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.