Friday, November 14, 2008

A summary for convenience sake

I've noticed that many folks are still accessing Nomad 4 God and for that I thank the Lord. For convenience's sake, I have assembled the essence of the blog in the following posts.

If you are interested in Mission and do not know where to turn, you can call the International Mission Board toll free at 1-800-999-3113. Mission opportunities are available to persons of almost any age.

I urge you to contribute to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. You can contribute directly by clicking here.

May God bless you as you seek to serve Him.

Monday, January 07, 2008

What it's like: post-script (staying home)

Today is the day that we would have returned overseas from furlough if we had not resigned. It has been a very hard day. We have had all kinds of feelings, ranging from sadness to giddiness. From reflectiveness to feelings of anticipation.

There is a large part of me that wonders what my colleagues think about me. After all, our lives intertwined so much for so long. There is another part of me that says since I am following God, it doesn't matter what others think of me. I just sincerely didn't want to discourage my fellow missionaries from the task at hand. Of course, I can't help but to think about all the wonderful things that God would have done had we stayed. That is moot, since He is going to be doing so many wonderful things here on the home mission field.

I am truly enjoying being a pastor; I NEVER thought I would. I see God use me each Sunday as He gives me the words to say; words that I would have never thought of on my own.

Yes, it is bittersweet; I would have loved to have gone back, but I dare not disobey. My place is serving at God's direction. I wouldn't rather be any other place in the whole world.

I anticipate this being my last post on Nomad 4 God. I will however not delete this blog, but leave it up as a tribute to God's grace.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Different Blog Location

Friends, I have decided to direct you to the blog I now post at. I am now the pastor of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church in Wagoner, OK.

Thanks to all of you who have sent notes of encouragement. I am pleased to know that you have enjoyed reading Nomad 4 God. I pray God's richest blessings for you.

NOTE: LINK FIXED 2/13/08

Saturday, July 07, 2007

What it's like: final installment (resignation)

From the 10/40 Window to Mayberry; the journey isn't over yet.

We arrived in the US on furlough back in March. By mid April, God had made it undeniably clear that He wanted us to remain in the US and pastor a church.

Two things: 1) I ALWAYS thought I would retire from the IMB and be an "emeritus missionary", and 2) I have NEVER been a pastor before.

In combination, these two things sent me into a "crisis of belief" (a la Experiencing God). Why would God have us spend so many years overseas only to return "home" and pastor a church? I could not (and can not) answer this. However, I know this to be true: this is what God wants me to do.

Amazingly, my wife felt the Lord speaking to her in the same way (except for her being a pastor).

I have never had such a hard time with something that the Lord has directed me to do. You see, I LOVE(D) being a missionary. There was nothing else I wanted to do and nothing else I wanted to be. God began to whisper to me that I needed to make sure that I loved HIM more than I loved being a missionary. Ouch. That one was close to the heart.

However, EVERY step of the way in this process, God has confirmed His direction and our obedience. To be very honest, I threw out many "fleeces" (a la Gideon) and have determined that HE REALLY, REALLY WANTS ME TO DO THIS. I am utterly amazed. A little confused about "why", but mine is not to questions my Father's desire.

I will admit that my letter of resignation was the hardest letter I have ever written, except, perhaps, for the letter to my colleagues letting them know that we would be resigning. I thought about posting a copy of the letter here, but, quite frankly, it is just too personal of a thing to have up on the internet.

I have honestly loved my work with the IMB over the past many years. I love my colleagues and my service to them. I respect the leadership of the Board and my region. I have no "beef" with the Board, my colleagues, my team, or anything else about it. I am simply following the guidance of my Heavenly Father.

In a way, I feel as though I am betraying the cause of Mission. However, I know I am doing the will of my Father. In a way, I feel that I am being a source of discouragement to those who are excited about and involved in Mission. However, I know I am doing the will of my Father.

My new church is a small church in NE Oklahoma. It has been a church that has been hurt and is tired. I do not know why the Lord wants me to be its shepherd. It is in a small town that reminds me of Mayberry (a la Andy Griffith). I will start August 1.

My last day as a missionary with the International Mission Board is July 31. My last day as a missionary is when I see my Saviour's face. It will be my goal to lead my church to be "on mission, with God".

I have enjoyed being "Nomad For God", but there is no reason to keep up the secret identity. To that end, I am not sure it is worth keeping up this blog. I am unconvinced that I can share with you who I am and not jeopardize the security of those with whom I have worked. Any suggestions?

So, without further ado, this will probably be my last post as Nomad on Nomad. I will maintain my blog account and my nomad4god@gmail.com email account.

Thank you to all who have prayed for me and my family. Thank you to all those who support Mission through prayer and giving. Thank you to all who continue to serve our Lord through obedience to the Great Commission.

Won't you please begin to consider what you will give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering this year? The goal is $165,000,000.

May God bless you all.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

This Blog Rated "R"

That's right. I found this little webiste over on Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee. I find it very interesting that "Missionary" warrants an "R" rating. Strange.


What is your blog rated

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:
missionary (13x)
death (2x)


Find out what your blog is rated here.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

MQotW

"Love is the root of missions; sacrifice is the fruit of missions" - Roderick Davis

Sunday, June 10, 2007

MQotW

"People who don't believe in missions have not read the New Testament. Right from the beginning Jesus said the field is the world. The early church took Him at His word and went East, West, North and South." - J. Howard Edington

Sunday, June 03, 2007

MQotW

"I believe that in each generation God has called' enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth…. It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!" - Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China and Thailand

Saturday, June 02, 2007

No disrespect intended

I mean no disrespect to anyone who cares about the PPL survey thing. However, I don't hold much stock in surveys and/or statistics. For instance, give me 30 minutes and I can prove the existence of Santa Claus, given the right demographics.

Please remember: just because a certain number of people believe in something (or don't believe in something) doesn't make it true. (There is a HUGE number of people out in Utah who believe with all their hearts that they will be a god when they die.)

I think that what this all really means is that we must be tolerant of each other on things that really don't make that much difference. Please don't let it be a stumbling block for folks to come to Jesus. Argue, but argue with love. And, if need be, agree to disagree.

That's my two cents.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Interesting Day

Today, my family visited a nearby Baptist church. It is one of only two Sundays where we haven't been traveling or speaking somewhere. My wife attended there on the other Sunday, when I was so sick that I didn't go to church.

They knwe my wife when we walked in from the other time she visited. Today, they were glad to see us (and meet me and the rest of the family). So glad, that they asked me to teach their kids' Sunday School class. The they pastor also asked me to preach! My goodness! They didn't know I would be attending; I was a visitor; I was the preacher!

What an interesting day.

MQotW

"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives ... and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." - Nate Saint, missionary martyr