Yes, Lord... Burn them away...

Daily Office, Week 2 Day 4 - Midday / Evening Prayer

Yes, Lord... Burn them away... The selfishness, self-centeredness, jealousy, fakeness, pretense, impatience, and all the "other motives" behind why I do things I do.
Save me from the poison that flows in my veins, from that which keeps me from your Light.
Fill me with You like a sponge is filled with water, and may I continue soak myself in You.
Transform me... make me over into my true self, the way You originally intended me to be.
I want to be my true self, God... But I don't know how... I need You!

www.biblestudytools.com

We discussed about 1 John 5:6 about Jesus who came not only by water but by water and blood yesterday in cellgroup. So I was trying to search for some commentaries and found this powerful website: www.biblestudytools.com which also then led me to www.crosswalkradio.com

Wonderful... :)

Single-Minded (Part 2)

God's not demanding. He doesn't want to take from us, He wants to give to us. But when our hands are cluttering so many things that clutter our lives, He cannot give.

So, I surrender all, God...

Detoxify my soul

Single-hearted pursuit of the things of God

My heart to be completely Yours...

Single-Minded

I was listening to Edmun Chan's sermon "Single Minded" on my way back home yesterday. So I was very convicted that I've been in that category of a double-minded Christian. Somehow, on fire for God, but double-minded; simply want God but also any other things.

And having realizing this, I guess my greatest need of life in my this point of life is: To be a single-minded christian, to focus on and pursuing that of the things of the Kingdom of God, things that really matter. Only then, my whole life will be changed. Direction will be there, excitement will be there, passion will be there. Forgive me, Lord, for my double-mindedness all these while, and please help me to train my eyes to focus on You and Your things only.

Matthew 622
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

In it's original language, it's actually "if your eyes are single" (which is stated in KJV).

Another quote that I got from e sermon was:
"Not to have is alright, because I'd rather have it in God's time" [Edmund Chan]

Excited to listen to the next half of the sermon later on the way going home again...
Speak to me, Lord...

Our God is Far Greater

“Our God is far greater than words can make known,
Exalted and holy, He reigns on His throne.
In infinite splendor He rules over all;
Yet He feeds the poor sparrows, and He knows when they fall.

He rides the wild heavens, He strides thro’ the seas;The high mountains tremble to hear His decrees.
His voice with great thunderings sounds from above;
But to His own children He whispers His love.

His power is great and will ever endure,
His wisdom is peaceable, gentle, and pure.
But greater than all these glories I see,
Is the glorious promise that He cares for me.”

[Can't find the title, author of this song]

Jesus, I will not quit!

I just wanna thaaank God for feeding me with so much grace, creating (or rather reviving) the confidence in me, not of myself, but of Him, of His love again this beginning of year. I believe that this is gonna mark my year-start and by God's grace continue running this year better than last year. Thaaank You, God...

I just realized that I've been so hopeless, shameful, discouraged, disappointed with myself, especially in my spiritual life, and of course that 'lost-ness' in life. I felt everything's just gone. Even the talents that I used to think as God-given to me were also gone as I disobeyed Him and His will again and again. I literally lost everything... lost confidence, lost direction, lost passion, almost loosing hope, then...

1. Ps Benny Ho's sermon on Sunday, 17 Jan 2010 (Hope for the Hopeless)

My hope is in the God of hope! Not in myself, not in my strength to please Him (that fails again and again), not even in my faith, but in Him! So, who am I to lose hope? Oh.. there's still hope for me.. to be spiritually revived again, to be used by Him again, to be drawn near to Him again. Yes, there's hope...

Romans 5:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow
with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Note: was supposed to tell Joy a deadline for me to answer her regarding being A&C leader after the service. I was almost wanting to say "No" right away, seeing how I'm doing as a Christian, seeing how my relationship with God had become. But after the sermon, I was so excited to see what God's going to do in my life this year that I changed my answer to "let's see how I'm improving in 3 months. Reason being, I don't want to lead out of myown emptiness"

2. Asher Tribe Gathering today, 29 Jan 2010 Exhortation by Tuck Leh

Watching the video below, when Derek was struggling with the pain, I really saw myself in it: hopeless, sin, strengthless, disappointed with myself, lonely, pain, lost... all were there. People are passing by and I was struggling, alone... I really felt myself not worthy of anything anymore. And then, when Derek got up and started running again, I found myself saying, "Yes Lord... I will not quit!" I want to continue running, and finish the race. And I know that my Father is running with me, giving me support and strength.

Note: About the role of leadership, I'm still not confident to myself as in whether I'm able to lead, what I can give etc. But I know, God's the One who's providing me with all those, and I came to know 1 thing: I want to do it. So how? hmm..

Yes! I really love the way God uses BBTC to bless me, to shape me. God.. I am now excited again to experience all that You're gonna do in my life. Help me Lord that this won't be just an overnight fire, but may this be something that stays in me that sustain my desire and excitement to seek You and grow in deeper knowledge of You.

You Can, because He Can

You Can, Because He Can

I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. Job 42:2 NKJV

You can ask the Lord
because He will not give you a wrong answer.
You can wait upon the Lord
because His timing is always perfect.
You can trust in the Lord
because He makes no mistakes.
You can hope in the Lord
because He holds your future.
You can rest in the Lord
because He is in control of your life.
You can lean upon the Lord
because He is completely faithful.

(Meet Me in the Meadow - by Roy Lessin)

Make a Certain Breakthrough

And I, speechlessly wept during this song in Sunday service yesterday...

Make A Certain Breakthrough© Ann Chan & Ruth Ling 2006

Verse 1
In my life of searching for the plain and simple way,
Many paths were so winding, the roads were never straight,
Then the Spirit of God broke through and healed my broken wings,
And showed me the way into His heart

Chorus
And I know that God is leading in a clear and certain way,
My one life for your purpose, Jesus, I offer up this day,
To follow you completely, to do all that you say,
Cleanse my life, fill me up, And use me this day,
Make a certain breakthrough, Make it today

Verse 2
In these days of danger, Lord, we rest upon Your grace,
With Your tender and skillful hands, You shape this stubborn clay,
Yes You calm my inmost being, giving courage to hope again,
And to build this one life in power and faith

心靈不打烊 - 故鄉合唱團

Listening to GoodTV's Xin Lin Bu Da Yang. He Rong was interviewing a Taiwan Christian composer and conductor. He said, after being a Christian, there were a lot of self-controlled to be done. Then may be sometimes we will think, then it'll be best if during our youth we can do all the things first (thing that we will not be allowed to do after being Christian), then enough of all those, at age of 20s become Christian and have all those sins forgiven. But for him, he's grateful that he has become a Christian since very young, in his 13. Why? because by that, he can understand problem faced by Christians more. When He Rong asked what's for him the biggest problem a Christian face? He answered, it's when you are spiritually down, troubled, especially if you are a leader, it's very hard for you to tell or let others know. And yep, it's true!, i said in my heart. So by understanding this, he can be a company for those facing this situation. When they are speechless, down in their loneliness, he can be there to understand, care and comfort.

http://www.goodtv.tv/wmvbox.php?filename=ZB190

Come Bless the Lord (CBTL) 2009 - The Kingship of Christ

Last year I attended the CBTL as a very new comer in BBTC :)
And this year, I'll be joining the choir on stage ^^

This afternoon, we had our 2nd practise, after 2nd service, 2pm-5pm. Yayy... I have ministry-activity (kesibukan) again ;) Thank You, God...

So, Jessie, our Worship Pastor gathered everyone for a message and words of encouragement for a start. The theme this year is about the 2nd coming of Christ as a King who come. Jessie shared that once she was asked by someone, "How much do you believe in the 2nd coming of the Lord?", and so she passed this question on to all of us. When I asked myself, I said, "I believe". But wait... I asked, "But how much are you looking forward to it?", to this I'll say, "I am yet to be excited about it and looking forward to it". I guess, perhaps it's partly because I haven't really been able to 'see' that glorious and "woww..." scene, and partly also because if it happens now at this moment, I don't think I'll be that person who receives any reward, simply because I haven't done anything for Him on the earth. So, the message really stirred me. Before I can sing with a heart of excitement on the 2nd coming of the Lord, my heart really need to be touched by God and His truth. So, as I'll be reading the book of Revelation, Daniel and Joel (as 'instructed' by Jessie), I ask of You oh Lord, the one who revealed to John in the Patmos those days, to open the eyes of my heart n my spirit, to receive a revelation from You, and I'll be able to 'see' the days, that the end times is here, that we're running out of time to save as many souls as possible, before I face You in that new Jerusalem.

Another sentence that captivate my heart:

But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." [2 Samuel 24:24]

Yes, God... You deserve my all of all in my service to You. May it be pleasing to You, God...

Btw, I enjoyed the practise pretty much this afternoon ^^

Rest for the Weary

Fashion Photographer Captures Jesus in 21st Century
By Michelle A. Vu
Christian Post Reporter
Thu, Sep, 10 2009 02:00 AM PT

A veteran fashion photographer who is used to having his works featured in Vogue, GQ and Elle, will release his most “rewarding” collection – “Journeys with the Messiah” – on Friday, the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

"I was in New York prepping for a photo shoot a week after 9/11 and saw many people searching for something," recalled Michael Belk, who created the Jesus photo collection out of his Christian faith. "Similar to 9/11, I think many Americans don't know where to turn in the midst of the current worldwide financial crisis.”

Belk says he hopes his “Journeys With the Messiah” collection will help people who are anxious and looking for answers to find peace by knowing there is someone to turn to.

The photos are a retelling of the stories of 1st-century Jesus to a 21st-century audience. Included in the collection are photos of Jesus with Nazis, prostitutes, Ferraris and motorcycles, as well as Wall Street executives and high rollers that creatively address modern-day social problems such as genocide, materialism, addiction, poverty, and hypocrisy.

In the photo entitled “The Second Mile,” Jesus is shown walking and talking alongside a Nazi soldier. The messiah is carrying the soldier’s backpack as well as his gun.

“Jesus’ teachings on this subject (forgiveness) were revolutionary: ‘Love your enemies as yourself. Pray for those who persecute you. Forgive people seventy times seven.’ Jesus reminds us that, just as God forgives us, we are expected to do the same for others,” wrote Belk in the accompanying journal entry for the photo.

Each of Belk’s images is accompanied by a written journal entry of a 21st-century take on a 1st-century story or parable.

In another photo, “Rest for the Weary,” a man in a suit and tie is shown collapsed on the steps of a building. His head rests on Jesus’ lap while his suitcase is opened with papers scattered about.

“I am writing this in March of 2009 while the world is in a serious economic upheaval,” Belk’s journal reads. “Fortunes have been lost, retirement incomes are gone, and the basic necessities have become a struggle for man.”

But then he writes, “In truth, we assign too much importance to issues that, in the end, will be of non consequence. Have you ever heard of a man on his deathbed who asked to see his stock portfolio one more time? Could the time we spend worrying be better spent in quiet, soothing fellowship with the One who created it all and promises more?”

The Christian photographer reminds the reader Jesus said not to worry but to “seek His Kingdom first” and God will take care of our needs. Also, Jesus invited those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him.

“Maybe we should give it a try,” Belk suggested.

One of the aims of the photo collection, the 61-year-old photographer said, was to strip away the “religion” part of Christianity that has turned so many people away, and share the core message of who Jesus was and what He taught.

Belk believes the photos carry messages that God wants to say to people in the world struggling with countless problems right now.

In 2008, despite the economic downturn, Belk took time off of fashion photography and spent his own money to finance the project that took more than a year and a half to complete. The project cost $600,000.

Pre-production took 10 months and more than 100 extras were needed. An Italian actor played Jesus and a production company from Rome and a film crew from the U.S. were hired.

Belk directed what he calls “the most grueling, but most rewarding shoot” of his career.

All of the photos were shot in Matera, Italy (filming location for “The Passion of the Christ”).

The fashion photographer-turned-Jesus’ camera man is considering to exhibit the collection worldwide in counterintuitive venues such as mass transit stations, corporate headquarters and projections onto urban buildings. He also hopes the images will be used in a greeting card line and small group curriculum.

Limited edition photographs, posters, 108-page photography book, DVD, and screensavers and wallpapers are available for sale. Proceeds from the sale of the photos will fund the worldwide exhibit tour.

Source: http://www.gospelherald.net/article/entertainment/45572/fashion-photographer-captures-jesus-in-21st-century_pageall.htm

真實的悔改

Feeling very discouraged and down n tired ministering to Lydia. Sometimes I just feel she's just way too sensitive and self-centered and tend to misunderstand my care / 'hao yi' towards her.
But I kept telling myself that I will persevere.. I will love her, care for her..

And, suddenly, when the intro of this song "真實的悔改" started, a thought came in my mind:
I cannot blame her for this. Instead, I should ask myself these questions: "Have you prayed enough? Have you been 'puo qie' enough before God? Have I really xian shang wo zhi ji? Have I really put enough effort? Have I really been obedience?"

Yes God... I want to 'Zhen shi de hui gai'. I pray that You'll bless all the seed that I'll learn to sow and turn them into fruits for Your kingdom... Yes, I long to see..

He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels

Taiwan 88 - Typhoon Morakot

Typhoon Morakot, the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in half a century, hit the island’s southern and eastern areas on Aug. 7 and 8. It dumped more than 80 inches of rain on the island and stranded thousands of villagers in mountainous areas in the south. Over 21,000 villagers were rescued to safety.

President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday he estimates more than 500 people have died because of the typhoon. The official death toll, however, is 123.

Most of the deaths are in Shiao Lin village, which lost more than half of its population. Some 380 people are thought to have died in Shiao Lin, due to landslides from the surrounding mountains.

(Sun, 16 Aug 09 - gospelherald.net)

On Aug. 24, 18 Christian celebrities of Taiwan from the film and music industry gathered at an event organized by Chinese Christian Relief Association to use their songs and talents to fund-raise for the reconstruction efforts for the victims of Typhoon Morakot.

The celebrities gathered included some of the heavy-weight super-stars in the music and movie industries, and they are Yueh Sun, Tao Da Wei, Van Ness Wu, Jam Hsiao, Kai Pao-Yu, Samuel Tai, Augustine Yeh, Vicky Chen, Vivien Chen, Jimmy Hung, Sien Vanessa, and etc. Together, they’ve recorded the EP and MV for the song “Taiwan, I Love You”, which will be given as a gift for donations made towards this particular fund-raising effort.

Version of Taiwan Pastor’s singing “Taiwan I Love You”:

'Craving' for being a volunteer - "Good Work"

Last night watched "Star for a Cause". This time is Michelle Chia joining a group of volunteer from Eden Foundation from Taiwan, serving in a small and very poor village in Philipines, Himaco. From the name, I was pretty sure that it's a christian foundation. So this morning, I tried to check out their website, and yes, it is! In fact, it's Liu Hsia's foundation. For me, Liu Hsia is not of a stranger, knew about her through Heavenly Melody, when they produced the song/album "Ba Ai Liu Xia" which lyric is written by Liu Hsia.

So, I really 'craving' for being a volunteer, if possible, a Christian-mission-driven oversea short term voluntarily work, so it's not only doing good, but also bringing Christ's love. I hope it's not just an emotional force. Well, I don't think it is, because I have always been desiring to be able to be a volunteer or go for a mission trip. And recently, it's really not only based on feeling anymore, but I know for sure that I am created, saved, and being a Christian, to partner with God to do good works, and through that, to let the world know that I am a disciple of God, and to share Christ's love for them.

Some bible basis:

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Colossians 1:10
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

2 Timothy 2:21
If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

2 Timothy 3:17
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 13:21
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

And see this promise.. wow..
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Yes, Zhu, wo yao...

While typing this, my mind was directed to a series of sermon of "Financial Freedom" by SP Dan Foo that touched mostly on sowing, sowing and sowing generously. And yes, I truly think that it has got to do with generousity. So here's the wonderful verse of promise in the bible: 2 Corinthians 9

In term of this, I learned and was confirmed pretty much by the teachings in BBTC also, esp. SP Dan Foo. Yeah, I come to realize more and more that BBTC has really blessed me much in term of "making - the things that I know and have been knowing all these while - make sense, being confirmed, affirmed, and into application."

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

I watched this in Gracy's blog n like it very much.

Serenity to Accept (a conversation on one Friday)

So, I told him bout the situation I'm in now, the struggle of finding where I'm supposed to be, what I'm supposed to do, n the really calling of my life which is from God.

He just answered, "I think it's because you are having and given a lot of expectations, from outside n inside". And, it just can't be any truer. Exactly, that's the main cause, I think. And I thank God, that He used BBTC to deal with this issue of expectation, condemnation, grace in my life. I am now really much better in term of this. However, this is the consequence, cause I have chosen that 'long-cut', the 'round and round' path.. Well, it's ok.. there are still lot of things in front that I can do to glorify God in my life, I believe, as God's transforming more and more into His image n plan.

He also said, "who say that all the past decisions you made were wrong?", and I must admit, it pretty much comforted (an wei) me :)

And I thank God, for letting him remind me of this,

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference" (He said it in simplified Indonesian)

I have seen this phrase many times in different bookmarks, but this time when he told me that, it's just so applicable to my life in this point of time. And yeah... I really need to do that... Only then, I'll be able to live my life from now on, in a way that I'm not wasting every single breathe of mine, but to really make the whole of me (body, mind and soul) be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, glorifying God, this is my spiritual act of worship. God... need your grace and help and wisdom. And... I guess, that's the conclusion of conversation.

Thank you, fren.. So glad that you still understand me so well and are willing to share and encourage..
(Friday, 10 July 09 03.20pm)

Susan Boyle (2) - "Who am I to let them down?"

It’s been quite a weekend for BGT sensation Susan Boyle.
The 47 year-old singer, who delighted everyone with her powerful performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Mis on Saturday’s show, hasn’t let stardom go to her head.

Instead she turned up for church as usual on Easter Sunday morning, reportedly receiving rapturous applause from her friends in the congregation.

She said, “It was incredible. Although we sing in church not a lot of them know how good I was, so it was a bit of a shock for them”.

“Everyone is very nice and it’s lovely when all the kids stop me in the street to congratulate me.”

Many of the churchgoers know Susan well – but for different reasons. Currently unemployed, the singer devotes a lot of time doing community work on the church’s behalf.

She told us, “I like to help out where I can and I mostly do voluntary work. I help out the elderly, stuff like that. And I visit people in hospital. I’ve been doing that for a year and a half now”.

It’s been a tough time for Susan, who now lives alone in her childhood home following the death of her 91 year-old mother, Bridget, in 2007.

But Susan’s positive attitude - as well as her desire to keep busy - has kept her spirits up.

She told us, “A lot of things can happen that have been really sad and you’ve got to cover it up. You either laugh or you’d greet (cry). And we’d all be greeting, that would be a terrible mess”.

“Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone. I don’t intend to be alone for long”.

Judging by the many messages of support on this website, Susan has millions of new friends and fans out there, for starters. And the people of West Lothian are certainly behind her all the way!

She smiled, “The whole village is cheering me on. West Lothian would wish me well, I hope, that is the kind of community it is”.

“And I will be doing my best. Before I left, they told me, 'If you can behave yourself and stop your carry on, you will do well. You can sing okay'”.

“Who am I to let them down?”

Susan Boyle (1)

"It went down a bomb," says delighted Susan...
When Susan Boyle bounded onto the Glasgow stage there weren’t many in the three thousand-strong audience that gave her a chance of being any good.

When she informed the crowd that she wanted to be a singer like Elaine Paige the judges raised their collective eyebrows and the audience burst into uproar and laughter.

First impressions, as Amanda Holden later pointed out, can be wholly misleading, and when Susan finished her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream she looked into the audience to discover nobody was laughing at her anymore.

“When I opened my mouth and began to sing I won over my doubters. Being on that stage and being on the other end of that reception was absolutely fantastic. It went down a bomb".

Giggling and bashful, she remembered her standing ovation, saying: "As soon as everyone stood up I was thinking, there must be fivers underneath that seat. There must have been money somewhere – especially for the judges to do it. Piers Morgan as well"!

"I was pole-axed with joy when I came off.”

And recalling what the judges told her, Susan smiled again. "“The judges’ comments were wonderful; they made me feel like I can actually achieve something."

"Piers Morgan said he’d like to see a lot more of Susan Boyle. Amanda, she wasn’t very sure to begin with, but she changed her mind. She said all 'I can say is just 'wow''. Simon just laughed. He’s a good guy, him".

In fact, there are rumours that Simon and Susan have since chatted about the possibility of a much dreamed-of record deal.

Susan grinned, "The goal is to get out there, make a record, and hopefully make other people happy.”

But the ultimate wish for Susan is to be accepted by people as a performer.

“If that happens,” she smiles with a twinkle in her eye, “I’ll be one happy lady!”

12 April 2009
(http://talent.itv.com/news/story/item_100062.htm)

Susan Boyle

A star is born!
The audience were on their feet and cheering by the time 47 year-old Susan Boyle had finished singing.

The unassuming, currently unemployed lady from West Lothian near Edinburgh had looked shy and a little out of place as she stepped on stage.

There were even smirks on the judges' faces when she told them, "I am trying to be a professional singer. I've never been given a chance before but hopefully that will change".

Then Susan, who has ambitions to sing on stage like Elaine Paige, launched into the West End anthem I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

And the look of shock and awe on Simon Cowell's face as he did a double-take at her talent was worth a million pounds in itself. As Simon recovered, Piers and Amanda were giving Susan a standing ovation.

Piers told her, "Without a doubt that was the biggest surprise I have had in three years. When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said 'I want to be like Elaine Paige' everyone was laughing at you. No-one is laughing now, that was stunning. I am reeling from shock".

Amanda agreed. "I am so thrilled because I know everyone was against you. We are all so cynical but that was a complete wake up call. It was a complete privilege".

And Simon, so impressed he tried to pretend he knew what was coming from the start, said, "Susan, I knew from the minute you walked onto the stage that we were going to hear something extraordinary and I was right".

The delighted hopeful had already heard a "Definitely yes" from Amanda, and "The biggest yes I have ever given anybody" from Piers, when Simon rounded off the judges comments.

He said; "Susan, you can go back to the village with your head held high - you have three yeses".

"You are a little tiger!"

11 April 2009
(http://talent.itv.com/news/story/item_100057.htm)