MEDITATION
Photo by Marcus Wöckel from Pexels
Red, White, Black and Green
February is the month of Love! On the 14th day of February of each year, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in most countries around the world. It has become a common day for people (especially the more shy ones) to express their love. But there is also a White Day (14 March) and a Black Day (14 April) celebrated in some Asian countries as well.
In most countries on Valentine’s Day, anyone (gender or age) can give presents as symbols of appreciation. However, in Japan, it is only preserved for girls. Usually, young girls will present chocolates or roses (either in person or in secret) to the boy she likes. The boys in return have to wait another month to be able to confess their affection. On the 14th March, which is called White Day, boys will normally buy white chocolate or candies as gifts for girls who they are fond of (my friend once received a Gucci bag filled with candies on this day.)
But what about those who missed out on both Valentine's Day and White Day? In Korea, the 14 of April each year is called “Black day”, a day preserved for those who are single or who have been rejected from the previous days. The day will be celebrated by eating black color food such as the Jajangmyeon (Korean Noodles in Black Bean Sauce.)
In Thailand, as a joke, when people are clearly disappointed over love, they will be asked if they would like to drink some “Bai Bua Bok” or Gotu kola (Centella asiatica). At CMIS, you will sometimes find these items served with PadThai on PD days. Asian people believe that drinking the Bai Bua Bok juice will help heal internal bruises.
What we can learn from this cultural (commercial) phenomenon is that there are always people in different spectrums or stages in life. It is important for us not to leave them behind. So this weekend, please kindly think about anyone who you wish to express your gratitude towards, or about someone who has been very nice to you, or anyone who might be lonely or left behind. Consider how you may be able to offer them some “Bai Bua Bok” juice.
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,
“Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
- Jame 2:8
References
Photo by Tracy Le Blanc from Pexels
FOMO
In age where a mother, from the comfort of her bedroom, teaches her son about time management through the comment section as he live streams himself cooking instant noodles in the kitchen at 2 a.m., we have become dependent on social media like never before. Even though online life has many merits, it also comes with numerous costs. One of the potential costs is that many of us are struggling with FOMO without realizing it. FOMO or Fear of Missing Out, is the feeling or perception that others are having more fun, living better lives, or experiencing better things than us. FOMO does not only come out of jealousy, it can also be rooted in insecurity as well.
We are chained to our screen by fear. We constantly check our phones to see if we missed a boss’ email, whether we forgot to RSVP to a party, or failed to comment on a colleague’s post while the anxiety of being left out or considered a failure tirelessly hunts us. The story of creation in the Bible, which ends with rest, was not initially designed for any ritual or ceremony but it is to remind us that once doing our best, we need to leave matters behind and take a break. Most matters in life are uncontrollable and the only thing guaranteed is the fact that you will fail more times than you would want to. However, this does not take away the reality of how precious you are.
This weekend, try a “digital detox” for yourself by leaving your phone aside while it’s being charged. Lay down and stay still for a while. Slowly feel the weight of your body as you observe the fabric beneath. Allow yourself to feel the aches that are tickling around your body as you count and time your breath. Summon your mind back to think of one person, present or past, who cares for you and has been there to help. Reflect on how much you appreciate the person even though you might not always have been able to express it.
Release yourself to cry or smile and remember that there is someone thinking of you in the same way.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive God to be.
- Max Ehrmann
These might be good resources for you to learn more about FOMO.
Reference:
Giving a hand
One of the methods that the Thai government has chosen to combat the spread of Covid-19 is “Contact Tracing”. Because a large population of Thais do not have access to a smartphone or an electronic device, contact tracing of current or potential patients is done through door to door visits by the “Village Health Volunteer (VHV)” or in Thai “All-Sor-Mor” which has been called the “work ants of the health system.”
The VHV was a part of the Thai government’s response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Alma Ata Declaration” in Russia, 1979 where the WHO called for every government to have a suitable method to provide “Health for All by the Year 2000”. Thailand, which already had a voluntary health unit to combat Malaria since 1964 continued to develop their model for volunteers to educate regarding healthy hygiene, inform villagers concerning health issues as well as collect basic data such as household members or vaccination records, etc. So, when an outbreak such as Dengue fever or SARS like Covid-19 emerges, VHV volunteers were responsible for tracing and tackling the spread. Thailand’s VHV has been internationally praised and renowned for their work and dedication. Even though they are just common people with low education, without their contribution, Thailand’s health system would not function properly.
Last week was assigned by The Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) to be the “Health Ministry” memorial week. We can observe that in Thailand, missionaries always build 3 institutions wherever they go. There will be a church, a school and a hospital near each other. This is because even though Christians believe in heaven, Jesus never ignored the health and well being of people as we can see in the Biblical story of the four friends who opened the roof and lowered their sick friend to be healed by Jesus (Mark 2:1-12).
Covid-19 has not only reminded us that we have to pay more attention to our personal health and hygiene but it also reminds us how our actions and behaviors can cause dire consequences to the community as a whole. We can look upon the example from the VHV as well as the four friends in the Bible that giving a hand in small things such as wearing a mask, washing our hands, avoiding crowded areas and cooperating with health workers can make a difference.
“They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” - Mark 2:1-5
Reference
สำนักงานวิจัยและพัฒนากำลังคนด้านสุขภาพ, (2020, June 06). อสม. มดงานในระบบสุขภาพไทย - hrdo.org สำนักงานวิจัยและพัฒนากำลังคนด้านสุขภาพ (สวค.). Retrieved January 11, 2021, from https://hrdo.org/อสม-มดงานในระบบสุขภาพไท
ศูนย์พัฒนาสาธารณสุขมูลฐาน ภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ, (2018, June) ระเบียบกระทรวงสาธารณสุขว่าด้วยอาสาสมัครสาธารณสุขประจําหมู่บ้าน พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๔. Retrieved January 11, 2021, from http://www.esanphc.net/ihsd/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ระเบียบกระทรวงสาธารณสุข-ว่าด้วยอาสาสมัครสาธารณสุขประจำหมู่บ้าน-2554.pdf-2554.pdf.
Understanding is a gift.
While waiting for the car in front to move on a typical Monday morning drive to work, NJ suddenly noticed a stray dog walking weakly down the street. The sad looking creature eventually turned and entered the temple next to NJ’s office. After work, NJ walked to the temple to look for the dog and finally found it laying down under a tent. NJ tried to feed it, but the dog menacingly barked and refused to eat the cookies NJ threw on the ground. “Dang! Those cookies were expensive, I should have saved them for myself!” NJ mumbled, but suddenly started to wonder. Why was the dog so moody?
Similar questions might come up in our minds on a daily basis. Why is this colleague so aggressive today? What on earth is wrong with these kids? Or just simply, why is everything so messed up?
There is an old Chinese saying that “Men only desire for either fame, fortune or female.”
But to be more precise, what humans truly want is acceptance from both themselves and others. The “values” in the world only act as a currency of how much appreciation we should earn. If we attach our values with success in work, then we tend to seek approval from our colleagues and supervisors. So, we are easily angered when a workmate criticizes our work. Others might measure their success from their children. If their children under achieve then it's the parent's fault. Younger people might measure their worth by the numbers of followers and likes on Instagram. For them, being bullied may be better than losing online followers.
To understand others you have to know what motivates them. To see through what pleases or irritates them. This practice goes both ways. To have a conversation is to listen to both the other and yourself. This comes from patience and deep listening. What triggers you or the other person? But in the end, like NJ and the temple dog, we will never be able to truly understand both our conversation partner or even ourselves. Therefore, compassion for both parties is the key.
Dear God,
Grant me the gift of understanding.
Help me to understand the feelings of others, the desires of others, the goals of others.
At the same time, help me to understand myself in my actions and reactions.
Widen my vision beyond my own small world to embrace with knowledge and love the worlds of others.
Minute Meditation: Prayer To Understand Others
https://praisehouston.com/4636194/minute-meditation-prayer-to-understand-others/
Keep moving
Leborn James, just won his 4th NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 35! At the beginning of the season a lot of people thought he was too old to keep up with the younger generation. However, he defined many doubters and led the team to its first title within a decade. This astonishing accomplishment is based on his supreme work ethic and his willingness to adapt.
Lewis Hamilton, also 35 years old, is one the most successful drivers in the history of motorsport. His six World Championship titles are the second-most of all time (only 1 behind all time holder, Michael Schumacher), and he currently holds the records for the most wins (91; tied again with Michael Schumacher). He wrote on his Instagram post confessing how he struggled to exercise during the pandemic sometimes skipping training for 2 weeks in a row. However, he encourages his followers that he is always able to get back on track by starting with small, baby steps such as a round of push ups.
In life, it is easy to get caught up in the repeating loops of our daily routine. While some habits are beneficial, many are unhealthy. A podcast host once compared our daily chores to brushing one’s teeth. It might seem boring and repetitive, but if we don’t pay attention it might be the cause of costly outcomes.
Our spiritual life health is similar. We are often occupied by our duties, responsibilities or activities; we ignore our own wellness. Besides physical fitness and abilities, mental and spiritual wellness are also essential for us to strive in life. Sometimes old traditions are designed to help us with the matter. For example, Buddhists will normally chant before going to bed, Muslims zealously pray 5 times a day and Christians are custom to give thanks prior to a meal. These small baby steps, like defragging a computer, can help us process our experience throughout the day, heal our hurt and appreciate life. But if such disciplines seem outdated, you can always try writing a journal or scheduling a time of silence to appreciate the moment.
The Spiritual Life committee, wishes everyone a blessed weekend.
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Music exercise
Chaos broke into the classroom within minutes after the music teacher finished assigning the exercise. The instructions were simple, each student just needed to press the keyboard following the rhythm on the screen to earn points. They could repeat how many times they wanted to achieve the best score possible. But perhaps because of the slow internet connection, most students struggled and they did not hide their frustration. Some complained about how silly the activity was and bragged about how they could clear video games without a sweat. A few started to scream out and punch the keyboard furiously. While others just quietly gave up and started opening other tabs on their internet browsers.
At the end of the class, the students grumbled that it was impossible to achieve a perfect score. The teacher gently replied that it was never the objective for them to reach perfection. Instead,the real goal was to see how they could improve upon each practice.
As adults, we also face challenges in life. We might act more modestly but at the core, our initial response to hardship is similar to the children mentioned above. Some of us whine or boast about previous accomplishments. Some become hostile toward themselves or others. While the rest silently capitulate and stray their attention towards more familiar tasks.
Our adult life is mined with expectations, milestones, beach marks, and deadlines with crucial consequences. In the midst of this, it is essential to kindly remind ourselves that progress is a sequence of small improvements. Sadly, adulthood has robbed us of our memories of how to take one step at a time. We yoke ourselves with assumptions, ignore our bodies and emotions in order to seek acceptance only to end up stumbling on our ambitions.
This weekend we encourage you to take time in reflecting on how you are responding to frustration. Are you upset because you feel the lack of progress in life? If you are, please sit down. Take time to rediscover how delightful it was to make those baby steps and slowly select which challenge in the present that you would like to put your foot on first. One task at a time.
The same goes for our spiritual life. As Christianity sees it, we are all imperfect people. We have made, are making, and will continue to make mistakes, causing pain to both ourselves and loved ones. But as we learned from the music assignment, living is to learn from your mistakes, accept them, forgive and apologize then try to improve and move on.
Every fear of being loved
For who you are no matter what
When you're stumbling, with each step
And you're haunted by regret
And the darkness closes in
Just listen
You're beautifully broken
And you can be whole again
Even a million scars
Doesn't change Whose you are
You're worthy
Beautifully broken
“Acinteyya”
The concept of “things beyond our understanding” is the main theme of the book of Job in the Old Testament. The same concept can also be found in Buddhism as “Acinteyya '' which can be translated as “Don’t think”. The concept describes 4 matters that cannot be logically explained; with the fourth matter called “Lokavisaya” which means the sufferings, the changes and the impermanence. In other words, there will always be things that happen without proper explanation, and it is useless to ponder upon such issues.
As the new school year starts, we are all witnessing chaos throughout the world. Global issues like social inequality, poverty, brutality, the pandemic, or the simple disaary in our classes leave many of us, as Job did, asking the question of “Why do good people suffer?” or vice versa. But the more we try to overthink or analyze, the more stressed we become. Such anxiety might cause some of us to suffer headaches, sweating hands or upset stomachs while others may have trouble sleeping, mood swings, etc.
It might sound silly to encourage one another to have “Faith” in this unpredictable time. But to have faith is not to ignore the hardships that we must face in life. In contrast, to have faith is to acknowledge that the world is unfair, to accept that we can not control over many things and to believe that all we can do is to improve ourselves little by little in order to become a part of the solution.
So if this week has made you feel defeated then retreat, take time to rest and reflect. Address the things that are beyond your control but do not ignore them just put them aside. Keep faith in yourself, others and God. Then come back the next week strong with the will to move on one step at a time even though some strides might be painful.
We pray for you to be blessed with serenity both body and mind this weekend.
Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
Job 42:2-3
Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day
Monday 11th May, was Thailand’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day which is a combination of both Buddhist and Hindu belief. It is an important day for most Thais as a large part of the population are farmers. Agriculture in Thailand still depends on the weather. Most of the crops rely heavily on the amount of rain. Therefore, the highlights of the ceremony are the prediction for the crops in the coming year, and farmers receive the blessed rice seeds to be ploughed in their rice fields.
The next crop situation is predicted by drawings. First is the length of the cloth chosen by the person guiding the plough. The shorter the cloth is the more rain there will be. Second is the food offered to oxen. The prediction will be based on what the oxen eat. Rice or corn mean good cereal crop while beans and sesame mean good fruit crops. Water and grass means lots of water and that all types of crops are good. Lastly if they drink liquor, then it means that export will be good. Sadly, this year the prediction part was canceled due to the current pandemic. In the past, the blessed rice was only given to those who attended the ceremony, but this year it was distributed nationwide.
Like the prediction part of the ceremony, people are always curious about what will happen in the future. There is no harm of hoping for a bright and beautiful future as long as we are conscious of the present and willing to adapt to the situation. The blessed rice represents a new beginning. No matter how good or bad the previous crop might have been the farmers are given a new chance to farm each year. They might still need to work harder, but at least there is another year and another hope.
This could also apply to us. We have learned our lesson about the unpredictable. Even though our line of work in education is less affected by the weather, the method of teaching could turn drastically in a matter of weeks. As we are entering the last phase of the academic year, some might feel depressed and consider the passing semester as a loss. But at this point, the good news is no one in our community has fallen to the illness. It might not be the best farewell or sending off for many but as the blessed rice, we all at least have a blessed tomorrow to continue on.
We give you sincere thanks for the rest of the past night and for the gift of a new day, with its opportunities to pleasing you. Grant that we may so pass its hours in the perfect freedom of your service, that at evening, we may again give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Daybreak Office of the Eastern Church
Coronation Day
Sometimes we become a part of history without even knowing it. Next Monday will be the first time that the Thai Coronation day will be celebrated on 4th May. It marks the first anniversary for King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s (King Rama X) reign. The monarchy, as well as hierarchy, is a big part of Thai identity. The Thai social structure is vertical. The ideals of seniority and elders are deeply rooted in culture. For example, in the Thai language there are a variety of prefixes that indicate the person's social status position.
Even though there might not be a big parade on Coronation Day this year due to social distancing restrictions, hopefully there will be some fireworks to lift up the nation’s morale.
We are living in a very disruptive time. Our life habits have been changed and seem to be continuously shifting. As human beings, it is easy to feel anxious because of the uncertainty of what may come.
These feelings are not bad, sinful nor do they show weakness. It is simply our survival instinct kicking on our defense mode. But as humans, we need to process our anxiety. We must identify what are the things we can do, adjust or control in order to improve from the factors that are beyond our ability.
For the things we could do, it is best to gradually build up confidence by starting from the small tasks and then moving upwards. We can start by waking up on time, drinking a glass of water, making our beds, exercising at least 3 times a week, or by simply saying a short prayer, etc.
For the external variables, it is best to observe an optimal amount of information, be prepared for the worst case scenario, and then let it go. At first, it might be helpful to project our worries into a physical object such as your coffee mug. Pretend that it is your fear. Try holding the mug gently, observe its weight, texture or temperature. Then wash it and leave it to dry. This practice can help you to be more conscious with your anxieties and how to overcome them.
A short prayer again might also do the same trick.
God, give us courage to change what must be altered,
serenity to accept what cannot be helped,
and the insight to know the one from the other.
Serenity prayer - Reinhold Niebuhr
Picture by Aurora from Napoli, Italy.
Keep social distance but stay connected.
"We are waves of the same sea, leaves of the same tree, flowers of the same garden,"
Roman philosopher Seneca
The World as it is right now might seem so gloomy to all of us. But as history teaches us, every generation must face its own challenges, whether through war or pandemics. It also testifies to us that within such crises, heroes will arise. Therefore, this might be a time for us to rest, feel gratitude for life and also be inspired by those who respond to darkness with kindness.
Underneath the heavy piles of news about the catastrophic corona virus there are still a few feel-good news to be found. For example; the Chinese government aided Italy by delivering 30 tons of medical equipment along with a medical team, who are mostly doctors from Sichuan province where Italy was among the first countries to dispatch a team of experts to help relieve hundreds of injured people during the devastating 2008 earthquake. The quote from Seneca was printed on many of the shipped equipment boxes. A woman in England, on her birthday, was knocked unconscious as she defended her Chinese’s friend from an angry man trying to abuse her about corona virus. A Singaporean woman ordered and offered protection masks for elderly people who were waiting in line at the pharmacy near her residence. Many breweries in Thailand adjusted their manufacturing line in order to produce cleaning alcohol for local hospitals as donation. And people in communities around the globe started support groups on social media to offer those in quarantine help on everyday tasks such as shopping.
So in the end, what really makes human beings different from other species is how we respond to threats. Despite that our initial impulse might be totally instinctive out of fear but as we regain our composure we normally exhibit compassion to those around us.
Even though this might be the toughest week you have ever experienced in CMIS, please take a minute to gather yourself, pause social media and lay down all worries. Remind yourself that you are not in this chaos alone and think on how you could also remind others likewise. It might be by texting them a short message, simply making a call or just leaving a like on someone's post. The key to win this war is not to only keep social distances but to remain connected with each other as well.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4 ESV
Fear
In the storm of the Covid-19 outbreak, some of us might have been left in horror after seeing video clips or reading articles about how people could easily mistreat others out of fear and anger. You might also be surprised by the sudden shortage of instant noodles, toilet paper or even drinking water that might happen the coming weeks.
Almost every person’s life has been affected by the virus. We are now living in fear of its impact on both our health and the economy as the numbers are increasing for both patients in hospitals and people who are now jobless.
But how could we escape from the worries for our friends and family who are living in high risk areas? Or how could we survive if there was a shut down in our town?
As Forrest Gump famously says “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.” Life is truly a mosaic of uncontrollable factors and events. We are very limited in what we can do and it is unhealthy to keep paddling our thoughts around things that are beyond our control.
So this weekend, even though it might be very hard, please be encouraged to meditate on your fears. You might start by writing each of your fears down on a piece of paper. Then write what you could do to prevent or solve them. If there are any fears that you could not come up with a solution then throw them away but place the ones that you are able to manage somewhere visible and focus on solving them throughout the coming week.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, this year is on the Wednesday 26th February, has many meanings and practices. For many it is a season of fasting and abstinence, for some it is a day they get marked with an ash cross on the forehead by a priest. For most Thai Christians it is a day they receive a cloth bag to save for those in need. But only a few might see it from the aspect of meditating about death.
Christians believe that Jesus was aware that his death would come within 6 weeks. In Buddhism there is a similar concept called “Maraṇasati (Mor-ra-na-Sa-ti)” or “The Contemplation of Death” or meditating on death. If you ever have a chance to attend a Buddhist funeral in remote areas of Thailand, you will find that the body and coffin are cremated in the middle of a wide field. The monks and participants would observe the burning process until everything turns into ash and often you will witness some animated actions in the flame.
For the majority, Death is futuristic. Even though we all know that we are mortals but we fear death because it is unknown when and how it will come to us. We hide it away with our ideals of security and sense of well being. We often treat life as it was limitless and ignore what is actually present. But once in a while, it might be good for us to pause and think about death. To remind ourselves of how blessed we are with our present time, health, relationships, abilities and self value. And if we knew when our last day was, would we live our lives differently? Would we still treat ourselves and those around us in the way that we are doing now?
Therefore, the aspect of death from Ash Wednesday is not meant to subdue us down into depression. On the contrary, it encourages us to celebrate each giving day with more meaning and to be enthusiastic about how every action that we do out of kindness, honesty and truthfulness might have an important impact on everyone's lives.
Thank You, through all your blessings,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Thank You, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Thank You, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,by which You cherish all that You have made.
Thank You, through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Thank You, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Thank You, through our Sister, Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Thank You, through those who grant pardon for love of You
and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.
Thank You, through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
- Adapted from Canticle of the Sun, Saint Francis of Assisi
Back to basic
Many people have been saying that the past month felt very long. Such feeling might have been contributed by the lack of holidays after the New Year break. But fear not, next Monday is a Buddhist holiday called Makha Bucha Day. Buddhist in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Sri Lanka normally visit temples to perform merit-making activities, such as alms giving, meditation and listening to teachings. This is to honor the specific meeting in Buddhist belief which had these 4 unique circumstances 1) 1,250 disciples came to see the Buddha that evening without being summoned. 2) All of them were Arahants, enlightened disciples. 3) All had been ordained by the Buddha himself, and therefore were his direct spiritual descendants. 4) It was the full-moon day of the third lunar month. On this occasion, Buddha taught a summary of Buddhism, called the Ovādapātimokkha. Which has 3 main principles 1) Do no evil 2) Do good 3) Cleanse the mind.
It is quite interesting why Buddha, in such distinctive time, chose to share with his most elite disciples the most basic principals. Perhaps, he wanted to remind them to not forget what is the real essence of his teachings.
In our lives, as we grow up; we seem to be smarter. We learn and understand more about how the world works. We learn to predict what may come and take precautions to prevent them. But as we mature and gain wisdom, we then realize that there are countless factors that could affect our lives. Such realization enforces fear and distress into our lives and at the same time robs happiness from us. If you ever find yourself feeling lost or panicking as you were drowning in a water vortex, then it might be best to pause and ask yourself the following questions. Am I thinking clearly? Is what I am doing good or bad for myself and others around me? You might then find out that the less we seek the more we might find.
It is so easy for us to fall into vanity and self-destruct if we forget to remind ourselves who we are and what truly makes us happy. Therefore, this weekend, please take your time to rest and reflect on what kind of life truly makes you and your loved ones happy and have you been living out such an one?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.
- Philippians 4:8
Thai Children's day
"เด็กไทยยุคใหม่ รู้รักสามัคคี รู้หน้าที่พลเมืองไทย"
“Dek Thai yok-mai, roo ruk sa-mak-kee, roo na-tee pon-la-mueng Thai.”
"The new generation of Thai children loves unity and know their responsibility as a Thai citizen."
Happy New Year and welcome everyone back to school from the Spiritual Life Committee. Hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday with family, friends and also had some quiet time to reflect upon your life in the previous year as well as any expectations for 2020.
For Thais, after the new year celebrations comes the Thai Children’s Day, which is on every second Saturday of January. It is tradition for parents to take their children out to attend special activities for children. Such events are normally provided by Chiang Mai zoo, Wing41 Royal Thai military air base or major department stores. Even Thai schools will have special performance by students as a part of Children’s day celebration. Another important tradition for the Thai’s Children's Day is the motto provided by the Prime Minister. This year’s motto could be translated to “The new generation of Thai children must love unity and know their responsibility as a Thai citizen.”
In modern society, “unity” often comes as a response to a common challenge or treat. We unite as an act, out of desperation, to survive by numbers rather than our first nature. We normally see instant commonness with people or causes that we are used to instead of seeking similarity for others who seems different.
It would be nice if we could start the new year by actively uniting ourselves with others. By being patient listeners to individuals who might have different worldviews or thoughts. And if you feel like losing your interest or temper during the conversation then say to yourself “Listen! Listen Listen! what is this person trying to say?” at least 3 times. In the end, you might find yourself “united” with the most unexpected person.
Let’s end today’s meditation with a prayer by Jay McDaniel, Professor of Religion, Hendrix College, Arkansas.
In this century and in any century,
Our deepest hope, our most tender prayer,
Is that we learn to listen.
May we listen to one another in openness and mercy
May we listen to plants and animals in wonder and respect
May We listen to our own hearts in love and forgiveness
May we listen to God in quietness and awe.
And in this listening,
Which is boundless in its beauty,
May we find the wisdom to cooperate
With a healing spirit, a divine spirit
Who beckons us into peace and community and creativity.
We do not ask for a perfect world.
But we do ask for a better world.
We ask for deep listening.
The best present
One of the symbols of Christmas or the New Year holiday is presents. It is a tradition for us to give gifts to people we know both near and far. Some of us spend so much time preparing gifts for friends and family who mean the world to us. But what is one of the best gifts that you could receive in life?
Rev. Peter Chao once shared that one of the best blessings in life that you could receive is your “Suffering.” At first, such a statement might seem illogical but Peter continued that “only through our weaknesses and failures that we could understand others who share the same hardship.” The essence of Christmas is about humility. The Christian God limited himself and came down to be born as an earthy human who is vulnerable to pain and suffering. And by sharing such experience came true compassion and forgiveness.
We all have failed or suffered something in the past year. We all have been a witness of cruelty, injustice in our personal lives and society. We all don’t know why such things happen to us and our loved ones. We could only choose how to respond, especially to those who share the same hardship.
Is there any suffering that you have endured in the passing year that might be shared with someone else? Are there any experiences that make you understand or able to forgive others?
If so then ,through your suffering, you might have received the gift of “compassion and forgiveness” and it is your choice how to deal with it.
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year in advance! Wishing everyone a fun, safe and meaningful holiday.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
St. Francis of Assisi
No one left behind
The last month of the year seems to be a hectic one for all of us. We have deadlines and preparation to deal with. Sadly, a majority of people get depressed during such festive season. Perhaps it is the holiday hype itself that robs us from the true meaning of Christmas which is “Community.”
If we go through the birth narrative of Jesus, we would find that different groups of people were informed about Jesus’ birth. The message was communicated differently to each group of people. An angel appeared in a dream and in person for Joseph and Mary. They both represent common people who lived a simple life. The shepherds, who represent labor workers and marginalized people were informed by a choir of angels. A distant shining star navigated the wise men, who symbolize intellectual scholars. King Herod, the epitome of political power, was told in person. Lastly the Holy spirit whispered to pilgrims, Simeone and Anna.
As the message of Christmas was shared to different people in different paths of life, status quo, education, vacancies, religious background and financial status etc. its celebration should also be shared among people who are different from us.
As we naturally leave behind people who are different from us. This weekend, could you think of anyone you left behind? Is there anyone in our workplace either an administrator, teacher, student, parent, office staff or maintenance crew who we fail to recognize or communicate with. If there is any then be encouraged to pray for them or just simply give them a smile in the coming week and make sure that they do not feel left behind.
"With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.
With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.
With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."
Part of “I Have a Dream” speech by Rev. Martin Luther King.
The Bells
Most of us during the past week had the opportunity to see students perform in the theater play “Shuddersome: 5 tales by Edgar Allen Poe.” Every story has its own uniqueness and the acting was amazing. But the play that streaked me the most was based on Poe’s poem “The bells.” According to some interpretation, the bells in the poem represent phases of life. The “Silver bells” are symbols of youth and joy. The “Golden bells” stands for adulthood and responsibility. The “Brass bells” represents sickness and lost. The “Iron bells” portrays death and horror. A similar concept is also represented in Thai culture in the saying “Birth, aging, sickness and death are unavoidable.” Which is also mentioned in the book of Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything and there is nothing new under the sun.
So perhaps the universal wisdom here is that we cannot avoid the sounds of the bells. Life is unpredictable and it will throw unexpected situations to you. We will all hear different bells in our life sometimes for the better while others will be for the worse.
It is important for us to listen carefully which one are we hearing and then response property. The commonly mistake we all do is to ignore the alarms or pretend that they are indifferent. If you are hearing a “Silver bells” then enjoy the moment and share the happiness with others. If you are in tune with the “Golden bells” then have gratitude and give it your all. If the “Brass bells” are echoing then give time to take care of yourself or those around you and if it is the “Iron bells” that are floating then that is the time to reflect and appreciate.
What type of bells are ringing in your life lately? Whatever it might be, enjoy or endure it because everything under the sun (including ourselves) will not last forever.
“There is a time for everything.
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
Appreciation
A simple picture of an ordinary man cooking typical food.
Well, that statement is half true. The man in the picture is actually His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V of Thailand. We just had a national holiday in memory of his passing. King Rama V is one of Thailand's most beloved and respected kings. He guided the nation through modernization, saved her from colonization (thus giving the country’s present name “Thai” which means “Be free”), and issued the edict of religious toleration which opened the door for mission work such as our school.
As the statement above is also about food, What was your favorite dish during the October break? Was it exotic cuisine from a distant country or a festive meal you cooked up for the family? Anyway, we all probably ate too much and had a hard time coming back to school on Monday. Why does the food we eat during special occasions taste so much better than the normal dishes from the local shop at the street corner or the salad bar at the canteen?
The truth is that when we attach ourselves to “something special” we overlook the “everything special” in our everyday life - things we notice only when they are taken away. For example, many years ago I suffered from an illness called Bell's palsy. I was unable to properly close my right eye and my mouth. I could not read for long, drink without spilling, or simply enjoy food. Everything either tasted too hot or too spicy. After 6 months of struggling, I can still recall the moment of joy when I was able to properly eat a bowl of hot noodle soup.
As the above picture tells us, “everything special” in life might simply come from the ability to appreciate yourself and the simplest things given to you...a job, income, colleagues, friends, spouse, family, the ability to whistle, sing, cook, work, read, taste, laugh or just to be able to get out of bed.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Why such a big deal?
As Amanda passed out the graded assignment to her students, she noticed a few of them were visibly upset. However, one particular student’s frustration stood out. After class, Amanda gently approached the student to comfort him. “I understand why you're disappointed to get a B+. I know that you tried very hard but there are some areas that you could still approve, and we can work on them.” As the student raised his head, tears rained down. Without a sound, Amanda was amazed how loud she could hear anger from those little eyes.
The concept of one’s “self worth” even though already well known is really hard to fully grasp if you are coming from the opposite side.
Two ends of the rope
At CMIS, we are by now familiar with the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies. Today’s meditation invites us to focus on “Self-Awareness” and “Social Awareness” as both have a strong influence on how we perceive and evaluate ourselves.
For Amanda’s case, she felt that her student gave his best effort even though it had lots of grammatical errors but the concept was very original. Therefore, there was nothing to be ashamed about. Instead, he should be proud of his work and Amanda wanted to boost his morale and self-appreciation by confirming there is still room for improvement.
Her student on the other hand felt rejected. He felt even though he tried harder than anyone else. Through rejecting his work, the teacher rejected him. At the time Amanda tried to counsel him, he was thinking about how his cousin, who scored an A, would mock him and how would he be able to get through his father’s rambling monologue about expectations. He is such a shame for his family, why didn’t he copy that article he found yesterday.
Self and social awareness are two ends of the rope. How we see ourselves strongly depends on which end we hold to more.
How are you feeling?
Based on our culture, upbringing and experience, we tie ourselves to different values and evaluate ourselves based on them. Asian culture, which seems to be more collective, tends to tie the value of self-worth on public opinions. Westerners, on the other hand, tend to be more individualistic. Such different concepts might cause conflict if we are not careful.
But beyond that, it is important for everyone to accurately evaluate our self worth, a task seems impossible in this age of social media, where our self worth is perceived by the volume of comments on Facebook, likes on Instagram or retweets on twitter.
In our natural life our ambitions change as we grow
- Oswald Chambers
So this weekend, please take time to meditate on self worth.
How are you feeling about yourselves? Are you still on track of what means most to you? Have you forgotten what really matters? Do you still value such beliefs? Are they still a big deal for us?
Try to visualize which side of the rope you are holding? Does it still work for your present self? Also think of someone at school who had puzzled you by their reactions. Think about where on the rope the person might be holding. Then you might have a glimpse of understanding on how both of you are feeling.
Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.
- Romans 12:10 (NLT)
As the apostle Paul reminds us that we must first understand how we honor ourselves then with love try to understand how to honor others properly.
Muay Thai - The art of respect
September is such a rejoicing time for sport fans. The EPL football has recently been the source of healthy bragging. The NFL has just started and the NBA will tip off at the end of the month. Even though the majority of Thais may opt for football or volleyball as their favorite sport, if asked what is the national sport, the answer will be Muay Thai.
Muay Thai from Thailand along with Pradal Serey from Cambodia, Muay Lao from Laos and Tomoi from Malaysia are strongly connected with Buddhism since all inherit the same fighting style from India that focuses on the use of “the eight limbs/points of contact" characterized by the combined use of fists, feet, elbows and knees.
In recent years, Muay Thai has become an international sensation, thanks to its exciting outward appearance of violence and brutality as well as elegance. People from around the world have learnt and practiced the art. But in contrast, to what seems to be an attacking nature, the fundamental essence of Muay Thai focuses on defense that is based on respect which is demonstrated through the traditional dance, always performed before matches, called “Wai Kru”. Besides its literal meaning “to respect the teacher”, it also is meant for each combatant to carefully observe each other. Another indication that fighters are aware of the danger from combat is the presence of the mongkhon (headband) and pra jiad (armbands) which are worn during the dance. Both items act as protection charms. In the time of war, these originally were tokens from the fighter’s beloved and respected ones, such as a piece of cloth from their mother's skirt.
Therefore, the basic mentality of Muay Thai is defense. You must first learn how to guard, block, avoid, flee, wrestle then secure the right moment to strike and press on. It is a discipline of patience and timing.
In our game of life, we are often concerned about how we “progress” in both our personal and work lives. For many, life is about achieving a certain thing in a certain amount of time and we measure our ability by how fast we succeed in doing so. We usually forget that as we leap one foot forward, the other foot roots down and pushes. So in a sense, progress is actually an act of balance between leading and following, moving ahead and backing behind, speaking and listening, holding back and advancing, etc. And like Muay Thai, to master the art of life is to know which role we are supposed to act at the exact time. One misstep could cause you to be knocked down. And also like Muay Thai, an important aspect to success is “respect” which is not only to respect the obstacles, problems or people that we face but to also respect ourselves, to evaluate and accept our weakness and limitations without losing our integrity.
As we progress into the second month of school, let us meditate on what stance are we posing. Are we pushing people out of self righteousness, over doing ourselves by denying self realization or restraining communication with our lack of confidence?
So during this weekend, please be encouraged, while watching a football match or sipping a cup of coffee, to meditate on how are we on balancing “respect”. Are we cruising along in life carelessly, or are we respecting the body, mind, goals, soul, time and limitations of ourselves and the people around us?
Love each other with genuine affection
and take delight in honoring each other.
- Romans 12:10 (NLT)
The Buddhist lent - everyone needs a break
In Thailand, the Buddhist lent is a 3 month period from the middle of July to the middle of October when Buddhist monks are obligated to be stationed in a certain location. There are many reasons behind this tradition. First, is to protect them from various forms of danger while traveling such as snakes, mosquitoes or even mudslides. Second, is to protect the farmer’s young rice plants from the traveling monks. As the new crops are easy to be stumbled on during the rainy season. Third, is to preserve time for monks to rest, meet and exchange ideas or knowledge among one another. As for Buddhist people, they are encouraged to visit the temples to provide for and learn from the monks.
For such occasions, the Thai government appoints the first day of the Buddhist lent to be the national “Alcohol free” day and promote the “Rest the liver” campaign to encourage Thais to abstain from any alcoholic beverages during this period.
So for most Thais, the Buddhist lent is a time when we restrain ourselves from addictions or harmful habits (getting into new healthy ones), observe time to rest the body and refresh the mind.
“Rest?” might be the first thought that popped into your mind as you read this part. At the moment we might feel that there is “No time for rest” as it is still early in the semester. Some of us are still overwhelmed from the never ending waves of work and are barely able to pull our necks above the tides (a lot of us are still working on weekends). Others might still be adjusting to their new roles, responsibilities, colleges, offices, playgrounds, security doors, etc.
But do give yourself some time to be still. One of the most important disciplines in life that people tend to forget is “Resting”. We must give ourselves time to relax, repair and restore both physically and mentally. If not, we might soon find ourselves in a burned out state or even fall down into a spiral of depression.
Therefore, please organize some time for yourself to rest. Allow yourself to be recharge during this weekend. If you have forgotten how to do so, maybe just start from gazing at the raindrops running down on your window or the clouds slowly floating through the azure sky. :)
God also encourages us to rest and even reserved a day to do so.
What about you?
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
- Mark 6:31
Joy in the Journey: Choose to Rejoice
What challenges are you facing right now? How far do your circumstances influence your emotions?
Read: Philippians 4:4-7
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
****
These verses are worth learning by heart! Paul, writing from his prison cell, knowing that he might eventually be executed, gives us five words that have the power to transform our lives:
“Rejoice in the Lord always!”
How? What if you, or I are grieving, full of regret, suffering illness, or depression? How can we make ourselves happy? We can’t; but we can choose to rejoice.
Rejoicing in the Lord begins as an act of the will, rather than a spontaneous emotion. It’s about reminding ourselves who is Lord in our lives and what he is like: sovereign over everything; all-powerful; the one who loves us with a supreme, undying love; the one who is with us and promises never to leave us; the one who never changes; the one who can keep us from falling….
“All of my life, in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship.”
Desert Song by Hillsong United
Rejoicing lifts our eyes away from ourselves to focus on the one who truly knows and cares. It gives the Lord his rightful place.
Just like a small child who has to let go of what is in their hand in order to receive the treat they’re being offered, so we need to let go of fear and anxiety in order to be able to rejoice. When we give our worries, fears, needs and desires to God and begin to thank and praise him for who he is and what he has done, then our hearts have space for his peace and joy. Even in the most unlikely circumstances.
Will you make it your choice to rejoice today?
Reflect:
Listen to Desert Song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3l1z7bXY9Y
Am I holding on to fear or anxiety that I need to give to God today?
What truths about God can I thank him for and rejoice in today?
Joy in the Journey: Goals
What goals did you set for this academic year? How successful have you been in meeting them?
Read: Philippians 3:7-14
“7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
****
It’s been said that, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time,” which shows that goals are important to us.They help shape, stretch and focus our lives.
At this time of the school year, goals are being reviewed: celebrating those met, striving towards those that are still unmet and revising the unrealistic. Unachieved goals can give great opportunities for growth, but only if we keep looking ahead. It’s very hard to run a race if you’re facing backwards! In order to reach for the next goal,we have to let go of the past: both successes and failures.
For followers of Jesus, there is one goal that exceeds all others. One that matters above all -because it doesn’t just define our lives, but our eternity. Paul saw it as being worth counting everything else as “garbage”. What is this goal? Knowing Christ. Not knowing lots about him, but knowing him by faith, -Jesus, who is calling us heavenward. Paul is longing for a deeper understanding of what it means to have died with Christ, been raised with him and been clothed in his righteousness.
I wonder how many of us share Paul’s desire with the same intensity? If this great apostle hadn’t made it yet, is this goal even achievable? No, it won’t be fully met in this life, so it keeps us pressing forward, but it will be realized in eternity, because Jesus has taken hold of us.(v.12) He is running with us, cheering us on, holding us up when we don’t think we can take another step. He is with us and he is for us. So let’s keep striving with him for that goal.
“..let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith...”Hebrews 12:1-2
Reflect:
Listen to “Knowing You Jesus” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTTlSx6zXio
What goals am I currently striving for? Pray about these goals and ask God to show you any priorities that may need re-adjusting.
Do I really desire to know Jesus more? Talk honestly with him about your answer.
Joy in the Journey: Unity through Humility
Read: Philippians 2:1-8
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
CMIS is known for the richness of its community. Staff, students and families come together from many countries, backgrounds and worldviews with a common goal: the education and nurture of our students.
Diversity can have its challenges. Misunderstandings across cultures can easily occur and goals may be different depending on our worldview, but diversity does not automatically mean disunity. It is possible to disagree without disunity. Perhaps the true cause of disunity is actually in v.3,
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
When wanting things my way is all that matters to me, regardless of the interests of others, disunity is likely, perhaps even inevitable.
Among followers of Jesus, this type of disunity is serious, because it dishonours our role model for humility - Jesus himself. He set aside his divine rights. He humbled himself not just in taking on the limitations of a human body, but in taking the role of a servant. He came to serve those who rejected him -people like us- even to the point of laying down his life and dying in our place.
It is because Jesus humbled himself that we can be one with God and with our fellow believers in the truth. Unity in the “body of Christ” matters a lot to Jesus. He prayed about it (see John 17) and then he gave everything he had to make it possible.
“..I pray also for those who will believe in me.. that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21
Reflect:
How might disunity among believers affect unbelievers?
In what situations do I find it hardest to give the interests of others precedence over my own interests?
Reflect on the humility of Jesus and what he gave up to make us one in him. How do you respond?
Joy in the Journey: Motivated by Love
Read: Philippians 1:8-11
“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
*****
It’s that time of the year when the heat saps our energy, the end of the school year is in sight and it can be hard for students and staff alike to find the motivation needed to persevere and succeed in the final few weeks of the semester.
Motivation can also be an issue in our Christian lives. Our goal as v.10-11 says is to
“..be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.”
How can we ever stay motivated to keep aiming for such a lofty goal?
Perhaps we could start a spiritual self-improvement program? It sounds like a good idea, but it can so quickly become “all about me” and what I’m doing to try and please God. Once I start thinking about me more than the grace and mercy that Jesus has shown me, I’m bound to fail.
Instead, the key to staying motivated and experiencing joy on our journey is in v.9 -to grow in love for Jesus and for each other. That love needs to broaden and deepen, like a plant spreading on the surface as its roots sink deeper into the ground. We need to learn more about Jesus. We also need to know him more until his love pervades our hearts and minds, transforming us into people who know how to act and do so out of hearts motivated by love for and from him.
This isn’t a quick or easy fix, which is why Paul is praying for the Philippians. We need God’s help to know and live the love of Jesus, but if this is God’s desire for us, then we can be sure that it is a prayer he will answer.
“ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19
Reflect:
What motivates me to try and live a pure and blameless life?
Spend some time reflecting on the love of Jesus. How has he demonstrated his love for you?
Pray Paul’s from Ephesians 3 for yourself and others you care about.
Joy in the Journey: Works in Progress
Read: Philippians 1:1-6
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
*****
Last week the smart, new CMIS Learning Center opened. It was a time of joy as we celebrated the results of a partnership involving many people. School staff, board members, donors, architects, builders, contractors and others all played a role (whether big or small) in seeing this project come to fruition. Their partnership was invaluable.
I’m sure not everything went exactly as planned in this project, because any work in progress has obstacles to overcome and opportunities for learning and growth, until it is finished. Perhaps there is even more joy in seeing something completed because of the struggles experienced in getting it to that stage.
As I read these words from the start of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I am struck by his joy -especially as he is writing from prison!
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy”
Paul is so thankful to God for the Philippians’ partnership with him in the gospel that his joy just overflows. Were the Philippians perfect people then? No. They were sinners, like you and I and Paul himself. The reason that Paul was so filled with joy is that he saw them as God’s works in progress. His absolute confidence was not in the Philippians themselves, but in the God who, since Creation, always completes what he has started. If you ever wonder whether that can be true, just think about the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
What an encouragement to think of ourselves as God’s works in progress, but also to see our own “partners in the gospel” with joy rather than impatience or criticism, because God hasn’t finished with any of us yet.
“Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.”
Charles Wesley
Reflect:
Who are my partners in the gospel? Do I view them with joy?
How might seeing myself and other believers as “ God’s works in progress” affect my attitude?
Life of Jesus: Risen!
Welcome back to school!
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV)
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’”
****
Imagine the two Marys on the way to the tomb, still reeling from the shock that Jesus has been brutally executed. What were they experiencing? Sorrow? Confusion? Anger? Despair? As they arrive at the tomb with the spices they’ve prepared to anoint the corpse of the one they loved, their world is rocked again - literally. An earthquake; the stone rolled away; quivering soldiers on the ground and then a gleaming angel. Have you ever noticed that an angel’s first words are usually, “Do not be afraid!” and for good reason!
The women hurry away still afraid and yet also full of joy that Jesus has apparently risen from the dead. Then suddenly he meets them. Such joy! Such awe and wonder! Again they need that reassurance, “Do not be afraid!”.
It is true: Jesus is alive. He has risen from the dead, not like Lazarus -who would die again -but rather “God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay.” (Acts 13:34) He is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”. (1 Cor. 15:20)
Death is now a defeated enemy, because Jesus has paid the price for sin and all who trust in him can have eternal life with him.
If we’re honest, many of us fear the process of dying, if not death itself. How comforting to know then that Jesus has gone there for us and before us. Now death is not our final destination but a door to eternal life -which will be free from sorrow, sin and pain- lived in the presence of the one who loves us completely.
Easter is worth celebrating!
Reflect
Why does it matter whether or not Jesus rose from the dead?
How should the resurrection affect how I live now?
Listen to “I will rise” by Chris Tomlin: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c
Life Events of Jesus: Betrayed
Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? So was Jesus.
John 18:2-6 (NIV)
“Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”
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“It is easier to forgive an enemy, than to forgive a friend.” William Blake
Betrayal. A word that makes our stomachs churn, because most of us have experienced its ugliness in some form or another: at the hands of someone we trusted. We are left feeling hurt, angry and scarred. As we read this story, we put ourselves in the place of Jesus and feel righteous anger towards Judas. Jesus had done nothing to deserve Judas’ behaviour; he had only ever shown Judas love -it’s so unjust! How could Judas have done it?
But do we ever put ourselves in the place of Judas and ask whether we are in danger of betraying Jesus too? Judas acted for personal gain and because he was disillusioned with Jesus’ way of doing things. Not uncommon feelings. The question is how do we choose to act when Jesus doesn’t meet our desires or expectations? Unrelenting trust, or rejection and betrayal? It’s a sobering thought.
And yet there is encouragement in today’s reading: in the greatness of Jesus. Look at this mob-like group of officials and armed soldiers, who have come to take him away to his death. They fall on their faces before Jesus when he says “I am he”. Involuntarily they are bowing before his deity. Judas betrayed Jesus, but Jesus, the Son of God, went to his death willingly, to free us from the power of sin, guilt and death. No betrayal that we have caused or experienced is beyond his redeeming power and love.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Reflect
Am I carrying the pain of a betrayal? If so do I need to ask Jesus for his help to forgive my betrayer and heal my wounds?
Do I need to ask forgiveness for betraying Jesus, or someone else?
Am I thankful today for the greatness of Jesus? How can I express that?
Life Events of Jesus: Sorrow
Matthew 26:36-42 –Gethsemane
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.””
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“Any mind that is capable of real sorrow is capable of good.”
Harriet Beecher StoweReflecting on the horrific killings in New Zealand last week reminded me of the capacity we have to feel sorrow – for events beyond our control and people we will never meet. Could this capacity for sorrow be God-given, so that good can result?
Jesus is no stranger to sorrow. He’s lost family members like John the Baptist, beheaded at Herod’s command. He’s also known the sorrow of seeing people like the rich young ruler -on the verge of following Jesus- turn away. Yet nothing compares to the sorrow Jesus experiences in today’s reading which brings him “to the point of death”. This is the sorrow of the cup of suffering. It includes betrayal and desertion by his friends, false accusations, brutal beatings and the agony of death on a cross. But it is more than that.
For Jesus the ultimate sorrow of the cross was separation from his Father – the Holy God who cannot look on sin – as sinless Jesus was smeared and weighed down with our filth and guilt. May we never think that it was easy for Jesus to die in our place.
No one would have wanted what lies before him. And yet Jesus gradually moves from asking to avoid the cup, to willingness to drink it, if it’s the only way. And it was.
Jesus understands sorrow more than anyone. He has born sorrow that we will never have to bear, so that we will never have to bear it and therefore we can have hope, even on the darkest days.
“After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11
Reflect
Thank Jesus for his incredible decision to suffer in our place and the hope that brings us.
How has God used sorrow for good in my life? Is there some good I can do to help someone else who is experiencing sorrow now?