May 16, 2007
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Unconditional Surrender
For Sam's birthday a few weeks ago, I took him to the Midway Museum (a retired USS Aircraft carrier that is docked in our port). Right beside the Midway is a 25 foot WWII commemorative statue called "Unconditional Surrender." It is a three-dimensional interpretation of a photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of a Sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, following the announcement of V-J Day. It is awesome to behold!
We of course were very passionate about re-enacting the beautiful moment.
Speaking of passion, Sam & I have been married for 9 months now. Nine glorious months of unconditional surrender to one another. That's just enough time to have a baby -- but no, we are not having one just yet. No plans for one for at least a year or two (this is for all the inquiring minds that want to know). However, from time to time, we do daydream about our future children. We usually just talk about possible names for our children and how many we want to have. Tonight, I realized something I had never really thought about before: while most have high hopes of their children becoming doctors and engineers, I dream of our children becoming missionaries, evangelists, church planters, pioneers, pastors. I long for them to give their whole lives to God and hold nothing back. I know, of course, that we need to be a living example of that first, so that they may get a small taste from us of the joy of such unconditional surrender to the Father. I am guilty of forgetting sometimes of what a joy it really is; I forget -- until I surrender again and then I remember. O, for sweet surrender and sacrifice every hour of every moment...
Comments (20)
that is so cute! Awesome pic!
oh you guys! haha, so romantic!
The USS Midway was the first US aircraft carrier to be ordered and commissioned after WWII. She was commissioned on 10 Sept. 1945 and decommissioned to be a floating museum on 11 Apr. 1992, after nearly 48 years in service. (Incidentally, the new Gerald R. Ford-class carriers being built are 120 feet longer and over 20 feet wider than the Midway.)
Your closing line reminded me of a hymn...
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
wow that's an awesome photo your reenactment looks perfect
I'm moving to LA in July!! 
Our wedding is set for 12/ 2 
I think your hopes for your children are awesome. I used to have the same thoughts. But now, having worked in the "secular" world for several years, I've come to realize the power and influence a Godly person in the workplace can have. Don't get me wrong, I admire and respect pastors, missionaries, evangelists, etc. tremendously. But after seeing the stresses and pressures of work life firsthand, I also have a tremendous respect for those who are able to clearly live out their passion for Jesus in their "secular" roles...the Andrew Poons, the ChiaMu Changs, the Alex Chows, and Dave Chius of the world. I believe these people, at times, have an even more significant impact on the world around them than pastors and other "full-time" ministers. I think we agree on one point - that we hope our kids will grow up to pursue full-time ministry. But what if God's idea of full-time ministry for our children is to become one of the most talented, humble, God-fearing physicians/engineers the world has ever seen?
sweet pic! who took it?
Yee, I can understand where you're coming from. I'm definitely a firm believer that our children ought to have the freedom to go wherever they feel God is leading them -- and that includes being ambassadors for Christ in the secular American work force and making contributions to society through their skills. But I would also want them to consider the urgency of E3 evangelism -- reaching the unreached; bringing the gospel to places where there is no Christian witness within that culture nor in the cultures that surround those cultures. I have been working in different environments since I graduated college, and I have truly valued the experience of trying to 'make it' in American workplaces and the personal growth which I have gained through the experience. I have also grown really comfortable with being here and living this kind of lifestyle. And in the midst of it all, it's hard to fathom that there are places where there are people who could never hear about Jesus (no newspapers, no TV, no books, no neighbors who could take them to church, b/c there is no church), but there are. And I hope that while wherever it is they land vocationally, my children's hearts would ache for the gospel Light to come to those dark places... and that they would give themselves fully in unconditional surrender to the Father's will -- meaning that they'd be even willing to give up all comfort and security, living a life of faith and trust -- however that might look (if not giving their whole lives to it, then through prayer, short term trips and giving financially). And more than anything, I hope that will be true about me.
I think the world will be a better place if we have more Pam Wans. She's so super.
I am VERY fascinated at the completely different paradigms that Mary Ann, Sam and Pam have versus Yee and Alex. That discussion is yet another example of...click here to read more
Hrm... Daniel, it seems like in drawing a line between the two groups, there is an assumption being made that I don't believe there is value to being witnesses for Jesus in the workplace. I do. What I frown upon, however, is that most people who work in the workplace are NOT powerful witnesses. They just work to make a living and then go home and that's where they live their real life and DO MINISTRY. The ministry is usually done in the church. This is not the reason why I'm for "full-time ministry", but it is a complaint I do have. You *know* I am a big proponent of being Living Proof of the gospel in whatever secular environment God has put you. But I am also passionate about the unreached - in a major way. Perhaps it is true that everyone has a different calling - when it comes to vocation - but hopefully, we are proclaiming God's Kingdom unashamedly wherever that might be.
My parents once told me that they were called to be senders. I think there is a place for E3 evangelists and workplace evangelists. Maybe some people aren't gifted evangelists but are faithful in living a good witness (maybe not as outward and proactive as some) and faithfully serve at church as well. Then, they can also be faithful in partnering with missionaries in prayer and financially. I don't think theres anything wrong with "making a living" and sometimes its not an option to go overseas or workplace politics/culture prevent people from sharing the gospel. Of course I'm all for Living proof gospel sharing and I think I know what you're getting at, but I'd also like to defend those who are faithful to what God has called them to do. In the end, God will be the judge of our hearts and what we did w/ the talents he gave us.
Yeah, that's the false dichotomy between work and ministry, but I don't think Living Proof is the answer. Work should be inherently valuable to God's kingdom and I think its the perception of most people that it is not. You can do LP in any context which is great, but it doesn't give any additional value to engineering for example. Liferay? Maybe... but not quite there I would suspect. I don't believe the church has an answer for this dualism yet.
interesting discussion--the more i work, the more i see that life is gray and messy.
That picture is too cool
Hi, I just wanted to inject another thought ( can of worms) . I really don't think God sends unreached people to hell. I think in order to go to hell you have to choose to not accept God. Otherwise, I think you're soul will just be non existant, meaning not in heaven, not in hell.
"I think you're soul will just be non existant"
Just wondering, Tomo, where did you get that from?
I think that cuz babies who die don't go to hell cuz they didn't choose God, right? Cuz they didn't know any better. Then how about adults who don't know any better?
right. I think that though if they truly didn't know any better (infants, kids, mentally retarded people, unreached people who seek after God though they do not possess the complete knowledge of Christ, O.T believers) they'll enter to heaven on the merit of Christ's death/righteousness. As far as the idea that their souls just ceased to exist, I'm not sure if the bible teaches that at all.
Very cute pic!
Sweet!!!
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