News from October 2010
Lessons for the Teacher
Posted on October 19, 2010 by Pastor Tom
I came here with lessons prepared for the students of Bicol Center for Christian Leadership. But I expected that they would also have things to teach me. Well, my Filipino brothers and sisters have already taught me plenty.
They are living examples of Philippians 4:11–13. “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
I have been learning more about the students over these days, listening to their stories. As they describe the reality of their lives, my North American perspective wants to jump in an point out all the reasons they have to be discontent. But when I look over this group, I don’t see discontent. I don’t see complaining or moping around. I see people persevering in the the Lord’s strength. I see joy. I hear lots of laughter.
They aren’t living in denial. They see the reality and the difficulties of their lives. But they seem to have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I often here the phrase “Praise God” as they describe their reality and the grace they have seen from Him in their lives. I tend to say “Please God” more than “Praise God.” I’ll need to change that. Thanks for the lesson friends!
You know you're not in Canada when . . .
Posted on October 18, 2010 by Pastor Tom
You know you’re not in Canada when . . .
1) You’re completely soaked in sweat . . in October.
2) Ants crawl across the floor of your living quarters and you get used to it.
3) You leave an empty juice glass on the counter and return later to find it crawling with ants.
4) Your dishes are kept inside a plastic storage bin to keep the ants out.
5) People stare at you on the street because you have white skin.
6) A mosquito net is available in one of your wardrobe drawers.
7) You only have cold water for your shower – and you don’t mind!
8) Lizards crawl on the walls while you teach.
9) Strangers treat you with respect, not suspicion, when they find out you’re a pastor.
10) You can’t find a reference to hockey anywhere in the papers.
Security everywhere and employee overload.
Posted on October 17, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Well, it’s day 2 in the Philippines. Impression #1 – Security. Everywhere. There are security guards on street corners, outside hotels with dogs; at the entrance way to malls and in almost every store in the mall. There are no garbage cans in public places in the malls so bombs can’t be placed there. Even at church this morning, there were separate male and female entrances with guards to examine your bags. On one hand, it’s reassuring to see a lot of security. On another hand, it’s sad. But it’s reality here. And these security guards have guns!
Impression #2 – Employee overload. It’s not unusual to go into a store and be outnumbered 4 or 6 to 1 by employees. Often there are four or five clerks at each store often doing nothing. Some restaurant have girls stand out in front to bring you a menu or hand out flyers or call you in. Does this mean there is an abundance of employment? Yes and No. There is an abundance of minimum wage workers. The minimum wage is 385 Philippine pesos/day – That’s just under $10 for 8 hours or 12 in some cases. (The security guard at our hotel works 7 AM to 7 PM). So these workers come into the city 1 to 2 hours commute to do their shift and head back out again 6 days a week.
It puts into perspective how much we have to be thankful for in North America, even for garbage cans!
Little "Big" Assurances
Posted on October 13, 2010 by Pastor Tom
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Philippines trip recently? “Are you excited to be going to the Philippines?” Yes! “Are you nervous at all?” Yes. I have never been to the far east before; never done a nearly 14 hour plane trip; never been in a climate with huge heat and humidity (Yesterday it was 27 C in Manila but felt like 41). Yet it has been amazing how God has been assuring me of His presence and guidance through the days ahead.
One day, I looked at the flight plan and how long we’d be flying over only ocean. The next day, I came across Job 26:12 – “By his power he still the sea.” And my Bible note said this – “God rules the supposed dominion of Yam, the Canaanite god of the sea. Jesus Christ showed He was the true God of His people when he calmed the sea – Matt. 8:23–27.
Then I woke up wondering about getting through customs and all the unexpected twists and turns that can take. Later that morning I read Psalm 48:14 – “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”
Yesterday, I woke up with a song written by a friend out East – “Fear not for I have redeemed you; fear not I have called you by name you are mine. When you walk through the waters I will be with you, when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep you away, when you walk through the fire you will not be burned, for I am the Lord your God.” I couldn’t remember at that moment where to find that. But later in the day while studying a completely different passage, it cross referenced to Isaiah 43:10. Then when I looked up a few verses, I found this song in Isaiah 43:1–3.
Little assurances? Yes. But they add up to Big Assurance from our Big God!.
Which Gospel is your Gospel?
Posted on October 8, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Sometimes Christians divide over silly things. Other times they divide over misunderstandings. Justin Taylor highlights this in a blogpost entitled “What is the Gospel.” He notes an author who identifies two groups of Christians who emphasize different aspects of the Gospel.
Group A, rightly argues that “the gospel is the good news that God is reconciling sinners to himself through the substitutionary death of Jesus.” A second group of believers, whom Gilbert designates Group B, rightly argues that “the gospel is the good news that God is going to renew and remake the whole world through Christ.”
Which Gospel might you tend to emphasize? In fact, this is a both A and B not either or.
For a fuller discussion, check here – http://bit.ly/aTuBRC
Feeling Dry Spiritually?
Posted on October 2, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Sometimes we feel dry spiritually. It’s a fact of the Christian life. But do we just have to wait for the a fresh touch from God? Or can we take some steps to recapture some of that passion. Check out C. J. Mahaney’s take on this in a study he did on the book of Jude here:
http://bit.ly/cuemQr