Neal Morse's "One"

Neal Morse was the former lead singer of Spork's Beard. I first heard of this band when I bought hte CD "Snow" which was a double-disc concept album with very strong spiritual conotations. A few years later, Neal Morse left the band and started producing his own music about his new found faith. Those CDs received great reviews from progressive rock critics despite the content of his lyrics. One of the CD, which I bought tonight, is called "One". The album cover depicts a man walking towards a city. It's like a scene right out of John Bunyan's classic "The Pilgrim's Progress" where the protagonist, Christian, finds his way to the "Celestial City" (Heaven). Look at the album cover below and tell me which city do u think it is!

(Click on picture to see a lager image)

Wahahahaha!!! This is so exciting, rite? I was looking at it closely on the MRT and I was so excited when I realised where that place is!!! WAHOOO!!!!

Good report

I was so delighted to hear good report about the Youth and Young Adult Services. I really miss the youth service, I told Ps Ronald at Wenzong's wedding on Saturday. I know that if I am going to commit my life to serve effectively, I have to sacrifice some work. It's also difficult coz I have made my family the ministry first and not R-age. Because of that I decided to work on Sundays if I have to. As a result my RL duties gets affected and the guilt is killing me, slowly eating me up from the inside. This is really bad, I tell u. Very bad. I've not been to the Youth service for whole of Oct (yes, including next week) and I have a long-term shoot in Nov and Sundays may be affected. The decision to play for service this week and next is also a bad one. I should just wash my hands off playing, but my hands were too itchy to play again. That I blame it on my lust for drums. I am really concern about that, really.

So am I messed up since I complain so much here? No, I dun think so. I just need to make restitution. Change things that need to be changed and make decisions that needs to be made. I want to do everything I do that will reflect God's glory even through the folleys I committed. Ah yes! This reminds me of what Ps Lim preached today at G2 about living in/ by the Spirit.

Great Sermon @ G2

Ps Lim preached a really great sermon today. What striked a chord in my is what he said about positional faith and dynamic experience. While we are indeed saved by faith through grace (according to scriptures), the bible also demanded that we live a life that reflect the dynamic life of the believer. While this is not something that is new to me, but to hear it preached in Grace is awesome! Some may find it very theological, but it's so vital. It's like a foundation for all other kind of sermons can build upon. For without experiencing God's spirit's work in our lives is like turning on a tap without water trickling out.

How did I play? Not that great, but will make up for it next week lah.

Looking from the other side of glory with Chia Ee

sitting alone with God

"If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence...?"

- Keith Green

Youth Cell

I've been away due to work. I've already felt so out of touch with my CMs and this weekend I am playing at G2 and at G1 next week (Coz I can't find a replacement for the main service). This is a sucky feeling, almost guilty I must add. I read some blogs and friendster prophile of some of the youths. Oh, how I miss them.

How I miss u...

Don't

Have you ever met someone who is so irritating that u wish them out of ur life immediately they step within your comfort zone?

I recently heard from a few friends that they felt this way towards certain individuals in church. I am often appalled by such declarations. I appreciate their honesty and saddened by some people's lack of regret for habouring such thoughts towards another human being. I regret to say that I was like that and sometimes these thoughts do cross my mind. I don't think there is anything wrong if those thoughts flash across our minds, but if we habour them and harvest them, it will only weaken our own spirits and witness. Do we dare tell God that we're more righteous than Mr Arrogant? May we never be because we might be entertaining angels unaware.

I like to imagine the scene in heaven and Jesus came to me and said "I was there but u never accepted me. I was that dude that didn't fit into your scheme of things. I didn't wear fashionable clothes and I only listen to Mozart..." Will I say to Him, "When Lord? When were u like a geek..."
May we never hear those dreaded words "Depart from me" from the lips of our Saviour. So don't ever tell someone to "depart" from your presence, give some time. It's not wrong to excuse yourself if u are genuinely busy, just explain and I'm sure they will understand. Don't ever do it and then say in your heart "I am glad to got rid of him"

DON'T... DON'T ... (Elvis comes to mind now)

The song that is playing in my head now, "The Sheep and the Goats" by Keith Green

Smitten

If music could raise a dead person, this song would not just raise me, but add sunshine to my hazy day.

Thanks Samantha!! Let's do this soon!!!

Verse 1:
Smitten,
I am so smitten with you
I am so crazy about you
Each thing that you say
My heart wants to memoriseI'm smitten with you

Verse 2:
It's crazyHow you put me into a frenzy
Whenever you're walking past me
I hardly can breatheI trip over my toes
I'm so smitten 'cause

Chorus:
I see you babyAnd I see so clearly
The Lord was just showin' off when He made you
I'm praying so dearly
That someday maybe
You'll say that you're smitten with me too

Verse 3:
DreamingI'm always dreaming of what if
We got together or something
Then I'd be all croonin'
Swayin' and swoonin'
So smitten

Click HERE

A spade is a spade

"A spade is a spade; a lie is a lie; a Sin is a Sin"

SW went to ARPC with her sisters and Chia Ee also visited church for the first time. She returned to share this message with me which was really good. Chris Chia was preaching about how people downplay (or should I say down-grade) sin by sugar-coating it or condoning it by compromising on our principles.

Over the years there has been debate about doing illegal things. We're not talking about rape or murder, but the simple things like traffic regulations, downloading of illegal softwares or music, etc. I have compromised in some areas and I really have to deal with it. If not what kind of integrity are we as leaders are showing to our youths? We can lie about it by not showing the ugly side, but before God there is no pretending because he is all-knowing.

How can we every flee from temptations? I can only find 2 ways: 1) renew our minds and subject it to the obedience of Christ the the scriptures and 2) simply flee from them.

I am reminded of this great hymn that I've often quoted from...

I want a principle within
of watchful, godly fear,
a sensibility of sin,
a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
of pride or wrong desire,
to catch the wandering of my will,
and quench the kindling fire.

From thee that I no more may stray,
no more thy goodness grieve,
grant me the filial awe, I pray,
the tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make;
awake my soul when sin is nigh,
and keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love,
to me thy power impart;
the mountain from my soul remove,
the hardness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain
my reawakened soul,
and drive me to that blood again,
which makes the wounded whole.

-Charles Wesley-

From Suhui's blog

Rachael and Suhui with Chia Ee

Today, I had such a tiring day at school and not to mention I had a bad start cos I felt that I was a little unfairly treated. Anyway the time spent with this little Sugar Rock just made my day. :) At the end of the hour, my shirt has Chia Ee's smell - milk, vomit, saliva..? Na... Shampoo. Erm... I think. ha anyway whatever it is, it smells good! I was cuddling him for so long and we were of such close proximity that he left his smell on me. Before it sounds too scandalous, *let me share with you the lesson learnt as I carried his smell with me to church. I guess when we are that close to God, we would likewise rub a little of Him and carry His fragrance everywhere we go. :) I wanna draw closer...

*Emphasis is mine