tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129550412024-03-13T17:45:06.482+07:00The Rosendal Family Blogthoughts and reflections of our lives in Chiang Mai ThailandBrent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-36392331791810395312011-01-28T13:17:00.000+07:002011-01-28T13:18:07.788+07:00This is Awesome!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP3SoP1NMO5gAkN443iAelu_qQdBe4ZpDuWeFs__M5upLdymfJgqrfqIQCJ26s2pgN_AulRGS1Va3BPBbeSzujWHo-BnZxKFvwDVSFf-ehoxPc2G-g1KgyIos2ijkg5mnnmbFbQ/s1600/why-woman-shop-alone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP3SoP1NMO5gAkN443iAelu_qQdBe4ZpDuWeFs__M5upLdymfJgqrfqIQCJ26s2pgN_AulRGS1Va3BPBbeSzujWHo-BnZxKFvwDVSFf-ehoxPc2G-g1KgyIos2ijkg5mnnmbFbQ/s320/why-woman-shop-alone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567117186678326146" /></a>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-19983159812493329122010-09-13T09:13:00.003+07:002010-09-13T09:25:45.788+07:00A Trip to Kinetchu<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmGGzqU2Vdsxyb8SQiHeNg4Q1dC7rxlvUfnskcrRaesfpzL7pxYFYp_dvNA5_waGA21J_emDmKCQGIETbH6gClA_ikwFpuXgqHpPExrVtBg_-fEX4RCDqdiSITn_hQsNb0yCfYg/s1600/IMG_8777.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmGGzqU2Vdsxyb8SQiHeNg4Q1dC7rxlvUfnskcrRaesfpzL7pxYFYp_dvNA5_waGA21J_emDmKCQGIETbH6gClA_ikwFpuXgqHpPExrVtBg_-fEX4RCDqdiSITn_hQsNb0yCfYg/s320/IMG_8777.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516217954104011746" /></a><br />Last week, Gary Woodring, pastor of our sending church, came to visit us in Thailand. We had some revival services at Antioch on the weekend and after that, we spent 2 nights in a hill tribe village. We had a good time, encouraged with the work the pastor of the church is doing. We were able to teach about salvation, baptism and the work of a church during our time there. After sharing with them what God expects all churches to do, some of the people in attendance told us that they couldn't do it because they were too poor. We then looked at a number of verses that showed that God expected this of churches no matter their race, size or financial status. <br />Afterwards we agreed to have some meeting every other month in which I will go to teach leaders in the area about different doctrines and things. I'm looking forward to that and hope that we have a number of pastors, missionaries and other leaders too.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-58437678462889935912010-07-22T11:14:00.002+07:002010-07-22T11:16:07.524+07:00A Good Rap About Being a DadThought this video was pretty funny. Can't relate to everything (especially the phone on a clip part) but Tawm likes the part where all the money goes to the wife and kids (wonder why that is?).<br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12714406&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12714406&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/12714406">Dad Life</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/cotm">Church on the Move</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-53653833073805649032010-02-18T08:55:00.002+07:002010-02-18T08:59:31.748+07:00We're All TheologiansI haven't had the chance to read this book yet, however it looks like it will be a good one. I just finished reading another book talking about a newer wave of Christianity called the emerging church and the ridiculous teachings of Rob Bell and Brian McClaren. This is video is true, whether or not we know it, we are all theologians. Are we going to believe the truth or are we are we going to go off the deep end like those people in the emerging church?<br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8788549&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8788549&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8788549">DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/covlife">Covenant Life Church</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-549449273367578312010-01-24T13:41:00.002+07:002010-01-24T13:48:20.949+07:00My Parents are CoolI have some awesome parents. I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with such supportive parents. I know that having their children and grandchild live half way across the world isn't always easy for them but I know that they will one day be rewarded for their sacrifice. They are a good example to me about what it means to be faithful and supportive and we are looking forward to their return visit here later this year.<br />Since I posted my last blog, my mom has been phoning different places that have Thai people working for them in my hometown. My hometown, the Hat, has a lot of Thai people working in greenhouses for several months and then they return to Thailand. She phones them to inform them about my online sermons and tells them to check out my blog. Who knows if anyone does, but maybe some of those people will get saved and come back to Thailand as Christians. That would be awesome! Anyways, I think my mom is pretty cool for doing that! Keep up the good work, we appreciate you guys.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-36853576683823403262010-01-20T16:36:00.002+07:002010-01-21T08:32:01.638+07:00Listen to my Sermons Online, Free and in ThaiHey, just wanted to let you know that I have started recording my sermons on Sundays and I am going to start posting them to my blog. They will be on the blogs right hand side. If you know any Thai people who may want to listen to some online sermons, pass them the link to our blog.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-11379680687481771412010-01-08T14:27:00.003+07:002010-01-08T14:29:16.059+07:00Good Ways to Encourage a MissionaryI saw this on one of the blogs I frequent, and thought it was good, especially since I'm a missionary! :)<br /><br /><br /><em>In an effort to learn how we can best encourage missionaries, I emailed some and asked how they would most like to be served and encouraged. This list is drawn from their responses, including many direct quotes.<br /><br />1. Pray for them and let them know that you are doing so frequently.<br /><br />“One of the most encouraging/inspiring things we receive from people is a quick note via email to say that they are ‘thinking’ of us.”<br /><br />2. Send “real mail.” <br /><br />“Send a small care package. Some little fun food items that we can’t get where we serve is a good idea.”<br /><br />“One idea is to send a special package before an American holiday (like Thanksgiving) filled with things that we can use to decorate for that holiday.”<br /><br />“Send us a birthday card. This doesn’t have to be some long handwritten note, just a little card – maybe even printed at home.”<br /><br />“Real mail is always special. Really, the thing with real mail is more than just getting some nice stuff from home (which is nice), but it seems a more tangible reminder that the people I love and miss love and miss me too and are thinking of me.”<br /><br />3. Pray for the people the missionaries serve and not only for the missionaries and their families.<br /><br />4. Recruit others to pray for the missionary’s area of service (city, people group, etc.) or for the missionaries themselves. <br /><br />“This can be an amazing thing to have a person or group of people actively supporting the work that we are doing overseas – becoming an advocate for our city/work. It really encourages us to know that there are people going to bat for us and raising more prayer support for the work.”<br /><br />“Become an arm of our work in the United States. Some ideas include handling our newsletter distribution, website hosting (i.e., hosting a virtual website for the city), logistical arrangements, or short term team orientation.”<br /><br />5. Go visit them with the purpose of serving and encouraging them in their work.<br /><br />“Have a group of your people come to minister to us as we are seeking to pour out our lives to others. This could be hosting a small retreat in country for our team or something similar, or coming to prayer walk the city we live in.”<br /><br />6. Send them updates and pictures of you and your family (by mail or email).<br /><br />“It would especially be nice to receive end of the year updates or Christmas card pics. We want to stay connected to you! We love hearing from friends and family and enjoy keeping up to date on what’s happening in your life!”<br /><br />“If you have a friend overseas, stay in touch with them. Don’t let cautions about being careful with spiritual language keep you from talking about the day to day “un-spiritual” things you would talk about if you met up for lunch one day. Sometimes the least spiritual emails are the most helpful, because somehow I feel less distant when friends talk to me like they always did before I left. Share updates on family, school, work, life, sports—whatever it is that you used to talk about with them.”<br /><br />7. Ask questions about their work.<br /><br />“Ask not only how we are doing, but ask about our work and try to learn all you can about the people or city where we are serving.”<br /><br />“I know that this has been said, but truly CARING about the work is the best way to encourage us.”<br /><br />8. Continue to be a Christian friend and continue to minister to them.<br /><br />“Don’t stop being the church to us when we leave. Whenever security allows, spiritual conversations are good for our hearts. Missionaries struggle with the same sinful attitudes that plague Christians everywhere. Leaving home to live among unreached peoples, may be a step of faith in the process of sanctification, but it is not a step that roots out all sin. It is likely to lead to and expose all kinds of previously unnoticed and unexpected sin. Having friends that know me, are patient with me, and expect me to be the same struggling sinner I was when I left helps me stay humble when tempted toward arrogance, and hopeful when tempted toward despair.”<br /><br />“Even for us with strong member care, it is helpful to receive pastoral care from the stateside church’s pastor who many times will know the missionary personally and have the history with them to be able to invest and mentor them and their family and marriage.”<br /><br />“Ask us those hard questions. Do a little pastoral counseling with us.”<br /><br />“Please don’t elevate us onto some false pedestal. We are normal people too who have been forgiven much and for some reason God called to live and minister overseas.”<br /><br />9. Support them financially.<br /><br />“Finding out if we have any specific needs and meeting those needs is great.”<br /><br />10. Seek to encourage them when they are on stateside assignment.<br /><br />“Let us talk to you and your congregations, and small groups. We want to share what God has been doing and would love the opportunity to talk about it, raise awareness and hopefully gain more prayer support.”<br /><br />“Invite us out to lunch or dinner. Nothing fancy is needed. Remember we’ve just been in places where we may not have been able to even enjoy a little Mexican food.”<br /><br />No missionary mentioned this to me in emails, but I know it is a blessing when someone shares their summer home or cabin for a missionary family to get away and relax for a few days.<br /><br />“Let us know about any good books that are must reads. Tell us about any good resources that may benefit our personal growth or ministry work: things like conferences, training for ministry/leadership, and so forth.”</em><br /><br />This post was written by Mark Rogers. Mark Rogers is a Ph.D. student in historical theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-47984545123893354272010-01-03T17:49:00.001+07:002010-01-03T17:51:26.152+07:00The World Junior in Good Ole Saskatchewan<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D9Kos2SgqjM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D9Kos2SgqjM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />I've never been a big fan of hockey, even though I'm Canadian. However, one thing I always enjoyed was the World Juniors. Would have been fun to celebrate New Year's this way don't you think!Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-34846840764867115492010-01-03T17:17:00.002+07:002010-01-03T17:45:37.420+07:00A Decade's Worth of Highlights<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iK-l0dEvfWg&border=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iK-l0dEvfWg&border=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />Enjoyed this, still think the best highlight was the dunk over top of that guy when playing for Team USABrent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-4635697838006630882009-12-29T18:56:00.002+07:002009-12-29T19:02:19.210+07:00Christmas Day Outreach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Quw3s9qxK0OOlZ9MH-Bo8dP29X3T5ig5ZBAT4p7db3KzekXIY-RRJLAwFlENsoBeu8K1JeUdhgP0Jn1oN8tJzE8xsohEBi4luxGxgTXzgxpfSe_HSpJlNS-mWR0Cgm4QhUxwYQ/s1600-h/IMG_6858.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Quw3s9qxK0OOlZ9MH-Bo8dP29X3T5ig5ZBAT4p7db3KzekXIY-RRJLAwFlENsoBeu8K1JeUdhgP0Jn1oN8tJzE8xsohEBi4luxGxgTXzgxpfSe_HSpJlNS-mWR0Cgm4QhUxwYQ/s320/IMG_6858.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420627210540414402" /></a><br />In the evening on Christmas Day, we had held an outreach at our church building. It was a lot of fun. One of the highlights of the evening was the way everyone in our church participated. This Christmas was a lot less stressful than some of the previous outreaches because every really stepped up and Tawm and I didn't have to do much planning. The little kids sang a Christmas carol and a couple recited Scripture. The older kids/teenagers did a skit based on the Christmas Carol story and then the adults sang a couple specials. I had the opportunity to share afterwards. As always, one of the highlights of the evening was the huge buffet of amazing foods. We had about 50 people attend but we must have had enough food to feed another 50. Pray for those who came to the outreach that don't know Christ. We had a number of people.<br /><br />As you can see from the pic, Owen really enjoyed the night too.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-40117465005890018812009-12-25T08:37:00.003+07:002009-12-25T09:05:24.288+07:00Christmas 2009<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gYYfyT-i--4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gYYfyT-i--4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />We were excited about Christmas this year. It was the first year that Owen was really big enough to understand and have some fun on Christmas. It was also the first year that we had a Christmas tree in Thailand for Christmas. Owen really enjoyed his last gift (although he has one more from grandma and grandpa Rosendal that he will open later in the day). He immediately forgot about all the other gifts and wanted to ride his Hara Davision tricycle.<br /><br />Below is a video of him test driving the bike. He's already head banging!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/90HNxz7PXgQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/90HNxz7PXgQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-62158698062966068212009-12-20T20:53:00.003+07:002009-12-20T20:55:21.308+07:00White Men Can't Jump?Anyone that knows me, knows that I'm a big basketball fan. Saw this video on someone else's blog and thought it was interesting, thought provoking and made me go hmmm? Why do you think there isn't many white guys in the L?<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SYraid2vqI8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SYraid2vqI8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-23619088955159293622009-12-13T14:18:00.001+07:002009-12-13T14:20:05.557+07:00Fishing FunniesI can't say I ever watched this show. Not even a big fan of fishing but if the show was as always as funny as these clips, I might tune in!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q_BLggf-mqs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q_BLggf-mqs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-57919101431955924992009-10-08T20:15:00.003+07:002009-10-08T20:20:24.076+07:00Conversations with a ChildOwen is almost 2 already, man times flies. He is turning into a little talker. Here's how our conversation went as I was changing his diaper tonight:<br /><br />Daddy: <em>Owen, lift your bum</em><br /><br />Owen: <em>Daddy, lift your bum</em><br /><br />Daddy: <em>No, daddy doesn't need to wear a diaper, I'm already potty trained.</em><br /><br />Owen: <em>Choo choo train please?</em><br /><br />I guess, he's still a little too young to reason with...Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-15163031159355407142009-10-03T15:26:00.001+07:002009-10-03T15:26:52.767+07:00A Good Thought to Ponder...<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EzxmMvbBilM&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EzxmMvbBilM&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-12080150695991019752009-09-09T12:35:00.002+07:002009-09-09T12:38:20.831+07:00The 9'sI'm going to try to take some of this in, this coming September 9, 2009. That is 9/9/09 if you didn't know. Over 70 speakers from the states, streaming online for free. Will see if the internet will run fast enough to catch some of it. It starts at 9:09:09 on 9/9/09 if you are interested.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a8M6aGOezEs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a8M6aGOezEs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-44002562438055135172009-09-09T12:33:00.002+07:002009-09-09T12:34:39.241+07:00Amazing Dunk.Only a little while to basketball season resumes. Can't wait. In the meantime, saw this dunk on yahoo. Thought it was really cool. I always just wanted to touch the rim. Could never imagine what it would feel like to do this!<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AK3_0YWYRUM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AK3_0YWYRUM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-9493861080222785792009-08-28T19:26:00.002+07:002009-08-28T19:30:26.835+07:00Sister or brother?Over the past couple weeks, Owen has been in copycat mode. He mimics our words (English, Thai, Northern Thai and even Karen - a hilltribe language here) and our actions as well.<br /><br />Tonight I thought I figured I would tell him to say, sister please. However as soon as I said, Owen say "sister please", he replied "no sister". <br /><br />After that, I said, Owen say "brother please", and to that Owen replied, "brother please". So if and when the time comes for Owen to have a younger sibling, we already know what Owen wants.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-26303971503107302542009-08-17T20:07:00.002+07:002009-08-17T20:10:23.572+07:00Owen at 20 months<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq1fk57J7qTF10erEMHWEFrT8FhMynwro7MIDR42diY1rIEQ5RjWUwo8iXlQiHsjY0LMeWR2uJ5qcH92Y2ZT0ForJZy2n8r6H5S56eMV-ZZ9gHlDz31jI5nSxVJPek0btU0BS_Q/s1600-h/thailand+aug09+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq1fk57J7qTF10erEMHWEFrT8FhMynwro7MIDR42diY1rIEQ5RjWUwo8iXlQiHsjY0LMeWR2uJ5qcH92Y2ZT0ForJZy2n8r6H5S56eMV-ZZ9gHlDz31jI5nSxVJPek0btU0BS_Q/s320/thailand+aug09+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370918939175884322" /></a>Some of you haven't seen Owen in a while, so here is one pic to help you remember what he looks like.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-11362868740081311882009-08-17T19:56:00.002+07:002009-08-17T20:06:36.962+07:00TMBI Resumes with a Bang!Last week, Thailand Missionary Baptist Seminary started its 2nd year. We are continuing with the modular system but making a few adjustments. The modules still run for one week per month but we've asked all the first year students to remain in the city so that we can build better relationships with them. We have 6 returning students (although a couple only completed the whole first year). We also have 2 new students. We're excited about that and pray that as word spreads we will continue to grow. First semester classes include Scriptural Church Association, Christian Doctrine, Pastoral Epistles and Bible Study Methods. I'm excited about the two classes I'm teaching. They've been a lot of work for me to prepare but it has been well worth the effort and the students seem to really enjoy them so far.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9dYui2QyOPiGXV0hnBo4ghRLDOkvBSi8aGQMhyHuKiakhrsRD4ta9W2QgZqke9XZ_KRCQ9IYRbEguTCZIC0oMM5EbY1xSD6hLpYoJ7ONvwhjzw9L4MBN-7l8pa09Pg7ANY38Lw/s1600-h/thailand+aug09+105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9dYui2QyOPiGXV0hnBo4ghRLDOkvBSi8aGQMhyHuKiakhrsRD4ta9W2QgZqke9XZ_KRCQ9IYRbEguTCZIC0oMM5EbY1xSD6hLpYoJ7ONvwhjzw9L4MBN-7l8pa09Pg7ANY38Lw/s320/thailand+aug09+105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370918240302956530" /></a><br /><br />One other adjustment that we've made is that we are going to do something special on the Friday evening when the students are here. This past Friday we encouraged people to bring there friends to our house for a free dinner, movie and discussion afterwards. We had a great time of fellowship. Watched the movie "Fireproof" and then talked about relationships for a little bit after. A few of the students brought people that we had never met before and everyone said that they can't wait for us to do it again! That's always a great thing to hear.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-51114819079056270842009-08-11T20:25:00.011+07:002009-08-11T20:56:56.473+07:00Cell Phones and Church<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55A36c0VaylFUMrEw-N-IPvsgfszvksuAVdkRxosNy30x2jxAgeOnd7cJJea-BaI0POP1RNERfWu53Wt7khb7dGe3LbfAU50zHjr3kGlo2PwMY1cD6KogJS5C5vRRmCyCiUFbbw/s1600-h/Wholesale-China-Cell-Phone-MB-ZT8898.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55A36c0VaylFUMrEw-N-IPvsgfszvksuAVdkRxosNy30x2jxAgeOnd7cJJea-BaI0POP1RNERfWu53Wt7khb7dGe3LbfAU50zHjr3kGlo2PwMY1cD6KogJS5C5vRRmCyCiUFbbw/s320/Wholesale-China-Cell-Phone-MB-ZT8898.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368699657312312786" /></a><br />One thing that bothers me a lot is when a cell phone goes off in the middle of church services, Sunday school or TMBI classes. Even more annoying is when people start to talk on their phone in the middle of services. It started to become a regular occurance and so we had to put a slide at the beginning of worship services asking people to shut off their phones. It helped somewhat, now people just put their phones on silent mode and when it rings, they walk out the door. Sometimes I think to myself, our church is full of very important people because they can't even turn their phones off for an hour or two.<br /><br />Thankfully, things like twitter haven't hit mainstream here in Thailand yet and so we don't have to deal with it. I never even thought about it being a problem but I have seen a couple other bloggers in the States (<strong><em><a style="color: #800000" href="http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1828_more_on_not_using_twitter_during_worship_services">John Piper</a>, <a style="color: #800000" href="http://www.joshharris.com/2009/05/should_we_use_twitter_during_c.php">Josh Harris</a></strong></em>) have already been dealing with this issue. <br /><br />I hope that twitter doesn't become a hit here too soon!Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-13779449245982825312009-08-10T20:33:00.002+07:002009-08-10T20:37:24.015+07:00Sunday TearfestThis past Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day. Mother's day here in Thailand falls on the queen's birthday (August 12). In children's Sunday school, the kids prepared cards and practiced a song. When I finished preaching, the kids came downstairs. All the mothers present sat at the front of the church and watched their children sing. Afterwards, the children gave their mothers jasmine flowers. The kids then joined their mothers and the kids told their moms what they appreciated about them and after that the mothers gave words of encouragement to their children. When it was all said and done, there wasn't many dry eyes in the house. Every year we celebrate mother's at this time and think it is fast becoming one of people's favorite Sundays, especially the moms.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-59485395007275410392009-08-04T16:38:00.004+07:002009-08-04T16:44:45.836+07:00Shoe Letdown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi112i1u2xnnwm-AHQ9iVtgQ3cR88cjhWEPAZMOgut3sI-h3vcnRV7HvypFKkY4jBDQCqs7eoEvzrrvgovK6EEsfiXs_GPOxam-uRzw3TYlKtaTjhokLoHt_D5uKIFabPP3_16g4A/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi112i1u2xnnwm-AHQ9iVtgQ3cR88cjhWEPAZMOgut3sI-h3vcnRV7HvypFKkY4jBDQCqs7eoEvzrrvgovK6EEsfiXs_GPOxam-uRzw3TYlKtaTjhokLoHt_D5uKIFabPP3_16g4A/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366041789092503426" /></a><br />At the beginning of the new year, a new family started attending our church. They have a couple teenage boys who like to play basketball and so I started playing basketball again, even though it had been a few years since I played. Because I hadn't played in a few years, I didn't really have any basketball shoes to use and so one of my goals when I went back to North America was to find a cool pair of shoes to play basketball, a pair that no one else in Thailand had. <br /><br />When we were in Indiana, Nike just released a new pair of Lebron's and so I purchased them. Last night I played basketball for the first time and was excited to show off my new shoes. The guys from the church thought that they were pretty cool. When I made it to the gym, the first Thai person I met had the exact same shoes as me, just in a different color. So much for my flashy shoes. I guess I have to rely on my skills to set me apart, not just my shoes! ;)Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-28471568020305121432009-08-03T13:11:00.002+07:002009-08-03T13:15:54.360+07:00Belated Bday SurpriseThis past Saturday was my birthday. On Sunday at church when I got to the pulpit to preach, one of the worship team members started to speak. He announced that it had been my birthday and then the worship team sang a song of blessing for me. People in the congregation gathered around me and after the song was finished, three people prayed for me. When the prayer was finished, one of our youth brought out a birthday cake with 6 candles on it, not because I was six, but because I was 33 and 3+3=6. It was a great surprise and I really appreciated it. The only problem was that when it was over, it was hard to regather my thoughts to preach. Thanks to everyone who made my Sunday morning special!Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955041.post-1345492331396632922009-08-01T10:47:00.002+07:002009-08-01T10:52:55.903+07:00No Title NeededAs we left Canada, I promised myself that I'd keep people in North America more informed of what is going on with us here in Thailand and use our blog to post some pictures too (although facebook is much more convenient for that). <br />We've been back in Thailand for about a week now. Long enough to get over jetlag and get reroutined. Today's blogging goals:<br />1. Say Hey!<br />2. Get our background reworked since the old one seems to have disappeared.Brent and Tawmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13077498915250896657noreply@blogger.com1