So I arrived on Friday into Branson MO. I must stay that the Airport was quite interesting. You exit the plane onto the runway and walk into the airport through a makeshift tunnel. Once inside it looks like the type of places you would see at the beach. A tavern and gift shop and fake hotel. There was nothing about the inside that said "airport". There was a couple who were from Branson who told me a little about the town. When we got inside, she realized that I was clueless as to where to go and pointed me in the direction of baggage claim. To get to the baggage claim you had to go to the hotel. That was the secured exit. The Smiths arrived while I was at baggage claim and the fun started. Doing anything with the Smith's is an adventure. We had lunch and drove into Springfield, and went to get our accounts set up. Then I got checked in to my hotel for the night. We took a trip a huge Bass Pro Shop. If that is your type of place, or even if it is not, I would suggest checking it out. There are plenty of fish and sea life to check out and even a couple ducks. Had dinner with a friend from Raleigh and her fiance. Then went back to the Hotel for the night. Our missionary friends to Ecuador showed up a little later. We haven't even started yet and it's already a blast!
The time has arrived. I’m writing this at 8 am from the terminal in Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The whole process of getting ready has been a familiar one. I found myself going through the same steps as when I am preparing for a missions trip; and in a lot of ways, this is. For anyone who is unfamiliar, PFO is Pre Field Orientation. It is a requirement for all AG missionaries and Missionary Associates. I have no idea what it will be like, but I anticipate that it will be fun. This year I will be there at the same time as newly appointed MA’s Scott and Charity smith, newly appointed Missionaries to Ecuador, Ashley and Meredith Penley, the missionaries I will be serving with, Chris and Angela Nelson, my adopted parents J. V. and hopefully T. V. (names protected because of sensitive location) as well as the possibility of seeing some other missionary friends from around the world. The bonus is my little sister Chelsea and her fiance Mark live and work there. Earlier I said that I anticipated that it would be fun. With this crew, I know it will be fun.
I hope to give you all a glimpse of what PFO looks like. Next stop is Branson MO to meet up with the Smiths and then on to Springfield. Hopefully I don’t make you too jealous.... On the other hand, if these posts compel you to answer the call...
His own countrymen clamored for his death… His own disciple planted the kiss of betrayal.. His own friends ran for cover…
Six Hours.. One Friday…
The most critical 6 hours in history.
On this Friday, He would do what He does best: take the common and make it spectacular. Once again take the rod and divide the sea. Take a pebble and kill a giant. Take water and make sparkling wine. Take a peasant boy’s lunch and feed a multitude. Take mud and restore sight. Take three spikes and a wooden beam and make them the hope of humanity! I spent last night with God trying to really grasp all that happened. I still don’t fully get it. I’ve tried to picture the brutality.(I even watched the Passion of the Christ twice last night). I’ve tried to envision the bigger picture. I can partially grasp how important that day was for me. I can relate the sacrifice on a one on one basis. I know how important I am to my family. They love me and would do almost anything for me and I would do most things for them. I don’t know that they would die for me. Especially a death by crucifixion. Truthfully, I don’t know that I would willingly die that way for them. I say I would. It’s easy to say things, but to do it? Maybe I would, just a bit reluctantly. We have a natural tendency to try and avoid pain, especially for others. But He walked through life with that as his future. Every sermon, every parable, every miracle, a step closer to the cross. A step closer to being tortured for you and me. To taking on punishment for everything that anyone had ever done wrong or would ever do wrong. I don’t even think trying to explain sin does His death justice. He died the worst possible death so you and I wouldn’t have to. And knowing that the person He would most want comfort from during this time, His father, could do nothing for Him.
Why did he do it? He was the only one who could. The author of life knew that he was the only answer for death. He knew that he was the only hope for the hopeless. We were hopeless. No matter how hard we try, we still mess up. He came and was the example of how to live but he knew we couldn’t follow it, so He gave us a way out. That is why today is good Friday. It is a day of mourning (in German the day is called “Karfreitag” or Mourning Friday), but this act was the most significant act of Jesus’ time on earth. You can walk around saying that you are God all you want, but until you can prove it, the statement holds no weight. Others have done things that appear supernatural. Others have supposedly healed people. Only One has taken on the mistakes of all, suffered the punishment, died, and then rose from the grave, never to die again. No remains have been or will ever be found. There is no resurrection without the death on the cross. A death that was taking place during those Six Hours One Friday.
9 a.m. – “The Third Hour”
Jesus is Crucified on the CrossMark 15: 25 – It was the third hour when they crucified him.(NIV).Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do now know what they are doing.”(NIV)
The Soldiers Cast Lots for Jesus’ Clothing
(Mark 15:24)
10 a.m.
Jesus is Insulted and MockedMatthew 27:39-40 – And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”(NLT)
Mark 15:31 – The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself!”(NLT)
Luke 23:36-37 – The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”(NLT)
Luke 23:39 – One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”(NIV)
11 a.m.
Jesus and the CriminalLuke 23:40-43 – But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”(NIV)
Jesus Speaks to Mary and JohnJohn 19:26-27 – When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Woman, he is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “She is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.(NLT)
Noon – “The Sixth Hour”
Darkness Covers the LandMark 15:33 – At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.(NLT)
1 p.m.
Jesus Cries Out to the FatherMatthew 27:46 – And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”(NKJV)
Jesus is ThirstyJohn 19:28-29 – Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, “I am thirsty.”A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.(NLT)
2 p.m.
It is FinishedJohn 19:30a – When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!”(NLT)
3 p.m. – “The Ninth Hour”
Luke 23:46 – Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.(NIV)
EVENTS FOLLOWING JESUS’ DEATH
The EarthquakeMatthew 27:51-52 – At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.(NIV)
The Centurion – “Surely he was the Son of God!”
(Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47)
The Soldiers Break the Thieves’ Legs
(John 19:31-33)
The Soldier Pierces Jesus Side
(John 19:34)
Jesus is Laid in theTomb (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)
So is has been a couple weeks since my last post and much has happened. I wouldn't do most of it justice by combining it in with this post. I will use this post only to say that I am approved! After a lengthy application process, I am official. I am now an Missionary Associate with the Assemblies of God World Missions.
The notification came on Friday night, April the 1st, while I was at work. They had actually send me a message online earlier in the day around 5. I didn't see that message until 8 pm. I have to tell you, being April 1st, I thought about whether it was a joke for about a minute. I kinda realized that it wasn't and started telling everyone around me. I still had another hour and a half of work left before I could truly go celebrate. That was a scattered hour and a half. It was very hard to focus on my job. My last hour at work is one of the most important because I wrap everything up and make sure that the next technician who will work on anywhere from 20-30 computers, has clear enough notes from me to pick up right where I left of and the entire Geek Squad Precinct is in order. As I was leaving, a co-worker asked me what I was going to do to celebrate. I told him, "Praise God and go home and pray." That is exactly what I did. I had not been cleared to raise any funds up to this point. I have worried about the fact that I was going to have very little time to raise all of my support (I have until the end of the year) and until I was fully approved by AGWM, I would not have an active account. So the first thing for me was to praise God for his continued faithfulness throughout this journey. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to finally say that I am an AGWM missionary. I haven't doubted that this day was coming but that little green light lifted a weight off my shoulders... and added another.
I thanked and praised God my entire ride home. I was and am still very excited but now I am a bit nervous for a new reason. I have never been a very outgoing person when it comes to people. I am more quiet and reserved. I prefer to be in smaller groups of people. I am more of a listener, than a talker. I do talk sometimes. I guess I talk about things that I am passionate about. I'm not sure how that will work with my itineration. I feel kinda like how I think Moses felt in Exodus 4. I go back and forth with my prayer to God. Sometimes it is "Please Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue", wanting for Him to send me an Aaron, all the while knowing that His response is "go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say." Other times I am reminded of advice from some itinerant missionary friends of mine (the Smiths) who received this advice from other missionaries (the Coles) that "God already has all our support prepared for us, and He will prompt the hearts of those who are to give towards our journey. All we need to do is walk in obedience to His calling."
That is the point when I remember all of the things God has done for me and through me (Josh 4) and allow it to encourage me. It changes my prayer to "God, I surrender. Lead me where to go, speak through me and have me say what needs to be said. This is all about you and you being glorified in all nations."I had heard many stories saying that my final approval could take from two weeks to two months. Mine took TWO DAYS! God is amazing! I also am thankful for all of the people working behinds the scenes at AGWM. My online account was supposed to take up to a couple weeks to get active, but it is up an running. Thanks to the tech guys who made it happen. I appreciated your hard work. Time to get started!
6"Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' 7then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off ' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."
So, my last post was about how I was going to have to wait a little longer for the application process to move along. Instead, the past two and a half weeks have been some of the most stressful days of this entire process. It actually started the very next day. On wed the ninth, I was off from work so I got to sleep in a little. I woke up and got dressed and ready before sitting down to do any work. After sleeping in late, showering and taking my time to get started, it was about 11 am est. That is when I checked my email and first got the news.
I woke up and had an email, facebook message and skype message about "something important" from a friend in Venezuela. The "something important" was about Chris Nelson, the AG Missionary I will be serving under in Venezuela. I haven't really posted much about him yet but let me tell you a little about him.
I met Chris a few years ago when he was a youth pastor in North Carolina. He was invited to preach at Elevate (then Impact), the youth ministry I served in. One of my favorite sermons I have heard about being "moved in your bowels" for people, was a message he preached. I knew his family and him for a few years before getting the news that they would be moving to Venezuela to become missionaries. At that point, I had helped lead a few youth missions trips but at this time really didn't have a grasp on everything they were about to do. My admiration and respect in this regard, has grown tremendously over the last few years as I have become more missions focused.
We talked about how long the process would be for him and his family (wife Angela and three young boys) to get established and ready to host a team. It was going to be a few years so we let them know that as soon as they were ready, we would look into bringing a youth team to assist in whatever he needed. Eventually a time was set, July 2010. Up until this point, Chris had been like a relative that I would see every once and a while (I usually don't get to see my natural relatives often). We would see each other maybe a few times a year, bond instantly and catch up, maybe have a meal and have a good time, but most of the year we would wouldn't really talk. We weren't best friends by any means but he was someone I respected, and cared for. The trip in 2010 changed all of that in many ways.
Scott, Chris and I
The preparation for the trip involved them being on my mind more often then before. I of course prayed more often for the family and their ministry. After going on the trip and being in the field with them and the conversations we had during and since the trip, I can say that I feel a lot closer to him. Chris is as close as a brother to me and I know that I can count on him. He is never the one to back down to a challenge and it will be both a pleasure and an honor to do the Lord's work along side of he and Angela.
On March 9th Chris Nelson, and two of his staff members were in a serious accident. This accident destroyed his Speed The Light provided Vehicle. (Thank you to all of the youth who donate to STL and provide the much needed vehicles and audio gear for our missionaries. With the quality resources you provide, people are able to hear about the love of our savior!) The accident occurred when a bus apparently lost its brakes and then lost control. The bus swerved off of the road to it's right and then apparently over corrected and crossed the median and struck his vehicle.
The initial report said that 1 person had died in this accident and that 10 others were hospitalized. In the video below you can see the aftermath of the accident. Fortunately the initial report was incorrect. The Lord was with Chris Nelson and all who were injured in the accident. I can say with certainty that God was protecting him on that day. At the end of this post you will see some photos of the Land Cruiser with the entire driver side ripped off. Over the summer Scott Smith (a mechanic), Chris and I (both manly men... stop laughing) attempted to fix the window, which had come off track. This was not possible for us because that thing is built like a tank. Without the tools to fully disassemble a car, we were not getting to the inside of that door. When you look at the photos, you will be able to guess at the amount of force it would have taken to do that much damage to that tank of a car.
The Video (the video does get dark midway through)
Lets just say that the accident led to a very exciting few weeks. Including flights back and forth to Venezuela, getting stuck in Miami (twice) and being stuck in an elevator. Those are stories for another time. I am happy to report that Chris is doing well and is getting the medical care that he needs. He has successfully undergone a few surgeries to repair multiple breaks and fractures. I ask that you continue to pray for his complete and swift healing. Also pray for peace for Angela and the boys. I will give you some good news in the midst of this. There are at least 6 confirmed salvation decisions that are a result of a conversation had by the ever vigilant missionary Chris, with another patient while in the ICU. This conversation got to the patient's family and they came to visit Chris as a result of this. The Holy Spirit did His work and now there are six more names in the Book of Life.
On a side note, one of my green lights has gone yellow again.I was assured that it is not a bad thing and more of a reminder but it has added to my stress level over the past few weeks. Today I am laughing about it but two days ago I was not. I have learned to trust in God's sovereignty and timing in everything but sometimes I need a little help. Somehow though all of this he has working on me and how much I trust Him and His timing. Trust how He will work all things out for His purpose. Oh, that and I have 8 less months to raise my funds. :) Thank you for partnering with me and continuing to pray for me and the Nelsons. Thank you for helping to send me and encourage me throughout this time of preparation.
14 But how can they call on someone if they haven't trusted in him? And how can they trust in someone if they haven't heard about him? And how can they hear about someone if no one is proclaiming him? 15a And how can people proclaim him unless God sends them?
Romans 10:14-15a (CJB, Complete Jewish Bible)
So my application is finally in the screening phase. It seems like it has taken forever to get the Credit check and Medical clearances complete. Now it back to waiting. That is probably not my strongest gift, though many of my co workers say it is. One coworker likes to say that I "have the patience of Job!" If that is the case Job was extremely frustrated with waiting, but was just really good about not making a big deal out of it. I prefer to be a man of action and it is often a challenge for me to realize that you can actively Wait on the Lord. I know that He is working everything out the way it is supposed to be, and at the appointed times. Sometimes, I just want to know "when will the appointed time be?" In the mean time, I should have some new posts for you within the next few days. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!
Recently, I have received a link to a post titled "Why did Jesus fold the Napkin?" In this post there is a story refrencing an alleged Jewish/Hebrew tradition and giving a "hidden" spiritual meaning to Jesus' actions in John 20:7. After some research, I came to the conclusion that many others have, that this information is inaccurate in it's conclusion. Below I have re-posted a blog that seems to sum up what I have been able to find and believe to be true.
The Blog:
Many of us have received an email concerning Jesus’ folding of his napkin upon his resurrection. As a pastor, I’ve received it dozens of times, myself. At first, I – like many people- found the story fascinating and was actually moved at the thought of it. But, a bit of internet wisdom compelled me to investigate further.
The Email
The email heading asks this question, “Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?” And, the answer (with some variations, of course) is contained in the text below, a condensed version of the original email, usually beginning with: “I’VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS!!!”
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never
noticed this… .
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over
the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the
tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus
loved. She said, ‘They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!’
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.. The other disciple
outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen
wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to
understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded
napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this
tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just
out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe
his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that
napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, ‘I’m done’.
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid
it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table,
because……….
The folded napkin meant, ‘I’m coming back!’
The Deductions:
Well, Aunt Erma, it turns out that there are good reasons why you’ve never heard of this tradition.
I find historical/cultural traditions- particularly Jewish ones- of great interest and value. Yet, they are apparently made up at alarming rates. So, I wanted to verify this story. It turns out that I did.
There are several problems with this story. Separately, perhaps they could be overlooked. Compiled together, the story lacks even a hint of authenticity.
The KJV rendering of John 20:7 reads,
John 20:7 (KJV)
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
The more modern NIV reads,
John 20:7 (NIV)
7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.
One says “burial cloth” while the other says “napkin.” One says “wrapped” while the other says “folded.” These types of variances in English translations are clues that further study on an original language term is needed. 1- Like many are, this idea is falsely based on a western application of an English term: in this case, the term, “napkin” in the text. When English speakers use that term, we’re thinking Wendy’s drive-thru. Using the English understanding of that term, a scenario was obviously invented. The underlying Greek term is soudarion, which is defined as a piece of cloth used for one of two purposes in the East: to wipe sweat off the face or to cover the face of the dead. As such, no self-respecting Jew would EVER use such an article at a meal setting (it would be either unclean or in the least thought of as unclean), and thus no such mental association would ever be made between the soudarion (or lit. “sweat-cloth”) and a dinner napkin. It would be tantamount to modern day people associating a diaper with a napkin. Only a few (older) translation use the term “napkin” for this reason. It is a technically proper translation, but gives a western reader the wrong impression. More modern translations use other terms, such as “burial cloth” (NIV), “face-cloth” (NASB), “handkerchief” (NKJV), etc.
2- The second problem is with the term “folded,” also necessary to the postulated cultural reference of folding a napkin at the dinner table. That underlying Greek term is entylisso, which is a compilation of two terms, en (meaning “at a primary fixed position” – or “at,” “in,” “among,” etc.) and heilisso, meaning “twisted” or “coiled.” While “folded” is again a technically accurate translation, it conjures up the idea of the creasing and flattening out of an article. In fact, it is more akin to the wadding up and throwing aside (used in the supposed practice of the master leaving the table) than an intentional folding and creasing. This issue may could be explained away if it were not for the problems with the term soudarion. But, coupled together, it’s just another hole in the cheese. Entylisso gives no clear indication that the face-cloth was folded in an intentional way, but rather that it was somehow handled and distorted as being discarded separately from the grave clothes.
3- I have a sizeable arsenal of Jewish background resources. I searched them all to find a reference to this practice and could not find it. Afterward, I set off in research online. Surely you can’t believe everything you read online (as this email demonstrates) but I thought it worth a try to find a legitimate biblical scholar who may have referenced the custom. As it turned out, I found only one Jewish scholar (David Bivin of The Jewish Perspective) who had referenced this custom (of folding the napkin at the dinner table) and he did so in response to this very email. His answer? “There is no historical or cultural documentation which supports claims of this assertion.”
Sadly, you can find this reference in numerous online sermons by pastors who should know better than to randomly quote a tradition they learned of in an email from Aunt Erma.
Next week: “Ask and you shall receive: How Bill Gates will return to you $.50 for every email you send out.”
Make no mistake: Jesus is returning. But, not because someone had the creative ability to fabricate this outlandish email. He is returning because scripture says he will.
END
Just a warning to my good intentioned friends out there. Be careful what you believe to be true and what you pass on to other people. A great and inspirational story, but it appears that the facts say it is just not true. There appears to be no proof of a tradition of folding the napkin and words translated as napkin and folded seem to be misinterpreted. Please Test Claims Carefully !, We should be careful about uncritically accepting Internet-circulated Bible interpretations, even if they conveniently support our own beliefs, like the truth that Jesus is coming back! I'm ready, are you?
So I arrived on Friday into Branson MO. I must stay that the Airport was quite interesting. You exit the plane onto the runway and walk into the airport through a makeshift tunnel. Once inside it looks like the type of places you would see at the beach. A tavern and gift shop and fake hotel. There was nothing about the inside that said "airport". There was a couple who were from Branson who told me a little about the town. When we got inside, she realized that I was clueless as to where to go and pointed me in the direction of baggage claim. To get to the baggage claim you had to go to the hotel. That was the secured exit. The Smiths arrived while I was at baggage claim and the fun started. Doing anything with the Smith's is an adventure. We had lunch and drove into Springfield, and went to get our accounts set up. Then I got checked in to my hotel for the night. We took a trip a huge Bass Pro Shop. If that is your type of place, or even if it is not, I would suggest checking it out. There are plenty of fish and sea life to check out and even a couple ducks. Had dinner with a friend from Raleigh and her fiance. Then went back to the Hotel for the night. Our missionary friends to Ecuador showed up a little later. We haven't even started yet and it's already a blast!
