Volume

XV

Number 7

Summer

2007

Inside:2 kkkkk Writers’ Toolbox3 kkkkk Discipling Journal4 kkkkk Amy Foundation Board5 kkkkk Amy Internet Syndicate6 kkkkk Amy Writing Award Winners8 kkkkk The United States—A Discipled Nation

A Newsletter of the Amy Foundation

Everyday Faith changes lives

Jan White wonthe First Prizeaward fromthe Amy Found-ation’s 2006W r i t i n gAwards. Herarticle and bi-ography can befound on page 6of this issue.

By Jan WhiteI believe God ordains that

certain people cross our pathsduring our lifetimes. At theFlorida Christian Writers’ Con-ference over 13 years ago, Imet one of the godliest andmost humble men I’ve everknown.

A quiet unassuming businessman named Jim Russell fromLansing, MI, along with his wife,Phyllis, came to encourageChristians to write for the secu-lar market, especially newspa-pers. I attended his workshop.He said surveys found thatmost newspaper readers turnto the editorial page first, giv-ing us a great opportunity tospeak to thousands of peopleabout scriptural principles.

I will always remember hispassion for God that I felt burn-ing in my heart as I listened tohis vision for discipling our na-tion. Mr. Russell emphasizedthe power of the printed Wordof God according to the prom-ise of Isaiah 55:11, “It shall notreturn unto Me void. But it shallaccomplish what I please, Andit shall prosper in the thing forwhich I sent it.”

He stressed writing the truthin love concisely and accu-rately, while including a verseof Scripture. Whether or not areader understands or agrees

Prayer Requests

We believe “The prayers

of the righteous availeth

much.” We invite you to

pray with us about various

aspects of The Amy Foun-

dation Ministry.

Please join us in asking

for God’s direction and for

the leading of the Holy Spirit

as we work to help Chris-

tians obey Christ’s man-

date to make disciples by

teaching obedience of all His

commandments.

Amy Prayer List:

• Amy Writing Awards —

increased number of

submissions in 2007.

• For the Lord to open the

hearts of editors to ma-

terial that we provide

through the Internet

Syndicate.

Continued on page 3 kkkkk

with my words, God’s Wordwill accomplish what He in-tends.

In God’s plan, a few monthsafter I heard Jim Russell speakthe publisher of the AndalusiaStar-News contacted me aboutwriting a weekly religion col-umn. Almost 13 years and 700columns later,

I still write a weekly religioncolumn. An editor a few yearsago named it “Everyday Faith.”Then, about three years ago,an Enterprise, AL newspaperbegan publishing my column.

Every week I pray, “Lord,what do You want me to writein this week’s column?” Myprayer becomes more urgentthe closer I get to the dead-line.

Many years ago, whilejournaling one day, God spoketo me the words every Chris-tian writer needs to remem-ber: “Your words don’t changehearts. I change hearts withyour words.”

I have been submitting anentry to the Amy WritingAwards for at least 10 years.This year I questionedwhether I should send in asubmission because I knew,once again, the competitionwould be stiff. I’m glad I didn’tgive up.

Winning the Amy WritingAward has encouraged me tokeep on keeping on. In a smalltown, I can speak from the plat-form of the printed page to a

2 www.Amyfound.org Pen & Sword

Editors:Shaunna HowatLinda Wacyk

Publishedquarterly by

the AmyFoundation, a

non-profitcorporationpromoting

Bibleeducation.

Forsubscription or

informationabout AmyFoundationmission orministries,

call517.323.6233

email:amyfoundtn@

aol.com

Pen &Sword

Writers’ Toolbox

Technical tips from our archives

Who or Whom?• The word “WHO” is used toperform the action (Subject).

Ex: This is the boy whowrote the poem.

• The word “WHOM” is used toreceive the action (direct ob-ject).

Ex: This is the girl forwhom he wrote thepoem.

Punctuation: Commas& Quotation Marks• Use a comma to separatewords in a series. Do not use acomma before the conjunction.

Ex: Some fruits of theSpirit include love, joy,peace and kindness.

• A comma must separate anintroductory clause from a mainclause.

Ex: If we live by theSpirit, let us also walk bythe Spirit.

• Always place commas andperiods inside the closing quo-tation marks.

Ex: She likes to sing“Amazing Grace,” herfavorite song.

• Place semicolons and colonsoutside the closing quotationmarks.

Ex. Also included in “TheGreatest Commandments”:Love your neighbor.

• Place question marks andexclamation points inside oroutside, depending on the func-tion: if the mark punctuatesonly the quotation, place it in-side; if it punctuates the wholesentence, place it outside.

Ex: I enjoy the song,“Have You Seen Jesus MyLord?”Ex: Why do you call me“Lord, Lord...”?

Keeping to Only OneTense

When editing your writing,check to see whether you havebeen consistent in your use ofpast/present/future tensethroughout your article. Unlessyou are denoting a shift in timeit is illogical to shift tenses.

INCORRECT: I went tothe window and there Isee a rare and beautifulbird.CORRECT: I went to thewindow and there I saw arare and beautiful bird.While this inconsistency may

seem very obvious within asentence, it is very common forwriters to “lose track of time”and shift tenses within thebody of an article or letter.

Subject/VerbAgreement• When using a singular nounor pronoun, you must use thesingular verb as well; pluralsubjects demand a plural verb.Take care to determine whichnoun is the subject!

Ex. Several verses wereused in this letter (Plural)This group of verses wasused well. (Singular)Mary and John havegiven their best. (Plural)Harper & Rowe is a largepublishing house. (Acompany name is asingular entity.)

• If the subject of the sen-tence is in first, second or thirdperson, the verb must match:

INCORRECT: Whensomeone writes a letter,they should be polite.CORRECT: When someone

writes a letter, he shouldbe polite.This may seem simple, but be

careful! There are a number ofcomplications that can trip youup. The best way to avoid prob-lems is to consult a good gram-mar guide to learn the mostcommon mistakes and how toavoid them.

These tips come from our Writ-ing Resources, found online atamyfound.org. Go to our ChurchWriting Group lesson plans andscroll down to Technical Tips.

Where else can you findwriting advice and

technical tips?

Purdue’s Online WritingLab (OWL), found atowl.purdue.edu, offers freewriting advice, newsletters,links, and examples to helpyou improve your writingtechnique.

The Web English Teacherat webenglishteacher.comhas a searchable web sitewith helpful links on a widerange of topics.

Also be sure to consult styleguides for writing. The mostauthoritative guides are theModern Language Asso-ciation (MLA), the Chi-cago Style Manual ,Gregg Reference Manual,American PsychologicalAssociation (APA). Thesecan be found online or pur-chased in book stores.

One old standby includesStrunk and White’s Ele-ments of Style, still avail-able in bookstores.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves:The Zero-Tolerance Ap-proach to Punctuation byLynn Truss uses fun and hu-mor to educate.

Summer 2007 www.Amyfound.org 3

Coaching Doctor Jayby Tim Wymbs

Tell us a disciplingstory

Do you have an interest-ing discipling story to tell?

Send a vignette (200-400words) about a situation orinteraction that led to yourdiscipling another person—or group of people—in anunusual or unexpected way.How was God faithful in sup-porting, reinforcing or ex-tending your obedient ac-tions?

Send stories to the Pen &Sword Editors, Amy Founda-tion, P.O. Box 16901, Lan-sing, MI 48901; or emailAMYFOUNDTN@aol.com.

Discipling Journal

WritingResources

Sally E.Stuart’s

ChristianWriters’Market

Guide 2006

stuartmarket.com

The referencetool for theC h r i s t i a nwriter:

• containsmore than1,100markets forthe writtenword;

• lists publish-ers by thetopics theypublish;

• describescontests,writers’conferencesand groups;

• includes adirectory ofeditorialservices,literaryagents andmarketanalysis.

kkkkk Everyday FaithContinued from cover

kkkkk

great many people – some ofwhom may never attend achurch.

It’s still hard for me to believethat one of my columns hasbeen chosen for the Amy Writ-ing Award. It proves once againthat God’s Word is true. Godcan do exceedingly abundantlyabove all we can ask or think(Ephesians 3:20).

My only regret is that JimRussell isn’t here to see thefruit of his labors. As his familyand friends, you know very wellthe godly legacy he has leftbehind. I too feel I am part ofhis legacy because God usedhim to make an impact onmy life.

He came to The New LifeDrop-in Center like mostnew workers: tenta-

tive. But I could tell by his softclear blue eyes and smile hehad a heart for the homeless,addicted, ex-offenders andprostitutes we served. Myteam leader advised me of hisimpressive credentials, i.e., aPHD in family relationships.

He said, “Please let Jayshadow you for a couple ofweeks. I believe he’ll do wellwith us.”

When we began working to-gether Jay mentioned to me,“Though I have much bookknowledge, you have the prac-tical experience. I want to learnall I can from you.”

Humbly, I looked at him andsaid, “You have the degrees. Ihave some know-how. Let’s goto work and serve the people

that come to us and see whathappens.”

Jay and I worked well to-gether for one year until hemoved onto other responsibili-ties in another departmentwhere he served for the nextthree years.

“I’ve been asked to pastor achurch outside the city,” he said.“I’d like to give it a try. ”

“We’ll miss you Dr. Jay,” I an-guished.

My wife and I visited that coun-try church one snowy ChristmasEve. Jay introduced me to someof his congregants as the manwho taught him much about work-ing with hurting people. Hehumbled me again.

Today I thank God forpeople with great educationslike Dr. Jay who are still ea-ger to learn and serve Him byhelping others.

Communicating Christ Effectively

to Secular AudiencesAmy Syndicate contributor Rusty Wright delivers this

workshop around the country, but you can experience itin the comfort of your own home. Learn how non-Chris-tians think and feel, what they want and why. Discoverpractical tools for analyzing your audience, including theirreligious persuasion, intellectual level, psychologicalmakeup, needs, moral attitudes, issues and heroes. Tapreaders’, listeners’, or web surfers’ felt needs, grab at-tention, touch hearts and minds, and sensitively commu-nicate spiritual truth. Useful ideas to help Christian com-municators connect with secular audiences and nudgethem toward faith.

Links to online video workshop and audio workshop,plus handout and Audience Analysis Chart (digital ver-sions) are available from RustyWright@aol.com.

Tim Wymbs is a retired crisis intervention counselor who currentlyserves with his wife as a full time volunteer at the Monrose BibleConference in Montrose, PA.

My Father is glorified

by this, that you bear

much fruit, and so

prove to be My

disciples.

John 15:8

4 www.Amyfound.org Pen & Sword

Amy Foundation Board

Mike Mirakian, pastor ofBretton Woods CovenantChurch, has served on the AmyBoard since 2001. He shares afew notes about his life as a pas-tor and as a disciple of Christ.

Married to Laura, they raisetwo young kids, David and Noelle,in Lansing, MI. Mike gave hisheart to Christ as a child – age 6or 7.

Both my parents are follow-ers of Jesus, and they were thebest and most consistent mod-els of a Christ-like life. Not onlydid they help me know whoJesus is and take me to church,but they also encouraged meto study the Bible and exploreGod’s riches for myself. Theirlove for God and His word hasbeen the greatest influence inmy life.

As a pastor, I encouragemany people to grow in theirrelationship with Jesus. Asidefrom my public roles of preach-ing, teaching and leading the

Submit Today!

The Amy Foundation Writing Awards program recognizes writers who skillfully and creatively present the biblical position on issues affecting the world today in a sensitive and thought-provoking manner. Qualifying non-fiction entries must have been published in a mainstream non-religious publication. Winning entries will be re-published in an annual collection of prize-winning entries. For rules, sample articles and submission forms, visit www.amyfound.org or call 877-727-4262.

15 writers will receive$34,000 in cash prizes

The Amy FoundationDiscipling Our Nation in this Generation

Meet the Amy Foundation Boardchurch, I also meet privatelywith several people. I praywith them, I listen as theywrestle with the challenges oflife, and I encourage them todevelop characters that honorJesus.

I accepted Jim Russell’s invi-tation to join the Board becauseI have a passion for discipleship.I also have a strong interest injournalism, and I was excited bythe opportunity to combine min-istry and writing.

It is my hope and prayer thatGod enables the Amy Founda-tion to reach a new generationof followers of Jesus. Our cul-ture desperately needs com-passionate, intelligent Christianvoices publicly sharing God’sword in relevant ways. I praythat God will move the AmyFoundation to the front lines ofdiscipling and Christ-honoringmedia in the new century.

About the AmyFoundation

The Amy Foundation,founded in 1976 by W. JamesRussell and his wife Phyllis,was named after theirdaughter. The Foundation isbest known for its Amy Writ-ing Awards, which is a call topresent biblical truth rein-forced with scripture in secu-lar, non-religious publica-tions. It is acclaimed as themost popular journalism con-test in the nation. All of theAmy Foundation’s programsare specifically designed toencourage and equip bothprofessional and non-professional writers to de-velop and use their skills tothe reclaiming of America. Itis our hope that you will useits resources to participate infulfilling Jesus’ final instruc-tions as stated in The GreatCommission.

Summer 2007 www.Amyfound.org 5

Amy Internet Syndicate

Requiem for a Great Woman

Winning Strategies

For avoiding “turn-offs” to readers of secular media

Prize-winning authors, when surveyed, said too many Christianwriters:

• have trouble explaining religious issues in secular terms.

• feel it is impossible—or inappropriate—to break into thesecular market.

• believe they must tell the salvation story in every article theywrite. This simply isn’t the case. First, it’s impractical. Second,secular editors won’t tolerate it. Third, many other truths must betold in a fallen world to help prepare people’s hearts for the gospel.Whenever one defends a Christian public figure who has beenunfairly maligned; whenever one takes a stand for good; when-ever a Christian helps convince another of one truth, he or sheprepares a reader to hear more truth in the future.

By Gary HardawayAbout ten years ago two in-

ternationally celebratedwomen, adored by billions, diedwithin a few days of each other.Mother Teresa’s long life of min-istering to the cast off womenand children of Calcutta cameto a natural end. The ministry,however, continues — a lastinglegacy to her unquenchablelove for the hopeless and pas-sion for serving God.

Princess Diana, killed in a carwreck around the same time,could probably count morethrill-seeking, idolizing fans.Still stunningly beautiful atthirty-six, fabulously rich, royalby both blood and marriage,the princess epitomized the ul-timate fantasy of those whofeast on tabloid glamour andvicarious soap opera.

Mother Teresa. PrincessDiana. Could two lives – anddeaths – be more unlike oneanother? The princess hurledinto infinity in a screeching massof twisted metal, with adrunken chauffeur at thewheel. The nun, quietly pass-ing into eternal rest, hoping herLord might be able to say, “Welldone, thou good and faithfulservant, enter into yourmaster’s joy.”

I thought of this stark con-trast a couple of weeks ago asRuth Graham lay dying. I evenhoped that her passing mightconceivably edge out some ofParis Hilton’s face time on cablenews. No such luck. As one fedup commentator wrylyquipped, “We’ll always haveParis” (Remember Bogart/Bergman 1942).

But chances are we won’t al-ways have Paris. Paris habitu-ally drives drunk. Paris weavesin and out of one stupor afteranother, lost in meaninglesspartying and shameless porn.She’s going to look like fifty

before she’s thirty, if she makesit to that age. Barring a totalshift in character, self-destruc-tion seems almost inevitable.

Remember Anna Nicole Smith,dead at 39. Marilyn Monroe, 36.Janis Joplin, 27. Judy Garland, 47.The law of averages caught upwith all. It disregarded talent (orlack thereof), looks, money,sexual prowess, and celebrityrankings. A more elegant expres-sion of this law goes somethinglike this: whatever a person sows,he or she will reap.

Those who knew Ruth Gra-ham absolutely insist that with-out her Billy Graham wouldnever have become who hebecame nor sustained his min-istry over the past 60+ years.She gave every ounce of herbeing to him and their five chil-dren so that he could concen-trate on global outreach.

The many millions who haveexperienced new life and hopethrough the Billy Graham’s mes-sage owe a large debt to hisstalwart life partner. She neverfaltered in her commitment toserve them so that he could givehimself to the spreading theGood News of Christ. She wasthe one indispensable memberof the Billy Graham team.

Whatever God did throughBilly, Ruth Graham shares in the“harvest.” Her legacy includesbroken persons mended, bro-ken homes reunited, and wan-dering souls redeemed by“amazing grace.”

Sometimes redundancy isnecessary. Ruth Graham, age87, passed into eternal resthoping her Lord might be ableto say, “Well done thou goodand faithful servant, enter intoyour master’s joy.”

Her husband, children, andmany Christian friends declare,“She fought the good fight, shefinished the race with distinc-tion.” To such faithful folks Mrs.Graham’s Bible says, “you willreceive a rich welcome into theeternal kingdom of our Lordand Savior Jesus Christ.”

Meanwhile, one can hope thatit’s not too late for Paris Hilton– or anyone else on the down-ward spiral into an early grave.But reversing years of deca-dence and dissolution takes farmore than a sudden surge ofwill power. It takes a HigherPower, energizing and trans-forming mere human resolve.

That’s something Billy Gra-ham – and his beloved Ruth –can tell you all about.

Gary Hardawayis executive di-rector of Sum-mit School ofMinistry inN o r t h w e s tWashington. Heholds a PhD infoundations ofeducation andis a member ofthe National As-sociation ofScholars. Hehas taught inuniversities inthe USA,Lithuania andC a n a d a .

This article isan example ofthe Amy Foun-dation Syndi-cate, RealA n s w e r s . ™Each month,Real Answersoffers severalnew articles,free of charge,to editorsa c r o s sA m e r i c a .For more infor-mation, contactDon Lindman ata m y f o u n d t n@ a o l . c o m .

Read more atour website atw w w .a m y f o u n d .org.

Pen & Sword www.Amyfound.org 6

Amy

Wri

ting

Aw

ard

Win

ners

First Place Award of $10,000

by Jan White

A horrible tragedy occurred inrural Pennsylvania last weekwhen a gunman walked into aone-room Amish schoolhouseand killed five schoolgirls.

It’s inconceivable the evilthat one person is capable ofcommitting against innocenthuman lives. The Amish com-munity - grieving their greatloss - has asked for prayer andprivacy following the shootingrampage that also woundedfive other girls.

News reports of the shockingtragedy tell of a disturbed manfilled with hate toward himself,hate toward God, and “un-imaginable emptiness.” In theaftermath of the tragic event,reporters have repeatedlybeen amazed that the Amishpeople have emphasized theneed for forgiveness, not an-ger, toward the gunman.

“We’re very concerned thatno message of revenge getsout. We believe in forgiveness,”an Amish man was quoted assaying. Another said, “Wewant to forgive. That’s the waywe were brought up – turngood for evil.”

It’s inconceivable that a com-munity suffering such a sense-less tragedy could make con-tact with the gunman’s familywith the message of forgive-

Forgiveness is the Key to Unlocking Hatred

You can read the full text of all 15 winning entries for 2006 at www.amyfound.org.

Watch for more Prize-Winnersin future issues ofPen & Sword.

ness. Amish elders went tomeet with the gunman’swidow. Marie Roberts was re-portedly invited to attend thegirls’ funerals.

One Amish woman said, “Wecan tell people about Christ,and actually show you in ourwalk that we can forgive; notjust say it, but in our walk oflife. You know you have to liveit, you can’t just say it.”

Watching and reading aboutthese Amish people, I thoughtof the saying, “Preach the Gos-pel, and if necessary, usewords.” Last week theypreached to the world the for-giveness of Christ who, whiledying on a cross said, “Father,forgive them, they know notwhat they do” (Luke 23:34).

One newsman made refer-ence to the statement, “To erris human, to forgive divine.”Extending forgiveness in thissituation would be humanly im-possible were it not for theirfaith in Christ that enables themto show His compassion.

What is forgiveness? “For-giveness is surrendering myright to hurt you for hurting me,”according to psychologistArchibald Hart. “Everyone saysforgiveness is a lovely idea,until they have something toforgive,” C.S. Lewis once said.

Hopefully, you and I will neverhave to forgive someone forsomething so horrendous asmurdering our children. But, arewe willing to forgive the friendor family member who hurt usthis week or even many yearsago? Sometimes we find it hardto forgive ourselves.

Holocaust survivor Corrie TenBoom has written, “Forgive-ness is the key that unlocks thedoor of resentment and thehandcuffs of hate. It is a powerthat breaks the chains of bit-terness and the shackles ofselfishness.”

Ann Curry, a Today Show an-chor, commented after coveringthe tragic event, “I realize I didnot know what forgiveness wasuntil now.” Would someonelearn the meaning of forgive-ness by looking at our lives?

Jan’s articles and devotionals haveappeared in numerous publica-tions. She has worked for threenewspapers and written a weeklyreligion column for her local news-paper, The Andalusia Star-News,for over eleven years. Jan and herhusband, Greg, live in Andalusia,AL. Her acceptance speech can befound on page one of this issue.

7 www.Amyfound.org Spring 2007

Amy W

riting Award

Winners

Second Place Award of $5000

By Dr. Sam Smith

“And when you stand praying,if you hold anything against any-one, forgive him, so that yourFather in heaven may forgiveyour sins.” [Mark 11:25]

This is a long time coming. Ihave been studying, learningand teaching the importanceand the power of forgivenessfor many years. There are fewthings more freeing than for-giveness, and as Christians, weknow that God expects us toforgive others as we pray forHim to forgive us.

Every time I hear another les-son on forgiveness, I search myheart and soul to sincerely tryand find anyone I have not for-given in my life. For years Ihave thought that I had for-given everyone that I believedhad ever hurt me or wrongedme in any way.

This morning, as I heard yetanother sermon on forgive-ness, I realized that I havebeen harboring unforgivenesstoward someone I don’t evenknow or have ever met. I haverepressed it so deeply that Ihaven’t even really thoughtabout it in years, and I nowrealize that it is a hindrance tomy walk with my Lord.

I am telling you about it now inhopes that it will prompt you tosearch your heart, and if you findany unforgiveness there you willbe able to free yourself, too.

In 1988 my 16-year-olddaughter Stacey died from in-juries sustained in a car wreck.She was riding with somefriends on their way to lunchfrom high school. It had beenraining, and as they topped ahill a pickup was in the middleof the street and forced themoff the road. They ran through

It is Time to Forgive

a wooden fence, and a 2x6struck Stacey in the head andface, causing fatal injuries. Thedriver of the truck that forcedthem off the road did not stop.No one was able to identify thedriver, and to this day we donot know who it was. Peoplethat witnessed the accidentknew it was a young person, aboy they think, but no one hasever told us who it was – and Ithink it best that I never know.

As I write this, I cannot de-scribe the feeling I have in thepit of my stomach. Some thingsabout that day I simply cannotallow myself to dwell on, and Inow realize that I have notpermitted myself to think aboutthe driver of that truck. In re-pressing those thoughts, Iknow I have never gonethrough the process of forgiv-ing him or her, and I know Godexpects me to do it now.

Why now and not sooner? Ireally don’t know, but I imag-ine one reason is so I will writeabout it now in order for some-one reading about it to find thehealing that I know I will expe-rience. I can think of no betterreason, can you?

As painful as it is to writeabout this, I have to tell youthis: I feel a weight lifting offmy shoulders and my heart atthis very moment. I haveneeded this far too long.Someone reading this needs itjust as much. If it is you, pleasedon’t miss what the Holy Spiritis saying to you. Allow Him toreveal to you whatever andwhomever you have been har-boring resentment towards,and pray for the strength toforgive them. We no longerhave to live with the pain andthe strain that unforgiveness

causes. God wants us to befree from it, and now is the timeto let it go. Go to your Bibleand study all that is writtenabout forgiveness. If you stillcan’t let it go, go to your Pas-tor or some strong Christianfriend that you can talk to.Don’t pass up this opportunityto receive the healing that theLord has for you. I know it willmake your life better.

One more thing: If by anychance the person who wasdriving that truck that Septem-ber day in 1988 should readthis article, please accept theforgiveness I am offering. Ifyou have been suffering fromfeelings of guilt, I ask you toforgive yourself. I know it wasan accident, and from thedeepest part of my soul I prayfor you to feel forgiveness andpeace. If you do not know theLord Jesus as your Savior, I praythat you would open your heartto Him. If you do know Him, Ipray this brings you closer. Godbless you.

For everyone else, if the Spirithas revealed anyone that youneed to forgive, I pray that youwill forgive them now. You willfind supernatural peace andhealing when you do. In thename of Jesus. Amen.

Dr. Sam Smith is a Doctor of Chiro-practic in Jacksonville, Texas. In1998, Dr. Smith began writing col-umns for the Jacksonville DailyProgress. Dr. Smith ministers tobereaved parents through the But-terfly Ministry in memory of hisdaughter, Stacey. Its mission is totell others of the perfect love,mercy and grace of Jesus Christ,who is the only source of true peaceand healing and the way to eternallife in heaven.

3798 CAPITAL CITY BLVD.P.O. BOX 16091LANSING, MICHIGAN 48901

NON-PROFITORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLANSING, MIPERMIT #503

SUMMER 2007

THE AMY

FOUNDATION

NEWSLETTEROUR WEB SITE:WWW.AMYFOUND.ORG

EMAIL US AT

AMYFOUNDTN@AOL.COM

The United States—A Discipled Nation

A Call Tothe Work

of TeachingObedience:

DisciplingMy

Neighborhood

The Amy Foundation also offers a Discipled Nation Curriclum, a series of 4 user-friendly workbooks thattackle the tough issues of the family, and then initiates discipling activities in our churches andneighborhoods. Use them in Sunday School classes, Bible Studies, and prayer groups. The curriculummay be ordered online at: www.adisciplednation.com.

1. I will pray every day forspiritual guidance in defin-ing and doing the work ofdiscipling our neighbor-hood.

2. I will begin by being a per-sonal example of a discipledand obedient Christian.

3. I will work to meet the spe-cial needs of the underprivi-leged and society’s out-casts lovingly teaching obe-dience to Jesus’ command-ments in the process.

4. I will bring a loving, caringpresence to the elderly, thesick, the orphans, andthose in prison, alwaysteaching obedience in theprocess.

5. I will subscribe to the localnewspaper to be informedof the issues and presentGod’s truth in teaching obe-dience through letters tothe editor, guest editorials,and book reviews; therebyusing this public mediumavailable to every Christianto make disciples of thou-sands in our neighborhood.

6. I will pray for and befriendall those in authority so Imay teach obedience ofJesus’ commandments.

7. I will participate in local re-sponsibilities such asschool boards, PTA, localgovernment, news distribu-tion, entertainment and the

arts so I may teach obedi-ence of all Jesus com-manded.

8. I will start with my neigh-bors, those who live nextdoor to me, that I mayteach them obedience of allJesus commands us to do.