Related
How to find peace when your world is not right

Do you feel overwhelming stress, fear or anxiety? We can pray for you.

“The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper” (1 King 19:11-12).

As humans we often expect the great and powerful God to appear in a majestic way, often missing the gentle quiet of His touch. When Elijah stood on the mountain waiting for God to pass by, he could have easily mistaken the powerful wind as God. The shattering of the rocks during the earthquake beside him could have made him duck into the cave for cover. But he stood firm, and recognized God in the solitude of a whisper.

In the noise and chaos of our modern technological world, how often do we hear His whisper?

Recently while on a cruise in the Caribbean, I kept thinking I should check my email. Why wasn’t my cell phone ringing? I wondered what my friends had posted to Facebook. On the third day, I awoke and went out on deck. A pink sunrise greeted me and I heard God’s whisper to relax, relax, relax.

Unplugging from technology took a few days of adjustment. When I stopped missing my cell phone and computer, I tuned into each moment God planned for me on ship and during on-shore excursions. I connected more one-on-one with my fellow cruisers. Conversations started easily and laughter increased. I marveled at sunsets, sunrises and the wonders of God’s creation in a different part of the world. I slept like a baby.

By the time I got off of the ship, I admit I felt like a bowl of Jell-O— a little jiggly (maybe from visiting the buffet line too many times), a little giggly (appreciating the time off) and a little red (too much sun). But I also felt peace.

Genesis tells us God rested, so why do we find it so hard to turn off everything and do the same? The need to silence our cell phones, iPods, televisions and computers can become a deafening shout. Choosing to stop, turn it all off, and listen is hard at first. But I learned a valuable lesson on that cruise. I’d embarked after an intense period of busyness. I fought the guilty feeling I’d be non-productive if I slowed down, breathed and enjoyed something simple. Learning to relax reminded me how often I’d miss my seventh day of rest.

Now whenever the heavy heartedness looms, over laden with to-dos, must-dos and wanna-dos, I stop, turn everything off and pray. My blood pressure lowers, calmness comes over me and I once again hear God’s quiet whisper in my soul’s ear.

Questions: When’s the last time you brought technology to a standstill in your life? Did your actions bring you a clear word from God?

Today the world is gripped by fear as we listen to news reports of earthquakes, tsunamis and failing nuclear plants.  There is still a huge conflict happening in Egypt and Libya and closer to home there are bills to pay, sick children, spouses who aren’t talking to each other.  Whether we’re dealing with a worldwide crisis or one much closer to home, our fear is very real.

In times of fear it helps to talk with others who feel the same way.  We have hundreds and thousands of people who come to our sites and do just that, connecting with mentors to share the things that keep them up at night.  They need to know that they are not alone.  Right in the midst of their fear they desperately need to hear about Jesus.

Recently, a reader in a middle eastern country asked, “If I want to convert can u save my life from extremist Muslims . If yes , then tell me how? … I think u know how I am afraid and why plz pray for me, I want to convert but I want to be safe”

His mentor replied:

It must be very difficult for you to live in fear of extremist Muslims….But the good news is that through the death of Jesus Christ our sins have been paid for if we believe that he is God and if we ask him to forgive us.  And he has promised us eternal life with him in heaven.  The bible says that we become children of God.  Romans 8:17 says “Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

I cannot even imagine the struggle you must be going through.  I want you to consider this, is it better to live in safety now and then spend eternity outside of heaven or is it better to suffer now and then spend eternity inside of heaven.

Fear is often a tucked away emotion. We don’t like to talk about it but we need to.  That’s where TruthMedia’s mentors come in.  No matter where you are or what you are facing, a mentor is available to help.  Imagine thousands of people lined up at a door waiting to talk to someone. On the other side of that door, hundreds of trained mentors are trained and ready to respond and help them.  That is exactly what is happens, every day.

We need your help too.  Will you partner with us as we take every opportunity share Jesus with the world? Your gift will help us connect mentors to people struggling through life. Lives are being saved for now and eternity. We are in a time of financial need. Please help us by giving a monthly gift of $50, $100, $250 or $500 to enable us to keep moving forward with this very effective ministry.

Donate today: http://secure.powertochange.org/p-410-truth-media-internet-group.aspx.

Or call 1.800.563.1106 to make a donation over the phone.

Serving together,

Karen Schenk

Director, TruthMedia

This is becoming much too familiar.

I live on a fault line so earthquakes get talked about fairly often. But in the 15 years since I moved out to the coast I’ve only ever felt one, a single tremor that made the building tremble once and then snap back to center.  I cannot imagine what it feels like to see the ground open up at your feet.  Maybe it’s time to start putting together that emergency pack I started thinking about when I heard the news New Zealand a few weeks ago.

I don’t subscribe to doomsday thinking, but there is wisdom in being prepared.   If you want to put together your own emergency kits there are lists of what to include.  It wasn’t us this time, but who knows when the earth will shift again.

There is always a lot of confusion at a time like this: the chaos of people on the ground trying to find which way is up, and the confusion for the rest of us wondering why this keeps happening.  Where is God in all of this? If you find yourself wondering that this morning, our free interactive lesson Why does God allow disaster? can be a great place to start.

If you world got shaken up today and you need someone to talk to, our mentors are always available.

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22, TNIV

Owen and Mzee are an odd pair. Owen is a baby hippopotamus, while Mzee is a 100+ year old tortoise.

In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, Owen (the baby hippo) was found, orphaned from his mother, and transfered to Haller Park in Kenya. There he was put into an enclosure with many other animals, but no hippos. Distraught, and needing guidance and companionship, the young hippo quickly formed a bond with Mzee, a 130-year-old Aldabran tortoise. Owen quickly began mimicing his unusual adopted parent’s actions, following him wherever he went. “They swim, eat and sleep together,” said ecologist Paula Kahumbu. “The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.”

What an unexpected and marvelous friendship! In our passage today, the apostle Paul explains how he became “all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” This does not mean that Paul was faking who he was, for elsewhere he admonishes us not to lie (Colossians 3:9). Nor does it imply that Paul himself is the one doing the saving. Our commission is not to “convert” anyone. God Himself alone saves by His grace (Ephesians 2:8); our commission is to be witnesses to the truth and show people the truth.

Paul was willing to meet people where they are. Although unwilling to compromise on the essentials of the faith (1 Corinthians 15) he welcomed everyone to learn from him, and came alongside others to patiently disciple them (Acts 28:30).

Let’s be on the lookout for others who could use a friend, even if they seem quite different from us. These often will become the most amazing of friendships, like Owen an Mzee. Through such unlikely friendships, our hope will be that some may come into a saving faith in Jesus.

Let us become weak to those who are weak, so that we may together become strong in the redeeming sacrifice and love of Christ!

Question: Can you think of other biblical examples of amazing friendships?

About the Author:  Darren Hewer

Is it really possible that we as Christians could significantly impact our cities for Jesus? The Word tells us that we have been given dominion and authority on the earth, and the responsibility to “tend and keep it” (Genesis. 1:26, 2:15). One of the most important ways we exercise that authority is through prayer in Jesus name.

Praise and prayer in the mouths of the people of God are powerful weapons that can break the
chains, open the doors, and set the captives free. So there is a direct link between our decision to pray and the circumstances that are evident around us.

There is a saying, “evil prevails when good men do nothing.” As the people of God we have the authority, power, and responsibility to intercede on behalf of our cities. We have the promise that if we abide in Him, we can ask what we desire (according to His will) and it will be done for us” (John 15:7).

So what is your desire for your city? Is it for healthy unified families, for unity in the church, for honest government, for schools that uphold biblical values? I encourage you to follow the desires that God has set in your heart, engage in unified prayer with others, and watch and see how the Lord will transform your city.

“Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9: 23 NKJV).

Questions: What is your desire for your city for your country? What could be your part in seeing that happen?

About the Author Emmie Stanley

Six months ago a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake left nearly a quarter of a million people dead and another 1.5 million people homeless.

Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and former U.S. President Bill Clinton say millions of Haitians still lack access to basic services such as shelter, water, sanitation and health care. Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bellerive, who are the co-chairs of the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission, say that so far only 10 percent of the $5.3 billion pledged by governments to Haiti has been disbursed to the Haitian government. (Voice of America News)

CTV News reports that “Out of 1.5 million people left homeless by the disaster, less than 30,000 people have moved into new homes, according to estimates,” so approximately 98% of those who lost homes in the disaster are still living in Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps, waiting and hoping for new homes.

Emmanuelle Sony is one of them. Her daughter was killed in the earthquake, leaving her in charge of her five grandchildren. They moved to an IDP camp, where their makeshift shelter couldn’t even protect them from the pouring rain. She was glad to receive a new waterproof tent from a volunteer Global Aid Network (GAiN) worker last month, one of over 600 distributed that day. It isn’t a new permanent home, but at least it’s a start and an encouragement for her and her family. (Read her full story on GAiN’s website.)

However, there are still thousands of people who need shelter, food, clean water, and medical attention. Although it’s discouraging that only a small portion of the money promised by governments has so far reached its destination, ground-level efforts by relief organizations such as GAiN are continuing to work diligently to make a difference and give hope to those whose hope may begin to be waning.

“Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13

If you would like to help make a difference to the 1.5 million homeless in Haiti, please visit Global Aid Network’s Haiti Project Page to donate or learn more; you can also see videos and photos of GAiN’s relief work in Haiti. Also remember the people of Haiti in your prayers, both your own personal prayers and those of your church community.

Related reading:
Explaining Death and Suffering to Children – Written in wake of 9/11, this short article applies to many difficult situations.
Asking God Hard Questions – After her father’s suicide, she was left with many difficult questions to answer.

Photo credit: Aaron Rogers / GAiN

Upcoming online chats: Join us for daily online chats! One of our features will be “What Can Separate Us? ” on July 21 at 10:30 am EDT Please join us to discuss how nothing can pluck us from the palm of Jesus.

Six months ago a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake left nearly a quarter of a million people dead and another 1.5 million people homeless.

Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and former U.S. President Bill Clinton say millions of Haitians still lack access to basic services such as shelter, water, sanitation and health care. Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bellerive, who are the co-chairs of the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission, say that so far only 10 percent of the $5.3 billion pledged by governments to Haiti has been disbursed to the Haitian government. (Voice of America News)

CTV News reports that “Out of 1.5 million people left homeless by the disaster, less than 30,000 people have moved into new homes, according to estimates,” so approximately 98% of those who lost homes in the disaster are still living in Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps, waiting and hoping for new homes.

Emmanuelle Sony is one of them. Her daughter was killed in the earthquake, leaving her in charge of her five grandchildren. They moved to an IDP camp, where their makeshift shelter couldn’t even protect them from the pouring rain. She was glad to receive a new waterproof tent from a volunteer Global Aid Network (GAiN) worker last month, one of over 600 distributed that day. It isn’t a new permanent home, but at least it’s a start and an encouragement for her and her family. (Read her full story on GAiN’s website.)

However, there are still thousands of people who need shelter, food, clean water, and medical attention. Although it’s discouraging that only a small portion of the money promised by governments has so far reached its destination, ground-level efforts by relief organizations such as GAiN are continuing to work diligently to make a difference and give hope to those whose hope may begin to be waning.

If you would like to help make a difference to the 1.5 million homeless in Haiti, please visit Global Aid Network’s Haiti Project Page to donate or learn more; you can also see videos and photos of GAiN’s relief work in Haiti.

Related reading:
When Your World is Not Like it Should Be – I think you’ll agree that this world seems not quite right.
Does God Care? – Just where is God when disaster strikes?

Upcoming online chats: Join us for daily online chats! One of our features will be “What Can Separate Us? ” on July 21 at 10:30 am EDT Please join us to discuss how nothing can pluck us from the palm of Jesus.

Photo credit: Aaron Rogers / GAiN

Missing the mark of being a perfect mom? Discover how you can be yourself by taking this free online course online.

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

“You are God’s building…. Each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or stray, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light”  (1 Corinthians 3:9-13, NIV).

An engineer inspects a building still standing, but extensively damaged, by the recent earthquake in Haiti. When she scrapes her fingernails over a protruding “cement” block, a sand and small stones crumble to the ground and she proves her point: this building was made from faulty materials. Another minor quake or even a hurricane of medium force will bring it to the ground.

Spiritual writer and teacher Basil Pennington writes, “My false self is made up of what I have, what I do and what people think of me. It is constructed, therefore, of false attachments.” Anyone who has ever been involved in building a structure knows the value of carefully attaching the superstructure to a firm foundation. Rusty nails will not do. Watery cement will ultimately prove disastrous.

How much of my identity is tied to these three aspects?

• What I have (this includes more than possessions; it also encompasses my physical appearance, health, strength, etc.)

• What I do (activities, my job/profession)

• What people think of me (perceptions, impressions)

If I were stripped of these three, who would I be?

The goal of “radical Christian spiritual transformation” (as described by David Benner) is to walk on the journey of intimacy with God, increasingly aware that He deeply loves me and is committed to constructing me into a reflection of His own glory. Only the materials He uses are sufficient.

Father, thank you for revealing how much I value wrong or inadequate building materials. Please be faithful in pointing out to me how to consistently keep my eyes on You and build into my life with materials chosen by you.  Amen.

Question: Which of the three mentioned “false attachments” is most troublesome to you? Bring your thoughts freely to God and bask in His overcoming love.

About the Author Marilyn J. Ehle

“After spending the past 5 days seeing, feeling and smelling the destruction and massive loss of life from the earthquake just over one week ago, I am deeply moved. I realized that I would never have made it out of the house had this structure collapsed. I would have been one of the multitude crushed under tons of debris…It is a sobering thought,” writes Bill Blaney, director of GAiN Canada, in an email this morning.

The people in Haiti are living in tremendous fear and suffering. You can help bring them hope and healing.

GAiN, the humanitarian division of Power to Change, is on the ground in Haiti distributing emergency response kits containing food, water purification tablets, tents for shelter and basic hygiene necessities. Our disaster response specialists are managing the relief efforts, medical clinics are being set up and trauma counsellors will arrive this week.

Our national director in Haiti, Esperandieu Pierre, is mobilizing his network of local churches and pastors to assist in the distribution of aid and to be trained in trauma counselling. Amidst the staggering scenes of suffering and devastation, we are working with local churches to show the love and compassion of God to the people of Haiti.

But they urgently need your help.

Your gift will help deploy and distribute containers of emergency response kits, setup additional medical clinics and provide spiritual and emotional healing to those suffering right now.

Will you give generously to help us provide physical help and spiritual hope to the people of Haiti?

Join us in our online chat room on January 25 at 7pm EST to learn how to pray for Haiti during our “A Guide to Effective Daily Prayer (Part One)” online chat.