The World is Ending! A True Story + A Lesson Learned

At the end of my 8th grade year during finals, one of my teachers let us know that she was retiring. And with urgency since she no longer cared about keeping her job proceeded to declare to us that Jesus was coming and handed every single one of us a big packet of proof that the end of the world was near. Her estimated time-frame: September 11, 2002. Of course, being at a public school with very few Christians - people thought she had gone mad... and well... even as a Christian you would think so as well.

I may have been the only person who took it seriously as she so desperately tried to explain the events to take place. And with the world trade center attacks fresh in my mind, I could not help but give her a chance. So I studied that packet and came to the conclusion that my 8th grade brain could in no way fully comprehend everything it said. But I did know Jesus would come back one day. (darn Left Behind series was getting to my head)!

When September 11, 2002 came, I remember being a little more aware and alert, spending a little more time in prayer and reading (I was very skeptical yet a bit scared). And when the day passed, I was excited that I was still around. And I felt like a fool for even believing a tiny inkling of what my teacher had said. I bet she felt much stupider than I did! My friends and I laughed as we recalled that what our teacher had warned us about had not come to pass. We joked about finding her and calling her to mock her prediction that never came to be. I was too ashamed to let them know that I had been slightly fooled into thinking it just might happen.

This past Sunday, Pastor Tavi asked what we would do if we knew Jesus was coming back in 24 hours. What would our last actions be?! What would your last actions be?!

Thinking upon my 8th grade experience and realizing that I never evangelized that day, my thoughts were... hmmm... I would evangelize! To my family and to my friends! I would read and pray much more. I would preach wherever I could preach! And I would eat another Ruth Chris' Cowboy Ribeye Steak.... But regardless of that steak thought, there was much urgency to do as much as I could for the kingdom before Christ came back in 24 hours.

When Martin Luther was asked this same question, he answered, "I would plant a tree and pay my taxes." Meaning this - I would live my last 24 hours exactly as if I'd live any other day - normally!

The fact is, Jesus IS coming back and we'll never know exactly when... we just know that He is. So why wait till the last 24 hours? If I love God and truly believe, then any last 24 hour time-frame in my life should reflect and give glory to God. An everyday for God's kingdom and glory! attitude should be normal. The gospel IS urgent no matter how much time is left! So here's to "planting trees" and "paying taxes" till He returns or calls me home.

God is Mighty To Save!

God is mighty to save!
Let me say again - God is mighty to save!

I had the opportunity to preach through Matthew 9:9-13 (Matthew's conversion) for AACF Medium group - and later today for High School Branching Out at CCAC (my awesome church).

Having studied the passage and thinking upon Matthew's conversion, my conversion, and the conversion of countless others. After reading articles upon articles on North Korean and Chinese conversions and how God is working there - it is so clearly evident that God is mighty to save!

And He's mighty to save those whom you least expect to be saved. The ones who show no sign and no desire for the things of heaven! He's mighty to save the prostitute, the drunkard, the adulterer, the murderer even. And He's mighty to save the most hardcore of Atheists. He is mighty to save!

He is mighty to save that co-worker whom you think will never hear anything of Christ. He's mighty to save the student reading that newspaper as you walk around campus evangelizing. He's mighty to save the family member who is so opposed to your church going and Christ-loving. He is mighty to save that friend who seems to have the hardest of hearts against God. And He's mighty to save that small group member at church who seems to be so apathetic to all that the preacher says.

He's mighty to save the North Korean and the Chinese people who have never heard of Christ! He's mighty to save the Ugandan , the Japanese, the Nicaraguan, and the Indian in whom is seen not even a glimmer of light (for you KCM mission trainees).

I think that sometimes we forget that we preach the Word of God. And that this word of God is truly living and active! That it is truly sharper than any two-edged sword. That it really pierces to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

Goodness. God is mighty to save! I am not! God is!
Therefore - I will share with full confidence the gospel that God proclaimed. Forever.
Whether from the pulpit, or from personal chitter-chatter, or from my life (which will be the best sermon I ever preached). God is mighty to save!

Books! Reviews, Inbetweens, and Future Reads!

I was so excited to read so many books - but I have been busier than I've expected and have not been able to read as much as I've liked to. So here are a list of books I've read, books I'm reading, and books I will read!

If you want an in-depth review of the content and not my short non-content review, let me know and I'll be happy to tell you about it. I'll let you borrow too (as long as you promise to return it)!

Books I've Read in the last School Year
1) Boy Meets Girl - Joshua Harris
Though I did not agree with everything in this book - I found it very wise and helpful. My apartment-mates call this book the Fail Book - lol. Maybe we all just failed to apply wisely - hahaha. I like the story telling version Joshua Harris puts out to get his points across along with lots of scripture and wisdom. Not a must-read but a fun-read wise read if you have time.

2) Crazy Love - Francis Chan
Though I did not think it was as great as everyone in the world made it out to be, I highly highly recommend it! Read Chapter 2. It rocked me. Read.


3) Heroes of Faith: Charles Spurgeon - J.C. Carlile
A very short biography on the life of Charles Spurgeon (my absolute favorite writer/pastor of all time). Though just a simple biography, this book stirred me more towards Christ and made me want to live a God-glorifying life. I know everyone will say - psh - read the Dallimore version of the Spurgeon biography! Well - I bought it and plan to! But if you are short on time, read this one.

4) Soul Winner - Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon is the master of painting vivid pictures with his words. He has the best analogies and the best clarity of anyone I've ever read. This book on 'Soul Winning,' or leading sinners to the Savior is the best book I've ever read on evangelism... ever (and I've read quite a few). Why? Because it absolutely drives me to God. And that drives me to evangelize and be a 'soul winner.' This book absolutely rocked me. It has filled me with so much wisdom and helped me to see my faults in areas I needed to see them. It heavily uses the word of God (it is Spurgeon after all) which pierces my heart. It is, I'd say, the best Christian book I've ever read in my life. MUST READ.

5) Just Do Something - Kevin DeYoung
The best book I've read on the 'will of God' for your life. It is very practical, very true, and very short. It can easily be read in one sitting, but I found it very helpful to read it in a week. I think every single college Christian should read this book. High schoolers too - but it may be more helpful refreshing yourself with this book during college and especially during senior year. The best description of this book is on the cover: How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc. It is something so few people seem to know how to do today in a world where things seem to sometimes be overally spiritualized. I say - must read.

6) Same Kind of Different As Me
I can never ever see homeless people the same again. A true story about a rich white man, a homeless black man, a christian woman, and a God who orchestrated their lives together. Though theologically there are some points I would raise a fishy finger at, this story is amazing and it is clear the people in this autobiography love God. Written in an alternating chapter by chapter style by Ron Hall (the rich guy) and Denver Moore (the homeless guy), this book calls for a touching story with insight in the minds of the two characters whose lives are changed. The true story about the grace of God in the lives of Hall and Moore and the transforming effect of the love of God. Must read.


Books I've Started Reading and Need to Finish
1) Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Interesting fictional book on a boy named Pi who gets stuck in a lifeboat with a hyena, orangutan, zebra, and a 450-pound Bengal tiger. How can Pi survive?!
2) Valley of Vision - The Puritans
I LOVE the prayers in this book. I'm going to try to read and pray one of these a day.
3) Stuff Christians Like - Jonathan Acuff
Fun read with hilarious truth in it that pertains to things Christians do/like, lol. Surprisingly... some of the funny truths in it are a rebuke to me - a fun free time read.
4) Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Don Whitney
I've been reading this book for over a year! But If you apply the applications and hear the reasoning - this book contains much truth. Read the chapter on Evangelism.

Books to Read in the Summer
1) Adopted For Life - Russell Moore
2) Spiritual Leadership - Oswald Sanders
3) Prayer - John Bunyan

I'm keeping it rather reasonable because last summer I listed 10 items and miserably failed!

Have you read any of the books listed above? Agree/Disagree? Like/Dislike? Any recommendations?

Wake Up! (From my Personal Written Journal)

I moved to the Valley and my commute to work is pretty crazy now considering the 405 freeway is one of the most congested freeways in the world. To make going to work easy and save much gas, I've decided to come to work 1.5 hours early every morning. That means waking up 2 hours earlier than usual! That means... 5:20am....

I was rereading my private journal and found an entry I wrote while I was still in school. It was an epic battle between mind and body to wake up to go to a class I considered useless to attend. Now I'm glad I went and glad I wrote this in my journal.

I normally don't share private journal entries... in fact this is the 1st time I'm doing so! But... Here it is!


























11/17/09 - 1:45pm - Tuesday
~Discipline in Waking Up for the Glory of God~
. .Yesterday morning (Monday) was such a struggle to wake up. I was tired - mentally + physically. Everything in me wanted to go back to sleep, to rest. Talking and self-motivating myself, I got up and even got dressed. But, thinking about my 8am Military Science 21 class, I thought...
. .Useless, no attendance, pointless to go.
. .Then I thought of excuses - I feel sick! And the crazy part is that I convinced myself that I really was, though I was not! I made my decision to sleep in, told Jon, and went back on my bed.
But God did not let me sleep - no, instead He made me think - really Cho? You're just going to give up? That was your fight?!
. .And as I thought, I came to a realization that in the future - especially w/ministry - I will face days just like these, sometimes even worse, but I can't just not show up. I can't just give in and sleep. I need to discipline myself, RIGHT NOW. I need to practice and fight now so that when days harder than yesterday come, I will be prepared to get up and glorify God whenever I need to be - wherever I committed to be.
. .Honestly, there are days I will feel like not getting out of bed. Eyelids will be heavy, sometimes heart heavier, but may the glory of my God always be heaviest that I may get up, discipline myself, and fully rely on God for strength.
. .Discipline now Cho! So you never miss a sermon, a work day, a promise. Discipline yourself to godliness Cho. Discipline - for the glory of God!

The Elevator Theory-Truth

The past few weeks I have been at training for work and I came upon a particularly interesting observation (I know, finally right?!).

I call this observation... the ELEVATOR THEORY.
Well... it was a theory until Jon Kang and Jacob Shin bashed on me saying that "Theories can't be proven." So just to spite them, I now call this...

the ELEVATOR TRUTH.

The Observation:
Quite sleepy after finally finishing training, I entered the elevator with a few fellow trainees as we departed on a particularly long elevator journey down from the 8th floor. We stopped on the 7th floor... then the 6th... then the 5th... then the 4th - by now I was grumpy and half asleep and starting to go into what many people call, "La-la land." When the elevator stopped and opened on the 3rd floor, I had somehow gotten to the middle of the elevator (I must have been sleep-walking or something). I lifted my eyes as the elevator doors parted like the Red Sea and... Low and Behold! A man and a woman stood in front of me. The man looked at the woman and said, "Please do go ahead in." The woman looked at the man and said, "no no, you go in first." The man lowered his hands towards the elevator and replied, "Ladies first." The woman looked at the man and said, "No no, please after you."



















And they just kept going... I was in disbelief and gave them a blank stare. During my blank stare the elevator doors started closing like the Red Sea did on the Egyptians. The two looked up as the doors had shut more than halfway and both their faces expressed shock. Both of them tried to reach their arm in, but both were too late. Everyone in the elevator could not help but giggle... I could not help but laugh.

Ironic how if either the man or the woman went first, both would have not missed the elevator... but since both were waiting for the other, both missed the elevator!

So the elevator truth is pretty simple: ...sometimes, you just have to do something!

Be courteous... but act! Don't wait around for others all the time; if it needs to be done it needs to be done. Take a risk =]

*Also note... that sometimes an act of courtesy is to accept the act of courtesy being offered to you.

*I have been very busy the past month and a half, but I have many great entries to come - I will not fail you - trusttt

Black Eyed Peas

Just kidding. ... Got'cha!

This entry has nothing to do with Black Eyed Peas.

It has to do with a black eye.

I have a black eye.

I watched in the mirror as my eye began to swell up more and more (it was my first time and I was fascinated). Sure enough on Sunday morning it was still a little swollen and starting to turn black.

Some people at work don't buy my basketball story - they think I am G and got into a fight. This is hella awesome because in 1 day I managed to go from the good guy to the bad guy. I never thought I could pull the bad guy image before.

To answer the never-ending flood of same questions by 230582 people, here are my answers.
Are you wearing make up?!: No - it is a black eye
Did you get into a fight?!: No - it was a basketball incident
Elbowed in basketball?!: No - forehead/eyes collided
Does it hurt?: Only if you touch it. Stay away.
Do you feel cool?: A little bit. But it's more embarrassing than cool.

I eat lunch everyday from 12-1pm - almost all the time at Northern Lights.
Please come eat with me - let me know you're free by doodling here!

India, the Beggar Child, Dendrite, and the Gospel

(This is not the boy I speak of in this entry)

The dirty, homeless, orphaned or abandoned, scrawny beggar child looked into my eyes and smiled. And this time it wasn't the devious smile I had seen for the past hour as we waited for our train. I had just fended off his constant nagging, pulling, touching, and begging. He wanted food or rupees (India's currency) and this kid would not give up. For fun I had seen him chase after an injured pigeon and kick it as hard as he could into the train tracks. He laughed as hysterically as you could when you're a child who knows no better. But here he was, finally calm and having fun, loving the attention it seems he never received.

And there after the smile, he expressed to me using his hands to stay here and wait for him. He took off running freely as if the train station was his jungle. I watched as he started getting smaller and smaller. He was a professional at dodging the bigger adult bodies moving around in the train station.

I smiled and leaned back, resting and thinking about what had just happened. Finally after shutting myself off to the beggar children in fear that I could do nothing for them; after only bad experiences yelling at the kids to leave or getting my hand shook by a beggar child's left hand (you wipe your poo with your left hand in India) as revenge for not giving (you clever little rascal), I finally had a good experience. Moments before Brian Fury (Missions Leader) had said, "More than money or food, they just want to be loved. They are just like all the other children you know. They don't get to experience the love we got to."

Convicted, I dug in my bagpack, took out stationery I was going to write notes and thoughts on, and started making origami. I made origami balls, origami planes, and origami cranes. On each one I drew a comic strip of the gospel and talked to the kids with the little Hindi I knew (a man on a previous train taught me). "My name is Cho. What is your name? Hashee? Hi Hashee." I would point to the man on the cross and say, "This person's name is Jesus." Then I would act out the gospel as much as I could. I realized they were much more fascinated with the "toy" itself. And I soon realized that they probably never had toys in their life! That they have never even seen origami before. That the paper ball, or the paper plane, or paper crane was the only toy they've ever had and they treasured it deeply though it was just paper... it was just paper.... I wanted to bury the gospel into them as much as I possibly could. "What is this person's name?," I would ask as I pointed to the man on the cross. "Jesus" They would reply. But they didn't care as much as they cared about the paper plane. But that's okay - they were just kids and we had a heavy language barrier.



He came back with a small folded cloth and a tube of half-used dendrite. He gave a hearty smile and offered it to me. My heart stopped for a moment. Then it broke. I was in utter shock. Dendrite is a strong superglue. In India, beggar children get high off dendrite - it makes them feel full though they are actually starving. It is one of their most valued possessions because through it, for a few hours they escape the horrid pain and despair they are in. I couldn't believe he was offering it to me.


(I got this picture online, but this person has just sniffed Dendrite)

It threw me into prayer. And that's all I could do. Pray.

In that one moment I learned more theology than I ever had at one point in my life. More than any book by Spurgeon (my favorite), Thomas Watson, the Puritans, Piper, MacArthur, Mohler, DeYoung, Harris, Mahaney, or Grudem (and you all know I absolutely love their books). In that moment I learned what true theology was. Everything I had learned in the 4 months of KCM Missions training and my life's worth of Bible reading and book reading came to life.

This is for you mission trainees going out this summer -
All this KCM training, all this theology - this is what it's about.
It's about holding the orphaned children in India telling them that though no one seems to love them, Jesus does. It's about drawing them a cross saying, "Jesus saves!!" and desperately praying that one day they'll come across a church with a familiar cross on top, enter, and hear the gospel in their own language. It's about befriending college students in Japan, teaching them English, and praying and hoping that they'll truly believe the very book you're teaching them English through - the Bible! It's about doing physical labor in Nicaragua while exclaiming you do this joyfully because of Christ. It's about comforting the frightened man in Uganda who is afraid the witch doctors are going to send evil spirits to him, saying to him that Jesus the one true Lord and Savior of the world can protect him. That's what it's about.

We're going to feel limited in these countries, but let us say with Peter in Acts 3:6 - "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you."

And what we have is much greater than any monetary thing you can give. They'll never remember your $$ and donations - that's how they survive. You just become another passerby who gave them food or money. Give them something they've never experienced and cannot explain - something that captivates them and makes them wonder what we have - give them the love of God. Now that's something they will remember.

Back when I xangaed (old times) I wrote about it more with more pictures below.

http://chochacho.xanga.com/614933240/the-language-of-love---gods-love-entry-of-the-century/