In His Presence ...

Monday, February 19, 2007

A Few More Updates

One reason why I'm glad I don't live in Chicago anymore.

Would you like some ice-cream with that hot dog?

A few more updates:

Satang transferred to the Harry's Cafe at Market City next to China Town if you want to stop by next time you're in the city. Watching him at work is pretty entertaining ... the fastest worker at Harry's (really!).

Also updated a couple of my podcasts for the first time in a long time: the weekly memory verses and sermons are updated for your listening pleasure.

Thirdly, a new church plant is in the works ... so to my intercessors, please continue to pray for wisdom, anointing and provision. We sense something very exciting is brewing ...

Currently Reading
The Supremacy of God in Preaching
By John Piper
see related

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Catching Up

Hyun in front of the "dolphin tour boat", even though there were no dolphins in sight (!)

Claudia and Jim Jung

Our only group shot of the weekend

I guess the fishing was pretty good here back in the day

Some more fish

Hyun and Claudia on deck (Port Macquarie)

Jim and Me awaiting our boat

Me and Hyun behind our hotel

Hyun and Claudia in front of our hotel before we head back.

Catching up a little bit at a time. Over Australia Day weekend, Pastor Jim and Claudia Jung (some friends who moved to Sydney from the US), Hyun and I went to Port Macquarie to relax and enjoy some sun. Just wanted to post some pix from that weekend.

Currently Listening
Synchronicity [Digipak]
By The Police
Every Breath You Take

Monday, February 05, 2007

Finally

Finally! I'm really happy for these two guys =)

He saw it coming but didn't run away ...
I think because he was already soaked from all the rain!

It wasn't the best Super Bowl ever played, but none the less, I was very satisfied seeing the Colts, Tony Dungy, and Peyton Manning finally win the Big One (my apologies to all the Chicago fans, but I still don't like the Bears for what they did to my Cowboys back in '85 ... but dude, all of Chicago must be calling for a new QB next year!)

What's even more cool is that both coaches are Christians who aren't ashamed to let the world know who takes priority in their lives. There's a website called "Beyond the Ultimate" that shares the faith of various players on both teams.

Anyways ... I've been busy touching base with various people who want to be a part of a new ministry this year and have been waiting to take God's lead before I finalize things. Sorry for not posting that much this year so far, but I don't want to jump the gun on anything before its time. But I'm looking forward to a much better 2007 though!

Currently Listening
Do I Stand Alone
Mike Stand
see related

Monday, January 22, 2007

The Indy O vs. The Chicago D

Wow. This year's playoff games have been just awesome. Most of them were decided by a field-goal or less with some great history being made, especially today. Peyton Manning finally wins the big one against New England and Chicago makes its first trip to the Big Dance since their Super Bowl Shuffle year of 1985. Another cool historic achievement is that it's the first time an African-American coach made it this far ... (2 of them) ... and it's cool how they're both good friends.

Since the Cowboys didn't make it this year, I'm pulling for Peyton to win it over Chicago. I grew up in Chicago, but when it comes to football, Dallas is my team. And I think Peyton deserves to win it all and get all the monkeys off his back, solidifying his Hall-of-Fame career. But without a doubt, it's going to be a great Super Bowl this year. My pick: Colts 31, Bears 24.

Currently Listening
X&Y
By Coldplay
Talk

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

More Football Highlights

Me and my cuz Pat (Cowboys vs. Bears ... how the playoffs should've been)

Hyun, Carol and Pat at the sidelines before the game

In front of Texas Stadium after the game.
In the back you can see the new statue they have of Tom Landry, the legendary coach of the Cowboys.

Patrick getting his Lions jersey signed by Roy Williams.
Pat was actually wearing a Barry Sanders jersey, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do :)

Patrick with the Lions back-up QB (I forgot his name).
It turns out he's a Christian too :)

Me and Pat with Jay Novacek (former TE of the Cowboys) at my favorite store in Dallas.
We have another photo with my eyes open and Pat's eyes closed, but I decided to post the bad one of me and good one of Pat ... out of luv for my cuz

Nal (my brother-in-law) and me at my other favorite place in Dallas.
He recently moved to Dallas to study there for a few years, so where do I take him first? Texas Stadium of course :)
And FYI, my "welcome to Dallas" gift to him was that Cowboys jersey he's wearing.
I figure every guy in Dallas should have one.

In front of Tony Romo's locker with my Tony Romo jersey.

The view from the lounge

Patrick actually met Troy Aikman (my favorite football player of all time) on the streets of Chicago last Saturday!
He was shopping at the Nike Town on Michigan Avenue. He asked to take a picture together, but Troy didn't want to create a scene. So my cousin very wisely followed him to his hotel and took a picture of him for me :) Even though it's of his back, I was happy to get it. Thanks Pat!

Currently Listening
U218 Singles [CD/DVD Combo]
By U2
New Years Day

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Piper and Language

Just got back to Sydney and am trying to give my body and time clock plenty of time to adjust. I'll update soon (hopefully) on what's been going on, but for now, I wanted to share an interesting discussion between two friends and theologians: John Piper responds to his use of what some called "inappropriate" language and Wayne Grudem's email to Piper after reading his response. I found it a worthwhile read.

And one of the saddest and most touching songs I've ever come across ...

Currently Listening
Dance With My Father
By Luther Vandross
Dance With My Father

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Happy New Year

Me, Hyun, Patrick and Carol (and Caleb) in front of Texas Stadium

I had a great New Years surrounded by family and loved ones. My cousin Patrick and his wife Carol from Chicago flew into Dallas and we were able to catch the last game of the season for the Cowboys. God provided great parking, good seats and a chance to meet a lot of the players after the game.

The past few weeks have been very full and rewarding catching up with family from all over the US. The picture above is of me and my grandmother in Arizona right after our church service. It was great to be able to see our ever expanding family in person and through Skype video during the holidays.

And here's a picture of Hyun and Stephen Bowen, the Defensive End for the Dallas Cowboys. A cool rookie who wanted to take a picture with Hyun even though we didn't even ask! I was so excited to have met so many players after the game and add a bunch of signitures to my collection. =)

It's been a packed schedule so far in the US so I haven't been able to update until now on my blog. But I will be updating soon about the direction I sense God leading me in for 2007. I'm excited and a bit nervious about the steps of faith that I feel God wanting me to take for my next season of ministry ... looking forward to sharing it with you. Once again, hope you all had a great New Years Day and may 2007 be for you, a taste of heaven.

Currently Listening
War
By U2
New Year's Day

Monday, January 01, 2007

New Years Day by U2

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Have a Great Christmas

I'll be leaving for the US tomorrow morning and then traveling to various places in the US so I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May God bless you richly as you spend time with loved ones. So have a great Christmas ... and as for me, I am looking forward to an awesome New Year. :)

Currently Listening
Rattle and Hum
By U2
It's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Monday, December 18, 2006

Weekend Wrap Up

Graduation

Congrats to my cousin Eunyoung on her graduation last Friday. It was the first one for her with the whole family in attendance. But according to our grandfather, I think you still have one more degree to get before you can relax in the education department though =P Hope you had a great time with everyone there.

Another Kind of Commencement

We had our final CB/DS presentation of the year on Sunday and there was a great response from people interested in supporting our work. It was a very satisfying way to end the year. And now it's time to pray and prepare for next year and the exciting new things that God has in store =) Nervous, excited and looking forward to seeing His Kingdom grow through it all. Thanks for those who have been praying for me and if there are others who would like to become prayer partners with me, email me and I'll be happy to update you on key developments as well.

Travel Warning

Oh and for those who are traveling over the holidays, be careful of the new x-ray machines that they're using in some airports now ... they can see a lot more than before. To view a sample of what they can detect, click here (press the play button to start the video). Be ready ... they can see almost everything now! =)

Podcasts Updated

And my podcasts have been updated for the week. You can listen to new verses and sermons in these links. And two more days and Hyun and I will be heading off to the US! Looking forward to spending Christmas and New Years with family ... PLUS I got tickets for the final game of the season for the Dallas Cowboys! Woohoo!

Currently Listening
Rattle and Hum
By U2
With or Without You (Live)

Friday, December 15, 2006

Teaching Opportunity in Thailand

I received this urgent request from OMF Australia and wanted to pass it along here.

--------------------------------------
Dear Friends Around the World,

Chiang Mai International School has an urgent need for a Middle School Mathematics teacher.

Perhaps the Lord will bring exactly such a person across your path in the next week or so - please forward this on to Christian friends who may be qualified.

Please contact au-serveasia@omf.net if interested.

Magnus Linder

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

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Our Budding Photographer

Satang and me

For a brief background on my Thai buddy, you can check out my previous post on Satang. But one thing I wanted to mention was that this guy has really developed as a photographer! Before it was just a psycho-obsession with digital cameras, taking about 1000 pictures per hour wherever he went ... and now he has clients throughout Australia and Thailand. The cool thing too is that whenever big shots from Thailand come to Sydney, they ask him to be their photo-man! That's pretty cool.

He's been sharing his photo sites with me and I wanted to pass them on to you guys out there. Check it out: His Multiply Site and His Google Photo Album. His past-time has turned into a passion ... and now it may lead to a new career. Keep exploring Satang! You're grown in so many ways throughout the years!

Currently Listening
Achtung Baby
By U2
One

Monday, December 11, 2006

More Re-connections

Song-soo, Anna, Keith, Sharon, Hyun (trying to hide), and Me

Song-soo and Anna were here over the weekend and it was GREAT to catch up with them. They're currently living/working/playing in England, but from all the stories they shared, I'm not as interested in going over to that part of the world anymore. But I was glad to hang with them on Friday and Sunday. I totally miss partnering with SS ... he was just an amazing servant of Christ who always gave 110%.

And of course it's always good spending time with my fellow Americans Keith and Sharon too. They'll be taking off for the US this week and Hyun and I will be leaving next week. We're both stopping by Arizona, but unfortunately, we'll be missing each other by 1 day! Have a great Christmas and New Years guys and let's touch base when we all return to Sydney next year.

Also, the weekly memory verses and sermons for my podcasts in iTunes have been updated as well.

Currently Watching
U218 Singles
By U2
see related

Thursday, December 07, 2006

To A Hero ...

James Kim

Remembering James "In my eyes, as a father, and in the eyes of his family, he is a true hero. He took the difficult but at the same time easy decision to risk his life to save the lives of those he loved the most...Rest in peace, brave man."
--CNET reader

My heart is so saddened and so moved by this story. A father who laid down his life for his family. CNN reported that his search for help was "superhuman" ... and I'd say so was his heart. I can only hope that his soul is truly resting in peace. And my grace, mercy and strength cover over his wife and children. With prayer ...

Currently Listening
The Joshua Tree
By U2
Mothers of the Disappeared

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Daddy Survival Guide

After all this marriage stuff recently, the natural next topic would be starting a family. So this is dedicated to my sister and brother-in-law as well as my cousins Patrick and Carol who are all expecting their first child. It's hard to believe that my "little" cousin is now going to be a dad! Congrats all the way around.

And FYI, the video above is Part 5 of 5 of a neat series created by a stay-at-home Dad. I was actually impressed and touched by these videos. He did a great job combining humor with some very helpful and practical content. I think you can just do a YouTube or Yahoo Video search of "Daddy Survival Guide" for the other episodes in this series.

Currently Listening
U218 Singles [CD/DVD Combo]
By U2
I Will Follow