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)
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)
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