Worship Experience.

Worship. . . What's Worship? Well, worship means reverent love and devotion to God. So, yesterday, 29th April 2007 Charis Christian Centre's Youth Force in short, my youth group had a worship experience time. Make that as non-stop, no idea of what time is it and also flowing by the Spirit sort of Worship. Yes, no sermons at all. Just pure Worship, with a very short time for praise. Why capital W some may ask, well Worship is the source of ministering to God & it's primary act of adoration to God because God loves Worship. And when we're in Heaven, we're going to have an eternity Worshipping God.

Amazing things happened in this experience of Worship where everyone had their own personal experience or encounter with God. With their hearts wide open for God to do the cleansing work & to mend the broken hearted. It's an event worthwhile, hopefully there will be more opportunities to do so in the future. I myself as a musician also got to set my hearts straight and to be very sensitive on the Spirit flow. As I'm not focusing on my playing techniques but to just flow in the Spirit & let our hands play along without putting much thoughts to it. Same goes with the other musicians and also the praise singers.

It was a time of awesomeness, God's presence was indeed there, ministering to various ones. And some even feel His presence. Cool it was. . . So we who where at the stage have no idea what was the time as the clock was spoilt. So we just move by the Spirit, not noticing that we Worship for nearly 2 hours. At the end of the day, though tired but everything was very worth it. All Glory back to God.

Stuck.

Finally I'm stuck, not sure what else to wite. Joel Yap is stuck here. Can anyone suggest me a topic to write about or at the most what sort of stuff that any of you want to know more about me? Since I'm pretty stuck here without any topic that I could think of. Hope there would be suggestions or input otherwise this blog wouldn't be updated and ultimatly (hopefully not) to the closure of this blog. Input needed~!! Thx.

First Time.

Everyone have their 1st time in doing things like going out for a first date, first kiss and so on. For me? Well, it's just plain simple but at the same time it's quite a fun one. Which is the first time playing drums & percussions as a main service musician.

It's quite a challenge, can be quite energy draining. As it involves mental, physical & spiritual. Mental in terms having the focus to focus on what I'm playing, playing in main service is no joke as there's the congregation and it is best not to have mistakes. For physical, having the need to play for 2 services. As spiritual, I need the right heart to play, because I'm not JUST playing for the sake of it but to you the talent we (musicians, praise singers) have to lead the congregation to worship. Not an easy job to do, as there's the need of the right attitude and not letting pride getting the good out of me.

Skills need to be improved, can't play the same old thing again and again but to have variaty. Otherwise people may get bored of it. Precisement of getting the timing right also is another factor too. So learning is still the thing I have to do to be in shape. Haha. So you think being a main service musician is very easy? Think twice~!!

It had been a year or two that I delayed on playing for main service as I'm pretty busy with other ministries ie multimedia, PA system, youth leader & music. It can be quite taxing. But anyway, I just continued to play for prayer meeting though being approached a few times whether I want to join the main service but I just say another time till my parents endorsed me to go only then I'm willing to go as I treat it as the right timing to go since that few years my parents didn't say anything or call me to go. So I just wait.

Anyway, now every 3 weeks I play once which is good in a way. So far I'm enjoying it =)

Children Church.

Children church, a place where the children in the church gather together and have their Sunday service. Their church service in short. And out of the blue, without any warnings at all, I was being called to lead worship. Yes, lead worship in Children Church. Unbelievable? Believe it.

It all started at one Saturday afternoon with the thought in mind that I'm supposed to play drums for children church. Happy go lucky, walked up the stairs to the practice place in children church. Was kind of surprised that I saw someone I know who plays only drums there. I said nothing and just wait to see what would happened in the case of a mix up whatsoever.

No big deal, so I just waited and eventually that guy's playing drums instead of me... Oh well, guess I just going to linger there till the practice is over. Not till the worship leader aka Sunday school teacher there calls me to sing! I was pretty much eyes-wide-open 0.0 And giving a sharp "not syok" look to my pal who told me to come to play drums and he insisted that he was innocent cause he was told they (children church) needed a drummer so he called me.

Fine it was, though am not officially qualified to lead but at the same time I only worship led in my cell group. Only recently. So did a little grumbling to myself and pal which wasn't that obvious and eventually agreed to sing, so practiced, so on so forth. Before that I just thought that I was going to back-up sing. Which ain't that difficult to do. So that's the day of practice.

And Sunday came, went up to children church. Then was told to lead the 2nd song. Stunned for awhile I brainstormed on what to do. I do felt a little bit scared since it's going to be my very first time doing so as I did not worship lead in front of children before. So I guess you all would know how it feels anyway. With those hustle and bustle with myself, went up stage, sang, did actions so-on-so forth. Led my song which I was pretty lost as I don't know what action to do. Then came the worship song. Which I wasn't told of. That time spontaneously, that Sunday school teacher just called me to lead that song. Eyes wide open again, I just led that song (throughout the worship session I can't here myself singing, so don't know it was out of tune, which is in a sense good)

After that, all is done and phew.... That's the first and the last (which I doubt so now) time I'm doing it. Video clips was taken of me, since rarely you can see me on stage worship lead. Well, it was just a privilege to do so. Thank God that I had the experience as a drummer in the worship dept so I know what to do etc. Otherwise I would totally be L.O.S.T.

Got a feedback today at prayer meeting, saying that his child told him that I worship led in children church and he gave me encouragement. Which is good... in a way...

Anyway in the Bible, Jesus says, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as there." Matt 19:14

So this experience can be considered as a great one indeed ^^

2nd title

This 2nd title maybe a pretty much surprise post. As I did not reveal much details about it... Or did I?. Anyway, what is written below is just going to be a "For your information" and not expected to be over-interrogated about it. What is written may be over direct, mind me, I can be over straight forward at times.

"My future gf/ wife"

- either younger than me or at the most older than me by a year only.

- long or short hair also can.

- a not-so-fat one.

- knows how to cook good food (at the most edible food)

- walk with God is strong.

- serves God.

- preferably Chinese.

- rich or poor is not a matter.

- having an inward & outward beauty. (that would be awesome!)

- understanding.

- good character.

- able to support me (bring encouragement etc) in my work (future full-time ministry).

- always have a good relationship with her family.

- share almost the same interests.

- respect people's point of view.

- wish that spouse would go through with me the walk of life, always loving, kind etc. And still continue to stay strong in the Lord (till death do us part).

So far these are what the key points are and I could think of. Which in a way good to let people know what I wish for =)

2 in 1

2 titles in a day. It would be a little bit long but anyway just sit back, relax & enjoy reading.

1st title, being suggested to write about it. It's about my full time calling. How am I going to prepare myself for it? What steps are taken to fulfill my destiny for it. Here goes... So far I'm still waiting upon the Lord to direct me on when is the right time to go to9 full time. I can possibly right after SPM go Bible school. But Bible school would not accept due to it is a must to experience working in the secular world (church office isn't included). So now I'm in college, and about to graduate with my diploma. And possibly go to find a job and work. Work for how long? Well, I myself would not know about that of how long would I be working. I just flow along in God's plan. Hey, some may ask, why keep saying have to wait of God's plan, this and that, so on and so forth.

There's a wrong perception, because if I take matter in my own hands such as insisting to go Bible school and get done with the theologies, and so on. Can be a pastor or Rev. Though outward looking, not bad it seems, I finally fulfilled my destiny. But wait a minute, I took matter in my own hands and not following God's will. Making my own plans instead of God's plan. Am I ready to be a pastor at such a young age? Have I got the experience to preach to people and not speaking blasphemy?

Thus God's plan & timing is my first priority. Otherwise it's pointless. As God is the one who called me to full time. So, everything can be started by learning bit & bit. Like serving, now I'm just serving in church in music, technical areas, youth ministry. These are the basic aspects that I can learn about humility and also steps to learn on how to communicate with other people and to be a leader. Flaws is a sure have thing. Through flaws I can learn many things that can be useful when I am ready for full time.

So.... Full time to me now is a "not yet" but a "will be happening". Just need to be patient and wait for the right timing comes. Full time isn't a play play thing altogether. It involves one's mental, physical & also the spiritual. So I certainly have to fit for it, if not I'd probably have more problems.

Childhood dreams.

Just to make my blog be updated if not the laziness of updating this blog would re-surface again. So I just ran through in my mind of what title to type about and here it is "Childhood dreams". In short, what I want to be when I grow up.

Everyone has their childhood dreams, whether to be a teacher or to be a doctor and so on. So what was my childhood dream? Let me see... First I wanted to be a pilot, but ever since I need to wear specs. The hope of making that dream a reality was lost. Too bad for that anyway. Cause I'm fascinated with planes or any sort of aircraft, which still interest me till today.

Another one was being a chef. I watched cooking show since young. Won't get bored about it, but then since I have restrictions in the kitchen which was set by my mom I can't "explore" the kitchen much. Except doing some "secret cooking" when parents are out. Which in turn they found out though, due to the cookery stuffs i.e pots were still oily. Busted. Then after SPM & thinking where to go to, I thought of taking up hotel management which included culinary, but parents say weekends got to work etc so that barred me from going. Now weirdly, my mom call me to take night cooking classes etc but I'd rather not go since I have college and other stuff so kinda lazy to do so.

Next was be a race car driver? Yeah, being a race car driver. But after seeing those stats of well-known race car drivers I just gave up on that dream cause they started driving at a very early age! While I still can't touch the steering wheel until I was 18 of age! Oh well, so that went down the drain after all...

Now?Now waiting for the right time to enter Bible School & fulfill my full time calling. Currently studying Mass Comm (Media Studies). The list can still go on & on & on and never stop anyway =)

- To be a Pilot or chef? -

A day of futsal madness.

As usual, went for futsal game which I always go to which is held on Saturday IF so happen there were sufficient people to play. Turned out to be only 9 people. So it was rather a tough & also tiring game. But almost towards the end where things started to spice up a little.

Usually I would be the goalie throughout the game. Which today I kinda "not in form" for don't know what reason. Did managed to block out a few shots but then let in quite a few goals. Guess due to the extra heat plus lack of juice? I mean H20. As the exhaust fan wasn't on so it was quite stuffy & hot at the futsal court.

Anyway, almost to the end of the game, being sort of "pestered" to just go out & play. In other words, someone else be the goalie & me out to play. I thought I was rather tired out but just kept playing on. Surprisingly at the end I managed to score 2 goals. Amazingly, well there are 2 witnesses to witness the event can either ask Daniel Lim or Calvin Moy.

If I'm not wrong, the first goal I just dashed & get the ball. At the length of quater length more to the post I put in energy, and *poof* goal it was. Not bad though for my first time.

As for the 2nd goal, one opponent was holding the ball. With the opponent not so aware that I was dashing straight at him, I manage to get the ball, pushing hard to maintain the ball at my legs though grazing pass the side nettings. Had a low kick, thought the other side's goalie would kick it away, that guy's legs fumbled & somehow it deflected pass his legs. So it was quite an astounding moment.

Well, to the the truth, the 2nd goals was kinda "awkward" as that guy was pretty much still learning in goalkeeping. Plus that I rarely want to go out to play as I always wanted to stay at the goal post instead & knock the ball away. Which kinda is my "speciality". Haha.

So that's all for now of a day of futsal madness, guess I sure would be called to play on the fore-front again. Which I hope not to do so as I pretty suck at it =)

~ Futsal ~

In 5 years time.

In 5 years time.... in 5 years time... What will be of me, where will I be, what will I be doing? Anyone knows here? Guess not, except God knows since He's the one who holds my future. But anyway, just to sidetrack, based on what I think I would be or probably my aim/ goal...

Having a steady job in some media or communication company, or perhaps having own free-lance multimedia business on helping people to do video recording, editing etc. Or even if God willing be studying in BCM (Bible College of Malaysia)? Haha... Who knows?

So far my current goal now is just to obtain my diploma, would not be going for advance diploma.. Mostly would go out to work but still don't know where for now... Maybe next year going to go to the U.S to have internship with Times Square Church, New York in doing multimedia. This would be a great opportunity to learn there as now currently multimedia in my own church is pretty small. Since over-there would be a larger scale, lots of things i can learn from there.

Maybe I would be in the U.S for a year, or two? Depending whether they want to re-new the contract (In short if they like me, plus my performance). So far, is just enquiries being made, at the most do some contacts here and there whether available for me to go over etc. All is not set but is just a rough probability.

So, my aim in 5 years time.... If my new church building is up by then. Guess I want to go on full time being head of the multimedia ministry? Since we're living in a world of media & communication, guess it's essential to boost up the multimedia department for God's glory. Since it would be a bigger church by then and need all the manpower available.

Hmm... Hopefully by then I would have a lifepartner or at least a girlfriend? Why not? I don't plan to be single all my life anyway. Hehe.....

-- My dream office --

Keep Moving Forward.

Keep moving forward... A phrase to remember.

Got this phrase when I went to watch "Meet the Robinsons". Which was about an orphan who dreams of someday finding a family to call his own finds his fate taking an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson transports him into the future in a computer-animated time-travel adventure for the entire family.

So at the end of the movie and everything, while walking out of the cinema pondering what I've just watched and with that phrase "Keep moving forward" still buzzing around in my mind. Well, I thought, even our daily lives, we got to keep moving forward no matter what circumstances, trials that we have to go through.

We as Christians do face trials & tribulations which is part of our journey to strengthen us and make us to be a much stronger Christian. It is not a good idea, in other words not good to dwell so much on past miserable events, failure we've been through. The more we dwell on it the more it will effects us. So in short we just have to keep moving forward, as long as we live till Christ comes again. We still have our dreams & goals to achieve in life. Let not small matter bothers us, though we can be sad over it, but for a little while. After that little while we have to rise up and move on.

Oh well, hope what I typed does make sense. To me it's sense alright. Just typing out what I feel it's right.

Anyone of you are free to watch that movie, do watch. Though it may be short but with good graphics & storyline, it's worth watching afterall.

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things....." by Walt Disney

- Meet the Robinsons -

W.I.D.E Training.

After getting much rest needed to be recharged and have the energy to move on.

So... A little about W.I.D.E Training. This 3 days training was to help youth leaders on how to "hype-up" the cell group and at the same time learning ways on how to communicate with youth nowadays. Now with the help of "B.I.C.E.P.S", quiet time would not be just a mere 5 minute session. It can take on for at least half an hour & beyond.

With learning other terms like "B.I.B.L.E" to "S.M.I.L.E", they are very helpful for us to apply to our daily lives. Well, honestly for "S.M.I.L.E", I learnt that I'm am sort of termed "though the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" in terms of talking to strangers. Though I want to talk to them but seems that my mouth would not open & body not moving at all. Where the scenario was going to the shopping complex and just talking to people, best if can obtain their hp number. The other is to the hospital & if possible, share the Gospel with people with your personal testimony. Which to me i sort of failed to do so. Sighs.....

Anyway, with interesting topics like puberty & dating, which I was one of the forumers representing the guys on the topic dating. At least, I had fun doing that and also at the same time listening to the girls side which some tips can be picked up from there.

- The guys & girls forumers -

With other programs from ice-breaker, worship session, prayer, role-play and others. I have to say everyone who attended this training were blessed. We indeed enjoyed ourselves very much. Right?

This is just Level 101. There's Level 102 & 103 as well. That I just leave it for Ps. Mike to decide.

The participants:

~ Ladies & gentlemen ~

Something about me.

Well, this is just what I type about of myself= me.

My name is Joel Yap
I was born on 2nd Nov 1987.
Featurs of me: Tall, thin, short hair, wears specs.
Specialty: Eating large amounts of food & still remain thin.
One & only position played in soccer is goalie.
Owns a Nissan Sunny 130-Y.
Church is my 2nd home.
Own home is in Taman Cheras a.k.a Taman Yulek.
I'm still single.
Tend to be shy.
Likes movies.
Enjoys company.
Have a full-time calling.

So far this is what I can think of to type.
Will update if there is anything to update.