Getting to Know You ...

We had a wonderful service today with Walter as the guest speaker, reminding us again that we were created for eternity (jet-lagged for Jesus) and the marks for our discipleship to Christ is seen through our faith and love.

Hmmm ... this may look like a dating game going on in our EM, but it's actually just lunch with some "possible" double motives going on here =) And poor Danni ... I think she was the last one left in this "game". It's OK Danni, we all love you. [For the "real" version of what happened, see the "multi-media section: dating game" for the video of this match up ... because she was "interested" =) ]

And in order to get to know each other and God even better, we'll be heading off to our retreat tomorrow [July 11-14]. Please continue to pour your prayers over us as we go. And pray for lives to grow deeper in love and deeper in maturity with God. And lift up special prayers for Walter and Toni as they speak and the praise team as they lead us into His presence with songs of joy. Thanks for your prayers ... through it we become partners in this journey of faith. I'll update you again when we return. May God bless you richly this week!

A Picture's Worth ...

2 more days until our retreat!! May God meet us in an intimate and powerful way. May He speak through Walter and Toni and may we grow in wisdom, knowledge and love as a result. And Father, I pray tomorrow's worship service would become a holy encounter with You ... may it be a great exchange of love and devotion.

And in seeking to dry more of God's flowers in my life ... I've begun a "My Pictures" section for this site [see the links section on the right] Hope you enjoy them. Have a great weekend in God's presence and may God bless you richly.

His Word Our Guide

Yesterday and today have been filled with testimonies of many answers to prayer! People are definately being set free and experiencing breakthroughs during our 50 Days of Purity. Thank you God for what you're doing in the lives of your people here in Sydney!

A bunch of faithful and dedicated EM people are hard at work at the office right now getting final things ready for our retreat. If you haven't signed up yet, do it ASAP!! It's going to be a great time of worship and training for our spiritual growth. Please pray for it too. Walter and Toni are the guest speakers and we'll be at the Katoomba Conference Center from Monday to Thursday (July 11-14). Pray for anointing and life change to happen for all who attend.

I also added a few more files in the download section. All three are Bible Reading Plans by Discipleship Journal. The newest one is called the 5 x 5 x 5 Plan, for those who are beginners at having a regular Bible reading time. Download now and find out what all those 5's stand for! =) I hope these resources will help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ and may you experience the joy of knowing His Word. May God bless you richly!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."
Psalm 34:8

Friendships and New Links

Today was a wonderful and "relaxing" day for me =) The weather was sunny and warm and so was the company I was with. I got a chance to spend some very good quality 1:1 time with some people from church ... got a chance to get to know them better, hear what God has been doing in their lives and be blessed by their presence ... and become thankful that they're a part of my life. So thank you to those who shared your heart and your life with me today ... I was blessed =)

And I was finally able to find a free file hosting site for my blog ... soooooo .... I started a new section on my links area called: "Multi-media: Downloads", where you can download various audio and video clips. One of the clips was the final point of a volleyball match between our ministry [New Life Worship] and the defending champs [Full Life] ... I believe New Life (ahem ...) dethroned the reigning champs ... hee hee hee =)

A Mighty Answer to Prayer

God continues to do some great things during our 50 Days of Purity fast. I got word from Lisa Lee’s mom, whom we’ve been praying for these past weeks. She was diagnosed with cancer and originally the doctors told her she had to go through chemotherapy or else the cancer would spread quickly to other areas. She didn’t want to do the chemo and so our church was in prayer for her. After her most recent results [yesterday], the doctors couldn’t believe it, but the cancer stopped growing! It was nothing short of a miracle from God! Let’s praise God for this wonderful display of mercy and grace … and let’s continue to keep her and her family in prayer. The battle is not over yet, so let’s continue to pray for a complete and quick recovery. God is good … all the time. Thank you God! You're awesome!

Walter and Toni Outing

Walter, Toni, their son Nathan and daughter Naomi and I at Darling Harbour ... Minsang, Kwangwon, Danni and I took out our guests to the city today. It was my regular tourist route with stops at key photostops ... I love playing photographer =)


Walter and Toni =)


Walter and Nathan =)

Happy Birthday Paul and Hye Lim!

Happy 20th to Paul and Happy 21st to Hye Lim! =) The 2003 Thailand Team had a nice reunion dinner tonight at Paul's place ... wollamsam baby! Had to leave a bit early to pick up Walter and Toni at the airport (they just arrived guys and they're excited about our retreat!) ... It was nice to hang out and talk with the team again ... it's been so long! We'll have to do it again sometime soon. May the two of you grow in leaps and bounds this year ... and may your love for Christ only grow stronger and deeper ... blessings to you both. I'm honored to know you and serve with you.

50 Days of Purity - A Life of Sexual Purity

Today's message came from Genesis 39, looking at the life and integrity of Joseph. In the midst of temptation, his desire was clearly more for God than for his flesh. He knew that all sin was ultimately a sin against God ... and that all sin was done in the presence of God.

God, give us the courage and strength to run away from places that tempt us ... to refuse to stay on that path ... to pray bold offensive prayers against the enemy ... and to have the humility and wisdom to recruit accountability partners as we strive to live a life of purity before you. And when we fall, may we crawl always back to the cross again and again and again ... trusting and believing that You will forgive and restore us again.

"How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
Genesis 39:9c

An Evening Prayer ...

It was a quiet day of preparation and consecration for Sunday. But before I sleep ... an evening prayer for our congregation:

Father in heaven, may you bless and keep those in our congregation close to your heart tonight ... make your face shine upon them and gracious to them ... and as we sleep, give us good rest, under the strength and shadow of your wings. Let us dream dreams of You and of your Kingdom tonight.

And awaken us tomorrow with new energy and excitement for You. As we gather together in your name, bless us with the intimacy of your presence ... give us hearts that long for You and may our worship be pleasing in your sight ... and may it rise like incense to your throne of grace. Transform lives through your Word and your Spirit. May You be the reason we gather and the reason we live ... today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace
for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:8 NIV

Good night and God bless.

He Has Done Great Things

He has done great things ... this past week! Yesterday was a time of extended prayer and breakthrough for a brother in our ministry. Praise God for that. And God, may you continue to protect him, prepare him, and use him well ... all for your glory.

He has done great things ... with bringing so many visitors to our ministry this week/month from NZ, USA, and Korea ... and as we gather to seek Him, may we taste and see that You are good and wonderful and worthy of all that we are.

He has done great things ... in bringing more workers to Sydney! I just met an awesome brother and partner in the Gospel, Matt Lee, who's from LA and who is praying about coming back to serve full-time in Sydney [Onnuri] early next year. A gifted singer, piano player and song-writer .... he'll be coming to our service this Sunday for a special praise and will be at our EM retreat as well. Thank you God for answering prayers for more partners in the Gospel here in Australia.

He has done great things ... in the life of Eddie Bang. Got in contact with Eddie Bang and sounds like God's blessing him big time in the US right now =) Praise God for that. God, continue to bless the socks off of Eddie!

He will do great things ... this weekend! Come Lord Jesus ... we want more of you.

Voice Lessons ...

I had my final session with a speech therapist this week. My voice was getting quite hoarse after preaching for the past couple of years, but after three sessions with the therapist, it’s gotten much better. Did you know we all have a “sweet spot” in speaking? I didn’t know that before. Kind of like golf or baseball, when you hit the ball at the right spot on the bat (or club), the ball will go further without having to force it to move. It’s about being aligned at the right place at the right time, doing exactly what it was made to do. I found out that’s the same with our voices. When we use our voices and throats the way that it was made to be used, everything will flow and flourish, instead of being strained. After each session, she gave me a bunch of “interesting” exercises for the throat that have actually been working! Now I just need to find a singing teacher to help me protect my throat for praise =)

Thanks to those who have been praying for my voice. No major damage has been done [thank you God!]. But please still keep me in prayer concerning that area especially as retreats, praise sessions, and conferences are coming up. May this precious instrument of our voices be protected and used throughout our whole lives to proclaim His goodness ...

ps. Iraq is the country to pray for in Operation World for the next couple of days! =) If you don't have a copy of it, you can click the link on the right and pray for this nation that desparately needs healing in that land! "Prince of Peace, reign supreme in that land!"

Happy Happy =)

Are these super cute kids happy or what!!?? I just got word from a good friend of mine in Vancouver [David Oh] that he and his beautiful family will be heading off to Alaska (!) to serve an English Ministry for a church out there. David is one of the nicest, most humble guys I know. And Hee Jhung [his wife] is one of the sweetest ladies I know. Both of them took very good care of me while in Vancouver (i.e. feeding me!). Very precious people in my life. David, Walter & Toni [our EM retreat guest speakers] and I all served at the same church in Vancouver during our Regent College/seminary days.

If you could lift up a prayer for him and his family as you read this that would be great. As you can imagine, it's going to be a major change for their family and quite a move as well. The weather [cold!cold!cold!] and life there will be quite a challenge.

And there's going to be several spiritual inventory prayer sessions for people to experience "freedom" from past struggles this week and next week. Please pray for wisdom, strength, anointing and empowerment on my part ... and for breakthroughs and freedom for those who will be prayed for. A LOT of spiritual activity going on these days all around us. Let's stay in prayer and surrounded by our Wall of Fire. It's definately a sign we're in the midst of God's activity for our ministry.

50 Days of Purity - A Life of Holy Awareness

Today's message came from Genesis 28:10-22. This passage comes right after Jacob's deception of his father and brother for birthrights and blessings. His brother is so angry that he wants him dead. Now fleeing for his life, Jacob stops at night to sleep under the stars with a rock for pillow. Then he has a dream with God speaking to him in it. He awakes and his life begins to change. The verse that we focused on was verse 16, "When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.'" Meaning it is possible for us to be in the presence of God, yet unaware of it. Another way of saying it could be that God is closer than we think. That is a truth that must be realized in our regular daily lives. In our common situations of life and in our crisis moments, we are under His watchful eyes - always.

What turns a common place into a holy place is the awareness of God's presence. And what can turn a common person into a holy person is an awareness that we are in His presence. And when we become aware of His activity around us, it will become a spiritual breakthrough for our walk with Him. No longer will we be alone, because we know He is here.

God, I pray that our congregation will become more attuned and aware of your presence and activity in their lives. Open our eyes that we might see YOU all around us. Open our eyes so that we might see your works active amongst us. And continue to protect us from the enemy, especially during these 50 days of consecration to You. May we be holy and wholly Yours.

Burning for Christ ...

As I think upon and pray for the members of our congregation who are contemplating a life of missions in unreached lands, I can't help but pray for a pure and holy flame to burn brightly in their hearts all the days of their lives. May their hunger for You never fade. May their hearts break each and every day for those lost without Christ. God, give them your tears, your prayers, and your heart for these peoples. And above all else, may their love for Christ and His Kingdom be the reason they go.

May they love You more than comfort. May they love You more than money or homes or cars. May they love you more than good food that is no longer there for them. May they love You more than phone calls and email letters from friends. May they love you more than holidays. May they love you more than life itself.

May they always be honored to be a candle than shines the light of Christ to those who are blind without Christ. "But in order to burn, a candle must die" ... may they love You enough to be that candle. May they always love you more than life itself.

With New Levels ...

With new levels ... come new devils ...

There has been such an increase in spiritual warfare for myself and for those around me since we began this 50 Days of Purity fast. But instead of getting discouraged by the struggles we face during these days, may we see it as a sign that we are entering areas that the enemy does not want us to be in. I know it is also because the enemy does not want a congregation wholly (and holy) set apart to God. Plus we are fasting for an expansion of God's Kingdom in Southeast Asia ... for Season of Love ... and for future generations to know Him.

Some have said it seems that darkness is growing in our generation. But even in darkness, stars shine ... and when it is darkest, the stars shine brighter. I pray that the "stars" in our congregation would be kept from the enemy during this time of consecration to God, and as a result their hearts would burn even more for Christ. No matter the struggles we face God, may Christ be our everything for our church.

Let us shine all for Christ and keep running this race, even when that run becomes a crawl ... because Jesus, you are worth it. You are my Prize.