A blog entry from Jared C. Wilson on adoring Jesus:
 “We are typically very quick to note when someone is not showing love for their neighbor. But what about love for Jesus? Should it settle implicitly? Is love for Christ something that is sufficient when latent?
What I notice a lot every day in the Christian spheres of social media is just how incredibly adept we evangelicals are at doctrinal criticism, cultural rebuke, theological analysis, biblical exegesis, contending for the faith in apologetic and ethical debates, pithy spiritualbon mots, religious advice, and of course the quoting of Christian leaders present and past, but what seems less prevalent is adoration of Jesus.
When we see a Bible verse, we run its meaning through our mind and can expound on it with intelligence, but when we see Christ before us, do we stagger at his beauty and exult in it with awe? Do we adore Jesus?
When we see a lost person acting a fool in the news, our righteous indignation runs right through our fingertips to our keyboards, but when we see Christ before us, does our righteousness crumble and run right to his feet in a posture of supplication? Do we adore Jesus?
When we see one of our Christian heroes saying something smart or funny or challenging, we send them a virtual high-five and echo the proclamation in shouts of appreciation, but when we see Christ before us, do we lift him high in our hearts and herald his glory with shouts of acclamation? Do we adore Jesus?
When we see that someone is wrong on the Internet, we feel the responsibility to speak up, to be the one to stand in the gap between their ignorance and our assurance, but when we see Christ before us — supreme and sovereign and saving — do we feel the wonders of his radiance?
When we look at Jesus, are we warmed? Or do we shrug our shoulders?
Some professing Christians don’t seem to speak of Christ at all. Let them ask themselves, “Do I adore Jesus?”
Has Jesus become our mascot, our projection? When you look at him, what do you see?
There’s nothing wrong with using the Internet public squares for all kinds of messages, from the serious to the silly, and I don’t mean to suggest that there is. I just want to ask sometimes, “But do you adore Jesus? It seems you are fired up about all sorts of things, but it is not clear if you love Jesus.” I don’t think we should simply assume from some peripheral fire that the central ignition is love of Christ.
Christ is the apex of all that is precious, the center of all that is glorious and delightful. He is the very point of existence. He is the Son of the living God, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last who was and is and is to come. “O come let us adore him!”, not scrutinize, utilize, or analyze him.”
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so…
– Psalm 107:2
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
– Isaiah 52:7

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
January 12, 2014

I believe that retreats, regardless of who the speaker is, what the theme is, who serves as counselors and how many kids sign up, always turn out be a blessing to everyone. I can attest to that because there has not been a “bad” retreat for the last 8 years I’ve served as youth pastor at NCFC, not counting many years when I went as a student. God never fails to show up beyond our expectations. This past winter retreat was no different than other retreats in ways that God touched our hearts and how He stirred up new passion and vision for His kingdom. However, apart from all the usual retreat experience, this past winter retreat was definitely a memorable one because we celebrated New Year’s Eve together. It was a special night that everyone will talk about for many years! The level of excitement and craziness (in a good way) that I witnessed that night was something very special. You just had to be there to experience it!
When we started planning and promoting the retreat, many parents were concerned that the retreat was ending on New Year’s Day because families getting together has been a long tradition for many Korean families. As a result, a good number of families decided not to sign up and there were kids who just didn’t want to come to the retreat on top of that. Even though I understand the culture and the family traditions and all, I was so frustrated that people take these retreats so lightly when we have more than 20 counselors who take these retreats so seriously by taking their personal vacations (some without pay) to serve and to love upon the students. I had one teacher couple who even brought their kids and stayed overnight in the motel room because they wanted to be there for the kids they teach. I even told some people to come visit for a day or two before going out to the family gatherings for the New Year’s Day but no one took my advice seriously. You can probably feel my frustration as you read this column. I believe it’s a matter of setting “proper” priorities in life. Many of us say that God is our number one priority in life but a lot of times other things in life come first and God becomes secondary.
During a Sunday school class when I asked the kids what helps them to grow in their relationship with God, 7 out of 8 people answered “retreats”. Of course, a mature Christian can grow by reading the bible and praying consistently but we know how hard that is for young people who are so busy and are surrounded by worldly pleasures all around them. So I urge everyone to make it a priority to attend future retreats. I pray and hope we will have more hunger and thirst for God this year. I pray that we, as a church, will hold on to God’s promise from Joel 2:28-30 and act upon His promise for the year of 2014.

28   I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth

Happy New year everyone!

From Pastor Brian’s Heart
January 5, 2014