This article talks about how oppressive relgions are based on faith.  But their surety that faith-based religions are false, is also based on faith.  It is improvable that Christ is NOT the messiah.  So their quickness to douse faith as absurdity is hypocritical. 

Anyway, check out this article from a British writer called "Why Should I Respect These Oppressive Religions?".  Ravi Zacharias has helped me tons in apologetics and has a great resource online through his ministry RZIM in the "Let My People Think" section.  He also has a great book called "Beyond Opinion" that talks specifically about the cultural value of tolerance.  Tolerance is inherently intolerant.  Tolerance is wanting to be all inclusive, but there are exclusive things.  So, tlerance by nature exclued exclusive things.  Therefore perfect tolerance is impossible.  As our culture raises the idea of tolerance to be king, it therefore excludes Christanity because Christanity is an exclusive relgion, meaning it doesn't include everyone.  Christianity's requirements are to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, so accept ourselves as sinful beings ultimately needing God.  Also in Christianity, sin causes separation from God (spiritual death) leaving us helpless to ever achieve our life's purpose (being with God).  Except that Jesus came and created a pathway to God for us by bearing the consequences of our sin.  So, anyone not believing Jesus is the sole way to God is exc

This is a great video that makes me thank God that He desires us to be faithful and not fruitful.  God wants our devotion and worship, but He is the one to bring the numbers, the life change, the transformation.

But how great is it that He humbly asks us to be a part of something so much greater than ourselves.  He doesn't need us.  We have no power comparatively. Yet, our God is humble and wants us to see His mercy, power, love, glory.  So, He invites us to share in His work here on earth.  We have the opportunity to be a vessel for Christ.  We can be a conduit of His love, of His provision (especially financially), of prayers, of His care. 

Let's ask for fruitfulness though.  Let's ask God for the entire world to be saved, for corporations, and colleges, and families to know Christ and be changed. Let's pray for healing of poverty and depression and lonliness with the love, comfort, provision, and joy of knowing Christ.  And let's ask that God would use us to do it.  Not that He has to but that He would let us in on it a little more and we could experience Him more deeply. 

Sharing Christ here, a little moment

Hey Friends and loved ones, I wanted to send out this exciting email to tell all of what has just happened. i was able to share the Gospel of Christ two days ago! Before, I shared with another exchange student and talked about Christ with my roommate who knew that I was a Christian. I was staying with my Moroccan friend who lives in Meknes and also goes to Al Akhawayn University where I am studying abroad. Anyway,at her home we had a great time watching movies and talking, hanging out.

I got to know her very quickly in those few days, because there was some family drama that ocurred and i was there as she cried alot and tried to understand everything. i thought, how is it that i am always involved in these type of situations...but God always uses them. Anyway, we talked alot about family problems- hers and mine-and we talked about God in a series of conversations. she finally said: i don't understand how people can call themselves Muslims and not act like it. they don't pray. do you pray? Undoubtedly, this was a chance to talk about Christ. One of those scary moments where you have to decide QUICKLY if you will take the conversation THERE or let the moment pass...She had already heard me say that I was a Christian...and she was looking at me desperately...I told her that I do pray(not as i should) .but, i believe in Christ for salvation.there is nothing that i can do to earn my way into heaven. i am not sure exactly what i said, but i tried in those few moments to highlight the difference between islam and christianity, the truth of grace through Christ; this grace, however, motivates you to want to be more like Christ. i think that she understood and will pray for more opportunities to get to know her more and share Christ with her.

So, I wanted to write to you all because i was excited! Steve,when i talked to you on the phone i told you that it is against Moroccan law to try to evangelize to Moroccans. Christians meet among themselves here. You can, however, talk about Christianity academically or on a one-on-one basis; so, these last few months i've been wondering what my time here would be like. i wondered if i would be lazy and not seek out opportunities...i knew that it would not be official: no bible study to lead, etc. i would have to wait and be prepared at all times to share the Gospel. i have thought about how in the world Christianity can be spread here with such laws. it probably will not be flashy with huge conferences or ministries, although i LOVE these. i am happy that i am here and part of bringing Christ to every part of the world, even one person at a time. so, please pray that i would have more opportunities to explain Christ clearly to my friend Maha and that i will be ready take them.
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Here are some pictures from the weekend: a few of Andrew and I at the game, and a few from my family's Thanksgiving.

Andrew came into town last Tuesday to spend Thanksgiving in GA with his family and mine.  We had great time together and around each others' families.  On Friday evening we drove up to Athens to go to the Georgia game and cheer on the Dawgs.  Since it was a noon game, we were planning on getting up early and grabbing breakfast.  However, we were supposed to meet at 8:45 and Andrew let me know he was still feeling sick and would be late.  I totally fell for it.  Really though, my roommates, Ginnie and Amber were waiting outside for me.  They took my luggage that I was going to load into the car and instead gave me a framed pictures marking each of Andrew and mine's dates together over the past year and one with a clue to go to a coffee shop.  They took me to meet up with Marisa and Aynsley, two influential women I am close with from college.  They gave me a book with all I ran up to Andrew who was waiting there.  He said some sweet things and then got on one knee and said "Marry me, Marry me!"  To which I said "Of course!"  We then headed over to meet up with friends who were waiting for us before the game.  Andrew and I made it to the game, and despite the Dawg's loss, we were both thrilled and excited.  After the game we grabbed a quick dinner and headed back to Atlanta where both of our families, friends, and my staff team were waiting.  We got to share our excitement with them and it was an awesome end to such a great day.  He planned so well and was so thoughtful.

Piper's powerful words on hatred for the perversion of the prosperity gospel.

I love my church, Atlanta Westside, and this Sunday our pastor Walter Henegar was talking about adding to the gospel.  It was a great reinforcement since most students in our ministry are studying Galatians with us, which extensively talks about the gospel and freedom in it. 

I loved how this phrase brings forth so many implications about the gospel.  If we add or suppliment anything to the gospel, then we totally change, replace, or supplant it.  Truth is absolute and unchanging, so not even in the slightest twisting can it remain pure.  The gospel's characteristics are black and white.  Anything changing it inherently changes the entirety of it.

So when we add to the gospel non-Biblical commands, like having a "quiet time" everyday, or not missing a Sunday at church, or being in a small group, or doing as many Bible studies as possible, we are actually changing the entire message.  Although these things are good and can be fruit of the Spirit working in us, they are by no means a requirement for or a measure of salvation or being a "good" Christian. 

By focusing on these things we are taking our eyes from Christ, from His humility because of our sin, from His incredible sacrifice, from His unfathomable delight in us, to ourselves.  When (not if) we shift to these measure, we can either land in (1) pride, or (2) guilt.  Neither of which are Biblical.  God wants us to have freedom instead. 

Praise our God who so mercifully wants us to be free from constraints and who is so utterly committed to us.  He is patient in our misunderstandings and the chains we so easily pick up again.  Yet, He is always faithful, loving, and continues to redeem us through out this life.

Well, the first week fully back on campus has come and gone.  Girls were back last week preparing for sorority recruitment and classes started Monday. 

Our staff team did a lot of planning for the semester and thinking how best to meet student's needs.  I was thankful to see so many girls from last semester at ADPi and ZTA.  Through sorority events and fraternity parties, God allowed me to reconnect with several.  I'm looking forward to hearing about the summers of those not on SBP and challenging all of them to step up their desire for growth and commitment to the Lord.

This year I'll view ministry through a different lens.  Now that the Lord has established some relationships with both new and older believers (especially in ADPi) I will be looking to do everything through them instead of on my own.  Every evangelistic conversation, every fraternity party, every meal at the sorority house, I want to do with one of my girls.  I want to build them up so they can in turn multiply their lives through other women.  I want to work myself out of a job and become less of the key influence with the freshmen girls.  I want to be with the sophomores and help them reach the freshmen.  I want my 2nd years to have ownership and to really know how to do ministry themselves.  I hope that in a few years, they are able to build up other women.

ZTA is more of a penetrating ministry though and I have little partnership there, which will look quite different.  I guess I'll be able to get my independence out there where I'll be on my own more. 

    I love Old Testament pictures of the Gospel!  It just shows what foresight and continuity our Creator has.
    Here is one that has reminded me of my sin and showed me how much I need the Lord!  You may be familiar with Isaiah 46:6 that says "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;" but it goes on to say, "we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."  We are like a shriveled leaf: helpless, dry, unable to do anything, totally taken by the wind.  And the wind like our sin: controlling, active, leading us to destruction, a force we cannot escape on our own. 
    Thankfully, our God, unlike ANY other god "acts on behalf of those who wait for him," (vs 3).  Unlike our false idols, or other religions, our God gains glory through his humble selflessness in reaching out to us, shriveled leaves.  And even "when we continued to sin against them [His ways], you were angry." And justifiably so.  But you still loved us, and sent Christ to make payment for this righteous anger. 

A favorite hymn: "Before the Throne of God Above":
Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the Risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I Am,
The King of glory and of grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.

One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God

    I just read this interesting article from Washington Post about how this atheist country is allowing athletes practice their religion.  The government only allows religion in "worship rooms" setup in athlete dorms and has security containing it there. What a concept to try to put such physical limitations on spirituality.
    One Chinese man was quoted as saying "Everyone should ask themselves what they truly believe in. We're all adults. We have the ability to decide what we believe in, to judge what is right or wrong. People won't listen just because the government says so."
    Let's pray that God would use the Olympics as a way to directly reach influential people from all the nations for Christ!  Let's pray for the house churches talked about in the articles and missionaries there- that they would be strengthened, used, and would see life change in China.

    "Discipline without direction is drudgery."  That's the opening line of Whitney's book "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" and ironically that one line is all I had actually read in that book the past two months. Thankfully though as our CCP team came to visit SBP, they talked about how they read the book and began to build discipline in their lives for the purpose of godliness.  So, partially our of guilt I picked the book up again and moved past the first line.  It is great, though I am not far, it has already started to ignite a desire to give up laziness and comfort so that I can know God more.  Whether that is waking up earlier to get more time in the word or skipping out on a nap to read, I want to do whatever it takes to order my life around pursuing Christ and the things of Him. 
    The intro itself was convicting for me as it built a case for the power of self-control and really knowing the Word.  The book and our Bible study trainings have synergistically helped me to see that if I want to become like Christ, then I need to do the activities he did.  Jesus used scripture to fight temptation, he quoted it constantly, he prayed without ceasing, he fasted, he was the ultimate evangelist, he served, worshiped, etc. And I want to build these things into my life.
    Praise the Lord that despite my slothful heart, He is committed to me and will continue to draw me near.  My shortcomings and lack of discipline  show me my need for Christ even more- praise Him for such mercy!

    I have to remember to praise Him even when I am frustrated with my seemingly snail-paced sanctification!  This is from Shane and Shane's "Before the Throne" song off their album "Pages":

"To look on Him and pardon me.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Praise the One, risen Son of God.
The Great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace
My life is hid in Christ on high-
with Christ my savior and my God!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!"