Hurry back home, Mommy & Daddy!
I miss you & love you so much:)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Mommy & Daddy
When Joseph asked me during lunch today if I missed my parents, I said "No," without giving it a second thought. Yet as I opened an email filled with words of love & encouragement, and smiling pictures of my parents, I couldn't help but to shed a few tears at the thought of how much I miss my best friends in Christ, partners of the Gospel, faithful intercessors, my lovers, my teachers...my parents.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Walking in God's Love
Yesterday was a B-I-G day for me. I've been waiting to share about the Lord's calling in John 21:15-18, so while I was very nervous to share my calling with the church yesterday, I was also extremely happy in the Lord. Last night, I slept like a baby in my Father's arms:)
When I woke up this morning, I was still a little bit tired. Mondays are always pretty tough on me as I spend the weekends in a whirlwind. But I didn't want to let my physical weakness tie me down, so I said to the Lord, "Speak to me, oh Father, for here I am to listen and bow down humbly in Your presence."
Then the Lord spoke to me through today's devotions: And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2John 1: 5-6)
To walk in His love...walking in His love. I let this sink in my heart for a while, and I prayed quietly to my God, "Father, all I seek is to walk in Your love. No matter what happens in my life, oh God, I will stay strong. I will stay focused. As I walk in obedience to Your commands no matter what, and You hold me steadfast in Your love. Lord, all I seek is to walk in Your love! By faith, I walk in Your love!"
Most of my day was okay. Everyone at WSA today was sorta worn out from taking the long test, but I was happy we could have class altogether on Modays. Phonics was fun (Keep it up, Ji Hoon!!), and the presentations just keep getting better and better (Great work, Eunice and Rebekah!). I took care of all my dad's errands fairly smoothly, and most of the provisions for Rota has been taken care of. The lady helping me at the Attorney General's office, Becky, is simply wonderful. Shopping with Rebekah went okay, and I even had time to squeeze in a nap time before I got busy with doing my work. Judy's Flower Shop is running smoothly without my parents or me (since I was sleeping, hehe).
Then at 7:19 PM, the time to test my faith, my walk in love of God came.
My dear friend and partner in Christ Jin Hee called me. She usually doesn't call me during the weekdays and especially at night, but Jin Hee called. I picked up the phone wondering why she had called, and Jin Hee first said "Unnieeeee....(sister, in Korean)" in a weak yet cute voice. In my head, I'm still thinking, "Hmm I guess she forgot to tell me something yesterday." Then came the test.
"Unnie, sorry I didn't tell you earlier...but I'm going to Korea. Tonight."
"What?! Are you that sick!?"
"Yes and no. My parents have been wanting me to come back to Korea soon and I've been thinking about it. Since I haven't been feeling well recently, my mom told me it'd be best if I came home now and return back to Saipan in about a month to get the rest of my things."
".........so you're not going to live here anymore?"
"Umm...no....sorry I didn't tell you earlier!"
Oh, my..........
I knew Jin Hee was never the predictable girl, but what?! How am I supposed to live without my only sidekick at church? How am I supposed to take care of our college youth without my trusted Jin Hee?! Why didn't I sense this the whole time I gave her rides back to her house almost every day?! Who is going to be on my side in times of trouble?! Oh man, Lord.......how am I going to live...........T.T..............
Then Jin Hee went on to tell me about her plans of moving to Japan next week to learn the language and culture. She's always told me about her calling to become a missionary in Japan, but why so soon? Why now? We have so much work to do at church! on Saipan! Who's going to be doing prayer walks at NMC?! Oh man, Lord...........
As I write this, my heart is still in the process of being shattered into a million pieces. Charles is leaving soon. Paul is leaving too. My parents are just waiting for God's OK sign to dedicate themselves as full time missionaries; I highly doubt Jae Hee is ever going to come back. God, are You seriously going to take every single person in my life away from me and leave me deserted on Saipan all by myself? Oh my.........
Devastation.
I need to go pray.
When I woke up this morning, I was still a little bit tired. Mondays are always pretty tough on me as I spend the weekends in a whirlwind. But I didn't want to let my physical weakness tie me down, so I said to the Lord, "Speak to me, oh Father, for here I am to listen and bow down humbly in Your presence."
Then the Lord spoke to me through today's devotions: And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2John 1: 5-6)
To walk in His love...walking in His love. I let this sink in my heart for a while, and I prayed quietly to my God, "Father, all I seek is to walk in Your love. No matter what happens in my life, oh God, I will stay strong. I will stay focused. As I walk in obedience to Your commands no matter what, and You hold me steadfast in Your love. Lord, all I seek is to walk in Your love! By faith, I walk in Your love!"
Most of my day was okay. Everyone at WSA today was sorta worn out from taking the long test, but I was happy we could have class altogether on Modays. Phonics was fun (Keep it up, Ji Hoon!!), and the presentations just keep getting better and better (Great work, Eunice and Rebekah!). I took care of all my dad's errands fairly smoothly, and most of the provisions for Rota has been taken care of. The lady helping me at the Attorney General's office, Becky, is simply wonderful. Shopping with Rebekah went okay, and I even had time to squeeze in a nap time before I got busy with doing my work. Judy's Flower Shop is running smoothly without my parents or me (since I was sleeping, hehe).
Then at 7:19 PM, the time to test my faith, my walk in love of God came.
My dear friend and partner in Christ Jin Hee called me. She usually doesn't call me during the weekdays and especially at night, but Jin Hee called. I picked up the phone wondering why she had called, and Jin Hee first said "Unnieeeee....(sister, in Korean)" in a weak yet cute voice. In my head, I'm still thinking, "Hmm I guess she forgot to tell me something yesterday." Then came the test.
"Unnie, sorry I didn't tell you earlier...but I'm going to Korea. Tonight."
"What?! Are you that sick!?"
"Yes and no. My parents have been wanting me to come back to Korea soon and I've been thinking about it. Since I haven't been feeling well recently, my mom told me it'd be best if I came home now and return back to Saipan in about a month to get the rest of my things."
".........so you're not going to live here anymore?"
"Umm...no....sorry I didn't tell you earlier!"
Oh, my..........
I knew Jin Hee was never the predictable girl, but what?! How am I supposed to live without my only sidekick at church? How am I supposed to take care of our college youth without my trusted Jin Hee?! Why didn't I sense this the whole time I gave her rides back to her house almost every day?! Who is going to be on my side in times of trouble?! Oh man, Lord.......how am I going to live...........T.T..............
Then Jin Hee went on to tell me about her plans of moving to Japan next week to learn the language and culture. She's always told me about her calling to become a missionary in Japan, but why so soon? Why now? We have so much work to do at church! on Saipan! Who's going to be doing prayer walks at NMC?! Oh man, Lord...........
As I write this, my heart is still in the process of being shattered into a million pieces. Charles is leaving soon. Paul is leaving too. My parents are just waiting for God's OK sign to dedicate themselves as full time missionaries; I highly doubt Jae Hee is ever going to come back. God, are You seriously going to take every single person in my life away from me and leave me deserted on Saipan all by myself? Oh my.........
Devastation.
I need to go pray.
(To be continued...)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
We are God's Children!
Good morning, everyone!:D
I knocked out (knocked out = fell fast asleep) on my bed last night right after our prayer, so here I am just finishing up our church's service program and thinking about all of you at 6 in the morning:)
(Oh yeah, by the way, Ji Hoon, congratulations! It's finally your time to witness the glory of the Gospel this Friday^^;)
I just read several of your blogs about the day we spent at the beach. I haven't been to the beach in a while, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me as well:) As I shared with Joy several nights ago, I had so much fun simply celebrating the moments we are able to spend together in this glorious time, glorious place of God that I totally forgot how old we are! I quietly thought to myself as I was driving to church that night, "Wow...I had so much fun at the beach...!!! Thank You, Lord. But wait, how old are we?? How old is Mi Ae? How old is Joseph?? How old am I???"
LOL.
As I thought back at the childish, goofy fun and sheer joy that we shared that day at the beach, I first felt silly. The old Joo Hee would've thought it is so lame to go hang out at the beach with a bunch of Christian people(sorry^^;), but now, these "boring" Christian people have become my best friends, best companions, best partners in this march of faith. Age is definitely not a matter of division for us. It's rather quite fun to completely forget how old our physical bodies are to be able to simply, blissfully enjoy God and His creation as young children. (I really couldn't see any difference in expressions between us and 5-year-old Hyun Bin^^;;)
All my life, I had set goals for each 10-year phase of my life. When I was a teen, I wanted to go to a good college. In my 20s, I wanted to have a fancy career and get married. In my 30s, I wanted to gain lots of money and fame through whatever I'd be doing. In my 40s, I to wanted to spend good times with my family, travelling all over the world...and etc.
Oh and I never, ever wanted to mingle with people older than me, or even younger than me. Well, to be honest, I didn't even like people my age; I was never satisfied with anyone, really.
But now in this life that I live with Jesus, in this march of daily faith, I no longer have hopes and dreams of my physical life. Age really isn't anything but a whole bunch of numbers that tell me how much closer I am in meeting my Father. I'm finally able to breathe freely in the loving grace of our God, never having to worry about any unnecessary things in life any more. All the days and nights I spent worrying, thinking, and planning about my meaningless physical life, I can now use in serving my Lord whole-heartedly and enjoying every second of it rejoicing with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
If we had met in the world, we would have been separated, divided, and unable to love and laugh as freely and whole-heartedly, but now, the single force that brings us completely together, Jesus Christ, gives us the true peace and joy in our lives. The true reason to celebrate! The true reason to live!
Hallelujah!
Let's continue to be glad and rejoice to be like a child in the presence of our Father. Let's simply enjoy being able to live, laugh, and learn in the daily grace of our Savior. "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)
Lord, thank You for emptying out our lives and our spirits. Thank You for freeing us from the strongholds of life. Your saving grace, your everlasting love, your eternal glory...Father, I will simply rejoice and be glad in You, oh God. Guide us, nurture us, lead us, humble us, and teach us as we are poor in spirit for You, oh Lord. It is You that we yearn; it is You we worship with all our lives. We love You, and we thank You. Take us, and let Your glory shine in all the ends of the earth!
Maranatha!
I knocked out (knocked out = fell fast asleep) on my bed last night right after our prayer, so here I am just finishing up our church's service program and thinking about all of you at 6 in the morning:)
(Oh yeah, by the way, Ji Hoon, congratulations! It's finally your time to witness the glory of the Gospel this Friday^^;)
I just read several of your blogs about the day we spent at the beach. I haven't been to the beach in a while, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me as well:) As I shared with Joy several nights ago, I had so much fun simply celebrating the moments we are able to spend together in this glorious time, glorious place of God that I totally forgot how old we are! I quietly thought to myself as I was driving to church that night, "Wow...I had so much fun at the beach...!!! Thank You, Lord. But wait, how old are we?? How old is Mi Ae? How old is Joseph?? How old am I???"
LOL.
As I thought back at the childish, goofy fun and sheer joy that we shared that day at the beach, I first felt silly. The old Joo Hee would've thought it is so lame to go hang out at the beach with a bunch of Christian people(sorry^^;), but now, these "boring" Christian people have become my best friends, best companions, best partners in this march of faith. Age is definitely not a matter of division for us. It's rather quite fun to completely forget how old our physical bodies are to be able to simply, blissfully enjoy God and His creation as young children. (I really couldn't see any difference in expressions between us and 5-year-old Hyun Bin^^;;)
All my life, I had set goals for each 10-year phase of my life. When I was a teen, I wanted to go to a good college. In my 20s, I wanted to have a fancy career and get married. In my 30s, I wanted to gain lots of money and fame through whatever I'd be doing. In my 40s, I to wanted to spend good times with my family, travelling all over the world...and etc.
Oh and I never, ever wanted to mingle with people older than me, or even younger than me. Well, to be honest, I didn't even like people my age; I was never satisfied with anyone, really.
But now in this life that I live with Jesus, in this march of daily faith, I no longer have hopes and dreams of my physical life. Age really isn't anything but a whole bunch of numbers that tell me how much closer I am in meeting my Father. I'm finally able to breathe freely in the loving grace of our God, never having to worry about any unnecessary things in life any more. All the days and nights I spent worrying, thinking, and planning about my meaningless physical life, I can now use in serving my Lord whole-heartedly and enjoying every second of it rejoicing with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
If we had met in the world, we would have been separated, divided, and unable to love and laugh as freely and whole-heartedly, but now, the single force that brings us completely together, Jesus Christ, gives us the true peace and joy in our lives. The true reason to celebrate! The true reason to live!
Hallelujah!
Let's continue to be glad and rejoice to be like a child in the presence of our Father. Let's simply enjoy being able to live, laugh, and learn in the daily grace of our Savior. "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)
Lord, thank You for emptying out our lives and our spirits. Thank You for freeing us from the strongholds of life. Your saving grace, your everlasting love, your eternal glory...Father, I will simply rejoice and be glad in You, oh God. Guide us, nurture us, lead us, humble us, and teach us as we are poor in spirit for You, oh Lord. It is You that we yearn; it is You we worship with all our lives. We love You, and we thank You. Take us, and let Your glory shine in all the ends of the earth!
Maranatha!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
For the Glory of the Lord!
I went to pray at church tonight with a pretty heavy heart. Pastor Kwon is in Korea, facing problems that we've been praying for a while now. I started my prayers by thanking the Lord for the cross, for His resurrection and the eternal life that He has given us. My heart filled with confusion, all I could do was to simply confess my love towards my Father.
Then the Lord guided me to read through John chapter 20, in which He meets a saddened, worried Mary by His empty tomb. Thinking that Jesus was the gardener, Mary asks in grief if he is the man that took away the body of Jesus. Jesus simply replies, "Mary." (John 20:16) Jesus knew the woman so well that all that He had to do was call her by her name. It seemed as if He was telling her, "Mary, I know your name. I know your every thought. I know you love me."
In the latter part of verse 16, Mary almost dies of a heart attack at seeing the Lord, and probably ran towards Him with open arms. In verse 17, Jesus says this, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " This verse always sort of threw me off track - wait, then does this mean that Jesus isn't happy to see Mary?
Jesus, knowing me as well as He knew Mary, spoke softly in my heart, "Joo Hee, why would I never want any of my children to come running towards me with open arms?" "Hmmm...Good point, Lord." Then I imagined myself being in Mary's shoes. If I had just witnessed the death of my beloved Lord and have not been able to completely understand the true meaning of the cross, I would have been at his tomb day and night crying and crying at the physical death of my Lord. And to find that His tomb was empty one sad morning, I would have been so angry and confused at the same time. "Is someone playing a joke? Who could've possible taken the body of the Lord?" If someone had come up to the crying me and asked what was wrong, I would've asked the same question that Mary asked, "Where is He??!" ...But to find out that the very person standing behind me was the resurrected(!!!)Lord himself!!!! Without a second thought I would've gone straight towards Him, wanting to see Him closer, wanting to touch Him, hold Him. If the Lord knows me well enough to call me by my name to show that He knows every single one of my thoughts and feelings, then why would He stop me, his beloved maiden servant had been grieving so long for his loss? The focus is in this last part of verse 17 - "Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
Instead of greeting the bodily form of Jesus, instead of fulfilling my humanly desires of wanting to see, touch, hold, and be with the physical form of Jesus, the Lord tells me to look to the Father. It's not the physical resurrection that Jesus wanted Mary and his disciples to see. It was the glory of our God, the God of glory who claimed victory over all the death and sin of the this world that Jesus wanted us to see! Yes, I am here in body, but look to the HEAVENS! Look to the victorious, glorious Kingdom of God to which I will return soon!
Then the Spirit led me to read through many of the Lord's teachings before the cross in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Every single one of the words that the Lord spoke pointed to one thing - the glory of the Kingdom of God, the glory of our God. Jesus fiercely rebukes those that are deceitful and full of greed for the world, and kindly encourages His feeble yet loving disciples to have faith no matter what. He despises those that are haughty, but heals those humble with faith. He says that it is by faith alone that we will be able to know, see, and enter the Kingdom of God. To know the Lord for His glorious calling here on earth, to see the Lord for His glorious being, to be ready to greet the Lord for His glorious return - to be able to live by faith, for the Glory of the Lord!
Even in his last earthly prayer, the Lord prays, "I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." (John 17:20-24)
Wow, how awesome is our God!
I then thought about our WSA program. My dad shared with me today how none of this would have been possible without the blind faith that we have in our good Lord. I felt quite embarrased to think about how weak and unprepared I was (and still am) for this calling of God, but wow, with faith! Look where He has brought us today! And look to where He will take us at the end of the six months!
I think we should spend more time in worshipping our Father. I'm sure most, if not all, of us live a life of worship, but in this march of faith in conquering English, every moment we are simply captivated in the glory and grace of our Father. Eunice, Mi Ae and I experienced this while ordering our textbooks online two days ago, and we also saw it in our visa process, GCA, housing, food, and everything else in our WSA program! When God called such sinners and weak humans like us to be completely united with Him in His glory, how can we not sing of His greatness every moment of our lives?! How can we not proclaim the Kingdom, the glory of our Father?!
Wow, Lord, wow.
You truly are an amazing, amazing God.
I love You so, so much, waaaaaaaaaay beyond words.
I will sing of your love and glory forever.
I will march on the daily walk of faith only with hopes for your glorious return.
For the Glory of our Lord!
Then the Lord guided me to read through John chapter 20, in which He meets a saddened, worried Mary by His empty tomb. Thinking that Jesus was the gardener, Mary asks in grief if he is the man that took away the body of Jesus. Jesus simply replies, "Mary." (John 20:16) Jesus knew the woman so well that all that He had to do was call her by her name. It seemed as if He was telling her, "Mary, I know your name. I know your every thought. I know you love me."
In the latter part of verse 16, Mary almost dies of a heart attack at seeing the Lord, and probably ran towards Him with open arms. In verse 17, Jesus says this, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " This verse always sort of threw me off track - wait, then does this mean that Jesus isn't happy to see Mary?
Jesus, knowing me as well as He knew Mary, spoke softly in my heart, "Joo Hee, why would I never want any of my children to come running towards me with open arms?" "Hmmm...Good point, Lord." Then I imagined myself being in Mary's shoes. If I had just witnessed the death of my beloved Lord and have not been able to completely understand the true meaning of the cross, I would have been at his tomb day and night crying and crying at the physical death of my Lord. And to find that His tomb was empty one sad morning, I would have been so angry and confused at the same time. "Is someone playing a joke? Who could've possible taken the body of the Lord?" If someone had come up to the crying me and asked what was wrong, I would've asked the same question that Mary asked, "Where is He??!" ...But to find out that the very person standing behind me was the resurrected(!!!)Lord himself!!!! Without a second thought I would've gone straight towards Him, wanting to see Him closer, wanting to touch Him, hold Him. If the Lord knows me well enough to call me by my name to show that He knows every single one of my thoughts and feelings, then why would He stop me, his beloved maiden servant had been grieving so long for his loss? The focus is in this last part of verse 17 - "Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
Instead of greeting the bodily form of Jesus, instead of fulfilling my humanly desires of wanting to see, touch, hold, and be with the physical form of Jesus, the Lord tells me to look to the Father. It's not the physical resurrection that Jesus wanted Mary and his disciples to see. It was the glory of our God, the God of glory who claimed victory over all the death and sin of the this world that Jesus wanted us to see! Yes, I am here in body, but look to the HEAVENS! Look to the victorious, glorious Kingdom of God to which I will return soon!
Then the Spirit led me to read through many of the Lord's teachings before the cross in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Every single one of the words that the Lord spoke pointed to one thing - the glory of the Kingdom of God, the glory of our God. Jesus fiercely rebukes those that are deceitful and full of greed for the world, and kindly encourages His feeble yet loving disciples to have faith no matter what. He despises those that are haughty, but heals those humble with faith. He says that it is by faith alone that we will be able to know, see, and enter the Kingdom of God. To know the Lord for His glorious calling here on earth, to see the Lord for His glorious being, to be ready to greet the Lord for His glorious return - to be able to live by faith, for the Glory of the Lord!
Even in his last earthly prayer, the Lord prays, "I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." (John 17:20-24)
Wow, how awesome is our God!
I then thought about our WSA program. My dad shared with me today how none of this would have been possible without the blind faith that we have in our good Lord. I felt quite embarrased to think about how weak and unprepared I was (and still am) for this calling of God, but wow, with faith! Look where He has brought us today! And look to where He will take us at the end of the six months!
I think we should spend more time in worshipping our Father. I'm sure most, if not all, of us live a life of worship, but in this march of faith in conquering English, every moment we are simply captivated in the glory and grace of our Father. Eunice, Mi Ae and I experienced this while ordering our textbooks online two days ago, and we also saw it in our visa process, GCA, housing, food, and everything else in our WSA program! When God called such sinners and weak humans like us to be completely united with Him in His glory, how can we not sing of His greatness every moment of our lives?! How can we not proclaim the Kingdom, the glory of our Father?!
Wow, Lord, wow.
You truly are an amazing, amazing God.
I love You so, so much, waaaaaaaaaay beyond words.
I will sing of your love and glory forever.
I will march on the daily walk of faith only with hopes for your glorious return.
For the Glory of our Lord!
Monday, April 13, 2009
How Great is Our God!
Our God is great. Our God is awesome.
Simply put, all that I ever want to do is sing out "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!" to all nations:D Amen, YES, Lord! Truly indeed, You are GREAT!!
Last week was our College Youth Retreat.
God has done it again!
First, He invited us to eternal salvation through the cross, and now, He gives us the hope and power to live out our lives as true worshippers and followers of the Lamb. To the ends of the earth with the Gospel!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
We were blind, but now we see.
We were held captive in darkness, but now we are set free in the light!
The movie Black tore my heart apart, as I painfully watched the 8 year Michelle living an aimless life filled with anger, fear, despair, and darkness. I had never thought of it this way before, but the movie allowed me to visualize for the first time the sadness that I had once lived with in my life without Jesus. I earnestly searched for answers, love, and attention, but the more and more I relied on the world to fill my soul, my soul grew darker and more hollow inside. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I knew of Jesus; in fact, I called myself a Christian. But the reality was that I had no idea that I was living in darkness, deaf and blind to God's voice of love calling out to me.
When I first heard the voice of God speaking out to me in a tiny whisper, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me," I truly thought my heart would melt away. My knees grew weak. I felt so powerless. But because I knew that this was the voice that I had been searching for all my life, because I knew that this was the answer that I had been earnestly seeking for, I immediately got up to my feet and replied, "Yes, Father, my Lover, my Savior, Here I am."
From then on, it's been love, love and more love between me and my Father:) God's great love brought me out of my sorrows and completely drenched me in the joy and peace of His Kingdom. And today, as I take on my life step by step, faith by faith, He captivates me with His glory. The hope that I carry in my heart for His glorious return grows greater and greater each day.
Amen! Praise the Lord, for He is good!!
Satan contiues to distract me and tries so hard to cover up my eyes and ears once again, but as my Lord is my strength and my Redeemer, I will not fall, I will not surrender! I will never turn my eyes from the Lord, ever again. The old has gone, the new has come! For the Lord's glorious day, until the Lord's glorious day, I will not stop. For the glory of the Lord!!!:D
Simply put, all that I ever want to do is sing out "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!" to all nations:D Amen, YES, Lord! Truly indeed, You are GREAT!!
Last week was our College Youth Retreat.
God has done it again!
First, He invited us to eternal salvation through the cross, and now, He gives us the hope and power to live out our lives as true worshippers and followers of the Lamb. To the ends of the earth with the Gospel!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
We were blind, but now we see.
We were held captive in darkness, but now we are set free in the light!
The movie Black tore my heart apart, as I painfully watched the 8 year Michelle living an aimless life filled with anger, fear, despair, and darkness. I had never thought of it this way before, but the movie allowed me to visualize for the first time the sadness that I had once lived with in my life without Jesus. I earnestly searched for answers, love, and attention, but the more and more I relied on the world to fill my soul, my soul grew darker and more hollow inside. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I knew of Jesus; in fact, I called myself a Christian. But the reality was that I had no idea that I was living in darkness, deaf and blind to God's voice of love calling out to me.
When I first heard the voice of God speaking out to me in a tiny whisper, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me," I truly thought my heart would melt away. My knees grew weak. I felt so powerless. But because I knew that this was the voice that I had been searching for all my life, because I knew that this was the answer that I had been earnestly seeking for, I immediately got up to my feet and replied, "Yes, Father, my Lover, my Savior, Here I am."
From then on, it's been love, love and more love between me and my Father:) God's great love brought me out of my sorrows and completely drenched me in the joy and peace of His Kingdom. And today, as I take on my life step by step, faith by faith, He captivates me with His glory. The hope that I carry in my heart for His glorious return grows greater and greater each day.
Amen! Praise the Lord, for He is good!!
Satan contiues to distract me and tries so hard to cover up my eyes and ears once again, but as my Lord is my strength and my Redeemer, I will not fall, I will not surrender! I will never turn my eyes from the Lord, ever again. The old has gone, the new has come! For the Lord's glorious day, until the Lord's glorious day, I will not stop. For the glory of the Lord!!!:D
Monday, April 6, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
Wow - I'm so impressed at everyone's hard work in writing their reflections for Slumdog Millionaire! I wasn't going to write a reflection myself since it was the third time for me to watch the movie, but since everyone did such an excellent job, I'll write a real quick one in response;)
I hesitated a while to show you this movie. I know that I was super excited when I found the file on Mark's computer at school, but when I came home, I thought to myself, "Hmm, this movie really has no point. Is it worth all my missionary students' time? What can we possibly get out of this?" On Friday, as I lifted up my heart to the Lord once again through prayer, He gave me the final okay signal, so I went ahead and showed this movie - I'm so glad everyone was able to experience God through the movie:)
Well, here's my story of how I got to watch the movie and my personal reflection.
I watched this movie with a good friend of mine. He is currently in Japan serving as a YWAM missionary, and when we went to see the movie about three weeks ago, he was visiting Saipan for a short while. We hadn't seen each other for about two years, so I really didn't know what to do with him. I had heard of the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" from here and there, so I figured it would be okay to watch a movie with my friend.
We really didn't what to expect. I was kind of disappointed at the movie poster - it seemed too tacky for a famous movie. Yet once the movie started, there wasn't a moment that we could take our eyes off the screen! From the childhood days of Jamal and Salim to when Jamal meets Latika again, wow, the movie seriously took my breath away. My friend is a very talented musician and I like music, so the soundtrack of the movie totally blew our minds as well. I was always curious of what India would be like, and all the color, the people, the sounds completely fascinated me.
The first time I watched the movie, I really didn't know what to think. I was just so shocked at everything about India, since I really didn't know anything about the place. Although, I agree with most of you about the ending - I didn't like how pointless and meaningless it was. When I came home, I laid on my bed trying to connect different thoughts and ideas, trying to figure out if I really loved this movie or didn't like it. A lot of things flew past my mind.
I remembered visiting Smoky Mountain in the Philippines, a dump just like the one that the kids were living on the movie. I was scared of the smell and the scene and everything about the dump, but once I started to talk to the children there, I felt so happy to be able to hold their hands and share the Gospel. I also remembered the time when I was in Peru. There were so many children beggars on the streets that a whole pack would follow you even to get the leftover drink in your hand. This was an extremely shocking experience for me, but soon, I fell in love with these children as well.
Yes, the movie was a little too Hollywood for us to completely love it, but I think this movie served as a great eye-opener for all of us.
Personally, I was able to look back at myself once again as a Christian. "Joo Hee, do you love your fellow brothers and sisters of all the nations?" "No matter what kind of sins they've committed, no matter how dirty or how worthless they may be, are you ready to share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
My heart was so broken at some of the more violent, cruel scenes, but before I got all warped in my emotions, the Lord asked me, "Can you love them as I love you when you were still a sinner? Can you die for every single person in the movie, as I died for you and every single person of all times while you were still sinners?"
All the nations are suffering from pain, sadness and sin worse than we can ever imagine. They may look okay and rather happy on the outside like Salim, Jamal and Latika, but the pain that they hold inside their souls are probably unimaginably sensitive, dark, and deep. As I promised the Lord that I will not fear the works of Satan no matter how devastating it is (as I was sin itself at once), I didn't cower into my emotions at the glance of reality that I was able to experience through this movie.
Instead, I pray with even a greater heart and a greater hope for the Lord's coming; the Day in which all the sufferings of the world will end and the ends of the earth will be able to see the glory of our living Father. So that the lost, neglected children of the world just like Jamal, Salim, and Latika aren't left to die eternally without knowing the Lord, I make my confession once again, Father, that I will gladly give all my life, even to my death, to take the Gospel of your living Word to the ends of the earth.
(Borrowing the words of Joseph)
In the salvation we've gained through Jesus Christ, let's have hope in that we'll be Heaven's eternal millionaires with all the children and people of all nations!
Father, send me!
Maranatha!
I hesitated a while to show you this movie. I know that I was super excited when I found the file on Mark's computer at school, but when I came home, I thought to myself, "Hmm, this movie really has no point. Is it worth all my missionary students' time? What can we possibly get out of this?" On Friday, as I lifted up my heart to the Lord once again through prayer, He gave me the final okay signal, so I went ahead and showed this movie - I'm so glad everyone was able to experience God through the movie:)
Well, here's my story of how I got to watch the movie and my personal reflection.
I watched this movie with a good friend of mine. He is currently in Japan serving as a YWAM missionary, and when we went to see the movie about three weeks ago, he was visiting Saipan for a short while. We hadn't seen each other for about two years, so I really didn't know what to do with him. I had heard of the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" from here and there, so I figured it would be okay to watch a movie with my friend.
We really didn't what to expect. I was kind of disappointed at the movie poster - it seemed too tacky for a famous movie. Yet once the movie started, there wasn't a moment that we could take our eyes off the screen! From the childhood days of Jamal and Salim to when Jamal meets Latika again, wow, the movie seriously took my breath away. My friend is a very talented musician and I like music, so the soundtrack of the movie totally blew our minds as well. I was always curious of what India would be like, and all the color, the people, the sounds completely fascinated me.
The first time I watched the movie, I really didn't know what to think. I was just so shocked at everything about India, since I really didn't know anything about the place. Although, I agree with most of you about the ending - I didn't like how pointless and meaningless it was. When I came home, I laid on my bed trying to connect different thoughts and ideas, trying to figure out if I really loved this movie or didn't like it. A lot of things flew past my mind.
I remembered visiting Smoky Mountain in the Philippines, a dump just like the one that the kids were living on the movie. I was scared of the smell and the scene and everything about the dump, but once I started to talk to the children there, I felt so happy to be able to hold their hands and share the Gospel. I also remembered the time when I was in Peru. There were so many children beggars on the streets that a whole pack would follow you even to get the leftover drink in your hand. This was an extremely shocking experience for me, but soon, I fell in love with these children as well.
Yes, the movie was a little too Hollywood for us to completely love it, but I think this movie served as a great eye-opener for all of us.
Personally, I was able to look back at myself once again as a Christian. "Joo Hee, do you love your fellow brothers and sisters of all the nations?" "No matter what kind of sins they've committed, no matter how dirty or how worthless they may be, are you ready to share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
My heart was so broken at some of the more violent, cruel scenes, but before I got all warped in my emotions, the Lord asked me, "Can you love them as I love you when you were still a sinner? Can you die for every single person in the movie, as I died for you and every single person of all times while you were still sinners?"
All the nations are suffering from pain, sadness and sin worse than we can ever imagine. They may look okay and rather happy on the outside like Salim, Jamal and Latika, but the pain that they hold inside their souls are probably unimaginably sensitive, dark, and deep. As I promised the Lord that I will not fear the works of Satan no matter how devastating it is (as I was sin itself at once), I didn't cower into my emotions at the glance of reality that I was able to experience through this movie.
Instead, I pray with even a greater heart and a greater hope for the Lord's coming; the Day in which all the sufferings of the world will end and the ends of the earth will be able to see the glory of our living Father. So that the lost, neglected children of the world just like Jamal, Salim, and Latika aren't left to die eternally without knowing the Lord, I make my confession once again, Father, that I will gladly give all my life, even to my death, to take the Gospel of your living Word to the ends of the earth.
(Borrowing the words of Joseph)
In the salvation we've gained through Jesus Christ, let's have hope in that we'll be Heaven's eternal millionaires with all the children and people of all nations!
Father, send me!
Maranatha!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Remembering the Passion of the Christ
Like any other busy, busy Saturday, I'm so tired and still so busy by the end of the day, but the Lord pours out on me a big heart to want to blog tonight. (As you've probably noticed, that's why my replies on your blogs are super, super long^^;;)
Today was a day where my heart was entirely set on praying for the College Youth Retreat that will be held next week Thursday and Friday. We decided to have the retreat on these two days only because next week is the college's spring break. I had no idea that it was "Passion Week," the week in which we remember the passion of the Christ - remembering all the blood and water that the Lord shed for my sins on the cross.
Our pastor recommended that the whole church will fast on the last day (Friday) of Passion Week, but I thought, "Hmm...it's the end of our retreat. We need to eat lunch together!" Yet as I was replying to some of your blogs, God spoke to my heart and said, "Joo Hee, everything's really about the cross and the resurrection. Actually, everything's only about the cross and the resurrection. Don't you ever forget that, my lovely daughter."
For so long I've wasted away Passion Week and Easter doing nothing and looking forward to nothing in special. I really didn't care. When I was in the States, I remember that I didn't even go to church on one Easter, wanting to sleep in the whole morning. But now that I know that truly my life is nothing without the cross and the resurrection, now that I know that my life is the death and life of Jesus Christ, I humbly sit and listen to my Father speak to me, "Joo Hee, remember the cross. Remember the resurrection. Remember the Day."
"...but he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Amen, Lord. The one thing that our College Youth truly needed was not a fancy program, oh Father. The only thing that we've been wanting and looking for is to know You more, to love You more...Father, I lift up my hands to You. It's You I seek, it's You I yearn. Come, Spirit, come! Pour out your Spirit upon us so that we may see! Father, remember our prayers...hear us, oh Father. Father, guide us to the ends of the earth. Lord, send us! We will go!
Today was a day where my heart was entirely set on praying for the College Youth Retreat that will be held next week Thursday and Friday. We decided to have the retreat on these two days only because next week is the college's spring break. I had no idea that it was "Passion Week," the week in which we remember the passion of the Christ - remembering all the blood and water that the Lord shed for my sins on the cross.
Our pastor recommended that the whole church will fast on the last day (Friday) of Passion Week, but I thought, "Hmm...it's the end of our retreat. We need to eat lunch together!" Yet as I was replying to some of your blogs, God spoke to my heart and said, "Joo Hee, everything's really about the cross and the resurrection. Actually, everything's only about the cross and the resurrection. Don't you ever forget that, my lovely daughter."
For so long I've wasted away Passion Week and Easter doing nothing and looking forward to nothing in special. I really didn't care. When I was in the States, I remember that I didn't even go to church on one Easter, wanting to sleep in the whole morning. But now that I know that truly my life is nothing without the cross and the resurrection, now that I know that my life is the death and life of Jesus Christ, I humbly sit and listen to my Father speak to me, "Joo Hee, remember the cross. Remember the resurrection. Remember the Day."
"...but he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Amen, Lord. The one thing that our College Youth truly needed was not a fancy program, oh Father. The only thing that we've been wanting and looking for is to know You more, to love You more...Father, I lift up my hands to You. It's You I seek, it's You I yearn. Come, Spirit, come! Pour out your Spirit upon us so that we may see! Father, remember our prayers...hear us, oh Father. Father, guide us to the ends of the earth. Lord, send us! We will go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
