Justin Kim

Home Sweet Home

 

So I've been out of town for awhile.  Actually, I've been of the country for awhile.  My family and I left for missions on January 4th and we just got back the other day.  Boy, it's good to be home again!  And when we came back, there were all these changes that had happened while we were gone. 

Two of my church staff members got engaged!  Congrats to D. Cho & Christina!  Congrats to Jimmy & Gina! 

The Seahawks fired their coach only after one season and hired Pete Carroll from USC.  I was thrilled about this but I'm come to realize that not everyone shares my sentiment. 

My Redskins hired a new coach in Mike Shananan which makes them a definitive front-runner to win next year's Superbowl! 

And then, of course... there were the earthquakes, first in California and then the big one in Haiti.  I had heard about the earthquakes during my mission trip but didn't know exactly how devastating the Haiti quake was until I got to Korea.  Where we were, we didn't get good internet connection and also a lot of the media was censored a bit.  In any case, I'm proud that our church is stepping up and taking real steps to bring aid to Haiti.  We are sending a team of medical professionals, along with other volunteers this coming Friday to Haiti.  We collected a love offering yesterday and all of it will go to help people there.

I was only gone for 19 days but so much has happened in such a short period of time.  My wife and I were talking and it felt like we were gone much longer than that.  It's good to be home nonetheless and to continue our ministry back here in Seattle.  

Mike Vick

This is the look of a man who has been humbled.  This is the look of a man who has been reformed.  I know that looks don't always tell the whole picture, but I'm convinced that Mike Vick has changed.  No one really knows if the former football star is truly sorry for what he did and whether he's really learned his lesson.  I think being in a penitentiary prison for 18 months probably taught the man a few things.  He also has great people like Coach Dungy in his corner who are mentoring him and advising him.  Not to mention losing much of his wealth, losing two of his best years in professional football... what's probably the worst is just losing his good name and reputation.  In all, Mike Vick lost two years of his life.  I don't like what he did.  I saw some vicious pictures of dog-fighting and it's pretty shocking and shameful that people would do that to animals.  I love animals.  Ever since I could talk and walk, I remember always lobbying with my folks to get my sister and I a pet.  I've had some pets growing up.  I've had in my life time thus far three turtles, two dogs, and a few ants and 7 cockroaches as pets.  The two dogs?  I brought them home without telling my parents and boy, were they upset!  But what could they do?  They reluctantly let me keep them... for a month or so until I was forced to give them away.  It wasn't because my parents didn't like the dogs but it was because my mom was "supposedly" allergic to them, which I don't believe till this day.  But the more legitimate reason was really, I couldn't take care of them.  And no one else could in my family.  I didn't have the discipline and the care to feed the dogs and to care for them.  In hindsight, it was foolish of me to just bring the dogs home knowing I couldn't take care of them.  But I love animals.  My wifey and I are thinking about getting a dog for our daughter maybe down the road.  I love going to the zoo!  Animals are wonderful!  I love watching animal shows on the television.  But despite what PETA says and what other animal lovers think... there is no comparison between a human being and a animal.  There are other NFL players who've done much worst and they've gotten a slap on their hands compared to what Mike Vick got.  Again I don't like what he did because what he did was absolutely wrong.  But since when does the life of a human being come anything close to the life of an animal?

I believe in second chances.  It's called grace.  We all need second chances.  We all need grace.  I'm glad that the Philadelphia Eagles are giving him a chance to right the wrong and to resume his career.  I ain't no Eagles fan, but I'll be rooting for Mike Vick from now on... not just on the football field, but off of it as well.  I only wish my Redskins picked him up.  I hope he doesn't go wild on the Skins.  But even if he does, I'd be okay with it. 

Welcome Home

 

Look at their faces.  Look at their reactions.  Raw emotions of incredible happiness and joy intermingled with relief and some sadness due to lost of time.  I know that this is old news by now but reading and watching Laura Ling and Euna Lee reunite with their families after 140 days of captivity has riveted my heart.  My brother-in-law in Orlando would say that the airport is often the happiest and the saddest place to be.  You're so sad to see loved ones leave and depart.  You're so happy because loved ones have come or returned.  This particular airport on this particular day when the Lings and the Lees were reunited was incredibly a happy one.  I never particularly liked President Bill Clinton.  Despite what folks have said about him concerning how he was good for the economy and blah, blah, blah... he was a man who lied and who's character was deeply messed up.  And I disliked him even more because he was our President, who was supposed to represent our country.  But I think today, I have to applaud him.  I am humbled by what he has done and makes me rethink how judgmental I've been towards flawed characters like Bill Clinton.  I assume most people are jacked up as well and the only difference between Pres. Clinton and most people is that Pres. Clinton got caught messing up.  Being in the limelight, he got grilled.  I know my own thoughts about him were less than ideal.  But I should know better.  I know of many pastors who've crumbled and fallen on the side of the road.  It could also happen to me.  I pray to God that it doesn't.  No one is above reproach.  No one should think he or she is above any temptation.  On this day, I am humbled by a man who I disliked extremely.  God can use him.  God can use me.  God can use anybody and everybody for His divine purposes. 

I have a lot of thoughts about North Korea... but I'll save them for another day. 
I can't imagine being locked up and being separated from family and friends.  The look on Euna Lee's face as she saw her little daughter and her husband... it's overwhelming.  I can't imagine the sadness that these women felt.  I can't imagine the overwhelming relief and joy in seeing their families again.  People say, "Home is where the heart is."  It's true.  Home is a wonderful place to be... where your family and friends are.  I'm so happy for Laura Ling and Euna Lee and I say to them, "Welcome home!"  But for those of us who are in Christ, we're often reminded that this home is not our home... we are only passing by.  We are only resident aliens in this life.  There is coming a day when we will meet our Savior face to face and we'll be forever home.  I wonder what my face will look like when I see my grandmother welcoming me home as she stands next to King Jesus?  I wonder what I'll feel when Jesus says, "Welcome home, my good and faithful son!"?  I wonder...  

Look at their faces.  Look at their reactions.  I can stare at their faces all day long.  So happy to see them home.  So longing to be home as well.

Jon & Kate Ain't!

Jon & Kate Aint! They were our favorite family to watch and root for. Now, they are a broken family that needs incredible healing. I think one of many problems was that we "watched" them a little too much. Maybe the problem was that people like us kept watching them and made their show too popular.  The lure of fame and being on television and all the benefits that came along with that is what brought about this family's demise.  Many times I thought, "They need to just stop this show... for the sake of their marriage and their kids." In a way, they sacrificed their family for being on tv and money and fame, etc.  I can't speak for them though... because I guess if I was in their shoes, the temptation would be great to keep going. But I hope to God that if I was in their shoes and if I began to see "cracks" in our marriage and in our family... I'd stop the show and just focus on the family... the marriage and the kids.  I'm so sad. Another family... anther marriage bites the dust.