The Ramsey's

On a recent trip to Cambodia, we had a break from our meetings and so decided to see one of the local tourist attractions.  Our hosts graciously secured a local guide who could speak English, and a tuktuk for transportation.  We first stopped at a large facility where lines of people waited to purchase their tickets to see the various temple sites. Our tour would include three separate temples. One, was the temple where the movie Tomb Raider was filmed. I was really looking forward to that one. The largest site however, and the “main attraction”, was the famous Angkor Wat. It is a massive temple complex built in the 12th century covering over 400 acres of land in the middle of the jungle.  

Arriving there, I was fascinated by the architecture, the huge stones used, the intricate carvings, and how the surrounding forest had grown up around and into the buildings.  As our guide was telling us the history of the complex, I sort of “zoned out” as he went on and on about the various kings who built the temples to the various gods, etc.  I was thinking, Blah, blah, blah. It’s so hot! Let’s please move on!  But then, he said something that caught my attention.  He said, “First this temple was built for Hinduism, then it was turned over to Buddhism, and now it’s turned over to Tourism”.  He laughed when he said it and I thought it was funny too.  But as he continued, I wondered to myself “Turned over to tourism? Does he know how sad that is? How ridiculous?”  As I sat there savoring my criticism, along came a side dish of conviction.  Are we, in the modern church era, guilty of the same thing?  Ouch!

When we go to church, do we enter as a mere spectator, no more than a tourist really, just there to see something interesting?  Or, do we enter in and truly worship?  I think it’s good to ask, “Why are we going to church?”  Of course, we enjoy the beautiful facility, the skilled musicians, the gifted teaching, and seeing friends, etc. There’s nothing wrong with those things. But it can be, and should be, so much more.  I think when we realize we are entering into a community and not just a building; when we come to give to others as well as receive; suddenly “going to church” becomes richer and a whole different experience.  Don’t fall into the tourist trap.  

Jesus said…

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 NKJV

The buzzing text message awoke us to the news that our dear friend, Joseph, had passed away in Manila.  Barely awake and we were grappling with yet another loss of a loved one.  Our hearts sank at the news and yet, at the same time, we rejoiced that he finished his race well and is now forever with the Lord. I thought about how I would like to see what he is seeing right now and to hear the words he is hearing… “Well done, good and faithful servant”.  The last time we saw Joseph was on a flight to Hong Kong.  I wrote about that encounter back in 2019.  In light of his passing, it seems even more appropriate.  So, as a remembrance, I’d like to repost it now.  He truly was a “First Class Friend“…

First posted 8.15.2019

First Class Friend

On a recent trip to Hong Kong, we were surprised to run into a friend we haven’t seen in at least a decade.  If we had walked down the other aisle, we wouldn’t have even known he was on our flight, as we headed back to our economy seats.  He was just as surprised as we were!  This dear man has always been such an encourager to us.  Nothing has changed.  It was fun to catch up with him after all these years.

After our flight, he waited for us to deplane. We walked together to the transfer desk, as both of us were continuing onto other destinations.  Once through security, he led us into an elevator that goes to a place I’d heard of, but never thought I would see…the First Class Lounge.  “Oh no!” I thought, “We can’t get in there, we’re economy passengers!”  He just smiled as he spoke briefly with the ladies at the front desk.  Then, he turned to us and said, “Come on, let’s go!”. We walked right in.  He began to take us around and show us all we had access to.  Then he led us to a posh dining room and said, “Ok, goodbye now.  Have fun!  Enjoy as much as you want”.  Then, he left to catch his next flight.  My eyes began to tear up; overwhelmed by his kindness and generosity.  Suddenly, I was aware of my appearance after our 14 hour flight…my disheveled hair, my discount jeans still bearing the remnants of an in-flight meal, and my wrinkled Costco blouse.  I was embarrassed. I knew I didn’t belong there.

But a bit later, as I sat there enjoying the first class service, the exotic fruits, my coconut and quinoa porridge, and cappuccino; the situation made me think.   I will arrive in heaven one day tattered from all of my failures in this life’s journey, but God doesn’t see us as we see ourselves.  He will only see the righteousness of His Son.  And one day, He will welcome us with open arms. Not because we’ve earned it, or because we deserve it, but only because of our relationship with Jesus.  No need to be embarrassed. We will belong. What a good, good Father.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy… ”  Jude 1:24

To say I have a brown thumb, would be kind.  It’s more like numb thumb. I have been so unsuccessful in growing any type of plant, I can’t even keep a cactus alive Because of this, I’m always impressed when I go to someone’s house and they have lush, thriving plants in every corner.  How do they do it? I once had a tiny succulent on my window sill that I faithfully cared for and watered for 3 years before I discovered it was fake!  I thought I had finally found a plant I could keep alive. Nope.

Recently, as I came to a stop at a traffic light, I noticed all the weeds growing up between the cracks in the rocks and sidewalk. They were growing everywhere a plant is not supposed to be.  It was a veritable garden!  How is that possible?  No one is tending them, no one is watering them, in fact city workers go to great lengths to keep them from growing and destroying the landscape. So, how and why is it so easy to grow weeds?

I see the same phenomenon in my own life. It’s easy to grow “weeds” of bitterness, selfishness, unforgiveness, jealousy, hostility, anger, division, and immorality of every kind.¹  In fact, it takes no effort at all. These things pop up anywhere and everywhere quite naturally. I can simply do nothing and am assured of a bumper crop of these in my life.  By contrast however, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.²  But, just like my own inability to grow a simple house plant, I can’t grow these either.  In fact, I can’t grow anything good at all.  It is the Holy Spirit that grows this “fruit” in our hearts and lives, but He invites us to participate.  Spending time with the Son in prayer and allowing the water of His Word to wash over us and nurture us, we begin to cultivate healthy seeds and soon we see the fruit of the Spirit begin to grow and flourish in us.

Something to ponder…Is there any fruit in my life, or do I have weeds popping out all over?

“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.  Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” 

Hebrews 12:14-15 NLT

¹ Galatians 5:19-21

² Galatians 5:22-23

On a recent trip to extend our visa, we went on an excursion of sorts.  On the way, our driver announced that we were going to stop and feed the monkeys.  Excuse me, what?, I thought.  You probably think that sounds like fun, right?  Well, please don’t imagine a zoo with cute chimps playfully swinging on vines, jumping around, and sticking out their tongues for laughs.   Nope. We’ve had experience.  These are free roaming and aggressive monkeys. Something more like Planet of the Apes.  They are completely unafraid of people and will grab your bag, your phone, or anything else they can get their hands on.  Why are we doing this again?, I wondered.

Pulling off the road, I immediately saw dozens of monkeys sitting on a fence and strolling around a parking lot.  An older man was there with a large bag of leaves.  He encouraged us to take some.  Okay, I’ll play along. Grabbing a big handful of leaves, I reasoned “They seem harmless enough.  How bad can it be?”  Suddenly, I was surrounded by swarming simians all screeching, jumping, and grabbing at the leaves.  I was shocked at how quickly things were out of my control, if I ever had control.  Before I knew it, I had a monkey on my back, one on my shoulder, and another one on my head!  They’re incredibly strong, and all of them were grabbing at the leaves in my hands. More and more monkeys came and gathered around us in a feeding frenzy.  Then, as soon as all the leaves were gone, they lost interest and scattered.  It ended almost as quickly as it had begun.  Well that was fun and terrifying, I thought.

Thinking about it later, I realized I had learned a powerful lesson.  Like those monkeys, sin can seem harmless and fun.  We convince ourselves it’s not a problem.  We’re in control.  Until we realize we’re not and perhaps never were.  Before we even know how it happened, we discover we’ve got a “monkey” on our back, on our shoulder, or on our head!  

The experience brought to mind a verse of scripture:    

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”  Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV

So, the moral of the story?:  If you don’t want a monkey on your back, don’t feed the monkeys!   

Apply where needed.

What’s all that racket? It sounded like a new family had moved in upstairs, a family that had lots of kids…, or dogs…, or both!  I envisioned several playful children running back and forth chasing their adorable new puppy.  Suddenly, my illusions were shattered when I realized we weren’t hearing puppies and children at all.  We were hearing rats!  Not just any rats, these were Rodents of Unusual Size!*  Night after night we heard them romping around back and forth above us. At one point, they were so loud, I thought they would crash through the ceiling, or pop their heads out of a light fixture and say ‘Hello!’  This had to stop.  It was time to call the building manager.

He arrived the next day with several small cloths and a bottle of peppermint oil.  He then began to unscrew the ceiling light fixtures and toss the oil soaked cloths up into the attic like little bombs of freshness.  What’s this strange ritual?, I thought.  Where’s the traps?  Where’s the poison? Do you have anything stronger than peppermint projectiles?  He told us that the rats don’t like the smell of peppermint and so they should be gone in a couple of days.  Really?, I wondered, how could something so refreshing to most, be so repelling to rats?

The incident reminded me of this passage of scripture: “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?”  2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NLT

Who is adequate indeed?  So, I had to ask myself:  As I go about my day, whether at home or out, does the fragrance of Christ emanate from me?  Am I a breath of fresh air to those I meet and talk with?  Am I living in faith, hope, and love?  Or, does the stench of selfishness, cynicism, or pride swirl about me? Hmmm…  

As followers of Christ, we cannot always control how others may respond to us, that’s true.  And, there are simply times when we blow it and say or do something that’s a lot less than Christlike. (uh-oh, there’s that stench seeping out again!)  It happens to all of us.  But I’m encouraged when I  remember:  

 “Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”  Lamentations 3:23 NLT

Oh, and in case you’re wondering… the peppermint oil did seem to work, strangely enough.  So, if you ever have rats in your attic, try tossing a few Altoids up in there.  🙂

It was a peculiar email.  Not so much the request it contained, but the closing.  She wrote, “I’m so blessed by your existence”. That’s odd, I thought. I don’t think anyone has ever told me that before. Living in this part of the world, we’re used to things not translating exactly into English. She probably meant “I’m glad you’re here”, or “I’m glad you’re in my life”.  Still, there was something about it that I couldn’t stop thinking about.

In the classic Christmas movie ” It’s a Wonderful Life” (you probably know the story) George Bailey has hit hard times and thinks it would be better if he never existed at all. But, over the course of the movie, an angel shows him how many lives he’s touched and what a real difference he has made in his community. 

Maybe you’re wondering the same thing, if who you are and what you do matters to anyone at all?  Yes!  The Bible tells us we were created in the image of God Himself (Genesis 9:6). That means every human being has innate value as an image bearer of God without doing anything at all.  In addition, may I tell you that you have made a difference in our life personally and in the kingdom of God. 

If you have ever taken the time to read our little blogs, sent an encouraging word or prayed for us, you’ve made a difference!  Many of you have raised funds, colored pages, given generously and supported us in so many other ways.  You have made a difference. You have enabled us to do what we do. 

Because of you, there’s people on the other side of the world who have heard the Good news, who have been encouraged in their faith, have received treatment for addiction, or training for a new vocation.  There are folks on a faraway mountain who have a new community learning center, their leaders are being trained in oral Bible teaching, the children in the village have new warm winter coats and hopefully soon, a new well will bring fresh, flowing water to their village.. 

Yes, you are valuable and have made such a difference in the lives of so many.  Please accept our humble thanks. 

Oh, and just in case no one has ever told you this, let us be the first to say… “We are so blessed by your existence”!  

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”  Philippians 1:3 NKJV

My alarm went off at 4am for an early morning flight to Saigon. No time for coffee, I just wanted to get on the plane, sink into my seat, and close my eyes. I was in no mood for delays. 

At the airport, I was annoyed that we had to get on a bus that would take us across the tarmac to our plane. Crammed in like sardines, it was standing room only.  Finally, the bus stopped, but the doors didn’t open. Then, our driver got out of the bus. Where is he going?  Is he asking directions?  What’s the hold up? I continued to complain to myself as we waited and waited. I suspected that we were waiting for some VIP to get on board before the rest of us underlings.  I began to get more and more resentful of this individual, whoever they were.  After several minutes, the doors finally opened and we burst out of the bus. I never did see the person we were waiting for.  

We finally made it to our seats. That’s when I noticed a wheelchair being rolled away. Suddenly, I was ashamed of myself.  I wondered, had we been waiting for someone who needed a little extra assistance to board?  Someone with a handicap of some sort?  Hmmmm…I hadn’t considered that before.  I had only been thinking of myself.

Like my impatience to board my flight, I sometimes get impatient waiting for the Lord’s return. What’s the hold up?  How much longer do we have to endure this turmoil? Get me out of here!  There are days that I just want peace and rest. I’m ready for the heartache and struggle to be over.  Ever feel that way?  We must remember:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9 NKJV 

Every person is a VIP to Christ. The Lord was patient with me as I finally got to the end of myself and turned to Him.  If He is not willing that any should perish, then we should not be willing for any to perish.  

Who are you praying for, waiting for, to come to faith in Christ?  Reach out to them again.  Maybe they just need a little extra assistance to get on board. 

While washing my dishes recently, I noticed three chopsticks sticking out conspicuously amongst the other tools in my utensil caddy.  Why do I have just 3 chopsticks?, I wondered.   What am I supposed to do with that?  A pair, and a spare?  Where is the 4th stick?

I thought of the joke that Jerry Seinfeld used to tell about chopsticks and the people that use them.  He would say, “They’ve seen the fork, but they’re staying with the sticks”.  It’s a great joke, but I’d like to come to the defense of this ancient and often scorned utensil.  

Consider this: The graceful motion of two slender chopsticks picking up one morsel of food at a time can be quite elegant.  Eating this way slows everything down, aids our digestion, and enhances conversation around the table.  Acting as an extension of our fingers, eating becomes more deliberate as we choose each bite, somehow increasing our appreciation of the meal. On the contrary, stabbing our food with a fork seems so barbaric, doesn’t it?  And the way some people scoop up their food using a spoon like it’s a shovel is quite unbecoming.

As with everything, there are exceptions.  For instance, if a person is using chopsticks to slurp noodles from a bowl, although common, it is an audio/visual assault and possibly hazardous to those sitting nearby.  In addition, I don’t recommend eating Jell-O with chopsticks.  I’ve tried that and it didn’t end well.   Of course, I’m just having fun with all this.  Thank you for indulging me.  Now here’s what I’m pondering: 

When followers of Christ join together, like those two chopsticks, they can become a very effective instrument in His hand.  Working in tandem, doing His will, His way, it’s a beautiful thing.  Yes, we can still accomplish things by working alone.  But, like trying to stab a noodle with one chopstick, isn’t it easier to put two together? 

“Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 NKJV

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 NIV

There it was, staring me down like a defiant toddler.  Stubborn.  Ungoverned.  Refusing to yield, or go along with the others.  This was concerning.   What should I do about it?, I wondered.  What is this anomaly?  What does it mean?  Do I have a nutritional deficiency?  Am I suffering from a hormonal imbalance?  These were my thoughts as I discovered the singular silver-gray hair in my right eyebrow. I’d better do some research. 

After scanning the internet (aka “research”), I was able to make a confident diagnosis…Aging.  I hadn’t considered that.  Admittedly, I will soon be entering into a new decade of life, but it never dawned on me that this was a normal occurrence.  I suppose any clear thinking person understands gray hair is a normal part of aging.  But an eyebrow?  Really?  Laugh if you will.  

I thought of what Jesus said to the Pharisees when they were asking Him to show them a sign. He said,  “Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:3b (NKJV)   They could look up at the sky and see that rain was coming, yet they couldn’t discern that Jesus was the Messiah and He was standing right in front of them!  His coming had been prophesied numerous times in scripture.  They were well acquainted with the scriptures.  They should have known.  Why couldn’t they see and understand the obvious?  Maybe for the same reason that I couldn’t see and understand the obvious about my gray eyebrow – I didn’t want to.  Hmmm….

When we look at the things happening around the world today, it is concerning.  And, we must be discerning.  I don’t want to miss what’s right in front of me. 

“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV

So…

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 NKJV

We’ve been invaded by micro ants.  They are everywhere – counters, walls, floors, tables, chairs, and even our vinyl sofa.  When you don’t see them crawling on you, you still feel them crawling on you and they bite!  It’s maddening!  I feel no remorse as I spray them with the cleaning product that kills them instantly.  After all, this is war.

Their latest quest is my bottle of honey (the one shaped like a bear).  To protect it, I’ve put it in a bowl filled with water. The golden bear stands tall and secure surrounded by a moat that the ants can’t swim.  But, they don’t give up.  They swarm the sides of the bowl around and around and around in a frenzy.  Some dare to dive in believing they will be the heroes to reach the honey and defeat me once again.  Instead, they end up floating lifelessly in the water.  Silly little ants.  Occasionally, I empty the dish of their tiny carcasses and refill the water victoriously. Like I said, this is war.

Thinking about my ant-imosity, I wondered, Why did God even create them?  So, I did the scholarly thing. I “Googled” it.  Apparently they aerate the soil, carry seeds, pollinate plants, and help decompose other living things.  Blah, blah, blah. Here’s the thing, there’s no forest, soil, seeds, or things to decompose in my apartment (well, not yet).   In fairness to the ants, they’re just looking for food.  They don’t know the difference between a forest and my apartment. I get it.  But, they’re barking up the wrong tree, as it were, and they’re going to get wiped out, I guarantee.

King Solomon wrote about ants in scripture* teaching us that they are wise, diligent little creatures.  I agree.  They are definitely clever and no one could ever accuse them of being lazy.  They never stop night or day.

That is what got me thinking.  It seems like there is a lot of people like that. They scurry around from thing to thing in a frenzy trying to reach the proverbial golden nectar and may even drown trying to get it.  For what?  Hmmm…

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon describes his own pursuit to find meaning and satisfaction from various things in the world – wisdom, riches, unbridled pleasure, partying, hard work, higher education, and great accomplishments amongst other things.  In the end, he concludes that without a relationship with God, none of it has value.  It all gets wiped out.  Just like the ants circling my honey bottle.  

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” 

Mark 8:36-37 NKJV

*Proverbs 30:25 and Proverbs 6:6