Jinha Kim

7 Practical Tips on Perseverance

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments
  1. Break things up into smaller tasks/goals
    • You can’t train for a marathon in one day – so do simple day-to-day tasks to train for bigger goals (ex: read & pray for just 5 minutes a day)
  2. Have a power song ready
    • Runners hit a wall where they feel like giving up – but if you push through it with a “power song” you will get your second wind, a renewal of God’s strength to sustain you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwdCnY5lpAE
  3. Celebrate the victories, small and big
    • Every birthday is special, whether you’re turning 3 or 30 – celebrate the small accomplishments and milestones along your journey – treat yourself to a reward and know what you’re working towards so that you can remind yourself of the prize
  4. See failure as opportunity for growth
    • Failure is not failure if you can reflect on what made you stumble and learn ways to avoid repeating the mistake in the future – the key to success is to keep trying; practice makes perfect
  5. Build a community
    • Accountability is a powerful tool – surround yourself with people who are working towards similar goals and/or can support you in yours
  6. Take care of yourself
    • It’s hard to persevere when you’re tired, sick, or grumpy.  Sleep more.  Eat healthy.  Exercise.  Find hobbies that energise you.
  7. Keep your eyes on Jesus
    • Don’t compare yourself to others – just keep focused on Jesus who can empower us to do anything within His will

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

The Faith of a Child

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UmbrellaClosedBlack3dmodel01.jpgd63121b3-70ae-4292-910e-a3960e98653bOriginalA few weeks ago, one of Micah’s friends was having an outdoor birthday party.  The forecast predicted rain for that day, which would have really put a damper on the party.  So Micah and I prayed that it would not rain so that our friends would not be stressed or sad.

As we were leaving for the party, I looked outside the window and saw dark clouds rolling in.  I grabbed an umbrella, just in case.  Micah looked at me putting the umbrella in the boot and asked, “Mommy, did we pray for no rain?”

I paused, trying to think of an answer that didn’t include a theological exposition on prayer, God’s will, or faith and works.  Finally, I just said, “Yes, we did.”  But the inquisition continued.  “Are you taking an umbrella, mommy?”

“Yes.”

“For the rain?”

“Well, just in case.”

“Just in case?”

“We prayed that it wouldn’t rain.  But God might have other plans.  So if it does rain, then we have the umbrella.  Prayer is not about getting God to do everything we want, but about us talking to God like a friend.  That means God as our friend does things for us, but sometimes we as His friends have to change what we want.   So if He needs it to rain, we have an umbrella.  But if He doesn’t need it to rain, then He will say yes to our prayer and it won’t rain.”

Micah had stopped listening by this point and was looking at diggers on the side of the road.

But I had learned my lesson.  When we arrived at the park, I took out the pram, the nappy bag, the glider, the present, the two boys … but I left the umbrella in the boot.

Although it was overcast, there was not a single drop of rain until the party was over and we were home.

Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms,placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Having the faith of a child is not about being naive or simple.  It’s about embracing the full possibility of what God promises – and experiencing the blessing of His presence.

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

The Glad Game

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pollyanna“When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will.”  

This is my favourite line from one of my favourite childhood movies, Pollyanna (1960).  The film is based on a book written in 1913 by Eleanor Hodgman and features a little girl named Pollyanna who chooses to look for the good in all people and all circumstances despite being orphaned, crippled, and criticised.

When she comes to live with her rigid aunt in a small town in America, she explains this “Glad Game” to others: Her parents had been impoverished missionaries in the West Indies. Pollyanna had wanted a doll so badly that her parents wrote requesting a doll for a little girl.  When the missionary barrels came, there had been a mistake and instead of a doll, there was a pair of crutches.  Pollyanna was deeply disappointed.  Her father then made up the “Glad Game,” where whenever she was upset, they would think of something to be glad about.  What was there to be glad about crutches?  Well, they could be glad that they didn’t need to use them.

Pollyanna’s “Glad Game” catches on and the town that had been fractured and full of cranky people eventually becomes a caring community who find the good in each other.

The Glad Game.  At first, it’s a very difficult game to play if you’re used to playing the Self-Pity Game or even the Blame Game.  Many of us are champions of the Whinge Game.

What if we started to play the Glad Game?  What if we looked for the good not only in difficult circumstances but also in challenging people? What differences would we see and experience?

The wise king said, “Whoever seeks good finds favour, but evil comes to one who searches for it.”  Proverbs 11:27.  Or, as one translator paraphrased, “Anyone can find the dirt in someone.  Be the one that finds the gold.”

After all, God chooses to see the good in us and believes we are worthy dying for.  Glad tidings, indeed.

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

For Such a Time

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What do you do when you belong to an organisation, company, or country whose leader you don’t support or whose culture is contrary to your values and beliefs?

Do you run, quit, or protest?

Those may be valid responses.  But I’d like to present another option:

Have you ever heard of Obadiah?  I know, unusual name.

Obadiah was the chief of staff in King Ahab’s palace (~ 5th c. BC).  Ahab is infamous for being the most wicked of Israel’s kings.  As a high official, Obadiah has to carry out Ahab’s orders – but he also has the means to be faithful to his own beliefs.  When Ahab’s wife Queen Jezebel orders the prophets of the Lord to be killed, Obadiah hides a hundred prophets in two caves ad provides them bread and water until the crises abates (1 Kings 18:3-16).

A better known figure is Esther.

Esther was the Queen of Persia when Haman, the right man of King Ahasuerus, tries to annihilate all the Jews in the Empire (~5th c. B.C).  She courageously risks her life to expose Haman and to plead for her people.  The Jews still celebrate the Feast of Purim to honour the historical event (Esther 8,9).

Obadiah and Esther were at the right place at the right time to save lives and make a difference.

We may not be high officials or royalty.  But we can still exert our influence in a corrupt environment to bring about some good.  Of course, if being in that setting starts to poison us, it is time to get out.  But until then, could it be that we are where we are for a reason?

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

Lest We Forget

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I’m reading a book called “Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives” by Charles R. Swindoll.  It’s about the people behind the scenes who make it possible for famous individuals to succeed.  For example, ever heard of Josheb-basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, or Shaman son of Agee the Hararite?  I didn’t know who they were until I read the reference:

“These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.

Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.” 2 Samuel 23:8-12

Thanks to these men, David was able to survive the years of persecution and exile while King Saul was alive.  Because of their dedication and sacrifice, David became the King of Israel.  Yet we don’t often hear about them nor the many others whose incredible stories of loyalty and devotion would merit individual biographies if there were enough information about them.

It is a timely reminder to treasure each person around us who make different things possible – the postman who delivers our Christmas presents and cards, the train conductors who keep us safe on the tracks, the nurse who attends to our needs at the hospital, the janitor who keeps our workplace clean.

Every one has a story that if we listened, would be a fascinating, even heartbreaking story of redemption, loss, and hope.  Every one fills a place that may be unnoticed by the majority but nurtured carefully by the Creator who designed each person with unique personality, skills, interests, and opportunities.

You may feel invisible and insignificant in the drama of culture, politics, and competition that flash in blinding colours and burn in the spotlight – but in God’s eyes, you shine like a star (c.f. Daniel 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5-7; Philippians 2:14-16).

So let’s remember the unsung heroes this Christmas season.  Let’s appreciate each other as we celebrate the birth of a baby born in a manger to poor parents.  After all, the world has never applauded the meek and humble – but the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

As Water to the Thirsty

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 3 comments

I broke out in shingles the day Donald Trump won the U.S. Presidential Election.  As I stared at my computer in disbelief, I felt the rash burning on my back and belly, which had been aching for several days (I had ignored the pain thinking it was just a strain from carrying the boys).

The GP confirmed that I had shingles and told me to “rest.”  As if that were possible with a 3.5-year-old and a 6-month-old!  For the next several days, I struggled to “stay positive” as Joshua refused to take the bottle and I questioned whether taking the anti-viral medication was the best thing to do.  I still had to pump and discard every 3 hours, which meant that the elusive “rest” was even harder to get despite Roy and my friends’ generous help and support.  Even when I could lie down, sleep would not come and the pain and discomfort haunted my dreams.

Reading about shingles on Google only increased my fears and anxiety – what if I developed post-herpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles that results in chronic pain so bad that some people commit suicide? What if Joshua got chickenpox? What if the rashes spread?

On Monday, I hit a breaking point.  I was too overwhelmed and exhausted. I curled up into a ball (on the side that was rash-free) and cried.

I thought about Job and how my troubles were so light compared to his.  I had friends going through far worse.  I knew that I had so much to be grateful for, and yet – the tears kept flowing.

I prayed and tried to find comfort in the Psalms, a collection of poems that express the gamut of human emotions.

“As the deer pants for streams of water,

So my soul pants for you, my God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

While people say to me all day long,

“Where is your God?” Psalm 42:1-3

But the words blurred in my mind as I tried to blink away the fears that filled my heart.

My soul thirsted for peace and comfort.  I wanted God to come and hold me.

You know what?  He didn’t come.

But caring friends delivered delicious food.  Prayers were said on my behalf.  Roy took care of the children and cleaned the kitchen while I took one of the best naps I have had in a long time.

I woke up feeling not only physically improved but emotionally rested and spiritually refreshed.

The rest of Psalm 42 came to my lips as a song:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God…

By day the Lord directs his love,

at night his song is with me—

a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:5,8

He had come after all – not like a mighty wind blowing away the tears, nor like a fire burning down the fears, but like a constant friend, a loving partner, and the sweet, healing slumber of a weary soul.

As water to the thirsty,

as beauty to the eyes,

as strength that follows weakness,

as truth instead of lies,

as songtime and springtime

and summertime to be,

so is my Lord,

my living Lord,

so is my Lord to me.

Like calm in place of clamor,

like peace that follows pain,

like meeting after parting,

like sunshine after rain,

like moonlight and starlight

and sunlight on the sea,

so is my Lord,

my living Lord,

so is my Lord to me.

As sleep that follows fever,

as gold instead of grey,

as freedom after bondage,

as sunrise to the day,

as home to the traveler

and all we long to see,

so is my Lord,

my living Lord,

so is my Lord to me.

Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith

 

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

The Power of Accountability

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I went to the gym today at 6 am for the first time in years.

I didn’t want to go; I was hungry, tired and cozy in my bed at 5:45 am when the alarm went off.  But I had promised two lovely people that I would be there and I did not want to disappoint them.  So I got dressed in the dark, tip-toed past the two boys’ rooms, and got in the car wondering, “Why did I sign up for this?”

I got stuck behind the rubbish truck all the way down the street, so I had a few more minutes to reflect.  “I’ll be glad I did it afterwards,” I told myself.  “It’s a good way to start the morning,” I reasoned.  “I paid a lot of money for the membership,” I reminded myself.

By the time the workout started, I was feeling more optimistic.  In the middle, I wanted to give up (and cancel my membership).  In the end, the three of us were exhausted but pleased with our first morning workout session together.

A passage from Ecclesiastes came to mind:

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Accountability is a word we don’t like very much; we like freedom and independence.  We don’t like the idea of burdening someone nor depending on anybody.

But the truth is, we need each other to stand strong.  Not only for the times when we need emotional support, but for the times when we need to stand up for something or someone. When truth is swept under, when the vulnerable need our voices, and when our conscience demands it but our courage is weak, we need accountability to push us to do right.

So pray for an accountability partner who is willing to ask you hard questions.  Find someone with whom you can be honest and vulnerable.  As you share and grow together, you may find that your friendship becomes a bond that “is not quickly broken” – a blessing for a lifetime.

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

He calls us friend

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One of the greatest blessings in life are good friends.

When we close our eyes and picture a good time, fond memory, or favourite pastime, most likely we are remembering moments with our friends.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have at least one “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Now imagine Jesus, the Creator and Sustainer of life, turning to us and saying, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends . . . I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:13,15b).

Did you catch that?  Jesus calls us friends!

It is easy to read this passage in John (or any passage in the Bible for that matter) and hear the impersonal voice of an audio book narrator.  But go back and picture your best friend, who knows he or she only has a few more hours to live, leaning over to you and saying with trembling lips and soulful eyes, “You have been my friend…”

Wouldn’t you clutch your friend’s hand and say, “Thank you for being my best friend!  I don’t know what I’m going to do without you!”  Wouldn’t you weep if your friend’s death was to save your life?

Jesus could have saved us in a condescending swoop, like the way we release bugs outdoors instead of killing them.  Or He could have saved us like a superhero in spandex, using his powers to do the maximum good for as many unknown faces as possible.  He would still be worthy of worship.

But Jesus comes into the every day.  He walks with us.  He eats with us.  He talks with us and cries with us.  He knows us each by name.

Even His enemies saw that Jesus was not an esoteric snob or unapproachable celebrity with his posse of “cool guys”; they were annoyed that he was “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19).  He treated them as His equals; He was “Immanuel” – one with us.

When Judas betrayed Him, Jesus still called him “friend” (Matthew 26:50).  It was not said with sarcasm, but with sorrow as His heart was broken.

In those last few hours of HIs life, Jesus poured our His heart to His closest friends, the twelve disciples.  He washed their feet and shared one last meal with them.  He called them friends and prayed for them.  After they had all fled and even denied knowing Him, after He had been abused and crucified, He prayed that they would be forgiven.  Then He died for them – and us.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends…” (John 15:13).

Jesus extends His friendship to us – He says tenderly, earnestly, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, ad they with me” (Revelation 3:20).

By saying yes to opportunities to know Him better, we are venturing into the best friendship we could ever have.  It may take several months or years, but we will come to know and love a God who longs to call us friends.

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

Giving our Best for the Worst of Times

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“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way –” (A Tale of Two Cities, first line)

Charles Dickens’ description of the tumultuous years leading up to the French Revolution came to mind the other day as I was listening to the news on the radio.

The U.S. Election, terrorist attacks, crimes of fear, hate, and greed, spread of disease and rise of global warming – everything I heard made me despair in the state of the world.

But looking around me as I drove to my friend’s house in Melbourne, I saw parents leisurely pushing posh prams to the park, cafes bustling with business, and markets fully stocked of diverse produce.

How is it that in one corner of the world, there is a surplus of food, money, and peace while just around the bend there is such suffering, both silent and exposed?

Dickens was right; it is possible to live in a parallel universe where  pompous and poor, entitled and empty, indifferent and invisible are neighbours.  The growing inequality and injustice lead to a revolution that shatters and self-destroys.  Living for oneself and one’s own pursuit of happiness inevitably leads to a reckoning that is catastrophic not only for the guilty but the innocent. 

If his masterpiece isn’t warning enough for us of the dangers of indifference, let us turn to the greatest classic:

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18)

God’s Word is a truth mirror that reveals the injustice, hypocrisy, and sinfulness in our souls and society.  God does not mince words; He cuts through our complacency to spur us to change.

So what can we do?

Laying down one’s life for our brothers and sisters doesn’t always require the guillotine or the cross.  It does however ask for compassion and love in action.

This week is Homelessness Week, as Bronwyn presented last week at church.  Here’s the list she presented on what we can do:

  1. Donate money, food, beanies, scarves, gloves, warm coats, and toiletries to the homeless directly or to organisations like Salvos, St Vincents, Wesley, Melbourne City Mission, ADRA, Pinch-a-poo, Swags for the homeless, Kids Under Cover, etc.
  2. Write to your local MP re: the need for affordable housing
  3. Volunteer at a drop-in centre, food van, or soup kitchen
  4. Donate a house
  5. Fundraise and raise awareness
  6. “Like” the charities on Facebook and share the posts
  7. Join campaigns towards affordable housing
  8. Participate in the Homelessness week events and activities Aug 1-8
  9. Volunteer time and money regularly

We may not be able to feed the world, but we can feed one. We may not be able to prevent wars, but we can heal personal relationships. We may not be able to reform national or international politics, but we can vote.  We may not be able to change hearts, but we can humble ours. 

Jesus has left us an example of laying down His life for us.  As we too carry His cross of unselfish service and sacrifice, we will experience true satisfaction in our search for meaning and security.  As we love as He loves, we will find the rest and community that our souls crave in this unsettled life of isolated screen time.

Then we can echo the sentiment reflected in the last line of A Tale of Two Cities, though lesser known than its first, but far more beautiful for its redemptive refrain (spoiler alert! the protagonist realises that individual sacrifice and love, however insignificant it may seem in the scale of the darkness and disaster all around, can impact generations and leave a legacy that endures):

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known” (A Tale of Two Cities, last line).

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

It Takes a Village

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

IMG_20160607_132038Nurturing a life is hard.  The nine months in the womb is just the beginning.  Once a child is born, he has to be fed (at first, every two hours night and day), burped, changed, bathed, and loved.  It takes a herculean effort not just from the mum, but from everyone around who is supporting that new life.

Such has been the case for us; Roy has been settling the baby at 4 am, my dad has been taking care of Micah all day and even in the middle of the night, my mum has rarely left the kitchen since she arrived in Melbourne, and my sister has changed more nappies than she can count.  Not to mention the midwives, nurses, doctors, and staff at the hospital and council that make sure that Joshua is healthy and thriving. It takes a village to raise a child.

Nurturing a spiritual life also takes a community.  Peter writes to churches, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2,3 NIV).  Those who desire to grow in faith and experience need a community who can provide the support needed for the believer to get enough of that spiritual milk.  That community consists of those who are able to teach the Bible, extend hospitality and love, share spiritual discernment, proclaim the Word, and help in various ways.

Church attendance is important not only for the opportunity to worship, but also for the opportunity to belong to that community of support.  As we learn to trust and lean on each other (for prayer, friendship, partnership in ministry, etc.) we become the body of Christ:

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV).

Even though I am sleep deprived, sore, and unfit for public eyes, I am so happy to see Joshua growing – and proud that I am contributing to his amazing 1-kilo weight gain since birth.  I am so grateful for all those around me who are helping to shape Joshua’s present and future health and happiness; I could not do it without them.

Imagine the joy we will experience when we witness the growth of new believers and realise that we are part of the community who persevered together to make that happen.  Imagine the thrill of having a new sister or brother in Christ.  Imagine the love we will share as our church family grows in number and in strength as each of us does our part.

by: Jinha Kim

"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14