As most of you would know I have removed my braces which I have been wearing since 2005. Yups its been nearly 6 years now. Since I did my braces at the Government Hospital, machine breakdown or something along that line is expected. So when I went to remove my braces I was told that I will have to come back to get the composite (those stuff which they use to keep your braces in places) out as the machine is spoiled. I told them I will just do it outside. (Its at time like this that I will say Thank God for the bank! Dental treatment these days are so expensive)

So after weeks of trying to get to the dentist (firstly no time, second the raya breaks where most dental clinics are closed), I finally managed to see the dentist today. I had my first filling done as well. Never had one before so didn't know what to expect.

After nearly 2 hours with my mouth open, (felt like I was a specimen with all the tools in my mouth) I was glad it was over. Waiting outside is nearly 2 hours. Treatment 2 hours. There goes my day! Never knew going to a dentist can be such a long affair. At least I have clean teeth!

Thanks to my sister a video that sums it all up. Its been months now. I have been asking myself this core question am I / are we praising the Lord or just going with the motion because its now a familiar place / ground. Ever since I was born say some or even better in my mother's womb I hear the same music.

One thing I have learned is that familiarity can really be scarry, creepy and bad. It shapes a culture and because its too ingrained in us, we are unaware of the things we do that we do it because that's part of the system. No questions asks! We stop thinking! Robots if I may say. Obligations perhaps?

Back to the topic. So it is with church. When I first came to the Lord I knew the difference between having a relationship with the Lord and not having one. The contrast was evident. I only started going to church regularly when I was in Standard 6 and going to church then and going to church now well its different once again. (You will notice the difference when you move from one church to another as well because its different). Its not a motion because you do not know what the motion is. You don't know the ropes around so your eyes are open. Your ears up and your senses scans the environment and everything around.

Now 10 years and I know the truth that being too comfortable is a red flag we need to be aware. I know how many times I stand in the pews at church just waiting for the service to be over and thinking of what is there on the menu. Jesus, the one who quenches my hunger I declare. Then service comes and take its place. I get so busy with church service and well no one can question right? I am serving the LORD MOST HIGH. What can be more noble than that? Mary sitting at Jesus feet. (Luke 10:38-42).

I chase after the gifts in the hands of the giver and not the giver. I thought that perhaps seeing the miracles, the manifestation of His glory, having the warm revelation that He is king is the answer. Or perhaps if I am bless with academic success, wonderful career I am more blessed than others. Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up treasures on earth... for where your treasure is there also will your heart be. Nothing wrong with all these but slowly and surely we will shift our focus on boxing the God of all into ideas we think He is working and should be doing. In other words we push Him of the throne and say I am boss.

We flock the churches on Sunday mornings, cell groups, meetings. All good stuff but then again has it become an excuse. Too busy. I am just too busy. Too busy for anything else. Too busy to visit a colleague who just gave birth. Too busy to comfort a friend in grief. Too busy.

Face it although we always cry for change many a times we actually dislike change. We are resistant to change. Especially if it came from someone else. Doing the same wrong thing over and over again does not make it a right.

The songs of the video cannot hit the chord as spot on as it did. I (Myself first. Stand guilty) / We REALLY NEED to take a step back re-think our actions and our words.

God can only be glorified and lifted up and I am made to worship HIM. My prayer is that I will dig deep and do a self check. See high to see pass HIS Hands to see the face of HIM and not just stop at HIS hands. Through all times (good and bad) to say He is my Lord and to live like I really mean it and only God can judge.

Well, hope you are encouraged (looking for partners to journey along this race and hear the masters voice at the end of it all) and I would like to end with this song because we need it to have our senses always on alert and ready to be used by the porter.

4 September 2011 : - ICC my now spiritual family in Serdang 1st Anniversary.

My companions at the anniversary. Bright, roving Z Generation leaders.