I don't know when exactly, but society has attacked our Christianity. I infer that it is probably from the rise of heresies. Since 1960, I think the church has grown rapidly in line with the changes and development of the country. If you listen to it, it is not a wrong point, and it is even more painful that there is nothing to refute.

  I think it is a valuable turning point that there have been reforms for a healthy church through the process. However, it is my view that the attacks on the church have become more systematic and detailed. While I recognize the Reformation for the good it did, the current attacks seem to be aimed at killing the church.

  What's worse is that it's not anti-Christian social organizations that are attacking, but Christians attacking each other. I hope it's just me that feels like a self-defeating pattern. I remember the epilogue of the late Pastor Yongjo Ha's book “Dreaming of the Acts of the Apostles”. He emphasizes, “It is never justifiable to demean God and the church for any reason.” 

  He confesses that he is honored to be a pastor, and that he feels tearful when he thinks of the church. He says that in the church, “we do not have the authority to criticize, but only the responsibility to serve.” It was deeply moving and instructive. I admire the path that Pastor Ha has taken, and I engrave his attitude on my heart. Although I am far from his spirituality and pastoral capacity, I have a desire to restore the New Testament church in service and build an Acts church.

  The model of the church I want to build is the church in Thessalonica. It is one of the three churches that were praised in the New Testament church Smyrna, Philadelphia, and Thessalonica. It is a church with a history of faith, labor of love, and perseverance of hope. As these three things come together in a three-beat waltz, I wonder if the Apostle Paul's pastoral guidance to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances is a good one.

  I will soon be receiving an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) device. I need the safeguard because my heart is strained by my enthusiasm and zeal, but a lack of wisdom and control. I will be anesthetized for the procedure, and I will wake up after the anesthesia. When I close my eyes and open them anew, I ask myself, “Am I still like the Thessalonian church? Do I still want to build a New Testament church like the church in Thessalonica? 

  If I am given the same vision, I am ready to entrust the rest of my heart to the Lord.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)