Christmas@Esplanade Pics

The prim and proper publicity shot....if you discount Kelvin's slightly deranged grin. haha! We were all running on adrenaline by then.



The 'crazy' shot!


The rehearsal shots. It was a beautiful collaboration...amazing how we managed to pull it off with 8 people involved! Like Andrea said, it was quite a challenge, but definiely rewarding and enjoyable.:)


Terry, our happening drummer. Such a nice guy too


Reggie, our very funky bassist, and Andrea's hubby.


myself...rehearsing the Corrinne May number


Lovely, talented Andrea on keyboards. Kudos to Andrea for being our hardworking coordinator for this gig!!!:) We appreciate ya!


Eugene the guitarist. He's the most cheerful, gd-natured guy I've met!


Kelvin, our Disclosure vocalist, mucking ard


Erm, Kelvin...STILL mucking ard. haha!



A grp of shot of ALL the vocalists- Dehui, myself, Kelvin, and Shu-Lyn from 5@play.

SHOUT

"Shout, shout, let it all out, these are the things I can do without
Come on, I'm talking to you, come on
Shout, shout, let it all out, these are the things I can do without
Come on, I'm talking to you, come on"
- 'Shout' by Tears for Fears

Useless Nuggets of Information

1) I hate my room now...it's in a huge mountain of a mess. There are Christmas cards, scores, MDs, CDs, chocs, waterbottles scattered all over. And I have weeks of student grading to catch-up on. n basically, I can't be bothered to tidy it up.

2) I desperately feel like playing pool....and "Hungry Hungry Hippo".HA! Mindless violence.

3) I wish I had more money to buy everyone Christmas pressies!:)

4) I do not like pple who sugarcoat/make empty talk. If you say you love me, you will do what you promise. :p

5) I realize that I love receiving and giving hugs. haha! Gives me the WAFFs!! (Warm And Fuzzy Feelings)

Yes....in case you're wondering, Moomoo is going slightly loony tonite.

Dreams

God remembers our dreams...even when we forget them.
That's what I learnt over the Christmas wkend, during my Esplanade gig. I remember telling God many years ago, that I just wanted to sing for Him...to touch people in song.

Well,I had the amazing privilege of singing the closing song "Psalm 139" for "Phoebe's Gift"...an evangelical Christmas musical, put up by FCBC in 2002. That was around the time when I made that prayer...and realized that God could use me to touch lives with my voice.

The next year,I joined Believer Music...and that made my calling more concrete. It's been about 2 1/2 years at BMI already...and it's been a real blessing, knowing that God has used me as a vessel, to help others to worship better in song. Friendships with students have blossomed as a result too!:)

However, along the way....due to my constant insecurity over my voice, class overload, voice fatigue and bouts of sickness....i really started to doubt my ability to sing. And well, I started to shy away from singing (whenever possible), and I kinda lost the joy in singing!

Then, came along the Christmas@Esplanade gig. Honestly, I wasn't really expecting much from it...cos it was a pretty last min decision to go ahead with it, and I didn't expect my band Disclosure to be featured much (thought we wld just come in for like 2 songs). Also, I was so tired from work to fully enjoy it.

Anyway, after all the rehearsals, I started to re-discover the joys of the gigging experience. haha! Some of it came from the therapeutic experience of making music, expressing myself thru the music....but most fulfilling of all, was the experience of making new friends, and strengthening bonds with old friends. :)

For those of you who made it down to the Esplanade last nite, you would know that I sang Corrinne May's "If you didn't love me". I'm so glad I chose that song, because it's really meaningful and appropriate for Christmas. It's reflective and it makes you question what's really impt in life, what truly matters...and that allowed me to share a bit about God's love during our sets! Wow, cool rite? Being able to testify at a secular venue!

The sets went pretty well...sure there were mistakes by all of us, but it doesn't really matter, it happens. :) God taught me that it's not so much about hitting all the right notes, but about communicating and making a heartfelt, expressive statement with our music. Afterall, that's why we all love music right? Cos it moves us. Still, it was not an easy lesson for a perfectionist like me to learn. I'm usually super harsh with myself if i 'zao sia'/ 'crack'.

So there I was, a jittery mess before the gig...trying to get past my insecurities, and let loose, to have an enjoyable experience.
I made an impt prayer before the gig, that God would somehow use me to touch hearts with that song...even if it was just ONE soul, that would be enough.

In the end, I had a real gd time singing my song, despite some minor mistakes. Andrea's sensitive playing, her ability to flow with me helped tremendously of course! :) Singing it during the last set was particularly memorable....felt really free to express myself, and I was so moved thinking about the love I've received from close ones ard me, and esp. from God...that I was getting tingles, and fighting bk tears at the end of the song.

In addition, what fueled that performance, was a season of broken-ness for me...that is always a reminder of my vulnerability, and my reliance on God. I remember when I sang for Phoebe's Gift in 2002, I was going through a heart-breaking period as well. I told Eunice tdy, that God likes to make me sing songs that will make pple cry during Christmas....but before I sing it, i have to be broken first, so that it comes from a real place. Haha!

Well, eventually the feedback from the band/ friends/ mbers of the audience was very positive and encouraging as well. I feel really blessed to know that they were touched by it! Joanne (Dehui's wife) said she got goosebumps...wah! Kelvin, my fellow Disclosure band mber and backing vocalist for that song, said he wanted to cry! He hardly cries lah...so that means the world to me!

On a whole, this gig has been very inspiring and healing....learning that 'hey, i can sing afterall'! Thank you Jesus...for Your encouragement, Your tender love,for surrounding me with so many 'angels in disguise' (that's you my friend!), and for using me, remembering my dream.

Lately, a few people have been reminding me to further that dream. Jenny and Eunice have told me that they can imagine me writing my own songs. (Eunice also pointed out that I was singing at the same venue at our beloved Corrinne May. haha! Really dream come true.)Well, let's pray that my song-writing skills improve then. haha! Cos right now, I don't think much of my songs.

I'll end with a shout-out to:
===============================
1)everyone who came down- appreciate you making your way down on Christmas day!! :) Your support means a lot. For those of you who cldn't make it, but sent encouraging smses...thank you as well!

2)the fantastic mbers of 5@play and Disclosure: I couldn't ask for a better time with you guys! :) It was sooooo much fun, so fulfilling, so heart-warming to share the stage with you all on CHRISTMAS DAY!! Divine appointment or what? I truly treasure our friendships....you all mean the world to me. Thanks for your constant encouragement and for being there for me!

George: We missed having you on stage with us for this gig, but you certainly made your presence felt with the hilarious "CRACK SOME JOKES LAH" shout-outs from the audience. I love you bro! haha!

I'm so looking fwd to our Disclosure reunion on 13th Jan at Timbre. hee!

Angels

"The diffrense from a person and an angel is easy.
Most of an angel is in the inside and most of a person is on the outside." (These are the words of a six-yr old Anna)
-from " Mister God, This is Anna" by Fynn

As the truth behind this statement sinks in, may it give you the *tingles*....and cause you to realize that all of us have a touch of divinity within us.

Flood my Soul.....

"Rumours of another World" by Philip Yancey:
============================================

"Simone Weil says, a poet encounters beauty by intensely fixing attention on something real. So does a lover. Can I do something similiar in the inner life, with God? I need not always search for new insights, new truths: 'The most commonplace truth when it floods the WHOLE SOUL, is like a revelation."

"The goal of contemplation is to see life as God sees it, a unity of two worlds and not a division. That encompasses both a lifetime of practice and rare, single flashes of revelation."

"If you can live through a moment, you can live through a day, and how you live a day is eventually how you live your life."

"Perfect are the good desires you have given me", prayed Blaise Pascal; "Be their End, as you have been their Beginning". (from "The Mind on Fire")

Christmas@Esplanade

Hi folks, as you know I'm involved in a gig this Christmas at the Esplanade. We are calling it "5@play meets Disclosure" as it's a combination of 2 bands (Andrea and Reggie's jazz/funk/R&B band, and my own acoustic pop-rock band). You can expect a mix of Christmas carols, and some pop-rock/ acoustic numbers.

I must say, it's such a blessing and privilege to have this platform on CHRISTMAS!! Praise God!

Do come down and see us if you can make it!! Would really love to spend Christmas with you guys. *winkz* (and let me know if u are coming ya?) Oh yeah,and if you saw my band at the last Esplanade gig, do know that Disclosure is gonna sound way better with the help of 5@play now. haha!

So here are the details:

5@play meets Disclosure:
==========================
25 Dec (Sun)
Outdoor Theatre (Free)
Time: 7.30-8.15pm
8.45-9.30pm
10 -10.30pm

Each set will probably be slightly different....so I'll update when I get more details.

Andrea: I SO enjoyed singing "If you didn't love me" with you playing so beautifully and sensitively on the keys!! Wow, I really FELT it...was trying to hold bk the tears. You're superb!! :)
It's such a waste my MD player went nuts and erased ALL my recordings from tonite's rehearsals. Arghh!!

Here are more pics from tdy's rehearsal. Aside from the horrid MD player going nuts incident....I must say I had such a fun time! The joking around, dancing, super 'kena' music moments etc. The music making was a much needed avenue of release for me...it was all gd, despite occasionally getting spit on by Mr Kelvin Yee. Tsk tsk! haha!

Happy Sydney Memories

A sunny moment in the garden behind our Blut Mts Cottage



The NSW library...or 'heaven' for me. It's one of those old, traditional libraries...Victorian Architecture, HIGH stacks of bks, with ladders!!! *sigh*

"If You Didn't Love Me"

A beautiful song, that reminds us that love is our fuel, our true driving force. The world would indeed be a dark and dismal place if we didn't have the love of our God, and our friends/family.

(for the audio of this song, go to http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music)

"If You Didn't Love Me"
=========================
Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and Carole King. Music by Corrinne May.

If every drop of water disappeared from the land
And every drop of ocean suddenly turned to sand
That would all be nothing
Compared to what I'd feel
If you didn't love me

What if I woke up and couldn't hear a sound
And all that I could see was darkness all around
That would still be nothing
Compared to what I'd feel
If you didn't love me

If I could have the world and all that money could buy
And I could travel far beyond the moon and the sky
If they gave me golden wings
well I still couldn't fly
Without you, nothing would matter

You and I walk beside each other day after day
But there's so much inside me, I never get to say
My life would be so empty
With nothing left to feel
If you didn't love me
If you didn't love me

"Cloud Nine"

That's the name of this lovely cupcake I think, from "Toast" cafe (2 branches: at Taka, and Raffles Place). Its a cream cheese and coconut cupcake. I simply adore the rainbow sprinkles!! Doesn't the precious sight of it make you smile with child-like delight? Thanks Funky Aaron for getting not one, but TWO of my favourites cupcakes to cheer me up!

Music on Multiply

Hey folks! I've posted some music on my Multiply site...including the acoustic Rick Price songs. Enjoy!!! :)

http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

A Million Miles...(Rick Price)

I've been listening to Rick Price's acoustic bonus cd, from his 2003 album "A Million Miles". Yeah, remember that fella? All of us went crazy over 'Heaven Knows' in secondary sch. So nostalgic sia? heh! Just bought that CD from Gramaphone tdy...cos i was searching for acoustic songs for the Esplanade Christmas gig.

It's an incredible acoustic CD...featuring the kind of music I love the most. Just beautiful, sensitive vocals and a guitar...if the song works in that stripped down format, it must be a great song! (and Sting agrees to that as well)

Some of the tracks on the CD are 'Fragile', 'Walk away Renee', 'Heaven knows' and 'If you were my baby' (probably featuring this in our gig). I know it seems a tad cheesy and dated...but these tracks are different from the studio versions. It's almost like hearing Rick Price live!! I let Bernice listen to it just now...and we both agreed that the songs sounded so PURE, and he delivers them with such heart-breaking sensitivity (better than the studio/ radio versions).

My heart went to pieces lah when I heard his songs.....was melting and about to burst into tears in front of my office PC. It's been a long time since a song did that for me! Now that's music....it should touch and move the soul. None of that crap we hear on the radio these days....(eg. Madonna's latest single. some thrashy dance track. *rolls eyes*)

I'll try and upload the Rick Price mp3s onto Multiply, so everyone can enjoy it.

Thank you for the music

I was quite wiped out by grading and lesson planning this week...falling sick AGAIN. haha! Like how many times can I fall sick rite? But anyway, the rehearsal I had tdy with my band "Disclosure" and Andrea's band "5@play" (for our Christmas day gig at Esplanade) was really refreshing and therapeutic! I had forgotten how amazing the gigging/ jamming experience cld be.

The company mattered a lot of course...it was great fun to be hanging out and laughing with my buddies. Andrea and her band are SUCH gifted musicians too, which really make them such a blast, a joy to work with!

Andrea: Our Disclosure songs "What's going on" and "Freedom'90" have turned out so amazingly cool in the hands of your band!!! :) I keep re-playing the MD recording.

Today, I also found out that there is a funky riff from a song called 'The Chicken' by Pee Wee Ellis (thanks George for the info). And I don't think it's from 'Chicken Little' soundtrack. The Disclosure vocalists were very surprised to find out there was really such a song! haha! Reggie, our bassist is using part of the bass line in the interlude for "What's going on".

Anyway, I just wanted to say to the Disclosure and 5@play guys....thank you for the brilliant music folks!! You rock!! :)

Here's a pic of Kelvin (Disclosure vocalist) and Terry (the drummer hidden behind) in our spacious studio (with our own couch, n personal ensuite toilet too) I know it doesn't exactly look like we're having a crazy time in tt pic...but I only had time for tt one photo. :p

Paying Attention

- Excerpts from "Rumours of another world" by Philip Yancey

"As a start, I aim to make daily life sacramental, which means literally to keep the sacred (sacra) in mind (mental). In other words, I seek a mindfulness- a mind full- of God's presence in the world. I have no desire to escape the natural world, the pattern of gnostics, desert monks, and fundamentalists who flee 'worldliness.' Nor do I deny the supernatural, the error of the reducers. Rather, I want to bring the two together, to reconnect life into the whole that God intended.

This world, all of it, either belongs to God, or it does not...

Blaise Pascal, who achieved renown both for his mathematics and his devotional writings, suggests an approach of seeing the natural world as a foreshadowing of the supernatural. 'He has done in the boundaries of nature what He would do in those of grace, in order that we might judge that He could make the invisible, since He made the visible excellently.' Beauty abounds in nature: a collection of seashells, the castoff excretions of lowly mollusks, is probably the most beautiful artwork in my home. And I need only read the Psalms to realize that God wants us to love and honour him through the creation, not apart from it.

Celtic spirituality speaks of 'thin places' where the natural and supernatural worlds come togeher at their narrowest, with only a thin veil between them. I have visited places where nature's works speak loudly of their Creator: bald eagles and beluga whales in Alaska, coral and tropical fish on the Great Barrier Reef off Australia, exotic birds and butterflies at Angel Falls in Venezuela, seashells on the beaches of Kenya. One day i realized with a start that God 'sees' all the wonders of the earth at all times. Not only does God see them, God is their source, and each reveals something of their Creator.

"Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will sense them," writes Annie Dillard. "The least we can do is try to be there."

A night out at "Timbre"

Yesterday was really 'family day' for me. haha! I spent the entire day with my Aunt and cousins from Sabah. (was so fun hanging out with them, cos they're such a tight-knit family, and they're all really humourous and fun-loving as well)

We 'attacked' (or rather THEY) Orchard rd in the afternoon, then we had a big family dinner with my parents/ grandparents/ sis etc. It was also their last nite in Singapore before returning to Sabah, so I thought I should spend more time with my cousins, who seldom drop by.

So after dinner, I brought my cousins Aeron and Candy (20 and 21 yrs old respectively) to Chijmes and Timbre. It felt really nice to bring them around to these places cos they would never get to discover them otherwise....by just tagging after their parents tt is. Furthermore, in Miri, M'sia...their university town, they hardly have any nice dining/ chill-out/music places to hang out at.

I was really glad that they enjoyed Chijmes and Timbre so much, and that we had a great time just hanging out together over drinks and superb music (without the adults too!! haha!). They were taking pics, to send mms-es to their frens bk home..and recording the music on their handphones. haha! Anyway, I really loved tt 'family bonding' session. :) We discovered that we all adored acoustic music too!

"Ngak and Eric" were playing last nite, and I must say they are a very gd acoustic outfit! The lead singer has a beautiful voice, very well controlled too. Plus they do pretty funky and creative arrangements. I am so going back again on Fri nites! Hopefully my 'Disclosure' band mbers can join me too.

25

Last week I turned 25 on the 25th Nov.:) What a milestone!
I started the wee hours of 25th Nov with God....the best person to start my bday with of course. It's always special...connecting with your Maker on your birthday. Was praying and just thanking Him for watching over me, taking care of me, placing His hand over me all these yrs. Somehow, Psalm 139 always seems perfect on such an occasion...

"For You have formed my inward parts;
You have covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well." -Psalm 139: 13-14-

Later in the day, I had 3 separate celebrations with friends and family. And throughout the day, the phonecalls/ smses kept coming! Some even from students...I can't believe they remembered and even SANG for me. haha! So sweet and touching lah. It was truly a heart-warming day!

Thanks to everyone for making it such a special and enjoyable day....I was pleasantly surprised by the flood of birthday wishes/ songs/prayers/ pressies etc. You guys are a blessing, and your gestures, company and friendship mean so much to me!! :) I love you too...

Here are some pictures from my birthday lunch at Modesto's...with Bernice and Andrea. It was our first time there...and we had a lovely time I must say! Lovely Al Fresco dining...excellent Italian fd that we had....wood-fire pizza, pasta and a huge plate of calamari. Servings were huge and that meal pretty much ruined my appetite for the rest of the day. haha! Which was a pity, cos my family whipped up a huge, delicious meal for me.

Pammy my love, sorry you were sick and couldn't come. We WILL go there again! :)









Ok folks, start saving up...cos this is what I want for my birthday next yr! haha!

Alrite...i'm just kidding, this is Tammy...the pretty horse I rode in Blue Mountains, Sydney. Doesn't she look like a gal?



beaming away beside my horse...
Why are these Sydney shots suddenly appearing in this birthday post? Well....cos i've been missing Sydney again. heh! Plus Eunice sent me 3 CD-Roms worth of photos that we took there.



this is my 'jockey shot'...according to Eunice. haha!

The letters of Kevin Molecule- "Anointed Worship Leader"

Ok...so I am kinda 'cheating' by posting what is essentially Andrea's blog entry here. (hope u dun mind Andrea! considering I can't get a hold of the bk myself)Haha! But these excerpts she has posted from Nick Page's bk "Now we're moving into a time of nonesense" (i think tt's the title) are really SOOOOOOOOO hilarious. The guy is Brit btw...hence the irreverent sense of humour.

He actually makes really sharp observations/comments on the current "praise and worship" scene....see if you can catch them from his 'letters' below. hahahaha! I can't stop laughing man...

===================================================================

The following are excerpts from letters written by a certain Mr Kevin Molecule of 27a Cinderpile Crescent, Stoke Poges, to Mr Dave Davey, Songs of Dwellingness Ministries, Briglimpton, Sussex...

Mr Molecule's songs are particularly interesting, so I've included all of them here. Excellent stuff, you know. All these letters come at the end of every chapter and illustrate the argument Page is making there. If you'd like a teaser, see if you can figure out what Page might be getting at in each chapter. Better still, try singing some of these words!


Dear Mr Davey,

I am an anointed worship leader in my church - the Stoke Poges Strict Tabernacle - and I notice that you are responsible for collecting and publishing worship songs, both in your Songs of Dwellingness Books and for the annual Summer Reaping conferences...

...You will find the song on the enclosed CD as performed by our worship band:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
We glorify the Lamb once slain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
We enter into the land all over again.
Build a great big throne with our worship,
Help us to live in resurrection power;
And you will reign
Like a bride ordained,
For our anointed consummating hour.

Repeat
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, etc.

I hope this is of interest to you. Any advice, criticism gratefully received, although you ought to be aware that I have been anointed so any criticism of me will, technically, be criticising God.

With deep humility,
Kevin Molecule
Worship Leader


Dear Mr Davey,

Yes, I do have some more worship songs...And I find that I can pretty much churn them out at the drop of a hat. I've only got to open my Bible these days and the song just leaps out at me!...

...My dad is a bit of a hymn freak and he keeps going on at me about how great all hymns are and how rubbish the electric guitar is. But I tell him that we're in a new world now. Out with the old! In with the new!...

...Anyway, here's one that the Lord gave to me this morning on the way to work:

God is doing new things,
All the time;
Shiny new wineskins
With shiny new wine.
A new anointing,
And new words to speak,
I really hope my wineskin
Will never spring a leak.

Oh, heal our leaky wineskins,
Restore our dried out lakes
We want to feel your Spirit,
When the waters break.

I played this to my Dad and I think he was really moved. At any rate, he had to rush out of the room suddenly. Mum said it was his age, but I think he was responding to my anointingness...


Dear Mr Davey,

...I've tried to...keep [the songs] simple and not let the words get in the way of the worship. Let the music do the job. I don't think people need to think in worship; they need to feel.

Anyway, in the light of that, here is my latest outpouring. It's a simple chant that will just let the emotions do their work:

Isn't he holy? I reckon he is.
His holiness fills every minute.
He's holy and holy; oh holy is he,
God is pure holiness, innit?

Chorus:
He's so holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy, etc. (Repeat until blessed)

With deep reflection,
Kevin Molecule


Dear Mr Davey,

Here's my latest. I've gone for a deliberately funky, up-to-the-minute feel on this. In fact, when I perform this song live, I also bung in a rap section:

Ooh you are so good,
I'm gonna clap my hands,
I just wanna praise you
And conquer heathen lands.
You're so amazing
Your love will never die
Come on everybody!
Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai!

Chorus:
Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai, etc.

With deep joy,
KM


Hi Dave,

...When it comes to words, well, I don't really have any influences - other than the Bible of course! It's more a thing about inspiration isn't it?...

Like with the following song...I hardly had to rewrite a line. What a blessing!

I am entering the land yet again
To see your face veiled in majesty
Standing in my garments of righteousness
Holy wind of God, blow on me.
I come before you now,
Standing humbly on my knees;
I will trust in you
You're my rock in stormy seas
Refine me like the potter and his clay,
Like the deer pants for the water,
I want you to 'light the fire again'.
I'm doing what I oughter.

See if you can spot all the contradictions and inconsistencies in the above offering.


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


This one's a real winner...


We will march into the land
With our two-edged sword in hand
But hold it by the handle 'cos it's safer.
I see the Lamb seated on the throne,
And his train,
Once again
Fills the temple with glory!

Terrible as an army with sandals,
We glorigy in the Lamb once slain.
Refine me in your crucible for silver and for gold
And his train,
Of the slain
Once again
Fills the temple with glory!

He is the only one
Who every bore our pain
So take now our grain offering
And his train
Of the slain
With their grain
In their pain
Once again
Fills the temple with glory!

With deep mercy,
KM

Now, here's my favourite, complete with footnotes for each line too! See if you can make sense of what each line means. I'll post the footnotes later ;)


Benaiah-like I face the snowy lions, oh God (2 Sam 23:20 - 21)
Stepping in the sand-marks where you trod
I don't care if it makes me odd,
I want to hunt like Nimrod, (Gen 10:8-9)
In Gaza, Gath and Ashdod (Josh 11:22)
Where Dagon falls right down on the floor before my God (1 Sam 5:5)
Don't let me be like Ichabod (1 Sam 4:21)
And don't let me be like King Herod
But in my old clothes, washed in the blood,
I want to stand where you have stod.

Chorus:
Oh Lord, don't let us miss the appointment,
When we receive your big annointment


Kevin's new CD, The man who put the 'hip' in worship', is currently available on Songs of Dwellingness Records. Kevin has receintly left the Stoke Poges Relaxed Tabernacle and is currently Worship-Prophet at Stoke Poges Far Out Tabernacle. He is a regular worship leader at Spring Bounce, Blackbelt and the Soul Revolver festivals

What are we missing?

"Endless invention, endless experiment,
Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness...
Where is the Life we have lost in living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?" -T.S Eliot-


"I once heard the missionary author Elisabeth Elliot tell of accompanying the Auca woman Dayuma from her jungle home in Ecuador to New York City. As they walked the streets, Elliot explained cars, fire hydrants, sidewalks, and red light. Dayuma's eyes took in the scene, but she said nothing. Elliot next led her to the observation platform atop the Empire State Building, where she pointe out the tiny taxi cabs and people on the streets below. Again, Dayuma said nothing. Elliot could not help wondering what kind of impression modern civilzation was making. Finally, Dayuma pointed to a large white spot on the concrete wall and asked, 'What bird did that?' At
last she had found something she could relate to."
- Philip Yancey, " Rumours of another world"-

"There is a Higher Throne"

This post is for Audrey (who loves the song n requested for the lyrics) and for Ed (whom i think will appreciate the lyrics)! :)

We sing this song quite often in ARPC...and I've really grown to love it. It was so apt when we had our series on Revelation, the language and imagery painted here is just so powerful (all inspired by Rev!). And when the whole congregation sings it together, it's really...WOW...can move u to tears! (esp. the beautiful chorus!!)

Such a heart-warming affirmation of the hope we're clinging on to...our God who will come to save the day! We just need to hang on to His promises.


THERE IS A HIGHER THRONE
===========================
There is a higher throne
Than all the world has known
Where sons of God from every tongue
Will one day come
Before the Son we'll stand
Made faultless through the Lamb
Believing hearts find promised grace
Salvation comes

Chorus:
Hear Heaven's voices sing
Their thunderous anthem rings
Through emerald courts and sapphire skies
Their praises rise
All glory wisdom power
Strength thanks and honour are
To God our King who reigns on high
Forever more

And there we'll find our home
Our life before the throne
We'll honour Him in perfect song
Where we belong
He'll wipe each tear-stained eye
As thirst and hunger die
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King
We'll reign with Him

The people I love....

I had a really fun, lovely wkend. It was really great meeting up with all me buddies...Jon on Sat at Holland V (I'm so glad u liked the 'White Fang' bk, and tt it reminded u of childhood memories), my FCBC vocalists on Sun!! It was sooooo much fun! I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Gosh, u guys are really family lor...like Teck (aka 'Mr Zhng') said in his sms. :) We've been thru so much together man! *sobz* I truly love and treasure each one of u!

Thanks Winnie for inviting us over! :) Your parents must really think we're an insane bunch. Next time must play mahjong k??? haha!



The 2 November babies...me and the wacky Stephanie! We both gave each other bks for bday pressies...haha! Lit students eh?



Moo Moo and Babu/ "Mr Zhng his car"! Wah...i still remember when we first started the the FCBC youth vocalist team ard 2000, both of us were in the same team. We've been thru a lot since then. That day, he tried to take photos for us with my phone, but his hand cannot make it...always shake. Haiz..haha! But its ok, altho you very bad at taking photos, we still love u!



Shirley,Jo and me. Thank u for your lovely "Origins" pack dear sisters!



This is Shujun who was supposed to go to Sydney with me n Eunice. We planned the NZ trip in 2002 i believe....cos we were all going thru seriously tough times, and needed a holiday to escape.

God is greater than my heart! (1 John 3:20)

A very powerful extract from Henri Nouwen's bk "Intimacy". Pls pls, spend some time reading it!! It blew me away when I read it in Sydney....really frees you and changes your mindset. But the lesson behind this extract is definitely going to be an on-going journey....

The Possibility of Love:
=========================
Is love a utopian dream or a possibility within our reach?

How often is the intimate encounter of two persons and expression of their total freedom? Many people are driven into each other's arms in fear and trembling. They embrace each other in despair and loneliness. They cling to each other to prevent worse things from happening. Their sleep together is only an expression of their desire to descape the threatening world, to forget their deep frustration, to ease for a minuate the unbearable tensino of a demanding society, to experience some warmth, protection, and safety. Their privacy does not create a place where they both can grow in freedom and share their mutual discoveries, but a fragile shelter in a storming world.

But can it be anything else, we wonder, if the only real and final solution to life is death. If we don't know where we come from or where we are going, if life is a trembling little flame between two darknesses, if we are thrown into this existence only to be swallowed by it, then being secure seems more pathological than real....With an irrestible strength, the voice breaks through the vicious cycle of our existence saying:

"Let us love one another since love comes from God...(1 John 4:7). In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love: because to fear is to expect punishment, and anyone who is afraid is still imperfect in love (1 John 4:18). (But) GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART (1 John 3:20). We have to love, because he loved us first (1 John 4:19)."

What else does this mean besides the redeeming revelation that love IS a possibility? Perhaps the best definition of revelation is the uncovering of the truth that it is safe to love. The walls of our anxiety, our anguish, our narrowness are broken down and a wide endless horizon is shown. "We have to love, because he loved us first." It is safe to embrace in vulnerability because we both find ourselves in loving hands. It is safe to be available because someone told us that we stand on solid ground. It is safe to surrender because we will not fall into a dark pit but enter a welcoming home. It is safe to be weak because we are surrounded by a creative strength.

To say and live this is a new way of knowing. We are not surrounded by darkness but by light. The sign of love is the sign of weakness: A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. That is the glory of God, the peace of the world and the good will of all men.

I could not find any other language than this to express that love has become a possibility. If there is a need for a new morality it is the morality which teaches us the fellowship of the weak as a human possibility. Love then is not a clinging to each other in the fear of an oncoming disaster but an encounter in a freedom that allows for the creation of new life. This love cannot be proved. We can only be invited to it and find it to be true by an engaging response. As long as we experience the Christian life as a life which puts restrictions on our freedom of expression, we have perverted and inverted its essence.

The core message of Christianity is exactly this message of the possibility of transcending the taking form of our human existence. The main witness of this message is Jesus who in the exposure of his total vulnerability broke through the chains of death and found his life by losing it. He challenges us to face our fellow man without fear and to enter with Him in the fellowship of the weak, knowing that it will not bring destruction but creation, new energy, new life, and- in the end- a new world.

Afterglow

Heya! Here's an update of me life...

1) I'm feeling sick again...well, I don't think I've ever fully recovered actually. Not a pleasant feeling...pretty frustrating. Add on to that cramps/ headaches/ grouchiness...(yah lah, tt time of the mth! ha!)

Some of the simple comforts I indulge in during this period (pun NOT intended)....a warm cup of Marks n Spencer's Acacia honey (supermkt brands cannot make it) and Marks n Spencer's "Milk Chocolate Digestive Biscuits". Yeah....warm n fuzzy food! :)

2) Suffering from Sydney hang-over. Or mebbe it's just plain ol' escapism, which is very me lah. I've been fantasizing about taking a long long break from my job...and going to Sydney to chill out for a few mths. Perhaps go there and work in a 2nd-hand/ antique/ rare bookshop like "Berkelouw Books" (they've been ard since 1812 wor!) or even in one of those old, traditional libraries!!

I think it's such a fabulous idea! LOL! Being surrounded by books gives me such a thrill....all that knowledge, history, culture...oohh *chills*. Yes...I know I sound like such a geek now. haha! I love this pic from Eunice's blog....really captures my love affair with all things literary! Thanks Eunice for the collage!



The blue John Donne bk ("Poems of Love") that I'm holding up there...is my prized discovery from a 2nd-hand Sydney bkshop. So beautiful rite? Esp. the intricate silver cross pattern.


3) Hanging out with my Aunt and cousins from Sabah. (yes, the Sabah-hans are in town...and taking Orchard rd by storm. haha!) I love my paternal family man. They've really been a source of joy, encouragement, support and unconditional love. :)

I remember when I was in Uni...my Dad was retrenched...and i was broke, no pocket money. My aunts came along and helped me out financially. As it turned out, I got richer when THEY supplied me with pocket money...as compared to what my dad used to give me. Ironical eh? But yeah...they're generous like dat. *sobz*



That's me and my Aunt Rena...having a cuppa and tonnes of sinful ice-cream at Haagen Daaz.



That's my naughty cousin Sabrina...only 14 yrs old i believe...and she's towering over me already. Some pple have all the right genes. Sheesh!

4)My lesson of the week...after a pretty difficult wk. "God is my safety net". I can't protect myself from every single 'fall'/ hurt....sometimes u just gotta let go, and be prepared to be vulnerable. At the end of the day...God's gonna catch me if I fall.

Having said that...I've also learnt that we need each other in this journey. So many things have happened to me and my friends in the past wk....and it's so touching to see the ways in which we stand by each other (even in the midst of our own struggles), and touch each other's lives. Wow...the Word of God is so true...

"Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17


5) Listening and watching Sarah McLachlan CDs/ DVDs. I think i'm falling in love with her lor. She blows me away! She is so captivating...her voice is so arresting, haunting and her lyrics are soooo sensitive and beautiful. I wish I could write like her....look at what she said to describe her latest album "Afterglow":

"When you look up Afterglow in the dictionary, it is defined as 'the glow or light that remains once the sun is gone'. You're used to this bright, shiny beautiful glow but the moment the sun disappears, all of a sudden you have to readjust everything. It's a very transitional moment. A lot of these songs are about transition...the turning over of the rock, what's underneath, the murky, shadowy uncertainty where everything looks very different."
- Sarah McLachlan

This is my fav track from her album "Afterglow"...and she mentions on her website that it is her fav song as well:

"'Answer' is one of my favorites", she admits, smiling broadly. "It's a total 'two o'clock in the morning, whispered in your ears' headphone track. That's always been my thing, feeling the very essence of a song. I have to be able to break it down and still feel its strength acoustically on piano or guitar. If the essence is strong, you can do whatever you want with it, it'll still be good. "

Very poignant song...and the honesty, the sense of fragile hope in the lyrics are just heart-breaking.


Answer (Sarah McLachlan)
===========================

I will be the answer at the end of the line
I will be there for you while you take the time
In the burning of uncertainty I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance if you cant look down

If it takes my whole life I wont break I wont bend
Itll all be worth it worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
that I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
youll still be burning so bright

Cast me gently into morning
For the night has been unkind
Take me to a place so holy
That I can wash this from my mind
The memory of choosing not to fight

If it takes a whole life I wont break I wont bend
Itll all be worth it worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
And when the stars have all burned out
Youll still be burning so bright
Cast me gently into morning for the night has been unkind

Doxology

There is something very powerful, and comforting about this well-known Doxology. It's just 4 lines....but singing it in the stillness of my room at night, was quite stirring. Reminded me of many generations of Christians who have sung it...and were reminded of His faithfulness. Indeed, we come from a heritage of faith. And present and future generations of Christians, will continue to be blessed by this Doxology as well.

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

"Sing (Your Love)"

This has been a ministering song of late....esp. before I start my classes. Sometimes I feel so tired/ stressed/ defeated (doesn't help i've been sick for a few wks), that I just don't wanna teach/ sing....but this song is a good reminder why I'm doing it in the first place.

Romans 8:38-39
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

===================================================================
"Sing (Your Love)"
(by Reuben Morgan)

It used to be darkness
Without You
I lived my life in blindness
But now I'm found

Chorus:
And I sing...sing
I love You so
And I sing
Because the world can't take away Your love

You found me in weakness
...Broken
You came to me in kindness
And now I live

Bridge:
And I give my life for You Lord
For all You've done

Birthday Wish List

It's that time of the year again....no, I don't mean Christmas, but my BIRTHDAY! I'll be turning 25 on the 25th Nov. How cool is tt?? Once in a life-time leh.:p haha! *so thick-skinned i know* But you'll thank me for this...because it's practical, and it'll save you a lot of headache. It's my birthday wish list! :)

So give it a read, and if you like/ if you think it makes your life easier, go ahead and choose something from the list (i still welcome surprise gifts of course!). Might be good to let me know you intend to get it too...sekali I get repeat items. :) Oh yes...there are items of varying budgets here too. heh! Thanks ah! :)

1) Clip-on booklight (yes, i seriously need this for work)
2) Hillsong "God He Reigns" DVD
3) Tangs Voucher (i need to get my Stila 'Creme Bouquet' Perfume...but it'll bust your budget. So a voucher wld suffice)
4) Adidas bag (wotever size. i just luv this brand.)
5) Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis. (the entire series)
6) Metropolitan Museum of Art stuff ( i ADORE their jewellery...only get if they hv something affordable. they do hv promotions sometimes)
7) Origins face/ skincare pdts (except lipsticks/glosses)
8) "Spot" the dog, plush toy (he normally appears in a little bag accompanied with a tiny story-bk during the yr end period. hehe!)
9) "Friends" the FINAL season VCD series
10) Funky guitar strap for my acoustic guit, Lex. (he's black btw)
11) "Ex Libris" bookplates (ask Kinokuniya staff to show u. They're kinda like vintage stickers u paste in ur bks...for u to write ur name on)

Sydney pics!!!

"How ya goin'??" Haha! That's Aussie for "Hi, how are you?"
Anyway, yes...i've been back from Sydney for abt a week already. I know many of you have asked me to blog and post pics from my trip. Well, I've been so tired and bz that I haven't had time to get down to it. I still kinda am....but just to do a quick summary....I had a wonderful, great time! :)

Sydney's a really pretty city. The short stay in the Blue Mountains (we had a cozy cottage there), and the horse-riding was simply a dream. **wide, nostlagic grin** I will probably blog more on tt in time...for now, do make do with these photos from my phone. hehe! They capture just SOME of the highlights from my trip.

I'm still waiting for dear Eunice to edit our professional camera pics. I'll put those in a nice online album for you guys to view.



Starting with this pic of me in a gorgeous 2nd hand/ antique bk-shop. I dragged Eunice to quite a few...and we spent A LOT of time in bk-shops! haha! Can you see the glee in my eyes? I was like in heaven there lor.The total damage was 14 bks.....yupz, most of the space in my luggage was taken up by bks.



Having a BBQ at Bondi Beach....lovely, blue ocean to gaze at there.



sausages, kebabs and garlic bread!



The Museum of Contemporary Art, situated opp the Sydney Opera House.
Nice place to pple watch...a lot of pple were just sitting on the grass, chatting and having their lunch.



The Sydney Harbour Bridge.



The mandatory "yes, i've been there" Sydney Opera House shot. haha! It was incredibly windy that day as you can see.



Beautiful stained glass in St Mary's Cathedral, one of the biggest/ oldest churches in Sydney. We were lucky enough to catch a wedding in progress when we visited. I was quite moved by the ceremony....the bible reading etc. Quite awe-inspiring...being in a place with so much history, heritage.



Amazing architecture with the grand columns, arches, domes etc....everything is pointing heavenwards!



Confession booths



A quote which was engraved on the wall of the State Library of NSW. It was one of those old, traditional libraries with super high stacks of bks,...n antique bks too! *heaven again*

The quote was by Carlyle:
" In books lies the soul,
of the whole past time
The articulate audible voice of the past
When the body and material substance of it
has altogether vanished
like a dream"



Our cozy Blue Mountains hide-away...."Camomile Cottage"
We were hosted by a very warm, hospitable local couple...they were like the parents you wished u had. haha! This was probably my fav part of the Sydney trip! I miss the cottage already...so quaint and warm that it felt as if we were living in fairy-tale.



Opening the door of our cottage, as we return with groceries from the nearby village. Eunice cooked dinner for us while we stayed there. One of our meals almost became a huge Christmas dinner...with roast chicken, potatoes, 2 huge plates of vegetables and pasta. haha! Cannot finish of course.



Something magical abt having your own picket fence and garden. :)



The cottage came complete with personal touches like home-made bread/ jams/ cookies/....our own fire-place, spa bath (with a rubber-ducky!), garden...and very comfy bed etc.



Bird-bath in our garden


My fav spot in the cottage...right by the window!



my "i'm looking out the window..." ('Same Side of the moon' by Corrinne May) pose. ahaha!



The owners' kitty...Alba, who occasionally wandered into our gardens. Such a diva she was! Gorgeously fluffy...but came with quite an attitude. haha!



I love this sign which was put alongside the gravel path that led out the back of our cottage...to a huge garden nearby. They had a flower festival going on then.



'Centenary Walk'...part of the garden behind our cottage



They were having a Rhododendron festival...



Quaint, cute little church in Blackheath, the village we stayed in



one of the beautiful houses in Blackheath. Love the flowers in bloom



close-up of flowers in bloom



cute little old-fashioned mailboxes



This really makes me chuckle. It was a bench we spotted in one of the villages 'Leura' (had many lovely,magical,charming Victorian shops) If you can read the sign, it says 'Seat for bored husbands- Courtesy Leura Country Casuals'!