What does it mean that God is sovereign, that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is not just our Savior but our Lord? We say these words so often in worship and prayer, but what do they mean to us in our lives? What does that look like? For me it has to boil down… Continue reading God’s Sovereignty and Covid and International Travel
Category: Theology
We’re Leaving!
Our Covid tests came back negative for all of us this morning. We’ll be leaving for Indonesia this coming Friday morning at 9:00 am, Arizona time. Thank you for your prayers – past, present, and future! All along we’ve had a peace about this final step, trusting that whatever the results were, God was in… Continue reading We’re Leaving!
Romans 8:22 For a Dude
I make this disclosure up front – I am not a woman. I’m a man. I don’t take this lightly or for granted and I sincerely doubt I could fake otherwise even were I so inclined, which I am not. So allusions and metaphors and similes that involve strictly female things such as childbirth are… Continue reading Romans 8:22 For a Dude
A Lot to Learn
As we prepare to exit 2021 and enter 2022, I reflect on how much I have to learn. I have to learn how to deal with the bank and get our tickets ordered I have to learn a new language I have to learn how to adjust to a new culture I need to learn… Continue reading A Lot to Learn
Who Gets the Last Laugh?
So I’m sitting here waiting for our bank and the airline we’re hoping to fly on to Jakarta to sort out the purchase I tried to make. Granted, five international tickets is much larger than our typical credit card transaction, but I have to admit it was more than a bit anticlimactic after multiple error… Continue reading Who Gets the Last Laugh?
While You’re Waiting…
No new news this week, which is frustrating but all part of the process, apparently! Our eagerness to deploy doesn’t necessarily translate into other entities moving at the speed we’d like them to. A good reminder we’re not in charge of all of this. In the meantime, here’s an article about LCMS work in Washington… Continue reading While You’re Waiting…
Book Review – Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
Muslims, Christians and Jesus by Carl Medearis Gifted to us by life-long Bible translators, this book offers personal insights in how Christians can meet and build relationships with their Muslim neighbors. The author speaks with confidence and experience in this regard, sprinkling the book with real life anecdotes about interactions with a variety of people in… Continue reading Book Review – Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
Book Review (Partial) – Healthy Resilient & Effective in Cross Cultural Ministry
Healthy Resilient & Effective in Cross Cultural Ministry by Laura Mae Gardner, D.Min I call this a partial review for two reasons. The first is the copy I was gifted from long-term overseas Bible translators is a pre-release copy that only has the first eight chapters – roughly the first half of the book. Secondly, I… Continue reading Book Review (Partial) – Healthy Resilient & Effective in Cross Cultural Ministry
Book Review: Serving Well
Serving Well: Help for the Wannabe, Newbie or Weary Cross-Cultural Christian Worker by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter Recommended by a friend who had it recommended to him, this is not my favorite read. The style is not one I’m very fond of, overly friendly and informal with useful tips interspersed with emotional self-disclosures. I think this… Continue reading Book Review: Serving Well
Reading Ramblings – October 17, 2021
Date: 21st Sunday after Pentecost – October 17, 2021 Texts: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20; Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 4:1-13(14-16); Mark 10:23-31 Context: A challenging group of readings in a culture where earning and buying is how we are taught to define our worth. In a culture where display of what we have accomplished (or what we want others… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – October 17, 2021
The Nelson Family Indonesia 