Lessons from Barney the Purple Dinosaur

Enroute to Church this evening, I overheard something that caught my attention for a few moments. I was taking the bus as usual and was about to alight near Church when a young boy sang a song to his mother. If you are between the ages of 3 - 10, or even if you're young at heart, you might know this song:

"I love you, you love me, we're a happy family,
and with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you,
won't you say you love me too?"

Now what was interesting was not the song, but the slight blunder in the way the kid sang his version. It went something like:

"You love me, I love you,
You love me, And I love you,
Hahaha! You love me, I love you..."

Well, he did not progress past the first 2 lines, but one thing he was sure of was his happiness as he sang it to his mother. Were we similarly happy in that fashion when we were younger? If so, are we still able to feel the same kind of joy today? Or have the complexities that often accompany growing up, clouded our minds and hearts? Perhaps the rat-race has made us scurrying creatures, so much so that we just hurtle along with all that hustle and bustle, not bothering to show greater love to people around us.

Let's take a breather every once in a while. To me, the supposed syntax error made by the kid served to be a timely reminder. Today we love Christ not because we are in good health, or have a good job that brings wealth, a happy family, close and understanding friends or even because we're maintaining a constant spirituality with God. They may be reasons why we give thanks to Him, because in all truth, all blessings come from Him. Yet, the Bible is unwaveringly plenary in its explanation.

Yes, we love Him, because He first loved us. - 1 John 4 : 19

It is that simple. The love of God covers all aspects. This is the grace of His love that He mercifully pours out unto us, filling our hearts to the measure He has prepared for each of us.
He died for us first, in order to show us that He would give Himself as a full sacrifice, a sacrifice born out of love.

Barney's ''Love Song" has a worthy lesson for us. We should love each other with the Love of Christ and greet each other with a Holy Kiss.

'And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.' - Ephesians 5 : 2

Cycle of Success

At 4, success is not peeing in your pants.
At 12, success is having friends.
At 18, success is having a driver's license.
At 35, success is having money.
At 50, success is having money.
At 70, success is having a driver's license.
At 75, success is having friends.
At 80, success is not peeing in your pants.


How very true. I think it is rather amusing. :)

So You Think You Can Dance? (1)

Are you an avid dancer? Have you caught on to the latest reality TV show?

Tango, Cha-Cha, Trip-Hop, Lindy Hop, Hip Hop, Funk, Breakdance, Ballet, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Pakour, Waltz, or just the little children's carefree dancing. Aren't they all the highest form of rhythmic expression that the human body can attain? Some people can dance very well, while others are merely so-so.

I haven't exactly watched the TV programme yet, but Bro HC provided a slight idea what it is about. During the hymn & prayer service last evening, he shared with us that he happened to watch an episode where each dancer performed a dance of his/her own forte. Individually, they all did very well, but what happens when you put them all together, play one type of music and get them to dance simultaneously? --- chaos!

Whether we know it or not, all of us are actually dancers.
Our Dance is the Dance of Life.

Regardless of whether we do pirouettes or 'the turtle', our dance goes on as long as we breathe.
Some of us have danced for merely 3 years while others, 19 years, and for some, even 68 years. Who judges your performance? Do you have any 'Nasty Nigel' giving you snide comments? I'd like to think that the sole judge for our dance of life to be our Lord Jesus Christ.

After we finish our perfomance, we stand before Him, the ultimate, Holy Judge in Heaven. What would His verdict be? Do we attain the crown of Life? Or do we become disqualified. Yes, it is all very harrowing to think of us ending up in the wrong place after we awake from our sleep.

We have a pre-determined number of years ahead to rehearse and polish our dance steps. Be it long or short, let us resolve to put up the best performance on our life stage, worthy of His grace.

"For we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men." - 1 Cor 4:9b

One in the Love of Christ

What a long wait it has been... Finally after 8 months, I've decided to come back. Cutting to the chase...

Recently, Singapore TJC youths went on an overseas trip to visit the Central Region Churches in Malaysia.
Fun, laughter, cheer and joy. It was certainly a memorable trip for many of us.
God saw us safely through the bus journeys (some of which stretched to 5 + hours) and ensured that we were able to keep our appointments with all the churches.
The overseas brethren were extremely warm and welcoming. It was such a heartening experience, knowing that wherever you go, as long as there is a TJC around, you would always be 'at home'. Let us continually look toward our heavenly home with all diligence!

We put up at PJ church where we stayed in one of the church's annexes. The few nights there were a good catalyst for fellowship among the 3 Singapore TJCs. PJ church is currently undergoing some renovation as they are planning to turn one of her annexes into an administrative/functional block. Prayers should be made for this work.

Deacon Chang was a jovial, jolly man and even managed to sabo us. We from TK being the oldest Singapore TJC, were sabo-ed to go to the front to introduce ourselves one by one and sing a hymn! But that WAS really a nice surprise. The enthusiasm of Dn Chang put us all at ease.

We also traversed to Genting Highlands for a day of fun... and I discovered that my fear of heights has diminished somewhat. Cable Car? Not too bad a ride up. The view was great and the panorama of nature was overwhelmingly refreshing. (yea, the cooler temperature added to it)

Onward, we went to visit Gombak, Subang Jaya, Klang, Cheras, Kajang, Kajang Utama, Seremban.
The visits were really great and I felt the joy afforded by the Lord being in His One Family.

PJ's Hearty Accomodation and engaging Humpty Dumpty,
Gombak's Niang ToFu and Concierge-esqued Reception Table,
Klang's Bak Kut Teh and Stained-Glass with Mezzanine Eagle/Ark Building,
Subang's Glass Pulpit,
Cheras's Red Bean Soup and 4am-MuahChee,
Kajang's Satay,
Kajang Utama's Bag of Laughter and Very Happy Members,
Seremban's Happy Grandparents who saw their Granddaughter

Now where was that very-young brother from? He who played the piano and put huge smiles on everyone's faces?


Thank God for the wonderful fellowship.
It was quite a tiramisu-experience for me as well...Thank God.
I certainly feel refreshed and renewed.