The best part of waking up...

Every morning, different people look for different things to help them wake up each morning -

For me, it's that cup of coffee. I don't drink it at home, I don't drink it on my way to work, but as I sit at my desk at the start of the day, I take the first sip, and it's that first sip that wakes me up immediately.

This morning, as i was drinking and enjoying my cup of Joe, it made me wonder. Why the heck do I rely on this cup of caffeine? Why do I soooo look forward to the first sip?

What is the best part of waking up for you?

Every End is a New Beginning...

Bowling season has officially ended -

but now it's time for some softball...

Who's trying out?

For your information ...

To those of you needing the history of your tithe and offering, please contact:

Thomas Nam at tnam77@hotmail.com

more money?

Just thought I'd drop a tax tip that might be useful to some of you. Traditional IRA's are not common, as young people tend to favor the ROTH, but you may know someone who actually has traditional IRA's - perhaps your parents. Although the stock market has been hurtful to retirement accounts, it's presented a great opportunity for those who have traditional IRA's and are in one of the lower tax brackets. I would recommend doing a conversion to a ROTH IRA during this year, and paying the taxes on the entire balance of your trad IRA for doing so. It's called a ROTH conversion. What's great is that you're paying lower taxes than you normally would, because retirement accounts have dropped in value so much during this year. It especially works great if you don't have much income (such as your near-retirement parents). Also, your earnings and ALL qualified withdrawals in the future will be tax free (unlike the traditional).

Also - if you're thinking about buying a home this year, take advantage of the first time homebuyer credit, which will give you $8,000 of free money.

Happy tax season!

By Young Hwang

Lent

It's that time again. That time called "Lent".. when a lot of us decide to give up something during this time period whether we're catholic of not. It started a few weeks ago - and I've been doing it for quite some time now but this time, it just made me think a little.

A few weeks ago, I was asked what I was going to lent - as does everyone - and of course, we all ponder upon what we will actually give up. Many people end up giving up superficial things - and this is what i ended up doing again this year. But I knew i wanted to do something different - however, could not put my finger on what exactly.

We're supposed to give up something in our lives to show that we are able to sacrifice something significant in our lives. But are these superficial things really that significant? Why am I not able to give up something huge? something life changing? Why only give it up for those few weeks and not forever?

What are your thoughts on Lent? Why do you do it? What did you decide to give up this year?

How big is your God?

As I was listening to Pastor Joshua's message, this prayer came to mind…

My God
He created the Heaven and the earth,
He created men and women and all living things,
He calmed the stormy sea, raised the dead,
He made the earth stand still,

He knows the name of the countless stars in the sky
He is infinitely great, he is all knowing,
He knows my deepest fears and my most earnest desires,
He gave His only living Son for me,
He loves me more than anyone.

Because You are my God, the most awesome and great God, I do not need to fear.
Because You love me just as I am,
even with all my faults,
even in the midst of my weakest moments,
even in my wickedest thoughts.

For this, I trust You.
For You are my God, my most awesome, creator-of-all-things, the-owner-of-my-life,
my most faithful God.

I'm not saying that I'm not scared. Because I am. But I do not want to be paralyzed by fear. I do not want to close my eyes and pretend to be oblivious to the troubles and the possible hard times ahead. But rather, I want to share that with You. To give my fears and worries unto You. If I am to fear, I want to fear in You - to be scared in Your arms, not on my own but in Your arms. Surround me with Your loving arms. Help me to feel Your love and the comfort of Your promise.

" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." (Jeremiah 29:11-15)

Bomee Chu

WWJD vs WWYD

Do you remember the bracelets people used to wear with the initials "W.W.J.D"? It stands for
"What Would Jesus Do?"

Many Christians use the phrase as a reminder of their belief that Jesus is the example to be followed in daily life, and to act in a manner of which Jesus would approve. Today, I have a question for all those who have heard or have practiced this, I think most of us know WWJD but WWYD (what would you do)?

(you may have to tweak the story to apply to you...)

After months of long and tough work weeks, you knew that you were up against another long and tough week. To prepare for such dreadful week, you treat yourself to a bag of Starbucks goodies - a moment of bliss with a bottle of Starbucks, vitamin filled Naked juice, two perfect sized organic Horizon chocolate milk, and a bottled Iced Green Tea - and leave them (inside a paper bag) in the company communal refrigerator.

All~~~~ day you've been looking forward to enjoying that bottle of Frappucino-goodness at the end of the day before you start your long night. Only, when you open the communal fridge door, you realize not only the bottle of Frappucino you've been looking forward to all day, possibly dreaming about, is GONE! but so is the Naked juice! You feel so upset that you are on the verge of tears.

Now, I think in this situation Jesus would've forgiven the person who took them. Maybe he would've thought that "they must've really needed it" or "it is not my responsibility to go and find this person and persecute them." Maybe.... just maybe, he would've left a note along the lines of "I hope the bottle of Starbuck's Frappucino made your day a bit more bearable."

Back to my question, WWYD or what would you have done?


Bomee Chu