Sunday, October 31, 2010

Meet the Voice of the next Generation...Minister David Williams!

David Williams Speaks...
MISSION
Reaching this generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by:
  • Communicating the good news of Jesus Christ to high school and college students who do not yet know Him.
  • Encouraging, equipping and motivating the body (those who do know Him) to take the message of Christ to others.
  • Partnering with local churches and para-church ministries that are focused on helping to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) by WINNING, BUILDING and SENDING high school and college aged students. 
Family: David and his wife Terea* have been married since 2001. They have four children: Selah (7), Kaela (6) and David Jr. (3) and Joseph Daniel (born 7/24/10). David also has a son Sukari (16) who lives in Pittsburgh, PA. David and his family live in Stow, Ohio and are members of The Chapel in Akron, Ohio.


Terea*, David Sr., Kaela, David Jr. & Selah
David Jr., David Sr., Terea*, Selah, Kaela & Sukari


Joseph Daniel in daddy's arms
Ministry & Vocational:David has been in full-time ministry since 1999. He is currently on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ as a speaker and campus staff at the University of Akron. He is also a network speaker with The Source for Youth Ministry and a member evangelist with Next Generation Alliance. David has been a speaker with various organizations such as Moody Bible Institute, Hannibal LaGrange College, Youth for Christ, Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Student Venture, Athletes in Action, The Impact Movement, Camp Patmos and local churches in Ohio and other parts of the U.S.

David graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in Economics & Political Science (1993) and a Masters in Public Administration (1996). Before being in full-time ministry, David was employed with the following organizations: The University of Pittsburgh, The City of Cleveland and PNC Bank.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Wait on the Lord! by Bill Sherrill

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:14 NIV)
 
Waiting is not something most of us enjoy. The very mention of the word "wait" may remind us of how much we dislike it and how poor we are at doing it. We admire people who appear to be good at it and may marvel at David's calm disposition in this Psalm. 

Before we label ourselves as hopelessly impatient and forever doomed to a life of restlessness, consider the basis for David's exhortation to wait on the Lord.


Before he says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord," he says ... "The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident." (Psalm 27:1-3

He expresses his confidence in God's protection. He knew and acknowledged the source of his strength and salvation. He had been through battles and had seen the Lord rescue him. When you have experienced the light of the Lord and know of His salvation, it is easier to say, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me." (Psalm 27:4-7

He expresses his contentment to be in God's presence. All he wanted was to be with the Lord. He knew that in the Lord's presence was safety. When you know the security of God's presence it is easier to say, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." (Psalm 27:8-10)



These words are the result of a life devoted to the Lord.
He states his commitment to seek the Lord. He verbalized his commitment to seek the Lord's face in his prayers. He made his requests for the Lord to respond to his prayer. He spoke his confidence in the Lord above all other people. When you have opened your heart to the Lord so openly and have seen those prayers answered, it is easier to say, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." "Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:11-13

He expresses his willingness to submit to the Lord. David had surrendered his life to the Lord and had given his heart to Him. He knew that the Lord had previously protected him and he knew the Lord would protect him in the future. When you have completely given your life ... your heart ... to the Lord it is easier to say, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
These words are the result of a life devoted to the Lord. 


When we dwell on God's protection, the peacefulness and pleasures we find in being in God's presence, our commitment to seek the Lord, and our willingness to submit to the Lord, waiting for the Lord might be easier. Waiting is more difficult and more unpleasant when these qualities are not present in our lives.


Are you in the midst of a period of waiting for the Lord to work in your life? Give Him your life and your heart. Trust in Him completely.

Amazing Grace by Whitley Phipps (history)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Pain of the Tongue

"Stand" by Donnie McClurkin
 
Gossip is often regarded as a relatively harmless pastime, particularly when compared to wrongs like murder or adultery. Satan has painted talebearing as innocuous, but if we peel away that deception, we see the ugly truth. In the Bible, God lists gossip among the most depraved sins (Romans 1:28-31).
 
Nothing about gossip is harmless. Whether the talk is intentionally cruel or simply some idle musing, the target of the comments can be embarrassed or hurt. A friend of mine decided to trace a damaging story about himself back to its source. He asked one man after another, “Where did you hear this?” Seventeen pastors later, he finally found the person who had originated the tale. This fellow admitted he had speculated aloud regarding a situation about which he knew little. A destructive chain reaction began with just one man jumping to a false conclusion while chatting with a friend.

Even if the victim never learns of the chit chat going on behind his or her back, gossip still has consequences. The people who spread a tale reveal their inner thinking: “For the mouth speaks out that which fills the heart,” (Matthew 12:34). A poisonous tongue flows with the jealousy, resentment, or pride residing inside.
Ask a few people to define gossip, and most will mention something about spreading rumors. That is correct, but it’s not the whole truth. Gossip includes any idle or malicious talk that harms someone else. 

Gossip has the power to hurt feelings, destroy reputations, and divide churches. We do not have the right to bring such damage into anyone’s life. In fact, God is the only one we should turn to when we hear a story. Those facing trials need prayer rather than tongues wagging over their misfortunes.

(by Dr. Charles Stanley in March, 2009 In Touch magazine)

“Lies will get any man into trouble,
but honesty is its own defense.”

“A fool is quick-tempered;
a wise man stays cool when insulted.”

“A good man is known by his truthfulness;
a false man by deceit and lies.”

“Some people like to make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise soothe and heal.”

“Truth stands the test of time;
lies are soon exposed.”

“God delights in those who keep their promises,
and abhors those who don’t.”

 
"Stand" by K&K Mimes

IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF A WAGGING TONGUE?       ....JUST STAND!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

In her new book, A Place of Healing, disability activist and Christian author Joni Eareckson Tada takes on a question that has vexed the faithful for centuries: If God can heal people, why doesn't he always do so? Tada has a strong personal interest in the answer. A quadriplegic since a diving accident four decades ago, she has suffered from crippling chronic pain in recent years and was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this summer. Tada spoke with TIME about finding peace through suffering and continuing to fight for acceptance 20 years after the landmark signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.


How are you feeling?
Cancer and chronic pain on top of quadriplegia is a little challenging. Right now I'm tired from the chemotherapy and that, coupled with the pain, makes it difficult. At times I've thought, "Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you're doing?" And yet, I know the answer.

Some people think there's another answer, though. At the beginning of your book, you describe an astounding encounter you had in a church parking lot.
Yes, this very earnest young man named David came up to me, knelt down by my wheelchair, and asked me, "Joni, are you sure there's no unconfessed sin in your life? I just know that God wants to heal you." He was basically saying my faith wasn't big enough or strong enough or righteous enough. I reminded him of the story in Luke where the four friends brought their paralyzed buddy to Jesus to be healed. But it was the faith of those friends — not the man's own faith — that Jesus used as a channel for healing. Well, there you go, David, the pressure's on you.

Why do you think people need to believe that you're to blame for your suffering?
If we can come up with a simple explanation, "You did something wrong," then it's something we think we can control. In the Christian faith, God really puts suffering front and center. He doesn't get squeamish about it. But our human inclination is to turn the other way, to assume that this person must have a bad track record with God. We just don't want to embrace the God who can be found in the midst of pain. We'd rather listen to Jesus preach sweet sermons about lilies.

So why doesn't God always heal people when they ask?
There is this verse in Matthew 18 where Jesus is delighted to heal people who come to him. But he says, if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. Now right there, it shows that Jesus has a different priority, and that is our spiritual healing. If I had been granted a miraculous physical healing back when I was 17, I know I wouldn't be in a ministry serving other people with disabilities around the world.

So when you work with people in great pain, do you encourage them to let go of the desire to be healed?
We can certainly ask to be healed. Even I ask for healing regarding this pain, regarding this cancer. Anyone who takes the Bible seriously agrees that God hates suffering. Jesus spent most of his time relieving it. But when being healed becomes the only goal — "I'm not letting go until I get what I want" — it's a problem. There comes a point at which if you don't start living, your whole life is spent jumping from one healing crusade to the next. And I believe I have been healed — just not in the way that others expect.

A lot of people would look at you and find that hard to believe.
I know. But I'm happy. And on that level, I have been healed. People who have been healed in the way I think I have been healed, we don't care about wealth, success, comfort. Having that peace makes up for any amount of walking that I have missed. One problem I have with faith-healing is that it tends to be focused only on the physical aspect of healing. But Jesus always backed away when people came to him only to get their physical needs met. My goodness, he was ready to have you lop off your hand! His real interest was in healing the soul.

You were involved with passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which has now been law for 20 years. What still needs to be done for people with disabilities?
On the day the ADA was signed into law, we all went back to the hotel for a reception and our national director Paul Hearne gave a toast. He said, "This civil rights legislation is great in that it will open up doors of opportunities in employment, it will put ramps into restaurants. And yet this law is not going to change the employer's heart, it's not going to change the heart of the maƮtre d'." He lifted his glass and said, "Here's to changed hearts." Paul understood what makes our society value or not value people. It's a matter of that moral center. I think the advancements will only be accomplished when we make friends with people with disabilities, when we stop tiptoeing around that person with MS, when we make ourselves see the woman in the wheelchair. You can't legislate that.

Thabiti Anyabwile - Why Does God Allow Suffering To Come To Some But Not Others/