Rejoice In The Lord Always

Trip to Thailand

2009-05-19T00:31:00.000+08:00

Today we (I, Ps Daniel and few pastors from Churches of Christ: Glyn Jenkins, Ps Larry, Mark and Katherine from Koolgarie, and Neil (larry’s brother)) left perth for KL then to Bangkok where we are going to spend a night there, and off to pattaya in the morning for pastors’ conference. this pastors are quite extraordinary though, they are pastors and leaders who minister in Leprocy colonies through out all thailand. I don’t know what to expect from the mission experience this week, but I’m so excited for what God is going to do for me personally, and for what he is going to do through me in this trip.
This is my first mission trip outside indonesia and Australia. and i’m pretty sure that this will be the first of many mission trip. I’m asking God to open my eyes and expose me to things that I’ve never seen before. My determination is to impact as many people as I can, and be opened to Holy Spirit’s prompting.

I’m writing this entry on a flight to Bangkok. We are going to have a chance to go around Bangkok city tonight and i’m looking forward for a nice Thai dinner. Since this is my first time visit to Thailand, i’m kinda excited! Tomorrow morning after breakfast at 7 AM, We will drive in a van for 2.5 hours to the conference venue in pattaya. we will stay there until thursday. and on thursday we will visit 2 leprocy colonies about 2 hours drive away from pattaya, then go back to Bangkok and spend a night there.

God, take me to a deeper understanding about you, about the harvest field and compassion. I’m open. I’m ready to learn. Teach me, and give me a God-listening heart. I need you holy spirit to guide me.

Discipleship is not Spoon-Feeding

2009-05-02T08:18:00.003+08:00

In Acts 2, 3000 people were converted to faith in Christ and numbered with the believers.
Acts 2:42 begins the description of the strategy for discipling this throng (funny word) of new Christians:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Did you catch it? They devoted themselves. Who devoted themselves? The new believers! Nobody devoted them to the teaching. They had to do it for themselves. The apostles taught with authority, clarity, and consistency. But the burden of discipleship rested primarily on the new believers, not the leaders of the church.

As church leaders, it is our job to create and sustain processes and systems that responsibly enable people to grow in their faith after receiving Christ.
But if a new Christian is not willing to devote himself to teaching, community, and service, it doesn’t mean we failed in discipling him. It might mean he’s not a truly regenerated born again believer after all. A new nature produces an insatiable appetite for the things of God. And that’s an appetite only God can create.

Fast growing churches catch a lot of flack for failure to disciple new converts.
But Biblical discipleship isn’t about spoon feeding.
According to Acts 2:42, it’s an all you can eat self-service buffet.
Get your own plate. Refill your own drinks. And clean up after yourself, man.

Devote yourself!

Only By Grace

2009-05-02T07:43:00.002+08:00

Scripture
Matt. 19:23 (NLT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Observation
A young man who observe almost all the law came to Jesus and ask about eternal life. in the context of this passage, this man seems that he’s an obedient student of the law. But of course like everyone else He’s not perfect. When Jesus asked him to give up his belongings and give it to the poor, he couldn’t do it. The point of this event is, it’s impossible to gain eternal life with our own effort. No matter how we strife to be perfect to obey God’s law, the one who can save us is God.
The camel was the largest animal found in Palestine. The vivid contrast between the largest animal and the smallest opening represents what, humanly speaking is impossible. Salvation is totally the work of God. Every attempt to enter the kingdom on the basis of achievement or merit is futile. Apart from the grace of God, no one can be saved.

Application
I need to live with constantly reminding myself that only by grace I am saved. not by my might, my will or my good deeds. God is the one who made it possible through Jesus Christ for me to receive the gift of eternal life. In the passage, it specifically mention an example of someone who has greater love for his possession than for eternal life. Money is not everything, it’s only temporary. I don’t live to serve money, i’m here only to serve God who gave me eternal life. Money has to serve me; as I’m holding on to his promise that If I seek HIM FIRST, everything else shall be added.

Prayer
Thank you for your grace oh God. Only by your faithfulness I am saved. Don’t allow me to be blinded by what the world offer, by what wonders of this world, possession and wealth. Help me to seek you first in everything I do. Help me to love your word more and more each day.

Power of Agreement

2009-05-01T12:27:00.003+08:00

Scripture
Matt. 18:19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Observation
When I read this verse the word marriage pops up into my head. Maybe because that’s the next stage where I will enter. this verse is so powerful, it’s so important for husband and wife to come to agreement in whatever decisions, about every request to God, agree both in mind and in prayer; wow the consequence will be POWERFUL, God is pleased with our agreement, when we come to him in His name... It will be done for us.

Application
I realize more and more the importance of having prayer time together with Citra, walking with God not only as an individual, but as a couple, also as a family. Just like joshua says, as for me in my house we will serve the Lord. I want to start my family right. Verbal communication is essential in marriage (thx ps Wayne and Mel for stating that again and again in “before I say I do” class), because God blesses PRAYER in AGREEMENT.

Prayer
Help me and my wife (to be) to understand and being reminded again and again the importance of agreement; both in communication between two of us, and communication with you. I thank you Lord, that whenever we come together in your name, YOU ARE WITH US, just like you were with David. You’re so COOL, God..

God's Presence

2009-04-30T12:09:00.000+08:00

Thursday, 30th April 2009

Scripture
1Chr. 13:3 (NLT) It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”
1Chr. 13:14 (NLT) The Ark of God remained there with the family of Obed-edom for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.

Observation
David understand the importance of having the presence of God in his life, in his home and in his nations. As a king, leaders of leaders he realizes that his wisdom is limited; to be able to see his nation advance he can’t just depend on his leadership and his leaders; He knows that if God is with Him and Israel, everything will be alright. wasn’t it God who put him in charge in the first place
Whereever God present, his blessings follow, his favor follows, just like the family of Obed edom who happened to welcome the ark of God, him and his household were blessed.
I still amazed reading the verses that says “so David inquired God (1 Chro 14:10)”... “(1 Chro 14: 14) so David inquired of God again, and God answered Him.”
David consulted God for everything! this is DAVID... that means that also the same thing I need to do. Having His Presence in my live, and ask him what to do, because he knows best.
I like the song in Robin’s wedding “ I need to be next to you.” Yes God, I need to be next to you... because it will be a lie if I can live without you.

Application
Having God’s presence in my life is simply acknowledging the fact that Immanuel God is with me. And not only that, I need to make his statutes and his ways and hold on to it. just like what God said to David in psalm 132 (today’s reading as well) if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever”
I love your words oh God...

Prayer
Help me God not to rely on my on understanding, my own wisdom. Your thoughts and your ways are so high, I can’t conprehend them. I need your wisdom. and more than anything. I NEED YOU in my life. Thank you for living inside me Holy SPirit! I don’t want to ignore you. Just like david, the first thing he did as a king, he bring back the ark of God. I need your presence, You are my everything.

God Was With David

2009-04-29T23:54:00.001+08:00

Leadership quote of the day:
"Envision your desired outcomes before you act" - Stephen Covey

Scripture
2 Samuel 5: 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.

Observation
Reading from the previous chapters, it is obvious that David’s only hope for victory was GOD. he said “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of all trouble”. Even though many people who were loyal to him tried their best to bring victories for him, they killed saul’s son thinking that David could become king over Israel ASAP; David was so disappointed towards those men who killed Ish Bosheth. This prove that David was a man of integrity, who doesn’t want to take shortcut to arrive to his success. He relies on God’s hands and God’s timing. And when God gave him the victory/success in His timing, GOD rewards David with more and more, and He was WITH HIM

Application
The most important thing in life is to have THE LORD OF HOSTS with me. Like David, I need to be a man of integrity, not taking decision based on what I think is good for the time being, continually inquiring God for wisdom and guidance to do His will, according to His Timing.

Prayer
I need you in my life oh God. that’s all I need. What does success means if you’re not with me. Help me to know your ways. AMEN

Inquiring God

2009-04-28T23:51:00.000+08:00

From last weekend i was unable to post my blog because we had church camp at guilderton, and no internet access obviously. so here we go

Scripture:
1Chr. 10:13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Observation
The path of the unrighteousness always lead to death. Saul was the chosen king over israel, however towards the end of his ministry He became unfaithful to the Lord. As an appointed servant of God, I must depend on Him who appointed me to do the tasks he’d given to me in the first place. Otherwise God will choose someone else who suits / competence for the very same task to replace me, easily. After all His kingdom must advance.

Application
God has appointed me and entrusted me to be his servant at therocks. I must acknowledge and continue to remind myself that He’s the one who trusted me this (also to be husband to cit, son to my parents, etc); and unlike Saul, I have to be faithful till the end. I must acknowledge him in all of my ways, KEEP his words and inquire Him for guidance. Without Him I can do nothing.

Prayer
Help me Lord to walk in your truth. For your word are the source of wisdom, that enables me to be the person you want me to be. Help me to love you more, to love your words; for what else could be the source of wisdom to help me doing/fulfilling the destiny of my life? only Your WORD!

Understanding Your Mission

2009-04-27T23:53:00.000+08:00

Scripture
Matt. 14:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
John records that after the miracle of the loaves and fish, the crowds intended to make Jesus King by force (john 6:15)

Observation
Nots from study bible NIV Matt 14:22: This involved a complete understanding of the mission of Jesus. The disciples may have been caught up in the enthusiasm and needed to be removed from the area quickly. Jesus knew really well what His mission in the world was, that’s why he didn’t entertain the thought of the crowds and disciples. He quickly went up to a mountain side by himself to PRAY. Once again here’s the importance of being faithful and love the Word of God. That’s the only source of strength to do your mission here on earth.

Application
Learning from Jesus, I need to know for sure the mission that God has for my life. Be content and secure and be faithful to his calling. According to people’s eyes, being a king is the status that Jesus should have. But Jesus knew his mission. The secret was his solitary, constant fellowship with his Father. The father who gave Jesus the mission in the first place, and Jesus consulted him daily.
If jesus did that consistently, how much more I need to do the same.

Prayer
God, reveal to me the mission of my life, make it clear each day. I can’t find out about that from anywhere else, or anyone else. Show me your way, so I can have a life that pleases You

Keep God's Words

2009-04-25T13:58:00.000+08:00

Scripture
1Chr. 10:13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Observation
The path of unrighteousness always leads to death. Saul was the chosen king over Israel, however towards the end of his ministry. He was unfaithful to the Lord. As an appointed servant of God, I must depend on Him who appointed me to do the tasks he'd given to me in the first place. Otherwise God will choose someone else who suits for the very same task to replace me. After all His kingdom must advance.

Application
God has appointed me and trusted me to be his servant at THEROCKS, i must acknowledge and continue to remind myself that He's the one who trusted me this (also to be husband to cit, son of my parents, etc); and unlike Saul, I have to be faithful till the end. I must acknowledge him in all of my ways, KEEP his word and inquire Him for guidance. Without Him I can do nothing.

Prayer
Help me Lord to walk in your truth. For your word are the source of wisdom, that enables me to be the person you want me to be. Help me to love you more, to love your words; for what else could be the source of wisdom to help me doing /fulfilling the destiny of my life? only Your Word!

Quick To Repent

2009-04-24T08:53:00.003+08:00

Scripture
"Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent." Matt 11:20

Observation
This verse really intrigue me when i read it. People in those city whom Jesus denounced, saw with their own eyes all the miracles and wonders Jesus had performed. But still, they did not repent; they still went with their own ways. But when I reflect upon this verse, i realize how easy it is to experiencing God's goodness daily in our lives, but still do not acknowledge His presence in our lives. He has done so many good things in my live, but yet there are few things that I still hold on and hesitate to give away.

Application
I need to learn to be quick to learn, and quick to repent. Receiving the work of Christ for my salvation happens once and for all. Right on the moment i believed Christ, I immediately declared Just and Righteous. However, Repentance must happen every day, I need to quickly turn my way around, as soon as I learn that I walk on the wrong way.

Prayer
Teach me your ways oh God, so I may know your truth. Teach me an undivided heart, that i may fear your Name. Help me to recognize my transgression, and not being hard hearted, rather to quickly turn to you and running towards you. Walking on your path is the wisest thing one can do.

He Deserves My Best

2009-04-23T08:19:00.003+08:00

Scriptures
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:37-38

Observation
Obviously, Jesus wants all of me. All of my love, all of my devotions. A father, a mother, and a child is one's closest family, and Jesus wants me to love him more than i love my closest family. It sounds so selfish in a way, but isn't what you would say on your wedding day? That you would love your spouse till the end? either poor or rich, sick or healthy, that we would love our spouse?
In the first place, Jesus has shown his love to me, his commitment, his devotion, and his sacrifice for me. YES, for me. He deserves my best, he deserves all of me, all of my talents, all of my love.

Application
Time and money are clear indications of what I treasure most in life. The keyword here i think is priority. I need to give Him the best part of my day to him for just simply spend time with him in prayer and word. Being faithful to give him the first priority of my finances, even during tough times. And the only motivation is because he has loved me first, and has given His best for me. Why shouldn't i try to do the same?

Prayer
You gave your all on the calvary, Jesus. That's an evidence of your love to me. You love me more than anything. Thank you for showing it to me first how much you love me, that what empowers me to love you. Help me to grow in love with you, day by day. Just like i'm entering marriage life soon, and i need to continually work out my marriage, i want to to do the same with you. I want to work out my relationship with you.

God Responds to Faith

2009-04-22T09:10:00.005+08:00

Scripture
Mother to a sick daughter: “But come and put Your hand on her and she will live.” (Matt 9:18 NIV)
Woman with bleeding problem : “ If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” (Matt 9:21 NIV)
Jesus asked two blind men who asked for sight : “ Do you believe that I am able to do this (healing)? Yes Lord “they replied”, then He touched their eyes and said “According to your faith will it be done to you.” (Matt 9:28 NIV)

Observation
We know God’s character through his words and promises. However what can ‘knowing things’ do good to me unless I experience it. Throughout matthew 9, Matthew keeps on highlighting the importance of FAITH in experiencing the power of God, and more importantly experiencing HIS Character (in this case: Jehovah Raphah - God is my healer”). Faith is simply believing what Gad says who He is. Believe the truth of his character. Just like a cable conducts electricity from the power source to a HD LCD TV, faith conducted power/God’s character from Himself to me. Without Him I can not function!

Application:
To be able to know His character, I must become a faithful student of His word, hence the Holy Spirit who lives in me will reveal God’s character to me, and in result I will know him more and more. Holy Spirit will give me RHEMA and based on that RHEMA (revelation), I believe (Faith comes), and that Faith is the conductor for me to experience God’s character, His power, in my life. It makes sense. Faith comes from hearing, hearing of the Rhema of God.

Prayer:
You are marvelous! How deep are your thoughts oh God. I could not comprehend them. I want to know you more, Jesus. The more I study about your word, the more I realize how I want to know and experience you more; and the more I realize how little and limited my understanding about You. Help me to be quick to learn, quick to say AMEN to your promises and walk in your ways, for I know your hands are upon me all the days of my life. AMEN.

Only yesterday I was having a conversation with a lovely lady, she voluntarily clean our church property once a week as part of her ministry to God. She’s a very humble lady. She gave me her testimony about her life, she grew up in West Java, Indonesia, brought up in a moslem family; migrate to Australia 12 years ago ; and came to know Jesus in 2005, gave herself to Jesus and be baptized. She came back to Indonesia in Feb 2009 (just two months ago), to visit her parents and her relatives in Bandung. One day she and her husband visit her sister’s house in Bandung. Her sister’s husband had a stroke a while ago, and caused him lost his memory. He could not remember most people whom he knew before the stroke. This lady ask her sister’s husband, “ do you still remember me?”, he said “no”. In her heart she prayed, “Jesus, you made blind men recover their sight, lame men walk, mute can talk again, surely you can make my brother in law recovers from his stroke, and start to regain his memory. May your name be glorified.”
She told her brother in law, “You know Prophet Isa (Jesus is known as Prophet Isa in book of Quran), don’t you, brother? He can heal you and he can make you whole, believe in him. Because he loves you and care for you. You can be healed.” Her brother in law responded “yes I want to be healed, Prophet Isa please heal me.” She lays her hands upon this man’s head and prayed for his healing. Soon after she finished prayed, she asked him again, “do you remember who I am?”, He paused for a while, and then he said, “ are you ‘enceu’ (big sister in sundanese), you’re ‘enceu’ from Australia, aren’t you?”. This lady was so filled with Joy that Jesus has started the recovery in her brother in law’s memory. Her sister was so happy.

During her same visit to Bandung, she also went to her parents house. Her mother was already old and had not been able to walk for months. The mother just laid in bed most of the time. This lady told me, that often time she came to her mother’s bed and whisper in her mother’s ear, “mom, Prophet Isa loves you and she can heal you. He is God, believe in him, and you will walk again.” She keeps praying for her mom. This lady told me, just before she and her husband left to perth again, she took and accompany her mom walking around the frontyard of the house. She starts walking again.’
Praise God!

God responds to FAITH. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 5 year old boy, or 89 year old man. It doesn’t matter whether you have been a believer for 30 years, or you just became believer yesterday. Your faith in Christ is the one that saved you. Your faith is the conductor of God’s saving grace to be applied into your life. You’re saved by grace. the salvation, the forgiveness, the right standing before God is given to you. Yes, it is GIVEN to you through faith. just Simply believe....
The lady who shared her testimony let God to move through her to bring live and healing to her family members who don’t know Jesus. If only we are letting God use us and not hesitating to proclaim Jesus, wow.... we are going to be amazed with what God will do to people around us. Just like the testimony she shared.

These signs will accompany those who believe: they will cast out demons in My name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them. (Mark 16:17-18)

Not Taking Short Cuts

2009-04-21T09:08:00.003+08:00

Scriptures:
1 Samuel 24:16 (NLT) The LORD knows I shouldn’t have done it,” he said to his men. “It is a serious thing to attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.”
1 Samuel 24:15 (NLT) May the LORD judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!”

Observation:
David already received God's promise that he will become the next King of Israel, Samuel also has anointed him to be the king of Israel. In other word, He is waiting for the fulfillment of that promise. David had some loyal followers, and they were not ordinary men, they were mighty men of war; and hence made David a respected leader. With all his might, power, followers, and "seem's like God's given opportunity (Divine timing), David could easily kill Saul. However he understood a principle of "God's anointed people." God put them there with His sovereignty for a reason. Everything will be perfect if we follow God's timing.

Application
Acknowledge the authorities God put in your life. Government, public officers, Council officers (that's right; especially during this DA application process), pastors, superior leaders, boss, parents, husbands, ministry leaders (etc). They are chosen by God to be above us; pray for them, and serve them according to God's words. Do everything as if you're doing it for God. Pray that they will make decisions and policies that will be based on Kingdom's principles

Prayer
Help me father to recognize your timing for everything in my life. Promotion comes from you. Help me to be faithful in doing the small things so you can trust me with bigger things. Help me not to be thirsty for power, respect, and fame, but let me be thirsty for God's word and wisdom. Just like David, leaders of men, able to make the right decision that determined the future of his men and his nation.

Be an Encourager

2009-04-20T08:23:00.003+08:00

This month, we are having a campaign in THEROCKS, to read our bible and start journaling. My prayer is that through this, everyone in our church will love God's word, obey what Holy spirit teaches them and experience transformation in their lives.
This year is the year of "hunger and thirst after God". I don't know other ways for people to love God more, than to start loving His words and walk in the guidance of Holy Spirit.

Here's my SOAP of the day

Scripture
"Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God." 1 Sam 23:16

Observation:
David was on the run and hid in the wilderness, and it was written "Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn;t et him to be found" (v14). God protects David, as david wrote in his psalm that God protects those who honor Him. However, in the midst of His anxiety, fear and hopelessness, he found an encourager. Jonathan came and encouraged him. An encouragement is receiving a delicious Hokkien Fried Rice in the midst of Hunger. God always know how to encourage us. I want to be used by God to bring encouragement to those who needs it.

Application
I want to make "encouragement" to be my habit. I'll never know when they need an encouragement words, which is capable to lift up their faith. Whenever I meet with people, i need to encourage them. Send SMS that builds the faith of people of God.

Prayer
Father, help me to be sensitive to people's needs, fear, and anxiety. Help me to always be positive and overflow with your wisdom and strength. So I can encourage people and remind them that they are loved, and protected.

We are Unique

2009-04-17T01:48:00.003+08:00

Each of us possesses strengths which God has given us. Psalm 18:32 says,

It is God who arms me with strength.

And in Philippians 4:13,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

And King David said this in 1 Chronicles 29:12,

...in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

God gives us all strength, yet I believe there are specific things He gives each of us that make you and me strong individually. The book of Psalms says in 33:14-15, From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually. In the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 12:27 it says, Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

We are collectively the body of Christ, but God has wired us each differently. God has formed our hearts individually. He has put certain deposits in one person that may not be in another person. He has given one person a certain kind of strength that may not be another person's strength.
Here is what I am getting at. I believe there is something uniquely you that gives you strength and character and presence, something that makes you a person to be reckoned with, something that God has put in you. It is a foundation, a seat of strength that He wants to move through in order to influence and to bless others.
Rather than coveting someone else's unique giftings and strength, discover and develop your own. Remember, God individually fashioned you. There is something wonderfully unique about you, through which God wants to bring blessing to others.

NASA Captured an amazing photo! Hand Of God

2009-04-15T22:54:00.007+08:00

Hand of God ... the image of an X-ray nebula that spans 150 light years resembles a hand / NASA
NASA image of ghostly blue cloud
Resembles giant hand stretching
Recalls picture of "eye of God"

WE'VE already seen pictures of his eye ... now we have the first image of the hand of God.
A ghostly blue cloud seems to form an outstretched thumb and fingers grasping a ball of fire.
The amazing image was taken by NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory, which is orbiting 580km above the Earth. It recalls pictures of the Helix planetary nebula, with its blue centre surrounded by white clouds which earned it the nickname "the eye of God".
The hand was created when a star exploded in a supernova, creating a rapidly spinning 20km-wide star called a pulsar, which is deep inside the white blob at the hand's wrist.
The pulsar is spewing out enormous amounts of electromagnetic energy, creating a dust and gas cloud so wide it would take 150 years to cross at the speed of light.
The red disc is a separate gas cloud. The fingers are thought to have been created as energy passed from the pulsar to the gas cloud.

NASA scientists estimated the moment depicted here actually happened 17,000 years ago.
It has taken since then for the X-rays, travelling at 1080km/h, to reach Earth.

MY GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

Indescribable
Chris Tomlin

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Mike TJ is featured in Worship Audio Asia

2009-04-15T01:53:00.001+08:00

Congratulation to our (THEROCKS church)sound engineer, Michael Tjandra who is featured on WORSHIP AUDIO (Asia) Magazine

He was featured on QUESTION and ANSWER section on a Pro-Central Audio magazine, "WORSHIP AUDIO ASIA - Spring 2009 edition"

CLICK HERE To read the article featuring our very own TJ

Keep up the good work, J... We're proud of ya!

When God Has my heart

2009-04-15T01:45:00.002+08:00

In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus says,

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Given the context of the preceding verses, Jesus is telling us that if God is first in our giving, then He indeed has our heart. If He has our hearts, He can guide us and meet our needs, and we have no need to worry about provision for our life.

He feeds the birds. He will take care of you. Do not worry. Obey Him, trust Him, and look to Him for your daily bread.

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Kid's Festival 04.04.09

2009-04-04T22:46:00.022+08:00

This morning we had Kids' Festival at Bentley, to be exact: Hedley Park. Dozens of awesome and faithful volunteers both from THEROCKS and Fusion came in the morning, and for this time most of them are the IGNITE boys and girls. I'm so proud of them! They are so enthusiastic in helping to make this KidsFest a success. They came as early as 8AM to help in setting up the tents, activities, etc. Looking at the volunteers, both the adults and the igniters working tirelessly, i was so inspired. These people love their God, they love their church, and they love their community. There is power in togetherness. Together we can do so many things.

It was such a day full of colors, fun, and smiles. I saw young kids smiling, laughing, running around the center of the park; jumping inside the bouncy castle. I looked back and i remembered I prayed for them to meet Jesus and experience the beauty of walking with Him, live a life that He gave, life to the max. That's why He came here to this world. (john 10:10 my favorite verse). I know that through this kids festival, we are bringing a taste of God's Kingdom to this community, where Jesus' reflectors, which is us THE CHURCH, sharing God's Joy and peace to the community. It is worth it! Even though there were no praises songs were sung during that 3PM, even there were no sermon preached, but i'm certain that this is the beginning of revival of this community.

Father, I pray that your church, your bride, will catch and understand what's in your heart. I pray that your church will share the compassion that you have in your heart. Loving you even more each day, and experience the wonderful journey with you, which most of the time is unpredictable, but eventually we will be amazed by the works of your hands in our lives.

Ronny, our living statue in process of making

Citra in action

Our sausage Sizzles gals

The volunteers - you guys Rock!

A Million Thanks

2009-04-03T23:22:00.007+08:00

Lord, I ask for supernatural rain in the city where i live in. I ask for your extending arms to hold those who are hurting. I ask for your breath brings life to those who are spiritually tired. I ask for the young people will not walk in diminished power of the Holy Spirit. I ask You to pour out your Holy Spirit to all young people, they will see visions, they will prophecy, they will do miracles. I ask for a great awakening in Australia.

I thank you in advance for a street filled with people marching and celebrating the revival in this city. I thank you in advance for hundreds of thousand turning to you through us. I thank you in advance for restored marriages, healed relationship, children reconciled to their dads. I thank you in advance for a fresh new streams of Praise and worship. I thank you in advance for using me as your instrument beyond my wildest dreams.

I thank you for your goodness, favor and mercy that keeps following and chasing me everywhere that i go. I thank you for a great church, for the amazing people in it, for committed and passionate people who are supporting the vision of Your house. I thank you for family, i thank you for Citra, I thank you for wonderful future you have for me.

I treasure your Words that leads my path. I treasure the wisdom that you provide everytime i ask. I treasure the moments where i realize that i'm weak, for that's when you show you're strong. I treasure the hardship, because that makes me strong; "if it doesn't kill you, it only can make you even stronger". I treasure your wonderful presence. I agree with David, a short time in your presence, better than days elsewhere. I treasure the divine connections you provide for me, who give me counsel, challenges, and encouragement.

A million thanks to you my beautiful savior... JESUS

Keep Trusting Him

2009-03-26T23:15:00.001+09:00

It says in 1 Peter 1:5-7,

Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

One of the critical things you and I need to do when faced with trials is continue to trust God in the midst of those trials.

No matter how difficult, do not unplug your faith, even when things get rough. Keep trusting God and His promises. Why? Well, look at what verse 5 says: We are "kept by the power of God through faith."

When you keep your faith plugged in, you are then kept by God's power.

That word keep means to preserve. It means to protect, to guard. It is used elsewhere in Scripture of a garrison of soldiers protecting something. When you are going through a trial, God will protect you through His power when you trust Him.

That word power is the same word in the Bible translated miracle. I take it to mean this: When you or I are in a season of trial, if God has to work a miracle to keep us and protect us, He will do it.

Whatever your trial...keep trusting.

Do You Cherish God's Word?

2009-03-23T10:55:00.003+09:00

Psalm 107:20 says, He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions.

God has given us His Word for our benefit, and yet so many
Christians ignore it to their hurt.

It is like the story of the woman a preacher went to visit one day. She lived in a dilapidated house. As long as he had known her, she had struggled with poverty. Twenty years earlier she had been the housekeeper for the wealthiest woman in town, but the wealthy
woman had died. So this housekeeper moved into an old shack.

As the pastor was visiting her, he noticed a document framed on the wall. He said, “Do you mind if I borrow this for a few days?” She replied, “Well, you can borrow it, but please bring it back. Although I can’t read, it is very important to me. It is the only thing that the lady left me when she died. It is very valuable to me. It reminds me of her. So make sure you bring it back.”

He took it and had it investigated and authenticated. It was the will of the woman who had died, and in the will she left her housekeeper a fortune. The housekeeper could have had any house she wanted in the whole city and had servants of her own, but due to her ignorance, she lived in poverty and had a rough go of it all those years.

That woman reminds me of a lot of Christians. They don’t read their Bible, but they admire it because it reminds them of God. They haven’t taken time to find out the inheritance that belongs to them as believers.

God’s Word is a light to our path. It is our guidebook for life. It is bread for our spirit. It is our strength. It is our refuge in troubled times.

Cherish God’s Word.

Great Work, Indra!

2009-03-20T08:45:00.005+09:00

Check out that beautiful Photo! Congratulation INDRA PRATAMA (4life Photography) for winning the competition as the best wedding ceremony photo (winter 2008) in WedComp International. Click Here to check out the website

What a combination: A great photographer and also an fantastic and passionate kiss by RICO and MADY. i can proudly say "i was there", (not sure whether i'm in the photo though). Once again congrats Ndra! Keep up the great work! You're tremendously blessed with so many talents. Don't forget my wedding is in 294 days from now. hahaha

About The Shot:
It was a perfect day and a great wedding: simple and elegant. Wedding is about two people in love, expressing and declaring their love and commitment witnessed by the people around them. I love the way how the groom passionately kissing the bride, as it gives me an expression of how bold is their love for each other. And the expressions of those supportive people in the background creates a beautiful, joyful and unforgettable moment for the couple.

Judge's Comments:
Terrific use of the vertical crop. Wonderful decisive moment. I love the way the image is compressed and the complete tonality in the file. This image was the strongest overall because of the simplicity of the moment. It didn't try too hard to be something it wasn't, and the moment stood on it's own merit without photoshop actions or other post processing trickery. Nice, solid moment with terrific elements within the frame. Clear winner, for me.

Take it for granted...

2009-03-19T23:20:00.005+09:00

Last Friday I lost my iPhone, and I can't tell you the mix feelings i have been having this week. Firstly, i feel like condemning myself of being careless, put my belongings in random places. Secondly, I almost forget that we are all (Christians) still under construction. Aren't we all? Things can go missing in Church. All week i felt something missing, being a 'little perfectionist' person I am, having a full details of all my contacts in my iphone, calendars, things to do lists, my ibank transactions, having the access to google map wherever and whenever. Oh! Only after I realized that I lost it, Suddenly i forgot how I used to be frustated with my iPhone, how it always disconnects whenever it wants, how slow it is refresh pages, how it can't COPY and PASTE, nor send vcard to other people. All i could think of was how I MISS MY iphone, all the advantages and qualities of that gadget, despite of who know how many times i almost slam that phone to the floor everytime it frozen on me.

It's funny, we always see the bad quality of something, when we have it in our lives; and take it for granted all the great qualities.
From this I learned something basic yet so important. PEOPLE are way way way more important than iPhone. iPhone will be a merely piece of junk in another year or two. But people that God put in our lives... wow they are precious. But, don't we realize, we often take people whom God put in our lives for granted. We always focus on their bad qualities, their weaknesses, those annoying things they do. Until suddenly they move town, or simply just lose contact, or even worse... they leave this world; then we will miss them the most, then we will realize what a great friend, great husband, great wife, great pastor, great boss, he/she is..

Opa John Ollis in ENCOUNTER meeting reminded me tonight, that People whom God put in our lives, especially our fellow believers, are our Brother and Sister SANDPAPER. Of course we can get hurt when we get close with a sandpaper brother/sister, but without we realize it, all the hard edges/surfaces of our lives are being rubbed off.
however it all depends on us, whether we want to be better or to be bitter. As I quoted Opa John "“If you don’t forgive, you don’t get better, you get bitter”

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

God's love that He has poured so free to us through Jesus Christ, is the very thing that empowers us to love other people. It takes our commitment to change our perspective about people; focus on their strength and their qualities instead of their weaknesses. if we do so, I believe we won't look back one day and regret "I wish i spend more time to get to know that person", instead we will cherish the all the great memories and celebrate God's works in that person's life.

iphone is just a piece of technology that people will forget and laugh about one day. But people are so SPECIAL. Let's focus on each other's strength and continue to add value to one another, edify one another, and most importantly love one another, BY THIS all men will know that we are Christ's Disciples.... when we love one another.

Lesson Learned.

Give God Your Worries

2009-03-13T00:48:00.004+09:00

Ask Yourself two questions:
Is there any unconfessed sin in my life?
Confession is telling Go you did the thing he saw you do. He doesn't need to hear it as much as you need to say it. Whether it's to small to be mentioned or too big to be forgiven isn't yours to decide. Your task is to be honest.

Are there any unsurrendered worries in my heart?
"Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you" (1 Peter 5:7)
The German word for worry means "to strangle". The Greek word means "to divide the mind". Both are accurate. worry is a noose on the neck and a distraction of the mind, neither of which is befitting for joy.

from When God Whispers Your Name - M. Lucado

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T01:05:00.001+09:00

The Priority of Focus

As you study the Bible, you begin to discover that God has some things He considers very important -- things that should become priorities as we begin a new year.

One of the things that God considers most important is focus. In fact, the priority of focus is absolutely crucial if you are to be the wise man or woman you want to be. Why?

Because understanding the priority of focus can keep you from pursuing the trivial and unimportant.

A great example of a proper focus is found in Deuteronomy 4:9, where it says...

"Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'"

God wants you to remember your encounters with Him. He's saying, "Take heed to yourself and guard your soul lest you forget the things your eyes have seen.

When you remember and rehearse what God has done for you in the past, it will keep you free from depression and it will keep you in faith. It will keep the door open for God to do things in your present circumstance and situation.

So today, take time to focus on what God has done for you in the past. Count your blessings.

When you do this on a consistent basis, you will be able to move forward with great confidence and faith, remembering what God has done for you... and what He can accomplish in your life again.

Happy New Year!

An Article by Bayless Conley

Don't Worry

2008-09-11T09:30:00.001+08:00

Today I have a simple but important word for you directly from God’s Word: Don't worry.

1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us,

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Jesus said, "Don't take an anxious thought for tomorrow. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." When we worry about tomorrow, we pull tomorrow's clouds over today's sunshine.

I have shared many times in my ministry about the incredible truth of Jesus' command, "Do not worry about tomorrow." It is like we have this 24-hour fuse. We are wired up to deal with the stresses of life one day at a time.

If you worry about tomorrow today, you are putting a 48-hour load on a 24-hour fuse, and something is going to give somewhere.

Some people don't just worry about tomorrow, they worry about next week and next month. No wonder the fuse is blowing!

You see, what the mind cannot contain, it will impose upon the body. If your health is breaking down, worry may just be the problem. The Bible says to cast all of your care, the whole of your care, all your anxieties, on Him, once and for all.

Roll your burden on the Lord. The Bible says be anxious for nothing. And that means nothing. Do not worry about your children, do not worry about your money, do not worry about your future, do not worry about anything.

Your Heavenly Father does care for you, and it is His good pleasure to give you the Kingdom

Peace Through Prayer

2008-03-07T20:38:00.003+09:00

"God's peace... will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

The worrisome heart pays a high price for doing so. Worry comes from the Greek word that means "to divide the mind". Anxiety splits us right down the middle, creating a double minded thinking. Rather than take away tomorrow's trouble, worry voids todays, strength. Perception is divided, distorting your vision. Strength is divided, wasting your energy. Who can afford to lose power?
But how can we stop doing so? Paul offers a two-pronged answer. God's part and our part. Our part includes prayer and gratitude. "Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks" (Philippians 4:6, emphasis mine).
God's part? "and God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

From Come Thirsty

I Asked God

2008-01-08T10:56:00.000+09:00

I Asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations
It isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all of the things I might enjoy in life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE OTHERS, as much as he loves me.
God said... Ahhh, FINALLY YOU HAVE THE IDEA!

Let Your will be done in my life

2008-01-08T10:21:00.000+09:00

I was reading Matthew 6:10 and the devotional notes in my bible. I thought i might share what ps Lucado writes with you, readers
To pray that God's will be done is to seek the heart of God. The word will means 'strong desire"... so what is HIS heart? His passion? He wants us to know it. Shall God hide from us what he is going to do? Apparently not, for he has goe to great lengths to reveal his will to us. Could he have done more than send his Son to lead us? Could he have done more than give his Word to teach us? Could he have done mote than send his Son to lead us? Could he have done more than give his Word to teach us? Could he have done more than orchestrate events to awakens us? Could he have done more than send his Holy Spirit to counsel us?
God is not the God of confusion, and wherever he sees seekers with confused hearts you can bet your sweet December that he will do whatever it takes to help them see his will.

A Big View Of God

2007-12-14T09:23:00.000+09:00

Exactly what is worship? I like King David’s definition. “Glorify the Lord with me, and let us praise his name together” (Psalm 34:3. Worship is the act of magnifying God. Enlarging our vision of Him. Stepping into the cockpit to see where he sits and observe how he works. Of course, his size doesn’t change, but our perception of Him does. As we draw nearer, he seems larger. isn’t that what we need? A big view of God? Don’t we have big problems, big worries, big questions? Of course we do. Hence we need a big view of God. Worship offers that. How can we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy” and not have our vision expanded?
Max Lucado, from Just Like Jesus

no More Lies

2007-09-05T22:05:00.001+08:00

I personally think that for so many times, we are more comfortable in being deceitful to ourselves rather than being bluntly honest to ourselves and especially God. I'm also guilty of that in some areas of my life. however, deep down in my heart i realize that the reason that i have about what i did or a decision that I made, wasn't really the real reason. Andy Stanley said that Until we stop lying to ourselves, we don't really know the position where we are. And If we don't know where we are, it's hard for us to get to where God wants us to be. Whether that's in the area of our career, calling, destiny, future spouse or even money. I need to learn to always ask myself everytime i decide to do something, "what is the real reason behind this?"; Do I really want to do this, considering my future, dreams and relationship with God?"

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Max Lucado: Everyday deserves a chance

2007-07-13T10:49:00.000+08:00

I'm reading a new book written by Max Lucado, and here's a daylifter quote that i really want to share with you:

The Next time you are mired in a bad day, check your outlook with these three questions:
1. What do I feel guilty about?
2. What am I worried about?
3. What am I about?
Reflect on your answers with these three reminders:
Yesterday..... forgiven.
Tomorrow ...... surrendered
Today...... Clarified
Jesus' design for a good day makes such sense. His grace erases guilt. His overshight removes fear. His direction removes confusion.

Found: Old Testament Evidence

2007-07-12T01:09:00.000+08:00

An article taken from an Australian Newspaper : The Australian

Tablet aids Old Testament's credibility

* Dalya Alberge
* July 11, 2007

THE British Museum has hailed a discovery within a modest clay tablet in its collection as a breakthrough for biblical archaeology - dramatic proof of the accuracy of the Old Testament.

The cuneiform inscription in a tablet dating from 595BC has been deciphered for the first time - revealing a reference to an official at the court of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, that proves the historical existence of a figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah.

This is rare evidence in a non-biblical source of a real person, other than kings, featured in the Bible.

The tablet names a Babylonian officer called Nebo-Sarsekim, who according to Jeremiah xxxix was present in 587BC when Nebuchadnezzar "marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it".

The cuneiform inscription records how Nebo-Sarsekim lavished a gift of gold on the Temple of Esangila in the fabled city of Babylon, where, at least in folk tradition, Nebuchadnezzar is credited with building the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

British Museum staff are excited by the discovery. Irving Finkel, assistant keeper in the Department of the Middle East, said: "A mundane commercial transaction takes its place as a primary witness to one of the turning points in Old Testament history. This is a tablet that deserves to be famous."

The discovery was made by Michael Jursa, associate professor at the University of Vienna, on a routine research trip to the museum.

"It's very exciting and very surprising," he said. "Finding something like this tablet, where we see a person mentioned in the Bible making an everyday payment to the temple in Babylon and quoting the exact date, is quite extraordinary."

Since 1991, Dr Jursa has been visiting the museum to study a collection of more than 100,000 inscribed tablets - the world's largest holdings.

Although they are examined by international scholars daily, reading and piecing together fragments is painstaking work and more than half are yet to be published.

Cuneiform is the oldest known form of writing. During its 3,000-year history it was used to write about 15 languages including Babylonian, Assyrian, Hittite and Urartian.

A wedged instrument - usually a cut reed - was used to press the signs into clay. This gave the writing system its name, "cuneiform", or wedge-shaped.

There are only a small number of scholars worldwide who can read cuneiform script. One of them is Dr Jursa, who told The Times yesterday (Tuesday) that the British Museum tablet was so well preserved that it took him just a couple of minutes to decipher.

This one - which is 2.13 inches (5.5cm) wide - was acquired by the British Museum in 1920.

Dr Jursa said: "But no one realised the connection. They didn't really read it." It was unearthed from the ancient city of Sippar, where there was a huge sun temple, just over a mile from modern-day Baghdad. It was part of a large temple archive excavated for the British Museum in the 1870s.

Dr Jursa, who made the discovery while conducting research into officials at the Babylonian court, said that the tablet recorded Nebo-Sarsekim's gift of gold to the temple - a gift so large that it would be comparable in value today to the cost of a large townhouse.

On hearing of the discovery yesterday (Tuesday), Geza Vermes, the eminent emeritus professor of Jewish studies at the University of Oxford, said that such a discovery revealed that "the Biblical story is not altogether invented".

He added: "This will be interesting for religious people as much as historians."

Hillsong Conference 2007

2007-07-11T22:36:00.000+08:00

LAst week was the highlight of the month of July. I and the other 15 guys from our church had an awesome week at Hillsong Conference from 7-11 July at Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic park (which is about 10 drive from where i live, which is good!) A group from The Rocks Perth also came and joined us during the week. Pastor Daniel Indradjaja came along with Gabriel, Rey, Rafael and Ari. Pastor David widjaja also joined some of the sessions and rallies. The guest speakers during Hillsong Conference this year were Ps Ed Young from Dallas who spoke on the first nite, Gary Skinner and the Watoto Childrens Choir, Ps Louie Giglio (Passion) was there with Chris Tomlin (and band), Steven Curtis Chapman, Ps Jentenzen Frankin, Ps Joseph Prince (New Creation church, Singapore), Ps John Bevere, and Bishop T.D Jakes. And of course the hillsong team was hosting. ISRAEL HOUGHTON and NEW BREED were there as well, so cool.
Here's some pictures that I took during the Conference

A nite Before Hillsong, We went to Mrs Macquarie's chair with the rocks (Perth) guys

Ari, Citra, Mike, Rafael & Gabriel

Acer Arena Foyer (Hillsong Expo)

Stage @ Hillsong Conf 2007

Praise And Worship (Reuben Morgan = WL)

Me And Andri Wibowo

Israel & New Breed in action

New Life Church Group (some of us)+ Pastor Daniel (Perth)

After One of the Night Rally

Crowd

Me And Rima

Israel And New Breed - Musician Workshop @ Hillsong Conference 07

Pastor D & Cit - Sunnies Ad Model wannabe hehe

Me, Citra, Ivanna (Cit's cousin from NZ), & Tirza (Cit's cousin from Germany)

Me, Ps Daniel, Victor Tee

Another Group Photo after one of the night rallies (Didit and Icha were there =))

With Eka, Englyn, Baby Jayden (ngga keliatan), and Tafi

DR. Richard Roberts, The President of Oral Roberts University; teaching at Moving in the Spirit Elective

Ps. Steve Kelly - Moving In the Spirit

Miriam Webster

Relaxing at the relax room (morin, ken, Lia, Daniel, Andri, me)

Home

2007-06-28T23:27:00.000+08:00

It's been a 8 days now, since My brother Andrew, beth and Zech left for Malaysia and Indonesia for 6 weeks. And being at home is not the same as before. Now, it's very quiet and empty. Therefore, most of the time if i was at home, i'll do my work, preparing sermon, or clean the house. I really miss zech, although i was so happy that i can see the updates of their trip in Malaysia through zech's blog (Thank you beth!)
However, I'm so excited about next week, i'm going to be a delegate of Hillsong Conference, one of the "must do" of the year for me. I found that through this conference, I got refreshed, inspired and motivated. This year there will be about 16 people in our group. and that's Awesome. I;m looking forward for an amazing week. Till then..

Praying with Endurance

2007-06-22T08:06:00.000+08:00

Endurance

Patience is essential to an effective prayer life. You need to be willing to endure.

Hebrews 6:11-15 says,
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Do you realize that once God gave Abraham and Sarah the promise of having a child, it was 25 years before Isaac was born? There was some patient enduring that took place before they obtained the reality of God’s promise in their lives. And so it must be with us.

Perhaps you have been praying for things in your life, and you are getting discouraged. You must remember that God does not always work things on our timetable. He works according to His. I just want to encourage you today: Be patient. Patience is that long-lasting quality of your faith.

A number of years ago I heard one person say that faith is like your hand and patience is like your arm. When you exercise faith, it is like holding up your hand against the problem, and as you do, things are being worked out. But if you take your patience down, your faith comes down with it.

Patience is the thing that keeps your faith applied until the answer comes.

Patience is a critical key to effective prayer. Whatever you are praying for, patiently endure.

Exciting News from Indonesia

2007-06-15T01:38:00.000+08:00

Taken From www.philbaker.net

From my friends in Indonesia comes this moving report of God's grace at work:

At Christmas 1998 waves of persecution broke out against the Christians. Many of our friends and even some of our staff were killed. Our former church and home were burned to the ground. Over 14,000 homes, shops and houses of worship were destroyed. Christian leaders were assassinated, Christian school girls were brutally beheaded and the community has had to live under a reign of terror until some strange events began to take place in a a tiny and remote village called Meko (pronounced Mecco) on the shores of Lake Poso, in the district of Poso, Central Sulawesi.

On the 6th January 2007 an 8 year old girl received a visitation of the Lord and began to pray for the sick, beginning with her own mother. By mid February, crowds began to flock to Meko from all corners of Sulawesi. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians…thousands seeking healing and bringing their sick. Standing there among the sick, the weak, the lame, the blind, the aged, the dying, one can only feel like Jesus who looked upon the multitudes and was moved with compassion. The crowds who gather to Meko are desperate. They desperately need love and compassion.

Every day they sing and praise the Lord for hours. They sing songs like, Jesus never changes, Into my heart, All over the world God's Spirit is moving, Oh Jerusalem how beautiful thou art… They sing them over and over…for hours. While they are singing, people are suddenly healed. The blind see, the lame walk…

Every day people are being healed but the biggest gathering is on Thursday night when the people pray and sing all night long, and at midnight they have special prayer for the sick. Up to 20,000 people have been coming, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Christians. The message proclaimed by this 8 y.o girl and her mother is always the same. Live a holy, righteous life (Ephesians 5:1-21), pray the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6-10), receive healing through Jesus (John 5).

Teams of our workers from the National Prayer Network, the Christian Mens' Network and our Foundation Bless Indonesia Today have been ministering from tent to tent, praying for the sick, sharing Christ and seeing miracles take place. Annette went with a team and was excited to see what is happening. When Annette arrived she was told of miracles that had taken place that afternoon. At 3pm a lame Buddhist man from Makassar, South Sulawesi, was healed. About 4.30pm in one of the tents a lame Muslim man, a haji (one who had made the pilgramage to Mecca ) suddenly left his wheel chair, stood up and began to leap. He jumped up on to a table. He asked to lead the singing in the tent meeting singing a very common song used in Charismatic healing services: "God is all powerful to do all things. He is omnipotent. He created the worlds. My God is all powerful".

We also heard that a lady from South Sulawesi, lame from birth with deformed legs after 32 years stood up and began to walk and leap; a 28 year old man blind from birth was healed; a 17 year old retarded boy is now now back helping his father in a chemist shop in Palu. There are piles of abandoned wheelchairs to give witness to the many healed. One dying man, a relative of one of Jeff's friends, was brought in an ambulance for 18 hours from Manado and was immediately healed.

The message of holiness is strongly preached and people are fearful to smoke, drink alcohol or steal. Some ministers have been told to go home and repent and others are reportedly fearful of going there in case their sins are exposed. One pastor was told by this 8 y.o girl, "you wear the clothes of a pastor but you don't have the heart of a pastor!"

All those who come to Meko will return knowing four things: They will know that Jesus heals and has power; they will know they must repent and live righteously; they will know the words of some basic Christian songs; and they will know the basic prayer that Jesus taught.

There are odd things happening. There are criticisms and oppositions from various quarters. Was it not the same in the ministry of Jesus? It is not happening in a church building; there are no committees, finances, advertising, big name preachers, hotels or any modern convenience. The roads are rough, muddy, winding; the people stay in tents on muddy ground; the toilets stink, but something amazing is happening. Reconciliations, healings, people getting saved, lives transformed and the gospel is being preached.

Thank you to all those who have been praying for Poso! God is beginning to turn things around. People are gathering once again to Poso, no longer to kill and burn and destroy, but to receive the healing, saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Church is a family

2007-06-15T00:20:00.000+08:00

Pastor D in Sydney

2007-06-14T23:50:00.000+08:00

Last weekend was a pretty special weekend at New Life Church, not just because we have special sermons series at the indo Church (in the month of June we're having a series from the First Epistle of John), and in Gospel Generation (Sermon series of HEROES); but we had Pastor Daniel Indradjaja from THE ROCK church (perth) visit our church. What made it more special, he did not come alone, he came with his beautiful wife Ci Hulda and adorable son JAYDEN. He's ROCK!!

Pastor Daniel and fam's arrival was welcomed by a series thunderstorms in the East Coast, the rain was pouring that weekend in Sydney and central Coast, the freezing wind also was a bonus. However, despite of the unfriendly weather, we had a great time having the Indradjaja's in Sydney. Ps David sure did know how to use this opportunity to get the most from Ps Daniel while he was in Sydney. hahah Ps D and Family were only in sydney from Thursday to Monday, but Pastor D was up preaching from Friday night right through sunday (whole day on sunday, preaching at all 3 congregations). We were tremendously blessed by pastor Daniel's ministry through out the weekend. On Friday night, he shared in Kingsford church combined cell groups, he shared about Romans 8. On Saturday night, He preached in Gospel Generation, continuing the series of Heroes. and on sunday, He preached in our all 3 congregations (kingsford, Hills and Croydon). And left for perth the next morning. Jangan kapok ya Pastor D. You're trully a blessing.

Here's some pics of Pastor D and his family in Sydney

Jayden's busy reading his book while his parents were having lunch

"Daddy, I want a pet lion, please ..." rrroooaaarrrr

Ps Joseph, Ps Daniel, Ci Hulda, & Ps David

"Daddy, we should come back to sydney real soon"

Praying From the Heart

2007-06-14T23:37:00.000+08:00

Indo people are famous with their 'basa basi' (empty conversation), and i must admit that i'm guilty of that at times. However, when i ponder about that, that reminds me with our prayers to God. Many times we treat God like we treat him like we treat vending machine. We think that if we put some coins, and the drink what we want will come out. Prayer is not about basa basi, nor it's about saying a mantra to get something that we want from God.

In Romans 10:9-10 it says,

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Prayer must come from the heart. These verses in particular teach us that if a person is going to pray a prayer of salvation, the heart and the mouth must get together. It is not good enough to just have the words. Your heart and mouth must be in agreement.
I believe this truth applies to every kind of prayer. It is not good enough to just use eloquent, nice or spiritual words. There has to be heart behind them if we are going to realize results from our prayers. I think only those things that burn brightly within our hearts truly touch the heart of God.

Let's not "berbasa-basi" with God..

HEROES at GOSPEL GENERATION

2007-06-07T19:42:00.000+08:00

Do you enjoy watching the TV Series HEROES on chanel 7? If you're a HEROES fan and you live in Sydney I would like to invite you to come to church on every saturday, 5PM at Croydon Church Hall, Cnr Malvern ave & Murray st, Croydon, NSW
In the month of June, I'll be sharing a 4 weeks Sermon Series based on the TV Series HEROES.

On the 9th June, We're having a special guest Speaker, Our great friend Ps. Daniel Indradjaja from THE ROCK (Perth) will be speaking the second message of HEROES.

I'm sure you're going to be blessed by this series. Come and join us. I promise you, that we will make you feel like home.

Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, Sydney

2007-06-06T21:42:00.000+08:00

These pictures i took using my Canon EOS 400D, using Canon EF 28-135 IS USM
Mrs. Macquarie chair is one of my favorite spot for photography in Sydney. You can see 3 things at once, the beautiful city high rise buildings with the famous AMP tower, you can see the opera house and the harbour bridge in the angle that is so perfect for taking photos. This is the spot that i always take all my friends and relatives who come from other state or overseas, it's a must.

Mrs. Macquarie's chair (according to wikipedia) is is an exposed sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench, on a peninsula in Sydney Harbour. The peninsula itself is named Mrs Macquarie's Point. It is part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, at the end of Mrs Macquarie's Road.

Mrs Macquarie was the wife of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. Folklore has it that she used to sit on the rock and watch for ships from England sailing into the harbour.

The peninsula sits between the Garden Island peninsula to the east and Bennelong Point (where the Sydney Opera House resides) to the west. The chair itself faces north-east towards Fort Denison and the Pacific Ocean. The area around it on Mrs Macquarie's Point is a popular lookout position for the view to the north-west of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Leadership Quotes by John Maxwell

2007-06-06T21:35:00.000+08:00

A leader's homework is to be the person who creates the atmoshpere, rather than being the influenced by the surrounding atmosphere

Managers have the skill to make profit, but Leaders have the skill to see the Future.

Cara menugukur kualitas pekerjaan Anda secara Jujur, adalah dengan bertanya terus pada diri anda sendiri, "Apa jadinya perusahaan ini jika setiap orang di dalamnya seperti saya?"

Karakter adalah kemampuan untuk melaksanakan sebuah keputusan setelah emosi yang menyertai pembuatan keputusan itu berlalu.

Integrity is the most respected and the most precious quality of Leadership. Always do what you said. Always have good intentions towards people.

Tuntaskan sasaran-sasaran kecil dalam hidupmu, maka tanpa terasa anda akan sedang berada di jalan utama tujuan hidupmu sambil mengembangkan potensi anda

Be Specific

2007-06-06T12:48:00.000+08:00

Mark 10:46-52

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with
His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son
of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it
was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son
of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be
quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy
on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer.
Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose
and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What
do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him,
“Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him,
“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately
he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The question Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?”, seemed obvious, didn’t it? Everybody present knew Bartimaeus needed his eyes to be healed. Why would Jesus ask this question?

He wanted us to understand how important it is to be specific when we ask something of God. Bartimaeus’ faith had to become specific before it made him well. It was after he said, “Lord, that I might receive my sight,” that Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well.”

Being specific in what you request of God is the first key to effective prayer.

Matthew 6:7-8 SAYS

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

When i first read this verse when i was a young kid, i told my self, i don't have to ask God for everything, since he already knew what i want, what i need. And i thought, most of our prayer is all about asking isn't it? So if God already knew what I need even before i pray, and most of my prayer content is all about asking (me me mine, my.. me me me). Why should we bother pray? Perhaps some of you readers have had this kind of train of thought in your mind once. =P But i was wondering, maybe Jesus had something else in his mind when he says those words (Mat 6:7-8). Maybe what he meant was far from what i thought, what about if Jesus was trying to say that prayer is much more than just asking? Way different to what we think what prayer is.

We don't come to our earthly parent or maybe friend, and fill most of our conversation with request, petition and complaints, do we? We do want to enjoy relationship with them, we have laughter, we have some jokes, we share stories, etc. Prayer is more than just a list of requests, however, God is pleased when you're raise petitions and ask him to supply your needs, to intervene in your life, because that means you involve Him and declaring that He's the source of what you ask.
Be specific when you ask God, and pray with faith that He knows what's best for you.

Leadership Tips: Dealing With Difficult People

2007-06-01T06:05:00.000+08:00

When asked what he considered the most valuable skill in employees, John D. Rockefeller once replied, "The ability to get along with people!"

One of the most important skills needed to succeed in ministry and also life in general, is knowing how to handle troublemakers. If you learn how to deal with difficult people early on, then you'll be able to pour more energy into ministry rather than needless conflicts.

Troublemakers come in all shapes:

* THE SHERMAN TANK - will run over you if you let him.
* THE MEGAPHONE - will talk your ear off.
* THE BUBBLE BUSTER - deflates everyone's enthusiasm.
* THE VOLCANO - has a temper like Mt. St. Helens.
* THE CRY BABY - is a chronic complainer.
* THE NIT PICKER - is the unpleasable perfectionist.
* THE SPACE CADET - is on a different wavelength.

Leadership Development Skills

Looking for the leadership skills needed to succeed in ministry? Check out these leadership messages first delivered by Rick Warren to the leadership at Saddleback Church. Learn about spiritual warfare, earning the right to lead, time management and more.
What should you do with these types?

Jesus had to deal with a lot of difficult people. Here are FOUR methods he modeled through his life:

1. Realize you can't please everybody (John 5:30). Even God can't do that! One wants rain while the other demands sunshine.

2. Refuse to play their game (Matt. 22:18). Learn to say no to unrealistic expectations. Confront them by "telling the truth in love."

3. Never retaliate (Matt. 5:38-39). It only lowers you to their level.

4. Pray for them (Matt. 5:44). It will help both of you. Let God handle them.

Make this Bible verse your goal this week, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Rom. 12:18 NIV)

One thing that many times frustrate us is actually caused by our own pride. Many times, we want to "save our face" as Pastor John Ollis mentioned many times to me. A lot of people, especially those who have Asian background, do really care about what people would think about them. Therefore, they would be over anxious whether they would please everyone they meet or not. I always tempted to please everyone, and when someone doesn't respond well (at least according what I want), I would be uncomfortable. But i learned that i can't please everyone, therefore i stopped living that way. I want to care about what God would think about me, and what he really want me to do, and be consistent about it. In our lives and especially our ministry we will always encounter one of the types of difficult people describes by Ps Rick Warren. What's important is not how much trouble they make, or how uncomfortable your lives become, but how we respond to them that's what matters.

So guys, do you have someone in mind, let's start to apply those principles, and learn to love them and pray for them. We should never stop learning.

Do You Cherish God's Word?

2007-05-25T00:07:00.000+08:00

Hi Guys,

I was reading my daily devotional, And i read these article. I hope this will bless you and reminds us once again how precious God's word is.

Psalm 107:20 says,

He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions.

God has given us His Word for our benefit, and yet so many
Christians ignore it to their hurt.

It is like the story of the woman a preacher went to visit one day. She lived in a dilapidated house. As long as he had known her, she had struggled with poverty. Twenty years earlier she had been the housekeeper for the wealthiest woman in town, but the wealthy
woman had died. So this housekeeper moved into an old shack.

As the pastor was visiting her, he noticed a document framed on the wall. He said, “Do you mind if I borrow this for a few days?” She replied, “Well, you can borrow it, but please bring it back. Although I can’t read, it is very important to me. It is the only thing that the lady left me when she died. It is very valuable to me. It reminds me of her. So make sure you bring it back.”

He took it and had it investigated and authenticated. It was the will of the woman who had died, and in the will she left her housekeeper a fortune. The housekeeper could have had any house she wanted in the whole city and had servants of her own, but due to her ignorance, she lived in poverty and had a rough go of it all those years.

That woman reminds me of a lot of Christians. They don’t read their Bible, but they admire it because it reminds them of God. They haven’t taken time to find out the inheritance that belongs to them as believers.

God’s Word is a light to our path. It is our guidebook for life. It is bread for our spirit. It is our strength. It is our refuge in troubled times.

Cherish God’s Word.

the 21st Sunday of Year 2007

2007-05-21T00:40:00.000+08:00

I totally love the weather today! I reckon, Autumn and Spring are the best seasons of the year! I love the sun, i love the temprature, love the views, and the most important: i love the sunlight. The best time to take pictures (since photography is my hobby). Weekends are the fullest days of the week for me, what i love about weekends is CHURCH! On saturday, we have Gospel Generation (English service), and on sundays our church have three services (all using indonesian language) 12.00PM New Life Kingsford, 4.00 PM New Life Hills, 6.30 New Life Croydon. three congregrations in three local area (east, west and innerwest)

Today we had a special guest speaker from Perth: Rev. Iwan Kosasih. We're blessed by his ministry. Love his sermon, love his hair too. wet look and nicely shaped. =) reminds me of advertisment of "BRISK" (indo brand for hair styling gel, back in my teenage years, haha). Om Iwan has been in sydney this whole week for evangelism explosion, he's one of the trainer. So it has been a 'full on'week for him. We love to have him in our church.

It's not an usual sunday at New Life Kingsford this weekend. Rev. David (senior pastor) inducted the new church council members for period 2007-2100. Congratulations for all! (om handoko, Om Herry, Bu ance, Bu Oetami, Pa Yan, Ko Jimmy, Bu Rinda, Bu Is). Selamat melayani ya!

I took some pictures of the cute sunday school boys and girls. They were playing a games led by their class teacher, "Icha"

At night, after the evening service at Croydon, i felt like taking some pictures using my Canon EOS, so i strolled to The rocks and took some pictures. So check out these photos..

Ok I better go to sleep now.. I need to pick up my uncle in the morning at the airport. Ok then guys, till then... Take care and God bless!!
Be that blessing for everyone you meet today!

Boost Your Confidence

2007-05-21T00:07:00.000+08:00

Last saturday in GG i shared a message about "confidence". We all want to have a life full of victories, we love to overcome our challenges, our weaknesses, not to dwell on our limitation, rather choose to break free from that. To be able to do that, we can't deny that we need to deal with the battle in our head. Through out the day, we constantly talk to ourself, in fact we talk to ourselves more than we talk to other people. Often time, we do that in our sub-conscious stage.

When i love a particular song, i would put that song on repeat on my itunes playlist, and play that over and over again, even while i'm sleeping. When i wake up in the morning, that song will be in my head for the whole day, or even for the whole week.
We do that often times, not only we play a song that we like, but we play statements for our lives in our head, whether we realize it or not. These thoughts can be positive or negative.

What kind of thoughts you put in your brain's itunes playlist? Are you thinking encouraging thoughts, empowering thoughts? or are you thinking all defeated statements like, I'm not good enough, I'm not attractive, God doesn't love me, He hates me, he hate what i did, he hate my personality, I'll never get things right, etc. If you do have a habit to think about those negative thoughts, those very thoughts that will hinder you to reach your potential, that keep you live below your means. The way we talk to our self will set a bar, how high we will go in live, whether we will conquer our challenges, or let ourselves defeated by situations.
Learn to replace those negative thoughts, with what kind of statements that GOD have about you. These are some of God's statements about you:

YOU are God's precious Child, You are the apple of His eye.
You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
God's favor is in your life, wherever you go, what ever you do, God's blessings are upon you.
You're loved, You're forgiven, You're accepted.
God is pleased with you

Do not let your past failures hinders you from God's best in your life. Our God in Jesus Christ is faithful and just, he forgives you when you come boldly to him and confess your stuff ups, That's a guarantee. Don't dwell in your hurts and pain, becos when you hold those junks in your life, you have a full hand, and you can miss out of what God actually has prepared for you: Restoration, Healing, Forgiveness, Bbright future, Hope, and Love. Realize that your past doesn't matter anymore. Come to him and let God whisper how much he love you, and reveal that he has a wonderful plan for you: A bright Future. Say that outloud: I HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE!

These are some of the pictures of some young people who have too much confidence.. haha
This pics were taken just before they got kicked out of the hall.. =P

Learning To Trust the Master

2007-05-18T19:21:00.000+08:00

A man and his dog are in the same car. The dog howls bright-moon-in-the-middle-of-the-night caterwauling howls. The man pleads, promising a daily delivery of dog biscuit bouquets if only the hound will hush. After all, it’s only a car wash.

Never occurred to him—ahem, to me—that the car wash would scare my dog. But it did. Placing myself in her paws, I can see why. A huge, noisy machine presses toward us, pounding our window with water, banging against the door with brushes. Duck! We’re under attack.

“Don’t panic. The car wash was my idea.” “I’ve done this before.” “It’s for our own good.” Ever tried to explain a car wash to a canine? Dog dictionaries are minus the words brush and detail job. My words fell on fallen flaps. Nothing helped. She just did what dogs do; she wailed.

Actually, she did what we do. Don’t we howl? Not at car washes perhaps but at hospital stays and job transfers. Let the economy go south or the kids move north, and we have a wail of a time. And when our Master explains what’s happening, we react as if he’s speaking Yalunka. We don’t understand a word he says.

Is your world wet and wild? God’s greatest blessings often come costumed as disasters. Some of you doubt it. How can God use cancer or death or divorce? Simple.

He’s smarter than we are. He is to you what I was to four-year-old Amy. I met her at a bookstore. She asked me if I would sign her children’s book. When I asked her name, she watched as I began to write, “To Amy …”

She stopped me right there. With wide eyes and open mouth, she asked, “How did you know how to spell my name?”

She was awed. You aren’t. You know the difference between the knowledge of a child and an adult. Can you imagine the difference between the wisdom of a human and the wisdom of God? What is impossible to us is like spelling “Amy” to him. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9).

I keep taking Molly to the car wash. She’s howling less. I don’t think she understands the machinery. She’s just learning to trust her master.

Maybe we’ll learn the same.

From Next Door Savior
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado

A tribute to a friend

2007-05-17T23:31:00.000+08:00

I would like to dedicate this particular post to a friend of mine, who had spent about 3 months in Sydney and recently had gone back to Surabaya, Indonesia. I've been blessed to be able to share those 3 months with you in Gospel Generation, Croydon Church and especially at Nexus (our small group). Rizal, We all miss you for sure. I hope that you will always remember us and don't forget to visit us in sydney everytime you have a chance. We pray all the best for your career and bussiness over there. God's favor is in your life, and I believe that what ever you do shall prosper, just focus on Him, rely on His strength.
God bless you mate, Take Care! Keep in Touch Ok?

"Focus your Eyes on Your giant, and you will fall
Focus on your GREAT GOD, and your giant will fall. "
- Max Lucado

Eternal Life

2007-05-17T22:51:00.000+08:00

This week has been an unique week for me. For 4 days (8 hours each day) from Monday o thursday, I joined a training course from evangelism Explotion. This course was made for all the indonesian pastors in Sydney, more than 30 pastors commited to this training. This training is all about how to be effective in sharing the good news. I was the youngest in that class, but I really enjoyed the whole experience.
For me personally, this course reminds me once again and makes me amazed by the love of God to us, His creation. God's desire is to give us eternal life, and the only one that hinders us to receive God's gift of eternal life is our sin. However, Our God is a good God and also JUST. He loves us and doesn't want to punish us because of our sins, however as a JUST God, he can not let all sinners to go unpunished. That's why he solve this dillema, by become human just like us (Jesus), sacrifice himself for the punishment of our sins. Jesus suffered on the cross, and just before he died he said " it is finished". That means all the work of atonement of our sins has been completed. He died, and rose again, and ascend to heaven. He offers us the gift of eternal life, and the only way we can receive that gift, is through faith.
This is such a good news for the world. That we receive eternal life not through good works, charities, all what ever good deeds that we do, but only by grace.
Thank you Lord, for loving us!

I AM A FRIEND OF GOD
(Israel Houghton & Michael Gungor)

Who am I that You are mindful of me
That you hear me when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me?
I'ts AMAZING!!

I am a friend of God
I am A friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend.

God almighty, Lord of glory
He has called me "FRIEND"

Welcome back, Mike!

2007-05-14T22:22:00.000+08:00

I was looking at someone's blog the other night, and that made me remember that back in 2004 I created a blogspot account which i never updated since then. =p So now, I would like to welcome myself back to this blog page. At last, I join this community again, and honestly i was inspired by my 1.5 year old nephew, Zech. He has his own blog! wow! Thanks to his lovely mom, my sister in law:: Beth. I put ZECH's blog page at my "routine" webpage on my mozilla firefox browser.
Ya'll can visit my cool nephew's blog at this address :: http://zechrumende.blogspot.com/
Make sure check that out, and be prepare to see the most good looking boy in Sydney... (of course he got that good looking face from his uncle... hehehe)

me and music

There have been heaps of changes in my life since 2004. Beside my weight (used to be around 72kg in 2004, and now I've blown up to 81kg... don't laugh!), I start to learn a new music instrument : Saxophone. I fell in love with this instrument, and i determined to master it. I no longer live in Homebush anymore, I moved to Ryde since December 2005, and I never regret it. =) I'm no longer a PC guy, I have been 'saved' and converted to MAC, and i never looked back.. hahaha. I love my church, I love my team, and love everyone in the family of New Life Church (www.nlicc.com.au), and especially my young people in gospel generation. They're so talented, funny, and radiant.

Citra & Mike

Citra and I have been courting for more than 2 years now, and she's been a awesome friend, helper, listener, motivator, and encourager. She's in her 2nd year in Early Childhood course in Macquarie Uni, Sydney.

Me and Rev. David

I'm an associate pastor in New Life Indonesian Community Church, an Indonesian speaking church in Sydney, Australia. And even until now I'm still learning heaps of lessons about life in ministry, and God has been faithful and wonderful in equipping me for ministry.

On that note, i conclude my initial post this year, and you'll see more from me soon. Til then, Take Care. God Bless

See Ya