My Heart

[Shannonkish]

We live here like we are kings and princes, getting fatter and fuller each day. Can't we see the folly of this in light of the harvest? Can't we see that something in our mind set is wrong? Can we still turn a deaf ear to the needs of our brothers? Can we refuse to sacrificailly give?

God.. there are so many lost people in America.. in the "Christian" country. I was talking to a friend who went on a mission trip to Thailand... she was telling me that the Thai people automatically assume that because you are from America you were born a Christian.. since they are born Buddhist.

But, sadly that isn't the case.... yes, America was founded on Christian principles... but... here we are in the 21st century... we have lost sight of those CHRISTIAN principles.

It breaks my heart to see all the lost people in America. We, as Christians, are consumed with missions... in other countries... "Reach those in the 10-40 Window".... but what about your neighbors? Those people that you work with daily... those people that you pass on the way to work or school, or those people that call you at dinner time trying to sell you something.. or those people that take your order at a resturant... what about them?

International Missions are of vital importance... but so is missions in America. This is one of the reasons that I am so excited about STAYING in the USA for my mission trip. Yes, I would love to minister in Botswanna, or Germany, or Honduras, or any of the other countries our teams are going to... however, Ministry in Irnving , TX is just as vital as it is in Botswanna.

Yvette commented on my last post saying "Lord, knows there are many who still need to hear and believe. " I totally agree with her.. there are many people in Jackson, TN... that need to hear too... and in every other city in America.

God, I pray that you will break my heart for the people of this country... that I will be able to love them as you do and show them that love in a way that touches their hearts and souls. Lord, give me a desire more than ever before to minister to those people in my neighborhood, in my city, in my state, Lord, in my country. God that you will be the cry of their hearts. That you will speak your words of love and mercy through me into their lives. Let me be a living example and a living sacrifice of your love, grace, peace, patience, joy, your son.

I pray for the people of Irving, God that you will prepare the hearts of those we meet... soften them Lord, prepare them to hear your words and open their eyes to your forgiveness and salvation. God, may my team desperately cry out for the people of Irving, may we prepare our hearts, minds, and souls to bring the Good news to those we meet in Irving. I pray for unity in my team... Cultivate a desire and longing in our hearts for you... Break our hearts for the things that break your heart father.

I love you Lord, not merely with the words I speak, but through loving others around me as you have loved me. God, without obedience to your commands and to your word, I cannot truly say that I love you. May I never say the words "I love you" without truly meaning it father. Your incredible son died for me, not because I was/am worthy, not because I deserved it, but because of your amazing love and grace father. For this, I worship you! For this I pray! I love you!

 

[jbarcher]

Good man. Don't lose this passion. And pray that God will continue to raise up servants with the will to do His will.

Lord, I give myself to Thee
Friends and time and earthly store;
Soul and body Thine to be
Wholly Thine forevermore

 

[Shannonkish]

I am a woman.

 

[Smedley]

I was born and raised in this wonderful city of Jackson, Tennessee.

I love this state, I love this town, and I love the people in it. I have always been touched by the warmth and Christian spirit of those I have grown-up with.

But I have to express dismay at some of the anger and hostility I have
seen around town towards our gay citizens.

I am a Southern Baptist and a good Christian. My wife and I have helped raise foster children at a Baptist home. It has always distressed me that so many of those kids would never find good homes, yet closed-minded bigots would deny homosexuals the right to adopt them.

Why must we all be so hateful to our homosexual brothers and sisters? They are no different from you, except in who they love and want to marry.

Gay people are born who they are, as much as you are born straight. Why should we deny homosexuals the right to adopt and marry and to share the same rights that we do?

I hope that the same understanding and compassion this town has shown me all my life will someday be extended to our homosexual friends, and that you will embrace our gay neighbors in their struggle for equality.

Sincerely,

Jim Franklin
Jackson, TN

 

[Shannonkish]

Um, and where did I talk about homosexuals? or how does that relate to my original post?

 

[Serenity Now!]

God bless you in his service Shannon! May I have the desire, drive and courage to spread His word that you have displayed!