Sunday, November 1, 2009

In Celebration of Reformation Day

95 Theses To The Evangelical Church by Greg Gordon

"I have been writing this volume while residing in Germany for a teaching trip. I am humbled by penning these 95 theses in the same country as Martin Luther did many years ago. I submit these to the evangelical church of our day and pray that God would allow anything of truth in these pages to bend and change men's hearts back to God." - Greg Gordon - http://www.sermonindex.net

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“It is useless for large companies of believers to spend long hours begging God to send revival. Unless we intend to reform we may as well not pray. Unless praying men have the insight and faith to amend their whole way of life to conform to the New Testament pattern there can be no true revival.” - A.W. Tozer

**

Thesis 1 - The evangelical church at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God.
(Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Mathew 6:9).

Thesis 2 - Evangelicals ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in Acts chapter 2.
(Acts 2:42,44, Acts 2:46, Acts 2:38).

Thesis 3 - We meet for one hour a week and consider that apostolic church. Many evangelicals treat church like any other social club or sports event that they attend.
(Acts 2:46, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 1:14).

Thesis 4 - We have made Christianity about the individual rather then a community of believers.
(1 John 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:16, Jude 19).

Thesis 5 - In evangelical churches the priesthood of all believers is not acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. The biblical view of a plurality of elders is practiced by very few.
(1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:11-13).

Thesis 6 – The evangelical church as a whole has lost the concept of their being engrafted into the promises given to Israel.
(Romans 11:17-18,20, Romans 11:25, Romans 11:15).

Thesis 7 - There needs to be a recovery back to teaching through the whole counsel of God expositionally.
(Acts 20:27, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15).

Thesis 8 - We take it too lightly, the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession.
(Psalm 119:16, Acts 13:44, Nehemiah 8:9).

Thesis 9 - There has never been more access to the word of God yet so little reading of it.
(1 Timothy 4:13, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Psalm 119:59).

Thesis 10 - Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge and do not practice what they read.
(James 1:22, Matthew 7:21, 3 John 4).

Thesis 11 - Worship has become an idol in many churches. The music resembles the world more than anything else.
(Amos 5:23, Philippians 4:8, 1 John 5:21).

Thesis 12 - The world is shaping the views of the evangelical church more than the church shaping the views of the world.
(Romans 12:2, Matthew 5:13, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23).

Thesis 13 - The evangelical church spends more money on dog food then missions.
(2 Corinthians 9:6, Luke 21:2, Acts 4:34-35).

Thesis 14 - We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and consider following Him a sort of jovial thing rather then it truly costing us our actual entire lives.
(Luke 14:33, Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 8:19-20).

Thesis 15 - There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples.
(Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:14).

Thesis 16 - The modern day evangelical believes the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while other parts are to be worldly and secular. Rather than our entire life’s being spiritual and our walk with God.
(1 Peter 4:2, Colossians 3:3, 1 John 2:6).

Thesis 17 - The modern day evangelical finds Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent.
(Philippians 2:21, James 3:16, Romans 12:1-2).

Thesis 18 - Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting, praying, suffering are considered legalistic.
(2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 1:8, Matthew 6:17).

Thesis 19 - Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the gospel, and the sacrifice of the call of Christ.
(Philippians 3:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 10:34).

Thesis 20 - We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace in the Church. Flippant confession, shallow consecration, superficial surrender.
(Luke 14:28-30, Luke 14:26, James 4:8).

Thesis 21 - Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached with the requirements of repentance and discipleship.
(Acts 2:38, Luke 14:26, John 8:31).

Thesis 22 - Presently, the “High-Calling in Christ Jesus,” has never been offered at such a low level. Forgiveness without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity, confession without consecration.
(Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 4:11, Luke 13:24).

Thesis 23 - Such terms as: Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, repentance from dead works, are all foreign to this church age of cheap grace.
(Acts 2:37, Psalm 119:9, Hebrews 6:1-2).

Thesis 24 - The modern evangelical church loves itself more than its neighbor.
(1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3).

Thesis 25 - The church must repent of its idolization of personality and business principles.
(2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 12:23).

Thesis 26 - The elders and pastors of the church, as ministers of the gospel, are charged by Jesus to feed the sheep. But sadly many are fleecing the flock to supply their wants.
(John 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Revelation 2:15).

Thesis 27 - The qualities most in demand in today's pastorate are frequently foreign to the qualities which are made most important in Scripture.
(1 Timothy 3:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 1:5-7).

Thesis 28 - The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of.
(2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 3:1, Galatians 2:6).

Thesis 29 - There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate.
(3 John 9, Jeremiah 17:5, 1 Corinthians 12:22).

Thesis 30 - The evangelical pastor must trust the Spirit, not statistics.
(2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 8:14).

Thesis 31 - Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect.
(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, Jeremiah 1:7-8).

Thesis 32 - God’s prophets are ill treated and shunned by most evangelicals and considered too extreme or harsh.
(Jeremiah 6:10, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 4:16).

Thesis 33 - An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?
(Matthew 24:4,11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:19, Jude 8).

Thesis 34 - There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits. God has no interest and is not required to honor a gospel that is false.
(2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Jude 16).

Thesis 35 - There is an epidemic of a sort of “mock” salvation being preached from many pulpits today. It is a gospel message that is not authentic. It is correct in doctrine but false in reality.
(2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 John 5:11-12, Romans 8:9).

Thesis 36 - What is this “mock” salvation that is being spoken of? Simply defined it is a salvation that does not make men holy.
(Jude 4, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:17-18).

Thesis 37 - No other evangelical phraseology has caused more damage to true gospel preaching then this simple coined phrase: “we are all just sinners saved by grace.”
(Ephesians 1:1, Hebrews 6:11-12, Hebrews 10:26-27).

Thesis 38 - There is a gospel message that keeps men sinners and never allows them to change and become saints in actual experience.
(1 John 2:29, Colossians 3:5-8, Titus 3:8).

Thesis 39 - The warning of Christ is against this gospel where professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ.
(Matthew 23:13, Psalm 119:1-2, 2 Peter 1:3-4).

Thesis 40 - Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God.
(John 6:26, Romans 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11).

Thesis 41 - Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke.
(Jeremiah 6:14, Proverbs 1:23, 1 Timothy 5:20).

Thesis 42 - Run from gospels that focus on your success and prosperity. From those that use the name of Jesus Christ only for personal gain.
(John 2:16, Acts 20:33, Jeremiah 6:13).

Thesis 43 - Run from gospels that focus only on self-improvement.
(1 Timothy 6:5, Hebrews 12:14, James 4:14).

Thesis 44 - Run from churches where men and not Christ are glorified.
(Colossians 1:18, Jude 25, John 16:14).

Thesis 45 - Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no searching Word, no repentance from sin, no mention of the blood of Christ.
(1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 3:13, Revelation 1:5).

Thesis 46 - Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence.
(1 Corinthians 5:4, Psalm 80:14-15, Jeremiah 12:11).

Thesis 47 - Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin.
(1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 10:30-31, Hebrews 4:13).

Thesis 48 - Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda.
(Jude 10-11, Jude 19, 3 John 9).

Thesis 49 - Run from those who preach division between races and cultures.
(James 2:4, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 5:9).

Thesis 50 - Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying.
(Jeremiah 5:13, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 John 2:16).

Thesis 51 - Run from preachers who tell only stories and jokes.
(Ephesians 5:4, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:12).

Thesis 52 - Run from those that are only after money and they use one gimmick after another to get your money.
(2 Peter 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 1 Corinthians 9:18).

Thesis 53 - The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour.” Is not found in the Scriptures.
(Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:20).

Thesis 54 - Evidence of true conversion is something that does not seem important to modern day evangelicals.
(1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:17, Matthew 7:20).

Thesis 55 - In result thousands of sinners think of God having only one attribute, love! which has allowed multitudes to sit at ease with their sins.
(Romans 1:18, Acts 5:11, Psalm 2:12).

Thesis 56 - God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life has caused much confusion in evangelism to the lost.
(Romans 3:19, Acts 26:18, Philippians 3:18-21).

Thesis 57 - A Gospel of love and grace only without the law of God is being preached. Martin Luther called this gospel a doctrine of Satan.
(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Romans 2:4-5, Romans 3:19).

Thesis 58 - We have inherited a system of evangelistic preaching which is unbiblical. This has clearly arisen from the careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation.
(Colossians 2:8, Romans 1:25, Galatians 1:6).

Thesis 59 - Decisionism and the sinners prayer has been the major cause of false conversions in the evangelical church.
(2 Peter 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

Thesis 60 - Evangelicals are swelling the ranks of the deluded with a perverted gospel! Many who have made decisions in churches have been told in the inquiry rooms their sins have been forgiven will be surprised to hear “I never knew you depart from me.”
(Matthew 7:22-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21).

Thesis 61 - Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit of God in confirming men in their supposed salvation.
(1 John 2:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Galatians 6:12-15).

Thesis 62 - The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most evangelicals.
(Matthew 13:42, James 5:1, Psalms 9:17).

Thesis 63 - The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern evangelical pulpit.
(2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13).

Thesis 64 - The second coming of Jesus Christ needs to be re-instated as the general thrust and burden of the church.
(1 John 3:2-3, Colossians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

Thesis 65 - The evangelical church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God.
(Hebrews 12:28-29, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 10:31).

Thesis 66 - The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals rather than simply obeying the Scriptures call to personally evangelize themselves.
(Acts 8:1,4, Acts 4:29, Romans 10:14).

Thesis 67 - Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life.
(Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:17, 2 Peter 3:9).

Thesis 68 - The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not imposed on sinners initially and creates half-saved people who have a Saviour but not a Lord.
(Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 6:18).

Thesis 69 - We are not open to correction, discipline or rebuke. And most would rather just move to another evangelical church somewhere down the road.
(1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:7-9).

Thesis 70 - There is a great deal of preaching that amounts to a mere believing of the different theories about salvation, instead of persuading men to come to Christ and be saved.
(John 5:40, Colossians 1:28, 2 Corinthians 4:5).

Thesis 71 - There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel.
(1 Timothy 1:11, Jude 25, Romans 15:29).

Thesis 72 - There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from evangelical pulpits.
(John 3:20, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5).

Thesis 73 - Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling the world’s goods is something that does not appear wrong to evangelicals.
(Jeremiah 22:17, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:3).

Thesis 74 - Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. Yet it was one of the major themes and glories of the apostolic church.
(1 Corinthians 15:14-15, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33).

Thesis 75 - The evangelical church has relied more on technology then God.
(Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 2:4).

Thesis 76 - The prayer meeting is considered in the evangelical church one of the least important meetings. The idea of meeting for an entire day together seems ridiculous and a waste of time.
(1 Timothy 2:1, Acts 4:31, Philippians 4:6).

Thesis 77 - Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the evangelical church in our day.
(Jeremiah 10:21, Philippians 2:21, Ephesians 6:18-19).

Thesis 78 - Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for the church.
(Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31).

Thesis 79 - The evangelical church has many organizers but few agonizers.
(Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 9:1-3, Jeremiah 9:1).

Thesis 80 - We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the Church. The one gift we need the most is the gift of prophecy.
(2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 12:31).

Thesis 81 - The evangelical church at large has never been more frivolous about the things of God. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached.
(2 Peter 3: 11, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 3).

Thesis 82 - The evangelical church at large has forgotten how to pray.
(1 John 3:22, Acts 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Thesis 83 - Churches are more dependent on tradition rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
(Mark 7:13, Acts 16:6, Acts 13:2).

Thesis 84 - It might seem strange to say that ministers of religion are “pleading for impurity and sin.” Yet this is exactly what multitudes of professors preach and teach that you cannot be free from sin. That you must sin!
(Romans 16:18, Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:1).

Thesis 85 - The Apostles and Christ always preached from the vantage point of the possibility to walk holy and free from sin.
(Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Romans 6:19).

Thesis 86 - Sinners are not saved to sin but rather saved to holiness and good works.
(Romans 6:13, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:14).

Thesis 87 - Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of the church.
(2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:12).

Thesis 88 - A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day.
(1 Timothy 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Thesis 89 - Most in the Church are utterly confused about the practical godliness, obedience, and good works which the Scriptures readily mentions.
(Titus 3:8, John 10:32, Revelation 3:15).

Thesis 90 - Little or no emphasis is put in evangelical churches on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ, conforming us to His image.
(1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 4:1).

Thesis 91 - Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly Church or for worldly Saints but for a “glorious Church.”
(Ephesians 5:27, Titus 2:14, Colossians 4:12).

Thesis 92 - Christ does not come into our unregenerate, sickly, impure hearts as many contemporary theologians say. He gives us a new heart to dwell in wherein is found holiness and righteousness.
(2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:8, Ezekiel 18:31).

Thesis 93 - A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy Church is God’s judgment upon the world.
(Matthew 5:14,16, Ephesians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Thesis 94 - If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more then a theory.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Thesis 95 - Unbelief has us captive; the evangelical church is gagged and bound as risen Lazarus, it needs release in this final hour!
(Hebrews 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, Hebrews 11:6).

Monday, September 28, 2009

The Fire- Is this video about you?


This is a wake up call for the church of America and Korea. May God use it to convict our hearts and help us to turn to Him.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Moving in Korea

Moving in Korea is so much different than moving in the US. First off, the movers show up and pack all of your things for you. Then, they take them out your apartment balcony and put them on an elevator truck that takes them to the ground floor where they are put on a moving truck. When you get to the new apartment, the movers take the things from the moving truck and send them up the elevator truck to the apartment through the balcony window. Then, they start unpacking all of your things. They attempt to put everything back in the same room they took it out of; i.e. living room things to the living room, kitchen to the kitchen, etc. Although they attempt this, it doesn't always make it to the correct place. For example, we found the bleach and laundry detergent in the main bathroom in the bathtub. All of the hats, gloves, and scarves were put in the master bedroom instead of the entry area. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will show you some of what I am talking about.


This is the elevator truck seen from the 12th floor down.
Here they are positioning the ladder. It has to come over and touch the balcony wall where those two men are standing.
The moving truck with our bicycles sitting in front.
The elevator bringing down a load as seen from the ground.
This is a view of the elevator at the bottom ready to offload the stuff onto the moving truck.
A better view of the elevator from farther back.


Another view of the elevator near the bottom.
Our things coming into our new apartment on the 5th floor.


Monday, August 10, 2009

Whirlwind trip to Oklahoma

I made a whirlwind trip to Oklahoma from July 23rd through the 31st. I went with the purpose of cleaning out a storage unit that we had used to keep all of our things from our house. This storage unit was 10x20 and was stacked floor to ceiling. We had given much of our furniture away before we left and to some friends who moved to Oklahoma after we left for Korea. I arrived on Thursday afternoon. I brought one load of storage boxes to my parents house on Friday afternoon and went through it very quickly. I picked up another load but it was too late to do anything with it. On Saturday, we loaded up the last bedroom suite into my dad's neighbor's truck and he took it to his house for their little girls' room. We also loaded up my washer and dryer and gave it to a friend from high school. My brother came up and helped deliver the washer and dryer. He and his family helped me move boxes from the storage unit to my parent's house and to go through some of them. By the end of Saturday, we only had one load of small bookshelves to load up out of the shed. My parent's lawn had lots of storage boxes in it to go through though. Did I mention that it was 103 degrees on Saturday? I took a break on Sunday and went to church at Western Hills. I was able to see some of my old friends there which was truly a blessing. I scheduled to meet with our friends the Martins on Monday evening. Monday, we went through boxes and more boxes and then more boxes still. I went to the Martins that evening and really had a great time of fellowship with our good friends. I truly miss having people like them in my life on a regular basis. God bless you Martin family for all you do for people. Tuesday, my brother came up and helped load up all the things we were getting rid of and took them to a Habitat for Humanity drop off point. It was great getting to see my brother and his family. I can't believe his oldest is 15. I know that my oldest is 14, but being away from his family really shows how much people change. Tuesday evening, I went to our friends the Determans. It was a great visit till 1 in the morning. On Wednesday, I finished up the last of the boxes. I had one big pile of stuff left when we finished working. I left that evening and went to eat with Pamela's family at Cheddar's. I was able to see her parents, her uncle, and her niece's family. Her niece is married with two beautiful daughters. I remember her being four years old and coming on all of our dates with us. Her youngest is just four months old. I hate that Pamela hasn't gotten to see her yet. Thursday morning, I sorted the big pile into two smaller piles: mementos to be stored and things to go to Korea. I then finished all of my shopping and packed all of my bags. My flight left at 7 am from OKC airport. That means I needed to be there around 4:30 to get everything done for an international flight. We went to IHOP around 3 am to eat breakfast before going to the airport. I don't know how many hours we put in over the week, but I'm sure it was more than the 40 that I would have put in teaching. If I didn't see you while I was in Oklahoma, I'm sorry. Just remember that I had a job to do while I was there. I do wish I could have seen more of you.
The moral of this story is don't hold too tight to your things. I highly suggest that you go through your houses and get rid of any expendable items (and I don't mean your family!). Save time and do it now. Don't wait until someone else has to go through it for you. After all, it's only stuff.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

19 months in Korea

After 19 months, life is becoming fairly normal. Well, as normal as life overseas can be. Other than everyone here having dark hair and eyes and hearing Korean spoken everywhere, there are times where I forget that I am overseas. I go to work everyday, come home every evening, and spend my weekends with my family. We buy groceries, take out the trash, and eat out at restaurants occasionally. So, all in all, we live a fairly normal life here in Korea. Even hearing Korean spoken all around us isn't that disconcerting or even distracting anymore.

We do have some interesting experiences still, though. A few weekends ago, we went to Namdaemun market, an outdoor market with just about everything. We were just about done for the day when we went by this stall and this man was there. He was a seller of underwear.... ladies underwear. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here's my thousand. The funny thing about this is he was just displaying his wares. He wasn't really trying to dress in drag or anything. This was just his gimmick to get people to look. It made us stop, but only to take a picture.


I had a meeting with my school owner's recently about renewing my contract. We had a few things that needed to be worked out for me to re-sign my contract. My main stipulation was that I needed a new apartment. This apartment is really, really small and it has a huge mold problem. It has caused us much sickness over the last year. The problem with this is that my school signed a two-year contract on this apartment. This means that they have to find someone to rent this apartment before they can get me another apartment. I just found out on Friday that they have found someone who wants our present apartment. They want to move in by July 8th, but my school didn't think that our budongsan (realtor) could find us a suitable place that quickly. I think if we put some pressure on them, we could do it. I mean it's almost three weeks. My school asked them if they could wait until August and they agreed. So, we should be moving within the next month. It should happen before I come back to the states in July.

Speaking of coming back, I will be in the states from July 23rd through July 31st. I will be emptying out our storage shed while there. I will be giving away many of the things we can't take with us or store at my parent's house. So, I may have some things you need. I would really like to see as many of you as would like to see me while I am there. If you would like to see me, please let me know so we can schedule time to get together.

Also, please be aware that Pamela has started her own blog. http://walkndwoods.blogspot.com Check it out for stories about the family and what they are experiencing.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Burning

We use this word in many ways. You could say, "I am burning the candle at both ends" to say you are very busy. You could also say, "I have a burning desire to..." to say that we really want to do something. It can also be used to say, "I am burning out" to mean that we are getting tired of a particular situation. I could actually say all three of these about my self right now.

I am burning the candle at both ends because I am working my full-time job at the kindergarten, am teaching one private lesson a week, am attending an evangelism class after that, am teaching English to North Korean women refugees every other week, and am meeting with one to two people a week to share the Gospel through my evangelism class. Now add to that that I am married with 5 children and living in a foreign country and you can see why I would say that I am burning the candle at both ends.

I could also say that I am burning out. My class schedule seems to be one of non-stop classes with no time to prepare for the next one. I am supposed to have time each day to prepare for my upcoming classes, but that has pretty much disappeared. I either have to stay late or arrive early to prepare. Luckily, I am pretty good at winging things and one lesson plan teaches multiple classes. I still feel very tired and am in need of a good vacation away from work.

Lastly, I have several burning desires. Mainly, I have a burning desire to share the gospel with the people here in Korea. I am fulfilling part of this desire by evangelizing through my church, but I am only witnessing to foreigners from America, Canada, or elsewhere. I desire to share with Koreans in Korean. I also have a desire to see family and friends that I haven't seen in over a year. My final burning desire is to know God's will for my family here in Korea.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Things you take for granted in the US.

It's not until something is broken or gone that we realize how much we take it for granted. When the car breaks down and you have to do without it, you realize how much you take it for granted. When a loved one dies, you realize how much you took for granted that they had always been there. Living in a foreign land, you realize that you took many things for granted. For instance, being able to go to the grocery store anytime you want. Here the big stores like E-mart don't open until 10am and close by midnight or earlier. You also have to either walk or ride a bus to get there. No hopping in the car, buying the groceries, putting them in the trunk, and driving home. Here you have to take a wheeled cart and several re-usable bags to the store with you and either have to walk the mile home pulling or carrying the groceries or carry the bags and cart up into a city bus to ride to the bus stop outside our apartment complex. Once you get to the store, almost everything is written in Korean. This has been difficult for Pamela who is one of those people who liked to read every ingredient on the products she buys. It is really interesting when she was trying to decide which package was baking soda and which one was baking powder. She was tasting them to figure it out when Caitlyn came up and read the Korean characters that actual transliterated the English word. You also take for granted being able to be understood when you speak and to understand what is being spoken to you. You never knew how much you could communicate with just your body language. Sometimes, that is all we have to rely on. There have been many times where someone would come up and ask a question and we have no clue as to what they want. So, you tell them you don't understand Korean in Korean and they just keep right on talking in Korean to you. Then, I tell them I don't know much Korean, and they just keep talking. Finally, you just say bye and have to leave. You also take for granted your money. How easy it is to think in terms of dollars and cents and denominations like ones, fives, tens, and twenties. Here we have to think in terms of cheon (1,000) won, the smallest bill, o cheon (5,000) and man (10,000) won, the largest bill. I get paid in the millions here every month. So, I am a multimillionare in won every month. Then, there is riding the bus. Many of the driver's here are former race car drivers, or at least it seems like it. If you are in one of the seats, it isn't too bad, but if you have to stand, it can be pretty interesting trying not to fall down. I am amazed at how the Koreans can stand up on a bus or subway and read a book, watch TV on their cell phone, or text while the vehicle is in motion, especially the women in high heels. Another thing I had taken for granted was evangelism. Almost every week, I was witnessing on the streets in OKC. I have been in Korea for 15 months and have only been able to witness like 4 times. Most of those in the last week. Our church here in Korea has just started an Evangelism Explosion class and I was invited to attend. It is great because the pastor asked me to join the class knowing I had done evangelism before. It also is great because we are witnessing to foreigners in English. I don't know enough Korean to do much of anything, much less share the good news. Although, that is something I am wanting to learn to do in the near future. We have tons of people who come to visit our church just because it is in English. We are trying to meet up with each one to share with each one that they can know they are going to heaven. I took many things for granted living in the US that I miss now. In closing, take the time to look at what you have around you and be grateful for it, because tomorrow it could be gone. Don't take anything for granted, especially the little things. God has given you more blessing than you realize. Be thankful for them. Don't wait until your loved ones are gone to realize how much you loved and needed them. Let them know today how much you care. If you recieved this from me, then you know that I care about you and don't want to take our relationship for granted. While your at it, tell God how grateful you are for all that he has given you and for the relationship he died to have with you.

In His service in Korea,

Derek