Happy Anniversary Dad and Mum

To Dad and Mum on their 23rd anniversary on 29/12/07

I could have got you flowers
Plush cards or silver rings
But if there's no sincerity
Then gifts don't mean a thing

Instead to both of you I write
These verses to impart
Like this it's easier to express
The content of my heart

You brought me here into this earth
A child to call your own
Nursed and taught and sheltered me
Your house has been my home

As years went on we shared some laughs
Smiles etched in memory
Other times were not as smooth
A near catastrophe

Resentment's been a friend before
Implosive icy stares
My mind emotions oft have asked
If you did really care

And though it's taken quite a while
Through prayer I finally see
Two holy lives that still reflect
The Father's love for me

Two lives that celebrate today
Their anniversary...

Love Jordan

Why I said NO to the Hollywood job offer...

Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:25 - There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 19:21 - There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts
Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps
Proverbs 16:2 - All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
Proverbs 16:1 - The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 24:1 - Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Proverbs 4:14-15 - Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Proverbs 15:9 - The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Proverbs 3:13-14 - Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Proverbs 8:10-11 - Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Proverbs 15:16 - Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Proverbs 16:16 - How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 16:8 - Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Proverbs 16:19 - Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud
Psalm 103:31 - I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Proverbs 27:1-2 - Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Mark 8:36 - For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
1 Corinthians 6:12 - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Proverbs 8:17-19 - I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Proverbs 11:28 - He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Proverbs 13:13 - Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 14:12 -So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Need God say more?

Check out this preacher...
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=8942395

Pornography Addiction in Churches (You're not the only one struggling)

72 million people visit pornographic websites anually

47% of Christians say porn is a major problem at home

72% of men visit porn sites
50% of Christian men are addicted to porn
28% of women visit porn sites
20% of Christian women are addicted to porn
70% of teens have viewed pornography
51% of pastors struggle with pornography addiction

Average age of 1st internet exposure to pornography - 11 years old
Largest consumer of internet pornography - 12 to 17 age group
15 - 17 year olds having multiple hardcore exposures - 80%
8 - 16 year olds having viewed porn online - 90% (most while doing homework)
7 - 17 year olds who would freely give out home address - 29%
7 - 17 year olds who would freely give out email addresses - 14%
Children's cartoon characters linked to thousands of porn links - 26 (including pokemon and action man)

Men admitting to accessing porn at work - 20%
US adults who regularly visit internet porn sites - 40 million
Promise Keepers men who viewed porn in the last week - 53%
Adults admitting to internet sexual addiction - 10%

13% of women admit to accessing porn at work
70% of womem keep their cyber activities secret
17% of ALL women struggle with pornography addiction
Women, far more than men, are likely to act out their behaviours in real life, such as having multiple partners, casual sex, or affairs
Women favour chat rooms 2x's more than men
1 out of 3 visitors to adult website's are women
9.4 million women access adult websites each month

51% of you say porn is a temptation
69% of you started looking at porn out of curiosity
37% of you say it's currently a struggle
53% of you have visited porn sites in the past year
18% of you look at porn a couple of times a month
30% of you do not talk to anyone about your dirty little secret
4 in 10 of you looked at porn today

100% of you need accountability

Recovery can happen, marriages can be saved and families can come together.

Your first priority: Get someone to talk to. As they start to walk toward forgiveness, loved ones need to talk things out and develop their own forms of accountability.

Seek God: If you are not walking closely with the Lord right now, we encourage you to get back on the horse. Seek Him with all your heart. Your relationship with God is your lifeline. God will give you strength to love your spouse with Christ's love.

Don't condemn: Condemnation does not solve problems it elevates them. Most likely your reaction to the problem will be anger and condemnation. We encourage you to take a step back and let that anger find another outlet other than your loved one. Pray, call a friend, talk to your pastor. You by no means will be 100% perfect with this, but you must place yourself in a position to ward off the anger, as it will cause more division.

Show some love: Love may be the last thing you feel like showing your loved one right now. You're not a doormat for someone's porn problem. Adopt a "tough love" approach with your loved one. Set clear boundaries for behavior and consequences for breaking them.

Intervention: In some cases your loved one might be unwilling to admit to confront his/her dirty little secret. With some prayer and council from friends, family and pastoral care we suggest an intervention. An intervention is a big step to help cut the sin off at the knees.

Proverbs 28:13 - He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

So why the post you ask?

Cause I'm still on the long hard road to total freedom and I want you to join me to victory in Jesus Christ if you're still struggling...

More testimonies here
http://www.porn-free.org/destruction_testimonials.htm
http://www.porn-free.org/freedom_testimonials.htm
http://xxxchurch.com/

A humbling experience...

"You've handed in your composition assignment already?!?!?! When did you do it?"

"The same night it got assigned to us, finished it at 2am in the morning"

"Whoa, you're the man, etc... (other praises)"

I get that a lot from my friends at uni... Ever since I 1st started this course... And sometimes it really bugs me, but other times it makes me feel even prouder of myself... I start thinking "hey... maybe I am really good... hah! Take a look at me and what I can do!" All that kinda thing... and in this is all twined with sporadic mentions of what God is doing in my life and how He helps me that kinda stuff...

Wednesday 12am... Afro-Cuban Class...

The lecturer organizes everyone and as the class settles and we get ready to play another students' composition, he asks how people are getting along with their compositions... I handed mine in 1 week ago so I thought to myself, "ahhh, nice relaxing lesson for me" To my discomfort and sudden self-awareness in front of other classmates, the lecturer mentions how I handed my composition in and how I should get an A just for doing that... and then starts comparing me with other people... for about 8 minutes! Yea, it made me feel EXTREMELY awkward...

Questions and thoughts start racing round my mind... Why is he saying that? Oh my goodness, I need to get out of here now! Erm, are we going to play my composition? I dunno if it's up to standard... What will my friends think of me? Am I making them feel bad indirectly? Will they harbour grievances against me? My reputation is at stake! I've been in one of these situations before but never as embarrassing as this one!

It got worse... As the 1st student finished his piece, I thought to myself, wow, this guy has come along way since the day I met him in the 1st year... Next up, my turn... Uh-oh, can we not do this?

Looking at my score as I started to play the piano, I thought to myself, crap, I didn't revise this or scrutinise my own composition before I handed it in... Next thing you know, all the horns were out of sync, percussion seemed to play a lot more than I expected and I had trouble reading my own piano part!

GET ME OUT OF THIS CLASSROOM NOW!

In the periphery, I could feel the beady eyes of my friends staring at me... Jordan, you numbskull, you should have checked your work 1st before you handed it in and you shouldn't have been so cavalier about it... well, my world didn't come crashing down but the next thing that happened triggered a few light bulbs...

The lecturer looked at me... gulp...

"Looks like we have a lot of re-working and re-writing to do"

"erm, yes", I said sheepishly...

He turned to the class... come on, don't drag this out! Arghhh...

"How many weeks till the assignment due date?"

"2 weeks" someone right at the back of the class responded

He looked at me again...

"Ok, how about we pretend this never happened, you take your work back, re-work it then hand it in again"

"yea ok, thanx"

Light bulb 1: Whoa, talk about grace and mercy... From someone who isn't saved...

Light bulb 2: If someone like that can show me grace and mercy, how much more my heavenly Father up above in heaven? And should I respond to Him merely with a "yea ok, thanx"?

Light bulb 3: Failing does not make you a failure... What you do about it next, determines whether you will succeed...

Most of you who know me, know my musical capabilities, but let me share with you some bumps along the way...

I was born as a tone deaf kid, I never liked classical piano lessons, I strove with my dad about 8-9 years about whether to do jazz or classical music, my 1st experience performing in a talent show was a nightmare because sweat was pouring out my hands and my legs were shaking so much that I couldn't control the damper pedal, I've auditioned for the school chapel band and barely made it through the hymn in Ab they asked me to sight read because I couldn't play by chords, I've joined the Singapore Youth Training Orchestra but never made it to the main orchestra because I kept failing the assessments at the end of the semesters due to poor sight reading skills, I've failed music theory twice and barely scraped through the other theory and piano exams I did, once my cousin came over to my house to play Chopin and I had to play after him, embarrassing me in front of other relatives, my dad once told me I would never be able to make it as a professional if I kept on playing the way I did and he said that after I had practiced 6 hours a day for about 4 months, I remember struggling to keep a steady groove on the bass or drums in church, my bassoon teachers thought I wouldn't make it and I could sense that sometimes they nearly gave up on me, some jazz piano teacher at Guildhall never showed up for lessons and he said that I didn't practice as well so asked me not to blame him for not showing up, I was the worst musician in wind ensemble in Guildhall so no one would talk with me like a real friend and my lunchtimes were spent sitting alone eating home-made sandwiches in the toilet, I've had concerts in college where there would only be about 10 people in the audience, I've arranged terrible music for TV so that the guys in charge got someone else to do it instead, I've had arguments with the army band concert master, I've made major blunders in gigs, double-booked myself sometimes, gone really off key when singing, written some of the worst songs, recorded even worse demos, been ripped off by managers, had tussles with some band mates, failed to prove myself at many jam sessions, been stuck for composition and improvisational ideas, taught students poorly and I've been burnt out more than once before...

Today, I have perfect pitch, I play about 10 different instruments, all but 2 of them I learnt myself, I've been given a lower grade twice for my assignments because if I was given a higher grade, the standard for the rest of the cohort would have to be reviewed and bumped up (once with my piano teacher and the other time with my jazz lecturer), I consistently get asked to give music lessons and play with various bands, I have a vast musical experience playing with a variety of musicians in hotels, pubs, restaurants both in Singapore and UK (Check my CV and my grades in Uni) and now I can sense both my dad and my mum and my relatives respect me as a professional musician...

One thing I know for sure is that it's only by the grace of God and his hand, can I stand before the world and bless them with the gift Jesus has given me... Help me NEVER to forget that... The lesson today made me realise Jesus doesn't always expect a perfect performance in life from me, yea I still slip up, but I thank Him for His grace and mercy which is new every morning to give me more than just a 2nd chance... I serve a loving and wonderful Father... And all of God's people said...

Hymn by a former slave owner...

O Thou who camest from above

The pure celestial fire to impart

Kindle a flame of sacred love

Upon the mean altar of my heart.

There let it for thy glory burn

With inextinguishable blaze

And trembling to its source return

In humble prayer and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart's desire

To work and speak and think for thee

Still let me guard the holy fire

And still stir up thy gift in me.

Ready for all thy perfect will

My acts of faith and love repeat

Till death thy endless mercies seal

And make my sacrifice complete.

Poison... 99% Good stuff...

630pm... I slumped back in the upholstered chair situated at the balcony overlooking the stage of a well known bar in Leceister Sqaure... L was taking pictures... I peeked out the glass panels and thought to myself... I don't think I should be here... so much for the classy hotel restaurant I thought it would be where the diners would lean back and sip their champagne... I was wrong...

Downstairs the house band was already starting to warm up... Groovy bass riffs in A minor... I glanced at my watch... an another hour to go... hrmm... nothing new... been in that situation countless times before and anyway, soundcheck would fill up most of that time...

Just before L went to change, she introduced me to G... I put my guitar away and we started chatting on the black angular leather sofas... Talk about God and stuff... Relationships and all that kinda thing... heavy... "Dude, you wanna jam?" "Sure"

I was plonking out chords on the keys when the lead singer of the house band cut us off telling us we didn't look professional and asked us to get off the stage... Ok, we deserve that... G said he wanted to smoke... I didn't join him... I kept staring at the stage, nice set up, good mics, fantastic sound and you can hear yourself in the amps too... It got boring after waiting a while...

Just then, L arrived with some of her friends... Uh-oh... cleavage parade... I was actually more surprised that L was wearing a spagetti strap top... the little voice in my head whispered "keep your eyes in one direction J"... After the usual courtesies L asked if she could talk with me a while... I said ok and we went to the back on a couple of steel stairs...

"Do you want to pray 1st or should I?"
"I don't know, I could pray 1st..."

the voice in my head came back - "pray?!! I'm wondering if we are even glorifying God right now and you want to pray?!?!?!! And look at what you're wearing... I don't think either of us is supposed to be in this sin-saturated place anyway..."

I prayed... She prayed... I couldn't help but feel something was definitely wrong...
Anyway, I went back to the area where G and L's friends were... Come on, start the show already... I want to go back home... NOW...

Long story short... L opened the set and dotted a song with a reference to keeping God 1st in our lives... Judging from the looks on their faces I don't think the audience cared for that... God help us all...

I met H, who told me I was good on the keys and guitar... I thanked him and we started chatting... Oddly it was about church... He said he played in the bands at church and stuff...

Initial reaction: Ok, cool, I guess...

This is where it gets interesting...

H: Hey man, you should play for church man... Some of them pay well...
J: hrmmm, interesting...

voice in my head - um, where is this going exactly?

H: And some churches pay you like £100 per service man, it's good cash...
J: ignores H processing what to say...

voice in my head - ok, not going good...

H: I play for some churches and they pay from a range of £50-£100, the good ones pay you more though...
J: Don't some people say it's wrong to play in church?
H: Yea man... But hey, don't go to the churches that don't pay you... go to the ones that do... they are much cooler... and you can make a lot of money with your kind of talent man...
J: I got my own church man... pretty much there every Sunday... don't think I'll be playing around...
H: Dude, you're missing out on all the money you can make... and some churches got them nice girlies you know what i'm saying? *snickers* anyway... you know I got a couple of gigs coming up, you should go to them...
J: er yea... ok... *ignores the last statement due to shock*

voice in my head - I can't believe we're having this conversation! You go to church to get PAID?!?!?!!!!! since when did the HOUSE of the LIVING GOD get reduced to a MARKETPLACE??!?!!

I think to myself... The music was good, the sound system was great, no ear piercing feedback which hurt your teeth and the people were really friendly and came up to you and said hi... I go to some churches and there's a couple of singers who can't sing in key, the keyboard player can't play in time, the drummer slows down, the sound man keeps complaining about the guitarist who turns his amp on too loud and most people stay in their cliques...

Why is it when it comes to excellence, the world is striving for it? And the church sits back and says, it's all about the heart? ok, accepting people for who they are and what they can do is one thing, but there's a difference between acceptance and laziness... where you're accepted and you're not willing to push on to higher levels God is calling you to be at... I don't know... just thinking out loud here...

And in the 1st place, why on earth are the unsaved ushering people into God's presence? Because our OWN musicians aren't good enough?

And isn't ushering people into the holy of holies a really sacred job? Like the priests in the old testament who had to tie a string with bells to their ankle... so that if they got struck down dead when they displeased God somoneone could pull them out?

The state the world AND the church is coming to scares me...
mixing truth with poison...compromise...
A dangerous thing...
We're long due for a paradigm shift...

Holla back yall and tell me I'm not the only one disturbed by this...
And remind me to check where I'm playing before I actually do gigs...

Frustration

What do you do when flowers don't work,
When words are inadequate
And hugs are cold?

What do you do when efforts aren't enough,
When reason sounds dumb
And kisses aren't warm?

What do you do when emotions run high,
When you're at a lost
And everything else you've tried fails?

Quit relying on myself
Be still and know
Jesus is God...

He didn't die for nothing...

Sometimes I wonder...

Why we complain about the cold or heat when many people don't have the nerves to feel...

Why we complain about the bus being 5 minutes late so we can't go to watch a movie with our friends when many people die going to hell in transport accidents everyday...
Why we complain about our weight when many children starve to death their whole lives...

Why we complain about the lack of things in our bedroom when many people's homes get destroyed...

Why we hate our job when there are many homeless/jobless people on the street...

Why we complain about the zit that showed up on our face this morning when many people don't even recognize their own faces...

Why we complain about our parents when many kids on the street don't even have any...
Why we complain about our lecturers or assignments when many people don't even have the chance for an education...

Why we complain about our friends being mean to us when many people don't even have any...

Why we complain about boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife trouble when people out there don't even know the real meaning of feeling of true love...

I left the really graphic pictures out...

My Saviour didn't die for nothing... Let's think before we open our mouths...

Perishable Crowns - Why I quit wearing most of them...

10am - check email
10.15am - check facebook account
10.30am - update blog
11.30am - check myspace account
12pm - check youtube account
2pm - check friendster updates
2.15pm - check hi5 account
2.30pm - check flickr account
2.40pm - update blog layouts
3.10pm - check videos on youtube
3.30pm - check friends' blogs
4.40pm - check email again
5.20pm - update status on facebook
5.30pm - check bebo updates
6.00pm - upload photos on blog
6.27pm - google chatbox html
7.00pm - sort out itunes music library
7.23pm - chat with people on msn messenger
8.35pm - send video links on youtube to friends
9.00pm - upload music on myspace
9.28pm - sort out photos in C drive
10.13pm - view profiles on friendster
10.48pm - create photo slideshow on rockyou
10.59pm - do personality tests on emode, tickle, quizilla etc
11.21pm - email personality tests to friends
11.37pm - comment on people's videos on youtube
11.44pm - check junk email
11.23pm - spam contacts on aol messenger
12.00am - update profile and status on myspace
12.45am - sort out links to friends' blogs
1.13am - spam friends' tagboards
1.45am - message people on yahoo messenger
2.12am - check facebook updates
2.29am - post video links on facebook
2.54am - check myspace blogs
3.00am - wrap up conversations on IMs and go to bed

Next day
10am - check email
10.15am - check facebook account
10.30am - ....

Souls won for Jesus Christ - ZERO
And we wonder why...
How sad...

Outcry

Lord let now my faith elude me
In this generation
Where thoughts do yearn concern for those
In spiritual starvation

My heart cries out to thee, O God
For sheep whose way is lost
In one's eternal search for self
Spirit, may they find the cross

And though I claw and clamber through
The bittersweet blues of life
Jesus my hope and glory be
My prayers in thee suffice

Eye-Scream

Perpetual cerebral attacks
Where bright and dark coagulate
The truth mixed with poison
Pulsating through my veins

Like David and Bathsheba
Uncontrolled lingering eyes
Words left unspoken
3 silent deaths each day

Existence of my tormented soul
Promises made then broken
Deceitful heart, ensnared by sin
I long freedom within

Temporary sweet sensation
But for a fleeting moment
Death is its end, yet I'm still here
Please Lord, kill my addiction

Faithful

I miss the times we spent together
When we walked side by side
Now charred embers of a fire
Say my love for you has died

Remember joy and laughter?
A song that has long gone
The rhythm's syncopated
And the orchestration's wrong

How are you so faithful?
Can hearts take this much more?
Cause all I do is hurt you
Ever since times before

Yet you take my junk and make
A bond no one can sever
I'm held forever in loving arms
Of a once bruised and bleeding Saviour

B.I.B.L.E. - Basic instructions before leaving earth...

Lord help me to stop sinning! You are divine! You paid for my sins!

I used to question the authenticity of the Bible... The Bible, made up of 66 books, penned by 40 different authors over thousands of years... is this a conspiracy? would people die for a conspiracy if Jesus was lying or if he was a lunatic? As I search for more evidence, I doubt that less... 300 prophecies all pointing towards one man and what He was to do... the message remains the same... Jesus Christ fulfilled ALL of them...

Prophecy About Jesus ...

Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies written at least 250 years before his birth. The chance of any one person fulfilling only 8 of these prophecies is 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (1 in 10 to the 17th power). Even a skeptic should realize that's so improbable it must be supernatural. Now that is a very small number, lets see how small: Suppose we take 10 to the 17th silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas; they will cover the entire state of Texas two feet thick. Now lets put an X on one of the silver dollars, mix them all up, and get a blind man to pick one. The chance that he will get the one with the X is 1 in 10 to the 17th power [McDowell, Evidence, pg 107]. Not only was His virgin birth foretold of, but also the details of His sufferings on the cross; His betrayal; His mock trial; the fact that He wouldn't speak any words to defend Himself; the gambling of the Roman guards to see who would take home His cloak; and how He was beaten in the face so badly you couldn't recognize Him. And a hundred other things too...

I used to think that the names were the most boring part of the Bible... Check this out and see what God can do! haha.. He amazes me everytime...

If the meanings of the names are put together, the message in the Bible is still the same... It's about Jesus... All these codes, taken from the Bible, no outside material, no Da Vinci code, no paintings, just the Bible, inspired by God himself...

Biblical Genealogy from Adam(Seth's line) to Jesus, the meaning of the names...

Adam - man
Seth - appointed
Enosh - mortal
Kenan - sorrow
Mahalalel - the blessed God
Jared - shall descend/shall come down
Enoch - teaching
Methuselah - his death shall bring
Lamech - the despairing
Noah - comfort/rest

Shem - fame (of)
Arphaxad - stronghold of Chaldees (Babylon)
Canaan - (and) sorrow
Shelah - send/extend
Eber - the region beyond/the other side
Peleg - (of) division
Reu - friend
Serug - branches out
Nahor - snorting/snoring/breathing hard
Terah - wandering

Abram/Abraham - The father of a great multitude
Isaac - laugh(s)
Jacob/Israel - takes the heel/outwits/a mighty one/righteous prince of God
Judah - praise
Perez - break(s) forth (into)
Hezron - court/village/enclosed area by a wall
Ram - elevated
Amminadab - (where) my noble people (are safe from)
Nahshon - sorcerer/false prophet
Salmon - clothed/reward
Boaz - in strength

Obed - servant
Jesse - there is
David - one well loved/beloved
Solomon - peaceful
Rehoboam - one who sets the people at liberty

Abijah - the Lord is my Father
Asa - healer
Jehosaphat - the Lord has judged
Jehoram - exalted by Jehovah
Ahaziah - seizure/held by Jehovah
Joash - the Lord is strong

Amaziah - the Lord is mighty

Uzziah - Jehovah has helped
Jotham - the Lord is perfect
Ahaz - He has grasped/took hold of
Hezekiah - strength of the Lord
Manasseh - causing to forget misery

Amon - the master builder
Josiah - whom the Lord healed
Jehoiakim - Jehovah raises up
Jeconiah - whom Jehovah appointed

Shealtiel - I have asked God
Pedaiah - (about) the ransomed
Zerubbabel - seed of Babylon

Abuid - my father is majestic
Eliakim - God will raise up
Azor - helper
Zadok - just/righteous
Akim - the Lord will raise up

Eliud - God is my praise
Eleazar - God is my helper

Matthan - (the) gift (of)
Jacob - Jacob
Joseph - increase
Jesus - God with us

Biblical geneaology of Adam to Jabal (Cain's line/ungodly line)

Adam - man
Cain - brought forth
Enoch - instructing
Irad - one running wild
Mehujael - smitten of God
Methushael - his death is of God
Lamech - despair
Jabal - overflows

By the way... there is a secret acrostic in the hebrew language... which reads...

Adam to Enoch - I will select
Irad to Methusael - peoples
Lamech to Jabal - for myself

Adam to Enosh - I will forgive
Kenan to Jared - my enemies,
Enoch to Lamech - having compassion,
Noah to Arphaxad - forgiving
Shelah to Reu - those of dust
Serug to Abram - a second time...

there's a lot more on google about equidistant letter sequences, Bible codes in the chinese language, KJV pictorial Bible codes but I suggest not reading too much about it because, we're supposed to show the love of God to others, not use the Bible to predict future events... The message remains the same throughout though... Jesus Christ died for your sins... will you accept Him as Lord and Saviour of your life today?

Dear Lord, I'm a sinner and I've sinned against you, I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart. I want to start living right for you. I thank you for dying for me, I thank you for saving me, be the Lord of my life, in Jesus name. Amen.

If you prayed that prayed and meant it, you're now saved, the next step is to contact a bible believing church and grow in the faith... It won't be an easy walk, but God is there and He promised He would help you... God bless...

Prod

Rhetoric

How many times have we mentioned facebook to someone today?
Why do we all keep saying I'm fat?
Why do we all keep saying I'm busy?
Why do we all keep saying I'm tired?
Does the music you listen to hint at anything sexual?
How many times do we promise to pray for someone then go about doing our own business?
Can you really reach people for the kingdom when you go clubbing?
Why do we act so surprsied when someone get healed or when someone gets 'saved'?
Does money drive us?
Why do we celebrate death and wear dead people on their T-shirts?
Do we really have to spend that much time and money on our hair?
Do we really have to spend that much time and moeny on makeup?
Do we really have to spend that much time and money on clothes?
How many of us actually read our Bibles?
How many of us actually know the salvation plan?
Why do we watch Hollywood movies which promote everything ungodly?
Why do we mention the things we used to be and give glory to it before Jesus was our Lord and Saviour?
Why do we reply merely with 'cool' when someone tells us that someone has turned to Jesus?
Since when did gospel music become no longer reverent worship but a commodity?
Do we actually love our boss the way Jesus would want us to?
Do we feel angry because the person we hate has found Jesus and think they should go to hell instead?
How often do we mix world and kingdom principles?
Isn't the feeling of being seen as a pimp and that you're popular with girls somewhat shallow?
Isn't the feeling of being seen as unattenable cause you have high standards and no guy can get you somewhat shallow?
Do we follow the music stars and actors and actresses for fashion statements?
What's the last unselfish act of love you did for someone?
Do we watch pornography or read Jackie Collins romance novels when no one is looking?
Why do we watch Harry Potter or charmed when we wouldn't want any physical witch or wizard in our house chanting mantras?
How often do we criticize pastors for preaching prosperity?
How often do we criticize pastors for preaching too much about Pentecost, Lent, Easter, Christmas and not enough about day to day living?
How many of us sleep during prayer time?
How many of us sleep during sermons?
How many of us actually like going for prayer meetings?
How many of us prefer the fellowship rather than the message?
Do we take the worship team practice as just another regular jam session?
Why do we promote our businesses in the temple of God?
How often do we criticize the PA team for equipment that isn't working properly during service?
Do we really have to view who's viewed us in friendster?
Do our jokes about people poke fun at them as a person and not about the situation?
How many times have we called someone an idiot or a moron?
Are we really patient when we drive?
Do we have to check our reflection everytime the doors close in the MRT or Tube?
How often do we check our reflection as we walk by buildings with glass?
Is sleeping late really that good for us?
Do we indulge in food?
Are we addicted to computer games?
How many hours do we spend on your blog or someone else's?
Do we really give 10% or more to God?
How many of us actually have childlike faith?
Are we atheistic Christians, having the form of Godliness but denying it's power?
Is soccer really that important?
Are we too physical in a relationship?
Why do we go to arcades to escape from parents?
Why do we always complain about the weather?
Can you go a day without using your computer?
Are we thankful our partners are coming to us to complain instead of someone else?
Do we really appreciate our parents?
Do we really love our siblings?
How many of us think we can live our lives without help from our Christian siblings?
Do you see marriage as a life sentence?
Are we thankful our husbands and wives come to us for sex instead of someone else?
Why do we judge so much?
Why do we complain so much?
Are you having any thoughts right now as to whether the author of this post is attacking you, being judgemental and unloving?
How many of us are just going to go away after reading this post, going 'whatever' and carrying on with our lives?

Orh-ten-tee-see-tee

WARNING - For what I am about to say, most of it is my personal testimony and in no way does it reflect your walk with God. The intent of this entry is to get people thinking, not condemned... please forgive me if it makes you feel that way...

I used to hate Joyce Meyer… My mum and my sis always ranted on about her messages. (They still do I guess). I used to hate that together with other preachers like Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copland, Miles Monroe, etc… the list goes on. My dad would “force” us to have bible study and prayer sessions just before we were to go to bed. Nowadays he goes on about Chuck Misler. My brother (right picture) and I on the other hand, used to share a room and we would whine to each other about how we didn’t get enough “television, computer, board game, etc time”. And discuss why parents said “because I said so” or didn’t give you an explanation to the things they did.

As a naturally introverted person, I’ve been observing the world from a distance since I was 8. Being brought up in a Christian environment, you’re indoctrinated with basic Biblical principles but see a countless number of people in the church break them. And you wonder if Jesus Christ actually works… I’ve seen many “Christians” argue with, judge and condemn non-believers. And I’ve also seen these “Christians” smoke, drink, swear, steal, lie and live in sexual immorality. These are the people who raise their hands in worship to God on a Sunday and live for the world on the weekdays.

When I was younger the bad points in my family did not escape my scrutiny. How we could sing a worship song together on a weeknight then live in sin the next day puzzled me. I used to compare my family and Christian friends with Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus, etc… I often caught a glimpse of the life of non-believers and saw them to be more moral than friends and family who called themselves “Christians”. (I still do) The burning question within me was, “why do they have the right to judge me when they themselves are living in sin?”

I hate being called a hypocrite. I’m sure no one does. I know people are watching when I publicly declare my faith. Sin is so much more enticing. If I wasn’t born in a Christian home I would not know where I would be. I would be living for the world, sleeping around with random women, vandalising my enemies’ property, killing my siblings… Let’s face it… The heart of man is evil no matter how hard people to try to cover it up. Why then do I often think that some (not all) Christians pretend that they are holy and that the rest of the world isn’t?

I can only speak for myself... I think (I don't know about others) I was stuck in what I call “spiritual limbo”. (My pathetic attempt to sound like a preacher) I know and keep a few biblical principles but sin in the dark. I know that if I am ever caught I am going to be condemned by people in the church and it makes it worse for me. I want to share the gospel but my private life holds me back because I don’t want to preach the truth while living in sin. I don’t want to be viewed as the pious and uppity kind who judges believers or non-believers. But in thinking this way; I myself become a different type of judgemental Christian - the one that judges from the sidelines and lives in indifference. I needed help and discipleship. (I still do)

Growing up, I seldom found any REAL issues being talked about by preachers or what I consider to be real. I questioned the authenticity of the Christian life. Various examples - The sex addict who says the salvation prayer in a rally then reads his email and gives his desires in to a girl called Miss Naughty; the worship leader who rouses the congregation to an emotional high then smokes marijuana at a club later that night; the female usher who wears a low-cut top, showing her cleavage on purpose gain the attention of male adolescents as she collects the offering; the preacher who starts cussing the moment someone cuts him off when he drives his car home. How are we supposed to help them?

Sometimes I think I forget my duty as a Christian. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus says to go and make DISCIPLES of all the nations… somehow I've replaced that with go and make ‘converts’, condemn unbelievers and the believers living in sin, set-up evangelistic healing meetings, invite people to mega-worship sessions to get “saved”.

I keep thinking how one is supposed to grow spiritually when this is the impression I give to non-believers – “Jesus forgives my sins so I can sin now then repent later... I will keep on going for these worship concerts because it meets my musical interests and emotional needs, I sing because I like the melody, not the words... The preacher is like a comedian, that’s really one with entertainment value... I listen to him on a Sunday but hardly remember what he says when I go to work the next day... Sometimes I use his words to condemn other people. It's like a take "this verse and call me in the morning" doctor's prescription attitude I have... If the sermon ever gets boring I pass notes and text people during the message or prayer time... I love getting involved in any church ministry because it's my chance to become a superstar. I pretend to be humble saying it's all about God when I know deep down inside my heart I enjoy every moment of the attention I'm getting. I like books, TV programs and computer games that hint at promiscuity, gossip, violence, drugs and I condition my mind to think that it's ok to watch these as long as I don't engage in these activities. They help me escape to a different reality. Talk about God? It’s less engaging than something like sex, romance novels or papers and programs about celebrity gossip or how much they weigh. What do you mean by quiet time? I want my own time so I can check my facebook account, blog and chat rooms to talk about the cute guy or girl whose gaze met mine at HMV. If I get desperate, I pray for God to give me a boy or girlfriend then I put suggestive photos of myself in internet display pictures and constantly check who's 'viewed' me. I also go for parties and take random shots of friends and post them online, fantasizing about the possibility of building a life with the various people in those photos. My quiet time involves asking God to give me a verse and then I randomly open my Bible to any page and read whatever suits me. Psalms keeps popping up since it's in the middle of my Bible. In fact, what I consider to be my true quiet time is shopping for designer outfits, jewellery, cars, shoes and hair products. My parents? I hardly love or like them, I do obey them on occasion because the Bible says to do so but I do it grudgingly. I fight with my siblings in petty arguments then go out drinking and gambling (mahjong) with my believer friends the same night and share with each other how wonderful God has been in my life. I abhor the tele-evangelists who pump me up about claiming my spiritual (money) blessing or healing because I doubt the reality of it. Instead I go to fortune tellers or read daily horoscopes about what's going to happen tomorrow because I worry a lot about what usually never happens. My non-Christian friends? I enjoy their company, it’s the only time I can talk and be myself, being lascivious and not caring what they think of me because they don’t condemn me for my actions. We get more excited about who won the world cup than any talk about Jesus. I act like I’m a good person on Sundays because I want to uphold my reputation amongst the older generation of church uncles and aunties who think I’m a good kid. Yet I go back to my room the same day and watch pornography while smoking and trample on the head of Jesus Christ. I hate studying, it's mindless information you forget at the end of an exam, I ask God to give me good grades so that my parents won't nag at me. I often see myself as 'misunderstood'. My job? I work so that I can spend money I don't have on material things I don't need to impress the people I don't like. I pray for my boss to give me a bonus and harbour secret grievances against him. I know all the 'correct' answers to questions like 'If there is a God, why is there so much suffering?' I reduce my prayer life to “Lord thank you for this food, lord gimme this and that but forgive me when I forget to thank you or if I even remember to”. I go to church mainly for the fact that after I have lived in the world long enough and am tired of it, I can find a suitable spouse there. When I'm late for church I give the excuse that God understands why I was late... Oh yes, I also learn spiritual technical jargon impress new believers and try to 'sell Christianity' to them. I have the refrigerator magnets, Christian books and posters in my room too in case they want any. I go to church because I can get business deals there and contact cards. Nice to see the latest hillsongs cds and other books out... I reduce the temple of the living God to a marketplace... I try to disguise Christianity and pretend that I'm reaching people for God when I go to the club or invite unbelievers to Christian rock and rap concerts. The truth is I want to mix the riches of this world with the benefits of God's kingdom.”

Want me to continue? I do not know how many of us are living like that... I plead guilty to doing many of the things I have mentioned in that last paragraph... Whether minor or major, sin is sin. What difference do I see in my Christian life and the non-Christian one? None. How can I preach that kinda life to a non-believer?

Yet I feel the Holy Spirit telling me that although I don’t say out loud to people what I think is wrong, I judge them with my heart. No, I do not hear an audible voice booming from the heavens. Once I heard from Bob Coy, a televangelist, “Christianity is the only ‘religion’ that shoots its wounded.” I think I was too busy being caught up with pinpointing (inwardly and outwardly) other people’s sins when some of them already feel condemned. Yes, I have judged Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copland, Benny Hinn and other preachers by their sin. And I forget that they are directing people to Jesus despite the fact that they may have other flaws which they need God to help them with. Inspite of this, millions are still hearing the gospel, they are winning souls for the kingdom of God. What am I doing?

So despite my experiences with disappointment with the faith, what have I decided to do? I can only speak for myself... I have realised that God convicted me of inwardly judging people. My family falls, they are human, and I cannot expect them to be perfect then judge them on their imperfection. I have realised that He knows that people are living in sin in this Christian faith but at least they are trying to aspire to holiness, what am I doing? Not even trying. Sometimes in my rational mind I reduce God to a smidgen of cheese on toast. I wonder how he can forgive me if I sin wilfully when I proclaim the knowledge of truth. And I forget that not only is He all-powerful, He is the epitome of love. For while we were yet sinners, Christ died for our sins. What does God’s son, Jesus, dying on the cross mean to me? I realise that God knows I can’t reach sinless perfection, but I can aspire to it instead of giving up and becoming judgemental and indifferent; looking toward Jesus instead of sinful and finite human beings.

And I was never meant to walk this Christian life alone. The church is not a building you go to or invite people to on a Sunday to get them saved. It’s the body of Christ. And as one body, we’re supposed to build each other up in faith, truth and love. Discipleship. My eyes have been opened to a new reality. On hearing Ravi Zacharais preach… We live in a time where man has created boredom out of his own affluence, impotence out of his own erotomania and vulnerability out of his own strength.

I recently left Singapore to study in London, indifferent to the faith I grew up in, trying at times to search for the deeper meaning behind my faith and failing. There was once I broke 8 out of the 10 commandments in a single day yet I felt nothing. I cannot explain spiritual things in the physical realm but it was at my lowest point that God made Himself known. Lying on the bed of my pastor’s room, in the midst of sin and darkness, I decided to confess all my sins that night. My pastor now disciples me of which to God I’m thankful. He does not condemn me but builds me in faith through the relationship I have with him. Many people think Christianity is a religion (I’m sounding cliché). It’s a relationship with God and it takes 2 sides to make it work. And in any relationship, it’s a journey of ups and downs. (I wonder how many of us could compete with Paul for the title 'cheif of sinners') I’m so thankful to Jesus that He didn’t give up on me. No matter how much I’ve sinned, His love extends further than I can imagine. Yes I still slip up, but Christ is changing me from glory to glory and I’m amazed He still forgives me. I find it amusing that the name of the church I go to is Oasis of Life. In the parched desert of life, I’ve found my Midian. I’ll leave you to picture the deeper meaning behind that and the Moses story on your own.

Now I see what the world is coming to when I look through the eyes of Jesus Christ. There is violence on the streets, school children no longer having any sense of respect; I was caught in one of their riots. I see the bus, street ads and computer games portraying various levels of sex, drugs and violence. Christians are living promiscuously, listening and discussing rap, pop and hip-hop artists talking about stuff too vivid to mention on this page. Some of the children's cartoons depict evil and sometimes even sexual connotations. I can’t judge anyone, it’s not my place although I sometimes feel I am. I find difficulty in drawing the line between judging and building people up in truth and love. My feet have simultaneously seemed to be in the pool of good and the pool of evil many points of time in my life. Yet God still forgave me when I came to true repentance. He can forgive you too. That’s the depth of his love for his creation. Jesus loves you. He died for you.

But sometimes I wonder if we are a “Christian” generation devoid of a moral conscience and I imagine my Creator, Saviour and Lord… Broken-hearted by the deeds of His creation, His face streaked with tears….