Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire

Monday, September 22, 2008

:[ Travis Barker survived a plane crash!! ]:

(CNN) -- A man who came across a fiery jet crash said he saw former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and disc jockey Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein trying to extinguish the flames on their bodies by ripping off their clothing.

"We turned to the jet to try and see if there was anything we could do, but immediately, there was nothing anyone could do," William Owens told CNN affiliate WIS in Columbia, South Carolina. "I felt ill or sick to think that these lives were snuffed out at that point."

The two men were in critical condition with extensive burns Saturday. The crash killed four other people on board, authorities said.

The Learjet 60 carrying six people, including Barker and Goldstein, was taking off from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina on Friday night when it went off the runway. The plane crashed through light towers and an antenna array before crossing a road and stopping at an embankment, authorities said.

Owens came across the plane wreck while driving and stopped to see whether he could help.
Lexington County Coroner Harry O. Harman said all the dead in Friday's crash were Californians.

He identified them as pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim Hills; co-pilot James Bland, 52, of Carlsbad; Chris Baker, 29, of Studio City; and Charles Still, 25, of Los Angeles.

The Associated Press reported that Baker was an assistant to Barker and Still was a security guard for the musician.

Owens told WIS-TV he was driving on Highway 302 when he saw a fireball. Owens stopped and crossed across the road, which was doused with fuel, to get close to the wreckage.

Barker was standing in the road, trying to extinguish his burning pants, Owens told WIS-TV.
Owens and Goldstein walked toward the plane, but there was nothing they could do to help, he said.

Federal investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder from the crash site but said they aren't sure whether information on the device survived the blaze.

Investigators are also obtaining recordings of conversations between controllers in the tower and the jet's two-person crew, said National Transportation Safety Board spokeswoman Debbie Hersman.

"Air traffic controllers did observe sparks from the aircraft as it was going down the runway and immediately alerted fire-rescue crews at the airport," Hersman said Saturday evening in West Columbia.

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent team to West Columbia to investigate the crash.

The Learjet 60 crashed on takeoff at 11:53 p.m. Friday.

Beth Frits, spokeswoman at the Joseph Still Burn Center, in Augusta, Georgia, said Barker and Goldstein arrived at the hospital early Saturday. She said both men had "extensive burns."
Barker and Goldstein had played at a huge free outdoor concert in Columbia's Five Points district on Saturday night, CNN affiliate WIS-TV said.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said the twin-engine private jet was cleared for takeoff on a flight to Van Nuys, California, and began its takeoff roll a few minutes before midnight.

Air traffic controllers "saw sparks coming from the runway -- whether that was from the aircraft or its engines, we don't know," Bergen said Saturday.

"They overran the end of runway 11. They impacted the antenna array and a number of lights at the end of the runway. They went through the perimeter fence and across the roadway here," Hersman said Saturday. "There was a significant post-crash fire."

The crash closed the airport, which is Columbia's main commercial and passenger terminal, and it remained closed late Saturday afternoon. The airport's Web site listed nine commercial airline flights canceled through 7 p.m. Saturday.

Hersman said the airport would not reopen until investigators finished collecting debris from the runway and crash site.

:[The Story of Mattlex]: | 3:22 AM

Friday, September 19, 2008

:[ This is our God ]:

When I watched the interviews of the worship leaders who did 'This is our God' live recordings, it just amaze me..

Prior to the recordings, 2 of their worship leaders had devastating setbacks..

The guy who wrote the song Healer was fighting cancer. And the doctor told him that he cannot make it to play for the recording. So this guy actually had tubes sticking out of his nose and he carries a oxygen tank on stage to record. And he leads his own song..

"I believe, You're my Healer"
"I believe, You are all I need"

The lady who sang 'This is our God' , the theme song for the album.. actually gave birth 3 weeks ago.. And after a day or two, the baby died.

They do not have to do the recordings.. Nothing glamourous about being on stage when the battle is taken into their very personal life.. They could give up on God but yet they said in their own words that when they worship God, they find the strength to go thru their circumstances.. Wow!!..

Heb 13:15 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

:[The Story of Mattlex]: | 7:50 AM

:[ Hati Hamba ]:

Being a servant is a skill...

Its not as simple as just making a decision to serve and everything will fall into place.. Serving is an enduring art not easily mastered..

When we were tyrants, we focus only on ourselves and our preference.. To be a servant of All, we have to predict and focus on All others' preferences. Different peoples' emotion at different time.. And in public gathering, a general preferences..

When we serve, to be careful not to step on someone's toes and not to cause misunderstanding.

Though we may have the heart to serve, but lack the skills, we will not be efficient. So for a start, we may become disappointed when people do not appreciate the heart.. But to slowly build on the skills.. And it will be a Clap!!

I feel like im starting to learn only now.. I never serve before..

:[The Story of Mattlex]: | 7:50 AM

:[ Windria ]:

I rem Windria, a friend i got to know in Malang ask me this question that still struck me..

Windria, "Mattlex, may i ask do you all know each other before this mission trip?" (refering to the rest of my fellow teammates in Malang.)

Mattlex, "Nope.." (and i wondered whats so special about that)

Windria, "You see Mattlex, I really admire your church people.. I had ask all the previous mission teammates and none of them know each other before hand."

Mattlex, "oh??"

Windria continued, "Yet you all work as a team, follow your leaders without complacency. That's what so special about your church. I really admire you all."

That question struck me the whole nite...and for the rest of my time till now im blogging about it. I took it naturally and it never cross my mind before but of all the compliments I heard about City Harvest Church, this one struck out above the rest.

I wondered for awhile, How is it so?.. And in conclusion, I understood. Didn't we all came here to serve the Lord?.. And for God alone, we make sacrifices?..

Same understanding as that when we come to church, attend cell group meetings, events and even bible studies. If we were to come for our boyfriends, girlfriends. If we were to come for religion, business networking or social networking, we will one day grow weary, grow tired.. lose the interest and something more serious, the respect for His House.

When things do not go our way, we shun off..

I had to share a bed with a teammate in Sidoajo and everynite, he took 3/4 of the bed and half of the airtime by snoring. The 5 girls in Malang who did not know each other before, shared a room and a toilet and no hot water..

When the Indo pastors tell us our itinerary, the teamleaders are all Yes and Amen! Even for me, i have my little disagreements and rebelliousness but just put it aside and to get things done.. I believe even more so for the girls..

One day when we lose the interest or priority, could we ask ourselves whether we have the right heart attitude in place?

:[The Story of Mattlex]: | 7:50 AM

Sunday, September 14, 2008

:[ 3 blessed week ]:

Am so blessed this past three weeks!

Had one week of breakthrus and got to know a few new friends! =))

And I went back to taking guitar lessons! From the guitarist of all guitarist.. Father of many inspirations.. The true blue home grown annoited guitar legend. Played around the world.. Played for tens of thousands.. Brother Poh!

Any inspiring guitarist or cell group guitarist please learn from the man himself!.. I strongly encourage you! Under his leadership, had brought CHC's praise and worship to where it is now.

It's an eternal investment!

Would have learnt from him earlier if i had known he conduct lessons.

Phileo? haha =)

:[The Story of Mattlex]: | 6:14 AM

Monday, September 08, 2008

:[ mission trip 08 ]:

I only prepare myself to play the guitar and to share my testimony for this mission trip. But God is good. God did a work in me and through me as well. This mission trip is really a time when we lean on the Holy Spirit.

At the end of it all, I shared the preaching with another teammate in a cell group meeting, shared testimony, collect offering in a youth service, played guitar, did a tv recording and help in a sunday school teachers' camp

All in all we have between 15 to 20 events and our team are 14 strong. Each of us ministered or attended around 10 session or events in a week..

Mission trips are really a time when we learn not to depend on ourselves but on the Holy Spirit. On the first day, I was still much in my comfort zone.. I thought i was much prepared. But throughout the 7 days, I Need and had learnt to depend on the Holy Spirit more and more each day. When God prompt me to sign up, God had prepared to take me thru..

The first day was free, relax and tues was a teaser. =p We went to sit in a seminar for sunday school teachers. Than later, we were group at different game station to conduct the games. Seeing them play thrills my heart. Most of the teachers are adults and some grandmothers. But yet they sponteniously play like little children and do their team cheers with much creativity. I will upload the video once i receive from another teammate. =) We had about 4 hours of rest before we atended the church leaders' meeting. Janelle (one of our team leader) delivered what i would describe as a Holy bomb on them! It open my eyes to see that she means business to change the world for Christ. She learn about the leadership problem facing in the church and preached about submitting to all our leaders including sub leaders. Not to forget God's calling into leadership in the begining and when things seems uncertain, turn away from submission and leadership. Even one teammate fell under the presence. Convicted to become a cell group leader when she return.

Wed morning we had an impromptu cell group meeting among ourselves and Gilston, another team leader lead us to be refilled in our spirit. At nite we travelled to another church to minister and G.J preaches. We had MonMons after that. =p (Im soo tempted to share every detail of the trip with u guys but it would just take me hours and possibly the longest blog post ever known to mankind. maybe the uploaded pictures will be better)

Thurs morning 6 of us were seperated with the rest to go to Malang to minister. A 2.5 hours drive and the driver dose off at one time and was half eyed for half the trip. The road in indo was not that systematic and safe though. Thank God we reach there in one piece!!

At nite we ministered in another church service. About 80 strong. The people were so hungry for God. when Janelle went to the poolpit, she teared. The pastor's daughters sang our chc's One life, One love as a special song item. When asked, how they learn of the song, she said she has the 2006 Emerge DVD. My heart sank on the inside. I was prepared to play the song 'Still' which i practise a few hours b4 we travel. But GJ flowing with the Spirit, change to 'One life, One love' when the meeting starts and i played that with the church band without practise. The people were so hospitable and we ate with them in their church. They immediately schedule for us to come back again on sat evening.

Friday morning we went to minister at a university christian meeting. I shared my testimony there and played Hati Hamba for ministry. Being the smart alec, I wrote the chords on my arm coz there is no lyric stand. At nite, we went to the same pastor's church. Janelle ask me to prepare Alleluia to Christ the Lord. But knowing they were more rural, they may not know the song. So we change to Dr Cho's wife 'Oh Halleluia' song. I prayed and figure the chords while the meeting was on going. In the end, i got the chords correct but the wrong beat. So we do the family chord progression but God still move.

Sat morning, we did our takes for a TV recording which will be broadcast on Malang's Christian TV. It belongs to Dr. Alex Abraham's Bethany group of churches. Myself, i shared my testimony. At first, in our mindset was that we got a poolpit to place our sermons or testis but nope.. it was outdoor. So i tried to put my papers in a bible so i pretend i was reading thru it but the producer said i cant look at the book too often. Than I panick liaoz.. Janelle pulled me aside and ask me to share my testi to her without looking. I struggled but was better off.. And when i stand infront of the camera, i was nervous but soon the Holy Spirit calm me down and I remembered the sequence of my testi.. At one point, i want to tear..

But i must comment on Florence, another teammate. When she heard Alison sermon was about the same as hers, she changed it on the spot to a healing sermon before her take. And before that, Alison was also mind blank about the content of her sermon until the day before when travelling, thoughts just flow to her and she quickly jot them.

After the recording, Wind our interpretter, ask me to come for tonite's youth service to share my testi. I was preparing to do offering msg at the thurs nite church tonite but my team leader agreed for me to stay.. In my heart, i was like phew.. So we went to have a bali massage till 4pm.. =p Than another shocker came..

GJ, "hey the youth pastor ask u to take the offering as well.."
mattlex, "hahaha.. rite."
GJ, "im not kidding.. i show u the sms."

my countenance fell... And the next hour, i prepare the offering msg. One hour seems like minutes. And off i go.. like a lamb led to the slaughter. The rest of the team went to the scheduled church.

So i delivered the 2nd worst offering msg i ever heard in my whole life. =D The first one was also by me.. =D =D than followed by my testi. But my testi save me from further embarassment. The preacher that nite was Pst Billy. Dr. Alex Abraham's grandson. Pastor Billy is a super dynamic preacher. I can feel him though i do not understand.

Wind is a zone supervisor of 4 youth cell group. As we left, He receive a call from the youth pastor. Asking me and him to join Pastor Billy for dinner.. He agreed and told me calmly.. "Pastor Billy want to have dinner with me.." In my heart was like... 'Oh man...' Than he told me somemore.. Even he dun get to eat with pastor billy as he is like a superstar coz of his family.. In my heart... 'Oh bummer' So we had chinese dinner for the first time when i arrive... Pastor Billy is 24 years old. married at 21 and now has a daughter.

I went back and had a bad diahorea. Coz on Friday nite i had too much to eat and the chilis were magnificent. I still followed them for supper and i couldnt slp well that nite.. i went to the toilet 5 to 6 times thruout the nite.. Woke up at 5am to prepare to go back to surabaya. Than it was the same driver as before.. I got worried but this time he was very awake.. speed to surabaya in less than 2 hrs. During the trip, i got cold sweat. And my vision turn yellow coz of my tummy. had went to the toilet before i travel and after unloading the baggage, i went to the toilet again. Also learn that another 2 or 3 more fellow teammates are down with flu. Had one hour to prepare cell group meeting. I just ran through the thoughts in my mind. discuss with my partner a little.. Janelle prayed for us and when the que comes, off we go. By then i had learn something. Not to prepare every detail but to trust on the Holy Spirit. We went up, played games with the cg. After p&w, Eden shared a passage, than i came in with the 2 point content on 'Not despising our youth.' and she ends with them writing down their goals. I took up the guitar and we prayed and the Holy Spirit move in the room. It was a great time and a finale for me this mission trip.

I believed i received more than i give this mission trip. The people were soo hungry for God seeing them responding to altar calls and seating thru services in the heat. With bats flying, mosquitoes and children walking around. The service was interupted by the loud broadcast of the muslim prayer. Seeing them makes me realise the basic of a believer.

Our teammates also have their breakthroughs.. Gilston on thursday preach in a service. God ask him to blow into the mic without asking the people to come forward. The power came down like an aeroplane landing from behind him.. The people fell where they were standing. The singers behind him were shaking.

Lyon became the world first make-up preacher. He teaches the church dancers how to put on make up and preach to them on the importance of looking good. He gathers his sermons only the last few days.. He is 20 years old and the handsome one.. The girls ask for his number and stalk him..

Florence came and keep collecting offering.. She works in a bank and she is an usher head in CHC. All adds together, she seem like the next bible economics preacher.

For me, they call me the testimony guy. Take one testimony can go all around the world liaoz..
Yi Ge Testimony Chuang Tian Xia.

Another thing i learn during this trip is about humility. The guys who serve us make us humble ourselves.. Treated us as though we were kings and famous preachers.. though we were nobody. Brought us to massage, gave us batik shirts and fed us till we beg them to stop. The wife had to sleep in another home so i can sleep in the masterbedroom. The husband even ask me to sleep on the master bed but i couldnt accept. And they will take us or get us whatever we ask. The surabaya team went to mount bomo to see the sunrise in the early morning. On Thurs when i said not to prepare my breakfast coz im leaving for Malang in 10 minutes, the lady church staff ran and came back with my breakfast in 5 minutes. Wind brought me to Careffour after my dinner with pastor billy and pretended that he wanted to buy things so i wont feel bad about me asking him to bring me. And 4 thumbs up to Pakroy, a church elder, a businessman. He make time every lunch and dinner and supper to meet with us and take us to posh resturant n nice food places. Make sure of our lodging and logistics.. They are the most hospitable people i known with a heart to serve. And they are millionaires, businessman, pastors, degree holders in theology. Wind is a top university lecturer who translate IT books. Another guy family runs a coffee factory. Another owes a department store. Another pastor is Megawati's grand nephew. And who are we... For me, im nothing compared to them.. Yet they serve us as though we are Pastor Kong himself...

I cant wait for them to come for the Asia Conference this November.. Than its our chance to serve them and bless them..

Amen.

:[The Story of Mattlex]: | 7:15 AM