Singaporeans can worship...

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An Excerpt from Sam de Jong, Drummer of the Parachute Band on Festival of Praise 2008
We headed to Singapore for the final week of our trip and man, God is doing something huge in that place!! We were there for festival of praise, a 3 day event which sees 30,000 people come out to praise and worship God in the biggest indoor venue in Singapore. Along with the Hillsong team, we led worship all three nights and the people there would have to be some of the most passionate, hungry people we have ever come across. I looked around the stadium from the kit and saw 99.999999% of people’s arms in the air, crying out to their maker the whole time during worship. It was surreal.

The part that really got to me was each night when the pastors led the crowd in a time of praying for their nation. For around 10 mins solid, the people prayed out loud for the salvation and future of their country. This gave me goosebumps.

So thanks to everyone in Singapore who came out to worship with us and we hope to get back there next year!!

Bring on the durian!!!

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Maybe I'm just rebellious...

I don't know why I seem to be disagreeing with people quite often. Yesterday, I felt rebellious. I felt like I was the bad apple that was going to spoil the barrel. I felt like I was being asked to do things that I could not ever do.

It started with the article written by one of our church members about worship. It was about how it has become a form of entertainment, influenced by consumerism. He went on to quote some Reverend Doctor Ben Witherington, “Worship creates a communion which maintains a separation between us and God.”

I don’t know whether he was quoting the Reverend Doctor in context or not. A search on google showed that Reverend Doctor Ben Witherington is a scholar / theologian. And I am not. But I remember thinking, “How can that be true?”
In Ephesians 2:14-16, it says that Jesus has made us one in Him, so that we might be reconciled to God in one body through the cross.
In Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:6 and Colossians 3:1, it seems to me that Paul was emphasising that we have been buried AND raised with Christ. How can there be a gulf or a gap if Jesus already bridged that gap?

You see, we are stuck in a rut where we’re telling people not to do certain things because of the consequences, we’re trying to prevent people from doing wrong things. But if I’m not to sin, then what do you expect me to do? Since forever, Pastors and church leaders have wanted to inspire people to come into church because it was in church where they would hear the Word, have a chance to receive into their hearts and be inspired to live it out and serve.

Again on the topic of hymns. The purpose of John Wesley’s songs was to inspire non-religious unchristian people to come to Jesus. He used hymns because the unchristian people recognised the tunes as pub songs. It was the new and fresh which inspired the lost to come. They were willing to listen. Music itself does nothing. The presentation of the gospel contained the power.

So now, worship music is done with the same intention. Maybe not all of it, but I know many have the intention to reach the lost with their music and lights. So why criticise? Why question young believers about whether they are coming to worship or to consume when all they know is that they have been transformed by encountering God?

How come we remember Isaiah 6:5 which says, ”And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
We remember the prophet Isaiah’s guilt and depravity. He was sinful and unclean. Why do we fail to mention the marvellous work of God? The Mercy & Grace that brought us to Him? Have we forgotten the burning coal, the Christ? It was He who took away our guilt and atoned our sins!

And from that moment, Isaiah did not dare speak of uncleanness or guilt. Why do we do so? There is no more separation because of Jesus Christ. The dividing wall has been destroyed. The gulf / gap has been bridged.
Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God. Are we the ones who are separating ourselves?

I come to consume Jesus. Because only then will rivers of living water be able to flow out from me. Isn’t this what salvation is about? Isn’t this what the Holy Sacraments represent. Jesus’ body and blood, given and poured out for us?

~~~ On Fire ~~~
And you're on fire
When He's near you
You're on fire
When He speaks
You're on fire
Burning at these mysteries
| Performed by Parachute Band | Written by Switchfoot |

Did not our hearts burn within us...

I felt so privileged to be part of such a uplifting service on Sunday. To see people touched and ministered by the presence of God made it all worthwhile. Such an honour!

Pastor Wilfred shared something that I've not seen before in the bible. About how Peter, one of the 3 disciples closest to Jesus was so close to giving up. He had talked the most and boasted of his love for Jesus but denied Him 3 times. He had heard of Jesus predicting His death and resurrection so that the scriptures might be fulfilled, but he didn't understand. Peter heard the testimony of the women who had gone to visit the tomb but found it empty, but he didn't believe. He had run to the tomb and seen with his own eyes the fulfilling of prophecy but he became discouraged and afraid.

He left with another disciple and headed for home. About 7 miles away. The explanation that Pastor gave was that Peter and Cleopas had given up hope. Their situation overshadowed the truth which was the Word of Jesus. They wanted to return to the only 'safe' place that they knew.

But Jesus chased them down. It is such a liberating thing to know that after Jesus, Son of God, Saviour of the world, died for our sins on the cross, still bothered to chase down Peter and Cleopas to explain things again to them. He re-inspired them with His words, with the enthusiasm in His voice, with the excitement of His actions and the passion of His heart. We know they were convinced, they begged Him to stay!

Does your situation look hopeless like an empty tomb? Are you giving up and heading home to Emmaus? Why not let the Spirit of Jesus open up the scriptures to you so that you may burn again!

I've been at the place where my heart burns for more. Where it burns for something to be done! And it doesn't matter if your situation seems like an empty tomb because all it proves is that Jesus is alive! When your heart burns, it means you have a message. You have to tell someone. Peter and Cleopas ran back immediately to Jerusalem to tell the others. We must talk about Jesus! Verse 36 says, as they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"
There are two things we can learn from this verse.
One, when we talk about God and His promises, Jesus reveals Himself to us.
Two, the discussion and revelation of Jesus brings peace. Never strife.

Burn....!

The start of the rest of my life....

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
You were in the driver's seat
always in charge, always in control
Outside, the light diffused by raindrops
clinging for their existence on the glass
Holding on. Did you feel safe?
Alone with a stranger you've known for years...

The shadows wrapped around you like a shawl
Yet I saw you clearer than day
I knew you deeper than any friend
I had it figured out, my game plan ready
Tonight I would make my stand
But you did not recognise me

The rain came down like an emphasis
I had to turn away
It could not hide the carousal in my mind
Thoughts spinning, dizzying, crashing
I would be fainting at high altitude
I saw you and then I turned to face you
You are my playground in the rain
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

More than Words...

Recently, I've been letting words get the better of me. Actually, it isn't so much the words that I use. It is more of the way I said those words. Plus, I think when I'm being serious, I have a pretty mean look on my face. I think it is a frustration that presents itself whenever I start speaking about an area I'm passionate about.

Today I yelled at someone because I felt unfairly treated. I'm adamant when it comes to fairness. Or at least I try to be. But I learnt one thing today. There's no point demanding for an apology from someone who isn't sorry. The best thing to do is to forgive and leave it be. I'm glad for the walk to Jeremy's house that made me calm down. I thank God that it didn't affect the worship session but God allowed it to be used as an example of how the love of God can overcome the obstacles that come against us. I thank God that the 12 bucks spent on cab fare is money that I can afford because He has blessed me so much! Its not worth sweating the small stuff.

The more I think and meditate about it, the more it seems to make sense. God has this way of getting me to notice certain things that He's emphasising on. He lets me see a glimpse of it in His Word and then He emphasises it through different people for a period of time until I get it.

Well, the recent teaching is on the importance of our words. The more I read the verses that talk about not letting corrupt talk come out of our mouths, but only what is useful for building up, the more I believe that Paul was talking about prophecy. In James, Paul calls the tongue dangerous and powerful, and I believe that when used for the right purpose, it makes us most like God. Thats why this song means so much to me. It speaks of worship in the nations. It speaks of Christ revealed. And it starts with my words... My singing... My song...

~~~ With Everything ~~~
Open our eyes
To see the things that make Your heart cry
To be the church that You would desire
Your light to be seen

Break down our pride
And all the walls we’ve built up inside
Our earthly crowns and all our desires
We lay at Your feet

Let hope rise
And darkness tremble
In Your holy light
That every eye will see
Jesus our God
Great and mighty to be praised

God of all days
Glorious in all of Your ways
Oh the majesty the wonder and grace
In the light of Your Name

With everything
With everything
We will shout for Your glory
With everything
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

Our hearts they cry
Be glorified
Be lifted high above all names
For You our King
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise
| Hillsong - This Is Our God |