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Making choices in life-Your plan & God’s plan Proverbs 11, 16

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Making choices in life-Your plan & God’s plan   Proverbs 11, 16

Making choices in life makes you or breaks you. It is profoundly important that we find how God works and what does it mean and how to receive God’s guidance. One of the MOST important subjects we need to grasp and have in life facing all the choices, decisions, in this turbulent world. We shall take a look at some of the great men’s lives like Paul, Joseph in the bible. Come and find the wisdom of God and what is God after and why is He so silent some time?–What does it mean to trust God utterly?

Prov 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Prov 12:5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. Prov 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Prov 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.  Prov 16:1-5    To man belong the plans of the heart,  but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. 2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. 3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends — even the wicked for a day of disaster. 5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Prov 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course,  but the LORD determines his steps. Prov 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Prov 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap,  but its every decision is from the LORD.Prov 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.Prov 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

NT Wright has i…

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NT Wright has it powerfully nailed.This is very new to me, but profoundly important. He said: What the New Testament really says is God wants you to be a renewed human being helping him to renew his creation, and his resurrection was the opening bell. And when he returns to fulfil the plan, you won’t be going up there to him, he’ll be coming down here.

I think there is so much truth in that God wants us to be renewed first and then renew the world we live in. We are not going to leave this world and join God in heaven and leave the world to rot on its own. But rather we are here in this world for a purpose, to renew this world we live in!! To renew the city we live in.

Hence the revised Vision/Mission statement for Hope NY Church:

To be a renewed person joining God to renew his creation, the world and to proclaim the gospel to the city with words, power, and the Holy Spirit & deep conviction . Also to build a community towards fullness in Christ in New York, and through it, to the world.

Fullness in Christ: Means our being (character) and our serving/obeying (purpose).

HAPPY NEW YEAR …

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

Dear friends,
Personally, 2011 has been a wonderful and challenging year for me. I
got a new job with ConEd, which is a very big and stable utility
company, which gives me more time & energy to serve the Lord. It’s a
miracle in this time of economic downturn, and a fresh breath of life
from the Lord. God has continued to bless my family, with Rachel’s
acceptance to Columbia University, and Sarah’s, Paul’s, and Rebecca’s
continued success in their schools.

Hope NY Church has also grown in 2011 both in number and quality. The
most important change is the gradual transformation of the church to a
more Gospel-centered Church. A number of new college students continue
to be added to our church including some salvations. I am very
thankful for the leadership team that stood with me all year, coming
together for the Hope North American Camp and progressing even further
as a team in the months afterwards. I am sure they have grown in the
Lord as much as I have over the year. Thank you guys!! I’m very proud
of you!! It’s been a sweet and tough year.

Looking forward to 2012, I am certain that God has greater things for
us! We are praying to move into Manhattan from Long Island, embracing
the principle of living with the people to whom you want to reach out.
God has taught me to love and respect the city.

Finally, we wish you all a very happy & prosperous New Year.  May the
Lord shine upon you and guide you to truth, filling your hearts with
joy & peace! Like Mary says “My soul glorifies the Lord and my heart
rejoices in Him.”

In Christ,
Albert, Doreen, Sarah, Rachel, Paul and Rebecca.
New York, December 2011Image

Dear Pastors, …

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I have been praying about the NACC camp Vs local NY Church camp over the last few weeks. What’s the best for our local churches. I am leaning to host our local church camp, and today it’s all confirmed. I spoke to Minyu from Hope London, also Jon Ah Chern from Hope London and Jon Foo who was from Hope London too. They confirmed that in Hope Europe they no longer do the annual Europe camp anymore, instead they have ELC (European Leadership Conference). I am totally in agreement to this.

I propose we abolish NACC Camp and substitute it with ALC (American Leadership COnference). Our own local church members will have local camp, just like London, Berlin, Oslo etc.
I subsequently brought it up to our core group meeting today in our leadership meeting and my core team totally & unanimously agreed to the concept of Leadership conference for N America, and local camp for members. (Life Gp leaders and above). Thats what we in Hope NY will do in 2012 onwards. I ask that all pastors consider this and pray about this. There is a reason for Hope Europe to do that and honestly, they are doing better than us. I believe that the benefits of spending thosuands and thiousands of dollars does not justify it. We should mobilize ALL our members for local church camp at like $100/person for 3 nights, 4 days. That’s what we plan to do in NY.

Dear Pastors, …

/ Al Ngu, MDiv / Leave a comment

Dear Pastors,

 
I have been praying about the NACC camp Vs local NY Church camp over the last few weeks. What’s the best for our local churches. I am leaning to host our local church camp, and today it’s all confirmed. I spoke to Minyu from Hope London, also Jon Ah Chern from Hope London and Jon Foo who was from Hope London too. They confirmed that in Hope Europe they no longer do the annual Europe camp anymore, instead they have ELC (European Leadership Conference). I am totally in agreement to this.
I propose we abolish NACC Camp and substitute it with ALC (American Leadership COnference). Our own local church members will have local camp, just like London, Berlin, Oslo etc. 
I subsequently brought it up to our core group meeting today in our leadership meeting and my core team totally & unanimously agreed to the concept of Leadership conference for N America, and local camp for members. (Life Gp leaders and above). Thats what we in Hope NY will do in 2012 onwards. I ask that all pastors consider this and pray about this. There is a reason for Hope Europe to do that and honestly, they are doing better than us. I believe that the benefits of spending thosuands and thiousands of dollars does not justify it. We should mobilize ALL our members for local church camp at like $100/person for 3 nights, 4 days. That’s what we plan to do in NY.
BTW, today my real self preaching came through with 20% Keller’s intellectual stuff, and 80% my won from Hope training and the atmosphere took off. Thanks for listening guys.
In Christ,
Al

Intellectual Power & Faith & Power

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I am out sick these 2 days from work staying at home. Feeling better now–from cold.

I therefore had a chance of more intense praying and reading the books that I should read and the bible more. As I was praying intensely to God this morning, alone, at home, I sensed God’s presence and I felt he spoke to me this: We need to build a church that has Tim Keller’s intellectual power to engage the skeptical and cynical world of New York city, and the faith and power movement teachings from our movement. That’s the kind of church that will propel us into 2012 and the next decade and beyond. This will be the power to reach the 15% of NYC population and hence change the culture of the city!  That revelation came as I was praying. It usually happens to me that way.
 
Praying for tipping Manhattan to God, we need commitment to be involved. 
 

Renewal of All …

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Renewal of All Things Teachings 

This is part of our teaching in A Renewed Church in Hope. We need teachings on this very important subject and it will be incredibly appealing to New Yorkers and engaging the minds and philosophy. Ours has good thoughts but is generally over laden with bible verses. I think  I would like to study ours again and see if I can make it more culturally relevant & cut those verses down. It will be exiting.
Needing something that is Very applicable to modern lives, engaging into the modern culture, and very good to explain in the quest of knowing why the world without Christ has so much good quality and exceptionalism, for example Apple? Because that’s our human instinct as God created man  woman in His image…which has the power of creation that involves excellence, artistic expression and beauty of it all. That quality and ability is embedded in human beings whether they come to Christ or not, however, they become corrupted and distorted the image of God as sins came in.
Therefore God has called us Christians today to bring renewal to all things. To renew all creations. One thing that strikes me most is to bring the beauty of God into our vocations. To bring renewal into our daily lives outside the Sunday service. To see that happening is uplifting and loving it. We know it, but if we don;t love it, we won;t drive it. Passion is needed to make that happen.
Feel free to comment & exchange thoughts. I want to rally some of the western church planters on board in this discussion & blog.
Blessings,
Al
Behold I am making everything new    Revelation 21 vs. 5
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!    2 Corinthians 5 vs. 17
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being
renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.    Colossians 3 vs. 9-10
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things,whether things on
earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.   Colossians 1 vs. 19-20

My 1st Prayer Meeting /fellowship with NYC pastors 11/9/2011

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After my 3 years in NYC, today marks my 1st meeting to pray with other NY pastors in Manhattan which turns out to be 3 blocks form my office over lunch time. This is amazing for God has definitely blessed me in that. I have to say this is a great prayer meeting, just to meet other fellow church planters and pastors, I am thrilled to hear what God is saying and doing in their midst.
One thing for sure, I want to move into Manhattan soon.
I also learnt about the revival that broke out in Uganda, how God healed thousands of those with Aids. Stunning testimonies because people prayed 24/7, fasting 40 days etc. My heart is stirred as I heard those stories. O Lord give us revival in NYC.

Holistic shepherding

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Recently I started studying about the dynamics and significance of Holistic shepherding from the scriptures. It means looking after and caring for someone’s physical, emotional & spiritual condition. It’s only possibly done by a one-on-one shepherding, where one builds trust, chemistry, and comfort level. Relationally built to a level where you are accountable to someone in the group, and also to the leader above you.

I believe this shepherding system is highly attractive because too often, church is  only a big place for people to gather wihtout knowing the dynamics of the inner life from Monday to Saturday. We see small groups or cell groups during mid week meeting to supplmenet that and we have plenty of that examples in Acts 2. However, to exactly execute the shepherding that the bible talks about is one on one because people will open up more in one on one situation.  And this is very attractive to many folks in the city where people live in an individualistic world and community sense is fast disappearing. People feel lonely. People are under peer pressure to follow the trend and they are usually counter biblical.

Let’s arise and build a righteous shepherding church or community.

Spreading the Gospel 2 Thess 3

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2 Thess 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

This would be my prayers that God’s gospel may spread RAPIDLY in Columbia U & NYU & the city of NY. Spreading rapidly is a biblical concept. We need to move fast, and not slow. The tendency of the churches today is to spread it at a comfortable pace as they can. The reason is that people are not motivated. Don’t see the urgency of it. The world would have been lost otherwise. Or worse still simply doesn’t see the need of it because of the dilution of the gospel message in some liberal sectors. Now we see clearly it’s in the bible and hence there is this command and mandate to do that rapidly. Slothfulness is no excuse. Ignorance is also no excuse, because eternity hangs in the balance!  Folks-we must be motivated. We must spread the gospel. We must ask for power from on high. Love from on high for the lost.

Not only that-the message spread rapidly and be HONORED! That’s a real important piece of message. Not only the gospel spread rapidly, but be honored. What’s the purpose if many embrace Christianity but none actually honor the Lord, honor the gospel? It will be meaningless. People need to obey the gospel, embrace it, work it out, and experience the power of the gospel. The Lord becomes their shepherd. The Lord becomes our savior. The it will begin to vibrate and resonate. Arise Hope NY. God bless all.