what’s your feel good movie?

Wow. I noticed that most of my entries the past week or so have been very intense. So, let’s take a step back. For goodness sake, it’s Thanksgiving week! And we also need to get many of our blog lurkers and stalkers off the sidelines and onto the comments.

No one will bite…but I can’t guarantee it after this week.

Here’s the simple question:

What are you go to feel good movies that you watch to lift your spirits? The films you watch when you’re feeling down, knocked down, or in need of inspiration?

How about three? But share at least one.

My three+ in no particular order:

Filed under: , chariots of fire, films, hoosiers, movies, star wars

fight for justice for women or fight to rule over women?

In every culture and in every part of the world, this injustice is present.  What is the oldest injustice in the world?

It is the way that ”we” view, treat, and oppress women.

As a young Korean man, I was influenced through the Confucian culture and worldview that women were born to serve their fathers as young girls, their husbands when they got married, and their grown sons when they were older mothers.  Their lives revolved around men.

As a Christian man, I learned that women should be our “partners.” They should be quiet, submissive and know their place.  Obey and honor their fathers, love and submit to their husbands, and raise godly sons and daughters.

Why didn’t I learn that women and men are both created in the beautiful image of God?  Why didn’t I learn that while we have different roles, we are also created equal in the image of God?  Why didn’t I learn that through Christ, women and men can do all things through Him who gives strength and grace.

I still remember a portion of this email that I received from a congregant couple years ago after a sermon I gave at Quest regarding women:

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one of the scariest days of my life

As a parent, having a sick child is horrible – especially because you want to “fix” things but often can’t. As a parent, taking your child to the ER because of a possible life threatening situation is probably the worst.

Yesterday, Minhee and I experienced one of the scariest days of our lives.

Our 11 year old daughter has some pretty bad food allergies since birth: eggs, shellfish, and all nuts. She’s “overcome” the egg allergies but she’ll likely need to deal with the others for the rest of her life.

Yesterday at church, she unknowingly had something that she thought was okay but may of had some walnuts.

And before you knew it,

Filed under: , allergies, epipen, family, health, nuts

to mike foster and jud wilhite, and the leaders of zondervan publishing

Join us in continual prayer for this entire situation (personal thoughts and reflections). We believe we can and will emerge from this – wiser, deeper, and more unified as the body of Christ.

Below is a letter we sent out this morning to our brothers, Mike and Jud, and the leaders of Zondervan Publishing. It is signed by the folks that have in conversation with the authors and publisher but we write the letter on behalf of many. As such, please feel free to sign your name and other personal info you want to share (city, church, etc.)

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To Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite, and the leaders of Zondervan Publishing,

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zondervan’s statement, apology, and actions regarding deadly vipers

As many of you know, several Asian-American leaders and I have been in dialogue with both the authors of Deadly Vipers and the publisher, Zondervan, over a controversy I’ve written about here and here. I know that many who have followed along have been frustrated by the [perception] of the  lack of progress and movement but there have been a lot of things going on behind the scenes and I’m thankful to share that we recently received this official statement and apology (and concrete actions) from Maureen Girkins, the CEO of Zondervan.

In short, they have decided to pull the Deadly Vipers book and curriculum from stores.

While this decision pleases us, I want you to know that no one is jumping up and down. I have no desire to revel or bask in “victory” for the simple reason that I don’t see this as a win or lose, us vs. them, Asians vs non-Asians, etc. I never saw it that way.  We are part of the larger body of Christ. We are your sisters and brothers and while Asian-Americans are not a monolithic group, many of us shared our pain and hurt over the presentation and marketing (not the content) of the book and curriculum.

In the official Zondervan statement, I was also very encouraged that they are reaching out to the authors, Mike and Jud, to “come up with a better presentation of that message.” I intend to reach out to them as well. I’ve met Mike and have had some interactions with him; I have yet to meet Jud, but believe in their leadership and presence and hope to work with them in the future. [update: their website has been taken down now...see below for their message and my hope that it will be raised up again in the near future].

My prayers remain with Mike and Jud as I’m sure this entire situation has been incredibly difficult. They are brothers in Christ and good leaders and I sincerely hope that things will converge in such a way that we can share in face to face conversation and fellowship in the future.

The other leaders and I have contended from the beginning that this isn’t a personal attack on the authors and that we wholeheartedly support the elevation of the subject matters of their book – ‘character’ and integrity -’ for all Christians, especially female and male leaders.

I’m certain that the dialogue won’t end here..for reconciliation and unity need to be steadfast and intentional pursuits. For example, Zondervan has asked couple folks to consider joining an advisory board to consult with them on future materials. And I certainly hope that our interactions with Mike and Jud will not end with this situation. As I’ve shared before in an earlier post, I do not want my relationship with them to be defined by this “controversy” or be content in being “Facebook friends.”

Lastly, I want to thank Zondervan for hearing us, engaging us, and ultimately, doing the right thing. I acknowledge that it wasn’t an easy thing to do…but they did the right thing. Apologies are never easy. But acknowledging and correcting require humility, leadership, and courage and we commend them and the authors, Mike & Jud.

Thanks for your support and prayers.

Here’s their official statement:

Filed under: , deadly vipers, zondervan

“love and generosity and…loyalty.”

My oldest child is now in middle school and with that comes new adventures as a family. I’m extremely proud of her for many reasons.

One reason is because of her creative spirit. Here’s a poem she wrote recently (after we returned from our vacation in Nebraska in late summer). I’m clearly biased but it’s beautiful and moving.

Her poem is entitled, I am From. And now…she is published:

Filed under: , daughter, family, father, poetry

sarah palin, newsweek cover, and sexism?

Sarah Palin is all over the news – just like she wants. And before you criticize her, she and her team have a strategy and they’re implementing it well to ensure that her persona is before the American public until the next Presidential election. Like her or not, get used to seeing and hearing much about Palin.

And on cue, Palin is on the front cover of the latest edition of Newsweek.  Most of my readers know that I like Palin but Not in That Way but what in the world is up with the editors of Newsweek. What is the point of this cover?

I don’t have a problem with the lead title but that image of Palin is demeaning. Let’s call it straight: It’s sexist.  She is a politician and one of the very few visible female politicians. Why would they take a picture from a shoot from some time ago from Runner’s World Magazine (and use it without permission from RW)? What is the point of her with her “running legs” for a political article?

Your turn:

Politically Correct overload or is this sexist?

Filed under: , going rogue, newsweek, newsweek magazine, sarah palin

we should all learn to bow like obama

Dear Americans,

What is wrong with us?

So, President Obama bows in respect to the Japanese emperor during his recent visit to Japan and the next thing you know, all kind of crazy, nonsensical, and ridunkulous statements are flung through the newspapers, blogosphere, radio shows, and chit chats.

What exactly is wrong with the image above?
What are your reactions to the reactions?

Here are some of my thoughts:

Filed under: , barack obama, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, japan, korea, president obama, presidential bow

kseneiya skimonova: the power of art

Have you seen this stunning video of a Ukranian artist named Kseniya Simonova? It’s 8 minutes and 33 seconds long but trust me, it’s worth your time and a great way to begin a new week.

Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine’s version of “America’s Got Talent.” She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and “sand painting” skills to interpret Germany’s invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.

Watch it. I’m curious what you think. Reminds me again of the power of art…

Filed under: , art, kseneiya skimonova, sand painting

one day’s wages in the new york times!

One Day’s Wages is in the New York Times today in an article entitled New Fame for the Everyday Donor (or click the photo from the NY Times article above). Needless to say, the entire ODW team is excited about the great support and press coverage we’ve received recently including another article in the Seattle Times last week.

But really, I’m humbled by the grace that God has shown me, my family, our ministry, and now the work we’re doing through One Day’s Wages.

The movement begins with you as you choose to invest your one day’s wages. Then another and then another. Can you imagine if 10,000 people gave their one day’s wages each year for the next 40 years? How about 100,000 people? You choose where to invest your donation and 100% (minus transaction costs) go to the specific projects you choose.

Filed under: , new york times, One Day's Wages

200-300 girls from the sex trade

I recently had the privilege of interviewing David Batstone – founder and President of Not For Sale.  My favorite part of the interview and this partnership ($25,000 to build a Border Outpost between Nepal & India):

By funding and creating this border outpost, we’ll be able to help anywhere from 200-300 girls and young women from the sex trade and give them the possibility of earning their own day’s wages and lives of dignity.

Learn more about this project and partnership.

Here’s one girl that was rescued from the sex trade:

Filed under: , david batstone, human trafficking, not for sale, One Day's Wages, sex trade

in defense of the 130 million dollar church building project

Recently, First Baptist Church in Dallas unveiled plans for a 130 million dollar capital campaign for their new worship center which would include the whole enchilada: a 3,000 seat worship center, 6 floor education building, glass concourse, parking garage, sky bridge, the preservation of their current historic building, a fountain plaza, two side by side gymnasiums, an outdoor patio, and the all important oval pool with a stone water tower topped with a cross.

Geez, I’m just asking for your one day’s wages.

As you might expect, there are some heavy criticisms from people but I find it odd that folks that are often in the camp of “If we’re reaching people for Jesus, that’s the main thing…” as defenses for the latest church pop trends are also very critical of the building project.

I say it’s odd because that’s the exact reasoning behind this church’s vision of the 130 million dollar campaign.

So, let me share couple thoughts in defense of this church:

Filed under: , 130 million dollar church building project, first baptist church dallas

odw featured in the seattle times!

Thanks for your support. Only together – literally – can we ensure the end of extreme poverty. I know there are so many worthwhile causes.

Let’s celebrate, support, and cheer on these efforts and the people behind them.

We’re not here to compete w/ others. We want to celebrate the work and efforts of so many different causes and the people and communities behind them. And so with that, I hope you can help support, cheer on, and even celebrate the work of One Day’s Wages.

Here’s the article: Local Charity Based on Donating a Day’s Salary (or click on image above).

The compelling aspect of ODW is that 100% of your donations (minus transaction costs) go to projects on the ground YOU CHOOSE to fight extreme global poverty. While we may not be able to fix the world, our investments can help change the life of a child, a mother, a father, a family, and even a village.

Here’s three other 5 PRACTICAL things you can do to give us “a bump’:

Filed under: , charity water, extreme poverty, global poverty, Heal Africa, non-profit, not for sale, One Day's Wages, philanthropy

my last post (i think) on deadly vipers: asian cultural exegesis, grown men crying, and turning the other cheek

If you read my blog, you know the situation that brewed this past week regarding the marketing of a book entitled Deadly Vipers. This past week, a few of us including Soong Chan Rah and Kathy Khang shared a conference call with both authors of the book and on a separate day, w/ some of the executives of Zondervan Publishing.

I’m always surprised (even now) how people respond to these sort of circumstances. Honestly, I wished people can see that we’re not trying to stir trouble, seek attention, or get extra blog traffic – because we have nothing else to do. There is genuine need to address these situations. The fact that people have NO CLUE that something can be offensive or hurtful is proof in itself that we still have a long way to go despite a caustic email I received this week:

“…But we have a black President.”

Right… (rolling my beautiful Asian eyes…)

Filed under: , deadly vipers, kathy khang, soong chan rah

we finally did it and excited for the future

We’ve received our share of criticism about our public pledge to donate our 2009 salary to fight extreme poverty. Everything ranging from “Stop boasting” to “You’re lying” and

How about Matthew 6:3 and “…when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

For the record, I have no good response to people rebuking me with that scripture.  I know some of you are sick of me mentioning it but this will be the last time I mention it (although I know that this is what most of the media and bloggers will focus on as we get started).

I need to share it because there were many (mostly anonymous Facebookers) that doubted our pledge. While we weren’t able to honor the pledge by the October 20, 2009 launch date as we had hoped, I went to the bank yesterday and walked out with a cashier’s check for $68,000.

When we made our pledge, we had a plan to make it work but the year proved to be much more difficult than we had anticipated.  But after this past year+ of saving, scrimping, subletting, saving, borrowing, and other creative things, we were finally able to make the donation.

And while it was a difficult year, we learned much; grew more in love and respect for my wife; experienced many teaching moments with our children, and are excited for all that is in store…

There are two main reasons why we did this:

Filed under: , extreme global poverty, One Day's Wages, philanthropy, seattle

harvard professor donates engagement party?

I can’t tell you how much this story encourages me. I met Dr. Josephine Kim, a Harvard professor in their graduate school of education, this past summer when we spoke at a leadership conference.

Check out what she and her fiance are doing to celebrate their engagement (or click image above). Beautiful stuff.

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we’ve blogged about it. now, let’s get together…

I want to follow up on yesterday’s post which I believe has broken the record for the longest title in history: “deadly vipers, mike foster, jud wilhite, soong-chan rah, chuck norris, joyluck club, angry asian man, wanna be ninjas and everyone else.” Yo, that’s how I roll.

I had some good dialogue with Mike Foster yesterday and then a conference call later in the afternoon with Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite (Authors), Chris Heurtz (Director, Word Made Flesh), Soong-Chan Rah (Prof., North Park), Kathy Khang (InterVarsity Multi-Ethnic Ministries Director), and Eugene Cho (Pastor, Quest Church). The conversation was facilitated by Nikki Toyama-Szeto (Urbana 09 Program Director).While I had to click out about 40 minutes into the hour conversation, I was encouraged by the honest conversations from everyone involved and the shared conviction that we did not want this to be a one hit (one chat & out) wonder a la Men at Work (remember them?).

As I shared in the post yesterday, I know there’s no ill intent and this is often the case but folks just don’t know how this kind of stuff indirectly and even directly perpetuates stuff that can be harmful and painful.

I know that what I am about to share is not directly linked to DV but I want to share a glimpse of my heart.

I love my kids dearly (now ages 11, 8, and 6) but when they come home and are occasionally distraught over “stuff”

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relationships: god the creator is pursuing you

We launched a new teaching series at Quest this past Sunday entitled “Relationships: ___________.”  We’ll likely spend the next 4-5 months on all things relationships: God, Jesus, Spirit, self, parents, children, enemies, marriage, dating, and so on.

One of our other pastors was supposed to launch the series but had to bail last minute with a good excuse: emergency surgery on his eye to avoid the possibility of permanent blindness. Glad Pastor Ray is doing much better.

Anyway, here’s the sermon from last Sunday. Not to over-hype the importance of this message but our relationship with God and the Trinity is so pivotal as it has the ability to inform and transform all our other relationships.

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