WFA Worship Leaders' Meeting

there will be a short meeting for all Worship Leaders together with Bro. Sim..

6 September 2009
after WFA Family Prayer

kindly avail yourself for this very important meeting..

thank you

Count to Eight (Woe, Be Gone)

by Max Lucado
“We have here only five loaves and two fish.” (Matt. 14:17)

How do you suppose Jesus felt about the basket inventory? Any chance he might have wanted them to include the rest of the possibilities? Involve all the options? Do you think he was hoping someone might count to eight?

“Well, let’s see. We have five loaves, two fish…and Jesus!” Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who told us:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:19 NIV)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (John 15:7 NIV)
What ever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 NIV)

Standing next to the disciples was the solution to their problems…but they didn’t go to him. They stopped their count at seven and worried.

What about you? Are you counting to seven, or to eight?

Here are eight worry stoppers to expand your tally:
1. Pray, first. “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him…(I Peter 5:7 AMP)
2. Easy now. Slow down. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (Ps. 37:7).
3. Act on it. The moment a concern surfaces, deal with it. Don’t dwell on it. Head off worries before they get the best of you. Be a doer, not a stewer.
4. Compile a worry list. Over a period of days record your anxious thoughts. Then review them. How many of them turned into a reality?
5. Evaluate your worry categories. Detect recurring areas of preoccupation that may become obsessions. Pray specifically about them.
6. Focus on today. God meets daily needs daily. He will give you what you need when it is needed.
7. Unleash a worry army. Share your feelings with a few loved ones. Ask them to pray with and for you.
8. Let God be enough. “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matt. 6:32-33 NLT).

Eight steps. Pray, first. Easy, now. Act on it. Compile a worry list. Evaluate your worry categories. Focus on today. Unleash a worry army. Let God be enough.

P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L

From
Fearless
© (Thomas Nelson, 2009),
Max Lucado

Spring-loaded Toward The Spirit

Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16

When we first becoem Christians, we were like one-third horsepower lawn movers engines. We could accomplish something, but not very much because we weren't very mature. Our ambitino as Christians is to become engines that can power earth-moving machinery - real powerhouse for the Lord. But neither a lawn mover nor a bulldozer can accomplish anything apart from Christi (John 15:5). No matter how mature you are, you can never be productive unless you are walking in the Spirit.

When it comes to the choice between walking according to the flesh and walking to the Spirit, our will is like a toggle switch. The new Christian's will seem to be spring-loadead toward fleshly behaviour. He is still the unwitting victim of a thoroughly trained flesh which only knows how to operate independently of God. The mature Christian's will is spring-loaded toward the Spirit. He makes occasional poor choices, but he is learning to crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit on a daily basis.

If you are hoping for a magic formula or a list of foolproof steps for walking in the Spirit, you will be disappointed. The moment you reduce the Spirit-filled walk to a formula or an intellectual exercise, you probably won't be Spirit-filled anymore.

The Holy Spirit is a "He", not an "it". Our walk with God is a personal experience, not a mechanical or legalistic formula. We see the immorality of the flesh indulgence everywhere, but simply preaching against it and telling people to shape up is not God's answer. The law is powerless to give life (Galatians 3:21). Reintroducing the law to believer won't work. But if we learn to walk by the Spirit, we won't carry out the desires of the flesh. Let us encourage others to do the same.

"Lord, we desire to be patient with others in their walk of faith as You are patient with us. Help us have gracious response and gentle answer to others today."

- Neil Anderson

30 AUGUST 2009

30 Aug 09

Barnabas P.

Terry C.

Siew Pin, Joycelyn C., Richard

Grace Lee, Jocelyn Lee

Darren

Jaemy C.

Colleen, Ken Fhui

Tom C., Tommy

Sunday Sermon 23 August 2009

Speaker: Pastor Dr Sandra Nair

Eagle Height Networks

Practical steps needed to check H1N1

Thursday August 20, 2009

I CAN understand the Health Ministry’s urgent and all-out attempts to get public cooperation in containing the spread of the A (H1N1) flu. To date, the disease has claimed an unproportionate number of lives and as such, all citizens should be truly concerned and do their part.

But is it practical to fine and/or imprison those with flu-like illness (ILI) symptoms but are found not wearing face masks?

How is the enforcement to be carried out? Who are going to catch the defaulters – the police or health officials? Don’t forget we have problems even to catch smokers in designated non-smoking areas. Also, those who litter are rarely reprimanded in spite of our anti-littering laws.

I can’t imagine how the whole process of identifying and confirming the sick can be done in public places or on the streets.

We are told that the ministry is hard pressed to provide sufficient medical personnel to handle all the suspected cases in hospitals and clinics and leave for medical staff has been frozen.

Now, we are talking about putting enforcers in public places to detect and catch those who are sick but not wearing face masks.

Are these enforcers to be equipped with thermometers, flu detectors or what? Or are all the suspects to be brought back to hospital for confirmation, adding to the already big crowd there? How sick does one have to be in order to be considered guilty for not wearing a face mask?

If a person is sick and indeed very sick, shouldn’t he be hospitalised rather than being sent to prison when he is unable or refuses to pay the fine? Also, to put these sick people in prison for not wearing masks, are we not risking infecting the whole prison?

If it becomes widespread in the prison, are we going to close the prison and send all the inmates home, just like we do for our schools and institutions of learning? Our prisons are said to be always overcrowded, so separate quarantine rooms are out of the question.

We should stop all these knee-jerk reactions and be more proactive and innovative in ways that are practical!

In this context, please look into how the hospital and clinical medical staff can render more speedy and effective treatment to all those who seek help.

It is not accurate to say that those infected were late in seeking hospital treatment. It is more accurate to say that the hospital delayed treatment for them. How many who sought treatment were first sent home only to be re-admitted when their conditions deteriorated?

In this critical time, the minister and his director-general should make more visits and get first-hand information on how exactly their medical staff is handling and coping with the situation on the ground in hospitals and clinics all over the country.

LIONG KAM CHONG,
Seremban.

God Never Sends You Out Alone

by Max Lucado
When you place your faith in Christ, Christ places his Spirit before, behind, and within you. Not a strange spirit, but the same Spirit: the parakletos. Everything Jesus did for his followers, his Spirit does for you. Jesus taught; the Spirit teaches. Jesus healed; the Spirit heals. Jesus comforted; his Spirit comforts. As Jesus sends you into new seasons, he sends his counselor to go with you.

God treats you the way one mother treated her young son, Timmy. She didn’t like the thought of Timmy walking to his first-grade class unaccompanied. But he was too grown-up to be seen with his mother. “Besides,” he explained, “I can walk with a friend.” So she did her best to stay calm, quoting the Twenty-third Psalm to him every morning: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”

One school day she came up with an idea. She asked a neighbor to follow Timmy to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, lest he notice her. The neighbor was happy to oblige. She took her toddler on morning walks anyway.

After several days Timmy’s friend noticed the lady and the child.

“Do you know who that woman is who follows us to school?”

“Sure,” Timmy answered. “That’s Shirley Goodnest and her daughter Marcy.”

“Who?”

“My mom reads about them every day in the Twenty-third Psalm. She says, ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life.’ Guess I’ll have to get used to them.”

You will too. God never sends you out alone. Are you on the eve of change? Do you find yourself looking into a new chapter? Is the foliage of your world showing signs of a new season? Heaven’s message for you is clear: when everything else changes, God presence never does. You journey in the company of the Holy Spirit, who “will teach you and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26 NLT).

From
Fearless
© (Thomas Nelson, 2009),
Max Lucado

Living with an Irresponsible Spouse

When we enter marriage, we assume we are marrying a responsible person. We know that our roles will be somewhat different, but we each assume that our spouse will use his mind, skills, and energy for our mutual benefit. When it seems apparent that our spouse is not the responsible person we thought we married, we feel hurt, angry, and often agitated.

Our response is influenced by our personality. If I am by nature a “controller”, I will deliver anger lectures about irresponsibility. If I am a “peacemaker”, then I may suffer in silence. Neither of these approaches is very productive. The first step in becoming a positive influence on your irresponsible spouse is to identify the problem behind the behavior.

Behind the Behavior
Let’s assume that your husband has little ambition. He won’t work. He shows no interest in fathering or being a husband. What lies behind this? Let me suggest four possibilities:

1. He may be following the model of his father. He is simply doing what seems natural to him.
2. He may be rebelling against the model of his father. His father was a workaholic. As a child he decided that work was bad, and so consciously or unconsciously he is rebelling.
3. He has developed a self-centered attitude. He is a taker, not a giver.
4. His irresponsible behavior may be an expression of his resentment toward you. Whatever you want, he will move in the opposite direction. His needs are not met and this is his way of expressing it.

Understanding what is behind your husband’s irresponsible behavior will help you choose a positive approach to addressing the problem.

Your Responsibility
Positive action begins by examining your own behavior to see how you might be contributing to your spouse’s irresponsibility. Acknowledge your own imperfections. Ask for suggestions on how you can be a better spouse. If you're going to be a positive change agent, you must change the emotional climate.

A Small Request
Once your spouse gives positive feedback, you know you are getting through to them on an emotional level. Now it is time to make a request of them. “Do you know what I would really like? I would like for us to have a picnic. If I make the sandwiches, would you pack the drinks?” A small but specific request. If your spouse responds positively, you are on the road to seeing more requests honored. As they respond, you begin to feel loved. You can continue to influence them in a positive direction.


There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Desperate Marriages by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

Song Story: I Will Sing

From Don
05.05.09

I wrote the title song for I Will Sing in my car and my first reaction was, “I don’t know where that came from, but I’ll never put it on a Hosanna! Music album!"

I had spent the day at one of Alabama’s gulf coast beaches, about an hour south of Integrity’s studios in Mobile, hoping to write songs for the upcoming album.

I didn't feel anything the entire day. It was one of those times when you wonder where God is. I was driving back home, feeling frustrated, and I said, “Lord, You seem so far away, a million miles or more it feels today.” It just popped out. Then I got another line: “And though I haven’t lost my faith, I must confess right now that it’s hard for me to pray.” The words kept coming, and I wrote the entire song right there in my car, but I didn’t like it. I thought, “What a waste! I need songs for the album; I don’t need this!”

I promptly filed the song away, thinking I’d never use it. Not long after, Integrity’s staff was stunned by the news that the ten-year-old daughter of David C. Reilly, a graphic artist who has designed album covers for Integrity Music for more than a decade, was killed in a car accident.

I remembered the song I had scribbled on a paper, so I recorded it on a CD and sent it to David with a note: “I know you’re going to have days when you feel like, 'Where in the world is God?' but I want to encourage you to sing. Don’t give up.”

The reality is that everyone goes through days when we feel God is far away. There’s a phoniness in Christian circles that says you don’t admit that. But look at Psalm 109. How could David, the sweet psalmist of Israel who said, 'I will bless the Lord at all times,' write these angry words? Because he was honest before the Lord, and that’s what God wants in our worship, too. He knows already, so I want to work on being honest, transparent with the Father, who delights in our hearts.

- Don

Make Friends With Whatever’s Next

by Max Lucado
Embrace it. Accept it. Don’t resist it. Change is not only a part of life; change is a necessary part of God’s strategy. To use us to change the world, he alters our assignments. Gideon: from farmer to general; Mary: from peasant girl to the mother of Christ; Paul: from local rabbi to world evangelist. God transitioned Joseph from a baby brother to an Egyptian prince. He changed David from a a shepherd to a king. Peter wanted to fish the Sea of Galilee. God called him to lead the first church. God makes reassignments.

But, someone might ask, what about the tragic changes God permits? Some seasons make no sense…do such moments serve a purpose?

They do if we see them from an eternal perspective. What makes no sense in this life will make perfect sense in the next. I have proof: you in the womb.

I know you don’t remember this prenatal season, so let me remind you what happened during it. Every gestation day equipped you for your earthly life. Your bones solidified, your eyes developed, the umbilical cord transported nutrients into your growing frame…for what reason? So you might remain enwombed? Quite the contrary. Womb time equipped you for earth time, suited you up for your postpartum existence.

Some prenatal features went unused before birth. You grew a nose but didn’t breathe. Eyes developed, but could you see? Your tongue, toenails, and crop of hair served no function in your mother’s belly. But aren’t you glad you have them now?

Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary, like nostrils on the preborn. Suffering. Loneliness. Disease. Holocausts. Martyrdom. Monsoons. If we assume this world exists just for pregrave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. But what if this earth is the womb? Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come? As Paul wrote, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing” (2 Cor. 4:17 CEV).


From
Fearless
© (Thomas Nelson, 2009),
Max Lucado

Sunday Sermon 16 Aug 2009

Speaker: Evangelist Louis Manual
El Shaddai, A.O.G. Kuala Lumpur

23 AUGUST 2009

23 Aug 09

Dr. Siow KW

Foong Yee

Hong Lu, Ken Fhui, Siew Pin

Jun Fhui, Meng Fhui

Terry/Weng Ern

Nicholas

Jocelyn Lee, Timothy C.

Tommy, Manjit

Our Dynamic Power Source

... the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might ... (Ephesians 1:9)

In Ephesians 1:19-21, Paul gives us a peak at the dynamic source of our authority in Christ. He explains that teh authority at our disposal flows from the resevoir of power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at the Father's right hand. That power source is so dynamic that Paul used four different Greek words in verse 19 to describe it: power (dunameos), working (energeian), strength (kratous) and might (ischuos). Behind the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ lies the mighiest work of power recorded in the Word of God. And the same power which raised Christ from the dead and defeated Satan is the power available to us to overcome the works of Stan in our daily lives.

Paul opens our eyes to the expansive scope of Christ's authority, which is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:21). Think about the most powerful and influential political or military leaders in the world. Imagine the most feared terrorist, crime kingpin, and drug barons. Think about the notorious figures of the past and present who have blighted society with their diabolical misdeeds. Think about Satan and all the powers of darkness marshaled under his command. Jesus' authority is not only above all these human and spiritual authorities past, present and future, but He is far above them. We share the same position becaus we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies, which enables us to live in freedom and victory over the demonic intrusion and influence.

Do not be deceived. You are not under Satan's power or subject to his authority. You are in Christ above all demonic rule, authority, and power.

Reigning with You, Lord - what a liberating thought! We praise You today for the power You share with us.

- Neil Anderson

Death: Because of Christ, You Can Face It.

by Max Lucado
As heart surgeries go, mine was far from the riskiest. But any procedure that requires four hours of probes inside your heart is enough to warrant an added prayer. So on the eve of my surgery, Denalyn, I, and some kind friends offered our share. We were staying at a hotel adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. We asked God to bless the doctors and watch over the nurses. After we chatted a few minutes, they wished me well and said good-bye. I needed to go to bed early. But before I could sleep, I wanted to offer one more prayer…alone.

I took the elevator down to the lobby and found a quiet corner and began to think. What if the surgery goes awry? What if this is my final night on earth? Is there anyone with whom I should make my peace? Do I need to phone any person and make amends? I couldn’t think of anyone. (So if you are thinking I should have called you, sorry. Perhaps we should talk.)

Next I wrote letters to my wife and daughters, each beginning with the sentence “If you are reading this, something went wrong in the surgery.”

Then God and I had the most honest of talks. We began with a good review of my first half century. The details would bore you, but they entertained us. I thanked him for grace beyond measure and for a wife who descended from the angels. My tabulation of blessings could have gone on all night and threatened to do just that. So I stopped and offered this prayer: I’m in good hands, Lord. The doctors are prepared; the staff is experienced. But even with the best of care, things happen. This could be my final night in this version of life, and I’d like you to know, if that’s the case, I’m okay.

And I went to bed. And slept like a baby. As things turned out, I recovered from the surgery, and here I am, strong as ever, still pounding away at the computer keyboard. One thing is different, though. This matter of dying bravely?

I think I will.

May you do the same.

Maintaining Yourself While Helping Your Adult Child

Someone has said that when children are little, they step all over your feet, and when they are older, they step all over your heart. The rigors of raising children can be extremely draining, physically, emotionally, and financially. By the time children reach young adulthood, many parents feel depleted. Parents must learn to preserve their own well being or they will soon find themselves depleted. Worst of all, they may find their marriage relationship in serious trouble.

How to Help
When their grown children get in trouble, parents often feel bound to help. Wise parents recognize that physical, emotional, and financial resources always have limits. The question to ask is: What is the best way to help our child?

Don’t try to solve the problems of your adult child. Remember, your young adult child must live his own life, and that means solving his own problems. Your caring role is to give love, acceptance, encouragement, and guidance when requested. Set boundaries for what you will and will not do to help. Nurture your own relationship. Time together having fun is not sinful. If you don’t keep your own marriage healthy, you compound the problems of your adult child.

Jesus' Example
Interestingly, Jesus, recognized by Christians and many non-Christians as the world’s greatest example of a loving leader, once said “I did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:28). His life was characterized by self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. However, those who recorded His life indicated that at various times Jesus chose to withdraw from the crowds and retreat to a secluded spot for rest and prayer.

Restoring His own physical and spiritual strength was important to Him; so it should be for us. Your daily time with God and a daily time of relaxing and sharing with your spouse are essential to your spiritual and marital health.

A Strong Marriage
Do not allow your children’s problems to keep you from the essentials for staying physically and emotionally healthy. You cannot ignore your own emotional needs and still expect to give continued help to your children over the long haul. Watch out for your spouse's emotional health. Keeping your marriage strong is one of the best things you can do for your children.


There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Parenting Your Adult Child: How You Can Help Them Achieve Their Full Potential by Dr. Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF!!

a familiar gripe?
from the pianist.. to they keyboardist.. to the guitarists.. to the back ups..
sometimes even the Worship Leader loves this quote..
-
why does it happen?
position of instruments vs position of speakers vs condition of speakers & wires vs position of congregation..
it's a whole melange of reasons, factors, obstacles..
enough to make the PA Section cry..
-
sometimes it is because you are being drowned out by everyone else turning up their volume..
and so you turn up your volume..
and they play louder and sing harder..
and so do you..
and then the roof caves in...
-
how do we come to a compromise?
firstly, ask yourself: what is the role of the music & worship team (including singers, PA & LCD)
>> it is to create a conducive environment for the congregation to worship God.. to be examples to the congregation on how worship should be..
secondly, ask yourself what is your role in the team?
>> to sing - lead accurately/support the leader & to provide the melody.. to accompany with the harmony and fill in the gaps.. to provide the beat/timing/speed..
>> to gel the contributions of the singers/musicians together at appropriate volumes..
>> to assist the congregation to sing the correct words and express their adoration for God..
thirdly, be aware of what you are playing as compared to what other teammates are playing..
>> if the piano is played like the bass or drum, the team will sound like it has 2 drums or 2 bass guitars.. keep it simple, accurate and appropriate.. it is much better than complicated, inaccurate and distracting..
-
what can i do as an individual musician?
>> practice the songs on your own until you are confident.. so that during the times you play in a team, you can be certain that you are playing accurately..
>> listen to Worship CDs that mimic the style & tone & needs of the congregation.. if the congregation grew up listening to Integrity Music (Don Moen/ Ron Kenoly's piano & strings driven music).. they might not appreciate Hillsongs Youth/ DC Talk (overdriven guitar & drums).. although there is a time and place to learn to appreciate, it is definitely not in the middle of a Sunday Worship Service..
-
what can we do as a team?
>> the worship leader is responsible to lead the team.. to decide (where appropriate) which instrument takes centerstage.. the tone and build up/slow down of the songs and worship service..
>> listen, listen, listen.. to other instrument players... everyone has a style of playing/singing.. try to compliment it, rather than change the style by yourself..
>> be sensitive to the congregation.. the reaction of the congregation can tell a lot about the appropriateness of the song's volume/speed.. pained expressions and silent bystanders are very obvious red flags..
>> worship leaders are encouraged to sing the main melody.. leave the countermelody to the back-up singers.. if you can not hit the high note at the end of a climatic song, don't.. it is not very nice to end a good song with an off key screech..
-
when all's said & done:

1. be prepared at home/by yourself: know the song through & through before introducing it..
2. play your role/part in the team..
3. complement the team.. not contradict it..
4. come prepared for practice..
5. during practice & worship service: watch, listen & be sensitive..

Song Stories: Thank You Lord

From Don
05.19.09

I was sitting at my church in the balcony, looking at the congregation, and wishing I had a simple song of thanks that people can sing. Praise and worship songs can get very complicated. The congregation really wants to worship, but sometimes as leaders we make it difficult musically and lyrically for them to do that.

That Sunday in my own church, I asked the Lord to give me a song that causes people to give thanks to Him easily, that puts thanksgiving on their lips. The result was "Thank You Lord."

Thanksgiving is the first step to come into His presence: Psalm 100:4 NIV "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Simply saying "Thank You Lord" is one of the most powerful concepts in worship. To say thank You "for all You've given to me, for all the blessings that I cannot see" is powerful because we're remembering what He's done in the past and thanking Him for all He's going to do in the future. I pray those words in every concert. If you can say "Thank You" for something you haven't seen yet--a job, a car, a healing--that is powerful.

- Don

WATCH & PRAY

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ.

The A H1N1 flu pandemic is spreading like wildfire.

Please be vigilant, pray and take proactive steps to protect yourselves and your family & friends.

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/ 
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/updates/en/