-76

It's hard to believe I was flying back from Atlanta a week ago. 4 days in the U.S. and 3 days at 30,000 ft.

30,000 ft always gives me a better perspective on life here at sea level.

Somewhere above planet earth, where the outside air temperature was -76F and I was neither in Hong Kong or America, this verse landed in my heart:

And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

There is a massive difference between belief in God and earnestly seeking God. Living in the tension of belief and earnest pursuit means that we will know Him to be the ultimate reason and the ultimate reward.

the beach in november

the start of something beautiful

secure

I love this picture. I could not love this child more than I already do. There are no words.

This image applies directly to our situation. He has asked us to trust Him in all things, with all things, for all things.

Sometimes the journey is exhausting. Sometimes the journey is amazing. Sometimes the journey is enjoyable. Sometimes... not so much. All the time however, it is worth it.

I have the deepest respect for all the saints who have gone before us, leaving borderland, in much harder times, to much more difficult places, that many would know the life-changing love of Jesus.

Even in our rest, we are still going where He is going. God's will for our lives cannot be thwarted. We can resist. Try to get out. Cry. Insist on our own way. Rely on our own abilities. Only to be reminded we are securely fastened to Him. Given His life. Empowered through His Spirit. Living for His glory. On display.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39]

the grace campus blog -

For those of you following our journey here in HK, be sure to bookmark the grace campus blog

where additional news and stories can be found.

any takers?

kinda like a fruit roll-up, without the fruit.

macau top 14

The Top 14 List of Macau:

1. Brazilian breakfast... where Luke sneezed all the contents of his mouth and nose onto April.

2. Sheets of meat in the streets. (Photo coming soon).

3. Meeting a friend from Oregon working at Fatburger

4. Packing the entire family for an overnight stay in ONE backpack.

5. Cinnamon roll? Nope. Red Bean look-a-like. Delicious.

6. Repeatedly dodging motorcycles in the alleys.

7. Thinking about leadership in light of the Venetian facade. Great illustrations for a future talk.

8. Massive dried shark fins for sale. Want one?

9. Tiramisu ice cream, african chicken, grilled pineapple.

10. Running in the hotel hallways with the boys.

11. Black out curtains. (We still don't have curtains at home).

12. Near-celebrity status in the hotel lobby. Paparazzi-level photography. Not sure why, but we did have to guard Luke at one point, from well-intending (but boundary-lacking) guests from another nearby country. Think tug-of-war with your child and total strangers.

13. Seeing Portugese and Chinese languages together.

14. Different architecture.

atlanta to hong kong

This week our friends from Atlanta joined us.

Many thanks to North Metro Church for partnering in the gospel with us.

park day

another side

On Sunday we went for a walk to get to know our area better. We walked passed several government housing estates and saw a beautiful picture of local culture. We ended up walking to the end of the line -- a local bbq pit beachfront where wakeboarding and sea kayaking outfitters operate. We walked about 7k. Our eyes were opened to yet another side of HK.