1. Prayer Partners--God is working through your prayers! Your encouraging notes have been PERFECTLY timed this week, and God is moving in response to your praying!
2. Two weekends in a row, I've been able to say, "The church I was in this weekend gave the largest love offering I've ever received!" That is something to be excited about! God is moving people to give!
3. Six people have officially joined the financial team in the last three days!!! Welcome to the team!
4. While I'm only officially at 48% Faith Promise, I am in confident expectation of reaching 75% in November! I believe God is calling what is not as though it is, and I want to believe Him for it!
5. Please pray for me as I begin Kingdom Come Training, additional training on how to raise support, tomorrow. I will fill you in more on this as the class gets started.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
God is Working--Please Keep Praying!
I want to thank all of you who responded to my request for special prayer! I can already see God working in response! Please keep praying specifically about some potential Faith Promise partnerships with churches that could be significant to raising my Faith Promise percentage. Also, please pray God will give me eyes to see opportunities to invite people to join the team! I am so ready to get funded and to New Zealand, guys. In the midst of battling discouragement, I can feel God increasing my faith! Please continue to pray in faith with me for God to do great things!!! One of my prayer/Faith Promise partners sent me the words of this chorus as an encouragement today, and I want to share them with you.
"There's a miracle in the making, one just for you the Father is working even now, your prayer has been heard and the answers are on the way, there's a miracle in the making for you today."
"There's a miracle in the making, one just for you the Father is working even now, your prayer has been heard and the answers are on the way, there's a miracle in the making for you today."
Friday, October 21, 2011
Depending on His Grace--Need for Prayer
This week, I feel like I'm learning more than ever what it means to depend upon God's grace. This has been a difficult week on a personal level. Some people very close to me are going through difficulty, and I am burdened for them, trying to lift them in constant prayer. In the midst of this, I am fighting discouragement over support raising. I have been in approximately 40 churches/camps over the past ten months sharing about New Zealand, and I am only 47% funded--but I know God is good. I know God is faithful. I KNOW HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. So right now, I am leaning on that knowledge.
Since my last blog update, I have shared at New Life Wesleyan Church in Columbia Station, OH, as well as having another hometown fundraiser. The church at New Life was a blessing, and I am looking forward to the role they may play on the team! Also, the hometown fundraiser was such a gift of generosity from people who both donated items to be sold and put in work to make it happen. This fundraiser provided another opportunity to connect with people in my home community about the work God has called me to do in New Zealand. I am so thankful for the opportunity. Also, I was able to substitute for over a week for the same teacher, a huge financial blessing and an enjoyable opportunity to spend time with the same students for several days in a row!
More speaking engagements kick off again this weekend. Also, I am preparing to take three weeks of support raising training starting the end of this month followed by weekly coaching sessions. This training will be specifically focused on approaching individuals for support rather than churches. Please pray that I will be teachable and put into practice what I learn. Please pray God will send supporters and give me the vision to see them and know how to approach them. While I am discouraged in support raising, I cannot fail to give God praise for the ways He has already provided. He is working, but I just need to continue to trust Him and do my part in the process. Please pray FOR God's provision and direction. Please pray AGAINST discouragement.
Since my last blog update, I have shared at New Life Wesleyan Church in Columbia Station, OH, as well as having another hometown fundraiser. The church at New Life was a blessing, and I am looking forward to the role they may play on the team! Also, the hometown fundraiser was such a gift of generosity from people who both donated items to be sold and put in work to make it happen. This fundraiser provided another opportunity to connect with people in my home community about the work God has called me to do in New Zealand. I am so thankful for the opportunity. Also, I was able to substitute for over a week for the same teacher, a huge financial blessing and an enjoyable opportunity to spend time with the same students for several days in a row!
More speaking engagements kick off again this weekend. Also, I am preparing to take three weeks of support raising training starting the end of this month followed by weekly coaching sessions. This training will be specifically focused on approaching individuals for support rather than churches. Please pray that I will be teachable and put into practice what I learn. Please pray God will send supporters and give me the vision to see them and know how to approach them. While I am discouraged in support raising, I cannot fail to give God praise for the ways He has already provided. He is working, but I just need to continue to trust Him and do my part in the process. Please pray FOR God's provision and direction. Please pray AGAINST discouragement.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Rant About Literature Continued
Rant About Literature Continued
Review of Burned by Ellen Hopkins
In my previous blog about adolescent literature, I mentioned a series that begins with the book Crank by Ellen Hopkins. I mentioned that my opinion of this series was only based on discussions with teenagers who had read it. I decided that I needed to gain an educated opinion on this New York Times Bestseller series. I went to my local public library and asked the librarian about these books. She informed me that they are “hot items” right now among young people--in fact, I had to put the first book on hold because it was already checked out. I did, however, check out Burned.
On a literary level, Ellen Hopkins certainly has a gift for poetry. She switches back and forth between different poetic styles with ease. I understand the praise of her writing on this level. Beyond this, however, I highly recommend that students not read this book. On a preliminary note, the language in the book is terrible. I don’t now that it would be possible to keep a running tally of how many times the “f-bomb” occurs. Of even more significance, the book deals rather graphically and continuously with sexual content. Finally, the over-arching plot contains nothing of redemptive value.
Here is a basic plot summary. Pattyn is a teenage girl who has grown up in an abusive and hypocritical Mormon home. Mormonism throughout the book is depicted in a terrible light, and while I would certainly not advocate for Mormonism, tearing down any form of organized religion seems to be a trend in Hopkins’ books. (I have already started her book Tricks which begins by making a mockery of an Assembly of God congregation and its pastor.) Organized religion is blamed for the oppression and devaluation of women. Pattyn’s mom has only one purpose in life--to bear sons. Her father breaks about every Mormon rule of lifestyle as an alcoholic who beats his wife and children. The leaders at Pattyn’s Mormon congregation refuse to address the abuse in Pattyn’s home when they are clearly aware of it. Also, they refuse to answer any of Pattyn’s questions about God and life which sends her spiraling further away from religion.
The book is HIGHLY sexualized, beginning with stories of Pattyn’s “sex dreams” on account of which she fears God’s judgment. When Mormonism fails her, Pattyn dives full force into a “worldly” lifestyle, including in her physical relationship with a boy from school. Barely escaping the relationship with her virginity, Pattyn is “shipped off” to her aunt’s house in Nevada so her family can dismiss her problems for a summer while her mother carries a baby boy to term.
Pattyn’s aunt is cast as the only person in her life (other than her sister) who cares genuinely about her. However, her aunt is also jaded by religion and has developed her own religious worldview that generally proposes “God” as anything that feels good and brings happiness. Thus, Pattyn’s aunt has no problem with the relationship that quickly develops between Pattyn and Ethan, a college-aged guy who lives near the aunt’s homestead. This relationship could be viewed as statutory rape in a court of law. The book describes the illegal couple’s sex life in great detail.
After the summer ends, Pattyn must return home. The abuse at home continues to elevate, and Pattyn anticipates its climax when word gets out that she is pregnant. In a desperate attempt to escape, she asks Ethan to come kidnap her from school. Their plan is to run away together and marry after Pattyn turns eighteen. However, someone turns in the license plate on Ethan’s truck after he picks up Pattyn. In an attempt to run from the cops, Ethan crashes. Pattyn awakes in the hospital to the news that both Ethan and her unborn child are dead.
The book’s end left me in utter shock. The last three pages insinuate that Pattyn used the gun Ethan had given her to protect her from her father to kill everyone and anyone who had ever hurt her at whatever level during a Mormon church service. Then, she prepares to jump off a bridge and kill herself. The end.
Can anyone tell me how this book could be helpful in promoting life and health among our impressionable young people? Am I crazy for thinking maybe we should have a rating system for books just like we have one for movies and video games? I really wish I could do something to set that in motion--any ideas? Why is it not okay for a fifteen year old to watch porn videos but it is okay for them to read pornographic literature that encourages depression and suicide? Anyone disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Review of Burned by Ellen Hopkins
In my previous blog about adolescent literature, I mentioned a series that begins with the book Crank by Ellen Hopkins. I mentioned that my opinion of this series was only based on discussions with teenagers who had read it. I decided that I needed to gain an educated opinion on this New York Times Bestseller series. I went to my local public library and asked the librarian about these books. She informed me that they are “hot items” right now among young people--in fact, I had to put the first book on hold because it was already checked out. I did, however, check out Burned.
On a literary level, Ellen Hopkins certainly has a gift for poetry. She switches back and forth between different poetic styles with ease. I understand the praise of her writing on this level. Beyond this, however, I highly recommend that students not read this book. On a preliminary note, the language in the book is terrible. I don’t now that it would be possible to keep a running tally of how many times the “f-bomb” occurs. Of even more significance, the book deals rather graphically and continuously with sexual content. Finally, the over-arching plot contains nothing of redemptive value.
Here is a basic plot summary. Pattyn is a teenage girl who has grown up in an abusive and hypocritical Mormon home. Mormonism throughout the book is depicted in a terrible light, and while I would certainly not advocate for Mormonism, tearing down any form of organized religion seems to be a trend in Hopkins’ books. (I have already started her book Tricks which begins by making a mockery of an Assembly of God congregation and its pastor.) Organized religion is blamed for the oppression and devaluation of women. Pattyn’s mom has only one purpose in life--to bear sons. Her father breaks about every Mormon rule of lifestyle as an alcoholic who beats his wife and children. The leaders at Pattyn’s Mormon congregation refuse to address the abuse in Pattyn’s home when they are clearly aware of it. Also, they refuse to answer any of Pattyn’s questions about God and life which sends her spiraling further away from religion.
The book is HIGHLY sexualized, beginning with stories of Pattyn’s “sex dreams” on account of which she fears God’s judgment. When Mormonism fails her, Pattyn dives full force into a “worldly” lifestyle, including in her physical relationship with a boy from school. Barely escaping the relationship with her virginity, Pattyn is “shipped off” to her aunt’s house in Nevada so her family can dismiss her problems for a summer while her mother carries a baby boy to term.
Pattyn’s aunt is cast as the only person in her life (other than her sister) who cares genuinely about her. However, her aunt is also jaded by religion and has developed her own religious worldview that generally proposes “God” as anything that feels good and brings happiness. Thus, Pattyn’s aunt has no problem with the relationship that quickly develops between Pattyn and Ethan, a college-aged guy who lives near the aunt’s homestead. This relationship could be viewed as statutory rape in a court of law. The book describes the illegal couple’s sex life in great detail.
After the summer ends, Pattyn must return home. The abuse at home continues to elevate, and Pattyn anticipates its climax when word gets out that she is pregnant. In a desperate attempt to escape, she asks Ethan to come kidnap her from school. Their plan is to run away together and marry after Pattyn turns eighteen. However, someone turns in the license plate on Ethan’s truck after he picks up Pattyn. In an attempt to run from the cops, Ethan crashes. Pattyn awakes in the hospital to the news that both Ethan and her unborn child are dead.
The book’s end left me in utter shock. The last three pages insinuate that Pattyn used the gun Ethan had given her to protect her from her father to kill everyone and anyone who had ever hurt her at whatever level during a Mormon church service. Then, she prepares to jump off a bridge and kill herself. The end.
Can anyone tell me how this book could be helpful in promoting life and health among our impressionable young people? Am I crazy for thinking maybe we should have a rating system for books just like we have one for movies and video games? I really wish I could do something to set that in motion--any ideas? Why is it not okay for a fifteen year old to watch porn videos but it is okay for them to read pornographic literature that encourages depression and suicide? Anyone disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Missions Conferences and More!
I am currently at 46% Faith Promise and anticipating much higher numbers soon! Weekend before last, I spoke at Flintwood Wesleyan Church's FIRST EVER Missions Banquet! It was exciting to be part of history in the making. I enjoyed the church a lot (and the yummy food)! It was great to catch up with some old friends and make lots of new ones! I am so privileged to have the church on the team. That Sunday, I spoke at Kingswood Wesleyan Church in Kentucky. This church has already been on my support team, sight unseen! It was awesome to build a relationship with this group of people who were already on the team. Last week, I was with the people of Faith Wesleyan Church for their Missions Conference in Terre Haute, IN. I cannot express how much of a blessing the congregation at Faith was to me. Their conference is just beautiful. The church pours out in tremendous ways, and the Spirit moved in a reviving way like I haven't experienced in a long time. Finally, Sunday morning I spoke at Blue River Wesleyan Church on the north-eastern corner of the Indiana South District. This church blessed me with their warm hearts and excitement to get on board with God's work in New Zealand.
This week, I am playing catch up on life (like cleaning my house) as well as getting back in the saddle of substitute teaching. This weekend, I will travel to Ohio to speak in another church. Please keep praying God will send funding! I have been fighting discouragement over the slow pace at which my percentage is increasing. Pray God will lift my spirits and give me discernment about who to ask to join the team and how to make connections.
This week, I am playing catch up on life (like cleaning my house) as well as getting back in the saddle of substitute teaching. This weekend, I will travel to Ohio to speak in another church. Please keep praying God will send funding! I have been fighting discouragement over the slow pace at which my percentage is increasing. Pray God will lift my spirits and give me discernment about who to ask to join the team and how to make connections.
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