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June/July
2002 Monthly Letter
Dear
Partner In Ministry,
“Real
change in any organization usually happens due to an outside
impetus.” A classic example of this principle
is 9/11 !
Another
example of this is the tremendous life-changing results we
witness from UpBuilding Weekends. People hear things differently
from an outside speaker. The Weekends offer men, women and
children opportunities for real change.
A
“seasoned saint” states: “I’m 88,
hard of hearing, had laser eye surgery, have bursitis-my body
parts are wearing out! Your session gave me a new attitude
of my worth, especially to pray the 7 day weekly calendar.
You gave me a renewed purpose for living and a tangible way
to serve Jesus at my age.”
A
teen writes: “I confess my parents dragged me
to the meeting. Now I’m glad they did. The gummy worm
time was just for me. A couple of creeps at my school make
fun of my physical appearance. I can’t change them, BUT
I now have a way to deal with their hurtful comments. Thanks!”
A
single person comments: “I’ve been a Christian
most of my life; a single for all of it. Never have I heard
the teachings from 1 Cor. 7 and the advantages of being single.
I want to study it more in depth. God used you to enable me
to combat some to the statements made by others like ‘there
must be something wrong with me since I’m 42 and single.’”
A
man says: “490 is my number! Your portrayal of
Jesus’ teaching on 70 x 7 got to me. I have been hooked
on pornography since a teen. The 3 “S” solution
to addictions you offered are do-able and offered me a way
of freedom I never imagined possible. Will you please consider
being one of my 4 “mat men” as you taught from Mark
2? My name is . . .”
A
woman confides: “I buried in the pit a secret
sin of 5 years. I wanted a child so badly that I lied to my
husband about taking birth control pills. Today I buried this
secret and also thanked God for our 4 year old son!”
A
married couple expresses: “Tonight marked the
first time in the 25 years of our marriage that we prayed
together out loud! Now that we have taken the first step,
we are committed to continue. Thank you for giving us such
a simple and non-threatening way to do it.”
A
church leader notes: “I’m the clerk of session
and after your teaching on prayer, I want to become “the
clerk of prayer.” I intend to talk with our senior pastor
about using several of your poignant symbols during our future
session meetings.”
A
worship service attendee exclaims: “I never before
participated in a “response” after a sermon in a
Presbyterian church. Nor did I know that such a response is
encouraged in the Book of Order! Your visual presentation
of the red juice in the white styrofoam cup was so convincing
for me of what Jesus did with my sins. I have already done
what you said and told our pastor of my personal response.”
Only
God’s Holy Spirit brings about these “real changes.”
The Spirit is the dynamic outside impetus. Our
UpBuilding Weekends are simply a channel God uses to cause
the effects of His change. Thank you for your partnership
with me in being an instrument of change!
Ron
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