My Walkabout - Port Campbell

When I was little, an overseas vacation meant a trip with my parents. They would be the ones handling meals, transport, accommodation, tickets, timing and procedure. I realised recently that my parents have a very unique style of touring. Very laid back, very relaxed, very unplanned. You could say I haven't been on a vacation with them for a really long time. When we were checking in to our flight in Singapore, there was some problem with immigration that needed to be cleared. According to their records, they thought I was still travelling under my mom's passport.

The trip was fantastic. It was a brilliant conversation with Jesus. I loved the long drive from Melbourne Airport to the Great Ocean Road. My breath would be taken away at every corner. Whether it would be the sunlight shy through the trees, or the vast expanse of sky, boldly crying for attention. What I really liked was the lazy fog trying to hide the landscape. As if it could.

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;

the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;

the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Psalm 29 (ESV)

My Walkabout - Last Night In Sydney

I became ill after the conference. Flu on Saturday, followed by cough on Sunday, followed by fever on Monday. The devil is such a liar, I cannot even begin to describe how cheap his tactics were. All I remember was dark fear planted in my mind, and constant reminders of death and disease. My strength kept draining away while the devil kept bombarding my mind with blatant lies like, "Not only are you sick with H1N1, you're going to infect the whole family too!"

I had to turn to my Bible and read the Psalms and the Proverbs. I had to remind myself constantly of the Blood of Jesus and victory won on the cross. All the prayer and the Word of God made a difference. The fever broke this morning and I woke up feeling slightly dizzy but much stronger. It helps to be in a environment of the Love of Jesus.

I was able to go out to Piermont Fish Market, Darling Harbour, and Manly Island. There were my parents, Uncle Ron & Aunt Heong, Uncle Lionel & Aunt Pat, and my nephews, Thomas & Patrick. Its different when you are the only one in your generation in the group. I felt somewhat detached. I know my parents enjoyed themselves a lot.

You know what I want to learn?
How to never turn away from a person who has an infectious disease and needs the Love of Jesus.

Take that, devil.

My Walkabout - Day 2 - Hillsong 1st Night

I recognise Sydney like an old friend. The colours, the smells, the food, the people, and the architecture, all remind me how much I have missed her. We went to Circular Quay today for a walkabout. I enjoyed the aimless stroll we had, making decisions as we went along.

His Grace leads us so effortlessly.
Here is one instance of how He handles things. Mom had wanted to take a ride on the ferry ever since we bought the daytripper pass. (A transportation ticket that allows for unlimited rides on the train, bus and ferry services) I was against the idea because I thought that we wouldn’t have enough time to get back to Circular Quay and travel to Olympic Park station where the conference is held. So I kept refusing to go for the ferry ride. My mom went silent in disappointment. I think she was praying. I think it is true when God says He can meet all our needs. While looking at the map, my attention was diverted to the ferry services map. The words Olympic Park caught my eye. It turns out that there’s a ferry from Circular Quay to the Olympic Park. We went enquire about it at the ticket booth and found out that the next ferry would be 15 minutes later. There wouldn’t be another ferry service for at least another hour. God answered both our desires in His special way. It was a beautiful journey. The cold wind and light drops of rain were so refreshing.

His Grace stopped the rain
After the conference, we met up with Eileen and her friends and decided to all have dinner together at a restaurant near the Rocks. To make a long frustrating story short, we ended up eating at Hungry Jacks (Burger King) in Town Hall. While we were eating, it started to rain, and I mean it was pouring. We were so far from the station and it was late at night. I could feel their eyes on me, analyzing my reaction. I could feel the irritation welling up inside me as the rain came down harder and harder. It started just above my tummy, past my heart, up my chest into my throat and in my mouth, the words, “Thank You, Jesus” surfaced. I was surprised at those gracious words. But I knew at once it was right. So I repeated it over and over again. I said to my parents, “It is real.”
I was referring to His power over the weather being real. I spoke to Father God, “You have to stop it, God. We need to get back to the hotel.”

And it did.
Craig Groeschel spoke about it tonight. He was speaking about the Power of God. The thing that separates churches that thrive and grow, from the churches that simply exist. He defined it as a hunger or passion that believers have. Immediately, I was reminded of the team of young poietes, the doers, in our church and it made me excited. He could not really define it but he knew what it did to the early church in Acts 2:42-27. People could see it in operation as needs were being met.

The bible uses extreme words:
o everyone filled with awe
o all who believed were together
o they had all things in common
o giving to all who were poor
o had favour with all the people
o daily increase of those saved

This was the result of having it.

1. Churches and Ministries who have it have a LASER FOCUS
   - They know their calling. What to do and what NOT to do.
   - They reach people no one else is reaching by doing what no one else is doing.
   - They don’t duplicate what others are doing. When we start to compete with other churches or imitate blindly, we’ve lost the plot
   - If we are not making a difference, its time to re-examine why we are doing it.
   - Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should do it
   - What are we doing that we need to stop doing?
   
2. Churches and Ministries who have it see OPPORTUNITIES where others see obstacles.
   - They are so passionate that they find a way for it to be done. They are not thrown off by hindrances or lack.
   - We must realise that God has provided everything that is needed for us to achieve what He has called us to do
   - The reason why we can’t is not because of what we lack materially or physically but because of what we lack in passion!
   - God doesn’t just guide by what He provides, He also guides by what He withholds. Acts 3:36 shows what Peter didn’t have and using what He had. The name of Jesus. Or limitations can become our greatest innovation!
   
3. Churches and Ministries that have it are willing to fail.
   - Those who play it safe will never get it. There cannot be increase without taking chances The person who plays it safe doesn’t fail but also achieves NOTHING. (Matthew 25:14-30 -> parable of the talents)
   - If we do fail, shake off failure and condemnation, sin and shame. Step up and keep going.
   - The greatest failure of the new testament, Peter, became a great preacher at Pentecost. (Acts 2:14-41)
   
4. Churches and Ministries that have it are led by people who have it.
   - You cannot copy what others have. Learn & discover it for yourself!
   - If you have it in your heart, you will start to see it in reality.

More updates coming soon!

My Walkabout - Day 1

I don’t remember half my flight. I know we were delayed for almost 2 hours in Singapore because of technical faults. I know I watched the movie ‘watchmen’ and didn’t understand much of it because I kept nodding off. I slept almost entirely after that movie. After a brief stopover in Adelaide, we arrived in Sydney almost 4 hours behind schedule. Uncle Ronnie had waited for that amount of time in the airport. He was still plenty cheerful. He’s an amazing man.

It was good to see Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Heong again. There are two things that I really admire about them. The first being their hospitality. I have never remembered being to their house without having some sort of feast. Today the food was comforting. Chicken macaroni – I had two servings, and sponge cake with coffee to top it off. They always remind me of the Love of God and I responded to it by washing the dishes. =)

The other thing that amazes me is their amazing memory. They remember places and things people said more that 25 years ago. I won’t say I have a poor memory because I think God wants me to write them down instead of just having it in my head, where it could become forgotten. Donald Miller was writing about his friend’s unusual habit of journaling everything. Donald Miller asked his friend about it and the answer really struck me.

If you don’t remember it, it is as if you never lived it.
I want to remember everything!

We’re staying in a serviced apartment in Parramatta. The place is quite amazing. I get my own room with an attached bathroom, kitchenette, balcony, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, flatscreen tv and queensized bed. My parents’ apartment is slightly bigger with everything I have but they have a living room. We get both rooms for a total of $200 a night. We’re so blessed. Tomorrow, we head to Sydney harbour for a walkabout before heading to the Olympic park. Father, make it come alive for me!

Exactly One Year Ago...

Tonight I leave for Sydney, Australia. Tonight I leave to immerse myself with a stadium full of worshippers. Some people have asked me, "Why travel all the way there?" or "Is God in Sydney?"

John chapter 4, the passage on worship says it doesn't matter where we worship. I agree wholeheartedly. I'm not going for this conference just to meet God, although I know I definitely will. I meet up with Him constantly in places like Bakers' Inn @ Tampines One or Burger King @ Raffles City. And if I don't have the time, I invite Him to accompany me on the walks home from the MRT.

It isn't about where we worship. No.
The fact is I want to be where the worshippers are. That is where God moves and transforms people. I feel a tinge of sadness that the band of believers that have rallied together in Charis cannot join me for this. I experience God whenever we're meeting to have 'Kingdom Talk' over tao hui and you char kui. Or when we bring the unsheltered for tea.

I have seen the effects of the revelation of Jesus in the lives of some of us. We've gotten started. But there is something more to learn here. Pastor Tan-Yeo spoke this morning about an invitation given by God to the Israelite leaders to come up higher. I have been saying, "Give me a destination and a purpose!" Today she invited us to run with her and come with her closer to God. I won't be at the starting line but this is a run I will definitely join.

---

I wrote this on 5 July 2008. Exactly one year ago, when I was waiting for the Barney, Michelle, Elissa and Cheryl to arrive from Melbourne.

"... and now, here in Sydney, new circumstances seem to be forming. Father, teach me to see true beauty. As always, I enjoy your sweet presence, Spirit of Jesus. Let me be constantly aware of your attendance. I love you, precious Holy Spirit. Sustainer, Guide, Comfort, Teacher, Advocate, Vindicator, Defender, Giver, Entertainer, Empowerer, Counsellor, Life-changer..."

---