“guide us…”

I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed this week with stuff.  As a result, I haven’t had the energy or time to follow through on posts I’ve been wanting and promising to write [sorry!].  Yesterday, I came home feeling stressed.  It’s a strange feeling because my threshold for stress is very high.  I rarely get rattled.  It’s good to have this sense of stability but if I’m not careful, it leads to my biggest personal struggle: my pride and self-reliance.  Confidence is good; self-reliance or rather, unreliance on God is my path to isolation and exhaustion.

holy godtube raises 30 million

Show me the money. 

I was a little stunned yesterday when I received word via my news feeds that GodTube - the Christian version of YouTube raised 30 million dollars in funding.

Here’s a story that is either the sign of an enormous bubble or an indication that perhaps entrepreneurs need to have a bit more faith (literally and figuratively). GodTube, the YouTube for the religious, has raised $30 million at a $150 million valuation, according to Rafat Ali. The funding comes from GLG Partners, a hedge fund. [via Mashable]

GodTube was only launched last summer by Chris Wyatt, a seminarian from Dallas Theological Seminary and now reportedly has about 2 million users.

I don’t want to sound like a hater or Doubting Thomas here.

prayerfully fighting poverty

Thanks for the feedback on last week’s entry on [Wisely] Fighting Poverty.  After reading the responses, I wanted to share a few more details of what we’re envisioning.  Details are still to be worked through but here are some more random thoughts:

• Our vision cannot eradicate poverty.  If I am honest, poverty - locally and globally - will likely persist on some level but extreme poverty can be eradicated.  But our simple hope is to be moved and move others into action because while we can’t save the world, we can help one child, one family, one village, one area, etc.  We can make a difference.

pray for burma/myanmar

Update [5/9]:  Pray, Act, and Give.  And then pray more.

This is a brutal picture [from the NY Times] that conveys the gravity not only of what has transpired but a glimpse of the difficult weeks ahead as they deal with outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, malaria, etc. in addition to the dilemma of starvation and water issues.

From the NY Times article entitled, “U.N. Pressures Myanmar to Allow Aid.”  Shocking that after almost one week, the first two U.N. flights just arrived yesterday. 

With up to 1.5 million people in Myanmar now believed to be facing the threat of starvation and disease and with relief efforts still largely stymied by the country’s isolationist military rulers, frustrated United Nations officials all but demanded Thursday that the government open its doors to supplies and aid workers.

supporting women in all levels of leadership

Women in all levels of leadership and ministry… Well, I guess this is the serious entry in response to satire entitled - 10 reasons why men should not be ordained for ministry.  And to give you a little context, this is what I wrote in an earlier post about supporting women in ministry:

…we have to ask how are we as revolutionary followers of Jesus - who debunked the systemic structures during his life - are working, living, ministering, writing, speaking and creating to work towards that end.

Power [authority], voice and influence are not easily pursued [and obtained]. It must be distributed and shared from those who have that very power, voice and influence. And because it is so counter-cultural, we have to be that much more intentional.

As a male, I am embarrassed at times at the manner in which we [men] directly, indirectly, or systemically oppress our sisters. While there’s a legitimate female candidate for the president of this country, there are many [in the church] who still wonder if women should be in leadership. I know that [for them] it’s a biblical issue and not intended to be a personal issue but why would women want to subject themselves to these questions again and again and again…

Sadly, this is an issue and conversation that will continue until the Day of the Lord.  Many have already drawn their lines in the sand and others are on the fence.  Regardless, this entry is shared for the purpose of calling each of us to a deeper engagement of the Scriptures since we are called to be women and men not simply propelled by human observations or popular culture but also compelled by biblical revelation and the life of Jesus Christ.

Why do churches, pastors, and Christians believe that women should not be allowed in all levels of leadership and ministry?  The unanimous answer is: 

Because the Bible says so.

indiana jones, 12th cylon, and must see video

An amazing story about sportsmanship in a college women’s softball game last Saturday in Ellensburg, Washington.  Do yourself a favor and WATCH THE VIDEO.  [I'll try to imbed it later.]

Western Oregon’s Sara Tucholsky is carried around the bases by Central Washington’s Liz Wallace, left, and Mallory Holtman after injuring her knee following her home run during their softball game Saturday April 26, 2008, in Ellensburg, Wash. With two runners on base and a strike against her, Tucholsky uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence

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microsoft withdraws offer for yahoo

After speaking with a dozen of Microsoft employees that go to my church couple months ago, most thought well of Microsoft’s bid for Yahoo.  I’m not sure if they actually thought well of MSFT acquiring Yahoo or if it was the idea of doing something BIG to go toe-to-toe with Google.  Morale didn’t seem all that great when I visited one of their gazillion cafeterias at the Redmond campus.  Getting free soft drinks is one thing but getting pummelled by Google is another. 

Well, Microsoft formally withdrew its offer from Yahoo tonight.  47.5 billion dollars just didn’t cut it. 

dating: old testament style or speed dating?

Someone sent me this email about 14 way to find a wife - Old Testament style.  It’s brutal, funny, and a little scary.  But just in case you don’t want to go Old Testament…a group of folks at Quest is sponsoring a unique fundraiser to benefit local charities:  Christian Speed Dating.   If you’re from Seattle and single, join the festivities.  All the info on the bottom in case you’re interested.  Here’s the 14 ways to find your wife via Old Testament style:

1. Find an attractive prisoner of war, bring her home, shave her head, trim her nails, and give her new clothes. Then she’s yours. - (Deuteronomy 21:11-13)
2. Find a prostitute and marry her. - (Hosea 1:1-3)
3. Find a man with seven daughters, and impress him by watering his flock.- Moses (Exodus 2:16-21)

wisely fighting poverty

It’s so easy to fall in love with the vision of something than to do the hard work to move towards bringing life and fruition to that vision. This has been the case for Minhee and I with the humanitarian organization for several years. While we know we’ll face some scrutiny, questions, and criticism, we are ready to move forward - even if we know we’ll make some mistakes along the way.

However, I’d love [and need] to hear some feedback from you about some elements that we hope will shape the humanitarian organization.  If you’re new to the blog, you may want to read Loudly Fighting Poverty and A Vision of Compassion & Redistribution.

OVERVIEW:  Our vision is to start a global organization to fight global poverty 

define/dissolve the relationship

Here’s another attempt by Christians to copycat the original…and it has produced Stuff Christians Like.  And there are so many more out there but this one is actually pretty good.  Here’s one of the recent entries from Stuff Christians Like:  #189 [G]DTR as in Define the Relationship or better yet, Dissolve the Relationship. 

You think Christians are timid when it comes to dating?  Umm, they’re really awkward when it comes to breaking up or Dissolving the Relationship because they feel like they have to make it really Spiritual.  Really awkward.  Do you have more to contribute to the list below?

20th anniversary of brain tumor

Please take a few moments to read this story of hope, courage, and faith - not lived in isolation but in community.  Chad was diagnosed with brain tumor 20 years ago.  His future was uncertain but 20 years later, he has been a source of great courage, inspiration, and blessing to so many.

Whether you know him or not, feel free to leave him a note of encouragement and blessings in the comments.

church, money, and sustainability

Who doesn’t like a good conversation about church and money?  Steve Lewis [spiritfarmer] and Jason Evans [a51t15] and a bunch of other folks have been conversing via their blogs about the broad and complex issues of church, money, and sustainability.  Why is this an issue?  Well, I can think of three main reasons [amongst several] why this is an issue:

• one.  Stewardship is always an issue.  To be a disciple is to be steward of all things - including finances.
• two.  Jesus thought enough of the danger and gravity of money [mammon] that he sees it as a legitmate challenger to the worship of God when He declares, “You cannot worship both God and mammon.” 

my truck nutz is bigger than your truck nutz

Has this blog hit a low point?  Will my wife kick my arse for posting photos of Hooter girls?  Am I infatuated with being more manly?  There is nothing more manly than a huge 4 x 4 truck pimped out with truck testicles.  This is funny crazy - even crazier that a Florida senator admitted he had a pair on his truck.  

I’m assuming that the truck nutz could be very distracting on the road and lead to possible accidents.  I can imagine someone saying:

“Officer.  It isn’t my fault. I was distracted by those things.”

jeremiah wright and bill moyers

Bill Moyers interviewed Rev. Jeremiah Wright last week on the Moyer Journal on PBS. 

…his first broadcast interview with a journalist since he became embroiled in a controversy for his remarks and his relationship with Barack Obama. Wright, who retired in early 2008 as pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, where Senator Obama is a member, has been at the center of controversy for comments he made during sermons, which surfaced in the press in March. [pbs]

This is one of those things that’s worth your time.   The interview touches on issues such as the Black Church, Liberation Theology, hermeneutics, American foreign policy, Barack Obama, and other intense but insight stuff for thought and consideration.  You can watch the entire inteview here on PBS and I’ve also copied the transcript of the interview below for your reading.   If you saw the interview, what did you think?  As others have noted, his comments in subsequent press conferences have been awkward at best.

hobbies

hob·by [hob-ee] –noun

an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation: Her hobbies include stamp-collecting and woodcarving.

Before the three kids arrived to the Cho household, my two prominent hobbies were fishing and anything related to playing Sports.  Umm, time has posed a challenge to both of those hobbies. 

Here’s a simple question as we begin a new week:  What is your favorite hobby and what’s something you hope to pursue in the future?

10 reasons why men should not be ordained for ministry

In light of last week’s two intense posts - Ultimate Fighting Jesus and Conversation with Rob Bell [re: women in ministry], this list is too funny not to share.  Here are 10 reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained For Ministry.  I’m personally very convicted about #5 - I am sorry for being such a stumbling block.  :)

10. A man’s place is in the army.

man of your dreams

I started blogging for numerous reasons but in short, I wanted to be accessible to folks and also share and add my voice to the larger blogosphere.  I did not anticipate that e-friendships could actually develop through blogging.  I also did not anticipate that the blog would resonate with others in blogosphere.  Thanks for reading, commenting, inquiring, pushing back, and simply, journeying…

But I have to admit, this is a little bizarre.  Yesterday, this dude from Atlanta Nashville - ElderJ at Intersection -  who I’ve never met but is on my blogroll and occasionally comments here had a dream about me - where I’m naked.  Sorry.  Bad joke.  Anyway, anyone want to try to interpret this dream?  Check out his blog and let me know if I need to get some sort of blogo-restraining-order.

Here’s the dream:

a story of depravity, grace, and redemption

With permission [and couple minor edits], I want to share a story of depravity, grace, and [ongoing] redemption. It may take you 10 minutes but it may be one of the most honest and hopeful things about being part of a church community and ministry you’ll read in a long time. 

This “faith story” was written by a woman at Quest as part of her journey to become a member - something we do not take lightly at our church since members constitute the base of our church’s leadership.

10 minutes.  Don’t bother to leave any comments.  Just read it…

opposition to the church

I am very much enjoying the process of studying and teaching through the Book of Acts.  It’s taken us several months to get to Chapter 7 which means we’ll be in the Book of Acts for a long time.  Others have asked me for my list of “must teach” books in the Bible since I have a joy for expository narrative style of teaching.  Sometimes, it’s easy for pastors to get too fancy with topics rather than allowing the Scriptures - and the wrestling with Scriptures - to speak for itself.  At least, that/is the case for me if I’m not careful.  

My Top 5:  Genesis, Exodus, Acts, Romans, and one of the Gospels.  Teaching through Genesis revived my personal spiritual journey  and impacted - in a way that I can’t articulate - my leadership as a pastor.

a big difference in meaning

Two Sundays ago, I made one of those embarrassing slips during a sermon.  Instead of saying, “Jesus came as a ransom for many…”, this slipped out:

“Jesus came as a ransom for money.”

But it’s not as bad as this: