Last week I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. to talk with people about becoming financial partners in my ministry. There are over a dozen Alumni of the Penn State Epic in the D.C. area and it was great catching up with them and enjoying the city. I also met a handful of folks who were interested in the Epic Movement who I hope to follow up with in the next few weeks.
Here are some highlights from my trip: -Eating noodles with a dozen Alums -Figuring out the bus and metro system (prepared me a little for the city life!) -Meeting the wonderful folks at Ambassador Bible Church -Eating perhaps the best burger of my life: Link -Staying with Gary and Steve- Thanks Guys! -Watching Kezhen eat 3 of these (most of my highlights are related to food……)The theme verse for my life is Luke 9:62. This was the verse that inspired the name for a small group Bible study that I led for two years at Penn State. We called ourselves “The Plowmen” with the motto “No Turning Back.” I will post a more detailed description of why that is my life verse some other time. But for now I want to share a little story that shows that I am still learning what it means to be a Plowman.
I was on the way to the PSU/GMU Epic fall retreat. The retreat center was about 45 minutes from my apartment and I had driven there for the past 2 years so I thought I knew where I was going. It was rainy, dark, I was driving by myself, and I was coming to the retreat several hours late. So there I was on the back roads of PA. As I was driving I couldn’t clearly remember where to make the turn off the main road. So after awhile of driving and not having passed through any towns for several miles I pulled over and turned around, thinking I must have missed the turn. I drove about 10 miles back and still didn’t see the turn. I kept going back until I found a gas station. Swallowing my pride I went in and asked for directions. The clerk there was really helpful and told me I was about 20 miles and 2 towns away from where I needed to make a left. The point where I turned back was only 10 miles away from where I needed to be! (So by turning back I added extra miles and time to my trip).
It goes to show you. Sometimes worry can lead us to doubt where we are heading and turn around. The same is true with our walk with God. Sometimes worry and doubt can sneak into our hearts and keep us from following and trusting in God (See the Plowmen verse in context). He knows the path. He knows how far the next turn is. I pray for a faith that refuses to give in to worry and doubt. No Turning Back!
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9)
This past weekend was spent playing karaoke with friends (and by weekend I mean the WHOLE weekend).
I wonder what it is about karaoke that appeals to Asians, and Asian Americans so much. My friend Simon thinks that the quest for perfection and a need to attain a higher score might be a factor….
Somewhere in the evening of loud singing and laughter we came across the song “I’m with you” by Avril Lavigne. I will withhold my personal opinion on the song but just know that this is not a track that I carry around on my iPod.
I had never really given this song much of a listen before. Perhaps it was because the lyrics were right in front of me, but I began to think about the song with a bit more interest.
I have copied a portion of the song lyrics here (with select lyrics emphasized):
Isn’t anyone tryin’ to find me?
Won’t somebody come take me home?
(Chorus)
It’s a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won’t you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don’t know who you are
But I… I’m with you
I’m with you
This is a song about searching for something more out of this thing called life. I turned to a buddy of mine as the song was playing and said to him “Dude, you could totally Acts 17 that.” At the time I meant it as a joke, but I have been giving it some thought since then. The singer is crying out to be known, to be comforted, to be found. In the book of Acts ch 17 Paul speaks to the people of Athens, referencing their alter ‘to an unknown God.’ He uses their cultural alter to find a spiritual need that is crying out and uses it as a launching point to share the gospel. The same can be done with this song- as the singer is crying out for someone to know her and find her- what better time to tell her about the God who made her and knows her deeply and is seeking after her like a shepherd does a lost lamb. What better time to tell her about the God who has been seeking her before she knew Him.
Thinking about this video makes me wonder- I almost missed the real spiritual need and cry in this song because I was closed off to it musically. I missed the heart of the lyrics because I was not listening. How many times do I miss the real spiritual need in people around me because I am closed off or not listening?
Lord God, open my ears to hear the songs that are written on the hearts of those around me. Show me how to hear their spiritual needs and cries.
Here is a link to the music video for the song.
visually, the video fits the song well- it switches between shots of the singer walking alone on an empty road and the singer being alone while in a crowd.
(Note this blog post is not entirely on evolution)
I love cartoons. I especially love cartoons about Super Heroes. Ever since I was young I have enjoyed the way the characters spring to action as if the the comics I read as a kid were coming to life.
Recently I have found that the show X-Men Evolution is available to watch for free (and legally) on youtube. LINK This is a show that is loosely based in the Marvel X-men universe- with one twist- several of the X-men and villains are high school students. It’s weird to see Cyclops as an preppy senior and Rogue as a goth-type girl.
The show is not as awesome as the X-men cartoon of the 90’s. That cartoon dived deep into many complex social issues- especially for a kids show. (There is an episode where Nightcrawler gives his testimony of how God changed his life and where wolverine prays at the end! LINK).
But Evolution is not without it’s value. The X-men are all young and still developing their powers and learning to work as a team. Professor X is frequently telling his students that their mutations/powers are a gift and they must learn to develop them to use for the benefit of mankind. It reminds me of how we in campus ministry must help students realize thier unique spiritual gifting and understand how God has made them unique to build up the body of believers.
Another common plot element is the search for new mutants. Professor X will occasionally have vision of a new mutant through his device Cerebro. Then the X-men will meet up with this new mutant and help them understand how they can learn to embrace their mutation and develop as a member of the X-men. But at the same time Magneto is also trying to recruit mutants for his evil purposes. The X- men always give the new mutants a choice and stress the importance that they are free to decide to join them or not. This search for new X-men reminds me of our job as evangelists. We must also seek guidance on who to find (from the Holy Spirit rather than Cerebro). We must be aware of the danger and the lives that are at stake (the enemy of Satan not Magneto). We must clearly explain how our lives have been changed (our testimony can be powerful just as the testimonies of the x-men help in the show). We must give them an opportunity to respond to the gospel (just like the invitation to join the x-men always stands). We leave the choice up to them (but unlike the x-men, we leave the results up to God).
I recommend the show for those of you Super Hero fans out there.
I would like to share with you one of the all time greatest openings to a film.
This video is from the movie Manhattan (1979) by Woody Allen. The film was a black in white project where Allen explored the relationships and breakups of several NYC couples. I can’t say i cared for the film that much (Although Annie Hall is one of my favorites). But I do respect the artistic camera work and shots of this film. The selection and compostition of the shots makes New York just as much a romantic interest of Allen’s as Diane Keaton.
I love watching the opening of this film. It pumps me up for moving to and working in New York. I thought I would share it- Hope you enjoy.
So this summer I started lifting and running. In the beginning it was a way to bond with my summer roommate and a way to blow off steam after a long day of classes. But oddly enough, I actually enjoyed it.
Another area of self improvement has been in the area of reading. There’s been a common joke among the staff team where Sandy will recommend a really good book to me and then I just look at her and say “come on, it’s me.” I have gained a reputation as someone who does not read. But…. over the summer that changed. I had to read several books for the classes I was taking; a John Piper book and a couple by our professor Alan Scholes. These books re-awakened me to the fact that reading does not have to be painful or dreadful.
Looking back, I think my undergraduate time deterred me from reading. As a Social Studies major I never had homework problems, I had reading. I read all sorts of stuff about the most minute details of history. Precolonial Virginia tobacco farmers, Neolithic era hunting tools, Advertising in the post WWII era, and so much more. I think all of that reading about the most specific of subjects turned me off to reading. Because what was the point of all this knowledge of how people formed spears from rocks and how to classify the different spear production methods.
Anyway, I digress. I make mention of all that because what has re-awakened me to reading is the sheer practicality of what I have been reading. Of the books I read this summer, I could imagine myself quoting them when discussing spiritual issues with students or loaning the books to friends.
Keep your eyes peeled for some of my reflections on stuff I’ve been reading.
Epilogue: I have been consistently working out and reading (not at the same time) since I have gotten back to State College. It’s been great.
I have updated the header on my blog (as well as some other minor profile changes). So now it’s official. I have ended the Penn State Era and opened the door to the next chapter of my life: The New York Years.
You can still expect to read the same great updates from EpicEng, but now I will be writing about my NYC experiences.
Enjoy.
When I was at my parents house I watched a great documentary on the original Star Wars Trilogy. It was more than just a ‘making of’ feature. The documentary had interviews of other filmmakers and even some prominent figures from the 70’s. Each person talked about how Star Wars has affected both our society as well as their personal lives. Lives have been changed by these movies.
This reminds me of one of my favorite video clips. In this clip Triumph, the insult comic dog from Late Night, visits the premier of Attack of the Clones. Triumph insults the fans who have been waiting in line to see the new Star Wars film. Click here to watch it. (Although this video has some PG-13 humor and coarse language).
The documentary and the video clip make me think. I love Star Wars. The original trilogy was a big part of growing up. But I like to hide my inner dork. I guess I don’t want to be seen as a Star Wars nerd. That’s something I admire about the fans from the video clip. They have gone all out to show the world how devoted they are to a movie that they love.
But what about me? I may hide my inner Star Wars Dork, but at the end of the day that doesn’t really matter. I hold something even more life changing and influential than Star Wars. I have been redeemed, changed, and transformed by the love and power of the Gospel. The impact of Star Wars is nothing in my life compared to the love of Christ. But so often I try to hide my faith- as if I am hiding my inner dork. I wore my cross on the inside of my shirt for two years before I started wearing it on the outside. I want to show the impact of the Gospel in my life proudly and boldly. I want to live unashamed. I want to be a dork for Christ!
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16
Interesting article about X-games athletes and their faith.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/sports/02xgames.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
This week during training we are practicing sharing our ministry callings and testimonies. We have been broken up into small teams to practice our presentations in. While I was giving my presentation a co-worker commented that “Your English is really clear.”
In the past a comment like that would have bothered me. I would have responded with something like “well of course my English is clear, it is my native language!” or “Gee thanks – yours isn’t that bad either!” Sometimes I think that people don’t understand that comments about language can be a bit touchy to Asian Americans- especially those who grew up speaking English. Asian Americans are so often thought of as foreigners in our own country- this is a stigma we face more than most realize.
But this time, my classmate’s comment did not bother me. I just accepted his comment as a compliment. I did not ignore the fact that the comment bothered me though. Over the past year or two I have been finding ways to bring my Asian American identity before Christ. In Christ I can find support for the strengths in Asian American culture like our family values. Christ wants to use our strengths to help us minister to others. But I can also come before Christ with the painful parts of being an Asian American. I can bring situations like the one in class before Christ to find healing. I can stand firm in my identity in Christ and not get upset at the little things that used to bother me.
But most of all I can extend grace to my classmate. I know that he did not intend for his comment to hit a nerve but wanted to compliment me. Because my identity is in Christ I can show him grace and take his comment as a compliment. I don’t have to stand up for some sort of self righteous justice.
This is what excites me about Asian American ministry. Being able to find healing through the Gospel in a culturally relevant way. But also being able to extend grace to others around us. I can’t wait to be able to share this with students!
