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A Time for Everything

by Hoo · May 29, 2017

3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3     a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6     a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7     a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8     a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3 : 1- 8 NIV
I want to do great things with this life. But, I miss the mark.  I know I shouldn’t, but I compare myself with others. I’m my biggest critic.
I heard on a podcast with Ricardo Semler that everyone lives in a different environment and there are many different species. That’s why you can’t always take blanket advice from people. But you have to modify that advice to fit and work for you.
But you have to modify that advice to fit and work for you.
I would love to hustle like Gary Vaynerchuk – but the stage in my life is very different from his. My daily life right now is challenging.
I have to remember to take care of my wife, three daughters, and all of the other variables in my life that are different than Mr. Crush It.
That doesn’t mean I should just give up and not make an effort to change the variables that are given to me.
I’ve been feeling guilty because I decreased the amount of productive/self-development and I’ve been severely lacking in the taking action department.
I need to remember that’s okay and live one day at a time.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I need to cut myself some slack.
I’m sure if you’re reading this you do too.
Remember God loves you.
If you happen to have some tips please feel free to share it with me.

Are you seeking first the kingdom?

by Hoo · Aug 19, 2014

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6: 25-34 NIV, emphasis mine

Consistency is challenging with two little kids and a 50 hour work week. Hence, the lack of updates. My pregnant wife- bless her – told me that I needed to spend some time with God.

This past weekend was the 2014 Christian Korean Jubilee with five other churches in Korea. The keynote lesson done by Kevin Mains from the Orange County Church of Christ and can be found here: http://youtu.be/fbAzTeXdVZ4. It’s half in Korean and half in English.

One point that resonated (I started tearing up) with me was the story of George Greganus (spelling?). George and his wife, Irene, volunteered to be a part of the Toyko, Japan mission team. George was already retired before joining the mission team. He also had Parkinson’s disease. In one of George’s last sermons he shared his dream, the life he was able to live, his love for God, and the love for his wife.

Kevin shared “That’s it. That’s the man I want to be. When I die and I’m on my death bed. I want to say to God. I have given you every second, every thought, every dollar, every decision, every moment, I’ve given to you- to accomplish your dream. Because that is what I saw in that faithful, wonderful man.”

I want to be that kind of man too. Love God, love family, and love people.

I’m very grateful God doesn’t smite people for sinning, but gives grace and time for me to repent.

I’m ashamed that I’ve been using my daughters, my lack of conviction, and lack of organization. I’ve lost sight of my priorities through busyness.

I should be seeking first his kingdom. Simple things like waking up earlier, praying, reading my Bible, reflecting, and writing it down.

I need to make it a habit again.

If I want to wake up at 6:00 AM and want eight hours of sleep I need to go to bed at least by 9:50pm. That’ll be my practical goal for this month.

Thanks for reading and have a blessed day.

Do your Due Diligence

by Hoo · Apr 28, 2014

I’ve been way too negative in my last several posts and I would like to change what I focus on. I already know that I’m not perfect and I’m the worst sinner that I know. Focusing on what’s wrong with my life and how depressed I am isn’t getting me where I want to be.

Let’s try something a little different.

Taking action in positive ways- even if its a small step.

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Luke 14:25-33, NIV

What better way to reflect than review my bucket list. I want to do my due diligence in life and be called a good and faithful servant when I meet the Creator.

It was interesting to see that many of my priorities have changed after having children. At the time I thought I would never change these priorities. It’s funny how little I know about myself. The only thing I know for sure is that God and change are the only constant variables in my life.

Thanks to Time and Date Day Calculator:

From and including: Thursday, 30 December 1982 (I was born on a Thursday – learned something new)
To, but not including Monday, 28 April 2014

Result: 11,442 days
It is 11,442 days from the start date to the end date, but not including the end date
Or 31 years, 3 months, 29 days excluding the end date

God willing. Assuming I will live until my 80s I will die around 2060s. I have nearly another 10,000 days to make God happy with the gift of life He has given me.

What an incredible time to be alive.

There are so many things I want to change about me, but I need to slow down, plan, and make steady progress.

Like the turtle in the turtle and the hare.

God bless you and I hope you are inspired to make a bucket list of your own.

I am the Worst of Sinners

by Hoo · Apr 22, 2014

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.” – 1 Timothy 1:15, NIV

I have a confession… actually a couple.

Even though I’ve heard 1 Tim 1:15 several times in lessons I never really understood it until now
I haven’t had a quiet time since I hurt my back during winter break and used that as an excuse for inaction

Let me expand

I’ve been floundering ever since I hurt my back. I stopped having quiet times, working out, and reading. I stopped doing anything positive in a personal growth sense. I felt weak, pathetic, worthless, and lacked the decision to change.

Naturally, I revert back to my sinful ways.

I’ve gotten back into old habits of giving into sinful temptation, eating junk food, watching a lot of TV, and playing video games that don’t add value.

Four months of waste. How many more months will it take to knock me out of it?

I am the worst sinner

The worst sinner that I know.

I am a sinful and arrogant human being.

I avoid watching the news, because its full of negativity, sensationalism, and really doesn’t add value to my life.

The recent Sewol Tragedy in Korea has been on the news non-stop. Everyone around me is watching it. I gave into the temptation yesterday and started devouring all the content I could. I have this obsession of wanting to be an expert and anything I am curious about.

After about 30 minutes of reading. I was left with sorrow, pity, grief, and anger… mostly anger. I hate stupidity and arrogance. Especially if that stupidity causes pain and even worst death.

I’m not a violent man.

I imagined if I was one of those parents who lost their child. If I happen to meet the captain who left his boat before getting all of his passengers safely off- my rage would takeover and I would beat him until their was no breath. Not very Christlike.

If someone causes pain to my wife or daughters – I would react in a non-positive way. Not very Christlike.

I stopped spending time with people who actively try to be godly. Not very Christlike.

I dislike my enemies. Not very Christlike.

I can’t “turn the other cheek” if a someone is rude or prideful. Not very Christlike.

Christ calls me to a higher standard:

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, -Matthew 5:44

Frankly, I am ashamed to call myself a Christian or a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus’ standards are incredibly hard and challenging, but possible.

Empathy, sympathy, forgiveness, and compassion makes humans… human.

Who knows? If I was the captain of the ship would I have made the same decisions?

The Positives

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders…. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, – Acts 3:17,19

Now let’s say I’ve been ignorant and forgot what I had learned. I’m grateful that I can repent and change.

Salvaging Four Months: I’ve learned a little bit more about myself
I need to stay physically healthy: if my body is in pain my more cognitive functions don’t work
God’s patience: I’m very grateful that every time I make a mistake or sin that God doesn’t smite me right there and then, but rather gives me time to come to my senses and change
Be aware of my environment and put myself back into the situations that cultivate what I want
I read my Bible again and I was convicted

I want to start writing again and I’ve received permission from the wife to spend time with God daily again after work. I’m very lucky to have a wife that will support me.

Thank you being my inspiration and reading.

Love, peace, and grace to you.

What Does God Want From Your Life?

by Hoo · Nov 4, 2013

I’ve been wondering for the last 12 years (basically after I graduated from college) or so what is the purpose of my life- more importantly what should I do with my life?

I’m still unclear of what I should be passionate and pour the rest of my career into.

Here’s what I am sure of:

5 God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. – Genesis 2:5-6, Emphasis mine

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. – Genesis 2:15, Emphasis mine

18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” – Genesis 2:18

We can see clearly God wants humans to work. Everyone can’t be a farmer thanks to modern technology, not everyone is cut out to work in a park, and everyone can’t be a gardener full time.

The other important point is that humans need relationships.

Humans are designed to work and grow relationships. Simply put, to grow fruit – whether material or immaterial.

God creates things and build relationships with his creations (angels and humans). Humans are made from the image of God. Humans create things and build relationships.

I need to be creating things and build relationships. For the most part, I can make friends pretty quickly with people. I’m not very good at creating things. The stuff I create are not representative of a labor of love.

Thus continues my cyclical unclarity.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24

I believe:

God made you to work and build relationships
God gives you talents
Whatever your work you should use all of your heart
You should use your talents to worship/glorify God

I have prayed about this for years, but I am still unclear what I am supposed to do or where I am supposed to go.

In terms, of family, I am clear and I know where I want to go. I’ll go into more in depth in another post.

It is the other 50-60 hours a week of “work” that I am unsure what I am supposed to do.

I know that God could potentially be grooming me for something (Abraham – 75ish years, Moses – 80 years, and Jesus- 30 years) – I just wish I was on the same page.

If you happened to have found your calling, passion, or labor of love.
Please tell me how you arrived there. I would love to hear your stories.

How I Created One Good Habit

by Hoo · Oct 14, 2013

I mention a few weeks ago how much I hate exercise. There was an outpouring of encouragement from the community of Seoul International School teachers. I am truly blessed to have such great coworkers.

Consistent exercise is almost a habit for me.

24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” – Luke 11:24-26

I understand this scripture physically. For this example, an impure spirit are my bad habits and my life style is the house.

I have some (actually many, but trying to be more optimistic) bad habits. I love ice cream, chocolate, and junk food.

It’s not good enough just to remove the temptations (sweets) from my house. I need to fill my house with good stuff like nuts, chocolate flavored (doesn’t taste like chocolate) protein drinks, and fruit.

I have several other bad habits and I am working on them.

I heard from David Ramsey that we a live in a “reap and sow” environment. You have to plant good seeds (good actions) to harvest good crops (rewards).

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. – Galatians 6:7

It’s funny. I’ve read these scriptures several times, but it never clicked with my heart. I understood from a brainy perspective. I never put them into action though.

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. – Galatians 6:9-10

Now, if I want to reap good things I have to start doing more good things.

Action Oriented Steps

List out your typical day
List your ideal day
Decide on one thing you want to start changing
Tell someone who will keep you accountable – It really helps to have a buddy
Take one small step to start changing your habit

Hoo’s Typical Day

6:30am – 7:00am – Wake up and get ready for work

7:30am – 11:15am – Work

11:15am – 11:45am – Lunch

11:45am – 5:30pm – Work

5:30pm – 7:00pm – Exercise, read, reflect, and write

7:00pm – 7:45pm – Dinner

7:45pm – 8:15pm – Walk around and get some slow cardio exercise with family

8:15pm – 8:45pm – Shower and get babies for bed

8:45pm – 11:30pm – Surf the internet, watch TV shows, read, mess around (this is what I would like to change most this month)

11:30pm – 12:00am – Try to go to bed

Hoo’s Ideal Day

5:30am – 6:00am- Wake Up and get ready for work – Drink 500ml of water

6:30am – 7:15am – Read my Bible, pray, reflect, and follow the plan for the day

7:30am – 11:15am – Work

11:15am – 11:45am – Lunch

11:45am – 5:00pm – Work

5:15pm – 6:45pm – Exercise, read, reflect, write, and plan for next day

7:00pm – 7:45pm – Dinner

7:45pm – 8:15pm – Walk around with family

8:15pm – 8:45pm – Shower and get babies for bed

8:45pm – 10:15pm – Hoo’s Personal Project that will bring in another stream of income

10:15pm – 11:00pm – Decompression time, TV, read, surf the internet, manga

11:00pm – Be in bed

There’s just not enough time in the bed. This is as realistic I can do for now. One day I would like to replace those work hours to working on projects that I really love in four 90 minute blocks of work for a total of six hours a day.

For now the one biggest thing I want to work on is using changing my “decompression time” into “hustle time.”

Now to find someone who will keep me accountable. Anyone from the SIS community care to help me out? I will help you out with one thing too.

Thanks for reading. Please share what you would like to work on changing.

Hoo Kang’s Obituary?

by Hoo · Oct 8, 2013

When I was teaching a few years ago, I began each group with a difficult task.

I wanted to know what motivated them. The best way I thought was to begin with the end.

In other words, to write their obituaries. If you’re influential, your obituary might be published when you die.

I challenged the students to write their obituary in one weekend.

I’ve had the opportunity to read hundreds of student obituaries. I noticed a pattern of hope and big dreams: become a famous singer, run a successful business, cure cancer, or an influential politician. Most wanted to have some form of family and have children. Naturally, all wanted to get into a prestigious school. That was the clientele I was serving at the time.

It took me several attempts. I finally wrote one, but I seemed to have misplaced it.

I’ve been feeling aimless and I would like to get focused on what REALLY matters to me.

Without further ado… My obituary.

———————————————————–

Hoo (Paul) Kang, of Newport Beach, CA went to heaven, on Thursday, December 31, 2071 in his sleep at home. He was 89. He was born December 30, 1982 in Seoul, South Korea. He attended North Star Elementary School, Thornton Middle School, Thornton High School, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 2008, he married Hyeyoung (Kelly) Shin, and together they had two daughters, Jeslyn and Kaylee. Hoo worked as an entrepreneur, mentor, and philanthropist. He dedicated himself to loving those around him and changing lives one device at a time. Hoo served as an elder of local church. A loving soul, Hoo was fun to be around and enjoyed surprising people with love, positivity, and optimism. He will be greatly missed. Hoo is survived by his daughters. A memorial service organized and held at the Orange County Church of Christ. Memorial donations may be made in Hoo’s name to HOPE worldwide.

————————————————————-

It’s really hard to write something like that. It also feels strange to predict your own death. My wife wants to die together in our sleep, but I don’t get to decide that. She’s a romantic.

Naturally, what’s important to me is my family, that my life provides value to the world, and help build bridges between people and Jesus.

I would still love to be blessed and steward billions of dollars of God’s monetary wealth and be influential, but if I can get into Heaven and bring those I love with me. I would consider that a success.

But the best thing would be…

To hear God say this to me:

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21

The Parable of the Talents / Gold Bags has three different types of people. One person receives five gold bags, another two gold bags, and another one gold bag. The people with five and two bags effectively double their return and bring back ten and four bags. The third person doesn’t do squat with his gold bag and buries in the ground. Naturally, if you were the master you would be disappointed and angry too.

The talents represent blessings and gifts that God has given to people.

God has given me a lot of blessings: a beautiful and spiritual wife, precious daughters, great friends, work, and a brain. I want to live my life like the guy with five gold bags. But if I fail at least it will be like the guy who received two gold bags.

I don’t want my life to be a waste and be the dude with one gold bag.

My ideal priorities would be:

My relationship with Jesus – The Foundation
My wife – The second most important person in my life
My daughters – My legacy
My work – The vehicle that allows me to take care of my family and pay for experiences
My friends and extended family – The people I am blessed to know

However, as I reflect on how I have been living life my priorities look like this:

My work
My daughters
My wife
My friends and extended family
My relationship with Jesus

I need to repent and I have a long ways to go to get to the point I would like to be at.

For the time being I would like to focus on my relationship with Jesus.
I’m planning on doing a deeper study on my purpose on Earth its supposed to be.

I have a strange feeling its going to take a couple of years to figure out exactly what my calling is supposed to be.

Thank you for reading, to His glory, and God bless!

For those of you who have found your calling or purpose in your life how did you figure it out?