Mission Monday VI

08/07/2009

Speaker: Missionary Kang

Background: Central Asia/Ministry Director. Graduated from School of Dentistry in Seoul National University. Served in Uzbekistan for 10 years.

• "The only way to change is to deny yourself."
• He attended a huge missions conference recently for Chinese and Korean missionaries.
• Many people had gathered to worship and pray together.
• First, the Koreans were called to pray - they prayed standing up, some with hands raised, and in KM style
• Next, the Chinese were called to pray - they prayed on their knees with tears; they prayed like their life was on the line
• He was amazed at the difference in spirituality between those in the Chinese mission field and those elsewhere (what they've seen and experienced spiritually)

• Man's thoughts vs. God's thoughts
• After the fall, Adam was ashamed of being naked vs. God created him naked
• Man begins to think things are sin, which were not before
• Being weak is not a sin - "when I am weak, then I am strong"
• God uses our weaknesses for His glory

• Christians have a calling to abandon the world and be "life savers"

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He said many other things, but I was so into his storytelling (including some vague analogy to a Korean movie about a tsunami) that I didn't take good notes. I didn't fall asleep. I think.

...

The times they are a-changin'.

More

It's coming back. The words that kept me running hard after Love. Before that though, I must paint the background of this marathon journey - this "journey of loving Him more."

There's a reason why the international student shed tears today when she listened to her English classmates share about the struggles, frustrations, and ultimately, the new-found joy and peace in their walk with God. All this was in a language that she was not familiar with in an environment that she is trying her best to adjust to yet she understood just enough. She understood not just in her mind, but in her soul. Something cried out, "Abba Father" within her as she listened to her siblings in Christ cry out, "Where are you, Father?" She couldn't explain why. Her only response was, "I listen... and... make me cry. Sorry."

There's the study of God, then there is God Himself. There's the study of self, then there is self itself. Amidst the meanings lost in translation, both can mean the same thing or total opposites of each other. Nevertheless, when all the discussions are in and the curtains are closed there is still that child with her heart in her hands seeking true love, seeking true rescue from all that causes drought in her soul. "Who will restore my broken heart?" This is the point of departure - the point where we find real skin and real blood. It is the point where God meets us where we are just as a father meets the child on his knees.

Echoing the cries of King David, sometimes I don't feel it. Sometimes I don't see it. But I look at His perfect track record and I see that His love is unfailing, His mercy is never ending, and His faithfulness is great. I will ask like King David, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" and in the same breath I will say with him, "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

This is no time to write out my own life story just to see how I'm doing and where I'm going. The scope is greater than that. And this brings me back to the words that kindled the fuel in me to run through the valley, past the Forrest, and up the mountain all to follow Love:

There must be more.

There must be more - more than me, me in the world, me in Christ, me in church, me in my family, me with friends, me as a student, me in a good school, me as a worker, me as a parent, me in six figures, me in my worries, me with a car, me with shoes on, me with cherry on top, me with do and sol, me in the middle, me as myself. There must be more than empty words and broken promises. More than cycles of lost and found. More than sorrows and joy. More than tears and smiles. More than weddings and funerals. More than life itself.

It's all about Him. This run is all about Jesus Christ and His righteousness. His tears for a world that is not familiar with Him among people who are hostile to Him are what causes the ark to rise above the flood. He doesn't understand just enough, he understands fully. He calls out every tear by its name and every smile by His name. And it's because of Him we approach "Abba" with freedom and confidence. Jesus is more than enough.

When you realize that Jesus is all you have you will soon discover that Jesus is all you need.

- Somebody Somewhere

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in you is more than enough

Superyeoman

I had a dream...

I had superpowers. There was a gigantic piece of rectangular metal, 10 times bigger than a billboard, floating high up in the air right near the enemy's air base headquarters. I was in the heart of the city filled with high rises and packed with people in the streets. They were all staring at the shiny object in the sky, entranced. Then I looked up, gave a cool piercing stare at the billboard, and marched forward as I began to raise my hands up as if to control it. And control it I did. I swiveled my hands like I was molding chakra clay and the huge piece of metal moved accordingly in the air. I was like Yoda, but less eco-friendly. I tried to bring it down slowly, but suddenly I lost control and the billboard thingy was now free-falling straight toward the street. I waved my hands, flexed my fingers, and did whatever I could to keep it in control, but after a few failed attempts I knew it was over.

KAAAABOOOOOOOOM!

The piece of metal fell through one of the tallest buildings, splitting it in half, and exploded in the middle of the street. Car alarms. Screaming. Crying. Sirens. Smoke. Debris. The whole 9.9 yards. The building was catching fire and spreading quickly. I ran towards the building's entrance, breathed in as deep as I could, and then exhaled super cold air through the whole building. wooooosh* The fire was no more. Victory.

Then I went over to a house one block down and listened to someone play Amazing Grace on the piano.

And the rest is mystery.

Mission Monday V

08/06/2009

"... persecuted, but not abandoned..."

Speaker: Chinese Missionary D**** X**** (via translator)

Background: the younger sister of P**** X**** who was the mentor to Brother Yun (Heavenly Man). Saved at the age of 17, she has endured persecution in the house churches in China.

Testimony: (as before, this is a cleaned up transfer of my notes)

• In the 40's and 50's the C government tried to destroy Christianity
• People were persecuted and put in prison
• The government controlled churches and checked sermons to see that they were in line with the political movement
• So then people began home churches
• In 1958, all churches were closed, but they still met together
• As a child she was sad because pastors were taken to prison
• She wanted to be a bird - "fly to heaven and praise God"

• 1966-1976 - there was a cultural revolution in C
• -> "there is no God", "church is now a museum"
• Pastors were mocked and had to wear signs on their head and clothes
• The church was cold.
• There were many tears - "The house of my God is facing tragedy." like 1st generation of Israelites
• She asked, "What can I do?" and decided,

"I will devote myself and my life for God's church."

• yet she didn't know what to do.
• Others warned her saying that a promise is important, but no one could persuade her

• Her brother was a top criminal (Christian) according to C government.
• She longed for the Living Word
• They were listening to Christian radio on Christmas
• The police caught them and tied them
• A brother told her, "If the police finds you don't say a word even if they break your leg."
• They escaped and ran away to another believer's house
• However, the police came and she and her sister were caught again and put in jail
• The jailer said, "Let's see how long you survive here."
• She realized that her father was already there. (She was still a teenager)
• She prayed, "Lord what's wrong?"

• The next morning the jailer came, took her hand and slammed it against the door, but she didn't say anything
• He got angry and beat her up until she was covered in blood
• To this day, her tooth is sensitive
• He said, "Who told you to preach this Gospel?"
• At the time, she was worrying about her family, but realized she must focus her mind on God
• Then suddenly peace came upon her ("like a baby") and she said, "I'm willing to stay here forever."

• Eventually, the police took them out of jail to another place
• Her father said, "When you hear the bang sound, we will go to heaven."
• She thought, "Then I can't preach the Gospel anymore."
• She remembered her father used to tell her to never shut out the work of the HS - if He tells you something, OBEY!
• So with that in mind, she bravely marched forward (by God's grace) even when the police chased her down.
• She didn't care.
• She was praying and singing, "HALLELUJAH!" and kept at it for a long time as her voice grew louder and louder
• Her father tried to close her mouth and stop her, but the HS rebuked him through other members.

• Later, her sister carried her and took her home
• She prayed, "God I want to preach the Gospel. I promised. But why is it so difficult every time?"
• Then suddenly, she felt a cold feeling in her heart and in her feet and knew that if this continued then she would die.
• Then she realized that if she died now, then she would have done nothing for the Gospel so she prayed,

"If it is because I am afraid of difficulties then please let me stay."

• and the feeling disappeared.

• She hid her criminal brother underground from the government
• The neighbors helped her out
• In the fields that she labored in the children were waiting for her to share the Gospel
• And she thought, "Lord it's so easy when you work."
• She went to other villages to share the Good News
• When a man rebuked her and told her to stop preaching, his mouth moved to the side of his face and he couldn't talk...
• (- _____-) <- [like this maybe? or maybe like] -> (- - __)
• Then the elders rebuked him and told him to repent, and only then they will pray for him and he will be healed.
• He was healed.

• She was persecuted more than 40 times by comm. leader. Later, he died.
• Throughout all this she realized,

"God's grace is sufficient.

Jesus' resurrected life overcame sin and death and defeated Satan.

We must realize this by completely denying ourselves to live in Christ.

Then you will become powerful soldiers for Christ."

• She is now 63 years old and pressing on.

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Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Be my everything.

Jiffy Jam

All day.

thanks jam.cha for the song

Baker

I met this guy in class. He was very encouraging. On our way to the library he asked, "How's your personal time with God been like since starting seminary." I told him how excited I was and how what I'm learning is helping understand more of Scripture and its history and inspiration. In other words, I didn't quite answer his question. Then he stopped in his track and said he wanted to tell me two things.

First, he said, "Don't be a starving baker." I nodded slowly in confusion. He went on to explain that bakers, who bake all day, can sometimes have the sensation of feeling full even when they haven't eaten anything because they're constantly around food. Likewise, many seminary students have a high tendency to feel like they've gotten more than enough of Daily Bread because they are constantly having to study the Word and read about the Word. They hear it in class, they read it for homework, and they fill their heads with biblical knowledge, but in actuality, they're starving inside. The relationship with God is on hold and the Bible becomes an academic text book. He was speaking from many years of personal experience (transferred from another seminary). The words that stood out to me from his testimony were "dry" and "empty."

That was pretty dead on, right near the center of my heart. It didn't only apply to me in and for seminary, but in my daily walk, if I may, with God. Going to church, listening to sermons, praising 'up there', serving in various ministries, being in a small group, being a pastor's kid - all "Christian-y" areas had been infected (one way or another, minutely and unnoticeably) by the yeast of superficial merit derived from a whitewashed spiritual attendance chart. The relationship is there, but just covered in foolish self-righteous muck.

I liken this to a biology student studying his text book by using it as a pillow and calling it "learning by osmosis." Then he goes to class the next day for his final and shows the professor the red lined book mark (no pun intended but I tried) on his face and boasts with all the seriousness of an offended Harry Potter fan, "As you can see, by the marks on my forehead, I know my material. Therefore I don't need to take a test to prove my mastery of this subject." Unfortunately, physical proximity is not everything.

I'm learning. I'm learning a lot. The more I learn, the less I know. The less I know, the more I want to learn. It's a funny cycle.

By the way, I forgot the second thing he said as I was passionately recalling the first thing he said. Hopefully I'll remember later. I love the people. I love my classes. School is cool again. Praise God!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2

Eat it. Just eat it.

Mmmmm

Psalm 19:7-10

The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure

and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.