two10eleven | Brook Sarver » Video

Buddhism vs Thai Buddhism

Brook — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:53:39 +0000

Sara and I have spent time learning about the world’s religions. We had a great class that we took while studying at Huntington University, our Alma Mater, and learned a ton. I’ve also spent quite a bit of time reading about Buddhism and religion in Asia in preparation for our coming to Thailand. We are by no means experts on the subject, but I’d bet we know quite a bit more about Buddhism than many people in the Midwest USA where we both grew up.

But, it doesn’t take an expert to soon see upon arrival in Thailand that Thai Buddhism isn’t clear-cut Buddhism by the books. While the original teachings of Buddha don’t speak at all to the spirit realm, Thailand is engrossed in fear of and want to appease the spirits that surround them.

OMF recently published a short video showcasing how Folk Buddhism has taken over in Thailand and what that means for its people. I’ll show the video below, but do be warned that it contains some graphic material…

The People’s Buddhism from OMF Media on Vimeo.

Please Pray…

Bangkok’s Protests in Recap

Brook — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:15:47 +0000

I’ve received numerous emails, Facebook messages and Twitter replies about all that has happened here in our new, fare city of Bangkok over the past several months. We appreciate all of your concern and prayers but I assure you we are doing just fine.

There is still a LOT of unknowns having to do with the protests, the government crackdown on the redshirts, and the deaths/injuries that came from the month + long rallies held in downtown Bangkok a few months ago. Many Thai people still don’t know how to react and many are still hurt from all that happened during that time.

It’s difficult to explain all that happened during that time and the deep, deep tensions that drive apart the Thai people. But today I came across this great story that explains both sides and the “what’s next” for our new city and this country. Yes, it is long at 45 mins., but break it up in segments and watch it all to get a better understanding of the conflicts and please continue to join us in prayer for the Thai people and Thailand.

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Call to prayer for 900 workers

Brook — Fri, 28 May 2010 07:59:21 +0000

A few of you may remember back in Feb.- March of this year when we spent a month in Singapore for OMF‘s Orientation Course. Well, while we were there we were asked to help with some video promos for their Call to Prayer for 900 new workers to come to East Asia and serve.

Well, look who’s faces made the cut!

Extended version- Call to prayer for 900 new workers from OMF Media on Vimeo.

Join us in praying for more workers to come to serve in this needy part of our world. Obviously our heart aches for Thailand and the Thai people, but also the many other countries and people groups in Southeast Asia that need to hear the Gospel of Christ.

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The lazy creative…

Brook — Mon, 17 May 2010 05:54:45 +0000

It’s interesting how one piece of art, one simple piece of someone else’s creativity can bring back memories of what it was once like to be creative myself. I got that feeling again this week when I came across this short video of still images taken of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland.

(Definitely worth clicking-through to watch in HD)

Many of you may know that I used to really get into Photography. This video makes me want to get back into it. And I think I will…

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Thai protesters, taking sides

Brook — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:28:40 +0000

I’m sure most of you have heard at least something about the political turmoil brewing in the past month or so here in Thailand. What started as a peaceful, large gathering turned violent–leaving police, protesters, army men dead and injured. It’s a sad state that Thailand finds itself in. Now more and more people are gathering in the nation’s captial of Bangkok to protest other redshirt protesters, defend their political parties and show support in numbers either for or against the current government. This video clip by CNN does a good job to give a bit of the background of these protesters and images from Bangkok in recent weeks.

(RSS readers, click through to see the video)

If you’d like to read more about the details of the clashes, the bombs going off in and around Bangkok, or stay up to date on what’s currently happening here in Thailand, check out a few of the links below…

CNN news stories on Thailand
The Bangkok Post – Thailand’s main English newspaper

Twitter – the best way for up-to-the minute updates
@bangkokpundit
@terryfrd
@veen_NT
@tulsathit

And of course, you can always find up-to-date info from my twitter feed @two10eleven or Facebook page.

Thanks for all your prayers for us and the Thai people. This nation could sure use them about now…

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Magic Thai Tattoos?

Brook — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:26:08 +0000

More and more people are flocking to Thailand to experience and receive a famous form of tattooing. Recently CNN did a short video on why Yan tattoos are gaining popularity.

(RSS readers click through to the website to watch the video)

I’ve seen videos of the possession that can come from these tattoos, the chants the Buddhist monks give during the process and the willing people lined up to receive these tattoos.

Thailand can be such a dark place. Please pray!

the nude church

Brook — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:15:05 +0000

One of the reasons we will not be simply replicating a US church as we plant churches in SE Asia:

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[ht: JesusNeedsNewPR]

Pimp a Ministry :: Compasio

Brook — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:51:12 +0000

Since coming to Thailand I’ve been quite interested in getting to know what other ministries and ministers there are here and what they are up to. Several months ago I came across a ministry in Northern Thailand via a simple Twitter search called Compasio. Now, I don’t know the first thing about their ministry other than what I found via twitter and their website, but after seeing a few of the videos it’s hard not to see how they are being the hands of feet of Jesus to the poor in Northern Thailand.

This video is worth watching…

From the Compasio website:

The Heart of Compasio

Seeing a need, feeling compassion and acting with practical love on behalf of those who are poor, needy and at risk, this is the heart of Compasio. See.Feel.Act

This is good stuff that they are doing! We need more ministries and ministers willing to come and get dirty as the step out in faith and serve the underprivileged here in SE Asia…

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9 Blessings for Thailand

Brook — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:40:31 +0000

Please take a moment to relax and pray through this video along with us. May God continue to move through the nation of Thailand and her Buddhist people living with no hope…

We invite you to join with us as we pray these nine blessings for Thailand. If you want to know more, or get hold of the prayer guide – visit www.nineblessings.org.

Will you join us in praying for Thailand?

This video is not produced by me, but rather just a re-upload of a video produced by OMF Media. I simply added a background track as there was none in the original video.

Bangkok | Diverse and Dedicated

Brook — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:42:42 +0000

Soon Sara and I will be spending some time in Bangkok as we look for some possible ministry locations after completing our time studying Thai here in Lopburi, Thailand. Once finished at the language school in Lopburi, we will move away and continue to learn Thai with a personal tutor while beginning work in ministry to the Thai people.

I happened across this short video clip produced by OMF (the organization we are partnering with here in Thailand) which helps paint a picture of life in Bangkok, the people living in this HUGE city and ministries that are taking place there. The video is a few years old now, directors mentioned here have changed positions, but life in the City of Angels is still much the same.

If you have a minute or two, this will be worth watching!

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