1. King Size Bed

    Saturday, December 26, 2009
    By johnny

    What is a King Size Bed?
    Well, to some it is a $400 bed that is 76 inches in width and 80 inches in length -- made for a king, of course. My parents used to have a king size bed at home and when I was small I would have to do two somersaults to get from one end of the bed to the other.

    Well, that's one way to define King Size Bed. I would like to call it a Manger: a box or trough in a stable or barn from which horses or cattle eat. What a bed for the King of kings, the Son of God!

    I just want to give thanks once again to God the Father who gave His one and only begotten Son, Jesus, for us, that whoever believes in His Son shall not perish but have eternal life. The gospel still amazes me--tell me who on earth would, knowing beforehand, be born in a manger, and beaten up and nailed on a cross to die? I would've prevented any of these things to ever happen to me if I were to know what was going to happen in the future... unless I didn't have a choice.

    Jesus had a choice, and He knew the price He had to pay when He made that choice to become a man, become sin, and become the Savior of mankind. I believe we were always on His mind in every step He took during His 33 years on earth. Did He deserve any of this--the dirty barn? the super-uncomfortable king size bed aka the tiny manger? the scoffing from the religious people? the beating from the Roman guards? spending time with sinners? the crucifixion?

    Jesus had to make choices because He was setting an example for His people. If He had no choice, then I believe the sacrifice did not come out of love; it might still save us from hell, but He did it simply because He had no choice.

    Carols everywhere, Christmas lights and trees all lit and decorated, yet we seem to forget what Christmas is all about. I am here to give you an invitation to come and know this God who gave His Son Jesus for you and I so that our lives serve a beautiful purpose--His purpose. His promises are always true and His love is never failing. I you say yes to this invitation, then I would like to ask you to pray this prayer below:

    Dear Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life for me so that I can live eternally. I now come before You and believe that You are the Son of God who washed my sin away through Your death on the cross and Your resurrection. You are my Savior and I want to know You more. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.


    Peace on earth, good will toward men.

    Johnny
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  2. Daily Devotion from Pastor Tong

    Wednesday, December 23, 2009
    By johnny

    路加福音 8 32-39

    「那裡有一大群豬在山上吃食,鬼央求耶穌,准他們進入豬裡去。耶穌准了他們,鬼就從那人出來,進入豬裡去。於是那群豬闖下山崖,投在湖裡淹死了。放豬的看見這事就逃跑了,去告訴城裡和鄉下的人...。鬼所離開的那人懇求和耶穌同在,耶穌卻打發他回去,說:『你回家去,傳說 神為你做了何等大的事。』他就去,滿城裡傳揚耶穌為他做了何等大的事。」

    為什麼主要吩咐鬼進入豬群呢?從人的角度來講,這些豬還挺值錢的,讓牠們墜入山崖,何等可惜。難怪城裡的人知道這事之後,不但沒有歡迎耶穌,反而心中有很大懼怕,請求耶穌離開。因為他們想,耶穌醫好一個人,就損失這麼多豬,如果祂再醫好更多人,那他們損失不就更慘重了嗎?他們看重錢財,過於一個人的得救與得釋放。


    耶穌這樣做有兩個原因:第一,表明祂看重人靈魂的得救與醫治,過於物質需要,這顯明主向人所有的憐憫與愛。正因如此,祂也激怒許多宗教領袖,法利賽人説安息日不可治病,但耶穌看見人在病痛中,就動了慈心,醫治那些病人,使得法利賽人怒目相視。主卻對他們說,神喜愛憐恤過於祭祀,神的心是要拯救失喪的人,勝於守不守安息日的律法,人子乃是安息日的主。


    其次,主之所以叫鬼進入豬群,是因這些人本就不該養豬。舊約律法中,豬是不潔淨的動物,猶太人根本不該養豬,主藉這件事警戒那些破壞神律法的人。當那被鬼附的人得釋放後,本想與耶穌一起,耶穌卻差派他進到自己生活圈裡,為主做見證。將主為他所做何等大的事,告訴家人和親戚朋友,那些人聽見都萬分希奇。


    弟兄姊妹,傳福音不是困難的事,你需要做的:第一是來親近神,經歷神的救恩;第二,向周圍的人述說神的工作。從今天開始,就在生活周圍傳講主在你身上做的奇妙大事。我們的主實在寶貴,充滿恩典憐憫,祂樂意施恩拯救,神的恩典今天就樂意臨到每個信的人身上!


    與劉彤牧師同心禱告

    親愛的主,感謝你,因你就是那位榮耀的釋放者。求主讓我們經歷到你生命的釋放,就像那被鬼附著的人,讓我們從黑暗罪惡的權勢中被釋放。也求主幫助我們,在生活周圍勇敢傳福音,勇敢為你做見證,好叫更多人因我歸向耶穌。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求,阿們!


    I'm really blessed by today's daily devotion.

    I will translate it into English in the next post!

    If you wish to join the daily devotion mailing list, CLICK HERE =D


    Yay for Christmas!


    Johnny

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  3. HEALING during Final Exam!

    Saturday, December 12, 2009
    By johnny
    Yay God!

    I saw this girl with crutches during my econ final exam. Just right before the exam started I got to pray for her. She fractures/broke her bone near the pinky toe on the right foot. She got all excited because she felt tingly feelings when I was praying! I actually shared with her the testimony of Benny Meyer who got healed on Thanksgiving night of the SAME BONE! She said, "What did you do?" and I said, "I asked Jesus to heal him, and He did!" She got all hungry and very interested!
    Anyhow, it was almost time to start the exam, so she quickly stood up, and there was NO PAIN AT ALL! She was having so much pain 2 hour before the finals and she had a hard time focusing because of the pain! HALLELUJAH!

    So I emailed her and checked up. Here's her reply email:

    Hey Ting-Chun John Wang, Thank you so much for your best wishes. Yesterday
    after the final, I came home, I took off the boot, and I standed
    supporting my weight on my right foot, and it didn't pain at all, I tried
    to walk about 4 steps, and I could. I have not take off the boot, I will
    make an appointment with the specialist to see if it is completely healed,
    It will great If I am able to walk without the boot during christmas
    times. It was great to meet you yesterday. I am still surprised about the
    tingles that I felt in my foot when you prayed yesterday.

    Thank so much,
    I will let you know when I go with the bone specialist.

    Happy Holiday, Enjoy the break.
    Marcia L.

    Come on JESUS!!!!
    Johnny
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  4. The Blank Check - Bill Johnson

    Monday, December 7, 2009
    By johnny

    As kids, many of us dreamed about being granted one wish. Solomon got the "one wish." When God appeared to Solomon and gave him that opportunity, it forever raised the bar of our expectations in prayer. The disciples were given the same "wish," only better. Instead of one blank check, they were given an unlimited supply of blank checks. And this gift was specifically granted in the context of their friendship with God.

    Surrounding their promotion to friendship, Jesus gave His disciples this amazing list of promises. Each promise was a blank check they were to live by and use throughout their lives for the expansion of the kingdom. They are as follows:

    "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)

    "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." (John 15:16)

    "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:14)

    "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:23-24)

    In order for us to properly receive what Jesus has offered us in these verses, any robotic understanding of what it means to be a follower of God has to change. God never intended that the believer be a puppet on a string. God actually makes Himself vulnerable to the desires of His people. In fact, it can be said, "if it matters to you, it matters to Him."

    While much of the church is waiting for the next word from God, He is waiting to hear the dream of His people. He longs for us to take our role, not because He needs us, but because He loves us.

    Excerpt taken from Dreaming With God, Chapter 1, Pages 27-28

    Destiy Image Publishers


    by Bill Johnson, Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA

    Johnny
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  5. Crown of Thorns

    Saturday, December 5, 2009
    By johnny

    The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns
    and put it on his head.
    They clothed him in a purple robe
    and went up to him again and again, saying,
    "Hail, king of the Jews!"
    And they struck him in the face.
    -John 19:2~3-

    I have been pondering on the crown of thorns Jesus wore when He was crucified, and today my good pal Alwyn, who goes to BSSM, posted on facebook that this crown had a significant purpose:

    In Genesis chapter 3, after the fruity event, God told Adam that the ground will produce thorns and thistles for him, and he will eat the plants of the field. So the ground was cursed ever since Genesis 3. Moreover, the word "thorn" appears in the Bible almost 60 times, and the word is always used as a curse or sin similar to the usage in Genesis 3.

    Jesus wore the crown of thorn to save the earth -- to reverse the curse. He came not only to die to give us eternal life, but He also saved the earth from producing thorns and thistles for men! Robe ripped, body bruised, nail pierced, Jesus reversed every curse, sickness, poverty, and death through His most brilliant and faithful act.

    Christ died for us. We should always be willing to die for Him.
    Jesus died for His friends, and so should we.
    Love our God. Love our neighbors. Love our enemies.

    Johnny
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  6. Holy Spirit Bombs

    Wednesday, December 2, 2009
    By johnny

    Today during Origins Large Group, as we were pressing into praying for our campus, I saw a vision of jets dropping bombs on the UCSD campus, and immediately I knew that the air forces are be the intercessors. The bombs being dropped are the prayers and worship, shifting the atmosphere, destroying the camps of the enemy all across the campus, breaking chains and bondages, and setting the captives free from physical, emotional, and spiritual injuries and sicknesses.

    And just now I saw another vision: The Navy acts as the base -- training soldiers and ship them to the shore and the air: the Army aka land force are the revivalists and the evangelists -- rescue the multitudes and reaping the ripe harvest -- but also fighting the enemy face-to-face!

    Do you know the moment you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you are enlisted into His army? Maybe you are not equipped, but a war is happening all around you -- somehow your eyes are opened to see the world differently -- and the war you take part of is of the spirit.

    And whether you are the Air Force (intercessors) or the Navy (ministries and churches) or the Army (evangelists, musicians), you need to know one thing: the war was already won when Jesus defeated death on the cross, and the battles you fight are parts of His victorious act! Maybe you'd lose a battle or two, but that does not shake the fact that the war is won! God will never give us something that is beyond our ability when we partner up with Him, but He will test us and put us into trials so that we can be made into pure gold!

    Yes, test comes before testimony. And the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). Whenever a testimony is shared, prophecy is released to call forth the same testimony to be repeated! I really like the way God works... very different yet so brilliant!

    Johnny

    ps. Just want to share something I think is Kingdom brilliant from Will Smith. He is definitely one of my favorite male actor. I believe he's a Christian. If he's not, I bet he would receive Jesus in a blink of an eye.


    Continue reading »
  7. WOW~~!

    Monday, November 23, 2009
    By johnny
    I tell you the truth: unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. - Jesus

    I know the reason why: to be innocent, pure, naive, and without doubt like little children.

    And here's a little portrait of what the child looks like:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4dhoDxEK5w


    This video got me laughing so hard because he is simply adorable. He has never seen a lobster before, and once he saw it, the first thing that came out was "WOW~". We have to be constantly amazed by our almighty God, whose works are creative and infinite: healings, salvations, miracles, signs, or just beautiful stars in the sky. We just cannot take God's creation for granted but rather be constantly in awe and the longing of the secrets of God to be revealed. Prepare ourselves to say "WOW" every time God shows up! How much more is there to You?? I want to know.... um... Can I touch it?

    Thanks Daddy, love ya!

    Johnny
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  8. AX-Synth

    Saturday, November 21, 2009
    By johnny

    Life without air is like Johnny without AX-Synth.
    The moment I saw her, I knew she's the one for me.
    So pure, so beautiful, spotless.
    The sound within her calls out for me.

    Anyhow, I'm now officially in love with AX-Synth. Sorry Yamaha. She is something special. I think she's the one. I might even propose to her once I have her in my arms.

    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!! I'll wait for some Santa Claus to put one in my stockings!

    Ask, and you will seek. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
    I like that promise. Lord, I would like a brand new Roland AX-Synth soon... =)

    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  9. The Best Satisfies

    Thursday, November 19, 2009
    By johnny

    Something Bill Johnson once shared popped into my head:

    If you have the best, there is no second best.

    It's kinda like, "If you can win the first prize, why would you want second prize?"

    I can tell the world that I have the best prize, and His name is Jesus. The flower loses its beauty, the mountain loses its glory, the canyon loses its splendor when compared to this God-man. We all can have the best, and we do not have to go for anything less than best. Nothing in the world can be compared to His glory, splendor, and beauty -- even the sun seems to have a lesser glow.

    He is the best Father.
    The best Teacher.
    The best Healer.
    The best Prophet.
    The best Preacher.
    The best Counselor.
    The best Friend.
    The best Lover.

    So, tell me now, if we can easily have the best, why do we always go for second best?
    Second best does not quench the thirst. It does not satisfy. The BEST satisfies.

    Take this as an invitation of Jesus, the best this world's got, and He is desperate to be the best of your life. He paid the price so that He can be with you. And don't ever, EVER think that you do not deserve the best.

    Johnny
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  10. IHOP plug + Identity

    Friday, November 13, 2009
    By johnny
    First of all, y'all need to go to www.ihop.org/watch to see what the Holy Spirit has been doing @ International House of Prayer in Kansas City! The Spirit just took over the entire house and healing, deliverance, laughter, tears just broke out like no tomorrow! GO THERE or WATCH LIVE! I got really filled by just hearing about the cool stuff God's doing there! Lord, I pray for an increase of Your glory upon IHOP and Kansas City and all over the world through web streaming! Praise God for internet!

    Due to a move of the Holy Spirit, IHOP–KC is holding extended meetings from 6:00pm–midnight (CST) at the FSM building. Click on the player below to join us via the free, live webstream during these times. If you would like access to the prayer room 24/7, please subscribe to our Prayer Room webstream here.


    *********************************************

    I still need to get closer to the Word and His Word. The more I come to Him and to the Word, the more energy I would gain, the more peace I would have, the more revelation I would receive, the more knowledge of Jesus I would gain.

    Ever watched the movie "Fight Club" by Edward Norton and Brad Pitt? If you have not, you should definitely watch it; however, I'm going to spoil a bit of the movie for you. It turned out that Brad was an imaginary friend in the end. There. I just gave you in the ending of the movie. But you still need to go watch it.

    It is definitely harder to make imaginary friends, especially with a sound mind. I'm not saying that God is an imaginary being; He just cannot be seen through our natural eyes. However, the same principals used to build friendships in the world works pretty much the same with Jesus: you meet Him, know more about who He is by spending more time with Him and His Words to an extent that you know He would back you up because He has become your Best Friend.


    Paul wrote to the church of Corinth in 2 Cor. 1:
    For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

    I think that is just about the coolest promise from God. We are reconnected with the Father through Jesus. In other words, since all God's promises have been made "Yes" in Jesus, then it is through Jesus that God's promises are now made available to those who believe. Therefore, without Jesus backing us up, there is no way for us to receive the "Yes" part of God's promises because Jesus is the Way to the Father, His promises, His love, His mercy, His righteousness, and His glory. That is why God make us stand firm in Jesus Christ.

    Lastly, we need to know that 1) We are anointed by God. 2) On us is God's Seal of Ownership. and 3) In our hearts is the Holy Spirit, a deposit that guarantees God's promises to be fulfilled.

    That is the true identity of a Christian! We have authority and the power of God through Jesus Christ, and we should not be afraid of taking up that staff and start advancing His Kingdom -- that is what we are called to do! We have a REAL invisible friend be our side -- He shows us that He is real through words, revelations, dreams, people, circumstances, healing, signs and wonders! Let's keep pursuing the best friendship ever so that we can stand firm of who we are!

    Thoughts?

    Johnny

    ps. The sunset sky was beautiful today.

    Continue reading »
  11. Treasure Huntin'

    Friday, November 6, 2009
    By johnny
    Q: What can you do on Halloween night?
    A: Go and pray for people! =D

    12 of us were split into three groups.

    Enoch, Alice, Kay (who turned 16), and I encountered this dude, JAMES, with a sling over his shoulder. He, a high school sophomore @ St. Francis High School, injured his left collar bone playing football. Alice prayed for him first. After the prayer, the pain was lessened by a little. So I shared a testimony to encourage him and told him that Jesus was healing him so let's pray again! After the second prayer, the PAIN WAS GONE and he took off his sling to start move around his left arm and held it way up high -- and it hurt just a little bit. So we only had one choice -- pray AGAIN! And surely enough, Jesus took away all his pain, and that guy left with sling in his hand, smiling and thanking Jesus for healing him from pain!


    We had many things on our list, and mine was "BLACK BASEBALL CAP with a P on it". We went into the only hat store in the mall, which definitely would have some black caps with P's! As we entered in, this friendly salesperson approached us. I told him, "We're actually doing a treasure hunt and we're looking for someone who wears a black cap that has a P on it." He then lowered his head, and lo' and behold -- the BLACK CAP with a yellow P is on this guy's head! His name is Ben, and he's 21. So I told him that he was our treasure and God wanted to tell him something (which I did not know at the moment...). But then I started to tell him that God is pleased with his faithfulness, and he is faithful at what he does, and God would provide him because he remains faithful. For real, I did not know what I was talking about, and I felt like I was just repeating the same thing over and over.

    So I asked him if any of the things I said make sense, and he said, "Yeah it made total sense!" We were all rejoicing and praising God; even the more, he told us that he is the YOUTH LEADER of his church and he needs God's provision and favor in this season of stepping up into his calling! We felt really connected with this guy and we all prayed and prophesied over him, and invited him to join us when we go out and do s'more treasure hunting!

    ohhh just one more thing... he actually is an alumni of St. Francis High School, the school which JAMES, the guy who got healed, currently attends! Hmm.. maybe God's doing something over there! Come on! Jesus showing up on Halloween night! Too cool!


    So... GREAT SUCCESS!

    Johnny

    ps. by the way, Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT is THE BOMB. Makes me wanna dance and sing during the whole movie. I am truly inspired by this musical legend.
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  12. Thoughts

    Friday, October 30, 2009
    By johnny


    We are instruments made by the Creator. Beautiful tunes come from us, yet our strings would get out of tunes as days go by. We always need to retune in order to play in tune once again -- back to the original purpose we are made for. Do we need to be retuned? Are we being played or left dusty in the basement? We need to know that we are made to produce frequencies, and retuning and string-changing is a MUST every now and then!




    Tears are windows to broken hearts that will lead to the opening up of the door to the hearts, and be filled and saturated by the love for which the broken hearts have been searching. Jesus, only You can satisfy.

    Johnny
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  13. Freedom + Musical Weapons

    Monday, October 26, 2009
    By johnny

    If you cannot see that the bridge is not connected to the
    other side and you cross it, then either you fall or you stop at the edge of falling and start rebuilding that broken bridge.


    ...to be in need.

    sometimes we don't even know we need to be set free from old habits and bondages because either we are used to them or they just appear out of nowhere without our notice.

    and I was set free when this lady, Auntie Sharon, felt led to minister to and pray for me Saturday morning. I got to her house at 10am, and after the praying and setting-free was done, it was 1pm. Somehow three hours flew by without my notice--when the presence of God is so strong, time and space disappear because the realm of God does not require them. I only heard about her, and she only knew me through listening to my CD and praying for Jack/Annie, but she had a burden to pray for and minister to me. Pretty much everything she said to me were dead on, and I was just so amazed by God's timing and the surprise meeting with Auntie Sharon. It was God's timing, the best timing. I needed this and the things I received were totally what I have been praying for and asking for!

    make the three-hour holy chaos short in a couple sentences: When she started praying for me, I began to cry uncontrollably. She sensed that I had a lot of burden and pressure on my shoulder and in my chest, so she started to pray for freedom, and I started to cough (I was not sick) because all the junk that's in my chest started to leave. After all those good ol' inner cleansing, the Holy Spirit started to fill me up with joy as Auntie Sharon proclaimed that I am a Happy Worshiper. She also said something about music to the nations or something like that, but basically about a breakthrough in leading worship as I constantly worship the Almighty, Jesus, and Holy Spirt in the Throne room -- there I will receive revelation and know God's heartbeat. Then as I lead worship, I too can receive revelation and be tapped into the flow of the Holy Spirit much much easier because I know Him and He would entrust me to release what He has in mind to the people during a worship session. That is my ultimate heart's desire in worship, and I know it needs to start with my daily life because I simply cannot give something which I do not have.

    lastly, I saw two vivid visions: First, I saw myself, in a baby form with diapers, climbing up stairs towards this beautiful, opened gate. Behind it is LIGHT and it is impossible to look through the almost-blinding light. I was climbing and knowing where I as heading to, with a big smile on my face; I was laughing also. So when I finally entered the gate, I simply disappeared in the LIGHT, which is the glory of God.

    the second vision has some connection with a vision I had during summer camp: I was taken to the Weaponry Room, and around me were all kinds of swords and shields for battle. As I turned to the other side of the room, there stood many musical instruments that looked nothing like any instrument in the world. Each one of them looks like a combination of multiple (maybe 5 to 8) different instruments. I wonder what they sound like, but the size of those instruments were fairly big because they make loud sounds I believe.




    so on Saturday I saw a vision of a sword -- it looks like a regular sword for close-up battles; however, there are buttons on the hilt (the handle) which, after pressing them, cause the sword to "shoot sound" or "attack with sound waves". I found this "music sword" on google image; it's a children's toy and it has buttons on it that makes different sound and light on the sword... totally awesome! And the second picture is a guitar with a shape of a sword!

    see the connection between those two musical weapon visions? I believe when worship music is played, angels would start picking up those musical weapons and begin to wage war with the enemy in the spirit realm, and we know the outcome already, so that'll make our job much easier =D

    oh yes, towards the end of the prayer, she also saw me laying hand on the sick and see them healed! Hey how's that for an awesome confirmation =D Come on!

    during David Nyquist's sharing on saturday night, I was so blown away by his words because many of them are pretty much what I received in the morning with Auntie Sharon! So there ya go, confirmation is God's way of telling me "hey you, pay attention, this is pretty important". And I am expecting more confirmation in the days to come! But for now, I just want Jesus and Jesus and Jesus, nothing else.

    whether you play an instrument or not, we're all in this together. When you sing, dance, paint, tap, or play an instrument to praise God and give Him glory and honor, you are a soldier in the army of God!

    so, Holy Spirit, I want to be filled up and charged up like never before... and help me to be sensitive of what You are doing when I hang out with You every day! Breakthrough, I am coming!!!

    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  14. Explore - Worship Leader

    Tuesday, October 20, 2009
    By johnny
    Reading "Worship Matters" by Bob Kauflin has shifted some of my perspectives toward corporate worship and the position of a worship leader. The best part of this book is Bob's definition of a worship leader, and I am now taking it as my purpose and I shall remind it to myself constantly.

    A faithful worship leader
    magnifies the greatness of God in Jesus Christ
    through the power of the Holy Spirit
    by skillfully combining God's Word with music,
    thereby motivating the gathered church
    to proclaim the Gospel,
    to cherish God's presence,
    and to live for God's glory.

    If you are a worship leader, musician, worship planner, music minister, or pastor, I pray that we all can live our life to the fullest as God's appointed vessels.

    I just read about preparation for Sunday worship, and it has brought conviction to my heart to start preping for Sunday worship early in the week instead of the night before. Lord, I confess before You that my heart has not been ready during the week for the weekend, make me ready, make me prepared!



    Johnny

    ps. Lately I have been reminding myself of the Cross, and my heart melts every time. The Gospel is the ultimate guide to live our lives to the fullest.
    Continue reading »
  15. Midterms... Did I Mention Healing?

    Friday, October 16, 2009
    By johnny
    The highlight of my day was not that I only slept for two hours; it was not that I fell asleep during the first midterm exam; it was not that I was nauseated when I studied for economics; and it definitely was NOT my second midterm on which I studied with no rest yet failed quite miserably.

    It was Jesus.

    Well, after this long and energy-draining, brain cell-killing day, Peter and I went to IHOP-SD as in IHOPancake in San Diego to re-boost our half-dead souls with some real stuff -- aka we were really tired to cook.

    (Skipping all the Hot Cocoas, Big Steak Omelet, Sirloin Tips, Hash Browns, Over-Medium eggs, and Chocolate Chip Pancakes with whip cream....)

    As I was passing by the front to use the restroom, there sat a homeless man, later known as Eric, sitting inside by the door, rubbing his right knee with his hands. I approached and found out that Eric was hit by a car and injured his right knee. I offered a prayer. After the first prayer, he told me from a scale of 1 (pain) to 10 (healed), he went from FIVE to around EIGHT! I told him that Jesus is here right now, and let's ask Him for a complete healing. So I thanked Jesus for what He's already done and asked Him to take all the pain away and heal Eric's right knee. I asked Eric whether he feels warmth in his knee, he said, "No... I don't feel any heat, but I don't feel any pain now!" I shook his hand and told him how much Jesus loves him and has a better plan for his life than his own plan. I went to the restroom rejoicing over what the Lord had done even though I knew there are many unseen wounds and untold stories within Eric that need to be dealt with. I pray that Eric would know God's heart for him and be known by God and God alone. He is not homeless; he has a home in Heaven. He is not abandoned; he has a Father in Heaven.

    Yay Jesus!

    Johnny

    ps. I believe this song speaks out my heart for Holy Spirit to have His way in me. We will sing this on Sunday for sure.

    Continue reading »
  16. Encounter & Dream

    Friday, October 9, 2009
    By johnny

    For You make me glad by Your deeds, O LORD;
    I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
    How great are Your works, O LORD,
    how profound Your thoughts!
    -Psalm 92:4~5-

    Jeff, my roommate from last year, called round midnight wanted to pray, so he came to Peter and my pad to hang out. He was in need of prayer support and God's intervention. Jeff was my roommate last yearAnyhow, as we started praying for Jeff, he felt heat all over his body and started sweating. He was amazed, then I told Him that Holy Spirit shows up through heat and fire quite often, so I told him to hold his hands out receiving as we asked more of His presence to fall upon him. Then he started saying, "look at my left hand, why is it moving? I'm not moving it though.... ahaha.." So Jesus showed up as we gathered in His Name, and started to speak to Jeff revelations. After about five minutes of this thickening of the presence of God, he said, "I feel so much better now."
    "Believe it man, Jesus is here in this room."
    "Yeah."

    Then he started to share with us a dream he had two weekends ago:
    It's in the future. He is driving a flying car, and his best friend is driving another. Somehow they have to drive upside down because that is how the traffic works. They start to go up a mountain and reached the peak.

    As they are going down the mountain, he crashed into a house accidentally. However, the house is not damaged, but some furniture gets blown out of the house undamaged, floating away as if an object flying in space, without gravity. His best friend disappeared after the accident.

    Scene changes. He is now behind bars, arrested for crashing into a house. The jail guard happens to be the exact same person in his dreams back in March 2008:

    In that dream, this guard was a policeman with the last name "Lucipher" (aka Lucifer) and first name "Judas" (aka Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus) who gave him a speeding ticket while he was driving under speed limit; moreover, he hissed at him with his snake tongues. Jeff also got put behind bars in that dream, with Lucipher saying, "you cannot run."

    Now, back to this dream. He gets transferred from regular cells to death row cells and back to regular cells for multiple times. But in the end, he is released from the jail without any punishment. When he walks out of the jail, in front of him is this beautiful and peaceful oceanic scenery.

    And there stands his own father, smiling at him, and he said to Jeff, "It's okay. It was only an accident." He couldn't stop smiling at Jeff. Then his father embraces him and shows the kind of love and care that he knows cannot be pretended.

    Here ends the dream.

    I had anger in my eyes as soon as I heard about the jail guard. Then tears filled my eyes when I heard about his father. I knew exactly what the dream means, and after explaining the entire dream back to him, he was in awe, and I couldn't stop praising God and thanking Him for what He has done. His ways are so much higher than ours.

    Here's what I got from it:

    Driving upside down: We live in an upside-down Kingdom.
    Going up mountain means that life is getting better, loving Jesus more and more, and finally reaching the high point (peak). Accidents and sins came in as he goes down the mountain, then the devil came as the accuser and puts him behind the bars for what he has done wrong, even though it was an accident. The devil tried to put him on death-row but in the end there is no way he could do that, so Jeff left the jail. The beautiful scenery is the place God has prepared for him to be, and of course, the father in the dream is the Heavenly Father, embracing him with love and welcoming him home.

    Jeff was especially confused about the father part of the dream because in reality, his father is very stoic and barely smiles, and he always scorns if Jeff did something wrong. I explained to Jeff that there is a Heavenly Father who is always there for him and never forsakes, always loving and good, full of mercy, grace, and kindness; moreover, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the Cross for him, along with all his sins in order to be reconnected with His beloved children.

    Then I said to Jeff, "You have to make a decision right now."
    "Yeah. You mean to get baptized?" (I believe that's totally from the Lord)
    "Yes. Not only to proclaim that Jesus is Your Lord but also to make a commitment in your relationship with God."

    So once again I led him into the sinner's prayer and once again be reconnected with this Savior, this Father, this God who is always faithful and always true. Heaven rejoices over Jeff as he returned to his Father's embrace; a party's going on up there fo sho.

    Thank you blog readers for your patience. If you have read all of the above, please pray for my bro Jeff for just a second, as in front of him stands mountains of challenges -- that the Lord would strengthen him and fight for His beloved son against the kingdom of darkness!

    Rejoice! For I have found my lost coin.
    - Jesus

    I love You, Jesus.
    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  17. Prodigal Son


    Tonight I witnessed a son returning to his Father. It was one of the most tender moments I have ever had in the presence of God. I shall share more, but in the mean time, I am in need of rest. Please keep me in prayers; I started coughing today and I pray and believe that Christ the Healer would come and heal me up! By His stripes I am healed!

    Most importantly, I thank the Lord for being with me for the entire day today. I had class from 8am to 5pm almost non-stop, and I was having headaches periodically. Now my headache is gone yet I started coughing. I know God's with me and no one can be against me, not even my physical body!

    Lord, I also lift up Your son to You! You are throwing a big ol' party just for his return! I pray that he would get baptized soon and walk confidently with You and love You!

    Something dawned on me as I was listening to a song by Leeland from their latest album "Love Is On The Move": If we are Jesus' hands and feet, then we are already nailed to the cross. Remember, the nails went through His hands and His feet. As we declare our identity, we ought to look at ourselves and see the bruise which should constantly remind us of the Cross. We should do the works and walk the walk of Christ if we are called His hands and His feet; most importantly, bring ourselves before the Cross regularly.

    I hope this dawning blesses you as much as it has blessed me.

    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  18. Explore - My Heart

    Thursday, October 8, 2009
    By johnny
    I want to make a careful exploration of who I am (Galatians 6:4), so here begins a series of the exploration of me, my heart, my belief, my works, my destiny... and so much more.

    A Brief History:

    Ever since I could remember, I love to listen to music. I learned my first English song "Country Road, Take Me Home" when I was four, and I fell in love with "Billie Jean", "Black or White", and "Bad" at the age of 6. Memorizing lyrics has always been my habit of listening to music.

    Enough about childhood memories. After playing classical music on the piano for more than ten years, I encountered worship music after I accepted Jesus at the age of 15. Suddenly my heart was drawn to worship so much that I decided to drop classical music at once and turn my focus on playing piano to worship this God who is worthy of my everything.

    I moved back to SoCal and started to be more involved in worship at my church, Impact Harvest Church. It has been a good two years, and I have learned so much about corporate worship and what worship means, what worship carries, and most importantly, what the role is of a worship leader. Let me quote Bob Kauflin, author of "Worship Matters", a book from which I have been gaining knowledge regarding to worship lately.

    What's the greatest challenge you face as a worship leader? You might think it's deciding which songs to sing, getting along with your pastor, receiving feedback from church members, or leading a team of unorganized, independent musicians.

    Nope. Your greatest challenge is what you yourself bring to the platform each and every Sunday.

    Your heart...

    It all comes down to the matter of the heart. Despite the dreadful rehearsals and unorganized arrangements and tiring spirits, I have to examine my heart before I set foot on that stage: Is there a war going on inside of me? Do I love other idols in place of Jesus? Do I care more about the arrangements and the tightness of the band more than the presence of God? Do I have pride and think that I am superior than others?

    Bob also writes, "[You] could lead others in worshiping God and be worshiping something else in [your] own heart."


    "Genuine worship is the worship from the heart. Worship is an act of love, it's a fact that what we love the most will determine what we truly worship."

    So how do I know what I love the most? By looking at my life outside of Sunday morning. What do I enjoy the most? What do I spend the most time doing? Where does my mind drift to what I don't have anything to do? What am I passionate about? What do I spend my money on? What makes me angry when I don't get it? What do I feel depressed without? What do I fear losing the most? Our answers to those questions will lead us straight to the God or gods we love and worship.

    That's why as worship leaders our primary concern can't be son preparation, creative arrangements, or the latest cool gear. Our primary concern has to be the state of our hearts.

    I'll end on what Isaac Watts, a great hymn-writer, once wrote:
    The Great God values not the service of men,
    if the heart be not in it:
    The Lord sees and judges the heart;
    he has no regard to outward forms of worship,
    if there be no inward adoration,
    if no devout affection be employed therein.
    It is therefore a matter of infinite importance,
    to have the whole heart engaged steadfastly for God.

    Lord, let my heart beat with Your heart, and let Your heart be in place of mine. I do not wish to be blinded by superficial and materialistic things of this world when it comes down to worship. Unveil my eyes to see Your works and open my ears to hear Your voice. I want my heart to be completely and indefinitely set ablaze for You and You alone, Jesus. Take 100% of me as I offer up my heart as a sacrifice of praise. Here I am, Lord.

    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  19. By This We Know Love

    Tuesday, October 6, 2009
    By johnny
    By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.
    -1 John 3:16-

    By This We Know Love from Sovereign Grace Ministries.


    God of all Creation, Lord of heaven's light
    Descended into evil's darkest night
    Infinitely Holy, Your perfections know no end
    Selflessly You died my rightful death

    By this we know love that He laid down his life
    God's very own Son came from Heaven to die
    Suspended He hung as He shed His own blood
    What grace in His pardon, by this know love

    Forsaken man of sorrows, hated by all men
    You willingly surrendered for my sin
    Scornfully derided, yet in silence stumbling on
    Bearing wrath for all that I've done wrong
    © 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)

    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  20. Creative Inpiration

    Sunday, October 4, 2009
    By johnny
    Ralph and I @ the Palazzo in Las Vegas
    Showing off his new ic! berlin sunglasses
    At the Int'l Vision Expo

    I would never have thought I'd be inspired in Vegas, but this man kinda caught me off guard. Ralph Anderl is the founder/GM of ic! berlin, now one of the top brands of eye-glasses. This man's mind is like a creative machine, and he has the perfect charisma for what he does - to present his product in creative, provocative, and artistic ways.

    As you can see, he really enjoys being "THE" model for the latest ic! berlin sunglasses... In just 13 short years, ic! berlin reached its successful years, and I believe more and more ideas and products will just keep on popping out of Ralph's mind. I am inspired by his character -- married with 2 boys (six and nine), his energy level is sky high; and his charisma -- besides his height, wherever he goes he carries a presence because that's who he is. Lastly, he really enjoys what he does and pours everything into it -- making cool glasses.

    The way he package his brand really caught my attention -- simple, fun, yet sometimes in your face -- now I am thinking more about marketing and packaging instead of numbers, numbers, econ, numbers.... ggaaaahhhhh!!! I forgot I still have school waiting for me!

    Back to the Word for a sec here:

    Make a careful exploration of who you are
    and the work you have been given,
    and then sink yourself into that.
    Don't be impressed with yourself.
    Don't compare yourself with others.
    Each of you must take responsibility
    for doing the creative best you can
    with your own life.
    -Galatians 6:4~5- (The Message)

    I think that is one of the important instructions that everyone should follow in this life, and whether you are a believer or not, if you walk toward the promise, you shall be honored and rewarded. I have heard people coming to Christ because they started tithing and seeing fruits before they accepted Jesus! I believe God honors the decisions we make; however, the foremost decision in this life is still to know Him and be known by Him, to love Him and be loved by Him. I pray that Ralph would come to know Jesus and know who he is in Christ!

    I think during the next month or so I would dig deeper into myself and "make a careful exploration of who I am and the work I have been given", after that I would SINK MYSELF into that! I definitely want to do the creative best I can with my life! Lord, help me to search me out. Love ya Jesus! Thank You for Your presence in Vegas, and I declare that city is Yours!

    Johnny

    ps. As I was reading Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin (a really amazing book), a thought popped into my head: if there is the Kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness, New Jerusalem and wherever Antichrist will reign, then let us see a SIN-LESS city shining light of truth against the SIN city? Or maybe the SIN city would become SINless? hmm... thoughts?
    Continue reading »
  21. The Presence of God

    Sunday, September 27, 2009
    By johnny

    ...is always glorious and beautiful.

    I gotta say that today was a sweet service. God was doing something real sweet. The worship was powerful, joyful, and responsive -- as soon as we started to declare God's nature, He just can't wait to come to those who worship Him in spirit and in truth! Holy Spirit was working during the worship time and brought tears to many because His presence was right there touching hearts and changing minds. Annie mentioned to me that she felt like today's worship will be something different. Even though there was no one needed healing, I believe the worship today was beautiful in comparison to many other times. I felt like the band reached somewhere we've never been to for the past several months, and I can't really describe it in words. The spirit of unity during worship was super sweet, and all we wanted was the presence of Jesus; He surely showed up!

    Sing A New Song
    Well, today we bursted out in a spontaneous worship between songs, and we started to sing "All my life is Yours my Jesus / All my heart is Yours my Jesus". This song actually came out of a free worship during our band practice on Saturday morning, and somehow the Lord fit that into our Sunday worship. I think we've found our sound through this chorus, and I can't wait for more! Keep 'em new songs coming... God's been giving us our own sound =D

    I once again would like to thank everyone in the band:
    Annie, Andy, George, J, Shinny, Kay, Grace, Aaron. You guys are the best and I love you for who you are and your heart for worship the King of kings and Lord of Lords! I'm excited to run with you and find our own sound!




    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  22. Break Rebellion, Send Revival

    Saturday, September 26, 2009
    By johnny
    2 Chronicles 7:14

    If My people, who are called by My Name,
    would 1) humble themselves and pray
    and 2) seek My face
    and 3) turn from their wicked ways

    then will I 1) hear from heaven
    and 2) will forgive their sins
    and 3) heal their land.

    One of my favorite verses because it's God's promise - and His promises never fail!

    Impact called for an urgent prayer meeting tonight regarding to this: www.TheCall.com

    Once again I just want to share what I posted back on July 4th of this year:

    Who are You? You'd say to me
    It seems like yesterday that we were side by side
    Though it's been decades
    Here I am standing, arms open wide

    Happy birthday, Unite States of America
    I have always loved you
    Even before you were born
    I have loved you

    You have turned away and come against me
    But I can't help but to see
    Your true and beautiful identity
    Through my eyes of love and mercy

    As the people of God turn to Him in humility and repentance on behalf of their land, they would start praying God's promise into being and see the fruit because God cannot lie and He is faithful all the time!

    God, break rebellion and send revival to America!

    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  23. First Day of School - completely insane

    Friday, September 25, 2009
    By johnny
    Here's what I did today: I went back and forth from school to home FIVE TIMES.

    For some weird reason I woke up at 5:30am (with only 2 hours of sleep) and couldn't fall back to sleep; well, neither could Peter, who has had jet lag for the past week. So I drove Peter to school @ 8am and dropped him off at his classroom, went to Mac D to get some McGriddle. Later on I found out that I ordered #8 instead of #7. So all I had was two fatty pancake with a sausage patty. Well, @ 9am I took the school shuttle (without my student ID because I couldn't find it... got scorned by the driver) to my first class - Intro to Western Music. It was a quicky since the prof talked only about the syllabus. Then I got so tired that I went back home with Peter to take a 2-hour nap before my next class at 3:30. I only slept for an hour, then I found my ID, yet realized that I needed a bus sticker in order to actually get on the buses for free. So, for the third time I went to school by car just to get that sucker sticker on my student ID. Got home and went straight to the shuttle stop with Peter @ around 3pm. After that dreadful Econ class for an hour, I couldn't stand it anymore so once again we took the shuttle back home. After another hour of napping, I had to yet again, FOR THE FIFTH TIME, venture to that familiar land of UCSD to attend my last class of my FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. I am tired, beat down, torn, and in need of some good rest. It's pretty much the same for Peter since he has to try very hard to stay awake during the day in order to correct his jet lag.

    I guess I have probably experienced the craziest day of my college life (so far) - and it's the first day of school! How marvelous! I just can't wait for more! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

    But hey, Peter and I got to pray for this gentleman John whose left ankle was dislocated from taekwondo 20 years ago. He didn't feel any significant change yet he was encouraged! Come on, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Let us all release it to those who want it!

    Johnny
    Continue reading »
  24. Back to School... and the Blog World

    Thursday, September 24, 2009
    By johnny
    I've been thinking of doing a Vlog, but I don't have eloquent words to say, so I gave up the idea even though Vlog looks pretty awesome; on the other hand, I don't want too cause an positive outburst because I finally show my face on my blog on a regular basis! :P

    Well, after almost 3 months of traveling and some chaotic events, I am back to San Diego, poised and ready to.... LEAVE! lol. Just kidding. Another school year starts tomorrow and I am excited to be back to this familiar place with familiar and new faces to keep on preaching the good news, healing the sick, and expanding the Kingdom. I feel like there's more awakening in the spirit this year with fellow believers on campus regarding to campus-wide revival with healing, signs, and wonders.

    The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
    Ask the Lord of the Harvest, therefore,
    to send out workers into his harvest field.
    Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
    -Luke 10:2~3- (NIV)

    Here's The Message version:
    What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands.
    So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest
    to send harvest hands.
    On your way! But be careful --
    this is hazardous work.
    You're like lambs in a wolf pack. Muhaha.
    -Luke 10:2~3- (The Message; italics added)

    It's very interesting how the phrase "on your knees" gets into the Message. Those three words caught my eyes - a truth a simply can't ignore. I believe God's reminding me where I should begin the work: on my knees. Jesus told the disciples to be on their knees before He commend them to be on their way and do some damage to the devil's kingdom.

    So, we need to be ON OUR KNEES before we can be ON OUR WAY.

    Sounds like a good name for a group - OOKOOW? sure. But I'm going to follow what Jesus said to His disciples two thousand years ago because He never changes, and His plans are always the best. From now on I will blog a series about On Our Knees and another about On Our Way. Pumped.

    Regarding to what happened for the past 2.5 months, I shall report with yet another fruitful and long post in the next few days. Stay tuned!

    And did I mention I'm living in basically the best place ever?!... pictures will be posted later next week after Peter and I finish some decorating and touch-ups!

    I'm back, and God is still so good to me!

    Johnny
    Continue reading »

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blind eyes open you only live once.
open your eyes.
His love never fails. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
~Ephesians 2:10~

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