Marilyn Laszlo Project "Finding My Name"

(Independent Feature Film)

A true story based on the life of one of America's first solo female missionaries. In 1964, Marilyn Lazlo graduated college in Chicago, only to drop off the face of the earth. She traveled to Papua New Guinea at the age of 21: an island that at that time was still considered to be in the Stone Age. Marilyn immersed herself in the culture of the Sepik tribe in order to free the village of Hanau from daily violence, famine, and disease. Once a tribe outcast, called a ghost, 30 years later Marilyn is now referred to by the Sepik Iwam people as “Apu” (mother).

Read the book "Mission Possible". Tears will roll down your cheeks as you rejoice with the tribesmen of this village when the translated Bible enters their village.

Read the book "A Is For Airstrip".

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2008

"...let's kill the baby in your arms".

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.'
So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?'
She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.
The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution. The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!
Save precious lives! When you cast your vote remember!

Thriller

This is a video of a guy singing Michael Jackson's Thriller A Cappella. He records his voice 64 times. (ht JB)


François Macré - Thriller (reprise A'cappella 64 pistes)

Human and Auto Traffic in San Jose, Costa Rica

Texas takes the top spot in AP poll

NEW YORK (AP)—Texas rode its resounding Red River Rivalry upset right to No. 1.
The Longhorns leapfrogged No. 2 Alabama on Sunday and sit atop The Associated Press Top 25 in the regular season for the first time in 24 years after beating Oklahoma 45-35.
Texas’ jump to No. 1 is the largest since Miami went from No. 6 to No. 1 on Aug. 29, 1988, after beating preseason top-ranked Florida State 31-0 to start the season.
Texas received 39 first-place votes and 1,599 points from the media panel. Alabama received the other 36 first-place votes and 1,582 points.Click Here to read the rest of the article...HOOK EM HORNS!!!

Not only was last years Hiesman winner a Christian, so will this year's.

Colt McCoy making a difference in Peru

Bill Hart
TheOldCoach.com

Talk about it in Inside the 40 Acres
Colt McCoy making a difference in Peru
By Bill Hart


Many students ask, "How did you spend your spring vacation"? Former Jim Ned quarterback Colt McCoy, now at the University of Texas, spins an unusual story, one not many have heard or will hear.


He spent a weeklong Christian mission in Peru, near the Amazon River, at a campsite about an hour and a half drive on a muddy, unpaved road from Iquitos, the largest city in the country.

The Portuguese-speaking villagers sent their children, about 200 in all, to a Christian sports camp that was sponsored by T Bar M in New Braunfels. Each counselor spent three hours each day teaching the youngsters about football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and soccer. At night, they shared their faith and taught Bible lessons with help from translators.

In their spare time, they did some sightseeing, including a boat ride on the Amazon, and they once went to Iquitos where they found a restaurant named "The Yellow Rose of Texas." It turned out the owner was a graduate from UT and "he almost fainted when he saw me walk in," McCoy told Suzanne Halliburton of the Austin-American Statesman.

McCoy left most of his clothing and shoes, plus a lot of Texas gear for the kids.

The Gift: Cody Paul

My goodness! This 10 year old kid is amazing! He is the next Barry Sanders!!!

THE GIFT

OOPS! I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair.

Running for the glory of God

Being a former coach, it is a breath of fresh air to hear of athletes like Allyson Felix. This generation needs role models like her and not ones like Britney Spears. It would be great if Nike or another sponsor would see the necessity in promoting character like the one that is displayed by Ms. Felix. Of course the greatest benefit would be that this young lady would be able to more fully display a Torch that far outshines the olympic one.

Piper's Regional Conference to be Held in Austin

Job: When the Righteous Suffer

2008 Regional Conference October 17-18

Doing Missions When Dying Is Gain

Peru student missionary dies in bus accident
Gregory Gomez IV, 22, a student missionary serving in Peru for the summer through the International Mission Board, was killed in a bus accident July 5. Another IMB student missionary and a Peruvian translator received minor injuries. Gomez was serving on the REAP (Rapid Entry Advance Plan) South Team. He had been traveling around southern Peru researching unreached people groups. Originally from Natchez, Miss., Gomez was living just outside St. Louis, Mo., prior to his service. He is survived by his parents, Elida and Gregory Gomez III, of Glen Carbon, Ill., and two sisters. - IMB E-Letter
Listen to John Piper's Sermon-"Doing missions when dying is gain".


Before we listen to this sermon, are we prepared to leave with a deeper commitment to deny ourselves and rejoice in the path that God is preparing us for?
After listening to this sermon, we need to ask ourselves has it changed us?
Has it changed our outlook on life?
Has it caused us to want to conform to the will of God in all things?
Is Christ so valuable to us that no loss we experience for His sake will feel like losing in the end?
Father, May this young man's life be an example to the young and old, right here in America, to boldly go out into the nations proclaiming Your Name.
May You offer comfort to Mr. Gomez's parents and siblings.
May they be reminded that "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for You and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.
May they rejoice knowing that their son has glorified You, their Father.
Thank you Lord for Gregory Gomez IV a young man who did not waste his life.
Amen

Oh My GREAT God and King. EE-tauo EE-tauo!!!!

You will cry tears of sadness, tears of amazement, tears of happiness and then, at the end of this clip, your tears will be tears of great joy, in the wonderous Redeemer that has saved us.
If I hadnt been sitting under my carport and people had not been walking by, Im certain that I would have clapped for joy.
You, God, are amazing. I thank You for revealing Yourself to us. Thank you!

Sunday School Scandal

God is doing big things around the world-LOUIE GIGLIO

God is doing big things around the world and is still calling people to be a part of these things.

The Attributes of God-Chris Tomlin, Giglio

Phun Phridays-Small Town

YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM A SMALL TOWN IF....

1. You can name everyone you graduated with.
Thats easy there was only 12 that walked the stage in my class.
2. You know what *FFA* is.
Future Farmers of America and FHA (Future Homemakers of America)
3. You ever went to parties @ a pasture, barn or middle of a dirt road.
Lets not forget the caleche pit.
4. Your idea of a *FUN* weekend was ridin around parkin lots cause that is where *EVERYBODY* was.
Yup
5. Your idea of an *EXCITiNG* weekend was watchin a fight in the parkin lot.
Hoping that you werent next!
6. You swore @ someone & your parents knew within the hour.
It was even faster for me since my mom was a teacher :(
7. You ever went cow-tipping or *SNIPE HUNTIN*.
Moo
8. School gets canceled for city, county or state events.
Stock Show
9. You were in the *Homecoming* parade.
Parade? You have to have enough people to line the streets to have a parade.
10. You have ever gone home for homecoming.
Of course
11. Everyone thought it was really cool to date someone from the neighboring town.
Well of course...we are not Arkansas.
12. You had *Senior Skip Day*.
You mean that everybody doesnt do that?
13. The whole school went to the same party after graduation.
Yes and...?
14. You don’t give directions by street names, but instead like this: Turn right by Nelson’s house, go 2 blocks east past Anderson’s camp; it’s 4 houses left of the track field.
Track field? We practiced for track on the county road which ran by the football field.
15. The *CoUnTrY cLuB* golf course had only 9 holes (or there wasn’t even one).
No Country Club. However we were members of the "Country Club"
16. You can’t help but date a friends ex-boyfriend/girlfriend.
Sounds like a Cars song to me...Maybe they were small town folk?
17. You refer anyone with a house newer then 1980 as the *Rich People*
My parents built our house in '77....and it it still the newest in town.
18. The people in the city dress funny, then your town picks up on the trend a few years later.
I was still sporting a mullet until '91
19. You bragged to your friends because you got *Pipes* on your truck for your birthday.
I never had a truck. If i had they would have been straights and LOUD.
20. Anyone you want can be found @ either the *DAIRY QUEEN* or the *FEED STORE*
Dairy Queen? That was 16 miles away in another town. That is where we went to eat when we wanted to impress the girls.
21. You see at least 1 friend a week driving a tractor through town.
Uhh Huh.
22. The football coach suggested that you haul hay for the summer to get stronger. Wow I always thought that Coach Tyson was a brilliant man for suggesting that we do that! Who would have known that hauling hay to better your football playing was not a new one!
23. Directions are given using *THE* stoplight as a reference.
Sorry no stop light in my town. We did have STOP signs...that is if they
hadnt been pushed over by the kids with brush guards on their trucks.
24. The city council meets @ the coffee shop.
City council? Coffee shop?
25. Your *LETTER JACKET* was worn after your 19th birthday.
Ya, and for some of us it was worn well into our 20's simply because when you are still in school its a cool the cool thing to wear.
26. You decide to walk somewhere for exercise & 5 people pull over and ask if you need a ride.
Walk for exercise?
27. Your teachers call you by your *OLDER* siblings names.
I am the oldest.
28. Your teachers remember when they taught your *PARENTS*.
Yes.
29. The closest *Taco Bell* or *Burger King* is @ least 30 miles away.
Try 60 miles away in Waco, Tx.

30. So is the closest *Shopping Mall*.

Its Waco again.
31. It’s normal to see an old man riding through town on a riding lawn-mower.
No, nobody was rich enough to have a riding lawn mower.
32. You have a good laugh readin this cause you know they’re all true.
LOL

"Small Town"-John Cougar

Free Church Missions Software

I have not used this software, so I’m not recommending it, other than it is free so it may be worth a spin.
Compu-Books of Glendale, AZ is offering their Church Missions 3.0 software free to Christian churches and Mission organizations. This solution tracks church mission projects with missionary information, contribution records, communication log and reports. They give you a free single-user version - a contribution receipt for the donation is requested in return ($99 value). It’s available for Mac and Windows. Visit their website ‘products’ page to request your free copy.-Missions Blog for Curches

How to Witness Honestly (Advice from Paul Washer)

Missions-Preperation Through Prayer

Preparation through Prayer

Whenever you share the good news of Christ you are involved in spiritual warfare. Our enemy, the devil, does not want people to be saved. He is a liar, thief and destroyer of lives. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). We must be prepared for a spiritual battle when we go on mission with God.

Ephesians 6:10-20 says:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

We ask you to bathe your mission trip in prayer. Here are some suggestions:
Pray every time your mission team comes together. Whether the meeting is for training, logistics or something else, always include time for prayer.
Pray for God to prepare each team member spiritually. Each person who is coming on the mission trip should spend time in prayer and Bible study every day, getting spiritually prepared for the trip. You may consider creating a “30-day prayer guide” or something similar to help prepare your team members.
Pray for God to work out all the details of your trip. From logistics to ministry projects, there is much to coordinate and prepare for; pray for God to bring it all together, and that the team will come here prepared to serve Jesus.
Pray for God to give each team member opportunities to share the gospel. Pray that God will open your eyes to the opportunities all around you to share the gospel while you are on the mission trip. Pray for boldness to share Christ with others. Pray for wisdom on how to share Christ here.
Pray for God to give each team member a servant spirit and willingness to be flexible. Jesus was the greatest servant of all, and he followed the leadership of the Spirit to be exactly where God wanted him to be at all times. Sometimes on a mission trip, adjustments to the schedule must be made at the last minute. We will trust God to put us where he wants us to advance the kingdom of God.
Pray for people to be saved! The most important reason your team is coming here is for people to hear the good news of Jesus. Pray that people will be saved in the Adirondacks – before, during and after your mission trip!

Video Interview-John Piper On Passionate Preaching

Check out today's post by Adrian Warnock.
"Yesterday I began speaking with John Piper about New Word Alive and why he comes to the Uk. In this segment, I began by putting before John the notion that he has an unusuall degree of passion and anointing when preaching. I even quoted Lig Duncan, who said that he wondered if he had ever really preached after hearing Piper's talk at the first Together for the Gospel conference. I asked him whether he was consciuos of this, and if he had any eplanation for it.
Piper began his answer by honstly stating...READ

How to Memorize Verbatim Text

This is a great method for memorizing verbatim texts! THANKS Gunny :)

Spiritual Suicide

Oh God, please save us from ourselves. Sin so easily wraps its tentacles around our hearts, entangling them, trying to make us stumble and ultimately fall. As men, Lord, we desperately battle lust. Our hearts are being inclined to replace You with wicked, evil sexual desires. None of us are safe. Lord please don't allow us to ever think that we are safe from the snares of this death. May we always be ready for battle. May are hearts stay pure. May we desire You and You alone.
Father, we are no diffrent than men like Ted Haggard or Joe Barron. May we never forget that. Dear Lord I lift brother Barron up to You, pleading that you would have mercy on him. May he repent of this horrible sin. May he not be shunned by the body that he serves. May the leaders of the church as well as the body come along beside him, desiring to not only hold him accountable but to hold him. May you bring a revival to this congregation. May the sin of many be exposed as a result of what has happened. May many come forth asking for help and pleading for forgiveness.
Father, I ask that you help his wife through this incredibly humiliating time. May her desire for her husband not leave. May she reflect the mercy that You had on us all. May she not give him what he deserves. May she not treat him how I am sure that I would if I were her. Lord, give her compassion for him. Heal her heart. May she run to You, her Strong Tower. Please Father reconcile this relationship.
You Father are our Unshakeable Rock. Your hand firmly grasps us and will never let go. You are a God worthy of our worship, a God who did not deserve the scorn, the shame and the hatred that we all have all shown You. We do not deserve our next breath. We do not deserve our next heart beat. We do not deserve You. We deserve to all be thrown into the pits of hell, utterly seperated from You for eternity. May we always be mindful of this.
Because You are a God who loves and a God who forgives, our iniquities will never seperate us from You. Great is Your faithfulness never letting your Great Name be forgotten.
Please forgive us of our iniquities. Cleanse our hearts. May we desire to confess our offenses, our self murderous inclinations to You. May we see that sexual sin is nothing more than spiritual suicide.
Please forgive us.

Test Yourself-Football or Christ

Leading a Mission Trip

LEADING A MISSION TRIP TO SUCCESS-

Prepare and Pray

You have no doubt heard stories of lives changed on a mission trip. Many return from a mission experience to give reports on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings in Arkansas churches. Common stories include children being ministered to and saved in backyard Bible Clubs or Mission Vacation Bible Schools, churches being built, lives, homes and churches ravished by relentless hurricanes brought to restoration, people reached through door to door medical projects, medical teams offering a healing touch while seeking to introduce the sick to Jesus the Healer of souls, and the list could go on.
While people come home from a mission trip blessed by the opportunity to serve, there have been those who return frustrated because it did not turn out the way they expected. What is the difference in the two groups? Could it be expectations, prayer and planning? Not all mission trips may see a harvest of souls, but all mission trips can fit into the strategic plan of a church, church planter or missionary to make a difference in a community and the Kingdom of God. You have been empowered to change lives. Jesus tells us that we have been “empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses….”
Planning is an absolute essential in maximizing your M.I.S.S.I.O.N. trip while minimizing problems. There is nothing more uncomfortable than showing up on the field to find there is a misunderstanding of the project or how your group is going to accomplish the task. Good planning begins with scheduling a trip that fits you and your group. “Flexibility” is a word you hear tossed around on mission trips. While flexibility is important, it is not a substitute for good planning. Here are some practical considerations for choosing a M.I.S.S.I.O.N. trip that fits you and your church:
M - Make prayer a priority. The church and your team members need to see that you are trusting God with everything from the big picture to the smallest details. Prayer is the vital link, from knowing where God might send your team, to how best to communicate your report when you get home. There are needs on the field to pray for: relationships with the team and field, ministry and outreach opportunities in the community, physical, spiritual and relational needs of the team members, potential conflict and resolution, etc.
Prayer is critical for preparing a volunteer spiritually. Regardless of the type of trip one takes, the sole purpose is to point someone to Jesus Christ. A daily attitude of prayer is essential for sensing the Holy Spirit’s prompting in when and how to share with others.
I – Identify a mission project. Going to the ends of the earth covers a lot of territory. How can one know where God wants your church to be involved? Where does God want you to go and with whom? Will your project be local, associational, in state, national or international? What kind of project will it be: Prayer walking, medical, evangelistic, leadership training, construction, remodeling, sports-evangelism, VBS, Scripture distribution? It is important to know who you are working with. You are depending on their planning and preparation for your mission trip to succeed. And remeber your project is LED by them and to meet their CULture and standards. Too often we try and force our American ways on our hosts - because we know we are better. And nothing could be farther from the truth or cause more issues. Serve and surrender as Jesus did.

S – Set a plan in place. The team leader must develop a timeline to accomplish the tasks for the trip. Begin with your departure date and work backwards. Just some things to consider:

• Total cost of the trip per team member

• Mode of transportation

• Lodging

• Recruiting for the trip

• Passport applications

• VISA applications

• Proper immunizations

• Material for projects

• Team orientation and team training

• Significant non-refundable deposit (required)

• Set date for payment of trip• Adequate insurance coverage

• Hold commissioning service• Report to church after trip

Plan your mission. Look at your schedule, when can you and your church go? What would be the best time to fit into the mission’s field strategy? A team leader will want to check the calendar at home and on the field to determine how the potential date might conflict with a national holiday, vacation season, spring break, community festival, major sporting event, etc. This has happened to groups before.
S - Select your team. Everyone going on a mission trip desires to go, serve and make a difference, right? Not always. One’s expectations matter and a servant’s heart is key to having a great volunteer. This is why it is important to have all potential volunteers fill out a volunteer participant application form. These forms give the missions committee and/or team leader insight into the desires of those wanting to go on the trip. Mission trips can be great fun, but they are a lot of work. It only takes one bad apple…. You know how the rest of that goes. It is easier dealing with the bad apple before you go than when you are far from home.
I – Invite others to invest in the trip. Each team member going should have five to fifteen prayer partners while they are on the mission field. The partners should certainly pray for his or her family while they are absent as well. Give your pastor specific ways he can pray for you while you are gone. Find someone who has great internet skills to post pictures and send emails if possible. Someone who is physically unable to go may want to help part of your team financially. Write letters and do in person presentations. You will need to write on average 30 letters to raise $1000 letters. 30 letters will equal 20 donations with an average donation of $50.
O - Outline the necessities for the trip. If you are traveling internationally, allow plenty of time to obtain a passport. There are VISA requirements for entering some countries, while others only require passports. Shots are required for entry into some countries as well. You should check with your physician concerning your immunizations well before time to leave. Everyone traveling overseas must understand the importance of carrying their own luggage. Some airports have no escalators and there are not always people available to carry what you will not be able to. Also, all airlines have weight restrictions on suitcases, and luggage space is still a premium for groups traveling stateside. Packing lists help people understand the limitations and expectations.
N – Nurture the relationship with the community, pastor, missionary and field through Christ. Remember your team is there as an extension of the field ministry and you not only represent Christ, but the church, missionary or church planter to that community. There are times that the leadership on the mission field may not do things exactly the way you would do them at home. Teams need to have a nurturing relationship with one another even though they may have different personalities and styles of ministry. Be careful not to become critical of the leadership or of the mission setting. This plays right into the hands of Satan.
God has empowered us to go to all nations. As you and your church reach out to the ends of the earth and to different points in between, you will not only change lives on the field, but you will bring people back who are changed. And with all the planning you still need to be flexible - something will always NOT go as planned. If you build team togetherness before the trip they should respond well to whatever problems arise. BE FLEXIBLE and BE WELL PREPARED.
George "Boake" Moorefounded a church coffee called Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee. A non profit gourmet coffee to help children. CEOMission Grounds http://www.missiongrounds.com/

Found - HERE

Quotes From The Earthquake In China

"Not one minute can be wasted," Wen said, state television showed. "One minute, one second could mean a child's life."

"Time is life," said an official announcement from the Communist Party Standing Committee, according to the Xinhua news agency. "Make fighting the earthquake and rescue work the current top task."

"Even if it means walking in, we must enter the worst-hit areas as quickly as possible," Wen said, according to Xinhua.

_____________________________________________________________

LORD, may the officials in China see the desperate condition of the people in their great country.

May they see the lives that are perishing all around them as already dead.

May they see beyond the physical death that abounds around them.

May they see the lives of those who are saving the hurt and the lives of those who are pulling the dead from the rubble, as spiritually dead.

May the words that come out of their mouths not be words that are just concerned for the physical condition of their own, but for the spiritual condition most of all.

And may they desire to march into, and across that great nation, proclaiming His name among those who are perishing.

What I Learned While Living In Texas-Phun Phriday

The following list was given to me by a student who is departing SWBTS upon graduation today. It is a list of various things that he learned while attending school here. I post this in hopes that incoming students from out of state or from out of country may get a head start on Texas culture.

18 Things I learned while living in Texas


18. There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in Texas .

17. If it grows, it'll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha.

16. "Onced" and "Twiced" are words.

15. People actually grow and eat okra.

14. "Fixinto" is one word.

13. There is no such thing as "lunch." There is only dinner and then there is supper.

12. Iced tea is appropriate for all meals, and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar.

11. You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH EM.

10. You switch from heat to A/C in the same day.

9. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal.

8. You know what a "DAWG" is.

7. You carry jumper cables in your car --- for your OWN car.

6. You only own five spices: salt, pepper, Texas Pete, Tabasco and Ketchup.

5. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.

4. You know all four seasons: Almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.

3. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good stew weather.

2. Fried catfish is the other white meat.

And for the final thing that was learned while living in the great state of Texas…drum roll please………………..

1. A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road!

A Worship Album for Children

An album that brings theological concepts down to the level of a child so that they might better understand the character of God.

For You Are Holy
Words and music by Zach Jones

As recorded on Awesome God

Lyrics:

O God, there’s none like You

In all the earth, in all the earth

O God, who can compare

To You, to You

Only You have no beginning

Only You could make the skies

Only You are truth unending

Only You are always wiseLord, there is none like You

For You are holy

You are holy

For You are holy

Lord You are holy

O God, there’s none like you

In all the earth, in all the earth

O God, who can compare

To You, to You

Only You are never sinning

Only You have never lied

Only You cannot be tempted

Only You can never die

Lord, there is none like You

© 2004 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).

"The goal of this C.D. is for God to become much BIGGER in our childrens minds and their hearts...because He is an AWESOME GOD."

-Bob Kauflin

Warch the video clip to the right for an explanation

How To Botch an Alter Call

If you attend a church that has an alter call at the end of the service, here are some ways that it can be botched.
1. Present an unbalanced message. Only let them see the heart-warming part of God’s character. Preach God’s love but leave out His holiness and justice. That way they’ll think He’ll let them into heaven no matter what.

2. Don’t mention repentance until they’re repeating a “sinner’s prayer.” Just get them to say, “I repent of all my sins” while they’re echoing you. They won’t know what they’re saying and they won’t count the cost.

3. Above all else, be dignified. Don’t get heart to heart with the people. They would get something out of what you said.

4. Skim over the gospel and push the prayer. Pretend the lost naturally understand what Christ has done for them.

5. Preach Jesus as a life enhancer not a life rescuer. Tell them how Jesus can improve their life but don’t show them Jesus as the only One who can save them from Hell. People will think if they reject Him they’re only losing out on a spiritual high.

6. Try to please the people instead of convert them. Tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.

7. Compromise the message to speed up the process. The Christians who have heard it a hundred times before will be pleased with that. The quicker they get out the quicker they can get to the restaurant.

8. Give them the impression that God is so good He won’t send anyone to hell. Don’t present the whole counsel of God or they might realize He is so good that He’ll see to it that justice is served and that all unrepentant sinners will be punished in the fire that is not quenched.

9. Speak to sinners as though they were saints. They’ll think they’re God’s children instead of the enemies of God they’ve made themselves into because of their sin. You’ll give them false assurance and mislead them.

10. Don’t mention sin or man’s guilt. Resist the urge to explain what Christ came to deliver us from. Don’t show them their need for the Savior. Otherwise it may all make sense.

11. Don’t look to the Bible for the substance of your altar call. Only mimic other preachers with large congregations.

12. Tell the lost not to feel bad about their sins. That way you will work against the Holy Spirit who’s convicting them

13. Whatever you do, never mention Judgment Day. Your audience might take spiritual matters seriously.

14. Tell them Jesus is the only way to heaven but don’t explain why. They may think it’s nothing more than fear tactics and leave offended instead of enlightened.

15. Confuse the call. This is a great way to botch up an altar call. Don’t let people know you’re asking them to commit their life to Christ. Be vague and general in what you’re saying. Neglect to mention following Christ in your evangelistic altar calls and say things like, “If you don’t feel you’re as close to God as possible raise your hand,” “If you feel lonely come to the front for prayer,” “If you want more of God this is your time,” and, “If you have struggles and need the answer come down.” Just get them to raise a hand. That way no one will be able to count the cost and you’ll even get saints to respond to salvation altar calls, making the results look more successful.

16. Only give them half the story. Tell them Jesus died to forgive everyone but overlook the fact that they must personally receive Him to partake of that forgiveness.

17. Present the truth as though it isn’t. Be so funny when you share Christ that you belittle the seriousness of the matter.
18. Preach forgiveness without repentance. That way no one will know how to be forgiven.

19. Be unbiblical. Present repentance and faith as an offer instead of how God does as a command (Acts 17:30).

20. Let them think next Sunday is the day of salvation. Don’t make them feel it’s urgent to respond today.

21. Never warn of hell. Dangle heaven in front of their nose but rarely mention hell, certainly not as much as Jesus did.

22. Only do altar calls inside the church. Never take the gospel where sinners congregate. The lost might get saved.

23. Use churchy terms. Use words like, “saved,” “repent,” and “born again,” without any explanation. That way your hearers won’t comprehend what you’re saying. If they can’t understand it, it’s probable they won’t be changed by it.

24. Give false assurance of salvation to unsaved Christians. Assure church folk that they are saved even if they bear no fruit. So that you don’t offend the unsaved pew warmers never quote 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” You could lose some financial supporters and have to depend on God.

25. Never mention the wrath of God. If you mention it, people might be awakened to flee to Jesus who “saves us from the wrath to come.” ( 1 Thess. 1:10)

26. Study how the apostles preached and witnessed and do the opposite. Don’t explain Jesus’ suffering death on the cross. Otherwise they may think of running to Him for forgiveness. Don’t speak of His burial or resurrection or they might realize He is God. Refrain from commenting about the hundreds of eyewitnesses who saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. That way they can go on thinking He’s a fairy tale. Overlook talk of the messianic prophecies Jesus fulfilled or they might realize that the Bible is true. If they see it’s the truth they may see that following Christ is the logical decision. And whatever you do, avoid what the apostles did when it came time to call people to obey the gospel. Don’t tell them to trust Christ and live for Him. That is too accurate. If they know how to get saved your altar call will be a success.

27. Put more emphasis on the “sinner’s prayer” then on repentance and faith. Satan will smile over your departure from Biblical instruction. We are never taught to use a ‘sinner’s prayer’ throughout the entire Bible. If you decide to use it and put more emphasis on the technique than on what we’re commanded to preach: faith and repentance you’ll certainly botch things up. A ‘sinner’s prayer’ doesn’t equal salvation, only faith in Christ and repentance toward God do.

28. Let Christians think you’re the only one who can do it right. Always leave the impression that they should only invite friends to church and never actually witness themselves. It will keep you in business and the lost unsaved.

29. Don’t let the lost know they are. Disregard subjects like Judgment Day, God’s holiness, man’s sinfulness and justice. That way the lost can continue to think they’re “good enough” to get into heaven.

30. Rely upon psychological techniques to manipulate people into responding to the altar call. Don’t rely upon the Holy Spirit or they may actually get saved.

31. Make sure you’re the main attraction. Remember the goal in botching up an altar call is for people to leave and say, “What a wonderful preacher,” instead of, “What a wonderful Savior.” Draw all possible attention to how great a speaker and person you are. Otherwise people might see Christ in your preaching and get saved.

32. Don’t focus upon Jesus. Finally, the best way to botch up an altar call is not to preach the gospel. Just get people to lift up a hand and pray a prayer with you. Resist the urge to speak of the only One who could save them.

Sometimes the best way to get a point across is to put it in a different light. You now know a few ways to botch up an altar call. Please do not employ them. Do the opposite. You may already do some of them. Don’t let pride keep you from changing and doing things in a Biblical fashion. The bottom line is how true we are to Christ and His word. Effectively reaching the lost is our purpose. Let nothing hold you back from that agenda. May God bless you as you seek to win people to Christ in Bible clubs, churches, conferences, on the street witnessing encounters, at your school, and at your workplace.

Adapted from Becoming an Emissary for God by Allen Atzbi, found HERE.

Funny Translation Errors

You Belong

The Whole Earth is Full of His Glory!...

Naomi's Adoption Journal

Friends of ours are adopting a little girl from China. Please visit their journal and see the blessings that God has given them!

Heart of a Champion - Lesson in Leadership and Sportsmanship

This is well worth the time to watch. It is a game in which NO ONE lost!

Is This Your Church?

"Top Ten Signs that Your Church is not Really Evangelistic."

By John Avant.

10. There is better attendance at a controversial business meeting than at any evangelism training the church has ever done.
9. The student ministry has the best concerts and trips in town but no one can remember the last time they went witnessing.
8. The senior adult group has enough energy for bus trips to Branson but not to go witness at the local nursing home.
7. It wouldn’t do much good for the pastor to preach an evangelistic message because all the people in the service on Sunday already are believers.
6. The average church member would have trouble naming five friends who are un-churched.
5. Most members get more upset about the music they don’t like than about the fact that people are going to hell.
4. There might be money in the budget somewhere that actually is devoted to reaching those not already members, but no one is quite sure where to find it.
3. The small groups and Sunday School classes are very concerned about “going deeper in the Word” although no one can remember the last time an unbeliever actually came to their group.
2. If the church was to disappear today, the average lost person in the community would not notice.
1. If the pastor does not visit in the hospital for six months he will be fired, but if he does not share Christ for six months no one will care.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is now 86 years old with Parkinson's disease. In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte , North Carolina , invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, 'We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.' So he agreed. After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, 'I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't fin! d it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.' Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car , he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure! you bought one.' Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'' Having said that Billy Graham continued, 'See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am .. I also know where I'm going.'

Phun Phridays

Read the following and see if you agree.

B.B. Warfield

From Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield – Volume I, pp. 407-410
John E. Meeter, editor (Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1970)



I believe that my one aim in life and death should be to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; and that God teaches me how to glorify and enjoy him in His holy Word, that is, the Bible, which He has given by the infallible inspiration of His Holy Spirit in order that I may certainly know what I am to believe concerning Him and what duty He requires of me.





I believe that God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and incomparable in all that He is; one God but three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, my Creator, my Redeemer, and my Sanctifier; in whose power and wisdom, righteousness, goodness and truth I may safely put my trust.




I believe that the heavens and the earth, and all that in them is, are the work of God's hands; and that all that He has made He directs and governs in all their actions; so that they fulfil the end for which they were created, and I who trust in Him shall not be put to shame but may rest securely in the protection of is almighty love.




I believe that God created man after is own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, and entered into a covenant of life with him upon the sole condition of the obedience that was his due: so that it was by wilfully sinning against God that man fell into the sin and misery in which I have been born.




I believe, that, being fallen in Adam, my first father, I am; by nature a child of wrath, under the condemnation of God and corrupted in body and soul, prone to evil and liable to eternal death; from which dreadful state I cannot be delivered save through the unmerited grace of God my Savior.



I believe that God has not left the world to perish in its sin, but out of the great love wherewith He has loved it, has from all eternity graciously chosen unto Himself a multitude which no man can number, to deliver them out of their sin and misery, and of them to build up again in the world His kingdom of righteousness: in which kingdom I may be assured I have my part, if I hold fast to Christ the Lord.



I believe that God has redeemed His people unto Himself through Jesus Christ our Lord; who, though be was and ever continues to be the eternal Son of God, yet was born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them that are under the law: I believe that He bore the penalty due to my sins in His own body on the tree, and fulfilled in His own person the obedience I owe to the righteousness of God, and now presents me to His Father as His purchased possession, to the praise of the glory of His grace forever: wherefore renouncing all merit of my own, I put all my trust only in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ my redeemer.



I believe that Jesus Christ my redeemer, who died for my offences was raised again for my justification, and ascended into the heavens, where He sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty, continually making intercession for his people, and governing the whole world as head over all things for his Church: so that I need fear no evil and may surely know that nothing can snatch me out of His hands and nothing can separate me from His love.



I believe that the redemption wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ is effectually applied to all His people by the Holy Spirit, who works faith in me and thereby unites me to Christ, renews me in the whole man after the image of God, and enables me more and more to die unto sin and to live unto righteousness; until, this gracious work having been completed in me, I shall be received into glory: in which great hope abiding, I must ever strive to perfect holiness in the fear of God.



I believe that God requires of me, under the gospel, first of all, that, out of a true sense of my sin and misery and apprehension of His mercy in Christ, I should turn with grief and hatred away from sin and receive and rest upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation; that, so being united to Him, I may receive pardon for my sins and be accepted as righteous in God's sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to me and received by faith alone: and thus and thus only do I believe I may be received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.



I believe that, having been pardoned and accepted for Christ's sake, it is further required of me that I walk in the Spirit whom He has purchased for me, and by whom love is shed abroad in my heart; fulfilling the obedience I owe to Christ my King; faithfully performing all the duties laid upon me by the holy law of God my heavenly Father; and ever reflecting in my life and conduct, the perfect example that has been set me by Christ Jesus my Leader, who has died for me and granted to me His Holy Spirit just that I may do the good works which God has afore prepared that I should walk in them.



I believe that God has established His Church in the world and endowed it with the ministry of the Word and the holy ordinances of Baptism, the Lord's Supper and Prayer; in order that through these as means, the riches of his grace in the gospel may be made known to the world, and, by the blessing of Christ and the working of His Spirit in them that by faith receive them, the benefits of redemption may be communicated to his people: wherefore also it is required of me that I attend on these means of grace with diligence, preparation, and prayer, so that through them I may be instructed and strengthened in faith, and in holiness of life and in love; and that I use my best endeavors to carry this gospel and convey these means of grace to the whole world.



I believe that as Jesus Christ has once come in grace, so also is He to come a second time in glory, to judge the world in righteousness and assign to each his eternal award: and I believe that if I die in Christ, my soul shall be at death made perfect in holiness and go home to the Lord; and when He shall return in his majesty I shall be raised in glory and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity: encouraged by which blessed hope it is required of me willingly to take my part in suffering hardship here as a good soldier of Christ Jesus, being assured that if I die with Him I shall also live with him, if I endure, I shall also reign with Him.



And to Him, my Redeemer,

with the Father,

and the Holy Spirit,

Three Persons, one God,

be glory forever, world without end,

Amen, and Amen.

Ten Commandments for mission trip participants

Healthy attitudes on short-term mission trips
You shall not forget that you represent your home country and the Lord Jesus Christ.
You shall not expect that things will be the same as they are at home, for you have left your home to find different things. [ mono-culturalism ]
You shall not take minor things too seriously. Accepting things as they are paves the way for a good mission trip.
You shall not judge all insert name of target people by the one person with whom you have had trouble.
You shall not let other group members get on your nerves. You raised good money and set aside this time. So, enjoy yourself.
You shall not be overly worried. The person who worries has no pleasures. Few things people worry about are ever fatal.
Remember your passport (or other identification document) so that you know where it is at all times. A person without documents is a person without a country. [ passport info ]
Blessed is the person who says "thank you" in any language. Verbal gratefulness is worth more than tips.
When in insert name of country (Rome), do as the insert name of people (Romans) do. If in difficulty, use common sense and your native friendliness.
Remember, you are a guest in insert name of country. He who treats his host with respect shall be treated as an honored guest.
Okay, so these aren't the 10 commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. However, the principles enunciated here are foundational to success in short-term cross-cultural experiences. So, violating these 10 commandments (even if Moses didn't get them) can spoil your short-term experience and even tarnish your attempts to witness for Christ.

Ten ways to ruin short term mission trips

Unhealthy attitudes on short-term mission trips
Believe it or not, it's possible to have a bad short-term missions experience. Most times, this is not the fault of the situation or organization. Often, the root cause is the short-termer's own attitudes and expectations.
To maximize your short-term experience, AVOID doing the things on this Top Ten checklist:
1. Keep narrowly focused on "spiritual" activities. Since you want to win people to Christ, focus on only the loftiest of things. Avoid menial work like data entry, loading trucks, or working on buildings. Such things will distract you from your primary task.
2. To tighten up your schedule, eliminate personal prayer and Bible study. You will be so rushed away that you probably won't have time. Besides, can't you get all the spiritual food you need from group devotions and from church services?
3. Stay organized and on schedule. Set detailed goals before you go. Establish schedules and refuse to deviate from them. Do not accept delays, last-minute changes, and impromptu visits and invitations. Those things will just keep you from getting things done for God.

4. Help the missionaries by pointing out their mistakes. Bring them up to date on what you've heard are the latest trends in missions. Some missionaries are stubborn. So, you may need to enlist some support among the nationals for your views about how things should be run.
5. Get involved romantically with someone. Being away from family and friends makes this the perfect time to get involved romantically. While it may distract you slightly from the work, you will be able to expose national Christians to America's progressive dating customs.
6. Don't embarrass yourself by trying to pick up the local language. People are always saying that English is spoken all over the world. So, insist that those people use it with you.
7. Immediately begin pointing out your team members' faults. Time is short. It will be difficult for people to make the needed changes if you don't help them right from the start. Focus your helpful criticisms on team leaders.
8. As you go all out in warring against dangerous germs, don't eat any of the local food. To be sure, you may miss some friendly opportunities with "the natives," but you'll keep those awful germs at bay!
9. Keep your distance from team members who couldn't raise their full support. They may try to mooch off you. Don't give in. Sweating over finances builds faith!
10. When you return home, scold your home church and friends for their lack of commitment, for their weak prayers, and for their inadequate giving to missions. This may be one of the few times you will have their deferential respect. Make the most of it.

If you'll do all of these Top Ten things (or even some of them), I can promise you a bad short-term mission trip.

adapted from Commissioned, January/February/March 1995

Phun Phridays

click here--> Total Depravity - Tim Challies

How you and your church can be Rope Holders

Supporting Missions in the Church and Home Compiled by Stephen Ross

What the Local Church Can Do:

1. Have a well-written missions policy.

2. Have a functioning missions committee.

3. Have a faith promise giving program for missions.

4. Have men's and women's groups with a focus on missions.

5. Have a missionary couple/family to lead Vacation Bible School and have a "penny march" to help raise money for them.

6. Have visiting missionaries speak in the Christian school chapel and Bible class.

7. Have a missionary speaker for Christian school camp.

8. Encourage the Christian summer camp where your church kids attend to have a missionary speaker.

9. Provide lodging and opportunity for service to graduating Bible college students who plan to go to the mission field. This will give them valuable experience before going on deputation.

10. Provide lodging during the summer for MK's (missionary kids) attending Christian college and help them find summer jobs.

11. Provide housing and transportation for missionaries on furlough, especially those sent out by your church.

12. Give generously to visiting missionaries (even if you can not take them on for support, you can still help them on deputation or furlough with a good love offering).

13. Help the visiting missionary with maintaining their automobile, etc. Provide them with an oil change. Check to see if they need tires or other auto work, then get together with several church members and pay for the work.

14. Maintain a missionary "closet" of good used clothing items, etc. for visiting missionaries on deputation or furlough to take what they need.

15. Have something special for missionary children when their parents are visiting your church.

16. Organize a missions trip for interested church members.

17. If the church has a Christian school, have the Senior Trip be a missions trip.

18. Send a construction team to help a missionary with a project on the field.

19. Have a section of the Sunday bulletin dedicated to missions (a quote by a missionary, statistics, etc.)

20. Pray for your missionaries. During prayer meeting, summarize the ministry of the missionaries who wrote that week, tell their specific prayer requests, and pray for the missionaries.

21. Communicate regularly with the missionaries the church supports.

a. Have members of the church "adopt" a missionary family for a year and communicate with them (including E-mail) to encourage them and to keep them informed of "back home."

b. Send them birthday and anniversary cards, "care packages," news about the church including the church bulletin, a photo(s) of a special church event, etc.

c. Also encourage young persons to be pen pals with missionary children of their own age.

22. List the missionaries which the church helps support in a special section of the church directory.

23. Maintain a church Web site with a special section on the missionaries the church helps support including mail and E-mail addresses. If the missionary or their sending agency or church maintains a Web site, provide a link to it.

24. Have a church missions bulletin board where prayer letters, etc. are posted and where there is a world map indicating location of the missionaries the church helps support.

25. Make missionary biographies available for purchase or for lending from a church resource table/display rack.

26. Have an annual missions conference or a missions emphasis month (this can include such events as an International Dinner, having missionaries send E-mail messages of greeting to be read at the conference, and having a missionary call during the conference and it arranged so that all in the church can hear the conversation).

27. Have pastoral leadership (preaching on missions, public invitations to surrender to full-time Christian service, using stories relating to missions as sermon illustrations, mentioning special missionary prayer requests and praying for them publicly, regularly having missionaries visit to present their field of ministry, etc.).

What the Individual Can Do:

1. Pray for missionaries during personal prayer time as well as during family worship time. Keep a list of missionaries and pray for 2 or 3 of them each day.

2. Read true missionary stories and biographies of missionaries as part of family worship time.

3. "Adopt" a missionary family or two (perhaps one you have had in your home for dinner when they were on deputation or furlough); sincerely care for and fervently pray for them.

4. Regularly write, E-mail, or phone a missionary (get your children involved as well in writing to the MK's.)

5. Send birthday, anniversary, and Christmas cards (again, do not forget the MK's and to get your children involved too).

6. Send care packages.

7. Attend all the services in which missionaries are speaking and/or presenting their ministry.

8. Show hospitality to visiting missionaries on deputation or furlough (be willing to help where needed).

9. Give visiting missionaries prepaid phone cards.

10. Instead of trading in your car, donate it to your church for missionary use; or let a missionary family use an extra car (in good condition) while they are home on furlough.

11. Open your home during vacations and summers to MK's attending Christian college "home side" and help them find short-time employment if needed.

12. If the missionaries have elderly relatives living in your area, offer to provide them help and support on behalf of the missionary.

13. Host and provide meals for visiting missionaries and their families (you and your family will be richly blessed!).

14. Give generously to missionary projects and love offerings for visiting missionaries.

15. Volunteer to serve on the missions committee.

16. Volunteer to maintain the church's missions bulletin board.

17. Give out missionary biographies to encourage others regarding missions.