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Coach Joscelin

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Text by Jenny Faith

The Blind Side is based on the true rag-to-riches story of football player Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) and the woman whose love and compassion helped to transform his life. Michael was a homeless African-American teenager who suffered through a traumatic childhood of neglect and violence, whose life takes a remarkable turn after he meets Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), a white, Christian lady.  The two first encounter each other after Leigh Anne spots him on the street, clad only in his shorts and t-shirt, in the freezing winter cold; Leigh Anne invites Michael to spend the night on her couch, the first of many, and he eventually becomes a part of the family.

Michael, with no friends and so poor a student that his teachers gave up on him, had somehow tugged Leigh Anne’s heartstrings when she saw him that night. It was her compassion, and I believe favour, that led Leigh Anne to find out more about Michael and help him. Despite the vast difference in their backgrounds, Leigh Anne got to know him better and she realised that Michael had eventually taken a place in her heart as a son. Knowing that the film is based on a true story and seeing how Leigh Anne and her family were so ready to embrace Michael as a new addition to the Tuohy family – as a son and a brother – is extremely moving.

Michael faced a variety of challenges in this new environment, but with his new family’s constant support, he managed to overcome his giants. There were times when Michael made huge mistakes, doubted Leigh Anne’s love for him and even ran away.  However, Leigh Anne continued to see and believe only the best in him, while never ceasing to encourage and love him. Leigh Anne’s love for Michael reminds me of God’s love: even when we make the worst kinds of mistake, He is never angry, but instead picks us up again and again, comforting and encouraging us always. If we ever run away, we can be assured that He will find us and woo us back with His unfailing love. We may fail, but God’s love never will.

It was this love that Leigh Anne and her family had for Michael that freed him to excel his studies and discover his gift in playing American football, in which he was eventually drafted to play in the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional American football.

Favour that Michael had found in Leigh Anne’s eyes completely changed his life. What more if we have God’s favour? God’s favour can transform our lives beyond our dreams and expectations! This favour we now have did not come cheap. It cost God His only begotten son to die for us on the cross over two thousand years ago, taking our sins and judgement, so that today we can stand before God and His beloved and most favoured sons and daughters.

Leigh Anne not only gave Michael a roof over his head, but she also gave him love, family, restoration, hope and a bright, shining future. If a mother, even a surrogate one, can give so much to her son, how much more will our heavenly Father give us? What blessings can God withhold from us when He has already given Heaven’s best, Jesus Christ, to die for us?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

– John 3:16 (NKJV)

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Karen trying her hand at the violin with Jen, the guitarist.

Text by Grace Khaw

This is the second part of our exclusive interview with Karen Lim, our church’s music director. Read the first part here.

Karen adds that out of her own time with the Lord, anointing can flow abundantly as she has written her best songs during times of remembering Him and worshipping Him in her quiet time.

She elaborates, “Song writing is by inspiration. A lot of times, it’s through the word preached, Pastor’s rhema word, reading devotions, talking to people and hearing the struggles and testimonies of people.” The reason for her inspirational voltage is simple: “I want to write for them and encourage them.”

Certainly, the Perfect Offering is something which Karen also hopes will be an encouragement to those who listen to it. “It’s is my hope that the listeners can be encouraged and see God’s grace just as when they are listening to Pastor’s messages. May it reinforce and bring to remembrance all Pastor Prince has taught, and infiltrate the hearts of those listening.”

Just as the album title suggests, Karen divulges that compared to her previous album production experiences, this particular experience was very relaxing and stress-free for her. “Everything went very well and very smoothly, even though there were many changes during the process of production. In the past, I was stressed because I was new, and I took on the burden of doing a good job and spent many late nights.

“After so many albums, I realised that being stressed is pointless. This time, I rested and learnt to leave it to God. It was a lot more enjoyable this time round because I was restful and God took care of it. Everything fell into place in the end.”

Karen’s hope and vision for the NCC worship team is that they continue going from glory to glory. To her, “the most awesome time is when the worship leader is prepared and yet sensitive. It’s a place where the worship leader is spontaneous, hears God’s whispers, senses His direction and leads in such a way that we allow God-moments to manifest more and more.”

To do so, she acknowledges that it is important for the team to not be too mechanical, and instead have unity as part of a team that is sensitive to change and quick to go along with God’s prompting. She emphasizes that “God is the ultimate music director. We must defer to God and not become excessively professional.”

That said, Karen would like to encourage the youths who feel that music ministry is their calling to come forward. She says, “When you are young, there will be many ministries that are suitable for you. Whether the Worship Ministry is ultimately for them is a journey that they have to go through to find out. ”

“There have been people who auditioned and didn’t pass at first, but they went and worked on their craft, eventually returning with supernatural impartations and abilities. For a church like ours, there has to be a minimum standard, so don’t be discouraged if you didn’t pass an audition. God can pour down and impart.”

For those who are already serving in the Worship Ministry, she would like to spur them on to be better. “It is a privilege to serve. Youths have the advantage of room to grow and improve, so work at your skill and continue to practice your voice or your instrument. Talent is only 3%, 97% is practice. Grace is the desire to practice.”

Karen with her husband

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For the first time ever, the Zone’s publications team was given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Worship Ministry’s production for New Creation Church’s latest worship album, The Perfect Offering.

Remember the live recording we had some months back? Well, now we’ll finally get to see the Zone appear in living colour.

We can’t say too much yet, but it’s coming soon. Really soon. I wish I could tell you more but that would be ruining the surprise, wouldn’t it? Tell you what: get excited. Get ready. Get prepared to be blown away by something you haven’t seen our church do… ever.

To give you a very special sneak peek at what you can expect from The Perfect Offering, we decided to take a creative spin on some of the “stuff” you’ll get to see when the album is launched… here are a few teasers, so be sure to check back often this week to see what we have lined up for you!

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UP

To fulfil his and his late-wife’s lifelong dream, Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old man ties balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America with a 8-year-old stowaway: Russell, an overly enthusiastic Wilderness Explorer. Stories of romantic love, family, friends, loss and grief are weaved in this animated, heartfelt, comedy adventure. I was charmed by the impeccably adorable characters and tickled by their cute behaviour and actions. With wit and depth, this is one animation that stands out from the rest.

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