“He who kneels the most, stands the best.” ― D.L. Moody
FROM THE DESK OF: the Office Intern
The spirit of The Lord whispered to me, “What if?” What if I took the plunge, what if I finally let go of the earthly restraints that I let bind me to my chair. What if?
As if in a dream, I walked to the back of the church, my soul abandoning the prison of my body and leading it to where Jesus would call me. My pastor gave me the shirt off his back to cover my church dress as I finally let go and lay back in submission to the all-encompassing grace of The Lord. Five years after hearing the voice of The Lord, I got baptized.
The question of “what if” had persistently pursued my soul for months before I ultimately decided to find out what lay on the other side of it. In a very spiritual sense, long-delayed growth was found on the other side as both my soul and mind finally realized that when Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant it. He meant that once and for all, his grace would be sufficient for me; yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This truth compelled me to rest in Him and take the step of publicly declaring my faith through baptism after years of waiting for myself to “get it all together.”
The spiritual freedom I experienced that day was accompanied by a tangible blessing that has been the evidence of God’s plan and provision. As I stepped out of the baptismal pool soaking wet and full of joyous freedom, a man came up and shook my hand. We spoke of the Truth about what The Lord had shown me that day about His grace and then this man told me about what his company does to reach the nations through sports. It was David-Andrew Fox introducing me to Uttermost Sports. I promptly asked if they were interested in having an intern and two months later, on the first day of my internship, I boarded a plane overseas.
I have interned with Uttermost Sports for five months now and God has used this experience as a tool to shape and mold me into the person that he made me to be. Through the love and guidance of everyone I work with at Uttermost Sports, I have been able to grow in my knowledge of creative access missions. I have also been able to wrestle with my future and discover my own passions that The Lord has given me to further His Kingdom. The other side of the question “what if” turned out to be full of blessings and fulfilled promises of The Lord. Let us not be afraid to venture there.
For the Win[dow],
Cheyenne Ridge, Uttermost Sports Intern
VERSE OF THE WEEK: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”
Tehran, capital of Iran.
COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: IRAN
The Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country of 78.5 million located in Western Asia. Iran is bordered by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iraq. It is also has coastline on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Iran has ancient history and significance as the nation of Persia; Persian is the official language and the capital city is Tehran. The current republic was formed in 1979 and Iran's current world reputation is one of extreme Muslim beliefs, antagonism toward Israel, and persecution of Christians. More than 98% of the population of Iran is unreached. According to World Watch List, "The regime tries to destroy those who reach out to converts and seekers by monitoring services, arresting converts, banning Farsi language services and closing some churches. Attacks against Christian communities have increased, and the prohibition of house church activities is enforced more strictly." Pray for Christians who have been jailed for their faith. Pray for Persians who leave Iran, acknowledge the truth about Jesus, and then have the chance to return to their country with the Good News. Pray too for Elam Ministries and their ministry to the Iranian church.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Rethinking Missions is this week! Pray for God to be brought much glory as we talk about His church around the world. Pray also for many to be moved to pray / give / go / advocate for world missions.
- we are again facing staffing & task changes; pray for our Director of Operations as he continues to manage our personnel details.
- our key staff guy Bubby was recently accepted into a church planting school! He'll be extra busy the next 18 months!
- one of our workers is returning to the Middle East today after several months in the US; pray for her as she works in the new place for the next few months.