two

Passion 2005: How Great Is Our God


This CD/DVD combo delivers the usual live rendition of favourites from the SixStep Records family. This year, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin and Watermark's Christy Nockels are joined by acoustic duo Shane and Shane on this live recording from Memphis, TN in January 2005.

Previous studio efforts that seem a bit staid become alive in the live worship setting. These include tracks like Crowder's No One Like You and Tomlin's How Great Is Our God and Indescribable. Charlie Hall's Marvellous Light combines unusal imagery with a worshipful lyric while the whole project closes with the pensive, wonderous version of popular hymn It Is Well, which seems to lift the worship experience to whole other level with its raw hunger from a generation desperate for His renown

3

Jeff Feyo's "Surrender"

An album I thoroughly enjoyed from the heart and soul of SonicFLOOD, Jeff Deyo. Culling songs from his 2 solo efforts, Saturate and Light, plus throwing in some re-done recent faves ( a la the original SF used to do so well), this set, recorded in New Zealand at the Parachute Festival in January 2005, is a good showcase of how Deyo's songs and worship-leading are able to blend together to produce an atmosphere of worship. This is despite these songs not being the most congregation-friendly.

Highlights include the storming opener "Lose Yourself" and the most beautiful live rendition of "Bless The Lord"

four

The best Hillsong United album yet. In fact, the youth wing of the Hillsong church has been producing the best album from that Antipodian worship factory for the past 2 years. They best the more main stream August release by having a more relevant, punchier and edgier presentation and style, while Darlene and co. seem contented to stay with the tried and true (which is what their older audience demands). Both albums are just as worshipful but the United releases really are the better for the above mentioned reasons.

Look To You opens with the triple punch of Salvation Is Here, Tell The World (love the bassline on these tracks) and the title track. It then segues into the beautiful All I Need Is You, that is worshipful and passionate. Other tracks like There Is Nothing Like and the chant-like Shout Unto God capture the worshipful spirit of this youth movement very well. Closing with Rich Mullins' Awesome God was a master touch , making the best closure for any Hillsong live project in a while.

5

Here are my 5 favourite Christian albums of 2005.

Shane and Shane have always been a favourite of mine. They first caught my attention with their extremely emotive and worshipful It Is Well on the Passion 05 soundtrack. With 4 smash studio albums under their belt, the soulful duo came out with this CD/DVD project containing the best of their output so far. From the pensive Yearn and I Miss You to the upbeat Arise, their whimsical acoustic guitar sound and tight harmonies underscore the simplicity and beauty of their work. Definitely an album worth buying for more sophisticated and mature listeners

christmas

It has been a right quiet and beauitiful Christmas. Kicked off with a series of great outreaches for the kids. All clusters did better this year. We (and myself) have a long way to go before effectively sharing the gospel but I think many effective seeds were sown. Hope to see some of those come to fruition.

Service as usual on 24th. Sensed that it needed a spiritual element so I did a 20 min mini-sermon segment that didnt go off too badly on "Light Of The World". Hopefully a good start of things to come. Indeed, Jesus is the light of this season. Let's never forget that.

Adjourned to the Kueks for christmas party. It was nice and quiet an affair that was rather casual and relaxed. Lots of fun crapping and sharing and playing of games and feasting on gorgeous food. Thanks to Gene for putting this one together. I am grateful for these friends that He has provided. Appreciate you all. This year was way better than last year.

Went for service at Lighthouse on Christmas Day. Nice sweet service with powerful sharing and vocals by Booby Michaels. Moved off for lunch at Yoshi (not associated with Mario) Restaurant for a Japanese buffet. Yummy stuff but slow due to staff not reporting to work (must be hung over). I do love my family although they annoy me no end at times these days. Haha. Thank God for all of them.

update

To everyone's surprise, an update.

Holidays have moved swimmingly slow at this point. Not too much accomplished so maybe that can be better, but other than that, its been quite calm and peaceful and most importantly restful.

Since somethings are better left unblogged, lets just say that some efficiencies need to be re-looked at.

Has my concern with other families' business stepped over the line? But then, how can we take it to the next level?

Kok Guan was great in his sermom. We eagerly look forward to his return. When God's word is preached well and it hits the mark, its awesome.

So far this week, its been 2 weddings and a funeral. Life goes on

4 gorgeous people and 1 beautiful lake in Queenstown

 

hungry kids

 

The Franz Josef Glacier

 

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

 

En Route to the West Coast on the Trans Scenic Train

 

Chuch of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo

 

Mount Cook

 

milford sound

 

nz

Went to New Zealand's South Island for about a week. It is truly a lovely place with snow-capped mountains, expansive glaciers, green meadows, roaring rivers, lakes and brooks, as well as majestic fjords.

The Maori call it "God's Own" in their own language and it truly deserves that title. Spent most of the 7 days sight-seeing, visiting towns such as Christchurch, Queenstown, Fox Glacier, Hokitika and numerous places along the scenic West Coast. Did you know that you can fly to the South Pole from CHC (Christchurch, not that other place)? We saw seals and penguins at this eden like place called Milford Sound. It was well worth the 5 hr ride there and 5 hr ride back.

We also did white water rafting and jet boating at Queenstown while the chaps went bungee jumping. With no inclination to jump off a bridge nor spend 140 SGD doing it, I sat that one out. Looked fun though. LOL.

eddie

Wrestler Eddie Guerrero died aged 38 on Sunday in his hotel room in Minneapolis, Mn. He was always a stellar performer in the ring and a great personality that truly reached out to all viewers and followers of pro-wrestling, in particular the Hispanic community in America. Although I only knew the man from what others said about him (he didnt have an enemy, was kind and loving) and what I saw in the ring and read about online (he overcame drug and alcohol abuse 4 years ago and came back from a potentially life-ending car accident), it is almost as if a familiar friend has gone. This was the same feeling I had when Owen Hart died in May 1999. No one wants a friend to go, nor does he want a child to lose his father or wife to lose her husband, but that is the tragedy that has happened. See you in heaven someday Eddie. You touched this old wrestling fan with what you laid down in the squared circle, which was everything you had.

19

New update from me. School's out but OP is in session and I am an assessor. Kids reading this: Take it seriously man! Engage and articulate. Gesture and Smile! NZ in 2 weeks, hope it goes smoothly.

Oh yeah, BBTC's 19th anniversary yesterday. Ate Laksa, took photos, nice.

The new soul survivor is nice. very worshipful, hopeful and a good album
Liking it more and more as I listen

end

Term's ending. In all, its been a good half year with RJ and some of the craziest people I know. It could be better, it could be worse. For which I am all grateful.

finito

Marking is done! *dances happy jig*
Receives marks back *Happy jig ends*
Life goes on and the fight continues

compre

Wahaha, boy that was a tough compre. But, boys and girls, I did not set it OK? Lets just say you had to possess quite a fair bit of inferential skills to tackle it. Its going to be a heady 2 weeks of marking. But go and do your other subjects, k? Leave the worrying to me

worship

we had a spectecular time of worship today. I'm into my 10th year of worship this year and by the grace of God, this year's worship has been the most exciting and awesome times of worship yet! People declared God's praises loudly, jumped like crazy and were in awe of this magnificent deity we worship. Wonderful God. People are hungry. Please move.

quarter

I am a quarter of a century old today. Hmm 25 already. Not that I have achieved everything I set out to achieve but I cannot say that I am an absolute failure either. I think God has given me a perfect position to impact lives and also has provided me with enough to last, plus a loving family and friends. People will needle me about that special someone; hey, i am looking, maybe not terribly hard, but I will know when its the time. Oh well 25 hmmm, that means I am officially in my mid-twenties now. Is there supposed to be a crisis around the corner? Lol. I don't think so. Haha

apple

Me in front what I think is the East River ( Or is it the Hudson) From my 2002 trip to NYC

racist

No racist remarks here. Please move on. Its a right dillemma we have here, don't we? Not that such sentiment is acceptable. There will always be racists around. I guess people will think twice before they shoot off what is on their mind. But should the government intervene with what is placed on foreign servers but from the hearts and minds of true blue Singaporeans? Also another debatable point here. Look and think before you leap, my young padawans for blogging won't be the same in SG anymore I fear.

summer

Leeds Uni Singapore Society Prez and V-Prez 2000/2001, Summer and Me at D and D 2001

lee

For the frequent student visitor. Me with Mr. Lee at the PM Book Prize Presentation, circa Aug 1997

nerd

Find the nerd

5ive

5 years of youth ministry this weekend. Its been an awesome and fulfilling ride. With the things that He has done and all that He is going to do. Although at times it has not been easy but i am excited to see what He has in store for us in the future.

mAn, this is a bit dull... Lol

katrina

What is it in man that possesses him to loot, rob and rape and take advantage of the poor and needy during a catastrophe not unlike that of the great flood of yore? It struck me that this is akin to a preview of the apocalypse when there really will NOT be any help coming! Whether it be judgement upon the US for brokering the removal of Jewish settlers from the West Bank or if it was just another symptom of the end times, Katrina has really unveiled the dark side of human nature. Under that veneer of civility lies man's beast-like instinct to survive at all costs. Ultimately, God is the answer, but how many buy that as an answer in these uneasy times? Makes me wonder that after all the teaching that I can do in a classroom for 24 months, if the kids will still pillage, steal and plunder in a situation like this. Has education failed then?

'cher

My first teachers' day as a teacher. Lol. Its a different feeling for sure. Pulled out one of the silliest sketches in the morn for the TD concert. Guys and gals turning up in their old RJ uniforms. I would have as well, if not for the fact that I saw the last of size 32 trousers about 4 years ago. Also, my shoulders have gotten (c)hunkier so, yeah, the shirt would just rip apart like Bruce Banner in a frenzy.

Love the little notes, cards and gifts from all the students. Thanks guys and gals for your kind words. Hopefully this young teacher has not let you down yet. Hope to be of more mentoring service to you all in the run up to the promos and beyond? Kudos to Alps, Ying, Jon, Yam, Zhaohan, SinWei, Justin, the Wussies and the crazed wackiness of 1S06B, 1A01E and 1S03F. One could never ask for a more interesting, caring, fun, crazy, intriguing 1st batch than you guys. Shout out to the Raffles Rock people too. We'll see through this first year together, yeah?

Went to SAFRA Yishun, ate, bowled, laughed, slept

restricted

Those of you who have long read my posts know how less controversial it has gotten over the months. Perhaps I am maturing (hopefully), but its just that as you get older and attain certain posts in life, you just cant be as free as you would like in your words. You cannot say whay you think all the time because people are watching and judging. So while I was looking thru student blogs (yes i was bored and tired), I marvel at their openness and directness. Its a gift guys, hope u treasure it

thoughts

Just thinking. As I start my career, I realise that it is becoming increasingly difficult to serve in ministry and keep up the standards I set for myself in my career. I could do both but then I really would not have what we would term a life. It is totally true: serve God all you can as a student. Once you hit the marketplace (whatever you call it) your form of service has to take a different form.

The problem is that it will be difficult to tear myself from certain commitments. Worship leading has been great, but I most likely may have to give it up, esepecially when I czannot see myself leading week in and week out of vintage worship. The heart to lead in the area is not there. I would gladly lead the guys but to sit through 4 hours of meetings to do that may mean that I have to give that up as well if it is insisted upon. Now I know what the young adults go through

CD

CD buying spree again

Tissues and Issues – Charlotte Church
Evermore – Planetshakers
All The Earth – Parachute Band
Get Lifted – John Legend
Daniel Powter- Daniel Powter
The Story Goes – Craig David

Lovely…

future

Snowed in by marking again. Oh well. Part of the job I guess. There is joy in this, but I must endeavour to find it.

Anyway, I read Piper who says that it is not gratefulness that should spur us to obey God, it is faith in future grace. In others words, an acknowledged dependency on a God that will sustain us and bless us. Really interesting because the Bible never said that we should obey out of gratefulness. That would be reducing salvation to a transaction which is reducing it really. It is by faith that great works are accomplished and it is by faith we shall live by.

technology

Wow, now you can actually use Word to edit your blog. What an interesting prospect….

entry point

There are things that are shams these days. There was one today. Makes you think why people are apathetic. Its quite bleeding simple.

worship

Worship was good this weekend. Its coming after FOP and all and I think our congregation may have gotten a bigger picture of God and seen what is possible in worship and their actions have started to match their hearts. Its wonderful when we look for the next level and find it? Why would anyone settle for anything less?

clones

Festival Of Praise was very good for me this year. People who know me know that I am a person who just likes things to be done differently after a while. I am not someone who can do the same thing, e.g. sing the same song over and over and I always look for something new. That brings with it all the positives and down sides as you can imagine. So Martin Smith and Delirious? coming for FOP was a refreshing wind (as per the theme) for me. Granted, their style of worship isn't for everyone and at times, they lost 80 percent of the audience on songs like Rain Down (which I lost my voice on).

However, I don't think I worshipped as deeply as I did last night for a long while. I don't know whether it is the blatant smugness that I know something others don't, but it's just the way that I was made I guess. Nice to see Hillarious do songs from Passion as well, with How Great Is Our God, Agnus Dei and Dance In The River (Tomlinesque) being done. Chris Tomlin next year, Pastor Kong, please?

Colin Dye and his crisp Londoner accent brought a good message about Exodus 33 and the hours just flew by. Martin Smith's voice was really excellent... Aiyo, I shall stop being a fanboy. Anyway, I thought I saw Sun on stage singing back-up but then I realised it was her clone. Creepily, that was one of many Sun clones. Haha! Its the Island fo real! Aaron also noted that when P Kong claps, his CHC choir claps and they follow him real close... Ahaha. Such an influential Rafflesian! I know CHC is not for me at this point. I kinda love Kong, Sun and their ministry et al. , but in this case, there is no spiritual connection and I could not conceive myself following a man that closely unless he was my personal mentor. Oh well, thats why God made different churches for different people I guess

Graduate

Humming along

Just a post to check in. DK and LJ got married. It was sweet. Too bad I was too busy meeting parents. Oh well, at this stage, career takes precedence I guess.

Nothing much happening apart from work.

SonicFlood was good live. It was a fun Sonic Fest. Good work Glenn

FOP this week

voiceless

I have lost my voice. It is very sad and frustrating. Trying to conduct lessons with no voice makes my plight even worse. G'ah!

Anyway, listen to James Blunt and his Back to Bedlam is the album de la semaine.
Quite gorgeous music from one who fought in Kosovo

hmm

In response to the bo-liao defacing of my tag-board... Hey boys, outside of class u can monkey about all u like but I appeal to you in all sincerity to clam up when I am trying to conduct a serious discussion in class. Or at least pipe down and contribute seriously. You are just short changing urself and the classmates about you. Hope I don't have to get nasty with u all cos I don't but too much of it and you may cross the line and all the idle chatter in today's lesson just about did it.

update

School's been decent so far. Many things have happened and the students constantly keep me on my toes intellectually, which is good. Hope I improve as I go along and I can remember their names (!) very very soon.

Handsome people 

pray

We are in the season of fasting and prayer. It was kicked off with the Prayer Concert: Day of His pOwer at the Sing Expo yesterday. Interesting points of note were that Winston Hodge was there. I said Hi and I really think its important that the head of my school finds it worth while to find time to pray for the nation and hopefully his school as well. RJ has always been blessed in this way, with godly leaders. Also, Paul Lee was one of the co-leaders of worship. Way cool.

Came back with an enlarged vision to reach people in my block. I shall smile more at them. The presentaion on East Timor was also moving. Hopefully more will be done. I will see what I can do

mystery

Wanna give a shout out to Timmo. Maybe it is a mystery eh boy. And don't quit bathing. You may have more pimples to write about.

School starts on Monday with COMMON TEST!! ZZZ... Well, gives me another week to prepare lessons/ surf net a lot/ catch up with stuff/ make new friends in the staff room/ stone. Hopefully in that order.

What a bum holiday. I may have been caught by evil Traffic Police dude standing on overhead bridge. Must check letter box carefully for the next few days.. Grrr

Kim's Hokkien Mee is nice. But what sort of hawker fries Hokkien Mee for 12 hours a day in a long sleeve shirt and wearing a gold Rolex?!?

feel

Just realised, looking arn the M Group table, that everyone there was either going to get married or already married. It was a taste of reality that I soon will be moving away from this group (interest and emotionally) in a way. Not physically moving away, but definitely I see the gap between singleton and smug marrieds. Nobody's fault, its just the way life is and people are. Once you enter another phase in life, things change and things move. They never stay the same, so the lesson to learn is to treasure the time you have today, boys and girls. They will never last as long as you hope them to.

Just a few random thoughts and updates again.

Reading a book by the late Mike Yacnonelli on 9 foundations for youth ministry. Things like the Bible, Veracity, Authenticity, Audacity, Humility and the like. Its good to read stuff to focus you once in a while, with people who have gone thru what you are going through. Not the best book in the world but appropriate for this time in life.

Went to Orchard Road and got ignored by the London 2012 people. Grrr.... They didnt want to gimme their free T-shirts though I am a self-professed Anglophile. Haiz.

Realised not getting any younger... Haha...

EvP

Just received the Events Vs. Process book that I ordered from Abundant Life. Bradford to SG in 2 days, must be a record. I finished it in 2 hours. That must be another record.

Paul's teaching was that we must adopt a process-driven approach to our Christian living rather than an events-approach where the believer is always seeking for the next quick fix of God to move him on in His Christian life. Life changing events, like falling under the spirit and such, must be regarded as part of a wide life-moulding process. If not, events by and of themselves, provide no foundation to withstand the storms in life. These storms will reveal who we are as believers.

Certainly,this is refreshing teaching that is counter to the instant-faith generation of the 21st Century. Scanlon goes on to urge the reader to seek the supernatural rather than the spectecular. As "nothing happens by chance" (Daniel Foo), it is all part of a process to grow us as believers and the supernatual should be incorporated into the process or it should kickstart one. We should not be junkies for the prayer line and altar call. People who do not go through the arduous process to deal with their problems will often come back to be prayed for again because they simply refuse to deal with problems that require a process to correct.

This is indeed an eye-opening read for people hooked on quick-fix Christianity

Tim acting cute. 

The one who is hilarious in his blurness but with a great heart and the conscience of a disciple. Thanks Duane-o 

The one who gives me both joy and grief and teaches me a lot about life... The charismatic enigma and a real blast to lead. Thanks Es 

continuing on

Here's a vain attempt to try to sustain blogging for more than just a moment's fancy.

Nothing much happened yesterday, really. More marking of GP scripts with all the ecstasy and agony that that brings. I would have to say that certain groups of people being agony to GP teacher's everywhere but I guess that's what we are here for: to improve their lot in life but elevating their English standards. Sigh... A Herculean task indeed.

Read some pages of Aldous Huxley in prep for next term. It would make a decent flick, Gatacca-like. Slept through most of the afternoon.

Watched Saw at night. Interesting show, kinda like CSI meets Se7en with a smaller budget and less-sexy leads (no Brad Pitt). Interesting twist-ending that actually seems very improbable. Getting The Last Samurai tomorrow. Now that should be real fun.

Cow

Another check in this week after a long while.

Camp seems to have gone well, with a few exceptions. Nice to see DLB had fun and hopefully they learnt something positive from the whole experience. Quite proud that so many of them made time for the camp and I think thats a reall good testimony for them as a group and as individuals.

I hope he learnt something as well about being a leader and as an individual. It is opportunities like these that will have help him develop as a person of he wants them to.

My Zen Neeon is now a cow, how nice!

LAPD Camp 2005 

Update

Just an update. Bought a Zen Neeon cos it looked nice. Settling into RJ nicely. Sold the laptop and got the one issued by the school. Marking GP papers. Life is pretty nice now.

raffles again

Its nice to be back in the family again. Starting 24 May I will be known as an RJ GP teacher. This is what I asked for and its by God's grace that I am here in this position, ready for anything to be thrown at me. Its not gonna be easy, but I need to know his provision. So, Kaiping, Mark, Jen, Chuan En, Zhong and Darryl, guess I will be seeing you all soon then.

posting

Still waiting for Mr. Postman to lay the news on me as to where my final posting is. I am a bit anxious a bit at peace, knowing that God is in control, yet not being able to contain my anziety totally. I guess being human, this is natural after all. A few people already know their postings:

Eugene: Anglican High
Fau/Kevin: MJC
Sami: YJC
Pam/Yitian: CJC
Yiwen: ACJC (biggest surprise since the casino announcement lol!)
Karen: AJC
Adrian: SRJC
Angeline: NJC
Soon Yi/ Reny / Sheika: VS
Dawn/ Grace: Bedok Town

Leave it to God cos He holds my hand

satisfaction

These are the things that people can find satisfaction in:

1) Spouse/ Girlfriend/Boy Friend
2) Friends and Family
3) Achievements and Success
4) Possessions and Money
5) Feeling of peace and contentment

But none of these are the same as finding joy and satisfaction in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. People may say we are crazy, or even presumptious that our God is the only god there is. But after what we have seen heard and experienced, can there be any other?!?! Don't hide it people, live proud and love loud, that you may be a tiny reflector of His light in this fallen world of others. Only He is permanent

Satisfaction

Just don't get people who say they are touched by the Holy Spirit but they act as if nothing has changed in their life. Not just in their character, but in the decisions they make and their priorities. Yes it will be a struggle with carnality always, but it appears that carnality always wins out so easily. I don't want to keep people with hype or with empty threats or pressure. If their delight in God is not 100 percent then they will never find satisfaction at all in whatever they do. That is for sure.

eye

Hmm watching EYE FOR A GUY. So according to the show, pushing yourself as an average bloke doesnt impress a girl. Humility is so over-rated , according to the producers. This show just sells all the wrong crappy ideals of love and relationships. It is subtle but its there

president

Former president Wee Kim Wee dies. He was probably a nice guy, lots of people seem sad. However, to me the president is just a friendly grandfatherly mascot but I think within that role, Dr. Wee did well. He was everyone's granddad. I guess he kind of put a human face on the bureaucracy. I'm not an emotional guy so all this outpouring of grief bewilders me.

Met up with NIE folk again to swap war stories. A good time indeed. But you have to wonder why NIE calls you all the way to Boon Lay for 4 hours to fill in 4 feedback forms. I guess it buy time till posting comes.

Anyway, instead of posting letter I get a SAF 100 in the mail... Oh well, at least its with HQ and not other siong units. Jan 06 is the ICT date...

Swam another 30 laps today with the Es and Evie. I think Es and me are getting chao tah, Malay-like. Arrgh. I think I've lost a grand total of 1 cm around the waist. Well, at least the darkness gives the impression of fitness. Bleah.
LOL

labour

The weather nowadays is absolutely scorching, a definite sign of global warming. Unberably so. Going to install an air-con in my computer room soon.

Met up with my Raffles chaps on Sun night. It was cool seeing people and talking to people whom I have not seen or heard from in literally years. Esp great to catch up with Xiango. Ate at this place called Curry Favour and adjourned to Crepes and Creme. It was great with all the witty repartee, insults, slag-offs and jokes, coupled with reminiscing about old times. Appropriately, there was an interview with Constance Chew in Life today! Incredible! Der Yao is just shocked she has conceived 2 children.

Today was another zzz day. Went for lunch at Balotta before going to town to pick up a book from Kino's to justify buying their membership last year (The Curious Incident of The Dog In the Night-time by Mark Haddon) Also bought Finding Neverland on disc. That was one of the few films that truly inspired and touched me this year. Pretty good stuff and recommended by me

Passion 05 CD review

Passion has been releasing live worship albums since the late 1990s and each recording has become bigger than the last. How Great Is Our God (HGIOG),Passion's 2005 offering, has gone to number 74 on the Billboard 200 albums of the week on sales. That's huge. In many ways, this CD deserves the attention it is getting

With the usual suspects of David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Christie Nockels and Matt Redman (with a cameo by Shane and Shane at the end), this album is powerpacked from start to finish. It may not have the polish of other worship albums, but then again, Passion releases have never been the best produced albums on the shelf, but they are among the most passionate (pun intended) and worshipful and somewhat creative.

There are not that many brand new tracks on this album but what is there is gorgeous, from the rocking Here Is Our King by Crowder to Hall's Marvellous Light. Tomlin brings live versions of How Great Is Our God and the remarkable Indescribable and we see how well they work with a worshipping crowd in a live setting (re: very well indeed) Shane and Shane's acoustic version of It Is Well closes the album out on a worshipful and surreal note. It is simply beautiful.

The disc comes with a bonus DVD with 4 music videos, 1 sermon and 2 short documentaries on the Passion journey and Passion 05.

If Louis Giglio and his merry men continue like this, Passion will be the voice of a collegiate generation living for the renown of God for many years to come.

Mr Lim and the zoo known as Sec 2A2 (2005) 

Mr Lim and Sec 3E1 (2005) 

done

Pracitcum is over and I passed. It was a definite learning experience. I have to be firmer and fiercer but the kids love me now anyway (of cuz, they dun have to hand in homework wat) Thanks to Jannine and Wendy and Mrs Wee. Wonderful folk, so are Misters Loh, Ang and Andrew. In all, its been good and God has been greater

stranger

It was artistically rich, technically bankrupt (due to manpower shortage but I am sure the whole Chin gang tried their best). I hope it was a good experience for the newbies. To God be the Glory this Good Friday, for because of this, things can be good after all.

friday

Its Holy Week. A week to especially remember Christ, if we have not done so every week already. Its always good to remember what He has done isn't it?

Good songs to sing this week:

Nothing But The Blood
Above All
The Old Rugged Cross
Divine Exchange
Worthy Is The Lamb

etc

Albums bought this week:
Redemption Songs - Jars of Clay (Digital Only)
Lifehouse-Lifehouse
Human After All - Daft Punk

Damai is going decently fine. Halfway through liao

back from the dead (not really)

Wow, its been a long time since an update. Been busy with practicum at Damai. Its not an easy thing, this teaching thing. This week is the hols and its been good to recharge.

CDs bought this week:
Risk-10 Shekel Shirt
Simply Nothing- Shawn McDonald
Beauty of Simplicity-Telecast
Always and Forever-Planetshakers
P40:3 Worship Project-Vertical Music
Language, Music, Sex, Other?-Stereophonics
Roots and Wings EP-Jars Of Clay

On the way is Look To You-United Live, Lifehouse-Lifehouse, Redemption Songs-Jars of Clay and Now 60.

Wieky is right. I have bought too many liao....

grandfather

Haven't blogged for a while. Last week, my Ah Kong died at the ripe old age of 84. He was sick and old and it was perhaps his time. He led a good life. He wasn't a rich man, but he raised 10 kids with his wife and that should say something of the man himself. We were not particularly close, me being 1 of 20 grandchildren, but there was an element of respect there. Now that he is gone, I would like to say 'Rest In Peace, Ah Kong! We know you are in a better place and not suffering like you were when you were with us. With God you are now, and there, may you be made complete.'

breathe

As I write this, I am having breathing difficulties. There is a big bush fire at Tampines Ave 9 and the air is thick and pungent with smoke. I think its affecting my breathing. Gasp! Why doesnt the weather station issue CSI readings?

Went to Civil Service Club (CSC) to swim today with Chin, Ben Ng and his bro, Marcus. It was a nice place and Ben really inspired me to push myself. Hence I am now very sore. Ouch.... He and his brother are nice kids though. Hope this becomes a regular thing.

black

Just sent my car to Groomworks and collected it. It looks fabulous now! Back to the showroom black and the interior is just gleaming! I highly recommend Groomworks and Glare at 51, Jln Tua Kong. And the service by Francis is marvellous cos he insisted on waiting till I came to collect the car before leaving, ensuring that a proper handover was in place. Great service!

valentine

This review brought to you by Dodo Fishballs and Carlsberg Beer.

Watched I do, I do today. It has nothing on Best Bet but worth my 6.50. I thought Jack did pretty okay with the plot but I think he has problem with romances. This one fell into cliche by the end and Jack was also not very good with romance in That One No Enough (his forgotten flop). With Best Bet, he got the pulse of the heartlander spot on but in this one, he kind of loses the plot halfway. Supporting cast was admirable, with Ah Nan stealing the show as a fey hairdresser in the mould of David Gan. Marcus Chin also turned in a hilarious performance and he gets to end up with Margaret Lee too. Hui Ge play multiple roles, ranging from Getai Owner to Tang Kee to Fortune Teller to the Prime Minister and is his usual pathetic but humourous self in them. I thought that Adrian Pang was a bit subdued and his lines were not that good. The less said about Sharon Au the better because she does not manage to generate the right empathy by the audience. Allan Wu is Allan Wu. The product placement was terribly intrusive and sometimes even disturbing. One scene was practically a Dodo advert for Mee Tai Bak while Marcus brings Carlsberg to "cheer up" Sharon. Great, make her an alcoholic while you are at it. It just irks you. The ending was totally unnecessary and quashes the glimmer of hope that the film holds out for aging singles up till that point. It is somwhat cynical to say that singles cannot find love if they were not set up by their parents. Jack, this was worse than Best Bet's ending! What are you doing? However, the film does take pot shots at everything from governmental bureaucracy, the Baby Bonus, Public Entertainment licensing, etc, etc and those jokes are pretty refreshing and hilarious. Overall a (2.5 +.5 ) 3 star show, 0.5 * more for Margaret Lee in a bikini. LOL. Kidding!

apathy

Bought a book called Bored With God, on overcoming student apathy with their Christianity. Its quite a good read and is suitable for my circumstances. The cover has 3 guys looking bored on a couch. How apt that I bought this after CG time. The book writes on ways that we can help our kids overcome their spiritual apathy. It has tips like be direct, show you care, etc. Basic stuff but good. It also reminds us to depend on God to melt the hardest of hearts. Amen!

I really want DB to see that they can lead overcoming lives, lives that are sold out for God and will count in eternity. Can it happen? I will start praying for a breakthrough spiritually, that they will not be afraid to confront their unChrist-like qualities and draw closer to find fulfillment in Him. God, I really need Your help !

damai

Checked for posting today out of curiosity and they were early. Found out that I am going to Damai Sec for practicum for 10 weeks. Hmmm. Was there 4 years ago for 2 week attachment so shall we say this is a return of sorts? Sharing the same supervisor with Gene, who is at AHS. Lucky sod. Have people going everywhere from Cedar and VS to Serangoon Sec, St Hilda's, Xinmin, etc etc. A very good mix all around. Hope and pray there will be no nasty encounters at Damai for me. Funny thing is I keep cycling round the back of the school on my bike rides..... Hmmm, wonder if I can still ride incognito like that still.

rooster

Hmmm, a quiet CNY . I think as you get older, the festive seasons get more somber. But it was still a good time of rest before the chaos of practicum. Too bad Grandma is now in a wheelchair, so no more special new year food from her. Sianz... You don't know what you've got till its gone

Anyway, more than one relative has remarked on my corpulence. It is disturbing so I promptly went on another 12 km bike ride. Whoosh. Away fats! Anyway, betweem all the new year sweet stuff and all, it is imperative to try to lose a little weight.

chinese

Again it is CNY eve. This day has always had a special. glowing feeling surrounding it. A mixture of elatedness over reunions and getting rich over Ang Pows. Had a 2 hr lesson that we blew through. Thank God there was no traffic on the roads or else I would feel even more frustrated. Now going to watch Constantine with the boys. Its a happy hot day!

mutterings

Just in the midst of the weekend before the CNY break, which will be my last real break for a while. Got a ton of assignments on hand and I will look at those over the break, making it a working holiday. It is the proverbial calm before the storm, before a torrent of work-related stress pours in like so many unwanted wave lashing. Its practicum in 2 weeks...

Anyway, I am hopeful cos God is on my side. He proved it in worship today and I am always floored and humbled that He can take a guy who can passably sing, with a running nose and have him lead a time of worship that was so real and intimate. Indeed, we are made for Him and there are few better places to go on a Sat afternoon than in God's presence. As my stoic Indonesian friend would say: God is real in my life! Amen!

Felicia leaves this evening. I will miss her truly. Wow, it was just like yesterday that we were talking about whether or not Wellington would take her and now she is going.

"Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane
I can see the red taillights
Heading for Spain
I can see Daniel waving goodbye
O it looks like Daniel
Must be the clouds in my eyes"

-Daniel by John and Taupin (1974)

yay

RJ said yes, now its up to MOE to second. If this is God's will let this come through! Weighed myself today and the news is not good. Dr. Jessica is on my case. Must lose 5 kg in 6 months
Yikes!

rj

Went to RJ for my talk with Mr E. today. It was strangely comforting meeting him again after so long so we caught up. It was an OK session, no firm answer given but I leave these things to God. Going to RJ would be an honour and if they feel they have a place for me, then I would gladly accept. Mr E is going to retire to Bath at the end of the year. Hope he enjoys a good retirement after so long in SG. I would think it would probably be strange for him after teaching in SG for quite so long.

Met KP and Ping in RJ, and sent Ping home. Waiting for him in the canteen and realised that there are a lot of beautiful people in RJ, both chio bu and yan dao. Does being smart=being beautiful ?

Bookshop uncle at RJ has retired. He was a good man who sold me many a copy of 8 days in the day. LOL.

Read Hybel's Couragous Leadership today, Picked up some good ideas on leadership. A stirring read indeed.

Tmr is SPR presentation. Hope it goes well

BBQ

Its the end of January and took 25 of the guys to eat at Seoul Garden. It was a good time of fellowship. I thank God for everyone of these 25 boys from Esmond to Wilcent, Kaiping to Amos and really hope and pray that I can impact as many as I can in the time that I have. The bill was a hefty $606.05. Gasp! All went well until they decided to play with the food and dump ice cream and assorted dessert stuff on the grill. Thats when I decided to leave or be grossed out totally. Spent a good amount of time talking to Jon C, Jon T, Amos and Aloy. Nice conversation. Hopefully my students in the future will be like them. That would be paradise already. Until Jon C started talking about shaving, thats when the coversation got a bit too creepy

five

Just cycled for a fifth time today. Covered 12 KM. Keeping the old heart ticking. New tutor for reading seems harmlesss though not as entertaining as Alex, but its alright.

Some churches do things so differently from us and sometimes it does irk us although it shouldnt and new believers sometimes say things that to us appear immature. But I guess if we do not get irked and instead guide them with love, care and sincerity, they will listen and mature. God has given us this lot of 150 odd kids to love, care and nurture and if we do well with them, we are sure to get more. It is an exciting time here in YMC3 and we are anticipating more! Lets not get skeptical and analytical but get busy caring and loving and leading. Awesome!

POW 

Me 

Stretch with Chin 

retreat

Leader's Vision retreat was cool. It was not as hectic as a camp but it was enjoyable all the same and I think people did learn a fair bit on QT, on shepherding and on personalities. We also had a great service on Sat and I thought that the worship was particularly intense. I could feel the presence and prompting of God. Hope this shows we are moving in the right direction.

Gave my second YM sermon on Noah. Not a bad 45 minutes with 20 minutes of activity and 25 minutes of exhoratation. Noah was really a standout guy and should not be known just for his animals. He really gets a bad break.

I shouted so loud today that it hurt my ears. Ouch! First time!

tiger

Lions win Tiger Cup for a second time. This is pretty cool. It may not be top class soccer, but it is a win for our boys. Big up!

antinomianism

My third cycle trip in a row, laster 1 1/2 hours and covered about 12 km. Took a new route around Bedok Reservoir today. This could be fun. Listened to 2 parts of CHC's antinomianism bible study. Quite funny as I remember some people criticising Rev Kong of the exact things he preaches against! They may have been mistaken. But it was enriching nevertheless and if all CHC people really dig into the Word like this, then they really are a strong church. Hoping to listen to the other 2 parts soon.

Thoughts of IPod Shuffle are on my mind. $178 only.... Tempting

drop

Oh no I dropped my I river while cycling today. Thank God the HD seems to be OK. I will never take it out while cycling again. Also went on my second cycling trip today, covered about 7 km. I was riding halfway when I realised my front tyre was flat and hence had to push it all the way back to the shop to get the inner tube changed for 6 bucks. Works well and fine now though! Yay! I am zipping around and hopefully losing some weight too.

the purple brigade 

Da Boyz New Year 2005 (Sans a few people) 

DLB New Year 2005