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

My B-Day Wis...ion

I had my birthday wish.

I had a birthday vision.

Is it my wish? Is it God's vision? I know not. I call it Wis...ion.


Yesterday. 11.4. My B-day. 51.

The day before yesterday. 11.3. I posted in facebook: "Being 51 is not much fun..." Suddenly birthday greetings fall like our autumn rain, don't stop, yet with joy.

I was down. Thinking of 51. Entering into 51... did arouse my emotions.

When my eyes not fix on Jesus, I fall, like Peter. Looking at elsewhere, bring me down.

There are many reasons for these emotions... Being 51 is one.

It is not that I worry about my outlook. I am happy with it.

I don't worry about my physicality. My recent workout starts to pay off.

I am not in mid-life crisis. I had enough rebellions at a younger age...

I know my purpose. My whole being - body, soul & spirit -is ready for the kick-off. I am high and up on a life purpose.

So what made me down for being 51...

Maybe Paul was right. I shouldn't look back all those 50 years lived.

Incident after incident, my life rolled out...

Faces of friends, alive or dead, or half dead. Good times and bad times. Memories. Lots of memories...

And suddenly like that rabbit slept long under the tree, woke up and found out time flied away. What remained was just that much.

These rolled out during my prayer on 11.3, the day before my B-day. I was sad, not because I didn't live a colorful life. I had led enough wild and crazy life that men in pub will surely envy. I was sad because I didn't give the best of my life to love Jesus, to serve Jesus and to witness Jesus. I was down when I started to count the years ahead that I still can serve Jesus on earth, that I can proclaim Him to the earth's end. The sad thing is...not much time left for 51. I felt sorry for myself.


In prayer, I poured out this feeling to Jesus. Longing to draw close to Him. Showing Him my love and adoration for Him. Then I received a vision in my mind. And this became my 51 B-day wish...

"I saw feet in sandals. Feet in sandals walking on sandy and gravel path... wherever the foot stepped out, the sandal was right beneath it. Whenever the foot stepped out, the sandal followed literally in the exact same place..."

Seeing this picture in mind, I said my wish to Jesus...

"Lord, let me be the sandals on your feet. Wherever you go, I go...

Lord, make me that sandals on your feet. When you were on mission to the Samaritan woman at the well, I was with you... When you are on mission to the lost, the broken-hearted, the poor, let me be on mission with you. I go where you go.

Lord, let me be the sandals of the Good News ready to walk that distance with you.

But make sure it is you who lead, I am, the sandals, to follow. Not that I try to step on every foot prints you left. Even more so. Like a sandal of your foot, every step you made is every step I'll make.

Jesus, I want to be your sandal. Stay low. Stay humble. Stay beneath. Dirty for you. That I let every little piece of sand or rock beneath me pierce me. That Lord, the way for you will be a bit easier.

I want to be your sandal. On a mission with you. Yes. But most of all, I long for the closeness, the proximity. I want to be drawn close to you. So close, Lord. Like the sandals to your feet. Skin to skin. Heart to heart. With each of your step, I feel it. I touch it. So personally. So intimately. So closely. And so lovingly..."

This is my B-Day wish. At 51.

I hope. I believe it is more than a wish. It is a God-given vision. My Birthday gift. The best one. Then it'll be a foretell of what I am doing - on a mission. Of how I am doing it - closely with Jesus. That I shall be seeking His heart, following His step, in my coming years.

I love this vision so much. It starts to drive me up and high again.

If you find it hard to believe in vision, take it as my B-Day wish. Then do pray to God that this wish of mine comes true. I don't mind it is a wish. As long as it'll come true. Let's me blow my candle!

Be it a vision. Be it a wish. Let's His will be done, on earth, in me in you, as it is in Heaven. Amen.

I Preached Against Shrimp Dumpling

I preached against shrimp dumpling last Sunday Service.

Pretty much on fire.

Some told me so. Some discussed it. Some cried. Some shook my hands. Some even told me a shrimp dumpling was left uneaten on table that day. No one dared to eat it.

In case you forgot it, missed it, or are interested in it, this is a very simplified version...


Note: ( ) = My elaboration, or text reference


" Title: Fighting Moment/Nehemiah ch. 4...

My wife said, "It is huge warfare!" when recalling what happened last Wednesday. She went into a neighbor house & led second second Discovery Bible study (go to last message 'Stepping Out... WOW' for God's wonderful guidance). Just when they were ready to study the fall of mankind, 2 Jehovah witnesses knocked the door. The host answered the door. Aden went down as well. The Jehovah witnesses were very sticky. And a baby of our neighbor started crying. Even though the J.W. were gone, the crying wouldn't stop.

The study was then forced to stop. BTW, this group is penetrated by the Baha'i faith people who volunteers to teach them English every Tuesday. For the last 9 months, when we prayed for ways to outreach the neighborhood, the Jehovah witness, Baha'i faith came out forcefully from nowhere. It's really the fighting moment!

(I talked about how Nehemiah called out all people to respond to their enemies...How everyone became an army of ordinary people... Then I switched to Christian role in spiritual warfare in Eph.6:13-18. How all of us should put on God's armor to fight the world, Satan, and our sinful nature...)


Yes. The warfare is fierce. But it is never an even one. Through the victory of the cross, Jesus has taken away the sin of human being. God is willing to grant the gift of forgiveness via Jesus Christ. Satan could no longer condemn our sin & enslave us. We are set free! The strong man had been tied up by Jesus Christ(Mat.12:29). We, as free man, our role is to follow through, go into the house & rob his possession. Through preaching the gospel, we'll set free all those still captured by Satan.

If you get this, the essence of Great Commission comes into light: After being crucified & raised to victory, Jesus commanded his disciples, the army of ordinary people: 'I have won the victory & have all the authority. No more defence. It's time to attack. Soldiers, Charge... Go! Go! Go! Therefore Go and Make disciples of all nations...'(Italics, mine).

If we obey Christ, put on God's armor, bring forth the Gospel & His love, go into a community of desperate people, Satan will be scared to death. Because he is going to be robbed again! (Then I told a story of a church in HK, the church of "no walls." How a pastor has mercy over the homeless in parks. How he visits them every week & later gathers a church of 60 homeless every week in the park, worship, learning God's words...)

Church of no walls are those Christ followers dare to go go go, go into a community, share the gospel & gather believers as a church, right where they are. If according to Jesus' definition(Mat.18:20), church can be in a park, then can church be in campus field? If a church in park is church, then can church be in office? If a church in office is church, then can church be at home? (Then I started to introduce the simple church ministry I am going to do next year... Our Bishop encouraged me to use 15 minutes to talk about this... Normally I don't like to deviate much from the text message!)

The name of our ministry is called "FANS Home"(The Home For All Nations - Mk.11:17) . We have 3 focus:

1. Missional:

God sent His Son to the World. Jesus sent us into the world. Instead of asking people to come to church. We are the go go go people. We are the go go go church. Just like what Aden doing, we pray & pray for harvester. We go into a community. Share the gospel. Identify the person of peace(Luke 10). Convert him(her) + his (her) network, the house. Gather them right where they are as church...

2. Making Disciples & Simple Church:

We make disciples when they commit to come together as a group, even before conversion. 3 DNA will be implanted right there from the start: Divine Truth + Accountable Nurturing Relationship + Apostolic Mission. They will be reading & studying & obeying the words of God. Life will be transformed by the Spirit working through God's words in an obedient heart. Everyone is accountable to others. The neglected but crucial discipline for growth like confession of sin to each other(sure it applies to Pastor!), speaking the truth in love... come back to central stage. And we will be praying for the lost, reaching out for the lost, sharing what we learn each week as a group to our pre-believer friends... We focus on these 3 areas in group of 2-3, from there to every size God will us to grow, 30, 60, 100 times... Simple? Yes. Simple but profound. Simple & reproducible. That makes a movement.

(Where is the shrimp dumpling part? Coming...)

3. The Poor and the Needy:

God calls us to share the gospel not in words only. It will be shared in love. God tells us there is a big world out there needs help... Probably you'll have dim sum after this service, right? How much it costs for a plate of shrimp dumpling? (They replied: $3, $4) How long does it take for you to finish this plate, say if you are very hungry? One minute?!(They nodded.) I want to make you feel sick when you have dim sum today... 60 seconds gone, right after you finish your shrimp dumpling, 24 kids die in the world(refer to my blog message 'Count with me 1, 2, 3...') 24 kids die of malnutrition & hunger in Cambodia, in India, in remote areas of China, in urban ghettos of Mexico... right after you finish your shrimp dumpling. And that $3, $4 can save those 24 young lives. That same beautiful life as we touch, we kiss, we hug, we feed at our home... dies. Die because we only touch, only kiss, only hug, only feed the little ones, the ours! It is a sin for Christian not caring for the poor and needy. It is not about shrimp dumpling. It is about a lifestyle. A lifestyle that is not thinking, caring, loving the poor. This is sin. This is something we need to answer before Jesus(Mat.25:31ff). Our ministry will be taking care of the orphans, the widow, and the poor... Among them, we shall make disciples of Jesus Christ. That is a must!

(Funny enough. After this powerful & straight-forward wording, I came to ask for support...) You can support us in this way:

• Check my blog to know our passion: marcus-jesuswow@blogspot.com


• Persistent Prayers:


• Donation

(And I concluded with 2 Tim.4:7-8...)

Which opponent you don't want to face in battle? A well-trained mercenary army or a well-trained voluntary army. One fight for pay check. One fight from love. Brothers & sisters, God is calling his army to fight, put on His armor, go into the world, share the gospel with love... Satan will be scared to death. Because this army. The army of ordinary people. The army of all voluntary hearts. Fight out of love. To them, they have nothing to lose. Are you one of them? )

I was pretty much on fire.

Walking. Waving. Preaching. Lost in the pulpit.

The life of a shrimp dumpling changed that day. Uneaten. Thanks to my preaching.


The next day. Monday morning. I looked out the window from my room. Still lost in the power of Spirit. Still lost as the focal point on pulpit, I talked to Jesus in open eyes...


"Lord, I know I have the gift of preaching. I am feeling good about it(kind of addicted). I am good at doing it, doing something that is not effective in changing life(I changed the life of a shrimp dumpling, though). Can you take away this gift from me?

But while you do this... can you give me another gift, a gift that I might not be familiar, have not been doing very good. But at the end, people see you, not seeing me. At the end, we see life changed, obedient disciples made. We see your followers love you so so much, that they love the world so so so so much..."

If you happen to be a preacher, I do not mean to offend you. I think there is a higher calling than preaching to a Christian community every Sunday morning. And you know the reason. Sooner or later.

Am I bragging over my preaching?

Instead, this is my confession. The confession of a preacher. The confession of a preacher who looks for something more effective in impacting life, changing life, plus changing the world. We don't need to invent it. Jesus had shown us. Commanded us. It is only our question of following suit or not!

Stepping Out...WOW!

Jesus was walking on water. His disciples were in a boat. One man decided staying there no more. What did it take Peter to step out, to take risk of his life or his fame, to wow like Jesus?

We all know he failed later. But we all forgot he was the only man in NT to wow with Jesus - a surfing-like ecstasy. We might have forgotten it is Jesus' entertaining Peter's pursuit with "Come!"

A consuming passion to pursue Jesus. This is the WOW spirit. Peter did have. Have we? Let passion dies, we live as follower only by name.

All for Jesus. Good. All through Jesus. Much needed. For the last few months, I have been learning the latter. There is so much fun... with Jesus leading & showing His ways.

I was asked a few times: "What did you prepare for planting church next year?" "How many people will go out with you?" My answer always seems embarrassing. To me, I mean. Because it seems I had no preparation at all. I made some. But God overturned them.

I attended church planting school in 2009 Spring. But when God gradually shows his plan for me with simple, organic, house church movement. All I learnt there were pretty much irrelevant. At least in principles. I could have been provided with a better financial support system in church planting. But ended up with a less secured one. I requested to use a quarter of my last few months' time in our team leaders training, but not granted. It's ok. God knows I don't need it. Because I don't have a team. Except my best team. My family team.

We prayed and prayed. But things didn't happen that way.... Then Christ shows us His way. So we are at peace. Perfectly happy. Firmly secured in His presence. What else will you ask if it is Jesus himself around you, before you? You ask nothing more, except more of himself.

Step out, you walk on the same water with Jesus, I prayed.

The simple, organic church movement starts with this: Pray for the harvester. Go out in a team of 2. Find the person of peace in a community. Go into his house & preach the gospel. Gather them in meetings(a church)... Does it sound familiar? It is Jesus' way. He showed the twelve disciples. He showed his seventy(Luke 10). How could I be so stupid to neglect it as timeless? Thanks Lord. He shows me this truth.

We have prayed for harvesters for a long time. We have prayed for the person of peace in our community. Our neighbourhood is very much multi-ethnics. We always think we have to speak English at least in the house church at my home. And you probably knew that the Baha'i faith (a new religion from Iran) penetrating my neighbourhood, if you've read my previous blog. Our heart was burnt when we saw the Baha'i faith people volunteers to teach the Chinese people English weekly.

Prayers + Person of Peace + English speaking house church + Baha'i faith penetration = ?

They all not match up. Hardly could add up. But in God's economy. Divine purpose shows up.

One day. Aden & I intentionally started a casual talk with a Chinese lady who's now learning English with the Baha'i faith. Later on we exchanged favors... then we become friends. In the meantime, Aden was praying how to move forward with her. Later on she asked if Aden could teach them English once a week. In mid-Autumn Festival, we were invited to join their party. We saw the power of a person of peace. She had invited 30 of her friends there (not counting kids). WOW. You know what? I could envision a house church in hers already.

Every Wednesday morning, my wife will teach them, a group of 4, English in their house. They would talk in English about all walk of life. About raising kids, immigration hardship, family, finding jobs, pressure... Out of these practical issues, Aden will share how her faith made a difference.

In the second lesson, our woman person of peace, after hearing Aden's witness, said, "Can I follow you?" said in eyes redden.

Over the week, my wife was praying of how to lead them closer to God spiritually.

In the third lesson, our woman person of peace requested, " Could you lead us Bible study that we could know more about your God?" WOW. Isn't it amazing that a non-believer asks you to teach her Bible?

That afternoon. I bumped into her. Chatted a little bit about their English class. She told me about my wife: "Aden was very good & kind to us. And she seems like someone I could always look up to... I don't know why. Your wife has a very special attraction to me. I just so adorn her. Honestly speaking, a lot of people volunteers to lead me Bible Study. I turned them down. But I really want Aden to teach us Bible..."

In this coming Wednesday, they'll have their first Discovery Bible Study.

But let me tell you how prayers add up to all these.

Over the last two weeks, when my wife walked to them for English lesson every Wednesday, I prayed for them to come to know Jesus. I prayed for my wife. Knowing that the Baha'i faith people teaches better English (a UBC student), I prayed for other attraction: a special attraction, the fragrance of Christ, flows through Aden to them. That they will be deeply attracted. The Spirit prompted me to pray this way. The attractiveness of Aden to that lady is exactly the unique fragrance of Christ, filling them via a weak but willing vessel.

Jesus is leading us all the way. He is doing it wonderfully all by himself. And we are so honored being yoked with him. So mystically following his steps. Without knowing, even praying His prayer. And seeing it comes true.

So in Thanksgiving Day, nothing is more appropriate than this gratitude: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume" (2 Cor.2:14 - "Hermie & Friends Bible Version"- I am using my son's Bible a lot lately!).

It is so empowering, so powerful, so excited to see Jesus revealed his will, his way, his hands, his perfume. Even in this preparation stage, the stepping out stage. Should I expect less if I have my other foot as well walking on water 2011.1.1?

When we took our first surfing course in Kenting, Taiwan this summer. We were driven to a beach far away. Each of us stood on a surfboard. Listening to the instructions of our "Coach Iron," we did all the funny moves and practices. To others, it sounds so weird. A bunch of weird people wearing swimsuits, standing on surfboard, doing all strange gestures...on sandbeach. If we do not envision ourselves end up riding on waves in that piece of ocean, we would be the biggest joke of the day. As silly as it might sound, we prepared ourselves in high spirit. Wow! Just the thought of riding on waves rocketed our spirit sky high.

We were taught with some basics, briefly 45 minutes. Life is all about learning. But learning by doing. Then we rushed to the sea for more than an hour. We were not scared. The joy overrode any fear. Too exciting to feel fatigue. All failed a few times. All wiped out. That would not stop us. Because our coach didn't leave us in water only with those basics taught on sand. Coach Iron was with us all the way. He was standing in water. Correcting every mistakes. Applauding every little win. He was there. Till we all made it.

Jesus said, "I will be with you always !" This is not a promise to any Christian. Sorry guys. This is a promise only to those who dare to pursue, dare to risk...a lot, even their life in making His mission, His dream a reality to the end of the world(Mat28:19-20).

When I saw Coach Iron in water, I know what is "be with you." When Peter walked on water, I know it again. Even when he fell into the water, I know it. I know what is "always." When you WOW... when you fall... Jesus is there, beside you, inside you, around you, before you, behind you...that is "always." So we expect an authentic and authoritative appearance of Jesus himself everywhere, anytime, around us and before us. As much as we do it for Jesus, do it through Jesus, we expect much from Jesus, of Jesus.

In order to remember that moment of a lifetime surfing on water, we wore a bracelet. We crossed our hand, held each other as a team, we took picture. With that same boldness, huge expectation and a deep breath, we are taking off another foot, stepping it out on the sea of newness & freshness... We know He is there waiting for us. We are ready to WOW with Jesus.

Dear friends, do you still have that burning passion for Jesus? Do you now want ministry done only through Jesus, no more by your flesh? I pray you do.


Do pray with us that we, family as a whole, don't miss too much of what we leave behind , and that the new depth of faith & the discovery in Jesus surpasses all loss incurred in the process of making all nations His disciples. May Glory and Honor be to our dear Lord Jesus Only and till eternity, from traditional churches, from simple, organic churches, as well as from you and me. Amen.

Mission 9.11

Saturday afternoon, rain began to fall, everything was made wet. I was happy with it. Rainy day seldom makes me glad. This was exception.

Saturday 9.11. Divine appointment. Divine initiation. Divine Mission on 9.11.

It all begins with our simple/house church planting. We are planning to plant new churches 1.1.11(next year). And it will begin first at our home. But ours is small & messy. Clean-up needed. So I had some days off 10 days ago to do this. I simply wanted to throw away at least 1/5 of our old stuffs. But then the idea of having a yard sale came up. Yeah. Maybe our neighbour could use up some of these stuffs. At our home, they are retired. At others, they could be revived. But we have never done a garage sale before.

Thinking of all the complications involved, I almost wanted to back off. We could simply give them to Value Village. Why all these headache? Only if there was a meaningful cause... I thought.

Then one morning, when I was praying to Jesus. I started to wander a bit in prayer. Thinking of this yard sale. Thinking how to make it more meaningful to others. An idea of donating all proceeds to a charity/relief organization suddenly popped up. WOW. That's meaningful. But to whom? Then I thought of the devastating Pakistan Flooding. I thought of UNICEF. But I didn't receive its information for quite a while. Not knowing if they have something ongoing for the Pakistan flooding. All this happened in my prayer. We can say that was "not focus" in prayers. But to me that could be the "Spirit hovering over" my mind(Gen.1:2). Ha ha, my excuse.

Right after prayer, I went down to check what the postman just delivered. Guess what? Yes. It was the mail from UNICEF. In this sacred moment, I was a bit tensed while opening it up. Oh. I found a few donation requests for African AIDS. I could compromise the "vision" from my prayer. I thought. Then I checked through the last flyer. Alleluia! It is for helping children in Pakistan flooding.

What a divine initiation! What a quick divine confirmation!

The way from divine initiation to divine mission is not smooth. There is human weakness. My weakness. Always.

We had to do the yard sale on 9.11. Nothing political or spiritual. But economical. All donation would be matched by Canadian Government. But the deadline was 9.12 Sunday. Sunday - Sabbath day + church anniversary banquet - not a choice. 9.11 Saturday was our last & only day to double the donation.

That means we only had a few days left for checking all stuffs, cleaning, pricing... And we had to distribute flyers to our neighbourhood. Only me & Aden were doing these. We were so exhausted that we hardly could bend our waists. But the most draining was the weather.


We had seen for a few times how God could change weather for outreach sake. But that was history. Recently I loved to check weather forecast before & during event planning. 9.11 was locked. Do it or drop it. Weather forecast Friday, Saturday and Sunday: light rain; cloudy shower; light rain. What shall we do then? God encouraged us to "look up" to him. So we drew the kids together. Briefed them the what & why. Then we prayed and prayed for good weather, neighbour. Our family went together door to door distributing flyers. We would not back off.

There must be some implications from God for 9.11. Rain or shine, we would not give up.

You knew it. Friday - overcast + sun. Saturday - sunny + rain. Sunday - rain rain rain.

At 10:00am, people already started checking out before we were ready. The flyers worked. 32" Color TV @$10. Ikea single bed with mattress + delivery @$10. Digital camera @$1. Desk + delivery @ $1. Free sofa bed + delivery. Free pen & stationery... for kids. Free DVD...


It was a big success. We remade our home while old stuffs found new owners. Beautiful. We met many neighbours & managed to talk with some, from India, Middle East, Philippines, Chile, Croatia, China... When they knew the reason why we did that. They showed much appreciation. Most people loved our beautiful cause - doing it for the sake of others - the Pakistan children. (Do you know Pakistan is one of the most unreached people by gospel?) People tended to give more. We ended up with an earning of $96.66. Double it up becomes $200 for the Pakistan kids. Plus our kids experienced God. This pastor once again had his experience of Jesus, the Master of wind & wave, been revived. We were amazed to see the rain started to fall in the afternoon, 4 hours after we ended. Isn't it beautiful to see rainfall like that?


What more beauty is mission 9.11? It is divine forecast of what we, the simple church, will be doing.


We'll let go of the old/used/not important stuffs, say the church buildings, comfort zones... we choose to gather together anywhere, everywhere. Then what save up could be used locally & globally in impacting people's lives, in giving hope, in caring orphans, widows and the poor. We might be small. Our impact are profound.


We do not attract & evangelize people inside the 4 walls of church. Rather we'll break out and reach out. Like yard sale in open space, we meet the lost in the harvest field. No more bringing people to Christ, but bringing Jesus to people, to the neighbourhood, to the community.


We do not treat adult are superior. Different ages, different colors, different generation & gender, of course with children, we fight together, pray together, experience Jesus together. There is only one team, one focus, one dream.


We do not rely on our wisdom or the sure win program or principles. We learn to wait and listen and discern His will. Each and every time. We trust the Spirit will teach us how to fight.


We will make friends with the Muslim, the Hindu, the Sikh, all those unreached people group. Because God brings them here in our neighbourhood. Because God so loved the world. And they are the world. And God loves them. "Jesus loves them, this I know, for the Bible tells me so"


And we'll do exactly what the world undo. God locked us up on that Saturday for a reason. A very important implication. When the world was so split up on 9.11, when the world was so filled with hatred and sorrow on 9.11, we sowed the seed of peace, the seed of love, the seed of unity, in the name of Jesus Christ on that same day. (I helped loading the bulky TV to a Filipino family. You know the tension between HK & Philippine; Our Muslim friends visiting & appreciating our cause of action...) We, simple church, shall preach a gospel of love, a gospel of peace, a gospel of transformation.


The world needs Mission 9.11. The world needs a group of simple, focused, obedient followers of Jesus to be their salt. The world needs simple church, organic church, house church to be their light. I am very much crazy for it. I pray that it's been passed on to you. I pray that you'll as much crazy as I to see it realized as such.


Mission 9.11. A small win. But God reminds me a war out there, lest I am too much carried away. 2 young ladies from Jehovah witness just knocked my door... I am very furious with the filtration of the heresy, very much sadden with few Christian workers for the harvest, very much zealous in seeing His will be done on earth...


Awake! Brothers and sisters: Mission Not Accomplished!

Let's stand up. Let's stand tall. Let's stand firm. Fight time...