I love praise and worship songs. I love contemporary Christian music. I particularly enjoy Hillsong, United, Planetshakers, Chris Tomlin and other similar bands. My iPod almost contains only Christian music. I don't listen to mainstream english pop/rock songs, or Chinese pop music for that matter.
The point I am trying to make is that as Christians, we should have a greater appetite for the music of God. We should hunger more for these music which glorify God than that which the world promotes. I don't like listening to worldly songs simply because they are meaningless. The songs of the world glorify men, not God. The songs of the world deal with unholy issues, where God is out of the equation. Many times the lyrics used are unwholesome too.
However, listening to Christian music enriches our soul. It allows us to quietly worship God wherever we are, be it during a commute, walking down the street and so forth. Many times the words speak to me and comfort me after a bad day. They provide me an assurance of the greatness and goodness of my God. Such is the power of Christian music. It is a means by which we connect to God, in a personal way.
This being said, I must always stress that listening to Christian music is NEVER a replacement for reading the bible. It should be done in addition to reading God's word. And always remember, we are glorifying God and not that awesome Christian band or singer!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Learning to be like Job
Today's Purpose Driven devotional that I received in my email is extremely relevant to my life now. Allow me to share it with you. (: It talked about Job, and how he lost everything around him in one day - his family, his business, his health, and everything he owned. He called out to God but somehow God seemed a million miles away. God did not respond to Job. In such a situation, it is very easy for a young believer to conclude that God isn't real. But that wasn't what Job did. In fact, Job did not curse God but, on the contrary, worshipped and praised him.
“Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised’” (Job 1:20–21 NIV).
WOW! Isn't that amazing? Job had so deep a faith and trust in God that even the most tragic circumstance could not shake his belief. THIS is what we should learn from. To always give thanks and praise to God even when life is screwed up. Why you may ask? Simply because even though we may not feel God, the truth is that he will never abandon or forsake us! In fact, he is always watching over us, and uses such times of testing to build our faith.
“I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find Him. But He knows where I am going” (Job 23:8-10 NLT).
I have to learn to be like Job. Even through tough times, with prelims and art coursework due soon, I must have faith and praise God. It is not easy, but doing so will only strengthen our faith.
“Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised’” (Job 1:20–21 NIV).
WOW! Isn't that amazing? Job had so deep a faith and trust in God that even the most tragic circumstance could not shake his belief. THIS is what we should learn from. To always give thanks and praise to God even when life is screwed up. Why you may ask? Simply because even though we may not feel God, the truth is that he will never abandon or forsake us! In fact, he is always watching over us, and uses such times of testing to build our faith.
“I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find Him. But He knows where I am going” (Job 23:8-10 NLT).
I have to learn to be like Job. Even through tough times, with prelims and art coursework due soon, I must have faith and praise God. It is not easy, but doing so will only strengthen our faith.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Feeling more settled
I feel more settled after talking to Mr Tang yesterday. It's funny how I've gone full circle and finally settled on nature photog. I have to promise myself that I shall not change it anymore and get down to work, fast. I should be on overdrive mode now, making full use of my time. At least I'm doing something that I like, something that I'm confident I can do. Praise God! He hears and answers :)
On a lighter note, I have just discovered a new Christian band that I really like! It is Big Daddy Weave! Love their album entitled 'What Life Would Be Like'. Their style is more contemporary and less praise and worship (think Barlow Girl and Superchick instead of Hillsong and Planetshakers). Simply amazing songs!
What Life Would Be Like - Big Daddy Weave
On a lighter note, I have just discovered a new Christian band that I really like! It is Big Daddy Weave! Love their album entitled 'What Life Would Be Like'. Their style is more contemporary and less praise and worship (think Barlow Girl and Superchick instead of Hillsong and Planetshakers). Simply amazing songs!
What Life Would Be Like - Big Daddy Weave
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Quick Canon 500D update
My Canon 500D is about 2 months old. It is my main workhorse. Having used it thus far, here's what I think are the 3 most important upgrades from the 400D, my previous camera.
1) Live view mode
It comes in really handy especially when working on a tripod, where placing your eye at the viewfinder while composing may be cumbersome. I have used it 99% of the time while shooting macro stuff. Also allows for very precise MF if the situation calls for it.
2) Higher ISO
OK truth be told: the 500D is a noiser camera compared to the equivalent Nikons, i.e. the D5000 and D90. However, that said, the high ISO performance on the Canon 500D is decent. Compared to the 400D, I would say it is a one stop noise advantage, with NR turned on. That means a lot when working in low-light. Photos are perfectly usable up to ISO 1600, and ISO 3200 is fine as long as you're not making big prints.
3) Bigger, sharper screen
It is a JOY working with the sharp 920K dot 3" screen. It allows me to check with confidence if a shot is sharp or not. Colours are brilliant and the screen can be very bright at max brightness.
So that concludes what I think are the most significant feature upgrades from the 400D. There are many many many other features which contribute to making the 500D a wonderful camera, but I consider these 3 the most valuable.
1) Live view mode
It comes in really handy especially when working on a tripod, where placing your eye at the viewfinder while composing may be cumbersome. I have used it 99% of the time while shooting macro stuff. Also allows for very precise MF if the situation calls for it.
2) Higher ISO
OK truth be told: the 500D is a noiser camera compared to the equivalent Nikons, i.e. the D5000 and D90. However, that said, the high ISO performance on the Canon 500D is decent. Compared to the 400D, I would say it is a one stop noise advantage, with NR turned on. That means a lot when working in low-light. Photos are perfectly usable up to ISO 1600, and ISO 3200 is fine as long as you're not making big prints.
3) Bigger, sharper screen
It is a JOY working with the sharp 920K dot 3" screen. It allows me to check with confidence if a shot is sharp or not. Colours are brilliant and the screen can be very bright at max brightness.
So that concludes what I think are the most significant feature upgrades from the 400D. There are many many many other features which contribute to making the 500D a wonderful camera, but I consider these 3 the most valuable.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
What is the best thing that happened in your life?
Have you ever stopped to ponder about this question? Or is life just too busy that you don't have time to reflect?
For me, it's simple and clear: the best thing that has happened in my life is knowing Jesus Christ!
And because it's the best thing ever, I am excited and it is always my goal in this lifetime to share it with others!
For me, it's simple and clear: the best thing that has happened in my life is knowing Jesus Christ!
And because it's the best thing ever, I am excited and it is always my goal in this lifetime to share it with others!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Still the same
Finally finished a design project for my church today, after spending a few late nights till 2am to rush out poster and flyer designs for a conference. I always praise God that he is continually using my gifts and skills to bring more people to Him. It is stressful trying to juggle church, photog stuff and studies.. the pressure is enormous and I'm very tired, physically and emotionally. Prelims is just 7 weeks away and I have to revise two years worth of work. My life is not in order, everything seems messed-up. My prayer this season is always for God to give me strength, and to deliver me.
The Purpose Driven devotionals have been my source of spiritual food these days. It's comforting how the messages speak to me and assure me. Today God told me that he is the same God - today, yesterday and tomorrow. If he could perform miracles in Moses' time and part the red sea, surely my God has the same power to do something similar today, in my life. If He could rescue Joseph from the dungeons and put him second in command in Egypt, surely something similar is still possible today. The world and everything changes, but God doesn't. For what is seen will fade, but what is unseen will last. As long as I believe in faith, it will be done in accordingly. "According to your faith will it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29 NIV). The God who delivered in the past will deliver me from the huge difficulties I face today.
“I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see His goodness to me” (Psalm 27:13 LB). I pray, wait and hope in the Lord, so that at the end of the day when I walk through the darkness and emerge victorious, I can give all glory unto Him.
The Purpose Driven devotionals have been my source of spiritual food these days. It's comforting how the messages speak to me and assure me. Today God told me that he is the same God - today, yesterday and tomorrow. If he could perform miracles in Moses' time and part the red sea, surely my God has the same power to do something similar today, in my life. If He could rescue Joseph from the dungeons and put him second in command in Egypt, surely something similar is still possible today. The world and everything changes, but God doesn't. For what is seen will fade, but what is unseen will last. As long as I believe in faith, it will be done in accordingly. "According to your faith will it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29 NIV). The God who delivered in the past will deliver me from the huge difficulties I face today.
“I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see His goodness to me” (Psalm 27:13 LB). I pray, wait and hope in the Lord, so that at the end of the day when I walk through the darkness and emerge victorious, I can give all glory unto Him.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Faith more valuable than gold
Today was a bad day. Received my chemistry common test results which were very very bad. To be honest, I felt really dumb. I also felt very worried that I might not get my distinction in the A-levels. I felt down for the rest of the day... a sense of disappointment, hopelessness and despair.
But thank God for his words of comfort:
"I know, even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident — it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold" (1 Peter 1:6-7 PH).
Even in failure, I give thanks to God.
But thank God for his words of comfort:
"I know, even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident — it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold" (1 Peter 1:6-7 PH).
Even in failure, I give thanks to God.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The world says believe in yourself
There are some things in this world that seem right at first glance, but actually they are not. I have been thinking about one issue for quite a while now. In this world I live in, I'm constantly bombarded by the message that we should believe in ourselves, chase after our desires, have faith in our abilities, and to rely on our own strength to overcome difficulties. It's subconscious but the mass media, especially the TV and movies we watch, frequently tells us this.
Although these notions may appear harmless, they are not. I am reminded time and time again, that we are not to rely on our human ability, but the faith of God. In other words, we trust God and not our flesh. We need to run our lives not on our worldly aspirations, talents, abilities or intelligence, but rather, on faith - the belief for things unseen. For without faith it is impossible to please God. The foundation of our lives needs to stand solely upon faith. The rest of our lives, such as our dreams, hopes, talent, all revolves around our faith in God. Many are deluded in this world where they place their confidence in themselves. Confidence in life is a good thing - but the source of this confidence needs to be right. For me, it's in God. How about you? Is your confidence in money, intelligence or material things?
Although these notions may appear harmless, they are not. I am reminded time and time again, that we are not to rely on our human ability, but the faith of God. In other words, we trust God and not our flesh. We need to run our lives not on our worldly aspirations, talents, abilities or intelligence, but rather, on faith - the belief for things unseen. For without faith it is impossible to please God. The foundation of our lives needs to stand solely upon faith. The rest of our lives, such as our dreams, hopes, talent, all revolves around our faith in God. Many are deluded in this world where they place their confidence in themselves. Confidence in life is a good thing - but the source of this confidence needs to be right. For me, it's in God. How about you? Is your confidence in money, intelligence or material things?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Wonder Of Your Love - Hillsong 09
AWESOME SONG! From their upcoming album Faith+Hope+Love!
Verse 1:
You inhabit the praises of Your people
You delight in the glory of Your son
In the love of the Father we will worship
In the kingdom of God we find our hope
Bridge:
The wonder of Your love will break the chains that bind us
The power of Your touch releases us to worship
Chorus:
Sing out to God
Sing hallelujah
WIth all we are we will worship You
Holy is Your name
Holy is Your name oh God
Verse 2:
And together we lift the name of Jesus
And together we'll sing of Your great love
We will join with the angels to praise You
Let our voices be pleasing to You God
Verse 1:
You inhabit the praises of Your people
You delight in the glory of Your son
In the love of the Father we will worship
In the kingdom of God we find our hope
Bridge:
The wonder of Your love will break the chains that bind us
The power of Your touch releases us to worship
Chorus:
Sing out to God
Sing hallelujah
WIth all we are we will worship You
Holy is Your name
Holy is Your name oh God
Verse 2:
And together we lift the name of Jesus
And together we'll sing of Your great love
We will join with the angels to praise You
Let our voices be pleasing to You God
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A fresh perspective
I shall take a break from posting about photography and share with you how I spent the past few weeks. Basically it revolved around studies, in preparation for Common Test 2. Today was my first paper, GP, hmm it went fine but I didn't think I wrote to my best abilities. Tomorrow is chemistry. I'm very worried that I might fail... the amount of content to remember is crazy.
It has been a tough week. I was deprived from any form of shooting. I miss my camera. Once the exams are over on Friday all hell will break loose and I WILL go shooting on Sat. However, as much as life has been mundane and plain boring studying all day at home, I manage to change my perception of studying. Or rather, God did. :)
For some time now I've been subscribing to the Purpose Driven daily devotionals by Rick Warren. These are short daily devotions sent to my email which forces me to take some time to read and ponder on. God is good. He knew I was going through a tough time with my studies. I didn't quite enjoy it as before, and to some extent I was disillusioned and lost motivation. I just didn't quite bother about my studies. Then one day I received a devotional right on the topic of work. God told me that he is just as interested in my spiritual life as he is in my daily life, the mundane activities, the time spent at school, or as some people will call it, the 'secular' life. Many of us are only Christians and 'spiritual' on Sunday, and on Monday, it's back to our hectic life without God. That devotion gave me a fresh perspective on my role as a student. God told me that he is always with me and I should put in all the effort I have into studying, not for man's glory, but because I'm to do it for the Lord. And when I'm doing it for God, excellence and enthusiasm will follow, i.e. good grades. I realised that studying and doing well can be a means of worshipping God and glorifying Him too. Not just by attending church every Sunday you know. God is always interested in our spiritual walk, AND our work/career/studies too. Praise God for that!
Oh and do check out Purpose Driven Life too if you've never heard about it!
It has been a tough week. I was deprived from any form of shooting. I miss my camera. Once the exams are over on Friday all hell will break loose and I WILL go shooting on Sat. However, as much as life has been mundane and plain boring studying all day at home, I manage to change my perception of studying. Or rather, God did. :)
For some time now I've been subscribing to the Purpose Driven daily devotionals by Rick Warren. These are short daily devotions sent to my email which forces me to take some time to read and ponder on. God is good. He knew I was going through a tough time with my studies. I didn't quite enjoy it as before, and to some extent I was disillusioned and lost motivation. I just didn't quite bother about my studies. Then one day I received a devotional right on the topic of work. God told me that he is just as interested in my spiritual life as he is in my daily life, the mundane activities, the time spent at school, or as some people will call it, the 'secular' life. Many of us are only Christians and 'spiritual' on Sunday, and on Monday, it's back to our hectic life without God. That devotion gave me a fresh perspective on my role as a student. God told me that he is always with me and I should put in all the effort I have into studying, not for man's glory, but because I'm to do it for the Lord. And when I'm doing it for God, excellence and enthusiasm will follow, i.e. good grades. I realised that studying and doing well can be a means of worshipping God and glorifying Him too. Not just by attending church every Sunday you know. God is always interested in our spiritual walk, AND our work/career/studies too. Praise God for that!
Oh and do check out Purpose Driven Life too if you've never heard about it!
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