Slept for 7 hour last night. That's awesome because it means I'm close to adjusting to the time change. It's a whopping 12 hours!
So I woke up this morning and saw Cambodia for the first time in the light. It is beautiful! It's also exotic. It doesn't look like anything in America. I really can't wait for the bus ride up to Poi Pet. I want to see more of this country.
Ate chicken fried rice for breakfast. Nothing says breakfast like fried rice :). We had a great time meditating and discussing Jesus quoting of Isaiah 61 in the temple at Nazareth (Luke 4:16). What does it mean to preach good news to the poor, and release to captives, and comfort the oppressed. This is the Gospel and it is meant to be applied spiritually AND physically. In Jesus' kingdom there will be no oppression, slavery, poverty of any kind. Our goal today is to be as best we can the presence of Jesus. What a daunting task. I truly feel poor in spirit.
The fired rice was awesome, by the way. So far the most interesting thing, however, has been the people. They are so warm and friendly. And they all ride motorcycles. Literally, it's like swarms of motorcycles. No helmets not pads, just a man with his motorcycle and his girl riding side saddle. But I've really enjoyed watching the people so far and trying to figure out how they relate to one another. On the way from the airport, we saw groups of young men randomly camped out in circles on the side of the road. Our tuk tuk driver (a rickshaw attached to a motorcycle...not a creature from Star Wars) told us that's what they do to hang out. They just go sit somewhere and will even sleep there on the side of the road. That's crazy! But it makes sense to them.
We're leaving for Poi Pet in just a bit but not before I get a massage! Yep, that's right. A massage. I've been told the most important thing is to make sure you tell the masseuse, "No happy ending please." I'm glad someone told me that before. That would have been a little awkward.
In the meantime, I'm also going down to the market to buy some sandals and maybe a shirt. There's a "look" here in Cambodia. All the men where a tan or white shirt, jeans, and sandals. Right now I don't have that "look". I'm going to try go recreate it without getting abducted or robbed. Here goes.
JD
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Friday, March 19, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
War!
We Are at War
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus married those two statements? Did you even know he spoke them at the same time? I mean, he says them in one breath. And he has his reasons. By all means, God intends life for you. But right now that life is opposed. It doesn’t just roll in on a tray. There is a thief. He comes to steal and kill and destroy. Why won’t we face this? I know so few people who will face this. The offer is life, but you’re going to have to fight for it, because there’s an Enemy in your life with a different agenda.
There is something set against us.
We are at war.
I don’t like that fact any more than you do, but the sooner we come to terms with it, the better hope we have of making it through to the life we do want. This is not Eden. You probably figured that out. This is not Mayberry, this is not Seinfeld’s world, this is not Survivor. The world in which we live is a combat zone, a violent clash of kingdoms, a bitter struggle unto the death. I am sorry if I’m the one to break this news to you: you were born into a world at war, and you will live all your days in the midst of a great battle, involving all the forces of heaven and hell and played out here on earth.
Where did you think all this opposition was coming from?
(Waking the Dead , 12–13)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus married those two statements? Did you even know he spoke them at the same time? I mean, he says them in one breath. And he has his reasons. By all means, God intends life for you. But right now that life is opposed. It doesn’t just roll in on a tray. There is a thief. He comes to steal and kill and destroy. Why won’t we face this? I know so few people who will face this. The offer is life, but you’re going to have to fight for it, because there’s an Enemy in your life with a different agenda.
There is something set against us.
We are at war.
I don’t like that fact any more than you do, but the sooner we come to terms with it, the better hope we have of making it through to the life we do want. This is not Eden. You probably figured that out. This is not Mayberry, this is not Seinfeld’s world, this is not Survivor. The world in which we live is a combat zone, a violent clash of kingdoms, a bitter struggle unto the death. I am sorry if I’m the one to break this news to you: you were born into a world at war, and you will live all your days in the midst of a great battle, involving all the forces of heaven and hell and played out here on earth.
Where did you think all this opposition was coming from?
(Waking the Dead , 12–13)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
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