"______________ is 'in a realtionship'."

My dealing with Facebook, for the most part, has been limited to something not unlike infrequently checking an email account, but a lot of people go bonkers on this website. They play games, conduct scavenger hunts, reconnect with old friends, chat with new friends, post pictures of themselves and others, 'tagging' other Facebook users in the process, and otherwise generally share their lives with others. Me? I take an occassional quiz, if challenged to do so by a friend. I've played Space Wars, Army Fight, Pirates vs. Ninjas, and Jedi vs. Sith. I even tackled the Oregon Trail and watched a few of my friends die along the way in strange ways, until it became painfully monotonous.

But one thing that kind of always struck me as interesting is how one's "realtionship status" changes from time to time. Couples that I know had been married for quite some time began showing up as, "______ is now married to ______." And to further confuse, every once in a while the nebulous, "_______ is now 'in a relationship'," shows up. What does that mean...'in a relationship'?" I imagine that, more often than not, it means that the person has a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or that they're dating someone new. But is that the extent of our understanding of what a being in a relationship means? I certainly hope not.

This week has been our Spiritual Emphasis Week at International Christian School-Uijongbu. The theme of the week is "Relationships". We've been talking every day about how important the relationships are in which we participate. Monday, I brought a message based in I John 1-2 about how we only have two kinds relationships in our lives: our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with others. I John 1 deals primarily with our relationship with God. I found it fitting that John was led to begin the book by talking about our relationship with God, since the worth of all other relationships in which we engage is determined by the strength or weakness of our relationship with God. The first part of I John 2 talks about how our relationships with others effect our relationship with God.

Throughout both chapters the word "fellowship" is used to describe both kinds of relationships. But this word 'fellowship' involves more than just a casual agreement to get along with one another. It is a much more powerful and life-changing thing that compels us to spend our time with the other participant in such a way so that each one is consumed with the edification of the other. As I Corinthians 13 tells us, it is a relationship that isn't selfish, rude, or judgemental. It is rather a relationship that is devoted to edifying and building up the other.

This is why it is so important to choose wisely the friends with which we spend our time. Do you realize that 'time' is the one thing that when you give it away, it is eternally gone? This is what makes time the most precious commodity of all. More money can be made. More products can be produced and obtained. But with time, once it's gone, you don't get it back and you can't make any more of it. So, when we choose to spend our time with those who are the enemies of God, it is impossible to have a healthy relationship with God because when we do so, we are edifying and building up those things that war against Him. Conversely, when we choose to put our relationship with God first, and make it's good health our priority, the other relationships in which we engage will be fruitful and edifying to Christ's kingdom and children.

I just wanted to share this with you all because it is something with which God has recently challenged me. Relationships are the most important thing of our existence. Christ put relationships in high priority during His time here on earth as an example for the rest of us. Just as Christ did, we should have a healthy realtionship with God the Father as our highest priority so that the other relationships God puts into our lives will accomplish His plan for us.

By way of update, not much news here since the last message. However, I was able to exchange an email with Pastor Rushing, and he assures me that preparations on the Martinez end are going well. The house for rent that he mentioned as being a strong possibility is indeed so, and is being kept as a back-up plan. The church's leadership is looking into purchasing a home rather than renting because the monthly cost of both is currently so similar. So, praise the Lord for His providence of the rental, and PRAY as the church leadership discuss the pros and cons of possibly purchasing a home.

As a reminder, next Thursday is our Purity Seminar here at ICS-Uijongbu. It is an all-day event during which classes are suspended in order to talk frankly about a Biblical perspective of sexuality. Please continue to PRAY that God will impress upon the hearts and minds of these young adults the importance of sexual purity.

Our numbers at youth group have been low recently. The spring semester at school is a completely chaotic one, filled with many sports events, school plays, and various other extra-curricular activities. Please PRAY that the students will not put God on the back burner.
Soccer season has begun, and we have our first game this Saturday, a friendly match with our sister school in Seoul. Please PRAY that our players will do the absolute best that they can. A couple of praises concerning soccer is that: 1)our MVP from last year is recovering well from the slipped disc in his back, and will probably be able to join the team in about two weeks; and 2)our starting goalie has had the stitches removed from his leg and began practicing this week earlier than expected. PRAY for them as their bodies continue to heal. Their names are Caleb(1) and Michael(2).

Finally, continue to PRAY that God will guide in all the details and preparations for our transition to California. We know that He will guide, but He still desires us to daily put our faith and trust in Him, as He is daily faithful. Well, that's about all for now. Thanks so much for all you prayer and support.

In His Service,
Sam.