An organization, called “Faith Comes by Hearing” has made it their mission to get the audio Bible translated into as many languages as there are people without Bibles.They translate the whole New Testament into an audio version, into languages that have no access to Scriptures (because nothing has been translated into that language). It is similar to what Wycliffe Bible translators do, but this is an audio version. And, they have this amazingly cool thing called “The Proclaimer” that they give to people. Some stats about the Proclaimer:
The Scriptures are programmed on a microchip already installed and will not erase or wear out from frequent playing.The battery will play 15 hours and can be recharged enough times to play the entire New Testament over 600 times.The Proclaimer has a built in generator and solar charger to charge the battery.The solar charger, in addition to charging the battery, will run the Proclaimer even without battery power as long as there is sunlight. In other words, as long as there is a sun in the sky the Proclaimer will play the Son’s Words.The sound is digital quality and loud enough to be heard clearly by groups of 300.
Apparently, there are approximately 6,600 unreached people groups—no one knows for sure how many people that is, but this particular organization figures it at 1.7 billion people. An unreached people group can be defined as: “a group of people among which there is no viable indigenous church movement with sufficient strength, resources, and commitment to sustain and ensure the continuous multiplication of churches”. Most of these groups have no Bible in their own language. Imagine that! I can drive 10 minutes to the local Christian bookstore and choose from hundreds of different Bibles: in a multitude of translations, colors, with various maps, devotionals, and other helpful resources. Imagine not having any copy of the Bible in your language…how awful would that be?!
Faith comes by Hearing (http://www.fcbh.org/) allows churches the opportunity to sponsor a whole audio NT in a particular language…or you can sponsor one book of the Bible (which is roughly $950…but that includes all the translation, the technology, and getting it to the people). I think the whole thing is pretty amazing…especially considering that just because a Bible is translated into a certain language does not guarantee that people are literate and will actually be able to read it. “Faith Comes by Hearing” has statistics on their site about Americans and their literacy levels. I can imagine, in contrast to a nation which considers itself highly educated, that things might be a lot worse (in terms of literacy) in other parts of the world. These statistics are part of the organizations rationale for the need of AUDIO, rather than print, New Testaments.
DID YOU KNOW?• Only 40% of Americans know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.• Fewer than half of American adults can name all four Gospels.• Adults under the age of 30 and people who attend small churches express greater difficulties with Bible knowledge than older adults.• People who attend small churches express greater difficulties with Bible knowledge than members of large churches.• 43% of American adults function at or below basic literacy levels – making them incapable of meaningful Bible reading.• People who are functionally illiterate process information differently than people who are literate – they require story telling and dialog, not exposition, to understand and retain information.• Only 54% of Protestant adults read the Bible each week.• 65% of adults who identified themselves as Bible readers have never read the entire New Testament.• In a survey of more than 500 pastors, 47% cited “lack of time” as the main reason more Christians don’t read the Bible.• Americans spend, on average, 2 ½ hours in the car each day.• There are now 75 million unchurched Americans.• More than half of unchurched people consider themselves Christian.• By the year 2010, an estimated 10% to 20% of Americans will obtain religious information exclusively or primarily through the Internet.• 85% of American adults own at least one type of personal computer.• Apple Computer Inc. has sold over 42.2 million iPods since introducing the product in October 2001.• By 2009, total iPods sales in the U.S. are expected to top 65 million.• 40% of people born between 1984 and 2002 own mobile music players such as iPods.It is interesting food for thought. It makes me grateful for the privileges I have had in my life. I am a Christian today because of the Scriptures. It is the Gospels that led me into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. My heart breaks for people who do not have access to the only Message that will give LIFE.“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”~Hebrews 4:12
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
GOD TALK-William Wilberforce-The Power of Encouragement
February 23, 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of Britain’s abolition of slavery. William Wilberforce fought an almost single-handed battle in Parliament in tenacious pursuit of changing the hearts and minds of his colleagues to bring an end to slavery. Many of these leaders had invested money in America's plantations and the slave trade was necessary to their prosperity.
Who was this man who led this charge? What motivated him to be a champion for cause of abolition?
The year was 1785, and William Wilberforce at age 24, as a Member of Parliament was a rising star in Britain’s political circles. He enjoyed wealth, power, and prestige and had the reputation of a playboy, who frequented all the best clubs of England. He met Isaac Milner, an “evangelical” Christian and renowned Cambridge tutor. William was intrigued that Milner was both a Christian and intellectual. William, though successful, felt empty within himself. After numerous conversations with Milner, he confessed his sins to God and placed his trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He matured to be a man of strong conviction and faith in God the Creator.
Wilberforce was greatly influenced by fellow Christian, John Newton, a former slave trader. Newton had experienced the grace of God in his own dramatic conversion. He is best known as the author of the popular hymn “Amazing Grace”.
After his conversion, William considered withdrawing from involvement in Parliament because he could imagine how anyone could be both a true Christian and a politician. He had his doubts that Biblical teachings could be lived out in practice among the temptations and trappings of “high society” that surrounded the British politics of his day.
John Newton encouraged Wilberforce to take the lead in changing his country through political action in British Parliament.
Newton boldly suggested to William, it was quite possible that God had lifted him to his position in Parliament for the good of His Church and the good of the nation.
Wilberforce would later declare publicly that God Almighty had given to him the suppression of the Slave Trade as his life’s mission.
He persevered for twenty years trying to persuade Parliament, until the goal of his life’s work was realized. His persistence was rewarded. Three days before he died, news was delivered to William Wilberforce from London that Britain’s Parliament had finally passed the Bill for the Abolition of Slavery on February 23, 1807. It forever outlawed the transportation, ownership, buying and selling of slaves in England. It would take another 62 years and a civil war, for the Congress of the United States to reach the same resolve to abolish slavery. The13th Amendment to the Constitution was passed December 6, 1865.
Many things can bring discouragement- a difficult task, unrealistic expectations, or circumstances that bring disappointment. All these can seem like battering rams trying to “pound holes in our walls”. There is always the temptation to give up, or not try at all.
When someone provides encouragement, it can make a difference. Think of the positive impact each person can have on the life of another- your husband, your wife, a teenager, child, single parent, employee, customer, student, pastor, co-worker, or group. Take inventory of those who have spoken into your life for the good. Take steps to inspire others.
In our community, several entities would also appreciate your encouragement as well; either volunteering or financial contributions. Looking around, you would find the CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center, the Salvation Army, the PATH Shelter, the State Theatre for the Arts, the “Back to School” program of Zion Ministries, the Northern California Burn Foundation, Corning Christian Assistance, the Boy Scouts, the Campfire Girls, the Guardian Angels, and your church- to name just a few.
Within our federal, state, county, and city governments, many elected and unelected individuals have a sincere desire to make the best decisions in matters that affect our lives and future. As we offer public suggestions, commentary and creative criticism, as to policy, and as to how these individuals should lead, let us also remember to send them words of encouragement and pray for them. This may seem a very odd notion to some. Just do it. What’s the best that can happen? Mixed with faith, the power of encouragement can do wonders.
A film “Amazing Grace-The William Wilberforce Story” was released nation-wide on Feb. 23. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family ministry is also releasing a radio -theatre drama by the same title. Check out www.family.org and info@kvip.org for regional broadcast schedules.
Who was this man who led this charge? What motivated him to be a champion for cause of abolition?
The year was 1785, and William Wilberforce at age 24, as a Member of Parliament was a rising star in Britain’s political circles. He enjoyed wealth, power, and prestige and had the reputation of a playboy, who frequented all the best clubs of England. He met Isaac Milner, an “evangelical” Christian and renowned Cambridge tutor. William was intrigued that Milner was both a Christian and intellectual. William, though successful, felt empty within himself. After numerous conversations with Milner, he confessed his sins to God and placed his trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He matured to be a man of strong conviction and faith in God the Creator.
Wilberforce was greatly influenced by fellow Christian, John Newton, a former slave trader. Newton had experienced the grace of God in his own dramatic conversion. He is best known as the author of the popular hymn “Amazing Grace”.
After his conversion, William considered withdrawing from involvement in Parliament because he could imagine how anyone could be both a true Christian and a politician. He had his doubts that Biblical teachings could be lived out in practice among the temptations and trappings of “high society” that surrounded the British politics of his day.
John Newton encouraged Wilberforce to take the lead in changing his country through political action in British Parliament.
Newton boldly suggested to William, it was quite possible that God had lifted him to his position in Parliament for the good of His Church and the good of the nation.
Wilberforce would later declare publicly that God Almighty had given to him the suppression of the Slave Trade as his life’s mission.
He persevered for twenty years trying to persuade Parliament, until the goal of his life’s work was realized. His persistence was rewarded. Three days before he died, news was delivered to William Wilberforce from London that Britain’s Parliament had finally passed the Bill for the Abolition of Slavery on February 23, 1807. It forever outlawed the transportation, ownership, buying and selling of slaves in England. It would take another 62 years and a civil war, for the Congress of the United States to reach the same resolve to abolish slavery. The13th Amendment to the Constitution was passed December 6, 1865.
Many things can bring discouragement- a difficult task, unrealistic expectations, or circumstances that bring disappointment. All these can seem like battering rams trying to “pound holes in our walls”. There is always the temptation to give up, or not try at all.
When someone provides encouragement, it can make a difference. Think of the positive impact each person can have on the life of another- your husband, your wife, a teenager, child, single parent, employee, customer, student, pastor, co-worker, or group. Take inventory of those who have spoken into your life for the good. Take steps to inspire others.
In our community, several entities would also appreciate your encouragement as well; either volunteering or financial contributions. Looking around, you would find the CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center, the Salvation Army, the PATH Shelter, the State Theatre for the Arts, the “Back to School” program of Zion Ministries, the Northern California Burn Foundation, Corning Christian Assistance, the Boy Scouts, the Campfire Girls, the Guardian Angels, and your church- to name just a few.
Within our federal, state, county, and city governments, many elected and unelected individuals have a sincere desire to make the best decisions in matters that affect our lives and future. As we offer public suggestions, commentary and creative criticism, as to policy, and as to how these individuals should lead, let us also remember to send them words of encouragement and pray for them. This may seem a very odd notion to some. Just do it. What’s the best that can happen? Mixed with faith, the power of encouragement can do wonders.
A film “Amazing Grace-The William Wilberforce Story” was released nation-wide on Feb. 23. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family ministry is also releasing a radio -theatre drama by the same title. Check out www.family.org and info@kvip.org for regional broadcast schedules.
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