the last Anchor....

Dry

I’m going dry. There is one last can of Anchor beer in the fridge… I’m going to drink it and then not drink any more alcohol while I’m in Poipet. It’s something I have been thinking about for a while. Even though I don’t think there is much biblical support for a Universal Rule that Christians should never ever drink a drop, I do think that it’s a good rule for me at this time and place.

The Scriptures include many positive references about drinking wine. It’s associated with joy, blessings, abundance, feasting and celebration. In the Old Testament, the grape vine was a symbol of the nation of Israel; a symbol of prosperity. One biblical picture of the good life/ the godly life is this: plant and tend your own vineyard and enjoy the fruit from the vines. Jesus sets a positive example when it comes to drinking. He ate and drank at the tables of the wealthy just as freely as he associated with those on the margins. In fact, critics accused Jesus of being a glutton and a drunk. (Maybe they were just jealous coz they tried to repeat the water into wine thing and it didn’t work?!) The New Testament gives other positive reference to drinking alcohol. For example, Paul encourages Timothy to drink a little wine.

The Scriptures are also clear that drinking in order to get drunk isn’t a sign of a godly person. Paul may have encouraged Timothy to raise a glass but he was equally quick to condemn the behaviour of the believers in Corinth for allowing rich church members to get drunk at their “church fellowship dinners” while the poor went home hungry. Not cool. When Paul wrote about what qualifies someone for church leadership, one criteria is that the person must not be someone who lets their drinking get out of control.

I guess the crux of the issue is that in many cultures and sub-cultures, people don’t separate drinking from getting drunk. It is drinking, getting drunk and… that causes problems. For example: He drank, got drunk and beat his wife when he got home. He drank, got drunk and slept with someone who isn’t his wife. She drank, got drunk and had no more money to buy food for her kids. Their son drank, got drunk and smashed his moto into a tree.

But enough about he/ she/ them… what about me?! My conscience tells me that I’m free to drink moderately or not at all. Several other Christian leaders in my city believe that drinking is a bad example for those who follow Jesus and others who are seeking. Therefore, out of a humble respect for these Christian leaders, I’m happy to go without. In the context of an immature church in which people are trying to make a clean break from addictions and destructive patterns from the past, I am more than happy to be disciplined in my own life in order to set a good example.

It’s not really a big deal. I’d rather follow Jesus than follow the crowds to the next party. I am giving up one small thing that I enjoy every now and then. While joy, wine, feasting and celebration often go together, there is greater joy in simply knowing God. There’s greater joy in taking risks for the sake of love, in standing with the hurting, in hoping for justice and in worshiping a God who wants to do miracles in the lives of the poor.

This post is to welcome this new season in my life. Less beer. More joy. (…and fabulous abs for running marathons!)

Wet

It's raining. All the days raining. And it isn't cold, not even one little bit, but I like to pretend it is.

Wear shorts to feel the almost-cold on my knees when I ride my moto up the street.
Make pumpkin risotto for lunch.
Eat hot oatmeal with raisins and banana.
Sip a mug of tea before bed.
Sleep with the fan on, pulling up the blanket...

wonderful a sunless running

I've been searching for some marathon tips. Here's some inspiration from the Bangkok Marathon website (FAQs)....

Do I need to fast for the race?
Not necessary. A fast definitely causes you to become weak with no more energy to walk or run. [Seems kinda obvious to me but....]

People with what disease cannot participate in the race? Those with life-threatening disease such as heart disease, high blood pressure, pneumonia are not allowed to participate. Others should consult with the doctor before participating. This event is also not suitable for people who have never taken regular exercise.

In case of rain on the race day, is there any assistance for participants?
Except for violent storm or other unmanageable incidents, the race will continue in spite of rain. This is considered normal in the rains.[i.e. if it rains, get over it?!]

As the race starts from early morning 2am and continues for 5-7 hours, what will happen if I do not have enough sleep? Not having enough sleep might affect you health for some degree. Although the race starts at 2am, it will not matter. ...Don’t worry. Simply join Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon and you will find how wonderful a sunless running brings to you.

Cause and Effect

I get annoyed when it seems that events with clear-cut causes are confused so as to diffuse responsibility.

Last week The Cambodia Daily reported that two people were killed when their oxcart ran over a landmine in Battambang province. The cause? ...because the oxcart was overloaded with fertilizer and it ran over an unexploded ordinance. Strange. It's not as though they would have chosen the oxcart over a range of other transport options... I'd be surprised to hear that they left their helicopter in the hanger that day and chose to overload their ancient cart just for a more adventurous travel experience to the market. Their deaths had nothing to do with the time of day or the age of the oxen or the colour of underpants they chose that morning. A woman and her nephew died because of a landmine. Simple.

Today the paper wrote about a 58-year-old woman who was raped and killed in Poipet. Her body was found on Sunday at 8am. The police chief was quoted as saying, "The brutal beating and old age caused her death." Old age?! I don't think so. A 58-year-old woman in my city died because someone raped her and beat her to death. Let's not confuse things.

3 proverbs

You are better off to be humble and poor than to take what you want by force.
From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
(From Proverbs 16)

Plunge Team

Val & Mavis

Val and Mavis are sending a package. And they wrote first to ask what I want:

"Mavis and I want to send another parcel, and we would like to know what you find most useful – enough to fill a box the same size as last time. If you only send a few suggestions you’ll receive a parcel full of those – so please let us know just what you would like!!"

Practical, caring ladies huh?! When I replied yesterday with my list of requests, I added:

"I hope you have almost as much fun putting together this package as I will receiving it : ) "