Tune

[So this week is Missions Week at Biola. In light of that, I will [not] post a Mission Monday this week. In fact, I have three more episodes left, but they are mad fire - passion oozes out of the pages like honey from a dead bear. I've decided to pull the plug on the series until our sponsors give us the green light. This, however, does not mean the end of all mission talks. yadda yadda. roll the credits*]

.

Today after lunch, I heard a conversation between two men of God:

MoG 1: "So what are your plans after you graduate?"

MoG 2: "I just wanna get outta here!"

His response resonated with me like a rusty piano string waking up to a tuning fork. It was a familiar feeling that had been tossed in the basement of forgotten ambitions. He had the mission field in mind. He had the passion for the Gospel in his heart. He had the immovable calling that thrust him toward a vision that was more grand than he could ever imagine. He not only had far away places, but also people near to him. It was only a brief moment for all the colors to fill in the picture, but that moment was long enough to shake off the heaviness of spiritual complacency.

Right when I thought that I missed the train, right when I was getting all comfortable with my spiritual "stand", I was startled awake, comforted, and reminded of God's calling for ALL, EVERY SINGLE ONE of His children.

"disciples"

"witness"

"'Not called!’ did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their fathers’ houses and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look at Christ in the face - whose mercy you have professed to obey - and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.”

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

And yet, I'm prone to go out of tune.

So let it sink deep in my heart.

Dream King

Media

The plural of medium.

I heard on the radio (99.5) the other day about Phil Vischer. He is the creator of Veggie Tales. He has created another franchise for children's ministry called JellyTelly. Check it out!

yo! move over gabba gabba!

Here is a quote by Phil Vischer:

"It's taken me 14 years to learn this lesson, I'm hoping I can save you a few. Do you dream of the work that you can do for God? Do you carry ambitions for changing the world in His name? When you're ready to put them on the altar, to kill them, to let them go, to live your whole life without them resting solely on your relationship with God, you're ready to be used by Him."

Trial after Victory

hya hya!

Round 1

Last night I was sitting in on the Good News Club (GNC) teacher's training hosted by CEF. As the pastor was giving us a message, I was led to pray and praise and give thanks (in my seat, on my own). I was filled with His joy as every Word dropped like honey. Then...

"John! Why are you touching your lips like that?" whispered noon who was sitting right next to me. Before I knew it I was giving her the coldest stare in the universe of DC comics. Then I semi-rolled my eyes, took 3 scoots away from her chair, and started picking at my lips again (a bad habit I picked up from who knows where). I was angry at her for "ruining my moment" but I knew on the spot (as I was giving her the I-can't-see-you-from-the-corner-of-my-eye treatment), that it was completely my mistake. I was all worked up because of nothing she said, but because of my short comings and how I reacted to what she said. And only His Word will be the last word.

Round 2

After the GNC meeting I was driving home and once again I was giving God the praise and thanksgiving and having a revival service in my car (also for teaching me and correcting to me in round 1). I got off the freeway and I was going up the street when a bmw who was up to no good, started making trouble in my neighborhood. I was ahead on the right lane and signaled left, but for half a block this guy was teasing me (benefit of the doubt: he was probably hesitating whether to pass me or let me enter). Every time I sped up to make my move he would match my speed, and whenever I slowed down to get behind him he would also match my speed. He finally hit the gas and sped up to pass me. Right then, I stopped praying and glared to my left to freeze him with my eyes as he passed by. It was an old lady looking ahead without a care in the world...

Again, I realized what I had done as soon as the car passed me. haaaaaaaa (that's the sound of a deep mournful sigh). My prayers quickly turned into repentance. Only His Word will be the last word.

Round 3

This morning at church, I put my keys in the ignition to start my engine. kekekekekeke* =D kekekekekeke* =O kekekekekeke* =| kekekekeke*! -_- Helga wouldn't start. It was like she was snickering at me. kekeke. "Don't get me started Helga!" Since this was right after morning prayer, I got fired up and began to cry out and intercede for Helga while gripping the steering wheel super tightly like it was Lazarus' mummified head. kekekekeke* haaaaaaa. More than anything, I was frustrated at God thinking, "Why now? Why after a wonderful time at morning prayer? C'mon now!" honk*

This happened and that happened and finally PT jump started my car and suggested I go straight home or to a body shop because it's likely that the battery is out. I chose option two and got a new battery. And PT was right. At the body shop the mechanic switched the engine on and off about 4 times and Helga was out. That's right. If God had miraculously started my car when I prayed and I stopped my car again, I could have been stranded in a worse situation. He allowed me to take out the root of the problem instead of trimming for a temporary solution. If only I could have seen that, I would have been peacefully eating the fruit of patience instead of choking on whine and cheese.

Continue? 10. 9. 8. 7...

Lesson learned, get some more coins and keep on playing praying.

Jesus' Victory > my victory

My victory had blinded me.

My pride had destroyed me.

But His humility rescued me

from every trial and temptation.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

1 Corinthians 10:12

Me, Myself, and Eye: A Conversation

SignifiCANT or signifiCAN?

... what? that makes no sense.

Sense? or cents? (oooh)

man, keep your coins. I want change!

Yes we CANT!

.............

Welcome to my mind.

On a semi-related note, this article is from Desiring God:

Missionary to India, William Carey, once exhorted a Baptist gathering in England by saying, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” I love that quote.

But we must heed the Bible’s warning through Simon the Magician: if we attempt great things so that others will see us as great, we are in grave spiritual peril.

...

We can all relate to Simon. We are all are tempted to pursue our own glory, even in the work of the kingdom. When we recognize that familiar craving we need to deal severely with it. We must confess it (often to others, not just God), repent, and resist. Because, if left alone, it can develop into a spiritual cancer that can blind us to real glory, and may ultimately kill us.

So, let us expect great things from God and attempt great things for God. But let us take Peter’s advice and do so “by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11).

And that's how the cookie is devoured.

Don't want to lose my soul for what I believe is practical
I'm a prodigal coming back from a world that is temporal
So why gain it back and lose what's eternal
Flesh out the spirit and spirit away the carnal
By the Spirit-led revival through Jesus Immanuel

Oh! The Places You Will Take Me!

home is sweet, but Home is heaven. Fambam happy birthdayed (go away red squiggly line) me last night with homemade banana cake. woot! Today I spent all day helping dad with his VBS seminar at OMC. Exhaustive but very rewarding. There were so many volunteers and contributors and participants. It's awe-mazing! When you're doing God's work it's a guarantee that God will make a way. At the end of the laborous day I was feeling slightly fatigued. Then dad reminded me he was off to japan and korea tomorrow for more seminars/revival services for a week, and then to Seattle, Washington - then Vancouver, Canada - then Honolulu, Hawaii (of which he must sacrifice my gaduation for) - and then the world as usual. As we were eating all you can eat korean bbq (score!), I told him "Just do God's work diligently, mang." Okay, not exactly, but something like that.

On a sidenote the OMC head pastor was walking by and gave my dad a signed (or more like personally messaged) book that he wrote (Deep-Rooted in Christ), but it was in English so he gave it to me. I hope I read it. The sub-title is The Way of Transformation.

and OMG. oh, how tempted i was to graffiti the many OMC indoor signs to spell OMG. Just cross one line baby and sin has already entered. chika chika wha? Oh! Missions Go!

Noon, my wardrobe provider, came home with a b-day present. 2 'new-style' t-shirts from somewhere (I don't remember) that fit me perfectly, but said 'small' on the tag, which is strange because I'm a "medium" kinda guy. And so I says, "This says small." And she be like, "It would be if you had muscles."

...

well well well, if you meant spiritual muscles then... touché. But if you meant physical muscles then allow me to introduce you to my two dictionaries - they're well defined. =]

Change the world.

More confirmations this week. First with the lovely prayer book. Thank you so much la myun man. I'll put it to good use for Him! Then yesterday at dad's office he gave me a thick magazine/booklet that talked about the 4/14 window in light of the 10/40 window. I was wondering where in the world is 4/14, but the author was talking about age group. Wow. Come on now! Jamone lee! It's time for a new generation of radical Jesus lovers to rise up and carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth! Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Floor us with Your LOVE!

What a birthday. I don't need presents. I need God's Presence.

Are We There Yet?

No.

Boom chika boom boom boom boom.

Follow along.

Odyssey with God

There are times when I search fervently and chase after the supernatural. These are times when I am disappointed. I look for things in the physical and neglect the things in the spiritual. These are also times of hope and encouragement when God reminds me of who I am in His love. He gives me the strength to keep moving forward.

This morning I received my allowance in an unusually small envelope.

He says to me, "You're not even trying to find a job are you?"

To that I reply, "God provides!"

And we both smile.

Dad goes back to the his room to consult with mom in choosing his tie. I check the contents of the recycled envelope and I begin to calculate the tithe. It takes a while for me realize that I just need to cross out the zeros. Math and I had a falling out of some sort, but I digress. I turn the envelope over and I see messy scribbles in Korean. It reads "Child Evangelism Fellowship" and on the bottom in light pencil - "Pastor's car."

-

It's easy to for me to forget that the life I have is supernatural. The breath I breathe is a miracle. In my good times and bad times, my attitude should never be one of apathy or discontentment. There should never be a time when I simply shrug my shoulders and say "whatever" because that would be to reject and neglect who I am in Jesus Christ and what I have received from Him. When I say God is my provider I say it sitting with the family around the dining table with empty bowls watching a father's tear fall on empty plates in place of where the food should be. When I say money comes last and doesn't even place in God's kingdom I say it with a roof over my head and a bed to lay my head. When I say live only for God I say it holding the hand of a man in a ragged suit with one ragged bible in his other hand and a family by his side who is filled with love, joy, and peace. When I say only Jesus I say it with visions of grandeur so steadfast that I know I'll set a Gospel fire with this torch from heaven and change the world.

And I remind myself,

Why wouldn't a supernatural God work in a supernatural way? I want to be intimate with a God who is LOVE. Sins are meant to be dealt with, so deal with them quick. Jesus breath. Jesus blood. Jesus resurrection. Jesus revival. Social construct and unity is meaningless without Spirit and truth and without God's purpose at heart. Be careful what I see and touch. Don't let the wrong kind of fire suffocate my dreams. I want to pray for the sick and see them healed. I want to reap the harvest and live for God's glory. I want my words to speak of Love and point all hearts to Jesus. I want to see His peace and restoration in broken lives. I want my experiences grounded in God's Word. I want my spiritual eyes to open wide. I want the power of God to flow though me. I want God's love to overflow. Stop the talking. Show me what you got with your actions. See me fall off the ledge and see if I'm still alive. Offensive. Defensive. Mindful of others, yet only mindful of God. LOVE. It's time to press on.

-

I hear dad coming out of the room. The tie has been chosen. I don't like it, but that's because I have no fashion sense at all. I turn over the envelope one last time and I give all my thanks and praise to my Heavenly Dad. I say bye to my earthly dad. Kisses and hugs to mom and me.

Then he leaves for work in his brand new Odyssey.

got MiLK?

Part of me says that it doesn't matter. My input has no absolute effect on the output. It says that although I can make change, the change would have happened regardless of what I did so sit back and enjoy the ride. Another part of me agrees, but wants so eagerly to see and experience the change itself. Though in secret, it only agrees because it does not want to waste time solving paradoxes and it does not like being ridiculed by the other. And little by little the smile hatches and life is undeniable. Unquenchable. Truth is, I don't fight fire with fire. I fight fire with oil... what?

The milk becomes meat, and meat becomes flesh.
Flesh becomes words and words become life.

Victory is already here. The dream is in motion. It's time to see the world change.