God-Given "A-ha!" Moments

"More often He moves in ways that are past our knowing. Equipped with the knowledge of God's character and unfailing love, we can affirm on the authority of the Word that He is, in all circumstances, too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake." - Competent Christian Counselling p.106

I love the moments in life when the light comes on, upon the remembrance of past memories, that God was blazing a path for me all along! Oh how blessed I am.

Growing up, my parents were faithful Christians who showed me that a home is made to be a place of ministry- just like the early Christians. And through the front door, we welcomed all those
who were weary, in need of rest and hope, a place to live and sleep, receive God's love and blessing, discipleship and counsel, from all over the earth. Many who entered became, not like, but as family. This is the first church I belonged to. Later on, as a product of their serving hearts, they were asked to be staff of Teen Challenge Lambeth (London, Canada). They accepted and took a huge leap of faith to blaze a trail they hadn't ever imagined to go on with their family. From the age of ten, I spent countless hours (alongside my siblings) at the center with my parents, traveling with ministry teams, on the bus...the list could go on! - and at times I was bored out of my mind...BUT I saw lives changed and thats what impacted me for years to come. I continually felt a strong desire to grow up and work with Teen Challenge in my future. This desire sometimes fell to the back when I struggled in my young adulthood, but never left. 

I often get asked if my parents were pastors or missionaries and I reply, "They were two business people who wanted to be used by God to love people and change lives. Now is my turn to carry the torch." In more ways than one, I realize this is true. I have often talked about how my parents did this, and that at Teen Challenge because I'm proud of them. I am also grateful to them for being obedient and thus, being vessels in my life to bring about God's plan for me. But, the light came on this week, upon seeing people that my parents served with, that I am not carrying on their legacy, or living in the shadow of what they did to make my place in ministry valid. God prepared me with experiences and examples to show me what is necessary to carry on HIS legacy.

For the past few days I've had a choir of voices in my head, singing in full concert force the line..."I am all He says Iam." What comes to mind is that, not only has He made me to be His glory shown on earth, but also, He says that I am a valuable participant in the plan for His Kingdom. I am a walking purpose that He planned on purpose.

I smile because God has been such a good keeper of His promises over my life. Who knew but Him that I would be serving with Teen Challenge in Korea of all places?! This past week marked the 2013 Global Teen Challenge conference, which happens ever year. I am excited like a little girl in a dress shop that Teen Challenge Korea was asked to host and to be a part of this event as a team member! It's been a privilege, only God could give. 

As a part of the Teen Challenge Korea team, I am responsible for photography, media and some design for promotion of events. The Global Teen Challenge banner featured above is a sample of what I do for Teen Challenge Korea. Thank-you for your ongoing support!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Created For God's Glory

As a student studying a Master's of Christian Counselling, one of the numero uno things that we discuss is the importance of knowing why we human beings exist. 

I don't know about you, but I can't deny that from time to time, even I ask myself questions like these.

"What is my purpose in life?"
"What is my reason for existing? For being on this earth?"
"WHY, oh WHY, was I created?"

Isaiah 43:6b-7 gives us a clue into answering these questions. See if you can catch it. 


I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.

If you had a keen eye, you'd be able to pick up on two very important points. 

        Firstly, we were created by God, in His image, to be image bearers. So that those who don't know Him will recognize who God is. Having God's image born upon us is like a thumbprint that everyone can bring up on their spiritual scanner and recognize. It's like nothing else we know on earth, but all have. Thus, having His image put onto us and in us allows us to have a relationship connected to God - its our commonality. Without His image on us and in us, we cannot know who He is because we cannot see Him face to face. Realistically speaking, human beings have a hard time relating to something they cannot see, but find it easier when there is evidence of the unseen - WE ARE THE EVIDENCE OF GOD'S IMAGE. Everything  about humanity is connected back to the image of God, who makes us feel our worth and value in existing. 

Secondly, as Isaiah 43:6b-7 says, we were created by God to show His glory and for God to see His [own] glory. Wait, hold up! Let's break this down here...

What does this word "glory" mean?

• Magnificence, great beauty
• A thing that is distinctive
• A cause for special pride, respect or delight
• The splendour or bliss of Heaven/God

Wait again! So that means that you and I are a show of God's glory?...You are correct! 

Why did God create you? Bluntly, because God wants to see the greatness of His glory - YOU - Living, breathing and active. When he looks at you and I, I have the imagination to think that God is up there in the Heavens, sitting down in front of His HUGE big screen tv, watching the most dramatic drama happening in the lives, He created on earth, IN HIS IMAGE. He's saying, "Wow, I am gooooood! Look at the handy work! Look what I created! That's the business right there!"

These are two very basic truths that we often hear, but should never grow tired of because these are crucial  to understand. Our understanding of who we are (an image bearer of God) and why we are created determines our [in]stability, whether we are in control (order) or out of control (disorder). In everything you do... including everyday work and living, relationships, hopes, dreams, thinking and believing AND lastly, how you carry it out. 

So how can I live as the glory of God in my life?

1. Rely upon God in every aspect of your life 

- Finances
- Good, eating with gratefulness
- Consideration
- Raising family
- Going to University, studying
- Loving and being loved

In relying upon God to the best of your ability, we show God's trustworthiness to others. 

2. Enjoy His glory 

God is most glorified in you and in your life, WHEN you are most satisfied/delighted in Him (who He is, what he does, in relationship with Him). 

I admit that I am not always successful at doing either of these, but having a growing understanding of why I have been created has resulted in giving me a more solid identity and purpose. I believe and pray that God can do the same for you, starting today!

Follow @KoradianAtHeart on Twitter. 

Where There's Life, There is a New Beginning

Welcome to One Canadian's missions adventure in Korea!!!

As of this post, a new chapter is beginning for myself personally and in the life of this blog.  Previously, I had used this blog as a kind of online journal for everyone to see my struggles, thoughts, questions and journey through faith, in order to help people who may have been mulling over the same things. But now, I want to dig my feet in change the direction and make use of this public connecting point to share my heart for missions in Korea as a whole (South AND North!).  Also, I will be posting some of the work that I am doing with media for ministry, talking about upcoming or current events, and cultural commentary. 

Coming to Korea initially was a fairly easy choice that laid before me. Obeying God's call on my life and continually return for missionary training as well as long-term missions here has been quite a challenge and stretching of faith. Some days I've quite seriously asked myself, "What the heck am I doing here!? You are NUTS!!" Yet, my heart's desire in saying "yes" to God is rooted in these foundational values:

• Redeeming a broken world. 
• Empowering generations with the Love of God
• Restoring the community, city and country

When I have doubts about the reasons I am here and am under discouragement, God always reminds me how he created me to be one of the first rebuilders, just as Nehemiah was.