SEAC Prayer Journal

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year SEAC!!! I hope that the holidays has been filled with blessings, joy, quality time with family, friends, and the Lord.  And I am looking forward to 2013. I already can sense that God has big plans for the Bride, the church.  It is more evident these days that the end times are dawning.  Now that 12/21/12 has passed, we all see that the Mayan calendar really just ran out of space.  But its not quite funny that we experience heavy earthquakes in the northern parts of Japan, that icebergs are melting at faster rates that ever, that Newtown, CT experiencing a young man shooting innocent children and teachers who serve our children.  We also see great changes in political leadership that are occurring, more deceptive truths, and seeing the first woman president of Korea (not that I'm against women in leadership, but the history of oppression),  If you are the type of person to keep up with current events you would know that there is so much more

I went to a private elementary school, where every year we had reciting competitions and spelling bees for ACSI.  (Associated Christian School International).  So to practice we had competitions within school to practice and see who would be selected to go to the ACSI event.  I was so shy when I was a kid. I was the kid that stood and clung by the T.A.s and close friends.   I didn't have social skills, nor did I like standing on stage to recite poetry, Bible verses, or spell words.  But since I was a good student, I was always selected to try.  And, I think my teachers wanted to encourage me to break out of my shell of quietness.  Of course my shyness took over, so I never got chosen to go to ACSI.  (whew).  But I remember really  admiring the materiel that was given to memorize   I was asked to participate in the poetry reciting competition at school.  We could choose a long traditional ode from famous American Poets or Bible Verses.  When your a kid, they seem listless awfully

Thankful in our Identity in Him! Thankful for Grace,  Thankful for Hope,  Thankful for God's promises,  Thankful for freedom,  Thankful for God's faithfulness,  Thankful for God's unconditional love.,  Thankful for Discipline,  Thankful for God's Compassion,  Thankful for God’s Mercy,  Thankful for Discipleship.,  Thankful for Acceptance,  Thankful for God's GRACE,  Thankful for Jesus Christ,  Thankful for 2nd chances,  Thankful for Passion,  Thankful for God’s sovereignty,  Thankful for God’s beauty.,  Thankful for The Word!,  Thankful for The Holy Spirit. Thankful for the 1st Generation.,  Thankful for friends who give more than they have to We are thankful for the faithful love and service you all give to Abba Father!

Words of affirmation from Matt Geppert (SEAPC) Words of affirmation from Matt Geppert (SEAPC) Words of affirmation from Matt Geppert (SEAPC As the US Director for the South East Asia Prayer Center, its my primary responsibility to mobilize people in this nation to pray. The position provides me with great opportunities to meet very diverse and committed groups of people who prioritize prayer in their daily lives. At SEAPC we are involved in many wonderful nations serving the Christian leaders of those nations through the platforms of Education, Health Care, Parenting, and Micro-Economic Development. We have found that as long as we humble ourselves and pray and are obedient to the direction the Lord leads us through prayer then we can be effectively used by Him to see nations change for the better. Last month we had the joy of praying together at SEALS! I am so grateful for SEAC’s direction in prayer, and for those who went out of their way to ensure that our time and actions at

It is 7 weeks til 2013, next week is Thanksgiving, and then short after we celebrate Christmas.  How quickly does the holiday season crouch up on us, I almost didn't feel it coming.  These days I find myself so busy.  I haven't started a shopping list for gifts, and I haven't even gotten the grocery list together for Thanksgiving dinner.  I"m so busy, you are so busy...I'm sure there is more than a handful of people that can relate to what I'm feeling. Though, I am listing my superficial thoughts above, just below that superficiality there has been one thought that has been on my mind.  While I'm working on projects, having lunch/dinner with good friends,  going to church, enjoying days of celebration, during studio sessions,  I'm thinking "what does God want for me next year".   I feel like in the midst of our business, somehow we want more, whether we are busy with school, work, projects, people, ministry, traveling, family, or even the ho

We each have seasons of challenges, struggles, and hardships.  We also have seasons of joy, delight, prosperity, and gratitude.  November just so happens to be the month that many people begin to reflect on the happenings, tone, and events of the past 10 months:. (perseverance, goals achieved, blessings, milestones, blessings, thanksgiving, and Truths).  It's the perfect timing as we are in an 8 week countdown til the year 2013.   A testimony passed from one person to the next comes from the roots of a Zimbabwe Proverb.  It was passed down to me from an acquaintance named Bridget.  We met through an organization we both mentor in.  She shared her testimony which includes every possible calamity, like Job, in modern day: stricken with illness that faces death, possibly being paralyzed for the rest of her life,  siblings running away and never to be seen again, to being flat broke in a foreign land.  But by God's grace and through art and story telling she was blessed by these

2 Chronicles 7: 11-22 (ESV) If My People Pray 11  Thus Solomon finished the house of the  Lord  and the king's house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the  Lord  and in his own house he successfully accomplished.  12  Then the  Lord  appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer  and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.   13  When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,   14   if my people who are called by my name  humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.   16  For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there for ever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.   17  And as for you ,

Once again, as Jesus did when He was on earth, we are to do what we see the Father doing  { Jesus gave them this answer:  “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself;  he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.   (John 5:19)} s peak what the Father shows us { I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,  and you are doing what you have heard from your father (John 8:38)} and do what the Father wants us to do { By myself I can do nothing;  I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just,  for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30) } -Charles H. Kraft, I Give You Authority: Practicing the Authority that Jesus Gave Us, (Kraft, 119) From this excerpt from the book I Give You Authority: Practicing the Authority that Jesus Gave Us, Charles H. Kraft  we can see we have a responsibility towards prayer.  We can't DO if we can't see or hear from the God our Father who makes h

SEALS 2012 was.... generated by Wordle.net For all who attended SEALS 2012, and to the ones that were not able to attend.  These are the words that influence us today as we have departed one another.  With these words we become a living testimony by Truth Is, and by Spoken Word. For those who have returned home to an avalanche of reality, be courageous.  Our fear is not about our doubt, its about our futility, the feeling of being useless or ineffective.  It's healthy to be doubtful, sad, mournful, heavy-hearted, in pain, broken, stressed; these are feelings that the Father created, emotions that He also feels. He also created compassion, joy, empathy, redemption, surrender so that we would rely on Him as a source. This words collaged above represent how attendees felt leaving SEALS 2012.  Be empowered by these words.  May our words continually be edified and may we continue to be bold in our ministries "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified  beca

Family Mosaic, Creative Arts Worship, a mosaic of our communion time together. Today concludes SEALS 2012. The morning began with cultural breakout groups to reflect and debrief the weekends experiences, lessons, and blessings.  Afterwards we moved into powerful morning of worship.  The mosaic cross of the broken pottery from the night before stood up as a symbol of our communion together as a family, and one tribe, under the Kingdom of Christ. Worship Team! James Choung came back speaking on how to fuel our drams.  He gave many helpful points that would equip us on how to re-approach our dreams and ministries with a new perspective.  -We are to be God watchers, similar to birdwatchers who from a far can recognize the voice of a speck in the sky, as well as admire the  bird in its beauty up close.  If we are like birdwatchers, we can recognize what God is doing in front of our eyes.   -Do know, do we live, do we have an expectation that God is breaking in to our dai

Today was such a colorful day of fellowship.  It was a delightful day of celebrating who we are as Southeast Asian Americans through creative arts worship, and intimate worship.  We praise the almighty God for how he created us, and for the gifts that he has bestowed on us. We started the day with morning worship; empowered to be active globally whether in our churches or in the darkest closed places.  The speaker challenged us to think about our position in global missions: Are you a sender? Be a sender, Are you a Goer, than GO!  He ushered us into an intimate time of prayer and release. After lunch we gathered to have some crazy fun creative fellowship.  We split into groups of 3 and made masks with plaster and water. We continued our day with workshops and a group photo showing off our cultural ethnic group attire. During evening sessions, the National Director of Asian American Ministries, InterVarsity empower us to be a people that follow through with our dreams.  To dream b

It's Day 2 if SEALS 2012 It was our first full day filled with  workshops, regional breakouts, and worship, and exhibits. Another highlight of the day was breaking into meeting other leaders of similar ministries and similar ethnicity.  It is so good to hear the hustle and bustle of discussion,  intriguing conversations, and delightful faces. One highlight that I experienced mid day was during the regional breakout session.  (we broke out to West, East, Midwest, South regions of the U.S) to discuss 2 questions: 1) What are the issues that you are facing today in your immigrant churches and how is it affecting your ministry? 2)What do you hope for, what do you want to see happen next, and how can SEAC help? It was good to hear the pangs of the struggles of ministry in an immigrant, but it is so encouraging to listen, see how God moves in waves, and how he is healing, redeveloping, and reconstructing Southeast Asian perspectives on leadership, honor, and respect. In our eve

Ephesians 6:18-20 And pray in the Spirit in all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert, and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. PRAY THAT I MAY DECLARE IT FEARLESSLY, AS I SHOULD. We are just a 3 days away from SEALS 2012.  As everyone begins to pack and finalize preparations; lets also whisper prayers to Him who is able. Most of us usually whisper to God the Father, but let us not neglect God the Spirit. As we pack and travel; whisper to the Spirit that dwells in us. Awaken the Spirit within and dare to ask for boldness: -Boldness for all the saints coming to SEALS 2012. -Boldness to share a testimony to strangers, think about your drive or airplane ride. -Boldness to make our hearts available for healing and release. -Boldness to be humbled by the Word, w

Catalina Island in the Sunset, Huntington Beach, CA At the beach we see a panoramic span of beautiful peaceful blue skies, sunsets, clear solid horizon in the distance.  We see ships, barges, sailboats, jet skiers, surfers riding above the surface.  Underneath  that horizon we all know that there is a deep deep fathom, active beautiful life, and even constant microscopic activity stirring in the waters.  We see whales jump to playfully dance and take a breath; we see the fall season where the moon shines over crashing waves illuminating the microscopic organisms creating a red tide.  All in all beneath the waters, life rises.   Today, we are counting down 7 days, exactly a week, til our SEALS 2012 Conference.  For those of you who do not know about SEALS 2012, click on the SEAC Website on the header tool bar to find out more information.  It's so close and the administrative committee has gone clutch.  Beneath the waters, for the past 2 years the SEAC committee, and advisers

Who has Spoken For you today?  As we approach the throne of God, we need to remember that we were not just summoned, brought in shackles, or charged by a position to be in the courts of our King.  We were Spoken For by Jesus!! Today and forevermore we approach the throne of God because we were invited, we were called in to celebrate life with our King.   Covered by your love divine, Child of a risen Lord, To hear you say that this ones Mine, My heart is spoken for. - Mercy Me   Amen!

To the God we serve and delight in... On a daily basis we constantly struggle with the perspective of what it means to forgive and give/serve others.  I realized that when we are actively serving those around us, old friends, new friends, family members, co-workers, ministry partners, volunteers, interns, students, your pastor, the barista that rung up your coffee this morning etc...we tend to live in the illusions of self by bring our baggage from the past.   Some examples:  -I'm experiencing a bad morning, so I don't have to smile as I leave the barista that just rung up my morning cup of coffee.   -I was stuck in traffic this morning and wasn't in the mood, so I didn't  feel like opening the door for the intern with the big pile of papers/books in hand on the way into work. -I haven't heard back from my old high school friend for like 10 years, and they just called in for a favor, why bother responding. -I did not appreciate how my grandparents tre

My super senior year of college I was able to experience a great testimony from the men in the fellowship I attended.  It was the men's small group called Meek People.  We know meekness as an adjective from Matthew 5: 5 "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth."  We see meekness as acts of humility, but it is an adjective, not a verb.  So what is meekness? That summer before fall semester a man named David was preparing, digging, and seeking the meaning of meekness, and how can we become a people of meekness.  His vision for the men of our fellowship was to become a meek people, leading with meekness.  That summer he came to know meekness as a mosaic of sharing life together, experiencing humility together, experiencing prayer and grace together, living out love together, and gaining aged wisdom together.  Meekness comes from a collection of life's broken pieces, receiving grace, and piecing them together into something beautiful.  This is how we b