***video log***
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Christian Manhood & Muay Thai
*** personal journal ***
I believe in Christian manhood. It’s one of the foundational principles of my life. To me, it means that as a man, I am called to use my God-given strength to provide security and protection to my family.
In my mind being a man of God means I can never use the strength he gives me to bring pain or unnecessary harm to those I love most. Instead, I am called to sacrificially lay down my life for my family, just like Jesus laid down his life for his church.
Today, I think too many fathers have copped out on their strength by emotionally or physically running out on their families. Or on the opposite end, many fathers use their strength to abuse their wives and kids.
Here in Asia, I’m finding joy in learning to be patient before God, as he molds my character and prepares me to be the kind of man who can love his family right.
I think the things I am witnessing here (poverty, spiritual battles, political struggles, personal struggles and so on) have been melting me into God’s hands. In His hands God is shaping me and molding me to be the kind of man that he wants me to be.
As melted clay, I’m finding a new love for God’s word, which I can only describe as fire. God’s word changes my consistency from soft clay to a hardened vessel, capable of being filled with God’s spirit- for his name’s sake and for the benefit of others.
All this said, I don’t have a family of my own yet, but someday if God wants it, I’ll have one.
Probably my favorite memory with my father was from when I was around 2 and my brother was around 4. We used to wrestle on top of my parent’s bed. WWE style, we would go 2-on-1 against my dad. As we play fought with punches and choke-holds my dad would pretend like he was losing the battle, and then suddenly erupt like the Incredible Hulk. When we got tired we would lie down and would hug and kiss my dad.
When we got older my dad taught us to play ball, and showed his passion for Jesus by teaching the word from our home. Everyday dad came home around 3 o’ clock and ate at the kitchen table. I grabbed my basketball and went to the backyard so he could watch me shoot hoops. Knowing he was watching always helped me to work towards the next level.
I know it’s not Father’s Day, but I’m a big hater on corporate driven holidays. In my opinion, every day should be Mother’s day, Father’s day or Valentines day. The Bible says that God is our Father in heaven and he watches us everyday. His love and keen interest in our lives should motivate us as followers of Jesus to move our faith to the next level. As we grow in knowledge of who he is we can bear goodness in our lives.
I am thankful for an earthly father who modeled Godliness to both me and my brother.
Here in Bangkok, I can’t resist the urge to go out and exercise. It’s been my way to purge stress and find enjoyment by sweating it out. There aren’t too many ballers out here. So every morning I’m in the city, I wrap my wrists and strap on gloves to learn Muay Thai (the national sport of Thailand).
It’s not hoops and it’s not the same as wrestling as a toddler with my dad, but to put it simply: I love it!
Link if you feel like checking out the sport: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJfo0n98vdU
I believe in Christian manhood. It’s one of the foundational principles of my life. To me, it means that as a man, I am called to use my God-given strength to provide security and protection to my family.
In my mind being a man of God means I can never use the strength he gives me to bring pain or unnecessary harm to those I love most. Instead, I am called to sacrificially lay down my life for my family, just like Jesus laid down his life for his church.
Today, I think too many fathers have copped out on their strength by emotionally or physically running out on their families. Or on the opposite end, many fathers use their strength to abuse their wives and kids.
Here in Asia, I’m finding joy in learning to be patient before God, as he molds my character and prepares me to be the kind of man who can love his family right.
I think the things I am witnessing here (poverty, spiritual battles, political struggles, personal struggles and so on) have been melting me into God’s hands. In His hands God is shaping me and molding me to be the kind of man that he wants me to be.
As melted clay, I’m finding a new love for God’s word, which I can only describe as fire. God’s word changes my consistency from soft clay to a hardened vessel, capable of being filled with God’s spirit- for his name’s sake and for the benefit of others.
All this said, I don’t have a family of my own yet, but someday if God wants it, I’ll have one.
Probably my favorite memory with my father was from when I was around 2 and my brother was around 4. We used to wrestle on top of my parent’s bed. WWE style, we would go 2-on-1 against my dad. As we play fought with punches and choke-holds my dad would pretend like he was losing the battle, and then suddenly erupt like the Incredible Hulk. When we got tired we would lie down and would hug and kiss my dad.
When we got older my dad taught us to play ball, and showed his passion for Jesus by teaching the word from our home. Everyday dad came home around 3 o’ clock and ate at the kitchen table. I grabbed my basketball and went to the backyard so he could watch me shoot hoops. Knowing he was watching always helped me to work towards the next level.
I know it’s not Father’s Day, but I’m a big hater on corporate driven holidays. In my opinion, every day should be Mother’s day, Father’s day or Valentines day. The Bible says that God is our Father in heaven and he watches us everyday. His love and keen interest in our lives should motivate us as followers of Jesus to move our faith to the next level. As we grow in knowledge of who he is we can bear goodness in our lives.
I am thankful for an earthly father who modeled Godliness to both me and my brother.
Here in Bangkok, I can’t resist the urge to go out and exercise. It’s been my way to purge stress and find enjoyment by sweating it out. There aren’t too many ballers out here. So every morning I’m in the city, I wrap my wrists and strap on gloves to learn Muay Thai (the national sport of Thailand).
It’s not hoops and it’s not the same as wrestling as a toddler with my dad, but to put it simply: I love it!
Link if you feel like checking out the sport: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJfo0n98vdU
Some Prayer Requests and Blessings
***if you would like to pray with me***
To all my friends, family and supporters, thank you for all your continual support. My experience here is the sum of God's grace as well as all your prayers. And if I don't get a chance to say this later, Happy Thanksgiving!
Your friend,
EJ
- With the ongoing political instability in Thailand, the social psyche is still on pins and needles. I'm realizing that I need to be a better follower of Jesus and share him with the Thais. Pray that I will make it a priority to learn the Thai language so I can better connect with the people here.
On October 22-25, I spent time with the Thais at a youth camp. During one session I was able to share with app. 50 Thai youths about 'Carrying your Cross Daily' and also about the 'Dangers of Materialism' (I spoke through an interpreter). I learned some preaching lessons as I thought I came down on them a little too hard. But this week I heard some feedback and supposedly, they were actually blessed! (It must have been God). Thank God for using me to minister to the Thai youth.
I was in Communist Laos from October 25- November 2 visiting house churches throughout the country. My trip definitely left its mark on me in a way that will probably change me forever. In some unexpected ways, God broke down walls in my heart and taught me some really hard lessons. So thank God for the tough lessons and also for the way he's working in Communist Laos (I will post a report on the Christian movement in Laos sometime soon).
- I'm producing my organization's Through the Border, which is an eight-page ministry publication that will be released in December. So I'll be super busy in the next two weeks. Pray for a truck-load of grace as I write stories and prepare the design.
- Lastly, when my situation here doesn't work out as I plan, pray that I can really trust that:
"In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose". Romans 8:28
To all my friends, family and supporters, thank you for all your continual support. My experience here is the sum of God's grace as well as all your prayers. And if I don't get a chance to say this later, Happy Thanksgiving!
Your friend,
EJ
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