praise+worship night

I don't watch a lot of veggie tales but the bit i've watched was really nice. There was this one they were talking about how lies starts small and harmless and then grows and grows because usually to cover the lie you have told you tell another one, and the more you do that you get better at it and so it gets so big that it gets out of control.

While i'm not going to talk about lies i'll like to share this song 'my day'. I like it a lot because its sung in the perspective of a child, going through his day and reflecting on the goodness of God all through his day.

I remember it today because there's a line that goes '...Sometimes I'm off key when I sing' I searched for the video on youtube but couldn't find it, anyway coming from the praise and worship night some people were clearly singing off key but they didn't mind, it was their own way to express the way they feel. Their way to worship and it doesn't matter how it sounds because God would still leave the angels in heaven with their perfect symphony to listen to us sing off key :) thats just the way He is I guess.

I really like the service, its true that our lives should be full of praises for the one we call our Lord for all He has done for us. For all He continues to do. Sometimes we look at the task at hand and they seem so big but God is bigger. I was reminded to delight in the Lord again, and worship. I felt like someone was telling me you dont worship like you used to and yeah.

My Day

In my bed I start to pray
And tell God all about my day
I woke up in my little bed
And put my hat upon my head

Cleaned my room
And cleared my dishes
Told mom breakfast was delicious

I went to school, learned something new
And tried to follow every rule
I studied my vocabulary
Had some fun with Bob and Larry

And so it's good to know (And so it's really good to know) 2nd time of chorus!
How much you love me…it's true
The bible says you do
You really love me
Your love was with me all throughout my day

I some how over looked my bed
Seems my dog is underfed
Forgot to change my underclothes
Watched one to many T.V. shows

I had some trouble sharing toys
And during rest time, made some noise
Walls are not for coloring
Sometimes I'm off key when I sing

And so it's good to know
How much you love me…it's true
The bible says you do
You really love me
Your love was with me all throughout my day

In my bed so quietly
I rest in knowing God Loves Me!

~shalom~

-no comment-

the rift,

within,

expressions that cannot be expressed,

not suppress, 

not repressed, 

not me, 

not just me.

the reflection, 

the projection,

the construction and re-construction,

the toil, 

the joy,

the end? 

the beginning,

the decision.

what do you want?

where are you going?

what are you doing to get there?

what makes you?

what's more important?

look ahead, 

leave it all behind,

there's nothing you can do to change it,

its done. DONE.

let it go.

Sometimes i talk to myself. Its not weird, i bet you do it too.

Into Your hands, i commit again, everything i am, and will be. I know i can't do anything without You. Take away my shame, my reproach, and lead me to a more excellent future. Let Your word be my certainty, let my faith in You be unshaken through the storms, through all these times. Don't let worry cripple me, don't let me slip away. Let Your word renew and freshen me, give me new hope in a hopeless world, where all the towers of men crumble and fall, when there's frantic panic let me to calm, still knowing that in You i have everything i need. For You have given me everything i need for life and godliness. Remind me of Your unfailing love, let my hope be in You alone. Bring me back when i stray and go my way. Guide me to the paths of wisdom, and understanding so i can make the most use of my time. Let me have cause to glorify You in the end. Arigato o-tou san.

~shalom~

what is wisdom

I was going through the apple website and bumped into this video on their pro page. I've watched it three times and i like it. Its part of a larger project called wisdombook by Andrew Zuckerman. Listen, learn and have a blessed weekend :)

In the words of Solomon the great king, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..."

~shalom~

jogathon

This morning i woke up early to join the jogathon in campus. I thought it was a good thing to do since i get almost no exercise so why not? My preference is 100m, i think i'm fast and prefer shorter races to long distance races because i don't have the stamina to sustain myself. And i used to have breathing problems but thank God i don't have them anymore.

This is my first time running so far, we ran from campus to curtin village and back. The route was longer initially but the organisers decided to cut it short. I was a bit sad la when i heard it was just to village and back but ran anyway.

How Was It?

It was a very tiring run, both physically and mentally. I didn't know curtin village was so far, and i'm glad we didn't run with the initial route. I don't think i could finish.

Before the race i was very anxious, everytime i think about the race, my heart will beat faster and i have no idea why, i think it was scared but coming this morning, in my mind i was measuring everyone and thinking hmm, maybe i can be top 5. I was starting to be proud.

The race started and a few people started fast, i paced myself and tried to breathe rhythmically and consistently. I started slow not wanting to use too much energy since i didn't eat anything just drank milo in school before the race. 

Coming out of curtin, i started to feel the strain of the race, i started to doubt if i can finish. I could see those in front, they were too far ahead. I wanted to stop. But told myself, i came here to finish. My aim is not to win, i came here to finish. And it was hard to keep my head clear of many thoughts, so along with my breathing i would say silently finish, finish...

Did You Win?

Yes and No. No because i didn't come first, or second or third. And No i was not last. I came 7th. And Yes because i accomplished my aim, to finish. I thought to myself after a while, for someone who has not run before you didnt do too bad. Its not being proud  but the bible says David encouraged himself in the Lord. My mom told me once, that if you don't say i am, no one will say thou art. So yeah even though i had no hamper, i finished and that was my aim.

What Did You Learn?

I learned a few things, for one, even though i am strong, i am young, i have strength but my strength is given to me by God. And i am given the responsibility and priviledge to manage it and use it in the way that will honour him. 

Secondly i learned again to be humble. I was wrong to size people up in my mind and say sure can win that one. But instead to think lowly of myself and trust in God.

I also learned that we can do pretty much anything we set our hearts to do. Nothing is impossible. But we cannot do it in our own strength, Ultimately you will need God because in your own strength you can only go so far it is he who gives the staying power, the stamina to remain and not give up.

I talked about keeping my head clear, i think its important to remain focused and clear headed in a race, you cannot think about too many thing but control the things you can and leave the rest. 

I also think its important in a race to be prepared. And to set your mindset straight. Plan your work and work your plan. Because a lot a distractions will come, there will be times you will look at others and see how they  are so far ahead, and become discouraged but just as the bible asked us to run the race. Its interesting that it says to run and finish. Some people were disqualified along the way and they didn't get anything. But for those who finished they can look back at the God who led them through and give him praise.

On the way back i hit my heart and said to it, thank you, you did well, God bless. I hit my legs and said thank you legs, you did well, God bless. And hit my head and said you can do better, next time. The race is as much within as it is without. 

Run the race and FINISH.

~shalom~

vcf 9th anniversary

I think its nice to take some time and thank God for everything thats happened. I first want to thank God for Amanda for organising everyone and getting most of the stuff done. And Cheryl, Olly {happy birthday}, Ching Shen, Edric, Chipmunk, and everyone else i didnt mention. I know some had to put their personal work on hold just to make it. People i've not seen in a while like wee chuan. And those who had assignments but still came. 

Thank God for Oja for doing the video, i thought it was really good considering that the time and resources were short. I believe when you honor God He will honor you and nothing we do for God is a waste. I also want to thank miss Hannah for her help and ideas on what to present.

I'm really learning not to complain but to give thanks for everything. I want to apologise for the way things went. I know it could have been a lot smoother, a lot more glorifying to God and next time i think we'll do better. 

God bless you all for your effort. In the words of paul, be careful for nothing but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Puji Tuhan.

~shalom~