Reminder

As I was reading some updates from a dear sister of mine as she had shared with 3 men, I was reminded that not only did Jesus Christ shed His blood for these 3 men, but He has shed tears for them as well- tears for the fact that until now, they didn't know that God loved them... tears because they never knew about the Savior.

Christ didn't just shed His blood, He sheds tears for the lost each day.

Splish, Splash!

About 2-3 months ago, my friend Brian and I went whitewater rafting here in Thailand (technically, it was brown-water rafting, since all of the rivers here are like chocolate milk, but not as tasty).

I just got these great photos from a Brit that went with us and had a Thai take pictures from the bank as we made our way down stream.

Above: Just staring out on the river. Below: Ahhhhhhhhh!

Above: Stuck on a rock and trying to get free. Below: The others in our rafting group navigate the bumps and dips of the rapids.

Some soaked, but happy rafters. We had a great time on this trip put on by Peak Adventures. I'm always up for another run at the rapids, so come on over and we'll make a go of it.

Something to Consider

Romans 13:1-3 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you."

Proverbs 11:14 "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure."

Psalm 2:1 "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?"

Psalm 147:10 "His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 66:7 "He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations- let not the rebellious rise up against him."

Psalm 33:16 "No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save."

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

I was never one to take advice from TLC

One of the many great things about Chiang Mai is there is plenty of stuff to do and explore if you are willing. There is a mountain that make the Western border of the city and it has National Parks, temples, hiking trails and... Waterfalls!

Above: Trees frame a view of the city from part way up the mountain. Below: Three Chinese friends at the falls: Baw Baw, Penny and Deborah.

Above: Penny and Deborah strike a pose at the falls. Below: Another shot near the top of the falls. You can tell the cultural differences here; the girls wore skirts and heels to traipse around the slippery rocks of the waterfalls. (I was so nervous.)

Above: Looking down on where two flumes converge. Below: Looking down at the girls.

Above: Me at one of the landings of the falls. Below: I flash the "Thai point" for the photo while Baw Baw sports the "classic Chinese V".

We had a great time and stayed until the sunset over the mountain.

Prayer Update

Nong Shine passed away today around noon. Please remember P'Ming and Namphueng during this time of loss.

A little nugget I found today

If you want to travel fast... go alone.
If you want to travel far... go together.

African Proverb

Our Fragility is completed by His Strength

"For you created Nong Shine's inmost being;
you knit Nong Shine together in Namphueng's womb.
We praise you because Nong Shine is fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
We know that full well.
Nong Shine's frame was not hidden from you
when he was made in the secret place.
When Nong Shine was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw Nong Shine's unformed body.
All the days ordained for Nong Shine were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to us are your thoughts,
O God!"

Prayer Requests

1. (updated) A Thai friend is having complications with her pregnancy. Please pray for Namphueng (mom), Ming (dad) and Nong Shine (baby). Nong Shine was born via C-Section earlier this week. He is in an incubator and will be for at least 3 months as he struggles to develop and stay alive. Namphueng is recovering well from the C-Section.

2. Please pray for Aree and Rachel. Aree is a baby girl that is around a year old. She has serious problems with her lungs and is in the hospital. Rachel is her foster mom. She has been talking care of Aree for little while. When Rachel found Aree in the hospital, she was in very bad shape (near death) and only weighed about 10 pounds at 11 months. God has already worked in Aree's life, we ask that He would continue to do so.

3. Please pray for a fellow servant, JS, and his family. He has some medical conditions that are preventing him from doing stuff. Ask that God would help the doctors to find out the cause and that He would heal JS.

Thanks!

BMI Strikes Again!

Well, it looks like BMI is taking its toll on some other people too. Apparently, Spain has decided that gaunt and emaciated isn't a good look. Amen!

But that hasn't stopped fashion "experts" from maintaining the lack of touch with reality...
This stupid look was the creation of Japanese designer Kazuo Takashima for the 2007 Spring & Summer Tokyo Collection. I won't call it fashion because it's not. Sure, I understand that designers make a living off of designing avant-garde stuff that really isn't for the general public and how mainstream designers and clothiers tone down the latest fashions to a more average consumer friendly item, but putting a shoe on one's head isn't fashion, it's a stunt- plain and simple. It's an attempt to get a photo in a magazine, on the front page of Yahoo! (success) or in a video clip introed by Else Klensch. If you can't design, that's fine, Cato is probably hiring, but don't waste my time with poop like this.

Late night Catan & Airport Blues

Twenty months ago I met Craig. Almost 16 months ago, I joined Craig in Thailand. 15 months ago, I met Jerod. Almost a year ago, Craig's friends brought him a Settlers of Catan game. It's been "on" ever since!

Friday night, we played our last game together (for a while). Acutally, we played 3 games and interestingly enough, we each won a game (which is more surprisingly when you know Jerod's record - joking). It was a great finish to one of our traditions.

Over the past 15 months we have "set up the board", hiked, bowled, prayed, confessed, worshipped, eaten cheap Thai, soaked each other and ruled Chiang Mai together.

Last night began a new Craig-less Era in Chiang Mai.

Above: Craig and Bae, Eternal Brothers (with Muay and the girls peeking in). Below: Craig says goodbye to the family... not his family.

Above: Jerod and Craig. Thank God for these two brothers that have helped make my stay great! Below: P'Gade, Craig and Muay. Thank God for our wonderful Thai friends who have helped make our stay great!
Craig and his 2 VERY OVERWEIGHT carry-ons going through customs on his way back to Austin.

Craig we will miss you.

We already do. God bless.