I’m so glad my friend Tom sent me this video. I was about to do my lights exactly the same way. How embarassing that would have been!
Archive for December, 2010
facebook christmas…part 2
Dec 18, 2010
In a comment (via FB) on my last post, my friend Robin shared this video with me. Too good not to share.
christmas…facebook-style
Dec 17, 2010
A friend of mine – Aaron Soderlund – wrote this and I thought it was fantastic. The Christmas story as told through Facebook status updates. Enjoy!
Mary Stevenson is in a relationship with Joseph Detwiler
Mary Stevenson had the weirdest thing happen to her last night
Comments:
Cindy Luhu: Everything OK? That was cryptic.
Joseph Detwiler: You OK, babe?
Mary Stevenson: Yeah, it’s fine… I think. We’ll talk tonight
Joseph Detwiler is confused
Comments:
Mark Detwiler: Dude, I’ve been telling you that since you were 11.
Mark Detwiler: Seriously though, you ok?
Joseph Detwiler has had a lot of dreams in my life… but that was the weirdest one ever.
Mary Stevenson IS PREGNANT!!!!
Comments:
Sheryl Clark: What!?!? That’s amazing!!!!
Sheila Banks: Congratulations Mary! When is the baby due?!
Cindy Luhu: I can’t believe it! I am too!!!!
Mary Stevenson changed her relationship status to Engaged
Comments:
Sheryl Clark: OMG!!! Congratulations!
Cindy Luhu: ‘Bout time girl! So happy for you!
Sheila Banks: How big is the rock? Post pictures!
Megan Detwiler posted on Joseph Detwiler‘s Wall: Joey! I just saw Mary’s FB page! Congratulations on the engagement! Get here soon! -Sis
Joseph Detwiler just heard that I have to go back home so that Obama can collect more money from me. Ugh.
Comments:
Mark Detwiler: I know it’s a long trip, but it’ll be good to see you
Megan Detwiler: What airline are you flying? I’ll come pick you up
Joseph Detwiler: @Megan, used all my miles. We’re coming by donkey.
Mary Stevenson has to take her pregnant belly to see her soon-to-be in-laws in Redmond. Gonna be a long trip.
Comments:
Sheryl Clark: Travel safe preggy! See you when you get back.
Joseph Detwiler and we’re off! See you all soon.
Mary Stevenson thinks this donkey and my butt are not getting along very well. But thankful that Joe is letting me ride while he walks
Comments:
Joseph Detwiler: You look cute up there.
Sheila Banks: You guys are funny
Joseph Detwiler really thought this trip was going to be faster. But we’re almost there!
Comments:
Megan Detwiler: Where are you staying when you get here?
Joseph Detwiler: Not sure yet. Was just gonna find a place in town
Megan Detwiler: Everywhere is booked. Ugh. Hurry up!
Mary Stevenson thinks this baby is coming soon. Gotta get to Redmond…. Fast!
Joseph Detwiler thought Motel 6 was gonna leave the light on for me. Ugh. Now where?
Comments:
Ryan Lancaster: Dude, my family’s all here, but I’ve got a shed in the back yard you can use. It’s got heat at least.
Joseph Detwiler: At this point, I’ll take it. Thanks Ryan. See you soon.
Mary Stevenson thanks @Ryan for the place to stay tonight! We owe you!
Comments:
Megan Detwiler: Thanks Ryan! Take care of them!
Cindy Luhu: Hang in there girl!
Joseph Detwiler welcomed little Jesus into the world tonight. 6lbs 7oz and all kinds of hair. Mary’s doing great and lying down with the sheep. LOL!! Check out the pic!
17 people "Like" this
Comments:
Megan Detwiler: Congrats! I’m on my way over!
Sheila Banks: OMG he is SOOOO cute! Congrats guys! Love you both.
Mark Detwiler: A nephew!!! Finally!
Ryan Lancaster has this crazy-bright star over his house tonight. Never seen anything like it. Check it out!
Comments:
Joseph Detwiler: It’s lighting up the whole barn out here! Crazy!
Mary Stevenson: Can you hear the angels singing Ryan? Wow!
Ryan Lancaster: Can I? Are you kidding, this is crazy!
We Three Kings wrapped our gifts and are following yonder star… to Redmond. We hear THE King is there.
Mary Stevenson set up a FB page for our new baby Jesus. Add him as a friend… I have a feeling his page is gonna be something special.
1,205,546 people "Like" this
Comments:
Joseph Detwiler: How does he have so many friends already?
Mary Stevenson: Did you see Mark Zuckerberg even friended him?
tokyo/hong kong: day 6
Dec 12, 2010
Well…I’m 9 hours from take-off. Today started early and ended late. And it was all good. Really, all of it.
I had a great time this morning sharing Philippians this morning at Alliance International Church. The people were very receptive and encouraging.
As you know from previous posts, my back has been hurting for the entire trip. It’s really been quite a sharp pain. Not more than 15 minutes after the service ended, Pastor Mark and a smiling Chinese woman came up to me and said, “There’s a massage place directly across the street. We just went and checked and they can take you right now!” Of we scurried and the next 90 minutes I had a masseuse’s elbows wonderfully digging into my back and legs. The result was that about 80% of the pain was gone – and has stayed gone. We’ll see how I feel after 17 hours of travel tomorrow, but for now…I’m happy.
Tonight was the A.I.C. Christmas Banquet. The gymnasium where we worshipped this morning was transformed into a beautiful, elegant banquet. White tablecloths, lovely centerpieces, candles, a choir, solos, duets, and five courses of delicious food.
I must say that I was wondering how the three characters from What I Saw (Charles Fussbudget III, Shep, and Bruno Buccelli) would resonate in an Asian culture. I was more than a little nervous since a big part of the success of this show is whether the people get the humor. I am thrilled to say that laughter was abundant and the Gospel was shared.
My mind and body are tired. My heart – on the other hand – is thrilled. What a wonderful trip. Truly and honor to be able to travel around the world helping people fall more and more deeply with the Word and its author.
tokyo/hong kong: day 5
Dec 11, 2010
The people I have met in Hong Kong have been wonderful. I love the diversity. Of course, most of the people are Chinese, but Hong Kong is such an international city that you see – and hear – people from lots of different places.
Today began with a walk and train ride to get to the church. About 35-40 people attended Falling in Love with God’s Word. They were very receptive and actually caught more of the humor than I was expecting.
Afterward, the youth pastor of the church bought me some espresso chocolate chip gelato at the Pacific Coffee Company. Nice…very, very nice.
After that, we met his wife and headed out to a Christmas dinner at a guy’s house who lives outside of the city. About 15 of us enjoyed a wonderful meal in Tom’s absolutely stunning home. Turkey. Thai salad (spicy and delicious). Sushi. A massive assortment of desserts. Espresso.
Tomorrow is my last day in Hong Kong. Preaching in the morning and What I Saw at the Christmas Banquet at night. Guess I better hit the sack.
tokyo/hong kong: day 4
Dec 10, 2010
Christmas caroling. Double-decker bus. Hong Kong. Can’t say I ever thought I would say those phrases at the same time. Well, they were all joined together last night. The youth group from the International Alliance Church in Hong Kong rented a double-decker bus, hopped up on the top, open-air second level and drove through Hong Kong singing Christmas carols to people on the streets. I have to say it was a pretty sweet way to see Hong Kong. We saw so many different areas, lots of different people, and really got a “feel” for the different parts of the city.
Before that, we took the tram up to “the Peak” where there was a great view (though a bit hazy) of Hong Kong. We looked around, had some lunch, and then headed back down the mountain.
Then there was the time spent weaving through the crowded street market. Lots of clothes, trinkets, purses, and vendors packed into about eight blocks. I can’t even count the number of times I heard the phrase “You want copy watch?” And no, I don’t have a new Rolex.
Dinner was eaten at an outdoor Thai restaurant. So many of the buildings are covered in Christmas lights. It truly is a sight to behold. And then began The Journey of the Double-Decker Christmas Carolers.
tokyo/hong kong: day 3
Dec 9, 2010
I am actually not in either city right now. I am in between…and above. I am sitting on a 747 reflecting back on a full day. It started with having to roll myself out of bed – literally. I really tweaked my lower back yesterday and it has been immensely painful. (Please pray.) It felt a little better today, which is good, since I had a couple hundred students to talk to today.
First up was the Senior Bible Class. Three minutes after that class ended, the Bible teacher walked me over to the cafeteria where they had gathered all of the sophomores, the entire middle school (6th-8th Grade), the teachers, and even several parents. I never get tired of watching teenagers as they begin to realize that the Bible isn’t boring.
Afterward, my buddy Cam took me to a few places around Tokyo. I stood in the busiest train station in the world. We saw an intersection where many movies based in Tokyo are filmed. We looked out over the city from the 45th floor of the Government Building. It truly was a bit surreal to look out on a city and not be able to see where it ended – in any direction!
In the midst of all of the packed buildings and millions of people lies a massive park. It was quite an odd feeling to step off a train, walk about 1000 feet and turn into a serene environment with relatively few people. While we were in the park, the trees were so dense that you couldn’t even see any of the buildings that were so nearby. In the middle of the park is a temple shrine that dates back to the 15th century. It was beautiful, to be sure. But sadly, it seemed so vacant of any connection to the One who created all the beauty that surrounded us. I left there thinking about the first chapter of Romans, where Paul writes these words:
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.
After leaving the park, we hopped a couple trains and headed toward the Tokyo-Narita Airport. I will arrive in Hong Kong shorty after 11pm (7am Seattle time). If you are reading this, then it means that the pastor of the church I am speaking at this weekend remembered to pick me up!
tokyo/hong kong day 2– lots of good…one bad
Dec 8, 2010
Overall, today was a very good day. Started out with breakfast at Cam & Kristen’s and then off to the Christian Academy in Japan, where I spoke to a class of 9th graders. After that Cam and I stopped at a little hole-in-the-wall for a very traditional meal of rice, meat, miso soup, and hot tea.
The most unique thing about these little restaurants (we hit another one for dinner) was the way you pay. Inside the door is a little kiosk with pictures of all the different items on their menu. You put in your money, press the button and out pops a ticket that looks like the stub of a movie ticket. You sit down, hand it to the waitress, and your food is in front of you in less than three minutes. Delicious.
At 3pm we started a 35-minutes bike ride to speak to a group of college students and young adults. (I might write an entire post on the bike riding around here. Yowza!) At that meeting there was also the debut of a Campus Crusade “anime” called “The Last Day” that looks at the crucifixion of Jesus through the eyes of the criminal on the cross. Very powerful…and gory.
Back on the bikes for a trip back to toward C.A.J. to speak to a high school youth group. What a blast to see 40 high school students completely engrossed in worship. We had a great time hanging out in the Gospel of John and then started the 15-minute walk home (I gave Connor – Cam’s son – back his bike.)
Now the hard part: On the first 35-minute bike ride I had to stop and turn really fast, and tweaked my lower back quite badly. It’s been killing me ever since (I’ve got ice on it as I type). I did sleep ok (thankfully), but I have a full day of walking, standing, train riding, and a 4+ hour flight to Hong Kong at 7pm. Delta is offering free wifi on board this month, so I’ll probably write the next post from 35,000 feet!
Please pray for me if you will. His grace is sufficient…
tokyo/hong kong–Day 1
Dec 7, 2010
The only thing that surprised me about Day 1 was how quiet it was. The 10+ hours in the plane didn’t surprise me. The fact that I only got 20 minutes of sleep on the plane didn’t surprise me. Not being able to read any of the signs (once I left the airport) didn’t surprise me. The fact that the 3-train, 2-hour train ride was packed with people wall-to-wall and body-to-body didn’t surprise me. The quiet surprised me.
As I stood on the train with several people I’d never met pressed up against me I noticed that no one was talking. Not to each other. Not on their cell phones. Not at all. Other than my buddy Cam and me whispering to each other, the only sound was the sound of the train itself. Talking on a cell phone on a train is more than a little frowned upon. It’s rude. And Japanese people don’t do rude.
Sixteen hours after leaving my house in Kirkland I arrived and Cam & Kristen’s house in Tokyo. Two hours later I arrived on my bed. Oops…I mean “futon.” Slumber, sweet slumber…
passing the baton
Dec 5, 2010
This is a video a guy just sent me who was in my Falling in Love with God’s Word Workshop about a year ago. Allen has been internalizing ever since and share Philippians with his own church in October. Very, very cool. Thanks for sharing Allen.
