还是要幸福

Finally bothered to find out the song. It's from channel 8's The Oath. Dont know the exact meaning but i find the tune and her voice really nice.

"Do You Feel Loved by God?"

"Do You Feel Loved by God?"

There maturity of a christian can be determined by asking the above question followed by a "why". The one who bases his/her answer to the first question on biblical truths, shows maturity. Any other answers reveals a loop-hole in our relationship with God and it will threaten to get bigger and bigger.

God's love bases not on our personal circumstances or predicaments. It's basis exists solely in truths so sturdy yet wonderful. A christian who thinks God might not love him as much as before he committed a particular sin is in for a guilt trip round worldly sorrows. While another who relates God's love to the apparent blessings in his life at a particular juncture may just turn out to be a "fair-weather" christian. When the storms do come, it'll be in no time that he will start to blame God.

However if one bases the love of God on the unchanging truths, he shall learn and know that God loves him, no matter what he did or can/will ever do. This is the heart of the Gospel. In this, he finds strength to stand up after a fall, grace that contends with sin and joy simply unspeakable by mere words. And when the storms of life come, in the form of a death of a close-one, the lost of a job or being diagnosed with a terminal illness, he may falter at first because well, that's just human. But still the knowledge of the love of God is entrenched deeply in him.

And this is the love of God, "that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "And neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

So do you feel loved by God?

Romans 5:10

"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Romans 5:10 (NASB)

1. It is simply not by our works, so that none may boast.

2. Both past and future work is done by God, thru Jesus Christ.

3. "much more", the past work of God increases the certainty of God's future work.

• God did the tough part of re-conciliating us by putting His own Son to death for our sins, all while we were still enemies of Him.
• "much more" will He be willing and able to ascertain our eternal salvation in Him.
• E.g. A student is going overseas for studies, his/her parents paid for all the school fees, flight tickets, hostel fees. MUCH MORE will they pay for the textbook he/she needs.

4. "His life", refers to the life of Jesus after ascension.

• Where is Jesus now? Heaven, right hand of God, with angels, authorities and power been subjected to Him. (1Pet 3:22)
• With all of these in His hand, what is Jesus doing? He intercedes for us (Rom 8:34), He is indeed able to save to the utttermost (completely) those who draw near to God through Him, since He lives to make intercession for us(Heb 7:25)

This short study simply blows my mind about how good and awesome God is. He is so committed to our salvation and our response is but to simply draw near.

Note to Self in Time to Come.

"And how foolish the preacher who uses fine and hard words in his preaching, which, though admired by the shallow, convey no instruction to the multitude." -Adam Clarke

Gospel: God Worked.

In the Gospel, God worked. The Gospel can be condensed into 4 power-packed verses in the book of Romans. You ready? It's Romans 3:23-26.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:23-26 (NASB)

meh. it's like one of the many verses we just read and overlook. But these verses clearly outlines why God has worked, what was it He worked, the resultant of His work and what our response is toward that work that He did. In short, in the Gospel, God worked, Jesus paid the price in full, His blood appeased God's holy wrath toward sinners and we are justified as we put our faith in Him and His complete and perfect work on the cross.

Sounds pretty low level isn't it? But it's exactly this that we so desperately need! Our assurance should have never depart from the work that is already completed on the cross. We have chosen instead, to place our assurance in the things we do as Christians, the duties, obligations, service, the battles against our old selves, trying not to sin or break God's law, etc, etc. Now, the problem occurs when we find ourselves simply, unable. (But that is reserved for another time.)

to be continued...

Gospel.

If i were to ask you this question, "Where would you go if you were to meet with a fatal accident tonight?".

No, this aint for non-believers but believers. Now i imagine, you'll be thinking of the things you've done or not done in your life pertaining on the things of God. Great! let that flow for a while and then as you resolve to yourself if you've qualified or not for heaven, let me tell you this...

You are simply unconvinced of the gospel.

Just as i was. Until recently as God spoke thru His Word and thru gospel-centred preachers like Joshua Harris, Matt Chandler, C.J. Mahaney, John Piper and Mark Discroll then i realize how wrong my beliefs were and that just made my Christian life so full of uncertainties, so full of defeats, so full of fear and all so performance-driven.

We live our lives with a theology so flawed, caused by our lack of understanding of God's Word and our laziness to examine scripture. So we fall back on the most basic thing that our heart calls us to: work. Effort is good, it gets us good grades, gets chores done, gets us awesome career reports, etc, etc, oh wait, i'm sure it's so good that it gets us to heaven too! So the gospel just becomes a name we call the first 4 books of the new testament or just something of a cliche term for nonbelievers.

That's where we are so wrong.

to be continued... (or post will get really loooooong! :O)

Finally!

Had the best worship session today. The setlist was pretty easy, beats were normal and songs that i liked. Though it's just another acoustic guitar and my electric, i think we pulled it off pretty well! GAAAHH I just love God is Able! The progression is so simple and it allows so much improvisation on my favorite phrygian mode!

It's like finally i felt that i dont suck, at least not that much. And i'm so encouraged by the words of affirmation i received from a lot of people today. I really needed those, they mean a lot to a budding musician, so if you see anyone doing well in just about anything, please encourage them!

Also, my pedalboard is just about done! Will upload some photos of it soon. Currently it can do some prettty awesome U2 sounding delays, which fills up some space; gives a bit of a overdriven sound and also does pretty good ambient/sustain/pads. All i need now is a tremolo to finish off a light sounding pad whenever there's no keyboardist and an upgrade for my mid/high gain pedal, which comes in really on the low priority because i dont see myself using it too much in our church setting. If God willing, a second (cheaper! i hope!) delay pedal would be awesome, so i can do like quarter notes and dotted 8ths, which will essentially fill up ALL spaces.

Haha that'd cost easily 400 bucks if i manage to get most of them 2nd hand. So i guess it'll definitely have to wait, like i said before, GAS can turn really ugly and right now i'm learning to be a good steward of my moolahs. I'll just have to use what i have to the best of it and clock in even more hours in practice. ;)

God Doesn't...

"God doesn't need our good works, but our neighbor does." -Martin Luther

From Nettles to Myrtles. (Isa 55)

Every choice, every action bears consequences. Deeds done in our period of err breeds stinging nettles. But seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God he will abundantly pardon.

The mercy and goodness of God will cause myrtles to grow, as He reverses the consequences of your sin and you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace..

G.A.S

All musicians have this in common, only to different degrees. Wait wut? What's GAS? It's an acronym for Gear Acquisition Syndrome. ;) Example for usage: "I've been having major GAS on a Gretsch Black Falcon".

Was having a conversation with Jerrold and Clarence the other day and i just realized this little truth. Well, Jerrold's GASing for a cajon, fueled by his new found talent in percussion, Clarence's GASing for a mini taylor which i think i'll never comprehend WHY (it sounds so bright and springy!) and i'm GASing for some pedalsss, namely the sparkle drive and just today, a tremoglo.

BUT the tricky thing is that, GAS has the potential of turning really ugly. It's like, okay let's take an example of hungering for chocolates (i'm gonna assume everyone <3 chocolates, because WHO DOESNT?!), first we go like "uhhh i think i can use some of that, chocolatey stuffffs", then we go like "okay, i want that chocolate.", then we gooo like "I NEED THAT CHOCO NAO." It becomes an obsession and before you know it, you have just spent on something that you might not actually need.

It's pretty much a heart matter i guess. Imagine, a Black Falcon (thats a guitar btw) sitting on the throne of your heart instead of God, that's just mighty wrong...

Now that i've preached to myself, i guess i'll ask myself the following questions next time when i'm thinking of getting new gears:

1. Do i actually need that? How much difference or impact is it gonna make to the church's worship setting?

2. Are there any thing else in church that needs my giving more than having a new sound? Building fund, education support for foreign kids, etc.

3. Is there a cheaper alternative?

Goodbye!

You've been awesome.

Falling In.

Don’t be scared, it’s only love, Baby that we're fallin' in.

SO CUTE RIGHT.

I SO WANT THE YALLLOW ONE. they are seriously cute pls.

New Inspiration.

Hillsong got really generous and helpful with their new album; they actually posted the instruments breakdown of their new songs onto youtube. There really is a wealth of new things to learn from what chord formation they use to figuring out their tone (though a little explanation would be nice).

So here's a electric guitar track for one of their songs which taught me quite a few new stuff. But i would really like to know how to achieve that sound, it's so warm and yet bite-y!

3:2.

Do you know?

There's a breathing technique for runs, it's called the 3:2 ratio. 3 steps of inhaling and 2 steps of exhaling. That would take care of all your body's oxygen needs without overly exerting the heart. Also all breathing should be done thru the diaphragm and not the chest.

Stand Chart is less than 3 months away and i've still got bout 10km to train up. Now, i really dont know what i've gotten myself into do i. X_X

8.8 Hours.

That's the flight time i got during last year's stint at cadet flying school. I was packing my documents file and i saw my flight-time table and i guess it kinda made me reminisce the past a bit. Reading my past posts during my time there sure put a few smiles on my face, yea tho it was quite a stressful affair, it's nonetheless an preeeetty awesome experience.

So anyway was looking through some SIA adverts (dont know how i got there.) and they're hiring cadet pilots! They must be really short on pilots these days huh. Recruitment's been around for this whole year already. Now i think flying's quite a job and definitely worth some consideration, so i guess i'll be listing it down in my prayer journal! ;]

How He Loves.

Oh, how He loves.

Junior Master Chef.

I think, Junior Master Chef is the GREATEST TV SHOW EVER. It never fails to leave me in a jaw-dropping, awe-stricken and mouth-watering state after every episode (third so far?). Plus it's a really good bonding time with my dad, it's like for alllll the soccer matches i've never watched with him (yea, i dont like soccer.), i made up with this. I'm glad he liked that show too.

It's so inspiring, it's crazy. I watched it and i just want to learn how to cook up a storm like those kids, who are, by the way, ABSOLUTELY cute OVERLOAD. Especially Lucy, the princess of pudding (for those who watched the show), gosh, and she reminds me of a certain someone (older.please.not pedo here).

Yea, i think i'll learn some cooking from my dad, perhaps french? and i'll be on the way in becoming a perfect guy. MUAHAHA. Still, need to get some dough in first, cooking's expensive with all the ingredients and stuff so i'll probably have to start this new hobby at year's end. It's gonna be so much fun!

The PACKAGE has Just Arrived!

This my friends, is a Boss DD20, an awesome delay pedal for starters (before moving on to like eventide timefactor or something). I'm so glad it arrived today! It's like a week earlier than expected and that means i can use it this weekend!

Now you may wonder, "whats so awesome bout this?", well let me tell you why. Delay, is a music effect which replicates the notes you play and plays them according to a certain beat. So lets say you play a "do" (like a do re mi fa so) it will go like "do..do..do..do..". In short, it's sorta like a echo, complete with fade outs and stuff. So now this pedal, has a neat setting called the dotted 8th (aka galloping delay), i just have to tap in 4 straight beats and this will peg the delay to that, as compared to other pedals where you have to tap according to a "1 e and a" beat.

It's so much fun that i spent the whole afternoon doing Hillsong's God is Able with this. Hopefully i'll utilize this well, i've had bad experiences using delays during worship but now that i am more aware and a tad more proficient, things might just take a good turn. ;]

A Single-Handed COUNTDOWN.

It's great. I cant wait for these 5 days to be over, for this yoke that has been upon me for 2 years shall be BROKEN. MUAHAHA. It's reallly great.

Thank God i'm getting back on track with Him! Back to a disciplined routine of love and grace. You know, discipline can exist with love and grace, it's more than just subjecting yourself to a routine, it's subjecting yourself to the understanding God's grace, which beckons you to do more, spend more time and read more.

There's really so many things to look forward to this month! ORD, start of my project, arrival of my DD20, getting to see an old friend (Debbb that's you if you'll ever see this!). Woot, and more chances to play the guitar in church. GAHHH, i really needa get better tho, decide the style and clock more hours of practice. Shesh, i really aspire to play better man, i think i've been really terrible to the congregation by playing badly, hurrr. BUT still i thank God for the stage experiences, it's exasperating sometimes (in fact, most of the time) but it's also utterly fulfilling to hit the right notes that suit the song.

Oh yes, thank God for the new people who are coming in to church! The time is near, the harvest is coming and there's certainly much to do! Better yourselves and be ready to be wielded by God! ;]

I'm Back!

Ahh looks like i've not been bloggin' for quite a while now. It's time to get back to writing now that i'm at the brink of freedom! Do stay tuned! :D

Something Cheery During Times like These.

Totally hooked to the sound and the cheerful voice eh! Plus i think she's quite a knock-out.

Is it Okay to be Depressed?

Argh. Nothing seems to turn out fine, much less the way i want it. Failures, streaks of bad choices and being at the brunt of consequences. Gosh, if i can fast forward time, i'd do it now.

With that said, i think it's perfectly fine to be depressed but not too long. I think a better question would've been, what kinda sorrows am i down with?

Sigh. Pathetic isn't it, to find yourself not as insurmountable as you thought. But at the end of the day, all things still work for the good for those who love Him ain't it?

i hope i'm not saying that as a consolation.

Whatever You're Doing.

We are like pieces of a jig saw puzzle, but the problem with all of us is that we are all in odd shapes and sizes, never fitting into God's big picture. Changes have to be made, sides trimmed, edges smoothened so that we could be a part of His plan. Yea, it's painful but give it more thought and you'll find that the truth really is that, there is nothing more fulfilling, more wonderful, more exciting, more accomplishing, more delightful and more worthwhile than being at the centre of God's will.

Oh, if only i could be less short-sighted and more patient in the hands of the Master Craftsman.

Jesus in Japan.

I thought this was really cool so i guess i'll share it to whosever reading. :]

5 Languages of Love.

LOL. i never thought i'd pick up this book, till my friend bored me enough to go get something to read while he studied at Starbucks. It's quite a steal actually; costs me only 12 bucks. Nevertheless i'd really like to say that it's a great book, really enlightening and rational, a treat for my logic craving mind. I'd recommend this one to everyone out there, do check it out!

Ahh, oh yes. I've put some of the pointers to action, really trying hard to find out what my parents' love languages are. Money's on "Acts of Service" (for those who've read.), they're always nagging me to do housework and so i did (well at least a little)! And i think it kinda worked a bit, my mom actually gave me the i-dont-want-to-say-it-but-thank-you smile which really perked me up during these rather saddening times. I guess i'm more of the words of affirmation person? Or maybe not. i've no idea, and i dont really care either.

Yea, i think this is really gonna be fun.

Sighhh.

I'm plagued with a heart wrenching reminder of how incredulously stupid i am for asking that question. ):

but with every choice comes a consequence, so here i am paying the price.

and pain is indeed a good teacher though a really cruel one.

Grace.

"Change starts when by the grace of God, you finally realize how filthy and desperately helpless you are. And change can only continue on the basis of God's grace, without which, all discipline equates to mere human effort."

P.S: I'm off the grid. I've de-activated my facebook for this period of time.

Change.

The truth is, i lost myself in the midst of all the chaos.

The life, the environment in camp just dont shape me into a better person, and if we dont get better, we could only get worst. I got ugly.

The ups, the downs in my walk with God proves to be detrimental to my spiritual health, if our souls aren't healthy, we start to decay. I crave consistency.

The emotions, the thoughts in my heart and mind are just too messed up, and if we make a mess of ourselves, we could only hurt others. I lost a friend.

If only i could realize all these sooner then so many unpleasant experiences wouldn't have happened. I need (to) change.

Because You're the only Constant in my Life.

Oh yes, His love endures.

NEW SHOES.

HAHAHAHAHA. Okay time to burn the streets!

Edit:

Okay, i just finished my run (maybe bout 5km?) in my little red ridding shoes and i just wanna say; it's awesome. BUT i still hate the feeling of panting-like-mad, kinda makes me feel like i'm on the brink of dying. Hurr.

So anyway, i went a little different (or should i say crazy?) with this run, smiling at random people, going BEEP-BEEP(!) before short sprints and more importantly, tried out various styles of running. Gonna stick to mid to front foot strides.

It's fun. I'm trying to like running which also means trying to get used to feeling of near-death.

And in the midst of all this, i find myself thinking bout you. Weird isn't it?

On Turning 22 Soon.

"Men are like wine - some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age." - Pope John XXIII

OH WHAT A BEAUTY.

Sometimes...

Sometimes.... just sometimes, you would just want to jam with Taylor Swift's songs. <3 hahahaha.

Okay, Guess that Wasn't So Bad.

And i thought i'd be really sad when the latest batch of OCTs got commissioned. Oh yea, could've been there at the parade square with my parents pinning up that bar on my shoulders but guess it's not meant to be. Well it's not as if i've not been thru this feeling of regret, it's just that ever since the previous one, i thought i'm all braced up for this one.

I guess God dealt with my heart that night as i drown myself with "might-have-beens". It's quite an ordeal but hey, isn't life all about that? (Especially for people who reflect a lot.) Shattered dreams, longings of the heart denied, having hope dangle on a string, it's what makes life kinda interesting and worth thinking about. But we all got to learn how to pick up the pieces and move on don't we? And there's no greater joy than to move on with Someone who cares and comfort you in times like that.

Yea, He sure gives and takes away but He will also never fail to make everything beautiful in His time.

"The infathomable sadness of the "might have been!" God never opens doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut, doors which need never have been shut, imaginations which need never have been sullied. Never be afraid when God brings back the past. Let memory have its way. It is a minister of God with its rebuke and chastisement and sorrow. God will turn the "might have been" into a wonderful culture for the future" - Oswald Chambles (in, My Utmost for His Highest)

Commitment.

Is God Concerned? (Jonah 1:6)

"So the captain approached him and said, "how is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish"" -Jonah 1:6

God had done as He pleased to bring to past the fulfillment of His will. But at what expense will He put the people to? Is He concerned about the sailors onboard the ship?

The whole book of Jonah is about aliens (lol.) and pagans coming to know and fear the Lord. It has a missional theme about it, so yes, God is in fact, very concerned, about the sailors. The ship that did not sink remains the evidence of God's kindness and on top of that, through Jonah's confession, they even came to fear the Lord! (v.16)

Now, can other people around us be affected during our times of disobedience or chastening? I certainly think so! The question is, do we dare confess our wrongs and disobedience to people? (I'm not trying to say that we should confess all our sins and whatsoever to them but only those that affect them directly.)

Poem for the Singles.

For all the singles out there:

caught it on:

http://theresurgence.com/2011/04/06/a-poem-for-all-single-people-pass-it-on

God is With Us Now.

Favorite praise song ever.

Sleeping in the Midst of a Storm (Jonah 1:5)

"... But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep." -Jonah 1:5

Before Jesus slept on a boat in the midst of a storm, there was Jonah sleeping soundly on a ship in a storm that is threatening to tear it up. Now, who can accomplish such feats? He must either know the master of the storm or he must be a really sleepy man.

Jonah knew who was behind the storm (v9), he knew who was it intended for and most importantly, he knew what was its intent. He shew no fear at all because though all these were directed at him, he knew God is in control and he knows his God.

Does such assuring knowledge of who God is remain a constant in my heart? Can such knowledge calm my timid soul in times of trials? Or will i jump to conclusions that the Lord is now against me?

Lord of the Seas? (Jonah 1:4)

"The LORD hurled a great wind on the sea so that the ship was about to break up" -Jonah 1:4

The Lord holds infinite power in His hands. He shapes lands, gave breath to life, created all things. Throughout history in the Bible, it seems that God always has a thing for winds and waters. He made the winds blew so hard so as to create a path thru the Red Sea for His people to escape Pharaoh and then once more in a river so that His Ark of the Covenant may cross. Yet this time, the winds blew in peril, against one who is disobedient. Did God really have to go that far?

To think that God is a ruthless slave-driver would probably equate to sin. To marvel at His great insight and foreknowledge is quite another thing. God knows the extent of His power and so He employs to a uttermost perfection, a wind, that almost, just almost, break the ship up. He knows what it would take to bring a erring child of God back to the right way, being, the fulfillment of His will. And He will move heaven and earth (idiom here, not literally.) to achieve this. What a glorious thought!

Disobedience and a Tad Bit of Silliness. (Jonah 1:3)

"But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD" Jonah 1:3

The Word came to Jonah but instead of rising up to fulfill the Word, he rose up to flee. I wonder what is the motivation of Jonah's disobedience. Is it out of a fear in a certain inadequacy? Is it out of habit? A habit which had cultivated itself thru times of disobedience? Whatever it is, disobedience can only beget disobedience because our heart will just get hardened over and over again.

What makes Jonah think that he is able to flee from the LORD? Yet aren't we all like that? Adam and Eve tried it, David had certainly gone thru it before, if not how could he come out with a psalm like psalm 138? He says,

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there." Psa 138:7-8

So, are we still trying to flee?

Fall From Grace?

"I do not know how some people, who believe that a Christian can fall from grace, manage to be happy. It must be a very commendable thing in them to get through a day without despair. If i did not believe the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, I think I should be of all men the most miserable, because I would lack any ground of comfort." - C.H. Spurgeon