READY FOR THE NEW YEAR

I write less than 8 hours from midnight; the beginning of 2012 in this time zone. Some of you still have 20 hours or almost 23 hours left in 2011, but the beginning of a New Year is in sight for all of us.
Jan and I have rejoiced this year in two special highlights: one was the birth of our third grandchild, Amara, in April, to Jeannie and Chris. It was a special treat that Jan was able to be present in Manhattan when Amara arrived. The second was to participate in the birth of the second expat congregation of Hanoi International Fellowship in November.
The year has also brought it's share of sadness. We were sorry to be kept from starting a new expat congregation in Ho Chi Minh City. We thought that was our God given assignment for 2011. However it was not to be.
The year brought sad news of many deaths: the closest to us, the death of my older sister Yvonne, who had struggled with limited health for many years. Following our mother's death, Yvonne was the matriarch of our extended family. She was to Jan and me a loving sister and a partner in ministry through both prayer and giving.
Along with millions in the evangelical world, we thanked God for the life and ministry of John Stott who died in 2011: preacher, pastor, scholar, author. I was 16 when I first heard him preach; subsequently I read most of his books and commentaries; I did a major paper on Stott as a preacher while studying for my doctorate. Perhaps as much as any preacher, writer or theologian, he impacted my thinking and preaching.
News of other deaths have come to us - as they have to you - during this year. News of one more acquaintance passing suddenly into the presence of the Lord greeted me as I opened my email on this last morning of 2011.
I have mentioned in an earlier blog that I begin tomorrow morning (at a time when those in North America are still enjoying New Year's Eve) an 8 week series of sermons from the book of James. James has a very sobering word for all of us - especially for those who have pretty much planned out the coming year.
"Now listen you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:13, 14
As we enter 2012, none of us knows what lies ahead. In these unsettled times, let's live each day by faith, knowing that this could be the year in which God calls us home. Let's be ready to meet our Judge, our Saviour, our loving heavenly Father.

VARIETY OF FEELINGS

Wednesday at noon Jan and I were picked up by a hotel 16 seat bus for the two hour (80 km) ride to Ninh Binh, south of Hanoi. In the bus with us was a family from Australia, whose father a physician from Sri Lanka, via Australia was friendly and outgoing. For a time, as we bumped our way down a not always smooth highway, he and I discussed Christianity and his disbelief. He attended a Catholic school and mostly appreciates Christian values . In fact he works for an NGO and is committed to improving Vietnam's medical care for mothers and infants. However I could not get through to this humanitarian atheist that Jesus was worth his consideration and belief. Frustrating.
In the area of Ninh Binh are limestone outcroppings that rise 50 to 200 meters out of rice fields. These massive "mini" mountains jut out of absolutely flat land and seem so incongruous. In one area with our guide we rented a boat (with female rower) and for two hours travelled among these outcroppings, passing by boat through 8 different caves from 30 meters to 300 meters in length. Often we needed to duck in our row boat to avoid the low hanging cave roof. At times we experienced complete silence other than the regular sound of the oars. Lovely.
We took another boat ride - larger boat with motor, female pilot - on a river that wound among rice fields. Wonderful close up view of workers and their water buffalo tending the wet fields. These fields will be flooded when the mid April rainy season begins and the river rises for six months. But now they are being planted and will yield a crop of rice before the fields are once again drowned in the annual rainy season. Fascinating.
So we enjoyed two lovely quiet days in the quiet country side. Such a contrast with the noise and congestion of life on Hanoi streets. Our return trip took 4 hours due to Friday afternoon bumper to bumper traffic. Even the normally buzzing motorbikes were reduced to a crawl. And when we arrived home I found that my computer is "crawling" instead of speeding to websites. Irritating.
Life here provides a never ending variety of visuals and experiences.

BABY BRINGS DIVISION

"Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34, 35 Sobering words that have proved to be sadly true over 20 centuries.
At Christmas we often like to dwell on the words of the prophet Isaiah, predicting the the One to come would be known (among his many titles), as "Prince of Peace". Or the wonderful, encouraging words of the angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas night "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
But the prophetic words of Simeon, spoken to Mary just days after the birth of Jesus, have proven sadly true. When grown to adulthood, Jesus himself spoke about this. Wherever Jesus went, and wherever the Good News of Jesus goes, He brings division. Some "fall" farther away from God by rejecting Him and actually speak against Christ. Others "rise" in relationship with God by faith in Christ. The response to Christ has caused "the thoughts of many hearts (to be) revealed."
We rejoice to know that the Good News has spread even farther this Season, as multiple thousands, in a variety of countries have heard the Christmas story for the first time. Many of them have been drawn toward belief.
Yet others have immediately rejected this news of Jesus. And many who know about Christ have continued to reject Him and anything about Him. Various people have once again, in actions and words, spoken against the baby born in Bethlehem, who is Christ the Lord.
So He brings division in our family, and perhaps in yours. He brings division in our community and in yours. Simeon prophesied, and Jesus made it even more clear: no one can remain neutral regarding the one born in Bethlehem. Our response to Him brings division; brings spiritual life or brings spiritual death. Our response to this One makes huge, everlasting difference.

HIS PEACE AT CHRISTMAS

I am writing at 10:30 am on Christmas Day in this time zone. We enjoyed two Christmas Eve services last night with a total of about 700 attending from so many nations. We sat behind Filipinos, beside a Vietnamese, in front of a family from the Netherlands, walked out and spoke with people from Nigeria, Indonesia, Canada, the USA, Australia, China, etc. It is joy to work and worship among such an international group. We don't even ask but we know they also come from a large variety of denominational backgrounds.
During the days leading up to Christmas, in my personal reading I like to survey all of the prophetic passages that point toward Christ, plus the familiar Gospel accounts of our Lord's birth. I suspect many of you do the same. Have you read and thought about Micah 5 this Christmas Season?
Micah 5:2 is the well known passage that prophesies that from Bethlehem Ephrathah will come "one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient days." This was the passage the Jewish religious leaders gave to Herod when he asked them where the King of the Jews was to born. Herod in turn passed this information on to the Magi.
We are told more about the Coming One in Micah 5:4, 5. "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."
We who know Christ as our Saviour do live securely, even in the midst of uncertain times, even dangerous times. We know our eternal security is safely in His care.
Although His Rule has not yet been fully extended over the entire world population, yet in every country there are those who acknowledge Him. We know "his greatness has reached to the ends of the earth." And for all believers, Christ is our peace!
Jan and I pray for all of you, that the peace of Christ is firmly planted deep in your heart and soul - on this Christmas Day, 2011, and will be your experience in each day of the New Year. Merry Christmas!

MANY NEEDS MANY CHOICES

Our friends who moved to Hanoi 15 years ago tell us there was no choice. When it came to food there were no "western" grocery stores, not even small ones. When it came to restaurants, it was Vietnamese or nothing. But many changes have come to this city in a decade and a half.
We are hosting several Christmas dinner parties this year. One night 8 Filipinos, tonight 8 Nigerian University students and on Christmas Day 6 or 7 people from several different nations. This has involved a lot of grocery shopping for Jan (as well as much food preparation). If we were living in a North American city, she would have shopped at one or maybe two different grocery stores. However to purchase all we wanted to serve to our Christmas guests in Hanoi, it has involved shopping at 5 or 6 stores. Two or three cater to grocery items from the west; one is Korean store that mimics Costco; add in a couple of Vietnamese grocery stores, ---. It takes time and knowledge of which stores stock what, if you are to find your choice in groceries.
Many people around the world approach religious faith like shopping for groceries. "Here are my needs, wants, wishes and desires. So I will take a little of this religion, and believe a little in that kind of god; then I'll add some of what I think god should be like. I hope this mix will meet my religious shopping list." They recognize no absolute truth, and no ultimate Creator God; so, like shopping here for groceries, they feel it is simply finding what you want, wherever you can.
In contrast to the idea of many choices, the Bible clearly presents Jesus as the One who is uniquely God come to earth in the form of a baby; growing up to be a wise teacher, miracle worker; willing and able to die and take the punishment for our global and individual rebellion.
The Hebrew Scriptures point ahead to One who will come as the Unique Shepherd, the Unique Light, the Sent One from God. And the NT tells us Jesus Christ fulfilled those OT prophecies. He was and is the One.
John wrote from first hand experience: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
We all have many needs. There is One Choice who meets those needs. (And if we follow Him, He help us reshape our most important wants so that they too are met.) We thank God at this Christmas Season that God, after sending prophets and angels, finally sent the Superior One - born in Bethlehem. (Hebrews 1:1 - 3)

MARY'S TRIAL

With Christmas just around the corner, I read Mary's song today; commonly called the Magnificat, from the first word in the Latin translation of her song. (Luke 1:46 - 55) I also quietly listened this morning to two Christmas songs that feature Mary, sung by an Irish singer. One is fairly well known: "Breath of Heaven". The other I have not heard before titled "Magnificat", with a nice musical rendition of the first sentences of Mary's words.
It is good to again pause and think about Mary's burden, her "trial" in bearing the One born of the Holy Spirit. Supported by Joseph, encouraged by Elizabeth, nonetheless her road in those first nine months was not an easy one. How lonely she at times must have felt. We don't really know what inner feelings and thoughts troubled her, nor how much social ostracism she may have experienced. All we can affirm is that her experience was indeed unique among women. And the blessing/trial of being the mother of our Lord did not stop, if ever, until after Jesus rose from the dead.
Trial and blessing; pain and joy; they do go together for believers. James talks about it: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ---".(1:2, 3). Peter writes about it: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."(I Peter 4:12, 13) Paul affirms the same thing: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character , hope."(Romans 5:3)
Thinking about Mary's difficult road; living presently in a land of much suffering; knowing of friends who presently are suffering; I am thankful for clear biblical teaching and biblical models. Trials and blessings do go together - even if in the worst times, even if, at the time, the blessings portion may be hard to discern. 

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

Monday is my day off and on Mondays, the elementary school next door starts its day and school week with a "general assembly". The school is built as a two storey quadrangle, with a large gate on the street side, and three storeys of classes at the opposite side. (Of course as with most public buildings, there is a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh very visible in the quad. Parental motorbikes drive in and out of the gate at the beginning and end of each school day, with the quadrangle acting as a large parking lot/drop off/pick up zone.
After the "drop off" on Monday's, when all the motorbikes have departed, several hundred students sit in the quadrangle on rows of very small plastic stools. The other students stand or sit in the open sided hallways, looking out onto the quadrangle. Quite loud recorded music always begins the "general assembly". It soars up to our 19th floor apartment and through our windows, closed or open, with no problem at all.
Of course, if there are words to the song, they are in Vietnamese. Except this past Monday, when we heard a familiar tune. It took a few moments for it to register with me: the words sung were in English and yes, they actually were "Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane". Very few of the students would have such good English that they would understand. I assume some translation was provided prior to the song.
Our 60 year old language tutor (yes, we are trying to learn some more Vietnamese) assured us that some younger Vietnamese families are actually beginning to practice the western custom of exchanging gifts at Christmas. This is surprising since this culture, as with other Asian cultures, has its major gift giving celebration at the Lunar New Year. Here it is called Tet and this year comes early - from January 23 - 27th. I would be surprised it gift giving at Christmas becomes a tradition in many households.
We are daily reminded at this time of year, that few Hanoi residents know anything about the great Gift our world received on that first Christmas morning.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY

Good news still needs to be passed along. An expat friend manages a company here in Hanoi. He hosted his management team for a fun Christmas party last week and during the party shared the true Christmas story. Later during the evening one of his employees was talking with him and said something like this. "I have never heard that story before. I've worked in hotels and helped cater many Christmas events and Christmas parties over the years. But I never knew the real origin of Christmas!"
Another friend works with an organization that brings practical help to several quite poor villages in the surrounding area. They hosted a Christmas party for mothers and young children, providing practical gifts to meet some of their needs. During the party my friend was sharing the real story of Christmas, speaking to a group of about 150. He asked them if anyone knew the name of the One who came on the first Christmas day. No one offered a suggestion. They did not know the answer. Finally one boy, about age 12, raised his hand and gave the Vietnamese name for the baby born at Bethlehem. One - out of 150.
So we pray that the Good News will be told wide and far at this special time of year. It is an old story to many of us. But it is still unknown to many, and very new to some hearing it for the first time this Christmas Season.

FOUR VISIONS

Joseph's role in the birth and life of Jesus seems relatively minor according to the Gospel records. On the other hand, I find it very interesting that Matthew records Joseph receiving angelic messages in four dreams. The first we easily remember; the angel assured Joseph that Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit; Joseph was to name the baby "Jesus" for he would "save his people from their sins."
The next three dreams were given to Joseph for direction. The first was direction to get out of Bethlehem because Herod was hunting for the "One born to be King of the Jews". The second and third guided Joseph back from Egypt to Palestine and then away from Bethlehem to Galilee. Each time Joseph, in faith, obeyed God's messenger.
After recording Joseph's obedient response to the dreams, Matthew mentions Joseph no more. Luke, however, gives us the childhood Temple scene. You remember: Joseph and Mary lose their twelve year old son, thinking he is with friends or relatives. When they return to Jerusalem they find Jesus in the Temple "discussing theology" with astonished Jewish teachers. Mary rebukes her son for causing "your father and I" anxiety. And Jesus responds: "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" Luke 2:41 - 52
I have always been impressed with Joseph's faith and obedience. Although he is called upon to play a secondary role, he faithfully plays it well.
What caught my attention especially this morning is the moment in the written narrative at which Joseph fades from the Gospel story stage. Mary, his mother, is mentioned at several points in each of the four Gospels. But not Joseph. He disappears once the words of Jesus are recorded: "I had to be in my Father's house". Apparently the authors want no confusion in the ongoing story as to Who is the Father of Jesus. Yes, Joseph played his faithful part in the life of the human/divine Jesus. But all who read the Gospel accounts are reminded many times that God in heaven was the One who delighted in his divine/human Son and the Son delighted in, and obeyed his Father.

INCLUSIVE YET EXCLUSIVE

There is a debate raging in segments of the Christian community as to how inclusive is God's love as it affects the eternal welfare of all people. It seems that a God of love must surely, ultimately welcome every human, no matter how evil or rebellious she or he may have been. 

Early in the book of Revelation we read the warm invitation of Christ: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (3:20) The invitation is given to the church of Laodicea with whom Christ is not pleased. It may be read as an invitation to spiritual cold believers and also to unbelievers who are spiritually "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked". It is very clear that is an inclusive invitation to "anyone" who will "open the door".

As the book closes, we read another general invitation: "Whoever is thirsty, let him come: and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (22:17) The call is clear: it is to people of every nation, ethnic group, socio-economic group. All are included. There are no outsiders.  Everyone, anyone who is spiritually thirsty is invited to come and receive the free gift of the water of life.

Yet sadly the Scriptures tell us in this same passage and elsewhere, that while the invitation is all inclusive, the invitation must be accepted or it is of no effect. Those who choose to ignore God, to go their own way, will be tragically excluded from the Holy City were Christ shines in all His glory. (21:27) God's pure righteousness - His Light - will not allow any sin/darkness in His Holy Presence.

This is why all of us need to be washed clean (22:14; 7:14) in the blood of the Lamb. We need the forgiveness found only through faith in Jesus Christ and his death for us. Only those cleansed from their sin "may go through the gates into the city."

SOME THINGS MISSING

In my last post (which I cannot view, nor can Jan. I can blog, but I cannot get onto my own blog address and view previous posts from our location. Don't know why.) I was sharing about the future Holy City in which will live all followers of Jesus. I noted how the description in Revelation 21:22 - 22:5 mentions that many things to which we have become accustomed will be missing in the New Jerusalem.
There will be no Temple; no darkness - no need for lights - artificial or natural (the glory of God outshines everything and his holiness obliterates all that is unrighteous); no closed gate (absolute security) and no impurity. At least that is what I think I noted two days ago. :)
In the Holy City there will be no curse. Finally, we all will be free from the result of the Fall, described so vividly in Genesis 3. The practical implications of this are many. Several are listed for us in 21:4: "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Can you imagine how different life will be with these that so constrict our lives are banished?
We need to keep our eyes on this wonderful future home. It will be of great comfort and strength when we pass through major difficulties. I will preach tomorrow on these verses and about how an orientation focused on Jesus and the Holy city offers so much hope and can be of great help to all of us. Today I was given two sad illustrations of our need for that future hope.
A middle aged believer just moved to Hanoi and joined with us at HIF in August. He brought his wife over to join him two weeks ago. Two days ago he was diagnosed with heart problems. With his wife he flew to Singapore (known in the region for excellent medical care). While in the hospital awaiting surgery he suddenly died. His wife must be in terrible shock right now. How important that her faith, her  future and her joy are grounded in Jesus and our eternal home.
The other immediate application involves one of our Philippino families. They leave on Thursday for a long planned visit to celebrate Christmas with all of their relatives on the southern island of Mindanao. Just a few hours ago they heard news of the devastating flash floods resulting from a tropical storm that struck their city. The wife's family home was damaged. The husband's family home was totally destroyed. Now they have no idea where they will stay - or where all of their relatives are staying. We will send some financial help with them from our fellowship as they leave.
A future city indestructible and unmarred by the results of the curse! What a glorious home awaits all who go to be with Jesus. What warm encouragement it brings to those who have lost a loved one or lost their home. Whatever your circumstances this week, and especially if they are difficult circumstances, follow in Jesus' footsteps: "who for the joy set before Him endured the cross".

SO MUCH MISSING

In this Season of Advent, (only nine days until Christmas), we remember Israel's long anticipation of the Messiah. We identify with their experience as we await the promised return of the Messiah, King Jesus.
Today I turned to the familiar verses at the end of Rev. 21 and beginning of 22. I'll be preaching on the "Future Light" this Sunday as part of our four week Christmas theme of Light. This morning I was again struck by all that will be missing in the glorious New Jerusalem. Do you remember that in that Holy City there will be:
No temple. Ancient cities - Athens, Rome, Ephesus, Corinth - all had a major temple, often the largest building in the city. Ancient Jerusalem of course had the Temple built under Solomon's rule. But there will be no need for a temple in our future home for God Himself will be fully present there.
No need for the sun, moon or artificial lighting. The glory of God will be all the light required. Notice that the sun and moon may still shine, and lamps may be used - but God's perfect light out shines them all.
No closed gate. In ancient times, where weapons were limited, strong gates connected to impregnable walls were a city's major defence against any danger. The fact that the Holy City never closes its gate signals that there will be no danger, no threat of violence. People in that city are totally secure.
No impurity. How much money, energy and time are wasted in our cities because of impurity. Think of the security measures retailers install because of dishonesty and theft. Think of the expense of police, security guards, jails, locks, burglar alarms, etc. How many lawyers are employed due simply to the impurity of people and companies that cannot trust each other? Imagine TV, movies and video games in the Holy City, devoid of all impurity! How different that city will be.
Yes, there will be so much missing, to which every city dweller on earth has become accustomed. I hope you are looking forward to His Coming and the City of the Future during this season of Advent. (Part two tomorrow)

EARLY MORNING CHALLENGE

I planned to visit a small men's Bible study meeting on the other side of the city yesterday. I suspected that cab drivers in this area might not easily find the location. So I brought the address and four area google maps showing sections of the city. Since it was a 6:30 am study, I knew we would be driving in the dark, so I even brought a small flashlight to help in reading the maps.
The taxi driver spoke no English, and my Vietnamese --- enough said.  It helped that I knew some of the route we needed to take. We stopped twice for the driver to look again at one of my maps. With a couple of wrong turns, and stopping once to ask another taxi driver for help, we made it. Fortunately traffic was light. And to save time, my driver had no problem driving through several red lights. So we actually arrived on time!
There were just three others in the study, one from the USA and two from Malaysia. We studied the testimony of Scripture about the incarnation and the uniqueness of our Saviour. We rejoiced in the free gift of salvation we have in Jesus. Then for a few moments we talked about the sad alternatives offered by a variety of religions and religious experiences.
One of the men shared the sad experience of his brother who became heavily involved in the dark side of Buddhism. He would fall into a trance and by the power of evil spirits speak in languages he had never learned. His parents and siblings were startled to hear him speak in several different Asian languages that they could recognize but knew he had never studied.
Like many others, when he entered a religious trance he would make predictions of the future. Both men from Malaysia told of how those capable of this would be encouraged to enter a trance and then asked to give out lucky numbers for future lotteries!
At HIF we continue to preach on the Christmas theme "The Light Has Come", aware that many Christians in the congregation have much more experience with the powers of darkness than we have. With these spiritual brothers and sisters we will continue to share the Good News that Jesus is the Light of the world. 

CHRISTMAS IN HANOI

You can find some very interesting Christmas items here - and some real bargains. For example for $15 or $20 you can purchase a very nice 2 meter tree in our local grocery store - artificial of course. Christmas decorations to hang on trees are also quite inexpensive.
Unusual to those of us from the west are the Santa outfits that come in all sizes for infants and toddlers. These outfits even come with a Santa hat. Next to Santa figures, snowmen are the most common here. Today we drove by a ten foot blown up Snowman outside of a furniture store. Of course very few Vietnamese have ever experienced snow first hand. However I guess they have all seen it on TV and in movies.
Thinking of warm Asian countries, I asked Jinggoy my co-worker from the Philippines about singing Christmas songs in the Philippines. Sure enough he knew the words to "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas". A white Christmas would be a disaster in the Philippines or Vietnam. Warm mittens, gloves and earmuffs are already being worn in Hanoi by those on motorbikes. Scarves are common everywhere. However even here in the north of Vietnam, the night time temperatures have not yet dropped below 12 degrees celsius or 16 degrees in the daytime. (Today it warmed up to 21 degrees.)
Yet in spite of the western commercial Christmas influence, it is rare to find a creche (manger scene) unless you visit one of the few Roman Catholic neighborhoods. On the other hand, the story of Christ is so foundational, is so much a part of our heritage in western society that it is quite acceptable to share this story in other countries at Christmas. Many of our friends take the opportunity to share the real Christmas story to English classes filled with students. I know of at least one local company and a factory owned by Christians where the Christmas story is shared at the annual Christmas party attended by Vietnamese workers.
We know that in western cultures the story of Christ and Christmas is often obscured by the commercial emphasis or at best, obscured by a total emphasis on giving to family, friends and the less fortunate. Imagine how obscure - how unknown it is in countries with no Christian heritage. 

GENEROSITY AND POVERTY

Our family volunteered to serve at an inner city Toronto mission one day during December years ago. While we were able to do some helpful things, it seemed that there were almost too many volunteers helping that day. In Calgary I was told one December that a ministry to those in need had no room for Jan and I to volunteer. They had a full roster of volunteers for the month.
It is great that at this time of year, generosity abounds. Those of us who have much are moved in special ways to serve and to give to those who have less at Christman. While we wish such generous serving and giving extended 12 months a year, we are thankful for the one month push at Christmas.
When we think of generosity and poverty we usually think of those with much giving to those who have little. However there is a great example of the reverse combination recorded in II Corinthians 8. Paul writes to challenge the Corinthian Christians to give generously. He presents the Christians in Macedonia as an encouraging example.
"And now brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." Notice that it was God who moved these believers to have the "grace of giving"and that they were filled with "the joy of the Lord". In spite of their extreme poverty they gave generously. Or maybe their extreme poverty was part of why they gave generously. Perhaps you have seen as I have, that often those with very little give "proportionally" much more than those who are wealthy.
What a challenge to those of us who have much! Paul goes on to say that these impoverished Christians "gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability." (II Cor. 8:1 - 3)
I hope you are giving generously, as much as you are able, to more than just family members during this Season of Giving. Thank God for His amazing, generous giving to all of us.  

BUILDING

I pause several times a day to enjoy gazing over Hanoi from our 19th floor window. This morning, looking in one direction, I began to count the number of cranes on the skyline. I can see at least 13; there may be more. High rise apartment and office buildings are rapidly increasing the density of this city.
On a smaller scale it literally seems on every other block someone is either adding a couple of storeys to their 4 storey building, is tearing down a building to build a larger one, or is completing a 6 or 8 storey building. Many of these smaller buildings are very narrow - just 4 or 8 meters wide!
On this Sunday morning I have been praying for churches that are meeting all over Asia and some churches that are meeting in Canada. Especially I've been praying for churches that gather here in Vietnam - the majority are small, without a church building. And I am reminded of Jesus' words to Peter: "I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it."
Building. Sometimes the building of Christ's church is very obvious. Often it cannot be observed. Yet quietly or with great drama, the Holy Spirit is moving in our world. People are coming to faith. Christ followers are increasing. Hundreds of new congregations are meeting today to build up disciples.
And we who are already built into the church get to be a part of this magnificent building project! Through your living, loving witness and in answer to your prayers, the construction continues.
The sun is shining on all these Hanoi construction projects this morning. Six days a week we enjoy watching workmen involved in the massive project across the street - two 40 storey apartment towers and a 20 storey office building. But with spiritual eyes, by faith, we watch something much more impressive. Christ is building His eternal church - here in Vietnam and around the world! Praise God! 

THE STARK CONTRAST

I think you would be impressed with our lovely Hanoi apartment building. It has a very nice reception area with a young security guard/doorman and a helpful young woman at the desk. Small coloured tiles and small lights are imbedded in the lobby floor to mimic a stream running through the lobby.
There are three elevators available to take us up to our 19th floor apartment. I hold my card in front of the door handle and we enter as the apartment door unlocks without a key. Very modern!
The stark contrast? Yesterday as I waited to take an elevator downstairs, the elevator used for moving furniture and for moving construction materials (many apartments are not yet finished or occupied) was stopped on our floor. In front of it was a large two handled wooden cart that could be pulled by one person. It was exactly like what may have been used 100 years ago. One of the two construction workers was a woman wearing a traditional "pyjama type" suit with traditional conical hat. (Sorry, I didn't have my camera with me.) The wooden cart was being loaded with heavy bags of sand to be used in the finishing of the tile floor in one of our neighbouring apartments.
21st century keyless entry and a woman construction worker with tools that could have stepped out of a photo from 100 years ago. Stark contrasts abound here.
At Hanoi International Fellowship we are preaching on the theme "Light Has Come" at both of our congregations. Isaiah in the OT and John especially in the NT often reference the stark contrast between light and darkness. If we look at our culture and the people around us only in physical terms, we can think they are just like us - and we like them. But John and Isaiah - and in other ways the rest of Scripture - keep reminding us to look at our world with spiritual eyes. If we do, we will daily live with the awareness that we are light in a dark world because we live in Christ, the Light of the world.
This stark contrast is even greater than the one I observed yesterday on the 19th floor of an apartment in Hanoi.

KNOWING WHERE TO LOOK

One of our new friends, a Chinese woman who has been here for a few years asked Jan recently where she shops for groceries. They laughed together as they agreed that you could not just shop at one store. No grocery store has everything. So in Hanoi you go to Metro for somethings, to the Big C for some, to FiviMart for others; and then for specific "western hard to get" items you try the smaller specialized Dan's or L's Place. These are all adequate stores, but none are quite as well stocked with western goods as we enjoy in a large Canadian store.
It would be nice of course if these stores were all in one shopping center. Instead they are scattered around the city. It took Jan a couple of months to discover all of them. Now she can find almost everything if she looks hard enough. On the other hand, Jan has not yet been able to find cranberry sauce - but one of our friends has.
Finding groceries for western tastes in an Asian city depends on knowing where to look. Friends have been very kind in helping Jan on this search. Finding true living water; finding the bread of life - also depends on "knowing where to look"! In our city and numerous other world cities, that crucial information is much harder to find than in a Canadian city.
As we move toward Christmas, we hope people are intrigued enough by the Christmas decorations and Christmas music in stores to look for the meaning of Christmas. We hope local and expat friends use this season as a time to share with others where they can find water and bread that truly satisfies. There is great joy when someone finds us (or we find them) and through us finds Him!
Can you offer a warm invitation to a Christmas service this month that will help someone "know where to look"? Or maybe you will have the opportunity to personally tell them about living water and the bread of life.  

THE IMAGE OF GOD

Jesus is the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15, ) Amazing! The Bible presents God as all powerful, all present, all knowing, all righteous - far beyond and above humanity; yet at the same time presents God as so very personal that He has been "touched with out infirmities"; He has fully identified with our humanity; He has been made very "knowable" in Jesus; God in human flesh. It is an old story, we celebrate at Christmas time.
It can become too familiar to us. But present this story to a Muslim, who has 99 names for God but none that bridge the gap between an awesome God and tiny humans on planet earth; they find it hard to believe that the great Creator God could possibly come as Jesus did. Every time I stop to really consider what is being said in this Christmas story, I find it  almost beyond belief, don't you? Who would have imagined God stooping so low?
It was Philip who said "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."I don't know what Philip expected Jesus to say but it was probably not the straight forward yet astounding claim. "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:8, 9)
The apostles, despite the many months spent with Jesus; despite the Divine testimony to Jesus at His baptism and at the Transfiguration, had still not comprehended fully who Jesus was. Millions of people at this time of year will hear all or portions of the Christmas story - whether in Vietnam, Canada or a hundred other countries. We pray they will be enabled to truly see and believe this amazing, "almost impossible" story - the Great Creator became a human baby.
Not only is it hard to understand and believe, there is a spiritual enemy who wants to keep people from believing. It is so sad that: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." II Corinthians 4:4 May many for whom we pray this Christmas see beyond pretty Christmas lights to "the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ - the image of God."

GREATNESS OF CHRIST

I came home later than usual from the church office last night. It was 6:00 pm and dark as I walked down our lane (just enough space for two cars if there are no motorbikes in the way - a rarity!) that has no street lights. I passed the last of a line of a dozen small stores and I was suddenly struck by light! I had been warned, but for the first time I saw our apartment building lit up with thousands of white Christmas lights - all strung across on the first two floors of the building. The light is almost blinding! Vietnamese do like light - lots of light! (You should see some of the massive karaoke signs in this city!)
This morning I opened my Bible to Colossians 1, and read again the marvellous words about Jesus Christ. They are almost blinding in the grand picture they paint. Who can possibly describe the greatness of Christ? Inspired by the Spirit, Paul tried his best. "He is the image of the invisible God ---. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, ---. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead ---. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him ---." 1:15 - 20
With Paul we say "I want to know Christ." Yet when I read the words of Colossians, I wonder have if I have even begun to know this Great One. With Job I say "How great is God - beyond our understanding!" Job 36:26 I think about the Christ described in Colossians and I fully feel the truth "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;" I Cor. 13:12
We do right to sing "How great is our God, sing with me, How great is our God!"We should read, sing and meditate on His greatness. We slowly comprehend a little of His Majesty (which of course involves the intellect but also the spirit, the emotions and a life of obedience and worship). But I suspect that as happened to me yesterday, as I moved through the dimness of our lane to the front of our building, we will one day be dazzled, overwhelmed with brightness; and it will be the awesome grandeur of our God and Saviour.
Enjoy the Christmas lights, but in this Season of the Incarnation, prepare yourself for a "sight far beyond our present comprehension."