4. Freezing Easter, Touched Heart

Today I decided to follow William's friend to City Church instead of going to my usual church because he invited me, and I was also curious about how a service in City Church is different compared to their concerts. So about 4.15 p.m., I decided to head off to the tram stop and halfway towards my destination, I pondered whether I should go get my jacket because the weather was quite cold, but I thought that I could endure the cold. It wasn't that bad initially, but when the wind started to blow, it was like walking in a big refrigerator. I was wearing short sleeves at that time, and coupled with the fact that I just arrived from a tropical country a few months ago and adipose tissue isn't really a necessity there, I was shivering until I felt that my chest hurt because it kind of contracted and shook due to the cold. Well, at least I learnt my valuable lesson now in the autumn. It would be sad if it happened when it's near winter season.

The service there was quite good, although I was a bit lost because I didn't really know all the new songs from their album. They also had a weekly news presentation that informs the members about upcoming events. Personally I thought it was a good idea because it keeps people like me who don’t like reading the list of announcements printed in the bulletin updated. The speaker today was Matt Fielder, and as usual he kept the crowd interested with humour and as well as his expression which captured the attention of the audience. I was quite stirred by his sermon, but what really touched me was the altar ministry. As he was giving instructions to the people in the audience who wanted to accept Jesus into their lives, and even before he gave the green light to come forward, people were already making their way towards the front. Witnessing them so eager to receive this new person in their lives showed me that God's love wasn't just ordinary love; it was love that has touched millions, billions, in the past, present, and will touch in the future. A love that changes lives; empowering the weak, giving hope to the hopeless, a friend to the lonely, loving those unloved, turning drug addicts from their grip of addiction, breaking through the hearts of criminals or even successful businessmen...the list goes on. The power of this love that causes these things was demonstrated during the altar ministry because not one, not two, not a few, but about 30 people made the decision. That made me feel blessed that I know and have experienced such love over and over again. As Pastor Matt Fielder reminded us, "Christianity isn't a religion; it's a relationship between God and man." How wonderful it is to have a personal relationship with the great and mighty God!

3. Casting Crowns - Who am I

Who am I, that the Lord of all the Earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose the light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapour in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You watch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

I've been searching, questioning my faith, wondering whether my dryness for the past 8 months or so could be restored back to a heart to seek after, or even just to be more sensitive to God. The taste and feeling of God's love embracing and overwhelming the troubles and things that bother me was something that I have missed out in this time period. This week, God has taken this Holy Week to show me and remind me about Him once again, His greatness, His power, and also his humility to come just for me and everyone else. Tainted by sin, it's like buying a broken toy from the department store. He sees beyond my defects and finds value that's shrouded deep inside, something that only someone who really knew me well enough could find. Heck, even I can't fathom what God values in me, I just know that there's something that's great, and for that I believe, and I will persevere. That is my strengthening of faith for this week, and for now... Happy Easter to everyone, both Christians and non-Christians.