Peace Out ...

Well today was the day. It was my final day at Saesoon and New Life Worship. I can't even begin to explain the thoughts, feelings and emotions that have been going through my mind, heart and body these past few days ... esp. today.

I am honored that God allowed me to be a part of something so special that He's doing in Australia ... and so thankful to know so many precious people along the way. To everyone in New Life ... I love you deeply and I will miss you so much. You mean the world to me and I count it the highest honor in the world to have been able to serve as your pastor these past 4 + years. I am the one who has been blessed the most because of you.

If God allows, I would love to serve with each and every one of you again ... Lord willing. But I am especially happy to know that we will be able to spend eternity together forever ... all because of Jesus Christ.

May Christ always be your everything ... "I love you man!" =)

Currently Listening The Joshua Tree By U2 With or Without You

Catching Up ...

Random Photos from the past few weeks ...


Me and Hyun at Darling Harbour


Mike and Jane Kim =)


A bunch of jelly fish in the Harbour


The best tiramisu cake in Sydney


John Kim promoting his Coke Zero


Eddie's not that tall ...


... until you see our feet


Just because ...

And to conclude ... Eddie Bang and I went to see a U2 tribute band last night at the Bayview Tavern in Gladesville (free entry!) and they were actually pretty good! I read about them in the paper yesterday morning and decided to give them a try. The lead singer actually sounds a lot like Bono.

Their name is "Rattle and Hum" and they're going to be playing across the street the night of the U2 concert ... so if you couldn't get tickets, stop by and you can still hear U2 songs live =) If you want to check them out, you can see their schedule here.

Currently Listening Rattle and Hum By U2 In God's Country

U2 ... A Prophetic Voice?

A very cool article ... from soulshine.ca

U2: Prophetic Words for The Message Author

During the Elevation Tour, Bono recited Psalm 116 from 72 year old Eugene Peterson’s most recent work, a new version of the Bible called The Message. His praise continued for Peterson when at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast on February 2, he referred to Peterson as a “very gifted scholar and poet”.

Peterson, a retired pastor of 35 years, and Professor Emeritus at Regent College has not taken an interest in going to U2 concerts (he prefers classical), but he does think that Bono’s message to the world is prophetic and similar to how God used the prophets in the Bible to reach the world on issues that needed attention. In a recent interview with Atu2.com, Peterson says Bono is “calling people to forsake [their] lives of selfish pursuits fueled by destructive delusions.”

For more on Peterson’s conversation about Bono visit: http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=4232

Currently Listening Desire / Hallelujah Here She Comes [RARE] Desire see related

On Leadership

"Leaders never score off their own people by stealing an idea and claiming it as their own." Jack Welsh

"The best time to plant a tree is twenty-five years ago. The second best time is today" ... meaning: "Learn your craft today" John Maxwell

"Preparation breeds confidence." Dean Smith

"The success of a spiritual leader is not measured in dollars, percentages, numbers, or attendance. A person is truly a spiritual leader when others are moved to be more like Christ." Henry Blackaby

Currently Reading TrueFaced Experience Edition By Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, John Lynch

Online Education

I've been collecting different links to sites that had pretty good self-education content, and I wanted to organize it a bit for my blog. So ... I put a new set of links entitled: "Online Education" on the right hand side (after all the buddy links) if you wanted to check them out.

I only put up the links to sites that I felt had very good quality material to learn from. They're mainly sites on learning languages, learning instruments and learning the Bible. I hope people find them helpful ... and I hope it can motivate you to grow in your personal development, even if you've been out of school for awhile =) ... the wonders of the internet.

Currently Listening October By U2 Gloria

John Piper Update

For those who were praying for John Piper's cancer and surgery, there is an update on his website and it was very successful. He also wrote an amazing article on "Don't Waste Your Cancer", looking at the sovereignty of God in all situations, even in cancer. He wrote it the night before his surgery ... a great read! Follow the link and let your faith be fed ... and may Christ be exalted in our life ... and in our death.

A brief sample ...

Christians are never anywhere by divine accident. There are reasons for why we wind up where we do. Consider what Jesus said about painful, unplanned circumstances: “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness” (Luke 21:12 -13). So it is with cancer. This will be an opportunity to bear witness. Christ is infinitely worthy. Here is a golden opportunity to show that he is worth more than life. Don’t waste it. (italics mine)

Currently Listening X&Y By Coldplay Speed of Sound

Free Guitar Lessons ... Online

I came across a pretty cool website that lets you download free guitar lessons. They have about 35 lessons for free and it's actually pretty helpful if you're a beginner at guitar. Plus if you are teaching others how to play guitar, it offers a chance to see how someone else teaches it (e.g. a tough one is always trying to "explain" to someone how to strum, but he does a pretty good job at it).

The website is called iPlayMusic.com. You can also click the feed and get it as a video podcast for all you podcasters out there. I found this site through "Google Videos" while searching for some U2 concert footage ... there's actually some pretty cool close shots during last year's concerts uploaded on the site. And here's a psycho one of a girl who jumped through a basketball hoop! Crazy dude!! Enjoy!

Currently Listening Achtung Baby By U2 The Fly

A New Chapter Begins ...

Wow. It's official. I had to make one of my most difficult messages yesterday after my sermon at New Life. After much prayer and seeking God's will, I announced my resignation from Seasoon Church. It's been an amazing 4 + years, seeing so many lives changed through the power of the Gospel ... and the power of His Word.

For both New Life and for myself, the end of this month will mark a new chapter for both our lives. Please keep me in prayer as I seek clarity from God as to what my next step is to be. As God unveils the scroll of His will a little bit more with each step of faith, pray I would have the wisdom and courage to walk in His will every step of the way.

EDIT 2 (Updated):

I've received a lot of emails and calls within the last 24 hours from people who had a lot of questions in response to my "announcement" yesterday. So instead of typing the same responses in email, I've answered a few of the most common questions people had HERE. Visit THE LINK for some more clarification. And again, thank you everyone for your support!

Currently Listening Walk on Pt.1 By U2 Walk On

Superman

Ha ha ... took a "test" that someone sent me and the results? I'm 100% Superman (!) ... hee hee hee ...

You are Superman

Superman 100% Green Lantern 75% The Flash 75% Robin 70% Supergirl 65% Hulk 60% Spider-Man 55% Wonder Woman 50% Batman 45% Iron Man 45% Catwoman 5%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

Currently Listening Smallville By Various Artists Save Me

The Greatest Rock Band in the World

How cool is that?!?!!? U2 was 5 for 5 at the Grammy Awards last night. They won:

* Album of the Year: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

* Rock Album of the Year: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

* Best Rock Song: In the City of Blinding Lights

* Song of the Year: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

* Best Rock Performance by Duo or Group: U2












Last year they won the song of the year for "Vertigo" from the same album. As some music writers have said concerning U2, "this only proves they are the greatest rock band in the world." And I whole-heartedly agree! =)

Currently Listening How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb By U2 Album of the Year

My Famous and Smart Wife =)

Hyun's research (and co-workers) made the news today! It was on all the major channels in Sydney (Seven, Nine, and Ten). One of her supervisors asked her to be on TV but she was too shy (!) ... so instead, they showed pictures of her reseach =) Isn't that so cool?? I'm so proud of her! =) Her research (which will soon be published) will help people who suffer with arthritis and other diseases in the future! Super cool! =)

In case you missed the news on TV, you can see an article on the breakthrough research from the Sydney Morning Herald (FYI, in the article below, Charles Mackay is her supervisor)

Inflammatory diseases drug developed

February 8, 2006 - 5:22PM

Australian scientists say they have developed a drug that may help prevent and reverse debilitating inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The new drug, developed by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, also could help sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS), asthma, sepsis, heart attack and psoriasis as well as transplant patients.

Millions of people around the globe are affected by diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, a severe form of arthritis.

The new drug, which has been trialled on mice with success, could ease pain and improve wellbeing for sufferers, the head of Garvan's Arthritis and Inflammation program, Charles Mackay, said.

Scientists have identified the mechanism by which a white blood cell enters a tissue, releasing toxic substances and causing damage in the joints.

The drug, once injected, works within hours to completely return a diseased tissue back to a normal tissue.

"The drug developed is highly effective at inhibiting disease in animals," Professor Mackay said.

"It not only completely prevents disease, but in animals that already have disease it completely reverses the disease process.

"The turnaround ... is quite remarkable."

But he stopped short of describing the breakthrough as a cure.

"Cure's a very strong word," Prof Mackay said.

"The disease does come back, as in many chronic inflammatory diseases."

Executive Director of the Garvan Institute John Shine described the development as a "major milestone".

"It's another great example of the excellence of Australian medical research across the board ... ," Professor Shine said.

The next step now is a clinical human trial.

This is likely to be 18 months away and could take five to 10 years.

© 2006 AAP

Currently Listening War By U2 Sunday Bloody Sunday

Tribute to Troy Aikman

I am so excited to post a tribute to my all-time favorite football player Troy Aikman for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame! In his first year on the ballot, he made it through along with Warren Moon, Reggie White and John Madden. Here are some quotes by former teammates and coaches on his induction: Quotes.

I loved watching Aikman play, even from his rookie year when the Cowboys were extremely bad ... and a couple of years later (even during their 1-15 season), I knew the Aikman, Irvin, and Smith combo was going to win some major games. If they would have kept Jimmy Johnson as their head coach, I know they would have won even more Super Bowls together. Johnson knew how to get a team ready for a game, esp. after a loss. But I'm happy for the 3 Super Bowl rings they do have during the 1990's.

And congrats to the Steelers for winning the Super Bowl this year. I'm happy for their coach Bill Cowher (after 14 years, finally won the Big Game), Bettis (who ended his career in style) and the Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward ... who by the way, is half-Korean! Isn't that cool? So a Korean actually won the MVP in a Super Bowl. Cool!

Bono in Washington

It's not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It's not an accident. That's a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. [You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.] 'As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.' (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor.

This is not a Republican idea. It is not a Democratic idea. It is not even, with all due respect, an American idea. Nor it is unique to any one faith.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.' (Luke 6:30) Jesus says that.

'Righteousness is this: that one should… give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for the emancipation of the captives.' The Koran says that. (2.177)

Thus sayeth the Lord: 'Bring the homeless poor into the house, when you see the naked, cover him, then your light will break out like the dawn and your recovery will speedily spring fourth, then your Lord will be your rear guard.' The jewish scripture says that. Isaiah 58 again.

That is a powerful incentive: 'The Lord will watch your back.' Sounds like a good deal to me, right now.

A number of years ago, I met a wise man* who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord's blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it… I have a family, please look after them… I have this crazy idea…

And this wise man said: stop.

He said, stop asking God to bless what you're doing.

Get involved in what God is doing—because it's already blessed.

Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing.

And that is what He's calling us to do. [quotes by Bono] * the "wise man" he was referring to is Eugene Peterson, author of the Message Bible, former professor of spiritually at Regent College =)

The above quotes was taken from Bono (lead singer of the greatest rock group in the world U2) during this talk at the US Prayer Breakfast. He was invited by President Bush to come and share at this annual event.

You can read the entire message here. He concluded with a pretty cool challenge for all the nations of the world and all governments (and even us) to give 1% of our income to help fight AIDS and the help the poor around the world.

And in case you haven't heard, Time Magazine named Bono along with Bill Gates and his wfie as their Persons of the Year ... each of them for their efforts to help the poor and needy around the world. A great way to use your money, fame and influence.

And U2 will be performing at this year's Grammy Awards (on Wednesday in the US). They're up for 5 nominations at this year's ceremony: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Album, Best Performance by a Group ... nice! =)

Belated Congrats ...

Due to mission trips and all the events and holidays going on these past couple of months, I didn't get to properly congratulate some very special people in our ministry, so ....

Congrats to Chris and Moon Sun Miles!


Thanks Chris for all the service you offered to God through our ministries and we at New Life are so happy for you! May your marriage be filled with joy and a growing love for God and a love for each other as the years go by! And Moon Sun, I look forward to getting to know you better too ... you are both blessed to have each other. =)

Congrats to Mike and Jane Kim!


First off, welcome back from your several month trip to Morocco! I'm so happy to have the two of you back =) And congrats on making it back safely ... God is faithful =)

AND ... congrats on your engagement! Obviously Mike is getting the better of the deal, but it just goes to show how gracious and kind Jane is =) (j/k Mike, you're a good catch too ... hee hee!) And without a doubt I'm always so happy whenever I see you guys ... to see how much God has transformed your lives the past few years is nothing short of a miracle ... and something only God can take credit for!

And it also warms my heart to see how not only your faith grew with the passing months, but your passion as well - your passion for missions and above all, your passion for God.

Oh and one more thing ...

It looks like these kinds of congrats will only increase as the weeks go by for our ministry ... BUT to those who are single and searching and whose hearts ache at reading posts like this, and to all those who are dreading February 14 (Valentine's Day) approaching because you'll be "alone", I have this to share with you: Keep trusting God ... He's taking care of you! (or a another translation might be: Don't pain! Don't feel sorry for yourself!) Keep fighting in your heart to be satisfied in Christ! A heart and life that does that brings great glory to God. His timing is perfect ... so wait upon Him and let your strength be renewed.

On that note ... have a great weekend worshipping our Precious Savior and King, Lover and Lord, Healer and Redeemer ... Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Blessings to you all in abundance ... God is always good.

Wow! I Did Not Know That ...

I just got this email from Christine Kim (Sungho's wife). Thanks for that!

----------------------------------

Subject: Mobiles Security

Wonder why Telstra, Optus & Vodafone have not let this one out of the bag..

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following on your phone: star hash zero six hash as *#06#

A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. Should your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the Sim card your phone will be totally useless.

You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it, can't use/sell it either. If everybody did this, there would be no point in stealing mobile phones.

Quotes by EM Bounds on Prayer ...

I've been re-reading some books I went through while I was in college on prayer by EM Bounds and his stuff still majorly convicts me to this day ... here are a few of the "killer quotes" I that hit me over and over again the past few days.

On prayer and faith …

The faith which creates powerful praying is the faith which centers itself on a powerful Person. Faith in Christ’s ability to do and to do greatly, is the faith which prays greatly.

Patience has its perfect work in the school of delay. In some instances, delay is of the very essence of prayer. God has to do many things, antecedent to giving the final answer – things which are essential to the lasting good of him who is requesting favor at his hands.

On prayer and consecration …

Here is the true test of consecration. It is a life of prayer. Unless prayer is preeminent, unless prayer is to the front, the consecration is faulty, deceptive, falsely named. Does he pray? That is the test. A question of every so-called consecrated man. Is he a man of prayer? No consecration is worth a throught if it be devoid of prayer. Yea, more – if it be not preeminently and primarily a life of prayer.

On prayer and the preacher …

Almighty God has always been jealous of His watchmen – His preachers. His concern has been for the character of the men who minister at His altars in holy things. They must be men who lean upon Him, who look to Him, and who continually seek Him for wisdom, help, and power effectively to do the work of the ministry. And so He has designed men of prayer for the holy office, and has relied upon them successively to perform the tasks He has assigned them.

A prayerless preacher is a misnomer. He has either missed his calling, or has grievously failed God who called Him into ministry.

Praying preachers have always brought the greater glory to God, have moved the gospel onward with its greatest, speediest rate, and power.

Dude! Is this guy convicting or what?!?!? I think I'll take a break and pray now (!) =) May we be a praying generation ... a seeking generation ... for Christ and His Kingdom.

Currently Reading
The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer: Experience the Wonders of God Through Prayer
By E. M. Bounds, Edward M. Bounds

Hey BaeBae ...

This is for all the "Bae's" out there ... (EBae, DBae, GBae, JBae, SBae, BaeBae, etc.). I saw this in a garage (aka. carpark) the other day, and it was parked right next to my car so I just had to take a picture. I didn't have my camera on me at the time so I just used my phone camera option, thus the low quality. Just thought all the Bae's out there might get a kick out of it.