Today, I read about a prayer request at http://kinneymabry.blogspot.com/2008/05/prayer-request.html. One of the families in the church served by Preacherman is facing a very difficult time with cancer. Please keep them in your prayers. God cares and listens.
A couple of days ago, Trey Morgan celebrated 5 years of overcoming cancer. His story may be read at http://www.treymorgan.net/2008/05/what-i-learned-from-cancer.html. His cancer became a catalyst for appreciating his relationship with God, his family, and his friends.
At http://www.desiringgod.org/resourcelibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2006/1776_Dont_Waste_Your_Cancer,
you may read the advice of another cancer survivor named John Piper (one of my favorite authors). If I deal with cancer someday, I will want to read his advice again in order to regain a proper perspective of my situation.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Inspirational Churches in Asia
The latest edition of the Christian Standard contains a couple of inspiring articles about Christian Churches in Cambodia and China that I would like to share.
At http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=907, you may read the article "CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Near the Gates of Hell." In the story, you will read about a church being planted in a former Cambodian brothel. The Christians in that country are working with International Justice Mission to rescue and care for the child sex slaves of their nation. They are working and worshiping in one of the world's darkest environments.
At http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=908, you may read the article "CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Planting a Workplace Church in China." In the story, you will read about a young American Christian woman who traveled to China in order to work in a factory so that she could share the message of Christ with the Chinese people. As a result, a church was established in the factory.
When I think about such people, I'm inspired to keep going. Also, I'm encouraged, because I know that such stories are just the tip of the iceberg; how many other good things are being done by followers of Jesus Christ around the world that I do not know about?
At http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=907, you may read the article "CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Near the Gates of Hell." In the story, you will read about a church being planted in a former Cambodian brothel. The Christians in that country are working with International Justice Mission to rescue and care for the child sex slaves of their nation. They are working and worshiping in one of the world's darkest environments.
At http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=908, you may read the article "CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Planting a Workplace Church in China." In the story, you will read about a young American Christian woman who traveled to China in order to work in a factory so that she could share the message of Christ with the Chinese people. As a result, a church was established in the factory.
When I think about such people, I'm inspired to keep going. Also, I'm encouraged, because I know that such stories are just the tip of the iceberg; how many other good things are being done by followers of Jesus Christ around the world that I do not know about?
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
An Opportunity to Help Children in Need
Yesterday, we received the following letter from our adoption agency (Christian Services of Oklahoma) and thought that someone reading my blog would like to help with this need.
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:37
Dear Friend,
In December 2007 there were FIFTY INFANTS in the Oklahoma City shelter at one time. The Department of Human Services did not have a place for these children so the babies stayed in twenty-four hour daycare until foster homes became available. This was not the first, or the last time this has happened.
It breaks my heart to think of tiny children being left in a shelter or a daycare with changing attendants every eight hours. They were taken from their homes by the Department of Human Services, due to suspected abuse or neglect. These little ones have been through great trauma. The best place for them is with loving families.
I have a dream to provide loving Christian foster homes for these children until they are reunited with their families or placed for adoption.
I am writing to ask for your financial support to allow Christian Services of Oklahoma to start a foster care program to provide homes for the state's children. We need $50,000 to get started.
We already have a $10,000 pledge from a generous donor. We need $40,000 to make it a matching gift.
If you can send a special gift of $12 today Christian Services of Oklahoma will be able to raise the $40,000 which is needed. Your gift is tax-deductible, since Christian Services of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization.
We also need prayers as we embark on taking care of more children for God. Adding another program to our existing programs of adoption and our maternity home will be challenging.
Please pray for us and send whatever amount you can to help us help children.
Yours in Christ,
Devonne L. Carter, LCSW
Executive Director
If you would like more information about Christian Services of Oklahoma, please go to http://www.christian-adoption.org. Their mailing address is:
Christian Services of Oklahoma
1300 E. 15th St. Ste. 140
Edmond, OK 73013
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:37
Dear Friend,
In December 2007 there were FIFTY INFANTS in the Oklahoma City shelter at one time. The Department of Human Services did not have a place for these children so the babies stayed in twenty-four hour daycare until foster homes became available. This was not the first, or the last time this has happened.
It breaks my heart to think of tiny children being left in a shelter or a daycare with changing attendants every eight hours. They were taken from their homes by the Department of Human Services, due to suspected abuse or neglect. These little ones have been through great trauma. The best place for them is with loving families.
I have a dream to provide loving Christian foster homes for these children until they are reunited with their families or placed for adoption.
I am writing to ask for your financial support to allow Christian Services of Oklahoma to start a foster care program to provide homes for the state's children. We need $50,000 to get started.
We already have a $10,000 pledge from a generous donor. We need $40,000 to make it a matching gift.
If you can send a special gift of $12 today Christian Services of Oklahoma will be able to raise the $40,000 which is needed. Your gift is tax-deductible, since Christian Services of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization.
We also need prayers as we embark on taking care of more children for God. Adding another program to our existing programs of adoption and our maternity home will be challenging.
Please pray for us and send whatever amount you can to help us help children.
Yours in Christ,
Devonne L. Carter, LCSW
Executive Director
If you would like more information about Christian Services of Oklahoma, please go to http://www.christian-adoption.org. Their mailing address is:
Christian Services of Oklahoma
1300 E. 15th St. Ste. 140
Edmond, OK 73013
Sunday, May 04, 2008
The Need for Biblical Teaching
"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things" (Mark 6:34, NIV).
At http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=17, you may read the results of a survey of Americans about their religious beliefs.
The survey reveals that only 8% of Americans agree with all of the following statements:
*Their faith is very important in their lives today.
*They should share their beliefs about Christ with non-Christians.
*Satan exists.
*Eternal salvation is possible by God's grace rather than their works.
*Christ lived a sinless life.
*The Bible is accurate in all its teachings.
*God is an all-knowing, all-powerful deity who created and rules the universe.
At http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=92, you may see how members of various churches responded to the survey.
At http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=17, you may read the results of a survey of Americans about their religious beliefs.
The survey reveals that only 8% of Americans agree with all of the following statements:
*Their faith is very important in their lives today.
*They should share their beliefs about Christ with non-Christians.
*Satan exists.
*Eternal salvation is possible by God's grace rather than their works.
*Christ lived a sinless life.
*The Bible is accurate in all its teachings.
*God is an all-knowing, all-powerful deity who created and rules the universe.
At http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=92, you may see how members of various churches responded to the survey.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
VeggieTales: What Does It Mean to Love People?
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10, NIV).
Over lunch today, we were watching VeggieTales on NBC. As usual, it was a good story, told in an entertaining way. It kept Christopher's attention and taught some good spiritual values as the story of Ruth was re-told in the world of cartoon vegetables.
However, at the end of the episode, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Pickle (uh...I mean Cucumber) were discussing the point of the episode when they completely missed it. One of them said, "So, you see, loving people means doing what they want instead of what you want." I understood that they were trying to get to the unselfish nature of love, but I thought, Oh, no! What a sick way of looking at love. I don't want Christopher to grow up thinking that his mission is to be a people-pleaser.
I said, "Christopher, that wasn't quite what loving people means. Loving people means doing what they need instead of what they may want." Janet chimed in with, "That's right. That's why we don't let you do everything you want, but we try to help you with everything you need. Sometimes what you want is not good for you, so we give you what you need instead. That's how we show that we really love you."
Normally, I don't worry about Christopher watching VeggieTales since it usually looks at life from a biblical worldview, but in this case, it sent the wrong message. I'm glad that we had the opportunity to discuss it, though.
Over lunch today, we were watching VeggieTales on NBC. As usual, it was a good story, told in an entertaining way. It kept Christopher's attention and taught some good spiritual values as the story of Ruth was re-told in the world of cartoon vegetables.
However, at the end of the episode, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Pickle (uh...I mean Cucumber) were discussing the point of the episode when they completely missed it. One of them said, "So, you see, loving people means doing what they want instead of what you want." I understood that they were trying to get to the unselfish nature of love, but I thought, Oh, no! What a sick way of looking at love. I don't want Christopher to grow up thinking that his mission is to be a people-pleaser.
I said, "Christopher, that wasn't quite what loving people means. Loving people means doing what they need instead of what they may want." Janet chimed in with, "That's right. That's why we don't let you do everything you want, but we try to help you with everything you need. Sometimes what you want is not good for you, so we give you what you need instead. That's how we show that we really love you."
Normally, I don't worry about Christopher watching VeggieTales since it usually looks at life from a biblical worldview, but in this case, it sent the wrong message. I'm glad that we had the opportunity to discuss it, though.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Iron Man: Learning to be Responsible
This afternoon, I took my family to see Iron Man, a new movie based on the comic book series. As usual, I enjoyed it. I nearly always like summer action movies based on comic books.
In this movie, we meet Tony Stark, the head of a major manufacturer of weapons called Stark Industries. Tony is a super-smart, super-rich playboy who has never grown up. He develops all kinds of weapons for the U.S. government, but does not think about how they may be used or misused. In fact, he thinks of no one but himself (as can be seen in the way he uses women for his pleasure and treats them like trash afterwards).
Early in the movie, Tony is ambushed in Afghanistan by a group of terrorists who demand that he build a powerful weapon known as the Jericho missile. During his capture, the terrorists injure his heart and another captured scientist creates a device to keep his heart pumping. Soon Tony learns that his weapons are being bought on the black market by terrorists. His inventions are not making the world safer; they are being used as tools in the hands of evil men to harm the innocent. As the two scientists pretend to assemble the missile, they are actually building an Iron Man suit which they plan to use in an escape attempt.
During the escape, the other captured scientist loses his life to save Tony's. Before he dies, he urges Tony, "Don't waste your life." The entire experience changes Tony Stark in profound ways. He ceases to be the self-absorbed brilliant playboy and becomes a man. He embraces his responsibility to protect the people who had been placed in grave danger by his earlier irresponsibility. The rest of the movie tells the story of a man who has finally grown up.
I liked the message of Iron Man and look forward to buying it when it is released on DVD.
In this movie, we meet Tony Stark, the head of a major manufacturer of weapons called Stark Industries. Tony is a super-smart, super-rich playboy who has never grown up. He develops all kinds of weapons for the U.S. government, but does not think about how they may be used or misused. In fact, he thinks of no one but himself (as can be seen in the way he uses women for his pleasure and treats them like trash afterwards).
Early in the movie, Tony is ambushed in Afghanistan by a group of terrorists who demand that he build a powerful weapon known as the Jericho missile. During his capture, the terrorists injure his heart and another captured scientist creates a device to keep his heart pumping. Soon Tony learns that his weapons are being bought on the black market by terrorists. His inventions are not making the world safer; they are being used as tools in the hands of evil men to harm the innocent. As the two scientists pretend to assemble the missile, they are actually building an Iron Man suit which they plan to use in an escape attempt.
During the escape, the other captured scientist loses his life to save Tony's. Before he dies, he urges Tony, "Don't waste your life." The entire experience changes Tony Stark in profound ways. He ceases to be the self-absorbed brilliant playboy and becomes a man. He embraces his responsibility to protect the people who had been placed in grave danger by his earlier irresponsibility. The rest of the movie tells the story of a man who has finally grown up.
I liked the message of Iron Man and look forward to buying it when it is released on DVD.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Reputation is Important, But Not Most Important
"He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap" (1 Timothy 3:7, NIV).
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:27-28, NIV).
Christians should be known for godly attitudes and actions. We should be known for kindness, compassion, courage, humility, love, joy, and many other positive qualities.
However, whether we are known for such qualities or not, we should live them. Our reputations may suffer for teaching the biblical truth about hot potato issues (like abortion, hell, homosexuality, etc.), but we must have the courage to teach the truth anyway. Our reputations may suffer for trying to help a friend caught in a sex scandal or abusing drugs, but we must show kindness and compassion anyway. Our reputations may suffer for confessing the sin of gossip and asking the victim for forgiveness, but we must live humbly anyway.
A few years ago, the Roman Catholic Church attempted to cover-up the widespread sexual abuse of children by its clergy. Concerned for its own reputation, the church slandered victims who spoke out against the abuse and denied all wrongdoing. In trying to save its reputation, it nearly destroyed its credibility.
What happened in the Roman Catholic Church a few years ago happens among denominations, congregations, and individuals constantly. Everyone is vulnerable to the temptation to place reputation above righteousness, but Jesus Christ calls his followers to a higher standard. The man with a reputation as a friend of sinners would rather see us risk our reputations to be good, rather than to merely look good.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:27-28, NIV).
Christians should be known for godly attitudes and actions. We should be known for kindness, compassion, courage, humility, love, joy, and many other positive qualities.
However, whether we are known for such qualities or not, we should live them. Our reputations may suffer for teaching the biblical truth about hot potato issues (like abortion, hell, homosexuality, etc.), but we must have the courage to teach the truth anyway. Our reputations may suffer for trying to help a friend caught in a sex scandal or abusing drugs, but we must show kindness and compassion anyway. Our reputations may suffer for confessing the sin of gossip and asking the victim for forgiveness, but we must live humbly anyway.
A few years ago, the Roman Catholic Church attempted to cover-up the widespread sexual abuse of children by its clergy. Concerned for its own reputation, the church slandered victims who spoke out against the abuse and denied all wrongdoing. In trying to save its reputation, it nearly destroyed its credibility.
What happened in the Roman Catholic Church a few years ago happens among denominations, congregations, and individuals constantly. Everyone is vulnerable to the temptation to place reputation above righteousness, but Jesus Christ calls his followers to a higher standard. The man with a reputation as a friend of sinners would rather see us risk our reputations to be good, rather than to merely look good.
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