Wake up from our slumber

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Today, I'm all spacey and my emotions are scrambled. I'm wobbly inside. Last night I had dinner with an old friend and we talked about the Lord. I had so much to share about my trip to Kansas and about the things God has been speaking to me about since September 2007. He shared some of the insights God has been blessing him with. One thing struck me deep. An interviewer asked the Chinese underground church and Latin American churches, "What is the one thing about the American church that amazes you?" They said ''Ït's amazing how much the American church can do without the Spirit of God." Oh, Lord! This statement struck fear in me. We talked about how we need to run the race hard for the Lord in view of His soon coming. We need to be aware of the season we are living now and wake up from our slumber. Hamilton and I talked and prayed till about 3 in the morning in the most holy place in PBC - the Library! (hehe). We were so struck by a holy fear and passion for the Lord that we needed to pray after we both shared the things God has been warning us about. This morning I woke up praying, Oh Lord, don't ever let me do ministry without the person of the Holy Spirit. It is so easy for us in the modern world with our human ingenuity, creative ideas and wealth to build the church without the move of the Holy Spirit. It is time for the houses of the Lord to be the Houses of Prayer where we stay on our knees until the Lord feels that we are ready to be the place where He wants to rest. In that atmosphere, miracles and healing can't help but take place. There is an urgent fire in my heart and soul, burning through my bones. I have kept in the message the Lord gave me. But maybe it is time for me and those around to blow the trumpet and sound the alarm. Walking out the faith daily in small ways through the mundane is the test of our hearts. It is easier for me to speak about running the race. But would I serve when no one's looking? When I am in the midst of doing something?Would I pray and hide in my closet when I don't feel like it? Lord, help me finish the race You have set before me that I might win the prize. And on that trophy is this name - Jesus! He alone OUR my reward! For those of you reading this I would be so blessed if you would write a comment back so we can build each other up and pray.

My One Distraction

Thursday, January 03, 2008

It's been amazin. So much has happened in my heart i can barely utter how this visit to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City has affected me. Received so many words from the Lord thru the messages, worship and prophecies. Been really busy but am now going to the night watch in the house of prayer n sit at His feet. Can't believe how long and short this trip feels. Going back to portland tmrw. Ready to meet the year of new beginnings, open doors and new opportunities. I want to live in this place of constant yearning for His presence. Lord, keep my heart tender ya... Rivet my eyes on you Lord. Be my one distraction.

Angel in a Song

Sunday, December 23, 2007
I was just cooking shrimp in butter and herbs in Dorm 1's kitchen when Erin walked in and told me about a phenomenal phenomena. Uh-huh! I hate using same words in one sentence but I tell you this is just telling it as it should be told! (Shwucks! I did it again!). Anyway, Erin told me bout a song that Jason Upton recorded with his band during a conference. After the recording was made and the concert ended, a little boy came up to him and told him that he saw an angel standing next to Jason and the drummer. Jason smiled and thanked him politely and (like a typical macho man) thought nothing of it. I bet you if it was a woman worship leader she would have gone into a time of prayer and praise believing that a miracle has taken place! Well, later as the band was listening to the recording they heard a man's voice coming through Jason's mic, harmonising with the song and music. It was an other-worldly voice, of a quality that would cause shivers to travel down your spine and you wil experience a kind of fear that comes because you know you are hearing something supernatural.
I listened with some sceptism but I was so interested to hear it. Erin played it for me on our VCD downstairs and my heart stopped when I heard not just the angel's voice but the context of the song. The song is entitled "Fly" where God was exhorting HIs people to move out of the places we have been caught in fear and into new atmospheres. God has been speaking to me about new seasons in my life and has been gently breaking my spirit to receive and walk into His new gift of altered seasons. The song was apt not only for my life, but for yours too. When in fear, walk out. Walk in faith in the Lord's character and integrity. Walk in honest evaluation of your heart and then run as He runs with you in your pursuit of holy things and The Holy One.
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living your dream

So what's it like to live your dream!? For me, I'd say, doing the two things I like most - studying music and theology/philosophy. Just before my recital last tuesday, the Lord prompted my music teachers to plant a seed in my heart. I played my last mock performance for Lisa from PSU and at the end of it, she sat silent for a few minutes. And then, she said, "How did you do that?". Ok.. by this time I feel like I'm the best concert pianist in the world! hehe. She then went on to speak of how we could prepare me to be enrolled into a Masters Music program in PSU. At the end of it, she said, "Ching, all we are seeing right now is just the tip of the iceberg. Where have you been hiding all this while? We've got to get you working up to the level you need to be at soon." Just two hours prior to that conversation, my choral conducting teacher sat me down to tell me that I need to push myself further in music. Gosh, she was hard on me but I sensed a deep concern and conviction in her voice. Just before she dropped me off to catch my bus for my music class, she told me, "I wouldn't push you that hard if I didn't think God's given you so much talent."All day, as I walked downtown, and as my bus swirled around the SW hills amidst the autumn leaves, I hugged this little secret over and over again. "I'm living my dream" and hopefully one day, I will get to use what talent I have to touch hearts and turn them to the Lord. When I looked back and saw how all my life I always thought I was never talented enough to go far in music, I realise that God saw my little heart's desire even when I doubted myself. I still remember the day I tore up all my music certificates, not in anger, but in silent resignation, thinking I'd let my childhood dream die. But you know, the Lord who was crucified is the same Lord who rose again. And if you think you've let a dream die, remember that He who created your heart is able to breathe life back into your deepest unspoken desires.