"The Love of God"

[Words: Fred­er­ick M. Leh­man; he wrote this song in 1917 in Pas­a­de­na, Cal­i­fornia, and it was pub­lished in Songs That Are Dif­fer­ent, Vol­ume 2, 1919. The lyr­ics are based on the Jew­ish poem Had­da­mut, writ­ten in Ara­ma­ic in 1050 by Meir Ben Isaac Ne­hor­ai, a can­tor in Worms, Ger­ma­ny; they have been trans­lat­ed in­to at least 18 lang­uages.

One day, dur­ing short in­ter­vals of in­at­ten­tion to our work, we picked up a scrap of pa­per and, seat­ed up­on an emp­ty le­mon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pen­cil, add­ed the (first) two stan­zas and chor­us of the song…Since the lines (3rd stan­za from the Jew­ish po­em) had been found pen­ciled on the wall of a pa­tient’s room in an in­sane asy­lum af­ter he had been car­ried to his grave, the gen­er­al opin­ion was that this in­mate had writ­ten the epic in mo­ments of san­ity.]


The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Refrain

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

The Enduring Word....

"All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the
flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
But the word of the Lord endures
forever." - Isaiah 40: 6-8-

"Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak...." - 'Word of God Speak' by MercyMe-

My BMI family!

A heart-warming pic of the people i love so much! We took this pic on Tues when Andrea came bk for a visit. This is actually the FINAL shot. We started out with only 3 of us in the shot...then one by one pple walked in, and insisted on joining in on the fun. So farnee! Too bad funky Aaron cldn't join in tt day....if not we wld hv taken a 'Sudoku Club' pic. I know he's quite miffed abt being left out. Another time ya dear?

I love how we look so absolutely happy here! Check out the wide smiles...no more eyes. haha!

It's a blessing to work with them, and to count them as my treasured friends. I can't imagine life without them. LOVE YA LOVE YA LOVE YA ALL!!!!!!! hahaha!

"All"

(by Joel Houston)

You're the one who gives me shelter
And You're the light that leads me home
And You're the love that gave forever
Lord ou're all that I know

Chorus:
And all that I am
Unto You I surrender
Lord there is none like You
And I know that I stnd
In the arms of forever
Lord there is none like You

With the world upon Your shoulders
Lord You gave Your life away
If the world I know was over
I know I'd have life in the price you paid

Bridge:
And I will stand
And I will worship You forever
For all You are
And I will stand
And all to YOu I will surrender
I'll worship You forever

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I've been staying at home this Sun, to prepare for the start of a new term at BMI. Yes working on my wkend. haha! Bel exclaimed over msn "but it's Sun!!" Yeah i know....and believe me, I've been quite drained out physically and mentally by the workload.

But, I must say...that when I took a break to play my guitar/ keyboard...to worship Him, and to pray....I really felt refreshed and energized.

One of the songs that really ministered to me was "All" by Hillsong United. I was wondering why it was entitled "All". Then I realized we first have to KNOW the God who gave it ALL for us, before we are able to surrender all of ourselves to Him, and worship Him for all that He is.

I realize that I truly need to seek God, and commit my concerns abt the Believer vocal program to Him.....and simply surrender myself to Him. I can't do it on my own strength....I really need Him.

These verses always serve to humble me, and remind me of my role in BMI:
" As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as the ability which God supplies, that in ALL THINGS God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" - 1 Peter 4:10-11

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appers, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." - 1 Peter 5: 2-4

I love my job, and it is so rewarding. But I do struggle with fatigue, as I have so many things to oversee and I'm the only vocal coach at this point. Add on to that...my own insecurities too. So well...I've been praying for the Lord to see me through, to empower me for this new term. I hope you can join me as a prayer partner too, it would mean the world to me! (just drop me a comment, so I'll know yeah?) Thanks!!

p/s: Eunice, yes...you can hold me to my promise. I'm praying for you too.:)

Prayer list:
-------------
1) That every single student who enters the vocal program will be touched and inspired by God...and will grow and be anchored in their faith. That the gift of music will be unleashed within them, and that they will achieve breakthroughs with their voices, and freedom in worship.

2) For God to bless me with enough love, compassion, patience, wisdom, sensitivity towards each student that comes under my care. May He help me to see each student through His eyes.

3) For energy and good health!! (i cannot afford to fall sick lor) I have 20 classes (or mebbe 21) so this is crucial.

4) For divine wisdom, understanding and guidance as I teach the Advanced Worship Dynamics 1 module for the first time. We are covering the Tabernacle of Moses. Cheem,deep topic! I am so jittery about it!

5) For inspiration, good time-management, and energy, as I plan the new Advanced Worship Dynamics 2 module...and as I revamp the existing modules

6) For good voice maintenance, greater confidence, freedom, and improved skill in using my own instrument. (i'm so terrified of voice fatigue from the overwhelming teaching load. And also, I need breakthroughs in the area of my own insecurities regarding my vocal ability).
May He use my voice to minister the students under my care.

7) For my own walk with God....that I will grow in strength and intimacy with Him. That I will never abandon my first love...and that I can be an exemplary, effective 'worship leader' for the students.

8) Time and energy for nurturing my personal life. Yes...that too! I don't wanna let my work tire me out so much, until I have no time/ space for you friends, or my family. I love you all! (I'll keep doing this even at the risk of sounding like a broken record. haha!)

When it rains....

(the following post might seem a bit....incoherent. But just think "stream-of-consciousness" type of flow)

It's pouring and thundering outside...
I just cried AGAIN...cos it really hit me, that Andrea is gone.
Perfect weather I know....for my super emo night
(the guys r shaking their heads now at this 'chick behaviour')
And it's quite ominous as well...as I worry abt the poor folks down in Houston, who are abt to be hit by Rita.

Pammy's online...n i just wanna say, I LOVE YOU gf!!!
I need a hot cup of cocoa, a fuzzy teddy bear, and a warm hug now!
Darn this weather....making me go bonkers.

Thank u sweet Ed for calling from Malacca tonite...for tolerating my 'suspicious' tone of voice initially...and then the subsequent bad reception,and my own deafness. Tt is why I'm not a phone person. haha! Anyway, my point is (yes i do hv one!)...it was a heart-warming surprise.

"Song"

(by W.H Auden)

The chimney sweepers
Wash their faces and forget to wash the neck;
The lighthouse keepers
Let the lamps go out and leave the ships to wreck;
The prosperous baker
Leaves the rolls in hundreds in the oven to burn;
The undertaker
Pins a small note on the coffin saying "Wait till I return,
I've got a date with Love."

And deep-sea divers
Cut their boots off and come bubbling to the top,
And engine-drivers
Bring expresses in the tunnel to a stop;
The village rector
Dashes down the side-aisle half-way through a psalm;
The sanitary inspector
Runs off with the cover of the cesspool on his arm-
To keep his date with Love.

"The Night Has A Thousand Eyes"

(by Francis William Bourdillon)

The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world
dies with dying sun.

The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life
dies when love is done

I love my peeps!!

Tonight I went to Harry's Boat Quay with a bunch of the BMI staff. We successfully pulled off a carefully planned, surprise farewell supper for Andrea! Bernice and I had a hard time trying to keep up the act, cos we both looked so sheepish. haha! Kudos to the rest who 'acted' their parts well!

We had such an incredible time just hanging out with each other.....sharing fd, drinks, playing pool, swopping stories..jokes etc. (i think we've found a cool new hang-out place too! UPSTAIRS@Harry's. cozy lounge chairs + free pool!!!)

U really start to see everyone's true colours emerge in that relaxed/ off-work mode setting. Shockingly lame/ corny jokes....sincere heart-to-heart sharings....amazingly wise one-liners all started to emerge. I am truly quite blown away by the company I'm surrounded with...so blessed to have each one of them.

It was a short time, but I think everyone really bonded from that. We all got so mushy and u hear this deluge of affectionate-isms!! haha! "I love you!!!" (suffocatingly tight hug),"dear", "love", "sweets", "darling" etc. Phone numbers were being exchanged, and msn contacts started to fly around.

I love what funky Aaron commented abt tt type of behaviour: "deep down, we're all gay!" Classic lah...haha!

Seasons

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,
and a time to die;
a time to plant,
and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
and a time to heal;
A time to break down,
and time to build up;
A time to weep,
and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8


Guess you could say I'm in a rather contemplative mood these days. Just observing the seasons of life....for myself, and the people around me....how God leads us through various events/ journeys for our growth.

I know I'm not big on change, I can be quite sentimental, and I get very attached to the pple ard me. Andrea's leaving BM affected me quite a bit this wk. I will miss having her ard the sch so much...but yet, I'm excited too, knowing the plans that lie ahead of her. (I LOVE YOU ANDREA!!!)

I've also been observing changes in the close friendships i used to hv. Sometimes pple change, and sometimes they don't and that changes the dynamics of the friendship. I'm a bit saddened...a bit puzzled, but well....try as hard as we can, sometimes it's just not within our control. But God is sovereign, n He is in control. (yes Ed, i'm learning abt this whole 'control' thing. :))

"And the river runs, and the river hides,
Out to the ocean, and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience, and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
Everything in its time" -Corrinne May, "Everything in its time"-

Lessons from Revelation

I'm really beginning to love Revelation. It used to be the dark, mysterious bk in the bible that nobody dared to venture into....but now that it's being taught in such a clear, moving and powerful manner at ARPC now...I've really grown to develop a deep appreciation for it. It's helped to ground me in my faith, and helped me see the 'big picture' from God's viewpoint.

The lesson that probably impacted me the most was this:
We are not promised physical immunity (hence Christians can still fall sick, die of cancer.. etc), but we HAVE been promised spiritual immunity. The Church is sealed under God's protection!!

When I was reading Revelation 7, i really felt like cheering! Yay! My Saviour is here! God has come to save the day! (n my student said this: 'that is such a powerful and COOL moment!! haha!) Knowing that, makes life all worthwhile....so my friends, persevere on in this race.

This portion really moved me...as it demonstrated the tenderness of our God.

"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymroe nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev 7:15-17

Lord...help me to stay on the road to Your heart!

(if you are interested in watching/listening to the ARPC sermon series on Revelation, you can check out this website
www.arpc.net/sermons/index2005.htm
"Visions of Suffering" (Rev 6-11) was particularly impressive for me.)