Beneath the Cross of Jesus

I don't know about you, but I love music. I love old hymns and the incredible message they contain. Many times I will even pick out a favorite line and just think about what portions of Scripture they come from. A church I was in recently sang Beneath the Cross of Jesus during the service. I don't know if I have ever really looked at the words of this song. It was a tremendous blessing to me, so I thought I would share it.

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,

the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;

a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,

from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see

the very dying form of One who suffered there for me;

and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess:

the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face;

content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss,

my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869  Music: Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927  Tune: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Meter: 76.86.86.86

Time for Change?

The Winter of Morocco's Discontent: Will the Arab Spring Arrive?

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2105163,00.html#ixzz1kZuciVwf



This article tells a little of what is going on in Morocco. We should all know, the news media hypes up a lot of what actually happens. It would be good to remember that the Bible says in Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." He has it all under control. Please pray that the hearts of the people will be open to hearing the Gospel. Maybe some political discontent is a symptom of their underlying problem: spiritual discontent. A person will never be at peace and in full contentment until they know Christ as their Savior.

The Kanisa Conference

Have you heard of this? Have any clue what a Kanisa Conference would be about?  The Kanisa Conference is a conference all about Muslim evangelism, not just overseas, but in the States as well.

This year, I had the privilege of attending the Kanisa Conference. I cannot begin to explain what a blessing this conference was. It encompassed so many different things from practical living in a Muslim country to going on a Mosque outreach.  I was able to meet and speak to many missionaries who focus on reaching Muslims.  Not only was I able to talk to missionaries who have worked for years overseas, but also missionaries who are working right here in the States to reach those who have come to us.  

It was a joy to see how God orchestrated an unplanned theme in the teaching and preaching during the conference.  The theme was fear not. We were challenged to be more bold in our witness , and trust God with what happens.

I am so thankful I was able to attend this conference. Hearing from people who had a great burden to see Muslims come to Christ was encouraging, challenging, and convicting. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am ready to get started. Please join me in prayer for more people to get a burden for Muslim Missions.

Eid Al Adha

The following is a post from a friend's blog. We can learn about Islamic holidays through books and whatnot, but experiencing them firsthand is another thing. This just makes me so much more thankful for Christ and the fact that my sin debt is paid in full! Please pray for my friend Beth G. and her family as they endeavor to see more of the Muslim people put their faith in Jesus Christ, the eternal sacrifice.

Eid Al Adha

I woke up to sounds of a big celebration this morning: Firecrackers, music, and kids laughing and having fun. It made me sick. Today, is a holiday for the muslims called Eid Al Adha. It means sacrifice. Simply put, everyone got up and went to the mosque around 5:30 this morning. Then, they went to their homes and took their animals they had bought and slaughtered them. If they had yards, this was done in their yards, but for most of the city it was done in the streets and many of the streets are filled with blood. After that the meat is butchered, and all of it is eaten within the next three days. This is done with hopes of improving their chances to go to heaven.


As we walked around our neighborhood this morning, we watched as the poor people stood outside the gates of the villas, waiting for some meat. It is very important for them to eat some of the sacrificed meat. I watched as one lady received a peace and held it so proudly. Her children were rubbing on it. It brought them hope.


Lord, please use us in this needy land. We know that you are the living sacrifice and their is no need for any other. Use us, Lord, to spread Your Word. Send more laborers into the field for Your glory. We love you, Lord Jesus!

You can read more of what Beth has written at:

http://www.experiencinghim.blogspot.com

August/September Prayer Letter

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! I am so undeserving of the grace He has bestowed upon me. In addition, He is allowing me to serve Him as a missionary. What an incredible opportunity He has given.

The past two months have been my busiest so far. It is so exciting to be able to meet so many new people and share the burden God has given me for reaching the Muslim people of North Africa. God has blessed tremendously!  God provides in such unexpected ways. My car had to have several things fixed recently. God blessed me with a father who is able to do much of the labor. On top of this major blessing, God provided the money for the replacement parts! I really should not be amazed at how God provides exactly when I need it, but He always does.

At one Mission Conference, the Lord challenged me with a thought that is so simple yet so profound. If it’s not a faith thing, it’s not a God thing. If I can do something myself, I don’t need God. If I can do it in my strength and my intelligence, I am not having faith in God to get it done.  If I can look at my budget and make faith promise giving work, it’s not faith. If I can look at my abilities and know I can go to North Africa as a missionary, it’s not faith. I have been thinking about this concept and working on more faith. I need to be trusting God, but also obeying based on this trust. I may not be able to “make it work,” but I have a God Who can.

Praises

• God provided for repairs on my car
• Have been able to speak to several teenagers/young adults about missions
• Protection while traveling

Prayer Requests

• Support to be raised
• Safety traveling
• Scheduling meetings for rest of year and next year
•  Muslims of North Africa—God will soften their hearts & be saved
• Believers in North Africa—safety, boldness, growth

July & August in Review:

• 26% of needed support
• Was able to be in 18 churches total plus a youth rally
• Drove 3715 miles
• Was able to give my testimony and present 15 times
• Traveled in 4 states: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Delaware

One Year Anniversary

One year ago I had my first meeting. It was a missions conference -  my first missions conference, and my first time presenting what I would be doing in North Africa.  I look back from a year later and am so grateful for what God has done and how God has changed me in the past year.  Everything gets easier the more you do it, but getting to that point takes awhile. I remember hoping that my shaking couldn’t be heard in my voice as I faltered through my first presentation. I am so thankful for University Baptist Church in Atlanta and their loving spirit as they encouraged me. The Lord was so gracious to allow me to have my first meeting among friends.

I see so many different ways the Lord has grown me over the year. I am still me, not eloquent in words, but God has polished me in many ways. I am always nervous to get up in front of people to speak, but hardly shake anymore. My presentation doesn’t always flow well and many times I forget that certain way to say something poignant. Overall, I can see that my presentation is far better than that first time.

Instead of looking at a church in fear, now I can look at the potential friends I will make and potential prayer warriors to enlist (not to mention potential support to get me to North Africa – a necessary evil unfortunately). Each church is unique. One thing that never even began to cross my mind about deputation was leaving a church once you built a relationship with those people. In a missions conference, you have 3 days or more to get to know the people, make friends, and share burdens with one another. Then it’s time to move on to the next meeting. I may not get to see this church again for years. I never anticipated the sadness of leaving after having met such wonderful people.   

God has used this past year to teach me so many things. Just comparing that first presentation to the one I gave Wednesday night, what a huge difference!  I am so thankful that the Lord chooses to use people who are not perfect, just willing to be molded. 

Ramadan

Living in today’s society, it’s almost impossible not to have heard the word Ramadan. So what exactly is it? Ramadan is the 9^th month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered to be the holiest of months in Islam. The month of Ramadan is supposedly when Mohammad received the Quran.  From sunup to sundown, Muslim people fast primarily from food and water, but also other forms of indulgence. The purpose of this time is for devotion, inner reflection, and self control. Also, reading the entire Quran during this time is strongly encouraged. For 2010, Ramadan begins today at sundown.

The month of Ramadan is a reflection of the Islamic faith – built on works. Muslim people must strive to be pure and holy so Allah will (hopefully) accept them into paradise. My heart grieves for a people who strive so hard, only to find out one day it was all in vain.

Today I make a request. During the Islamic month of Ramadan (August 11 – September 9^th), please join me in devoting a time of prayer each day specifically for the Muslim people.  

·         Ask God to give you a heart filled with love and compassion towards Muslims.

·         Pray for their hearts to be softened to the Gospel.

·         Pray for a specific Muslim majority country each day.

·         Pray the Lord would send more laborers into these fields.

·         Pray for laborers who are already in these fields

o   Direction: open doors to share the Word

o   Communication/clarification: ability to speak with clarity

o   Adaptation

o   Determination/Prioritization – speaking the Word with boldness

o   Reception

o   Protection