Since I setup the old classic Celesion SL6si speakers with another good classic Pioneer A-400 amp, listening has been quite different. Transparency is the characteristic of stereos that access the emotional essence of singers regardless of whether words exist or not. Ironically, my eyes are not quite as transparent as my ears could to sound of the system last night. Eyes been blurring again like it was a few months ago. Tried to get rid of it by resting them. Got to bed early last night but as usual nowadays woke up at 3+ in the morning.

Put on Handel's Messiah (Highlights) sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Eugene Ormandy. You have to love the lush string sound of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Not quite the same as the under Christoph Escenbach heard at the Esplanade a year ago. Under Ormandy they are much better.

Reading about Solomon's splendor in second Chronicles (Chapter 9). He has such fascination of gold. The passage talks extensively about all that Solomon had, gold & silver, wisdom, horse & chariots and all the stuff of earth. Both in quality and quantity. Solomon sure has extravagance of life. I was taken back when i turn the next page of my bible and the passage right after that reads "Solomon's Death". And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as King.

And I realise that the CD player was accidently set to repeat at track 11 of the Messiah Highlights CD. In Track 13, the chorus goes "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned ev'ry one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6) "

It played at least 5 to 6 times and I got the point. I went back to sleep after some Babra Streisand…. Err ok, ok, I’m a big big fan and I’m not quite as young as I look.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity - 1 Timothy 4:12

Preparing a lesson on how to be a leader... here's the summary

1) Decide To Lead

2) Commit To Learn

3) Trust To Love

and finally

4) Dare To Laugh ... and here's your ticket...

I found this japanese playing great song by Pachelbel on a stratocaster. Blending of the old with new which is pretty fascinating because I'm a big fan of Canon in D and I'm pretty contemporary I would like to think. Johann Pachelbel is of course the great composer who lived in the late 17th century. The bloke who wrote Canon in D which is pretty old stuff. The ancient stuff are usually outdated in this generation but this one has the appeal of people today. It was infact used as our wedding walk-in song. It is also May Ann's all time favourite classical pieces (She loves the London Symphony Orchestra's CD which her old dad gave her). With this video, I actually wonder what does the blend of the age-old traditional church and today's contemporary youth sound or look like. A few days back I sold my old Sansui amplifer from the 1970s as its old and taking up space. Did the amp still work ? Well yes! How does it sound ? Great, infact it had a warm vintage sound that you can't buy in the stores anymore. Although I do just a little, i don't regret it because its only a piece of equipment. There are many more 'vintage' stuff which i do cherish today because I found real contemporary significance of. And those I am assured not to sell. Not even for a million bucks.

It's done and its messy. The damage is done.... took me a 2 days to recover. It's well worth it. Thank God pastor Jeff blogged the event for us. See his X2024 entry on HopeKids Went Zoo Hunting

We believe the door to the church for children should be a big one. The event was a amazing time for us to connect with kids. It was a total blast with some intentional kids programming helped by a gorilla suit. This is done so that spiritual values can be planted into children to build a new spiritual generation.

I thank God for an excellent team of people from staff right up to volunteers and helpers to make Zoo Hunt a roaring success. It's not about an event but its about a God centred community being build to lead kids to Christ, connect them to church and disciple them to be fully devoted to God. It's a real mess that has been created. Hope it will be the start of something that will turn the world upside down (or rather rightside up again). A beautiful mess I should say. In my spirit, I look forward to more intentional ministry towards kids in our church. It may be messy and some of the wackiest things we can dream about doing but its important and that will keep us going!