General Election Fever

Yes, it has hit Singapore and most of my friends are voting for the first or second time and already they have so many opinions about which political party is better. What I am most appalled by was that some people are openly (but personally) told me who that they are voting for the opposition. I will really respect their decision if they have given better reasons.

Your vote is secret. So shut up and just vote and pray for a good and stable government for the next 5 years.

Beautiful One

Wonderful, so wonderful
Is your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are.

By Jeremy Camp

The Forgotten Spurgeon

This is an excerpt from a book that was written by Iain Murray. It gives a very brief but valuable information about the man known to Christians as "the Prince of Preachers"

[Charles Spurgeon] was steeped in what he called the golden era of English Theology - the Puritan period, and above all he had been a fluent reader of the bible since the age of six. What Spurgeon wrote of Bunyan (Author of Pilgrim's Progress) is equally applicable to himself:

'Read anything of his, and you will see that it is almost like reading the Bible itself. He had studied our Authorizer Version...; he had read it till his whole being was saturated with Scripture... Prick him anywhere; and you will find that his blood is Bibline. the very essebnce of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his soul is full of the Word of God'

Today, there is a call to change the way we preach, evangelise and to live. This is because presenting the Gospel upfront is deemed as "insensitive", "rash" or "offending". In the desire to reach our world today, some of us have watered down or done away with words like "Hell", "Repentance" and "Jesus Christ". Who is right and who is wrong? Can we put aside all our denominiational differences and go back to preaching and teaching the Word as it is? Is not all "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work?"

How do we know if we are glorifying God unless we abide His word? Won't his spirit gives us assurance, not just in our hearts, but thru the written word too? If you are a young believer in Christ, I do not blame u for not being knowledgeable in God's word. Knowing God more is a process like going to school. We start off as spiritual babies, needed to be spoon-fed, but if we are growing, we will eventually begin to feed ourselves and more is expected of us. Being a baby in faith thoughout a Christian life is not a sin, but staying in the state of spiritual infancy is sad. And I want my boyz and my CMs to grow out of this baby-state.

O God, pls help me and lead me by the power of Your Spirit to do what Your will!!

Winning War

I am reminded about the sermon I heard from John MacArthur entitled "The Long War on the Truth". It's an exposition on Jude 1-4, which is a really really powerful sermon about upholding the truth of the Bible. As I wonder what is the result of standing on the truth would be? The answer is simple and that it was to glorify God; to be consume with the passion to know Him more, to love him more and to exalt Him above all! And what better way to know the heart of God than to look at the character of God himself when he was on the earth. Just reading about how Jesus handled the religious hypocrites of his day, the oppressed, his disciples tells us a lot about God. In the Old Testament, we read about God's judgement and His declaration of mercy on His people thru His prophets. In the Gospels, we see God's judgement and His declaration of mercy (and everything that He is) in Christ. Now we may live to see the fulfilment of God's judgement and salvation in Christ's second-coming.

There is a hope! There is a future! How did we know? It's not just the Holy Spirit revealing it to us, but it's also revealed in the Bible. And that future is sealed by the Spirit of God and it will come to past because we know it.

Worship Practice

I told Liang how I felt about the rehearsal and he asked if I will blog about it. I said, I won't.

So I won't...

Which is the greatest?

"So, the Word should be a means to a greater experience of God, right?"

This is such an important question that only those who are truly thirsting after God asks. Being in a pentacostal church for well over 23 years, I've seen the highs and the lows in my church and I've experienced the highs and lows too. I used to think that experiencing God means feeling him and sing with all my heart and guts. These worship sessions always causes me to cry eithers in misery (due to conviction of sins) or in joy (simply overwhelmed by God's pressence). As the year went by I felt my spiritual life growing. The conviction in my spirit tells me that there is something wrong with me coz I enjoy worship God so much, but I have a hard time grasping the things I read in the bible. In other words, I realised I was "incomplete". No, I do not think my salvation is incomplete, I am sure that I was saved and Christ work on the cross is complete for our salvation. What I meant must be seen in light of spiritual maturity.

1Peter 2:2
"like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,"


Heb 5:13-14
"For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."


Eph 4:11-13
"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

Not every new believer will read the word and understand it immediately at the point of salvation. In their infancy of their faith, God has allowed them to experience Him in a tangible way, though that is not always the case. Experinecing God and feel Him to me is bonus, but not to feel Him yet know that He exist is counted to them as "faithful". The Word of God affirms us that

Hebrews 11:6
"without faith it is impossible to please God"

Romans 8:8
"those in the flesh cannot please God"

Colossians 1:10
"So that we maywalk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

So does it mean that eveyone who becomes a Christ must love the Word. Yes, they may not love the word at the point of salvation, but the Holy Spirit uses the Word to teach the truth about God through the word and through teachers of the Word. How bout Christians who died without knowing the Word. Well, they know Christ first right? Who is the Word? Christ is the Word; the bread of life. They may not have the written word, but they do have the living Word just like one of the thieves who hung beside Jesus.

Iis a believe who loves God and enjoy being in His pressence a true disciple of Christ? And is one who attends bible studies and know a lot about the bible a true disciple of Christ? What is the sign of true disciple? The true sign is growth because no bad tree bear good fruit. But all good tree will bear good fruit. Other people will know we are truly Christ disciples when we produce fruits that is consistent with our salvaion. We have a life time to change some of our attitudes, this is the grace of God that's been given. How does he or she knows if they are on the right track? The holy spirit will eventually affirm us through the Bible.

Therefore there should not be any disctinction between loving God and loving God's Word. The bible made it very clear. Jesus said "If u love me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). There is no distinction at all. If u love God, u will love His word. Conversely, for a Christian who reads the word, he will marvel in awe at what he read and strengthen his convictions and deepen his love for God.

In 1 Corinthans 13, this that marvellous chapter about love. Paul ended that chapter declaring that love is the greatest attribute: "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love". The context of the text is the church in corinth were so disunited because there were factions who thinks that the gifts they were operating in were greater than the others. Paul quash all those nonsense and declared that if they don't have love, all their gifts is nothing. We should not argue over which is more important because everything that we do is important. If we love one another we will be quick to listen and willing to learn. No one is wrong, except for anyone who goes to extremes. I am sure the Spirit of God will convict us all in due time. Let's get back to basics of loving God. When we do that we will love His Word. At the same time, let use get back to basics, love the Word, it will increase in our love for God.

"Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."
2Timothy 2:7

Che and me

Che and me
Originally uploaded by drumdeadcrazy.

This is my sister. I love her very much though most of the time I made her mad and angry. I hardly spend time with her since I got married and I think it's time to change that. She is going to be called "gu mah" when the baby arrives. that'll make her sound so so old! I think calling her "Auntie Huan Chern" will do.

I seldome tell her how much I appreciate her, but she is really a rock! She was the one who brought me to Grace when I was 7. Although I felt cheated by her then coz she she said once I attend, I cannot dun go. So I kept going. hahaha... but I have no regrets about that now.

Xiaowei and Me

Xiaowei and Me
Originally uploaded by drumdeadcrazy.

This was taken yesterday at Fisherman's Warf by my bud, Daniel. Daniel was such a wacko! We met him on the streets yesterday while walking past NLB. Joker, how often do u bum into your best friend by accident and this is not the first time lor! Nonetheless, we had a good time with him. And I had a great time with SW most of all. When baby comes, it's going to be a whole different life.

For Wallis

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:10-11

I read this verse at the end of your e-mail and I can feel the fear that u feel, yet because your faith in in Christ. There is a fear and yet no fear. I am greatly encouraged by your courage and your faith, bro! God bless You!

Purity

How can a young man keep his way pure?
Psa 119:9a

I was thinking about this verse while listening to today's "Have Your Say" on BBC earlier. The interviewee was the Archbishop of York and there were a number of callers asking many questions and one of the question that was inevitable was the question about the stand of the church concerning sexuality, more specifically homosexuality. While I applaud him for stating the Anglican's firm belief in the core doctrines of Christianity, I cannot say I was very convinced by his answer about homosexuality. He kept emphasising that the church and state has other issues to deal with. His answer seems to imply that unless the church deal withother problems in society they should not just narrow their fight against homosexuality. No where and I say again, no where did he quote scripture to take a stand according to the Word of God! The best he could do was say "We need to deal with everyone and see them in Christ..." A lot of what he shared is based on what he believes and not what the Bible says. Yes, the bible did urge us to be kind to one another in Christ. But to approve the lifestyle that the Lord abhors and call still call them "saints"? I was glad at first to hear him quote scriptures, but when it comes to a subject that is controversial. He didn't take a stand with scriptures. Choosing only parts of scripture and reject other parts is not the way to handle God's word. There are certain behavior and lifestyle that the bible is very clear and there are no other way to miss the point unless we deliberately reject the bible. (With that's been said, I must emphasise that we need to share the gospel to the homosexuals that we meet. We should not hate them or be scared of them. But in doing so, it doesn't mean we must compromise with scripture and lost our biblical principles.)

Where is the scholars? The Wisemen of this age?? We're so disensitised that we begin to accept the world view of things. Things that used to be wrong is now right. In today's world, what an individual thinks matters more than what politicians, organised religion or even their parents think. Once the biblical model of morality is forsaken, the quality of life will reverse back to the day of Babel or even Sodom and Gomorrah. The downgrade that Spurgeon spoke about is happening. It happened slightly over a century ago, it's happening again today. Back then Spurgeon was rejected by his Church for speaking out for Truth. Today, those who stand on the same truth are being labelled and are slowing becoming a less powerful voice in our society. The beginning of the last century signalled the beginning of the degrading. At the start of this century, are we seeing the end of the degradation? By the end I do not mean that everything will turn out well. The end of degradation is spiritual regeneration thru the power of the Holy Spirit. But I am not talking of this reality that will happen in the coming future, but I am talking about the moral decay of our society that Jesus foretold int he Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24. Lawlessness and evil will seemed to prevail and worse, people will give their hearty approval to them - even some Churches!

So how can a young man keep his way pure in such a world we live in? I found only one and that is good enough for me to teach my son...

By keeping it according to Your word.
Psa 119:9b

I will show you

If you would listen

And I will promise

To listen too

-"Song for Josiah" by Keith Green-

Jeremy Camp

Check him out! Many of u know I am not any fan of solo artistes until I listened to Derek Webb. Then I went to Trumpet Praise and that Eugene recommended Jeremy Camps Unplugged CD n DVD. I listened to half the album with Caleb and I was so moved by his singing. Really one of the most inspirational singers I've heard.

EMPTY ME

Holy fire burn away

My desire for anything

That is not of you and is of me

I want more of you

And less of me

Empty me, empty me, fill me

With you, with you

Living again

Ok, enough of beating my chest for the last two days. Today has been a good day of self-reflection thanks to CX who took time to hear me out, teach me and guide me while I was doing recording in the studio.

King Kong is dead, welcome Clark Kent!

Thanks to the Lord for the timely reminder... I shall begin again!

For Thee I Wait

I will persevere no matter what. I do not want others to see that I am compromising when I confessed about my spiritual condition. There is no compromising when it comes to the Word of God. The objective of my confession is to remember those I have been given charge of. Their growth in Christ must be my goal. To see Christ exemplified in their lives, I have to be an example myself. The Word revealed Jesus' compassion to the lost and he opposed the Pharisees and other religious hypocrites. I read that and saw myself as one of those people that Jesus opposed. I don't want to be in their shoes. I want to be a Peter, a John or a Paul.

Christ is the source of our strength. I don't worship a God that I made up in my head. However every basis of my living is from the Written Word. All I need to know about who I worship stems from the root of the Word. The Word filled me with knowledge of who I worship and the fullness of His character is shown only thru the Word by the enlightening of the Holy Spirit. Those who have the Word are without excuse for not knowing the Word. Those who doesn't have the Word have the Holy Spirit to guide them. But we're so blessed to have the greatest resource book in the world! If we love God, we will thirst and hunger for more of God because He means everything to our system. Loving God means loving the Word, but loving the Word doesn't mean we love God, unless Christ is the object of our passion and delight when Christ in highlighted in our reading, meditating and living.

There is a desire to do things right. Not men's way, but God's way. As a RL under the cover of my pastors, I shall respect that covering. I shall make every effort to build up the CMs under my care and for their spirtual growth I want to cultivate. I will practice self-control and continually renew my mind and be filled with the Holy Spirit so that everyday will be day where my life brings Glory to His name.

Oh God, I just want to be like You
I only really want to do the things You want me to
On the hill of the truth I gladly stand on
On the hill of the truth I chose to die on

I see You in tear and in tempest

I hear You in laughter and mirth

Your presence now surrounds me

In the mystery of death and birth

I bow before your majesty

Worship before Your throne

You speak in language eternal

There Your glory is shown

I feel You in field and woodland

Touch You in rain and in wind

I know You in morning and evening

Where the dawn and dusk begin

I bow before your majesty
Worship before Your throne
You speak in language eternal
There Your glory is shown

Oh Thou entroned in They splendor

Maker of all we survey

To Thee I pledge my truest love

For Thy appearing I wait

I bow before your majesty
Worship before Your throne
You speak in language eternal
There Your glory is shown

(Sam, this is for You, stay strong in the Lord)

Starting over again

Had a great chat with SW about the things that I've been going through. I just needed her affirmation of who I really am in the Lord. I am so assured now and I am raring to have a go again. But not before I take a much needed break and time of reflection.

Testing 1 2 3...

1 Thess 5:21-22
Test everything; hold fast what is good..."

Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. The discerning person is the one who draws a clear contrast between truth and error. Discernment is balc-and-white thinking- the conscious refusal to color every issue in shades of gray. No one can be truly discerning without developin skill in seperating divine truth from error.

-John MacArthur "Fool's Gold"

Humbled

I wanted to have a lengthy talk with Joey about something we chatted about (something to do with how BS have changed us) yesterday, but I realised that I've been so hard on him and expect him to be like me. I am glad that he is taking a stand and disagreeing with me coz it humbles me to be reminded that I am too proud at times (lately most of the time). I am too one-sided and I tend not to listen to others. If it's someone else perhaps, I could careless, but it's Joey and I love him as a Brother and his opinion matters. And it's about time, I stand down from my pedestal, be quick to listen and slow to anger. If I want to reach other to people and not give room for others to voice their opinion, what kind of an example am I?

I've been greatly humbled in a chat with another sister about her views on this matter. This is where it kills me:

but having said all that ah jenn, my stand on this whole issue is this: the parachurch/bs should not coz disharmony in the church. Disunity will break the ministry down. So when we state our opinion of things, we need to be careful also. Coz there are those who are younger in their faith and they follow whoever says wat..

The zeal I have is killing me by being so narrow-minded in my way of handling others. I expect too much from them the very thing that I struggle to keep. In my quest to disciple others, I became merciless and graceless. Too much fire and brimestone make others shun me. I don't like that. There is a time for everything. Sometimes I need to speak up, sometimes I need to tone down. Sometimes I need to be more gracious and allow others to disagree with me. I am not going where for now. Grace and R-age is my home and there is work to be done and there are lessons for me to learn from the examples of our pastors. Being a youth leader the object of our worship is God, but it's subjected by the maturity level of the people that are given under our wings. Different people have different level of maturity. Being a leader to a small group makes it easier to mentor them. Frankly speaking, I've not donw good job at all! Last time I had Sunday School teachers who kept me in check. I appreciate them. They are still around with their families. Soon I will have my own family and will have to take care of that ministry first. Will I leave a legacy that will remind others happy things or will other see me as the miserable leader who used to be in youth? I want to help R-age! I don't know how long I can afford to serve in the ministry. But while there is still time. I must make much of it!

The pride and the knowledge without wisdom is killing me!
I am losing the vision I am suppose to share for the ministry.
It's time to get back...

I want a pastoral heart, Lord. I don't want to be a prophet that prophecy about judgement. I really want to be a shepherd to ur people! Give me your heart for Your people!

Charge me

Teach me

Bleach me

Reach me

Change me

What a weekend!

It started with a bang at SAJC's Life Concert. I didn't expect to experience anything "spiritual" from behind the sound board, but the experience of watching people go crazy about Jesus is quite a stir. Ok, I am not going to be cynical and question the intent of the people who were there, but I know the objective of the organizers who made that concert a reality. It was their 6th Life Concert, but the first in the new SAJC. I was really fearful to do it on my own because of my lack of experience. However thanks to the kind proffessional help we got from a rental house, I just did my thing according to my experience (abeit only in church) and my training in FSV. I have nothing to boast about man, but what little experience I have in terms of number of live gigs I did, really paid off.

During the first rehearsal about 2 weeks ago, I felt quite comfortable working with the organizers and the band. They band, wow, and singers... WOW WOW! I think listening to a tight band and good singers really make ur job easier. There was this worship leader who had a very powerful voice, her name was cool too, Emelene (cool name for a band!). I have not heard such a powerful voice since Pastor Janet and Pastor Joy. WOah... The band, man, the band was really tight! The drummer was a worker with Chapel of Resurrection, Alvin and a student Moses. Anyway, apart from that, the bond that was formed during the concert was a strong one. I still miss those people despite only spending about 4 days with them. Now I look foward to the Thanksgiving thingie on the 30th.

One of the surprises of the gig was Justin giving testimony. He told me the day before on MSN and I was so excited. When he went on stage, I went crazy and, boy, this guys is going to be a great preacher one day man! He can really deliver a message! Caleb was with me on this gig as my assistant. He was a great help to me. I am so blur and he sort of help me keep things in order. I am sure he had a blast at the concert too. BTW, the concert was full-house!! I mean it! People were standing on the isle, it was so cool! So many young people, so many people singing with passion inone accord. I have not experience that in Grace for a long long time. I mean I hear people sing, but with passion? Com'on!! That's not the point here. For my homies, before the passion can be seen, the heart has to be renewed. Oh Lord... for that I'll pray!

I must mention this particular crazy girl who was one of the helper in the concert. Her name is Angie and she suffered from Amnesia. She cannot remember her past after a minor surgery. But she is such a wacko with or without those memories! I just went for broke and let out my lameness on her. Boy, I suan her big time man! Well, I don't think she'll forget me anytime soon!

I've been shooting this weekend and it ended at 3 am every night. I am almost in heaven now. hahaha... The second day was bad, the problem with the camera and the nature of the scene didn't make it easier, but I think I made up for it by making use of all I know to make the shoot sound happening. This is all I want to say about work. Oh, it's the first time I worked with Michelle too! She's formerly from Grace. Her hubby was the Camera man, Lau, who used to work in Grace Missions.

Michelle

Lau

Oh, I only just realised that one of the actress, Maylene, was actually the girl who acted as Sly's gf in shooting star (I read it somewhere lah). So she is actually famous!! Dang and I hurled lameness on her like an idiot! Then again, famous people also wanted to be treated as normal people.

Maylene

Her co-actress is Michelle and she looked like Suqi. Now this zombie make up on though.

So now it's the lull period again. What am I going to do about the time i've been given? I want to be a good steward of what's been given by the Lord. In this case, it's time. I want to make much of it man! I want to do so much, I wonder if I am ready. How come I dun feel ready? It's because I've not been thinking about the things that I should. Work really takes so much out of me. If u are a student, I advice u to make much of what u've got now, esp time. When u start working and have a family, u may wish to do so many things, but u have to cut down and do what u can afford time for. It's not a bad thing, I have my best run in life. Now is about time to settle down before my baby arrives. All the more I must be wise and spend time doing the things that are more important.

Everything is good

Everything is good.

Even in times of trials, everything is good.

Am I taking my salvation for granted when I do the things I shouldn't do and don't do the things I should? May be I did because when we walk away, it's a choice. But the call of God is irrevocable. He calls us and our hearts just cries out to Him and He receives us. How then can anything be bad when God is so good? Everything else is nothing in light of God's glory.

Everything is good!

Things will only get better.

How bad can things get? Even in death, there is good.

There are things that money cannot buy.

I can't buy a good life, but I know the key to a good life...

That's trusting in a infinitely good God.

In health, I can use my body to serve Him.

In Sickness, I will remained faithful to Him.

In prosperity, I consider wealth nothing if it makes me lust for more.

In proverty, I rather remain in if my proverty cause others to see my riches in Christ.

How bad is your life in light of eternity?

It's not that bad afterall

In hope... I wait... As rain falls on the good and the bad, goodness still rains down on us all...

God is good

Amen

So RAD!

This little brother in the Lord really amazed me with his maturity in handling soundman's responsibilities. I left him to mix the house at SAJC alone on Sunday night coz I had to go back and rest from my gastric flu (BTW, I recovered!). He took down every EQ and AUX settings on the board. He was sharing with me about the EQ of the two worship leaders on ICQ with this...

I find it so super funny lor!! Not only did he note down the setting, he even did it on MSN for me to see! I think it's really cute! So maticulous!!

Bro, I think u have a lot of potential. I know u hear a lot of people say this to you, but dun let it get into u until u become big-headed. Always show others respect. "Esteem others better than yourself". Praise God wheneven people compliment u. Take criticism in your stride and be willing to learn from ur mistakes. Be teachable also to learn from others. Do not let anyone look down on u because u are just 16, but always be thankful to God for the gifts he has given u. Have a servant attitude. Trust me, people will like u. Not because u are cool, but because Jesus way cooler!!

5 Love Languages

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Words of Affirmation.

Complete set of results

Quality Time:		11
Words of Affirmation:		8
Acts of Service:		5
Physical Touch:		4
Receiving Gifts:		2

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz

Hahaa... I thought it was physical touch, but I guess as the relationship grew, I became more atuned to her needs. So now I desire to be with SW everytime and I enjoy being with her all the time. Now with the baby on his way. Wahhooohooo... it's going to be more time at home with SW and that little one. Wahhoo...

Just whack what's in my head

"Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great..."
Matt5:12

Great entry! Sharing some of ur struggles. U are not afraid of sharing them. U are vulnerable to attacks of more struggles, but u are so confident in ur faith in Christ to overcome them. The bible verse above was directed to those who were persecuted for their faith. The struggles in our lives are a kind of persecution, i.e of mind, body or spirit. Our reward in heaven is great and in light of this truth, ur struggles (which u may face all ur life) is not forever! What is a "life time" in the light of eternity?

The truth that our present struggles is nothing compared to eternity can be made more vivid through the following considerations:
First, the struggles that we go through, no matter what kind, is but a speck of dust in light of eternity.

The struggles comes back to haunt u only in times of great emotional distress or a careless time of letting ur mind wander out of the will of God. But the times when the struggles cease to have a power of ur life is when u the Word of the Lord is high and lifted up in ur thought and ur life. So the struggles is for a time! They will be cast out into the flames of hell by the Lord Jesus and he will purify you in due time.

Second, the struggles that we go through, no matter how painful, is reminder of what different world eternity will be.

The Lord never give us a promise in the Word which he cannot fulfil. These promises are not for everyone, except those who bear His name, have His Word written in their hearts. Having no desire for the present life but always keeping their eyes in the kingdom to come. He has spoken and he has promised that all tears will be wiped away (doesn't mean we won't cry in heaven, I believe there will be tears of joy); He has also promised that there will be no more pain and sorrow; We will inherit the treasures as co-heirs with Christ Jesus whom we gained access to all these things; There the treasures are for ever where moth and rust cannot destroy; there we will have a glorified body that will not be afflicted by diseases; There we will have fellowship with Christ forever and The Lord shall be our delight for evernity. These are the promises that we eagerly wait. Where the glory of the Lord shines, not a speck of dust can be seen!

Thirdly, the struggles of this life humbles us so that we will rely totally in Christ.

When God created the man and women. He made them in His image. The first man and woman had the fullness of God's glory in them. Pride took away that glory, because God would not share his glory with another. The opposite of "pride" is humility. And God clothes us with His glory when we live for Him. Sin causes us to miss God and blinds us from God's glory. Those who calls on the name of the Lord, repent and return to Him will have their sights restored and His glory savoured in the life of the believer.

Forthly, the struggles in this life cannot be compared to the struggles our Lord and Saviour went through at the cross.

We only have our pain and struggles to carry, or some of our friend's problem too. However the Lord Jesus bore the whole darn weight of the world when he hung on the cross and even the Father had to turn his eyes away from His son because of the sin that he bore. Jesus Christ obeyed the will of the Father because he hand eternity in His sights. As a man, pain is something no one wants to go thru. But thru His pain, we're given new life just as He was given new life when he rose from the grave. To this newness in Christ we live in and for the glory of God we live for.

What is the power of a struggle or a failure(s) that causes a a person to make or break their will to live?

The lies of the world makes a person believe in himself, but Christ wants to break his reliance on himself and make him the new person who will depend on Him always. Also Christ can make a person by restoring unto them the glory that they were created for and break the bondage of sin that causes much pain.

In ur struggling, it doesn't mean that u are not in Christ. Certainly not because thru ur struggles, ur faith is ever increasing. If what ur friend said about your struggle throughout ur life is true, if that struggle causes u to gain Christ. Isn't that struggle a good struggle? Yet we know by His promise that struggles are only for this life time and we are being perfected daily more and more in to His lifeness. In lihgt of this, delight in Christ and the struggles will be a speck of dust in the universe. But let's be aware and not kid ourselves because the Spirit of God bears witness with our conscience. God's promises to us is sure, "yea and amen". Continue to trust in Him and allow His spirit to transform ur life and I pray that your struggle will cause u to grow stronger and stronger in the Lord.

By Your Name

I dedicate this song to my bro, Daniel, who was such a Michael Card freak back in those days and I believe even til today.

I failed again to make the mark, lost my way once more. I tried to do it by myself like so many times before. And now again I turn to You, I'm hungry and confused.

If You leave me to myself, oh Lord, it will always be the same. It's You who'll have to hold my hand and protect me by Your name.

By now my strength's dissolved away and I feel like I've been used. I turn and find You there for me. You've been waiting all along. The open arms, the sweet relief and You whisper me a song. At times like these I ask myself, "How could I have ever strayed?" And forgotten all You've given me and lost sight of what You paid.

If You leave me to myself, oh Lord, it will always be the same. It's You who'll have to hold my hand and protect me by Your name. It's You who'll have to hold my hand and protect me by Your Name.

Suddenly...

I felt so loved!

Thanks for all the well-wishes and silly suggestions!

:)X

In case any of u still wondering what is :)X
The "X" are either drumsticks or cross-bones like those pirate logo. It's inspired by the band "diehappy" which was also my first Pac.net e-mail. It has since been overtaken by Drumdeadcrazy.

Pls pray for me

I am down with gastric flu. This afternoon while praying for the service, I felt feverish. Tomorrow is a long day as I am playing for all three main services and I'll be helping out in SAJC's concert. From what SW's sister's experience, tomorrow is suppose to be D- Day (diarhorrea day). Oh boy! How exciting eh?

So here I am back home right after playing for the Sat's evening service. Liang was with me. It's great to have a familiar butt rocking in front of the drums.

Ok, I didn't see his butt, just his back.