属七和弦靠主完全

Picture Literature

2011-10-18T02:23:00.002+08:00

No time to write long posts these days, which is rather sad. I'll still find means for creative output. I've been studying multi-modality, how different communicative modes come together to form meanings.

When I saw this picture, John 15:16 immediately came to mind =)

When worship goes wrong

2011-09-08T10:52:00.004+08:00

I came across this video today. It brought me to see the possible mindsets of people when they come to worship God. Do we fall into any of those classes?

Be wary about being one who "honor God with your lips, but having your hearts are far away from Him" (Matthew 5:8)

How to serve God such that he gets the glory

2011-08-01T00:08:00.005+08:00

Picture two people this afternoon pondering whether to come help clean the church tomorrow night. One is young and healthy and says, "O, I suppose I'll go. Be worth a few brownie points with the leaders. Maybe they'll have some snacks. Besides, I'm pretty good at that sort of thing, maybe I can give the rest a few pointers." So he comes and he grumbles about the tools, he criticizes the way things are planned, he talks on and on about his abilities and his experience, and in general exudes a spirit of vanity. But he works. He may even get more done than some others. Some employers may want such a man if they judge him solely by his efficiency or productivity. But God looks on the heart and takes the whole man into account. And his assessment is: I have received no glory from this supposedly good deed of service, for it was not done in reliance on my power. There was not about it the spirit of joy and gratitude and humility that comes from being borne along on the wings of mercy.

But there is another person this afternoon who is planning his Monday night. He is older and has been quite ill lately—a good deal of pain and stiffness in the knees. There was a time when he worked hard in the church and loved every minute of it and never made a big to-do about inconvenience or sacrifice. "O," he thought to himself, "how I would love to help out on Monday night. I could encourage some of the downhearted maybe. Or maybe just keep the coffee poured." So he prayed. And lo and behold, Monday morning there was no pain and no stiffness. So he came. With bells on. He did what he could with a rag and broom and he did it well. But above all he exuded a joy and a sense of gratitude for life and strength that cheered everyone and pointed them to God. He knew that what strength he had was a precious gift of God, and his whole bearing and demeanor gave God the credit.

(extracted from Pastor John Piper: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/how-to-do-good-so-that-god-gets-the-glory)

Which person do you identify yourself with? May we be humbled as we serve and depend on God's strength.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

(1 Peter 4:10-11)

Do not be a Laodicean.

2011-07-11T22:57:00.001+08:00

We need to hear this preached.

Shake Off Laodicean Slumber!

by A.A. Ronshausen

The great sin of these end-time days is Laodicean lukewarmness, being neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:14-15). Sinful and godless as the world is, the real battle of today is not the battle of the world, but the battle of the church.

Laodiceanism is spiritual paralysis. It is a surrender of first love, cooling from fervency to lukewarmness; profession and no possession, the subtlest sin of hell. Laodiceanism is mediocre service, indifferent praying, contentment in spiritual barrenness, complacency in idleness. It is grudging giving, reluctant sacrificing, no martyr or witnessing spirit. Laodiceanism is burdenless, passionless, spiritless – a deceived people doomed to judgment instead of rewards.

All of this evil fruit stems from Laodiceanism. Like all the devil’s illusions, it is a great deception, and herein lies its greatest peril. It does not destroy orthodoxy or respectability. The victim knows not his true state. He is content to remain as he is. He feels no need. He prides himself on his religion, not knowing that in his Lord’s sight, he is wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. He is religious. But it is a religion our Lord hates and will spue out of His mouth.

Is There a Remedy?

Yes, there is a remedy. Jesus reveals it in Revelation 3:18. He counsels, “Buy of Me gold tried in the fire.” Gold is always a symbol of genuineness. If they will accept His loving rebuke and chastening, there is hope. He stands at the door and knocks. Notice, He is not within. If any will hear (obey) His voice, He will come in and sup with him, fellowship with him (Rev. 3:20).

Hear His counsel to the Laodicean church. Be zealous; abandon lukewarmness. Repent. Return to your first love. Get back to Pentecostal fervency, purity and power. Humble yourself in true penitence.

Many Bible scholars agree that Christendom is now in the Laodicean stage of the church. Therefore, this is Christ’s latest, timely message to us. Will we heed?

Only a God-sent revival stands between us and extinction. Storm clouds are rising fast on the horizon of time!

Is this a time to slumber, to be at ease in Zion, to be passionless, burdenless, prayerless, faithless, savourless? Have we lost our throne rights of holy intercession? Must we capitulate to the enemy, lay down our weapons and cease praying in faith that God will answer as He answered Savonarola, Knox and others?

What promises of God are obsolete? Must we limit God? Must we limit our faith? Does the law of faith and prayer still operate? Can believers still do the works of Jesus? Does the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Holy Spirit energize and empower Spirit-filled disciples today?

Is it not time enough for the saints to cease from warfare when the Holy Ghost snatches the Bride away? Did not Jesus command, “Occupy till I come”? (Luke 19:13). What would happen if the church would leave feasting and go to fasting, leave the supper room and retreat to the upper room? Cease from doubt and fears and go to praying and believing? Is not the problem of this age the problem of a prayerless, faithless church? If the church obeyed Jesus, would the gates of hell prevail? Will we talk and do nothing?

Do We Want a Revival Before Jesus Returns?

What price is too great? What sacrifice too much? Would God disappoint a burdened, soul-agonizing church on its knees? What would happen if the church would be swept with a great passion for souls and put travail, tears and soul sweat into its prayers?

Can you not discern that humanity hovers over the vortex of revolution, anarchy and chaos? Can we afford to slumber while the world passes through its greatest crisis? Will it not quickly be too late to do anything? Dare we delay in Laodicean apathy? If we fail to pray, is there any other way out?

What is the source, the cause of the pessimism that robs us of faith, hope and courage to pray through for a genuine Holy Ghost revival? Is it of God or Satan? Should we yield to it? Whence the source of this fatalistic attitude and conception in our thinking that, like a poison virus, paralyzes the church to Laodicean lukewarmness and immobility and unbelief?

“When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Pray, Christian, pray! “Lord, keep me on the firing line!”

Source: www.sermonindex.net

Doxology of Jude

2011-06-20T11:58:00.002+08:00

²⁴ To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

- Jude 1

For the faint-hearted, weary, lost, drifting, luke-warm, lethargic with walking in faith.

Our Great High Priest intercedes for us and the Holy Spirit fights with us.

The Lily Of the Valley

2011-06-19T18:19:00.011+08:00

The lily of the valley has the flower meaning of humility, chastity, sweetness and purity. The delicate white blossoms of the lily of the valley bloom snugly between the broad leaves. This May birth flower is a wonderfully fragrant and beautiful plant.

Lily of the valley is a native of Europe. It also has a flower meaning of the return of happiness. This May birth flower is used often in bridal arrangements for the sweet perfume. Lily of the valley can be grown is sun or shade and is a beautifully fragrant groundcover. Lily of the Valley has also been used in heral medicine as a poison antidote, for the heart and epilepsy. It is a favorite flower among brides and party planners as it is a wonderfully elegant flower. Lily of the valley is one of the most delicate and beautiful of the lily family.

Having read the two paragraphs above, I hope we can better appreciate what Charles W. Fry(the lyricist) meant when he wrote that God is the Lily of the Valley and more importantly, behold the magnificent beauty of God and be most satisfied in Him.

The Holy Spirit (Insights from Charles H. Spurgeon)

2011-06-19T16:50:00.011+08:00

As sacred oil, he anoints the head of the believer, sets him apart to the priesthood of saints, and gives him grace to execute his duties rightly.

As the only truly purifying water he cleanses us from the power of sin and sanctifies us unto holiness, working in us to will and to do of the Lord's good pleasure.

As the light, he manifested to us at first our lost state, and now he reveals the Lord Jesus to us and in us, and guides us in the way of righteousness. Enlightened by his pure celestial ray, we are no more darkness but light in the Lord.

As fire, he both purges us from dross(= impurity), and sets our consecrated nature on a blaze. He is the sacrificial flame by which we are enabled to offer our whole souls as a living sacrifice unto God.

As heavenly dew, he removes our barrenness and fertilizes our lives.

As the dove, with wings of peaceful love he broods over his Church and over the souls of believers,

and as a Comforter he dispels the cares and doubts which mar the peace of his beloved.

As the wind, he brings the breath of life to men; blowing where he pleases, he performs the quickening operations by which the spiritual creation is animated and sustained.

"But the Advocate, the Holy spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
(John 14:26)

Violent Acts of Grace

2011-04-29T02:34:00.008+08:00

“Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.”
Psalm 51: 8 (NASB)

I was at a conference the past 3 days and the speaker Paul D. Tripp shared among other things, how brokenness in ministry could be God’s way of winning the ministry worker’s heart. Sometimes in the heat of planning and preparing stuff and busily serving others, we are crushed by disappointments, we collapse under the expectations of others and self, we are hurt by insensitivities of others. Eventually we get discouraged and heartbroken in our ministries, wondering how to move on.

This resonated with my experience deeply. This is familiar territory. When Rev. Tripp read Psalm 51:8, it brought to mind the story that Ming Hong told in Youth Sunday School, about how a shepherd lovingly takes care of his sheep, turning to drastic measures when necessary. It is an incredibly beautiful picture.

A boy walking about a herd of sheep grazing in the pastures noticed that one of the lambs was limping. One of its front legs was carefully splinted and bandaged, an obvious sign that it was recovering from some injury. The boy asked the shepherd, “What happened to this lamb? How did it get hurt?”

The shepherd replied with all tenderness, “The truth is, I broke his leg.”

The boy was obviously horrified and he raised his voice, “How could you do something so cruel? The lamb is under your care! You’re supposed to protect it, not harm it!”

The shepherd explained patiently, “This sheep was extremely willful; despite repeated warnings, coaxing and pulling him back from near-death mishaps, he still chose to wander from the herd, sometimes bringing other more clueless sheep along with it. I had to stop him from straying, before harm befell him or other members of the herd. So I broke his leg, for only then would he not wander off and stay close to me.”

"The first day after I broke his leg, I brought him food and water. He tried to bite me. So I left him alone in a shed for a couple of days. When I returned with food and water, he was happy to see me. Now when I come to him, he licks my hand."

"This sheep now shows every sign of submission and obedience. Now let me tell you something. When this sheep is well, as he soon shall be, he will be the model sheep of my flock. He will be the quickest to hear me and the one who stays closest beside me. To the other wayward sheep, he will be an example of obedience. He has been transformed by his suffering."

Sometimes, the most devastating disruptions in ministry are drastic acts of hidden grace that send us crawling back, teary-eyed to our loving Shepherd. In brokenness and pain, we see our shallow preoccupations, our deep-rooted idols, our greatest follies. See how we’ve gone astray, exchanging our utmost satisfaction for inferior glories!

Our Shepherd loves His sheep. He knows His sheep. If having our spirit broken is the only way to drive us back to Him our ultimate and only good, will He withhold that good, wise, painful discipline from us?

Let the bones which He has broken rejoice!

Do Not I Love Thee, O My Lord?

2011-04-22T18:57:00.002+08:00

I came across this beautiful song while I was reading Charles H. Spurgeon's book.

May it move all of us to love thee more.

Do not I love thee, O my Lord?
Behold my heart and see:
And turn each cursed idol out,
That dares to rival thee.

Do not I love thee, O my soul?
Then let me nothing love;
Dead be my heart to every joy,
When Jesus cannot move.

Within the darkness of this heart
Other gods would vie for my affections
But Thou art exalted
Thou art exalted
Thou art exalted far above all gods!

Thou knowest I love thee, dearest Lord,
But O, I long to soar
Far from the sphere of mortal joys,
And learn to love thee more!

Amen.

思量此杯

2011-04-21T02:39:00.000+08:00

On the night, while sharing the Passover feast with His disciples, Jesus broke the bread and said, “This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)

After the feast, He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)

Today, we not only remember His suffering and His death, we also proclaim the eternal life in heaven the Lord Jesus Christ prepared for us through His death and resurrection, for Jesus also said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Luke 22:14–18) As we drink from the cup and eat of the bread, we also eagerly await the day where we will eat at the Lord’s table with Jesus Himself!

When we observe the Communion, we also show our participation in the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:17 says, “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” The cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks is a participation in the blood of Christ and the bread that we break is a participation in the body of Christ. In this way, through the partaking of the Communion, we also acknowledge that we are members of each other.

Passion Week always stirs up bittersweet affections. Sorrowful joy, joyful sorrow...

The beauty of the cross

2011-04-11T23:07:00.025+08:00

"To a salesperson, everyone looks likes a sales prospect, and everything looks like a sales gimmick. To a missionary, everyone looks like a convert, and everything looks like a religious symbol...”

My friend put that up as his Facebook status one day probably out of annoyance. We’ve probably felt this before. If we set our hearts on a certain purpose, we can probably see its manifestation, opportunities and/or significance everywhere.

Last Saturday, Dom7th was tasked to go looking for crosses in church. It’s interesting to see where the crosses turned up.

It isn’t difficult to spot crosses if we expect to see it in the ordinary.

“For those who will see, the cross of Christ is expectantly present in every moment and every scene. In its beauty, we are changed.” - Jill Carattini

Do we see His cross in everything we do, in everything we are? Our identity, our purpose, our worldview, our relationships with people (and things), our job, our ministry, our mundane conversations, our decision-making…

Are we transformed by the beauty of the cross?

Read more:
http://www.rzim.org/usa/usfv/tabid/436/articleid/10839/cbmoduleid/1133/default.aspx

His love is intentional

2011-04-11T21:46:00.010+08:00

The love of Christ for us in his dying was as conscious as his suffering was intentional.

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us" (1 John 3:16).

If he was intentional in laying down his life, it was for us. It was love.

"When Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end" (John 13:1).

Every step (Jesus Christ) on the Calvary road meant, "I love you."

他竟选择踏上这道路因为爱我爱你
沿着维亚多勒罗莎一直到加略山顶

Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace)

2011-03-14T15:28:00.004+08:00

在生命风暴中挣扎的人来接受他完美救恩.

他必叫你心中波涛平静, 那加利利人耶稣.

There can only be peace from God when there is peace with God. When we plead for peace, bear in mind that there are also others who needs this peace - the true peace that can only come from believing in Christ alone.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/VGaxvtLpuIw?rel=0

Give Me Oil In My Lamp

2011-03-03T11:29:00.004+08:00

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray
Dear Lord, all things come from You and I thank You for being my strength;
And because You are all powerful, limitless, this Source never depletes.

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning
Keep me burning till the break of day
Lord, You fuel my passions, let me be faithful even in the darkest of nights;
To keep watch, wait and hope to see the sun’s first rays.

Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna
Sing Hosanna to the King of kings
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna
Sing Hosanna to the King
The Lord saves! Praise the Lord!
See, He comes again and reigns over all!
The Lord saves! Praise the Lord!
See He comes again and it’s darkness no more!

让我爱成长. 让我爱成长.

2011-02-13T14:52:00.008+08:00

“Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.(Genesis 1:11-12)

The Curve and The Mystery of Growth

2011-02-06T16:31:00.009+08:00

This morning my mind suddenly recalled the wave like drawing my sister drew yesterday to facilitate De Xian’s Gloria in Excelsis warm-up exercise. I redrew it here, but I made adjustments to it. Trying to spin off a new analogy here. Haha.

In a non-musically technical way, I saw the ups and downs of the curve as the ups and downs of life. And one way to see what we are praying for (through the anthem) is that though we may have ups and downs, we have my fair share of good times and bad times,让我成长. So what we are praying for is growth regardless of all circumstances. Growing, not upwards like a plant but Godwards – growing in the likeness of God, expanding in the capacity to love and embrace all types of people, however unlovable they might be.

But how is it possible, to grow regardless of all circumstances? Perhaps we have forgotten that with God, nothing is impossible. Here we are talking about supernatural growth and of course, we require a supernatural force to thrive in all circumstances. We cannot do it by ourselves.

Interestingly, Paul has a prayer like this in Ephesians 3:16-21.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being -> Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith -> being rooted and established in love may have power grasp the abundances love of God, know this love that surpasses knowledge… -> may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (which means becoming Christ-like)!

1. The supernatural power comes from God! Not us.
2. He grants us the Holy Spirit to receive His power.
3. Since love comes from God and His love endures forever, we can stay rooted in His love and
grow to be more like Him!

Awesome. Right?

(Hope my sharing here is comprehensive. =P)

Self-reflection of what it means to desire God

2011-02-05T23:40:00.012+08:00

Hate the sin you once and love the righteousness you once ignored. Is that a reality in your life?

Is God only an accessory in your life?

“Everyone knows they are a sinner. They just don’t know how heinous and terrible that is. Nor do they want to let go of the very thing that they choose to drink down as though it were water.”

What do you choose to drink down today? Is it the spring of living water ( = God)?

Do you truly desire God?

The love of God is not God's making much of us, but God's saving us from self-centeredness so that we can enjoy making much of him forever. And our love to others is not our making much of them, but helping them to find satisfaction in making much of God. True love aims at satisfying people in the glory of God.

~ John Piper

Do you truly love God and the people around you?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Pray for yourself that your will desire God more, that your love for God will grow stronger and that your hatred for sin will also grow stronger. Ask God to continue His work in your heart.

Pray for the congregation/your friends that their hearts will not harden against God, that their hearts will be changed and renewed to seek God, the spring of living water , taste and see that the Lord is good. Ask God to continue His work in their hearts.

主, 将你大爱植我心田.

The Weight of Glory.

2011-01-06T01:09:00.006+08:00

If a transtemporal, transfinite good is our real destiny (heaven), then any
other good on which our desire fixes must be in some degree fallacious, must
bear at best only a symbolical relation to what will truly satisfy.
C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Doesn't reading this bring about soothing
to the soul and an aching longing for our eventual destiny?

Peanuts and Christmas

2010-12-21T08:07:00.001+08:00

A video I came across today. Enjoy!

My Heart would be your Bethlehem.

2010-12-12T00:00:00.001+08:00

Hihi, we sang this anthem (beautifully) last year during Christmas.

It is still fresh in my memory, truly one of the best written Christmas songs I've heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6x5ZIVCSX4&feature=related

Really like the arrangement for this one.

They interwoved a traditional Christmas hymn.

If you listen carefully, the piano comes in with "Glo......ria", in the interlude as well.

The modulation was a little surprise :)

"My heart, my will, my mind, my all, I consecrate to bring."

Reason for the Season...

2010-12-01T16:55:00.012+08:00

O.O It's December.

omg, one month left to 2010! :(

Lights are up, cakes are out, presents on sale.

There is this popular chain store here that had this promotional tagline

"Wats Christmas without WXXXXS'S?"

The world still doesn't get it, What is Christmas?

I'm guilty of planning my Christmas shopping, thinking of the cards, presents and food.

Then the tagline reminded me to stop.

"Wats Christmas without Christ?"

Ahah, Christmas is the time to spread some love.

I so think that Valentine's Day is not the season to love, we've got it all wrong!
(Loving has no season, by the way)

Anyway, there can be giving during Christmas as well, don't get me wrong.

But, I figured we must plan the budget of giving wisely.

Surely that brother or sister doesn't need another box of chocolate, bar of soap or bottle of wine.

How about something intangible?

Or an extra offering to a stranger, to a mission, to a needy child somewhere, to a needy brother somewhere?

Give, by all means. And don't hold back the Love of giving.

Now, just to get you into the mood for love...

(Courtesy of Corbis.com)

Follow the leader

2010-11-27T23:55:00.016+08:00

Follow the Leader. It is a game which only works when you have one leader (at any instance).

1. Is God our one and only leader of our lives? Who else can be our leader?

God will make a way, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to his side. With love and strength for each new day, he will make a way. He will make a way.

2. Do we regard God as our leader only when we have problems and have no way out?

3. If he is our leader, are we his obedient followers?

May the Lord always be our one and only leader of our lives.

For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me. (Psalm 31:3)

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4)

Surely he deserves more

2010-11-23T23:15:00.008+08:00

There was this group of people in a workshop. They did this activity: to look for a partner and look at each other for one minute. There was this old woman and she found herself a partner. As she looked at her partner, who was looking at her. Tears rolled down her eyes and the workshop trainer saw that. Later when there was a break, the old woman was approached by the workshop trainer.

WT: Are you okay?

OW: Yea...I am fine.

(WT felt unconvinced)

WT: I saw you tearing a moment ago. Are you really okay?

OW: To tell you the truth, it's been some time since someone gave me attention for even one minute.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

I was just thinking about this incident on my way home. In this world filled with competing desires, do we spent even spend one minute talking to God? Do we give Him undivided attention, to hear what he wants to say to us for even a minute?

Perhaps he is tearing right now because you have not done so. He values our devotion to Him because we mean something to Him. He values us because he loves us and he is love.

Surely he deserves more.

There are problems. Hence, the probes.

2010-10-23T23:30:00.005+08:00

Today's practice was thought-provoking. A series of simple questions were posed to us. One of the was this: how many ways are there to sing 'la'? Theoretically, infinite. Another was this: why do we want to sing together? Can't we just do with a solo and a microphone?

Sometimes, simple questions are difficult to answer. Perhaps we had the answer, but we could not find the right words to form a simple answer. Also, there may be a tendency to be turned-off with simple questions. However, if we do not consider the simple questions, would they not become difficult to answer?

So why are simple questions necessary? (notice this is another simple question)

1. To warm-up our brain.

2. To check our understanding.

3. To listen to other people's answer.

4. Because we need to establish common grounds (especially important for co-workers)

5. Because behind simple questions lie big concepts which we should be aware of.

(And the list goes on, non-exhaustive...)

Think through. Think thorough.

Think: The Life of the Mind & the Love of God

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/by-conference/2010-national-conference

I want to play the piano.

2010-10-15T23:29:00.002+08:00

Hi friends,

Some time ago, I stumbled upon this piece of song that I once heard, got mesmerized but could never remember the title. And then I found it! Didn't know then it was composed by a rather famous pianist.

His name is Yiruma. (Korean)

Some people might know his "River Flows In Me", which is strangely called "Bella's theme song" in the Twilight movie. But, that's not the point........

My point is, this pianist is serious stuff.

Reason being, he manages to paint a picture in my head as I'm listening to the song (simple reason). Like an image flows through his fingers in a way that my clumsy expression fails to explain.

Anyway, if anyone knows where to buy his album, please tell me.

If you are keen to know,

www.yiruma.com

Teaser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExdC9sdAPw

Please share any good music you come across!

Kamsahamnida! :D

eat, drink and be merry

2010-10-04T22:33:00.007+08:00

A good part of my last couple of months in school, I struggled with the meaning(lessness) of work. If what we do here on earth gets washed away like sandcastles, then what is the point of all the toil and labour?

Perhaps we’ve been viewing work as some sort of punishment. Since the fall, man was driven out of Eden and condemned to a life of labour and futility (Genesis 3: 16-19).

But labour and futility does not equate to futile labour.

Why should we work?

Because God worked too.
He created the world and saw that it was good (Genesis 1:31). He’s still working and sustains all that He has created (Psalm 104). He was at work in human history – redemption and salvation – seen vividly in Israel’s history.

Because He has given us the privilege to work with Him.
He made man to rule over His creations (Genesis 1:26) and cultivate the land (Genesis 2:15). Did He need the help of human beings? No! He is not served by human hands (Acts 17:25). Rather, He gave us the privilege of sharing in His work. Work is a gift of God.

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to
find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of
life God has given him – for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man
wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be
happy in his work – this is a gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5: 18-19)

This is what gives the secular adage eat, drink and be merry a biblical slant.
Thank God for His gift!

*I owe this piece of writing to brother Yi Qiang, who shared this topic with me on two occasions, six months apart. I was doubly encouraged and I hope those who are in the midst of EOYs find joy in your studies =)

Dear friends, befriend God.

2010-09-19T23:14:00.003+08:00

We sang 不再孤单 today. The song painted a beautiful picture of what our relationship with God should be. The lyrics were simple to understand. We understood what we sang.

But what does it mean when we say 主耶稣是你最好的朋友?

Do we enjoy spending time with Him? Do we look forward to converse with Him?

David sought for God day and night; Moses spoke with Him daily; and Abraham, believing and obeying the Father, was called 'Friend of God' (James 2:23).

May we learn the joys of being God's friend every single day. =)

一首歌的意义。

2010-09-04T00:22:00.005+08:00

今晚，在与友人msn闲聊天时，想到了要给他听一首歌。

这首歌就是《在我心房定居》。我们8月刚献唱的。

他听的当儿，我问他，“听清楚歌词吗？”，
他说，“不是很清楚...但歌大部份是这样子的”。

于是我抄了歌词给他看。

听完之后他就说，“这（就）一首歌说出了很多道理”（这时我明白他明白了）。

我心里点头，感到很欣慰。。。

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

通常每当我们献完一首诗歌便会很自然的到处问问看听者的意见或感想。

“How did you find the 献唱？”

“Oh, it was not bad, quite good actually... Couldn't really hear the guys though."

"Some notes were flat here and there but overall good.."

or "I really liked the new arrangment of the song!" etc.

之前跟另一位友人聊到的时候，他说他很希望听到，“听这首歌的时候，我想到了。。。”
或者“我的感触是。。。”，类似这样的回应。我深有同感。

当然技术上的建议是有利无弊的，这代表他们很仔细在听，我们虚心听取。

可是往往最能激励唱者的，是给予他们唱一首歌的意义上的肯定，理解和苟同。
因为在唱之前是经过很多反思的，尤其是筛选的时候。

有时我们自己会不自觉的陷入极力在技巧或效果上进步，虽然我们也很在意唱诗的意义和目的。

So the next time, hey dom7th, 我们可以问得比较单刀直入一点 :)

“So, what about the song impacted you?" or "What about the song made you think?"

希望接下来献唱的诗歌都能让大家听得出其中道理和意义（除了耳油之外）。

I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow

2010-08-23T23:10:00.006+08:00

by John Newton

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”
________________________________________

It's really fun reading all three groups' critique of the two texts from last Saturday. The exercise was a window into your minds: the role of a choir in church, what consitutes 'good' art etc.

I came across this poem/prayer by John Newton while looking for the two texts for critique and revisited it again when the critiques were done, thinking to myself, THIS will fit everyone's criteria, haha.

Enjoy =)

Know The One

2010-08-18T12:14:00.006+08:00

A: There is only one of them there.
B: Where? There are so many of them on the rack! And they all look almost the same!

In a messy world we live in, know that there is only one God. Seek to know Him more, so that we can tell what is of Him and differentiate who/what are the counterfeit gods messing in our lives!

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. (Job 34:4)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

2010-08-15T20:10:00.002+08:00

I had the girls in mind when I took this photo.. haha!

And then I had myself in mind

I decided to mock raffles abit.

For the last one.. notice that's a law firm?

2010-08-13T15:44:00.002+08:00

在我心房定居
教导我什么值得去努力
因为我今日留下的足迹
有一天这世界将不再记起

2010-08-13T01:07:00.003+08:00

一种惯性的追求
成为生存的理由
充满我心占据我心
日子却空虚依旧

2010-08-13T01:01:00.005+08:00

在我心房定居
告诉我生命的真谛
因为人间的悲欢合离
有一天我将不再知悉

Pray and Persevere in Watchfulness

2010-07-25T23:18:00.004+08:00

"With all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. " (Ephesians 6:18 -RSV)

May the word of God burn into our hearts so that we see more meaning in prayer.

特别的爱给特别的你

2010-07-11T15:00:00.020+08:00

Does the title sound familiar? It is a song sung by Sky Wu (伍思凯). The title came to my mind just a few days before the anthem. I took this 9 words (out of its' original context) because we know of this special someone who manifested His special love towards us while we were sinners.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5: 6 -8)

Who/What made us special?

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ...But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor 4:6-7)

Yes. We were created by Him to be ordinarily special and it is only possible to be the light of the world when the true light is in us.

因为主人特别所以我们特别...所以生命特别.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

How are you doing, channel?

2010-06-28T22:56:00.002+08:00

Yesterday we sang “Channels Only, Of Your Power”.

Channels Only, Blessed Master,
But will all your wondrous pow’r.
Flowing through us, you can use us everyday and every hour.

I glanced at the English lyrics for a moment. Prior to that, I realized my brain tried to associate this song with another matter, when I was lying on my bed. (It is just strange how thoughts come about).

The Stamford Canal drainage system was blocked, causing Orchard Road to flood recently. It was quite a big HOO HA and perhaps God was trying to say something to us.

A canal exist to channel water to where it should flow to and when we talk about flow, it is continuous. So, a clogged canal will not function properly.

If we are channels of God’s power, are we clogged up, hindering the flow?
Are our hearts submissive to God, willing to do His will?

Making more sense

2010-06-22T02:30:00.007+08:00

Thanks for the reminder, Fu Xing. I think I was guilty of it at some point last year, when I realised I was discomforted when served by my juniors. It was really a humbling experience when God revealed the subtleties of my pride to me. Through it, I have seen the beauty of the intricate network running through the body of Christ.

The sad thing is, it doesn’t really happen very often.

That isn’t to say that the structure (the network) itself is faulty but in our self-loving nature, we stop the network from working effectively.

It’s not that we don’t see others’ needs – we do! In fact, sometimes it is conveyed explicitly, making it impossible for one to plea oblivion, but instead of putting our hearts into it and getting our hands dirty, our minds jumpstart to deflect any sort of responsibility with our human reason.

There are very real and undesirable consequences, some I see pertaining to Dominant 7th.

A ministry cannot rest on just one person. One person is not much of a network. When the members are unwilling to take ownership and responsibility towards this choir, most of the work rests on the leader – decision-making, planning, administration, logistics…It can get quite helpless when I hear grouses and excuses when someone is asked to set up the mikes, bring down the speakers, lead warm-ups/sharings/prayers…Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still gladly do these if no one offers to help. But there’s just something very wrong here: we’re not designed to work alone!

Burnout issues aside, the leader has his/her blind spots and will need biblical reminders, admonishments, discussions to make God-pleasing decisions. Where else is s/he to get them from except from fellow brothers and sisters, who are steeped in truth and walk in the light?

Please pray with me, that we will be moved to help one another serve Him better and our motivations be found in Christ alone!

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose…do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2: 1-2, 4

How it made more sense

2010-06-21T23:32:00.008+08:00

Recently, my 写照 was published on 风铃 and I drew out the implications of 1 Cor 12:12-26.
"With God's glory at stake, are we behaving like we can continue serving God without one another's help?"

It was a general question, written not with the intention to pin-point anyone specifically, but to keep us in check of our attitude in service. This question made more sense when I read one of my devotions last week. This is what the author said:

Why is it so hard for me to accept help, especially when a dozen people have offered? In a small way, my attitude smacks of Peter's response to Jesus when the Lord was ready to wash his feet. "What? You, wash my feet? No way, I can't let you serve me like that! You have more important things to do! I'll do it myself!" Guess what's at the center of that attitude? The desire not to "inconvenience" anyone because "I can do it, really" is often intertwined with simple, sinful pride. Accepting help means accepting my limits. It means being humbled by others' service, and I'd rather not, thank you.

Perhaps she is right. The possibility is there. Personally, I think guys have this tendency to take a load more than they can manage. Sadly, the more we try to uphold the masculine front, the more our foolishness and pride become visible. This behavior seems to express the idea that we believe in God but at the same time, believe that we have the strength to take our matters to our own hands.

Where is the humility? Are we really doing things and "DIYing" things out of love and not out of pride? May the Lord humble us as we come to help one another carry burdens.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:2-3)

最好时光

2010-05-25T22:23:00.008+08:00

经常在少年团契职员的祷告会听到这样的代祷事项：求主帮助我，使我更有纪律，能每天灵修。他们接着又会说他们到了读经、灵修的时间已经非常疲惫了，经常在还没有读完之前就睡着了。

最近我才恍然大悟，反过来问他们，为什么用自己最累的那段时间来赴上帝的约会呢？如果在事工上我们精益求精，愿意将自己最好的摆上，为什么到了将时间摆上的时候，我们竟然没有同样的意识呢？

把上好的时间献给主吧。

智者在传道书是持着这精神来劝勉我们：“当趁着你年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到……当记念造你的上主！”（传道书12：1）在你还看得清楚的时候（12：2）、骨头牙齿还硬朗的时候（12：3）、耳朵还灵巧的时候（12：4）、头发还未苍白的时候（12：5）喜乐欢畅。

青少年时期是人生顶峰时期，是精力最旺盛、四肢最灵活、思维最敏锐的时候。在一生还未定型前，身体还未退化、衰败前，将身心奉献于主，让上帝用你一生之久，祝福与造就他人，这是何等美妙的一件事情！

把上好的时间献给主吧！

也许您会说，我已经不是少年人了，最好的时期已经过去了。想想：在世仅剩的年日，今天也许最灿烂！

“趁今年，趁今天，我要为主歌唱；
现在就是最好时光，让我为主歌唱！”

The two incidents

2010-05-23T21:45:00.013+08:00

I've thought of 2 incidents which I believe will be interesting if they are placed side by side. Namely, the construction of the Tower of Babel and the day of Pentacost.

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."

So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:1-8)
_________________________________________________________________________________

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" (Acts 2:1-11)

While God has the power to drive apart people, he also has the power to bring people together for his purposes. May we find true unity in Christ, live by the Spirit and do all things for His glory.

Amazing Grace (from an amazing voice)

2010-05-04T19:13:00.006+08:00

Inaccurate lyrics aside (it's Taiwan, so...), great voice and extremely skillful musical expression - an immensely beautiful rendition.

Something to think about: Does it matter whether he knew the meaning of the lyrics?

Meditation on labor

2010-05-01T15:01:00.009+08:00

*clears up the cobwebs*

Hi all. I came here to share about my meditations on labor on Labor day.
Let us look at a few passages.

When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:4b-7)

God created us and desires for us to work, not for ourselves but for Him. Initially, it may refer to manual work to maintain this creation. Now we should consider it as general work and work to keep things running, in a way to help to maintain the society and economy.

God desires us to be his co-worker. That being said, he is not handing all the work to us but working alongside with us. Systematically the passage showed that God did his part by damping the ground with water in the streams, before creating man as solutions (v6) to the problems mentioned in the preceding verse (v5).

Next passage I want to share will be Ecclesiastes 3:9-15.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Here King Solomon also sees work as a God-given task. I believe God wants us to appreciate the beauty of His work and and so we should make our work beautiful too. God wants us to enjoy working for him and view work as a gift from Him. Therefore, we need to thank God for work.

The last point is that God does all that he does for us because he wants us to revere Him and hence, all that we do should be an act of reciprocating his love for us. That being said, through work we can be a good testimony to God. May it bring others to revere Him too.

Let us do all our part for Him in reverence of Him. If work is not done for Him and our satisfaction is not derived from Him, everything that we are pursuing are but vanities; All is vanity and grasping for the passing wind.

Love Lustres At Calvary

2010-04-01T01:45:00.007+08:00

MY FATHER,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips,
___supply words that proclaim ‘Love lustres at Calvary’.
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son,
___made a transgressor, a curse and a sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified,
___and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
___and infinite punishment was endured.

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
______cast off that I might be brought in,
______trodden down as an enemy
_________that I might be welcomed as friend,
______surrendered to hell’s worst
_________that I might attain heaven’s best,
______stripped that I might be clothed,
______wounded that I might be healed,
______athirst that I might drink,
______tormented that I might be comforted,
______made a shame that I might inherit glory,
______entered darkness that I might have eternal light.

My Saviour wept all tears that might be wiped from my eyes,
______groaned that I might have endless song,
______endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
______bored a thorned crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
______bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
______experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
______closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
______expired that I might for ever live.

O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
___my every step buoyant with delight, as I see
______my enemies crushed,
______Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
______sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
______hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open.

Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,
___mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

another leaf from
The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions

Questions to ponder

2010-03-28T23:09:00.007+08:00

Today, I read the the Book of Luke (chapter 22 till the end). While I was re-enacting the events which took place before Jesus' crucifixion, I wondered how Barabbas, the rebel (John 18:40) and murderer (Luke 23:18-19), felt when he was released instead of Jesus. He was probably felt relieved when he escaped the death penalty.

Would he want to know about Jesus, who seem to be most undeserving of this most cruel punishment? Would he care less about Him who, in a way, died in his place?

罪人之中有我为首，是否还能蒙主赦宥？
How different are we from Barabbas?

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:39-42)

Do we fear God? Do we join the crowd to mock at Him or join the crowd to repent and weep for ourselves (Luke 23:28)? Are we in deep repentance?

Let's pray that we 'may not enter into temptation' (Luke 22:40b).
求使我诚心悔改
为我过犯满悲哀
过去悖逆今深悔
痛哭归主永离罪

Betrayal

2010-02-22T23:01:00.019+08:00

(picture taken from http://www.snoopy.com/)

Words from yesterday's sermon still linger in my mind. It reminded me of this sentence that Auntie Song Ci said.

"不要让你的行为出卖你的信心!"

As we read about the Judas betraying his teacher(Jesus), I thought perhaps he was not the only one who betrayed Jesus. Peter denied his relationship with Jesus, with fear that his association/relationship with him will bring him danger/death. Perhaps we have betrayed him too. We may have hidden our relationship with God. We may have said or done something which hurt Jesus. We may have pushed Jesus away to pull something else (i.e money, fame, pride etc) towards us.

As we enter the period of Lent, let us once again bring our broken and contrite heart before God
and seek to know our loving savior more. May godly sorrow bring about enduring repentance.

A familiar song...

2010-02-14T23:28:00.005+08:00

I was preparing the quiet time material for choir prac yesterday and I recalled the funny, awkward, sweet and warm performance that the guys did for the girls a couple of years back. (I think someone did upload the video on this blog. Look through the archives, yah?)

Anyway, I played with the idea of using part of the song to capture the special, wondrous relationship God has with us. Happy Valentine's Day! <3>

L is for the way You LOOK at me…

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…” (Genesis 1: 31)

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…” (Colossians 1: 22)

O is for the ONLY ONE I see…

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in the temple.” (Psalm 27: 4)

V is VERY VERY extraordinary…

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15: 13)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5: 8)

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgression – it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2: 4 – 5)

E is EVEN MORE than anyone that you adore…

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…” (Philippians 3: 7 – 8)

Radical love

2010-02-14T00:22:00.009+08:00

To love at all is to be vulnerable. ~ C.S. Lewis

Today, we had a sobering reminder that love is not self-seeking but rather, self-denial.
The self seekers expect gain from a relationship but God wants us to think about his concept of love and see love in a different light.

Here in Luke Chapter 6:27-36 is a snippet of what God's love is about: loving your enemies. One who study his words will wonder what he mean when he said that "to him who strikes you in one cheek, offer the other also(1). And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either(2). Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back(3)."

That's insane! You mean I have to do this literally? Just what is Jesus getting at?

1. In the midst of rejection, Jesus wants us to continue to serve Him even if it mean exposing yourselves to the threat of rejection. Love is vulnerable, likely subjected to repeated abuse.

2. One should not seek revenge but remain exposed. One should also be willing to take even more risks because of love.

3. One is to be generous (= putting others' needs first = self-denial) and not keep count.

Such self-denial is the essence of love. The consummate example is the cross, where Jesus gave to those who had taken.

When God commanded us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves did it occur to you that our neighbours actually include our enemies?
Having known the love of God, are we sensitive to the conditions of our neighbours? Do we put ourselves in their shoes before we judge them?

May God's love compel us to love like how he loves us.

God is always ready to love

2010-02-07T18:14:00.017+08:00

The parable of the prodigal sons tells us that we have a father unlike any other.
We may not be ready to be God's children but God is always ready to be our father.
We may not be ready to be God's lamb (Isaiah 53:6) but God is always willing to take care of us.

Have we yet to lay our deadly 'goodness' down before Jesus and embrace him as our only good?

ref : http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/The_Prodigal_Sons.mp3

thousands of words

2010-01-23T13:23:00.004+08:00

崎岖高低... sorta.

Its quite black and white. 黑白记忆 i guess..

Our dear Lord isn't away when we're down, neither is he just standin' there. He brought along tissues...

Shoes left in a hurry. "Proof" of abandonment. Oh God! WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME!

My bible. In there is the promise of fellowship on the journey of the cross.. the dude in the song doesnt think the promise is true.. hence the bible's discarded and collecting dirt.. well, sand.

Plain: memories sealed in a bottle. Imperishable. The bottle was some really robust stuff, i tried to crack it open with a piece of solid metal... didnt work.. or maybe the heat from the sun was really getting into me.

The cone shell, recorder of the sea. You listen to it and hear the sound of the sea, right?

Hence, instead of really somehow projecting (or photoshopping) memories into the night sky, here's the substitute.

The sleeping bag represents "having had" the dream. It saves the photographers alot of trouble which will be incurred should the photos be taken at night.

2010-01-21T21:04:00.005+08:00

- photo by Tucky

Dear Dominant 7th,

Footprints in the Sand once told me its lesson with great force – His great love and faithfulness, my blindness and weakness. Through the years, it has lost its impact on me. I would recognize it immediately in its clichéd form, printed on a photograph of a set of footprints (or two) on the sand by the beach, and go, “Ah, THAT story, I know how it goes” then move on to other things, without giving it another thought.

Weeks of uninspiring rehearsals passed and I wondered if there’s any worth in singing this song at all? Surely you guys have heard, read and seen this, now even sung it more than a dozen times. Is there anything more, something to inspire an inspiring rendition, perhaps?

你说只要紧紧跟随你
你会陪我走到底
为何当我最忧伤低迷
你却选择远离

I saw myself staking a claim to a promise that He’s made, suggesting that I was faithful even in the tough times and implying that He did not keep His side of the bargain to walk with me. As I began to read between the lines, I saw a child, an ego-centric child, thinking like a child, talking like a child, having not the slightest idea what was actually happening. Beneath all the hurt, pain and disappointment lay self-righteousness, demanding that I be rightfully rewarded for what I had done.

“……
亲爱的宝贝我疼你
永不会将你撇弃
当你软弱
双脚无力
可知道狂风中
我怀抱着你 ”

How little I understood of His grace!
If He hadn’t chose me, called me, would I have followed Him?
If He hadn’t carried me, kept me, would I have continued on this path with Him?
Did I even have the capacity, the strength to do anything righteous out of my own accord?

It’s only when we come to grips with our total depravity that we begin to comprehend the depth of His love and open our eyes to His infinite glory.

May His love be our inspiration this Sunday, for us to carry each note with gratitude for His glory.

Love, Apple

2010-01-18T12:59:00.004+08:00

yes, during sermon there was this voice resounding in my head.
must write, must write....

well the verse for the sermon was phil 1:9
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

as usual, a chinese methodist pastor would go and say
hence, we must achieve a balance between our biblical knowledge and our love for one another.

that'd miss the point, because there is no balance to speak of if true spiritual knowledge results in greater love: which you'll discover in verse 10
10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
Not reckless love, but righteous God glorifying love.

thank God, the pastor didnt go "as usual" and delivered the message as it is.

my contention? balance.
i dislike the word balance because people just misunderstand it.
this is imbalance, as many think, and are right in think so..
____
____
____
____
____ ____
____ ____
balance, as they think

____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
not so, balance isnt the compromise of one leading to the rise of another.
If the rows on the left represent knowledge and the right represents love, what are we saying?
that an avid reader of the bible and spiritual books should put down his book and start trying to manufacture affections of love for the people around him?
Not so, if he is lacking in love, let him repent. What safer way to repent than to continue keeping himself deeply rooted in meditation of His word?
The Christian balance is radical, it is not a compromise:
____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
This, is then a balance worthy of being called "Christ-likeness".
God is infinite, and has infinite zeal in everything he does. His justice, His mercy, the wrath He made Jesus bear on the cross, His love, His glory etc.
If as Christians we seek to conform to the image of Christ, then such is the balance we want to seek in our lives.
And God isn't being harsh on us by demanding such a standard. Refer to the message at the start of this post!
God says to you that if indeed you comprehend (hence grow) in knowledge, then your love will be refined, will grow, as well!

He has prepared ahead of us a perfect mechanism to help us.
Hence, do not be discouraged, it isn't easy, but God already knows.

2010

2010-01-04T21:28:00.011+08:00

"Time has no divisions to mark its passage; there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols."

-- Thomas Mann

My sentiments exactly. But count each day, we must, and make each day count.

Each day is as new as the one that starts the year.
Every moment is a new beginning, a new resurrection–
dying to our old selves, living in Christ, with Christ, for Christ.

"Teach us to number our days aright,
____that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
- Psalms 90:12

Giving thoughts, giving thanks

2009-12-23T12:27:00.011+08:00

This year's Christmas is quite different from the rest. For one, this year's focus is more of outreach than celebratory. Hence, instead of bringing the usual 'is christmas about presents' punchlines, we brought the congregation to look inward and reflect on life and also what it means to live a meaningful life.

I think the recent skit not only prompted others to think but also to act. Through the characters in the skit, we may see a shadow ourselves. Did you identify yourself with any of the characters?
Personally, I have. I saw a shadow of my old self in the mathematician, one who is mostly driven by logic than feelings and adding to his task-oriented personality, you can say he is close to being a cyborg(half robot). And as I observed the optimistic girl, I thought perhaps there are situations where others need more practical help but we end up only saying words like 'don't worry so much'.

This Christmas season called me to take an exercise of faith to stretch it. I felt God asking me to think about what I can give and give. Hence, I ruminated about giving. It brought me to a story called A Giving Tree. A summary of the story goes like this.

The Giving Tree is a tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in a forest. The tree always provides the boy with what he wants: branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit, apples to eat, branches with which to build a home. As the boy grows older he requires more and more of the tree. The tree loves the boy very much and gives him anything he asks for. In the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, the tree lets the boy cut her down so the boy can build a boat in which he can sail. The boy leaves the tree, now a stump. Many years later, the boy, now an old man, returns and the tree says, "I have nothing left to give you." The boy replies, " I do not need much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest." The tree then says, "Good! A tree stump is a great place to do just that! Come boy, sit down and be happy." The boy obliged and the tree was happy.

Though this story has got little relation with Christianity, I know Christ also called us to devote our lives to love/serve others.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 john 3:16

As I read John Piper's Sermon about "He Who Sows Bountifully Will Reap Bountifully", God revealed to me that a heart which gives sparingly thinks not about the giving but actually the keeping. When we say 'spare my life', we want to keep it from God. But of course, God would want you to 'spare no effort' (which means hold back no effort) , not getting weary of doing good for His glory.

By God's grace, I actually formulated a concept from John Piper's sermon. It is simply packed into two words called give thanks. This phrase is pretty common isn't it? But when you meditate on the words and see what you get together, it is all pretty fascinating.

We look at the word give and think of God. Do we see God more as a giver or a taker? We know God gives and takes away but do you see him giving you more than He takes? Is loss not considered gain? God is definitely a giver and he blesses us abundantly. If it is a fact which does not change, then it makes Him a giver before and after our giving. This makes one wonder about the multiplier effect when I think about God's giving and how his giving enable us to give to others.

Now with what I have gathered,we look at the word thanks. It is a word of gratitude and I believe it is a godly attitude. When we want to thank God for things, we acknowledge that he gave (or take away) for divinely good purposes. We should thank God that he gave and continues to give us abundantly for every good work. We should thank God for the fact that it is more blessed to give than to recieve. And in the act of giving and thanking God, not only blessings will be multiplied but also that more will give thanks to Him.

And there you have it! I call this concept the give thanks cycle.
Let this post be a prompt to live a life which seeks God for who He is and gives thanks to Him.

A thrill of hope

2009-12-18T22:37:00.012+08:00

Some time last week, I read the lyrics of the song O Holy Night. Then I stopped at this line.

"...A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices..."

Thrill: a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, sometimes manifested as a tremor or
tingling sensation passing through the body.

Yes. The savior's birth brought this thrill of hope! His presence caused an immediate and sudden change. There is none as influential as Him. And we rejoice today because back then the angels brought great tidings of joy which will be to all people.

But why was the world weary? Let's take a look at Matthew 11:28-29.

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Here Jesus gave an open invitation. To who? To those who are burdened by their spiritual bankruptcy and the weight of trying to save themselves by keeping the law.

Jesus came to fufill the law(Matt 5:17) and promised righteousness to everyone who believes(Romans 10:4). This meant that believing in Christ the Lord and Savior ends the sinner's futile quest for righteousness through his imperfect attempts to save himself by effort's to obey the law.

It is by God's grace, undeserved.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

2009-12-14T01:02:00.008+08:00

今天从崇拜中所领悟到的一重点：

主耶稣真的很尊贵。（希1：1-4）

所以的确很难想象，撇下尊贵威严到底是何等一回事。

是超乎人的思考能力范围吧。。。

（我有时连为主撇下我舒服的单人床都不愿意）

What is Glory? What is Majesty?

What's more, What does it mean to put those down? From riches to rags...

嗨，人的弊病就是把宝贵的看为粪土，把粪土看为宝贵的。

提醒自己要时刻反省、咀爵耶稣荣耀的真理，从而更深体会他降卑的奥秘。

The significance of Adventus

2009-11-30T22:23:00.002+08:00

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure for the second coming of Christ.

It is a reminder to stop.
And remember that throughout life we are waiting for something big; something that requires our attention and preparation: the second coming of Christ.

May the Lord give us grace today for whatever that comes tomorrow.

等待……

2009-11-29T21:18:00.006+08:00

忘了是谁曾经对我说：“等待是最美丽的浪费。”

想象当年
黑暗世界在哀哭与呻吟中等待救世主的出现
将罪污洗涤

活在今时
忠心子民在希望与应许中期盼主基督的再来
将万有归于
一

忘了是谁曾经对我说：“等待是最美丽的浪费。”

那天
我在他人手所筑的坑里呆了一阵子
发现
一块世人都瞧不起的木头

那天
祂在人手所筑的刑具上挂了一阵子
成就
一个超乎世人所能想象的奇迹
一条出路

这天
他已在坑里呆上好些日子
等待
一个我们都得付上的代价

忘了是谁曾经对我说：“等待是最美丽的浪费。”

Only Grace.

2009-11-23T19:34:00.003+08:00

"Only grace from God can bear the weight of life."
- Peter Chao

We fight with grace, in the battle of living.

My Song is Love Unknown

2009-10-31T00:22:00.005+08:00

I prefer its Chinese translation.

Words: Samuel Crossman (1664)
Music: Unknown

歌颂无比大爱
深奧奇妙难猜
加於冷酷之人
铁石心肠为开
主竟为我道成肉身
捐躯舍生苦杯独饮

主曾舍弃宝座
成全救恩为我
人不认识天父
竟将主恩错过
基督是我最好朋友
舍弃生命赎我愆尤!

有人以衣铺路
对主热烈拥护
前簇後拥高唱
和散拿归基督
竟又大声叫釘死衪
要把衪高悬在十架

人们如此恨主
究竟是何緣故
衪使跛者行走
又使盲者复睹
但这些人妬忌愤慨
同施毒計将衪谋害

我愿永远歌颂
主爱何等高崇
从无如此大爱
从无如此苦痛
因衪是我天朋良友
我愿歌唱赞美不休

"Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be."
My song is Love Unknown,
My life is Christ enthroned!

Above the canopy of stars surely a loving Father dwells

2009-10-25T04:17:00.004+08:00

Two nights ago, I saw a whole sky full of stars. That's something I've never seen in Singapore. I believe Beethoven had seen it too.

Do you sense the Creator, world?
See Him above the canopy of stars!
Brothers! Brothers!
Above the canopy of stars surely a loving Father dwells.

-- Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D-Minor, Opus 125, "Choral"

I was reminded that it took a miracle from none other than the loving Heavenly Father, the Great Conductor of the celestial chimes, to put the stars in place.

He gave us direction and written a part for us to play. He gave us a reason to make music in the grand symphony of life that he has orchestrated. Let the Lord make beautiful music in and through our lives. =)

Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD. (Psalms 4:5)

Close Call

2009-10-22T13:04:00.002+08:00

It’s kinda nice staying near church. As one of the Queens townfolk used to say, if the church needs extra hands, you’re just a few minutes away. Well, it was weird to be sitting in front of the terminal at home on a Wednesday night, though I was really looking forward to a quiet evening of work and a Sunday service where I could participate in corporate worship without a care.

Recently, I found singing in the worship ministry a tremendous means of grace, through which God draws me nearer to Him, shows and reminds me who He is, comforts and strengthens me. I have a persistent Martha problem, I think most of you already know – my hands are so busy, my mind is preoccupied and my heart prone to wander. Imagine my delight when I realized that the quietest moments of last week came during the weekend through serving in song, both in Shao Tuan and Hua2. So I didn’t hesitate when the ‘call of duty’ came last night.

Yes, I said DUTY.

Duty, not in the “I don’t want to, but if I must, I will do it” attitude but more like answering the compelling call within, to fulfill the purpose for which you were made. Both are obligations in some way, but their effects are profoundly different. Taken in the first sense, there is an element of dread and grudge because you are bound by only by commitment, in turn only our promises are honoured. Taken in the second sense, there is JOY in duty – when God’s will is revealed to you, when the Spirit moves you to respond to this revelation in appropriate ways!

Wait, what ‘revelation’???

No, I’m not talking abstract here, but I’m also taking this in two senses.

God’s will is revealed to us in Scripture – what pleases God, what He is concerned about, what He wants His children to be, His desires…These we can know, by His grace, through God-given wisdom. And if we are truly passionate about God and His glory, I pray that we will be ignited and inspired within to answer these calls.

The other kind of ‘revelation’ is more specific and it differs from person to person. For me, I know that I’ll be in the worship ministry for a long time. This is the area of service I’ve been called to take up many years back. It was a strong, resounding call and I know deep within that this is where God has put me in His family. It’s my duty lovingly assigned by Him, to work, to play and to serve right here.

Knowledge always has its implications and this is probably why I answered ‘the call’ last night. I wasn’t going beyond the call of duty. I was merely fulfilling it, with joy.

If I may borrow the words from When I Look Into Your Holiness:
When we find the joy of reaching His heart, when our wills become enthralled in His love, our only appropriate response is WORSHIP.

"你爱我比更深吗?"

2009-10-11T18:11:00.008+08:00

This post came pretty late but I just wanted to point out something.

When we look at John 21:15-17, it seems as if Jesus and Peter have been repeating the same phrases three times.

Three times the same question was asked. But for the first two times Jesus asked if Peter love(agape) Him and Peter answered, that he love(philia) Him. On the third time, Jesus asked if Peter love(philia) Him and that was when Peter grieved, as Jesus revealed to him that he was, perhaps, reluctant to make a claim of supreme devotion to God because in the past, his life did not support such a claim.

Agape meant total devotion, to hold high regard of, to be contented at or with a thing.
Philia meant brotherly love, friendship and affection.

(I may not grasp the complete meaning for these two words but philia is nothing like agape.)

As we search our hearts for answers, it is my hope that you will bring this knowledge with you, as you consider your area of service next year.

On Desires

2009-10-09T00:38:00.016+08:00

O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYER,
Teach me to pray.

I confess that in religious excercises
___the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed,
___that I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue
______a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility,
___that I have often desired things which would have injured me,
___that I have depreciated some of my chief mercies,
___that I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears,
___that I am unfit to choose for myself,

______for it is not in me to direct my steps.

Let thy Spirit help my infirmities,
___for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask the right things,
___then I shall know thou hearest me.

May I never be importunate for temporal blessings,
___but always refer them to thy fatherly goodness,
___for thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul propers,
______or that I am rich unless rich towards thee,
______or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.

May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have thy blessing,
___rather than be successful in enterprise,
______or have more than my heart can wish,
___or be admired by my fellow-men,
______if thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexation of spirit,
______and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in thy favour, image, presence, service.

a leaf from

The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions

A savour of death unto death itself, and life unto life to others.

2009-10-06T18:32:00.009+08:00

Excellent video, Beat. And yes, Sermon Index is truly a wonderful resource.

My short response:

"The glory of the gospel is that when the Church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her message, though it may hate it at first. That is how revival comes. That must also be true of us as individuals. It should not be our ambition to be as much like everybody else as we can, though we happen to be Christian, but rather to be as different from everybody who is not a Christian as we can possibly be. Our ambition should be to be like Christ, the more like Him the better, and the more like Him we become, the more we shall be unlike everybody who is not a Christian."

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Introduction to the Beatitudes

2009-10-05T10:08:00.002+08:00

In preparation for this week's anthem, I think this will shed some light for our reflection.

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/myvideo/photo.php?lid=1412

"The denial of self in any form is suffering". -Katz

Do we allow ourselves too many comforts?

This is an awesome site by the way. They actuallly have audio sermons by Tozer! @_@
And some more amazing videos and sermons...

No fear.

2009-10-02T01:02:00.003+08:00

Children are really the most innocent.

As I was teaching my 6 year old niece and 8 year old nephew, their conversation left a deep impression on me.

B: Mei, are you very honest? (while doing his maths homework)
G: What does honest mean? (colouring her rabbits)
B: Honest means like you like to tell the truth la…
G: (Silence and still colouring attentively)
B: Why are you so honest ah… Why you so honest…
G: I don’t know… (still colouring her rabbits)
M: So, are you honest?
B: No, I am not. I always lie.
M: (Silence)
B: Ya, I always tell lies so I’m not honest. (doing his work)
M: Then why do you always tell lies?
B: Because I fear punishment.
M: (Silence)

His response stunned me.
I knew I couldn’t reply then, taken aback at the innocent forthrightness.

Fear is a human condition.

Punishment is a human response to the human condition of fear. Punishment can only give birth to fear.

Fear eats away our ability to Love, to Embrace, to Encourage.

Our world is crazy-filled with fear of all sorts and sizes. The concept of Mutually Assured Destruction, basically hinges on the opponent’s fear. See what it spells?

Yep, MAD.

That is how perverse our minds can get when we grow up under the atmosphere of fear; when fear surpasses love, we are under pressure to stick to the rules or be ready to receive punishment. So, when fear loses its grip, hell breaks loose. This is when we do not fear the punishment anymore.

We see it in anarchy, where there is no government rule; no laws to control, people just do whatever they want because their actions are unpunished.

So, can you imagine living under a fear of something tangible or intangible, every minute of your life?

If you list down all your fears and compare it, we are all the same actually.

Death
Failure
Acceptance
Rejection
Forgiveness
Loss
Judgment
Life, after death.

“God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. “ -1John 4: 16-19(ESV)

How revolutionary this message is to our fear-filled world!

Thanks and glory be to God, our dear Father, thanks be to Jesus Christ, our messiah and embodiment of love, our atonement. Thus we no longer live under the rule of fear if we abide in God. What else do you fear that Christ has not bore for you?

Love for Him ought to motivate our every breathing, every living, and every dying.

So, no(t) fear.

Ah, I love those little children.

How are you responding to God today?

2009-09-27T22:11:00.005+08:00

With pride?
Pride says: I know better.

With fear of losing out in something?
Fear says: I know my needs better.

Or with faith?
Faith says: You know better.

Prayer

2009-09-20T01:38:00.003+08:00

does not change God but changes him who prays.
-- Soren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher (1813 - 1855)

若是没有神的启示......

2009-09-09T02:03:00.005+08:00

今天与搞笑党去看「死海古卷」的展览。

约了下午3点多见面，走到新加坡艺术馆却被一群不在场的“白衣人”给拦在门外。几经波折，（间中滑稽事件不断发生）终于在傍晚7点多钟得以入场。

其实，古卷的发现所带给学术界的冲击与振奋，我们局外人是无法完全体会与了解的。看着零碎的古卷与许多旧版的圣经并没有使我的思维与情绪起太大的波动。但得知那些翻译先锋、文士、神学学者、传道等为了让普世能读到神的话语所附上的精力与代价的时候，我不得不感谢上帝－他大能的手推动着人类的历史，人文文化的遗产都得见他的足迹！

若不是上帝兴起他的仆人，我们要如何开始去解读上帝的话语？
若印刷机没有被发明，如今我们都能拥有圣经吗？

若是没有神的启示......

Going Home

2009-08-24T02:52:00.003+08:00

Last Sunday morning, I was in a mad rush to make it for prayer meeting.
Thank God for cabs, I thought to myself.

Me: Uncle, Commonwealth MRT station hor.
U: 好, Commonwealth 啊...

We both fell silent. Like always, I don't like to talk to strangers.
Then at a major junction…

U: 你去教堂啊?
Me: Uncle 你怎么知道?
U: 星期天这么早出门，不是去庙里拜拜就是去教堂 lor.
Me: 哦，是这样...
U: 以前我也有去教会的，小时候在那里长大。
Me: 那你为什么现在没有去了？
U: 哎呀，都一样啦，人不就是要在死后上天堂 lor. 你们 Christian 说上天堂，我们佛教就说去极乐世界，还不是一样?...

I don’t think Nirvana is a place that Buddhists believe they go to after they die.
We were around Queenstown at this point. Anyway, the uncle went on.

U: …你们讲信耶稣就上天堂嘛，我们做好事就可以去极乐世界。
Me: 那么Uncle，你有把握去极乐世界吗？
U: 极乐世界 ah…很难到的 leh…
Me: 所以你没有把握啊？
U: 只可以尽力做啦...

The cab pulled into the taxi stand outside church.

Me: Uncle, 我很肯定地知道我以后会到哪里去。如果你想知道为什么我那么肯定 hor，我的教堂就在前面，你可以来。
U: Okay, okay 谢谢你 ah…

There's something cheerfully comforting when He turned my weakness (lateness) into an opportunity.

“无言的赞颂”

2009-08-23T00:22:00.011+08:00

在香港的时候，参加了朋有教会的崇拜，认识了这首诗歌。

旋律很简单，伴奏亦很简单。歌词取自于诗篇19，述说着上帝造化的荣耀。

歌曲详情可查阅此：http://www.christianstudy.com/data/hymns/text/c0223.html

今天查经的时候问了一个自己感到相当惊讶的问题。

“什么是上帝的荣耀？”

带领的人之前提出了出埃及记33：18-19 来解释什么是认识上帝以及祂的荣耀。

惊讶是因为自以为已经想过了这个课题，但其实我还是似懂非懂却还常挂嘴边。。。

看了经文过后还是有一点儿觉得“上帝的荣耀”很abstract.　(Maybe its my problem)

最后得到的回答是，“上帝的荣耀”是祂的主权（sovereignty)。

我目前接受这个答案因为我知道我这一生都无法完全理清关于荣耀的实情，直到我见主面。

最后就想到这首诗歌，“无言无语，也无声音可听

　　　　　　　　　　　神的大能却在世上知晓。”

就先让自己欣赏诸天所述说关于神的荣耀并且使心灵受到极大的震撼与敬畏。因为当静心聚神地观察宇宙时，人的渺小、卑微将凸显于上帝荣耀及主权之下。

For the video:　http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3STpaNLtUI

UP and AWAY...

2009-08-19T23:42:00.002+08:00

‘UP' is not for the hard-hearted.

Within 15 minutes it just pounds on your heart like trying a make a piece of meat tender and soft, ready to absorb the juices during marination (there’s no such word). And before you know it, the hackneyed love story of growing old together once again succeeds in awakening the innate human desire for eternity. For eternal, enduring love. As you watch you secretly hope that Carl and Ellie will last and helplessly grief the passing away of a beloved wife to a faithful husband. At the moment, it made me wonder how anyone could possibly bring themselves to marriage if they could foresee such loss.

Just as you are still struggling with Carl to get by the days without Ellie, before you know it, the scene when you have to watch Carl watch his house fly away and disappear through the clouds… Those 10 seconds left me defenseless and swallowing my saliva, thinking “Is that me there?” I was expecting a, go in, giggle, laugh, tear maybe and that’s it. But the writers knew just what most people struggle with…

To Carl, the house encompassed all the golden dreams and fancies that he ever had. It was his solace from the cold world outside and he just had to go everywhere with it. So for him to watch his house fly away is asking him to put down all his emotional baggage from the past and all the unfulfilled regrets that he often looked back upon and giving all those UP.

Did that scene strike a chord in your heart?

How many of us carry our houses with us (till death do us part) that we find it strenuous to move onto new pastures in life?

I was lectured by Lloyd-Jones on foolish people harbouring on their vain regrets, who refuse to see that regrets are time-consuming and many times irrational. Yet they occupy such a large part of the burden we carry in life. When things fail, we run back to them and sob and lament that good times are gone for good. Then we get stuck in this state of spiritual depression.

Are we willing and ready to give up our past burdens and regrets, thus embracing that our Lord’s mercies are new every morning, helping us to hope for the better future?

我爱传扬主福音

2009-07-20T01:02:00.003+08:00

我爱传扬主福音__述说天上事情
讲说耶稣的妙爱__讲说他的生平事迹
我爱传扬主福音__因知道它真实
世上一切不能及__福音满足我灵

---我爱传扬主福音__日后在天也不停
---歌唱旧日的福音__称颂耶稣慈爱

我爱传扬主福音__常讲耶稣圣道
每当从头说一回__感觉加倍甘甜美好
我爱传扬主福音__因多人未听到
天父奇妙的救恩__圣经有福真道

我爱传扬主福音__因它历久常新
许多人虽已熟悉__仍喜欢与他人同听
将来眼见主光荣__我必欢唱新歌
新歌依旧是当初__我心所爱福音

————————————————————————————————————————

我非常喜欢这篇译词。每当唱到最后一节的时候，都会有一股暖流涌上心头。

福音本是神的大能，给人活泼的盼望。
回想，当初若不是有人向我们传讲这好消息，恐怕至今仍是死在罪中。
愿圣灵挑起我们心中的火，帮助我们每日不停歌唱，传扬这历久常新的福音！

Loving God with Our Minds

2009-06-10T01:46:00.008+08:00

Not so long ago

A: …so I was telling the youths that they must read, study, interpret, excavate the Word, dig for nuggets of wisdom. Because they can.

B: What do you mean by ‘because they can’?

A: I mean, they have been given the intellectual ability to do so, so they should put it to use.

B: Just because I can paint, doesn’t mean I HAVE TO. Why the obligation?

A: …
______________________________________________________

That day, I was dumbstruck, taken aback by the rebuttal. I didn’t expect anyone to go against (what I thought to be) axioms. Axioms need no explanation; they are just taken to be true. I couldn’t justify why I thought what I said was right.

Thank God, days later, I was at the library and I chanced upon Habits of the Mind by James W. Sire. A familiar verse struck at my numbed mind. I had found my answer.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Mark 12:30

In essence, we’re called to love Him with our minds.

In English, the word “mind” can refer to “consciousness and thought”, “intellect or memory” and “attention or will”. In the mini-tussle with my friend, I had unwittingly made reference to the “intellect” or the ability to think, question, reason and understand.

We’re called, not just to use our mind to love God, but to use ALL of it, to the best of our ability. Stretch it. Challenge it.

But how does exercising the intellect (this particular aspect of “mind”) relate to loving God?

I guess the most obvious way is to study (not just read) His Word, to discover what God has revealed about Himself through the Scriptures, to make links across Scripture, to grapple with the Truth, to see the big picture, to grasp the incredible nature of grace…to allow His Word to shape our thoughts and desires...

“Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.”

1 Corinthians 14:20

我要因他...(arppegiation)...背起十架

2009-05-30T23:59:00.007+08:00

The act of taking up your cross demonstrates your willingness to suffer and even die for His sake.

The act of taking up your cross implies your readiness for the victimhood of scorning and mockery.

The act of taking up your cross en route to the place of execution shows your submission to the authority against which you had previously rebelled.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."

2 Tim 4:7-8

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."

1 Cor 15:10

Thanks GCMC, for the wonderful opportunity.

And as usual, we get the joy, God gets the glory.

Pray my child, pray...

2009-05-12T12:55:00.003+08:00

Teach ___________, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And he/she shall observe it to the end.
Give ___________ understanding, that he/she may observe Your law
And keep it with all his/her heart.
Make ___________ walk in the path of Your commandments,
For he/she delights in it.
Incline ___________’s heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.
Turn away ___________’s eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive him/her in Your ways.
Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You.
Turn away their reproach which they dread,
For Your ordinances are good.
Behold, ___________ longs for Your precepts;
Revive him/her through Your righteousness.

Adapted from Psalm 119:33-40 (NASB)

When we start to sway,
driven off path by life's big waves.
remember my child,
to pray, to pray.

Pray for someone today.

Depth of Mercy

2009-04-11T00:10:00.003+08:00

by Charles Wesley (1740)

Depth of mercy! Can there be
mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God his wrath forbear,
me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood his grace,
long provoked him to his face,
would not hearken to his calls,
grieved him by a thousand falls.

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
oft profaned his hallowed name,
put him to an open shame.

There for me the Savior stands,
shows his wounds and spreads his hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Now incline me to repent,
let me now my sins lament,
now my foul revolt deplore,
weep, believe, and sin no more.
_________________________________________

I'm acutely aware that I haven't been posting original writings on the blog recently. That's partly because I'm amazed at how these words written some three centuries ago still ring true today, that the "I" in the songs applies to each believer in this incredibly wide span of time, each of us so undeserving of this redeeming grace that helped us escape the wrath of God.

I hope the poems/songs help you to meditate during this Holy Week, and perhaps help you to start grasping how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ!

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

2009-04-09T13:38:00.003+08:00

by Isaac Watts (1707)

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
_________________________________________

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him..." (Philippians 3: 7-9)

Thought for the day...

2009-03-25T23:27:00.001+08:00

"I am personally convinced that there are two major areas of defeat for most Christians. The first is the unprofitable reliving of the past, nursing either wrongs committed against us or regrets for sins we have committed. The second is unwarranted preoccupation with the future."

I am personally convinced too I think.

And a third one to add to the list- failure to pray.

Thought for the day...

Sublime.

2009-03-20T14:42:00.018+08:00

Hey! It's me again :)

I just want to share my heart's thoughts before they slip away amidst other things...

Recently, I have been so blessed to witness so much of nature's beauty. You know, those that make you kind of melt... Sublime, yes. ("Sublime" happens to also be the name of a Spanish song which I'm currently listening to)

Just not long ago, a sister was asking me about Romans 1:19-20 and what it meant.
I was thinking it shouldn't be difficult to explain. But you know, its just not the same explaining creation in words and witnessing it in action for yourself. And finally I got the chance to...

Courtesy of Sandy Chan

Isn't it AWEsome?

We were on the bus that was driving towards Jalisco, Guadalajara. It was around 7.00 in the morning. The bus was very quiet except for some soft snores because everyone was sleeping. For some reason I felt very awake and decided to just enjoy the scenery along the way. On my side of the bus (right), I couldn't see the sunrise, it was more of grassland and mountains. But then when the sun started rising, it reflected on the pane of my window and I turned around immediately to the awesome sight! Haha words wanted to explode out of my mouth. But then I decided to leave a moment for myself to just worship in silence before disrupting the serenity of the sunrise.

After that, I ran to tap on my friend's shoulder very gently so that she would not wake up startled but rather respond gently. I was just trying to preserve it for as long as I could...

"Sandy, sandy wake up... Look outside, the sun is rising..."

Haha her immediate reaction was "Wah..." then whipped out her camera next to capture that shot above. Thank God she did cos my camera died just when I pressed the shutter. Urgh.

Thereafter, we just stood there observing the silence and wishing the bus would drive slower.

Instinctively, I felt that there had to be music to express our heart's thoughts. So, I took out my mp3 and played "Alas and did my Saviour Bleed" (revised version with uber Cello), I gave one side of the earpiece to her. Then, I told her while keeping my eyes glued to the sun, " This is what I meant by Romans 1:19-20."

"in the things that have been made", we know God; his eternal power and divine nature.
Hence, we are "without excuse" to not know that a Creator exists. We do not give glory to creation but rather, to the Creator. However, our sick hearts have worshipped nature's beauty.

Along the way and before, I saw many other manifestations of God's ingeniousity in creation that never fails to make my heart leap with joy and sing with praise. Indeed, Mi corazon te canta. My heart will sing in witness to God's beauty even if my lips don't sing. I think each time we do this, our hearts get refined and very rejuvenated. 是一种心灵美化. We can look at magnificent man-made creations but do you realise they never rejuvenate us?

So, friends and siblings, I hope we can spend more time with nature (while we truly can) and appreciating it in all its glory (reflected from God). And then spend time to praise and worship Him, who is above all. Let your heart sing.

Now, please enjoy the following :)

Chipinque Nature Reserve in Monterrey

Leaf that looks like a butterfly

Spider's web

Purple, my favourite :)

Flowers in all colours, shapes and sizes

Dandelions

And more sunrise... Melt away...

And then finally, the sun sets...

Courtesy of Jessica Tso

(If I hadn't turned back to glance while walking, I would have missed this mesmerizing sunset)

Have a good day!

In pursuit of…?

2009-03-15T23:43:00.004+08:00

This came in my e-mail a couple of days ago, a sobering reminder from a fellow Christian:

Recently, if you have read the news, the stabbing cum suicide incident that took place in the place I am currently serving in (NTU). It came as such a shocking and surreal piece of news to the whole staff team. But what struck me most was not only the tragedy of the whole incident – it was the response that people have towards this incident that took me by grief and pain: the boy who committed suicide simply became the talk of the school and the focus of many bad jokes. Suddenly, it seems that the boy's life was only worth the amount of headlines it has made; the value, anguish and pain of a human life tarnished by sin seemed to have been completely ignored. Indeed, it was such a stunning indicator of the indifference towards LIFE among the city-dwellers.

My heart was heavy after reading this short paragraph.
A reflection later in the week brought more questions to light.

What do we use to measure a person’s worth these days?
The answer to these question is apparent when we examine what we pursue today: academic excellence, brilliant CCA record, loads of money, friends’/bosses’ approval, money, cars, property etc. When we become obsessed in our pursuits, we become so absorbed in it, we see our life as just consisting of these. Consequently, we measure other people’s worth based on what we think as important. In doing so, we have (unknowingly?) debased and devalued life.

There are really 2 issues here: What satisfies us today? What do take other people for?

What satisfies us today?
We’re made for eternity (Ecc 3:11), so the things of time cannot fully and permanently satisfy. The world’s satisfactions are too small for us. There’s gotta be something more!! And we know it through the Word!

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst…”

John 10:10
“…I came so that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

What do we take others for?
In this ego-centred city-world we built for ourselves to live in, in the blind relentless pursuit of impermanent things to stuff in the God-shaped hole in us, we often see others as means to our own ends, others as instrumental to attaining our goals. In doing so, we forget that beyond the walking flesh and blood lies a soul that God deeply loves. Do we see others as aimless wandering souls in our midst?

What can I do?
There could be another guy (just like the NTU student) around you, who don’t speak openly of his anguish and pain, of his desperation to find something worth living for. If you aren’t going to reach out to him, who will? While we have this imperishable hope in Christ, immense satisfaction in knowing God himself, do we desire that others partake in the same grace?

1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I earnestly pray that we:
will be free from spiritual myopia and not be hardened and oblivious to the needs of others
have the wisdom to know the things that truly matter in life
have the desire to pursue them
have the conviction to help others to pursue them

We Are The Body

2009-02-14T23:59:00.003+08:00

This post is a patchwork of sharings from my dearest siblings-in-Christ of 1 Corinthians Chapter 12. I’m moved to share them with you all here because we are the body of Christ and today, being Valentine’s Day, it is fitting to reflect on the nature of Christ’s love – AGAPE.

1 Corinthians Chapter 12 is a very familiar passage. I think some of us even know it by heart. Yes, the parts make up the body and each part has its own function in the body of Christ.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

If We Are The Body
by Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus is the way

The song hit me hard the first time I heard it, especially the bridge. Jesus paid the price not just for those who are already part of this body. Sometimes we are so comfortable in our space we forget that we all are the same in God’s eyes, fallen and helpless. We forget and we pick and choose who we want to love, who we want to accept, who we want to be in this family. We forget that this body has to grow. Growth is a sure sign of life. (Non-living things don’t grow, they slowly disintegrate.)

Sometimes, it is not through active alienation that we shut out other people. More often than not, it is a lack of action. I thought about how some adults said how certain youth groups in our church were ‘exclusive’ and suggested that perhaps that was why others find it hard to join in.

When we reach the end of 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, Paul takes a surprising turn before going on in Chapter 13.

31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

And the most excellent way is…(*drum roll*)…LOVE!

I was just pondering over this when my eyes swept across my study table and my gaze landed on an issue of Campus Crusade’s publication Ignite. On the back cover was an excerpt of an article on another very familiar passage in John 21:

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him,
"Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"
He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

It’s very interesting how Jesus translated this feeling of affection (love) into something that required action (feeding and taking care of His sheep).

I pray that God help us to grow His body so that many more will be drawn towards Christ and His name be glorified.

只要祢看为美好

2009-02-01T02:34:00.010+08:00

求主塑造
Molded Your Way by Don Schlosser
Translated by So Heng

我若禁不住骄傲__令我谦卑
我若忍不住炫耀__将我破碎
我若要经历黑暗__才知道光明可贵
求主让日月沉睡

我若缺一些耐心__教我静候
我若需更多勇气__使我不低头
无论任何煎熬__只要祢看为美好
求主今把我塑造

主啊我属祢因祢曾呼唤
对我说深爱着我
让我用信心翅膀高飞
飞向祢施恩宝座

以祢大恩典如今洁净我
使我愿奉献自己
叫我灵苏醒使盼望坚定
能顺服恩主旨意

And again I thought, "Wow, how nice! It matches quite nicely with 炼我愈精1990 !!"

I was just pondering about our obsession with psychology in the present age - the complex analyses and studies of our being, our emotions and more - I really wonder: how much of ourselves can we really know? Who knows you best? Yourself?

David gave a definitive answer and a very moving account of his relationship with his Creator in Psalms 139:

1 O LORD, you have searched me
__and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
__you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
__you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
__you know it completely, O LORD.

13 For you created my inmost being;
__you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
__your works are wonderful,
__I know that full well.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
__test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
__and lead me in the way everlasting.

God knew David through and through - his movements, his thoughts, his habits, even his pre-uttered speech - by virtue of being David’s loving, wonderful Creator. He knows you best. He knows things about you that you might not even know yourself.

While some people might find this stalker-like phenomenon frightful, I find great comfort in it, especially in times of trials and sufferings. Because I know He’s in control, He loves me, He knows me - He tailor-makes life’s lessons for me!

无论任何煎熬__只要祢看为美好
求主今把我塑造

Name above every name

2009-01-22T01:15:00.005+08:00

Jesus
Beautiful Saviour
God of all Majesty
Risen King
Lamb of God
Holy and Righteous
Blessed Redeemer
Bright morning star

All the heavens shout your praise
All creation bows to worship You

How wonderful, how beautiful
Name above every name
Exalted high
How wonderful, how beautiful
Jesus Your name
Name above every name
Jesus

I saw this song on a friend's blog and it made me think of how often I praise the name that is above all names.
Over here where religion is very visible and when I'm in the car looking out to the dark night sky, I see crosses being lighted up all across the city.
But all these is ironic.
Not once nor twice but countless times have I heard people here misusing the name of our Lord, any one of His names.

After a sentence, "Oh XXX!" or just inserting it as an exclamation.
A few of my professors say it all the time during class too.
All these reminds me of the clear commandement that:

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your
God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." - Exodus
20: 6-8

But on the other hand, I do not want to judge so quickly and fail to see the plank in my own eye.
Even if I do not misuse His name, do I praise it often?

"Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day." - Psalm 96:2

Sing while we still can, exalt while we still can, shout while we still can, sing while we still can...

How wonderful, how beautiful
Name above every name
Exalted high

Shaped for His Purpose

2009-01-11T17:08:00.008+08:00

我真惭愧因我知道, 总是保留自己.
虽然也曾受你铸造, 我却反抗又悖逆.
如今全心求你喜悦, 不惜任何代价.
你若欢喜并得荣耀, 我愿背负十字架.

I was just thinking of the lyrics of the Janurary anthem bridge and somehow I thought maybe we are like iron ores.

To produce iron, they slowly burned iron ore with wood in a clay-lined oven. The iron separated from the surrounding rock but never quite melted. Instead, it formed a crusty slag which was removed by hammering. This repeated heating and hammering process mixed oxygen with the iron oxide to produce iron, and removed the carbon from the metal. The result was nearly pure iron, easily shaped with hammers and tongs but too soft to take and keep a good edge. Because the metal was shaped, or wrought, by hammering, it came to be called wrought iron.

Some part of your life is hammered off and you are heated up so that you will be refined and become pure after the process. It is a repeated process, so it will go on and on. So will the suffering and pain. Our hearts soften, becoming more attuned and aligned to Him. Only then do we realize: we are being shaped - shaped for the purpose of glorifying His name.

Here I am, Lord

2009-01-06T01:10:00.006+08:00

The dedication ceremony was over in a matter of minutes but I pray earnestly that we will remember our collective promise to God and our responsibility and accountability towards our siblings-in-Christ.

For some among us who may be feeling that the task that you have been called for is too daunting, too huge, or that you are too weak, too inadequate in keeping what you have been entrusted with, or this journey too lonely, too far - this song is for you.

May we find our hope, joy and strength in Christ alone!

O Jesus, I Have Promised
Lyrics by John E. Bode
Music by Arthur H. Mann

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me:
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, thou hast promised
To all who follow thee,
That where thou art in glory
There shall thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end:
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my friend.

O let me see thy foot-marks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in thy strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then in heaven receive me,
My Saviour and my friend.

the olive and the grape

2008-12-31T03:21:00.000+08:00

It's the last day of the year again. Each year seem to pass faster than the year before.

And if you were looking for the thanksgiving turkey, no, it's not here. Haha...
But here's something else for you to chew on:

Gratitude is the echo of grace as it reverberates through the hollows of the human heart. Gratitude is the unashamed acceptance of a free gift and the heartfelt declaration that we cherish what we cannot buy. Therefore gratitude glorifies the free grace of God and signifies the humility of a needy and receptive heart.
– John Piper

For the light that shines through my dark side, I thank God.
For the pain that brings healing, I thank God.
For the sorrow that brings joy, I thank God.
For the bankruptcy that brings about indescribable fullness, I thank God.

Christmas photos!!

2008-12-27T12:02:00.007+08:00

Our crazy skit team, who have endured many hours of gruelling training to emote properly!

Now they can finally do their act properly. You can see it on their faces!

The even crazier dance team, who in their unsound state of minds, allowed their choreographer to style their hair!

Bright smiles! Joy to the World 2000 (a.k.a. Joy 2k) - a few more years and we can produce a 'live' Christmas dance album. HAHA!

A heart after Christ

2008-12-26T04:58:00.001+08:00

After celebrating 18 Christmases, I thought the 19th one would not be very different from the rest. But I was wrong. Despite having the knowledge of Christ’s birth, I realized I was stuck at a stage, one without much meditation.

I know that the centre of attention of Christmas is Jesus, but this year what probed my mind was the attitude of the Magi from the east. I believe they have come a long way to seek Jesus. They didn’t go on a journey empty handed. They traveled with ‘gifts of gold, incense and myrrh’. Quite a lot of weight isn’t it? (I seem to be more sensitive to weight after my fast marches). So, if we were the Magi from the east will we continue to march towards Christ the Lord even if we do not know when we will reach there? Are we willing to go the extra mile to seek the Lord?

Let this post be a reminder for us to seek the Lord despite the trials and challenges in life.

Who would send a baby?

2008-12-24T17:46:00.006+08:00

Words & Music by Mary Kay Beall

Who would send a baby to heal a world in pain?
Who would send a baby, a tiny child?
When the world is crying for the Promised One,
Who would send His only Son?

Who would send a baby, to light a world with love?
Who would send a baby, a tiny child?
When the world is hoping for the Promised One;
Who would send His only Son?

Who would choose a manger to cradle a King?
Who would send angels to sing?
Who would hang a star in the sky above,
To shine on the gift of His infinite love?

Who would send a baby to bless a world with peace?
Who would send a baby, a tiny child?
When the world is yearning for the Promised One,
Who would send a baby?
Who would send a baby?

Who would send His only begotten Son?

http://mp3s.sheetmusicplus.com/soundclips/489670_00.mp3?cart=343907155617731732

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..."

2008-12-24T02:32:00.004+08:00

I think our dear brother Yi Le doesn't have to dream of one. Huge blizzards happening up north where he is.

The Western conception of Christmas often conjures up the image of snow and long nights. Yes, winter can get really cold and dreary.

But the whiteness of such an image overwhelms me. Snow falls and blankets the entire earth, whitewashing the dirt everywhere. As I hummed "White Christmas", my brain had a chain reaction that produced an unexpected search result - a hymn, Whiter Than Snow.
_________________________________________________

Whiter Than Snow
by James L.Nicholson (1872)

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract ev’ry stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself, and whatever I know,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessèd Lord, at Thy crucified feet.
By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst “No,”
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
O glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.
_____________________________________________

His blood flows and covers me, washes me and I am whiter than snow!

Awake, my soul! Dream no more!

Christmas Performance

2008-12-22T01:23:00.006+08:00

Hey, we haven't blogged for a while 'cos everyone's been very swarmed with rehearsals, chalets, school commitments etc.

Well friends, if you've been wondering what we've been up to, there's a performance this evening, details are as follows:
星光闪耀庆圣诞
Date: 22nd Dec 2008
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: the stage outside Sheng Siong Supermarket
(next to Commonwealth MRT station)

Come and discover for yourself the true meaning of Christmas!
May the joy of the Lord be with you!

(in)sane ppl

2008-12-12T23:51:00.007+08:00

I was just thinking about people passing through this choir (former Qing Shao and now Dominant 7th) when my friend showed me this inscription on a mug:

All the sane people quit here years ago.

Haha, how true.

creation

2008-12-08T22:14:00.002+08:00

Gen 1:3-5 And God said,"let there be light," and there was light.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated it from the darkness.
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning- the second day.

As I looked through my photos and saw this one, I remembered a sharing by Zhong Jie.
Apparently, in the original text, the words for light and darkness were "order" and "chaos" respectively.
Hm.. before order, there was chaos. Curious. Order was created by God.

I liked this photo because of the way dark clouds nearly frame the photo.
Trying to strangulate, to snuff out the light, the hope.
But they outline the lightsource, in a pretty counter-productive fashion.
Indeed, a light at the end of the tunnel never looked that significant from outside the tunnel.

Well, what an opportunity to look at the bible again. Paul explained this picture nearly 2000 years ago.
5But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)
6May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?
7But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?
8And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.

Consider!

细细品尝生活的酸甜苦辣

2008-12-05T00:23:00.004+08:00

I like to spend time observing people. Just go sit at a café, on the bus, on the train. Look at the people around you, eavesdrop on phone conversations, make up stories about their lives – it’s entertainment on the go.

And to some extent indulging in such activity has helped me understand myself better. Why do I make these assumptions about so-and-so? Have I had a similar experience before? When did I meet someone like this? Was I ever like this before? Will I be in the future?

Actors, you know what I’m driving at. I think we spend far too much time on the absolutes, the black and whites than on the little nuanced moments that make up most of life. Life isn’t just happy/sad but ecstatic, joyful, pleased, mournful, pained, remorseful etc.

(Plato wrote) Socrates said: The unexamined life is not worth living. Yes, he must have been talking about looking into our own belief systems, to be critical of the things we hold true. Let me just apply that to our emotions too: Learn to recognize the different shades of colours on your palette, then learn to paint with all of them.

You’ll see that life is much more interesting that you thought it out to be. Have fun!!

2008-12-02T23:11:00.022+08:00

Reminiscing the past...

This was what one of us wrote a year ago.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

i'm leaving for mission trip on WEDNESDAY!AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.i'm pretty nervous i must say.not because it's my first time but i'm just afraid thatin the course of spreading the gospel, my faith in Him might sway.AHHHH.anyways,before i played for the xian chang today,i was reallyreallyreally nervous & scared because-i had sweaty palms & i was afraid my fingers would slip.-i was afraid that i'll go faster & faster- i couldn't see yibin, which means i don't know when to enter after the cut.- i was afraid i would play the wrong notes.i decided to pray & leave everything in Him& HEY!i didn't feel nervous at all when i played!& i didn't make too many mistakes!:Dthis really reminded me to trust in Him & to leave all worries to him.the concert's nearing & i'm sure we'll all be scared & all but well,trust in Him for all things will go well when we have faith(:alright I'LL MISS DOM7TH WHEN I'M AWAY!BYEBYE.

Posted by mab at 10:59 PM 0 comments

Haha Mabel, I hope your faith in Him has grown and I believe it definitely has :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I was reading the Confessions of Augustine last night before sleep, this line struck me.

'And, when thou art poured out on us, thou are
not thereby brought down ; rather, we are uplifted.'

This echoed in my head what Martyn Lloyd Jones said in 'The Cross': "Our whole notion of love is so abased, so unworthy, that we do not know what love means." Before that he wrote that the trouble we all have, even Christians, is that we do not know God. "We think in sentimental terms." You might not directly see the relevance but indeed, the more I know myself, the more I realise I do not know God. God and his holiness, God and his loveliness. The former that I know less of.

Sometimes, do we truly believe that 'I' am the 'wretched man that I am!'?

Guard your heart, don't suffocate it

2008-11-02T00:40:00.015+08:00

"Guard your heart" is a good command. That’s because it’s biblical:
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

In its context, this verse suggests that keeping—or guarding—your heart means to retain wise words and resist wicked desires. But I’m afraid some people—ahem, me, too often—use it to justify being cowardly or cold instead of loving others, because we think that “guard your heart” means “don’t get hurt.”

C. S. Lewis provides the necessary rebuke:
Of all arguments against love none makes so strong an appeal to my nature as “Careful! This might lead you to suffering.”
To my nature, my temperament, yes. Not to my conscience. When I respond to that appeal I seem to myself to be a thousand miles away from Christ. If I am sure of anything I am sure that His teaching was never meant to confirm my congenital preference for safe investments and limited liabilities.…
There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. (From The Four Loves, as found in The Inspirational Writings of C.S. Lewis, 278-279.)

Taken from http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1467_guard_your_heart_dont_suffocate_it/
Written by Tyler Kenney

My dear C.S. Lewis (pardon my audacity) has written right to the heart of the human heart.
Jesus loved with all and hence, he was all vulnerable.
Any ounce of holding back will not result in His death on the cross. He knew fully the joy that comes with loving, even at an enormous cost. (Heb 12:2)
And yes, it is the cost that deters us.
Sometimes, the greatest struggle within our hearts is deciding between the cost and the joy that comes after. It could be because we do not yet fully understand the joy or have the capacity to take it all in or it could be we are afraid that paying the price doesn't necessarily deliver the goods (even though the word tells us contrary) but it is ultimately the heart that wrestles with that thought.
It all comes down to sacrifice doesn't it? I guess as Christians, its either all or nothing when it comes to Love.
The whole Bible tells of a love story, which has no beginning and knows no end.
'Amazing pity! Grace unknown! And love beyond degree!'

Are you suffocating your heart?

Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess-
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.
Elizabeth C. Clephane

snow white

2008-10-28T23:11:00.005+08:00

Neutrogena one week, Listerine the next.

Yes, I think there’s no better way to bring out the importance of cleansing and purification. If we take time to clean ourselves up every day – bathing, brushing our teeth, washing our face, putting on fresh clean clothes, even the occasional perfume or deodorant – to appear socially acceptable before men, we have even more reason to cleanse and purify ourselves to appear before God.

Leviticus 11: 44a
44 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.

God, both righteous and loving, gave His only Son as the perfect and unblemished sacrifice through whom His wrath is satisfied and we are cleansed and redeemed.

Hebrews 9: 13 – 14
13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Having our conscience cleansed, having undeservedly spared from spiritual death doesn’t mean that we won’t stumble again. Paul reminds us to stay away from the things that corrupt the body and spirit, to be holy in our actions to honour God.

2 Corinthians 7: 1
1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

And what are these promises? If we read the verses that come before:

2 Corinthians 6: 16b – 18
16b God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Here, Paul is urging us to live a life that is befitting of our identity: as sons and daughters of God. So, how do we purify ourselves and keep our ways pure?

Psalms 119: 9
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

So let us be diligent in the study of His Word. May His Spirit continue to work in us and help us in our weakness.

HE

2008-10-09T01:25:00.006+08:00

by Denis Walter

He can turn the tide and calm the angry sea
He alone decides who writes a symphony
He lights every star that makes our darkness bright
He keeps watch all through each long and lonely night
He still finds a way to hear a child's first prayer
Saint or sinner calls and always finds him there

Though it makes him sad to see the way we live
He'll always say - I forgive

He can grant a wish or make a dream come true
He can paint the clouds and turn the grey to blue
He alone knows where to find the rainbows end
He alone can see what lies beyond the bend
He can touch a tree and turn the leaves to gold
He knows every lie that you and I have told
________________________________________

I chanced upon this song at the Emmaus gathering last evening and I thought, "Wow, how nice! It matches quite nicely with I Know Where I'm Going!!"

At the same gathering, the pastor-in-charge shared about the 4 times Jesus called Simon Peter to follow Him. Out of these 4 times, this one struck me the most: John 6:66 - 69

Chapter 6 saw Jesus finish feeding five thousand people, walking on water and telling the Jews that He's the Bread of Life. The last, being a radically different message to the Jews, drove many people to desert Jesus.

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him,"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

This reminded me of another incident, involving another disciple, Thomas: John 14: 2 - 6

2 "...In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I'm going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also know where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
5 Thomas said to him,"Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..."

If not to You, Lord, to whom shall we go?
If it's not through You, Lord, how are we going to get Home?
_________________________________________

On a side note, I'm greatly humbled by the fact that God has worked through this incredibly simple set of lyrics (I Know Where I'm Going) to remind us of life's BIG and IMPORTANT issues.

I hope the song has edified the rest of you in Dom 7th. May the Lord use us, this group of unworthy youths, to edify the others this Sunday.

属七和弦 靠主完全