Giving Thanks in All circumstance...

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Really! Can we really give thanks in all circumstance? Does our God really expect us to do this? This verse seems to tell us that this is God's will! I was challenged by this verse yesterday as we were driving from Cuernavaca to Villahermosa. This was going to be the longest driving day so far in our journey: little over 10 hours.

We began the day early, leaving WEC International's mission base in Cuernavaca at 6AM. The journey began with a slow drive down a rocky path, followed by a local road with 26 speed bumps (our packed van would bottom out making a horrible scraping noise) and then unfamiliar local highways. I was anxious trying to make sure we are on the right road.

While driving, I missed a turnoff to a highway. I drove about .5 km down where I saw a a good spot to turn around. I give a left turn signal and slowly I began to make a turn. Then a loud screech! It followed with an inevitable thud that shook our van. Looking outside we saw a man bent over his steering wheel of a white Volkswagen Beetle rolling off to the side of the road. We were in an accident!

For some reason, I was not in panic mode; actually there a strange peace in my heart. Obviously getting in an accident in Mexico was not part of our plans and we had read many unpleasant stories and advise about the law in Mexico. However I was still at peace. After making sure Ethan, my wife, and Manases was not hurt, I calmly walked across the road to see how the other driver was.

The white Volkswagen was in rough shape. The front of the car looked like it had a run in with a telephone pole and there was a large spider web shaped crack on the windshield where Senor Fransisco (the other driver) slammed his head. Yet there was still a calm that was un-understandable. Amazingly Fransisco was unhurt! Knowing that everyone was unhurt, the logical brain took over and began to work through all of the things that needed to be done: Call the insurance comapany, notify friends, take pictures... Fransisco had saw us slow down and began to pass on a "no passing zone" when we began our turn; then it was to late to avoid the collision. I was thinking to myself this was clearly Fransisco's fault. BUT, Fransisco explained that on a highway if possible the turning car in the front should pull off to the right before trying to turn to the left. Strangely this made perfect sense to me! I was at fault and I was not angry.

As I spoke with Fransisco, I was thankful that he was not hurt, he was not angry, and he was not trying to take advantage of a foreigner. As I watched the speeding tractor trailers speed by I had to thank God that it was a little Volkswagen with its little engine in the back of the car that hit us just in the right spot to avoid all injuries. (read this little section if you are interested: The Volkswagen Beetle's unique circular design lets the force of impact to roll through the vehicle allowing less force to be experienced by the body. The placement of the engine in the rear and a soft crumple zone in the front allows for less force to be transferred to the other vehicle in the collision (mine) I was in such a position in the turn that allowed for the least impact to our vehicle.)

Amazingly after smacking his head on the windshield and shattering the glass, all Fransisco told us was, "I have a hard head!" Wow! I began to thank God and asked if I could pray for his head. We laid hands and give thanks to God and asked for any needed healing in the name of Jesus. Fransisco is a catholic, who works for the Department of natural resources (Yes we had an accident with a government vehicle). He told me he had three sons, the first two are in Chicago and the youngest (18) was in the school of culinary arts. As we began to share our stories, I felt that this accident was not just an accident but an opportunity for a new friendship. Then, I felt that I should invite his youngest son to our cooking seminar in August (It is a two day trip by bus from Fransisco's town). Surprisingly, Fransisco became excited over the idea. My imagination began to run with wild possibilities of how this divine encounter would take form and bear fruit.

Everything worked out in a very decent time and we were back on the road after about 2 hours. We began to thank God for the accident! We met another great friend. We began to think about how we can arrange for Fransisco's son who is in a 4 year culinary arts program to come to visit us for our cooking seminar in August. I felt like that this was why God let us have this divine appointment with Fransisco. Our car became filled with awe and thanks to our amazing God!

Yes, I am beginning to see, WE CAN GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES! (Yes we can also find a million things to complain and curse about) But, in every situation you have a choice! It does not mean the challenge that life's unexpected circumstances throw at us will be easy to overcome. But, we do have a choice of approaching that circumstance from the point of view of God! God is with us! God is a Sovereign God who knows even our littlest of thoughts. God will not abandon us, He died for us. We have confidence knowing that nothing will separate us from the Love of our Awesome God!..

Have you given thanks today?

More pictures on my facebook (Looke for Kyle Wilson NC)

Feeling like Gideon?

Judges 6:15-17 "But Lord , " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.

Don't we all feel like a Gideon sometimes. We know Jesus is powerful, but we know how broken we are. We feel less than adequate for the task God is calling us to. Who am I that I should go to Mexico for you to be a witness of your Gospel? I am the least among all the pastors I know..

I had a Gideon moment as we crossed into Mexico. I was so anxious; will we make it through the border? Where am I supposed to register car? I felt so helpless. I lifted a Gideon prayer to God! If this is you sending our family show me a sign of your favor; SHOW ME ONE MORE RAINBOW! (Read past blog about the double rainbow) As we drove through Mexico, suddenly storm clouds formed ahead of us, but strangely it was only ahead of us! It was sunny all around but directly ahead. Then such a powerful array of colors burst from the top of the clouds. I skidded to a stop (I do not recommend this on highway) and took a picture... God is SO GOOD!

I am weak but he is strong, NO I am Strong because of the one that LIVES IN ME! Friends we have been called and set apart to be POWERFUL FORCE for his Love. We are the voice of hope in a generation that is losing its hope.

Then as we walked into the Hotel God placed another rainbow in the sky! (Sorry I did not get a picture but my son, wife, and the Hotel attendant in Monterrey can vouch)

To the Fellowship of Believers out there reading this... Be the Force for Hope!

Update on our travel...

Shalom..

We want to keep you updated on our travel.. We are passing through Louisiana on our way to Austin Texas. We will be worshiping with our friends at Austin Korean Presbyterian Church. On Monday we will be crossing into Mexico. We will be visiting Mike at the WEC International Mexico mission base south of Mexico City before making our way up to Sacalum by end of the week.

Thank you for your prayers! Also I will be updating status on my face book...

FOB's Rize Up in Atlanta...Acts 2:42-47

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

What a beautiful picture of community in Jesus Christ. However as I read (past tense) this, a sad realization was that my limited experience of church communities did not quiet fit this description of the early church. Let me qualify that statement, Probably I have only visited less than 30 or so churches in my lifetime and often not to find a faith community but for some home-cooked Korean food. Let me give you a short background on my past:

I grew up as an adopted Korean American in a Catholic German Irish home. We were not very religious, making it to most Easter, Christmas Eve, and New years Masses. I ran away from home at the age of 15 midst unfortunate set of circumstances. (I can share my life testimony in detail if you want to e-mail me) Since then, I have dealt with doubt, loneliness, depression, despair, and hopelessness. I have searched and sought out for a "family" that would fill that void left by the brokenness of my life. This search has led to joining the Marines, The Fraternal Order of Police, Being part of just about every clique, to even thinking about joining a gang.

However, about 10 years ago I walked in to a small church in Greensboro NC where God took a hold of my life. I became active in the church; I was strategically involved in worship as a simultaneous translator from Korean to English; I became a part of the children's program; I was one of the active leaders in organizing fellowship for our 30 to 40's group. WOW! I thought, this is church! Finally, I felt normal.

Then, we helped to organize a 30-40's family retreat to Baltimore. I had lived in Baltimore for about 6 years and was familiar with the best places to eat; our group loved to fellowship over good food! As we were walking into the restaurant we saw a group of "rough" looking men at one of the tables. One of the men was wearing a white tank-top sitting up on the back of the chair rather than sitting on it and displaying proudly his tattoos accented by a thick gold chain. Most of our group tried not to make eye contact as they followed the waitress to their seats. But, I looked over wondering who they were. What a surprise when I recognize them! They were my friends! I had not seen them for almost 6 years. Ji, one with the gold chain, jumped off the seat and ran yelling out, "Kyle!" (I wonder what my church friends from NC thought?) He continued, "Where have you been, man....I missed you!" His eyes welled up with tears....... I spoke to him about my journey to NC for a few minutes before promising to keep in touch and saying goodbye. I rejoined my "church family". But my comfort in the "church family" would never be the same.

I went home and began to think (dangerous activity, do not try it if you are comfortable where you are!). Somehow there was something deeper and genuine about my relationship with Ji than in the relationships I had built in church. WOW! That just did not feel right. How can a community rooted in the Living God, Jesus Christ feel less genuine than a relationship based on the law of the street? As I thought and pondered in agony over these questions, God pointed to a group of people who found a treasure in Jesus and decided to live in community because of Him. In Acts chapter 2 and 4 we see a glimpse of what this community looked like. This group of people really really really loved Jesus that Jesus became their first desire and everything of value in the world became a second desire. As I read this over and over, my heart cried out, "This is what I desire!" However the sad reality was that my community at my church did not look like this. My own community had been formed by patterns of political correctness rather than biblical correctness. But the question is, "In our culture is this REALLY possible?" The Bible says that all things are possible through HIM (Jesus). But, even for Christians that is only a spiritual answer to a very real and practical problem in the church as we try to define our lives as church after waiting for Jesus to return for 2000 years.

I am convinced that the church in Acts 2 and 4 were and isolated anomaly caused by specific historical conditions that allowed them to live such abandoned and radical lives for Christ. Rather, when we fall in love with Christ, it is only natural to live as a follower of the radical, homeless rabbi from Galilee; It is to not only believe in His name but also to be formed in His image. However, saying it is possible and trying to transform the church into something that it has long forgotten is another. But, my recent trip to Atlanta has given me great hope for the future.

I had the privilege of visiting my friend Sun Awh in Atlanta as I am driving to Mexico. He moved to Atlanta with a vision from God to raise up leaders in the Atlanta area (His vision is much more detailed if you want to ask him personally). He shared with me how many young people from all around the country had abandoned their lives to join him in this vision in Atlanta. (The crazy thing is that these are not lost 20 somethings but many left the possibility of lucrative careers and lives to be part of this community in Atlanta) They meet together, fellowship, and even share financial resources. I began to wonder, "Are they for real or just another good attempt?"

The answer is a resounding, "Yes they are for REAL!" I felt such a power Spirit as I joined them for their prayer meeting. It may feel awkward for those who have been part of the "traditional

Unshakable Hope

The Unshakable hope, what does it mean in our time. I was leaving the movie theater (I had promised my son that I would take him to the new Transformer movie) and heard people on the phone saying, "No way! Michael Jackson is dead!" I could not believe it myself, Michael Jackson who spent million to try to hold on to youth dies at such a young age. When I opened up my yahoo news, I was shocked again that Farah Fawcett also died. They were 50 and 62 respectively. I began to think, how much time do I have left? But more I thought about it the more anxious, worried, scared, and hopeless. The lie and the deception of this crooked and depraved generation (Phil 2:15) is that somehow with money and technology that death can be cheated. The truth is when we live in fear of death we miss the chance to live. Romans 14:8 says that we live and die for Christ, and no matter what we belong to Christ. That is powerful words of Hope, to hear that no matter what we belong to GOD, the creator of heaven and earth. We live with an eternal perspective of HOPE through Jesus Christ who became the extreme voice of hope on the cross.

Nothing can kill faster than hopelessness, So, how will you live today? With the Spirit of Power, Love and humility? (2 Timothy 1:7) or in fear of life and death? As Pastor Bob from Grace retreat declared, "We need to become a Force for hope in this generation."

True Fast

Have you ever fasted before the Lord? As our Nashville summer outreach team prepares for its 33 hour fast and fundraiser, I began think, "Why do we fast?" Why does God desire a fast? Is it simply a symbolic act of saying, "God you are more important food?" (that is saying a lot, food is pretty important in my life) Has a fast simply become another religious practice that really does not seem have a practical connection with our lives? or has it become a tool for fund raising? (such as World Vision's 30 hour famine and our church's 33 hour fast for outreach). The heading for Isaiah 58 in the NIV version says, "True Fasting". This chapter tells us that a fast has deeper purpose than simply humbling ourselves before God. (verse 3) It is not a tool for me to look holier than others by showing "humility" before others. (verse 5) God has chosen the fast "to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free..." (verse 6) In Luke 4:18, Jesus also declared his mission purposes , "...to release the oppressed.." The fast helps us to realign our lives with the mission of our Lord, Jesus.

Someone said, "We need to live simply so that others may simply live." (Not Jesus, but I read this in a book but I cannot think of the book right now) The fast is not simply a day of reflection on our needs, but it is a time of reflection and realigning our life practices to look more like followers of Jesus. The fast is lifestyle readjustment. It is a time when we share our food with the hungry, provide shelter, clothe the naked, and not to turn from the needs of our neighbor. (verse 7) In the midst of our own hectic lives, a fast allows us to reposition our lives, attitudes in thanksgiving to the Lord, so that we may live as Jesus lived, love others!

We ask for your prayers as 22 youth and 4 teachers begin their 33 hours of fasting. I pray that it will be a time of great thanksgiving. We will pick up garbage in the streets, we will cook, serve, and fellowship with the homeless, we will pray for our friends in Nashville. We will give our time, food, and money to the Lord. Joel 2:15 says, "declare a holy fast" and "afterward, I (God) will pour out my Spirit on all people." I believe this is the "Holy Fast" God is asking us to declare. Then He promises in Isaiah 58, "you will call and the Lord will answer, you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."

Practical thought: Our youth group has try to have a "true Fast offering", We challenge our kids to fast from a drink ($1 to $4) or a meal (@$2 for school meal). I know what can $2 do? It is not what you do alone but what the body of God does together in unity. For us if everyone fasted and give it is over $200 a week..Close a $1000 a month... hmmm get the picture.. When we do little things in unity God can do great things through us. If you would like to fast and donate and join our outreach send checks payable to: KFPC 318 Stage Coach Trail Greensboro NC 27407.. We will be leaving for Nashville on June 30th

The miracle of the rainbow!

Genesis 9:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Often we dismiss the works of God in our lives as coincidences. But as we become more sensitive to the voice and the presence of God in our lives, we become aware that nothing happens by chance with our sovereign and loving father.

Our God who created the universe loves us so much that he knows us by name. He has set us side from all creation to have a relationship with Him.

A few weeks ago in Nicaragua, we were returning from a day of ministry in a small slum neighborhood ironically named, "La Paradiso" (the paradise, it does not look much like one with human eyes). God must have felt my dejection over the condition of that small community, because he placed such a beautiful double rainbow in the sky for me to see. I have never seen such a clear rainbow and on a sunny highway? My heart felt God saying, "Everything will be ok! Trust me!"

The following week I was on a highway in Mexico returning from an amazing week of God's lavish love. Suddenly up ahead on the highway a single rainbow became visible, then amazingly a second. Coincidence, I think not...