The trip to KL was an interesting one. Had a great time with cousin EuniceL and later Julian. Managed to meet up with Praeme, Varsha, Ming and an old friend from free school, Rachel. I went down to KL to attend the AYA festival and also attend City Harvest Church's sunday service.

AYA Festival
Let me introduce you to Mia Palencia. A young lady from east Malaysia who has like the most amazing voice and personality, allowing her to engage with the crowd so well. She sings soul, pop, R&B style of music. She did her own rendition of "Jesus loves me" - a simple song, but she made the audience go wild cheering for her. Personally, I would consider watching her performance worth the festival fees.
Also, Altered Frequency's music has improved tremendously. 10 fold!
The sharing from the conference speakers was a norm, but the Pastor from SIB KK got my attention - Ps Phillip Syn. Practical theology, with depth and great communication. Few exist locally these days.

City Harvest Church KL
Well, I walked in and the first thought that ran through my mind was "Look at all these young people. They are so passionate about God!" That was amazing. It really touched my heart to see youth live life like this. I'm glad Praeme is so actively involve in the church. Reminds me of the great times in the fireBRANDS - on fire.

Of Meeting New Friends
I met another Judson. Also a pastor's kid. Only difference is he wants to be a pastor. And I'm more of avoiding something like that. Haha. Also, met lots of other great people. Jason (a friend of EuniceL) & Enoch from the band Unabashed, Charis, Vikki and Hazel (Julian's friend who gave us a ride). I must say that KL's christians are VERY FRIENDLY. They make you feel very much at home.

Overall, the KL Trip was great! While in KL, I did some thinking again...

Quote: 

"Preaching must be incisive, searing in intensity. Enough with (taxing our people with) how-to sermons, unless its how to be holy as God is holy. Be iconoclasts, idol-smashers. In our day, theological syncretism exists just as it does in this passage. It's true--all roads do lead to God--but all but one lead to God as judge.

Idolatry is not a victimless crime. Let our pulpits, therefore, be sober, theologically sound. Let us set before our people the glory of God and his majesty. Christ is the loveliest of all lovely things. Let us fix our and the peoples' eyes on the loveliness of Christ in his glory and smash idols."

Thabiti Anyabwile
From a message on holiness, Ezekiel 8 & 9
Desiring God Pastor's Conference 07

I felt sometimes we've become so "practical", we miss the fact that knowing (searching) God's character for the joy of knowing him is missed out. Also, we forget some such important stuff like the importance of holiness, the sovereignty of God, concepts on justification and sanctification and the importance of God getting glory. We replace it with, merely feeling good, being a great tither (steward), and "practical" ways to remove guilt. Not that this aren't essential, but we never go any futher beyond that.

I know. Some of you might be thinking. What is this Judson talking about? Mumbling about stuff so deep they sound so irrelevant. If you think so, maybe its time to move beyond what you think you know and discover more of the mysteries of God. I can swear on my life that there is so much to be discovered. So much to be enjoyed. So much to be savoured and God shall be worshiped and adored through all this...

"Rake and you get leaves. Dig, you get diamonds" John Piper

"Seek and you shall find"

 

This is year I've decided. Judson will be pursuing the following

 

Currently listening to: Wild Horses - Natasha Bedingfield
Currently feeling: contemplative - yet again

To the guy in the black shirt & red tie,

A great leader no doubt you are. Workin with ya was great, peforming at concerts with you was enjoyable, in fact making music together was fun by itself. Well, you are gonna leave to Tasmania. I'm sure gonna miss a great leader, singer but most of all a great friend.

UY use to tell us to network. But he told me something he never told you guys. He told me that as the president then I had to always encourage Daniel.

So, I think this will be the last before you leave. I say this sincerely and hope that you'll be a great man for God in Australia.

Daniel,
Never look down on yourself. I think we all sometimes live in the shadows of other great people so afraid to rise up. I feel that too. But when I see the potential in you, I see a Daniel that influence Kings like the Daniel in the bible.
Leadership I believe is in your blood. I'm sure you're be leading your own choir one day. I remember first seeing that during leadership retreat back in 2003. You prove me wrong on my earlier perceptions on you.
You've change from that inconfident, shy daniel to a one that exhibits confidence in the way you conduct yourself and lead others. You have my repect.
I also must thank you for all the times you've been helping me in areas I could not do on my own. For helping the vocals when we ran concerts, recording parts, leading the choir, and many more despite stress and pressure. I really appreciate your efforts. They mean much.
I pray that you'll use law for justice and to help the hurting world out there. I'm sure all of us back here will miss you. We will also miss "shooting" you. You were real fun!
God Bless.

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Also...

Well, when ppl whom have impacted ur lifes leave, it  leaves like this emptiness for a while. Haha. So many great friends of mine are leavin this year. Daniel - Tasmania, Ming-Y to KL, Kah Wei to Sydney, JoshPrai - back to Sarawak. I sure miss this people. Ming was always someone you could talk to when u needed to talk, Kah Wei was this guy you respected so much for i dunno wat reason -  i think it was his character. It was very fun serving with him at youth camp. JoshPrai is my favourite guitarist. I'll miss his playing and his friendship. Totally cool guy. He and his brother have been such great friends to me.

Two words. Great Movie. Another two words. Watch it.

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Of Self Pity

I think self pity is a big problem in our postmodern (as in regard to era) society today. Not to say that I have not at times fallen into it, but we've taken it to such an extend we become stagnant and non-progressive. We write about our problems and difficulties, our seemingly hopeless situations, expressing them in such a way as if no one else would know the same. We blog it. We sing it. We think about it. We even pray about it (in a self pity way).

We look at ourselves with pity.

Day & night our minds are filled with thoughts of "Why me God?" or "God, where were you?", "I ain't gonna get over this", "I know I shouldn't but I am like that". "Oh, pity me.... I have it so difficult..."

And worst still. We compare.

Well, not that asking questions like the above or going through tough times are wrong, self pity is wrong. It is a sin. One whose consequences maim a human being. Expressing our hurt should be alright. But constantly doing it ain't. I remember a friend who when through quite some tough times, she did mention she was hurt but at least she learned to move on and by God's grace she is one who is happy and free now.

I think it's time we get over the "oh, pity me" syndrome and start doing something about our lives, start fighting again. This is an imperfect world. We are called to war anyway.  War for our freedom from an unproductive self pity lifestyle. There is hope.