Letter from Hell

My Friend

Hey Gang, Here's a really good article I just read on youth builders. I know a lot of teens have talked to me about the issue of homosexuality. i want to be a help for all those who are struggling and who want to learn how to help. Check it out and get back with me on the blog.

Amos

I recently faced a dilemma: A friend of mine has come out of the closet about being a homosexual. He says he's been gay since he was 12, and now he's almost 18. Although my friend became a Christian five months ago, it hasn't changed his sexual orientation. My problem is, I don't know how to approach him in a kind, loving manner and tell him what the Bible says about homosexuality. What can I do?

You do have a difficult dilemma. Homosexuality is a very complicated and misunderstood issue. We, as Christians, have not done a very good job of presenting biblical truth in a kind, loving manner. Many Christians have either made fun of homosexuals or have been mean to them. Neither of these methods will ever bring the love of God to anyone.

The dilemma we have lies in the fact that the Bible is quite clear in regard to sexual sin. And that’s any sexual sin--not just homosexuality. It’s interesting that there are at least 17 references to different types of sexual sin in the Bible, and only three (or at most five, depending on your interpretation) of those references deal with homosexuality.

So, according to the Bible, there is no big difference between the sin of homosexuality and any other sexual sin--premarital sex, for instance. The word sin in Greek, the language the New Testament was written in, literally means to "miss the mark." And all sexual sin is missing the mark of God’s standards.

From my experience, I’d guess about 10 percent of the youth population has struggled with what we call gender identity confusion. Your friend is not alone in his struggles. However, I am also convinced that most people who believe they are homosexual are not. Let me give you some important information on homosexuality.

Sexual abuse is a key factor in homosexuality. Studies show that as many as 58 percent of homosexuals have experienced some kind of sexual abuse as children. Many others who call themselves homosexual were either physically or emotionally abused. Also, many homosexuals suffer from sexual addiction. With the ease of obtaining pornographic materials from the Internet, videos and magazines, some people experiment with homosexual behavior because of what they’ve seen and read.

A lot of Christians, including myself, believe that homosexual behaviors are preventable and treatable. Many people who experiment with homosexual behaviors are simply confused. Although the issues can be complicated, young people who struggle with homosexuality can move on to a healthy heterosexual marriage with the help of good Christian counseling.

I would also ask your friend to call Exodus International, a Christian organization committed to helping free people from a homosexual lifestyle. The telephone number of Exodus is 260-784-7799.

From my own experience talking with students, I would guess that your friend has a great a deal of sexual identity confusion. Since your friend has recently become a Christian, I think that if he wants to, he will be able to seek the truth about his sexuality and receive the help he needs. Your job is to do what you said you could do: Be kind and loving, yet share your understanding of Scripture.

One thing we know about those who struggle with this issue is, the earlier they can get help, the easier it is to live a lifestyle that is glorifying to God. Please know it is never too late to get help and never too early to make wise and godly decisions about our sexuality. I commend you for caring for your friend in such a sensitive way.

What's up

Hey everyone, Just wanted to wish all of you a great Thanksgiving. May all of you have a great time with your family. Also, I am stoked about the upcoming events. check out the events on the blog.

10th and 11th graders- Evening of the ages, Dec 2 at the church

9th graders- Progressive dinner, Dec 19th

I am looking forward to seeing you.

Everything :: Lifehouse

A connection with Revelation with Daniel...

So the other day God showed me some stuff in Revelations and then in Daniel and how they are somewhat connected...which I never saw......hopefully this makes sense and if you have anything to add or comment on please tell me!

In Revelations 1 it starts to describe John's vision from God that he had of Jesus and what is to come.

"..and among the lampstands was someone like a Son of Man dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet like bronze glowing in a funernace and His voice was like the sound of rushing water." Revelation 1:13-15

First off this is actually talking about JESUS! "like the Son of Man" refers to Him and Jesus even refers to Himself as that in Matt. 26:64; Luke 21:27; and John 1:51. Let's dig deeper....

• His white hair showed His wisdom and divine nature (Daniel 7:9)
• "Blazing eyes" symbolized judgment of all evil.
• The golden sash reveals Him as the high priest who goes into God's presence to obtain forgiveness of sin for those who believe in Him.

WOW! So how does the book of Daniel go along with this?? Well actually Daniel had somewhat of the same vision in Daniel 7...way before Christ even came to earth! I think that is so cool! Look at this:

"As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair on His head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all blazing. A river of fire was flowing, coming out before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated and the books were opened." Daniel 7:9-10

Can't you just imagine this? The Judge or the Ancient of Days, the Lord Most High, walks in with clothing white which revealed His glory and holiness. Thousands upon thousands of people are around and are standing before the throne....everyone is seated. And the Book of Life is opened... That is what this passage is speaking of its talking about the judgment before God Almighty and how the book of life will be opened and everyone will be judged. Revelations 1:3 tells us that the time is near. And Hebrews 9:27 says, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." We've got one life, how are you going to use it?

So the Book of Life is opened, what happens next after that? Look:

"In my vision at night I looked and there before me was one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, and nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

Again the Son of Man is Jesus Christ and the Ancient of Days is the Lord Most High. Here's more...

• The clouds of heaven portray the Son of Man as divine. Throughout scripture clouds represent His majesty and awesome presence! God's glory even appeared in a cloud in Exodus 16:10 and 19:9 at the giving of the law at Sinai.

It says that every nations, peoples and men of every language worshiped Jesus! Psalm 72:11 says, "All kings will bow down to Him, and all nations will serve Him." Revelation 7 even talk about the great multitude that no one could count worshiping and praising God. (more to come in a later blog :-D) What a WONDERFUL day that will be!!!

The last verse talks about that His kingdom will never pass away or be destroyed....Hebrews 12:28 says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so, worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." AMEN!!!!!!

So yeah this is kinda long but I wanted to share with you all this stuff and thought that it was all just amazing!

Saved to Serve,

Erin

4 MORE!

Amos Gray just checked in from Nebraska.

He reported that four students at the Lutheran school he spoke at last Thurs received Christ with over 60 coming forward to the alter to pray!

I stand in awe of our Lord. What a remarkable week for the gospel.

-HL

Look At MSM

Hey Everyone,
Look at the new web spot we have now. God has blessed us to have a guy like Rob McBryde on our Team. We owe him a big THANKS for the new blog. Anyway, I hope you all like it have fun and place your post soon. I would love to hear your comments.- P. A. (Pastor Amos)

MSM WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

FUSION
Wednesdays,
6:55 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
FUSION is designed for students of MSM and their friends and provides the opportunity to present biblical principles through relevant themes, games, music and fun.

Join us in the Dock at Mosaic!

MSM SUNDAY MORNINGS

On the Dock
10:45 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
In this large group time of music and message, students will be challenged to grow closer to one another and deeper in their love and commitment to Christ.

Training Groups
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The educational arm of MSM, students will gather in mid-sized, grade-appropriate classes to study God’s word in a systematic way.

Amos Gray

Four years ago, Amos and Carol came to Little Rock to visit Amos' mother (Treopia Bryant's sister) who was ill. There, the couple met Mark DeYmaz and a relationship began. Carol reflects, "Initially, I was disappointed when the door didn't open four years ago because I knew God was doing something here, and I didn't want us to miss out on what He was doing." Amos adds, "The ministry I saw happening at Mosaic spoke to my heart, it was one of my heartbeats and immediately grabbed a hold of us." After the visit Amos and Carol headed back to Omaha to continue their ministry.

Amos formed a multi-ethnic youth ministry called W.A.Y. Ministries and directed it from 1996-2004. He became a Youth Pastor for Community Grace Church (1999) and then Beautiful Savior Church (2003), both in Omaha. Meanwhile, Mosaic continued to piece together Children and Youth ministries with part-time staff and interns. All the while Mark staying in contact with Amos and Carol to keep the process of a future move hopeful. As the church grew, it became apparent that the time had come for a full-time director. After four years God's timing was perfect. "When we really knew God was going to have us leave Nebraska four years ago, I couldn't stand the thought of it," says Carol. "But when we started talking about it this time, we were excited and sure that God opened the door for us to come here."

Amos states "after working in a lot of dead end jobs and then having my feet set on the path of working with children and youth. Weather at Father Flangans Boys Town, Community of Grace or Beautiful Savior Lutheran church and even starting his own non-profit all of these have prepared me for this ministry here at Mosaic."

Of course, the Gray's are excited about the future. Amos finishes this with "I look forward to working with all the parents, staff and volunteers and raising up the next generation of leaders for His kingdom.

You can e-mail Amos at amos@mosaicchurch.net.

Alison Clinton

Alison Clinton grew up in Southern California and moved to Little Rock, AR, with her family, in 1993 during her senior year of high school. In September of 1993, she met Mark DeYmaz, at Fellowship Bible Church on his first Sunday as the new Student Ministries pastor. Alison started volunteering with the junior high and high school students that Fall.

In February of 1998, Alison joined the staff of Fellowship Student Ministries at Fellowship Bible Church. While on staff at FSM, she worked as the Assistant Director of Programs and Special Events planning and doing the administration for all the mid-week programs and camps that the students attended.

Alison joined the staff of the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas in the Fall of 2001. She filled multiple roles while she was on staff there as the church was just starting out.

She and her husband, Sloan were married in June 2001. They now have two beautiful daughters, Delaney (4) and Isabelle (2). Sloan and Alison were some of the founding members of Mosaic and have felt so blessed to be a part since the beginning. Both, Alison and Sloan are very excited about what God is doing at Mosaic and are especially excited about raising their girls in such a church.

Currently, Alison is a stay-at-home mom and is working part-time in MSM as the Director of Special Events and Administration.

If you’d like to contact Alison, you can email her at alison@mosaicchurch.net.

MSM STAFF

Amos Gray
Pastor, Directional Leader
amos@mosaicchurch.net
<<read more>>

Alison Clinton
Events and Administration
alison@mosaicchurch.net
<<read more>>

MSM MISSION & VALUES

OUR MISSION...

To enlist, equip, encourage and empower junior and senior high school students to become the moral and spiritual leaders of the 21st century.

OUR VALUES...

Real
We are students and adults committed to authentic interaction and transparent lives.

Friends
We are students and adults committed to both encouraging and exhorting one another in love.

Excitement
We are students and adults committed to combining fun with meaning.

Life
We are students and adults committed to Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life.

MSM EXPERIENCES & EVENTS

AN EVENING FOR THE AGES
December 2, 2007
Sophomores & Juniors will inaugurate and host this 1st annual Christmas Banquet for the more mature members of Mosaic.

WINTER BANQUET
December 8, 2007
Mosaic seniors will gather for fine dining and reflection in the Christmas season.

PROGRESSIVE DINNER
December 12, 2007
9th graders join us for fun and festivities at Christmas!

WINTER CHILL
Date: January 11-13, 2008
Cost: $110
Location: New Life Ranch, Colcord, OK

SENIOR GRAD NIGHT
May 17, 2008
Celebrating our graduates!

BEACH BLAST
Celebrate the end of school and kick-off the summer at the beach!
June 5-10, 2008
Cost: $245
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Nicaragua Prayer ~ Day 10

Pray for Travel Safety for the team as they depart Nicaragua today at 6:50am and arrive in Little Rock at 10:40pm. Pray for the family and friends who will be driving to meet them.

~ Psalm 35 ~

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them." Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it." O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up." May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.

Nicaragua Prayer ~ Day 9

Pray for the team today as they wrap up their trip, and enjoy some sightseeing and fellowship with Nicaraguan students. Continue praying for endurance & unity.

Pray for team members Nina Ruth Harris & Katie Harris.

~ Romans 15:5-6 ~
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Nicaragua Update #3

Buenos Dias!
We didn´t meet with the gang members who said they´d be there on Tuesday- very disappointed about that, yet God had other divine appointments for us, especially Amos who kept speaking into other young men´s lives. Yesterday, Wednesday, we found out why the gang members didn´t come, they came to see us and said they had been caught and put in jail that night! So they came by and Sandy and Amos had a strong conversation with them- they are totally in the hands and stronghold of the devil, yet they know the Truth, but the demonic strongholds are more than we can handle today. They will come back today, Thursday, to keep talking to amos. It´s amazing to see these rough kids paying attention to Amos words- 2 days ago amos was talking to 5 of them, and another one was off to the distance listening to what he had to say, but he didn´t want to come by. The next day he came to amos and said he wanted to talk to him- he said that he was about to go buy drugs but that there was something in Amos´words that stopped him and he didn´t go get high… he accepted Christ yesterday!!!!

The students went door to door yesterday and it was scary for them and we pushed them hard to be bold, and they did a great job! Many people accepted Christ and many people rejected strongly. Jesus is not for those who need it, but for those who want and take Him!

Most of the students are being broken and God has opened their eyes to His big plan for all of humanity. They are being changed drop by drop- their minds and hearts are questioning everything about American Christianity. They are wrestling with themselves and their lives and circumstances. They are wrestling with God about their purpose in life. It is the highlight of my week to see the eyes of their understanding changed every day- I couldn´t have prayed for anything more. I could die and go to heaven now!

Pray for us today re. the gang members. WE praise God for your prayers because the FAVOR of God is upon us! We couldn´t have asked for anything more before these guys who are in the pit of hell and God wants to rescue them.

The van is here, gotta go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On behalf of the team,
Ines

Nicaragua Prayer ~ Day 8

Pray for the health and strength of our team members as they continue with their work projects and street evangelism.

Pray for team members Dianka Moton and Ross Harris.

~ Philippians 4:13 ~
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Nicaragua Prayer ~ Day 7

As the team continues their work projects and street evangelism, please pray that they would receive rest in the midst of their work. (please be sure to read updates #1 & #2 for specific and current requests)

Pray for team members Keisha McGill and Anthony Ossenfort.

~ Matthew 11:29 ~

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

Nicaragua Update #2

We had a wonderful, hard day Monday- we did children evangelism in one school, 2 kids and 2 teachers accepted Christ. In the afternoon, we played basketball and amos shared Christ with the students playing- please pray for us today, Tuesday, at 2pm we have made an appointment with 3 gangs from one area and their leaders have agreed to come to the church and hear amos- we´d like for them to make peace with each other. Pray for protection and discernment. The 2nd team also had a lot of fruit from their evangelism in another side of town and many, many children accepted Christ.

Tami harshaw got sick yesterday and was healed after we prayed for her. Everyone else is doing great- the students are amazing evangelists and never get tired.

We need your faithful prayers for us.

Got to go!
On behalf of the team,
Ines