Joe Loy - Hope

This is a nice new song by Joe Loy, a local artiste. This is the theme song for the Alpha Kuching Conference this coming 16-17 April 2010 in Trinity Methodist Church, Kuching. I can't wait to hear it live and worship together with everyone else!

Joe Loy - Hope

P/S: I can't embed it, so please click link to go to the youtube video. Thanks!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

It's been a while since I last blogged. Never really had much on my mind these days, besides procrastinating things which I was supposed to get done. I was checking out the blog of Jonathan Tse (someone recommended him when I told this someone that my school is introducing Youth Alpha to the RK classes), and I found this particular hymn ministering to me in the midst of my workplace at the moment. And I hope that you too will be ministered by this hymn. I pray that our eyes will turn back upon Jesus and receive sight again after being blinded by the things of the world. God bless!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace

Called to Worship by Vernon M. Whaley

Called to Worship: The Biblical Foundations of Our Response to God's Call, written by Dr. Vernon M. Whaley, is a must-read for all those who are new to worship, as well as a refresher for those who have been worshiping God since they come to know Him as their personal Saviour. In this whole book, the author brings us to a tour of how people from Old Testaments all the way down to New Testament worshipped God. The very essence of thus book is probably this: "God yearns to establish relationship with us, His created ones".

I was in a season where worship became difficult and complacent when I finally received this book. Reading this book challenged and transformed my worship and prayer life, encouraging me to seek God deeper than ever.

I really liked how Dr. Whaley explained about the worship styles of different era, individuals and situations, according to the chronological order of the bible. One can follow easily, even if we're unfamiliar with the bible. It also encourages us to read our bible as we read on. Besides that, there is always a summary known as "Principles of Worship from this Chapter" at the end of the chapter which helps us to refresh our memory after reading the chapter.

One important point that he had conveyed was it is okay to be imperfect, and still worshipping the God who is perfect in every way. He pointed out the imperfections of the biblical characters mentioned in the book and how God still longed for their worship and blessed them abundantly when they returned to God. Even in modern days, we can still return to the God who yearns to establish relationship with us ever more by first being obedient to Him and start worshipping Him once again.

This is a book suitable to be used for personal devotion, small group material as well as teaching material for the topics of biblical worship.

Chris Tomlin - Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all my blog readers a Blessed and Wonderful Christmas! May the birth of Jesus be a brand new start of our journey on earth and a renewal of our hearts. Let us get prepared for the coming of our Messiah as we approach Christmas Day. Let us make this decision to invite Jesus into our hearts once again on Christmas. Let it be a time of joyful praises and worship to our God, the Saviour and King of our hearts!

Ephesians 5:19

The readings for today are taken from Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34; Ephesians 5:15-20 and John 6:51-58.

What struck me most this weekend is from the second reading, Ephesians 5:19-20...

"As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (New Revised Standard Version)

"Sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs among yourselves, singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts, always and everywhere giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (New Jerusalem Bible)

These two versions are similar, yet to me, a bit different... From what I understand of verse 19, there are two roles we have to play when it comes to worship... First one, in community, we have to always remember to sing songs inspired by God (spiritual songs) and hymns and psalms, a.k.a. Praise & Worship session... Second part, when we're alone, when we're not with our community, we still have to remember to sing to our Lord in our hearts... This act of worship doesn't stop when we leave our community gatherings. Instead, this act of worship goes on and on until we meet again during the next gathering...

Most churches, including our Catholic church, have prayer meetings, community gatherings, Life Nites (specially for Lifeline and Lifeteen)... Once a week. So what do we do from the P&W session of that week until the next week?

Yes, we worship the Lord with songs and melody in our hearts... But how? Make it a point to at least do one of the things listed here, or more: Listening to scripture-based, or God-inspired worship/praise songs more than listening to worldly music, pray daily, do daily readings (Catholic church we have a set of daily readings, other denominations may follow some other weekly devotions), attending daily masses, praying the rosary... and so many other ways where we can worship God in our daily lives.

As for me, I set aside 30 minutes a day to attend daily mass, as my daily walk with Christ. Through the Eucharis, I have received numerous healings and forgiveness. And I know the Real Presence of Jesus is in the Eucharist... It is not merely symbolic, but He is indeed truly present in the Eucharist. And as you progress with your walk with Jesus, you'll realise how insatiable He is.

Like what Mary said in Luke 1:46-48,
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant..."

Indeed, God is worth all our proclaimation of His goodness and especially, His Salvation, because He came down and saved us all even when we're sinners. He loves us all so much that He who has no sins died for our sins.

I thank God for everything, and in everything, I would like to encourage you all to make worship a lifestyle.

Have a great week ahead. God bless!

Satu Suara - Warisan Bangsa

Whoever who attended Lent Unplugged would know our theme song by Juwita Suwito. I had been thinking what to blog about since after Freedom Camp 2009. I wanted to blog about my experiences during the camp, but it is not the right time yet. So then as I chatted with my net friend, he showed the effort of Malaysian government to unite Malaysians via the song "Satu Suara", and it was then this song was brought to my notice once again. Yes, I pray that all churches in the world will be united as one voice in time to come. Amen! :)

Memo to Worship Bands

Hi readers, sorry I hadn't been updating diligently my blog here because work had been a bit overwhelming this week. Probably because my eagerness to spend time with people or laze around too much... So, prior to Freedom Camp, I came across an article which I'd like to share it here, taken from ChristianityToday with the title: "Memo to Worship Bands: Five Sound Reasons to Lower the Volume" by John G. Stackhouse Jr.

Can you hear me? You can? I'm sorry if I am shouting, but I have just spent half an hour in a church service with a typical worship band, and my ears are ringing. I'm sure to be fine in a minute. Or hour. Or day—I hope.

Why does everything every Christian musician performs nowadays seem to require high amplification?

I was at a Christian camp not long ago where we gathered to sing around a bonfire. Guitars appeared, but just before I could get nostalgic and suggest we sing "Pass It On," the microphone stands appeared, too. Apparently three guitars for 40 people were not enough. No, they had to be amplified.

I am not 110 years old, friends. I grew up in the 1970s with fuzz boxes, stacks of Marshall amplifiers, and heavy metal bands loud enough to take on Boeing 747s and win. I have played in worship bands for more than 30 years, and like lots of juice running through my Roland keyboard or Fender bass or Godin guitar. Furthermore, I'm a middle-aged man and my hearing is supposed to be fading. But even I find almost every worship band in every church I visit to be too loud—not just a little bit loud, but uncomfortably, even painfully, loud.

So here are five reasons for everyone to turn it down a notch—or maybe three or four.

First, I know it's breaking the performer's code to say so (the way magicians are never supposed to reveal a secret), but cranking up the volume is just a cheap trick to add energy to a room. The comedic film This Is Spinal Tap showed us all the absurdity of using sheer noise to compensate for a lack of talent. (The knobs on the band members' guitars and amplifiers were modified to go to 11.) Do not compensate for mediocrity by amping it up to MEDIOCRITY.

Second, when your intonation is not very good—and let's face it, most singers and instrumentalists are not anywhere close to being in perfect tune—turning it up only makes it hurt worse. If I hear one more "harmony singer" have trouble deciding whether to hit the major or the minor third and instead split the difference at a scalp-tightening volume, I think my head will split also.

Third, the speakers in most church PA systems cannot take that much energy through their small, old magnets and cones, especially from piano, bass, and kick drum. So we are being pounded with high-powered fluffing and sputtering—which do not induce praise.

Fourth, consider that you might be marginalizing older people, most of whom probably do not like Guns N' Roses volumes at church. And if you suspect older congregants may be secretly delighted behind their tight smiles, ask them. I dare you.

Fifth, let me drop some church history and theology on you. By the time church music matured into Palestrina and Co. in the 16th century, it had become too demanding and ornate for ordinary singers. So Christians went to church to listen to a priest and a choir.

The Protestant Reformation yanked musical worship away from the professionals and put it back in the pews. Luther composed hymns based on popular melodies, including drinking songs. Calvin insisted on taking lyrics from the Psalms. This was music in which almost anyone could participate. The problem today, to be sure, is rarely elaborate music. We could use a little more artistry, in fact, than we usually get with the simplistic and repetitive musical figures of many contemporary worship songs.

No, the contrast with the Reformation is the modern-day insistence that a few people at the front be the center of attention. We do it by making six band members louder than a room full of people. But a church service isn't a concert at which an audience sings along with the real performers. Musicians—every one of them, including the singers—are accompanists to the congregation's praise. They should be mixed loudly enough only to do their job of leading and supporting the congregation.

Now, I like Palestrina and I like good Christian rock. So, church musicians, if you want to perform a fine song that requires advanced musicianship, by all means do it. We will listen and pray and enjoy it to the glory of God.

But when you are leading us in singing, then lead us in singing. And turn it down so we are not listening to you—or, even worse, merely enduring you. I know that is not what you want to happen. But I am telling you that's what is happening.

Sorry, again, for shouting.

It's worth reflecting if we are actually worshiping God or hiding away beneath a masquerade.

God bless and have a wonderful weekend!

I'm Forever Yours - Planet Shakers

This is one of my most loved P&W song... I couldn't find the vidz for this song, so I only can ctrl-c the lyrics for your view... It's a lovely song, and what struck me today was "Trusting You and not myself will always lead to blessing"... His way is not my way, but His way is always the best way. Many times we failed to see the "blessing in disguise" because whatever tough times we're in could bring us to a point of blindness. Of course, when the right time comes, He will reveal the blessings, only if we harden not our hearts and we listen to His voice! :)

I'M FOREVER YOURS (PLANET SHAKERS)
I give my all to You
Send me and I will go for You
To the ends of the earth
I'll follow after You
I want the world to know
Your love endures forever

Tell me and I'll obey
This is far greater than sacrifice
Trusting You and not myself
Will always lead to blessing
Lord have Your way in me
Not my will, Yours be done

Here I stand within Your presence
Longing for Your touch
A thousand days cannot compare
To one day in Your courts

Hold me now
And never ever let me go
My Jesus, my precious Saviour
I'm forever Yours

I will worship You forever
I will worship You

CG Retreat - God is with Us (Psalm 46)

My CG, Whispers of Wind (WoW), went for our 2nd annual CG retreat at the residential campus of Montfort Youth Training Centre in Kinarut from 27th to 28th December 2008. I'm happy that 14 said "yes" to the retreat, but Maxwell couldn't make it due to wedding reception this weekend. Anyhow, here are some snippets of what happened and how God showed His grace and mercy to His children - us.

Last year WoW was in Alvin Voo's chalets behind his house, which was a blessing for us. We had our very first CG retreat with Salt of the Earth (SotE) somewhere in December as well. The retreat was focusing on Psalm 13. This year, our theme for CG retreat was "God is with Us" after discernment by our CGL, Denis Tsen. My part of discernment came up with the verse taken from Psalm 46, verse 10... Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. Only during the retreat when I borrowed Denis' bible to make comparison between versions that I realized that the "title" of this psalm in Good News Bible is "God is with Us". Praise God for His plans, revealed for His glory, in His own wondrous ways!!!

Basically we planned for a free & easy retreat, where we get enough time to bond, rest, have fun with God and among ourselves. Not only we achieved building relationship bonds among us, we also achieved the purpose that God has for us, to venture into a journey with Jesus. In our very different ways, God touched each of us, all because we are all very special children of God. Thanks be to God, our Father! Amen!

What did we do? The activities started when we arrived Montfort about 10am... We were "residing" in the rooms of St. Gabriel's Annex in the residential campus of Montfort Boys. Upon arrival, we sent our bags to respective rooms, ensuring everybody had a place to stay was in fact my duty as the HR personnel for the retreat. Somehow it became mine after I've decided to assist CGL with that role. After that, I toured around the annex and showed the way to the room for Marcel and Jacinta (the married couple in our CG). Our chef of that weekend was Joanne's mom, Aunty Theresa. She was preparing our meal when we arrived. Thank God for her willingness to help us with the food... If not I guess my members would have to bear with my cooking~~ LOL! (Did I hear some "oh nooooo!!" somehow? I hope not.)

After everybody had enough acclimatizing time, we gathered everybody and had our first session of games in the hall, conducted by Joanne. Thanks to Joanne, we all had fun during the first 1.5 hours of arrival in Montfort. As everybody was getting hungry and Joanne's mom "beeped" us that lunch was ready, thus all of us sort of rushed back to dining area for our lunch... The yummy Nasi Lemak with sambal prawn, boiled egg and fried chicken. My goodness, it was so delicious that I wanted a second round of rice, but I didn't because I still have to take care of my carbo intake. But I had second helping of sambal prawn with cucumber slices. Everybody was given time to rest and unpack after lunch until about 3pm. Due to my dance class in KK, I had no choice but to leave everybody and headed down to Foh Sang for class. By the time I arrived it was about 5.20pm and they were playing balloon games outside the annex.

Remembering that all my stuffs were practically frozen and uncooked and dinner was about 1.5 hours away, I kept my stuffs into the room and "conquered" the kitchen until Jon Wee came in to fry bananas for the rest who finished games and kinda hungry. Thank God for the fried bananas, if not they would be complaining that dinner was served late. We only started our steamboat dinner at about 8pm, instead of the original plan of 7pm. Sorry guys! Praise and thank God also for the great help of Jacinta, Joanne and Denis, who helped in their own ways, especially Jacinta, without her, I doubt we could get the soup done by the time we prepared everything. I gotta learn more the art of cooking from moms.

The dinner was great, I guess the happiest moment for me was to see everybody whipped off practically everything on the table, including the fried nasi lemak with sambal prawn, as some of the members had to eat rice and the only thing I could provide them was the left over lunch. I guess that's the joy of it. I finally got my share of prawns when everybody slowed down and there were a great amount of prawns left. Knowing that CGL loves prawns as much as I do, I did share with him whatever that was left. Haha! Look! How kind I am!! (Ok, I know, minta puji a bit bit here... LOL!) I'm just joking~~

After dinner and washing up, we finally entered the conference room for our session. There wasn't any photo taken because I was busy crying. (HAHAHAHA!!!) Well, that was true, but I guess the real reason is this: the session shall remain as a mystery of love from God, which touched our very own lives in God's very own ways for us. Of course, I can share what we did... Firstly, we had the session of "washing of feet". Two thousand years ago, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in the upper room before the passover meal (Do refer to John 13 for more info.) It wasn't His job to wash the feet of His disciples, but this act that Jesus had done shown great humility, servant leadership and most importantly, His forgiving heart... It also shown us the grace and mercy of our Lord who died for us on the cross a few days after He washed the feet of His disciples, including Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. The first person to start was our CG leader, then me next... A few of us had the priviledge to wash everybody's feet... Towards the end of this session, the members were only asked to wash the feet of their neighbours due to time constraint. The next session was a Christmas Devotional session, where readings, reflections were interluded with Christmas Carols. Quiet, reflective and deep mystery of God's love - the birth of His Son, Jesus on earth to Mary. Because of Mary's willingness, a Saviour was born to us. That's the greatest mystery of His love for us...

After the session, some of us stayed back in the conference room to continue singing carols. After everybody left, I had a short discussion with CGL on the next day's plan. One thing I learned that night was the sessions conducted by leaders, many-a-times were done because the leaders (we) needed it more than the receivers of the sessions. Basically I was fretting over the morning prayer session. Though not all of what CGL said went into my head, but I still thanked God for the discussion. Nothing could be revealed about it... But it was something important for me, at least. Many might not know, but the last time I had spoken to CGL properly, one-on-one, about spiritual stuffs was about 5 months ago. I thanked and praised God for all that we had gone through, all that we are going through since July 2008 until now. I've to admit I had been a "man of little faith" like how Jesus scolded Peter when he was walking on water and sunk. God really slapped me hard enough the next morning when I saw Joanne's mom bringing the speaker right before our morning prayer session...

After discussion, I sat outside the room for a few moments of silence with God. All I knew was my strength came from God and only through Him things will be done. If He wanted a session without the speaker and the song, He would have it done that way. All I could ask was that I'm being used as His instrument of love. With peace at heart, I finally slept until the next morning. Probably I cried too much and my eyes were swollen when I woke up, I couldn't even open my eyes when I somehow managed to find my way out of my room to the toilet. When I finally opened my eyes, they were bloodshot eyes and swollen. Haha!

God was being so kind to me that morning. He had given me great joy of reconciliation, and a greater joy to know that He is God... Indeed, the verse "Be still, and know that I am God!" was exactly the verse for me throughout this retreat. Everytime when I let go and allow Him to take control, He made wonders out of me. I'm no super woman, but my God is a super God. Literally, "be still" has the meaning of keeping quiet, being silent, to listen. Biblically, if you had been following my blog, you'd know that I ever posted something on Psalm 46:10, "be still" has the meaning of to slack, to let drop, to be disheartened or weak. Thus, the moment when I acknowledged I couldn't do it without Him taking charge of it, He made all that was planned happened, despite the fact I doubted it. Not only I received grace, I also received mercy from Him. He had forgiven me even before I realized it. One part of that previous entry that I liked was this:

It is “God’s past” that provides calm for “our future.” Know that he is God! Know it, not merely intellectually, but practically, spiritually, and emotionally. He is your God. He is the ruler of kingdoms of this earth and the all-powerful Creator of the Universe.

Thus, the morning prayer session happened, and it happened to me specifically... The gospel reading, the psalm, the song which lyrics we reflected upon (This is Our God w/ What Child is This by Travis Cottrell) all spoke of the same theme - the grace and mercy of this little Babe who saved the world because of His great love for us. Indeed, God was made man and dwelt among men on Christmas. And as Christians, Christmas happens everyday to our hearts.

After the morning prayer session, we had to pack up and have our lunch because last minute Bro. Francis informed us he would not be in and thus would locked up. Not forgetting we sang him a birthday song because it was Bro. Francis' birthday on 28th December!! So instead of having our sharing session, we packed and cleaned up. After that, we had lunch and headed back to KK. Since we would be attending mass together, we hang out in TATU Cafe of Tanjung Aru Beach Hotel (Thanks to Marcel and Jacinta for the treat!!) and had our sharing sessions, brothers and sisters apart.

Indeed, God's promise is beautiful and far greater than what we expect Him to give us. Truly, this retreat brought me to a realization of how important is to wait patiently and seek Him fervently. The verse that Matthew written in his gospel... Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all will be given unto you... It is real, like how real it is to pinch ourselves and we feel the pain of the pinch. That's how real it is.

Thank and praise God for this opportunity to share all these on my blog. Thank and praise God for such a wonderful retreat! Thank and praise God for the mass and the homily that was said by Fr. Cosmas in St. Simon Church... I realized God's plan and timing truly is different from mine. And all I can do is to obey and wait patiently. I guess eventually everybody, except myself, Denis, Karen, Joanne, Jonathan Wee and their mom, attended mass in Stella Maris. Hehe!

Here are the pictorial descriptions of the retreat:

Entrance of Montfort Retreat Centre in Kinarut (Taken some days before as I didn't have the time to stop and take on the day itself...)

Our Chef, Aunty Theresa

Them at the swing (Denis, Ester, Karen, Mathida, Jacinta, Brenda)

Another shot of them... Umm... What are you guys doing, Denis? Hanging like monkey on the swing... Haha! Indeed, the tale of monkeys of MN came from you~~~

Jonathan Lee and Marcel nearby, chatting... I wonder what they talked about? Hehe! It's their secret... For them to know, for me to pray for them.

The statue of the patron saint of Montfort - St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Joanne, our games mistress giving explanation to the first game

Another shot of her! (Joanne, I couldn't decide which one is nicer, so I put both, coz I think both also equally nice!)

The member listened attentively!

The only SS photo I took this time... Background got Ray, Ah Boon and Jon

Denis: Kidz, make sure you all concentrate properly in discussion ahhh!! (Actually I have no idea what he was telling them... LOL!)

Lovely Mathilda about to be "blinded" with newspapers.

Self-explanatory! It's pay-back time!!!! Hahahahaha!!! Who asked him to design such a surprise for my birthday??? LOL!

Haha! Karen was trying to find where others were... She really couldn't see...

Mathilda grabbing the rafia string to pass to Ah Boon

Hehe! Another photo of them with me!

*smiles*

The Holy Family at Montfort hall... I didn't see a baby in the crib, you know why??? Because the Babe was in the arms of Mary!!!!!

After games, heading back for food~~

Queuing up for "fat rice" (nasi lemak)

Jon waiting for his turn with plate ready

Ray, smile! Click! Orait... continue whatever you are doing... :P Yummy food...

Denis finishing everything when everybody left...

Me with cucumber slices...

Preparation for steamboat dinner... My advisors, Jacinta and Joanne.

Tom yam soup base ready to be served. Yay!!!

Ah Boon, Ray and Jon found durians... There are several durian trees behind the Gabrielite brothers' house. And Bro. Francis said we could eat the durians we found I think...

Yeah... Dinner time...

I'm so happy the tom yam was popular~~

Everybody waiting for the food to cook in the pot~ I heard the word "hungry".

Yes, can eat already!!

Ah Boon... Help us to take please???

Oh! The durians that we found last night... Hopefully later dessert after lunch???

What they do before lunch???

Denis and Jon in conference room to teach and learn guitars...

Joanne transferring photos in Aunty Theresa's room

Ester and Mathilda napping in room...

Guys camwhoring in their room... Jon was the model, Ah Boon dressing him up and Ray taking photos... Umm... Hi-tech la, you guys!

Then Denis and Jon reading the Montfort newsletter in dining area...

So I took the chance to take photos with them... First with Joanne...

Then with Denis...

Next with Jon...

Finally with Brenda and Karen...

The guys started complaining their fingers were painful because of playing guitars...

Camwhoring with Joanne... Lovely shot~

Brenda doing sign language of her name

Jacinta made milo for Marcel~ Lovely couple~

Lunch time!!!

Jon said I had been taking photos but not being taken photo, thus this shot~

Jon Lee: Can I have the durian please?

Jon Wee: Aiyah! Just use your hand to press the skin, then the durian will buka!

Jacinta: I also want to try one~~

Our group photo... All from left to right - Front: Ray, Jacinta, Karen, Brenda; 1st row: Mathilda, Ester, Marcel, myself, Joanne, Jon Wee; 2nd row: Jon Lee; last row: Denis, Adrian Boon.

The sisters' sharing (Denis, the photo is blur la! Your hand shaking ka when taking the photo???)

The brothers' sharing

Alright, that's the end of my entry... Thank and praise God for this two-day retreat! I hope I could serve as a leader again when God calls me back to serving. As for now, all I want to do is to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen to Him and learn from Him.

Till the next entry, Pax et Bonum.