LifeChurch

A story is told of the great Michelangelo who attracted a crowd of spectators as he worked.  One child in particular was fascinated by the sight of chips flying and the sound of mallet on chisel.  The master was shaping a large block of white marble. Unable to contain her curiosity, the little girl inquired, “What are you making?”

He replied, “There is an angel in there and I must set it free.”

To some people, the life and other people are just a block of unchiseled ugly marble.  However, to other people, the same life and the people are like an angel kept in which must be released by chiseling a small piece at a time.

I believe God sees me as an “angel” (masterpiece) trapped in sin because I was created in His image (Gen. 1:27).  And to set free, He did sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for me on the cross for my sin.  Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (NIV).

Holy Spirit… chisel me away and make me more like Christ while I am on this place.

Have a blessed day!

I am a person who doesn’t like beating around the bush.  I like to take it like it is and say it like it is even if it hurts.  In fact Exodus 20:16 says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (ESV).  Then it dawn on me that I have often acted like a butcher more than like a surgeon.

Both a butcher and surgeon cut and remove bad parts.  However, one thing that is different between them is what happens after cutting.  Unlike butchers (not referring to them as wrong), doctors stitch up the incision after the surgery.  What would happen if a surgeon left the incision open?  Without stitching back and caring for it, a surgery (good intention) can lead to fatality.

I am a pastor and thus, I talk a lot!  Proverbs 15:4 says, “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (NIV).  I pray that I would act like a doctor using scalpel to cut and remove the wrongs but also to stitch up the wound and help people heal.

So I am T.H.I.N.K.-ing before I speak…                                                                                         T – is it True?                                                                                                                                       H – is it Helpful?                                                                                                                                 I – is it Inspiring?                                                                                                                              N – is it Necessary?                                                                                                                             K – is it Kind?

Have a blessed week!

Recently I have watch the movie called, “The Admiral: Roaring Current” based on the Korean historical figure Sunshin Yi who became a legend for defeating 330 Japanese ships with only 12 ships in 1597.  Like any other inspiring movies based on true story, I was “moved” with emotion.  Very vaguely I remember the history but it reminded me of what happened and what leadership Sunshin Yi must have demonstrated to lead small number of people to accomplish almost “impossible” task.

As I heard Sunshin Yi say, “살고자 하면 죽을 것이요. 죽고자 하면 살 것이다!”  (If you try to live, you will die.  If you are willing to die, you will live – my translation), it reminded me of what Jesus said in Luke 9:24, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it”.  So true that when one is willing to die, there is no fear.  But the real question is for “what” or “whom” am I willing to die.

I am grateful that my Lord so willingly died for me.  I hope and pray that I, too, so willingly die for Him everyday and offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Rom. 12:1).

Have a blessed day!

I attended a memorial service of a soccer buddy of mine this past week.  I have been to many funeral services and even presided some but this was one of the touching services I have experienced in a long time.

The man who passed away was so called “Christian” for many years but he really got to experience God’s grace and love within last few months as he was fighting cancer.  When I visited him a couple of months ago, he was sharing his testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ with others who came to comfort him.  Praise the Lord!

During the memorial service, one of his closest friends came and sang the song called, “친구여” (Friends) in Korean.  As he was singing the song, for some reason the lyric hit me hard. Here is the lyric in Korean (sorry to those who can’t read Korean)…

꿈은 하늘에서 잠자고
추억은 구름따라 흐르고
친구여 모습은 어딜 갔나
그리운 친구여
옛 일 생각이 날때마다
우리 잃어버린 정 찾아
친구여 꿈속에서 만날까
조용히 눈을 감네
슬픔도 기쁨도
외로움도 함께 했지
부푼 꿈~을 안고
내일을~ 다짐하던
우리 굳~센 약속
어디에
꿈은 하늘에서 잠자고
추억은 구름따라 흐르고
친구여 모습은 어딜 갔나
그리운 친구여
슬픔도 기쁨도
외로움도 함께 했지
부푼 꿈~을 안고
내일을~ 다짐하던
우리 굳~센 약속
어디에
꿈은 하늘에서 잠자고
추억은 구름따라 흐르고
친구여 모습은 어딜 갔나
그리운 친구여

He burst into tears toward the end of the song.  It was evident that they were very close friends.  Truly it is a blessing to have FRIENDS whom you can go through sorrow, joy, and pain of life together.

I remember the saying, “If you want to be a friend, be one forever.”  I want to say, “Thank you!” to all my friends out there and I cherish every moment of our friendship.

God bless you my friends!

It is known fact that all great athletes (in fact, all professional athletes) spend hours and hours in practice and training.  For example, Larry Bird is known for his work ethics.  While playing for the Celtics, he worked harder than any other players.  Not only he ran long-distances for stamina, his daily training included sit-ups, practice games, short-distance runs, and shooting drills.  He was out on the court floor 2 hours before tip-off shooting over 300 practice shots when no one else did.  That’s what made him a legend in basketball history.

I believe it was Thomas Edison who said, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”  Not only genius but any great man is result of faithfulness in their call.  A great ballerina’s feet show their relentless attitude of striving for their goal and dream.  Figure skating champion Yuna Kim’s feet bear the mark of her hard work.

What should be for Christians?  For Christians in Iraq, they are marked by this letter “ن” (Arabic alphabet equivalent to the Roman letter N) as it represents Nazarenes, in other words Christians.  Paul said in Galatians 6:17, “for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (NIV).  Whether visible or invisible, all Christians do bear the “mark” of Christ.  So may we live our lives faithfully as Christ who so gladly bore “marks” for our sake.

Have a blessed week in Christ everyone!

Some similarities between an electric pole and bamboo are the fact that they both are straight and point the sky.  Also they are connected with others (pole to pole and bamboo to bamboo).  Therefore, one will not find an electric pole standing by itself without connected to other pole.  Likewise, one will not find one bamboo by itself.

However, there are some differences that teach us a life lesson.  Though they are both connected with each of its kind, an electric pole will fall by a strong storm while bamboo won’t.  An electric pole is connected on top while bamboo is connected underneath the ground.  Even if an electric pole is stronger than bamboo, it can’t withstand storm by alone. Bamboo withstand the storm because its root is well connected beneath the ground.

Just wondering about this in this self-promoting generation.  While people are busy connecting via visible networks (Facebook, Linkedin, Tweeter, and and other social networks), some people are more focused on invisible network (God, church, small group and accountable partners).  It may not show up on your resume but having deeply rooted network in Christ can help you go through the storms of life.

Don’t forget to “water” your invisible network during this hot summer!

Have a blessed weekend!

The other day, I was told by San Francisco tour guide about the incident that happened on the Lombard Street, known as the crookedest street in the whole world.

One day a couple who were getting married got into a stretched limo and offered $100 tip if he would drive down the Lombard Street.  The limo driver took up on the offer thinking he could do it.  He, pulled the first corner off and barely got through the second corner before he got stuck.  And he was stuck for good… not able to go forward or backward.

There were no way to get this limo out but by lifting it on the air.  Thus, city had to hire a large crane to lift the limo out off the street which caused thousands of taxpayer’s $$.

The driver was fired and lost his “special license” from this.  He was no longer able to drive for any tourist or limo company.  And the couple… missed their wedding!

I am pretty sure that the limo driver thought he could pull it off.  All it takes is a small pride.  Proverb 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”.

Let’s humble ourselves before the Lord as we seek His grace and mercy each day.

Have a blessed week!

I have seen many who owns an ipad, iphone, tablet, or smartphone tend to put this thing called “screen protector” on their device.  It is suppose to protect your expensive gadgets from scratches and other damages.  It makes sense to have it on since those favorite gadgets cost hundreds of dollars.  I have one, too,  since I am a bit clumsy myself.

Then, I wondered if we are truly spending time and effort “protecting” things that are far more important in life like relationship, integrity, children, faith, and marriage.  Since there is no such a thing as “marriage protector” that you can purchase and simply “put it on”, we have to work at it.  Also it doesn’t matter who you are because no one is immune from “scratches” in life.

So I have decided to go through 40 days of The Love Dare from the movie Fireproof as my attempt to protect my relationship/marriage with my wife.  Whether it is once a week date night, once a year marriage conference getaway (Weekend to Remember is a great one), or reading a book on marriage, it is worth it.  As we are quick to put sunblock on skin and a screen protector on expensive gadgets. why not on marriage and other irreplaceable things in life?

Have a blessed weekend!

A shepherd boy was tending 90 sheep and ended up by river that seems to have no end. Carefully looking, the shepherd boy found a big boat and the boatman.  The boy asked the boatman if he could help transport his sheep across the river.

The boatman requested half of the sheep that across the river.

The shepherd boy have to cross the river but didn’t want to give 45 sheep.  Since there was no other way but to agree, the shepherd boy loaded the sheep on the boat and crossed the river.

After crossing the river, the shepherd boy told him that he would only give 30 sheep.  When the boatman got angry, the boy explained, “I have agreed to give half of the sheep that will across.  I loaded only 60 sheep so I only owe you 30 sheep.  Your 30 sheep are on the other side of the river.”

The quick thinking of the wise shepherd boy saved 15 sheep.

There are times we may end up in lose lose situation.  In those moments, I pray that God will grant you wisdom and strength to minimize your loss and suffering.

Have a blessed week!

Political correctness (PC) has gone too far!  I certainly understand and believe that we ought to be careful not to offend others by using any derogatory language or words.  So there are number of PC words that I do agree with.  However, there are some just too dumb (PC term is “cerebrally challenged”).  Here are some samples of politically corrected words:

Bald – follicly challenged, blind – visually impaired, cheating– academic dishonesty, cowardly-challenge challenged,

However, it seems people are easily offended these days by even a word that is related to any religion.

In 2014, a woman (Neace) working for US Bank in Kentucky for over 20 years was fired  for telling customers, “have a blessed day”.  US Bank told her that she can’t say those words and when she didn’t comply with that “policy”, she was fired.  “Have a blessed day” is related to Christianity… so people complained?

Does this mean that I can’t say, “Bless you!” when someone sneezes because it is related to Christianity?  Well… I am not afraid of saying it and I will say it!  I think it is one thing to be sensitive but it’s another thing to be absurd.

Have a wonderful… I mean “blessed” day!