"For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." - Psalm 95:3-5
Spending time in nature and God's creation speaks to my soul. It has a way of reminding me that God is so good and gracious.
I can be alone. I can be with Minhee. I can be with my kids or my parents. Each is special and the best is when you can go on a family trip and experience all of the above. And it was so good to see my parents laugh and smile like I haven't seen in awhile.
So grateful for the time away last week in the Redwoods in Santa Cruz, California and at Mount Hermon Christian Camp.
Woohoo! On behalf of all those who support, give, pray and partner with @onedayswages, what a privilege to sign and send this $132,944.53 check today for @worldrelief. Together, we're supporting refugees in South Sudan. This matching grant will help provide life-saving healthcare, food, and nutrition and critical education for children torn apart by ongoing conflict in South Sudan. World Relief is engaging more than 10,000 displaced children in the Bentiu refugee camp.
Thank you for making this possible! Grateful for your ongoing support, prayers, monthly gifts, church partnerships and birthday campaigns that make up the ODW movement. Join us.
Sometimes, you have to preach to yourself. Every calling, vision, dream or word you receive from God...will eventually be tested. There will be setbacks, pushbacks, critics, skeptics, and even haters but if you believe God has called you to something...Don't give up. Persevere. Press on. #CHIC2018
Taking a moment to breathe. It's both a season of grieving and expectancy as I reflect on my upcoming final two months at Quest Church and the unknown that lies ahead. Not gonna lie: There have been numerous times where I've been kicking myself and wondering, "What in the world are you doing, Eugene?!" Today, someone who had no idea who I was or my current circumstances prophesied a word over me, "I see an image of you suspended in mid air. I don't know if that means anything but you're in mid air and you don't know where you're going to land...but God wants you to lean in and trust Him. He wants you to know that in time, God is going to put you in places you could never do for yourself. God has you." Chills.
Thank you, Lord.
What is a gospel that has no room for compassion and dignity for children separated from their parents/families at borders and detention centers?
Just last week, I had the privilege of teaching about the whole Gospel of Jesus to about 5000 high school students from all over the country at #CHIC2018.
To be honest, I really labored through the sermon. As preachers, you just kinda know. We study, prep, pray, and do all that we can ... and sometimes, it just feels like you’re going UPHILL. That’s how it felt. I walked off stage somewhat discouraged...ultimately, trying to rest in God’s grace and the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit.
But later that night, I ran into couple Latino/a pastors who serve in Hispanic churches and youth groups. They shared with me how much they were encouraged and how their youth were especially moved that a pastor brought up the issues - however briefly - of immigration, migrant workers, and children separated from their families at borders and detention centers. In fact, they had shared that their youth students had never heard such words from anyone that didn’t look like them.
While the sermon still felt tough, I’m so grateful that I get the privilege to bear witness to the whole Gospel that declares that Jesus rescues and saves sinners like you and me...AND that Jesus ushers in the kingdom of God; that Jesus cares about human flourishing - including those that remain separated at borders and detentions centers.
Amen.
My father. He's 82 years old. He's still a man of few words but more emotional than I've witnessed my whole life. He occasionally shares stories from his life and his fears of the future. I'm here for all of it.
This past week, my dad accompanied me on one of my speaking engagement near Rocky Mountain National Park. I asked him to come so that we can keep making up for lost time...so that I could hear more stories of his life and that we could simply do a road trip together. Because it's not lost on me that we don't have many road trips together. My hope is to take him to 10 National Parks...and this is #5.
However few or many, I'm just trying to enjoy this time together of showing him national parks, mountains and lakes, go on short hikes, catch fish, and eat together - even in mostly complete silence.
Friends, I don't pretend to know your wounds and stories with your parents but don't wait too long to reach out, call and visit, spend time, forgive, ask for forgiveness, reconcile, eat meals, and go on trips together with then. One day, every one of us will breathe our last physical breath...and these opportunities will be no longer.
I love you, Dad. Sorry that my fish was larger than your fish.
