August's Rhapsody

I was watching the movie entitled 'August Rush' the other day and I was so touched by this wonderful movie. I believe that music is one of God's gift to us. And for me, music is one of the ways in which God reveals Himself. Each time I see a group of people coming together to play music or sing, it pulls a string in my heart. Somehow or rather, music seems to have healing power and I thank God for music. Music is a wonderful thing and it makes me very happy. :)

Here's a short clip to share and I hope that it will touch your heart as it did to mine.

'I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales. Open your heart and listen. You'll believe, too.'

You can’t do just one thing

Murphy’s Laws are observations about life that seem to have the weight of experience behind them. You’ve probably heard this one: “If anything can go wrong, it will.” Here’s another one: “You can’t do just one thing; everything has its consequences.”

My own experience seems to confirm many of Murphy’s Laws, but it’s that second one that I would hang on the wall as a motto. Wrong choices have their consequences. For example, if we choose to live for pleasure, that will affect our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (Ex. 20:4-5). If we walk away from God, we may discover that our children have taken that trip with us. Later, even if we return to Him, they may not.

But there is also good news. Devotion to the Lord has its consequences too. Men and women who live in faith before God can have a strong influence on their children and their children’s children. If they live a long life, they can witness the effect their faith has had on several generations. What satisfaction it brings to older people to see their posterity living for Christ!

Murphy and the Bible agree on this point: “Everything has its consequences.”

- Haddon W. Robinson

If you sow seeds of wickedness,

Sin’s harvest you will reap;

But scattered seeds of righteousness

Yield blessings you can keep. -Sper

People who follow Christ lead others in the right direction.

Sin has its consequences. This passage is a reminder that whatever I do, there will be certain results that will come out of the choices that I make. The Bible says 'Whatever you sow, you will reap'. When I sow to the flesh, of the flesh will I reap the consequences.

Knowing this, will I apply this in my life?

Create in me a clean heart

I came to the Lord with my heart full of sin

Empty of purpose and troubled within

My flesh had the victory

My heart sought release

Lord, will Thou cleanse me and grant me Thy peace

Create in me a clean heart, my Father
Renew a right spirit in me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
May Christ be seen in me

Cod Liver Oil Coercion

John 16:8-11 (New International Version)

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

A woman bought a bottle of cod liver oil to give to her dog so he could have a healthier and shinier coat. Every morning, she pried the dog’s jaws open and forced the liquid down his throat. He struggled, but she persisted. He doesn’t know what’s good for him! she thought. Faithfully, each day she repeated the process.

One day, however, the bottle tipped over and she released her grip on the dog for just a moment to wipe up the mess. The dog sniffed at the fishy liquid and began lapping up what she had spilled. He actually loved the stuff. He had simply objected to being coerced!

Sometimes we use a similar method in telling others about Christ. Called buttonholing, it’s an intense, in-your-face kind of confrontation. While earnestly desiring to share the gospel, we may end up repelling people instead. In our sincere but overly enthusiastic attempt, we create resistance.

We are called to share the good news, but we are not responsible for someone’s acceptance or rejection of Christ. It’s not our job to try to convict someone of sin. That’s the Holy Spirit’s responsibility (John 16:8).

As you tell others of Christ’s sacrifice, be sensitive. Know when to slow down and let God and His Word do the convicting and drawing to Himself. — Cindy Hess Kasper

The Spirit’s role is to convict

The world of all their sin

So they will seek forgiveness and

Be cleansed and changed within. —Sper

The Spirit convicts so that Christ might cleanse.

Every Thursday, we gather as a group to go for Street E. I've learnt over time that sometimes forcing the gospel down someone's throat may be a turn-off to that person. What people is looking for is true love. When they see or experience God's love for themselves, then they will be drawn to the true and living God.

I need to change my approach in the way I deal with people around me. I need to remember that people are looking at my life first, to see if God's love is evident and demostrated in my life before they will be willing to open their hearts to the good news. I guess I have been really forceful many times, trying to win the debate or influence the mind rather than the heart. I realised that I need to touch the heart, before the person's soul will be touched.

May the Lord grant me the strength and love that I need to live and shine for Him.

Being a more 'mind' person rather than a 'heart' person has caused me to approach a matter in the wrong way. I know that only God can work in my life and I'm asking that He will make me more sensitive and someone who hears and feels with his heart and not only his head.

God is love and people should be seeing the glory and majesty of God. But so many times, it is us, Christians, who block and prevent people from coming to know the Lord. Forgive us.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

Numbers 6:22-27 (New International Version)
The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: " ' "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." ' "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

Our church introduced a new practice for the close of our traditional morning worship service. We turn to one another and sing the familiar Aaronic blessing the Lord gave to Moses to give to Israel: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you . . .” (Num. 6:24-26). Our hearts are uplifted as we mutually catch the eye of a fellow believer and extend our blessing to him or her.

One Sunday, I noticed a heartwarming and special exchange that has now become a weekly event. In a pew near the front sat Oscar and Marian Carlson, faithful followers of Jesus Christ and devoted partners for the 62 years of their married life. When we began to sing, Oscar reached over and took Marian’s hands in his. They sang the opening words of this special blessing to each other before looking to others. Everyone nearby sneaked a peek at the look of love and tenderness on their faces.

A benediction is not simply a ritualistic closing; it’s a genuine prayerful wish for God’s goodness to follow the other person. In offering it to one another, Oscar and Marian exemplify its warmest and deepest meaning. In blessing others, we express gratitude for what God has done for us through Christ’s death (Heb. 13:20-21). — David C. Egner

Bless me, Lord, and make me a blessing;
I’ll gladly your message convey;
Use me to help some poor needy soul,
And make me a blessing today. —Anon.

God gives blessing to us so we can be a blessing to others.

I thank God for all the many blessings that He has showered on me and I hope to be able to be a blessing to the people around me. I want to start with my family first. May this Chinese New Year period be one in which I draw closer to my family and build up this bond and love within the family. I hope this CNY will not be like any other, but that God will flood His grace and blessings upon me and my family.

20th VIBE

It's been a long time since I last blogged that I almost don't know how to blog already. I decided to give my blog a new look - TA DA!!

VIBE was yesterday and I thank God for everything that happened, the people that served and the people who came. It was really tiring (my calf is aching), but I think VIBE was simply splendid. The food was awesome! I must say that the Main Cooking Team is made up of really talented people.

Special mention must go to Chang Shuo for working so hard on the green curry and cold salad. It was delicious and I believe many can testify to it. Of course, the others who helped out in the kitchen has been really good too. The people who prepared the food (Fried Rice, Fried Chicken, Tom Yam Soup, Red Ruby) are amazing too. Thank God for Amelia and Catherine who never gave up and did their best in preparing the rice and made the rice all so beautiful. Appreciation for Malcolm and Zenia for frying the chicken and Jill who marinated them. A million thanks to Eleanor for cooking the soup. A round of applause for Jean, Si Cheng and Iris for their effort in Red Ruby.

I'm not forgetting those who helped out in the preparation of the ingredients too. Those who helped to peel, cut, chop and wash have been really a wonderful help in this VIBE. I'll try my best to remember the many people who played a part for this VIBE. Thank God for Samantha, Nerissa, Jessica, Baoyue, Hock Cai, Calvin, Charmaine, Jonathan Yuen, Jiawen, Yu Fei, Henrietta, Cheryl, Alyssa, Daniel and others if I have missed out on your name.

This VIBE would never be possible without each one of your help and I'm still awed by God's grace and mercy, and for every single person who contributed into this VIBE.

As we approach the next VIBE, I'm waiting in anticipation for what God will do...