Published by Mark Morris on 15 Jul 2009 at 07:09 pm
Your Last Letter: have you written it?
Something new is coming in October. We need your help – write your last letter in 400 words or less.
It’s actually an ancient tradition of soldiers and missionaries who as they board a ship, write their family and friends a letter that they think might be their final communication! The resurrection of this ancient tradition is to inspire a new generation to think and pray through the reason for their life – and possibly the sacrifice of their life for a cause greater than themselves.
Last letter is a call for a revolutionary lifestyle inspired by individuals willing to offer every breath to fulfill the passionate call of Christ.
The vision is for a movement of believers taking up their crosses daily and following Jesus into the slums of India, into HIV hospices of Africa, into the child labor underworld in the far East, into waterless villages, into garbage-dump cities, into lands ruled by extremist regimes, into the least reached villages, and into the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in our cities. It is about bringing awareness and justice.
The pillars of this movement are found in four words:
Sacrifice Action Justice Jesus.
Jesus personal sacrifice transformed judgment into mercy.
Jesus revolutionary action disrupted history and unlocked eternity.
Jesus death and rising brought the hope of justice for all.
In Jesus, God became flesh. He died for you and me.
The movement has the gall to ask the question –What are you willing to die for?
The Purpose is to fuel a revolution of Christians who are passionately offended by hopelessness and poverty. Where there is hunger, we will feed, where there is no water, we will dig, where there is disease, we will bring medication. And why? Because Jesus asked all of us every believer to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and heal the sick, in His name. Through His example of sacrifice and death, we die to ourselves that He might live in and through us in this world.
The Narrative of Last Letter comes from an epoch long forgotten, when obedient Christians packed up their worldly belongings into a pine casket and sailed the oceans to a distant land. Before its ultimate use, the constantly visible casket served as a daily seal of the missionaries commitment to take up Jesus cross among the poor and the lost.
Before their ships would sail, these Christian servants would scribble with tears and ink their last letters. These letters were penned in Bibles and on weathered parchment in a desperate attempt to explain their divine compulsion to give up everything and everyone to serve the lost and the hurting. At her final farewell, surrounded by parents and siblings, a twenty-year-old single lady would hand her father her last letter, she would tearfully embrace, board the ship and sail off never to return.
Karen Watson was a young missionary, recently murdered in Iraq because of her bold service to the Lord. At her funeral, Karens last letter was read by her pastor.
Dear Pastor,
You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death.When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasnt called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward…
The missionary heart:
Cares more than some think is wise
Risks more than some think is safe
Dreams more than some think is practical
Expects more than some think is possible
I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience…
There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you and my church family.
In His care,
Salaam, Karen
The Passion of Last Letter is to recapture the dedication of those who have sacrificed everything to bring justice in Jesus name.
The Last Letter Journey is a faith revolution. Its a call to action. Our intent is that we seek Jesus, and contemplate His love for the desperate, the lost and the least reached.
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seatI am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? Jesus
Send us your last letter today.
Mark Morris on 15 Jul 2009 at 7:23 pm #
Mark Morris’ Journal Entry – 4 April, 1991 – Day 1 Of Trip
At Border of Rebel Occupied Territory
The flight to the border was difficult since I was tearfully writing my last letter to Cindy before the month long journey. I can’t believe her devotion to me and to the Lord as she faithfully trusts me into the hands of the Lord for this dangerous journey.
Dear Lord, I pray that no harm will befall us along the way. Help me Lord to trust you and have peace in my heart.
“Lord, by my life or my death, reveal yourself to this Unreached People, in a way that they can understand. And Lord, this may be selfish on my part but I pray that you will do this in my life time so that I can see your glory among this people group.”
Servant of Christ,
Mark Morris
Johnny Hunt, President SBC on 15 Jul 2009 at 7:25 pm #
“In recent days I have become overwhelmed to the reality of the lostness and needs of our nation and our world. Personally I have served as a Pastor of 33 years that so desires to know the power of His resurrection but really had no desire to know the fellowship of His suffering. I now commit myself in full surrender, with God’s help, to follow His leadership anywhere and anytime to make Jesus Christ known to the least, the lost, and whosoever! May this serve as a testament of my pledge to Christ alone”.
Johnny Hunt
President, Southern Baptist Convention
Sent from my iPhone
Curtis Brickley on 19 Jul 2009 at 3:15 pm #
Many of you remember the Malatya murders from a couple of years back. Five young Muslims tortured and murdered three Christians in Malatya, Turkey; “before torturing them and finally killing them by slitting their throats…one of the victims was stabbed 150 times in a particularly brutal attack. A note left at the scene read: ‘This should serve as a lesson to the enemies of our religion. We did it for our country.'”
A month after the murders I left for Malatya; but before I did, I kissed my wife and three small children good-bye and penned this hand-written note, just like the one left at the scene: “My presence here should serve as a lesson that God loves you; He sent His Son Jesus who demonstrated His love on the Cross. I am here because He wants you to know this!”
The note now tattered, torn and falling apart has found its permanent home in my wallet. The note is with me always as a reminder, whether in Turkey or some other far off place that “my life is not my own”. Funny…I find the sentiment of those words just as applicable to all believers on this earth, because anywhere we now dwell is far away from our home as we look “forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God…for a country of their own…longing for a better country – a heavenly one.” (Heb 11:10-16)
Your Life Is Not Your Own
By Curtis Brickley
A price was paid for every man, then bids his Master come and stand,
“Your life is not your own”.
Are you to say that what I’ve bought, should be spent another way?
T’was on the cross as I recall I earned the right to say…
“Your life is not your own”.
In love compelled My love displayed, of this I am for sure
I know what’s best for those I love…
“Your life is not your own”.
So lay it down just as I’ve done and ask not why or when
But lay it down each day you rise…
“Your life is not your own”.
This truth it seems is hard to grasp, the task still not complete
Who will go but those I send…
“Your life is not your own”.
Too great a price when on the cross I bought the sin of man
And now I bid you yet again to come to me and stand…
“Your life is not your own”.
Stand because My love commands,
that every tribe and tongue will know,
The love of God that purchased man, and bids him now to go…
“Your life is not your own”.
Ashamed Apart From His Grace,
Curtis Brickley, Minister of Missions
William H Smith on 06 Aug 2009 at 2:36 am #
This letter has been opened and read because I have gone on to be with the Lord. My life on earth is over and I will be living with my Savior from now on. He promised that if I were absent from this body, that I would be present with Him. I AM present with my Lord. I mentioned many times that I am not in the proverbial “better place,” but that I am with the Lord in heaven. Pass this message on to those who will comfort you.
I know that this time will be hard, but I am also confident that God our Father will fill your hearts with healing and divine comfort. Adrian, Billy and Lauren, know that I love you all so much. I have been blessed to have the most awesome family in the world. The Lord gave you to me and He will take care of you for the rest of your lives.
Over 31 years ago, God called me into His family and He blessed me with the opportunity to serve Him alongside of you all. He called me into the gospel ministry and equipped me to take the gospel into the entire world. Thank you dear ones for putting up with all of my crazy ideas; moving half way across the country for seminary, starting a church, with nothing but a vision, working ministries and teaching the mission-centered life.
You know that all I wanted to do is serve the Savior. I really wanted to hear Him say well done for all of us. It was a simple life but one I’d never trade for anything, because I shared it with y’all.
I love you and I will see you soon. Keep serving Christ and His kingdom.
Love Your Husband and Dad
Bill
P. S. They know it but remind my extended family I will see them soon as well. We will be with each other forever. That will be a blast!
NCAA Football is here! | Mission Leader on 07 Sep 2009 at 3:18 pm #
[…] the same time, I’m in the midst of a campaign called Last Letter. We’re trying to encourage students and adults alike to pray about writing their Last […]