Should Christians Give to Secular Causes?

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI


This time of year, we are approached by causes of all types asking for donations. God has given us so many needs and so many opportunities. There are the hungry, the homeless and children in foreign countries. There are droughts, floods, tornados, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters. There are diseases, epidemics, wars, rebellions and plagues. There are step-up ministries such as job training, micro loans, small business support, And lastly, there are always evangelism opportunities to tell other about the love of Jesus Christ.

Several years ago, I attended a ministry presentation at a mainline denomination Christian church. The speaker told about how many thousands of blankets, tons of rice and beans, and other food items they had distributed in the last year. The numbers were impressive but he omitted telling us how the gospel of Jesus Christ was presented.

So I asked.

He responded that in the international community, it was frowned upon to take advantage of these poor people in their time of need!!

Franklin Graham of Samaritan’s Purse feels differently. He states in his book “Rebel With a Cause”, that helping people in their time of need gives Christian workers the right to share the gospel.

What amazed me was this ministry that was supported by a mainline Christian denomination and taking their money yet ignoring the great commission Jesus gave us!

So, should Christians give to secular causes? The short answer is no.

Few Christians know that while there are thousands of foundations giving away millions of dollars, only a very few will give to Christian causes. They will happily donate to “feed the children” but never donate to “feed the Christian children”.

When I began approaching foundations to donate to CLI, I got a rapid lesson on how this works. One large foundation administrator told me, “we’d have to give to all the religions if we gave to yours” – so they simply don’t give to any.

How do we make up for these big closed doors?

Small private donors, private donations, private and family foundations. In other words – you. You are the ones that make the difference, You are the ones whose money goes to share the gospel where large distribution ministries fear to go. You are the ones who make a difference – not for today, not for tomorrow – but for all eternity.

Please have a blessed, Christ focused, Christmas!

The CLI Christmas Social

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel we sang… and He did! Jesus was with us last night as we celebrated His birth with CLI volunteers and prayer warriors. God was with us as we entered into Bert and Lindy’s beautifully decorated home and enjoyed Christmas with good friends.

True to the hearts of the CLI gang, we all brought a dish to share. With everyone contributing, the ministry incurred no expense. A feast was provided by all. And this is just how God works through us during the year: everyone contributes to the mission and a feast of God’s word is provided to the imprisoned.

As I was considering how we could honor Jesus for His birthday celebration, God gave me an idea. The idea: “Jesus, This is Your Life!” We could pass out colorful illustrations depicting Jesus and His ministry here on earth and ask our guests to identify the event. But where would I get the photos? I didn’t want to cut up a book.

Anders Skaar, Mission Director said, “God has already worked this out” and he went into the shipping room. He walked into my office and placed a stack of illustrations of Jesus’ life on 8 ½” X 11” cardstock. Of course, they were perfect!

In addition to identifying the illustration, we asked, “How does this event in Jesus’ life affect our work at CLI?” Volunteers huddled in groups of two and three to talk it over and then one of them shared their thoughts. Wow! Every answer was moving and especially honoring to Christ.

For Example: Ernie said, “In this picture of the 12 year old Jesus, it appears that these older men are listening intently to what Jesus is saying. As we write to inmates we also listen intently to Jesus and write with the wisdom that He gives us.” Michael said, “Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. He was humble and willing to do God’s will. At CLI we humbly reach out to inmates with books and Bibles that help them know Jesus.” Anita said, “The widow gave all she had and Jesus was in the background seeing her generosity. Jesus sees the work of our volunteers who give of their time and money and don’t expect to get anything in return.”

There was also a mystery guest – Sarah Palin! She had heard about Christian Library International and wanted to be part of our celebration. Everyone had the opportunity to meet her and have his or her picture taken with her. Ha – it was only a life-size, cut-out of the “Going Rogue” author! It was fun and of course we know that she loves the Lord also!

We closed our special evening singing, “O Come all Ye Faithful.” We are truly joyful and triumphant in Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank You Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit for the gift of Emmanuel.

Counting our Blessings

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

At the end of the year it's always fun to look back on God's blessings. And how He has blessed CLI in 2009!
I guess it was the year of more and better. More books and Bibles distributed, more prison inmates enrolled in the CLI Leadership Bible study, more volunteers answering the letters and reviewing the Bible studies, more letters in our PO box every week, all 15 lessons of the CLI Bible study translated into Spanish, more new donors, more foundations donating to CLI, more new people on our board, more prayer warriors, better quality books being sent and better committed supporters.
Topping it all was our 7th Author-Dinner with Bill Dallas.
God is good - All the time.
Blessings to you this Christmas!

Offering of Thanksgiving

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

Along with his fellowship offering of thanksgiving he is to present an offering with cakes of bread made with yeast. NIV Leviticus 7:13

As I was reading through the five types of offerings made to God in the Old Testament, I was struck with gratitude for all the Lord Jesus has done for us. Through His death and resurrection Jesus has met the requirements for all five offerings for all time. He made atonement for unintentional sin (burnt offering), He was a living act of God’s goodness (grain offering), He made it possible for us to be in relationship with God (fellowship offering), He took away God’s wrath for all our sins (sin offering) and in Christ there is no condemnation (guilt offering).

There are many ways to thank and worship Jesus for what He has done for us but while I was meditating on these offerings, the Lord gave me an idea. I could show my gratitude to God by baking cakes or other kinds of dishes in His honor. I have put this idea into good effect a couple of times.

For example, this week in honor of Jesus’ birth and our dedicated volunteers, I baked a cake and brownies. In purchasing the ingredients and working in the kitchen, I prayed and offered the gifts and the work of my hands as a thank offering to God. Then I brought the offering in for our volunteers to enjoy and feel God’s love and our appreciation. God really uses CLI volunteers to bring Christ to the imprisoned.

Please feel free to use this idea if it resonates with your spirit. Or perhaps God has another way for you to express your thankfulness. The important thing is that we all gush over with acts and thoughts of thanksgiving this Christmas season. God has given us abundantly in Christ Jesus. Amen.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. NIV 1 Corinthians 10:31

Pallets of Bibles

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

CLI sends out a lot of books and Bibles - but we are always short of Bibles. Back in '06, we received PALLETS of books and Bibles from the Billy Graham organization. Each pallet was about 4'X4'X4' and weighed in at 1,500 lbs.

Join us in prayer for PALLETS of Bibles to be donated so that every box we send to the prisons has at least 50% Bibles. Sometimes we can only include a paltry 2 or 3.

We know that the Word of God is powerful and used for instruction. We know that His word will never return empty. We pray we at CLI can always send the Word of God into the prisons.

The Christmas Season Begins

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

Every year, CLI has a lovely Christmas party for our Raleigh based volunteers and prayer warriors. We all get together to honor Christ with carols, testimonies and great Christian fellowship and food. Because it's usually a pot luck, it's fun to see what everyone brings.

This year, we will be hosted at Bert & Lindy's home.

Please remember that Christmas is all about honoring Christ. It's not about shopping, traveling, family, feasting, football or exchanging gifts. Please take time to honor Him - His life, His teaching, His love and His sacrifice.