In2 Crosswalk

Haiti Missions Update

2010-06-28T13:11:00.001-04:00

Thank you so much for your prayers and your encouragement!

I don't have internet connection yet at the missions base where I am
staying, so this will have just be short update. The team from my
church left this morning, and I am so thankful for the week of VBS
ministry at various churches and schools and orphanages. I'm also
thankful for the people I was able to connect with this week, and I
want to share their prayer requests with you.

- Aristhene is a 20 year old high school student who will graduate
soon. He has been studying the Bible in French and asked me for an
English Bible! He is eager to learn more about God, about the Word,
and to grow in faith. I wrote down the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's
Creed for him in English, and his eyes lit up as we talked about their
meanings. His dream is to become a doctor. Please pray for Aristhene!

- Jacques is a youth leader at a church/school in Acobo. He is a young
man with incredible vision and faith. He said he is so thankful for
the people coming into Haiti to share the love of Jesus and to help
and serve the people here, but he also said that more than money or
anything else, Haiti needs our prayers! Jacques is certain of his
calling to preach the gospel, and he hopes to continue to lead people
in his village to Christ as well as to preach the gospel in all of
Haiti and even abroad. When I asked him what his prayer request was,
he said that he just wants Jesus to hold him and keep him close. I was
so challenged and inspired by his love for Jesus.

- Paul is a 16 year old high school student who attends the school
where Jacques teaches. He has a beat up guitar with rusted strings
that another mission team left some time ago. I taught him how to play
"Lord I Lift Your Name on High," and he sat in his seat for over an
hour learning to play and sing the song. I joked with him and said he
can be a rock star, and he said, "A rock star for Jesus!" He said he
is thinking about becoming a pastor.

- Gabriel was our interpreter for the week. We were all so blessed by
his faitfulness and the gifting he had in interpreting and ministry.
We prayed on our last day with him about his calling to preach and
teach the gospel. He said he is struggling to find God's vision and
direction, but he will continue to pray about his calling to ministry.

This "short" update is turning out much longer than I had planned, but
I am so excited to share with you about these individuals! It's been
overwhelming at times to process all the brokenness and poverty I see
here, but I see hope here. I see hope in these young men who love
Jesus and want to live their lives loving Him and serving His people
here as doctors, teachers, ministers. Please pray for them!

I am doing well - please pray that God would increase my ability to
communicate and translate as i work with the missionaries, pastors,
and leaders of other churches and organizations. Please pray for
intimacy with Jesus and a prayerful and worshipful heart in everything
that I do here. Please also ask the Lord for spiritual protection and
good health.

Thank you so much again for your prayers.

I hope to update you again soon with more prayers and praises and also
pictures of some of what I am seeing and experiencing here.

"They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them
singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for
their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make
an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to
them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn
away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly
plant them in this land with all my heart and soul." Jeremiah 32:38-41

-sera

2010-04-12T11:04:00.000-04:00

Summer Missions. Take advantage of these exciting opportunities to serve in different parts of the world by joining a mission or outreach team. Teams will be sent to:

Lynn, MA
Nehemiah Project, Community outreach
(May 24-29, Fee: $200)

Nicaragua
IN2 House, Children’s ministry
(May 24-Jun 4, Fee: $800)

Haiti
Building projects, Children’s ministry
(Jun 21-26, Fee: $600)

Osaka, Japan
VBS, Community outreach
(Jul 12-16, Fee: $700 + airfare)

Nagoya, Japan
VBS, Community outreach
(Jul 19-23, Fee: $700 + airfare)

The deadline to sign up is April 25th. For more info or to register, email in2church@hotmail.com.

Crosswalk Bible Study. Do you have questions about how to study and better understand Scripture? Would you like the opportunity to go deeper into the living and active Word of God? Bible classes with Pastor Andy will meet every Saturday, 10am-12pm. Sign up by emailing bomeechu@umich.edu.

After Service Prayer. The prayer team is always available after service to pray for and with you. If you would like to pray with someone, please come to the front of the stage at the end of service.

Lunch & Fellowship. Lunch is available in the fellowship hall after service for $2. Stay for a delicious meal and fellowship with other Crosswalkers.

E-newsletter. Monthly newsletters will be emailed out to Crosswalk members to keep you updated on all that’s happening in the ministry and church. Sign up for the newsletter by emailing annjoo@gmail.com.

2010-03-25T09:38:00.003-04:00

The Bowery Mission Women’s Center is a place for homeless women to live for nine to fifteen months as they go through recovery and transitional programs that allow them a second chance at life. After Sunday service on March 7th, a group of five IN2 women and I went to the Bowery Center to cook dinner for 20 homeless women. Going into this experience, I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I was going with a great team and was certain that God would teach us something invaluable that day. So, I kept my mind and heart open.

When we arrived at the center, we began with prayer, asking God to prepare our hearts to serve. Then, we were ready to cook! Sandra had meticulously prepared all the groceries and selected a menu of teriyaki chicken with stir-fried vegetables, white rice, pasta salad, garden salad, and delicious cupcakes for dessert. We all dove into slicing, dicing, baking, and boiling, all the while laughing, cracking jokes, singing along to praise songs, and then hustling as dinner time drew closer. We made a really great team and after 3 hours of cooking, we served dinner for 26 women including ourselves. We truly did sit long, talk much, and laugh often with the women at the center, and I hope we created a good and memorable experience for the Bowery women who are struggling so much in their lives.

Whatever time and energy I put into this experience is incomparable to the way God revealed his blessings. First, I made unforgettable memories with the IN2 women who showed such great care in serving, which was an inspiration in itself. Then, when we sat down to eat and share, I spoke with a 22 year old woman who had found herself unemployed, broke and without a place to live. I was surprised by how fervently she spoke about God opening a door for her to stay at the Bowery Center to change her life and how He continues to guide her everyday through prayer, sharing, and reading. She had strength and hope behind her words and I could see she was driven with optimism and faith. She shared what she learned from the Bible about peace, forgiveness, love, and redemption. We found we had a lot in common in our spiritual journey of realizing where we had fallen down in the past, recognizing our repetitive mistakes, and how God broke us down to build us back up again stronger, wiser and with more faith. I knew it wasn't a coincidence that this young woman and I spoke that night. God was using us to validate His lessons to each other. From this, we were blessed with God's peace.

Towards the end of the evening after all the plates had been cleared, the IN2 women and two other Bowery women stood around the dining room making jokes and telling stories. The mood became somber when experiences about addictions, their children, and about men were shared and we got a glimpse into some of the dark places these women had experienced. There were many moments of silence as we felt their broken hearts and their loss of direction, and while there were still moments of jokes and smiles, we could see great pain in their eyes. Still, they also showed great faith. We joined our hands and prayed together. Sandra and Sera, who closed us in prayer, brought our hearts together as we cried to the Lord, surrendering our hearts and seeking strength, understanding and peace. God’s grace brought healing in that place in that moment, inspired hope in all of us, humbled us, and showed us great love. We will never fully understand their struggle, but I hope that through our time together, we conveyed the message that these women are loved. That night, we left the Bowery Center with heavy hearts but hearts filled with hope.

To learn more about the Bowery Mission Women's Center please click here.

by: Ann Joo

2009-12-11T09:41:00.001-05:00

Hello Crosswalkers,

Just a reminder that this Sunday, December 13th, is the last day we of the Harlem Explorers Christmas Gift Drive. This is a church-wide effort to bless the children of the HE program and also the children and families of the East Harlem community who participate in the special Christmas Celebration on the 19th.

Every Christmas, close to 100 children from the community participate in the Harlem Explorers Christmas Celebration. IN2 Crosswalkers were blessed last year to serve with the program by setting up game stations and a picture booth for the Christmas Fair. This year we are participating in this celebration as a church by donating gifts for the children.

As Pastor Marc has been sharing with us, we are growing as a church in learning to serve and give to our local community. We remember the teaching in scripture to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39) and to give (Acts 20:36)!

As you prepare gifts for the drive, please remember that we are looking to give $10 non-gender specific gifts. Please wrap them and put them on the front of the stage in the sanctuary.

Blessings to you as you give!

- Outreach Ministry

2009-12-03T11:48:00.002-05:00

Last small group we talked about being measured by society's standards. Today, it made me realize how much i unconsciously rely on such measurement.

I sent an email at work with a spelling error. I wrote 2MP rather than 2PM. Unluckily, my spell check didn't catch it and it got forwarded on to clients by other colleagues. A manager caught the mistake afterward and emailed a massive number of people pointing out my error.

I have been thinking about this for the past two hours. Wondering how careless I was. How could I have been so stupid to sent that email. How awful it is that he addressed it involving my entire dept when a simple email to me wouldn't done the trick. The truth is my eyes just glazed over the email and didn't catch the mistake.

I am dreading going to work because I knwo i'll get in trouble. It was my mistake and I am taking responsibility for it. But the amount of hold it has on my thouhgts/mood/feeling and my self worth, it is incredible. For the past two ho urs, I have been defining myself based on the society's measurements.

I wonder how i could measure up based on God' measurement. I think God would've said, "Be more careful next time." But I think He would've reprimanded me for resenting the boss who sent the email to the entire dept. God would've seen through my heart - as He always does.

Dear God, please forgive me for resenting my manager when I was the one who made the error. Forgive for not having the grace to forgive but to react in resentment and blame. Help me to always remember that myworth is not based on society's measurements but by Yours. Help me not to be so easily swayed. Amen.

by: Bomee Chu

New Season

2009-09-11T09:15:00.002-04:00

Welcome back In2 Crosswalk!

The summer has (well it certainly seems) officially ended! We are bringing out our autumn clothes and slowly trying to transition into fall mode. Many of you will be starting up school again, some of you may be going to a new school, some of you may not even be seeing any change except for the weather!

However, I'm sure a lot of you have experienced or at least have seen great changes in our ministry this summer. We are no longer called "In2 EM". We are officially In2 Crosswalk - where we celebrate, connect and contribute.

I think that our ministry really does try to live by our new motto. This past summer, our outreach programs have exploded! We have seen growth in Harlem Explorers, we have sent members on short and long term missions to Nicaragua, Hana Missions, and recently the Nehemiah Project. We are truly trying to contribute locally, domestically and internationally.

Membership classes are officially starting this week and small groups will begin shortly after. These classes and small groups are helping us to connect not only to our own ministry but to our congregation.

Hopefully by connecting and contributing, we'll be able to celebrate the joys and blessing God has shown and given to In2 Crosswalk.

Please check out our newly updated website - and let's look forward to a new season!
www.in2church.org

2009-08-07T10:17:00.001-04:00

All in a family...

2009-08-07T10:12:00.000-04:00

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 15: 5-6

I moved to New York City several years ago leaving behind family and friends back home in Los Angeles. Therefore, one main aspect of my search for a church was to be able to have quality fellowship with other Christians, especially other sisters in Christ.

In my last blog post, I stated that in2 Church felt like a “distinctive family of God”. I think that this is important because a church should not just be about attending worship service on Sundays.

I have attended other churches where the services were fantastic with a mind blowing number of people in attendance. However, I also felt as if I could leave and come back without anyone noticing. It also seemed like small groups and special events would be best for those who had attended consistently for a long period of time.

It was fairly easy for me to become involved with the Crosswalk ministry. There were specific opportunities and I had certain interests. I am now a part of the intercessory prayer ministry and a contributor to this blog. I had a great time with the Bowery Mission outreach event – quality time was spent cooking and sharing a fantastic meal. I have also attended the women’s small group where we have explored the many attributes of God. Quality time has been spent eating dinner together, discussing God’s Word and sharing prayer requests.

I would not take back a second of the time I have spent at in2 Church. A family is defined as being “a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals…” (Dictionary.com)

So, as the verse above states, may we be unified through Christ so that we can share a common goal of worship and showing God’s love. I have definitely felt that it has been happening, which has enabled me to have quality fellowship through the Crosswalk ministry.

By: Julie Row

The Tunnel

2009-07-21T10:00:00.003-04:00

You know the tunnel that takes you from Port Authority to the NRQW line? It's that super long, hot, slanted tunnel that seems to take forever, especially on those hot humid days. I've passed through that tunnel numerous times as I'm sure many of you have too. You may also have seen the large area that has been taken over by tables of information about Christianity.

Recently, the amount of activity through these tunnels have increased. For the past 2 weeks or so, a group of men/women wearing "Jews for Jesus" t-shirts quietly hand out fliers about their faith. A couple of steps later, there is another handing out yoga instruction manuals, not only for exercising but actually as a religion. Then, a couple of more steps later, you start to hear yelling. Constant yelling, which at first, you aren't able to make out what that person is yelling about. As I near that person, I realize that person was sharing the gospel, yelling bible verses and yelling about how we are all judged at the end of time. He continues to yell that if we don't convert and believe in God, you will be casted into hell forever.

It was annoying at first, but then i thought to myself as I got on the subway, how many people he has actually helped yelling in that manner. Do these tactics really work? To me, it was a bit scary and overwhelming. I almost wanted to stop and ask them if they thought how they were getting the message across was effective, but I quickly erased that thought as the tunnel was pounding with his yelling.

Lately, I've been seeing and hearing more and more people yelling out bible verses in almost a forceful manner. Shouldn't they share about the gospel and about God's love in a loving way? Is there an effective way to share the great news? It's a hard one.

As I prepare to go on a mission trip this weekend to share the gospel with children and families in a domestic outreach, I have been struggling to think of ways to effectively get the message across. God's love is so great. It's hard to get it all out in one weekend. Especially for those who are pre-christians. The best I can do, is to share my experiences, to share the love God has given me and to pray for them.

Debora Suk

Seeking a Church

2009-06-29T08:53:00.001-04:00

As a librarian, I conduct research everyday. It was natural for me to use the internet to find a church. I discovered that In2 Church was very close, so I decided to attend the Crosswalk ministry's service last month.

I had already been indecisive about committing to a church for some time. There was always a reason for my hesitation such as the location or service time. Essentially, I enjoyed the first service and the members became friendlier. It was evident that I could feel God’s presence through the Crosswalk ministry. I have continued to attend In2 Church ever since.

In2 Church is unique. I feel like I am beginning to know a distinctive family of God. I prefer attending a church where the praise is enjoyable, the sermons are influential and the members are earnestly seeking the Lord. I prefer feeling like part of a “body of Christ” versus an attendee within a huge congregation.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
(1 Corinthians 12:27)

I truly believe that my discovery of the church was not random – it was an intervention of the Lord. He has a specific plan for me at this church, and I will welcome it with an open mind and heart. He already made an amazing impact through last week’s revival service “Encounter”.
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.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13

The verses above are important, because He has already shown His plan for me about my career and my move to New York from California. However, that can probably be explained another time. May the Lord bless all the members of Crosswalk!

Julie Row, Crosswalk Member

BLOCKED: Religion, Religious Opinions

2009-06-18T16:08:00.000-04:00

I stopped by the local Honda Dealers today for a scheduled oil change on my Accord (hey, no comments on getting dealer car service prices with other available options, etc. because, well, it's my prerogative, okay). I had a retreat to speak at in less than 5 hours so I scanned over my sermons at the "Internet Quiet Room" while I waited for my car to be done.

One of my points needed further Scriptural support from John 4, so I did the obvious. I connected to the Internet. I typed in "biblegateway.com". And I got an error message. It read, "BLOCKED". I thought nothing of it. Maybe it was a mistake. So I googled, "Bible Online". I took the search link "bible.com" and clicked. Again, "BLOCKED". This time I looked carefully and it gave a reason: BLOCKED website. This site falls under the following categories: Religion, Religious Opinion.

I felt strange. Christian sites contain explicit material? Biblegateway.com sank down to the level of taboo like visiting a porn site. I didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or enraged. I believed in a faith that is considered on virtually the same level as sin. Or do I take another extreme and scoff at American values nowadays - how does a country that prides in freedom of speech create a double standard for Christians?

So I set out to sea to find other online lands that host based on controversial stigmas. Abortionfacts.com is a site devoted to literature about safe sex, pro-choice vs. pro-life, etc. Gay.com, a website that headlines "All men are not created equal" in big letters is an internet rendezvous point for online dating. Okay, I compared Christian versus non-Christian sites. Pastor John Piper's page desiringgod.com: BLOCKED. Howard Stern's homepage: available showcasing a large-sized image of a beautiful bikini-babe. Christian Music Artist, Christ Tomlin's homepage: BLOCKED. Britney Spears' homepage: available with the latest update on her two boys. Even poor Buddha at aboutbuddha.org: BLOCKED.

I am sad above all to see our limitless freedom of speech has "moralized" Christianity along with other faiths. Religion is generally a powerful moralizing agent, setting standards of what is right and wrong, condemning evil, etc. Yet Christianity, itself, appears to be deemed as immoral in the eyes of the "religion" of free speech. This "religion" has created it's own set of moral standards. And of note: it is wrong to have a Christian "opinion". I see a dangerous irony here.

Church Competitors

2009-06-11T16:09:00.004-04:00

The buzz around town is that several new church plants will be launching in NYC within the next few months. Some are extensions of existing churches in the Metro area and others are independent start-ups hoping to succeed in a densely populated demographic. So my broad guesstimation is that some will do well, some more than others and some will eventually fold.

Now as a pastor, the news of a church plant close to home signals certain alarms otherwise unnoticed by most laypersons. Some are unaffected, but almost all pastors have had these thoughts at one time or another:

1. This creates competition which means a drop in attendance which hurts our Sunday offerings which lowers our yearly budget, and so on.
2. Ha! That church will not succeed in NYC. They don’t even have the slightest idea about what it takes to tackle the unique challenges that the city will throw at them.
3. Uh oh. What can I do to improve my service, fellowship and activities? What are the latest church fads? I need to draw people to my church and make them stick here. I need a better slogan. I need to be cutting-edge. Come up with novel programs.
4. I can still boast in my church. They don't have their own building. Their audio-visual equipment isn't as fancy or advanced as ours. Their worship is outdated and banal.
5. While their church may be greater in number, ours is spiritually ahead. And since that's ultimately God's desire for any church, I'll be okay.

I worry about how my church will survive these tough spiritual times. And the onset of another church makes it that much more difficult. But these thoughts should sound a bigger alarm to all of us about the church today. We are in the midst of a dog-eat-dog Christian culture. We compete like businesses. Our congregation is the client/consumer. And so our questions arise from that angle.

Which church location appeals mores? Which speaker inspires more? What band is more exciting? Are the small groups dynamic? It is a product. It is marketing.

While it is difficult to ignore, it leads me to a greater concern, the one that is often overlooked. We cater "our" gospel to this culture. The gospel is more palatable. It is comfortable. It's definitely way more portable. The gospel is watered down.

My prayer is that CROSSWALK looks to advance the gospel instead of chopping it up, diluting it, mixing it up, embellishing it, etc. The gospel is not a product. It is not an instrument in a marketing ploy. Instead, it is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes".

Pastor Dave

More Retreat Photos... Enjoy!

2009-05-22T13:09:00.008-04:00

Making a habit of having no habits

2009-05-13T11:43:00.000-04:00

"For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful." 2 Peter 1:8 (R.V.)

When we begin to form a habit we are conscious of it. There are times when we are conscious of becoming virtuous and patient and godly, but it is only a stage; if we stop there we shall get the strut of the spiritual prig. The right thing to do with habits is to lose them in the life of the Lord, until every habit is so practised that there is no conscious habit at all. Our spiritual life continually resolves into introspection because there are some qualities we have not added as yet. Ultimately the relationship is to be a completely simple one.

Your god may be your little Christian habit, the habit of prayer at stated times, or the habit of Bible reading. Watch how your Father will upset those times if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes - I can't do that just now, I am praying; it is my hour with God. No, it is your hour with your habit. There is a quality that is lacking in you. Recognize the defect and then look for the opportunity of exercising yourself along the line of the quality to be added.

Love means that there is no habit visible, you have come to the place where the habit is lost, and by practice you do the thing unconsciously. If you are consciously holy, there are certain things you imagine you cannot do, certain relationships in which you are far from simple; that means there is something to be added. The only supernatural life is the life the Lord Jesus lived, and He was at home with God anywhere. Is there anywhere where you are not at home with God? Let God press through in that particular circumstance until you gain Him, and life becomes the simple life of a child.

Let It Be....

2009-05-08T11:22:00.002-04:00

Well, for awhile now I've been thinking about what I want to do with my life. In 15 years, am I going to be going through a midlife crisis thinking, "What do I love?" Am I going to regret just working in an office for 15 years and not doing what I love? Will I feel fulfilled with the feeling of success or failure? Right now I enjoy life and I love what I have and what I will become.

I know I will be fine regardless of what I choose to do. The reason being that I have my amazing family, inspirational mentors, and joy bringing friends. Yet I know that I might be tempted to think that my life is not what I wanted it to be especially when I see friends who are really going after things they love. One of my friends recently got into film school and one of them just released a mixtape album with legit support. It is like "WOW".

Am I jealous? No. Am I impressed? Yes. I am truly impressed that they are able to carryout their passions. I am blessed for having such inspirational people around me, it motivates me.

One Sunday, Pastor Marc spoke on Luke 1:38. "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her". The phrase "Let it be to me according to your word", is amazing. Now, I have lived most of my life as an "I believe in God, but I don't go to church" kind of Christian, hence why I did not take in the full magnitude of this verse at first but now, this verse pops into my brain at least once a day and it erases all my doubt about my life.

I never really knew where I was going to end up or what I was going to do. So far I have taken on the challenges that come my way and I get obsessed in these challenges. I want to overcome them and succeed by crushing failure. There is no doubt that I am worried of what is to come, but I know I have support and guidance. I just have to trust and believe that I am being lead in the right direction. As hard as it is to forget about all the hoopla because the media hounds your ears all day about recession this and the world is crumbling that, we all will be worried but remember to "Let it be to me according to Your word".

Sang Kang, Welcome Team Leader and Mustard Seed Ministry

NDP?

2009-05-04T09:54:00.000-04:00

NDP?

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "NDP?"

"New Democratic Party?"
"National Dance Project?"
Or "Numeric Data Processor?"
(check out http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/NDP for over 30 different meanings of NDP).

This Thurday, we'd like to focus on NDP as "National Day of Prayer."

Since 1952, every first Thursday of the year has been designated as "National Day of Prayer," making this Thursday the 58th annual NDP.

NDP invites people of Judeo-Christian faith to come together to pray for our nation and for the unity within the Christian church, based on the understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.

According to the NDP website, over two million people have attended more than 40,000 observances organized by approximately 40,000 volunteers. At state capitols, county court houses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches and homes, people stopped their activities and gathered for prayer.

This Thursday, we, IN2 church, are participating in observing and celebrating this National Day of Prayer by stopping whatever we would be doing, by gathering in His name, and by praying together that His glory will fill in this place - at IN2, in this city, and in this nation...

We hope to see you this Thursday at church at 7:30 pm!

Retreat - cont'd

2009-04-29T09:55:00.007-04:00

Retreat Pictures Continued -
Courtesy of Keith Park

A retreat - more pictures coming soon!

2009-04-28T12:36:00.003-04:00

Here are some captured memories from this past weekend. Enjoy!
Courtesy of Keith Park

Single Minded Retreat

2009-04-22T09:50:00.004-04:00

Countdown -

TODAY!!!
D-0

1. Retreat fee - For those of you who have not yet paid, please bring your registration fee on Friday ($90 Students/$100 everyone else)

2. Waivers - It is very important that the bwaiver is signed prior to departure for the retreat. . There will be extra copies at the registration table on Friday.

3. Items to bring: sleeping bag (blankets/pillows/etc), towel, flip flops, toiletries, bible, notebook, pen, sneakers, comfortable clothes (warm clothes for nighttime) and an open heart!

4. Retreat details:

Date: April 24-26
Place: NJ Christian Academy
Guest speaker: Pastor James Lee (Livingwater Church, CA)

5. Departure details:

Departure point: IN2 Church [319 E 91st St, btwn 1st & 2nd Ave]
Time: 6:30PM (light dinner will be provided)
Contact persons for departure: Jean Choi (917-399-3342), Deborak Suk (405-227-6468)

Feel free to contact either Timmy or myself for any questions or concerns you have.

Spring is here!

2009-04-16T10:53:00.003-04:00

Spring is finally here in New York City, which means a beginning to so many things.

Softball has just begun and the first game will be this Sunday after church. Softball is a wonderful growing ministry at In2.

The men of In2 get together every Tuesday night to play basketball which provides great fellowship for the guys.

The women of In2 are involved with various outreach programs and allows the them to work together and help the community.

What other sorts of ministries would you like to see at In2?

Our little Mustard Seeds

2009-04-13T10:36:00.005-04:00

Easter Sunday, the Sunday School Kids celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ - we expressed our JOY and thankfulness by praising and celebrating Easter together. Enjoy the pictures of our little Mustard Seeds

What is your favorite quote?

2009-04-08T14:11:00.001-04:00

Please share a quote that inspires you, or makes you think.

Reading of Mark

2009-04-08T14:06:00.000-04:00

Prepare for Easter with a lively, vivid retelling of the story of Jesus. Solo performance by Max McLean. Thursday, April 9 at 7:30PM at Ethical Culture Society, 64th St. and CPW.

No admission fee.

Date & Time: April 9, 2009 @ 7:30pm

Location: Ethical Culture Society, 64th St. and Central Park West

In2 Softball Kodak Moments

2009-04-06T10:46:00.008-04:00

In2's first softball of the year - captured moments

Charlie Kwon

Jacob Moon

Charlie

Sang Kang

Timmy Kong

Young

Chantalicious...

Andrew

tim kong - king kong

Namho

Young at bat with Okies in the back

Charlie

Timmo

Keith

Pastor Dave - Charlie

Timmy pitchin a strike

Baby Chuck

The boys in the dugout -

Debs

Chant

Sang "Ginger" Kang

Dr. Andy

Anthony

Timmy

Sooyeon at bat...

Ruby Pitching

Charlie and Sang

The best part of waking up...

2009-03-31T11:03:00.003-04:00

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...

2009-03-25T09:53:00.003-04:00

Bowling season has officially ended -

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

Who's trying out?

For your information ...

2009-03-19T10:44:00.002-04:00

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

Thomas Nam at tnam77@hotmail.com

more money?

2009-03-17T09:52:00.000-04:00

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

2009-03-12T10:20:00.000-04:00

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?

2009-03-04T10:29:00.000-05:00

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

2009-03-02T11:45:00.001-05:00

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

a bit of faith...

2009-02-27T10:50:00.003-05:00

“God, You are good. You are a God that is outside of our minds. You don’t make sense to us because You are incomprehensible. Your ways are beyond us. Where we lack in understanding, where our humanity limits us, we pray that You would grant us more faith. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen"

perfect strangers ---

2009-02-25T15:56:00.002-05:00

We've mentioned a lot about our commutes to and from work - on the subway or on the bus - here in our blogs - and i have yet another story to share.

For the past nine months, I have been making the same commute every week - Monday thru Friday - I take the 6 up transfer to the 7 and then take the 1 up to Lincoln Center where I work. For many of you who commute daily, you may have a daily routine, probably down to the minute, of walking out your door and entering your subway station. You may know exactly where to stand and know where the subway car doors will be, and exactly where they will drop you off so that your transfers are that much easier. That's how it is with me. I like to save time and walking energy to the fullest - especially in the morning and in heels.

But how ironic is it, that for the past five months, I've realized and noticed this one girl, is on the same subway car with me every day? I noticed her - in her same ponytail, same glasses, same seat and same posture always reading a book. I later realized as i sat closer and closer to her, she was reading the Bible. So, one day, I started talking to her. She's korean and goes to church and does her daily QTs on the subway - and we shared our stories. I continue to see her from time to time when i'm on time. We glance each others way, and smile - we are nothing but strangers - that share the same love of Christ. To me, it's amazing.

Debora Suk, Mustard Seed Ministry, Small Group Leader, Praise Team

그의 생각

2009-02-23T12:23:00.002-05:00

Continuing the spirit of polling favorites...

This is one of my favorite praise songs. Sorry for those of you who can't read/speak Korean. I would attempt to translate but I'm not the most eloquent translator. If anyone wants to give it a shot, please go ahead. : )

여러분 하나님이 어떤 분이신지 알고 계십니까?
하나님은 이런 분이십니다.
(Everyone, do you know what kind of person God is? He is this kind of person --)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

하나님은 너를 만드신 분
너를 가장 많이 알고 계시며
하나님은 너를 만드신 분
너를 가장 깊이 이해하신단다

하나님은 너를 지키시는 분
너를 절대 포기하지 않으며
하나님은 너를 지키시는 분
너를 쉬지 않고 지켜보신단다

그의 생각 셀 수 없고 그의 자비 무궁하며
그의 성실 날마다 새롭고 그의 사랑 끝이 없단다

하나님은 너를 원하시는 분
이 세상 그 무엇 그 누구보다
하나님은 너를 원하시는 분
너와 같이 있고 싶어하신단다

하나님은 너를 인도하는 분
광야에서도 폭풍 중에도
하나님은 너를 인도하는 분
푸른 초장으로 인도하신단다

그의 생각 셀 수 없고 그의 자비 무궁하며
그의 성실 날마다 새롭고 그의 사랑 끝이 없단다×3

그의 사랑 끝이 없단다

Bomee Chu

for the love of food...

2009-02-17T16:04:00.005-05:00

It just dawned on me...

We live in a city with such a diverse selection of top quality cuisine - whether it be a 4 star restaurant, most blogged about restaurant or the hole in the wall place in your neighborhood not many know about -

How about we share our favorite New York restaurant experience - It'd be nice to try a new recommended place or two.

What do you recommend?

Music to my ears...

2009-02-13T13:22:00.002-05:00

Out of curiosity...

What is the last thing you listened to on your ipod or mp3 player?

Nicaragua Missions

2009-02-12T09:53:00.005-05:00

Our beloved Chant Choi and Jayne Song have made a commitment to serve God and to further His kingdom in Nicaragua.

Come check out Chant's blog, complete with beautiful pictures, and see how God is working in their lives - and how they are spreading His love -

Chant's blog from Nicaragua

The impossible...

2009-02-03T16:09:00.005-05:00

It was my junior year of college – and I was pretty unhappy. Many of you may know, I’m usually easily pleased and not many things get me down. But for some reason, I wasn’t pleased and satisfied with my life. I almost wanted to start my life all over again from the very beginning. Knowing it was impossible, I prayed my little prayer – huffing and puffing – sharing my thoughts and angers with God. I knew He heard me… I knew He was watching me… So I continued to pray – every night - day after day. This prayer led to months of the same prayer – during which my prayers would become longer, and more detailed, because I would realize more clearly, that this was an impossible prayer. How could God start my life again? I was asking for a time machine – to go back in time.. the impossible.

6 months passed – and it was time to move to Boston. One of my brothers and my dad made a road trip of it with me and helped me make the move. My dad dropped me off, my brother put together some shelves for me and they left. I was left alone, in a new apartment, new city, with no friends, no internet, and no cable. I was alone… and it hit me then and there, that this move was the answer to my “impossible” prayer. I was starting all over again. He answered an impossible prayer.. God answered my prayers in a way I would NEVER have expected.

At In2, we are discussing and learning about prayer and every aspect of it. It took me 22 years to finally fully believe in the power of prayer and the power of God – and that God does indeed answer our prayers. Why then is it so hard to let go of ourselves, and our selfish hearts and why do we forget to pray? Why do we not set aside the time to pray when we know God will answer all of our prayers?

It’s something I struggle with everyday.

Debora Suk - Mustard Seed Ministry Leader, Small Group Leader, Praise Team

Does God hear the prayers of unbelievers?

2009-02-02T09:46:00.003-05:00

We posed this question at our last PLUG meeting. I thought it might be encouraging to share with everyone. So, does God hear the prayers of unbelievers the same way as he hears the prayers of believers?

The answer is one of those "yes, but..." types of answers. Here's how it starts: Yes, God "hears" all things. He is omniscient, all-knowing. It challenges his nature as deity to say otherwise. But, by "hear" we are asking, of course, if he responds to the prayers of unbelievers. And he does, from time to time.

A holy God cannot stand the sight of unbelievers tainted by sin and dirt and evil. He will not listen unless there is Jesus the mediator. Jesus is "the only way…to the Father". It is through him, we can "approach his throne of grace with confidence". Unbelievers don't have this privilege. So the reason God hears or responds to unbelievers' prayers from time to time is out of mercy and for the sake of bringing individuals to salvation.

But for those that believe, God hears prayers differently. He has promised to answer all our prayers according to His will. There is no such promise in the Bible for unbelievers. God hears our prayers with a sympathetic ear. He is with us and for us and beside us. He longs to hear our prayers.

Dave Chung - Associate Pastor, In2 EM Ministry

"Let us pray"

2009-01-29T10:06:00.004-05:00

As we all know, the free world now has a new leader. I have spent quite some time on thinking and praying about/for President Obama. I don't believe there has ever been a leader in recent years with as much pressure placed on them as our President does today. As we watch the media coverage, listen to civilian interviews, both domestic and foreign, it is near impossible to avoid recognizing the amount of hope placed into this one man.

There are countless topics one could field when speaking/writing about the President. However, I'd like to take this time and opportunity to focus on just one. Prayer.

As a church, we have been spending a ton of time addressing prayer. With all the chaos and daily distractions of our lives, its often difficult to pray for anything outside of ourselves and even more difficult to pray for someone we do not know on a personal level. President Obama is in a position to make all the difference in the world, literally. Let's all remember to keep him in our prayers and to look to the leader of ALL. With so much to be fixed, poverty, broken families, the current economic state, countless lives lost in "holy" wars, widows, orphans, health of Mother Nature, etc., where does one begin, with the world awaiting your "repairs," no less? Let's pray for our President. Let's pray for him through his victories as well as his struggles. As President Obama does his best to improve the current state of our country, let's do our part. In the words of Steven Curtis Chapman, "Let us pray." Let us not look to President Obama to save a broken world, rather, let us look to the Saviour of all to work THROUGH President Obama.

Thanks for reading everyone! Have a GREAT rest of the week.

Timmy Kong - Plug Midweek Ministry and praise team

The Commute

2009-01-27T12:22:00.001-05:00

I hate commuting. It's the worst. I love my job and what I do but the sprint to the subway, almost getting pancaked by taxi drivers and then cramming into a packed subway car isn't my ideal way to begin or end a day. I hate commuting so much that I moved within throwing distance to my first workplace. Bliss could only last so long and then I switched jobs across town

Since then I've been forced back into the commute, I've done everything imaginable to shorten or distract myself from the idea that I'm commuting. I blast my tunes on my iPod and try to get lost in thought about something but that never really works. If you seen me at the subway, I'm usually reading a newspaper or pretending to be interested in something I'm really not. I digress.

Anyways, a couple weeks ago at church, Pastor Dave mentioned something about picking up QT books for 4 bucks. My big thing for 2009 has been to move my faith past just Sunday. I'm not a great Christian by any stretch of the imagination but one can try. I decided to take a flyer on the book seeing as it was only 4 bucks. The next problem was how to read this thing EVERY day. This coming from a guy who has a tough time remembering to brush his teeth everyday (Disgusting, right? Don't worry, I keep a toothbrush at the office).

Then one day on my way to work, I forgot my newspaper but noticed I had the QT book in my bag. Now, I've always been one to think that doing QT meant you had to lock your door, sit in a dimly lit room and listen to some medley of Chris Tomlin and Shane Bernard in the background. But on this day, I decided to flip open to the current day's study and began reading. I did my best to follow the story, do the memory verse, think about the application and read the suggested prayer. By the time I closed the book, I was at my stop. It turned out that the exact amount of time it took to do a QT was the exact amount of time it took to get to work. Coincidence? Maybe not.

I think the "quiet" in QT, at least to me, might be a bit of a misnomer. There's nothing quiet about my morning commute; the screeching sound of the subway, the conductor over the intercom, passengers jockeying for prime position. At the same time, it's the quietest part of my day, where my thoughts go interrupted and where I attempt to change the worst part of my day into one of the most meaningful.

Keith Park

Knock Knock...

2009-01-26T11:33:00.003-05:00

What is currently on your wish list? What are you asking God for right now? Has He given you things that you haven't even thought of or asked for??? Is that good or bad?

I recently starting about what's happening in my life.... then realized God has lately given me an abundance of "something" I asked for.... now I come to ask myself.... Can I handle it? and handle all of it like I asked for? Like God expects me to?

"Knock and it shall be given to you" but did I knock too much? or accidentally knock and He opened the door too wide for me? It made me think how I should prepare myself first before I ask for something. Too often times, we don't even know exactly what or why we want something, but we vaguely just ask....

On a flip side, when God asks me for something, do I do it with an obedient heart? or ignore it? or do it reluctantly? Are we really ready for what He will ask us to do, say or have?

It also made me think about my priorities. When God actually gives me something I asked for (or didn't' ask for).... am I be ready for it? can / do I put those things on my priority list? Or am I blind and foolish enough to put those blessings at the bottom of the list? or worse yet, don't even see them there.... like the Sun hiding behind the clouds.... Just because we can't easily see it or seek it, doesn't' mean it's not there right?

Here's what I told myself today......

1) Before I ask for it, be ready to "handle" it

2) Be ready to wait for it (with hopeful anticipation) when it doesn't come right away

3) Seek and Knock with a clear purpose and plan

4) Do something about it (instead of sitting and waiting for it to come to you)

With that in mind, I hope that we ALL be proactive in seeking and knocking for things we want to pursue in life! Ciao!!

Jessie Chang - Hanamissions and Praise Team

Man on a mission...

2009-01-22T13:17:00.003-05:00

First off, what an amazing trip. It was amazing to see 13 individuals come together for one cause, bringing our prayers together, hoping we would be able to help out even just a little bit during our stay.

At first, I was a bit worried, not because it was Nicaragua, but because we were doing everything last minute. We were scraping up donations just a couple days before our trip and we did not really have a set plan yet. However, people were ready and willing to go. It was a little awkward at first because it was the first mission trip with the English and Korean Ministry together.

At the beginning of the trip, the EM (English Ministry) and the KM (Korean Ministry) were hanging out separately, but slowly we started to poke fun at each other and began to act more like a family. We gave each other nicknames and laughed as we headed towards to Nicaragua.

When we arrived in Nicaragua, we were ready to work. Each of us got the bags and I carted some bags with a rice cooker on top. The customs officer told me to go to the side. He then put the rice cooker through the X-Ray machine and the dude was like what is this? I said, "It is a rice cooker". He looked at me like I was a martian. I then said with confidence, "Arroz" which he understood a bit better.

When we stepped outside, I took a deep breath of Nicaragua's air. It was fresh and humid. I came to a quick realization that I wasn't home anymore. A stranger kept roaming around our bags and attempted to help us. We told him no a dozen times but I could see that he was desperate. Desperate to find food, or to steal. It was sad.

That first night, we went straight to Jinotepe which was a hour drive away.It felt amazing to be in a different country, but since it was dark, it was hard to tell what it looked like. The next day is when I got a complete realization. Every house had guard rails with two locks to get in and rails over the windows. Some houses had additional locks to just walk in through your front door. Every door had locks on them and had to be locked at all times.

Homes had chipped paint and all of them had an overlay of years of dirt. Dog and horse feces were everywhere. Horses had the legs the size of of a NFL fullbacks and dogs probably weighed the same as two NYC pigeons. Everything in the USA is supersized and everything in Nicaragua seemed so small.

I felt privileged to be living in the USA, with the luxury of throwing my toilet paper in the can and to drink a Coke and throw my bottle away (glass bottles had to be returned to stores). There was a 9-5 curfew, from sunrise to sundown. These people were getting the equivalent of nine US dollars a day to build structures on the school property. I felt like a spoiled brat, complaining about having no job. It was an honor to work with these people, who need the money to get food on the table. These people live this everyday, not by choice, but because they have to live.

Most of the time, I was digging land for where the IN2 house will later stand, breaking pieces off the ground and hauling chunks of mother nature off a hill. At other times I was painting and cleaning. It was amazing to see everyone working so hard and diligently. We wanted to make our time there worth every little second. We kept encouraging each other and kept on laughing and we accomplished so much while we were down there. It might seem minimal, but that is time that can be saved by the permanent missionaries. It gives them time to do other things and to focus on growing the Christian school.

It was an eye opening experience and I want to do it again. It is amazing what people can do if they set their minds to it.

Sang Kang - Welcome Team Leader, Mustard Seed Ministry

Abraham Lincoln Didn't Quit

2009-01-20T22:01:00.002-05:00

Probably the greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about somebody who didn't quit, look no further.

Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.

He could have quit many times - but he didn't and because he didn't quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country.

Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House:

1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
1818 His mother died.
1831 Failed in business.
1832 Ran for state legislature - lost.
1832 Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.
1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
1834 Ran for state legislature again - won.
1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.
1840 Sought to become elector - defeated.
1843 Ran for Congress - lost.
1846 Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job.
1848 Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.
1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.
1854 Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.
1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - get less than 100 votes.
1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.
1860 Elected president of the United States.

In2, lets not even consider giving up as an option, press on!

Young Hwang, Mustard Seed Teacher

The Lord of the Fries

2009-01-16T14:53:00.004-05:00

"Uncle, those are my fries!"

My fingers froze in mid-grab as he shouted in angry disbelief. With his eyes blazing and his face flushed, he looked at me as though I had committed some cardinal sin.

All I wanted was a couple of fries.

Fries I had bought for him.

Fries I had ordered for him.

Fries I had driven him to Burger King to get.

He forgot that as far as his life is concerned, I am the Lord of the Fries.

Without me, he would not have any fries. I decide whether or not and how much he gets.

I don't actually need his fries. I could buy fries for myself – as much as I want.

I don't need his fries, but I do want him to learn something. I want him to understand that he is not the lord of his life. (He's not even the lord of his fries.) I want him to be generous and to share spontaneously, without the threat of punishment or the promise of reward. I want him to understand that his uncle will always provide for him. I want him to be able to recognize and to pray, as King David did, For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (I Chronicles 29:14b)

There is nothing we have that didn't come from God. That's what I want him to know.

That's what I need to remember as well.

I am not the lord of my life. God is the one who has given me my life, my time, my talents, my treasures. God wants me to be generous and to share spontaneously. God wants me to understand that God, my Father, will always provide for me.

So I grab a few more fries. I think he's understood the lesson.

"Uncle! That's my drink!"

Andrew Choi - Lighting Team

NYU Sign In

2009-01-15T10:00:00.008-05:00

So, whenever I go to login to my school's site, a different picture is on the homepage. There's a picture of a chessboard, some flowers, scientists, students raising their hands and sometimes, if i'm lucky, us NYUers get to see this:
a random dinosaur in Washington Square ... but why a dinosaur?

Debora Suk - Mustard Seed Leader, Small Group Leader, Praise Team

The Living LIfe - January 13, 2009

2009-01-13T10:26:00.002-05:00

Planting on Fertile Soil Mark 4:13~25

13	Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?
14	The farmer sows the word.
15	Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
16	Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
17	But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
18	Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
19	but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
20	Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
21	He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand?
22	For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24	"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you--and even more.
25	Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."

The Explanation (4:13-20) In today’s passage, Jesus explains to His disciples, the parable that was told in yesterday’s passage. The four soils represent the four different responses to God’s message. The first three soils have one thing in common—the seed was unable to grow in them, due to a variety of reasons. As a pastor, every Sunday, when I look out at my congregation, I see a mixed group of people. There are those who fervently take notes, nodding at each significant point, and even whispering an occasional “Amen” with a blessed remark. Then there are those who are looking outside the window, talking with their spouse, or altogether have fallen asleep. I want to encourage you to come to church with a holy expectation that God is going to meet you where you’re at and do a transforming work in you. When you enter those sanctuary doors, is the soil of your heart fertile and ready to produce a crop? Shine On (4:21-25) The purpose for the light is to shine, not to be hidden. Any light that is covered or hidden is useless. Why does Jesus say this at this point to His disciples? Being amongst the privileged in having heard the truth, they are not to conceal it. They now have a responsibility to pass it on. That is why Jesus says to “Consider carefully what you hear…with the measure you use, it will be measure to you—and even more (v. 24). Knowing the truth has benefits, but it comes with it responsibilities. Don’t hide your lamp. Let it shine. Furthermore, light is always stronger than the darkness. No matter how dark a place may be, the smallest light will unveil the darkness. Darkness can never overcome the light. No matter how dark or hopeless your situation may be, just keep shining brightly. The daylight will come even after the darkest of nights.

In the busyness of getting ready for church on Sunday morning, do you spend more time in preparation for your physical appearance or on the inner condition of your heart? Come before the Lord in worship with a holy expectation to meet with Him. You and I have been given a great responsibility. We are jars of clay, carrying the truth of the Gospel within us. It is the flame’s nature to burn. When we are ignited with the light of Christ, it is only natural for others to feel the warmth and see the light.

New Year’s Resolutions

2008-12-30T11:43:00.002-05:00

It’s that time of the year again. Time to reflect on the year passed and to look towards the year ahead. With all that happened in year 2008, I’m sure all of us have much to reflect on and much to think about for the upcoming year.

As you think about the year ahead and set your New Year’s resolutions, I would like to share with you one of my favorite phrases:
“Put God in the center, and everything will fall in place.”

Here are some of the most popular resolutions and some things to keep in mind as you set yours.

Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions:
1) Spend more time with family and friends
2) Fit in fitness
3) Tame the bulge
4) Quit smoking
5) Enjoy life more
6) Quit drinking
7) Get out of debt
8) Learn something new
9) Help others
10) Get organized

Ways to succeed in keeping your resolutions:
1) Make specific achievable bite size goals
2) Keep track of progress
3) Share with others for accountability

How about finding a buddy to keep you on track for your New Year’s resolutions? Or sharing your New Year’s resolutions online?

My 2009 New Year’s resolutions are:
1) to spend more quiet time with God, and 2) to be more open about relationships.

By BoMee Chu, Sunday School Teacher, Welcoming Team Leader

Christmas

2008-12-15T17:24:00.004-05:00

When I was asked to write a blog entry for this week, I could not think of anything to write because I could not remember any Christmas memories. It was just another day for me, nothing special. However, I think I will remember this Christmas because I've already received the best and perfect gift for this year’s Christmas.

As you already know, the job market this year is horrible and it is impossible to find a job. I am graduating from graduate school this year and I was eagerly looking for a job to start next year. I went through interview after interview. Recently, I received rejection letters from all but three companies. I was very discouraged and tired. I gave up on the job search and applied for phD programs to start next year.

But today, I received a call from one of the companies saying that they were considering me for the position but I had a criminal record. I was very surprised to find that I had any record. To make a long story short, I was able to get everything fixed and the recruiter offered me the position.

There are still two weeks left until Christmas but I am already in the Christmas spirit. I will always remember this, year after year. I hope and wish every In2 member a Merry Christmas.

By Duke Kim, Welcoming Team

The Twelve Days of Christmas…

2008-12-11T11:38:00.004-05:00

I went to college in Korea, and during my senior year, I took an English Public Speaking class, where the instructor was a young Korean-American, who also happened to be a devout Christian. He was one of those young, energetic professors who liked to try new things and challenge the norm…

And the fruit of being a devout Christian and an adventurer was – voila! – his students singing Christmas carols around the campus during finals!! Argh… So started our carol tour around the campus – in front of the shuttle bus stop, in front of the library, and in the cafeteria – most importantly, with all of us wearing RED SANTA HATS, which he had proudly bought from Namdaemun shijang (a night market in Seoul).

Students giggled and chuckled as we sang The Twelve Days of Christmas with "motions" (just imagine for a second doing motions for "six geese a-laying" and "eight maids a-milking"…). I remember feeling embarrassed and silly, which was reinforced by my friend who later told me that she had thought we were a bunch of lunatics until she saw me in the group… Despite the social risk I had to take, my young professor's crazy idea has left me a good memory to laugh about, and more importantly, a lesson in my heart that I need to live out more: that at times you need to break out of your shell and go beyond your typical boundaries to bring the good news and to share the Christmas spirit.

By Jean Choi, Core Leader, Prayer Team Leader, Small Group Leader

About a Gameboy... (Part II)

2008-12-10T10:45:00.001-05:00

A beige Sanyo Digital Alarm Clock. Evidently, Santa had a sense of humor. I walked up to my room, depressed, beaten down and as I set my Sanyo Digital Alarm Clock to wake me up after 30 minutes of crying, I fell into my bed and cursed the world.

Fast forward 17 years and I still have that stupid alarm clock. Every day it wakes me and it's a reminder of the crushed dreams of an 8-year -old boy. But it also reminds me of a few important life lessons:

1. Learn to be happy with what you have
2. You don't get everything you think you deserve
3. Sometimes "Santa" knows what you need more than you know what you need
4. And most importantly... Sanyo products last longer than you would initially think”

By Keith Park, Small Group Member

About a Gameboy...

2008-12-09T16:59:00.006-05:00

I remember when I was about 8 years old, I wanted a Nintendo Gameboy more than anything in the entire world. It was Christmas time, circa 1991, and I determined that that was the year I was going to show Santa that I really deserved what I thought was the greatest invention ever. I made sure to eat all my vegetables, do my homework, be REALLY nice to my brothers and made an under the table agreement to combine my birthday present AND my Christmas into one (some things just require big sacrifices).

So what did I see a couple weeks before Christmas? A box. Not any box but a box the exact same size as a Gameboy box. I compared all measurements, did weight comparisons by repackaging our neighbor's Gameboy. You leave nothing to chance in matters this important. And to top it off, on the card it said, "FROM SANTA." I mean, what more evidence do you need?!

I remember taking the wrapped package to my Mom and asking whether it was a Gameboy and she just looked at me with a knowing grin and said "I dunno, you're just going to have to wait and see!!!"(I would later realize this was the cruelest thing a parent can do to a child).

The next two weeks were the most agonizing of my life. I waited and waited and on Christmas day, I couldn't sleep, just thinking of how fun it would be to be playing Mario Brothers while sitting on the toilet or in the bathtub. I raced downstairs that morning and ripped open the package… and what was it?

(to be continued...)

By Keith Park, Small Group Member

Thank you IN2!

2008-12-03T12:18:00.002-05:00

Although this is past the official holiday of Thanksgiving, I hope it's not too late to express what I'm thankful for.

I do not attend IN2 Church, but thanks to Joey Lee and her encouragement I was fortunate enough to attend the fall retreat. The weekend was a true blessing and a time of rest and reflection. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to leave NYC! I'm thankful that I got to experience awesome praise! I'm thankful for the solid preaching! But… what I'm most thankful for was the vision of community IN2 showed that weekend.

I experienced the church welcoming me. I found new friends who were interested in my life and struggles. People who knew me less than 24 hours were praying for me to grow and experience God in a more meaningful way. I am thankful for the body of Christ, and I was blessed to have experienced a truly loving and Christ-centered church community at IN2.

By Maggie Cho, attended "Salvation is Here" retreat

Bowery Women’s Center Dinner

2008-12-01T15:57:00.008-05:00

On Nov 23rd, seven women from IN2 had the chance to come together to prepare and serve dinner for the women and staff at the Bowery Mission Women’s Center. Cooking and serving were great, but the highlight of our time there was sitting down for dinner with the ladies of the center. Over our meal we heard of the powerful and loving work of our God in some of the women’s lives. We were humbled and so thankful to share such an evening, and we left the center in agreement to be back at the center again soon!

By Sera Han, Worship Leader

Family (Part II)

2008-11-27T11:01:00.003-05:00

(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

Family (Part I)

2008-11-26T09:38:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-24T22:08:00.002-05:00

Thank you, Gary and the family

Broken Man (Part III)

2008-11-23T22:17:00.004-05:00

(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

Broken Man (Part II)

2008-11-22T09:06:00.003-05:00

(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

Broken Man (Part I)

2008-11-21T11:20:00.004-05:00

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

Thank You

2008-11-19T13:10:00.008-05:00

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

20 minutes later...

2008-11-08T15:00:00.002-05:00

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.

“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

Blackberry thanks

2008-11-05T17:11:00.008-05:00

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. But 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

2008-11-05T10:17:00.003-05:00

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

Peace in the midst of..

2008-11-03T16:06:00.005-05:00

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

Walking as a friend and a servant of Christ

2008-11-02T20:41:00.003-05:00

"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)

What is the Gospel?

2008-10-27T10:16:00.004-04:00

Hello blogosphere!

2008-10-24T10:26:00.001-04:00

To start, for those of you that missed Sunday night’s concert – you missed out. It was amazing. There is nothing like worshiping with 15,000 other Christians in the middle of Manhattan no less. And it was not so much the multitude as it was the magnitude of the spirit in the house. Hopefully the church can make it to Chris Tomlin in January.

Second, as there is ambiguity as to the origins of the name “IN2” for our church, let me offer up some explanation, having served since the EM beginnings.

IN2, in part, comes from scripture - Matthew 11:28 which initially served as one-half of the mission verse for the church. (Matthew 28:19 serving as the other-half)

“Come IN2 me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…”

The 2 also indicated (at that time) the presence of 2 churches within one church – a Manhattan location in the Upper West Side and a New Jersey location in Tenafly, NJ. Since then, the NJ location was merged with the Manhattan site.

Some would also say that the 2 indicated 2 language-oriented ministries – Korean and English, though not confirmed by Pastor Marc.

With that squared away, feel free now to ponder other life mysteries such as:

1. Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
2. Why do we drive on a parkway and park in a driveway?

By Andy Choi, Core Leader

Bold Enough

2008-10-22T22:00:00.002-04:00

It is not what a mere man does that determines whether his work is sacred or
secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify
the Lord God in his heart and he can thereafter do no common act.
- A. W. Tozer

Are we bold enough to question our motives without giving the automated answer we were conditioned to say?

By Grace Kang, College Small Group

Fall is here!

2008-10-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

Fall is here!

I feel like Fall came without much warning. It was 75 degrees one day and then 55 degrees the next. Fall is such a romantic season. I can’t wait for the leaves to change color. Central Park will be so pretty.

But Fall also tends to bring loneliness. To combat this, I suggest the following:

12 Hugs (per day).

Virginia Satir, family therapist, through research has concluded:

“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for
maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”

How many hugs did you receive today? When’s the last time you got 12 hugs in a day?

Better yet, when’s the last time you gave 12 hugs?

The thought of hugging 12 times might seem a bit daunting for some people. But when in doubt, just stretch out your hands, close your eyes and give the other person a tight squeeze.

By Bomee Chu, Welcoming Team

Do Not Forget

2008-10-17T16:21:00.018-04:00

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16

Here is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It sums it all up.

The first part is something we hear all the time - about worshipping, praising, and blessing the name of Jesus with our lips. We do it through our prayers, our songs, our conversations. It's definitely an important part of faith and our walk with God.

But it's the second verse that really hits me hard.

"Do not forget," it says.

Do not forget to do good and share with others. This is what is pleasing to God.

My words, my prayers, my songs... They are empty without a generous, gracious, and loving service towards others. This is an ongoing challenge I face every single day. It's not easy to share my time, money, resources... It's not easy to stop thinking me, me, me... It's not easy to put others first.

But, this is what is pleasing to God.

It says in 1 John 3:18, "Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." Loving God and loving people is much more than words or even prayers. Love is action. And "doing good" and "sharing with others" are actions.

Ah, if only living it out were as simple!

Let's remember though. Love God. Love people.
Whether it's loving people in our personal lives or serving our city's people in need...
Let's not forget to live it out. Do good. Share.

By Sera Han, Worship Leader

Positive Outlook

2008-10-17T11:58:00.008-04:00

How to start your day with a positive outlook

Open a new file in your PC.

Name it as "Boss".

Send it to the RECYCLE BIN.

Empty the RECYCLE BIN.

Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want to delete Boss permanently?"

Answer calmly, "Yes," and press the mouse button firmly....

Feel better? Have A Nice Day.

By Andrew Choi, Audio/Visual Team

Laughter is Good for the Soul

2008-10-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

I received an email from a friend going through a hard time. The details don’t matter except that this friend feels like giving up. My friend feels a bit guilty for feeling that way because not everything is going bad. Some things are actually pretty good. But there is a sense of frustration and emptiness and perhaps a bit of wishing that things could be like they used to be.

What then? Many answers, I suppose. Here’s one.

Life is short.

We already know that. I heard it said this way: Life is too short not to laugh. Life is too long not to laugh.

I think we have to laugh either way. We all understand that outward circumstances can’t make us happy. That has to come from within, or better yet, from above.

We can’t always change circumstances we don’t like. But life is short, and it’s also long, and because it’s short and long, we have to laugh. “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). So we need to laugh sometimes. Life is funny and often absurd. And while we are laughing it is not wrong to wish things were different. We all wish that from time to time, and we shouldn’t feel guilty about feeling that way.

But if we don’t laugh, someday we will die having squandered the blessings the Lord gave us while we were on this earth. Laughter is one of God’s best gifts, and it is one way of not letting life get you down.

Given all the problems, pressures, worries and fears that we all share right now, it’s easy to spend our days in a perpetual frown. B ut even now, perhaps especially now, we need to laugh.

So let’s pray that the Lord will lift the burden and give us joy. My prediction is that the Lord will do it, and that we will find reasons to smile and to chuckle and to see the humor in the world God made.

Go ahead and give yourself permission to laugh. It’s good for the soul.

By Gary Yi

Baptism and Being Reborn

2008-10-15T09:01:00.003-04:00

I wanted to use this blog to answer a question brought up in our small group last Friday: the relationship between being reborn and being baptized. The question was raised as we looked at John 3:1-21, the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Jesus with the question "what does it means to be born again, or born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5-7).

I don't mean to give the official position of our church concerning these questions, nor do I claim an advanced Biblical prowess. Simply, here are some related Bible passages to further whet your appetite, courtesy of Ms. Google.

As to the question of whether baptism is a "MUST" to be saved, look at the story of the thief who was next to Jesus on the cross. Luke 23:41-43: "Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.' " (NIV). The theif didn't get a chance to be baptized.

On the other hand, see Colossians 2:11-12 for our old selves being buried with Jesus through baptism. "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead" (NIV).

Or, finally, take a peek at the great commission in Matt. 28:19: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (NIV).

By Jean Choi

Baseball Ended

2008-10-09T18:20:00.009-04:00

While 4 MLB teams furiously duke it out for top bragging rights in the 2008 season, I am rather disinterested. You can trace the sudden change of heart to the moment my team was eliminated from the race. I have no one to root for anymore. It's not fun. I try. But it's not the same. I have no allegience to the other teams.

We all need some object to root for. If our team isn't in the game, it's just no fun. Whether we're on the bench or on the courts, we've got to enjoy the thrill of a cheer. What's your team? What drives you? Without it, it's no fun. There is no joy.

Planting Mustard Seeds

2008-10-08T16:32:00.037-04:00

I attended a christian school when I was in sixth grade. It was then my teacher taught our class about the mustard seed. She brought a jar of them to show the class. At the time I didn’t know there was such a thing as a mustard seed. I knew I liked mustard on my hotdogs and hamburgers, but that was it. But as we passed the jar around our teacher explained that the mustard seed is a very small seed that grows into a very large tree. I was amazed. Then she read a passage from the bible:

“ 31He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
Matthew 13:31-32

It dawned on me at that moment that I was a mustard seed. And that God would allow me to grow into a ‘big person’ to help those who didn't believe in Christ. Altough I was just a dorky little sixth grader then, God was covertly preparing me. He was the one who helped me grow into a big tree capable of producing more mustard seeds.

Today, I AM that ‘big person’ and I have BECOME that big tree that I was once amazed at – and to top it off, I’ve been given the responsibility to take care of new mustard seeds.

You see, Mustard Seeds is the name of our Sunday school ministry at IN2 Church. I am blessed and honored to be their Praise and Large Group leader. Every Sunday, I lead these children in prayer and praise. And everyday, I pray that one day, each and every one of these little mustard seeds will grow into a beautiful and glorious tree, so that they too can create more seeds and let other birds perch in its branches.

Here are some pictures of those 'mustard seeds' - taken during "RAINBOW", their Vacation Bible School this past August.

By: Debora Suk

The First "Unofficial" Blog

2008-10-07T16:16:00.006-04:00

I like "official" things.

Things unofficial are not as authentic. You feel ripped off, cheated, short-changed. It tastes funny. It smells weird. It looks strange. We call it names like "last-minute", "that doesn't count" or "rough draft". At first you thought it a bargain, in time you think it a cheap fake. I need that diploma to tell me I'm smart, or else I'm not? I'm sure I was born; nevermind, don't got a birth certificate.

Yes, I like "official" things. They make everything certain. It's professional.

So penciling a blog "last-minute" didn't feel right. Nevertheless, it's better to begin than stay idle forever. And hey, how many of us can truly tell a real LV bag from a fake one? It functions the same. Besides, some say that "official" is all a brand. We pay for the name. We want the name.

With that, let me quickly introduce the blog. We'll be updating this blog frequently. It'll be a outlet for various topics from various authors. So stay tuned.

If you'd like to contribute, contact me at dave@in2church.org. Be it official or unofficial, I am excited to see where we go from here.

By: Pastor Dave Chung