Worship Thought

On Friday, the 19th of September, I did the teachers morning worship. Here is the transcript or note from that talk. I pray that it will bless you:

How many of you have cell phones? Well, before we pray I would like to give you something to think about. When you use your cell phone, and you call a friend, do you expect them to answer or do you call just to find out? I venture to guess that you call expecting them to pick up and be there next to the phone. So it is when we pray. We are calling God on His cell phone, he will pick up. Are you calling expecting Him to answer or are you calling wondering if it's really His number?

Prayer

Matt. 25:14-19; Jesus tells this parable after the disciples ask questions about when these last time things will happen. This is near the end of Jesus' long talk. He explains how a Master goes on a journey and leaves His servants with different numbers of talents. One has 5 talents, one has 2 talents and the last has 1 talent.

The servants are all comended for what they did with their talents besides the last one who hid his talent and did not do anything with it.

What do these talents represent? Faith, People, Skills, etc?? I think they could represent any one of these things, but I would like to suggest people. Even Jesus suggests that He is talking about people.

Matt 25:45-46; ...Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me...

So, my question is how many talents (people) has God intrusted you with?

I suggest that we have been intrusted with 1200 talents (students) here at Ekamai, and maybe you don't get to reach each one of these students but He has given them to use as a whole.

I would like to say there is huge correlation between what we believe and what we teach. If you do not believe what you are teaching, or what you believe in general then you will not be as effective.

Example: Let's say you are riding on the bus or walking the street one day and someone mentions your favorite tv show or sports team. Once that happens, you get really excited and are instently connected and it's almost like you and this complete stranger are instant long time friends.

Why? Why? Because you both believe, love, deeply resinate with each other, you are emotionally involved with this thing (show or team). So it should be with our time and energy with God, (what do you find worth in)?

I worked at a Summer camp each summer for the past 11 years, because I have decided to move here I quit this job. I will not be able to work there because of the distance, etc. So, the workers made me this video, and they used this song by Ray Boltz, "Thank you for Giving to the Lord." It touches my heart, because I have seen kids grow up and become healthy and contributing members of our community. But please listen and put yourself in this story:

Lyrics from, christianlyricsonline.com;

I dreamed I went to heaven

And you were there with me;

We walked upon the streets of gold

Beside the crystal sea.

We heard the angels singing

Then someone called your name.

We turned and saw a young man running

And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now."
And then he said, "But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
They were unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child, look around you.
Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave. -- Ray Boltz

When Jesus comes to you, what is going to be your balance? Is your account going to have an increase or will you HIDE your talents in the ground?

Something Interesting

Ok, so I went to this place called Tops Market, on Sunday around 1 p.m.. I had one of the most interesting things happen while visiting this establishment, and since being here in Thailand. So I walked into Tops Market not really thinking to much about anything and I go through straight to one of the aisles where the deodorant is and as I am get to start of the aisle, I realize I am singing the song that's on the radio. The song was Sophie B. Hawkins, "As I lay Me Down."

Check out this video: As I Lay Me Down - Sophie B. Hawkins

An old song from High School, one that I really enjoyed. Then I started walking down the aisle and there was an American couple talking and shopping for things. There was no one else around, and I had this euphoric moment where I thought I was back home, shopping in some shopping center. Funny and interesting, I think. But then I looked down and saw the size of the deodorant sticks (which probably explains the BO problem we have with our students--they are one third or half the size of ones I get in the states--in Thai I would say the motto it totally opposite that of Texas, "everything is bigger in Texas") and then I looked back at the cash registers and all I saw the wonderful Thai ladies taking money and wai'ing each customer as they leave. The moment was quickly gone, yet subtle, and good.

Miss you all. God bless!

Another Video

This is a video of my daily routine; my walk from my apartment to the school. My camera's battery died as I was walking up the steps to chapel or I would have let you see the auditorium. Which you don't miss much, it is a big room with chairs! ;) Anyways, sorry for it being so shaky too!

If you look there was a man cleaning water off the sidewalk, that is because that whole drive and parking lot was under water the night before. We had two days of crazy rain and it flooded the road. I heard a story, that in the 80's the King actually had to pass a law for the government to fix the flooding of Ekamai Road. It was fixed in Two days! People were working day in, day out. If you haven't done your research, the King and Queen here are borderline worshiped.. and that is be nice.

Anyways, here's the video:

Back to School

Well, Ekamai was back to school on Thursday; Wednesday evening for most of you Americans out there! It was nice to have a day off, almost like those ice days back home in Tennessee. But instead of ice it was the government up he val!

It was nice to be back at school, otherwise there isn't much that I do here. I am not one who goes and tries everything the city offers. Or travels around. I need to be more like that but it's not really my personality to do that. I love traveling with people and don't like doing things alone.

Anyways, for the past two weeks, a bunch of us play some sport on Thursday nights. Last week it was basketball and last night it was futsol. Very fun. But, not that I am complaining, typically I am playing with all girls. Like any educational system, there are more girls than guy teachers.. it's fun though, to get out and play games.

Also, on Sundays, I have been playing in a Basketball league. The churches and the organizations here that are Adventist have put this league together. There are 8 teams, our team was 1 and 5 before I started playing and now is 4 and 6. We have to win our next two games to make it to the playoffs or something like that.

I have been taking a Thai class too. Monday and Wednesday nights for two hours. Trying to learn how to speak Thai. I know Nit Noi, which means "very little". I am working on it though, if I stay here long enough I plan to be able to carry on full conversations with people. First, I am going to try and learn how to order food and tell the taxi where I would like to go. :) First things first, you know? Haha.

Hopefully I will have some more pictures and video soon. I hope all is well where you are and that God is blessing you tremendously.

Bangkok Violence

Bangkok sees violence.  Well, the people here in Thailand are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.  But like everyone there is an evil side that you don't expect.  This past week and especially this weekend.  Starting on September 2, early in the morning, Yellow group representing the PAD.  Got attacked by the anti-government group in Red.

  I don't know exactly their views other than the ones in Yellow,  who  are funded and well organized, do not like the Prime Minister  and  want him out and will not back down until he is gone.  And  the Red  group are for the Prime Minister and has caused all this  violence.

  The picture to the left shows the  violent clash between pro and anti-government supporters in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, left many injured, and at least one dead.

After the violence the Prime Minister came out and called the city

 to be in a state of emergency and gave control to the Military.  So the Military, now can arrest whom every they feel and can break up people are collecting in groups of 5 or more.

The picture to the right shows the military surrounding the and making a barrier on the streets.  All this is happing a good ways away from my School, but the Mission Hospital is across the street.  I have heard that its about 10 kilometers away, so about 20 minutes.  Takes like 1 hr though because of traffic.  I was supprised to see the guy with the big knife.. that's crazy, I don't plan on going anywhere near that scene.  :)

Here are some more pictures: 

Website: Go to the BBC NEWS website for more information.