New Year, Improved Perspective

Job 5:8-10

But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God; Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number. He gives rain on the earth, And sends water on the fields. Job 5:8-10

If you said to someone: "My God does great and unsearchable things; He does wonders without number," and they responded, "Really? Like what?" would you say, "Rain"? 

When I read these verses recently I felt like I did when I heard the lyrics to a Sonny and Cher song in 1969: "I'd live for you. I'd die for you. I'd even climb the mountain high for you." Even? I would die for you. I would even climb a high mountain for you? The song was good for a joke. Or a good illustration of bad poetry. Not much else.

But Job is not joking. "God does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number." He gives rain on the earth." In Job's mind, rain really is one of the great, unsearchable wonders that God does. So when I read this a few weeks ago, I resolved not to treat it as meaningless pop musical lyrics. I decided to have a conversation with myself (= meditation).

Is rain a great and unsearchable wonder wrought by God? Picture yourself as a farmer in the Near East, far from any lake or stream. A few wells keep the family and animals supplied with water. But if the crops are to grow and the family is to be fed from month to month, water has to come on the fields from another source. From where? 

Well, the sky. The sky? Water will come out of the clear blue sky? Well, not exactly. Water will have to be carried in the sky from the Mediterranean Sea, over several hundred miles and then be poured out from the sky onto the fields. Carried? How much does it weigh? Well, if one inch of rain falls on one square mile of farmland during the night, that would be 27,878,400 cubic feet of water, which is 206,300,160 gallons, which is 1,650,501,280 pounds of water.

That's heavy. So how does it get up in the sky and stay up there if it's so heavy? Well, it gets up there by evaporation. Really? That's a nice word. What's it mean? It means that the water sort of stops being water for a while so it can go up and not down. I see. Then how does it get down? Well, condensation happens. What's that? The water starts becoming water again by gathering around little dust particles between .00001 and .0001 centimeters wide. That's small.

What about the salt? Salt? Yes, the Mediterranean Sea is salt water. That would kill the crops. What about the salt? Well, the salt has to be taken out. Oh. So the sky picks up a billion pounds of water from the sea and takes out the salt and then carries it for three hundred miles and then dumps it on the farm?

Well it doesn't dump it. If it dumped a billion pounds of water on the farm, the wheat would be crushed. So the sky dribbles the billion pounds water down in little drops. And they have to be big enough to fall for one mile or so without evaporating, and small enough to keep from crushing the wheat stalks.

How do all these microscopic specks of water that weigh a billion pounds get heavy enough to fall (if that's the way to ask the question)? Well, it's called coalescence. What's that? It means the specks of water start bumping into each other and join up and get bigger. And when they are big enough, they fall. Just like that? Well, not exactly, because they would just bounce off each other instead of joining up, if there were no electric field present. What? Never mind. Take my word for it.

I think, instead, I will just take Job's word for it. I still don't see why drops ever get to the ground, because if they start falling as soon as they are heavier than air, they would be too small not to evaporate on the way down, but if they wait to come down, what holds them up till they are big enough not to evaporate? Yes, I am sure there is a name for that too. But I am satisfied now that, by any name, this is a great and unsearchable thing that God has done. I think I should be thankful - lots more thankful than I am. 

That was a devotion I read this morning from Pastor John Piper.  It was written as a Thanksgiving Devotion, but our thanks shouldn't be limited to a Thursday in November. This is really helping to open my eyes to the awesome wonders and works of God in Nature. I hope it does the same for you.

I begin this year, not by setting a  resolution, but rather setting a goal. I want to make it my goal to see God and His works in nature throughout everyday of this and all upcoming years. Thanks for all of your support and prayers. If you are new to reading this blog, I welcome you into my world. Happy 2011 to everyone!

Hug A Child For Christmas *Huge Success*

First, I want to thank everyone who has supported the Pavia Project, prayerfully, financially in service or any other way that I'm not thinking of. It has been a huge success. There were enough gifts for nearly 1100 children. On the very first day (Sunday, 19th) over 500 gifts were handed out to the children at Mi Casa de Oracion, the church in Pavia pastored By Gereson Perez and his team. There were approximately 700 people (including adults) who showed up to the outreach. This is an impressive number considering that there was no transportation available for this year's outreach. Most of those in attendance had to walk to get to the church.

Yesterday, (Christmas Eve) the rest of the gifts were to be delivered to children throughout the other sectors of Pavia who were unable to attend the outreach. It is amazing to see the generosity extended from around the globe. The love of Christ was on full display this past week. Thank you all again for helping make this possible.

Merry Christmas!

Approved!

This past Friday, November the 12th I received an e-mail from North Carolina's district missions board endorsing me as a Missionary Associate. That day was also the first day of North Carolina's Fall Youth Convention. It was a great day but everything felt different. It was sobering to realize that this may be my last time that I will attend Youth Convention with our students as a Counselor/Youth Leader. This whole process changes the way that you see everyday events. I love the fact that God has chosen me for this and continues to shape who I am and how I see the world. This one is short and life is gonna be busy with the holidays approaching quickly but I will try to keep you updated as much as I can.

* Sorry, I thought I posted this last month. Just shows how busy I have been, that I didn't even notice that it never posted.*

Today was the day

Today I had my interview with the district. It should have been relatively simple, but of course it couldn't be. I woke up, plenty early enough. I had shaved last night, just to make it one less thing I would have to do. I knew that I was going to be a bit nervous, even though I had no reason. I showered and began to dress in the clothes I had planned to wear. Of course, now my shirt looked wrinkled, even though it didn't look that way yesterday. I ironed it. Then did it again. Then one more time. (*note, I need to get better at ironing, or marry a woman who is good at it and doesn't mind) Now the shirt was perfectly pressed, but one problem. Now it looked dirty. As if the iron suddenly made my nice clean shirt dingy and covered in lint. So now I have to change shirts. Not a big deal, just having to adapt to the situation. I grab another shirt, and of course this one in completely wrinkled. I iron this one and finally get going.

Next up, the drive. I start driving down a two lane road that goes through the woods only to see traffic stopped. I didn't even wait to see what the problem was. I just turned around and went back to the Glenwood Ave to try and make up some time but to no avail. There was slow people crowding up the road like they were purposely trying to make me late. I called up and was able to get someone to let them know that I was running a few minutes behind (thanks Sean).

I walked into the interview and was extremely nervous. I still can't put my finger on a reason why. There were two members of the committee in the room and three were on the conference call. The questions that were asked of me were not difficult questions but my nerves made some of my answers not as clear as I would have liked. I remember at one point struggling to remember the word accountability. In the end, I don't feel that it went bad, but I do know that I didn't answer and say all that I feel I should have. I am not concerned about the outcome of the interview, as it is in God's hands. I just wish I hadn't sweat through my shirt!

Time for an interview.

I officially have an interview date set. On 11/11. I will be meeting with the district committee for my first interview. It is both exciting and scary at the same time. Every day is like that. One minute I am in a rush and feeling like there is so much I could be doing right now if I was already there. Then out of nowhere, I am hit with the feeling that I am unprepared. I haven't been praying enough, studying enough, Do I know enough about the country, etc. I've had this conversation with a missionary friend as well as with future missionaries who have all been where I am.  They all have said that if you aren't having these feelings that something is wrong. If you think that you are fully prepared to go to a foreign land and do battle with Satan on your own, you are mistaken. We can achieve nothing of significance without the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.

(p.s. I thought I posted this a little over a week ago. Sorry)

2 down, 2 in progress, three more to go.

I was getting ready to fill out some more paperwork today, (Medical history) and I decided to take a look at my online application status.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that I have two green lights. Background check and placement are good. Credit check and District approval are in progress.  I should be able to book my meeting with the district missions board now.

On another note, yesterday was National Missionary's Day in Venezuela. I heard that my name was mentioned at a church there. I guess that's kinda cool! Well happy missionary's day to all of my missionary friends and even those who I don't know. For obvious reasons, I will not be naming the ones I know, but if you happen to be a missionary, I hope you enjoyed your day. Go ahead and enjoy today as well.  I'm praying for you!

Hug A Child for Christmas

There is now an annual Christmas event in Pavia. For every $5.00 received we are able to help 2 children receive a gift at Christmas.  Last year, 700 gifts were provided from various vendors such as Coca-Cola.  Over 300 children were turned away for lack of having enough gifts.  This year the goal for the church in Pavia is 1000 gifts for 1000 children & teenagers.  Provided below is the link to how you can donate.  100% of your donation will go to help the children in Pavia this Christmas.  Once you click it you will see a place to donate.  


Below that you will see a comment box.  In the box, please type the following:

Chris & Angela Nelson-Venezuela 
The Pavia Project-Hug a Child
Project code # 14501

Link to donate through Assemblies of God World Missions Click Here