Dying Young

25 Random Facts About Me

2009-01-30T13:17:00.000-08:00

It's from my facebook, but I thought I'd put it here too.

1. My wife and I are total opposites. I’m loud she’s quiet. I always want to run around, she’d rather stay home. If I say I like it, she probably doesn’t, and yet she is the love of my life, and I can’t think of anyone more perfect for me.

2. I was a hyper-active child, but instead of medication my parents put me on this crazy diet called the Dr. Feingold Diet…as a kid I couldn’t eat anything good. No chocolate, no cola, no artificial preserves, sweeteners, coloring ect… this rules out much more than you’d imagine.

3. In a former life I had 8 piercings including my throat, labret, eyebrow, and big holes in my ears. I took my last 2 out the day I was baptized.

4. I am a very emotional person; this week alone I have been brought to tears twice reading the news. I have cried during sermons, movies, songs, and more…and no, this is not the gayest thing I’ve ever said.

5. “The Bridges of Madison County” is my favorite Clint Eastwood movie… This IS the gayest thing I’ve ever said…but it is more of a testament to how little I like Clint Eastwood, not how much I enjoyed the movie.

6. I am a very passionate person especially about food; I love trying new foods, weird foods, cooking, experimenting, eating, and watching food network.

7. My wife and I have lived with her parents for eight years…most would shudder, but I am very thankful. They are great!

8. I am madly in love with my wife, and can’t stand being away from her. When I went on a mission trip to NYC last year for four days it was the longest I had ever spent away from her since we met. It drove me crazy!

9. I never thought I would like NYC, but I love it. I love the subway, the smell of hot dogs cooking, the beauty of the buildings, the people walking everywhere…I probably haven’t been there long enough.

10. I miss my Mom like crazy, but on Mother’s Day and my Birthday it is the worst.

11. I’ve had 8 pet snakes or lizards, an albino Burmese python named Stanley, 2 Ball pythons Adam & Eve, 1 Dumeril’s Boa named Buck Snuggles, 2 Savannah Monitors Capt. Crunch and Igor, and 2 Bearded Dragons Henry and Anias. I am still afraid of snakes.

12. For my first job I was a ceramic and silver sanitary engineer at the Brockport Diner…OK…OK…I washed dishes.

13. I love my job! I love the work I do, I love the people I work with and I love the company I work for, that is priceless to me. I worked at a place I hated for 3 and a half years and it nearly killed me. Never Again if I can help it.

14. Most of my hero’s are Missionaries, some are my friends too.

15. I snore very, very loudly. Seriously it’s ridiculous.

16. I truly believe the evolution theory is the biggest lie Satan has ever sold, I really can’t believe anyone could believe such bunk...it breaks my heart.

17. My Mom or Dad never made me feel like I couldn’t please them. If they knew I tried they were satisfied. They would encourage me to do better, but they would never make me feel like what I did was not good enough.

18. One of my favorite things to do was to go out to the Penny Arcade or some place and watch my brother play drums in his band.

19. Open air or street preaching and witnessing is one of my favorite ministries.

20. After I said how much I hated baseball, a certain un-named pastor (bald with a goatee) of mine told me that it was because “Baseball was a thinking man’s game” this insult led me to try and see what I was missing… I’ve been converted…LET”S GO METS!!!!

21. I talk waaaay too much. You’ll notice instead of 25 random facts it’s been more like 25 random paragraphs.

22. My father-in-law is the most loving, patient and humble man I know, and if ever become more like him, I will be more like Christ.

23. I believe that coffee is one of the greatest discoveries of all time, and that people who drink tea are pansies…OK not really, but they should drink coffee like a real American.

24. I wish there were more than “25 Random Facts” this is fun.

25. The most important thing that has ever happened to me happened in September of 2000. I was watching this video of a preacher kind of mockingly at first, and then more seriously as he answered each question that went through my mind. I went and borrowed the rest of the videos and spent the whole weekend realizing that every doubt I ever had about the Bible had an answer, and that every accusation I ever had about God was unfounded, and that every attempt to justify myself failed. I asked God to forgive me of my sins based on what Jesus Christ did to pay for them. I put my faith and trust in Christ and became a new man, and my life has never been the same. All Glory and Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ!

26. My greatest prayer is that everyone I know would come to a place where number 25 makes perfect sense to them.

The Reproach of Christ pt.2

2009-01-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with the reproach of Christ…

Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Verse 26 says that we are to “Esteem” the reproach of Christ, which means to ascribe value and worth to this shame, scorn, and disgrace. The reproach of Christ here is precious, not just good, but better than riches and treasure.

This verse shows us Moses as the example, now I’m not quite sure about how he carried the reproach of Christ let alone value it as precious, but here’s what he did.

First of all, he refused to allow the world to define who he was. The Egyptians saw him as one of them, and he had been for years, but once he realized his identity and was convicted he cast off that identity to be called the “People of God". When we come to Christ we are to put off the old man and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:21-24) we are to take on a new identity. The world no longer has claim to us, and the Devil (though we were once his) has no more claim to us… moreover once we take on this new man we no longer have claim to ourselves. We are bought with a price and we are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:20) we belong to Him.

Second, he denied the flesh. Moses had all the temptations Egypt had to offer at his disposal but he knew that it wasn’t pleasing to God. He chose rather to suffer, by denying himself the pleasures of sin. In the palace of Pharaoh he could have fared on the choicest meats, as an Egyptian he could have rested comfortably in soft raiment yet the Bible says he chose to suffer affliction for the worthiness of the reproach of Christ.

Finally, he looked toward the reward. Sure the sins of Egypt had their offer of pleasure and temporary happiness, but they were not worthy to be compared to the future reward, and Moses set his affections on things above rather on the things of this world. This hope gave him the strength to choose to suffer rather than sin, to esteem the reproach of Christ rather than the riches of Egypt, and to resist sin, knowing that great would be his reward in Heaven

The Reproach of Christ

2009-01-12T18:22:00.000-08:00

I was reading the other day, and I got interested in the word “Reproach” it pretty much means - shame, scorn and disgrace and the Bible says we are supposed to delight in it. Many though would rather not take part in that kind of delight, but I would like to share some scriptures that have been encouraging me as I look into the "Reproach of Chirst"

Hebrews 13:12-13
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

To “Bear” His reproach could mean to endure it, but in the context of this passage it looks like it means to willingly take it up and carry it, that is what we are enouraged to do.

The “Closet Christian” makes sure that no one would ever see him as fanatical. He blends in hoping not to make anyone feel uncomfortable or convicted. He may carry the name of Christ, but only within the camp with the others who are called by His name. Without the camp is another story… when you willingly take the precious name of Christ without the camp you quickly see that this world is no friend of grace. You quickly find that the name that is praised and revered in the camp is a rock of offence to those who don’t believe. (1 Peter 2:8)

So here’s the problem… the name of Jesus Christ that is reproached by those who don’t believe in Him is the only hope of their salvation.

Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

…And the only way to bring that message to those that don’t believe is for Christians to willingly go without the camp bearing His reproach.

It is more comfortable to praise that worthy name of Jesus with others who do the same. It is more dignified to bridge people to the Gospel by inviting them and earning the right to perhaps speak to them about spiritual things, but this year would God help us to take the name of Christ and His reproach toward those who are without the camp and without Christ.

Matthew 7:21

2008-08-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Probably one of the most terrifying verses in all the Bible, especially when it is put with its context. The people saying it are people who have prophesied in Jesus’ name and have cast out devils in Jesus name. I get the feeling that those who hear the condemnation “I never knew you” will be shocked.

Really this verse solidifies what I hear when I witness out on the street. Many times people will tell me that they’re all set, but when I dig a little deeper even many who profess to be born-again haven’t the first clue who God is. The Jesus they claim they know is OK with their language, their sexuality, and their lies.

The only person who is in worse shape than a lost man who knows he’s lost, is a lost man who thinks he’s saved. False assurance is a dangerous notion, and so Paul exhorts us to put our own selves on trial. We need to hold our lives up against the word of God, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal our shortcomings.

I do not believe any born-again believer can lose their salvation, but I do believe that there are many people who claim to be born-again who will be numbered among thoses that hear those dreadful words “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

2Cr 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Matthew 6:24

2008-08-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

“No man can serve to masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Webster's dictionary defines 'Mammon' as: 1) the false god of riches and avarice. 2) riches regarded as an object of worship and greedy pursuit; wealth as an evil, more or less personified.

How many Christians have been ruined trying to serve both God and money? How tarnished has the name of Christ been by televangelists that have been caught with their hand in the back pocket of those faithfully trying to serve God? How many have walked away from the faith because they were taken advantage of and used by someone serving two masters?

This is a warning to every Christian that we must be singly minded, with our affections, our devotion, and service directed to the One that it is due. David had his priorities right, and therefore his wealth was put in it’s proper place.

1Ch 29:3 - Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

Matthew 5:16

2008-08-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

A few weeks ago I was teaching about being an example of the believer in “purity” and I used this verse as an object lesson. I lit a little candle inside a little glass, and turned all the lights off. I asked the kids if everyone could see the light from the candle inside the glass. I explained that this is a Christian who is letting his light so shine that others can see it, but then I started mentioning things that we do to that can dim the light that others see. I pulled out my “Sin Markers”…otherwise known as dry erase markers, and with each sin I marked the glass. Slowly the glass began to be covered with blotches of colors, and the light became less bright. The light never changed, but the way others saw it was changed.

When we allow sin into our life we obstruct the light of Christ in us. When we live in a way that pleases God, others see His work in us, and they end up glorifying God.

Eph 5:8 - For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Matthew 4:19

2008-08-17T18:28:00.001-07:00

“And he saith unto them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

So there are two guys in a boat casting their nets into the sea, and Jesus decides that they need a career change.

I like this verse because it is a clear direction with a promised result. It says that the part about us actually being fishers of men is in His hand. It’s He that makes us to be fishers of men; we just need to follow Him.

Sounds easy right?

Mar 8:34 - And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

1Pe 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Matthew 3:8

2008-08-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”

I got to admit, that I may swing and miss on this one. This verse kind of confuses me, but my guess is that John was looking for evidence of repentance from the Pharisees and Sadducees. If I was to try and name these fruits I would look to the following verses:

Psa 51:17 – Contrition
2Cr 5:17 – A changed life
1Pe 2:2 – A desire for God’s Word

I’m sure there are more, but these are first that come to mind. The other thing that I immediately thought if was all the different kinds of “fruit” or “fruits” mentioned in the Bible. Here is a few.

The fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:22
Fruits meet for repentance - Mat 3:8
Fruits of righteousness – Phl 1:11
Fruit unto holiness - Rom 6:22
Good and evil fruit - Mat 7:17

Matthew 2:11

2008-08-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
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When I read this verse I always think of Mr. Sunseri teaching the lesson to our first grade Sunday school class “Wise Men Still Seek Him”. The Holy Spirit records the wise men’s reaction to finding Him.

First they fell down - This is the reaction everyone will one day have in the presence of Christ as every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Next they worshipped Him - From the fall until now man had worshipped anything and everything. They have worshipped the sun, the moon, the beasts, and fowls. They have worshipped the figments of their own imagination as well as other men. There is no end to what fallen man will find to worship, and yet only ONE is worthy of our worship.

Lastly they presented their offering to Him - Myrrh for a Prophet, Frankincense for a Priest and Gold for a King. Gifts that were costly, precious, and appropriate. When we see Jesus and respond correctly to Him, we too will offer our spiritual sacrifices.

1 Peter 2:5 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

The Sacrifice of Praise – Hbr 13:15
The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Psa 116:17
The Sacrifice of Self - Rom 12:1

Matthew 1:21

2008-08-15T04:34:00.000-07:00

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from thier sins."

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The rescue mission of God's plan found in the name JESUS. From what I've read the name of Jesus is Yeshua which translates "Salvation" and the angel let's Joseph in on what God is doing. As I though on this verse I remembered the words from "Rock of Ages" and thought of what it means for JESUS to save His people from thier sins.

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in Thee;Let the water and the blood,From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Save from wrath and make me pure."

Jesus saves from the eternal penalty of sin, but also the power of sin in our present life now.

Titus 2:14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

My Mom (part 1)

2008-05-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Out of all the days since my Mother has been in Heaven, Mother’s Day is always the hardest for me. I have ruined the previous two for my wife by just being in a bad mood, and I was determined not to do it again this year. I really tried not to think about her on Sunday. I think I made it through not being such a jerk this year, but after Mother’s Day was over I felt I had missed something by not taking time to think about what an amazing Mom I had.

I really would like to post a few times about my Mom, but we’ll see how this goes. One of the things I’d like to post about is how I had the chance to lead my Mom to the Lord, and all the circumstances that lined up to that event. She trusted Christ as her Lord and Savior less than a year before she died. Any sadness I get thinking about her is totally selfish, as I know that she is better now, and more alive today than she ever had been here on earth. She is in the presence of Jesus, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore. I WILL one day be with them both! Glory!

I am horrible with remembering dates, so I don’t know when she was diagnosed with cancer, but I was living at home. I pretended not to hear her say it on the phone to a family member, and I think I convinced myself that I misheard…until she got my brother and me together to talk. I hope you never have that talk.

The doctors called her cancer “very aggressive” and she had to go in for a radical mastectomy, followed by all the treatment that you know goes with that, also followed by all the side effects. I know that she and my Step-Father held back a lot of information from my brother and me so I may have some details wrong. From what I remember she beat the cancer, and they did another radical mastectomy on her other breast I suppose as a precaution…I’m not sure. I remember many surgeries, and recoveries. I thought that would be it, and it was for a few years.

When it came back it did so all over her body. The doctors again began treatments and with that again came side effects. The last bout had her all over the place. She gained a lot of weight, and then dropped down to hardly anything. She went from being in a wheelchair to walking around fine. It was a crazy rollercoaster. I heard them say the word terminal but they never said it to my brother or me. I guess they figured we knew. We probably did, but it is amazing how your brain will let you think that means something else.

I knew though...

I knew by the way she held her grandkids, and how she just poured herself out. You could see that she was trying to give all that she could with the time that she had. I know that she made it so long because she fought! Man, she fought for everyday, to see us, to see her grandbabies, to see her husband. I think she surprised many doctors. She saw both Zakk and I get married, and she was there to hold five of the six grandkids, but with a weakened system and two bouts of sepsis the cancer finally got its foothold on her.

When I got to the hospital she was already very medicated, and we were told that she had between two weeks and two months to live. She was too medicated to really speak to anyone from that point on. I remember sitting in her room and trying to think of Bible verses to say to her. I sang quietly “What a Day That Will Be” to her. I quoted Romans 8:18 – “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” over and over. I don’t know if it was for her or me. I let her know that it was ok to let go. I know she tried to say “I Love You” to me, which meant more to me than anything. It was the last words she ever heard me say, and the last words I ever heard her say. She only made it the two weeks.

I got the call Sunday morning as we were getting ready for church. She had gone on to glory very early in the morning. She had not opened her eyes in days, but my Step-Father said that she turned her head, looked at him, and smiled as she drifted away peacefully. My wife and I got to the hospital and into the room, and to me it was really the most reliving thing to see her. To know that she was now absent from that body and present with the Lord was the most comforting thing I could imagine.

I remember my grandma sitting at the head of the bed weeping. I leaned over and hugged her, and said, “Imagine the church service Mom is at this morning!” That was my thought. I can’t remember feeling any pain throughout that whole time. All I remember is feeling gratitude to the Lord for saving her, and comfort knowing she is with the one who loved her enough that He took her sins upon His shoulders some two thousand years ago.

The thought of my Mother in Heaven has comforted me everyday since she has been gone, and most days it is enough to know that she is with Jesus, and I will see her again. Other days I get a little selfish and wish she was still here for me to hug, and hear my kids call “Hunny”. Mother’s Day is one of those days, but the last thing she would want is for me to get hung up on being selfish, it was so not her style. Mother's Day now is for the Mother of my kids, who, like my mom is one of the most selfless people I know. She is a wonderful mother to our three kids, and I love her more than I could say. She deserves a Mother's Day each week, and by the Grace of God I will not ever ruin another one for her... my Mom raised me better than that.

Bonnie Kay
“Hunny”
1953 - 2006

Takin' it to the Street

2008-04-20T18:57:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to share some pictures of Street Ministry this week. We had an amazing time, and the Lord gave us many opportunities to have one-to-one conversations. I had a wonderful chance to give the entire gospel message to to guys, Castro & Max. Pray for these guys! Someone tried to interrupt and Dan J intervened and ended up witnessing to him for about 20 minutes. Dave R knelt by a man who has lost his wife, kids, job, health, and home to alcohol and shared with him the good news. Rich W preached an excellent sermon about finding peace with God and had some engaged listeners. Alex S was witnessing with an open Bible sharing scriptures. Andy H was home watching his kids, but I had this picture from the week before, so I thought I'd throw it up.

Out of the Box, Into the Market

2008-04-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

Ok… I need some help again…criticism, suggestions, ideas all welcome. I just want to lay this idea out to see if it makes any sense to anyone else.

If you are familiar with the public market you know that it is the crossroads of our entire area. From the rural areas to the inner city those who live within driving distance come to shop at the public market.

I have been up there a few times to try and see what types of evangelism can be done. Passing tracts out one time I really noticed some coldness. My guess is that I was not the first to think of that and people are sick of it. Preaching could work, but then I started thinking of something Missionary Jim Tag had said that they did in Spain. He set up a book table and used it to generate conversations. So here’s the idea… how to do it, well I have no clue about that yet.

What if you got a booth at the public market to sell books? There are many books that would by nature generate questions or conversation. I think of “God Does Not Believe In Atheists”, or any of the Creation vs. Evolution books. Any books that would get people to ask questions or engage in debate could be used. Perhaps you could sell some books, but what about taking the conversations and turning them into witnessing opportunities? Do you think that could work? What about also having surveys and just offering a small gift for taking a survey, then using that to begin a spiritual conversation? My father-in-law uses surveys going door to door every Saturday. Do you think that could work?

Here are the main obstacles if it could work.

How much is it to get a booth?
How do you get enough books to sell, or decide what to sell? – Could you cooperate with another bookstore?
Who is going to man it?

Let me know any thoughts you may have

Acts 17:17 - Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Habakkuk 2:13,14

2008-04-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

New York, New York

2008-03-27T15:24:00.001-07:00

So I knew that I would love the opportunity to go to spread the gospel in NYC, but I couldn’t believe how much I loved NYC itself. I LOVED IT! I loved the subways, the bus, the beautiful buildings towering into the air, I loved it all. I know I was in tourist mode so my goal is to back a few more times so I don’t love it so much. I’d go back tomorrow if I could. I could not believe all the people! The opportunity for street ministry there would be endless.

Anyways…With all the wonderful maneuvering that God orchestrated to allow me to go on this trip, I was excited to see what He was going to have me do down there. I really wanted to preach in Times Square, I wanted to pass out all my tracts, and I wanted to have some great one-on-ones. I really wanted to be used of God down there, but I soon found out what I’ve heard from many of my friends who have gone on short missions trips…the trip was more for them that for what they could do. Really it’s almost funny the arrogance of it all. God doesn’t need us, we need Him.

So I didn’t pass out all my tracts, and I didn’t preach in Times Square. I did have a good witness opportunity with a bunch of girls from England on a school trip, but it ended when the rest of their group called them back. God brought me down there to speak to me, and to encourage me. He used the preacher at Times Square Church, Carter Conlon, he used the preacher at Brooklyn Tabernacle, Jim Cymballa, He used the images that I saw walking down the street, and he used the people He sent down there with me. It was a wonderful time of worship and fellowship and ministry.

I would like to (in my free time) post a quick blurb about different parts of the trip as I can, even for me so I can go back and remember well, but free time has been hard to come by. I have a 5-7 page report to write, and a few tests to study for.

2008-03-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

OK...I know this is dangerous ground to tread, but I am looking for your comments here concerning the comments of one of my heros, William Booth. Please leave your comments anonymous if you will.

The theatre in Worcester was crowded for the visit of William Booth on January 22, 1882. Even the General himself 'had great difficulty in getting in'. The door was smashed by the crowd still trying to gain admission after the place was full.George ' Sailor' Fielder, the Commanding Officer, had been put up to sing. He had been a sea captain with a voice that had often been heard above the roar of the waves. (Forty years later he still had ' a voice like thunder and gloried in open-air fighting'.) He sang his testimony in the words, ' Bless His name, He set me free.'

'That was a fine song. What tune was that? ' inquired the Army's Founder later.
'Oh,' came the reply in a rather disapproving tone, General, that's a dreadful tune. Don't you know what it is? That's " Champagne Charlie is my name".' That's settled it,' William Booth decided as he turned to Bramwell. ' Why should the devil have all the best tunes?'

An early pamphlet made the Army's position clear by saying that it' considers all music sacred when used with holy purpose'. For his Christmas message to War Cry readers of 1880 William Booth had already written: ' Secular music, do you say, belongs to the devil? Does it? Well, if it did I would plunder him for it, for he has no right to a single note of the whole seven. . . . Every note, and every strain, and every harmony is divine, and belongs to us. . . . So consecrate your voice and your instruments. Bring out your comets and harps and organs and flutes and violins and pianos and drums, and everything else that can make melody. Offer them to God, and use them to make all the hearts about you merry before the Lord.'

Getting There is Half the Fun

2008-03-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

I guess the easiest way to do this is in little bites. First of all I want to praise the Lord for getting me to NYC, and I want to boast on Him for how He did it. When the trip was first offered, there was a man who offered to pay for me to go, but he has also helped me out so many times before that I didn’t feel comfortable with that. I fully planned on going to the Rochester parade to pass out tracts. A few weeks ago the man leading the trip explained that someone had to back out last minute so there was a train ticket and hotel already paid for if I wanted to go. OK, Lord! I’m going…well the guy who backed out had another change so he could go now. Did God still want me to go? Sure enough, as he came back on the trip someone else had to back out, so again train ticket and hotel provided by God! Just think of how that all worked. What a God! Then with ticket and hotel paid for I got the time off of work, and was all packed when at the last minute I had what was probably the worst toothache in all my life. Honestly my last post was written in such pain that I really didn’t think I was going. I e-mailed a few friends and took some Tylenol and finally around 1am went to sleep. Praise God I woke up and the pain was gone. It was sensitive, but it didn’t hold me back from going. Thank you for praying. God hears! From where I’m sitting it was just amazing to see God work out the details, and solve all the problems. He is a wonderful God.

Psalm 103:1 - Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Off to NYC...

2008-03-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

OK… so here’s where I’m at. I’m leaving for NYC in about 5 hours! You’d think I can’t sleep because I’m so excited, and that I’m just restless because this will be my first time going away on a smite trip, and its St. Patrick’s Day in the Big Apple, so I just can’t sleep, but you’d be wrong. I can’t sleep because I feel like someone has hit me in the face with a baseball bat.

A few days…er…weeks ago I lost a filling. Not Fun! It has been on and off troublesome, but not “the cost of getting it taken care of” troublesome. Well…today it is “Grown man crying” troublesome. Yes, I know I should have had it taken care of days …er…um… weeks ago, but I didn’t. I put it off and put it off, and now I’m in so much pain I can hardly think. Oh did I tell you I am leaving for NYC in less than 5 hours?

Why am I telling you this? Well… I need prayers, and I figure this may an easy way to get the 5 people who read this to pray for me. I so do not want this to ruin the trip! I know I am supposed to go. This would be kind of neat if it didn’t hurt soooo bad. I mean think about it. I’m at a point where I can’t do anything, which is just where God likes us because the only option it leaves is for Him to show Himself in mighty to get me through.

Please pray for our team as we head down to NYC to sow the gospel seed with Little Red Book. Pray that tracts would get into the hands of some seeking sinners, and find some soft hearts. Please pray that God would be honored and glorified with everything said and done. Please pray for my tooth that this pain subsides, and pray for the families of the team. Thank You SO Much!

I will do my best to post about the trip when I get back.

When I consider thy heavens

2008-01-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

Psalm 148:3b - ...praise him, all ye stars of light.

I know this is going to sound silly to some, and like I am searching for an experience to others, but believe me, the only reason I am sharing this is to glorify God.

I just got home from church, and missionary Ken Pitcher preached to us a message on glorifying God. He demonstrated through multiple verses that God is glorified, when we ask. Not when we ask for ourselves, but when we ask in order to glorify Him. That’s probably a very simple explanation of a great truth that Bro. Pitcher was teaching us, but it will suffice for my story.

On my way home from church after this message, I noticed how beautiful the stars looked. My eyesight is pretty bad and I don’t have glasses, but I can see the stars on a clear night. I get mesmerized by stars, and I often spend time looking up. The heaven do indeed declare the glory of God, and as I got out of my van at home I began looking up again. I reflected on Bro. Ken’s message, and even though it’s silly, I felt at liberty to ask God for a shooting star. Yes I know it sounds ridiculous, but forgive me for that. I am opening my silly self up here! I stared into the sky and quietly glorified my Lord for His work in creation, and for few minutes I just stood under the sky looking up amazed. I asked God in light of the message to show me a shooting start only so I could glorify Him for it, and I stood there…I probably started into the sky for five minutes, until the silliness of my request began to creep up on me. I started walking in to the house, and periodically peeked back at the sky, I began to silently speak to God and praised Him for the stars that I could see, and right before I turned to walk inside, where I was looking a shooting star streaked across the sky.

So what if it sounds silly! You call it what you want, but it was God answering a silly request in order that He might be glorified. Remember I know it sounds all sappy, but tears began to come to my eyes, and I praised Him for being Him!

I know that what I saw was from God to me, and that it doesn’t really translate well on a blog post, but I had to share.

Psalm 40:5 - Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Fun at the Dentist’s Office

2007-12-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

If you’re anything like me even the thought of the dentist’s office is enough to make your stomach turn, and your brow sweat…no…OK…it’ just me then… really I’m bad. Even your standard cleaning appointment is enough to make me white knuckled in the chair. I hate the dentist’s office! The one positive is that everyone there is pretty cool.

Well Thursday I had my 6 month check-up…about 2 years, late (but that’s beside the point) and they were running late. I sat in the waiting room for a half an hour before they even called me back. Then after 16 or so x-rays gagging on the film that they cram into your mouth, my hygienist scraped and polished my teeth…what fun! As she had both hands in my mouth she asked your standard “chit-chat” questions like “what do you do for a living?” How old are your kids?” and in between mouthfuls of sharp metal hooks I was able to tell her about school, and my desire to go into the ministry. She continued scraping and prodding and polishing, and humming to herself between questions, and in a few very long minutes I was done. So I thought…

After the cleaning the Dentist is supposed to come in and look at the x-rays, and inspect my mouth, and give me the future game plan, but he was in the middle of a procedure, so we had to wait…and wait…but anyways. My hygienist asked me why I was going into the ministry, and that allowed me to explain to her my testimony about getting saved in September of 2000. After I gave her my testimony she asked, what made me come to decision to be saved! Wow! My hygienist opened the door for me to witness to her for over a half an hour! It was fantastic! I was able to share with her my love for Jesus, and His love for me. We talked about sin, and the cross, and salvation. Glory to God!

Here is the part where I’d love to tell you that she saw her need for the Saviour, and we both bowed at the dentist chair and prayer, but that’s not what happened. All I know is that I was able to do what the Lord commanded us to do. I’ve been reminded many times. It’s not my job to win them, it’s my job to tell them, the rest is in God’s hands.

I wonder what (if any) questions popped in her mind after I left? I wonder if she has thought about what I said?

Thank God, I probably need a root canal, and some teeth fixed so I will be able to see her again pretty soon, and maybe have further opportunity. Pray for Maria! Now if you don’t mind I’m going to go and cry and tremble in fear that I may need a root canal.

The Sixth Love Language

2007-11-27T15:52:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to quickly share with you about the "sixth" Love Language - Food!

I LOVE my wife, and she loves me. One of the ways she demonstrates this is having me come home to this. This my friends is Aussi Chicken, a copycat recipe of Outback Steakhouse's Alice Springs Chicken. It's cooked in a honey mustard sauce topped with bacon (and bacon only makes things better) and then smothered with colby jack cheese, and garnished with green onions. Yes, She loves me! All this after taking care of the house that all eight of us live in, and doing the laundry for all eight of us, homeschooling two kids with an infant crawling around trying (like it's treasure) to get into the toilet, or into the dog dish. What a woman!

I appreciate my wife. She is better by far than I deserve, and I after dinner I spoke to her in the sixth "female" love language - Dishes! ...take note men.

Memoirs of Black Friday Blitz 07’

2007-11-25T15:55:00.000-08:00

I don’t even think the leftovers had a chance to chill in the fridge and the alarm was going off. It was 2:45am which is a painful time for your alarm to go off, but even more so when your 8 month old keeps you up until 12:45am… kids are so cute….(when they are sleeping!) Anyways, I was up and out the door by 3am and ready to head out and face the greatest shopping day of all year…

If you’re shaking your head in disbelief thinking that’s too early to shop, I agree! We were heading out for our second annual Black Friday Blitz. As hundreds upon hundreds of people line up to wait for the doors of their favorite store to open up, we sow the seed of the Gospel with Little Red Books and a smile. If you’re shaking your head saying that’s too early to go out tracting, Shame on you! People trying to get their hands on earthly treasures were out far earlier!

Anyways…

3am - I drove to Tim Horton’s and found to my great dismay that they had yet to reopen after their Thanksgiving break… Didn’t they know we’d all be up way too early? Anyways I drove to Hess for a Cappuccino, and did a quick drive through the Super Wal-Mart parking lot to see if my prediction was true…Sure enough about 30 people lined up in the cold, and snow with only 2 more hours to go before the doors opened.

3:15 - I drove the Tim’s house and we caravanned to Kohl’s to see a beautiful sight of about 200 people lined up ready to shop. We loaded up with tracts and together handed out about 150 before 4am. People were very nice for waiting in line since 1am and most people took the tracts with a smile.

4am – Tim and I arrived at Church to meet Derek, and wait to see how many responded to my request for soldiers. Aaron showed up to pick up some tracts, and even though he wasn’t going out with us and had to go to work he passed out about 250+ out at the Henrietta Toys-R-Us. Praise the Lord! Alex and Peter showed up, and then Rachel, Christina, Jordan, their cousin, and Kim, and we were set to go.

4:30am – Sent out the teams. Kim took Rachel, Christina, Jordan, and their cousin to cover Wal-Mart, Sam’s and Office Max. Alex and Derek went to Toys-R-Us, and Peter, Tim, and I went to Best Buy.

4:45am – Tim, Peter, and I arrived at Best Buy to see tons and tons of people lined up almost to K-Mart. It was wonderful! The cops were there to keep the crazy shoppers under control, the Best Buy guys were out there pleading with the people to be civil and try to not kill each other…it was a sight to behold. I went up to the front of the line and started wishing people a Happy Holidays, and putting a tract in their hand. People were pretty tame, but all of a sudden I hit an area of people that already had tracts. It was the Mission’s Pastor from another church, Charlie. Amen! He was going shopping, but he brought tracts with him! If only the many other brethren I met in line had done the same.

Anyways…

We finished off tracting the line, and moved on to Circuit City. Alex and Derek had finished Toys-R-Us, and the other group had covered their stores. We all headed to the mall, and covered Circuit City, and left to head back to K-Mart. Kim, Rachel, Christina, Jordan, and their cousin stayed to cover the growing line at Target.

5:30am – We all met up at Denny’s for some breakfast and fellowship. In all there were more than 1000 tracts passed out before breakfast. All Glory and Praise to God, it was a wonderful morning!

Some Concluding Notes:

Timing is everything! We missed the first line at Circuit City because we were a few minutes late. That may have represented over 300 tracts

Next year we meet somewhere with a bathroom before we go out. Old church parking lot may be strategically ideal, but Hess has a toilet!

If people had committed ahead of time we could have covered more ground. Apparently the words “Please…no seriously, Please respond and let me know if you can come” just doesn’t have enough umph!

Best Rejection Line: “Oh No, get that thing away from me” said a female in the line at Circuit City, as if the Gospel tract was a pit-bull with AIDS.

If you are a Christian and a brother tries to hand you a Gospel tract, just take it, and say thank you! Please don’t refuse it and try explaining to me that you are already a Christian, JUST TAKE IT! People who pass out tracts will all agree as soon as you get someone who refuses a tract, you get about 10 more who will not take one. TAKE THE TRACT, AND EXCLAIM “WOW I REALLY NEED THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CARING ABOUT MY SOUL!” You will do more for the cause than if you say no, and then you will have an extra tract to pass out, we all win!

I never thought I’d say this…

2007-11-04T21:58:00.000-08:00

I’m going to give Bill Hybels and the staff at Willow Creek a big thumbs up!

The guru of the “Seeker Sensitive” movement has come to the unsettling conclusion that their methods (although great for getting numbers) have utterly failed in developing people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Ouch! Millions and millions of dollars spent to draw seekers, and make them feel comfortable has left many growing Christians feeling unfed and stalled in their walk with God. Worse yet, hundreds and hundreds of churches that have adopted the seeker sensitive methods have been doing the same thing…so why am I giving them a big thumbs up? Because they are admitting it! They are coming out and declaring “we were wrong” and they are going about trying to fix it. Now the question is will the hundreds of churches following the Willow Creek methods change their direction?

You know this confirmed something that I have always believed about the “seeker sensitive” crowd. I believe that they truly and sincerely love Christ. It’s a matter of questioning the methods not the motives. Uzzah learned good motives do not always yield positive results. (2 Samuel 6:3-7) Sometimes we got to carry the ark God’s way even when statistics and surveys say it’s smarter to put it on a cart.

God said - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

I’m not sure about how Willow Creek is going to go about trying to fix the problem that they have discovered, and I don’t know how much they can. This philosophy of ministry has penetrated so deep, but I’m glad they are going to try. I can’t make up for a lot of things I’ve done in the past either, but Jesus has forgiven me, and washed me clean, and allowed me to serve him still.

I pray that this is indeed the wake up call that this movement needed to get back to the Bible. Here is a link to their site that they devoted to thee findings. If you have 13 minutes to watch the video by Greg Hawkins it is worth it! http://revealnow.com

Afterthought: Hybels and Willow Creek are coming to the same conclusion that Bible Believers had been shouting since this movement began. Why is it that it took so long for them to come up to speed? Could it be because that while we were criticizing some of their new methods, we were employing others in our own churches? I don’t have an answer for that, but perhaps Bible Believers have been guilty of throwing the ark on a cart a time or two also, while preaching “carry the ark” This is a good wake up to all of our churches to get back to The Book! *

After Afterthought: When is Rick Warren and Saddleback going to come to the same conclusion?

Psalm 119:59 - I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

“The Book” is referring to the King James Bible

“The Book” is not referring to the following “Your Best Life Now” “Purpose Driven Church” “Purpose Driven Life” “Becoming a Contagious Christian” “Self-Esteem the New Reformation” “Beyond Church Growth” ect…

This Isn't What It Looks Like

2007-10-15T11:09:00.001-07:00

NO, NO, NO, We do NOT Celebrate Halloween in this Family! I know a few of you guys just have written me off as a backslidder, Two Baseball post, and now this? NO, I want to be clear my family does not celebrate Halloween...We just carved these to scare off wandering spirits.

OK, now that I've lost most of my readers, please forgive the sarcasm. We sell Pumpkins, so of course my girls were just dying to have Daddy carve them, and Daddy caved. Well, it's not that I caved, but I decided that we were going to carve pumpkins this year. We have never done it, because as a family we do not celebrate Halloween. We don't...really I just wanted to roast the seeds...you had to know it had to do with food, right?

Really I'm not for Halloween, and I know plenty of reasons not to celebrate it...I even know there are some good reasons not to carve jack-o-lanterns, that's why I just carved a silly face into a pumpkin, It was just a special time for Daddy and His girls, and it made a cute photo.

Weeping may endure for a night

2007-10-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

...but joy cometh in the morning!

That is, when you wake up and hear the Yankees lost again! Hahaha, I knew the post-season wouldn't be a total waste. Indians leading the series 2-0 , and with Thursdays score 12-3 you would have thought that they had Glavin pitching! My favorite is A-Rod, You can always depend on him doing that thing he does during playoffs (see above picture)

Oh I know it's wrong to get so much joy out of this, but it will only be for a little while...besides, it's not like most of my readers are so spiritual that they don't like this stuff. Ghetto Chicken probably canceled his HBS to watch his beloved : ) just kidding!

I know, I know "it aint over till it's over" but with my Mets out, I only have the simple joy of knowing the Yankees are losing.

Bad Mets, No Playoffs!

2007-09-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

We interupt this normally spirit filled, Christ-centered, edifying blog to bring you todays sad, sad news...The New York Mets season has come to a horrible and painful end.

The Florida Marlins destroyed the Mets in an 8-1 blowout crushing thier playoff dreams, and my dreams of sitting on the couch watching the post-season with my beautiful wife. I love to hear her root against whoever the Mets are playing. She's sooo cute when she yells at the TV with me. (secretly I know she doesn't care, but she pretends to because she knows I like it)

Well...there's always the Yankee's to root against.

Anyhow I know that none of my five readers care about this stuff. They are all far to spiritual to watch any sports. They could care less about this stuff, but I had to pout a little.

In all reality I don't care all that much. I have way too much work, homework, lesson prep, sermon prep, daddy stuff, hubby stuff, ect... to care all that much. I actually think it may be the Lord's way of making sure I don't get to distracted this semester.

OK...I'm done! Forgive me for such an unspiritual post, I will try to be more edifying with the next post. Oh did I mention there's still the Yankee's to root against?

Just Some Family Pictures

2007-09-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Jut-Jut

We are some happy guys!

Justin - My Little Man or Baby Jut

I think he's praying right there.

Grace - My Gracie Bear

Odd picture I know! I think it was an advertisment for boxer puppies : )

Taylor - My Little Taytor Bug
Is that not the cutest smile?

OK so in my laziness I decided just to post pictures of my family. I see all these other blogs with family pictures, and I was feeling left out. I'd put pictures of my beautiful wife up there, but she's always the one taking the picture, and therefore we never have any pictures of her.

Chinese Pizza

2007-09-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why they have pizza at the Chinese Buffet?

That’s easy, to get more people to come and eat there…

I don’t know about your kids, but you set Moo Shu Pork in front to your average five year old and they will turn their nose up like it was lima beans, on the other hand you set pizza in front of them and they will scarf it down like it was going to be a while before they get their next meal. Chinese restaurants know this, and that’s why you’ll always see Pizza on the buffet table.

Mom and Dad may want Chinese food, but since the kiddies won’t eat that, the Chinese folk bring stuff into their restaurant that really doesn’t belong. Pizza for those of you who don’t know is not Chinese, but lots of people like it.

Good strategy right?

I mean it’s not like Pizza is wrong or anything, its just food. It’s not Anti-Chinese, it’s just Not-Chinese. It may confuse people when they are reaching for their Fried Won Tons to see a Pizza sitting next to the Egg Rolls, but they get over it pretty soon. I mean they don’t have to eat it; they can eat their Sesame Chicken and allow the less discerning palettes eat the Pizza, all are happy.

Sounds like a good strategy to me…

Let’s say though that this Chinese restaurant is really starting to generate business. Lots of Moms and Dads bringing their families so that they can eat Kung Pow Chicken and the kiddies can fill up on Pizza, and every once in a while Dad grabs a slice too.

That works right?

Now Mom wants some Chinese, but Dad’s in the mood for some Pizza, where can they all go to get what they want? You got it, the Chinese Buffet! Now the Chinese Restaurant is selling so much Pizza that they need to get rid of some of the Chinese Food to make room for all the different Pizzas that they are selling. Everyone’s happy now!

The Chinese Restaurant is always busy and more and more people are coming to try the Peaking Duck, but hey, if they don’t like it, no problem, they just grab a slice of Pizza and all is well. New Pizzas are being introduced to the Buffet, and more Chinese Menu items are being removed to make way for the different Pizza types. Now it’s not just the kids eating the pizza, Moms and Dads are eating it too. (With their Chinese food of course)

Now what would you think about this strategy if over time more and more people started coming to the Chinese Buffet for Pizza, and less and less were coming for the Chinese Food, I mean people are still coming right?

Still more and different Pizzas are added, and more Chinese items are removed, but the people keep coming, the problem is they aren’t coming to the Chinese restaurant for Chinese Food anymore; they are coming for something that really didn’t belong there in the first place. They want Pizza!

Is that really a good strategy? Perhaps, I mean lots of people are coming, but lets not fool ourselves, at that point it’s not a Chinese Buffet that serves a little Pizza…It’s a Pizza Buffet that serves a little Chinese, which is fine…

Unless you really want some good authentic Chinese food!

2007-09-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

I need your prayers… I think I have breathed my last relaxed breath for the next several weeks. Sunday I started my new role as fifth and sixth grade Sunday school teacher, This Friday I begin to lead a new home Bible study out here in Brockport, Institute begins next Monday, and I am taking four classes (Greek III, Church History, Life of Christ, and Daniel) which wouldn’t be so bad if one wasn’t Greek III and another wasn’t Church History. We will be hitting the streets Saturdays and the nursing home on the third Sunday evening, all while trying to work 40+ hours a week, be a good husband, and a good daddy...Ok let me clarify...I do need your prayers, but more to the point, I NEED GOD! I really see no way of doing this well, except by the grace of God, and the prayers of others, so even if you accidentally stumbled across my blog please pray!

I was reading “The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit” by R A Torrey and he was comparing the Spirit to the wind. "The wind bloweth where it listeth" John 3:8

Torrey says “While you cannot dictate the wind while it blows as it will, you may learn the laws that govern the winds motions. By bringing yourself into harmony with these laws, you can get the wind to do your work. You can erect a windmill and so that whichever way the wind blows from, the wheels will turn and the wind will grind your grain or pump your water. Just so, while we cannot dictate to the Holy Spirit, we can learn the laws of His operations. By bringing ourselves into harmony with those laws, above all by submitting out wills absolutely to His sovereign will, the sovereign Spirit of God will work through us to accomplish His own glorious work by our instrumentality.”

I find comfort in Torrey’s words here. This semester is going to have to be a day by day attempt of harmonizing myself with the Spirit and allowing Him to work His will through me…there is no other way to do it. I think this may be one of God’s ways of getting me desperate…that seems to be the way He works best, not because He needs it that way, but because in our arrogance and self-sufficiency it’s the way we allow Him to work best through us. It seems to be we strive less when we don't have anything left in ourselves.

So…( (holding a delicious cup of black coffee high into the air) Here’s to another semester of too much to do, not enough time to do it, and a great God that can accomplish great things regardless of the circumstances.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

A Little Something to Chew On

2007-08-27T05:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I've been insane the past few, and have not had the diligence to post, but here's a little something to chew on from A W Tozer, as you read it, remember that it was written in 1966...and yet, it's as fresh and relevant as could be.

The Old Cross and the New - A W Tozer

ALL UNANNOUNCED AND MOSTLY UNDETECTED there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles. It is like the old cross, but different: the likenesses are superficial; the differences, fundamental.

From this new cross has sprung a new philosophy of the Christian life, and from that new philosophy has come a new evangelical technique-a new type of meeting and a new kind of preaching. This new evangelism employs the same language as the old, but its content is not the same and its emphasis not as before.

The old cross would have no truck with the world. For Adam's proud flesh it meant the end of the journey. It carried into effect the sentence imposed by the law of Sinai. The new cross is not opposed to the human race; rather, it is a friendly pal and, if understood aright, it is the source of oceans of good clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference. His life motivation is unchanged; he still lives for his own pleasure, only now he takes delight in singing choruses and watching religious movies instead of singing bawdy songs and drinking hard liquor. The accent is still on enjoyment, though the fun is now on a higher plane morally if not intellectually.

The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic approach. The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old life before a new life can be received. He preaches not contrasts but similarities. He seeks to key into public interest by showing that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers the same thing the world does, only on a higher level. Whatever the sin-mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the religious product is better.

The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him. It gears him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his self-respect. To the self-assertive it says, "Come and assert yourself for Christ." To the egotist it says, "Come and do your boasting in the Lord." To the thrill seeker it says, "Come and enjoy the thrill of Christian fellowship." The Christian message is slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order to make it acceptable to the public.

The philosophy back of this kind of thing may be sincere but its sincerity does not save it from being false. It is false because it is blind. It misses completely the whole meaning of the cross.
The old cross is a symbol of death. It stands for the abrupt, violent end of a human being. The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said good-by to his friends. He was not coming back. He was going out to have it ended. The cross made no compromise, modified nothing, spared nothing; it slew all of the man, completely and for good. It did not try to keep on good terms with its victim. It struck cruel and hard, and when it had finished its work, the man was no more.

The race of Adam is under death sentence. There is no commutation and no escape. God cannot approve any of the fruits of sin, however innocent they may appear or beautiful to the eyes of men. God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again to newness of life.

That evangelism which draws friendly parallels between the ways of God and the ways of men is false to the Bible and cruel to the souls of its hearers. The faith of Christ does not parallel the world, it intersects it. In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up onto a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die.

We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.

God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death. It stands always on the far side of the cross. Whoever would possess it must pass under the rod. He must repudiate himself and concur in God's just sentence against him.

What does this mean to the individual, the condemned man who would find life in Christ Jesus? How can this theology be translated into life? Simply, he must repent and believe. He must forsake his sins and then go on to forsake himself. Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God's stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die.

Having done this let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Saviour, and from Him will come life and rebirth and cleansing and power. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ.

To any who may object to this or count it merely a narrow and private view of truth, let me say God has set His hallmark of approval upon this message from Paul's day to the present. Whether stated in these exact words or not, this has been the content of all preaching that has brought life and power to the world through the centuries. The mystics, the reformers, the revivalists have put their emphasis here, and signs and wonders and mighty operations of the Holy Ghost gave witness to God's approval.

Dare we, the heirs of such a legacy of power, tamper with the truth? Dare we with our stubby pencils erase the lines of the blueprint or alter the pattern shown us in the Mount? May God forbid. Let us preach the old cross and we will know the old power. (A. W. Tozer, Man, the Dwelling Place of God, 1966)

"From the Hip"

2007-08-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

One of the most intimidating aspects (for me) when witnessing is not knowing what question I will be asked. I know that may sound silly, but when you get caught off-guard with a question you can stumble around and lose the opportunity that’s in front of you.

How well can you answer spiritual questions “from the hip”? I mean when someone asks you a spiritual question, can you give a biblical answer…even if your Bible isn’t handy, and you can’t do a word search? Can you answer?

There are people who have questions, and are looking to see if we have answers. I recently talked to an old friend Carl and when he saw that I was reading my Bible he started asking questions that I know have been bothering him for some time. For example: He asked “How can you believe that God literally created the world in a week?”

How would you answer?

Would you just say “Because the Bible says so!”? I mean, that’s good enough for me, but for someone who has no faith in the Bible? His question led into a very good opportunity to explain some of the evidence, and myths that he had been taught. He asked about the dinosaurs, and I got to show him Behemoth in the book of Job, He was astonished!

I say all this to ask my readers (all 5 of them) what questions you have been asked that may have caught you off-guard, or what questions would you predict someone asking in a spiritual conversation. I would like to hear (or read) them so I can examine my preparedness to answer. My idea is to take some questions and try and give my “off the top of my head” answer as if I was answering someone out on the street, and post them so you can in turn criticize me, I mean to make me better not to damage my fragile little emotions : )

So anyways….it’s a cheap way to get comments and material for future blog posts all in one…not bad huh?

Another Step Toward Ecumenicalism

2007-08-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

Anyone see this coming?

Dutch bishop: Call God 'Allah' to ease relations

Roman Catholic leader stokes already heated debate on religion

AMSTERDAM - A Roman Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands has proposed people of all faiths refer to God as Allah to foster understanding, stoking an already heated debate on religious tolerance in a country with one million Muslims.

Bishop Tiny Muskens, from the southern diocese of Breda, told Dutch television on Monday that God did not mind what he was named and that in Indonesia, where Muskens spent eight years, priests used the word "Allah" while celebrating Mass.

"Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? ... What does God care what we call him? It is our problem."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20279326/?GT1=10252

My Public Apology

2007-08-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

First – I would like to publicly apologize for the biggest mistake I made in sending out “My Plea to the Street Preachers”, and that was using an “open cc”. Never in a million years did I think that it would have had everyone questioning why they were on the list, or why so-and-so was on the list. I was wrong, and if I sent it out again I would have used a “blind cc”.

To answer why you were on the list you only need to look at the following link http://www.preachtruth.org/fellowlabors.html after meeting Larry Keffer I visited his website, and found this link from there. The others that were on this list are people I know, sites that I had visited in the past, or people who I have looked up to in regards to street ministry. It really was not personal, I just looked for the active street preachers, and your names came up.

Second – I would like to publicly apologize to anyone who either was offended or felt targeted on this list. I got many positive replies sent to me, but as many of you have read, I received a certain amount of replies that were less than favorable. Many viewed this as a public rebuke, and I want to clarify that, that was never my intention. I viewed it sort of like a sermon, you preach and hope to encourage as well as challenge. I did not follow the outline in Matthew 18 as many of you pointed out, and here was my reason why…

Matthew 18: 15-17
15: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17: And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

I did not feel that anyone had trespassed against me. I was not personally offended by anyone. I did not feel as that this was dealing with sin in the body, but rather methods in a movement. Not one of us would agree with Bill Hybel’s methods of ministry, and some of us have even preached against such drivel, but we do not go to him personally because he is not trespassing against us personally. We criticize the methods of the emergent church, as we should, but have any of us sat down with Rob Bell or Brian McLaren?

Third – I’d like to publicly apologize for any sarcasm I used in my replies to any of you. I got in the flesh with a few responses, and I was wrong. I wrote most of my replies with a smile, but tone is rarely conveyed correctly through e-mail.

Fourth – I’d like to publicly apologize for the barrage of e-mails many of you have received because of being on my “open” cc list, again this was a mistake on my part, and I am sorry for bringing you all into this.

Fifth – I’d like to publicly apologize for pointing out the motes in my brother’s eye, and neglecting the beam in my own. If I failed to act biblically in sending out my “Plea” it would be in this area. You guys are out there all the time and have been for many years. For various reasons I am not out at all the events I’d like to be, and I do not face the same crowds as you. I do not know how I would react, only how I would like to.

Finally - I would like to close by saying that what I do not regret is opening up the dialog. I think I learned from this, and have been profited by the whole ordeal. I regret upsetting people, and looking divided.

I still believe that calling people names out of spite is wrong, (even if it’s a name used in the Bible), but I will not pretend that I know your motives, and I will make it a point to always try and assume the best.

I still believe that intentionally provoking the police is wrong in regards to Romans 13, but I will try and always assume that when I see this you are obeying God rather than man, and are justified. This is not said with sarcasm; I know that if we just were to roll over that eventually we’d have all our rights taken away in this arena.

I have said from the beginning that our ultimate goal is the same, to see sinners come to repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I will do what I can to accomplish this the way the Lord has me do it, and I will pray for your ministries as you do what you can to accomplish this.

I would ask that we end the mass e-mails. If anyone would like to respond please do it in private, or limited to those you are addressing. I will only answer questions or charges that are sent to me. Also if anyone would like me to remove their e-mail off my blog, I will do so at their request.

God Bless you all, and your ministries.
In Christ, for His Glory
Shannon Young,
2 Tim 2:24-26, Eph 3:8

2007-08-09T05:05:00.000-07:00

Wow...now my friends are getting publicly spanked.

This is from James Lyman. (see Photo) He's the one dressd up like the devil dressed up like the angel Maroni

Dave,
You do not seem very tolerant of us streetpreachers Dave.
These are not hypothetical situations, we were accused by this Shannon Young-(I have never seen him-perhaps he was off giving donuts to the Mormons or something)-of specific acts. As well, no one has answered hatefully in these letters. Why does truth sound so harsh to the soft Christians. Certainly you have been blessed by Young's repsonses-you are probably as watered down as he is.
Remember some of these men may have displayed little grace because frankly, we are tired of attacks from the "brethren" about what to say, how to say it and what to do to preach more effectively. If you or Young are around Buffalo tomorrow come on out-I would love to hear you preach to the sodomites, fornicators etc. as they are spitting at you and possibly swinging. If you are not interested in that perhaps you can bring some stuffed animals and do some trivia quizzes.

WELCOME FRIENDS

2007-08-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Since Bro. Ruben Israel just invited everyone to my blog to be an encouragment, I would just like to extend a hardy welcome to all first time visitors. Enjoy!

This may be what pushes me above my 5 readers...lol.

Thank You Sir May I Have Another pt. 5

2007-08-08T11:22:00.001-07:00

Thank You Sir May I Have Another Pt. 4

2007-08-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

Thank You Sir Can I Have Another pt. 3

2007-08-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

After writing my "Plea to the Street Preachers" I was given godly counsel to send it out to as many street preachers that I could. I knew there was a chance that some would take it the wrong way. I am posting the responses to my plea, so we can all learn from the street preachers where the flaws in my plea were. I want to say this...everyone of these guys has been doing it longer and in more places than me. They make some good points, so I want to share the responses from those that thought I was wrong in saying what I said.

This one is from James Lyman from http://www.revivalneeded.com/

Shannon and whoever else is interested,
In response to your email I would like to add a few comments.
1. Certainly as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ we need to examine our actions and words on the street and keep ourself in check as we preach the word.
2. Brother Ruben brings out a very valid point as to specifics regarding dates, events and individuals.
3. I am curious as to what signs and banners you think should not be lifted up. Again, please be more specific.
4. How do you suggest that we preach to the sodomites and exactly what words "do you believe" would be inappropriate. Sodomite, effeminate, female-looking, confused, wicked, pervert, ungodly, abominable-what do you think of those?
5. Regarding the Mormons, I have never seen anyone utilize the backside technique that you are speaking of but I would like to add that as a former LDS member, some may respond with the compassionate plea to "consider the real Jesus" but most have already been well-versed on the "anti's" and need a direct and straightforward approach. Regarding the Moron issue (in contrast to the word Mormon) at the Hill Cumorah this year one of the head security gentlemen inquired about one of the streetpreachers calling them morons. Certainly unless something was stated that was extremely inappropriate, I am going to defend a streetpreaching brother when dealing with a lost individual. I do not believe that I have ever called a Mormon a moron, however after being approached by this LDS leader I had to ask him the definition of a moron and then asked if someone who believed in Kolob, supernatural undergarments, eternal progression, the moon being inhabited etc. would fit that definition. Is it not "idiotic" to believe such nonsense?
6. While having never carried a toothbrush preaching, I usually am ready for a confrontation by the police. While I do not jubilantly look forward to it, I believe that being prepared is both wise and scriptural. "A prudent man forseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished."
7. Regarding calling someone a "whore" or a "harlot" I have been , preaching on the streets for about 20 years and full time for 4 1/2 and have directly called someone by these words no more than three or four times. About the same amount, perhaps a few more times, I have stated that someone was dressed in the attire of a harlot or that a harlot 100 years ago wore more clothes than the individual was at the time. Last week in Buffalo at the rock concert, a woman, already barely dressed bent over and lifting up her dress, exposing her underclothes (which my wife stated were barely underclothes). This she did in front of young children as well as many men. I told her that she was a whore. Do you believe that was wrong? I say it was not! Again keep in mind that in preaching thousands of times publickly over the last 20 years I have only used that word directly 3-4 times. Here we have a woman exposing herself to children and men in a publick setting! Another woman opened her jacket to completely expose her bra and made every attempt to rub against me! If not for my wife "bodyguarding" me, she would have! What do you recommend in this scenario? Weeping and pleading with her to come to Christ? I say not!8. You mention the Cross of Christ being the offense and surely many times it will be. But so is preaching against sin! Should I preach only the cross and not against sin-I do not believe that would be scriptural. Also I would say it is safe to say that many were offended by Elijah's mocking in 1 Kings 18:27.9. Understanding the intention of your letter to mainly be encouraging us to "weep" "be prepared " and "preach with a broken heart" I certainly can say that we always should be as spiritually prepared as possible, and that weeping and having a broken heart is SOMETIMES and MANY TIMES a factor in our preaching. My disagreement with that statement is that at times the LORD has us go and rebuke and warn without the emotional attachment. Look at how Paul dealt with Elymas in Acts 13. There was no gospel witness, he was warning as he called him a child of the devil etc. Certainly I and most or all of the others on this list grieve much over those that we witness to and warn. My God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but there are times when we are called to just warn. I have a message called Warning and Witnessing that I preached some time ago and I would be glad to get a copy to you. Let me add also that as I began going around the country, I got more acquainted with other preachers and at times questioned their words or methods. But the Lord has taught me many lessons as I have grown. I will not always agree with every streetpreachers message, words or methods and surely many will disagree with mine. Unless they are outrageously unacceptable and I can prove from scripture that they are wrong, I will keep my mouth shut. If they were to ask my opinion I would tell them. I also need to be scriptural and go to them personally. I wonder if John the Baptist, Elijah, Stephen and Enoch would have had some differences, even disagreements, about methods and exact words each other used if they were to preach side-by-side. OR WOULD THEY HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE GOD'S MESSENGERS AND ALL ON THE SAME SIDE THEY NEEDED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER! I leave you with these things and pray that you will take them in the right spirit.

Thank You Sir May I Have Another pt. 2

2007-08-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

After writing my "Plea to the Street Preachers" I was given godly counsel to send it out to as many street preachers that I could. I knew there was a chance that some would take it the wrong way. I am posting the responses to my plea, so we can all learn from the street preachers where the flaws in my plea were. I want to say this...everyone of these guys has been doing it longer and in more places than me. They make some good points, so I want to share the responses from those that thought I was wrong in saying what I said.

This one is from Ron McRea from http://www.streetpreachersfellowship.com

Brother Young, "open rebuke is better than secret love", and that verse is just aaccurate towards open air evangelists as to the world. Young man, quit talking in generalities and have enough courage to point a finger at who you are talking to and tell them what is on your heart. Lay aside the liberalwritings of Sutek and Mormon newspaper reporters [I have personally preachedat SLC, and questioned every street preacher there about your false statement of street preachers wiping their backsides with their religious material, which you borrowed from the lying news reports...I have yet to find one preacher that has ever done that or saw anyone do it]...and Sutek's illustration about preacher's carrying their tooth brushes was a nameless reference to this preacher, taken out of context and cowardly applied to excuse Gerald's cowardly belief that preacher's should never go to jail forrefusing to quit preaching. Shannon, if you are going to "plea", name the person you are aiming at or just shut up until you have talked to the preacher you are referring to. You are not helping yourself, or any of us. I know a lot of the men on your Cc list, and most have proven time and againt hat they have a broken heart. But a broken heart and a contrite spirit, doesn't fake spirituality, and it doesn't dodge the person's face while pleading to everyone else about him. I agree to a large extent on some of your views, but they are easily gleaned from watching the wrong crowd, who think a loud mouth is a calling from God, and a raging countenance is zeal for the Lord. But no soldier ofthe cross fires buckshot accusations at all street preachers, when God has given you a sword. If you do not have the courage to stick the person you have described, or at least speak to them personally before you plead with everyone about their problem and you are the only one without it, you do noone a favor including yourself with a general nameless plea, howsoever humble. This old man has learned that "voluntary humility" (see Colossians2:18) and hyper zeal are just two ends of the same stick called "fraudulent spirituality". Most of the older men on your list have said and done things that we would never do again on the street. But Shannon, you learn to use good judgment many times by using bad judgment, and where the Spirit of the Lordis, there is liberty. And often times more than we care to repeat, that isthe liberty to make a mistake and learn from it. Howbeit, cowards teach noone wisdom. They only make more cowards. But allow me to teach you a truth about open air evangelism that you can take to stake with you. The love of Christ mixed with experience and a desire to train men for God can always teach a street preacher wisdom, either in word or experience. But you cannot give him back his zeal, once you take it from him, or put it out with the admonitions of a coward's heart to tone it down, because you do not like what he says or how he said differently than you would say it, when you cannot or will not tell him that to his face. God and experience will teach you how to preach to the strong and to the weak. But you take zeal away from a street preacher, and I have found no remedy to give it back to him! A fool despiseth instruction (Proverbs 15:5). However, street preaching is foolishness to them that perish. That alone makes open air preaching a very good place for fools to hide from their secret lives by going overboard in their show boat zeal for God. You will never change that kind of'street thug for Jesus', who for the most part preach in the open against the sins of the private lives. Some of the men on your list, like myself have learned to leave those Rambo's for Jesus alone....they make the rest ofus look better, and they have a tendency to flush out the sissies and cowards, and spiritual fakes, so we can identify both groups! Becauseneither will be around very long. Steer clear of both ends of that bamboo stick and thou shalt do well. But do not throw smoke grenades back into our ranks because you do not have the courage to sit down and face the person you are whining about, or because your voluntary humility moves you to think you're spiritual enough to generalize the sins of men more zealous than you at certain moment. Shannon, sometimes the reason God allows certain men to be overly boldand zealous around you, when it doesn't seem to bother other men more experienced than you, is because He cannot get you to do it, so He has to use the likes of others you now plea against, when Christ said, "forbid himnot, for he that is not against us is for us" (Luke 9:50).

Thank You Sir May I Have Another pt. 1

2007-08-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

My Plea to the Street Preachers

2007-07-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

How do I do this? I want to preface this letter with my most earnest plea for it not to be taken the wrong way. I know some of the things I’m going to say in it are not going to be well received, but there is a burning in my heart to make this plea to the street preachers of America. Please as you read these know that I am prayerfully and carefully writing this to promote street preaching and not to counter it in any way, I want us to continue to preach the gospel in the open air, I just want to see us do it better.

Better? What do I mean? I know right here would be where you would check out and dismiss me as one of them liberal Christians, who are ashamed to lift up their voice like a trumpet, please...I am not! God had graciously saved me, and called me to preach His Word, and that is inside, outside, in the pulpit, or on the street corner. I’ve done parades, pageants, bus stops, festivals, and more, and God has always blessed, not because of me, but because His Word is quick and powerful.

Every time I do one of these events there are other street preachers who are trying to do the same thing I am. They are trying to turn people from their sins and turn them toward God. I have no misconceptions about why they are there, and I love these folks in Christ. They are there to preach Christ and Him crucified! Amen! They are my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and this is not meant as a rebuke, but a desperate plea from the heart of one of your fellow laborers…Preach with a Broken Heart!

I’m not asking anyone to tone down their message;
I’m begging some to change their tone!

We all agree that we are out there primarily out of Love and Obedience to our Saviour, and secondly we are out there out of concern for souls. Are we on the same page?
If so, can I implore you to preach to them like you are concerned? Too many times I have heard preachers move from preaching to name calling, too many times I’ve head a preacher almost sound glad that a sinner is headed toward Hell, and that ought not to be the case! I’ve seen good signs, and bad signs, I’ve heard people who know how to use a bull horn and others who are so shrill that you want to plug your ears. Please guys…Preach with a Broken Heart!

I know Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and all the prophets preached hard, about sin, righteousness, and judgment, but something tells me it was with a broken heart. Jeremiah we know as the weeping prophet, and my guess is that the others wept as they preached as well. George Whitefield was wet with tears as he preached, but when he preached God came down!

Now I’m not saying that we should work up some emotion and try to cry like them TV preachers, I’m saying we need to take time to prepare our hearts for street work. I have never found it so easy to get in the flesh as when I’m doing street ministry, but when I have prepared myself by spending time with the Lord, and in His Word, I can feel the compassion that I don’t have when I go unprepared.
I know it concerns you that people without Christ go to Hell! I know it does, but sometimes I can’t hear it. I think we ought to tremble as we preach Hell, it’s unimaginable, and lets face it as street preachers most of our audience is headed right for an eternity there. Doesn’t that Break your Heart? Then Preach with a Broken Heat!

We can preach to homosexuals without calling them Sodomites, and you can preach sin, righteousness and judgment. I have no qualms with telling them that unless they repent they will all likewise parish, but I don’t need to call them fags!

We can preach to Mormons without calling them Morons, and still in compassion tell them that the Jesus they worship is not the Jesus of the Bible and will take them to Hell.

The lost girl who is dresses immodestly, does not need to be called a whore…she is lost! How do you expect her to dress? What rules is she following without Christ in her life?

Do you hear what I’m trying to say, or have you written me off as a compromiser?

Please understand my deep respect for all who stand out on the “front lines” I really believe that God has given us a high calling in Christ Jesus to preach the Word. Also I know we don’t preach out in public to be popular; we do it to be obedient.
(If you’re upset I didn’t spell “public” with a “K” right there, check your heart! You’re trying to find fault)

All I’m saying is that each one of us will give an account for every idle word, moreover we will be accountable for what spirit we preached in, and for who we were trying to please when we did preach…again I am not trying to get anyone to tone down their message…I begging some of you to change your tone!

Consider this quote from Henry Scougal and with an open heart examine yourself…

“There are but too many professing Christians who would consecrate their vices and follow their corrupt affections. They pass their ragged humor and sullen pride for Christian severity. They call their fierce wrath and bitter rage against their enemies, holy zeal. Their distain toward their superiors and rebellion against their governors they call Christian courage and resolution.”

This quote weighed on me and made me stop and examine myself, will you allow it to do the same for you or will you just try and look up how you can dismiss Scougal’s words by examining the flaws in his theology…come on…be real, and ask God to show you where you may be getting in the flesh, it only hurts until you repent.

Like I said this is not a rebuke, it’s a plea from the heart of a fellow laborer…I’m nobody special, and I do not even have the credibility to make this plea, but God had burdened me with this and I must be obedient and encourage you all to Preach with a Broken Heart! Don’t tone down your message, just examine your tone, and we’ll continue to call sinners to repentance together.

Psalm 126:5,6 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Boy that was great...What did he say?

2007-07-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Ezekiel 33::31-32 - And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

I wonder how frustrating it was for Ezekiel given the circumstances in this verse. I can see him at the gate of the city preaching to the people…preaching hard, preaching sin, righteousness, and judgment, and I see the people. I see the people nodding their heads in agreement. Some of people yell “Amen” at just the right time, and when Ezekiel starts to get on their sin they yell “Amen” a little louder as to make sure no one thinks that they are feeling any conviction. A little later on that night those women that were nodding their heads are weeping for Tammuz, while the men are off in their chambers imagery. The same people who sat and listened at the gate are out sacrificing on the high place, practicing their divination, and Ezekiel the great prophet is to them nothing more than an entertainer…a great orator…a good show.

This passage stuck out to me because as I have had opportunity to preach to people, and teach people, I have seen the same thing. You can be preaching away and thinking that the people are getting it, and that they are with you, and then months, or weeks, or days later you realize by something that they say or that they do that you were just a pleasant voice, or an obligation out of the way. It is frustrating!

Then I think of my Pastor, or other men who have preached to me, and I’m sure I’ve been the one nodding my head and saying “Amen” Think about some time when the preacher was getting all over a topic and you were slapping the back of the pew to encourage him…but really you just watched a movie that had the same stuff he was preaching against. I’ll admit it…it’s happened to me. I’ve been all revved up at a sermon about witnessing, and I did some shouting, and went to an altar, and a few days later here I am…I heard the words, but I did them not.

I love good preaching! I remember Sam Gipp saying one time, “Liking good preaching may not be sin, but it could lead to sin.” And after reading this passage I see the sense that makes. Each message we hear we are accountable for. Preaching is done to lead us to change or decision, and if we just harden up and sit through the sermon enjoying the preacher’s alliteration and antidotes we turn him into an entertainer and that’s not what God calls preachers to be.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 - Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Rochester's Proud Mayor

2007-07-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

Mayor Bob Duffy is a professing Christian...

Here he is marching with pride in Rochester's Annual Gay Pride Parade

He Looks Happy

He Should Be Ashamed!

Isaiah 5:20 - Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Where Were You July 14th?

2007-07-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

I was out at the Gay Pride Parade...I know that doesn't sound good, but I was there to let these people know that Jesus Christ died to save them from their sins, and also to let them know that despite all their rhetoric about tolerence, God does not tolerate sin. For my next few posts I will share some interesting photos from the parade...My hope is that it will motivate some people to come out next year and stand up for Jesus.

Let this break your heart!

Why would this little girl have a dollar?

Oh......her two mommies brought her to see the cross dressing stripper...

Yeah...that's the kind of stuff that goes on at these things...

What are you doing next year?

Busy, Busy, Busy

2007-07-21T07:38:00.001-07:00

I don’t really know who I am apologizing to, but I’m sorry that I have been such a lazy blogger. I see that it has been like two weeks since my last post, and that’s just ridiculous! But allow me to make excuses and share with you very briefly what has been going on. July 14 was Rochester’s annual “Gay Pride Parade” and I had the opportunity reach out to these homosexuals with a few Christian brothers. It’s never a fun event, but I will do what I can every year to let these folks know that Jesus Christ can save them. He can save them from their lying, their addictions, their homosexuality, and He can save them from an eternity in Hell. It’s not hateful to say that…it’s hateful not to, that’s why I go. I left the next morning after church for my first family vacation. We went camping out in Old Forge and had a great time…except for the bear incidents…that will have to be it’s own post. After I got home from camping I went back to work during the day and went out to the Hill Camorah Pageant at night to work with CRC reaching out to Mormons. That was interesting on a whole other level, and will have to be it’s own post as well. Now things have just about settled down and I hope to get a little more blog active. I will probably share some stories from the past two weeks, but I just don’t have time to type them out now, but please visit, read, and comment. It’s always an encouragement to see that someone reads these.

Fear Not...

2007-07-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

I just want to share an answer to prayer today. I don’t know what had happened over the past few months but my youngest daughter Taylor developed a fear of…well…pretty much everything, especially her Uncle Daniel’s dirt bike, which was parked in the back yard. This wouldn’t have been so bad, but Taylor has been so scared that she would not even play in the back yard. She would literally tremble if I took her out there; regardless of it was running or not.
During the summer, the back yard is supposed to be the center of all kid activity! There is no way a child can spend the summer in the house attached to Mommy’s hip. The other fear that developed is the fear of the pool…the only other place where kids should be (with parent supervision of course) when they are not in the back yard. This was making things very difficult for Mommy.

I asked Jen if she talked to Taylor about why she has been so afraid, and she had many times. She went through all the different questions, and tried to reason with her.

Is the bike running? – No!
Can the bike hurt you? – No!
Then go out and play – No!
Why? – I’m scared.
Can the bike hurt you? – No!
Then go out and play? – No!
Why? – Because I’m scared!

The same conversation took place about the Pool.

Come in the pool – No!
Why? – I’m scared.
Is Daddy going to let go of you? – No!
Is your life jacket going to let you go under water? – No!
Then come in the pool? – No!
Why? – Because I’m scared!

Well after our efforts to help Taylor overcome her fear failed, I did what I should have done from the very beginning. I took it to God. Now, I pray for my kids, and I thank God for them everyday, but for some reason I had not taken this issue to God, so I prayed for her while I was at work, and on my break I began to look up verses about fear, and I began putting together a little family devotion on “fear”. I preach that God’s Word has the answers, and yet for too long, I was trying to reason out Taylor’s fear, and give my answers to it…I say this in shame, I should have listened to my own preaching. God’s Word has the answers! The phrase “Fear Not” appears 62 times in the Bible, most of those times, it’s directly from God, and other times it is someone saying based on what God has already said. “Fear Not!”

Well I got home that day, with my little devotion in hand, and as I approached my front steps Taylor came running at me yelling “Daddy’s Home!”…from the back yard. What a God! I asked Jen why Taylor was in the backyard and she just shrugged her shoulders, and said “I don’t know, all of a sudden she was just ok with it” Thank You Lord!

Now we’ll see about getting her into that pool.

Another Story from Life…

2007-07-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I was able to see God’s mighty hand once more. I was visiting a new establishment and as I browsed through I recognized the owner. Now I knew this person in a former life (my BC days), and I only knew her because her son was a good friend of mine. I really did not know how to say hi because I knew her back in the day. She worked nights and I’d party with her son in the evenings after we got home from school. She didn’t “let” us party there, but it was sort of a “she didn’t try and prevent us” thing either. I remember times when her son stole her pot, so it wasn’t like she was your average mom.

Her son and I were close for a time, but we lost touch when I moved away, and from what I had heard his partying got worse. I still would see him, but we just didn’t hang out. I knew he got bad, because he was in AA before he got out of High School. I remember him telling me a story after he was sober, about draining his savings the night he discovered crack. It was a hard thing to hear, even way back then. Well from what I know now he is sober, and I ran into his mom Saturday.

I said her name and she looked at me curiously…after I said “it’s Shannon Young” she gasped and her eyes got teary. She hugged me and started asking how I was, and praising God…what…that part threw me. I am usually the one looking for an opportunity to try and work that in when I see an old friend…She started testifying to the glory and grace of God in tears, rejoicing. She was unashamed and glowing with the peace of Christ…a peace I had never seen on her before. She began to tell me of her long trip off into drink and drugs, and how God reached down in His tender mercy, and saved her from alcohol and crack and all…WOW! She said “Shannon, when the Bible says that sin has no more hold, I want you to know it’s true!” Glory! What a God! I told her I got saved in September of 2000, and was preparing for the ministry. She hugged me again, and after chatting a little more I left, totally awestruck with God’s Goodness again.

Now my mind enquires about her son. He was sober after his exploits with alcohol and drugs just like his mom. Who saved him out of it, if he wasn’t a Christian? I really can’t answer that at the moment, but my mind goes to Matthew 12:43-45…I guess I can’t explain that right yet either, but I know this…

The biggest difference between a Christian and a lost person is not what we see in the temporal…but in the eternal. You see my friend’s mom was not just saved from alcohol and crack, like others have been. She was saved from her sin! She was not only saved from the big sins in her life like the parties, and the men, and the drugs, and the divorces…she was saved from what we could consider “little” sins. She was saved from the penalty of one lie…which is Hell. She was saved from the penalty of one time taking the Lord’s name in vain…which is Hell. She was saved from the penalty of not putting God first in her life for some 40+ years…that’s an Eternity in a Lake of Fire, and I know that just saying that rubs people…especially un-believers. They say “you can’t possibly think that one little lie could send someone to Hell for all eternity, do you?” and the answer perhaps uncomfortable really is “It doesn’t matter what we think, it matters, what God says.”

Proverbs 16:25 - There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.

The Bible so closes the door on what men think…Men think that they have to have their good deeds outweigh their bad, and all will be well. In this they are totally ignorant of God’s perfect standard of righteousness.

James 2:10 - For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

One sin is too much in God’s presence.

Habakkuk 1:13a - Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:

It’s not a matter of more good than bad. Many lost people have stopped smoking crack, and put away their cigarettes, and turned away from pornography, and I’m not sure but maybe they can say “I did it myself” and they can boast in their accomplishments, as I’m sure giving up these things is even harder without the help of the Holy Spirit, but there is not one that has ever entered into the presence of the Lord, and been able to say “I did it myself” not one…

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

I thank God that Jesus Christ saved my friend’s mom from all the drugs and alcohol, but more importantly I’m glad He saved her from the wages of her sin. There are many people who have stopped drinking, stopped smoking, stopped swearing, and yet, without Christ, they go to Hell.

You may have accidentally stopped here and started reading…I don’t assume most of my readers needed a gospel presentation, but you may have…I want to plead with you, regardless of how good you think you are follow this link and see what the Bible says about how good you are, or e-mail me, and ask the questions you have…Don’t let this go.

http://www.livingwaters.com/good

I’m Not Embarrassed…

2007-06-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

All right…I know Mike, and Andy thought this video would embarrass me by showing this before I preached to the Jr. High class, but the fact is…I Love It! I love the first 15 seconds of it anyway…after that it’s just redundant…it’s just redundant…it’s just redundant…oh did I say that already? Anyways…I wanted more people to be able to enjoy it, so I am posting it again. You need to have the audio up (especially in the beginning), so if you’ve never seen it…enjoy “My King”

http://www.hindsfamily.com/andy/new.asp

Yes, I know this is just cheap blog filler, but I’m preaching tonight at Men’s Prayer Meeting, and thought I’d better devote my time to preparing for that. Come out if you can 9pm at the chapel of FBBC.

Pseudo-Christians

2007-06-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

Plain and simple Mormons are Pseudo-Christians, just like Jehovah Witnesses and Oneness Pentecostals. I will give you this though the LDS Church has gone to great lengths to hide that fact that they are not really Christians. They will argue that they are to the end, but if someone has the wrong Jesus they are not Christian at all. Bob Lonsberry is a Mormon and yet asserts that he is a Christian, but the following statement is very telling…It’s rare that we hear Mormons be so open about their faith. Usually they are pretty tight lipped to us about their key heresies. Here's what Bob said in his column on 6/21/2007

“While it is categorically false that Mormons are not Christians and don’t believe in Jesus Christ, it is true that Mormon beliefs are very different from conventional Christian theology. It is also true that “the (Mormon) Jesus is not the same Jesus of the Christian faith.” – Bob Lonsberry
Full article here - http://www.lonsberry.com/writings.cfm?story=2176&go=4

Sure Mormons believe in “a” Jesus Christ, but even according to Lonsberry, his Jesus is not the same as mine. My Jesus is God manifest in he flesh, the second person of the trinity. This doctrine my friends is vital…so here’s the situation, if the Mormon “Jesus” and my Jesus (the one of the traditional Christian faith) are different one of us has the wrong Jesus.

The Deity of Christ is one of the Five Fundamental doctrines of Christianity, and cannot…cannot, again I say, cannot be compromised. Every year more and more unbelievers, as well as Christians are exposed to this cult through their “Hill Camorah Pageant” an outdoor drama outreach held in Palmyra, NY. People are shown what they may see as just a different Christian denomination with a wonderful emphasis on family values, and high standards, but this is not another denomination. The LDS church is a pseudo-Christian cult.

For a great artical about the Deity of Christ see this by Mike Barone
http://www.gloriousgrace.com/content/sermonsessays/MichaelBarone/DeityOfChrist.asp

To a “Born Again, Bible Believing Christian” a Mormon, even a Mormon carrying a King James Bible, MUST be considered lost and in need of evangelism. With that said, the Christian Research Counsel (CRC) does an outreach at the Hill Camorah Pageant, where they pass out literature explaining the differences between Christianity and Mormonism. This organization will be going down to Palmyra during the week of July 12th through July 21st to minister to LDS, and non-LDS people attending the pageant. The following is a description of what CRC does and what you can get involved with if you are interested.

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES AT MORMON VENUES

* At the Joseph Smith Farm, we'll have signs and T-shirts that read http://www.whichfirstvision.com/ and hand out the brochure titled "Documented History of Joseph Smith's First Vision" to cars leaving the parking lot. Typically, there will be few opportunities for direct dialog with people.

* At the Book of Mormon Printing House in the Village of Palmyra, we will wear T-shirts that say http://www.weusedtoagree.com/ and hand out our brochures "Which Scripture Has Been Tampered With?" and "We Used to Agree...What happened?." This will be pedestrian traffic and presents more opportunities for dialog, primarily with Mormons.

* In the Village Park we will wear T-shirts which say http://www.weusedtoagree.com/ and set up a canopy stand with free DVD's and literature. This will present opportunities for dialog with Mormons.

* If we have enough help, we'll have a few people milling around on Main Street in Palmyra, handing out "How to make sure you have eternal life." (In the past, this brochure has been titled "Heavenly Father's Plan for You."

You can read and even print these brochures from CRC’s web site http://www.whatmormonsdonttell.com/ If you're coming to the Pageant, please familiarize yourself with all the brochures, especially the ones you know we'll be handing out. they will do more to prepare you for dialog with the pageant visitors than anything else I can recommend. And they serve as a ready reference on the spur of the moment, provided you've actually read them and highlighted the points you want to recall while witnessing and keep them with you.

EVENING ACTIVITIES AT THE PAGEANT

From 6 to 9:15 PM every evening of the Pageant, we'll hand out literature and answer Mormon and non-Mormon questions about Mormonism on public property adjacent the Pageant. If the new parking arrangement is working for the LDS, our access to pedestrians will be stifled and we will depend on holding lightweight signs to draw people to the web page http://www.whatmormonsdonttell.com/ and to the canopy which we'll erect as close as possible to the Pageant.

There is a wonderful opportunity to come out and minister with CRC at the Hill Camorah Pageant this year. If interested contact Brad White WHITE94@aol.com He will get you all the details, and the registration form.

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

2007-06-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

Check out the new picture of me preaching in the wilderness around 30AD. Let me know what you think : ) It's at the bottom of my page.

Comedy of Errors

2007-06-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Ok so there is really nothing spiritual about this post, but it’s too funny not to share. Today is Mrs. Young and my 7th anniversary, She’s gotten prettier everyday, and her cooking just gets better…that’s probably why my pants have gotten tighter…oh well. For our Anniversary I decided to be the romantic and take her away to Niagara Falls for a night away from the housework and home school, and the kids and the parents ect… and stay in a luxurious hotel suite where we could relax and enjoy time together.
Ha ha ha…This trip turned out to be a comedy of errors to such a point that I had to write about it.

When you only have one night to get away you need to make it special, but when only one of the two draws a paycheck (and not a real impressive one) we need to be quite frugal, and creative, but being frugal and creative can have it’s drawbacks…here are some tips that will warn and alert you to such drawbacks…

Tip # 1 – When planning on a one night excursion it is crucial to get out of the house as early as possible. This will allow you to enjoy as much “vacation” time as possible. – We however did not get out with such luck. Mrs. Young’s Mom was our Babysitter, and had to work a full day, about the time when we were expecting her to be home we got a phone call saying that she was “almost” ready to leave, but had to finish up a few last things. We got a really late start, but finally she was home and we were clear to leave.

Tip # 2 – Having reliable transportation will make getting there and back a breeze – After finally getting into the van to go I turned the key to the sound of nothing…(turned it again) still nothing….Mrs. young pointed back to the back lights above where the girls sit, they had been on all night and my battery was dead! We had to take my mother-in-laws little Chevy Cavalier (powered by squirrels)

Tip # 3 - Just because a hotel is in the city of Niagara Falls does not mean that it is anywhere near the “Falls” or that it is in a nice area. – We were miles from the “Falls” and pretty much surrounded by the ghetto. (The American side of the “Falls” is horribly run down…It’s really a shame)

Tip # 4 – Just because the room in the picture online looks good does not mean the room you get when you get there does. – It was ok, but really it looked old, and not that well maintained. (I can’t complain really, I’ve stayed in worse)

Tip # 5 – Just because you reserve a Jacuzzi suite does not mean the people at the front desk are going to put you in a Jacuzzi suite…Upon getting to our room I quickly noticed there was no Jacuzzi. I went down to the front desk and told them someone had stole the Jacuzzi out of our room…she was not really impressed with my attempt at humor. She told me that she really didn’t think it would be important, so she switched our room to one without a Jacuzzi…um…er…really? So like when I specifically asked on the phone for the Jacuzzi Suite you thought I was just concerned with the suite part huh? Oh Well.

Ok we finally got checked in to a room with a Jacuzzi, and we getting all ready to go out to see the “Falls” I got directions from the lady at the front desk (I’m not sure what makes me ask the person who couldn’t figure out I wanted a Jacuzzi in my Jacuzzi Suite for directions, but anyways…) I started out and realized this was just a bad idea. It was light when I left, but it was getting dark and there was no way I was going to be able to get around down there in the dark with my eyesight and all those one way streets. So we headed back to the hotel area to try and find a restaurant.

Tip # 6 – Just because the restaurant is in the US doesn’t necessarily mean the people who work there speak English – This was actually one of the highlights of the trip. We ate at a place called “India Kitchen” but when we got there we were greeted by a very immodestly dressed blonde Indian girl (…um…) and she didn’t speak English. Luckily she figured out we wanted a table, and the manager (I think) came out to wait on us. He was great, and the food was spectacular. I loved it, and good food makes a good vacation in spite of all the little problems.

Tip # 7 – Using a credit card for purchases when on vacation allows you to travel without the worry of cash being lost or stolen… however… - We tried to pay with the card at the counter, the very polite man politely said “I’m sorry you’re card is declined” what? No way! So I paid with the debit card and we went back to the hotel. After calling the credit card company we discovered that earlier that day we had made a $475 purchase online to Sam Goody music, and $230 at familyancestry.com (you know anything about this Andy???) jk! Well someone had stolen our card number and they had to shut down our account and there went that!

Well dinner was excellent and we went back to our hotel and the rest of the trip went pretty good, but really it was a comedy of errors. We had a great time in spite of it all, and as much as I’d like to sound spiritual and say that at every trial I was asking “Lord what wilt thou have me to do” I really was just laughing at how everything was going wrong, and we were still having fun. I am blessed with a wonderful wife, and I’ve had 7 wonderful years married to her, and Lord willing I will have many more.

Ok that was my story… I will do my best to write posts with spiritual content in the future and I vow that I will never again post anything with the word “Jacuzzi” in as many times as it appeared in this post.

Speaking of heresy…

2007-06-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

Speaking of heresy, I’ve come to the uncomfortable conclusion that I don’t believe in Hell. Before you call the doctrine police on me, I will point out that you probably don’t either. (sorry I shouldn’t say that I don’t know who you are) I don’t believe in Hell. Well…of course I am saying that for effect and I am overstating it, I don’t believe in Hell enough. I just can’t seem to get my mind around it entirely.
Can You?
I mean if I had to write a paper describing what the Bible says about Hell, I would say that it’s fire and brimstone and blackness of darkness, where the souls of men burn for all eternity. I would say it’s a place where the fire is not quenched and the worm dieth not. I’d say Hell is a place of unfulfilled desires, extreme thirst, and unimaginable pain. I’d say it’s weeping and gnashing of teeth, and if a person does not repent of their sins and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ they will spend eternity in such a place…but if I examine that in light of how urgent I am for souls, I must not believe it… and with what I see from most of us that name the name of Christ, you don’t either. (again, sorry I’m just speculating)
Leonard Ravenhill tells a story of a British criminal named Charlie Peace. As Charlie Peace was being led away to be executed, the chaplain read to him out of “The Consolations of Religion.” Charlie Peace asked the chaplain to re-read part of the description of Hell, and when he heard the apathetic tone with which the chaplain used to casually describe Hell’s agony he made the following statement:
“Sir,” addressing the preacher, “if I believed what you and the church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it, if need be, on hands and knees and think it worthwhile living, just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that!” Wow! And that’s a criminal’s response.
I am reading George Whitefield and as I see his brokenness, and his weeping over the lost he was preaching to it concerns me. It’s not like I don’t practice evangelism. I go street preaching, I pass out tracts, I witness to friends at work and strangers out on the street, but I am growing more and more aware than there is something lacking.
I’m not sure but I think the reason something is lacking in the Church’s approach to soul-winning…(I’m sorry I don’t want to put this on you too) I think the reason something is lacking in my approach to soul-winning is that I just don’t believe in Hell. Let me say that more accurately…I don’t believe Hell enough. Do you?
I guess we need to ask ourselves this…(sorry, I keep bringing you into this don’t I?), I guess I need to ask myself this… Supposing that beliefs dictate behavior, what by my actions do I do that prove my belief in Hell? Not to bring you into this again, but it probably wouldn’t hurt for all of us to ask ourselves that question, even if it’s just me that doesn’t believe in Hell…enough.

Stone...it's more than just a name

2007-06-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

Ezekiel 36:26 - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

What a beautiful day for street ministry! Mid-70’s and sunny…the perfect Rochester day. I had the opportunity to witness to a young black man who went by the name of “Stone” It only took a few moments to realize that “Stone” was more than just his name…it was the condition of his heart. He didn’t want to hear anything I had to say, and he wouldn’t take a gospel tract. I asked him if he had ever got a tract before…”it’s garbage” he said, “I crumple em’ up and throw em’ away” - (That response usually denotes some aversion to the gospel message.) I asked him where he was going when he died…no answer. After I suggested Heaven or Hell, he said he’d figure it out when he got there. I warned him it would be too late, “for it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” I got a little more witnessing in when he told me to stop harassing him. I apologized immediately and explained I wasn’t trying to harass him, but trying to warn him, and I walked away.
I listened to Dave Baker preach a little, and Stone leaned up against a pole by the bus stop. I don’t know if he was listening, but I think he understood that I really didn’t want to harass him.
Well after Andy Hinds preached and we were getting close to heading out. I had some million dollar bills and a different tract called “Why Christianity” that answers some really good questions from http://www.livingwaters.com. I put the million dollar bill in the "Why Christianity" tract and went over and handed to Stone. “I got a million dollars for you Stone” I said handing him the tract. (This bill looks so real that it catches people off guard.) He caught himself smiling at the offer, and I told him I was leaving and asked him if he’d just take the “Why Christianity” tract with the bill and see if it answered any of his questions. He shook his head taking the tract and I walked away. Pray for Stone!
Pray that God’s word can break up that stony heart, and that he would repent of his sins and put his trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 23:29 - Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Just in Case You Missed the Call...

2007-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite quotes: Yes from a man who feed the hungry, clothed and sheltered the downtrodden, but never lost focus on preaching the need for salvation through Jesus Christ!

"'Not called!' did you say?'Not heard the call,' I think you should say.Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face -- whose mercy you have professed to obey -- and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world. -- William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

Anyone up for street preaching tomorrow? we're meeting at Mortimer St. parking lot 10:30am

Keeping First Things First

2007-06-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

In our local paper the Democrat and Chronicle had a first page article that began like this…

“When a church is surrounded by poverty, its mission seems as obvious as the neighborhood's broken windows and sagging stairs. - Feed the hungry. Provide clothes and housing for those who are struggling. Offer job training, But when a church is surrounded by freshly manicured lawns and homes that look perfect from the outside, what should its mission be?”… and the article went on to say that their mission is to offer financial counseling, help care for people’s aging parents, deliver meals, and repair houses…um…what?

What should the churches mission be?…It doesn’t matter whether it’s in a poverty stricken area or Beverly Hills the mission of the Church is same, and I’m sorry Marketta Gregory it is not to feed the hungry, provide clothes and housing to the poor, or offer job training. The mission of the church is to seek and save the lost! Now don’t get me wrong…I think all those things mentioned are good things, but the mission of the church? Not primarily! Someone somewhere got mixed up in what Christ’s first priority was. Luke tells us the "Son of man (Jesus) is come to seek and to save that which was lost", and when He (Jesus) was about to ascend into Heaven His last words to His disciples were “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” He did not say “listen, while I’m away make sure you help people balance their checkbook”

I don’t mean to sound too sarcastic...but this is a dangerous theology that replaces meeting people’s spiritual needs with meeting their physical or emotional needs. It’s the social gospel, and more and more it’s worming its way into evangelicalism as a deceptive counterfeit. Now I am willing to admit that I am being a little harsh. In fact, I think a lot of these programs are good, and as one of the ministers says "There are many difficult times when the face of Christ needs to be given to someone." But Christ was supremely concerned for the spiritual needs of people, and their physical and emotional needs were a distant second.

I want to explain better why this bothers me. Setting up a soup kitchen and saying that we are doing the work of Christ by feeding the poor, while neglecting to do the work of an evangelist (2Timothy 4:5) will only send a poor person to Hell on a full stomach.
Providing job training to help people provide better for themselves will only ease the road to a lake of fire if we never address that person’s sin problem…and that’s the rub!
We don’t want to address their sin. It is easier to just help them care for their aging parents instead of sitting them down and showing them how desperately they need the Saviour. We can set up euchre tournaments, and church sponsored dances for the lonely without looking like fanatics, but boy, if we show then the scriptures that say “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” we get …"oh your one of them". Well I am one of them. Call me silly, but I think we need to love people enough to point them to Jesus and prepare them for eternity, and not to our Christian Investment Seminar to prepare them for retirement.
Again I am for these programs that help those in need…well except the euchre and dancing…not so much that…but it’s not the mission of the Church.
I also don’t want this to sound like I’m taking a shot at Marketta Gregory, to a lot of people that’s what Christianity is to them, a social program, but that is simply not true. It is a salvation program! - Now heres the question churches...How are people on the outside like going to get that straight if we can’t?

Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

For full article -
In church ministries, looks can be deceiving - Marketta Gregory Staff writer D&C

A Small Ouch from Andrew Murray

2007-06-05T03:35:00.001-07:00

I didn’t have anything for you today, so I’m just going to leave this quote from a book called “Humility”, nothing I would ever post of my own would hurt as much as this. The first time I read this I set the book down and literally cried at my selfishness, and arrogance. I re-read it often to remind myself that it’s not who I am at church or at the prayer meeting, or before God…but to who I am when it’s just Jen and I, or the kids and I, or me at work, or just me and my thoughts…

“This lesson is one of deep importance. The only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry out, in our ordinary conduct. The insignificances of daily life are the importances and the tests of eternity because they prove what spirit really possesses us. It is in our most unguarded moments that we really show and see what we are.”
- Andrew Murray

Comfort in Affliction

2007-06-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

One of my least favorite Bible truths has to do with how God grows a man. From my reading it looks like everyone that was greatly used of God was greatly tried by God. He also seems to do it with His people as a whole. In the Old Testament it was the children of Israel, and in the New Testament we see the same scenario with the Church, God using trials, and afflictions to grow and mature His people, and bring them closer to Him. Here is a few of the descriptions I see of God growing and maturing His people:

Purifying – Like refining gold in a furnace of fire – Proverbs 17:3
Purging – The way you cut away at a tree to make it bear more fruit – John15:2
Polishing - To grind away at something to remove its roughness – Isaiah 49:2

God’s ways are not our ways, they are far beyond, and infinitely wise…That may not sound comfortable, and it’s not! But when it comes from the God if all comfort (2Cor. 1:3) we can take rest in Him. Some things stuck out to me in my reading of the first few chapters of Exodus this time that I want to share…or at least record, about comfort in affliction.

Exodus 1:12a - But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew

I’ve already established with the afore mentioned verses that there is a growing, and maturing that comes from affliction, just as there is a purifying that comes from a refiners fire, and we see that principle in Exodus 1:12 with the children of Israel. Their hard bondage, and their burdens were causing a growing, and it was this growing that was causing Egypt to tremble. There is a comfort in knowing that if we are enduring a trial, or bearing a burden, that there is a growing that is able to take place.

Exodus 3:7- And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

There is comfort in God’s awareness of our trials. He sees, He hears, He knows! God was never asleep on the throne, and during 400 years of affliction He was aware of every injustice. Every affliction was witnessed by the eyes of the Lord (Proverbs 15:3)…every misuse of their women, every abuse of their children, and every crack of the whip that striped the back of their men. There is comfort in knowing that our affliction is never beyond our gracious God’s sight… There is comfort in knowing that we are never so far that our cries are not heard by our loving Father… There is comfort in knowing that in a multitude of sorrows He knoweth our frame. (Psalm 103:14)

Exodus 3:17- And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

The comfort of redemption! Oh the great and wonderful promises of God, and His Word! He declares “I will bring you up out of the affliction!” There is an expected end to the trial. I love the analogies that we often hear concerning this topic. The refiner never holds the silver in the fire longer than it takes to burn away the dross. The husbandman never cuts away more branches than necessary. There is comfort in knowing that God is more compassionate than the refiner or the husbandman. He never would hold us in a trial longer than it takes to accomplish His will in us. He will never try us beyond our ability to endure either. (1Cor. 10:13)

Exodus 4:31- And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

The end result of the trial is to look back and see how God carried you through, so that you can respond as the children of Israel, and bow your head and worship God! John Piper appropriately points out that worship is the ultimate goal of the Church. John 4:23,24 expressly tells us that the Father is seeking worship, and that He is seeking a specific kind of worship. (in spirit and in truth) There is comfort in knowing that our trials and afflictions result in our highest purpose, and that is the worship of our great King.

One last note: The worship came when they looked back. I noticed this because I have often found that in the midst of my afflictions, try though I might…true worship is difficult. But oh the times after the trial when I looked back and saw only that one set of footprints, and I knew that God only had carried me through, I have been able to lift up my hands in praise, and bow my head in worship, and exalt the name of Jesus Christ singing Glory to His name!

Proverbs 30:5 - Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning

There is comfort in the trials, when the trials come from the Comforter.

2 Corinthians 1:3 - Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Thankfulness

2007-05-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

I like writing in my Bible! One of the worst things about getting a new Bible is you lose all your margin notes, highlights, underlines, ect… Today I read Esther (wouldn’t that be a great name for a little girl?) I was reading out of one of my old Bibles and saw a margin note next to the following verses:
Esther 5:11-13 - And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
In bold letters underlined with an exclamation point! my note reads UNTHANKFUL! I like writing in my Bible because it took me back to the day I wrote it. I wrote it in Homiletics class when Missionary Mike Barone (back when he was student Mike Barone) preached on “Thankfulness”. Now every time I read that passage I see Haman’s unthankful attitude. So I chased that trail a little today.
Colossians 2:6,7 - As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
I can’t think of anything that makes me crazier than when my kids act unthankful. Nothing makes me cringe more than that. I remember one day that we wanted to do something special for the girls before Justin was born, and we went to Seneca Park Zoo, and we did it right. We went to the zoo, we ate the $4 hot dogs and drank the $3 pops and really took our time letting them see everything they wanted to, and when we were just about to leave Mommy went in and bought them each a way overpriced stuffed animal at the gift shop…I mean we went to the zoo! As we were pulling out of the parking lot one of the girls (whose name shall remain anonymous, but means unmerited favor) asked if we could go out to get ice cream before we went home, and when I answered “no” it was as if we had not done anything all day long. I mean instead of being thankful of all we had done she could only be angry that we couldn’t get ice cream too, and it wasn’t bad enough that she was angry, but my other daughter (one who sews and alters clothes) began to be unthankful, and by the time we got home nothing good that we had done was remembered. I remembered the note in my Bible, and that Monday we did our family devotion on “Thankfulness” using Haman as the bad example. The riches, the many children, the promotion, and the banquets, and all he could gripe about was Mordecai. It’s so much easier to see an ugly attitude in someone else.
I like writing in my Bible…even just a word in the margin to draw me back to a passage that I needed. Profitable for reproof, and instruction in righteousness! Trying to instruct my girls in righteousness, I was reproved. I thought of how many times I have played Haman myself, and each time I read Esther again I am reminded of how ugly an unthankful attitude can be…especially when we have been given soooo much!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Welcome to my blog...

2007-05-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

Well…here begins my journey into the blogoshere, May God be glorified in all that is written here. I’m sure if you’re reading this I know you, but in the rare case that someone did some sort of morbid search on “dying young” and accidentally got here I want to welcome you, and encourage you to visit http://www.hediedforme.com

I hope to make this a place for me to interact with my reading, and record some of my experiences out on the street, and in the ministry, hammer out some thoughts, express some concerns, boast on God ect… What else I’m not really sure. I’m totally new to this whole blogging thing.