July Letter
Hello Dear Hearts,
“God has told us His SECRET reason for sending Christ, in a plan He decided on in mercy long ago; And this was His purpose, that when the time is ripe He will gather us all together from wherever we are—in HEAVEN or on EARTH—to be with Him in Christ, forever.” Eph.1:9,10 LNT
The mystery of the unrevealed truth of the church is “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,” a truth completely hidden from the Old Testament saints. All believers in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, are equal before the Lord as His children and as citizens of His Eternal Kingdom. Because of Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death and imputed righteousness believers are “accepted in the beloved.”
Sharing Over Wine
Brenda Gittens
“All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to Himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19).
Do you know or can you sense, when that special opportunity comes for you to share your faith with someone whose path you may cross? Not as a big planned project or performance, but just simply being available to the Lord’s will and call anytime and anywhere. Simply sharing what you know about Jesus, and what He’s done for you. (2 Corinthians 4:5). The Holy Spirit working through you, giving you what to say and how to say it. It could even be done over wine!
Church Sleeping Man
by:Anne Jackson
Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to speak at several Sunday morning worship gatherings. Recently, I was thinking about one when a guy fell asleep (I’m pretty sure before I took the stage — I hope…) during the service.
It was a wide room, and he was a rather large man, seated somewhere in the middle. In otherwords, it was impossible to miss him as I would scan the audience to make eye contact.
June Letter
Hello Dear Hearts,
“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself….And He gave us the wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s AMBASSADORS. God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2ndCor.5:10a,20,21 NLT
ONLY GOD COULD THINK OF THAT! AND ONLY GOD COULD DO IT!
Christ paid the supreme sacrifice to the Father, that we might receive the unfathomable gift of being CHILDREN OF GOD and JOINT HIERS WITH CHRIST!!!
With that message of reconciliation WE go forward. This has been an exciting month. First of all, thank you for praying for a place for me to live. I told you in the last letter what miracles God had performed to put me where I am. And secondly, a long awaited answer to prayer, my daughter Sammy, was able to visit me.
Because I had just moved in there was much to do. Since I’ve been here on Maui, I’ve always lived in someone else’s apartment; with cooking utensils, pots and pans, glasses, etc, etc. Each day Sammy would have a list of places we were to go and things to get. We picked up showerheads that she put on for me. I can’t begin to list all the MANY things she did, but every day was a quest. I am so grateful! It was such a blessing to have her here.
One late afternoon while shopping, we passed by a young man sitting on the pavement, in a dark corner of a closed store, out of sight. Sammy overheard him say on his cell phone, “Please pray for me. I need all the help I can get.” She grabbed my arm, told me what she heard, and said, “I’ll go in the store, you go to him.” As I turned back, Michael jumped to his feet. I said, “My daughter heard you ask for prayer.” He was amazed and overwhelmed that God had sent someone to pray for him at that very moment. After a brief exchange, we went to the Lord together. When we were through, he was so encouraged to see God’s presence in his life. Had we been one second earlier or one second later none of this would have happened. God exquisitely orchestrated putting him in our path, speaking those words at the precise time Sammy and I passed by. We will probably never know what God is going to do in Michael’s life, but he will never forget that experience.
I was asked to do the spiritual part of a Memorial Service for a man I had previously led to Christ. It was truly a Celebration of Life done in Hawaiian style, on the beach at sunset. His daughters and many friends came to pay tribute to a man who lived a life of accomplishment, purpose, success and Destiny. He spoke seven languages and built huge projects all around the world.
The first time I invited John to go to church with me he readily accepted the invitation. Because of John’s poor hearing, I took notes on the Pastors message for both of us. I arranged a time to meet with him to share them. As I did, the Holy Spirit moved in his heart and he prayed with me to accept Christ. He became a radiant witnessing Christian.
A lovely young woman, Lana, drove me home from the memorial service. As we talked, she told me she designed and made clothes for some of the shops on the Island; but because of the economy, she and a friend were cleaning foreclosed houses, however the banks were not paying them. I said when we arrived at my apartment we could pray about it. Then I began to tell her about what the Lord has done in my life and His love for her. When we parked the car, she prayed to receive Jesus Christ. The next day she left this message on my phone, “Hi Georgia, it’s Lana, the bank called and we’re getting all our money. Also I’m sewing and I’m so full of joy. Thank you for sharing Jesus with me last night, Aloha.”
There are more stories, but not enough room to write.
THANK YOU AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST, FOR YOUR VITAL, PRAYERFUL PARTNERSHIP.
SO MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATION,
Georgia Lee
Faith Healing – Good intentions, false theology
The Healing Rooms believe they are fulfilling Lakes vision. Lake had two important prophecies- one is called the PORTLAND VISION May 20 1920)
Lake: “He could not sleep so he walked in the shadows of the tall trees in Mount Tabor Park.
“Through the park is a foot-path coming down through the trees that leads out to the street where we live, and in my vision I was seemingly out in the street, at the foot of this foot-path, and as I looked up in the park I was attracted by a quite brilliant light far up in the park. It was very slowly coming down the pathway to the street. I stood somewhat surprised, supposing it was some night man on some duty in the park, probably searching for something or somebody. As it approached I discovered that, instead, it was an angel presence, and the brilliance was an illumination surrounding him. He stood a few feet from me, and said to me, `I have come to answer your prayers. Come with me.”’
Dick Ross, 1918 – 2009
Dick Ross, director of several Billy Graham films between the early 1950s and mid 1960s, passed away on Saturday at the age of 90.
In addition to his work for Graham, Ross also produced the film version of The Cross and the Switchblade (1970), starring Pat Boone as David Wilkerson (you might have heard that name in the news again recently) and Erik Estrada as Nicky Cruz.
But it was the Graham films — and the studio that made them — that are arguably Ross’s greatest legacy. Click here for an article that ran four years ago on the history of Billy Graham movies; it touches on Ross’s role at the beginning of that venture, and on the people to whom he passed the torch after directing The Restless Ones (1965), a movie about juvenile delinquents, teen pregnancy and other social issues that was also the first Billy Graham movie to be shown in regular theatres.
Pray Without Ceasing
by:Lisa Birch
I never wanted to be a prayer warrior.
Wife? Mother? Writer? Absolutely.
Food-taster or pro-shopper?
Sure, why not.
But prayer warrior? No.
I always associated the term with people who were either formal or religious. Yet today, wisdom teaches me that any true Christ follower would be foolish not to have the prayer-warrior aspiration.
Now I strive to be that person…the one who is serious about continually connecting with God. Contrary to my longtime belief, it’s far simpler than having a strong command of traditional church jargon or proper King James English.
All it takes is a sincere heart that reaches out to stay plugged into His presence. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” Not sporadically, but always.
I know it’s impossible to literally stay on our knees all day long. But it is possible to dwell or commune with Him all day long. It goes beyond quiet time and worship services. It’s what spills over into the rest of our day and our life.
I believe the true prayer warrior makes God his or her priority and seeks to live a life of worship. He or she should seek to abide in God’s presence, or to pray without ceasing.
Here are some action reminders to help get us to that place:
Cover. We remember to pray for others, but we fail to cover ourselves. If we don’t gird ourselves with the armor of God, how useful can we be to His Kingdom?
Intercede. How often do we humble ourselves to pray for our enemies? It’s easy to pray for those we like, love and support.
Serve. If we’re too busy to help someone else, are we truly seeking to be about God’s business?
Praise. We praise God when we actually operate in the gifts and talents He has blessed us with.
Minister. God knows who He is, but He takes pleasure in us when we speak or sing praises to Him without asking for a thing. How often do we intentionally take the focus off of wish-list petitions to actually minister to the Lord…and not just in church?
Read. Get to know God better; spend time in His Word. A daily Bible-reading plan will keep you close.
Study. Further explore what you read to really engrave His Word in your heart. Once we truly get it, we can recall it. But if we’re ignorant of God’s Word, we’re ignorant of His will.
Meditate. Find a scripture that resonates with you and ponder, recite and write it whenever you can. One of my favorites is Hebrews 13:8, which states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” We never have to wake up wondering is He still on the throne or did He change His mind about us.
Examine. At every thought, decision or move we make, the question becomes, “Am I glorifying you, Lord, or glorifying me?” Do a spiritual check-up regularly. Then be man or woman enough in that moment to make the appropriate adjustments in God’s favor.
Lean. To trust in Him with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5) is to dwell with Him. We are fools the minute we trust ourselves over God (Proverbs 28:26).
Loving God, Loving Others
Brenda Gittens We live in a world today where love, the unselfish loyal concern for others, is not discussed, described, nor displayed enough. But there is discussion, description, and a full display of the opposite of it.
There’s war, violence, hate, prejudice and much more we see and hear of everyday. And in the body of Christ, it’s not in full operation or production either. There’s jealousy, envy, strife, selfishness and much more when we walk in and out of those doors of the “four walls.”
We the church are the light of the world, so the love that flows from God into us, should flow out of us, and be more evident and reflective among us. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35).
How can we say that we love God without having the love of the Lord for our sisters and brothers? It can’t happen any other way. When we love others, it’s also a sign of worship to the Lord. As our love for the Lord continues to develop and grow inside of our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls, we can’t help but love one another.
As a Worship Leader, after leading God’s people into His presence, I would often remind the people of God, “Now with that same love that you have, turn and show someone else that you love them.” Jesus, the True Vine tells us, “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.” (John 15:12).
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 is what we call the love chapter. It tells us that we can have every gift and tremendous talent there is, but if we don’t have love one for another, they wouldn’t mean a thing to God, because he calls His people to love each other.
The gift of speaking in tongues would sound like brass used for making a loud sound or like clashing cymbals, just a bunch of noise! We can have the gift of prophecy and know everything about everything and the gift of faith where we could speak to a mountain and tell it, “Get out of my way!” but we have no love, we wouldn’t be of any good or help to anybody. We would be absolutely nothing.
This chapter of the word of God is one that we can read over and over and over and then apply it to our lives over and over and over . . . the greatest of all is love.
To love others also means to forgive others. If you love someone, you should be able to forgive them also. That’s the kind of love that God has for us. When we say we love God and others, we’re also saying that we need one another too.
There’s a song that we sing often in our church entitled, I Need You To Survive.
Let this song become a part of you today.
Obama White House Calls for Repealing Defense of Marriage Act
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
By Matt Cover
CNSNews.com) – President Barack H. Obama is poised to be the most pro-homosexual chief executive in history.
Unveiling his agenda Tuesday on the newly refurbished version of the White House Web site, Obama called for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), as well as the extension of more than 1,000 federal marriage benefits and of adoption rights to homosexual couples. 
The new administration laid out its plans on the Web site–whitehouse.gov–at 12:01 p.m. EST, during Obama’s swearing-in ceremony.
The site’s “Civil Rights” section lists a number of items long on the homosexual agenda, including expanding federal hate-crimes laws, repealing the ban on homosexuals in the military and extending the definition of workplace discrimination to include sexual orientation.
In the section entitled “Support for the LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered) Community,” the Web site says Obama wants full inclusion of homosexual couples under federal law.
“President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples,” the Web site says.
“Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100-plus federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples.” the Web site says.
Among those federal legal rights are the ability to file joint tax returns, own property, and buy health insurance together.
Obama also favors granting adoption rights to homosexual couples, saying that children benefit from a healthy home, regardless of whether the “parents” are homosexual or not.
“President Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation,” the site said. “He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not,” the website reads.
Obama further promises to distribute contraceptives through the nation’s public health system, saying the move is vital to combating HIV and AIDS – and the new president wants contraceptives to be distributed in federal prisons.
“The president will support common-sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system.”
Obama renewed his pledge to expand federal hate-crimes laws to include sexual orientation – an effort he spearheaded as a freshman U.S. senator. The bill that Obama introduced in the Senate, the Matthew Shepard Act, would make it a federal hate-crime to commit violence against someone because of their sexual orientation.
“President Obama and Vice President Biden will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation, (and) expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act,” the site says.
Obama also wants to lift the federal ban on needle exchanges, which provides intravenous drug addicts with free, clean needles in an effort to ensure they abuse illegal drugs safely.
“The president also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users.”
The new White House site confirms that Obama plans to work towards his desire to repeal a federal law that prevents homosexuals from serving in the military. Obama says that the only test for military service should be patriotism.
“The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited,” the site says.
“The president will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.”
Whether homosexuals are ever allowed to serve in the military won’t be Obama’s call, however. Only Congress can enact such a policy affecting the military.
Don’t Let Your Past Hold You Back
Dr. Jack Graham
Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on… Philippians 3:13-14
One of Satan’s strongest weapons against Christians is to bring up our past failures and embarrassments to discourage us and tell us that we can’t go on for Christ. The devil wants to pile up the rubbish and ruins from our past to block our progress.
Nehemiah and his fellow Jews who went back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city’s walls encountered mounds of rubble and other debris from the city’s destruction. The fourth chapter of Nehemiah describes the physical rubbish the workers faced, but the principle remains the same in the spiritual world.
The debris they were working around was a reminder of past failures and defeats for Jerusalem. But Nehemiah was there to claim victory, not moan over the past. And many times we must do as Nehemiah did–stand in the area of previous defeat and claim victory for Christ!
If you get caught up in all of the junk of the past, you’ll get weighed down and not move forward. Don’t let the evil one remind you of your failures… and fail to focus on the blessings of God in your life.
Have you lost confidence today because of failures that still haunt you? If so, I encourage you to follow Paul’s advice and forget about them… and strain forward to what lies ahead!
Don’t let the piles of rubble from your past keep you from pressing on for Christ!
