Starting The Year Right

In my previous post, I highlighted some of my 'first' moments with New Life & LifeXtreme. But I believe the most significant one yet will be coming this Saturday at 4pm - youth prayer meeting. Last Sunday, I launched LifeXtreme's Prayer Month 2011. Lately, I just felt God calling us into a time of prayer as He dropped scriptures into my heart.

In Matthew 6:25 - 34 Jesus tells us not to worry, and boy, how tough that can be!! Everyday my heart is troubled with worry - in spite of having experienced God's faithfulness & goodness. John records that Jesus calls us to abide in Him, otherwise we will accomplish nothing. It has indeed been a struggle for me as I battle through, holding onto God & waiting patiently for Him to swoop in and save the day. Circumstances & words get in the way of us wanting God's kingdom & His ways - as we have books & websites & other churches & ideas & formulas to tell us what needs to be done to build an awesome, exciting, attractive youth ministry.

But above all else, I'm desperate for God. Better He than I to come save the day. Lives, dreams & great potentials are at stake and I do not want to be in the way of God's movement. I desire His Kingdom, not my ministry. All I trust is what God says; all I do these days is depend upon Him; all I hope is a miracle from above.

Oh Lord, haste the day!!

Well 2010

There has been many 'first' for me in 2010 with New Life Restoration Centre, Shah Alam, especially over the Christmas & New Year period.

There was my first time participating in New Life's combined youth camp. Only 5 of us represented our church, but I'm grateful for the intimate moments we could share with Olivia, Tracy, & Mun Hong. Personally, it was my first youth camp as a full time minister. It was also there that for the first time, May & I had our youths celebrating our wedding anniversary. Precious moments indeed.

Producing the Christmas skit was another 'first' worth highlighting. It was nerve-wrecking to be working with an entirely new cast, with extra difficulty due to the shape of our church hall. But God took us through with relative ease, and we certainly had a good time. Thanks to Mun Hong, Justina, Grace, Brian, & Chris. I look forward to more skits together.

I've always wanted to lead a carolling team & this time I knew I had to seize the moment. We were close to not having carolling had I not said 'yes'. Christmas is always odd without carolling & I'm so glad we did it. It was a personal victory for me, & I believe there were several other breakthroughs too. 

Mere hours away I was very anxious as we only had 1 practice with half the team. Miraculously a group of youths hung around to do some office work & we ended up practicing the harmonies for our Christmas carols. What joy.

New Life's New Year Service was very special too. I never expected such an opportunity to come my way so soon, but it would be the first time I songled for such a large crowd. Practices were tough & we still had glitches at the event, but it was a moment to savor indeed.

Don't Leave God Out

Reading this post by Martin Smith of Delirious? just makes me feel that I'm having a conversation with a friend. For me, the core message is simply "DONT LEAVE GOD OUT!!". Well, maybe because this has been ringing in my head for the past few months, and the ringing is getting louder these days. 

Coming to a new church & taking on both music & youth ministries, I feel excited and nervous at the same time. It's exciting because I get to take everything that I've learnt over the past years and start afresh; nerve-wrecking, because in spite of all good intentions & careful planning, there's no way of assuring you won't get off on the wrong foot!! 


But I am thankful for God's assurances. As we dive into the deep end & commit ourselves to projects & people, I keep getting the feeling that I've made the right decision. I'm right where God wants me to be - now all I need to do is to get Him involved. In the midst of (too many) unknown factors, I have a firm belief that God is the one who has led me here. Now, I must get Him involved. Apart from Him, I am nothing - in fact, God must take center stage!! 


We can make our youth ministry attractive & cool & fashionable & awesome, but without Jesus being the center of attention, it's all for noughs. What's more relevant & necessary than the love of God & the words of eternal life? Offerings & excellence are great; yet God delights in hearts that are humble & broken before Him, with voices that say "God, without You, I am nothing; I don't ever want to leave You out".

My prayer is that God will rain down upon all I am and everything I do, washing away all trace of me and leaving behind only all of Him.

The video is Delirious' performance along with Hillsong Church Choir. Simply superb!!