Blanket Project 2010
Blanket Project 2010 is a movement of people seeking to extend hope “to the least of these.” Our main goal for the evening is to collect blankets to distribute to the homeless in Dallas. We are partnering with several organizations that are already making a difference that will provide you opportunities to get involved. The night will bring food, fellowship, and more…. Admission to the event is a blanket. Please send this out to everyone you know. You won’t want to miss this evening!!! There will be more details to come…..STAY TUNED
Updates 1/3/2010
Time: 7:00pm
When: Jan 23, 2010
Place:
Uptown Salon
3549 Grapevine Mills Parkway
Grapevine, TX 76051
Who will be there:
- Sower of Seeds
- Keith Peeler Photography
Uptown Salon will be giving away a $25 gift certificate per person that donates a blanket. The gift certificate is for Timeless Med Spa.
- Follow Blanket Project on Twitter: @blanketproject
- Follow Sower of Seeds on Twitter: @SOSintl @triple_7
- Follow Keith Peeler on Twitter: @keithpeeler
Nothing Can Come Between Us
*Editor’s note* This post was written by Christie Weehunt. If you want to find out more that you can do to help Sower of Seeds–see the link at the end of the post.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NLT
Here I was standing, surrounded by so many women in a brothel, right in the heart of the largest red light district in Asia and this scripture came flooding to my mind. We came here to share with these women, pray for them and encourage them, and as I looked at each of the women present, I was so captured by what I saw in their eyes. Some blankly stared our the door, others cried and in some you could see a spark of hope and see the evidence of Jesus’ love doing a work in their hearts.
When I was told that we were going to dress up in Indian outfits and take Lisa Bevere and Jeanne Rogers into some brothels for a bible study I knew this was an experience I’d never forget.
As we walked down the crowded, narrow lanes of the red light district, we had to step carefully around the heaping piles of trash and sewage at our feet, and rats scurrying around. It was late morning, and the district was slowly waking up after a late night of work. Women were playing with their children and doing each other’s hair, street vendors were making breakfast and selling tea, and there were tables full of pimps out playing cards and relaxing.
When we got to the first brothel we all crowded into the front room, there was no place left to sit or stand and as many women as could get into the room did…we were literally filled to overflowing. There were small children all around, and while we were there, we watched as they turned customers away telling them to come back later… As Lisa shared, she took the time to look every woman in the eye saying to each one directly “God has a plan for you.”
This would cause tears to well up in their eyes and flow freely…
Standing in that room, praying for the women I was mesmerized by them; wanting to know each girls story, and in the midst of it feeling the love and presence of God in a way that I had never experienced in my life. I don’t know why I was so surprised by it, but I was…surely the darkest place in the world wouldn’t be where God would be, but it was (I knew the appropriate “Christian” answer, and yet was surprised because it was true).
None of these women were here of their free will, they were all victims of trafficking, and all had seen years of constant abuse and violence. Some bore physical scars, and all bore emotional scars. These are the daughters the world has forgotten about, but God hasn’t forgotten. He’s right there with them every single day; He sees the abuse and the hurts and longs for them to know His love and freedom.
If the story were to end here I would be hopeless. I don’t want to see a need for the sake of being better informed about it. I don’t want God to break my heart just for the sake of doing it… I believe that there is a bigger purpose; that God allows us to see and hear about these things not for awareness, but because He invites us to be part of the solution*.
I can tell you without a doubt that God is moving in this red light district. He is rescuing, saving, healing and transforming…and He invites us to be a part. He’s going to do it one way or another, but do we want to come along with Him and partner with what He’s doing?
Human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, is a huge problem all over the world right now. In India alone there are over 3 million victims, with 1.2 million of them being children. Problems of such large scale almost seem overwhelming, but nothing is too big for God. We can make a difference in this situation. Even this week we had a girl who was rescued out of a horrible situation. God is on the move, let’s be a part! Let’s not forget about His daughters! Find a way to get involved.
* One week later, one of the trafficked girls that attended the bible study entered the rescue and rehabilitation program S.O.S. International Ministries is supporting. To find out more or to help sponsor the rescue of these girls: www.sowerofseeds.org/rescue
Contend and Contextualize by Hunter Beaumont
Quote:
“But in postmodernity, the cultural scorn has shifted. The supernatural is plausible again, but exclusivity and assertiveness are now taboo. The quickest way to ruffle skirts in our pluralist world is to come off rigid or narrow. So the new breed of preachers is tempted to lop off anything that sounds too exclusive—the Bible as universal truth, Jesus as the one mediator between God and man, and God’s judgment, along with its remedy, penal substitutionary atonement. This is where our generation must contend or perish.“
Contend and Contextualize (And, Part 2) by Hunter Beaumont © 2009 TheResurgence.com
Martin Mission
We’ve added the Martin Mission to the ministries linked on the right side of the home page. Matt and Wendy are friends of ours with a vision for helping hurting families. Check out their ministry’s site via the link to the right.
We’ve recently conducted an interview with them, where they gave an overview of and some insight into what they’re doing — you can listen to it below!
Please help make a difference
At OTB, whenever we hear of a ministry with an awesome cause, we want to help get the news out. So, fellow readers, if you want to make a difference in someone’s life here is your chance.
Sower of Seeds is an organization making a difference in India.
I have two good friends in this organization doing all they can to bring clean water to hurting mothers, fathers, and children in India. They can’t do this alone. They need your help!! They are running a race against time. Every minute that passes by is time slipping away from bringing clean water to entire villiages. Think about this; when you get water at home, or from the store, it’s probably been filtered and purified. It’s crystal clear–mmmmmm tastes great!
But now picture this; brown, dirty, mucky, water.
What if the only water you could find was leftover from a community bath? Or water where animals have probably defecated. Or where garbage has been dumped. Imagine going to this diseased-filled water and then gathering and drinking it everyday. That’s what many people in India face.
So, you ask, “How can i make a difference?” I will tell you. Sower of Seeds has a new program starting. It’s called “$7.77 Can Save a Life.” Here’s how you can help. Below I have taken a quote from Sower of Seeds.:
“Every gift of $7.77 can provide water for 1 child for 30 years. Over the course of the year, this means that 12 people can have access to safe, clean water because of you.”
That’s it!! One gift of $7.77 a month can make a difference. You spend that on food for just one meal–everyday. Please pray about this and check them out on their website to find out more information.
http://www.sowerofseeds.org/777
*All images contained in this post are property of Sower of Seeds. Please do not reproduce these pics*
Please Pray….
A few evenings ago, my wife and I decided to have a prayer night. We wanted to approach the Lord’s throne with some of our specific questions and concerns, as well as seek His vision for us. But God had another idea. What we heard that night was not what we expected. As we prayed, God led our prayers to focus on a specific country, which God had recently laid on my wife’s heart.
The country: Tajikistan. Ever heard of that one before? Well, their government is trying to close all doors to Christianity—and make it very hard to have religious freedom. In fact, if their president decides to pass a particular law this month, the government will be even harsher in enforcing strict punishment on those caught holding church meetings in their homes, or telling anyone about Jesus.
Next to Tajikistan, is a country called Kazakhstan, whose Christians are also facing persecution. In December 2008 they proposed a law that anyone caught worshiping, teaching about God, praying, doing charitable work, etc. would be charged a fine fifty times their month salary. Fifty times!!! I don’t know about you, but I know I couldn’t afford that.
As we were praying, my heart started to break. All I could see, in my heart, was a call for: hope, strength, life, faith, and love.
In America, we should consider ourselves fortunate to be able to freely worship, praise, and spread the news about our Lord.
So why don’t we use our freedom more often? Why do we have so much trouble talking about Jesus Christ in America? Are we afraid that something is going to happen?
I sit and wrestle over, chew on, fight with, and cry about the fact that I get scared to share the gospel sometimes. For what!! Why am I scared? Why do I care what people think about me anyway?
I pray I have the courage to stand up and be brave like these persecuted Christians. I want to be a “Jesus Freak”—Sold out to no one but Jesus Christ Himself.
I want to leave you with some things for your spirit to feast on. Below I have included a sermon by John Piper. Please listen to it and let it soak in.
Also, take a look at the links that are included. There is some amazing information about what other Christians are facing around the world and what you can do to help. Most importantly, remember to pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
Blessings
Get Involved - Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Prayer for Mumbai, India
Everyone, I wanted to post something concerning the situation in Mumbai, India. If you read this please take time out to pray for Sower of Seeds(they are personal friends of ours), the nationals, peace, justice, the country, and other missionaries we may not know about. Below is an email, from a friend, who travels back and forth to Mumbai:
Hey man, thank you for praying and spreading the word! Here is the situation as I know it:
-Sower of Seeds has 6 Americans on the ground now. They seem to be safe. And are situated in other parts of the city.
-7 locations that would be frequented by tourists have been targeted.
-Terrorists seem to be targeting Brits and Americans.
-78 confirmed dead
-200+ injured
-They do have hostages at one of the hotels, some are foreigners.
-We do not know who is behind the attacks.
-The attacks are on going…
Please pray for the safety of the S.O.S. staff, the people of Mumbai, and those directly effected by these senseless attacks. I will do my best to keep everyone posted and up to date. Thanks and God bless!
How Should We Then Work by Jonathan Dobson
I have always preached that we should all do an excellent job in order to honor our employers, the very leaders that God has placed in charged over us, in order to show Him all the glory and be a witness to how good Jesus Christ really is.
I know that many people (including myself) have been called into full time ministry. At the moment, however, God is still preparing, enabling and teaching us. Many of us are not in seminaries and bible college but working as salt in the earth (Matthew 5:13) in different jobs.
I know that some of us have a really tough time keeping our “eyes on the prize” (so to speak) and our work in some way is suffering.
If you are transitioning from secular to full time ministry, my plead to you is to finish strong!
I know Paul mentions the following verses as far as finishing in ministry. I think it does apply to our situation:
2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV) As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Keep a clear mind. (1 Peter 1:13)
Endure suffering. (Hebrews 10:36)
Do the work of an evangelist. (Mark 16:15)
Fulfill the ministry that God has given you at this very moment.
Then you can say:
2 Timothy 4:6-7 (ESV) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
How Should We Then Work by Jonathan Dobson © 2008 TheResurgence.com
The Persecuted Church
Have you ever felt you wanted to make a difference in this life? Do you have something that keeps nagging at you, telling you to take a step? Check out stories of these people who decided to take a step out for Christ. These people are real “Jesus Freaks.” www.persecution.com
There are so many aspects of Voice of the Martyrs that I love. It’s on my Top-10 list of favorite ministries. They are voices for the unheard, the forgotten, and the persecuted. In their own words, they are:
“A non-profit, interdenominational organization with a vision for aiding Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.” -pulled from Voice of the Martyrs
Please pray for the individuals in different countries being persecuted. Pray for their countries–that God will change the hearts of those nations. Pray for more opportunities for the gospel spread throughout the world. Pray that a Holy Spirit fire will ignite throughout the nations.
Blessings
Bibles Unbound
“Even as you read this, persecuted Christians from around the world are gathering names and addresses from their local communities. These names are then submitted to Bibles Unbound where members have the opportunity to mail New Testaments in the appropriate language directly to the field. This unique program gives you the ability to stand alongside our persecuted brothers and sisters and help create a witness for Jesus Christ in hostile lands right from your own home.”
