Angels brought me here...

Monday, October 31, 2005

Are we being claustrophobic? Or are we even living in denial? There has been a rise in Christian persecution in neighbouring countries within the region and yet we still do not feel this sense of urgency.

How can we still remain so limited in our scope and view of our world at this time in present day history? Were the natural disasters, wars and acts of terrorism insufficient warning to tell you that time and the world itself will soon come to an end?

This is no "the end of the world is nigh" sermon or e end-day cult placard advertisement, it's a conclusion derived from reports on martyrs for Christ coming from Indonesia and East Timor and numerous others - and despite all this, all we worry about is our grades, how to gain salvation and please our parents at the same time, etc etc etc. Doesn't anyone feel that all these things pale in comparison to what's happening in the real world?

We should with more urgency reach out to the lost before we cease to have this opportunity in the future; when it is no longer as safe or as easy to speak about your faith to your friends and family. Reach out while we still can before you lose the kairos moment - the persecution will not forever remain off these coasts and it is not just christian who will feel the pinch, society on a whole will to. Isn't now the time we should concern ourselves with global affairs?

amanda faith
5:56 PM

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Nothing I can do or say can convey the true extent of my emotions or sentiments; all that remains is this song I sing to You and the confusion in my heart and mind

amanda faith
11:10 PM

Saturday, October 29, 2005

"CHC Takes The City By Storm!" <--- haha, imagine that on the newspaper in the morning. But really, I'm very sure our presence was felt at the rate we kept running about and asking complete strangers to do things with us and for us. Not to mention, our zone's Escapade wasn't the only crazy game going on. There was Pastor Zhuang and Pastor You-Kiang's zone in the city area too, playing Street Raiders and City Chase. Imagine that, lol, a bunch of youths running amock around town haha

And of course, how can we forget the attention we drew at Bugis Village with ice kachang eating competition? I still can't believe Thomas ate them all at under 45 seconds! *jaw drop*

And then there was that finale game we played, the sweat game. Oh gosh, now that one was gross. Collecting sweat in a cup. Gosh, wonder who came up with that game. T'was totally fun though, and the credit for the most sweat goes to Mark! haha

Well, it's getting late, maybe I'll get into details tomorrow *yawns* need to hit the hay soon if I want to get to choir awake lol

amanda faith
11:29 PM

Friday, October 28, 2005

Last academic day of the school year; last day for many people...

It seemed almost like a case of pathetic falacy this morning; it rained a few times, the air was stale, the atmosphere tense, the corridors silent and grim...

okok, no long narrative stories *hears sighs of relief*

Anyway.. yeah, it was quite bad today cuz it was the last day for many people. Last day as in they will never come back to MI as students ever again. People who are leaving for other courses due to being retained, superanuated cases, and just year ones who want a better lot in life, and so on.

Going to miss the whole lot of people who didn't make it and are moving on. I won't list names, cuz I don't think they want their names up here, but all I can say is, you guys are all really precious to me; I'll miss yall lots!!! *cries*

Ahh but I guess I can't really force you guys to stay also, it would be really selfish of me...

Oh ya, 04A1 is now left with 16 people. But we're getting 10 new classmates supposedly selected by Mr Fong himself who will be joining us next year. Well, will have to wait till 2 Jan 2006 to find out who bah...

amanda faith
7:06 PM

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Does it seem strange that I only blog after service, cell group and choir prac? haha, alright, not that it's really intentional but I hardly have time to write so I usually leave what time I have to my analysis and evaluation of what I've heard and learnt so as to better equipt myself spiritually.

Truth be told, I have no idea what to write in here tonight haha. I thought about putting up this week's service songs but I thought that would spoil the fun of finding out during service itself haha.

So anyway, toh tuck campus got our scripts back today and academically, I can afford a short sigh of relief. Fortunately, I managed to clear the 1'A', 2'AO' minimum with 2'A', 2'AO' for both promos and overall grade, but an estimated 30% of the cohort didn't. By God's grace I cleared the academic espect. The final verdict is still yet to be released. We'll probably get it some time tomorrow.

Oh yeah, got a peak of Dave Junia's group's oral presentation today and the bottom line is, they're going to top the cohort hands down; no questions asked. Music is cool , voice overs are awesome, background and slide layout decors are breath-taking and the content and order of presentation is just jaw-dropping.

I wouldn't be surprised if they secure a band 1.

amanda faith
11:33 PM

Sunday, October 23, 2005

The most beautiful praise song ever!!! haha. Ok, not ever, but I like the song hehe. We sung it today for service =D

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Shine Like Stars
Jakarta Praise Community Ch. Key: G
Praise

Look at the world we live today
Look at the hurting everywhere
Let us see mercy and Your grace
Over flowing every place
Let us be one with You today
Let Your glory fall

We will shine
Shine like the stars above
Shining in Your light
Guided by Your love
Let Your fire burn in us
Burning like a sun
As we glorify
Show Your Kingdom come
To all of the earth

Teach us to live in righteousness
Teach us to love in one accord
Guide us to live life everyday
As we worship in Your court
Let us declare Your majesty
Let Your glory fall

We will shine like the stars above
As we're burning like a sun

amanda faith
6:28 PM

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Yay! Today was Choir prac 2 :D Very fun hehe. Don't know how to explain, but I always feel exceptionally happy at church hehe, especially when singing and praising God ^_^ Anyway, this week I went for Wednesday prac instead of Friday cuz of the shift of CG from Saturday to Friday. Really cool lah; caught up with a lot of people and talked a lot tonight hehe.

Anyway... choir practice means GOT NEW SONGS!!! haha. Ok lah, not so new but I like them hehe so yup, they'll be at the bottom of this entry hehe.

Anyhow, we had a good sharing at the end of choir prac and yeah, we were challenged as a ministry and an individual to step out of our comfort zone and do somethings this month:

1) Do something new
- I'll probably learn the guitar haha

2) Form new habits
- Like not sleeping too late and keeping to schedules lol

3) Renew your passion for certain things or someone
- haha, writing poetry? or maybe just writing in general. It's been a long while since I role played

4) Think of new ways to do old things - like appreciating someone
- Haha, sounds like what W283 did for Ivan's birthday last sunday hehe

And yeah, lots of stuff planned for choir members also. We're going to go into the basics of song writing; lyrics ans maybe the music itself plus some basic in music theory hehe and maybe movement workshops. Wah, we're really going to be singing, dancing and praising His name! Hehe, really a lot to look forward to ^_^

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What The World Will Never Take - Hillsong Australia

With all I'm holding inside
With all my hopes and desires
And all the dreams that I've dreamt
With all I'm hoping to be
And all that the world will bring
And all that fails to compare

You say you want all of me
I wouldn't have it any other way

I've got a Savior and He's living in me... whoa...
I wanna know
I wanna know You today
And You're the best thing that has happened to me
And the world will never take
The world will never take You away

No-one could ever take You away

Agnus Dei

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
For the Lord God Almighty reigns
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
For the Lord God Almighty reigns
Hallelujah

Holy, holy are You Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
You are holy, holy are You Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Amen

amanda faith
11:29 PM

My phone's gone bananas! One moment it mulfunctions, the next moment it decides to ring in the dead of the night... Oh gosh, scared me lah! Argh... I think it's in some tempermental mode cuz it functions and mulfunctions as and when it feels like it...

amanda faith
8:44 AM

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

My cell phone has gone whack... the vibration function doesn't work for my silent profiles and for the profiles with sound; it vibrates but has no sound. How? *sighs* I need a new phone... *is sad* *loved her phone* On the bright side, at least i can still hear people on the other end of the line and vice versa.

My apologies in advance if i seem to take forever to reply a message or a call, I probably won't know when I do.

amanda faith
7:03 AM

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Today was the second day of the Pre U 2 promotional examinations. GP was over last friday. Anyway, Just thought I'd post the poems from the essay questions I chose to do.

First up, critical analysis of the following poem with focus on the effectiveness of imagery used.

The Guy You Work With - John Grey

What you want more than anything
is to grab the zebra in your jaws.
Forget the job. Forget teamwork.
Roll the nature film,
You''ve seen your neighbor
in his flashy car.
You've heard the whispers
of bonuses for others
delivered behind locked doors
like secret Mason handshakes.
You just need five minutes or so
of stalking in the dry Savannah grass.
And then one good sniff of your prey
nibbling weeds by a small lagoon.
What better than a slow creep
up behind that unknowing striped back
as deliberate as sharpening a pencil.
And then the pounce,
the real law of the jungle,
you with your fangs around its rump,
it braying in agonizing terror.
What you want from life
is to trot back to your den in triumph,
zebra intestine flapping in your jaw
like spaghetti.
So they don't pay you as much as the next guy.
You're at the point now
that if they paid you in zebras
that would be enough.

Next, comparitive essay between the following two poems. Both address the theme of loneliness. An essay focusing on a comparitive in effectiveness of imagery in portraying the theme.

Aquainted with the Night - Robert Frost

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.

The Lake Isle of Innesfree - William Butler Yeats

I WILL arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the mourning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

--------------

The prose was an extract from John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men and the Drama is Savages by Christopher Hampton.

amanda faith
6:11 PM

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Yay! More sermons! And I'll probably be doing this every week also haha. This is the third rhema word in this blog since I started it haha. Anyhow... today's message: carpe diem! Cease the day! =D (disclaimer: not exactly like Dead Poet's Society. Similar message from a different point of view. Very different point of view. More for Harvesters.)

-----------------

Seizing the kairos moment

Kairos = Opportuned time

-In order to seize the moment, one must be prepared for it
-> The only way to be prepared for it is when you're aware or informed of the time before it comes
=> And God will always tell His people (His church) what He wants to do before He does it

Isa 42:9-10
Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them." Sing to the LORD a new song, [And] His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!

- God is going to bring us (City Harvest Church) to a whole new level of anointing
-> How we leave our current premises will determine how we enter into our next (Singapore Expo)
=> We must move on with the right frame of mind - be prayed up with moving with the right frame of mind!
=>> Our reason for the move is for growth, in more than just the physical espect

- Why do we have to move to grow?
-> God is always moving
=> He never stagnates!
-> And sometimes He moves not just in the spiritual, but in the physical as well
=> The Israelites in the dessert: God was the cloud that moved by day and the pillar of fire by night
=>> The only rested and camped when God stopped!
=>> And when God moved on to the next place, they moved too

- Be wise! Move with the Spirit of God when He moves!
-> God will move in new and fresh ways every time he decides to move

John 7:46
The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!"

-> Jesus was that which was 'fresh' and 'new' during His time

- Remember! Things in the spiritual always get new/renewed!
-> Unlike the things of this world that are always breaking down

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward [man] is being renewed day by day.

- And if you walk with God, things will never remain the same

Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

-> We will be transformed from glory to glory in a continuous process
=> If we move with the glory of God
=> Till our day of complete salvation/redemption - when Jesus returns

- We are moving towards something better and newer in the spirit

Revelations 21:1-2
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelations 21:4-5
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

- The world will then become envious of the church when it sees all that is new that God has brought to His church

Ephesians 3:10-11
to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly [places,] according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

-> This is our purpose!
=> To show the world the new things that are from heaven
=>> That is the many sided wisdom if God

- In order to be that light to the world, we must connect with God
-> We must not be stuck in the old

Luke 5:37-38
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. "But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

- Be the most creative! The cutting edge! Shock the world! Set new trends!
-> We should be progressing!
=> Jesus came to give us life and life everlasting! Not life ever boring

- There will be a time and season for this move!

Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything [there is] a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

The verse in five parts:
1) Everything
2) Season
3) Time
4) Purpose
5) Whole heaven

-> If you miss the season, that's the end!
=> Don't miss it!
=> Don't be like the Israelites who missed their promise from God for the land flowing with milk and honey because they were too busy pursuing the things of the flesh and forgetting about what God has forewarned them about!
=>> And this applies also not just to our big move, it applies also to evangelism and the desire for salvation!
~> The doors that are open now may not be open in the future!
~> Don't wait for the "perfect conditions" because there is no such thing!

- Seize the moment!

Ephesians 5:14-15
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

- Redeem the time and seize the moment!

Ephesians 5:18
do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

-> Be prepared!

- And to be prepared and to see these greater things, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit who will illuminate our mind and bring understanding to us

1 Corinthians 2:10-11
God has revealed [them] to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

-> So that we can fulfill the purpose of the church
=> And not miss our moment like the children of Israel in Luke 19

Luke 19:44 "and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

and

Jeremiah 8:20
"The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved!"

-> Don't miss the time!
-> Now is when we prepare to move for greater growth
=> Are you ready for the harvest?

- Cry out aloud in joy for the harvest that we will see in time to come even though we don't see it now
-> Visualize it in the spiritual! And see it!

Isaiah 54:1-3
"Sing, O barren, You [who] have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You [who] have not labored with child! For more [are] the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman," says the LORD. "Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.

=> And in the physical, prepare for it!
=>> So that you will be ready when the time comes

Matthew 25:15
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

- But be warned! When moment you decide to step out of your comfort zone, you will definately face more problems at the initial state because the devil isn't going to just sit around and let you do the work of God

6 Things you will face when you desire to move with the Spirit

1) The Past - Bondages
- It will try and catch up with you to hold/drag you back
-> Old problems that you think you have solved will resurface
-> There will be a sudden desire for the old/old lifestyle
=> Don't wonder why, it's obvious, the devil wants to pull you back!

2) The Present - Hesitation
- It will definately happen at an 'inconvenient time' where everything seems to be in a mess
-> The Israelites crossed the Jordon to defeat Jerico when the Jordon was flooded
-> Mary gave birth to Jesus in the time of the reign of the most tyranic and merciless king who jealously guarded his throne (Harold)

3) The Future - Fear
- We never know what will happen
-> So don't bother to wait for perfect conditions; they will never come!

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NKJV)
He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (CEV)
If you worry about the weather and don't plant seeds, you won't harvest a crop.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (TEV)
If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.

Or even simpler yet!

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT)
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

-> Break out of your comfort zone!

4) Temptation
- Jesus himself faced temptation too just before He started out on His ministry

Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

- It will seem like all hell is breaking loose
-> Get used to it!
-> Recognise it
=> Keep pressing in against it
=>> We may not be able to overcome it on our own, but God will empower us as long as we have the faith and are willing to pay that price

5) Lack of Resources
- There will always suddenly be a lack of resources
-> Don't worry about it, things may seem to be reducing, but God can still make a difference with however little you have!

Matthew 14:17
And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."

Matthew 14:19-21
Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

-> God could multiply that five loaves and two fish!

- And then there was the defeat of Goliath
-> The entire strength of the Israelite army was reduced to a mere teenager who had only five smooth stones and one sling
=> And yet got used that boy and one of the five stones he had to defeat Goliath; the champion of the Philistines

- And of course, we remember Gideon and his small army?
-> God reduced it size to mere hundreds and still they defeated the enemy!

6) Relationships
- Relationships will start to feel the strain when you decide to do something right/when you want to commit to the church/the work of God
-> It is part and parcel of life
=> Make the decision to move with God despite all this!

- At the end of the day, God doesn't measure your life by the duration in which you lived
-> But by what you have done/acheived in His name/ for the kingdom
=> It's not how long, it's how much

Genesis 5:25-27
Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and begot Lamech. After he begot Lamech, Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died.

-> Methuselah's life held no records of anything nor how in anyway he had doen anything for God nor how God will have him remembered save for living the longest
=> A complete search through the bible on Methuselah would only tell you at most of his lineage and nothing more (( Check it out if you don't believe! Click on the link to the online bible and type 'Methuselah' to run a search! ))

- Jesus however, only lived 33 and a half years, and yet He changed the world

- We will all be here only for a moment, we will not last forever
-> Will you do what you are suppose to do and serve our generation for the will of God?
=> That will determine how you are remembered
=>> What will be our legacy as a church? What will be your's as a child of God?

- Do you feel like you will never fulfil your purpose?
-> Is it because you feel imperfect, and unfit for the job?

John 16:24
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full"

-> What will you ask God for today?
=> Ask correctly and a greater success is definate!

1 Kings 3:5
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?"

1 Kings 3:9-13
"Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, "behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. "And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

-> So move out of your comfort zone today and move towards God!
=> Stop staying in the place where you're comfortable with and stop doing things the way you're used to doing them or you will never grow in the spirit and will find that you are left behind

Luke 5:36-37
Then He spoke a parable to them: "No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was [taken] out of the new does not match the old. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined.

- Your dream will only come forth if you prepare for it because you knew it was coming
-> And God will only give you that new anointing you need if you change your mindset!

Luke 5:38
But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

- People like to stay with the old because they are comfortable

Luke 5:39
And no one, having drunk old [wine,] immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'

-> But we cannot be like the world!
=> Move with God!
=> It's not about you, it's about Him!
=>> Move with God!
=>> Don't miss this kairos moment

amanda faith
11:35 PM

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Yup, here I am again sharing with you my revelations and what I learnt for cell group today. Personally I feel that the message realy speaks out loud and clear; no need for any profound inferances or anything of that sort.

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My attitude determines my altitude

The X factor to success:
- Our attitude!

2 Tim 2:20-21
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

-> It makes us who we are!

-And in order to soar higher, we must think like God!
-> "You can't soar like an eagle if you flock with the turkeys!"

Phil 3:13-15
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you

- Once we start having the right thinking, (i.e. God's thinking) we will grow like never before.
-> And be prepared for the next season
-> How you leave the last season will determine how you enter the next
=> Do you have the right mind set?

- Why do we have to have the right attitude?
-> Your attitude is the real you
=> Only you can determine what kind of attitude you want to have
=> No one can touch it or change it except you
~> People might be able to discipline you on the outside and force you to follow or do things a certain way, but ultimately, your inside attitude towards what is done on the outside is entirely within your control and your control alone
~> Ever seen this example before?:
A teacher walks in to scold a student and the student rises in rebellion and starts shouting back. The teacher yells for him to hold his tongue and "Sit down!" How often have we seen that students keep this mindset - "I may be sitting down on the outside but I'm standing on the inside!" - This is exactly why only you can change how you think and your own attitude.

- We must have The Best Attitude; The Be-attitude
-> The being attitude - the one that surpasses the mere doing with absence of the heart
=> To do without being is not real!
~> an example of a doing attitude is a person who goes to church, prays, sings praises and worships God but does not confess his sins nor has he recited the sinner's prayer and accepted God as his savior and Lord - this is called doing the works of a christian without being a christian.

- It's like evangelism
-> We are to be witnesses, not just do the act (i.e. reaching out to friends only because your cell group leader will check on you, etc)
- God is more interested in the being than the doing
-> And your attitude determines your fruits

Matt 7:17-18
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor [can] a bad tree bear good fruit.

-> And real success, is becoming the person God wants you to be in the process of moving towards your harvest
=> Not just about bearing fruits at the end of the day, because if you have become who God wants you to be, your fruits will naturally show it.

Matt 7:20
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

A biblical example of a bad attitude:
- King Saul
-> God decided to replace him because of his bad attitude!

1 Sam 16:1-3
Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons." And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears [it,] he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' "Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you."

- And God did not chose his new king by appearance the way man do (remember how the Israelites chose Saul because he was the most good looking, tallest, strongest, etc)

1 Sam 16:8-10
So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these."

-> He chose by David's heart - his attitude!

1 Sam 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For [the] [Lord does] not [see] as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

- After selection, there is still the process of testings and mouldings to go through before one is "promoted" to fulfil the true/primary goal/purpose for which you were created/chosen to do
-> Remember how David had to flee from Saul, how his life was endangered?
=> He chose to put even more trust in God during those moments!
-> And he did not kill Goliath immediately after his anointing
=> He killed a bear and a lion first while protectign his sheep before he killed Goliath
-> And there are many more things he went through in the fourteen years prior to his reign as king over Israel!

Three Great Attitudes we should have

1) Submission
- Exalt others above yourself
- Contantly honour our elders
-> Even when we don't feel like it!
- You may not know the reason God instructs you to do certain things at the beginning, and you're not sure how things will end up
-> But be willing to submit to his will - and then learn the reason along the way as you grow!
=> You obey because you want to trust God

2) Willingness
- Be willing to do the work of a servant
=> Whoever humbles himself will be exalted!

Matthew 23:12
"And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:14
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

- The people who you see around you in the kingdom who are successful today had to pay a great price of discipleship, surrender, complete inner change and total death of their inner man - and perhaps even more - to get where they are today
-> You do not know the price they had to pay, so do not envy them
=> Instead think, are you willing to pay whatever price it will take for God to truely and effectively change your life
=> Because outward obedience, is not enough
~> You must be willing to step out of your comfort zone, out of what you're comfortable doing and move in the direction God is sending you

3) A positive attitude
- Pressure is common
-> It happens to everyone
=> deal with it positively!
~> Your attitude will determine how well you will overcome it

- Your attitude will determine your capacity of what you are able to receieve from God. And if you have a bad attitude, God will not want to work in you because it would be a waste of the anointing.

Luke 5:37-38
"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. "But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

- It will not be easy, because of our carnal nature and the deisre to remain where we're comfortable

Luke 5:39
"And no one, having drunk old [wine,] immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.' "

-> But we must be different from the world!
=> Step out of your comfort zone today with the right attitude!

amanda faith
9:08 PM

A chinese song I actually like haha You are my star

amanda faith
11:34 AM

Haha yesterday was my first choir prac at church. Sister Annabelle was coaching us yesterday (yes she's back from the states!) and we had a lot of fun training and practicing the Delirious songs (i.e. Majesty (Here I am), What a friend I've found) and All I need is You. Haha, quite funny the way we had to adapt to singing single notes and avoid scooping when singing this line frm Majesty - "Your grace has found me just as I am" - it was a bit tricky ;ah, cuz of old habits, but like Sister Belle said, it's all in the mind haha. Takes some practice bah. Up and down points need to be precise. hee

I met Shinn and Sylvia as choir prac. Didn't talk to Sylvia but had quite a conversation with Shinn before prac. Strange isn't it? I've know Shinn for some years now but I've never said a word to her till yesterday. As for Sylvia, I still haven't spoken to her since primary 6. Maybe another time I'll actually say more than just hi.

For the next 2 months, it's choir duty in front of a 2000 member live congregation, from December onwards it will be 7000 when we move to the expo. That would be more than 3 times the current crowd. Services would definately be longer now cuz there will only be 2; One on Saturday and one on Sunday. (hmmm thought: 2 services = 1400 people. membership/average attendence = 19000. Other 5000 ppl?) So when we move there, Sister Belle intends to have us serve full weekends at one go instead of the current individual services since there will only be about two services. Which means once in a while the choir members will be 'missing' from CG. (second thought: 5000 people = childrens' ministry, dialect church, JAMs church, Elderly services?) It's not concrete yet, but we're being prepared for it.

For now, we all need to grow in spiritual maturity and endurance definately, for more than just to endure (possibly) one hour of praise and worship but to be able to draw down and fill the 7000 seater auditorium with the presence of God. How good the service and preaching is depends a lot on the worship.

----------------------------

Majesty (Here I am
- Delirious

Verse 1:
Here I am humbled by Your Majesty
Covered by Your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

Pre-chorus:
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since You laid down Your life
The greatest sacrifice

Chorus:
Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in Your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by Your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Verse 2:
Here I am humbled by the love that You give
Forgiven sot hat I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

What A Friend I've Found
- Delirious

Verse 1:
What a friend I've found
Close than a brother
I have felt Your touch
More intimate than lovers

Chorus:
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, friend forever

Verse 2:
What a hope I've found
More faithful than a mother
It would break my heart
To ever lose each other

All I need is You
- United Live

Verse 1:
Left my fear by the side of the road
Hear You speak, won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray
Got every reason to be here again
Father's love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

Pre-Chorus:
All I need is You
All I need is You Lord, is You Lord
All I need is You
All I need is you Lord, is You Lord

Verse 2:
One more day and it's not the same
Your Spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Saviour once again
Where would my soul be without Your son
Gave his life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You're watching over me

Chorus:
All I need is You
All I need is You
All I need is You
All I need is You

Bridge:
You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold ... you hold

amanda faith
8:56 AM