Saturday, October 11, 2008

Victorious Life

Last Wednesday, SWYF had its regular biweekly Intercessory Meeting. This meeting was a bit different from the previous meetings. The worship lasted for about 2 hours, where God decided to open the spiritual eyes of some of the people who attended the meeting. Thus, God led us into deep worship, and He revealed Himself to all of us. The following are the testimonies of the night (made anonymous):

- Jesus appeared as a shepherd, with a lamb by its side, running around the group of attendees and back to Jesus.
- Cloud of Glory hovering above the center of the circle, with dusts of gold falling
- Jesus walking in front of the people in the circle and ministering each of us
- Jesus frantically talking baggages from our outstretched hands
- Mother Mary lifting up a basket of written prayers and petitions (co-held by one of us) towards Heaven, making the basket to be light.
- Chariots of horses and angels joyfully gliding around the center where the glory of God appeared.

From the sensing and discernment of some of us, the SWYF weekly meeting on the coming Friday (3 days from the Intercessory meeting - yesterday) would be a ministering night.

And so, on Friday, as Stephen led the congregation to worship in the beginning, I could feel the touch of God right at the beginning. Only one song was used - Hear Our Praises. As the word in the bridge i.e. Hallelujah was sung, the glory of God could be immediately felt! And, the anointing appeared as something like a whirlwind on the spot of the ceiling about 1 meter away from me, at 4 o'clock from my direction.

After a short introductory praise and worship, Andre led us with a short session of exhortation. The content was based on the conversion of St Paul. Many of the people would think that Saul (pre-conversion name of St Paul) was evil and a bad man. However, according to him, he was living in the era of the Pharisees, and, being a Pharisee himself, he was actually doing what he thought was right - destroy the group of "heretic" people who called themselves Christians, and restore the Jewish faith to God of Abraham. He also pointed that many of us in the present would behave the same as well - an example is the Hindu society in India is actually using the similar torture and death threats to the local Christians. In the eyes of Hindu, they are right. However, God took charge of the conversion of Saul. During the conversion, Saul experienced 3 days of darkness, before the direct Word from God about Ananias healing Saul's eyes came and pass.

Coincidentally, there were some who experienced difficulty and reluctance to come of the Intercessory meeting, and there were some who experienced hindrances from Wednesday and Friday. It resembled the 3 days of darkness in Saul's conversion, and more so, 3 days of darkness from Crucifixion to Resurrection!! And hence, we claimed the promise that then the 3 days of darkness of nights would end with a dawn - a dawn where breakthrough happens.

Indeed, Friday was the night where every person who attended was ministered by God Himself! I could not tell how others felt, but I do feel that, after the meeting, I became ultra-sensitive. I felt like I was touched even when the "Penitential Rite" (I Confess) was being recited. I watched "Mama Mia!" for the second time just now, and (while I did not feel touched during my first time watching), I shed tears when Donna was dressing up for Sophie's wedding.

I have also faced with a small miracle just now. I was on my way to Gurney Plaza for "Mama Mia!" after Mass, and while I was driving, I felt that I wanted to park outside (it cost me RM1.20) as compared to inside the Gurney Plaza car park (which cost at least RM4). So, I was driving around the busy Gurney Drive, and just muttered a short prayer ("I want a car park."). Miraculously, on second round I found a car that was about to leave. Amid the busy and seemingly no-carpark road there was one available at the right moment (if the car left slightly earlier or later, I would not have spotted it). Praise God!

Wait, the miracle has not ended! Half an hour before the movie started, Andre called me and told me that he was stuck in Pulau Tikus (5 minutes away from Gurney Plaza), because his car's alternator malfunctioned, causing his car to 'die'. So, I gotta leave my lovely car park in order to fetch him and his passengers! I thought - why did God give me a nice car park and yet took it away from me. After that thought, I decided that I gotta praise Him no matter what. So, praising God, I drove off. While I was on my way to Pulau Tikus, a sensing suddenly struck me. If I had not have that car park, I would have driven up to Gurney Plaza car park, and that would be much more difficult to get out - we all might be late for the movie (I was holding ALL the tickets!!). And so, praise God that I got the nice car park, that I would be able to fetch Andre and his gang and still able to be on time.

I am further reminded that Jesus came to give us victorious life. Indeed - victorious in MANY MANY ways... even in the very small aspects of our lives. Amen.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Majesty, Power, Love

Yep. That's Jesus.

I was listening to Paradise Church's Power In The Name on my way from basketball to dinner place. At first I sang along (I was fetching Ian and Kevin, and they were listening and singing along too). Then, I sort of went into moment of worship, and the first line of the chorus hit right into my heart.

"Majesty, power and love"

I wept. So majestic and powerful He is, on the Throne of Heaven, yet, because of His overwhelming love, He came down to earth as man, and died for all of us. All. Everyone. Sinners. Unworthy, yet saved by One.

Never underestimate the Name of Jesus. It means Savior. Savior to all mankind.

Power In The Name
Words and Music by Ollie Sebastian
© 2002 Paradise Music


Isn't there something beautiful when you call you that Name
Isn't there power amazing when in unity we say
"Jesus Your love upon that hill means we are saved"
Jesus there is power in Your Name

Majesty, power and love
Holiness, peace from above
With me in mind, Lord You took the blame
Jesus there is power in Your Name

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Lunch @ Bon Appetit

I owe this blog post to Patrice. It has been 3 weeks late. Sorry, ma'am... ;-)

Every Thursday Patrice and her coursemates would go through something like a practical, to put their skills of preparing and serving food to customers in action. And, I felt guilty for not able to make it one Thursday noon to witness Patrice in action, so I decided to make it up on the Thursday 3 weeks ago (September 11). I was accompanied by Ben.

We reached KDU's Bon Appetit at about 12:05pm, which was 5 minutes late. We were quickly served by Patrice's colleague / coursemate. Ben ordered a Teriyaki Chicken Rice set, while I ordered Tandoori Chicken Rice set. Each came with appetizer, fruits and coffee/tea, and cost RM12 per set.

The food served was not bad, considering that the cooks were all students. The best was the appetizer - tomyam chicken pai tee (Patrice, please correct me... LOL). It was fantastic.

The service was okay too in overall. There were 5 waiters/waitresses serving our table! LOL! Perhaps by Patrice's command... just kidding. I could sense that the service was provided in a very cautious manner. The few comments that I have:

- Perhaps the entree could be served in a smaller (rectangular) plate. The reason was that the table was small, and the portion was less than half the size of the plate.

- A waitress accidentally removed the dining spoon from Ben's seating. Ben had to sit there for a minute after entree was served before he could "itadakimasu" (:-P).

- [This was from Ben] The bill should be shown only to the one who called the bill (me... :-)). [This was from me] The bill should be held horizontally and not slanting (coins or notes would fly off).

Hmm... too bad Patrice was not serving us. Nevertheless, we got our sole entertainment - Lim Mei Mei was around! Hehehe... Patrice, you are free to share this post with your coursemates. :-)

Some pictures on food and funky (funny) Ben...


Funny Ben with the appetizer (pai tee)


Ben's teriyaki chicken rice


My tandoori chicken rice


A serving of fruits after meal


30

September 22, 2008 marked the end of my 20's. Yes, it was my 30th birthday! And, having to put the first step into the 30's made me think of a lot of things. The thing that I thought most was the time that I have wasted for 30 years of my life - like spending 7 years of my life with the same job in the same company (don't get me wrong, I don't mean I dislike my job... hahaha), wasting 3 years being with someone that I eventually found out that it was far from suitable, being too extravagant that I did not manage to live in a self-owned property, and being not extravagant enough to travel (especially to other countries).

Well, amid the not-so-good things that was in my mind, I felt blessed that I get to live, love, and being loved for 30 years (and the clock is still ticking). Well, I do actually feel blessed with the sweet and bittersweet experiences that I had! Yep, blessings are what I should count, not woes.

Now, the memorable parts. I had spent a total of 5 occasions of birthday treats. Cool eh... hahaha...
- Sep 8: Cantor's group co-celebration with Ben
- Sep 19: PE POG group lunch (co-celebrate with Jessie, Whee Yan, and Chia Ling)
- Sep 21: Co-celebration with Ben (again) and Songxin by bball gang
- Sep 22: PE NPG group lunch (co-celebrate with Swee Aun, Weng Hong, KH and Ai Choo)
- Sep 30: Another co-celebration with Ben, by Andre, Gino, and Ian (to my dismay - in TGIF!!!)

Apart from that, I received:
- 33 greetings in my Facebook Wall and 3 in my Friendster Comments
- 10 SMS greetings
- Innumerable phone calls wishing me birthday

Thank you everyone for all your warm wishes and treats... ;-)

Some of my memorable shots...

[September 21]
Location: Secret Recipe, Belissa Row, Pulau Tikus
Time: 10:30pm


[September 22]
Location: The Dome, Queensbay Mall
Time: 1:00pm


[September 30]
Location: TGI Friday, Queensbay Mall
Time: 1:30pm


P.S. A prize for those who read till the end. At this point I'm sure you know what my primary love language is! LOL!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Stalled Postings

I have not been posting anything about myself. Including some overdue posts on my trips, good, comments, reviews, and even my 30th birthday! Well, gotta give way to something more important ma... human rights and freedom! Hahaha...

Will update my blog post as soon as I can. :-)

Saturday, September 20, 2008

It's Not Over Yet

Yes, Teresa Kok was already released since yesterday afternoon. All cases against her was dropped. Our prayers for Teresa are answered. Yet, it is not over.

Other than a Mass for peace and justice, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit will also be launching a prayer campaign, calling for continuous prayer for peace and justice in our beloved Bolehland. Or rather, an anti-ISA campaign. I was in church this morning (actually I am still in church now :-P), and took some photos on the banner being hung and setting up of the candle place.


Banner being hung and balanced. 4 youths were helping that time. With due request, I did not put the pictures with 4 heads sticking out. :-P


Another landscape banner beside the Holy Spirit Hall


Job done!


A 'cupboard' for placing candles from the faithful


[ Updated 8pm ]


Faith in action - Parishoners began flocking around the candle place, lighting candles and storming Heaven with a common prayer and petition


Assistant parish priest Fr Henry Rajoo seen in action


Beautifully lit. More importantly, many prayers were offered up.


I hope the cupboard would not be incinerated! Well, it could be, considering God did send fire and accept Elijah's offering 2500 years ago.

Something to tell the gomen that "WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!!"

Friday, September 19, 2008

916 Movie Awards

The following are all written in Chinese. I got it from one of the recent forwarded emails. It was hilarious!! I tried to translate it, but due to the way it was put, and due to my half-past-six Chinese, I was not able to do it. Can someone help? LOL!

916 电影展

最佳电影: 《308之夜》
最佳导演: 安华 《916之梦》
最佳男主角: 伯拉 《梦中人》
最佳女主角: 郭素沁 《监狱风云之火箭十三妹》
最佳男配角: 阿末伊斯迈 《寄人篱下》
最佳女配角: 陈云清 《洗冤录3》
最佳新人: 赛夫 《股惑仔之后庭开花》
最具人气: 柏特拉 《光头博客》
最佳外国电影 / 最佳编剧 / 最佳特效 / 最佳剪接: 纳吉 《人肉叉烧包之蒙古碎尸》
最佳本土电影: 《林甘正传》
最佳成人电影: 《老蔡传奇之同一个房间》
最佳悬疑片: 《C+侦探之一切由失踪开始》
最佳恐怖片: 《午夜凶令之ISA》
最佳旅游宣传片: 《远走高飞之台湾考察团》
最佳电影主题曲: 行动党 《改变》
最佳服装设计: 黄燕燕 《透明睡衣》
终身成就奖: 马哈迪 《黑马王子之重出江湖》
评审团: 大马人民


P.S: Nope. I don't think I want to translate that, or else I will either be making a new movie called 《大伟蒙眼博客》, or become a "ke-le-fe" in the Best Horror Movie.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

9 Days Of Worship

September 7, 2008 (Sunday)
Attended Holy Mass. Yes, the Holy Mass, formally called the Eucharistic Celebration, is the highest form of Catholic worship. That weekend, I served as a cantor for the Mass - yep, our cantor team (led by Andre) were singing.

September 8, 2008 (Monday)
Cantor's practice. Every Monday we practise songs that are to be used during the coming Mass(es). By training our voice and musical talents and offer it up to God during Mass, it is indeed a form of worship - to show the worthship of God by giving the give He has entrusted us back to God for the building of His kingdom, and to be God's instrument to minister to His people through His songs.

September 9, 2008 (Tuesday)
A session of intercession of worship. Enough said (some privacy for myself).

September 10, 2008 (Wednesday)
A session of general intercession of worship. We prayed for various areas within Shalom Working Youth Fellowship, as well as for the church and country. The whole session lasted for almost 3 hours. Worship and intercession were great. Felt energetic and empowered by God throughout the session, but was dead tired after that.

September 11, 2008 (Thursday)
Went to IC Shalom in Church of the Immaculate Conception, Pulau Tikus. Praise and worship was good. The sharing given by Andre is about "Sent by Christ the Word", where he broke the word in the Gospel passage about the man possessed by Legion. He compared Legion (multitude of evil spirits possessing the man) with the many hurts or Chaos that we humans collected through time, and how Jesus the Christ come to cast out the spirits/heal our hurts, and how we as healed Christians are Called to testify the goodness of God. With an overtime, he ended the talk and proceeded with another sesion of worship and ministering. I could feel the strong (manifested) presence of God at the center of the church, and the ministering session touched a few individuals. I was helping in laying hands onto an elderly man, and I could not hold my hand still... the presence was strong!! During the same session I got to know the coordinator for IC Shalom - Glenn (Michelle's husband - I met Michelle during the Paradise Workshop and Concert).

September 12, 2008 (Friday)
As usual, Friday is Shalom Working Youth Fellowship night! We were having a great time worshiping. And, after worship, there was a session of ministering for married couples. This session was consistent with the burden that we felt during the intercessory meeting two days earlier (see above). I was moved to tears when one of the couples were being prayed over. During the sharing, Leoreen introduced the 5 languages of love (as written by Gary Chapman) - words of affirmation, quality time/moments, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. She explained that it was necessary for a person to not only know his/her own language of love, but also learn the language of the person that he/she loved.

September 13, 2008 (Saturday)
Meeting for Psalmistry ministry members (comprising of SWYF worship leaders, musicians, backup singers, backup dancers, and slide handlers). The word that was broken by Andre was on an Old Testament reading. It was about how Elisha focused on the God of his master Elijah, and how Elisha had his first-hand experience of the presence of the Lord when Elijah was being taken up to Heaven. He shared that we in the ministry need to have and dive into this first-hand experience in order for us to understand what we are doing and hence know how to testify to other SWYF members. The time of worship was indeed awesome! Although the awe initially came as my own response of diving into the worship, the awe of God's presence was strongly felt when we were broken into smaller groups of three. I could feel that Jesus was in our midst, and, as we were holding hands, I could envision the sign of heart/love being formed amongst our bound hands!

September 14, 2008 (Sunday)
Attended Holy Mass. Yep, time of the highest form of Catholic worship.

September 15, 2008 (Monday)
Attended the Mass for Peace and Justice. I was amazed that the number of people attending this Mass could be compared to normal Sunday Mass - the church was almost packed! Well, we had one common intention during the Mass - to celebrate the goodness of the Lord, to acknowledge His promise of the Beatitude, and to pray in one voice for the abolishment of the draconian ISA.

Nine consecutive days of worship! It was synonymous to a novena to the Holy Spirit! Amen!