Newsletters

Separate to Operate 2

(The Forge Newsletter_December_2022)

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

I have been learning and working on carpentry since the Covid-19 pandemic started. I started with bows and arrows, and have made many other things , all out of recycled pallet wood. I have to separate the pallets, before making something from the pallets. The most difficult job is to separate the pallet in order to operate and transform into useful things. *(If you drag down to the bottom of this page, you will see my carpentry products.)

1. Separation is a painful but powerful operation
Separation normally gives negative and hurtful impression but we cannot grow and go forward without separation. When a baby is born, the baby should be separated from the mother by cutting the umbilical cord, otherwise the baby cannot be free and might die. When we get married, a man has to leave his parents in order to establish a healthy new young family. Even Jesus separated himself from his Father to redeem his Bride to establish the new Family.

2. Healthy separation is based on conviction of God
It might be comfortable to dwell on the past whether it is good or bad because we have already been there. If we really want to grow and go forward, we need to leave our past behind. Although we don’t know what is ahead of us, we have to step out. That’s why we need faith in God. If our separation is based on our emotion or frustration or situation, it is likely to go into a fatal destruction. However, if it is based on God’s conviction, it leads us into life, growth and building the Family of God and Kingdom of God.

3. We have to separate in order to build
If we dwell on our past, we will be not only circling around but also wasting our lives. Past is history, future is mystery, but present is laboratory of faith. We can use our past history to build steps to move into the future mystery in the present laboratory. God has given everyone these opportunities everyday to experiment in the present laboratory. However, if we don’t use the present opportunities, we probably will dwell on the past history. We need faith in God in order to use our history to make the steps for the mystery of God.

4. History is an unending dialogue
E.H. Carr says that history is an unending dialogue between the present and the past. If we just cover up or ignore the past history, we not only cannot build our present life but also cannot explore our future mystery. In fact, the past history is gone, so we cannot change it. However, it can be reinterpreted differently according to how I live in the present time. In the end, those who learn from past history, can build a new life now and bring down the future mystery here. When the wine ran out in Cana, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” But Jesus said to her, “What does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” However, Jesus performed the miracle because Mary stepped into the mystery by faith. Likewise, in eternity, our future mysteries have been waiting for someone who steps in to bring down by faith.

[ Intercession & Prayer ]

1. Water is Waiting
We learn from the past and get wisdom to live at the present time through the Bible. Also we are exploring into the future and eternity by faith. The land of Israel is like the Bible; histories have been written on it. Therefore it is so important to walk on the land to find out his presence and purposes, likewise reading the Bible. There is no land to compare to Israel but the land of Wales is very unique in terms of Christian Revival history. Many waves of revival have swept through Wales. Although it is hard to see, the living water is flowing over the surface and there are many deep underground streams of living water waiting to break out. The Bible says, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

2. It has not been finished
I have been praising and praying nearly every morning for the last 3 years whether alone or together with others. I believe that God has been working in me and through me. A couple of months ago, while I was meditating on the Scriptures 1Kings 13:1-29, he spoke to me that our Forge journey is not finished. I felt that God wants us to resume something.

A prophet from Judah defied the king of Israel in order to obey God, even though the king invited him to eat and drink with him. However, he was deceived by an old prophet from Bethel who told him a lie and he didn’t inquire of God. So he stopped and returned the way he came, then he ate and drank with him, although God told him don’t stop to eat or drink, or return. Because of his disobedience he was killed by a lion.

However, the two cows that were carrying the ark of covenant, didn’t stop nor look back but carried on the journey to get to Beth-Shemesh. They left their calves behind and they were lowing as they went. They did not pause to eat or drink but went straight in the direction of Beth-Shemesh, even though they were just dumb animals. Somehow they knew instinctively where they should go regardless of all these distractions and temptations. The cows were also killed, but as a sacrifice, a sweet fragrance to the LORD. Their death served a purpose.

3. The Year of Praising and Thanksgiving is Ahead
Recently, while I was meditating on Leviticus 19:23-25, I sensed that God was speaking to me. The last three years is like the years of circumcision after planting fruit trees in the promised land. Therefore we mustn’t eat from the uncircumcised fruit for three years. Also in the fourth year, we mustn’t eat the fruit either because this fruit is holy and it is for praises for God. In December 2019, seven of us felt that God wanted us to stop running the Forge School and receiving long-term people because a new thing was coming. Then In January 2020, Covid-19 broke out in Wuhan China. Now it has been just about three years. So it may be this year 2023, we need to focus on praising Him and thanksgiving to God for the fruit that are coming.

“And when you come into the land and have planted all of the food trees, then you shall expose its foreskin, its fruit, it shall be uncircumcised for you three years; it shall not be eaten. And in the fourth year all its fruit is holy; it is for praises for Jehovah. And in the fifth year you shall eat its fruit, that it may yield to you its increase; I am Jehovah your God.”

For the last three years, I have been praising Him and interceding nearly every morning. During this time, God has given me a new simple song in Hebrew. While I sing the song everyday, I pray for brothers and sisters in Yeshua whom I know in Israel from Herrnon to Negev desert.

 
5. World in Whirlwind
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused a lot of death and pain not only in Ukraine but also the rest of the world, including Russia herself. Is Putin exercising Russia’s role to fulfil the biblical prophecies or just his own political ambition? China’s Xi Jinping has managed to extend his power beyond the normal 5 year term with changing the consitition in 2018. Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu has returned to power despite accusations of corruption. A young lady’s death caused political turmoil to challenge the current Islamic regime in Iran. Brazil’s socialist Lula came back to presidency and Brazil expects a big change because he is pro Iran and anti-Israel as well.

6. There is no one but this one
Joseph was a Hebrew shepherd who was discriminated and despised by Egyptians, also he was slave, a prisoner, and uneducated. Nevertheless king Pharaoh appointed Joseph as Prime Minister because there was no one but him. He recognised the presence of God and the Spirit of God who was with him. Daniel was a captive and a eunuch. Nevertheless, king Nebuchadnezzar appointed him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon because there was no one but him who told and interpreted the king’s dream. Similarly Jesus chose the uneducated, untrained and despised Galileans to be with him and to send out. Also God used mightily Evan Roberts to wake people up to be aware of Him but he wasn’t eloquent or well educated. Instead, he was a miner and a blacksmith but he loved Jesus and the Word of God, and was full of zeal for God and His kingdom. God is looking for one who is available for Him not the able. God can use a donkey, fish, birds, even stones to speak or to carry his plan and purposes. An unexpected new president has been elected in South Korea, who was the former government’s Chief Prosecutor. British former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had to resign for lack of integrity and now former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who is of Indian origin, has been appointed after Liz Truss’ 44 days government failed. God can use anyone to fulfil his plan and purposes.

7. The Queen’s death : New Era Begun
Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years, then she finished her race on earth not only for the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth, but also for the Kingdom of God. Now Britain and the British Commonwealth countries have entered a new era. No one lived this era before and it is very different. We have been with Covid pandemic for three years and Ukraine war nearly for a year. Now everything is much more expensive than before the Pandemic and Ukraine war, especially fuel and food prices.

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Rev 13:16-17)

Our ultimate enemy knows how to control the world. He uses various tactics to deceive, distract, and depress us, so that we may live in despair hopelessly. However, there is always hope in Jesus because he has defeated the death and overcome every challenge and temptation. We are physically in wintry season but the spiritual spring has come and the time of singing has come. We need to prepare our inner land as farmers prepare their land before planting new seeds in the spring.

My beloved speaks and says to me:
“Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away,
for behold, the winter is past;
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away."
(Song of Songs 2:10-13)

[ News Update ]

1. Looking for Long term family house
Owen & Seungae have been moving from one temporary home to another, but they really need a long term family house in order to build their own family. Please pray with them.|

2. Seven Acres of Land
Almost a year ago, I started praying for seven acres of land including decent buildings for families and singles, also workshops, sheds, a stream, woodland, vegetable garden, etc.. Because I realised that our discipling community's activities are so much limited without land. I would like us to build a of prophetic, practical, worshipful, intercessory, and missional discipling community.

3. BNYQ Family News
Noah is now in his final year of GCSEs, doing mock exams as we write this. He is studying well and serving as a prefect at school. All his teachers speak very highly of him. He recently passed Grade 4 piano, and has taken up fencing! Yohan is still home-educated, and is loving horticulture classes at the Botanical Gardens. He still learns piano, with a new teacher, and is doing very well. Both Noah and Yohan are learning Taekwondo. Noah has got involved in a Korean Youth Service in Swansea, where he plays piano, and I serve young people as a taxi driver. Bridget has resumed her MA course after one year pause.

4. Creative Exploring, Craft and Carpentry

(1) Producing the Fruit of Faith
Owen has been exploring Treadit Gardens and he made a beautiful garden and pond for local families. (https://treaditgardens.com)  Seungae is very creative artist and a qualified architect has been creating various art works; cards, calendar, book cover, etc.. Also Vivien has been writing and finalising a testimonial faith journey book “A Living Legacy”. Our brother Rabbi Mathew has published a powerful testimonial book: “Grace Undone” on Amazon. (click here)

(2) Stop to Start : A New Journey with Carpentry
“Without stopping current things, we cannot start new things.” For the last three years, while things have been stopped a lot, I have started learning carpentry and helping people with the skills. I have made bows & arrows, patio roofs, shaving horse, crates, easels, work bench, shed doors, bird cages, insect cages, towel hangers, toilet roll holder, wooden shed, key rings, phone holder, tablet holder, coasters, back gate, bed, dog box, porch roof, nativity stable, etc.. Also I have fixed people’s garden fence posts, bed frames, tea table, wooden chairs, etc.. I am using 99% scrap wood and pallets. I have rescued a lot of wood from fire and turned into many beautiful and useful items. While I am working, often I think of carpenter Jesus because I have found few number of foundational principles of discipling. The surface of wood and inside wood are very different. Often I find that inside wood is beautiful and sound, even though outside of wood is a bit rotten and dirty.So now I try not to judge with what I see.

5. The Forge School of Faith resuming
In January 2009, God called us to restore the ruined spiritual forges and to raise up spiritual blacksmiths according to the legacy Rees Howells left. By the end of four years journey of intercession, the Bible College of Wales had been purchased and renovated by the Singaporean Cornerstone Church. Now they are running a three month course twice a year and running retreat centre, heritage centre, and prayer meetings.

We, meanwhile, set up The Forge. From 2012 until just before the Covid-19 pandemic we ran two-week schools of faith regularly in Wales. These were followed by an optional two week outreach elsewhere in the world, and many people stayed on here for 6 months to 2 years discipleship community life. Now we are resuming the School in March 2023. (See below for details)

Qday Music Album: “Tomorrow Never Comes!”

1. Tomorrow Never Comes!
2. The Only Way
3. Beginning & End
4. Enough
5. The Most Beautiful Thing
6. Set Free
7. Let Your Kingdom Come
8. Like A Rock

Shalom Shalom!

Qday LEE

(+44) 7870 653157

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www.theforgewales.org.uk