TWEETSOFPRAYER.COM: Bible Tweet Chain

It is often referred to as the Greatest Story of All Time. Christians refer to it as the very Word of God, inspired and God-breathed. The Bible is the greatest selling book of all time, yet many are ignorant of its power and precepts. While billions are being spent on education all over the world, many are ignorant of the only path to salvation: Jesus Christ. This is why the ministry of Bible Tweet Chain is so essential in today’s world. In an era where Twitter and text messaging reigns supreme, Bible Tweet Chain is attempting a huge endeavor of tweeting the entire Bible from person to person on Twitter. This chain, much like the wave in major sporting events is a grassroots effort that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. It’s also very easy to use. Go to www.tweetsofprayer.com and log-in with your Twitter account. Simply click the button that says, “Recite,” and the verse will be posted on your Twitter account. Now it’s up to the next Christian to post the next verse and so on and so on, until all of God’s Word is proclaimed to the Twitter-verse. The early Church passed along the Good News of the Gospel, in a similar way, by person to person from person to person. The movement was directed by the Holy Spirit and saw great success due primarily to the fact that the Word wasn’t kept secret, strangled and held tightly between a select few. Instead, the Word was a precious gift to be given freely to all people. As Christians, we tend to romanticize this early Church period often wishing to be a part of such an amazing movement for the Gospel. Bible Tweet Chain allows us to do just that by simply using our Twitter for the Gospel’s purpose. Anyone can be used by God, to serve God, and Bible Tweet Chain may just be the most practical way to share our faith on a daily basis. All Christians are called to share the Gospel. This is the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. So here’s a personal challenge: let’s share the Bible verse-by-verse together. Let’s shine light into the darkness, together. Let us, together, boldly share the Word of God. The task of the Gospel is simply, one click away.

 

For more information, please visit: www.tweetsofprayer.com  

 

 

 

 

Billy Graham Center - Wheaton, IL

To reprieve a bad day is a wonderful thing, to re-discover true joy is an even better one. Recently, I re-discovered my true joy after a visit to the Billy Graham Center Museum in Wheaton, IL, which is conveniently located within 60 minutes of the city of Chicago on the Wheaton College Campus.

Upon arriving, the first noticeable aspect of the museum was the transport to Asia. The entrance of the BGC is adorned with Japanese Christian art carefully crafted by internationally renowned artist Sadao Watanabe. Watanbe expressed his art through many colorful stencil prints and even through intricately detailed kimonos (yes, kimonos). Watanabe converted from Buddhism at the age of 17 and lived to express His love for Jesus through his own artwork.  The exhibit told the Biblical story in a refreshing new way, from an Asian perspective. The exhibit served as proof that Christ is not only for Western eyes; but, for all eyes moved to gaze upon Him and His glory.

Upon leaving the entrance area of the Billy Graham Center museum, one enters the Rotunda of Witnesses, a beautiful rounded hallway featuring giant (15 foot plus) hanging wall art of many of the early Church’s most familiar names. Each wall hanging features a quote that left me weak kneed and inspired. For example, the banner dedicated to the Apostle Paul featured the following quote, “He is the image of the unseen God and the first born of all creation, for in Him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and invisible, thrones, dominations, sovereignties, powers - all things were created through Him and for Him. Before anything was created, He existed, and He holds all things in unity.” A beautiful banner dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi hung adorned with his mightily moving words, “You are wisdom. You are peace. You are beauty. You are eternal life.” St. Francis, of course, was referring to Christ. The most touching banner featured a tribute to Martin Luther whose words were hauntingly beautiful. Luther said, “When you have Him you have all; but you have also lost all when you lose Him. Stay with Christ, although your eyes do not see Him and your reason does not grasp Him.” Other banners included in the exhibit were dedicated to; Oswald Chambers, Jonathan Edwards, Blaise Pascal, John Wycliffe, Gregory the Great, and even Justin Martyr. It should be noted that a wonderful bookmark collection featuring these banners in miniature form can be purchased through the Museum’s Gift Store. These are great to use as actual bookmarks; but, are suitable for framing as well.

As I walked through the Rotunda of Witnesses, I was brought to a darkened room where I watched a short film on the History of Evangelism in the United States. The film featured many of the names revealed in the Museum’s expansive History of Evangelism in America exhibit which was exhaustive. The exhibit featured actual items used by some of Christianity’s most notable names, such as a John Eliot Algonquin Bible circa 1663 (pictured), an actual Cotton Mather sermon, a saddlebag used by 19^th century circuit riders, an original copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a Civil War Bible used by soldiers, a baseball signed by Ty Cobb (given to Billy Sunday) and so much more. The exhibit accurately depicted the struggles and sacrifices of America’s earliest evangelists. One would be hard-pressed to walk through the exhibit and not have your fervor for evangelism reignited.

The next portion of the Museum is entitled the Cross of the Millennium. When walking into the room one is drawn toward a beautiful crystal crucifix illuminating from the center of the circular shaped room. The crucifix is designed impeccably by artist Frederick Hart and features a Star of David etched into the front side of the cross. As you make your way around the room, you will be moved to see Christ's eyes following your eyes. No matter where you go, or where you are, He never takes His eyes off of you. This is true in the Cross of the Millennium section of the Billy Graham Center Museum and in our Christian walk as well.

The next section of the museum features a dedication to the life and ministry of America’s evangelist, Billy Graham. The exhibit here is astounding and leaves no stone unturned in regards to Mr. Graham's life and ministry. You will find writings from Mr. Graham dating back as early as his grade school years, a diploma from Florida Bible Institute, an extensive collection of metals and awards Graham has received, as well as letters from celebrities like Johnny Cash and Muhammad Ali. The most astounding part of the exhibit is Billy Graham’s traveling pulpit. I had the opportunity to actually stand behind the pulpit and gaze down at Billy’s actual sermon notes. This was the same pulpit and these were the same notes used to share the Gospel with millions of people. Standing behind Mr. Graham's pulpit is an emotionally humbling experience.

The final part of the Museum is a Walk Through the Gospel, where you will find yourself walking on new ground, literally, as the room you enter is an exact replica of Skull Hill, the place where Christ was crucified. You will be hard-pressed not to notice the enormous wall painting done by artist Jan Styka. The painting, which is at least 30 feet long depicts the crucifixion of our Lord. One can spend an afternoon or so examining each and every carefully placed artistic detail, all of which document the day of Christ’s brutal execution on behalf of sinner’s like me. Turn to your right and you will find a hallway shaped like a cross. You will walk down the cross-shaped hallway and gaze upon a large hanging wooden cross, which is hypnotic in its splendor. You will then approach another dark hallway (meant to resemble Christ’s tomb), with the words, “He is not here. He is risen,” written overhead. Walk just a little further and you will enter a room that literally looks like the skies of heaven. The room repeatedly plays the Handel chorus of “Hallelujah!” as you gaze about the blue skies and white clouds both above and below. This, of course, is a representation of what heaven may actually look like. The last banner; however, makes the “view of heaven,” seem small in comparison to what heaven will actually be like. The banner, which is the last you will see inside of the museum, is a reference to John’s words in Revelation that we can rest assured that the Risen Christ will personally wipe each and every tear from our eyes in a place with no more sorrow and no more pain.

The Museum also offers the opportunity to have uninterrupted moments of reflection with God, inside of a beautiful chapel. After being so inspired to re-connect and re-kindle with my greatest joy, Jesus Christ, I took the liberty to fall to my knees, praise God, and thank Him for the wonderful opportunity of walking with Him and being loved by Him, both in this life and the next. May I suggest you do the same?

Rekindle your faith and rediscover your joy. Visit The Billy Graham Center Museum as often as you’d like, as many times as it takes. The Museum is located inside the Billy Graham Center – Wheaton College Campus at 501 College Avenue, in Wheaton, IL. The museum is opened M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM and Sunday 1PM-5PM. Admission is FREE and donations are welcome.

 

 

The Corey Cann Saga

Last Friday night Corey Cann went missing or at least we all thought he was missing. Leaving home, there was some mix up in communication and his mother (Roxanne) and brother (Ed). Corey has never done anything like this before and as time progressed the Cann family feared that he may have been taken against his will. Corey has Cystic Fibrosis and is confined to a wheelchair, which only heightened concerns for his well being. I’ve known the Cann’s for quite awhile now, meeting Roxanne through MySpace and eventually through the ministry at Daniel’s Den. Roxanne, like myself, lives for her family. She and I also are deeply moved to share the love of Jesus through music. To make a long story short, after much dismay and I dare say, a little chaos, Corey was found in Carbondale, IL. He left of his own volition and is doing well. It doesn’t matter that he wasn’t really “lost or kidnapped,” because there are valuable lessons we can all learn from the entire fiasco.

1. It caused us to not doubt God & move closer to Him

When Corey went missing, I admit, although I was praying for the best, I feared the worst. A countless number of scenarios haunted the recesses of my mind and although I prayed, my human nature often had the better of me as I continued to doubt his well being. Then, like the sun penetrating dark storm clouds, God came through. Corey was found well and in tact, thankfully. I am reminded that His ways are so much higher than my ways. We didn’t know where Corey was. Roxanne didn’t know where Corey was. The Plano Police didn’t know where Corey was; but, God did and always does. With thousands of people praying in our local community and as far away as London God protected Corey and delivered him home safely. God is sovereign over all things and make no mistake about it, many people who go missing do not return safely home. In Corey’s case, God proved to be moved by prayer. We don’t know what would have happened to Corey without God’s intervention. We don’t know what plans the enemy had for him. We do know; however, that Corey is loved immensely and by the grace of God, is protected. When situations like this arise, we must depend, not in our own human instincts or fallen faculties; but, in our Great Protector.

2. It caused us to have greater faith in our community

People are sinful, no doubt, and humanity is a fragile group to place our faith in. With that in consideration, people have a way of living out their Imago Dei (the image of God) in the most difficult of circumstances. Our family was instantly moved into action on behalf of the Cann family. Our initial instinct was a good one: prayer. We prayed and we prayed and we prayed. My wife printed up hundreds of missing person fliers on our color laser printer and then we, as a family, went out into the community to hang the fliers and get them up at local businesses. Nearly all of the businesses we visited were more than willing to have the fliers up and this included businesses we, as Christians, often have biases against. A Hindu liquor store owner in Plano not only allowed us to leave fliers at the register; but, gave us tape to put them on his storefront window.  Another Plano liquor store owner took fliers to hand out in Sandwich. A woman at a bar in Plano flagged my van down so she could take fliers and hand them out at a nearby Buffalo Wild Wings. Even the Pay Day Loan store allowed us to put fliers up (although it is technically against company policy, they were moved to help). Nearly everyone we came in touch with was deeply moved to help find Corey. We plastered Plano, IL with fliers and spent a day hanging them up in over a dozen businesses. Only Wal-Mart (go figure) and BP (thanks for the oil spill guys) were unreceptive and in each of those locations, employees personally offered to put the fliers in their employee lounges, even though management was not receptive. All over the world people took to the internet sharing Corey’s picture and information. Thousands of people were lock step in prayer with the Cann family and were moved by the grace of God to help.

3. It caused us to think before we judge

Although I wasn’t surprised by some of the vitriol on the internet, it did sicken me. There were a number of “supermoms” out there who tore into Roxanne’s parenting skills. This was despite the fact that they don’t know Roxanne, they don’t know Corey, and they don’t know the family. Several people stated that they would never allow for such a thing to happen to their children. The reality is Corey’s an extremely independent 21 year old man. He isn’t a child and, if you ever take the time to talk with him, he is one of the brightest people you will ever come across. He’s accomplished more than most people would ever expect possible of him and has even attended college at SIU Carbondale (more than 6 hours way) as an independent student. As a single mom, Roxanne has done a marvelous job raising her children. She has led her family as a faith-filled mom that lives life out in relationship with Christ. Her boys are some of the kindest and most polite young men you will ever meet and that reflects well on Roxanne and how she raised them. To question her parenting skills shows a lethal combination of both ignorance and arrogance. For those of us who are more inclined toward condemnation, I challenge you to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before you cast stones of judgment. During times like these, a community is best served to reserve judgment and move into loving action. Many did just that. Those who didn’t do just that are the ones that ended up with the proverbial egg on face.  

4. It caused us to hold our kids a little tighter & not take them for granted

When Corey went missing I hugged my daughters so tightly and I did not want to let go. Part of me felt guilty for doing that. My kids are no better than Corey and I am certainly not a better father than Roxanne is a mother. Yet, my kids were safe at home in my arms. I loved that. I relished that; but, the thought of Roxanne’s arms being empty and longing for the return of her son moved us all into greater action. Corey missing wasn’t right. It wasn’t part of how God wanted this world to be. When a brother or sister is in need, we must move, as the body of Christ, to fill that need. One of the greatest sins may just be complacency; to not adhere to the little voice that says, “It’s not right that I should have so much, when my brother or sister has so little.” When Corey was found, I hugged my girls even tighter and no, I don’t ever want to let go.