Surf Camper

Life should be simple.

Focus on "the" one great thing. Put everything in it. Put aside all other "good" things for it. Together with others or alone, run just for it!

Don't get me wrong. "The" great thing will never be gaining the world but always loving the people of it. And "the" only great thing that can drive us in all eternity is and will only be all about and around Jesus Christ himself. He is great enough.

If you have it, driven by it, convinced of it, your life must be simple and focused, fruitful and beautiful.

We were revealed again to this simple truth in our Tofino surfing trip 2 weeks ago. This simple truth was made alive to us as we stayed in a little community with the "Surf Campers." Let me tell you our story as a surf camper, a story almost couldn't happen, a story of threats and thrills, but ultimately of discoveries and ecstasies.

This is the story... it starts with the things that could have cancelled our Tofino trip.

$ issues. 5 nights camping with 3 surfing courses and 3 days surf gear rentals included was a hard financial decision, not to mention the BC ferries and the gasoline. So 4 months ago, we set aside $500 in a new account, and tried to save for the remaining amount. About 5 weeks before the trip, we had to spend an unexpected $1200 on our vehicle in its 4 times repair and maintenance in just 2 weeks. It ate up everything we had including that $500.

We were about to cancel the trip. In despair, I prayed to God, "I am fine if you cancel this trip for us. But just if you want us to go for this vacation, please PAY for it!" 2 days later, a lady called us and presented us with a gift, a cheque. It was $500, not much not less. Our surfing trip is a miracle, a prayer answered.

Tyres. Tried to get a cheapest pair of tyres on my 1994 Voyage Van. $183 for 2 Cooper tyres from nearby Esso station. When we drove there, the 2 tyres seemed to only appear in computer but never in actual stocking. Our desire to reduce our anxiety of driving the ups and downs narrow winding road between Port Alberni and Tofino was never fulfilled. We had to live with this worry and entrust our safety to God alone, not Cooper tyres

Bear visits. It was our first family camping. We fear bear. You might want a beer, not a bear in your site. We thought it was a slight threat only. But who could believe it was a reality in our campground. Bear signs everywhere. In fact our site was visited by bear 2 weeks ago. We really wanted to leave the campground after the first night.

Cold Water. We went there for one purpose. Surfing. Nothing else. What if the North Pacific Ocean water was too cold? In fact it was very very cold. But the wet suites and the fire inside kept us warm enough.

Back Pain. Within one week of setting off, I still visited Chiropractors. Not one, but two clinics in one week. The muscles I needed most for surfing, the lower back, was sole and painful. My knees problem already seemed minor. Will I lie on the surfboard but got no strength to stand up?

These threats were real. Every now and then made me despair and wanted give up. Every now and then they challenged how much I wanted to surf. Every now and then I ended up more desperate to do it.

Now the wave came, the first wave since April Kenting, the first North Pacific cold water wave came... I paddled paddled, pushed up, popped up, stabilized, stood up. Here I was. Riding my first Tofino wave, to my surprise, yet shouldn't be surprised. It's all by grace that I stood, that I rode a wave, that I felt His power in me over pains, threats, $... and Jesus fulfilled my desperate focus, SURF.

Over those few seconds on waves, it seemed I was having fun time with Jesus on the waves. Jesus walked on waves, loving me, seeing me and endorsing me to surf side by side with him. Every time I surf, I feel his grace of making possible out of impossible, therein I feel his presence. Now you know why I loving it.

Then I rode waves after waves. Never so many before. Even though I was wipe out many times. Who cares? Why cares! I did what I desired. I was fulfilled. I was surfing.

It is about surfing and it's not about surfing! You don't need to surf. But everyone need to have a mission, a passion, all and only about and centered on Jesus. Rather die to have one, than live without it. And if you have this focus and passion, life is simple, fruitful and beautiful, as my surf campers friends...

They didn't come for digging oysters or catching crabs, not for stomachs.

They didn't care to pitch a tent or if it's too crowded, some slept in their Subaru, uncomfy.

They would forget to bring matches for the woods but never forget to stack up their surfboards nicely on top of each other over their car's roof.

They ate quick and simple foods, canned foods always.

After breakfast they set off for beach, at sunset they came back with full load of funs. After supper, they made camp fire, they shared the excitements, they laughed, they played guitar, they sang loud... At about 11 pm, they were disciplined enough to sleep. To sleep well. Why? Simply to ride another morning wave. They stepped in the water, gave each other a high 5. "Let's do it."

Their lives were simple. They made them simple. In order to accomplish their biggest desire and their greatest focus: to surf. Only surfing. And nothing else...even catching a crab is a good one. Simple and focused. That made them make it.

Jesus forms us a community, a community of 2-3(Mat.18:20), or any numbers up. So we learn to love one another, accountable to one another, encourage one another, share food and life together... Always knowing that it is only because Jesus and for Jesus that we get together. Life. Simple enough.

Jesus assigns a mission to this simple community. To plant Jesus everywhere we go, to every one we meet. Make the pre-believers his disciples. Make them the Jesus followers (Mat.28:19).

Who are we then? The Baptists. The Evangelicals. The Anglicans. The Catholics...The Apollos's. Paul's. Cephas's. Man complicated God's simple truth.

Who are we? What are we here for?

We are a spiritual family, with Jesus' presence, together on a mission. A church.

We laugh, we cry, we share and we encourage...that we all could set out for accomplishing the Jesus' mission.

If there is no mission, there is no direction. If there is no mission in God's people, complications and shallowness set in. There will not be deep life sharing and exchange from the hard-fought SWAT team.

Mission. The DNA of being church, of being Jesus' followers, of our story being a part of God big story of redemption. Take it away, we live. But never with spirit and soul. Simple. To me, it is that simple.

The devil is in the details. God requests a life of simple trust and obedience. That is life. A simple life.

But if we let complications set in, let "what to eat, what to drink, what to wear" overwhelm us, let busyness and programs replace living life together as Jesus followers, then we are a bunch of God's people on earth ends up catching crabs, digging oysters...

Forgetting we came here for the waves, for surfing, and for fulfilling Jesus mission.

If eating crabs and oysters make me stumble, I would never eat crabs and oysters - Paul said similarly. Die to them, that I could live for a mission. My only passion for His mission alone.

To reward you with this long reading, I have a not-my-best surfing video clip for you. Although the sea is rough, I want to have you in this missional fellowship to surf as well as to witness Jesus:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RoxdCNSRMY

Enjoy Surf Campers!

9/11 Love Multiplies

9/11 Sunday. We had donated $540 to UNICEF to help relief the "horn" people in Africa.

On or around 9/11, "R" donated another $540, "K" donated another $540, and "M" donated another $540. They matched our donations. All to Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Plus the Canadian government matching the donations, this little initiative ("The tomatoes of Hope") out of this little patio of mine raised more than $4000 for these poor and the needy people in one of the worst famine in Africa.

Joy filled my heart. And tears almost fell, as I recounted how God moved and led us to this finish line on 9/11...

A few months ago, we decorated our pale patio with summer favour by growing pot plant - tomatoes. First time in 14 years.

In July, we heard of the very severe famine in these 3 African countries, the "horn." We have been constantly praying for Africa, especially Somalia and Sudan. The news broke our heart. So out of our very tight budget, we donated some money.

I watered the tomatoes daily. My kids at times.

One day while I was doing the watering, God inspired me to sell these tomatoes and donate these money to Africa. While I was excited with this idea, Jesus told me, "why don't you ask some Christians to match the tomatoes sales?" I was even more excited now as I could see it as a way that more people, Christians or non-Christians, came to realize the desperate needs of our "neighbours" far away.

8/1. I posted on facebook about this little project and the needs for the famine. Sadly no one responded. Not even 1 "like" or 1 "comment." While my friends' photos of delicious foods, up-class hotels...jammed "the top news" of my facebook. I felt some loneliness.

8/1. Same day. This displaced Somalian woman (above picture) sits with her malnourished children at refugee camp in the capital waiting desperately for life necessities.

I pressed on. Water and water. With love and love and prayers for these tiny little tomato firstfruits. God bless all those acts that bless other people. Our tomatoes grow big and red.

I managed to find 3 friends of mine who were quick to say "Yes" when requested to match our tomatoes donation. Now we were a bit worried to sell the most expensive tomato in the world. $10 each.

If I would have just made a few calls, all these tomatoes would be gone right away. But we wanted as many people to participate as possible. So that more people will know the needs there. And more might do some extra good at a later day. We were just the initiator and agitator of more love actions! We decided to sell to our neighbours and our small community. So we talked to our Muslims friends, Catholic friends, Buddhist friends, atheist friends, Christian friends... And we talked to friends from Middle East, Africa, Taiwan, PRC, HK, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Korea, Philippines...

Most embrace this "Tomatoes of Hope" readily. Few of them with hesitations. Why not?! When you were sunbathing at the pool side, suddenly someone whom you not knew well came up and asked for donation. You hesitated naturally. I felt embarrassed even more naturally.

I really did. Even when I were in need, I seldom ask people for money. I have my pride. Now I asked people to trust me with $10. Even $10. People hesitate. And I felt embarrassed. Suddenly a voice inside said, "If my embarrassment means help and aids to the famine people. I don't mind made embarrassed. I got embarrassed for a purpose!" So we asked $10 after $10...

Now we have 25 families buying 54 tomatoes from us. A total of $540. Plus all the matching, it multiplied to $4320. More than thousand people could be fed. Dying children could be taken care of. Heartbreaking parents could spare some tears. All out of this $4320. All out of our little tomatoes plant of our little patio. All out of a little brain of a little man. Above all, all out of Jesus our Saviour.

From one, it multiplied. And multiplied. Money multiplied. Love multiplied. They became the sources of joy and life of the poor and needy. Isn't it wonderful? Isn't it beautiful? Shouldn't we be filled with joys and thankfulness?

"The Tomatoes of Hope" started in July and accomplished on 9/11, not planned. But there is a divine conspiracy. One of love. One about 9/11.

Jesus loves the Muslims. He died for them as well. Now the most severely famine stricken area is in Somalia, a country of 100% Muslims. Literally no Christians at all. Even missionaries retreated because of highly possible life threat. None of them heard of Jesus' love for them. Now everyday thousands and thousands Muslims moved to Kenya and Ethiopia for help, two Christian countries. They might possibly receive the Living Bread and the Living Water and the eternal hope there. God loves the Muslims.

God loves the poor. Jesus identified himself with the poor and needy (Mat25:40). Anyone who loves unconditionally draws close to God. The God of love.

The world is filled with hatred and evil. Unfortunately 9/11 is not the first and won't be the last. If we choose hatred, self interest and focus on our differences, the world is Hell in advance.

But if we follow Jesus and choose love instead of hatred, choose loving others instead of securing our own interest, choose to celebrate our commonalities as human being instead of differences, goodness will then flow, kindness will be done, our image of the perfect God will shine forth. We won't be too far from His Kingdom.

These little tomatoes inspires. They teach us that we are never too little to extend a helping hand. Even an idea, based on love, aimed to help, consecrated to God, could mean life to many people. We are never too few to achieve something big as long as we have love. Because our God is the God of multiplication. And this God charged us to multiply. We just let as many people to involve in love actions as possible. Love then multiplied. And multiplied. God multiplies it.

So now how do you feel? This is my yesterday Scripture reading... This is our God. It might help you to act now and more.

"For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
FOR PRECIOUS IS THEIR BLOOD IN HIS SIGHT."(Psalms 72)

Canadian government will still match your donations to any major relief organizations before this Saturday (9/16). Let it multiplies. Let love multiplies.

Check this website for the famine and donations:http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/east-africa-famine-crisis-help-160515874.html

God loves a cheer giver. Just give with love.

The Road

Jesus said, "The road that leads there is so hard to follow..."(Mat7:14b, CEV)

The mind was yet settled. The clothes still wet. Waiting in a small jet plane for the thunderstorm to stop and then flew back. I asked my wife, "Did you benefit from the workshop?"

It would at least give me some comfort if she said "Yes." Because I didn't.

We had attended this 2 days Organic Church Workshop in Cleveland 22-23/7. We were now flying back to Vancouver via Toronto. I wanted to see at least my wife would benefit from it if that was not me.

I had high expectation of it. We decided to attend at least 4 months ago. We invited some possible partners to go as well. But as time unfolded itself, all of them had reasons not to go with us. But we never looked back even though that means flying all the way from coast to the almost coast just the two of us.

We prayed for possible fellowship and connections with people there including the speakers. But apparently it's not achieved because of the tight schedule. We prayed for good weather. But it turned out to one blazing 40 degree or the other sweeping thunderstorm. I worried about the connecting flight. And worries came true. We got stuck in Cleveland airport because of thunderstorm and missed our connecting flight in Toronto. And our new flight to Vancouver got delayed again. We landed home 2:30 in the morning. Not to mention the messy check-in counter in the ex-Lebron James city.

We paid at least $2000 for the whole trip. And 2 families took turn to care for our 3 kids. With all these costing and sacrifices, I thought it's justified to ask, "Do we benefit from it?"

God shocked me when he said, "Why do you see it in a "we benefit" way? Why don't you see it in what you could benefit others?" (With this non-self-seeking twist of thinking, who could it be if not Him?)

Suddenly I was relieved. I don't have to tell myself and others that this trip was worthy of all costs because we so so benefited from the messages, etc and etc. And suddenly I realized how far my mind and heart was from his. We love to justify our sacrifice, time and money, by what we get from it. It's in our DNA. A thinking needs no thinking. But in God's Kingdom economies, how much other people benefit from it is always his calculation, his formula. Remember the saying of Jesus - "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And suddenly I had a new perspective...

Give credits to Neil Cole and Ed Waken who did great job to introduce the Organic church planting concept. I didn't "get" much new discoveries because I had read four of Cole's books and others beforehand. Neil Cole kind of kidding said I could teach and he could sit. But it's no more about new information. We had seen wonderful people having great passion for the harvest as well as the Lord of harvest. Our presence, by flying thousand miles, by being the only Asians and the only Canadians, encouraged them. We prayed for one another. Definitely we touched some hearts as ours were warmed by not a few. Since we had been praying for this simple/organic church a long time and starting it for half a year, we had some hands-on struggles to share...

Could God fly us there just for these? Why not! The answer lies in our understanding of who God is: the God who loves to give, or the God who loves to take? Everything will change with the right understanding - the way we do church, the way we view the world and interact with people, and of course, our expectation on a workshop...

I had double blessings. Apart from this revelation of "give and take," He gave me an experiential understanding of what it takes to walk down the road that leads to multiplication of disciples and churches...

Our trip to and from Cleveland was a tough one. The flying time added up to a single trip to HK except the comfort and flights connections. Our swim suits never got wet. The hotel pool was to look not to use because of the schedule. As said, all the things we prayed for happened the other way. You could imagine our anxieties and frustration.

Anxiety was the right word. All through the workshops, we had time to talk to a few people around our table. Most of them are pastors. They felt frustrations with the institutionalization of churches as well as God's calling for them to start the simple/organic expressions of church. But one thing always worried them was the job, the finance. They agreed that they had to take up "secular" vocation in order to carry on this journey. That's the anxiety part.

And we shared the same anxiety as well because we had thought about how far the this road is going to take us. Forfeiting the clergy tax benefits and steady income soon at sight, taking up any kinds of jobs as tent making - just jobs no more career, dive alone into the unknown non-believers world, a few believers knowing and supporting your beliefs on this trip. Loneliness is the deal. Struggling in the realms of neither here nor there. Constantly in need even daily bread. Constantly in need of faith, of hope and of love for us and for others. Sometimes I feel like crying. I did cry. Before Him. Only He knows. He knows what it takes on this road...

Sitting in that plane and reflecting of the whole trip, these two trips seemed to converge. God told me once again that this road to fulfill his purpose in "making disciples of all nations" and church multiplications is never an easy road. It's bumpy, it's narrow, it's very hard for one to follow... There's great costs attached, sacrifices of this life to make...

But more and more I believe faith is about being courageous, taking risks and bearing cost to pursue Jesus, acting on our convictions and trusting Him for the outcome, knowing, however hard it is, it is a road of adventure and new discoveries of who He really is, of what's in His heart.

What count most is the end. We are going to see Jesus Christ, smiling and applauding, in the finish line. And as we look back, we'll see it is no more we alone running on this road. There are many thousands. And Jesus is smiling to all of us. He's loving it.

Thank you Neil and Ed and all the fellowships of the Lord down in Ohio. We love you all.

Rain Or Shine?

Rain or shine? What do you prefer? It depends. Smart enough.

But I always like shine. Blue sky gets bluer. The trees get greener. All from a sunny, shinny sky. Not to mention, pool-side sunbath. I fall in love with the sun for 35 years more.

Imagine you are holding a yard sales today. What do you prefer? Rain or shine? Shine, definitely. What if you are asked by non-believers to pray for good climate, but it turns out to be rainy yard-sales day? How would you feel? I felt embarrassed, confused...but then lightened up.

My neighbour Duke and his family just moved back to Kosovo last Wednesday. For reason unknown to me, God connected our two families pretty closely for last 4 months. On their last Saturday in Canada, they held a second removal sales on the open ground before our houses. They had the first sales a week ago but was disastrous because of rain. They believed in weather forecast and didn't need us to pray for it. So for this last removal sales, they requested us to pray for sunny weather. For this I prayed. Kids prayed. Our family prayed.

June 25th, Saturday morning, it was just overcast when stuffs were set out. In about 20 minutes, raindrops breezed in. Everyone was worried. I grabbed Philip, sat on stairs and prayed. Later I grabbed Joshua to pray again for the rain to go away. Duke's kids were watching us. Not only our prayers didn't work out as prophet Elijah did, but ironically they seemed to get more and more rain. Finally everyone needed some shelters. Only me ran here and there to cover the items from rain. My friend and his wife were despaired, sad and kind of giving up... just watching. Still a few customers checking out in rain.

I was perplexed. Why didn't God prove himself in front of my Muslim friend by letting out the sun? How could they believe Jesus hear prayers and care for them? I loved to see God defensed his name but he didn't. It frustrated me. All these bombarded me while I was getting them umbrellas at my home.

All of a sudden, something like this shone on my mind, "What do you want? Climate or customers?" I was awakened. Yeah, what did I want for them? Good climate or good customers? What if there was good climate but no customers? There could be bad climate but good customers. They needed customer only. They needed sales ultimately. How blind I was to this simple truth! How stuck I was to ask for climate! God, in his mysterious wisdom, didn't grant good climate. It rained and rained. But in his most gracious caring, He promised customers - good and many. That was why we saw customers checking out and buying even in rains.

My heart was released. Joy again filled me. I knew we didn't need good climate to guarantee sales. He would directly give good customers. I went down and checked out with them again.

What then had happened amazed me. Customers just came by, more and more and more... Some came with umbrellas, some didn't but I provided them ones. And they stayed and checked out patiently even in rains. This started to amaze even my frustrated couples. They were now busy in answering inquiries and negotiating prices.

During a break, I grabbed them and told them what God had just told me, the "climate or customer" encounter. They were as impressed and shocked as I first was. Their faces seemed to appreciate the higher ways of God(Isa.55:9). Then not long afterward, rains started to fade away. My beautiful sun, which makes the blue bluer, the green greener, just set in.

Two days later, when they were having dinner at our home, I asked if they were satisfied with the removal sales. So much they did. They told us how much they made from the sales... And we confirmed them it was one of the most successful yard sales we had seen. Not to mention the rain. They were convinced that God did help them.

Now that they were gone. They were gone without "converted." Yes we still can connect each other via Skype in the coming days. But our human understanding may easily draw a conclusion: waste of investment and failure. It is especially so when one family moved back to Taiwan at the same time, another probably might move back to Mexico later, one moved to Surrey... When these happened, one easily tends to use man's understanding and conclude.

If rains set in your life whileyou ask for sunshine. Try to remember this "climate or customer" encounter, the rain or shine deal: That God is in control; that there is a man's understanding of things versus God's wisdom; that His ways and thoughts are higher and much better; that he did answer us but in his ways.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isa.55)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."(Proverbs 3:5,6)

Living and expressing faith in a simple church setting, taking opportunities to make disciples on a one-one-one basis, entering into other lives and implanting into hearts the kingdom of God... anything but slow. And unseen. Like roots underneath the earth surface. But life is there. Future is there. And the test of faith comes when people starts telling you some human understanding of this and of that. All are good intent to quicken the process, to get results, to present a good report card. All are good, but not necessary God's ways. As to the perfect God, good is not enough.

So while we keep ourselves always humble and learning, we have to resist the easier, the glamorous, the faster options.

Head's up. Keep focused. Bear the cost. Trust Him. This is our only choice.

Jesus is so good. He never leaves us alone. He leaves marks showing he's there for us. Only we are sensitive enough to the Spirit. The road is long, the goals are far-reaching. But following him like this is a day-to-day adventure, totally new discovery and perspective. Once stepped out, there is no way you want to go back.

NO WAY.

I Appreciate You

Woke up in the morning. "Let's decorate our patio!" I said to my wife. So we bought potflowers, with names I never heard of... and I bought 3 little plants, pepper, tomato, cucumber, one for each of my sons, Caleb, Joshua and Philip.

I was the best instinct killer of all things alive. Fishes, plants... all dead under my caring. This time should be different. To my boys, this time has to be different.

So why should I still buy some little plants to grow? I think it originates from Mother's Day(May 8th). We were all very touched on that Sunday Morning. At the end of the service, we huddled together, praised each other, prayed for each other.

Because we all realized what it meant to be "I appreciate you." We all understood we were much indebted to the love and caring of others.

This began not so much with Mother's Day... yeah maybe. But definitely we were inspired by studying how Barnabas accepted Paul when he was just a new but rejected believer.

Before we started the bible study on Sunday, the kids were asked to read the passage (Acts 9:20-31)by themselves a few days ago. They were given a paper to write down 2-3 points about "Accepting People" from the text. They, including Philip, all did it diligently - Yeah, a bit hard for Philip!

When we came on Sunday, everyone had something to share. I was no more amazed to hear their wonderful sharing. From time to time, we learn God really speaks to kids. They really have the same Holy Spirit in them that we should listen with fear. This is one amazing discovery of us from gathering as simple church. We let the Holy Spirit to guide our sharing and these are our discovery from that passage:

• In accepting people, we (Barnabas) let them (Paul) tell their stories.



• In accepting people, we listen them with hearts.



• In accepting people, we need the hearts of love.



• People will be hurt if we do not accept them.

Isn't it amazing? They were from the kids. Isn't it simple? Simple. And very much on target.

Then we moved from the last point to "What if Barnabas rejected Paul?" "If so, what would Paul become?" During the introduction, we all contributed our knowledge of how great Apostle Paul was? Philip said, "He wrote Galatians." Caleb started to list, "Colossians, Philippians, Corinthians..." They knew Paul brought many many people to Christ. So it is not hard for them to imagine the answers: "He would no more trust God!" "His faith would die down!" "He would never become that great!"

The image of a little plant came to my mind. And I started to develop it, "We see Paul finally become a big big tree of faith. But when he was a new believer, he was like everyone, a little plant of faith. He needed encouragement and acceptance to grow. If Barnabas were like the others, feared him and isolated him. Then Paul would be very discouraged. And he might never be able to grow and become a big tree. Paul was so much indebted to Barnabas...

I think what happened one day in heaven is this: We'll see Paul stand before Jesus Christ, with million of people he brought to faith standing behind him. And we'll see Barnabas stand before Jesus as well. Maybe with only a thousand people he brought to faith standing behind him. When Paul meets Barnabas, I think he will say to Barnabas, "Brother, thank you so much for accepting me. If it weren't you there for me..." Paul started to turn to the millions behind him and said to Barnabas, "This will never happen. Thank you, brother, it all because of you. I appreciate you so much..." Jesus would turn to Barnabas and said, "Yes, Paul was right. You've done a great job, son."

I was very much touched by what I said at that moment. Definitely it was from God. Caleb left his chair, eyes red, rushed to Mom. Wanted to hug Mom. I stopped him. Bible study not finished - what a foolish and stubborn Dad! He went back.
I continued, "We need to accept people like what Barnabas did. Then people can grow up..." Caleb suddenly had an insight, "It's like the Sun and water. They help the little plant to grow up and become a big tree. Barnabas was the Sun and water."

This image really captured me. And suddenly it melted with our expectations and hope for bringing up kids. So I said, "3 of you are like little plants. It is not easy for us to raise you. But we work hard to learn. And we pray and pray and pray. We want to see one day these little plants become a big and strong trees of faith for God..." Joshua jammed in, "I know I know. Mom and Dad are like the Sun and the water. We need the Sun and the water to grow big."

"Yes. You are right. We want to grow you into a big big strong tree for the Kingdom. 3 big big strong trees of faith on earth. One day when we see you again in heaven... we see Philip, you, bring with you million of souls to God. And you Joshua, another million. And Caleb, a million. And we see you all become such a big big tree for God. We will be so happy and proud..."

Caleb again. He stood up. He cried. He cried heavily...

Usually he does it when he thinks others are unfair to him, brothers are unfair to him, Mom and Dad are unfair... He cries as he thinks others are indebted to him. But this time is very different. First time to my memory.

He rushed to Mom, crying. Hugged Mom. While saying, "Thank you Mom."

Clouds of appreciation and gratitude embedded us. We all stood in circle. Hands in Hands or hands on other's hairs, each thanked others. We all gave thanks with prayer. A family in bond of love and appreciation towards one another. God was there.

Probably because of this powerful encounter and probably because of Summer close by, days after, we bought the little plants.

I believe there is a divine purpose for being a Christian parent. At least this is my strong conviction. We don't raise them to be a lawyer, except a strong Christian lawyer. We don't raise them a doctor, except a strong Christian doctor. We don't raise them to a so and so... except a strong Christian so and so. It only matters if they are a strong Christian. We will not feel indebted to our kids if they never been to Disneyland or on a cruise, got a Harvard MBA or CGA...

But our hearts will be broken if they only live for themselves, not solely for Jesus. If they settle for being a mediocre Christian, not a true follower of Jesus with passion and love. If they care much for what to eat, what to drink, where to have fun, than pursuing and living out God's purpose for them on earth. This will make us sad.

We love them too much not to raise them up only to Jesus. We love Jesus too much not to grow them up solely for His kingdom.

What if they don't?!

God has mercy. Christ has mercy. And we labor.

None Like Jesus

April 4. Monday Morning... Lonely

Cars ran full speed on highway. I looked out my window. Strange images flied away one after another. But my mind empty. My heart was scary, uncertain and lonely.


In a few hours, I would be facing a strange crowd near to 100. I would be sharing Jesus to them. All in a country in which gospel is very much suppressed.

I am not a veteran at this.

But one thing I am certain: Jesus said to me, "I am with you..."


March 31. Thursday Morning... I Sent You


All the busy works, pressure & anxiety of a month accumulated to this climax. In few hours, I would be heading Vancouver airport for this missionary trip. Now in the morning, I had my quiet time with the Lord. I was reading Psalms 56 by myself, while kids and Moms read the same Psalms in sitting room.


God met me powerfully...

Psalms 56 talked about the very unlikely people of faith, like foreigners and eunuchs. God was going to draw them graciously to himself. They would follow him and worship him. Words like "I will gather still others..." really related to what my trip was about - I was set to gather harvest.


If you know that our new ministry is "Home(=House) For All Nations"... If you know that the name is based on what Jesus said in Mark11:17, "my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations... If you know that I'll be flying in a few hours just to fulfill this calling, to preach to All Nations.

Then you will feel my shock as I read on to verse 7 of this Psalms: "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."


You always have little secret or some sorts of sign with God. That when it shows up, you know it is "The Lord!" He caught my attention. Now I knew it was Jesus there. Then I heard his little voice:


"Be strong, take courage, son... It is me who send you out... I will be with you..."


I prayed. I listened. I talked. And my tears fell. Tears warmed my face. He warmed my heart.


So on my way to airport, I asked my kids and my wife to share their insights of Psalms 56. They shared... and I shared mine...


And Aden said, "how come your sharing was so different from us?" I was silly enough to say, "Maybe we have different translations!" That simple?


April 3. Sunday Evening. An Asian City... He Turned Pages

I was staying in my friend's home. I was briefing them what I was going to say in the workshop on the next day. And I told them the wonderful experience I had with God that morning before I left. Then a strange idea suddenly came across my mind...

Ever since I said farewell to my family in Vancouver, I tried to take out the Bible & read again that passage in Psalm 56. I tried on the plane, in train, in Hong Kong... But I could not find it again. I just would not give up. So I looked up Psalm 46 - maybe I made a mistake. It's not there. I tried 66, 76, 86. Again not there. So I began with Psalms 36 and flipped through every psalm to 80 something. "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations" JUST NOT THERE. I couldn't believe it. I almost believed I had some sort of direct revelation or a divine vision.

When these episodes suddenly flashed back, I asked my friends, " Can I borrow your Bible?" While I was briefing with my friends, a strange feeling came to mind, "Will it be Isaiah 56, not Psalms 56?"

Then I turned to Isaiah 56, it said, "MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS." I couldn't believe it.

On that morning, we supposed to read Psalms 56 ( I even confirmed with Aden before I went back to my room). But when I opened my Bible, I turned to Isaiah and read 56. How could my fingers flip so many pages?(Turn from Psalms 56 to Isaiah 56, you'll be amazed)


My Lord is my friend. The Best One. He knows who Marcus is? I am not a bit strong, tough, brilliant... as people think. I have lots of psychic barriers to cross when doing new things, going to new places, meeting new and strange faces. Many sees my calm outlook. Only Jesus sees my waves and winds inside. He knows that I need a strong reason to do this. Even to die for, to be imprisoned for. I need to know without a doubt that He himself sent me, that He will be there with me. This is what I need.

Jesus cares. He cares enough to reveal himself to me. He cares enough to speak to me. Not just spoke to me. But chose to turn pages after pages for me, till he reached that chapter which He knows would speak very powerfully, very personally to me... Isaiah 56. Then He appeared himself... Whatelse could I say about Jesus my Lord? I am speechless, totally surrender myself in awe and in joy to Him. Who is like our God? None.

I hope you appreciate our God is altogether holy, powerful, mighty... but at the same time, he is so altogether gracious, lovely, approachable, beautiful... and very very humorous. He is a God of joy and fun. Just like a lovely father does... he plays with his children, a lot.

Who Wants To Act Jesus?

Easter,

to kids is egg hunts,

to some is a 3 hours driving lineup for border shopping,

to us is a love so unique from Jesus.

To remember Christ's love for us, we chose to read scriptures covering his death and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

We did this in a play. In fact it is only a rehearsal of the play that will be acted this coming Sunday in our home.

Having a 5 member family has advantage in doing a play. We have enough people for many characters...

We discussed what the soldiers did to Jesus, how Jesus felt on the cross, how's it important that his bones not broken... We discussed the responses of the soldiers, Mary, Peter and John who rushed to the empty tomb...

There were a few teaching moments, some to me were touching moment. Explaining how hard Jesus breathed on the cross, how he was nailed and how he was pierced, definitely touched my heart once again. I could see my kids got something in their hearts as well.

But before all this rehearsal, we had to decide who acted who...

"Who's going to act the soldiers?" Caleb, Joshua and Philip hurried to raise hands. "Who's going to act the angels in the tomb?' Caleb, Joshua and Philip again hurried with a yes.

"Who is going to act Jesus?" All said, "Not me!" (They thought they had to be naked like Jesus & lots more...)

But we need a Jesus. So I persuaded them. But Philip was too young to remember the scripts. Joshua was too funny as for the suffering cross. So I convinced Caleb to do Jesus. He rejected. "Let's draw lots!" So I pulled out 3 toothpicks with one being shortened and asked them to pick. Philip picked the long one. Joshua picked another long one. Caleb got the short one. But when he discovered his "fate," Caleb cried, "why me?" "I don't want to be Jesus!" "Why all bad things happen to me?"

He cried. Really crying. I was speechless. What were we going to do if no one volunteered to act Jesus? It went for a minute. And I said, "You don't need to act Jesus. Jesus was not forced to do these. He just wanted to."

Seeing his brother's sadness, Joshua said, "OK. I'll do Jesus!" And I thanked Joshua to volunteer himself when no one was willing to be Jesus. And I told my kids...

"We need a Jesus spirit to act Jesus. Joshua just demonstrated to us what is the spirit needed to act Jesus. WILLING AND VOLUNTARY. Jesus was not forced by the Father. But when he and the Father saw our eternal sufferings from our sins, he said to the Father, "Father, let me go to do this for them!"

Jesus, the Son of God, wanted to come, volunteered to come, happily he came, not in ignorance of the price he was going to pay. He knew what's going to take to set us free: his lonesome 30 some years, misunderstood by all including his own brothers, forsaken by his beloved disciples, flogged, nailed, naked, pierced... death... even on the cross. But Jesus chose this. If he is going to do it again...if...He would say YES to the Father again just like he did before the creation of the world. Jesus volunteered himself because he love us, love the world, so much...

So I told Caleb. "Now that your brother takes your place and volunteers for you, what are you going to say?" "Thank you." "Yes, you say thank you but from the bottom of your heart...

This is what we should do to Jesus! He volunteered to take up our place on the cross that we don't have to suffer. We should all give thanks to him from our hearts, love him and follow him faithfully all our lives!"

Is that what you do in Easter and everyday? Thanks. Love. Follow.

This is how as a simple church we celebrate and remember our Lord. We don't do preaching. But God is so rich that he often teaches us in ways far touching and relevant than any human words.

Lord, I thank you so much for what you do to us.

(As for the play this Sunday, we are not ready for public viewing, except those viewers in Heaven. Sorry!)

Candle In The Dark

"You are the light of the world," Jesus said.

This is the Kingdom people. They will shine. Even though it's a tiny light. It shines...

Because the world is so dark, so indifferent. A little light sparkles a huge difference. People needs a smile, a touch, an example, to convince themselves there are still somethings bright and beautiful in a darkened life.

Because we were removed out of darkness into light. We are the children of light. We naturally shine. We now can do the good works from a good heart prepared by a good and mighty God.

My African brother, Kizito Gaston, a godly father and wonderful man, had struggled to clean up the garbage mess that morning. That was a rainy morning, early, cold morning. He went to take care of his own garbage, but found his neighbour's garbage was a mess, and spilled out all over the backyard. He was about to leave, but God told me to do something about it. My brother struggled as all of us would. "This is not mine!" But God insisted. And he obeyed. So he went back. Wore gloves. Brought a plastic bag. Piece by piece. Bit by bit. He gathered. He picked up. Imagine the stained & filthy stuff. He put them in the bag, tied it, and placed it there nicely, all under the rain. No one supposes to see, except the eyes in heaven.

But that morning, 2 pairs of eyes on earth have captured it. His neighbour - garbage owner couple. My friend had been longing to establish relationship with the couple. But they were not very responsive. That morning, an hour after Gaston's good work, this couple came and knocked his door. They told him that they saw all the things he did in the morning. They asked him, "Did you know it was our garbage?" "Yes" "Then why did you do that?" "Because you are my brother..." That Philippine couple were touched. That day, hearts warmed and doors open. That day, a candle shone and gave hope.

Life is wonderful with our Lord. The life from Him is so wonderful. We are so imperfect, yet we have a perfect God to look up to. Isn't it beautiful? He makes us beautiful. He makes us shine. Shine in the dark...

Aden had a parent conference days ago with Joshua's teacher, Mrs. Baxter. She loves our boys. One thing she asked my wife, "Joshua told me John John goes to your house every week."

John John is Joshua' classmate, a new immigrant from China, a boy with autism. Maybe because it takes time to accept the reality with his boy. Maybe because the heavy duties of taking care her son. Maybe simply of too much worries and tiredness, John's Mom was all the time sad and troubled. Anyone can see it. Her son's teacher can see it as well. When Aden replied "Yes it is," Mrs. Baxter was relieved and thankful. She said, "I was so worry about her."

It doesn't take much skills to see a person in need. But it takes some love to act on what we see. We don't have much love, but God has. We invited them to our house. Aden took a leisure walk with her in Steveston. We suggested she could leave her son in our house Saturday morning, so that she could have one or two hours free time. And John John came almost every Saturday.

I don't say my sons enjoy it totally. But they know there is a time to help. There is a time to walk an extra mile. There is a time to show some kindness. They are learning. I am learning. It's getting better and better. John John loves to come.

Does it mean that we have no other things to do? We have tons as all of us do. Does it mean that we have so much energy? We are so worn out by our boys all the time. But I think when you get closer to Jesus, it's easier to give a bit more, to love a bit more, to do a little bit more. His life, his love, just flows to us and floats us and carries us. We can do good. We should do good. For the good sake of goodness.

Recently we manage to enter some houses and bring blessings. Doors open to us. They are non-believers. One of them is a Taiwan family. Their sons are Caleb and Philip's classmates. They were also not very responsive. But recently they changed. so we were in their house. And Aden gave witness to the Mom. She told Aden, "Your family has a lot of love to other people." We are so ashamed to take this compliment.

We think what we did is nothing. We don't even think much. Yes everyday we do walk a Korean neighbour boy to school and back from school to his house - his Mom has another 2 small kids to take care at home. Occasionally, we have to take another boy, from India, to our home for an hour after school, because his Mom was still tied up with her work somewhere. So in the eyes of all other parents in school, we are a strange family. Seems that 3 are not enough, now we have a Korean boy, an Indian boy, to form a parade with Aden. With this and that, with things that we don't even count, the world is watching. They are wondering, "Why do they do that?"

I could only give praise to my dear God, my Lord. It is His life. His life is so rich, so beautiful, so wonderful. While He told us to walk an extra mile with others, Jesus himself walked many many miles for us.

Lately, my sons always hummed this song: "I never know how much it cost. To see my sins upon that cross." Jesus walked a great distance, so great and so tough that none comprehended. But he walked alone, while we alone benefited. Now He asked us to walk one more mile for others, show some kindness, love a little more... If we can just tap into this great resources of love and mercy, doing good will come easily, purely and willingly.

Shine your light. The world is so dark. People around needs love. Just shine your light. Do good. And bring glory to your Father in heaven (Mat.5:16).

Thank you, Father for this privilege to shine for you.

Messy Spirituality

There is a set of beliefs. Church is a specific place that we go on a specific day to do some specific things. Church more or less becomes a program, some events, certain religious formula. Faith is boxed neat and tidy, linear and causal. Here God is tamed and is controllable. Not much to expect.

I am switching to the originals that church is a group of Jesus followers and is the life they live together. It's 24/7. Just as life is full of twists and turns, church life is messy, with lots of interventions. Right there God becomes who He always is, an uncontrollable God. Setting His own agenda. Achieving His own purpose. And revealing His beauty and love to the pure at heart.

I was so blessed to have seen God done it weeks ago. And the way Jesus revealed himself makes me ashamed of my neat-and-tidy spirituality. He drove me on my knees in awe...

Concluding our first Sunday worship at home, I wanted to see my kids become more serious. That is sitting still on chair while studying Scriptures, and sharing orderly, all standing up for praises... So in the second Sunday worship, I set in some formats.

I set the chairs in row like what they did when attending children worship in traditional churches. To differ our Bible study time than their own devotion time, I even cut cardboard and draw signs of light bulb, question mark and arrow to increase their participation. And I planned a service agenda in my mind. We would pray first, then sing praises, study Scriptures about early church life, sharing... For fitting the kid's level of understanding, I even download an animation presentation about believers "coming together." With all these well thought and well prepared, I expected they would worship Jesus and somehow meet Jesus.


Now Sunday morning came. We dressed up (kind of confusing to kids, as one time they wore pajamas to play transformers, 15 minutes later, they dressed up to worship God in the same room, with the same family. Seemed to them God hated pajamas!).

When we sang praises together, I expected to see we all sang. But Joshua, our prayer warrior, didn't feel like singing. He just sat there. We tried to urge him to sing with us. He just didn't care, sat on his chair and continued reading David and Solomon. I was upset. Then came Bible study time. The 3 signs did attract them. Maybe a bit too much. When I asked a question, they started to take the sign to respond. They all tried to grasp a sign. Now Caleb complained Joshua taking his sign. Philip ended up getting no sign... And I had to make some new rules again. Maybe they sat for too long or what, they just moved around, from chair to floor, from floor to another chair, fighting to sit with Mom... Caleb moved too much that he fell from his chair! What a church life to me?!

Then we sang a last song to end this Sunday worship. Then they huddled around my laptop and was so excited and asked me to show them more for-kids animation stuff from YouTube. I played 3 more to them before we headed to McDonald for lunch. Caleb was moving here and there while Joshua was very attentive at this moment...The last one is called "I love you."

Before we left, Joshua and I had a little talk in bath room. Joshua was not happy. He was very sad. I asked him what happened. Joshua said, "I feel sorry for Jesus." "Ha Ha" came to my mind. "Holy Spirit must have convicted him of his uncooperative manner in worshipping God," I thought. So I was not slow to teach Joshua a lesson...(Are you ready for some bad Christian parenting? For someone playing God?)

I said, " Joshua, you know what. You should sing with us to praise God... You should be more cooperative and more serious in worshiping God. Say if we have other kids joining us in our home church, they will follow you as you keep on doing silly thing...God thinks we are not ready because you guys are not worshiping him properly. That is why He had not added people to our church yet. Not until you guys are ready. Now you know you were wrong. Confess to Jesus..."

Joshua said, "I am not thinking this." "What do you mean?" I said. Joshua said, "I feel sorry for Jesus. That kid left Jesus alone."

(Suddenly I remembered how attentive Joshua was when watching "I love you" It was about a kid no more wanted Jesus in his life. He just threw stones, bad words to get rid of Jesus.)

Jesus slapped my face when I realized what really made Joshua so sad. He was sad to see this kid no more loved Jesus.

So I embraced him and said, "It's alright!" Instantly he dived into my arms and sobbed. My naughty boy Joshua cried and cried heavily. I led him to my room. Let him sat on my lap, pull him into my chest, let him cried a good cry for Jesus. I never seen a kid crying for Jesus so much. Not my kids. Not any kid. Not often in adults. But here's my uncooperative son, who not following the last details of my agenda, brought forth in his most inner part, a pure love.

If the heart of worship is all about Jesus, who's now the real worshiper? I would never forget that sacred moment. When I held Joshua in my arms and let him sob for Jesus, the world stopped, I was touched, very much by a naked love of a kid to Jesus. I felt Father God was so delighted to see his Son that much loved & treasured by a young heart that day.

I was forced to confess my stupidity, my religiosity, my playing of God, wanting this wanting that happen(even though they were of good intent). Jesus just ripped my box (frame of reference) apart. He didn't show up according to my time frame, 11:00 am to 1:00pm. He revealed himself when it's "done" (1:01pm). Jesus didn't make much use of my preparation, not the songs, not the Scriptures, not the animation I picked. It was the kid's choice, not planned, not intended, randomly picked animation that Jesus chose to reveal His presence. While I planned to build in some order for worship, Jesus welcome interventions, allowed distraction and diversity. He showed me when God becomes who He is, uncontrollable, He would pour out much more blessings, and above all, His presence.

He will show up. But expect Him to show up in unexpected ways.

That is simple church life. 24/7 Jesus followers. Jesus the Master, not visitor. Worship is only about Jesus, only in spirit and in truth. Interventions as divine. Box would be smashed, as we experience God afresh. It's church. It's life. It's messy. But we'll see His beauty face to face. What else a worshiper longs for?

See this & check if you have a naked love of a kid to Jesus ('I love you'): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj8Xgsy5veg&feature=related