Lessons from the Land of Smiles

Lessons from the Land of Smiles

I have just had a couple of weeks in Thailand. Here are some thoughts based on five key areas of Thai culture.


1. Sabai – Relax (Everything is ok!)



The concept of sabai comes form 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.

Posted by Braden Matson

Working With Other Denominations: Part One

In our city, we have been privileged to inherit a unity among the churches that is really amazing. Many folk from outside visit our place and end up asking a bunch of questions about how it has been achieved. I've also had leaders of national ministries come to me and tell me about the problems of running inter-denominational ministries, where some youth groups will only turn up if another youth group doesn't, or if a certain practice isn't exercised.

The reality that we have to face is that, the main problem we have with other denominations or movements is Doctrine. Doctrine defines our identity in Christ. There are churches that believe in speaking in tongues, and there are those who feel it is heretical. There are churches that believe in certain forms of baptism, that others have different interpretations of. There are so many different standpoints on giving and tithing across the church. So if we identify with certain practices that others despise or practice differently, we will tend to distance ourselves from those groups, after all they are not "in line" with our belief system.

The problem I see is, that as bible believing Christians, we read in John 17, as Christ is praying for the disciples and then goes on to pray for all believers, that He desires us to be united.
Verse 23 : "I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

We all know the verse, "Where there is Unity, God commands a blessing", and quite often we put it in the context of our local church. You know?, that the pastors and leaders work together in one vision and God will bless the vision and so on. But, here in verse 23, Jesus is praying to the Father about ALL believers being ONE.

You see the devil has done such an outstanding job of dividing the church over the centuries to the point that we are more at war with each other than with the principalities and powers. This is it, isn't it. Our doctrines are what divide us. The funny thing is, that any church that agrees "Jesus is Lord" are Christians and therefore part of the body of Christ. Jesus desires those people to be united.

This is the hard part though. We have established that it is Christ’s desire for the church to be united. We have also established that it is our doctrines that divide us. So the question is: How do we achieve unity?

To Be Continued…
Posted by Ben Hoyle

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.

Posted by Braden Matson

West Coast

Andrea and I had a great time Saturday and Sunday in Wanganui. Saturday was a combined event with youth from Palmerston North, Wanganui, and New Plymouth. We started with a raft race (which was hilarious to watch) and then had a rally in the evening. There is such a great sense of unity in the West Coast region and so refreshing to see such a commitment to serving each other.

Sunday morning I had the privilege of speaking at Faith City Church led by Pastors Iliafi and Fia Esera. They have been doing such an amazing work in Wanganui for a long time now, steadily building a strong, healthy church. They are such a great example of a releasing church. Their pastors are released to help build the movement and to minister nationally and internationally, and people are released to minister such as Dennis and Caroline Isaacs being sent to pastor a church in Kaipoi. It's all about being kingdom minded.

Posted by Braden Matson

Dessert Night, West Auckland

We had a great night last night at Waitakere City Church. Pastor Luka Robertson was really challenging and inspiring. It was great to see so many Youth Leaders from all around Auckland (and even Hamilton - you guys were legends for coming all the way for the meeting!!).

One of the most challenging things form Pastor Luka, I thought, was the need for a fresh revelation of God's love for the people we lead. How are we treating the people God has entrusted to us? How am I loving them?

I trust you were really blessed if you were able to be there last night.

Posted by Braden Matson

Increasing Your Influence

Here are some notes form the Dessert Night in Christchurch

Increasing your influence.


1. Lead yourself

Develop self discipline

People will seek you out because you have habits that people know are good, but neglect.

What areas of self-discipline do you need to improve?


2. Know the purpose of your influence.

Its not about you, your power, or ego.
Its about being a vessel of God. How will you influence people for him?

When people cross your path how will lives be different because they were influenced by you?


3. Get out of your way

Don’t let your age or personality limit you influence. 1 Tim 4:12

You have opportunities each day. Move out of your comfort zone.

How are you limiting yourself right now?


4. Raise the bar

If you have the same standards as everyone else, your influence is diminished. People are influenced by those they see ahead of them.

How could you raise the bar in your life?


5. Make people feel significant


People want to feel important. It is a basic human need. No one likes to feel insignificant.

If you, by your words, action or attitude make people feel significant, you will have influence with them.

Who can you make feel significant?


6. Develop your gifts

What are you doing to grow?

Use your gifts that God gave you, but develop them

Listen and learn.


7. Choose who will influence you.

Surround yourself with peers who will encourage you.
Find mentors who will help you grow.
Follow the writings of the experts in books and blogs.

Posted by Braden Matson

What will happen to me?

The third most important question is "What will happen to me when I die?"

Here are some quotes to help your thinking along these lines:

Evil can be cast out, not by man alone nor by a dictatorial God who invades our lives, but when we open the door and invite God through Christ to enter.

'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.'

God is too courteous to break open the door, but when we open it in faith believing, a divine and human confrontation will transform our sin-ruined lives into radiant personalities.
Martin Luther KingGrace

U2
Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace, it's the name for a girl
It's also a thought that could change the world
And when she walks on the street you can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything
Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalkS
he's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma, karmaSh
e travels outside of karma
When she goes to work you can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flue for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurtWhat once was friction
What left a mark no longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace finds goodness in everything

King Solomon.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die.”

Famous last words.
General Jon B Sedgwick:“They couldn’t hit an elephant from this distance.”
H.G. Wells“Go away… I’m all right.”