Busy Making Daisy Chains

Mrs. Mae Hull, Truro, Nova Scotia, the widow of the esteemed servant of the Lord, Albert Hull, recently made a request. Her desire is for all of us to read Amy Carmichael’s “Daisy Chain” by having it distributed online. Her prayer is that many hearts would be touched and we would sense the urgency of getting the Gospel to those who are perishing. As I understand it, the version below is slightly adapted from Amy Carmichael’s original. 

If you can help in circulating this stirring post among your Christian friends, it would be appreciated. And if you would like to thank Mrs. Hull for initiating this effort, click on her name above. I am sure she would love to hear from you.

Daisy Chains

Things As They Are!

By Amy Carmichael

The tom-toms thumped on all night, and the darkness shuddered around me like a living feeling thing.  I could not go to sleep, so I lay awake and looked; and I saw, and it seemed like this:

That I stood on a grassy plateau, and at my feet a precipice broke sheer down into infinite space.  I looked, but saw no bottom; only cloud shapes, black and furiously coiled, and great shadow-shrouded hollows and unfathomable depths.  Back I drew, dizzy at the depth.

Then I saw forms of people moving single file along the grass.  They were making for the edge. There was a woman with the baby in her arms and another little child holding on to her dress.  She was on the very verge.  Then I saw that she was blind.  She lifted her foot for the next step… It trod air.  She was over, and the children over with her.  Oh, the cry as they went over!

Then I saw more streams of people flowing from all quarters.  All were blind, stone blind; all made straight for the precipice edge. There were shrieks as they suddenly knew themselves falling, and a tossing up of helpless arms, catching, clutching at empty air.  But some went over quietly and fell without a sound.

Then I wondered, with a wonder that was simply agony, why no one stopped them at the edge.  I could not.  I was glued to the ground, and I could not call.  Though I strained and tried, only a whisper came.

Then I saw that along the edge there were sentries set at intervals.  But the intervals were far too great; there were wide, unguarded gaps between.  And over these gaps the people fell in their blindness, quite unwarned; and the green grass seemed blood-red to me, and the gulf yawned like the mouth of Hell.

Then I saw, like the picture of peace, a group of people under some trees, with their backs toward the gulf.  They were making daisy chains.  Sometimes when a piercing shriek cut the quiet air and reached them, it disturbed them and they thought it a rather vulgar noise.  And if one of their numbers started up and wanted to go and do something to help, then all the others would pull that one down.  Why should you get so excited about it?  You must wait for a definite ‘call’ to go.  You haven’t finished your daisy chains.  “It would be really selfish,” they said, “to leave us to finish this work alone.”

There was another group.  It was made up of people whose great desire was to get some sentries out; but they found that few wanted to go, so it was that sometimes there were no sentries for miles and miles at the edge.

Once a girl stood alone in her place, waving the people back; but her mother and other relatives called and reminded her that her furlough was due; she must not break the rules.  And, being tired and needing a change, she had to go and rest a while; but no one was sent to guard her gap, and over and over the people fell, like a waterfall of souls.

Once a child caught at a tuft of grass that grew at the very brink of the gulf; the child clung convulsively, and it called, but nobody seemed to hear.  Then the roots of the grass gave way, and with a cry the child went over, its two little hand still holding tight the torn off bunch of grass.

And the girl who longed to be back in her gap thought she heard the little one cry, and she sprang up and wanted to go; at which her relatives reproved her, reminding her that no one is necessary anywhere – the gap would be well taken care of, they knew. And they sang a hymn.

Then through the hymn came another sound like the pain of a million broken hearts wrung out in one full drop, one sob.  And of horror of great darkness was upon ME, for I knew that it was the cry of blood.

Where were the heralds?  Where are the men of God who will sacrifice self and case to preach Christ to a dying world?  The definite call is to you beloved child of God.  All that are redeemed belong to God.  He has a distinct claim upon every saved to soul and says to all, “As my Father hath sent me, even so I send you.” (John 20:21)

Then thundered a voice, the voice of the Lord; and He said, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?  Then said I: Here am I; send me.”  And He said, “Go, and tell this people…”  Isaiah 6:8, Mark 16:15) The Lord Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature… And low, I am with you alway.” (Matthew 28:20)

Halifax, Nova Scotia Community Easter Supper

Haitian Migrant Workers in New Jersey

Verlandieu Marcellus fellowships with the believers who meet at the Pennsauken Gospel Hall. We asked him to write the report below so others might pray for this work but also be encouraged to do something similar in their area when the opportunity presents itself. No tents or buildings are required. Set-up is minimal. A love to reach lost sheep is the prime motivator and essential ingredient in this work. In reading the story below don’t miss another story – as to how Verlandieu came to Christ. How much more encouraging does it get!

The gospel work among the Haitian people in Hammonton, New Jersey, started in the summer of 2002. Sisters Trudy and Judy Odom of the Barrington Assembly (NJ), and others, were visiting Mexican migrant-workers the previous year with the gospel in Spanish. At that time they took notice of the Haitian people nearby at the Mohawk-farm. However, no one in the group spoke Haitian Creole, which meant, unfortunately, nothing could be done as far as Gospel outreach was concerned.

Trudy Odom taught English at Woodrow Wilson High school where I was a student. Miss Odom was my teacher during 2001 and she invited me to an after-school Bible study that she and Don Draper held at the school. Two to three months later, I came to faith in Christ.

The following year while the Christians were visiting the Mexican laborers again, I was asked along to translate for Brother Andre from the Barrington assembly who was to preach to the Haitian people. My Creole was poor and my translation, at best, were paraphrases of Andre’s messages. Since that time, I have been associated with the work with the Haitian migrant workers.

 

At different times, others have been a tremendous help through much-needed encouragement, prayer, help with the cost of driving-expenses, typing and printing up Creole hymn sheets, providing Bible-texts, tracks, Bibles, reaching out to the English-speaking children and even with the preaching.

 

Nine years later, four new farms have been discovered while the work that started at the Mohawk-farm still continues. Visits begin around the first of June and run to the end of July or the first weekof August. My work schedule restricts the number of evening visits I can make; but I am often free to make three visits per week.

In the past, we took the Gospel to two or more farms per evening. But we have found that such a schedule leaves us with very little time to visit with the people after we preach. As well, for those who come along to help, who are either older or have a demanding career, the late-evening return after visiting two farms makes it impractical. We have, therefore, tried to keep the visits to one farm per day if it could be helped.

 
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It is a thirty to forty minute drive from the Pennsauken Gospel hall to Hammonton. We often arrive around 6-7:00 pm, not long after the people finish work. Those willing to attend would hurry for a bite then return to stand for the singing and preaching. For the past couple of years, we usually take fourteen folding chairs from the Gospel Hall for the comfort of those who would prefer to sit.

 

Receptivity varies year to year, farm to farm, week to week and visit to visit, but on the best day this year we had over forty in attendance and  on the lowest - six. Women, with the exception of one farm, usually make up over 75% of the meetings. Our meetings are usually outdoors as we do not like to impose on those who are resting - especially those who aren't interested. At one farm, the women prefer that we speak indoors and if there is ever a threat of rain we are always asked inside.


Visible fruit is obscured by the fact that the same people do not always return. Every year, therefore, there is always the added excitement of finding out how we will be received. But the Lord has been good in that there have always been those who wanted to listen.

 

For our part, we count it a privilege to tell precious souls of God’s free forgiveness of sin through faith in Christ while not pushing formulaic prayers, nor encouraging empty professions to affect results. If there has been any fruit, we are content that it is known to Him.

Thousands of So-Called Christians Believe This

When you are interacting with individuals about their spiritual condition or sharing the Gospel privately or publicly, remember this: Just because someone tells you they are a Christian does not mean they are a Christian. 

Hundreds of thousands of people tell researchers during phone surveys they identify with the ‘Christian faith.’ When they are asked: Are you a Muslim, Hindu, Christian, atheist or other?” they answer: ‘Christian’.

What is a Christian? American researchers estimate there are millions of people in the USA who say they are Christians but when pressed for more details about their core spiritual beliefs their responses veer away from the core teachings of the Bible. There are a growing number of people who identify themselves as Christians but really, if you probe a fraction of a centimeter below their surface, what they believe goes like this:

1. A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.
2. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.
3. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about one’s self.
4. God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.
5. Good people go to heaven when they die.

These people go to churches where sermons are preached from a Bible and where hymns about God and Christ are sung. They identify with a ‘Christian’ church – not a mosque or a synagogue or a temple. Because of association, they call themselves Christians. But are they? 

Researchers have classified the five set of beliefs above as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism – not Christianity. Deism – they believe in a higher power beyond the human being. Therapeutic – the therapy in life they value is what makes them feel good about themselves. They want God or Jesus to be their 'therapist' to make them feel good. Moralistic – be a decent person with good morals such as integrity, honesty and fairness.

Thousands of teenagers in America who say they were raised in Christian homes, attend Christian churches and who identify themselves as ‘Christian’ – are marked by those five core beliefs. When asked about fundamental Bible doctrines regarding sin, eternal life, eternal judgment, God’s holiness, Christ as the exclusive way to Heaven, the forgiveness of sins via Jesus Christ alone, etc. they shrug their shoulders and say: “whatever.”

If you have a burden to see lost sheep found, you need to be aware of 'how' and 'what' they think in order for you to communicate effectively with them. If you are involved with Kid's Bible Clubs, Children's Meetings or DVBS this summer, be sure you are teaching the young people the fundamentals of the Gospel. Time is short. They can learn the Beatitudes after they trust Christ. Teaching them good morals of honesty, integrity and fairness is okay but ensure the priority is the fundamentals of the Gospel. The absolute authority of the Bible; the reality of their sin; the requirements of a Holy God; the exclusive way to Heaven through Christ and the need to prepare to meet God.

Christian living principles are not the priority until after they know Christ as their Saviour. Be sure the songs you teach them communicate the fundamentals of the Gospel. They can learn the worship songs  and choruses for Christians to sing, after they are saved. The salvation of their precious souls must be the over-arching priority. Sadly, many of the packaged, off-the-shelf programs for Children found in Christian stores are extremely soft and pathetically weak on Gospel truths.

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. wrote an excellent article about Moralistic Therapeutic Deism - the belief system that is sweeping across North America under the guise of Christianity. The article, written in 2005, is even more relevant in  2010. Click here to read it: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Read the article from start to finish and you will get a fresh sense of the urgency of spreading the true Gospel and keeping it pure - without watering it down in anyway.

Viewpoints Lectures for the Unfamiliar in Ottawa

The post below was submitted by Ken Kember and Vince Kember in Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario.

The Viewpoints Lectures were designed as a tool to present the gospel to an audience unfamiliar with its message and with the Christian worldview that underlies it. 

We had already been working with the Chinese community in Ottawa for a few years through a language/Bible study group called the English Bible Circle. Viewpoints 09 was an opportunity to bring newer students up to date with a solid base in Christian concepts, and also a chance to introduce to secular Canadians – friends from school or work – the truth presented in the Bible. 

This work involved a series of 4 lectures over 4 evenings held at a community centre next to the University of Ottawa. Shortly before the event, we held a booth at the University where we invited students to attend the lectures while also distributing tracts, Seed Sowers, Bibles....and the ever-popular cookies. We distributed invitations for our students to take home and share with their friends and created a website to introduce ourselves, give time/place details, and provide the outlines for each night.

The lectures were held in an informal fashion outside of the assembly meeting context, much in the style of a classroom lecture. The outlines were distributed on paper, and each lecture was accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation that went through the material more completely. This helped to structure the material and allowed for the incorporation of helpful images and diagrams.

These presentations, along with an audio recording of the lecture, were posted on the website after each session in case some could not attend each night. Each of the four lectures were written and presented by a different brother from our assembly. We worked together in designing the overall structure of the content, but were at liberty to take our subject in the direction we felt would be most helpful.

The series revolved around the idea of “viewpoints” or “worldviews” – the set of beliefs and assumptions that we all have and that defines our attitudes and our choices. We wanted to present the idea that everyone has a worldview, whether they are aware of it or not. We then sought to introduce, as clearly as possible, the Christian worldview. The focus of this series was not so much the defence of Christianity (apologetics) as a clear presentation of its truths.

The title for the first night was “Man's Views”. We defined worldviews and asked the audience to define and assess their own. We talked about the questions a worldview must address, and the tests to which it can be subjected. We asked the audience to consider how any given worldview would answer questions about authority, worship, meaning, morality, and life after death. 

In the second night we moved specifically into the Christian worldview with a message entitled “God's View”. This was an introduction to God as he is described in the Bible, as well as His assessment of fallen mankind. 

The third night, “View on Christ” focused on the person of Christ, his purpose for coming into the world, and the impact of his resurrection. 

The last night of the series, “Future Views”, spoke of the Bible's relevance to the individual. We discussed death and the afterlife – Heaven and Hell – and explained the need of personal salvation.We concluded the lectures with Christ's invitation to all.

If you would like to receive more information or make further inquiries about the above approach you can email Vince Kember or Ken Kember, both in fellowship at the River Road Assembly in Ottawa, Canada. 

Gospel Outreach – Substance Abuse Rehab Center

Michael Procopio, in fellowship at the Saugus Gospel Hall, submitted this report on a Gospel outreach activity in Massachusetts. For four years Christians from Saugus, MA have been sharing the Gospel with men and women during their stay at a Rehab Center.

Overview

The rehab facility we are ‘working’ in is a short-term residential rehabilitation facility for substance abuse, including drug and alcohol addictions, for both men and women. It is a transitional facility, meaning that it's not set-up for long-term rehabilitations (90+days), but is intended to be a 3-4 week transitional stop for men and women in between detox and long-term rehabilitation care. Many of the clients have either just been released from prison, or have been mandated by the courts to enroll in the program, although there are those there who have enrolled of their own initiative. It is a 28-bed facility, and the time spent in the facility varies from about 4 weeks in the summer, to about 8 weeks in the winter, depending on the availability of space and beds in the longer-term rehabilitation centers.

The Open Door

Initially, Rick Lawson, one of the Christians from the Gospel Hall in Saugus, was working on the Fire Alarm System at the facility, and through a deep exercise over several years, and much prayer and personal witnessing to several of the program directors and coordinators, was able to arrange a meeting between the head administrator and a couple of the brethren to discuss weekly meetings. When asked, "What night would work?" we replied "What about tonight?"

She arranged the meeting for that evening. We quickly scrambled and got some men together, picked up some Bibles and hymn sheets, and had the meeting - not really sure what to expect, but confident that this was a door God had opened, and we should go through it, knowing that he would bless the efforts. That first night, Gene Higgins (a fulltime Gospel worker) took on the responsibility of speaking to about 15 guys. The response was excellent. We left the meeting that night very excited about the prospects for the gospel in this location.

The door that God opened that night over four years ago has graciously remained open. Our prayer is that God will continue to work in the hearts of both the program directors and the clients at the facility, so that the gospel can continue to be preached at this location into the future.

The Meetings

On a typical Monday night, a number (4-8) of Christians are on hand to assist with the meeting. Usually, fifteen to twenty men and women are in the audience. We've seen as many as 28, and as few as 5 or 6, but the crowds tend to be larger, rather than smaller, which is very encouraging. In addition to the program’s clients, usually one or two of the program directors or supervisors also attend. Ages of the audience range from 18-60, but are mostly younger men and women in their 20's and 30's.

Helpful Clients and Care Packages

Each night begins by getting them all settled down, and the room setup for the meeting - the audience likes to participate and they will arrange the chairs and setup tables and what-not for us as we begin. Due to the fact that these men and women are away from home, and often estranged from their families, we provide everyone with a care package on their first night out - this consists of basic toiletries, as well as some candy, some tracts and a bible.

Relevant Message linked to their Recovery

Once everyone has been welcomed and the care packs have been distributed to the newcomers, the meeting is started with an introduction and a couple of hymns. We give an overview of why we are there, and what we are preaching, and what our intentions are for the audience - because of the unique nature of the rehabilitation facility we are in, we try to link the message of the gospel to their recovery from substance abuse. This has been very effective, as they make connections very easily, and are usually able to candidly discuss the problem of sin and its consequences.

Keeping it Very Simple – Assuming No Knowledge of the Bible

God has placed it on our hearts to be as simple and as transparent as possible, assuming no previous knowledge of the Bible or the Gospel on the part of the audience. In keeping with this, we emphasize that we are simply preaching what God's word says, and that we aren't there as just a "church group".

As we try to sing a couple of hymns, time is taken to discuss them, and explain some of the old-time lines and words, bringing the timeless gospel message of the songs they are singing to bear on their current situation.

Relatively Informal and Interactive

After the meeting is opened in prayer, we have a short, simple gospel message, based on usually only a single verse, or a couple of verses that we read together. We make a real effort to be very simple, and encourage questions if anything isn't understood. It's a relatively informal setting, and it's not uncommon to have significant discussion and interaction throughout the course of the message.

Sometimes the questions can border on the bizarre, but even the strangest questions are asked genuinely, and we have seen God use the questions from the audience to direct the message in a different way, for his blessing.

Candid Chats over Coffee

After the speaker concludes, we'll close in prayer and then continue with personal discussions over coffee and donuts, usually for another half-hour or so. This time of personal conversations with the men and women there has been very profitable, as most of the ‘clients’ are full of questions. Many very candid conversations take place. Nearly every night the vast majority of the clients stick around to talk about the meeting and the message of the Gospel.

The Challenges

Broken Lives

The struggles that the men and women in this program face are incredible. Most of them have had moderate-to-serious ongoing trouble with the law. Many are on post-release court orders, and some are in this program to avoid jail. Most of them have burned the bridges with their families, and their heartache is written all over their faces. Their stories are a tearful reminder of the power of Satan, and the destruction and despair that he sows as the prince of darkness. Most of them have children who have been taken by the state, or parents who, after years of dealing with the lies and deceptions of drug abuse, have severed ties with them, and this weighs on them - for most of them, nothing would mean more to them than restoring those relationships that have been severed.

Keeping Focused on the Gospel in a Balanced Way

With all of this baggage, it's difficult to keep 100% focused on the gospel. The natural impulse is to help with their every need, but God has given tremendous help in this area. The messages that are preached are true to God's word, simple to understand, and, importantly, pertinent to the current circumstances of the audience. Since it is an active rehab facility, attention is given not just to the strict message of the gospel, but to their recovery from their addiction as well. We link much of what they are told in their counseling and therapy to the message of the gospel. They are told that without Christ it will be a constant struggle to overcome their addictions, as they are still under the power of Sin; but with Christ, they will have the power not only to conquer their addiction, but have eternal security as well.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."

John 10:10 NASB

1600 in Four Years

Only the Lord knows what the future holds for this work - it's currently ongoing, and Lord willing we will be able to maintain it as long as He permits. We have seen several profess, although the nature of their lives and the need to move away from old acquaintances for sobriety reasons has made discipling them difficult.

Over the 4 years, around 1600 troubled men and women have heard the good news of the gospel in this facility, and the full impact may never be known until that future day.

We would love everyone's prayers for this work - it's unique (at least for us), and has special challenges and needs, so we would encourage you to add us to your prayer list, and pray that as the gospel continues to be sounded out, that it's full effect would be seen, as souls trust Christ for eternity.

If you would like more information about this outreach contact Michael Procopio.

Anchorpoint Radio Program - Kitchener, ON

Barbara Derksen (Kitchener Assembly) submitted this update on the Anchorpoint Radio Program. If you have any questions about the program or how you might be able to benefit from their growing library of edited and ready-to-air Gospel messages you can email her by clicking on her name.

For over two years we have been using the broadcast media to spread the good news of the Gospel. This is in the form of weekly radio broadcasts that started in March of 2008 and covered the Kitchener-Waterloo area (on Faith FM 94.3). Since July of 2009, this outreach has expanded into Toronto and the GTA (including Hamilton and Milton) on Joy 1250, an AM station. The Kitchener-based program is sponsored by the Kitchener Gospel Hall and the Toronto program is sponsored by a number of Toronto assemblies.

John Sharpe of the Kitchener assembly is the ‘voice’ of the program providing a short introduction at the beginning of each message along with closing remarks and a number of announcements (meeting times, gospel series, conferences, special offers) at the conclusion of the program. The broadcast is 30 minutes long. On occasion, an appropriate selection from Ruth Hanna’s song collection is added to complete the time and reinforce the message.

Only very high quality audio is suitable for radio. After they are selected, the messages are edited for length, production errors, and personal references. The speakers are full-time assembly evangelists who have given their permission to use their messages in this way.

This medium of outreach also provides an efficient means of advertising and creating public awareness of the local church testimonies. The personal audience impact is difficult to judge, though we have been encouraged by requests for CDs and other offers, word-of-mouth feedback, and a good hit rate on our websites (kitchenergospelhall.com and anchorpointradio.org). We have received uplifting emails and were told by some people that they listen to the broadcasts all the time! Whatever the known responses, we are grateful that clear Bible messages given by our assembly brethren are being made available to the wider listening public.

The Kitchener area broadcast airs at 8:00 EST on Thursday evenings. The Toronto area broadcast airs at 3:00 p.m. EST on Friday afternoons. We are happy and excited about the availability of both broadcasts on the internet via their respective websites (www.faithfm.org and www.joy1250.ca).

On a practical note, we would very much appreciate high quality gospel/ministry recordings for use in future broadcasts. If anyone has any good recordings on hand, please let us know at by emailing us here: Barbara Derksen. Since well over a hundred different radio programs are already completed, only minimal editing and recording would be required for broadcast in other localities. Let us know if you feel that this form of ministry would work for your assembly. We are enthusiastic about this method of gospel outreach and are confident that the Lord will bless His Word sent over the airways for His intended purpose and glory.

Submitted by: Barbara Derksen