Different

Many times when I think of different I think of it in a negative connotation. Different can be bad, but just because it is different doesn't make it bad. This has been a different week. This has been a different month. This is a different place. I hope that I am different as well. I am definitely different here. I stand out like a sore thumb. Even the dogs are not quite sure what to make of me around here. I drive and walk by many smiles and fingers pointed in my direction daily. I hope that after not seeing many family and friends for some time I will look different when I return. Not physically on the outside, although that too may be true, but different on the inside. I hope that my character is changing, that I am growing to be more like Jesus. That I am not just learning more truths about God, but that they are sinking deep into my being, and I am becoming more like Jesus every day. I don't want to have just taught about God, I want to live out these things.

God give me the strength I need to be light and a breath of fresh air in dark and searching places.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

..."I have set for you and example that you should do as I have done for you." Jesus (In John 13)

"...apart from me you can do nothing" Jesus (In John 15)

Sketch

I sketched this in my journal yesterday afternoon. It is the view from my hotel window. I made sure to include the speaker that sits next to the dome on the mosque since it sounds various times during day including a call to worship at 4:30am that I particularly enjoy. Other things included that may be hard to see are; people playing cricket on the roof tops, strings of clothes hung out to dry that decorate nearly every building, cows in the street, and Waldo. Where is that guy? Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture the constant sounds of horns blasting continuously throughout the day and night in the street below our window. It is a little different than Boulder here.

Friend

What a guy. I knew I was going to enjoy spending this month with Kevin after hearing him share his heart last year at a pastors retreat. What I did not know what how much I would enjoy it. Through this time with him I have learned, been challenged, encouraged ,and gained a friend. I think you would enjoy reading some about the trip from his perspective. Check out his blog . Kevin it has been a pleasure serving with you!

Critters

Taj

Beautiful, but it doesn't hold a candle to the beauty of my wife:) I love you and miss you Julie!

Round Two

I'll post more later I am running out of time. We are now paying for internet time.

Alive And Well

I am feeling much better today. Most of my symptoms are gone or fading and I have much more strength, which has definitely been an encouragement. Not a 100% getting closer. The laps in health has reminded me of the need to be joyful in all circumstances, something I am not really the best at. It has also been a good reminder to trust in God for healing. After all who better to fix this body that the one who made it, right? God you are so good, and all you do is good. Thanks that I can come to you in times of trouble. Thanks for your continued blessing on my life. Thanks for proving yourself to be dependable, though you need not. This dependability is only a reflection of the character that I know to be true in You. Thanks for the realities I have found in You. It amazes me that some could trust in cows or images of stone for the same hope and strength that I put in You, The Living God. God will you use me to show these beautiful people the hope that I have found in you?

Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling. O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. 1 Chronicles 16:25-28

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

...give thanks in all circumstances... 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Puppy

Asher, I thought you and your mom might enjoy this picture. I love you. Dad

Truck

A man came up to me and didn't understand why I was taking a picture of a truck. I thought you might understand.

Clean

I took a warm shower today. First warm water in a week. It felt so good. I had been trying to figure out why there were so many puddles along the side of the road, since it has not rained the whole time we have been here. I just realized a couple days ago that those aren't just any puddles. Them theres some sewage. Everything made a little more sense. You have to be careful where you walk along the road avoiding small "streams" that may cross your way, winding in between homes, also avioding the little surprise that Betsy or one of her many cousins may have dropped along the way as they wonder about aimlessly (for those not from the Midwest, when I say Betsy I mean cow). Glad we cleared that up. Anyways a couple days ago we were talking about Christ. How he emptied himself and took the form of a servant in Philippians chapter 2. Kenosis. I ended the class with a foot washing as we read through John 13. It amazing that you don't have to think very hard here to try to imaging why it would have have been nice to have your feet washed in Jesus day. Hot days, traveling on dusty roads by foot. Feet dirty from the open toed sandals and sweat mixing with dirt along with possible other wonderful surprizes from a cow, donkey, or camel, mixed in with it all along the way. Why would anyone want to wash feet? Why did Jesus wash feet?

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians

Father thank you for the servant hearts of these men. Thank you for your example in your Son. Help me to better reflect your Son.

Tempted

I was tempted to complain today. Well I guess if I am honest I am tempted everyday. A few hundred times throughout the day may be a bit more accurate to say. It comes in so many different forms and often I can slyly let it pass by my lips without a second thought. For the first time today thought I looked a our meal, and and an ungrateful thought began to formulate. A meal that I have seen pretty much in the same form for the last seven days, three times a day. I thought of all the different things I could be eating, wondered why the consistency in the things I see on my plate, and on and on. Then it hit me, it almost hurt, and I'm sure it did hurt Jesus heart. They are serving us their best. This cook has been amazing. He has worked none stop since we have been here, always joyfully serving, the list goes on and on. And for this gluten intolerant guy this has been a dream. Rice chicken, spices, vegetables, clean (often cold) water, hot food, even a tea unlike any I have had. God is so good to look after me in even the small ways. Thanks for your provision, and I truly meant it when I prayed "God, thank you for this food."

Do everything without complaining... Philippians

Safety

What does it mean to be safe? I mean when you really think about it, is it really comfort you are talking about? Or maybe what you know, or supposed stability. Is it staying well away from the edge? Not going to fast? Living moderately, cautiously? Not running with scissors? Is God really limited by the physical like we are? Or is the safety we have in God so much bigger than that? Is it possible for something to slip by Him? Is there really anything that could distract Him, so he wasn't paying attention? "Whoops, how did that happen?" I am understanding safety on a whole new level. I am understanding that I am just as safe on a cliff in God's will as I am in my comfy bed at home. Not to say that I should be stupid, but to say I am to be dependent, at peace, assured, confident, resting in the fact that He is in complete control no matter the circumstances that surround my life. Feel satisfied, even comforted to leave the outcome is in His hands. I can rest in that. Father I do not want to live safely by they standards or this world disguised in timidity and caution, let me rest in your will and define safety according to your terms. Thanks God for this amazing reality!

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Psalm 16:1-2

Journey

simple words, big smile

I look forward to posting some more pictures, when I get a better connection, but until then I wanted to share a little note my incredible wife packed in my bag. I have read it several times now, and it brings a smile every time.

We miss you already!! As you read this Asher is probably wondering around the house saying "Da Da" and I'm trying to figure out if he's talking to me or asking for you. So after my usual response "I'm Ma Ma, remember?" I'll probably tell him that his daddy is on a great adventure right now and his making us very proud and when he comes home he will have all sorts of stories to share that we can't get our hands on at the library or Barnes and Noble. We love you and we are with you all along the way.
Love
Asher-Your best bud
Julie-Your best girl

It is amazing how distance brings perspective. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful family, church, and life. I am so grateful to wake up every morning in His grace with anticipation and wonder of what he has in store for my journey with Him on this new day.

I leave you with this verse...
Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

I thought I would share some of my travels with you. Layover in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.