Are You Graduating?

Congratulations to all graduates; you’ve done it! Congratulations on your outstanding achievement! I know it must have been a very proud moment for all of you. Two of my own children, Peter and Grace, graduated from graduate school and college this year. I was proud just watching them as their names were called to receive their diploma. Of course, I couldn’t enjoy the moment peacefully because my wife gave me a mission to take pictures. For a moment, I was reminiscent about their first day of school, as they got on the school bus for the first time in their life. Indeed, the time has passed so quickly. Now they are ready to move out into the world. So… all graduates, are you ready for the next phase of your life?
We all know college graduation is not the end - it's only the beginning! School was never meant to teach you everything you needed to know. It merely equips and prepares you. An education is meant to give you all the necessary tools and skills you will need to dig out the deep treasures of life. Still, you must do the digging. That’s why they call graduation, “commencement.” To commence means “to begin.” Now you must use the tools and skills you’ve acquired to find the richness of life, and it’s going to take much patience and great endurance.
Mark Twain is often quoted for his "insight" on teenagers. He said, "When I was 14, I thought my father was the most ignorant man in the world, but when I was 24, I was amazed how much the old man had learned in ten years." If you have a teenager, hang in there. If you are a teenager, hang in there too. Patience is a virtue. It takes time to learn and grow in life.
So… what do you want to do with your life? There was once a guy who didn’t like what he was doing, so he tried medicine. After four years of that, he tried law. Then he wanted to be a teacher, but he couldn’t stand kids, so he tried theology. But he didn’t like dealing with people’s problems all the time, so he decided to sell cars. Of course, he wasn’t very good at that either… So you’ve got the idea where I’m going with this.
Be sure the area you enter is where God wants you, not where you want to be. Then when you get there, stay there and stick it out. Become excellent at it. Anything is possible when you just believe in God and in yourself. Step into the future with a prayer in your heart and you'll soon reap the fruits of your efforts and hard work! The true meaning of a christian's life is to commit to God in whatever you do and your plans will succeed. 
Jesus said, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Jesus can give you an education that lasts forever.

Continue to study God’s Word to know what His will for your life is. Don’t just know some facts about the Bible, but get to know Him so you can understand Him. Then, step by step God will show you the life path you need to walk on. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust the Lord with your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” God bless and congratulations!

From Pastor Neil’s Heart
May 31, 2015

This Monday is Memorial Day.   This Federal holiday is said to have its origins in honoring soldiers killed in the American Civil War back in 1866.  Since then American soldiers have fought in many wars, both at home and abroad, and on Memorial Day we are to honor all who died while serving in the military.  I do have to confess, however, that I spend more time thinking about the Memorial Day cook-out and the beginning of summer than remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy freedom, comfort, and joy of life in this great nation.  As I started thinking about Memorial Day, I became curious as to how many US soldiers have died in various wars over the years and found the following data (Sources: US Army Military History Institute; iCasualties.org):

*These numbers reflect only reported war deaths and do not include those wounded and/or missing.

It’s quite ironic and all the more tragic that more US soldiers died fighting against their own countrymen on their own soil than fighting enemies abroad.  To this Korean-American mother, however, the 36,516 soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War, while defending South Korea from the communist North Korea and China, stand out the most.  So many mothers had their hearts broken over their child’s death on the Korean peninsula!  It’s one thing to lose your child in defending your own country, but have your her child sacrificed for a small obscure country thousands of miles away?  These soldiers, however, certainly did not die in vain.  Because of their sacrifices, South Korea has remained a free, democratic country and has experienced exponential growth in all areas of society, becoming one of the world’s leaders! On a per capita basis, South Korea sends out the most missionaries in the world.  If it had not been for the US and other allies that fought against the communist forces, there probably would be no South Korea today. Instead, there likely would be a unified Korea, but under a communist regime similar to that of today’s North Korea.  Just to think about that horrible possibility gives me chills.  I certainly wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if that had been the case!  I certainly wouldn’t be writing this column this day!

So this Memorial Day on behalf of all the freedom-enjoying people of South Korea, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all who lost their lives during the Korean War as well as the veterans for sacrificing so much for our freedom.  That priceless, but not free, freedom has led many of us to our ultimate, eternal freedom in Jesus Christ, and for that we will indeed be grateful forever.  I do hope to see many of them in heaven someday and give them a heartfelt salute!

From Pastor Sara’s Heart

May 24, 2015