worlds apart

Left Behind

2005-06-30T23:07:00.000+08:00

lyrics of this song finally getting to me. think about it.

got my hands on the first and eleventh book of the 'Left Behind' series (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins) from the baptist book room yesterday. was planning to start reading the series all over after i had gotten the twelve book. could've begun sooner. if only i hadn't left behind in school the first book entitled 'Left Behind' two years back. books couldn't have been more literal.

Left Behind - fiction on the intensely metaphorical passages of Revelation. something that theology greenhorns can finally comprehend. while reading, thoughts kept surfacing. let's suppose the Rapture occurs now - would we be secure in knowing where we'll end up? to be sure of your salvation. not simple. especially when we have to constantly take up the cross and stand guard. if only God would make things easier. but actually, He already did.

think Christ.

the once

2005-06-25T23:18:00.000+08:00

i once asked:
why do things never turn out right?

in reply, sharon said:
count your blessings; count every single one, even the insignificant ones. then you'll realise the plentiful blessings that the Lord has poured upon you.

all for Jesus' sake, all for His sacrifice.

storms continued brewing. ministering words forgotten as soon as they were released. the year's resolution compromised by unbroken strongholds. and the next. to watch everyone rise up, wise up. to be left behind.

then one day i remembered the once -
that of fading words and futile efforts.

i counted my blessings; counted every single one, even the insignificant ones.

and i realised.

when the oceans rise and thunders roar
i will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
i will be still, know You are God.

made to last forever

2005-06-24T01:26:00.000+08:00

listen

don't ask the invention for its purpose
it didn't make itself
read the manual
ask the creator

for when you ask
you shall receive;
when you seek
you shall find;
when you knock
the door shall be opened unto you.

stop searching within
we didn't make ourselves
you wouldn't have the answers

but do you know
you were made to last forever

yet
still hold on to now
don't walk the blind man's path

for every act of our lives strikes a chord
that will vibrate in eternity

2005-06-22T23:50:00.000+08:00

'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren
Day 3: What Drives Your Life?

"Many people are driven by guilt. They spend their entire lives running from regrets and hiding their shame. Guilt-driven people are manipulated by memories. They allow their past to control their future... We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it."

"Many people are driven by resentment and anger. They hold on to hurts and never get over them... While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past."

"Knowing your purpose simplifies your life."

"Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him" - Colossians 1:16b (Msg)

yoznet retreat

2005-06-19T23:24:00.000+08:00

just came back from yoznet retreat. had a really wonderful 3 days with the family (: especially with my group faithfulness and the band.

yeps.. was really an experience playing in the band under our hyper and crazy worship leader and coordinator, sally :)) practice sessions were looonngg and painful. like for our drummer a.k.a band-leader amanda, guitarist jiamin and bassist danielle. blisters, plasters, near-broken wrist, aching shoulders and knees. fortunately things weren't that bad with the keyboardists. 4 of us inter-changing between the 4 worship sessions. too many keyboardists, too few drummers and bassists as usual. so for the third session april and i did the background vocals with cherissa. the harmonizing was quite disastrous, especially for 'ancient of days' :)) but our band performance for the jazz version of 'my redeemer lives' turned out really well.. april as keyboardist, while sam, cherissa and i did the 3-part vocals. sounded very nice and jazzy :) yep.. can see the forming of the first official yoznet band in progress. more than halfway through in our target of forming 2 bands by this year :)

really thank God for the retreat. was a good rest for all of us, especially those busy studying for common/block tests. not only physical rest, but also being still and resting in His presence. like those mornings of solitary quiet time, sitting by the concrete path, overlooking the vast empty green fields. such moments, sensitivity heightens, and the Word just etches deeper.

lessons learnt. - faithfulness - as long as it's for God, He will make it wonderful; just believe and trust. - band - powerful worship arises neither from our talents nor the music we make, but from the hearts in tune with the Lord. for it is these that will praise Him when the music fades.

amazing how God speaks, sometimes unexpectedly through people;

when something is of the Lord, there is freedom.

deliverance;
position;
restoration;

rest well.

2005-06-14T23:22:00.000+08:00

i am.
no inkling.

gibberish. no.
not with the cascades of the saline stream.
not when the last eden has passed away.

2005-06-08T16:06:00.000+08:00

somebody once said, one can never win solitaire.

he died a broken man.

2005-06-07T01:30:00.000+08:00

ironic how aspirations weaved by those long dreamy spells have the capacity to knock all hopes flat. our thirst is unquenchable - the more one dwells on one's inadequacies, the more one craves. eventually, irrational whims sends us out on a wild goose chase. prodigal sons of life, we return empty-handed, resigning to fate.

i choose chance. don't trample on my hopes. better fanciful idealism or delirium than contemptuous reality.

you know.
i'd rather the girl sweeping the cinders than the punch and judy show.

2005-06-06T20:40:00.000+08:00

did you care enough

to pick up the broken-winged
to hold the untouchable;

to overlook the flaws
to endure imperfection;

to calm the despised
to embrace the denied;

to mind the hurt
to alleviate the pain;

you were so high.

2005-06-04T23:45:00.000+08:00

when its all about you.

selfish pride
bursting ego
yet;

broken spirit
contrite heart
you will not despise.

teach me to love.

2005-06-03T15:45:00.000+08:00

stray soldier
completed the work
at the foot of the tree

walked together long ago
though not yet to the end

we once made it there didn't we

2005-06-01T00:18:00.000+08:00

stand before shards of broken glass / tear down the personas / scorned by judgement / scarred with flaws / sealed with pride / torn apart ;

stand before crowns of sharpened thorns / tear down the robes / scorned by hatred / scarred with nails / sealed with agony / torn apart ;

all i am
haven't you?