The Shadow Lands

Travelling the Shadow Lands

2007-02-19T23:48:00.000+08:00

Come travel with me through the Shadow Lands

Fellow travellers
The Puritans
ARPC Blogs
ARPC Blogs (old)
Sydney Blogs

Map & weapons for travels
Bible Gateway
e-sword

Weapons Training
Old Testament
New Testament
Useful Evangelical Links

Songs to sing on travels
All Heaven Declares
Beautiful Saviour
Blessed Be Your Name
Glory and Power
He's the Lord of Everything
How Deep the Father's Love
In Christ Alone
King of Kings, Majesty
Knowing You
Lion of Judah
Magnify the Lord
May the Mind of Christ
Oh, the Mercy of God
Servant King
Teach Us to Number Our Days
There is a Higher Throne
When He Returns
Who Am I
You Laid Aside Your Majesty

Things that will soon pass away
Acapella
Muaythai in Singapore
Chill-out/Ambient/Trip-hop
Games

Blogging and Anonymity

2007-02-18T00:13:00.000+08:00

Why, indeed, add to the ocean of meaningless noise bobbing about in cyberspace? Some short notes from the past:

In some way, it was a purely natural progression from the very retro bulletin board service (the term "BBS" ring any bells?), to a webpage, to the newer (though not newest) creature: a blog.

Without any pretense at altruism, the pre-eminent reason for starting a blog was as a pensieve for my thoughts and ideas, a storehouse readily accessible anywhere in the world with an internet connection, less likely to be lost or stolen like a physical notebook and retrievable if ever hijacked.

However, through the years, some people have claimed to have been encouraged by The Book of Shadow (TBOS). Well, thank God that he uses even sinful saved sinners to cheer on his people. So I continue to blog for an additional reason, hoping to edify others.
The disadvantage of the disparate jottings found in notebooks is that the motley collection cannot and do not aim to reflect the writer accurately. So it is with TBOS.

This opens me up to much misunderstanding, especially with people who first come to know me through that blog. Misunderstandings might be staved or lessened by "cleaning up after myself" with pagefuls of qualifications and limitations and footnotes of evidential facts and citations. But I have no wish to live in and through a blog and spend a large portion of my time and energy thus - time and energy which would be much more profitably employed otherwise.

Despite the articulated wish that TBOS be a repository of sorts, the fact remains that it is in the public domain. Therefore, there is much that will not be put in here, for example, the specific and private confidences of others or specific works of charity (and other sorts of living out the reality of being one of God's people).

TBOS might seem a bit atas and a bit academic. But if you do know me in "real life", please do check up on me separately in these areas. TBOS should not be a window-display of my external godliness.

...which leads to the question of the "real life" identity of Shadow. In this regard, I seek your understanding in my wish to remain anonymous.

Why remain anonymous?

No harm is meant in keeping both identities distinct and I do not intend to hide behind the blog identity nor be less responsible in publishing the contents of this blog because of it.

In fact, I didn't quite set out to keep my identity a mystery. This has been my sysop nick since those BBS days way back in the late 80's and early '90s.

However, time has shown that one of the advantages of maintaining a completely separate blog identity is how helpful it is in removing at least one temptation to self-centredness. Many blogs become showcases for their owners: demonstrating how cool, how sophisticated, how talented or how godly they are and at times become the proverbial shops where bloggers display their wares and advertise their attractiveness to all. I do not wish for these temptations to self-centredness and hypocrisy in addition to those that already exist in daily life.

Other stuff

I may not reply to all comments left on TBOS. For now, "real" world relationships (and the time spent on them) pwns virtual ones.

Nevertheless, please free to disagree strongly, within the parameters of common civility, with whatever's on TBOS.

Feeding the trolls is highly discouraged. And trolls are highly encouraged to find another bridge to crawl under.

ARPC Blogs

2007-02-14T00:29:00.000+08:00

Some short notes:

This list is not for kaypohing but for fellowship online: encouraging and being encouraged to keep living for the truth in every situation in life.
Blogs are in the public domain, therefore the making of this list is neither illegal nor an invasion of privacy. If you wish your blog or certain posts to be kept private, a password is usually useful.
Nevertheless, I will have attempted to notify you of your listing previously or, if you are a new listing, then by email or a comment on your blog, unless it was not possible to do so (eg. an account with a social-networking thingie like Friendster or Multiply, of which I am bereft). Still, do mail me if you want out: themailboxofshadowATgmailDOTcom.
Blogs by people in TNYF and younger are not listed here for their own safety. Assumption is that people of tertiary age and beyond should be able to take care of themselves in the wide wild world that is the internet.

Shadow: why the anonymity
Ah Long (old)
Ah Long
Ampulets
Beatrice
Bryan Kam
Callen/Qiuling
Carpe Diem
Clay
Daniel Hii
David Livingston
Dawn Ling
Deborah
Dustin
Ee Yuing
FeNgzz
Hamster
James Long and The Longs
Jess
Jun Tsien, Ng
Kaif, Sarah and Lizzie Chng
Paddychicken
Patricia Phua
Pearlywhirls
Priscilla/Yin Cheng (old)
Priscilla/Yin Cheng
Probato
Sern Khoon, Tan
Soo Sing
Tee Sing
Tse Wen
Vivi
Wee Nam
Xia

CBD DG
CBD DG Blog
Bim
Ruth
Cassia
Luke and Pei Thing, Goh

Still Fishing
Still Fishing DG Blog
Island

Waterside DG
Waterside DG Blog
Denise
Errol Moo
Neonangel
Orangeclouds

Sembawang DG
Lawrence

Single Parents' Ministry
Single Parents' Ministry Blog

Bible College Peeps
Roger, May Hsin and Charis Chia

PUNJ
Fellowshipping
Alan Ang
Aloysius
April Chin
Caleb Yap
Damien Qiu Wen Jie
Deborah Chia
Dorothy Chia
Elliot
Gabriel
Jodie Tay
Liping
Lynette Tan
Ken and Shu and Ken and Shu
Kevin Pang
Mui Koon
Patrick Song (old)
Patrick Song
Pooja
Sarah Chew
Sherman Chee
Soon Wee
Sui
Wong Ci
Xiao Zheng
XLQ and Lahlehloh
Yong Guang

BB/GB
The 44th Boys' Brigade Company
The Blue Boys' Story
The 23rd Girls' Brigade Company

Glory and Power

2005-08-30T14:59:00.001+08:00

Glory and power to the One who loves us
Honor and praise Him forever
Come Lord Jesus, come Lord Jesus
Glory and power to the One who freed us
From all our sins by His blood
Come Lord Jesus, come Lord Jesus

See Him coming on the clouds of heaven
Every eye behold Him now
He's the living one, the first and last
Who once was dead but now He lives
Forever and ever

Glory and power to the One who made us
A kingdom and priests for God's service
Come Lord Jesus, come Lord Jesus

See Him coming on the clouds of heaven
Every eye behold Him now
He's the living one, the first and last
Who once was dead but now He lives
Forever and ever

Jesus is the living One
Who died and came alive
Jesus is our mighty Lord
Who was and is to come

See Him coming on the clouds of heaven
Every eye behold Him now
He's the living one, the first and last
Who once was dead but now He lives
See Him coming on the clouds of heaven
Every eye behold Him now
He's the living one, the first and last
Who once was dead but now He lives
Forever and ever

Mark Peterson

from "We Are His People"

Glory and Power

2005-08-30T14:59:00.000+08:00

from "We Are His People"

Glory and Power

2005-08-29T15:29:00.000+08:00

from "We Are His People"

Teach Us to Number Our Days

2005-06-17T17:08:00.000+08:00

Teach us to number our days
That we might have wise hearts
Grass withers, flowers will fade
Your word alone will last

Do not store up here
Things that don't last
Where your treasure is
There is your heart

Teach us to number our days
That we might have wise hearts
Grass withers, flowers will fade
Your word alone will last

Seek and strive, put first
The kingdom of God
All elso that you need
He will provide

Teach us to number our days
That we might have wise hearts
Grass withers, flowers will fade
Your word alone will last

Pain and struggle now
Will not compare
To the glory then
We will all share

Teach us to number our days
That we might have wise hearts
Grass withers, flowers will fade
Your word alone will last
(Coda)
Your word alone will last.

Sydney Blogs

2005-04-30T12:42:00.000+08:00

Thought I'd put together a collection of blogs from Christians from the evangelical vein in Sydney, so that they will be able to keep themselves updated about the lives of their brothers and sisters in Christ in the same city, help them in their difficulties and keep them in prayer. This collection is not meant for the purposes of stalking or otherwise harrassing or harming the authors of these blogs.

As much as possible, I've contacted the authors of these blogs about their listing. However, I may not have been able to find the contact details of all bloggers and due to the public nature of the internet, have listed these blogs anyway. If you would like to have your blog added or deleted from this list, please let me know. Cheers.

Toongabbie Anglican Church
Toongabbie Anglican Church website
Toongabbie Anglican Church Mission Blog
Toongabbie Anglican Church Blog: Opinionated
Ben Atwood
Simon Job

Hippocampus Extensions (e-zine)
Ben Beilharz
Karen Beilharz

FOCUS (Fellowship of Overseas Christian University Students)
FOCUS website
Scott Yang and Anna Yang
Tim Hu
Thomas Yan

University Chinese Church@ UNSW
UCC Blogring

Unichurch
Duncan Aldridge
Guangyao Un
Joe Hardy (defunct)
Joe Hardy (current)
Martyn

Chinese Christian Church, Milson's Point
Teresa Yap
Elsie

St James Croydon
Jason Au (defunct)
Jason Au (current)

Quakers Hill Anglican Church
Haoran Un

Christians in the Media, Annandale
Haydn S
Haydn S: Bible Reflections

WSCCC
Kazzart

Wollongong
St Michael's Church
Matthew Aldridge

ESV (English Standard Version)
ESV Blog

CASE
CASE Website
Greg Clarke

May the Mind of Christ

2004-12-03T13:16:00.000+08:00

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God, my Father,
Rule my life in everything.
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

Words: Kate Wilkinson
Music: A. Cyril Barham-Gould
Public Domain

King of Kings, Majesty

2004-12-02T15:14:00.000+08:00

King of Kings, Majesty,
God of heaven living in me.
Gentle Saviour, closest friend,
Strong Deliverer, beginning and end,
All within me falls at Your throne...

Your majesty I can but bow,
I lay my all before You now,
In royal robes I don't deserve,
I live to serve your majesty.

Earth and heaven, worship you
Love eternal, faithful and true
Who bought the nations, ransomed souls
All within me cries out in praise

Jarrod Cooper
©1996 Sovereign Lifestyle Music (PO Box 356, Leighton Buzzard, Beds., LU7 8WP, UK)

Beautiful Saviour

2004-12-01T11:56:00.000+08:00

ALL MY DAYS I will sing this song of gladness,
Give my praise to the Fountain of delights;
For in my helplessness You heard my cry,
And waves of mercy poured down on my life.

I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer,
I will sing of the blood that never fails,
Of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed,
Of death defeated and life without end.

Beautiful Saviour, Wonderful Counsellor,
Clothed in majesty, Lord of history,
You’re the Way, the Truth, the Life.

Star of the Morning, glorious in holiness,
You’re the Risen One, heaven’s Champion,
And You reign, You reign over all!

I long to be where the praise is never-ending,
Yearn to dwell where the glory never fades,
Where countless worshippers will share one song,
And cries of ‘worthy’ will honour the Lamb!
Stuart Townend.
Copyright © 1998 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.

Ruth studies

2004-10-05T16:38:00.000+08:00

It takes quite a bit of time to prepare a clear and faithful bible study especially for one-to-one study. So I've found it helpful to keep and use previous studies like "Simply Christianity", "Just Looking" and "Back to Basics" for starters to make sure of the basics, then go through a short book. Ruth is a good short book to read through. Below are some questions designed to lead people to the main point of the book of Ruth. I've worked this out twice: once for CLOBS (the prepatory bible study that leaders have before they teach the group) and once for the bible study proper. Please feel free to copy them. Just drop me a mail to tell me. All feedback and suggestions are welcome. Let us encourage each other in our journeys in this world!

Ruth
Q: How would you read the book of Ruth differently from books in the New Testament?
Q: How does the book of Ruth fit into the history of God's salvation plan?
Q: What is the purpose of Ruth in the Bible?
Q: How is the way God works different in Ruth from other books?

Ruth 1
Q: What crisis have you encountered? How did you deal with them?
Q: How do we think about God in times of crisis?

Break up the passage.
1:1-5
1:6-13
1:14-18
1:19-22

Ruth 1:1-5
Q: In Ruth 1:1, the historical setting is at the time of the Judges. What was the situation then?
Q: Why did Elimelech and family leave Bethlehem?
Q: Where did they go?
Q: You may not know much about Moab offhand. Take a look at Deuteronomy 23:3-6. What do we now about Moab and the relationship between Moabites and Israelites?
Q: Look at Judges 3:12-15. What do you learn about Israel and Moab from here?
Q: What does that tell you about Elimelech in his decision to leave Bethlehem and go to Moab?
Q: What is implied about Elimelech's spiritual state?
Q: Ultimately, what does the situation look like for Elimelech and family?
Q: What have we learnt about Elimelech and family so far?

We don't know whether Elimelech and family were being punished for disobeying God and sinning against him. But the irony is that they left Bethlehem to survive but died in Moab instead.

Useful Evangelical Links

2004-10-04T01:23:00.000+08:00

United Kingdom
Churchman
The Theologian
Reform
National Evangelical Anglican Congress
The Proclamation Trust
South East Gospel Partnership
All Souls, London
St Helens, Bishopsgate
St Ebbes, Oxford
Jesmond Parish Chuch, Newcastle
Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon
Oak Hill College, London

UCCF
Ally G
Be Thinking
Dave Bish
Kath
Alison Young
Andy Witherall
The Coffee Bible Club
Jonny
Kate Vivyan
Kenny Robertson
Lou
Mo
Nathan Burley
Paul Huxley
Richard Harrison
Rosemary
Sarah Brown
Sean Clokey
Steph Bushell

Australia
Chistianity.net
Matthias Media
emu music
Anglican Media Sydney
Anglican Media Sydney: culture
Anglican Media Sydney: indepth
Moore Theological College
Paul Barnett
St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney
St Matthias
ishah magazine

New Zealand
Deep(ish) Thoughts

United States
Episcopalian.org
Generous Giving
9 Marks
Desiring God (Free Online Library)
Together for the Gospel (blog)

Between Two Worlds
Challies
Gospel-Driven Life
Pyromaniacs

Singapore
Adam Road Presbyterian Centre
Bethany Trinity Presbyterian Church
Project Timothy

Singapore Blogs
verbum Dei

Old Testament

2004-10-03T01:55:00.000+08:00

Genesis
St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney sermons on Genesis 1 - 11

Ruth
Ruth studies

Psalms
FOCUS sermons on Psalm 8

Proverbs
FOCUS sermons on Proverbs

Song of Songs
FOCUS sermons on Song of Songs

Obadiah
FOCUS sermons on Obadiah

Haggai
FOCUS sermons on Haggai 1

New Testament

2004-10-02T21:33:00.000+08:00

Matthew
FOCUS sermons on Matthew
St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney sermons on Matthew 5-7

Mark
FOCUS sermons on Mark 1-2

1 Corinthians
FOCUS sermons on 1 Corinthians

Philippians
FOCUS sermons on Philippians 2-3
St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney sermons on Philippians

Colossians
FOCUS sermons on Colossians

2 Thessalonians
FOCUS sermons on 2 Thessalonians

2 Timothy
FOCUS sermon on 2 Timothy 1
FOCUS sermons on 2 Timothy 3-4
FOCUS sermon on 2 Timothy 4
ARPC Sermons on 2 Timothy

The Puritans

2004-09-27T14:08:00.000+08:00

Yeah. They sound like one of those extreme fundamentalist groups whose required reading includes books on how to identify and burn their friendly neighbourhood witch. Much-maligned by generations past, even now, they are often thought to be a sour, dour lot, ready to clamp down on any laughter or festivities, coldly living out their uptight lives with misguided tender consciences, an embarrassment to the universal Christian community.

Having recently acquired and read some writings of John Owen, Richard Baxter and Thomas Brooks however, I have had to reassess my opinion of them: they have been greatly encouraging as forerunners in the race, having tread the path that I (and other Christians) now tread, having struggled with the same reality of personal and neighbourly sin.

According to JI Packer in his book, "Among God's Giants", the name "Puritan" was coined in the early 1560s as a satirical smear word implying peevishness, censoriousness, conceit, and a measure of hypocrisy. However, far from being religious fanatics who were comic and pathetic, native and superstitious, primitive and gullible, superserious and overscrupulous, unable and unwilling to relax, the Puritans were actually great souls serving a great God. In them, clear-headed passion and warm-hearted compassion combined. Visionary and practical, idealistic and realistic, they were goal-oriented and methodical, great believers, great hopers, great doers and great sufferers. They were mature Christians, as exemplified by their wisdom, goodwill, resilience and creativity.

What do the Puritans have to offer us? Much, argues Packer:

there are lessons for us in the intergretion of their daily lives. Their lifestyle was holistic. There was no disjunction between the sacred and secular. They were so heavenly-minded that they saw life whole-intergrating contemplation with action, worship with work, labour with rest, love of God with love of God with love of neighbour and of serlf, personal with social identity, and the wide spectrum of relational responsibilities with each other, in a thoroughly conscientious and thought-out way.
there are lessons for us in the quality of their spiritual experience. In their communion with God, as Jesus Christ was central, so Holy Scripture was supreme. Knowing themselves to be creations of though, affection, and will, and knowing that God's way to the human heart (the heart not being the seat of affections as we know it today, but the will or decision-making centre of the person) is via the human head (the mind), the Puritans practised meditation, discursice and systematic, on the whole range of biblical truth. In meditation, the Puritan would seek to search and challenge his heart, stir his affections to hate sin and love righteousness, and encourage himself with God's promises. We today, who know to our cost that we have unclear minds, uncontrolled affections, and unstable wills when it comes to serving God, and who again and again find ourselves being imposed on by irrational emotional romanticism disguised as super-spirituality, could profit much from the Puritan's example.
there are lessons for us in their passion for effective action. The Puritans had no time for the idleness of the lazy or passive person who leaves it to others to change the world (and by way of excuse claims that he is acknowledging the sovereignty of and depending on God by doing so). They were men of action in the pure Reformed mould - crusading activists without a jot of self-reliance; workers for God who depended utterly on God to work in and through them, and who always gave God the praise for anything they did that in retrospect seemed to them to have been right. Today, Christians found to be on the whole passionless, passive, and prayerless; cultivating an ethos which encloses personal piety in a pietistic cocoon have much to learn from the Puritans.
there are lessons for us in their programme for family stability. The Puritan ethic of marriage was to look not for a partner whom you do love passionately at the moment, but rather for one whom you can love steadily as your best friend for life, and then to proceed with God's help to do just that. The Puritan ethic of nurture was to train up children in the way they should go, to care for their bodies and souls together, and to educate them for sober, godly, socially useful adult living. The Puritan ethic of home life was based on maintaining order, courtesy, and family worship. At home in the first instance, the Puritan layman practised evangelism and ministry. In an era in which family life has become brittle even among Christians, with chicken-hearted spouses taking the easy course of separation rather than working at their relationship, and narcissistic parents spoiling their children materially while neglecting them spiritually, there is once more much to be learnt from the Puritan's very different ways.
there are lessons to be learnt from their sense of human worth. Through believing in a great God (the God of Scripture, undiminished and undomesticated), they gained a vivid awareness of the greatness of moral issues, of eternity, and of the human soul. They felt keenly the wonder of human individuality. In the collectivised urban anthill where most of us live nowadays, the sense of each individual's eternal significance is much eroded, and the Puritan spirit is at this point a corrective from which we can profit greatly.
there are lessons to be learnt from the Puritans' ideal of church renewal. "Church renewal" was not a word that they used-they spoke only of "reformation" and "reform", which suggests to our modern mindsa concern that is limited to the externals of the churhc's orthodoxy, order, worship forms, and disciplinary code. But when the Puritans preached and prayed for "reformation", they had in mind far more. The "reformed" pastor was not one who campaigned for Calvinism but one whose ministry to his people as preacher, teacher, catechist and role-model showed him to have an enriched understanding of God's truth. "Reformation" aroused affections God-wards, increased the ardour in one's devotions, and increased the love, joy and firmness of Christian purpose in one's calling and personal life.

Acapella

2004-09-24T17:45:00.000+08:00

The nostalgic sounds of ex-chorale members crooning in the aftermath of Ben & Mel's wedding got me wondering about the acapella scene in Singapore. Never one to pay for the experience of a live acapella group, especially when it was free for all in the classroom, the canteen and at the bus-stop, I decided to track a few local groups down...

Agapella

Akatones
The group has a nifty webpage, accepts song requests, but remains rock solid in music integrity - ie. NO BOY BANDS, NO GIRL BANDS AND DEFINITELY, NO BRITNEY SPEARS! With a love for the music of rock and pop, the group leaves its signature on familiar hits, as well as obscure gems of songs, with its original arrangements in an 80's style, the era its eight members grew up in.

bcoz

Budak Pantai
A "professional" and established quintet, the eccentric members of Budak Pantai, that time in this year with a median age of 34, trade in business attire and etiquette, to entertain those in the know, at the Blue Moo cafe on the first Friday of each month. Originally formed for a Rollin' Good Times Beach Boys Look-and-Sound-Alike contest in 1994 (thus the unusual name), these believers of the freedom to express "butcher" (sic) almost every song they arrange, with a big dollop of budak humor. The fact that they do not perform to musical scores means you may not hear a song sung in the same way the next time they perform it!

Dischordant

Es' Choir

Girls of Grace
Women of faith looking to spread the joy of music and the love of God through one of the most precious gifts bestowed - the beauty of voice.

Hose Reel

In A Chord

Impromptu

JUZ B

KEVII Acapella
The King Edward VII Acapella Group from the National University of Singapore was set up in 2001 by a group of friends who loved to sing. Since then, it has grown both in size and experience, and has become an established hall activity with more than 20 members.

Key Elements
Key Elements was formed in early 2001. The group comprises key elements of 3 well-known and established a cappella groups in Singapore: Ho Kah Keh from Budak Pantai, Jason Ong and Chua Kim Beng from In A Chord, Benedict Goh from Impromptu, June Wong from Vox Ensemble, and Chua Hui Lian from bcoz and Original Mix. Concentrating on their special brand of eclectic jazz music, Key Elements also intends to make a difference by not being solely a solely a cappella group. In an effort to develop each voice as a soloist, their repertoire spans from jazz to contemporary pop, meeting the interests of the singers as well as the audience.

KR Aca
A group of vocal musicians from NUS Kent Ridge Hall.

Le Ragazzi
An all-male group of 5 guys. They started singing in secondary school and continued to JC as members of the VS and VJC choir. They have done a number of low-scale performances. They love acapella singing and would like to spread a capella to those who haven't heard it.

Nanu
Formed in December 1999, Singapore's all-female vocal band, Nanu has since brought its music to the distant shores of Indonesia and America. The group has already recorded tracks on 2 local a cappella albums and is releasing an EP of its own soon.

NGAM
This group was only three months old, when it wowed the audience with a stunning display of vocal pyrotechnics and soulful singing on its way to winning the best new group award at the 2001 Harmony Awards. Made up of a group of fun-loving friends who share a passion for singing, the members of NGAM were students at that breeding ground of talent known as Victoria Junior College.

Original Mix
Original Mix was formed at the beginning of 2004. Most of the members are in their early 20s and have an enthusiasm for a cappella singing. Not content to just stick to the conventional arrangements of well-known favorites, they prefer to give renditions, which they like to call "bastardized", giving a fresh, youthful feel to the music with their wry sense of humor.

Popcorn

Resonance
Resonance was first formed in 2000 by members of CACS Voices who were interested in trying their hand at a cappella music is primarily a club for a cappella music enthusiasts in NUS. It hopes to promote interest and knowledge of a cappella music amongst members of the collegiate community, while giving its members a chance to experience stage performances first hand. The club's repertoire is extremely varied, consisting of doo-wop, pop, swing, rock, jazz, and a cappella standards to introduce the rudiments of a cappella singing to new members. This eclectic mix even includes Chinese and Korean pop, as well as techno music.

SWAT
SWAT, an all-male group made up of 5 members, aged 14 to 16. SWAT sang its first note in September 2003 when these 5 guys from 5 different secondary schools came together to form an acappella group. SWAT's current repertoire consists of pop, jazz, classical and rock pieces.

The Notations
The Notations is a fulltime sextet that performs actively in the Urban Harmony School Tour programme. Since it's formation in November of 2002, the group has performed for audiences around Singapore as well as in Taiwan. The group sings a lot of R&B numbers as well as pop, light jazz and music from the Rock & Roll era!

Tic Tac Tone
Tic Tac Tone's repertoire ranges from contemporary pop, R&B, jazz, hiphop to classic evergreens. Formed in June 2000, the group came in 2nd in the nation-wide Sing Singapore Competition and was awarded BEST Mixed A Cappella Group in the Harmony Awards 2001 and 2003.

Upbeat
UpBeat is an a cappella ensemble that was formed towards the end of 2002. Despite being a young group, the singers that make up UpBeat are extremely experienced performers. They have individually performed with many vocal ensembles and arts organisations in a wide range of musical genres that include choral, a cappella, musical theatre and western opera.

Vocaluptuous
5 men and a woman with voluptuous vocals provide the sound that is uniquely Vocaluptuous. A favorite with a cappella fans here with its upbeat contributions to the aka a cappella cds; Vocaluptuous has an eclectic repertoire of songs in the genres of funk and soul, with the odd sprinkle of pop and jazz. Among the first to incorporate vocal percussions in a big way, they continue to push the borders of a cappella, now integrating choreographed dance into their performances. Their biggest blend of these elements of music and dance came in their musical "We Don't Dance" in the year 2000.

Vox Ensemble

Muaythai in Singapore

2004-09-09T10:24:00.001+08:00

Muaythai is an up-and-(hopefully) coming sport in Singapore.

These are the people and places in Singapore where you can get some Thai kick-boxing training:

Alvin Seet
Alvin started training in muaythai at the age of 16. He moved to Thailand to pursue a professional fight career in 1998. He returned to Singapore to work as a trainer in 2000 and used to teach at Turf City. In 2003, he struck out on his own. His students say that his training is rather unstructured but that he's a good teacher. Training is at various locations.
Contact details:
HP: (65) 9338 7845
Email: enquiries@asfitness.com

BXG Fitness
Joe are the 2 main trainers (and co-owners) at BXG. They both have had training and fighting experience in Thailand. BXG has a more structured programme for men, women and children, air-conditioned training conditions, a proper boxing ring, bags, showers and thus a largely expat or local professional clientele.

Joe in action
Taken off the BXG website

Courses and costs:
BXG Muaythai basic
Learn the fundamentals of punchingand kicking. Each session builds on the basic techniques of the art of muaythai while building fitness and muscle tone at the same time. Sessions are interactive and at the end of the course, one will be proficient enough to execute a simple heavy-bag routine and kick-pad routine. Muaythai basic has minimal contact. $290 for 12 sessions x 60min

BXG Muaythai fighting fit - Ideal for the fitness devotee and leisurely muaythai kickboxer
Specially designed for graduates of Muaythai basic who are focused on attaining and maintaining their optimal fitness level. The fighting fit sessions include a variety of rigorous kickboxing circuits performed in conjunction with other strength-training techniques including core-strength/stability training. The fighting fit sessions are aimed at challenging one's stamina and endurance. This class is aimed at encouraging people to keep fit and upgrade their kickboxing techniques and routines. $220 for blocks of 10 sessions x 75min

BXG Muaythai fighter - Designed for the serious muaythai kickboxer
For graduates of muaythai basic who are proficient with all the basic techniques but want to sharpen their kickboxing techniques and take on semi-contact sparring. The fighter series is suitable for those who are interested in further developing their interest and proficiency in muaythai as a martial art. While the fighter program is physically demanding, the main objective of the course is to develop complex techniques, speed, agility and control. S$330 for blocks of 12 sessions x 75min

BXG Muaythai advanced - Great for the muaythai aficionado
For graduates of muaythai fighter series who want to go on the master application of the master techniques of muaythai. This advanced class is physically very demanding and involves full-contact sparring. S$280 for blocks of 10 sessions x 75min
Contact details:
Address: 902 East Coast Parkway, Big Splash Aquatic Complex, Singapore 449874
Tel: 6348 8380
Email: enquiry@bxgfitness.com

Lena Ng
Rumour has it that this is the well-known and fiery trainer from the former East Coast muaythai training centre (now taken over by BXG Boxing). She's got a muaythai instructor certificate from the World Muay Thai Council and has been coaching muaythai since 1999. She's currently coaching at Tanglin CC.

Muaythai Fitness
Haven't checked this one out personally. Their website claims that they are the "one and only officially recognised muaythai club in Singapore".
Contact details:
Address: 200 Turf Club Road #02-06A Singapore 287994
Tel: 6469 2777 or 6469 7523

ARPC Blogs

2004-09-07T14:00:00.000+08:00

**New digs here**

Thought I'd compile a list of blogs by people from ARPC (Adam Road Presbyterian Centre). I'm no stalker or kay-poh, but it is encouraging to read about the lives of my brothers and sisters (albeit from a distance since I may not even know their real names and really wouldn't know them if I saw them in church!) and be praying for them.

Many of us pray through what we read on the blogs and ask for God's help in the lives of the bloggers: the ones still schooling, the ones who are trying to make it through university, the ones attempting to adjust to married life or babies... There is a whole community of other Christians whom people wouldn't normally communicate with or share their thoughts with.

Admittedly, being in the family of Christ necessarily means relating to that family face to face rather than virtually and unilaterally but this is over-and-above normal face-to-face communications in this world.

As much as possible, I've contacted the people on this list to inform them of their listing. However, if there was no way of contacting them, because the nature of the internet is that all information on it is public unless otherwise protected, I've left them on the list. So if that is you, mail me if you die-die want out.

Updated 27 March 2006

Shadow
Aloysius Tan
Ampulets
Anita Kuan (on hold)
Bryan Kam
Clay
Daniel Hii
Daniel Ho (blogger. defunct)
Daniel Ho (msn. current)
Dawn Ling
Debbie Lim
Derrick
Diane Hu (defunct)
Ian Seow
Joanne Tay
Joseph Lye
Jus Juice
Katherine
Kin Chong
onepalefish
Pearlie (defunct)
Probato
Qiuling/Callen
Sharon
Siu Yin
Skeptic (defunct)
Tang Tee Sing
Wei Zhe (defunct)
Wei Zhe (current)
Xia

Chin Cher (defunct)
Tai Yong Chieh (defunct)
Tai Yong Chieh (again)(defunct)
Tan Sern Khoon
Barnabas Tan (defunct)
Barnabas Tan (defunct as well)
Barnabas Tan (current)
Gunblad3
Yifen
Gunblad3 and Yifen
Tze Liang
Huiqing

Visitors
Debs
Lim Chia
Vanion

TBT (The Bible Talks)
TBT Blog (defunct)
Carpe Diem
Jun Tsien Ng (defunct)
Jun Tsien Ng (current)
Kaif Chng (defunct)
Kaif Chng (defunct too)
Kaif Chng (defunct three)
Mr & Mrs Chng (current)
Paddychicken
Pearlywhirls
Shing

PUNJ (Polytechnic, University, National service, Junior College)
PUNJ (yahoogroups)
Alan Ang (blogger)
Alan Ang (myspace)
Amantha
Amantha (photos)
April Chin
Beatrice
Clarissa Eng (defunct)
Clarissa Eng (current)
Damien Qiu Wenjie (defunct)
Damien Qiu Wenjie (current)
Dawn (defunct)
Deborah
Dorothy Chia
Elliot (in Kiwi Land)
Enshen
Eunice (defunct)
Gabriel
Keegan Tan (defunct)
Keegan and Eunice (defunct)
Kevin Pang
Lalehloh
Lianghui (password required)
Liangpei
Li'En
Liping
Lindis (defunct)
Lynette Tan
Mui Koon
Owen
Patrick Song
Pooja
Sherman
Shumin/Joy
Silas Wong
Soon Wee (defunct)
Soon Wee (current)
Sui
Wong Ci
Xiuling

TNYF (The New Youth Fellowship)
TNYF Blog (defunct)
TNYF Blog (even more defunct)
TNYF Blog (this might work!)
Aaron (defunct)
Aaron (current)
Ashley Tay (defunct)
Ashley Tay (current)
Bernice Chia (defunct)
Bernice Chia (current)
Charis (defunct)
Charis (current)
Chermaine Fong
Chloe Ting (defunct)
Chloe Ting (current)
Chris
Claire Tan
Clare Ng (defunct)
Clare Ng (current)
Dana Lim (defunct)
Dana Lim (defunct too)
Dana Lim (current)
Darrel (defunct)
Darrel (defunct too)
Eryn's Diary (password needed)
Eryn (defunct)
Eryn (defunct too)
Eryn & Ju Er
Eryn & Nicole
Esther Yee
Grace (defunct)
Grace (current)
Han Mae
Jaime Neo
Jessica
Jim Seet
Jingming (defunct)
Jingming (current)
Ju Er Wong
Kenneth Koh (defunct)
Kenneth Koh (current)
Marion Lee (defunct)
Marion Lee (defunct too)
Marion Lee (defunct three)
Marion (current) (password needed)
Marion
Mel
Natalie Ng (defunct)
Natalie Ng (current)
Nicole (defunct)
Nicole (current)
Shen
Shimei
Sidney Lim (defunct)
Sidney Lim (not very current)
YF Girls (quite dead)
Weiling (password needed)
Weiling (password needed too)

CBD DG
CBD DG Blog
Bim
Ruth
Hwee Yen
Cassia Xia
Via Dolorosa
Luke, Pei Ting Goh

Waterside DG
Waterside DG Blog
Waterside DG Flickr Site
Neonangel
Orangeclouds
Dustin Lim
Errol Moo (defunct)
Errol Moo (current)
Chloe Tseung

Wednesday DG
Wednesday DG
Hamster (defunct)
Hamster (current)

Joanna's DG
Joanna's DG
Joey
Joey & her pooky
Weiying
Xian (defunct)

Still Fishing DG
Still Fishing DG
Island

Surprise DG (defunct)
Surprise DG
Wee Nam (defunct)
Wee Nam (current)

Other Fellowship Groups
Christ Hacks (not a cough drop)

Who Am I

2004-09-07T11:59:00.000+08:00

Quite enamoured by the music in the latest Casting Crowns CD.

Here's one of their songs:

"Who Am I"
Song based on Psalms 52 and 139 and Ephesians 2
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

(c) 2003 Club Zoo Music / SWEC Music
(Admin. by Club Zoo Music) / BMI.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Would prefer the lyrics to be less vague for a congregational setting. But for personal reflection, they're fine if the lyrics are interpreted according to appropriate theology (vague lyrics are sooo easily manipulated either way): biblically, God does "calm the storm in me" not in the expected worldly way of giving me a perfect job when I'm unemployed or healing me physically when I'm ill. God calms the storms in me by illuminating my mind when he speaks through his word in the Bible and by opening my heart to accept and live out these words, so that I understand more and more the vast greatness of God's majesty and realise with growing shame the puny-ness of my so-called "storms" in the eternal wonder of God's plan in human history.

I like how the songs starts with that embarrassingly self-centred question "who am I?", then progresses to the fact that God has stooped to meet us has nothing to do with who we are. The best part of this song are the lyrics in first part of the chorus-we are nothing and have done nothing to earn any of God's undeserved favour. What a wonderful free gift we have been given. All glory and honour can only go to God.

For copyright reasons, I haven't put up this song on this blog. If you'd like to have a listen, check out their website at http://www.castingcrowns.com/

How deep the Father's love

2004-08-25T20:38:00.000+08:00

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Words and Music by Stuart Townend
©1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music