(continued from Part I)
Now, I'm living in New York City... well, Jersey City and I spend my days in a big city without my family to fall back on if and when troubles arise. Yet, I'm not scared and I'm not worried.
I have found myself a new family. We may not have grown up together and we may not be blood-related but I'm confident that my brothers and sisters at IN2 will give me the moral support, encouragement and guidance to lead me toward a better path and steer me clear away from life's avoidable troubles. I say avoidable troubles because most of my major undoings in the past have sadly resulted from my own actions. I look back and I can't help but be thankful for my own existence. I have made so many mistakes and caused so many accidents, sometimes it's a wonder that I'm still in one piece.
Lastly, I thank God that he has led me to this point in life. It was a rough ride getting here but now I'm blessed with not just one but two families that love and care for me.
PS. I may call you guys family but I'm still not lending you money, so don't ask.
By Jun-Tae Lim, Welcoming Team
November 27, 2008
November 26, 2008
Family (Part I)
So, what am I thankful for?
A better question for me would be, what am I not thankful for? There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for everything and everyone around me. In short, I'm thankful for my existence.
Some of you may be aware that I'm currently back home on vacation in Canada. Being home with my family, I have a renewed sense of what I'm thankful for. Although there are many things that I should be and am always thankful for, I am most thankful for my loving and supportive family. I'm thankful for my mom who has always been understanding and supportive. I'm thankful for my dad who has always provided me with valuable advice and insights into all of life's little twists and turns,. And I'm thankful for my brother who despite tickling me to near death when I was younger to do his bidding, has always been there to get my back whenever I was faced with a challenge.
Although I may appear to have a glow that never seems to fade and a smile that's worth a million bucks, I have had my share of worries, despair, and inner turmoil, enough to fill a book (which I hope to publish someday in the future. Amazon's suggested retail is $19.95 -pre order through me and I'll get you a signed copy, hopefully before 2012). But every time I was down, I was able to get back up because I always knew that despite my flaws and the ill-doings that usually caused my downfalls, I knew that my family would be there for me.
(to be continued...)
By Jun-Tae Lim, Welcoming Team
November 24, 2008
November 23, 2008
Broken Man (Part III)
(continued from Part II)
He started attending a church that his friend headed. However, this was more out of old friendship than a desire to attend. It was a retreat he wound up attending when his life was revealed to him. The church life he once lived was full of arrogance. The works he did were two-sided. Yes, he wanted to further God’s work but he wanted the recognition. He realized he basked in his own glory rather than lifting it to God. The retreat’s message was Salvation and this man realized he was taking his salvation for granted. He understood that he was saved and had used that as an excuse to do whatever he wanted to; after all he was saved. He did not live the life of good works he was meant to.
Jesus had never let him go even though he let go of Jesus. The realization was that he was called to do good works not because God needed him but because God wanted him. Jesus can call upon anyone in this world and probably better than this man. This man was humbled by this realization. What could he do that was so important to God’s works that he was indispensable? NOTHING! This man even realized the period he was broken down, to the point he cursed God, was needed to show him that it was not because of need that God called him to do good works. God’s work continued without him. He realized he was broken so God could build him up again because God loved him, wanted him, and designed him to do good works.
I come to you as a broken man.
By Steve Choe, Sound Technician
November 22, 2008
Broken Man (Part II)
(continued from Part I)
Little by little, he felt alienated by the church and fellowship he helped build. He met with new friends. He picked up habits which were taboo to him like smoking and drinking. His search no longer centered on Jesus. His ritual became partying at least three nights a week. He would show up to church every once in a while, but this was rare because of the hangover from the night before.
Along the way he offended someone he held dear to his heart. He remembered that God would never push him more than he can handle. Yet he was tested and failed. He cursed God and renounced his faith. He was resolute to live the life of an agnostic.
For years, he lived his life not caring about church. After being unemployed, he was given a position at the church he grew up in. He took a pragmatic approach in that this was a job. He was made to attend church but he worked in the background so he could hide and do what he wanted.
(To be continued...)
By Steve Choe, Sound Technician
Little by little, he felt alienated by the church and fellowship he helped build. He met with new friends. He picked up habits which were taboo to him like smoking and drinking. His search no longer centered on Jesus. His ritual became partying at least three nights a week. He would show up to church every once in a while, but this was rare because of the hangover from the night before.
Along the way he offended someone he held dear to his heart. He remembered that God would never push him more than he can handle. Yet he was tested and failed. He cursed God and renounced his faith. He was resolute to live the life of an agnostic.
For years, he lived his life not caring about church. After being unemployed, he was given a position at the church he grew up in. He took a pragmatic approach in that this was a job. He was made to attend church but he worked in the background so he could hide and do what he wanted.
(To be continued...)
By Steve Choe, Sound Technician
November 21, 2008
Broken Man (Part I)
This is a story of a broken man.
This man was born into a Christian family and was taken to church every week. As he grew older, he finally understood the messages. Under blessed tutelage, he decided to be baptized; his parents hadn’t baptized him at birth. This only made his decision that much more valuable. This man volunteered to take on any tasks at the church. If there was a need, he would do it. His studies of the Bible and the Word became strong and deeply grounded.
As this man entered college, he found a church to serve and a college fellowship to participate in. He was asked to become a leader. The church he attended had one of his most intellectual teachers of the Word. His life was consumed with church and works. He was blessed with lead roles in many things; he was an integral part of the praise team, core leader and chair of a committee.
As the torch was being passed to the newer generations coming in, the younger generation would belittle his works. This man thought, “Who are they to judge?” He helped build the college group from the few that attended into the largest Korean college groups in Boston.
(To be continued...)
By Steve Choe, Sound Technician
This man was born into a Christian family and was taken to church every week. As he grew older, he finally understood the messages. Under blessed tutelage, he decided to be baptized; his parents hadn’t baptized him at birth. This only made his decision that much more valuable. This man volunteered to take on any tasks at the church. If there was a need, he would do it. His studies of the Bible and the Word became strong and deeply grounded.
As this man entered college, he found a church to serve and a college fellowship to participate in. He was asked to become a leader. The church he attended had one of his most intellectual teachers of the Word. His life was consumed with church and works. He was blessed with lead roles in many things; he was an integral part of the praise team, core leader and chair of a committee.
As the torch was being passed to the newer generations coming in, the younger generation would belittle his works. This man thought, “Who are they to judge?” He helped build the college group from the few that attended into the largest Korean college groups in Boston.
(To be continued...)
By Steve Choe, Sound Technician
November 19, 2008
Thank You
I am thankful for the love and passion my parents instilled in me.
I realized this the day I lost my mother and I got another rush of emotions when my dad boarded that one-way-ticket plane to Korea. I suddenly realized that I am a blessed son. No matter what I had done or achieved had mattered. I keep pushing myself everyday because of their love and trust in me.
My losses were not set backs, they were disguised gifts of realization. The thankful realization that my parents came to America to make me the best person I could be and to keep their love and passion for me alive. They would not want it any other way. They just want me to keep fighting. No matter what the circumstances are or what toll they take on me, I will keep pushing.
I am also grateful for my mother finding God late in her life. Her motivation to find God motivated me to find God. It is a struggle for me sometimes, but I would not want it to be any other way. If I never know what the struggle is, the reward would not be significant.
By Sang Kang, Mustard Seeds Ministry Teacher/Welcoming Team
I realized this the day I lost my mother and I got another rush of emotions when my dad boarded that one-way-ticket plane to Korea. I suddenly realized that I am a blessed son. No matter what I had done or achieved had mattered. I keep pushing myself everyday because of their love and trust in me.
My losses were not set backs, they were disguised gifts of realization. The thankful realization that my parents came to America to make me the best person I could be and to keep their love and passion for me alive. They would not want it any other way. They just want me to keep fighting. No matter what the circumstances are or what toll they take on me, I will keep pushing.
I am also grateful for my mother finding God late in her life. Her motivation to find God motivated me to find God. It is a struggle for me sometimes, but I would not want it to be any other way. If I never know what the struggle is, the reward would not be significant.
By Sang Kang, Mustard Seeds Ministry Teacher/Welcoming Team
November 8, 2008
20 minutes later...
Continuing on the theme of Thanksgiving…
(20 minutes later)
I’ve been staring at my computer screen for the past 20 minutes. I’m trying to think of things I am thankful for. I can list the things that I should be thankful for: family, friends, health, job, etc. But what am I really thankful for.
(20 minutes later)
This week, I was thankful for (in all honesty) Starbucks’ red holiday cups. It seems to finally mark the beginning of the holiday season. The season of thanksgiving, the season of giving and sharing, the season of Christmas lights and Christmas carols. I know I should be thankful. But do you ever have those days when it’s hard to remember the things you are thankful for – things you are truly truly thankful for? I guess it is a sign that I have become too prideful. I have become of one those people with the wrong sense of entitlement, those who feel like they deserve things when everything I have is truly through God’s grace.
I should be thankful because, as Paul says, “this is God’s will.” So I will remember. I will remember to be thankful even when I can’t remember the things I am thankful for. I will be thankful for the fact that I remembered to be thankful.
Be thankful.
By Bomee Chu, Welcoming Team
(20 minutes later)
I’ve been staring at my computer screen for the past 20 minutes. I’m trying to think of things I am thankful for. I can list the things that I should be thankful for: family, friends, health, job, etc. But what am I really thankful for.
(20 minutes later)
This week, I was thankful for (in all honesty) Starbucks’ red holiday cups. It seems to finally mark the beginning of the holiday season. The season of thanksgiving, the season of giving and sharing, the season of Christmas lights and Christmas carols. I know I should be thankful. But do you ever have those days when it’s hard to remember the things you are thankful for – things you are truly truly thankful for? I guess it is a sign that I have become too prideful. I have become of one those people with the wrong sense of entitlement, those who feel like they deserve things when everything I have is truly through God’s grace.
“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle,
encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that
nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to
everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians
5: 14-18)
I should be thankful because, as Paul says, “this is God’s will.” So I will remember. I will remember to be thankful even when I can’t remember the things I am thankful for. I will be thankful for the fact that I remembered to be thankful.
Be thankful.
By Bomee Chu, Welcoming Team
November 5, 2008
Blackberry thanks
We are all very thankful – for our families, for God, for our friends. No words can express how thankful we are. But there are a few things in my life I neglect to thank – a few things I deal with daily that I fail to appreciate fully. You're curious huh? I'll share them with you…
1. I'm thankful for my metrocard. Without it I'd be stuck in the LES trying to find my way to the UWS for work. Because of my metrocard, I'm able to get from one place to another with ease – well.. just one place to another..
2. I'm thankful for my iTouch which keeps me company on my labrynth of a commute to work and school – providing me with great music, unlimited Sudoku and Pacman, keeping my mind off the man behind me who has an interesting scent of body odor.
3. I'm thankful for the cappuccino machine in our office – with an unlimited supply of free espressos and cappuccinos, I'm able to gain a surge of temporary energy to help get through my days. And it tastes good!
4. In all seriousness though, I'm most thankful for my blackberry. I know I know. Eyes are rolling. B
ut really, without it I'd be lost. I wouldn't know where to go or what my next event is. I'm able to get in touch with my family and friends via phone, e-mail, text and messaging – it's one of the ultimate communication tools ever invented.
So you see, I'm very thankful. :D
By Debora Suk, Mustard Seeds Ministry/Small Group Leader
More than give thanks
The holidays are a great reminder to be grateful for what we have. To not take things for granted. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we will all soon be taking time to reflect and think upon our blessings.
This season, why don't we take it a step further and express our gratitude and appreciation with a little bit of giving and sharing as well? There are lots of things coming up at IN2 to encourage us all to join in the spirit of thanksgiving and giving:
- November Coat Drive - all through November we will be collecting (gently used) coats, scarves, hats, sweaters, gloves etc. At the end of the month they will be donated to disadvantaged New Yorkers who might otherwise go without.
- Bowery Mission Women's Center Dinner - on November 23, IN2 EM women will be cooking and sharing Thanksgiving dinner with the women and staff at Heartsease Home. (A few more spots are open!)
- Harlem Explorers Fundraiser - this month we will be raising money for the Harlem Explorers Christmas Fair in December. All donations and funds raids will go towards an exciting Christmas program and gifts for the children and families of Harlem Explorers ministry.
Let's do more than give thanks this season. Let's give and share our blessings as well.
By Sera Han, Worship Leader
This season, why don't we take it a step further and express our gratitude and appreciation with a little bit of giving and sharing as well? There are lots of things coming up at IN2 to encourage us all to join in the spirit of thanksgiving and giving:
- November Coat Drive - all through November we will be collecting (gently used) coats, scarves, hats, sweaters, gloves etc. At the end of the month they will be donated to disadvantaged New Yorkers who might otherwise go without.
- Bowery Mission Women's Center Dinner - on November 23, IN2 EM women will be cooking and sharing Thanksgiving dinner with the women and staff at Heartsease Home. (A few more spots are open!)
- Harlem Explorers Fundraiser - this month we will be raising money for the Harlem Explorers Christmas Fair in December. All donations and funds raids will go towards an exciting Christmas program and gifts for the children and families of Harlem Explorers ministry.
Let's do more than give thanks this season. Let's give and share our blessings as well.
By Sera Han, Worship Leader
November 3, 2008
Peace in the midst of..
Peace is not the absence of struggle.
Quite the contrary, it's found in the midst of struggle.
For instance, any average Joe can feel peace when all is fine and dandy. When the dice rolls your way or when the pieces fit just right, it is easy to have peace.
The test is how you withstand the wind and rain and storm. B/c the truth of the matter is that "fine and dandy" defines an ideal we're not used to. Most of us know that reality paints its picture with neutral, even hurtful strokes.
I'm approaching thanksgiving this year with a new frame of mind. B/c you know, there are so many changes I'd like to make if I could. But you can't do anything about the cards you're dealt except roll with the punches.
I can control (to some degree) the change on the inside. And so in the midst of my crushed dreams and thwarted plans and endless bargaining with God and missed opportunities and road rage and emotional strains and negative outlooks and life's failures and all the storms that fly/flew my way in '08, I will continue to fight for peace. I will thank. I will appreciate the ground I stand on. The wind will not uproot me.
My family, church, health, home; I still have them (for now). Even these are subject to change, but I'm thankful I have them. B/c at the end of the day, my faith and my God is the common denominator in them all.
And b/c of that, I can say that I have peace in the midst of life.
By David Chung, Associate Pastor
Quite the contrary, it's found in the midst of struggle.
For instance, any average Joe can feel peace when all is fine and dandy. When the dice rolls your way or when the pieces fit just right, it is easy to have peace.
The test is how you withstand the wind and rain and storm. B/c the truth of the matter is that "fine and dandy" defines an ideal we're not used to. Most of us know that reality paints its picture with neutral, even hurtful strokes.
I'm approaching thanksgiving this year with a new frame of mind. B/c you know, there are so many changes I'd like to make if I could. But you can't do anything about the cards you're dealt except roll with the punches.
I can control (to some degree) the change on the inside. And so in the midst of my crushed dreams and thwarted plans and endless bargaining with God and missed opportunities and road rage and emotional strains and negative outlooks and life's failures and all the storms that fly/flew my way in '08, I will continue to fight for peace. I will thank. I will appreciate the ground I stand on. The wind will not uproot me.
My family, church, health, home; I still have them (for now). Even these are subject to change, but I'm thankful I have them. B/c at the end of the day, my faith and my God is the common denominator in them all.
And b/c of that, I can say that I have peace in the midst of life.
By David Chung, Associate Pastor
November 2, 2008
Walking as a friend and a servant of Christ
"I care not where I go,
or how I live,
or what I endure so that I may save souls.
When I sleep I dream of them;
when I awake they are first in my thoughts. "
- David Brainerd
I am convicted by my selfishness to "maintain my faith," by surrounding myself with Christian friends and not thinking twice about sitting next to someone unfamiliar to share Christs' testimony. I am ashamed of my dreams and my first thoughts in the morning- full of self and myself and me. How rarely do I remember to pray for the salvation of people or forget that our God commands us to live as His messengers. God, help me to see beyond a person's eyes and hear more than the words out of his/her mouth; Help me to see their souls like You do, to think of them as You do, and to love them as You do. Let me live with a burden for others' salvation.
And God, I desire to be ever faithful in walking with You. I want to be consciously seeking Your presence in everything that I do this week.
By Grace Kang, Small Group Leader (College)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)