Manila, Philippines - Help us please..!

If you can please help us with airfare to Manila...!!

March 2010

Manila, Philippines -- is located central to much of South East Asia. PBT - We need to be there.

Matthew 28:19-20  ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. NRSV

Praise and Honor from PBT

Pioneer Bible Translators is constructing a new building in Dallas, TX for our International Service Center. This has been a project of Prayer from the beginning.

Last night we threw a big Hot Dog Roast to honor our construction people and the many volunteers who are helping us.

Show here is our Prayer Praise Time of Thanks. We honor our guests and  praise God.

When or What...?

PBT brings light..!

When you write about an incident ... do you emphasize "When" or "What...?"

Ancient writers make it difficult for modern readers.  Which was the most important to the author - "When" or "What"...?

Ancients wrote for "What."  Sometimes, things recorded  bounce around time wise.  Where we moderns assume chronological order -- often it was not. Maybe today it depends on your worldview.

Today's reader in a developing country, perhaps exposed to the Gospel for the first time.... well, "What" may take precedence over  "When."

And, how about you...? If you grew up in the same 20th century as myself - ah ha...  I must admit ... often I  read for "When."    I mean, the Old Testament did happen in this order, didn't it...?   And, that "rise up in three days..."  Hmm.... Friday, Saturday, Sunday... or was it Saturday, Sunday, ...?  And, "What...?"  Oh yea... He arose...! The tomb is empty...!  See, see... you do it too. We moderns are linear. I want everything to fit in my day planner.

Pioneer Bible Translators - ah...they daily delve deeply into the most fascinating book.  Nothing exceeds God's Word...!!

Stop by the PBT Booth at the NMC.  Pickup my clipboard survey and mark..."When" or "What."
I will report results here.

Which does your modern eye actually read for --first?  See you at our booth... National Missionary Convention... Lexington, KY, Nov. 18-21, 2010.

Our First Date

44 years ago Charliece and I went on our first date.  We drove from Bristol, TN to Johnson City, TN for the Friday night high school football game. Tomorrow night we will drive the exact opposite route to again watch BTHS football.  The  BTHS Class of '60  is attending our 50th high school class reunion.  Don't tell Charliece that I have ordered her a maroon and white corsage from the local florist. 


But,  how can this be..?  Are we having an out of body experience..? The clock  must be skewed.  We are too young. 


This weekend the BTHS Class of '60 will live in the present time...  and weep...  and laugh...  and mourn...  and dance...!


I have performed funerals and used:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 NRSV
"1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance......"

Yes...


This weekend the BTHS Class of '60 will live in the present time...  and weep...  and laugh...  and mourn...  and dance...!

Ladies... Here it is ... Perfume and Perfumers - for you!

"But some of the priests took care of mixing the spices." 1 Chronicles 9:30 NIV

Perfumers were valued skilled professionals.  The climate  (dry and dusty in the Near East) caused skin to cry out for pampering.  Even some priests acquired the skill set.

Bodies beautiful...  were regularly moisturized using perfumed oils.  Even Esther probably had a "pamper me" plan. "...six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women." Esther 2:12c NKJV

Calamus, cassia, cinnamon, bdellium, frankincense, galbanum,myrrh, nard, and saffroon were all sought after... some from distant lands.

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart..." Proverbs 27:9 NIV

So, here it is ladies.... your next rationalization... (not that I think you need one...) Go for it!   After putting up with we men you owe it to yourselves.

Read more details on Page 301 of the NKJV Chronological Study Bible.

Rights and Privileges - Hear..!

"Let's remember, our rights and our privileges flow from our creator and not from our member of Congress," said a political candidate recently. I could "make hay" with those words from the mouth of a politician. Ah well.... get the plank out of my own eye...!


sorry...setting aside satire...


Traveling way back to Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" These wonderful words are the basic confession of Jewish faith. They are called the Shema (the Hebrew word meaning "hear"). The words have been repeated privately and in public liturgy continuously. Traditionally they are the last words at death of many Jews.


To me.... "... The Lord our God, the Lord is one!.."  ......this is the core of my soul.  God is outside time and space. God is creator. God is one. 


Hmmm... this God is one..... thing... 
It seems to permeate Jewish, Islam, and Christian thought.


Yet division also permeates...!


Ah well... we are... again back to politics.


Keep praying brothers and sisters. 

God's Energy

Ancient's imagery of the heavens frequently referred to the physical sky with words that portrayed something stretched out and flattened, like hammered metal or a curtain. This acknowledged the immense power or energy required to create and sustain space. 


The night sky "star walks" I have conducted over the years allowed me to share my awe of God's creation.  The planet Jupiter, and her moons, seen through even  a small 4" scope give some perspective to God's power. 


I have found people respond to God's night sky all around the world. This allows us to open the door  to  talking about Jesus.

Isaiah 40:22 - "It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, 
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, 
Who stretches out the heavens like a  curtain, 
And spreads them out like a  tent to dwell in."
NIV 

Manila, Philippines

Interesting....


Manila, Philippines -- is located central to much of South East Asia.






Matthew 28:19-20  ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. NRSV

Wash yourself....

Did you ever notice  the way the whiteness of clean clothes is used as a metaphor in the Bible?   Water alone cannot remove grease and oil from clothing.

Pioneer Bible Translators just held our annual Pioneer Missions Institute.   Missionaries and students filled our Dallas, TX International Service Center for two weeks of intensive sharing.

Pictured here are Rebecca,   Director of Training,  and Bill,  Director of Support Services, down on their hands and knees, cleaning up tempera paint from the carpet of the children's programming area.

Back in Biblical times alkalines like naturally occurring soda helped clean.   Lye and soap are also alkaline and  used for removing grease and oil from clothing because water by itself can not do the job.

Millions do not yet have God's Word, in their own heart language.  Water and the best soaps will not clean their souls... only God's Word can cleanse us.  Please help Pioneer Bible Translators - Pray, Give, Come serve with us.

For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, [Yet] your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord GOD. Jeremiah 2:22 NKJV

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Since it's inception in 1868 Memorial Day has been set aside to remember those who gave their lives serving our country.  Originally known as “Decoration Day”  it was 1^st celebrated on May 30, 1868 as a day to honor both Confederate and Union soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Some we lose are close to us.  This past year we lost Uncle Vic who served at the Battle of the Bulge and Damon Winkleman who lost his life in Afghanistan. 

Jesus talked a lot about serving one another.  13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 KJV)


In fact, we celebrate a memorial to Jesus when we partake of the Eucharist - the communion ceremony.

Stolen tools do not stop PBT's new WALLS...!

 Nehemiah faced political and pagan resistance to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Pioneer Bible Translators was robbed last weekend of thousands of dollars of builders equipment. 

Despite the loss of tools the planned Saturday workday continued with volunteers from area churches helping.The floor joists are in and the wall framing is rising. 

Of course, it seems to me that PBT always dreams dreams that only God can make come true. What an organization.... formed on prayer, based faith, fueled by prayer. The word... the word... in their own heart language.... God will provide for PBT our first ever building of our own for the International Service Center in Dallas, TX. Do you have skills and a week to donate this summer..? We have a need for you.

Please, please, pray for our new building, pray for our people out there now working in 46 different languages.

The Completion of the Wall
Nehemiah 6:15 "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. ¹⁶ When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."  NIV

Mothers Are Proud Of U Everywhere..!!

There is a special feeling associated with Mother's Day.   It seems to generate from our subconscious.   Why this wonderful warmth..?   Why this rush to say, "Happy Mother's Day..?"  

Perhaps it is because we recognize mother always saw the best of us. 

Mother's behaviour was incongruous. (Incongruous: "..not in keeping with what is correct, proper, or logical)..."

Ever heard, "Only a mother could love ...."?  Sooo... I cannot stop myself giving back to mother's love.   Wow... gosh.... hmmm....

Maybe mothers get their ability to see only the best in us from... God's love. 

All right. O.K., I admit it. I cannot really get a handle on God's love.  I get glimpses where I almost break through now and then.   Humbled...  and each Mother's Day brings a ray of understanding...  for a moment or two. 

But, I will tell you this -  Exodus 20:12 says, "... honor your father and your mother that you may live long in the land..."   A command and a promise;  I think it deep logic.  Children who honor live better lives, cleaner lives, more loving existence.

Thank you, mother for having believed in me.  Happy Mother's Day..!! Someday...someday... I too will be there to... fully understand.

Click below  to go to our Facebook page and tell one thing you thank your mother for this Mother's Day.....


Click here to tell Mom...!

An Eye For An Eye

Bible Translators often find themselves in a quandary. Somewhere back in my childhood movies I recall a hate filled cowboy twisting up his face and demanding “an eye for an eye.” Viewers all realized he was demanding more. He was demanding total destruction. Hate came though his body language. He had become evil to avenge evil. There was no end to his evil. Of course, the cowboy thought he was calling upon the highest authority – The Bible. Was he correct?

Well..... Leviticus 24:19-21 may apply. And, Exodus 21:22-25 possible applies also. Oh, and also Deuteronomy 19:21. But, what do these say and how do you translate it if you don't understand it yourself? All three seem to demand retribution.... “an eye for an eye,” “ a tooth for a tooth.” Phrases I have heard all my life.

During Old Testament classes at Johnson Bible College, I suddenly understood. In Latin this is called the law of lex talionis. Punishment, then and now, often far exceeds the crime. In the developing world cultures today it is not just about retribution, but also about mercy. In other words, the punishment should not exceed the crime. Lex talionis defines and limits - retribution.

Wow... how can I explain lex talionis when I too frequently find myself wanting to shout, “....its' just not fair.... you hurt me.... I want to strike back... hard....very hard......??!!

Please give us wisdom Father...!

Blessings...?

How many times have you said, "Blessings..?" In the ancient Near East  it was inherently understood that the one doing the blessing was superior to the one being blessed. Since the name and power of God was used,  a blessing could not be retracted - even if bestowed by deceit. Isaac, tricked by Jacob, mistakenly pronounced the blessing reserved for the firstborn son Esau, upon - Jacob the younger son. Isaac then could not reverse the action in order to bless Esau, his firstborn (Genesis 27:27-40).

I have often pondered my closing phrases ending letters and emails. What right have I to bless anyone? Like Paul, I feel "...chief among sinners.." (I Timothy 1:15).  Yet, I sing and pray aloud  "blessings to God." Is this folly that I,  a mere mortal,  should presume to bless my maker?

Last night, as I contemplated the beautiful moon over Texas, a sort of vague, yet somehow familiar, reality again came over me. There exists no condition within which I can truly understand He who is outside of time and presence. He who creates is beyond creation - yet totally within my heart. My  "blessings to God"  are my form of   "praise"   which actually is all I can rightfully give......

A hush fell over the room

 Just as we usually do each day, Pioneer Bible Translator's home office gathered for prayer at 9 A.M. Today however, was special; we all recognized the fact. A hush fell over the room. Jeff slowly opened the loose leaf three ring binder on his lap. It was hard to hold back the tears as he began to read.... His own emotions, well, they showed as he had trouble getting started reading.

Jeff, Laura, and the children, have spent years in West Africa among the Toma Tribes. Jeff began reading aloud in the Toma Tongue. Jeff was reading aloud from the Bible. Jeff read aloud from the Bible - which the Toma can now read and hear in their own tongue.. in their own heart language...!

We all sat in awe as the Twenty-third Psalm flowed from Jeff's lips in Toma. We prayed. We praised. We shed some tears of joy. We honored Jeff's family. We honored God. We prayed God would accept this work as his worship. All PBT supporters out there are part of this. Today, pray in praise. Pray in joy. Pray in thanks. Pray in wonder. Pray in Worship....!

The Uncommon Sandal

Pioneer Bible Translator's missionaries walking into our home seem to invariably remove their shoes. Many wear some form of sandals. I took time to review sandals in the Bible culture. Though there is evidence of some shoe footwear in the Old Testament the sandal was the common footwear in the hot and dry areas. Sandals were so much a unique part of the wearer that sandal removal  could symbolically represent a change of ownership in buying and selling. This could even extend to the acquisition of a wife (Ruth 4:7-10).


I fondly remember childhood Sunday School classes. The phrase "Holy Ground" entered  my vocabulary in some long forgotten Sunday School lesson. Perhaps we studied Moses and the burning bush (Ex 3:5). It may have been Joshua, before the "Commander of the Lord's army" (Josh 5:15). Both Moses and Joshua were instructed to remove their sandals because they stood on "Holy Ground."

Today, when I enter a cathedral like church sanctuary something deep inside me chides my subconscious with a whispered, "Holy Ground." It may be like this for you also. Guests seem unable to stop themselves as they honor our home by removing their sandals. Alas, I seem unable to find a satisfactory sandal to remove when I enter a church building. I think Jesus understands my predicament. I also think the Holy Spirit intercedes.



"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."  (Romans 8:26) NIV

In the field- Bible Translation

Many times people hear about "Bible Translators" and think of one person deep in the jungle struggling for years. Or, they think of a modern style monk sitting head down over a computer really "whipping out" the translations. Both are of course far from truth. Today there are 6,912 languages. Only 439 have the entire Bible in their own language. Pioneer Bible Translators is currently working in 46 places. We have over 200 adults and another 200 children on the field. Teams may have linguists, translators, teachers, IT specialists, "keep it running" specialists, medical people, ... and the list goes on. Some of our teams are in... shall we say... "interesting places." Keeping all these folks "out there" is our job at the International Service Center. We need more people, more money, more genius, more prayer. PBT exists  o n l y because of prayer.

Please pray for PBT. 

At the feet of Gamaliel

We here at Pioneer Bible Translators International Service Center share campus space with GIAL. Johnson Bible College President, Dr. Gary Weedman was here on the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics campus a few weeks ago. He took the Fierbaughs and the Mamatsiuks out for lunch. Johnson Bible College happens to be both families alama mater. I just happen to have a photo of three of the men at JBC who have played an important role in our lives. Left to right: Gary Weedman, David Legg, and Mark Pierce. We Love you brothers - - Gamaliels.

Acts 22:3  "I am as Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to our ancestral law, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today." NIV

Missionaries and Passports

 In Nehemiah 2:7-9 one of the earliest known references to what served as a passport is found. In about 450 BC,  Nehemiah, an official serving King Artaxerxes I of Persia , asked leave to travel to Judea and the king granted leave and gave him a letter "to the governors beyond the river" requesting safe passage for him as he travelled through their lands.

We just renewed our U.S. Passports. It wasn't difficult. We just completed Form DS-82, attached our check, enclosed our soon to expire passports and mailed them to the U.S. passport office. Yesterday the new ones came in the mail. We are good for another ten years.

As I looked over our new U.S. Passports, it made me ask myself if I carry a Christian passport. Is it my Bible? Is it my walk? Is it my smile? Or is it my attitude? Is it my skin color? Am I without sin? Do I never hurt anyone else? Christian...? Christian....? Follower of Christ. Imitator of Jesus. Wow.... Grace. Thank you Father for Grace.

PBT Annual Retreat

Gerald Denny and William Fierbaugh enjoying a moment at the Pioneer Bible Translators' Annual Retreat. PBT - make your life special. Come help us share God's Word with the Bible-less.

Super Bowl Ad

     Tim Tebow, is the former Florida quarterback, who's known for writing Bible verses under his eyes.   There's no telling how many people who never, ever would have touched a Bible did so because they were curious what the athlete was trying to say.Tebow has been receiving criticism for starring in a planned Super Bowl Commercial. There have been literally hundreds of pro-abortion media "news" items about the so called Super Bowl controversy.

     Lost in the limelight is a wonderful fact. The fact is --- today's media reaches where the people are....  And it reaches them by the tens, hundreds, thousands and sometimes millions. The Jesus Film has been projected to illiterate people groups on the sides of huts from a projector furnished electricity by a gasoline powered  generator.  Bible Translation is not only about translation -- it is also about "getting the Word out to the entire world." This week, even as you read this, a gasoline powered generator runs tape recorders deep in Africa. The locals, many who cannot read, will soon be able to listen to the Bible in their own heart language. God has provided many methods to share the Word. Thank you, Father, for allowing us to learn....how to share..! 

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 NIV

Praises for Bible Recording Project

Just in from Africa: "Thank you for praying yesterday for increased progress.  We had our first day where we recorded 7 percent of the New Testament instead of four and a half.  However, we did it partly by recording from 8AM to nearly 10PM. It seems that the readers are gradually improving too. Pray for continued progress that God would bless the reading and dramatization of his word.  As we read through every word of the New Testament, we ourselves can’t help but discuss it and be impacted by it. I’ll explain something he says and one of the men will say, “I always wondered what that means.”  We say things like, “Paul really said something important there.” One man said, “Jesus is talking about xxxxxxx people there for sure!”  Sometimes one of us will say, “People here really need to hear this part right here.”  The beautiful thing about it is that they will --now that we are recording it.  Thank you for lifting us up in prayer.

There's Bible Translation and there's so-called Bible Translation

This is scary stuff.....

What if - The Bible were translated by general consensus instead of by scholars... 

Here is an interesting article at-

http://sjdahlman.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/memo-to-would-be-bible-translators-a-little-humility-please/

This flawed theory seems to be that a better version will appear via a "wiki" approach.

I DON'T THINK SO........!!!!

HERE IS THE TRUTH in John 3:16