God is good and Easter was too

God is better than good, he is GREAT!!!! The way God used every person that gave their time and energy at St. Paul's Collegiate Church on Easter is beyond amazing. And they all listened, which is awesome.

It really made for a worshipful experience for me. God used the worship team, the tech team, the first impressions team, the sacred space (creative) team and the pastoral team to truly provide me with a blessed service.

Easter service for me was just wonderful yet uncomfortable at the same time.

I sat there and listened and interacted with God. I felt like I was the only person in that room, alone with God.

If it weren't for the volunteers who gave their time to make this happen, I am not sure it would have had the same outcome for me so PRAISE GOD for everyone who had their hands and minds in on Sunday's service. I wasn't able to give any of my time but a huge APPLAUSE to those who did. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I sat there and talked to God and it was so peaceful. Even though He told me some things I don't want to hear, I know what He is telling me is nothing but good. I mean I sat there and cried during the sermon, not bawling but welling tears in my eyes because I know what God wants me to do but I am so afraid to do it. After 3 years of following Him, I am still scared to death.

Then there was communion. The privilege of taking the body and blood of Christ into my body, to cleanse me. Then I got to pray at the door and write on the door, putting a name to what is holding me back "Help me overcome my fear of following you Lord"; then I stood there and prayed before I walked through, then I went through the door coming out refreshed for just a moment. The actual door is here.

Then the worship team started playing "How Great Is Our God" and that was the catalyst for me. I just raised my hands up as high as they would go, lifted my head straight up, let the tears flow down my cheeks and sang as loud as I could in my crying, shaky voice, all in response to how God was working within me at that very moment.

My heart was definitely singing how great is our God. That I can guarantee.

I knew right then and there; I have to do this. I have to trust in Him and not be scared and follow His call. To better His kingdom here on Earth. To pay homage to God for the sacrifice of Jesus, who died for me, a sinner, yet His perfect love for me makes me the person I am now and who He is going to make me in the days, weeks, months and years to come, if I listen and follow.

I so desire what He desires from me, yet I am still sooooo scared even though I know its what I need to do. . . am I alone in theses fears? Pray with me:

God, I marvel at all that you have done for me and want to follow you, obediently.
I admit to you Lord, that I am scared. Scared of the unknown. Scared of what will be if only I let it be, for your glory.
Thank you for the sacrifice of Your son Jesus Christ.
If not for Him I know I would be doomed.
Your proven love for me should outweigh any misgivings I have about your plans for me, your perfect plans God. Yet I am still reluctant .
God I pray you help me find my way out of whats holding me back.
I so desire to do Your will God and where I am right now it won't happen.
Lord help me draw closer to You and change my heart to know you more and more.
I pray all of this in the name of your son Jesus Christ,
Amen

Thailand - The Place for Shopping

So here it is Tuesday night and I owe you all a blog post. I have been busy since Saturday which was my last post, remember, Buddhas on the Move. . . well on Sunday I decided to be brave. Karl had to work so I decided to put my trust in God that He would protect me, and I went out into the streets of Bangkok all alone. One of the locals at work told me about an outdoor market called JJ Market that happens on the weekends so I decided I would go check it out. I went to breakfast here at the Dusit Thani and around 10:30, maps in hand I headed out for the sky train to take me to the end of its rail, the last stop on the Siam Line called Mo Chit.

For 40 Baht (1.20 cents US) I hopped on the train at Silom and began my trek to Mo Chit. I had to get off the train in Siam and change trains to get there, which I did with the assistance of the security guard. Good thing he spoke a little bit of English.

I went through stops with the names of Ratchathewi, Phaya Thai, Sanam Pao, Saphan Khwai to name a few.

The entire ride took about 25 minutes and when I got to my destination it was at a beautiful park called Chatuchak Park in Bangkok.

As I approached I saw the standard street markets but then I entered a lot which was filled with locals selling all kinds of wares. The place was wall to wall sales people selling everything from prepared food to fresh local fruits to drinks. There was clothing of any type at all, shoes, pants, shirts, underwear, swimwear, shorts, sarongs, any type of clothing you could think of. Some made by hand, some brand name knock-offs. I saw many local artists with paintings and sculptures, pottery, kitchen ware and furniture. There were local people there playing music, piano, banjo and some native instruments. It was awesome to see so many talented people able to display and sell their goods to anyone interested in purchasing them. I posted pictures here, enjoy them.

When I first arrived there weren't a lot of people but as the morning progressed, the entire place was wall to wall with visitors from all over the world. I spent about 3 hours there an finally decided I had enough of the crowds and found my way back to the train.

I realized it was around 2:30 and since church didn't start until 6:30 I decided to head back toward my hotel and walk around the streets there in the daytime and go to my favorite place to eat, Fuji Sushi Bar. I hopped back on the train, switched lines without any assistance this time and made it back safely. For lunch I had a cucumber Maki roll and some Katsu chicken with rice and two 7 Ups as all of the drinks here are tiny, like the people, LOL!!

After lunch I decided to find the Bangkok Christian Guest House where service was going to be held and found myself meandering around the streets a bit as I was feeling a little more confident walking in Gods grace, with my headphones on, singing my favorite worship music.

Lo and behold I ended up in the Phat Phong area which is well known for its sex trade. Wouldn't you know the first person that sees me offers me "ladies". I tell him no thank you and keep walking. About 20 feet later, another one offers me "ladies" and if I don't want them then how about "boys", "NO THANKS", "then how about DVD?" "NO THANKS" and I briskly walked back to the comfort of my hotel about 150 feet away. Mind you this was in the light of day around 3:30 or so. I can only imagine what happens there at night.

After that I called Karl and we attended a nice service offered by the International Church of Bangkok led by a pastor from South Carolina who has been serving in Bangkok for about 3 years now with his wife and kids. About 30 people attended this new service being offered. The standard services are held at the church at 10:00 in the morning. They had just started this new service time and are trying to determine if there is a need for it. We got to witness a baptism of a local lady so that was cool seeing how God is working here in Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist country. From there it was back to the hotel for some reading and off to bed.

Speaking of bed, its 11:51 PM and I must retire now. I should have another post tomorrow with lots of pictures of the river boat cruise my client took me on so watch for that.

Til we meet again. . .

Buddhas On The Move

OK so I know all things from God are good and I never doubt that. You all saw my first post about being in Bangkok and how uncomfortable I was, remember that post? Anyway, at that moment, my co-worker Karl, was scheduled to leave Bangkok today, Saturday morning. His time here was supposed to be done.

Well he was asked to stay until Tuesday which he agreed to openly. When he told me this news, I told him this was God's way of giving me someone to walk around with to protect me, as I was resolved to stay in my room the entire weekend as Karl would be gone and Deb and Tom are staying at another hotel, so unless they were going to come get me, I was not leaving this hotel. Anyway, that didn't happen. God had my back.

Saturday morning, 9am local time. The phone rings I pick it up:

Me: "Sawasdee Krab"
Karl: "What are you doing?"
Me: "Nothing just laying here"
Karl: "what do you want to do? Lets go out"
Me: "OK I need to shower"
Karl: "Why we are going on the streets of Bangkok" (laughter)
Me: "Cuz I need to wake up, give me half an hour"
Karl: "I am going to Starbucks, you want something?"
Me: "Do they have regular coffee?"
Karl: "Yes"
Me: "Ill take a large with cream only"

I shower and meet Karl in the lobby of the hotel and we begin our trek into Bangkok on foot. We end up going to Lumpini Park which is just across the street and take in all the beautiful sights and sounds it has to offer. There are people sleeping, sweeping, doing Tai Chi, practicing their Thai Fan dances, practicing karate, kids playing on the playground, there are lizards in the water (not deadly I later learn) and the Thai people just living out their Saturday in the park (another song reference Karl, LOL).

So we leave the park at the opposite end and Karl tells me we are walking on the road with all of the embassies from the different countries. We come upon the American Embassy and i proceed to take out my new Apple iPhone and center it to take a picture of the sign. Well the guard, who is Thai, comes over and says "No picture" and we start asking why not we only want the picture of the sign. Well the one guard calls over another guard from the guard house and speaks to him in Thai and the new guard says "no pictures" and asks to see my camera (phone). I think Oh great, hes going to confiscate my iPhone. Well I take it out and tell him I didn't take a picture and luckily all he wants is to see the pictures to make sure I didn't take any.

Phew I wipe my brow and we walk away and continue walking down the road. We come upon the American Ambassador's residence and no one is there around so I take a picture of that. (I told them huh?)

We continue walking about half a mile and we turn the corner. Then this Thai gentlemen comes up to us and asks us where we are from and what we are doing here and where we are going. Of course being the friendly Americans we are, we engage in conversation with him. We are Americans here on business going to see some friends at their hotel. He says "I am a policeman." He is in plainclothes so I ask if he is undercover and he says yes. Then he tells us his police station is right over there near the American Embassy and we make some more small talk and he goes in the opposite direction of where he and we were walking, back to the police station.

Karl deduces this man was sent to follow us and see what we were up to. Once he decided we weren't a threat, he let us go on our merry way.

Now I am getting a little paranoid. But we continue our walk. Then about half a mile up the road, another guy comes to us and asks us where we are from and we tell him, then he asks where we are going and we tell him and he follow us for a few feet, then drops back behind us. Now I am concerned. I said "Karl, lets get outta here". He calms my nerves by reminding me we did nothing wrong and we continue our trek to our friends hotel.

We get there and tell her the story of how two secret Thai police followed and questioned us and we all have a laugh about it.

The big joke now is that we are code named "Buddhas" and whenever we walk around now, the secret Thai police radio each other and say "Buddhas on the move, Buddhas on the move"

Jeez God, can you make this a little easier for me?, LOL!!!! This isn't just a job its an adventure.

Rhinestone Cowboy

Rhinestone Cowboy. Remember that song? Well I was reminded of it today. At the client site, where I was sitting today, on the 7th floor, (see pics here), there is this older Thai gentleman that plays music from his speakers on his PC. He doesn't do it all the time so far it was Tuesday afternoon and today in the afternoon.

It is a mix of midi, organ, elevator style sounding American music such as Rhinestone Cowboy, My Way some 80's tunes and rock and roll. I think you get the point. Tuesday we were sitting here playing name that tune as each melodic song came on. The last song of the day on Tuesday he actually sang along to it. As Simon Cowell would say "That was very Karaoke style, I just don't see you as the next American Idol"

I think its awesome that this guy who probably speaks little to no English actually listens to this music and makes everyone else in the office endure it also. Obviously others around enjoy it as they don't say anything about it.

As I am writing this, he has changed the style of music and has gone to originals, right now he is playing You Give Love a Bad Name. Wait now its Against the Wind. Wait, aren't I supposed to be the DJ?

I just cant stand it anymore, I am going to talk to him.

OK I just got back form talking to him (back meaning I walked 30 feet to his desk). He is listening to MP3's that he downloads from the Internet. He has 200 Meg of music and has offered it to me if I have a jump drive, he can put it on there for me. I say "Sorry I don't have a jump drive" and thank him for his DJ abilities and walk away smiling.

Just goes to show that American music has the ability to make people happy all over the world.

Wait wait, he just gave me the jump drive with the music on it. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a nice guy he is. I smile and thank him.

Now you all can hear it when I DJ!!!!

Sensory Overload

OK, if God ever wants me to serve those in another country, I am going to have to decline. I am just not comfortable here at all. Not one bit. Call it what you will. I call it never wanting to leave the USA again, ever. But then of course God is not interested in my comfort, He is interested in my character so this is something I need to pray about fervently.

I decided to venture out on my own tonight, to the local mall about half a mile away from my hotel. As I walked the street known as Silom Road, I encountered so may sensory overloads I thought I could go out of my mind. So many people going here and there. So many sounds from the traffic. They all drive really loud motorcycles here plus those 3 wheeled taxis called Tuk Tuks that run on compressed gas; very loud. Then the smells of sewege everywhere. . . and the food being cooked on the side of the road and being sold to passersby. I wouldnt dare touch it. The sidewalks are cracked and bumpy, I must have tripped 20 times while walking.

Then there were the beggars on the streets. How could i pass them up? I couldnt read their signs as they were in a different language, heck all the signs are in Thai. Why didnt i know that coming here. I guess I did. Anyway, its not what I expected thats for sure.

I dont know what the draw is for tourists. Can someone tell me why they would want to visit? Maybe its my location, Bangkok, thats not that nice a place. Oh well, at least my hotel is a haven away from this, even though its right down there from my window.

I dont have pics yet as I didnt have opportunity to get any, but once I do, I will show you what I mean.

I am sure the people native to Thailand see it as part of their life since this is what they know. I feel like a third wheel here. The next time I see a foreigner in the US I will be sure to ask them if I can help them in anyway since now I know what it feels like to be the "outisder"

God, you can use me, but please make it in the United States. After this trip im not sure I could survive elsewhere. . .

The Plane has landed

Phew, after 17 long hours on a plane, non-stop I made it to Bangkok. See Here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19181078@N02/?saved=1



Thanks be to God for His hands guiding the plane 8679 miles safely.



VERY tired, but I wanted to share a couple of things before i go to bed 9:22 PM my time, 9:22 AM your time Monday.



The plane food was awesome. I felt like a king. There were multiple courses, 4 spoons, 3 forks, 2 knives, cloth napkins, free wine, brandy after the meal, stellar service on Thai Airlines and that wasnt even close to first class. I was in one class above coach, called economy plus. Here are some pics of the food on the plane: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19181078@N02/?saved=1



I got here and hooked up with a colleague, Karl, and we went and had a Thai boiled dinner. We didnt know what we were doing and people were looknig at us funny, but hey, it tasted good so we went with what felt right. Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19181078@N02/?saved=1



OK I am off to bed, I just wanted to let you know I have arrived. I am getting acclimated and I am ULTRA OOBER TIRED, so off to bed I go.



More to follow. . .



What are you thoughts on this saying that i just read on my free bottled water:



"Even as a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, so do the wise remain unmoved by praise or blame."

Thai Sunday

Well here I am at JFK ready for my flight. Here is my plane I will be riding on. My ride to the airport was a Lincoln Navigator... Boy did I feel important. I already miss Janine and the girls :-( At least I get to fly with God so I am thankful for that (and the flight protection medallion I got from a friend thanks Deb). OK more to follow soon. Love like Jesus.



Following Him, Jason