"I glory in my sins forgiven.."

Grace. Undeserved. Granted to the sinner. Breathing life into dry bones. Making beauty out of dust. Grace, upon grace. Humbling the sinner. Freeing me. Unshackling my chains. Grace, again. Allowing me the opportunity to struggle; to discover the truth and the beauty of His love.

~

Kings Kaleidoscope - Felix Culpa

~

We are free to struggle
We're not struggling to be free

The Devil Wears Prada.

Not the movie, mind you.

The Devil Wears Prada (henceforth TDWP) is a Christian melodic metalcore band from the US of A. In case you didn't know, yes, there is such a thing as Christian metal. And yes, I like metalcore. Rocker at heart, what to do.

Anyway, TDWP came to Malaysia in Feb this year so this post is kinda late. I missed it due to cny (why oh why T.T). So later on I viewed photos of the concert. And the place was filled with Malay people.

I just realized that statement sounded very racist.. But that is not the point! The point is that TDWP play songs that literally glorify God. The lyrics of one song they played here went:

All glory to the One in existence
Bring upon Your name, Your grace, Your everything

So here you have TDWP playing this song, and the crowd - who I'm pretty sure don't personally know Jesus, most of them at least - singing along with them. Non-believers glorifying God. I don't know about you, but I find that amazing.

On another note, I like tea.

~

Westward The Tide - Until I'm Home

nothingness

'You seem very sure', he said,

Cabera shrugged.

'Nothing is sure in this world.'

~

Sanctus Real - I'm Not Alright

leftovers for dinner

Chosen, because there was no other choice.

We aren't what everyone hoped for. Far from it.

Neither are we second best.

We're just what's left.

Inadequate, in every way.

But they will have to make do.

'cause there's no other choice.

~

Marble Sounds - Redesign

selah

What caused Lucifer to fall? Rebellion. What caused Adam to fall? Rebellion. 

What is really sobering is that most rebellion is not blatant, but subtle.

~

of inflated egos, and fist-fights

After much thought, I've decided that yes, I am looking forward for NS (not excited mind you). I think this is the escape that I need. Time away from family, church, responsibilities..

And they're paying me to go so..hey ho, why not?

I do hope that I will shine God's light at camp. To be the difference. Tough, in my honest opinion, but when is it ever easy?

Something that I believe all guys struggle with is forgiving. There's something about a man's ego. To be the first one to offer an apologetic handshake is as if to highlight his soft nature. And of course I've gotta keep my temper in check. Don't want to get into fist-fights outnumbered..

I do have a few worries about NS.. Racial issues, lack of Christian friends, dudes walking around the dorm butt-naked(pls pls let this not be true).

But meh. Anything's better than sitting at home all day on me arse innit?

~

The Honey Trees - To Be With You

What is SPM?

Very thankful for my results. :)

~

Jenny & Tyler - Skyline Hill

Grace, tonight, will pull us through..

Don't despise humble beginnings.
Don't despise humble beginnings.
Don't despise humble beginnings.

Something I need to remind myself everyday..

~

Tenth Avenue North - Oh My Dear

I never loved you more,
even though now I know what you did.

void

When something I enjoy doing becomes a responsibility, I begin to find it tiring. I find myself so drained of energy. It feels as though I'm just going through the motions, over and over again. I don't feel any happiness or excitement. The joy that was once there, is gone. And what's left is..emptiness? Yes, emptiness. That fills these four walls. That accompanies the shallow strums of my guitar. No, don't get me wrong. I'm not lonely. What I'm feeling though is that this world, my being here, is absolutely pointless. Life just seems bleak now. And worst of all, it seems that there's nothing much I can do about it. 

Sounds sad, no? Ah, life.

~

Incubus - Drive

"What happens now?"

I still haven't gotten the hang of worship leading yet. Though I thought I did.. From choosing the choice of songs, to arrangement, to the closing prayer..Thank God for Esther haha.

These past few days were filled with planning for this Saturday, as it might be the last time I lead in youth before I go on a looong holiday. I had a full band, so I had an idea of how I wanted it to start and end. Heck, I thought I had the perfect worship set. But God just has a way of reminding you that He's the one in control, not you.

"Don't put Me in a box. Don't restrict the ways I move."

My initial songlist has been turned upside down. And turns out I won't be having a full band. So acoustic session it will be. And I am stoked!

And now, I part with an extract from a book that I am really enjoying so far.

~

'Life seems suddenly vague; without direction, for the first time.'

Cabera stopped polishing at this outburst.

'Everyone feels this at some time, Did you think I planned to be here when I was a young boy? Life has a way of taking twists and turns you did not expect. I would not have it any other way for all the pain it brings.'

~

Hillsong - Rest In You

~

You paint the world in a black and white hue.

Your presence warrants everyone's attention, but not the one you deserve.

To some you are uninteresting. Bland. Just another face in the crowd.

But not to me.

You are beauty in its essence. Not the distorted views media presents today.

You paint my world in a black and white hue.

You're so classic.

~

Lucy Rose - Shiver

an excerpt

"Who are you?" he whispered.

The old man shrugged. "I am still working on an answer to that. I have been a beggar and the chief of a village. I think of myself as a seeker after truths, with a new truth for each place I reach."

~

Paramore - When It Rains

thoughts a-ringing

Sure, maybe God said yes to something you want to do.

But what if He doesn't plan to prosper that thing? Be it a relationship, business venture, whathaveyou..

What if He just wants to teach you a lesson?

~

Paramore - Decode

solace in the silence

"The best moment of worship I've ever experienced was just 5 minutes of total silence. Everyone in the congregation, silent. No music, no singing. Just being still in His presence."

~

Jeremy Riddle - Fall Afresh

disarray

I ain't no angel now.

But neither are you.

~

Anberlin - Dance, Dance, Christa Päffgen