God is good.

How often a Pastor will query the church - "God is good." and the reply is "All the time." And vice versa. But it becomes a mundane thing where it's just going through the motion.

This morning, after a terrible last night of struggling with sinful thoughts and desires, I truly understand and am reminded of what God being good is. At times when you feel distant, estranged and pushed away from God. Times when you think your covenant with Him has been busted, He draws you near with reminders that He loves you still, and is not mad at you, but rather sad that you deliberately choose to move away from Him.

God, during these times where there are only one set of footprints in the sand, please hold on to me till I regain the strength to walk on my own with You, Lord.

"When we are not seeking the Lord, the Devil is seeking us."

Epic apt. I wanna keep seeking You, God. Help me.

remembering His miracles.

This is present Jed checking in, writing to remind future Jed of the wonders His God has done for him once again. Remember, and be a witness for His miracles still.

Miracle 1:
A total of 175 liters of white paint was used for all the walls - both inside and out. Since we kept underestimating the amount of paint needed, we constantly sent the Pastor out to town to help us get more paint. At our 150 liter of paint, we opened the next bucket, and continued to paint, ignoring the signs that something was amiss.

Wet white paint always looked darker and slightly off-white, so when the new bucket of paint looked greyish-blue, we ignored it and continued to paint the bald patches in, and touch-up the already painted walls as well. Only much too late did we discover that it wasn't white paint. Omgwtfbbq! Srsly.

Needless to say we were all damn sian and broken inside, since it was the last day. We really didn't wanna leave with a half-assed job done, even if we really couldn't finish it. The faith demonstrated by Gosu really held the group together during the trip and stretched our faith beyond our usual doubting self.

Gosu: "Aiyah, if God can turn water to wine, He can turn blue paint to white."

A simple prayer uttered before lunch, and when we came back, the walls were all white.

Miracle 2:
The nights at our mission field were hot, sticky, and full of mosquitoes, flies and sandflies. After a hard day's work, all we were looking forward to was our bath and sleep. Sleep didn't come easy, especially for Dan and I, since we needed cool weather.

The last night, after the whole greyish-blue paint incident, when all of us were almost at our breaking points, Gosu encouraged us all.

Gosu: "We'll pray for cool weather tonight."
Dan: "Yeah, ask for snow while you're at it."
Gosu: "The prayer of a righteous man availeth much. We'll get cool weather tonight."

So, we all slept, on top of our sleeping bags, legs uncovered, in shorts, and with the windows and doors open, prepared for another night of humid weather and sweat.

The night came, and while Dan and I finally got the weather we could sleep in (and sleep we did!), the others were shivering in their places.

This happened in Indonesia, Bintan, Tanjong Pinang. Without so much as rain, and the night was cold. Our God is indeed a Miracle Maker.

You alone can rescue, Lord.

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

You, oh Lord, have made a way
The great divide You heal
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes, your love goes further still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise

You alone

We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise

To You alone

see the future much?

Okay, Jed. So you've got plans, dreams, aspirations even.

Now where the fuck is it that taking you?

desert times.

Get your head out of your ass, Jed. No one cares that you care.

Oh, snap.

the worship drummer.

God, I give thanks for all You've blessed me with. My family, my friends, the wonderful partner You've given me, and my talents.

Help me make this public stand, for all my friends to hold and keep me accountable, to be a worship drummer for You, Lord.
Amen.

As Christians, we desperately need God's anointing. As ministers, as parents, friends, colleagues, and drummers; the anointing of God is the variable by which we can live lives of power and meaning.

We have all been playing in a worship service and noticed that feeling by which we know God's presence is active and moving. A tangible glimpse, a faint echo of God's voice. Then there are times when there is nothing.....no power.....no presence......nothing. No anointing.

"The Anointing" is described as God's current presence and His acting. The bible gives us great understanding as to what the anointing is all about:

In Amos 6, the bible tells us that the anointing can come and go from an individual.
(verses 7: "Therefore, you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and your lounging will end.")
(verses 14: "For the LORD God Almighty declares, "I will stir up a nation against you, O Israel, that will oppress you all the way from Lebo Hamath to the Valley of Arabah.")

In Hebrews 1:9, it tells us that the anointing from God can position you to have an advantage over others.

As human beings, there are things we can do to lose this anointing. Though each of us all face different circumstances, temptations and hurdles, there are 2 things specifically we can do to protect God's anointing on our lives:

1) Pay attention to your activity - are you doing things that will void God's anointing?
2) Check your motives - are you exalting God or are you someone more concerned with exalting yourself?

As drummers, it is easy to become consumed with the pursuit of excellence. However, excellent music won't change lives, break bondages, heal marriages, or mend wounds....that only happens when God's anointing shows up. Will you be a part of that? I know I want to.

Lord, help me.

careful.

I've made up my mind that I'm gonna let you in.
And I'm not afraid, but I have to say:

This is gonna hurt, if it ever ends.
But somehow, you've shattered my defense.
This is gonna hurt, if it ever starts,
So promise me you'll be careful with my heart. (: