JULY 24, 2006

Scars Into Stars
by Pastor George Van Alstine

All of us bear the scars of past failures in our lives. Some of us are painfully aware of open wounds right now, and these seem to demand all our attention. But even after the wounds are healed, the scars left behind are bad enough. Awareness of these scars keeps us from ever feeling good about our achievements and victories.

Jesus said that, when we become God’s children by faith, it’s like being “born again.” Paul wrote in one of his letters about becoming a whole “new creation.” We would assume that means we become scar-free. It’s a surprise to discover that, as believers, we still bear many of the scars from the past. In fact, we are capable of developing some brand new scars from post-conversion wounds. Why does God allow this to happen? Why doesn’t he wipe the slate clear and keep it clear?

Actually, God has a better plan! He has a way of transforming transforming scars into stars. Here’s how it happens:
The new you is marred by a scar X
God places the cross of Christ ✝ over the scar and produces a ✳ .

Now, people may think they see a scar on you, but when they look more closely, they find that it is a star. The star is a testimony that can point them to Jesus, who died for them as well.

Suppose God just erased the scar. There would be an empty spot where the scar used to be. What kind of a testimony is an empty spot? What kind of a testimony is “Nothing ever happened to me”? If a scarred-up person ran into a believer with a bunch of empty spots, how would this encourage them to have faith in Jesus?

But scars-changed-into-stars by Jesus’ cross are the most powerful witness possible! Isn’t that the kind of person who helped lead you to the Lord? The people who didn’t seem to have any scars at all, the “perfect Christians,” probably presented an ideal you thought you could never reach.

But people covered with stars that used to be scars made you take notice.

“How did that happen?”

“Well, you see, if you put Jesus’ cross over the scar ... X plus ✝ = ✳ "

That’s what I want. That’s what I need.”

Isn’t that how it happened to you? Let God use your scars/stars in the same way to lead others to Jesus.

Back from Ghana
by Pastor Connie Larson DeVaughn

$1,000 cedis sounds like a lot of money. In reality, it's about 10¢. The biggest bill available in Ghana was $20,000 cedis ($2.20). So we felt like millionaires because when we exchanged our dollars, we received in return huge wads of money that didn't fit into our money belts or wallets.

If a wealthy person were to give a gift of $1,000 cedis, that would not be a gift according to her riches. Philippians 4:19 says “My God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” The Ghana team has been on the receiving end of God's gifts according to his riches.

Our trip abundantly exceeded our expectations. We felt keenly blessed by God in the financial support we received in order to go, in the provision, safety and care every day in Ghana, in the relationships that are developing with people from another culture, and in the spiritual growth in the life of each member of the team.

We returned also, aware of our ability to bless as we have been blessed. The truth is, we are wealthy. Many Ghanaians subsist on $2.00 a day. A beginning teacher's salary is $150 a month ($7.50/day) while a veteran teacher can expect to receive $250/month. The total yearly budget for the Amazing Grace School, with its 18 teaching staff and 7 non-teaching employees is $42,000, less than the yearly salary of an experienced teacher in the US. This school relies heavily on donations from the US to provide an education for over 300 impoverished children who otherwise would not be educated. After ten years in operation, they have not yet met their annual budget, and are facing a two year framework before they have to close their doors for lack of funds. Many in the Ghana team returned committed to sponsoring a child at $30/month. We are also inviting others to partner with the school, and we have more information available for any who want to consider sponsorship or other gifts to the school. (Please see Pastor Connie, Tom Stricklin, Robert DeVaughn, Carla Cunningham or Laura Van Alstine for more information.) In addition we are planning to hold a book drive soon for the school library, which at the moment holds one shelf of old, tattered books.

As we follow up with team members on the impact of this trip in our lives, we want to thank everyone who prayed for us and supported us, believing that your investment in our lives will produce lasting growth. Thank you!