This week has been a full-week of meeting people and sharing ideas on how to serve the surrounding communities we belong to. Yes, we live in Orange County, and the common perception others have on this community is that the place is full of affluent people. This is certainly true, but as is true with any other big cities in the world, wherever there are rich and affluent, there always are the poor and the lost living right next to them. The fabrics of social ills in a city are common whether you live in Orange County or some other foreign cities.
Now that we have been gathering as a group for few months, we begin to ask what are the social and spiritual needs that our Lord is having us to see and feel. The homeless, teenagers in trouble, new immigrants, etc... We are not perfect nor able on our own, but because we have the truth and love of Jesus among us we dare to go and become a way of blessings for these people. To serve as we've been served, and to love as we've been loved!
Anticipate hearing more from us soon! We will start bringing God where people are... one person at a time, and one community at a time.
9.29.2005
9.21.2005
A reflection and another push!
It's been a while since I last wrote here. It surely has been crazy the past 2 weeks, including a 3-day trip to Korea for my sister's wedding last week. It was good to see my family (especially my grandma...), but it was good to be back home doing the things I know God has called me to do.
The summer is now gone and a new school year for many students is here... This summer truly has been crazy - to say the least - and I look forward to this harvest season. What kind of surprises would God have for me and our church? I believe I've taken the steps God asked me to take and worked as hard as I could, and I know I need to continue to work hard to reap the benefits of God's blessings and my work. But, I can't help but wonder what kind of harvest God has planned for all these work. Would it be something I can see and touch in near future, or perhaps not for a long time? Will God allow me to see the promise land sometime soon?
I know this is a long journey. I have come afar, but it's only the beginning. Many things have happened but many more things will happen. I finally come to an end and there is a whole new road ahead.
How miserable it would be if it weren't for God my Lord? How sad, I work and work and there is no end in sight! If it weren't for my Lord this all would be nonsense. But, I know it is the most sensible thing I can do. I push for another step, knowing there is no end, because I have what is the end already in my life - that is Jesus. I already have the end of all things, and I'm just enjoying the presence and partnership with Him. Yea, I'm already reaping the harvest of good work - not mine but Thine. All the work I need to do is simply to go out and collect the harvest.
Lord, I'm so glad for what you have done to put me where I am. I take a moment to rest, reflect, and to evaluate. And, yes, I make another push - not because I know exactly where I'm going but because I know who I'm going with. And, that's you. You make it all worth it, and you make it all sensible. Have mercy on me, so I may keep my eyes on you.
The summer is now gone and a new school year for many students is here... This summer truly has been crazy - to say the least - and I look forward to this harvest season. What kind of surprises would God have for me and our church? I believe I've taken the steps God asked me to take and worked as hard as I could, and I know I need to continue to work hard to reap the benefits of God's blessings and my work. But, I can't help but wonder what kind of harvest God has planned for all these work. Would it be something I can see and touch in near future, or perhaps not for a long time? Will God allow me to see the promise land sometime soon?
I know this is a long journey. I have come afar, but it's only the beginning. Many things have happened but many more things will happen. I finally come to an end and there is a whole new road ahead.
How miserable it would be if it weren't for God my Lord? How sad, I work and work and there is no end in sight! If it weren't for my Lord this all would be nonsense. But, I know it is the most sensible thing I can do. I push for another step, knowing there is no end, because I have what is the end already in my life - that is Jesus. I already have the end of all things, and I'm just enjoying the presence and partnership with Him. Yea, I'm already reaping the harvest of good work - not mine but Thine. All the work I need to do is simply to go out and collect the harvest.
Lord, I'm so glad for what you have done to put me where I am. I take a moment to rest, reflect, and to evaluate. And, yes, I make another push - not because I know exactly where I'm going but because I know who I'm going with. And, that's you. You make it all worth it, and you make it all sensible. Have mercy on me, so I may keep my eyes on you.
9.08.2005
9.05.2005
Coming together as a church
Yesterday was the third Sunday of our current 4-week series on "When God Starts Something New". We see from Acts 1-2 that when God starts something new one of the things he normally does is gathering of his people for worship and fellowship. Now for the past few months, we've been gathering together at a hotel meeting room for a time of worship and some fellowship. And, in time for the Labor's Day holiday, it seemed appropriate to meet at a home for a time of worship and, yes, an extended time of meal fellowship!
We had a lot of food (thanks to Rick and Hollie who hosted and to many who brought dishes from home), and a lot of time to simply sit and eat and talk. Many of us are still new to each other, and it was good to see everyone making an effort to get to know each other better. What a great group of people we have! From college students to those who have college-age kids of their own... From Asians to Hispanics to our good old Californians... I sometimes wonder how we can all get along together, but I was reminded again yesterday that it is the name of Jesus who brings us together - and, of course, a lot of food doesn't hurt!
After dinner we played a round of botch ball - declaring Paul and Nadia as the new champions. We then gathered around for a time of worship and prayers. We thanked God for all that He has done for us so far, and lifted our prayers for those members in need, for our vision and future as a church, and also for the Hurricane Katrina victims.
I really want our church to be immersed in prayer. We have just begun the culture of prayer by having our first prayer meeting last Sunday and going through the 2 weeks of individual fasting/prayer. It's still not natural for us to pray together a lot, but I sense that we are coming along and we will get better at this. I sense that as I lead the group as pastor I need more prayers daily and I thank God that he is continually reminding me of this reality and truth.
May our people come together as a church of Jesus Christ! From all walks of life, let us come together in one spirit and one prayer. May we come together in worship and in generosity! May we look to Jesus as our head and extend ourselves to each other as our beloved brothers and sisters!
We had a lot of food (thanks to Rick and Hollie who hosted and to many who brought dishes from home), and a lot of time to simply sit and eat and talk. Many of us are still new to each other, and it was good to see everyone making an effort to get to know each other better. What a great group of people we have! From college students to those who have college-age kids of their own... From Asians to Hispanics to our good old Californians... I sometimes wonder how we can all get along together, but I was reminded again yesterday that it is the name of Jesus who brings us together - and, of course, a lot of food doesn't hurt!
After dinner we played a round of botch ball - declaring Paul and Nadia as the new champions. We then gathered around for a time of worship and prayers. We thanked God for all that He has done for us so far, and lifted our prayers for those members in need, for our vision and future as a church, and also for the Hurricane Katrina victims.
I really want our church to be immersed in prayer. We have just begun the culture of prayer by having our first prayer meeting last Sunday and going through the 2 weeks of individual fasting/prayer. It's still not natural for us to pray together a lot, but I sense that we are coming along and we will get better at this. I sense that as I lead the group as pastor I need more prayers daily and I thank God that he is continually reminding me of this reality and truth.
May our people come together as a church of Jesus Christ! From all walks of life, let us come together in one spirit and one prayer. May we come together in worship and in generosity! May we look to Jesus as our head and extend ourselves to each other as our beloved brothers and sisters!
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