Integrity
We have been praying for a friend of ours to find faith in Jesus Christ for some time. He has a lot of questions, a lot of pain in his background that clouds his understanding of grace and a stressful job. We were delighted when he started attending church and thrilled to hear that his wife had accepted an invitation to attend an outreach evening where a celebrity Christian would be giving his testimony.
How disappointed we were then to hear that far from leading this couple closer to Jesus, the evening had made them very angry as the speaker in order to tell a good story had embellished facts so much that the testimony didn't square with what they knew of the places and situations he had mentioned. If he couldn't be trusted on those things, how could you trust the rest of his testimony?
The work of Christ in our lives does not need to be helped out by sensationalising our story, especially if at the same time we are trying to make ourselves out to be heroes.
A few days after hearing about this I purchased the latest CD from Casting Crowns. The words of the opening track seem appropriate
What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What the world needs is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit
What the world needs is a Saviour who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What the world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can't see the difference
And its the difference that sets the world free
Jesus our Saviour, that's what this world needs
Father's arms around you,
That's what this world needs
That't what this world needs.
(Mark Hall Hector Cervantes)
2007 My Refuge Music/ Club ZooMusic/SWCSMusic(BMI)
God bless
Carol
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
About Me
- rehoboth
- The most exciting thing in the world is to be a child of God. I discovered this when I was a very young child and continue to enjoy the great adventure of knowing Jesus Christ. Right now, together with my husband Alan I am serving him as a Salvation Army officer at Exeter Temple Corps UK. I am passionate about prayer, for reaching out into new areas of mission, holiness and helping people to be free in Christ. Alan and I have been married for 33 years and we have two daughters, Katie who is married to Chris and Hayley who is married to Ben.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2007
(36)
-
▼
October
(6)
- Holiness TestimoniesAndrew Bale over at "Beyond th...
- Love is the bridge to cultureThe following is take...
- Integrity We have been praying for a friend of our...
- Clergy SafetyMembers of the clergy are being advis...
- If we are the bodyThis song by Casting Crowns alwa...
- Jesus on the LibraryI was walking back from the ha...
-
▼
October
(6)
3 comments:
Was this a salvation army outreach? Do you not vet people before they speak? I speak as someone who would like to join the salvation army.
You may just be writing your thoughts out like a diary, which makes it hard for someone like me (not that bright) to understand. It's just that, if you are going to have someone speak at an outreach, would'nt you want to know what they were going to say first?
My last comment came over a bit harsh, sorry about that, that wasn't how it was meant to sound.
I know how hurtful it can be when you are desperate to bring someone to the Lord and you work so hard then someone messes it up.
All I ever wanted was for someone to tell me the truth, just give me the facts. Can we really believe that God can hear our every word, if we lie?
Today there are so many performers, out for their own gain. There is so much falseness.
My own testimony is amazing, that I am glad I have witnesses to it. God does do amazing things. We shouldn't need to make them up.
Hi Esther,
Thanks for your comments. I didn't think your comments were harsh. Just to clear things up. Our friends do not live near us and the event was held at a church in their area. They have no connection with the Salvation Army.
As far as vetting the speaker and knowing what he was going to say, this was done. There was no issue over sound doctrine. The problem was that the majority of the Church members had no experience or knowledge of the cirucmstances, situation or area of expertise that were the background to the testimony, whereas our friends did and it was this that did not ring true for them.
Anyway, this is just a setback and we are sure that the Holy Spirit in on their case. They certainly have lots of people praying for them.
Keep on believing
God bless
Carol
Post a Comment