It's R-age Awareness weekend again!!

And I was so impressed by this year's presentation. It's definitely the best since we did that R-age Rap back in 2003. This year, they presented Samantha's song from the "No One Else" album. It's partly a promo for the gig, but what a show! The band was tight!! Janice played some killer piano solo that slayed me. Ricky played... well, it's RICKY! What else can we expect from this man? And for once I love the sound at Level 3. Since it was an R-age awareness weekend, the youth band led worship (David Goh lead) and I had my best jumping and screaming worship session since a long long time ago. The only other person in the worship all that went nuts was Phuisee. She was the first one to go nuts coz I don't know the first song that David led, but I love the lyrics in that song. Gotta ask the guys what song was that. When the did "Everyday", that was it! It was no-holds-bar-just-between-Jesus-and-me moment. It was just a great! The message was by Ps Matthew about "Having a passion for His Presense". I miss being there surrounded my God's glory when my whole heart, mind and soul are engaging with the angels in worship. Then I had the chance to play the closing of the service. I just went for it, rushed the song coz I thought we started way too slow. wahahha...

Xiaowei brought Joshie to Children's church. It seems the Saturday's group is good. I am glad the whole family was there today (though I was alone in service). Grace Assembly is home. If there is anything we can improve, we must pray for it. I thank God that we went to Church today (we're suppose to go tomorrow, but decided to go while shopping at Isetan).

Flower of heaven

O my soul, hast thou gathered the rose of Sharon?
Dost thou wear the lily of the valley in thy bosom constantly?
If so, when thou comest up to the gates of heaven
Thou wilt know its value, for thou hast only to show this choicest of flowers, and the Porter will open:
Not for a moment will he deny thee admission,
For to that rose the Porter openeth ever.

Thou shalt find thy way with the rose of Sharon in thy hand
Up to the throne of God himself,
For heaven itself possesses nothing that excels its radiant beauty,
And of all the flowers that bloom in paradise there is none that can rival the lily of the valley.

O my soul, get Calvary's blood-red rose
Into thy hand by faith,
By love wear it,
By communion preserve it,
By daily watchfulness make it thine all in all,
And thou shalt be blessed beyond all bliss,
Happy beyond a dream.
Jesus, be mine for ever,
My God,
My heaven,
My all.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Honestly

I hope I do not need to make a decision of which Church we'll end up.

I don't want to even think about it! The most important church is the one that the Holy Spirit dwells in now - within me. What am I doing to it. I just want to be used for God's Glory.

Change

I have never seriously considered changing church until the Christian growth of Chia Ee became a major concern to SW and I. Chia Ee is still not one whom we can just leave at Children's Church and expect him to do the teacher's bidding. Indeed it is still not time for Chia Ee to be left alone in Children's Church yet, but after visiting COOS' Urban Kids (Coz SW's sister is serving there and niece is in their youth service), SW thinks that it's a good place to for him. The ultimate spiritual lesson Josh and Jo-En will learn is from SW and I, yet a suitable church is also a vital support group. However I have highlighted my concern about COOS' emphasis in the "Supernatural" ministries. The traditional non-charismatic are more charismatic than the traditional pentecostal like us in Grace Church. I have attended 2 service in June and each time alarm bells were ringing - my soul was left high and dry. Perhaps today's service simply reinforce my belief that God still work miracles, but miracles do not satisfy my soul more than the expositor's expositing the Word of God to me. For this reason, the next best option seems to be Adam Road Pres. Church because SW's 3rd sister is there and I know Chris Chia is a very annointed preacher. Arhhh, but it's a presbytarian church! Well, I heard them sing "This Kingdom" - an old hillsong worship song, but it's so different from what I am used to. Nonetheless, that is of little concern for me. Music can take the backseat for now. I am looking for a companion next to me at the passenger seat to keep me awake.

So the search keep going on. Grace church is my home church forever. I may attend another church, but I know it will never be home to me. What is most important is my soul is fed. My action reminds me of "Christian" in "The Pilgrim's Progress". He just had to leave his family and home to the "Celestial City". The tugging in his heart is too strong. So it is for me. I feel the tugging in my spirit. If I can't find a church to grow, I have to rely on the writers that I am reading. I'm reading John Piper again. Great stuff! It's great to realign my sight to God's glory and delight in His glory as my hightest joy. WOAHH!H!! Love it!

Everything is going to be alright in Christ

I was in crisis before I went for Grace Retreat 2009. No, I think I am still in the midst of a crisis even after the retreat. I know I can get out of the crisis but it's not going to be with a "get out of jail free" card. I don't know if I want to share it in the "open" on the internet. I shall be vague here. Depending on what industry you work in being a Christian is either looked upon with utmost respect or outright disdain. I sense that the blessings that we're enjoying is being numbered. The time of lawlessness is increasing. There is no time to waste, but yet lots of it are being wasted. If preaching Christ and his Word means being looked down upon by others, will you eat and sleep well? How friendly can we be to those who oppose the Gospel? Should we re-package the gospel to make it "seeker-sensitive" or should we be more sensitive to the gospel?

Well, that're some of the things that I'm struggling with spiritually. On a happier note, I was really happy to see Kit Yee at retreat. She have such a big faith - the size of a mustard seed. She will move mountains!

Josh joined us for this retreat. Retreat will never be the same again for me. It was a great time. It was an unforgetable time. Only regret now is not taking Jo-En with us. Josh Josh, I was glad u were with Mummy and Daddy at the retreat!