e n t r i e s
p r o f i l e
t a g b o a r d
l i n k s

written at Thursday, March 31, 2011

"Being humble is not a matter of pretending to be worthless, but is a form of realism, not only regarding the real badness of one's sins and stupidities and the real depth of one's dependence on God's grace, but also regarding the real range of one's abilities. Humble believers know what they can and cannot do. They note both their gifts and their limitations, and so are able to avoid both the unfaithfulness of letting their God-given powers lie fallow and the foolhardiness of biting off more than they can chew."
- J.I. Packer, A Passion for Faithfulness: Wisdom From the Book of Nehemiah

written at Thursday, March 24, 2011

Cheers Paul for sharing the link, this song is from New Life Worship's upcoming album. I have to say I've never heard a song with such a theme before. The bridge of this song is just so powerful, it dares to proclaim, it's unafraid of sharing this amazing/awesome truth that surpasses all worldly understanding and merits...There is no power in hell, or any who can stand before the POWER and the PRESENCE of the GREAT I AM.

As I listened to the song and as the lyrics soaked in, I closed my eyes, and imagined...You might ask, what did I imagine? Have a listen to the song through the video, read the lyrics, reflect over it, raise your hands, sing and move around if you are led to, let it all be to the GREAT I AM. All Glory to Him.



Verse 1
I wanna to be close close to your side
So heaven is real and death is a lie
I wanna hear voices of angels above
Singing as one

Verse 2
I wanna be near near to your heart
Loving the world hating the dark
I want to see dry bones living again
Singing as one

Chorus
Hallelujah
Holy Holy
God almighty Great I am
Who is worthy
None beside Thee
God Almighty
Great I Am

Bridge
The mountains shake before Him
The demons run and flee
At the mention of the name
King of Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of the Great I am
The Great I am The Great I am
The Great I am The Great I am The Great I am

written at Sunday, March 20, 2011

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

written at Saturday, March 19, 2011

I like this little town, basking in the sun, walking along with a few family friends of ours, with their cute little 5 year old daughter who keeps holding my hand every time we're about to cross the road.

Many interesting sights, a Mini Cooper literally glued to the ceiling of the showroom, an old but lively trio singing some old French classics, stalls selling specially hand-crafted items. This isn't the metro shopping area of Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Singapore but this will do it for me. It's relaxing. You can bring your dog out for a walk, let the little toddlers loose to chase bubbles, grab random twigs from the ground, shout at birds and receive animal balloons. I love weekends like these. I look around and see so much colour, everyone smiling, enjoying time with their friends and family.

My auntie and parents said I was a very sweet boy when I was younger, very well-behaved, like an "angel" as they claimed. I was surprised, I couldn't really remember what my personality was like back in my younger days, let alone seeing myself as a little "angel" back then. I was just smiling and playing along with the little toddlers as they showed me their named soft toys and drawings in their scrap book. Maybe I should grab a photo album of my younger days and flip through the pages and let the emotions overwhelm me.

You know what, I'm gonna go roll in the grass with my little toddler friend, chase bubbles, grab random twigs, shout and birds and receive animal balloons. I'm going to be free. Free from the cares of this world.



written at Saturday, March 12, 2011

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/a-prayer-for-japan

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.

O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.

And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.

Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.

Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.

May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.

In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.

Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.

And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.

O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.

written at Thursday, March 10, 2011

"Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Lord, grant that by your grace I stumble onto wealth. Not money, but the truth. And source of my soul's health.

written at Sunday, March 6, 2011

For the past few hours I've been seeing many posts on Twitter and Facebook quoting the lyrics of the song "I Lift My Hands" by Chris Tomlin from his latest album "If our God is for us...". It has been a quite awhile since the song has been first introduced to YM a few weeks back and I'm feeling very encouraged and heartened that the meaning of the lyrics is just coming alive to us.

Last year, I remember sitting down on my bed after a very tiring, trying day. It wasn't just me who was feeling a deep sense of anxiety and burden from the trials of life, my friends were going through very tough times as well, hurts, struggles, pain and loss. In an attempt to relax and calm my nerves, I jumped onto the computer to listen to some music. I stumbled upon this song on Youtube. I later went on to a friend's page and he had posted the lyrics to the song, I knew that at that time he was going through a very difficult period of his life. He posted this...

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy is unfailing
His arms a fortress for the weak

It was after I read it that it hit me, I suddenly realised where this song came from, real struggle, the strife, the wrestle, that in this sheer desperation, the man lifts his hands and cries out to God in his deepest need. That was when it came alive to me. Singing the lyrics to this song taught me who our God is. He who understands and who is faithful and true. And it's such a nice turn around to the song towards the bridge, that faith rises up, eyes are opened, as God reveals Himself to the believer. Powerful.

So in the wake of seeing all these Twitter posts and Facebook status updates. I've been seeing a lot of posts pop up about A-Level results, the joy and the disappointment associated with receiving them. I guess the hope for the songwriter who wrote this, is that the worshipper draws deeper into dependence on God, who loves us for who we are, not by our merits, and that our identity is in Christ, our hope is in Him, our strength is in Him, that He is our portion. So let faith arise my friends, remembering that He is faithful, forever.

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever



written at Friday, March 4, 2011

It was a very normal, warm 22 February afternoon for me. It was after lunch, I was still recovering from my jetlag from landing a few days back. I switched on the television out of boredom to see if I can catch anything interesting. I turned on to Channel One and found that the news was on, I was a little puzzled, why would news be airing at some odd hour in the afternoon? I continued watching.


written at Tuesday, March 1, 2011

There are many things to think about. It doesn't matter if it's in the thick of busy-ness or when there's nothing to do, somehow some questions in life just seem to catch up to you and you start thinking about them automatically.  But I guess having the space and time to digest, reflect and think about these things would help. 

written at Thursday, March 31, 2011

"Being humble is not a matter of pretending to be worthless, but is a form of realism, not only regarding the real badness of one's sins and stupidities and the real depth of one's dependence on God's grace, but also regarding the real range of one's abilities. Humble believers know what they can and cannot do. They note both their gifts and their limitations, and so are able to avoid both the unfaithfulness of letting their God-given powers lie fallow and the foolhardiness of biting off more than they can chew."
- J.I. Packer, A Passion for Faithfulness: Wisdom From the Book of Nehemiah

written at Thursday, March 24, 2011

Cheers Paul for sharing the link, this song is from New Life Worship's upcoming album. I have to say I've never heard a song with such a theme before. The bridge of this song is just so powerful, it dares to proclaim, it's unafraid of sharing this amazing/awesome truth that surpasses all worldly understanding and merits...There is no power in hell, or any who can stand before the POWER and the PRESENCE of the GREAT I AM.

As I listened to the song and as the lyrics soaked in, I closed my eyes, and imagined...You might ask, what did I imagine? Have a listen to the song through the video, read the lyrics, reflect over it, raise your hands, sing and move around if you are led to, let it all be to the GREAT I AM. All Glory to Him.



Verse 1
I wanna to be close close to your side
So heaven is real and death is a lie
I wanna hear voices of angels above
Singing as one

Verse 2
I wanna be near near to your heart
Loving the world hating the dark
I want to see dry bones living again
Singing as one

Chorus
Hallelujah
Holy Holy
God almighty Great I am
Who is worthy
None beside Thee
God Almighty
Great I Am

Bridge
The mountains shake before Him
The demons run and flee
At the mention of the name
King of Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of the Great I am
The Great I am The Great I am
The Great I am The Great I am The Great I am

written at Sunday, March 20, 2011

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

written at Saturday, March 19, 2011

I like this little town, basking in the sun, walking along with a few family friends of ours, with their cute little 5 year old daughter who keeps holding my hand every time we're about to cross the road.

Many interesting sights, a Mini Cooper literally glued to the ceiling of the showroom, an old but lively trio singing some old French classics, stalls selling specially hand-crafted items. This isn't the metro shopping area of Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Singapore but this will do it for me. It's relaxing. You can bring your dog out for a walk, let the little toddlers loose to chase bubbles, grab random twigs from the ground, shout at birds and receive animal balloons. I love weekends like these. I look around and see so much colour, everyone smiling, enjoying time with their friends and family.

My auntie and parents said I was a very sweet boy when I was younger, very well-behaved, like an "angel" as they claimed. I was surprised, I couldn't really remember what my personality was like back in my younger days, let alone seeing myself as a little "angel" back then. I was just smiling and playing along with the little toddlers as they showed me their named soft toys and drawings in their scrap book. Maybe I should grab a photo album of my younger days and flip through the pages and let the emotions overwhelm me.

You know what, I'm gonna go roll in the grass with my little toddler friend, chase bubbles, grab random twigs, shout and birds and receive animal balloons. I'm going to be free. Free from the cares of this world.



written at Saturday, March 12, 2011

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/a-prayer-for-japan

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.

O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.

And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.

Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.

Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.

May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.

In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.

Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.

And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.

O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.

written at Thursday, March 10, 2011

"Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Lord, grant that by your grace I stumble onto wealth. Not money, but the truth. And source of my soul's health.

written at Sunday, March 6, 2011

For the past few hours I've been seeing many posts on Twitter and Facebook quoting the lyrics of the song "I Lift My Hands" by Chris Tomlin from his latest album "If our God is for us...". It has been a quite awhile since the song has been first introduced to YM a few weeks back and I'm feeling very encouraged and heartened that the meaning of the lyrics is just coming alive to us.

Last year, I remember sitting down on my bed after a very tiring, trying day. It wasn't just me who was feeling a deep sense of anxiety and burden from the trials of life, my friends were going through very tough times as well, hurts, struggles, pain and loss. In an attempt to relax and calm my nerves, I jumped onto the computer to listen to some music. I stumbled upon this song on Youtube. I later went on to a friend's page and he had posted the lyrics to the song, I knew that at that time he was going through a very difficult period of his life. He posted this...

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy is unfailing
His arms a fortress for the weak

It was after I read it that it hit me, I suddenly realised where this song came from, real struggle, the strife, the wrestle, that in this sheer desperation, the man lifts his hands and cries out to God in his deepest need. That was when it came alive to me. Singing the lyrics to this song taught me who our God is. He who understands and who is faithful and true. And it's such a nice turn around to the song towards the bridge, that faith rises up, eyes are opened, as God reveals Himself to the believer. Powerful.

So in the wake of seeing all these Twitter posts and Facebook status updates. I've been seeing a lot of posts pop up about A-Level results, the joy and the disappointment associated with receiving them. I guess the hope for the songwriter who wrote this, is that the worshipper draws deeper into dependence on God, who loves us for who we are, not by our merits, and that our identity is in Christ, our hope is in Him, our strength is in Him, that He is our portion. So let faith arise my friends, remembering that He is faithful, forever.

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever



written at Friday, March 4, 2011

It was a very normal, warm 22 February afternoon for me. It was after lunch, I was still recovering from my jetlag from landing a few days back. I switched on the television out of boredom to see if I can catch anything interesting. I turned on to Channel One and found that the news was on, I was a little puzzled, why would news be airing at some odd hour in the afternoon? I continued watching.


written at Tuesday, March 1, 2011

There are many things to think about. It doesn't matter if it's in the thick of busy-ness or when there's nothing to do, somehow some questions in life just seem to catch up to you and you start thinking about them automatically.  But I guess having the space and time to digest, reflect and think about these things would help. 

Knowing

What matters supremely, therefore, is not
in the last analysis, the fact that I know God,
but the larger fact which underlies it --
the fact that He knows me.

J. I. Packer

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