The Blessing of Suffering for a Christian

I wanted to check in with everyone via the blog. I have been so busy with move to NYC that days have passed without a blog entry. It is really hard to determine all the reasons why a move is so stressful. There is so much to remember, and moving is always so expensive, and the whole place is in disarray with boxes everywhere...but I feel the Lord with me, and His Presence steadies me as I go.

Today I was reading the Bible, and God reminded me that we learn obedience through suffering. I wish there could be an easier way. I was thinking about my time in Atlanta over these last three years and how God allowed me to spend some money in recording costs while here on songs with people who did not know what they were doing (long story short). I am still waiting on "Soon And Very Soon" to be mixed, and the session for that song was first set for last January! We finally recorded it, and now the mixing keeps getting postponed. Yet, I know there is a reason for everything, and I realize that in everything I am to give thanks.

I'm so thankful for this season. I have never had a happier time, though I am keenly aware that I need the Lord every hour. This is the most expensive move I have ever made, and I can't wait to move and stop spending money on moving costs. I got my finances on my mind today, and found myself wishing God had stopped me from working with various people in Christian music here in Atlanta who were not capable of getting me the finished product I needed. (No ministry funds were used for this.) As I ponder "why" God allows us to make such mistakes, I realize that I sure do learn a lot from my regrets, and I am comforted knowing that everything falls within the safe sovereignty of God for me as a Christian. As Christians, we are certainly not immune from suffering; rather, we are guaranteed it. How I pray that I learn obedience from it and become more like the Lord.

I plan to write an update this week and get it out in an e-newsletter as soon as possible.

I appreciate so much my sermons, which I hear at night as I drift off to sleep. I recently heard an inspiring sermon and testimony by Dr. David Reagan on Trusting God. It was a beautiful reminder to me that my greatest hopes and dreams are always, always found in the center of God's will.

I am remembering to pray for my friends. As I am going through a stressful time with my move, it is nothing compared to what some of my dear, Christian friends are walking through now. It is a privilege to bear one another's burden's for Christ's sake.

In His hands,

Dwayna

The Invincible Love of God

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  --Romans 8:35-39

LTW October Update: Rio Grande Valley

By Curt & Janie Rolf
Harlington, TX

It's 9:00 A.M., and it’s already been an interesting day.  Our booth was set in the midst of a few vendors with whom we have established somewhat of a relationship.  Eduardo, with his items from Kenya, Africa, came to visit.  He, the music man, is just next door to our left. A dear couple whose wife, some time ago, told Janie her story about her battle with cancer were on our right.

Dante, around age ten, loves to stop by and see what we have; his mom seems quite uncomfortable with the message our banner projects.  Today’s color pages emphasize God’s creation of the seasons.  Since pumpkins are a fall product, we were able to find a tract, “Light-up-the Night," (ATS) which does a great job with light in windows, pumpkins, and in Jesus Christ!

One of our first takers of 101 Prophecies was interested in prophecy and insistent that God creates the weather.  (Picture #1) A dad with 2 daughters was interested in the book, Not My Child, and he also was interested in teaching his daughters about evolution and took Evolution or Creation – Answers to Questions –(Chapel Library).

Another mom brought her little daughter, Jasmine, and was interested in anything that would tell her about Jesus.  She took the toddler booklet Would You Like to Know Jesus?   We also suggested mom read her The Most Important Story Ever Told.  The mom was pleased to see the booklet started with the creation of Adam and Eve.

(Picture #2)  Curt called Janie’s attention to the fact that at one of our first Table set-ups here on Jackson St., Jasmine’s mom and Janie had a rather intense discussion about Catholicism.  For several months she avoided our booth.  She’s now bringing little Jasmine and is VERY interested in Jesus Christ.  She had to be the special visitor of the day for which we were waiting.

A lady was interested in the book Out of India and also Heaven Can’t Wait.  These two books brought on a discussion of the purpose of this ministry, which is defending the Bible and exposing false teachings.  She was pleased about the whole concept, as well as our discussion about spiritism.

(Picture #3) We do believe God had us hold one last copy of a LARGE PRINT-SPANISH BIBLE for a fellow who was absolutely thrilled to receive it. 

Two young ladies shyly approached the Table and were curious about the children’s materials.  I told them about the “Light-up-the-Night” tract and how it expounds on light in windows, pumpkins, and Jesus, the Light of the World.  They also took a copy of The Most Important Story Ever Told.

It’s always encouraging to have men stop at the table.  An elderly gentleman took 101 Prophecies and Facts About Jehovah’s Witnesses (the Spanish version).  Another lady conversed at some length and eventually took a couple of Chapel Library tracts (both in Spanish and English), as well as the little book on Promesas de Dios (a topical devotional on the promises of God).  A fellow took The Light That Was Dark by Warren Smith and a bilingual New Testamentas, as well as a Spanish pocket Bible.  He was very grateful.

(Picture #4)  Meet Alexa Presley Silva que chula!! (what a cutie!!).  She likes to color!  What a fun, busy day! The temperature was down (94 vs. 99+), just enough to bring people out.  Next month the ‘Winter-Texans’ will be arriving in full force.

We were able to find Jesus Blesses the Little Children story booklet at a local dollar store.  It tied in so nicely with the banner and was a big hit.  All of the copies disappeared.  Here’s hoping we can find more.

Nothing is more encouraging than people from our own church checking over our materials and ecstatic about this part of our ministry.  THANK YOU PAT AND LAURIE!

As expected, we got a return visit from our vendor friend, Eduardo.  He came looking to buy something.  He was stunned when we said that everything is free.  He took a bilingual New Testament, The Most Important Story, a CBH kid's devotional, and Our Daily Bread.  He also took the CD, Noah’s Ark: Fact or Fiction by Mike Riddle. He insisted on giving a donation for his materials.

Blessing upon blessing, a lady stopped by in search of a Catholic Catechism.  Having none, she found the small pocket New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs containing a small topical index.  When I gave her our only copy of the full Bible with a similar index, she was so excited and said, “I can’t thank you enough!”  She gave me a huge hug. (I love hugs!)

Relying on Him as "He directs our paths" (Prov. 16:9),

Curt and Janie Rolf

His Power Toward Us Who Believe

"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him... that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion..." Ephesians 1:16-21

Keeping A Quiet Heart Before God

You'd think with all of my moves that I would get to the place of another moving experience not being stressful, but I have certainly not arrived there yet. I feel the need to pray a lot for God to help ease all that is going through my mind concerning moving responsibilities and unexpected costs.

The moving companies have given me such expensive estimates. I decided that my large couch, which makes a bed, is too large for my new apartment, so I am having 2 major moving companies return to give me new estimates, minus my heavy couch and end tables. I hope I can get the moving costs down. I realize that dealing with large moving companies makes the risk a little higher when it comes to damaged or lost things, but I will just have to pray that does not happen. The larger moving companies always quote the least expensive quotes, so I have called Mayflower and Allied, hoping one of them will be more affordable.

I could not sleep last night, and I prayed and read. I also worked on a new lyric for a song I wrote years ago called "In America," which really needs to be re-written with updated lyrics to address all that is going on now in America and how much we need God. I called my co-writer this morning, and he agreed we need to work more on the lyrics and pitch it to Tim McGraw or to a conservative radio host for airplay. I hope it works out, because I sure could use the money.

The Lord has confirmed, though, that my expensive move to NYC is His will. I was praying with my pastor's wife, Debbie, at church on a Wed. night this month, and she asked God to ease my financial worries by just laying it on someone's heart to give.

I got home and I had two emails waiting: one from a man who had given an unexpected 50.00 and another unexpected contribution for 500.00. I am so thankful for the ways that God lets us know He loves us and is with us in stressful seasons.

I have moved some things to TN and have been working in the LTW storage unit there to organize everything. We will be starting back up in outreach at the University of TN soon, and we are working out details for that location. We also got shipments of materials to send out, including cards to give to people who are struggling with homosexuality and gender confusion, as we are referring them to the impressive counseling of Arthur Goldberg in New Jersey.

Thanks for your prayers for me during this time. I can't wait to be in my new apartment on Dec. 1st.

In God's hands,

Dwayna

LTW Update: GA Tech

Come and participate in the Georgia Tech Apologetics Table Outreach

When: Thursday, October 27th

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Where: Georgia Tech Student Center

This will be an opportunity to share the gospel and interact with students while giving sound Christian apologetic answers with materials to students with various worldviews. If you are  interested in participating in this outreach, please contact us by e-mail.

**************

jrosser@john-lee-ministries.org

www.john-lee-ministries.org

Update: George & Goldie, Los Angeles Valley College

From George W. Shaw
October 19, 2011

Dear Praying Saints,

George likes empty boxes to bring home; the Bibles are now blessing many students on L.A. Valley College campus. What a great day! The very first student was Arabic, and he wanted a Hebrew/English New Testament to study. Oh, Lord, You work in wondrous ways! Many study Bibles that people have given us went out to serious students who desire deep study.

 

Armenian and Russian adults attend this college; many came to the table where we gave them Russian Bibles and CD-ROM's with Russian language. We ran out of Armenian Scriptures and hope to obtain more for the future visits. Hazzy, an Armenian adult, melted our hearts; his first request was for a Bible with pictures. We found one; then he wanted a Russian Bible, a Jesus DVD which has Russian on it, and much more material; he also took our contact address. "The Lord knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever." Psalm 37:18.

Chadwick is a construction worker who has a Jewish client; pray for P. as Chadwick gives her a Tanakh to remember Succot and later on, after he studies about it, he will give her the Hebrew/English New Testament for a Hanukka gift.

Larysa, a Russian lady, asked if we had a Russian Bible, and when she saw it, she hugged it to herself. "I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments...." Psalm 119:131

Miriam, a believer, asked for materials because she, too, is a soul-winner. We supplied her with a variety of literature & Bibles. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for preparing John to receive the Lord into his heart and life. It was a thrill to let him read the Scriptures that led him to salvation. It is all because you prayed.

We praised with the song, "How Great Is Our God" on the way home. All glory to His Name!

George & Goldie Shaw

Moving to NYC

Just wanted to check in. I am overwhelmed with work for my move to NYC. Every day I am getting more accomplished and busy between Atlanta and TN, before moving to Manhattan. I'll get an e-newsletter out to everyone soon sharing details about how God has been faithful in confirming this move in so many ways! I had a great time in prayer today, thanking God for all of the seasons of my life, especially this happy one. I've never been more surprised or happier, especially for the gift He has given me of bringing back the music to my life.

I am excited about working with the outreach team this winter in NYC, too. We are looking for a place to do outreach in the cold winter months ahead.

LTW Update: Venice Beach, CA

From Daniel Hubbard
Oct. 15, 2011

Our day began with a cool morning, as we set up to feed the homeless and for evangelism across from the Shul on the Beach, a Jewish temple.  Jennifer could only stay part of the day.  She is very capable and has a real heart to serve God.  However, we need to keep her in our prayers because she may have to stop helping for a while, due to a troublesome job situation at the school where she teaches.  We had interesting conversations all day, many lasting for at least a half hour.  Eileen, Jennifer, Mike, and I dealt with people struggling with additions, beliefs in evolution, new agers, and those who claimed to be Christians without knowing how to live out the Christian life.  Some listened intently and took our contact information for follow up.  Later in the day, we received help from a minister, who happened to be passing by with his family, who were on vacation from Arizona.  Once a rapper came over and sang a couple of Christian raps which he wrote.  At the end of the day, the wind was becoming a distraction, so we packed up for leaving.  A popular new ager came to our spot on the boardwalk and sang to a gathering crowd.  We have much work to do here in Venice.  Please keep us in your prayers, as we pray for you, also.

From Mike Sanders:

Joanna, a Christian from Poland, stopped by the table.  She was very happy to see a Christian table at the beach, and she was looking for a Turkish Bible for her friend.  Unfortunately, we didn’t have one.  Her Turkish friend is not a Christian and is into science and evolution.  We gave her our contact information.  She said her Turkish friend is planning on visiting next year, and she would like him to see us.  She also mentioned that it’s hard for her to find a Christian church in Poland.  She was raised Catholic, and when she returns to Poland, she would like to take her Catholic mother to church. She took two copies of the DVD, Unlocking the Mysteries of Life--one for herself and one for her friend. 

A family of three stopped by, and one of the ladies asked if we were selling all our books.  When we told her they were all free, her eyes got big “like a kid in a candy store”.  She asked if we have anything about healing a marriage, and Eileen directed her to the part of our table about family and marriage. The lady found a book that seemed to address her needs.  They said that they were looking for a church in the area, but since we don’t live locally, we were unsure what church to recommend.  Jennifer then suggested Grace Community Church and gave them the address (even though it is some distance away from them).  They asked about the book, The Light That Was Dark by Warren Smith.  Mike explained that Warren Smith is a man formerly involved with the New Age movement who discovered that New Age teachings are contrary to the Biblical message of salvation.  He mentioned that the New Age teaches that there is a divine part of all of us and that we are constantly evolving and improving, but the Bible teaches that we are enemies of God apart from Christ (Romans 5).  In addition to the books they already took, the family added an NIV Bible.  Just before they left, we emphasized that salvation is through Christ’s blood alone and not by works, and the man nodded in agreement.  Eve and Ruben then stopped by and looked at our materials.  We asked them if they go to a church nearby.   They said they go to church but that they’re from the Central Valley (several hundred miles north of L.A.).  We started explaining what our books/tracts were all about, and as we pointed to the book “Deceived on Purpose” by Warren Smith, we mentioned that it exposes the Purpose Driven movement and how it waters down (hides) important aspects of the Gospel.  As we did with the previous group, we explained that apart from Christ we are enemies of God, and we need a Savior.  They smiled and agreed.  They took the book “The Light That Was Dark” by Warren Smith.  The wind started blowing some of the tracks off of the table.  As Mike walked around to pick them up, a young man rode up in a bike and asked about our table.  Mike explained that our materials are free and after speaking to the man briefly, Mike asked him if he had a Bible.  The guy said he had one and had read it numerous times.  Mike also asked what he believes regarding spiritual issues, and he said he tries to live by the motto that we should love others as ourselves.  Mike then pointed out that Jesus said to first love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  He replied that you can’t truly love others without first truly loving God, to which we agreed but added that we all needed a Savior.

(Photos and summaries from Dan, Mike and Eileen)

Prayer Request for LTW at the Angola Rodeo

Please keep the inmates and tourists at the Angola Rodeo in your prayers.  The Fall Rodeo takes place every Sunday in October, and we need to pray for God to use our LTW outreach there for His glory.  Only God can save the lost, and only He can bring the people over to hear His Word and receive a free gift about His Truth.  God gloriously saved one of the inmates, and he asked to be at the outreach table to share his testimony with those who come over.  The chaplains are also at the table.  LTW is honored to have Bibles, tracts, CDs of sermons, DVDs, and books available to give to anyone seeking answers about how to know God and live a life of obedience to Him.  The Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) invited LTW to set up an outreach table at their 2011 Spring Rodeo, also.  The Holy Spirit ministered to many people at that time, and we are looking forward to seeing Him at work again this fall.  Pray for discipleship training for the people He touched on Oct. 2, 9, & 16th and for the seeds that are planted for eternity on Oct. 23 and 30th.  Pictures and updates will be posted later.

October NYC Outreach

SUMMARIES AND TESTIMONIES OF OUR TIME TOGETHER IN EVANGELISM THIS MONTH IN NYC ON 34TH STREET:

I spoke with a woman who was obviously in an abusive marriage. She was very angry and said she was not going to "submit" to her husband. I took out my Bible and read her the passage in Ephesians to lovingly explain that God NEVER meant for the woman to "submit" without the husband loving his wife like Christ loves the church. Still, she got very irate and said she did not believe in such a structure for the home. Geoff reminded me that it was God's mercy that brought her up to the table and allowed her to listen as I read to her the Bible. She said, "I just hope you don't get in abusive marriage." I said, "I would be out of God's will if I got in an abusive marriage. That is not God's plan." Finally, Elaine agreed that there was no getting through to the woman, though she and Heidi and I tried our best to encourage her in love. I said, "We are the Bride of Christ," and she said she had a hard time believing that. I must remember to pray for her, because she was so broken from her abusive marriage and obviously had a hard time accepting how God's plan for her is so much higher than what she has experienced. --Dwayna

Christian had the opportunity to share the Gospel with a woman and speak with her at length about what it means to be saved. She was very open and prayed with him. He even stayed behind to continue to explain what it means to know God personally after our team had headed back to the storage to put the supplies away and pray. We praise the Lord for such supernatural encounters, realizing that God is at work to save. We plant the seeds and sometimes water, but God is the only One who can regenerate a broken, lost, dead heart to LIFE in Him.

Hi Dwayna,

I was speaking with a man who was of latino heritage and a Catholic who expressed his views concerning belief. I was able to give him the basic gospel about the need for salvation from sin and repentance to God unto salvation and the new birth of the believer and the empowerment to live as a Christian, that it is faith, not religion; it is about a relationship with God and obeying and living by His Word, the Bible. I expressed that I was also once a former Catholic but am now a Biblical Christian.

Additionally, we were blessed to have the opportunity to hand out Brit Chadashas (New Testaments) to Jewish believers and/or seekers.

The one blessing that I remember is the fact that I was reconnected with my brother, Mike, and his friend Ramiro. God continues to connect the dots and brings us together for His purposes.

Shalom,

Heidi

Hey, Dwayna,

This is Mike, from last Sunday's outreach.  First off, I was totally blessed beyond belief, to have met and served alongside all of you...and to see God's mighty hand at work. Ramiro and myself were fortunate enough to witness to a man of Malaysian decent, who at first told us he kinda bounced around a bit in his faith back home. But, here in Queens, he had tried a Christian church and learned about Jesus. He stopped going, though, because although the people were kind to him at church, the same people would ignore him on the streets. We told him that the love of Jesus should always extend outside the church as well.  We prayed with him and gave him the address to both your home church and ours. In agreement with Heidi, it was awesome to reconnect and serve with my sister and friend again.  

God bless you, Dwayna, and keep you safe.

Mike

Update: George and Goldie, Grace Community Church

From George W. Shaw
Sunday, October 16, 2011

Dear Prayer Warriors,

"...Satan hath desired to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee. . ." (Luke 22:31-32)

This verse became very real to us as we began to prepare for going to the large congregation of Grace Community Church.  Many circumstances interfered with our plans; you prayed, and our Lord Jesus is the victor! Neva, Goldie, and George arrived early in time for the 8:30 service, which Neva and Goldie attended. George went to the second service.  Pastor John MacArthur was at a satellite church in Italy; Pastor Michael Mahoney preached from Exodus 12 on redemption in preparation for the family of God communion service.   

This congregation is vitally involved with outreaches to various nationalities, including the Jewish people.  Our intention is to communicate the Gospel to both Jew, first, as it says in Romans 1:16 and the Gentiles.  It is estimated that there are now over 800,000 Jewish people in the greater Los Angeles area. How do we reach them?  J. came even before we set up the table properly. She wanted one of everything we had there. "I am so glad to be back at Grace; my Hebrew class here will be glad to see the Scriptures and materials." Your prayers brought a saleslady, a pediatrician, a Holcaust survivor, a whole Jewish family, a synogogue witness, a caregiver; these, plus many more, all came eagerly wanting to be a witness to their beloved Jewish acquaintances. How thrilling to see the zeal they had! We told them to study about Succot/Feast of Tabernacles and to know more than their Jewish friends. Paul in Romans tells us to "provoke them to jealousy." M. and S., a bright young couple, know an Hasidic Jewess; they asked us what that meant. We explained it, and they went away with a Tanakh, expecting wondrous happenings. L., a Russian lady, laughed with Neva as she spelled out her rather long name, and her friend will receive a Tanakh.  All the Tanakhim went out along with New Testaments. This was why you prayed! Thank you from our hearts. Pray for courage for all these who will share Scriptures.

With much shalom over your heads and love in your

hearts toward Him,

George and Goldie

Little 5 Points Update: Atlanta

Anthony Woodard
October 15, 2011

The fall season is a great time for many activities such as festivals, football, sightseeing, and many other things, but all of these things are no match for sharing the gospel on a Saturday afternoon in L5P (or anywhere for that matter). God has been faithful in giving us great weather throughout this year, but more importantly, He has given us the freedom to proclaim the gospel and receptive hearts to listen as we do. It is amazing to witness the impact of the gospel on the hearts of many... whether those hearts are as hard as rock or as soft as fertile soil that produces a crop. The gospel alone has the power to save, and God's Word is sufficient.  It will accomplish His purpose. Our duty, as Christ's ambassadors, is to lovingly share God's word with anyone and everyone...first and foremost for the glory of God and then for the saving of souls. It would be great if everyone who heard the gospel repented of their sins and placed their trust in Christ, but even if they don't, we can remain faithful in planting seeds and praying that God would give the increase. Such is the case when we encounter those who are receptive to the gospel and are willing to listen. Only our Lord knows the impact that it is having in that person's life. However, if facial expressions are any indicators, then I'm willing to bet that many have been and prayerfully are still being convicted of their sins and guilt before a Holy God. May God grant repentance that leads to life for those who are dead in their sins and trespasses. Please continue to pray for us that we would be speaking the truth in love and that the fragrance of Christ would permeate L5P. As always, if you are interested in partnering with us, please give me a call at 404-895-9385 or e-mail me at Anthony@epointchurch.org. We typically set up 2nd and 4th Saturday's from 1 - 4, but we can be flexible with the time in order that you might be able to experience the grace of God in the proclamation of the gospel! God bless!