skip to main |
skip to sidebar
When there is a situation where the team's spirit is not united, how do you feel?
Let me confess one thing: yesterday night, during the practice, I was very frustrated. I confess my attitude and behavior were untoleratable. I know people cannot stand me yesterday. Therefore, before I start to write this post, I wanna say that God does not delight in my attitude too. I have my wrong too. Or else, people might criticise me, saying "This Jack says as if he has no wrong at all." Hence, forgive me for I do not know what I am doing, God.
Why was I frustrated? Here are the reasons:
Some people in the worship team were trying to be leaders. Some thought they were very talented, so they were not teachable. Some, who did wrong, did not even know they were wrong so they will point to others and say "Ah ya. You don't know they are like that?" or "I cannot stand them." Some thought they were very smart and good, so they kept pointing out others' problems. Some even tried to argue unnecessary things so time was wasted. Some even make the final decision without asking "Is it ok?". In the end, some went home because their parents had come to fetch them home. Why? Unnecessary time was wasted, so the practice was incomplete.
Someone asked me, "Jack, you look unhappy. Is it because your composed song 'Forever You reign' is not the response song?"
This is not the thing which makes me frustrated. If my composed song is cancelled in the concert, it's fine with me. Because it is composed for my God Jesus Christ, not for the church. Am I writing this song for the people? God knows my worship. Why should I be frustrated? Am I worried about the concert? The answer is "NO".
I wrote "God, have mercy." in Facebook status. I am not pointing to the concert. Do you think the concert will be lousy? Certainly not! All are skillful people.
Yet why I pray for God's mercy? I am pointing to our worship team. I pray for God's mercy upon our pride, our foolishness, our stubborness, our life.
Fools, do you think that when the concert is performed wonderfully, God will delight in our worship? Are you glorifying God? No! You are glorifying yourselves. Do you think you are a skilled musician, then God will be pleased? No! Even if the whole world says it is a wonderful concert, God will find it disgusting!
Why? Because of your own intelligence, your stubborness, your PRIDE!
Why do I pray for God's mercy? When the concert is over, you will continue to show your pride in your life! As if you are a genius! As if you already know how to worship God? God detests that! Where is your HEART OF WORSHIP?
Oh God, have mercy on us.
I cannot change this. God, hear my cry. Change the worship team, turn their heart back to the heart of worship. God, forgive us for we do not know what we are doing. We divided ourselves and do not unite in the body of Christ.
Luke 23:34
"Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."
Note: If anyone in the worship team is reading this post now, and think "No. I am not like that." Obviously, it says about you, because your pride makes you say that. Ask God to vindicate us.
My sister, Rachel, came to find me and see how I am doing. Entering my room, she immediately saw something on my table. Picking up the 50% voucher and shout “Brother! I want to eat Wagamama Sushi!”
It’s been a long time that me and my sister did not hang out together. Hence, I brought my sister and her friend to go and have dinner in Wagamama Japanese Restaurant.
When we started to order Sushi, she was very excited. She even ordered one of her favorite sushi – the salmon with rice and mayonnaise. I was like…
“Huh? Sushi with mayo?”
“Yeah! You do not know now the sushi got mayo?”
Then I also saw sushi with avocado, sushi with cheese, sushi with whatever…
“With Cheese?”
Rachel and her friend were laughing at me, saying that nowadays sushi is more westernized now. Then I suddenly thought about that now most of the nations are mixed with different cultures. Even food is involved in cultural issues. Chinese food with western style… for example. Everything changes, ya?
I started to think about the church today. Did the doctrine of theology also change due to the cultural issues? There are many changes in Jesus’ teachings in certain churches. There are many extra doctrines which do not even exist in the scriptures. Some people even change the true meaning in the bible. Some introduce certain things which we do not even know whether it is true or not. Some introduce things which cannot be found in bible. All of these have really mixed up the whole system of the church. It affects the whole body of Christ. Many churches are corrupted. There are why many denominations are formed. I was thinking why churches are divided though they all believe in one God.
God, You do not delight in division among the churches. You want all the churches to fulfill one purpose for You – to bring good news to the lost. I wonder Jesus has given us the task on what to do. However, many people tend to mix it up and make Jesus’ teachings even more complicated. They have many disputes and conflicts. God, this should not be. God, have mercy on us sinners.
God, I really do hope to see all different churches will unite as one – the Church of Jesus. People will worship You, together praising Your Holy Name, shouting “Hallelujah!”
God, I know this is what You wanna see. I really wanna do this for You, to unite the churches back. Knowing it is hard because people’s wisdom will block them from listening to the truth.
God, this is my desire. Knowing I am nothing, but a junk! Yet I believe God will not despise and use my life for Your glory! Let this burn in my heart. Use me as Your tool, and glorify Your name.
Ephesians 4:3-6
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Zhen Zhen and Rachel
And the dinner in
Wagamama cost me
RM113.45.
RACHEL! AHHHH…!!!
On the way to STS school, I was worrying about one thing. As I was entering into the theater for Choir practice, I managed to take a breath out. As I was thinking whether I should discuss the problem with my lecturer, she came and sat besides me, smiled and said,
“Jack, you will be the narrator
for the choir presentation on 11 April 2009.”
What?! Eyes widely opened.
Astonished!!
That is the problem which I was about to tell my lecturer. STS will be having a choir presentation on Saturday, 11 April 2009. It is about Easter Celebration. I supposed to assist ASC youth ministry on every Saturday. I was thinking whether Bishop will allow us to join the STS choir on tat day.
People always tell us to put the first priority – the church ministry. I know that the youth ministry is important to me. However, the choir presentation is one of the compulsory events for my credit hour. (Credit hour – those who have studied in college or university will understand what I said.) Choir is one of the school requirements which all students MUST attend and join in choir.
If I choose church ministry, my credit hour which is compulsory will be gone. If I choose the STS choir presentation, my credit hour will be earned.
How am I going to bring this matter to Bishop? How should I tell my lecturer? Will she be angry? Will others think that Anglican is very arrogant? Will Bishop allow? Will Bishop be angry too? (I am not saying that he is a bad guy.) Furthermore, I really do not want to create a division between Anglican and others in STS.
God, again I am stuck in ministry and study, additionally political issue too. Now, I have one more task to do. Both are important. Which one should I choose?
“Jack, you are playing a very important role. You are representing the whole STS choir to do the narration. We are all depending on you.”
Now, if you are in my shoes, which one do you choose: Credit Hour or Church ministry?
John 14:1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me (Jesus Christ).”
Let me confess one thing: yesterday night, during the practice, I was very frustrated. I confess my attitude and behavior were untoleratable. I know people cannot stand me yesterday. Therefore, before I start to write this post, I wanna say that God does not delight in my attitude too. I have my wrong too. Or else, people might criticise me, saying "This Jack says as if he has no wrong at all." Hence, forgive me for I do not know what I am doing, God. 
