Windows On The Soul

How can Christian missions reach the whole world, like China's 1,200,000,000 people?  How can the barriers of language, geography, politics and religion be crossed? Far East Broadcasting Company is a Christian radio mission aiming to reach into the homes and hearts of people with the gospel.  With 800 employees in program production and engineering around the world, 6 transmitters broadcast about 300 program hours per day in over 141 languages to potentially 2/3 of the world's population.  Its effectiveness can be judged from the 600,000+ letters received from listeners each year, like the following from central Russia:- "I accidentally found your station while scanning the shortwave band. Since then I have listened daily. Four months ago I obtained a New testament. I read it through three times. My whole life has changed. Suddenly I have a desire to do good to others, even my enemies.  I have no idea how to explain this, but one thing I know is that I believe in Go...

What a six weeks the disciples must have gone through - first the despair of the crucifixion, then the disbelief and slow-dawning joy of the resurrection. Now notice how in anticipation of His 2nd leaving (ascension), Jesus turns the disciples vision outward with the command to " Go into all the world ", to " Feed His sheep" . Not only that, but Jesus promised an abiding "comforter" through His Holy Spirit, as well as the source of power and drive to fulfill the "command". How appropriate then that our Missions Month spans this same period, drawing to a climax on Pentecost Sunday. For surely attempts at missioning without the power of the Holy Spirit is an exercise in futility, and a life "filled with the spirit" without a mission is a contradiction, for it is the Holy Spirit that gives drive and direction. ---===X===--- Acts 2 "On the day of Pentecost...they were filled with the Holy Spirit...they spoke as the spirit gave ...

Good evangelism is more than apologetics, which attempts to give a reasoned defense of the Christian faith.  Apologetics cuts down trees; evangelism builds houses. As John Stott puts is, " You have to win a person's confidence before you can win their soul ". But good evangelism is more than being friendly, its more than inviting your neighbour to a mission at the Church. Evangelism is relating to people as Jesus did - day by day, week by week, right at the point of their need. And the best evangelistic Churches are where people truly love one another, especially across racial, social, cultural and other barriers which previously divided them. In the end, an evangelistic life-style arises out of the reality of our own experiences of Christ. If He has really changed our lives, that's great news and we will want to share it. ---===X===--- Mt.9:31 "they (the blind healed) spread the news of Jesus..." Ps.66:16 "Come and hear...I will decla...

Although this phrase borders on American jingoism, to me it simply encapsulates the important duality of the gospel. For Jesus came to make possible the restoration of right relationships between God and man, and that there might be peace among all men. In my years in youth outreach in coffee shops and beach missions, particularly in a cross-denominational environment, the perennial discussion is about "friendship" evangelism versus "conversion" evangelism. Building friendships is fine as a means of breaking down the barriers to serious communication. But unless the friendship comes from true acceptance and humility rooted in the fact that God accepted and loved me "while I was yet a sinner", then the friendship is false. Equally important is the desire to share the good news of what God has done in my life and is available for all. Our living is the picture for the world to see, our words are the captions and sub-titles. ----xxxXxxx---- Rom.15:19 ...

(On the occasion of a Church Anniversary) As we reflect on the ministry of this church over the past years, let's give thanks and celebrate God's eternal presence and out-working through His Church.  Rejoice in past victories, and look forward in glorious expectation. May this Church forever find that the House of God is a place of:- Seeking God's Counsel   - Judges 20:18 "The Israelites went up and inquired of God" Hearing God's Voice  - Isa 6:8 "I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Who shall I send? Who will go for us?'" Receiving Visions  - Luke 1:22 "They realised he had seen a vision in the temple" Filled with Glory  - 2 Chron 7:1 "The glory of the Lord filled the temple" Praise and Thanksgiving - Psa 150 "Praise God in His sanctuary. Let everything that has breath, praise The Lord" Learning God's Ways  - Mic 4:2 "Come let us go to God's house, and He will teach us...

A major difference between Christianity and a number of the world's largest religions, is its focus on restoration to harmony of body, mind and spirit. The Way of Christ is not through mindless meditation to nirvana, or ascetic debasement of body, or humanistic rationalism of the pre-eminent mind. The biblical view is of body, mind and spirit as all parts of a whole, not fragmented. However, the modern church seems to "put down" rational discussion as some-how not being "spiritual". One of the big criticisms young people have of the church, is that it doesn't address their questions. Where are the Christian thinkers and debaters in our churches? Articles like that of Tim Costello's on Community (Education Age 4/6/96) are few and far between. Why is the church afraid of 'development of human potential' - its humanistic background is no different than the majority of teaching in our schools and universities (all the more need to build-up the faith ...