Author Archives: Stephen Rodgers

Sport's Ministry

by Stephanie Shin

“We may not win games, but we may win lives!”

It’s that time of year again! Cleats tossed in with a change of clothes sit in the trunk of cars. Conversations about the Chargers fall to the wayside as coaches and team members talk animatedly about their own practices and playing positions in the foyer. It’s mission bowl season and it’s on everyone’s minds! And thanks to a memorable High School Musical performance at family camp, so is the Lighthouse Bible Church Basketball Association (LBCBA).

The sports ministry is one that a good number of LBC’ers have had the opportunity to appreciate. When asked about the greater motivation behind the sports ministry, Kevin Tse replied: “The purpose of the sports ministry is to foster Christian fellowship in the realm of competitive athletics. A model for the building up of Christ’s body is the weaving of many various parts and members under a single focus to achieve their goals. In a world that seems to reward selfishness and large egos in amateur and professional sports, LBC sports ministry preaches selflessness and teamwork as a means of glorifying Christ among one another. In sports, believers have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with one another through camaraderie and trust, while also having an avenue with which to welcome new comers to the church. Finally, through sports, LBC hopes to fulfill its mission to be a beacon of Christ’s love and truth to the world by hosting various church sponsored, city wide competitions such as Mission Bowl and LBC basketball.”

With ongoing investments in interchurch tournaments, softball city leagues (and talks of participating in a basketball city league), email lists for tennis, volleyball and other sports actively circulating the Lighthouse pulse, the sports ministry has created a unique opportunity for proclaiming Christ. In an arena easily motivated by and given to pride, anger, and blowing past the next man, LBC’s sports ministry is more committed to opening up more avenues for shining the light. A long-term goal for the sports ministry is focused on fulfilling exactly that purpose. Kevin Tse replied that what the sports ministry hopes to see happen in the next year is: “A greater city-wide scope to spread the message of the Gospel.” Randy Tsuchiyama comments on the involvement of LBC members in the city softball league: “For the most part, the other teams in the league know that we are from a church. The attitudes that we have on the field are a testimony to the other teams. We are representing Christ to the other teams there.”

And encouragement reaches inward towards the body of believers as well. Of his participation in the softball league, Randy Tsuchiyama says: “I really enjoy being able to get to know the guys on the team better. I think especially with the married guys. You are able to bond pretty well with your fellow teammates. Like winning and losing together just builds the relationships with the other guys on the team.”

What can LBC look forward to in the upcoming year? Continuing Mission Bowl and LBCBA as well as pickup games of ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and other sports. And to throw in a token cheesy analogy: we all play for the same team! Let’s play the game knowing that it’s already been won. Applicable especially to the realm of sports, the Word exhorts us: “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).

Carol Kim

by Grace Wu

With a population of 1,321,851,888, China is the most populous country in the world—as well as one that is most needy of the Gospel. With a Communist and officially atheist government, Christianity is state-controlled and limited in what it can express about the Gospel. Carol Kim, a member of LBC, is currently there for a two-year extended missions trip. The Beacon was able to contact her and hear about God’s work there.

Note: Because of censorship of the Chinese government, religious terminology needs to be cryptic.

What made you decide that China was the will of the Father [God]?

Father gave me a desire to serve Him overseas since freshman year in college. Wanting to make sure that He wanted me overseas, much prayer and counsel from His Word and many [godly] individuals took place. I did not have a particular place in mind; however, I wanted to head out to a country in the 10/40 window. That’s when Father led me to a contact who shared her heart for China. With more [prayer], everything worked out smoothly for me to join a team here. Therefore, I am here!

Is there a [church] Family there where you can meet with every week?

Father graciously provided a wonderful community here. We meet each Sunday but at different times each week due to security purposes. It has been great getting to know and learn from them as we all differ in our life stages as well as ministries.

What is the most encouraging thing that has happened?

Seeing the power of [prayer] as He has already brought two wandering sheep into His fold. It has been encouraging to see how Father is working in the hearts of people and the harvest that is ready to be reaped.

What has been the most difficult?

Personally, it’s the weather. It will start snowing soon. I am excited about the snow since I’ve never lived where it snows but I do not know how well I can adjust to the cold.

How much Mandarin Chinese do you know?

Yi Dian [a little bit]. Chinese is a very hard language to learn. It seems like it will take decades before I can master the language; nonetheless, I have been thoroughly enjoying the language study. Please [pray] for a rapid language acquisition.

How often can you come home to United States to visit LBC family and blood family?

It is advised that I do not go back to the States during my term if at all possible. Therefore, I do not have any plans to go back any time soon. However, any of you can come visit me and see how Father is working in this place. You can join me in furthering His kingdom.

Any close calls happen from sharing the truth?

I was recently called into the Vice Dean’s office because he had to share some rules with my classmate and me. He shared that China has freedom of religion just like America does but it is illegal to share in public. That meeting is nothing I am worried about but I need to be more careful as they are keeping a close watch on me.

How has your relationship with Father grown from this?

My relationship with the Father has grown in various ways since I have been here. He has given me a greater love for the people here and so I have been able to understand a bit more of His heart. Living here made it evident that I needed to depend more on the Father. As I relied more on His strength rather than my own, He has been carrying me through each day with joy. Due to my need of Him, meditation upon His Word has been sweeter. His Word has been sustaining me.

Thanksgiving

by Pastor John Kim

The Thanksgiving holiday will have passed by but a day shouldn’t pass when we don’t give thanks. I have often found that I am forgetful when it comes to being thankful, as I often tend to dwell on what is negative. The grumbling and complaining that comes when the focus is on me and what I feel entitled to doesn’t seem to diminish until I take my eyes off of myself and consider how I should be thankful to God. If we recognize that all we have been given is by the grace of God, we should then know that we are not entitled to anything but have been granted mercy.

For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

This passage should really challenge you because when you look at all that you have, do you really understand that it has all been given to you by a gracious God? There is nothing that we have that we deserve. This is sometimes hard to really grasp because we live as if we merit what we own. It is because we give ourselves way too much credit. We think that by our own efforts we prove that we are deserving of what we have, when in fact, we must consider that as sinners who have defied God, we are only deserving of condemnation, no matter how hard we try to be righteous on our own.

We often show how arrogant we are by boasting as if we had not received what we have been given. By doing this we remove God from His rightful place and we promote ourselves as if we were able to generate the merit apart from God’s grace. This is to reduce the greatness of God and be self-promoting.

So how do we combat this foolishness in our hearts? By dwelling on the eternal greatness of God.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalm 136:1-3) Notice in the first three verses of this psalm, it starts off with the imperative to give thanks to the Lord. To give thanks is not optional or negotiable. It is an issue of obedience. What we must also consider carefully is that we are to give thanks to the Lord, not to myself, not to anyone else. But why do we give thanks? Each verse focuses on the greatness of God’s character. We can give thanks to God because He is good. His goodness will never waver or change. We can trust that our God will always be good and will always work out all things for good.

Each verse mentions that God’s lovingkindness is everlasting. It is pretty noteworthy if it is mentioned three consecutive verses in conjunction with other descriptions of God. His lovingkindness especially stands out when we consider that it is both His love and kindness that are joined in an expression that really communicates the tenderness of God’s affections. Lastly, we see His greatness referenced by the terms “God of gods” and “Lord of lords” – our God is not to be seen as anything less that the ultimate sovereign authority over all things.

The Scriptures, especially the Psalms, give us abundant reminders to be thankful. Let us not reduce thanksgiving to one time of the year, but as the apostle Paul challenges us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” May each day find you responding with thanksgiving as you dwell on the goodness and greatness of God.

Editor's Note: December 2007

by Steven Hong

It’s amazing that we’re already at the end of 2007. With Christmas just around the corner, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the holiday season. But this month, take some time to reflect on the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. And, as Dr. Snider preached at our recent all-church camp, let’s remember His humility in making “himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” And even beyond His humble birth, let’s praise Him for becoming “obedient to the point of deaht, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7,8). Please join us later this month as we celebrate Christ together at our Christmas concert. More information can be found in this newsletter.

Holy Affections with Andy Snider

by Pastor John Kim

This past weekend had to be one of the highlights of the year as we had Dr. Andy Snider from the Master’s Seminary come and speak on “Holy Affections” – Emotions to the Glory of God. It was one of the most challenging and interesting topics that I have heard for a retreat as he addressed emotions from the perspective of God’s definition and expression as seen in Scripture.

The first message on humility as the soil in which the graces could grow was really so appropriate. Each succeeding message only solidified what we heard, that we need to express emotions in such a way that would reflect less of me and more of Jesus. To experience God’s love, to understand anger in light of God’s righteousness, and to experience a joy that looks toward eternity, all these thoughts and more were so practically addressed but with a deep biblical foundation.

What also was such a blessing was to see how so many of you really took to heart the opportunity to have fellowship, especially with new people. It was wonderful to see people sharing after the messages, enjoying the game room, passing out the snacks, and just making the most of every opportunity. It seemed like the weekend went by so quickly, but I was able to interact with a good number of people.

I hope that we all will take what we have learned and apply the lessons in ways that would reflect that the truth has taken root and that we would truly express our emotions in a way that is not so much about me but all about God.

Don’t miss out next year on the all-church camp!

Membership in the Local Church and Dating

by Pastor John Kim

An odd title for a message, but one that I have been thinking about quite a bit. The last time I did the DTR series, I talked about “Defining the relationship with church” and I introduced the importance of being in a healthy local church ministry where there would be strong leaders who could model godliness and provide a discipling dynamic reflecting Titus 2, where the older men and women would teach the younger men and women to grow in godly character and in their roles.

The sad fact is that because of the dearth of strong healthy local churches, there are many young men and women who are robbed of the opportunity to grow and learn. Many who are older think it is not worth their time to invest in the younger generation and it particularly shows in the lack of seriousness when it comes to how people view the children’s and youth ministries. They are considered nothing more than glorified babysitting centers for many and the window of opportunity to lay a strong biblical foundation is too often lost.

What is sad to me that there are so many collegians who have not really seen what a healthy church can do. Many of their church experiences have simply discouraged them from even joining a church when they get to college and it is no surprise to see many go church-shopping for the first few years. But there is one thing they do seem to be quick at seeking – a dating relationship. But the lack of accountability and discipleship leads quickly to many problems and it is no surprise when I see many dating couples in college end up having a lot of troubles.

While I am not suggesting that becoming a member of a local church guarantees you a successful dating experience, it definitely can make a difference. When you have older men and women fulfilling their role to lead and disciple the younger men and women, you have an environment of accountability and care that provides the kind of place where young men and women can grow and be prepared to face all the realities of life by growing in godliness through the edification and fellowship that takes place within the church. To have elders who shepherd the flock by providing the nurturing of the Word of God in the lives of its members and to protect the flock by not only teaching doctrine but by pointing out both false teachers and the wolves who come to steal away people with the lies of this world – this is so vital if there is to be a healthy environment for people to not only grow but to develop relationships with one another in a God-honoring way.

I would challenge anyone to show me how being a member in a strong and healthy local church can be a detrimental thing for the dating scene. If anything, I believe it would provide the right kind of focus and context for dating couples to know that they are going to be cared for, prayed for, and held accountable by those who would share in the same common goal – the glory of God in all things.

For those of you who have experienced the benefits of being a member of a healthy local church ministry in your dating and/or marriage relationship, I would appreciate hearing some thoughts from you. Even if you are not dating or married, I would like to hear your thoughts on this topic. It would be interesting to see what you might think.

Thanks!!

Defining the Relationship

by Steven Hong

Recent Sunday nights at Lighthouse Bible Church havebeen packed, as a sizeable crowd has been in attendance for the current DTR series. DTR is an acronym for “defining the relationship”, the term du jour for that conversation when a girl and a guy first explore the possibility of moving from friendship to romance, or some variation thereof. This second sermon series on the same subject has come with great anticipation, as Pastor John has been dropping tidbits of it in recent sermons. In a church where the majority of membership is comprised of non-married people, the often confusing and nebulous subject of dating and courtship is a popular conversation topic. However, amidst the discussion, there is unfortunately not a shortage of bad counsel, ranging from unwise to unbiblical. This series is, in part, a response to such advice and confusion floating around.

Entertaining skits and informative interviews have certainly been highlights of these nights, but the main entrees have been our times spent in the Word of God. In the first few sessions, Pastor John’s aim was to lay a strong biblical framework to understand dating. As we entered Reformation Month, he unconventionally, but appropriately, recounted the Five Solas of the Reformation and tied them to dating. After challenging attendees to deconstruct their worldview, which can be subtly but powerfully tainted by secular movies, magazines, and well-meaning but misguided friends, he taught that the Word of God should be the primary source of our principles in approaching romantic relationships. In promoting the sufficiency of Christ (Solus Christus), he so poignantly asked, “The preeminence and centrality of Christ must always be the focus. Is Christ really the most important thing in the relationship?”

In further deconstructing skewed worldviews, Pastor John challenged listeners to reconsider their pursuit of “the magic” that we often find depicted on television or in the movies. The Bible, though not addressing the subject of dating specifically, has much to say about marriage and what a God-honoring marriage is based on and looks like. A successful marriage is not a union based on ephemeralß emotions, but grounded on the firm foundation of God’s truths.

Upcoming sessions promise to be just as provocative, as Pastor John plans to tackle specific subjects such as buliding proper accountability, God-honoring break-ups, sexual purity and working with parents.

In regards to the response thus far, Pastor John has been encouraged. “I think the interviews with the couples as well as the ongoing skits have been wellreceived as they help to provide a different angle in addressing the topic,” he explains. “I hope that people are being challenged and willing to consider how their worldview needs to be adjusted so that they would have the right foundation to build on regarding the issue of not only dating and rlationships, but everything else in life.” It is obvious that the leadership’s ultimate aim, in this and other studies, is to point members to Christ and Christ-centered thinking in every facet of our lives.

If you are interested in supplementing these sessions withadditionalreading, check out theses suggestions from Pastor John:

Suggested Reading

    1. Holding Hands, Holding Hearts by Richard D. Phillips and Sharon L. Phillips.

    2. 5 Paths to the Love of Your Life edited by Alex Chediak

    3. With One Voice by Alex Chediak

    4. Losing That Loving Feeling by Lou Priolo

Glorifying God in Cyberspace

by Stephanie Shin

The speed and volume of knowledge in the age of the Internet is staggering. Cyberspace has penetrated virtually every domain of human living: sports, communication, finance, shopping, news media, entertainment, religion, and now more than ever, personal journaling, called weblogs or blogs, for short. You know these blogs well in its many forms: Xanga, WordPress, Blogspot, and social networking blogs such as Facebook and Myspace. The web has created a “blogosphere,” a little space on the internet that a person can call their own.

As I personally saw the internet become more heavily integrated into my own life, the questions I heard that related to this topic became more acute: if someone were to track my internet activity, would they be able to identify me as a Christian? Do the blogs I write and the blogs I read reveal a consistency of who I say I am in Christ? Do they reflect the reality of my walk with God? How do I surf the web to the glory of God? These questions have a two-pronged direction towards blogging and web surfing.

On his own website (albertmohler.com), Albert Mohler quotes Rupert Murdoch of the behemoth media conglomerate NewsCorp, “They don’t want to rely on a godlike figure from above to tell them what’s important. They certainly don’t want news presented as gospel. Instead, they want their news on demand, when it works for them. They want control over their media, instead of being controlled by it.” Ironic that Murdoch would use a religious metaphor, but he depicts well the liberty that the web offers, and this not only limited in the news that we read, that most people take for granted. Mohler addresses the new missiological challenge—how is the gospel to penetrate this new virtual reality?

In reference to personal blogs, we can look at the life of Paul, who allowed the gospel to direct all of his life. In 2 Corinthians 10:11, he writes: “Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when are absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.” In the context, the false apostles accused Paul of writing powerful, influential letters while in reality he seemed to lack the qualities of a truly great leader.

Paul’s response to the apostles was simple: he defended his ministry for the sake of the Corinthians, but his only interest was what his Lord thought of him. He sought to exalt Christ more than himself. Paul’s life was one characterized by the gospel and a desire to submit to the will of Christ—his words aligned with his actions; had he wanted to, he could have more than defended himself against these false teachers. Similarly, in the lives of our personal blogs, can we be sure that the content matches our real-life identity in Christ? Have our words become greater than we really are?

Recently, Pastor Patrick memtioned a post on Rick Holland’s blog during a sermon discussion. It served as a pretty harsh but helpful rebuke. Holland writes: “Most blogs are masquerades. They make people look like something they’re not. Bloggers pose as theologians, philosophers, statesmen for causes, even spokesmen for Christianity when they are little more than guys with some computer savvy and a strong opinion.”

Over a hundred years ago, William Blake prayed: “Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose.” When I stumbled across this quote, I altered it to: “Take my Internet and use every power as Thou shalt choose.” Cheesy, but it gets the point across! Web surfing is the 21st century’s invisible leisure activity. An innocent “checking-the-email” session can find unchecked hours fly by on Youtube. The websites available for our entertainment and reading pleasure are countless, and the time spent on it potentially endless.

But web surfing doesn’t always have to be wasteful; on the contrary, some time spent on the web can be profitable for the purpose of edification, encouragement and learning. Learned men of faith have kept up with the times and now post blogs of their own. Sermons are now offered on podcasts, and believers can interact on the net. Again, it’s not the internet that is, in and of itself, a bad thing; it’s the way we utilize it that can either bring God glory or not. Jonathan Edwards’s fifth resolution was this: “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.” In the same vein, Ephesians 5:15-16 writes “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

Rick Holland’s post on blogging ended liked this: “Because on the road to Damascus, in Acts 9, Saul was converted. The Apostle Paul met the living Savior and everything changed. His life was intercepted. His perspective was reversed. His eyes were opened. His passion was redirected. His worldview changed. His soul was converted. His mission was clear. Paul’s approaching Damascus is a rallying point. It symbolizes for me a place where the gospel of Jesus Christ changes everything” (emphasis added).

Our whole lives are to be marked by the gospel, even in cyberspace where the internet can serve as an extension of what we are learning and what we believe to shine the light to those who don’t know Christ.

Peter and Jinny Lim

by Grace Wu

How did you two first meet? When was your first date?

Jinny: We met at UCLA. I was a freshman that needed a ride to church and Peter was the church ride contact at KACF [Korean-American Christian Fellowship]. He ws the one who drove me to church. Our first official date was to a church banquet in Malibu.

For the unfamiliar, what ministries do you serve in?

Peter: I’m an elder, the church treasurer, I teach FOF, and I was a former Flock shepherd.

Jinny: I support Peter [laughs].

With Peter as an elder and serving in so many areas in church, how do you manage to spend enough time with each other and family?

Jinny: It’s been hard to balance. Something practical was when the Flocks structure changed, it freed up our Friday evenings and we made it Family Fun Night. There is no homework, no extracurricular activities, and no meetings. It actually doesn’t always happen that we get to have fun together. When Peter comes home for dinner, the kids have to go bed an hour and a half later, so it’s not that much time to spend with each other. We also have date nights.

How often?

Peter: It varies a lot.

Jinny: Sometimes even once every four months, but during the summer once a week, which is rare.

Peter: It really depends on other people’s availability.

Who are your family members at church?

Peter: Pastor John’s family; Carol [Lim] and her two girls; John and Grace [Lim]; and by marriage, Steve and Lynnie [Kim].

Peter, what is it like to go to church and serve with all of your siblings?

Peter: It’s the most wonderful blessing. Now that we’re doing this as grown-ups, it’s different from when we went to church together as children. We do it purposefully; we chose to be here, not just because our parents are making us go. There’s a duty to this because God has blessed us to be at the same church together. There’s a concerted effort to be a blessing to others because God has blessed us so much. I give credit to my mom because she always prayed that this would happen.

Did you ever think that it would actually happen?

Peter: We did! We thought it would be in LA, but it turned out to be in San Diego.

How often does the entire Lim family at LBC get together as a whole?

Peter & Jinny: Not that much actually. Every three months or so for birthdays. A lot of the times the children’s birthdays are grouped together because some are just within days of each other. [Jokes] Us adults can’t do things like that anymore.

Jinny, what is it like to raise all three girls?

Jinny: They’re so sweet, they really are. With my girls, there is so much affection shown. And stereotypically, there is a lot less roughhousing than if they were boys. They can show each other tenderness and it’s heartwarming. And because they’re girls, there’s a built-in “best friends system.” They may not realize it now, but they will as they get older. There is so much to teach them, stuff I wish I had known when I was younger. It’s a heavy responsibility.

Peter, what is it like to live with four women?

Peter: I understand females a lot better now than when I was single and that girls are normal people [laughs]. I thought I would miss out on having a boy but it’s not even a second thought.

Is having Matthew [John Lim’s son] as your nephew like having a son?

Peter: No, actually. I don’t get to know my nieces and nephew as much as I would like to because we’re all so busy serving in church.

Jinny: We’re at church to minister, not to huddle in a family clan and exclude others.

Leah Ocampo

by Jennifer Shin

Unlike many of us, Leah was neither born here nor was she raised in a home with godly, Christian parents. Rather, she grew up in the Philippines where she was submerged in a Catholic environment, attending a Catholic church and even studying at a Catholic school. Later, she moved to the States with her father and her brother where she began to attend a public school and, thus, wasn’t taught about God anymore, though she was still taught to be good.

When Leah was 20 years old, her father had a stroke and was forced to retire, which left her and her brother to take care of him and to support the family themselves. With this trial in addition to her parents divorcing when she was 5 years old, she turned away from going to church and blamed people and God for what had happened. From college, through dental school, and even after, she always wondered why bad things still happened to good people. Later, Leah went to Miramar where she met Tim Shen, who is now her fiancée. At the time when they were still friends and co-workers, he was concerned about her, which prompted him to share the gospel with her. Tim gave to her her first Bible and they started a Bible study in Romans.

In January 2007, Tim brought Leah to her first Sunday service at LBC where Pastor John actually answered the question that was on her mind for many years of why bad things happen to good people. He answered, “There are no good people.” This statement woke her up and opened her eyes in understanding the sinful state and depravity of mankind. Through LBC, its encouragement, times in small group, as well as Tim sharing the Word and guiding her, she learned more about the importance of salvation through faith and not through works. God led her to dedicating herself to Christ and becoming a member at LBC.

On Easter 2007, she was baptized. Leah stated how it is amazing that she was brought to San Diego and to LBC and that she undoubtedly sees God’s sovereignty in this. Whatever happens, Leah tries to rejoice in it, knowing that God has a plan and that He is in control.

Leah continues to revel in learning God’s Word as it guides her to live in a biblical and God-honoring manner, especially in the roles of being a woman and a wife. She is learning to be obedient in submission, understanding that God designed specific roles for both men and women. Leah admitted she struggled a bit with Tim at first, but she learned that there are certain roles that we fill. She learns from the examples of other sisters at our church and from that realizes that that’s the way God meant things to be. Leah stated, “We’re really blessed to have good examples in how they carry themselves. Even though I don’t interact with [the women] to that great extent, I see how they interact with each other…it’s a model I wish I had.”

In recently getting engaged to Tim, Leah desires to make sure that their marriage will still keep God in center. She stated that they are still looking to serve together, encourage each other, and eventually raise a family. The couple plans to marry sometime next year and desires to stay here in San Diego, especially because of LBC. If they do leave, they want to find a church that solidly teaches the Word. Wherever they may be, they want to serve together and be an example to others.

Leah will be deployed to the Maldives November 5th on a ship for humanitarian assistance, where she will treat dental needs. After the Maldives, though, she is uncertain where they will be shipped to, with the possibility of going to Iraq, Kuwait, or Afghanistan.

To the LBC family, Leah thanks you for all your prayers and encouragement in showing her how to live and how to rejoice in trials. She states that even now there is so much support from the church, which she never had growing up. She can’t wait to come back and share with everyone all that she’s learned and experienced.

It is more than appropriate to say that God is so good and so sovereign. Like what we, singles, have been studying in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. Though Leah didn’t understand why things happened, especially in the midst of many tribulations, God was working away at her heart and was perfectly orchestrating each event, each thought, and each struggle to display His grace and His lovingkindness to her. As it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”