Knowing//Loving//Living

Google God Session & Fellowship With HYPER

written at Sunday, January 31, 2010

Where do I begin! It has been one busy yet fulfilling Sunday! Had Bible study in the morning with GoogleGod, the topic was on interpersonal relationships and how we could improve the relationships that we have with others so that we may labour faithfully for Christ and carry out the great commission. Here are a few of the verses which was shared during the discussion.

Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Hebrews 3:12-13
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

The verse from Hebrews convicted me, very relevant and very true. I am sure many of us from time to time will come across a brother or sister who is hurting or burdened, the following 2 verses above tells us how we should go about when such a situation arises. God can really work through these things. God isn't calling us to fix them, He is calling us to love them, just as Christ loved us :) When we enhance our ability to relate to people, to strengthen the bonds of accountability, prayer and encouragement among each other, sin is crushed.

On another note, joined HYPER for fellowship Sunday today! Derick was kind enough to open his home for us! I would like to take this opportunity to rant on how big his house is. Well, it isn't a house, it's a castle, just without a moat and a dragon to go with it. I am not kidding you, it has an east wing and a west wing, their family has around 3-4 house keepers to keep the place clean. After walking through the front gate, I stared up to what seems like an endless flight of stairs, and walked up, slowly. By the time I reached the top I was just about exhausted. I looked like an ant, crawling around such a large complex. I looked out and the house overlooked the entire barker road area, you could see Balmoral and parts of orchard at a distance. I really don't mind staying over at Derick's for a long long time :) Even if it means sleeping on their carpet grass because the carpet grass is amazing...

Among the activities were tennis, basketball, water-bombing, water pouring, screaming, shouting, laughing, crying and eating. Not to mention, we took about 600 photos in total. I'm waiting for the photos to come out!

Thanks Si An and Russell for organizing the games and Karen for baking the cake! The games were extremely wet, dirty and grassy, not to mention whip-creamy. It was great catching up with all of you again!

Acoustic Recording Of "Mercy"

written at Saturday, January 30, 2010

Esther, Bobby, Paul and myself headed to Bobby's place to do a simple acoustic recording of Casting Crown's song "Mercy", a rendition of the original song written and sung by Parachute Band of New Zealand. The Casting Crowns version featured new lyrics and changes. Looking at them play around with the Garage Band programme is really cool because it seems so easy to use! Very intuitive, it didn't seem too complex. Hopefully when I ever get a Macbook Pro or a Macbook I will be able to use it for recording some vocal tracks! Can't play the guitar or keyboard too well yet but I shall keep learning and honing my skills while I'm in New Zealand.

The first cut of the song will be out soon so stay tuned! I love the tonal quality of Esther's voice, ACJC choir represent.

To Be Vulnerable

written at Thursday, January 28, 2010

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly 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 - C. S. Lewis

A Spirit Of Unity

written at Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The following verse is particularly relevant in a small group context. Will probably share with my own small group this Sunday. We were created to have relationships with one another, demonstrating and reflecting our relationship with the Lord!

Romans 15:5-6
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such Favour Undeserved

written at Sunday, January 24, 2010

Today's message at Combined Service was a fitting one, timely might I add. The title of the sermon was, "Our Father Who Is In Heaven." The message was centred around the parable of the prodigal son. Many of you would be familiar with this story taken mainly from Luke 15.

I've been struggling a lot, the weight of sin, at times the feelings of guilt and feelings of condemnation as I roll around in bed, unable to sleep soundly because of this unexplainable heaviness in my heart, is it an uncertainty? Is it a doubt for God's love for me? How I longed for something refreshing and this parable once again revealed to me God's undying love for me. His unconditional, redeeming love.

Sometimes we get a warped or wrong view of who God is, because of this, the devil would come and plant little lies and deceptions into our minds, causing us to doubt His love for us. The parable of the prodigal son draws us back to God's heart. I can imagine the son, who had squandered everything that he had been given.

You held out Your arms, I walked away
Insolent, I spurned Your face
Squandering the gifts You gave to me
Holding close forbidden things
Destitute, a rebel still, a fool in all my pride
The world I once enjoyed is death to me
No joy, no hope, no life

Where now are the friends that I had bought
Gone with every penny lost
What hope could there be for such as I
Sold out to a world of lies
Oh, to see Your face again, it seems so distant now
Could it be that You would take me back
A servant in Your house

I have shared the lyrics of the song above (Sovereign Grace Music - The Prodigal) in one of my previous posts a few months back, it spoke to me, but today's message also crystallized the words that was expressed in this song. The verse in Luke 15 explains the son who "came to his senses." Luke 15:18-20 says, I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father." This is where it gets amazing, do you believe it?

You held out Your arms, I see them still
You never left, You never will
Running to embrace me, now I know
Your cords of love will always hold
Mercy’s robe, a ring of grace
Such favor undeserved
You sing over me and celebrate
The rebel now Your child

Indeed, the father ran out to see his son, embraced him, before the son could utter a word of, "Sorry." I can imagine the tears of joy, the tears of being united father and son, again. So what does this mean for us my friends? God loves us even before we do anything for Him, we don't need to do anything to gain God's approval. Our sonship in Him through His covenant is an everlasting one :) This is my encouragement to all of you, to all those who are hurting, who are wondering if God really loves you, who are currently having any doubts of Him. Have a read of the parable of the prodigal son again. May He speak to your heart. Do you feel Him calling you back?

He wants to embrace you.

Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow

written at Saturday, January 23, 2010

Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts I have toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.Then you will call upon Me and go pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

I stumbled across this verse while searching for one for a good friend of mine, I too was impacted greatly by the truths expressed in this passage. I can't help but blog about it to share it with you guys. I don't think God plays hide and seek, He is found by those who seek Him, with all their heart. This assurance warms me, I know that I will feel warm even in the midst of a cold winter's night, I know that I can smile, quietly, confidently because I know He's there. It's quite surreal if you ask me. Tonight's going to be a good night.

Keith picked this song for GAP today, first time singing this song in a long long time. But have a look at the lyrics, how fitting!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Your Mercy Found Me

written at Thursday, January 21, 2010

Here I am a sinner
Broken and in need of You
Take my life and wash my fears away
For You are the Great I AM
Rest assured, I feel Your hand
Holding me until the darkness clears

A Father to the fatherless
Redeemer of my soul
My life is Yours forever
I want the world to know

Your mercy saved me
Mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me
Called me as Your own

Here I stand a child of Yours
Broken and in need of You
Break these chains and wash my guilt away

Healer of my brokenness
My weary soul will find its rest
You are my strength, the lifter of my head

You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say

Your mercy saved me
Mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me
Called me as Your own

The Pride Of Babel & The Praise Of Christ

written at Monday, January 18, 2010

Was reading through Genesis 9,10 & 11. The essence of the chapters covers the account of Noah's descendants after the flood, what happened after that significant event when God decided to wipe out everything off the face of the Earth because of its corruption.

So after the flood God told Noah in Genesis 9:1 to "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." So Chapter 10 describes that account. I personally thought that it the people were being obedient, you know, multiply the earth and filling it. Was curious about going deeper so I referred to Piper's sermon on the Pride of Babel. Good thing he managed to shed more light on the 3 chapters!

It looked like a fulfilment of God's command. It looked like obedience. Then Genesis 11 tells us that they weren't in fact spreading, they were clustering! They not only clustered together, they tried to make a name for themselves by building a tall tower to reach the heavens. God shattered their disobedience and made their clustering impossible by confusing their languages and scattering them all over the earth.

What a fitting 3 chapters for me personally! Am I living for His glory or for my own self-image? Well, this is not the end, the scattering and the confusing of the languages were not just a judgment on sin, but in fact it was at the same time designed to bring all the glory to Christ! I'll share with you what Piper had mentioned in his sermon which spoke to me the most.

1. Pride will be destroyed. "Her sins are heaped high as heaven. . . . As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, “I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.” . . . Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come." - Revelation 18:5,7,1

2. The gospel glorified. "A great part of the glory of the gospel is that it is not provincial. It is not a tribal religion. It breaks into every language and every people. If there were no diversity of languages, if the spectacular sin of Babel had not happened with its judgment, the global glory of the gospel of Christ would not shine as beautifully as it does in the prism of thousands of languages."

3. Jesus Praised. The praise that Jesus receives from all the languages is more beautiful, because of its diversity, than it would have been if there were only one language and one people to sing. “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10

It was the spectacular sin on the plains of Shinar that gave rise to the multiplying of languages that ends in the most glorious praise to Christ from every language on earth. Praise the Lord, O Bethlehem, let everything that has breath praise the Lord - Piper

Shatter my pride, shatter my dreams, that I may only dream for You O Lord.

Reconciliation, Reflection

written at Sunday, January 17, 2010

Sunday's sharing and Bible study during small group time was a very refreshing one, a timely reminder if I might add, the new year has just passed not too long ago and it is good to review your resolutions after what has been shared. Here are some of the verses which Seth shared with us.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money

The verse above made me review my new year resolutions and my plans, I shall continue doing so before I had off to bed the next few days. Who do I dream of becoming? Who is at the centre of my dreams? Myself or God?

2 Corinthians 5:16
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Again this has spurred in me a sort of thankfulness for what He has done, this is a reminder to me that we are all reconciled to the Father through Christ Jesus. As the passage mentioned, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and BEHOLD the new has come. And as Seth shared, "We should anchor our lives to the vine of God, so that we may bear lasting fruit through Him. Living a God-centred Life."

Who do I live for? Am I living a God-centred life or a self-centred one? Again this will be the question that will be challenging me, in the light of many recent events that has occurred not just in my own personal circle but around the world. "Break my heart for what breaks yours," I sing during the worship service, sometimes its meaning does not take root in your heart until you read up about the devastation, the poverty, the struggles and the hardships going on around the world. Yet, you somehow do not feel a single thing. You go about leading your life without regard for these people.

I guess this is the start of another journey for me, as the Lord teaches me what it means to love others, to love how He loved us, and brought us the reconciliation that is in Christ Jesus. I may not be with them physically in Haiti, I guess the least a University student from New Zealand could do is to pray, and to commit them to God in prayer. God will do the rest.

Dear Haiti :The bonds shall never break though Earths own columns bow. The strong the tempted and the weak are one in Jesus now - Derek Webb

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

I pray that the lyrics of this song will take root deeply in all of us.

He Hears Our Prayers

written at Thursday, January 14, 2010

Even when you're too tired to speak, too exhausted to even utter a word, to even say anything from your own mouth. You have dumped yourself on the bed, you try and you try again, you kept trying, you kept wrestling and you kept struggling. Yet, He hears you, He hears not just every word that you utter from your very mouth, He sees your heart too.

From the cries of forgiveness, the shouts of praise, the words of thanksgiving, from the prayers for ourselves and those for other people. He hears every single one of them.

Psalm 6:9
"The Lord has heard my supplication, The Lord receives my prayer."

Because Of Jesus, We Can

written at Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson, in Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ (pp. 86-87)

When relationships are built around the truths of the gospel—the truth that we are walking in light even though we are still sinners in need of cleansing by his blood—we can be free from feelings of inferiority and the demanding spirit that is born of pride.

We can pursue relationships without fear of being discovered as the sinners we are. This kind of open relationship rests solely on the realities of the gospel. We are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe, and so is everyone we know. Because of this, we won’t be surprised by other’s sins. They won’t expect us to be sinless either, so we don’t have to give in to self-condemnation and fear when they see us as we really are. We don’t have to hide or pretend anymore.

The gospel also tells us that we are loved and welcomed without any merit on our part, so we can love and welcome others whose merits we can’t see. We can remember the circumstances under which we have been forgiven, and we can forgive in the same way. We don’t deserve relationship with the Trinity, but it has been given to us. We can seek our relationships with others because we know that we have been sought out by Him and that He is carrying us all on His shoulders. (Yes, He is that strong!)

To Those Receiving Their O Level Results

written at Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I happened to be on the bus on the way to get my hair cut, passing a few secondary schools along the way, as the bus drove pass the bus stop, I spotted a girl crying. There were a few black faces around, some were smiling and talking to their friends, some weren't in the mood to talk at all. I can only assume that it was because of the O Level results day.

All in all, I think it is only natural, I would be disappointed to, terribly disappointed actually, aspirations and dreams would be shattered in an instant, upon receiving those results. I went home and dug up the old post I made a few months back. To all you who are reading this blog, may it be an encouragement for you. And to all those who are happy and satisfied for their results, be that listening ear, be that shoulder, be that support to your friends who need it during this time alright?

This post was dated 20th September 2009. Have a read.

I am not a genius, I have have an average intelligence. But I still remember the very first day I entered University, in the car on the way there. My dad mentioned something very insightful and refreshing, "You know mum and I do not expect you to get the best grades ever, we all have different abilities and talents. If we get disappointed, are we telling God that we are not satisfied the way He created us? Therefore what we expect of you isn't the grades, but for you to have a good attitude, and to just simply do your best, and I'm sure that's what God expects of you too."

In a time like this, when the examinations and the assignment deadlines start creeping in, the uncertainty and the tendency to be discouraged upon getting an unexpected grade, I am grateful that the Lord has created me to be who I am today.

Matthew 11:29-30

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Whatever the result, always remember that God still loves you.

None But Jesus

written at Saturday, January 9, 2010

In light of the camps, of the personal reflections, in the contemplation, if there is a song which I have discovered which readily allows me to sing the commitments I have made. Well, the lyrics speak for themselves. Maybe you could access Youtube now, search the song up and read the lyrics at the same time? Oh and for all you nervous wrecks who will be seeing your Sec 1's or your YSG for the first time tomorrow, those getting the jitters, anxious and worried, uncertain and confused, heavy with burden, wondering if you could handle a bunch of noisy, chatty, distracted, screaming youths. Take heart. None But Jesus. The Shepherd of His flock.

In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored
When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore

Xiao Long Bao + Ancient Egypt

written at Friday, January 8, 2010

Had a very long day today, woke up early in the morning to meet Josephine, we headed to the National Museum to check out the Ancient Egypt exhibition. It was really interesting! First time visiting a Museum in a very long time. All students got in free of charge, all you had to do was to show your student I.D. Tragically, I didn't bring my University of Auckland student card with me so I had to pay a wallet burning $16. I was pretty bummed out by that, but thankfully, the interest I had gathered while visiting the exhibition made the $16 well worth it.

Headed to my interview and rushed off to feast on Xiao Long Bao! What is Xiao Long Bao you might ask? If you do not know, this is a sure sign of ignorance, come meet me one day and ask for a good lecture on what this amazing culinary morsel is. This is how a conversation will go over Xiao Long Bao, "Alright people, first time trying this, here it goes." The unsuspecting person dips the innocent looking Xiao Long Bao into the vinegar, and moves it towards his mouth. The teeth sinks into the little bag, after applying some pressure the thin layer protecting the contents of the Xiao Long Bao breaks. Suddenly, a rush of gravy squirts out of the Xiao Long Bao, it gets everywhere, on his clothes, in his eye, he screams in anguish, while we all laugh sadistically. Okay I'm kidding over the last part but you get the typical scenario when a Xiao Long Bao noob eats it.

The Evil Xiao Long Bao, don't judge a book by it's cover.

Am I Faithful?

written at Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Hebrews 11:29-40

"By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

Here is the sad part of the western definition of success. In the west, Moses will be an absolute failure. I can sort of see why, I don't think many of us, including myself would want the ministry that Moses had. Wandering around in the desert for 40 years with wining and complaining Israelites and then die right before it gets good. God didn't open up the clouds for him, revealed the promise land and went, "There it is Moses!" With Moses exclaiming, "Yes! Milk and honey!" No way, Moses died on the mountain, he never got to lead the people into promised land!

The Lord told Moses that he should not lead the people into the promised land. He could only see it with his eyes; that he will die on Mount Nebo, a mountain in the land of Moab. So Moses died on the mountain, Joshua took over and eventually lead the Israelites to the promise land, the people were ready to follow him.

I think very few people who knows the situation that Moses was in would go, "Man, I want to be a modern day Moses." We all want to be Joshua. But the thing is, without Moses, there is no Joshua.

This ties back to the whole thing about ministry, about leadership, about the roles that we take in the church. "Oh yes I want to be that great worship leader who will lead everyone into a great time of song to the Lord.", I am going to be honest, that was on my mind at times. This is what happens when we love ministry more than Jesus himself, the questions that pop up will be, "Do I really love Jesus?", "Do I have such a deep affection for Him, above anything else?", "Am I willing to be faithful even if it calls me to take up a role which doesn't seem as "Front-line" or "Glamorous" or "Desirable"?"or even "Am I faithful enough to share scripture and teach it faithfully to others so much to a point where people who love to have their ears tickled just left and went to another church that would tickle their ears?"

These questions will be slapping my face and challenging me for the many days and weeks to come. The verse I shared with you guys above tells us about the great examples of faith, mentioned in the stories of the men and women throughout the Bible. Often times, these men and women of faith will be devoured by lions, or receive death by the sword. Not a very glamorous thing.

I pray to be faithful to Jesus, more than looking glamorous.

2010: A Call To Persevere

written at Friday, January 1, 2010

The start of 2010 has not been very climatic, it has not been a rush, none of those fireworks in sight, none of the screaming, none of that jolly-good singing with party whistles and new year cone hats. All in all, the new year was not celebrated in a glamorous fashion. I was walking to church on my way to service, orchard road was packed with people, one of the times of the year where the late nights buzzed with activity. They were mostly waiting for the countdown.

Upon reaching the service, the usher gave me the bulletin. I read the cover and it said, "I press on. Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." Was then brought to Philippians 3:13-14. I turned to the next page and there was the title page, "Wesleyan Watch night Covenant Renewal."

The description then said, "From time to time, we renew our vows of consecration, especially when we gather at the Lord's table: but on this day we meet expressly, as generations of our fathers have met, that we may joyfully and solemnly renew the covenant which bound them and binds us to God." The first thing that popped in my mind was, new surrender. The new year is here, it has been an eventful one, the Lord has brought me through 2009.

The transition of 2009-2010 hasn't stood out for me in terms of having some sort of huge resolution and patriotic self-notion. I'm still struggling with many things, things that I have to surrender to the Lord, sometimes I find it a cold and hard slog through the thick mud, drudgery. But last night's message brought me back to question the life that I have led, the life that no one else sees, the life that only God sees, the secret life.

It seems like I'm going in circles at times, I surrender to the Lord, everything seems to be going well, I kind of get a tad bit complacent and I fall into the pit again, rinse and repeat. I know that the Lord has taken me far ahead of who I was in the past, but at times you can't help but think that this is vain repetition. "Have I changed?" This is where I am, in the valley, on the path, struggling with myself, struggling with what I value, struggling with what I treasure, with a bunch of rhetorical questions swirling in my brain. Here is to a lifelong process of transformation. Therefore, the first thing I should be telling myself to learn is to have patience and trust in the Lord.

2010 is a call to keep persevering, nothing significant has happened in the past 24hours, nothing significant is going to happen over the next 24hours. I'm looking ahead towards the life I am about to lead, I pray that I will reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus is calling me, and all of us.

Want to join me? It ain't gonna be fun, don't expect good grades to magically pop up, don't expect broken friendships to be fixed overnight, don't expect a brand new BMW to appear on your car porch, don't expect anything. There's one thing you can expect though, you'll be joining many many others through the trenches, through this cold and hard slog, unable to see what is in front of you, trusting not on your own eyesight. But one thing is for sure, a hand will be hold on to you the whole way through. At the finish line, the rewards will be heavenly. So how about it people, are we in this together?

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Your labour is not in vain.

Maranatha!