Out on an errand for her mother Elsie, a young teenager, was gang raped in the lobby of her grandmother's apartment building in the Czech Republic. The damage from the rape caused a doctor to diagnose that Elsie would never bear children, but she did.
Parenthood didn't bring the pleasure it should have. Elsie lost one child to social services, and she married a man not for love but to help her financially support her daughter, Sylvia. Her husband was unholy and helped to trap Elsie in a life of legal prostitution in the Netherlands.
A bad beginning in life does not guarantee a bad ending.
In the midst of prostitution love found Elsie. A taxi driver, who was a former criminal, called a favor and some friends to secure Elsie's freedom from her pimp. Then he married her for love.
More love found Elsie in Sylvia's school yard. A woman introduced Elsie to Scarlet Cord, who eventually helped Elsie to apply to school and introduced Elsie to the true, living and loving God.
Elsie's story is from Naomi Zacharias' book The Scent of Water Grace For Every Kind of Broken. Naomi Zacharias is the director of Wellspring International. Scarlet Cord is one of the projects Wellspring International supports.
Today is a day to receive and to give love. Today is Maundy Thursday. Joe Carter, editor for The Gospel Coalition, in his March 25, 2013, article "9 Things You Should Know About Holy Week," writes, "Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. The term "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word mandatum (commandment). The term refers to the commandment given by Jesus at the Last Supper: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34)."
Did Elsie get to have a wedding with her taxi driver? Red (hong) is the color of celebration at weddings and birthdays in China. I hope she had una boda maravillosa (a wonderful wedding).
Some people may think that Elsie doesn't deserve love because she was a prostitute. Sojourner Truth was a slave who became a servant of Jesus Christ. Truth said, "You say women need to be helped into carriages and lifted over ditches. Nobody's ever helped me into a carriage or over a mud puddle. And ain't I a woman?"
Female and male we are all sinners and still valuable to God. Romans 5:7-8 Amplified Bible says, "Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us."
The Apostle John writes in 1 John 4:11 Complete Jewish Bible, "Beloved friends, if this is how God loved us, we likewise ought to love one another."
Please share stories of disciples loving others the way Jesus loves us.
Showing posts with label Ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ministry. Show all posts
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Estas Loco! (Are You Crazy!) Part II
"I pray to the God within me for the strength to ask him the real questions," a quotation from the book Night by Elie Wiesel. In 2010 when Francis Chan left his mega-church where he served as pastor for 16 years to move to a poor section of Asia with his wife and four children and to give away profits from his best-selling book Crazy Love which has sold 2.2 million copies, some told him something like Estas Loco! (Are You Crazy!)
Yet God doesn't call everyone into Christian ministry to be a pastor or to even remain a pastor for life. God will compel us to change. Acts 6:1-4 New Living Translation Bible says, "But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”"
Like the apostles gained greater freedom to teach the Word by delegating some of their other duties, Chan has greater freedom to teach the Bible to more people now that he is free from being the pastor of one particular church.
Feeding people and being a pastor are important Christian ministries. Matthew 25:34-40 the Message Bible says, "“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’"
Ministry leaders are of various types. Ephesians 4:11 Amplified Bible says, "And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers."
Instead of calling people crazy who have the audacity to give up pastorates at the height of their success or to reduce job duties, why not encourage them in the proclamation of the Word of God? Romans 10:13-14 English Standard Version Bible says, "For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
Chan is both a Christian speaker and writer. The Apostle Paul was both a speaker and writer. Paul wrote most of the New Testament. Paul spent a lot of time studying the Bible and other reading materials. One of the nice things about the written word is one can stop at any time to pray, think and meditate without being compelled to go onto the next sentence. Use books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, speeches and other media to study the Bible and apply its teaching to everyday living. 2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible says, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth."
Intimate study of the Bible should establish that those like Chan are not insane but in tune with the will of God. Chan is now back in the United States after nine months of ministry in Asia. He is focusing on one-on-one discipleship. Civil Rights Activist Ella Baker who helped to found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and had various jobs with the NAACP including national director of branches said, "You didn't see me on television, you didn't see news stories about me. The kind of role that I tried to play was to pick up pieces or put together pieces out of which I hoped organization might come. My theory is: strong people don't need strong leaders." Baker didn't mean that leaders shouldn't be strong but rather all people should be strong, and all people are called to lead. In Genesis God gave all people dominion over the planet. Genesis 1:27-28 Complete Jewish Bible says, "So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. God blessed them: God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.” "
Some families will consist of couples of domestic engineers and their spouses some with children some without children, singles, single parents, dual-income couples with children some without children and other types of families. All people can benefit from one year or more of paid leave from employment to help them fulfill God's command to rule the planet. Read my articles "Push for Paid Leave" and "Something Horrible Happened?"
Many women have spoken in favor of paid maternity leave. Dads and moms what do you think about one year or more of paid leave from employment? Singles what do you think of one year or more of paid leave for mission trips, volunteerism and other activities?
Do we even really need to give employers a reason for taking one year or more of paid leave?
Yet God doesn't call everyone into Christian ministry to be a pastor or to even remain a pastor for life. God will compel us to change. Acts 6:1-4 New Living Translation Bible says, "But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”"
Like the apostles gained greater freedom to teach the Word by delegating some of their other duties, Chan has greater freedom to teach the Bible to more people now that he is free from being the pastor of one particular church.
Feeding people and being a pastor are important Christian ministries. Matthew 25:34-40 the Message Bible says, "“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’"
Ministry leaders are of various types. Ephesians 4:11 Amplified Bible says, "And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers."
Instead of calling people crazy who have the audacity to give up pastorates at the height of their success or to reduce job duties, why not encourage them in the proclamation of the Word of God? Romans 10:13-14 English Standard Version Bible says, "For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
Chan is both a Christian speaker and writer. The Apostle Paul was both a speaker and writer. Paul wrote most of the New Testament. Paul spent a lot of time studying the Bible and other reading materials. One of the nice things about the written word is one can stop at any time to pray, think and meditate without being compelled to go onto the next sentence. Use books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, speeches and other media to study the Bible and apply its teaching to everyday living. 2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible says, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth."
Intimate study of the Bible should establish that those like Chan are not insane but in tune with the will of God. Chan is now back in the United States after nine months of ministry in Asia. He is focusing on one-on-one discipleship. Civil Rights Activist Ella Baker who helped to found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and had various jobs with the NAACP including national director of branches said, "You didn't see me on television, you didn't see news stories about me. The kind of role that I tried to play was to pick up pieces or put together pieces out of which I hoped organization might come. My theory is: strong people don't need strong leaders." Baker didn't mean that leaders shouldn't be strong but rather all people should be strong, and all people are called to lead. In Genesis God gave all people dominion over the planet. Genesis 1:27-28 Complete Jewish Bible says, "So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. God blessed them: God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.” "
Some families will consist of couples of domestic engineers and their spouses some with children some without children, singles, single parents, dual-income couples with children some without children and other types of families. All people can benefit from one year or more of paid leave from employment to help them fulfill God's command to rule the planet. Read my articles "Push for Paid Leave" and "Something Horrible Happened?"
Many women have spoken in favor of paid maternity leave. Dads and moms what do you think about one year or more of paid leave from employment? Singles what do you think of one year or more of paid leave for mission trips, volunteerism and other activities?
Do we even really need to give employers a reason for taking one year or more of paid leave?
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Youth Uprising
Sometimes when we are young we dismiss ourselves and others dismiss the possibility of us making significant contributions to society. When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah responded in the book of Jeremiah 1:6 Amplified Bible, "Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth."
But Jeremiah did not speak the truth. God gave Jeremiah the ability to speak well before the foundation of the world. Just like God gave Jared Sawyer, Jr., the ability to speak and to sing well before the foundation of the world. Sawyer is a 15-year-old, African American who is a minister, singer, musician and author who has had opportunities to share his gifts internationally. Sawyer says on his website jaredsawyerjr.com, "Truthfully, it is so easy for us to recognize the nugatory aspects of our life. It is effortless for us to acknowledge the bad things that are going on in our life, whether it is sickness or pain, storms and rain, foreclosure, unemployment, and the list continues. But, it is of great, internal comfort to focus less on the problems of life that have the tendency to bring us down, and focus more on the greatness of our God. Psalm 145, verse 3, states “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”"
Samantha Marquez is a 16-year-old scientist, entrepreneur, innovator and activist. Marquez developed a hollow structure of cells that she named Celloidosomes. Celloidosomes can be used for liver reconstruction. They also have application in Tissue Engineering, Bioengineering, Environmental Science, Genetic Engineering and cell/drug delivery as well as many other fields of science. Since discovering Celloidosomes, Marquez has published several peer-reviewed papers and presented her research work around the United States, China, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica and Russia, where she won first place in the International Space Olympics.
Marquez, who is now working on her 8th patent, is also an advocate for the Latino community, encouraging Latino youth and women to develop a passion for science and community activism.
Rachel Chan is a 16-year-old who performs Contemporary Christian music. Chan sings and co-writes the songs on her debut album, Go, released January 10, 2012.
Some may have tried to hinder Sawyer, Marquez and Chan because of their youthful age thinking they are too young to know and to do much. Sometimes our view of people is too small. We serve the God of more than enough. He does many things big and extravagantly. God does not practice age discrimination. God is no respecter of persons. He will do great things through whomsoever is willing to cooperate with Him.
Ask God to improve our vision, so that we can see people as they truly are and what they truly can be. Stop thinking in terms of limits and negativity. Our God is good, and He dreams and does great things. Ask God to give us hearts and minds willing and able to help people be all that they can be no matter the age of the person.
African American, Latino American and Asian American youth in the public eye was something that did not happen fifty years ago. But today Martin Luther King's dream has come true. Minister and Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Please share on-line stories about young people doing good things in public.
But Jeremiah did not speak the truth. God gave Jeremiah the ability to speak well before the foundation of the world. Just like God gave Jared Sawyer, Jr., the ability to speak and to sing well before the foundation of the world. Sawyer is a 15-year-old, African American who is a minister, singer, musician and author who has had opportunities to share his gifts internationally. Sawyer says on his website jaredsawyerjr.com, "Truthfully, it is so easy for us to recognize the nugatory aspects of our life. It is effortless for us to acknowledge the bad things that are going on in our life, whether it is sickness or pain, storms and rain, foreclosure, unemployment, and the list continues. But, it is of great, internal comfort to focus less on the problems of life that have the tendency to bring us down, and focus more on the greatness of our God. Psalm 145, verse 3, states “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”"
Samantha Marquez is a 16-year-old scientist, entrepreneur, innovator and activist. Marquez developed a hollow structure of cells that she named Celloidosomes. Celloidosomes can be used for liver reconstruction. They also have application in Tissue Engineering, Bioengineering, Environmental Science, Genetic Engineering and cell/drug delivery as well as many other fields of science. Since discovering Celloidosomes, Marquez has published several peer-reviewed papers and presented her research work around the United States, China, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica and Russia, where she won first place in the International Space Olympics.
Marquez, who is now working on her 8th patent, is also an advocate for the Latino community, encouraging Latino youth and women to develop a passion for science and community activism.
Rachel Chan is a 16-year-old who performs Contemporary Christian music. Chan sings and co-writes the songs on her debut album, Go, released January 10, 2012.
Some may have tried to hinder Sawyer, Marquez and Chan because of their youthful age thinking they are too young to know and to do much. Sometimes our view of people is too small. We serve the God of more than enough. He does many things big and extravagantly. God does not practice age discrimination. God is no respecter of persons. He will do great things through whomsoever is willing to cooperate with Him.
Ask God to improve our vision, so that we can see people as they truly are and what they truly can be. Stop thinking in terms of limits and negativity. Our God is good, and He dreams and does great things. Ask God to give us hearts and minds willing and able to help people be all that they can be no matter the age of the person.
African American, Latino American and Asian American youth in the public eye was something that did not happen fifty years ago. But today Martin Luther King's dream has come true. Minister and Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Please share on-line stories about young people doing good things in public.
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