Category archive: Training for ministry
A Changed Mindset Regarding My Calling
I moved into a children’s home in South Korea at the end of 2005 with a vision of entering North Korea within five years to care for the orphans there. I felt like the children’s home in South Korea was meant to be a stepping stone for me. In South Korea I would learn the language,…
Discipline vs. Punishment
The contrast between discipline and punishment is just as strong as the contrast between love and fear. Discipline is showing someone what they did was wrong and that they are made to be better. Discipline comes from a heart of love; love that refuses to ignore poor behavior and instead takes the time and effort to make sure the person learns…
Tips for Counseling People
Over the years of serving at the orphanage and also being a pastor, mentor, and counselor, I’ve learned that counseling is so much more than just words and advice. According to different studies our words only account for 7% of our communication while our tone has much more influence at 38%. Nonverbal elements like posture and gesture…
Waging War
“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist” (a quote from one of my favorite movies, The Usual Suspects). Sadly, many Christians have fallen for this trick and live life completely in the physical realm. When things go bad, many Christians either try to handle it all on their own in…
The Need to Be Strong
Whenever I visit my children’s home, especially after being away for a long period, there can be a temptation to brace myself for the kids being distant or cold toward me. There can also be a selfish, insecure desire in me for the kids to be happy to see me and run to me. But what…
Love That Hurts
Have you ever loved someone to the point that it hurts? Have you ever loved someone who doesn’t return the love to you in the same way to the point it hurts? That is the true test of love. Whenever I discipline kids at the orphanage I have to communicate to them that I discipline…
Ministering to Wounded Hearts
There is an instinct within animals to protect themselves if they are hurt. So if a dog were to get cut or be wounded, it would growl and snap at anyone who would try and touch that hurting spot. I’ve seen the most loyal, loving pets growl and snap at their owners when they are…
A Missionary’s Mindset
The following is the main teaching I give to every person who wants to volunteer at one of our camps for orphans in Korea. It is also probably the best advice that could be given to anyone who desires to do missionary work… One of the greatest acts of love ever made was Jesus Christ…
The Danger of Sympathy
This past Saturday we had our second quarterly meeting of 2014 with all of our Oak Tree Project mentors and scholarship recipients. My wife Sky began the meeting by sharing her testimony with them. It was powerful! Sky was very vulnerable as she shared (you can listen to her testimony here) and they all paid…
Becoming a Fearless Lion Hugger
What are you supposed to do when a bear or a lion or another large predator happens to be around you? You’re supposed to remain still, calm, and show no sudden movements. You’re never supposed to run away and you are not to show any fear (http://www.wikihow.com/Escape-from-a-Bear, http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-a-Lion-Attack). Showing fear, especially by suddenly running…