Let the Journey Begin!

 

"...and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25b, NRSV).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Have you ever been longing for something in your life? Of course we have! However, what is the most recent one? The first day of school or the last day of school already, or the first day of snow, or the day of being free from COVID 19, or maybe for most of us, the day of our full gathering for worship, praising God in the gospel fellowship? 

 

Actually, in the month of August, we planned to have a Community Picnic because we missed the fellowship so much as we followed some safety measures for one another due to the pandemic. It is almost eighteen months since we hold this fellowship gathering as a church together. In other words, we have abandoned our gatherings and somewhat we had been separated from each other, even with our neighbors around. So we were so excited! 

 

But as our care team prepared the Community Picnic, we read the weather forecast of that weekend. There would be a big chance of thunderstorms during those picnic hours outside. As the day was approaching, everyone prayed harder without losing hearts! And guess what? We had such a beautiful day with gentle breeze in that afternoon. It means, we had a wonderful fellowship together!

 

About two thousand years ago, there was Christian believers who waited for Christ’s return in perseverance because of the pressure and persecution by the Roman Empire. It means, their gathering for worship and fellowship was getting harder and harder and harder. So, some believers began to abandon their gatherings then it became their habits. In other words, people began to separate themselves from their faith community. It means, they moved away from God. If they were separated from God, from the body of Christ, they were more likely experiencing the spiritual death. So what did they do to help each other to overcome the spiritual death?

 

“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not 

neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, 

and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NRSV).

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, do we feel moving far away from God or closer to God as we still deal with COVID 19? Where are you now as the summer is almost over? Our new day is approaching and God invites us to join this journey with our renewed and refreshed and strengthened minds and bodies in the new month of September because our journey to salvation will never end. 

 

It is time to rise and let the journey begin! Join us!

 

Grace and Peace,  

Pastor Kyochul

 

Happy Are Those...

 

"Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God." (Matthew 5:8, GNT)

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

It was quite a change I noticed in the corn field after I got back to Wisconsin last week from my two weeks trip to Korea. Wow! They grow well! As our summer is getting much greener now, we are going much deeper walking with Jesus in our spiritual journey in this season. Is that true? I think so!

 

Anyway, how’s your summer vacation time going with you so far if you already had it? Did you see the grace of God wherever you visited, the treasure of heaven? And do you feel blessed or happy as you see the grace of God around you or find the treasure of heaven? 

 

Actually, as I got back home, sweet home, from my trip to Korea, I happened to listen to an interesting song named “Happy We” from Handel’s comic opera, Acis and Galatea. It is a very simple song because a loving couple repeats a few words over and over again throughout the entire song.

 

“Happy, happy we! What joys we feel, what charms we see, Happy we!”

 

That simple song just makes me ponder what makes us happy. We know happiness is a very popular theme in our life and there are so many happiness experts wrote about happiness like… The Art of Happiness, Psychology of Happiness, Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, Happiness Now, Happiness Project, Resisting Happiness, Happiness is a choice, and Secrets of Happiness, etc. Even, there is a Workbook for Happiness.

 

It looks like “Happiness” or being happy or staying in happiness is very critical matter for us. No wonder why Jesus also talked about the happy people when he gave a sermon on the mountain because people want to be happy always. I am the one of them and there is no exception, I presume.

 

Generally speaking, people feel happy when three things are fulfilled: having a controlling power, having an ability to work well and being recognized by others - the more, the better! In other words, holding a remote control is a key to happiness like when “my will be done on earth”! It means, we start to feel unhappy if we’re controlled by others; if we’re not able to do much; and if nobody recognizes us! Those are all about what we don’t “want” as well as what we “want” for our happiness.

 

However, what is the true happiness for us who want to follow Christ taking our own cross, the true happiness that we “need” for the eternal Kingdom of God? 

 

“Happy are those who reject the advise of the evil people; who do not follow the

example of sinners; or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find the

joy obeying the law of Lord, and study it day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2, GNT)

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, how do we pursue our happiness now during this season of deeper green? Are we looking for what we want - the temporary one, or for what we need - the eternal one? Which one is the true happiness for us? We are truly happy when we see God’s will and when we follow it with our whole heart and strength even though we are not perfect and it is not happening right now in here but someday when only God recognizes us as faithful children as we sing, “God’s will be done on earth as in heaven”!!

 

Let us be happy in the freedom that Jesus brought us in this season as we seek the Kingdom of God first!! 

 

Grace and Peace,  

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...

 

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

It has been three years since I’ve moved from Rice Lake to Markesan with my family and became a part of the Princeton and Markesan Methodist Community of faith. So far, it has been a wonderful and blessed years as we get to know each other and learn from each other in Christ Jesus. 

 

As we have experienced from the beginning, living as a community of faith in Christ is not easy unless we surrender our will and follow wherever God is leading us. However, every time, when we stop and look back, we always see how God is gracious to us and the words of thanksgiving come out of our hearts. In other words, we learn how to live in joy and thanksgiving fuller each and everyday as we move through the challenges of our life and grow in the spirit.

 

So, as we take the first step to our fourth year together, we want to give thanks to God who gives this life as a gift of blessing and also life together as a church to be a blessing to the world.

 

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises 

in the assembly of the faithful… Let everything that breathes 

sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:1 & 6, NLT). 

 

However, I also want to say thank you all those who have faithfully and truthfully serviced among us behind the scene. As a worshipping community, I am so thankful for all those who prepare our Sunday worship as well as mid week/weekend worship: our worship team, music team, prayer team, A/V team, social media and technology team, cleaning and fixing team, decoration team, hospitality team, ushers and liturgists, especially, for their extra works to keep each other safe when we have dealt with COVID 19 so that we are able to continue to worship in spirit and truth. 

 

We know those are not all because there are more of you who faithfully, generously, and joyously support the ministry of our church in different ways. Why did we do that, I mean, why did we support the ministry of the church faithfully, generously, and joyously? 

 

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his 

own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who 

called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it was because of this Living Word of God. We are a chose people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation! In other words, we are God’s people who got called out of darkness into God’s light. In other words, the world where we are living in is still a full of darkness-broken, wounded, sinful, divided, and confused. However, we got the blessing of this marvelous light to bless others! We have a long way to go together as God’s people holding this marvelous light, God’s eternal love!  

  

Join us!

Pastor Kyochul

What Is That to You?

 

“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? 

As for you, follow me” (John 21:22, NLT). 

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

We are entering a little deeper into the season of summer. Are you enjoying this season of green around you mowing the lawn so far? I bet we are getting used to it now. Maybe some of you have planted flower seeds or vegetable seeds already. I even see how they grow every day in the fields around us hoping for the good harvest in fall.

 

For me, it has not been going very well in the month of May as I dealt with several medical issues that I had never encountered before. One of them was the side effect from my 2nd COVID shot. My family got the shot but only I had to deal with the side effects for several days. And briefly, I even thought about my last day-What if I am not able to make it? A few words came to my mind for my kids who are still in school, especially, for the oldest one who is graduating this year.

 

“Always turn your eyes on Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, so that you can 

focus on your purpose that God has given you no matter what. Then, you will have a 

blessed life to bless others with joy and thanksgiving. That will be the joy of the Lord.”

 

Thankfully, I got over it and was able to give those words as a graduation gift. 

 

Interestingly, Peter and other disciples were preparing their graduation from Jesus High School two thousand years ago before Jesus’ ascension or before they went out by themselves. According to the gospel of John, he ended his gospel with the conversation between Peter and Jesus, a kind of his graduation moment. Jesus’ words for Peter were, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17b, NLT) and Jesus invited him to follow him continually - “Follow Me” (John 21:19b, NLT).

 

However, before his invitation, Jesus talked about what kind of death Peter would glorify God. Then suddenly, Peter thought about someone behind him, Jesus’ favorite disciple. “Hmm, the way of my death will glorify God? It means, I am going to die like you, Jesus? Now how about John, your favorite one? Is he going to die too, like me?” Jesus replied,

 

“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (John 21:22a).

 

In other words, your enemy is in you not outside, so focus on your own purpose from God, silencing all the noise that block your ears or cover your eyes to experience the joy of heaven right now!

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are now graduating with those disciples with Jesus’ question, “What is that to you?” Are we still dealing with some unseen enemies now? Amazingly, after they received the Holy Spirit through the Pentecost, they were able to hold the unshakable purpose from God no matter what and they have blessed the world with the blessings that they had received for last two thousand years. Are we ready to run now with them filled with the Holy Spirit to bless others in this season continually? It will the joy of the Lord! 

 

Through this season, we will continue to cultivate our hearts so that the seeds of God’s love and His grace can continue to grow in us for the joy of harvest someday.

 

Join us!

Pastor Kyochul

 

Breathe on me, Breath of God!

“Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what 

Thou dost love and do what Thou wouldst do” (UMH 420, Edwin Hatch, 1878).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

It is already the month of May as we prepare the summer season, the growing season! So how’s your summer preparation as you enjoy this season of new life? Actually, we are still celebrating the season of Jesus’ Resurrection preparing the season of Pentecost this month!

 

One day, I looked at a pot of Peace Lilies seated on the kitchen table, refreshing our eyes and lungs during those pandemic months. The pot looked too small for this growing plant. Too crowded! So I decided to repot them. Actually, this is the oldest house plant for us and we have never repotted it.

 

As I googled it, I found that my Peace Lilies will appreciate the fresh soil if I repot them annually. I have never thought about it in that way because we don’t change the soil for the hundred year old growing plants in the mountains or even for a thirty year old maple tree in our backyard. But anyway, I offered my Peace Lilies some fresh soil this spring, promising that I will do that for them each year!

 

It reminds me of the creation story in the bible.

 

“Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath 

of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person” (Genesis 2:7, NLT).

 

When God refreshed us after He formed us, He put the Spirit in us! Then we became alive! It means that we are spiritual beings!

 

After Jesus was crucified, all of his followers were spiritually down and empty like dead wood. They were confused; they were depressed; they were shocked; and they were in fear. But after Jesus was risen from the dead, he reformed his disciples’ lives, who were like dead wood as he stayed with them for forty days on earth. Then ten days after, Jesus filled their life with the Holy Spirit like in the creation story. It was the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, the body of Christ.

 

That is the reason why we are still here on earth as a church together, as a spiritually living being! Since then, the Holy Spirit continues to refresh us and renew us to grow into his likeness! How come?

 

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots 

will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:17, NLT).

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, when our spiritual soil is refreshed by the Holy Spirit in this season, our roots will grow down into God’s love. It will keep us strong! Is this true to us all? 

 

Through this season, we will truly stretch out our roots deep down into God’s love so that God can keep us strong! Then, we will refresh the world with the power coming out of it. It is our call this month! 

 

Join us!

 

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor Kyochul

They Are Sweeter Than Honey!

 

“In the beginning the Word already existed. 

The Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, NLT).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

We feel like spring is really here! But I know some of you still doubt about it since we are in Wisconsin. It is true that the winter is jealous of warmness of this season, the blooming of the splendid colors, I means the flowers. So, from time to time, we might have snow in spring time, even in summer time! However, no one can stop the clock that God has set for us even in Wisconsin! In other words, the new season is here, definitely! 

 

However, it is not only the outside of our home but also the inside of our home, even inside of our heart in our life. Why? Because of the gift of Christ’s Resurrection. True spring begins with the power of Christ’s Resurrection as we overcome the human reality of the eternal darkness and coldness, I mean, the reality of sin and death through Christ Jesus.

 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness

can never extinguish it” (John 1:5, NLT).

 

The darkness can never extinguish it, the light! You know whom we are talking about. It is Christ Jesus. And that is the reality of the eternal life, God’s new creation though Him, through the Word!

 

“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul... they are sweeter 

than honey, even honey dripping from the comb” (Psalm 19:7a & 10b, NLT).

 

Can you imagine that “honey dripping from the comb.” For David, the Psalmist, the Word of God is sweeter than that honey dripping from the comb. However, when we open up our bible, most of us can fell asleep very easily. And we know that there are countless things sweeter than that. 

 

For some, a chocolate ice cream is sweeter than the Word of God; for some, gardening is sweeter than the Word of God; for some, shopping is sweeter than the Word of God; for some, a cold glass of beer might be sweeter than the Word of God. You name it-fishing, skiing, watching movies, playing computer games, etc. Because all those can make us feel good at the moment!

 

However, for David in the Old Testament time, the Word of God was sweeter than any other things. How come? Because he was able to find a treasure of heaven from the Word of God. It means he was able to enjoy the season of spring fully when God brought it through the Word of God!

 

So what if we can taste the Word of God as something sweeter than honey dripping from the comb so that we can delight in it and meditate on it day and night?

 

“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. 

Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalm 1:3, NLT).

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is about God’s creation and it is also about God’s salvation once we can taste that sweetness from the word of God, sweeter than honey. Would you like to taste the Word of God like David did? Then we know what we will happen. Like a trees planted along the riverbank...

 

So for the month of April, we will begin our new journey with our risen Lord to search for the treasure of heaven in our everyday life in the word of God, something sweeter than honey. We will taste that!

 

Join us!

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kyochul