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You are here: Home / Partner / Stacking for Jesus

Stacking for Jesus

February 20, 2012 by aj Leave a Comment

Certainly I did not consider myself an expert.  My fine motor skills simply were not that refined.  But after spending an afternoon with four new friends playing Jenga, I began feeling at least moderately adept at the stacking game.  Advancing my game play, however, was just an added bonus.  The real blessing came from the opportunity to build relationship and share the Gospel with the four 20-somethings huddled around the tower of wooden blocks with me in the small coffee shop.  Songs from Westlife and Celine Dion’s Titanic theme played on an endless loop from the laptop computer they brought with them.

It’s my turn and I carefully pull a block out from the tower near the bottom.  As I do, I’m asking my new friends about their family, brothers, sisters, parents; and they tell a bit of their story.  Rock’s turn follows.  Ramping up the difficulty level, he places the pulled out block standing vertically on the top of the tower instead of flat.  Rock sticks to the basics in questions though, he wants to know my age and weight.  Paige’s turn comes, and she quietly pulls a piece out, avoiding the difficulty Rock started by simply stacking hers flat next to his vertical piece.  She talks of friends as she plays and her enjoyment from taking pictures.  Tina, more extroverted as she plays, shares her likes of music and dance.  This causes a pause in the game as they turn to the laptop to share pictures of them with friends, dancing or singing Karaoke, joking with one another as to who their boyfriend and girlfriend are in a given picture.  Returning their attention back to the game, Justin wrestles a wooden block out, and places it on the top of the tower.  Justin wants to move ahead in life, to be a success, and make a good deal of money.  He wants to know my thoughts on career advice and tentatively suggests that I could help him find a good job.

My turn again, and the tower is already starting to get a bit wobbly.  Examining the blocks, I segue from Justin’s topic to talk about how I gauge success in life as not about money but about relationship.  On the surface, they agree, or at least wouldn’t dare contradict.  When I go on to share about how the most important relationship in my life is my relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the confusion on their faces is unanimous.  Carefully pulling at a piece of the tower, I begin to share my testimony with equal care.  Their struggle to understand remains greater than my struggle to get the wooden block out without toppling the tower.  Trying to relate my story to anything they have heard before, they want to know if I am Catholic.  Not my favorite question to answer.  Explaining how my beliefs differ from the empty ritualism and syncretism among Catholics in this country can be as precarious as the leaning stack of wood in front of me.  Taking a positive approach, I stress to them my relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord, my Savior, and my best friend.  Knowing that they still don’t get it, I began telling them point by point of God’s love for all people.  I tell them of our universal problem in falling short of God’s love through our own sin.  Pausing to explain sin more, they each accede that no one is perfect.  Moving on, I try to explain the consequences, the eternal separation that comes as a result of our sin.  Failure from sin is not something that can be fixed as easily as a stack of blocks; we can’t pick up the pieces ourselves.  We need help.  Finally removing my block without a fall, they all smile.  But my smile is from the joy that comes in knowing Jesus, my help.  I tell them how Jesus, God’s Son, came to pay the penalty the punishment for our sin.  By accepting that gift, inviting Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, He has restored my relationship with God.

My new friends can see my happiness as I place the block I have removed on top of Rock’s to form a “T” like a cap at the height of the tower.  I have achieved my goal at this point.  They know that I am talking about something different from what they have, even if they don’t understand it yet.  For now their situation is not unlike the tower at the center of our attention.  With God’s help, I’ve successfully pulled out a block or two that had served as foundation to their worldview, challenged some of their assumptions, and given them something new to think about.

In the coming days, I will try to reconnect with my new friends and gauge their attraction to God.  Have they read the literature that I gave them?  Have they thought more about what they want most from life?  Are they willing to turn from their sin and follow God wholeheartedly?  Praying for them even now, I ask God to finish building the tower that was started.  A tower based on following Him.  Cause an initial polite interest to transform into a Holy Spirit fed hunger that makes them yearn to know more, understand more, so that they will take the same step of faith.

Until that time, I have more new friends to make.  I am surrounded by more than 80 million people who are running headlong into a Christ-less eternity.  As God has called me, I will continue to make friends and share the Gospel.  Drinking Vietnamese coffee for Jesus.  Singing Karaoke for Jesus.  Stacking Jenga blocks for Jesus . . . .

  • Please pray for Justin, Rock, TIna and Paige to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
  • Please pray for more opportunities to meet those who will have an interest in the Gospel.
  • Please pray for the peoples of Vietnam as a whole to come to the understanding that the only sure foundation in life is Jesus Christ.
  • Please pray that God will raise up more laborers in the harvest field of Vietnam, that His truth will multiply through new Believers, growing disciples and many new indigenous churches.

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2023 is ending and 2024 comes with hope because we 2023 is ending and 2024 comes with hope because we trust in the God of hope. Ask God for His kingdom to come to Vietnam.

"𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘕𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧; 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘕𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦. “𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦; 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵; 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴; 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱, 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴."” 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 15:4-8

Keep praying. #pray4vietnam
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 – the story of Christmas played out in a small neighborhood of the city. Praise God for His ever-lasting love today. Over 2000 years ago He came for all the people of the world.

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥; 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯; 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘦.” 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘩 7:7

God, thank You that You are Hope and Light to a world searching to fill their longings and needs. Shine Your Light and let believers from all around the globe walk as children of Light today. Amen

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵; 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦.” 𝘐𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘢𝘩 9:2

Pray for Vietnamese to know the urgings of the Holy Spirit to follow the One True God this Christmas season. Let lives be changed, relationships established, growth and multiplication in new groups and churches planted for God's glory. #pray4vietnam
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#christmas #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Modern and contemporary coffee shops continue to o Modern and contemporary coffee shops continue to open throughout the city center bringing young adults to gather for conversations from work and home life. During the Christmas season, perfect opportunities to share the story of Jesus abound for believers.

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 [𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘴], “𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥. 𝘐 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘢 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶; 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘩, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶: 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.”” 𝘓𝘶𝘬𝘦 2:10-12

Ask God to make believers bold to share His story, to remember Him ceaselessly in their day to make Him known, and to live lives that show obedience and love to God. Vietnamese are looking for hope and pray that these days of Christmas will impact lives more than ever before---for God's glory. #pray4vietnam
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#christmas #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
More and more decorations are found along street s More and more decorations are found along street shops and coffee shops noting the season of Christmas. However, in a city of 10 million, not a large percentage of the population has any kind of decoration at home.

Even more, not many know the meaning of Christmas ---God loving the world that He sent His Son as Savior of the world. Parties and tracts emphasizing the story of Jesus will and are bringing the Gospel to Vietnamese.

“For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Several days of December have already passed, so let's remember to fully celebrate in our hearts “… the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them---He remains faithful forever.” Psalms 146:6
Yes, God remains. God remains faithful. God remains faithful forever.

Pray for God to be made known greatly and He is proclaimed for hearts to have the opportunity to choose to follow Him. #pray4vietnam
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#christmas #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
“The idols of the nations are merely things of s “The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” Psalms 135:15-18

“Your name, O Lord, endures forever; Your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation.” Psalms 135:13

Thanks be to the One True God Almighty; worship Him alone. #pray4vietnam
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#thankfulness #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
A barber on the sidewalk of Saigon offering free h A barber on the sidewalk of Saigon offering free haircuts---what could be a better bargain.

Sometimes God surprises us with a free item or extra service and we are pleased and happy; but do we consider that a gift and blessing from Him? All good gifts are from Him. We live in a dark world that offers imitation for the real thing or takes something away from us and hurts us. When something good happens in our lives, give God credit. It will transform your thankful heart and honor Him.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17

Give thanks for the good things in your life today. Ask God for His rich mercies towards the people of Vietnam so that they too would join in praise to Him because He deserves it. #pray4vietnam
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#barber #thankfulness #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Saigon is well-known for its tangled web of electr Saigon is well-known for its tangled web of electrical lines. Though in some parts of the city, they are being placed underground, there are far more lines like these above ground than below. It's not uncommon for electrical outages in different parts of the city, but these days it seems less and less.

How many times because of weather events has the loss of power been in the news where you live?

We live by power in our lives. As Believers, we are connected to the Holy Spirit because of His indwelling at the time of salvation but choosing to live by worldly principles only quenches the power of the Holy Spirit.

God has called us to be filled with joy and thankfulness. He wants us to submerge every inch of our lives in His overcoming power.

God, make all of my life fully surrendered to You. Forgive me when I trust in myself and the world and with a repentant and thankful heart, let my actions show the power of the Holy Spirit. All credit and glory to You---amen.

Ask God to remind Vietnamese believers of His faithfulness and let them experience His power in their lives. #pray4vietnam
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#power #thankfulness #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Friends sharing in our lives are something to be t Friends sharing in our lives are something to be thankful for. Greenery and benches to stop a moment along Hoang Sa street canal bring enjoyable get-togethers.

Who are all the people you are praying for in your life right now? Encourage them by letting them know they are in your heart and prayers, as Paul the Apostle encouraged Timothy: "I thank God for you---the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." 2 Timothy 1:3

We live in a broken world where everything calls us towards selfishness and despair. We need to pray for one another and especially thank God for providing us with friends.

Pray for believers who share their testimony of God's faithfulness with their friends. Pray for Oanh who gave testimony this past Sunday and many to look to God and be thankful. #pray4vietnam
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#friends #thankfulness #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
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