The Stark Truth

Summer ’11

Stark — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:52:34 +0000

The People’s Buddhism

Stark — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:41:03 +0000

OMF, a large mission organization in Asia, has produced a few videos pertaining to Thailand. I think they do a good job of helping to understand what Thailand is like and how it is different from home.

This video introduces Folk Buddhism and features some Thai and Thai missionaries…

http://player.vimeo.com/video/13676845

The People’s Buddhism from OMF Media on Vimeo.

Science as God’s gift

Stark — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:13:01 +0000

Many of you are aware that some in our family are having digestive problems and have been for quite some time. Therefore we have been studying a lot about health, nutrition, diet, and common digestive problems and what effect they have on the rest of the body. Studying these things has been enjoyable, and I’ve also been able to make more use of my college major; Health Science.

Several of the books that we have read left Paige and I very impressed by the author that wrote them, and thankful for their contribution to health and wellness. God has designed the human body so detailed and specific, it is amazing the things that scientists have learned.

While thinking through these things, I came across John Calvin’s thoughts on Science as God’s Gift in his Institutes of the Christian Religion. It is a great passage reflecting on the good things that can be found in those outside the Church. May we all be thankful for the gifts of God wherever they may be found:

Whenever we come upon these matters in secular writers, let that admirable light of truth shining in them teach us that the mind of man, though fallen and perverted from its wholeness, is nevertheless clothed and ornamented with God’s excellent gifts. If we regard the Spirit of God as the sole fountain of truth, we shall neither reject the truth itself, nor despise it wherever it shall appear, unless we wish to dishonor the Spirit of God. For by holding the gifts of the Spirit in slight esteem, we contemn and reproach the Spirit himself. What then? Shall we deny that the truth shone upon the ancient jurists who established civic order and discipline with such great equity? Shall we say that the philosophers were blind in their fine observation and artful description of nature? Shall we say that those men were devoid of understanding who conceived the art of disputation and taught us to speak reasonably? Shall we say that they are insane who developed medicine, devoting their labor to our benefit? What shall we say of all the mathematical sciences? Shall we consider them the ravings of madmen? No, we cannot read the writings of the ancients on these subjects without great admiration. We marvel at them because we are compelled to recognize how preeminent they are. But shall we count anything praiseworthy or noble without recognizing at the same time that it comes from God? Let us be ashamed of such ingratitude, into which not even the pagan poets fell, for they confessed that the gods had invented philosophy, laws, and all useful arts. Those men whom Scripture [1 Cor. 2:14] calls “natural men” were, indeed, sharp and penetrating in their investigation of inferior things. Let us, accordingly, learn by their example how many gifts the Lord left to human nature even after is was despoiled of its true good.

Institutes of the Christian Religion II.II.15

Where are the shepherds?

Stark — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:51:52 +0000

One of our passions and prayers for Thailand is to see men raised up that are qualified and equipped to serve Christ by caring for His sheep. You could call them pastors. Right now there is a major lack. And some of the pastors or elders that are here, for some some reason or another, are burning out and leaving the ministry. In this video clip Dr. Dennis Johnson does a great job in summarizing the responsibilities of an elder or pastor.

Thai Tracts and Bible Overview

Stark — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:11:31 +0000

Update 8-17-2010: After reviewing more of these resources and recieving input from another missionary, it seem s that some of these articles might be a little suspect. Particularly the “Trail of Blood” at the bottom of the page. So, although I don’t recommed all of these materials, I’ll leave them up on the site because I still think some of it can be useful to use.

I was recently directed to a website that provides tracts in Thai. There is also a short course on the Bible’s main storyline and a short booklet on “What is the Church”.

I have not read all of this yet, but it could be a helpful resource for all you Thai missionaries.

Resources for Missions – Thai

What is mission?

Stark — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:13:42 +0000

Billy Graham’s “My Hope Thailand” Project

Stark — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:40:02 +0000

Over at Gleanings from the Field, Karl Dahlfred has offered some helpful thoughts on the recent Billy Graham Evangelistic Association project here in Thailand:

In December 2009, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), together with major Thai church denominations, sponsored and promoted the "My Hope Thailand” evangelistic project. They produced an evangelistic TV program that aired several times on Thai national TV just before Christmas. The program featured testimonies and music videos from Thai pop stars who became Christians, as well as preaching from Billy Graham and Franklin Graham, dubbed in Thai…read more

Trip to Thamasaat

Stark — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:03:21 +0000

On our last day off we took the girls over to Thamasaat University. It is only about 15 minutes away from our house and it provides for some good walking without too many stares.

That day we were not missionaries. We were tourists. There is an obvious difference.

Hannah is staring at the sweeper lady who I didn’t know was standing right over my shoulder. Those ladies are EVERYWHERE.

My pretty girls

Hannah loves her beach hat.

It’s been so long since we had a family picture. This was the first time I’ve used the timer on the camera.

Curfew lifted

Stark — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:59:59 +0000

I felt like I need to write a post for some closure to the last two that I have written. A few days ago, the curfew was lifted across the nation and as far as I know, there has not been any more violence between protestors and government officials. The riots on May 19th saw at least 36 buildings in Bangkok set on fire including the second largest mall in all of Asia, Central World. It was an intense and sad day for many that live in Thailand.

Unfortunately, the political divide seems to have increased through this whole struggle in Thailand. As far as what’s next, we’re not really sure. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more protests in a few more months. Thanks for everyone’s concern and prayers for Thailand.

Red Shirt leaders are brought in…..sparks riots

Stark — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:59:14 +0000

At 2:00pm May 19th the main protest leaders were apprehended by the police and military. What could have been the end turned into a much worse situation. Angry Red Shirt supporters then spread throughout Bangkok, lighting buildings on fire and creating havoc. There have also been protests, riots, and other fires reported throughout Thailand in other provinces. We are currently under a mandatory curfew, the first in 18 years, where we cannot leave our home between the hours of 8pm tonight and 6am tomorrow morning. Throughout the night, the government will seek to gain control of the situation. Things within our neighborhood are still pretty normal.