Included?
In my Heartlight.org article today, I talk about what it means to be included in the family and promises of God. Here are some of the questions I asked!
How would you have reacted to the message left by the person who was angry we were providing parallel resources in Spanish?
Do you ever think about being an outsider to God’s promises unless the Father had extended grace to us?
Are you a child of Abraham by physical descent? How do you feel about Gentile Christians?
I agree with the person who stated that all citizens of America should know and speak the primary language, which is English. However, your e-mails reach millions which may not all be in the United States to which I applaud your efforts to reach as many lost and off-track souls for our Lord. Also, there is a time for learning and time for reaching …
Our primary concern is that our brothers and sisters know Jesus and are saved in His sacrifice at Calvary.
We are discussing two separate issues — first the Lord’s work for us, sharing the Good News, and, secondly the need for all foreigners to learn English if they want to reside in America.
Praise the Lord for all His servants who love His word and extend it to others …
Yours in the one true family,
Linda
Linda
5 May 08 at 8:32 am
To the angry person about the Spanish:
Acts 2:4 – 47
This tells how 3000 souls were won to Christ by God’s anointing each one to
hear the Word in their own language!
Teresa
5 May 08 at 8:40 am
Entry for 5/4 was excellent as response to anyone wondering why accomodate foreign language speakers on Heartlight’s entries. I am half Panamanian and half Anglo-Saxon. There appears to be negro and Indian blood in my Latin American heritage, too. I was born in Kansas to a military family. When I hear jabs about why integrate foreign bloodlines into our ministries as the Lord’s Spirit leads into broader horizons, I get to mulling over which side of me am I supposed to deny first. It’s my Panamanian side which gives me hope for the entire lost world through the mix of peoples and races as they cruise the Panama Canal, as well as any other “melting pot” one might consider significant.
Vern
5 May 08 at 8:43 am
Whoever wrote that must’ve gotten caught up in all the hype and pooey emails about getting rid of the “immigrants”–aren’t we ALL immigrants here?! This isn’t our home! Our home is in Heaven!! That kind of ignorant talk that people spew out of their mouths only remind me of all the verses in Proverbs about fools and their speech. Halleluiah that you and your team are providing this service, God’s message, FOR FREE, to anyone who wants it! Thank you that you and your team are spreading the gospel to places where we’re too uncomfortable or lazy to go. I hope and pray that some day you can offer this to people all around the world, in every language…God bless you and your team!
Lisa Waddill
Lisa
5 May 08 at 8:44 am
I believe the Bible says Jesus died for everyone, that means everyone on this planet. We are all made in God’s image and God loves us. As followers of Christ, I think we need to act as He did not as we would act.I thank God that He has opened the doors to the Word of God going into other countries so that more people can come to know Him. We are to walk in love , we are not to be like the world, which is consumed in hate and only caring about oneself. May God bless you and your staff.
Susan Harkati
5 May 08 at 9:06 am
I am as patriotic American as anyone in this great country of ours, and very proud to have a son serving our country in Iraq…but it saddened me to see the response from the ‘English only’ reader. Let us never forget that although God has blessed us so much by allowing us to live in this country, our citizenship as Christians is in heaven, we are all aliens in a country not our own and are looking forward by faith “Hebrews 11:13
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” Realizing that “Ephesians 2:19-20
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Let us reach the entire world for Christ regardless of language, culture or ethnic backgroud! Thank you Phi and Heartlight for doing your part to assist in bringing others to God. “1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” Keep on!
Guthrie Chamberlain
5 May 08 at 9:19 am
Phil,
I read your articles daily and am blessed. Two different articles that you have written really touched me deeply and moved me. One was your friend in the church who was so easily ready to separate from you over a small difference. Now, this article on “English only” is equally moving. May God bless you for “lifting up your eyes” and seeing the need to reach as many people as possible with the incredible good news of God’s grace.
I feel that many are confusing the current immigration battles with our obligation as God’s children to utilize every tool in our power to reach people of any language, in any culture.
May God continue to bless you in all that your are doing to bring the grace of God (that has “appeared to all”) to as many as you can.
B. J. Sims
5 May 08 at 9:52 am
I still believe everyone should learn to speak English. I worked in the public for years and it was very hard to help someone who could not speak English. The people from India in this country try very hard to speak our language. I truly believe we should tell them about our Lord and all he has done for us and led them to him, so while they are learning to speak English we need ways to get the word to them, yes you need a website for them.
A Adams
5 May 08 at 10:14 am
I am so thankful that the Lord didn’t see me as a Caucasion and say, “nope, she doesn’t fit in My Kingdom, she’s white!” People may need to be reminded that Jesus was not a white person, but a Jewish person and of color.
I understand the frustrations of the immigrants pouring in and using federal funds (medicaid, food stamps, etc.) that should go to Americans. I understand that. But I DO NOT understand denying them the knowledge of Jesus Christ. That, to me, is unconscionable. I think the person who sent that in is probably frustrated, as we all are, about things that are happening in our country and economics.
Jean
5 May 08 at 12:31 pm
I wonder if that person who felt that the devotions should only be in English attends a mission-minded church. Most denominations I know of in Christianity have some form of mission work that is carried out. Does that person also think that everyone in heaven will speak only English? Or is the person now feeling sort of foolish for reacting that way and actually sending the e-mail?
Anita
5 May 08 at 12:38 pm
As others have mentioned – there are two completely separate issues here. I think voting ballots, driver’s license tests, GED exams, tax forms, and similar items should be in English (in the United States, of course). English is our primary language. If you want to vote, drive, etc. here, you should learn the language. That’s not discrimination, it’s common sense.
However, my citizenship in the kingdom of God takes precedence over my status as an American. The Bible tells me that believers come from every kingdom, tongue, and tribe. In order to bring them into that kingdom, we must provide directions in a language they understand. I would expect a website designed to reach children to be different from one designed for teenagers, and still different from one designed to reach those with special needs of one kind or another. I am delighted that Heartlight is reaching a diverse population, both here and around the world. One of my dearest friends was brought up in Holland, she’s been a US citizen for many years. However, she still prays in Dutch and loves her Dutch Bible. There are folks in our church who carry Spanish Bibles. I am glad they have the Word in their native language.
Brenda
5 May 08 at 1:11 pm
dear Phil
Im not an american im from the uk
yes i too agree that people should lern our language but i must admit i couldent have put what you have answerd any beter my self when we speread the Gospel of God Christ crucifyd we never know who God is going to send to us i think you are right in what you have said how could they know if no one tells them & in there own Language Praise God for the RBC ministerys keep riching out to the Lost citys God bless your & your ministery
In his service
Joseph
Joseph M Wadhams
5 May 08 at 2:34 pm
I’m from Australia, and while Australia uses English as it’s national language I think it very narrow minded of Americans to think that they’re the only one to read resources like Heartlight.
I think this article should have made more of the fact that this is the “World Wide Web” and not just the “US Web”. English, despite what its speakers may think, is not the “Lingvon Inernacio” that most English speakers would like to think it is.
I would like to see Heartlight translated into Esperanto as that is the most likely language learnt in places like Asia, the Middle East and Europe as a second language and that will most likely reach more people in the world than individual languages would.
Richard R.
Richard Rose
5 May 08 at 3:02 pm
G’day Richard, Phil and others.
Like Richard, I am from Australia. An “adopted” Australian, originally from Holland, and I totally agree with Richard’s point that this is the World Wide Web, not just the US Web…. I love reading Heartlight; I find the articles thoughtful and thought provoking… The more languages you can translate them into, Phil, the better! I for one confess to not often thinking about the fact that I am an “outsider” if it wasn’t for God’s grace extended to everybody who cares to accept it. Thank you for reminding us of that, Phil. You made me see once again how important it is to share my faith with non-christian friends both in words and, possibly more importantly, in deeds.
God bless you and your team!
Claudia R.
Claudia R
5 May 08 at 6:32 pm
Your critic has an American point of view rather than a Christian point of view. The message of Christ needs to be available in all languages. Thanks for standing up to the nonsense that people who don’t speak or read English are inferior (and are not entitled to know Jesus Christ).
Terry Laudett
5 May 08 at 8:00 pm
There are Bibles printed in thousands of different languages to reach 10s of millions of people in different nations. Now millions of people can be reached quicker through the internet. Whether their people in the U.S.A. (citizens or not), or in another part of the world, making the gospel available should be how we walk. For many of us it will be done in only one language, while some it will be in two or even more. And yet, even fewer, it will be through a translator.
Our focus, though at times not easy, should always be Christ first, family and the rest will follow.
Phil, thank you for your reading. I’m a child of the King because someone preached the gospel in my language and I was able to understand what they were saying.
Johnny G. San Antonio TX
5 May 08 at 9:34 pm
As a child I grew up in a small Colorado town,
alot of the people were Spanish/Indian and spoke
Mexican. which is a cross of the two. Plus we had a few who came from Spain and spoke a whole
different. set of words. There was a few folks from
some other country there also.. When I visit the home of a classmate many had grandparnets living with then who spoke no english, I learned words as a kid in visiting with then , They taught me greetings , and the like, and to this day, 50+ years later, I remember the joy of learning and in doing so helped then learn..
God is so good. and we can be blessed by others by taking the time, to respect the different yes, but if you were in their shoes trying to learn to comucate wouldn’t you like some one to help you instead of make things worse..
Jesus had compassion for others, and my mom use to tell us, you can get alot farther with kindness , or honey as ,, with anger and lemons.
Yes people need to learn english here, and if I went to another country, I would think if I was to live there I would need to learn their langues.
Betty
5 May 08 at 11:22 pm
I am Black South African and unspeakably astounded by the \"English reader\". This is akin to how Jesus perecived the discotends in the \’Christian World\’ – \’not everyone who says Lord, Lord will see the kingdom of heaven\’. I am not trying to judge others lest I be judged in the same measure. Frankly speaking, christians have to circumscise thier hearts and let the (greatest) one right inside of them do all. If you are a christian and are still having control of your life then you have to pray hard because you are still ruled by cheap and mortal favours of the earth. Christians are ONE big family and the question of language is very lousy to a TRUE christian. If one still thinks like the \"English reader\" then there is still some massive amount of work that one still has to do. Humility and surrendering to the one from above comes through the divine interconnectivity which one can only attain through seeking Him. Remember, he \’can do exceedingly abundantly above what you can think, imagine, expect or even ask for, according to the power that is at work within us\’ – including accommodating if not tolerating other languages. Christian faith knows no boundary because we walk by faith and not by sight. Jesus is the master of change though He stays the same yesterday, today and forever. Stay blessed.
Rakgole Mokolo
6 May 08 at 4:52 am
This type of remark makes me sad. I am thankful that I’m able to read God’s Word in my native tongue & not have to know Hebrew, Greek & Aramaic in order to do so.
The virtual world of the Internet is global in its nature. It is a blessing to read that people of other cultures have the opportunity to learn of God’s grace & His gift of salvation in their native language, to read that this ministry is trying to go into all the world via cyber space.
When one really thinks about it, the pilgrims and colonists didn’t care about learning the “native tongue” when they arrived here.
I believe your outreach to others in different languages is an act of love, the kind of love God calls us to in His Word, the kindo of love and respect we are to show to our neighbors, and to our brothers & sisters in Christ.
May God continue to bless your ministry, and may you bear sweet, ripe fruit that is pleasing in His sight.
Denise
6 May 08 at 11:48 am
A couple of years ago my son toured some European countries with a student ambassador group. As part of his preparation, he was expected to learn some words and phrases in the languages of the countries he\’d be visiting. If he were to live in one of those countries, he\’d need to learn more than a few phrases–he\’d need to study the language and become conversant in it, which would no doubt take months or even years. There are people in America who cannot claim English as their primary language. Yes, they should learn English, but that takes time. It is more difficult for adults to learn a second language, and I have been told that English is a very tough language to learn. I think it is perfectly acceptable to present God\’s Word not only in Spanish, but in any language. The original text wasn\’t written in English! Why should we complain when it\’s translated into another language? First Corinthians 9:22 says, \"I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.\" Paul didn\’t do the saving, but he did whatever was necessary to spread the gospel so that people could be saved. Would he have refused to speak Spanish? I don\’t think so.
Debra
9 May 08 at 6:28 pm
Loved the artical, and as usual was touched by the thoughts, and hte questions you raised. It is very troubling to still find individuals who are so self involved in their little world that they miss the big picture. Not only do I feel they are wrong in hopin gto make all people like themselves, but because of that are intolerant of those who are not. As a sidelight. the individual got their facts wrong as many people were passed through Ellis Island with little or no English as a language. Jesus was with the common man without distinction, and offered his grace and teachings to all.
Jonathan
4 Jun 08 at 7:26 pm