jelification

Moving to Wordpress

2008-12-09T22:29:00.001+11:00

I'm going to start blogging at www.jeffritty.com from now on. Unless there's anything more private, in which case, I'll probably blog here.

Kitty's already actively blogging there. I'm going to join her now =)

Jeffritty Unveiled

2008-12-03T21:15:00.005+11:00

Kitty's been working on a website for us. I can now I have permission to officially unveil it! It includes a new wordpress blog as well.

www.jeffritty.com

I'm not sure whether to keep blogging at jelification or not. I might keep doing both!

Epic Hairball

2008-11-30T17:14:00.003+11:00

The drain in our bathroom seems to keep flooding up whenever we turn up the showerhead. This afternoon we found why. I opened the drainage hole, and Kitty dragged up a 1kg cylindrical tube of hair and muck the size of 2 cans of baked beans.

She wouldn't let me take a photo of her holding it!

pre-empting jelification

2008-11-17T23:27:00.001+11:00

It's been quite a while since I've started this blog. Seven years in fact, since the first incarnation of it on ujournal. And now cross-posting to multiply. Back in my uni days, it kept my sanity and helped me reflect in times of busyness. Back then, there was no myspace or facebook or wordpress.

Kitty and I (well Kitty mainly), has been busy putting together a whole new website, complete with wordpress blog, photos etc and our own domain name. In due time, it might well mean the end to jelification.

I figure that if we're married we should have one home, one surname, one bank account...and one blog right?

Random spam

2008-11-15T14:51:00.004+11:00

Yesterday I was accidently included on spam by some guys in the US. As far as I can tell, they were christian dudes, about my age, asian, living around the San Francisco area who were trying to organise basketball. And they have a friend with the same name as me.

I decided to reply them back. Here's the thread (censored for their privacy).

---------------------------
On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 7:57 AM, David #%*<$&#%@gmail.com> wrote:

Aite fellas,

We got the Alameda High Gym from 8:30pm to 10:30pm.

So far I got..
DY
Richard
Jeremy
Thomas
DChoi
DK
Eddy
Eddie $^@
Jeff #@^
Ryan
Mike Yu
Jin
JChun

See yall there!
---------------------------
On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 9:04 AM, David %&# <#@%*@gmail.com> wrote:

jchun?>?????

The same jchun we all know? CM ministries jchun??

Aite guys, bring your a-game

DY
--------------------------
On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 9:07 AM, Kevin #&#^& <$^*#^@gmail.com> wrote:

Does he know about the "married men under 30 have to bring their wives" rule?
--------------------------
On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 9:59 AM, Tim Paik wrote:
Haha...

Looks like a big group...I might come if Eddy promises not to break my ankle again.

-Tim
--------------------------
On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 10:48 AM, Jeffrey $^#^ <$#^#@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey there

I think you've got the wrong Jeff $&#*. For one, I don't know where Alameda High School or Naval Base is - I'm assuming you guys live in the States.

Secondly, even though Qantas flies 5 times a week to Los Angeles, I don't think I'll be able to book a flight in time.

Thirdly, it's almost 11am Friday here. I think I've missed your game.

I'm sure the Jeff $#@& you know would like to be included in this email.

Have a good one guys!

--------------------------

They even replied me:

On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 10:53 AM, Thomas %$^ <$%^@law.berkeley.edu> wrote:

LOL

Jeff in Australia,

If you have a jump shot, you are welcome to join us next week!
--------------------------

They all seem like clones of us here in Sydney. It's been a slow week. This might've been the highlight of my week.

Tim Keller

2008-10-25T23:00:00.002+11:00

Lately, I have been listening to, reading and thinking through alot of talks and articles that Tim Keller has produced. Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, which he planted in 1989 with a mere 50 people. Since then, it has turned into a church of over 5000.

What makes me interested in him is how he exegetes the bible, exegetes culture, and exegetes the human heart so very well. One of the only other preachers who I have listened to lately who does this extremely well is Dominic Steele, from Christians in the Media.

I like him also because he's noticed something that I've started noticing as I work in the CBD, rub shoulders with heavyweights and begin thinking about the culture of the CBD worker. Tim Keller recognises that young professionals and artists are ‘disproportionately influential’ in creating the country’s culture and so, to evangelise and 'redeem' that culture, then you have to target and meet this coveted demographic on its own terms. I think his strategy here has worked immensely well in NYC, and I suspect, that is part of why Dominic Steele has been so successful with CitM. Dominic's sermons really hit at the heart of the media worker; and he very readily also understand the heart of a businessman as well - just listen to his talks from City Bible Forum.

From Joshua Harris's blog (the guy who wrote 'Boy Meets Girl' and 'I kissed dating goodbye'), he writes this of Keller:

Tim knows how to unveil and unpack the truth of the Gospel from every Biblical text he preaches in such a way that it results in the exposure of both the idols of our culture and the idols of our hearts. His faithful exposition of our true Savior from every passage in the Bible painfully reveals all of the pseudo-saviors that we trust in culturally and personally. Every sermon discloses the subtle ways in which we as individuals and we as a culture depend on lesser things than Jesus to provide the security, acceptance, protection, affection, meaning, and satisfaction that only Christ can supply. In this way, he is constantly showing just how relevant and necessary Jesus is; he's constantly proving that we are great sinners but Christ is a great Savior.

This is so fantastically true of Tim Keller as I read and listen to his talks! And I believe that it is so true as well - starting with me. I need to know personally, that Jesus provides so much more security, acceptance, protection, affection, meaning and satisfication than anything else in my life - including my status in society, the money I have, the car I drive, the friends I have, the work I do. And I think until we preach this in our sermons, bible studies and what not, all Christian teaching can so easily become legalistic mumbo jumbo that exhorts the Christian to live a morally good life without pointing them to the why and how.

In essence, Mark Driscoll's rants about functional saviours and idols has been taken from what Tim Keller has been saying all along! Here's a really fantastic excerpt from one of his sermons which talks about this:

"But part of this goes back, I remember, some years ago, to when I sat down with my wife. You know what that’s like - on the way home - after the sermon. First you are hoping she will say: “Great sermon, honey.” But if she doesn’t say anything, you fear the worst. I remember one day we really got into it. I said “let me ask you, how often do you think it was a great sermon? How many weeks out of the month?” And she said “no more than one in every four or five weeks.” So, we sat down and here’s what she said: “For a good part of your sermon, your sermons are great. They are rational and biblical, and they are exegetical. They show me how I should live, and what I should believe. But every so often - suddenly at the end - Jesus shows up. And when Jesus shows up, it suddenly becomes not a lecture but a sermon for me, because when you say this is what you ought to do, I think to myself, ‘I know, I know, okay. Now I am a little clearer about it and I am a little more guilty about it. Fine.’ But sometimes you get to the place where you say, ‘This is what you ought to do, though you really probably can’t do it; but there is one who did. And because He did it on our behalf, and because He did it in our place, we believe in Him. We will begin to be able to do it.’” This is true only to the degree that we understand what He did for us. And she says: “That’s different. One time out of four or five, your lecture becomes a sermon when Jesus shows up and I want to do that. I have hope. And I begin to see how I can do it.”

I really didn’t understand . . . but basically, now I do. Here’s the thing. Your preaching will never be doxological and it won’t be central unless it is Christocentric. Here’s why: if you tell people they need to be generous, and ask why they aren’t being more generous . . . I happen to know about people being generous. Sometimes you don’t know about the lust in someone’s heart week to week, but you know if people are being generous week to week.

Why aren’t people being more generous? Are they just being sinners? Let’s go back to Martin Luther. Let’s go back to the catechism. If you are not being generous, then there is something going on there, is there not? You are saying your status or your security, which is based on money, is very important to you. You need to be able to buy certain cloths and live in certain circles and go to certain places. Human approval, security, there’s idols underneath the lack of generosity. The money is more than just money. It’s security, it’s significance, it’s status. You’ve got to make more money, then you will give it away. How do you do that? You have to show that Jesus Christ is their true wealth. You have to show them what their idols are. You have to get to Jesus. As a result, if you don’t get there, you are going to find that you are wailing on people’s wills. You are beating on wills."

Lastly, Keller talks alot about 'redeeming culture'. I still haven't thought through this completely, but his premise is that: God created a world of peace and life; the world has fallen into a state of injustice and brokenness; God has determined to redeem this world through the work of his Son and the creation of a new humanity; until eventually the world is renewed and restored to being the world that he made and that we all want. So he says in short, the purpose of redemption is not to help individuals escape the world. It is about the coming of God's kingdom to renew it. God’s purpose is not only saved individuals, but also a new world based on justice, peace, and love, not power, strife, and selfishness.

And so, we ought to be creating strong counter-cultures for these things will last into the new heavens and earth. I think this thinking ties into to the doctrine of end times. At the end, will everything be destroyed (consumed by fire), and will there be a new heavens and a new earth? Or, will God instead come to completely renew and redeem creation to form a new heavens and new earth? So therefore, Keller seems to say that it is vitally important to have the gospel affect cultural activity and cultural production - those activities that I guess, relate to our creation mandate. I'm still thinking through what the bible says about what will happen at the end. Is earth completely new, or just renewed?

Has anyone else come across Tim Keller? I'm actually a bit surprised that alot of people I've talked to have never heard about him before! Or have I suddenly gone amazingly heretical and off the track...

Freaky

2008-10-19T22:46:00.002+11:00

Playing round with the photobooth feature on Kitty's macbook the other night. Took a photo of myself. This is what came out:

Jeff + macbook mutation = Ed?

Some thoughts

2008-10-19T01:01:00.002+11:00

I think in my asianness, I have imported a success syndrome into my thinking on life, work and ministry. God doesn't want me to be the best bible study leader, best church planter, best preacher... That's just so out of the court.

He just wants me to be faithful. A faithful husband to Kitty, and a faithful father to our family. And faithful wherever he has placed me.

Wow. I feel like I am now free.

I'm wondering...

2008-10-17T22:40:00.003+11:00

...whether this whole global credit crunch is God's judgment on Babylon and our trust in our riches and possessions, rather than the sovereign God who gives, and who takes away...

9“When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city,
O Babylon, city of power!
In one hour your doom has come!’

11“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more— 12cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. 14“They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16and cry out:

” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

It was not less than 100 years ago that England was the superpower of the world. I also wonder if we are witnessing the fall of the US from being a superpower.

I also wonder where I have laid up my treasures - in my shares and wealth, or in heavenly treasures that will not rust or fade away...

18 things I find frustrating and sad...

2008-09-28T22:42:00.000+10:00

In Sunday School, we've been taking our class through Genesis, and looking at the problem of sin and brokenness. Today we asked the question: what makes you sad about the world? Here's my list:

I find it sad that people just can't seem to get along
I find it sad having to deal with office politics; the gossip and meanness that goes around
I find it sad how hard it is to wake up on Mondays to go to work
I find it sad that some people in the world have it all, and others have to scrimp and struggle to get through in life
I find it sad whenever I drive through the south-west and see the number of houses being sold up by banks
I find it sad when I see people struggling to attain a lifestyle beyond their financial means, knowing that in the end it is fleeting...
I find it sad how uni students long for the best grad job possible, at a prestigous IB or Big 4
I find it sad how once they enter a prestigous IB or Big 4, it's not all cut out to be
I find it sad how meaningless life is without God, and how so many people don't realise it
I find it sad how much discontentment and equality there is in this world
I find it sad how apathetic people can be about others
I find it sad how infuriating it can be reading syd ang forums and the comments that are made
I find it sad that a taxi driver ripped me off on the way to the airport on our honeymoon
I find it sad that I still struggle with sin and temptation
I find it sad how death affects so many when it happens
I find it sad that death just seems so unnatural and unfair
I find it sad that we will never ever make poverty history
I find it sad that all is not well with this world
But I am glad that Jesus is the answer for all the problems in this fallen, shattered and broken world.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of GOd is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, netierh shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:3-4"

Kitty's home cooked meals!

2008-09-25T21:33:00.002+10:00

Scotch Fillet steak and roast vegies

Salmon Carbonara

Scotch Fillet steak with bok choy

Roast vegie pasta salad

Herbed Lamb Chop

mmmmmmm...!

Rice Regenerate

2008-09-09T20:54:00.003+10:00

I've had a head full of thoughts about alot of things lately. Reformission. Mission. The work of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration. I found myself stuck in the bible trying to work these things out...I still don't know the answers to them all!!

But as I was thinking about Rice Regenerate, and the doctrine of regeneration, I remembered the processional song we chose for our wedding - 'O Great God', written by Bob Kauflin. It's based on a puritan prayer called "Regeneration" (believe it or not!). I think it sums up beautifully what it means for us to be regenerated or born again. When my dear friend Faith led us in singing it at our wedding, I had goosebumps. I wonder why I don't hear it sung (at all!) in any of our churches, or even sing it at any Rice Regenerate meetings! [Someone - please do something about it!]

Here are the words of the original puritan prayer, and following that, the lyrics of the song.

REGENERATION

O God of the highest heaven,
occupy the throne of my heart,
take full possession and reign supreme,
lay low every rebel lust,
let no vile passion resist thy holy war;
manifest thy mighty power,
and make me thine forever.
Thou art worthy to be
praised with my every breath,
loved with my every faculty of soul,
served with my every act of life.
Thou hast loved me, espoused me, received me,
purchased, washed, favored, clothed,
adorned me,
when I was a worthless, vile soiled, polluted.
I was dead in iniquities,
having no eyes to see thee,
no ears to hear thee,
no taste to relish thy joys,
no intelligence to know thee;
But thy Spirit has quickened me,
has brought me into a new world as a
new creature,
has given me spiritual perception,
has opened to me thy Word as light, guide,
solace, joy.
Thy presence is to me a treasure of unending peace;
No provocation can part me form thy sympathy,
for thou hast drawn me with cords of love,
and dost forgive me daily, hourly.
O help me then to walk worthy of thy love,
of my hopes, and my vocation.
Keep me, for I cannot keep myself;
Protect me that no evil befall me;
Let me lay aside every sin admired of many;
Help me to walk by thy side, lean on thy arm,
hold converse with thee,
That I may be salt of the earth
and a blessing to all.

The lyrics of the song "O Great God".

O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

Engage, Kitty's Cooking, Becca's b'day (not in that order)

2008-09-05T18:49:00.005+10:00

Kitty's cooking dinner right now so I might as well blog! Speaking of dinner, here's some more photos of her cooking =),..... Below is viet diced beef cubes, and herbed pork chops with roast vegies (i think?)

mmmm yum. She's cooking some lamb chops right now. Looking forward to it!

Went to Engage with church and friends last weekend. It was fantastic. Pretty tiring, but really good too. It was really applicable to me as a worker, and thinking through the issues of being a worker who has first and foremost Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

A number of our dear non-Christian friends came us with us and we had not a few conversations talking through some issues raised in the talks. Mark Driscoll was really engaging and funny as always. Don Carson just smacked you head on with God's Word, and with so much application that it cut to the heart and made me so grateful that Jesus died for my sin. He challenged us to have our complete identity and worth as a Christian, and also to trust in God at all times, and especially in hardship. Mark Driscoll attacked our functional saviours and challenged us with the doctrine of regeneration. The talks are on the kcc website to be downloaded for $2 each.

At work, in between meetings, organising meetings and debriefing from meetings, travelling to and from work to go to meetings (I hate meetings!) I've been listening to alot of sermons. Lately I've been listening to a bit of Tim Keller and reading some of his articles, especially on the gospel. This talk is particularly good (it talks about preaching the gospel). Mark Driscoll takes alot of material from Tim Keller!!

Been thinking more strategically about how we ought to evangelise (or be missional) and our culture as well. I've been challenged lately...I want to get out and do some kinda sport, where I can meet other non-Christians and make friends outside of work. Anyone up for kickboxing or combat classes somewhere??

My sis-in-law turned 18!! Becca's bday dinner was last Sunday. Woooooooooo. You have the charge to take the gospel to each of your 101 cousins! =)

Memory Tower

2008-08-25T18:52:00.004+10:00

So we're starting to go through Genesis in Sunday School now. I read Genesis 11 the other day, and this thought popped into my mind as I saw clips of the closing ceremony today.

Call me a cynic, but I can't help think about Genesis 11, the Olympics and .... Tower of Babel anyone?

Image courtesy of SINA Corporation; http://i1.sinaimg.cn/2008/en/photo/2008-08-24/U3134P461T74D8234F1661DT20080824220430.jpg

Month

2008-08-23T17:48:00.006+10:00

Heard Mark Driscoll speak today at Rice Regenerate. Kitty and I feel so refreshed!! He is very biblical, passionate, faithful...we're praying tonight that God would work through him to preach the gospel clearly, and through that, he would save many youth! We're very much looking forward to Burn your Plastic Jesus on Wednesday night, and also ENGAGE conference next weekend as well!

Kitty's a wonderful wife and a great cook (but she's not a wonderful wife merely because she's a great cook!) - she uses her cooking as a creative outlet. I keep forgetting to take photos of the meals she cooks every night. I'm never ever bored with what she makes - I gulf it down incredibly quickly. Never any scraps.

>

> >

We really enjoy having people over - Kitty loves showing hospitality. Sometimes it is tiring especially after a hard day at work, but still worth it. Having people over to chat, to read the bible with, do bible studies and train leaders. Something we couldn't do when we weren't married! And then there's the PS3 games hehe - getting pro at Vegas, and also at Civilisation! Kitty loves the beat-em-up Virtua Fighter games. She wants Soul Calibre, but we'll probably wait for it to go down in price first.

Saw Phantom of the Opera a month ago - it was good! God blessed us with being able to hear Anthony Warlow in a Matinee performance (usually he only performs at night). He really is the Phantom. Now my dream will be complete if we can see Les Miserables, live in theatre.

> >

I'm eyeing the new Ken Follet book "World Without End". But I think I'll wait til it comes down in price, and I'll go back and re-read the prequel "Pillars of the Earth" before I go ahead with that. Pillars of the Earth was the bomb!

Been listening to a few talks by Tim Keller recently. He's a very gifted speaker. Thinking a bit more about ftpm and ministry now. Still not entirely sure - something we're going to have to work out. What if we make the wrong decision?

Jeffritty Resurrected

2008-08-16T23:13:00.002+10:00

I really should start this blog up again... Things have just been so busy!!

Got an iPod nano from work. I have finally succumbed to being an iPod owner! But it's the best thing ever - I can hook it up to iTunes, and now I've learnt to download podcasts of talks etc, for when I'm going to and from work to listen to.

Kitty's a great cook. Might post up some photos of her creations. I think I'll revive this blog soon perhaps?

Watch this space...

Carlton Draught

2008-05-28T21:50:00.002+10:00

I'm not a great beer drinker, but Carlton Draught ads are pure gold. Their marketing team are a bunch of geniuses.

"Skytroop show"

"Flashbeer"

"Shed"

"Canoes"

And who could forget "Big Ad"

Kinda makes me want to drink more beer.

"Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Times of Tom Carson"

2008-05-13T23:09:00.003+10:00

Tom Carson never rose very far in denominational structures, but hundreds of people … testify how much he loved them. He never wrote a book, but he loved the Book. He was never wealthy or powerful, but he kept growing as a Christian: yesterday’s grace was never enough. He was not a far-sighted visionary, but he looked forward to eternity. He was not a gifted administrator, but there is no text that says “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you are good administrators.” His journals have many, many entries bathed in tears of contrition, but his children and grandchildren remember his laughter. Only rarely did he break through his pattern of reserve and speak deeply and intimately with his children, but he modeled Christian virtues to them. He much preferred to avoid controversy than to stir things up, but his own commitments to historic confessionalism were unyielding, and in ethics he was a man of principle. His own ecclesiastical circles were rather small and narrow, but his reading was correspondingly large and expansive. He was not very good at putting people down, except on his prayer lists.
When he died, there were no crowds outside the hospital, no editorial comments in the papers, no announcements on the television, no mention in Parliament, no attention paid by the nation. In his hospital room there was no one by his bedside. There was only the quiet hiss of oxygen, vainly venting because he had stopped breathing and would never need it again.

But on the other side, all the trumpets sounded. Dad won entrance to the only throne-room that matters, not because he was a good man or a great man—he was, after all, a most ordinary pastor—but because he was a forgiven man. And he heard the voice of him whom he longed to hear saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Not many books (apart from the bible) drive me to tears. In fact, when I got to the end of Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson, I had to grit my teeth and stop reading lest everyone on the train began to wonder why this grown man in a business suit suddenly started crying.

Don Carson's biography of his father incorporating snippets of his father's personal journals is absolutely incredible. His sheer faithfulness in ministry - through the good times and the bad. His love and passion for God's people. He really is an ordinary pastor in the eyes of the world - his church was never big, he ministered during a time in Quebec where even one convert a year would've been lucky. But as I read his journal entries and Carson's interjections, you see a truly extraordinary and faithful man who loved God immensely. His journals are frank and honest - filled with his daily routine, his disappointments and joys. You see him wrestle with depression and seeming fruitlessness in ministry. But yet, Tom Carson trusts God and perserveres. I pray that God would mould me to be a man like Tom Carson was.

This book is truly amazing. I love reading biographies - in fact, my most favourite books are biographies of great Christian men such as Simeon, Whitfield and Wilberforce who had enormous influence and great ministries whose fruit we still experience today. But this is a simple book, about an ordinary pastor - one who struggled with discouragement, who saw little fruit during his life, but trusted God and with great humility and prayer, perservered because he knew that God had put "many people in this city" (Acts 18:10).

I absolutely loved this book. I would put it at the top of my list of favourite books, and it was absolutely captivating (unlike some other Carson books which i find incredibly hard to read). I'm perplexed why Koorong doesn't stock it yet - it's available off Amazon for around $20 (shipping incl.). I don't know what else to say, but to say: if you're Christian, you have to read this book. It will encourage you immensely and move you to tears. And you definitely won't regret it.

Gripe #1

2008-04-21T19:38:00.003+10:00

I refuse to be defined by what I do, what I earn and what I studied, than by what Jesus has done on the cross for me.

"Admit your sins to the Lord, priest tells gay judge"

2008-04-13T21:00:00.004+10:00

In the news this week, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Rev Richard Lane had been engaged in written correspondence with High Court Justice Michael Kirby telling him that he faces God's judgment if he continues to call himself a Christian whilst living a gay lifestyle.

I have great respect for Kirby having read many a judgment of his during my time at law school, but during the week, I found myself praying for Richard Lane - for it was a courageous and brave thing that he did, to speak the truth in love to Justice Kirby.

At first I was sceptical, but when I read the actual first letter written by Richard Lane to Justice Kirby, I found the content very biblical and level-headed (I don't think I would've done what he did in the second letter though). I followed the letters to the editor this week, and yesterday, the editor stated:

"The other big topic this week was the dust-up between Justice Michael Kirby and the Reverend Richard Lane, which provided about one in every four letters over the past two days, with a slim majority supporting Kirby."

That's remarkable that only a slim majority of letters supported Kirby. I would've expected more! I was also glad to read many letters encouraging Richard Lane:

Justice Kirby claims my colleague has turned a blind eye to the "central loving message of Jesus of the gospels". Christ speaks of forgiveness but also commands us to repent. Sometimes I find it hard to hear, but I still appreciate those who gently but firmly point out my own, very real sins.

The Reverend Sandy Grant Wollongong

Herod did not appreciate John the Baptist calling him to repent of his sexual immorality either. Could the Herald's treatment of Richard Lane be the modern-day equivalent of seeing John's head on the plate?

Andrew Mitchell Gladesville

Richard Lane deserves praise and not condemnation for pointing out the inconsistency between Christian teaching and homosexuality. The current popularity of a sin does not make it right, no matter how distinguished the person. If God is going to judge all of us because of our sin, then we should be thankful to anyone who risks public crucifixion by warning us about this truth, even if we do not want to hear it.
The Reverend Gordon Cheng Kingsford
If Michael Kirby was in the surf and Richard Lane saw a shark approaching, would we not expect Lane to sound a warning?
Lucy Chik Faulconbridge

I find discouraging that Linda Morris, the SMH Religious Affairs Writer, seemed to write the article in such a disparaging and biased manner, as though any person in their right mind would say that Richard Lane was a fool. But I guess that's reality in a fallen world that continues to disobey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ isn't it?

After reading the article and the written correspondence, what do you guys think?

The Gospel Coalition

2008-04-11T19:20:00.003+10:00

The Gospel Coalition is an awesome idea. Someone should do this here in Australia! Check out their initiatives, their videos, their council members..

Woe to me!

2008-03-29T14:08:00.000+11:00

"Woe to me! I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Isa 6:5)

Indeed the more sanctified a person is, the more conformed he is to the image of his Saviour, the more he must recoil against every lack of conformity to the holiness of God. The deeper his apprehension of the majesty of God, the greater the intensity of his love to God, the more persistent his yearning for the attainment of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, the more conscious will he be of the gravity of the sin that remains and the more poignant will be his detestation of it...Was this not the effect in all the people of God as they came into closer proximity to the revelation of God's holiness?

John Murray, "Sanctification" in Redemption Accomplished and Applied, p145.

"He's one of the old gods! He demands sacrifice!"

2008-03-25T23:33:00.001+11:00

Ahaha. As much as I love Calvin & Hobbs, he's wrong here.

1 Samuel 15:22 - "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams..."

Matthew 9:13 - "...I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

From the Challenge Talks...

2008-03-20T00:49:00.003+11:00

"....become a tax consultant!! Does no good for anybody but gives you a safe income. And there's always a need for you - you'll never lack a job if you're a tax consultant. We've got some of the brightest people in our land working hard so that we can minimise the amount of tax that wealthy people have got to pay. So we're actually employing some of the cleverest people in our society to rob us from our own taxes and our own wealth. Now that's a really sensible society isn't it.

And I'm so glad you're training to be one. But excuse me for suggesting to you that your education in accounting is not an education. It's just a technical training - you could actually get a bright monkey to do it. Not a matter of thought or deep reflection; its a matter of getting a job. It's about getting a career. Rise, rise, rise...through the path, up the career - that's what it's about. That's what university's about. It's the love of money."

Darn! How'd he know what I did as a day job?!!

The past week

2008-03-10T00:20:00.002+11:00

It's been so busy. There are just too few hours in the day to do what I want to do. Spent all night tonight thinking and praying about ministry, which was only one in a list of things I wanted to do. I wonder what rest I really need - I just want a quiet day alone, reading the bible, reading a good book, with no distractions. But I can't seem to do that when I know I have other things to do. It's like that at work too - I need to get things out the door so my inbox is cleared. Maybe it's something I need to change.

Wedding invites are almost done. Thankyou sooo much Joycey for designing them, especially since you're so busy atm too! Now we got to finalise the guest list. Scouting out places to rent too - it seems soooo hard at the moment. All this planning and preparation...I have a strong motivation to just go and elope...

Went down to Melbourne for a national staff conference. Good time with my colleagues and work friends - conversations become so much more interesting when you're the only sober person left.
Gave a presentation at the conference and scored a bottle of red which I gave to Kitty's parents. They have much wine now.

Taught Yr11-12 Sunday School. Man, that's the highlight of my week. They're brilliant. Just seeing them understand God's Word, so eager and bright-eyed. My prayer is that every one of them might love Jesus til the day he calls them back to him, and go off telling the gospel wherever they go. I just wish I had more time for them!

Saw these signs at the place where I bought my lunch today. Someone's having a good laugh!!

What's been up

2008-02-29T19:36:00.002+11:00

Work has been hectic. Met a deadline today - yes!! Very happy it happened without hitch. New grads started today. Took them out to lunch at Wagamamas. Flying to Melbourne next week, then Brisbane a few weeks after. I'm tired. Got another accolade - a home theatre system! =D Going white water rafting tomorrow - it should be fun!

Wedding prep has been hectic! Getting invites done. Order of service. Gotta find a place to live - the rental market looks crazy at the moment. But as always, we know that the Lord will provide. Meeting with various people to get things done.

Read through the first 6 chapters of Zechariah with a guy that I'm meeting up with. We worked out that it's all about Jesus. "Return to me" says the Lord, so obeys Israel. And in the end, Jesus is in fact Joshua, who is ultimately both king and high priest in chapter 6. Still trying to work out Chapter 4...

Matthew's starting uni this year. He went to the Campus Bible Study O-Day! Praying that he would hear God's Word faithfully taught, and really take it seriously. He bought a new graphics card too. Been playing games on his computer - Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Not as good as Rainbow Six Vegas though.

This excerpt from ER is gold.

Sorry

2008-02-14T00:38:00.002+11:00

Disclaimer: Please don't take this as a reflection of my political views! I have supported both major parties throughout my voting life!

I reckon Kevin Rudd was a very brave and courageous man and Prime Minister to do his speech today. It' s a great act to do what he did.

The bible gives the idea of collective responsibility. The Israelites were held responsible, and took the punishment for the sin and rebellion of their previous generations - time and again. From the generation in the desert with Moses, down to those who were exiled in the fall of Israel and Judah. And even us today, are corporately responsible for Adam's sin. It's the idea of how one man's sin means that all have sinned (Romans 5). In war, when a king declares war, if you lived under that King, then you were at war too. It seems as though we've lost this sense of collective, moral responsibility in our very individualistic society today. But yet, it seems to be a very biblical idea.

That's why I think Mr Rudd did a very courageous and noble thing today. And on this particular policy action, I support and thank God for his leadership! What do you guys think??

A trip to the US of Aeeehh?!!!

2008-01-24T22:33:00.000+11:00

Over Christmas and New Years, the Fungies went on a family holiday to the West Coast. Dodgy mando speaking asian tour, dodgy two star Best Western hotel, crazy wake up calls...the lot!! It was quite an experience, but I'll let the photos tell the funnier bits of the story. The rest of the photos are up on facebook. (Click on photos for larger versions)

The whirlwind tour was made up of 2 three day tours and 3 one day tours. The first was a three day tour to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. This is the view from Lombard street. If ever I moved to the US, I'd like to live in SF!! Pier 39 was pretty too.

We saw many flippin' dolphins at Sea World. It was the first chance for Matt and I to breakaway from the tour group and do stuff ourselves.

At this place, some poor guy from Melbourne slipped and broke his ankle. The tour bus left without him, and he had to stay in hospital for the next few weeks. I was ready to give the tour guide a smacking for the way he treated him and his family! =(

We took a boat which went out under the Golden Gate Bridge. Apparently it's painted in "international orange". It looks more a rusty red to me...

We also went to Universal Studios. That's why the Hulk's always so angry...

We went to Vegas too, and the Grand Canyon. It was so cold! Matt and I ran out, then back on the bus, or stayed in the visitor centre. And yeh, that's snow to our right. There was snow, in the middle of the desert?!!

Somewhere in Arizona, there's this place where some rich American dude bought the 19th Century London Bridge. Go figure...

We went to Hollywood too. It's not that nice...all of LA is kind of run down. It only gets nicer when you get to the Orange County area, and Hollywood hills. Look - Superman, and Wisteria Lane!

Oh, we saw some pretty weird things in the US. Like this oxygen bar. And some shop called "stupid factory"

Every Chinese restaurant seems to be called "Hunan" something or "Soul food" something... What the heck does Hunan mean? Why can't they just call it "Excellent Chinese Seafood Restaurant" or "Kam Fook".. They also turned the most healthy food (Jap food) into the most oily, unappetising, unhealthy meals ever. No wonder most Americans have a butt with its own zip code!

I lost weight in the US cos I just lost my appetite cos of all the oily, heavy, salty, large portioned food there. A small sized coke is equal to a large coke here. Even sushi is so oily! But things were so cheap - Levi's were about 35 - 40 AUD. Food and clothes and everything was cheap cheap cheap!!

Yep..

Check out my facebook for more photos!!

"the Messiah as superhero"

2008-01-10T19:12:00.000+11:00

Found this awesome article in the Sydney Morning Herald about the bible last week. It talks about how the bible's been translated into all these different languages etc, including "The Manga Bible" and the recently released "Kriol Bible" for Aboriginals in the NT. I saw one of them, and they're marvellous!!

What's cool is the last line of the article:

"The Bible has stood up to the test of time. It's strong enough to stand up to complaint and criticism. It contains the ultimate truth. If people choose not to believe it and to attack it, that's fine. But they're on the losing side."

What a blessing to have a positive article on Christianity in a mainstream newspaper for once!!

Also saw this book at LAX while waiting for my flight last week. It's a book called "The Year of Living Biblically" by A. J. Jacobs. This guy decides to follow literally as many laws and commandments in the bible as possible, and documents it in a diary day by day, which the book is. He basically decides to be a modern day pharisee.

Among other things (such as growing a humungous beard), he decides that giving up the making of graven images means he can't even make a play-doh clownfish for his child, and he decides to stone Sabbath-breakers and adulterers, but using only pebbles.

I'm really, really interested in reading this book. Has anyone got/heard of it? I skimmed the first chapter and it was hilarious. But I also find it sad at the same time, in the way that he mocks God's Word and misuses it monumentally. It's also an example of how it is impossible to keep the law, and how not to read the bible. Surprisingly, he actually concludes that "I found that fundamentalists may claim to take the Bible literally, but they actually just pick and choose certain rules to follow. By taking fundamentalism extreme, I found that literalism is not the best way to interpret the Bible."

I really want to read it!!

California...here we come!

2008-01-08T23:41:00.000+11:00

Will post up some photos real soon... (Some are already up on my facebook). Here's one for now...

That's why he's always so angry!!!

More stuff from NTE

2007-12-11T21:46:00.000+11:00

"How can it be" with strings!

Rehearsing for NTE mission caroling. Us guys belt it out so much!

Things I learnt @ NTE

2007-12-10T20:55:00.000+11:00

The Commerce Faculty and ESF FOCUSers went to NTE Mission at Hope Anglican Church in Chatswood where Brian Tung serves. It used to be called Sydney Metro Christian Church but they decided to become Anglican earlier this year. Tom Tokura joined us too - that funny crazy guy.

:: God works so magnificently in our weakness. In the first two days we were all so out of our depth, and out of our comfort zones. And we were left with nothing but to pray, and grasp on to the fact that God is sovereign, and it was him alone who would act through us to save.

:: And he did! We handed out over 1,000 Hope Anglican enviro shopping bags at Chatswood Mall outside Chatswood Chase and Westfields. We did walk-up all around the area, and learnt how to tie balloon animals which drew in absolutely huge crowds with their kids!! And for the first time on a mission, I spoke more in Canto than in Aussie, because ethnic Chinese were so much more responsive when you talked to them in Chinese.

:: God is seriously bringing the gospel to new migrants. Aussies were largely closed to the gospel, but so, so many immigrants were willing to listen and hear the gospel! We need more and more ministries targeted towards these people. We need more mainlanders reaching mainlanders; professional workers reaching professional workers; koreans reaching koreans; like reaching like...

:: Brian and so many other people in his congregation have such an enormous servant heart and a passion to save the lost. His quiet patience, faithful dependence on God and perseverence was awe-inspiring. It was hardly a large church, but just to see him faithfully working to teach the bible was amazing. Success is not measured in numbers of the events, but in whether the gospel is faithfully preached.

:: Randoms popped into the events we held. One mother sends her 7yo daughter to sunday school at another church because she wants her to know about Christianity. They met us at the mall, and came that night to the bbq. Her daughter sat down and read the bible with us, and the mother talked to us about the gospel. God works amazingly through so many ways. Brian invited a random caucasian lady off the street, and sat talking to her in the church. Randoms who saw us at the mall popped into the service that Sunday. God has truly chosen those who are his in Chatswood, answers our prayers, and will save them in his sovereign will and time!

:: Brian looks amazingly young for a 39yo pastor. Most of the guys were wowed by him at the end of the mission - they all thought he looked like an asian Clark Kent/Superman.

:: So this is what ministry really involves. Faithful perserverence and endurance in the ministry of the gospel. In a small, struggling church, and in a large thriving church. Anywhere, anytime, any place. The time is short, the gospel must be proclaimed.

NTE

2007-12-05T16:17:00.000+11:00

Peter Adam, the best rappin' preacher ever.

Chris, the best rendition of O Holy Night ever.

Rock of Ages, with a full string set!

Has anyone else seen...

2007-11-26T22:45:00.000+11:00

...the asian dude who stands in the middle of Eastwood oval, practicing his trombone? I kid you not!! I've seen him twice in the past week now, standing on the lower oval at 6:30pm, blowing his trombone. So weird, but so brave too to do that! God bless him!

...the homeless guy - no shoes, pants that he holds up by his hands, long beard, really really dirty all over - who roams the CityRail network? I've seen him 3 times already (once he came and sat next to me..). Today at Central, he walked down cursing people really loudly (everyone was really scared), til Transit Officers grabbed him and forcibly escorted him out. I can't help but feel disgusted and sorry for him, but at the same time, wonder why he's like that. Traumatic past? Mental health problems? God must see us exactly like that in our sin...

"The King is dead..."

2007-11-25T20:53:00.000+11:00

I don't know about you, but I feel a bit of uncertainty now that Howard's gone. As much as I like Rudd, I sense this nervous uncertainty about what's going to happen now. The power that has been in control for a long time is suddenly gone. What will the future hold? Will it be up or will it be down?

In Isaiah 6, the death of King Uzziah brought uncertainty, anxiety and a sense of instability because things had changed and no one quite knew what would happen next. The familar power which was there was now gone with the death of the king. But in that year, amidst the uncertainty, the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord and finds himself in the prescence of the real King. The King who rules really, seated on a throne, high and exalted!! He is the one who is perfectly in control of this world, who rules really! (Read it - Isaiah 6!)

And John says that we ourselves have seen the glory of the King - the glory of the one and only, our Lord Jesus seated on the throne, high and exalted (Jn 12:40). How great is it to know that it is this King who rules really, regardless of who is in government! We who put our trust in him are people who have seen the real King, who know his holiness and unworthy as we are, are people who have been cleansed by him – by the death of Jesus. You and I today are to see the Lord Christ and he is reigning, he is high and exalted, and he is majestic.

Random thoughts

2007-11-19T00:05:00.000+11:00

:: In Leviticus, God says "be holy for I the Lord your God am holy". Amidst all the rules and regulations, the common Israelite would've seen how unclean one could be. And how intricate was the process to make one who was unclean, clean again. How wonderful is it that in Jesus, we have been cleansed, and now belong to the God who is holy!

:: Congrats Mayzuo!! Taking a wedding photo outside work is a bit lame though =P See you guys when you get back!

:: 1 John 3 - we must sin no more. But yet, I am still so sinful. I find it so hard not to sin, for so long as I live in this stuffed up world, I am a sinner. God, grant me that day when Jesus returns when I will no longer sin nor want to sin.

:: Threadless.com is so awesome. Cheap stylish t-shirts, which fit my smaller asian build!!

:: One of my major clients has come up for an audit/review. Yikes!! Gotta start prepping the defence..

:: Twenty-four separate client meetings in the span of two weeks. I'm really getting sick of talking tax and sometimes even taking meetings alone. For once, I'd like to be back in the office for an entire day.

:: Liberals or Labor? I think it's unwise and maybe (ungodly?) for Christians to strongly support one party or another. For their allegiance is to Christ alone and policies change. I want to be a swinging voter, not declaring who I vote for (cos that unhelpfully divides Christians) and voting with an informed Christian mindset.

:: We Chinese Christians are so incredibly wealthy. Look at the homes we live in, the cars we drive & the clothes we wear. What a test it would be to our trust and holiness to abandon our wealthy suburbs and move to the working class slums of the south/south-west to do ministry there. Away from uni graduates and white collar workers. Would I really be willing to do that? I still don't know...

:: Who said teaching KYLC/NTE Strand 1 material to year 9-10s was impossible? They're writing their talks right now, and it's absolutely mindblowing!! =D

Kitty has a kitty!!!

2007-11-13T00:18:00.000+11:00

She (we think it's a she?) still doesn't have a name yet. But it's so cute!

Bryan gave it to her for free, from a bunch of stray kitties out the back of his shop. It tries to swipe at me when I take a closeup of her!

We seriously need to declaw it though. It's getting rougher when we play with it.

It's soooo cute though. Completely full of energy. It can spend hours just chasing a ball around or pouncing on stuff here and there. I don't want it to grow up...just yet!

Last flight of the Datsun...

2007-11-11T14:17:00.000+11:00

Yesterday morning, I took my dearly beloved 1981 Datsun Pulsar for it's last spin..to its graveyard.

I've had it since dad gave it to me to use 6 yrs ago. It's never ever broken down on me, though it's had a few flat batteries. It starts every single time I want it to start and the engine's brilliant - it still storms up the Channel 7 hill at 60km/hr. No aircon though, but it always got me from A to B which is what matters.

Every time it rains heavily, the front and rear passenger side floods though. I usually need to scoop out probably 2-4L of water after every downpour. And here's there's folks tailing behind me as I drove it down to the wrecking yard at Fairfield. Got $200 bucks for it!

My golden Datsun. Bought for $9k in 1981. 26 years. It's served me well. I really miss driving you around, you golden oldie ='( I really do!

Flat out...

2007-10-30T23:18:00.000+11:00

Usually I don't draw much of a connection between the fortnightly $$$ that appears in my bank account and what I do at work. But man, have I been really earning my wages this week! Talk about doing a whole week's work in two days. Can't wait til after October 31. Then I can do this...

The goings on..

2007-10-28T23:20:00.000+11:00

- Got delivery of my new car on Friday night. The guy was pretty good - he came and picked me up from work, drove me to the dealership in this really nice shiny TRD Aurion to pick up the new Corolla. It has all these new gadgets which I didn't even expect it to have. Kitty and I are hoping for many, many, many years and km's of ministry in this car!!!

- October 31 lodgment is coming up. I'm on a new client which hasn't really started (we only got it on Thursday). Quite a prominent client - its one of the investment banks. Now I'm scared I'm gonna be pulling alnighters Monday and Tuesday. Oh no... >_<

- Our Sunday School class rocks!!! Taking them through KYLC Strand 1 type material, and they're all absorbing it like sponges and they're so enthusiastic as well. It's absolutely awesome how they're all starting to realise they can read the bibles for themselves, and man, I'm soooo happpy. Nate and Ed are sooooo happy too. They're getting ready to start writing up short talks for their assigned passages too.

And man, have they changed so much since the start of the year. Especially the guys. They're really, really, really good now. Soli deo gloria!

- I don't know why I go to the gym. I really don't. My mind plays tricks on me when I'm there. I'll start saying stuff to myself like: "C'mon jeff!! Suffering precedes the glory! Run that race with endurance! Fight the good fight!! Strain forward and look heavenward, press on towards that goal!!"

But today was sooo weird. Halfway through the run, my mind suddenly said "Why are u doing this?! It's so painful!! Bodily training is of some value but godliness is of value in every way..." Then I hit the stop button and gave up...

Matt showed me this. It's really cool!
Animator vs. Animation from Albino Blacksheep

A Saturday Out

2007-10-21T22:07:00.000+10:00

Kitty and I love Jap food. It's not heavy and oily like other foods (eg. Chinese, Thai), nor weird (Korean) and there's a sweetness to it too. Plus it just seems alot more healthy!

Last night after the Granny Smith Festival fireworks we went to a newish Jap restaurant in Eastwood called Zenya and it was really good!! The decor and ambience was pretty nice, and the white dude at the counter spoke full japanese to the chefs and waiters!! The food was quite good too. It was even cheaper than our other favourite Jap place - Sakae. Tomodachi in Parra was actually reallly good til they closed down, especially with the one meal free til 31 Oct promotion!

We both liked Zenya heaps mainly cos it's alot nicer sitting there than at Sakae, and the food was good value. We managed to get Teriyaki Chicken rice and udon both for under 10 bucks which will definitely make us come back again. It filled us up heaps - we didn't even need to go for the Bento box. I still miss the Gyu Don at Sakae - cheap bowl of onion rice! I wonder...is it a sin to go to Japan for mission cos you like the food? XD

The fireworks were also pretty cool. We were standing near where we usually go and sit for lunch, and the smoke from the gunpowder was just incredible! It was like Katoomba when it's really really foggy. Plus the riot police were there too?? Their black 4WDs were all parked outside Franklins. Maybe it had something to do with this...

Those Moore College students are hilarious too. We've been looking through youtube for some MTC videos. Here's one which features Steve Chong...

And here's a hilarious prank.. Someone ought to do this at uni too!

"Bible Fight" revisited

2007-10-16T23:16:00.001+10:00

Remember "Bible Fight"? Well tonight on one of Matthew's procrastination sprees, he sat at my computer and played an entire tournament of Bible Fight, from beginning to end!! The final guy you fight is Jesus, and he's mighty powerful, as he should be! Matt had to battle him at least 4 times before he defeated Jesus using Moses. And then up comes the secret final boss - GOD. Now that was tough!

For anyone who wants to play as 'God' in the arcade mode, type in 'Jehovah' at the character selection screen to unlock him. His "mighty uppercut" is quite potent!!

Trading Mammon for God

2007-10-12T20:33:00.000+10:00

In AFR Magazine there's an article that mentions Stephen McKerihan, the former CFO of St George Bank who gave up his $1.8m job under Gail Kelly to head up the Anglican Church's Sydney Diocesan Secretariat (SDS) as CEO. Man, that's so cool. Here's a super high-profile committed Christian, who left the Uniting Church because of their stance on homosexuals and joined a bible-believing church, and then gives up his CFO job of a major bank to head up the finance/accounting arm of a bible-believing church denomination!! Read it here in The Australian or here in Southern Cross.

And it's so cool that he's very open about it too. I mean, we need so many more committed, gospel-centred Christians with business acumen and skills to use those skills for the sake of the gospel. I mean, a few years ago, why didnt our church building fund claim tax deductibility status?! (ie. if endorsed by the ATO, then anyone giving to the building fund could get a tax deduction!) Accountants, lawyers, tax people working and putting their skills for the gospel. I think that's one thing Tom Tokura does well. And it's so cool how he's done it! =D Plundered the Egyptians and putting management techniques into church, but doing it having put the gospel first, and not letting that override what's biblical and right.

Plunder the Egyptians =DDD

Seeking first the Kingdom...

2007-10-01T22:48:00.000+10:00

Just came back from Challenge Conference. The depth of Christian fellowship and wonderful encouragement of so many older, godly Christian brothers and sisters was just amazing. Kitty and I got interviewed by Grimmo, who just oozed Christlikeness in his gentleness, his godliness...just everything about him. He was so encouraging. This is a man completely saturated with God's Word that it's transformed every inch and fibre of him that he reflect's Christ's love in everything he does. And yes, he's a "Sydney Anglican".

Ying's talks from Philippians just cut to the bone on what we need to work on in our godliness. In Christ-centredness. In living lives in response to the Cross of Christ.

Phillip's talks from Matthew, especially his talk on the second night were mind-blowing. He paid out tax consultants (of which is my day-job)!! And he was so right about them. His view of the world has just been so shaped by God's Word...and my view of the world is still so pagan. Delighting in the things that don't last..

He introduced Mark Driscoll to us again. Mark's coming over to preach at ENGAGE next year, along with Don Carson. =D Mind you, his language is probably a bit rough for what we usually hear!!

I regularly catch up with a few guys to share, encourage and read the bible together. One of them who's just gone off on exchange recently sent me an email. It was so encouraging that I cried. Yeh. I cried again. These two guys are just so genuine in their struggles to be godly, to cling on to the Cross that has saved them, to be real men who seek God's Kingdom first that just reading that email made me so happy that I got teary.

I mean, outwardly, they're really nothing special. No special charisma. No super-leadership skills. But inwardly I can see God so transforming them through his Spirit that I wouldn't at all be surprised if I would see them serving in ftpm one day. In fact, I would be absolutely overjoyed if they did. Thankyou guys. You know who you are. =) Thankyou Lord for your wonderful work in them.

what's happenin...

2007-09-28T22:14:00.000+10:00

Whoa...I haven't posted in ages!! Well...what's been happening. Just came back from another tax camp again where we were so overfed that I feel like dying right now. It was great getting to know some of the other grads (and some from interstate offices). But bits of it were just so torturous. I really struggled trying to understand corporate tax concepts given that I'm in a specialist group.

Challenge this weekend!! =D Toodooloooos. What a refreshing contrast to tax camp.

I scored an accolade at work..for haha stuff!! A mighty DVD hard disk recorder is coming soooon. If Kitty and I were married, I think we would've chosen the romantic weekend getaway...but darn!! My aim is to try and furnish our future home with accolades..

We're starting to teach KYLC strand 1 to our year 9-10 Sunday School class. It's awesome!!! Situational context, biblical context...and they were rivetted. My prayer and desire is that they'll learn how to read the bible for themselves so we don't need to tell them what the bible says and they can just yearn to love and obey God and his Word!

I bought my first car too. It'll have to last a while...but it's a new Corolla with Mr Snooze (airbags) and luxury options. I bargained them down heaps - the salesman was squiriming in his seat. Below budget, and good value for a car that's just been on the market for no more than 5 months!

I'm tired. Gonna sleep now.

"Bible Fight"

2007-09-16T21:12:00.000+10:00

Kitty showed me this the other day. Kinda dodgy and blasphemous (Jesus should win EVERY time) but its hilarious!!

Each of the characters have different unique combo moves.
Eg. Jesus has "cross smash"
Moses has "rain of frogs"
Noah has "two of everything stampede" and
Eve has "muddy uppercut".

Try it out here!

Weeak weeeek

2007-09-15T00:22:00.000+10:00

It's been a pretty cool week.

I finally passed my last Tax Principles module, so no more tax principles stressing me out and taking up my precious time!!

In two weeks time we get sent on a three day residential course to assess and consolidate our knowledge of tax that we've learnt so far this year. Not happy - grrrrrrr. It comes right before Challenge Conference. Plus, I have a huge load of client meetings scheduled for those three days which I can't make and my manager can't make, so two of our colleagues will have to take it. Which means, they'll need to debrief them when I get back.

With no more TP to study this week or talks to prep, I've been meeting up with people at night to read the bible + pray, chatting on the phone to ppl, msning, going to the gym, time to pray, and catching up with friends for lunch. It's been great!!! Been able to get fully stuck back into reading the bible too - Deuteronomy is crazy, but I'm slowly wrestling through it. Or might I say, it's slowly wrestling with me...

Reading alot too - starting with a RTBT Revelation commentary, and opening up a book on the Emerging church. I wanna start reading Bonhoeffer's Life Together and this book by Mark Driscoll soon.

At work, cos I'm cleaning up with admin tasks, I can listen to talks while I work. I have time to do alot of internal R&D tax training - prepping training papers and slides and learning how to explain difficult concepts clearly and concisely.

Gonna make the most of this time. I'm senioring a few large engagements kicking off soon so death awaits.

But til then, thankyou God!! =D

Power, unimaginable power

2007-09-06T19:28:00.001+10:00

I think, I am attracted to power. Being able to tell people what to do. Having people serve me. Wielding unimaginable influence over people. Being able to speak a word and that thing is done.

Walking out on the street smartly dressed in a suit and tie. Cufflink shirt. Being able to pay someone to personally drive you places. Having a graduate who does things for you. Seeing important clients, and holding that black, leather compendium while your security ID pass swings from your belt. Your magical pass which opens doors and grants you unlimited access to the office, day or night. I think I am attracted to power.

All week in the office we've been seeing motorcades drive in and out of a compound next to the office. It's absolutely crazy - I think most of the motorcade cars are kept there including cop cars, limos, ambulances, motorcycles, armoured police vans... Every single vehicle entering or leaving is checked thoroughly. I've had a ball just staring down at them all week. There's power in that compound.

This morning Bush's motorcade drove past our office. A huge 20 car procession. Traffic lights stopped for him, flash cars, helicopters with snipers looking out. And all that for just one man. That's power, and I think I'm attracted to it. How good would it be to be him?

But imagine this. The God who speaks, and the world is created. The God who dwells in unapproachable light, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. And the God who sits on the throne in heaven, coming from it flashes of lightning, rumbles and peals of thunder to whom all fall down and lay their crowns.

The same God who became man, who endured the journey to the Cross. Who could have commanded legions of angels to his aid at any time, lest they strike at him. He who bore the appearance of the likelness of the glory of the Lord. But yet, though he in very nature God, commanded so much power, did not count equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. Humbled himself, and became obedient to death - even death on a cross.

The Lord Jesus who had all the unimaginable surpassing power in the world, who could've called legions of angels to his aid at any time, went obediently to the cross for you and I, to pay the penalty for our sin.

This is power, God's power found in the Cross itself, where Jesus died, and rose again to be Lord of all. True power is found in the power to save sinful people who otherwise couldn't have been saved at all. God's power in the message of Christ crucified.

I think I'm attracted to power. But not in the power of this world, but God's power in his Word to save and to change. There's nothing more powerful than that.

21st speech brilliance!

2007-08-30T23:10:00.000+10:00

Prepping for a talk tonight I went back and had a look at the speeches that were done at mine and Ed's 21st more than 2 years ago now. Dan's one stands out as one of the best ones I've ever heard. It had hilarious stuff about us, and then it put forward the gospel clearly. (It's even better when you say it out loud cos of its rhyming!!) One of the other great 21st speeches I've heard has got to be Yoke's speech at Queenie's 21st. Thanks again Dan =) Here it is...

"Brother Fung and Brother Chung were in the Colonnade
Brother Fung turned to Brother Chung and said "I'm quite afraid -
We're almost twenty-one now and if there ever was a fright
It'll be that we'll be men without a girl in sight."

Brother Chung replied "Oh I think it's pretty true,
We've known each other for ages and seen our troubles through,
But if you think we're getting old and kind of missed our chance,
I've got some charms inside me yet that'll put you in your pants."

"What charm", Brother Fung replied, "You think you're pretty cool?
Well let me tell you something, it's because you're such a fool!"
And girls might find it cute, yes; But they really want a man,
One who jogs listening to sermons and is recommended by Dan.

"Brother Fung, you think you're a man?", Brother Chung replies.
"I've seen nerf-guns in your bedroom and I've heard your girly cries;
You squeal in front of plush animals, I ought to give you a sash.
for your baby smooth skin and for the length of your eye-lash."

Brother Fung retorted - "well what is wrong with that?
It's not my fault you have to shave cos you're hairy as a bat.
And like a bat in daytime, you sleep like you're hungover
that Paul Grimmond has to wake you up when CBS is over."

Brother Chung fought back and said - "Your body I dislike
I've seen more of Brother Fung than Brother Fung would like
I've heard ugly stories of you ripping off your shirt
and playing soccer with Chinese uncles that it made their eyeballs hurt."

Brother Fung replied - "Come on now, that's a little fierce
For someone who's one step away from getting his nipples pierced.
Don't worry about my chances, I think you'll be amazed,
at all the girls I can attract with half my eye-brow raised."

Brother Fung and Brother Chung then went home their separate way
and took some time to think of all the words exchanged that day.
Brother Fung and Brother Chung were two different lads indeed.
And God knows all their weaknesses and he knolws their depth of need.

For Brother Fung and Brother Chung were reminded once again
That they're imperfect in the sight of God and stood as guilty men.
And even if they're full of charm, it's not about being good;
For no man's ever flawless or is perfect as he should.

And Brother Fung and Brother Chung were reminded of the Cross.
Where Jesus died to pay for sins and now risen to be their boss.
That now they live as pardoned sinners, both internal and external
Through Jesus they relate to God, whom to know is life eternal.

So Brother Fung and Brother Chung are brothers well and true
They met up again next morning and hugged as brothers often do.
Because whether they enjoy the pleasure of family or of singleness,
They are secured through faith in Jesus and in His righteousness.

And now we're here at their 21st, sharing lots of laughs
And it has been a privilege for me to share on their behalf.
For friendship with Brother Fung and Brother Chung will not suffice
Than to know them better by knowing God through Jesus Christ."

Guy PMS

2007-08-19T21:16:00.000+10:00

I dunno what's wrong with me lately. Kitty reckons it might be "guy PMS". On Friday morning as I got to the end of Acts on the train, I felt so convicted and man...yeh, I got teary. All the way through the last chapters of Acts, Paul is heading towards Rome where God wants him to bring the gospel. And man, nothing can get in the way of the gospel! Nothing at all can stop God from bringing his gospel where he wants it to go. I felt like crying there...but I couldn't. No one wants to see a guy in a business suit cry.

Yesterday, Ed and I were able to go to RICE without helping out for once. First time in 4 years!! But I actually ended up helping out in the end. Sam Chan's talk was so incredibly challenging...that talk could've been for Club 5!! Cos in the end, the moment we give our total lives over to the Lord Christ is the moment he saves us. I got teary as we were singing the response song. But nups. No waterworks here. I whispered to Ed: "hey...let's resign and do MTS right now haha".

Then at the end, when the youth were filing out to the Rice Lounge, I found it so hard to hold back tears. It was sooooo awesome to see so many of them going out back. I felt soooo happy for them, and so thankful to God for the work he had chosen to do right then and now. I had to stop singing at various points otherwise I would've really cried.

Afterwards we went over to the Rice Lounge to see if they needed help, and just as we neared the door, Kitty gave me a frantic call. There were so many youth pouring in they were suddenly short of leaders. Man!! I found her, and she was seated with four youth...one of whom were from EYF! Talked to them, did 2wtl, and they were reallly interested in finding out more and are gonna come to EYF now =D I might pop in on Friday nights to check up on them for the first few weeks that they're there.

God is so graciously kind. It's never our work or how well the event is run - he really could've chosen to not save any of the youth. But in his immeasurable kindness he chose to save so many last night. My prayer is that God would hold them til Christ returns or calls them back to him.

Great Christian Leaders

2007-08-12T15:36:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago Kitty and I watched the movie 'Amazing Grace'. It's a longish movie and it kinda drags a bit, but it was so incredibly moving at the end. It was so moving I was teary at the end. Amazing Grace details the life of William Wilberforce, an evangelical christian politician in the 18th century who fought hard for the abolition of slavery. And he did it precisely because he had received the gospel and acted on it. And it took four whole decades to get it done.

Nowadays when we think of Christian leaders, we might think of charismatic, mighty leaders which have built up huge ministries such as Steve Chong and RICE, Phillip Jensen and Matthias/MTS etc, Dominic Steele and Christians in the Media..

But I love looking back in history to see what Christians have come before us. And not many of these Christians you would consider to be great. They never had a big following. Never did anything giant. In fact, the only thing that makes them 'great', is that they faithfully held onto the gospel, and taught the bible faithfully. In fact, some of them might even be called losers. Check out these short biographies of some old Christian leaders who fought the good fight. Who guarded the gospel. And who stayed faithful til the end. None of them were great in their own right but for the fact that God had saved them, and that they clung to the Cross that first brought them that grace.

William Cowper suffered from depression yet clung so fervently to the cross.

Charles Simeon was locked out of his own church for 12 years and prevented from preaching. Yet perservere he did.

John Newton, a slave trader, was converted, and subsequently penned the hymn 'Amazing Grace' as a result of his salvation.

William Tyndale fought hard to see the bible translated into English. It is because of him that we have our English bibles today! Otherwise we would still be in the dark, listening to Latin. He was burnt at the stake, crying “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes!"

Here are but a few examples of the great Christian leaders who have gone before us. And they are great only because they held onto the gospel, and preached it faithfully. It gives me so much encouragement to see how they lived their life, where they put their priorities, how they put the preaching of the gospel first.

John Piper has a huge collection of short biographies that he's written about alot of these Christian leaders, or 'puritans'. And the great thing is that he doesn't just present the facts of their lives. He digs into their writings, and paints a picture of their character, their motivations, and how the gospel was so central to each one of their lives. Read them, and be encouraged from these giants of the past :D

attrition...

2007-08-07T20:59:00.000+10:00

Man, out of all the grads in my intake, 8 have already resigned. Last one standing ends up being Partner. Two of my close friends were two of the 8 who've resigned already. That depletes the Christians among the grads to only 5...

IT is coming down to replace my desktop with a laptop tomorrow. Score! :D We've got a new graduate too and HR's made me his 'buddy'. He's fun to have around. Today I got Hot Fuzz on DVD. It's such a random and hilarious movie. Wish there wasn't that much swearing though. I got Harry Potter for my bro and sis-in-law-to-be too! Incentives for when they finish their trials :D Man I love this tax return.

Gotta start the wedding planning soon too. One thing we've very certain of though, is that we wanna make sure the gospel is clearly preached. And everything else will revolve around the message!

What a random post. I can't wait til Transformers comes out on DVD. I love the scene where the Autobots arrive. It gives me the spooks. Almost like Mark 1, where Jesus comes on the scene. Or in Revelation 12. It's like the scene in Lord of the Rings where Gandalf leads the charge against the orcs where all hope seems to be lost. Salvation and judgment has arrived!

Baulko 07 Jump!!

2007-08-02T22:40:00.000+10:00

haha my bro's at the botttom of the '7'!! Go Baulko!!!!!!!!!!!

These guys have taste! The dance comes from Fresh Prince which was the mraaddest show ever to grace the 5pm timeslot. I used to watch it every day after school :D

I want to EAT you...

2007-07-27T21:57:00.000+10:00

I had my first proper meal that didn't consist of apple juice or aeroplane jelly today. I can finally eat food without throwing it back up and my fever's finally subsided too.

Next week when I can finally eat food from outside, I want to eat:
- teriyaki chicken/beef
- an actual honey spit roast, Israelite style..
- a KFC family feast for 4
- a bbq chicken meatlovers pizza
- a 1kg pavlova
- a full plate of sweet n sour pork and rice
- all you can eat ribs
- dammmit...which way to the nearest buffet!

Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick....

2007-07-26T09:44:00.000+10:00

I haven't been this sick for a long, long time. Mum says the last time I was like this was when I was 5. I've been practically bedridden for the past few days with a fever, splitting headache, diarrhoea and I've been vomiting out everything my body's tried to take in (including panadol). It's really really really awful...

I turned on the computer this morning and voila...this article describes exactly what I have. Please pray for me...this really really sucks...

How it happened...

2007-07-22T00:09:00.000+10:00

On our 1 year anniversary, I set the plan into action with a single-stemmed rose and a card. Written on the card was a cryptic clue. For the next few weeks, almost every time I saw her, I would come bearing another rose, and a card with another clue.

But she was starting to suspect something... One night walking to my car, she thought aloud "hmmm soo..are you going to propose at the 12th rose?" o_0 My eyes went wide.

I made the clues even harder. Almost every rose/card/clue indicated how many roses there would be. At the 6th rose, I gave her the most cryptic clue ever. It indicated how many roses, where and when I would propose. On Tuesday night, when Kitty had gone to MYC, I spent a night chatting to her mum and letting her in on the plan.

At 4am on the morning of Thursday 19 July, I woke up and drove to Merroo where Kitty had been since Monday for MYC. I set up camp in one of the small prayer rooms at the prayer tower, armed with a hot cup of tea, the 7th rose and the ring. It was 6am by the time I got there.

In the darkness, I lay in wait for the sun to rise. I wouldn't see first light until at least 6:30am. At the pre-arranged time, Kitty's friend Qing brought her up to the prayer tower to watch the sunrise with some 'friends'. Kitty was feeling a bit sickish and actually very grumpy. She couldn't imagine why Qing would drag her out of bed to watch a sunrise when she was sickish! But she still went along with it.

When the sun's rays finally peaked over the horizon at 7:01am, I moved from my hiding spot. With the 7th rose in hand, ring in my pocket, and proposal lines memorised, I quietly creeped up the stairs to the top of the tower.

Hearing my footsteps, Kitty turned around from where she was watching the sunrise and looked at me with the biggest shock on her face. Qing scurried off, as I walked over to the chair she was sitting on. She was absolutely speechless from the surprise. From the very moment she saw me she knew what was going to happen.

Handing over the final rose, I knelt down and said:

"Dearest Kitty,

In God's kindness, despite our wretched sinfulness, he has brought us into a saving relationship with him through the blood of his Son on the Cross.

In God's kindness, he calls us to live our lives in repentance and holiness - no longer for ourselves, but for Christ Jesus who died for us and rose again.

And in God's kindness he has brought us before each others paths. To serve the Lord Christ and to bring this great mystery of his gospel to the ends of the world until he returns.

Dearest Kitty, on this very morning, with Christ as our Lord, will you marry me?"

She looked at me, and whispered "yes". Qing came back and took a photo of us coming down from the stairs. That photo's awful though - Kitty was still wearing what she wore to sleep the night before!

We walked back down to pray and have brekkie, and tried to keep it quiet for fear of distracting people from learning God's Word. I messaged some close friends, plus my manager who told the rest of the group at work (he was in on it). We managed to keep it under wraps until the seminar where some girls on her table (and Tara Thornley!) noticed the ring. From then it went totally kabloooie!!

I managed to catch up with quite a few people at MYC and have some pretty encouraging conversations with them before I had to scoot back home. It was awesome being able to do that! I'll also be able to have some pretty cool opportunities to evangelise to colleagues when they ask about the proposal on Monday too.

Kitty - thankyou! :D May we never forget that we still await our big marraige to our Lord Jesus when he comes on the last day! That day will be more awesome than ever. In BJ's words...NASTY!!!

Go Threadless!!!

2007-07-16T22:34:00.001+10:00

:DDDD

sick sick sick...

2007-07-14T21:45:00.000+10:00

Darn. I'm sick again....with only just over 1 day of sick leave left. I had to work from home one day this week just so I could conserve my sick leave =( I think I picked it up from church camp. Oh poooey.

And now I'm missing out on Gradcon which is this weekend!!! But the good thing is, Ed could take my place last minute without needing to pay. Hope it's all good and fun there Ed boy!! :D

I watched Transformers a few weeks ago after it first came out. Man. It blew my mind! I thought it' d be another one of those cheesy cartoons-turned-movies. But this was just so awesome. I loved it. Kitty loved it so much she went back and watched it again with her cuzins.

AND. You wouldn't believe it, but Peter Cullens who does the voice of Optimus Prime. Also does the voice of Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh. hAHAHA!!!

Mark Driscoll is...

2007-07-07T00:54:00.000+10:00

...very gifted and biblical and pretty cool!!

He preaches in a way that's extremely practical, with a very strong biblical foundation, acknowledging our sin and need to repent. What a breath of fresh air to come out of the states!

Facebook

2007-06-28T20:14:00.000+10:00

I've been sucked into Facebook. Man. It's crazy - I've found long-lost high school friends who I'd lost contact with. And many people who I've done mission, gone to uni with, or done this or that with, have found me on facebook! I even found an old crush on Facebook. No...I refuse to poke her even with a ten foot long pole.

It's quite addictive actually. I've got as my 'friends' like Don Carson, Grimmo, Ben Gooley, Dominic Steele, Greg Clarke, Gordon Cheng, Pete Ko, Tom Tokura, John Calvin (yes..he's actually dead). Though I actually know most of them, bar Don Carson haha. I even found my cousin who I talk to probably once a year if lucky, and found ou that she's actually Christian now and goes to Christ Church St Ives!! Now I'm just waiting on John Piper and William Wilberforce...

Today in a meeting with my manager, he suddenly goes: "Oh, I've succumbed to the dark side" and then proceeds to show me his facebook! Now I'm wondering whether I should I poke him or not...

PLAY!

2007-06-23T12:23:00.000+10:00

On Monday it was Kitty and my 1st year since we started going out. And she gave me the biigggest surprise - two tickets to Play! A Video Game Symphony. We hardly ever have any proper 'dinner dates', and this was actually our first date at a concert - we usually just cook dinner for our families or join them for dinner instead. Or spend time in Gloria Jeans or picturesque places having white hot chocolate and reading through the bible together. Or...like tonight, going to the CMS Globe event!

So it was an enormous surprise to go to this :DDD And it was so good!! Kitty scored us some reallly awesome seats smack bang centre, just around 6 rows up from the front. The musical scores were so powerful and amazing. And hearing the Sydney Symphony upfront was just bowel trembling.

There's something about a full piece orchestra playing which makes it so magical. You hear a depth of clarity and just layers upon layers of sound when you hear it up front. It made me want to play violin again. And the visuals they played onscreen was just the ideal cherry on top. Kitty was a bit annoyed that they left out some Final Fantasy scores..but the ones I really really liked were the scores from Shen-mue II, WOW, and some really violent score (can't remember the name!). Man. I dunno if anything, even something like "Watch!! A soundtrack symphony" (haha..) or "A Night with John Williams" could top Play!

Thankyou dear!!!

Epiphany

2007-06-19T22:49:00.000+10:00

As I've been working, I've come to one stark realisation: In the business world, everyone owns everyone. It's pure pwnage.

I have a dilemma...

2007-06-17T20:28:00.000+10:00

I have a dilemma. I'm preparing a talk on Mark 15:33-16:8 (the section of Mark's gospel covering Jesus on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection - and the subsequent realisation that Jesus is the KING) and I have no idea how to bring across that point. You see, its in this passage that Mark declares with such finality and ultimate declarity (is there such a word?) that Jesus is the Son of God, the King. And in fact, throughout Chapter 15, he makes that point, that Jesus is the true King.

But how can I adequately present Jesus as the King? Cos the word 'King' just doesn't cut it anymore. It doesn't send shivers down your spine. The word's no longer associated with one who is ultimately sovereign, supreme, all-commanding, authoritative...one who you would even just tremble to come into his presence. One who commanded armies, who controlled castles, and power far and wide.

Nowadays, we make a mockery of Queen Elizabeth. What's she gonna do - send her corgies out to get us? Even the most powerful dude in the world - George W. Bush, we make a mockery out of. In fact, maybe it's our contempt for all authority these days which makes it so hard to see someone as all powerful, all commanding as a King or Emperor used to be in days long past.

So there's my dilemma. How do I adequately paint Jesus as the King, the 'Son of God' as the bible pictures him? The closest image is that of Aslan. Apart from that, I still really don't know...

Narrow

2007-06-10T23:06:00.000+10:00

I must admit this hasn't
taken me by surprise
When I see my friend get sucked in
to all this world's lies
It was only a little decision
After all he didn't have time
And it led him to a promotion
But left his first love behind

He said
I'm looking for a better way
to pay off my first home
And I'm looking for the day
I get an office of my own

Well I must admit this world
often tempts my fallen eyes
And I fall in love with all
my earthly home provides
But I make this vow and decision
To get lost in divine romance
And at times I forsake my first love
But he woos my heart again,
cuase he's the God of second chance

Now I'm looking for the narrow way
back to where I belong
And I'm looking for the narrow way
that leads me to my home

The world is closing in
So I'm gonna reach for him
Before I fall behind

(c) Nathan Tasker, 'Narrow'

Blogs I stalk...

2007-06-09T11:22:00.000+10:00

Yeps. There's many blogs I stalk...here's the pick of the crop. I hope they don't mind me sharing their wisdom with the world!

Tom Tokura's multiply. Tom's the assistant minister at NAAC. He's a funny, funny man...and the stuff he posts on his blog from NAAC training sessions is so informative and biblical! It's always written very simply and clearly, with small hints of his time from PwC. As in, he inserts useful methods and techniques he's picked up from the corporate world into training, but at the same time, always keeping it very biblical. Yeeepps. Plunder the Egyptians! He's a powerpoint junkie too. That SMH article about ppts was wrong!! If you do it right, its an awesome tool. We use it at work for most client meetings with great effect =D

Andrew Hong's msn space is absolutely gold. He's the english pastor @ NSCCC and addresses biblical issues on his blog so clearly and succintly, kinda like Tom does. But it's always very well thought through, challenging and convicting on topics of relevance. Very, very practical as well. It's reallly great. It really makes you think. Hard!

Bargain blog is another blog I stalk, being the elcheapo asian I am. Cheap asians unite!! Interestingly, it's run by Scott Yang, a FOCUSer who shares in every asian's love of the cheap!! Many a times I've spotted a good bargain posted on the site, but alas, I haven't opportuned on it yet. It's a very, very popular blog I believe in fact!!!

zazz is awesome. At 12 everyday, they release some super cheap item to buy. Ever wanted external hard disk drives, USB keys, remote helicopters etc for cheap?? Well just stalk that blog til it comes out. I bought a USB TV Tuner from that site sometime last year. It's served me well!

Lastly, how can I forget the Superman Homepage. My constant feed of superman news...especially in the runup to the release of Superman Returns last year. Who could turn away a Jesus-like figure who dresses in tights, bright-red boyleg briefs and flies. Superman beats Batman or Spiderman anyday!!!

Dreams

2007-06-02T19:21:00.000+10:00

I dunno if its just me, but I keep dreaming that I'm Superman. But it's a dream, of which some have a weird Calvin & Hobbs twist. I've had several variants of it now...

eg 1. Having just walked into the lobby at work in the morning, I suddenly 'hear' something. I run back out the revolving doors to the construction site next door, do the shirt rip and fly out of there. Tadah! No more work today!

eg 2. I'm at work in my cubicle. We have a view of the Western Distributor. There's an accident, and a car gets pushed precariously close to the edge, dangling over the Westpac foodcourt. Time to act again, but the lift is so slow going down...

eg. 3 I've just saved someone from falling off some pedestrian bridge, and land them outside Westmead. Then I say: "I saved you this time. But I can't save you all the time. I know someone who'll really save you from death. His name's Jesus..."

o_0 I think I'm weird.

El-cheapo!

2007-05-31T19:33:00.000+10:00

Joyce introduced me to Threadless. They're an online t-shirt sell a whole heap of designer clothes for really really cheap (usually $15US), and their designs are so cool! Plus their small size is slim fitted for small asians like me, which I like.

They're having a sale right now - shirts going for only $10 (USD)!! I bought these two shirts from it - two shirts costing only $38 (AUD) all up including shipping :D

Bargain!! Bye bye Cotton On for cheap clothing =P

Valley of Vision

2007-05-26T00:08:00.000+10:00

I love this song from Sovereign Grace Music's "Valley of Vision" CD. It puts so perfectly into words what I want to say and pray. And the music fits it so well too.

O Great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice nor sin remain
That resists your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know your love within
Had no taste for heaven's joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peacee

Help me now to live a life
That's dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

Bob Kauflin (c) 2006, Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Looking back

2007-05-18T21:24:00.000+10:00

Thursday 10 May - Celebratory lunch and lawn bowls at work! :D A full course meal with huge racks of ribs at a place in Paddington, then off to play bare foot bowls. It actually requires alot more skill than I first thought! Better than just going to the restaurants on King St Wharf. I think I've almost been to every single one for work there already, minus Wagamamas. They're all so expensive that I wouldn't typically go to those restaurants by myself.

At night, rushed home via taxi to the SMBC Preaching Conference. Don Carson preached all the way through John 11 and he explained God's Word so incredibly well. I was actually teary at the end, because of a combination of the rebuke and comfort that came about cos Don really, really spoke God's Word. I'm going to save up to get the whole set of conference talks and lectures. 100bucks. Ouch.

Saturday 12 May - A bunch of guys from church went to EQUIP. Yes - Equip! I helped take an ushering team for the Twilight session, hoarding flocks of women in and out of the venue. It was just so rewarding to do that - to serve behind the scenes, so that these women could go and hear the bible taught, and be encouraged, challenged and rebuked from it! If you think about it, women-only ministries are very few and far!

We had a secured ushers room from which we could shelter from the masses of estrogen. We had quite a bit of time on our hands...

Yeps. That's Jono Ong on that chair. And if you know Jono, he's already really, really, really tall. Btw, if anyone's mis-placed their EQUIP Booklet, I have a couple lying around at home!

Walking back to the office where I parked my car, we saw a giant inflatable Spiderman on the side of IMAX. Somehow, his butt just doesn't look quite right. Methinks someone got too enthusiastic pumping him up...

Monday 14 May - Second day off in lieu of Anzac Day! Popped into uni with Kitty and bumped into a fair few people, and caught up with them too. And also went back to visit CBS. Man, I wish I could do that every day. Work's good, so good that my cool manager's saying I'll be a senior consultant by the end of next year (or even sooner!). But this was even better than all that. So much more meaningful, doing ministry. I could never trade a six-figure senior's or manager's salary with the opportunity to teach the bible more, and build up God's Kingdom.

Riches I heed not nor man's empty praise.
Thou mine inheritance now and always:
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my Treasure thou art.

kenneth in ghost recon?!?!!

2007-05-17T00:16:00.000+10:00

I was going through my old images on my computer and look what I found - a screenshot from Ghost Recon! But look look - notice the name of the soldier in front of me...

haha.

Extra-biblical revelation

2007-05-14T00:15:00.000+10:00

Can God speak to us outside of His written Word, the bible? There's nothing in his written Word to say otherwise! But of course, we must examine everything with discretion, according to the written Word.

John Piper recently documents that God spoke to him. How he treats this is extremely encouraging. He says:

"What effect did this have on me? It filled me with a fresh sense of God’s reality. It assured me more deeply that he acts in history and in our time. It strengthened my faith that he is for me and cares about me and will use his global power to watch over me. Why else would he come and tell me these things?

It has increased my love for the Bible as God’s very word, because it was through the Bible that I heard these divine words, and through the Bible I have experiences like this almost every day. The very God of the universe speaks on every page into my mind—and your mind. We hear his very words. God himself has multiplied his wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us; none can compare with him! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told (Psalm 40:5)."

I guess we just need to be careful that just because we see/hear others having this experience, we don't then long for God to communicate with us extra-biblically too. That we don't feel like we're missing out if God doesn't speak to us extra-biblically. For God still communicates to us ever more powerfully through his written Word - that's the pattern he's set for us, and that alone ought to be sufficient for us. "The great need of our time is for people to experience the living reality of God by hearing his word personally and transformingly in Scripture."

Read his full account here.

Giving the talk...

2007-05-10T22:33:00.000+10:00

One down, three more to go. I dunno how it ended up this way, but I've got 4 sermons to prepare in the next 8 weeks. I finished one just this week, and I reallly don't know how I'm going to get through the next three! Sometimes I've been wondering whether I'm cut out for this. It's just so so sooooo hard. But after giving the first sermon this week, it was the response to God's Word that made me sooo joyful. Whacked, smacked and clobbered into submission to the Word of God. But yet I still feel so utterly lousy and ill-equipped when it comes to preaching God's Word.

It's funny how God works. This week when I was wallowing in my ineptitude, I got sent an email from a friend in college. And what he wrote resonated with me so greatly, cos those were the exact thoughts, and exact plea to God that I had. It was so incredibly encouraging to read what he wrote. I hope he doesn't mind if I quote him here:

"I continue to feel absolutely lousy about preaching. I struggle with understanding the passage, with finding the words to communicate it, with delivering it in full range and energy, with receiving and incorporating feedback...the list goes on! I still have lots to work out about preaching and I still have lots to work on. I am grateful that God's Word is powerful because God is powerful. Please pray that God will batter me into a useful preacher and that I will trust in the power of his Word."

Amen brother, amen...

Graduation!

2007-05-06T17:47:00.000+10:00

Last Friday, I graduated. To be honest, I was only looking forward to the day because: (a) I got a day off work, and (b) I got to dress up. That silly hat gave me hat hair though. Here's some photos from the day (click to enlarge).

hAHAha..."Do not throw..."

C'mon. You're really asking for it if you make a sculpture this big in the shape of a ball!

This is where a law degree gets you... No, seriously.

The tassel was very tasty...

It actually says "Cremation 2007" behind me. Cos that's when we all enter the workforce to die a slow and painful death. Whip whip whip. As Ed's senior says: "Verk harder you little German schnitzel!"

Aite. Click here to get to the "proper" photos. The ones where I had to smile til my cheek muscles ached like a Hollywood star on botox.

Common grace

2007-04-25T23:44:00.000+10:00

There are two kinds of grace dispensed by God. Common Grace and Saving Grace. Common Grace is the grace of God by which he gives people innmerable blessings that are not part of salvation. It does not flow from Christ's atoning work, but comes merely from God's undeserved blessings to each and every person. Saving Grace on the other hand is that grace that brings people to salvation. That which Christ bought for us on the cross. Today was a day of common grace for me =)

I worked. On Anzac Day. Is it unAustralian to work on Anzac Day? Haha I dunno... but there's a deadline, and we needed to get stuff done. But because I worked today, in return, I get two days off in May to do what I like (pop into uni to visit, and to meet up with people!) All charged to the time that I did today, and 'General Admin'. Absolutely common grace :D

I drove into work. It took 25 minutes door to door. It normally takes over an hour! I left way later than I normally would've left, and arrived to work way earlier than I normally would've. So short I didn't even finish listening to the sermon I was listening to! No stress, no tiredness.

Anzac Biscuits at work. Brought in by one of our kind British managers. And Krispy Kremes as well. Raided other empty floors for biscuits. I kept hearing faint sounds of bagpipes from the pubs nearby. Nearly everyone in my section came in today. I think it was the 1 day's pain for 2 days off incentive =P

Wore casual clothes to work. None of that suit and tie stuff. Sat crosslegged on my chair and typed away. Next time I reckon I'll come in stubbies and a blue singlet.

Left at 4:30, after working through lunch to find Kitty in Northbridge, then went to dinner and finished by 7. She helped me finish one of my sermons afterwards. Thank you sis!!

What a cool day! I wish everyday could've been like today. Common grace. Thank you God =)

Tested by fire

2007-04-22T22:59:00.000+10:00

"Great privilege. Great pain. This is God's way: to take the privilege of faith and strengthen it with real trials, so that we worship and witness with a greater passion for God. There is a certain irony to the fruit of affliction.
- John Bunyan’s confinement taught him the pilgrim path of Christian freedom.
- William Cowper’s mental illness yielded sweet music of the mind for troubled souls.
- David Brainerd’s smouldering misery of isolation and disease exploded in global mission beyond all imagination."

I recently finished reading this book by John Piper in which he gives us a short biography of the lives of three puritans - John Bunyan, William Cowper and David Brainerd - as seen from their writings and diaries. Piper's writing style is a bit confusing, but just being able to see snippets of their lives through their writings felt like such a privilege. As though there I was, sitting there reading, and that great older saint was right there beside me, recounting to be his weaknesses, his terrors, his hardships and sufferings and immense pain, and how he still trusted to live upon God that is invisible. Oh the clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy.

Christian leaders nowadays seem so much to be characterised as those who can do it, who are so strong, who are unwavering, who are soo determined and able to do it themselves. But so little do we see weak Christian leaders, who waver in pain and hardship, in loneliness, and maybe even depression, but still cling on to the cross and the completeness of Christ's justification. And here in the writings of Bunyan, Cowper and Brainerd I saw weak, suffering men who having the righteousness of Christ imputed to them under God's sovereign grace was impelled into the pursuit of holiness even through such pain and heartache. For through in Christ, God had formed the solid ground in them where the fruit of affliction could grow and the tree not be broken.

I loved this book because of the people it spoke about. And those people who spoke to me, for I felt and knew them in their pain, heartache, and weakness. To know that I have never been alone, to live upon God that is invisible.

Take my life...

2007-04-19T01:17:00.000+10:00

As part of the Christian life, we are called to live lives of trust and obedience to our Lord Jesus who has saved us from our rebellion to God. Not because we're so overjoyed that we want to do so. But more so, because it is our right response to the gospel, knowing that as Christians we are to live differently now - no longer selfishly, but selflessly, and for our Lord Jesus Christ.

I first heard this song at NTE last year, and it sent shivers up my spine. Why is it so hard to submit to this? It really really scares me, but at the same time, the call of the gospel for me is to do nothing less than what the lyrics of this song so perfectly expresses. I can't -not- say these words as well, as much as I don't want to...

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)

There's a new version of it by Garage Hymnal which is the one I heard at NTE. These great hymns written by faithful Christians long passed away so truly reflect biblical truths with such personal depth of emotion, it makes me cry. Cos they've already put into words that which I so truly want to say, about my relationship with my living Lord and Saviour. Yet...I'm just too fobby to write such great words.

A fountain filled with blood

2007-04-17T23:28:00.000+10:00

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel's veins,
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood
Loose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, as vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its pow'r
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.

E'er since by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler sweeter song
I'll sing thy pow'r to save
When this poor lisping stamm'ring tongue
Lies silent in the grave.

Lord, I believe thou hast prepared
(Unworthy though I be)
For me a blood-bought free reward,
A golden harp for me!

'Tis strung, and tuned, for endless years,
And formed by pow'r divine;
To sound, in God the Father's ears,
No other name but thine.

William Cowper (1731-1800)

it's legit!

2007-04-16T23:01:00.000+10:00

At work I've been writing alot of plans. One that I worked on was for RSVP. So I spent part of today joyfully trawling through the website, until a colleague stopped by... and wel... it happened like this.

JC: *stares at my screen bemusedly* "what're you looking at? Don't you have a girlfriend?!!"
JF: *replies exasperately* "It's legit! I swear!!!" *waves RSVP technical documents in his face*

yeps.

I think I'm gonna print this out and stick it on my door.

2007-04-09T23:52:00.000+10:00

Hiho, hiho, it's back to work I go...

!!!!

2007-04-02T23:03:00.000+10:00

My brother has too much time on his hands haha :D

Faithful saints of old

2007-03-29T19:59:00.000+10:00

Lately, Dominic Steele's been preaching through a series at City Bible Forum on "Ideas that changed the world". Each week he's looked at one of the tenets of the reformation (eg. Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Bible Alone, Christ Alone) along with a faithful Christian who stood by those ideas during the reformation, and was martyred for it. One of my non-Christian friends has been going along to it with me, and it's been so awesome to see him eagerly hearing the bible taught week by week.

I love church history. It makes me teary to see what faithful Christians in years gone past have gone through - even death - to preserve the gospel and God's Word so that we might hear it today. Christians like William Tyndale who brought us the English bible, Luther who read Romans for himself and realised we were saved by grace not works....down to Christians like Charles Simeon and William Wilberforce, the evangelical British MP who was so changed by the gospel to fight for the abolition of slavery.

There's a film coming out in the cinemas on the life of Wilberforce called "Amazing Grace". June 7 it comes out. In the trailer, you see John Newton exclaiming: "though my memory is fading I remember two things quite clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour". Wow.

Can't wait til it comes out!

2007-03-24T00:07:00.000+11:00

"A gospel that minimises or omits judgment must concentrate on this life and the benefits that Christ brings for this life. Most modern preaching, whether liberal or evangelical, falls into this mistake. The liberal preacher may emphasise a social gospel, for example, one of alleviation of poverty or political oppression; the evangelical may emphasise a happy life, love, joy and forgiveness." DB Knox, Selected Works: The Doctrine of God.

oOOhh I got the mother of all packages! I wonder what it is...

My friends tell me my wall is very colourful :D

2007-03-18T22:33:00.000+11:00

Last Wednesday was Ed's 23rd birthday. Happy belated b'day Ed!!! =)

Calvin & Hobbes parody

2007-03-17T12:11:00.000+11:00

For those who love Calvin and Hobbes... o_O

One of the things I love about Calvin and Hobbes is how much it reflects my own childhood...

In Melbourne...

2007-03-09T21:56:00.000+11:00

- we bumped into Marcia Hines. She was in the elevator with a work friend, and at the counter next to us when we were checking out of the Grand Hyatt this morning.

- the Melbourne office is waaayy cool. Outside it's nothing, but on the inside...whoa. They have a big kitchen space on each level (with tables and chairs) and a coffee machine too. Every morning, I rolled out of bed at 8:50, got dressed, and walked across the road to the office. Actual travel time = 1 minute =)

- Sydney is so much prettier than Melbourne - there's not much to see in Melbourne. We landed via the north-south runway tonight, and the view from the left of the plane of the harbour was stunning. So absolutely beautiful!! I love Sydney muchly =)

- Melbourne's Fifteen Restaurant was next door to the Hyatt :D

- Every night I went out to dinner/drinks/Crown with my workmates. But yet I longed for Christian company, encouragement and accountability, and to hear God's Word every night. It was lonely... Unless there's any extenuating circumstances, I reckon you'd have to be a complete idiot or fool to be a mature Christian and go on a secondment or exchange. The distractions are huge, the temptations are enormous.

- After three days of training, this is all I have to show for it...

Only kidding. I learnt lots. Really!!

Pictures

2007-03-06T00:02:00.000+11:00

That's a BIG egg for one little meerkat to lay!!!

Look closely and you'll see that it's actually Toby Puttock from Jamie's Kitchen in the blue apron (who runs Melbourne's Fifteen restaurant).

I'm being sent back down to Melbourne tomorrow for training again - staying at the Grand Hyatt (everything paid for!) We might be even able to go and have dinner at Melbourne's Fifteen restaurant which is next door!!

I'm beginning to understand the writer of Ecclesiastes when he says: "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind." The lifestyle's not bad in itself. But in the end, I really don't get much satisfaction from being put up in 5 star hotels, or eating at expensive restaurants, or being flown places. I really do miss having more time to read God's Word and serve. All is vanity and a striving after wind.

Home sweeet home

2007-03-02T22:08:00.000+11:00

Been down in Melbourne, Ballarat and Werribee for the past 10 days which seemed like an eternity. I was missing home, missing church friends, missing Sydney and missing time out to read the bible. They packed the schedule so badly that there was scarcely time for me to sneak away to read God's Word =( It went like this...

21-23 February - National Graduate Induction, Melnourne
23-28 February - Tax Induction (tax technical training), ie. 'tax camp' at Ballarat
01-02 March - National R&D Conference, Werribee. Five Star hotel where Kerry Packer goes to play polo! o_0

I was hearing Michael Buble's 'I wannna go hoommmmee' in my head all 10 days I was down in Victoria.

Next week three of us from R&D are flying back down to Melbourne Wednesday-Friday to join the Melbourne office for R&D specific training. Hopefully I won't have to fly anymore places after that.

I never knew you weren't allowed to take Furbies onto flights??

Into Babylon...

2007-02-20T23:27:00.000+11:00

Memories of the past week or so before entering Babylon forever...

- swimming laps to get fitter (can almost do 1km!)
- doing walkup and leafletting on the main walkway at uni for O-Week
- seeing Grimmo on the main walkway doing walkup and leafletting too :D
- having Chappo encourage us to evangelise on campus
- baking a pavlova with Kitty (successfully *drool*)

- going to CBS O-Day and meeting so many new keen 1st years (especially study campers!) and seeing the 2nd years really get into serving on campus. Such a privilege to have seen 3 generations of commerce students and mtsers pass by in my years at UNSW
- finding a pair of reallly cool Levi's that fit for a bargain price!
- farewelling Cam from Cabra Anglican after his many years of faithful bible teaching ministry there...and cooking a nasty dish of Carbonara for the farewell dinner that got snapped up quick

But all good things must come to an end.

"Humble Theology"

2007-02-18T15:30:00.000+11:00

"What we need is humble theology—theology which submits itself to the truth of God’s Word. ‘Liberal’ theology—theology which does not view Scripture as finally trustworthy and authoritative—is not humble before the Word. Churches which are tentative and decry dogmatism may sound humble, but it is not truly humble to do anything other than to submit to God’s Word.

Christian humility is to simply accept whatever God has revealed in His Word. Humility is following God’s Word wherever it goes, as far as it goes, neither going beyond it nor stopping short of it. The humility we want in our churches is to read the Bible and believe it—everything God has said, dogmatically, and humbly! It is not humble to be hesitant where God has been clear and plain."

Mark Dever, “Three Marks of a Faithful Pastor,” delivered at Together for the Gospel, Louisville, KY (April 26, 2006).

all your base are belong to us...

2007-02-16T14:52:00.000+11:00

Need an ark..

2007-02-12T15:28:00.000+11:00

The rain completely bucketed down today. So much that I haven't seen this much water flow through my backyard since that time in the 1980's where it smashed the fence and flooded our neighbour's garage. In the brief deluge today, all 4 stormwater drains were blocked, and the sewerage spilled out - it was pretty sick!! At its deepest, the water almost came up to my knees in the backyard. And when I waded around to open the side-gate I was met with a huge gush of stormwater. By the time I took the video, the water had already subsided a bit.

It was all kinda pretty cool though...I walked down to the creek (which is usually completely dry) and I've never seen it carry so much water before! Afterwards, the Channel 7 news chopper lifted off from the studios up the road and started circling the area (I think they've been here long enough to know that we can get flash floods).

And then about 30 rainbow lorrikeets turned up on the patio. Poor birds!! They're always so wet and cold whenever it rains. And hungry. Cute birds!

They made quite a big kaffufle when all 30 decided to take off at the same time when I finished filming.

This one's one of our two resident lorrikeets. And nopes..we haven't given them names yet.

Come what may...

2007-02-11T21:04:00.000+11:00

Yesterday I bought the DVD of Moulin Rouge and last night Kitty and I sat down to watch it. Man...it was so good!! It left me teary and feeling kinda depressed at the end of it - no wonder it won so many awards!

I loved the music throughout the whole movie - some of my favourite songs (eg. Elton John's Your Song) are in it either as whole songs, or given cameo appearances. And even though it was kind of ecclectic and random all through the movie (imagine the Masquerade scene in Phantom of the Opera), it was a musical - and I love musicals!! (My life-long dream is to be able to see a real-life production of Les Miserables one day on Broadway or at the West End).

It was incredibly visually stunning, and the choreography was amazing! It must've been so complicated to put together. It's definitely been added to my list of my favourite movies. Haha next to Superman Returns and Rush Hour 2. Btw, does anyone have the soundtrack of it??

uhhhuhhh....

2007-02-08T21:36:00.000+11:00

A journey through the Gospel of Mark

2007-02-04T16:58:00.000+11:00

In the last few months of 2006 I totally ripped through the Gospel of Mark. After doing NT1 earlier in the year and -not- attempting the exam cos I didn't have time to, I promised myself to go through Mark thoroughly before the end of the year. So I went through it front to back, and read a commentary and a NSBT book on it.

One of the most amazing things about reading through Mark is the pace of it. From the very moment that you start reading Mark, you're swept up onto a rollercoaster train that heads towards the climax - Jesus' death and resurrection. Having made his dramatic declaration that "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15) he begins his public ministry not by primarily healing people, but instead, by casting out demons. It was now time to declare that God's kingdom had truly come.

As we head ever so quickly towards the Cross, Mark keeps giving us glimpses of people's reactions, and questions of Jesus, challenging us to ask for ourselves - who is this man??
eg. "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." (1:27)
"We never saw anything like this!" (2:12)
"And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell done before him and cried out, 'You are the Son of God!" (3:12)
"Who then is this that even the wind and sea obey him?" (4:41) and so on...

And so it keeps going until the very end as we get more and more glimpses of who Jesus is through remarkable declarations of his deity, (eg. the transfiguration, Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, and his own foretelling of his death and resurrection) until the ultimate climax of the Gospel of Mark where Mark writes:

"And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breahted his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"

There were also women looking on from a distance..." Mark 15:39-40

And so it climaxes with the dramatic declaration of who Jesus is, before pulling back to see Jesus in the eyes of a few women looking on at the cross from a distance to allow the reader to contemplate the words that had been declared. At that point I was shaking...to hear that statement brought a tingle up my spine and made my heart miss a beat. This was the point where the entire gospel had been heading towards. This was the climax of the rollercoaster. To hear the declaration that Jesus was the Son of God proclaimed with such intensity was earth-shattering.

The gospel of Mark finishes in chapter 16 with almost a mystery. The women return to the tomb only to find an angel who declares an incredible message.

"And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. he has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Mark 16:6-8

In the conclusion of Mark, we don't see the resurrected Jesus. Instead we see an empty tomb, a fulfilment of his promise that he would rise from the dead, an affirmation of all the claims made by him throughout the gospel, and the conclusion of the gospel that ends as abruptly as it started. Here I was, a bewildered reader wondering why on earth the women didn't mention a thing. I felt scared and bewildered too. But if the claims of Jesus had been proven to be true in his resurrection, then all the world had to know! How could we stand back idlely and not say anything like the women did?? How could we stay silent in the face of the enormous truth revealed with such clarity to us?!? And so concluded the Gospel of Mark.

I'd highly recommend reading Mark in one sitting. Only then do you grasp the velocity in which Mark drives us towards the cross and its climax in 15:39. I read two books on Mark too - one was called "The Servant King" by Paul Barnett. It's an extremely readable commentary on Mark in the 'Reading the Bible Today Series'...highly recommended! It splits Mark up into small chunks that you can read on the train etc as you read through Mark yourself.

The other was "The Cross from a Distance" by Peter Bolt in the 'New Studies in Biblical Theology' Series (edited by Carson). It looks at why the Cross is so prominent in Mark's Gospel and it is revealed not only in the crucifixion account, but all the way through the gospel itself. It shows how in the cross from a distance, God has come close as it looks at atonement. Amazing grace, how can it be.

one year on...

2007-01-28T21:26:00.000+11:00

This time last year, we'd hiked across the beaches of the Royal National Park. And we would've just come back from KYC. But alas...no more KYC...

It was also my and Nate's b'day last year at KYC...they got us a cake, and and our mission was to give a fake flower to a girl by the end of KYC (we were both single at that point). We both failed.

Song of Songs 2:2 reads "As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women".

Today at church, we were talking about how WSCCC has been taking all our women (girls at church keep going out and getting married to guys at WS). The conversation went something like this:

"Man those WS guys keep taking our girls."
"Yeh!! It's going to be Chinese and Australian Bachelor Church sooon."
"What?!?! So is that what they're calling us at WS now?! "
"Yeh..haha"
"That's it man! It's war. Let's go after their pastor's wife..."

Weak week

2007-01-24T00:06:00.000+11:00

During the past week I've been working... I have a partner's office for my own at the moment, with sort of nice views!! But alas, it's tiring. At the end of the day, I come home, do some chores, eat dinner, do some reading, study a bit of greek, talk on the phone and then sleep.

I brought a sandwich lunch to work in a 'special' bag as well today. I considered popping it in the fridge, but that would've probably freaked alot of people out, and facilities might've thrown it out too...

Caught up with friends last week - dinner, city-extra pavlova!! And Joyce's little blue man on her phone is kinda disturbing too. Apparently there's a lamp version of that where you need to flick the doodle to turn the light on and off...

SYC

2007-01-14T23:39:00.001+11:00

Man, I miss Cowra Summer Breakout. But after two years of it, I felt I was getting too complacent with it. It was getting too easy, too comfortable at Cowra (apart from the heat!). I knew the kids, and I knew the leaders. So in 2007 I joined Kitty's church (Cabramatta Anglican) to go on mission with SYC (Summer Youth Camp). And man, was I fully and totally in the deep end!!

Imagine, 5 days, non-stop, talking to youth. VERY different sorta kids to the ones who live in the north-west...ie. the ones who're more nerdish, middle-upper class asian selective school youth. These guys were coool!! I mean. Gangsterish cool. And it was basically section time 24/7 with them. No stopping!

Well, what was SYC?
SYC is a 5 day youth camp run mostly by the youth leaders at Cabra Anglican for non-Christian youth, though it was originally started up by leaders from outside churches. It's advertised through scripture at local schools, through their youth group ACCESS, and through word-of-mouth. Anglicare also sponsors youth who're part of their programs to go as well.

Throughout the 5 days, there is chapel time and question/discussion groups every day where they hear a talk explaining the gospel, and afterwards, the leaders take small groups to discuss what was said in the talk, and to answer any further questions they might have. Throughout the other times, we play heaps of games, do camp-kinda activities with them (swimming, archery, canoeing, low-ropes, etc) whilst trying to build relationships with them so we can share with them the gospel. So...imagine, a normal beach mission, but with section time not from 9am-1pm, but ALL DAY. That's what it is!

Reflections on SYC
This year we had around 20-25 leaders and around 75 youth. I took a cabin of year 9-10 dudes with Ken, and man...I found it soooo hard. And especially so after I got sick with a cold and basically died from Wednesday night onwards. But the few conversations I managed to have were so worth it. (I feel the urge to jump ship to Cabra just so I can keep up the relationships with the youth I met!) But they were alot harder to relate to than I'd expected...it really, really, really challenged me. They were into clubbing, rave parties, and some were sorta gangsterish too. But the experience was well worth it. Fully worth it.

I visited Cabra's service today, and 13 youth prayed the prayer, and another 8 are interested in going to youth group and church. In fact, two particular youth that I talked to (two of Kitty's piano students and family friends) turned up today at church, and we got them a bible. They'd prayed the prayer and become Christian at SYC w0000t!!!

Thank God that the gospel was proclaimed at SYC. The full gospel - sin, judgment, salvation and all. And that God worked so powerfully through His Word to save these youth! What great testament to the power of His Word and Him alone bringing the lost to himself! No need to water down the gospel. No need to push away the mention of sin or judgment! For it is God, through the powerful, faithful proclamation of the entire gospel which will save. And it did indeed...it did indeed.

Man. SYC was awesome. I was totally outta my league there. Even so after I got sick and died. The youth were so different. Even the leaders were crazy haha. But it was well worth it. Anything to force me out of my complacency and comfort and drive me to an utter dependance on the true and living God, knowing that it is never me trusting in my own abilities, but God working through me - an incapable, bumbling fool to bring such a powerful message of salvation to youth who need it so desperately.

Context is your friend...

2007-01-14T00:49:00.000+11:00

"...the only effective way of seeing the significance of a passage is in its context. Going through an entire book sets the passage in its context on its widest, deepest, and richest level. . . . Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament was written as a collection of verses to be thrown into the air and allowed to fall back wherever they might. Rather, each book has a reasonable, logical, inspired flow of thought going from point A to Z, with all stops in between. Each was designed by the Holy Spirit so that you have the Holy Spirit communicating something powerfully and clearly in the whole letter: you dare not miss a single part!

If I received five letters in the mail one day, it would make no sense to read a sentence or two out of one, skip two, read a few sentences out of another, and go to the next one and read a few out of that, and on and on. If I really want to comprehend the letter - what is going on, the tone, the spirit, the attitude, and the purpose - I must start from the beginning and go to the end of each one. If that is true of personal correspondence, then how much more is it so of divine revelation."

John MacArthur in Rediscovering Expository Preaching, p. 341.

On the harbour

2007-01-06T00:57:00.000+11:00

Here is love, vast as the ocean
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heaven's eternal days.

On the Mount of Crucifixion
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers;
Poured incessant from above,
And heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T23:59:00.000+11:00

Over the past week, I went out with Kitty...

Sorted NTE photos (look closely...in Canberra's main roundabout thingy, there's a floral arrangement that spells out 'spastic centre'?!?!)

And saw the fireworks in AD2007!!

What year is it? It's the year that we continue preaching God's Word boldly, like every other year. For we're in the year of the Lord. AD2007.