Here’s a word you may have never heard of, and its one that hard to use in everyday speech. Synecdoche (pronounced si-neck-dah-key with the emphasis on the neck sound) means - when a single part of some large, complex system stands for the whole: e.g. ‘the crown’ stand for the entire tradition and history of royalty, or ‘Martin Luther’ for the end of slavery and ‘Mother Theresa’ for compassion and good works (adapted from ‘The Rest of God’, M Buchanan)

Ablaze is synecdochic. More than a small bunch of people ‘ablaze’ with zeal for the Lord, the 80 or so people we see today is but seed form of what is to come.

Over the weekend, the leaders training and leaders travelled away from the bustle of Brisbane to a place where we laid aside ourselves and sought the face and heart of God. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Something happened in that place over the weekend that has left all the eyes of our hearts squinting, desperate to see the next move of God. Our spirits are nearing boiling point, bubbling with eager anticipation that better things, new things - God-sized things - are about to take place.

It was an incredble picture: young people - with talents and gifts that would be ’sought after’ by various industries in society, kneeling humbly before their God with desire to give their lives - like seeds - burial in order for life - or lives - to come forth. In that place, there was an undeniable move of God as hearts yearned to be undivided, sold out and devoted to their God.

Hope of God movement has an incredible vision. The impact it has had in the world makes the name synecdochic of world evangelisation. Likewise, Ablaze will be a synecdoche of generations of young people who do not bow (or even toy) with any other gods but the one Most High - the Lord Almighty. It is young people from all walks of life who love God with all their hearts, minds and strength, devoted as disciples of Jesus Christ. We’ve seen glimpses of this in Ablaze Service, in our life groups, on our campuses, in our lives. What God did in our hearts on the weekend was confirmation that ‘we ain’t seen nuthin’ yet’. And we’re excited.

Like a child wanting to be told the same bedtime story over and over again, I love hearing the story of how our movement started. I have a strong sense that in years to come, the story of Ablaze will be a best seller, a favourite amongst people of all ages. A story book that will be found amongst the like of Martin Luther, Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, Reinhard Bonke and other heroes of faith. A story that will be told over camp fires and dinner tables for generations to come. One that children will ask their parents to read over and over and over…

It starts with a seed… what good is a seed left on the bench? Must it not be buried, devoid of everything that satisfies the ’self’, pressured under the nurture and discipline of soil, in order for life to come forth?

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. - John 12:24,25

Seed of Ablaze, where will you be planted today?

The rain today has inspired me to break my near blog drought. Some strange things have been happening on my blog site. Sparing the world the details, I’ll just share the moral of the story - leave tech-ky to the nerds/geeks/coding savvy people. I’ve learnt my lesson (smiles). Thanks admin person who maintains my blog for me. I am eternally grateful!

This is my second week at my new work. Still settling in: I’ve never felt so out of my depth in a job - but in midst of deep waters, more than ever, I’m determined to swim harder (and smarter).

During the course of my introduction to the new work last week, one of the managers said to me “You know… its not a glamorous job”. I smiled sheepishly, unsure of how to react. It wasn’t intended as a negative statement. It was just fact. The job we do in this organisation is to fight injustice and combat poverty on behalf on those who can’t. That’s why I’m determined to swim the deep waters. I love its cause!

Strangely, what was meant to be a passing statement has stuck with me like fluff on velcro. I haven’t been able to shake it!

“What part of ending poverty is glamorous?”
“Is there anything glamorous about living a life to feed the hungry, give to the poor and lay our lives down for our fellow human beings?”

This is my conviction. I refuse to spend my life indulging in things that bring me comfort when so many have little of it. I refuse to over-consume when so many under-consume. I refuse to seek for to glitter and glamour when so many live amongst litter and clamour for their next meal.

It doens’t sound like a glamorous life. Well, isn’t that the way Jesus lived?

Like my new look? So do I. Not. I reckon if I was a retired cardiologist spending my remaining years in the Alaskan towns, maybe this is what my blog would look like.

The truth is - I’m in the middle of renvations - of the blog sort, that is. For some, its an easy process. For me, its a rather painful (and onerus one). But I’m pressing on.

Like Chris, I was also really moved by our Pastor’s prophetic words over writers (after an initial “nah, no way, that’s not me!”) (Partly) hence the renovations (which are only going to be minor, mind you). Don’t go expecting a townhouse-turn-mansion from here!

For a change of topic, here’s a song that Jess (Chris’ sister) snuck into the audible range of my eardrums before Brooke hopped on stage last Sunday night. Its called Shou Qian Shou (meaning Hand in Hand) and it features an all stars cast of around 86 singers. The song was recorded in 2003, during the height of the SARS scare throughout Asia. David Tao and Wang Lee Hom teamed up to write this song that offered a glimpse of hope during that very sad time.

I start in my new position tomorrow. Test drove to West End today in peak hour traffic - it took me 40 minutes, during which I decided I should get a CD player in my car so that I can make use of that time to listen to the bible.

I’m anticipating a steeeeep learning curve in this position, in this organisation. But I’m keen for the challenge to use what feels like dormant parts of my brain! Time to fire up all cylinders!!

I can’t help but still be amazed at how I got this position. Needless to say I know it is God’s provision and open door for me. However, credits must also go to a stranger I sat next to at the recent conference I attended in Melbourne (where Mei tagged along). I don’t even remember this girls name. But the small seed of encouragement she unknowingly planted has finally taken roots. This is how our conversation went.

“So where do you work?”
“VCOSS - I just started there”
“What’s it like?”
“Its great so far. I was amazed getting the position because I’m actually from a health background”
“Hey… that’s pretty encouraging” (I envied her because I was already looking to make a career change)
“Yeah - you should keep your eyes peeled for opportunities too”
(uncertainly) “Yeah…..” (sheepishly, thinking I’ll never land such an opportunity)

So, stranger encourager - thank you! You had no idea what your words would ever amount to!

On other fronts - my neck is stiff as a giraffe at the moment (symptomatic of my poor posture, flat pillow and over laptop usage). Even after a one-hour massage tonight I’m still in lots of pain! Hoping it will go by tomorrow in time for my first day at work!

Listening to: Waste Another Day - Brooke Fraser (who some of us saw live last night and fell in love again with her!)
Currently craving: Peanut pancake (still!)

Ever thought about the potential of a matchstick? (Don’t worry - I hadn’t either until God spoke to me about it recently.)

In some ways our lives can be likened to that of a matchstick.
Both have a lifespan - a start and an end.
Both have a purpose - made for something else.
Both are destined - potential far beyond its own size or capacity (how small are matchsticks!)

Yet - they have the audacity to ignite and incinerate. Set ablaze. Catalyse an ambush. Provoke an inferno. Regenerate miles of forestation. Destroy acres of crop. Reduce proud buildings to humble soot.

What if the reason God ‘lit’ us up from birth was to do just that? What if some lives were ‘lit’ to regenerate dying communities? What if some were ‘lit’ to fuel unending infernoes to make light and bring hope in darkness? What if some were ‘lit’ to spark off others (still in their safe boxes)? What if some others were ‘lit’ to bring the comfort and warmth to icy, lifeless places?

What if there’s purpose to life than living for ourselves? What if every life did what it was divinely purposed to do?

Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.” John 12:24-25
 
The reward? Eternal gratification - for us, and for all who have been ‘burnt’ by our fire.

Young people of Ablaze - live up to your call. Let your fire burn bright (and spark flames in others while your at it!) 

Today will be my second last day at my current work. I’ve been in this position for nearly 5 years, so it’s feeling like a breath of fresh air to be moving on to a new job, at least for a little while. Looking forward to using the other parts of my brain in my new job!

I’ll be missing Inala for sure - the amazing people, the incredible sense of community, the fact that I don’t have to dress up for work, and of course, the food!

***Quick Plug time***

A happy birthday to our very own John Paul - who is turning 24 today. JP has been a incredible blessing to so many of us over the many years in Ablaze, and lately to the lives of the guys and girls in LH2B (if you understand this code, you know who you are) - one of my 4 favourite life groups in Lighthouse. He’s already been blogged about so I need not repeat it all so you can check it out here. On a personal note, JP has been a blessing to my life by way of unceasing support in ministry especially over the past year. God has used this (no longer so) young man to sharpen and mould me lots, and for this, i’m eternally grateful!   

Currently listening to: The sound of rain outside - its rather therapeutic!  
Temporarily addicted to: 80c Peanut Pancake from Hot Cake House (craving one right now)

According to aerodynamics the bumble bee cannot fly.
Nobody told the bumble bee. - Anonymous

To be saved costs us nothing.
To be a disciple costs us EVERYTHING.

- from the trailer of the I Heart Revolution.

Lord, help this generation of people care about the things that You care about. To love the things you love. Hate the things you hate. Stir up in your young people a righteous anger for justice so ablaze that we are willing to pay the price to follow You and carry out Your plans at all cost - just as You paid price for us. For Lord, we no longer live, but You live in us, and the life we live in the body, we live by faith in You.

“Others”

- William Booth

“… church should disasemble itself and seep into the cracks and crevices of a society in order to be Christ to those who don’t yet know Him”

- excerpt (slightly paraphrased) from The Shaping of the Things to Come - by Frost and Hirsch