A Psalm unto the Lord

Oh Lord, You've searched me
Even in my mother's womb, You've called me
Before the world began, You formed me
You know my every thought and deed
You brought me life and gave me new life
From the depths of my sorrow You gave me comfort
From the tears in my eyes You gave me joy
Knowing You has been the greatest joy
You have not forsaken me
Even when I turned my back against You
Even then You called me by name
You called me Your own
Before I could call out to You
You have hidden me under Your wings
When the storms came to claim me
Oh Lord, will you hear my cry
Will You answer my plea
Even now when I am forsaken by those around me
My hands have failed me
My legs they snare me
In You oh Lord I put my trust
Yours ways are higher than my ways
Your thoughts higher than mine
Lead me Lord in Your way everlasting
Guide me in Your truth all the days of my life
Show me the path of righteousness
That I may not be apart from You for all eternity
In You oh Lord I put my trust
In Your Word oh Lord I bury my heart

Play the music

A couple of months ago Daniel asked Leroy and I if we wanted to play in Hard Rock Hotel and I thought sure why not. So I went and bought myself a Cajon for the sakes of percussion but the gig was pushed forward and postponed a few times here and there due to the dates and our availablity. Bringing it back a little further Rachel and Kah Wei had planned for a wedding earlier on and asked if Leroy could play. At least that much i know and so since we were forming a 3 piece already Leroy asked if we could play and Dan also being part of the wedding we agreed and somewhere along the way Joyce was also added into the equation to present a few songs. So we got together and practiced a couple of times and that was it.

The best part was we weren't all that nervous for the peformance although it was a small reception before the huge one in Nov. There were still quite a number for our audience.. come to think of it, it would be about the number of people we would have to entertain when we play in Hard Rock. I think it would be good when we finally debut in Hard Rock. Can't wait for the day we actually play there. Rachel and Kah Wei's wedding on the other hand was fun! Although I must say that it really feels awkward sitting down during the events. having been shooting weddings for the past year and a half and always having to move around to get your shot at a wedding especially during the cake cutting, champagne pouring etc.. to finally being a guest to just sit down felt a little uncomfortable. My legs really felt like i had to walk to the side of the stage to get a side shot of the couple cutting the cake. Through that I was pretty restless but apart from that there was a relieve for not having to stand through a wedding the whole time.

The long Un-post

The last time i wrote anything was ages ago so long that i can't even remember when. I've never really had the time to pen my thoughts for a long time and tonight or rather this morning I somehow found the urge to check on my long abandoned blog and maybe write a little something :)

I must say what a journey it has been for me the past year or so. Painful and challenging yet in someways edifying although that would be the part I notice less as the pain and challenges tend to overshadow the good of things in life. It has been a hard year or learning about life, the hits and bruises, the fun and excitement, and of course the unwitting wisdom of life that we only learn by experiencing the faces that people give us.

This journey was a necessity as it has thought me to understand the way this world works. How should i carry myself as a professional and as a human. What it's like to work in an environment that requires me to being unattached emotionally yet at the same time displaying an attitude of enthusiasm in the face of demanding circumstances. It has also thought me the extend of what I should or should not say which is definitely a big part of surviving life. Being a person who has always been quick to open up it has been a key lesson for me to sometimes know how to shut up.

I've yet miles to cover before I could say that I've achieved something but this is definitely a milestone to discover that the jewels in life come with a price that we can take away only if we understand how to live. The world isn't a friendly place, it isn't where you belong but you're stuck here until death beckons you until then in order to survive do your best and learn to beat the rest. It's war out there.

Lovesick

Have you been lovesick? I know I have but none of those physical love compares to the one you know when you're in love with Jesus. Because once you're in that place of intimacy you won't ever feel like getting out. It's just so sweet, so renewing, so refreshing that you won't be able to imagine life without it. That is the extend of being in His love and knowing it.
To behold the beauty of His presence in your everyday life is the reward of seeking. Those who seek Him shall find Him. Those who find Him find rest. Just this morning on the way to work, I had an intimate time with the Lord. All the way to work. And that's just how amazing and how close He is to us. If only we want Him just like He wants us.

Been a long time (Finding His Love)

It has been a long long time it seems since I last wrote anything reason being the business that comes with working life and being involved with the house of prayer. It's been a season of growing through pain and joy sometimes sorrow, but they're necessary for growth. It's been a time of learning to give up things and living a life that's more disciplined and focused on the task set ahead of me.
I wouldn't say it's been smooth sailing all the way but it certainly has been rewarding going through those stretching patches of life. No I've not arrived nor am I more highly than I was before or those around me. Far from that, rather I find myself more and more ugly on the inside on my own. So many things brought to light just feels disgusting to even think of or imagine yet they are real and in every way meant to tear me down. I would say that I realize that I am weak and unable to rid myself from temptations and sin but by grace I've been saved by the blood of Jesus that has paid for all my sins and has enabled me to live a life that is righteous before His eyes.
I know He doesn't count the times I fall but He looks at the times I get up again and rise up from the pits into my identity in His Son. I know that the love of Jesus compels me to live worthy of the calling He has upon my life. Honestly I haven't been spending time in the secret place since I started working but i know that in my everyday walk I need to be in communion with Him and need His grace to get by each day because not a day that goes by without the enemy trying to steal away this heart of mine from the love and grace of walking in obedience and I do admit that sometimes if not too many I fall. Yet I am constantly reminded of His love that cares not of the sins I commit but looks at the gold that is in me. He calls me for who I am not who I'm supposed to be. He looks at me and calls me His own daily assuring me of His love. I can only fail and bring Him sorrow but from the help of the Holy Spirit I bring Him joy when by His strength I pass the test and by His love and grace I rise up again each time I fall. That is the extend of His love that I find myself so lost in.

El Passion

So finally after so long I'm able or rather willing to blog :P Nah actually it's more like I finally have something to blog about.
As most of you would have already known, I finally got a job praise God for his faithfulness. It's the second month of work now and I'm thoroughly blessed. I've been waiting for an opportunity like this for years and finally the breakthrough. I guess it's really God's timing for everything. If you don't know, here's a little light on what I'm doing. I'm attached to Wedding Story, a company that does wedding films from a diff angle. Telling a story of each couples unique experiences through their wedding day employing cinematic styles diverging from the usual coverage shooting. Which helps me to learn to tell a story from what I shoot :) exciting right? absolutely.
I've had my first wedding shoot in the nation's capital about two weeks ago and by golly was it a big one. Thanks to my kind and humble "sifu" boss i was given the opportunity to learn from a few other experiences before thrown into a huge wedding. Certainly was a different experience shooting a wedding compared to a static event or static point shot in live coverages. What a privilege and better still to shoot with the new Canon 7D which is my dream camera. still vying to get one for my own one day but seems like the 60D will be coming out soon so.. who knows what it will be.

Now back to my main point :P. Like i mentioned earlier I had the opportunity to learn a few before the wedding. And yes what a great lesson it was. Now it's my job to edit that piece and I found the pain of doing it XD haha not complaining but rather learning the importance of knowing what to shoot and what not to shoot and many other stuff that comes along the way. It's so hard to edit a video with clips that simply look directionless. I begin to realize that i should bear in mind what I'm painting when i'm shooting. As much as I realize that now I'm finding it hard to fix a piece of puzzle that i got too excited about and poured the pieces out before look at it first. I wish i'd known earlier.. but oh well all said and done.. I shall enter the work with a fresh perspective.

Humbled by grace

I've seen the greatness of Your love
the depths of Your thoughts for me
How I'm brought lowly before all that You've given me
How You've sustained me through times I've felt lonely
Your love carries me

Your grace has set me free
From the chains that hold me
Your life the price You've paid so i'll be free
You've made whole the void that was in me
You have embraced me

Many times I've thought i could
On my own but those have failed
Yet you still hold me and embrace me
There you gently carry me and remind me
You still love me

I can't behold it
The love You've shown me
I only stand amazed
and humbled by Your grace