Category Archives: Affinity Groups

Reflections on the 2012 College Life Retreat

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by Nancy Rodriguez

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend to the College Life Retreat and I was once again blessed to attend to this year. I remember feeling thrilled to attend to last year’s because it was my first time attending a retreat, ever. Last year, I had so much fun with the skits that we came up with in a short amount of time and later had to perform, with the sermons, with the delicious food and in the end we had a nice treat – snow! It was my first time seeing snow fall and it was so incredibly white! Due to the snow we had our annual games indoors. This year, I was hoping it would snow again simply to avoid the outdoor games because I was a little apprehensive as to what expect. I remember someone mentioning that they used “fish guts” two years ago, and I was not looking forward for that. But if it came to that, I would have been a good sport about it, I think.

I also enjoyed how everyone was a good sport about the Blue vs. Red team competition. Everyone is so high-spirited and is ready to represent their colors but in a manner that ultimately glorifies God (nothing prideful but all for laughs and fellowship). This year I was once again placed on the blue team and I was so thankful because in all honesty, my wardrobe consists of all blue and absolutely no red.

The skits had to incorporate the theme, an object and another theme provided by the captains (who, by the way, were so incredibly encouraging). The outcome of the skits was just so creative and amazing; they never fail to amuse me. I just love how everyone is just so encouraging throughout the process and incredibly patient. I know it can be overwhelming when trying to figure out what the skit will be within your group and who is going to be doing what, but in the end everyone is just so unbelievably considerate of one another.

I was delighted to hear that this year’s theme was “The Young Adult Dilemma” because being a young adult, there are a lot of gray areas in this stage of life (e.g. job, relationships, and the roles of men and women, etc.). Some things that were taught were relatively new ideas and made me reevaluate my view of the role of men and women. I must admit that the messages were difficult to swallow because growing up to a non-Christian home, I was taught quite the contrary. I was taught to fend for myself and to be independent. But in the time that I have been attending LBC, those ideas have been fading away because the teaching there is straight from the Bible, which makes it easier to understand and abide in those roles.

But one of the things I really enjoy about retreats is that you are surrounded by believers and if at any time you have questions about the sermon, or anything else, you can easily ask someone in your small group, staff, or even the pastor teaching. My experience overall was an amazing one because God never fails to reveal to me what I have to work on. I learned so much within just three days and I love how God continues to astonish me with His word and what He has in store for us all. If anything, these sermons made me want to even further my knowledge about the role of women and the want to pursue the principles of the Titus 2 women.

It is always a joy to be surrounded with believers who absolutely love God and are ready to worship Him for an entire weekend, but it doesn’t stop there, even when we return to school, the conversations did not stop. It was just amazing to hear what everyone else gained from the retreat and how they were going to apply it to their lives. Overall living with believers has been a remarkable blessing because, being a relatively new believer, the girls have continually challenged me to be a good witness to others. Retreat for me has been a time where God reveals to me the most and a time to fellowship and get to know other collegians that I may not know.

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Truly Unashamed of Christ

by Roger Alcaraz

In my last article, I shared about my time in seminary and the different trials God brought me through. I closed abruptly by mentioning that the article is connected to this year’s theme for the youth: “Unashamed of Christ.” Most people hear that phrase and think of someone boldly announcing the gospel, or Romans 1:15-16 where Paul says, “I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” He continues by giving the details of the gospel, how everyone is a sinner but that God saved us through sending Christ to die for us.

Proclaiming the gospel is certainly one of the signs of an unashamed Christian, but as I was working at McDonald’s, a recurring conversation brought to mind a different aspect of being unashamed. By the time I was working there, I had already graduated and so had all my Physics classmates. Most of them ended up attending UCSD graduate school or found a job nearby, which meant they would be stopping by McDonald’s for a quick meal (probably chicken nuggets). As they would come in, they would spot me in my blue uniform and hat and I would take their order. Eventually, they would always ask, “Did we have class together?” My response would always be the same run-on sentence: “Yeah…I actually graduated and will be going to school in LA soon so I needed a job to keep me in San Diego and I interviewed at a bunch of places but they didn’t seem to believe me that I could live and work in San Diego while attending school two days a week so none of them hired me except for McDonald’s but this place isn’t so bad.”

Okay, that wasn’t exactly what I would say, but the point is that I would always put up a defense for why I’m in that situation. Yet I would never mention my savior Jesus Christ and the hope I have in him. If there were no hope in his return or the everlasting life he gives, I would be attending seminary, driving back and forth from LA, working a low-end job, postponing my wedding, and serving the youth for nothing! I was convicted when a professor taught on 1 Peter 3:14-15 which says, “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (emphasis added). He pointed out that these verses have nothing to do with debating atheists and answering the question, “What proof do you have in God?” but it has everything to do with responding to trials and answering the question, “Why do you willingly suffer as you do?” Paul tells us how we should answer: by honoring Christ the Lord as holy, meaning He is the reason we are willing to endure hardship.

I was certainly prepared to make a defense for why I was working at McDonald’s but it did not present the hope I had in Christ, which meant I was ashamed of my circumstances and therefore ashamed of God, who placed me in them. While reading 2 Timothy 1:8 which says, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,” I thought about how Paul would answer people who ask about why he’s in prison. Paul actually answers this by verse 11 where he writes, “I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed…” Why was Paul not ashamed? He continues, “…for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”

Therefore, being unashamed of Christ is more than having a loud voice. It means rejoicing in the trials appointed by God and not making excuses for why you suffer. I made it a point from then on to answer anyone who asked why I endure hardships by expressing my love for Jesus and the hope I have in Him.

Reflections from Shepherds’ Conference from the Sonlight Coordinator

by Abram Kim

As the title suggests, this article has two main components. This was the third time I had the privilege to attend the annual Shepherds’ Conference at Grace Community Church. Most of the attendees are pastors. I am not. But this conference, which is designed for pastors and elders, also exalts God and His Word, and exhorts men to live in a way that honors God by lifting high His Word and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this way, I returned from the conference excited and energized to live for His glory in my personal life and through any ministry I may be involved with. I am also LBCSD’s elementary ministry (aka “Sonlight”) coordinator, and this gives me a perspective unlike many others who attend the Shepherds’ Conference. I shared these very thoughts at our March 11 staff meeting to the children’s ministry staff (though a bit less prepared and coherent I’m sure!), but I pray that you who read this now will be encouraged by what I learned from this year’s conference.

The general sessions boasted world-class preachers who spoke powerfully and exposited God’s Word with clarity and skill. I especially enjoyed Voddie Baucham’s message through Ephesians 5, calling all the men to be the husbands and fathers that truly represent the gospel. But I want to focus our time here on two seminars that I attended. I will interweave thoughts from a youth ministry seminar discussing partnering with parents by Grace Community Church’s high school pastor, and the children’s ministry seminar by the lay elder at Grace who oversees their children’s ministry.

First off, I want to state how thankful I am for LBCSD’s philosophy of ministry regarding children. All men have sinned and fall short if the glory of God (Rom 3:23), including babies and kids. King David famously wrote that he was conceived in sin (Ps 51:5). Only God can save. Those whom He chose and elected will respond through repentance and faith and truly be saved. And though salvation is the work of God alone, God uses human instruments to faithfully minister the Word of God and to pray for the salvation of all people, including children. Parents have the primary responsibility to evangelize to their children. But the family must also be a part of the local church, so the church has a wonderful opportunity to partner with parents to evangelize to children by teaching the whole counsel of God, particularly the gospel of Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished through His death and resurrection. Ministry to children, in the end, is essentially no different than any other ministry in the local church. It is just geared towards very young minds still learning to read and hearts that are still forming, though still depraved to the core.

The goal of Sonlight is the same as parenting, namely the salvation of children. I was exhorted and encouraged to do the work of a minister. The burden of the eternal souls of every child in the Sonlight ministry weighed more heavily upon my heart. As a newly expecting father (12 weeks along, at the time of writing this article), the sensitivity to this responsibility has multiplied exponentially. Here are some great principles I was reminded of to maintain the proper perspective in ministry:

  • The gospel can be taught simply. But we must avoid the extremes of oversimplifying and making it confusing.
  • We must teach the whole counsel of God.
  • Make sure God is the main character in every Bible story.
  • Parents and ministry workers technically have nothing to do with salvation. We can’t regenerate them or make them more save-able.
  • Ministers are not judged on justification, but on what they do with the flock God has given them.
  • Children can embrace basic truths about God at a young age.
  • Children learn from the life of parents (and as an extension, the Sonlight staff) in addition to teaching.
  • Don’t assume that a child’s initial confession of faith is real. If you trust in the sovereignty of God in salvation, a child who is saved when they make a confession of faith will still be saved when they are older, when they are able to articulate their beliefs better and when their lives can show more fruit of the Spirit. It is usually not until the teenage years, when they are more independent from parental control, that the purpose of their life becomes more clear.
  • This is a time of cultivating faith, not expressing it. Often a child can’t express their thoughts fully. Don’t illicit any more information than they are comfortable sharing. But also be kind and enthusiastic about anything they say.
  • Structure ministry to be anti-hypocritical. Hypocrisy is knowing something about God that you don’t feel deeply about.
  • The children’s ministry must partner with parents in biblically shepherding children. Therefore, there should be a consistency in heart-focused teaching and discipline between a godly home and Sunday school. This includes rebuking sins in the home and Sunday school, though not heavy-handedly.
  • Discern between a sin issue and a wisdom issue. The Word of God has authority over parents on sin issues. Defer to parents on wisdom issues.
  • Speak regularly about honoring and obeying parents. The children’s ministry must not undermine parental authority (except if parental authority goes outside biblical authority, though even then with caution and wisdom). Children shouldn’t listen to the ministry staff to the exclusion of listening to their parents.

The seminar about partnering with parents gave a great exposition of nine indicatives in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 to exhort the pastor to do the work of biblical shepherding, as a means to help parents evangelize to their children. The indicatives given to the pastor are:

  • Preach the Word. This is the means God appointed to declare the Word of God with passion and clarity in the context of the local church. The pastor must proclaim the truths of God out of the well of their study.
  • Be ready, in season and out of season. Is the minister ready to address difficult sin issues? Is he available for graduations and birthdays?
  • Reprove. This is addressing the mind of children, showing them when they are wrong, and why, from the Scriptures.
  • Rebuke. This is addressing children at the heart level, with a compassion that seeks their repentance.
  • Exhort. This is the positive side of training, and includes encouraging, strengthening, and teaching. We ought not always major on the negatives.
  • Be sober. The minister is self-controlled and level-headed. He is exemplifying the fruit of the Spirit and is a Christ-like role model parents can lean on and trust.
  • Endure hardship. The more you care about souls, the more you will be engaged. And this leaves you vulnerable. A ministry is either fruitful and costly or shallow and easy.
  • Do the work of an evangelist. The minister can assure parents that they are not the only ones praying for the salvation and sanctification of their children. We may indeed be the instruments God uses to answer these prayers. May we genuinely cry out to God for the salvation of precious souls, to His glory.
  • Fulfill your ministry. The minister is called to do all the above, to the utmost of their abilities. God has called the minister for such a time as this.

These charges appeared to be directed right at me. God challenged me to think and act like a true minister of God’s Word and to really seek to shepherd the children, as well as the Sonlight staff.

God taught me much about His role in salvation and sanctification at the conference. Ultimately, we trust in His sovereignty in salvation and sanctification. Yet that in no way diminishes our work in making disciples of all nations, including children, in the context of the local church with love for God and people (MVP statement of LBC). I am excited to get back into ministry, to pray through all the ideas I have about Sonlight and to seek the salvation of every eternal soul in Sonlight.

Exercising Communication

by Pastor Patrick Cho

How well do you know your spouse? If you are like most, you might agree that you know your spouse pretty well, but perhaps you don’t know him or her as well as you might think. Perhaps you know that the communication in your marriage is weak. If that’s the case, it may just need some exercise. Consider the following questions:

  1. How is your partner doing spiritually? What are your partner’s greatest spiritual struggles? How can you be praying for him or her? How is your partner’s time in God’s Word?
  2. What brings your partner the greatest joys in your marriage? In life?
  3. What are your partner’s greatest fears?
  4. What are your some of your partner’s greatest disappointments?
  5. What does your partner think you do well in your relationship?
  6. What does your partner wish you would do better in your relationship?

Were you able to answer these questions? If not, it might be a good idea to go on a date with your spouse and talk about some of them.

Communication is probably always going to be an issue in marriage relationships. Men and women simply don’t communicate the same way and oftentimes misunderstand each other. Sometimes the problem is a failure to listen. Other times, the problem lies in difficulty with communicating clearly or specifically. Whatever the case, most couples would agree that a great percentage of the conflicts that arise in marriage stem from a failure to communicate well.

Not surprisingly, we find our example of effective communication in the Lord. He is the perfect communicator because He not only delivers the message perfectly (cf. John 17:17), but He also grants the ability to understand it (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12-14). Inasmuch as we strive to communicate well, we pattern ourselves after the God who made us and made known to us His will. In the Scriptures we find:

  1. God clearly communicates His existence and attributes (Rom. 1:19-20).
  2. God clearly communicates our need for Him (Mark 1:15).
  3. God clearly communicates His love (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8).
  4. God clearly communicates salvation for His people (Ps. 16:11; 98:2; Eph. 1:7-10).
  5. God clearly communicates His will (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 John 5:3).

Certainly there is much more in Scripture that God communicates, but this just goes to show that when God wants His people to know something, He communicates it effectively.

This does not mean that everyone will understand everything that God intends. Paul had made it clear in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that the natural man cannot understand the things of God. This is not because God’s message is deficient or incomplete, but because the human heart is darkened in its understanding and blinded by sin. God shines the light of Christ in the hearts of men and illumines their minds to understand the truth by His grace.

Communication is key to building a healthy relationship. It is like a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly. This is true in our relationship with God, and it is true in our relationships with one another. We grow more intimately acquainted with God as we come to understand what brings Him joy, what He desires, and what He requires of us. We are drawn closer to Him as we learn more about who He is and what He is like. The same is true when it comes to our marriage relationships. As we work out to know our partner better, to understand his or her joys, desires, fears, and frustrations, we too will build a stronger and healthier relationship.

MAN 2012

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Every year, LBC’s Singles Ministry has a special event marked for our Singles group, though specific to each gender. Going back to 2004, this tradition has been one that is of special delight to both the guys and gals of our church. MAN stands for “Men’s Appreciation Night,” which was the first event that began at Lighthouse, followed up the following year with LAN or “Ladies’ Appreciation Night.” Since being part of this church since late 2006, I’ve enjoyed many fruitful times of fellowship with the ladies of our church and seeing their hearts to serve the men. We also have had opportunities to serve the ladies specifically during LAN. This year finds us being blessed by the ladies once again by their hard work and dedication to show forth Christian love to the men in Singles.

Last night, we experienced again the joy it is to know and serve alongside ladies after God’s own heart, showing and exemplifying in their growing character the character of Christ in His love for His people. This year’s theme had a camp feel to it, called “Fishers of Men,” with decorations ranging from ‘logs’ on each table, to a large fish and a real fishing pole for pictures, to real tents across the sanctuary. The night began with food, which the ladies know is one of the best ways to a man’s heart (or so I’ve heard). Interspersed with the ladies, we got to catch up with them and enjoy each other in fellowship and friendship. Following that came an encouragement video, emphasizing the joy of being served by our ‘muscles’ and chivalry towards them, as well as the hilarious emceeing of Vicky Williams and Ally Liu throughout the entire night. There was music sung by our talented sisters, including a rendition of ‘Isn’t He Lovely’ redone with Christian content as well as a beautiful combination of some of our favorite songs.

The night easily demonstrated the love our sisters have for the men, and at least for me, was a great reminder for the guys to never tire of serving our sisters not just for their sake, but out of grateful and thankful hearts for what God did in sending Jesus Christ to serve by dying for our sakes. MAN again gives sisters an opportunity to show their appreciation to the God who saves and changes His boys to be men and grow to serve one another in all humility to show forth the humility that Christ demonstrated perfectly 2000 years ago.

It’s nights like these that always puts things in perspective: our call to be men of character, as well as the example that Christ has always been for us to follow. Self-denial for the sake of others is always our duty that must be done in joy for the one who has done more than we could ever ask or think. MAN, as well as LAN, has always been a tradition done not just for the sake of tradition, but a helpful and loving reminder to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10). This night perfectly captured what Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome to do: “[W]elcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). I pray we never tire of serving one another for the glory of God, and continually thank Him for the honor of serving with sisters that desire to please God with their lives of integrity and faithfulness to serve at the feet of Jesus.

College Life Update

by Stephanie Yu

Serving on College Life these past three years have been a rewarding and humbling experience. Some of the collegians have seen me through the many stages of life: dating, engagement, marriage and now, mommyhood. This ministry is very much a part of the Yu household, and on any given night, we are going to Praise Team practices, bible studies, or meeting up with the collegians; but there was a time before I was cleaning spit-up, washing my second load of onesies of the day, reading children’s books to my two-month-old in obnoxious voices, and wearing the same outfit at home three days in a row.

When Hansol asked me to write this article for College Life, my first thought was of the other new mommies in the ministry and how much our roles have changed since welcoming our new additions. By God’s grace, we’ve been allowed to be witnesses of His good work in the collegians during this formative time in their lives. In years past, we’ve had the privilege and challenge of leading small groups and building relationships with these younger sisters on a weekly basis. But now, we are answering God’s call to us as mothers and young wives to “love our husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to our own husbands” (Titus 2:4-5) and learning how to keep that a priority while we juggle our desires to be committed to the church body and specifically how to continue to be an edifying part of the College Life ministry.

This year, we’ve started Staff Mom groups within College Life – an accountability group of other small group leaders facilitated by a designated Staff Mom, of which I am one! The goal is to provide a place for small group leaders to keep each other accountable, where we can also talk about other things going on in our lives or trade ideas for small group activities, but foremost to pray for one another. Small group leading is no small business or easy task! They are presented with opportunities to keep collegians accountable with issues ranging from keeping daily QT’s consistent, to struggles with purity, and conflict resolution.

It is an incredible blessing, but it makes the truth that God oftentimes uses broken vessels and jars of clay to fulfill His godly purposes so much more poignant. We are indeed poor and needy (Psalm 86) and need prayer to remind us that there is none like Him and none who accomplish good works like Him; it’s an important ministry to pray for one another & be reminded that the ultimate good has already been accomplished.

The official ministry of the Staff Mom ends there. Upon arriving at church on Friday nights, some of the new mommies drive their strollers and Boppy pillows straight into the nursing room where we spend a good chunk of time during bible study. We emerge from our cushy lair just in time to make it for the discussion groups at the tail end of the night. Beyond that designated 20-30 minutes we’re given to talk to the ladies regarding the message (currently a series on “Collegians Have Issues”), we have the potential to have little to no actual interaction with the collegians for the rest of the week!

Paul David Tripp says in his book “A Quest for More”: “In a fallen world, there is a powerful pressure to constrict your life to the shape and size of your life.”

Given our current stage of life, it’d be easy to excuse our absence or lack of participation on a rough night or a baby’s need to sleep, etc. And rightfully so; our greatest ministry right now is to be at home taking care of our children so that our husbands are freed up to serve the church. But God also provides ways for us to do much more.

Paul Tripp in his book, “Relationships: A Mess Worth Making,” says, “We enter relationships for personal pleasure, self-actualization, and fun. We want low personal cost and high self-defined returns. But God wants high personal cost and high God-defined returns.”

Being a mommy and serving in a vibrant ministry provides us with a unique opportunity to bring the (even) younger ladies into our home to spend time with us so they can see how God is teaching us to be workers of the home and to share in the joys and hazards of baby care – hearing our children coo and seeing them smile, at the same time smelling their diapers and risking poo-poo blow-outs and projectile vomit. And while we juggle baby in one hand and a cup of tea in another, we are also so blessed to be able to share in the lives of the collegians.

How’s Seminary Going?

by Roger Alcaraz

Six years ago, when God called me out of darkness, I had a very limited understanding of what being a Christian meant. By that time, I had heard some messages from the book of Romans, was getting discipled through the book of John, and had Christians around me as examples, so I knew that if I gave myself to following Christ, God would radically change my life. After counting the costs and confessing my sins, God gave me his Spirit and my life has never been the same.

What I neglected to consider were the hardships that would come with following Christ. It was later that I understood my calling. First Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” I, like most people, would rather avoid suffering and I will probably never suffer to the extent of the Christians to whom Peter wrote. But I have had times of difficult trials and I see God’s care in never giving me a trial that I cannot bear. The point of this article is not to show how I have overcome trials. Hopefully, it will be clear that God was the one protecting and providing for me throughout.

This particular story begins in Fall of 2009, when I decided to go to seminary. After I graduated from UCSD, I had about eight months to look for a job. I needed something to keep me in San Diego. One of the main criteria for a job that I had was that they had to be okay with me going to seminary. I did not want to hide the fact that I would eventually be commuting to LA twice a week for school. I can only imagine getting hired and then telling my employee, “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I’m going back to school soon.” What kind of testimony is that? I wanted to trust that God would provide a job where I would not have to compromise and after interviewing at a dozen places, I landed a job at the last place I wanted to work – McDonald’s. But it was a good job and they fed me well.

By July, LBCSJ was planted and I became the new youth leader, going from preaching twice per year to twice per week, not to mention all the other responsibilities that I never realized were involved. When August came, I started seminary ready to learn and ready to take my relationship with Grace to the next level. By the third week of school, I bowed my knee before her and we promised our hands in marriage. Grace’s parents were opposed to us getting married so we had to go to LA a lot to see them to win their hearts.

So that is where I was. Within a few months, I was working, leading the youth, going to seminary in LA, newly engaged, and in conflict with my future family. But God provided for all my needs and sanctified me throughout. In God’s providence, though my discipler JR Cuevas had gone to San Jose for the church plant, he was forced to fly back to seminary each week to finish his last semester. He had previously dropped a semester because of his own engagement trials. When JR was going through the trials that caused him to drop his classes for a semester, I doubt he knew God would eventually use his extra time in seminary to minister to me. I was just off the starting blocks and I already wanted to quit, or at least slow down. But JR brought me strength each week to keep running. If it were not for JR’s example and encouragement to me, I doubt I would still be in seminary.

I had made it through the first semester, but JR had graduated so I wouldn’t see him the following semester. I didn’t know how God would provide but I knew he would, and he did. I enrolled in a prayer class and coincidently, this was the time I needed to pray the most. My legs were getting tired of standing and my head was sore from taking orders all day at McDonald’s. My sleeping schedule was off with working until 1:00am on some days and waking up at 4:00am on others. Things with Grace’s family were worse than ever, causing the first of three wedding postponements. Each week I would weep as I prepared for Friday’s youth message, but I would have to repent from my anger and sadness. My body, mind, and heart were ready to break and it was during this time that my prayer professor taught on the joys of suffering for Christ. He taught on Philippians 1:29 which says, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” The word translated “granted” is chrizomai in the Greek. It is similar to the word for spiritual gift and can be translated, “grace-gifted.” Suffering never seems like a gift of grace, but God promises that it will work for the believer’s good and so we should rejoice and be unashamed of it.

During my frail state, I would remind myself of God’s compassion and how easy my life was compared to others. It was also during this time that I was studying church history and read about the faithful Christians of the past who literally considered their lives of no value and dying as gain. There was a song called “Heavy Laden” that would encourage me throughout this time by a group name Hazakim. The song was about a man who understood the cost of being a disciple of Christ but thought his cross was too heavy to bear. So he asked Jesus for a lighter one and Jesus presented him before a field of crosses. He realized that the crosses were ones bore by previous believers who had since exchanged their cross for a crown. The size of the cross corresponded to the difficulty of life and he thought, “Surely the burdens they carried in their journey weren’t half as bad as mine.” As he continued, he found a cross that was smaller than the rest and he quickly made his decision, “Jesus I wish to carry this one.” Then with a look of sadness Jesus said, “My child I am fully aware of all you’ve been through. Nonetheless you may take it with you.” And as the man got closer, he realized that it was one he came in with.

That is how I felt as I cried out to God. I knew my trials were small compared to others’, yet God was with me the whole way and never gave me more than I could bear. My prayers to God were childlike, honest and simple, asking for more faith and for help. Concerning my job, I prayed for a new job. Knowing I didn’t deserve one, I asked God for a job that would give me one of the following: either allow me to sit, or allow me to study, or pay more, or offer a consistent schedule, or give me daytime hours. Since then, God has granted five out of the five requests I had for a job.

Concerning school, I prayed for a way to drive less or a way to drive later in the day. Since then, my classes have allowed me to drive up once a week instead of twice a week and to leave at 6:30am instead of 4:30am.

Concerning my engagement, I prayed that Grace’s parents and I could be reconciled, that they would support our marriage, and that we could set a wedding date. Since then, God miraculously worked in the hearts of her family to not only be supportive but excited for our upcoming wedding on September 15 of this year!

And so God personally lifted all of the burdens I put before him, though I know it was only because of his grace. As I conclude this article I have to mention the most instrumental part of God sustaining me through all this – the youth staff. It may have seemed strange to some that there were four men on staff with only two male students. Total, we had a staff of seven watching over eight students. But the ratios were not just beneficial for the youth; they were most beneficial for me. Multiple times per week, I would see how other saints are persevering through their own trials while seeking God. I never felt alone through my trials, and I heavily leaned on my staff for encouragement and examples. Four hour staff meetings and staff accountabilities lasting until 1:00am were some of the most tiring yet best moments of the year. I cannot tell where I would be without them.

This is part one of two concerning the theme of Lumos for 2012, “Unashamed of Christ.” What does all this have to do with being unashamed of the gospel? Stay tuned for next month’s article.

Psalm 78 (Sonlight)

by Daniel Kim

As I walked around the library, I saw a little 1-2 year old boy with a sucker in his mouth, seated by himself while perusing a book. As I was walking back to my desk, the little boy got up from his chair and ran to his mom, saying something inaudible to her. The mother acknowledged that it was time for him to eat. As I contemplate this scenario, I realized that this little boy has absolutely no way to survive on his own. As rebellious as this 1-2 year old boy may be, there is no way he can provide for himself or meet the basic needs of survival, such as food, shelter, and clothing. He, like all children, must submit to a higher authority (in this case, the authority of his parents).

The Israelites understood the importance of submitting to a higher authority. Although the Israelites were slaves in Egypt for 430 years (Ex. 12:40), the Israelites submitted to an even higher authority. Ultimately, the Israelites submitted to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 3:15). Psalm 78 shows that the Israelites were to submit to the authority of God because the LORD had delivered them from slavery in Egypt (Ps. 78:42), performed His miracles in Egypt (Ps. 78:43-52), parted the Red Sea (Ps. 78:13, 53), led them through the wilderness in a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire (Ps. 78:14), provided water at Horeb (Ps. 78:15), provided manna (Ps. 78:24), provided meat (Ps. 78:27), and even provided the Israelites with King David (Ps. 78:70-72). Therefore, the Israelites came to know, follow, and obey the LORD because of their experiences with Him. They submit to God’s authority because they have experienced His saving, sustaining, and protecting power.

In a similar way, the children staff members at Lighthouse have come to know the Lord through their own individual experiences as well. Each Christian has had an experience of God’s grace through the message of the cross. Hence, there is a clear understanding that the gospel is the power of God onto salvation (Rom. 1:16), that the gospel has the power to change the heart of stone to a heart of flesh (Ezek. 11:19; 36:26), and that God demonstrated His love for us through the gospel (Rom. 5:8). Because of this experience of God’s love, Christians have a responsibility to follow the Lord and all His commandments, including His commandments in regards to children.

In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to bequeath the knowledge of the Lord to the coming generations. To name a few examples, the Israelites were to tell their children about the events that occurred (Ex. 12:23-24; Deut. 4:9-10; Deut. 11:2-7), the commandments of the Lord (Gen. 18:19; Ex. 20:3-17; Deut. 4:40; 5:7-21; 6:4-7; 11:18-21; 31:12-13; 32:46-47) and physical reminders of His faithfulness (Gen. 9:12-13; 17:12; Ex. 12:13-14; 12:26-27; Josh. 4:5-7). In Psalm 78, the psalmist Asaph (1 Chron. 15:16-17; 16:4,7; 2 Chron. 29:30) wanted to emphasize the importance “telling the coming generations” of the knowledge of the Lord.

By retelling the past events in Psalm 78:9-72, Asaph wanted the Israelites to tell the coming generations about “the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that he had done” (Ps. 78:4). The reason behind all this can be seen in verses 7, 8. They were to do this so that the coming generations “should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments” (Ps. 78:7). Another reason for passing on the baton was so that “they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God” (Ps. 78:8).

In Psalm 78:7, there are three reasons the Israelites were to tell the next generation about the Lord: The children were to…

  1. Set their hope in God,
  2. Not forget the works of God, and
  3. Keep His commandments.

Although this verse was addressed to the children of Israel, these reasons are still relevant today. Since this verse is still applicable today, I would like to do an Old Testament and present day analysis of the three reasons listed above.

“Set their hope in God”

In the Old Testament, the Israelites, were to hope in the LORD because he promised to lead them to the Promised Land (Ex. 3:8,17) and he promised he would protect them from their enemies (Deut. 31:3-8). Moses understood that the sole reason the Israelites were distinct from all the nations of the world was because the LORD was with them. In Exodus 33:16b, Moses says, “Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” For this reason, the Israelites were to put their hope in the Lord.

As a Sunday school teacher, I tell the children that they ought to put their hope in God as well. The children are taught that we are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Because of this truth, we will all face the judgment seat of God and give an account (Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Pet. 4:5). But God provided a way of salvation for us (1 Tim. 2:5-6) and “while were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Therefore, the children are taught to put their hope in Christ, because he has the power to save us from our sin and from the wrath of God. Furthermore, this way of salvation is exclusive (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) and is only possible through the person and work of Jesus. Therefore, the children are taught to put their faith solely in Jesus for their salvation.

“Not forget the works of God”

In Psalm 78, “forgetting” and “remembering” are reoccurring themes (vv. 7, 11, 35, 42), pertaining to the Israelites. The psalmist hoped that those who sang this psalm (this psalm is identified as a maskil) would “not forget the works of God.” Rather, the Israelites were to remember the deeds of the Lord. The Israelites were to remember the wonders God performed in Egypt (Ps. 78:12, 43-52), how God parted the Red Sea and did not allow their enemies to pass through (Ps. 78:13, 53), and how he led His people into the Promised Land (Ps. 78:54-55). As mentioned earlier, the Israelites experienced God in a unique way (Ex. 33:16). These experiences were not only for the Israelites to remember and recollect, but were to also point to God’s character. Since the Lord led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the land promised to their forefathers (Gen. 12:7; 13:14; 15:18-21; 17:8), they were to trust in His character.

Teaching the Bible stories such as Noah’s ark, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the Exodus, and David and Goliath, all reveal the character of God, such as His justice, sovereignty, kindness, goodness, etc. Therefore, in the same way that the Israelites ought to have remembered the works of God so that they would trust in His character, children today should also be taught the works of the Lord so that they would also trust in His character. Moses attests to God’s character as he claims God to be “The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deut. 32:4). Furthermore, Paul claims that out of his own love and mercy (both attributes of His character), God chose to save sinners through Christ (Rom. 9:15-16,18; Eph. 2:4-5). It is important to teach children “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), so that they understand His character and he looking for in faithful, obedient followers. As they grow in their knowledge of God, the children can hopefully come to know that the Lord is trustworthy and that they should put their faith in Him.

“Keep His commandments”

In Deuteronomy 32:46-47, Moses tells the Israelites to “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” Thus, the Israelites were to keep God’s law; to obey it, not to depart from it. The Lord gave the Israelites the 10 commandments (Ex. 20:3-17; Deut. 5:7-21) and the Mosaic law. Also, the Israelites were to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and might (Deut. 6:5).

Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). As Christians, we have received special commandments, such as to make disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20), to love God and to love people (Matt. 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:27-27), and to be faithful witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). In regards to children, there are special commandments as well. For example, children are told to obey their parents in the Lord (Deut. 21:18-21; Eph. 6:1). Other commandments are important to teach children as well, such as not coveting (Ex. 20:17; Deut. 5:21), not complaining (Phil. 2:14), and honoring our father and mother (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16). These commandments are important because they impress upon the conscience of a child that there is a God, he has commandments to be followed and that God is the ultimate source of morality. In knowing this, the children can come to know the difference between right and wrong. Furthermore, children can come to understand that they are sinners in need of a Savior and hopefully they can realize that on their own, they are incapable of following God’s law perfectly and instead they must rely on an alien righteousness to be justified before a thrice holy God. Therefore, the law of the Lord should not be the endpoint in itself. Instead, the holy statutes of the Lord should point to the person and work of Jesus Christ, and specifically what he has done for us on the cross.

The overarching theme in Psalm 78 is one generation telling the next about the glory of God, or as our former senior pastor, Pastor John Kim, would say, ‘Passing on the greatness of God to the next generation”. Therefore, this implies that Christian parents should be telling their children about the greatness of God (Ps. 78:4). Furthermore, Christian parents should tell their children about the importance of submitting to the authority of God.

As I consider the little boy that was in the library, I understand that he, along with all children, must submit to a higher authority. I also know that along with submitting to his parents, he will one day have to submit to the authority of his teachers, his bosses, and ultimately to God (Rom. 14:11-12). As Christians, we have the unique opportunity to tell the next generation about the hope that we have in Christ, the great works that the Lord has done, and the commandments that he has given us. Christian parents have the unique privilege of telling their children of how they experienced God’s saving grace in their own lives. Also, as Christians, these parents understand the importance of authority.

Therefore, Christian parents should live their lives in a manner which shows that they too are under the authority of God. In this way, children can see the importance of joyfully submitting to a higher authority and hopefully, one day, their little hearts will be transformed the power of the Spirit through the message of the gospel (Ezek. 36:26; 37:1-9). Hopefully, in this way, children can experience the grace of God themselves and submit to the authority of the Lord. And hopefully, these children can accredit and thank their parents for faithfully modeling this higher authority, just as this young writer has had the honor and privilege of witness his own parents modeling this higher authority and being faithful in handing the baton of “passing on the greatness of God to the next generation.”

Thank the Lucky Stars Above?

by Pastor Patrick Cho

When Christine and I were expecting our first child, someone told us about a website where we could get a prediction of the baby’s gender based on Christine’s birth date and the date of conception. We checked out the website because we thought it would be fun to see what it would say. We were told that it was a “Chinese thing,” but we weren’t given any more information than that. I just assumed that with all the births in China over the centuries, they must have figured out a pattern or at least kept detailed statistics. Unfortunately, we found out later that this system wasn’t based on statistics at all, but on Chinese astrology and mysticism.

Upon looking further at some of the other links on the website, I wasn’t surprised to see that the makers of the site also offered predictions on wedding days that would help ensure successful marriages and “magic dating matches” to ensure happiness in dating relationships. Using these services would be similar to a person’s visiting or calling a psychic or reading a horoscope. Like with psychic hotlines, these sites typically included some sort of disclaimer that their services are merely for entertainment purposes.

A growing concern at Lighthouse is that many expecting couples visit these websites to see what they will predict. The greater issue is not whether a person could find some entertainment in visiting these sites to see the prediction of their baby’s gender. The greater issue is whether a Christian should be visiting these sites at all. I understand that most people who go to these websites do so purely for entertainment. I don’t think anyone at the church would seriously give any credence to the reliability of Chinese astrology. What is troubling, however, is that some endorse these sites enthusiastically saying “it really works” or “it’s amazing how accurate it is.” As Christians, we need to be more discerning about how we entertain ourselves and what we want to be associated with. These are things believers should not be engaged in even if the predictions were 100% accurate.

There is another practice in Korean culture after the baby is born. Typically on the baby’s first birthday (Kor. ddol or tol), several items will be placed in front of the baby. Depending on what the baby grabs, it is supposed to predict the future of the child. If the baby grabs money or rice, he will be rich. If the baby grabs a pencil, he will be smart. If the baby grabs a thread, he will be blessed with long life. Again, when Christian parents do this, it is explained away as pure fun or Korean tradition. But the tradition has its roots in Confucianism. In fact, even the child’s traditional outfit includes a symbolic belt for long life and pouch for good luck. Most Christians don’t know this, but traditionally in the ddol, the mother is supposed to pray to a mountain god and a birth goddess for luck and long life for the child.

I understand that it is a Korean cultural tradition to do these things at a child’s first birthday or that it is fun to get a Chinese gender prediction, but with things like this the principles and truths of God’s Word must take precedence over tradition and entertainment because of the false religion and spirituality associated with them. Idol worship was a huge part of the Corinthians culture. In fact, you could hardly purchase meat at the market without it having been sacrificed to an idol previously. The Corinthians asked Paul about the issue of eating meat that they had known had been sacrificed to idols. While the gods of the pagans were no gods at all, and therefore there was no blessing or curse on the meat itself, Paul still instructed the church to abstain from eating that meat because of the association with idol worship. There is no demon in the meat, but there are demons in the false religion (1 Cor. 10:19-22).

This is also why the Bible is clear when it comes to worldly myths – Paul told Timothy to encourage the church to have nothing to do with them (1 Tim. 1:3-4; 4:7). These worldly myths and superstitions were actually opposed to godliness and truth. As believers, we are called to associate with the things of God. This doesn’t mean that God does not want us to have fun. He is not some cosmic killjoy or divine party-pooper. In fact, Scripture teaches that if you are in Christ, God’s will for your life is that it would be good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom. 12:2). God desires your good and for you to rejoice always in Him (Phil. 4:4). The Christian life is not drab and dull, but vibrant and exciting. But your excitement and entertainment should come from things that are consistent with your testimony.

Next time you hear of a couple who is expecting, rather than encouraging them to visit these Chinese astrology websites, why not take some time to just sit and pray with them? Instead of celebrating your Korean baby’s first birthday by having him choose an item to determine his fate, why not lead the guests of the party in prayer for the child. We have a responsibility to demonstrate for the watching world that Jesus makes a difference in our lives. Some might dismiss us as legalistic or dull, but I would rather be wrongfully accused than to willingly engage in wickedness.

Christians are called to do all things in the name of Christ (Col. 3:17) and to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). This will take particularly deliberate effort and resolve in an Asian family context whose culture is rooted in Buddhism, Confucianism, and Eastern mysticism. I hardly see how God could be glorified in our participation in the traditions of false religion, and as a believer of Korean descent, I can happily forsake some aspects of culture and tradition in order to more fully pursue Christ and be consistent in my testimony.

Singles Christmas Party

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Every year, our church has had the opportunity of throwing a Christmas party for the Singles Group, and every year has been a great chance of fellowshipping with brothers and sisters before some head out of town to spend time with their families. This is never done for the sake of tradition, but to provide a night of encouragement, as well as good food, good times, and hilarious gift exchange.

This last Christmas party included a time from the Word by Pastor Patrick, where we could always remember why we celebrate together: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on this earth. The reason we can celebrate anything, especially Christmas, is because the God of the universe acted in real time and real history to provide a way of salvation from sin by sending His eternal Son to take on flesh and dwell among His own creation. God initiated His own plan of saving sinners from being judged by His own holiness in judging His Son for our sins placed on Him.

Being reminded of this truth always helps set the stage for enjoying a night together with brothers and sisters of our church. We started off with food and a time hanging out together. We were asked to come wearing an ugly sweater, and the creativity of some obviously came out that night. There was a prize for the one with the ugliest sweater for both genders. There was also the usual gift exchange with a food theme. Gifts ranged from special teas and snacks to a pizookie-maker to an Italian cookbook (at least, I thought that was a creative gift). The rule was whatever gift you chose (or accidentally touched first), you could have. Whoever follows can either pick another gift from the pile of gifts in the middle of our seating circle or ‘steal’ another person’s gift. The one who would lose that gift has the same option, but during that round, a gift can be stolen one time, and never by another, until finally all the gifts are taken. Of course, hilarious moments come from this great game. My favorite gift happened to be things I would typically be found eating (of course, I will not repeat what they were, and that was the intention of the gift).

This night will always be a time where our church family can get together and be reminded that our union is in Christ and there is always a reason to celebrate in this side of heaven, because our greatest gift came wrapped in a Person, and He can never be stolen by anyone, but is always offered to anyone who will turn from their sins and follow the One who can save them from all their sins. Thank God we can always come with our ugliest sweaters, or our filthy rags, and be clothed in His righteousness alone when we come to Him trusting in His perfect life and work. May our thoughts never strive to give thanks that Jesus Christ is the greatest gift that anyone could ever possibly give to anyone else.