Christmas story

Probably most of the humanity is familiar with Christmas story. Regardless of their religion or belief, everybody knows that it’s Jesus’ birthday.. Although the world is now afraid to use the word “Christmas” because it’s politically incorrect, which i think it’s just… nuts.

Between the old testament and the new testament, there is about 400 years of gap. Complete silence from God after prophecy after prophecy. We’re talking 400 years and that’s a LONG time. Talk about frustration and doubt.

And there was a cry of a baby.. from a virgin mother named Mary who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Huh? Yeah i know.. that’s.. pretty weird and crazy.

A cry of a baby broke the 400 years of silence.

I’m so thankful and grateful that it wasn’t a condemnation, judgment, or a threat. God didn’t say, “Yall need to put yourselves together!” “Try harder, you can’t hang out with me if you keep sinning like that” But He spoke “The Word”, who is Jesus (remember how John 1 says the word is Jesus? and He became flesh?)

A Savior is born. It says in Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Did i mention that Mary and Joseph probably had the worst day of their life? It was on the ‘tax day’ where everything is hectic and nobody likes that day. They had to go all the way to the Bethlehem from Galilee. On top of that there wasn’t even a room at a hotel! So they went in to an animal shelter type of cave.. and the one thing they probably were praying for.. and the last thing they would want is to have a baby on that night. Well… unfortunately the water broke and she gave a birth.

Christmas is about God coming to us on our worst day. When we are in the darkest hours of our lives. When we are weak.. He comes to us and say, “I’m here to help you and love you.” We all know that none of us are good, and none of us have everything together. But God became one of us, so full of grace and truth. He is here to take care of all our mess and He is not afraid of them.

What more do we want God to do for us..? Have we forgotten what He has done and what has happened to us and who we are because of that?

Christmas is here because Jesus is here. Immanuel, God with us. Praise God for Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone

[inspired by Louie Giglio from Christmas tour]

A new temple

In the old testament time, if you wanted to see God and meet God, you had to go to the “temple of God.” that was the place where God dwelt and different kinds of physical manifestation was evident in that place. His glory was literally present.

In the new testament, God calls Us the “temple of the Holy Spirit.” We are the temple now. God shows up through us. In the things that we do and say, someone can encounter God. That’s why I believe that purity of our hearts and holiness of our lives is so significant. I realize that all we need to do is to be ourselves. We are made holy and new through Jesus and He calls us the temple of His spirit!

I pray that we will start or continue to be His holy temple to release His love to His beloved broken generation.

Happy December Christmas is near. Let’s celebrate.

Thanksgiving

I was at a walgreens buying some stuff. I was in the line for the cashier and this lady was in front of me.
She was wearing ragged clothes, and i was able to smell an awful odor from her. I immediately assumed that she was a very poor lady, maybe even a homeless. She was buying a couple of stuff.. a microwavable hamburger, a mac and cheese and an over-the-counter medicine… I didn’t even know walgreens had burgers! Well, i’ve never seen those instant burgers before..

Many thoughts flooded into my mind with compassion. “What would Jesus do..?”

Earlier on that day, i went to a korean market for a grocery. As i was food-shopping, i found myself being really hesitant to buy alot of things due to financial crisis. I was wanting so many things, but had to hold myself. I kind of felt really bad for myself. (I know, everybody is in financial crisis, and my point is not to have a pity on myself) I wasn’t complaining, but i wasn’t satisfied.

As the lady was getting out of the walgreens, i slowly drove away carefully watching her. She didn’t have a car (at least not on the parking lot), and walked across the street and disappeared. My heart was broken, and i repented.

It’s not a huge story, but it changed my heart. I mean, all of us know that we’re blessed, but we always forget. We need to be reminded as often as possible, we are forgetful people.

She may not even be a homeless, and she might have had just a really bad day or something. The point is, you and i are blessed. I have more reasons to be thankful for than not.

In this season, let’s remember.. Remember that we’re richly blessed. God has given us much, so we can give much. When we focus on the things that we already Have, we find joy.

I’m so excited for thanksgiving food

Misconception

While researching for my paper, i found some interesting survey results and would like to share one of them.
This is “Misconception” on men in nursing, so please don’t misunderstand! haha.
Thought it was pretty funny.

On the other note.. I was just thinking..
How is it that this culture considers men who are caring, compassionate, and loving as “gay”? In fact, it is almost inappropriate to be full of heart and carry sense of character, especially for young people in this culture. And men who act like they are “macho”, but filled with arrogance, ego, false pride, and fears are called “cool dudes”. Those “cool dudes” don’t even have enough courage to stand for justice and righteousness, but willing to compromise/tolerate the ways of the world. I don’t know.. just thought about it a little bit. Because i believe, God is looking for men who are strong in integrity and character. Men whose hearts are after His own heart just like King David. Who only fear the Lord, and courage to stand for justice. Obviously the list goes on..

Ah, i have a Long way to go, but He’s definitely changing me.

Have a great day

Bug story

So, i was in class studying with much enthusiasm the other day. Since i go to nursing school, most of classmates are girls. Often i’m the only guy in the class and this class was one of them. In the middle of the lecture, some girls in the back started to say “Oh my god~ oh my god~”. Professor asked what’s wrong and they said that there is a bug on the ceiling, pointing right above me. Everybody looked up.

I said to myself…

“Crap!”

Now, that “Crap” has several meanings. First, i KNEW that i was the one who was going to kill that bug since i’m the only guy in that class. Second, It was RIGHT above my head. Third, I don’t like bugs, and this particular bug looked extraordinary. With no exaggeration, this thing was literally 3 inches long and an inch wide with 50 legs.

Of course i stood up “like a man” as the professor handed me a sheet of paper. On the inside, i wasn’t “scared” but i was disturbed. As i was reaching my hand to kill that thing, it felt like forever… As i put the paper against that huge body, this one girl shouted, “It’s moving! it’s moving!”

Another, “Crap…”

Somehow, i had the victory and threw that thing in the garbage like it’s nothing with a smile on my face. Of course on the inside, i was “Disturbed”. I mean, it wasn’t anything big or dramatic but now i think about the situation, it was kinda funny i guess.

Too long!

It’s been too long since I updated! Ahh! So, school finally started and it’s going good. Even though it requires much time i try to enjoy it. Been really busy! Alot of school work, work, and church. Not complaining though. Every time I feel lazy or lack of motivation, I remind myself how blessed I am. I heard that only 1-2% of world population get to go to college. Hey, I’m one of them.

I’m in the bathroom right now and I need to go study some more for dosage exam that’s at 2pm. Haha. Sorry for tmi.

Just a humorous picture i found. I wish it was that easy.

Overflowed

So, I had such an ‘awe’some time at the retreat this year. First time leading worship at a summer retreat, which was very humbling and learning experience for me. God reminded me of where i came from.. and where He wants to lead me. I felt like God was beginning to stretch me and enlarge my territory, which was something that i’ve been praying for. The more and more i reflect upon this past week, i am really just amazed by His continuous grace and love! So, Bless the Lord!

On our way back home, we stopped by at a gas station near where we were staying. I went into the store to buy some kentucky gingerale (YES!) while the gas tank was getting filled. The line was pretty long so i was in the line, waiting to pay money. Somehow, the gas didn’t stop when it was full so it kept going on till some of our folks found out that gas was overflowing on my car. A good chunk of area was covered with gas on the floor, sending a very strong gas odor. As you can see, i had to pay 68 dollar by taking 28.7 gallons of gas from them. Well, I had a half of tank so i only had to fill up about 8 gallons. What a waste!!! I know, i wasn’t very happy but oh well what can i do right? I learned that It IS my responsibility to stay and fill up gas so it won’t overflow. I don’t even know why i took a picture of it, but i did.. haha. Maybe i was bitter.

Today at work, i was thinking about this past week including this particular incident. All of a sudden i felt like the Spirit wanted to teach me something. So i asked God, “… do you have any lesson from this picture Daddy?”

And this is what i got..
God wants to fill us up with His Spirit and Love. Not only so that we can be “happy” or “Satisfied” but also to Share with others. God wants to fill us up so much that it will overflow.. Leaking His presence wherever we go, leaving a beautiful fragrance of God. John 7:37 reminds us that He wants to give “Rivers of living water” to those who are thirsty. This can only happen when we have an intimate fellowship with God. So in love with Jesus that we will look more and more like Him. As He is filling us up, what’s inside of us will change us so that we will never be the same. But Overflowed presence of God will change things around us and transform people. It will Give Life.

Do you want it? It will be given to you. One condition is vital: We can never be the same. Once we encounter the love of God, we must live like people who are radically transformed by His amazing love.

May our Sweet Daddy continually bless us and fill us!

Heaven carriers

When Jesus taught us how to pray, He included “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

In John 4, verse 21-24 Jesus reminds us that the Father is looking for “Worshipers” not “great moments of praise and service”. He is looking for ‘people’ who are transformed by the radical love of God. People who will live as brides of Christ, and sons of God.

We will be the generation of worshipers who will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. Literally bringing Heaven on the Earth in everyday life (May seem ordinary, but so extraordinary).

“We are all in this together” as Hillsong united would say..

Easy to love.

It’s easy to love Him..

Because He is so wonderful.
Because He is so beautiful.
Because He is so gooood.

We love God because He first loved us!

My helpless brother.

So, here I am in Maryland with family. First few hours have been very sad due to a lack of common knowledge of my brother. Don’t get me wrong, I love him but this was a little bad..

Me: hey go upstairs and google “NBA” for me. I’ll be there soon. ( I wanted to watch the highlight of “king James” finishing the game)

A minute later….

I see the computer screen, result of “MBA” all over.

Jinwoo: is this it? MBA?
Me: are you serious…?

A few moments later

Me: do you know who lebron James is?

Him: no.

Me: how about Kobe Bryant?

Him: oh that soccer player!!

I laughed for five minutes.

Me: wait… You know michael Jordan right?

Him: yes of course!

Me: thank Jesus.

I was playing a baseball game and my brother asks..

Him: how does a baseball game end??

Me: ..

Please pray for him.
Hahhahhaahahahahahaha

Edit:; my brother told me later that he actually searched for “MVA” first, before MBA LOL