Three Sabbatical Goals For Rest and Renewal

February 1st marked the beginning of my very first sabbatical. After serving at my church for the designated 6 years of full time ministry (and after serving in full and part-time ministry capacities since 2009), I finally made it to what many pastors hope and long for: a three-month sabbatical. As many have asked me […]

Pastoral Depression and Suicide

Last week, a post was shared around Facebook about a pastor in California who had committed suicide. Many lamented at how young and successful he seemed. My first reaction when I saw it, however, was not, “Oh no I can’t believe it.” Instead, it was “There goes another one…” As a pastor in ministry for […]

3 Signs of Maturity in Christ

When I was in college, my schedule was full of events and activities with my church and campus ministry. Being on the leadership teams of both meant I was occupied Monday through Sunday. Though this characterized one of my busiest seasons, spiritually, I often look back at those years as my most enjoyable, spiritually. But […]

God Desires My Weakness, Not My Perfection

I am a perfectionist. I’ve always known this since I was a kid, the way I would line up my family’s shoes in size and color order, the way I would color code my closet by hangers, and the way I would persistently practice music until I hit every note on point. But as I’ve grown […]

An Unsettling Observation of the Asian-American Church

Being a pastor in the Asian-American church network has allowed me to meet a number of churches and pastors. As a result, I’ve had the privilege of travelling to different churches across the states for both speaking and leisure. While I’ve greatly enjoyed my time with each pastor, church, and believer, I’ve come to observe […]

Called to be Faithful, not Fruitful

“Faithful, not Fruitful.” Back in 2013 at The Gospel Coalition National Conference, I heard Matt Chandler say this line in reference to the pastor’s call (and any Christian’s, for that matter). He gave a charge to those of us in ministry that our primary goal is not to work to see fruit, but to simply remain faithful […]

2 More Book Recommendations based on Mark 8:34

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” – Mark 8:34-35 (ESV) These words of Jesus are ones we often glance over […]

Why God doesn’t give me the perfect __________.

If God gave me the perfect home, I would have no need for my eternal home in heaven. If God gave me the perfect church, I wouldn’t long for the perfect fellowship awaiting with the saints. If God made me the perfect pastor, my church would have no need for the perfect Shepherd, and I would have […]

When I don’t want to worship…

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to preach to our whole congregation at Sunset Church. While at other times I might consider this a privilege, the past week in preparation felt more like torture. A large reason was because I was assigned the dreaded text of Romans 9. While I was fairly confident in my ability […]

Gospel in Life: Not "despite," but "because" of my sin… Amazing Grace.

Today, I was reflecting on some of my past sins. Ever had those days, when you’re driving, or talking with a friend, or praying, and all of a sudden you’re reminded of all that you’ve done in the past? All the shame you’ve carried because of your secret sin with that girl? Or all of […]