abandoned to Christ.

Waiting is a strange concept in the 21st Century. And it’s relative. When you have to wait more than 5 minutes in a line at Target, you’re sure you’ve been waiting too long and begin to look around to see if another lane is opening. But if that 5 minutes is all you have left with a loved one, then it doesn’t seem nearly long enough. 30 minutes is too long to wait in traffic. But the first time you hold your newborn child, 30 minutes seems to pass quicker than a breath. When most of us are told we must wait for something, our first reaction is to grumble, roll our eyes and let out a huge sigh of dissatisfaction, followed by the usual question, “How long is the wait?” . For the most part, we’ve all become very impatient people, living in a very “instant” world where most things we want can be attained in a matter of only a few minutes -- that is, if we even have to wait that long. We have instant coffee, microwave popcorn, ready-made-meals, and clothes that are already worn and torn wit...

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) Unfortunately, not all Christians are members of a church where they can be built up in their faith by being held accountable and restored when they sin (Prov 27:5-6, 2 Cor 2:5-8). Not all Christians have the support of other believers for times of rejoicing, or times of sorrow (Rom 12:15). They are alone. Why? Because sadly, they've believed the devil's lie that listening to a sermon on the radio, TV or internet is good enough. They've fallen into the enemy's trap best known as, "You don't have to go to church. That's being legalistic. God is everywhere so you can worship Him anywhere." Of course, as with all lies, there's a grain of truth; and just enough to fool anyone who's discernment...

(I'm the little girl on the far right.) Thinking back on my life, I've often wondered why God ever took notice of me. There I was, the youngest of three children to first generation, Korean-Buddhist, immigrant parents, sharing a 3-bedroom, 1-bath townhouse with nine other people (my parents, my older brother and sister, my paternal grandmother, my paternal uncle, his wife and two kids). And out of all these people, in a little and impoverished neighborhood, there I was. Nothing special. Just one, in the midst of many. So, why did God, almighty, awesome, wonderful, magnificent God, take notice of me? "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the pra...

As I lay in my bed, praying, thanking my Heavenly Father for all His goodness, for His awesome love, the gift of knowing Him, and the incredible joy of interceding for the saints in Christ, I was reminded of a day not too long ago. On an ordinary day when my darling husband was at work, my sweet sons were at school and I was home, alone, working around the house, cleaning, doing laundry and trying to get some writing done, I heard the gentle patter of rain. As I moved to my kitchen to work in there, I saw the sun shine...while it was still raining! Now, this is not the first time I’ve seen this, but I always respond the same way -- with exuberant joy! Then, like a little school girl excited to open a gift, I run outside to get a better look! I just want to be closer! I want to experience it with every sense I have! I want to hear it fall on the ground, taste each drop on my tongue, smell its freshness, look at it and feel the warmth of the sun at the same time I feel the cool wetness ...

One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to teach our children how to endure anything that causes them pain. Moms seem have the most difficult time in this area. Like mother hens, we want to run and shelter them with our wings from all the thundering verbal abuses, torrents of physical bullying, and the gusting winds of emotional distresses that rage against our precious little ones as they face the world each day. No matter how young or old they are, we always see them as our little chicks and we so desperately want them spared from such evils. We don’t mind if all these adversities come thrashing down on us. We’ll take it. We’ll persevere. And we’re willing, ready and able to cover our children while pecking at all that dares to harm them. But then -- we hear our Savior say: “But I say to you who hear , Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you... But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing...

"Let my beloved come to his garden, and eat it's choicest fruits. I came to my garden, my sister, my bride, I gathered my myrrh with my spice, I ate my honeycomb with my honey, I drank my wine with my milk." ~ Song of Solomon 4:16b - 5:1a Who is my Beloved? He is Christ Jesus my Lord. And where is His garden? His garden is my heart; my very soul, in which He purchased with His most precious blood. Although I have not been able to work in my garden for the past 5 years due to severe illness, I love to garden! I simply love everything about it! I love the fragrant and distinct smell of every flower and green plant. I even love the smell of the fresh dirt, all churned up, with wiggly little earthworms, desperately trying to get out of my way. I marvel at even the earthworms God created. And I am thankful for them. When I see earthworms, I know that the soil is rich and well-maintained; waiting patiently to nourish a new seedling or plant. It is truly a joyous sight! The f...

Most of us are well acquainted with Proverbs 3:5-7 and could probably recite it in our sleep. But it seems often, that the Scriptures we’ve heard for years, no longer reverberate as the simple, most integral note of our every heart beat— trusting God in everything , for everything . Remember when you first became a Christian? When you first met our Savior, heart to heart? Remember how scared you were to take a breath or even a single step without His voice (through His Word) leading you? Remember how quickly you would obey and how slowly you were inclined to do anything you weren’t sure of, just in case it was not God's will for your life...specifically? Remember when you didn’t trust your own knowledge of His Word (Prov 3:5), but would go back over and over again to make sure you read it right; then would pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you God’s truth so you would not only know Scripture, but understand it according to God’s heart and not yours (Jer 9:23-24, 1 ...

Recently Day Spring® contacted me and requested I review some of their latest Back-to-School products. Included in this review are pictures of the samples I received as well as information on other school supplies offered by Day Spring®. The supplies on the left include 1 folder and 1 pencil pouch from the Love is Real (John 3:16) collection and 1 folder from the Life Goes on Forever (John 17:3) collection. Each collection includes: 1", 3-ring binder w/2 interior pockets and vinyl cover 2-pocket folders w/glossy finish 80 page spiral notebook w/glossy finish Composition notebook w/glossy finish Pencil pouch These two folders are from 2 of the 4 designs Day Spring® offers for girls of all ages. All the designs are pretty, tasteful, fun, and bright. Whether you have girls in elementary school or secondary school, they will all be able to find something they like...or they may want to mix and match from all 4 collections. If you'd like to purchase these items online, Day Sp...