14 July 2008

I would love to talk about Mike Guglielmucci today.

Mike Guglielmucci is a youth pastor at Planetshakers Church in Melbourne. He also serves as the bass guitarist for the Planetshakers team. There are many awesome christian songs written by him such as Pick It Up, Majesty, Praise You, Evermore, Running After You and many more.

In his mid 20’s, Mike was diagnosed with a blood disease in sometime mid-year of 2006.  A stage 3 terminal cancer disease was definitely unexpected by him. It struck him pretty bad till at one point there were about 30 bones fractured in his body due to the disease. He was in pain all over his joints and bones. At that time, the doctor told him that he could live another 3 months plus.

One thing for sure, Mike didn’t give up on God. His faith was taken to a higher level and he never ceased to praise God undoubtedly. Even on a wheelchair, he has written even more beautiful songs to worship God and one of it is Healer. Mike has so much faith in God and even if he has to be called home early, he accepts it as God’s will.

Today, I see a whole new Mike. He could even preach and sing in the most recent Hillsong Conference. This has proved to many of us that God is alive and He can do ALL things POSSIBLE!

Let this Youtube Video speak its message to you.

His story touched many lives including mine. I hope he touched yours too.

Before I end, here is the song Healer written by Mike.

It is one of the most beautiful songs Mike has ever written.

12 June 2005

Today I watched the documentary interview on the life of the famous TVB actress, ADA CHOI SIU FAN. My dad bought this DVD last week and today we watched it together after dinner time. This show was basically about her Christian faith. This Hong Kong born actress’ faith is described as strong as never before. Her career and her involvement in the entertainment industry of Hong Kong never fail to let her go closer to God each new day. We all know that she has been a rising star and claimed award after award for her acting in TVB dramas and she was even the 2nd runner up of Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant n 1991.

Her conversion and acceptance of the Lord Jesus in her life has completely transformed her to be a better example among her peers in her industry. I really admire her standings. Even when she works for a film production 24/7, she will make sure that she will go back to church on Sundays. She will never try to miss it. She finds it peaceful each time she sings a hymn or a praise or worship chorus. It touches her deeply when she sings along. She emphasizes that she relies a lot on the strength of God in her acting career. Without God, she feels that she is nothing. Her faith has challenged me to strengthen my daily walk with Jesus. Her strength in Christian faith is totally embracing me to follow her footsteps.

There was once her director’s wife asked her to offer incense with other stars in a temple. She was still a new Christian back then in 1996 (if not mistaken). She refused because she was a Christian. In the end, the director’s wife managed to persuade her to offer an incense but Ada did it unreluctantly and she kept telling God that the offering meant nothing at all but to entertain them. Right after that moment, Ada was crying and she knew she did something that had brought disappointment to God. She asked for forgiveness and she vowed that she would never do it again. And because of that, this happens again in 1998 when her director asked her to offer incense and the director insisted that it will bring bad luck if she didn’t offer one. Ada answered him that if they are having bad luck, Ada will pray that her God will look after them. Because of this, Ada was never ever asked to offer any incense and everyone knows that she is a Christian and they even asked her to pray for them at times. Can you believe how the power of God can give wisdom to any one who stands up for Christ?

It’s pretty amazing to see her looking for a local church to attend when she was doing a film production in China. Can you imagine this? She is busy in China but she still seeks time out with God. She never ceases to find comfort from the fellowship of the brothers and sisters in Christ. Peace is the ultimate thing that she gets from church. Nevertheless, she did reminded us that God is everywhere. Not only in church, or not only when we are reading the bible. We can always talk to Him wherever we are. Just like her, 24/7. Everytime she faces an interview or prepares herself for acting or any film production procedures, she will keep talking to God and asking God to guide her in every step she takes. J This is superbly encouraging to me.

Because of this, I realized I made a correct choice this morning. Why? I was being silly this morning when I thought of skipping church to study for my finals. You must be wondering why I wanted to skip church. If I would to go to church at 11am, I would have to follow my parents to here and there… cos I remembered my mom wanted to go to Tesco to shop for groceries. This means by the time I reach home it will be like late afternoon and a total waste of time for me. Should I go to church or not??? That was lingering in my mind at 10am when I woke up. Guess what??? I chose to go. I just don’t know why but I just wanted to go in the end. Yes, I felt His presence was upon me when I sang this chorus:

My soul cries out to You, O Lord
My portion and hope
I close my eyes and reach You near
And there’s nobody else
That could take Your place in my heart

I really thanked God that His Spirit is still ringing in me. I love you, Lord. You have once again blessed me and told me that I should walk closer with you each new day. Even though I know I spent a lot of time in doing other things besides studying but I know I can trust in You in my studies. Yes, I will surrender every thing unto You. My studies, my exams, my health, my work, my everything and Yes Lord, my LIFE as well. I will continue to study as much as I can with the guidance of the Lord. Pray that Lord Jesus will grant me wisdom and the persevering spirit to fight this battle of exams.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not with your own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may all of us be like Ada Choi, strong in faith, never ashamed to be a Christian and be proud to live a life for Christ. It’s a challenge to run this winning race.

18 May 2005

What does Passion involve? Matt 13:44-45

Desire

Direction

Discipline

What am I passionate about?

- What do I desire?

- What direction is my life going?

- What am I disciplining myself to reach?

Passion is directed towards… Matt22:37-39, 28: 18-20

Person of Jesus

Purpose of the Great Commission

People in church and outside

How is Passion lost?

- Cools down

- Choked

- Calloused Conscience

- Conned

How is Passion reloaded? 1John 1:9-10

Face up to the truth

Family of God

Faithfulness of God

Forgiveness of God

All these can be showed by Paul’s passion for Christ in Philippians 2:1-2.

Today’s was the first CF meeting for NIC CF as it was the opening of May semester 2005. I know I was busy with so many other things till I almost neglected CF. Thank God I didn’t neglect CF. Why? Because I felt that I had the passion once again to serve more in the Lord’s kingdom. I know I am tied down with work, studies, assignments and family affairs but this will not stop me from serving Lord. No way am I going to halt my service for the Lord. I know the mental breakdown earlier last week was something tearing me apart. Nevertheless, today I skipped my work [gonna replace it on Friday]; because I wanted to make the best PowerPoint slides of Annoucements in CF. Yup, I spent 2 hours in the afternoon doing that. Maybe the passion was there. Who says even I am busy I can’t serve Him? I am not going to stop serving Him and now I don’t need to fear any thing which comes my way because I know my God will be up for me. If God is with me, who dares to be against me?

I was playing the keyboard for Jessica today. Even though it’s two action songs and two worship songs, somehow I was touched by the presence of God when we were worshipping Him. Though my fingers were busy playing the keys, but I was so deeply moved by the Holy Spirit to sing out the voice He has blessed me with to Him. Furthermore, CF’s attendance today was beyond my expectation and I was even happier to see the crowd worshipping Him in one voice.

We had lots of newcomers. Catherine, Kian, Chong, Serene, Joy 1, Joy 2, Olivia and etc. I can’t remember all of them because I don’t have a genius memory. Somehow we also had visitors from California. Robyn, Monica, Asia, Jennifer, Jay and Mrs Mobley were here in the college for 4 days- visit. Thanks to Sunny, we had a good ice breaker of entangling ourselves within minutes. But the impact came in with the Word of God. Mr. Gan Eng Hong, Vice President (Administration) of the college once again bombarded the CF with a good speech on Passion Reloaded. It really knocks at my heart telling me that I am reloading myself with passion once again. Just like how we always reload our Hotlink or Digi lines.

The outlines above this were the speech given Mr. Gan. I guess it the outlines will be a guide line for those who are reading this entry. And if you are searching for the lost passion inside you, I guess this may help you. Even if you’re not, I hope this may allow you to strengthen your bond with Him and continue to uphold your passion for Him.

I really want to challenge you guys out there. Dare to be different for Christ, ok?

17 May 2005

THANK YOU LORD!!!

CANT THANK HIM ENOUGH!! HALLELUJAH!! AMEN!!

I am so grateful for everything He has done in my life.

I went for my check up in Bangsar yesterday and guess what….. Dr. Jeremy said that I don’t have any more cysts inside me. I don’t have any blood clots or any other thing inside my uterus. Yes, AMEN. I cant stop praising Him now. I am so happy now. I love You, Lord. Thank You so much for being so faithful in my life. Thank You Lord. Amen…..wahahaha…….

MIRACLES…. yes, its a miracle…I believe in it…from God..

P.S. Thank you dearest Kevin for driving me to Bangsar. I know you were afraid too at that time. But you showed me your optimism with your smile.