Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Affirmation of Faith with Ryan

Another great story of God's work in Korea....

So our church goes to this Christian Coffee shop called Holy Cross on Sunday night, just like normal. Usually, we have about 45 minutes to an hour to just talk and have fun before we need to go home. Well I struck up a conversation with this guy Ryan. He is a little older, sometimes a little left out maybe, but I decided to ask him, "How long have you been a Christian." Most Korean people that are learning English can understand your words better than they can get out what they want to say...

But he replied...."I am almost." I'm thinking almost a Christian? So we talked about it, and he said that he was not Christian, yet, because he didn't have the ceremony. Ceremony? What ceremony....then he started to show me with his hands...."water, under...." OHhhh Baptism......"Yess! I need to be baptized." "Oh you do..." I said.

He had been telling me that he has been going to church for about a year now, and that he is not "saved" because he had not been baptized in water yet. So interesting. How does it feel to go to church, and not know that you are saved from a sure death? Wow...I sure know this feeling...I felt it many times before I understood more about the truth of God's Word.

So I began to explain about Jesus on the cross, and the two criminals that were hanging there besides Him, and how one professed that Jesus was guiltless and then asked to be "remembered" as Jesus went to His Kingdom. Jesus told him "Today you will be with me in Paradise." We later find out that the criminals both died. I told him that Paradise was heaven, and he agreed. I told Ryan that the criminal was forgiven by God, even though he was a criminal. And then I told him that God took him down off the cross and baptized him, and then he died....................NOOOOOOOO!!!! He died as a believer in Christ, and that was sufficient for salvation!

By this time, we were sitting down and I was telling him about Jesus being baptized in Matthew 3. It says that John tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized, saying that Jesus should baptize John. But He said no, saying He wanted to "fulfill all righteousness." I told Ryan that Jesus did this because it was good for Him to do it. He is being an example to us believers. "Now did Jesus have to be baptized?" He shook his head...."No, He is perfect." Jesus did not have to be baptized, He was identifying with us sinful men, showing us that He is standing in our place for us. He did not have to, or that would be saying that Jesus is not God, or that God is not perfect, which He is both.

So we talked a little more, mostly because I was afraid that he was not really saved, but as I questioned him, he told me that he had sought other religions, but found that Christianity was true. He prayed to Jesus to forgive him. But he thought he wasn't a Christian yet because he had not been baptized.

I was angry at the different Pastors that had taught this man the wrong things out of the Word of God. I am not perfect either, I thought, but it made me realize the importance of knowing the Word of God even more. I always remember this quote from Pastor Tommy..."Preaching the Word is like fishing. You throw out the nets, but then you have to pull them back in." A lot of people miss the opportunity to pull in the nets, and it might be because they do not piece together the "whole counsel" of God, only knowing pieces, that do not benefit its hearers.

Praise the Lord, this man now understands he IS in a relationship with God. Pray God will continue to disciple this new believer.

I write this long of a letter because I think it is important...Know your Bible...know what you believe about being saved, baptism, the rapture, the end times, gifts of the Holy Spirit...do your homework. You will be tested, so be ready for the test.

Warning
!!! There are many people walking around that think they are not saved, but they might be, because they do not understand the Word of God. You be their encouragement! Warning!!! There are many "Christians" that are walking around, thinking that they have a relationship with God, but they do not, because they do not understand the Word of God.

Dig into the Word guys....

Asan Children's Outreach

This past Sunday, Sosimo had prepared about an hour to outreach and how fun with the kids he has in Asan, the church he goes to to teach after Calvary Chapel Cheonan.

He had me come along to help...it was a great time. It was hot....but good...

Manda and I did some worship songs, and then they taught the "Wordless Bible"

Manda taught very well with the translator...^^


Afterwards, Pastor Sam (here in the black polo), bought some kimbab (like sushi rolls) for all the kids and helpers...mmmm..
Then we had some game time....Sosi had told them to bring their water guns because we were gonna get wet....lol

Well we rounded them up to play "Blanket Balloon Toss"...

Here is a short clip....funny, they are so close...that they completely overthrow...lol

Well....there had to be a losing team....bwahahaha....i love this picture....^^
This little girl is so funny...she is a Russian girl, but she knows perfect Korean...really great...
One of the stores from around the apartment complex wanted to bless us, and they gave us about 30 icecreams....so sweet....literally....^^

Well we had a fun time teaching and preaching about Jesus, we know God's Word will not return void in these young children's lives. God continue Your work in them!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Saturday ^^

On Saturday after the Bible study, we were playing around for a while with Jeena...she is so much fun...I am gonna really miss her....ㅠㅠ


perfect picture....Jeena's eyes are so funny....but then again my face is so weird...

they decided to tickle me...간질간질간질 (kanji, kanji, kanji.....tickle tickle tickle)

oh Jeena.....so cute....
we had a great time.....

Cheongju Bible Study

We went to Cheongju Jinsoo Institute on Wednesday like we always do, but this week was a little special...Dean was planning on teaching there, and Amanda was going to play guitar and teach them a new song...it was a great time...

Before the study, we had some time and Manda drew some funny pics...lol

This is a rundown of what happens almost everyday....

Dean goes and eats too much toast....there are Toast stands where they put egg, ham, lettuce, cheese, and some sauce, all for about $.80 its awesome...Dean is always talking about them....

Word to the Wise: PtL means "Praise The Lord" lol just learned that one....^^
Mike telling Sosimo to cut his hair...again....pretty much a daily occurance...haha

Manda....enough said.....haha jk

We found out that she is lactose intolerant and she really doesnt like spicy foods...so she pretty much is starving here in Korea....no jk haha....we just tease her about that though...keep it up girly!

Sosimo.....with his long mane....lol oh yeh and "Dropping" his keys....i have no room to talk though...^^

and then there is the scary Pandaman, Daniel....quick story...

the other day...everyone was leaving and i wasnt ready...so i catch up and say "wait....Dawwrrrrrrr!" and I stuck out my hands just like picture and ran funnny....lol

amanda is now capitalizing on my weirdness...^^

good job manda....

Manda leading worship....

Sorry Dean didnt get a pic of you....ㅠㅠ
We had a blessed time this week!

Hebrews Class

Wow...i am so excited about this...I can finally finish Bible College...quick story...

I have attended 2 years at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Okinawa...and I finished my time like a normal student....but I am literally 1 UNIT from graduation...ahhhhh....

We found out that Pastor Mike can teach us....so blessed....so I will finish now..

I got to choose what I wanted to study....The book of Hebrews...sweet...

Sosi, Dean (not too excited I guess....jk Dean ^^), and Manda are taking it too...

Jeena came and visited us after class....ohh she got a haircut....sooooooo cute...

^^

Pray that God would bless our class, and I would listen to what He wants me learn! Its gonna be great!

Jeena and the Elephant Slide...

well....as you already know....my friend Jeena here is so precious..^^

We were waiting for Sosimo to finish up his Bible Study, so we took her to the park for a lil bit...

I was blessed to help her around the playground....but wow this kid has energy.....she never stops....so crazy....lol

i like this picture of the family! Mike, Jeena, and Hye-Young

ahhhh.....Oh Jeena...

chhhheesssse.....

sailing with apa....


She liked this place so much....quick video....wow this girl can climb....remember she is only 4....geez...she was telling me to let her climb alone...amazing....

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Cheonan services

On Sundays we have been doing service a little different....Pastor Peter is in the states, so Mike has been teaching for both the Korean and English service....he had Young translate for him one week...

and then his wife, Hye-young....hehe...2 youngs....

I got to teach at the Presbyterian Church on prayer...Luke 11 as you can see...

i was blessed....
Dean came with us this week....since he was a new comer, they welcomed him....it is soo fun...
Wow....i thought this was hilarious....this is an old song from the Eagles...but they put some Christian lyrics to it....reminded me of Pastor Tommy and remaking old U2 songs...hehe (i know that my dad can appreciate this song...thought of you pops!)


Dean got called up since it was his first time visiting the Presbyterian church...they always do that for new comers....they usually just introduce themselves to the church....those two girls are pretty freaked out....lol


After the introductions....they sing a song to welcome them...i love that song....^^

Eating at Gloria's house...

Well after one Bible study, our new Korean momma invited us over to her house! It was awesome....she put together a whole spread, such a blessing.



one of the girls, Hye-young, made cut some apples after....but in the shape of bunnies....i got a little excited.....as you can tell....the wolf in me came out....lol im weird yes i know...

Thanks Gloria....God bless you and your family!

Studying...

I took this pic about a week ago...i like how the water is all on the cup...

I was studying at Jinsoo in Cheongju one day...I really love that Jinsoo is a pretty right on Christian dude, even putting Bible verses on his cups to be a witness to his students...^^

Well I have been teaching a lot these past couple weeks....stressful, but good, but also convicting...uuhhhg...Praise the Lord I'm covered by His blood...^^

good times studying for the glory of God...

Sunday, June 14, 2009

....미안해....sorry....

Well it has been a while....but ever since about 2 weeks ago when our new friends, Dean and Amanda have come to Korea, we have been very busy, and I have a very little time to do anything but study and work around the church....no posts....sorry for you faithful out there....a few things that have happened.....

- Dean and Amanda came to Korea....whoooo!
- I have been a lot of Bible studies lately....really great blessing....but so convicting....ㅠㅠ
- Been going to the gym faithfully...about 3 times a week....I've lost about 8 pounds....for God's glory!
- Had a cool outreach at a University...got to play worship, preach my testimony, and Sosi preached the Word, great time....
- I got a new guitar case...praise God! Some one just had one lying around....it is practically the same as mine....thanks Daniel Kim!
- Been struggling through tough decisions lately...been praying a lot for God's will...waiting is hard...ㅠㅠ...but good....Lord help me....
- my favorite verse right now....1 Corinthians 10:13....we struggle with sin, but more importantly temptation....but "God is faithful".....always to deliver us from of stumbling...thank you Jesus...
- Praying about the last week of July....I might get to minister at a Children's VBS (Vacation Bible School) in Seoul, to refugees and children that have escaped from North Korea. Many have been beaten, burned, and tortured for trying to leave the country, or even for being Christian. It would be a great opportunity...but I need to pray for God's will....i might leave that week...

Well I will post some pics soon! Peace guys....please continue to pray for me...

I'm pretty much coming back to California in about 6 weeks...crazy....it is hard to imagine I will be back in California...it feels like it has been so long....^^ God bless guys!