What would you give your life for?

Hosea's Wife (by Brooke Fraser)
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I just spoke silence with the seeker next to me
She had a heart with hesitant, halting speech
That turned to mine and asked belligerently
"What do I live for?"

I see the scars of searches everywhere I go
From hearts to wars to literature to radio
There's a question like a shame no one will show
"What do I live for?"

We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using people like ladders and words like knives

[CHORUS]
If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths
The word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin

There is truth in little corners of our lives
There are hints of it in songs and children's eyes
It's familiar, like an ancient lullaby
What do I live for?

We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using bodies like money and truth like lies

[CHORUS]
If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths
The word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin

[Bridge]
We are more than dust
That means something
That means something
We are more than just
Blood and emotions
Inklings and notions
Atoms on oceans

We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using bodies like money and truth like lies

[CHORUS]
If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths
The word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin

Connect, Friday 29 June '07

Thank God for the people who attended tonight, for the time of praise & worship, and for the great message from Ps Timothy. Now it's time to put the Word of God into action!

Here's a pic of David & Junxu leading us in worship. Thanks guys!

My Cuppa...

Haha... ok I just realised you can see me taking the photo on my sunglasses. But anyway, everyone please meet my favourite drink of all time, the humble Cafe Latte. For the most part, I really never drink any other drink when I go to a coffee joint (save for the occasional Cafe Mocha nowhipaddfoam, which is basically a Mocha Latte).

My only gripe is that lattes in Singapore aren't the cheapest drinks in town. But I still drink at least 2 cups a week (the rest of the days I drink kopi siu dai, which I kinda like too).

Guess Who?

First up, since Ivan themandude Chan has linked me on his blog (which is like JYM blog central), I better watch what I say here. Haha.

Ok anyway, let's play a game, as a result of Ivan sharing my blog on his, I had this sms conversation with someone last night, let's call him/her Person X.

Person X: Oh my gosh! I am at your blog now. And guess what! Worthy To Be Praised your blog song is one of my favourite. New Creation?! love the guitar parts there...

Me: Did you message the wrong person?

Person X: Oh Crap! Oh my gosh! Crap! Mistake. Stupid mistake. You will laugh like mad when you hear it. My fault. My mistake. I am so stupid! Haha.

Me: Ok so what did you do this time? Haha...... But then my blog has no music. Haha

Person X: Ya lor! just so happened i went to your blog, then i forgot i left the windows media player running. So the next random song which played was Worthy To Be Praised by New Creation Church, i must say it's a lovely song. So i thought music come from your blog! Then when i closed your blog window, the music was still playing. That was when it was not from your bog. By that time your message came in, And i was already feeling so dumb! Crap!

Me: ......

Can you guess who Person X is?

It's late... and I feel like posting something random.

This is my nephew, Shaun Parson. He's half ang-moh as you can see, hence he's onethousandmilliontrilliongamamazillion times more hamsum than me. His dad's Aussie, and they just moved back to Singapore from Sydney last year (while i love my family, i don't count that as one of their smartest decisions. Haha... cos I love Sydney!)

The photo was taken at his birthday party (he turned ONE... wheee, and he got his first taste of chicken wing, much to the horror of his mum, my cousin), which was quite some time back. (my lack of a helmethead of rubbish hair is a dead giveaway to the date of this photo).

While I hate this photo cos it makes me look fat (who ask my nephew so slim and hamsum?), I'm posting it cos I think he's how cute (pseudo yoga pose notwithstanding). And more importantly, I want to take him to SPK! To any possible non-St James' people reading this, SPK stands for "Super Power Kids", which is our children's church programme on Sunday afternoons (which REALLY REALLY ROCKS by the way).

Ok I know I'm planning for all this like 4 years too early, but I've devised this super cool plan lah:

I bring Shaun to SPK, he has loads of fun. I invite his parents, my parents and his grandparents, and basically every single relative who thinks he's cute and would go to insane lengths to see him play and look cute (yes there are people like that) ALL to SPK. And "marimarihom!" (please visit Ivan's blog for details), you have ALMOST the entire set of Glenn's paternal relatives (plus his own parents!) in church! And then through the love and friendship which WILL be extended to them by the lovely people of St James' Church, they'll come to experience the love of Christ first hand and subsequently accept Him as their Lord and Saviour!

Ok that's just one of the many "plans" I've come up with whenever I think about how to reach out to my family. I've gotta of course take all these "plans" to God and really ask Him for wisdom as to what to do. I don't really wanna wait 4 years to bring them to church when I can actually take the church (me being the representative of Christ) TO THEM.

So the point of this whole post really is: pray for me and my family as I seek to reach out to them! Hey you might just have one superextremelyinsanely cute little "chup cheng" boy to play with in the near future!

Revelation 3: Transformation

Ok so here we go... Revelation 3: Transformation the EVENT has ended. But the PROCESS has just begun. I'm still in the midst looking back at my own personal journey leading up to Revelation 3 together with God, to really gain some clarity, with the help of His Holy Spirit, on what He Himself has revealed to me, with the loving desire to ultimately transform me to reflect more of His glory. Rest assured that once the time is right (or The Time Has Come... heh), I'll share it with everyone here as well.

My own involvement in the Revelation series of worship events began with the first one back in August 2005, where I was a vocalist on the team. That, being the very first one, was birthed out a renewed passion for God that was taking place in JYM at the time. I still remember how God was moving Sunday after Sunday, the music was sometimes raw, but nobody cared. It was just so awesome to just see God working, youths on their knees, tears falling, crying out, repenting, re-dedications being made... Just so powerful.

The 2nd Revelation event was held at the start of 2006, and Ivan and myself had the privilege of leading worship for that one. Also an awesome experience. And finally, the recently concluded Revelation 3, I was co-leading for set 2 with Kaixin. This latest Revelation saw Claudia and Kaixin at the helm of things with good ol' Ivan and myself assisting them.

All in all, 3 events with very different experiences for each. But each one in its own unique way was a tremendous blessing to me from the Father Himself.

Ok so back to Revelation 3. Ok honestly EVERYONE involved did a fantastic job in really coming together as one to put up this event. What a committed and dedicated bunch of youth we have. Ok I don't believe I am doing this, but... err shout-outs:

Claud - Looney that she is, but she really came through good for this one. With God's help she saw the event through from start to finish. What began in Ps Henry's office one day as a stationery hunt (she forgot about the stationery but came out with the daunting task of putting the entire event together), culminated in an awesome night of praise and worship of the King of Kings on the 23rd of June 2007.

Am proud of you Claud (even though you knock my cardigan and pointy shoes!), it was a pleasure being able to work with you for His Glory. And I'd do it again! (but this time you better know where Tel Aviv is). May you continue to grow in spiritual maturity as a worshipper and disciple of the LORD. Also, I humbly apologise for my nagginess at times in preparation for the event. I know I tend to do that at times.

Kax - What can I say, my co-worship leader. It was an honour and a blessing. Of all the people involved in Revelation 3, I somehow sense you've grown the most from the entire experience. There was a newfound confidence (in the Spirit) which I noticed on Saturday night. From the way you prayed, to the way you led the people in worship, undeniably, a Transformation has taken place. Praise God for that. What an encouragement it has been working with you!

I'm looking forward to more opportunities where we can partner together to lead the youth into worship. And I pray that the transformation He has begun in you by His Spirit will continue as you seek His face each day, that you may be transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory.

"The LORD your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with his love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."(Zephaniah 3:17)

Ivan - As usual, you're the man dude. It's always been a pleasure serving with you. Keep up the faithful service for the Lord. Your desire to give your utmost for His highest is a constant encouragement to me. Let's continue to spur one another in the work for His Glory.

Singers - You guys and girls were amazing, every single one of you. Joanne and Janelle, I'd really love to hear so much more of your voices during JYM. Beautiful. Kaimin, good to have to you join us on vocals too! You've got that heart of worship no doubt. Junxu, thanks for coming through with the male harmony parts for us. It really added to the vocals. And also, thank you for your heart to really pursue excellence.

Band - To the younger musicians in the band, really really great job! Really blessed to see the younger ones (i of all people can use the term "younger ones" without fear) giving back to God with the talents He's blessed them with. Overall, the music for both sets, what can I say but give praise to God for blessing us with such an awesome set of musicians who can not just play great music, but can worship Him with the talents He's given them. Continue to give back to Him what He's blessed you with, and see Him take your offering of worship and multiply it for His glory.

Collin - Mr Grumpy. Colliflower. The one and only Walzy himself. In 3 days you came up with the opening visuals. Never once did you complain (oh maybe except that one time to me... haha... but that's ok cos that's just the way Mr Grumpy talks). It's your transformation these past 3 years that's really shown me how BIG my God is. Thanks for really being there and helping to keep me sane at times. Your partnership in Connect and the Worship Ministry is much much valued.

David - I hope Revelation 3 was a good birthday gift to you. Thanks so much for all the help with the band. And especially your patience with me during practices when I sometimes (ok fine... many times) fumbled. Also, your little personalised notes of encouragement to every member of the team just before the event started was really a God-send. Thank you David. Thank God for you.

PA crew - Derrick, Amos, Joshua, Darren, Wilson. Your commitment and dedication was really examplary. Being there every single practice, doing the lyrics, lights, everything... Thank You. Much thanks to Jesse who was there on Wednesday and Saturday itself too!

Dancers - I've always felt that dance can be such a powerful expression of worship, and all of you really captured that so beautifully this Revelation 3. And like Ivan's said in his much better written version of THE REVELATION POST, it's really a great joy to finally have dancers for Revelation. The dance for At The Foot of the Cross really blew me away. I know people at the back too were blessed by that offering of worship unto Him.

And lastly to Caleb and the logistics gang, and Joyce and the ushers, thank you so much for playing the roles you did. It's always such a great experience when the Body of Christ comes together united as one. I like the stage set this year. Oh and how can I forget the really nifty signs the ushers were wearing? Haha

Ok that takes me to the end of this post-Revelation ramble. I'm sure there's more to come. =) Thank you Lord for blessing me with such an awesome opportunity to serve you.

I will reach out just the same...

Ok i've been wanting to share this with people for the longest time. Brooke's awesome we already know that, but I think what makes her even more awesome, is (not her extremely beautiful outer appearance, though if anyone has anything to say about that you have to deal with ME first!), is her heart for the Father, and His annointing which is so clearly upon her.

Faithful (by Brooke Fraser)
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There's distance in the air
And I cannot make it leave
I wave my arms `round about me
And blow with all my might

I cannot sense you close
Though I know you're always here
But the comfort of you near
Is what I long for

CHORUS
When I can't feel you
I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can't hear you
I know you still hear every word I pray
And I want you
More than I want to live another day
And as I wait for you
Maybe I'm made more faithful

All the folly of the past
Though I know it is undone
I still feel the guilty one
Still trying to make it right

So I whisper soft your name
And let it roll around my tongue
Knowing you're the only one who knows me
You know me

CHORUS
When I can't feel you
I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can't hear you
I know you still hear every word I pray
And I want you
More than I want to live another day
And as I wait for you
Maybe I'm made more faithful

Bridge
Show me how I should live this
Show me where I should walk
I count this world as loss to me
You are all I want
You are all I want

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Son of man, can these bones live?

Ok I've decided to resurrect this blog... or at least try to.

God's really moving, in my life, in church... in so many different areas. And I would love to be able to tell everyone... all my friends, people I have yet to meet, and especially people I may never meet, about the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. That's really the motivating factor for wanting to try and re-start this blog all over again. I want to be able to document all the awesome things my God is doing in and around me, to really share the love of Christ with everyone, with those who would take the time to have a look.

As I walk this road God's been leading me on over the years, He's brought so many many wonderful people into my life. Fellow sojourners in this temporary existance, to encourage one another, to bless one another, to partner in the great work for His glory. Sometimes they move on, sometimes they drift away, sometimes they get called to take on another assignments, and sometimes even I have to move on to the next stage He's called me to. We may be physically apart, but we'll forever be united by His Spirit in His family. Those of you who I don't see so often, I miss you and I wish I could have all the time in the world to meet up with all of you frequently to just tell of all the amazing things He's been doing and continues to do. But of course I can't... and this blog is expecially for all of you.

A journal of my journeys with the Lord... about my life, with Him. I promise to be as real as possible. No fluff, no fancy stuff, everything just as it is...

Of course being real, I will also talk about my struggles, my failures, my shame (I hope). It won't always be the Good Life. But through all that, I pray for one thing to remain true, that the Lord's faithfulness and grace shine through.

"I will boast in the Lord my God
I will boast in the One Who's worthy
I will boast in the Lord my God
I will boast in the One Who's worthy, He's worthy

I will make my boast in Christ alone" (Paul Baloche)