It's been a long time....

But I just had to write this down.

[begin rant] When I hear people complaining about how restrictive being a Christian is, I have to resist the temptation to tell them, "if you wanna sin, then go out there and sin with all your might and stop playing church."

[end rant]

I Will Praise the Lord Always

For His mercies are new every morning.

How much do I fear for the future, but You oh Lord guide my steps, You pick me up when I fall, You provide all that I need.

Grant me grace once again and forever.

Soli Deo Gloria

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears."

- Hebrews 12: 3-17

How I Feel Right Now

About CG.

"The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know.""

- Ezekiel 37: 1-3

Lord I do not know what the future holds; and I know that if You do not do the work, all the labour will be for naught. I believe; help me overcome my unbelief...

B2S1

"So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

- 1 Thessalonians 2:8

I thank my God for all of you and all that He has blessed me through every single one of you. Really wished I could have continued on with you all through O levels, JC and even Uni.

But make my joy complete by holding on to Christ and His Gospel. And He will indeed carry you through to glory.

Feeling terrible....

On Christmas Day.

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

- Romans 7: 22-24

The One Steadying Constant

Amongst the rapidly changing fads and fashions of a church chasing after that magical "silver bullet" to all their problems.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

- Hebrews 13:8

Three rules for a happy marriage

By J. C. Ryle

Of all relationships of life, none ought to be regarded
with such reverence, and none taken in hand so
cautiously as the relationship of husband and wife.

In no relationship is so much earthly happiness
to be found, if it be entered upon discreetly,
advisedly, and in the fear of God. In none is so
much misery seen to follow, if it be taken in hand
unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly, and without thought.

From no step in life does so much benefit come to
the soul, if people marry "in the Lord." From none
does the soul take so much harm, if fancy, passion,
or any mere worldly motive is the only cause which
produce the union.

There is, unhappily, only too much necessity
for impressing these truths upon people. It
is a mournful fact, that few steps in life are
generally taken with so much levity, self will,
and forgetfulness of God as marriage. Few are
the young couples who think of inviting Christ
to their wedding!

It is a mournful fact that unhappy marriages
are one great cause of the misery and sorrow
of which there is so much in the world. People
find out too late that they have made a mistake,
and go in bitterness all their days.

Happy are they, who in the matter
of marriage observe three rules:

The first is to marry only in the Lord, and
after prayer for God's approval and blessing.

The second is not to expect too much from their
partners, and to remember that marriage is, after
all, the union of two sinners, and not of two angels.

The third rule is to strive first and foremost
for one another's sanctification. The more holy
married people are, the happier they are.

The Trouble With The Altar Call by A. W. Tozer

Imagine if you can, Jesus having people bow their heads after hearing the Sermon on the Mount, and then very slowly and softly (while Bartholomew plays “How Great Thou Art” on the accordion) saying to the crowd, “While your heads are bowed and your eyes are closed, if you really want to be My disciple tonight, if you really want to show My Father and I that you truly mean to follow this sermon I have given, then I want you to slip your hand up slowly, so that I may see it. There now…yes…yes…I see that hand…and that one…and the one way back by the fig tree…yes! Now, please, while Bart plays another chorus, I’d like you to start moving down through the center of the crowd…yes, those who raised their hand. I want to know if you really mean business. I’d like to lead you in a prayer…”

I realize that there are some who will see such an illustration as sacrilegious. And that’s just the point. They think that making fun of the “altar call” is making fun of God. But it isn’t. Traditions die hard, because they take so long to form. Once I received a very intense letter from the pastor of a church who had sponsored me in a city-wide concert in his area. He was upset that I had “let several hundred souls go ungathered” because I had not given an altar call. He said, “It seems you have no burden for souls.” (Nothing could be further from the truth.) But because I had not given the recognized “official invitation,” this pastor could see no value in my presentation of the Gospel. Or as Tony Salerno (director of “The Agape Force”) recently remarked, “If you don’t give an altar call, they think you have committed the unpardonable sin!’”

Believe it or not, the altar call was invented only about 150 years ago. It was first used by the American evangelist, Charles Finney, as a means of separating out those who wanted to talk further about the subject of salvation. Finney called the front pew “the anxious seat” (for those who were “anxious” about the state of their souls) or “the mourner’s bench.” Finney never “led them in a prayer,” but he and a few others would spend a great deal of time praying with and giving specific instructions to each, one by one, until finally, everyone was sent home to pray and continue seeking God until “they had broken through and expressed hope in Christ,” as Finney would say.

The early Salvation Army, going a bit further on Finney’s innovation, developed what they called “the penitent form” or “the mercy seat.” After a rousing time of singing and preaching, they would invite any sinner present who wanted to confess his sins to God and repent, to come to the front, and they would be prayed for individually. I have met a few older Christians who used to attend some of these early meetings, and they said that sometimes people would stay there all night, and on a few occasions, even a few days, weeping and confessing their sins with broken hearts. There were always some who would stay right there to instruct them further, encouraging them to make a clean sweep of sin from their lives.

This is what the early “altar call” was like. But gradually, it began to become a fixed part of every meeting, and like all other traditions, it began to lose its original spirit. The “coming forward” part started to be more important than the “sorrow, confession, repentance, and instruction” parts. Eventually, anyone who would “come down the aisle” was excitedly proclaimed “a new believer in Christ!” No matter how they felt, they still were told, “Your sins are forgiven, brother! Rejoice in Christ!” How many a miserable, defeated, and confused person has come away from a meeting like this? (Jer. 6:14).

An Early Year-End Reflection

This year can be basically summed up like this, "putting your theology into practice". It's just amazing how throughout this year, God has been sovereignly arranging situations and circumstances that has called me to recall, believe and carry out all that He has taught me in previous years.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

- 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10

1 Cor. 15:58

Saw this verse reference at the end of a HeartCry missionary report and it is just so beautiful.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Glorious Day

A beautiful example of theology in song



One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Yahweh

Our God He lives forever
He reigns in power and love
Let Earth bow down before Him
For He is exalted

We look to Yahweh Yahweh
Forever Yahweh Yahweh

Our hope is God Almighty
His love is greater than all
Lift high the God of Heaven
Give all the honor

We look to Yahweh Yahweh
Our hope is Yahweh Yahweh

And He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever
He shall reign
Forever and ever (Our God)

Youth Camp '10

Just have too many thoughts about so many things that I fear I may lose some of them due to my increasingly failing memory.

1) This is one camp where I felt such a lack of grace to minister to others. Whether it be out of fear or weakness, I simply felt without strength when asked to pray for others. However, a couple of dear brothers did pray for me which was refreshing. A sister sort of "confirmed" it today when she mentioned how she often the leaders are called to pray for others, but who then prays for the leaders? Are we not men (and women) of like passions and of the same weak flesh?

2) This was a camp that defied my expectations and chastened me for my cynicism. While there are areas which are "questionable", God truly works in ways we do not see nor understand at times. Who would have thought that children of 14, 15 years could stand up and testify that God does not show Himself or work merely through "tears" and overt displays of emotions, but His Spirit works in a way that leaves a heart in no doubt of His Presence. While much work remains to be done, and the fruits of this camp still awaiting to be brought forth, one is left with much more optimism than before.

3) I had my doubts over what direction the camp would take after hearing about some stuff that happened prior to the camp, perhaps due to some "bad" experiences from before. However, this was a camp where much was made of Christ and His Cross. The exhortations and messages were simple, clear and direct (something that I truly hope to be able to do).

4) However, there was some disappointing behaviour that I observed in the service right after breaking camp. It left my heart somewhat grieved that people would still show such partiality even when they have just received grace from the One who judges all impartially. May the Lord forgive them in their immaturity.

5) There is gonna be some change in my ministry in church that has left me truly in a very emotionally hard position. While the arguments on paper might seem sound and good, one finds it incredibly harder in reality. But the Lord will take care of them, for no man is indispensable. The sermon today really spoke a lot about the situation, but Lord, it is not easy to just let go for they have become very dear to me. But because You say so, I will go wherever you have ordained for me. Let me not be found complaining, but always in everything trusting in Your Plan and the grace that You provide without measure.

To You alone belongs the glory, honour and power. Forever and ever.

It's not that I am cynical

But it is just that I've seen so many emotional outbursts and experiences over the years with no permanent fruit to show for it.

On a much better note, a worthwhile download from the Gospel Coalition here.

Oh Lord keep me from envy. To You I look to provide in due season.

To Know You

The beautiful thing about Casting Crowns is that one can so easily relate to their songs.

To know you is never worry for my life, and
To know you is to never to give in or compromise
To know you is to want to tell the world about you
Cause I can't live without you

To know you is to hear your voice when you are calling
To know you is to catch my brother when he is falling
To know you is to feel the pain of the broken hearted
Cause they can't live with out you.

More than my next breath
More than life or death
All reaching for, I live my life to know you more
I leave it all behind, you are all that satisfies
To know you is to want to know you more
To know you is to want to know you more

To know you is to ache for more than ordinary
To know you is to look beyond the temporary
To know you is believing that you will be enough
Cause there is no life without you

More than my next breath
More than life or death
All I'm reaching for, I live my life to know you more
I leave it all behind, you are all that satisfies
To know you is to want to know you more
To know you is to want to know you more

All this life could offer me, could not compare to you
Compare to you
And I count it all as lost, compared to knowing you
Knowing you

The Radical Christian Sacrifice

The best part IMHO

Christ- supreme, glorious, magnificent, personal and precious is that reward.
He is God’s final revelation.
He is the heir of all things.
He is the creator of the world.
He is the radiance of God’s glory.
He is the exact imprint of God’s nature.
He upholds the universe by the word of his power.
He made purification for sins
He sits at the right hand of the Majesty
He is God, enthroned forever, with a scepter of uprightness.
He is worshiped by angels.
His rule will have no end.
His joy is above all other beings in the universe.
He took on human flesh.
He was crowned with glory and honor because of his suffering.
He was the founder of our salvation.
He was made perfect in all his obedience by his suffering.
He destroyed the one who has the power of death, the devil.
He delivered us from the bondage of fear.
He is a merciful and faithful high priest.
He made propitiation for sins.
He is sympathetic because of his own trials.
He never sinned.
He offered up loud cries and tears with reverent fear, and God heard him.
He became the source of eternal salvation.
He holds his priesthood by virtue of an indestructible life.
He appears in the presence of God on our behalf.
He will come a second time to save us who are eagerly waiting for him.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Something Must Be Wrong

When you hear and see people having much more passionate discussions and conversations on football and fashion instead of on Christ and His Kingdom....

Christ is sufficient, Christ is all. Christ is Ruler, King and Lord