Recently the news has weighed heavily on my heart. The war with Iran that began last week raises growing concerns that it could become prolonged. Analysts estimate that the war is costing about one billion dollars per day. If the conflict continues, the cost for just two months could reach 40 to 95 billion dollars. [...]
One hundred and seven years ago today, on March 1, 1919, students, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens raised the Korean flag and cried out, “Long live Korean independence!” in protest the brutality of Japanese colonial rule. They did not carry weapons. They carried truth. Today, our world also seems to be ruled by the logic [...]
Last week in Milan, Italy, during the Winter Olympics snowboarding event, a 17-year-old Korean athlete, Gaon Choi, won the gold medal. Her victory did not come easily. She failed twice and suffered fractures in several bones. It was the kind of moment when most people would step away. Yet later she shared something simple and [...]
As I prepared for the Administrative Board meeting and the Class Meeting and Member Care Ministry meetings that took place this past Sunday and weekend, one thought continued to stay in my heart. I felt that I needed to express my gratitude to our church leaders and congregation — gratitude that I had not fully [...]
When we look at the world today, our hearts feel heavy. Economic uncertainty, political division, social fragmentation, and the survival anxiety felt by immigrant communities have filled many people’s hearts with fear. In areas where many immigrants live, a deep sentiment has taken root: “Even if we work hard, we are not safe.” This reality [...]
In today’s sermon text from the book of Genesis, there is a sentence that appears repeatedly: “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a prosperous man.” In the world’s understanding, to be “prosperous” usually means that things go smoothly as planned, that one is rewarded in proportion to one’s effort, and that life is [...]
Starting at 8 a.m. this morning, more than 12 inches of snow is expected to fall through tomorrow, and due to the severe cold, a Winter Hazard Warning has been issued for the New York and New Jersey area. As a result, the 8 a.m. worship service will be held in person, while the second [...]
Over the past ten days, my time spent between the Laos mission field and the revival meetings at Yanggok Church in the city of Changwon, Korea became, in many ways, two experiences at opposite extremes. Yet together, they formed a season of deep challenge, learning, and reflection. Laos is one of the poorest countries in [...]
One of the projects commemorating the 50th anniversary of FUMC in FLUSING last year was the construction of a Peace Center. The project was delayed because Laos is a communist country, and various concerns were raised regarding the ownership of buildings and property. To make an informed decision, I traveled to Laos last week. I [...]
This New Year’s greeting comes from the poet Na Tae-joo: “Today is the first day among all the remaining days of my life. Tomorrow will also be the first day among all the remaining days of my life. Therefore, you and I are today and tomorrow the first person and a new person of our [...]