Israel is PRECIOUS to God

Isaiah 43:1-7 (niv)

(Isaiah 42 talks about Israel's blindness & deafness)
But now, this is what the Lord says -
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

你從水中經過，我必與你同在；
你蹚過江河，水必不漫過你；
你從水中行過，必不被燒，火焰也不着在你身上。

For I am the LORD, you God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, "Give them up!"
and to the south, "Do not hold them back."
Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.

“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”

大約兩年前，第一次張茂松牧師被邀到我們教會講道，他說的一句給我留下很大的影響，“你們要向神大大開口，向他要，不需要向神客氣。”向神求，祂會給你，也許給你的不照著你所求；但你不求就不會得着。就因著這樣的教導，後來當我看著我的老大因老三的出生必須要自己坐到van的後座，中間讓給弟弟妹妹，我心裏就覺得這樣好委曲他，因為他很想跟我們聊天講話，但坐在前座的我和Jerry都沒辦法聽到他講話。加上那部van常常出狀況。我便開始向神求。“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”

後來我們原本那部van終於垮了，也不能開了，花錢修了還是坏，就決定把它賣了。我和小孩就更迫切地向神求，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”爲什麽迫切呢？Van沒有了，3個小孩擠到轎車後座，加上3個carseat，我覺得實在‘慘不仁賭’。因為位子太擠，我們還硬把3個carseat擠進去，變成小孩都得斜著坐，有時靠不到椅背booster seat還會往前滑，而且，安全帶也變得很難係上。。。但是，我們這個禱告神始終仍未應允。Joshua問我，爲什麽神還沒給我們8個座位的van呢？我就很爽快地告訴他，神的時間還沒到啊！也許神覺得我們沒有這個需要。Jerry曾問我，爲什麽一定要求8個座位的van？我們原本的轎車不是很好嗎？小孩坐得不舒服也是他們學習的機會。況且我們沒這筆錢買一部新的van。要神送我們，也太奢侈了吧！我裏面，多多少少有些些的定罪，但我知道了解我的天父，祂看到我的心，不懷惡意，也並不是貪愛虛榮，我求錯了，祂不會生氣我，我相信神會按著他的美意成就美事。所以，我還是和孩子繼續的求，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”

這樣禱告了好長一段時間，日子還是一樣過，孩子還是習慣擠在後座。後來，神帶領我們全家搬遷到Kansas City。我還是禱告，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”我們原本那部轎車問題也挺多，要從加州開到Kansas City實在需要神跡。我當時在想，神會在這時候給我們van嗎？如果沒有，我相信神也可以保守我們的轎車把我們帶到Kansas City。日子越來越接近。有一天，有位會友心懷好意的告訴我們他有心要送我們一部van。我心在想，這是神對我們禱告的回應嗎？日子倒數，５天，４天，３天，２天，１天。。。都沒有。最後４－６天想買部二手van，怎麽找也找沒有。好了，要開車走了，行李堆得滿滿的，我還挺天真的告訴Jerry，“你看，我不是把行李都擠進去了嗎？”有智慧的他花了好幾分鐘時間向我解釋車子裏的東西太重會帶下來的結果。當時，車子裏的氣氛很沉重，比行李更沉重。我心對主說，雖然我好害怕，但我仍然相信你會付我們責任，他我們帶到你呼招我們去的地方。因為我當時沒辦法體會Jerry的掙扎，（請看他的blog，他有訴説他當時的心情和掙扎），我還以爲他生我的氣。

就當我們帶著沉重的心情，坐在沉重的車子裏，準備要出發時，神伸出祂的手，實在是“借給我們一部新的van，是７個座位的”！！我和Jerry實在是太感動了！再一次謝謝蔡國文牧師（牧師爸爸）的愛心和慷慨，我到老，都會重復敍説這個經歷，也會不斷謝謝蔡牧師。

長話短説，我認爲這就是神給我這段日子所禱告的回應。這樣的回應，我心已經深深被感動。也從那時開始，我就不再做那禱告了。

在預定的時間，把車子還給牧師，回台灣看Jerry的父母。計劃Jerry自己把轎車開回來，而我和小孩坐飛機回來，這樣可以給轎車少一點的負擔。我們根本就沒有想到要買車了。沒想到，在台灣回加州那短短的５天内就買到了一部２００６年的van，而且是８個座位的喲！更好笑的是，當小孩坐上去時，就說“這是牧師爺爺的van”。真的，長得和牧師那部很像。雖然我因調時差很累，但我好開心，因為神繼續在垂聼我和小孩這麽久以來的禱告。的確，祂要做的不一定如我們所想象的。但祂絕不誤事，還常常給我們驚喜！

這是我求的，
“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”

這是神的answer，　
“暫時借你們一部新的van，是７個座位的。再讓你們買一部二手van，是８個座位的.

感謝主！

Pray for our traveling back to KC

I'm bringing my 3 kids to fly back to KC on the 15th of December. Please pray for us that we'll fly safely home at KC. Pray that the kids will fully and joyfully cooperate with me. Pray that it will be a good time of fellowship and for openness between me and my children.

Also, please pray for Jerry as he will be driving back to KC by himself. Here are a few things you may pray for him...

1. the used van that we just bought will function well.
2. Jerry will not be sleepy while on the road.
3. Jerry will be able to stay wide awake while driving.
4. Safety
5. No snow!!!! I don't think Jerry has ever driven in the snow...
6. No ice on the road too.
7. Good time fellowshipping with the Lord while Jerry is alone in the van.

Thank you for partnering with us as we embark in this new journey in serving the Lord! God bless you and your family!

Touching moments during LA trip

1. One lady came up to me for a casual "hi" and greeting and unexpectedly, she was in tears during our conversation when she mentioned something dear to her heart. Seeing that melts my heart too. So then we prayed for each other and she was literally in lots of tears... I saw something about her and I really think it was so precious. I saw one day she'll be standing with her daughter telling testimonies about the restoration God is doing between her and her daughter (who is already loving and serving the Lord passionately). If one day I get to stand in front of the pulpit with my children and we together share our testimony about God's work in our lives, that is one of the great great reward a mom can have!

2. During a fellowship time, and in the midst of laughters and eating, a newly baptized Christian was in tears sharing her recent experience. She said she asked God "Will You really take care and be responsible for my future path?" She is a very joyful person, so even when she was in tears, she still laughed. So people laughed with joy along with her too. But I do really want to find out what did she mean by that question. After asking her for details, I was in tears too. She said God loves her so much and so she wanted to give her life to Jesus and want to serve Him with the rest of her life. Her husband isn't a believer yet and she wasn't sure how her husband would react to her decision. She was wondering, not in doubts, but in desperation, will God take care of her life and the path she is going to take each day when she gives her life to serve Jesus. I immediately felt the love of God pouring on us, and I'm amazed at the work of God in her life in such a short time.

3. A dear sister of mine has been spending her precious time with me this weekend during her busy schedule. That touches my heart too. She's been asking me out this weekend but due to the jet lag with my kids I wanted to just stay home so my kids can rest and not having too much stimulation. So she came to be with us at where we stayed, even though she herself was tired too. Trully (is that how you spell it?) friendship is a blessing from God to bless our heart. After I gave the kids a bath tonight, she was there to help them get clothed. The next thing I knew, she took a book and started reading it to the kids. Awww... that was so so so sweet. She used to come to my house once a week, when I was living in LA, to help out with the kids so I can have a break from the unending housework and 'kids'work. My kids love her and love listening to her reading them books. Thank you, sister!

4. Friends of us have given us a lot, their time, their love, their care, their food, and their love offerings. I'm blessed to know you all!

Prayer Letter #1

弟兄姐妹們，平安：

我們於2009年6月領受 神的呼召，全家搬去Kansas City，加入International House of Prayer，在幾個月的禱告、學習、尋求之後，我們決定成為禱告宣教士，為要幫助華人教會更深刻的認識 神的愛，點燃眾聖徒禱告的熱情火焰，預備主耶穌基督的再來。

禱告宣教士 intercessory missionary是I.H.O.P.同工的服事稱謂，一邊禱告，一邊宣教，服事的範圍包括城市佈道、醫病、幫助homeless、校園禱告會等等。11月和12月最近更是經歷了在IHOPU大學中的學生復興，許多人病得醫治，靈魂得著釋放，這兩個月I.H.O.P.每一天都有上千人的聚集。

目前秀君在 “琴與爐” 和末世的信息方面，有深刻的學習，而我在認識 神的情感和與 神親密的關係上有重大的突破，我們明白 神不只要我們自己得著這些信息的好處，更是要我們屬靈的體質徹底改變，來祝福華人教會和機構。

我，秀君和三個孩子Joshua, Samuel 和Cheryl 需要您的支持。

我們誠摯的邀請您
1. 在禱告上支持我們，請常用弗1：17-19，弗3：16-19等經文為我們祝福。

2. 常關心我們在禱告上和生活上的學習，可上網閱讀
http://jerrychowatihop.blogspot.com/
http://siewchiun.blogspot.com/
或上http://www.ihop.org/ 關心I.H.O.P.的動向

3. 將您的代禱事項email給我，jerrychow_1999@yahoo.com，我委身每個禮拜三早上，為眾華人教會，機構，弟兄姐妹代禱

4. 在財務上支持我們，可

方法1：支票開給 IHOP-KC，附上您正確的地址，在隔年2月前將拿到退稅的收據 (根據IRS的規定，請絕對不要在支票任何部分寫上我們的名字)。請將支票寄到我們個人的郵政信箱，我們將轉交給I.H.O.P.。請寄給Jerry Chow, P.O. Box 9811, Kansas City, MO 64134

方法2：若是希望匿名，可仍按方法1，支票開給 IHOP-KC，支票上有您正確的地址，仍絕對不要在支票任何部分寫上我們的名字，但是，附上一個sticky note，或是一個便條，指明給Jerry Chow,將支票寄到Finance Office, International House of Prayer, 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64137. 有問題可詢問I.H.O.P. (816)763-0200，轉Finance Office.

方法3：支票開給 Jerry Chow，可能免去一些我們在稅務的負擔，請將支票寄到我們個人的郵政信箱Jerry Chow, P.O. Box 9811, Kansas City, MO 64134。

神祝福您！

您的禱告夥伴

Jerry Chow 12-11-09

fun with kids

Walking to prayer room and back home is becoming a 'romantic date time' with my boys.

1. Joshua came up with this game which he enjoys so much - see who spy the most squirrels. It is Fall time and squirrels are busy collecting food, I supposed they're collecting acorns, to store in their tree holes for winter.

2. Rainy day game 1: dry socks when we get home. This is a fun game for the boys. Instead of telling them not to step on puddle and explaining to them why they shouldn't step on puddle... I came up with this brilliant idea, which I believed is from the Lord, to encourage them to try keeping their socks dry.

3. Rainy day game 2: catch leave that fall from the trees with our umbrellas. For me, it is so beautiful to see rains pouring, and see colorful leaves falling off the trees when the wind blows, and I told Joshua "Don't you think it look like snow falling off the sky?" For Joshua, catching leaves on his umbrella is fun! He loves it. He actually got 1 stick on his umbrella!

4. making crunchy sounds on dry leaves by stepping on them and jumping on them. Even Cheryl loves this game. On our way to prayer room, there're so many leaves on the ground. It is so beautiful.

5. spy bird nest. Now that leaves are falling, some trees have no more leaves left. And so it is easy to see if there're any bird nest. We saw 3 today.

6. story telling. Samuel loves this one. I enjoy listening to his cute stories. He talks with so much expression and just the way he talks makes me laugh. I wish I could write down all those lovely stories he told me.

One time Samuel said "I'll bring Grandma to hiking."
Me: "Where?"
Samuel: "California."
Me: "Why?"
Samuel: " Because I don't want her to go back to New York."

Another time Samuel said "There is a boy and he loves God and he loves the Bible and he reads the Bible everyday and he obeys God and what God says in the Bible... and he gives many toys to other children... and he gives food to his neighbor... and when his sister fall, he carefully and gently help her up without laughing at her..... and that is me (Samuel)!!!"

I love my Muelmuel! I love my Joshua! And I love my Meimei!

Today Cheryl said "keekee". And I realized she meant "cookie". And I tried to teach her say "cookie". Then I said "oo" a few times and she got it. Then I said "coo" and she said "kee". So I remember she can said "coo coo" in Chinese means cry. So I said "coo coo". Finally she said "coo coo kee kee". SO CUTE!!!!! I love it!

I love how Cheryl kisses me a lot! My girl!

I'm so blessed with my children! Thank you God!

H&B 1 - Sustaining reality behind 24/7 prayer

Can I repent for sin for 24/7 for years and years? No!
Can I bind the devil 24/7 for years and years? No!
To be honest, I can't even do that for a few hours. I'd get exhausted, worn out, eventually bored and gave up (unless God show up.) I believe in repenting of sins in private setting as well as in corporate setting, I believe in rebuking the evil spirits too. But it is not something I'd do 24/7 for years.

How can IHOP do 24/7 prayer for the past 10 years? I've heard that people come and go, but the fire of the altar is still kept burning and has never gone off. There're also more and more people join IHOP. IHOP has 500+ full time staffs now, and the staffs do not get paid by IHOP, they raise support. There must be something powerful.... here's the answer I got from my H&B Handbook.

The sustaining reality behind the IHOP-KC prayer model of 24 hour a day prayer is encountering God in His beauty.

The power to engage in night and day prayer is found in having a heart that soars in God. We cannot repent of sin nor bind the devil 24 hours a day for years and years. Yes, we do engage in prayers with this focus, but not as the main model of 24/7 prayer.

If we're honest to ourselves, we all love beauty. We like to feel beautiful, like to look at things and people who are beautiful, we like beautiful houses, cars, clothes, scenery, pictures... Our desire for beauty is not sinful, in fact, it is a God-designed longing which He placed in us when He created us. Beauty itself is not sinful. God Himself is the source of all true beauty. Only God Himself can fully satisfied this longing for beauty He designed in us. His beauty can fascinate our heart and awaken us; and the beauty He imparts in us can truly beautify us. (The Seven Longings of the Human Heart talks about this in details.)

How can we have enjoyable prayer? Understanding of God's beauty and God's burning desire (affection) for human beings. This is the primary source of power that will fuel the End-Time prayer movement.

This verse sums up David's life-long preoccupation as gazing on the beauty of God.
Psalm 27:4 "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek:... all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD..."

The revelation of God's beauty fascinate our hearts. When we understand God's beauty, we can enjoy Him more. Encountering God's beauty and God's desire for us is where we most enjoy our primary reward, which is God Himself. Jesus is our primary reward. God spoke to Abraham and "I am your exceedingly great reward" (Gen 15:1). Even though spiritual breakthrough is fantastic, but it is not our primary reward but our secondary reward. Being involved in H&B ministry (in one way or another) for the past 9 years, my most enjoyable moments are those I encountered Jesus and was amazed by the revelation of who God is and how much He loves and cares for us. When spiritual breakthrough became my primary focus, I'd be disappointed most of the time when responses are delayed. But I remember who I was being nourished and nurtured and refreshed after H&B session because I encountered Jesus.

There were times when I was sidetracked and lose my focus on Jesus. But now I want to turn my focus back to this beautiful God. Jesus is the reason I sing, He is the reason I play the piano, He is the reason I sing the Scripture. In the midst of this, I will behold His beauty. Yes, Jesus, I want to behond Your beauty all the days of my life!

(A lot of the content are from "Harp & Bowl Handbook II 2005 edition)

Change II

I will change the understanding and expression of Christianity in the whole earth in one generation. "(The Lord spoke this to Mike Bickle on Sept. 1982 in Cairo, Egypt)

God will change the expression of Christianity. There're 4 heart standards that are essential to the "change" in which the end-time church was to function. Here...

I = Intercession
H = Holiness of Heart
O = (Extravagant) Offerings
P = Prevailing Faith

Revelation 9:21 also describes 4 primary sin patterns prior to Jesus' return. The 4 essential heart standards war against these 4 primary sin patterns at the end of the age.

I = Intercession vs. Murder
H = Holiness of Heart vs. Sexual Immorality
O = (Extravagant) Offerings vs. Theft
P = Prevailing Faith vs. Sorceries

God is inviting us now to fully embrace the 4 heart standards that will fuel our war against sin and darkness in the day to come. Saying "yes" now is hard, but waiting to say "yes" until that day, will be nearly impossible. These aer our "weapons' in our war against lust now and our victory over the spirit of the antichrist in the days to come.

I = Intercession vs. murder
End time church will be built upon night and day prayer (Isa. 62:6). 24/7 prayer in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David. The final description of the church is a bride in full unity with the Holy Spirit crying out in intercession for her Beloved (Rev. 22:17). At the end of the age, there'll be little to no regard for life, no love for mercy, no capacity for compassion and great injustice raging throughout the nations. It will be a very dark time of history. However, in the mercy of God, the earth will be filled with songs of deliverance and justice during the greatest time of bondage to injustice the world has ever witnessed.

H - Holiness of Heart vs. sexual immorality
End time church will be built upon holiness of heart, having a joyful, buoyant heart that is 'fully alive' in the love of God. True love as God defines as demonstrates itself through our obedience in the secret place of our hearts (inward thoughts) and its subsequent overflow in our outward actions with joy. True rightousness hurts, it costs us something, because we turn from things that we really want to do and rending our hearts (Joel 2:12-13). Some wrongly believe that if its God's grace, then there is no pain. There is a real tearing, called enduring the cross that comes before true joy. On the opposite end, sexual immorality will be widespread and common. It will be accepted as a societal standard and expressed far beyond what we can imagine today. What is done in secret today, that which is shameful and unspeakable, will be the norm and will be done openly, boldly, an dproudly in the days to come. They cannot grasp that it is sinful, shameful, or wrong to do these things. We're already seeing this today the beginning of it. Where the end time church finds its satisfaction and anchor will function as a direct rebuke and provocation to the peoples. Thus, holiness of heart, or 'love-fueled holiness' is the only thing that will help the church overcome the wave of darkness, filth and sexual immorality that will wash over the nations.

O = (Extravagant) Offering vs. Theft
End time church will be built upon extravagant giving to the poor. This speaks of living simply and not poverty mentality. And intentionally taking less so that we could give more to the harvest and the poor of the earth.

I have to say something about this, I used to be trapped and lived with poverty mentality for years, keep thinking that I'm poor, I don't have enough to buy more, to pay for Christian school tuition fee for my children... but that's not spiritual at all, and not from the Lord at all. Since that poverty mentality is so wrong, I used to struggle with "Why are you buying these for others who are rich and have so much already while on the other hand getting mad at me when I buy something for our children???" Honestly, I felt very injustice. Years later, I directed my complain to God. One time He gave me a dream (I think God knows I won't hear Him if He whisper to me). In that dream, I gave a big amount of money to a pastor and I could remember the exact amount of money. I woke up and with a desire to give bursting in me, I did as I had dream. Seriously, I've never felt so much joy in me, not even when I spend lots of money on myself. I'm never too poor to give. Even the widow Jesus made a good comment on, she was poor yet she had something to give. Today, God is still working in me to break that poverty mentality layer after layer. I know one day I'll walk freely in that anointing of extravagant giving.

One of the biggest unaddressed strongholds in the church is covetousness, probably bigger than immorality, yet it is nearly absent in most of our conscience. Because of massive poverty and desperate famine that will touch every person on the earth in the coming days, thefts, bribery, and corruption will plague the entire earth. Therefore a commmitment to live simply knit to an overflowing free heart in the area of money is critical in a time when one man (antichrist) will quickly assume control the majority of the world's wealth (Rev. 13:17; 17:16; 18:10-19). It will shock the global community to see the church "outgiving" the nations in serving the poor, during a time when most people are only serving themselves.

P = Prevailing Faith vs. sorceries
End time church will be built upon prevailing faith or confidence in God's prophetic intervention for breakthrough in our internal reality (heart level) and in external circumstances; provision in need (no need to hoard money), protection when attacked (no need to defend or be vindictive), direction in time of darkness (eliminates fear and confusion) and power in weakness (signs and wonders). (Luke 18:8; John 14:12)

Sorceries and demon worship will be a normative expression of man's lust for supernatural power to preserve themselves and escape the torment of the devastation and destitution of that time.

These 2 groups will move i great supernatural, inexplicable power, as the rest of the earth watches to see whose God (or god) prevails in a unique clash of 2 kingdoms prior to Jesus' return. One group will reach their limit - as the sorcerers of Pharaoh and the prophets of Baal once did, while the other gorup will demonstrate the unlimited resource of power under the authority of the coming King.

COLD COLD FALL

Yes, it is Fall, but it is very cold.

50-60 degree in the day time and 30-40 degree at night.

Farmstead is still open but they'll close in winter.

One Saturday morning we went there again for our family time.

It was very very cold.

As a wise mom, I checked the weather ahead of time and have them clothed layer after layer.

Gloves, scarfs, warm jackets, hats...

We found out that the goats like to eat the leaves we picked from the trees.

So instead of paying money to buy food for the goats, we just picked them from trees.

It is fun to feed them.

My dear princess, wearing a jacket that is 1 size bigger.
She walked slower than usual because of the heavy clothes on her.
Many people made comments that she is so cute.
I agree. She is God's masterpiece!

What beautiful family!
God bless these beautiful children of God!
Bless them with spirit of wisdom and revelation!
Bless them that the eyes of their understanding being enlighten!
Bless them that they'll know what is the hope of Your calling,
what is the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in them,
and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power towards them who believe in You!
Bless them and fill them with Your fullness!

Bless them with joy and peace!
Bless them with patience and kindness!
Bless them with wealth that they'll have more to give!
Bless them with health and strength!
Bless them with the grace to know Your love and to love You wholeheartedly!

And bless me too!

CHANGE

(This is from Intro's notes)



"I will change the understanding and expression of Christianity in the whole earth in one generation. "(The Lord spoke this to Mike Bickle on Sept. 1982 in Cairo, Egypt)



1. God will change the understanding, which means the way that the unbeliever understands the church and Christianity as a whole.



Just reading this phrase at first didn't impress me at all. So, what? Who care what others think of us, if we only care for what God thinks of us... I used to be quite passive when come to things that don't directly and personally have something to do with me. But, look!



Acts 5:11-16 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people... Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women...



What God did in Acts, He will do again and with increasing measure to the fullness! Imagine this, or picture this in the mind, kings, presidents, leaders of nations and multitudes of people take seriously what the church is saying and doing! As of now, to others, church is only one of the many religions and ways to be good. They don't care what we're saying or preaching or teaching. They don't want us to mess up with the rights of other people in what gender they want to marry... or their decision to keep the baby in the womb or not... they see church as mostly boring, irrelevant and totally non-theatening. But before the Lord returns, this will change. God will change the understanding of Christianity. This is exciting!



2. God will change the expression, which means the way that the people of God express their life together, with the power of the Spirit and Sermon on the Mount lifestyles.



Isaiah 56:6 Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD... Even them I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet I will gather to Him others besides those who are gathered to Him."



I see how this is starting to take place even now. There're a lot of 'house of prayers' raised up, and more Christians are starting to get the joy of worshipping and praying before God. In the days to come, house of prayer is not just a side program among the many programs runned by a local church. It is exciting to see God bringing nations and make them joyful in His house of prayer. Before the Lord return, this will increases like never before and that generation will see it in it's fullness. People will actually like praying, enjoy praying in the house of prayer. Day and night! 24/7! Our life be Sermon on the Mount lifestyle 24/7 too! I heard someone preached "build up the tablernacle of David inside of you". To me, that means living out a lifestyle of prayer and worship, not limited to the location of where you are.



This is exciting for me. I might see it myself, I might not, depending on when the Lord's coming back and how long I'll live on earth, but the thought of how God will change the understanding and expression of Christianity excites me and stirs up so much hope in me. The God who did great miracles and signs and wonders, who sent judgment on Egypt with 10 plagues, who protected Daniel in the Lions' den, who protected Daniel's friends in the fire, who healed many sicks, and raised the death... will once again stretch out His hands in greater measure and in fullness. He has been performing His great and marvelous deeds, but the time is coming, His wonders and the works of His great power will fully manifest to the fullest. And, we, His Bride, will be in deep partnership with Him.



Yes, Christianity is not just getting save to have a passport to go to heaven. Is not just going to Sunday services and a few meetings here and there and enduring a boring life now as we wait for our eternal life in the future. Christianity is more than all these... I will spend my days to learn and to know and to experience Christianity as I've never experience before. I am enjoying my life as a Christian, I do!!!

Living before an audience of One

The story of a concert pianist in the last century that longed to play in the great concert hall in Vienna. When he finished his first concert before thousands, the people gave him a long standing ovation. Afterwards, he was asked, "Was it the greatest moment in your life to receive this long applause?" The concert pianist replied, "No! I liked it, but it was not the most important thing to me." He said, "When the people all sat down, an elderly man who sat in the top corner of the balcony simply nodded his head at me. That was the greatest moment of my life bcause he is the master who taught me for 30 years. One nod from him was worth much more than the long applause of the masses."

We live before an audience of One. Receiving the nod from our Master has great power in our hearts. It has more power than the approval of all others.

I love the book of Revelation!!!

I remember, very vividly, how I loved the book of Revelation in the year 1999. That was before I heard any message on Revelation from Mike Bickle. I remember one morning I read Revelation 4 and verses 2-6 stood out. As I walked to class from my dorm, I looked up the sky and those verses came up in my mind again and I was awestruck as if I saw the glory of God's throne with my own eye (I didn't see anything in the sky). My heart was so amazed by how majestic God's throne is. The One who sat on the throne in heaven has the appearance of jasper and carnelian (even though at that time I had no idea what those look like I still thought, in my spirit, it was awesome). A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. That must be so beautiful, beyond words can describe! And surrounding the throne were 24 elders, dressed in white and have crowns of gold on their heads, worshipping God days and nights. 7 lamps were blazing before the throne. And before the throne is a sea of glass, clear as crystal. For a while I loved to look at the sky as I walked back and forth to class and dorm. My heart was drawn to worship the One who sits on the throne of glory.

In 2000, I graduated from Moody and went to Agape Renewal Center in California. A group of us went to Kansas City and had a few days seminar at IHOP-KC. At that time, the house of prayer was in a small trailer. Mike Bickle was teaching on topics like harps and bowls in heaven (from the book of Revelation), days and nights prayer (book of Revelation), God's love for us (Song and Solomon), tabernacle of David... I fell in love with the book of Song of Solomon and started studying them. At the same time, something triggered in me and some of us who went. After we got home to San Francisco (actually in Belmont), we started gathering together at church around 5:30-6am (the morning prayer started at 7am)(we didn't tell each other we were going and we were surprised to see each other every morning) and I started playing on the piano and the worship leader started singing and people started joining us... there birthed our Harp and Bowl ministry, even though we didn't have much understanding. We sang through different parts of the Scriptures and I totally loved those worship and praises recorded in Revelation.

In year 2001, I went home for a month during our break. I remembered hearing from someone saying that the devil hates the book of Revelation, because it tells of his eternal destiny in lake of fire, so by reading out loud the book of Revelation will change the spiritual atmosphere around. I did that! I read the book of Revelations out loud whenever I got a chance when I was home.

In the years followed, I still love the book of Revelation but as I read them, I didn't understand majority of it. I only liked those part I understood, like 7 letters, the worship in heaven...

In 2009, which is now, I recently just completed a 3 month internship here at IHOP-KC. One of the many things I've learned here is the book of Revelation. Amazing. Now, as I read them, I can understand much more than I used to be. Even singing it along during the worship with the Word set in prayer room, I sang with more understanding and with more confidence. Oh, how I enjoy this!!! During Intro, we listened to 8 sessions of teaching from Mike Bickle's Omega course DVD on the book of Revelation. He gave us a clear outline of the book of Revelation and a clear overview. Then we had Revelation Trivia every Friday, 2 teams trying to answer question faster and earn more points. I have to admit that the Trivia actually pushed me to memorized the outline including the 21 judgments and seriously studied the Revelation study guide. I never thought I would be able to remember them all by memory but I did!! Even though our team didn't win, I really appreciate this Trivia activity.

Now that our busy schedule with Intro has come to an end, I set aside time to listen to CDs/MP3 teachings on Revelation which I bought. I totally enjoy it. I want to thank God for the book of Revelation and I want to thank God for Mike Bickle who teaches the book of Revelation with such clearity. I love the book of Revelation!!!!!!

3 more weeks!

Just for a short updates, I've been very disciplined with my time lately... trying to live a focused life... so much so that I don't have time to write anything here. I have a lot that I want to share but I just don't have time to write them yet. After our Intro program is over, I will find time to share more. :) Meanwhile, read Jerry's blog... he is a great writer!

What is IHOP-KC??

My first impression of IHOP-KC is a place where people gather for worship and prayer for 24/7. I had this understanding of IHOP for the past 9 years. After I sat through some classes here, I realized that IHOP is more than that.

IHOP is International House of Prayer in Kansas City.

It is an international missions organization committed to
1. Prayer (intercession, worship, healing, prophesying, etc)
2. Fasting
3. the Great Comission (proclaiming Jesus to all nations with power as the way to establish His justice in the earth).

IHOP's work includes gathering, equipping, and sending missionaries as dedicated intercessors and anointed messengers working to see revival in the church and a great harvest among the lost.

This is IHOP-KC three-fold vision
1. to call forth, train and mobilize worshipping intercessors that operate in the forerunner spirit as end-time prophetic messengers (Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 2:36-38)

2. to establish a 24/7 prayer room in Kansas City as a perpetual solemn assembly that "keeps the sanctuary" by gathering corporately to fast and pray in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David, as God's primary method of establishing justice ; full revival unto the Great Harvest (Lev 6:13; Ez 44:15; Lk 18:7-8)

3. to send out teams to plant houses of prayer in this nation and in every nation of the earth after God grants a breakthrough of his power in Kansas City (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). At this time IHOP send out people in a soft way that they initiate. However, after God's grants a breakthrough of the Holy Spirit in power then IHOP will send out anointed messengers (authority in intercession with signs and wonders) in an aggressive way.

(notes from "The Forerunner Ministry by Corey Stark)

Intro class

Jerry and I finally got a chance to take a picture during our break between classes. Usually we're so focused that we won't remember to take picture.

Ooops! Hahaha, our dear classmate, who is also in our small group... Steve. He is an artist (I should take a picture of his drawings... so beatiful) and a chef. He can't see the color blue, but he can draws and paints so well. What a miracle! One of the way he worship God is through his drawings. In the prayer room, you see people praying, reading the Bible, singing, and also drawing and dancing.

Steve has a sense of humor. They're trying to show how confused they are with the End Times teaching... so funny! This picture is taken right after our weekely End Times teaching on Revelations. I love that class! One time I wasn't feeling well physically but I insisted to go because I didn't want to miss this class.

This group of people are lining up, all facing our teacher, because it is our Bible trivia time on the book of Revelations. Each week 2 teams will compete to answer questions. This is fun! You have to raise your hand fast enough to be the first hand up so you can answer the question. It not only test your knowledge, but also how fast you raise your hand.
This is team 5, the Simeon. They're the 50 and above. This week they were competing with team 2. It was quite interesting because all the rest of us who are not in team 2 were very supportive on the Simeons. No one wantsedthem to lose... even though they did lose by a few points behind. Naturally people have a tendency to side with the "weaker" or the "elderly".

This place is not the Global prayer room where the ongoing 24/7 worship and prayer carries on. This is called "Justice prayer room". It is more like a place where new worship teams do their 2 hour set of worship and prayer. This past Wednesyday, we had this whole prayer room to our own class. A worship leader recruited some of the talented musicians from our Intro class and formed a new worship team. Our whole class was excited. They didn't have an opportunity to get together and practice, they just got up there and started worshiping. It was awesome!

The guy that was leading the worship, can't really see him in this picture, was playing the keyboard. His name is Jonathan Rizzo. All, except for the electric guitarist and the chorus leader, were from our Intro class.

This cute girl is our class' favorite! A lot of people like to take turn to carry her and take care of her during classes so her parents can take a break and concentrate on the teachings. She doesn't cry much. She isn't afraid of stranger too. She makes very cute sounds. This one time my friend's husband got to have her during class, so I took her picture. She was chewing my friend's watch and she made all these cute noises... so adorable!

Loose park - part II

Looks like Joshua is hanging on a tree branch...

Daddy and Muelmuel.... Joshua took this picture...

The camera boy...

Beautiful couple...

Joshua took this picture for us...

Beautiful flowers... beautiful boy...

Beautiful family...

Beautiful water fountain...

Beautiful Rose Garden inside Loose Park

Loose park - part I

One of our outdoor family time is park. Time to let them run around or ride their bike. We found this Spray park inside the Loose park but we got there way too early 9:30am and it isn't opened till 11am. Well, we'll try again next week. Since our schedule is pretty tight during the rest of the 6 days, so we use our day off Monday to bond with our children, and to do grocery shopping.

Daddy's heart

One of the big change we're going through since we came to IHOP-KC, is Cheryl's heart towards her daddy. Cheryl has become very attached to Daddy now. During Jerry's morning devotion time, when Jerry is connecting to the Heavenly Father's heart, Cheryl would climps on Jerry's lap and has her connecting time with her father. Jerry doesn't mind Cheryl scribling on his devotional journal. I can imagine when Cheryl grows up and sees this scribling on Jerry's journal and find out it was her scribling, it will means a lot to her because her daddy allows her due to his love for her.

You know how during worship sometimes we would sing repeatedly "Jesus Jesus...." or "阿爸父...". It not only warms up our heart to sing the name of our Lord Jesus or calling our Father in heaven, it also must be very sweet to our God's heart. Lately I've been hearing Cheryl singing a lot while we're driving. Many times I hear her singing "bababababa....." with different tunes. Her relationship with Jerry has grown so much lately that she sing of her Daddy whom she loves and who loves her. Just listening to her singing "爸爸爸爸babababa..." melts my heart. It was the sweetest thing as parents can hear from a 21months old daughter. Of course, sometimes Cheryl would also sing "爸爸...媽媽...哥哥...." Because we all like her a lot!

tornedo warning

I cut Cheryl's hair last night. Her hair was growing real long but she doesn't have a lot of hair. So I decided to cut it short so she can grow more hair. Somehow that was a concept taught when I was little. Also, it is hot in the summer, short hair is easier for mom to take care of. Anyway, her brothers didn't like it at all. They like her long hair and 2 pony tails. It is interesting how boys, in such young age, already have a understanding of how beautiful long hair is for girls. Personally, I like Cheryl with long hair too. But before we can enjoy that, we'll wait till we try and see if she can grow more hair. :)

I like the tall trees at this park, called Loose park.

Right behind the boys is a little tree, very cute.

I call this tree "Christmas tree".

I'm wondering how these trees would look like in winter time when snow cover them.

Must be very beautiful....

Today was our day off. In the afternoon, Joshua and I walked to the prayer room and when we were in there, we both heard weird alarm sound. I looked around, nobody seemed to be bothered by it. That alarm sound was repeating itself. I was sure it wasn't some kind of voices I heard from God, it almost sounded like the feedback on the mic at first. I was really bothered by that alarm so I packed up my belongings with Joshua and I was going to go home. On my way out, I saw a ursher and so I asked her. She told me it was a tornedo warning. What? Tornedo warning??? First time in my life! She suggested that I stay in the prayer room, closer to the front section. So Joshua and I went to sit on the front section and continued with our reading (he was drawing real cool stuffs!). I thought, what if tornedo hits our community? I had a confidence that God will protect his people, the tornedo will stop when it come close to the place where worship and prayers are offered up to God 24/7. I was glad I was in the prayer room when the tornedo warning went off. Then, I thought of my husband and Joshua and Cheryl. Yes, God will protect them too. Even if God allowed anything to happen to us, we will see each other in heaven for eternity.

Anyway, later I found out that the tornedo warning doesn't end till 7pm and it was only around 3pm. At 4pm, I decided to take the chance to walk home. The ursher told me she usually would stay inside building during tornedo warning, but she also said it was up to me if I want to walk home. So I did. Joshua and I were running all the way home. Well, I just walked very fast while Joshua ran. He really did! I didn't know he could run like this. Hahaha. We got home in just a few minutes. Well, the sun did came out hours later and we did went to the park and had our family walk around the park. Those pictures posted here were taken when we were at the park this evening.

The Power of a Focused Life (Corey Stark)

When we have a vision, it will keep us focused and disciplined with our time. When we have a vision, we will have restrain that line up with our vision.

Lately as I review my notes, I came across this set of notes and I realized even though we have really tight schedule here, I haven't been using my time wisely. So after some talk with God, I started to change my way of using time that is 'in betweens'. Guess what? I am now able to read more Bible, do more cleaning of the house, and spend more time with God as well. There're a lot of things that we want to do but have nothing to do with our vision, and that are unnecessary.

Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision/revelation/focus/commitment,
the people perish/cast off restraint.

I've heard many people asked me how do we hear God speaking to us? How do we know what vision God gives us? 3-4 of the most impotant things that the Lord has given to Mike bicle were just WHISPERS. Why weren't they trumpeted so we won't miss it? The Lord said "The humble and the hungry will obey the whisper." When the Lord has to doble or triple the volume, then there is a real downside related to testing and demonic persection whether you obey or not, but especially if you don't obey. For a hungry man the whisper is sufficient. These whispers are really holy invitations from the Lord and they are optional, He will not force us. I believe we all have heard whispers from the Lord before. Only the Lord knows how important these subtle invitations are for our future.

These invitations are exciting at first. But they quickly become a labor. The joy became a holy burden. The lord uses these divine burdens to prepare us for even greater future assignments, while forming our spiritual root system and DNA. These commitments form us, as well as, birth the purpose that we don't even know about yet.

So, let's just be attentive to the whispers from our Lord, and be faithful in the days of smallness, don't wait till the future or till things become big and seemed important.

Happy Birthday, Samuel!

We went to Sweet Tomato (Souplantation) to have dinner for Samuel's birthday. When we were eating, Joshua asked "I thought we're celebrating Samuel's brithday!". And ya, celebrating birthday shouldn't be just eating... so we take turn saying something we're thankful for having Samuel. While we were saying all these nice thing about Samuel, he just smiled and smiled. Yes, I'm very grateful to God for giving us such a sweet boy, Samuel. I remember times when I was mad at Joshua and Samuel would come to me and give me a loving smile and said "I love you, mom". Those words really touched my heart. Sometimes when I disciplined Cheryl for taking things away from her brothers' hands, minutes later I'd find Samuel give up the 'thing' in his hands and give it to Cheryl. Samuel is a very considerate boy. Before he sleeps, he would always ask me this question "Is Daddy gonna come see me later?" He looks for the affirmation that Daddy will come to see him later. Whenever I say 'yes', he would give me a glowing smile.

When he gets up in the morning, he would looks for Daddy. Of course, he is a gift from the Heavenly Father to Jerry. Samuel was born on 爸爸節.

I remember when Samuel was born, he had apnea. Even when I was discharged from the hospital to go home, I insisted to travel to the hospital everyday to visit Samuel in NICU. He was more important to me than my physical recovery. I remember I would cried whenever I hold him in my arms. God gave me wisdom to speak words of hope and live to him whenever I get a chance to see him. I told him "Be a good boy and breath!" He did! Praise God for healing Samuel.

Samuel is so blessed to have Joshua, Cheryl, Max and Brianna to celebrate his birthday, a beautiful creation of God. Yes, birthday is a time to celebrate because God creates a unique and precious human being in His own image. I can imagine the rejoicing going on in heaven for the birth of every human beings. Birthday celebration is a time to remember the value of a person. I want my children to know that they are important because they are created by God, and God has a destination and calling for their lives which will unfold to them as they grow up and seek God. I want my children to know who they are in Christ.

Birthday is a time to share and give. Contrary to my childhood, I want my children to know that when it is their birthday they get to share goodies with their friends. I remember when I was a child, birthday is about me me me me me and what I want! I was very selfish. I'm glad I don't see that in my kids, yet. I learn a lot from Jerry's kindness. Jerry bought some fruits, juices, and snacks for our classmates for Samuel's birthday. Samuel's birthday became an opportunity for us to give and share. Giving is a big thing here at IHOP. They teach us to give when we don't have much, like the 2 coins of the widow Jesus was impressed by.

Pleasing who?

I just had a great time with the Lord in the prayer room. I was reading the book of Acts for my devotion as usual, and these verses stood out to me

Acts 4:19-20
...Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God...
Acts 5:29
...We must obey God rather than men!

As I was pondering on these verses, how the apostles replied boldly to the people who were jealous with their ministry and persecute them... then I heard the worship leader at the prayer room and her team sang

Your yoke is easy
Your burden is light
Your yoke is humility
You laying down of Your life

They were singing of Jesus. Earlier I heard them singing about how we want to live for God and not for man's approval... Then I thought how is your yoke easy and light and humility and laying down of life??? Can laying down of life easy???

Then the worship leader entered into prophetic singing of the Words. Let me summarize what he sang, very anointed prophetic song.

Jesus serving his father (Joseph) day after day,
serving his mother (Mary) day after day,
In the strength of His youth He still stay the same, serving his parents,
doing nothing big (because He didn't start His ministry till he was 30)
People came to Him and asked
"Why are you still here? What are you doing here?
Why are you still not accomplishing anything?
Why don't you find a wife and have your own family?
Why are you wasting the time of your youth?
Why wasting your strength...?"
Then with a smile on His face,
Jesus said he was doing what His Father (Heavenly Father)'s will.
His reward is from the Father and His approval is from the Father.
He wasn't depressed. He wasn't sad or mad. He wasn't miserable.
He wasn't missing out any good thing.
He was having such joy in obeying the Father's will

That's right. Jesus didn't do anything out of His own, but He did everything in accordance to the Father's will. It is in obedience to the Father's will, that Jesus, fully God, came to the earth in the form of human being, He humbled Himself and allowed Himself to be limited in human frame, born to a virgin, went through infanthood and childhood like you and me... and healed many and performed many signs and wonders... and finally he laid down His life on the cross so He could redeem us the sinners who are under the curse!!!

It suddenly dawn on me that, even though sometimes obeying God's will might seemed hard to us, but it is actually freeing us from stress and burden that weren't meant for us. Like Jesus, we can have the joy that He had in obeying the Father's will.

Then the worship leader sang
Let the joy that was in You be in me.

Yes, changing diapers can be a joy for me. Cooking meals after meals can be a joy to me, cleaning up after the kids around the meal table everyday can be a joy to me. Living by faith, with no monthly income as a security, can be a joy to me. It is a new lifestyle here, living as an intern of intercessory missionary, can be a joy to me. Yes, let the joy that was in Jesus when He obeyed the Father be in me too.

That's how His yoke is easy, His burden is light, His yoke is humility, and laying down of His life.
Yes, we must obey God rather than man.

A testimony of restoration : Corey and Meredith

Today we got the privilege to hear the testimony of our leaders, Corey and Meredith. An awesome couple with a daughter who serve together with them.

Corey had a mom who was a methodist and a Jewish father, and they sent him to Catholic school. So as a child he was confused 'religiously'. He knew Jesus is real, but never interested in Him. He graduated from high school and thought he didn't need to spend money to go through college to learn how to make money, and he decided to start his own business to make money. God spoke to him in a audible voice, "Corey, give your life to me" and he said "No!" God didn't force him because He is a God who gives us freewill. Making money was Corey's live vision at that time. God showed favor to him and pretty soon he had his own business making a lot of money.

Meredith, came from a messed up family, lived with her mother who was abusive, and her 2 brothers. Meredith and her brothers were so close together. They knew what love was because they been through a lot together as siblings. As a child she would go visit her father with permission, and her father would be drunk most of the time and poured out his heart to her, telling her all the horrible things he been through during the Vietnam war. In the process, she became strong and learnt how to protect herself and her brothers and she learnt how to survive. At the age of about 14, she went to the court and got her freedom to leave her abusive mom. Before that she ran away from home a few times.

She was later married to a man, and they were doing heavy drugs. After a few years, she left him and God gave her strength to step out of drugs just like that (even though she didn't know God yet at that time).

Corey met Meredith at this restaurant that Meredith worked at and he wanted to pursue her. At this point, Meredith was struggling because her brother was battling against sickness. She blamed herself and felt guilty because it seemed to her that she could have did something for her brother instead of just leaving them with her mother. Her brother died a painful death and the process lasted 6 months (not long after Corey and Meredith married). Because Corey was very sweet to her and he didn't give up even though Meredith rejected him again and again, she finally decided to give it a try. At this time, Corey owned a huge successful business.

They clicked and soon they were married. They had about a 6 months great times together. They travelled a lot and they were who each other needed. Corey, a workaholic needed a wife who is fun like Meredith; while Meredith, who had been striving to survive by herself all these years needed a husband who she can leaned on.

After that 6 months of honeymoon period, Corey's accountant disappeared suddenly and they found out she had stolen a lot of the company's money and left Corey in huge huge dept. They were very desperate at this point. To a point Corey said he even heard demonic voices telling him to end his miserable life. Then one day he heard Jesus spoke the same words to him again "Corey, give your life to me". Corey said on one condition he would give his life to him, if God bring him out of this mess - to take care of all his debts. The next day he felt God telling him to call huge company to buy his business. The first call he made and he explained the situation to him, and that guy laughed him and said "I would buy your business after the IRS took it, so I won't have to pay anything". He was very disappointed and then he heard God urged him to call again. He did. This time, the guy said he would come in 3 days and he did, with a group of accountants and they calculated how much the employee had stolen and how much exactly the company owed... and he bought the business from Corey and even paid him $4000. Corey knew it was God's hand.

After this stressful days, Corey and Meredith went for 1 1/2 months (or 3 months, I don't remember) driving across the country to enjoy each other and the nature and spent the money they had. At the end of the journey, randomly, they stopped at Brownsville where revival was breaking out. They stepped into the building where the meeting was going on and they encountered the Lord there.

There, they spent all their money and had nothing left. They didn't know how they could drive back to their home. They prayed to God. The next day a lady came up to them and told them the Lord spoke to her to bring them to breakfast and after that, she gave them $20. They drove and drove, a long journey and all night driving they got home. When they woke up, they realized the $20 was still in his pocket and he didn't even add any gas to his car... wow, the Lord multiplied the gas miraculously!

Corey started to get involved in church. He failed in business, and now he was looking for success somewhere else. Later on God dealt with his issue on identity and freed him from having to prove his success in things he does. Anyway, at this point, his wife received a prophetic word. Someone told her God said He would heal her miscarriages (she had 8 miscarriages). Later on she did get pregnant and gave birth to the daughter that is with them now. However, through the pregnancy, she unusually gained 100 pounds, and she got very depressed. On the other hand, Corey was striving and working hard in ministry and he didn't like a depressed wife. Their relationship got real bad that they divorced. They made a deal to have each one takes care of the daughter 3 1/2 days per week for they both loved the daughter (Sammy) very dearly. (When Sammy was very little she had somehow gotten leads in her and her health was really bad. God healed her!) Meredith was mad and bitter and she started drinking.

5 years later, they got back together. It wasn't easy. When Sammy grow older, she would go up to the front to line up and pray on the microphone that her parents would reconciled, that her mom would stop drinking and that her father would.... she was very straightforward in her prayers. One time God spoke to Meredith that God would reconcile her marriage with Corey. She listened to God and started attending the church that Corey served at. Corey was still very mad at Meredith and didn't want to have anything to do with her. He welcomed her into the congregation like any other member, but he told the pastor, told her, and told everybody that they won't get back together. Since Corey had been serving in that church and people knew him first, they had a bias towards Meredith. So, for 3 years or so, she only had 1 friend but she pressed on.

On a random occasion, both of them signed up to attend a seminar without knowing the other person also in that program. The leaders in the program cast lot to put people into groups and by divine appointment, Meredith and Corey were in the same group with another 2 couples. The leader of that group didn't know Corey and Meredith and didn't know they were divorced. During one session, they were doing 'forgiving' and after the 2 couples did theirs, the leader asked Corey if he wanted to forgive Meredith. He tried and realized he couldn't. And the leader told him to ask the Lord why he coudln't forgive. Then God showed him that he was actually mad at himself because of the failures instead of Meredith.

They both signed up for counseling to be better parents for Sammy and eventually the counseling turned into being better spouse in marriage. God spoke to Corey that he should reconcile with his wife. They tried and things were really tough for them. At one point, they both were gonna give up. Then, before they were gonna meet and talk about giving up, God spoke the same passage to both of them individually.

James 5:16-17
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you maybe healed. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

So, both of them met and instead of saying let's just give up, they confess their sins to each other. And all of a sudden, Corey told us, he looked at his wife differently, he didnt' hate her anymore, he wasn't mad at her anymore, and she looked as pretty and lovely as the days he was pursuing her. Wow!

Now, before they got back together, one night, Sammy asked Meredith "Do you know what I want for Christmas?" Then she said "I want you and Daddy get back together". God did heard Sammy's prayers. That December, Corey and Meredith took Sammy out for dinner and told her they were gonna give her a Christmas gift. There's another Christmas gift that Sammy told them she wanted, so she thought that was what she was going to get. To her surprise, they announced to her that they were gonna get married again to each other.

That was 3 years ago and now they as a family are serving the Lord together in love and in unity. They shared in details what they went through. I didn't remember all the details and didn't write a lot of the details here. Their testimony was so powerful. I was in tears and sobbing by the time they ended their testimony. I believe the Lord who restored their lives and their marriages will also grant the restoration to many marriages and family life!

Week #3

1. Song of Solomons (the speaker)
This past 3rd week was awesome. We had 3 days teaching on the Song of Solomons. The speaker, Jen Roberts, is a staff here. Dwane and Jen Roberts had been missionaries before they came here. Dwane is in the media ministry.

Jen shared with us her testimony. She grew up in a messed up family. Her mom had bad marriages and never were satisfied with her marriages until one day she and her husband encountered Jesus at a church. Jen, a teenage girl at that time wasn't interested in what her parents were doing with church. When she later did encountered Jesus, her first understanding of Jesus was the bride and bridegroom relationship. She took it so seriously that she thought she would never marry a man because she was already married to Jesus. She was on fire for God and serves God in anyway she could since then. Anyway God keep renewing her mind and eventually she got married to her ministry partner.

She is really humorous and yet down to earth. I loved her teachings. One time, she shared her struggle with not being able to be in the ministry like her husband because she had to take care of her kids. She said, during those days, her husband would be in trouble even before he stepped into the house when he came home from ministry... because she was so tired taking care of kids the whole day and her temper was already hot. Wow! That was me!! Hahaha. Jerry used to say he can't rest whenever he comes home. Just by knowing she went through the same thing and overcame, brought so much comfort to my heart. For the past few years, from the time Joshua was born, to last year, God had been speaking to my heart that He has given me children as my ministry for this season of life. It wasn't till end of last year that I finally heard Him and willingly accept His invitation. The vision and calling from God still boils inside of me from time to time, but I know God has His timing for everything.

Jen said, one time she was struggled so much with having to stay home changing diapers and taking care of kids, she cried out to God and God gave her a vision. She saw she was getting ready to run a race. Next to her, were Mike Bickle, her husband, and the big guys with big ministry/responsibility... and she told God how could she run with these big guys? Then she saw herself, having diapers around her, stroller tied to her feet, and kids with her, and she got even more discouraged. Then God said "run!" She said "how?" God said "run!" Then she saw a tunnel appearing around her and all she could see was a tiny light far ahead at the other side of the tunnel. God said "run!" Yes, she isn't competing with any other believers. She tried. She did take a few steps little by little, though very slowly, she knew she was moving forward. And she knew she was in the race. And she knew she was obeying God. When she was telling us this vision, tears came rolling down my cheek. God's presence was on me and He brought much comfort and affirmation to my heart.

2. Song of Solomon (content)
The approach to interpret the Song of Solomon in the Bible : spiritual interpretation. This is a symbolic interpretation to see the spiritual truths in our relationship with Jesus behind the natural love story. Theologically, all believers on earth are betrothed (engaged) to Jesus. In Hebrew tradition, an engaged couple was legally married and needed to be divorced if they broke their engagement. (2 Corinthians 11:2 "For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.") The consummation of the marriage relationship occurs in the age ot come (Revelations 19:7 "Let us be glad and give Him flory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.") The Bride's destiny is ensured by God's ravished heart for her. His heart is ravished for all of His people.

I'm always amazed by how much God loves us. He is not a big guy out there with supernatural power, that is so faraway from us, that doesn't understand how we feel, that has nothing to do with us. Our God loves us and is full of passion....

3. Parents and Children
When Jen's daughter was about 5, she had a dream that she was married to Jesus. She was wearing very pretty wedding dress and when she approached Jesus the Bridegroom, she saw His eyes were so tender and loving and she could tell from His eyes that He loves her very very very very much. Her daughter has encountered God at a young age and she has followed God since then. Jen said her children loved IHOP as much as they do. She made a comment, if her children hates IHOP, she would leave this place just to win their heart to God. This is a new concept to me.

I remember there was another message that spoke about winning the heart of the children. I don't remember this speaker, But I remember he said, when he was a rebeling teenage towards his parents, his father made sacrifices for him. It was his senior year in high school and his father got a great job offer at another place and he was planning to move there with his family, about 4-5 hours away. Then his guy told his father he will not move no matter what. (I think it is really hard for senior in high school to move to another place and have to restart with all the friendship at a new school). The next thing he knew, his father came to him and said "You are not moving and you're staying here, staying at your high school to finish up your senior year. " His father meant he was going to move there by himself, and he told his son to take care of his mother and sister. As unmature as a high school rebeling teenager, he thought that was right, his dad should just move there himself. Later, he noticed that his dad would showed up in all the events or ball games that he was in. His dad would drive 4-5 hours just to get there for him. At first, during his ballgame when he was his dad, he thought his father was crazy. But slowly, he started to look forward for his dad to come to his ballgame. Then, he started to walk over to his dad and the next thing, he realized that he liked to hang out with his dad during the break of the ballgame and after the game. One time his friend came to him and said why would he want to hang out with his dad and not with his friends? He said that was because his dad was cool and he likes to hang out with his dad. Without him realizing it, his dad has won his heart over. He wasn't rude to his dad anymore. He wasn't rebeling anymore. Because he knew his dad loves him and would do anything for him. One time his dad picked a hat for him. That hat wasn't a kind of hat that young people would like. But he didn't mind, because he loves his dad. He took that hat and went to the cashier. The cashier told him to pick another one, because the one didn't match him, that hat was for old folk. He replied "that old folk is my dad and I love him. He likes it, and I'll like it too. " I'm amazed to hear the power of a loving and pursuing father after his son.

Jerry and I realized the frustration in our children during this past week. Even sweet Samuel can be very irritating with his temper and "I don't want to..." Cheryl started to have this pattern of crying whenever she can't get her ways. We realized that in the midst of this tight schedule, we hadn't been able to spend quality time with them because we were in a hurry all the time. So, we took time to intentionally be with them individually. One day I came back from prayer room and saw Jerry playing balls with Joshua in the basement, and that day, Joshua was different. He was content, he wasn't demanding as usual, he was just happy and satisfied (quiet by daddy's love). Jerry and I are still learning to balance our time between ihop/family.