SING

JULY 18, 2026

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

I know that many of you like to listen to music. I like listening to music as well. When Hyemi is cooking, doing the dishes, or doing household chores, she likes to turn on this smartphone music app. She likes to listen to certain genres like Christian choir music or classical music. And this app plays music randomly online, so we don’t know what music will come on. While Hyemi is working, I am at the desk working, and I can hear the music loud and clear as it plays. Suddenly, I find myself humming to the music whenever a familiar song comes out. I am sure you have similar experiences as well.

You may be singing along to the music in the air, or just singing while driving, or even shaking your body in rhythm to the music. I see my girls doing that all the time. You can see them feeling the music and dance. That is pretty adorable. Music is powerful. And it is a great way for us to express our feelings and thoughts. The Bible encourages us to express ourselves in music towards God.

Paul teaches us that we get really acquainted with the Word of God, and as God’s Word dwells in our hearts, we should sing to the Lord. Paul makes another similar statement in Ephesians 5:19, saying, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Paul himself practiced what he said. Acts 16:25 says: “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Music is a big part of our everyday life. It can be used in many ways, but let us use music and our singing to praise God!

HOLD THE RAIN

JULY 11, 2026

“Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

Matthew 8:26

Up until 3 years ago, we had tents set up for the different divisions at campmeeting. Usually, when campmeeting is over, the pastors and the camp staff wait until Sunday morning for Camp Strike to take down the meeting tents. But that one year, due to the summer camp schedule, we had to hold Camp Strike on Saturday evening as soon as the Sabbath ended. Things were challenging. We didn’t have much time. We didn’t have sunlight. And we were expecting rain.

All week long, we prayed for fair weather on Saturday night. We couldn’t get the gigantic meeting tents wet. Otherwise, we would have to wait until they get dry and then store them. Unfortunately, the weather forecast had said there was a high chance of rain that night. We prayed that God would hold the rain.

When the sun had set, all the pastors and camp staff worked hard together to take everything down. We made a good team effort, and it was joyous and fun. God kept everyone safe, and we were able to take down all the tents in 3 hours! Now here is the exciting part: The last tent came down. We folded the tents and were put into a huge box. The very moment the last box of tents was stored away, at that very moment, rain started pouring down! God had been holding the rain for us! We praised God for His goodness. God can do mighty things for us when we ask.

TASTE OF HEAVEN

JULY 4, 2026

“You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

We had a wonderful time at camp meeting, and this year’s theme was “Taste of Heaven.” The weather was perfect throughout the week, the messages presented were food for the soul, and, for me personally, I had a great team working together on my livestream operations in my video booth. Everything seemed ideal, just like the theme of the camp meeting.

An additional reason for this week being a “Taste of Heaven” was that my brother’s family joined us this year. Since Tim’s family came to Madison in January, I was looking forward to having a camp meeting together. It was in 2015 when my brother’s family and my parents were at camp together for my ordination. Since then, it has been our first time camping out together as both families. The campsite was busy, and during meal times we were surrounded by kids, but it was all laughter and joy. Having my family around was truly a heavenly experience.

This is where the truly heavenly experience and joy are, according to David: being in God’s presence. Being in the presence of God is where the real heaven is. And we must seek His presence all the time.