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.

• What it's like: Part 1 (Being a Missionary)
• What it's like: Part 2 (Health Issues)
• What it's like: Part 3 (Kids)
• What it's like: Part 4 (Security Issues)
• What it's like: Part 5 (Discouragement)
• What it's like: Part 6 (Furlough)
• What it's like: Part 7 (GIC)
• What it's like: Final Installment (Resignation)
• What it's like: Post Script (Staying Home)

• Sense of Urgency
• Devasted
• The Task
• Reflections

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.

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.

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.

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.

Really Encouraged

I was at the mall Wednesday getting something before I make a trip to a GIC (Global Impact Conference). I was trying to get some information from the lady at the information booth. While there, an older man walked up and she moved away from me and told the man that she missed him at church last Sunday night and asked him if he was going to be there that night. He made some excuses then she went on to say how important it was for him to go to church and that they really miss him when he doesn't come. She told him that he was important to her and the church and wanted to make sure that he knew that.

I was impressed.

That was one of the very few times I have happened to be privy to a conversation like that, with me being completely on the outside. After the man walked off, I asked her a few things, first of all where she went to church. She told me it was one of the local SBC churches! PTL! She went on to tell me that the man wasn't a member of her church, but only a sporadic visitor. She said she didn't even know if he had ever accepted Christ, but was trying to make sure he had every opportunity.

Bless her heart! That just made my whole day.

The Task

At David Rogers' (whom I greatly respect) suggestion, I have reposted my story about "Dawn".

I am greatly saddened by the events of today, but it brings home again, the sense of urgency we have as believers. And the importance of our task.

Folks, there is a battle for souls. Satan will do anything to steal them away. The Lamb of God has paid the greatest price for those souls and HE ALONE deserves their worship.

Join in the work. Either by your presence, your prayers, or your presents. Pray for laborers for the Harvest for the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Sense of Urgency

Why can't I live my life like there is no tomorrow? Specifically, why don't I treat every pre-believer I meet like today is their last day on earth? It would sure work out better that way.

Without going into too much detail (because of security stuff), I have been traveling into a nearby restricted country to do language study. I happen to live in a less restricted area to do my particular work assignment. Since we are getting ready for furlough, I decided that I needed to return to my teachers one last time and "draw the net". (we are 'fishers of men' right?) I had casted the net for several months, but had not really drawn it up, thinking I had more time. But, since I won't be back with them for a very long time, I decided that it was time.

So, with prayer and preparation, I set out this morning to have the talk with my teacher and a few others. I tried to draw the net around my teacher, but she slipped through. However, she got a really, really good view on the inside of the net, so I don't think she would slip through again, if offered the chance. I spoke with the "school" language director. She got gloriously caught in the net. I spoke with the "school" receptionist. She slipped through and didn't seem to be very happy about being close to the net. I also went to talk with a shopkeeper and her husband. the husband walked away mid-sentence and she seemed interested about getting into the net "someday".

So, back to the one in the net. It was way cool. She has always seemed "standoff-ish", but today was her appointment with the King of Kings. I had a bi-lingual tract with me, as I am not anywhere close to being able to share in that particular language. After we went through it, she said she needed to think about it some more and might consider it later. I told her that today was the day of salvation and she needed to not hesitate any longer. She said she wasn't going to without reading it again. I told her to take it to her office and go read it. She did. She came back about 15 minutes later and said that she was ready to pray that prayer. She did. After a little explaining, praying, and rejoicing, I was telling her a few things about spiritual growth and told her that she needed to tell others. I gave her the assignment to tell 5 other people this week and asked her "who?" Immediately, she said her husband and her father. I then suggested the other two folks who had slipped through the net in the "school". She was up for the task, then I saw the work of the Holy Spirit as she said without being prompted, "Yes, it is my responsibility to tell others about Jesus, isn't it?" YAHOOOOOOOOO! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Then, I felt compelled to do something I have never done before after leading someone to the Lord; I felt I needed to say a blessing over her, Old Testament style. I really felt the power of the Lord with me and said things that I've never thought of saying before. I honestly can't adequately describe my feelings about being a part of this.

Now then, when all this is said and rejoiced about, comes my original question. Why can't I treat every day as a pre-believer's last day on earth? Why do I think there will be plenty of time tomorrow? How many people must perish without knowing the Truth? Why can't the same sense of urgency that God has in getting people reconciled to Him be uttermost in my daily life? How many more must die in darkness before we, as the church, take His mission seriously?

May God have mercy on us all.