WORTHY

"We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling" II Thessalonians 1:11.

It is a sad thing when those who are given certain status in our culture,  fail to "live up to" or live in a way unworthy of their calling. We feel disappointed when a Member of Parliament is found guilty of betraying his/her country's trust; her/his calling. We are angered when someone called to teach our young people is not worthy of his calling and abuses the trust of children and parents. We expect our medical doctors to act in a way worthy of their calling.
How much more should we expect of ourselves and of each other - we who have been adopted into the family of God; who are called to be His representatives, His ambassadors; that we will take our high calling seriously.
It is not just pastors and missionaries who are "called by God." No, every Christian is called by God. So Paul prayed, and so we should pray for each other. When next tempted to sin; when next you are about to react in anger or selfishness; when next you start toward something or someone that you know will cause you to act in an unworthy manner - remember Who has called you. Remember who you are and how high is this calling; how sacred it is to be a child of the King, to be His ambassador.

COMMUNICATION IS CHALLENGING

These past couple of weeks have been quite busy for us. It has been more challenging to maintain a six day a week blog. In fact this week I failed - but not for lack of trying. We are in a Bangkok hotel for a week attending a seminar. The first day I managed to get on the internet and blog. Then for three days I could not access directly due to internet connection problems. We are all thankful for the wonderful communication tools available in the21st century, but we sure miss them when they malfunction.
Speaking of failing to communicate, we are in process of moving from southern Vietnam to northern Vietnam. As in many countries, the difference between how the common language is pronounced varies greatly from north to south. For example the letter "D" in the south is pronounced with a "yuh" sound. However in the north, where we will now live, it is pronounced with a "zuh" sound. We have learned only a little Vietnamese, and now we have to relearn it if we want to communicate. We in fact will need to work harder at the language because less English is spoken in Hanoi and there are fewer English speaking expats in that city. So communication has become more difficult.
On the other hand, having just celebrated our 43rd anniversary (we were both 12 when we married), I can testify that communication in a happy marriage does get easier - not perfect - but better.
I still marvel that our Great Creator communicates with us, and listens to us when we speak to Him.

CHRISTIAN MOTIVATION

Many things motivate us to do good deeds - some pretty selfish, some common to most humans. e all recognize mixed motives in some or much of the good we do. But how do we keep doing good when we are tempted to discouragement; or when we are just simply weary?
Remaining optimistic about the future seems very easy for some who appear to be born optimists. They expect every cup to be at least half full and every tomorrow to be sunny. For others, optimism about the future depends on their confidence in the government; or the latest stock market trends; or if they have been ignoring daily news reports.
In a very pithy (I don't use that word often) sentence the Apostle Paul summarizes both the motivation and the optimism of the young Christians in Thessalonica. He brought the Good News to them is writing to them within not many months after they came to faith. This is how he remembers them:
"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." I Thess. 1:2
May this be what motivates and keep us serving people and our God: Faith in Christ and his call to serve others; the love of God for us and working in us causing us to love others; and the strength to endure because we know that our future is assured: we will live with Christ forever.
Of course much more could be said about Christian motivation and what helps us to endure. However for a one sentence summary, it may be hard to beat this one written about those early Christians.

MOVING TIME AGAIN

We lived in our Richmond Hill, Ontario house for 15 enjoyable years. We moved to Calgary, thinking we would live there for five to ten years. There we bought the nicest of the five houses we have owned - and to our surprise sold it less than four years later because we were on our way to Ho Chi Minh City. We arrived in HCMC and found a very nice apartment where we expected to spend the next 3 or 4 years. Again to our surprise we were on the move ten months later.
We are getting older - why are the moves coming faster? :) Well here we are in Hanoi with a two year lease on a very nice apartment in a good location. We hope that if the Lord wills, we will actually live in this apartment for three years. But we will move, as before, when we believe God wants us to move.
Actually we are not in Hanoi tonight. We spent Saturday night in Hanoi. I preached there this morning (Sunday) but we caught a 4:00 pm flight (less than 2 hours) to Bangkok. We are gathered here for a week long seminar with some fine folks from SE Asian countries. Following this seminar we will return and move into our new Hanoi apartment.
If ever we feel tired of moving, we need only to talk to some of our International friends who for a variety of reasons have moved far more often. Or we may speak with one of the many business people (like a new Korean friend in Hanoi) whose company sends them on a one or two year contract to another country. Sometimes the company does not provide a housing allowance large enough to allow the employee to bring his family with him;  or his spouse is in a career that is hard to leave; or their children are at a stage that uprooting them for a year does not make sense. So they come for a lonely and stressful year or two. It is hard on them and hard on their family.
We will be serving among international people like these in Hanoi. People who are on the move - and often because of this, they are open to moving ahead spiritually at an accelerated pace. Think about biblical characters. Many of them were people on the move physically as God moved in and through them. I hope you are available if God wants to move you.

  

PROVING THE PROMISES

Like many of you, Philippians is a favourite biblical book. The encouragement and challenges come through so clearly and are so practical. I am certainly glad God kept Paul in prison long enough to write this book.
In chapter 4 today, I noted two familiar, wonderful promises. I've often shared them with others. Today I paused to thank God. To thank Him that Jan and I have proved the reality of these promises over many years. They have been kept promises in our lives.
"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6, 7
During the past several months while we waited and wondered where our next step would take us, we found it tiring but relatively easy to keep giving concerns about our future location to God. We  experienced His peace as we waited for direction to be made clear. It was kind of funny to hand in a our one month rental notice, still waiting for confirmation as to our future placement. But He can be trusted - we know that.
The second promise: "And my God will meet all your needs, according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
We have not always had what we wanted or even what we thought we needed. We have certainly been stretched in some situations. But God has been faithful and supplied so much for us in a variety of ways. We look back and say "Yes" that promise has been kept in our lives.
Of course we have never been down to our last meal (last $100 yes, but not last meal). We have not had to endure the tragic losses or painful testing some have known. Yet having spoken to mature Christians who have endured much more than we, they too have attested: you can always count on God and His Word. His promises are really, definitely true.

ALL NATIONS

There is great diversity within the international community here as is true in so many world cities. We who live in Canadian cities are constantly exposed to great ethnic diversity. It is the same here in Vietnam except different. Different because I am not a Canadian in Canada opening my arms to those who have immigrated. I am one of those who are "away from home".
Today I sat at a table with three expats who are all involved in the foreign Christian community. They were from the US, South Africa and Singapore. None of us are nationals, all of us are foreigners. We don't need to be reminded that God is at work around the world - we ourselves represented three continents; all of us enjoying the opportunity to represent Jesus in Vietnam.
I was again reminded of God's promise to Abraham that all peoples on earth would be blessed through him. Reminded that the Gospel is the power of God to everyone who believes - no matter the country, ethnicity, language or social status. Reminded that the strength of the worldwide Christian church has shifted from Europe and North America to Africa, Latin America and Asia.

ANGER ON THE ROAD

Jan and I normally travel by taxi in Ho Chi Minh City. Averaging several taxi rides per day, we have observed up close a lot of different drivers and many traffic jams. After all there are about 7 million people officially and perhaps a total of 10 million estimated unofficially. With 5 million motor bikes and increasing car traffic; with rules of the road clear and often obeyed, but exceptions allowed and common, it is interesting that we rarely observe angry drivers.
Most taxi drivers are pretty quick and aggressive here. Some of the left hand turns they make you would never see in Canada or the USA. Sometimes we see annoyance when a motorbike cuts across from the inside lane in the front of a taxi to make a sudden left hand turn. There is plenty of honking - some as gentle warnings, some just out of habit that makes no sense, and some when stuck in frustrating line ups. But we've never seen anything close to road rage.
Of course the Vietnamese are much more accustomed to things moving slowly than we are. They have learned patience, although they don't like to line up in an orderly fashion - and they don't wait for elderly foreigners to exit an elevator first. But evidence of anger through words or actions is pretty rare in the culture as we have observed it.
Growing in patience and learning to deal with anger in a godly way has been a lifelong process for me. I've seen the sad results of anger uncontrolled to motivate me to control it and I've known conviction from the biblical teaching that is very clear on the subject.
The Bible tells us to deal with anger quickly; nursing and rehearsing our anger does not please God; it gives opportunity for the Evil One: "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26
The Bible tells us that love "is patient" and "is not easily angered." I Corinthians 13:4, 5 We are told in James that we are to be "slow to anger". Perhaps the most sobering words are these: "man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:20
I want to live a righteous life that pleases God - and so do you. So lets cooperate with God's Spirit and not allow anger to prevent us from pleasing God.  

BUT THANKS BE TO GOD

Today Jan and I attended the Sunday morning service of the Saigon Church (1000 Vietnamese and 25 foreigners) as we usually do. The Senior Pastor was absent. He has preached only once in our ten months here, due to his ongoing struggle with cancer. Usually he participates only by bringing the opening prayer, and monthly leading in Communion. However now cancer has made him too weak even to attend the Sunday service.
Back in the Spring we learned that the wife of the President of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam was ill with cancer. Early in June, just two months later we were attending her funeral.
We chatted the other day with a Viet Kieu friend whose father, back in the USA, is very sick with cancer. (A Viet Kieu is the term used for someone born in Vietnam, lived for years in another country, who has now returned to Vietnam.) This young man wonders if he will soon need to fly back to say a final goodbye to his father.
This week we received sad words from Canada. An older friend has just passed away after battling with cancer; a younger friend is just now beginning treatment for a recently discovered, serious cancerous growth. Only weeks ago Canada mourned the passing of one of its best known political leaders.
The older one gets, the more our lives have been touched by death: countless news reports of the death of those known only through the media; much closer to home, the death of acquaintances, friends, family members - an ever increasing list. Death: familiar to all of us, yet always our enemy. Ultimately we know each of us will have our personal encounter with this universal human enemy.
In the face of death, we who know Christ return again and again to the wonderful words of Scripture. "Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."                   I Corinthians 15:55, 56
  

HARVEST TIME

In a very different context the Apostle Paul refers to the principle of sowing and reaping that he wrote about in II Corinthians 9. There it had to do with generous giving. Here in Galatians 6 it has to do with living a godly life. Same universal principle - different spiritual topic.
"God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
We know this, it is just good to be reminded, isn't it? We are not losing anything when we refuse to follow temptation into sin; when we refuse to sow "to please our sinful nature". Rather we are wisely choosing to sow right choices, right words, right thoughts to please the Spirit. And as we do that we are promised this sowing will reap eternal benefits.
Immediately in the context Galatians 6 passage, Paul challenges 1st century believers, and the Spirit challenges us: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." 6:9
I knew a lot of farmers through my years living in Alberta. Some of them were able to get away, slow down and relax a little while the snow was on the ground. (As I learned, not the dairy farmers - their cows need to be milked every day despite season changes.)
But when Spring was coming, those farmers worked hard and long hours. They prayed for good weather so they could prepare the fields and sow the seed. No matter how tired they were, they never questioned the law of the harvest - no farmer would. What they would reap in the fall depended to a great degree on what they sowed. They had to do it.
Paul by the grace of God, encourages us. Don't stop sowing good seed: righteous living, acts of kindness, words of love - just because you are weary. Remember "we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Perhaps you know that in some parts of SE Asia, including the Mekong Delta here in Vietnam, it is possible to harvest three crops of rice in a year! Amazing fertility with constant warm weather!
However in many parts of the world harvest comes once a year in September and October. Those who failed to plant seed (some because of terribly wet rainy weather or even floods in the Spring) will suffer with a poor crop and a loss of income. This is the unavoidable law of the harvest. You reap what you sow.
Christians are encouraged to keep on keeping on. Keep on sowing because it is not your harvest time yet. Keep sowing those good deeds and acts of love: even if sometimes they are misunderstood; or you make a mistake; or you are ignored; or you are not thanked; or you are taken for granted; or you think you've taken your turn or done your share; or ----. The God of the harvest is watching - don't stop! You will reap a harvest from Him one day! It is inevitable. The law of the harvest.

TITHING OR WHAT

As a pastor I am often asked about tithing. For many years I have been convinced that tithing is really an OT concept. I know that others point to several NT passages that may imply or teach tithing. However I am not convinced. And of course some suggest that if we are to follow the law and the example of Israel we should be giving 30% not just the 10% tithe.
I am convinced that the law came through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Tithing 10% of our income may be a good foundation for giving, since we live in such a selfish, materialistic, debt ridden culture, but it is not a Christian law. II Corinthians teaches a more mature, better approach to giving. I shared part of this in yesterday's blog.
Today I remind you of several great verses presenting challenging principles for giving in II Corinthians. First, we are called as disciples to follow the example of Jesus in giving sacrificially: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."8:9 His example causes us to give with gratitude: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift." 9:15
Second, remember and take very seriously the immutable law God has created in our universe: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 9:6 When and how the reaping takes place will vary greatly, but you can count on it. It will be in proportion to the sowing.
Third, growing out of these guidelines, you should decide what you personally want to give. Give without reluctance and with no sense of pressure. Why? Because God loves a cheerful giver. 9:7
Fourth, trust God to provide what you need even as you give generously. 9:8
Doesn't this approach sound much more like NT giving? much more like Jesus? much more fun? Don't settle for a legalistic "I give my tithe", when you are called to Christ like, generous, joyful giving.
Let me be quick to add that I know many who believe that every Christian should tithe but are also generous, joyful givers. I applaud them. Of course much more can be written about giving. But I've written enough in these two days for this blog.   

JOYFUL GIVING

I only know one person who drives his own car in Ho Chi Minh or in Hanoi. He is Vietnamese and it is probably a company car. I know several expats who have a car and driver, a very nice perk from their company. If you can afford a car, and they are very pricey in Vietnam, do you want to battle the intense traffic and the challenging unwritten rules of the road? Even if you are ready to do that, where will you park every time you want to stop at a store, restaurant, bank, etc. There are very limited parking spots except at large buildings with underground parking.
We were in Hanoi last week and had many appointments scheduled. Very kindly an expat couple offered to give us their car and driver for the day. What a generous gift. It saved us taxi fares. And save us time. Rather than trying to flag a taxi for every new trip the driver and car were waiting every time we finished an appointment. When we thanked our new friends, they replied that it was only what Christian friends should do. They were evidently giving to us with joy.
I am impressed with the description of the Macedonian churches. "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity."II Corinthians 8:2 Persecuted, impoverished but filled with the joy of the Lord, they gave generously to the needs of the poor believers in Jerusalem. In fact they were so eager to give that "they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. --- they pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints." 8:3, 4
How do believers arrive at this attitude and this level of giving? Most of us feel we are doing really well by reaching the goal of a 10% tithe. Some very dedicated people give 20% But to give as much as you are able and then more? To plead for the opportunity of giving? (Of course we understand that they didn't get requests for giving in the mail, in TV commercials or in emails every week as many of us do.)
Paul comments about these joyful, generous givers, "they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will." It is so much easier to give generously and sacrificially if we have first truly given ourselves completely to God. If He owns me and everything I have, should be much easier to give away what doesn't belong to me.

ETERNAL GLORY

This was one of my favourite passages long before I became a Senior Citizen. But yes, it does grow more meaningful as one's body ages. I have preached from it a few times when speaking to a Senior's group. Of course it is also (or should I say especially) a rich passage for the many believers who suffer serious persecution. It is also very relevant for those who at any age are battling serious illness or injury.
I am speaking of II Corinthians 4:13 - 5:10.  Paul begins with the affirmation that "the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus". (14) Paul then draws a masterful comparison and contrast between present difficulties and future "glory".
Outwardly wasting away -      inwardly renewed day by day
Light momentary troubles -     eternal glory that far outweighs them
earthly tent -                            eternal building in heaven
mortal groaning and longing - swallowed up by life
home in the body -                  at home with the Lord

When I imagine the pain and loss Paul endured as he served the Lord Jesus (see II Corinthians 11), I marvel that he describes it all as "light and momentary". The little physical suffering I have endured (helped by pain medication) did not seem light nor momentary. Yet Paul in looking back and knowing that more suffering lies ahead, uses these surprising words. We know why. For Paul, the risen Christ and the eternal future in His presence was dramatically real. Compared to his expectation of this future "glory" - being in the presence of Christ, being rewarded for faithful, sacrificial service - made present suffering not only bearable but made it seem "light and momentary."
Lord, help us to gain a greater appreciation for what lies ahead so that we will have a endure with joy the hardships of life in these deteriorating bodies living on this sin scarred planet.

IMPORTANCE OF A DEPOSIT

Jan heard a speaker at a recent International Ladies lunch here in Saigon. His topic was security and he gave some quite helpful information, especially to those who rent houses here in Vietnam. We of course are now apartment dwellers, but one thing was relevant to us. Apparently when placing a deposit on an apartment, in his opinion/experience, you are not absolutely guaranteed that the owner may not still rent it to someone else. I am glad we didn't know that when we put a deposit on our present apartment. I certainly hope that does not happen as we look for our next apartment.
Normally here and in most parts of the world if a significant deposit is received, it acts like a guarantee. The downpayment or deposit is the physical indication for both parties that "the deal is done." The one receiving it is confident that the rest of the payment will come.
So we are offered this confidence by God. "He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."II Corinthians 1:21, 22 (See also Ephesians 1:13, 14) Every believer has received the Holy Spirit. He is the One who regenerates us or "births us" into our new life in Christ and lives within us. The Third Person of the Trinity is the deposit, the guarantee that God owns us and that He has only begun His great work in us.
Amazing assurance. If He has already given us His Holy Spirit, what confidence we can have that we absolutely and forever belong to Him! Add to that the words of Romans 8:32: "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
Do I belong to God? Of course I do - look what He has given, look at the amazing cost of the down payment, the deposit! You and I are guaranteed by God Himself that we belong to Him. Oh and this other wonderful verse from II Corinthians 1:20: "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "yes" in Christ." He is our guarantee that God will fulfill every biblical promise to us.
With these truths, have a great week! Jan and I start this week by looking for a new apartment - and when we sign a new contract, we will give the owner a large deposit! And trust that we really will move in later, because it is guaranteed.  :)

USELESS, FUTILE, PITIED

I think those words would be used of Christianity and Christians by many atheists and agnostics. Secular people believing that this life is all that counts, would agree with these words, even if too polite, friendly or too kind to use them.
But this has been written: "(their) preaching is useless, and so is (their) faith"; "(their) faith is futile"; "(they) are to be pitied more than all men". Do you recognize these phrases? They were written 2000 years ago by the Apostle Paul. He affirmed that these words are true about Christians and Christianity - unless - unless Christ has been raised from the dead.
Read I Corinthians 15 slowly. Don't leave it just for funerals or Easter Sunday. The resurrection of Christ, and therefore our own resurrection, is central and foundational to our faith. Paul affirms in a variety of ways that if the resurrection is not true, then he has wasted his life; he should be considered a fool and a deceiver; and all believers have futile faith and are lost in their sin.
In the midst of the chapter comes that glorious phrase "BUT CHRIST". Yes, we affirm, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." I love that strong affirmation. Yes central to our Christian faith is Christ - his death and his resurrection. Without this, the heart of Christianity is lost.
Those who assert that all world religions are the same; that we all believe basically the same things; just don't understand. True orthodox Christians believe Christ is unique; what He has accomplished is unique; and what is promised to all who truly believe in Him is unique. Not the same, not slightly different but absolutely unique.
That is why we meet on Sunday's - not Friday's or Saturday's. Because Christ rose on that long ago Sunday and His resurrection has changed the world and changed us forever. So celebrate His glorious resurrection this Sunday and every day!

WE ARE HIS BODY

I was thinking today about the Body of Christ as I read I Corinthians 11, 12 and 13. Interesting how each of these three chapters brings a very different perspective on Christ's body, yet they come together with such warm impact.
In chapter 11 we are given the words of our Lord quoted by Jesus at the Passover Meal. These words have been read countless times at countless communion services - to groups of 3 or 4 and to gatherings of thousands - believers who repeatedly join together in an act first experienced by the eleven apostles. "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. --- This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this when ever you drink it in remembrance of me." I Corinthians 11:23 - 26
Paul moves from the picture of our Lord's physical, human crucified body, given for the salvation of the world to speak about the amazing reality that we his disciples now form Christ's physical body on earth. In chapter twelve Paul draws the wonderful parallel between the interdependence of the human body parts and the connectivity of believers. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; --- So it is with Christ, for were all baptized by one Spirit into one body ---." I Corinthians 12:12, 13 Each of us has an important part to play in this body. You can refuse to go to church but as a true believer, you cannot stop being a part of the church, His body. We are made to need each other and to serve together for the glory of our Head who is Christ.
But the organized institutional church disappoints us all with its divisions and failures. I understand why so many people give up on the local church. Far too often the church fails to live and love as Christ wanted. In fact sometimes our churches become as bad as the church to which this letter was addressed in the city of Corinth. So in chapter 13 we find the "love chapter." This was not written for romantic weddings - although the powerful verses are both a comfort and challenge to every married believer.
No, these words were first written to the sinful, divided yet very gifted Corinthian church. Read through this book and you can quickly see why they needed to be called to love in strong practical ways.
Paul challenges them not put an emphasis on spiritual knowledge, spiritual performance or spiritual gifts. Instead they need to recognize the surpassing importance of love.  Practical Christ like love unites Christians and is the evidence of a healthy body, a healthy church.
We remember the great sacrifice of His body! We rejoice in being part of His body. We are called to love every unloveable part - every person in this Body.
 Don't give up on the church, His people. You are stuck with us as we are with you. Let us love one another!

LOST - AND FOUND

It is pretty easy to lose something when you travel by taxi (in my opinion). You may be juggling wallet (or purse), bags of groceries, maps, umbrella or sunglasses. Unlike when driving your own car, you can't simply return to the parked car and retrieve what you forgot. I have gone many months, and hundreds of taxi rides, without losing anything. (We spend a fair amount of money here on taxis, but not even a third of what we spent driving our own cars back in Canada.)
However Jan and I were in and out of more taxis than usual last week while spending eight days in Hanoi. Getting in and out of so many cars I three times experienced loss - each time my own fault.
It is not difficult, I contend, to confuse a Vietnamese 10,000 dong bill with a 100,000 bill.  (Maybe it is easier when you are mildly colour blind.) The bills differ only slightly in colour and if not careful, it is possible to confuse four zeroes with five. As I moved out of one cab, I gave the driver (I thought) a 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 bill (app. $1.75) that included a small tip.  Unnoticed by me, I had just lost $4.50. As Jan and I moved away from the taxi, the driver pursued us - I had given him 125,000 ($6.25) by mistake. His honesty saved my loss.
A couple of days later I made sure I had my reading glasses as I stepped out of the taxi. But it was not until the car had driven away that I noticed my sun glasses were not on top of my head - they must have been left on the back seat of the cab. It was a hot, very sunny day and we were walking to our next stop - the loss was now painfully obvious. Then to our amazement, we saw the cab driver had done a u-turn and was waving my sun glasses out of the driver's window. I uttered a heart felt "Cam on" as I recovered the glasses. It took me perhaps ten seconds before I turned back to offer a reward - and by then he had driven away.
Those losses - and their recovery were only a warm up for the major loss of the week. Two days later, as I exited another taxi, I heard a small thump. I turned around, thinking I had dropped something. However the driver pointed to the passenger side seat belt. I assumed he meant that the metal part of the belt had made the noise as I was getting out. I closed the door and walked toward our hosts home. As I approached their house, around a corner and maybe 50 meters away, I patted my left front pocket - the place I always keep my iphone - and it was empty. Panicked, I checked my other pockets - no phone.
I told Jan of my loss, asked her to have our host quickly dial my phone to connect with the cab driver, and ran back to the road. There was no sign of the taxi and no sign of the phone. An expensive phone, contact numbers, memos, calendar - all lost!
However when the phone number was called, to our shock, someone answered. But confusion reigned for ten minutes. The driver claimed he was coming back - and we waited and waited. Another call was made by a Vietnamese friend of our friend. After some minutes a third call was made and answered. The driver claimed to have returned with the phone but was nowhere to be seen. I hurried to another corner, 50 meters away to try and find him from another direction.
While I was absent, the confusion was clarified. In fact the phone had been dropped on the road outside of the taxi. After the car drove away - and it must have been very soon after - a 12 year old boy had picked up the phone. He was the one answering - and was in the vicinity. But all four of us were trying to find what we thought was a taxi and driver, not a boy on a bicycle. With the lost phone returned, I offered the boy 100,000 (not 10,000) but he would not take any reward money.
There followed quite a few expressions of thanks - to the boy, to the Vietnamese friend who made the calls and connected to the boy, to our Canadian host for his help in enlisting his friend's help; And to the Lord who had answered several desperate prayers. Lost phones are not usually returned - especially expensive iphones.
Lost - and then found! No need for an expensive replacement; no loss of recent contact numbers, no waste of time and effort to recover information. (Yes, yes, I know, I should back up everything every night.  :)  )
For several hours I felt a quiet gratitude, relief and pleasure that the lost had been found. It reminded me of the joy expressed by the shepherd, the homemaker and the father in Jesus' stories collected in Luke 15. Yet neither I nor those three characters experienced anything like the joy of heaven when someone who is spiritually lost is finally found.
I want to share that heavenly joy. Please Father, may I help the eternally lost to be found.  

CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT

I have heard the words from preachers; I have seen them used online; and I heard them again recently in a Bible study. They make up a wonderful statement that in recent years has been used to bring comfort, encouragement and affirmation to fellow believers. The words are often quoted when the teacher or individual is trying to raise someone's self esteem. They are used sometimes to address a Christian who is struggling with guilt and failure.
They are indeed wonderful words of affirmation, but they are addressed directly to the Lord Jesus, not to you or to me! Can you guess? Here are the words "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:22 Yes, these are words from God the Father to the perfect God-man Jesus Christ, who is the second person of the Trinity.
If I take the Bible seriously and not just as a magic book of quotes and promises, I cannot simply quote these words to a Christian brother (when this is used for a woman the quote is paraphrase to "daughter").  To do this is to twist and misuse Scripture. Words to Jesus cannot be simply applied to us, can they?
Now I know the motives of these people are sincere. As are the motives of Jehovah's Witnesses, or other cults, when they take individual verses out of context and misuse them. But when they do it we call "foul". So why should we think it is acceptable?
Fortunately, other passages of Scripture tell us that it is true that we are God's children, so it is right to refer to another believer as a son or daughter of God. We do know as His children, we are greatly loved by God. And we might add that sometimes God is "well pleased" with us.
However He is definitely not pleased with us all the time and that is why these verses need to be understood in context - and not quoted directly to another believer. There have been many times during my life, had God spoken out loud to me, He might have said "You are my beloved Son and right now I am not pleased with your sinful action, jealous thoughts, critical words, angry attitude, etc.
Thankfully at other times, I believe God would say to me "I am well pleased with how you served me today (loved the unlovely, gave generously, prayed for that hurting person, etc.)
But the distinction is definite and real between the perfect life that Jesus lived on earth, and my error prone life. I don't want anyone taking God's words to Jesus at His baptism and applying them to me. No, there are plenty of other promises and encouraging sentences that, in context, apply to me as they apply to you. Let's use those and not be careless in our use of God's holy words.
As we read, understand and apply Scripture, context really matters. Failing to interpret in context runs the risk of twisting Scripture and claiming that God said what in fact He did not say.
Note - I recently quoted from I Corinthians 2:9 in the "Imagine" blog and might be guilty of ignoring the context. I wrote about how there is much in our future life that is beyond our knowledge and imagination. Yet in the context, Paul is also (perhaps even primarily) talking about the Good News that was revealed in Jesus and then explained further by the apostles as the Holy Spirit gave them further revelation. Of course I might use the excuse that in a short blog I can't take the time to paint a whole context picture. But I confess that sometimes (and probably that time) I can be guilty of not paying  enough attention to context. 

PRAYER AND PARTNERSHIP

I have been a fan of the Apostle Paul for as long as I can remember. I admire the courage and commitment that made him such a bold and adventurous servant of Christ. He experienced a great deal of rejection and suffering, yet he just would not quit. Sometimes it appears that he travelled with a large team of eight or more men. In Athens, he was all alone. Yet always he was prepared to speak and to risk for the cause of Christ. His courage in front of angry individuals and crowds is very impressive.
His reliance upon God is very evident. Yet he also often asked for prayer from those to whom he writes. He seems convinced that the prayers of others for him would make a difference. Even this singular heroic figure felt a deep need for the prayer fellowship of others.
Do you sometimes wonder if your prayers are significant? Do you ever think, "I should pray more, but I don't know what I should pray?" As Paul travelled on his evangelistic journeys, he was convinced that others could be part of his ministry if they prayed. So he wrote to the Christians in Rome:
"I urge you --- to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." Romans 15:30 You can be a part of what other believers are experiencing - in your city or half way around the world. You can (should I say, you must?) help them in their struggles with opposition, with temptation, with weariness, with frustration simply by praying for them.
I pray often for a number of people and a number of countries. Yet I know I should pray more. I know that I can join with and help my fellow believers in their struggles in North Korea, Turkey, Thailand or the UAE simply by making the effort to pray. What a privilege! What a responsibility! 

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

I thought of the song "I can only imagine"as I read Scripture this morning. I am impressed by the results coming from women and men with expansive creative imaginations. They provide us with mind blowing movies, life saving surgical procedures,  time saving machines, amazing paintings, marvellous architecture, striking fashions.
However the human limits of the most imaginative are experienced when we try to picture eternal life with our Lord. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9 Imagine that!
How great must heaven be, if it far exceeds the wonders of the created world that surrounds us? Apparently God's creative powers so wondrously displayed in the sky above, the oceans below and the world around us, have not been exhausted. We have in store for us something and Someone far beyond our imagination. What an exciting future lies ahead of every believer.
 I am wondering today, whether what lies ahead affects my perspective the way it should. What if every morning my mind was fixed on what lies ahead after death; the "welcome home my child"; the presence "of his marvellous glory"; the perfection of a sinless self and a sinless atmosphere; joining our voices with people from every nation and ethnic group in praise to God, observing God's creative work. Would it change my perspective? Of course it would.
 It is true that we can only imagine and even then cannot picture the wonders that await us. But if we keep looking toward this future, it will help us through today's challenges and the tomorrows that are  causing us anxiety and worry. Keeping our eternal home in mind (even with our limited imaginations) will surely change our perspective.
So if you are struggling today, or really feeling tense about tomorrow, you have my permission. (As if you needed it.) Go ahead and think of "a few of your favourite things". And then imagine that waiting for you, in the not too distant future in God's presence, are pleasure, delight and joy that will be far greater than what your mind "has conceived."

CONTRASTS

We have just returned from 8 days in Hanoi. As we see here in Ho Chi Minh City, so in Hanoi, there are such great contrasts. You can still see elderly woman sweeping the street gutters clean with a "corn broom". Men and women can be seen with a pedal cart, collecting bits of garbage that they have collected to be recycled and earn a couple of dollars.
In Ho Chi Minh, they recently completed a 68 story office and apartment building which towers and glistens over the city. But Hanoi is the capital, and it is not co-incidental that a taller skyscraper, 72 stories high will soon be completed. It has been developed by a Korean firm and with two 48 tower apartment buildings is a one billion dollar project. In every way it is a world class development.
Many expats come to Hanoi as tourists. Some can come to make better salaries than they could back home. Some come just to "get away" from home and others just for adventure. And some believers come and enjoy significant spiritual growth and opportunities to serve while in this city.
We enjoyed our visit with expat believers at Hanoi International Fellowship. It was a pleasure to preach there twice and enjoy fellowship in this vibrant congregation. Attended by about 400 people from all over the world, this interdenominational church has a strong presence in the international community. A wide variety of people attend, from Nigerian students completing an IT degree to people working in foreign embassies; from people employed by NGO's to people employed by international firms.
As many of you experience if you are in a multi-ethnic church, there is something special about worship with people from many nations. We do believe it gives us a taste of heaven. The Apostle John writes in Revelation of what lies ahead for all of us: "--- before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne ---. And they cried out with a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb". Revelation 7:9 - 10.
Looking forward to joining that crowd one day!

GUIDE TO UNITY

I read a great passage on unity this morning, found in Romans 15:5 - 7. Several things are stated clearly that are of great help to all of us. We need this encouragement because most of us when reacting naturally, can find plenty of things to divide us from other Christians. These include worship music and minor doctrinal differences. However there are an abundance of other issues that are really a matter of not being appreciated, or of differing taste, or personality: or minor offences received - or supposed offence.
Paul challenges his readers to have "a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." Are you a follower of Jesus? Well I am too. That means we are united in our direction, purpose, eternal home and commitment. That should unite my spirit with yours, if I am at all controlled by the Spirit.
If we are united then we can "with one heart and mouth --- glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is our high calling. We are to worship in spirit and in truth together - and as we do we bring glory to our God and Father.
If I am dominated by a critical or jealous or other sinful attitude that divides me from you or others, I am detracting from the glory that our Father in Heaven deserves. I don't want to do that - in fact I often pray "your Kingdom come your will be done". Only in unity with other followers of Jesus can I help this happen.
So I plan to keep forgiving others, refusing to take offence, being thankful instead of critical, etc. I hope you are with me in that - and together we will glorify God with one heart - even if this mouth is far away from wherever you and your mouth are today.  :)

POSTING DIFFICULTY

Hello,

To anyone still checking my blog: beginning more than a week ago I began to have difficulty accessing blogspot the host of this blog. In fact on a few days I could not open it up. At another time when I wrote a message like this it was not posted.
So I am trying again and will see if this posts. If so, my blog will resume and I will hope some former readers will come back and other new readers will find me.

Nelson