>> THE FIERY DART IS STILL
GOING TO COME AT US.
THERE IS NO
DENYING THAT.
SO TO BE HONEST
ABOUT THAT
AND TO INVITE PEOPLE INTO
THAT PLACE OF VULNERABILITY
AND JUST SAY,
"I'VE GOT YOUR BACK."
Announcer: NEXT!
SPEND WEDNESDAYS IN THE WORD
WITH SHEILA WALSH,
REBEKAH LYONS,
AND ANN VOSKAMP.
>> YOUR STORY IS NEVER
TOLD IN A VACUUM;
IT BRUSHES UP
AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE'S
IN YOUR OWN LIFE TOO.
IT IS JUST A BEAUTIFUL THING
IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
WHEN WE CAN SAY,
"IT'S OKAY.
I WILL STEWARD
YOUR STORY WELL."
♪
Sheila: HELLO!
THIS IS SHEILA WALSH.
WELCOME TO
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WORD.
I'M SO GLAD YOU TOOK
SOME TIME OUT TO JOIN US.
ONE OF MY LIFE VERSES
IS WRITTEN -- WHEN PAUL WROTE
TO THE CHURCH IN THESSALONICA,
THIS IS WHAT HE SAID
IN FIRST THESSALONIANS.
I LOVE THAT!
I LOVE THE WAY
THAT PAUL SHOWS
HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS
AND HERE'S HOW THE GOOD NEWS
IS SHAPING ME.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT
THE BEAUTY OF TRANSPARENCY
THAT I THINK
IS SUCH A HEALING GIFT.
SO I'VE INVITED
TWO OF THE WOMEN
I CONSIDER TO BE
THE MOST TRANSPARENT WOMEN.
THE WAY THAT CHRIST
SHINES HIS LIGHT
THROUGH THEIR BROKENNESS
IS TRULY BREATHTAKING:
ANN VOSKAMP
AND REBEKAH LYONS.
SO GREAT
TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.
I WANTED TO ASK YOU
FIRST OF ALL,
YOU TOOK SOME TIME THIS YEAR
TO ACTUALLY GO ON THE ROAD
TOGETHER WITH CHRISTY NOCKELS.
I'VE NEVER MET HER PERSONALLY
BUT I JUST HEAR
GLORIOUS THINGS ABOUT HER.
WHAT HAS THAT
BEEN LIKE FOR YOU
BEING ON THE ROAD TOGETHER?
Rebekah: WELL,
WE DECIDED TO DO THIS TOUR
BECAUSE WE HAD ALREADY
TRAVELED AT LEAST THREE TRIPS
IN ONE YEAR.
WE WERE JOKING THAT
WE WERE ROOMIES FOR 30 NIGHTS
IN ONE YEAR'S TIME
AND WE STILL LOVED EACH OTHER.
Ann: WE STILL
LOVED EACH OTHER.
Rebekah: SO THAT'S WHAT EVEN
GAVE THIS TOUR AN IDEA.
WE WERE IN ISRAEL ONCE
AND WE WALKED IN,
WE WERE SHARING A ROOM
IN A KIBBUTZ
OVERLOOKING EMMAUS ROAD.
WE WALKED IN AND THERE'S
THESE LITTLE TINY BEDS;
THEY WERE ABOUT
EIGHT INCHES OFF THE GROUND.
TWO TWINS AND
THEY WERE PUSHED TOGETHER,
AND WE STAYED THERE
FOR SEVEN NIGHTS
AND WE DIDN'T EVEN
PUSH THOSE BEDS APART.
I REMEMBER THINKING,
IS THIS WEIRD?
LIKE IT WAS JUST --
WE JUST CONNECTED SO WELL
AND SHARED SO MUCH
IN THAT SEASON.
Ann: AND REALLY
THE MORE WE TALKED ABOUT
BROKENNESS AND FREEDOM,
THE TWO GO TOGETHER.
YOU CAN'T EVER EXPERIENCE
FREEDOM WITHOUT BROKENNESS.
ONCE YOU'VE EXPERIENCED
FREEDOM, IT COMES FROM
A PLACE OF THAT BROKENNESS
AND BREAKING FREE.
Sheila: IT IS TOTALLY
THE PERFECT PAIRING.
BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU,
WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN HAPPEN
WITH YOUR AUDIENCE
AS YOU SHARE FROM --
ANN, YOU WRITE SO MUCH ABOUT
THE BEAUTY OF BROKENNESS,
AND REBEKAH,
YOU TALK ABOUT FREEDOM,
WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN HAPPENING
IN THE AUDIENCE?
Rebekah: I'M MOST INSPIRED
BY WATCHING THEM MINISTER
TO EACH OTHER.
SO IT'S ALMOST LIKE
WE'VE DONE THAT
IN OUR FRIENDSHIP
AND THERE'S ALMOST
A COMMISSIONING
FOR THEM TO DO THAT.
SO MANY OF THE WOMEN
ARE BRINGING THEIR PEOPLE
OR THEIR CHURCH
OR THEIR SMALL GROUP
OR THEIR FRIENDS OR FAMILY
AND WE END THE NIGHT...
Ann: BOTH OF US
AND BOTH OF OUR ENCOUNTERS,
ENGAGEMENTS WITH THEM
HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING,
"TAKE SOMEBODY'S HAND,
TOUCH SOMEBODY'S SHOULDER,
FEELING BRAVE,
CUP SOMEBODY'S FACE,"
AND WE HELP THEM SPEAK TRUTH
AND GOSPEL OVER EACH OTHER.
WHEN YOU LOOK
INTO SOMEONE'S EYES AND
HEAR THEM SPEAK TRUTH TO YOU,
THAT DOES SOMETHING
TO YOUR HEART
IN A REALLY POWERFUL WAY.
SO WE'RE REALLY THERE
JUST TO GET OUT OF THE WAY
AND LET THEM REALLY
ENCOUNTER JESUS.
Sheila: YOU KNOW
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THAT?
ONE OF MY
PASSIONATE COMMITMENTS IS
TO DEMYTHICIZE THE PLATFORM.
Rebekah: YES!
EVERYONE HAS A VOICE.
EVERYONE IS A MINISTER.
Sheila: BECAUSE SO OFTEN
I THINK, IT IS EASY TO GET UP
ON A PLATFORM AND SPEAK
AND ASK PEOPLE TO RESPOND
BUT MY BIG QUESTION THEN IS
WELL, WHAT NOW?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY
GO BACK HOME TO A MARRIAGE
THAT IS DIFFICULT,
TO A CHILD THAT IS REBELLING?
BUT THE FACT
THAT YOU'RE EXPERIENCING...
Ann: BUT IF THEY CAN DO THIS
IN COMMUNITY
THEY HAVE SOMETHING
THEY CAN HOLD ON TO
WHEN THEY WALK OUT THE DOOR,
THAT'S SOMEBODY
THAT THEY CAN LEAN BACK INTO,
THAT THEY CAN GO AHEAD
AND SHARE REAL TIME
WHAT LIFE IS LIKE.
Rebekah: AND THEY ALL WANT IT.
THEY COME ALIVE IN THAT;
REMINDING EACH OTHER
WHAT IS TRUE.
THEN THEY'RE LIKE
WE HAVE EACH OTHER
WHEN WE GO BACK HOME.
YOU'VE GOT ME ON SPEED DIAL.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED
ON THOSE DAYS
THAT ARE REALLY HARD.
WE NEED TO BE REMINDED
OF WHAT IS TRUE.
Sheila: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED
-- I'M GOING TO ASK
BOTH OF YOU THIS
-- BUT WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED
FROM YOUR FRIENDSHIP
AND YOUR PARTNERING
WITH ANN ON THIS JOURNEY?
Rebekah: I HAVE LEARNED
WITH HER WHAT I THINK
JESUS ALSO TELLS US,
THAT NOTHING IS OFF LIMITS.
LIKE THERE IS NOTHING
YOU CAN SHARE THAT WILL
PUSH THAT PERSON AWAY;
AND THAT REALLY IS
CHRIST'S LOVE.
RIGHT?
THERE ARE TIMES WHERE WE'LL
BE LIKE LAUGHING-LAUGHING
AND THEN I'M LIKE BUT THEN
I KIND OF FELT LIKE CRYING.
AND SHE'S TOTALLY
RIGHT THERE WITH ME.
AND THEN SHE'LL IMMEDIATELY
JUST SHARE SOMETHING.
I THINK WHEN YOU LEAD
WITH VULNERABILITY
IN ANY FRIENDSHIP
YOU IMMEDIATELY CONNECT.
AND THERE IS SOMETHING
TRUSTED THERE.
I'VE LEARNED THAT FROM YOU.
Ann: I THINK WHAT
I'VE LEARNED FROM YOU IS WE
BRING OUR VULNERABLE PLACES
AND PIECES OF EACH OTHER
TO EACH OTHER AND
THERE IS A COMMUNION IN THAT.
AND THEN THERE'S ALWAYS
THAT LET'S PRAY HERE.
IT'S ALWAYS
GETTING DOWN ON OUR KNEES,
GETTING DOWN ON OUR FACES
AND REALLY
POURING OUR HEARTS OUT
AND BEING BROKEN,
LETTING THOSE TEARS
WATER DRY PLACES IN US.
I THINK THE TIMES,
IT'S ALWAYS PRAYER WITH YOU,
REBEKAH, AND IT IS ALWAYS
PUSHING INTO JESUS
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT
WE BRING TO EACH OTHER IS HEY,
I KNOW A BROKENHEARTED HEALER.
AND IT IS THAT TIME OF PRAYER
THAT I'VE FOUND SO HEALING
IN OUR FRIENDSHIP.
Rebekah: YEAH, BECAUSE PRAYER
IS THAT VERTICAL COMMUNION
AND WHEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY
SHARE THAT WITH A FRIEND
AND FEEL LIKE THAT'S A SAFE,
SACRED, TRUSTED PLACE, WHERE
TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED
BUT SOMETIMES WE DON'T FEEL
THAT FREEDOM TO PRAY
IN A VERY VULNERABLE WAY
WITH FRIENDS.
BUT THAT HAS BEEN
BINDING FOR US.
Ann: THAT'S GOD PLOWING
NEW LIFE INTO BOTH OF US
AND HE HAS REAPED
BEAUTIFUL THINGS OUT OF THAT.
SO IF YOU CAN FIND
SOMEBODY YOU CAN BE
REALLY BE HONEST WITH
AND PRAY WITH THAT PERSON,
I THINK
THERE IS REDEMPTIVE LIFE
OUT OF THAT GOOD PLACE.
Sheila: BUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING
IS REALLY SHOW AND TELL,
OF WHAT JAMES SAYS ABOUT
CONFESS YOUR SINS
ONE TO ANOTHER
AND PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
SO THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU,
GOD IN HIS MERCY KNEW HOW MUCH
I WOULD NEED BOTH OF YOU
BECAUSE JUST EVEN YESTERDAY
WAS JUST ONE OF
MY HARDEST DAYS.
I TAKE MEDICATION
FOR DEPRESSION
AND MOST DAYS I'M GOOD.
BUT YESTERDAY
I JUST HAD A HARD DAY.
A DAY WHERE I THOUGHT,
LORD, I DON'T KNOW
IF I CAN DO THIS MUCH LONGER.
ON DAYS LIKE THAT,
TO BE ABLE TO DIG
INTO BOOKS OF GIRLS
WHO REMOVE THE SHAME
FROM BEING HUMAN AND BROKEN,
I JUST WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU.
Ann: I THINK WE WANT
TO BE SEEN IN OUR BROKENNESS
-- I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE.
AND I THINK JUST TO BE KNOWN
AND SEEN IS SO POWERFUL.
I HOPE THE WORDS
WE LAY DOWN ON THE PAGE
SOMEBODY SAYS, "I SEE WHAT
THAT KIND OF PAIN IS LIKE.
THIS IS MINE TOO.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE."
Rebekah: I HAD A DAY
LIKE THAT IN DECEMBER
SIX WEEKS BEFORE
MY FREEDOM BOOK'S
COMING OUT; RIGHT?
I REMEMBER SITTING
IN THE BATHTUB
AND JUST STARING AT THE WALL
FOR WHAT FELT LIKE TOO LONG
TO BE APPROPRIATE AND NORMAL.
AND I REMEMBER SAYING:
I NEED AN S.O.S. TEXT
TO SOMEONE RIGHT NOW
TO JOIN ME IN PRAYER.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT
IN THE CHURCH,
WHAT IS IT THAT WE HAVE TO
ALL OF THE SUDDEN HAVE --
LIKE THE FIERY DART
IS STILL GOING TO COME AT US;
THERE IS NO DENYING THAT.
SO TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT
AND TO INVITE PEOPLE INTO
THAT PLACE OF VULNERABILITY
AND JUST SAY,
"I'VE GOT YOUR BACK.
I'M COMING AROUND YOU.
WE'RE GOING BEFORE
THE THRONE TOGETHER."
WE NEED THAT.
Sheila: YEAH!
BECAUSE I THINK
THE OTHER ELEMENT
THAT IS HUGELY IMPORTANT.
I DO THE THINGS I KNOW TO DO.
I TAKE MY MEDICATION,
I TRY TO EXERCISE,
I TRY TO EAT WELL.
BUT I ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER
THAT WE'RE IN
A SPIRITUAL BATTLE.
I HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK
THAT WON'T COME OUT
UNTIL LATER IN 2017
BUT IT IS THE FIRST TIME EVER
THAT I TALK ABOUT THE FACT
THAT FOR MOST OF MY LIFE
I'VE STRUGGLED
WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.
MY DAD TOOK HIS LIFE
WHEN HE WAS 34.
SUICIDE IS UNSPEAKABLE
TO MOST PEOPLE
BUT WHEN SOMEBODY
IN YOUR FAMILY DOES IT,
IT PUTS IT ON THE TABLE.
SINCE I FINISHED
THE MANUSCRIPT,
I HAVE NEVER FELT SO ATTACKED.
I THINK THAT'S WHY
WE NEED THOSE PEOPLE
THAT WE CAN SIMPLY SAY, "HEY.
I'M NOT DOING WELL
AT ALL RIGHT NOW."
Rebekah: WELL,
WHEN YOU'RE GOING AFTER
THE MESSAGE, RIGHT, THE ENEMY
IS THE AUTHOR OF DEATH.
WHEN YOU'RE GOING AFTER THAT,
HE IS DOUBLING DOWN.
I WAS IN TORMENT THIS FALL
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
LIKE RIDICULOUS LIES
WOULD COME OVER ME
AND I'D WAKE MY HUSBAND UP
AND HE'S LIKE,
"EVERYTHING YOU'RE SAYING
DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE."
I WAS LIKE,
"BUT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
HOW POWERFUL THAT CAN BECOME."
AND ALL THE MORE YOU HAVE
TO HAVE PEOPLE RIGHT THEN
EVEN IN YOUR PRESENT LIFE,
LONG DISTANCE IS AWESOME
BECAUSE WE DO BOXER PRAYERS
THAT ARE VERY, VERY LONG.
BUT WHEN WE'RE TOGETHER,
YOU ALSO HAVE TO HAVE
SOMEONE THAT'S DOWN THE ROAD
THAT CAN BE THERE
IN A MOMENTS NOTICE
JUST TO SAY, "THIS IS THE DAY
THAT I NEED SOMEONE
RIGHT NOW."
Sheila: ONE OF THE THINGS
I LOVE THAT YOU ARE BOTH
DOING IS JUST UNVEILING
THE SECRETS AND THE LIES
THAT KEEP US SO IN PRISON.
I HAD A REALLY
INTERESTING EXPERIENCE.
A FEW MONTHS AGO,
I WAS SPEAKING AT A LARGE
CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
AND IT WAS VERY UPBEAT,
VERY HAPPY AND AT THE END OF
MY MESSAGE I FELT COMPELLED
TO DO SOMETHING
I'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
AND SO I SIMPLY SAID
FROM THE PLATFORM,
"IF YOU HAVE EVER ATTEMPTED
TO TAKE YOUR LIFE
OR IF YOU STRUGGLE
WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS,
WOULD YOU JOIN ME
AT THE FRONT?"
THERE WAS OVER 500 WOMEN,
AGES FROM 14 TO 75.
THERE IS SOME THINGS WE THINK,
YOU CAN'T CONFESS THAT,
PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE
A CHRISTIAN OR IF YOU'RE
A CHRISTIAN LEADER.
I MEAN, CLEAN YOUR ACT UP!
BUT THEN YOU REALIZE,
SOME OF THEM --
I THINK TWO OF THE MOST
POWERFUL WORDS
IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARE,
"ME TOO."
I THINK THAT'S
WHAT YOU WERE DOING
THROUGH YOUR BOOKS
AND THROUGH SPEAKING
ON THE ROAD.
DO YOU EVER FEEL
IT'S TOO MUCH?
DO YOU EVER FEEL
TOO VULNERABLE?
Ann: I WAS IN GRAND RAPIDS
WITH A GROUP OF WOMEN
AND THEY WERE BRINGING
THE BROKEN WAY
AND I WAS SIGNING COPIES.
ALL OF THE SUDDEN
I JUST STARTED TO WEEP.
I REALIZED, OH MY GOODNESS,
WHAT HAVE I DONE?
ALL OF THESE WOMEN
ARE CARRYING AROUND MY HEART
IN THEIR HANDS AND
I COULDN'T GET IT TOGETHER.
I HAD TO GO TO THE WASHROOM
AND WASH MY FACE OFF.
WE FEEL LIKE, I HAVE SHARED
-- WHEN YOU'VE WRITTEN
FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE,
YOU'VE WRITTEN
IN A REALLY VERTICAL SPACE
BEFORE THE LORD
AND THEN YOU REALIZE,
IT IS OUT THERE.
AND SO MANY TIMES
WHEN I MEET WOMEN I JUST,
"THANK YOU FOR BEING
A SAFE PLACE TO TRUST
WITH PIECES OF MY HEART."
BECAUSE IT IS --
IT IS MESSY AND
IT IS INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE.
IT IS VULNERABLE BECAUSE
YOUR STORY IS NEVER TOLD
IN A VACUUM; IT BRUSHES UP
AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE'S
IN YOUR OWN LIFE TOO.
AND I JUST THINK
IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING
IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
WHEN WE CAN SAY, "IT'S OKAY.
I WILL STEWARD
YOUR STORY WELL.
I WILL CARRY IT
AS A PRECIOUS GIFT
AND SEE THAT YOU MEANT IT
AS A BALM
FOR MY OWN BROKENNESS TOO."
Sheila: WOW!
WHEN YOU WRITE ON FREEDOM,
HOW DOES THAT --
BECAUSE YOU'RE MARRIED,
YOU HAVE CHILDREN,
YOU HAVE A LIFE.
I SOMETIMES THINK
IF WE COULD JUST TAKE
WHAT WE BELIEVE AND GO
AND SIT IN A ROOM SOMEWHERE,
SIT IN A CORNER
AND JUST BE LIKE,
"I'LL BE HERE BELIEVING THIS"
BUT THEN YOU BUMP
INTO A PERSON.
HOW DO YOU DAILY REMAIN FREE?
Rebekah: YOU KNOW WHAT'S
FUNNY ABOUT THE BOOK IS
SOME OF THE MOST
POPULAR CHAPTERS
ARE "FREE TO GRIEVE,"
"FREE TO BE WEAK,"
"FREE TO WAIT."
IT'S ALMOST LIKE,
THE FREEDOM OF EVEN BEING
IN THAT BROKENNESS
AND KNOWING THAT HE IS
COVERING IT, HE SEES IT.
WHEN I READ HEBREWS TEN
AND THAT IDEA OF GOD SAYS,
"I WILL WRITE MY LAWS
ON THEIR HEARTS
AND BIND THEM ON THEIR MINDS.
AND I WILL NEVER AGAIN
REMEMBER THEIR SINS
OR THEIR LAWLESS ACTS."
I'M LIKE NUH-HUH!
WAIT A MINUTE.
BECAUSE YOU HEARD ME
THIS MORNING WITH MY KIDS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU...
THE CREDIT OF
CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
IN OUR HEARTS AND LIVES,
IT IS JUST STAGGERING TO ME
BECAUSE THEN IT GOES,
YES, I'M FALLEN AND BROKEN
AND IN NEED OF A SAVIOR,
AND BECAUSE OF THAT SAVIOR,
CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS,
GOD SEES THAT ON ME.
THERE IS NO GREATER ACT
OF LOVE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
BECAUSE WE KNOW -- WE KNOW.
WE BRING OUR MESS
AND HE REDEEMS IT ALL.
SO MY FAMILY LIKE, YOU KNOW,
ALL OF OUR FAMILIES,
THEY SEE IT ALL.
THEY SEE IT ALL
AND THERE IS A LOT
OF APOLOGIES GOING AROUND.
AND THERE'S A LOT
OF LIKE "NEW MERCIES
IN THE MORNING, GUYS!"
Sheila: DON'T YOU THINK
THAT'S A GIFT
TO OUR CHILDREN?
I THINK WHEN YOU CAN BE HONEST
WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND SAY,
"I'M NOT GOING TO GET IT ALL
RIGHT, AND I BLEW IT HERE,"
IT GIVES THEM PERMISSION TO
SHOW UP AS WELL AND BE REAL.
Rebekah: WHEN PIERCE
WAS LIKE FIVE I SAID,
"I'M SORRY, SON.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE
HANDLED THAT."
HE GOES, "IT'S OKAY, MOM.
WE ALL SIN."
THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT.
YEP, THAT'S TRUE.
Sheila: OKAY, I WANT
TO THROW A VERSE AT YOU
BECAUSE FOR ME
WITH THE WAY WE ARE
IN THE STATES AT THE MOMENT
WITH WHAT'S GOING ON
IN OUR NATION,
WITH WHAT'S GOING ON
IN THE CHURCH,
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT VERSES TO ME.
FIRST PETER 3:15:
WHAT THAT VERSE SAYS TO ME
IS THAT AS BELIEVERS
WE SHOULD BE LIVING LIVES
THAT RAISE QUESTIONS BUT
WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU
AND YOUR HUSBAND GABE
HAVE THIS Q IDEAS.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THAT, REBEKAH.
Rebekah: WELL,
Q STANDS FOR QUESTIONS
AND IT REALLY IS
WHERE WE ASK THE CHURCH
ONE QUESTION:
WHAT IS FAITHFULNESS LOOK LIKE
WHEN THE CULTURE SEEMS LOST?
RIGHT?
WE STARTED THIS 13 YEARS AGO
WHEN IT DIDN'T FEEL AS
RELEVANT AS IT DOES EVEN NOW.
SO WE'LL ASK THE CHURCH,
HOW DO WE NAVIGATE
THE TENSIONS OF OUR DAY
WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES
THAT ARE AT HAND?
THERE ARE SO MANY NOW
AND WHAT DOES FAITHFULNESS
TO JESUS LOOK LIKE?
WELL, IT DOES INCLUDE HUMILITY
AND KINDNESS AND RESPECT.
ABSOLUTELY!
BUT ALSO, THERE WERE SOME
MOMENTS EARLIER THIS SPRING
WHERE I FELT COMPELLED
BY THE SPIRIT,
LIKE I COULD NOT SHAKE IT,
IT WAS ONE OF THOSE CRAZY --
I NEED TO SAY SOMETHING
ABOUT THIS, ESPECIALLY
WOMEN IN PARTICULAR.
I HAVE A VERY DEEP-SEATED
CONVICTION ON THAT
WE WERE NEVER MADE
TO BEGIN OR END LIFE,
TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
SO THAT BREAKS MY HEART,
OBVIOUSLY, LIKE IT DOES
SO MANY OTHERS.
SO SOMETIMES WE ARE CALLED
TO SPEAK AND TO DO THAT
WITH BOLDNESS
BUT ALSO WITH HUMILITY,
AND CLOTHED
IN THAT KIND OF KINDNESS.
Sheila: I READ THE OTHER DAY
THAT SO MANY MILLENNIALS,
MY SON, THAT'S MY SON'S AGE,
HE IS 20,
ARE WALKING AWAY FROM CHURCH.
I WONDERED
IF YOU HAD ANY PERSPECTIVE
AND WHY YOU THINK THAT IS SO
AND WHAT YOU THINK
THAT WE AS THE CHURCH CAN DO
TO LIVE A LIFE
THAT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE
WANT TO RUN TO US
RATHER THAN FROM US?
Rebekah: YOU GO
AND THEN I WILL.
Ann: I THINK THE MILLENNIALS
ARE LOOKING AT THE SUFFERING
AND THE BROKENNESS
IN THE WORLD AND SAYING,
"IF YOU'RE THE CHURCH,
IF IT IS ABOUT HEALING,
IF YOU CARE
ABOUT THESE THINGS,
ARE YOU SHOWING UP?
WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION
FOR THE BROKENNESS
IN THE WORLD?
IS GETTING SAVED THEN
JUST ABOUT SORT OF GETTING
INTO YOUR LIFE RAFT AND
HANGING ON AND YOU'RE OKAY.
OR IS BEING SAVED ABOUT
TRYING TO SAVE OTHERS?
AND CARING ABOUT PLACES
WHERE THERE IS SUFFERING,
CARING ABOUT FAMINE,
CARING ABOUT SEX TRAFFICKING,
CARING ABOUT REFUGEE CRISIS,
CARING ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE
ARE IN DIRE NEED OF SOMEONE
TO SHOW UP AND BE LIKE JESUS."
I THINK MILLENNIALS
ARE LOOKING AT THE CHURCH
AND SAYING,
"WHO IS JESUS REALLY?
WOULD JESUS SHOW UP
IN THESE PLACES
AND IS THE CHURCH SHOWING UP
IN THESE PLACES?"
SO I THINK WE NEED
TO OPEN OUR BIBLES,
AS WE READ THESE VERSES,
GOSPEL COMPELS US
TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD
AND BE THE HANDS
AND FEET OF JESUS.
SO IT IS NOT ABOUT
SORT OF ESCAPING INTO
OUR LITTLE COMFORT ENCLAVES
BUT IT'S ABOUT GOING
AND BEING COMFORT IN PLACES
THAT ARE IN DIRE NEED.
I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING AT US
AND SAYING, "HOW ARE YOU
INCARNATING GOSPEL?
HOW ARE YOU PULLING ON
SKIN OVER THE WORDS OF JESUS
AND GOING INTO HARD PLACES
AND BEING WILLING TO SUFFER
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING?"
Sheila: I NOTICE SOME
OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE
WITH Q IDEA ARE PEOPLE
LIKE RAVI ZACHARIAS,
SOME OF THESE GREATS.
WHAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS
YOU'VE HEARD THAT YOU THINK
IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE
FOR THE CHURCH AND WHAT DOES
IT LOOK LIKE TO BE FAITHFUL?
Rebekah: OUR LAST Q COMMENTS,
WHICH IS KIND OF
A TOWN HALL GATHERING.
WE HAD ONE A FEW MONTHS BACK
WITH ABOUT 105 CITIES
THAT ALL PARTICIPATE.
WELL, LECRAE WAS AT THAT ONE
AND HE SAID, "SOME PEOPLE
WANTED ME TO KEEP THE PEACE."
HE SAID, "I WASN'T EVER
ASKED TO KEEP THE PEACE.
I'M CALLED TO MAKE PEACE.
AND THAT'S A FAR MORE
DANGEROUS THING."
Sheila: WOW! I THINK TOO
OF WHAT JOHN PIPER SAID,
PASSION,
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO,
WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT
HOW WE'RE ALL SCARED ABOUT
WHAT IS GOING DO HAPPEN.
HE SAID, "IT'S NOT OUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO STAY ALIVE,
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBLE
TO STAY IN LOVE WITH JESUS."
WHICH I THINK IS SO POWERFUL.
I'M SO GRATEFUL
FOR BOTH OF YOU.
I SAID TO MY SON LAST NIGHT.
I SAID, "I'M INTERVIEWING
ANN VOSKAMP TOMORROW.
DO YOU KNOW HER?"
HE SAID, "MOM,
SHE MAKES A DIFFERENCE."
THE FACT THAT YOUR LIFE, ANN,
IMPACTS MY 20-YEAR OLD SON,
I JUST PERSONALLY WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR BEING
A ROLE MODEL FOR KIDS
WHO WANT ALL OR NOTHING.
THAT'S MY SON.
HE SAYS, "I'M ALL IN, MOM,
OR IT'S NOT WORTH IT."
Ann: IT'S ALL IN.
WE'RE NOT PLAYING GAMES HERE
IT'S FOR REAL
BECAUSE HE IS REAL.
Sheila: I HAD AN AMAZING
EXPERIENCE RECENTLY.
I SPENT SOME TIME
WITH SOME OF THE NEEDY,
SOME OF THE POOREST
OF THE POOR.
WHEN YOU GET TO SIT DOWN
WITH PEOPLE IN ANGOLA.
ONE OF OUR DESIRES
IS NOT TO JUST RUSH IN
BUT TO SIT
WITH THEIR OWN LEADERS
AND SAY, "TALK TO US.
TELL US HOW CAN WE HELP YOU."
AND THEY WERE GRACIOUS ENOUGH
TO DO THIS.
WOULD YOU WATCH THIS?
Announcer:
EVERYBODY KNOWS
THAT THERE ARE
HUNGRY CHILDREN IN AFRICA
AND WE KNOW THAT SOMETHING
NEEDS TO BE DONE.
UNICEF KNOWS
THAT ANGOLA HAS
ONE OF THE HIGHEST
CHILD MORTALITY RATES
IN THE WORLD
AND MALNUTRITION IS
A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
THIS VILLAGE
LEADER KNOWS
THAT WITHOUT CROPS
HIS COMMUNITY
IS IN GRAVE DANGER.
Announcer:
THIS MOTHER KNOWS
THE HEARTACHE OF
WATCHING HER CHILDREN
WITHER AWAY
FROM MALNUTRITION.
Announcer:
AND THIS CHILD
KNOWS THE PAIN
OF GOING
TO BED HUNGRY.
BUT JUST KNOWING ABOUT
MALNUTRITION IN AFRICA
WON'T HELP
ANYONE.
THE ACTIONS THAT
WE CHOOSE TO DO TOGETHER
WILL HELP SAVE
A CHILD'S LIFE.
Sheila: IT'S LITERALLY
BREATH-STOPPING TO WALK
INTO A MALNUTRITION CLINIC
AND SIT ON THE BED
WITH THE MOTHERS
AS THEY HOLD THEIR CHILDREN
WHO STRUGGLE
TO TAKE ONE BREATH.
SO MUCH I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND.
I MADE SOME COMMENT
TO ONE OF OUR LOCAL PEOPLE
ABOUT I'D NEVER SEEN
THE RED HAIR.
HE SAID, "THAT'S BECAUSE
THEY HAVE NO PROTEIN
AND THEIR SKIN IS PEELING OFF
AND THEY STRUGGLE
TO TAKE A BREATH."
THE AMAZING THING WAS
I WENT FROM
THE MALNUTRITION CLINIC WHERE
WE SPENT A COUPLE OF DAYS
AND THE NEXT DAY I GOT
TO GO TO ONE OF THE VILLAGES
WHERE WE ARE FEEDING CHILDREN
AND SUDDENLY
IT ALL MADE SENSE.
ONE BOWL
OF THIS NUTRITIOUS FOOD
LITERALLY BEGINS TO REVERSE
THE CYCLE FROM DEATH TO LIFE.
I WATCHED
THESE DARLING CHILDREN
LINE UP IN THE HOT SUN
FOR HOURS LAUGHING
AND PLAYING
AND BEING LIKE CHILDREN --
AND ALL IT TOOK
WAS A SIMPLE BOWL OF FOOD.
AT THE MOMENT
WE ARE FEEDING 400,000
CHILDREN IN AFRICA.
BUT WHEN I LEFT ANGOLA
THE LAST TIME
ONE OF THE VILLAGE LEADERS,
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
GODLY MAN SAID,
"PLEASE DON'T STOP!
WE'VE SEEN THE DIFFERENCE."
CHILDREN USED TO NOT BE ABLE
TO COME TO SCHOOL
BECAUSE THEY WOULD FAINT
HALFWAY THERE
SO THEY WOULDN'T COME.
SO IT IS NOT JUST THAT
IT FEEDS THEM,
IT BREAKS THE WHOLE CYCLE
OF DEVASTATION BECAUSE
IF A CHILD CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL
AND THEY HAVE NO FOOD,
THEY HAVE NO FUTURE.
BUT THE AMAZING THING
IS THAT WE HAVE SET UP
THESE PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS,
AND SO THE PARENTS
SEND THE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL
BECAUSE THEY KNOW
THEY WILL GET A MEAL
AND THEN THEY WILL
STAY IN SCHOOL.
SO YOU'RE GIVING THAT CHILD
A FUTURE AND A HOPE.
I'VE STOOD BESIDE MOTHERS
WHERE HONESTLY,
THERE WAS ONE VILLAGE
WHERE I DIDN'T MEET ONE MOM
WHO HADN'T BURIED AT LEAST
TWO CHILDREN.
THE THING THAT JUST
IS MIND-BLOWING TO ME
IS WE CAN CHANGE THIS.
IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE THERE.
FOR JUST $30 YOU'RE GOING
TO FEED THREE CHILDREN,
$50 FEEDS FIVE,
$100 FEEDS TEN CHILDREN.
THINK OF HOW EASILY
WE BLOW $30.
BUT THAT WOULD FEED
THREE CHILDREN
FOR THREE MONTHS.
IT WILL LITERALLY
GIVE THEM LIFE.
WHEN I LEFT THOSE VILLAGES,
OUR TEAM, WE PROMISED THEM,
"WE'RE NOT GOING
TO FORGET YOU."
AND I WILL NOT FORGET THEM.
WE CAN DO THIS
BUT WE NEED TO DO IT TOGETHER.
SO PLEASE,
WOULD YOU GO TO YOUR PHONE
AND MAKE THE BEST GIFT
YOU CAN?
I KNOW SOME OF YOU DON'T
HAVE MUCH AND I GET THAT,
JUST GIVE WHAT YOU'VE GOT.
JESUS NEVER ASKED YOU
TO FEED THE 5,000.
HE SAYS, "WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?"
IF YOU BRING WHAT YOU HAVE,
HE BLESSES IT
AND HE BREAKS IT
AND HE FEEDS HIS PEOPLE.
WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.
WE'RE GOD'S PEOPLE --
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY
AND OUR JOY.
PLEASE GO TO YOUR PHONE.
PLEASE CALL IN
AND PLEASE DO IT NOW.
THANK YOU.
Announcer: IN IMPOVERISHED
AND EVEN NOW FAMINE-STRICKEN AREAS OF AFRICA,
CHILDREN
ARE SUFFERING.
THE NEED IS GREAT
AND WITHOUT FOOD
THEY FACE DEATH
BY STARVATION.
LIFE'S MISSION FEEDING
PROGRAM IS READY.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE'RE ABLE
TO FEED AND CARE FOR CHILDREN
IN FAMINE AREAS
OF SUDAN,
AS WELL AS ANGOLA
AND MOZAMBIQUE.
WITH ALL OF OUR
PREVIOUS RESERVES GONE
AND MISSION FEEDING
FACING THE WORST DROUGHT
AND FOOD SHORTAGE
IN YEARS,
WE URGENTLY NEED TO REPLENISH OUR FOOD SUPPLIES
TO REACH 400,000 CHILDREN
COUNTING ON US.
YOUR LIFESAVING GIFT
OF $30, $50, OR $100
WILL HELP FEED AND CARE FOR
THREE, FIVE OR TEN CHILDREN
FOR THE NEXT
THREE MONTHS.
PLEASE ALSO CONSIDER
A SPECIAL GIFT OF $1400
TO HELP SPONSOR
A SCHOOL
AND HELP FEED 140 CHILDREN
FOR THREE FULL MONTHS.
WITH YOUR GIFT
OF ANY AMOUNT
WE'LL SEND YOU
MY DAILY WORD DEVOTIONAL.
THIS BOXED SET OF
FOUR SEASONAL DEVOTIONALS
WILL HELP YOU READ,
REFLECT, AND RENEW YOURSELF
THROUGH GOD'S WORD WITH SPACE
TO JOURNAL YOUR THOUGHTS
AND REFLECT
EACH DAY.
WITH YOUR GIFT
OF $100 OR MORE,
YOU'LL ALSO RECEIVE
KARI JOBE'S NEWEST
MUSIC PROJECT, THE GARDEN,
ALONG WITH THE STORY BEHIND
THE GARDEN COMPANION DVD.
AND FINALLY, WITH YOUR GIFT
OF $1,000 OR MORE,
PLEASE BE SURE TO REQUEST
"DETERMINED EAGLE,"
OUR 2017 COMMEMORATIVE
BRONZE SCULPTURE.
PLEASE CALL, WRITE,
OR GO ONLINE TODAY
AND MAKE YOUR
GIFT OF LIFE
TO HELP FEED AND CARE
FOR HUNGRY CHILDREN.
Sheila: CAN YOU
HEAR THEM COUGHING?
CAN YOU HEAR THAT
DEEP CHEST COUGH?
BECAUSE THEIR
RESISTANCE IS SO LOW
THAT THE LEAST
LITTLE THING
BECOMES A SERIOUS
LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE
FOR THESE
CHILDREN.
I DON'T KNOW
IF YOU REALIZE,
BUT EVERY TIME
THAT YOU PICK UP
THE PHONE AND CALL
OR EVERY TIME
YOU GO ONLINE,
THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHOSE
LIVES THAT YOU'RE CHANGING.
OUR PRAYER IS THAT
WE CAN SAVE THIS LITTLE ONE
BUT MY PRAYER IS THAT
WE CAN SAVE HUNDREDS
OF OTHER CHILDREN
BEFORE THEY GET
TO THIS STAGE.
NO CHILD SHOULD EVER
GET TO THIS STAGE.
NO MOM SHOULD EVER
HAVE TO WATCH THIS.
SO IF WE DO
SOMETHING NOW,
WE CAN STOP THIS
FROM HAPPENING.
Sheila: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IF THE PHONES ARE BUSY,
KEEP CALLING.
DON'T GIVE UP.
OUR GUEST TODAY, ANN VOSKAMP,
THE BROKEN WAY, REBEKAH LYONS,
YOU ARE FREE; FOR ANY GIFT
WE WILL SEND YOU THESE BOOKS.
I JUST WANT
TO THANK YOU SO MUCH NOT JUST
FOR WHAT YOU'VE SHARED TODAY
BUT FOR WHO YOU ARE --
FOR BEING THE HANDS AND FEET
OF CHRIST OUT THERE,
FOR BEING REAL
AND TRANSPARENT.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
REMEMBER, IF YOU NEED PRAYER,
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU TOO.
THANK YOU THAT YOU HELP US
HELP OTHER PEOPLE.
BUT MAYBE YOU NEED
A LITTLE PRAYER RIGHT NOW.
KNOW WE ARE HERE FOR YOU TOO.
I'M SHEILA WALSH SAYING
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US
ON WEDNESDAYS IN THE WORD.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME!
♪
♪
♪
Announcer:
AFTER A PROLONGED
SEASON OF STORMS,
RIVA TIMS
NOW SEES HOW GOD
WAS CAREFULLY AT WORK
THE WHOLE TIME.
>> WHEN YOU
MAKE SENSE OF GOD,
THE OTHER PIECES
COME TOGETHER.
>> LIFE TODAY IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF
LIFE OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL.
YOUR GIFT WILL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF LIFE.
THE MINISTRY FEATURES
SPECIFIC OUTREACHES
AS EXAMPLES OF THE PROGRAMS
IT SUPPORTS AND CONDUCTS.
GIFTS ARE CONSIDERED
TO BE WITHOUT RESTRICTION
AS TO USE UNLESS EXPLICITLY
STIPULATED BY THE DONOR.
THE MINISTRY IS A MEMBER
OF THE E.C.F.A.