I’ve been thinking about what it means to BE the church.  Church, to me, in the simplest definition is “the body of Christ.”  And if you think of the magnitude of that statement, it goes far beyond a building, an idea, or even a group of people. My thoughts are not just about our local church body called New Covenant Fellowship Church but the universal body of Christ which we also happen to call the Church.  Often times when we refer to the word “church” our thoughts and sentiments are programmed to think of your “home” church (the church you grew up in), the most church that you’ve visited (if you’ve been searching or “church hopping”), or the church that you have heard of whether word of mouth or in the news (if you are not a regular church go-er).  But let’s talk about the universal Church, the Church that is called to emulate JESUS, not a group of people or a person.  Here are a few thoughts:

WE are a NEW CREATION, not just YOU (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Paul, in His letter to the church in Corinth, conveys to the church their identity as believers.  The theme of “new” is prevalent in this letter; new covenant, new body, new creation, etc.  He emphasizes the ultimate atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross drives a “new-ness” factor in all our lives.  Specifically to 5:17, we are a NEW creation, literally re-born, re-created, re-made, whatever word that helps you to understand the transition from nothing to something.  However, the danger here is to selfishly rear this idea and claim this truth for yourself but Paul’s placement of this truth in his letter is very intentional.  He places this comment right before he writes about the ministry of reconciliation, the ministry of bridging the world to Christ as ambassadors of God (v.20).  Reconciliation involves others.  It involves YOU the ambassador, the ones needing reconciliation, and God, the one we are reconciled to.  Ministry of reconciliation is an integral part of being a new creation.  How are WE, as the church, being a NEW CREATION collectively?  WE are it, not just YOU.

Christ is the HEAD of the church (Colossians 1:18).  In the bible and as I mentioned above, the church is compared to a body of a human being.  The science of the body is fascinating.  Think for one moment the functions of each part of the body.  They are incredibly unique but at the same time intricately related to one another!  When Paul speaks of Christ being the head of the church, he is referring to the Lordship (head being at the top), the function (the purpose, reason, livelihood, importance), but also the face or the recognizing factor of the rest of the body.  As the body of Christ, made up of unique individuals but so intricately tied together, do we represent the Head?  Do our actions and our words point to the head of the Church, who is Jesus?  If you are part of the local body of believers, like NCFC, how have we represented to the world around us that Christ is our face, our recognizing factor?
Friends, this is just a few on-going thoughts but let me end with this.  The Church is called to be ALIVE or A LIFE!  It is a moving, breathing, LIVING organism, whose parts work together, like the human body, to point the world (and one another) back to Jesus, our head!  Let’s not confine our relationship to God by going to church but commit to being the church wherever we go.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
February 8, 2015

I was thinking to myself this week – I love being comfortable.  Not having to worry about my physical well-being - my next meal (other than the difficulty of choosing something that will appease my palate), where I’ll sleep, my safety, etc. – is a beautiful thing.  It’s so easy to take all the simple luxuries in life for granted.  Then I began to think a bit more.  The idea, for most of us the reality, of comfort goes so much more than our physical bodies – there is also an emotional element of comfort that we need to factor in.  If you were to ask a wealthy person who had just experienced a death in the family if they were in a state of comfort, the answer would be a resounding “no” – the pain of a loss would surely lead to much pain.  So when we find ourselves in comfort, we can generally assume that physically and emotionally there is no pressing issue, no reason for us to doubt or be in pain.
Then I hear about the outcomes of trials involving the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.  I hear of the marches, demonstrations, and unfortunate riots - responses to deal with the pain, suffering, and anger caused by these court decisions.  Many are crying for justice and pointing fingers to racism while others are responding that justice has been served and these situations are isolated events, having nothing to do with the larger social (and I believe spiritual) issue of racism.  Even in Christian circles, there is division on how to approach all that has been going on.  It’s a devastating time, to say the least.  But I’ll be honest about my initial reaction - my head knew that there was something deeply wrong with what is going on but my heart responded “what’s the big deal?”  There was a disconnect with what I knew and what I felt.  Which led me to the realization of how comfortable I was.  Let me explain.
No one wants to be disturbed.  In the heart and soul of every person is a longing to be safe and secure, physically and emotionally, and we will do whatever it takes to make it so.  But I began to wonder if my search for comfort, protecting myself from being emotionally vulnerable, had hardened my heart to what’s been going on in our world today.  Could this be the reason for the disconnect between my mind and heart?  I believe so.  Jesus made Himself vulnerable to a world of hurt and pain during His time here on earth.  He suffered physically but more than that He suffered emotionally – the result of the sin of man and being rejected by those He loved to the very end.  I had been looking at the events in the eyes of a news anchor wanting to be aware and communicate the latest from a distant, not through the lens of Christ who hurts and walks with those in pain, carries burdens, and heals all wounds.  I was so busy making sure my heart was secure that I refused to respond with true compassion to my brother and sister thus disobeying the latter part of the great commandment, to love my neighbor.
Friends, we will never ask a friend or family member in deep pain to justify and explain why they are hurting.  If we truly cared, our initial response would be embrace and doing whatever it takes to bring comfort and peace.  Why is this situation any different?  Our brothers and sisters in the African American community are hurting.  Why do we turn a blind eye or even worse, ask them to justify why they are hurting or angry?  Have we become so focused in protecting ourselves that we’ve lost sight of being like our Savior who wept bitterly for the lost and broken and died for the other?
(These are simply my reflections and thoughts in light of current events from my realization of the lack of compassion I see in myself and around me.  I’d be more than happy to discuss my personal opinions on racism, justice and the situation as a whole.)

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
December 7, 2014

Seems like Ebola is the “hot topic” that is being talked about more than anything else on the news and among people. When I heard that one of the Ebola patients flew into NIH for treatment during the week, I couldn’t help but worry about our church people who work at NIH. Not only them, but for most of us who live not too far from NIH, it’s something that gets our attention for sure.  I felt so bad that an ordinary nurse who was simply trying to help out an Ebola patient ended up contracting the disease. I’m sure a lot of things could have been done differently to prevent such a tragedy, but I can’t imagine the pain and the hopelessness she is dealing with knowing that there is no cure for the disease. I just pray and hope that we find a way to cure this deadly disease as soon as possible.
I’m currently listening to CNN news where John Kerry, the Secretary of State, is having a press conference as he was making an urgent plea for more countries around the world to step up and respond to the Ebola outbreak to fight against this deadly disease. However, the contributions made by a few countries tallied up to only a third of the $1 billion dollar goal set by the UN as of Friday morning. The news anchor was emphasizing the fact that only a handful of countries have contributed to this important cause out of 193 UN member countries so far. One of the lines that really stood out from his speech was “winning this fight is going to be costly and will take all our effort.” I don’t know much about politics and I’m not trying to promote anyone, but the Secretary Kerry is right on point on that. I almost said “amen” to it because that applies to not only the fight against Ebola but our missions as Christians living on this earth.
The great commission that we are called to carry out will require everyone’s effort, not just pastors and leaders. When the news anchor made the comment on how only a few members of the UN countries are making contributions, I immediately thought about the current state of the church. One of the hardest things to do in church is mobilizing and gathering up the members to be involved in the Kingdom work. Whether people are too busy or not motivated, only a handful of people end up doing the majority of the work for churches. The same trend has been and is still happening in local and global missions where only the so called, “missionaries” are evangelizing with urgency. Many of us who are living the American Dream, are busy pursuing our own agendas and thus have put aside the great commission that Jesus commanded to every Christian. 
The bible tells us that every believer has a role to play in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul urges (just like John Kerry made an urgent plea) the church to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. And in order for a body of Christ to grow and mature in the likeness of Jesus Christ, Paul says it’s crucial that each part has to do its work (v. 16). As quoted earlier, not only will it require everyone’s effort, winning this “fight” is going to be costly. Someone has to be willing to pay the price as our Lord Jesus Christ stepped up and paid the price for us on the cross. And Jesus is asking us to do the same. We currently have a couple hundred “members” of NCFC but only a few are making a contribution toward winning “souls.” It is my plea to the church of NCFC to step up and get involved in saving people from the deadliest disease called “sin.” I pray and hope that many more will join in and become more involved in winning souls for the Kingdom of God.

From Pastor Brian’s Heart
October 19, 2014

Have you ever felt like there was not enough time in the day to finish everything you needed to do?  Have you ever been overwhelmed with so many things on your task-list that at times you felt the best way to deal with life is do to nothing at all?  Have you ever said “I’m so busy” or “I’m too busy for [insert activity of secondary importance here]” to someone or even yourself?  Have you ever forced yourself to sleep by pure exhaustion of thinking about what you have to accomplish in the next day or week to come? 
I do.  When my Google calendar begins to look like a coloring book of a 2 year old boy and each days’ appointments and tasks looks like an encrypted message from a spy movie, sometimes I want to throw all electronic/communication devices out the window and travel back to the Stone Ages where things seemed so much… simpler.  I’m sure I’m not the only one but if I am, you can stop reading now.  But professionals, students, fathers, mothers, friends, volunteers, etc. know what I’m talking about.  We all come to a point where things get ridiculously busy or maybe you’re so used to busy-ness that all the above has become normal.  Summer time is one of those times for me; juggling preparations for youth Friday activities, Sunday school materials, young adult evenings, planning meetings, worship songs, sermons, counseling meetings, my personal studies and squeezing in family and friends… sometimes become daunting and joyless tasks.
But God brings us to a “wake up and smell the coffee” moment.  For me, that came in the most unexpected place, an episode of Duck Dynasty, a show that I never watch but happened to watch with a few friends.  The episode was about Mia, the daughter of one of the Robertson’s (star family of the show) who was going in for her fifth procedure for a cleft issue.  In efforts to rally around her to encourage and love her, her parents had decided to gather family for a time of food, fun, and fellowship (sound familiar?).  The evening seemed enjoyable except for the reality that this whole production was to bring some smiles and happiness to a young girl who had been dealing with a physical deformity all her life.  Can you imagine what her parents were feeling - the fear, anxiety, worry, and sorrow to have their precious child go through this?  Wow.  As the end of the event came to a close, Mia’s father invited her up to the stage.  Little Mia nervously took a note out of her pocket to read a letter to her friends and family that she had prepared in advance.  She thanked everyone for being there and began to share briefly with everyone her fears, struggles and other sentiments.  Her father and mother were at the brink of tears (as I’m sure many viewers were as well).  But what really struck me was the wisdom, faith, courage, and love that was displayed as she read her closing statement and I paraphrase, “My favorite verse is from Psalm 46, ‘Be still and know that I am God’ because I know He’s with me and will take care of me.”
Friends, there is no doubt in my mind of how busy you and I are and will be.  We all have responsibilities to undertake and will most likely be bombarded by the sinking feeling of “too busy”.   But we must remind ourselves in the midst of busy seasons and lives, to be still and know that God and Him alone is sovereign and supreme, He is worthy of our FULL attention in worship in EVERY moment of our lives, and invites us to love the people around us by giving and sharing our LIVES to one another in LOVE as He first loved us, which brings Him glory (1 John 4).  Let’s make room in our lives and hearts for the Spirit of God to truly move and work.  He is worthy of it.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
July 27, 2014

“What are you giving up for Lent and why?” is a question often asked around in the church (or among Christians, whatever term you prefer) when Ash Wednesday comes around.  It is a time when believers all over the world observe a time of fasting, moderation, repentance and reflection for typically forty days in “honor” of Christ’s death and His resurrection.  Shortly after Christianity was legalized in 313AD, the Council of Nicea comes in the picture where gathered together to bring about a consensus of Christian conduct and discipline.  One of the disciplines established was the practice of a period of fasting, typically 40 days, prior to a more intense week of fasting during Holy Week.  There were many rules and regulations attached to this period (which I won’t go into) but one can safely assume the season of Lent was established during this time, a time integral to any Christian’s life.  Fast forward many years to today and the Christian practices we uphold.  Good Christians read the bible, pray, attend church and small groups and the month and half before Easter Weekend, we give up something to observe Lent.  But why do we do this?  What is your reason for giving up anything in the season of Lent?  Is it REALLY to honor Christ and bring an intense season of remembrance in your life?
When asked about fasting by the John the Baptist’s disciples, Jesus replies, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?  The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast” (Mt. 9:15).  Here Jesus gives us foresight into the rich analogy of His relationship with His people, the church – that of the bridegroom (Jesus) and the bride (the church).  There are many examples of what fasting is (and isn’t) in scripture, but the verse in Matthew gives us insight to simple instruction and perspective of fasting – do it when Jesus is not here.  What does this entail?  In the absence of a savior and true king, God’s people were constantly under the rule and reign of foreign kingdoms and influences.  However during these times, prophets would prophesy that there would be a coming King, from the line of King David that would bring peace and prosperity to God’s people.  We can be sure that there was fasting and mourning and desperation in their prayers to God for this King to come!  We flip the pages of scripture to the Gospels on the arrival of Jesus.  He Himself proclaimed that He was the King of the Jews, the LONG awaited King, but not in the way that the Jews wanted.  A select few were convicted of His message, became His disciples and continued His work after He ascended into heaven.  Today, once again He is physically no longer here.  To a certain extent, we feel the sentiment of the Jews of Old, where there was no Jesus.  However, scripture is abundantly clear that He actually is, not in physical form that makes sense to us, but through the Holy Spirit!  To which I return to my original question, “what are you giving up for Lent and why?”
This is a strange paradox that we live in.  Jesus is here through the Spirit, but not yet, as indicated in Revelation, that Jesus Christ Himself, in physically/tangibly will come to rid the world of pain, suffering, and sin.  Clearly we have pain, suffering, and sin in the world today.  But we have the promise of the Holy Spirit that He is with us NOW and will empower us to continue His work and BE CHRIST wherever we go.  So here is my conviction:  I don’t fast while weeping and mourning because Jesus isn’t here yet, but I fast in excitement that the Holy Spirit lives in me, and to hear His voice that much clearer, and in anticipation Jesus WILL come and establish His COMPLETE rule and reign in this world.  I now approach fasting with JOY.  I don’t flaunt it in the street corners but in the secret place, rejoice in the Lord for His promises today and for tomorrow.  I leave you with this quote from Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury: "It’s important to remember that the word ‘Lent’ itself comes from the old English word for ‘spring’. It’s not about feeling gloomy for forty days; it’s not about making yourself miserable for forty days; it’s not even about giving things up for forty days. Lent is springtime. It’s preparing for that great climax of springtime which is Easter—new life bursting through death. And as we prepare ourselves for Easter during these days, by prayer and by self-denial, what motivates us and what fills the horizon is not self-denial as an end in itself but trying to sweep and clean the room of our own minds and hearts so that the new life really may have room to come in and take over and transform us at Easter." 

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
March 30, 2014

I've always wondered what it means to experience God.  If experience is the evidence or outcome of the culmination of our knowledge, awareness, insight, etc. into or about an object, by defintion, our experience of God would be very limited.  What do we really know about God?  Are we truly aware of His presence?  What insights do we have about who He really is?  Not much.  I say this because I believe that God is the god of the universe and I still don't know what the universe is outside our solar system.  Looking at this by pure logic, it makes no sense; how can an unfathomable, inexplicable God be experienced?
I'm an all or nothing type of guy.  If I can't have it all or make something work 100%, I'd rather have nothing.  Strange?  Maybe.  But that's how I view my relationship with God and the way I experience Him.  I hate the fact that right now our understanding of the world, of humanity, of God is incomplete.  Even our understanding of love, is imperfect or known "in part" (1 Corinthians 13).  If you're like me, I want the answers right now.  But the bible is clear, we just can't and it will never happen in our lifetime.  I guess that's where faith kicks in and the struggle with it.  It'll happen.  You'll find yourself questioning the goodness of God, maybe even the existence of God.  But, if I may, here is some good news.
It says in Genesis 1 that we are created in the "likeness" of God.  We don't have ALL His abilities and characteristics (then we'd be God) but you and I are created in His image nonetheless.  As vast are the different aspects of God, He created us in His image that we would reflect Him to be known in the world but also be made aware of Him in our lives, or in other words, experience Him.  ALL for us to enjoy and love Him that we may glorify Him.  He's given us unique quirks, niches, gifts, passions, or personalities (whatever makes you, YOU) as avenues to experiencing Him.  Let me give you a personal example.
I LOVE the city.  I love the fast-paced nature.  I love the plethora of cultures and ethnicities that reside in the city.  I love the diversity of amazing foods on every city block.  But more than that, I love the uniqueness of every individual that I walk by.  One of my favorite things to do is to roam the city with headphones on playing "God of the City" (just kidding.. but I like music).  The many times I’ve done this, I've experienced God in a way where I know He is saying "I want a moment with you... just you and me." He makes Himself known to me when I do this.  Why?  As I stated above, we are made in His likeness.  But have you seen how different the people around you look? Have you had a conversation with someone who is EXACTLY like you with your personality, passions, and physical appearance?  NO!  Every single, non-specific mold, person is precious in the eyes of God because He made them in His image.  We are more precious to Him than mountains, trees, oceans, or animals.  When I walk the city, I'm made aware of His HUGENESS but at the very same time His Emmanuel-ness, or intimacy.  I'm made aware that I belong to the human-race but I am His favorite child (as are YOU)
The city is one of the ways I experience God and I know He has created me to operate in this way.  There are other ways I experience God but this is one small example.  He is much bigger than you think but He wants you to experience Him on a very unique and personal level.  What ways has He given you to experience Him, or made Himself aware to you?  Nature-walks?  Reading a good book?  Coffee with a friend?  Let's not limit an experience with omnipresent, ominiscient, omnipotent God to our 12:00-1:30pm service.  He desires to be made known wherever you are, whoever you are, however you are doing.  Praying that you would have amazing times with the Lord this week.

From Pastor Keyoung’s Heart
November 3, 2013

I’ve been thinking about what it means to BE the church.  Church, to me, in the simplest definition is “the body of Christ.”  And if you think of the magnitude of that statement, it goes far beyond a building, an idea, or even a group of people. My thoughts are not just about our local church body called New Covenant Fellowship Church but the universal body of Christ which we also happen to call the Church.  Often times when we refer to the word “church” our thoughts and sentiments are programmed to think of your “home” church (the church you grew up in), the most church that you’ve visited (if you’ve been searching or “church hopping”), or the church that you have heard of whether word of mouth or in the news (if you are not a regular church go-er).  But let’s talk about the universal Church, the Church that should represent JESUS, not a group of people or a person.  Here are (just a few) of my thoughts:
WE are a NEW CREATION, not just YOU (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Paul, in His letter to the church in Corinth, desperately conveys to the church their identity as believers.  The theme of “new” is prevalent in this letter; new covenant, new body, new creation, etc.  He emphasizes the ultimate atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross drives a “new-ness” factor in all our lives.  Specifically to 5:17, we are a NEW creation, literally re-born, re-created, re-made, whatever word that helps you to understand the transition from nothing to something.  However, the danger here is to selfishly rear this idea and claim this truth for yourself but Paul’s placement of this truth in his letter is very intentional.  He places this comment right before he writes about the ministry of reconciliation, the ministry of reconciling the world to Christ as ambassadors of God (v.20).  Reconciliation involves others.  It involves YOU the ambassador, the ones needing reconciliation, and God, the one we are reconciled to.  Ministry of reconciliation is an integral part of being a new creation.  How are WE, as the church, being a NEW CREATION collectively?  WE are it, not just YOU.
Christ is the HEAD of the church (Colossians 1:18).  In the bible and as I mentioned above, the church is compared to a body of a human being.  The science of the body is fascinating.  Think for one moment the functions of each part of the body.  They are incredibly unique but at the same time intricately related to one another!  When Paul speaks of Christ being the head of the church, he is referring to the Lordship (head being at the top), the function (the purpose, reason, livelihood, importance), but also the face or the recognizing factor of the rest of the body.  As the body of Christ, made up of unique individuals but so intricately tied together, do we represent the Head?  Do our actions and our words point to the head of the Church, who is Jesus?  If you are part of the local body of believers, like NCFC, how have we represented to the world around us that Christ is our face, our recognizing factor?
Friends, this is just a few on-going thoughts but let me end with this.  The Church is called to be ALIVE or A LIFE!  It is a moving, breathing, LIVING organism, whose parts work together, like the human body, to point the world (and one another) back to Jesus, our head!  Let’s not confine our relationship to God by going to church but commit to being the church wherever we go.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is [ALREADY] here!” 
Be loved, be blessed, be encouraged, be challenged. 

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
September 29, 2013