Cogitations in Motion

15th May is a special day. Very special indeed.

Firstly it’s the Day of Independence of Israel as a nation, 2ndly, it’s my beloved Pastor’s birthday! And lastly, I’ll be serving in Main Service for the very first time!

I am deeply honored and humbled by Abba Daddy’s grace and unmerited favor on me and acceleration even in the ministry. I was suppose to only serve in June, but because of the impending Vesak day holidays, a few of the guitarists had last minute travel plans and I was available to serve and praise God, that was how I was given the privilege to serve not just for 3rd and 4th service, but 1st and 2nd too!

I’m real excited because it has always been my dream to serve as a guitarist in church. I never dared to even envision myself serving on stage, but it happened last year for GenRev and this weekend, I get to serve and support the greatest pastor on earth. What a Privilege!

As I look back, God has been unfairly good to me. I feel so loved. His love for me is demonstrated on the cross where Jesus died for me, but for Him to even grant the unspoken wishes in my heart, I am indeed so grateful.

Two weeks ago as I was preparing for ZLM worship, I was reminded of Romans 8:32 which says

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

I read a commentary on that passage and it said “He who gave the greater, will not withhold the lesser”.

I thought to myself that it’s actually “He who gave the Greatest, will not withhold the lesser” indeed the Father gave His greatest gift, His Son for me, how shall He not, with Jesus also, Freely give me all things? To give me health, financial blessings, peace, good days, blessed marriage etc…

So I am real excited for the rehearsal tonight and the services on Sunday. To play on Pastor’s bday and Israel’s bday too just tops it off and I dun think I’ll ever forget this date.

God loves us and knows our desires which sometimes even our hearts don’t dare to conceive.

15th May is a very special day indeed.

I have a new guitar hero.

From Tommy Walker to Tommy Emmanuel and now Lincoln Brewster, I’m getting really excited about improving my guitar playing.

“I cannot be anything I want to be. But I can be everything God wants me to be.”

- Max Lucado

I’m excited to be able to serve in church soon and to be rehearse in the same room with some of the best singers and musicians in Singapore is really a humbling experience.

Therefore I desire to play skilfully before the Lord and to recognize that it’s no longer my dreams for me, but to live out His dreams for me.

I’ve always had a penchant for buying tons of things on impulse, but I do notice that this strong desire happens when I meditate, imagine and focus on what I can do with whatever that is exciting me. At times it could be soccer, at times movies, at times games, at times the Word and at times guitar playing.

This brings me to a really important truth in God’s word.

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

What have I been setting my heart and mind on? Is it kingdom-worthy? Or is it introspective and self-serving?

I cannot remove worry by thinking it away. But worry dissipates when I think of Christ’s supply. The more hopeless the situation, the more likely the salvation right?

But I digress again….

I’m excited because my Lincoln Brewster DVD is coming soon!!! It should arrive in Singapore within 2-3 business days according to the website. Well, I think I will take it easy to learn it one at a time. If I have too many things all at one go, I usually don’t cope well with it and end up not maximising the learning journey.

Well, check these out!

Lincoln Brewster’s long anticipated Instructional DVD for guitar is finally here! Sit down for a private guitar lesson with Lincoln Brewster, former lead guitarist for Steve Perry (Journey) and chart topping CCM solo artist.
Lincoln offers a step by step, in-depth look into guitar technique and soloing. With everything from tuning to note-by-note explanation of his solos, Lincoln gives great insight so you can take your guitar playing to the next level.
On this volume Lincoln discusses and demonstrates:
* exercises
* hammer-ons and pull-offs
* bending and vibrato
* soloing technique
* improvisational philosophy
* stylistic approach to soloing
Beyond that, Lincoln also unpacks his signature solos and rhythm parts in a note-by-note method so you can play some of his most popular tunes like:
Everlasting God
Let the Praises Ring
All to You
Another Hallelujah
Special features on the DVD feature multi-camera angles, with "Fret Cam" and "Picking Cam" all shot in 1080i High Definition (HD) and nearly 3 hours long!

Join chart topping CCM artist Lincoln Brewster for a private guitar lesson as he continues his up close and personal approach to electric guitar. In Volume Two of his acclaimed 1 on 1 series, you’ll enjoy nearly 3 1/2 hours of instruction as Lincoln dives deeper into his playing style and philosophy, picking up where he left off in Volume One. Lincoln continues to give great insight into a variety of techniques so that you can take your guitar playing to the next level.
Filmed close-up, in multi-camera, high definition, Lincoln explores and explains:
Warm-ups and Exercises
Legato and Staccato Technique
Modes… and how to apply them
Scale Patterns
Knowing and Linking the Entire Neck
More of Lincoln’s Signature Riffs
Composing Solos
In addition, Lincoln also unpacks more of his signature solos and rhythm parts in a note-by-note method so you can play some of his most popular songs like:
Today Is the Day
God You Reign
Give Him Praise
Let Your Glory Shine
So grab your guitar and get ready to go 1 on 1 with Lincoln Brewster!
Running Time:
208 minutes (3 Hours and 28 Minutes)

I’ve been reading up on Fender guitars and boy are there tons of models out there. From the American made, Mexican made, to Japanese made and what not… it has been giving me a major headache on what to even consider getting.

Naturally I would assume the American made series to be of the best quality as well as greatest potential for its value to increase in the future. But generally I tend to keep things rather than sell them away so what I’m looking out for is quality first and foremost.

If I were to buy a new Electric Guitar, I would definitely buy the American made. What else? I saw a Fender off a local online guitar shop www.bgwguitars.com that had good reviews on it. Furthermore the price of their guitars seem pretty competitive except that I’m not sure where I can test the guitar. All it says on their website is their store is at Boon Keng Mrt which doesn’t really seem correct.

In any case, here’s a picture of the guitar and its specifications and price taken off the website (All copyrights to www.bgwguitars.com btw):

Fender American Standard Stratocaster HSS
Brand new Fender American Standard Stratocaster HSS in Sunburst with maple fingerboard. Fender hardcase and all case candies included. Price: SGD$1650.

Specifications
- Modern C-shaped maple neck with rich, deep neck tint
- Glossed neck front with satin back
- Staggered Tuning Machines
- 2 single-coil pickups in the front and middle
- Humbucker at the bridge
- Delta-tone™ no-load circuit
- Bent steel Fender saddles
- Copper Infused Cast Strat® Bridge Block for Increased Mass and Improved Tone
- Thinner undercoat for improved body resonance
- American 2-point trem
- Rosewood or maple fretboard
- Fender SKB hardshell case, cable, strap, and polishing cloth

Although I would have preferred the guitar to be in White finish, I am fine with the Sunburst colour. I think I’ll check out some guitar stores in Peninsular tomorrow during lunch. *Rubs hands in glee*

And start saving for it.

I have to get it off my chest.

I am tempted to buy another Electric guitar and this time it will be a Fender Stratocaster.

Why Fender?

I really don’t know but I remember playing one which my church friend had many years ago and the tone and the way I felt while playing it made me feel as if I’m Mr Clapton himself. Do I need a technical reason? Every buying decision is backed by a logical and an emotional reason yah?

Logical reason – It’s time to upgrade. It’s at a discount. It’s value for money.

Emotional reason – I feel good playing it.

Unfortunately I am also hoping to get a few other stuffs to complement my existing CORT E. Guitar which is a Line6 Pod-XT. So many wishes and yet the resources have not manifested yet.

I have almost never saved for anything but if I’m gonna buy a new E-guitar, I will have to start saving for it.

Anything decent probably costs above $1000 but I am open to 2nd hand axes. Any Fender Strats to recommend anyone?

Even if you were the only person in this world, He will still go to the cross for you.

Verse
There is no problem too big, God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall, He cannot move it
There is no storm too dark, God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot soothe it

Chorus
If He carried the weight of the world, upon His shoulders
I know my brother that He, will carry you
If He carried the weight of the world, upon His shoulders
I know my sister that He, will carry you

Bridge
He said "Come unto Me, all who are weary"
"And I, will give you rest."

My take on a classic song. Need some vocal lessons though as my lungs were like punctured during the pulling of notes.

One song that I really like. With truth satisfying many questions people ask.

Proverbs 19:22
“What man desires is unfailing love…”

It Is Your Love (Nothing in this world can satisfy me)

Verse
Nothing in this world can satisfy me
Jesus You alone can fill me up
I can gain the world and all its treasures
But all these things will never be enough

Chorus:
It is Your love
It is Your goodness
It is Your kindness and compassion
That fills me up inside

It is Your grace
Your tender mercies
It is Your presence in my life
That satisfies

Enjoy this short video.

One of my favorite songs on the latest New Creation Album The Perfect Offering. Pardon the few moments of coarse throatism due to heavy feasting at Japanese buffet 2 hours before. Song original key is in F. However I played it in E with Capo on 2nd fret.

Unfortunately due to copyright infringement the video was taken off YouTube, well hope the video is enjoyable still.

Covenant

Verse 1:
Surely You were broken
So that I may be whole
Surely You were beaten
So that grace may unfold
As I look at the cross
I remember You
How my healing was bought
At the price of Your wounds

Verse 2:
Surely You were wounded
Previous blood was spilled
Surely You were forsaken
For my sake You endured
Tears from heaven fell
As You were whipped and scourged
My forgiveness was sealed
By this covenant in blood

Chorus:
I thank You Lord, I thank You Lord
You are the Lamb of God
Who takes away my sin
No longer I but You live in me
As You are so am I in this world

Bridge:
As I eat of Your body
I remember You
As I drink of Your blood
I see my life renewed

words & music by Karen Lim
© 2008 New Creation Church

Been singing this song pretty often the past few days. It’s a song written by Ronnie Lew from New Creation Church.

I like Karen’s songs, but Ronnie’s songs are just so different and they seem like the “hit” song for each album. Not that they have alot of albums lah.. “Jesus, My Lord my life” was a “hit” in the “You Gave” album and I believe this new song will be another popular choice if New Creation has a new album.

Your Blood

Your blood, has cleansed me from all my sins
Taken me into Your presence
In You I find my rest

And now, I dwell in Your secret place
Forever I’m changed by Your glory
Beneath Your mighty wings

Chorus:

Lord I thank You
For Your sacrifice
Yes Lord I thank You
You’re the giver of my life
Oh Lord I praise You, I honor You

Lord I love You
My exceeding great reward
Lord I exalt You
You are high and lifted up
Lord I will praise You, I honor You
I honor You.

I just love my freedom in Christ.

Chills.