HONEST, STRONG FAITH

I love Habakkuk. I love to preach from this book, I love to read it and I love to meditate on it as I did this morning. Habakkuk was disturbed by what appeared to be unpunished evil in his nation. He asked God why injustice was going unpunished? God answered and shocked the prophet by telling him the bloodthirsty Babylonian army would be used to punish Israel.
Habakkuk did not like this answer and asked God a second "why" question. Why would you use a nation more evil to punish your people who are evil but less so? Then, demonstrating his faith, he waited for God to answer him. (2:1, 2) It was not a reassuring answer. Babylon would be punished but only after they would first deliver terrible days punishment on Habakkuk's people.
At this, Habakkuk feels great emotion, poetically described in words we can understand: "my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound, decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled." We have all felt a pounding heart when emotionally upset. We have seen the lips of others tremble as they struggle with deep feelings. We may have said ourselves, when dealing with bad news, "I need to sit down."
Yet as his brief, personal, vulnerable book ends, Habakkuk provides for us one of the great biblical statements of faith. In Israel's agrarian society there were six sources of income and wealth. Habakkuk listed them all: figs, grapes (wine), olives, grain, sheep and cattle. He affirmed to God (3:17, 18) if the entire economy is wiped out by the invading army; if you leave us destitute: "I will rejoice (not just believe, but rejoice) in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour."
Then he confessed, not only will I find joy in God but He will provide the strength I need. He will enable me to climb whatever mountains of life lie ahead.
Is your prayer life honest these days? Are you really sharing your heartfelt thoughts, not just ritual polite requests? And is your faith increasing as you grow deeper with God? May we have the rock solid, "come what may" faith that Habakkuk confesses. In a world where the future is so unpredictable, may we learn to rejoice in God, who in the midst of the changing ups and downs of life, never changes.

FYI -  I wrote yesterday about the many times in Scripture the justice of God is emphasized right alongside the love of God. I alluded to the controversy raging these days among evangelicals about punishment after death. I have read neither Bell's best selling book "Love Wins" nor Francis Chan's forthcoming book "Erasing Hell". But having read numerous reviews, positive and negative; having read the critics of both men and their views, I believe Francis Chan provides a more biblically grounded view of the reality and seriousness of eternal destiny.

ANGER AND COMPASSION

Marcion, an influential second century church leader is the first leader of note to drastically contrast the Old Testament God with Jesus and His Father in the New Testament. His ideas veered so far from traditional Christian teaching that he was declared a heretic.
Many, if not most Christians have struggled with the references to and examples of God's anger in the Old Testament. In reading the New Testament, many believers prefer to highlight the love of God and ignore the teachings about God's rejection of sin. We all naturally respond positively to the teaching on the joys of the New Heaven and New Earth and are not attracted to the teachings on the agony of hell and punishment.
In recent years a number of popular evangelical authors and leaders have been doing their best to re-interpret the New Testament to soften what it teaches about God's anger, punishment of sinners and hell. These are distasteful, uncomfortable subjects for anyone compelled by the love of Christ. Yet so often in both Testaments, the authors seem to have no trouble placing these contrasting teachings near each other, as did Jesus himself.
I was reminded of that today as I read the book of Nahum (and a preceding few verses at the end of Micah.) From Micah 7:18, 19: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgressions. --- You will not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us."
In contrast Nahum opens with: "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God, the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. ---  the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. --- Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire;" 1:2, 3, 6
But then Nahum also writes these lovely words: "The Lord is slow to anger --- The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. he cares for those who trust in Him." 1: 3, 7
As I read the prophets, I see a mature understanding of God as a wonderful Shepherd to His people (Micah 5:4); who with compassion can forgive and banish all of our sin (Micah 7:10). Yet in His Holiness He remains as the eternal righteous Judge who hates and must punish sin. He will not, He cannot simply allow unrepentant sinners to go unpunished.
Thus if we treat the prophets' message and Jesus' message faithfully, we must continue to call people to faith in our Loving Holy God. With faith that includes repentance, everyone can be absolutely pardoned. God loves to forgive. No one needs to face the righteous anger of God. But tragically, many will.

CHRISTMAS CAROL IN JUNE

It is about 31 degrees outside, end of June in Vietnam and no snow in the forecast (ever). Yet I just had to go on YouTube this morning. I needed to listen to the Vienna Boys Choir sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem." No, I am not one of those Christmas Carol fanatics who listen to carols all year round (though I do listen throughout the month of December).
My Scripture reading this morning was in the last three chapters of Micah. I paused to meditate on the familiar Christmas reading, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small --- out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (5:2) What an amazing promise - someone from ancient times (days of eternity) would arrive as a newborn!
How did those who heard these words, those who read or heard them read over the next seven centuries - how did they understand this prophetic word? Could they have truly imagined Who was coming? We are told by Matthew that the chief priests and scribes did understand enough to point to this prophecy when Herod asked where the Messiah would be born. We rejoice on this side of the Birth and the Cross in a way none of the OT saints could possibly have rejoiced. So I needed this morning to hear the Christmas Carol as part of my worship based on those powerful prophetic words.
Very near this familiar verse is a verse normally missed at Christmas. It tells us much more of what the coming Messiah would be like and what He would do. Here is Micah's expanded description:
"He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace." (5:4)
May you live securely this day, not only in the knowledge of our Lord's birth, but also in the strength of your great Shepherd and in the peace that surpasses all understanding only He can provide.

DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY AND FREE WILL

I have fond memories of hearing Jan's elderly grandfather begin his prayer's with "Lord, we come to you, on this, the praying side of heaven." We also live on this, the "now we know in part" side of heaven.
Until we are on the other side, no human is going to fully understand the interaction between God's sovereignty and free will. We simply have all the knowledge God has decided we need to have.
I thought of the interaction between God's ultimate, wise control and human freedom as I read the story of Jonah again this morning. There is no question that Jonah does not do what God wants.  He is a free man and Jonah "ran away from the Lord"; again, "he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord." In the midst of  the life threatening Mediterranean storm, the very frightened sailors know that "he was running away from the Lord." Jonah's freedom to disobey God's clear word is emphasized three times.
Nevertheless, the underlying theme of the book is surely God's sovereign control. The Lord "sent a great wind on the sea" that causes a major problem for Jonah's run away trip. When at last Jonah is thrown over board, his next transportation was not his choice. The Lord "provided a great fish to swallow Jonah".
When Jonah receives a second word from the Lord, he is not stupid enough to disobey again. However after preaching faithfully to the hated enemy city of Ninevah, he suspects that God will be gracious and compassionate. Jonah e does not like this one bit. In fact he is so angry and disappointed that God has forgiven Ninevah that he blurts out "Now, O Lord, take away my life for it is better for me to die than to live."He sounds like a bitter spoiled child. God has given him the freedom to think and speak like this.
Yet God in his love attempts to make Jonah come around to his way of thinking and of loving people. God in his sovereignty provides comfort followed by discomfort, all to open Jonah's eyes. "Then the Lord God provided a vine"; "But at the dawn the next day God provided a worm"; finally "When the sun rose, God provided a scorching wind." God is fully in control of the situation.
But Jonah is in control of his own attitude. We are not told how Jonah ultimately responds. He is left, with his free will, to choose whether to take God's compassionate perspective or not.

WHEN WORSHIP IS REJECTED

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.  Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps." Amos 5:21 - 23
To a casual observer, without knowledge of the context, God's words in Amos would seem shocking. How could God reject what He, in great detail, had commanded? When they came to worship, apparently Israel was obeying the instructions of the Pentateuch regarding proper worship procedures, yet God was absolutely rejecting what they offered to Him.

God wanted Israel to "seek good, not evil"; to "Hate evil, love good, maintain justice in the courts." God's desire: "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream." Amos 5:14, 15, 24

Instead, many of those in Israel brought offerings to God, played the correct worship music, observed the proper holy occasions but ignored the needs of the poor, did not protect the vulnerable, used bribes to gain advantage and rejected honest business dealings.

Our sin may not be as blatant as was that of Israel in their worst days. Yet we must remember that worship, if not generated from a life of obedience, is repugnant to our Holy God in any generation. 

I wonder how much of the worship in what appear to be solid evangelical congregations, is displeasing to God. Could it be that in spite of our fine buildings, biblical knowledge, great electronic equipment, talented leaders and generous offerings, our worship music, our Sunday services may displease Him?

Always it comes back to our hearts and our obedience, doesn't it. Do we really love the One we worship and are we actively obeying His Word? 

Do we hate evil and love righteousness? We do well to examine ourselves personally and as congregations. How tragic if one day we stand condemned with the Israel to whom Amos preached. 

SPIRIT POWER

Joel is a small, 3 chapter, 73 verse Old Testament book. Have you read it lately? The first chapter is filled with a prophetic warning of God's coming judgment. However the second chapter has several wonderful verses that are often referenced because they are so relevant to believers of every era.
For example:
God knew that in Joel's day, tearing one's outer garments was a common sign in of deep sorrow. We may reference this verse to remind ourselves that God expects heartfelt repentance, not mere religious responses. "Rend your heart, and not your garments". (2:13)
God foretold that He would punish Israel for their sin and idolatry by sending a terrible plague of locusts. When we read this verse we are reminded that God can take what is broken and repair it; that God can take a life that has been wasted and still make if fruitful: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." (2:25)
There is one passage that is not familiar, but seems especially significant in this day of increased awareness of the environment. "Be not afraid, O Land ---. Be not afraid, O wild animals ---, Be glad, O people of Zion ---."2:21 -23 This verse parallels the land, animals and the Israelites who will all be recipients of God's restoration. We humans are unique among God's creation, but we are also closely tied to all creation.
We know that God placed us on earth to manage His good creation and that our sin has scarred this whole planet. When Paul writes about our future "glory" he ties it to release and healing that will also come to the realm of nature. "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed --- the creation itself will be liberated ---." Romans 8:19 - 21

The last passage I want to emphasize is the greatest. It is God's wonderful promise of a day when He would pour out His Spirit - not on a king, a priest or a prophet - but on all of His people. "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. --- Even on my servants, both men and women, I will power out my Spirit in those days." 2:28, 29
That day came 40 days after Jesus death, on the Day of Pentecost. The crowd gathered , amazed at hearing the Good News being spoken in many languages by those earliest of Christians. Peter stood with the Eleven and said: "this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel ---." Acts 2:16
God gave and continues to give His Spirit abundantly to all who believe and submit to Him; rely on Him; and walk in loyalty and obedience. May we live Spirit filled lives daily, enjoying the Spirit's Power over sin and temptation; for good works and for sharing the Good News.  

RIGHTEOUS AND HUMBLE

The prophet Daniel was highly respected on earth and in heaven. Several kings were impressed with Daniel enough to give him prominent political positions. His enemies were so impressed and frustrated with his righteous integrity they decided the only way to get him in trouble was to make his religious practices a crime. The angel Gabriel, with his "heavenly perspective" twice refers to Daniel as "highly esteemed". 9:23; 10:19  In Ezekiel, Daniel is named by God twice, along with Noah and Job, as an extremely righteous man. 14:14; 14:20
Daniel may have sensed that he lived at a level of commitment, of godliness, of righteousness that few men attained. Yet when he prayed (see Daniel 9:1 - 19), he absolutely identified with his people and with their sin and rebellion. There was no indication that he was simply confessing their sin and rebellion. There is no indication of "them vs. me". His passionate prayer of confession and strong cry for help is consistently filled with "we".
"We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away ---. We have not listened to your servants the prophets ---. --- we have sinned, we have done wrong."
Daniel so identified with his people that their failings became his failings, their rebellion his rebellion. Energized by this kind of empathy he was motivated to pray with great intensity and call on God to "listen, forgive, hear and act."
With this intense identification he was a forerunner of the One who was to come. Our great Saviour fully identified with us from his birth to his baptism to his death. "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God and that he might make atonement for he sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17
I am so grateful for our amazing, humble High Priest. And I am challenged by Daniel's example of humble identification and empathy; his deep compassion. How do you, how do I, pray for them - those rebels and sinners in our culture? How do we pray for the sad failings of the church? Is it them and us? Or do we plead for "our" forgiveness; that God would be merciful to "us" - "we" Canadians, "we" who are the church? 

SON of MAN

I remember years ago being challenged regarding the deity of Christ. The young man was demanding that I show him where Jesus called himself God. Of course there is no such place. Jesus is never recorded in the Gospels as saying "I am God" or saying "I am the Son of God." He implies it often, He makes claims that only God should make, but never calls himself the Son of God. On the other hand, He does refer to himself often as "Son of Man."
I was reminded of this as I read Daniel 7:13, 14 this morning. There we find Daniel's one reference to "a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. --- He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."
Ezekiel is addressed by God as "son of man" many times; Daniel is addressed that way only once. However it is the reference in Daniel 7 that is so important as we consider Christ. This is the Old Testament passage from which Jesus took his preferred title while on earth.
The most common term Jesus used to speak of himself was "Son of Man". In fact the four Gospels record the use of "Son of Man" at least 75 times. This is the title He used when being tried in what was a pretense of a trial by the Jewish religious leaders.
"Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God" the high priest demands.

"You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64

This was an unmistakable reference to Daniel 7:14. Jesus was clearly claiming to be the One prophesied, the One who was to be given authority and power over all peoples; who would receive their worship; who would rule over an everlasting kingdom. His claim to Deity and unique status was obvious to the Sanhedrin. The appropriate response should have been worship.

Instead the high priest said, "He has spoken blasphemy." And the Sanhedrin condemned the Son of Man, Son of God, to death!

Millions of us on earth and in heaven now worship this glorious Son of Man, and one day as both Daniel and Philippians affirm, all peoples will join us in worshipping our great King whose

Kingdom/Rule will never end.

BUT IF NOT

I read the familiar story of three men in a furnace this morning. (Daniel 3) Although I must have heard the story many times as a child and read the story to my own children and by myself dozens of times, it remains most impressive. The bravery and faith of Shad, Mesh, and Abed in the face of apparent certain death is remarkable. And their theology (is that the best term?) is so very healthy.
Here in part is what they said when faced with King Nebuchadnezzar's demand and threat. "We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. --- the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king." Absolute faith in God's protective ability to rescue them right then, right there.
"But if not (the memorable KJV phrase), we want you to know O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Confidence in God and his Sovereignty even if He chooses not to rescue them - which He can do, but may not do.
I thrill to read of the rescue miracle; how God sends an angel to stand with them, and protects them so that not even the smell of fire or smoke is on their clothes when they immerge from the blazing, intensely hot furnace.
Yet I am just as thrilled at the balance of their theology and faith. They are certain that God can rescue them, He is all the defence they need. Yet they confess a humble recognition that He may have other plans and may allow their death. Either way, they insist, they will remain loyal to their God!
May I, may you, exhibit such well grounded, biblically informed faith. Trusting God for blessing and favour. Believing that God does still perform miraculous healings and marvellous rescues.
Yet not insisting that God must come through for us in the way we want, we pray, we expect, we dictate. Resting, trusting in God's absolute love and wisdom to allow and to do what is ultimately the best from His divine perspective.

GLORY AND LIFE

What will it be like to one day be in the presence of God? To borrow from a popular song of a few years ago: "I can only imagine."Ezekiel experienced something of the Divine Glory at least twice. He describes these encounters in chapters one and forty three. I read the latter account this morning.
In both instances, Ezekiel's response is the same: he falls "face down". (1:28; 43:3) Is this a posture of awe, of worship, of humility? Perhaps the Glory of God is simply overwhelming, it is too much for him to bear. No place here for casual worship with coffee in one hand and a wandering mind. I wonder how long he lay "face down"? Notice in both passages that he did not get up until the Spirit helped him up.
I thought about this for a while and then listened twice on YouTube (with my eyes closed, face down) to Matt Redmon's "Face Down" worship song. Way too often, I, along with my North American counterparts, come into the presence of the Holy One far too casually. I wonder how shocked we will be when at last we truly stand (or fall face down) in the presence of "the Glory".
This morning I also enjoyed the picture of the life giving River flowing from the temple described in Ezekiel 47. All rivers (other than those badly polluted by humans) bring life to flora and fauna. But this great River has special life giving power.
It pours into the "Dead Sea" and where it does "the water there becomes fresh." I have floated in the Dead Sea - the mineral content was so high I posed with my arms and shoulders out of the water, reading a paper, while floating. Yet this River makes the water fresh and life giving.
This River sustains very fruitful trees. I remember flying over the Nile River and observing the strip of green growth on either side of the River. Beyond, on both sides, was barren land - desert. But where irrigation was drawn from the waters of the Nile, there was luscious life.
Ezekiel describes the trees growing beside the River: "Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing." Ezekiel 47:12 Did you catch that?: Fruit "every month"!
Do you remember how the Psalmist pictures the person who loves God's Word enough to "meditate on it  day and night'? "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3
How strange, sad, evil is the idea that a life committed to God would be anything less than the most abundant life. To the Glory of God and abundant Life! 

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES

If you notice the previous two posts they are glaring examples of two things: first that I am technologically challenged - couldn't even post photos properly; second, that I have a terrible memory - I did post photos a few months ago but obviously should have kept doing it so that I would remember how.
I thought I had cancelled these two failed postings but apparently not. Ah well, these things keep us growing in humility.
Forget photos - biblical truth in my next post. :)

CELEBRATION IN VIETNAM

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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION PHOTOS

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GOD LOVES THE WORLD

God loves those who oppose Him; those who rebel against His laws; those who ignore and disobey Him. He loves even though He promises to judge; even though He promises to punish sinners. We should love those opposed to God because He does. One indication of His concern is expressed when God spoke through His prophet: "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel." Ezekiel 33:11
In the following chapter, God expresses His anger with those who should have been spiritual leaders of Israel and His deep concern for His people. The leaders were to act as shepherds over the people, caring for, spiritually feeding, spiritually leading the people of Israel. But they failed them and cared only for their own welfare and comfort. Ezekiel 34:1 - 6
So the Great Shepherd, who loves his sheep even when they stray, promises to care for them. "I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep." Ez. 34:11
No wonder that Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd who would even die for the sake of His sheep. (John 10) For in Ezekiel the Good Shepherd is promised, the one who would be in the line of David. (Ezekiel prophesied several hundred years after David.) "I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd." Ez. 34:23
Most of the world lives far removed from pastures, sheep and shepherds. Fifty percent of the world, I read recently, lives in urban settings. Yet we need to cultivate an appreciation for the shepherd and sheep relationship. It is a favourite biblical picture of God's special love and care for His sheep, for His people, for you!

HALLELUJAH

We just returned to our Saigon apartment at 4:00 pm today after flying back from Danang. What a great celebration we enjoyed there with dozens of former C&MA missionaries and thousands of Vietnamese Christians.
Every December Jan and I enjoy listening to Handel's Messiah - usually more than once. Occasionally we attend a live performance. Living here in Vietnam this past December, a live performance was not an option. However, guess how they concluded these two days of the Centennial Celebration for the Evangelical Church of Vietnam.
The platform (which had hosted many choirs and other gifted singers over the two days of meetings) was filled with more than 300 singers. These men and women in traditional costume were from two of the ethnic minority tribes. With great gusto, and perfect timing, they sang the Hallelujah Chorus in Vietnamese! How moving as we realized that the Good News of Jesus had come to their tribes less than 100 years ago. I wonder if Handel was allowed to listen in from heaven?
One of our missionary couples found it especially moving because they had worked for years among one of those tribes. And they were being reunited at this conference after more than 35 years!
We took many photos during the nine day trip and the two days of Celebration. If I can, I will try to post some photos in the next day or two.

AMAZING CELEBRATION

The church of Vietnam is the largest of all of our C&MA sister denominations around the world. One quarter of all believers who gather in our connected fellowships are in this country.
For over two hours we celebrated the centennial with 10,000 or more Vietnamese and perhaps 100 expats. The brief video presentations were excellent. The music was great. It began with a powerful soloist accompanied by a small group of singers. We then moved into congregational singing of How Great Thou Art. I have sung this grand hymn in Billy Graham Crusade gatherings and long ago in large university student gatherings. However I came close to tears as I sang the Vietnamese words with brothers and sisters who have been through so much over the past century and are so committed to Christ.
One highlight for me was a quartet of obviously professionally trained men. Each sang a verse of Amazing Grace and then they combined for a verse. I've not heard any better rendition of this familiar hymn.
Most moving for all of us, was the procession one by one of representatives of 33 ethnic tribal peoples where there are believers and established churches. The percentage of believers in each tribe varies from less than 1% to over 50%. They wore traditional costume and stood together on the large platform in the centre of the arena. There are still 21 tribal groups who have no viable church.
The building, the setting, the visuals, the organization, the presentations - all were on a par with what one might expect from the best of North American Christian events. It was a privilege to share in this great event. Oh, and thankfully we had English translation for the spoken parts of the service.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

We leave our hotel in a few minutes (6:20 pm) to gather with thousands of Vietnamese believers from across the country. They are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the arrival here in Danang of the first Protestant missionaries. Would you please pray as you read this blog, for this three day gathering?
Much planning has gone into this event, but as you know, large events are challenging in any country and that certainly includes Vietnam. Pray that practical, logistical problems will not subtract from the impact of this event. Pray that God will be glorified, that the Christians and churches will be encouraged, that outreach will be strengthened.
We have visited 6 or 8 churches on our four days of travel through a small part of Vietnam. It has been very impressive to see the buildings and hear of how many lives are touched by the ministry taking place. In each building we saw posters announcing these special days of celebration. Most of the Senior pastors were not present to welcome us, because they were already travelling to Danang for this large event.
It is hard for people in Canada and the USA to appreciate how important the returning missionaries are to the Vietnamese Christians. They are received as much honoured guests who invested their lives in the 1950's, 60's and 70's so that Vietnamese would hear the Good News and develop healthy, growing  churches. These missionaries are greeted with much warmth and emotion.
The Vietnamese churches of Canada have generously provided funding so that about 20 former missionaries could attend this event. It will be our delight tonight to sit among these honoured guests. 

DALAT

Many Christians, especially those in the C&MA know about the Dalat School which has served the children of International Workers for 80 years. Presently the School is located in Penang, Malaysia. Bob and Karen Thorne minister at the International Church that serves most of those now involved with the Dalat School. The school has been in Penang for over 40 years.

However it was originally located in Dalat, Vietnam from where it gets its name. Franklin, mentioned in an earlier post, was one of the original 7 students. Travelling with us right now are a couple who went through all of their education at Dalat; later after attending separate universities, they were married. While in university in the USA, the husband's father was killed in Vietnam. He was one of a nineteen International Workers in Vietnam who lost their lives prior to 1975; invested for the sake of the Gospel.

One of the couples with us was married at the Dalat school. Others lived there while doing their initial Vietnamese language study. 

For so many of them, visiting the site of the original Dalat School was a trip highlight. Most had not been back since 1975 or much earlier. In spite of the decades and the changes in Dalat, warm memories and emotions surged among our travelling companions.

The school building and grounds now are occupied by a government university. The former houses (chalets) that once housed IW's visiting on vacation, visiting their children or doing language study have been knocked down. Lovely new chalets have been built in their place.

During the three hours following our visit, as we rode down from Dalat to the coast, one after another veteran IW shared memories of their experiences in Dalat. Others shared a variety of memories around their years of service here. I wish I could could share with you all that we heard. Jan and I found it a rich and very moving time of hearing testimonies from people who loved and served Vietnam, some of them at great sacrifice.

LOVE FOR VIETNAM

We are on a bus tour moving through central Vietnam. For two nights we have been in Dalat in the highlands at about 5,000 meters (1,500 ft.) What a lovely change from the heat and humidity of Saigon, to enjoy cool evening temperatures of 20 degrees (68 F.) Tomorrow we travel to Nha Trang on the ocean and will be back to warm temperatures.
Many of those travelling with us served as missionaries here prior to 1975. The oldest member of our group is Franklin, from Toronto. He was born in Vietnam in 1923. His parents were among the very first Protestant missionaries, arriving in 1914. Franklin did all of his schooling here in Dalat. As he graduated, the teachers were evacuated due to the II World War. So he and two other high school graduates became the school teachers for four years, while all of the foreigners from Allied countries were put in internment camps until the war ended.
He and his family returned to Canada in 1945. By 1952 he was back in Vietnam and served here until 1975. Following his forced departure, with all missionaries, he spent the last years of his full time ministry in the Phillipines.
Today we were visiting several small churches near Dalat. We learned at one of them that an elderly pastor had taken seriously ill very recently and appeared to be dying. Franklin had known this pastor forty years ago. He, with several others was able to visit briefly with this man's family and pray with this pastor. No doubt an amazing highlight for Franklin to connect and minister like this  with people he knew in Vietnam after so many years away.

LIFE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY

Last night Jan and I hosted two young couples who have, like us, lived in HCMC for less than a year. The husbands are pilots flying for a local airline. I asked what they had most enjoyed about living in Vietnam. One answer was that life is relatively inexpensive here. Another answer was - "just the experience of living in a foreign country".
I liked that answer given by the 32 year old pilot who had never before lived outside of the USA. In fact I have sometimes said that I wish every Christian in North America could spend one year living in another country and one year in Bible College. The year in Bible College would provide the biblical knowledge and Christian theology that most Christians never seem to gain from "once a week" church attendance.
The year in a different country will greatly expand anyone's knowledge and world view. (It can also make us more sensitive to immigrants, minorities, poverty, justice, etc.) Short term mission trips are great, but they are no substitute for actually being immersed in life as a foreigner for a year or more. Jan and I have always been thankful for the year we spent in Japan at the beginning of our married life.
Some of you wonder: could I ever arrange to live overseas? The answer is "yes, you could!" Last night's guests responded to a job opportunity with a company hiring a number of pilots from the USA.  Numerous expats here teach in one of the many international schools (Canadian, Australian, American, British, etc.) Others teach English at one of the many private schools offering English instruction.
Right now English is the most popular foreign language to learn. For many decades, with the French occupation, the most popular foreign language was French. For a decade or more after 1975, I have read that Russian was the most popular. Right now, besides English, Korean is quite popular.  Koreans are presently investing a lot of capital in Vietnam. I think they are the most numerous of all expats in the country at present. The great thing about this is the high percentage of Koreans who are Christians. There are many Korean congregations in our city.
But speaking of job opportunities overseas - as I was: I recently had my prescriptions renewed by a French doctor. A number of Canadians are here with a Calgary oil company. One friend from England teaches physics and math in a local university; another works for Habitat for Humanity. A Chinese - Canadian dentist opened a dental clinic that services mostly expats. There are many opportunities in Vietnam and other countries for people to use their skills and training.
Don't think that only believers "in ministry" go to other countries. Maybe you should be praying about working in another country for a year or a decade! You could link up with an International Church when you arrive and make an impact for Christ while expanding your life experiences and horizons.
Jan and I will be travelling into central Vietnam for the next eight days. We are joining a tour group who have arrived to join in the 100th anniversary celebrations with the Evangelical Church of Vietnam. We look forward to seeing new parts of the country and learning more about the growth of Christianity in Vietnam.
So please excuse me if I miss a few days of blogging. Time and internet access may be limited.

REASON TO LAMENT

Lamentations consists of five poems ( 5 chapters) written in a very stylized manner. In Hebrew, each of the 22 verses begins with a letter of the alphabet. This is called an acrostic. The third chapter (poem) contains 66 verses moving through the alphabet 3 times.
Authored by Jeremiah the book provides a strong lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah. Jeremiah spent four decades prophesying that destruction was coming. In his old age, Jeremiah witnessed the fulfillment of his prophesies. God finally brought the predicted judgment on the people and their religious leaders because of their refusal to repent and turn from their disobedience.
This book has often been used by Jews as a resource for mourning, both on special days and in personal prayers. Christians are most likely to hear reference to Lamentations during Holy Week, as we mourn the greatest tragedy of all - the rejection and the death of our Lord.
Within this short book there is one blazing beam of light, faith and hope shining through the darkness of sorrow. It is found in the middle of chapter 3 and is Jeremiah's recognition that even as God disciplines His children, there is always assurance of His great love and his mercies (compassions) that are new and fresh every morning. Even as he watches his beloved city, the city of God being abandoned and destroyed, Jeremiah affirms; "The Lord is my portion; The Lord is good; It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord".
Jeremiah wrote this near the end of his long, very difficult ministry of more than 40 years. He wrote it as he witnessed God using Babylon to crush his people. He wrote it knowing that he himself no longer had a home and was at the mercy of the volatile, changing leadership of the Jewish remnant.
If Jeremiah could so strongly affirm his faith in the worst of circumstances, so can we. No matter how wounded or abandoned we may feel, by God's grace, we can affirm our faith and rejoice to sing words from Lamentations (even if through tears of lament) found in the well known hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness." (Thomas Chisholm, 1923)

PUSH PULL

Many followers of Jesus experience significant spiritual tension because they have never fully surrendered to Christ. To use certain biblical terminology, they have not "died to self", they have not truly offered their  entire being, including their will as a "living sacrifice".
If we try to follow Christ, yet hold back in part, we will too often experience a "push - pull" tension in our spiritual life. We may truly want to please God. We know it is safest to do the will of God. We know that God's way is always best. We sincerely want to know and fulfill God's desire for our lives. All of this pushes us toward the joy of obedience to God.
But in certain situations - few or many - we know what action is pleasing to God, yet we hold back and fail to obey. We fear it will cost too much, it will be too painful, it will be very uncomfortable. In these cases, because we never have really, fully, settled the question of Who is in charge, we find ourselves pulling back. We are caught between the "push-pull".
I think this may be what is happening in Jeremiah 42 and 43. How else can you explain it? Judah had been over run by the powerful Babylonian army. Many thousands had been taken into exile far away in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzer had appointed Gedeliah to rule over those Jews who remained in the land. However he had been assassinated by a few rebels. (Chapter 40)
Now the remnant were being led by a couple of army officers who were afraid the King would bring revenge on all of them because of the assassination. Wise action seems to dictate a retreat to the protection of Egypt, the second strongest nation at that time. But first they check in with Jeremiah. They want (push) to do the will of God. They want to know He will be protecting them.
So they promisee "Whether it is favourable or unfavourable, we will obey the Lord our God --- so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God." 42:6
Ten days later, Jeremiah has received God's direction and tells them what God says: "If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down ---. I will show you compassion so that he (Babylonian King) will have compassion on you and restore you to your land." 42:10 - 12 Jeremiah adds in very plain language "Do not go to Egypt." 42:13 - 22
They asked for God's direction and promised to do his will. Now ten days later they are clearly given God's will through the prophet.  Sadly we read in chapter 43, that the strong pull overcomes any push to obey the will of God. It is risky, uncomfortable, dangerous It is not what they want to hear. Egypt looks like a safe destination; they don't want to remain in Palestine, vulnerable to Babylon.
So they accuse Jeremiah of lying. This can't be God's will for their lives. No, what they want to do (go to Egypt) must actually be what God wants them to do. In spite of all they promised when they approached Jeremiah, they ignore his words and his warnings. They round up all of the people, including Jeremiah, and leave Palestine for what they believe is the safety of Egypt.
We discover how fully surrendered we are to God - not when it is easy to do his apparent will - but when it goes against our natural inclination; when it is going to be costly. Obedience at the difficult moments really demonstrates we have "died with Christ" and are living His new life. (Romans 6:1 - 14)

Could you be wrestling with a "push - pull" right now? You know you should take initiative in restoring a broken relationship. It will be hard to offer an apology and/or forgiveness. You should become involved in that new ministry area, though you will find it uncomfortable. You know you should give  more generously, but your desire for security is holding you back. "Push - pull." Who is truly in charge of your life?

TOO LONG?

Following today's Sunday morning service, a visiting Canadian pastor asked me, "Are services here always 2&1/2 hours long?" In reality, the service had "only" been 2 hours and fifteen minutes long. :) Vietnamese and Africans in attendance (there are normally 5 to 10 Nigerians present) are accustomed to services of this length. But for many of us from the West, anything past 75 minutes is beyond our comfort zone. Fortunately, the wooden pews are uncomfortable enough to keep anyone from falling asleep!
Today's service did run extra long. Our services normally last for between 90 minutes to 2 hours. As usual today we had two church choirs each sing one hymn each. However a wonderful visiting Korean choir also sang two hymns for us. We don't know what they sang, but they sounded superb. We also celebrated Communion today.
In this church, there is an invitation to receive Christ as Saviour given after the sermon each Sunday. It appears that people have decided before attending (due to friendship or church evangelism) that this is the day they will come forward. A Christian friend comes forward with them, and they are asked to kneel. An associate pastor leads a prayer of commitment and then follows with a prayer for these new believers. Each week we rejoice to see at least one person (sometimes 5 or 6) come forward.
The highlight of the service today was hearing, for the first time, the Senior Pastor preach the morning sermon. Since before we arrived he has been too weakened from chemo treatments to preach. Every week he has led in prayer, and has summoned the strength to lead in Communion. However due to his ongoing battle with cancer, he has not preached. We felt that he was a warm and gifted communicator and today's sermon demonstrated this.
We understand that he chose a few weeks ago, to suspend any further treatments. This has allowed him to regain some strength. We are praying, along with this important congregation of more than 1000 Vietnamese Christians, that God will give Pastor Sang good health and many more years of ministry.

HOW NOT TO INVEST

Jeremiah had prophesied for some time that the Babylonians under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar would conquer all of Judah, including Jerusalem and take all the important people into exile. The Babylonian armies had begun to move through the area and were threatening the final few fortified cities including Jerusalem. Jerusalem would soon be destroyed and all Judah would soon be dominated and ruled by Babylon. This was not a good time for any Jew to invest in property.
Yet God directed Jeremiah to purchase a field from his cousin when it would be offered to him. His cousin came and Jeremiah obediently bought the property because "I knew that this was the word of the Lord; so I bought the field ---." (32:8, 9)
A few verses later, we read a wonderful prayer offered by Jeremiah. (32:17 - 25) You should really turn to this passage now to fully enjoy this. He addresses God with lofty terminology "you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. --- O great and powerful God whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds." Then he goes on to recite the major event in Israel's history: the miracle of the Exodus, followed years later, by the gift of the land of Palestine. These words could easily be located in the Psalms for they provide a lovely prayer of worship and praise.
Jeremiah then proceeds to the present moment in his life and says, your people have disobeyed and so you have brought this disaster upon them. "See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. --- What you said has happened as you now see."
When I read the next verse I cannot help but smile. Jeremiah does not complain nor criticize God. He speaks very respectfully. However he strongly implies that God has given very bad investment advice. "And though the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, you O Sovereign Lord, say to me, 'Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed."
Don't you love a moment like this in Scripture? Jeremiah provides a wonderful prayer of lofty worship and appreciation for our Great God. He affirms God's power and might in creation and in history. Yet Jeremiah is still just as concerned about his own personal situation as we are. He cannot help but wonder "What are you doing in my life right now? Why on earth have I just wasted money on an investment in land about to be deserted as we all go into exile"?
God had promised that his people would be brought back to the land in 70 years. And he led Jeremiah to make a purchase of land to demonstrate that God is in control and the prophecies of return from exile will come true. God was working out his purpose in Jeremiah's life.
So in my life, when in the short run things don't seem to make sense, these two contrasting perspectives may be held in tension. "Almighty God, I know you as Creator and the Lord of History. I know you have done great things for your people in the past. You have done great things for me in the past. But God, you see what is going on, and I sure wonder what you are doing right here, right now."
I can smile at the example of Jeremiah, because I can certainly identify with both his faith and his wondering. Can you?

A WONDERFUL PROMISE, BUT ---

You have heard it quoted many times and so have I. It is a wonderful statement and promise that Christians often share with others who are in the midst of difficult times, or with friends who are wondering what the future holds.
The verse is "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
I wonder if you've ever heard anyone quote 29:10? "This is what the Lord says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place."
Seen in context, the words of assurance from God in verse 11 are clearly being given to the remnant of the Jewish people who were deported and exiled in Babylon for seven decades. God promises he will restore the Jews to Judah; they will rebuild both Jerusalem and the Temple; they have a future secured by God. Therefore they can live with hope. Of course many who received this promise died in Babylon before the return. But the promise was given to the people of Israel, not to an individual.
So should individual Christians be claiming these words as though God is speaking specifically to their individual lives? The answer is simple: No.
Most of us would immediately react if we heard someone from a false cult taking a verse out of context and claiming it applied to them. Or, to use a silly example: if you are counselling a couple who are having difficulty conceiving, would you quote God's promise to Abraham? "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. "So shall your offspring be." (Genesis 15:5) Of course not, for you recognize by the context that this promise is only for Abraham.
So then what should we do with Jeremiah 29:11? We should connect it to the many NT promises given to all followers of Jesus. We could start with Romans 8:28 and I Corinthians 15:51, 52 and work through all of the wonderful promises that do apply to us.
So yes, the principle in Jeremiah 29:11 holds true for us. God does take care of His people and in numerous passages assures us that we indeed have a wonderful "hope and a future." But the future may not be rosy for next week, next month, or next year. God may choose to take us through a serious period of discipline for our own good. (Hebrews 12:4 - 13) Or we may suddenly face a lengthy time of testing of our faith. (James 1:2, 3)
We should know and rejoice in the promises of Scripture that are addressed to all believers. But let's be careful how we use Scripture and how we encourage others to use Scripture.

BIGGER CHALLENGE AHEAD

The prophet Jeremiah consistently was given by God an unpopular message for an unresponsive people. I am sure there were many days when he felt like the most unpopular person in Jerusalem and maybe in all of Judea. Felt like, did I say? He probably was!
No wonder there are times when he expresses his wish that he had not been born; that God had not given him the responsibility to preach such a hard message; that it was not fair that he often was a lone messenger disagreeing with a  group of false prophets who delivered comforting, popular messages.
At times God gives to Jeremiah words of encouragement and comfort. He reminds Jeremiah of His Divine Presence and of the importance and truth of the message Jeremiah is delivering.
However on one occasion he challenges Jeremiah and seems to say: "Look, Jeremiah; if you can't handle this assignment, if you think things are tough and too much now, how are you going to handle the bigger challenge ahead, when the going gets really rough?" This is the word picture, the actual words of God (12:5):
 “If you have raced with men on foot
   and they have worn you out,
   how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble in safe country,
   how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? 


They might be God's words to you or me today. "There are bigger challenges ahead so don't let the present challenges wear you out or cause you to stumble." Ouch! Not very comforting or optimistic words, but perhaps realistic.
Thank you God that we can add to this challenge, the more familiar words in Hebrews about running in the midst of difficulty: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ---. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, --- so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 12:1 - 3
In fact if these words are especially appropriate for you today, you might want to read the entire passage of 12:1 - 13. Or even read chapter 11 as well.
Keep running, don't lose heart, even if your life assignment becomes more difficult. Eyes up - on Jesus!

SIN IS SERIOUS

Jeremiah did his best to stir and raise the awareness and conscience of the nation of Israel. Both leaders and people seemed to have lost their way regarding biblical morality and obedience to God. Inspired by God, Jeremiah makes strong accusations against their spiritual leaders:
"They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious." 8:11 How shocking to be treated by a doctor who offers a band aid and tells you all is well, when actually you required 12 stitches. How shocking to be told you are really acceptable to God, when actually you needed to confess and repent.
Two or three times Jeremiah uses a word picture to describe those whose consciences have been hardened so that disobedience does not bother them. "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." 8:12; 6:15; 3:3
How apt is this description of our culture? The response of blushing used to be common as people were easily embarrassed. Our culture has become so rude and crude on screen and in daily life, that it seems today very little causes embarrassment; few people blush anymore; seldom are people embarrassed by their sin before our Holy God.
On the positive side in these early chapters of Jeremiah, we are reminded of what should give us satisfaction; a sense of achievement; a "holy pride". It should not be our education, our physical fitness or our wealth; rather God tells us we should boast about this: that we understand and know Him "who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord." 9:23, 24
I confess that over the years I have been impressed by successful people: those who are keen, educated scholars; those who have achieved athletic success; those who have been successful in business and been rewarded financially. Those who are successful as scholars, as athletes, or in business normally get their share of celebration and things of which to boast.  I believe I have loved and served people equally, but I have especially noted those with that kind of success.
Yet of course I know what really counts and this verse reminds me - it is growth in biblical, spiritual knowledge; in a personal relationship with God; in a life that reflects God's commitment to kindness, justice and righteousness. May we never forget that these are priorities with God. We should celebrate these qualities when we recognize them in fellow believers.
We followers of Jesus (whether successful in other spheres or not) should rejoice, yes boast in a holy, humble way, when these qualities appear in our own lives and in the lives of fellow believers.