Good Friday Took On A New Meaning: Ms Elaine Sung

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Reflections of Good Friday:

Good Friday took on a new meaning 13 years ago when I became a Christian.  The Cross became a symbol of God’s grace poured out for me, a symbol of His love.   At the Cross, Jesus Christ paid it all…cliché…but so true.  The Cross is also a surety that God’s promises will be fulfilled. Our God and King is victorious and our help in ages past, we need not fear. I had the privilege of sharing God’s Word with friends this week and the Holy Spirit brought to mind that The Cross also meant Rejection, Repentance, and Restoration. Jesus Christ was rejected by those He came to save, blinded by self-preservation, they subjected Him to the cross. Today, He is also rejected by many. Before I cast a stone at others, I look within. I reject Him when I choose my way instead of His Way. I lament and complain when He doesn’t answer prayers according to how I want them answered. I yield to pressures of the world instead of listening to the still soft voice.  I refuse to take up His cross despite knowing it will grow my faith. I put my confidence in the seen rather than the unseen.  One would think after 13 years, I would fare better! 

A favourite Hymn, “How Deep The Father's Love for Us”

(Stuart Townend) sums it well:

How deep the Father’s love for us,

How vast beyond all measure that Make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss.

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory. Behold the Man upon a cross,   

My sin upon His shoulders.

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished;

His dying breath has brought me life.

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything:

No gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ;

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart;

His wounds have paid my ransom.    

So, I go to my Abba Father with a contrite heart, convicted of my wrongdoing, but ever thankful that when I repent and walk humbly before Him, I am restored to have fellowship with Him.  Our relationship is never severed, but fellowship is amiss when I choose to harden my heart.  Grateful to our loving Father who pursues me relentlessly and graciously heals my broken heart even as I have broken His time and time again!  Oh! How I am thankful for His amazing grace!  Thankful for the new life I can have in Him. Thankful that His mercies are new every morning. Thankful for the hope I have in Him.  What a great God!

Easter will come and go, I remind myself to live conscious of the Cross in and out of season and make each day count for His Kingdom, because, truly Jesus Christ, my LORD, and Saviour are worthy of it all!

Blessed Easter!

Written by Ms. Elaine Sung. Many thanks Elaine. Despite your busy schedule, you managed. God Bless. https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/03/good-friday-if-that-isnt-love-elvis.html

Faith, Hope, Love: Good Friday In Easter Week

SONGS I LOVE:

Religious Pop Song

Many religious songs today have a pop beat and it was no different in the 1950s. As a teenager I learnt The Bible Tells Me So very quickly since it was on the air a lot with its cheerful jazz rhythm.  It  still remains in me today and the lyrics clear in my mind. I am uncertain if it was written by Dale Evans (wife of cowboy star Roy Rogers) but she, Nick Noble and Don Cornell made it a big hit. 

Although songs from the 50s like Irene Goodnight, A Dear John Letter and Tom Dooley have different themes they each have a simple and easily remembered refrain.  So it is with The Bible Tells Me So, accompanied by a big band and a repeated verse that is not easily forgotten.

Lyrics

Have faith, hope, and charity.
That's the way to live successfully.
How do I know?
The Bible tells me so.

Do good to your enemies,
And the blessed Lord you'll surely please.
How do I know?
The Bible tells me so.

Don't worry 'bout tomorrow.
Just be real good today.
The Lord is right beside you.
He'll guide you all the way.

*Nick Noble passed away on 24th March, 2012 aged 85.

 Alfred Ho from Penang, Malaysia (Video by: AlfredHo111)

"Veteran singer Nick Noble had a massive hit with this song when I was just growing up in the 50's," says Alfred Ho. This Malaysian is the consummate entertainer with over three decades of performing experience at numerous stage shows, shopping complexes, private functions and nightspots across the country. Although visually handicapped Alfred is certainly one of the best entertainers from way up North.

                                              

2 Elvis Presley's Bible

Elvis' Bible

A Bible that was once Elvis Presley's sold for US$94,000 in September, 2012. The Book, given to the King on his first Christmas in Graceland in 1957, was expected to fetch around US$40,000 but went for more than double its value. It was used by Presley throughout his life and contains his handwritten notes, thoughts and annotations (image above).

Lost and Found

I found this large, old Holy Bible near Siglap some months ago (actual image above). It was sitting on a PUB electric circuit box at a side road and I have kept it since.  It is a King James version with the words Super Giant Print and Holman Bible Publishers (Copyright 1996) on its side.

If you have lost a Bible that is 10 inches long and 7 inches wide with very big prints do write to me and I shall return it to you.

A Blessed Good Friday and Happy Easter everyone!

Image 1, 2: Google.

Image 3: Andy Lim Collection.

Malaysian Alfred Ho: It's His Vocals Not His Visual

ALFRED HO is the consummate entertainer with over three decades of performing experience at numerous stageshows, private functions and nightspots across the country. Although blind he has endeared himself to audiences for his interpretations of evergreen numbers from legendary crooners Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, and various country and western performers.

Alfred's mellow but powerful voice is irresistible to those who long for the days when songs had words you could actually hear and appreciate - a time when melodies were not obscured and drowned by crashing guitars, pounding beatboxes and techno rhythms.

This Perak-born (from Penang) performer continues to surprise audiences wherever he goes with everything from soothing ballads to rock and roll and even throws in some Spanish, Malay, Cantonese, Japanese and Hokkien numbers to prove his diversity.

Listening to the talented Alfred is a walk down memory lane, reviving gems from past that you may not have even heard on the radio of late. Alfred has such a wide repertoire that he has been known to play for four straight hours, with still some songs to spare.

Struck blind after a bout of measles at the age of three, Alfred showed a love for music from an early age. At Penang's St Nicholas School for the Blind, he taught himself to play the guitar and formed a four-piece schoolboy band called The Sharks. He later honed his craft doing the pub circuit as a solo guitarist and developed an uncanny sense of being able to 'read' his audience from the stage.

His first brush with fame came as a semi-finalist in RTM's Bakat TV, the popular talent show of the 70s. Alfred also did a few shows called Take Five with a commercial broadcasting station in that period and even cut two EP vinyl records of his own compositions.

Two songs, Train To Tennessee and Wendy's Love Song (above vinyl) were particularly popular and he recorded several cassettes back then that were played on local airwaves.

In 1984, having garnered a following and dubbed Malaysia's Jose Feliciano, Alfred finally quit his steady job as a telephone operator and went into music full time. A decade of performances later, during which no record label was willing to sign him on, Alfred self-produced an album of 22 covers of his favourite hits called "Special Gems".

Today, his loyal fanbase, from ambassadors to royalty, from vinyl connoisseurs to lovers of classic dancing, still speak of Alfred with fondness and continue to enjoy his special brand of music.

(From Website: National Council For The Blind, Malaysia/Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Orang Buta Malaysia).

Images: From You Tube and Andy Lim Collection.

Check his videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q9gkJ41mhY