

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13-14

When you face conflict…

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9

When your life is full of problems…

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

When you wonder if God listens to you…

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
1 John 5:14-15

When you face tough decisions…

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

When you wonder if God loves you…

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

When you set goals for the future…

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

When you are tempted to do wrong…

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

When you feel guilty…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

When you need assurance…

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

PARENTING WORKSHOP by GLENN LIM

Presbyterian High will be coordinating a parenting workshop by a very prominent and powerful speaker, Mr. Glenn Lim. This workshop can only accomodate 50 people and the school is sponsoring more than 70% of the course fees.

Date of workshop: 15 August (Sat)
Time of workshop: 9:30am - 12:30pm. It's a 3 hr workshop
Course fees: S$12 per person or $18 for a couple

The following 3 topics will be covered:

** The World of today's Youth (Awareness)
** Strengths Approach / Stroke Theory (Affirmation)
** Communication / Influence

Please email to us if you are interested. Since seats are limited to 50 only, we hope to hear from you soon!

THE ART OF QUILLING

Quilling or paper filigree is the art of rolling thin strips of paper into different shapes and using the shapes to form designs. It is fun and easy and I find it to be pretty relaxing. I hope this introduction to Quilling will spark an interest, and start you imagination flowing. These quilled designs are great for card-making, scrapbooking and even as decorative items for the home!

If you are interested to learn more about quilling, a basic quilling workshop will be conducted in April 2009. You will learn the basics and card-making as well.

Date: April 18, 2009 (Sat)

Time: 10am to 12 noon

Place: PHS Wow! Room

Fees: $25.00 per head

* All materials and tools will be provided. You will get to bring back your card creations at the end of the workshop.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Each day we turn on the news to hear stories about how people are dying tragically; robberies; natural disasters; starvation. It seems so melancholic everywhere and the world seems to be full of suffering and pain.

Or have you ever received an assignment at work or school that seems so daunting and you weren't sure if you can handle it? Have you been seeing depressing news on TV and cannot stop asking yourself what could you do by yourself

You may have questioned: "What can I do? Honestly, the truth is "nothing"! Not by yourself!

In John 6:9-11 (*), the story of 5 loaves and 2 fishes was a tremendous challenge for any ordinary person. However, from the humble 5 loaves and 2 fishes, Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000. He made something small and insignificant to have a great impact on the masses.

Just like the bread, Jesus blesses our lives and make extraordinary people out of ordinary people like us, so that His glory and majesty might be seen through us.

So today, when you look at the world we are living in, instead of asking "What can I do," ask yourself "What can't I do with Jesus."

# This article is contributed by Mrs. Agnes Chan.

(*) "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes, but what are they for so many?" Jesus said.
"Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he has given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

Fun time at Jewelry-making workshop

Look at Sheena and her prized design!

To Madam, With Love!

**Jenny, our instructor is that petite and patient lady at the center of the photo!

One-of-a-kind, made with passion and patience!

It's the beginning of the March school holidays, and also the first PSG workshop conducted in 2009.

Our very own, PSG Secretary, Mrs. Jenny Chin, shared with us her expertise in this small and cosy jewelry-making workshop. At $40, it was a steal since the participants brought home with them lovely hand-crafted Swarovski necklaces and ear-rings.

Jenny is such a patient and professional instructor ... at the end of the session, look at the satisfaction on every participant's face.

JENNY ... Thank you for imparting your skills and you are a GEM!

THANK YOU FOR THOSE MEMORIES ....

Jogathon at AMK Park

Games fiesta on PHS grounds!

Ready, get set ... Dunk!

Mdm Lee (VP) all drenched ...

It was only yesterday that there was a heavy downpour and this morning, the 6th of March , was a bright and sunny day. Everyone at Presbyterian High was geared up at Ang Mo Kio Park, ready for the annual Jogathon. Right after the Jogathon, there was a games fiesta in school ... that's where the highlight-of-the-day was - the "dunking" of the Vice-Principal!

A very sporting Mdm Lee, all for a good cause!

We would like to thank ALL our parents' volunteers who have joined the event and we hope you had fun too!

THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES .....

WHAT IS LIFE ABOUT?

Long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered. Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I pushed myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love to do.
One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.

Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life.
Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time.

You have to decide how you want to balance your Life.

Re-define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts.
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.
So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature.
Do not take Life for granted.
Live a balance lifestyle and enjoy Life!

PHS Devotion, 12 March, 2009 - by Pastor Srimal of AMKPC

Fallen Condition Focus –

school holidays are coming, how are we going to discipline ourselves and our time?

11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

There were some disturbing articles in the Straights Times lately. Last month there was a report that a teenager shot his mother dead and father in the US. In Singapore, an NTU student stabbed his professor and committed suicide; a SAF doctor was missing and found dead in Melbourne and police are still investigating the cause of the death. There was also a 17 year old boy who may be jailed for having sex with an underage girl. His case is pending. There is something in common in all these cases. All the person mentioned spend many hours in computer games or gaming websites. (In fact, the SAF doctor was a Singapore Champion and top ten in the world in the game WoW – World of Witchcraft).

Some experts were interview (Last Sunday Times) for their views on the relationship between gaming and these violent death. The general agreement was computer/online gaming are ok but prolong exposure to violent games does effect negative behaviour. One sign of it is that you feel easily angered.

I believe there are nothing wrong playing computer games. But it is what kind of games and how long you play that determines if our habits have become addictive and harmful. The key to keeping it under control is to discipline ourselves.

The passage I read to you tells us that discipline pays dividends.

God knows that discipline is not something in our nature. It is unpleasant. It can be painful. The passage says, “11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.” But God word promises that when we work with Him to discipline ourselves today, we will reap the benefits in the future. The passage says “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

We have something to rejoice as a Nation. Our table tennis Olympics team won the silver medal at the recent Olympics. But we all know that behind silver medals are many years of sweat and hard training. Discipline is important if we want achieve our goal or prevent ourselves from developing unhealthy habits.

The one week term break is approaching. This is a time to exercise discipline. Determine how you are you going to spend your time daily. Ask, “much time will I allocate on the computer and internet.” Discipline yourself on what kind of games you will and not play. And I want to encourage you come out with a simple schedule that tells how much time you will put in for play, studies and family.

Discipline yourself now so that you can reap the benefits later!

A note of thanks to Pastor Srimal who has generously contributed the devotional materials that was shared with the pupils of Presbyterian High School on 12 March 2009.

The posting of this devotional is specially dedicated to the Christian parents who can now share with their child based on the school's weekly devotionals and their walk with Christ!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

AHAVA & THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION

Our very own AHAVA team is taking part in the national Young Entrepreneurship Competition.

Please join us in supporting the efforts put in by the AHAVA students and their remarkable works.

All funds raised through the sale of the AHAVA items will be donated to charity.


The competition and sale of products will be held on...

Date: 21 March 2009 (Saturday)

Time: 10am to 4pm

Place: The CDC Club @ 60 Tessensohn Road (5 min walk from Farrer Park MRT)

COME, JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF AHAVA!

TALKING TO YOUR TEENAGER

Watch How You Say And What You Say
The tone of voice is important therefore always remain calm to avoid agitation.

Avoid Long-Winded Sentences
Ideas and speech should be short and direct to the point.

Use Ordinary Language
Speak in a normal manner used when conversing with another adult.

Minimise Lecturing Or Preaching
It would put the child of or discourage him/her from speaking to you.

Be Sensitive
Allow your child to speak up whenever he/she is confortable with it. It is better to wait then to force him/her to talk.

Listening To Your Child
Show interest by putting aside what you are doing.

Provide encouragement.
Ask appropriate questions and not bombarding them with too many.
Try to appreciate the way your child views the world and his ideas.
Observe and pay attention to your child's actions
Listen carefully to what he/she has to say as there might be an underlying message.
Let your child know that you understand his/her feelings so that it will be easier for them to confide in you.

Jewelry-making Workshop by Jenny Chan

Jenny Chan is a professional beading enthusiast and a great instructor with lots of patience. She is a perfectionist in every sense and therefore what she imparts at this workshop will be of impeccable standard.

At this workshop, she will be teaching the basics of jewelry making.

You will learn how to design a necklace, a pair of earrings and a ring!

At $40 per head, it's a steal, as you will get to take home your creations of 3 jewelry items, a set of tools and all materials provided (Swarovski crystals, findings etc).

Date of Workshop: 14 March 2009 (Saturday)

Time: 9am - 12pm

Venue: PHS WOW! Room

Interested? Register for this Workshop (via email) now! **Provide your name and contact during registration. Our email: presbyterianhighpsg@gmail.com

Seats are limited and based on a first-come first-serve basis! SO HURRY!

JOGATHON 2009 @ PHS

JOIN THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE ANNUAL SCHOOL JOGATHON ...

When? 6th March 2009 (FRIDAY)

Where? Ang Mo Kio Park (the park where McDonalds' AMK
Drive-thru is!)

What time? Assemble by 7.45am sharp.
Jogathon starts on the dot ... at 8am.

IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO JOG, VOLUNTEER WITH PSG AS:

• Road Marshalls
• Score-keepers
• Distribution of fruits / water

DON'T MISS THIS EXCITING EVENT!

READY ... GET SET ... GO!!!

UnFolding the Rosebud - Helen Steiner Rice

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

God opens this flower so sweetly,

In my hands it will fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design,

Then how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

TALKING ABOUT HUMILITY ....

One day, a one dollar bill and a hundred dollar bill got folded together and began talking about their life experiences.

The hundred dollar bill began to brag:
"I've had a great life," he said. "I've been to all the big hotels, Donald Trump himself used me at his casino, I've been in the wallets of Fortune 500 board members, I've flown from one end of the country to the other! I've even been in the wallet of two Presidents of the United States, and once when Princess Diana visited the US, she used me to buy a packet of gum."

In awe, the dollar humbly responded, "Gee, nothing like that has ever happened to me, ...but I have been to church a lot!"

"WANT TO" - Neil Eskelin

I remember the night in Miami when our son, Ian, was just five years old. We were staying with relatives and it was his bedtime. When I looked at the living room floor, I knew we had a problem. Toys were all over the place. "Ian," I said, "you need to pick up all those toys before you go to bed."
"Daddy," he said, "I'm too tired to pick up my toys."
My immediate inclination was to force him to clean up the room. Instead, I went into the bedroom, laid down, and said, "Ian, come here. Let’s play Humpty Dumpty."
He climbed up on my knees and I said, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall." And he fell. Ian laughed and said, "Let's do it again." Well, after the third "fall," I said, "Okay, but first go pick up those toys."
Without thinking, he ran into the living room and in ninety seconds he finished a job that could have taken half an hour. Then he jumped back on my knees and repeated, "Daddy, let’s do it again."
"Ian, I thought you were too tired to pick up those toys." He answered, "I was, daddy, but I just wanted to do this!"

We can finish any job when we have the "Want to!"

JESUS SAVES!

A CHILD'S TEN COMMANDMENTS TO PARENTS

1. My hands are small. Please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short. Please slow down so that I can keep up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have. Please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.
3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for such a short time. Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.
4. My feelings are tender. Please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.
5. I am a special gift from God. Please treasure me, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement and your praise to grow. Please go easy on the criticism. Remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.
7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday, I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.
8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or my sister.
9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please take me to worship regularly, setting a good example for me to follow.

Learning from mistakes ...

Thomas Edison tried two thousand different materials in search of a filament for the light bulb. When none worked satisfactorily, his assistant complained, "All our work is in vain. We have learned nothing."
Edison replied very confidently, "Oh, we have come a long way and we have learned a lot. We now know that there are two thousand elements which we cannot use to make a good light bulb."

ATTITUDE counts!

ATTITUDE - Rev. Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, then circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say, or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.

I want to be Possible ...

The teacher asked her class what each wanted to become when they grew up. A chorus of responses came from all over the room.

"A football player," "A doctor," "An astronaut," "The president," "A fireman," "A teacher," "A race car driver."

Everyone that is, except Tommy.

The teacher noticed he was sitting there quiet and still.

So she said to him, "Tommy, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Possible" Tommy replied.

"Possible?" asked the teacher.

"Yes," Tommy said. "My mom is always telling me I'm impossible. So when I get to be big, I want to be possible."

THE INGREDIENTS OF THE DWS* TEACHING MODEL

"This means trust rather than fear,
encouragement rather than force,
cooperation rather than competition,
challenge rather than threat,
recognition rather than praise,
self-discipline rather than punishment, and
satisfaction rather than reward."

Learn more from: http://www.marvinmarshall.com/teaching_model.html
DWS* - Discipline Without Stress by Dr Marvin Marshall

The Aspirations of Trees ...

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story?
When things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you.
If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts.
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
We don't always know what God's plans are for us.
We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

PSG ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMING MONTHS ...

Interested parents, please state your interests when you reply to this email.

1. Assist as "co-invigilators" during examination periods.

2. Morning devotions (Tuesdays) 7.15-7.30am (Christian Parents)

3. School-related activities such as : Thanksgiving/Honours Night, Racial Harmony Day, International Friendship Day, Art Flair, Teachers' Day, National Day etc.

4. Craft Ministry - our PSG craft workshop features card-making, baking, craftwork, jewelry making

5. Fruit Basket Program - Arranging a basket of fruits to freshen our teachers on weekly Friday meetings.

6. Chaperone the students on class excursions.

7. PSG photographer

8. Decorating the school on major festivities e.g. Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas.

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK ... Will you lend a hand?

More questions, send us an email at presbyterianhighpsg@gmail.com.

TOTAL DEFENCE DAY - 15th February

Total Defence Day is the 1st part of the National Education (NE) series.

15th February 1942 marks the fall of Singapore to the Japanese.
Total Defence Day is a reminder to pupils that Singapore is vulnerable and we should defend ourselves.

This year, school is having Total Defence Day on 13th February (Friday).
Students will be offered simple foods like steamed sweet potatoes or mung bean soup (during recess).

**Parents who would like to volunteer for distribution of food to the pupils, please email to:
Mrs. Jenny Chin at presbyterianhighpsg@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PSG BLOG

If there is an article, a real-life experience, a story to share, words of encouragement and praise, please feel free to email to presbyterianhighpsg@gmail.com.

We look forward to receive your contributions and if you wish to remain anonymous, do let us know.

The Story of St. Valentine

In 270 A.D., marriage had been outlawed by the emperor of Rome, Claudius II. Claudius issued this decree because he thought that married men made bad soldiers since they were reluctant to be torn away from their families in the case of war. Claudius had also outlawed Christianity in this time period because he wished to be praised as the one supreme god, the Emperor of Rome. Valentine was the bishop of Interamna during this period of oppression. Valentine thought that the decrees of Rome were wrong. He believed that people should be free to love God and to marry. Valentine invited the young couples of the area to come to him. When they came, Valentine secretly performed services of matrimony and united the couples.

Valentine was eventually caught and was brought before the emperor. The emperor saw that Valentine had conviction and drive that was unsurpassed among his men. Claudius tried and tried to persuade Valentine to leave Christianity, serve the Roman empire and the Roman gods. In exchange, Claudius would pardon him and make him one of his allies. St. Valentine held to his faith and did not renounce Christ. Because of this, the emperor sentenced him to a three-part execution. First, Valentine would be beaten, then stoned, and then finally, decapitated. Valentine died on February 14th, 270 A.D.

While in prison, waiting for his sentence to be carried out, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter, the blind Asterius. During the course of Valentine's prison stay, a miracle occurred and Asterius regained her sight. Valentine sent her a final farewell note. He signed his last note, "From Your Valentine." Even today, this message remains as the motto for our Valentine's Day celebrations.

Why has Thou forsaken me?

The Mississippi River was flooding its banks and the waters were rising around Clem's house. The waters had gotten to the level of the front porch where Clem was standing. A man in a rowboat came by and called to Clem, "Hop in and I'll take you to high ground."

Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"

The river continued to rise to the second story windows and Clem, looking out, saw a powerboat come up. The man in the powerboat called to Clem, "Hop in and I'll take you to high ground."

Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"

The river had now risen to the roof of the house. Clem was sitting on the ridge at the top of the house, with the waters swirling around his feet. He saw a helicoptor fly over and the people inside yelled over a bull horn, "Grab the rope and climb in and we'll take you to high ground."

Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"

The river continued to rise and finally it engulfed the house and Clem was drowned. The next thing he knew, Clem was standing before his God. In anger, he asked God, "I put my trust in you. Why have you forsaken me?"

And his God replied, "What do you want from me? I sent you a rowboat, a powerboat, and a helicopter!"

LOOKING AT LOVE ON VALENTINE'S DAY - THE BIG PICTURE

When we talk about Valentine's Day, we think of "love". In our minds, when we think of "love", we talk about that unexplainable fluttering of feelings that are coupled with romance, flowers, chocolates etc.

That's definitely one form of love! But the truth of love is looking at the big picture.
Love is around us in many, many forms.

Doesn't matter if you are married or dating, somehow, somewhere there is love in your life in some way.

For this Valentine's Day, maybe you would like to make a list of things that you would like to do for the people whom have loved you in one way of another.

• Sending a card to someone you haven't seen for a while, just to say hi.
• Rejoicing with someone who's had a good day!
• Taking time to think about God's care for you—and finding a way to show that care to someone else.
• Holding the door for someone at the mall or helping someone with a load of grocery
• Changing your plans to hang out with a friend who seems a little lonely lately.
• Forgiving a sibling or good friend who's hurt your feelings. Andwork hard to get the relationship back on track.
• Baking a cake or a dessert for someone whom have been nice.
• Respecting your parents, even when you disagree with them.
• Sending your friends a Valentine's Day gift (need not be expensive, just from the heart), so they know they are loved.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. - 1 John 3:1

BLESSED VALENTINE'S DAY!

THE ALPHA COURSE

What is the point of life, what happens when we die?

Is forgiveness possible?

What relevance does Jesus have in our lives today?

WHAT IS ALPHA?

The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith.
It's relaxed, non-threatening, low-key, friendly and fun!

Listen, learn, discuss and discover in small groups.

This course is supported by all the main Christian denominations.

WHO IS ALPHA FOR?

Alpha is for everyone, especially:

• Those who are interested to know about Christianity
• New Christians
• Newcomers to a church
• Those who would like to brush up on the basics

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE ALPHA COURSE, ALTHOUGH YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS FOOD*.
*There is a meal together at each session which gives you an opportunity to get to know one another.

For interested parents, please provide your Name, Address, Post Code, Home Phone, Mobile, Email address.

More detailed info on the course outline is available at www.alpha.org.sg

The Alpha Course @ St James' Church is starting on 18 Feb through 8 May 2009, at 7.00pm. For registration & info with the church, please contact: Christine Lin, email: Christine@sjc.org.sg (tel: 6469 0715)

"TOSS TO SPRING" LOHEI - A PHS tradition

It is said that "many hands make light work" and tonight, this was put into practice as everyone (teachers, staff, parents, alumni etc.) has jointly make this celebration more meaningful, more memorable.

A BOUQUET OF THANKS TO...

Our event coordinator - Mrs. Jenny Chin (for her detailed organization and yummy selection of food)

Our reception coordinators:

Mr. & Mrs. Ang Lee San

Mrs. Noriko Ide

Mdm Wendy Yang

Mr. Amid (our new PSG volunteer) & family

Mrs. Celia Lee

Mrs. Rose Tan
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Michael

AND TO ALL THE PARENTS WHO HAVE JOINED US!

LISTEN TO LEARN....

Listening and valuing young people's feelings and idea promotes effective communication with them.

Listen to learn means ...
not inserting your opinons
not judging

As parents, we have a tendency to approve or disapprove what our child says. We tend to place our point of view above theirs.

It is important to let our child knows that we are a listening parent, willing to listen even though it may not result in agreement.

PRAYER IS THE TIE THAT BINDS US ...For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Jesus has promised us that where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, He will be with us.

Our Parent Support Group is requesting for parents who are interested to pray for the students, teachers & school to email to us your contact so that we can arrange for a Prayer Support Group (no pun intended!) Please let us know your preferred day/s and time of the week so that we can work out a schedule.

FIND TIME TO

P - Preparing your day

R - Reaching out to others

A - Attaching less importance to material needs

Y - Yielding to God!

A prayer for all at PHS...

I said a prayer for you today

And know God must have heard

I felt the answer in my heart

Although He spoke no word!

I didn't ask for wealth or fame(I knew you wouldn't mind)

I asked Him to send treasures

Of a far more lasting kind!

I asked that He'd be near you

At the start of each new day

To grant you health and blessings

And friends to share your way!

I asked for happiness for you

In all things great and small

But it was for His loving care

I prayed for most of all!

Fifteen Things God Won’t Ask

God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

God won’t ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won’t ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

God won’t ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

God won’t ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.

God won’t ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

God won’t ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

God won’t ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.

God won’t ask what your job title was, but will ask if you reformed your job to the best of your ability.

God won’t ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.

God won’t ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

God won’t ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won’t ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.

God won’t ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn’t.

ENCOURAGE REFLECTION ...

What is reflection?
Simply put, it is the act of thinking about our relationships, our desires and our behaviors.

The Purpose?
To stimulate internal motivation.

Internal motivation?
Most of the time, we impose on our children "externally".
Even though this will work temporarily to control them, we won't change them.
In fact, controlling others is counterproductive to the actual message we want to send.

So, how do we influence others to change themselves?
The most effective approach is to have them reflect.
Use effective questions to help in their reflection.

Here are 4 invaluable set of questions that leads to a change in behavior:

(1) What do you want?
This question stimulates thinking and leads to reflection.

(2) Is that what you are choosing to do helping get what you want?
This question leads to evaluation of one's behavior

(3) If what you are choosing to do is not getting your what you want, then what is your plan?
This question encourages the making of a plan.

(4) What are your procedures to implement the plans?
This question leads to specific steps required to carry out the plan.

Asking effective questions is a skill that requires practice.
At times, when we are about to criticize a child, STOP & THINK (of a positive question and ask)
An after-thought would be "Am I proud of the way I interacted with my child."

MEETING GOD ... from different perspective

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted ! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

A BOUQUET OF THANKS ...

Parents and staff of PHS, thank you for your support during PSG's Chinese New Year cookies' sale.