Thursday

Today the Korean English Teacher, Steve, treated Pastor Tae and Tammy and I for lunch.  Steve has been an elder and board member for many churches throughout the years, and so he had some advice for us.  He really encouraged us to seek what specifically the Lord has called us to do, find it, and stick with it.  Pastor Tae gave us the blessing to go with Steve to the Sira Cha church this sunday.  I think Tae was a bit sad, because he and the church members love us and want us to stay... But Steve wanted us to see some other places we can be of assistance.  There's a place that is more charismatic in the gifts (which is what Tammy and I are used to) and a larger church out by the Robinson mall, which is where tammy and I have liked to go recently. 

I have some reservations, especially with loyalties to Tae and Fang, and that I really am not into having women pastors to report to.  That's just me.  But the vast majority of pastoral counsel, especially the ones closest to me, say there's no problem with it...Though in the Bible, Paul says he does not allow women to teach the men at the time of the Bible.  Is that non contemporary, is that the Word of God, this is debatable.  Watch out when you go down that path...  That's the same path homosexuals want us to go to open up the doors for gay marriage. 

I will go with Steve, and see what's going on over there. 
Tonite we had a great time baby sitting the kids for Tae and Fang.  We wanted Tae and Fang to have a romantic night out.  They both work so hard.  They need a break to be together alone.  We got the projector to work and put on Evan & the Almighty, a funny spoof on Noah and the Flood, and then Bambi.  Tammy and the kids danced after I put on some tunes over the loud stereo system.  We had pizza and the kids were happy.

I'm reflecting on what the "church" is and where we fit into it.  Why God called us here specifically at this time.  We've been telling people our story to many people, then telling people of the Gospel.  In the end it's about the decision someone makes to ask Jesus into their life to save them from Hell and to give them a new life.  Eternity in torment is a terrible thing to consider.  Yet it's in the Bible.  Do we dare call God a liar?  Did Jesus die on the cross for us, or did God the Father torment His own son for nothing?  Is it the Cross alone that reconciles you to God, through your faith in the one who gave His life for us?  Or do all roads lead to Heaven...through good hearts and hard work and deeds?  The scriptures say no one is righteous, no not one.  All fall short of the glory of the Lord.  It says he who has the Son has eternal life, he who does not have the Son does NOT have eternal life.  The Scriptures say those who refuse to believe upon the Son (Jesus) refuses the one who sent Him (God the Father)..and that they will awaken from physical death to EVERLASTING shame.

I am grateful because my mother and father have entered into eternity in the arms of a loving Father above.  Despite everything noble they did in life, they still, according to the Lord's Word the Bible, do not deserve heaven.  It is the Gospel that had the power to save them, as they both eventually believed it, and truly received it.  For my father, in his last days.  For my mother, a lot earlier in life than my dad.  I think of my time here in Thailand and ask myself, why did the Lord lead me here for 10 years...Was it worth it to tell several dozens of people of what God did in our life?  Was it worth it for the water business?  What is the eternal consequence of me not coming here?  Then I realize that if God spared me as a 1 year old boy from death in a car accident, then I suppose my life is His anyways.  He's worthy of whatever I can give him, in obedience to what He asks. 

The question and doubt that goes in my mind lately with the disappointment of how things can go slowly on some days.  Are we truly "called?".  "Called for what????"  "Why here???!"  Is this faith or foolishness????" 

The demoniac who was healed completely near the tombs after Jesus and His disciples crossed the water, asked Jesus if he could please follow Him with the other disciples.  Jesus, in this case, said no, but go back to where he came from and tell everyone what God had done for him.  In this case, Jesus's directive was go back. 

Another story is below about a rich man, who Jesus issued a different command. 

The Rich and the Kingdom of God


16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[c] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.


So that was then, this is now.  That was them, this is us.  What is God saying?  This is what we're trying to figure out, knowing His voice.

John 10:
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”