by Steve Hong
The Soul Care Retreat I attended last weekend arrived on the heels of a brutal work week. I had been anticipating the solitude and silence since even before last Christmas, so I didn’t need another reason to look forward to it. Even the never-ending rain leading up to the weekend wasn’t enough to dampen my outlook.
Some things I experienced at the retreat will remain between me and my Creator. Some things will remain amongst the five of us who were there. But some things should be shared with those who prayed for and remembered us over the weekend. Here are a few of those things:
• God is good. He unexpectedly opened the door for a brother to join the group on very short notice. He watched over us as we journeyed up the windy and slippery roads in inclement weather with chains on the wrong tires. He withheld the rain and snow and supplanted the clouds with the bluest of skies once we awoke on Saturday.
• God is patient. He waited for me for nearly two hours as I misunderstood silence to be merely the absence of sound and solitude to be simply being by myself. He spoke but only seven words to me during our morning session because my mind was noisy with burdens and pains and self-centeredness. He chose words that were few but which could not have been more perfect.
• God is beautiful. He reached out me with so many beautiful Psalms which capture my heart’s desires and shortcomings and his heart’s desires and sufficiency. He blessed me with the beautiful companionship of others who were likeminded. He showed me that refuge and rest under his wings is indeed beautiful.
• God is my shepherd. He restores and comforts my soul and provides a roadmap through the valleys that surely lay ahead. He disciplines me when I stray, finds me when lost, and heals me when injured. He meets my every need despite me not knowing it.
I’m thankful I found communion with God this past weekend. But I was surprised to find sweet fellowship as well, and for that I am thankful still. I look forward to growing these disciplines and allowing God to care for my soul in the weeks and months to come.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
PR1ME Spring Retreat
I want to issue a challenge for those of your who are in the PR1ME Ministry to make every effort to attend this year’s spring retreat. I humbly ask that you clear out your schedules for the days March 26 – 28 and make a sincere effort to come and worship the Lord. Without excuses, without feelings of apprehension, just come to the retreat with a desire to grow in the Lord. I have a burden to see you all attend because the messages will be specifically focused on developing your spiritual lives as single adults.
Our theme this year is “Undivided” from 1 Corinthians 7:35 which says, “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord."
In this verse, Paul is speaking to the singles in the Church of Corinth. He says that singles have a unique gift in that their affections for God do not have to compete with the affections one might have for a spouse or for children. In this way, singles have a greater ability to give full devotion, full commitment, undivided affection to the Lord.
For this year’s retreat, we are very fortunate to learn from Pastor James Yim of Living Way Community Church (www.lwccla.org), where he currently serves as the lead pastor. I attended seminary with Pastor James and have witnessed his dedication to preaching the Word of God. He is a gifted teacher, speaking in truth with great clarity and relevance for the Christian life. Up at the retreat, he will deliver four messages – you really don’t want to miss this opportunity to soak in great teaching.
Just come. Together, let's intensify our devotion to Lord as we seek to give Him our UNDIVIDED affection.
Our theme this year is “Undivided” from 1 Corinthians 7:35 which says, “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord."
In this verse, Paul is speaking to the singles in the Church of Corinth. He says that singles have a unique gift in that their affections for God do not have to compete with the affections one might have for a spouse or for children. In this way, singles have a greater ability to give full devotion, full commitment, undivided affection to the Lord.
For this year’s retreat, we are very fortunate to learn from Pastor James Yim of Living Way Community Church (www.lwccla.org), where he currently serves as the lead pastor. I attended seminary with Pastor James and have witnessed his dedication to preaching the Word of God. He is a gifted teacher, speaking in truth with great clarity and relevance for the Christian life. Up at the retreat, he will deliver four messages – you really don’t want to miss this opportunity to soak in great teaching.
Just come. Together, let's intensify our devotion to Lord as we seek to give Him our UNDIVIDED affection.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A Taste of S.A.L.T. - Standing Around
by Ron Han
When I first started coming to Living Hope in 2006, I felt like the 15-20 minutes right after service were uncomfortable and awkward. Being new, I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself. Some days I stuck around to look for a familiar face, and some days I just rushed out to my car faster than Pete Carroll left town (sorry Trojans).
It's been about 3 1/2 years since I first visited Living Hope and a lot has changed. I'm more involved, I know more people, and now I feel like the 15-20 minutes right after service are....uncomfortable and awkward. Don't get me wrong, I'm genuinely happy to see people who I don't get to see during the week, and I'm truly grateful for the community that God has blessed me with at Living Hope. Yet, there's something about those few minutes right after service that are incredibly awkward to me.
Trying to get plugged into a new church, or any community, isn't easy. But I can't help but wonder what we can do to make that transition easier for newcomers. I'll always be grateful for those who, probably seeing me standing around looking very awkward, came to chat with me for a few minutes. Talk about an answer to prayer! I hope I can share that blessing with others.
If you're a Living Hope regular, I really encourage you to seek out those who aren't quite as comfortable. You'll be surprised what a relief even a 2 minute conversation can be in those situations. And if you're new to Living Hope and you're standing around after service feeling really awkward, look for me. I'll be the one feeling really awkward too.
Ron
When I first started coming to Living Hope in 2006, I felt like the 15-20 minutes right after service were uncomfortable and awkward. Being new, I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself. Some days I stuck around to look for a familiar face, and some days I just rushed out to my car faster than Pete Carroll left town (sorry Trojans).
It's been about 3 1/2 years since I first visited Living Hope and a lot has changed. I'm more involved, I know more people, and now I feel like the 15-20 minutes right after service are....uncomfortable and awkward. Don't get me wrong, I'm genuinely happy to see people who I don't get to see during the week, and I'm truly grateful for the community that God has blessed me with at Living Hope. Yet, there's something about those few minutes right after service that are incredibly awkward to me.
Trying to get plugged into a new church, or any community, isn't easy. But I can't help but wonder what we can do to make that transition easier for newcomers. I'll always be grateful for those who, probably seeing me standing around looking very awkward, came to chat with me for a few minutes. Talk about an answer to prayer! I hope I can share that blessing with others.
If you're a Living Hope regular, I really encourage you to seek out those who aren't quite as comfortable. You'll be surprised what a relief even a 2 minute conversation can be in those situations. And if you're new to Living Hope and you're standing around after service feeling really awkward, look for me. I'll be the one feeling really awkward too.
Ron
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