Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4
Big Idea: As God speaks his story, we are called to listen
and be a part of what God is doing in this world.
Archive for May, 2009
Rhythm: Listen
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
Rhythm: Bless
Sunday, May 24th, 2009
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-8
Big Idea: We are blessed in order to
be a part of something bigger than ourselves
Memorable Weekend
Monday, May 11th, 2009
Whew! What a weekend for our family and church family. I think I took a couple hundred pictures! Starting with Friday, the youth group had our first “Goofy” Olympics. We had some memorable and inspiring moments!
On Saturday, we had the privilege of hosting the original members of the Chesterbrook Presbyterian Church during our Mother’s Day picnic. It was wonderful hearing them recall their stories and the different ways God used the church to serve the community. But one common theme shared by many was their insistence of reaching young people. I rushed home with the boys to prepare for their birthday party with our extended family. We had a “taco night” with fish (salmon) and chicken tacos. I also attempted to make tacos with bulgogi and kimchee. I was inspired by the Kogi trucks in LA. It wasn’t too bad, but then again, I’ve never had Kogi before so I really don’t know what they are supposed to taste like. Its a great blessing to have so much family in the area. Hopefully our parents will join us down south very soon.
On Sunday, we had four baptisms. I had the wonderful privilege of baptizing infants for the first time. George and Karen came to CTPC around the same time we did, so it was with great joy that I would have the privilege to baptize their two beautiful daughters. Also, I got a chance to baptize my daughter Alisa as well. Please pray for the little kiddies and their families that their little hearts would be good soil for the gospel to be rooted in their hearts one day. Lastly it was a joy to baptize Mayline who joined our youth group back in her high school days. I’m excited for the good things God is doing in her life. Let’s pray for her growth and sanctification as well.
One thing I totally missed which I deeply regret is forgetting to acknowledge Pauline’s last Sunday before heading off for business school in Philly. She tells me she’ll be back next week so hopefully we get a second chance to see her off the right way! Sorry Pauline!
We ended Mother’s Day by taking advantage of the beautiful weather. We got some McDonalds drive through, and headed to the local park for the boys to try out their new scooters they got for their birthday. We also took advantage of the breezy weather for some kite flying. After the kiddies went to bed, we watched my niece in her debut film, “Children of Invention”.
I’m a bit wiped out this morning, but very thankful for God’s blessings.
If I had 5 more minutes
Monday, May 11th, 2009
If I had time to squeeze these quotes in yesterday’s sermon, I would have. So there they are:
Tim Keller on lasting change…
“All change comes from deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ and living out of the changes that understanding creates in your heart. Faith in the gospel re-structures our motivations, our self-understanding, our identity, and our view of the world. Behavioral compliance to rules without heart-change will be superficial and fleeting.”
on the difference between moralism and the gospel…
“The key difference between a Pharisee and a believer in Jesus is inner heart motivation. Pharisees are being good but out of a fearful need to control God. They don’t really trust him or love him. To them God is an exacting boss, not a loving father. Christians have seen something that has transformed their hearts toward God so they can finally love and rest in the Father. . . . Jesus Christ, who had all the power in the world, saw us enslaved by the very things we thought would free us. So he emptied himself of his glory and became a servant (Philippians 2). He laid aside the infinities and the immensities of his being and, at the cost of his life paid the debt for our sins, purchasing us the only place our hearts can rest, in his Father’s house.”
- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God (new York, NY: Dutton, 2008)
Quick thoughts on Mission
Monday, May 4th, 2009
What happens when we lose sight of our identity as Missionaries? We inevitably become ingrown. Think about an ingrown hair. Hair is supposed to grow out and be seen. But when it becomes ingrown, it grows back into itself and the skin grows over it. It’s not a pretty sight nor does it feel good. Hair is supposed to grow out, not in. Yet when the church becomes ingrown, a hard protective layer grows over it.
The focus is preserving and protecting culture and traditions rather than taking the unchanging message to our ever changing world. The focus becomes the glory of year’s past rather than focusing on what God wants to do in the here and now. For ethnic churches, their shelf life is often shorter especially when immigration patterns change. How will they not just merely survive, but thrive? We must remember that we are not only family, but simultaneously missionaries doing cross cultural mission where we are. Yes, we are family, but we are a family on mission with Jesus.
