Friday, October 9, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Beginning From the End
Now that I am nearing the end of my 20/30 journey, I can better describe the beginning.
I created a “Blog” on my computer which detailed my entire journey. [see: http://www.jettingblue.blogspot.com]. This came about as a way of helping my friends and family know where I was and how I was doing on the journey. It was not intended to be an ego journal, but more of a lifeline to those I left behind.
The origin of the journey would be best described as a “fluke”. It was one of those situations where a lot of things came together at one time and pointed me in this direction. Here are the influences which culminated in me taking this trip into the “Wilderness”:
Over the past five years I have experienced major changes in my life. I went through a divorce, I moved here to south Florida. I had a serious Stroke. Having lost my business due to the stroke I was unemployed and on Social Security. My “Saving Grace” was just going back to my roots and getting involved again in my Christian life. Somehow, I remembered Pastor Homer Lindsey, former head of First Baptist of Jacksonville who has since gone on to be with Christ in Heaven, saying that God is ever faithful to us. He keeps His promise to love and protect us no matter what happens in our lives. God will keep His Word! We have only to do the easiest thing in the world: confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and profess our faith in the name of Jesus Christ. It is not much to ask for all we receive in return. I mean think about it logically. It takes a minute to say this sinners prayer, and accept Jesus. In return He gives you Eternal Life in a perfect place free from all the cares we must face here in this life. That is THE BEST DEAL of a lifetime!!
Nothing can compare!
First Event: One day in August I was reading my mail, and Yahoo had a short clip advertising a package deal with Jet Blue airways. Basically they were selling an unlimited flight pass for 30 days at one set price. This meant you could fly to any location they serve as many times as you wanted for 30 days. No limit on how many times you flew.
Second Event: I had joined a Bible study group, Selah, which I found to be very Spirit filled. This group had been formed by Pastor Brian Doyle, and his wife Connie. Frank Barrett, a very devout deacon was now the group facilitator. We had just finished the study ‘ Experiencing God” and had started John McArthur’s study, “12 Ordinary Men.” I believe Alice Wright, a leading voice in the group suggested this study. I raced quickly through the book, and could not stop reading it once I opened it.
Third Event: Prior to finding out about the Jet Blue ticket offer, I had felt compelled to go on a mission to Nicaragua where First Baptist has a Medical mission run by Dr and Mrs Sirka. During that trip I was highly influenced by Pastor Doyle. I watched Brian move people toward Christ with such ease and assurance I could sense the Holy Spirit around him as he ministered to the young Nicaraguan teens. I also found a humorous and easy going approach to evangelism in Pastor Mike Jeffries, Addie O’Connell, and Pastor Terry. On that same trip I met Deborah Donoho, Deborah suggested I read her husbands book. “Arguing With God”
Fourth Event: I returned from Nicaragua and picked up Tim Donohos book “Arguing With God” It was a page turner, yet a book I found I had to read and reread finding each time more that I had missed in the original reading.
Fifth Event: Pastor Doyle whom I had connected with on the Nicaragua mission was offering a study in Evangelism titled XEE. I got the book, and read it through and then I viewed the DVD that came with it. I went on line and absorbed all their web site had to offer. Man I was fired up!
Sixth Event: Pastor Larry Thompson came back from vacation and announced that he was going to conduct a study from the book of Nehemiah over the next 52 days. I read Pastors book. “Side By Side” that weekend. There was all sorts of compelling information contained in it that led me toward this journey. The main one was the need to get outside the walls and bring people inside. I looked at my situation. Sure, I needed help myself, but at this point in my life, I was not looking to “compete” in the material world, I had done that for 40 years, and had nothing to show for it. So At this point I had the time to help, and the ticket deal gave me the means to help. I knew my efforts would be limited. Perhaps it was better to just roam the streets of Downtown Fort Lauderdale and find people to share God’s message with, Yet the idea of going to 20 cities all over the country seemed to make more sense. I prayed over this decision. I was in tears thinking about what I could do to best give back what was given to me in the form of Grace and Salvation. I read more about the “Great Commission”. One night in prayer, I was told to make a bold step to cross over from where I was to where I was needed.
Of course, I argued, ‘Where could I possibly be needed? I thought of the Nicaraguan mission and seeing my Pastors minister to others. I wasn’t even close.
I could see Brian kneeling on a baseball field in a little town on the outskirts of Najepa, Nicaragua. Young men were listening intently through Esther our translator. I could see they were all moved by his words, and I was astonished as some of the young men came forward to accept Christ. I did not have the power nor the training to do what Brian was doing. I was being directed to go and follow the simple process laid out in XEE. I could engage people on the plane. We would sit together for sometimes hours. They had nowhere to go. I could invest my time. I am retired. I could introduce them to the Word. I could invite them to accept a gift. Even with my limited knowledge, I could instruct them in the few passages I knew led to a person accepting Christ. It made sense. I accepted. I would go.
So many events were falling in place. So much was happening and I could not ignore it. It was not a series of unrelated events. These things were all somehow connected. I had a dream that final week before departing. I was on the road and I was meeting people and as the result of our meeting they were happy and I had a great sense of joy, Also, I had a sense of peace which I had never felt before in my life.
I had always been a planner [even held the title at one time in my career as Regional Director of Corporate Planning] and took precautions to insure everything was thought out before taking a step. Suddenly, that all went out the window. I felt a rush of energy, and a sense of security and comfort in what I was about to do.
I had only days left to buy this ticket. Being on Social Security I have very limited funds. However, I had placed some money with a long time friend, Esther Scott, because I knew she was honest and good at handling money. I called her and ask that she send a check for the amount of the ticket from my funds. She is such a dear, I had the check in time to purchase the ticket. The following day the tickets were sold out.
Then I announced my intentions. I have to tell everyone, that Pastors Brian and Larry really pushed me over the top. They were each so receptive and supportive of the idea I knew it would be a success. However, when I told others of my idea to visit 20 cities in 30 days they thought I was insane.
“How will you live?”
“God will provide,” I replied.
“You are just recovering from a stroke. This could kill you!”
“I know my limitations, and His Holy Spirit will guide me.” I said.
“You wont have enough money for food and places to stay.”
“ When Jesus sent out his apostles to spread His Word there were no Best Westerns of Mc Donalds, and they survived for years on the road.” Was my response.
“You will run into people who will entice you into sin and you could lose your soul in the process. You are not a strong enough Christian for such a mission.”
“I will pray everyday that you are wrong, and I will ask the Holy Spirit for two angels to guide and protect me.” Was my answer.
Next I put all of these six events together in my mind. I was being drawn toward
This journey, yet The Evil One focused on my doubts. The Sunday prior to my Tuesday departure. I briefly met with Pastor Brian. I was nearly in tears as I agonized over the journey with Brian. He embraced me, and told me to have faith in God. Brian reminded me that this was not my mission, but God’s. I cannot thank Brian enough for his words of encouragement. He told me to forget about how the Evil One is throwing road blocks up, and think more of how the Holy Spirit is with me.
My friend, Herb who had recently accepted Jesus took me to the West Palm Beach airport at 4AM for the first leg of the journey. Herb gave me a jacket. Because he said it is cold on the plane. He also gave me a coin that had an angel stamped on it, and told me it was for me to use on the journey, but that I was to give it back to him when I returned along with the jacket. This was a great gesture of kindness which I will never forget.
I created a “Blog” on my computer which detailed my entire journey. [see: http://www.jettingblue.blogspot.com]. This came about as a way of helping my friends and family know where I was and how I was doing on the journey. It was not intended to be an ego journal, but more of a lifeline to those I left behind.
The origin of the journey would be best described as a “fluke”. It was one of those situations where a lot of things came together at one time and pointed me in this direction. Here are the influences which culminated in me taking this trip into the “Wilderness”:
Over the past five years I have experienced major changes in my life. I went through a divorce, I moved here to south Florida. I had a serious Stroke. Having lost my business due to the stroke I was unemployed and on Social Security. My “Saving Grace” was just going back to my roots and getting involved again in my Christian life. Somehow, I remembered Pastor Homer Lindsey, former head of First Baptist of Jacksonville who has since gone on to be with Christ in Heaven, saying that God is ever faithful to us. He keeps His promise to love and protect us no matter what happens in our lives. God will keep His Word! We have only to do the easiest thing in the world: confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and profess our faith in the name of Jesus Christ. It is not much to ask for all we receive in return. I mean think about it logically. It takes a minute to say this sinners prayer, and accept Jesus. In return He gives you Eternal Life in a perfect place free from all the cares we must face here in this life. That is THE BEST DEAL of a lifetime!!
Nothing can compare!
First Event: One day in August I was reading my mail, and Yahoo had a short clip advertising a package deal with Jet Blue airways. Basically they were selling an unlimited flight pass for 30 days at one set price. This meant you could fly to any location they serve as many times as you wanted for 30 days. No limit on how many times you flew.
Second Event: I had joined a Bible study group, Selah, which I found to be very Spirit filled. This group had been formed by Pastor Brian Doyle, and his wife Connie. Frank Barrett, a very devout deacon was now the group facilitator. We had just finished the study ‘ Experiencing God” and had started John McArthur’s study, “12 Ordinary Men.” I believe Alice Wright, a leading voice in the group suggested this study. I raced quickly through the book, and could not stop reading it once I opened it.
Third Event: Prior to finding out about the Jet Blue ticket offer, I had felt compelled to go on a mission to Nicaragua where First Baptist has a Medical mission run by Dr and Mrs Sirka. During that trip I was highly influenced by Pastor Doyle. I watched Brian move people toward Christ with such ease and assurance I could sense the Holy Spirit around him as he ministered to the young Nicaraguan teens. I also found a humorous and easy going approach to evangelism in Pastor Mike Jeffries, Addie O’Connell, and Pastor Terry. On that same trip I met Deborah Donoho, Deborah suggested I read her husbands book. “Arguing With God”
Fourth Event: I returned from Nicaragua and picked up Tim Donohos book “Arguing With God” It was a page turner, yet a book I found I had to read and reread finding each time more that I had missed in the original reading.
Fifth Event: Pastor Doyle whom I had connected with on the Nicaragua mission was offering a study in Evangelism titled XEE. I got the book, and read it through and then I viewed the DVD that came with it. I went on line and absorbed all their web site had to offer. Man I was fired up!
Sixth Event: Pastor Larry Thompson came back from vacation and announced that he was going to conduct a study from the book of Nehemiah over the next 52 days. I read Pastors book. “Side By Side” that weekend. There was all sorts of compelling information contained in it that led me toward this journey. The main one was the need to get outside the walls and bring people inside. I looked at my situation. Sure, I needed help myself, but at this point in my life, I was not looking to “compete” in the material world, I had done that for 40 years, and had nothing to show for it. So At this point I had the time to help, and the ticket deal gave me the means to help. I knew my efforts would be limited. Perhaps it was better to just roam the streets of Downtown Fort Lauderdale and find people to share God’s message with, Yet the idea of going to 20 cities all over the country seemed to make more sense. I prayed over this decision. I was in tears thinking about what I could do to best give back what was given to me in the form of Grace and Salvation. I read more about the “Great Commission”. One night in prayer, I was told to make a bold step to cross over from where I was to where I was needed.
Of course, I argued, ‘Where could I possibly be needed? I thought of the Nicaraguan mission and seeing my Pastors minister to others. I wasn’t even close.
I could see Brian kneeling on a baseball field in a little town on the outskirts of Najepa, Nicaragua. Young men were listening intently through Esther our translator. I could see they were all moved by his words, and I was astonished as some of the young men came forward to accept Christ. I did not have the power nor the training to do what Brian was doing. I was being directed to go and follow the simple process laid out in XEE. I could engage people on the plane. We would sit together for sometimes hours. They had nowhere to go. I could invest my time. I am retired. I could introduce them to the Word. I could invite them to accept a gift. Even with my limited knowledge, I could instruct them in the few passages I knew led to a person accepting Christ. It made sense. I accepted. I would go.
So many events were falling in place. So much was happening and I could not ignore it. It was not a series of unrelated events. These things were all somehow connected. I had a dream that final week before departing. I was on the road and I was meeting people and as the result of our meeting they were happy and I had a great sense of joy, Also, I had a sense of peace which I had never felt before in my life.
I had always been a planner [even held the title at one time in my career as Regional Director of Corporate Planning] and took precautions to insure everything was thought out before taking a step. Suddenly, that all went out the window. I felt a rush of energy, and a sense of security and comfort in what I was about to do.
I had only days left to buy this ticket. Being on Social Security I have very limited funds. However, I had placed some money with a long time friend, Esther Scott, because I knew she was honest and good at handling money. I called her and ask that she send a check for the amount of the ticket from my funds. She is such a dear, I had the check in time to purchase the ticket. The following day the tickets were sold out.
Then I announced my intentions. I have to tell everyone, that Pastors Brian and Larry really pushed me over the top. They were each so receptive and supportive of the idea I knew it would be a success. However, when I told others of my idea to visit 20 cities in 30 days they thought I was insane.
“How will you live?”
“God will provide,” I replied.
“You are just recovering from a stroke. This could kill you!”
“I know my limitations, and His Holy Spirit will guide me.” I said.
“You wont have enough money for food and places to stay.”
“ When Jesus sent out his apostles to spread His Word there were no Best Westerns of Mc Donalds, and they survived for years on the road.” Was my response.
“You will run into people who will entice you into sin and you could lose your soul in the process. You are not a strong enough Christian for such a mission.”
“I will pray everyday that you are wrong, and I will ask the Holy Spirit for two angels to guide and protect me.” Was my answer.
Next I put all of these six events together in my mind. I was being drawn toward
This journey, yet The Evil One focused on my doubts. The Sunday prior to my Tuesday departure. I briefly met with Pastor Brian. I was nearly in tears as I agonized over the journey with Brian. He embraced me, and told me to have faith in God. Brian reminded me that this was not my mission, but God’s. I cannot thank Brian enough for his words of encouragement. He told me to forget about how the Evil One is throwing road blocks up, and think more of how the Holy Spirit is with me.
My friend, Herb who had recently accepted Jesus took me to the West Palm Beach airport at 4AM for the first leg of the journey. Herb gave me a jacket. Because he said it is cold on the plane. He also gave me a coin that had an angel stamped on it, and told me it was for me to use on the journey, but that I was to give it back to him when I returned along with the jacket. This was a great gesture of kindness which I will never forget.
Monday, October 5, 2009
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