The 3D Gospel: Ministry in Guilt, Shame and Fear Cultures by Jayson Georges This book was recommended by my friend and colleague JP. It’s a short read (74 pages), but it is likely to give lifelong Christians more food for thought than many much longer books. The author worked overseas in Central Asia for close to… Continue reading Book Review: The 3D Gospel
Reading Ramblings – August 29, 2021
Date: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Texts: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 96; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24; Mark 5:1-20 Context: Something different this week. I’m preaching in two small congregations in Northern Arizona on Sunday and the pastor serving them both is preparing a sermon for the previous Sunday (8/22) entitled Go When God Calls. Since he’s setting… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – August 29, 2021
Cross and Crown, Tucson
Today we traveled a bit further afield (but not much compared to last week!) to the second-largest city in Arizona, Tucson. About 90 minutes to the south of us, Tucson has a population of about half a million people, and is home to one of Arizona’s three universities – the University of Arizona. Since my… Continue reading Cross and Crown, Tucson
A World at Home
As we continue to wait for Covid to subside so we can submit our visa paperwork for Taiwan and Indonesia, we’re continually amazed by opportunities for cross-cultural engagement here in Phoenix. It’s a big city with a lot of international communities. Gena and the kids explored another part of it today, a large international supermarket.… Continue reading A World at Home
Sowing and Reaping
Twenty two years ago my wife returned to the Phoenix area after completing her degree at Concordia University, Irvine. Rather than seeking out a job she decided to launch a ministry. Based out of the LCMS campus ministry to Arizona State University located right across the street from campus, she launched an outreach to international… Continue reading Sowing and Reaping
Reading Ramblings – August 22, 2021
Date: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – August 22, 2021 Texts: Isaiah 29:11-19; Psalm 14; Ephesians 5:22-33; Mark 7:1-13 Context: Whenever this reading from Ephesians 5 comes up I feel compelled to focus and preach on it because it is so misunderstood in our time. The readings as a whole today have a theme of the… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – August 22, 2021
Mt. Zion, Phoenix
Today I was blessed to share the Word of God with the saints at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Pastor Wenker and I met at a Winkel back in June, and he was quick to extend an invitation to his church. Scheduling on both sides delayed our visit for a month and a half… Continue reading Mt. Zion, Phoenix
Waiting
Like us, you’ve no doubt watched the increasing intensity of reports about the Coronavirus Delta variant that is leading to higher infection rates throughout the US. This is worrying, to be sure. Unfortunately, it is also worrying to the rest of the world. Indonesia and Taiwan are both dealing with outbreaks. As such, entry to… Continue reading Waiting
Reading Ramblings – August 15, 2021
Date: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost ~ August 15, 2021 Texts: Proverbs 9:1-10; Psalm 34:12-22; Ephesians 5:6-21; John 6:51-69 Context: Pastors are trained to interpret Biblical texts. It ought to be a lifelong practice of not just personal reflection but also continued study in the art of exegesis, with reference to how others have interpreted the… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – August 15, 2021
Answered Prayers!
Many of you might know that we left our home in Santa Barbara as of June 1 as part of the transition towards deployment overseas. That involved what I like to describe as the mother of all garage sales, where we sold off literally 95% of our worldly possessions, hanging on only to our clothes,… Continue reading Answered Prayers!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 