What Do You Believe?

I am becoming increasingly aware of how important our beliefs are. What we believe determines how we live. What do you really believe about...
God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Scripture? Prayer? Satan? Angels? Demons? The Kingdom of God? The Church? Miracles? The Gifts of the Spirit? Calling? Your destiny?

"The Thinker" (Le Penseur) by Rodin

I believe there is a new reformation taking place in the church that is challenging the way we think. For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is. (Prov. 27:3) May this revolution in belief bring about a revolution in our world!

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Stand Up and Be Heard

Throughout the Bible, God continually raised up prophets to proclaim a divine message intended to turn peoples' hearts back to himself. This is now the responsibility of the church. Here are two examples of the prophetic voice regarding the issue of abortion.

Lia, a 12-year-old seventh grader decided to make a courageous stand in her school by giving a passionate speech on the topic of abortion for a speech competition. Her teachers strongly discouraged her from speaking on this issue and even told Lia that she would be disqualified from advancing to the next level of competition. Lia didn't waver...

John Piper is the Senior Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota and author of "Desiring God" as well as numerous other books. Here is part of a message directed to President Barack Obama on the issue of abortion.

Let us pray for more voices to be heard in defense of those voices which cannot.

A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God".

Isaiah 40:3

Birthday Take 2

It's been over a week since the last blog because I got sick from Abigail, who got sick from Isaac, who got sick from some friends. Thankfully, Jenney has a strong immune system.

Since Abigail wasn't feeling well on her birthday, her mom decided to have a little party today with some friends. Jenney's idea of a "little party" was having 14 people, ranging from babies to adults, come over for a birthday brunch consisting of three different egg bake dishes, two different sausages, about fifty pancakes with three different types of fruit, two different types of syrup, and a can of whip cream. If Abigail could talk she would say, "Mama mia! That's a spicy meatball!"

Celebrating Joy

Today was Abigail's birthday! We didn't have a big celebration, as is the Korean custom for 1st birthdays, because we are so far away from family. (When Isaac turned one, we had a party of about 100 people!) It can be hard to live under the shadow of a big brother sometimes. Isaac's birthday was last week and he was showered with love, gifts, and food. What did Isaac give to Abigail for her birthday? His cold...

We are so thankful for Abigail. Her name means "Joy of the Father". We experience a fullness of God's joy each day because of her! My prayer is that she will draw others closer to the heart of the Father by the joy she shares. Here is a video of how she brings happiness to our lives. We love you, Abigail!

"Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing so my people can experience my joy completed in them." John 17:13 (The Message)

Millard Fuller

Although this news didn't receive much attention in the media, Millard Fuller passed on today to be with the Lord. He was the founder of Habitat for Humanity International which began in 1976. He was a millionaire in a marketing firm by age 29, but his health, integrity, and marriage were suffering. These crises moved Fuller to reconsider his values and direction. His soul-searching led to a reconciliation with his wife, Linda, and to a renewal of his Christian faith. The Fullers then made a decision to sell all of their possessions, give the money to the poor, and begin searching for a new focus for their lives.

1935- 2009

Fuller came up with a basic concept of building modest houses on a no-profit, no-interest basis, thus making homes affordable to families with low incomes. Homeowner families were expected to invest their own labor into the building of their home and the houses of other families. This reduced the cost of the house, increased the pride of ownership and fostered the development of positive relationships. Money for building was placed into a revolving fund, enabling the building of even more homes.

In 1996, former U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded Fuller the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, calling Habitat “…the most successful continuous community service project in the history of the United States.” By 2004, Habitat organizations in more than 100 countries had built 50,000 houses in the U.S. and more than 150,000 around the world. They passed the 300,000 house mark late last year. Fuller is a shining example of servant leadership and the idea that true life can be found in losing it for Christ's sake.

"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 (NLT)