URC Weekly 3/20/2011: Small Courage



On March 10th, I went out to Pasadena Community College with some school friends to share the Gospel. Logically, the timing could not be worse. I had two messages to prepare (a tall order for a new pastor), a 15-page final paper (of which I had written none) and two final exams. Thank God for Tae, who led community group that week.

Those three hours or so I spent witnessing could have gone to doing any of the mentioned above. However, I was determined to go; I was encouraged by great joy I had since our Ash Wednesday service the night before. I really felt like I could make something happen without any shame or fear.

Still, it was SUPER awkward. Let’s be honest. Walking up to somebody random and sparking up a conversation is uncomfortable. When that conversation is about God, it’s also uncool. Uncool! Isn’t it? Sadly, this is the culture of our world. Sharing Jesus with someone you don’t know is just something that makes you weird, dorky, or both.

Church, this is a distorted notion against which we must fight. Testifying Jesus is not something that only hardcore Christians do. Rather, it’s something that all Christians need to do. It’s not that something that we do when our faith grows. It’s something that we do so that our faith grows. It’s not just hard for you. It’s hard for me too! It’s really hard for everyone.

Yet the power of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated when we conjure up small courage. The following is an email I got from a girl whom accepted Jesus through my testimony.

hey i found a church on raymond. its pretty cool.
im goin on thursday around 3 to talk to a preacher about why i accepted god.
they’re really nice.
i stop smoking (marijuana). its 6 days already. i just smoke cigarettes but im tryin to stop that too.
how r u doin?
i hope ur doin great too.

Praise God! All it takes is little bit of courage, since it’s actually not us doing the work of conversion. We are just God’s tools and all God asks us is to take a little step towards discomfort. Perhaps a good place to start is your friends. This Sunday is Homecoming, a day designated to welcome old members and new friends into our community. Let’s all be little courageous this week and tell someone about Jesus this week.

The result will be undeniable, for our God is undeniable. May our undeniable God bless all of us abundantly, as we share His Holy Name with those around us.

• COMMUNITY GROUP: 3/25 (FRI) 7PM @ SAMLENE’S – NOT POTLUCK, CHIP IN FOR PIZZA AND WINGS
• YOUTH GROUP TEACHER NEEDED: Garnet Teacher’s shoes are waiting to be filled
• CHECKOUT STREAMING SERMONS ON OUR WEBSITE
• SMALL GROUPS PLEASE MEET AGAIN THIS MONTH
• MONTHLY PRAYER REQUESTS: Keep praying – box is coming up soon
• PRAYER VISIONS: Hyonroh sends you visions received in prayer. Don’t be surprised.
• INDIA MISSION OPPORTUNITIES: Dates coming soon, about $2000 per person
• PRAISE TEAM MEETING: 3/27 (SUN) 11AM
• SMALL GROUP LEADERS MEETING: 3/27 (SUN) 11:30AM
• HOMECOMING: 3/27 (SUN) We are bowling!
• SOFTBALL: 4/3 (SUN) co-ed, playing with OKEC in Cerritos
• TEACHER’S WORSHIP: 4/3 (SUN) all teachers are asked to attend
• SNACKS: Won Lee
• SCRIPTURE READING/OFFERING: Deacon Tae Kim
• DEVOTIONS: Mark 14 – Luke 3