Giving

As many of you know, Andy, the owner of the house that we meet for Sunday service, has offered the house for the worship and living purposes for us.

As we've been living with him, I'm finding out more about his life journey so far. After meeting Jesus seven years ago, he decided to work on his spiritual gifts. At that time, he did not know what gifts he had, so he went ahead with the gifts of giving. Since then, God continues to honor his desire by giving him opportunities to give.

And along with that, he's learning to grow in wisdom as well. Giving, for one's giving to be truly blessing to another, requires wisdom and discernment. Through Andy's life stories, I'm learning that giving IS a spiritual gift, because it very much requires the leading and promptings of the Holy Spirit.

I'm also realizing that there are many things that one can give that does not require money. People are hungry for listening ears, compassionate heart, encouragement, and friendships. I'm realizing more that people hunger for God's living word and His daily presence that can only come from the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

In that sense, all Christians are and can be giving people, because we give out of what we have received from God our Father. Yes, just as the Scripture says, the "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

Together

I must confess that I did not expect that I'd be involved in planting a church this early in my life (even though Pastors Daniel, Tim, and Matthew are younger than me). I always thought that I'd need more preparation, more experience, more training before I start a church.

It's all the more ironic, since I've had the title "pastor" for about 10 years, and it is only now that I am pastoring a group of people that's not limited by age (like the children's pastor) or culture (like a Korean pastor).

God is gracious (and forceful!) to the slow-footed pastors, someone like me, by allowing me to care for people's spirits.

I'm realizing more and more that a church is not a collection of individuals. A church is a community, a body of Christ, which is meant to stand together and fall together.

Two instances stand out when I think about this topoic:

1. On Friday night, our group (Blessed La Palma) prayed together for two hours. What a precious time it was for us! Praying with my brothers and sisters in Christ, the people who are bold enough to risk planting a church in La Palma, I was just encouraged tremendously by praying together.

2. Today, a number of people came out to continue their work on the house. I'm amazed at how uniquely gifted everyone is. Jeff, for example, came and set up the worship space. I didn't know how to arrange the furniture, and I've been thinking hard about where each piece of furniture goes for about a week, but without much solution. Jeff did a great job in arranging the furnitures ... he finished everything and set up the worship space in just 20 minutes! I am excited thinking about what God will do through each person's talents. God is helping me to appreciate the glory and power that He has endowed to the body of Christ more.

Wednesday Morning

Today we do our housework and try to get some rest. I'm doing some reading while the laundry machine is running. Just finished reading Jean Darnall's "Heaven, Here I Come". What a powerful testimony the book is. It makes me feel like I want to draw nearer to God and taste His goodness.

Now that I'm more aware of how the Holy Spirit is operating in our daily life, I'm seeking out books and people who are spirit-filled. I'm having a different standard about the books -- it's not easy to come across spirit-filled books.

In any case, I'm looking forward to how today will unfold. It'll be good resting, reading, and recharging today. I'm also looking forward to spend some time with my family. Eunice's birthday is tomorrow, and I'm so excited about celebrating it together.

First Service

In less than 12 hours, our first service will begin...

It's so exciting to think about what God will do through this group.

We've moved in here since Friday morning, and each day someone has come by to pray with us. When we pray together, we sense very strongly that this house will be used by God to bring breakthroughs and transformations in people's lives.

Eunice is singing worship songs next to me right now. My kids are sleeping peacefully. I am listening to God for what He wants to say to us tomorrow morning.

It's a life that we do not want to give up... this life of following God's voice step by step.

My hands are lifted up, Lord. Open the heavens and pour your blessings upon us.