Lessons from the Land of Smiles

Lessons from the Land of Smiles







Here are some thoughts based on five key areas of Thai culture.



1. Sabai – Relax (Everything is ok!)



The concept of sabai probably comes from the Buddhist idea of fatalism. It is reflected in their driving! Everyone pulls in front of each other, but it is all sabai. Nothing seems to phase them! If anything goes wrong it is fate.

We can learn something form this. Everything is sabai. When we trust in God we can relax.

Trusting in God’s sovereignty is not fatalism. We still have to make wise choices. However when circumstances are outside of our control we can relax and trust in God.

Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’



What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." (James 1:2-3)



Job faced all sorts of trials but never drifted in his faith.



Job 1:21 “I came naked from my mothers womb and I will be stripped of everything when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord.”



Give your worries to God for He cares about you - 1 Peter 5:2.


2. Sanook – Fun


One thing the Thais love is fun. Everything they do must have an element of fun involved or it is just not Thai! We can learn something form that as well. Enjoy the journey!

Live in the present

The bible abounds with the promises of God for our futures. For example:

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’


However we can’t just focus on the future, we msut live in the present. William Booth said “To change the future you must disturb the present”.

Our daily decisions determine our destiny.

We must have a vision for the future, but look at it through the lenses of today.

Be In The Present
Learn From The Past
Plan For The Future

3. Mai ben rai – It’s nothing (literally – nevermind)

Mai ben rai is used in situations such as when someone has given you something they and you say “Thanks” they often reply “Mai ben rai” or “Its nothing”. It reflects a willingness to serve and put others first.

Here are some thoughts on serving.

To get ahead, put others first.

Mark 9:35 ‘Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’

We were put on earth to make a contribution. To add life, not just take it.

We serve God by serving others.
‘Whatever you do for the lest of these you do for me.’



4. Puapar -Generosity

I am always blown away by the generosity of people I meet in Thailand. Often they have very little themselves yet they give so much. I wonder if their generosity is a result of them having a simplicity of life which rejects a materialistic way of thinking.

We need to battle daily against materialism.

Here are some thoughts on generosity.

Your candle loses nothing when it lights another.

Proverbs 11:26 ‘A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.’
True generosity isn’t an occasional event.

Be grateful for whatever you have. Generosity rises out of contentment, and that doesn’t come with acquiring more. Millionaire John D. Rockefeller admitted, “I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” If you’re not content with little, you won’t be content with a lot. And if you’re not generous with little, you won’t suddenly change if you become wealthy.


Don’t allow the desire for possessions to control you.
Richard Foster writes, “Owning things is an obsession in our culture. If we own it, we feel we can control it; and if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion.” If you want to be in charge of your heart, don’t allow possessions to take charge of you.

Regard money as a resource
As E. Stanley Jones said, “Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If it gets on top and you get under it, you will become its slave.”

Develop the habit of giving
Richard Foster advises, “Just the very act of letting go of money, or some other treasure, does something within us. It destroys the demon greed.” If you are enslaved by greed, you cannot lead.



5. Hi Giat - Honouring


The Thais are an incredibly honouring people. This is reflected in their greeting, the Wai, where they put their hands together as if they are prating and give a slight bow.

Eph 5:21 reminds us that we are to treat each other with respect and honour.


Honour is: The OPPOSITE Of Judging; Loving UNCONDITIONALLY; having FAITH In Someone; listening; and enlargening others.

Just a few things we can learn from Thailand

Thailand

One of the things I try and make sure of when I take a team to Thailand is they enjoy the cultural side of things. We focus on the ministry when it is time for that, but I fill any down time with a memorable experience.


This year we visited tigers




Feed wild monkeys

Held snakes

Rode elephants (it's alright, the one I rode was bigger- this little fella is 4 and a half months old!!)




We also got to the Bridge over the river Kwai and went to the Chiang Mai night Safari.

Youth Camp

The youth camp we took in Thailand went great. It was at Doi Intanon National Park which has the highest point in Thailand and is a bit cooler than the 40 degree heat of Ciang Mai. The mountains are actualy the foothills to the Himilayas. About 10 youth made first time decisions and a whole lot were baptised in the Holy Spirit.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the camp was the training of some of the older youth in sharing their testimonies and short messages. One of my aims is to ensure they are developed so in the future they will run the camp by themselves.

Thailand

I have just arrived in Thailand. It's hot! - 30 to 35 degrees. We just spent yesterday in Bangkok. Visited the Tiger Temple where Monks raise Tigers from Cups. We got to pat them - the cubs were very cool. Highlight of the day was probably feeding wild monkeys. we walked down the death railway that the allied POW's built during World War 2. Just relaxing in Chaing Mai now before we go to the Youth Camp tomorrow.

Leadership Questions

One of the blogs I like to follow is Craig Groeschel's at LifeChurch.tv: Swerve. recently he posed some challenging self examination questions:


Are the people closest to me in ministry lifting me higher or dragging me down?

How have I intentionally developed the leaders around me in the past week?

Am I speaking transparently with at least two other close trusted friends on a weekly basis?

Am I submitting myself to the correction and coaching of at least two mentors?

Am I holding a grudge against someone?

Am I speaking well of other ministers?

Am I falling for the temptation of comparing, complaining, criticizing or gossiping?

Are my words and relationships characterized by words of faith or negativity?

Do people enjoy being around me or am I often “down”?

Have a made at least three new ministry friends in the last year?

Some of the responses are good too.

Friendships

Friendship is a gift from God. Good friends are rare and one must nurture friendships very carefully.

Growing Healthy Friendships

Everyone understands that growing a healthy garden doesn’t happen without proper soil, sunlight, fertilizing and weeding. The same principles apply to friendships. In order to thrive, they require care and maintenance.

Find fertile soil. A friend should be someone you choose to have in your life because he or she enriches your experience. Rethink your friendships. Are you expending your energy in all the wrong places?

Add sunlight. Make your friend a priority in your life. Even with hectic schedules you can get together to exercise or meet for a quick cup of coffee. Keep in touch by phone and e-mail.
It takes time and energy.

John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Plant seeds. Establish a strong foundation by indicating in word and deed that you will be there for your friend, through thick and thin. Most important, make it safe for your friend to share innermost thoughts with you by always keeping confidences.

Proverbs 17:17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Fertilize. Don’t take the individual or your friendship for granted. Friendship is something you must earn each day.

Water. Always be generous with praise and cautious with criticism. Applaud successes, and do your best to be a good listener.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Weed. When you have a disagreement, try to see things from your friend’s point of view. Choose your words carefully, as it is hard to take back things said in anger. If you are wrong, swallow your pride and apologize.

When we plant a tree, we take care of that plant from the smallest stage of growth. We not only nurture that plant with water, air and fertilizers, but also protect it from any damage. Friendship is one such plant. One has to take care of friends, as one takes care of the plants, one grows.Most of us take friendship for granted. We believe that friends are always there, whenever we need them.
Make a quick list of all your good friends.
How many of them have been friends for more than 5 years? If you don’t have many long term friends you need to question how you value your friends.
Now write the date, when you last communicated with them in anyway.
When did you last meet them?
When did last share meal with them?
When did you send them a gift?

This exercise will give you clues about anything that needs to be done by you to nurture friendship. Value your friendship by nurturing it on a regular basis. Meeting friends regularly, finding about what may be bothering them, sending them small gifts over intervals, sharing jokes with them, asking them for a movie together, and so many other things can help us make our friendship bond stronger.

Why You Need to Be Aware of Who You're Associating With
Friends should be there to support you and to enrich your life. If they’re bringing you down, it’s time to move on. The people you choose to surround yourself with should also be great spirits who inspire you to be the absolute best you can be.

Be aware of who you are associating with. If you're around negative people all the time very likely you will find that you start to think this way too. If you're with positive, excited to be alive people, that will rub off on you. It's an easy way to build confidence just by being aware of what kind of people you surround yourself with. Unhealthy friendships take a lot of energy and really just aren't worth it.


Proverbs 12:26A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Do you have unhealthy friendships? Not Sure? Ask yourself this question right after you have spent some time with someone:
"Do I feel better or worse than I did before?"


How many times have you spent time with someone only to feel completely drained afterwards? Or you find that they’re constantly putting you down even if it’s very subtle how they do it?

Do you have an unhealthy friendship. Ask yourself does he or she...
consistently hurt your feelings?
chip away at your self-esteem?
spoil happy times with a bad attitude?
make you feel physically or emotionally ill?
waste your time by not showing up or calling when they said they would?
consume your time and energy by sucking you into their dramas and bad habits?
demand too much of your time and or try to limit your contact with others?
offer friendship only at their convenience and express little interest in what's going on in your life?
get in the way of your personal, emotional and spiritual growth?

If your friendships are unhealthy you need to consider ending the friendship. Be honest with your friend (but compassionate) about your reasons. It could be the best thing you could do for them.

Animals in the womb

With Andrea being due it September, these photos are are of more interest than usual to me. There is one of a dolphin, a dog, and an elephant, all in the womb.