Last Night's Dream

In my dream, I had been mentally wrestling with a sin issue in my life.  I had chosen to seek help by finding Ben in another room.  As I tapped on the shoulder of what I thought was my husband, the face of an evil presence met me, and immediately took over me.

The creature came over me and pinned me to the floor with such weight and strength.  I was overcome by the pure evil of it, screaming and screeching in such horrifying ways, so loudly, just inches from my face.   I was somehow able to move my neck and head, just a bit from the floor.  I threw my weight into my shoulders and screamed back, as loudly as I could.  Words came.  Even though I was horrified at the evil, paralyzed by the weight, I didn’t even have to think about what to say. 

“He knows my name!” As loudly as I could muster.

Before I finished, it began its screeching and wailing.  It deafened my cry and made me want to curl away.  That sound was more agonizing than I could possibly explain.  Although, amid the panic of my own heart, strength was regained. 

Again, I shouted back, “He knows my name!”

My words met with his painful noise yet again.  But my weakness fell and my anger arose.  I was not going to be beat by this evil. I must fight.

“He knows YOUR name!”

The rage of the creature escalated to a new level.   Never have I felt so terrified and yet so persistent.  I stared into its hallow face; nothing to focus on, no eyes or features of any kind, only blackness and evil.

The shrieking did not cease, but at this point became stronger and more oppressive.  The pain in its voice, the millions of screams behind that one scream. I sealed my eyes shut in response and began to repeat quickly and quietly to myself...

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior of all.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior of all.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior of all.

I woke up, realizing that I have been repeating these words aloud in my empty room.  I reached over and turned on my bedside light, and continued to say the words.  After moments of catching my breath and thinking over what I had just dreamed, I began to smile, knowing that no evil thing can stand in the face of Christ.  There is no dualistic battle.  He shows up, and the evil leaves.

I do believe this.  And if it truly is the case, I have two questions that remain.

1. Why did I tell evil that God knows my name…
2. Why did I say that God knows his name…

     ...Rather than start with repeating Christ’s name.

As I have been thinking about this all day, a couple thoughts have consumed my mind. 

1. In order to believe God can save me, I need to know who God has made me to be.  I am new in Christ, and he has chosen me.
2. In order to shed the sins that are so strong in my life, I need to name them for what they truly are-- sinful betrayals of my loving Father.

I do not know what the dream was meant to be.  I hadn’t eaten anything strange before bed, nor watched a horror film in… years!   There was no logical reason for this strong of a dream to enter into my mind. However, as I begin to unpack what may be there, I give thanks to God that HIS NAME is great, and he has adopted me into his saving grace.

Questioning Myself

Just kidding, two posts in an hour...  I'm reading various interesting things, so I can't help but share it with you.

I am reading through a particularly heavy section of my Bible study.  The study is all about the glory of the gospel, which dives into Paul's letter to the Galatians.  As I read these questions that I have posted below, I hesitated writing answers down in my book.  Sometimes writing seems so permanent.

These questions are not likely ones that you'd like to dwell on. Quite possibly, no one has asked you these questions before.  However, given time and thought, thinking through your answers may reveal many sins and idols that are hiding just beneath the surface.  What a beautiful thing to allow God into that space that even you yourself may not really have delve into before.


What is my greatest nightmare? What do I worry about most?

What, if I failed or lost it, would cause me to feel that I did not even want to live?

What do I rely on or comfort myself with when things go bad or get difficult?

What do I think most easily about?  How do I preoccupy myself?

What prayer, unanswered, would make me seriously think about turning away from God?

How Do You Counsel Non-Christians

I very much enjoyed this 7 page article about how to counsel non-Christians. It's worth the read if it interests you, and it's honestly a good practical guide to communicating with unbelievers regarding their  lifestyles, relationships, & behaviors.  

That's all for today.

Locked In

The High School Lock-in was such a success this year.  A lot of detailed preparation has gone into it over the past 2 months, but it had definitely paid off.  We even did an Amazing Race game (created last minute and it went over fantastically).  The kids had a great time, and albeit exhausting, it was a really great time of bonding with the kids on the student council.  

Enjoy some pictures (via Ben!)

All of us, being silly before the event begins!!!

Julia playing some soccer

Hydrating after setting up the Lock-in
for 4 hours with student council.

Glow sticks make anything fun!

Sports games to get the evening going!

Chris & Bean ready for a grand ol' time
of staying up all night!

The back of our student council T-shirts!
A doodle design by our 10th grade rep.

Damian & Donald ready to play games!

Student Council President explaining rules to the game

Playing "I Have Never"

Staff watching the games from the balcony

Selling Snacks at the Student Council Shop

Eating Free Food!!!

From left to right:
Back: Kevin Kang, John Kim, Jina Song, Sara Baik, Sarah Im, Jane Lee, Stephanie Soh, and me
Front: Eric Kim, Andrew Thompson, Eddie Lee, Jessy Kil

Prayer for Vida

I don't have much time to write, but I would like to ask for your prayers for the Vida retreat for our high school students.

Vida is a very intentional and spiritual retreat that happens once per year for ISC schools.  It's a program that is done for youth all over the world, and we are very excited to offer this retreat to our students.  This year, we have more first-timers than ever, and we have many student leaders who are willing to give up their weekend to lead groups of students and do much work behind the scenes to make the weekend a well-oiled machine.  

The first-timers will get many opportunities to hear the gospel through student and staff testimonies.  They are challenged to make choices in their lives that they know are necessary for growth.

The program utilizes multiple learning intelligences and intentionally includes student leadership, service learning, and spiritual encouragement.  The weekend is largely student led and the students are given the opportunity to minister to their peers through many different activities.

It is loud and fun; quiet and reflective.

In all this activity there is a very clear focus: “The Son did this… so what’s your response?" 

The leadership team leaves tomorrow afternoon to prepare, and the first-timers will come on Friday afternoon and stay through Sunday afternoon.   

Thank you for your prayers...

• For the first timers 
• (many of whom are not believers and have not grown up in Christian homes)
• For the students and staff who are leading 
• (It's an exhausting and emotional time for those who are up from 6 a.m. until 11:30 pm Thursday-Sunday)
• For my heart as I am taking up a large, detailed, managing role for the first time 
• (I have lots of support, but my heart is also heavy with many things. Pray that the Spirit works through me, despite my human-ness)