A Few Scenes from Church Camp...

We took a group of about 35 to Kanchanaburi province this weekend to enjoy some fellowship and time together in nature.

Kiki and I with our friend Tukata (which means "doll" in Thai).

Johnny McClean, a member of our church who is a missionary from another organization, preached for Sunday worship.  He has been in Thailand for about 16 years...he and his family have been such a great encouragement to us and to our church.

Natee (a professor at Bangkok Bible College and an elder at our church) baptized 4 new members this past Sunday.

The culinary arts...

We ate at a Korean style BBQ place (where you grill the meat at your table...loved it!) with my friend Toi, and after we had eaten our fill, I decided to express myself.  The ears are actually slices of pork liver, which I thought were very fitting.

My beautiful city...

I think that I just need to post a picture or two every now and then so that people can see it through our eyes.  My city (Bangkok) is a beautiful city, and I'm so often caught off guard by the unique beauty that God has created here.  More to come.

I've Got Someone for You (Part 2)

This is another jaw-dropping passage from Phra Peter Pannadipo's "Phra Farang" (see a couple of posts below).  Again, I was floored when I read this passage.  About the same time I was reading this book, a missionary friend here in Bangkok from another organization was reading a biography of the Buddha and had the same reaction.  Here, Pannadipo reflects on the Buddha's last words:

"The Buddha's final words came to me, as he lay dying under a sal tree in India more than 2,500 years ago.  'Monks, I address you now.  Transient are all conditioned things.  Strive on with diligence.'  Strive on.  The Buddha himself said that he only pointed the way and that it was up to each of us, up to me, to work out my own emancipation, to liberate myself.  To strive on with energy, determination, and conviction." (Phra Farang, p. 241)

Strive on...the message of the Buddha.  Self-liberation...up to me, up to you.  I often hear people talk about the similarities between Jesus and the Buddha, but there messages could not be more different!  Hear what the God-man says to His disciples:
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."  (John 19:30, italics and underlining mine)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

The Christian message is that you and I could never, ever hope to work out our own emancipation, that we are dead in sin and hostile to God, but that Jesus came and liberated us by His life, death and resurrection, and by sending the Holy Spirit to give us new life.  What a Savior!

The Sting.

Death is defeated...truly defeated...but there is still a sting, even if it will fade and disappear in light of the coming glory.  Our very dear friend, and Kiki's mentor at Belhaven University, Dr. Wynn Kenyon, passed away yesterday.  He was a professor at Belhaven College (now University) for many years, a brilliant theologian and philosopher, an elder at Redeemer Church in Jackson, MS, a loving father and husband, a generous and kingdom-minded steward of the gifts that God gave to him, and a compassionate and gracious lover of people.  This man has touched literally thousands of lives with the grace and love of God.  We feel the sting, even though we know death is defeated.

Here is a hymn that a friend posted on facebook a day or two ago...I don't even know the title yet, but I love this, and fight to believe it right now:

"It is not death to die, to leave this weary road and join the saints who dwell on high who've found their home with God. It is not death to close the eyes long dimmed by tears and wake in joy before you throne, delivered from our fears.
Oh Jesus, conquering the grave, your precious blood has power to save. Those who trust in You will in your mercy find that it is not death to die!
It is not death to fling aside this earthly dust and rise with strong and noble wing to live among the just. It is not death to hear the key unlock the door that sets us free from mortal years to praise You evermore. "

Pray for the Kenyons, for Belhaven, and for Redeemer as you think about it.  They definitely feel the sting.

I've got someone for you (Part 1)

Last month I read a fascinating autobiography of an Englishman who converted to Buddhism and ordained as a monk here in Thailand.  While giving me a very valuable window into the Thai culture, especially Thai Buddhism, this book ("Phra Farang:  An English Monk in Thailand") also highlighted some of the major differences between following the way of the Buddha and serving the risen King, the God-man, the atonement for sin, and the image of the invisible God, Jesus.  In this passage, Phra Peter Pannapadipo (the author) describes a period of despair and uncertainty as a monk in Thailand, and as he gazes on the image of the Buddha, has these thoughts:

It was childish and illogical, I knew, but at that moment I didn't want him to have been just a man.  I wanted him to be God.  I needed him to be God.  I needed a cosmic shoulder to cry on.  I didn't have the strength to 'be my own refuge', as he had taught.  I needed something else, someone else, to whom I could bow down and pray; from whom I could beg for help, or guidance, or forgiveness, or sactuary.  I didn't have the courage or strength to travel this path alone. (p. 234)

I could not believe my eyes.  This man had very sincerely and honestly described Jesus.  That which he wished the Buddha could be, Jesus was and is, and is so much more!  I remember putting down the book as my mind flooded with Scripture about our Jesus...the One who is the Word made flesh (John 1:1-14), the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15-19), the God-man (Phil. 2:5-11), the Great Refuge for the weary, weak and wayward (Matt. 11:28-30; Ps. 2:10-13), the divine King to whom we bow and pray (John 12:41; Phil. 2:11; Rev. 19), and the One who will never leave or forsake us, who walks with us on the path, and who will bring us all the way home before the dark (John 13-17; Matt. 28:19; Romans 8:28-39).

Jesus truly is incomparable.

Video for Redeemer Missions Conference

This is a video I put together for the Redeemer Presbyterian (Travelers Rest, SC) mission conference.  Since we're not able to be there, we decided to attend this way:

Redeemer Missions Video from Archibald (Trey) Adams on Vimeo.

What does your February look like?

Because this is what our February looks like...