The Internet! http://ww...O!
“O? What in the wide world is an ‘O’ doing there? That’s supposed to be ‘W’ for World Wide Web!”
Not today, it’s World Wide One! Or maybe better yet, World Wide One-derful!
Over the last year, the Internet has been a tool in my life to connect me with wonderful believers all over the world. No matter how bad the press is about Christians—how shabbily, stilted, or silly they are portrayed in movies and on TV—the Internet has affirmed to me how absolutely One-derful believers can be.
Three situations illustrate this powerfully:
David Allen, a missionary in Thailand, contracted a very rare parasite and was close to dying. All over the world people prayed. He received email for thousands of people from dozens of countries. Just when it looked most hopeless, God changed everything. David is now doing well, back in Thailand, and serving the Lord. Why? Because of God’s graciousness and the World Wide One-derful—with one heart God’s people cried out, and David’s needs were met!
I believe the Internet is an incredible tool.
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The Mullican family survived an incredible year that began with the joyful birth of William IV, a wonderful and precious son, born with Down’s Syndrome. He was born premature because his mom, Tammy, was quite ill. His premature birth caused him to have severe feeding problems. Meanwhile, his mother grew sicker. We did not realize how ill she was until she went into cardiac arrest a few days later. Prayers and emails and stories of their their battle traveled all around the world. A little over a year later, Bill has a better job. Tammy has made a miraculous recovery. William IV is doing great. Why? Because of God’s grace and World Wide One-derful—the oneness of God’s people was heard again!
As 1997 started, Randy, Gail, Marta, and Rachel Fenter began sharing a tough journey with Gail’s cancer. She had a horrible type of cancer. Through the ups and downs of Gail’s struggle, snail mail and email poured in. Many of you kept up with her struggles through the postings to her website. While Gail’s struggle with cancer ended with the close of 1997 with her physical death, God sustained her family, and Gail herself, through the tremendous outpouring of love and help from Christians all over the world. Why? Because of God’s love and World Wide One-derful—the goodness of God’s people who loved this family with one united heart!
I believe the Internet is an incredible tool that has been given to us to bless the work of God’s Kingdom in our time. But the power behind it can be used only if we rely on Lord's powerful blessing coupled with the goodness of his people to use the web to honor him and bless his people.
As Heartlight completes our second year, we would like to thank all of the many fine people who are trying to redeem the web and use it to God's glory. We would urge you to continue. Don’t flag in passion. Work to advance the Kingdom. Pray for web ministries and push back the darkness in this vital area of our emerging world culture. In particular, I'd like ask for your help with two specific action items.
First, I would love for you to send suggestions to us on how Heartlight could help Christians all over the world begin a movement called “Redeem the Web.” These suggestions should not be grandiose or expensive or negative toward others. Instead, please send me your suggestions on positive, simple, practical things we can offer to the Lord for his blessing, and let him do this redemptive work. Just like the five loaves and two fish, Jesus can take our meager offerings and make them much better, using our efforts to make a huge difference in the world.
Second, please take time to read about the Laos 13—believers who have been severely mistreated because of their faith. While they are not the only believers to be persecuted recently, they are people you can help through your prayers and by using the Internet to express your concern. Let’s set loose that World Wide Oneness again, and use the web to redeem!
It’s not World Wide Web, it’s World Wide One-derful!
