Conviction

Just thought I would like to share another valuable lesson I learnt today. Today I learnt that another key factor of leading successful worship is CONVICTION. I guess it's the same whether one plays on an instrument or sings with the voice, the element of conviction is key to both personal worship and leading worship from the stage. With that in mind, I've always chosen songs I feel strongly convicted for. Although singing them from the stage with equal conviction all the time is altogether a different story.

An attentive audience will share the same unnerving anxiety with the nervous emcee, yet conversely feel at home with the witty humour from a host at ease. The situations are different, yet the principles are the same. The audience are listening.

Today if you are in a band, or hope to be in one, are your songs prayers played out from the depths of your conviction or simply musical masterpieces from the latest Christian hits? On the stage, are you preoccupied with getting those rifts right and high notes pitch perfect, rather than knowing its your heart that God sole desires, and delights in? Technical perfection aside, conviction leaves room open for God's intervention and divine power which even the most perfect play cannot bring about. For in the eyes of God, your symphonic perfection is always less than your simple conviction.

Another one.

COMPLETE THESE SENTENCES.
THE 20 SENTENCE MEME!
Tag 3 people to do the meme when completed. Oh. And NO tags backs.

Here it goes..

1. Love is: probably the most elusive thing I'll ever know.

2. I will always: be thankful I can wake up each morning.

3. Forever: doesn't last long enough for good times.

4. I never want to: with broken bones in my body.

5. My cell phone is: a Panasonic V2 but that'll change real soon.

6. When I wake in the morning: I'll always have a brief memory of the dreams that took place the previous night. But those fragments of thoughts disappear into oblivion in the next 10seconds.

7. I get annoyed at: inconsiderate people, people with no manners, people who disturb me when I'm working, people who speak too loudly, inconsiderate people, people with no manners, people who disturb me when I'm working, people who like to repeat themselves over and over and over and over and over and over again. Tsk tsk! Oh and when the weather gets too hot.

8. Parties are: expensive. Always.

9. My dog is: something I can look forward to when I do start my own family.

10. Kisses are the worst when: they don't end up on me. Kidding!

11. Today I am: thinking how much more time I'll spend on this.

12. Tonight I will: probably regret spending excessive time on this.

13. Tomorrow I will: be feeling the after effects of not sleeping early.

14. I really want: the weekend to come faster.

15. When I looked at myself in the mirror today: I get another short lived burst of motivation to lose weight.

16. I will drive my car: when COE becomes virtually free.

17. A word that rhymes with “PARK” is: Shark. Magnificent creatures. Even exotic cars are shaped after them.

18. Bright or Dark Room?: Bright room for Studying and Working. Dark room for leisure and sleeping.

19. If I’m alone in a room with two beds, I: combine the beds and maximise usage of space!

20. The last thing I said to someone was: "do all our emails bother u".. Haha :)

No victims chosen this time round. Have fun!

Thank You's

It certainly has been one of the sweetest birthdays this year round. Lots of thoughtful friends who wished me well one way or another. :)

Just in case I forgot to thank those who bought cakes/food for me, please let me thank the following ppl:

First birthday "cake" apple crumble at Marina Roof Terrace
- Dawn
- Jon
- Kevin
- Joey
- Eliz
- Nat
- Sam Choo

Second Pandan Coconut Cake in office
- Betty
- Kris
- May
- Emily
- Siang Tiong
- Chris
- York
- Ram

Dinner at Crystal Jade Plaza Sing
- Yilin
- Jon
- Jesse
- Isaac
- Caleb

Third fantabulous durian cake at my house
- Karen
- Dawn
- OCX
- Jon
- Jesse
- Kevin

Thank you all for your sweeties and foodies. I really appreciate everything! :)

Nat's mission

Rules of the game: Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end, you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tagbacks.

1) I have been using gatsby for all my hair needs over the last 8 years. Different types of gels, sprays, clays, waxes.. haven't tried rubber yet though. But I reckon they should consider my loyalty and let me do a commercial with Kimura (the handsome japanese gatsby model).

2) I tend to get the second best in things, but find myself being more blessed than the first most of the time. Like I was in contention for best trainee during army, but ended up being second and got great close friends cos I was posted to another platoon instead. Got 249 for PSLE, just 1 point away from my school of choice Rivervalley but ended up at the super ACS(I) that changed my life instead. I got 7 points for O levels, 1 point away from perfect 6. Now I've 2nd class upper honours degree, but managed to get a good job anyway. Thank God really!! :)

3) I've always imagined i've got a pair of wings behind me and they spread out when i worship God. ^||^

4) If i am very quiet, it just means i'm super tired or super angry. Not applicable during movies.

5) My childhood ambition was to be an actor, a host or a DJ.

6) Sometimes when ppl say "shit happens", i concur. Cos i've shitted in my pants once. Ooops XD

7) I've some talents that have been hidden from public for some time now. Painting, drawing, acting, mimicking, pottery, solving puzzles, computer games, team games, cheating during games, winning through cheating, monopoly.. etc

8) Getting my driving license was a dream come true since young. No explanation for it.

9) I have had 15 major crushes on girls throughout my life. Each lasting 6 months - 7 years. Yet haven't had my first girlfriend yet! Yippeee!

10) I have a soft spot for some of the weirdest things. Macdonald Chocolate milkshake, sporty adventurous girls, huge stuff toys, hammock at the beach, cocktail liquor with a night view, open top convertible cars, coffee and newspaper on a lazy sunny morning, camping in a forest void of mosquitoes, getting lost with close pals, talking on the phone for hours just before i sleep.

Now for the 6 person, i choose to continue this quiz.
Unlike nat, i shall attempt to choose with purpose:
Christine, Joey, Shalom, Eliz, Wei2, Mel.. 1 more can? Felix (if you're reading this.. remember to return me my CDs when you're done hehe)

Adapted from Our Daily Bread - July 29, 2007
Thanks to Helena for the link!

God’s Delays

READ: Habakkuk 1:12–2:3

I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me. —Habakkuk 2:1

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

Waiting is hard for me. I want answers now. Postponements perplex me; deferrals daunt me. I’m baffled by God’s delays, wondering why and when. “How long, O Lord?”

The prophet Habakkuk wanted answers as well, but God chose to take His time. “I will stand my watch . . . to see what [God] will say to me,” Habakkuk wrote (2:1). “The vision is yet for an appointed time,” God replied. “Wait for it; because it will surely come” (v.3).

Faith never gives up. It knows that despite appearances, all is well. It can wait without signs or significant indications that God is at work, because it is sure of Him. “Each delay is perfectly fine, for we are within the safe hands of God,” said Madame Guyon (1648–1717).

We too must learn to view each delay as if it were “perfectly fine.” Postponements are reasons to pray rather than grow anxious, impatient, and annoyed. They’re opportunities for God to build those imperishable but hard-to-acquire qualities of humility, patience, serenity, and strength. God never says, “Wait awhile,” unless He is planning to do something in our situation—or in us. He waits to be gracious.

So take heart! If God’s answer tarries, “Wait for it; because it will surely come.”

Soon shall the morning gild
The dark horizon rim,
Thy heart’s desire shall be fulfilled—
“Wait patiently for Him.” —Havergal

God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.

Let this be the last, Lord

TRUST in the Lord with all your heart

and LEAN NOT on your own understanding;

in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him,

and He will make your paths STRAIGHT.

- Proverbs 3: 5-6

TRUST and OBEY, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to TRUST and OBEY.

Daniel is feeling...

Stupid.

I guess it's one of those times you feel like you're not needed. The whole world can do without you and everyone will keep smiling. Haha. Oh well. :)