I am taking a long break from serving on the worship and music ministry at Trinity... after about 8 years.
Don't know when I will return - or if I will ever return, haha. Just saying. (I hope I don't sound like the wicked servant or bad steward.)
Well, it is a very different season in life for me. First, I am getting involved in new ministries/mission works (mostly parachurch) - and they already take up most of my week days, a lot of my waking-hours and energy. Secondly, a baby is on the way - and I will be very busy with her for a good long while. Thirdly, while there are yet needs in the WAM that I could meet, I have the peace that I am not indispensable.
I can't plan too far ahead for now. :)
Therefore, here I am saying goodbye.
Showing posts with label Worship-leading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worship-leading. Show all posts
Monday, 10 March 2014
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Short muse: hymns
Back from a long and strenuous choir rehearsal for next week's Sacred Music Festival choir. Please do come if you are free on Saturday, the 12th of October, 8pm. The choir and orchestra will perform at the Penang Tunku Abdul Rahman College Auditorium. Tickets cost RM20 each.
Physically exhausted, I am... but strangely, I feel so recharged emotionally, mentally and spiritually from working hard with the rest of the choir on hymns. Doing the "amens" on forte at the finale brought tears to my eyes (even though it's just a rehearsal), because it hit me that we were, as a choir, putting our trust and hope in God... that the words we've sung throughout the whole repertoire of hymns would bring our audience to savour His glory and grace.
Hymns. So oversung (or badly sung - pardon my blunt) in many of our churches that some people just sing them for the sake of liturgy without giving attention to what the words really mean... or they sing it because it gives them a sense of familiarity of the good old days. It is no wonder that the hymns have fallen out of favour with the younger generations. I have nothing against contemporary worship music. (I often use contemporary songs in my worship-leading... drums, bass, acoustic guitar and all.) Nevertheless, hymns are such treasures that it would be a tragic loss if we didn't teach our children (and younger Christians) to appreciate them - the beautiful poetry, their composers, the story behind the compositions, the themes, the parts of Scripture that they point us to so skillfully, the meaningful prayers they encapsulate, the beauty of voicing out those prayers/praises as a congregation, etc. Or worse still, we stop appreciating them ourselves.
Hymns are not only for those who qualify as our uncles, aunties, daddies, mommies, grandmas, grandpas, etc. Hymns can certainly make a difference in the lives of younger people too.
As for myself, I only grew to appreciate hymns during my time at PMC... thanks to a brother and friend who was so very adamant that I should get to know them. (He was a very compelling teacher of the hymns too!) And indeed, the hymns have enriched my walk with God in many ways. I admit that sometimes, when the tune of a hymn is not my cup of tea (me being me), I read the words out loud instead of singing them like the rest of the congregation, haha. Well, at least there is still some sense of being one with everybody, yes?
Thought I'd end with the first stanza of a hymn that I found especially meaningful today ~ "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892):
"Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper rev'rence,
praise."
Physically exhausted, I am... but strangely, I feel so recharged emotionally, mentally and spiritually from working hard with the rest of the choir on hymns. Doing the "amens" on forte at the finale brought tears to my eyes (even though it's just a rehearsal), because it hit me that we were, as a choir, putting our trust and hope in God... that the words we've sung throughout the whole repertoire of hymns would bring our audience to savour His glory and grace.
Hymns. So oversung (or badly sung - pardon my blunt) in many of our churches that some people just sing them for the sake of liturgy without giving attention to what the words really mean... or they sing it because it gives them a sense of familiarity of the good old days. It is no wonder that the hymns have fallen out of favour with the younger generations. I have nothing against contemporary worship music. (I often use contemporary songs in my worship-leading... drums, bass, acoustic guitar and all.) Nevertheless, hymns are such treasures that it would be a tragic loss if we didn't teach our children (and younger Christians) to appreciate them - the beautiful poetry, their composers, the story behind the compositions, the themes, the parts of Scripture that they point us to so skillfully, the meaningful prayers they encapsulate, the beauty of voicing out those prayers/praises as a congregation, etc. Or worse still, we stop appreciating them ourselves.
Hymns are not only for those who qualify as our uncles, aunties, daddies, mommies, grandmas, grandpas, etc. Hymns can certainly make a difference in the lives of younger people too.
As for myself, I only grew to appreciate hymns during my time at PMC... thanks to a brother and friend who was so very adamant that I should get to know them. (He was a very compelling teacher of the hymns too!) And indeed, the hymns have enriched my walk with God in many ways. I admit that sometimes, when the tune of a hymn is not my cup of tea (me being me), I read the words out loud instead of singing them like the rest of the congregation, haha. Well, at least there is still some sense of being one with everybody, yes?
Thought I'd end with the first stanza of a hymn that I found especially meaningful today ~ "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892):
"Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper rev'rence,
praise."
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Compiling a worship leader's questionnaire
"An unexamined life is not worth living," Socrates said ~ to be recollected later in Plato's Apology.
Well then, in my efforts to evaluate my ministry role from time to time, I compiled a questionnaire out of the stuff I gathered from my Namibian mentor (Dewet) in those foundational years at EN, as well as from attending worship conferences in Belfast and back home in Penang. This is definitely a non-exhaustive list of questions (and the order is a little awry), but hey, it's still quite a lot for self-examination...
1. What portions of Scripture have been most significant to you as a worship leader?
2. What books/resources have been most significant to you as a worship leader? Do you have a yearly list of must-reads covering the relevant areas (eg. spiritual formation, worship formation, liturgy, theology, nurturing the pastoral heart, music theory and appreciation, preaching, etc.)?
3. Who are your mentors and models in the life and art of worship leading? Who are the people who have influenced you the most personally, spiritually, liturgically, musically and missionally (if there's such a word)?
4. What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses/bad habits as a worship leader? How do you think you could work on the weaknesses/bad habits and build on the strengths? (For me, emotional discipline is definitely not my strong point. I am way too emotional.)
5. What is your vision as a worship leader? What are your ideals?
6. Who are the song/hymn writers whose music you use most often in your worship leading? Why?
7. What and whose music do you listen to regularly as a resource to your work as a worship leader?
8. What sites or sources do you access weekly in order to be inspired in your preparation for worship?
9. What conferences/seminars/workshops/retreats do you attend yearly in order to be equipped, refreshed, artistically inspired and to connect with other worship leaders/Christians from other churches?
10. How would you describe your musical aesthetic? What musical genre do you prefer? How would others describe you musically?
11.When you look at the kinds of songs you choose and how often you choose them, what do you think that it says about your musical and liturgical ethos?
12. What are your greatest fears, wishes and excitements as a worship leader?
13. What are your best worship experiences as a worshiper in the congregation?
14. What are your best worship experiences as a worship leader?
15. How often do you step out of your comfort zones - for example, expose yourself to music outside of your preferred genre or heart language; and take up new challenges in worship leading?
16. How often are you off from worship leading and worshiping off-stage? In all honesty, is this too often/rare? What is your ideal? Are you getting enough rest?
17. How much time do you spend praying and preparing for Sunday worship each week? What does "preparation" mean? How could time be managed more effectively so that preparation would be more efficient? Are there things you could give up in order to focus better on your tasks? Are you communicating well enough with those on your team as well as your leaders? Are you building relationships as you lead your team each week? Do you make enough effort to encourage and edify your musicians?
18. Are you mentoring/discipling somebody or a group in your church? If not, why? :P
19. How do you present yourself/behave when you are not worship leading? How do you behave when your church people aren't around/when you are alone? Do you spend time alone with God on a regular basis?
20. Do you make time for people outside "ministry time"?
Well then, in my efforts to evaluate my ministry role from time to time, I compiled a questionnaire out of the stuff I gathered from my Namibian mentor (Dewet) in those foundational years at EN, as well as from attending worship conferences in Belfast and back home in Penang. This is definitely a non-exhaustive list of questions (and the order is a little awry), but hey, it's still quite a lot for self-examination...
1. What portions of Scripture have been most significant to you as a worship leader?
2. What books/resources have been most significant to you as a worship leader? Do you have a yearly list of must-reads covering the relevant areas (eg. spiritual formation, worship formation, liturgy, theology, nurturing the pastoral heart, music theory and appreciation, preaching, etc.)?
3. Who are your mentors and models in the life and art of worship leading? Who are the people who have influenced you the most personally, spiritually, liturgically, musically and missionally (if there's such a word)?
4. What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses/bad habits as a worship leader? How do you think you could work on the weaknesses/bad habits and build on the strengths? (For me, emotional discipline is definitely not my strong point. I am way too emotional.)
5. What is your vision as a worship leader? What are your ideals?
6. Who are the song/hymn writers whose music you use most often in your worship leading? Why?
7. What and whose music do you listen to regularly as a resource to your work as a worship leader?
8. What sites or sources do you access weekly in order to be inspired in your preparation for worship?
9. What conferences/seminars/workshops/retreats do you attend yearly in order to be equipped, refreshed, artistically inspired and to connect with other worship leaders/Christians from other churches?
10. How would you describe your musical aesthetic? What musical genre do you prefer? How would others describe you musically?
11.When you look at the kinds of songs you choose and how often you choose them, what do you think that it says about your musical and liturgical ethos?
12. What are your greatest fears, wishes and excitements as a worship leader?
13. What are your best worship experiences as a worshiper in the congregation?
14. What are your best worship experiences as a worship leader?
15. How often do you step out of your comfort zones - for example, expose yourself to music outside of your preferred genre or heart language; and take up new challenges in worship leading?
16. How often are you off from worship leading and worshiping off-stage? In all honesty, is this too often/rare? What is your ideal? Are you getting enough rest?
17. How much time do you spend praying and preparing for Sunday worship each week? What does "preparation" mean? How could time be managed more effectively so that preparation would be more efficient? Are there things you could give up in order to focus better on your tasks? Are you communicating well enough with those on your team as well as your leaders? Are you building relationships as you lead your team each week? Do you make enough effort to encourage and edify your musicians?
18. Are you mentoring/discipling somebody or a group in your church? If not, why? :P
19. How do you present yourself/behave when you are not worship leading? How do you behave when your church people aren't around/when you are alone? Do you spend time alone with God on a regular basis?
20. Do you make time for people outside "ministry time"?
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| Christ Church, Oxford ~ "Hope, Love, Faith" |
Sunday, 10 June 2012
After a crazy but enjoyable Saturday...
My dear friends, Matthew and Ai Hua, are now married. T'was a simple but beautiful wedding. One of the most heart-warming ones I've ever attended. The event was indeed the fruit of much labour ~ labour of love by many friends.
The worship team I led that afternoon...
I don't think I am in the position to say that I am very proud of each and everyone of them (even though I feel that way as a leader) - because I was as much a team member as any of them was. Working with them for the past month or so has been an interesting experience. Practices have been fun and fruitful, even though they were not without their challenges. Musicians and vocalists always came ready; they supported and complemented one another throughout each medley - and this made my work as a worship leader very pleasantly simple. Co-ordinating the team (since our members came from 4 different churches) has indeed taught me much patience and made me more courageous. God has again proved His grace sufficient. I have been very blessed - not just by working with these people, but also by the new relationships/friendships fostered at the end of the day.
God, thank You for leading us. Thank You for leading me that I could lead our team. Thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit in the hearts of Your worshipers. It was extravagant.
The wedding dinner was held at Copthorne Orchid Hotel @ Tanjong Bungah.
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| Pic courtesy of M.Y |
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| The MBTS people at the wedding. Pic courtesy of Jacqueline |
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| Left to right: Wei Yen (vocalist), Leslie (bassist), Christopher (acoustic guitarist), myself and Ai Ching (vocalist) |
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| Left to right: Ai Ching, myself, Ellen (pianist), Wei Yen, Bryan (drummer) and Christopher |
A big thank you to all who upheld our team in prayer. Your prayers have been very, very precious - not only to us, but also the bride and bridegroom whose holy matrimony we were participating in as helpers. From where I was leading during praise-and-worship, I could hear the whole hall resounding with singing (much to my amazement) and hands were raised everywhere. The congregation was so fervently worshiping, that many times, they came in before the worship leader did (during those 1-bar rests) ~ and I had to change the arrangements spontaneously. Scary for me, haha... but the experience was still truly marvelous. The mood was set and hearts were indeed prepared for the sermon and solemnizing of marriage that followed praise-and-worship.
God, thank You for leading us. Thank You for leading me that I could lead our team. Thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit in the hearts of Your worshipers. It was extravagant.
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| Look at my tired face... I couldn't sleep the night before worrying about everything :P |
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
On Worship leading...
Was pondering on my journey as a worship leader - as part of our spiritual formation III course. Also because I'm currently wrestling with my assignment to worship lead for Ai Hua's and Matt's wedding.
My journey began back in 2004 ~ when our EN Dublin worship director/leader (Mark) came down with vocal cord nodules. I was happily one of the back-up vocalists at that time ~ shy and self-conscious (I still am in many ways) ~ when Mark told me that I would have to expand my range of duties. It was also around that time, when I discovered God's calling upon my life through which I would cease to remain in the field of medicine.
In short, I was ushered into a whole new world... according to God's will - through this Namibian gentleman:
After some weeks of protesting, bargaining and denial (with a big D)... I finally began taking on more lead vocalist's roles while Mark continued mentoring me in his state of voicelessness. He would still set the general direction for every praise-and-worship session; choose the songs to be sung, and etc. He would still play his guitar in our worship team and guide me. I enjoyed being Mark's "puppet" (because I did not need to be wholly responsible for things)... till he started allowing me to make decisions with regards to songs and stuff... and hence, my puppet stint ended (sadly for me, at that time). Boldness was put to the test, as well as my discipline and dependence on God. I often felt overwhelmed and under-equipped, not to mention a little rebellious. Perhaps it's because of the experiences of God's love, power, mercy and grace in those days of humble beginnings, that I still yearn for and depend on them now. My main strive isn't to be exceptional and impressive in my style - but rather, for my worship-leading to be Spirit-led and God-dependent; to flow with God. This strive admittedly drives me into a lot of anguish and stress every time I worship-lead (because it is hard to discern God's heart when I am so pre-occupied with the abundant matters of life and of my own foolish heart... Furthermore, it means that I also have to deny my control-freak's natural tendencies) ~ but I know it is worth it.
Mark was quite a visionary kind of leader. He wasn't quite contented for us to remain where we were, but he had the faith for us to serve God in much bigger capacities - so he would encourage worship team members to read books, pray and attend worship/music conferences as well as concerts in Belfast, some hours north of Dublin. It was through such conferences my passion for the work God had given me to do grew in leaps and bounds. The people in our congregation were very supportive; God's lovingkindness had me placed in a conducive environment to be nurtured, urged out of my comfort zones as well as matured with regards to my spiritual formation and gifts. EN Dublin was indeed home and family to me. Every time I thought I had grown enough, new opportunities of growth appeared. Mark seemed to like challenging me to do new things...like lead worship on the keys. I don't claim to be very good at them - but God's grace and favour had me doing them quite well and growing in His time.
Penang was (and still is) a very different kind of environment for me. Thankfully, I've grown used to the way things go... and I've gone back to worship-leading in the church (albeit a much bigger one than EN Dublin) since last year ~ after about 5 years of worship-leading and worship-coordinating in other contexts (CF, seminary, small groups, events, etc). The challenges are very different here. However, it is also a different season of growth for me - and so I am learning to yet rejoice in all circumstances. God's grace has brought me to embark on this journey; God's grace has brought me thus far; and God's grace will see me through every season.
May I not lose the wonder of serving God wherever He has called and enabled me. Let me always remember this journey and marvel. Abba, this is my desire... to honor You.
My journey began back in 2004 ~ when our EN Dublin worship director/leader (Mark) came down with vocal cord nodules. I was happily one of the back-up vocalists at that time ~ shy and self-conscious (I still am in many ways) ~ when Mark told me that I would have to expand my range of duties. It was also around that time, when I discovered God's calling upon my life through which I would cease to remain in the field of medicine.
In short, I was ushered into a whole new world... according to God's will - through this Namibian gentleman:
 |
| Mark. Pic courtesy of Pst. Claudine |
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| The key people on our worship team back then |
Penang was (and still is) a very different kind of environment for me. Thankfully, I've grown used to the way things go... and I've gone back to worship-leading in the church (albeit a much bigger one than EN Dublin) since last year ~ after about 5 years of worship-leading and worship-coordinating in other contexts (CF, seminary, small groups, events, etc). The challenges are very different here. However, it is also a different season of growth for me - and so I am learning to yet rejoice in all circumstances. God's grace has brought me to embark on this journey; God's grace has brought me thus far; and God's grace will see me through every season.
May I not lose the wonder of serving God wherever He has called and enabled me. Let me always remember this journey and marvel. Abba, this is my desire... to honor You.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Weekend over
On Friday, I accompanied a dear friend, Ai Hua, for her bridal fitting at Touch Collections.
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| Pardon the unlady-like way I was sitting... the sofa was way too comfortable... |
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| Ruth came with her paraphernalia for working on MBTS assignments. LOL. *Salute* |
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| While Ai Hua was trying on her umpteenth dress... |
So glad that Ai Hua found her favourite dresses. *Phew* 마침내!
Ben and I received the keys to our new apartment on Friday too ~ and so we eagerly and very excitedly drove all the way there to take a look. Realized from the Sales and Purchase forms that our house was bigger than we thought - instead of 860 sqft, it is 925 sqft! There is no electricity supply (as well as water) yet, so we watched the sun set over the horizon and went home after darkness fell. Ben engaged the contractor the very next afternoon (while I was teaching and attending worship practice) and chose the tiles for the flooring. Hoping that things will proceed quickly, because somebody else is waiting to move into our current home! God, we thank You for providing us this house. It is exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask for or imagine. We pray that it will be a blessing to others who visit or stay with us. A place of refreshment, love, worship and inspiration. May You be glorified.
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| There is more to the seaview than this picture portrays. This was taken on our balcony. The seaview from our bedroom windows is much better. |
Discipleship session with the two girls on Saturday morning was great. We've come to a point, after many weeks (and months) behind us, whereby we trust each other more - thank God for that. The most heartwarming part of working with the girls is their teachability... their willingness to learn and be corrected. They are also beginning to ask more questions, ask for prayer and engage in corporate prayer. It has been a fun, fulfilling and beautiful experience for me... being involved in God's sovereign work in these girls' lives. Having a small part to play, and yet most of the time, it's sitting back, keeping my hands off,and watching God stretch and grow them in His own time, a process that cannot be interfered in or sped up. What a privilege for me - and yet all of us, Christians, are called to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20). This is really the first time I've discipled new believers at TMCP. A unique experience indeed, considering the previous churches I've attended weren't Methodist churches and the lovelies I've discipled weren't Methodist. Hehe. Beautiful nevertheless, coz ultimately it's the same Kingdom we are building... that of Jesus Christ. All glory be unto Him.
Led worship again on Sunday. Music rehearsal on Saturday was really humbling and tiring (because some of us were blur and exhausted from a busy week ~ including yours truly), but I was glad and inspired by how committed our team was. There was absolutely no complaining aloud, even though I must have whined a bit in my heart, I confess. (God, forgive me!) Musicians worked hard to gel with one another as well as to play their various roles in the ensemble. Nevertheless, it was really difficult this round, beats me. The songs were mostly familiar songs too. At the end of the rehearsal, we still struggled with certain parts. I went home very humbled and tired. I believe the rest did as well. Praise God that whatever the outcome on Sunday, God was still worshiped extravagantly and unreservedly by many... and that was the sweetest reward ever - God turning our inadequacies into something beautiful with His adequacies. Not only something beautiful, but something that truly blessed His heart... that caused all to see and savor His glory. Thanks to all who prayed and encouraged us. *Appreciative*
And so, today is Monday. Gonna spend it doing my theology assignments, revising my 한국어, working on my music... and (hopefully) ironing some clothes.
Monday, 2 April 2012
April dawns...and March fades
Blessed Sunday, folks! :)
Thanks for the prayers, with regards to my health.
While I'm not 100% recovered yet and there's still a lot of ambiguous gunk clogging up my nose, the passage-ways between my nose and throat as well as my windpipes (which makes me choke, splutter and cough at the randomest times), my voice isn't doing too badly. In fact the terrible raspiness cleared up quite a bit yesterday evening and that was really a good thing (for me). I could worship-lead this morning. Yes!
It happened to be Alanis' first time as a back-up vocalist; I must say that she rooted for me quite well. My musicians (mostly the youths) were again very punctual - 10.30am and they were all clambering up onto the stage to get ready! Despite some difficulties during our rehearsal on Friday, everyone gave their best. So grateful for their commitment as well as their patience with their sometimes-mong-cha-cha (in one word, "Blur") worship leader. God has given me much grace. Personally, I don't find worship-leading very appealing because I seem to lack the confidence and assertiveness for it (not to mention that I feel very helpless most of the time). I have tried to escape worship-leading many times, in the past few years. However, I cannot deny (any longer) that there is a call upon my life to worship-lead (please don't let my WAM chairman know that I said this, haha! :P) and every time I step out in faith and obedience, God's grace just keeps flowing and I enjoy His favor. For instance...
All by the grace of an Almighty, sovereign and loving God. By this same grace, I will find joy and fulfillment in serving Him the way I was made to serve. I will trust in His plan, yes.
Well, my voice is back to its sexy, husky state. Not sure if I'll manage to keep up with group performance thingy for Easter Sunday, but I'll try.
Accompanied my in-laws from graveyard to graveyard today, as a way of observing Qing Ming (according to the Wikipedia, it is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice, whereby people go out and finally enjoy the greenery of springtime after a bitter-cold winter and sweep the graves of their departed loved ones). I never appreciated the festival before I got to know Ben, because back home my parents never emphasized on the necessity of observing it. Since my parents-in-law gave their lives to Christ, Qing Ming has become a much simpler, non-religious affair than before (praise God!) ~ In fact, I find it pretty meaningful to meet relatives over reunion meals, chat about ancestors, Grandpa and Grandma (etc)... and appreciate God's sovereign foundations for my husband's precious existence in this world - imperfect as they may seem to be. And if God hadn't been sovereign, Ben wouldn't have come this far ~ most of all to know Him, fear Him and love Him.
Random thought ~ I'm not sure if dad has been sweeping mom's grave back in Nilai though. Haha. The mosquitoes at that place must have a gala everytime Qing Ming comes because they can feast on the ankles of filial people while they sweep their ancestors' graves. What an annual treat! It must be some sort of Thanksgiving Day for the mozzies, I suppose.
What a day to visit graveyards on the island of Penang. The sun was ferocious. My ankles were being slyly seared by its rays, even as I stood beneath my huge umbrella. The dust that rose from the dry graves was thick and seemed to stick at the back of our throats. The Taoists (most of whom came before our group) had been burning joss-sticks for their ancestors and so the wind whipped remnants of ash into the air and diffused the smoke. At the end of the visit, my hair and clothes emanated the smoky scent! The little ones had such fun running around the graves and laughing everytime the wind blew off someone's hat. Where do they get such energy when the sun was sapping all of mine away? The day ended with everyone having dinner at Song River (Gurney Drive)... and as for Ben and I, we went grocery-shopping at Tesco's.
Pretty happy to have the husband back from his retreat.
Thanks for the prayers, with regards to my health.
While I'm not 100% recovered yet and there's still a lot of ambiguous gunk clogging up my nose, the passage-ways between my nose and throat as well as my windpipes (which makes me choke, splutter and cough at the randomest times), my voice isn't doing too badly. In fact the terrible raspiness cleared up quite a bit yesterday evening and that was really a good thing (for me). I could worship-lead this morning. Yes!
It happened to be Alanis' first time as a back-up vocalist; I must say that she rooted for me quite well. My musicians (mostly the youths) were again very punctual - 10.30am and they were all clambering up onto the stage to get ready! Despite some difficulties during our rehearsal on Friday, everyone gave their best. So grateful for their commitment as well as their patience with their sometimes-mong-cha-cha (in one word, "Blur") worship leader. God has given me much grace. Personally, I don't find worship-leading very appealing because I seem to lack the confidence and assertiveness for it (not to mention that I feel very helpless most of the time). I have tried to escape worship-leading many times, in the past few years. However, I cannot deny (any longer) that there is a call upon my life to worship-lead (please don't let my WAM chairman know that I said this, haha! :P) and every time I step out in faith and obedience, God's grace just keeps flowing and I enjoy His favor. For instance...
- My musicians are always co-operative ~ even though they may not be perfectly skilled ~ and that's OK, coz we can all afford to grow. I need to grow much myself.
- God never fails to guide me in my song-selection and so that songs are always relevant to the message of the day.
- I often fall sick/have stressful workloads the week I have to prepare to lead worship (this isn't the first time) and yet, God always grants me the joy and strength to get all my work and preparation done.
All by the grace of an Almighty, sovereign and loving God. By this same grace, I will find joy and fulfillment in serving Him the way I was made to serve. I will trust in His plan, yes.
Well, my voice is back to its sexy, husky state. Not sure if I'll manage to keep up with group performance thingy for Easter Sunday, but I'll try.
Accompanied my in-laws from graveyard to graveyard today, as a way of observing Qing Ming (according to the Wikipedia, it is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice, whereby people go out and finally enjoy the greenery of springtime after a bitter-cold winter and sweep the graves of their departed loved ones). I never appreciated the festival before I got to know Ben, because back home my parents never emphasized on the necessity of observing it. Since my parents-in-law gave their lives to Christ, Qing Ming has become a much simpler, non-religious affair than before (praise God!) ~ In fact, I find it pretty meaningful to meet relatives over reunion meals, chat about ancestors, Grandpa and Grandma (etc)... and appreciate God's sovereign foundations for my husband's precious existence in this world - imperfect as they may seem to be. And if God hadn't been sovereign, Ben wouldn't have come this far ~ most of all to know Him, fear Him and love Him.
Random thought ~ I'm not sure if dad has been sweeping mom's grave back in Nilai though. Haha. The mosquitoes at that place must have a gala everytime Qing Ming comes because they can feast on the ankles of filial people while they sweep their ancestors' graves. What an annual treat! It must be some sort of Thanksgiving Day for the mozzies, I suppose.
What a day to visit graveyards on the island of Penang. The sun was ferocious. My ankles were being slyly seared by its rays, even as I stood beneath my huge umbrella. The dust that rose from the dry graves was thick and seemed to stick at the back of our throats. The Taoists (most of whom came before our group) had been burning joss-sticks for their ancestors and so the wind whipped remnants of ash into the air and diffused the smoke. At the end of the visit, my hair and clothes emanated the smoky scent! The little ones had such fun running around the graves and laughing everytime the wind blew off someone's hat. Where do they get such energy when the sun was sapping all of mine away? The day ended with everyone having dinner at Song River (Gurney Drive)... and as for Ben and I, we went grocery-shopping at Tesco's.
Pretty happy to have the husband back from his retreat.
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