Sunday, August 21, 2005

Blessed is he who considers the poor.

yesterday was bethany's 32nd anniversary. as always it was a wonderful occasion held at swissotel the stamford.

we opened service with 3 hymns. To God be the glory, All hail the power of Jesus's name and O for a thousand tongues to sing. familiar favourites. =)

then choir came up with 5 songs. starting with the children and the youth choir singing Lighthouse. it's such a nice and catchy song. the children did actions and the youth choir backed them up in terms of volume. ahh..always such a joy to see them scramble on stage, being all excited. then some 10 children were dressed as colourful see creatures clapping along to the music. it so real cute. such a sunshine-y moment. after the chorus 10 over youth choir members came on stage to execute some rather difficult actions. very energetic. very nice. they even went into no music mode and shouted the lyrics of the chorus while doing some really fast acrobatics. a nice twist. must be kudos to queen-of-actions adelyn.

the next 4 songs were taken by the youth and senior choir. For Such a Time As This, People Need the Lord, which was accompanied by a wonderful video montage on our overseas missionary work in burma, yang gon, india, australia and africa. very touching. then was I Will Be Christ to You, then A World of Difference, where 6 dancers clad in all-black and white face paint danced. very nice! =) only could recognise mel, zhihui and justina.

then pastor spoke from Matthew 25. "Come, blessed of my father..." spoke to my heart. it's nice to think that we are all aware of the suffering and pain outside of my little comfort zone. and i sometimes feel guilty and ashamed that i'm spending like a spendthrift on clothes accessories shoes and fixing my ibook, and forgetting about people who struggle each day to make ends meet. i'm glad that bethany is giving to these people. i'm glad we're building orphanages and churches in such places to lend a helping hand to the people who need help, need us and most importanly, people who need the Lord. i'm glad that bethany collects offerings to help these people. and i'm glad that the people in bethany give so freely and with compassion.

thank you, Lord.

after benediction and postlude went outside to the reception to mingle and talk to people and find out my table number. people at my table were tr. aileen, louisa, glenda, amanda, kathy, lori, lori's friends huiting and phoebe, jaiqi and ruth. dinner was yummy! and it was great fun sitting with tr. aileen, glen, lou and amanda. funny bunch these girls. ah..best to mention the dessert buffet! we were all already quite full from the 8 course meal, but we still wanted to indulge in dessert! there was yummy or ni, or yam paste, cheese cake, chocolate mousse, mango pudding and fruits. =)

after many pictures-taking, saying bye to alvin, who is now on a plane to US... saying byes to the others... we finally headed home at 10.30pm. gave justina jerm and louisa lifts back. not before getting our books written by pastor. on the Lord's prayer.

happy. =)

Lighthouse

if i am salt of the earth
i'll make sure my salt shaker works
and if i am a light on a hill
i will not run when i need to be still
'cos salt can lose its flavour
and a light can grow dim
if i wanna be salt of the earth
and a light to the world and my friends

i'll be a lighthouse shining above
i'll be a lighthouse sharing His love
and if my flame flickers and my well runs dry
i know Jesus lives inside
my lighthouse
my lighthouse

i can't hide oh no
like a seed my roots need to grow
i've gotta share it oh yes
i'm telling others just how i've been blessed
they can come to the harbour of light
if they're shipwrecked again
oh i wanna be salt of the earth
and i alight to the world and my friends

i'll be a lighthouse shining above
i'll be a lighthouse sharing His love
and if my flame flickers and my well runs dry
i know Jesus lives inside
my lighthouse
my lighthouse
question: if you had $1000, and you give $300 away to the poor, how much would you have left?

answer: is not $700. is $300, found in Heaven. if we look at eternity, the $700 you supposedly have left would not mean anything. it'll be spent, or saved, but you cannot bring it with you when you die. but as you give $300 away, it's something you inherit when you enter the kingdom of Heaven. we actually have inheritance.

nice to know. lessons from pastor.

This girl posted at 3:08 PM