What is a lifestyle? If you live your life a certain way for a couple of weeks, does that consider as your lifestyle? The definition from dictionary.com says that, a Lifestyle is "A way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group." Are you living a lifestyle that God desires you to have as a student? As a worker? As the Kingdom Ambassador? If not, isn't it our choice to toss the old wine skin away first, before He could give us that new and shiny wine skin? Laziness... that's the biggest part of my old wine skin, which I have to get rid off. What are yours?
Recently I have been pondering on this question:
"Are you living the lifestyle that God desires you to have?"
Surely, I haven't been living up to the best of my life as a student, as a cell group leader, and as an example to others. I have been studying, but obviously I haven't give out my best to strive for higher success. Just look at my grades, you'll see what I'm talking about. Surely, this is not the way God wants me to live as a student. Just yesterday, after class I went back to my apartment, and Brian, the leader of GTM (the new name of our house church), was talking about this. I pretty much summed up what he said yesterday, and it really stirred up our hearts. There were Karen, Ruth, Nancy (a non-believer), and I. Brian not just talked about it, he gave us some practical guidelines as to how we can study more effectively and more efficiently. Ex. Sleep before 1am, no more cooking huge meals after 12am. (We often do that... fried rice, korean bbq, sushi, pizzokie, crepe, baked cheese potato...etc *drools*)
Besides living a good lifestyle of student, we must live a GENERAL lifestyle of making disciples and spreading the gospel. Here's what happened this week...
NANCY
Last night, because our night class got canceled last night, I invited Nancy to eat dinner with us. We went to BJ's... yum...
Nancy has been hanging out with us (Me, Brian, Karen, and Ruth) on and off for a few weeks now. Because she has class with me, Brian, and Karen, we often study together. We have been praying for her salvation, for she is an atheist, and doesn't believe that there is God. Of course, tonight's purpose is to share more about God with her, and simply show her God's love. During the dinner, we found out that her birthday is actually this Sunday! After dinner, we went to Ralphs to get her a birthday cake. It was a pretty and delicious strawberry muse cake! We celebrated her birthday and we all prayed for her one by one. We asked her what's her prayer request, and she said, "Just have a happy and successful life." After cake time, Brian started the conversation about whether she believes in God, Bible, and creation. She said she believes in evolution, and does not believe in God. We listened, as Brian was explaining to Nancy, how evolution doesn't make sense, and that many parts were made up by scientists and are totally fake. Anyways, he explained a lot about creation and evolution. Even though after he shared for over an hour, Nancy still believed in evolution. We all shared with her about the gospel, and praying in our hearts that God would move in her heart. Which He did! Brian said to her, "Right now, you are looking at Christianity from outside of the window. But, I want to you come inside and look around, and if you don't like it you can leave." I can tell from her expression that she really is thinking about it, and I know that God is moving. Afterwards we chilled and shared a lot of the funny, embarrassing, scary, unforgettable moments in our lives with each others. It was a fun night, we all enjoyed each others' accompany. Nancy left a facebook msg that night on all of our facebooks. I could tell that, what we did was really special for her, and I truly believe that she will accept God soon. We planted the seed, God, it's Your turn to stir up the soil and make it grow. :)
Afterthoughts: I think it's good that Brian is doing this for Nancy, especially when he is being baked by God right now, in the oven. He makes the effort to come to our apartment to pray and read the Words with us, even though he doesn't feel God these few weeks, and it's really hard for him. Please keep him in your prayers if you will. It is truly important to keep our leaders in our daily prayers and cover them with the prayer shield. Yes, Jack and Annie, you guys are in my constant prayers. <3
ANNA
Friday morning, class ended 30 minutes earlier. My friend Anna, then has an hour gap before her next class, which she has no idea how to kill. (Kill the time, get it?) "Help that person to make that time useful!" A phrase popped into my mind. Ok, I shall take her to breakfast, though she has already eaten. Anna has been sharing with me about how clueless she is about her future after graduation. She is a senior right now, and she doesn't know what she likes to do, what her talents are, and what she wants in the future. (Someone's gonna say, "I told you, women don't know what they want.") I really want to help her, so I sat her down and gave her a lot of encouragement. First of all, I asked her to set a list of goals. For right now, her one and only goal is to graduate from UCR. I felt that, throughout the entire conversation, I was led by the Holy Spirit. I knew exactly what to say, and how to put them into words. (Whereas afterwards, when I shared with Karen and Brian about it, my words were stuttered.) She asked me, "What are you going to do after you graduate?" I told her, I have changed my mind, and now I wanted to take over my dad's business in the future. Just last month, or two months ago, I told her how I wanted to become a music therapist, but because of my parents I'm stuck in the Business Major. Also, how I don't want to take over the family business, for I don't even have interests in chairs! She asked why all of a sudden I changed my mind. I started to share with her about the end time, about the two networks that Pastor David shared with us. That we must work hard in whatever position we're placed, for us students, we have to study hard, so then we can help building God's kingdom. She is a very teachable person. So, I said, "If you have absolutely no idea what you want to do, then look into positions that have the biggest influence in the network systems we live in." She thought about it and said, "Education". I challenged her a bit and asked, "What positions in education?" She said, "Principals? But I don't think it's possible for me." I then used Banning's sermon, "Dreamers". To encourage her to dream big, not be bound by the reality, because the God that we believe in, does NOT live in the reality. In His dictionary, the word "impossible" does not exist. There's only, "I'm possible"! (Wow, that's a good one!) She was totally pumped up and excited after this conversation. She couldn't even sit still anymore, and said, "Wow, God is so amazing!!!!" I asked her to write down a list of positions that have great impact over the world, and look into those. Because she was going to be late, I didn't have time to say a prayer for her.
I pray for her right now, Father. That Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Use Anna as Your vessel, for she is submissive and pure in heart. Lord, it is Your will to see her whole family to surrender their lives to You, to understand the true meaning of being a Christian, to live a life that's empowered by Your Holy Spirit, and to increase in the intimacy with You, my Lord. I pray over this family right now, Lord, that You may open up their eyes and ear, through Anna, through me, so they may not be blinded and deft anymore by the enemy. I love you my Lord. Empower Anna, pour down Your wisdom unto her, and draw her closer to You. Thank You for giving me this precious opportunity to help a sister. Your timing is always perfect, I trust You. I pray all these in the Name of the Son of God, amen.
After I came back from breakfast, I went on MSN and talked to a few friends whom I haven't spoke to for a long time. Gave them some words of encouragements, challenges (for believers), and showed them God's love. I realized how many people out there are crying out for help, for encouragements, for comfort, and for love. Also, I've realized how much I love to encourage people, to help people, and to love people. I was listening to Bill Johnson's sermon, "Living in the Perfect Love", and he said, "If you say you love God, whom you can't see, but hate your brother, whom you can see. Then you are lying." How exactly do we know we have the love of God inside of us, it's by loving those who cannot pay us back. Give yourself a check, when you get a chance. :) Oh, and go listen to that sermon, you can download that from ibethel.org. It's amazing!
Love ya'll,
-sala<3
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
A Night of Crying Out & TA's prayer & Turtles
I have a few things that I haven't been able to blog about, so now I will do so...
[2/7 or 2/8]
The night before the big meeting with all the departments of school, me, Brian, Karen, and Amanda were praying very hard. The three of us, except Amanda, prayed and worshiped the entire night. It was one of the best prayer/worship time that I've had in a long time. First, Brian got us to tell each others what gifts we see in each others that are given by God. Basically encouragements and edifications for each others. Then we started to worship/pray. When Brian started to pray for himself, tears just started to slip down my cheeks. I wasn't sure why I cried at that time, but now that I think of it, I think it's because my heart is crying out the same cry that Brian is crying out to God. Brian would always encourage us to repent for our own sins and any negative feelings we have for others, so then our spirits could pray freely. I can't remember for how long, we were all crying and praying so loud because our hearts were so stirred up by God. It was after midnight, but we couldn't control our voices, nor my hand that was playing the guitar. God revealed Himself to all of us in different ways, and dealt with each of us individually. During the prayer time, we not only prayed for ourselves, but we also prayed for each others with the same fire and passion. We were crying out to God for more! (Literally yelled for God) It was pretty amazing that even after we were done praying, the neighbors never knocked on the walls or do anything to tell us to shut up. Usually even if we were just talking, or laughing a bit louder, they would knock on the walls to warn us.
God gave me a few pictures/visions:
1) Humongous invisible pink castle standing at the middle of our construction area at school.
The huge castle is standing at the huge construction area that's right next to the Bell Tower (center of campus) and the Commons (student center). People walk by, but they could not see the castle. God's kingdom is being built here at UCR, it is under-construction, and not yet been revealed to men, however, it is here.
2) Side way motion picture of turtles climbing upwards, but the clouds were side ways.
I didn't understand what this meant at the time, but I understood what it meant after a week. I will explain the realization later.
3) Beautiful and gorgeous beads that were hung before a completely black background. (Like the diamond commercials, so the diamonds stand out)
This is how beautiful God sees the moments when sisters and brothers pray/cry for each others
4) Black and white TV playing soap opera, and a bug crawling on the screen.
I still don't know what this means.
[2/13]
A week or two ago, I have e-mailed my Psychology TA, Brynn, about the Love Tent. She replied me along with a prayer. I was so amazed and excited, because I have never had any teachers send me a prayer e-mail before! This is what she said, "I just pray a blessing over you, your work, and your day... that whatever you put your hands to flourishes and brings you abundance as well as that your intimacy with Him would deepen and deepen! In His Name, Brynn." On Wednesday, which is the day that we have our discussion, I stayed and talked to Brynn about the Love Tent. She was overly excited! xD I'm not exaggerating, she even screamed in excitement (in the classroom)! She has two discussion sections back to back, so after our section, she has another one. However, she pulled me outside, told her next class to wait for her, and prayed for me. I was really overwhelmed and totally covered with God's Spirit when she was praying for me with such authority and love from God. She knows that I will be leading worship during the Love Tent, she even took out a little bottle of oil and anointed my throat in Jesus' Name and His authority. I was more than overwhelmed by then. I have never heard a prayer with such authority from God, it's mind blowing! After she prayed for me, I was walking back to my apartment when I had the urge and need to find a quiet place to spend with the Lord alone. I was look around to see if there's any place that I could go and just be totally isolated from everyone else, and I found a grass field between two buildings with a lot of sunshine. <3 I hurried there and lied there, soaking myself in God's presence. Tears started to fall from the edge of my eyes and dripped into the soil from my cheeks. It's so good to be overwhelmed and filled, renewed by God, by the Holy Spirit. For some reason, I tilted my head to look at those people who are walking at a distance. The sky was blue, the clouds were soft and white. I felt like I was looking at them from another world. Suddenly, that picture I saw at that crazy prayer night popped into my head. The side way picture of tutles crawling upwards, and the clouds side ways. It fit completely with what I am seeing right now. Because I am lied down, so the view I see is side ways. Suddenly I realized what that picture meant. Turtles symbolize life, in other words, people. In the picture, the turtles thought in their little minds that they are going upwards, but actually, they are just crawling horizontally. People who don't know God, thought they are going towards success, better life, or even going to heaven, but they are actually lost in their direction. They are not going upwards, the picture is side ways. They are just going horizontally left and right, blinded and confused by the pretty candy-coated lies of this world. I wept more as I was understanding His heart and feeling the burden to pray for them, for their spiritual eyes and ears be opened up. God, how You love Your people. Amazing grace. Don't know how long I lied there, but I loved it. Great weather, sunshine, and God. I should do that again. <3
-sala<3
[2/7 or 2/8]
The night before the big meeting with all the departments of school, me, Brian, Karen, and Amanda were praying very hard. The three of us, except Amanda, prayed and worshiped the entire night. It was one of the best prayer/worship time that I've had in a long time. First, Brian got us to tell each others what gifts we see in each others that are given by God. Basically encouragements and edifications for each others. Then we started to worship/pray. When Brian started to pray for himself, tears just started to slip down my cheeks. I wasn't sure why I cried at that time, but now that I think of it, I think it's because my heart is crying out the same cry that Brian is crying out to God. Brian would always encourage us to repent for our own sins and any negative feelings we have for others, so then our spirits could pray freely. I can't remember for how long, we were all crying and praying so loud because our hearts were so stirred up by God. It was after midnight, but we couldn't control our voices, nor my hand that was playing the guitar. God revealed Himself to all of us in different ways, and dealt with each of us individually. During the prayer time, we not only prayed for ourselves, but we also prayed for each others with the same fire and passion. We were crying out to God for more! (Literally yelled for God) It was pretty amazing that even after we were done praying, the neighbors never knocked on the walls or do anything to tell us to shut up. Usually even if we were just talking, or laughing a bit louder, they would knock on the walls to warn us.
God gave me a few pictures/visions:
1) Humongous invisible pink castle standing at the middle of our construction area at school.
The huge castle is standing at the huge construction area that's right next to the Bell Tower (center of campus) and the Commons (student center). People walk by, but they could not see the castle. God's kingdom is being built here at UCR, it is under-construction, and not yet been revealed to men, however, it is here.
2) Side way motion picture of turtles climbing upwards, but the clouds were side ways.
I didn't understand what this meant at the time, but I understood what it meant after a week. I will explain the realization later.
3) Beautiful and gorgeous beads that were hung before a completely black background. (Like the diamond commercials, so the diamonds stand out)
This is how beautiful God sees the moments when sisters and brothers pray/cry for each others
4) Black and white TV playing soap opera, and a bug crawling on the screen.
I still don't know what this means.
[2/13]
A week or two ago, I have e-mailed my Psychology TA, Brynn, about the Love Tent. She replied me along with a prayer. I was so amazed and excited, because I have never had any teachers send me a prayer e-mail before! This is what she said, "I just pray a blessing over you, your work, and your day... that whatever you put your hands to flourishes and brings you abundance as well as that your intimacy with Him would deepen and deepen! In His Name, Brynn." On Wednesday, which is the day that we have our discussion, I stayed and talked to Brynn about the Love Tent. She was overly excited! xD I'm not exaggerating, she even screamed in excitement (in the classroom)! She has two discussion sections back to back, so after our section, she has another one. However, she pulled me outside, told her next class to wait for her, and prayed for me. I was really overwhelmed and totally covered with God's Spirit when she was praying for me with such authority and love from God. She knows that I will be leading worship during the Love Tent, she even took out a little bottle of oil and anointed my throat in Jesus' Name and His authority. I was more than overwhelmed by then. I have never heard a prayer with such authority from God, it's mind blowing! After she prayed for me, I was walking back to my apartment when I had the urge and need to find a quiet place to spend with the Lord alone. I was look around to see if there's any place that I could go and just be totally isolated from everyone else, and I found a grass field between two buildings with a lot of sunshine. <3 I hurried there and lied there, soaking myself in God's presence. Tears started to fall from the edge of my eyes and dripped into the soil from my cheeks. It's so good to be overwhelmed and filled, renewed by God, by the Holy Spirit. For some reason, I tilted my head to look at those people who are walking at a distance. The sky was blue, the clouds were soft and white. I felt like I was looking at them from another world. Suddenly, that picture I saw at that crazy prayer night popped into my head. The side way picture of tutles crawling upwards, and the clouds side ways. It fit completely with what I am seeing right now. Because I am lied down, so the view I see is side ways. Suddenly I realized what that picture meant. Turtles symbolize life, in other words, people. In the picture, the turtles thought in their little minds that they are going upwards, but actually, they are just crawling horizontally. People who don't know God, thought they are going towards success, better life, or even going to heaven, but they are actually lost in their direction. They are not going upwards, the picture is side ways. They are just going horizontally left and right, blinded and confused by the pretty candy-coated lies of this world. I wept more as I was understanding His heart and feeling the burden to pray for them, for their spiritual eyes and ears be opened up. God, how You love Your people. Amazing grace. Don't know how long I lied there, but I loved it. Great weather, sunshine, and God. I should do that again. <3
-sala<3
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Can You Make that Decision?
Today Jeff from KCCC called me and he told me that he has a friend name Shuo, who has been going to KCCC fellowship with him for a while now, but he hasn't accepted God yet. Especially recently, Shuo said he doesn't want to go to fellowships anymore, that he has tried Christianity and it's not for him. Jeff got worried and asked if we could talk to him, so then I suggested we take him out for lunch because me, Brian, Karen and Nara are going out to eat anyways. It went pretty well. In the car Shuo asked questions like, "Why did you become a Christian?" "How did you become a Christian" "What is the Holy Spirit?" "How do you believe in God and deal with non-Christian parents?" I told him my life testimony and basically told him how Christianity is a relationship rather than a religion. It is not about following a bunch of laws or rituals, but about having that love relationship between us and God, and it's an amazing relationship! Obviously Shuo is very curious about God, and in the Bible it says, "Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened." I believe that God placed this desire in Shuo's heart to seek after Him, and I know that Shuo will be able to step out in faith to open the door. During lunch, Brian said to Shuo, "You know, God puts you in this situation (of us sharing with him about God) He has a purpose. You are not here eating with us by chance. This is all planned out by God." I am more than encouraged to see Brian and Karen grew in boldness, intimacy with God, and faith. They were doing most of the talking during lunch, where I did most of the talking in the car. Seriously, they didn't know that I was bringing Shuo and Jeff over, but once they knew the purpose, they just all stepped up and shared with him. God's love was so thick throughout the entire lunch time. My God, I love You.
After our evening class, which ended at 8pm, me, Brian, and Karen went to the science library to meet with Joe, the guy who works in the library and is homeless. We brought him food and water, and our purpose there tonight was to help him plan out his finance issue, and see how God leads after that. This was all Brian's idea, and I am so proud of him, also ashamed of myself that I didn't even think of any of these!! Geez Sarah! So we went and met up with Joe at the library, we sat and discussed specifically with him about getting a shelter first of all, how much the rent would be, where he could find such a place, getting a bank account for his online music business, getting his tax return money from last year and two years ago... etc. Also we are helping him to find a church that he could go to. I felt like this is what Christians should do, help the poor and needy, just like what the Word says. After helping him to plan out the entire action plan financially, we prayed for him. Then Brian asked Joe to take out that little "Four Spiritual Law" booklet, and then he started to go over it with Joe. After Brian explained the full gospel and made sure that Joe understood what was that all about, Brian asked him, "Are you willing to give your life to Jesus once again? Are you willing to say this prayer with me to accept Jesus into your heart, to take control of your life, and to live inside of you?" Joe replied, "Yes I will." Then Joe repeated after Brian in this prayer....
"Jesus, I want to know you. I want you to come into my life. I’m sorry for the things I’ve done that have broken my relationship with God. Thank you for dying on the cross so that this relationship could be made right. I believe You are the only One who can do this. Only You can give me the power to change and become the person You created me to be. Thank you for forgiving my past mistakes and for giving me eternal life with God. I give my life to You. Please do with it as You wish. Amen."
It was so amazing! Joe accepted God and once again gave his life to Him. I'm so glad he made that decision because, before, he knows that there is a God, but he is very vague in the understanding of who He is, and what He means to him. Praise the Lord!! C'mon on!! Someone just gave his life to God at the science library at my school??!! Woot Woot!! Hallelujah!
After this, we all prayed for Joe once again, then he had to take off to go work. I'm glad that before he left, Amanda came and gave him some info and meeting times from her church. We have set a date to record his testimony during Love Tent next Monday! Yay! :D The amazing and encouraging thing was, Amanda told us later, that Shuo actually went to CCC tonight. By himself!! Remember earlier I mentioned how Jeff told me that Shuo doesn't want to go to anymore fellowships, and that he is done with Christianity? I believe God spoke to him and stirred up his heart during lunch time, through us. Hallelujah!! Praise the Lord!! :D Keep praying for Shuo, I believe that God has His timing for him, but eventually Shuo will surrender his life to serve Him! Amen!!
It was an awesome day! Jesus I love You! My afternoon class was canceled, and my exam 2 was moved to next Tuesday!! Yay! Tomorrow we're having a Love Tent appreciation dinner for all the leaders and faculties who helped out so much. Don't know what we're gonna cook yet, but it's ok, God will prepare for us! Ha!
Love, sala<3
After our evening class, which ended at 8pm, me, Brian, and Karen went to the science library to meet with Joe, the guy who works in the library and is homeless. We brought him food and water, and our purpose there tonight was to help him plan out his finance issue, and see how God leads after that. This was all Brian's idea, and I am so proud of him, also ashamed of myself that I didn't even think of any of these!! Geez Sarah! So we went and met up with Joe at the library, we sat and discussed specifically with him about getting a shelter first of all, how much the rent would be, where he could find such a place, getting a bank account for his online music business, getting his tax return money from last year and two years ago... etc. Also we are helping him to find a church that he could go to. I felt like this is what Christians should do, help the poor and needy, just like what the Word says. After helping him to plan out the entire action plan financially, we prayed for him. Then Brian asked Joe to take out that little "Four Spiritual Law" booklet, and then he started to go over it with Joe. After Brian explained the full gospel and made sure that Joe understood what was that all about, Brian asked him, "Are you willing to give your life to Jesus once again? Are you willing to say this prayer with me to accept Jesus into your heart, to take control of your life, and to live inside of you?" Joe replied, "Yes I will." Then Joe repeated after Brian in this prayer....
"Jesus, I want to know you. I want you to come into my life. I’m sorry for the things I’ve done that have broken my relationship with God. Thank you for dying on the cross so that this relationship could be made right. I believe You are the only One who can do this. Only You can give me the power to change and become the person You created me to be. Thank you for forgiving my past mistakes and for giving me eternal life with God. I give my life to You. Please do with it as You wish. Amen."
It was so amazing! Joe accepted God and once again gave his life to Him. I'm so glad he made that decision because, before, he knows that there is a God, but he is very vague in the understanding of who He is, and what He means to him. Praise the Lord!! C'mon on!! Someone just gave his life to God at the science library at my school??!! Woot Woot!! Hallelujah!
After this, we all prayed for Joe once again, then he had to take off to go work. I'm glad that before he left, Amanda came and gave him some info and meeting times from her church. We have set a date to record his testimony during Love Tent next Monday! Yay! :D The amazing and encouraging thing was, Amanda told us later, that Shuo actually went to CCC tonight. By himself!! Remember earlier I mentioned how Jeff told me that Shuo doesn't want to go to anymore fellowships, and that he is done with Christianity? I believe God spoke to him and stirred up his heart during lunch time, through us. Hallelujah!! Praise the Lord!! :D Keep praying for Shuo, I believe that God has His timing for him, but eventually Shuo will surrender his life to serve Him! Amen!!
It was an awesome day! Jesus I love You! My afternoon class was canceled, and my exam 2 was moved to next Tuesday!! Yay! Tomorrow we're having a Love Tent appreciation dinner for all the leaders and faculties who helped out so much. Don't know what we're gonna cook yet, but it's ok, God will prepare for us! Ha!
Love, sala<3
Monday, February 18, 2008
Love Tent is going to be on UCR Newspaper!!!
I got this message last night... I screamed literally after I read this... @___@
Hi, Sarah.
My name is Crystal, and I'm a 2nd year at UCR. I'm involved in KCCC, so I heard about Love Tent. I was really really excited about this event, so I went for a little bit on Valentine's Day, but I couldn't stay as long as I wanted because I had to fly home. I've been praying, so I really hope that many were blessed through this event. I believe that God came through for each and every person who called to Him.I write part-time for the Highlander Newspaper, so I was wondering if I could cover this Love Tent event in an upcoming issue. I haven't spoken with my editor about it yet, but if he says yes, would it be ok to write about this? I think it would be a great way for UCR students to be encouraged and see how God is moving our campus. Since I was only able to attend like 20 minutes of Love Tent, I don't have any pictures or notes. If this sounds like a good idea, could you please contact the people who were in charge of this event and forward to me any pictures or relevant information?Again, I would like the permission of Love Tent staff before proceeding with this. Also, I would have to speak with my editor first, but I'm just putting the idea out there. If this sounds good, please let me know.
Thank you and have a blesse day.
Crystal Kang
I called up Karen after I got this message, she told me that not just Crystal, during Love Tent, some other people were taking pictures and interviewing people. I was very in awe, and speechless. We are making history... But we need to follow through! Be faithful servants and continue the Lord's work. God please continue to show us more! We want more!! Praise Your Name, Holy Lord. I love You!!
Let's pray that the editor would approve it! Amen!!
-sala<3
Hi, Sarah.
My name is Crystal, and I'm a 2nd year at UCR. I'm involved in KCCC, so I heard about Love Tent. I was really really excited about this event, so I went for a little bit on Valentine's Day, but I couldn't stay as long as I wanted because I had to fly home. I've been praying, so I really hope that many were blessed through this event. I believe that God came through for each and every person who called to Him.I write part-time for the Highlander Newspaper, so I was wondering if I could cover this Love Tent event in an upcoming issue. I haven't spoken with my editor about it yet, but if he says yes, would it be ok to write about this? I think it would be a great way for UCR students to be encouraged and see how God is moving our campus. Since I was only able to attend like 20 minutes of Love Tent, I don't have any pictures or notes. If this sounds like a good idea, could you please contact the people who were in charge of this event and forward to me any pictures or relevant information?Again, I would like the permission of Love Tent staff before proceeding with this. Also, I would have to speak with my editor first, but I'm just putting the idea out there. If this sounds good, please let me know.
Thank you and have a blesse day.
Crystal Kang
I called up Karen after I got this message, she told me that not just Crystal, during Love Tent, some other people were taking pictures and interviewing people. I was very in awe, and speechless. We are making history... But we need to follow through! Be faithful servants and continue the Lord's work. God please continue to show us more! We want more!! Praise Your Name, Holy Lord. I love You!!
Let's pray that the editor would approve it! Amen!!
-sala<3
Love Tent - 4
**Sorry I'm writting it backwards. So read from 4 -> 5 -> 6 :)**
On Sunday night, 2/7, we had another meeting with the leaders at my place, Banockburn. It was at around 10pm but around 10 leaders came! During that meeting, Karen was checking the Love Tent UCR facebook group page, and someone from AACF left a message saying that he could lend us two tents, one 10-men tent from his church, and one 4-men tent from him. It's amazing, because we were really praying for the tents, and we insist on not renting tents because we believe that God will provide. From the beginning, even before I had the first meeting with the leaders, Karen delcared that we would get tents for free, that God will provide! AND HE DID! Hallelujah!! Also, Eseul, the girl who's lending us canopys from her church found a SUV/mini van to take those canopys from Irvine. Praise the Lord! Here's a testimony of what happened when Eseul and Russell were getting the canopy... Be amazed! :)
Eseul Lee wrote:
As some of you know Russell and I went down to Irvine to my church tonight (2/8) to pick up the canopies. And dang, God answers prayers! Russell and I were both in a "crunchy time" (lol, Sarah Wang) because we had important appointments at 9 o'clock back in Riverside. So we were pretty skeptical about making it back in time, especially since we left during rush hour. But! There was absolutely no traffic on the way down, testing out the canopies was smooooooth even with only 4 people, and we managed to make it back to Riverside before 9 o'clock even while picking up dinner!I guess what I'm trying to say is, God just continues to answer prayers. Thanks for being a part of this process for myself personally in learning how powerful prayer really is, and how much God wants this to happen. Nothing can stop us now.God's not giving us room for discouragement.He is so good.
Hallelujah! Isn't God awesome! So then we prayed for them before they took off on Monday evening, that they will be able to make it back in time, and there will be no traffic!! Praise Him!!
We had another meeting on Monday evening. By the end of the meeting we pretty much got everything we need settled: microphone, speakers, amplifiers, drum set, water bottles, Love Tent schedule... etc. God truly provides! At the end Justin, the AACF president, brought up a very important point. We should focus on God, and not the program or facilities. Seriously, we've been caught up with making a schedule, because the school wants to see one, and been stressed about having every time slot filled with at least one worship leader. At the end of the meeting we all prayed together, for each others, for the Love Tent, for unity, for purity, for victory, for love. Many were weeping, and we didn't care about what other people around us, we were praying to God wholeheartedly. It was a beautiful moment, and a holy moment. God was there with us, and He is doing great things at UCR.
Thursday morning, everyone has to wake up at 5am so we could carry the stuffs over to the Bell Tower Lawn, and start to set up at 6am. Lord, I pray that everyone would be able to wake up. I love You Jesus. Love Tent is happening... I can't believe it! Wow
-sala<3
On Sunday night, 2/7, we had another meeting with the leaders at my place, Banockburn. It was at around 10pm but around 10 leaders came! During that meeting, Karen was checking the Love Tent UCR facebook group page, and someone from AACF left a message saying that he could lend us two tents, one 10-men tent from his church, and one 4-men tent from him. It's amazing, because we were really praying for the tents, and we insist on not renting tents because we believe that God will provide. From the beginning, even before I had the first meeting with the leaders, Karen delcared that we would get tents for free, that God will provide! AND HE DID! Hallelujah!! Also, Eseul, the girl who's lending us canopys from her church found a SUV/mini van to take those canopys from Irvine. Praise the Lord! Here's a testimony of what happened when Eseul and Russell were getting the canopy... Be amazed! :)
Eseul Lee wrote:
As some of you know Russell and I went down to Irvine to my church tonight (2/8) to pick up the canopies. And dang, God answers prayers! Russell and I were both in a "crunchy time" (lol, Sarah Wang) because we had important appointments at 9 o'clock back in Riverside. So we were pretty skeptical about making it back in time, especially since we left during rush hour. But! There was absolutely no traffic on the way down, testing out the canopies was smooooooth even with only 4 people, and we managed to make it back to Riverside before 9 o'clock even while picking up dinner!I guess what I'm trying to say is, God just continues to answer prayers. Thanks for being a part of this process for myself personally in learning how powerful prayer really is, and how much God wants this to happen. Nothing can stop us now.God's not giving us room for discouragement.He is so good.
Hallelujah! Isn't God awesome! So then we prayed for them before they took off on Monday evening, that they will be able to make it back in time, and there will be no traffic!! Praise Him!!
We had another meeting on Monday evening. By the end of the meeting we pretty much got everything we need settled: microphone, speakers, amplifiers, drum set, water bottles, Love Tent schedule... etc. God truly provides! At the end Justin, the AACF president, brought up a very important point. We should focus on God, and not the program or facilities. Seriously, we've been caught up with making a schedule, because the school wants to see one, and been stressed about having every time slot filled with at least one worship leader. At the end of the meeting we all prayed together, for each others, for the Love Tent, for unity, for purity, for victory, for love. Many were weeping, and we didn't care about what other people around us, we were praying to God wholeheartedly. It was a beautiful moment, and a holy moment. God was there with us, and He is doing great things at UCR.
Thursday morning, everyone has to wake up at 5am so we could carry the stuffs over to the Bell Tower Lawn, and start to set up at 6am. Lord, I pray that everyone would be able to wake up. I love You Jesus. Love Tent is happening... I can't believe it! Wow
-sala<3
Love Tent - 5
Here's the first day of Love Tent... Written by my roommate: Karen!
It's only the first day of LOVE TENT and I've already seen so much unity. AMEN!!! XD Today was just awesome!!!! The day started off at 6 am for us. Amazingly we all woke up and started to move right away. After loading all the water on to Russell's car we ran into a little problem. Russell came and told us that the office was closed so that he didn't know how to drive on campus to drop off the canopies. Luckily God provided us with a really helpful sergeant in the UCR PD to assist us with that problem so we got the tents on campus safely.Everyone woke up extremely early today and non of them seemed tired at all O.O amazing isn't it? After arriving there, I saw people from different ministries coming together to set up tents, canopies, tables, sound system and instruments. There were people making recycling bags with cute designs on it ^.^, some were loading the water into the storage tent, others were putting up the banners and Amanda was even praying for the ground to rise up so that the canopies can be leveled XD. At 8:00am everything was pretty much set. We started with a group prayer and a shot to JESUS!!! Love tent has officially began!!!Through out the day there was continuous worship, praise, bible study, rapid fire prayer and just so many different people coming together under one place to worship God. The day started off raining, but after prayer for the rain to stop, God brought in strong winds to blow the clouds away. ^^ AMEN!! The weather was not in our favor however, the winds grew stronger as the day went on. . The tents fell multiple times, The banners were torn in so many places, even the instruments fell a couple of times. Most of us were wrapped up into a ball of blankets yet still shaking from the cold, but we continued to pray and continued to hold strong for God.Late in the afternoon we started to exercise with body praise and dance for God. People's hearts were warm and we became more encouraged and more united as the winds tried to bring us down. We were all shaking, non of us could feel our fingers, especially for those playing guitar O.O the worship leaders were just amazing today. There was awesome music even through the freezing weather. The wind blew harder and harder, but our music grew louder and our voices reached further. AMEN!!!God just keeps drawing people in with his presence. :] We met many new friends today as well. First off Alfredo the student dean came and brought us chocolate cakes for valentine's day. WOW..... Amazing isn't it? I was so amazed and Sarah kept hugging Alfredo to thank him ^.^. Then there was this girl (I'm really really really sorry that i forgot her name T_____T, I am just terrible at names T____T) that brought food and blankets for us. Even though she only worshiped with us shortly, her support for us was just so touching.God is truly working on our campus today. He filled our hearts with love and spread his love all over the campus. Even now, so many of our brothers and sisters are still holding down the fort through this extremely cold night. Worshiping, praising, glorifying God's name. AMEN!!!!!!Tomorrow has begun and its going to be even more awesome than ever because our God is an awesome God and through him NOTHING is impossible. AMEN. :]
Good job Karen! :D
-sala<3
It's only the first day of LOVE TENT and I've already seen so much unity. AMEN!!! XD Today was just awesome!!!! The day started off at 6 am for us. Amazingly we all woke up and started to move right away. After loading all the water on to Russell's car we ran into a little problem. Russell came and told us that the office was closed so that he didn't know how to drive on campus to drop off the canopies. Luckily God provided us with a really helpful sergeant in the UCR PD to assist us with that problem so we got the tents on campus safely.Everyone woke up extremely early today and non of them seemed tired at all O.O amazing isn't it? After arriving there, I saw people from different ministries coming together to set up tents, canopies, tables, sound system and instruments. There were people making recycling bags with cute designs on it ^.^, some were loading the water into the storage tent, others were putting up the banners and Amanda was even praying for the ground to rise up so that the canopies can be leveled XD. At 8:00am everything was pretty much set. We started with a group prayer and a shot to JESUS!!! Love tent has officially began!!!Through out the day there was continuous worship, praise, bible study, rapid fire prayer and just so many different people coming together under one place to worship God. The day started off raining, but after prayer for the rain to stop, God brought in strong winds to blow the clouds away. ^^ AMEN!! The weather was not in our favor however, the winds grew stronger as the day went on. . The tents fell multiple times, The banners were torn in so many places, even the instruments fell a couple of times. Most of us were wrapped up into a ball of blankets yet still shaking from the cold, but we continued to pray and continued to hold strong for God.Late in the afternoon we started to exercise with body praise and dance for God. People's hearts were warm and we became more encouraged and more united as the winds tried to bring us down. We were all shaking, non of us could feel our fingers, especially for those playing guitar O.O the worship leaders were just amazing today. There was awesome music even through the freezing weather. The wind blew harder and harder, but our music grew louder and our voices reached further. AMEN!!!God just keeps drawing people in with his presence. :] We met many new friends today as well. First off Alfredo the student dean came and brought us chocolate cakes for valentine's day. WOW..... Amazing isn't it? I was so amazed and Sarah kept hugging Alfredo to thank him ^.^. Then there was this girl (I'm really really really sorry that i forgot her name T_____T, I am just terrible at names T____T) that brought food and blankets for us. Even though she only worshiped with us shortly, her support for us was just so touching.God is truly working on our campus today. He filled our hearts with love and spread his love all over the campus. Even now, so many of our brothers and sisters are still holding down the fort through this extremely cold night. Worshiping, praising, glorifying God's name. AMEN!!!!!!Tomorrow has begun and its going to be even more awesome than ever because our God is an awesome God and through him NOTHING is impossible. AMEN. :]
Good job Karen! :D
-sala<3
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Love Tent - 6
Love Tent 2008 has officially ended at 12am Feb. 16! Wow, but I'm sure for all those who came, or even walked by, who loves the Lord, were tremendously encouraged and touched, like me. Our vision was to UNITE IN LOVE, and truly, throughout the entire time, you can just feel and see unity and love all over the place. Between students and students, faculties and faculties, sisters and brothers, we were given love, and gave love, we were united as one body of Christ.
Here are some awesome things that happened...
[LOVE]
1) Assistant Dean of Students, Alfredo, baked us two chocolate cakes. And, he kept on coming out to check on us to see if we were all right or if we needed anything. He's the one who brought us the sand bags.
2) Director of Event Planning, Denise, worked overtime, just to get us the emergency lights for the night. She made sure everything that we needed was set before she took off: portable potty, lights, security guards...etc.
3) Brynn, our Psychology TA, came prayed for the entire event, and students. She came and worshiped with us, also showed so much love.
4) One girl, whom we don't know who she was, came and provided us with blankets and food. Heartwarming moments.
5) Friday night, everyone laid hands on Joe, who works at the Science Library 3rd floor, because his neck, spine, hip bone, and the entire left leg were constantly in pain. We prayed for physical healing, and because of God's love, he was able to forgive people who mistreated him before. He couldn't say, "I forgive those who've hurt me before", but after we all prayed for God's love to fill him and to help him declare that to himself and to the enemy, he was able to say it out loud. The third time he event yelled it!! Praise the Lord! You set the captives free!! ((Testimony of Joe will be recorded))
.... AND MORE....
[UNITY]
1) Whenever there was no one to lead worship, people would step up to lead prayers, share with each others, or read the Words together.
2) When there are people who kept on looking at our way, at least one person will go up to them and talk to them.
3) During the four times of our Leadership Meetings, each time the unity among us grew stronger. Everyone participated and helped. If it wasn't for you guys, this event wouldn't have happened. Thank you all!!
4) Thursday early morning, we had to get there at 6am to set up, and there were 20ish people who went. So amazing and encouraging!
5) At around 2, 3am of Friday, the wind was so strong that drum sets were completely swept over and keyboard dropped. The wind was so much stronger than during the daytime. However, there were more than 25 people worshiping, praying, loving God and each others! As the wind grew stronger, our voices grew louder!
.... AND MORE ....
Isn't He great and awesome?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
My House Shall be a House of God!!
MY GRANDPA IN TAIWAN STARTED TO GO TO CHURCH!!!! @______@
Wow... You guys have no idea how crazy this is!! Ok, so my grandpa is not really the happiest person, and definitely not the most supportive guy for any religions. Starting from when I was in elementary school, my grandpa's hearing has become worse and worse as he ages. However, he is a really stubborn person, so he wouldn't wear any hearing aids. Also, 1 year ago, he had an eye surgery for 白內臟. Though it was a successful surgery, my grandpa was scared to get down from his bed, so he lied there for a whole week. His legs became very stiff and so he couldn't walk as fast as he could before. Plus, his close friends are passing away one by one. (My grandpa is 80 years old) These things are the main reasons why my grandpa became to isolated and aloof. As my grandma described, he would lock himself in his room the entire day, except when he goes out to exercise at the park. He wouldn't talk to anyone, he eats in his room, he doesn't allow my grandma to go anywhere for fun, and he doesn't like any guests at our house. When I went back to Taiwan during the summer 2007, my grandma would tell me how sad she is in seeing the changes in my grandpa, and how much she wants to hang out with her sisters in Christ and travel around the World. But because of grandpa, she's not allowed to go anywhere but take care of him. I encouraged her to pray for grandpa, and continue to pray for him even if she doesn't see any changes, because God is faithful. I prayed for her, and we prayed together for grandpa. Then at LTC, I prayed so hard for my family with my sisters, and God gave me a confirmation that in 2008, He will start answering my prayers for my family!
Just a few days ago, my mom called my grandma in Taiwan, and the first thing my grandma said was, "Grandpa said he wants to go to church now!!!" Grandma told my mom that, grandpa said he kept on hearing someone calling his name, and talking to him in the middle of the night, so he couldn't sleep well at all. Then grandma asked the priest to come and prayed for him, and ever since then, my grandpa could sleep really well at night. He said to my grandma, "Let's go to church this Sunday." Grandma was so surprised!! And he did go to church today!!!!! I just talked to my grandma on the phone, she's so thankful and so encouraged. God, You are terribly faithful!!! And good!!!
Today the whole family gathered to have the New Year Family Dinner, it was awesome! I told my mom everything about the Love Tent, and she was amazed by God's power in this event. I encouraged her that, God will provide everything you need when you seek His kingdom and His will first! God provided me with people to teach me the materials for my test, and I knew the answer to every single question on the test!! I showed my mom pictures of us making the Love Tent banners and our leadership meetings. She's totally proud of what I'm doing, and is overwhelmed by God's power in shaping and building my characteristics and personalities. I told her about the conference (Pastoring Kids in Revival Leadership Conference) that I want to go at the end of March, at Reddings. She was totally supportive and thinks that I SHOULD GO! When I asked Amy, if she wanted to go with me or not, mom was even persuading Amy to go! She said, "Amy you should go and get some trainings too!" AND guess what she said after that??!! She said, "I WILL SUPPORT YOU WITH HALF OF THE MONEY." Wow, that is a breakthrough! And something else... She asked my grandma (in US) what time is her church and she said SHE WILL GO TO CHURCH TOMORROW!! Woah... God You are overwhelming! I must dance and praise Your Name!! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!! ><
KEEP PRAYING FOR YOUR FAMILY!! GOD WILL CHANGE THEM!!!!!! HAVE FAITH!
-sala<3
Wow... You guys have no idea how crazy this is!! Ok, so my grandpa is not really the happiest person, and definitely not the most supportive guy for any religions. Starting from when I was in elementary school, my grandpa's hearing has become worse and worse as he ages. However, he is a really stubborn person, so he wouldn't wear any hearing aids. Also, 1 year ago, he had an eye surgery for 白內臟. Though it was a successful surgery, my grandpa was scared to get down from his bed, so he lied there for a whole week. His legs became very stiff and so he couldn't walk as fast as he could before. Plus, his close friends are passing away one by one. (My grandpa is 80 years old) These things are the main reasons why my grandpa became to isolated and aloof. As my grandma described, he would lock himself in his room the entire day, except when he goes out to exercise at the park. He wouldn't talk to anyone, he eats in his room, he doesn't allow my grandma to go anywhere for fun, and he doesn't like any guests at our house. When I went back to Taiwan during the summer 2007, my grandma would tell me how sad she is in seeing the changes in my grandpa, and how much she wants to hang out with her sisters in Christ and travel around the World. But because of grandpa, she's not allowed to go anywhere but take care of him. I encouraged her to pray for grandpa, and continue to pray for him even if she doesn't see any changes, because God is faithful. I prayed for her, and we prayed together for grandpa. Then at LTC, I prayed so hard for my family with my sisters, and God gave me a confirmation that in 2008, He will start answering my prayers for my family!
Just a few days ago, my mom called my grandma in Taiwan, and the first thing my grandma said was, "Grandpa said he wants to go to church now!!!" Grandma told my mom that, grandpa said he kept on hearing someone calling his name, and talking to him in the middle of the night, so he couldn't sleep well at all. Then grandma asked the priest to come and prayed for him, and ever since then, my grandpa could sleep really well at night. He said to my grandma, "Let's go to church this Sunday." Grandma was so surprised!! And he did go to church today!!!!! I just talked to my grandma on the phone, she's so thankful and so encouraged. God, You are terribly faithful!!! And good!!!
Today the whole family gathered to have the New Year Family Dinner, it was awesome! I told my mom everything about the Love Tent, and she was amazed by God's power in this event. I encouraged her that, God will provide everything you need when you seek His kingdom and His will first! God provided me with people to teach me the materials for my test, and I knew the answer to every single question on the test!! I showed my mom pictures of us making the Love Tent banners and our leadership meetings. She's totally proud of what I'm doing, and is overwhelmed by God's power in shaping and building my characteristics and personalities. I told her about the conference (Pastoring Kids in Revival Leadership Conference) that I want to go at the end of March, at Reddings. She was totally supportive and thinks that I SHOULD GO! When I asked Amy, if she wanted to go with me or not, mom was even persuading Amy to go! She said, "Amy you should go and get some trainings too!" AND guess what she said after that??!! She said, "I WILL SUPPORT YOU WITH HALF OF THE MONEY." Wow, that is a breakthrough! And something else... She asked my grandma (in US) what time is her church and she said SHE WILL GO TO CHURCH TOMORROW!! Woah... God You are overwhelming! I must dance and praise Your Name!! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!! ><
KEEP PRAYING FOR YOUR FAMILY!! GOD WILL CHANGE THEM!!!!!! HAVE FAITH!
-sala<3
Friday, February 8, 2008
Love Tent - 3
The event Love Tent, as many of you know, is a big step and a new beginning of what God's going to do at UCR. As many of you prayed hard for the unity among Christians and for the revival fire to hit UCR, I believe God is answering our prayers!
Many of you might not know about how many steps we had to take, how many meetings we had to have with student leaders and with school faculties, and how many phone calls/text/emails we all made in order for Love Tent to happen on UCR. BUT! God has prepared for every step of our way, and we have not encountered ANY problems we couldn't overcome! The entire process was so smooth to a point where we know it has to be supernatural, that God's hands are moving in this project.
God has answered EVERY SINGLE PRAYER that we prayed for Love Tent!!
We have prayed for...
- God to give us confirmation to start this event.
- Passion and conviction for Love Tent in the leaders' hearts
- God to provide us with tent/canopy/lights/blankets/sleeping bags/water bottles
- God to touch the important key players of this event:
Student Dean: Alfredo
Event Scheduling Director: Denise
Risk Manager: Steve
- Overnight permit
- Successful meeting with Alfredo
- Successful meeting with Alfredo, Denise, Steve, Fire Marshall, UCRPD...etc
AND SO MUCH MORE...
Today's meeting with all of the "big shots" was divine. We thought we're going there to fight for the overnight permit. But, every single one of them were supportive of this event and are just so willing to help us in any way they could to make this event successful!
Here are some of the crazy things happened today that we did not expect...
1. One guy told me this morning that his pastor is willing to donate money for whatever we needed to buy/rent. (We didn't even ask for money and God provided!)
2. At the meeting, whenever an issue comes up, within 1 minute faculties would bring up solutions to solve it. (All departments are supportive!)
3. Denis moved groups who reserved spaces on the Bell Tower Lawn to other places, so we could have that space for 40hr straight!
4. Overnight permit was granted with no negotiation needed.
5. One of the board of director said to me, "You should start training people to host this event, so next year he/she would know what to do." (Totally didn't expect the school would want us to continue Love Tent, and have it every year!)
So, keep praying! Because God is totally on our side, and keep in mind, though we're on the winning side of the war so far, we should not let our guards down! Be alert, and be at watch at all times!! God's side is working, but the other side is working as well. Don't give that side any chance!
God bless!!
-sala<3
Many of you might not know about how many steps we had to take, how many meetings we had to have with student leaders and with school faculties, and how many phone calls/text/emails we all made in order for Love Tent to happen on UCR. BUT! God has prepared for every step of our way, and we have not encountered ANY problems we couldn't overcome! The entire process was so smooth to a point where we know it has to be supernatural, that God's hands are moving in this project.
God has answered EVERY SINGLE PRAYER that we prayed for Love Tent!!
We have prayed for...
- God to give us confirmation to start this event.
- Passion and conviction for Love Tent in the leaders' hearts
- God to provide us with tent/canopy/lights/blankets/sleeping bags/water bottles
- God to touch the important key players of this event:
Student Dean: Alfredo
Event Scheduling Director: Denise
Risk Manager: Steve
- Overnight permit
- Successful meeting with Alfredo
- Successful meeting with Alfredo, Denise, Steve, Fire Marshall, UCRPD...etc
AND SO MUCH MORE...
Today's meeting with all of the "big shots" was divine. We thought we're going there to fight for the overnight permit. But, every single one of them were supportive of this event and are just so willing to help us in any way they could to make this event successful!
Here are some of the crazy things happened today that we did not expect...
1. One guy told me this morning that his pastor is willing to donate money for whatever we needed to buy/rent. (We didn't even ask for money and God provided!)
2. At the meeting, whenever an issue comes up, within 1 minute faculties would bring up solutions to solve it. (All departments are supportive!)
3. Denis moved groups who reserved spaces on the Bell Tower Lawn to other places, so we could have that space for 40hr straight!
4. Overnight permit was granted with no negotiation needed.
5. One of the board of director said to me, "You should start training people to host this event, so next year he/she would know what to do." (Totally didn't expect the school would want us to continue Love Tent, and have it every year!)
So, keep praying! Because God is totally on our side, and keep in mind, though we're on the winning side of the war so far, we should not let our guards down! Be alert, and be at watch at all times!! God's side is working, but the other side is working as well. Don't give that side any chance!
God bless!!
-sala<3
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
New Friends!
I have been making new friends almost everyday since last week. It's fun to meet new people and build my connections. Wahaha! I believe that, every person we encounter or meet is placed before us by God, and He has His purpose in doing so.
Last week we met this girl named Joananna. (Interesting name eh?) It was in the study lounge of our apartment, and there were me, Karen, Ruth, Nara, Nancy, and Brian. We were studying for our midterms and Joananna was sitting there by herself. I started to talk to her as the "crazy sala", because it was pretty late and I get hyper at certain midnight hours. Hahaha! Then the whole group started to talk to her as well. (Great teamwork guys!) We were all thinking of the same thing: Lead her to Christ! I started to pray and ask God what approach I can use to give her a taste of the Gospel. So then Joananna started to draw on the white board, and we were surprised at how artistic she is! Karen is an artist so she and Joananna started talking about drawing, and then before you know it, everyone started to draw on the board. By then I already knew how I can approach to her. Me and Joananna started this drawing solitaire. At the end, the whole story turned out to be about a guy who once had no identity and no emotion, later on experienced beautiful things and terrible things in life. He saw how Jesus used the power of love to save another girl, and to defeat the bad guy, and then he had a smile on his face, had a heart, and with Christ in his heart. That's pretty much the story. I was pretty impressed at how creative God is when it comes to spread the gospel and His love. I wouldn't thought of this myself, but God did! :)
I will post that picture of our drawings as soon as i get it from Karen.
Then Joananna came to House Church on Monday! She said she believes that there's something out there, but she's not sure what it is. She's willing to find out what it is, and most importantly she became really good friends with a lot of the House Church people! Awesome, isn't it! That night she talked to us about a movement called, "LOVE is the MOVEMENT". You can search it on facebook. It is a movement where people paint/draw/stick the word "LOVE" on their arms, faces, shirts...etc, and whenever they see someone else is doing that, they go hug that person. It's mainly for people who don't feel love and want to suicide. This movement was started in Atlanta and it has spread throughout the world. Joananna said the movement is on Feb. 13, which is the day right before Love Tent! Seriously, this is too cool to be true. Karen and I talked about this movement and how amazing God brought Joananna to us to tell us about it. The movement has not been used for Christian meanings yet! Karen suggest that all the Love Tent people do this on the 13th, on one hand as free advertisement for Love Tent, on the other hand, to show people the love from God. C'mon God, just pour down mucho LOVE on UCR!! WOW!
On Monday morning, I woke up and thought my class starts at 9:40 when it actually starts at 10:40 = =||| Silly me. I went to the classroom and it was empty! Thank God there was one guy sitting there, and he told me that class starts at 10:40. Man! So I went to Starbucks and if you've seen my personalized Starbucks card, I put a guitar on there. The cashier saw it and asked me, "So you play the guitar?" I said yea, and found out that she plays the guitar too! She's a UCR student too and she is going to perform at the school guitar night on the 20th! She asked me to go perform too, and I think I should! I got her number and found out that her name is Michelle. We're going to play guitar together sometimes. Yay, Lord thank you for letting me keep on meeting awesome people these days! An artist and a musician! Cool!!
Yesterday, I met a girl name, Sally. I met her through Keely, if you guys remember her from the one night of the Prophetic Conference. Sally lives at Walnut so it's not that far from San Gabriel Valley~ :) Sweet, another girl I can hang out with! Whahaha! I'm thinking of inviting her to dinner sometimes. Nevertheless, you make friends and along the way you bring them to Christ! Right Jack? Yes, keep praying for these three people!
-sala<3
Last week we met this girl named Joananna. (Interesting name eh?) It was in the study lounge of our apartment, and there were me, Karen, Ruth, Nara, Nancy, and Brian. We were studying for our midterms and Joananna was sitting there by herself. I started to talk to her as the "crazy sala", because it was pretty late and I get hyper at certain midnight hours. Hahaha! Then the whole group started to talk to her as well. (Great teamwork guys!) We were all thinking of the same thing: Lead her to Christ! I started to pray and ask God what approach I can use to give her a taste of the Gospel. So then Joananna started to draw on the white board, and we were surprised at how artistic she is! Karen is an artist so she and Joananna started talking about drawing, and then before you know it, everyone started to draw on the board. By then I already knew how I can approach to her. Me and Joananna started this drawing solitaire. At the end, the whole story turned out to be about a guy who once had no identity and no emotion, later on experienced beautiful things and terrible things in life. He saw how Jesus used the power of love to save another girl, and to defeat the bad guy, and then he had a smile on his face, had a heart, and with Christ in his heart. That's pretty much the story. I was pretty impressed at how creative God is when it comes to spread the gospel and His love. I wouldn't thought of this myself, but God did! :)
I will post that picture of our drawings as soon as i get it from Karen.
Then Joananna came to House Church on Monday! She said she believes that there's something out there, but she's not sure what it is. She's willing to find out what it is, and most importantly she became really good friends with a lot of the House Church people! Awesome, isn't it! That night she talked to us about a movement called, "LOVE is the MOVEMENT". You can search it on facebook. It is a movement where people paint/draw/stick the word "LOVE" on their arms, faces, shirts...etc, and whenever they see someone else is doing that, they go hug that person. It's mainly for people who don't feel love and want to suicide. This movement was started in Atlanta and it has spread throughout the world. Joananna said the movement is on Feb. 13, which is the day right before Love Tent! Seriously, this is too cool to be true. Karen and I talked about this movement and how amazing God brought Joananna to us to tell us about it. The movement has not been used for Christian meanings yet! Karen suggest that all the Love Tent people do this on the 13th, on one hand as free advertisement for Love Tent, on the other hand, to show people the love from God. C'mon God, just pour down mucho LOVE on UCR!! WOW!
On Monday morning, I woke up and thought my class starts at 9:40 when it actually starts at 10:40 = =||| Silly me. I went to the classroom and it was empty! Thank God there was one guy sitting there, and he told me that class starts at 10:40. Man! So I went to Starbucks and if you've seen my personalized Starbucks card, I put a guitar on there. The cashier saw it and asked me, "So you play the guitar?" I said yea, and found out that she plays the guitar too! She's a UCR student too and she is going to perform at the school guitar night on the 20th! She asked me to go perform too, and I think I should! I got her number and found out that her name is Michelle. We're going to play guitar together sometimes. Yay, Lord thank you for letting me keep on meeting awesome people these days! An artist and a musician! Cool!!
Yesterday, I met a girl name, Sally. I met her through Keely, if you guys remember her from the one night of the Prophetic Conference. Sally lives at Walnut so it's not that far from San Gabriel Valley~ :) Sweet, another girl I can hang out with! Whahaha! I'm thinking of inviting her to dinner sometimes. Nevertheless, you make friends and along the way you bring them to Christ! Right Jack? Yes, keep praying for these three people!
-sala<3
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Love Tent - 2
God has provided us with canopy, however we still need a tent. Still need to pray for the overnight permit. God said clearly to me, "Be alert, don't take off your guard just yet." We need to continue to pray hard! Keep watch!
Tonight at House Church, everyone helped out in making the banners for the Love Tent. Here are some pictures. Everyone did an awesome job!! I'm so proud and feel supported! These are the master pieces from 8, 9 faithful servants! Thank you Karen, Joananna, Ruth, Chrissie, Nara, Brenna, Maria, and Kathrine!! <3
More pictures at: http://ucr.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2085554&id=6303220
Today I met Justin, the president of AACF, and he told me that he actually knows Denis (the event scheduling director, which is the person who can give us the overnight permission) and he talks to her at least once a week. Justin also said she likes AACF a lot, so that means Denis could be a Christian too! Continue to pray for her please!
If we get this overnight permit, Love Tent would be the first event in the UCR history that has ever done an overnight event! Let us be forerunners God!!
There is a leader meeting again this Wednesday at 3pm, and this time I expect to have double of the attendance from last week. With more leaders contacted and really excited to participate in this event, I pray that God release His anointing on me so that I may lead these leaders with power, wisdom, and love. Amen!
[Moved from Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 - New Friends]
Last night at CCC meeting, me, Karen, Brian went and announced about Love Tent. I asked everyone to close their eyes before I started to talk about the event. Then I said, "Whoever has the burden and has been praying for the revival of UCR please raise up your hand." The MAJORITY raised up their hands. Then I said, "Whoever has ever weeped and cried for the revival of UCR please raise up your hand." A few hands went down, but there were still so many hands remained. I was extremely encouraged. After I talked about the Love Tent event and have everyone prayed together, I went back to my seat and Amanda came up to me. She is the president of UCF (University Christian Fellowship), and I talked about meeting her randomly a month ago in the earlier blogs. She told me that she actually knows Denis, the person who has the authority to grant us the overnight permit. And she said that, at the beginning of this year, when she just met Denis, God told her to be really nice to this girl and just show her a lot of love. Amanda said, earlier today she met Denis at school and Denis went up to her and hugged her because she's so glad to see her. Amanda was so surprised at how important Denis ' role is in this Love Tent event, and everyone was so shocked at how the Lord prepared every single step of our ways before us. It is totally crazy and stunning!! Lord You are so good to us!
Then Amanda shared about how this Muslim girl came up to her just randomly today. The Muslim girl asked Amanda if she can study with her, go to classes with her, and she told Amanda that she has been praying to God everyday, she is mad at God, and she desperately wants to know who Jesus is! Amanda said she's totally shocked and amazed. Then I shared with her about how at the end times, it will no longer be us trying to get the fish into the net, but the fish will just start to jump into the net by themselves! And what she just experienced is a proof of this prophesy! Yet, another amazing story of the night!
Ps. Amanda had a huge headache, and so me and Karen prayed for her, then she's completely healed!! But after a few minutes it came back... >< Grrr....
-sala<3
Tonight at House Church, everyone helped out in making the banners for the Love Tent. Here are some pictures. Everyone did an awesome job!! I'm so proud and feel supported! These are the master pieces from 8, 9 faithful servants! Thank you Karen, Joananna, Ruth, Chrissie, Nara, Brenna, Maria, and Kathrine!! <3
More pictures at: http://ucr.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2085554&id=6303220
Today I met Justin, the president of AACF, and he told me that he actually knows Denis (the event scheduling director, which is the person who can give us the overnight permission) and he talks to her at least once a week. Justin also said she likes AACF a lot, so that means Denis could be a Christian too! Continue to pray for her please!
If we get this overnight permit, Love Tent would be the first event in the UCR history that has ever done an overnight event! Let us be forerunners God!!
There is a leader meeting again this Wednesday at 3pm, and this time I expect to have double of the attendance from last week. With more leaders contacted and really excited to participate in this event, I pray that God release His anointing on me so that I may lead these leaders with power, wisdom, and love. Amen!
[Moved from Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 - New Friends]
Last night at CCC meeting, me, Karen, Brian went and announced about Love Tent. I asked everyone to close their eyes before I started to talk about the event. Then I said, "Whoever has the burden and has been praying for the revival of UCR please raise up your hand." The MAJORITY raised up their hands. Then I said, "Whoever has ever weeped and cried for the revival of UCR please raise up your hand." A few hands went down, but there were still so many hands remained. I was extremely encouraged. After I talked about the Love Tent event and have everyone prayed together, I went back to my seat and Amanda came up to me. She is the president of UCF (University Christian Fellowship), and I talked about meeting her randomly a month ago in the earlier blogs. She told me that she actually knows Denis, the person who has the authority to grant us the overnight permit. And she said that, at the beginning of this year, when she just met Denis, God told her to be really nice to this girl and just show her a lot of love. Amanda said, earlier today she met Denis at school and Denis went up to her and hugged her because she's so glad to see her. Amanda was so surprised at how important Denis ' role is in this Love Tent event, and everyone was so shocked at how the Lord prepared every single step of our ways before us. It is totally crazy and stunning!! Lord You are so good to us!
Then Amanda shared about how this Muslim girl came up to her just randomly today. The Muslim girl asked Amanda if she can study with her, go to classes with her, and she told Amanda that she has been praying to God everyday, she is mad at God, and she desperately wants to know who Jesus is! Amanda said she's totally shocked and amazed. Then I shared with her about how at the end times, it will no longer be us trying to get the fish into the net, but the fish will just start to jump into the net by themselves! And what she just experienced is a proof of this prophesy! Yet, another amazing story of the night!
Ps. Amanda had a huge headache, and so me and Karen prayed for her, then she's completely healed!! But after a few minutes it came back... >< Grrr....
-sala<3
Sunday, February 3, 2008
God! End Abortion of this Nation!!
Tonight I was driving back to school, and right after I got on the freeway, tears were just pouring from my eyes non-stop. I have never cried so hard in my life besides the one time at 2005 Summer Camp. My heart was stirred in a supernatural way about Lou's message. Last night, I was watching the Lou Engle clip from his blog. (Yea Lou has a blog, and you can find it on my "Cool Kids" list!) That message was about abortion, and how God is at rage of this nation because of it. We need to repent for this nation, and plead for Jesus' blood over our sins and the sins of this nation. This was the main prayer, "Jesus, I plead Your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God end abortion and send revival to America." The clip was over an hour. At the end of the clip I was weeping and trembling for how overwhelming this message is. Though I've heard this message during the Prophetic House of Prayer Conference from Lou himself, it did not hit me right then. I remember telling a few people about how I didn't have that burden in my heart to pray for this issue, although I wanted to because I know it's an important issue in the Kingdom of God.
This came so suddenly and unexpected because I just finished talking to Jack/Annie about W.R and the Love Tent. But God does things at His timings, and I trust in His plans. Anyhow, as this sudden burden to pray and cry out for this nation came upon me, I started to feel God's pain in seeing all these babies perish inside of their mothers' wombs. Just like what Mike Bickle said, "What Lou does is not extreme, what's extreme in the realm of God is the killing of babies." I was just balling and wailing and praying to God to send down the fear of the Lord among churches so that they can start repenting for themselves and for this nation. I prayed that we won't see the days when the Lord's rage and punishment come about us, and then we know to fear Him. He is still being merciful right now! Repent and turn back to Him before His mercy turns to judgment! Lou was given a revelation that, "If we don't take this issue in our courtroom, then God is going to take it into His courtroom!" And seriously, we don't want to wait until God's rage and anger is to a point where there is no turning back! I believe that God still wants to save this nation. He is still giving us a chance to repent! Or else, why would He send Lou to go around this nation to preach and warn God's people about this? Why would so many house of prayers spring up all over the nation at campuses, cities, churches? If the Lord didn't want to forgive us, He would not give Lou so many revelations/visions/dreams about how we, the people of God, can turn back to God, and gave him the anointing to speak of His message.
In the car, I cried and prayed to God that He may let me feel how these mothers/fathers feel when they are going through the decision of aborting their babies or not. Right after I prayed this prayer, I don't know how to describe that feeling. But, right away I started to cry so much more harder than earlier, and I couldn't even sit straight anymore. I was crying that hard! It's extreme wailing. It is the pain of cutting off parts of your own flesh, your own blood. The separation, the termination of that little life, the creation between two people. I pleaded God for these people for they didn't know! They were deceived and blinded by the Satan! God would You have mercy and forgive them for they don't know!! I prayed that God would pour down His love on this nation, on all the couples that are going through that decision right now! Because God, You are the Alpha and the Omega! You are the beginning of Love and the end of Love! You begin life, and it would be You who end it. No one else! Not Satan, not men!
After 30 - 40 min. of balling and praying and crying out to God, I silenced. I was as still and as quiet as when there was no wind. No feeling, no tears, no sound. After a few minutes, I started to rebuke the Satan like crazy. I was declaring God's authority and power over Satan. I told Satan to shut up, to give up, to tremble in fear because his days are numbered. Because God is the victorious King, and He is never defeated! I was rebuking Satan to a point where I was almost screaming at the top of my lung. I don't really remember what exactly I said, but I know I was rebuking Satan with God's authority, power, and boldness in me. By this time, my eyes were already really swollen and dried (because of my contacts). I was so worn out and wanted to sleep so badly. You know how people would get so tired after crying for a long time? Yea that was me.
After I came back to my apartment, I shared with Karen, Ruth, and Brian about what happened to me in the car. I don't know if they got this burden right away, maybe, maybe not, but I know that God will pour out His heart to them just like how He did to me one day. However, after we all talked about it, we prayed together to repent for our nation, for God to end abortion, for His mercy to fall upon us, for the fear of the Lord to fall at all churches across this nation, and for the election, that God would intervene for it is a huge turning point for America.
Brian pointed out something interesting. He said, "I think Satan has put lust inside of men so they would go and do things to women, then make them feel bad for letting the women have babies, so they go abort the babies, and they would be hunted by what they did, and then eventually suicide. This is all part of Satan's great plan to destroy us! That's just what I think."
God I praise Your Name for Brian. For opening up his eyes, ears, and heart so he can see, hear, and know Your plan, way, and heart. God I pray that You will continue to use him, continue to bless him for he wants to be used by You, God. Grant him with strength, wisdom, concentration, extra comprehension for his studies at school. More midterms are coming up, God please help him, Karen, Ruth, and I to do well on the tests to glorify Your Name. In Jesus' Name, let us unite in You as one body of Christ. Thank You God for giving me all these wonderful and faithful servants of Yours around me. That we may encourage, edify, comfort, and challenge each others constantly. Thank You once again Jesus for Your blood and cross that gave us the bridge to go back to our Father in heaven. I love You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
I just wanted to encourage you guys, seriously pray for the end of abortion! Repent and plead Jesus' blood over your sins and the sins of this nation. And pray for the election, for the result of primary is coming out on Tuesday! Pray & Vote!!
-sala<3
This came so suddenly and unexpected because I just finished talking to Jack/Annie about W.R and the Love Tent. But God does things at His timings, and I trust in His plans. Anyhow, as this sudden burden to pray and cry out for this nation came upon me, I started to feel God's pain in seeing all these babies perish inside of their mothers' wombs. Just like what Mike Bickle said, "What Lou does is not extreme, what's extreme in the realm of God is the killing of babies." I was just balling and wailing and praying to God to send down the fear of the Lord among churches so that they can start repenting for themselves and for this nation. I prayed that we won't see the days when the Lord's rage and punishment come about us, and then we know to fear Him. He is still being merciful right now! Repent and turn back to Him before His mercy turns to judgment! Lou was given a revelation that, "If we don't take this issue in our courtroom, then God is going to take it into His courtroom!" And seriously, we don't want to wait until God's rage and anger is to a point where there is no turning back! I believe that God still wants to save this nation. He is still giving us a chance to repent! Or else, why would He send Lou to go around this nation to preach and warn God's people about this? Why would so many house of prayers spring up all over the nation at campuses, cities, churches? If the Lord didn't want to forgive us, He would not give Lou so many revelations/visions/dreams about how we, the people of God, can turn back to God, and gave him the anointing to speak of His message.
In the car, I cried and prayed to God that He may let me feel how these mothers/fathers feel when they are going through the decision of aborting their babies or not. Right after I prayed this prayer, I don't know how to describe that feeling. But, right away I started to cry so much more harder than earlier, and I couldn't even sit straight anymore. I was crying that hard! It's extreme wailing. It is the pain of cutting off parts of your own flesh, your own blood. The separation, the termination of that little life, the creation between two people. I pleaded God for these people for they didn't know! They were deceived and blinded by the Satan! God would You have mercy and forgive them for they don't know!! I prayed that God would pour down His love on this nation, on all the couples that are going through that decision right now! Because God, You are the Alpha and the Omega! You are the beginning of Love and the end of Love! You begin life, and it would be You who end it. No one else! Not Satan, not men!
After 30 - 40 min. of balling and praying and crying out to God, I silenced. I was as still and as quiet as when there was no wind. No feeling, no tears, no sound. After a few minutes, I started to rebuke the Satan like crazy. I was declaring God's authority and power over Satan. I told Satan to shut up, to give up, to tremble in fear because his days are numbered. Because God is the victorious King, and He is never defeated! I was rebuking Satan to a point where I was almost screaming at the top of my lung. I don't really remember what exactly I said, but I know I was rebuking Satan with God's authority, power, and boldness in me. By this time, my eyes were already really swollen and dried (because of my contacts). I was so worn out and wanted to sleep so badly. You know how people would get so tired after crying for a long time? Yea that was me.
After I came back to my apartment, I shared with Karen, Ruth, and Brian about what happened to me in the car. I don't know if they got this burden right away, maybe, maybe not, but I know that God will pour out His heart to them just like how He did to me one day. However, after we all talked about it, we prayed together to repent for our nation, for God to end abortion, for His mercy to fall upon us, for the fear of the Lord to fall at all churches across this nation, and for the election, that God would intervene for it is a huge turning point for America.
Brian pointed out something interesting. He said, "I think Satan has put lust inside of men so they would go and do things to women, then make them feel bad for letting the women have babies, so they go abort the babies, and they would be hunted by what they did, and then eventually suicide. This is all part of Satan's great plan to destroy us! That's just what I think."
God I praise Your Name for Brian. For opening up his eyes, ears, and heart so he can see, hear, and know Your plan, way, and heart. God I pray that You will continue to use him, continue to bless him for he wants to be used by You, God. Grant him with strength, wisdom, concentration, extra comprehension for his studies at school. More midterms are coming up, God please help him, Karen, Ruth, and I to do well on the tests to glorify Your Name. In Jesus' Name, let us unite in You as one body of Christ. Thank You God for giving me all these wonderful and faithful servants of Yours around me. That we may encourage, edify, comfort, and challenge each others constantly. Thank You once again Jesus for Your blood and cross that gave us the bridge to go back to our Father in heaven. I love You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
I just wanted to encourage you guys, seriously pray for the end of abortion! Repent and plead Jesus' blood over your sins and the sins of this nation. And pray for the election, for the result of primary is coming out on Tuesday! Pray & Vote!!
-sala<3
Childlike Simplicity
Today our cell group was pretty wild. Total of 9 kids and 5 of them were the new kids. There were Jeffrey, Irene, Jason, Oscar, David, Linda, Beckie, Maya, and Haley. I had to drive two rounds in order to bring them all there, and all back home afterwards. However, I am totally enjoying serving the kids. Though it's kind of tiring to drive, but when I think about how these kids are the royal Priests of God all the tiredness was gone! As I was looking at my action plan for this group, and through all the materials that Jack provided (thank you so much Jacko!), I know that it is crucial for them to have the ability to spread the gospel. Duh. So today I brought a big white poster and colorful papers to teach them what is the gospel and how they can spread it. The meeting started kind of out of control. The issue being the huge age gap between them, we had kids from 4 all the way up to 13. The bigger kids were complaining about how noisy the little ones are (c'mon, little support please? T_T), and the little ones were just having a lot of fun playing, jumping, laughing on the couch. It was kind of hard to get their attention or focus to do just anything I was doing. Ex. Sing worship songs. I finally got their attention by telling them testimonies of little children praying for the sick and the sick got healed, and the hospital has to close down because of not enough patients. (Thanks Jen again for that article!) I asked them, so you all know that there is a God and you believe in Him. How can you tell your friends about God? This is where I got two very different responses from the older group and the younger group. David, 13 yrs old, responded, "I can talk to my friend about God and then invite them to my church and my cell group so they can know more about Him." Haley, 4yrs old, came up to my ear and whispered to me, "Love her (friend) and like her (friend)." And she has this bright and joyful smile on her face. I was really moved, and seriously, besides telling your friend the whole gospel story and bringing them to church, you just need to show God's love to them.
Then I pulled out the posters and began my message for the day. I asked them to write/draw the words, "God", "Life", "Death", "Sin", and their names on the colored papers. David was really artistic in writing the word, "God". He even added a crown on it because he said God is the King. So then I started my story telling of how before anything existed, God existed, and He created men then give them eternal Life. I had the two little girls, Maya and Haley draw arrows whenever we needed them in the story. (Ex. God gave us eternal Life) Then because we Sinned, we fell and was separated from God. There was no way to go back to God because of the Sin that's in the middle blocking us. Back then people had to use blood from animals as sacrifice to cleanse our sins. However, when Jesus Christ came down to Earth and shed blood for us, He carried all of mankind's sins so we're clean and forgiven again. We can go back to God again through Jesus Christ and receive our eternal Life once again. At the end I pick up the sign that says, "Sin", and I said to the kids, "We don't want sin in our lives because it separates us from God, and we don't want to be separated from God. Right now we're going to take turns to tear off this "Sin", and then ask God to come inside of us." I asked then, "Who would like to be the first one to tear this?" Almost everyone raised their hand high in eagerness. I had them all lined up, one by one, the kids torn the paper into smaller and smaller pieces. After each torn, they would shout out, "No more sin in me, but God in me!" At the end of the meeting, we stood in a circle and prayed and at the end of the prayer, we shouted together in joyfulness, "God is GREAT!"
Seriously God is great. He was there with us, even after cell group when we were having deserts and juice. (Thank you Kay's mama for ALWAYS preparing snacks for us to eat after the cell group!!) I've noticed that Maya and Haley loves to argue, but the difference is, Haley would always respond with love. I saw Maya arguing with Haley about always copying what she says and stuffs, Haley was quiet and she turned to Maya and kissed her on her head when Maya was still yelling to her. After that, Maya was silenced by that kiss. It was quite amazing how this little girl behaves. I don't know about these two girls' family background of knowing God or not, but I've learned a lot from a 4 year-old today. When I was driving them home, I couldn't stop smiling because of how awesome God is in showing me the innocence and simple heart of these kids. This is true simplicity. No wonder kids' eyes are always so bright, they don't worry, they don't doubt. God make my heart like these girls', bring me back the childlike faith and hope once again Lord. I love You.
-sala<3
Then I pulled out the posters and began my message for the day. I asked them to write/draw the words, "God", "Life", "Death", "Sin", and their names on the colored papers. David was really artistic in writing the word, "God". He even added a crown on it because he said God is the King. So then I started my story telling of how before anything existed, God existed, and He created men then give them eternal Life. I had the two little girls, Maya and Haley draw arrows whenever we needed them in the story. (Ex. God gave us eternal Life) Then because we Sinned, we fell and was separated from God. There was no way to go back to God because of the Sin that's in the middle blocking us. Back then people had to use blood from animals as sacrifice to cleanse our sins. However, when Jesus Christ came down to Earth and shed blood for us, He carried all of mankind's sins so we're clean and forgiven again. We can go back to God again through Jesus Christ and receive our eternal Life once again. At the end I pick up the sign that says, "Sin", and I said to the kids, "We don't want sin in our lives because it separates us from God, and we don't want to be separated from God. Right now we're going to take turns to tear off this "Sin", and then ask God to come inside of us." I asked then, "Who would like to be the first one to tear this?" Almost everyone raised their hand high in eagerness. I had them all lined up, one by one, the kids torn the paper into smaller and smaller pieces. After each torn, they would shout out, "No more sin in me, but God in me!" At the end of the meeting, we stood in a circle and prayed and at the end of the prayer, we shouted together in joyfulness, "God is GREAT!"
Seriously God is great. He was there with us, even after cell group when we were having deserts and juice. (Thank you Kay's mama for ALWAYS preparing snacks for us to eat after the cell group!!) I've noticed that Maya and Haley loves to argue, but the difference is, Haley would always respond with love. I saw Maya arguing with Haley about always copying what she says and stuffs, Haley was quiet and she turned to Maya and kissed her on her head when Maya was still yelling to her. After that, Maya was silenced by that kiss. It was quite amazing how this little girl behaves. I don't know about these two girls' family background of knowing God or not, but I've learned a lot from a 4 year-old today. When I was driving them home, I couldn't stop smiling because of how awesome God is in showing me the innocence and simple heart of these kids. This is true simplicity. No wonder kids' eyes are always so bright, they don't worry, they don't doubt. God make my heart like these girls', bring me back the childlike faith and hope once again Lord. I love You.
-sala<3
Friday, February 1, 2008
Love Tent - 1
(Made by Karen Xie)
Thought my calling and my focus should be on children right now. I kept on thinking that there is a reason why I'm at UCR. So, I prayed, and I started something. I'm doing something that has never been done before at my school. The Lord has been showing me how and what to do, and He has been releasing the same vision in people's heart. I am to be the forerunner of stepping out with big faith and big action in bringing ALL Christians together in TRUE UNITY.
When Johnny talked about Love Tent at UCSD, that was when I was thinking and praying to God about what He wants me to do, and what I could do on my campus. So then I prayed about it, and the Lord showed me a vision of how this Love Tent would be the initial point of bringing together the sons and daughters of the King. How is it possible to truly unite hundreds, even thousands, of people? There is nothing impossible in God. Through unifying the leaders of all these groups, and have weekly leader fellowship, which is kind of like the twelve discipleships gathering together and having a lifestyle together, each of the groups would then be united interchangeably. (I'm not sure if that's the right word to put there) United not through direct connection with each others, but through Christ, which is the triangle unity concept. Through Love, which is God himself, we are automatically connected and united.
Contacted all of the Christian fellowships that I know, and met with all the leaders on Wednesday, it was confirmed that just recently, all the groups have all started to pray for unity among Christians more than anything else. On Wednesday, we set the meeting time at 3pm sharp in front of the Rivera Library. By contacting all these leaders ahead, there were a few of them that I could not reach. However, it's amazing how the Lord just brought all these people to me either before or after the meeting. (i.e. I get to talk to one of the leaders in the Library before 3pm. I didn't expect to meet him there, and found out that he has class at 3pm. The timing was perfect) I get to talk to all of them in that one day! And during the meeting, God's presence was just so strong, even Karen was telling me about it! Thank You God!!
And, physical attacks have been happening on the people who're planning and putting this event together. Yesterday we had a headache tossing "game". Brian had a crazy headache, then it came to me, and Brian's head doesn't hurt anymore. Then it went on Karen, and my head doesn't hurt anymore. It is so weird! We kept on praying for Jesus' blood to cover us and protect us. The headache would go away for a while, then comes back stronger later. When we were going to one of the fellowships to announce the event, I suddenly feel very sick and couldn't stop barfing on the way. One of the leaders got a sever cold. Things are just happening all around. Please keep us, this event, and this vision in your prayer if you're reading this.
Two weeks ago I wrote an e-mail to the Chancellor about Love Tent, and I got myself an appointment with the Assistant Dean of Students this week. In the e-mail, the Dean sounds very fond of this idea, so that was a good start. Everyone has been praying for this meeting and it would go smoothly. I met with him today, and the meeting was splendid! The Dean totally supported the event, and really wanted this event to happen on campus. He is a believer himself, and he even asked us if he could come to Love Tent to worship and pray with us. He has given us all the steps we need to take and many suggestions on things like, where we might be able to get a tent or the sound system for free. At the end of the meeting, we all prayed together for this event. It was amazing!
I wasn't really sure how things would turn out when I was thinking of starting a Love Tent on UCR, because doing campus ministry is not exactly my calling. However, the Lord seems to be working His wonders on this, so I believe He is totally for it and is going to let it happen greatly!!
I feel like Joshua leading the Israelites crossing the River of Jordan. This surely is something completely new that the body of Christ has never before accomplished in UCR. However, this is the year of 2008, the year of entering in and doing new things. Like what Chuck Pierce prophesied, 2008 would be the year that God get us back whatever was taken from the Satan before! What he tries to do is to break relationships, so this year, let's all unite in God! Amen!
-sala<3
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