Faith is the essence of miracle. It's like fuel that fires up vision and dreams. It takes us to the place called Destiny. Grace; without it where would we be? The fruit of the Spirit. The full armour of God. The weapons of the supernatural. The whole majesty of God.
Now, imagine your dad knocking on your door today, he says you can have it. He bought it especially for you. He knew the one that you have been eyeing on it for the longest time. The one where you thought you'll never have it. Some would dream of a red-hot spanking Ferari, some would be thinking of a 2-door metallic black Maserati, some would be thinking about a 20" spoke rim, turbo-charged twin cam 24V engine, modified xenon lights, carbon fibre spoilers fitted onto a brand new sports 5 series BMW, complete with full leather interior, sun roof, GPS navigation system and an optional DVD screen :)
He parks that dream car of yours in the driveway and tells you that it's all yours. Now, even in your spell of unbelief, you would feel the adrenalin rush burning in you. Suddenly you just wanna grab the keys, start the ignition, grip the steering wheel, put the foot down on the accelerator and burn some serious rubber. Before you know it, you would have left a trail of dust far behind you, feeling the horsepowers in that machine and squeezing every inch of torque you could get out of the car.
You're cruising down the freeway, feeling really good about the car. It's absolutely a dream come true! Now, imagine the car being the gift that God has given us. Every single gift in heaven is in the car. All the riches of heaven packed into this package Dad has given you and I. The road being the journey that God is taking us. The junctions, the stops, the times when we accelerate down the stretch of road, the times when we experience some slow-downs with the car, it's all part and parcel of the journey God has for us. And of course, all of us driving to the place called Destiny that He has for us.
In that car, being the best car, your dream car, has everything in it. Everything that you need is in it. However, there are sometimes when we don't know how to work certain things and features in it. Have you ever faced that situation before? To be honest, I have. Once when I was driving another car, I was searching high and low for the button that opens the car boot. I think I was on the verge of giving up when I saw a button on the car key itself that activates that feature.
How many times in our Christian journey where we stumble upon a problem and freak out? Everything we need for our journey is fitted into the car. The manual, the features that keep us comfortable, the safety features that make us know that we're in safe hands. It is all in the car. Yet there are times when we choose to ignore those gifts that God has given us and when we're facing a problem, we find ourselves in a position where we don't know what to do, when all we need to do is to flick the button. How many times when we're driving when we feel the heat of life coming upon us? We feel the heat becoming unbearable and we begin to perspire, when all we need to do is to switch the air-conditioning on. Yet if we didn't know that there's a feature in that car, all we feel is the uncomfortable heat and we find ourselves whining about how the heat is overcoming us and making the journey uncomfortable.
God has come to give life and life abundantly. But if we don't know how to use the car features to the maximum of its capability, then we're not living to the full. In the words of Ps John Cameron, we're merely surviving, but God's will is that we thrive in life. God has given us this car that takes us to our Destiny the day we accepted Him into our lives, but if we decide to ignore the manual and just drive, then we're doing is merely surviving and when problems come, we don't know what to do. God has given us warning sings in the car, the road signs along the road, but if we don't know how to read them, then we're risking our lives and wonder why we face certain situations and problems.
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
There are weapons that God has placed in our hands to fight the war in the supernatural. But if we ignore the battleplan and go out blindly, then the risk of us sustaining casualty will the huge. But if we know what is the plan and go out knowing who is fighting with and for us, then we go out with the victor's mindset knowing that the battle has been won.
God has similiarly given us a vehicle that gets us to our destiny, but if we don't read the manual and learn how to operate the features that come with the car, then we'll be merely driving and surviving but not overcoming. There is nothing that we can't overcome because we know the ultimate power behind the car. The wind beneath my wings that takes me higher. With our eyes fimly set on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. The one who began a good work in us, will also be the one that will be with us in our journey to take us to the day of completion.
30th October 2005 seems more like a milestone than just one of the 365 days in 2005.
It's a day where we (planetu n i) organised one of the biggest, if not the biggest dinner functions in Melbourne this year. With more than 850 people uni students attending the M a m a k Night at Melbourne High during the university exam period is something to be reckoned. It was a majorly successful night, which led the way to Ps Russell speaking to Lord Mayor John So about organising something like that with Planetshakers and Melbourne City Council working together in the interest of seeing international students having the time of their life here in Melbourne.
It's also been more than four and a half months since I've been together with S k y e. There's been more so much more things to be thankful for. The experiences, the journey that we're going through together, the foundation and things that God is building in our lives. But more than that, I thank God for her being the woman of God she is to me and how she absolutely shines in everything she does. She's the bomb :)
It's been a time when October draws to an end and ushers in November. A day in the calender where daylight savings starts again. Where the time difference between Melbourne and Singapore/Malaysia is changed to 3 hours. I never knew what in the world was daylight savings until I came to Melbourne. It boggled my mind thinking only Melbourne is the only city in Australia that subscribes to the time difference. But I guess, it only signifies the diversity of the time and seasons here in good ol' Melbourne.
It's a time in church when God speaks about possessing the land. God's will is not for us to 'rent' the land and walk around the promises of God in circles BUT to posess and inherit the land that God has destined for you and me. It's about making that choice of whether to be the 10 spies or the 2 who looked at the Promised Land with eyes of hope, faith and expectancy. It's about breaking the paradigm of God's miracles in our lives; knowing that God can give posession and not just providence. There. Is. More.
Lord, Your words stand forever Your love extends to the highest mountains Your grace brings me to higher planes Your faithfulness greets me in the morning as I awake
When the storms of life come upon me I shall fear no evil Your rod and Your staff, they lead me to paths of righteousness
I will call upon the name of the Lord forever In You I will abide and find my rest In You I will find my being and move in it
Those who walk in the counsel of the evil will taste bitterness They will be confused and be unsteady in their ways But those who walk in His counsel will enjoy the fruits in abundance They shall inherit the land the Lord gives to His own children
The Lord God, He is enthroned forever and ever He says a word and the whole earth trembles at His feet He calls out to the multitudes But who among you will know His voice and respond to Him?
The ways of men only reap a harvest of grief They toil day and night sweating from the brow Yet, do they realise they are but chasing after the wind?
The Lord bestows favour to His children Yet men chase after the approval and favour of everything, but God Hear the heartbeat of the Father calling out to His sons and daughters Who among you will know His voice and respond to Him?
Is there none? Is there none who would stand up for the Father? Is there none who would walk in His ways? Is there none who would not compromise what was done on the cross? Is there none who would be the light and the salt? Is there none who would be strong and courageous? Is there none who would fight for the heart of my King? Is there none?
...
I would, my dear Father. If there is none, I will still go for You.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 [NIV]
Caught in the act: Two 'culprits' messing around at the QV Big W with a Christmas Where's Wally-looking hat.
There you go, things we do when we have free time. On Friday, right after our dinner at Dessert House, we went to Big W when we saw lots of Christmas decor already on sale. Some of us couldn't resist but to play around with them. I guess, sometimes these things still uncover the little kids in us?
Speaking of Christmas, I can't wait for Christmas to come! Ooh, especially Christmas Eve! Only 2 months and I day to come :)
Chronicles of my Wednesday Internship day in pictures:
While I was walking to the Box Hill Centro to get my weekly after-internship-session Gloria Jeans' coffee fix, I bumped into this large ad, promoting the Malaysian Ayam Brand canned coconut milk, I thought it looked and sounded veryyy weird. Translated, it says 'I am Coconut Chicken.' Told ya it's weird! haha! Nothing like a bit of bizzare advertising to spice up your day hey? :)
While I was about to go back to the city, I went to see what vonnie was doing in the planetkids' office, when I was taking a glance at the glass cupboard full of superhero figurines (again). Decided to take a picture of it, kinda reminds me of that verse that says we're surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses... haha, yeah, I knowww... astroboy and superman (in this case, supermen) isn't exactly the real great cloud of witnesses....
Here in your room Where nobody can see Voices are loud But seldom clear But beneath the confusion That's running so deep There is a promise you must hear The love that seems so far away Is standing very near
You're on the verge of a miracle Standing there Oh you're on the verge of a miracle Just waiting to be believed in Open your eyes and see You're on the verge of a miracle
When you've played out Your last chance And your directions Have all been lost When the roads that you look down Are all dead ends Look up You could see if you'd just look up
Sean Bergin. Jamal Richardson. Brad Hooker. Ben Prescott. Ian Lee.
I had the honour of having a great time talking to my fellow interns over Friday night and Saturday morning as the Beautiful Women conference was on. Of course, although I wasn't in there to know first hand, hearing Ps Sam and Ps Debbie Prescott preach is like you could imagine them breathing fire out of their mouths.
There were about 20 guys at church, mostly made up by interns and the rest by other people from the Boom team. We set up the tables, arranged 500 over bottles of San Pellegrinos and opened them, scooped gelati and served them, picked up chocolates from Max Brenners, made a few trips back and forth Boost Juice from QV to pick up 500 cups of juice. Served them out. Arranged more goodie bags on the table. It was interesting. Even 'stole' 2 shopping trolleys from Big W with Sharene all for Ps Sam Evans' message. haha!
But more than just the responsibilities, it was the fellowship with the interns that made me really thankful that I'm there. Just that kind of moment sitting down, talking to them, messing around, seeing us, intern guys (with Chad) messing around, jumping over the tables (with the glass bottles on them. All 70 of them each!) Seeing Paul Bergin do some weird gymnastic moves on the foyer floor. Us interns having a blast scooping gelati, and 'test-tasting' them. Talking about us going the extra mile for them, making sure they're not poisonous hey! hehe!
I'm grateful. Grateful for the group of us that God has put together. People of the same faith, same passion, serving the same House passionately. Seeing them talk about the things God do in Boom and urbanlife. Seeing how we all grew together from the point we knew each other. It has only been 9 months for me. In another 7 more weeks, the internship would be officially over. I'm thankful and deeply grateful that our paths crossed. That God can bring us, from so different backgrounds, from different countries and plant us in a church that truly imprinted a mark in our spirit. Like what Chad said one of the first few internship meetings we had earlier of the year. That once someone steps into the service of God in Planetshakers. They have planetshaker as their last name.
Lord, thank You that You've called me a planetshaker and thousands upon thousands of others as planetshakers. Empower us. Give us Your enabling, Your efficiency, so that we will be able to do what You have called us to do well. Do not ever let us forget Your calling upon our lives. We thank You for this season that You have brought us through. But we know that the best is still yet to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
I'm probably the last person on earth to have a conversation about it. Totally bores me. So, this post will be about the spiritual prominence of a father figure in our generation. Mark Latham, once strongly regarded as a powerful icon in the dog-eat-dog world of politics. The man who fought with every ounce of strength (and money) for the title of Prime Minister. Yet, the man who was pictured shaking the hand of John Howard 'aggresively' in the media. Which was then hugely criticized and was labeled a bully.
Following the defeat of the ALP, this book was written by the leader of the party himself. Blame, pointing the finger, back biting and such were things that constituted this book. It's interesting to see how a leader like himself starts blaming others for the defeat that the party and largely him, experienced throughout the campaign, that it is everyone's fault except himself. Interesting ain't it?
For someone who was once regarded as a potential and capable person to take the position and responsibility of leading a country to downgrade to a man who basically blamed his fellow counterparts for that defeat is scary. Not that its scary because it is politics anyway. But scary because, how integrity can be crumbled into pieces and reveal one's true nature. The Word says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Hence, the Mark Latham diaries.
Where is the true leader of this age?
Planetshakers' vision is to empower a generation to win a generation. I thought about this statement regarding the whole issue and I freaked at the thought if this is the kind of leader who is spearheading the direction, who is writing and passing bills, who is being the visionary that any country needs, then you could probably visualise the world that we would live in years and decades from now. Mal Fletcher said something that I though was wise; what do you want the world in 10 years to come look like? The kind of government do you want to see in power, the type of school your children will be going to, the type of information the media is generating, the music, all of that!
Where is the discipleship that this generation needs?
Spiritual orphans. That's what this generation is churning. We don't see it, but it's happening. The kind of children who lives day by day, consumed by the information overload, swayed by culture, fads, truths that are nearly as trustworthy as the skin-deep glam and glitter highlighted everywhere! Spiritual orphans. Not knowing who their Father is. Not knowing their identity. Not knowing where to go, what to do, why they're doing what they're doing. Day by day, the walk on the streets. They don't hear the Father's voice, because they can't recognise it when He calls. But He does. Every single day.
When Jesus came in the form of a man 2,000 years ago, He gave us a revelation of who God is. His disciples were asking Him how then should we pray? In other words, how should we come before this God, this Almighty Creator of the universe. What should our form of worship be like? Jesus then said the way of approaching Him is by calling Him 'Our Father in heaven'. Man! That still blows my mind when I think about it! Calling this God our Father, our Dad. But that's exactly what this generation needs. A Dad who loves, cares, disciples, guides and teaches like none other. There may be many weak examples of a father figure in our time. Don't get me wrong. I know there are some pretty good ones! Definitely! But our Father in heaven, He is our one true example of a father figure.
I figure in His diaries, He would write all the things that He loved about you and me. He would journal about how His heart would skip a beat everytime we run to Him and call His name. His diaries would have watermarks of how His tears stain the page when He writes about His beloved children turning their backs on Him in disobedience. I figure He would keep your photo and my photo in His diaries. We may not know what's in His diaries right now. But He left us with a pretty good one: His Word,
Blogged this a while ago, when it disappeared as I clicked the publish button. sigh.. however, as I got knocked down, I got up again and re-type this as accurate to the 'original' as possible. I started writing this blog 2 nights ago, but the editing schedule was so so tight! I just came back from the RMIT Comm Design computer lab not too long ago. We started editing 10am the day before, till almost 10am just now! And that's not inclusive of the one or two nights we stayed in the lab too.
But, the good news is it's done! :D phew! and it's very good effort. u the man, Jermster! :) good on ya! So, as I was saying, about this blog... the 'sevens' list for myself is definately not exaustive and certainly not in any order of importance. However, I had fun doing it. So, here you go: Seven things that scare me
Not doing God's will and hence, thinking of what I would have become. The thought of backsliding. 2006 - a happy-scared feeling. Looking back at my collection of cassettes/CDs 10 years back. Losing my loved ones. Taking a walk down the Malaysian pasar malam hearing chinese techno music. Realisation of how frail and fragile our life is.
Seven random facts about me
I learnt 6 musical instruments, but now I only play 1. My right ankle looks different from my left. My favourite cuppa is the mocha from On The Rush cafe on Centre Place, off Little Collins St. Look for the Italian guy called Ange. He's good! I have been in an ambulance and rushed into the Emergency ward before! I have not seen snow before in my life. I would love to have a white bunny, a gray bunny and a dog when I have my own place. My favourite hero when I was a kid was mcgyver.
Seven things I hope to do before I die
Pioneer and pastor a megachurch in Asia, which no one thought was possible. Run or co-run a media company. Have a wonderful marriage with the woman who will be passionate for God and for each other, till we're gray and serve God together. See my children living in God's calling and achieving so much more for God. Own a holiday house by the beach. Have a long holiday in Europe with the love of my life. To know the fullness of God's Plan A for my life and living in all of its glory.
Seven things I can do
Breathe, eat, drink, walk, sit, stand, run (that's seven) :P Share and contribute to random topics. Make a household explosive from scratch (my Chemistry teacher in Form 5 taught us) hehe.. Sleep less than 24 hours in 9 full days. I can walk faster than an average guy in an adult swimming pool. My Dad says that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! :)
