| April 2009 A timely perspective from my heart! These are hard days for most people. Me, we, you…actually, I do not know anyone who is untouched by what our country's people are feeling these days. I believe it may be hitting all of us harder because of the cumulative effect of everyone being touched at once. It can create a personal sense of being overwhelmed and out of control. This is being demonstrated daily by countless suicides, by personal demonstrations of aggression, and by new levels of depression in both young and old. Why do I take the time to restate these kinds of issues, you ask? This is an opportunity to focus more than ever, on the LIGHT that always shines, the HAND that always holds, the LOVE that never dies, and the WISDOM that always knows. “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me.” Spoken by Jesus in John 14:6, this is one of the best “back-to-the-basics” verses in Scripture that I know. God brought it to mind recently when I was locked up in one of those MRI machines that can make a grown man think about calling for Mommy. I had two rounds of thirty minute tests on my head, including the dye and the loud banging. No song fits the rhythm, believe me, I tried. Finally, I could do nothing but use my brain, not move, and try not to freak out. It was incredibly difficult. Ironically, my mother lost her life in one of these. So, here is what I did: I used my time to pray and review Scripture. Most of the verses that came to mind revolved around the GOSPEL, the focus of most of my life’s work. I had time to meditate on what Jesus Christ did for humanity. He walked the earth on which we walk. He talked to people about issues of which we talk. He demonstrated daily compassion like we ought. And then, when it was time, he was falsely accused and put on the cross for us. He must have felt so overwhelmed and out of control. We do know that He felt very alone. However, He was faithful to what the Father told Him to do and, as a result, His Spirit can live within us today. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 Jesus experienced hard, and yes, He knows what we are experiencing now. He is not taken off guard. His truth will prevail, for His Word and His people will last forever and ever. Oh, by the way, those tests of my brain....they didn't find anything....at least anything wrong. My Doctor is still testing to determine the cause of some pretty serious headaches. We will keep you posted, but all seems to be fine. Thank you for your continued prayer for the health and safety of our team and our families at Outside the Box Ministries. Your continued financial support is essential. Important events during May, June and July to put on the calendar for prayer: May 21-25 REVOLUTION : an evangelistic street outreach in Van Nuys, California held on a high school football field. Pray for peace, safety and for the clarity of the Gospel. June 24-29 DCLA in Los Angeles: the youth evangelism training conference held every three years since 1985. June 27-July 2 WARRIOR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT in the Ozarks: a Native American youth leadership conference and reservation missions launch July 7-11 DCLA in Washington DC: the youth evangelism training conference held every three years since 1985 ~ Rolly Richert |
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-- September 2007 prayer letter
-- December 2007 prayer letter
-- December 2008 prayer letter
-- February 2009 prayer letter
-- April 2009 prayer letter
