Life story from Sunday
Ginny Franklin shared her story this past Sunday. This is a story of God’s faithfulness.
Ginny Inteview from David Cook on Vimeo.
Mon
Nov
23rd
2009
23rd
0
Celebration
We had another great day at Southbridge today. We continued our series entitled: Wake Up from Revelation chapters 2 and 3. My favorite part of the day today was during the second service. I was telling a story about someone trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior and when I said that the guy had trusted Jesus as his Savior, the congregation started clapping. They say you celebrate what you value. The people at Southbridge “get it.” We value life change.
Women At Risk (guest blogger Shanna Lehr)
This Wednesday night, our women’s ministry Nourish will take a look at a problem that is world wide and affects millions of women and children. Human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women is something that has gone on since the time of Esther. Even she was a woman at risk, and so are we. It sounds crazy to say that “we are” as we live pampered lives in beautiful Raleigh with so much at our disposal. But once, sin was my ruler and the prince of the power of this world had dominion over me and then Jesus came and rescued me!
Our speaker for this evening is Becky McDonald, the President of Women at Risk International, or WAR. The purpose and passion of this organization is to wrap arms of love around women and children, whispering the message that they were created for purpose and dignity. Creating safe places for women and children rescued from many abuses including human trafficking/sexual slavery, WAR, Int’l desires to give voice to their silenced cries.
Becky was a missionary kid who saw first hand the depravity and selfishness of man. Here is an exerpt from her website:
“Frankly, I just wanted to slap most American women when I first moved back to the States a few years ago. Instead, God slapped me and opened my eyes to a world of hidden hurt and deep woundedness hidden behind white picket fences, prim church attire, new dishwashers, and corporate glamor. He broke my heart for a continent of seemingly pampered, spoiled, and “liberated” women. As women flowed through my home and I listened to their angry or whispered stories, at first it seemed petty and insignificant in comparison to the silenced cries of the international world. I had grown up with a playmate with acid poured down her throat, and the acid of her suffering had burned a hole in my heart and set me on a course of action I’ve been on ever since. Early on I had come to appreciate the circle of protection that my own life was privileged to have. My focus and passion was to give voice to the silenced cries of the truly wounded.”
Our Southbridge women will join together to create circles of protection around these women on Wednesay evening. Doors open at 6:30pm at the Hilton, RTP.
Tolerance, virtue or sin?
We live in a society where tolerance is our highest virtue. We also live in a society where we have heard that we cannot judge anyone. I believe this has caused many Christians to be afraid to confront sin. I am all for grace. Ask anyone who knows me I love people regardless of their issues and I think we have done a terrible job as believers shooting our own wounded. However, if we really love each other we owe to each other to deal with the sin we see in each others lives. If it is true that 70% of Christians struggle with the issue of pornography we owe it to each other to deal with this issue. We cannot in the name of tolerance and out of fear fro being labeled as judgmental fail to confront those we love about this sin. If we do we are failing them.
We don’t want to be like the church in Pergamum who were rebuked, not because of their false teaching or because of their sin but because they tolerated that there were those in their midst with these issues.
Revelation 2:12-17 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live– where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city– where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: Youhave people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise youalso have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. (emphasis added)
Jesus is rebuking them (not the Nicolaitans or those who hold to the teaching of Balaam) because they have these people among them. If they don’t do something Jesus will. The sword of His mouth is the truth. We owe it o those we love to tell them the truth. The truth is if they are trapped in sexual sin they can be freed. There is forgiveness, grace and freedom that is waiting to be theirs. They must repent (that means stop and turn). The truth is sexual sin ruins lives. If we love 70% of the people in the church we owe it to them to ask them the difficult questions and tell them the truth.