Week 2 in Redding

Dear all,

I'm writing this while sitting in line for the "On Earth as it is in Heaven" conference which starts tonight till Friday. It's in the middle of our school term so the conference is part of our school - 2 in 1! This conference will have speakers like Tommy Tenney, Ray Hughes and Shawn Bolz, and an amazing worship leader and pastor called Lindell Cooley. We've had Lindell for the past 2 days in school leading us in worship and teaching us and words escape me... I can't describe the experience except that it's truly of the Holy Spirit and I'm drenched!

Sitting in line with laptops. The line goes round the sanctuary and the service starts in 2 hours time. How fun.

Yesterday, the moment Lindell sang the first line of his song, it was like electricity ran through my body and I just felt like my heart was going to burst with praise, love, excitement, delirium and I was just enjoying every moment of the Holy Spirit's presence. It was so easy to enter into His presence - it was pure magnetism. Wow... this same access is available for us every day if only we would pay attention to His abiding presence in our lives! It felt like heaven opened and POURED out rain like never before. We all swam in the river and no one wanted to come out and we didn't have to either! Woohoo.....!

Week 2 is just beginning and I must say I'm expecting more and more of Him each day. It's more than the amazing worship times or the inspiring teaching or the fun activities we get to do. All these things are wonderful and I'm enjoying every moment of this mountain-top experience. But the more important thing is God is affirming His works and creation on earth, and I'm a part of that. How awesome to be a child of God.

There is more to come, more to learn. What is God doing in and to my heart? A renewed call to intimacy and out of that, power and authority to speak things on His heart to being. I'm so enjoying this time of rest in Him. Not a passive, do-nothing kind of rest (although that's been nice too :)) but a rest and hope in Him that results in renewed strength as described in Isa 40.

Hey worshippers, don't ever compromise on your standards of obedience to God. Love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. We love because He first loved us.

luv,
jenn

Children Ministry Music Workshop

On Wednesday (13th) and Thursday (14th), some of the musicians from Adults, Youth and Children ministry collectively conducted the workshop and it's a success! Through the workshop, I've learned more than I teach. In fact, this started out in my dream and then Pastor Jenn asked some of us to help out.

1, 2, 3, 4! Rock the House!

We can show the adults - We can do it!

Wanna know what instrument is that?
*Will post up a video shortly*

One of the groups.

That's Seth for you.

Gerald

Auntie Serena sharing about worship

The Future Warriors!

It's really a joy to serve the kids. In fact, Gerald and I were supporting Auntie Serena in vocals and Gerald said it was his first time in a way. LOL! For me, it was really a challenge too. As we shared all that we could, we really feel blessed by the kids, each and everyone of them. What really draws me to them would be their childlikeness.

Don't worry! I'm ready!

Wait! Wait! I'm preparing!

Preparing for Practice!

Rebecca

Joy

Jonathan

Timothy

Kenny with the guitarists

Uncle Steven with the guitarists

The most surprising thing is the love gift I received. I believe each of us received it too. It's really amazing. Shall not spoil any markets here. Anyway, all the glory goes to Jesus. He made it happen and best of all, we have them worshiping and leading us into worship.

Get Ready!

I'm all ready! Don't worry, I'm not stoning!

Uncle Steven said..... worship like a blind man!
*Feeling!*

The Ensemble Song: Lord I Lift Your Name On High

Girl Power!

Johan leading the team.

Good Job, Children of God!

Auntie Belinda in action!

It will come to pass! =) Thanks Pastor Jenn for giving us this opportunity to learn and to facilitate. We sure had fun! =)

Be Blessed!

Psalms 124-125

Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say-
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,

3 when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;

4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 125
A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.

4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.

5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel.


Dearest dearest people,

I can't believe how much I'm missing church. Haaa.... and I've only been away a few days. OK they say absence makes the heart grow fonder so I can only say that's true for me now! :)

It's been more than a month since I last posted my meditation on the "Songs of Ascent" so I'm going to do a double-whammy here. It comes timely as well since I'm in Redding and surrounded by mountains so it gives more meaning to ascending onto the mountain of the Lord.

This morning, I was at the prayer house and it was such a beautiful time of being in God's presence. There is a special anointing upon this prayer house called "Alabastar House" here at Bethel Church. I walked in the place and within 10 seconds I'm in tears from sensing the nearness and embrace of Father. How beautiful.

The Prayer House from the outside

View from the Prayer House. Can you see the mountains?
The little pool is called the Pool of Bethesda.

And so I looked at Psalms 124 and 125 and let's look at Psalm 125 as a continuation of 124. Psalm 124 is a fine picture of how God delivers us from every evil and persecution. Are we able to give testimony of God's presence in our lives when we encounter times of attack from the enemy or when our own weaknesses and giants confront us? More importantly, let's remember that we have ultimately been rescued from paying the price of sin that is death. In verses 6-7, the psalmist talks about us being "torn by their teeth" and us escaping from the the fowler's snare. Those illustrations point to the hold of satan over those who do not choose to turn from sin ("torn by teeth", "fowler's snare) but in Christ, we have "escaped" because the "snare has been broken"!

Next, look at Psalm 125. Can you just sense the confidence and boldness the psalmist has as he writes about the Lord's trustworthiness? The psalmist says that those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion - a holy mountain supported by providence and promise and cannot be removed from confidence in God. I'm here in Redding and it's surrounded by beautiful mountains. So is Jerusalem. The surrounding of mountains signify a circle of unmovable protection. Those that trust in the Lord are safe from their enemies. Nothing can move them. It's like having a impenetrable shield of defense. We need not be afraid of the fiery darts that may fly at us.

Be steadfast in God. Use and trust His shield around us. There is nothing that can upset the trustworthiness of God because He is faithful and unchanging. Look up the mountain and see your help in time of need. God is your source of help and strength.

love you all,
jenn

"I will not be afraid, for You have given me a new way to be brave."

Up and Away to Redding

Dearest beloved team,

I'm just hours away from getting on the plane to leave for Redding, California (USA) to attend School of Supernatural Worship in Bethel Church. Those of you curious to find out exactly what this school is may click here.

I'd like to share my reflections and expectations about this trip, which I believe comes timely. When I tell people about me going for this summer school programme that focuses on "supernatural worship", the 2 most common responses I received were:

1) "I thought you're in youth ministry now, why are you attending a worship conference?"
2) "Haa..... supernatural worship.....? What's that?"

These simple responses triggered my thoughts and beliefs about ministry, church and worship of God. However it was also a reminder for me to focus on what's important. Above all things, I want to worship God, and to lead others to do the same.

Some years ago when I had spent a period of time leading worship in church, I started to think really hard about what it means to be a worship leader. There was something in me that refused to accept that worship leading is only about being good in music, singing and choosing the right songs for the right time. It wasn't even about having the Holy Spirit move whenever I lead, even though I absolutely love it when He does! After some time of soul-searching and Word-searching, this verse helped to consolidate my thoughts:

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

With this verse, "worship as a lifestyle" made sense. If I were to offer my body as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God, that is my act of worship. Therefore when I "lead worship", it is in this order:

1) I worship God in every part of my life
2) I worship God when leading people to do the same
3) I worship God with my musical and leadership abilities
4) I worship God when standing on the platform and using song and music to lead people to worship Him

What this means is I am more than a worship leader confined by music and platforms, but I am a worship leader IN LIFE, with the sole purpose of leading people to worship God. So when I attend School of Supernatural Worship, I am first a worshipper and when I am worshipper that pleases God, I can then be able to "test and approve what God's will is" for myself and every part of my life, including my role as a youth pastor. I'm excited and looking forward to a time of refreshing and revelation as I worship God during School of Supernatural Worship.

As for the 2nd response - it's almost a no-brainer because worship IS supernatural and we must know that. Is there such a thing as "natural worship"? I don't believe so, because worship is about WHO you worship. Our God is supernatural, so our worship must be supernatural too!

The next 3 weeks are going to be a great time of refreshing, revelation and building relationships for me. Please keep me and John, Ps Edwin, Chris and Paul Seow in prayer as well. I will miss you all and do have fun worshipping God as a team!

luv,
jenn

Music Advance 2007 - Mid Year

It's time again for our Music Advance this year! The theme was Servanthood. I believe that we've so much to share. Let's discuss it in forum. Feedback, etc.

For now, I'll upload the pics here. In any case, this advance was really bringing back and challenging us the essence of Servanthood. The visitation of the Children's home, even down to the simplest thing like serving others within our ministry and out of the ministry.

Pretty much enjoyed this advance with a sense of purpose and renewal of the mind and refreshing of the heart.

Be Blessed!