Thursday, September 8, 2011
Adieu
Migrating to http://j-hoon.tumblr.com/ which I at the moment have no idea how to use... haha not that anyone will read this anyway :P
Friday, August 19, 2011
Prodigal
Its been a while since I have last posted. Wow, over a year and some change...
I actually hope no one follows me anymore lol, It would be nice to have a private journal online. I suppose the reason I don't make it private is so that if anyone so happens to stumble upon my blog and recieve even a punctuation of encouragement, it would be worth it.
It has been a long and enduring summer. Though it is coming to the end of just one season, spiritually I feel as though I have been through many. I am far from where I was at the beginning of summer both spiritually, mentally, and unfortunately even financially. It is at moments like these when I sit down and reflect upon where I was and where God has led me that I praise Him and realize that He has been faithful every step of the way. Similar to how our ancient fathers who would erect pillars throughout their journeys and wilderness experience in order to remind them of all the places where God has been faithful, like in Genesis 35:14 when God speaks to Jacob and blesses him at Bethel. Everyday I am understanding more and more what it means to be completely dependent and lean hard on the cross of Christ. That throughout my journey with Christ I can erect pillars at every triumph God has made in my life so that when God feels distant and I begin to doubt, I can look back and say "Wow, my God has been faithful thus far... why should I doubt him now?"
In terms of my goals and aspirations after this last year and a half of undergrad, not much has changed. I still don't know what I want to do, don't know where I am headed, don't know if I should pursue the dental field or finish up my anthropology degree, don't know how I am planning on paying off my loans, if I should apply for grad school, if getting married is even a possibility lol (grace and mercy be to the one God finds for me :P), but I still have peace. The kind that surpasses all understand, that as I walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will fill me at all times, and all God calls me to be is faithful and obedient. I know God will throw the rest of that other material jargon when He is willing, and when I am ready.
Perhaps that most valuable thing I learned in this past Harvest Retreat I was at a week ago was to be a Man. And as a man, I must be one with integrity; faithful to the little things God has entrusted to me. I am excited for the upcoming semester and all the wonders God has planned for the UMBC campus and the rest of the DC & MD & VA region. May His grace fall afresh on the children He has set apart for the sowing and reaping of His infinite glory.
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-jHoon
Refiners Fire
There burns a fire with sacred heat
White hot with holy flame
And all who dare pass through its blaze
Will not emerge the same
Some as bronze, and some as silver
Some as gold, then with great skill
All are hammered by their sufferings
On the anvil of His will
The Refiner's fire
Has now become my souls desire
Purged and cleansed and purified
That the Lord be glorified
He is consuming my soul
Refining me, making me whole
No matter what I may lose
I choose the Refiner's fire
I'm learning now to trust His touch
To crave the fire's embrace
For though my past with sin was etched
His mercies did erase
Each time His purging cleanses deeper
I'm not sure that I'll survive
Yet the strength in growing weaker
Keeps my hungry soul alive
-Green Steve
I actually hope no one follows me anymore lol, It would be nice to have a private journal online. I suppose the reason I don't make it private is so that if anyone so happens to stumble upon my blog and recieve even a punctuation of encouragement, it would be worth it.
It has been a long and enduring summer. Though it is coming to the end of just one season, spiritually I feel as though I have been through many. I am far from where I was at the beginning of summer both spiritually, mentally, and unfortunately even financially. It is at moments like these when I sit down and reflect upon where I was and where God has led me that I praise Him and realize that He has been faithful every step of the way. Similar to how our ancient fathers who would erect pillars throughout their journeys and wilderness experience in order to remind them of all the places where God has been faithful, like in Genesis 35:14 when God speaks to Jacob and blesses him at Bethel. Everyday I am understanding more and more what it means to be completely dependent and lean hard on the cross of Christ. That throughout my journey with Christ I can erect pillars at every triumph God has made in my life so that when God feels distant and I begin to doubt, I can look back and say "Wow, my God has been faithful thus far... why should I doubt him now?"
In terms of my goals and aspirations after this last year and a half of undergrad, not much has changed. I still don't know what I want to do, don't know where I am headed, don't know if I should pursue the dental field or finish up my anthropology degree, don't know how I am planning on paying off my loans, if I should apply for grad school, if getting married is even a possibility lol (grace and mercy be to the one God finds for me :P), but I still have peace. The kind that surpasses all understand, that as I walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will fill me at all times, and all God calls me to be is faithful and obedient. I know God will throw the rest of that other material jargon when He is willing, and when I am ready.
Perhaps that most valuable thing I learned in this past Harvest Retreat I was at a week ago was to be a Man. And as a man, I must be one with integrity; faithful to the little things God has entrusted to me. I am excited for the upcoming semester and all the wonders God has planned for the UMBC campus and the rest of the DC & MD & VA region. May His grace fall afresh on the children He has set apart for the sowing and reaping of His infinite glory.
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-jHoon
Refiners Fire
There burns a fire with sacred heat
White hot with holy flame
And all who dare pass through its blaze
Will not emerge the same
Some as bronze, and some as silver
Some as gold, then with great skill
All are hammered by their sufferings
On the anvil of His will
The Refiner's fire
Has now become my souls desire
Purged and cleansed and purified
That the Lord be glorified
He is consuming my soul
Refining me, making me whole
No matter what I may lose
I choose the Refiner's fire
I'm learning now to trust His touch
To crave the fire's embrace
For though my past with sin was etched
His mercies did erase
Each time His purging cleanses deeper
I'm not sure that I'll survive
Yet the strength in growing weaker
Keeps my hungry soul alive
-Green Steve
Monday, January 11, 2010
2 In-Amenthians
It's not often I let my poetic side out, but as I was reading His word and Paul's letter to the church of Corinth, I couldn't help but be lulled by the sheer elegance of his writing. So heres my letter to the church of In-Amen :P
It has taken quite the journey and considerable time for the Good Lord to alas grant me the faintest understanding of His grace. Although I have chipped but a crumb off the mountain of His understanding, it was beyond enough to realize how hopelessy yet beautifully dependent the human condition is. For those, myself included, so naive as to insist that they have drank every last drop out of the well of His mercy, I tell you now that my ability to sit here and write this as well as your ability to sit there and read it without the worry of being scooped off your feet and thrown into a pool of eternal flame is more than sufficient proof that no other pool is more abundantly replenished.
The term "grace like rain" could never be more literal in the sense of opulence as well as the unmeritted downpour of life on valueless beings such as ourselves. It is because of this grace that Paul could plead for deliverence in one instant and boast of his weakness in the next. "And he said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9) Not only is our impotence perfected, but we may revel in how impotent we really are. How great is our God!
He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!
-Annie Johnson Flint
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
It has taken quite the journey and considerable time for the Good Lord to alas grant me the faintest understanding of His grace. Although I have chipped but a crumb off the mountain of His understanding, it was beyond enough to realize how hopelessy yet beautifully dependent the human condition is. For those, myself included, so naive as to insist that they have drank every last drop out of the well of His mercy, I tell you now that my ability to sit here and write this as well as your ability to sit there and read it without the worry of being scooped off your feet and thrown into a pool of eternal flame is more than sufficient proof that no other pool is more abundantly replenished.
The term "grace like rain" could never be more literal in the sense of opulence as well as the unmeritted downpour of life on valueless beings such as ourselves. It is because of this grace that Paul could plead for deliverence in one instant and boast of his weakness in the next. "And he said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9) Not only is our impotence perfected, but we may revel in how impotent we really are. How great is our God!
He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!
-Annie Johnson Flint
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
Friday, December 18, 2009
'Tis The Season
Sorry guys, It's been a while since i've posted so I'll make sure to make this one long :) Finals are FINALLY OVERRRRRRR and now I can kick back and enjoy the luxury of getting more than 5 hours of sleep a night!
Jim Elliot, a missionary martyred while evangelizing in Ecuador, once wrote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." He was speaking of worldly wealth in exchange for eternal life. All of us know that all things which we posses in this world will one day return to rubble, so why do we hold so tightly to the material assets that seldom satisfy? In a culture driven by idols and expensive toys, it should be to no surprise that we get bored so quickly of the things we currently possess. How many of us have gone even a year without buying a new cell phone, gadget, or clothes? (Lord knows we can easily suffice a single year without them)
Jesus clearly states, "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings." -Luke 16:9
Tis the season of giving, and what better time to pour out all that God has given us unto others? By storing the resources and 'unrighteous wealth' which the Lord has placed in our hands and using it for ourselves we are essentially stealing from our Father. Instead may we make this Christmas season one of charity and generosity. Let us prepare and practice giving what was never ours to those who need it most and ultimately, like Jim, giving up our lives for the sake of anothers salvation. Our seat is secured, may we prepare chairs for others...
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
Jim Elliot, a missionary martyred while evangelizing in Ecuador, once wrote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." He was speaking of worldly wealth in exchange for eternal life. All of us know that all things which we posses in this world will one day return to rubble, so why do we hold so tightly to the material assets that seldom satisfy? In a culture driven by idols and expensive toys, it should be to no surprise that we get bored so quickly of the things we currently possess. How many of us have gone even a year without buying a new cell phone, gadget, or clothes? (Lord knows we can easily suffice a single year without them)
Jesus clearly states, "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings." -Luke 16:9
Tis the season of giving, and what better time to pour out all that God has given us unto others? By storing the resources and 'unrighteous wealth' which the Lord has placed in our hands and using it for ourselves we are essentially stealing from our Father. Instead may we make this Christmas season one of charity and generosity. Let us prepare and practice giving what was never ours to those who need it most and ultimately, like Jim, giving up our lives for the sake of anothers salvation. Our seat is secured, may we prepare chairs for others...
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
Friday, December 11, 2009
Grand Theft Apparel
It is 4:31 in the am I do declaya. Back from work and I'm late night bloggin. Theres something about typing my thoughts that just doesn't cut it as much as handwriting. Wow I am just realizing as I speak, why they called it Language Arts in elementary and middle school. Anyhow, yesterday the most unfortunate of events occured, someone broke into my car! Now if one were to assess the situation justly for what it was, I guess they could really say someone opened my door and stole some stuff. This is because I made the careless mistake of leaving my car unlocked. Luckily, by the grace of God, all that was stolen were the clothes in my car nothing else. But I was still bewildered at how they got into my car when I was nearly positive i locked it! So whats this got to do with Jesus?
When I realized my clothes were missing I was more confused than upset but by the time I got home I was laughing with joy. As I opened my bible and continued reading in the gospel of Matthew, I reached the point where Pontius is telling his men to "lock" the tomb. 'Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard' (Matthew 27:65-66). It was almost as if he knew something fishy was about to go down and wanted reassurance that the "King of the Jews" was dead fo sho, buried, and wasn't leavin anytime soon.
Right after reading that verse it hit me! I shared a similar experience as those of Pilate's guards, the only difference is that instead of returning to a car with an empty back seat where once was my clothes, they returned to an empty tomb where once laid Christ Jesus! Death has been conquered and the Saviour has risen! The irony of the situation in hand with this verse and the Lord's awesome sense of humor changed my stressful night into one of rejoicing. Oh what power contained in the triumphs of Jesus! "While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God." (Luke 24:52-53)
Faithfully we await The Day...
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
When I realized my clothes were missing I was more confused than upset but by the time I got home I was laughing with joy. As I opened my bible and continued reading in the gospel of Matthew, I reached the point where Pontius is telling his men to "lock" the tomb. 'Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard' (Matthew 27:65-66). It was almost as if he knew something fishy was about to go down and wanted reassurance that the "King of the Jews" was dead fo sho, buried, and wasn't leavin anytime soon.
Right after reading that verse it hit me! I shared a similar experience as those of Pilate's guards, the only difference is that instead of returning to a car with an empty back seat where once was my clothes, they returned to an empty tomb where once laid Christ Jesus! Death has been conquered and the Saviour has risen! The irony of the situation in hand with this verse and the Lord's awesome sense of humor changed my stressful night into one of rejoicing. Oh what power contained in the triumphs of Jesus! "While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God." (Luke 24:52-53)
Faithfully we await The Day...
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Soul Food
As finals week is underway, crunchtime approaches and I am finding myself stacked with loads of stuff to get done but no time to do it. This for me is obviously an excuse seeing as how even when I set aside time to study, I don't. I spend most of my day at school and find plenty of time for leisure inbetween classes. I jet to work and return home beat. I long for a rest yet salvage just enough energy to get on the computer and compose a few emails along with this blog. After a moments reflection I'm astounded when I realize how much precious time I really have and the amount of that time I waste. That stack of work slowly becomes a pile of excuses that I seldom bring myself to realize.
This is sin! And beyond academics, I shove my necessity for the word of God to the bottom of my 'to do list.' "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. " (Matthew 4:4) Just as Jesus was tempted, I too could not escape those places where the devil loves to linger! With every excuse I flirted with satan to use my laziness as a means of seperation from God, when all I needed were the revitalzing words of a faithful Saviour.
Just three days ago I was uttering the words of a psalmist "As the deer pants for You, O God." (Psalm 42:1) Yet today at work I found myself joining in conversations with non-believers, joking about things that I knew weren't glorifying or even the least bit pleasing to God. It makes me realize that much more, how desperate our souls require God's unfailing word. Each morning he fills our cups with grace anew, only to be poured out and filled again. There is no greymatter with sin. Where Jesus is not, sin is present fully; and until we realize this our lives as redeemed Christians are unsustainable. May His blood and mercy continue to cover our wrongs as we strive to become the Christ-like beings we were made to be.
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
This is sin! And beyond academics, I shove my necessity for the word of God to the bottom of my 'to do list.' "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. " (Matthew 4:4) Just as Jesus was tempted, I too could not escape those places where the devil loves to linger! With every excuse I flirted with satan to use my laziness as a means of seperation from God, when all I needed were the revitalzing words of a faithful Saviour.
Just three days ago I was uttering the words of a psalmist "As the deer pants for You, O God." (Psalm 42:1) Yet today at work I found myself joining in conversations with non-believers, joking about things that I knew weren't glorifying or even the least bit pleasing to God. It makes me realize that much more, how desperate our souls require God's unfailing word. Each morning he fills our cups with grace anew, only to be poured out and filled again. There is no greymatter with sin. Where Jesus is not, sin is present fully; and until we realize this our lives as redeemed Christians are unsustainable. May His blood and mercy continue to cover our wrongs as we strive to become the Christ-like beings we were made to be.
Submerged in His mercy, drowned by His grace...
-Hoon
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