theclarion

Joshua 1:8 is a familiar verse that many are urged to memorize, but one that resonates with me is the next verse.

“Be strong and of good courage; do not tremble neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” It has both an exhortation and an assurance.

Going to China is not really bearing a cross for us; the decision was easy. I’ve been to China four times, and Elsie was born there. It would not be like going to a third world country lacking in amenities, but it would be diff erent. It wouldn’t be here. Here is where family and friends are. It is hard to leave those you have grown close to. However, the Lord had commanded this move for us; it did not come of ourselves.

A couple years ago, Elsie had become enthused about the opportunities proliferating in China, but I saw no purpose for me to be there so the matter was dropped at that time. In 2006, I felt God prompting me that we should go to China. Not revealing this to Elsie, I asked her to pray for what direction He would lead us in the coming years. To my surprise, she came back a couple weeks later and said that she did not see God leading us anywhere new. I set the notion aside thinking it wasn’t the right time yet since God did not call us together. In 2007, one thing led to another, and Elsie felt we should go to China. He had spoken to both of us but separately, and in His own time. It was now our time.

Last year, we made our trip to Beijing to explore the possibilities and so many more things were made smooth. Johanna, who had great trepidation about the move, had a great time in Beijing. It would still take her away from friends,

especially as she starts high school, but many of her anxieties were eased although not removed.

Obviously God is at work, but He has never been the problem. It’s been us. Paul exhorted Timothy that God had not given to us a spirit of timidity but of power, love and discipline. Go through the Scriptures, and where can you fi nd a situation that God isn’t in control or fi nd the outcome in any doubt? He is the Almighty, Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will provide), the God who can and does provide for all our needs. Th e result is already assured. What’s left is for us to be strong and of good courage so we can see how He’ll work out His good pleasure. Th is isn’t easy when you can’t see the end. Perhaps even more so, when you can see the end, but the way to get there is obscured or cast into shadows.

Like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, I do not question the need to go forward or even what it might mean. But to lean forward and jump off the edge into the abyss, there is the struggle with timidity within me. Knowing it intellectually is not enough. Christ knew to obey was to love the Father, and yet, even He had to learn obedience in the things that He suff ered. Maybe the problem really lies not in any actual suff ering but in the possibility. Th is isn’t really about our going for He does not need us. Rather we need it to grow and become diff erent than what we are today.

And He will be with us through it all, but I’m still the little kid clinging to the side of the pool, terrifi ed to let go, even as the Father has His hands around us to hold us up. I still have so much to learn.

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SING TO THE LORD, BLESS HIS NAME; PROCLAIM GOOD TIDINGS OF HIS SALVATION FROM DAY TO DAY. PSALM 96:2

learning CourageJeRRy Lee | Contributing Writer

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I’ve been reading a wonderful book, Humility:

True Greatness, by C.J. Mahaney. It’s a small book that I carry with me often to read a page or two because it addresses an area of life that is a constant battle – pride. Pride rears its ugly head in our lives so easily and frequently that we may not even recognize the malignancy of its cancer.

Author Stuart Scott lists thirty manifestations of pride in his booklet, “From Pride to Humility.” Here are ten of them:

Complaining against or passing judgment on God. 1. “Look what God has done to me after all I have done for Him.”A lack of gratitude in general.2. Proud people often complain, criticize, and usually think they deserve what is good.Anger.3. They easily manifest unrighteous anger.Seeing yourself as better than others. 4. A proud person usually has little tolerance for others.A lack of Biblical prayer.5. Their prayers focus on what they desire rather than what pleases God.Being defensive or blame-shifting. 6. Pride blames others and does not take responsibility.Perfectionism. 7. Making less important things more important can easily be impure.Talking too much or mostly about yourself. 8. What they have to say and who they are is more important than others.Maximizing other’s sins and shortcomings. 9. They see all the faults of others but minimize their own.Being consumed with what others think. 10. Pride is very self-centered.

Do any of these characterize us? Humility is something that attracts the attention of God. Isaiah 66:2 says, “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Cultivate a heart of true greatness through humility and pull the weeds of pride that so easily grow in the heart.

Joe Lum | Pastor

humility: True Greatness

Blessings in lifeVicky Wu | Contributing Writer

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths

straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

As many of you know, I have been in and out of various hospitals over the past seventeen years. Though some may

look at my life and think that it’s been a difficult journey, I see those years as ones full of hope and blessings. I spent my entire college and much of my career years on kidney dialysis. I had treatments three times a week, three hours at a time after school or work, usually tired most of the time. However, God was always there with me. He gave me a very supportive family and husband and a church grounded in His word. He allowed me to graduate with decent grades (looking back I don’t even know how I made it!) and gave me a great job with wonderful co-workers. I also received a kidney transplant from my younger brother. These are just to name a few of His blessings. I haven’t always handled each situation in the way God may have wanted me to, but knowing that He has been with me every single time has helped me to get through them. If I had gone through them by myself, I probably wouldn’t still be here.

We all know through God’s word that He loves each of us, but it’s sometimes hard to see why He then allows us to go through such trials in life. I believe He allows it so we CAN see how much He loves us. If life were easy, why would we ever need to depend on or even trust Him?

I know that I will experience more struggles in my future, but I also know that I when I do, I simply need to place my hope and trust in Him. My prayer is that when you go through hard times, you will take a step back and examine your situation from God’s perspective too. Look to see what He may be trying to teach you, rather than just reacting as your sinful nature wants you to.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus … I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Phil 4:6-7, 13

May you see all the blessing in your life that God has showered upon you!

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“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom

they have not heard?” Romans 10:14a

We often think about this passage in regards to reaching out to those in faraway lands, to remote tribes

speaking unknown tongues. But what about neighbors in our own community – how will they hear and know about the love of Christ? With this very purpose in mind, that is how the Harvest Ministry began. We wanted to serve our neighborhood and, in doing so, reach out by sharing the Good News of Jesus with those around us.

Bringing in the harvest

WiL WoNG | Contributing Writer

Back in March, our fi rst Harvest Ministry service project was to do yardwork and housework for those in the community who needed some assistance, particularly for the elderly and for those who have physical disabilities. Th e weather didn’t always cooperate, yet it was a very fruitful time. During the course of this service, God aff orded to us an opportunity to spend quality time with the homeowners and to minister to them spiritually. Th ey would often wonder aloud about why we’d spend our valuable time in serving them free of charge, and this opened up the door to share about God’s grace and what He has done in our lives.

Towards the end of June, our second activity will be to minister to the homeless in Seattle’s Pioneer Square area. In passing out clothing and food items, we hope for opportunities to present the Gospel and to bring the love of Jesus to those who are seeking answers. May we be willing instruments and mouthpieces in sharing how God is the one who meets all of our needs, both physical and spiritual.

We’re looking forward to you joining us for this and all future Harvest Ministry activities. After all, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

“You’re kidding me,” I thought to myself as my uncle crawled into the hole, beckoning me and my mother to

follow after him. We were visiting Cheung Chau Island in Hong Kong and staring at the entrance of a cave that Cheung Po Tsai, a nineteenth-century pirate, and his men allegedly hid from the Portuguese navy. A short descent down a ladder later, it was dark except for the LED light strapped to my uncle’s forehead. He told us to stay where we were as he moved forward.

Believe me when I say that total darkness has a way of accentuating your fears and doubts. However, my uncle shone the light back, and I was able to scramble to a designated spot until he told me to stay put while he guided my mother in the same way. Using this technique, we made it through the small cave with only the one LED light to guide us.

After I had time to refl ect upon what I experienced, I was reminded of my favorite Bible verse, Matthew 5:16. “Let your

light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and praise your Father who is in heaven.” Without my uncle’s light to guide the way, we would have been unable to navigate the cave without turning ankles or bumping heads. “You are the light of the world (v. 14),” Matthew states, and truly we should be aware that our purpose on this earth is to

share our faith to a world darkened by sin. None of this is new revelation by any stretch.

However, I must admit I am often derelict in my duties as I fi nd myself doing the very opposite of verse 14b-15a. “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden: nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket.” I’m guilty of hoarding my “light” to myself, enjoying the privileges and blessings of my Christianity instead of sharing with others. Do you fi nd yourself in the same situation

as well? We have so many ways to diff use our light by getting distracted by the “civilian aff airs” of 2 Timothy 2:4 or even sinning in such a way that it aff ects our witness.

I want to encourage you to think about your own “light” and witness in the darkness of this present life. Use it to illumine the path of others and guide them to Christ by your deeds and words. Nobody wants to be left out in the dark.

lighting the Darkness

God a� orded to us an opportunity to spend quality time with the homeowners and to minister to them spiritually.

JoNATHAN moy | Managing eDitor

follow after him. We were visiting Cheung Chau Island

until he told me to

share our faith to a world darkened by sin. None of this is new revelation by any stretch.

However, I must admit I am often derelict in my duties as I fi nd myself doing the very opposite of verse 14b-15a. “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden: nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket.” I’m guilty of hoarding my “light” to myself, enjoying the privileges and blessings of my Christianity instead of sharing with others. Do you fi nd yourself in the same situation

as well? We have so many ways to diff use our light by getting distracted by the “civilian aff airs” of 2 Timothy

The CaVe enTranCe

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The Clarion 4}

Christians are musical people. Throughout the Bible, we are called to sing praises to God and to encourage one

another through music. Music, however, is not merely command or utility – it is a gift from God for our enjoyment.

Here are ten reasons to be thankful for what the great reformer Martin Luther called “Next to the Word of God...the greatest treasure in the world.”

Th e very fact that I can sing, play and enjoy music reminds 1. me that I am made in the image of God. Music communicates emotions in ways that words cannot – 2. therefore expanding the ways we can praise God.Singing old songs about God is a testament to both God's 3. faithfulness and His unchanging nature. ( Job 36:24) Singing new songs about God reminds me that God is so 4. vast and glorious that we are constantly fi nding new ways to praise Him. (Ps. 33:3, 98:1)Music is an eff ective tool for teaching and remembering 5. sound doctrine. (Col. 3:16) Th e book of Psalms. 6. Music brings refreshment to the soul. 7.

10 reasons to Thank God for MusicRuTH mAR & Tim mAR | CLarion staFF

QUotaBLes

Music can bring people of diff erent backgrounds and 8. languages together to praise God. (Psalm 67) Th e death and resurrection of Christ and the ministry of 9. the Holy Spirit make it possible for me to off er songs as acceptable praise to God. Singing God's praises now is preparation for heaven. 10.

The Clarion STaFFEditor in ChiefNathan Chang

Managing EditorJonathan Moy

Sta� Vivien Chang, Timothy Mar, Jessica Yamashita

DesignRuth Mar

ContributorsJerry Lee, Joe Lum, Wil Wong, Vicky Wu

aBoUT The ClarionThe Clarion is Living Hope Bible Church’s quarterly newsletter. Our goal is to edify the church by proclaiming God’s truth and His faithfulness.

“Nor does St. Paul himself speak only of prayer by word of mouth, but also of singing. And in truth, we know from experience that song has a great power and strength to move and infl ame the hearts of men to invoke and praise God with a heart more vehement and ardent.”

JOHN CALVIN

“The aim and the fi nal reason of all music should be nothing else but the glory of God and the refreshment of the human spirit.”

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

“Thou sayest, believer, why should I praise him? Let me ask thee a question too. Is it not heaven’s employment to praise him ... Happy day when you and I shall join the eternal chorus. Let us begin the music here.”

CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON