United We Stand - Hillsong United

In recent years, the more interesting and engaging songs from the Aussie superchurch have been emerging from the youth wing, led by Joel Houston. Although it can sound formulaic at times, this year's offering from United can be regarded as one of their best yet. This album kicks off with the three part rocking medley of "The Time Has Come", "Take It All" and "From God Above". After you catch your breath, there are powerful declarations like "From The Inside Out" and "The Stand" and the beautiful "None But Jesus". I have been rather critical of Hillsong stuff for the past few years, but their youth wing has hardly disappointed, remaining very relevant and somewhat fresh ( These two can conflict with each other sometimes in the realm of worship). This recording gives hope to Hillsong fans for when Darlene Zschech co. decide to hand over the reigns to this talented group, they will be more than ready to fill those large shoes.

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Flying Into Daybreak - Charlie Hall

The Passion movement's resident botak and contender for the largest goatee in the world, as opposed to David Crowder's strangest, released this album in January this year and it is evident he has gone from strength to strength in writing powerful lyrics and moving choruses. From the celebratory 'Marvellous Light' and All We Need" to the pensive 'Center' (written with Matt Redman' this is one very strong and very artistic album. A minor masterpiece from the most under-rated of the Passion family

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My Saviour Lives - New Life Worship

A late entry into the marketplace, this album comes hot on the heels on the Ted Haggard saga. But the ugliness of that situation does not diminish what is a stirring and engaging worship album from Ross Parsley and the Desperation crew. Largely comprised of new songs (apart from 'Praises', 'Promises' and 'Your Name'), this Hillsong-like album is very listenable and enjoyable. Epics like 'Here In Your Presence' work well to create an atmosphere conducive for devotion and the trifecta punch of 'Glorious God' (complete with DJ scratching), 'Live to Worship' and 'This Is Our God' end the set of on a high note. Hillsong-lovers will love this addition to the worship pantheon.

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Living For You - Gateway Church

Another sleeper album of the year. In my humble opinion, way better than the annual Hillsong album, because of the freshness it brings to the table. People, don't just buy or download Hillsongs, listen to these guys as well. Mostly graduates from Christ For The Nations Institute (CFNI) in Dallas, Texas, this album is really a tour de force. I was drawn in by the title track at first then went on to rediscover CFNI tracks like "You, You Are God", "Overtaken", the excellent "Revelation Song" (soon to be classic) and "When I Seek You". New tracks like "Bound" and "Pure" are catchy, relevant and fresh. Hillsong and gang better watch out, this album is heads and shoulders better than their Oz worship anytime. This is one of the most consistent albums you will find all year.

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A Greater Song - Paul Baloche

When a veteran worship leader decides to pair up with other songwriters in order to freshen up his repertoire and style, you get a great album. From top to bottom, this is one of the best, most congregation-friendly albums this year. Teaming up with writers like Brenton Brown and Matt Redman, Baloche has re-invented himself for the modern worship crowd. From the opening "Hosanna" to the upbeat "I Will Boast", the declarative "What Can I Do" and the finale "Rising", you will like this completely accessible little album from one of the Christian world's best songwriters. I did.

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buy buy buy

Not the N-sync song but what runs through my head when I hit a good sale!



Went down to Robinsons today to check out their sale and came away with 3 long-sleeved shirts, 1 short-sleeved shirt, 1 polo T, 1 round-neck T, 1 belt, 1 tie (orange) and 3 trousers for just over 300 bucks. Not a bad deal at all. Also managed to get 2 shirts from Zara at 109 which is very decent.



This is all in the vain hope of improving my fashion sense.



Now to get better socks (Thanks Dan)



Bring on 2007 and Alvin, the fashionista (not gay in a Bruno way) !!!



Haha

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See The Morning- Chris Tomlin

See The Morning- Chris Tomlin





Its another original Tomlin project and its another homerun for the Texan worship leader. Although not as knockout as 2004's "Arriving", which featured its fair share of classic songs and worship anthems, this one doesnt fair too badly, especially considering that it has garnered 2 Grammy nominations in the Best Gospel (Pop/Rock) categories. I read that someone complained that this album is "too Tomlin", whatever that means, but I love it. From upbeat numbers like "Awesome Is The Lord Most High" to the meditative "Uncreated One" and anthemic "Made to Worship", this album will be keenly embraced by worshippers looking to add to their worshop repertoire. Tomlin might not be particularly innovative (like stablemates Charlie Hall and Dave Crowder) music-wise, but he brings a sincerity and earnestness to his writing and (much undervalued) singing that allows him to hold his own among the fellows at Sixsteps Records. Its just good worship music and very Biblical too! Yay!

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My Favorite Albums

As many of you know, I buy more albums than almost anyone else I know. I add about 3 to my collection legitimately a week and these range from the secular (and occasionall,the profane) to the spriritual. Just going to blog about some of my favourite Christian music projects from this year.



Leeland- Sound of Melodies



One of the most exciting projects of the year, not because it is SO brilliant (although its Keane-ish sound is really qute sweet and Leeland Mooring's voice has the nice blend of calmness and emotion), but because Mooring himself, the lead singer and writer, is so young at 18. He was also asked to write for Michael W. Smith for Smith's own album "Stand", also released this year. Standout tracks for me include "Tears of the Saints" and "Carried to the Table". You won't really be singing these songs in a corporate settng but for quiet times of devotion, these are really quite suitable. Look for Leeland and his band in the years to come.

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On the cusp of another year

Ah, Its good to be at the end of another 12 months of hectic work. Its been a rather fruitful year but in 2007, I have a few goals set out for myself to establish myself professionally, socially and spiritually. It will be a good year indeed

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blog blog again

Blogger is out of Beta. Whee. But what are the differences? I have no idea

borat!

He is rude, brash and obnoxious but the people he interviews are the ones with the scarier views because at least Borat isn't for real. Watched the film today at Cine with a pretty packed house. 1st screening at 3pm. The hall was filled with laughter as Borat's buffoonery filled the screen. The man takes a dump in front of Trump Towers, wreaks havoc in an antique shop, shows inappropriate photographs to his etiquette coach and wrestles his "director" into various positions in his hotel room. It really is a classic piece of satire but on some levels, it is mean and demeaning to the unsuspecting Americans who happen to be his subjects in a twisted social expose.



Borat really makes you question where the lines of good taste and decency should be drawn, even in the name of satire. That said, my favourite gag was when Borat sounds the horn on his ice-cream truck and a group of small children eagerly scamper towards his vehicle, presumedly to buy some frozen treats, only to find Borat's pet bear (!) growling at them. Needless to say, the children get out of there screaming in terror. I laughed till it hurt.



Its a worthwhile film to invest 85 minutes of your life in but if you are easily offended (even Pentecostals aren't spared) then give it a miss.

Newborn!

She is here!

Here are some pictures of the old:
















Kind of sad to see ol' Mitsu go, but she has been replaced by something red-hot and dare I say it, sexier!
































It handles quite well so far, a little more weight and struggle to go up the bridge and the bass ain't as strong as the XPlod, but whatever, its a new car and I went for the style over the substance knowingly anyway. Haha, pray that God will bless this car on its way around Singapore!

all saints

Once upon a time, there was a small girl band called the All Saints which consisted of Shaznay Lewis, the Appleton sisters and some other woman whose name I cannot recall quite right now. They burst onto the scene sometime in 1997/98 with a stonking single called 'Never Ever' and followed that up with pretty good songs such as 'Lady Marmalade', 'Under The Bridge' (both covers, I know, but done in an inoffensive way) and in 2000, 'Pure Shores', the theme song to that DiCaprio vehicle, 'The Beach'. Then they made a terrible film, which I remember watching on opening day at The Odeon in Leeds. Nic and Nat Appleton soon partied harder than they sang while Shaznay went to star in 'Bend It Like Beckham'. Muscially, they could never match the giddy heights they acheived as the All Saints so in 2006, the once-bitter enemies are now pals again and have a new single (Rock Steady) and album (Studio 1) out very soon. It already sounds like a winner to me already. So kids, get ready for the All Saints once again. They are pretty good. Ahh the draw of a few pounds. Such is the entertainment world

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baby

oh yeah, the permit for gestation came yesterday. should be 2 weeks before we see the results

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ikea

highlight of the day is going to ikea and buying  a new table for the LCD TV and PS2. managed to transport it back and put that sucker together! lovely!
Probably the last time at Ikea Alexander too as their Tampines branch opens in 3 weeks! Here's to meatball eating!
Yummy

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instant blogging

Instant blogging really rules! Now if only I had something useful or insightful to say!



Watch this film if you can! One of the smartest, smarmiest films I have seen recently. From the son of the director of Ghostbusters, Jason Reitman has inherited his daddy's ability to pull of a decent satire. Good entertainment indeed

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Blog from Firefox

Blogging from Firefox. You can get blogging services from everywhere these days! Incredible

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post

The year has ended! PW is out of the way so its time for serious relax, spring cleaning and soul searching

Nano2

I am becoming a gadget freak. Here's my latest:














8 Gig in my hand and 1 really nice body and interface! Thanks Jim from iShop21!

WO Yoong

This blog post is dedicated to one 2WO Yoong. You took a soldier in a fragile situation when he was at the age of 19 and saw him through till he was a confdent man at the age of 26. For 7 years of knowing and working with you, I thank you for the memories, the chats, the kind words and the concern. Thank you and God bless you.

don't jump

Makes you wonder what kind of society we live in and about the stress levels the populace experiences when signs like this are seen along MRT rail tracks!

Don't jump people!

Joakim

Joakim Gomez is go-go-gone from Singapore Idol. Justice has been served. The irony was that he actually improved last night and was better than Paul TwoHill. Oh well, Paulie-boy's time will come next week then its off to a triple threat final between Jon, Hady or Jasmine. I could live with any one of them being the champ really. So there.

Siva (again) at RJC

He strikes again on Teachers' Day! Poorer quality this time because I couldnt be bothered to walk nearer. Enjoy!

Mr Jarrod Lee sings Superman

He acts, sings and teaches GP and KI! Jarrod brings down the house at RJ's Teachers' Day Celebrations 2006

Neil!

A picture with neil humphreys, best selling author (no. 1!) at neil's talk at our campus .

root canal

You know its never a good sign when your dentist gives you this pamphlet.
Shucks, just over a year of not visiting the dentist and this happens.
And it costs like 800 dollars for a crown! Gah!
Contribute to my healthy teeth fund please

City sojourn

Decided to go to town to enjoy a Mix drink today. Yummy! Maya papaya or something like that. Also picked up albums by Youth Alive WA, Nathan Hartono, james dean brad field and paolo nutini. Ah feeling tired today. Thank god its week 9 next week. Work is piling up, kids are getting confused and we are all exhausted. Time for a break!

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Test mail post

Did you know that you can blog by email too?

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More modelling pictures

This is the uneditted picture. Its clearer.

Models' inc.

6B had a photo shoot with a professional photographer today. They were supposed to look like they were picking a fight, hence the acting cool faces all around. Hilarious stuff.

Joakim wins, we riot

Well we all know that a certain Mr. J Gomez has been causing quite a stir recently with his bad singing and cute cute looks. For all the wrong reasons, this boy is still in competition for the crown of Singapore Idol 2. As Dick Lee says, “The singing sucks”. In a nutshell, that is what is wrong with our dear Mr. Joakim Gomez. An inability to carry a tune is a severe impediment to one’s singing career (Geri Halliwell and Paris Hilton might object to that last comment though). Joakim should not have such a career. Go model, act, host, whatever. Just don’t go anywhere near a recording studio and assault out ears once again. This man has the ability to single-handedly destroy what’s left of Singapore’s English pop scent. Imagine him singing at NDP 2007, people! He would bring us international shame. Other countries vote in people like Kelly Clarkson, Guy Sebastian and Will Young, all talents in their own right while we could get a talentless and clueless 18 year old who butchers every song he attempts! Stop and think about your actions, Joakim fans. International pride is at stake! We cannot afford a travesty like that to happen!

Anyway, album of the week goes to Christian Aguilera’s Back to Basics. A decent double album with hints of old school jazz thrown in. Nifty.

Special mention also to 3 new male troubadours : Paolo Nutini (These Streets) , Ray LaMontagne (Trouble) and James Morrison (Undiscovered). The former two are Ryan Adams-ish while the last one is the new James Blunt or the male Joss Stone (as UK Launch put it). Good stuff to chill to.

Interesting weekend

What a weekend! Started off well with a nice bout of library duty in school on Friday. Nice and peaceful and I managed to get some marking done. Some teachers are hardcore and I found myself in good company in the staff room despite it being close to 9PM!!

Anyway, the librarians, Yu Yue included, were wrapping the monitors, screens, photocopiers , etc with newspaper in view of fogging the next day. I shall invite them to wrap my Christmas presents this year. Seeing that they did such a good job with all that wrapping!

Amazing sermon in church on Sat. Thank God for his enabling for a good sermon, backed up by Janine’s God-sent (literally) testimonies. That sister has a wonderful ability that I which I had! Heb411.multiply.com for more of that, those who are interested to find out what that is. I must learn to give the glory to God. Sometimes, the putrid ego comes through. Well, no one said that Christ-likeness came in an instant

Got some work done on Sunday before going out with DARE. It was quite funny that we used to squeeze into my Mitsu and now the guys all drive their own cars (almost all). We had 3 cars for 6 people today! May we learn to car pool more often and save the earth!

grace

Met Janine today and she told me so much about God's grace. Its so scary yet there's a feeling its the right thing. Its more about being than doing in the end and that is the Christian life isn't it. Let go and let Christ in and dominate. Obedience comes through grace after all.

Buffet again

Ah. Lovely food from hanabi again. Yummy!

Mid-Age Crisis

Happy 41st Birthday Singapore!

National Day

Took an unplanned trip through the Botanic Gardens today, en route to the new Taman Serasi Hawker Center. Wow, haven't been heare in years! Its really a nice place really, only a bit too hot at times perhaps. One of the last places of refuge in our crazy urban jungle.

Waited 20 minutes for murtabak at TS Hawker Center before the hawker accidentally dropped a piece of squid into the slipper of the customer behind me!!! Hahaha!

Promethean Ceremony 2006

Promethean Ceremony 2006
Raffles Rock's 1st proper handover!!

Typical 6B craziness

Siva at RJC

He sings, teaches PE and plays a mean guitar. And he sings in mandarin too!

Festival of praise 2006

A dream

Makes my baby look bad

My baby

Somehow i have never gotten around to taking a picture of my faithful chariot till now.

Alex and Alex

David and me

Test picture

check in

Life has been back to normal for a while since term 3 started almost a month ago. The students have been their usual selves (ie. charming, irritiating, infurating, a pleasure) this term and its just rolling along now. Been really into learning about preaching better with Rick Warren's sermon CDs (watched him in person on 7th July). For a person who has spoken to the UN, NBA All-stars and Congress, he sure is humble and passionate. An inspiration indeed

ct

What a day! Being a civics tutor means way more emotional investment than ever!

update

Another update after a lonnnng while.
Life has been okay and floating along. The career's proceeding find but spiritually, I am dry lah. Seems to me that I am expected to do more than be. Sighz.

6B is their fun and crazy selves as usual. At the end of the day, will they be better people because of me? I dunno man. Its hard to say. But they are great kids all the same.

judas

Apparently there is a town in the Phillipines where they have a yearly ceremony where an effigy of Judas Iscariot is blown up by fireworks! Indeed, the guy cannot buy a break even after nearly 2000 years. Thats what I call a bad reputation.

faith

We all lack it at some point or another. We doubt, we disagree, we refuse to believe. Perhaps,we have seen cases where things did not turn out the way we wanted.

She didnt get healed
They didnt get the provision they needed
Troubling times remain

The psalmists went through these and more and they still clung onto God for sustinence. The difference? They were desperate enough the believe. Here, we banter, debate, ask and doubt. I wouldnt know why that didnt happen or God didnt seem to come through there. Its a fallen world. Does this negate my God? Only if you allow it to. Its not iron-clad scientific law. Things happen and we do not know the circumstances under which they did. When you are safe and fed, you have time to doubt. When your life is at stake, you cling on harder.

I still believe God's promises of provision, wellness, identity and purpose are there for me and I choose to claim them for my own. If you do not want to or doubt these for YOURSELF (you only know your own heart), then so be it.

update again

What an interesting day! Started with water polo finals in the morning where I witnessed one of the best shows of Rafflesian Spirit in a long while. The guys fought all the way and never said die although they were trailing. Although they lost to HCI 5-4, they reminded me of why I have been so proud to be a Rafflesian ever since I was 13. That imdomitable, can-do spirit that fights till the end was personified by Kory, Chen Kai, Pengfei et al. and they should be real proud of themselves. Cheers guys and may you bring back the gold next year!

Just watched MM Lee adress a group of journos and undergrads on the tele today. You may not agree with his politics totally but today, I was absolutely sold on his vision for Singapore. The man is nearing 83 and his intellect and memory are as sharp as ever. Not everyone will say he is a saint but here is a person who is absolutely sure of what he wants for Singapore, keeps abreast of what happens among the younger generation and is unafraid to pursue what he feels is the best vision for Singapore, even if it flies in the face of conventional liberal Western democratic ideal. I may be cyncial and skeptical at times of politics in Singapore but I was thoroughly impressed by LKY tonight. Whew, a true Rafflesian indeed...

april

Offical Opening went swell! Thanks to Dayna and the gang for putting up a great one! Its a quiet weekend as I took a break from YC and went for main svc instead. It was refreshing to have no duties for once. Went to Chinatown (?) for a look- see in the afternoon. Met the charming Austrian sausage seller. (Yummy Currywurst!) Visited the cavernous Acts Lifestyle Shop again. Got a book on Joshua. Es is back on track! Great! Praise God

return

Haha, my blogging high is gone and now I just come in occasion. Hello to all the s06bees who have found my blog. You are smart bees. Don't sting each other in your everyday interactions.

Life's has been busy, such is working life in Singapore. Enjoy your student life, kids. Things don't get much better when you grow up. Although you may get richer

rain

its been raining non-stop for the past 2 days and looks to be raining for the next 2. What a bummer

school

School commences today. Back to the grind and industriouness of it all. Its the people that make a difference I guess and this year will be a year of meeting loads of them. Cheers

happy new year

2006

A year of challenges both personal and professional. Need to stay close to God more than ever this year. Its almost a make or break year.

1

A Collision - David Crowder Band

The DC*B has been nothing but a tour de force of creative energy ever since a young David Crowder took it upon himself to write songs for university students at the Uni of Waco in Texas. Brimming with exuberance, unique imagery and a quirky take on a life of faith, A Collision starts with a take on the old Loretta Lynn song "Everyone wants to Go To Heaven", which segues into the beautiful "Come and Listen", the most plaintive song since "All That I Can Say". Highlights of this album includes Forever and Ever Etc, Wholly Yours. Do Not Move, A Beautiful Collision, etc. Open your minds to what is possible in the realm of Christian music and the DC*B won't disappoint.