- 11 of 31 -
Lately I've been getting very frustrated and annoyed while driving. In large part due to my new commute back and forth from Koreatown for my internship, I've been finding myself in many stressful driving situations. The worst is when you've been in the car for over an hour and you just want to get to your destination, but you're stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic!
I usually rarely exercise any road rage or much impatience on the road, but lately I have been cutting people off and grunting angrily. Obviously sometimes when you're in a hurry and in traffic, you have to do what you have to do.
But today, I thought, I wonder how Jesus would drive if he was here in my shoes.
So the rest of the day I tried my best to be a more civil, polite, and loving driver. Whether that meant not getting angry and trying to make eye contact with really slow drivers that I shoot by, or simply being more patient and yielding to other drivers, I made my best effort to drive like a Christian.
But definitely a work in progress.
Challenge: Drive like a follower of Jesus.
Bible Verse of the Day: "Do everything in love." -1 Corinthians 16:14
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
LOVE LIFE 10: Comforting, Encouraging, and Building Up a Brother in Christ
- 10 of 31 -
Today was really awesome.
So my friend James recently realized that he could use this room in his back yard as a place for prayer meetings, worship, fellowship, etc.
We've been asking God to anoint the location as a place of many blessings and his presence. We faced much spiritual resistance and the enemy placed a sort of block in all our hearts and minds. We struggled to truly experience freedom and joy and the Spirit there in the past few meetings.
But yesterday night was different!
After some initial resistance, the Holy Spirit began to stir slowly but surely in each of our hearts (there were about 8 of us there) and we had an awesome time of worship, prayer, and fellowship.
In particular, I got to have a great time of fellowship with a brother of mine who's been going through quite a bit lately.
He's had it rough lately because of people talking about him behind his back and not respecting him, even as he was already in a place of insecurity and low self-confidence.
We got to talking about his pains and struggles and issues in detail and very bluntly. I told him about how God had been giving me a lot of insight into his situation and his pain, even as others were totally blind to it, and how I had been praying for him and sticking up for him. I assured him of God's work in his life and his great potential, and let him know that I believed in him. I think I spoke a lot of truth and convicting and relevant words to him, because I could see him resonating and realizing many things. It was awesome because I really was sincere and genuine with everything that I said and I feel that God really moved powerfully in his heart.
Great things always happen when God shows up :)
Challenge: Take some time to talk with a close brother/sister and encourage and uplift them! Tell them what you like about them, what their strengths are, and tell them how awesome they are! When the whole world and our parents tell us how much we suck, it's LOVE when someone does the opposite!
Bible Verse of the Day: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11
Today was really awesome.
So my friend James recently realized that he could use this room in his back yard as a place for prayer meetings, worship, fellowship, etc.
We've been asking God to anoint the location as a place of many blessings and his presence. We faced much spiritual resistance and the enemy placed a sort of block in all our hearts and minds. We struggled to truly experience freedom and joy and the Spirit there in the past few meetings.
But yesterday night was different!
After some initial resistance, the Holy Spirit began to stir slowly but surely in each of our hearts (there were about 8 of us there) and we had an awesome time of worship, prayer, and fellowship.
In particular, I got to have a great time of fellowship with a brother of mine who's been going through quite a bit lately.
He's had it rough lately because of people talking about him behind his back and not respecting him, even as he was already in a place of insecurity and low self-confidence.
We got to talking about his pains and struggles and issues in detail and very bluntly. I told him about how God had been giving me a lot of insight into his situation and his pain, even as others were totally blind to it, and how I had been praying for him and sticking up for him. I assured him of God's work in his life and his great potential, and let him know that I believed in him. I think I spoke a lot of truth and convicting and relevant words to him, because I could see him resonating and realizing many things. It was awesome because I really was sincere and genuine with everything that I said and I feel that God really moved powerfully in his heart.
Great things always happen when God shows up :)
Challenge: Take some time to talk with a close brother/sister and encourage and uplift them! Tell them what you like about them, what their strengths are, and tell them how awesome they are! When the whole world and our parents tell us how much we suck, it's LOVE when someone does the opposite!
Bible Verse of the Day: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11
LOVE LIFE 9: Showing Love to a Homeless Man (and Getting Denied but Loving On Him Still!)
- 9 of 31 -
So I recently began my internship at Plan C Group, so I find myself driving to Koreatown in LA a few times a week.
I usually park on the street and the last few times I've been there there was a homeless fellow always near where I parked.
Today I packed lunch and I also didn't really have anyone to eat lunch with so I decided I would share a meal with him if I could find him.
Sure enough, I found him in his usual spot and I went over to a liquor store and bought two Arizona Iced Teas - one for me and one for him. I felt he might not want to talk or spend any time with me, so at the very least I wanted to give him a drink and leave.
When I approached him, I got rejected. I don't know if he was praying or what, but he had his head down and his hands were together. But I really wasn't sure. When I tried to talk to him, he looked up at me and said "I'm busy". I tried to talk to him a couple more times, and each time, he said the same thing.
I ended up eating lunch by myself. It was freaking delicious. My sister is the best. She made me the best tuna sandwich I have ever eaten in my life. And I hate tuna sandwiches.
Even though they denied my charity, (I later got rejected again by another homeless man. WHAT IS WITH THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND NOT WANTING FREE FOOD) God gave me an insightful word of wisdom on homeless people and their brokenness.
I got the sense that I've been overlooking that fact that many of these homeless people have a sense of shame, self-hatred, and zero self-esteem. Many are angry and frustrated with life with good reason. I can imagine that I might make them feel like they're being pitied, even though my intentions are purely loving and good.
I'm hoping that this wisdom will help me to pray better for them and also to love them with that insight and understanding.
I'm also going to keep trying to love on this particular homeless man, as I will probably see him often in the future.
Challenge: If you're denied or rejected while trying to show love to someone, take it as an opportunity to stretch your empathy and understanding for that person. It's easy to respond with, "Wow that person is totally messed up! I was trying to do a good thing for them! Screw them!" when you faced the bitter taste of rejection. But love them by seeking to understand their heart and their actions and pray for them instead. They can't make you stop praying for them!
Bible Verse of the Day: "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." Proverbs 29:7
So I recently began my internship at Plan C Group, so I find myself driving to Koreatown in LA a few times a week.
I usually park on the street and the last few times I've been there there was a homeless fellow always near where I parked.
Today I packed lunch and I also didn't really have anyone to eat lunch with so I decided I would share a meal with him if I could find him.Sure enough, I found him in his usual spot and I went over to a liquor store and bought two Arizona Iced Teas - one for me and one for him. I felt he might not want to talk or spend any time with me, so at the very least I wanted to give him a drink and leave.
When I approached him, I got rejected. I don't know if he was praying or what, but he had his head down and his hands were together. But I really wasn't sure. When I tried to talk to him, he looked up at me and said "I'm busy". I tried to talk to him a couple more times, and each time, he said the same thing.
I ended up eating lunch by myself. It was freaking delicious. My sister is the best. She made me the best tuna sandwich I have ever eaten in my life. And I hate tuna sandwiches.
Even though they denied my charity, (I later got rejected again by another homeless man. WHAT IS WITH THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND NOT WANTING FREE FOOD) God gave me an insightful word of wisdom on homeless people and their brokenness.
I got the sense that I've been overlooking that fact that many of these homeless people have a sense of shame, self-hatred, and zero self-esteem. Many are angry and frustrated with life with good reason. I can imagine that I might make them feel like they're being pitied, even though my intentions are purely loving and good.
I'm hoping that this wisdom will help me to pray better for them and also to love them with that insight and understanding.
I'm also going to keep trying to love on this particular homeless man, as I will probably see him often in the future.
Challenge: If you're denied or rejected while trying to show love to someone, take it as an opportunity to stretch your empathy and understanding for that person. It's easy to respond with, "Wow that person is totally messed up! I was trying to do a good thing for them! Screw them!" when you faced the bitter taste of rejection. But love them by seeking to understand their heart and their actions and pray for them instead. They can't make you stop praying for them!
Bible Verse of the Day: "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." Proverbs 29:7
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
LOVE LIFE 8: Praying for My Family
- 8 of 31 -
Today during my quiet time with God, I decided to set aside time with him to pray for my family.
Because I'm on summer break and my second sister just graduated and is also home, we've got all five of the Park family in the house now for the first time in a while.
Yet we are nothing like a family in so many ways. We all live such different lives, spend very little time together, and pretty much have a lack of a sense of family.
In the midst of all this there's a lot of work by the enemy, sowing seeds of anger, unforgiveness, and some other bad spirits. There's a lot that divides my family. I don't remember the last time I had a good conversation with my mom, let alone my dad, whom I haven't spoken to in many months since our last argument.
If there's anything I should urgently pray for, it is my family. Even though there's a whole lot of other things stressing me out these days, I really feel like I don't pray for my family enough.
I'm sure many of you can relate. Why is it that we so often neglect our family when it comes to matters of faith and spirituality? Why is it so awkward within family?
God has been revealing to me lately the importance of the family and of the parents. I realize how impactful a good/bad family can be on a child.
So to sum it up, I took extra effort and gave extra attention to my family by praying for them.
I am hoping to be able to show my love outwardly as well.
Challenge: Pray for every single member of your family! Try to pray for half an hour! It's hard!
Today's Bible Verse (is really worth meditating upon):
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – Psalm 103:17
Today during my quiet time with God, I decided to set aside time with him to pray for my family.
Because I'm on summer break and my second sister just graduated and is also home, we've got all five of the Park family in the house now for the first time in a while.
Yet we are nothing like a family in so many ways. We all live such different lives, spend very little time together, and pretty much have a lack of a sense of family.
In the midst of all this there's a lot of work by the enemy, sowing seeds of anger, unforgiveness, and some other bad spirits. There's a lot that divides my family. I don't remember the last time I had a good conversation with my mom, let alone my dad, whom I haven't spoken to in many months since our last argument.
If there's anything I should urgently pray for, it is my family. Even though there's a whole lot of other things stressing me out these days, I really feel like I don't pray for my family enough.
I'm sure many of you can relate. Why is it that we so often neglect our family when it comes to matters of faith and spirituality? Why is it so awkward within family?
God has been revealing to me lately the importance of the family and of the parents. I realize how impactful a good/bad family can be on a child.
So to sum it up, I took extra effort and gave extra attention to my family by praying for them.
I am hoping to be able to show my love outwardly as well.
Challenge: Pray for every single member of your family! Try to pray for half an hour! It's hard!
Today's Bible Verse (is really worth meditating upon):
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – Psalm 103:17
LOVE LIFE VIDEO: Street Corner Dancing
Hey Everyone!
So if you read my post from Friday, I talk about how I went with Jaeson Ma and his project manager Christina Chou to the corner of Figureoa and Wilshire to do something very out of the norm.
As promise, here's the video from it! Check it out!
And here's a link to Jaeson Ma's blog post about the whole thing:
http://jaesonma.com/365-days-of-love-honk-i-will-dance/
Inspired?
Email me at AskJaeson@Gmail.com and we'll walk you through starting your very own LOVE LIFE!
So if you read my post from Friday, I talk about how I went with Jaeson Ma and his project manager Christina Chou to the corner of Figureoa and Wilshire to do something very out of the norm.
As promise, here's the video from it! Check it out!
And here's a link to Jaeson Ma's blog post about the whole thing:
http://jaesonma.com/365-days-of-love-honk-i-will-dance/
Inspired?
Email me at AskJaeson@Gmail.com and we'll walk you through starting your very own LOVE LIFE!
Monday, May 31, 2010
LOVE LIFE 7: Getting My Brothers Together for a Guys Day Out
- 7 of 31 -
Today was Memorial Day, which means school was out for everyone! :D
I took the holiday opportunity to plan a guy's day out, complete with football, pool, TV, eating a lot, video games, and other guyish things.
I made a point of inviting and including not only the guys from the EM (post-high school) group, but also the guys from the Youth Group of my church (which includes high school).
In the past I've felt an increasing sense that the older guys sort of neglected the younger group, so I thought something like a guy's day out would boost the bonding and friendship to a point where we would be close enough to counsel, guide, and minister to each other.
Looking back I definitely feel like God has been making a way for connections and friendships to form beyond high school/college levels. I know it has become an initiative in my own heart to try and be more of a mentor and older brother to the younger guys.
Though there was a lot of coarse joking and innuendo tossing, I'm hoping the Spirit is going to use our newly found comfort around one another as a means to nurture future ministry and blessing. To be honest, some of the language we threw around bothered me a bit, but on the other hand, I'm glad we can all be real and comfortable and transparent with one another.
Today was good. Plenty of shameless farting and burping going around. We definitely need to have more guys only time more often. Some conversations and hangouts can only be had within a group of guys.
I sure hope God continues to bond us. I know some seeds were planted today (at least for me) so I'm praying that God will nurture the relationships righteously!
Challenge: Plan a hang-out day for you and your friends! Keep some godly, Kingdom goals in mind.
Bible Verse of the Day: If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20
Today was Memorial Day, which means school was out for everyone! :D
I took the holiday opportunity to plan a guy's day out, complete with football, pool, TV, eating a lot, video games, and other guyish things.
I made a point of inviting and including not only the guys from the EM (post-high school) group, but also the guys from the Youth Group of my church (which includes high school).
In the past I've felt an increasing sense that the older guys sort of neglected the younger group, so I thought something like a guy's day out would boost the bonding and friendship to a point where we would be close enough to counsel, guide, and minister to each other.
Looking back I definitely feel like God has been making a way for connections and friendships to form beyond high school/college levels. I know it has become an initiative in my own heart to try and be more of a mentor and older brother to the younger guys.
Though there was a lot of coarse joking and innuendo tossing, I'm hoping the Spirit is going to use our newly found comfort around one another as a means to nurture future ministry and blessing. To be honest, some of the language we threw around bothered me a bit, but on the other hand, I'm glad we can all be real and comfortable and transparent with one another.
Today was good. Plenty of shameless farting and burping going around. We definitely need to have more guys only time more often. Some conversations and hangouts can only be had within a group of guys.
I sure hope God continues to bond us. I know some seeds were planted today (at least for me) so I'm praying that God will nurture the relationships righteously!
Challenge: Plan a hang-out day for you and your friends! Keep some godly, Kingdom goals in mind.
Bible Verse of the Day: If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20
Sunday, May 30, 2010
LOVE LIFE 6: Getting Up Earlier to Help Serve Food at Church
- 6 of 31 -
Before I go into today's act of love, I want to admit that I am already two days behind on my commitment! Eek!
I'm going to be honest, I haven't really been as devoted and committed on a daily basis as much as I would like to be. I don't really find myself looking for ways to love people -YET. I'm praying that God would give me a bigger heart and more passionate dedication to this LOVE LIFE journey. I know that apart from him, I cannot do this so I am really trying to take things up a notch and really take it a bit more seriously.
So please pray for me and keep me accountable if you love me.
With that, I want to talk about today's act of love.
So I received an e-mail last week about the need for volunteers to help serve lunch at church today. I remember thinking about doing it, but then I forgot about it altogether. Apparently, I wasn't alone.
I got another email Friday/Saturday sometime saying that they really needed more people to step up to help out with serving food.
So this morning, I woke up at 9:30am as opposed to 12:30pm (I know, hardly a sacrifice haha) and got to church by 11 to help out.
I donned a ridiculous Korean-ajumma apron and tried to be helpful, but it was pretty clear from the get-go that we were actually overstaffed. Being a male and having very little kitchen experience, I found that I was increasingly useless.
Nevertheless, I did my best to serve in ways I could. I helped wash tables, grab and deliver plates, and other menial manual labor.
I think God is likely more pleased with my heart of service and willingness to sacrifice to come early and help out than the actual service itself. Because really, anyone could have done it!
Afterwards, I played with kids and showed them some love too. This may have made up a little bit for my lack of utility in the kitchen hahaha
Challenge: Serve your church in a way you have not done before or don't usually do! Try doing some manual labor or some behind the scenes cleaning up. It's a holy building after all right?
Bible Verse of the Day: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3
Amen!
Before I go into today's act of love, I want to admit that I am already two days behind on my commitment! Eek!
I'm going to be honest, I haven't really been as devoted and committed on a daily basis as much as I would like to be. I don't really find myself looking for ways to love people -YET. I'm praying that God would give me a bigger heart and more passionate dedication to this LOVE LIFE journey. I know that apart from him, I cannot do this so I am really trying to take things up a notch and really take it a bit more seriously.
So please pray for me and keep me accountable if you love me.
With that, I want to talk about today's act of love.
So I received an e-mail last week about the need for volunteers to help serve lunch at church today. I remember thinking about doing it, but then I forgot about it altogether. Apparently, I wasn't alone.
I got another email Friday/Saturday sometime saying that they really needed more people to step up to help out with serving food.
So this morning, I woke up at 9:30am as opposed to 12:30pm (I know, hardly a sacrifice haha) and got to church by 11 to help out.
I donned a ridiculous Korean-ajumma apron and tried to be helpful, but it was pretty clear from the get-go that we were actually overstaffed. Being a male and having very little kitchen experience, I found that I was increasingly useless.
Nevertheless, I did my best to serve in ways I could. I helped wash tables, grab and deliver plates, and other menial manual labor.
I think God is likely more pleased with my heart of service and willingness to sacrifice to come early and help out than the actual service itself. Because really, anyone could have done it!
Afterwards, I played with kids and showed them some love too. This may have made up a little bit for my lack of utility in the kitchen hahaha
Challenge: Serve your church in a way you have not done before or don't usually do! Try doing some manual labor or some behind the scenes cleaning up. It's a holy building after all right?
Bible Verse of the Day: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3
Amen!
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