Chin Up

I've heard Ps. Kenneth Chin shared and preached a number of times and he never fails to inspire me to be a better person in all ways that God would want me to be. The first time I've heard his preaching was at GBC when I was around 14 or 15 years old(I cannot remember exactly) and the pledge we all took made a difference in our lives one way or another. Ps. Kenneth was giving us(youths) alot of thought provoking, dare to be different messages and that's where I found myself,  and who i am in Christ.
Well, I'm glad to know Ps. Kenneth and Ps. Sandra abit more through this biography. I felt like I already know him personally on a friendship level just by reading it. He has no idea who I am ofcourse. It's truly encouraging to see someone walking so closely to God and how God works through him to impact many lives that would have been lost if he did not heed the Father's call. God might find someone else to do it but Ps. Kenneth Chin stepped up to his calling. Now that's what I called a fulfilled life. It's written in a very simple manner, uncovering his life in many areas yet you can see God is in the centre of it all.

You may find yourself backsliding from your faith, or you have not know Jesus, pick up this book and know more about The One Up There through this man's life.

Chin up, y'all and face the world in full faith force and see God work miracles in your life. :)

My God Is Real

taken from Google image search

I admired how A.W Tozer phrases on having a genuine encounter with God. Truly that's what make our Christian walk real and not religious. We can't live out of others' experience with God, and say we know this and that. We need to live out of our encounters with God and in life itself testifies "My God is real"

"Is it not true that for most of us who call ourselves Christians there is no real experience? We have substituted theological ideas for an arresting encounter, we are full of religious notions, but our great weakness is that of our hearts there is no one there. Whatever else it embrace , true Christian experience must always include a genuine encounter with God. 

Without this, religion is but a shadow, a reflection of reality, a cheap copy of an original once enjoyed by someone else whom we have heard.

- A.W. Tozer

Worship Songwriting Ideas

I've been wanting to write songs and I did attempt a few, prayerfully. And hopefully I can find time again to seek God for songs that will minister to people. I'm glad two songs I did for childrens' camp(praise song) was well-liked by the teachers and the children. Thank you, Lord!
Tonight I stumbled upon some songwriters sharing their ideas and experience and thought I share it here. Hope it inspires you too!

My Chains Are Gone (Amazing Grace)

"Amazing Grace 

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

Was blind but now I see"

I was born again at the age of 12. Though I was born into a Christian family, but my spiritual eyes was opened at 12. I experienced God's love and His touch was as real as raindrops falling on my face. I looked back and I'm grateful to Him who saved me and brought me through healing of many things that I went through and He continues to mold and shape me to being the 'me' that He has willed. I'm a work in progress and through my weaknesses, His strength pulls all things together to help me overcome. Perfected in my weakness.

Why do people look at the stars for their future or horoscopes to determine their day when they can ask the One who made the stars and universe. Our future is in His hands and the choices we choose to make. Stay free for His Truth has already set us free.

God's Word , My Shield

The rugged worn out blue notebook holds many writings and teachings I learned from reading God's Word, preaching, books, prophecies, my own preparations for sharing and I felt grounded whenever I go through this book. It was like a start of my spiritual journey and though I stopped at three quarter of the notebook, my journey did go on without the notebook Now it seems like one of my new notebook is a virtual one. :)

I decided to write what I shared many years ago when I was in the youth group. I was given an opportunity to give an exhortation of any bible verse. I picked Psalms 119:11 " I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you"

What spoke to me then was the intent of the psalmist that seems so pure. David the psalmist reveals his love for God and not wanting to hurt Him by sinning against Him, he hides His Word. Hidden means to treasure, to conceal. When you treasure something till you want to hide it, it means a lot to you. And you do anything to keep it there, for his case, he wants to keep it in his heart. 

This reminded me of the song A Pure Heart which one lines says " A heart that hides Your Word, so that sin may not come in" The Word of God is like a shield, keeping us from sinning and protecting sin from coming in. We all sin and fall short of His glory but Jesus righteousness make us right with God. But as long as we are on this earth, the roaring lion will try to devour us, making us as far away from God as possible. Our part is living the way God wants us to and our guide is His Word, and His Spirit convicts and teaches us.

I went to look for the old song in youtube and I found another version but its great and just as the song has ministered to him, it has also ministered to me then and also now. May it minister to you too and draw you closer to Him.

A Giving Father, a Sacrificial Love

Beautiful songs!

A Distinction From God

I didn't know what to expect when I was asked to collect my piano theory results. It was one of those exams where it mind boggles and you walk out unsure if your answers are right. And one mistake in certain questions will affect other parts of the question.

God took care of my needs through out my exam week a few months ago. By the way I mistaken the exam date for the following week or so. And it truly was an adrenaline rush of uncertainty and I quickly message my piano tutor. I remembered my tutor asking me if i have taken leave to study.I said no. I really did not think of that at all. So I juggled between life,work and study.

Friday came,it was just a day before my exam. I started having flu after lunch. While sneezing away, i tried to study and then rest right after. Not to mention I was suppose to play guitar for cell group that night, I was not able to relax, thinking if i should not go 'cos if i do go i will be back late normally and the next morning I will need to wake up 7.30am to run through my study notes. Exam was at 9.30am the next morning. Negative thoughts disturbed me the whole day.

I told myself as long as I pass, I guess that's fine but deep inside me I felt I could get better than that. I gave God my thoughts and worries yet I felt like an elephant has sat on my back. Then God reminded me about honoring Him and He will honor me. Deja vu on my SPM year played in my mind, God knows I did my best. And He kept His Word. This time His best for me is to exercise that same faith again on His Word. So finally i decided to play guitar and attend the whole CG meeting. Thankfully God took away my non stop sneezing during that period of time. And I also like to thank the Cg brothers and sisters as well as friends who had prayed for me.

Things didn't get easier as I had hoped,went home sneezing and running nose returned. Fever also had seeped in and bugged me mad so I took extra med and did my last bit of study that night and went to sleep. I woke up a few times in the night not feeling so good. Here comes morning...

Fast forwarding to my exam hall,I thank God the air condition was not working too well,I'd like to think that was God-doing for my sake but poor others who complained till they had to bring in a standing fan.

When I am not that cold I have less tendency to sneeze(which saved me from a ton of embarrassment) but my nose was still running,fever under controlled. I completed my exam in 2 and a half hour. The more I checked the more mistakes I see, thank God for revealing it to me before submission.

Then I went home to rest till my body recovered from the flu and fever. What a day it was. My knee was wobbly by the time I finish because of the flu and fever exhaustion.

Though it was a tough ordeal, I'm glad to have experience God's hand on me throughout the time. Someone I truly can hang on to and He knows best as to what I could handle or what I could not. The results came quite as a surprise.

It is never easy to trust God and take the harder path but easier to give up. One thing that God has always taught me is to put Him first instead of putting work or studies above Him. He also wants to let us know that He is in control of our life situations.  I have my moments that I have failed to follow His ways but all I can say is, He truly honors us when we honor Him. His Word remains faithful no matter what our human wisdom tells us.

I hope my testimony will be inspire you to allow God to take your faith to another level. Be assured as well that no matter how many times we fall, be sure to know He is still there when you get back up.

from http://hollymonroe.enstore.com/item/because-he-loves-me