sufficiency: the 'after' math

September 2, 2002

i didn't get a chance to write last night because i was simply too tired from everything and i had to wake up early for service this morning at city centre baptist.

sufficiency is now completely over. and while a great relief has been lifted from my shoulders, a sense of sadness also dwells in my heart. simply because a lot of my dear friends are leaving for university. tomorrow's the big 'moving' day for all first year students. a lot of which are my good buddies. but i'll talk about that later.

it really was a special evening last night. and i think i had anticipated for more people to attend so when i saw the turn-out, i was a little bit disappointed. maybe i had a presumption that there were going to be "more" than i had anticipated, but i was totally off the mark. so i was thinking. it didn't matter who came or how many came. all that mattered was that God would be glorified and honored through the evening. and so that was the sole thought i had throughout the entire night.

wow, i was floored by like everything that happened. justin did a super job with the explanation of the phos hilaron. he actually memorized what he was going to say and it was totally awesome. it was clear and concise! God totally used him. i think it was a great way to kick-start the evening and it was totally the different thing that we wanted. :) let me just say this. the candles were GORGEOUS. justin found this beautiful red cloth to drape over the 'communion' table. and we surrounded the big momma candle that represented Christ with little candles around it. it was a really pretty sight. they put candles on top of the piano, on the sides of the stage. it was awesome :) i love candles. i really do!

all the transitions that we NEVER practiced was really smooth. God totally unified the night together and knit it together really smoothly. man, there were so many things that blew me away. anson's Scripture reading was WOW. he's such a talented guy. sharon did some crazy vocal action in child of God. i like fell over. and katie did a lot of these really great vocal fills. it was awesome. i was also really thankful for jon. his monologue was i think, the best he's ever done. he was clear, concise. he really stepped into his role! like i don't think anyone else could have done what he did. so that was all really amazing! God totally showed up. i was sorta looking into the congregation to see how people were responding and some people were really getting into it. :)

alvin's testimony was short and sweet. i think it was really good for the froshies. i really appreciated him taking his time out to speak for us. he did a really awesome job! and i think the advice he gave was great stuff.

christine prepared a great message. i think it hit a lot of people. one of the things she said really struck me. and it was just because i've been thinking more and more about everyone that's leaving this year. it's crazy. and so i was starting to get all emotional over it because i will really miss them. so yeah, she was talking about "reamining in the vine". and that since all of us are connected to the vine, it doesn't matter where we are. and when we meet, our fellowship should be THAT much SWEETER because when we see each other again, we can share all the great things that God has been doing in our lives. that's so very true. it's a whole new perception! :) so i was very happy to hear her say that. it gave me a lot of comfort.

all in all, the night went really well. why? because God had His hand ALL over it. and He glorified Himself through us. now that's truly amazing!! i've really learned a lot through preparing this night, just how difficult it is to do, how much stress there is involved with it, and how much a blessing it can be at the same time. just thinking about how many people volunteered their time shows me truly how we need each other as a body of Christ. i mean, if one part of the body fails, then like things won't work. but when the entire body is working in harmony with one another, things are GOOD :)

so i am totally thinking about what will happen in the future with our 'rebel worship' group. i truly believe that we could be like the next generation of john 4:24. but perhaps i'm alone on that one. i hope not....

it's getting QUITE late now, so i'll write about more stuff tomorrow. :) g'nite!

Posted by Leo Chan at September 2, 2002 3:51 AM