LifeChurch

Today, I heard a message by Francis Chan during the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary chapel.  He talked about on the subject of PRIDE and how he was so prideful during his seminary years.  Yes, God hates prideful people.  No wonder the word “PRiDE” has the letter “i” in the center!  Instead of God-centered, when we are i-centered, God opposes.  I wonder what God would think of all of “i” products… i-tune, i-pod, i-phone, i-touch, i-pad, and etc.   Haha!  ^_^

If he is able to go back and redo a part of his life, he wants to go back to 3 years of seminary period to redo things.  He would re-lived those 3 years of his life to slow to speak, pray for others and spend more time with unbelievers.

I, too, was and am so proud and arrogant thinking that I CAN help God with my talent and skills to expand His Kingdom… forgetting who gave them to me in first place.   No wonder Paul said, “I can do all things IN CHRIST who strengthens him” inPhil. 4:13.

Today’s message made me think about what part of my life would I go back and do it over again if I was given a mulligan.  I can’t think of one specific time period since who I am today is totally and completely by the grace of God.  However, I, too, wouldn’t mind going back to my seminary years.

What about you?

Have you ever pressed the “close door” button as soon as you got into an elevator?  Though there are different reports, it is considered as a placebo button.  In other words, the button doesn’t really have the function despite it is there as a button to close the door.  This non-functional button is there to give an illusion of control to those who ride in one.

Whether it is a placebo button or not, all elevators are programmed to shut the door automatically after certain number of seconds.  It was designed with in mind of how long it will take people to get on and off.  Therefore, there is no need to press the “close button.”  It may vary but the door closes less than 3-4 seconds but many of us are not patient enough to wait that 3-4 seconds and repeatedly press the button.

We are becoming more and more of microwave, instant, quick, now, fast and faster generation.  Thus, we have hard time waiting on the Lord, too.  The Psalms 37:7 says, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.”  Patience is a virtue.

Next time when you are in elevator and has an urge to press the “close button,” take a deep breath and wait.  I believe a small practice will help us become a little more patient in other areas of life.

If you were to take 10 gallons of gasoline and drop a match into it, it will explode out of tremendous power and energy.  That’s a power!  However, there is another way to use the power of gasoline.  If you were to put that 10 gallons into the tank of my Toyota Prius, it will get me here to Los Angeles and even have left over gas.

The high tech engine will use that 10 gallons of gasoline to take our family over 350 miles and more.  Sometimes explosion is spectacular and needed in Christianity, but the controlled burn of that 10 gallons can do something more effective.  And that’s what you would find in book of Acts.

What happened in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost is like dropping a match into gallons of gasoline which unleashed the awesome power immediately.  Nevertheless, the way the Holy Spirit wants to use His power is in our daily lives like getting 40+ miles per gallon.  It  may not be spectacular but enough to make a difference in our circle of life.

I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit be evident in your life as you submit to Him daily.

     A Scottish saying, “Many mickles make a muckle” and Korean proverb, “티끌모아 태산이다” have the same meaning that is many small things amount to a big thing.  We see many examples of this from little insects like bees, ants, termites and etc.  Those insects by themselves can’t do much but together with many, they can make honey comb, damage buildings, kill large animals and many more.

      Southern Baptists practice something similar to this principle which called, “The Cooperative Program” or simply known as “CP.”  You can find more information about what CP is and what CP does can be found on this site: http://www.cpmissions.net/2003/what%20is%20cp.asp.

     However, to put it simply, when an individual gives to church then churches gives CP.  When CP has been pulled into one pot, it is divided for specific area of ministries including seminary training, missions (both oversea and NorthAmerica), church planting, disaster relief support and etc.  These kind of ministries are not possible by one church alone but they become more than possible when many churches come together… many mickles make a muckel!

      Thank you Life Church people for giving generously and serving faithfully.  Do remember that your mickles contribute in making a muckle in God’s kingdom.

I know there are people who think that many spend too many hours on facebook.  I am sure everyone has his/her own reason.  However, let me tell you why I facebook.

For me FB has been a great way of encouraging and blessing one another.  Therefore, I watch what I post, what I like, and what I share on my page.  Fortunately, there are many of my FB friends who expressed their appreciation for the things I have been posting.  Thanks!  Though there are many both positive and negative reasons of facebooking, for me this is one reason that is good enough for me.

Most of people on my FB list are people that I have met and do consider “friends.”  These are people I don’t mind chatting for 30 minutes over a cup of coffee if I had a chance.  Since many of them live far away… other countries, other states and cities… FB has been a great way to see how they are doing (based on their postings and pictures).  Also how would I keep in touch with 400+ people and inform them of how “we” are doing… and all at once?  Facebook!

As a result, I have decided to make my facebooking a little more personal than just “like” someone else’s post.  I have decided to post a personal greeting to each individual FB friend at least once a year.  By the way, I pray for those people as I greet them.  Beginning with an alphabetical order, now I am on “R.”  So hang in there if your first name begins with “S.”  I will get to you soon!

That’s why I facebook… just in case if you were wondering.  I will continue this as long as I can bless others through FB!

Rick Warren writes, “There are many things you don’t have control over. You didn’t choose when you’d be born or where you’d be born or what your natural talents would be.  God, in his sovereignty, chose those things for you.  But there is one thing you do have control over and that’s the most important thing: It’s how much you choose to believe God.

Philippians 1:6 says, “I am sure that God who began this good work in you will carry it on until it is finished on the day of Jesus Christ.”  You can trust him.  Whatever he starts, he finishes — and finishes well.”  Nevertheless, you much choose God.  Have you ever notice how opportunity knocks once, but temptation beats at my door every day?

I am sure you have heard the sayings, “You are what you eat” and “You are what you do.”  They are talking about CHOICE.  Would you choose God today?  Would you choose to keep yourself pure?  Would you choose to act out of kindness?  Would you be gentle to people you meet?  Would you share God’s love with someone today?  Would you spend time praying for your church, your friends and family?  These are all matter of CHOICE.  I pray that you would make good choices today.  God bless!

-Pastor Loren