Archive - November, 2007

Exciting News

November 30, 2007 in Missions with 0 Comments

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(picture of Thai woman bowing before a spirit house just outside of my friend’s home)

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to let you all know some exciting news that has just come about.  My family and I are planning on taking an exploratory missions trip to Thailand in March!  We will be visiting my good friends the Lovorns and the Hoars.  They live Northeast of Bangkok in the third largest city in Thailand. 

Our goal is to be there as a family for two weeks and scouting out the land in the hopes that God may be calling us there to serve long term!  From now until we leave, we will be raising the finances needed for this important trip.  If you would like to get involved in helping us reach our goal in getting there, drop me a line at jlambert@freedomhousechurch.org.  We appreciate your support!

If you choose to keep us in your prayers….thank you.  We look forward to sharing more with you in the days and weeks to come! 

Another Example of Islam’s Religion of Peace and Tolerance

November 28, 2007 in Commentary with 2 Comments

A British teacher in Sudan had been charged with insulting religion and inciting hatred.  What was her “crime”?  Gillian Gibbons, 54 and a teacher in Sudan, was arrested after her class named teddy bear “Mohammed”.  This “crime” of “Blasphemy” is punishable in Sudan by 40 lashes, prison or fine.  Are you kidding me??? The children are the ones who picked the name.  They probably did it in honor of their “prophet”! Where is the global outcry against this religious madness?  Where are the “moderate” Muslims standing up against this “hijacking” of their “peaceful and tolerant” religion?  Yet another example of the heart of Islam’s true nature.  If I was a Sudanese, I would be ashamed.  But what do you expect from a government that has a policy of commiting acts of genocide and destroying the lives of hundred of thousands of people? 

Read the full story here.

Called to Missions; Preparing for Marriage

November 26, 2007 in Missions with 5 Comments

Since I posted on building a lasting marraige yesterday, I thought I’d continue in that vein and talk about how a missions calling and finding a marraige partner go hand and hand.  Speaking to single people, missions mobilizer, Oswald J. Smith once wrote about the many ways the enemy of God may work to keep you from fulfilling your calling.  If you sense a calling to be a missionary and are still single, you need to listen carefully to his warning.

“If he cannot succeed in any other way, he will do what he has done in hundreds of cases. He will get you young women interested in some young man who has no idea of ever becoming a missionary, and if you marry him, you will never be a missionary. He will get you young men interested in some young woman who is not planning upon going to the foreign field, and if you marry her that will be the end of your missionary work forever.

I cannot tell you how many have come to me in the middle age and have said, “Dr. Smith, God called me to be a missionary, but I married a man who was not going, and now we have a family. We are in middle life and it is too late. I have missed God’s best and now I must take His second best.” And I have had them break down and weep. Listen, young people, if God has called you and you have become an active volunteer, then you have no right to even keep company with anyone except someone who is traveling in your direction, and if you do that you will both reach the same destination.” Continue Reading…

Book Review: Going All The Way

November 25, 2007 in Commentary with 2 Comments

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I just finished a great book by Pastor and author Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv.  It’s called “Going All the Way: Preparing for a marriage that goes the distance.”  In this book, Craig lays out eternal principles in a way that engages a new generation just hitting their teens and twenties.  However the things he speaks about are relevant to all generations, to both the unmarried and the married.  He reminds those of us who are married what it really takes to continue to, not only stay married in this crazy world, but how to do it in a way that honors God’s design for marriage. 

Looking back, even though both my wife and I came from broken homes and crazy past relationships, we determined while we were single to work on “being… the right person” and not just “looking… for the right one.”  Now that we are together, we have come to understand more fully that most of our success or failure in life and ministry will be determined by the health of our marriage.  Knowing this, we are even more thankful when we are reminded of the things we need to make our marriage, not just survive, but thrive.

Whether you are single or married, if you are looking to buck the trend of our culture by “Going All the Way” in marriage, then you need to get this book and put it’s content to action.  Despite your past, it’s never too late to get started building the right way. 

Malaysia, Islam, and Compulsion in Religion.

November 21, 2007 in Commentary with 3 Comments

Those who call themselves “moderate Muslims” are always trying to convince the rest of the world that Islam is a religion of peace.  They constantly quote surah 2:256 that states, ”there is no compulsion in religion.” Despite this, reality paints a much different picture.  Islam is indeed a religion of compulsion and this is shown by it’s practices.  In most parts of the world, once you are in, you can never leave even if your conscience leads you out.  In America, and most of the Western world, I believe we take most of our freedoms for granted.  They are indeed precious, something we should all be thankful for. 

We have the right to believe whatever we want, even if it’s wrong.  Most of the places where Islam is practiced, this is not the case.  Christians are treated as second class citizens at best and at worse they are killed by those who think they do God service.  Below is just another solid example of this type of inequality.

“Kelantan, one of the most Islamic states in Malaysia, approved legal changes to increase the penalty for trying to convert a Muslim to another faith.Persons accused of sharing their faith with Muslims may now receive six strokes of the cane, five years in prison (increased from two years) and a fine of US$2,800 (double what it was).At the same time, the same amount of money is offered to any “Muslim missionary” who marries an Orang Asli (indigenous) person and converts them to Islam. They may also receive a monthly allowance, free accommodation, and a 4-wheel drive vehicle.”

Please pray for the people of Malaysia to wake up and fight for their freedom while they still have some.  Also, pray for those who are considered enemies of the Gospel as our Lord Jesus taught us…  “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who insult you and persecute you…” Matt 5:44 Source: Barnabas Fund, Nov/Dec 2007 via Operation Mobilization News Bytes

10 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Missionary

November 19, 2007 in Missions with 3 Comments

A tongue-in-cheek look at some sure-fire ways to avoid becoming a missionary:

  1. Ignore Jesus’ request in John 4:35 that we take a long hard look at the fields. Seeing the needs of people can be depressing and very unsettling. It could lead to genuine missionary concern.
    (John 4:35 “Do you not say, `Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” For other Bible passages on missions, click here)
  2. Focus your energies on socially legitimate targets. Go after a bigger salary. Focus on getting a job promotion, a bigger home, a more luxurious car, or future financial security. Along the way, run up some big credit card debts. [ ready feet . . . ]
  3. Get married to somebody who thinks the “Great Commission” is what your employer gives you after you make a big sale. After marriage, embrace the socially accepted norms of settling down, establishing a respectable career trajectory and raising a picture-perfect family.
  4. Stay away from missionaries. Their testimonies can be disturbing. The situations they describe will distract you from embracing whole-heartedly the materialistic lifestyle of your home country.
  5. If you happen to think about missions, restrict your attention to countries where it’s impossible to openly do missionary work. Think only about North Korea, Saudi Arabia, China and other closed countries. Forget the vast areas of our globe open to missionaries. Never, never listen to talk about creative access countries.
  6. Think how bad a missionary you would be based on your own past failures. It is unreasonable to expect you will ever be any better. Don’t even think about Moses, David, Jonah, Peter or Mark, all of whom overcame failures. [ more on Jonah ]
  7. Always imagine missionaries as talented, super-spiritual people who stand on lofty pedestals. Maintaining this image of missionaries will heighten your own sense of inadequacy. Convincing yourself that God does not use ordinary people as missionaries will smother any guilt you may feel about refusing to even listen for a call from God. [ type of missionaries needed ]
  8. Agree with the people who tell you that you are indispensable where you are. Listen when they tell you that your local church or home country can’t do without you. [ Apple pickers parable ]
  9. Worry incessantly about money. [ simple lifestyle ]
  10. If you still feel you must go, go out right away without any preparation or training. You’ll soon be home again and no one can ever blame you for not trying!

Source

Bangladesh Takes A Beating

November 16, 2007 in Missions with 2 Comments

Bangladesh is one of the poorest and most overcrowded countries in the world.  You may remember me writing on the harsh life of Bangladeshi ship breakers in my “The Reality of Series.”  

A recent category 5 cyclone has devestated the area killing over 1100 people and displacing over a half a million more.  With very little stable infrastructure and weak building materials, I expect that the country will be feeling the effects of this devastation for a long time.  Please remember the people of Bangladesh in your prayers.  You can learn more about the country and how to pray by visiting Operation World’s site HERE.

World Vision is already on the ground providing life saving food and supplies.  If you would like to learn more and find out how you may be able to help.  Go here.

Read latest on the crisis here.

Traveling Thai Style

November 16, 2007 in Thailand with 0 Comments

100_1170.pngI thought I would post this great picture our friends John and Sandy Lovorn and family.   Yes, that is 6 people on one motorcycle!  They are missionaries to Korat, Thailand.  This is common for travel in SE Asia, but what do you say we pray them in a van!  Sandy has just started writing about their life in Thailand. Visit their new blog and send them some encouragement.  Then if you like what you hear, send them a check! 

“Jesus” Will Soon Speak 1,000 Languages

November 15, 2007 in Missions with 0 Comments

showing_200.jpgThe stats and story on the “Jesus Film” is one of the greatest underreported stories of all time.  Like most mission stories, it hasn’t received alot of press, but it’s story is one that will live on in eternity.  Consider these staggering statistics:

  • Soon to reach 1000 languages
  • Most widely translated and distributed film in all cinema history
  • Tops all greats such as “Gone with the Wind”, “Sound of Music”, & “The Wizard of Oz“
  • Over 6 billion exposures globally (there are only 4 billion people on Earth now)
  • More than 200 million recorded decisions for Christ.

All of this and more in only 28 years!  Thank God for this simple, yet incredible resource that has been raised up in my generation.  Truly, it is helping to fulfill the scripture in Habakkuk 2:14 which will eventually culminate in in Zech 14:9. 

Is this something that excites you, scares you, or are you indifferent?