LifeChurch

The iPhone 6 is about to be released in September of this year and the price of this newer model will start from at least $900 according to tech advisers.  If you remember, the very 1^st generation iPhone was released in June 2007, and since then the Apple came up with a newer generation almost every year.  The smart phones have become status symbol for our generation.  People have to buy the newer model even if their “older” model (just one generation before) is in excellent condition.  No wonder there is a company that makes a smart phone that costs over $10,000.

The Vertu Signature Touch is making an Android phone that costs over $10,000.  No it is not made of 14K.  Other than Concierge, Life, and Certainty (nothing to do with the performance of the phone but service related benefits), when it comes to performance, this overly priced phone is only comparable to Samsung Galaxy S5 or the HTC One by Google according to high tech reviews.  Hearing about this I can’t help but to ask why people are drawn to these overly priced phone or sometimes just newer phones.  I believe it has much to do with a SOCIAL STATUS… just because I can afford to have one or to say that I fit in with the others.

This has been on my mind little more these days since my phone contract ends soon and I have to find another plan for my family.  My family and I, too, want nicer, faster, and newer phones but not for the sake of just having it.  After some thought, I have decided to go back to using a “dumb phone” but the problem is most carriers are offering less of these “dumb phones” these days.  What am I to do?  The dilemma comes because I don’t want to just go with the flow or try to fit it with this generation.  I want to be a good steward of what God had entrusted to me and along the line keep myself from trying to feed insatiable appetite.

Don’t let this bother you because I am just talking out loud as I am prayerfully thinking through this.

May God bless you and have a great 4^th!

Bill Crosby humorously explained the difference between Mother’s Day and Fathers Day.  He insists that Mother’s Day is a much bigger deal because Mothers are more organized.  This is his explanation…

Mothers say to their children:

1. Now here is a list of what I want.
2. Go get the money from your father and you surprise me on Mothers Day.
3. You do that for me.

For Father’s Day I give each of my five kids $20 so that they can go out and by me a present–a total of $100.  They go to the store and buy two packages of underwear, each of which costs $5 and contains three shorts.  They tear them open and each kid wraps up one pair, the sixth pair of underwear going to the Salvation Army.  Therefore, on Father’s Day I am walking around with new underwear and my kid’s are walking around with $90 worth of my change in
their pockets.

May be Crosby is right.  Mother’s Day is bigger and more popular in terms of how much money has spent on flowers, chocolates, and dining out.  Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean Father’s Day is less significant.  I want all you fathers to know that you are very important and needed in your children’s life.

Have a great Father’s Day to everyone… especially to all fathers!

The Triple Crown is usually refer to one horse who wins three important events: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes.  However, I feel like I am a Triple Crown winner this year.  This maybe the only year that I have my three children graduating in the same week from three different schools.

My oldest daughter will be graduating from her college on Saturday (6/14); my second daughter will be graduating from her high school on Friday (6/13) and my son will be graduating from his middle school on Thursday (6/12).  So with graduation on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, how can I not feel like I am a Triple Crown winner?

God had been so good and gracious to us.  By God’s grace, we are able to rejoice and celebrate His goodness in our lives this week.  Just talking about it gets me more excited!

I just wanted to share my joy with you all.  Have a blessed week!

I went Starbucks to pick up a cup of coffee the other day and learned something new.  It was between the morning crowd and lunch so there was no line.

I ordered my drink as usual and unlike busy time of the day, the cashier didn’t ask for my name.  As I walked over to the pick up section, the barista asked for my name.

So I told him “Austin” (since I get my name misspelled often) and asked what for since there was no one else.  I assumed that they ask for the name to make sure drinks don’t get mixed up when they are busy, but it turns out that asking the name was the protocol.

The barista replied that they have to ask for the name because they are to go by N.E.C.

What’s “N.E.C.” I asked and he explained, “N (name)… E (eyes)… and C (connect)!”

They are trained to call out the NAME and make EYE contact as they CONNECT the drink to the right person.  Then, it dawn on me why they would shout, “Austin… here’s your Grande Americano!”

I think we should learn from Starbucks who are doing a great job training their employees to be more connected to customers.  All Christians should have this attitude as we are trying to reach unbelieving people… get to know them personally and connect them to Christ!

Have a blessed week and N.E.C.!

A jab is very important part of boxing or any fight because what it does.  A jab is quick and fast punch that sets up for more powerful or perhaps a knock out punch.  Jabs can be used for defensively by jabbing to keep space with the opponent or distract your opponent while you regain yourself.  Then there is a “pivot jab” which is more powerful jab that uses shifted weight to the lead foot to cause a bigger damage.

No smart boxer would only throw “knock out” punches but use jabs integrally and Satan is expert in this jabbing.

Unfortunately, I’ve heard a few pastors whom I know (know of) were accused and arrested for their sexual sin and made the local news.  They were faithfully serving the Lord over a decade but all gone (their future and ministry) in one punch.  However, I wonder if it was really one “knock out” punch that got them.  Rather I believe it was a series of “jabbing” that lowered their guard to sin.

Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:21-22, “Test everything.  Hold on to the good.  Avoid every kind of evil” (NIV).  Three words to remember: TEST, HOLD and AVOID!  Test and see if it is good.  If it is good, hold on to it.  If it is not good, then avoid it.  What a great words to remember by as we fight the good fight.

Have a blessed week!

There is a saying in Korean and Chinese, 염일방일 (拈一放一), which means if you want to gain one, you must let go of one.

About thousand years ago during Song dynasty, there is a story told of a well known scholar, historian and politician name Samakwang.  When Samakwang was young, he saw a little boy fell into a big clay water pot (like a water tank for us).  The boy screamed for help as he was trying to stay afloat.  Time was ticking and adults were looking for a rope to lower it to help the boy.

It was then young Samakwang picked up a rock and threw it hard enough to break the clay pot and drain the water out to save the little boy.  While grown ups looking for a way to save the pot, save the water, and save their face… a little boy almost die.

Sometimes we think of things to “save” over what is more important.  Jesus said “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

염일방일 (拈一放一) reminds me of God sacrifice.  God sent (let goed) His one and only Son in order to bring us (gain) to Him.  I wonder what kind of “clay jar” we are preoccupied with that we don’t more important things in life.

Have a blessed week!

There once was a blind man in a small town who always carried a lighted lamp in his hand whenever he went out at night.

On one dark night he was going out with his lighted lamp in his hand and a group of men were passing that way.  They saw the blind man and made fun of him.  They said,” O Blind man, why do you carry the lighted lamp?  You are blind and cannot see anything?”

The blind man politely said, “This lamp is not for me, but for you people who have eyes.  You may not see me coming and bump into me.”

What a great story of other-centered attitude and lifestyle!  Perhaps that blind man carried that lamp ultimately for himself but in caring for himself, he cared for others, too.  The Scripture says in Matthew 22:39, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I believe a little bit of inconveniencing self and a little bit of consideration for others would make this life more pleasant to live.

Have a blessed day!

There is a phrase “women and children first” first came to use around 1860 in the context of sinking ship.  In 1852, the HMS Birkenhead struck rocks off the South African coast and was about to sink.  This ship had 643 people.  Though many were soldiers there were women and children on board.

The ship was quickly sinking and there weren’t enough lifeboats to rescue all of the soldiers and civilians on board.  Lt. Colonel Alexander Seton was in command at that time and in order to give priority to women and children, he ordered his men and other soldiers to form on deck.  After the women and children had found a place on lifeboats, the youngest soldiers were to board the lifeboats.  At the end, most of the soldiers drowned including Lt. Colonel Seton while women and children survived.

Lt. Colonel Seton’s heroic action led to what became known as the Birkenhead Drill which meant in the case of disaster, women and children are to be rescued first.  What a great code of conduct.

I can’t help but to think about the Sewol ferry incident last week in Korea.  What if the men and the crew whispered, “remember the Birkenhead” and helped women and children (students) first?  What if the captain stayed behind and provided evacuation procedure instead of first one to be rescued?

I am reminded of Apostle Paul’s word, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27).  I am whispering to myself now, “Jesus first, others second and me, last.”

Have a blessed week!

A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.

His name was Robert Matthews.  These are his words:

A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said ‘amen,’ we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset we drove home.

I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife’s flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.

My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. ‘This is not something I can’t just sit by for; I have to do something.’

I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, ‘take good care of my grandchild.’ Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn’t expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.

The man looked at me and asked if my father’s name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, ‘I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.’

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the WorldTrade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, ‘there is something else you need to know.’

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.

Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves ..

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.

Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never know the impact it may have on someone.  God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Have a wonderful weekend!

* I can’t verify  this story to be true or not but heard as a true story.

There was a teenage boy and his grandfather who went fishing one day.  While fishing, the old man starts talking about how times have changed.  The young fellow picks up on this and starts talking about the various problems and sexually transmitted diseases going around.

The teen asked, “Grandpa, did you have a whole lot of problems with all these diseases when you were young?”

Grandpa replied, “Nope.”

The teen asked, “Well, what did you guys use for safe sex?”

Grandpa replied, “A wedding ring.”

As God is holy, we ought to be holy and so are we to be merciful and pure as God is merciful and pure.   Jesus promises us that we would see God if we are pure.   This purity Jesus talked about is not just a physical purity but spiritual purity as well.

Do all that you can with His grace to keep yourself pure.   May God bless your heart and keep you pure throughout this week.