Barny & Co

onwards

2009-08-30T17:52:00.001+08:00

cool video

Desert Song

2009-07-26T20:39:00.003+08:00

though i have heard this song numerous times earlier, the words just meant nothing to me, ladies song, key was too high, difficult to worship

but last night, during the Hillsong United worship, after the alter call, i was so ministered by this song that i bought the CD before i left

when u are dead (in sin), u cant even ask God for help,

but Jesus had compassion, reach out, grab hold, "Young man, arise"

still in darkness, waiting,

Sat in the tomb, waiting for resurrection Sun

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking

2009-07-19T20:40:00.001+08:00

I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you

I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still havent found what Im looking for
But I still havent found what Im looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still havent found what Im looking for
But I still havent found what Im looking for

I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes Im still running

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it

But I still havent found what Im looking for
But I still havent found what Im looking for
But I still havent found what Im looking for
But I still havent found what Im looking for...

do you think this is a gospel song?!?

Gone to Soon (1993)

2009-06-29T23:27:00.003+08:00

Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon

Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon

Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night

Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon

this is such a beautiful song, originally dedicated to Ryan White, a young victim of AIDS whom MJ befriended prior to his death

soon its used to remember many people, famous or otherwise, who have gone before their time
so much so that a memorial website was named after this song and the words used inspired the creation of the site
to have him sing it for himself is so unreal

like it or not, i grew up with him thru the 80s & 90s
when he looked the best
gave us the best music
when he was at his peak
when he was truly king of pop

so sad, riches and fame cant fill that void in man

Cadbury Eyebrows

2009-06-28T22:04:00.002+08:00

ok i'm too busy and lazy to blog now

its got something to do with me being a perfectionist, draft no good i dont post

but

i absolutely love this ad :)

whoever came up with this is truly a genius

Chingay 2009

2009-02-01T22:35:00.016+08:00

on my way back after TP viewing, saw a crowd gathering, kaypoh and realised Chingay floats are passing by, whip out my phone and snap away.

less than a mth in AMK, perks of being in PM's ward? (:

Rest in the Year of the Ox

2009-01-25T20:13:00.004+08:00

went back "home" this morning for service
blogpastor spoke on resting in the Lord

Matthew 11
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

communion - be with Jesus
direction - follow Jesus
co-operation - work with Jesus

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Exodus 33:14

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him
Psalm 37:7

yes Father, i will be still and rest in You.

勇氣

2009-01-24T10:25:00.002+08:00

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you
Deuteronomy 31:6

entered 2009 into a new chapter
joy was shortlived
new house but not home yet
constant tension over her obsession with her idols
contant spiritual battle
where is victory Jesus?
homecoming will come when m presence leaves my flat

work overload
staff shortage
how long more Father?

financially tight
still burden with a flat unsold
still waiting Father

still unpacking
house is in a mess, physically and spiritually
postpone BKK this CNY
pack to move thru new year, unpack thru CNY
another long weekend burn

Lord I give You my heart

2008-12-30T20:38:00.002+08:00

last sun message was very timely, at a time when we are about to begin another year

the speaker spoke from Haggai 1, timely reminder when we lose focus and start building our own houses while His house remains a ruin

lord where do we go from here?

thank you for meeting me in your own special way

This is my desire, to honour You
Lord with all my heart I worship You
all I have within me
I give You praise
all that I adore is in You

Lord I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord have Your way in me

How Great is our God

2008-12-27T23:18:00.005+08:00

The splendor of a King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

====================

thats my daddy God,
my big brother,
my buddy,
Jesus
and my tutor & helper
Holy Spirit

楓 - 周杰倫 / 彩虹天堂 - 劉耕宏

2008-12-27T19:07:00.005+08:00

these 2 MVs, though from different persons, are a continuation.
How come?
well, J and Will are buddies (Will's wedding last year, J was his best man)
never under estimate the power of friendship

according to Will's testimony, at the peak of his carrer, he felt emptiness.
took a break and joined J on his concert tour as a guest performer
(i caught the spore leg of the concert(:)
during the tour, Will met a couple who witnessed to him
Will became a Christian and is currently at New Life Church, a Taiwan church with links to City Harvest Church.
According to grapevine, J is now a Christian and also attends New Life Church.
So, if you cant meet J on earth, you can till meet him in heaven (:

i received a belated Christmas gift last night
one of my buddy G, who contributed to me being a Christian, has been attending NCC recently
the irony is that i have been attending NCC this mth as well
but the church is so big and i attend services in the morning, that sleepy head attends afternoon service
a smoker n alchoholic, for him to talk about stop smoking and drinking is so unreal
G has been sliding even before i knew him, we went pubbing together before Christ(:
after all that he has been through the past year, the prodigal son is back
though i have neglected my bubby, my Big Brother was around for him
what a way to end 2008 (:

龙卷风

2008-12-27T16:21:00.002+08:00

my first J song from his self titled first album
i love the slow / fast tempo of this song so much that i immediately ask who is he and bought his first album, and the next few, even attended his first concert in spore lol

安静

2008-12-27T15:43:00.008+08:00

last song from his career launching 2nd album, Fantasy, which shot him to superstar status.

behind any great man is a greater woman, his mum
i personally believe God's favor is on this man,
to a certain degree its because of her
so to the mothers out there,
remember to pray for your children
how i wish mine could

簡單愛

2008-12-27T15:31:00.006+08:00

my all time fav from J
his first 2 albums are the best
before he became too pupular

thats when i found love
though it didnt last
will i find love again?

王力宏 - Kiss Goodbye

2008-12-27T14:13:00.002+08:00

time really flies
2008 is coming to an end
the year has been memorable
i stepped out of youth
towards my break
homecoming
went back to BSF, to Matthew
spent most of the year waiting in darkness
bishan cell in meleka
from Good Friday to Easter Sunday
from death, to tomb, to resurrection
inservio was greatly blessed
unequally yoked
completed my last church camp
it is finished
first time holiday with bright ones
HCM is special because of u guys
rest starts
Z is no longer the little boy i know
Z is almost my height now
got my HLE
$280k valuation
found AMK422
betrayal
carry me Father
come on drew
retreat in Chiangmai
from servant to son
be a man
defend my dewlling place
found long lost A in TCC
G starts to go NCC
packing to move
TP157 > AMK422
goodbye 2008

daddy god, prepare 2009 ahead of me, amen

溫柔

2008-10-09T20:49:00.005+08:00

last sun, watching 五月天 perform in SuperBand finals, brought back fond memories

7th September 2001 你要去哪裡？巡迴演唱會 Singapore Expo. This concert marked 五月天's temporary hiatus of two years.

I attended the concert with xiaodi when i have not even heard of 五月天 lol

well it was a concert of a lifetime.... 五月天 was not that famous yet, but had a cult following... a band that writes its own songs were rare back then...

superb live band, made a fan out of me after one concert... 五月天 is made for live concerts....

the concert hall was not very big, round stage at the centre, we have very good seats, few rows from the front... once concert starts, the crowd went wild... went forward and bounced that night away... though i really have not heard any of their songs, mandarin or hokkien.... big Beatles fan, they threw in a few Beatles song... at least something familiar for me :)

its oso the closest i have even been to the stage in any concert... can even feel the sweat lol

this is my alltime fav from 五月天....

溫柔

走在風中　今天陽光　突然好溫柔
天的溫柔　地的溫柔　像你抱著我
然后發現　你的改變　孤單的今后
如果冷　該怎么渡過
天邊風光　身邊的我　都不在你眼中
你的眼中　藏著什么　我從來都不懂
沒有關系　你的世界　就讓你擁有
不打擾　是我的溫柔
不知道　不明瞭　不想要　為什么　我的心
明明是想靠近　卻孤單到黎明
不知道　不明瞭　不想要　為什么　我的心
那愛情的綺麗　總是在孤單里
再把我的最好的愛給你
不知不覺　不情不愿　又到巷子口
我沒有哭　也沒有笑　因為這是夢
沒有預兆　沒有理由　你真的有說過
如果有　就讓你自由

不知道　不明瞭　不想要　為什么　我的心
明明是想靠近　卻孤單到黎明
不知道　不明瞭　不想要　為什么　我的心
那愛情的綺麗　總是在孤單里
再把我的最好的愛給你
不知不覺　不情不愿　又到巷子口
我沒有哭　也沒有笑　因為這是夢
沒有預兆　沒有理由　你真的有說過
如果有　就讓你自由
自由　這是我的溫柔

why? this is one of their less cheem song (O level C6 after 4 attempts)

one that i can actually read off the screen and sing without checking dictionary

well at least 80% of the song lol

abba mania

2008-09-25T22:07:00.002+08:00

blast the speakers!

ok i'm not that old, when abba was hot i'm not even a teen, so its technically not my "era"

but this is an all time fav on the dance floor, during my cheong days, miss those dancing days, maybe i should dance again?!?

anyway just need a break from very stressful flat selling, so while i wait for my Lord to provide the buyer, i shall butt out

Be Still and Know that I AM GOD

Hosanna

2008-09-01T21:30:00.002+08:00

I was humming this song this morning on my way to work, in fact, the past few weeks, this song have really ministered to me.

Last week has been quite bad. Trying to rent a new office. Stress out with selling my flat. Even more stress out with buying my "dwelling place"

Over the weekend, the Lord reminded me to build up my faith in Him. In fact, while i was typing this, the Lord reminded me...

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

We sing Hosanna, but what does it mean? Found this to be interesting.

The Meaning of Hosanna
source: sproutingseeds.wordpress.com

Here is a little misunderstood word.

Hosanna - it means “liberate us!”. Or “Set us free”, “save us”.

Shocking? Lots of people think that it just a praise word, but it is actually more than that. So picture Jesus making his entry into Jerusalem on the back of the donkey and the Jews were shouting”Hosanna!”.

The Jews were acknowledging Jesus as the promised Messiah, whom they thought would free them from the Romans. They were asking Him to liberate them from the Romans (which they thought the promised Messiah was going to do). Imagine their shock when Jesus went instead to clean out their religion.

We of course know that Christ has done much more than the Jews thought He would. He has liberated us from sin and death. He has set us free from legalistic religion. So next time we sing”Hosanna!”, remember the meaning and remember what Christ has done for us.

Hosanna

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes
Yeeeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

[Chorus]
Hosanna Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

[Chorus]

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 from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

[Chorus x2]

Hosanna in the highest

一切完美

2008-07-26T23:16:00.003+08:00

i confess. I have been watching this 13-part series religiously.

why?

its privately produced (Wa Wa Pictures),
got good natural acting (Thomas Ong & Michelle Chia),
realistic storyline and character developement,
with something to think about after watching.

Unlike the usual fare from MediaCorp,
over-acting,
ridiculous storyline,
wonder why waste time watching shows only aunties can identify with.

each episode has a sub plot with the main plot linking the episodes together

one of the main plots is the successful plastic surgeon of the rich and famous Dr Alex Tan, who is a bachelor, discovering he has a 9 year old daughter, Coco, out of the blue, unable to accept her existance initailly, to loving her, enjoying fatherhood, adjusting life priorities and eventually losing her when her mother, his ex, came back for her.

throughout the series, a few scenes that touched me most were the father - daughter scenes. developing perternal instincts? lol.... neh

the most memorable one was when Coco approach Alex with her piggy bank.
Coco asked how much it would cost for Alex to help her friend restore her face damaged by abuse.
Alex told her it would cost her 100 piggy banks.
Coco was disappointed.
Coco asked Alex to lend her money.
Alex wont lend Coco money, cause Coco's money is Alex's money anyway.
Touched by Coco's compassion for her friend, Alex offer to do the surgery free of charge, a first for the materialistic Alex.
Alex commented, hugging Coco, what to do, my daughter asked.

Success to Significance
creating phyical perfection to restoring the soul

The perfectionist in me was able to identify with the journey.

the series ended with this quote
"As long as you learn to tolerate imperfection, everything will be perfect"

Dead Leader Running

2008-07-26T19:21:00.002+08:00

last night for cell we watch a video from Leadership Summit 2006 Dead Leader Running by Wayne Cordeiro

"attended" CHC 3.30pm service online just a while ago, Derek Dunn spoke on "Running the race to win" and brought out the exact same 5 principles Wayne Cordeiro spoke about last night.

I was like, no way, in the less than 24hrs i heard the same message twice, how freaky is that. But i know God is speaking to me using His loud hailer :)

===========================================

the 5 principles for sustainable living

1. Know what fills and drains your tank.

Who am I with? Where am I going? Why am I doing this?

what are the things that makes me feel most alive & full!
when we get to busy & the drain increases...we tend to drop things that fill us.
when my schedule increases...i must increase my fill

Lord help me identify what fills me and what drains me. Remind me Holy Spirit to up my fills when my drain increase.

2. Understand balance in life.

my family is my ministry. If my family isn't healthy, then im done.
out of balanced feeling..when a storm comes in my family, i have to move my fulcrum, heart towards it....then i can still be in balance.
as i move my heart to what the Holy Spirit is putting pressure on...i stay balanced.

Lord help me to be sensitive to the Spirit prompting to work on areas of my life that needs my attention.

3. Lead out of rest.

Schedule in my rest points first before my schedule fills up. God intended activity to come out of rest. Rest needs to come first.
our day begins in the evening

Genesis 1:5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

In my retreat last year when i read the above verse, i never understood why God wrote evening first then morning, now i know why....

sleep in on the front side (we get our best sleep between 11pm -3am)

Lord help me to watch less TV and sleep early

4. Find a lightning rod.

These are a few select people in our lives that we can be completely open and honest with and trust that they won't share the details with others. That protects us from releasing inappropriate thoughts to people who shouldn't be in the loop with those thoughts.

Thank you Lord for my shepherds, few in my inner circle and faith sharing.

5. Be disciplined in your daily devotions.

www.lifejournal.cc

S - Scripture
O - Observation
A - Application
P - Prayer

we won't have the wisdom necessary to finish...we did to start but we have to add it
along the way

how do you do your sharing? is it scripture to the people or scripture to you then to the people

Lord help me to be more disciplined with daily devotions. Lord forgive me for the times when i share from the scripture to the people direct. Now i understand why during my retreat last year, i was doing bible study but not hearing what God is saying to me.

===============================================

during the Olympics, the torch bearer should not be concern with running faster than what he did previously... running beats his time but his torch has been snuffed out...the people are there...where is the fire?

his response was i don't know but i beat my time...the goal is not the time but to bring & protect the flame.

the goal is to run in such a way that you protect the flame.

some of us are running with an extinguished wick...we are running fast...but the wick is out...your heart is not there

how do you re-ignite it? you need to draw near to the throne of grace

some of you have been running with an extinguished wick to long.

Lord thank you Lord for the timing reminder. Help me Lord the regain the flame and continue my run after my break

1995 Irony swatch watch, Ocean Storm YGS103

2008-07-26T17:49:00.004+08:00

last night before going for cell group, i discovered my usual weekend watch was missing. as my mum have "borrowed" it before, i asked if she "borrowed" it, she said no. i told her its missing.

i next asked if any stranger entered my room during the week, as i was wearing it last Sun. she said she had some visitors but wasnt too sure. feeling responsible, she offered to buy me another one.

you see, this watch is unique. it was bought with my first bonus, and i change the blue leather strap to a metalic elastic one.

well from the missing watch, mum and i had a good talk this morning on what the future holds for me, her and us.

you know what, i am sad that my fav watch is missing, but im not really devastated. its call detachment :)

unlucky in love

2008-07-15T22:45:00.003+08:00

i have always been unlucky in love

when i was younger, girls i like dont fancy me, too immature

so much so that i wonder if its more blessed to be loved

as i mature, there are girls who like me but i dont find them suitable beyond just friends

my conclusion, its better to love than to be loved

the most ideal would be to find love in return

friends who have gone to KTV with me would get to hear this song always if they are observant, its my usual warm up song

but i think most dont know why i almost always start with this song

well this song bring me memories of my first love, both good and sad memories

just a sentimental guy i guess

鄧麗欣方力申 - 十分．愛

2008-07-15T22:30:00.001+08:00

fell in love with this duet

there are only 2 types of duets, the really good ones and the rest

this is consider a really good one, though i dont understand canto lol

to the lovers out there, enjoy :)

十分‧愛 (方力申+鄧麗欣合唱版)

曲：金培達
詞：陳少琪

合：分手後一分鐘　便有後悔聲音
　　能傷我最深的人　應得我心
女：應該漠不關心　然而還著緊
男：當攬緊他人想起跟你熱吻

合：愛過太深原來身體會疑問
　　再沒法可適應別人
　　願醉掉了　能容許你憐憫

男：早知不應試愛　(女:未放開) 便節哀
女：有情人
合：日日夜夜同分開感慨
男：避開　女：願你改　男：一個　女：小小意外　
男：未悔恨我未會知
合：不散不愛
男：心　女：話放開　男：未放開
女：雨驟來　
合：才能提示真愛是確實存在
　　愛滿分竟是換來　痛亦滿分
　　可否錯一次以後一直愛

合：分手後天天都　是最重要起身
　　皮膚有你的指紋　刻得太深
女：應該漠不關心　然而還著緊
男：當攬緊他人想起跟你熱吻

合：愛過太深原來身體會疑問
　　再沒法可適應別人
　　願醉掉了　能容許你憐憫

男：早知不應試愛　(女:未放開) 便節哀
女：有情人
合：日日夜夜同分開感慨
男：避開　女：願你改　男：一個　女：小小意外　
男：未悔恨我未會知
合：不散不愛
男：心　女：話放開　男：未放開
女：雨驟來　
合：才能提示真愛是確實存在
　　愛滿分竟是換來　痛亦滿分
　　可否錯一次以後

男：早知不應試愛　(女:未放開) 便節哀
女：有情人
合：日日夜夜同分開感慨
男：避開　女：願你改　男：一個　女：小小意外　
男：未悔恨我未會知
合：不散不愛
男：心　女：話放開　男：未放開
女：雨驟來　
合：才能提示真愛是確實存在
　　愛滿分竟是換來　痛亦滿分
　　可否錯一次以後一直愛

苏打绿-小情歌

2008-07-14T23:12:00.000+08:00

Recently discovered this indie group from Taiwan. Thought they are quite good.

Reminds me of when i heard my first Jay Chou's song. Btw, Jay's first few albums are his best, in my opinion. Somehow when he got famous, something was lost.

这是一首简单的小情歌
唱着人们心肠的曲折
我想我很快乐
当有你的温热
脚边的空气转了
唱着我们心头的白鸽
我想我很适合
当一个歌颂者
青春在风中飘着
你知道就算大雨让这座城市颠倒
我会给你怀抱
受不了看见你背影来到
写下我度秒如年难捱的离骚
就算整个世界被寂寞绑票
我也不会奔跑
逃不了最后谁也都苍老
写下我时间和琴声交错的城堡
最后谁也都苍老

http://www.sodagreen.com.tw/

Keep Moving Forward

2008-07-14T22:37:00.002+08:00

Flashback

This was done on 31 May 2008, cant remember why i didnt post.

For a change, we watch Meet the Robinsons during cell.

This was just before church camp, during a time where i was quite stress out by church camp and work.

It is very important to not look back at life's disappointments and move forward. Not allow ourselves to get sucked into self pity but to look towards God.

Hope this encourage you too, if you have the tendency to major in the minor and lose sight of the big picture.

Lewis: I don't even know what I'm doing.
Wilbur: Keep moving forward.
Lewis: I mean, this stuff is way too advanced for me.
Wilbur: Keep moving forward.
Lewis: And what if I can't fix this, what are we going to do?
Wilbur: Keep moving forward.
Lewis: Why do you keep saying that? And don't just say keep moving forward!
Wilbur: It's my dad's motto.
Lewis: Why would his motto be keep moving forward?
Wilbur: It's what he does.

"Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” - Walt Disney

Who am I

2008-07-14T00:16:00.000+08:00

Clearing some old drafts that were not posted previously and saw this post which was originally created last Nov.

Didnt gather the right words to go with the vid and left it as it is.

The intereesting thing is that this weekend, the Lord has been trying to remind me that I need to know who I am in Him. Not head knowledge, but truly believe it in my heart that I am indeed His Child.

Lord, give me the faith to know that I am truly your Child, to trust and obey You always, dispite what I see, hear, feel.

1 July 2008

2008-07-01T23:10:00.002+08:00

Today is a special day in many ways.

Army Forces Day

the beginning of 40days fast "beyond words"

A dear friend's birthday. He was the one who led me to Christ.

Inservio turn 1 year old today. God has been so faithful to us. Thank you Lord.

==========================================

This day is also special because it marks the also the begining of my 6 mth sabbatical.

This sabbatical came about after 1 year of planning, praying and seeking the Lord, relinguishing ministry slowly, completing all committed tasks, and making a conscious effort not to take on new commitments. I didnt wake up this morning and declare this is the day. lol

When i send our my sms announcing my sabbatical, only 3 replied, representing differnt type of response.

envy? - there is never an ideal time to take a break to have a KitKat

misunderstanding over what a sabbatical means - a person on sabbatical does not desire to leave church, unless he is excommunicated. If he wishes to leave church, he would have just left.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Below is from Wikipedia

A sabbatical (from the Late Latin sabbaticus, from the Greek sabbatikos, from Hebrew shabbathon, i.e., Sabbath. ) is a rest from work, a hiatus. The concept of a sabbatical has a source in several places the Bible (Leviticus 25, for example), where there is a commandment to desist from working the fields in the seventh year. In the strict sense therefore, a sabbatical lasts a year. However, in recent times, a sabbatical has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual. In the modern sense, one takes a sabbatical typically to merely take a break from work or to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or traveling extensively for research. Some universities and other institutional employers of scientists, physicians, and/or academics offer a paid sabbatical as an employee benefit, called sabbatical leave. Some companies offer an unpaid sabbatical for people wanting to take career breaks - this is a growing trend in the UK, with 20% of companies having a career break policy, and 10% considering introducing one.

Sabbaticals are often taken by professors, pastors, cartoonists (e.g. Gary Larson and Bill Watterson), musicians (e.g. Cindy Wilson, Bobby McFerrin) and sportsmen (e.g. Alain Prost) and fund managers (e.g. Geoffrey Brianton). Academic sabbaticals typically follow every six years of full-time employment. The most common arrangement is for a half year at full pay, or a full year at half pay.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

the most encouraging response came from a young man who should be the only one qualified to voice displeasure but instead encourage me with prayer support.

=========================================================

Last week, in Fri cell, we need to memorise each other verses. The verse i need to memorise was

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God... (John 14:1)

This verse really spoke to me so much, living word, rhema word of God, really felt as though God was speaking to me in an audible voice, when i read it. Exectly what i need for my sabbatical.

Little Wonders

2008-06-02T22:38:00.003+08:00

This is a very comforting and inspirational song from "Meet the Robinsons".

Little Wonders (Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty)

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and i don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we?ll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

all of my regret
will wash away some how
but i can not forget
the way i feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away
but these small hours
these little wonders still remain

Keep Moving Forward

被遺忘的時光 - 蔡琴

2008-06-01T22:07:00.002+08:00

This song is so sad but captivating. (emo mood)

Sorry i dont know what the song is really about, my chinese is real bad.

O level C6 after 4 attempts lol

At the Cross

2008-01-08T23:34:00.000+08:00

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that "It is done"

Hey There Delilah

2008-01-06T16:34:00.000+08:00

this song by Plain White Ts is just so captivating...

Music from the factory - C+C Music Factory

2008-01-05T12:46:00.000+08:00

90s flashback just for fun.

Something from my army days :) Enjoy!

Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)

Rest for Our Souls

2007-12-20T14:15:00.003+08:00

Just like to share this article from the current issue of vantagepoint www.vantagepoint.com.sg

by Dr Richard J. Mouw
Observing times of rest gives activity meaning as well as helps us build integrity in our character and being. Dr Mouw shares how this is crucial for followers of Christ.
In a conversation that we were having a few years ago, my wife asked me what projects or assignments were presently high on my list of things-to-do. I responded by listing several things: reports that I needed to finish, meetings that I had to prepare for, and so on.

Then I added: “Right now, though, the thing that is really stressing me is this series of talks I have to give at a conference for pastors in two weeks.” “Oh, and what’s the topic of those talks?” Phyllis asked. “They want me to talk about rest,” I replied. She immediately started to laugh, and after a moment I joined in.

The point of our shared laughter was obvious to both of us. I have a hard time with rest. Indeed, I have even gained a reputation as a theologian who worries about Christians who rest too much. When I was installed as president of Fuller Theological Seminary in 1993, I organized my thoughts in my inaugural address around the theme of being “restless evangelicals.” We can’t be content with the status quo, I said. We need to keep pushing on to find new ways to serve the Lord in our efforts to equip people for service in Christ’s Kingdom. My dream for Fuller, I reported, was that we be “a restless seminary.”

I have spent much of my career calling for Christian “activism.” I have been critical of Christians who downplay the need to actively work for justice, peace, and righteousness in the world. The Christian life, I have argued, is about doing things. We must not become weary in our active efforts to promote the sorts of things that God cares about.

My advocacy of “restlessness” has even extended to the afterlife. Early in my days as a young scholar of Christian thought, I became quite critical of the image of heaven as a kind of eternal floating around in white robes playing harps. I emphasized the fact that the biblical promise of eternal life is wrapped up with the idea of the resurrection of the body. On the last day we will be raised up to new life. The heavenly state will be one of “reigning with Christ” in the New Creation. In the heaven that the Bible promises us, I have often said, we will be doing things.

And, of course, on the very personal level I am a bit of a work-a-holic. I don’t have any serious hobbies, and when people ask me what I do for relaxation I am usually caught off guard, and I mumble something about how much I enjoy reading.

None of this is bad in itself. We ought to be restless for the cause of the Gospel. Work is an important part of the rhythms of life. And the biblical teaching about the resurrection is a wonderful promise for each of us.

But I have also come to recognize that these “activist” themes can be overdone. In obeying the call to action we can easily miss out on those blessings of the Christian life that can only be realized by also seeking out the quiet places. It is important for those of us who spend a lot of our time being literally “rest-less,” to think about God’s mandate that we seek out times that are “rest-full.”

At the heart of the Biblical teaching about rest is, of course, the mandate to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” It is significant that while eight of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are negative in tone –“Thou shalt nots” – this is one of only two that are positive. When it comes to resting, God is unambiguously straightforward: we must observe times of rest.

But it isn’t just that we are to schedule regular resting-times simply because God has commanded His people to do so. God isn’t being arbitrary. He is telling us something about His own nature. Long before God gave that command to the ancient Israelites, He scheduled a day of rest for Himself. After the six days of getting the creation started, God Himself took a day off from His labors. In doing so, He showed us that a part of what it means for us to be created in the very image of God is that we too must respect the need in our lives for seeing to it that we respect the cycles of work, play, and rest.

During the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus, rest actually becomes a key blessing that He offers to His followers. “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,” Jesus says, and then “you shall find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:28). What is this “soul rest” that Jesus promises to all who come to Him? Well, it is actually several different things. One thing that Jesus is promising us is an abiding kind of rest. That promise was already there in the Old Testament, where the psalmist tells us that those “who dwell in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps 91:1). And in the New Testament Jesus extends this same invitation to “abide” in Him, since “apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).

I like the way the Latin American theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez put it in one of his books; prayer, he says, is “wasting time with God.” We know that “wasting time,” just hanging out together with no agenda, no stuff-to-do list, is important in our marriages and our close friendships. It is even more important in the most intimate relationship that we can experience –
our connection with the Living God. We just need to hang out with God, to “waste time” in His presence. By simply being there with Him, we gain much for our lives of service. For without Him we can do nothing. Healthy lives of action require times of quietly abiding in the divine presence.

The rest that Jesus promises us is also important for becoming a centered person. We live in a time where we run the risk of becoming increasingly fragmented selves. This tendency toward increasing fragmentation is viewed by many as a key characteristic of our “postmodern” era. Some scholars these days are even arguing that fragmented selfhood is a good thing. We simply have to adjust to the fact that we are – each of us – many “selves.” And we should stop trying to find that “real” self, that “center” that gives each of us our primary identity.

Of course, each of us does have many “selves,” distinct parts of who we are that relate to different contexts and relationships. I am a teacher. I am also a husband. Those are two different roles, each of them legitimate. But I know better than to lecture my wife! I may rightly speak as a professorial type in the classroom – but I had better not bring that role into the kitchen or the bedroom!

The challenge as Christians, of course, is to integrate our many “selves.” This also means setting priorities. There is nothing wrong with me being my sports-fan-self. But that part of me should not take precedence over my husband-self or my serving-the-poor-self. From a biblical perspective, it is a bad thing simply to be fragmented selves. That is the kind of selfhood that Jesus encountered when He met the young demon-possessed man who cried out in agony to Jesus: “My name is Legion; for we are many” (Mk 5:9). Jesus comes into our lives to make us whole, to give us the grace to embark on a journey of integrating our selves. But we can properly realize the blessings of this promised wholeness only if we spend time abiding in the quiet places, where we reflect upon who we are and what ought to be our priorities. This kind of reflection is a crucial element in the Christian life.

In emphasizing the need for integration, it is important to see the intimate connection between the concept of integrating and the idea of integrity. God wants us to be persons of integrity. This means that there must be a consistency between our private and our public selves.

One of the famous statues in the world is the Statue of Liberty, which has served as a welcoming symbol for many generations of immigrants who have arrived in the United States on ships that have sailed into the New York harbor. This large statue was crafted by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi in the 19th century. When Bartholdi designed his sculpture, he had no idea that someday planes and helicopters would fly overhead, looking down at the top of Liberty’s head. Yet he paid careful attention to the detail on the top of the statue, even though he did not know that people would eventually be able to observe carefully the work that he had done there. He wanted to pay as much attention to what he thought would not be seen by others as he was doing to that which would be publicly observable.

There is an important spiritual lesson in Bartholdi’s example. He wanted to be an artist whose work was characterized by integrity – by the integration of the private and the public. This is a necessary ingredient also of the Christian life. The hidden parts of who we are must be consistent with the parts of our selfhood that are on public display. And this takes spiritual work in the quiet spaces of our lives.

I have to confess that I struggle with this in my own life. It is no easy task to cultivate integrity – the consistency between the hidden and the public. What we need to keep reminding ourselves about, of course, is that there is nothing in our lives that is truly hidden. We live in the presence of an all-knowing, all-seeing God.

One of my favorite biblical passages is Psalm 139. It is a favorite of mine, not just because I find comfort in it, but also because it makes me uncomfortable in necessary ways. “O Lord,” says the psalmist, “you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar” (ESV, verses 1-2). Nothing is hidden from the Lord. And because of that we must constantly pray what the psalmist ends the psalm by praying: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (ESV, verses 23-24).

Finding the safe places where we can pray like this on a regular basis – this too is an important part of what it means to seek out the rest that Jesus promises to all who are weary and weighed down with the burdens of life.

Dr Richard J. Mouw is President and Professor of Christian Philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary, USA. He has been an editor of the Reformed Journal and has served on many editorial boards, including currently Books and Culture. He is the author of 17 books, including Consulting the Faithful, The Smell of Sawdust: What Evangelicals Can Learn from Their Fundamentalist Heritage, He Shines in All That’s Fair: Culture and Common Grace; Wonderful Words of Life; Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport, and, with co-editor Eric Jacobsen, Traditions in Leadership. His newly released book, Praying at Burger King (March 2007), offers a collection of warm, conversational reflections on faith and everyday life. Check out his musings at www.netbloghost.com/mouw/.

The American Standard Version of the bible has been referenced unless otherwise stated.

Read the article, “Keep The Sabbath Holy,” for more biblical perspectives on the gift of rest.

Slient Retreat 2007

2007-11-11T17:00:00.000+08:00

With the past weeks of "Martha"ing, i need to slow down and prepare for my retreat this Fri, to switch from the noise of the marketplace to the silence of His sanctuary.

Flying Tiger this Fri wee wee morning to ChiangMai and will only be back end Nov.

Time for me to eat, sleep & be "Mary" :)

7 Fountains, here i come

http://7fountains.wordpress.com

Who am I

2007-11-06T13:00:00.001+08:00

Noise

2007-11-04T23:11:00.000+08:00

I find this so very meaningful to me as a reminder of why i need to carve out extended time, going for a reteat, away from the world, to wait upon the Lord, to listen to His still small voice.

What i received from the Lord during my retreat last Nov was the essential fuel for me to do what i need to do since then till now.

Retreat used to be me going to God with my adgenda. Used to go in with a long wish list, expecting God to say "yes" to all of them.

Then i realised that God is more interested in me, not my wants.

Me? The sinful unholy me? Oh O, i'm in trouble, He is going to settle score for everything i should have done but not done; and should not have done but did it anyway.

There was darkness. Pain. Fear. Tears.

i have learnt to come clean now upfront, after all, i cant hide darkness in the presence of His light.

So for the firt time, i went for last year's retreat fully surrendered to His agenda. The leave taken, the money spent, is for Him, even if He choose to be silent and "waste" my whole trip.

But God is good, he dealt with my greatest concern.... first, even before we went into silence proper, though i was prepared to go back hearing nothing on that issue, as i have in the past.

Lovely is His dwelling places.

Bus - Jehovah Jireh

2007-10-14T20:15:00.000+08:00

going to office @ Joo Chiat has been quite a pain these past months, something i would need to face for the next 2 years, till our present office lease expires... sigh

after these past months, i figure the best option now is to take bus tfr bus, alternative is to get my driver's liscence and drive.

option 1 - bus 31 tfr bus 33 @ Duman Rd, walk for 2 min

option 2 - bus 31 tfr bus 16 @ Duman Rd, walk for another 5 min

both options take about 1 hr

last Tue morning, when i was in bus 31, i saw bus 33 just in front,

great! once 31 over takes 33, i can switch bus, no need to wait so long and walk the least

33 bypass bus stop in front, however 31 stop for alighting passengers

traffic light ahead, 33 stopped, waiting to turn left into Old Airport Rd, there is hope, : )

it didnt take long for 33 to turn off into Old Airport Rd, 31 is still stuck behind waiting to turn into OldAirport Rd

with one hope lost, new hope appear

just then saw 16 at the traffic light on the right, red light, good, dont move till 31 turn into Old Airport Rd please....

alas light chage to green, all i could do was watch 16 zoom pass me into Old Airport Rd, with 31 still stuck @ traffic light

all is not lost yet, another few more stops to go, there is still hope.

unfortunately, when 31 finally turn into Old Airport Rd, neither 33 nor 16 is in sight

hope against hope, finally, i need to alight @ Duman Rd to wait for my next 33 or 16.

reluntantly, i alight preparing myself for a long wait ahead.

it didnt take long for the next bus to arrive @ the bus stop.

when i look up, i was surprise

another 33, quite empty, behind me all the time.

why surprise? the frequency for 33 is between 10 - 20 mins, having another 33 just behind really rare!

well you may say, just bus only, what is the big deal

this is an object lesson for me on God's providence.

when He provides, it may be in a way beyond your norm expectation.

dont go chasing after things that are not yours, it will come at the right time, in His time

thank God i didnt have to wait too long, waiting is tough, though usually necessary.

Oct 2006 to Sep 2007

2007-10-07T18:39:00.000+08:00

its been exactly a year since my last entry.

the year has been a rollercoaster

Nov 2006 went for a retreat in ChiangMai. had a wonderful time with God

months of struggling came to a conclusion

the Lord spoke so clearly that i must obey

execution was not easy, but Lord has prepared me long for this,

as far back as 2005 LiJiang, when i climb my first mountain and the Lord taught me my first lesson on Trust

its all in His plan, i cleared my debts just before Nov retreat and was able to save for the days ahead

timing was great, my God given wonderful team of staff has stablised, my job is done, time to move on

typing the letter was tougher than i taught, i procasinated, but push on i must

all's done, just waiting for D day,

decided to do it before i climb KK, instead of after as planned

done, its all in His hands now

mixed emotions, sad to leave my staff / look forward to birth of Inservio

14 Jun came, leaving was a lot tougher than i imagined

Inservio came into being, God is good

i becames nothing, being nothing was tough,

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

Sep 2007, Mulu Cave. i entered my chrysalis, waiting in the dark

still waiting...

meanwhile check out my Facebook : )

7 October

2006-10-07T09:17:00.000+08:00

Just for fun....

Your Birthdate: October 7

You are an island. You don't need anyone else to make you happy.
And though you see yourself as a loner, people are drawn to you.
Deep and sensitive, you tend to impress others with your insights.
You also tend to be psychic - so listen to that inner voice!

Your strength: Your self sufficiency

Your weakness: You despise authority

Your power color: Maroon

Your power symbol: Hammer

Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Book of Proverbs Chapter Three Verses Five and Six

2006-08-20T23:04:00.000+08:00

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

This verse appeared to me three times in the past four days, (sent it as a bday sms on thu, during fri cell and just now, when I lurk a blog) and I know my Lord is trying to tell me something.

I'm at cross roads now. Call it midlife. Job dissatisfaction. Stress. Frustration.... Change is inevitable....

God will make a way, when there seems to be no way,
He works in ways I cannot see, He will make a way for me
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way, He will make a way.

By the roadway in the wilderness He'll lead me,
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade,
But His word will still remain,
He will do something new today.

Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.

Come.

You of little faith, why did you doubt?

Enough of me-self.

I'm proud of my Bright Ones. Yesterday, my Easter bunny took a chapter of ALWL, and she was great, I'm going to be out of job soon :)

Attended a birthday celebration of a dear old friend, it was great catching up, have not laugh so hard till me ache for quite some time, but sad at the same time that these friends of mine is on a detour : (

This morning JaC did his first-time sharing. The perfectionist in me would say, could have been much better, but for a debut, I must say its very good effort put in. Well done JaC!

Went to my old army mate's son's full moon. Well, we talked about marriage, attempt to match make me with his sister in law.... Haiz

Awesome God

2006-08-05T23:02:00.000+08:00

Our God is an awesome God

He reigns from heaven above

With wisdom, power, and love

Our God is an awesome God

FOP 2006 On Thu, I decided to excercise Matt7:7 by asking for passes from FDC. My colleague told me so late ah, how many you want? I ponder.... 6 for Sat.

Moments later, aiyah U so late, only left Fri & Sun. So no FOP for me this year. My Bright Ones dont want to Q for FOP, want to have cell. Well still got SuperBand, maybe 迷路兵 will win.....

Fri morning, wah you so honored. FDC pulled some strings and 6 passes for Sat just got delivered. Yipee FOP here I come. Knowing my God, this means something exciting is gonna happen. And divine appointment for whoever respond to his invitation.

Rev Ed Silvoso preach on our role as a minister in the market place.

Where is the market place? Business, Education & Government.... Basically the ground.

Genesis 3: 17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

When man disobey God in the Garden of Eden; realtionship between man & God is broken, relationship between man & woman (mankind) is broken and the ground is cursed.

When Jesus died on the cross, He reconciled man with God, reconciled all mankind and gave us back the ground that was cursed. A crown of thorns was place with the sweat of His brow.

Claiming declaring the Kingdom of God in the marketplace? No more weekend Christians.... weekdays as well..... all week 24/7..... You game?

Yipee 迷路兵 is SuperBand.... Would be great if they could perform @ FOP one day :)

I'll be BACCK

2006-07-23T23:14:00.000+08:00

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

2005-12-25T21:31:00.000+08:00

"Christmas is a season of Giving and Joy because God gave us Jesus Christ.
Have a Blessed ChrisTmas... "

Office started planning Christmas early this month. I felt it was time to bring back some old traditions, with the staff all for it, we set up a mini Christmas tree and picked names for gift exchange.

Christmas shopping.... Took out me old list and God, its just got longer this year.... Don't know the damaged yet, but last count its in the region of S$800... : )

What to buy?!? Wrap presents.... Before you know it, Friday came.

We had lots of gift exchange the whole morning, mixed with last minute work to clear before we break for the holidays.

We had Christmas lunch @ Marriott. No matter how much I grumble about my job, God will always remind me I'm placed in my workplace for a purpose. This is my second Christmas lunch with my new firm, and just like last year, my bosses would make it an evangelistic one. What away to start Chirstmas, to be reminded that its all about God's love by sending us Christ.

More wrapping and I'm still not completed my Christmas shopping yet. Arhhh....

Next stop, Christmas @ Bishan Cell. We had a great food, great fun. Sad that it would likely be our last one before mutiplication.

Last minute Christmas shopping on morning of Christmas eve, thank God, made it just in time for Narnia.

Met Nat & Z for Narnia, before going to Ong residence for dinner.

"The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", a spectacular live-action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis' beloved literary classic. Lewis' timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings, Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter, in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.

Narnia is a very powerful film for sharing Christ, with many references to the Bible, verses are quoted as part of the dialogue. Wonder if there is any teaching material on the Narnia series...

Spent Christmas eve with Z. Think its my first. Rushed back, did my last minute wrapping till early this morning... lol

Christmas service.... So good to see Yu Zhi back for the hols, but he leaving Tue, so see you again in Mar next year, and not earlier....

Havent been in main service for a while. God it's good to hear my "roommate" preach again. Some how during the message, when there is a reference to choosing a mate, the spotlight just end up on me. Someone shouted Barny and I had to face the wall... lol

During lunch, Sam W was going "Dont watch too much TV" Later Uncle Francis also went "Dont watch too much TV" Well I dont watch TV, I watch DVD... lol

Anyway the Lord spoke "Trust" to me. Titus confirm it with his bookmark. Thanks Titus : ) Its a joy to be with you guys too.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding" Prov 3:5

Up next "The Littlest Gift" an event produced by Knights for Christ. You guys are great! Job well done. And I'm glad to say, almost all the Britz contributed largely to this production.

Time to open me presents....

Computer mini vacuum, bag, memo holder, number gear lock, bookmarks, cookies, chocolate, candies, photoframe, pocket diary, radio, tumbler, wrist support, cup, name card holder... To all those to gave, a big "Thank You"

Special thanks to... Jus & Jas for the Ripcurl slippers, I love them very much. CSC for Picard card holder, just what I'm looking for. Yip family for Samuel & Kevin tee, bit too big but nice. MQ for a toothpick machine, very funny but I like : ) JT for Osim iPen, eh what's that, well I'll find out n let u know... lol

For the Bishan cell gift exchange, i got a calculator, a big one used by accounts.... Now what is He trying to say to me.... remain as an accountant? lol

The End is Near

2005-12-04T20:36:00.000+08:00

This morning Uncle Mark share from Mark 1:40-45

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
"I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Mark 1:40-45

We were asked if you were the leper that had been healed, what would you have done? Tell the whole world the joyous news or obey Jesus and keep quiet.

My conclusion...... Obedience is better than Praise.

How then can we obey? How do we know what our Lord is telling us?

By going back to the Word. Read it, Understand it and Live it.

During youth cell, after we shared our experience in R2ME2, Jasmine & Justin encourage Cheeri & Olivia to do some sharing from Matthew 1 - 6.

Before we closed, I felt the need to stress something from 1 Kings 19:11-13

11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13

We just had a "wind, earthquake, fire" R2ME2. What next?

To be Mary and listen to for the "gentle whisper" of GOD.

Today's worship was awesome. Not in the "wind, earthquake, fire" way, but the "gentle whisper" way. It was in a way an extension of R2ME2. The flow of the Spirit was there. God has indeed anointed Sam Wong for this worship. Pray that Sam will take up this gift and continue to bless us with more worship lead. Thank God for this humble servant of God.

As a youth cell, we went to watch Chicken Little this afternoon.

The fact is Chicken Little is really for kids, cute and fun. But there are still lessons to learn from Chicken Little.

Chicken Little's dejection doesn't come from being bullied at school, or being a nerd. It comes from his disappointed dad, who "left" him in when he needed him most.

Chicken Little once embarrassed his dad with a massive public panic attack. The sky, he says, is falling. Nobody, including his dad, believes him, and the episode becomes a black mark on crazy Chicken Little.

When another incident occurs, he enlists his friends, the Ugly Duckling, Runt of the Litter and Fish out of Water to help. Aliens are attacking earth, and only Chicken Little and his friends know about it. Desperation ensues, War of the Worlds is spoofed, and the little guy tries to save the world and mend his broken relationship with his father at the same time.

We thank God that we have a Father that is always there for us.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

Brite Onez @ Sentosa ~ Volley

2005-12-03T23:58:00.000+08:00

Ramesh n his friends are at Tanjong Beach, so we made our way there to join them.

Still no court but much more space and more people to play with : )

Brite Onez @ Sentosa

2005-12-03T23:32:00.000+08:00

Brite Onez had our first outing @ Sentosa.

First stop, Siloso Beach. All volley courts are in use. So we park ourselves in some space and played volley. Verdict, most of us sucked at volley. So we played something all of us can play, captain's ball.

How Great Is Our God

2005-12-02T20:31:00.000+08:00

The splendor of a King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

R2ME2 thats all folks

2005-12-01T21:24:00.000+08:00

Alvin introduced "You are My King" an original composition inspired while @ Labrador Park.....

R2ME2 a taste of heaven

2005-12-01T20:59:00.000+08:00

these pics dont do justice to Mon's night worship, what we had was truly a taste of heaven, we were so high in spirit, God's spirit pouring forth into the upper room.....

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions ~ Joel 2:28

After Sun night's encounter with God, I had to leave the camp cause I need to bring my dad to the hospital Mon morning.

When I reached home, the Lord reminded me Joel 2:28.

You see on Sat while packing for the camp, the Lord showed me Joel 2:28. I brushed it aside, not knowing that was what He wants to do with this camp.

So on Mon night when Constance read Joel2:28, I was like that sounded familar, then it all made sense..... It took me 3 days to realise what the Lord was up to, when He had already told me what He is going to do right at the beginning, sigh.....

I felt strongly I must confirm that. So I told Aunty Mary about it.

After the Word has been released, I sense the annointing again as last night but much stronger this time. The Spirit has come and taken over our worship.

I have never seen our youths like this before. For that moment, I was awed and so glad I'm serving in the youth ministry. c".)

R2ME2 bro Glenn

2005-12-01T20:53:00.000+08:00

Recharged by the Spirit

The inner spiritual battle for our soul is like two fighting dogs. Sometimes one win, sometimes the other. So who is winning? The one you are feeding.... Which dog are you feeding?

The one you are feeding will continue to grow stronger, the other one will starve and die.

I have heard this message before, but this time round, its different. The Holy Spirit came strongly and took over the ministry time. This is the first time I was so ministered by the Spirit without anyone praying for me. His presence was so real to me there and then. I wrestle with God like Jacob did. No prize for guessing who won.

R2ME2 Labrador Park

2005-12-01T20:39:00.000+08:00

R2ME2 Water Madness

2005-12-01T20:34:00.000+08:00

R2ME2 before Water Madness

2005-12-01T20:30:00.000+08:00

R2ME2 reach out

2005-12-01T20:15:00.000+08:00

R2ME2 dinner n bro Kenny

2005-11-30T23:03:00.000+08:00

my room mates waiting for dinner to be served

Recharged thru His Word

Read it, Be transformed by it, Live it

Just last week, I felt a strong urge to go back to BSF, even though I have done Genesys already, 7 years ago.

I had willfully left BSF over some petty matter 4 years ago. Seeing Marcus, Charles, Winnie going to BSF, hunger for God's word, knock some sense into me.

R2ME2 tiog lah

2005-11-30T22:49:00.000+08:00

R2ME2 the flags

2005-11-30T22:39:00.000+08:00

R2ME2 the rooms

2005-11-30T22:20:00.000+08:00

"My God is so big,
so strong and
so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do"

Cant do longest blog in words, so do in pictures lor... lol

Magnificent

2005-11-29T22:37:00.000+08:00

Who compares to You?
Who set the stars in their place?
You who calmed the raging seas
That came crashing over me.

Who compares to You?
You who bring the morning light,
The hope of all the earth
Is rest assured in Your great love.

You are magnificent,
Eternally
Wonderful,
Glorious.
Jesus, no one ever will compare
To You, Jesus.

Where the evening fades,
You call forth songs of joy.
As the morning wakes,
We Your children give You praise.

Jesus, no one ever will compare
To You, Jesus.
No one ever will compare
To You, Jesus.

Cant get this song out of my head, cause my God is just so magnificent!

Lost and Found

2005-11-29T21:18:00.000+08:00

Just came back from youth camp R2ME2. It was an awesome camp. Was so ministered by Him. More of that later.....

Its been more than a month since I blog. So what have I been up to?

Stressing over church camp venue, which by the way has been confirmed. 12 - 15 June 2006, Holiday Inn Batam... Here we come!

Harry Potter, should watch or not???

Vexing over young adult cell Alpha, I need a cell intern soon!

Upset with God. Upset with my Mum. Frustrated with my life... ahahah...

Etc etc.....

That's all folk! Me aching calves need rest from last night worship session, how I wished I'm 20 yrs younger. So jealous of those youths last night.... lol

Amazing Race - Batam: Turi Beach

2005-10-23T22:00:00.000+08:00

Turi Beach Resort is made up of mostly Standard Villa & Deluxe Villa

Deluxe villa

Most rooms has balcony facing the sea.

View from balcony

As mentioned earlier, Turi Beach Resort has a very natural feel. So much as that this place does not have any lifts.

Please pray for the church camp committee for God's direction on which hotel He wants us to take, the right agent to work with and for better quotations.

Amazing Race - Batam: Turi Beach

2005-10-23T21:30:00.000+08:00

Our last stop of the day, Turi Beach Resort.

I decided to visit this resort cause it was the first resort AS tried to sell me. He did such a good job that I almost want to go there for a holiday immediately. Its suppose to be a beach resort with a "Bali" feel.

We did not consider this resort seriously initially cause we thought we may not be able to fit into the hall. After talking to my "room mate", who assured me the hall is big enough, I die die also must take a look at this place, just to be sure.

Turi Beach Resort indeed stood out from the rest of the hotels for having a very natural feel to it. Built on a slope leading down to the beach, we moved from the lobby down to the hall.

My "room mate" was right, the hall is big enough for about 200pax. Satisfied that the hall is big enough, I immediately request to take a look at the rooms....

Free form pool, in front of the beach

Rooms are in huts on slope overlooking the sea.

Lets check out the rooms....

Amazing Race - Batam: Novotel

2005-10-18T22:11:00.000+08:00

We met our Roadblock at our next stop, Novotel.

Novotel is a hotel in the city. All amenities are contained within the building complex, no resort feel at all. Rooms are normal and small.

Security here is good though. This is where the Indonesian Presidents stay when they visit Batam.

We were suppose to have lunch @ Novotel on the house. However, the hotel rep was caught up in a meeting all the time we were there and refused to meet us.

Bottomline: No free meal for church group unless we put a deposit.

Our agent, AS was very upset but managed to arranged for lunch at a seafood kelong instead. This is the kelong where we will have our lunch during our city tour.

Finally, lunch... I was totally famished. But what a lunch we had. It was a 6 course lunch for just the 4 of us LOL.

30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:30-32

Before our next stop, we went by the shopping mall we would be going to.

Amazing Race - Batam: Holiday Inn

2005-10-17T21:59:00.000+08:00

Holiday Inn has only suites. One bedroom and two bedrooms suites.

Pool view from room's balcony

Next stop.... Novotel

Amazing Race - Batam: Holiday Inn

2005-10-17T21:51:00.000+08:00

Free form pool that can be seen from most rooms' balcony

Indoor pool

Tea Tree Spa, one of the best spas in this region has its home at Holiday Inn

Amazing Race - Batam: Holiday Inn

2005-10-17T21:45:00.000+08:00

15/10/2003

We left our Pit Stop @ Harris for our next Route Marker @ Holiday Inn just a stone's throw away.

We were welcomed like royalty, with cold towel and a welcome drink. A team of 3 from the Singapore Sales Office showed us around.

Holiday Inn is a very beautiful 5 * hotel.

Lobby

Terrace Cafe

Amazing Race - Batam: Harris

2005-10-16T21:15:00.000+08:00

15/10/2005
After a good night sleep, we had our breakfast on the house and started our day with a tour of Harris itself.

Breakfast wasnt impressive, but after last night's dinner, everything will pale in comparison.

Our room when we checked in

View from our balcony the next morning

Physically, Harris is not an impressive resort. It is not really new, the structure is quite dated. It is the friendly staff and service that impress me most.

Harris is run like Club Med, there is a Club Med feel to this place. Not surprising since the GM was formerly from Club Med. He runs the place friendly and family-like. This is one resort where you will see the GM often.

During dinner last night, he went round the tables to say Hi. After our tour, when we were having their famous aloe vera juice on the house, he sat and talk to us. He actually offer to let us try the spa but our tight schedule doesnt allow : (

Harris housed us knowing that we are here to check out other hotels and that we wont be booking them, simply because Harris is fully booked June 2006!

Next stop... Holiday Inn

Amazing Race - Batam

2005-10-16T19:47:00.000+08:00

As most of you will know by now, my team and I is in charge of organising 2006 Church Camp.

My team members are Ramesh, Susan Lim, Christine Bong and as of yesterday, Stephen Koh. Camp advisors are Janet Chew and Jimmy Teo (Thanks for sharing your years of experience). Our pastoral advisor is our Senior Pastor, Rev Kenny Chee.

This is intended to be a newbie camp committee, with the exception of Stephen, all of us have no or little church camp organising experience.

This weekend, Stephen and I went on an inspection visit to Batam, hosted by AS, the first and only agent so far who responded to my request for quotes.

Stephen going with me on this trip was indeed God sent. While he "entertained" the agent and the hotel representatives, I could concentrate on observing the premise and taking photos, asking questions when I needed to clear doubts.

On Friday, we met 6.15pm at Singapore Cruise Centre @ HarbourFront for the 6.30pm ferry. By the time we cleared customs, we were missed our check in and watch our ferry left without us : (

We had to go back out to change the tickets to the next ferry leaving @ 7.40pm, arriving at another terminal further from Harris, where we will be spending the night.

By the time we reached Harris, I was famished. We had a sinfully sumptuous seafood bbq buffet dinner by the pool. : )

After a long day and heavy meal, I looked forward to my hot shower and bed, to prepare us for a long day ahead tomorrow.

Barny You are Older Reloaded

2005-10-10T22:41:00.000+08:00

After service yesterday, Aunty Mary bought me bday lunch, with Cynthia and XinNing at Cafe Cartel.

After lunch, we decided to visit the new National Library. I have actually explored it before during lunch as my office is nearby, so I played host.

I proudly show them the Retreat @ L10, one of 2 sky gardens. To me, they are just plants, thru the eyes of experts, it turn out to be a spice garden.

We decided to start from the top, Lee Kong Chian Reference Library L11.

The reference library is an architecture beauty. Two storey high ceiling with the Suntec - Esplanade skyline. Lots of space, spacious study tables and sofas. What a wonderful place to do some personal retreat!

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16)

My shepherds bought me lunch this afternoon at Kuishin-Bo. The shepherds indeed knows their sheep. Its a wonderful spread of Japanese food. Too bad I need to go back office : (

We had a good time of fellowship, talking about my pains as well as something close to me heart recently c".)

What's Your Hidden Talent?

2005-10-09T23:38:00.000+08:00

Your Hidden Talent

You are both very knowledgeable and creative.
You tend to be full of new ideas and potential - big potential.
Ideas like yours could change the world, if you build them.
As long as you don't stop working on your dreams, you'll get there.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Disclaimer: This is just for fun lah. Dont take too serious hor. I trust only His Word and claims His promise.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)

Barny You are Older

2005-10-08T23:15:00.000+08:00

Today, Cynthia + the Bright Ones (Alvin, Jasmine, Justin, Sharon, Eilleen, Ramesh, WeiJian, XinNing) gave me a little surprise after Alpha.

When I came down, I was greeted with a very bright Sweet Secrets Tiramisu cake, my all time fav cake : )
With 9 burning candles on it, 3 big and 6 small candles, its a very bright cake indeed LOL

More sms greetings from Charles who couldnt join us yesterday and Wendy L. Winnie tag me and Mabel msn me happy bday, thats my first, new ways to communicate thanks to technology LOL

Adrian, You are Older

2005-10-07T23:21:00.000+08:00

Sorry SamL have not been updating recently cause was feeling a bit down lately and didnt seem to have anything blog-worthy. Thats the perfectionist in me talking : )

Well today is my birthday.

Started off my day with 3 sms that came in one after the other. They were from my extended family in WRPF. Ad (representing the Yip family) Mrs Ong (representing the Ong family, thanks for the OP pouch) and Cynthia

Other sms greetings from Dr Sim, my shepherds Simon & Rinda, JoSeah, OCBC (ya the bank, some advert LOL) CC (who is on leave today), Lim Chee Guan, mythumb (who gave me Psalm 23, the Psalm the Lord gave me during my LiJiang trip as well as Silent Retreat), jasllq, PCK, Joshy (who thot i'm 39) and Barnabas Ramesh.

Turk Tay sms me saying I was on his mind and he is praying for me. I'm so blessed that God initiated a birthday greeting all the way from Turkey.

The guys from my dept are the best.

When I reached office, my 21 year old colleague happily n loudly greeted me "Adrian u r 36 today!" (I'm still known as Adrian in the working world. Y? cause "Adrian" is on me birth cert)

My next door neighbour in office gave me a pink Jim Thompson tie from Bangkok and God's blessing.

I have been quite stressed lately, resulting in me starting the week quite painfully with cold sore. It's gonna take a while to heal, so I wont be enjoying my meals as much. Anyway, my guys know I'm a Jap food freak so we went Sakae Sushi for lunch. We ate so much, almost enough to get a free discount card. LOL

In the afternoon, they surprised me with a very nice and nutty Hotel Intercontinental cake with the wordings "Adrian, You are Older" LOL
I was a bit worried for the cake cause there are like 9 burning candles on it, 3 big and 6 small candles.

They then shocked me with a present. It was a Braun Buffel wallet. That was one of three things I asked God for for my birthday this year. It was as good as me choosing it myself. : )

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Decided to meet some long lost friends for dinner this year, without telling them its my birthday. EW says cant make it, got bday dinner to attend. Interesting, someone else born on the same day.

So met KO only. Called to say I'm late. "Nevermind I got bday present to buy." I was thinking, "Good at least someone remembered" Alas, its for her colleague whose bday is today. So she also forgot.

After dinner, I told her about my bday n she went "I thot its your bday but wasnt sure" Well its a sign that I have been neglecting my friends.

When I reached home, checked my email. RT from Chicago sent me birthday greetings when GT, who introduced RT to me, forgot.

Well I missed some greetings from some friends but to those who remembered, thanks for remembering, you're definitely on my Christmas list. : )

Oh ya I have just been reminded, Jo elMo called me at 1am, trying to wake me up, but I slept thru his call c".)

Salvation Is Here

2005-09-11T22:02:00.000+08:00

God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
And I don't care what the world throws at me now
I'm gonna be alright

Hear the sounds of the generations
Making loud our freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It's gonna be alright

Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Cause You are alive and You live in me

This is my song from the Lord in this season (God this song is really good) till i figure out how to let my blog play songs, lyrics will have to do for now : )

President or Superstar ~ U choose

2005-09-08T23:18:00.000+08:00

Sori guys.... have not been there lately... Alpha, mum, work, mum, church camp, mum, $$$, mum, Bright Ones, mum.... u get the idea....

With the police investigating "white elephants" in Sengkang, I hesitate posting... but spend so much time typing.... here goes....

1 September 2005 is a busy & memorable day for TV viewers in Singapore.

Over on Ch5, Mr S R Nathan has been sworn in for a second term of office as Singapore's sixth President.

~He was "elected" for another six years without a poll.
~Say what?
~He was returned unopposed.
~Sure or not? No worthy opponents among Singaporeans above 80 years old? : )
~Yep, so says the Presidential Elections Committee.
~Eh.... who r they har?

The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) is set up by the government of Singapore to ensure that each candidate for the office of President of Singapore has the qualifications referred to in Article 19 of the Constitution of Singapore.

~So 3 guys who form PEC decided there is no one fit to be president except Mr S R Nathan?
~Yep
~Oh like that ah... then for presidents that are not elected by poll, should we just call them "nominated" president instead?
~Reminds me of time before elected president.... is this what they call transparency?

Looks like we are given "choice" but not given the opportunity to exercise it. In other words, no choice lah. We are but passive audience sigh....

Of course this also means that there is no more additional public holiday in 2005.
But there is hope, GE is just round the corner. We may still get an additional public holiday in 2005.

Meanwhile on ChU, the audience is busy voting the birth of Singapore's first Superstar. Will it be the blind guy or the comeback gal?

Watching the grand final was de javu. Totally like the final for the male superstar. The judges did everything possible to promote the "normal" contestant over WeiLian.

The duet segment is so unfairly done... Actually, can see Wei Lian quite awkward doing the duet thing with JJ. Both are guys..... singing a love song together. Plus, Wei Lian is the one who "kick" out JJ's friend, Jun Yang, at the male final.
Anyway, Weilian underperformed during the finals. Maybe nervous? Too much pressure and high hopes on him? Other than his second song which is moving, the other songs he sang can't really make it...and during his last song, with the fake plant and the bench, seems like those singing competitions in the 80s

Stage presence.... girls indeed can do a lot on appearance...advantage over guys....Kelly changes from weird, cute, casual to the last "princess" wear...

Though Kelly did put up a superb, brilliant performance for her last song... but emotionally not there.... you can hear great voices anytime anywhere.... and for all her ever changing images, all thanks to the stylist team behind her!

Anyway, WeiLian will last longer, broader audience. I'm so happy he won. The audience is really listening. They are not blind. WeiLian is a 2nd time winner, despite all odds.

So has the public voting system has ruined the whole competition???
Given the choice, the people will choosee what they want..... not what was given by the judges or MCS.

So is this good or bad? Lets go back to the mother of all choices.

Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the groundÃ‚Âtrees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Gen2:8-9

And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Gen2:16-17

The choice was Adam's.... and Adam chose..... wrongly.... thats why I'm typing this post... and not in God's garden in Eden....

Having said that, the choice of president and superstar is not comparable.... the government, PEC, superstar judges, MCS are nowhere near GOD in all knowing : )

FOP 2005 Reloaded

2005-08-17T23:47:00.000+08:00

We were sharing about how wonderful FOP was during cell on Sun.

Ben has not been yet, so I decided to go again with Ben, last night of FOP.

We had lunch and had a good time of sharing, before we made our way to SIS.

After reading inverted lyrics last night, I decided to go even earlier, so that I can get good seats.

Finally its time. We managed to get very good seats, by the side of the stage. Joel Mo & Co wanted to seat behind the drummer (another set of drumsticks?)

Josh, Zeniv, Jonathan and I stayed put at our choice seats. Seated next to the steps, with the walkway in front, there was plenty of room to jump around : )

Being the last night, the next day a work/school day, it was great to see the stadium filled to the brim. Everybody was all out to worship. Everyone was dancing. It was indeed a sight to see God's children, young and old, doing the Christian thing, dancing before the Lord.

Not having enough cash, for the first time, I gave my offering via credit card, so strange, but give I must, not that God need it, but I want to : )

When the message started, my tide was fill to over flowing, so I made my way up to the toilet. When I'm done, I was prevented from going back to my seat. Its a CHC rule. Can only go back after the message is over. Reason being, we will disrupt the message. Fair enough. So I stood at the back, listening to the message.

Christ has already won the victory. We need to claim it. When faced with a seemingly impossible situation, we need to do only one thing..... Pray.

I have decided to turn my eyes away from the circumstance to the Lamb of God and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.

We are called not just to spread the Good News but to be the Good News. The best way to be the Good News is to serve the community, as Christ did.

......just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

FOP 2005

2005-08-14T23:07:00.000+08:00

Have not gone to FOP for years. Decided to go this year as a cell with the young adults.

Fri was out..... cause got Bishan cell mah.... So Sat seems like the best day.

FOP starts 7.30. Knowing there would be a crowd, decided meet earlier, 4.30....

Ramesh, Justin & Jasmine decided to go earlier to help us Q. Alas by the time we reach SIS, they were in front and we cant join them. So they got in, they tried to "chope" seats for us instead. But we were so far back in the Q that they have no choice but to give up the seats.

Finally we made it in. WeiJian, Desmond (WeiJian's bro), XueXin, Grace, Eilleen and I found pretty good seats, but they were behind the screen. Very tiring reading inverted lyrics : (

But the atmosphere was electrifying. With a whole stadium fill with God's people, His Presence is just so tangible.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20

Message was from Exodus 3, Moses and the Burning Bush.

Moses began his life as a Somebody before he became a Nobody till "I AM sent me".

We need to know who we are in God, what is God's revelation in us. Without Him, we are nobody. What makes us different from the world is that we have Him in us.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

That make us different. We are the world's walking Bible. The world "read" us first before they know God.

We are called to be "living sacrifice". The thing about living sacrifice is that the sacrifice, I, can crawl down the altar anytime! Dying to self is an ongoing process. You dont make a decision to die once and expect yourself to stay completely on the altar forever, cause you are still living.

Hillsongs and Delirious was fabulous. It wasnt just praise and worship. There was so much anointing, in the midst of worship, we were led into prayer for salvation of the lost. Suddenly "Salvation is Here" became so real.

Well.... till we are all in heaven, all good things must come to an end. I was telling myself. Let this night be special. I will not come again tomorrow. Plus I still got to work on Mon leh. Well God had other plans.... Thats another post : )

PDL 4 - You were shaped for serving God

2005-08-13T23:18:00.000+08:00

Bishan cell is doing PDL before Alpha resumes in Sep : ) My esteem cell leader Wai Tuck decreed I will do Purpose 4 : ) Then I reaslied, FOP : ( Well thats another story.....

Truth is I has a very busy and stressful week last week. I didnt really had the chance to prepare but read Luke 10:30-37 Good Samaritan nevertheless.

Then I asked myself, put into a situation, would I really stop to help? Well its easy to say "of course I will", but then crunch time, would I be so confident? I left it as it is and the week sped by. Before I knew it, its Friday : (

Had a very stressful morning. Suppose to meet a client after lunch but my staff have not completed the job. Decided to have a quick lunch. Drop some mail at PO, have a quick bite, go Popular grab some books a want (25% discount for card holders till 7 Aug) then head back office to prepare for meeting.

After I drop my mails, I heard a voice calling "Mister" Well it was not God..... a man appeared from behind the wall. I looked around, there is no one else in the corridor, he must be calling out to me then. But wait, I'm in a hurry, I dont have time. I still have meeting to prepare. What happens if long Q at Popular?

Before I could decided if I should help, I found myself walking towards him. There he stood in front of SAM, explaining in Mandrin he wanted to pay his LTA fine but didnt know what to do. Well I'm no expert at using SAM but I think I can managed better. Instead of just telling what to do, I thought might as well do it for him. Few minutes later, mission accomplished : )

Remembering my tight schedule, I sped off before he could say thank you. You know what, by the time I pay at Popular, I still have more than enough time.....

What I was not sure I would do... the Lord gave me a practical application. When He is in you, He will enable you to help a person in need, even if you think you are very busy : )

We are made to serve God. One way of serving God is to serve others in need. But who could I serve? Do I have what it takes to serve?

Well, God will bring people in need to you, just be sensitive to His leading and you will know who He wants to use you to help.

God spoke things into existence, but form us with His hands and gave us His breath of Life. He is our Creator, He knows what you are capable of. Serve Him with whatever you have now. Whatever you dont have, He will enable, for God's power is demonstration best in our weakness.

"Is anything too hard for the LORD ?" Genesis 18:14

Money matters

2005-08-11T20:40:00.000+08:00

Stewardship of God's finances is never easy.

Last year I foolishly landed myself in debt. I struggled..... cause I should have known better.... being a money person.

The strange part was that I was always telling my friends not to fall for it, yet I did. It was indeed a humbling experience.

But God is really good. Despite my folly, He provided and bless me tremendously in my finances. I'm not totally clear yet but redemption is in sight.

In a bid to experdite clearing of debt, I withheld my tithe. In exchange, I decided to give Him more of my time in service. The fool in me thought I could exchange His money with my time.

Up in the mountain recently, the Lord asked me if I'm willing to give my all. I say yes Lord. Then He reminded me, what about my money. I argued, but I gave you more time Lord. I want your time and my money. Alas what have I done?! How could I have rob my Jehovah Jireh?!

But the Lord is indeed full of grace. Just me before I went up the mountain, I decided to tithe for the first time since months. After my encounter with Him, I have decided to TRUST Him, instead of trying to clear the debt myself, and rob Him in the process.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:8

Charlie & Chocolate Factory

2005-08-10T22:10:00.000+08:00

Caught Charlie yesterday after CrossLines with Z n Nat.

Well it was the children's choice, wasnt sure if I would enjoy it actually. Never read the book. Didnt know what to expect. Much like SpongeBob SquarePants : )

Well the verdict........ Charlie was great! Tim was at his best in bringing to screen what can only be left to imagination!

Great story! (Made a note to read the book, ya children book, but still great what!)

Wholesome children show! (Parents should bring their children to watch, very educational, but then again.....)

Visually stunning! Didnt even felt like 2 hrs long lor.....

Besides the lessons learnt from the 4 terrible children (glut, proud, spoilt and arrogant) portrayed, I learnt one from Willy Wonka (very MJ looking, quite eerie).

I was reminded that all great accomplishments would come to naught in the absence of successors. When Willy realised he is not going to live forever, he decided to pick a protege to pass his chocolate factory to, hence the invitation to Charlie and the children.

"Success without Legacy is Failure"

From poor but good hearted Charlie, you learn family is more important than anything in the world. Faced to choose inheriting the chocolate factory but leaving his family, he chose his family without second thought.

Ok i will not reveal too much.... Night night zzzzzzz

Project Superstar

2005-08-10T21:01:00.000+08:00

Was watching Project Superstar just now.

I was suppose to blog something else but change my mind when I realise WeiLian is still in the run.

In case you do not know WeiLian is visually challenged.

When he got into the finals, I was wondering how long he would last. You see, if this contest is held pre-MTV era, I would have no doubt he will make it to the top, cause vocally, he is very good. Dont believe? Just close your eyes when he is singing and you will feel the emotions being conveyed vocally.

But now in this multimedia era, where packaging is everything, would he stand a chance? Well, seeing him in the top 3 tonight, he is already a winner as far as I'm concern.

He has chosen to enter the contest and put in his best. He has chosen to focus on his singing and not be affect by the darkness he is in.

So what does this say about the voting audience? Are they blind? For allowing him to come so far? Yes.... they are indeed blind.... blinded by an angelic voice.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Case of Mistaken Identities? ~ Guess who is it

2005-08-03T22:47:00.000+08:00

Well seems like some TianCai have figured out who SMS me oredi

Well he had so much fun so no need to pai seh cause I had my fun too.

For the record it was less than 7 times, only 5 times lah : )

Case of Mistaken Identities?

2005-08-02T22:14:00.000+08:00

I received a strange email from my client this morning
Read it carefully and realised it was meant to another Adrian
So I emailed my client to tell him he got the wrong guy
He was apologetic and I was amused

Back from a meeting this afternoon, realised a friend SMS me for dinner
Thought it was weird but the kaypoh in me wanted to find out more, just in case....
But when he mentioned common friends that I do not know, I knew he had SMS the wrong Barny.
Well I was more amused than upset

I start to wonder, would God email or SMS in error? Well.... I think not

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me ~ John 10:14

So when He says I'm His black sheep.

Thats me, no mistake about : )

In the Beginning......

2005-07-31T23:28:00.000+08:00

Today marks the beginning of my blog! :)

Been fasinated by blogs from the young ones for quite a while....
peeping into their very interesting life.... felt a bit guilty since not sharing

Started thinking about doing one but realised i'm a blog dodo... knowing i cant do it like Sam G n J Mo... start pushing it, after all my life not so interesting what?!

Till Ah Seng set up a blog..... I was like SP beat me to it, so what.....
Then Aunty Mary as well : (
the last straw was PCK as well.... i cant take it any longer... die die also must do one....

Then the Lord gave my "Barny&Co" and the rest is blog history....

In case u wonder y my blog so black..... tts another post : )

Twenty Third Psalm.....

2005-07-31T19:15:00.000+08:00

"I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever
Surely goodness and Love will follow me
I shall not be in want
The Lord is my Shepherd"

(BCV)

Barny & Co

onwards

Desert Song

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking

Gone to Soon (1993)

Cadbury Eyebrows

Chingay 2009

Rest in the Year of the Ox

勇氣

Lord I give You my heart

How Great is our God

楓 - 周杰倫 / 彩虹天堂 - 劉耕宏

龙卷风

安静

簡單愛

王力宏 - Kiss Goodbye

溫柔

abba mania

Hosanna

一切完美

Dead Leader Running

1995 Irony swatch watch, Ocean Storm YGS103

unlucky in love

鄧麗欣 方力申 - 十分．愛

苏打绿-小情歌

Keep Moving Forward

Who am I

1 July 2008

Little Wonders

被遺忘的時光 - 蔡琴

At the Cross

Hey There Delilah

Music from the factory - C+C Music Factory

Rest for Our Souls

Slient Retreat 2007

Who am I

Noise

Bus - Jehovah Jireh

Oct 2006 to Sep 2007

7 October

Book of Proverbs Chapter Three Verses Five and Six

Awesome God

I'll be BACCK

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

The End is Near

Brite Onez @ Sentosa ~ Volley

Brite Onez @ Sentosa

How Great Is Our God

R2ME2 thats all folks

R2ME2 a taste of heaven

R2ME2 bro Glenn

R2ME2 Labrador Park

R2ME2 Water Madness

R2ME2 before Water Madness

R2ME2 reach out

R2ME2 dinner n bro Kenny

R2ME2 tiog lah

R2ME2 the flags

R2ME2 the rooms

Magnificent

Lost and Found

Amazing Race - Batam: Turi Beach

Amazing Race - Batam: Turi Beach

Amazing Race - Batam: Novotel

Amazing Race - Batam: Holiday Inn

Amazing Race - Batam: Holiday Inn

Amazing Race - Batam: Holiday Inn

Amazing Race - Batam: Harris

Amazing Race - Batam

Barny You are Older Reloaded

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Barny You are Older

Adrian, You are Older

Salvation Is Here

President or Superstar ~ U choose

FOP 2005 Reloaded

FOP 2005

PDL 4 - You were shaped for serving God

Money matters

Charlie & Chocolate Factory

鄧麗欣方力申 - 十分．愛