Discarded & unwanted

White leather sofas out my window. Left there as part of the discarded. The unwanted.
I'm beginning to get the hang of what happens to furniture once someone moves from flat to flat - which are what apartments are called here in Hong Kong.

I sat intrigued one morning - watching the story of the 'unwanted' unfold before me. I even grabbed my camera to watch..and wait. At first glance, I saw people passing by on their morning commute. I'd see a few of these people glance over their shoulders looking at the abandoned items. Yet no one stopping to take notice of this furniture in perfect condition - just waiting there for a new home. Here was this furniture that had provided for needs of families or singles. It had served its purpose - and yet even in great condition it was discarded - thrown out - literally on the streets.
Next came the little Asian men with their carts. They'd come and take off the screws, bolts, nuts - anything that was hardware - leaving the wood in pieces. As I sat there, I began to wonder if Jesus ever felt that way?
Was there ever anyone that would take from Jesus giving nothing in return? There are some from the bible stories I've read about during his lifetime that did. Oh, yes - there were those that would come and take from him - miracles, healings - and leave him there. I was reminded of the ten lepers...
The Korean youth at our church are in charge of the first service on Sundays. They lead the worship, prayers & scripture readings and the youth pastor gives the message. Two weeks ago the message was about those ten lepers.
Pastor Shem told the youth of the ten lepers on the street - a far distance from others - crying out "Unclean!" so all would know they had leprosy, which was the law. They were there, like the furniture, discarded - abandandoned - unwanted. As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, they cried out to him - "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they were going - the miraculous happened - they were healed! Only one turned back - fell to Jesus' feet and thanked him. Only one. 1 out of 10. Sad, don't you think? Where would I fall in that equation? Where would you?
For me it's convicting.
I know I have taken from him - giving nothing back. Where does this lead me?

It leads me to his feet..for confession & tears.

When will I realize part of the mystery of a true relationship with the Resurrected Christ is one that gives back? I should strive to become one that 'pays it forward' - love others the way he loves me..by giving of myself with a thankful heart.

I think the story of the ten lepers is about gratitude. The one that turned back had a heart full of thanksgiving for what Jesus had done.

At this time of year I am thankful for my Savior, who will never abandon me. He will always take me in. And one day I will have a place in his kingdom - like the little 'discarded' shelf that adorns my home with love.

the lion's dance

"The Lion's Dance"

Lions dancing on poles...

(Well, not REAL lions, but I believe real ones wouldn't have been as beautiful to watch.)

We went on a walk late last Friday afternoon down beside the canal near our new home. Where we ended up was magical. Strolling beside the canal and under a bridge near the Star Floating Restaurant we made our way following the sounds of drums & cymbals beating loudly. Walking down between a fenced area - we followed Michael to a sidewalk where there was a 'turn-around' (where the street ended in a circle). We were standing in front of a very big building that we didn't quite know what it was, nor what was going on with all the noise inside. There was a young man, in a uniform somewhat like a hotel concierge, standing at the top of the steps leading in. (note to self: it usually pays to follow Michael to places unknown)

Michael asked what was going on. Before we knew it, we were following this gentleman inside what looked like a museum. The sounds of the cymbals & drums were growing - so much so that it was almost deafening. We ended up in a courtyard (completely closed in, yet the floor was grass). There in front of us was the 'band' in a semi-circle, playing loudly while a 'lion' danced to the beat. Standing and watching in awe for a few minutes before our personal 'attendant' led us up the escalator to the second floor where more excitement awaited us. He led us into a grand ballroom filled with round tables of people anxiously watching the show. Turns out the 'show' was a competition - a lion's dance competition - with teams from all over China.

The tasks that these teams were required to do was beyond belief. Two men dressed in costume had to 'dance' while the drums & cymbals beat. The dance included severel choreographed steps on several different sized poles that were placed all the way across the stage. The shortest poles (where the 'lion' first stepped up) were about 4ft off the ground. The tallest poles (on the other side of the stage) were taller than any of the men on the stage - @ 10ft tall. Doing this 'dance' would be hard enough - but the costume included the 'lion' which is a covering, somewhat like a heavy blanket. Unbelievable.

There were 11 teams competing - we walked in while team #5 was on stage. I sat in awe of these dancers. At some point during the dance the 'back' legs would pick up the 'front' legs and walk along the poles. Here were two men twisting & turning on these poles. Sometimes the man in back would lift the one in the front - holding him above his head while balancing & moving about the poles. I learned later that some of the 'men' were actually boys. They start learning this art at 9 years of age! (note to self: never try this at home..nor let Brady!)

There were only two teams that we watched that the lion didn't fall off the poles. Yet with each fall the 'lion' got right back up, covered once again with the 'costume' and started again up the poles.
Seeing these dancers fall made me think of life. When I fall or get discouraged...do I remain on the ground or 'down-in-the-dumps'? Of course I do - sometimes. There are times when just pulling myself back upright takes all the strength I can muster. (And I'm not trying to balance on any poles in a heavy costume.) But sometimes life feels like that - balancing on poles trying to dance to life's beat of the drum without falling off.

What about those lions on the poles? Is there a life lesson somewhere in watching them? I believe so. I think God was showing me something profound & magnified by the dancing of these beautiful lions.
Time and again when they'd fall off the poles - they just got right back up and started again. That's perseverance. God brought to my mind that night that I will have times (perhaps many in Hong Kong) when I'll fall. But in Him & through His strength I can persevere. It gives me hope. True hope and lasting strength comes from heaven.


Romans 5:3-6
...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Finally Here!

Greetings from Shatin, New Territory, Hong Kong!
Life in Hong Kong for the Klumpp family (all 3 of us) began a mere 5 days ago. We arrived by b-i-g plane last Thursday night (5:10pm - HK time). Landing between the ocean and mountains was SO exciting. I was lucky enough to switch seats with Brady (who by the way was turning three shades of green at this time). She managed the entire 15 hour flight like a seasoned traveler. It was only in the last few minutes before landing that she decided to get queasy. So we played a "guess what number I'm thinking" game until the wheels hit the ground. Lucky for me - I got to manage between playing the game with her on my left & trying to watch the landing out the window on my right. It worked.."sorta".
(note to self: make the nine-year old take frequent naps on a l-o-n-g transatlantic flight..or give her Benadryl)

Speaking of flights..this one was amazing! There are no words to describe looking out a tiny aircraft window and realizing what you're seeing is the arctic landscape. As far as my eyes could see was white. I could just make out the texture of the land and at one time thought for sure I saw a polar ice cap! If I'd had some binoculars I probably could've seen a polar bear (maybe not).

Back to the landing...
As we were descending I could make out the water and a few islands. On the water I caught a glimpse of what looked to be a cruise ship. As we drew nearer to our destination I could clearly see several ships - what I realized were tankers. They were but 2 inches long as we neared the end of our flight. What an amazing sight - to realize these enormous boats seem so small from up above. Makes me wonder how small we must seem to an Almighty God. And even more mind-boggling - trying to understand how we could mean so much to Him. That He would love us so much that He would knowingly send a representative of Himself (His Son) to walk in a fleshly suit: have feelings, hurts, emotions just like me. More importantly to die because of my flesh/my sin...just so I can have a relationship & future - forever with Him in His paradise.

Someone wise was once trying to comfort me in a time of trial. He said these all encompassing, comforting words:
Imagine your problems, if you can, from above. Your troubles may seem overwhelmingly big in front of you - but try to see them from (say) a fighter pilot's view. They don't seem quite as large from there, do they? Now..imagine them even higher..from God's perspective. They really aren't that big from there. That's how God sees our problems. Just as a small 'blip' on the map. He promises help for the hopeless...rest for the weary..His love for the brokenhearted.
My problems seem so small when I think of them in this way and I picture myself taking them right to His throne...and leaving them there.