Hello Goodbye

Sonia, Hermann, Daniel, Me (photo by Sung Ho Lee)

Hello

Thanks for everyone's prayers concerning this past Sunday's Gospel presentation. Several people in both the morning and afternoon congregations surrendered their lives to Christ for the first time and others made re-commitments. Praise God for His grace that saves and the party He throws in heaven when people turn to Him. And I also know that the prayers that were lifted up for that day will also be honored by God in eternity, so again thanks so much for them.

Goodbye

One sad part was it was Daniel's last day serving as the piano/organist of Wesley Church. He's been there for several years and the congregation is going to miss him big time. He has an anointing in his music ministry that set my heart to worship each time he touched the piano. But Lord willing our paths will cross again in the future and we'll be able to partner together to build His Kingdom. It was a joy to be able to pray for him corporately as a final gift for the blessing he's been to us.

Podcasts Updated

As always, you can listen to the message in the podcast player on the right or download it through iTunes here. And you can download the sermon outline here. Daniel and I recorded a bunch of new memory verses for the podcast, but I just discovered that the mic on the piano wasn't working! That stinks. Do we'll have to wait till the next time he visits Sydney to do some more recordings. Sorry about that! :P

Currently Listening Adios: Greatest Hits By Audio Adrenaline Goodbye

A Commentary on Commentaries

Finding a Commentary

Several people the past few days have asked me about finding good commentaries. So instead of making a long list, I've been recommending these two books which give a great summary and review of various commentaries for both the New and Old Testament.

For the New Testament

For the New Testament, D.A. Carson has recently revised his excellent New Testament Commentary Survey. This will give you some of the top evangelical commentaries to choose from for each book of the New Testament. A helpful tool for teachers, pastors and leaders. For my Australian friends, you can find the Koorong link here. Koorong is having a 15% off sale this weekend so it might be a good time to buy it. And for my US/Canada buddies, I've provided a link from Christianbook.com here.

For the Old Testament

Tremper Longman III has done the survey of commentaries for the Old Testament in this series with Carson. The Koorong link is here and the Christianbook.com link is here. It's a helpful book for those who want to find the best resource for in depth studies on individual books of the Bible.

Please Pray for Me

And please pray for me concerning this weekend's sermon. I feel led to share my testimony and preach purely on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After getting a chance to talk to more people at Wesley, I feel it's time to share the foundation of our faith this weekend.

Pray that those who don't know Christ yet will experience and understand the eternal life-changing message of the Cross. And pray that God would anoint me and use me to proclaim His message clearly and with conviction. Thank you always for each prayer that is lifted up. God will remember and reward you for them =)

Currently Listening Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994 By Sting Fields of Gold

Hearing, Seeing, Touching

Sermon Update

I just uploaded yesterday's sermon "The Delights of Money" on my podcast. We concluded our 2 part series on money and I've been enjoying the feedback from both congregations about this series. I think for some it's been awhile since they heard preaching on money, since it can be a sensitive topic for some. As always, you can listen to the message in the podcast player on the right or download it through iTunes here. And you can download the sermon outline here.

Touching Videos

Hyun got me into Britain's Got Talent recently through YouTube and we were really touched by a couple of the contestants on the show. If you haven't seen it, check out this video of a 6-year old named Connie who is just precious to listen to. And the other person who was a surprise in many ways, but worth the watch was Paul Potts. Check out his first video here and his second one here. I was never into opera, but I definitely don't mind listening to him.

Honoring Ruth Graham

And finally, I'll have to mention a simple tribute honoring the late Ruth Graham who was an inspiration to my life, and who was the great woman behind the great man of Billy Graham. The picture of someone entering heaven and receiving a warm reception by our Savior and the saints was never easier to imagine. My prayers go out to Billy Graham and his family, but you know that with her departure, Billy's longing for his homecoming is only stronger. Thank God for the life and ministry of Ruth Graham.

Currently Listening Rattle and Hum By U2 All I Want is You

A Day of Podcasts

Regular Update

Today was a day of catching up on a couple of podcasts that I kind of neglected for awhile. Well first off, we started a new series today entitled "The Power of Money", looking at the dangers of loving money. All of Wesley Mission is beginning a month of financial stewardship so we were asked to keep to this theme in our Sunday messages. You can listen to the message in the podcast player on the right or download it through iTunes here.

Also, for those who would like to download the sermon outline for this message, you can download the outline here.

New Updates

But my "song" podcast and the weekly memory verse podcasts were a bit lonely throughout my sabbatical so I finally wanted to update those today. Between the morning and afternoon services, I partnered with my beloved new piano player Daniel Athysayaraj (who sadly will be moving to Canberra next month) and we tried out some of my old songs I wrote back in my university days. My deepest apologies for my voice; it's been over a year since I tried singing properly.

Back to the Verses

But more than that podcast, I'd like you to listen to my weekly memory verse podcast, this time with Daniel's anointed piano playing as the background music (instead of my basic guitar plucking!). His music has really ministered to my heart in the weeks we've been together. I'm sad to see him go, but I know God will provide for all of our needs in His time.



I included the direct player for each podcast above, but if you'd like to download them through iTunes, here are the links:

The Podcast with Songs, click here.

The Weekly Memory Verse Podcast, click here.

Thanks for all your prayers and encouraging messages, emails and visits. They've been a source of strength and joy throughout my new journey in the city. Enjoy the new podcasts and I "hope" to be able to have more of these "offerings to God" on a regular basis in the coming months. God bless and have a great week!

Currently Reading The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 15-31 (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) By Bruce K. Waltke see related

A Legacy for Eternity

Podcast Update

We finished up our 4-part series on Ruth this past Sunday, looking at the impact that a life of "hesed" has, even beyond our lifetimes. I was blessed by God over and over again during the preparation and study of these passages. The sermon has been uploaded on my podcast, and you can listen to it through the player on the right or download it through iTunes here.

Slowly Adjusting

It's been 4 weeks so far at Wesley (where I'm currently the interim pastor until the end of the year), and I'm slowing getting a better "feel" of the congregation and my role within it. It's been a cool experience meeting people from so many different backgrounds within our congregation. We have people from Fiji, China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Solomon Islands, various parts of Europe, people who have been in Australia for several generations, people who come literally straight off the street and of course Korea. There's also a praise leader who looks like he's from Vietnam ... but claims to be Korean ;P I don't know about that one ...

Seeking Prayer

If you could please pray for wisdom as one of the biggest tasks for me is to help organize their ministries and bring clarity in their structure, their mission and their ministries. Though I enjoy organizing things, there's A LOT to sift through and develop along the way. And most importantly, please pray for a greater anointing of God in my life that I might honor Him and help others treasure Him ... and that His presence might rest heavily upon me, especially as I preach His Word. Thanks for your prayers! As always ... your prayer support is my life support.

Currently Listening The Joshua Tree By U2 Where the Streets Have No Name

Baby Got Book

God Tube (www.GodTube.com) ... YouTube with a Christian twist. The video above is currently their most viewed. It's pretty entertaining and creative. Enjoy.

Currently Listening Wide Awake in America By U2 A Sort of Homecoming