brokeninstrument's Xanga

The first Derek poll!

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:26:41 GMT

At long last, the first Derek Jin Lee poll! I printed this up and put it by my office and was mildly surprised by the results, so here's the online version via Xanga. Which one of these pictures from May do you think is cutest?

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Voting will close in about a week or so.

I Blow Dry My Lawn

Fri, 02 May 2008 02:14:13 GMT

I have an electric lawn mower. When I use it, it sounds like I'm blow drying my lawn. Or vacuuming it. I don't think it should be classified as a power lawn tool. More like lawn beauty supply, I guess.

It's kind of emasculating. I mean, if I were up against a Toro, or Snapper, or Craftsman, or Honda, I'll cut the grass just as well, but I won't sound as powerful. Of course, I'm also saving money by not using gas. And it's better for the environment because I have zero engine emissions. And it's lightweight, which means it's easier on me to move around, except for the extra long extension cord I use (it's not the rechargeable kind). And it's easier to start and stop since all I have to do is pull a handle. Ultra easy.

I guess I don't feel too unmanly. I mean, two other guys in my neighborhood use electric lawn mowers. Of course, they're each over 50 years old. Maybe I'm just old manly. Yeah, that makes me feel much better.

Unto us a son...

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:40:00 GMT

God has blessed us with a son. Derek Jin Lee was born at 11:40AM on Monday, February 11, coming in at 8 lbs. 3.4 oz. and 21.5 inches. He looks like his father and mother and older sister.

God has blessed us with His Son. I hope my son follows His Son. Derek means "way" in Hebrew, as in "the Way of the Lord."

Getting Ready

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:03:03 GMT

2007 was spectacular. Spectacles abounded. Just look...

November 2007 in Yosemite Valley with Half Dome in the background.

View of Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge, a la Ansel Adams.

El Capitan - the background, not the foreground.

View from Tunnel View.

From Glacier Point, a downward view into the Valley and across to Half Dome.

My favorite view - 2YO Sophia helping Sonia make whipped potatoes.

We're gearing up for #2, a still unnamed little boy due in less than four weeks. So much to do in anticipation, but the main thing is to pray for great health and a Godly spirit and a ready heart to experience more of God's great spectacles!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:26:41 GMT

Last Friday I went to the Braves game with my dad, my first brother and his first son, my uncle and his son - six of us total ranging in age from about 4 to 73. I'd been wanting to do this outing with the men in my family here in Atlanta for a while, particularly to take my dad and his brother to a game. They're 20 years apart in age, the oldest and youngest in their family with eight children. Because their father died at an early age, my dad became the austere father figure of the family and wasn't much fun for my uncle to hang around. But my uncle did an excellent job of explaining the more subtle nuances of the game to my father, like the fact that John Smoltz had a no-hitter through seven innings and that Chipper Jones was a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Just being there with my dad was good; it was the first time we'd ever been to a Braves game together. We ate cotton candy together, enjoyed the game, persevered through the post-game fireworks, and all went to The Varsity afterwards. Awesome! So much better than watching the game at home and seeing my dad yell at the TV! It was funny when they started winning and he said it was because he was at the game. (Funny because we've all thought similar thoughts about our own power to affect the outcomes of games.) Here's a pic with me, my pops, my brother and his son.

Yes, I have my father's eyebrows. And his big head. My second brother was missing (he's on the West Coast). As my dad gets older, it's harder for him to enjoy adventures like this. I have to appreciate the time we have. Too many moments in my younger years were spent blinded by my youthful angst and pride; I didn't love my dad very much back then. God has graciously allowed me to grow to know him, serve him, and enjoy him much better these past six years that I've been back in Atlanta. Thank you, God.

(And thanks to my wife for letting me go and celebrate my birthday without her, at least for this part of the celebration. Maybe next year I can bring our son, too!)

Obstructed View

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:05:26 GMT

Last night a group of us went to the Braves game. Barry Bonds got booed and hit a home run (1-4, 1 solo HR, 3 groundouts to right field). Braves won after a tense 9th inning. It was hot. And there were a few people who kept standing and blocking our view. Standing up from time-to-time isn't so bad. But if it's accompanied by an insensitivity to the enjoyment of the people around you, then it makes it bad.

As a Christian, I would hope to be sensitive to people around me. We may grade ourselves (and others) on general politeness. When someone cuts us off in their car, we curse. If they let us in when we need to change lanes, we may be grateful for their kindness. Women may grade men on chivalry - opening doors, offering coats, refilling drinks, etc. Nice things, yes.

But I think those things sometimes obstruct our view of the greater things. We may be "nice people" but fail to actually love those around us. If we do not care for their spiritual condition, if we do not recognize that the superficial things may only be the tip of the iceberg, and if we do not pray for the deeper matters of the heart in relationship to God, then we are looking at the wrong things.

If we get more bent out of shape at people who stand up in front of us at a baseball game than we do at the thought of people not knowing Jesus Christ, then our hearts are in the wrong place altogether.

A reminder to myself...and maybe to others.

Back from Korea

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:57:35 GMT

It had been ten years since I had stepped foot on Korean soil. It hasn't really changed much, but I did notice progress as far as social consciousness. I read that China was instituting a campaign to get their citizenry to learn some different ways of doing things, including something as simple as letting people off the subway before trying to rush in and find a seat for yourself, thereby making it rather difficult for those exiting to make their way. South Korea did the same thing ten years ago. They've progressed, and there are more public bathrooms which are cleaner and, of course, the ubiquitous markers of technological innovation.

Of course, there are still the outdoor markets with people complaining about us trying to lowball them when we haggle. And there are still young students who struggle with English, a language that pervades their existence from music to internet to names of food and places, but a language that gives them fits. So when we conducted our English classes as our relationship-building tool, we encountered some negativity towards the whole English learning issue. I guess it's like trying to feed kids vegetables; it's good for them but it may not be so palatable in the short term. Our team got to know a lot of kids and they were encouraged by our simple presence, having come from so far, and efforts to pay them some attention. Even in these ways, God expresses His great love. It was a challenging trip in many ways, and a return trip by our church would require much thought, prayer, and tough evaluation, but we learned quite a bit by going. And God is good and God is global.

I got to meet a couple of college friends; that was a blessing. And I pray that they'll be convinced that God does indeed love them, not because we deserve His love, but simply because He is gracious and glorious.

Someone asked me if I missed my wife Sonia more of my daughter Sophia. The answer came quickly and easily: I missed my wife more. (Come on, I have known here longer after all. Plus, she is the other part of the equation that makes us one, ergo, she completes me.) I missed them both, sure, and it was cute when Sophia tried very vociferously to run to me at the airport and fell on the floor in front of everyone. She was a little stunned, but, I think, happy when she finally reached her goal of me. But all that was arranged by my loving wife. It's good to be home.

Here's a picture from May of Sophia dressing up in Daddy's clothes:

South Korea for Missions

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:54:28 GMT

Next Monday, I'm headed to South Korea for missions. Not missions training, not a missions conference, not North Korea, but mission work in South Korea.

The first part isn't evangelism, but that's not all there is to the mission of the church. Jesus' words were roughly, "as you're going, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have said to you..." (Matthew 28:18-20). It's not just sharing the Gospel for conversion; it's discipleship for life transformation. The first part of our trip is an English Camp for pastors' kids from rural areas of South Korea. These are kids who may not have ministries targeted for themselves. I guess I grew up in a situation that should make me more compassionate than I've been feeling; when I was a kid, our church struggled to have adequate youth and children's programs. It wasn't until I left for college that I was able to learn what a real relationship with God was about. True, it's primarily the parents' responsibility to disciple in a Christian home. But these kids need help.

The second part of the trip is evangelism, in an area of South Korea that seems a bit hostile to the Gospel. I heard once, about ten years ago, that South Korea was roughly 50% Christian. Lately, I've heard 25%. Some of that could be measurement issues, or nominalism. But there's also been a nationalistic backlash against all things Western/American, and this includes a backlash against Christianity for some people. Add that into negative perceptions or experiences from legalistic tendencies of some churches in the Korean cultural milieu, and you've got a lot of people who aren't open to the Gospel. We were planning a VBS-type outreach, but the pastor with whom we're partnering said to do less overtly Christian programming. So we're just using English teaching for both parts of the trip as a way of opening the door and building relationships. That may seem less impactive to some, but I think it's a great way to show God's love. We're hoping to spend time with the children and adults in their own neighborhoods and homes, too, bringing God's love right where they live.

So, please pray for our team of 11 going through our church program. We're leaving July 16th and coming back August 1. And if you want to find out more, or if you want to contribute to sending some of our college-aged team members on this mission, just let me know.

And remember, just because you think there are plenty of Christians in a country, it doesn't mean there's no need for mission work for discipleship and evangelism. After all, people think of the United States as a Christian nation, but I'll bet there's someone living right next to you who needs you to be a missionary to them. Probably people in your own church, too. So, "as you're going...."

VH1's Top 40 Soft Rock Songs

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:09:37 GMT

How many can you sing along to? I can sing to about 29 out of the 40. That should make me a semi-softie. Let's make categories: 36-40 Ultra Softie, 31-35 Softie, 26-30 Semi-Softie, 21-25 Cottony, 16-20 Cotton-Poly, 11-15 Linen, 1-10 Concrete. What are you? What's your favorite? Mine's #10.

From VH1's 40 Most Soft-sational Soft Rock Songs:
40. Bertie Higgins - "Key Largo"
39. David Soul - "Don’t Give Up On Us"
38. Peter Frampton - "Baby, I Love Your Way"
37. Leo Sayer - "When I Need You "
36. 10cc - "I’m Not in Love"
35. Extreme - "More Than Words"
34. Dan Hill - "Sometimes When We Touch"
33. Cat Stevens - "Peace Train"
32. Kenny Loggins - "This is It"
31. Richard Marx - "Hold On To The Nights"
30. Andrew Gold - "Lonely Boy"
29. Debby Boone - "You Light Up My Life"
28. America - "Horse With No Name"
27. Lionel Richie - "Hello"
26. Harry Chapin - "Cat's In The Cradle"
25. Anne Murray - "You Needed Me"
24. Phil Collins - "One More Night"
23. REO Speedwagon - "I Can't Fight This Feeling"
22. Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson - "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love"
21. Orleans - "Still the One"
20. Captain & Tennille - "Do That To Me One More Time"
19. Michael Bolton - "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"
18. Toto - "Rosanna"
17. Juice Newton - "Angel Of The Morning"
16. Bread - "Baby I’m - A Want You"
15. Journey - "Open Arms"
14. Seals & Crofts - "Summer Breeze"
13. Carpenters - "Superstar"
12. Starland Vocal Band - "Afternoon Delight"
11. Olivia Newton-John - "I Honestly Love You"
10. Chuck Mangione - "Feels So Good"
09. Hall and Oates - "One On One"
08. The Doobie Brothers - "What A Fool Believes"
07. Kansas - "Dust In The Wind"
06. Air Supply - "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All"
05. Chicago - "If You Leave Me Now"
04. Barry Manilow - "Mandy"
03. Rupert Holmes - "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)"
02. Styx - "Babe"
01. Christopher Cross - "Sailing"

Global Day of Prayer

Sun, 27 May 2007 02:41:50 GMT

Sunday is Global Day of Prayer, a movement that started in Capetown, South Africa, in July 2000. Over the years, the prayer effort has grown to include several cities in South Africa, to southern Africa, to all of Africa, to the world. Last year Christians from 199 countries around the world reported holding prayer gatherings on Pentecost Sunday (June 4 of last year); this year 203 countries have registered. Join with millions of Christians all over the world to ask God to do His will and bring revival to our land. Check out www.globaldayofprayer.com for more info and to read reports from last year or to see pictures. There's also a prayer guide.

We'll be praying in our service. Hope you will, too. May God work in all of us.

Here's a recent picture of Sophia at Ft. Walton Beach for the CAYA Retreat 2007: