' what dreams may come ... '

We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who hope that their dreams will come true.

-Woodrow Wilson

Last night's worship time with Y.D was, nothing short of amazing. I can't even put it into words. The worship band and i were the first to arrive in the sanctuary on Friday and as soon as we got there we tested out the sound system and found out that the computer wasn't working, isn't it strange sometimes how fast panic can invade a person's heart? all sorts of thoughts went through my mind,

"how are the youth going to worship without the words on the screen?",
"oh man, it's gonna be harder to press into His presence"...

and even though i knew that worship went beyond the words on a screen, i started to doubt, and i guess looking back in hindsight over the past 24 hours, i can only say that here in the faithfulness of Christ - i blog.

we ran through our songs as everyone arrived, and as i started to praise Him, the doubt began to melt away, i was hungry for the glory of God to fall, in my fasting time i was reminded of the 'war' that we face as we lead young people into the throne room of God and i guess it all just started to fit into place right there . i mentioned it in my last post, but it's true, ALL that really matters is if 'your heart is right before God'. i was telling a friend before we got into worship that, physically i felt i was lacking - due to a viral infection brought by the winter chill, mentally i felt i was not prepared - due to the high stress involved in trying to fix the computer and running a band practice whilst trying to focus on what God wanted to say, but then i told her spiritually - "i'm more than ready and expectant", and that was all He needed.

It hit 7:15 and we had our last worship time as a band, gave the crew a short exhortation on the Glory of God, and as we closed off in prayer to prepare ourselves for worship, His presence filled the entire sanctuary and i knew right then and there, that no amount of technical difficulty was going to stop Him from moving.

I told Glenn (Youth Pastor) beforehand that i sensed that we were in some sort of a battle and God wanted to breakthrough in the lives of hurting highschoolers ...

and breakthrough He did.

'do you remember young people, when God gave you dreams?
when you dreamed to dance for His glory, sing or play music?
But you let them die because of all the garbage you faced in life?
Tonight, can we say NO to the enemy's lies?!
Can we say no more!
Because no matter how much you've stuffed it up,
HE'S NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!
HE'S NOT DONE WITH YOU!
the best is yet to come with Him!
GREATER THINGS HAVE YET TO COME!'

Knowing that most of our highschoolers come from alot of rough things at school and at home, and then seeing them cast it all aside for a touch from their God really broke me .. in a good way. it really really really, made my heart grow big even more for Y.D.

when you're in the trenches with the boys from cell group and you're hearing about how they just want to give up,
or even hearing stories from leaders who feel so alone or burnt out and then seeing the exact moment when they
make a concious decision to praise Him through their storms - i guess it kinda takes your breath away, and leaves
you in awe of His faithfulness, not only to individuals but to Y.D as a whole.

He really moved on Friday, and it went beyond all our expectations, if you're from 'Youth with a Destiny', and you're reading this, i pray for the dreams in your heart that have died because of disappointment/discouragement or because of the lies of the enemy to be raised, i pray for a spirit of resurrection/life into the things that have rotted away or have decayed because of various circumstances, i pray for a fresh new wind to be breathed in to the tired, run down parts of your soul, i pray for fire in your bones, Christ in your heart, and His purpose and destiny on your mind. i pray for so much more for you friend, so much more - in Jesus name. Amen.

*sigh*, He never fails. there is so much more to say, but apart from worship, everything else in life is going rather great. sure there are things that have been cut off, but i guess that's another thing i want to blog about .. relationships.. i found this quote rather relevant to the picture i have for this blog up above...

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are
never, ever the same." - Anonymous

Isn't it strange how sometimes you're close to people, and then suddenly you're not? i guess that's true for me .. i've gained and lost a few friends from Wesley .. i don't understand why, but maybe it's just the way it was suppose to pan out?.. i've met one person recently who's played such a huge role in the season set before me, and it feels like i've known this person since forever.. i'm saddened by the many friendships i've had that never really continued to grow, but i take comfort in the fact that God knows what kind of friends i need. friends that could 'kick my butt' when needed..

the bottom line is, i'm grateful for the few friends that have strived to be constantly there for me, i can count them with half a hand but still - i count them. i've found that there are friends who stay in your hearts through life, and leave more than footprints..

they stay and build sandcastles ..

thanks to you. you know who you guys are.

life is something kinda beautiful these days, Holy Ghost night was awesome tonight. i love the IBT crew, the little boys who ive seen grow to young men - i'm so proud to be called your 'kuya' and your cell group leader, the 'destiny shapers' specially the guy leaders - i stand tall in ministry because i stand beside men after God's heart.

oh Y.D .. *sigh* the possibilities.

.. what dreams may come.