Dan and I met out on Mill Ave and began setting up our boards. A guy named Alan stopped by as soon as I had the board up. He liked the illusion and the "genius" questions, so he agreed to go through the Good Person Test (GPT).
We found that he was not as good as he had thought when we went through some of the Ten Commandments. He had broken all four of the ones we went through, and by his own admission was found to be a lying, coveting thief, and a blaspheming adulterer at heart.
Even realizing that he was not "good", he claimed that the thought of judgment and hell didn't concern him. He believed that heaven and hell are what we make of it. I pray that he realizes the error in human thinking before that day of judgment comes.
He was homeless, so I gave him a Gift For You tract that includes some money, to help him out.
A little while later, another homeless guy named Joseph showed up. He said that he had heard that you can get some money for food if you came over here and took a test.
Well, that is not exactly how it works, but let's see how you'd do.
I took him through the GPT and explained the need for a Savior. After talking to him for a while, I gave him one of the same tracts I had given the first guy with cash inside. Now I was out of those. I had more at home, but hadn't stocked up on them.
Then Dylan, another homeless guy that had got word that the street preachers were giving away money, stopped by.
I talked with him and shared the Gospel after showing him his need for a Savior, so that it would make sense, then gave him a dollar and an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract, since I was out of the other ones. I normally won't give money away without a tract any more.
And then a guy named Nick, who was passing out cards for the rooftop bar stopped and talked with me for a bit. He said he was Catholic but fell away. We had a pretty good conversation, I took him through the GPT, but he didn't seem real convicted. Still, he has some stuff to consider regarding eternity.
I explained to him that none of us are guaranteed another day, and that 150,000 people die every day. We've got to get this figured out on this side.
Seeds planted, pray that the Lord would work in him.
Next I talked with a guy named Andrew and his friend. He said he was not a good person, but agreed to go through the Good Person Test, anyway.
I explained the Gospel and gave them glow sticks, as a demonstration of God's grace, with a couple of Gospel tracts to take with them.
I talked to a couple of kids that stopped to check out the sign but didn't catch their names. We went through the GPT and I gave them each glow sticks and a Gospel tract.
Then I talked to Chris, who was not a believer and claimed that he could not believe in the "tyrannical" God of the Bible, who could create people knowing that they would sin and end up in hell. I tried to give him an explanation, but as is usually the case in matters like this, he didn't want one. He just wanted to argue.
Then he went over to Dan to harass him for a while before leaving.
After that, a whole team of about five extremely tall guys stopped to check out the board and take the GPT. 3 or 4 more of them stopped by and they were all headed somewhere. I had to rush, but got them all the way through the test. I did not catch any of their names. I did give the one that answered most of the questions a glow stick, explaining that he didn't earn it because he had failed the GPT, and that it was a small demonstration of God's grace, in giving us the much larger undeserved gift of eternal life if we would repent of our sins and trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.
It was a very busy night evangelizing on Mill Ave.
Soli Del Gloria
Friday, December 27, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Homophobic?
I wouldn't call it "homophobic". I'm not any more afraid of a homosexual than I am anyone else.
I mean, I've seen the gang violence of the "gay" population when Christians are simply stating what the Bible says on the subject and opposing their lifestyle as sin, and that looks like a fearful place to be.
It reminds me of the large groups of radical Muslims who attack Christians.
Although, Muslims also see homosexuality as sin, so what is it going to look like when those two violent groups collide?
I think a better term to describe this would be "sinaphobia".
I am afraid of the righteous and just wrath of the Almighty Creator of the universe when He comes against those who would attempt to oppose Him (Luke 12:5).
I am afraid of the judgment that is coming down upon my country as we sit idly by and condone all kinds of sin and make excuses for it (Romans 1:32).
I am afraid for those who would pour out contempt and blaspheme the name of the One who created them and the environment they live in, the One who gives every blessing and allows every breath and heartbeat (Hebrews 10:31).
I mean, think about it. He created everything you know in the universe and much more that you aren't even aware of! Out of nothing! Beings more powerful than you can even imagine, tremble at the very mention of His name, yet mere mortals deny His very existence for the sake of their sins.
I am not "homophobic" and I do not hate homosexuals, I fear for them greatly. And this is why I will speak the Biblical truth to them in love, that they also might repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation from the eternal hell that we all deserve (www.needgod.com).
Homosexuality is only one in a list of sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). If one would truly trust in Him, the love for their sinful lifestyle would change (1 John 1:9), they would become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Soli Deo Gloria
I mean, I've seen the gang violence of the "gay" population when Christians are simply stating what the Bible says on the subject and opposing their lifestyle as sin, and that looks like a fearful place to be.
It reminds me of the large groups of radical Muslims who attack Christians.
Although, Muslims also see homosexuality as sin, so what is it going to look like when those two violent groups collide?
I think a better term to describe this would be "sinaphobia".
I am afraid of the righteous and just wrath of the Almighty Creator of the universe when He comes against those who would attempt to oppose Him (Luke 12:5).
I am afraid of the judgment that is coming down upon my country as we sit idly by and condone all kinds of sin and make excuses for it (Romans 1:32).
I am afraid for those who would pour out contempt and blaspheme the name of the One who created them and the environment they live in, the One who gives every blessing and allows every breath and heartbeat (Hebrews 10:31).
I mean, think about it. He created everything you know in the universe and much more that you aren't even aware of! Out of nothing! Beings more powerful than you can even imagine, tremble at the very mention of His name, yet mere mortals deny His very existence for the sake of their sins.
I am not "homophobic" and I do not hate homosexuals, I fear for them greatly. And this is why I will speak the Biblical truth to them in love, that they also might repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation from the eternal hell that we all deserve (www.needgod.com).
Homosexuality is only one in a list of sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). If one would truly trust in Him, the love for their sinful lifestyle would change (1 John 1:9), they would become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Saturday 11-02-13
Mill Ave Evangelism
A couple of girls stopped by to take the genius test but didn't want to go through the Good Person Test (GPT).
However, I was able to give them a Trillion Dollar Bill tract as they left.
A large group of people stopped and enjoyed the genius test, but only Robert went through the GPT, he said he was a Christian, but I gave him an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract anyway.
A guy named Austin stopped by with his girlfriend. I didn't catch her name, since she answered his phone and missed part of the GPT. Austin heard the entire Gospel though, and understood that he failed the GPT. After realizing his need for a Savior, I explained God's grace and gave them each a glow stick.
They came back with her mom to take her thru both tests. Her name was Jo Elle.
Pray that the Lord would work in each of those we spoke with and gave tracts to. And pray for more workers in the harvest field.
Solo Deo Gloria
A couple of girls stopped by to take the genius test but didn't want to go through the Good Person Test (GPT).
However, I was able to give them a Trillion Dollar Bill tract as they left.
A large group of people stopped and enjoyed the genius test, but only Robert went through the GPT, he said he was a Christian, but I gave him an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract anyway.
A guy named Austin stopped by with his girlfriend. I didn't catch her name, since she answered his phone and missed part of the GPT. Austin heard the entire Gospel though, and understood that he failed the GPT. After realizing his need for a Savior, I explained God's grace and gave them each a glow stick.
They came back with her mom to take her thru both tests. Her name was Jo Elle.
Pray that the Lord would work in each of those we spoke with and gave tracts to. And pray for more workers in the harvest field.
Solo Deo Gloria
Monday, October 7, 2013
Saturday 9-28 and 10-5
09-28-13
It was a busy night on Mill Ave, with a game going on, lots of tracts were distributed, but not a whole lot of conversations. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get where they were going.
A couple of guys left some food they had from a tailgate party with us to distribute to those in need. They had large trays of chicken, mac and cheese and baked beans.
A guy named Tony stopped by for some food. He wanted me to pray for him, so I did, but he wouldn't take a tract, saying that prayer was enough. He seemed to think that he knew enough about Christianity, I'm just not sure if he was willing to follow.
Selena and Tennille stopped to check out the Illusion board. Tennille went though the Genius Test and Selena did the Good Person Test (GPT). Tennille seemed a bit more convicted, but they both said they'd rather talk about it tomorrow, obviously planning on going forth with whatever sinful plans they had for tonight, unwilling to let go of it.
This is what Jonathan Edwards talked about in his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". They always think that they have a plan to get away with it, to go ahead and enjoy their sin and repent at the last minute, that they might outsmart the Creator of the universe. Everyone in hell thinks the same thing, yet their schemes did not work, and there they are. I pray these two ladies would see that and that God would convict them to turn away from their sins and towards Him for their only hope of salvation.
10-05-13
As I was handing out a few tracts, a strange guy stopped by to look at Dan's illusion board. Dan was busy witnessing to some others who had stopped by, so I talked with him. He started babbling on about seeing different colors of the spectrum that clearly were not on the board, and he never shut up. He was drunk, spewing spittle all over the place and continued to wildly wave his hands in my face. He wasn't really making much sense or listening to anything we had to say, so after I saw one couple look at my board and then walk away, I decided that this guy was just sent as a distraction to keep me from talking to others.
He started rambling on about how he couldn't be a devil or demon, since he could say that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and at His right hand. I'm sure of the exact words, because I noticed two other people stopping at my board. I decided not to let any more people get away while being trapped with a crazy guy, so I told him that I had to go and walked over to my board. He followed me, of course, complaining that I had said he was wrong and wouldn't let him educate me. I explained that I had never said he was wrong, because I couldn't get a word in edge wise. I then ignored him and talked to the two guys who were looking at the illusion board. The crazy guy finally walked away and trapped Dan, who had finished up his previous conversation.
Daniel and Levi went through the Genius test and the GPT. They asked a couple of typical skeptic questions, but we kept on track and finished up the GPT. Although they didn't seem real convicted, they did look like they were considering what I told them, so I gave them the Gospel and handed each of them each an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?" tract and glow stick, before they headed on their way.
Soli Deo Gloria
It was a busy night on Mill Ave, with a game going on, lots of tracts were distributed, but not a whole lot of conversations. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get where they were going.
A couple of guys left some food they had from a tailgate party with us to distribute to those in need. They had large trays of chicken, mac and cheese and baked beans.
A guy named Tony stopped by for some food. He wanted me to pray for him, so I did, but he wouldn't take a tract, saying that prayer was enough. He seemed to think that he knew enough about Christianity, I'm just not sure if he was willing to follow.
Selena and Tennille stopped to check out the Illusion board. Tennille went though the Genius Test and Selena did the Good Person Test (GPT). Tennille seemed a bit more convicted, but they both said they'd rather talk about it tomorrow, obviously planning on going forth with whatever sinful plans they had for tonight, unwilling to let go of it.
This is what Jonathan Edwards talked about in his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". They always think that they have a plan to get away with it, to go ahead and enjoy their sin and repent at the last minute, that they might outsmart the Creator of the universe. Everyone in hell thinks the same thing, yet their schemes did not work, and there they are. I pray these two ladies would see that and that God would convict them to turn away from their sins and towards Him for their only hope of salvation.
10-05-13
As I was handing out a few tracts, a strange guy stopped by to look at Dan's illusion board. Dan was busy witnessing to some others who had stopped by, so I talked with him. He started babbling on about seeing different colors of the spectrum that clearly were not on the board, and he never shut up. He was drunk, spewing spittle all over the place and continued to wildly wave his hands in my face. He wasn't really making much sense or listening to anything we had to say, so after I saw one couple look at my board and then walk away, I decided that this guy was just sent as a distraction to keep me from talking to others.
He started rambling on about how he couldn't be a devil or demon, since he could say that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and at His right hand. I'm sure of the exact words, because I noticed two other people stopping at my board. I decided not to let any more people get away while being trapped with a crazy guy, so I told him that I had to go and walked over to my board. He followed me, of course, complaining that I had said he was wrong and wouldn't let him educate me. I explained that I had never said he was wrong, because I couldn't get a word in edge wise. I then ignored him and talked to the two guys who were looking at the illusion board. The crazy guy finally walked away and trapped Dan, who had finished up his previous conversation.
Daniel and Levi went through the Genius test and the GPT. They asked a couple of typical skeptic questions, but we kept on track and finished up the GPT. Although they didn't seem real convicted, they did look like they were considering what I told them, so I gave them the Gospel and handed each of them each an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?" tract and glow stick, before they headed on their way.
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Saturday 9-21-13
We've still been going out to Mill Ave, I just haven't been very good at recording the happenings out there. This week, I brought the illusion board out again (I hadn't brought it the last few times).
An older guy stopped to check it out, and asked what we were doing. I took him through the "genius questions", and he is one of the very few that got them all right. Again, he asked what the point of this was, so I took him through the Good Person Test (GPT).
He only admitted to lying, but claimed he had never stolen, blasphemed or even looked with lust. I didn't really believe him, but let that go. After all, he did just admit to me that he was a liar, so I don't know how much truth he was telling after that.
Anyway, I explained his need for a Savior, since he had admitted to breaking at least one of God's laws, and gave him the Gospel. I'm not sure what he believed, but he seemed to like what we were doing.
The next couple that stopped by, not so much. The guy looked at the illusion board, so I asked him what he thought of it. He angrily said he was offended by it. Offended? Why? He said it was because of "this religious stuff."
I asked what religious stuff he was referring to, as there's really not much religious about the illusion board, it's purpose is more of an ice breaker to get conversation started.
He pointed out the word Moses in the middle of one of the questions. Wow, a bit intolerant there.
He then asked me if I was "anti-gay", to which I replied, "What do you mean by that?" It's not really that simple, as I do not condone any sin, yet I don't hate homosexuals, either.
He said that answered his question, and he and the woman with him promptly turned and walked away.
Tom was talking to a guy who needed a bible, and I happened to have one, so I gave it to him.
A guy who called himself "Z" stopped by and took the GPT. He seemed drunk or high, but listened. He said he didn't believe the Bible, but I explained the Gospel anyway and gave him a glow stick as a demonstration of God's grace, freely given to those of us who really don't deserve it.
I talked with Mike and Carrie, who are homeless and I took them through the GPT. They told me that they had just gotten baptized today. I gave them each a "Gift For You" tract.
Next, I talked with couple of guys name Lindsey and Justin . Both were drunk, and Justin was an atheist. We went through the GPT and they both heard the Gospel before they continued on their way. Even though Justin remained an atheist, they were not offended or angry with our message, even giving me a hug and shaking my hand before they left.
Chris and Jacob also stopped for the illusion and went through the GPT. I gave them each an Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven tract before they continued on their way.
It wasn't all that busy on Mill, but I did talk to a lot of people, praise God!
Soli Deo Gloria
An older guy stopped to check it out, and asked what we were doing. I took him through the "genius questions", and he is one of the very few that got them all right. Again, he asked what the point of this was, so I took him through the Good Person Test (GPT).
He only admitted to lying, but claimed he had never stolen, blasphemed or even looked with lust. I didn't really believe him, but let that go. After all, he did just admit to me that he was a liar, so I don't know how much truth he was telling after that.
Anyway, I explained his need for a Savior, since he had admitted to breaking at least one of God's laws, and gave him the Gospel. I'm not sure what he believed, but he seemed to like what we were doing.
The next couple that stopped by, not so much. The guy looked at the illusion board, so I asked him what he thought of it. He angrily said he was offended by it. Offended? Why? He said it was because of "this religious stuff."
I asked what religious stuff he was referring to, as there's really not much religious about the illusion board, it's purpose is more of an ice breaker to get conversation started.
He pointed out the word Moses in the middle of one of the questions. Wow, a bit intolerant there.
He then asked me if I was "anti-gay", to which I replied, "What do you mean by that?" It's not really that simple, as I do not condone any sin, yet I don't hate homosexuals, either.
He said that answered his question, and he and the woman with him promptly turned and walked away.
Tom was talking to a guy who needed a bible, and I happened to have one, so I gave it to him.
A guy who called himself "Z" stopped by and took the GPT. He seemed drunk or high, but listened. He said he didn't believe the Bible, but I explained the Gospel anyway and gave him a glow stick as a demonstration of God's grace, freely given to those of us who really don't deserve it.
I talked with Mike and Carrie, who are homeless and I took them through the GPT. They told me that they had just gotten baptized today. I gave them each a "Gift For You" tract.
Next, I talked with couple of guys name Lindsey and Justin . Both were drunk, and Justin was an atheist. We went through the GPT and they both heard the Gospel before they continued on their way. Even though Justin remained an atheist, they were not offended or angry with our message, even giving me a hug and shaking my hand before they left.
Chris and Jacob also stopped for the illusion and went through the GPT. I gave them each an Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven tract before they continued on their way.
It wasn't all that busy on Mill, but I did talk to a lot of people, praise God!
Soli Deo Gloria
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Agenda
In an article about a law in PA banning same sex marriage, then facing a court challenge, I found the comments to be quite interesting, and telling of the mindset in America today.
Some of the comments are captured below:
"Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see."
Then, of course, we get the OT Laws, ripped out of context, in an attempt to make the claim that Christians just pick and choose what they like from the Bible.
Again, it takes an extra click to see the Biblical response.
That's right, this guy claims that God 'told' him something contrary to His written word, and thinks that condoning a sinful lifestyle is somehow 'loving.'
Again, there was at least one person there giving a Biblical worldview, which was quite unpopular.
Then you get the unbelievers, calling them names and telling them that they're a "bad Christian" - as if an unbeliever had any idea what Christianity is all about!
Followed by more accusations of being 'judgmental.' But wait, isn't it a bit judgmental to be judging someone as judgmental?
Next, an actual quote from the Bible, Romans 2:1 (NIV), well, most of it, but without reference, last someone actually look it up in context.
There's not supposed to be a period there, it's cut off in mid verse and mid sentence. The rest of it goes, "because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think we're on to something there in that piece that was left out. I'll come back to that.
Another poster claimed:
So, do we see the problem here? Do we see how just a few can cause such a stir, changing the way our entire culture thinks in just a few years? And they try to tell me there is no "gay agenda."
They bully those who disagree with them, play upon emotion with, "how does it affect you?" and most of society just finds it easier to go along with.
Those who refuse are made an example out of, in order to dissuade others from voicing any sort of opposition.
Oh, and remember that piece of the verse I said I would get back to? The last part of Romans 2:1, that was left off when it was quoted: "...because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think this is the main key to it all. Even though the sins might not be the same, we all have them, and even the Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a season.
People don't want to give up their pet sins, and they don't want them exposed, so they're willing to overlook them in others. And that is what puts our nation in a downward spiral that is going to be hard to correct.
Look at the sin around us right now, see how far we've fallen in just a few short decades. We have become lukewarm and apathetic to the difference between what the Bible teaches and the way we live our lives.
Anyone still holding to a Biblical worldview is mocked and ridiculed without mercy, but there are a few, a remnant that God has reserved for Himself, that will not bow, that will not compromise and will not give in.
The gate is small and the path is narrow, that leads to eternal life, and there are few that find it (Matt 7:14)
Soli Deo Gloria
Some of the comments are captured below:
"If this country was founded on biblical teachings then the church would not allow priests to molest alter boys that were there to serve the church, that is SINFUL."Now, those who opposed these kind of ideas for a more Biblical worldview were quickly given negative marks by other posters. This would result in this message, and having to click another link just to see the post.
"Also the bible does say Jesus loves everyone regardless of race or sex."
"There is nothing sinful with loving someone regardless of what sex they are and if they choice to get married they should have the same rights as everyone else."
"The sanctity of marriage is two people in love and choice to be married, isn’t that what marriage is, who cares what sex they are, love is no different for a straight couple then for a gay couple."
"Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see."
"Sin abounds and the Catholic church is just one of many examples."
"Please don’t try to justify the deviant lifestyle of the homosexual as something that is approved of by our Maker. It just isn’t supported in His word"
Then, of course, we get the OT Laws, ripped out of context, in an attempt to make the claim that Christians just pick and choose what they like from the Bible.
"So is eating shellfish, tattoos, and mixing different fabrics. Man, thank GOD this country isn’t ruled by any religion’s law."
"Ever notice how many Commandments are broken by Constitutional Amendments – heck, The Bill of Rights alone, the First Amendment alone?"
Again, it takes an extra click to see the Biblical response.
"you don’t read enough of the bible to comment on it. You go back to the old testament and drag up the law of Moses, which was a divine law, but when Jesus fulfilled the law the fabric mixing, shellfish, tattoo etc. laws no longer had to be kept."Quite nicely called out on that, if you ask me. So, what do you think comes next? There's nothing new under the sun, of course the old "judging" card gets played at this point.
"You scoff and use those things seemingly to prove points, but your shallow understanding of those laws is evident. You don’t care enough to search out, and you don’t care what your Creator thinks so you should quit “quoting” what you think is in the bible."
"And you judge me without knowing me. I attend church regularly, have read the Bible multiple times (and continue to read it), was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school from 8th grade through high school graduation, did the CCD thing when attending public school, have been Baptised, Confirmed, and believe myself to be a spiritual person."Well, we see part of the problem, the Catholic church is apostate and has not been following the Bible for quite some time, but that's a whole separate topic. But this guy isn't even holding to what Catholicism teaches.
"God has told me through much meditation and prayer that discriminating against gays is not His way and Jesus taught all of us in scripture to love everyone, even your enemies. Look at those Jesus surrounded Himself with. You really think Jesus would stand against gay people?"
That's right, this guy claims that God 'told' him something contrary to His written word, and thinks that condoning a sinful lifestyle is somehow 'loving.'
Again, there was at least one person there giving a Biblical worldview, which was quite unpopular.
"you received a direct revelation from God telling you that you should accept the homosexual lifestyle and support it?"
"Strange that He would change His written word to advise you of that."
"Yes, I do think Jesus will stand against gay people. He stood strongly against the scribes and pharisees and called them hypocrites. When he forgave someone it was because they repented!"
Then you get the unbelievers, calling them names and telling them that they're a "bad Christian" - as if an unbeliever had any idea what Christianity is all about!
"Nowhere does “the Word” support your attitude of hate, intolerance, and disdain."
"Jesus would be ashamed of you calling yourself a Christian."
Followed by more accusations of being 'judgmental.' But wait, isn't it a bit judgmental to be judging someone as judgmental?
Next, an actual quote from the Bible, Romans 2:1 (NIV), well, most of it, but without reference, last someone actually look it up in context.
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself."
There's not supposed to be a period there, it's cut off in mid verse and mid sentence. The rest of it goes, "because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think we're on to something there in that piece that was left out. I'll come back to that.
Another poster claimed:
"There are many types of evil in the world and I cannot believe that love is one of them. If two people love each other and want to commit their lives to being together, they should. It doesn’t make my het marriage any less legal or loving just because a same sex couple marries."
"I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic elementary and high school, was baptised and confirmed. The Bible teaches you to LOVE your fellow man, not HATE."
"It doesn't matter what religion you are love is the same if you are gay or straight, you don't love any less if you are gay."
"Really come on now this is 2013, two gay people falling in love or getting married doesn't effect your life either way, gay people are just that GAY"
"….so let them live their lives the way they want to and let them have the same rights everyone else does because they are NO different then any one else!"
So, do we see the problem here? Do we see how just a few can cause such a stir, changing the way our entire culture thinks in just a few years? And they try to tell me there is no "gay agenda."
They bully those who disagree with them, play upon emotion with, "how does it affect you?" and most of society just finds it easier to go along with.
Those who refuse are made an example out of, in order to dissuade others from voicing any sort of opposition.
Oh, and remember that piece of the verse I said I would get back to? The last part of Romans 2:1, that was left off when it was quoted: "...because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think this is the main key to it all. Even though the sins might not be the same, we all have them, and even the Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a season.
People don't want to give up their pet sins, and they don't want them exposed, so they're willing to overlook them in others. And that is what puts our nation in a downward spiral that is going to be hard to correct.
Look at the sin around us right now, see how far we've fallen in just a few short decades. We have become lukewarm and apathetic to the difference between what the Bible teaches and the way we live our lives.
Anyone still holding to a Biblical worldview is mocked and ridiculed without mercy, but there are a few, a remnant that God has reserved for Himself, that will not bow, that will not compromise and will not give in.
The gate is small and the path is narrow, that leads to eternal life, and there are few that find it (Matt 7:14)
Soli Deo Gloria
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Hope Through Tragedy
When I first heard that one of the 19 firefighters killed in the Yarnell tragedy was originally from MT (my home state), I found it interesting. Not a lot of people come from MT to live in AZ. But then a prayer request came through my church’s prayer chain that mentioned this guy, too. His family doesn’t live in Phoenix, or go to church at Shiloh, but somehow, there was a connection through another person, and through another and it ended up in our daily prayer request. I asked if I could share it, and was given the ok, so here it is:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This note is from Steve DeFord. Read how the Lord works in all ways in all times. "Many of you may already be aware that the entire Granite Hotshot crew perished in the fire near Prescott. Our son Dustin was a member of that crew. Our hearts are filled with sorrow, but not without hope. About a week ago Dustin had a rather unusual opportunity to share the gospel with most of the crew for about two hours during some down time. We believe that Dustin was there for this time. In Eternity we will get to meet any who may have called on the name of the Lord in those last moments. "
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This intrigued me, so I looked up more information on Dustin DeFord, and found that his father, Steve, is the missionary pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ekalaka in MT and a long time member of IFCA International (Independent Fundamental Churches of America), which I hadn’t heard of before.
The Billings Gazette wrote about his family and mentioned a Facebook post that he had made, regarding how he found himself in AZ, when he would rather to have worked in Western MT: “My life is proof that God wants to use me — starting now.”
Despite enjoying his work as a firefighter (with his father and four of his brothers also being firefighters), his sister Becky said that he was interested in going into full time Christian service. He had studied at Cornerstone Bible Institute in SD and had worked as a missionary, and frequently talked about his religious beliefs.
Regardless of what those 18 other firefighters may have thought, or what worldview they may have held to, they had time to contemplate the words that Dustin had given them a week earlier, prior to their tragic deaths.
In church this morning, one of the application questions was, “What legacy will you leave? What do you want on your epitaph?” (in reference to the differences in King Ahaz [2 Kings 16:2-4], and his son Hezekiah in their leadership and the legacy each left behind). I had already begun writing this blog article, and that question fell right in with it. This is how I want to be remembered - doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
I feel that our country is under God’s judgment right now, as it draws closer to legalizing same sex marriage in all the states, calling it “equality and tolerance”, as our nation continues to kill unborn children, attempting to rationalize it as a “choice”, while our president says, “God bless Planned Parenthood” – the leading abortion provider in America (Isaiah 5:20). This is where we are as a country that has continued to reject God, His Laws, and even any mention of Him in public. We are under judgment and drawing ever closer to the time we will suffer the wrath of God.
Amidst all of this, Dustin DeFord was faithful, having witnessed to the people on his team just a week prior to this tragedy.
This is more difficult than it sounds. Only 2% of professed Christians in America share their faith. Too many professed Christians today don’t know how to share their faith, they are too afraid, or simply don’t think it’s their responsibility, or maybe they are too worried about what others might think. Still others may not be true believers at all, but false converts, with fear or the worries of this world taking precedence over the Gospel (see the Parable of the Sower, Mark 4:1-19).
Also in our outline from church this morning:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” - James 1:22-25
Many in this country hear the Word, but few actually act on it, very few are doers of the Word that they hear. This reminds me of another verse, about a wide and narrow path (Matt 7:13-14).
We have a small team that goes out to Mill Ave every Saturday night to witness to the lost, per the Great Commission (Acts 10:42, Matt 28:19-20, Mark 16:15). We also host free training courses in evangelism (the next one will be the last Saturday in August), for those who want to become equipped to be able to share their faith with others.
Be an obedient doer of the Word, not a hearer only. Don’t be like a man who looks in the mirror, turns around and forgets what he looks like.
How will you be remembered? How does God see you? Men like Dustin DeFord inspire me to continue doing what is right in the eyes of God, for every one of us will face Him one day and be held accountable for the thoughts, words and deeds that we have done on this earth. Be ready.
Soli Deo Gloria
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This note is from Steve DeFord. Read how the Lord works in all ways in all times. "Many of you may already be aware that the entire Granite Hotshot crew perished in the fire near Prescott. Our son Dustin was a member of that crew. Our hearts are filled with sorrow, but not without hope. About a week ago Dustin had a rather unusual opportunity to share the gospel with most of the crew for about two hours during some down time. We believe that Dustin was there for this time. In Eternity we will get to meet any who may have called on the name of the Lord in those last moments. "
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This intrigued me, so I looked up more information on Dustin DeFord, and found that his father, Steve, is the missionary pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ekalaka in MT and a long time member of IFCA International (Independent Fundamental Churches of America), which I hadn’t heard of before.
The Billings Gazette wrote about his family and mentioned a Facebook post that he had made, regarding how he found himself in AZ, when he would rather to have worked in Western MT: “My life is proof that God wants to use me — starting now.”
Despite enjoying his work as a firefighter (with his father and four of his brothers also being firefighters), his sister Becky said that he was interested in going into full time Christian service. He had studied at Cornerstone Bible Institute in SD and had worked as a missionary, and frequently talked about his religious beliefs.
Regardless of what those 18 other firefighters may have thought, or what worldview they may have held to, they had time to contemplate the words that Dustin had given them a week earlier, prior to their tragic deaths.
In church this morning, one of the application questions was, “What legacy will you leave? What do you want on your epitaph?” (in reference to the differences in King Ahaz [2 Kings 16:2-4], and his son Hezekiah in their leadership and the legacy each left behind). I had already begun writing this blog article, and that question fell right in with it. This is how I want to be remembered - doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
I feel that our country is under God’s judgment right now, as it draws closer to legalizing same sex marriage in all the states, calling it “equality and tolerance”, as our nation continues to kill unborn children, attempting to rationalize it as a “choice”, while our president says, “God bless Planned Parenthood” – the leading abortion provider in America (Isaiah 5:20). This is where we are as a country that has continued to reject God, His Laws, and even any mention of Him in public. We are under judgment and drawing ever closer to the time we will suffer the wrath of God.
Amidst all of this, Dustin DeFord was faithful, having witnessed to the people on his team just a week prior to this tragedy.
This is more difficult than it sounds. Only 2% of professed Christians in America share their faith. Too many professed Christians today don’t know how to share their faith, they are too afraid, or simply don’t think it’s their responsibility, or maybe they are too worried about what others might think. Still others may not be true believers at all, but false converts, with fear or the worries of this world taking precedence over the Gospel (see the Parable of the Sower, Mark 4:1-19).
Also in our outline from church this morning:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” - James 1:22-25
Many in this country hear the Word, but few actually act on it, very few are doers of the Word that they hear. This reminds me of another verse, about a wide and narrow path (Matt 7:13-14).
We have a small team that goes out to Mill Ave every Saturday night to witness to the lost, per the Great Commission (Acts 10:42, Matt 28:19-20, Mark 16:15). We also host free training courses in evangelism (the next one will be the last Saturday in August), for those who want to become equipped to be able to share their faith with others.
Be an obedient doer of the Word, not a hearer only. Don’t be like a man who looks in the mirror, turns around and forgets what he looks like.
How will you be remembered? How does God see you? Men like Dustin DeFord inspire me to continue doing what is right in the eyes of God, for every one of us will face Him one day and be held accountable for the thoughts, words and deeds that we have done on this earth. Be ready.
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Free Evangelism Crash Course
Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)
Wouldn't it be true then, that if you're not fishing, you're not really following? (Luke 6:46) Have you ever felt that you should share your faith with others but didn't really know how to get started?
Learn to share your faith simply, effectively and Biblically. If you will be in the Phoenix area, join us in this free DVD based crash course in evangelism. Become equipped to do what we are commanded to do in the Great Commission.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
12:30pm until 5:30pm
Redemption Church
4141 E Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Please RSVP by replying to this post by Thursday, May 23rd to reserve a spot in this life changing class on Saturday May 25th!
Afterwards, there will be the option of going out on the streets to see this principle in action.
Wouldn't it be true then, that if you're not fishing, you're not really following? (Luke 6:46) Have you ever felt that you should share your faith with others but didn't really know how to get started?
Learn to share your faith simply, effectively and Biblically. If you will be in the Phoenix area, join us in this free DVD based crash course in evangelism. Become equipped to do what we are commanded to do in the Great Commission.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
12:30pm until 5:30pm
Redemption Church
4141 E Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Please RSVP by replying to this post by Thursday, May 23rd to reserve a spot in this life changing class on Saturday May 25th!
Afterwards, there will be the option of going out on the streets to see this principle in action.
Ten Commandments banned from school
Check out the news story here:
School bans Ten Commandments from classrooms
So, let's get this all straight. This kid has a problem with lying (#9), being considered wrong. He thinks that stealing (#8) should be ok. There is no reason to honor your parents (#5), or the Creator who made you (#1, 2, 3 & 4), and does not want anyone else to have the right to do so either.
Coveting (#10), adultery (#7) and murder (#6) should be no problem either - well, of course, unless some of these things happen to him or his family, then I'm sure he'll see some value in them.
You're an intolerant bigot Gage Pulliam, and a hypocrite as well.
School bans Ten Commandments from classrooms
So, let's get this all straight. This kid has a problem with lying (#9), being considered wrong. He thinks that stealing (#8) should be ok. There is no reason to honor your parents (#5), or the Creator who made you (#1, 2, 3 & 4), and does not want anyone else to have the right to do so either.
Coveting (#10), adultery (#7) and murder (#6) should be no problem either - well, of course, unless some of these things happen to him or his family, then I'm sure he'll see some value in them.
You're an intolerant bigot Gage Pulliam, and a hypocrite as well.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Leopard's Spots
I am neither afraid of homosexuals, nor do I hate them. What I am sick of is this whole homosexual agenda being constantly crammed down my throat. I am considered a narrow minded, judgmental bigot because I believe what the Bible says on the subject, and no one seems to notice the narrow minded, judgmental bigotry against Christian beliefs these days. Can you say hypocrites?
The comparison of homosexuality and racism is really annoying. Does this not offend anyone who has personally dealt with racism before? It's nowhere near the same thing. A person's sexual preference does not necessarily have to be shoved in everyone's face publically, while a race or skin color is a physical difference that is readily apparent. The Bible tells us this - "can a leopard change it's spots, or an Ethiopian change his skin color?" Of course not. But can a man turn from an abominable sin and stop committing it? Sure, when that person is saved by Jesus Christ.
The homosexual agenda is not about "rights" so much as it is about special benefits and attempting to make everyone else accept this deviant behavior as normal. But it is not, and as a Christian who holds to a Biblical worldview, I will not change my mind on that. This doesn't mean that I hate gays or lesbians, and it certainly doesn't mean that I condone them being beaten or mistreated. Nor does it mean that they deserve special rights for their particular sin, either. We don't have "adultery pride" parades, and although society as a whole tends to overlook the sin of fornication, it is not crammed down everyone's throat.
The reason the homosexual agenda is gaining momentum with the general heterosexual population is simply sin. No one wants to point out the sins of homosexuality, lest their own sexual sins of fornication and adultery be brought up. Or their lust for power and greed of money or overindulgence in pleasures and food. America's population as a whole is obese both physically and spiritually, due to lack of exercise and spiritual discernment. Gluttony prevails and laziness wins out in the American heart, we wouldn't want to jeopardize our comfortable lifestyles by bringing up the nasty little three letter word of sin, would we?
Our churches promise our hearts desire, and we greedily flock to hear the prosperity gospel, overlooking how blessed we already are. Our insatiable appetite for the finer things is never quenched, as we trample others to get more than we can ever need or use in our lifetime. We can hardly judge anyone else's sins when our own lives are chock full of it. And anyone who would dare realize this and bring it up in public must immediately be shut down, ridiculed and silenced. If they won't be silenced, they must at least be mocked to the point that no one will listen to them.
So here we are today in America, Christians are now called hateful, dangerous bigots, while we accept the murderous ideals of Islam. Atheism provides the new religion of Darwinian Evolution masquerading as "science" and anyone who is brave enough to point out the inconsistencies and lack of proof is quickly shot down as some uneducated, myth believing, flat earth fool with no sense whatsoever.
With abortion killing our unborn children for convenience and profit, God being mocked and any mention of Him no longer allowed in class rooms, and erasing and re-writing any history of God in the foundation of our country, how could we not be under His judgment at this very time? And then people have the audacity to ask why God would allow bad things to happen in our country. Look around, figure it out. Read your Bible and see history repeat itself as we learn nothing from the Israelites past in rejecting God and facing judgment time and time again. The only real surprise is, why are we so blind?
The comparison of homosexuality and racism is really annoying. Does this not offend anyone who has personally dealt with racism before? It's nowhere near the same thing. A person's sexual preference does not necessarily have to be shoved in everyone's face publically, while a race or skin color is a physical difference that is readily apparent. The Bible tells us this - "can a leopard change it's spots, or an Ethiopian change his skin color?" Of course not. But can a man turn from an abominable sin and stop committing it? Sure, when that person is saved by Jesus Christ.
The homosexual agenda is not about "rights" so much as it is about special benefits and attempting to make everyone else accept this deviant behavior as normal. But it is not, and as a Christian who holds to a Biblical worldview, I will not change my mind on that. This doesn't mean that I hate gays or lesbians, and it certainly doesn't mean that I condone them being beaten or mistreated. Nor does it mean that they deserve special rights for their particular sin, either. We don't have "adultery pride" parades, and although society as a whole tends to overlook the sin of fornication, it is not crammed down everyone's throat.
The reason the homosexual agenda is gaining momentum with the general heterosexual population is simply sin. No one wants to point out the sins of homosexuality, lest their own sexual sins of fornication and adultery be brought up. Or their lust for power and greed of money or overindulgence in pleasures and food. America's population as a whole is obese both physically and spiritually, due to lack of exercise and spiritual discernment. Gluttony prevails and laziness wins out in the American heart, we wouldn't want to jeopardize our comfortable lifestyles by bringing up the nasty little three letter word of sin, would we?
Our churches promise our hearts desire, and we greedily flock to hear the prosperity gospel, overlooking how blessed we already are. Our insatiable appetite for the finer things is never quenched, as we trample others to get more than we can ever need or use in our lifetime. We can hardly judge anyone else's sins when our own lives are chock full of it. And anyone who would dare realize this and bring it up in public must immediately be shut down, ridiculed and silenced. If they won't be silenced, they must at least be mocked to the point that no one will listen to them.
So here we are today in America, Christians are now called hateful, dangerous bigots, while we accept the murderous ideals of Islam. Atheism provides the new religion of Darwinian Evolution masquerading as "science" and anyone who is brave enough to point out the inconsistencies and lack of proof is quickly shot down as some uneducated, myth believing, flat earth fool with no sense whatsoever.
With abortion killing our unborn children for convenience and profit, God being mocked and any mention of Him no longer allowed in class rooms, and erasing and re-writing any history of God in the foundation of our country, how could we not be under His judgment at this very time? And then people have the audacity to ask why God would allow bad things to happen in our country. Look around, figure it out. Read your Bible and see history repeat itself as we learn nothing from the Israelites past in rejecting God and facing judgment time and time again. The only real surprise is, why are we so blind?
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday 04/06/13
It’s always an interesting night on Mill Ave when the Art Festival is going on. This happens twice a year for three days. They shut it all down at night, but leave the tents up, so the roads are closed on Saturday night and we can do Open Air right in the middle of the intersection.
I brought out the celebrity board, Tom had his sign and Brandt brought his. Alan, Ronnie, Dan, Marcus, Sam, Jeremy, Tish and Joshua were also there. I talked with a guy named Adam, who came up to check out the celebrity board. We went through the Good Person Test (GPT), and I was able to give him a couple of tracts to take with him.
For some strange reason, he felt that Sam, who was standing nearby, was intimidating to him, so Sam graciously stepped away, even though the last thing I would say that Sam looks like is intimidating.
He said he needed a dollar to catch the tram back to Phoenix, so I gave him a tract, “A Gift For You”, which includes a space to hold a dollar bill, which I had already placed in it. He was very happy with that and actually came back a little while later after having read it.
I was talking to him a bit more, when I heard Tom yell for the police and start walking towards a guy who was walking away from him. Apparently, this guy didn’t like what Tom was saying on the mic, had walked over and ripped it off of him, then tossed it over his shoulder as he walked away. Tom picked up his mic headset and I followed the guy over to the corner so that he wouldn’t get away while we called for the police. I feel that we are within our rights to press charges for destruction of property, and don’t want people to feel that they can just tear up other people’s property without consequences.
As I was standing nearby, this guy had his back to me and was talking to some other people. He turned around to say a few words to me, asking if I’d ever had a broken leg. I said, “No, have you?” as I watched warily for a kick to my knee that never came. Most people just like to talk tough, but normally don’t act on it. But this guy wasn’t normal.
He decided he didn’t want to hang around, so he got his bike and turned it towards me, lifted up the front and rammed the tire into my chest. I thought that would hurt, because he put some force behind it, but it really didn’t. I guess he noticed that it didn’t have the desired effect, so he threw a right fist to my mouth, which I didn’t see coming. This loosened a tooth and bloodied my lip a bit, as some of the others came over to assist. At this point we really weren’t going to let him get away. Marcus grabbed him from behind and put him onto the ground and I helped hold him there until the police showed up. As we were waiting, Joshua put his foot on the guys ankle and Jeremy came up and witnessed to him. Might as well, he wasn’t going anywhere.
The guy claimed he had some sort of diplomatic immunity, but apparently had just been watching too much TV. Jeremy said that he recognized him from somewhere else. The police showed up, so we let him go, and I felt someone grab the back of my shirt. I looked behind me and saw that it was a cop, who had me sit down on the curb to question me while the other guy got some shiny bracelets put on him. He was carted off to spend the night in jail and I was given a report number for the incident, and will be subpoenaed to be a witness when they prosecute. I looked around and all his friends had scattered, nowhere to be seen.
It turned out that Tom’s mic still worked, so we went back to preaching and handing out tracts. Tom got into a conversation with some people, so Brandt started doing some Open Air on the other side.
Three guys were heckling him a little, one of them claimed to be a Muslim, but through Brandt questioning him a little, it quickly became apparent that he was not. He admitted this and said that he was a Christian, but obviously he didn’t take God’s Word seriously, either. One of his friends was heckling Brandt and came over to talk to Dan and I.
His name was Connor and although he was drunk, he did get serious in our conversation to state that he went to a Catholic church and knew that it wasn’t right. He said he had a problem with drinking and women, and knew that saying a couple of “hail Mary’s” and confessing to a priest were doing nothing to get him on track and take care of the problem. I gave him the name and address of my church and an “Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?” tract. We had a pretty decent conversation and I pray that he will get into a good church and leave the superstitious Catholic church behind, to truly repent of his sins and be born again to new life.
Crazy night on Mill – please pray for those we talked with and gave tracts to, especially the guy who ended up in jail. He needs the Gospel, to be convicted of his sin against God and to truly repent and trust the Savior for salvation.
Soli Deo Gloria
I brought out the celebrity board, Tom had his sign and Brandt brought his. Alan, Ronnie, Dan, Marcus, Sam, Jeremy, Tish and Joshua were also there. I talked with a guy named Adam, who came up to check out the celebrity board. We went through the Good Person Test (GPT), and I was able to give him a couple of tracts to take with him.
For some strange reason, he felt that Sam, who was standing nearby, was intimidating to him, so Sam graciously stepped away, even though the last thing I would say that Sam looks like is intimidating.
He said he needed a dollar to catch the tram back to Phoenix, so I gave him a tract, “A Gift For You”, which includes a space to hold a dollar bill, which I had already placed in it. He was very happy with that and actually came back a little while later after having read it.
I was talking to him a bit more, when I heard Tom yell for the police and start walking towards a guy who was walking away from him. Apparently, this guy didn’t like what Tom was saying on the mic, had walked over and ripped it off of him, then tossed it over his shoulder as he walked away. Tom picked up his mic headset and I followed the guy over to the corner so that he wouldn’t get away while we called for the police. I feel that we are within our rights to press charges for destruction of property, and don’t want people to feel that they can just tear up other people’s property without consequences.
As I was standing nearby, this guy had his back to me and was talking to some other people. He turned around to say a few words to me, asking if I’d ever had a broken leg. I said, “No, have you?” as I watched warily for a kick to my knee that never came. Most people just like to talk tough, but normally don’t act on it. But this guy wasn’t normal.
He decided he didn’t want to hang around, so he got his bike and turned it towards me, lifted up the front and rammed the tire into my chest. I thought that would hurt, because he put some force behind it, but it really didn’t. I guess he noticed that it didn’t have the desired effect, so he threw a right fist to my mouth, which I didn’t see coming. This loosened a tooth and bloodied my lip a bit, as some of the others came over to assist. At this point we really weren’t going to let him get away. Marcus grabbed him from behind and put him onto the ground and I helped hold him there until the police showed up. As we were waiting, Joshua put his foot on the guys ankle and Jeremy came up and witnessed to him. Might as well, he wasn’t going anywhere.
The guy claimed he had some sort of diplomatic immunity, but apparently had just been watching too much TV. Jeremy said that he recognized him from somewhere else. The police showed up, so we let him go, and I felt someone grab the back of my shirt. I looked behind me and saw that it was a cop, who had me sit down on the curb to question me while the other guy got some shiny bracelets put on him. He was carted off to spend the night in jail and I was given a report number for the incident, and will be subpoenaed to be a witness when they prosecute. I looked around and all his friends had scattered, nowhere to be seen.
It turned out that Tom’s mic still worked, so we went back to preaching and handing out tracts. Tom got into a conversation with some people, so Brandt started doing some Open Air on the other side.
Three guys were heckling him a little, one of them claimed to be a Muslim, but through Brandt questioning him a little, it quickly became apparent that he was not. He admitted this and said that he was a Christian, but obviously he didn’t take God’s Word seriously, either. One of his friends was heckling Brandt and came over to talk to Dan and I.
His name was Connor and although he was drunk, he did get serious in our conversation to state that he went to a Catholic church and knew that it wasn’t right. He said he had a problem with drinking and women, and knew that saying a couple of “hail Mary’s” and confessing to a priest were doing nothing to get him on track and take care of the problem. I gave him the name and address of my church and an “Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?” tract. We had a pretty decent conversation and I pray that he will get into a good church and leave the superstitious Catholic church behind, to truly repent of his sins and be born again to new life.
Crazy night on Mill – please pray for those we talked with and gave tracts to, especially the guy who ended up in jail. He needs the Gospel, to be convicted of his sin against God and to truly repent and trust the Savior for salvation.
Soli Deo Gloria
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Saturday 03/02/13
Another Saturday night on Mill Ave, with Alan, Ronnie, Dan, Marcus, Brandt and myself. Tom decided to take a break, since he had been out at First Friday the night before. The music man was not there, so it was nice and quiet for the first half of the night. I played some music through our PA, and then Brandt did some Open Air.
A guy named Marshall stopped and claimed that he had been demon possessed, but he said that he had beat it. I don't even know what he meant by that, but he was quite serious about it, so I didn't argue. He also seemed a bit buzzed, whether alcohol or drugs, I don't know, but it was difficult to get any details from him on that story. He wanted to know what we were doing, so I gave him a couple of tracts and talked to him for a while. He seemed receptive and I took him through the entire Good Person Test (GPT) and explained the Gospel. He thanked me and gave me a hug before heading on down the street.
A couple, Jason and Tish stopped by. They were familiar with WOTM and had been contemplating buying some tracts. We gave them a couple as samples, and I gave them a card so they could call or email me. I told them about the class we have coming up, and they might be interested in checking that out.
After a while, the music man finally showed up. Even though we were already there, he set up right behind us, in basically the same spot, and he seemed to think that he could just crowd us out. However, I refused to move, even when he told us that we were distracting him by having conversations too close to where he was playing. I told him that setting up behind a bunch of street preachers probably wasn't the best spot to make money.
He had nothing to answer, so he just stared at me. He did that for a good 5 minutes or so, never moving, while I continued handing out tracts and even talking to him and Brandt. Finally, he stated that he wanted to put his hands somewhere, motioning to my neck, and went back to playing his instruments.
When we were finished and started packing up, he was packing up his stuff at the same time. I would have thought that he would be happy to have us gone and hang out for a bit longer, but it didn't look like he was going to.
We stopped at Rally's for some food and fellowship. We were standing over by our cars, and a guy came over there to smoke a cigarette. He asked an interesting question, "If someone gave you a book, and you started reading it and realized that it was about your life, would you read the rest of it?" Dan said no, and then took the opportunity to ask him what he thought happens after you die, and then went straight into the Good Person Test (GPT). The guy's name is Ace, and it seemed that he believed, but didn't really follow, as many people do in our country. He did seem a bit convicted by the conversation and took it seriously, so he has something to think about. We gave him a couple of tracts to take with him when he left, and he thanked us.
Meanwhile, Brandt and Marcus were having a conversation with some people over by the walk up window, where they had gone to get a refill on their drinks.
Over all, it was a productive night sharing the Gospel on Mill Ave, and at Rally's.
Soli Deo Gloria
A guy named Marshall stopped and claimed that he had been demon possessed, but he said that he had beat it. I don't even know what he meant by that, but he was quite serious about it, so I didn't argue. He also seemed a bit buzzed, whether alcohol or drugs, I don't know, but it was difficult to get any details from him on that story. He wanted to know what we were doing, so I gave him a couple of tracts and talked to him for a while. He seemed receptive and I took him through the entire Good Person Test (GPT) and explained the Gospel. He thanked me and gave me a hug before heading on down the street.
A couple, Jason and Tish stopped by. They were familiar with WOTM and had been contemplating buying some tracts. We gave them a couple as samples, and I gave them a card so they could call or email me. I told them about the class we have coming up, and they might be interested in checking that out.
After a while, the music man finally showed up. Even though we were already there, he set up right behind us, in basically the same spot, and he seemed to think that he could just crowd us out. However, I refused to move, even when he told us that we were distracting him by having conversations too close to where he was playing. I told him that setting up behind a bunch of street preachers probably wasn't the best spot to make money.
He had nothing to answer, so he just stared at me. He did that for a good 5 minutes or so, never moving, while I continued handing out tracts and even talking to him and Brandt. Finally, he stated that he wanted to put his hands somewhere, motioning to my neck, and went back to playing his instruments.
When we were finished and started packing up, he was packing up his stuff at the same time. I would have thought that he would be happy to have us gone and hang out for a bit longer, but it didn't look like he was going to.
We stopped at Rally's for some food and fellowship. We were standing over by our cars, and a guy came over there to smoke a cigarette. He asked an interesting question, "If someone gave you a book, and you started reading it and realized that it was about your life, would you read the rest of it?" Dan said no, and then took the opportunity to ask him what he thought happens after you die, and then went straight into the Good Person Test (GPT). The guy's name is Ace, and it seemed that he believed, but didn't really follow, as many people do in our country. He did seem a bit convicted by the conversation and took it seriously, so he has something to think about. We gave him a couple of tracts to take with him when he left, and he thanked us.
Meanwhile, Brandt and Marcus were having a conversation with some people over by the walk up window, where they had gone to get a refill on their drinks.
Over all, it was a productive night sharing the Gospel on Mill Ave, and at Rally's.
Soli Deo Gloria
Monday, February 25, 2013
Saturday 02-23-13
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on here, so here are a few highlights from the last few weekends on Mill Ave.
A woman named Alexis was stopped to check out the illusion board while waiting for her ride. I managed to get through the Good Person Test with her, but her ride pulled up before we could get to what she needed to do to be saved. I gave her an “Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?” tract as she left.
Becka, Nathan and Alice stopped by with a few others. I took them through the "genius" questions and through the GPT. It seemed that they might have heard some of the questions before. I couldn’t really tell if they felt convicted at all, but did give them tracts when they left, except for one, who said, “I’m good.” I said, “Didn’t we just talk about that?
I saw some guys walking by carrying Bibles, and asked if they were having a Bible study. They stopped to see what we were handing out and we talked to them for a little while. Their names are James and David, and when asked what they were doing, they said they were doing the same thing we were. They said they were familiar with the WOTM teaching, but didn't seem to be using it in evangelism. I gave them a card and told them to contact us to check out Tom’s next class, so maybe we’ll hear from them again.
Alex and Abigail were a couple who stopped at our Einstein Illusion, and I was able to take them through the GPT. They were kind of quiet, so I’m not really sure what they were thinking, but I gave them each a tract after we were done.
A guy and four kids stopped by, and I was able to share the Gospel with them through the GPT, and gave them each a Ten Commandment coin. I showed them how to do the trick of pulling the coin out of the air. Going through the genius questions, they didn’t even know who Moses was – one of them said, “What’s a Moses?” It would seem that our teaching of our children is falling away these days.
I was getting ready to take things down, and a man named EJ came over. I could see his reaction as he noticed the illusion from pretty far away, . I was able to talk to him and share the Gospel. He said he’d heard it before, and even considered walking away, but that he liked to hear people out, so he stayed. He didn’t really seem convicted, even asking if there was any proof of hell when I was explaining it. I told him that by the time you have the proof, it’s already too late. Please keep him in prayer.
I’m not sure if he is saved or not, because hearing something, having knowledge, does not necessarily make one a believer, only God does that.
So we share with everyone as we are commanded, and God convicts those that He convicts, and draws those that He draws.
Here's Dan, talking with a group of people who stopped to check out his board.
I talked to a guy named Ryan, who was looking for 50 cents more to be able to get a hamburger. I gave him one of the “Gift For You” tracts that had a five in it. He was impressed with that and said he would read it. He even came back over and talked with me more after he read it. I gave him an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract and he asked about my church. So, I gave him the address and service times of our church. Maybe we'll see him there sometime.
He said he’d grown up with Christianity crammed down his throat and had some issues with it. But this really seemed to affect him in a positive way.
Soli Deo Gloria
A woman named Alexis was stopped to check out the illusion board while waiting for her ride. I managed to get through the Good Person Test with her, but her ride pulled up before we could get to what she needed to do to be saved. I gave her an “Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?” tract as she left.
Becka, Nathan and Alice stopped by with a few others. I took them through the "genius" questions and through the GPT. It seemed that they might have heard some of the questions before. I couldn’t really tell if they felt convicted at all, but did give them tracts when they left, except for one, who said, “I’m good.” I said, “Didn’t we just talk about that?
I saw some guys walking by carrying Bibles, and asked if they were having a Bible study. They stopped to see what we were handing out and we talked to them for a little while. Their names are James and David, and when asked what they were doing, they said they were doing the same thing we were. They said they were familiar with the WOTM teaching, but didn't seem to be using it in evangelism. I gave them a card and told them to contact us to check out Tom’s next class, so maybe we’ll hear from them again.
Alex and Abigail were a couple who stopped at our Einstein Illusion, and I was able to take them through the GPT. They were kind of quiet, so I’m not really sure what they were thinking, but I gave them each a tract after we were done.
A guy and four kids stopped by, and I was able to share the Gospel with them through the GPT, and gave them each a Ten Commandment coin. I showed them how to do the trick of pulling the coin out of the air. Going through the genius questions, they didn’t even know who Moses was – one of them said, “What’s a Moses?” It would seem that our teaching of our children is falling away these days.
I was getting ready to take things down, and a man named EJ came over. I could see his reaction as he noticed the illusion from pretty far away, . I was able to talk to him and share the Gospel. He said he’d heard it before, and even considered walking away, but that he liked to hear people out, so he stayed. He didn’t really seem convicted, even asking if there was any proof of hell when I was explaining it. I told him that by the time you have the proof, it’s already too late. Please keep him in prayer.
I’m not sure if he is saved or not, because hearing something, having knowledge, does not necessarily make one a believer, only God does that.
So we share with everyone as we are commanded, and God convicts those that He convicts, and draws those that He draws.
Here's Dan, talking with a group of people who stopped to check out his board.
I talked to a guy named Ryan, who was looking for 50 cents more to be able to get a hamburger. I gave him one of the “Gift For You” tracts that had a five in it. He was impressed with that and said he would read it. He even came back over and talked with me more after he read it. I gave him an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract and he asked about my church. So, I gave him the address and service times of our church. Maybe we'll see him there sometime.
He said he’d grown up with Christianity crammed down his throat and had some issues with it. But this really seemed to affect him in a positive way.
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Saturday 01-19-13
The warm weather returned in Tempe this weekend, and we headed down to Mill Ave. There were a lot of people out and about in the nice weather. The music man was at our usual spot in front of the post office, and a couple of homeless guys were hanging out across from him, selling their roses made from palm fronds.
So, we set up a little ways away, and one of the homeless guys didn't really like us there, saying, "There's too many people on this corner." Later on, he told me that we were going to hell because we were violating Jesus' command. I asked what command was that, and he told me that Jesus said we were not to stand on the street corners like pharisees, looking for the praises of man, but to only preach to those who were like-minded. I asked him where it said that in the Bible, but he didn't know. That's because it's not there. He called his friend over, who he claimed had gone to seminary, but he would not get involved in the conversation. Later on, his friend said that he should leave us be, and eventually talked him into going to a different location.
A few people stopped by at different times to check out the illusion board, but wouldn't hang around for the Good Person Test (GPT). Since the ban on amplification was over, Tom did some Open Air near by and talked with a few people.
An older lady named Rita stopped and went through the questions and the GPT, but stated that she did not believe in hell or Christianity. She thought that there is one God, and all religions are worshipping the same one. I explained that all the religions are different and contradict one another, but she stuck to her universalist, spiritual beliefs. In the end, I had to just tell her that we are going to disagree on this. I offered her a tract, but of course, she wasn't interested, too bound up in her idolotrous beliefs.
Meanwhile, Marcus had been talking with her husband, and had the same result. Please pray for both of them, that God would convict them of their sins and draw them to Himself for their salvation.
We'll have a class this Saturday, so hopefully, we'll have more people equipped to carry out the Great Commission and become workers for the kingdom, as per the prayer of Luke 10:2.
Soli Deo Gloria
So, we set up a little ways away, and one of the homeless guys didn't really like us there, saying, "There's too many people on this corner." Later on, he told me that we were going to hell because we were violating Jesus' command. I asked what command was that, and he told me that Jesus said we were not to stand on the street corners like pharisees, looking for the praises of man, but to only preach to those who were like-minded. I asked him where it said that in the Bible, but he didn't know. That's because it's not there. He called his friend over, who he claimed had gone to seminary, but he would not get involved in the conversation. Later on, his friend said that he should leave us be, and eventually talked him into going to a different location.
A few people stopped by at different times to check out the illusion board, but wouldn't hang around for the Good Person Test (GPT). Since the ban on amplification was over, Tom did some Open Air near by and talked with a few people.
An older lady named Rita stopped and went through the questions and the GPT, but stated that she did not believe in hell or Christianity. She thought that there is one God, and all religions are worshipping the same one. I explained that all the religions are different and contradict one another, but she stuck to her universalist, spiritual beliefs. In the end, I had to just tell her that we are going to disagree on this. I offered her a tract, but of course, she wasn't interested, too bound up in her idolotrous beliefs.
Meanwhile, Marcus had been talking with her husband, and had the same result. Please pray for both of them, that God would convict them of their sins and draw them to Himself for their salvation.
We'll have a class this Saturday, so hopefully, we'll have more people equipped to carry out the Great Commission and become workers for the kingdom, as per the prayer of Luke 10:2.
Soli Deo Gloria
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Fear God?
Fear God - what does that mean? It was a little disturbing when I first heard the term and didn't really make sense. But it was explained that 'fear' wasn't really referring to actual fear, but rather a healthy respect, such as you might have for your parents. That made sense to me and was pretty much what I believed that it must mean, and this was backed up and even taught by pastors.
I really would expect more from trained and schooled men of God than the silly thoughts of a child or new believer. Fear really means FEAR, that's why the word is used! Why? Why should you fear the Lord? Well, let's look into that.
God is holy, He is righteous and He is just. There is not the slightest hint of any darkness within Him, He is unapproachable light, purity, and perfection, by His very nature. There is no wickedness or evil thought within Him. So, why should we fear? Because, as a perfect, righteous God who actually defines justice, He must hate all that is contrary to His nature.
If you love children, how could you not hate abortion? If you love the Jewish people, could you possibly not abhor the Holocaust? If you love justice, what are your thoughts towards thieves, murderers and rapists?
It only makes sense that God would hate all those things even more than we would. And here's where it gets scary. We are NOT good. The Bible says there are none found good, not even one. We are wicked and evil and He cannot even stand to look upon iniquity, which we drink down like water. If we were ever in His presence, we would be destroyed instantly by His purity. Who can stand before Him? He has a perfect and holy standard, and we cannot even begin to come close.
Once we understand that we are the embodiment of everything that He hates, we should most certainly fear Him. He created everything in the universe, our planet, the sun, stars ten times the size of our sun – everything! Beings more powerful than we can even imagine, tremble it the very mention of His name, yet we arrogantly use His name as a curse word to express disgust.
We should most certainly fear, being enemies of the Creator by our wicked works.
But He is also loving, and forgiving, and has provided a way for us. We should fear because we are unrighteous and unworthy, and can do nothing to earn our salvation. We surely deserve eternal hell, and are saved only by the grace and mercy of an all powerful and loving God, and by His grace alone.
This fear does not outweigh the love that He has for us in providing a sacrifice on our behalf, that we might repent and trust in Him alone for salvation. Do that today, for now is the time for salvation.
I really would expect more from trained and schooled men of God than the silly thoughts of a child or new believer. Fear really means FEAR, that's why the word is used! Why? Why should you fear the Lord? Well, let's look into that.
God is holy, He is righteous and He is just. There is not the slightest hint of any darkness within Him, He is unapproachable light, purity, and perfection, by His very nature. There is no wickedness or evil thought within Him. So, why should we fear? Because, as a perfect, righteous God who actually defines justice, He must hate all that is contrary to His nature.
If you love children, how could you not hate abortion? If you love the Jewish people, could you possibly not abhor the Holocaust? If you love justice, what are your thoughts towards thieves, murderers and rapists?
It only makes sense that God would hate all those things even more than we would. And here's where it gets scary. We are NOT good. The Bible says there are none found good, not even one. We are wicked and evil and He cannot even stand to look upon iniquity, which we drink down like water. If we were ever in His presence, we would be destroyed instantly by His purity. Who can stand before Him? He has a perfect and holy standard, and we cannot even begin to come close.
Once we understand that we are the embodiment of everything that He hates, we should most certainly fear Him. He created everything in the universe, our planet, the sun, stars ten times the size of our sun – everything! Beings more powerful than we can even imagine, tremble it the very mention of His name, yet we arrogantly use His name as a curse word to express disgust.
We should most certainly fear, being enemies of the Creator by our wicked works.
But He is also loving, and forgiving, and has provided a way for us. We should fear because we are unrighteous and unworthy, and can do nothing to earn our salvation. We surely deserve eternal hell, and are saved only by the grace and mercy of an all powerful and loving God, and by His grace alone.
This fear does not outweigh the love that He has for us in providing a sacrifice on our behalf, that we might repent and trust in Him alone for salvation. Do that today, for now is the time for salvation.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Do You Share?
According to Bill Bright, only 2% of Christians share their faith. One of the reasons for this is that they don't feel equipped.
Most people are afraid to share their faith anyway, with a few obnoxious atheists mocking Christianity as "un-scientific" and "crutch for weak minded people". I find it quite the opposite, with the theory of evolution being un-scientific (life coming from non-life and violations of various scientific laws) and more of a crutch for those who want to think that they will not be held accountable for their actions. But that doesn't even matter and is an entirely separate topic for anyone interested in such things.
We don't even need to go there. Instead, we can go directly to the conscience, (con means ;with', and science is 'knowledge'), and when someone sins against God, they do it 'with knowledge'. The conscience itself is an ally in witnessing.
There is a simple Biblical principle that has been largely forgotten in the modern Church in the last couple of hundred years. Rather than a man-made "sinners prayer" or some sort of "altar call", made famous by Charles Finney in the 1800's, we should go back to the Bible, the authority of God's Word and witness the way that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ did it.
Check out His example in speaking with the woman at the well (John 4:4-29). First, He spoke to her about natural things, getting a drink of water in this instance. Then he moved to the spiritual realm, telling her of the living water. Being convicted of her sins, she went back into town to tell others about Him.
When the rich young ruler came up and called Him good, he was right. But Jesus reproved the man, for he did not understand what 'good' truly meant. Only God is good. And when Jesus went through some of the Ten Commandments, the young ruler claimed that he had kept them (1 John 1:8). Then He asked the man to give up his riches and put God first in his life (the First Commandment) and the young ruler walked away. Jesus did not run after him, telling him of a wonderful plan for his life and how God loved him so much, He let him go (Luke 18:18-27).
The Bible tells us that the proclamation of the Gospel is always Law to the proud, Grace to the humble (Prov 3:34, 1 Pet 5:5, James 4:6), and Jesus did not deviate from this. I would challenge you to show me a passage where He did not follow it, keeping in mind that when He didn't go through the Law first, it was because the person was already humbled and knew of his need.
How would we know if someone is humble, knowing their need? It's simple, just ask them. "Would you consider yourself to be a good person?" Prov 20:6 tells you what they will say, "Most men, everyone will proclaim his own goodness...." yet the Bible tells us over and over again that there are none found good, not one (Psalm 53:3, Rom 3:23, Is 64:6).
Ask someone how they think one gets into heaven and you'll find the most common answer is by "being good." If that is true, then we earn our way into heaven, there was no need for Jesus Christ to die on the cross and the Gospel makes no sense. This would leave us with nothing but blind faith and no understanding. We wonder why "prosperity preaching" is so popular, and universalism is gaining ground in the modern churches, and terms like "carnal Christianity" abound. And then we wonder why atheists mock it.
What the Bible actually teaches is that there are none found good when we're held to God's moral standard, that every one of us deserves to spend eternity in hell for breaking His commandments, but that He actually created a plan of redemption for us. The fine had to be paid, and God came down in Jesus Christ, lived a perfect, sinless life, then laid down that life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty that we deserve, for the wages of sin is death. But death couldn't hold Him, and on the third day, He rose again, defeating death forever.
Now, all that we must do is put our faith and trust in Him, and when we do that, we will also repent of our sins, turning away from them, hating those sins that we once loved because we can see what it cost, and that God so graciously and lovingly paid that fine for us. We couldn't possibly continue to willfully live in a lifestyle of sin if we even begin to comprehend that (Heb 10:26-29).
If we will simply repent and trust in Him alone, we will be saved apart from works, yet we will do good works out of gratitude for the new life we have been given, released from condemnation and slavery to our own sinful nature.
To God be the glory, proclaim His name!
Most people are afraid to share their faith anyway, with a few obnoxious atheists mocking Christianity as "un-scientific" and "crutch for weak minded people". I find it quite the opposite, with the theory of evolution being un-scientific (life coming from non-life and violations of various scientific laws) and more of a crutch for those who want to think that they will not be held accountable for their actions. But that doesn't even matter and is an entirely separate topic for anyone interested in such things.
We don't even need to go there. Instead, we can go directly to the conscience, (con means ;with', and science is 'knowledge'), and when someone sins against God, they do it 'with knowledge'. The conscience itself is an ally in witnessing.
There is a simple Biblical principle that has been largely forgotten in the modern Church in the last couple of hundred years. Rather than a man-made "sinners prayer" or some sort of "altar call", made famous by Charles Finney in the 1800's, we should go back to the Bible, the authority of God's Word and witness the way that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ did it.
Check out His example in speaking with the woman at the well (John 4:4-29). First, He spoke to her about natural things, getting a drink of water in this instance. Then he moved to the spiritual realm, telling her of the living water. Being convicted of her sins, she went back into town to tell others about Him.
When the rich young ruler came up and called Him good, he was right. But Jesus reproved the man, for he did not understand what 'good' truly meant. Only God is good. And when Jesus went through some of the Ten Commandments, the young ruler claimed that he had kept them (1 John 1:8). Then He asked the man to give up his riches and put God first in his life (the First Commandment) and the young ruler walked away. Jesus did not run after him, telling him of a wonderful plan for his life and how God loved him so much, He let him go (Luke 18:18-27).
The Bible tells us that the proclamation of the Gospel is always Law to the proud, Grace to the humble (Prov 3:34, 1 Pet 5:5, James 4:6), and Jesus did not deviate from this. I would challenge you to show me a passage where He did not follow it, keeping in mind that when He didn't go through the Law first, it was because the person was already humbled and knew of his need.
How would we know if someone is humble, knowing their need? It's simple, just ask them. "Would you consider yourself to be a good person?" Prov 20:6 tells you what they will say, "Most men, everyone will proclaim his own goodness...." yet the Bible tells us over and over again that there are none found good, not one (Psalm 53:3, Rom 3:23, Is 64:6).
Ask someone how they think one gets into heaven and you'll find the most common answer is by "being good." If that is true, then we earn our way into heaven, there was no need for Jesus Christ to die on the cross and the Gospel makes no sense. This would leave us with nothing but blind faith and no understanding. We wonder why "prosperity preaching" is so popular, and universalism is gaining ground in the modern churches, and terms like "carnal Christianity" abound. And then we wonder why atheists mock it.
What the Bible actually teaches is that there are none found good when we're held to God's moral standard, that every one of us deserves to spend eternity in hell for breaking His commandments, but that He actually created a plan of redemption for us. The fine had to be paid, and God came down in Jesus Christ, lived a perfect, sinless life, then laid down that life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty that we deserve, for the wages of sin is death. But death couldn't hold Him, and on the third day, He rose again, defeating death forever.
Now, all that we must do is put our faith and trust in Him, and when we do that, we will also repent of our sins, turning away from them, hating those sins that we once loved because we can see what it cost, and that God so graciously and lovingly paid that fine for us. We couldn't possibly continue to willfully live in a lifestyle of sin if we even begin to comprehend that (Heb 10:26-29).
If we will simply repent and trust in Him alone, we will be saved apart from works, yet we will do good works out of gratitude for the new life we have been given, released from condemnation and slavery to our own sinful nature.
To God be the glory, proclaim His name!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)