june 2013 enews
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/28/2019 June 2013 eNews
1/7
Many thanks to Rachel Amidonfor her willingness to serve as a volunteer nursery-
preschool team leader! Rachel is enthusiastic to be involved
in this ministry of TOD and, being that she has little ones,
she has a great interest. Her love for Jesus shines like the
sun! We are blessed to have her come aboard!
The preschool topic for June is God Loves Us! We look
forward to helping your little one gain an understanding of
His amazing love!
2013
Nursery News
TheOpenDoorKNOW - GROW - SERVE
Come join the excitement and bring a friend as we discover how toface our fears in Jesus name at VBS! Many thanks to Sandy Thomas,Chairperson, and all volunteers who are willing to make VBS 2013
possible at TOD!
Children Connect Summer Studies for June
How blessed we are to have enthusiastic teachers imparting
Gods Truth to the young at heart! Oh, to be a child again!
The topics for the month of June are listed below:
K God Loves Us
1st -3rd- - How to Pray
4th 5th Gospel Light: Book of Ruth
A Special Thanks!Thanks to everyone that came to
our church work day. Please
know you are very much
appreciated!
www.opendoorla.org
JUNE 2013
http://www.opendoorla.org/http://www.opendoorla.org/http://www.opendoorla.org/ -
7/28/2019 June 2013 eNews
2/7
Meeting Needs
If you are interested in having 1
1/2 months worth of Nutrasystem
food for your personal diet at no
cost, please email
His Hill Torchbearers
Comfort, TexasYouth Camp- July 14th-19th
High School Camp ages 14-18
The summer ministry of Torchbearers-His Hill exists to share the life of Christ with
children through weekly camp sessions for boys and girls. Through devotion times
with their counselors, twice daily chapel sessions, and plenty of activities, children
hear the Word of God and see the Life of Christ demonstrated.
See Stuart Amidon for more information.
CongratulatonsFredandDebbieDavisoneirfirstborngrandchild,ClaraAnnWhi,daughrofCaroline
andNaanWhi.There is a need for a push lawn-mower. If you have one that still
works that you no longer needand are willing to give it away orsell it for a small fee, pleasecontact us [email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
7/28/2019 June 2013 eNews
3/7
Living Proof LiveAugust 23-24, 2013 (Friday - Saturday)Bossier City, LA: Centurylink Center
Beth Moore (Speaker) , Travis Cottrell (Worship Leader)
For the past 15 years, women across the world have been
joining together for Living Proof Live with Beth Moore
an event designed to teach women to love and live on
Gods Word. Beths message for each event is based on the
Scripture that the Lord lays on her heartno two messages
are the same.
Please contact [email protected] by
June 28th if you are interested in going
as a group. We must have 50 women to
have reserved group seating.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/travis+cottrell?Ntk=Authorhttp://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/travis+cottrell?Ntk=Authorhttp://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/beth+moore?Ntk=Authorhttp://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/beth+moore?Ntk=Author -
7/28/2019 June 2013 eNews
4/7
In Acts chapter 2, we
are shown the importance ofwhat Jesus taught in John8:31-32. Jesus said that oneof the evidences of being Hisdisciple is our continuing or
abiding in His Word. Hewent on to say that in doingso, we would know the Truthand be set free. Knowing theTruth in this instance meansexperiencing it in our lives
on a continual basis.Certainly we must have aknowledge of the Word, i.e.,its content. Without knowingits content we are left in the
dark and without wisdom inour daily lives. But, knowingcontent does not alwaysmean we apply the Truth inour particular situations. Ibelieve at least part of whatJesus was telling us is that
we need to constantly beapplying (continuing orabiding) His Word in ourlives. Only then will we
experience the freedom thatwe so desperately desire, yet
so often do not experience.We know we are saved, yetwe lack the experientialpresence of freedom, victory,
joy, and the many otherpromises we read about in
Scripture and see the earlybelievers experiencing. Theremedy is clear, but do we
take advantage of it?Another question is, Howdo I take advantage of
Jesus clear command?
This brings us to Acts2:42-47. In this passage wesee how the early believersapplied the truth of what
Jesus was saying in John8:31-32. While nobody could
believe for them or for us,
there was the recognitionand understanding thatbeing a disciple was not justan individual thing. It is, infact, a community response
as well. Take a moment tostop and read Acts 2:42-47.Let the richness of theexperience grasp your wholebeing. See the needs of theindividuals and how they are
supplied through community.Sense the giving andreceiving that is describedas they met, prayed, learned,shared, fellowshipped,
reached out, praised God,and were amazed - all withinthe context of community.To be sure, each facedindividual daily trials andvictories, but those werefaced within the context of
being in the fight with otherlike-minded people whowould encourage, pray, andassist them.
I sometimes think
about being stranded bymyself on a dark, lonely roadin the middle of the night farfrom any assistance ormodern conveniences. It is apretty grim thought. Then, I
think of the same situationwith several of my closestfriends. Suddenly, the
situation is not as bleak orfrightful. Circumstanceshave not changed, but the
presence of others to shareand encourage me makesthe whole situation morebearable and calls me out offear and desperation into anadventure. God does not
seem so distant, nor does
faith seem so impossible.
Community does that.
We have beenoperating our communitygroups for over a month
now. Are you part of one? Isyour Christian experience ofcommunity Sunday morningworship service only, andthat only periodically? Areyou struggling with really
applying and experiencingall that you sense God hasfor you? You may protestand say, My schedule is toofull!, I dont have the
time., or whatever else wesay to try to excuseourselves from the effort itwill take. Look at Acts2:42-47. Do you want toexperience deeperfellowship, more direct
application of Truth to yourlife, encouragement in trials,sharing of need and supply,or the awe of seeing God
move? The Open Door isproviding such opportunity
and will provide more suchopportunities as needs arise.People experiencing lifestrials join together and comeaway with the sense that thedark lonely road is not as
scary as it seems. In fact, itcan be quite an adventure!
-Pastor Sam Brooks
A Message From Pastor Sam
-
7/28/2019 June 2013 eNews
5/7
SO, YOUVE HEARD SHES HEADED FORMEXICO, BUT WANT TO KNOW A LITTLEBIT MORE ABOUT THIS GREATADVENTURE. Read on to learn whatMs. Rebecca Beasley is up to.
When did you first hear about theorphanage? When I was in youthgroup, my church sent a group of us
on a short-term mission trip duringthe summer of 2000. I rememberenjoying raising funds through achurch-supported pancake dinner,spaghetti dinner, a car wash, agarage sale, etc. (Don't go lookingfor pictures. That wouldn't be nice!)
When will you be leaving and how
will you travel there? I'll drive awayafter church June 16th in the vehicleGod provided for this trip! The landrover I'm taking is an example of
God's work though his people! It isbetter for the roads in Mexico thanthe little car I was driving.
Have you always had a passion/
love for children's ministry? Ibelieve I gravitate toward it because Ioften find that children are easier toconverse with than adults. I reallyhave a passion/love for talking toeveryone about Jesus. I ambecoming less nervous aboutspeaking with adults.
How long will your stay there be? Iwill be in training from June 24through December 20. I expect tovisit for Christmas and then go backto be on YWAM-EPJ staff for twoyears.
What will you be doing while youare there? According to my itinerary,the first part of training will be fourweeks of an intense language school,followed by the discipleship trainingschool's lecture and outreach phases.When I complete those, I plan to jointhe YWAM-EPJ staff for two yearsserving God where He leads. (Not onthe itinerary is my desire to growmusically!)
Do you feel prepared? I feelprepared because I'm called andequipped, but I still am nervous. Idon't really know what to expect.
What's the most exciting thing for
you about going to Ranchos LosAmigos? The same thing thatmakes me nervous also makes meexcited! I don't know what to expect!God knows the plans! This is an
adventure!
Do you have certain expectationsof what the Lord may accomplishin and/or through you during yourtime there? I expect to "die" a lot. Ialso expect to become more andmore useful for His Kingdom as Ilearn another language and grow inwisdom and experience.
What's the hardest thing aboutgoing? Trusting Him to take care ofme, and surrendering control of my
life.
Did the Lord give you a "Word" togo? He's pointed me in this directionin many ways. I don't have a singleverse but rather my walk over the lastyear has had confirmation each stepof the way.
What excites you the most aboutgoing? Meeting and loving more ofHis people, and seeing more of Hiscreation.
Will you be able to return home forvisits during your time there? Iexpect to come home for the firstChristmas. I don't know after that.
Are there any needs that youanticipate having while you are at
Ranchos? I am not sure. I knowthat my Father owns the cattle on1,000 hills. I'm worth more to Himthan the sparrows He cares for. Sincethis is volunteer work, God willprovide the money and things I need.I expect it to be trough support offamily, friends, and my church. Thiswill grow my faith.
If one were to want to send youmail while you are there, where
would they send it? The mail to theorphanage goes through the El Pasooffice. The address is 4444 EdgarPark Avenue El Paso, TX 79904
Did you ever think you would be a
missionary to another country?
No, I didn't think so. It wasn't a desireof mine to walk away from a steadypaycheck and all of the comforts I'vegrown so accustomed to. After thisprocess had begun, however, I founda card in my old Bible with a
statement on it saying that I wouldgive my life to serve Jesus inmissions. I signed it in July, 2000. Ihad long forgotten about that. Godremembered.
Have you raised all of your fundsto go to Ranchos? If not, how
much more do you need to raise?The first phase of this journey hasbeen funded by God through Hispeople! Family, friends, coworkers,and my sweet roommate have
supplied the money needed to sendme! I still need to raise about $1,000to be funded through December, andthen I'll need monthly support when Ireturn to serve on staff.
How many children reside atRanchos Los Amigos? What's their
age range? There are currently 34smiling children ranging from 4 to 18years of age.
Do they attend school and live in
the same place? The children wereattending schools outside theorphanage until the school wasfounded inside the orphanage almostthree years ago.
SO, YOUVE HEARD SHES HEADEDFOR MEXICO, BUT WANT TO KNOWA LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THISGREAT ADVENTURE.Read on to learn
what Ms. Rebecca Beasley is up to.
Rebecca Beasley.Headed for Mexico. Bound
for blessings upon her and through her.
-
7/28/2019 June 2013 eNews
6/7
Depression and the Christian Life
Depression is a real thing. People deal with it every day. A lot of time, people in the Christian setting feel ashamedof their depression-too scared to bring it up because they've bought the lie (even without realizing it) that Christiansdon't have problems, their lives are together now. Get real!
How long, OLord? Will youforget me forever?How long will youhide your face from me?How long must I takecounsel in my souland have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, OLordmy God;light up my eyes, lestI sleep the sleep of death,lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him,lest my foes rejoice because I amshaken.But I havetrusted in your steadfast love;my heart shallrejoice in your salvation.I will sing to theLord,because he has dealt bountifully with me.
(Psalm 13)
King David, the author of this psalm, was depressed. We can see it clear as day in the opening lines. "How long mustI... have sorrow in my heart all the day?" This is David, the one who loved as God loved, the chosen king of Israel, theone who experienced firsthand the might of God more than any of us ever have, the very David that slew Goliath. Hewas depressed,but he was dealing with it.deal with it
David wasn't secretive with his depression. He was so open in fact that he wrote songs about it. Could you imaginestanding up before your church on Sunday and saying, "Hey everybody, I'm feeling depressed and I wrote a song aboutit I want to share with you." That bothers us to even think about, doesn't it? We've got to get over that too.
Humanity, in our prideful fallen nature, tries to internalize our problems. We don't want to deal with them. We feellike it's a sign of weakness ,or maybe we just don't want to air our laundry in front of everyone. That's pride, and it'ssin. God designed us to live in community with other believers (Gen. 1:27 cf. John 1:1-2) and in that community is theperfect opportunity to air your problems. You'd be surprised how many other people are dealing with the same issuesaround you or have dealt with them in the past, and when we start to deal with those problems collectively we'll getto see the different gifts come into play and real ministry start happening- the mercy person comforting, the teacherteaching the truth, the prophet laying a path to repentance, and all operating in love.
take comfort in the gospel
We have to take comfort in the gospel-Christ on a cross in our place, raised that we may have life eternal,Goddrawing us to Himself, giving us a heart that loves Him and wants to obey, breathing life into our dry bones throughHis work of redemption that He designed and carried out because of His love for us. "While we were yet sinners,Christ died for us."That doesn't mean tryto remind yourself about the gospel, it means do it. Make yourself do it. At then end of thepsalm David says, "my heart shallrejoice in your salvation. I willsing to the Lord..." It's not an apathetic attempt, it'ssomething that you crucify your flesh, your pride, and your self-reliance and you do. And we can ultimately do itbecause we "have trusted in [his] steadfast love."
Trust in Jesus. Marvel at his love for you. Kill your pride. Air your dirty laundry.
Youth Minister-Stuart Amidon
-
7/28/2019 June 2013 eNews
7/7
Thank you for subscribingto
The Open Door E-news!
From One Generation to the Next-
Recently I had lunch at a friends house for the very first time. As I observed her newbeautiful home, one particular thing jumped out at me from amongst the gorgeousarchitecture, flooring, counters, and furniture. On the wall in her dining room hung a
very intricate piece of patchwork framed for all to see. I absolutely had to know whatthe story was behind such a piece of art. This sort of thing was definitely not somethingthat she happened upon in Hobby Lobby. It, if I can say, had a presence of its own, astory to tell. And so I asked. And sure enough it was an age old heirloom, passed downthrough 5 generations of women at least, if not, even further. It evolved into aconversation of what we were doing to pass on to our own children, scrapbooks, photoalbums, journals of their childhood silliness and/or growth. None seemed to hold thesame punch as this incredible patchwork. Each generation added to what the previousgenerations had accomplished. Then it was divided up to pass on to the generations to
come and they, in turn, would do the same. Everyone would then have a piece to add tothis patchwork story and pass to her own children.
Then I came across an article written by a woman named DiAnn Mills, Leaving aSpiritual Legacy. She, too, desired to have something meaningful to pass on to the nextgeneration, so she prayed and asked the Lord to show her what it should be. And thenshe began. She began with a Bible that had room for journaling on the sides of thepages, and she committed to read the Bible in a year. Every day that she read, she
underlined or highlighted specific passages that she would want her grandchild to know.Then, she would journal specific prayers to that grandchild, offer notes ofencouragement or wisdom, revelation and understanding that she was receiving as shestudied from that bible. She was able to pray and journal to that child by name. Whenthe year was up, she had created something worthy to pass on to the generations tocome. Whether she would be present with them in their adult years or not, everythingwith heavenly. I saw such a beautiful parallel, that as she grew in the Lord, she waslaying the groundwork for the next generation to grow in Him as well. Its another wayto walk out Deutoronomy 6:7, And these words, which I command you this day, shall
be in your heart: And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk ofthem when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you liedown, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and theyshall be as frontlets between your eyes.Write them on the door frames of your housesand your gates. Perhaps, you, too, will be encouraged to seek the Lord in ways to passon His Word to the next generation.