When it comes to one thing in my life that I have been rather consistently "good" at, it is no doubt the falling into sin area. Not that I am proud of this nor am I trying to be humble, but throughout my life, I realize there is much unrepentant sin lurking inside of me.
Reading through Genesis 3 this morning (also having class notes from Dr. Averbeck) helped me see once again how we fall into temptation.
When you read through this famous passage, you realize there is the deception, the doubt, the desire, the disobeidence/sin, the shame, the fear, and ultimately the scrambling.
The crafty serpent uses the relationship between the man and woman to deceive both of them. The question, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” fosters doubt within the mind about God's goodness and the consequences of rebelling against God. Then this doubt of God's commands makes the woman lust/desire after the tree. This leads to the sin that leads to shame which contrasts with the unashamed man and wife who are naked. Once they hear God's voice, they are afraid and try to cover up their sin...
How sad is it that mankind is found in this pattern each day, making the same mistakes and being deceived by the evil one? "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" "오호라 나는 곤고한 사람이로다 이 사망의 몸에서 누가 나를 건져내랴. 우리 주 예수 그리스도로 말미암아 하나님께 감사하리로다" (Romans 7:24-25). Father, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Embracing Others
Yesterday I had class with other Asian American Pastors called Developing Asian American Ministry with Dr. Peter Cha. I thoroughly enjoy the class as it is a open and safe environment to speak about the many issues we have as Asian Americans serving within generational demarcations that have historically been filled with conflict.
I remember when I first came back from Korea to America in 9th grade, I saw there was a barrier between the kids and the adults. I was in an unique situation after having lived in Seoul for six years. Although I was technically a 2nd generation kid, I understood the values and general attitude of the 1st generation parents and even shared them in some respects.
Looking back at Asian American history, I realized that God uses history and circumstances to bring about glory to Him. Just as he used my circumstances in going back and forth from America to Korea and back to America, God uses the history of my life and the history of Korean Immigrants in America, to extend His unconditional love to such unworthy people.
Recently, my prayers have continued to begin with this reflection. When I come to speak to the Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth and sent His only begotten Son for me, my response is like that of the tax collector in Luke 18, "Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner." When I first began a believer, I emphasized the nature of Christians being a new creation in Christ. They were people who were righteous and spotless because they had been freed from the bonds of sin. But reflecting on my life after being born again, I find myself just realizing more and more how utterly sinful I am inside and the depth of Jesus' sacrifice for dying for such a person as me.
Which brings me back to the lecture that spoke about the exclusion of Asian Americans by many of the white Caucasians. Asian were not allowed to own land in American until the 1950s, even though they came as early as the beginning of the 19th century. The corporate sin of excluding other peoples has not vanished in our society. Today, we attempt to exclude the Hispanic immigrants. The professor quoted Miroslav Volf on the definition of sin: "Sin is about exclusion, whether that means excluding God or others. The opposite of sin, therefore, is embracing God and others."
The example of Christ most clearly shows us what this means. Jesus truly embraces a person covered in horse mature and all sorts of infections all over the body. How He could do such a thing is why I am studying theology and ministry.
Lord, teach me to embrace people all throughout this world with the same compassion that you modeled for us. Let the mercy and grace that you have lavished on me be poured out to others through my life. When I die, I want to be remembered for having lived in the way of embrace rather than excluding.
I remember when I first came back from Korea to America in 9th grade, I saw there was a barrier between the kids and the adults. I was in an unique situation after having lived in Seoul for six years. Although I was technically a 2nd generation kid, I understood the values and general attitude of the 1st generation parents and even shared them in some respects.
Looking back at Asian American history, I realized that God uses history and circumstances to bring about glory to Him. Just as he used my circumstances in going back and forth from America to Korea and back to America, God uses the history of my life and the history of Korean Immigrants in America, to extend His unconditional love to such unworthy people.
Recently, my prayers have continued to begin with this reflection. When I come to speak to the Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth and sent His only begotten Son for me, my response is like that of the tax collector in Luke 18, "Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner." When I first began a believer, I emphasized the nature of Christians being a new creation in Christ. They were people who were righteous and spotless because they had been freed from the bonds of sin. But reflecting on my life after being born again, I find myself just realizing more and more how utterly sinful I am inside and the depth of Jesus' sacrifice for dying for such a person as me.
Which brings me back to the lecture that spoke about the exclusion of Asian Americans by many of the white Caucasians. Asian were not allowed to own land in American until the 1950s, even though they came as early as the beginning of the 19th century. The corporate sin of excluding other peoples has not vanished in our society. Today, we attempt to exclude the Hispanic immigrants. The professor quoted Miroslav Volf on the definition of sin: "Sin is about exclusion, whether that means excluding God or others. The opposite of sin, therefore, is embracing God and others."
The example of Christ most clearly shows us what this means. Jesus truly embraces a person covered in horse mature and all sorts of infections all over the body. How He could do such a thing is why I am studying theology and ministry.
Lord, teach me to embrace people all throughout this world with the same compassion that you modeled for us. Let the mercy and grace that you have lavished on me be poured out to others through my life. When I die, I want to be remembered for having lived in the way of embrace rather than excluding.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Don't Worry, Be Happy
When I began ministry, I got one of those small spiral books that stand by itself. They contained over a hundred different encouraging words when it comes to teaching. One of the encouraging notes said, "By learning you will teach... By teaching you will learn!"
That is so true when it comes to teaching and ministering God's Word. When there are issues that people come to me about that they are sincerely having trouble in their lives or some issue that needs to resolved through Biblical wisdom, it becomes an opportunity for me to learn once again with the person with the concern.
Late yesterday night, I saw a Facebook status from one of my youth group members that expressed a sense of worry and anxiety. This person was even getting stressed from the small things of life, which is normally what happens when we worry. So being the Youth Pastor, I shared the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34. Everybody knows to turn to that passage when you are worried. Interestingly though, the professor began speaking about the passage in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and burden is light."
Then I understood that many times the source of our anxiety and worrying stem from a person who tries to bear their own burdens or their own problems. But, when we take the light yoke of Jesus, the gentle and humble master, we have true rest within our souls. Once again, I have learned by teaching. I pray that the rest that Jesus promises finds your soul today a midst all the troubles and stresses of life.
That is so true when it comes to teaching and ministering God's Word. When there are issues that people come to me about that they are sincerely having trouble in their lives or some issue that needs to resolved through Biblical wisdom, it becomes an opportunity for me to learn once again with the person with the concern.
Late yesterday night, I saw a Facebook status from one of my youth group members that expressed a sense of worry and anxiety. This person was even getting stressed from the small things of life, which is normally what happens when we worry. So being the Youth Pastor, I shared the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34. Everybody knows to turn to that passage when you are worried. Interestingly though, the professor began speaking about the passage in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and burden is light."
Then I understood that many times the source of our anxiety and worrying stem from a person who tries to bear their own burdens or their own problems. But, when we take the light yoke of Jesus, the gentle and humble master, we have true rest within our souls. Once again, I have learned by teaching. I pray that the rest that Jesus promises finds your soul today a midst all the troubles and stresses of life.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
School is in Session
It's always nice to get back into the flow of things. School started last Wednesday and now I'm getting into the rhythm of school once again. Going to classes, sipping on coffee, studying in the library, and the other activities that accompany school seem like new things that I haven't done in a while. This semester is not as heavy as I had in my previous semesters, but there is a constant sense within me that pulls me from being motivated. This lack of motivation has been my biggest concern and a constant part of my prayer recently. I want everything that I learn here at Trinity to be used for His glory and ultimately so that I will be prepared to minister to the people God has charged me with. Like most mornings when I read the Psalms, today I also recognize once again that He is present within my studies just as he has been doing throughout all my life.
"Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old." Psalm 25:6
The two qualities from God that have been all too apparent in my life, His mercy and steadfast love. In those qualities will I rest.
"Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old." Psalm 25:6
The two qualities from God that have been all too apparent in my life, His mercy and steadfast love. In those qualities will I rest.
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