Streets of Gold

And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
Revelation 21:21b (NLT)

I was exploring a new path on my morning bike ride, when I glanced to the side and spotted a farm shed at the end of a dirt track. It looked photogenic, but I was moving fairly quickly, so by the time it registered in my brain, I had already passed the sandy lane and had to turn back.

I parked my bike at the beginning of the field road, and walked a bit closer to the shed. As I got to where the grass on the side was a bit taller, it looked almost ablaze in the morning sun. The colors were a bit redder than usual because of the low sun angle combined with all the smoke in the air from the seasonal burning of the recently harvested rice paddies. The gleaming gold ribbon of tinsel lining the sides of the modest track immediately reminded me of John's description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, where he writes about the streets being made of gold. (The colors may be a bit exaggerated in the photo, because I was trying to adjust for the washed out image taken through the age-worn lens of my phone camera.)

The gold also is a reminder, a few days before Christmas, of one of the gifts brought by the Magi to the young child Jesus in Bethlehem. Gold marked the beginning of Jesus life on earth and will also be present at the beginning of His reign in the New Jerusalem.

While we may not have the experience of a white Christmas here in Thailand, at least we can have a golden one.

This Christmas season, you may find yourself surrounded by white snow, green grass, or even desert sand. Your Christmas tree may be a spruce tree or a palm tree or a branch painted white, like we used to see in Haiti. You may find yourself surrounded by family and friends or you may be all alone. These trappings are just reminders of the time when God chose to identify with the humankind He had created by sending Jesus into our world as one of us. And this same Jesus will one day return to be among us while we walk the streets of gold.

Breaking Tradition

For Thanksgiving this year we decided to break tradition in a couple of ways.

The first way we broke tradition was in our menu choice. Rather than turkey or duck, we opted for roasted chicken. It's not often that we've had turkey for Thanksgiving here in Thailand, as imported frozen turkeys are expensive (about US$100 for a cheap one). While there are some turkeys grown locally, they are not that common—though I have seen some wandering around Kamalasai. The meat from these turkey's is likely not so tender, either. Another nice thing about the chicken is that it was a good size for the two of us.

We also had string bean casserole, without the fried onions and cooked on a stove-top. We were going to have mashed potatoes, but opted for mashed sweet potatoes since we had them. These ended up with a unique color because we mixed brown and orange varieties. The stuffing was more-or-less normal.

Thanksgiving Dinner

We always like to have sweet potato pie with our Thanksgiving. This ia a tradition we picked up when we lived in Alabama. Through the years, the nature of the sweet potato pie, though, has been a bit variable, depending on the type of sweet potatoes that we can find depending on where we have lived. In our slight variance from normal this time around, we used purple Japanese sweet potatoes. Taste is similar to the orange variety, but the color adds quite a different character to the final product.

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

Another way we broke with tradition is that we celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday twice. While we wanted to invite some Thai friends over for a traditional holiday meal, we have found in the past that our North American foods are not always appreciated by our Isaan friends. We have sometimes prepared lots of food only to have little of it eaten. So we decided to have a separate celebration and let our friends help decide the menu. The word hamburgers came up in the conversation.

Ingrid made some dough for the buns ahead of time using a zwieback recipe. Ngok and View helped roll out the buns. (Sorry, Mennonite friends, these zwieback did not have the cap on top.)

Buns, Ready to Cook

Finished Hamburger Buns

I was in charge of the meat. The charcoal cooker we borrowed was a bit small, so it took a while to cook all the burgers that I had made.

Grilling the Burgers

Ngok and View cooked the french fries.

Making the French Fries

We only had three people join us at the actual meal. Several people couldn't make it, but Ngok and View put together some plates for them.

Decorating the Burgers

In the end, we had a good time at both celebrations. After all, Thanksgiving is not about what we put in our mouths, it is about the God who provides good things for us to eat.

For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
1 Timothy 4:4 (NET)

What's in a Name?

A popular thing to do for exercise in Kamalasai is to go for a walk. The government encourages this by putting in walkways around some lakes and even putting some fitness equipment along the way.

Fitness Equipment at the Pond East Side of Kamalasai

There are three lakes of various sizes around Kamalasai with walkways and fitness equipment. The largest is on the west side of town. It's 3.6 km (just over 2 miles) to go all around it.

Lake on the West Side of Kamalasai

The lake closest to us is on the east side of town. The walkway there is still under development as they reconfigured the pond this past year.

Sunset Over the Lake on the East Side of Kamalasai

The lake that seems to be the oldest, based on the nature of the trees growing around it, is on the south side of town. The name of this one is Sa Bua, which translates "Lotus Pond." Sa Bua is the smallest of the three lakes.

Sa Bua or "Lotus Pond" on the South Side of Kamalasai

One thing you may notice in the picture is the dearth of lotus plants growing in the lake. As far as I know, there aren't any. Maybe at one time there were some of the pink blossoms dotting the lake, but there aren't any more. The only pink blossoms to be found are those of the water morning glory. A type of morning glory that not only grows in land, but in water where it will develop swollen, air filled stems that enable them to float.

Water Morning Glory Plants in Sa Bua

It's not like lotus plants don't grow in this part of the world. The Sacred Lotus is commonly planted. In fact the sacred lotus is a good source of food. The inflated stems and seeds are eaten.

Lotus Blossoms in the Lake East of Kamalasai

A few hours drive from here is a water body called Red Lotus Lake. At least that place lives up to its name.

Red Lotus Lake in Udon Thani Province

It's interesting how names often seem to be based on some fantasy dream rather than reality. We used to live on River Mist Avenue in Bakersfield. The house was in a subdivision called "Silver Creek". Good luck finding that glimmering stream of water. There was no river there. We were three miles south of the often dry riverbed of the Kern River. And that was Bakersfield, California—a place that qualifies as a desert with an average annual rainfall of less than six inches. No river. No creek. No mist.

At least Lotus Pond may have once had lotus plants in it.

In the Bible, names often have significant meaning. God gave Abram a new name—Abraham—which means "Father of a Multitude," because he would have many descendants (Genesis 17:5) When the nation of Israel came to a place where the water in the springs was bitter, it was named Marah, which means "bitter". (Exodus 15:23) In Hosea's prophecy there is a place mentioned called Beth Aven (Hosea 4:15; 5:8; 10:5). Beth Aven means "House of Wickedness" and some think this is a sarcastic reference to Bethel (which means "House of God") because of the idol worship that was happening there. Even Hosea's children were given significant names. For example, God told him to name is second child, a daughter, Loruhamah which means "No Mercy," because God was not going to show mercy to Israel (Hosea 1:6). Imagine having to go through life with a name like that!

Soon it will be Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The child is given the name Jesus, which means, "God saves," because He would save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Jesus is given the title Christ, which means "anointed one" because Christians recognize this Jesus as the anointed one or Messiah predicted to come in the Old Testament.

When Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah who was to come, he listed the following names for Him (Isaiah 9:6):
Wonderful Counselor
Almighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace

-Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor—He has the best advice as to how I should live my life.
-Jesus is Almighty God—He is no ordinary person and He has extraordinary power with which to do miracles.
-Jesus is the Everlasting Father—even though He is called the Son of God, He existed from the beginning with God and will live for all eternity.
-Jesus is the Prince of Peace—He makes it possible for us to be reconciled to (at peace with) God, even though in the past our sins made us enemies of God. (Colossians 1:21). And through the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all believers, we are able to love even our enemies and be peacemakers in the world. (Matthew 5:9)

God, thank You for sending us a Savior, Jesus, who is a Wonderful Counselor, the Almighty God, an Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

Bountiful Hill

One of the things we like to do in rainy season in Thailand is to visit waterfalls. Many of the the waterfalls are practically dry for much of the year, but then they come to life towards the end of the rainy season. The early part of the wet season here was not particularly wet, but we've had a lot of good storms in the past few weeks. And finally we weren't so preoccupied with other things, we could actually get away on our day off.

This time, our destination was in Khon Kaen Province, just over the line from Kalasin. Ba Luang Waterfall Forest Park is located in some sandstone hills. The main waterfall is adjacent to the parking lot. The sandstone has both hard and soft layers. Here, the water flows over some hard layers, and as it falls, it undercuts into the soft layers below.

Ba Luang Waterfall

Above the water fall is a smaller cascade as the water passes over the unevenly worn rock.

Small Cascade Above the Waterfall

There is a 1 kilometer long nature trail that includes two smaller cascades. It was a quiet day at the park, and we were the only ones on the trail. After climbing a bit, we came to this pond. Water oozed out of the soil above and poured down off the cliff into the pond. A sign posted said that the waterfall is strongest in the early morning and gets weaker as the day goes on.

Small Waterfall Along the Nature Trail

There was a small cave behind the waterfall, and there were a few clumps of these things that reminded me of sea anemones, except that we were nowhere near the sea and these were on land. We assume they are some kind of plant, but they are nothing like what we have ever seen before.

Land Anemones

As we were exploring by the pool, some creature flew by Ingrid then landed in a small tree. Turned out to be some kind of walking stick.

Walking Stick

Walking Stick Trying to Hide

Leaving that pool of water, we continued up the hill, then the trail dropped steeply down to an area where there was only a thin layer of soil over the sandstone. There were no trees in this area, only shrubs and grasses adapted to the harsh environment.

Shrubs of the Shallow Soils

We heard the sounds of children talking and yelling nearby, and eventually we found the source of the clamor. A small creek had eaten its way into the rock below, and there was an old whirlpool etched into the creek bed. A group of boys was taking turns jumping off the two meter deep chasm into the pool below.

Diving Pool

Just above this, we spotted a tiny waterfall flowing into a shallow pool.

Small Waterfall

It was after 1 pm when we left the park, so we were ready for some lunch. The first village came to with a restaurant was Non Somboon. Khrua Yai Puy restaurant was marked by a colorful sign. There was a menu on the wall, and we were happy to see that they served Pad Thai, something we have not eaten in a long time. The couple that ran the place were friendly, though somewhat intimidated by having foreigners as guests. But they relaxed a bit when we spoke Thai to them and behaved as though we understood how these kinds of restaurants function.

Khrua Yai Puy Restaurant

After confirming that they had the dish, we ordered two plates of Pad Thai. We were eager to have this noodle dish, and the 10-minute wait seemed like a long time. Finally it came.

Pad Thai or Omelette

What an awesome looking omelette. If I had ordered an omelette, this would have been a great one. But why did they bring us Khai Jiao instead of Pad Thai? The names of the two items don't sound anything like each other, other than the vowel sound ai that occurs in each name. Did they really misunderstand us? Is our Thai that bad? Or maybe they didn't have Pad Thai noodles but they didn't want to say "no," so as to save face. I'm not sure the reason. But we didn't want to shame them, so we ate our omelettes and went on our way. They good thing is that the omelettes did not have cilantro, which they usually do, so I was able to eat it.

Later it dawned on me that Non Somboon is the same name as the village where we ate lunch on a waterfall trip in Mukdahan back in August, which I wrote about here. The name of the village translates as "Bountiful Hill." I think there are a lot of villages with that name in the Isaan region, but what a coincidence that we happen to find roadside restaurants to eat lunch at in a village of the same name after leaving a waterfall park on two occasions in two different provinces.

I like the name Bountiful Hill. It sounds like an inviting place to live. It also expresses hope for abundant harvests. And the name often seems appropriate, being that the villages are surrounded by lush rice paddies and forests in which to gather wild food. (This is unlike how we name things in California. When we lived in Bakersfield, California, we lived on River Mist Avenue. That was in a desert with no river to be seen. The name of the subdivision was Silver Creek. The only Silver Creek I ever saw in that area was a mirage.)

Bountiful Hill reminds me of the Biblical promises to the nation of Israel. They were going to a land "flowing with milk and honey." This phrase is used to describe the promised land twenty times in the Old Testament, beginning with Exodus 3:8. It as a poetic way of saying that it will be a bountiful land. It is a reminder that God loves us and cares for our needs.

Bountiful Hill reminds me of the words Jesus uses to describe the life that we can have when we believe in Him. He said The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 ESV) I don't have to travel to some small village in another province to experience God's bounty. An abundant life is available to all who put their faith in Jesus, wherever they are.

An abundant life does not necessarily mean that I will be rich in the stuff of this world. Jesus said, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12:15ESV) An abundant life means that I can have peace and satisfaction that comes from God's presence in my life no matter what storms may come my way. Jesus wants us to trust Him, to be satisfied with Him. This is often easier said than done, however. It is something I am slowly learning to do.

Thank you, God, for being our bountiful hill. Thank you for your promises of an abundant life in Jesus. Thank you for the peace that comes from the presence of Your Holy Spirit in our lives.

Called From the Rice Paddies

Just before Christmas 2012, we moved to a subdivision called Ban Phrueksa 36, in Chachoengsao Province. We were there to help a couple Kai and Kaeo, do ministry in this community where they had just bought a house.

Kai, Kaeo and Golf (holding the dog) in front of our house in Ban Phrueksa

It was an amazing story, God rescued this couple from drugs and poverty to where they could run a profitable business. From a borrowed shack in the rice paddies to a townhouse. From not knowing anything about God to helping lead others to faith in Jesus.

Kaeo Cooking and Selling Chicken Beside Our House

So it was with sadness last Saturday morning that we received a call from Ajan Nat informing us that Kai had gone to be with Jesus. Perhaps his body, with so many health conditions, had succumbed to his second dose of COVID vaccine. Anyway, we quickly got our stuff together and picked up Ajan Nat for the 8-hour drive to Chachoengsao.

With Ajan Nat and Kaeo at the Funeral

The funeral ceremonies were sretched out over three days. There were both Christian and Buddhist ceremonies. Ajan Nat gave awesome message of the hope we have in Jesus. Kai and Kaeo's son, Golf, led a song on guitar. I taught him his first chords way back when and now he is a worship leader.

Ajan Nat Preaching at the Funeral

It was good to see so many familiar faces in this place where we used to live. Many we did not recognize because they were youth when we lived there, but now are adults.

We will miss Kai, but his impact on the church and community will be felt for a while to come.

We arrived back in Kamalasai exhausted from the whirlwind trip, but glad we took the time to go.

And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (MSG)

Pioneering

My wife and I have a bit of a pioneering spirit, and sometimes we even find ourselves being the ones breaking new ground. For example, we were the first ones (and only ones) of our organization to do language school in Bangkok. Another example is that we were part of the first team our organization sent to work in Isaan. Earlier this year, we were the first ones in our organization to go through the complicated process of getting back to Thailand. But yesterday, we had a different kind of first.

It was our day off and we were tired of hanging around our house all the time because of COVID-related travel restrictions. So we decided to go check out a couple of waterfalls on the edge of Kalasin and Mukdahan provinces. The first waterfall we went to was in Kalasin Province. We almost didn't find it because the sign was overgrown and even the parking area was washed out from the road such that we couldn't get our car onto it. Tat Thong Waterfall was fairly dry due to the lack of rain this year, but there were some pretty rock formations in the creek bed.

Tat Thong Waterfall

It was not too far to the next waterfall, but it took a while because the road was not in great shape. This was not your typical tourist route. Eventually we arrived at Kaeng Pho Waterfall Park. This park had had both some smaller upper rapids and a larger waterfall downstream. Upstream from the rapids was a popular wading spot. Fortunately, it was a weekday and there were not a lot of visitors.

Rapids at Kaeng Pho

Kaeng Pho Waterfall

After visiting Kaeng Pho, it was getting to be lunchtime. At this point we were in a very rural area that did not look like it saw a lot of tourists. We went through several villages and finally came to a larger one (still quite small, but larger than some of the others) named Non Somboon, which translates, "Bountiful Hill". (There are actually a lot of villages by that name in Isaan.) We finally saw a place that had several pots out on a counter and some picnic tables so we figured it must be a restaurant, even though there was no kind of signage to let us know what it was.

Restaurant in Non Sombun

The shopkeeper made us feel welcome and she even spoke a few words of English. After we sat down with our meal, someone came out all excited and took our picture. She said we were the first "Europeans" to eat there. I guess it was a "first" for us to have that kind of honor. And even though we were unusual guests at the restaurant, they didn't make us feel like oddities. (She also used the term "European" instead of "farang," which may also be a first for us.)

Green Curry with Chicken

We were surprised that we had the distinction of being the first Westerners at the restaurant. There are Westerners scattered throughout Isaan, usually foreign men married to Isaan women. It is sometimes had to find a village without at least one "European" living in it. What mattered to us, though, was that the food was good—we had green curry with chicken over rice. Two plates of food and two bottles of water for about $3.50 US. I would put a review of the restaurant on Google Maps, but I wouldn't know what to call it.

After lunch, we continued on our journey, not sure where we would end up or which route might eventually get us back home. But about ten minutes down the road from the restaurant, we saw a sign for another waterfall. We turned off the pavement and down a dirt track to a parking area. Then we followed an unmarked trail, assuming it would take us to the waterfall. This one was called Huai Lao.

Huai Lao Waterfall

This area seemed to be a popular hangout for teenagers.

It took us a few hours to meander home from this last waterfall. We caught some rain and some pretty cloudscapes along the way.

Cloudscapes Along the Way

It was nice to have a day out in the country, something that doesn't seem to happen much in these days of COVID-related travel restrictions. This was actually our first time to go into Mukdahan Province. Even though the driving was a bit tiring, we came back refreshed and happy to have a day to do some exploring around the place we call home.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

Not For Us

It was almost nine pm and I had just gone downstairs. As I approached the kitchen I was pleasantly surprised by the scent of the orange jasmine bush wafting in the window. I had noticed the same fragrance in the wee hours of the morning as well. It seems that the scent is strongest when the sun isn't shining.

The orange jasmine, known locally as Dok Kaeo, is one of the first plants I learned a Thai name for because there was a plant on the campus of the language school we attended. That bush was blooming soon after we arrived in the country. Orange jasmine is not related to jasmine, but it is in the same plant family as orange trees. It gets its English name from the nature of the fragrance that emanates from its blossoms.

Orange Jasmine
Shows off to the eyes in the daytime
and to the nose at night

 

There are several species of plants that bloom at night including many types of cactus.  One of the more famous night bearing cacti in Thailand is the dragonfruit, which is planted for it's large, edible fruits.

Dragonfruit Blossom

Dragonfruit

When we lived in northern Thailand, we had several cornstalk dracaena plants in our yard. At first, I wasn't sure why they were planted, as they weren't spectacular to look at. Then, one night as we came home in the dark, we were overcome by the scent of a powerful floral bouquet. It was the cornstalk dracaena plants blooming.

Cornstalk Dracaena Blossom

Because we aren't often out after dark, we don't always get to appreciate these kinds of flowers. It seems odd that God designed these flowers in such a way that we can't appreciate their beauty so much because they show off after dark. Apparently, God designed them not for us humans, but for those creatures who pollinate them that are active at night. God and loves us humans, but He also cares about the other creatures he has made.

Jesus said:

²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:26-30 (NIV)

And again:

²⁸Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. ³⁰And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. ³¹So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:28-31 (NLT)

If God so cares for all these things that He has made, then we ought to as well. God made all of creation, including the animals, before He made the humans. First God made Eden, then He placed the people he made in in the garden to look after it. But when Adam and Eve got a little too proud, God kicked them out of His garden.

So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.Genesis 3:23 (NIV)

Mankind's relationship with the rest of Creation has been not the greatest ever since then. Not content to be part of Creation, Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit because they wanted to be Lord of the Garden as well. And that pride continues to this day. Humans have done some amazing things with the resources that God has given us. But sometimes we act like we are Lords of the earth, rather than acting like fellow creatures who have been gifted with all these things by God. The fragrant flowers of the night show us that not everything was made just for us.

For Rent?

As I was driving into Kamalasai from the north, I was taken aback when out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a sign รับเช่าพระ which translates Phra for Rent.

Phra for Rent Sign

"Phra" is a word that carries a lot of different meanings, but one of the more common ones is to refer to monks. So my brain quickly interpreted this as "monks for rent," and I was a bit stupefied. Is this some sort of temple prostitution being advertised? Which would be really weird because it it not really a thing in Thailand. It would even be against the teachings of Buddha. So there had to be some other meaning.

The Thai language has a very rich vocabulary and there are often many ways to say the same thing. So to me it is odd that they have words like Phra that have so many different connotations. So, on another day, I went by on my bicycle and looked more closely at the sign. There were images of amulets on the poster. Then I understood the meaning—someone was renting out religious charms. There are other words they could have chosen to be more clear about this meaning, but I guess thay chose Phra because it is the shortest.

The use of amulets is quite common in Thailand, particularly among men. Most people have at least one amulet hanging around their neck. Some people have so many amulets, I wonder how they keep their head up straight against the weight of them.

People believe that amulets have special power to protect one from dangers and hazards of various types. There are magazines dedicated to the subject where one can research which amulets can be used for particular types of protection. These pendants can be quite expensive, especially for a charm that was worn by a particular person that protected that person from harm. Or maybe the charm has special powers that were given to it by a monk who prayed an incantation over it.

Amulet vendors are everywhere and it is not unusual to see someone studying a pendant under a magnifier trying to determine if it is genuine.

Amulets for Sale

Since powerful amulets can be quite expensive, it makes sense that someone would make a business renting them out. Someone might want some special protection for a certain event. Or maybe they just need to impress someone in particular with their choice in amulets.

It can be easy to ridicule people for such superstitions, especially for someone like me who grew up in a religion that didn't use much in the way of symbols. I even struggle sometimes with the way that Christians use crosses.

The Bible is full of prohibitions regarding the use of idols—images resembling people, animals, birds, or mythical creatures. So it is interesting to hear people in Thailand say that one of the reasons they don't like Christianity is precisely because it doesn't have the idols. The are many people who want something that they can look at or touch. It is part of what makes their religion real for them.

The writer of Hebrews tells us: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1-NIV)

There is a saying that goes, seeing is believing. What makes Christianity difficult for some is that it reverses this to something like, believing is not seeing.

Since I grew up without the use of idols or amulets, it is easy for me not to depend on them. But it must be really hard for those people whose culture is full of statures and images and charms worn on the body. I really can't imagine what it must be like for them to believe in a God they cannot see. But one thing I do know is that when I put my trust in the One I cannot see, Jesus Christ, His presence became very real to me, as real as any statue that I can touch with my fingers.

Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, had difficulty believing that Jesus rose from the dead. Then, when he finally saw Jesus, he believed the resurrection had actually happened. Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29-ESV)

There is no need for us to buy or even rent a charm or statue. We need only put our faith in the One who died on the cross and rose again. We may not see Jesus, but He is real, and He is alive.

Symbols

We live in the province of Kalasin, Thailand. One of the symbols of the province is the dinosaur. The reason for this is that in the northern part of the province they have found lots of dinosaur fossils.

Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum in Kalasin

So you can find statues or symbols of dinosaurs all over the place.

Not waiting to find out if they really are herbivores

Dinosaurs are surprisingly mobile. At this rate they should be taking over Thailand soon.

Dinosaurs invading the city of Kalasin

Some dinosaurs like to hang around coffee shops.

Dinosaur coming to steal my coffee

Dinosaur giving rides while we wait for out coffee

Earlier this week we found a dinosaur that had been trained to ring a gong.

Kalasin's trained dinosaurs

We humans like to use symbols. They can be an easy way to express the essence of something or even our emotions (emojis).

Emojis as symbols of feelings

Symbols can be powerful tools for making something easy to recognize—like the golden arches at McDonalds or the donkeys and elephants used to represent political parties in the USA. Back when we lived in Haiti, we happened to be there for their first democratic elections, ever. The ballots had the names of the candidates, their photograph and a symbol for their party. Even the illiterate people could recognize the symbols.

Haitian Election Ballot from 1992

For centuries now, the symbol for Christianity has been a cross. It is almost trivialized now, but in its day, the cross would be recognized as a brutal form of execution. Using a cross as a symbol is akin to using a gallows or guillotine, which makes it a really odd symbol. But it makes sense when you think that Jesus taught that the way to life is through death. Jesus died for our sins on the cross to secure our salvation. But He didn't stay dead. First came death, then the resurrection.

The Cross as a symbol of Christianity

Jesus, looking ahead to His crucifixion, wrote,

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵ Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:23-26 (ESV)

But Jesus wasn't just saying this about Himself. Whoever, He says, loves his life will lose it. Dying is the way to a life of fruitfulness.

Paul also writes about this. In Romans 8:13 (ESV) we read: "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." And again in Colossians 3:5 (ESV) "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

The challenge with symbols is that after a while the symbol becomes more important than what it is supposed to represent. The cross becomes merely a fashion statement or a religious symbol rather than showing one's desire to die to self or even even die for one's faith. Some, ironically, complain when governments try to remove our cross symbols from public places. When someone wants to remove a sign that should say we are willing to suffer for our faith, we complain and can become belligerent even to the point of being obnoxious, even though we aren't actually suffering. We are very unlike the first century Christians who rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:41)

When Jesus said we should be willing to take up our cross, I don't think he had in mind a piece of jewelry strung around our neck or a symbol erected on top of a building.

The cross is a reminder that we are strangers and exiles on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13) We are willing to die to the things of this world because we are looking forward to a better one. We read in Hebrews 11:35 (ESV): Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.

I've found that this cross thing is not always easy. Sometimes I get to a place where I have to choose gratifying my human desires or pleasing God. At other times I have to choose between responding to situations according to the wisdom and ways of this world or according to the ways of the Kingdom of God. I don't always get it right.

We read James 3:15-17 (The Voice translation): The wisdom of this world should never be mistaken for heavenly wisdom; it originates below in the earthly realms, with the demons. Any place where you find jealousy and selfish ambition, you will discover chaos and evil thriving under its rule. Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy, and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy.

God, when I see the symbol of a cross, help me to remember that not only did Jesus die on the cross for my sins, but also that He called us to be willing to die to the things of this world for the sake of His kingdom