When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? (Psalm 8:3-4 NIV) The Creator of the universe cares about each and every one of us. Isn’t this […]
40 Day Devotional, Day 10: Spared
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11 NIV) Jesus spared this woman from a death sentence she incurred for her sin. He then told […]
40 Day Devotional, Day 9: Manna
“We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” (Numbers 11:5-6 NIV) The Israelites, after being rescued from bondage in Egypt, were now free, living on manna that God provided daily. Yet, […]
40 Day Devotional, Day 8: Withdraw
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16 NIV) Jesus would preach to multitudes and heal the sick, but He also knew when He needed to withdraw from it all to spend time in prayer. To pray to God is not a ritual, but a conversation with our heavenly Father and a […]
40 Day Devotional, Day 7: Distracted
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 NIV) Has your spiritual life been defined by activities? We might justify busy […]
40-Day Devotional, Day 6: Humble
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30 NIV) Jesus […]
40-Day Devotional, Day 5: Refuge
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:5–7 NIV Rock. Fortress. Refuge. The imagery is unmistakable: In […]
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40-Day Devotional, Day 4: Renew
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 NIV) King David might have been a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), but he was far from perfect. When the prophet, Nathan, called him out on his sins, David cried out to God, “Create in me […]
40 Day Devotional, Day 3: Strength of Heart
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26 NIV) The psalmist laments over the prosperity of the wicked: they have no struggles (Ps. 73:4), speak with malice (v.8), […]
40-Day Devotional, Day 2: Thirst
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2 NIV) In the wilderness, under the unrelenting heat of the sun, we thirst. Our very lives depend on quenching this […]
40-Day Devotional, Day 1: Wilderness
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. (Luke 4:1–2 NIV) The wilderness is where we are stripped of our […]
Was the Cross About God’s Sovereignty or Presence?
Why I question one particular prayer in times of grief It’s Good Friday and I’m reflecting on death. Over the past few years, there has been so much loss and grief among members of my community. Children losing parents. Parents losing children. Husbands and wives losing their spouses. Friends who don’t know how much longer […]
“Be Anxious About Nothing?” At a Time Like This?
How do we find a sense of peace in the midst of wars, pandemics, and other alarming developments? Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds […]
“A Really Bad Day”: Atlanta, One Year Later
How do we, as Christians, respond to rising Asian hate? On March 16, 2021, a 21-year-old male named Robert Aaron Long went to Young’s Asian Massage in Cherokee County, Georgia, and shot five people, killing four of them. Afterwards, he drove approximately 30 miles to Gold Massage Spa in Atlanta and shot three women to […]
Unless a Seed Falls
Before the resurrection, there is crucifixion. On Easter Sunday, we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Good Friday, we remembered that Jesus died a horrific death on a cross for us. But what about Saturday? The day when Jesus was dead and buried and his disciples thought that all was lost? I’ve been through […]
Even Death on a Cross
In the midst of divisions tearing through the Church, what can we learn about unity through Jesus’ humiliating death on a cross? The most divisive year ever? I haven’t posted in nearly a year, and what a year it has been. Not only did we have to contend with this novel coronavirus, which no one […]
Forgive Others, Even Before You Get Dressed
To forgive is a choice we must make daily. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:12–13 […]
When God’s Judgment is Justice
A closer look at Amos 5:24 shows more than just rolling waters and flowing streams. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24 ESV) I’m sure you’re familiar with this verse. Maybe you’ve heard it quoted by a fiery preacher. Maybe you’ve read it in someone’s social media […]
A Prayer for Mother’s Day
For some, Mother’s Day is a day of celebration; for others, a day of lament or hopeful anticipation. God, as we celebrate mothers today, We thank You for your deep love for us. You are the Giver of life. Our divine parent. You model unconditional love and sacrifice. You nurture your children and discipline us […]
Risen: a Prayer for Easter Sunday
A prayer and reflection in light of what God has done for us through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. God, Our Father, who created the earth and everything in it, who made us in Your own image and entrusted Your creation to our care, we come before you this Resurrection Sunday. We celebrate You […]
7 Things I Repent of in Light of COVID-19
What is God teaching me through all of this? The last time I posted, I talked about the dangers of isolation. And here we are, living under self-quarantine, isolated from our friends, coworkers, and community. So many thoughts. But rather than try to rationalize what’s happening or assign blame to this or that, I’ll instead […]
Spiritual Isolation
Is there such a thing as too much silence and solitude? I’m constantly surrounded by people. At home. At work. At church. Not that I mind. I’m not antisocial. I’m just an introvert. This means that I enjoy the company of others, but I just don’t like talking all the time. So, I often withdraw […]
Ambition or Integrity—Which Matters More?
Did Joseph ever aspire to rule over Egypt? A pastor once asked me what my five-year plan was. Then, I replied that I had learned (the hard way) not to make my own plans, but to remain open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. “In five years, I’ll be wherever God wants me to be.” That […]
The Selfie that Changed My Life
The real reason I stopped taking seminary classes. Seminary had been a high priority in my life. This is why, when planning a work trip overseas, I did my best to schedule it for after I’d finish two quarters of Greek classes. I couldn’t let anything interrupt such an important course of study and risk […]
Following Through the Fog
Ever pray for clarity? I have—but maybe we’re not supposed to. In 2005, while I was working in film, video, and graphic design, God called me to serve in full-time ministry instead. A year later, I was on staff at a church. In 2011, when I was a pastor at that church, God called me […]
Vlog: Santa and the Throne of Lies
Should we let our kids believe in Santa Claus? What happens when a child figures out the truth? Could it ultimately affect the child’s spiritual journey? Here’s what happened when a 5-year-old boy from Cleveland was told about Santa Claus—and began to ask too many questions: Watch the video here.
When Missionaries Seem Reckless
Following God’s calling doesn’t always make sense. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV) A missionary believes he is called by God to a place considered dangerous. People are torn about his decision. Some encourage him to go. Others discourage him from […]
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Halloween for Christians — yes or no?
The answer is not quite that simple. “I have the right to do anything,” you say — but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” — but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Cor. 10:23-24 NIV) Halloween is right around […]
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Before you Take Communion this Sunday…
Communion isn’t just between you and God. It’s communion with the worldwide body of Christ. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread […]
Reflections on Unity Post–9/11
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24 NIV) I woke up late that morning. I was out late the night before. At the time, my then-girlfriend-now-wife, Soo, lived in Glendale and I lived 80 miles away in the Inland Empire. A friend of mine had invited me to co-teach […]