Friday, July 2, 2010

Coffee Talk 7.2.10

Good Morning ladies! Hope your morning is as beautiful as it is here in West Tn today! Pull up a chair and visit for awhile. Are you enjoying your summer? How is your weather? This week started out as a scorcher but as the week has progressed it has become milder and quite lovely!

The weather has really been a blessing because this week some people from our church ran a Sports Camp for area underprivileged children. We had almost 120 children participate. Each day from 3-5, the children would come, learn a sport (we had seven to choose from) and be served a small meal. I worked registration since I have no actual skill in sports. Yesterday we had a representative from FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) come and give a short message. He was AMAZING! I don't know if any decisions were made but I do know that 120 children were exposed to the name of Jesus and that seeds were planted...and the week was totally worth the complete and total exhaustion I am feeling today.

I mentioned last week a book I had just read, called Radical by David Platt. It has really been a life changing book and so I just wanted to mention it again. The subtitle of the book is something like, Taking back your Christianity from the American dream. As Americans, we live in a really materialistic society and we have sort of a watered down Christianity. I really have always been content just to live my faith here in America, pray for a missionary or two, hope people know I'm a christian without my having to really put myself out there, and maybe give a little money to foreign missions when the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering comes around. This book has just absolutely rocked those attitudes. Perhaps the most convicting thing I have learned or acknowledged is that the Bible says JESUS is the way, the truth, and the life...John 14:6. American Christians like to sit back in our luxurious houses (and if you have a floor and a ceiling...it IS luxurious) and think that all those indigenous tribes out there that have never heard the name of Jesus but are doing the best they can are going to be okay. They aren't! Jesus is the ONLY way. We cannot be passive! A person must hear the name of Jesus if they are going to accept Him and if they don't, they will receive the punishment we all deserve. That is so humbling to me. If I do nothing, if I say nothing, if I do not go or do not tell...someone WILL die without knowing the saving grace of Jesus. It will involve sacrifice, people will be offended, we may be uncomfortable...but it will be worth it! How can we not go and how can we not tell?

To be perfectly honest...if my husband would go along with me, I would probably sell my house today and go run an orphanage somewhere in a third world country after reading this book and studying more in the scriptures. My heart has changed and my passion has changed. I ache for the millions of unreached people who are dying without Jesus because they have never had a chance to hear His name. They have never had a chance to choose because they don't know there is a choice to be made. How many are hungry for the truth but do not even know it? Is there someone today that would accept Jesus if I gave the money to send a missionary, or an orphan that would be given a christian family if I would be obedient? My heart breaks for the wasted time and I hope and pray that I will never be passive again. I pray that I would be willing to alienate family, friends and blog readers in order to be obedient to Christ. If you get a chance, read this book. Go online and listen to the sermons of David Platt and pray that God would show you His heart.

Sorry, I am on a bit of a soapbox this morning but God is so good. He is so faithful and so loving...I cannot imagine never hearing His truth. He blessed me just this week with an amazing talk with a special friend. How has he blessed you? Can you keep others from that same blessing?

For more Coffee Talk got to Home Sanctuary.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

God has blessed me in the way that He has prepared my heart for turmoil coming -- He equipped me before the battle begun and He is graciously fighting alongside me as I struggle with this particular relationship. Praise God for His sovereignty and provision!

Linda said...

I noticed you said western Tennessee. We have driven thru there traveling before. GORGEOUS! The mountains are spectacular!
I love how God speaks to us and gets us thinking....be blessed!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

I will definitely be checking out this book. I have never heard of David Platt, but will check him out too. Thanks for sharing your heart, it is so good to hear others heart conviction as it usually speaks to us too. Blessings abundant to you as you go forth!!

Elisabeth said...

Enjoyed your blog. I used to live in Mid TN and am now in Northwest GA. So I am also enjoying the slight change to cool breezes!

Alicia said...

Oooh, I have been wanting to read that book! Thanks for your thoughts...

secondofwett said...

Thanks for stopping by...I really appreciate your prayers....Hope you enjoy your trip.....I think I should check out this book you mentioned....sometimes I wish I was about 30 years younger to do the things that God inspires us to do. Right now the spirit is willing but the flesh is too old...or 'elderly' as emma called me today!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love this book and I haven't even read it yet! I'm a big fan of Ted Dekker and LOVE the prospect of living a deeper, more impactful faith. I'm going to check out this book and add it to my burgeoning bedside reading stack! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

It's a wonderful thing that the Lord has shown you such truths. We are so very blessed in this country and the state of The Church is quite sad...though I am blessed to be in the fellowship I now am. I pray that God will give you an opportunity to use this zeal and furver to reach those around your world and the world! there are so many that are in need right near us---and oftentimes it is harder to reach those here in the US because of our "cozy" life. After all, why do we need God if we have "the American dream". Also wanted to add I LOVE America-in case I sounded like I didn't??? 0_o --- and where I live--in a simple home, de-junked of most things I always thought I could not live without---some thing we're odd, but we're cool with that! Our family has more than 90% of the world. Like you said---a roof AND a floor! Luxury!
Well, enjoy this holiday weekend and you should know I "found" you via Home Sanctuary! Yes, I am a Company Girl!

Anonymous said...

the weather here has been beautiful. hope it will stay that way for the wedding. a bit warm for me but bearable.

that sounds like a convicting book. wouldn't that be something...to travel to the other side of the world and bring hope to those who are lost. let us know if hubby ever gives in. =p

Aimee said...

This is easily the third or fourth post I've read that mentions this book - I have got to check it out!

Hope you had a lovely holiday weekend :)

Charity said...

Girl, it's so good to hear your heart. You go & alienate all you want - God will & IS using you. I think God is ready for us all to "wake up." I think He's getting ready to do something big if we will allow Him. I can't wait to see it all unold.
Love ya friend.
-Charity

Charity said...

Girl, it's so good to hear your heart. You go & alienate all you want - God will & IS using you. I think God is ready for us all to "wake up." I think He's getting ready to do something big if we will allow Him. I can't wait to see it all unold.
Love ya friend.
-Charity