quotes

To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it. —GK Chesterton

If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done. —Peter Ustinov

Someday we'll look back on this moment and plow into a parked car. —Evan Davis

life

_{DISCLAIMER: The subject of this journal is entirely Christian. Not your cup of tea? Well, see that [X] button over there... :)}

So, the RICE Inter-Church Evangelism "rally" for 2007 was Saturday (18 Aug) night.

What a blast.

For nearly everyone who isn't an Asian Sydneysider (and many who are), RICE is an outreach group that holds yearly evangelism events. There's what's akin to a fete, called "RICE Big day out", on a Saturday around the 11th August, and a night with a talk (ie. sermon) and music (think Hillsong; heck, we sing some of their songs) a week later, called "RICE Rally".

Anyway, the theme this year? "The world is not enough." Being a mainly Asian event, there was corniness. Bond music, for one thing (the textual logo for the night this year was "007米"). An intro with the preacher involving a "mission" to "dress to impress". (For the record, last year's was even more lame!) But all in all, despite this, the night was (as I've already stated) phenomenal. I'm told at least 2300 people came, and at least 270 met God for the first time that night!

First and foremost, the message. The passage preached on was the parable of the rich fool; a story of a man whose fields yield a bumper crop, which causes him to decide to tear down his old barns, build new ones, and store it all in there, in order to "eat, drink and be merry". And, in storing up his earthly things (which, as speaker Sam Chan stressed, do not last), he neglected God, who took him away from Earth that very night. Simple message, but so hard to follow. To use an analogy I once heard (or read?), because we've never experienced better than what's on this earth, we assume there's nothing better; we're like kids playing in the mud, refusing to believe that there's a beautiful beach just a few minutes' walk away.

On a side note, Rev Chan was easily the most accessible speaker I've ever heard. A preacher that makes good jokes? A real rarity, as far as my experience has taught me, anyway. So yeah, he was hillarious ("You have to get [your notes] into your short-term memory! The week before [your exams]? Stay strong! Don't study!). I wish I had a tape of that sermon, to be able to look back on in the years to come. I just hope that everyone heard his message more than his humour.

The music was great, too (but hey, I'm biased). Allow me to go off on a tangent here; I can't believe I forgot to mention this in my last journal.

On May 30, we (Lidcombe Anglican Church) had an outreach service. Cobbled together a band, asked a guest speaker to come in (Steve Chong, who is incidentally the organiser of RICE). Had a great turnout, and one person joined our youth group. (Sound pathetic? You never know. Maybe we opened the hearts of other people there; maybe they will hear the message the next time one of their friends invites them to church. God will make sure everything works out in the end.)

Anyway, in the weeks before the service, a member of our youth group who was involved with RICE let us know that RICE was having, for the first time, an orchestra to play alongside the usual band. I took a form, and, in typical Barnabas fashion, neglected to even look at it until it was too late. Rev Chong came up to me after the service, and insisted I join the orchestra.

So, one late entry form, one gracious admin and six rehersals later, I played 'cello on Saturday. It was such a privilege to play alongside such talented musicians, among whose ranks I don't count myself. The lady organising the music for orchestra was amazing, putting together a great part; the band was great; singers were great; choir was great; orchestra was great (although considering my stuffups, most notably coming in at the wrong point after a few bars' rest, and being off-chord, I'm definitely congratulating my fellow musicians, and not myself).

I can't help but be blown away at how successful the event was. God has truly blessed us in every little way. On the day, everything was horribly behind schedule (well over an hour), things happened on the night totally unplanned, the doors opened 45min late, yet the night still ran smoothly. In the words of our saxophonist, God "postponed" the rain that fell after the rally until the crowd had dispersed; for which I'm sure musicians especially are very grateful (I know my 'cello is happier when dry). Rev Chan's words were powerful. Many people's hearts were opened for the first time. Thank the Lord.

Only by the cross we are saved.

_{Apologies for the length of this journal; I didn't intend for it to be a wall of text, but that's what it turned out as.}

friends



to live is Christ —Kate Spence
So, my parents, in their never-ending generosity for me, bought Chris Tomlin's Arriving and See the morning for me about three weeks ago (thanks again, Mum and Dad!). Amazing, amazing stuff. But the hymn that has most recently moved me? This beautiful song. Sadly, this isn't on Youtube, but if you're interested, drop me a note and I'll send you an mp3 of a live performance.

I make a vow; my life will always
Honour Christ, whether I live or die
I belong to him; he bore my sin
I owe this life to my saving King

Hallelujah
I am not my own, You are in control
Hallelujah

For me to live is Christ
And to die is gain
No matter what price I pay
I choose to give this life away

Only by the cross I am saved