Like An Infant In Their Father's Hands

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

- Isaiah 55:8-9

It’s difficult growing up in a different country. When I was a child, there were many things I couldn’t understand. This was compounded by the fact that I had to learn two different languages, and two different cultures, that seemed in many ways to be completely opposite of one another.

Made in the Image of God...What Does That Mean?

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

- Genesis 1:26

Imago Dei. The image of God. What exactly does that mean?

Last Sunday we talked about how being made in God’s image isn’t a physical thing - in other words, God doesn’t necessarily look like a human being. In fact, genetically speaking, there isn’t much difference between us and a sea sponge, so it’s obvious that that isn’t what makes us different from the rest of Creation.

A Prayer for the Hurting

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

- Revelations 21:4 (NIV)

Last Sunday we talked about Jesus’ Return and the coming end of death, mourning, crying and pain. The events of that day and the days that followed have tested that hope thoroughly.

This entire week I have been following what we now know is the tragedy aboard the Oceangate Titan, a commercial submersible that set out on Sunday to explore the remains of the Titanic with five people on board.

The Importance of Knowing Scripture

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New Living Translation)

The first question that comes to mind whenever I read this passage is: All Scripture? Because I’ll be honest, there are some passages in the Bible that make me feel deeply uncomfortable…

Al's Farewell

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; God is the one who will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message Version)

it is with a lot of mixed feelings that I am writing you my final post through Perch’s platform. Several years ago when God called me (Al) to start a church, I was too scared to do it. After much prayer, counsel, and reflection, a small group of us started Perch from our home. Despite all odds, we made it through our first year. Then when 2020 hit, I thought for sure we would shut down. But somehow, we survived those two rough years of Covid. And even last year when I personally experienced the most difficult year of my adult life, we were able to stay afloat. While I can admit now that the last four years were difficult and 2022 was particularly traumatic for me personally, it still amazes me how God had provided for me, my kids, and Perch all along. God even used Perch to be a safe haven and community of support for me while I was going through my struggles. While I am grateful for my journey, I know that God had called me to start Perch and not to pastor it forever. When God provided Pastor Sam and his wife Charlene to be the new shepherds of Perch moving forward, I knew it was my time to step away to focus on healing and starting over.

While I am uncertain of what my future will look like, I am also excited; I’m excited to pursue a career in healthcare chaplaincy and private spiritual counseling. In many ways, I’m stepping out in faith and onto uncharted territory. And whenever I feel overwhelmed by the mystery of it all, I can look back at how far God had taken me and trust that God will continue to be with me moving forward.

I’m at peace with leaving this church that I started because I know it is in good hands with God’s care and Sam’s leadership. I’m excited to see where God will take Perch in the coming years. Thank you all for being a part of Perch and my journey, whether in big or small ways.

If you’d like stay connected with me, you can do so through my personal platforms as I will continue to share spiritual inspiration and pastoral support as I navigate my new path.

Connect with Al on Facebook: www.facebook.com/alchristianhan
Follow Al on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.christian.han/
Follow Al on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@al.christian.han
Al’s Personal Email: ealhan@gmail.com

“The one who walks with God always gets to the destination.” – Henrietta Mears

Brené Brown on Forgiveness

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13

In this insightful interview with professor and In this insightful interview with professor and bestselling author Brené Brown on how she returned to faith author Brené Brown on how she returned to faith, she made a poignant statement on forgiveness. “In order for forgiveness to happen, something has to die.” That may seem like a dark way of looking at it, especially because we think of forgiveness as being this nice, fluffy cloud, but it’s really true. For example, if you need to forgive someone for stealing money from you, your forgiveness is letting that money go. If you need to forgive someone for betraying you, your forgiveness is letting that relationship change or disappear from your life. Usually, the bigger the offense, the harder it is to forgive someone and it might be a process of weeks, months, or longer rather than a solitary instant moment. Forgiveness is rarely easy; forgiveness is messy, painful, and even nonlinear. So show yourself some grace and you strive to show others some grace.

Shadow Work

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79

Are you familiar with the term “shadow work?” It was first developed by psychiatrist Carl Jung and has been growing in development ever since. According to this article in Medical News Today, “Shadow work is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the shadow self, which is the parts of the psyche that people often keep hidden, such as trauma and resentment… According to Jung, a personality includes the persona, which is the personality that people show to the public, and the shadow self, which remains private or hidden. Unlike the persona, the shadow self often includes traits that a person does not like to show.” Sometimes, these are parts of the self that a person may even be unaware of themselves. While working on the parts of ourselves that know and are familiar with is always needed, it’s often the unknown parts of ourselves that are the biggest obstacles to our own spiritual growth. So here’s a question for you…

What’s hiding in your shadow that you refuse to acknowledge?

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
–Carl Jung

Twelve Benefits of Mindfulness

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 24:42

I recently read a short, helpful online article in Real Simple Magazine that summarizes that twelve benefits of mindfulness. As I’ve been doing the work of chaplaincy and providing spiritual care for patients in the hospital and my church members for many years, a way of being that is most helpful for those I am supporting is by being PRESENT. Basically, being present is being mindful of the current circumstances. When a patient or church member is needing support, it’s best to be fully present in the moment without bias or preference. If I focus too much on a person’s past, it’s can prevent a care recipient from moving forward. If I focus too much on the future (i.e. saying, “it’s gonna be okay” too quickly), I am rushing past a person’s emotions and minimizing their current reality. But by being fully present with the patient/church member/friend, I know I am empathizing with them, sharing in their experience, and creating safe space for their emotions. In short, I am fully awake, present, and mindful.

How can you provide those safe spaces of mindfulness with your loved ones?

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have.” – Eckhart Tolle