[katcheng-blog]

T H A N K F U L || As a goal-oriented visionary, I often forget to celebrate and give thanks because I'm always focused on the next thing and the 20-year plan. Today I want to thank all of you for being a part of my journey. When I first dived in to painting, I could've never imaged what it has become today. It was a challenge for me to break off my perfectionism and comparison, even up until very recently. It's been a healing process, a discovery process, and one filled with "writer's blocks" and "failures" as well as buzzing inspiration and victories--And I couldn't have done it without you! Your words, comments, likes, purchases, commissions, questions, desire to be mentored by me, encouragement, materials all contributed to where I am today. I feel so free, full of joy and confidence with my creations. I was able to go to Cambodia to speak on creativity and fashion. I bought a sewing machine and now have clients who ask me for creative consults. I'm experimenting with more and more styles. And all my creative fun is a part of my lifestyle and helps me pay the bills! What?! And some how through all of this, I've discovered beauty, not just in my work, but in myself and in all of you. It's almost the 11-month mark since I first began so I just want to say thank you and I'm thankful for you!

[katcheng-blog]

T H A N K F U L || As a goal-oriented visionary, I often forget to celebrate and give thanks because I'm always focused on the next thing and the 20-year plan. Today I want to thank all of you for being a part of my journey. When I first dived in to painting, I could've never imaged what it has become today. It was a challenge for me to break off my perfectionism and comparison, even up until very recently. It's been a healing process, a discovery process, and one filled with "writer's blocks" and "failures" as well as buzzing inspiration and victories--And I couldn't have done it without you! Your words, comments, likes, purchases, commissions, questions, desire to be mentored by me, encouragement, materials all contributed to where I am today. I feel so free, full of joy and confidence with my creations. I was able to go to Cambodia to speak on creativity and fashion. I bought a sewing machine and now who ask me for creative consults. I'm experimenting with more and more styles. And all my creative fun is a part of my lifestyle and helps me pay the bills! What?! And some how through all of this, I've discovered beauty, not just in my work, but in myself and in all of you. It's almost the 11-month mark since I first began so I just want to say thank you and I'm thankful for you!

[katcheng-blog]

"It would be cheap to force one’s perception on the wood. The art is in seeing what the fiber requires. Someone fixated on the ‘ideal’ or ‘right’ shape only follows his laws. The artist, who also knows about the laws of acoustics, see something else: he honors what is crooked and what has become in the fibers and knows that these must not be cut in the wrong places. Only then is the evolution a spiritual one where inner wisdom and knowledge of the wood and its needs are uppermost, and not blind perception to a ‘form’. The perfectionist is content with fulfilling the law; the artist fulfills the sound." - Martin Schleske #violin #music #artist #sound

[katcheng-blog]

Cambodia, Phnom Penh Day 5

Today was intense in a different way. From an aerial view, when we look at just the activities and the hours allocated to different things, it sounds like we had a pretty “chill” day, but in actuality, me and my team are all pretty exhausted. On our first day of deployment week, we all split up into our different teams today. I am serving with an organization called Hard Places Phnom Penh, and the other teams are: Agape International, Destiny Rescue, Hard Places Siem Reap, Bloom Cafe, and Miscellaneous. I haven’t had a chance to talk much with the other teams yet, but the Agape team told me they went to a brick factory where the children were about 5 years old and they only had a 15 minute break the entire day to receive rice from Agape. Our team started off with an orientation with Hard Places where Ali Melon, the director and founder, told her story of how she came to Cambodia. “I chose Cambodia because of the age of the children being trafficked.” She said that in the years she’s been here, she’s seen an entire village completely transformed by the presence of God and the work of her team, and now they are expanding into Siem Reap! It’s so exciting to see what God can do when people will follow the voice of God and commit to a city, a people, a nation.

After learning some of the root causes of some of how pedophilia and sexual exploitation of women and children have come to Cambodia, we hopped in a van and went to the kids club in a slum neighborhood. The moment our team walked through the gate, children rushed up to us and hugged and embraced us. I thought it was pretty funny because the missionary we are working with, Emma, told us not to initiate touching or hugging the kids because of the possibility of losing their trust, But it was completely the opposite of what she said would happen.The kids were mostly affectionate and a few of them played with my hair and climbed on my lap immediately. I just fell in love. Then we took a walk around the slums and did a short prayer walk and interceded for the neighborhood, while we handed out prophetic art pieces to different people we met on the walk. 

We headed to Emma’s house for lunch and had a nice long conversation about her decision to move to Cambodia and how God flung the doors wide open for her. She also shared about her vision for Cambodia and how she would be a part of empowering the next generation of Khmer leaders. Missionaries always amaze me. They are like superhumans who are so humble and hope-filled

[katcheng-blog]

Cambodia, Phnom Penh Day 4

I’m behind on updating because we just returned to the city from serving at an orphanage out in the countryside last night. I was assigned to work on a mural so I had pretty limited interaction with the kids, but one of the girls, Kim, really connected with me. Though all we did was hug for a very very long time every day, and we couldn’t really speak in English or Khmer to each other, the language of love was fierce and we both understood the love we had for one another. It was hard to leave. I cried a lot of tears when we embraced and I left.

One of the biggest challenges for me on this trip has actually been learning to adjust to my team. Don’t get me wrong, I love my team, but the sheer size of over 70 people going from place to place makes it really different from what I’m used to when traveling. I usually like to roll solo, or with no more than two other people. Everything just takes so much longer. But the adjustment has been a good learning experience for me. Secondly, the challenge of being on this team has also been the fact that I’m still a lot more Asian than I think I am. Of course, I was born and raised in the good ol’ USA, but I’ve noticed that I have a greater affinity sometimes with the people and culture of Cambodia than I do my western brothers and sisters. Sometimes it’s a challenge.

Take for example, the fact that we went to the night market last night and one of my team members said, “I don’t understand why you would try to rip them off by bargaining. I am already from a rich country and a dollar to me doesn’t mean as much as a dollar for them.” Obviously, the statement is true, but it’s a practice of being at the market -- you barter! So, that statement has made me question... What are my intentions? Is there something inherently wrong with bargaining? And is it because of bargaining that merchants at the market will overprice every single thing? I can’t help my analytical mind, but sometimes it stresses me out as I am having to cross cultures both ways: into Cambodia and into the western missionary/team world.

Prayer Requests: - Today I will go with my team of 14 to join Hard Places Phnom Penh. We will be working with children in the slums. Please pray for us as the weather is quite hot, and we will be outside -- just for all of our health: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. - I praise God that my experience this time has been different than when I was in Indonesia! I haven’t felt much of the oppressive/tension of the spiritual realm and just feel a lightness and a peace. Still, would you pray for me and the rest of the team to remain seated with Jesus, covered and protected? - Continue to pray for our team, and pray for my process as I try to understand how to relate to Cambodians and to my team. - Lastly, since I’ve arrived, I’ve really just felt at home. I am seeking the Lord for direction and if Cambodia might be a place where He’d want me to return. Just seeking God for His direction for my next steps! Love you all xoxo

[katcheng-blog]

Financial Breakthrough

How easy is it for most of us to believe in the goodness of God for physical or emotional healing? How easy is it for most of us to believe in the same God who is just as good and can heal our wallets and bank accounts? This year (including pre-BSSM 2016) has been a crazy journey for me, with God breaking off lie after lie about my identity as a daughter-in-law who has received and walks in the full inheritance and abundace of Papa's riches and wealth. Even just a few week ago, I was laying in my bed and wondering how I was going to pay for food and rent. I was also feeling shame for feeling anxiety about finances: how many times do I have to circle around this mountain before I trust Papa my Provider? The Lord led me to watch this video again to remind me that I carry financial breakthrough, and that I live from abundance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bbxpqFaAMA and reminded me yet again that my bank account doesn't determine my wealth. Yet I still had to figure out how I would pay for my rent and food. Papa was telling me to sow the last bit I had into other people and declare and plan to buy certain things that were definitely not in my budget. There's no formula, and Paul Manwaring talked about the problem of planting bread because it doesn't grow into more harvest. But the point is, you just have to trust Papa's got you even when it doesn't make sense what he's asking. A few days later, someone gave me $50 to help me, and the next day I received $200 and another $50. Then I got sick for a whole week and people helped me with groceries. Just yesterday, I got paid $2000 for a painting I worked on and someone is interested in one of my other paintings I was just doing for fun and considering to pay $1800. Lessons learned: 1) God is better than you think: He can heal you of cancer and He can heal you of debt in a single moment of heaven invading earth. 2) You are worth more than you think: Let Papa blow your mind! 3) Generosity is a kingdom principle and you can't use human and earthly principles to make sense of how economics works in the kingdom. 4) Ask for help if you need it financially, just like you would ask for help from your community for food. Nothing to be ashamed of! The worst that could happen is they can't help you. 5) There's no shame in the kingdom. It's ok to circle around the mountain again. But talk to Papa about it and talk to your community about it. Don't let the enemy's lie drag you into shame and condemnation! Acknowledge the truth: your bank account is saying "ahhh!!" but God promised you ______. 6) You carry financial breakthrough and miracles for people!!

[katcheng-blog]

When I Lost My Heart to You (Hallelujah)

By Hillsong United Love Laid its breath against my chest My skin was thick But You breathed down all my walls Love Like the fire steals the cold The ice wore thin As Your light tore through my door You have my heart You have my heart You have my heart oh God You have my heart Oh hallelujah Hallelujah Oh hallelujah I found Your love When I lost my heart to You Love Trading crowns to wear my shame The Prince's throne for the cross that bore my thorns Oh love Like crashing waves of endless grace You won't relent Until all I am is Yours You have my heart You have my heart You have my heart oh God You have my heart Oh hallelujah Hallelujah Oh hallelujah I found Your love When I lost my heart to You Oh hallelujah Hallelujah Oh hallelujah I found Your love When I lost my heart to You You have my heart oh God And I have this love in You

[katcheng-blog]

Promises Fulfilled

When you come face-to-face with God, who is True Love, every lie and every dead melts away.

This year has been a powerful year of breakthrough and victory. I can’t believe today is only January 11th! I feel like a completely free and new person!

The Lord was speaking to me yesterday about what it looks like to walk in freedom, power, success, and favor. He showed me through the story of Abraham, Noah, Jacob, and Joseph what it looks like to have the favor of the Lord. We are so much like them. So many of us have dreams, life callings, promises we have heard from the Lord, and yet when we look at the circumstances of our lives, it doesn’t seem to line up. Take Abraham, a man who heard from the Lord at the age of 75, to take his family and leave his country for another, and that the Lord would bless him with land, with offspring, and that his family line would become a blessing for the nations. At the age of 75! He had zero children at the time. Would you have followed where the Lord was leading even though He didn’t show you how he would bless you with the land, the offspring, the blessing?

Abraham went! But soon after, he started to try and control the situation. He lied to leaders of different nations to protect himself. He slept with his wife’s servant to produce a child because they grew impatient. He messed up. A lot. And yet the favor on the Lord was upon him, and the Lord covered every single mistake again and again by renewing his covenant again and again with Abraham.

Then, finally, Isaac was born! The promised child! The one in which all the promises hinged on! His descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and bless nations! And the Lord decided to test Abraham at this point. Wow! What a cruel God! Many would think. How could God be the reason for destroying the promises and the hopes He initiated in the first place? How cruel! But Abraham follows God’s instructions, because he knew God’s character-- God wouldn’t break His promises. God isn’t cruel. God wouldn’t make a covenant and not come through completely. God would provide a way out. God would provide a ram for the sacrifice. God would do what He said he would do! 

At the last minute, when Isaac was already all tied up and Abraham was about to sacrifice him, an angel of the Lord appears and a ram also appears, and Abraham names the mountain where this happens “The Lord will Provide”. 

Do we trust that our God is a faithful God, who is the promise maker and the promise fulfiller? Or do we think, it’s up to us, we need to make things happen? If God asked you to let go of a promise He has made you, do you trust that He would still provide? Do you believe He is Jehovah-Jireh, your Provider?

[katcheng-blog]

Out

Remember when I used to put You in a box I thought the only truth Was the kind that fit neatly Into one plus two is three But then You In Your goodness to me Wouldn't let me stay in the bars of religion The nails that pierced You pierce You back on the cross again and again. No. I won't go back inside ever again. When you've tasted freedom What is the foolishness that fits you back into a cage? Now I taste the mysteries of ocean blues I see wonders of worlds beyond wildest imaginations And I feel. I feel real. No longer buried under the icy layers and callouses of my heart. Your fire melted me with a Love I've never known before And suddenly I know without a shadow of a doubt: I am a conqueror. A phoenix. An all-consuming fire of Love flows out of my soul And it's my time! To arise and shine. Set free and never enslaved again. What's brought to life can never die again. What's tasted light can never hide again.

[katcheng-blog]

The Chair of Awesome

Sometimes I catch doubt and negative thoughts trying to creep their way back into my thought process. It’s amazing how after a wonderful day filled with Jesus and worship can be affected by one negative thought. What do we do in these moments of self-hate, self-criticism, and lies?

Last week, our revival group practiced something we call the “Chair of Awesome”. One person would have to sit in the middle of a circle and in 3 minutes, tell us everything that they thought was awesome about themselves. I knew if there was any time ever that this would be important, now was the time. I went in front of the mirror and started recording the audio of myself listing off reasons why I was awesome. It was difficult at first because I had a moment of doubt right beforehand. I was wondering, “Wow, did I really make the right decision quitting my job and leaving my friends and family to be here?” I started questioning my decision, whether or not I heard God’s voice, and so began the spiral. So I started off with saying I was awesome, but I didn’t believe it. I was repeating something a friend once said of me. I kept going. It wasn’t until about minute 9 that it really started to hit me... Yes! I am awesome!

You know, the truth is that for a long, long time, I thought that I needed to have false humility. I thought that it was prideful for someone to say what they were good at. But I have been learning what true humility is -- it’s when you know what you’re great at, and what you’re not so great at. Saying I’m horrible at something I’m good at doesn’t give glory to God, it makes me a liar. I’m not saying we should flatter ourselves or puff ourselves up, or be arrogant. But we should know who we are. How can we recognize the best in others when we fail to recognize the best in ourselves? How do I love my neighbor as I love myself if I don’t love myself? This is the great value and purpose of the gift prophecy -- it edifies, exhorts and comforts (1 Corinthians 14). Sometimes we need to actually prophecy over ourselves because we need edification, exhortation and comfort as well. So hey, whether you’re feeling horrible or awesome today, sit yourself down in the chair of awesome and tell yourself what it is about you that makes you awesome! And this is why the word of God (rhema and logos) is so powerful for us. When we know what God says about us, all we have to do is remind ourselves of what He says. His word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11) and it gives life (Proverbs 3:1). Speak it. Meditate on it. Read it. Listen to it. Imagine it. Let His word comfort, edify, and exhort you today.

All this to say that after 9 minutes of listing off reasons why I’m awesome, the doubt, hate, criticism and lies I believed just melted away. 

[katcheng-blog]

Old Blog

Reviewing some of my old posts and really impressed with my writing! I need to write more often. :)

https://sinceraty.wordpress.com/

[katcheng-blog]

Queen

What is the definition of a Queen? 1. the female ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth. synonyms: monarch, sovereign, ruler, head of state... 2. the most powerful chess piece that each player has, able to move any number of unobstructed squares in any direction along a rank, file, or diagonal on which it stands.

Daughters, we have inherited our royal identity by birthright. We rule over an independent state as sovereign. We have the power and the great responsibility of ruling with dignity and strength, grace and peace. We have all the access and power to create and rule in our land. Our words decree life or death into the soil and into people's hearts. Are we going to serve our people with honor? Not thinking of ourselves as more valuable than they are, but recognizing we are Queens of Kings of different domains? Yet, realizing we are all precious and of greatest value.

We are the most powerful chess piece that each player has, able to move in any direction. God has spoken to me before about playing chess with me. But this is the first time I am considering the pieces on the board. Daughters, we are Queens on the board. Strategically we are the piece that all the other pieces are protecting. The Queen is the most powerful piece on a chess board, and you'd willingly sacrifice any piece (except for the King!) to save the Queen.

How are Queens and people in power looked upon? We typically judge a queen or a president by how they live, what policies they enact, the countries and Kings they dine with and do life with. Their wives, husbands and children. What they stand for and who they speak for. Is this a serious queen or can she relate to me? How does she relate to people? She's the example.

So here is the challenge: What will we stand for and who will we speak for? Who will I dine with and what example does my queenship set? Will I call people into greatness so they realize their identity as Queens and Kings, too?

[katcheng-blog]

Don't lose hope.

Art Therapy. If there was ever something in my life I didn't pursue and work hard for and receive, it would be this. I went to a math and science nerdy high school (Bronx Science represent!) and one of my favorite classes was a summer mandatory woodworking class. That and biology because I could dissect things. Thought about being a surgeon but went to NYU and couldn't sign up for pre-med classes because I registered late (financial reasons). So I majored in political science instead and wanted to do a minor in psychology but east Asian studies meant graduating earlier and saving money. A favorite class was law and society, and the other was linguistics and neuroscience. Worked in startups creating training and marketing and sales and business development. Then started painting. And now I'm at Bethel and surrounded by some of the most creative people (set creator for Hook) and I'm thinking to myself... What?!?! This is insane. And on Thursdays me and a team of 8 go out into the community and will take people through an art therapy program. Like, what?? And I'll be going to Cambodia this spring and will most likely take people through the art therapy program so kids and women and all those who have had trauma will be able to be healed. I mean. I never really imagined this. Yet whenever my leaders here talk about going into conflict zones and into some of the darkest places where people are voiceless, not even able to hear their own voice, or war veterans and those who have been in deep darkness have lost themselves, and even as I write this, I begin to cry because I just feel something in my soul that knows... This is my life destiny. Somehow. Yea I want to see people set free from chains society, trauma, religion, and their own mindsets have placed them in. I want to see people completely healed from pains and torments and depression they might not have even known were there. And somehow, art and music opens the door into the heart and into the soul in a way words never will. I want to see people come into their destinies. I want to see people believe again and hope again. I want to see wars stop before they even start because beauty invades the strategy room. Some call me a dreamer, and that I definitely am. But what has been dreamt can become a reality, whereas a person with no vision wanders. Martin Luther King Jr. Had a Dream. Nelson Mandela had a dream. The founding fathers had a dream. You have a dream. Don't lose hope.

[katcheng-blog]

#Repost @katchengart with @repostapp ・・・ Asked @logisaurusrex to come up and paint this with me pretty last minute. So glad he said yes! Collaboration. Unity in diversity. Uniting of color. Racial reconciliation. Victory. Resurrection. Jesus having victory over death! Uniting of churches. Dripping with God's anointing and promises. Fire. Poem coming soon. #livepainting #artismyprocess #artisworship #acrylic #original #fineart #nofilter #collaboration #anointing #promisesofgod #rainbow (at Bethel Church-Twin View Campus)

[katcheng-blog]

Playing with watercolors in art class today! We were told to paint "Victory" and to this song "Star Sky" by Thomas Bergenson in 5 minutes. //Victory// Remember. I remember the dark tomb It kept Me hidden. But that was the past I'm risen now. Yes, I the Lord didn't come to stay dead I came to raise the dead. I came to fulfill My promises Since before time began! I came to defeat darkness I came. I conquered the grave. Don't look so somber Remember your place You are risen with Me You are risen now No longer dead. Choose to stand in victory Lead others to freedom With the same power that rose Me Be the light that lights others to victory.

[katcheng-blog]

(Listening to "Open Up Let the Light in" by Steffany Gretzinger) //Let Light In// The softest whispers of Your touch Like violins gently singing to me. Content. I thought I knew Who You are Who I was. I thought I knew. But You burst in like the waves Filling the holes in my heart Flooding in Your Light. Burst Like fireworks and dynamite You invade Me. Oh heart Open up and let light in. Oh mind Open up and let light in! Oh soul, my soul Let the Light in! Light Break in break through break all. I'm letting go of every piece of me Let the Light in. Gently You usher me in deeper Into blinding light. I want more. ©Katherine Cheng

[katcheng-blog]

More More I demand MORE. I didn't come here to stop. I came here to fly. #fly #BSSM1 #BSSM #bethel #more #moregodmore #fire #Repost @christinecaine with @repostapp ・・・ Sometimes you have to remind yourself out loud, that you will run YOUR race & you will finish YOUR course. You will do this wether people support you or don't, encourage you or don't, cheer you on or don't, stand by you or don't, acknowledge you or don't, respect you or don't, esteem you or don't, value you or don't, choose you or don't, want you or don't, like you or don't, include you or don't, speak well of you or don't, agree with you or don't, stick with you or don't. You will never know if you are truly living for the audience of one until you only receive the applause of the one. I want to encourage you today to keep going. God sees, God knows, God cares. Your obedience to Christ matters. Very much.