Truthlines • July 6, 2011

Dear Friends,

I think it’s probably common knowledge that one of my heroes is Eric Liddell. His achievement in winning a gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1924 Olympics in Paris has been memorialized for us in the now rather ancient multiple Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire. When he was asked about the secret to his surprising victory, he responded, "I ran the first 200 as fast as I could, and then with God’s help, I ran the second 200 even faster."

This month brings us to the beginning of the second half of the year, and it is often a challenging time financially for ministries. Given that we are busy with vacations and usually out of our regular schedules and habits, it’s easy to understand how a whole summer can go by and even the faithful supporter sometimes forgets to give.

As I listened to one of our speakers at our pastors’ conference in May, I was reminded of the fact that when we give financially to a Gospel ministry, our money is involved in evangelism and equipping. When you support the ministry of Truth For Life, you’re not giving to pay for airtime, website costs or salaries. These things must be paid for, certainly, but they are only the means to the end: helping you grow in the knowledge of God’s Word and helping us reach others with the Gospel. So let’s encourage one another not to take a break from our giving (the program never takes a break) but continue to support the work of the Gospel all summer long.

The featured resource that we’re offering this month, Just Do Something, encourages us along similar lines in so far as the author challenges the reader to be active in serving God and in discovering God’s will "without dreams, visions, fleeces, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc." I think you’ll find this a very refreshing read. I wish that I had had this book available to me as a young man when I often found myself stymied by an approach to discovering God’s will that owed far more to one’s feelings than to an understanding of the Bible. I urge you to request a copy with your financial gift and order a second one for a friend.

As you read this letter I am presently in Scotland, having spoken at a Bible conference in Edinburgh, played quite a bit of golf, and now conducting the marriage of one of my nieces. If you’re traveling near Cleveland this summer, then please consider visiting Parkside Church and Truth For Life. I’m hoping that a number of you stop by so that our team might have the opportunity to thank you personally for your continued partnership in the Gospel.

With my warmest Christian greetings,

Alistair Begg

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