TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 22, 2018

Heavenly Joy

Today is August 22, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

When James writes for us to 'consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds...' (James 1:2), he is writing from an eschatological perspective. That means he is writing from a heaven perspective; from the perspective of what will happened at the end of all things.

So, to understand the words of James, we need to have a correct view of heaven; a correct view of eternity for Christians.

And what is that view? Will our spirits be transported out of our bodies to an angelic realm of light? Where time and space no longer exist? Where we wear only white robes with wings and halos? Is that God's plan? Some foreign, inhuman, unfamiliar, static, unchanging, reality where we just play the harp on a cloud for millennia after millennia? 

Doesn't that sound boring to you? 

Well, if that is what you think then, from the perspective of movies, you would be right. However, from the perspective of the bible, you would be wrong.

Do you think that God's original plan for us as found in Genesis 1-2 was forever foiled by Satan? Do you think that God's plan of redemption for us does not include the earth?

If you read Genesis 1-2 and compare it with Revelation 21-22 you will see the truth of our eternity. We will not be spirits or ghosts but will have new bodies restored to splendor; imperishable and raised in glory and power. Where we will once again be given dominion with intended stewardship of the earth. Where there will be no sin or death or shame. Where there will be time and space and food and work. Where the curse is lifted and we will see the face of God.

While God may be infinite, we will still be finite meaning we will have eternity to learn and discover God and all of his creation. Cities and streets and homes and rooms and trees and fruit are all mentioned in heaven, and I believe it is we who will build and farm and cultivate those things.

Eternity is therefore both familiar yet innovative, nostalgic yet adventurous. God's original plan restored.

Therefore, with that understand, consider it pure joy when you face trials here in this broken world. Why? because, if you believe in that eternity, then the trials of this broken world will only help to increase your hope of that future and will give you joy; pure, heavenly joy. 

God's blessing upon you and I look forward to see you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

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Media

• Freshman Welcome Beach Party: HERE
• EM Family Retreat: HERE - courtesy of YouLim; HERE - courtesy of Tiffany

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Upcoming Events

• Aug 24 (Fri) – Skid Row Prep. 6pm at the Kitchen
• Aug 25 (Sat) – Skid Row Mission. Van leaves at 6:20am and will be back by 8am
• Aug 26 (Sun) – Ministry Council Meeting
• Sep 1 (Sat) - Back to School Blessing
• Sep 1 (Sat) – Hike with Mike!
• Sept 2 (Sun) – PV Cell Group
  • September 1, Saturday, 9am. Hiking at the newly renovated Harbor Regional Park. Meet at the parking lot close to the park office. Hike along the shoreline of the fresh water lake to view many types of water birds. Kids and stroller friendly hike.
  • September 8, Saturday. CPG will Hike with Mike. More information coming soon.
• Sept 8 (Sat) – CPG Cell Group Hike with Mike! 
• Sept 12 (Wed) – All Generations Cell Group Apologetics Study

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1 Peter 1:6-7 - "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."