Quote from Forum Archives on April 7, 2003, 11:15 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Larry Davies writes the second part of his ten dollar challenge
in this week's edition of Sowing Seeds of Faith. This isn't the
first time that Larry has done things like this - last time, I
shared with you about the choir challenge, the $7.43 challenge,
and even the challenge to Larry's son to "break the Peanut
Butter habit".

This message is the continuation of last week's story, which I
shared in one of the Wednesday messages that I mailed at the
first of the month. Based on what I read, the story certainly
hasn't ended. Perhaps you have something you can add to it
yourself!

I encourage you to read the scripture passages and the message,
then pray about how you will personally respond to the challenge.

Dear Lord,

I'm here to serve, just as You showed me when You sent Your Son,
to seek and save the lost. I'm one of those who were lost and
now found. Please hold me close, continually. Help me to be the
kind of person who willingly serves, is not afraid to venture
into unfamiliar territory, as long as You are leading the way.

Help me not to wander from Your ways, but instead, to live by
Your ways. Thank you for this message and the application we can
find in our every day tasks. Stretch our thinking and our
actions, Lord, and lead us right back to You. Amen.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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Sowing Seeds of Faith...

Dear Pastor Davies, I wanted to let you know that the prayers of
your prayer team are really being felt! I don't have time to
reply to them all, but would you let them all know that God is
working on me, even as I type this, and is rebuilding our
relationship. I have all the reason to be scared, and to feel
helpless but I don't. I know He is there. I appreciate all the
prayers. Please don't stop!! And THANK YOU, because without this
type of ministry, I might've fallen through the cracks and things
could have been quite worse. God Bless all of You! -Maria
Weissbord

Sowing Seeds Ministry is reaching thousands around the world. To
continue offering the quality ministry offered we need help. We
are looking for 150 to 200 financial partners who will commit $10
per month. To learn how click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

To read $10 Challenge part one click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/$10Challenge.htm

"The $10 Challenge" Part 2
Larry Davies

"We'll never forget how the "Ten Dollar Challenge" began. Our
daughters opened the envelopes and were they ever surprised to
find a REAL ten dollar bill inside. Immediately they both said,
"Let's have a Bake Sale!" The girls asked a few more friends from
four other families, if they would like to join in. Everyone
wanted to bake together but no one had a kitchen big enough, so
we decided to use the church. Through it all, a great time was
had by the whole crew. The day of the Sale finally came. The
children were so excited; we all got to church early, which is a
rarity. It was a huge success! Please use this money for God's
work. It is given by many cheerful hearts!" Signed, Six Happy
Families

* Two families put on a Sunday night concert.

* Another family clipped coupons and donated the savings.

* Our youth leader sponsored a basketball tournament.

"After a long time their master returned from his trip and called
them to give an account of how they had used his money. The
servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said,
'sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled
the amount.' The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this
small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.
Let's celebrate together!' (Matthew 25:19-21)

"Our three families took a combined $30.00 along with the help of
fellow employees and we put on a luncheon to benefit our local
Free Clinic. This small seed planted, resulted in over $800.00 in
contributions. The only word to describe it is AWESOME. "

* One Sunday school class organized a bus trip and donated the
profits.

* A local artist offered to provide an oil painting or portrait
for a raffle winner and raised $1000.

* Many families used the money to buy supplies and sold crafts
or baked goods.

"I am an amateur herpetologist and spend my spare time raising
and breeding reptiles. My idea is to buy feeders with the ten
dollars for my animals. As they begin to breed, lay eggs, and
have babies, I will take the money made from a clutch of babies
and give it back to the church."

* Several taught special classes on finance or donated computer
expertise.

* A group of children made and sold snow cones.

* Two families purchased baby chickens to send to an
underdeveloped country.

"Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold,
with the report, 'sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest,
and I have doubled the amount.' The master said, 'Well done, my
good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling
this small amount, so now I will give you many more
responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' (Matthew 25:22-23)

"I interpreted the $10 challenge in a different way. I thought of
how many people might be reached with a total cost of only $10. I
teach college students and we are not allowed to witness in words
but actions are okay so here's what I did. I took my $10 and
bought 60 rolls of sweet n' sour candy that had wrappers with
verses from the Bible on them. Any student would have to at least
see and read the words in order to open the wrapper. I also
passed out several contemporary Christian CDs. Those two actions
allowed me to silently witness to 62 different college students.
I was so happy!" Sharon

* One family gave up fancy coffee and another fast food
breakfasts then donated the savings.

* Another group pooled their money and sold goods at a flea
market.

* Several groups sponsored and cooked dinners or breakfasts.

The biggest surprise came from a contractor as he announced
during our celebration service: "I feel led by God to build a
church for my $10 challenge!" One year ago, Lawyers Missionary
Baptist Church was blown away by a tornado. During that time,
they have been meeting in our church. We didn't really believe it
at first but donations have poured in and soon there will be a
new church to celebrate.

What were the results? Thousands of dollars raised for church
ministry and other charitable organizations, plus a brand new
church building and all wrapped up in a project which involved
hundreds of people with valuable experiences for us to treasure.
Not a bad lesson for just $10.

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our
prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

Did you know? All money received from the sale of our books go
directly back into the Sowing Seeds Website or the printing bill?
When we say "Non-Profit" we mean... "Non-Profit!" Support us
today. Buy "Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's
Recipe for a Better Life" now on sale only through this website.
Click here: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

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--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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