TRANSITION

Greetings

When our lives face challenges we often lack the words to express our emotions deep within us. Then as we read-bathe our hearts and minds in His word our soul begins to cry out simultaneously with joy and sadness. Difficult to express. Difficult to explain.

This month, September of 2018, Nancy and I will continue our earthly journey which now takes us to new opportunities as we retire from full time career missionaries with status with Mission to the World (MTW). During our time with MTW we have grown much in almost every area of our lives. Spiritually we now have a deeper understanding of living in grace depending upon the mercy of God. Physically we remain healthy in spite of our aging bodies. Emotionally we want to express our gratitude to you who have sustained us with finance, prayer and support in so many way. 

We trust God for our future. Exactly what it will look like we will tell you as it unfolds. We have a nice place to live near Chattanooga and hope to be involved in community life near our home. Medical mission trip will likely take place the beginning of 2019. The potential for locum tenum work may become a reality as well.

May your journey carry you to God’s grace and mercy as you are physically restless awaiting eternal rest.

Dale and Nancy Knutson

THE SPEAKER 12

THE SPEAKER

Do you remember the first person you heard speak?

For most of us our first memory of hearing someone speak was our mother and father. 

Since we live together in the same household it is natural that our parents became the first speakers we heard. But what about the first one to ever speak in the whole universe? Is there such a one? 

Let us investigate these thoughts through a  series questions of Who How Where What When and Why.

Who was the first one to speak.?

How does the first speaker speak?

Where does the first speaker speak?

What does the first speaker say?

When did or does the first speaker speak?

Why does the first speaker speak?

Speaker 12

Why does the speaker speak

So that we have the speech of God. 

So that we have the word of God to permeate our heart and mind 

Psalms 119:11

I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

Psalms 1:2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

God speech

reveals God to us

Tells the story of God and His love for mankind

Brings salvation to those who become alive in God

The Holy Spirit impresses the sayings of God upon our hearts to guide us to God's truth. 

Creation Fall Redemption Reconciliation 

God created man good.

Man wanted to become God so man fell into sin separated from God

God provided Living speech -Jesus to pay for sin to bring man into relationship with God

In eternity all of creation will once again be under God's complete control.

Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words,

like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

purified seven times.

Psalms 119:25

My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word!

Psalms 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

Let us allow God to speak and guide us through His word. The words scripture will give us hope for the future. The Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth as we allow the speaker of the universe to work within our soul.

To remind you

Who speaks

     God speaks

How does the speaker speak

     Voice, Angels, Jesus became flesh, inspired word of God 

Where does the speaker speak

     In His Word, through creation

What does the speaker say

     Worship the one true and living God

When did or does the speaker speak

     In the beginning of creation and throughout eternity

Why does the speaker speak

      To reveal himself to us

      To guide us into truth

      To make His grace and mercy known to us.

THE SPEAKER 10.

THE SPEAKER

Do you remember the first person you heard speak?

For most of us our first memory of hearing someone speak was our mother and father. 

Since we live together in the same household it is natural that our parents became the first speakers we heard. But what about the first one to ever speak in the whole universe? Is there such a one? 

Let us investigate these thoughts through a  series questions of Who How Where What When and Why.

Who was the first one to speak.?

How does the first speaker speak?

Where does the first speaker speak?

What does the first speaker say?

When did or does the first speaker speak?

Why does the first speaker speak?

SPEAKER 10

When did or does the speaker speak

God first spoke at creation 

As recorded in Genesis 1. In the beginning, this is not baseball this is the master of the universe giving His inaugural speech. At what a grand time He had making His speech. God said and thing happened. It is not a reboot of a video game It is the reality of the all of cr

God speaks to hold the world together 

Colossians 1:17

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

Hebrews 1:3

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 

God speaks every day through His Word

John 14:26

and the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and remind you of all things that I said to you.

Let us listen carefully to God's speaking as we take His Word into our hearts and mind. God speaks when we read the scriptures.

THE SPEAKER

THE SPEAKER

Do you remember the first person you heard speak?

For most of us our first memory of hearing someone speak was our mother and father. 

Since we live together in the same household it is natural that our parents became the first speakers we heard. But what about the first one to ever speak in the whole universe? Is there such a one? 

Let us investigate these thoughts through a  series questions of Who How Where What When and Why.

Who was the first one to speak.?

How does the first speaker speak?

Where does the first speaker speak?

What does the first speaker say?

When did or does the first speaker speak?

Why does the first speaker speak?

SPEAKER 8

What does the speaker say

God's Word records the record of God speaking. 

God's Word is recorded in the 66 books of the scripture. 

We have the written speech of God. 

As God's people we read God's word and begin to understand more and more of God's grace and mercy towards us. 

The essence of God’s message is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 20:3-17

You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

“You shall not murder.

“You shall not commit adultery.

“You shall not steal.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”

God wants us to worship Him and Him only. 

Worship in spirit

John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

God wants us to rest in Him. Come to me you who are burdened

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

As you daily read the words or speech of God you will understand more and more of the speaking of God. 

Daily reading of God's word reminds us of the work of God within us. As we read the spirit of God works in our heart and mind to bring the truth of God speaking.

Let us heed what the first speaker says about who He is and what He does. 

THE SPEAKER

THE SPEAKER Do you remember the first person you heard speak? For most of us our first memory of hearing someone speak was our mother and father. Since we live together in the same household it is natural that our parents became the first speakers we heard. But what about the first one to ever speak in the whole universe? Is there such a one? Let us investigate these thoughts through a series questions of Who How Where What When and Why. Who was the first one to speak.? How does the first speaker speak? Where does the first speaker speak? What does the first speaker say? When did or does the first speaker speak? Why does the first speaker speak?

SPEAKER 6

Where does the speaker speak We have received the speech of God in written form. At this place in time, space and history we have the Bible the words of God written for us. God now speaks to us with the scripture as Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to understand the speech of God, the words of God. Holy men were moved by God to write the words of God 2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. God words are God breathed or inspired by God. The scripture is not a man made book. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. God speaks everywhere, the heavens declare the glory of God. We see the effects of God's speech around us. God spoke a world of order into existence. We see the sun, the Moon, and the stars all working in the same way everyday. We see the beauty and detailed work of the earth. Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. We see the speak of God, the scripture. We read the speak of God, His words recorded in the Bible

SPEAKER 5

How does the speaker speak God speaks with His voice. Throughout Genesis many times the scriptures says God said. When God said, God spoke the world into existence. God spoke directly to Moses when he lead the people of Israel. This is particularly evident when Moses went up to Mt Sinai to hear from God We have the story of God speaking directly to Moses on Mt Sinai. Exodus 19:20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. God spoke to Moses on Mt Sinai where He gave the laws of God to His people. Remember God told the people of Israel could not go near Mt Sinai while He spoke to Moses. The mountain was a holy place set aside by God to speak to Moses. Exodus 19:12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. Thus we see God spoke with His Voice God also spoke through messengers God spoke through a messenger when he called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt We see this recorded in Exodus 3:2-3,14-15 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the one who spoke to Moses through His messenger. He is not a God from the earth. He is the God who made the earth. So through many other places the scripture records God uses of messengers to speak. We read in Luke’s gospel, Angels, that is messengers of God, spoke to Mary and Joseph God speaks By his written word We have God's speech written in Books of Moses, in the history of Israel, in poetry, in prophecy, in the gospels, in the letters to the early church. We have God's Word and speech recorded in the Scripture. Deuteronomy 10:2 And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.’ We will see that Holy men were moved to write God's Words so that all mankind will know the one who speaks. God speaks with His Life. The speaker came to live among us. He speaks with his life. The one who speaks came to live among us John 1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; this one was in the beginning with God; 14 And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth. Jesus came to live among us in earthly form. He spoke and lived to demonstrated His speech among us.

Speaker 4

THE SPEAKER Do you remember the first person you heard speak? For most of us our first memory of hearing someone speak was our mother and father. Since we live together in the same household it is natural that our parents became the first speakers we heard. But what about the first one to ever speak in the whole universe? Is there such a one? Let us investigate these thoughts through a series questions of Who How Where What When and Why. Who was the first one to speak.? How does the first speaker speak? Where does the first speaker speak? What does the first speaker say? When did or does the first speaker speak? Why does the first speaker speak?

SPEAKER 3

THE SPEAKER Who speaks first? God is the first speaker. God spoke when He created everything. Reading in Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light Throughout the creation story the scripture states God spoke the world into existence and everything in the world. God said "Let there be" and the words became objects showing us the power of God's speech As you read the creation story in Genesis you will see how the very words of God brought something from nothing. The gospel of John gives us a bit more insight into the first speak. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; this one was in the beginning with God; The first one to speak not only used words He is the Word who later became flesh and lived on this earth. We will talk a bit more about this later.

SPEAKER 2

THE SPEAKER Do you remember the first person you heard speak? For most of us our first memory of hearing someone speak was our mother and father. Since we live together in the same household it is natural that our parents became the first speakers we heard. But what about the first one to ever speak in the whole universe? Is there such a one? Let us investigate these thoughts through a series questions of Who How Where What When and Why. Who was the first one to speak.? How does the first speaker speak? Where does the first speaker speak? What does the first speaker say? When did or does the first speaker speak? Why does the first speaker speak?

SPEAKER

SPEAKER A few months ago I gave a talk entitled speaker. Over the next few weeks I plan to post in serial fashion the talk. Respond if you wish. Each time I plan to repeat the introduction so that the flow of the talk will help the reader understand the sequence.

UMBILICUS

MEDICAL CLINICS

STABLE

                                                                                            STABLE

A few years ago I wrote a piece called wandering in chaos. Observing the world now compared to then, it appears that the world has become more chaotic. 

Many of us long for stability. So what would or does stability look like. For instance a patient who has had a major operation may be declared stable even though he has several tubes emanating from his body. A psychotic patient may be declared stable under the influence of medication. After a loved one dies we adjust our life and attitude to mourn the loss and press toward a life that includes the memories, but not the presence of that person. Life in a war torn area reverts to a day to day living pattern, but the sites of war are all around.

So stability depends upon perspective. As such a new normal. However, as we live in a rather chaotic world the new normal often seems to be adjusting to the unpredictability of each day. We learn to adjust our mind to the events of each day within broad parameters.

Or do we assess stability as meaning life is going in a manner consistent with my thinking and expectations. As long as b follow a and c follow b we feel the stability of life.

However, is there an underlying theme on which we can balance the ever changing new normal. What events take place each ordinary day. Sleeping, eating, surfing the net. daily events in which we most often participate. Then there are events that take place which we may not “see”. ‘’ Do we take the rising and setting of sun for granted? The changing seasons, etc. 

So in order to venture out into a life of stability apparently we need a stable foundation on which to base our thoughts and mind-set. May I suggest that one consider the one from whom the “unseen” stability emanates. The one who made time, the one who orders the sunrise and sunset, the one who spoke and life came to be.

The God of the Bible grants to us a stability that has a history embedded in infinity and beyond. God operates the world from outside of us. He gives to us life temporal-by creation and eternal-by the death and returning to life of His Son. When one begins to view life from the foundation of the one who made the foundation for our existents, one has a framework from which to adjust to the world in which we desire stability. Maybe life is already stable, but we do not see it for wanting our own wishes, desire and expectation to come to fruition. We apparently need to trust the maker of all things to be the stable entity in our life.

Merry Christmas

FIRM

FOUNDATION

Young medical students along with others asked us to begin a Bible study in our home in Cambodia. We were delighted for the request. For many Wednesday and Saturday evenings Nancy fixed a meal and then we studied the Bible together. Many of us have difficulty understanding the whole story of God’s work on earth. Creation, man’s fall into sin, man’s life in sin, anticipating the rescue, the coming of the rescuer and now new life in Christ the one who rescues. Representing it is God who works in and through individuals to accomplish His will rather than intermittent moral stories presents a challenge. Be kind to our neighbor is a good thing. The deeper understanding of what causes one to be kind to their neighbor addresses the under lying heart issues. Using a study called Firm Foundations we studies how God works in all phases of life and motivates us to accomplish His purposes. 

In the middle of the study we came to the states for a time. A few weeks before our time in the states I began seed the idea that they could continue the study. We are please to know that they have taken the challenge and meet weekly. One of the young ladies works at the Starbucks office. She made arrangements for them to study at Starbucks. In addition, one of the medical students may interrupt her medical studies for a 3 month mission to Africa. What doors the Africa trip will open for her, time will tell.

Pray for these students as they pursue their new life in Christ.

LANGUAGE Language

CAMBODIA Christ alone matures believers overcoming darkness in Asia.

Eager and willing to learn describes the young physicians of Cambodia. I have the privilege of mentoring these young eager doctors. Medical education in Cambodia emphasizes didactic learning. In light of this we provide hands on experience for the young physicians and medical students. 

Young physicians at Hebron Medical Center work in a holistic medical environment to minister to the whole person. While mentoring the young physicians I present Bible teaching as a part of their morning devotional time. At the close of each session I ask for at least one question. The length of the silence before a young physician will reluctantly ask a question varies. After several sessions emphasizing those in Christ have benefits in God’s Kingdom, one of the young physicians asked “what does it mean to be in Christ”? Now realize the I speak in English much more rapidly than I realize. I am speaking to those who have English as a second language. Most of the time the young physicians speak to Koreans who have English as their second language as well. I speak English with an American accent. The Koreans speak English with a Korean accent. To further complicate the language situation some of physicians come from a medical school where the instruction is in French and others come from a school where the instruction is in English. Some test are given in French or English or both. Now because of these nuances I wonder if I am understood at all. Well, I guess at one the physicians heard “in Christ” often enough to ask for a fuller explanation. Understanding the abstract concepts of the scripture can be challenging in our own mother tongue. I address the question briefly at that moment and sent him via the internet a more definitive explanation. Often reading and rereading will help solidify the concepts I expressed to him when we understand our identity in Christ we have a rich and delightful place of finding our security and significance in Christ. We rest more freely in the joy of our salvation.

Bora Rescued: Now off to Ratanakiri

Rescued from human trafficking in Southeast Asia, Bora has become a cross cultural communicator of the gospel in Northeast Cambodia. Several years ago while working as a cashier her boss accused her of taking money. Her boss set up a long term payment program requiring her to work several years to pay off the money. Unable make the payment quickly, Bora sought refuge in another country to earn money to pay off her debt. She worked and lived in a compound that gave her no freedom to come and go as she pleased. A new found friend helped her escape from captivity. She gives testimony of the incremental steps God opened for her as she returned to Cambodia without money or passport. 

God placed within her a desire to study and become a midwife. While she waited certification for a government job, she gained experience working at a well equipped and staffed local delivery unit. Desiring to be well prepared for her future cross cultural ministry she trained with Community Health Evangelism (CHE). 

Photo by Bora
On the road again

With her certification in hand she was took an assignment in a remote area of Cambodia. As she described to us her opportunity to serve in Northeastern Cambodia at a new health center, her trust in God and excitement for the future can hardly be contained. She calmly told us about the journey of 520 kilometers to Ratanakiri taking more than 12 hours on a small motorcycle. Nancy and I realized she may need a van to carry her belongings. We offered to rent a van and make the trip with her. Knowing the past faithfulness of God, she told us not to worry. She would talk with several van drivers, who have vans to carry multiple people plus motorcycles. God rewarded her faith with an inexpensive ride.

Photo by Bora
Nhhang Health Center

Bora’s walk with God demonstrates her confidence that God guides and direct her path. 

Please pray for her as she has taken this challenging midwife position. She will work with minority tribes speaking several different languages without the immediate back up of a physician. She desires that God will be the light shining through her in a very difficult place.