Preparation

December 6, 2025

This week was cold. It’s that kind of weather where you want to stay home and be cozy in a blanket, and you don’t want to be outside. That did not stop me from going out to run. I have run in this type of weather and I know how to prepare myself for it. The key is in layering up properly. I also know that my body tends to exert heat when my heart rate goes up during the run. I don’t want to layer up too much, otherwise I will overheat myself.

After the prep, I set out for my run. With the wind, it was colder and I had to cover my face. I questioned myself for even being out on a day like this. But slowly, I felt my body heat rising, and I started to get in a rhythm and I felt comfortable. Soon, the cold air didn’t feel cold anymore, and everything just felt right. Halfway into the run, I found myself unzipping the top of my jacket to let some cool air regulate my temperature. By the end of the run, I was running hot. I know that it was a good run and I am glad I chose to leave the house for this beautiful run. Preparation was key.

I was reading 2 Timothy 3 the other evening, and Paul talks about the persecutions he had endured in verse 11. Then in verse 12, he says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Just like I can’t always run in ideal weather all the time as there are times of adverse circumstances, I know I need to be out there to fulfill my daily goal. In the same way, living for Christ is never easy. There is great joy in walking with Him, but in this world, it comes with a price: suffering. The Devil does not make it easy. But preparation is key. And Paul tells us about it: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” verses 14 and 15. The Word of God preps us in this world full of sin, and leads us to salvation in Jesus. May we be prepared as we await the second coming of Jesus and welcome the new year.

Annoyance

November 29, 2025

“Alexa, how do you annoy your little brother?” My brother’s family was over during Thanksgiving and the kids were asking silly questions to Alexa. This was its response. “Repeat your brother with a high pitched voice. This has worked since the dawn of time.” 

I think this method works, but I would advise not to do it.

In the Bible, at the dawn of time, the older brother was annoyed by the little brother (it was the other way around). We find the story in Genesis 4, where Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord. The Lord respected the younger brother’s offering, but did not respect the older brother’s offering. And, we know the story’s results, with Cain killing his younger brother Abel. 

While Genesis 4 does not give a clear rationale for why God only accepted Abel’s offering, Paul writes about this in Hebrews 11:4 that Abel’s offering was an act of faith. “By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” This whole chapter talks about the different characters of the Bible that testified of their faith, followed by this particular verse: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1,2. 

In the season of Thanksgiving, may we learn to express faith like Abel did. I know that will annoy the Master Deceiver for sure. Moreover, may we look unto Jesus as we are running with endurance. Happy Thanksgiving!

Judgement

November 22, 2025

The kids at the school write exegesis papers, and this is what Sejin wrote this week. I know she got some help from the teacher, but still, it’s great to know that they are studying the Bible. And, I am learning from the kids’ studies. I reduced the paper to fit here, but I kept the original wording. So, here it is:

In this exegesis paper, we will study 2 Samuel 6. The Ark of the Covenant was in the house of Abinadab. When David became king, he wanted to bring the Ark back. My main focus will be not to judge your own way.

David gathered all the chosen men of Israel and went to get the ark of the Lord. The Ark was in the house of Abinadab. They put the ark on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, drove the cart. David and all of Israel were celebrating. When they came to a threshing floor, Uzzah reached to grab the Ark of the Covenant, and when he touched it, he was struck by the Lord, so he died that day. David was angry and put the Ark of the Covenant in the house of Obed-Edom. Three months later, David heard that the house of Obed-Edom was being blessed, so he went to get it. This time, priests were carrying the Ark of the Covenant. David was dancing with all his might, and he was wearing a linen ephod. Michal, Saul’s daughter, saw David, and she despised him. They brought the Ark to the tent David had pitched. David offered burnt offerings and blessed the people. Later, Michal said to David, Why did you dignify yourself today! So Michal never had children.

My first point is, don’t do something God doesn’t want you to do. When Uzzah touched the Ark, he knew that he was not supposed to touch it. God said that you would die if you touched the Ark of the Covenant, because Numbers 4:15 says “...But they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die…”. Uzzah judged in his own way. My point is, don’t do something that you're not supposed to do, and don’t judge God.

My second point is, don’t get mad at people for doing something for God. Michal got mad at David for dancing. She judged David for praising God. Matthew 19:14 says, “ … Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven”. What I am trying to say is, don’t try to stop people from praising God.

My third point is not to judge others and not to judge your own way. Michal judged David, and Uzzah judged his own way. Matthew 7:1 says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Judging your own way can lead to bad consequences, like Uzzah, who was killed. In conclusion, don’t judge your own way..