11:11pm

Currently listening
Diana Krall-Love is where you are

Man...feeling a little weird listening to music like this. Does love songs make a single man feel lonely?
HECK YEAH IT DOES!

So why am I listening to this music?
Brain says "helps you to study you idiot"
Heart says "You are a lonely boy"
Brain says "its peaceful"
Heart says "Pray with right motives"
Mouth says "amen"

What a weekend!

Currently listening to
Coldplay-X&Y

This album is pretty dang good. It was lying around at work so I stuck it in my computer to listen to it. I'm hooked. They sound a little similar to U2 but these guys are better. Sorry Eddie.
A great variety of sounds. I just wish i could play drums like the Coldplay dude.




Anyways I'm sitting at work today. I've nearly finished what I need to do so I decided to write another blog about my weekend. Unfortunately I rely on photos from other people so I don't have pictures to go with my weekend.

Saturday-Played some squash with Shinny, Hermz and Andz. Shin was the champ but I know that he's secretly being practicing and finds it amusing to play against newbies like us. Haha. It was a good work out but my arms are still sore. Hermann complained of other sore muscles but lets keep this post clean.
After that we went for lunch at West Ryde. The lady probably thinks my mom is still in Korea because i go there so often.
I spent some time with Shinny discussing his life and the plans that he has. May God be pleased with you and continue to bless in your pursuits. Good talks...

Koorong is the place to meet people. I say that with the purest motives. I visited Koorong due to the 20% sale and saw soo many Church people. Koreans + discount = mass craziness!
Anyways I met Eunji and decided that we were going to have a night out. We called Daniel and had dinner at my place. Courtesy of my grandma. God bless her cooking! Koreans get it right.
We went out to the city and just spent time pondering whether Eunji was REALLY going to get married or not. Good times.

Sunday- We had an awesome Sunday Service. Definitely God reminded me of the epidemic that aids is. But coupled with that is, not just Aids but so many other illnesses that go unnoticed.
We also had the Jama Jnr praise team practice at a music studio in Homebush.
I admit that due to my incessant sweating, the smell of the room was pretty nasty. I think i was the major contributor. Sorry team!

That tops my weekend off. Unfortunately i'm going to leave work so i'll just post this. I think i'll make some more changes and edit it later.

God I need you....

“ I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. ”- Psalm 116:1-2

Its a....

Thai Tornado..














Yesterday I hooked up with Stang/Stung/Simon/Satang/Thai guy from EM.
It was pretty cool to see him back in Australia. He kept on saying that it feels like a dream that he is back in Australia.
This is an actual photo that he took with his camera on some island that he visited.
Its great to have him back. Hermann, Stung and I visited Harry's Cafe De Wheels to snack on some hot dogs. Stung remember one of the workers there because he used to work there. Being the outgoing and polite person that he is, he said hallo but the reply he was received was a cold blank look.
This camera happy Thai boy walked around taking as many shots as he could, commenting on how beautiful Australia is at night. To take pictures as he did in Thailand, it seems as if he is not doing justice to his camera but taking photos of Harrys.

Stung dude...my mum is waiting for you to teach her some pad thai so see you soon. Thank God for you!

I have a prayer request!
*Pray that I will be diligent in my relationships, studies and ministries. May I not get weary but continue with the strength of God in all things.

1 Peter 4:11 NIV If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Currently Listening
Essential Yo-Yo Ma
Jesus, bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring), BWV 147

The cd is a bargain as well. Double cd. Great work music!

Jama Jnr Launch Service.

Currently Listening
How Great Is Our God
By Passion Worship Band

The name above all names worthy of all praise

My heart will sing how great is our God.

No matter how many times sing this song, each time God pierces my heart and I cannot help but realign all my thoughts on the greatness of God.

Yesterday was the Jama Jnr Launch Service. These are just some of my observations in no order of relevance.

1) Brian Park has big ass teeth. Dang...they were huge. Also, he has a funky hair cut which is done personally by his wife. He reminded me so much of a certain Californian governer.

2) Everyone is pumped and ready for this conference.

3) Cheil church pronounced in an English accent sounds like "gaol"

4) Haewon is an awesome worship leader and it is a blessing to be able to serve with her.

5) A praise team without monitors deserves my RESPECT!!

6) A drum kit will last as long as how well you look after it.

7) It is difficult to pray on your knees in limited spacing.

8) GOD WAS PRESENT!

I had an awesome day of worship to our King. God is great and he is so cool as well. I had a relaxing day enjoying the grassy knoll of Rhodes while sipping on someone else's Boost drink. Never have I relaxed soo much on a Sunday afternoon. It was good to catch up with Keith and Sharon again. I hadn't seen them for ages..

Hannah Kang is going to be go for next year's Australia Idol. Watch out people...she has a karaoke machine at home. Thanks for the good laughs and fun times.

No title

Currently Listening
Who am I
By Casting Crowns

I'm not sure what to title this post.
Its not very interesting nor does it entail any significance of my life.

I met up with Sheila, Pauline and Phil. We haven't seen each other for a long time. Unfortunately Ross couldn't make it because he was up in the high country somewhere shooting some feral pigs which is gross.
Anyways it was good times. One thing Sheila told me was that organising a wedding is dang hard and time consuming. My answer "wedding planner!!"
It was just good to catch up with old friends and find out whats going on in their lives. Out of the corner of my eye, as I was savouring my Thai beef salad, I could see someone wave. It was Gloria and Catherine. How random? hahaha

Anyways as I am about to crawl into the comfort of my artificially made heat blanket, I thank God for Saturdays....and for friends and food.

This is what Praise team get up to on Friday nights after practice...Please...don't judge us!
hahahaDaniel showing some mad abs action. Hermann injured something after that. I was too late to jump!!
(photos courtesy of Eunji)

Caregroups launch

Currently Listening
gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.

I get a kick out of this song!

WHAT A TIRING DAY yesterday was! I woke u at 5:00am..the earliest i have for a long long time. I took someone to the airport and I rushed to uni. Today we had a presentation. It was on Royal Blind Society so I was familar with the content of the information. I just wasn't sure how to present it. It seemed that the presentation went well for what I thought but then the tutor pulled out the most insane comment. "Guys...that was a beautiful presentation." I came home and thought about that. You know when you watch an artistic film and in your mind you think its pretty ordinary and you cannot understand the reason why someone would write a movie script like that? Well..even if you don't understand..listen. Most of those movies always entail some person coming out of the theatre annoucing that it was a "brilliant and well made film". Those statesments leave me bewildered and somewhat confused trying to find out the psychology behind such thinking.

Anyways...we digress. Thats what i think our tutor was thinking. It was not a good presentation. Slightly artsy so he pulled out that comment.

So then I come to an empty house except my brother thinking that one day on his computer he could conquer this world. I prepared for caregroups and waiting until people came. It was a great time of fellowship and people were exciting to see what God would do through this session. I'm thankful for each person. They are weird and funny but most of all, you love them God!

And then the day is near end, i visited Sungkyung. Had a chat and discussed why she chose Netherlands. Suji has a wonderful pull factor. We'll miss you!...Have a great one in Netherlands. May God be with you!

Adieu

Yesterday was probably the last I will see Daniel's parents in Australia for a long time. After a lengthy chat about our futures, I realised that the past 8 years have felt like 2 seconds. Daniel's parents have been my second parents. They have been a great support to me and their kindness will be treasured for a long time.

In the car as we were talking about Daniel and Graham being left in Dural by themselves, someone stated, "Can Eunice cook?"
Daniel cheeses it and quickly replies, "She can EAT!!"

As we also celebrated Eunji's engagement, Daniel and I realised that our days left with Eunji are numbered and few. Once she gets married, its over...its over now...So we figured that we need to enjoy the times that we have left together.
I still remember the times where we meet up talk about useless things like "my haircut sucks"...."what shaver do you use?" Now that one of us is getting married, we're talking about marriage and children.
We 3 have an unique relationship. We all grew up together, playing together and going to church together. Now we serve together in the Praise team. Its so weird how God has wired our relationships. I wish the best for the both of you. My prayers are with you.

Let me just add, Harry's Hotdogs are sooo good at midnight!! Yum Yum....

Homesick

Currently Reading
NIV Bible

Today I was reading 2Peter 3 and it was a fresh reminder that earth is not my home. Home is with God in heaven. This world is full of displeasure and regret but through this passage I was reminded that the perfect place that God has made for us is in heaven.

Father , I pray that I will not become complacent with this world but continue to seek your glory and your kingdom.

2 Peter 3:10-13

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

This also made me listen to Mercy Me.

Currently Listening
Mercy Me- Homesick

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you

But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry

Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

How cold?

When my mum says something, I should listen...She told me to wear a jumper, I said that it would heat up. NONO!!..It was freezing.

Geez wizz...it was freezing today. The Sydney weather was unpredictable. Blue skies but gusty winds.

I met up with Junny and hanged with him a little bit. We discussed the things that going on missions entails. I'm happy for him and I pray that God will do awesome things through you dude.

Joshua 1:9
⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

I also received an email from Toni who was one of the guest speakers at our retreat. Just received some photos that she took.

Nathan and me during our walk to the 3 Sisters.

Nathan and Me sharing fruit. He gave me all the seeds to the grapes.

Tightass Tuesdays!

Due to the luring of a $5 ticket for a movie, our caregroup have decided to watch a movie. The sad thing about tonight is not that we are all cheap, but it will be the last time I meet them collectively.
This led me to another progression of thoughts. We are all running this race together. Through caregroups, I've learnt so that we need each other. Each member has one way or another shaped me to be the person that I am today. Its a shame that we need to change groups but I guess through caregroups we get to meet a variety of different people, experience their joys and pains and once again run this race together.

I pray that my current members will really dive into the care group ministry. May you bless your next group even more than you have blessed me. I thank God for all the memories we share.

I didn't expect this post to get emotional...

Yesterday I spent good times sharing with friends, talking about life and pondering what God has install for us. Tried to watch 'Ray' but failed. Tried also to find Maeil Soy Milk at every shop in Eastwood but failed. A lot of laughs but also serious moments. Sometimes when I look at life through another set of eyes, things become a lot more clearerto me. I thank God for the different friendships we have whether they are younger, older, wiser, wider whatever. We are all God's children.

On a different note, I was formally invited to a wedding. This is like a landmark day in the life of 'David Kwag'. This is the first wedding where the couple are actual friends of mine.
How awesome?
This happily reminds me of one of my previous posts. Future Mrs Kwag, I'm praying for you!

Laughter...

at ourselves. THis is what we do in our spare time..j/k
Oh my goodness..
What on earth were we doing???
Please do not hold this against any of the people in this photo. We were at the Rocks and decided to make our own fun. This is what happened. This was taken over a year ago. Dang!
Good times..

SEX!

Now that title would have grabbed the attention of many.

Yesterday as I was sitting listening to the sermon, I was dumbfounded to realise how little I knew about what the bible said about this topic.

To say the least, i was very thankful that such a topic could be talked about in the church. I think it has come to the attention to the church that it is something which must be discussed in the church. Statistics only confirm this. A study saw that children who were aged 15-19 shows alarming statistics:

2002: Males – 49% were sexually experienced.
2002: Females – 46% were sexually experienced.

Instead of making people feel guilty and condemning them for their actions, as Christians and as people who are prone to falling and making mistakes, we need to show them the love of Christ. We need to tell them that they are forgiven but also to remind them that no sin is too great for the price that Jesus paid on the cross.

The quote by C.J. Mahaney put into perspective so many things.

(paraphrased)

"before you touch the body of your wife, be sure that you touch her heart and her soul."

Man...that was deep. I felt something when Eddie preached it. It radically messed with my heart. I'm not sure what it was but it was something.

Lord, I pray that I would be a child who keeps himself pure before you. I hope that I would abstain from the things the world tells me about sex and cultivate in my heart a true intentions of what sex was designed for in your sovereign plan. Lord, thank you for the great gifts that you give us. I pray that we would use each gift for its intended purpose.

In Jesus Name.

Amen.

That ring for the lucky future Mrs Kwag...

Be a MAN...Do the right thing!

I recently saw this clip of Russell Peters.

Man..this guy is da bomb. He's an Indian Canadian comedian. His wit and impersonations of the Chinese people is the real thing.

I've put a link to the clip in his standup show.
http://www.badmash.org/videos/videos.php?v=brown_guy.wmv&t=Russell%20Peters%20is%20Funny
Enjoy people!

Listening to Foo Fighters..

This album is great. I've been a fan of Dave Grohl for a long time. Ever since he was in Nirvana.
Anyways this album is a great combination of hard rock and soft rock.
The double cd set is a bargain for all those people who are afraid of buying cds....this is a sad reality.

This is the lyrics to 'Best of you' which reached the top 5 on the music charts.

I've got another confession to make I'm your fool
Everyone's got their chains to break Holdin' you
Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn't have
But had no use I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
But I can't choose I swear I'll never give in I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel You trust, you must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Oh... Oh...Oh...Oh...Oh... Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel The life, the love You die to heal The hope that starts
The broken hearts You trust, you must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? I've got another confession my friend I'm no fool
I'm getting tired of starting again Somewhere new Were you born to resist or be abused? I swear I'll never give in I refuse Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?



Picture of the ace drummer of Foo Fighters Taylor Hawkins. You are the man!! Respect to the drummers and miminal respect to the piano players. You know who you are if you ever get to read this post. (exclusions include Michael W Smith and Eunjung nuna) :P

Forgot something?

For some reason, my memory has been troubling me.

I never thought that my memory could be something which would fail me. Its not often the significant things that i do not remember. Its often the very insignificant things I fail to recollect.
I remember that I had a meeting with my manager today. I remember writing down 11:00 but I got there at 9:55am. I was waiting and feeling so good about myself about being early.
Mission team training has definitely helped in this department. Anyways I was just 'remembering' to write something in my diary when I realised that

Friday: Meeting with Ross at 11:00am.

I felt so stupid. Thats something I didn't learn at mission team training.

God, may you really guide me and give me a memory which does not fail.

I guess we need to continue to study and memorise things.

Deuteronomy 25:19 NIV When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!

Amen.

A gloomy Thursday

After a couple weeks of beautiful sunshine, the rains came around. I guess Sydney is one place which needs rain and lots of it.

Today I got to wake up to the sounds of a Chinese man mumbling all this mutter. Turns out that he was the CABLE GUY. Finally I have internet at my place. It didn't even need to be fast. Fast enough so I could blog and write my emails.

A weird thing today was that even though I couldn't understand everything the cable guy was saying, I could still understand what he was trying to get across. For example,

Actual: "Mutter...mutter....mutter....toilet mutter?"
Translation: "Where is your bathroom?"

Actual: "Mutter...mutter....mutter...email mutter mutter mutter."
Translation: "I have activated your email account for you."

I think I can boast that I can understand Chinglish better because of him.

Another day in HIM.

Today was a reminder that God is a God who restores lives and gives freedom in him.
The more that we lives this life, we are tainted by the things of this world. Sometimes the more we try, we seem to fail that even more. However today God showed me that his will is everlasting and that every person is so precious in his eyes. Each one was bought with the blood of Christ and each soul is important to him.

Lord, I pray that I will value each person as a valuable creation in your eyes.
May I love as you love and keep my fellow christian family close to my heart.

Aaron ajoshi: Have a great trip. I will keep you in my prayers and make sure that you keep us posted. Don't look for just Korean/NZ girls and don't be hectic. Also stay in prayer.

July: CLOSED

Wow....


What an awesome month!
It was a crazy and hectic month July was. To start off we had the Hillsong Conference. We had some amazing speakers. John Maxwell is a greater speaker than he is a writer, Joyce Myers sounds like a hick but preaches with power and Reinhard Bonnke is da man. He preached it hard and he preached it strong. He was full of stories that were unimaginable.
Not to take anything away from Michael W Smith who was a dynamic worshipper. He looked significantly younger than i imagined but then again, he is a celebrity. He shared his testimony with the Worship stream people, and it was something you wouldn't imagine to come out from a man like him. I learnt that no matter what the past, no matter how big the failures, no matter how far you thought you were, God loves you. Our God is a god who restores broken lives and uses them to glorify his name. Cece Winans was such a powerful voice. Her sheer desire to worship God at the Superdome was clearly shown through her songs. It was cool to see Rnb used as a instrument to praise our father.



Our Retreat: What a blessed we had. Walter, Toni, Nathan and Naomi flew out from Boston to be with us for our retreat. Turbo Groups was a fun and fast paced program in which all participants were given the training to lead a small group. A lot of fun and fellowship was had by all. Each person was really glad that they were able to come to the retreat. All expectations were fulfilled. I thank God for his provisions and his guidance because it wasn't definitely one of the biggest projects that i undertook. As our ministry mission statements says "All for the Glory of God."

(By this stage, I feel guilty for neglecting my parents.)

JAMA Convention: I played the drums for the Jama convention. Every time I play the drums on an actual kid, I feel pressured and very self conscious. The decision to put me on a mini-stage was daunting however I prayed that God would be worshipped not me nor any person on that stage. Besides the endless times I couldn’t hear what was going on, and the fact that the cymbals fell because I hit it soo hard, I could feel that people were so hungry for God’s presence. I felt that the theme of ‘Purpose, Passion, Purity’ was quite appropriate for the convention. The pastors from the states Charles Kim (not the Aussie one), Jae Park, and Rick ‘I sound like Ray Romano’ Kim delivered sermons and talks in which people were reminded of what we were created to be. We had some staff from Jama USA come over to help the Jama Australia team. They were a crazy bunch of people who were in love with each word that we pronounced. If this is a trend I continue to see, I may be heading to the US of A for some chicks. Chicks as in chicken. What were u guys thinking? I heard the chicken in America is a little bit different to here. :P

That concludes the crazy month of July. God is awesome and he reigns. I was priviledged to be apart of each retreat/convention. Although i was dead tired at some many of them, I realised that God gives his divine power to all who ask. As Isaiah 41:17 NIV says "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."
What an amazing declaration from God to his children. Hallelujah!!

Peer pressure

I've finally succumbed to the pressure of blogging.
So many people have started doing it and I realised that it could be a way for me to preserve my memories.

Its hard getting used to all these technical things, but I think Eddie Byun has mastered it, so I'll let him know if I get stuck.

Well then...back to work..