You know that break I said I would give myself when I mailed out all the thank you packages for 2010 contributions? Well, it never came. There is just so much work to do, and tomorrow I am not doing anything but music. I can't wait! We are working on the arrangements for "Soon And Very Soon", "Through It All" and "No More Prisoner Of Yesterday" at 11:00, and at 3:00 I am working with my pianist on "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and "Almost Like Being In Love". I am so thankful for the way music fills up my heart. I am three songs away from having my next Christian album done, and the music from the 50s with only the piano is so beautiful that every note Bill, the pianist, plays inundates me with emotion. We are still looking for a place to rehearse with a piano. In the meantime, Bill brings his keyboard here, and we go to the clubhouse room in my building to work out arrangements. He is going to write a strings part for "He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)" and real violins are going to be so pretty, I don't know if I can stand hearing them on that song! I'm so thankful that God is giving me back the music I gave up for Him. (It is too strange for the world to understand, but He knows....) I guess that is why I can sing "Through It All" (by Andre Crouch) with all my heart now. What a gift! I may not have a lot of things I would like to have, but "as for me the nearness of God is my good," and HE IS GOOD and fills me with peace. It is a gift like nothing anyone on earth can give, that is for sure--the peace of a close walk with God within my heart. I pray He will protect my path and always keep me close to Him, no matter the cost.
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Good Life
“Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Let Thy good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 143:10
Announcements: FIRST DAY OF OUTREACH AT GA TECH, FEB. 17TH
I hope to have as many copies as possible of sermons by Tommy Fox from Theta Baptist Church for our new table outreach at the spring rodeo at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola, LA), scheduled for this April.
I am going to have 100 copies of a sermon by Pastor William Sims called "Everybody is Somebody (in Jesus)" (Valley Grove Bapt. Church). It is such a great sermon about the worth of a soul, apart from image, and I am making these copies for our table outreach at Louisiana State Penitentiary this April at the spring rodeo. (I am going to have to take the sermon to an audio editor and pay to have it edited, because the intro needs to be edited out where he so nicely complimented my singing. That will need to be edited for the general public.)
OUR FIRST DAY OF OUTREACH AT GA TECH IS FEBRUARY 17TH! I am so excited! We ordered the sign reading "A Free Gift for You" for the table today in GA Tech colors, as we will stock the table with materials for evolutionists.
THANKS FOR KEEPING THIS MINISTRY IN PRAYER AND FOR EVERY DONATION. IT IS ALWAYS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE FOR ANY NEW TABLE OUTREACH TO COST $500.00, SO GA TECH WILL BE AT LEAST THAT MUCH TO GET IT OFF THE GROUND IN ORDERS FOR RESOURCES. THE OUTREACH AT ANGOLA PRISON WILL BE AT LEAST 300.00. (Louisiana State Penitentiary already has a table and will supply the sign reading "A Free Gift for You" I am sure. The warden informed me via a chaplain that we cannot have "advertising" on any of our materials at this table outreach, so our general tracts will not work. We will need to have copies made of sermons with only the title of the sermon, the name of the pastor, and the church. We cannot have web sites, because that would be considered advertisments. I am going to have to copy many generic tracts off at Staples in hopes for some help also from the chaplain's dept. for extra copies needed at Angola... On colored paper we will have tracts such as "Magic Anyone?" and "Spirituality: Is It A Choice?", as well as many materials for Catholics. None of this is free, so thanks so much for the donations.)
In God's faithfulness,
Dwayna
I am going to have 100 copies of a sermon by Pastor William Sims called "Everybody is Somebody (in Jesus)" (Valley Grove Bapt. Church). It is such a great sermon about the worth of a soul, apart from image, and I am making these copies for our table outreach at Louisiana State Penitentiary this April at the spring rodeo. (I am going to have to take the sermon to an audio editor and pay to have it edited, because the intro needs to be edited out where he so nicely complimented my singing. That will need to be edited for the general public.)
OUR FIRST DAY OF OUTREACH AT GA TECH IS FEBRUARY 17TH! I am so excited! We ordered the sign reading "A Free Gift for You" for the table today in GA Tech colors, as we will stock the table with materials for evolutionists.
THANKS FOR KEEPING THIS MINISTRY IN PRAYER AND FOR EVERY DONATION. IT IS ALWAYS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE FOR ANY NEW TABLE OUTREACH TO COST $500.00, SO GA TECH WILL BE AT LEAST THAT MUCH TO GET IT OFF THE GROUND IN ORDERS FOR RESOURCES. THE OUTREACH AT ANGOLA PRISON WILL BE AT LEAST 300.00. (Louisiana State Penitentiary already has a table and will supply the sign reading "A Free Gift for You" I am sure. The warden informed me via a chaplain that we cannot have "advertising" on any of our materials at this table outreach, so our general tracts will not work. We will need to have copies made of sermons with only the title of the sermon, the name of the pastor, and the church. We cannot have web sites, because that would be considered advertisments. I am going to have to copy many generic tracts off at Staples in hopes for some help also from the chaplain's dept. for extra copies needed at Angola... On colored paper we will have tracts such as "Magic Anyone?" and "Spirituality: Is It A Choice?", as well as many materials for Catholics. None of this is free, so thanks so much for the donations.)
In God's faithfulness,
Dwayna
Saturday, January 29, 2011
My Answers Today to Missionary Awana Questions
Awana is a Scripture memorization program implemented in churches to teach children and teens Bible verses. They ask the kids to "interview a missionary" from time to time, so I get emailed some questions to answer every now and then from an Awana student. I thought I would share my answers to this fine young man's questionnaire from this morning:
1. Where do I work? Atlanta, GA, except I also travel to other places and work in missions, too. My mission field in Atlanta is Little Five Points (as a missionary to psychics and people who pray to rocks and Hare Krishnas..) and GA Tech (as a missionary to students who believe in evolution)
2. What is my job? I am a missionary. We are beginning a new outreach of evangelism at GA Tech, and my job is to see that begin well; we are also beginning a new outreach in Boston, with a focus on sharing the Gospel with Catholics. My job is to 1) know the Bible 2) live in obedience to the Bible 3) tell others about what the Bible says about how to know Jesus as their Savior, too and train other Christians who want to be missionaries and give of their time to share with people what the Bible says about how to be saved. We do “apologetics”, because we defend our faith in Jesus against other belief systems, and we get the JOY of telling people all the reasons WHY we love Jesus as our Savior.
3. Do I enjoy my work? Yes, I enjoy my work so much that it does not feel like work. I would certainly do it without getting paid to do it, because telling others about Jesus is part of who I am as a Christian.
4. The next place I am traveling is Boulder, CO, because I need to work with our new team there and teach them more about materials to give to Buddhists on Pearl Street and tell people about Jesus with them. BUT, the next place I share the Gospel may be right here where I live in my building to a neighbor or to someone at the grocery store today. I try to keep in mind that God is the God of my schedule, and He can interrupt my plans any time if He wants me to take the time to share about Jesus with someone and tell someone who to be saved and know God as his or her Friend. I am a full time missionary before the Lord, because that is who He saved me to be as a Christian. (What is important is who we are when no one sees but God.) The Bible says to “speak according to the need of the moment” (Ephesians 4:29 ), so we speak as His Spirit leads when it is appropriate, but we must love people enough to be willing to tell them the truth, even if they don’t like us for it. To be a good missionary, we have to care more about what someone thinks of Jesus than what he or she thinks of us.
1. Where do I work? Atlanta, GA, except I also travel to other places and work in missions, too. My mission field in Atlanta is Little Five Points (as a missionary to psychics and people who pray to rocks and Hare Krishnas..) and GA Tech (as a missionary to students who believe in evolution)
2. What is my job? I am a missionary. We are beginning a new outreach of evangelism at GA Tech, and my job is to see that begin well; we are also beginning a new outreach in Boston, with a focus on sharing the Gospel with Catholics. My job is to 1) know the Bible 2) live in obedience to the Bible 3) tell others about what the Bible says about how to know Jesus as their Savior, too and train other Christians who want to be missionaries and give of their time to share with people what the Bible says about how to be saved. We do “apologetics”, because we defend our faith in Jesus against other belief systems, and we get the JOY of telling people all the reasons WHY we love Jesus as our Savior.
3. Do I enjoy my work? Yes, I enjoy my work so much that it does not feel like work. I would certainly do it without getting paid to do it, because telling others about Jesus is part of who I am as a Christian.
4. The next place I am traveling is Boulder, CO, because I need to work with our new team there and teach them more about materials to give to Buddhists on Pearl Street and tell people about Jesus with them. BUT, the next place I share the Gospel may be right here where I live in my building to a neighbor or to someone at the grocery store today. I try to keep in mind that God is the God of my schedule, and He can interrupt my plans any time if He wants me to take the time to share about Jesus with someone and tell someone who to be saved and know God as his or her Friend. I am a full time missionary before the Lord, because that is who He saved me to be as a Christian. (What is important is who we are when no one sees but God.) The Bible says to “speak according to the need of the moment” (Ephesians 4:29 ), so we speak as His Spirit leads when it is appropriate, but we must love people enough to be willing to tell them the truth, even if they don’t like us for it. To be a good missionary, we have to care more about what someone thinks of Jesus than what he or she thinks of us.
Newsletters
After much time spent yesterday with a tech guy who signed LTW up for a web site for monthly e-newsletter distribution...I have decided to keep sending them out the old fashioned way. It may be antiquated, but it works. I like the personal touch of it. They are only sent out monthly, due to lack of time. (They used to be sent out weekly.) I get so many newsletters from ministries sent to me, and I have to automatically delete them most of the time, because I get too many. I know for a fact that many people actually read our newsletters, and God uses that communication to bring in donations. I don't want the letters to look like impersonal notifications from other ministries, so I am going to keep sending them to everyone on the list myself for now.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Preparing for New Table Outreach at Angola Prison Rodeo in April
I just got the "ok" from the warden's office that we can have a table outreach at Angola prison, at the spring rodeo. I have to have everything sent to Chaplain Brad by the end of March, because I will be busy in April in Boulder, CO, as well as in Geneva, Switzerland.
That big order for tracts for Catholics will sure be put to good use at this new table outreach. I am excited, and it will require quite a bit of preparation! I plan to focus on this as soon as I write my tract for West Hollywood, which is next on my list of things to accomplish.
Here is a link to show how God is at work at Louisiana State Penitentiary:
www.turnassembly.org
That big order for tracts for Catholics will sure be put to good use at this new table outreach. I am excited, and it will require quite a bit of preparation! I plan to focus on this as soon as I write my tract for West Hollywood, which is next on my list of things to accomplish.
Here is a link to show how God is at work at Louisiana State Penitentiary:
www.turnassembly.org
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Schedule for Tomorrow (Friday)
1.Finish my bookkeeping for all receipts for 2011
2. Finish writing a new page for the web site to update our information about our homeless outreach; we have a new leader, and new photos need to be organized and posted along with a summary I need to write to convey our shift in leadership as well as details about how we feed the homeless in Santa Monica and Venice Beach bi-weekly.
3. Go to post office to mail out 3 boxes of resources to various locations
4. Get my boxes of mail waiting on me downstairs and organize new supplies and resources in storage unit
5. Email mp3s of my new songs to NYC
6. Spend some time in prayer about our new ministry locations, asking God for more funds for Boston and GA Tech outreach locations
7. At 2:00 meet with a tech guy who is going to show me how to better send out the ministry newsletters; they will be sent to a central server...; he is going to download all of my contacts and teach me how to better send out monthly e-newsletters in a more efficient way; he says this counsel is free, and the monthly charge is going to be 10.00 for this service, which will enable me to send my newsletter to ONE email server which will then send out the newsletter to all of the ministry contacts
8. Call John Rosser about leading the new outreach location to GA Tech and get more details about how and where we can set up a table outreach there
9. Order more resources for this outreach location
10. Pray for funds; we have never gotten in debt since LTW began, and God has proven He will provide for wherever He wants us to go. If He wants us to expand to GA Tech and Boston, He will provide the funds for resources.
11. Send more packages of CD copies of "Zen Buddism" and "Transcendental Meditation" and "Tools of the Occult" to Boulder, along with cards inviting people to visit http://www.bygodsgrace.org/ for that outreach location.
12. Continue to firm up plans for Geneva, Switzerland this Easter. Though I have the air mile points and the "free" hotel accomodations, it takes a lot of time to plan.
13. Call Mexico again to speak with Rosa, our leader for Los Cabos, and see if she needs more materials for the outreach.
14. Listen to more radio programs by Jan Markell to see if we need to make copies to address specific concerns and questions in various outreach locations.
(I am heading to bed now, enjoying my book, 'Living for Jesus' by Robert Dickie Jr. It is a great book, and I am finding it very encouraging. It has been another busy day. I realize my days are in God's hands, and my life is short, and I want to make the most of it for God's glory. It seems there is so little time for all I want to do. It comforts me to know that at the end of another very busy day when I have not gotten all the work done, GOD WANTS MY HEART. I can give that to Him. I thank Him for loving my soul, because I will never be able to "do" enough...to show gratitude for the way He loves my mere existence. I don't work hard to make Him love me more or to prove myself to Him in any way; I work hard because He loves me, and there is just so much I want to do for Him to thank Him for such amazing love.)
The Lord has blessed me by giving me the song "He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)". I have listened to it at least 100 times since I recorded it. I love it so much. It was mixed last Saturday (and can be heard for free on my FB "fan"/music page. God could not give me a greater gift (other than my salvation, of course, and the love of my family). There is no greater gift to my soul than a beautiful song in praise to Jesus. I can't imagine life without music. How I praise God for how my mother has always filled the home with music by playing the piano, and I thank Him for every song.
Busy working in evangelism--not because I am so smart or want people to like me or want people to be impressed or want to offend :-) or want to draw attention to myself. I'm busy working in evangelism because HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT AND SAW MY NEED.
Forever grateful to Jesus,
Dwayna
2. Finish writing a new page for the web site to update our information about our homeless outreach; we have a new leader, and new photos need to be organized and posted along with a summary I need to write to convey our shift in leadership as well as details about how we feed the homeless in Santa Monica and Venice Beach bi-weekly.
3. Go to post office to mail out 3 boxes of resources to various locations
4. Get my boxes of mail waiting on me downstairs and organize new supplies and resources in storage unit
5. Email mp3s of my new songs to NYC
6. Spend some time in prayer about our new ministry locations, asking God for more funds for Boston and GA Tech outreach locations
7. At 2:00 meet with a tech guy who is going to show me how to better send out the ministry newsletters; they will be sent to a central server...; he is going to download all of my contacts and teach me how to better send out monthly e-newsletters in a more efficient way; he says this counsel is free, and the monthly charge is going to be 10.00 for this service, which will enable me to send my newsletter to ONE email server which will then send out the newsletter to all of the ministry contacts
8. Call John Rosser about leading the new outreach location to GA Tech and get more details about how and where we can set up a table outreach there
9. Order more resources for this outreach location
10. Pray for funds; we have never gotten in debt since LTW began, and God has proven He will provide for wherever He wants us to go. If He wants us to expand to GA Tech and Boston, He will provide the funds for resources.
11. Send more packages of CD copies of "Zen Buddism" and "Transcendental Meditation" and "Tools of the Occult" to Boulder, along with cards inviting people to visit http://www.bygodsgrace.org/ for that outreach location.
12. Continue to firm up plans for Geneva, Switzerland this Easter. Though I have the air mile points and the "free" hotel accomodations, it takes a lot of time to plan.
13. Call Mexico again to speak with Rosa, our leader for Los Cabos, and see if she needs more materials for the outreach.
14. Listen to more radio programs by Jan Markell to see if we need to make copies to address specific concerns and questions in various outreach locations.
(I am heading to bed now, enjoying my book, 'Living for Jesus' by Robert Dickie Jr. It is a great book, and I am finding it very encouraging. It has been another busy day. I realize my days are in God's hands, and my life is short, and I want to make the most of it for God's glory. It seems there is so little time for all I want to do. It comforts me to know that at the end of another very busy day when I have not gotten all the work done, GOD WANTS MY HEART. I can give that to Him. I thank Him for loving my soul, because I will never be able to "do" enough...to show gratitude for the way He loves my mere existence. I don't work hard to make Him love me more or to prove myself to Him in any way; I work hard because He loves me, and there is just so much I want to do for Him to thank Him for such amazing love.)
The Lord has blessed me by giving me the song "He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)". I have listened to it at least 100 times since I recorded it. I love it so much. It was mixed last Saturday (and can be heard for free on my FB "fan"/music page. God could not give me a greater gift (other than my salvation, of course, and the love of my family). There is no greater gift to my soul than a beautiful song in praise to Jesus. I can't imagine life without music. How I praise God for how my mother has always filled the home with music by playing the piano, and I thank Him for every song.
Busy working in evangelism--not because I am so smart or want people to like me or want people to be impressed or want to offend :-) or want to draw attention to myself. I'm busy working in evangelism because HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT AND SAW MY NEED.
Forever grateful to Jesus,
Dwayna
Materials for Catholics (for Boston and Angola, LA)
I spent over $850.00 today ordering materials for Catholics for our Boston and Louisiana outreach locations.
I ordered the tracts from http://www.pro-gospel.org/
I also ordered Spanish tracts for our new outreach to Los Cabos, MX.
(Update: I actually just called Mike Gendron back tonight and told him that this order is actually a lot more than LTW expected to pay and asked him to cut it in half. This ministry is like all the other ministries during this economic downturn. Times are tight, and that amount was just a whole lot more than I expected to pay, so hopefully he will cut the order in half. We need the tracts, but we have to stay within our budget.)
1/28/2011--I heard back from Mike Gendron, and he said he had already boxed everything up, and I told him that was ok, and we would be careful with every tract and not waste any. He said, "I will give you 250 more as a donation to LTW." So, I thanked him, and all of the tracts are on the way. We will put them to good use in Boston, Louisiana, Mexico and NYC. If we get to begin a table outreach in Switzerland, they will also be used there. So, the large order remains, and I have joy about it in my heart, because God will provide. We are investing in the eternal souls of people, and that is the best investment we could ever make with $900.00 worth of tracts for Catholics (including shipping.)
I ordered the tracts from http://www.pro-gospel.org/
I also ordered Spanish tracts for our new outreach to Los Cabos, MX.
(Update: I actually just called Mike Gendron back tonight and told him that this order is actually a lot more than LTW expected to pay and asked him to cut it in half. This ministry is like all the other ministries during this economic downturn. Times are tight, and that amount was just a whole lot more than I expected to pay, so hopefully he will cut the order in half. We need the tracts, but we have to stay within our budget.)
1/28/2011--I heard back from Mike Gendron, and he said he had already boxed everything up, and I told him that was ok, and we would be careful with every tract and not waste any. He said, "I will give you 250 more as a donation to LTW." So, I thanked him, and all of the tracts are on the way. We will put them to good use in Boston, Louisiana, Mexico and NYC. If we get to begin a table outreach in Switzerland, they will also be used there. So, the large order remains, and I have joy about it in my heart, because God will provide. We are investing in the eternal souls of people, and that is the best investment we could ever make with $900.00 worth of tracts for Catholics (including shipping.)
LTW Update: EXPANDING TO BOSTON!
I know it is too soon to tell for sure, but I just got off the phone with a Christian who is interested in beginning a table outreach in Boston, and we would be partnering with Calvary Chapel Boston. I am sending him materials for Catholics today, and I just placed another big order for more tracts and books for Catholics. This Christian, Chris Deese, is praying about finding an area of Boston where he can set up the table and is taking the materials I am sending him to his pastor for his consideration...
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are using materials from http://www.pro-gospel.org/ and http://www.bereanbeacon.org/ .
I told Chris that it makes no difference whether or not we begin an outreach in an intellectual Catholic environment such as Boston or the quasi-intellectual spiritual smorgasbord of Venice Beach. People need love, the testimony of a pure life and answers. The Gospel given in love is what God uses to plow the hardest of hearts. Salvation is a matter of the heart. It is not that people are too smart to come to God; it is that they are too stubborn in their pride and too much addicted to their sin to give it up.
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are using materials from http://www.pro-gospel.org/ and http://www.bereanbeacon.org/ .
I told Chris that it makes no difference whether or not we begin an outreach in an intellectual Catholic environment such as Boston or the quasi-intellectual spiritual smorgasbord of Venice Beach. People need love, the testimony of a pure life and answers. The Gospel given in love is what God uses to plow the hardest of hearts. Salvation is a matter of the heart. It is not that people are too smart to come to God; it is that they are too stubborn in their pride and too much addicted to their sin to give it up.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Work Update
So much for my break from the computer. There is just too much work to do! I could not stay off the computer for more than a couple of days with so much to post. As always, I am busy with bookkeeping this week plus many mailouts.
I have made my schedule for April, and I will be in Colorado on the weekend of April 10th, but it is a very, very busy weekend with time for ministry with the new outreach leader, getting to know Christians working on our team and meeting with pastors. I will be attending Littleton Bible Chapel on Sunday, April 10th, before flying back out.
I will be in Geneva, Switzerland, on Easter Sunday to spend some time at L'Abri. No ministry funds will be needed for the trip. I have airline miles accrued from American Express and accommodations via my RCI resort membership, so no ministry funds will be used. I will fly to Geneva and take a train to L'Abri, and I am working out the details to meet with Christians at L'Abri and hopefully some of the Schaeffer family.
I have also worked more today on the links for the ByGodsGrace.org site. A ministry supporter wrote to let me know he may be printing t-shirts with the logo, and if this is the case, we may be able to make them available to the ministry leaders at our outreach locations.
I have a phone appointment tonight to speak with a man who is interested in beginning an outreach in Boston. Our next outreach, however, will be to GA Tech. After I write my tract called "Is There A Gay Gene?", we will focus on getting the new outreach to GA Tech off the ground.
I have made my schedule for April, and I will be in Colorado on the weekend of April 10th, but it is a very, very busy weekend with time for ministry with the new outreach leader, getting to know Christians working on our team and meeting with pastors. I will be attending Littleton Bible Chapel on Sunday, April 10th, before flying back out.
I will be in Geneva, Switzerland, on Easter Sunday to spend some time at L'Abri. No ministry funds will be needed for the trip. I have airline miles accrued from American Express and accommodations via my RCI resort membership, so no ministry funds will be used. I will fly to Geneva and take a train to L'Abri, and I am working out the details to meet with Christians at L'Abri and hopefully some of the Schaeffer family.
I have also worked more today on the links for the ByGodsGrace.org site. A ministry supporter wrote to let me know he may be printing t-shirts with the logo, and if this is the case, we may be able to make them available to the ministry leaders at our outreach locations.
I have a phone appointment tonight to speak with a man who is interested in beginning an outreach in Boston. Our next outreach, however, will be to GA Tech. After I write my tract called "Is There A Gay Gene?", we will focus on getting the new outreach to GA Tech off the ground.
Building New Church in Pakistan
From Pastor Babar:"A new church building is being constructed in an outreach area under our ministry. These are snaps of us constructing the Life Giving Church in Roshan...in...Faisalabad Pakistan. Please pray for its accomplishment, and please pray also for its spiritual growth. Glory to the name of God.
AMEN. --Pastor Babar kamran"
Where Do You Stand?
These are excellent videos: http://www.wheredoyoustand.us/ .
The videos were designed for two basic purposes: Gospel outreach and Christian apologetics.
Pastor Michael John Beasley
http://www.pilgrimbiblechurch.org/
http://www.thearmoury.us/
The videos were designed for two basic purposes: Gospel outreach and Christian apologetics.
Pastor Michael John Beasley
http://www.pilgrimbiblechurch.org/
http://www.thearmoury.us/
The Latest from Rick Warren
Read about Rick Warren's "health seminar" here. I guess the only thing that would surprise us is if he ever just opened the Bible and shared the old fashioned Gospel. He would, sadly, not be "America''s pastor" in this postmodern culture if he ever dared to begin a foray back to the cross without any strings attached for a "new world order"! (Rick Warren is a member of Council on Foreign Relations, so this explains why his sermons carry such a political punch.)
One More Reason to Love Angola!
Look at this fantastic and unique program at Angola (Louisiana State Penitentiary) where the inmates serve the pastors! The inmates preach to the pastors, and the pastors spend one night on death row, allowing the inmates to serve them.
www.turnassembly.org
www.turnassembly.org
Sending More Materials to the Rio Grande Valley
I am sending Curt and Janie more needed materials for their Rio Grande Valley outreach table:
1. Evolution: Fact or Fiction (by John Blanchard)
2. 101 Scientific Facts and Foreknowledge booklets (teaching the veracity of the Bible and science)
3. Rome vs. the Bible (for Catholics)
Thanks for your donations for this outreach location, enabling us to keep materials stocked in order to give answers based on the Bible to anyone seeking from any walk of life.
1. Evolution: Fact or Fiction (by John Blanchard)
2. 101 Scientific Facts and Foreknowledge booklets (teaching the veracity of the Bible and science)
3. Rome vs. the Bible (for Catholics)
Thanks for your donations for this outreach location, enabling us to keep materials stocked in order to give answers based on the Bible to anyone seeking from any walk of life.
LTW Update: Rio Grande Valley
From Curt and Janie RolfLeo greeted us shortly after the table was set up. As usual, he was looking for materials. I said, “I would like you to report on the materials you already have." He remembered The Most Important Story Ever Told, and we went through it in its entirety. He listened intently to the contents of the little condensed Bible, beginning with creation and ending with Jesus’ resurrection and the plan of salvation. However, twelve year old Leo doesn’t believe in the reality of the Bible. Please pray that God will soon open his eyes and ears to His truth of salvation.
As we looked around after setting up the table and after the long conversation with Leo, we were somewhat taken aback by the booth directly across from us advertising “Aum Yoga” programs. All day I was in prayer about giving them our friend’s testimony (tract) with the conclusion: “There’s no such thing as Christian Yoga."
We were pleased that on at least two occasions, individuals approached the table inquiring about Yoga. They were somewhat surprised that it’s more than an innocent exercise program. The “om or a-u-m" is a mantra that refers to 330 million Hindu gods. “As the Cross is to Christians, the Om is to Hindus.” (See tract: "Whom Will You Serve…Jesus Christ or the Lords of Yoga?”)
It is so easy to underestimate Satan’s power. We’re eager to get more copies of the CD, “Wizards and the Pink Ouiga Board." It’s an excellent expose of Satan’s subtle use of what is seen as “fun 'and games” really being genuine deception. The "father of lies" is on the prowl, itching to seek and devour.
As Janie ministered to a young girl about the dangers of Yoga, an elderly gentleman picked up on the conversation. After saying, “What this lady is telling you is absolutely true,” he expounded a little more. Then he had a lengthy discussion on a couple other subjects with Curt, including a story about a Spanish relative who recently became a believer but struggles with ingrained Catholic practices. We were pleased to have several tracts on Catholism in Spanish, comparing Catholic doctrinal practices with Biblical scripture.
It always surprises people who approach the table to find that all of the materials are free. A lady was thrilled to take a King James version of the Bible. Another lady, looking for Spanish, was pleased to take a tiny Gideon’s Nuevo Testamento.
We invested in some little booklets for toddlers, Would You Like to Know Jesus? They were quite popular today. We will order more as funds permit.
Our missionary friend visited with a gentleman looking for Miles Monroe materials on the kingdom (now). This is something Curt determined to check out.
A family stopped by looking for Bible story materials for their eight year old. We were pleased to give them the “Most Important Story Ever Told” and asked where they were as far as reading the Bible. With a few ‘ums and ahs’ I encouraged them to read the booklet with their child.
I pray for a gal who is friends with someone who has just experienced a death in the family and was looking for something to comfort her. I suggested “The Way of the Shepherd” as true comfort can only come from Him. She rejected that but took a children’s Bible.
Evangelists and missionaries are drawn to our table. They’re often interested in where we get our materials.
Many materials for kids left the table. All of the coloring pages were taken (on God’s creation – ants). Did you know ants are mentioned in the Bible? (Prov. 6:6-8). One young fellow was also interested in Knowing Aslan (God).
An elderly gentleman was looking for materials (or books) written by Watchman Nee on spiritual authority. Curt has his work cut out for him.
It was a busy, great day. Weather was perfect!!! PTL!!! We do so enjoy visiting with all who stop by the table.
Relying on Him as “He directs our paths” (Prov. 16:9),
Curt and Janie
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Our Next Two Outreaches Soon to Begin: GA Tech and Angola Prison
This week I plan to begin organizing our outreach at Louisiana State Penitentiary. Plus, we will be getting a shipment of books out to every single inmate in the Bible college at Angola, thanks to a book donation from Lighthouse Trails for the inmates in the seminary.
Here is a new link to my testimony I gave last November at Louisiana State Penitentiary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpgzD32VLic
(Our outreach at Angola Prison will be at the rodeo--they have a rodeo in the spring, as well as the fall; I am assuming we will begin the table outreach at the spring rodeo, but I will be calling the chaplain's office for confirmation this week.)
I also found out we are expanding to begin a new table outreach at Georgia Tech. My focus will be on seeing these two outreaches get off the ground well: 1. Angola Prison with a focus on reaching Moslems with many materials as well for Catholics 2. GA Tech with a focus on reaching evolutionists and atheists.
Here is a new link to my testimony I gave last November at Louisiana State Penitentiary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpgzD32VLic
(Our outreach at Angola Prison will be at the rodeo--they have a rodeo in the spring, as well as the fall; I am assuming we will begin the table outreach at the spring rodeo, but I will be calling the chaplain's office for confirmation this week.)
I also found out we are expanding to begin a new table outreach at Georgia Tech. My focus will be on seeing these two outreaches get off the ground well: 1. Angola Prison with a focus on reaching Moslems with many materials as well for Catholics 2. GA Tech with a focus on reaching evolutionists and atheists.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
LTW Update: Pakistan
(This outreach of evangelism in Pakistan is fully funded by Lighting the Way. We appreciate the donations, because this pastor only has what I am able to send him in the way of funds for Bibles and evangelical materials in Urdu. --Dwayna)
Pastor Babar Kumran
We are very happy to arrange a table out reach in the area of brick making labor. These people make the bricks and work hard all the day. so we visited at evening. We did table outreach inside because of safety and dark outside. I am so happy to see many young children getting Bibles and books with thanksgiving. All glory to Him. But, sister, the majority is uneducated, so I spoke to them, too. God bless you.
Pastor Babar kamran
Lighting The Way Ministries
Pakistan
Pastor Babar Kumran
Respected sister in Christ,
We are very happy to arrange a table out reach in the area of brick making labor. These people make the bricks and work hard all the day. so we visited at evening. We did table outreach inside because of safety and dark outside. I am so happy to see many young children getting Bibles and books with thanksgiving. All glory to Him. But, sister, the majority is uneducated, so I spoke to them, too. God bless you.
Pastor Babar kamran
Lighting The Way Ministries
Pakistan
Evangelism Update from Tel Aviv
Former drug addicts praising the LordMinistry update and testimony from Dov and Olga in Israel
Dear praying friends,
As we have already written before, we are working on a new type of tracts for our ministry in Tel-Aviv - the testimonies of former drug addicts the Lord let us meet and share the Good News with. Here we would like to share one of these testimonies with you. You can see in it all steps of our ministry - from street evangelizing till the stage when the addict is ready to start a new independent life. This testimony is not just another story. It's a fruit of your prayers and support. It is our mutual joy. Let's praise the Lord together!
“I arrived in Israel in the age of 21 – to help my aged parents who had come here earlier. I worked hard and earned big money. I found good friends: none were taking drugs. In fact, I had always disliked drug addicts. Back in Russia we used to beat them. So how did I start taking drugs myself? It was not something I paid much attention to. Somebody brought the drug, I tried it... As if in a dream – I did not realize where I was going to, though I had never considered myself a fool... When we were on high we could talk through the whole night solving global problems! But all that was a lie: the more you take drugs, the duller you become.
I started steeling from my parents, then withdrawal pains began – the most terrible thing. I was so weak in the mornings that I could hardly get up for work. Heroin became my medicine, but I did not realize that in the midst of my suffering. I did not see that I had been loosing weight, becoming frightfully skinny. This is how satan claims the young...
I could not survive without heroin. It became everything to me. A drug addict lives just for today: to steal from home, to let down a friend, to betray the parents... You are a zombi, a slave of heroin, a complete loser, hated by everyone. The time flew by, the imprisonments began. I was swept off my feet as if by a huge powerful wave, a man in me was turning into a beast, my soul began to rot.
I could not get out of that abyss, and my suffering went on and on. I had no home. My parents threw me from their place several times (when I had some money, I would leave their home myself). I was destroying my health (withdrawals, steeling, living with what I could find in the garbage). I wanted to save myself and tried rehab programs and psychologists. I wanted to get rid of drugs, but knew I would not be able to succeed because of the physical pains, insomnia... Once I established a record: stayed clean for one year! But then I met my former “friends”, tried the drug once and my old life was back in no time.
I had 23 convictions: steeling, street robbery... Tel-Aviv prison became my second home. One day, on the streets of Tel-Aviv, a believer approached me and invited to a Bible study (the place was just nearby!). I remember my reply: “You have mistaken me for someone else. I am not worthy to enter a church. I am too dirty. I've done so many bad things for the past 7 years.” I tried to persuade a friend to go with me, but he ran away. I remember my fear to step into the church (though I was quite fearless committing crimes on the streets...).
Then I remember praying before a court hearing. I promised God to go to a Christian recovering center if the police did not send me to prison again. In the courtroom I said that I wanted to go and live with believers. To my surprise, the persecutor said: “Who are we to deprive him of this opportunity?” - instead of sentencing me to a couple of years in prison! So when the believers invited me to come and live with them – I immediately agreed. I threw away everything, even the cigarettes, and went with them. Nobody among my old friends will believe me, but many people in the recovering center saw it: I had neither withdrawal pains nor insomnia! I was feeling weak and that's it...
There is a real, living power here, and it helps me. My eyes are opening wider and wider as the months go by. I read the Bible every night. In the past I was sure I would never get rid of drugs. I even wanted to commit suicide twice in my life. But God turned me into a living testimony of His love. What amazes me in my new life? How God helps me, and how my new friends, believers, love me. It is the first time in my life that I have seen such love. Here people help you unselfishly – and with a sincere joy.
I see the power of Jesus. It is impossible to love me for my actions – one can only hate me for what I've done – but Jesus died for me... Recently I have met my younger brother. We have not seen each other for 3 years. He did not even know if I was dead or alive.
What do I want to do now? I want to reconcile with my parents, to start working, settle down in life. And most importantly – to trust God and not myself. To live in peace...”
And here is some other news:
Our Bible studies for the victims of human trafficking continue. We are grateful to the Lord for working in the hearts of the women. Their lives have been extremely difficult and full of emotional and physical traumas, but they share with us that their faith in God is becoming stronger, that they have become less stressed, and now it is much easier for them to look to the future. They do not even fear deportation anymore, for they understand God will be with them anywhere they go. Please keep praying for this ministry.
I am also grateful to the Lord that by the end of 2010 He had given us helpers and co-workers we had always needed so much, and now we can work more effectively in all areas of our ministry. Moreover, all our activities can now go on without me for some time if needed. (It is important, since any day we can find ourselves in hospital with Yossi again, and I do not want my absence to affect the ministry).
Dear praying friends, thank you very much for all your care and support!
Have a blessed new year!
Dov and Olga
Dear praying friends,
As we have already written before, we are working on a new type of tracts for our ministry in Tel-Aviv - the testimonies of former drug addicts the Lord let us meet and share the Good News with. Here we would like to share one of these testimonies with you. You can see in it all steps of our ministry - from street evangelizing till the stage when the addict is ready to start a new independent life. This testimony is not just another story. It's a fruit of your prayers and support. It is our mutual joy. Let's praise the Lord together!
“I arrived in Israel in the age of 21 – to help my aged parents who had come here earlier. I worked hard and earned big money. I found good friends: none were taking drugs. In fact, I had always disliked drug addicts. Back in Russia we used to beat them. So how did I start taking drugs myself? It was not something I paid much attention to. Somebody brought the drug, I tried it... As if in a dream – I did not realize where I was going to, though I had never considered myself a fool... When we were on high we could talk through the whole night solving global problems! But all that was a lie: the more you take drugs, the duller you become.
I started steeling from my parents, then withdrawal pains began – the most terrible thing. I was so weak in the mornings that I could hardly get up for work. Heroin became my medicine, but I did not realize that in the midst of my suffering. I did not see that I had been loosing weight, becoming frightfully skinny. This is how satan claims the young...
I could not survive without heroin. It became everything to me. A drug addict lives just for today: to steal from home, to let down a friend, to betray the parents... You are a zombi, a slave of heroin, a complete loser, hated by everyone. The time flew by, the imprisonments began. I was swept off my feet as if by a huge powerful wave, a man in me was turning into a beast, my soul began to rot.
I could not get out of that abyss, and my suffering went on and on. I had no home. My parents threw me from their place several times (when I had some money, I would leave their home myself). I was destroying my health (withdrawals, steeling, living with what I could find in the garbage). I wanted to save myself and tried rehab programs and psychologists. I wanted to get rid of drugs, but knew I would not be able to succeed because of the physical pains, insomnia... Once I established a record: stayed clean for one year! But then I met my former “friends”, tried the drug once and my old life was back in no time.
I had 23 convictions: steeling, street robbery... Tel-Aviv prison became my second home. One day, on the streets of Tel-Aviv, a believer approached me and invited to a Bible study (the place was just nearby!). I remember my reply: “You have mistaken me for someone else. I am not worthy to enter a church. I am too dirty. I've done so many bad things for the past 7 years.” I tried to persuade a friend to go with me, but he ran away. I remember my fear to step into the church (though I was quite fearless committing crimes on the streets...).
Then I remember praying before a court hearing. I promised God to go to a Christian recovering center if the police did not send me to prison again. In the courtroom I said that I wanted to go and live with believers. To my surprise, the persecutor said: “Who are we to deprive him of this opportunity?” - instead of sentencing me to a couple of years in prison! So when the believers invited me to come and live with them – I immediately agreed. I threw away everything, even the cigarettes, and went with them. Nobody among my old friends will believe me, but many people in the recovering center saw it: I had neither withdrawal pains nor insomnia! I was feeling weak and that's it...
There is a real, living power here, and it helps me. My eyes are opening wider and wider as the months go by. I read the Bible every night. In the past I was sure I would never get rid of drugs. I even wanted to commit suicide twice in my life. But God turned me into a living testimony of His love. What amazes me in my new life? How God helps me, and how my new friends, believers, love me. It is the first time in my life that I have seen such love. Here people help you unselfishly – and with a sincere joy.
I see the power of Jesus. It is impossible to love me for my actions – one can only hate me for what I've done – but Jesus died for me... Recently I have met my younger brother. We have not seen each other for 3 years. He did not even know if I was dead or alive.
What do I want to do now? I want to reconcile with my parents, to start working, settle down in life. And most importantly – to trust God and not myself. To live in peace...”
And here is some other news:
Our Bible studies for the victims of human trafficking continue. We are grateful to the Lord for working in the hearts of the women. Their lives have been extremely difficult and full of emotional and physical traumas, but they share with us that their faith in God is becoming stronger, that they have become less stressed, and now it is much easier for them to look to the future. They do not even fear deportation anymore, for they understand God will be with them anywhere they go. Please keep praying for this ministry.
I am also grateful to the Lord that by the end of 2010 He had given us helpers and co-workers we had always needed so much, and now we can work more effectively in all areas of our ministry. Moreover, all our activities can now go on without me for some time if needed. (It is important, since any day we can find ourselves in hospital with Yossi again, and I do not want my absence to affect the ministry).
Dear praying friends, thank you very much for all your care and support!
Have a blessed new year!
Dov and Olga
New Book Combating the Heresy of N.T. Wright
I am looking forward to reading, 'Indeed, Has Paul Really Said?' written in response to N.T. Wright's attack on Scripture. I will use this book as a reference, and God bless Armoury Ministries for this much needed endeavor.
http://www.thearmouryministries.org/indeedhaspaulreallysaid.html
N.T. Wright continues to meld with various elements of the evangelical community. Instead of being publicly corrected for his obfuscations of imputation and justification, he continues to garner the listening ears of highly visible preachers. This book addresses Wright's faulty teachings, but it also addresses the problem of Wright's encroaching influence on the church.
http://www.thearmouryministries.org/indeedhaspaulreallysaid.html
N.T. Wright continues to meld with various elements of the evangelical community. Instead of being publicly corrected for his obfuscations of imputation and justification, he continues to garner the listening ears of highly visible preachers. This book addresses Wright's faulty teachings, but it also addresses the problem of Wright's encroaching influence on the church.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Time Away from the Computer
Starting Sunday, I am going to take a few days away from the computer. I will still be working, but I have decided to take a short break from this blog and FB and Twitter.
I have had a non-stop day with bookkeeping, many errands to run for our ministry, editing videos and doing more work for our new LTW web site. We have had to check every single link on www.bygodsgrace.org today that references any of the articles currently posted on the LTW site. (How I thank God that my mother is a retired school teacher and can help me with a lot of this work. She is working as my assistant from her home outside of Knoxville, TN.)
Out of over 100 links on our www.bygodsgrace.org site, I have to get the web designer names of any links from the BGG site to the LTW site. Why? Because our new web site for the ministry will not have the articles archived like they are currently listed. (We have decided to have a web site called "LTW in Church" just for that archive of articles for research purposes, and the main site will link to this other site where there are articles for Christians about topics and practices within the church.) That being the case, the links currently live on the BGG site to the LTW articles will be dead if we don't make a point of getting these references moved over properly to a place where the articles can still be accessed from the BGG site. Does it sound confusing? Well, this is the sort of thing that keeps me busy most every day! It is challenging to get creative projects done when I do the administration, too.
I saw the entire video of my testimony I shared at Angola prison today, and I feel it should be edited in places, so I worked on that. I hope the edited version will be posted soon to replace the current one.
It is freezing here, way too cold for a long walk in the park. I miss my long walks. I am going to celebrate having my mailout project done by going to the museum this weekend and taking some time away from the computer next week. It will be a little e-vacation before beginning on my writing project for "Is There A Gay Gene?" tract for West Hollywood.
I have had a non-stop day with bookkeeping, many errands to run for our ministry, editing videos and doing more work for our new LTW web site. We have had to check every single link on www.bygodsgrace.org today that references any of the articles currently posted on the LTW site. (How I thank God that my mother is a retired school teacher and can help me with a lot of this work. She is working as my assistant from her home outside of Knoxville, TN.)
Out of over 100 links on our www.bygodsgrace.org site, I have to get the web designer names of any links from the BGG site to the LTW site. Why? Because our new web site for the ministry will not have the articles archived like they are currently listed. (We have decided to have a web site called "LTW in Church" just for that archive of articles for research purposes, and the main site will link to this other site where there are articles for Christians about topics and practices within the church.) That being the case, the links currently live on the BGG site to the LTW articles will be dead if we don't make a point of getting these references moved over properly to a place where the articles can still be accessed from the BGG site. Does it sound confusing? Well, this is the sort of thing that keeps me busy most every day! It is challenging to get creative projects done when I do the administration, too.
I saw the entire video of my testimony I shared at Angola prison today, and I feel it should be edited in places, so I worked on that. I hope the edited version will be posted soon to replace the current one.
It is freezing here, way too cold for a long walk in the park. I miss my long walks. I am going to celebrate having my mailout project done by going to the museum this weekend and taking some time away from the computer next week. It will be a little e-vacation before beginning on my writing project for "Is There A Gay Gene?" tract for West Hollywood.
The Radiant Glory of Jesus Blog
I love THIS BLOG. Every post quotes Scripture in praise to Jesus, and this blog is by far my favorite blog for weekly devotions.
The Old Testament prophets, especially Isaiah, Ezekial and Hosea, often used the relationship between husband and wife as a metaphor for the relationship between God and His people. For example:
Isaiah 54:4-6: For your Maker is your husband... The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected.
The Old Testament prophets, especially Isaiah, Ezekial and Hosea, often used the relationship between husband and wife as a metaphor for the relationship between God and His people. For example:
Isaiah 54:4-6: For your Maker is your husband... The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected.
Read full blog post here:
http://radiant-jesus.blogspot.com/2011/01/bridegroom-husband.html
Work Today: More Bookkeeping!
Now that I am done with the mail out thank you project for 2010, I am going to be purchasing folders at Staples today to prepare organizing all receipts for our ministry locations for 2011 and put the old folders for 2010 in a huge bin for the bookkeeper to finish. Every location of ministry gets itemized with specific totals for our accountant. I spend a lot of my time doing bookkeeping! I remember the days when I was an executive assistant to a senior partner of an archetectural firm in 2001 when I first moved to Los Angeles-- God allowed me to learn about bookkeeping while working at that firm to prepare me for bookkeeping for this ministry! We must have about 50 categories for all of the receipts, and it is an ongoing challenge to stay organized.
Tomorrow will be a fun day in the music studio as we are mixing two piano/vocals including "He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)". The songs are gorgeous, and I thank God for helping my voice be clear in this cold season with many people passing me with the flu here in Atlanta.
Tomorrow will be a fun day in the music studio as we are mixing two piano/vocals including "He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)". The songs are gorgeous, and I thank God for helping my voice be clear in this cold season with many people passing me with the flu here in Atlanta.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
"Honest Life"
I made my goal for thank you gifts, and all packages will be sent out tomorrow! If anyone made a contribution to LTW in 2010, please let me know if you don't receive a thank you gift by the end of next week (domestically). Praise God, we have even had contributions from a church in Australia and a person in South Africa. I have no idea how they found out about our outreach, but I am thankful for how God is at work.
I have to organize all receipts now for 2011 as the bookkeeper is finishing up 2010.
Soon to come: an update from Pakistan.
Here is a new video posted tonight on You Tube of me singing at Louisiana State Penitentiary my song, "Honest Life." The track was too low in the first verse and chorus, and I could not really hear it where I was standing, so they were having tech problems as I sang it live. It was still a blessing to sing that song I wrote from my heart in a hotel room last spring in NYC. The inmates came up to me asking me for a copy on CD, so I made special copies for Angola prison (and the other prisons in Louisiana.) This song will be on my next music album of Christian music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBUEIuKNIu4
I have to organize all receipts now for 2011 as the bookkeeper is finishing up 2010.
Soon to come: an update from Pakistan.
Here is a new video posted tonight on You Tube of me singing at Louisiana State Penitentiary my song, "Honest Life." The track was too low in the first verse and chorus, and I could not really hear it where I was standing, so they were having tech problems as I sang it live. It was still a blessing to sing that song I wrote from my heart in a hotel room last spring in NYC. The inmates came up to me asking me for a copy on CD, so I made special copies for Angola prison (and the other prisons in Louisiana.) This song will be on my next music album of Christian music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBUEIuKNIu4
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Work Today
I had a wonderful morning in the music studio. God really helped me sing the songs well, and I sang "He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)" with all my heart. "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" was also a lot of fun and turned out well. (These are just piano/vocals, so I am able to do them without spending a lot of money.)
I came home to immediately get back to my job of mailing out the thank you gifts. I have 50 to address tonight and to get out tomorrow.
Tomorrow, I plan to be busy all day at the DMV. I am determined to finally get GA tags for my car with tomorrow as the day I have been procrastinating to face for about a year now! I am prepared to take a book and spend the day at the Fulton County DMV.
I spent an hour at the post office today after the recording session, standing in a long line to mail out the thank you gifts. My tech guy came by tonight to help with more videos that need to be posted asap.
I am ending the day today with so much thanksgiving for the joy that only music can give to me. God has been so kind to let me do this again. It is no longer my everything, but I enjoy it so much. I look forward to spending some time in prayer tonight, just thanking God for helping me in the studio. I pray the songs will touch people.
I came home to immediately get back to my job of mailing out the thank you gifts. I have 50 to address tonight and to get out tomorrow.
Tomorrow, I plan to be busy all day at the DMV. I am determined to finally get GA tags for my car with tomorrow as the day I have been procrastinating to face for about a year now! I am prepared to take a book and spend the day at the Fulton County DMV.
I spent an hour at the post office today after the recording session, standing in a long line to mail out the thank you gifts. My tech guy came by tonight to help with more videos that need to be posted asap.
I am ending the day today with so much thanksgiving for the joy that only music can give to me. God has been so kind to let me do this again. It is no longer my everything, but I enjoy it so much. I look forward to spending some time in prayer tonight, just thanking God for helping me in the studio. I pray the songs will touch people.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Still Thanking God for His Faithfulness in 2010
It is 8:15, and I am finally turning off the computer tonight to have dinner. I am making progress with my administrative challenge of getting all receipts and thank you gifts mailed out by the end of this week. (I have had close to 100 packages to send to thank people for the donations in 2010.)
Tomorrow I am in the music studio and will work more on this mail out project tomorrow night. I believe I will reach my goal!
After taking a brief break this weekend, next week I plan to begin writing the text for the "Is There A Gay Gene?" tract for our outreach in West Hollywood.
We are continuing to work on building a whole new site for www.lightingthewayworldwide.org .
I am in touch this week with our leader for the homeless ministry in CA, as some major changes have been made in that outreach. The shift in leadership will call for more web site updates. We feed the homeless a hot meal every Saturday and offer them free literature about how to be saved in a pagan area some people call the homeless capitol of the world: Venice Beach and Santa Monica, CA.
Tomorrow I am in the music studio and will work more on this mail out project tomorrow night. I believe I will reach my goal!
After taking a brief break this weekend, next week I plan to begin writing the text for the "Is There A Gay Gene?" tract for our outreach in West Hollywood.
We are continuing to work on building a whole new site for www.lightingthewayworldwide.org .
I am in touch this week with our leader for the homeless ministry in CA, as some major changes have been made in that outreach. The shift in leadership will call for more web site updates. We feed the homeless a hot meal every Saturday and offer them free literature about how to be saved in a pagan area some people call the homeless capitol of the world: Venice Beach and Santa Monica, CA.
Monday, January 17, 2011
LTW Update: Boulder
Hello Dwayna,Please forgive my lack up updates since October. I purpose to do better this year, reporting at least every couple months so you can rejoice with us and let people know how to pray for Boulder. We set up the table on the day before Halloween, twice in November, and three times in December, plus today, January 15th. Every time I'm amazed at how many people stop to talk, and at their spiritual hunger. In October we offered special tracts geared for Halloween, and starting two days after Thanksgiving we passed out tracts with a Christmas theme. People regularly take the booklets, New Testaments, and apologetics flyers. Today a skeptical homeless man who said he had "dispensed with that" when I asked his name, picked up a Bible to search for I Corinthians. I found it for him, then he said, "Somewhere in here is some really good stuff", and I suggested chapter 13. When he found it he said, "That's it!" and started reading, "Although I speak with tongues of men and of angels but have not love..." for 5 or 6 verses. He took a pocket New Testament with him.
On December 11th, a group of about 15 of us sang traditional Christmas carols for about an hour, to the smiles of passersby. A couple of people stopped and sang with us, including a man who regularly comes to the mall and makes balloon animals for children. He was a very likeable person and said he was a Messianic Jew. I wasn't so sure he was a believer after hearing him talk about the "energy" in all living things, but he took some materials. After the caroling, one Jewish young man argued with us for about 20 minutes in the cold, slipping into Hebrew frequently, stating there was no need for a human sacrifice (Jesus) because God would never ask for that. A street musician named Johnny told me when he was 19 someone approached him and asked, "What is your life's purpose?" He didn't know but explained that he wanted to find out more and had "followed the path" of Universalism since that time. It's so important for us to be in the public square offering the truth in the face of so many false religions seeking converts.
What has really increased the traffic to our table is the "Intelligence Test" banner that Scott has been setting up since December. People stop to take the test and laugh at the trick questions. When they get to "How many of the 10 commandments can you name?", we get the chance to learn their spiritual background and witness to the One who took the punishment we deserve (death and hell) for breaking those commandments, offering us the gift of eternal life. They browse the table and take literature with them. One teen today, Tracy, said she didn't get the whole thing about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. We talked for several minutes about sin and a holy God who punishes those who break his moral law, but she still felt it wasn't clear. Then she asked whether making deals with the devil meant for sure you would go to hell, since she has sometimes said "I'd give my soul to the devil if I could have XYZ." I told her the devil wants you to believe that a contract with him is binding, but he is the father of lies, the great deceiver, and Jesus can still save her no matter what sin she has committed or what deals she has made: "All authority has been given me in heaven and on earth..." She thanked me for that since she had been worried. Pray for that young woman - she is so close to meeting Jesus.
It is such a privilege and so exciting to engage non-believers in conversation and see with spiritual eyes the Holy Spirit working in them as we talk. Christians' fears of talking "religion" to people are unfounded (another lie from the devil). Many people are very open and willing to give it serious thought. The table gives them a comfortable place to explore the claims of the Bible and have their thinking challenged. Thank you for all the great materials we can offer free to those who walk in darkness, so they can see the Light.
Fight the good fight!
Patty
Interview About Lighting the Way
Here I am speaking with Patty Hunter about our outreach and sharing some of my testimony. I hope you enjoy the video interview. (Dec., 2010)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Busy Week
I just returned tonight from TN. I plan to have all receipts and thank you gifts sent out by the end of this week, and I plan to celebrate when I get this project done! I will have to take a long walk in the park or something if the weather is nice. (I have learned it helps at the end of a project to do something fun to "celebrate" before beginning the next project which, in this case, will be writing a tract for our West Hollywood outreach.)
I have about 50 more thank you packages yet to go, and I have already done 33. It is hard when I do all of the administrative work, but I feel that is how God wants this ministry at this time. My mother, who lives in the Knoxville, TN, area, is the closest person I have to an assistant, and she is mailing out a big bulk of the packages from TN on Tuesday. I am thankful for every donation, and I plan to wrap up the project tomorrow, working all day on the Martin Luther King holiday when the post office is closed.
Tuesday I rehearse with my pianist for our session on Wednesday when I am recording "He Looked Beyond My Fault" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter.)" We plan to work more on the arrangements for the last three songs on my next Christian music CD also this week: "No More Prisoner Of Yesterday", "Soon And Very Soon", and "Through It All."
I have about 50 more thank you packages yet to go, and I have already done 33. It is hard when I do all of the administrative work, but I feel that is how God wants this ministry at this time. My mother, who lives in the Knoxville, TN, area, is the closest person I have to an assistant, and she is mailing out a big bulk of the packages from TN on Tuesday. I am thankful for every donation, and I plan to wrap up the project tomorrow, working all day on the Martin Luther King holiday when the post office is closed.
Tuesday I rehearse with my pianist for our session on Wednesday when I am recording "He Looked Beyond My Fault" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter.)" We plan to work more on the arrangements for the last three songs on my next Christian music CD also this week: "No More Prisoner Of Yesterday", "Soon And Very Soon", and "Through It All."
Sharing My Testimony and Singing at Louisiana State Penitentiary
Here is my full testimony I gave at Angola Prison (Louisiana State Penitentiary) last November. I close the testimony singing "Honest Life."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlV4od5CfwA
This link shows why I love doing ministry at this special prison where God is at work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nco8LcLlyuI
You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me....
In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:8-11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlV4od5CfwA
This link shows why I love doing ministry at this special prison where God is at work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nco8LcLlyuI
You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me....
In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:8-11
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thanking Ministry Partners Today
Here is the letter I am sending to everyone who made a donation in 2010. I wanted to post it on the blog to let others know of our plans to expand in 2011.
Dear prayer partner in ministry,
If you are receiving this email, you have given through prayers and contributions to this ministry in 2010. Thanks to your donation, we have expanded now to 18 locations including international partnerships, and that is not counting Los Cabos, Mexico, which is scheduled soon to begin! We are praying about expanding to locations such as GA Tech and another outreach on a campus in Alabama to students. We are also praying about beginning table outreaches of evangelism in Philadelphia, Canada, Switzerland, Cambodia, Boston, India, and San Diego in 2011. I am enjoying this work so much, following God as He leads.
Thank you for your prayers. When this ministry first began in 2002, a Christian came to visit me at my table on the Venice Beach boardwalk. He gave me unexpected advice I will never forget. He caught me by surprise when he said, “Stay low.” I paused and told him I would let that be my prayer for the outreach (never dreaming it would expand to any other location.)
We want to “stay low” for Jesus to be lifted up, as He continues to grow the ministry as He deems best.
I am making progress in sending out receipts and thank you gifts to anyone who made a donation to Lighting the Way in 2010. This year, I am sending an audio copy of my testimony on CD (recorded last fall at Valley Grove Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN) and materials for witnessing to cults such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses with tracts and DVDs.
You should be receiving a thank you package for me in the mail by the end of the month. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTNERING WITH US TO REACH THE LOST.
In Jesus,
Dwayna
Dwayna Litz
Lighting the Way
P.O. Box 18957
Atlanta, GA 31126
www.lightingthewayworldwide.org
www.lightingtheway.blogspot.com
www.bygodsgrace.org
Dear prayer partner in ministry,
If you are receiving this email, you have given through prayers and contributions to this ministry in 2010. Thanks to your donation, we have expanded now to 18 locations including international partnerships, and that is not counting Los Cabos, Mexico, which is scheduled soon to begin! We are praying about expanding to locations such as GA Tech and another outreach on a campus in Alabama to students. We are also praying about beginning table outreaches of evangelism in Philadelphia, Canada, Switzerland, Cambodia, Boston, India, and San Diego in 2011. I am enjoying this work so much, following God as He leads.
Thank you for your prayers. When this ministry first began in 2002, a Christian came to visit me at my table on the Venice Beach boardwalk. He gave me unexpected advice I will never forget. He caught me by surprise when he said, “Stay low.” I paused and told him I would let that be my prayer for the outreach (never dreaming it would expand to any other location.)
We want to “stay low” for Jesus to be lifted up, as He continues to grow the ministry as He deems best.
I am making progress in sending out receipts and thank you gifts to anyone who made a donation to Lighting the Way in 2010. This year, I am sending an audio copy of my testimony on CD (recorded last fall at Valley Grove Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN) and materials for witnessing to cults such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses with tracts and DVDs.
You should be receiving a thank you package for me in the mail by the end of the month. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTNERING WITH US TO REACH THE LOST.
In Jesus,
Dwayna
Dwayna Litz
Lighting the Way
P.O. Box 18957
Atlanta, GA 31126
www.lightingthewayworldwide.org
www.lightingtheway.blogspot.com
www.bygodsgrace.org
Bookkeeping
I am making progress in sending out receipts and thank you gifts to anyone who made a donation to Lighting the Way Worldwide in 2010. It is always a bit overwhelming every year, but it is also a joy to thank everyone for any donation by sending token thank you gifts. This year, I am sending my testimony on CD (recorded last fall at Valley Grove Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN) and materials for witnessing to cults such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Answered Prayer for Our Outreach in MX
After failed attempts at getting in touch with our leader for the Los Cabos, Mexico outreach, I bought a phone card for Mexico and called her. She has been busy with a very serious family problem and has been away from the computer. It was so good to speak with her and find out she is still planning on leading the table outreach in Cabo San Lucas. She has very limited technical skills, so she said she would send hard copies of the photos in the physical mail for me to scan and post. Los Cabos is not an affluent place for most of the native families living there, only for the tourists who come to "the strip" in Cabo where we plan to have our table outreach. I will be remembering to pray for Rosa, and I am very thankful she is still planning on beginning the table outreach there. (Photo above was taken with Rosa last October. I plan to work the outreach table with her my next trip to Los Cabos in November, 2011.)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
LTW Update: NYC
From Suzi:
Greetings from the Good News Friends,
Here is a recap of Sunday. For me it started with a 'Couldn't find my keys' kind of morning which resulted in me taking a cab, which is rare but whenever I cab it, I love to ask the driver if he's heard the good news. Hiram answered, "There is no good news anymore, it's all bad news!!"
"Well, Hiram, today you are going to hear the best news ever!" and I proceeded to tell him how much Jesus loves him and that He died for him and wants to have a relationship with him. He told me that in 37 years of driving a cab, no one had ever told him about Jesus. His heart was wide open, and we prayed together for him and his family, and I left him with the gospel of John and pray that the Lord continues to love on Hiram!!
Of all days to be in the subway tunnel, it was "pants off" day in NYC. We happened to be sharing the gospel last year on this same occasion. It was freezing in full attire, just couldn't believe how many people dared to be out in their underclothes! At any rate we passed out gospels and prayed that we would communicate God's love to all that we met.
We talked with the 'Harold Camping date setters' who believe Jesus is coming back next May 21st even though according to Matthew 24:36 Jesus said, "But of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
I explained that it can be likened to the ancient Jewish wedding tradition. After a man made a covenant with his bride to be, he would then leave her to go and prepare a place for them on his father's estate. He would not return for her until he had his father's approval. So neither of them knew the day or hour when he would return for her, but she was always waiting and prepared. At night, she had oil in her lamp so that if he came, she would be ready. After the father gave His approval, his son would return for his bride along with a groomsmen who would give a shout, and she would then be taken by her bridegroom back to the Father's House.
We are that bride waiting for our Lord. We don't know the day or hour of His return, but we look forward to it and are filled with the oil of His Holy Spirit, always ready and waiting for His return!
We explained to these sincere folks that they will most likely see May 21st come and pass and if that be the case, to remember we must always place our trust in God's Word and not in the words of men when they contradict scripture. Harold Camping has already set a faulty date before, and he may set another. It's interesting that when the disciples asked Jesus, "What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?" He answered them saying, "Take heed that no one deceives you." He went on to warn of false teachers and prophets and even lying signs and wonders. Matthew 24:4,5,11,24
We met an artist who was in seminary at one time but was so turned off by the politics and hypocrisy that he dropped out. There will always be plenty of that in and out of the church, but we encouraged him to place His faith and trust in Jesus and His Word which is faithful and true. We exchanged emails, and he sent a note thanking us for sharing the truth with him. We pray he continues to pursue the Lord and find fellowship and grow in his faith.
I talked with a woman who had many questions which I answered to the best of my ability from God's Word and gave her the gospel of John. She explained that she had a Christian friend who shared with her from the Bible, but they had lost touch. I was able to water the seed that was planted in her heart by her friend, and we prayed for her and for her family that they would come to know Jesus and follow after Him.
I saw a video this week by the Arrows which exposes the father of lies and how he deceives us. With God's shield of faith, we protect ourselves from his fiery darts. When we go out into the harvest field to share the gospel, it is as though we are sending arrows into the enemies camp and dispelling his lies. God's Word is our greatest weapon for it is sharper than a double-edged sword and penetrates to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
We continue to pray that God will raise up more laborers to share the good news until He comes and that we will be ready in season and out to give a reason for the hope we have with gentleness and respect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHhR98SXWio
Monday, January 10, 2011
Announcements
I am here in TN snowed in again waiting on my brother to arrive with his kids. We are going to my dad's tonight. Today I am writing the monthly newsletter, which is a little overdue. I hope to send out receipts this week for donations in 2010.
If anyone would like to be added to the email list for e-newsletters, please give me your email address. (dwayna@ltwinternational.org ).
We are also working on a new web site for Lighting the Way Worldwide, because we have outgrown the current format of Joomla!. This will be our most expensive web site to date, so I hope the Lord will provide for the cost of it through donations. I am praying for two thousand dollars to come in to cover the cost. We must create this new site, because we are continuing to expand, and there is no room on the current layout.
If anyone would like to be added to the email list for e-newsletters, please give me your email address. (dwayna@ltwinternational.org ).
We are also working on a new web site for Lighting the Way Worldwide, because we have outgrown the current format of Joomla!. This will be our most expensive web site to date, so I hope the Lord will provide for the cost of it through donations. I am praying for two thousand dollars to come in to cover the cost. We must create this new site, because we are continuing to expand, and there is no room on the current layout.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Music
I realize that the music I record in a way is not really a part of this ministry, because no ministry funds are used for the recordings. That being said, we are not setting up in many locations this winter due to weather, and I have worked on music all day. I have three songs to record before my next CD will be done. I am so excited about it! I have written all of them except for two hymns and two songs by Andre Crouch, "Soon And Very Soon" and "I Must Tell Jesus." The CD will be called "Still" with a theme of God's faithfulness.
God is using the music in the ministry as I am being asked more and more to speak at prisons and churches and share about my life as a Christian and sing. I got asked to sing at a women's prison here in Georgia just yesterday and last week I was asked to speak to women at a battered women's shelter about not settling for anything less than God's best. I am thankful for every song.
God is using the music in the ministry as I am being asked more and more to speak at prisons and churches and share about my life as a Christian and sing. I got asked to sing at a women's prison here in Georgia just yesterday and last week I was asked to speak to women at a battered women's shelter about not settling for anything less than God's best. I am thankful for every song.
Thank You Gifts
My bookkeeper came over today and worked more on the totals for 2010, so I hope to send everyone a receipt next week, as well as begin sending out thank you gifts to everyone who gave to this ministry of evangelism last year.
I am going to start working on this project from TN, because I am headed there tomorrow to spend time with my brothers children, my precious niece and little nephews. I have not seen them in so long, and I know they have grown. There is a bad winter storm expected tomorrow, so I hope to beat it. I plan to leave tomorrow afternoon when church is over.
This year everyone who made a donation will get a CD copy of me sharing my testimony and explaining our work of evangelism at Valley Grove Baptist last fall. I will also enclose witnessing materials for Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.
I need to get a ministry e-newsletter sent out also asap about the thank-you gifts, the new web site (www.bygodsgrace.org ) and my plans to write a tract for West Hollywood called "Is There A Gay Gene?". I plan to end the tract with Bible verses, but it will hopefully focus on the fact that science cannot prove that God created people for the purpose of perversion. There is no such thing as a "gay gene."
I am going to start working on this project from TN, because I am headed there tomorrow to spend time with my brothers children, my precious niece and little nephews. I have not seen them in so long, and I know they have grown. There is a bad winter storm expected tomorrow, so I hope to beat it. I plan to leave tomorrow afternoon when church is over.
This year everyone who made a donation will get a CD copy of me sharing my testimony and explaining our work of evangelism at Valley Grove Baptist last fall. I will also enclose witnessing materials for Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.
I need to get a ministry e-newsletter sent out also asap about the thank-you gifts, the new web site (www.bygodsgrace.org ) and my plans to write a tract for West Hollywood called "Is There A Gay Gene?". I plan to end the tract with Bible verses, but it will hopefully focus on the fact that science cannot prove that God created people for the purpose of perversion. There is no such thing as a "gay gene."
New Video Posted Today of Hymn Medley
Click HERE to watch the new "video" posted on You Tube of me singing a medley of the old hymns, "We'll Understand It Better By And By" and "I Must Tell Jesus" as photos scroll taken at Louisiana State Penitentiary on the 18,000 acre land-based prison of Angola.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
FINALLY Caught Up With Bookkeeping
This is the very first night since I have returned from being out of town for Christmas that my place is finally neat with all the LTW packages for various locations mailed and the mountain of receipts on my kitchen counter and coffee table filed away. It feels good. I have not stopped all week, accomplishing one goal after another. Now that I am caught up with filing from 2010, I will be sending out receipts to anyone who gave to the ministry in 2010 hopefully next week, as well as thank you gifts mailed out this month to everyone who gave last year.
I finished "Livin' For God Alone" in the music studio today, and I love it. Now, I am only 2 songs away from having my next CD done in Christian music. I have written them all except for 2 hymns and one standard from the 70s by Andre Crouch, "Soon And Very Soon."
I began working on the graphic design for my next CD today, and I have a pretty clear idea for how I want the CD designed.
When I send out the thank you gifts to donors, I will also be including cards to share with non-Christians to lead them to our new site http://www.bygodsgrace.org/ . Next week I also plan to write the monthly e-newsletter and get that out to everyone.
Many of our locations are taking a break now due to weather, but the team plans to set up in the Times Square subway station this Sunday, not allowing the cold or snow to keep them from witnessing. God bless the team in NYC!
I plan to rehearse tomorrow with a pianist, "He Looked Beyond My Fault", and Saturday we begin working on the musical arrangement for "Soon And Very Soon."
This week has been so busy, and I have loved every early morning and late night of work.
Maybe this Sunday after church I will be able to work more on my new booklet called "Is There A Gay Gene?" for West Hollywood. Thanks to everyone who has given to help cover the cost for printing the hand-sized booklet. I feel it should end with a Bible verse or two, but I mainly want this to be information written TO the homosexual community and written FOR them (as opposed to literature on this topic written to Christians about homosexuality.) I want it to be something someone begins reading and cannot put down, because it is interesting! God never made anyone for the purpose of perversion. That may be big news to many in our debased society.
I finished "Livin' For God Alone" in the music studio today, and I love it. Now, I am only 2 songs away from having my next CD done in Christian music. I have written them all except for 2 hymns and one standard from the 70s by Andre Crouch, "Soon And Very Soon."
I began working on the graphic design for my next CD today, and I have a pretty clear idea for how I want the CD designed.
When I send out the thank you gifts to donors, I will also be including cards to share with non-Christians to lead them to our new site http://www.bygodsgrace.org/ . Next week I also plan to write the monthly e-newsletter and get that out to everyone.
Many of our locations are taking a break now due to weather, but the team plans to set up in the Times Square subway station this Sunday, not allowing the cold or snow to keep them from witnessing. God bless the team in NYC!
I plan to rehearse tomorrow with a pianist, "He Looked Beyond My Fault", and Saturday we begin working on the musical arrangement for "Soon And Very Soon."
This week has been so busy, and I have loved every early morning and late night of work.
Maybe this Sunday after church I will be able to work more on my new booklet called "Is There A Gay Gene?" for West Hollywood. Thanks to everyone who has given to help cover the cost for printing the hand-sized booklet. I feel it should end with a Bible verse or two, but I mainly want this to be information written TO the homosexual community and written FOR them (as opposed to literature on this topic written to Christians about homosexuality.) I want it to be something someone begins reading and cannot put down, because it is interesting! God never made anyone for the purpose of perversion. That may be big news to many in our debased society.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Happy Day
I have moved back my deadline for my rough draft of "Is There A Gay Gene?" pamphlet for West Hollywood. I am now hoping to have a rough draft done by the end of the month to email to Arthur Goldberg and Neil Whitehead to help with editing.
I am in the music studio to finish my song, "Livin' For God Alone" tomorrow, so I am preparing for that tonight.
I had a wonderful meeting with my pastor at church today. It made me want to spend more time in prayer tonight down on my knees thanking God for His faithfulness. I plan to do that.
I am in the music studio to finish my song, "Livin' For God Alone" tomorrow, so I am preparing for that tonight.
I had a wonderful meeting with my pastor at church today. It made me want to spend more time in prayer tonight down on my knees thanking God for His faithfulness. I plan to do that.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
New Tract for West Hollywood
Tomorrow, after the post office mailouts, I plan to focus on writing another rough draft for our new tract for West Hollywood and the homosexual community. It will be to prove there is no such thing as a "gay gene" according to science. It is going to be called "Is There A Gay Gene?"
I think we should end the information on the tract with some Bible verses like:
"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool." (Proverbs 28:26)
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)
"...I have loved you with an everlasting love..." (Jeremiah 31:3)
I think we should end the information on the tract with some Bible verses like:
"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool." (Proverbs 28:26)
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)
"...I have loved you with an everlasting love..." (Jeremiah 31:3)
Work Update
"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." -1 Corinthians 15:56-58
I am finishing up my entire project tonight to prison inmates in Louisiana after much work. All will be going in the mail tomorrow!
Also, I got in touch with Nitoy today, the leader for the outreach table in the Philippines. I am sending him cards with the web site address for non-Christians: http://www.bygodsgrace.org . The cards with the url have also been sent out to Dan, the leader of the West Hollywood outreach. He has enough for distribution at Venice Beach, too.
I will soon be sending them to Boulder and the Rio Grande Valley. The cards have already been mailed to NYC for distribution there to lead people to the web site.
I have also written Nitoy about the language in the Philippines, hoping to get tracts from Chick sent to him in his native language for the outreach.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Happy New Year
Today I am working on my final mailout of music CDs for the inmates in prisons in Louisiana. This has been a big project, and I have had to take it a little at a time to get it all done. I plan to mail out this final batch of CDs on Monday.
I will write another update soon for ministry prayer partners and will be sending out a thank you gift to anyone who made a donation in 2010.
I was in the music studio yesterday recording, "Livin' For God Alone," and it really turned out well. It is about living for God's approval and not living for anyone else's approval, even in church. It is a song against the politics in churches that keeps people from loving one another the way God does. I love the fiesty song about how I am complete in Christ alone.
I have no resolution except to stay close to Jesus and make the most of every single day. I can sense Him making me wiser in how to guard the happiness He gives me. When the enemy strikes at my life, I am getting wiser at spotting the schemes. I am beginning 2011 thankful for all God has taught me and for all the Lord has planned as I make the most of every wonderful day in Him.
I will write another update soon for ministry prayer partners and will be sending out a thank you gift to anyone who made a donation in 2010.
I was in the music studio yesterday recording, "Livin' For God Alone," and it really turned out well. It is about living for God's approval and not living for anyone else's approval, even in church. It is a song against the politics in churches that keeps people from loving one another the way God does. I love the fiesty song about how I am complete in Christ alone.
I have no resolution except to stay close to Jesus and make the most of every single day. I can sense Him making me wiser in how to guard the happiness He gives me. When the enemy strikes at my life, I am getting wiser at spotting the schemes. I am beginning 2011 thankful for all God has taught me and for all the Lord has planned as I make the most of every wonderful day in Him.
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