GOD OF JUSTICE (WE MUST GO)

It's rare to see the words "Worship" & "Justice" closely connected in today's worship scene. But in the Old Testament especially in the Prophetic books ... it's inseparable. I found this song from Tim Hughes who wrote a BLC favorite, "Here I am to Worship" .. a wonderful song that "fills me up and sends me out." Here's the chords and MP3

Capo 5

F........G.........C.............F
God of Justice, Saviour to all
..........G...............C................F
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
............G.............C........F
Chose to serve and not be served

Am7 ................G/B
Jesus, You have called us
F
Freely we’ve received
.........................G
Now freely we will give

.........C..........................G/B
We must go live to feed the hungry
........................Am7
Stand beside the broken
............F
We must go
.............C..............................G/B
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
..................Am7
Move us into action
............F
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give

F
Fill us up and send us out
G.................C
Fill us up and send us out

Fill us up and send us out Lord
Repeat 4 times (Last time don’t do to the C)

Hear O Malaysia

Here's something from our visitng friend Ryan Sharp who visited us last sunday, for more click here:

Hear O Malaysia
The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus
In your midst

This God
Found in the warmth of a smile
In the cries of a child
In the love of a friend

Do you know?
Have you seen?
Have you heard?

The LORD God is One
The LORD God is Love

(The LORD God is not from the West)

Earliest Retreat Birds

IMG_2081_earliest_birds
Originally uploaded by sivinkit.

The mist welcomed us "coolly" ... and we were ready to catch some worms! Yummy!

Post Camp Big Group pic!

Since selecting the best pictures to post up online will take time, I thought I'd post a photograph that doesn't need to go through a selection process =) Here's a nice group photograph of everyone at the camp!

First Post-Camp Post

Well our car made it up the mountain to Peace Haven, barely. But we got back down safely. Thanks to Sivin for sticking close just to make sure. We did see Hoong Guit and company on the side of the road with a flat tire just after pulling out of PH. Hope they got it fixed okay. At least they had cool weather and a nice view while putting on the spare tire!

This was our first church camp with BLC and our first time to meet and talk to some of the people who we have been seeing on Sundays. I was very thankful for the name tags! I enjoyed everything so much that I don't really know where to begin. The highlights for me were small group time - I was one of the facilitators - especially studying Ephesians together and then all the posters and presentations from the different groups. It was exciting to see everyone digging into the Word and then explaining it so creatively.

I must confess, John, that I was a little skeptical about Romanopoly at first, but it was a huge success. Moh Foong was classic as the Empress and she was much loved by her citizens, especially as she showered us with coins. I got a bargain on a slave - the lovely Ling Ling, whom I purchased for just 8 sen. And of course there was my husband looking quite dashing with a colander on his head.

For those of you who couldn't make it, we missed you! I'm sure there will be lots of pictures posted in the coming week.

How to Build Community

Thanks Daniel for the last "simple" but "significant" post to get the Waiting Room moving again ...

Here's something I thought was insightful:

How To Build Community

• Turn off your TV
• Know your neighbors
• Look up when you are walking
• Greet people
• Sit on your stoop
• Plant flowers
• Use your library
• Play together
• Buy from local merchants
• Share what you have
• Help a lost dog
• Take children to the park
• Garden together
• Support neighborhood schools
• Fix it even if you didn't break it
• Have pot lucks
• Honor elders
• Pick up litter
• Read stories aloud
• Dance in the street
• Talk to the mail carrier
• Listen to the birds
• Put up a swing
• Help carry something heavy
• Barter for your goods
• Start a tradition
• Ask a question-hire young people for odd jobs
• Organize a block party
• Bake extra and share
• Ask for help when you need it
• Open your shades-sing together
• Share your skills-take back the night
• Turn up the music-turn down the music
• Listen before you react to anger
• Mediate a conflict
• Seek to understand
• Learn from new and uncomfortable angles
• Know that no one is silent though many are not heard.
  
• Work to change this.

Simple Conversation

Below is an email conversation I had with my unchurched colleague. Sometimes, simple conversation like this help us see beyond our own problems at work and towards God's purpose for us at work instead. You'll be amazed what you'll find out.

Daniel: "u know what u shd do instead.........8-))) . u shd go back to church and seek God.....i can see that u r quite miserable.....always seeking out for things to fill the void in your life....now u r going after philosophy pulak.... btw, what drove u away from church, maybe can share a bit."

Karl: "actually i still hold strong faith with the lord. unfortunately every since i got back i stop attended service. difficult la introvert when i comes to religions matters/worship. these days churches are all going the charismatic route.
when in aussie.. it was mostly small community worships. i am slowly trying to join irenes church... but they very happening la their church. but i must admit i do feel a void in my life... sense of accomplishment, living life.. seems to me these days the only think i look forward to when working is going home???. and when i am free at home to go skip work and go for holiday break??? could be the mid life crisis genes i carry in me. which is why i though maybe studying philosophy would help me grasp more meaning."

Daniel: "not true that all churches are going all charismatic. why not u and irene come visit my church in bangsar next sun....i promise u it's different (dont worry not cult though 8-))). my church is quite small, around 60+ pple including children. i'm sure u'll fit well.....our members comprised of pple from all walks of life, from IT pple to lawyers to soon-to-be uni professors to video editor to journalist, etc....the great thing is majority are from 25-35 of age. my pastor is also a very open person. not ur typical textbook religous pastor.
maybe what u need is to belong in a small community, small group. i see going to church on sundays only to fulfill "religous" responsibility as nothing more than a ritual. that won't get you anywhere. u need to go beyond that, joining a small group may help give a sense of belonging and support."

Karl: "maybe i will take you up on the offer but not this week la... when i am ready. i know one can never be ready but give me sometime. btw way where is your church in bangsar? i read your blog about the finance person leaving. guess his/her situation was similar to the former hp ceo."