Mission Monday III - 1

Be blessed and be a blessing!

The night was still young and the next speaker went up. His name was Ishmael Lim, a Korean missionary in his late 30s and the worship leader for the Intercp Korean ministry. His smile was natural and he looked younger than his age. His voice had the "prayer husk," the kind that you hear in those passionate pastors at old school Korean revival services. It always makes them sound more spiritual, and I'm working on mine....... Anyway, this is his sermon (divided in two parts), to the best of my notes and memory and with a little bit of my insight and my [needlessly redundant] comments.... better yet, this is more properly titled - what I learned from his sermon:

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In every worship service, there are two kinds of people. First, there is the passionate worshiper. These are the ones who are deeply moved and make the "holy face" during worship sometimes shedding a tear or two These are the ones who actually raise their hands when singing "so we raise up holy hands." They are the ones who say, "Here am I, send me!"

Then there is the worshiper who is bored out of their minds. These are the ones who would rather not clap with the rest of the mindless clappers and would not mind sitting down at all during worship. These are the ones who nod like a gansta with a slightly pursed smirk and point both thumbs to themselves when singing, "prone to wander... prone to leave the God I love." They are the ones who say, "Well I guess I'll go. Nothing better to do anyway."

Out of these two, who do you think would make the better missionary? You guessed it. The bored worshiper by far would outlast the passionate worshiper. This is because in the mission field, especially in hostile regions, the passionate worshiper will stick out like a sore 8-1/2 x 11 inch study bible wherever they go. They will make the mistake of lifting up their hands in the public squares and shouting out praise from the rooftops. They will make every effort to seek and save the lost, and their testimony will be, "Look at my passion for Him." Even before the mission begins the devil will be all over them because they would be too holy of a spiritual force to deal with later. Go fight win!

On the other hand, the bored worshiper will blend right in with the pagans and find their true comfort zone in infiltrating the deepest darkest places of the temples, where they used to be during worship services. Connecting with the ones who do not know God will come naturally for them and they will say, "Look to Jesus Christ?" The devil will ignore them because these guys seem to have no passion for Jesus and will not be a threat to their Operation: Kingdom Down. In the end, as the passionate worshipers get deported back to their countries, the bored worshipers will be the ones to back stab the devil. He'll be like, "WTH?"

So next time you see a bored worshiper in service (or maybe it's you) don't lose hope, but rather thank the Lord and praise Him for preparing a secret weapon (you can pray for them too). And next time you find yourself with a log in your eye, know and remember that God does not look at the outside appearance; he looks at the heart.

Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7b

to be continued...

Seek Love

Seek
Seek my face
Seek my face with all your heart
Look into my eyes and tell me what you see
Closer now. Closer, until we are face to face
See your reflection in the apple of my eye
See the "little man in my eye"
If only you would see yourself the way I see you
You would be standing tall and walking forward
You would be pressing on and forgetting what is behind
You would be bold in prayer and strong in faith
You would be joyful always and filled with peace
You would be still in the storms and calm in the waves
You would be strong and courageous and never terrified
You would be steadfast and unshaken
You would be provided and protected
You would say, "Not my way but your way"
You would love me and love my people
You would love me
You would love
Love
Love me
Love me with all your heart
Look into my heart and tell me what you see
Closer now. Closer, until you feel my heartbeat
Feel your reflection in the center of my heart
Feel from the "bottom of my heart"
If you are after my own heart
I will be your shepherd and your guide
I will be your counselor and your healer
I will be your intercessor and mountain-mover
I will be your joy and strength
I will be your prince of peace
I will be your comforter and be with you always
I will be your firm foundation
I will be your daily bread and everlasting portion
I will say, "Seek and you will find"
I will love you and love my people
I will love you
I will love

Love

I am Love

If you will draw near to me

I will draw my love in your heart
I will allow yours to break for what breaks mine
I will show you through my son
You will know how much I love you

If you will come so close to me

I will fill you with my vision
I will allow you to see what I see in you
I will see you through my son
You will see that I love you
I love you, my child
I love you

Mission Monday II

God is my provider!

After receiving my ticket into mission camp, I entered the English Ministry sanctuary (The camp was divided into adult, english, youth, children). I quickly and stealthily claimed a seat in the back as to not disturb the worship. Yes, sadly, I was late. When the lights came back on, my eyes were drawn to the many banners lining the wall of the sanctuary. these banners represented unreached people groups and nations in the world such as Turkey, Yemen, and Afghanistan. Also, there were multiple signs (and t-shirts) with the letters "BTJ" written on them. what? [Suspense]. After the introduction and announcements, the mc introduced the night's speaker who was Dr. Masahide Kanayama. This is his story:


Dr. K grew up in Japan where his mother was an artist. At the age of 5 he discovered a Western art book that his mother had in her collection. As he was flipping through the pages he stopped at a painting of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. For some reason he was drawn by it, and just sat there staring at the picture for 20 minutes wondering, "Who is this man and why does he have to suffer so much?" Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder and a man in white robes appeared smiling at him. Then he felt an intense warmth about him and began to weep and cry out loud for nearly half an hour. His mother tried to calm him down and asked what was wrong, but he couldn't explain it. The man was gone.

When he was in high school his friend invited him to church. (Back in his day, and even now, Christians were a small minority and their reputation wasn't great). Right as he entered the front door of the church he saw the same man standing there to welcome him and the man said, "I've been waiting for you." And he was gone. He knew it was Jesus. At the church he learned of the God of the universe who loved the world and came to seek and save sinners and he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. From then on God opened up his eyes to the spiritual world and he began to witness signs and wonders.

Through supernatural circumstances (an acceptance letter from the government for a prestigious foreign exchange student program) God led him to the US to study medicine. In the process of applying for medical schools, he had the opportunity to apply to John Hopkins. In his essay protion, God impressed upon his heart to write: "The future of medicine rests on the cross and blood of Jesus Christ. By His stripes we are healed" and he proceeded to copy and paste that sentence to fill up 2 pages.... He got the interview. There the interviewees mentioned his essay and asked if he could explain and elaborate. God led him to share the Gospel with the them. He didn't get accepted (which didn't surprise him), and so he decided to attend Medical College of Wisconsin.

After medical school, he began his residency at a hospital that was notorious for a strict head doctor who cut and kicked out newbies left and right. The first time Dr. K met him, the head doctor looked him up and down and told him that he wouldn't last more than 4 weeks. The first patient he was assigned to was a woman in emergency intensive care. She was in a car accident that tore off more than half of her abdomen (all her insides were showing) and she was barely surviving. Everyone in the hospital knew there was no hope, but on top of that the head doctor told Dr. K that if this patient isn't discharged from the hospital (meaning - if she dies), then he would kick Dr. K out of the program...

That's when he began to pray and fast and desperately cry out to God. He knew that God was the Healer because he had seen God heal the sick. On the 30th day, he went in and saw that God had created new flesh and the missing internal organs in the woman's body. It was a miracle indeed, but on top of that, this woman who had a medical history of depression and other mental ailments was completely cured and healed. This shocked the head doctor, but according to Dr. K, God allowed 5 more challenges such as this one throughout his residency to show the power of God. From there on he knew that God had called him to be a spiritual doctor as well as a physical doctor.

He is currently one of the top obstetrician and gynecologist in the world. He shares how during surgery God opens his eyes to exactly where and how much he has to excise to take out the cancerous and infected cells. God also opens his spiritual eyes to see the demons that many times cause the sickness in the patient and sometimes there are demons in certain parts of the body. When he cuts those parts, which coincide with the diseased cells, he can hear the demon crying and screaming (of course no one else around him can see or hear) as it comes out of the patient's body. Then he prays over them in Jesus name throughout and after the surgery. All his patients who are treated by him get well and are healed both physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. All glory to God!

Recently, God led him to Norway where he was supposed be a guest speaker for a big Christian conference that was to be broadcast all over the country. However, during the leaders' prayer meeting right before the conference he was asked to lead them in prayer, and when he did, the Holy Spirit moved him to pray for the sick. Right then and there, deaf ears were opened, broken bones were fixed, tumors were falling off, and people were being healed left and right. (He shares how God had already told him in advance that he was to get ready to share the Good News on national TV). After that, the event planners decided to make Dr. K the main speaker and put everything else on hold. As for him, he was just in awe and praising God that He would use a Japanese man with a thick accent to reach a foreign land that was not his own and share the love of God. Looking back now, the painting in the art book he was so drawn to and touched by was a picture of that Love - the Love of Jesus Christ.

But He was pierced for our transgressions;
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Mission Monday

Last summer, I went to a Mission Camp hosted by Intercp. I've been meaning to share what I learned from 3 intense days of sermons and testimonies, but I never got around to it. My plan is simply to recap my notes scribbles little by little on a weekly basis. Enjoy.
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August 5th, 2009

I saw the pamphlet at the office and decided to stop by but not participate because the registration fee was almost $200. Glory Church of Jesus Christ was packed like belly jeans. I went to the registration table and told them my situation. I emphasized that (I think) dad knows someone important in Intercp and I represent some missionary non-profit organization and that I'm only here to "check it out yo." After going through three levels of Intercp authority and thirty minutes of broken Korean they finally granted me the super rare Badge of Visitor.

I am a hustlin' sojourner.

And so my adventure begins...

Journey the Journal

From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. 

Genesis 13:3-4

Sometimes God takes us through seasons where it seems like all our efforts and struggles have ended in full circle and we have not made any progress. Don't be discouraged because it's not about the journey. It's about the journal - the internal, personal heart's struggle with the Person of Jesus Christ. It's not about how many steps we take, but rather with whom we are taking those steps. And when we realize, just as Abraham did, that our walk and our intimacy with God is progress and growth itself we will begin to find ourselves "calling on the name of the Lord" perfectly satisfied in His presence. First Love. So the next time you find yourself between Bethel and Ai, simply look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our salvation.

Happy One-More-Year-Closer-to-His-Return Year!

As the Bee Panteth for the Honey

... or Nectar?

(What exactly did I learn in Animal Behaviors class?)

Dear Manjournal,

I taught dad how to play the saxophone. He blasted it all night long. The next morning he was playing it again, and this time he played the First Noel by ear. It was quite good. We all applauded. It's easier to teach an open heart. It's easier to learn with an open heart... (I probably shouldn't mention that he has perfect pitch). Christmas season was good this year.

"I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. It's like saying on Thursday, 'I'm gonna go to the gym on Monday.' Why not go on Friday?" - brother M

Well you would believe in New Year's Resolutions if you were in need of one, and when people comment about you "my, my, how you've changed" you can just credit your resolution. "I know."

The only question to ask tonight is, "What is my New Year's Excuse?" Then maybe I'll be ready to lift them all up in the mountains this week, and I'll let Him know that I give it up all to Him. He's the only one in the business of changing hearts. I ain't messin widat. "If it weren't for you meddling kids, you would have turned the world upside down by now."

Change like a butterfly. Drink like a bee.

Very well, let's go. Good night.

Obadiah

hello, my name is wookie.

"Look!"

I pointed excitedly towards the playground as soon as I spotted a row of tricycles parked near the fence. Dad led noon and me away into the main office of Monte Vista Elementary School where we waited in big uncomfortable chairs as he filled out some forms and chatted, in sign languish (sign language + sporadic grunts in English) with Vera the secretary. After many more bla blas and blur blurs I found myself standing in front of about ten intensely curious 5 year olds, sitting neatly in individual little boxes drawn on the floor with masking tape.

"Wook."

The secretary introduced me to my kindergarten class, and from there on my memory is vague and dreamy. I do remember riding the tricycle and racing around the track. I remember learning "Bubble gum, bubble gum" (and figuring out how to count cards people before they asked me, "How many pieces do you wish?"). I also remember a kid named Andy McSomething who called me by my kindergarten name up until middle school. We talked about basketball.

This blurry memory fast forwards itself to 13 years later. I remember a friend of mine in college, who invited his suitemate to a Christian club meeting. The suitemate lashed back and told him to stop trying to convert him. And that was the end of that. 1 Peter 4:16 I look back and I rejoice for my friend to the point my heart aches because I see the Father say, "Well done!"

Time tells the tale. I've been blessed with K-12 education and beyond x2. I'm done counting monetary greens. Now I'm being led to greener pastures. Life is moving quickly here and there's no time to even wish for diligence. Hard work comes to those who work hard. There may be trials now and they may only be training for more suffering to come, but Peter encourages me to lift my eyes from the footprints in the sand. He's got his eyes on something way beyond the horizon. Somewhere. Someone.

Rejoice in sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Rejoice. I do not lose hope for His joy is my strength. His joy is my joy. Again I say, rejoice.

Looking back at a seemingly linear flow of events transcended by what we call time, I'm beginning to see past the backdrop of tricycles, bubble gums, classrooms, and diplomas. There's another introduction to be made somewhere over the fence. And I wonder...

Perhaps joy comes when we simply step away from the frame and behold the Picture.