Love Perfects All

In this life
nothing I am perfectly sure of
it seems
that all things are possible
even the impossibility...

This may be the only I am sure
might be just a fanciful thinking
but I believe that deep inside
all are due to love
love that is romantic but not merely
love that is more than what we may understand
love that engulfs and in everything
love pulls all to itself
because it gives all of itself
love that sacrifices itself
or instead of itself
should we say Himself
since God is love?

Love, may we all have
and in sync with
for love fulfills and heals
completes and achieves
makes whole
love perfects all.

A Journey

On the cliff
looking down to the dreary gorge
would I fall
utterly shattered?

This tough journey
steep rocks
piercing weather
yet a scenery.

When I slipped
and into depths I fell
there Thy hands
cushioned and cared.

Strenghten my feeble legs
hold me fast
'tis not a lonely exile
'tis a journey home.

Eternal Longing

Lord, I want to be a baby, sleeping in Thy bosom...
resting in Thy embrace...
I am tired, I am worn...
Hug me, Lord, I long for Thee...
Engulf me, Lord, as Thy newborn.

Glory to Thee our God, Who knows us, even as we don't know any. Glory to Thee.

+Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Name of Jesus, Softly Stealing

This morning I just came across a rare yet so beautiful a hymn, hence quickly post it here. Click the link for midi sound file. May God bless you too through this holy hymn.

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“His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Name of Jesus, softly stealing,
O’er a world of strife and shame,
Thou canst bring us heav’nly healing,
O Thou all restoring Name.

Name of Jesus, heav’n of gladness,
Cause our doubts and fears to cease;
Soothe away the aching sadness;
Name of Jesus, give us peace.

Words: Unknown author.
Music: Beatrice, Will­iam W. Coe, 1895 (MI­DI, score).
Source: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/a/namjesss.htm

Grace Greater than Our Sin

"where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21)

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

(Refrain:)
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty Cross.

(Refrain)

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

(Refrain)

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

(Refrain)


Words: Julia H. Johnston
Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910

References:
http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/g/ggreater.htm (organ midi, harmony)
http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh365.sht (piano/organ/bell midi, melody)

Today As It Rains

Today as it rains,
I again see Thy grace,
showers upon me from above,
Thou whose Name is Love.

Lord Jesus, my All,
let Thy grace's every drop,
resurrect me in hope,
wash clean my filthy soul.

Hold me O gracious Saviour,
in grace have me cured,
in joy make me ever praise,
and sing of Thy glorious grace!

"And from His (Lord Jesus Christ's) fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."
[Holy Gospel according to St John the Holy Apostle & Theologian, chapter 1 verse 16]

The Comforter Has Come

O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let ev’ry Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound:
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n;
O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found—
The Comforter has come!

The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!
The Comforter has come!

Refrain

Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To ev’ry captive soul a full deliverance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings;
The Comforter has come!

Refrain

O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine
To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine—
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!
The Comforter has come!

Refrain


Words: Frank Bottome, 1890, in Precious Times of Refreshing and Revival.
Music: William J Kirkpatrick
Ref. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/comfortr.htm (midi file available)
Icon from http://www.comeandseeicons.com/

Some Gems from Pentecost Sunday

Some gems from Rev Daniel Tan's sermon on Pentecost Sunday:
* "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:22-26, ESV) Here the Bible says "fruit" (singular), not "fruits" . So it is the fruit of the Spirit, one fruit with nine flavours. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us should produce all of the 9 virtues, not just one or some of them, as the nine are actually one.
* This passage is related to John 15 about remaining in Christ as the branch remains in the Vine, otherwise the branch cannot bear fruit [and will die!].
* "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh.." we are to crucify our flesh [in Gospels, Lord Jesus uses the term "carry your cross"] i.e. to deny ourself and give up our sinful desires. We need to let go of them, unlike a bowler doing funny movements as if he can control the bowling ball that is no more in his hand.

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Some gems from Theng Eng's sharing during Dawnbreakers' choir practice:
* Holy Spirit guides us into the whole truth, e.g. as non-Christians when we read the Bible, we found it hard to understand, but after we believe, we are given growing understanding when we read the Bible and see the relevance of its content.
* Galatians 5 speaks of "the works of the flesh" vs "the fruit of the Spirit". Fruit is something natural, as long as we are in Christ (spiritually healthy and growing), naturally we bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Works are something added on, not as natural as fruit... when we are in grace, although occasionally we still fall, we don't work [purposely plan and desire] to produce sins.
* Holy Spirit is very gentle to us. He doesn't just come and at once force us to remove all sins, since we would not be able to bear that. He works progressively to help us to leave our sinful desires and to set right the things in our life.
* As Rev Lilian Ang preached last week, instead of trying to have more of Holy Spirit, we should let Him have more of us.