Interesting things happen when you consistently share your faith. Before eating breakfast at a hotel, I asked the hostess if she needed prayer for anything. She quickly said yes. She was having marriage problems and asked for prayer. I immediately prayed for her and encouraged her. It turns out she was a believer in need. Within a few minutes she came back to my table and asked if I would pray for a co-worker. I finished my breakfast and started looking for them. Her co-worker was also in need of prayer for her marriage. It was like revival broke out in the hotel. We gathered for prayer and God used us to minister to those two ladies. They were very thankful and moved that God would send a stranger to care for them. Before I left, I connected them to a Pastor friend of mine in that town.
Expect God to connect you to those in need of Him. Pray and be ready.
Go Fish!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Beautiful Foolishness
“I don’t believe in God,” begins Julian Barnes in his latest book Nothing to Be Frightened Of, “but I miss him.” Though he admits he never had any faith to lose (a “happy atheist” as an Oxford student, Barnes now considers himself an agnostic), he still finds himself dreading the gradual ebbing of Christianity. He misses the sense of purpose that the Christian narrative affords, the sense of wonder and belief that haunts Christian art and architecture. “I miss the God that inspired Italian painting and French stained glass, German music and English chapter houses, and those tumbledown heaps of stone on Celtic headlands which were once symbolic beacons in the darkness and the storm.” Such are the thoughts that surface as Barnes attempts to confront his fears of death and dying in this memoir. He believes Christianity to be a foolish lie, but insists, “[I]t was a beautiful lie.”(1)
There is certainly room for beauty in the description the apostle Paul gave of the gospel. Like Julian, Paul saw its foolishness clearly as well. “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). He also noted the weakness inherent in the Christian proclamation. At the heart of the Christian religion is one who “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness, and being found in human form” (Philippians 2:7). On this much Paul and Julian agree: however beautiful, foolishness and weakness imbibe the Christian story.
But unlike Julian, Paul saw the foolishness of the gospel as a reason--not to disbelieve--but to believe. “For God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). It is indeed difficult to explain why at the heart of the Christian narrative there is a child, why God would answer the dark silence of 400 years with the cry of a displaced and homeless infant, why God would take on the weakness of humanity in an attempt to reach humanity with power. Most of us would know better than to create, or to perpetuate, a story so foolish. However beautiful, the story of Christ is difficult to explain; that is, unless it was not crafted with human wisdom at all.
The story of a Savior coming as an infant in Bethlehem is indeed astonishing, as astonishing an idea as the resurrection. That God chose to come into the world with flesh, flesh that would suffer, is strange and paradoxical, beautiful and foolish. Perhaps it is also wise beyond our comprehension. “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Though the word incarn is now used infrequently, it was once used medically, describing the flesh that grows over a wound. Applied to healing, the word refers to the recovery of wounded flesh due to the presence of new flesh.(2) The Incarnation, the astonishing event we remember in Advent, the story that has inspired music, architecture, and hope, is God’s way of doing exactly that: Christ comes in flesh to cover our mortal wound. God comes near in body and in weakness to bring healing to weak and wounded bodies. This may seem a foolish mission, but to the blind who their receive sight, the lame who now walk, the diseased who are cleansed, the deaf who hear, the dead who are raised, and the poor who have good news brought to them, it is the most beautiful foolishness ever known.
Jill Carattini is managing editor of A Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I don’t believe in God,” begins Julian Barnes in his latest book Nothing to Be Frightened Of, “but I miss him.” Though he admits he never had any faith to lose (a “happy atheist” as an Oxford student, Barnes now considers himself an agnostic), he still finds himself dreading the gradual ebbing of Christianity. He misses the sense of purpose that the Christian narrative affords, the sense of wonder and belief that haunts Christian art and architecture. “I miss the God that inspired Italian painting and French stained glass, German music and English chapter houses, and those tumbledown heaps of stone on Celtic headlands which were once symbolic beacons in the darkness and the storm.” Such are the thoughts that surface as Barnes attempts to confront his fears of death and dying in this memoir. He believes Christianity to be a foolish lie, but insists, “[I]t was a beautiful lie.”(1)
There is certainly room for beauty in the description the apostle Paul gave of the gospel. Like Julian, Paul saw its foolishness clearly as well. “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). He also noted the weakness inherent in the Christian proclamation. At the heart of the Christian religion is one who “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness, and being found in human form” (Philippians 2:7). On this much Paul and Julian agree: however beautiful, foolishness and weakness imbibe the Christian story.
But unlike Julian, Paul saw the foolishness of the gospel as a reason--not to disbelieve--but to believe. “For God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). It is indeed difficult to explain why at the heart of the Christian narrative there is a child, why God would answer the dark silence of 400 years with the cry of a displaced and homeless infant, why God would take on the weakness of humanity in an attempt to reach humanity with power. Most of us would know better than to create, or to perpetuate, a story so foolish. However beautiful, the story of Christ is difficult to explain; that is, unless it was not crafted with human wisdom at all.
The story of a Savior coming as an infant in Bethlehem is indeed astonishing, as astonishing an idea as the resurrection. That God chose to come into the world with flesh, flesh that would suffer, is strange and paradoxical, beautiful and foolish. Perhaps it is also wise beyond our comprehension. “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Though the word incarn is now used infrequently, it was once used medically, describing the flesh that grows over a wound. Applied to healing, the word refers to the recovery of wounded flesh due to the presence of new flesh.(2) The Incarnation, the astonishing event we remember in Advent, the story that has inspired music, architecture, and hope, is God’s way of doing exactly that: Christ comes in flesh to cover our mortal wound. God comes near in body and in weakness to bring healing to weak and wounded bodies. This may seem a foolish mission, but to the blind who their receive sight, the lame who now walk, the diseased who are cleansed, the deaf who hear, the dead who are raised, and the poor who have good news brought to them, it is the most beautiful foolishness ever known.
Jill Carattini is managing editor of A Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Abraham Lincoln offers Thanksgiving to God
October 3, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln Establishes the annual day of ThanksIn response to the persistent requests of Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, President Abraham Lincoln was the first president to establish an annual day of thanksgiving. This was to occur on the last Thursday in November as a day of repentance and humility before God almighty. Here are Lincoln's exact words issued in his proclamation that day:The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863.Thank you, President Lincoln, for a reminder as timely now as it was then. Happy Thanksgiving to every reader, American and people of all nations. And thank you, dear Lord, for your grace and kindness to all, which is far greater than anything we deserve.
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.comwww.epm.org
October 3, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln Establishes the annual day of ThanksIn response to the persistent requests of Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, President Abraham Lincoln was the first president to establish an annual day of thanksgiving. This was to occur on the last Thursday in November as a day of repentance and humility before God almighty. Here are Lincoln's exact words issued in his proclamation that day:The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863.Thank you, President Lincoln, for a reminder as timely now as it was then. Happy Thanksgiving to every reader, American and people of all nations. And thank you, dear Lord, for your grace and kindness to all, which is far greater than anything we deserve.
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.comwww.epm.org
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Just Do It
11/21/2008 1:40:00 PM
11/21/2008 1:40:00 PM
I tend to procrastinate. So to fight that tendency, I’ve posted the following quote from a nineteenth-century preacher under my computer monitor. I hope these words inspire you to attend diligently to the most important matters each day, by God’s grace.
It reads:
It reads:
No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.
-Alexander MacLaren (1826–1910), Scottish preacher
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Renowned Serbian joins former abortionists in becoming ProLife
The Catholic News Agency Online issued this remarkable report. My comments follow:
MADRID, November 13, 2008 (CNA) - The Spanish daily "La Razon" has published an article on the pro-life conversion of a former "champion of abortion." Stojan Adasevic, who performed 48,000 abortions, sometimes up to 35 per day, is now the most important pro-life leader in Serbia, after spending 26 years as the most renowned abortion doctor in the country."The medical textbooks of the Communist regime said abortion was simply the removal of a blob of tissue," the newspaper reported. "Ultrasounds allowing the fetus to be seen did not arrive until the 80s, but they did not change his opinion. Nevertheless, he began to have nightmares."In describing his conversion, Adasevic said he "dreamed about a beautiful field full of children and young people who were playing and laughing, from 4 to 24 years of age, but who ran away from him in fear. A man dressed in a black and white habit stared at him in silence. The dream was repeated each night and he would wake up in a cold sweat. One night he asked the man in black and white who he was. 'My name is Thomas Aquinas,' the man in his dream responded. Adasevic, educated in communist schools, had never heard of the Dominican genius saint. He didn't recognize the name.""Why don't you ask me who these children are?" St. Thomas asked Adasevic in his dream."They are the ones you killed with your abortions,” the Dominican saint told him."Adasevic awoke in amazement and decided not to perform any more abortions," the article stated."That same day a cousin came to the hospital with his four months-pregnant girlfriend, who wanted to get her ninth abortion - something quite frequent in the countries of the Soviet bloc. The doctor agreed. Instead of removing the fetus piece by piece, he decided to chop it up and remove it as a mass. However, the baby's heart came out still beating. Adasevic realized then that he had killed a human being."After this experience, Adasevic "told the hospital he would no longer perform abortions. Never before had a doctor in Communist Yugoslavia refused to do so. They cut his salary in half, fired his daughter from her job, and did not allow his son to enter the university." After years of pressure and on the verge of giving up, he had another dream about St. Thomas."You are my good friend, keep going,” the man in black and white told him.“Adasevic became involved in the pro-life movement and was able to get Yugoslavtelevision to air the film 'The Silent Scream,' by Doctor Bernard Nathanson, two times."Adasevic has told his story in magazines and newspapers throughout Eastern Europe. He has returned to the Orthodox faith of his childhood and has studied the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas.....Today the Serbian doctor continues to fight for the lives of the unborn.
From Randy: Many years ago, when we spoke at the same prolife event, I met and conversed with Bernard Nathanson, now in his eighties. At the time he still had no faith in God, though since then he has become a Catholic.What Dr. Nathanson became convinced of was that the 75,000 abortions he had committed were all the killing of children. His lies to the media, spoken from his position as co-founder of NARAL, were widely spread throughout the country and helped create the climate in which abortion-on-demand was made into law by the Supreme Court.
I refer to Dr. Nathanson (whose most recent book is titled The Hand of God) often in my prolife books, for instance in Why Pro-Life? under the section "Is Abortion Really a Women's Rights Issue?" I personally know another physician who used to perform abortions and joined us in peaceful nonviolent civil disobedience at abortion clinics nearly twenty years ago. Our friend Carol Everett was director of four Dallas abortion clinics, and owner of two. She was responsible for the clinics' daily operation and knows the abortion industry inside out. She had an abortion soon after it became legal in 1973, and now speaks out about the ugliness she saw and was part of in the abortion industry.
There are countless physicians and "abortion providers" whose eyes are now open to the truth. Here are links to the stories of a number of them: www.prolifeaction.org/providers/ You can also order a "Meet the Abortion Providers" video at www.prolifeaction.org/store/#providers
I am grateful that Dr. Adasevic of Serbia has joined the ranks of those who know first hand the terrible truth our culture, and often even Christians, want to deny: abortion kills children.www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
The Catholic News Agency Online issued this remarkable report. My comments follow:
MADRID, November 13, 2008 (CNA) - The Spanish daily "La Razon" has published an article on the pro-life conversion of a former "champion of abortion." Stojan Adasevic, who performed 48,000 abortions, sometimes up to 35 per day, is now the most important pro-life leader in Serbia, after spending 26 years as the most renowned abortion doctor in the country."The medical textbooks of the Communist regime said abortion was simply the removal of a blob of tissue," the newspaper reported. "Ultrasounds allowing the fetus to be seen did not arrive until the 80s, but they did not change his opinion. Nevertheless, he began to have nightmares."In describing his conversion, Adasevic said he "dreamed about a beautiful field full of children and young people who were playing and laughing, from 4 to 24 years of age, but who ran away from him in fear. A man dressed in a black and white habit stared at him in silence. The dream was repeated each night and he would wake up in a cold sweat. One night he asked the man in black and white who he was. 'My name is Thomas Aquinas,' the man in his dream responded. Adasevic, educated in communist schools, had never heard of the Dominican genius saint. He didn't recognize the name.""Why don't you ask me who these children are?" St. Thomas asked Adasevic in his dream."They are the ones you killed with your abortions,” the Dominican saint told him."Adasevic awoke in amazement and decided not to perform any more abortions," the article stated."That same day a cousin came to the hospital with his four months-pregnant girlfriend, who wanted to get her ninth abortion - something quite frequent in the countries of the Soviet bloc. The doctor agreed. Instead of removing the fetus piece by piece, he decided to chop it up and remove it as a mass. However, the baby's heart came out still beating. Adasevic realized then that he had killed a human being."After this experience, Adasevic "told the hospital he would no longer perform abortions. Never before had a doctor in Communist Yugoslavia refused to do so. They cut his salary in half, fired his daughter from her job, and did not allow his son to enter the university." After years of pressure and on the verge of giving up, he had another dream about St. Thomas."You are my good friend, keep going,” the man in black and white told him.“Adasevic became involved in the pro-life movement and was able to get Yugoslavtelevision to air the film 'The Silent Scream,' by Doctor Bernard Nathanson, two times."Adasevic has told his story in magazines and newspapers throughout Eastern Europe. He has returned to the Orthodox faith of his childhood and has studied the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas.....Today the Serbian doctor continues to fight for the lives of the unborn.
From Randy: Many years ago, when we spoke at the same prolife event, I met and conversed with Bernard Nathanson, now in his eighties. At the time he still had no faith in God, though since then he has become a Catholic.What Dr. Nathanson became convinced of was that the 75,000 abortions he had committed were all the killing of children. His lies to the media, spoken from his position as co-founder of NARAL, were widely spread throughout the country and helped create the climate in which abortion-on-demand was made into law by the Supreme Court.
I refer to Dr. Nathanson (whose most recent book is titled The Hand of God) often in my prolife books, for instance in Why Pro-Life? under the section "Is Abortion Really a Women's Rights Issue?" I personally know another physician who used to perform abortions and joined us in peaceful nonviolent civil disobedience at abortion clinics nearly twenty years ago. Our friend Carol Everett was director of four Dallas abortion clinics, and owner of two. She was responsible for the clinics' daily operation and knows the abortion industry inside out. She had an abortion soon after it became legal in 1973, and now speaks out about the ugliness she saw and was part of in the abortion industry.
There are countless physicians and "abortion providers" whose eyes are now open to the truth. Here are links to the stories of a number of them: www.prolifeaction.org/providers/ You can also order a "Meet the Abortion Providers" video at www.prolifeaction.org/store/#providers
I am grateful that Dr. Adasevic of Serbia has joined the ranks of those who know first hand the terrible truth our culture, and often even Christians, want to deny: abortion kills children.www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Extremists Demand
End to Christian Activity in Orissa
 Since August 23, dozens of churches in Orissa have been damaged or destroyed by anti-Christian extremists. (Photo courtesy of the Global Council of Indian Christians) |
Two of the anti-Christian extremist groups responsible for the violence against Christians in Orissa, India, are demanding that the state government ban Christian witnessing and officially honor their murdered leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. At the same time, Orissa's state government announced that it would give up to 200,000 rupees ($3,990) to the churches whose buildings were destroyed and 100,000 rupees ($1,995) for those that were damaged.
About 50,000 people representing the Sangh Parivar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) extremist groups rallied in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, on November 15. They have made the following demands of the state government:
- Arrest the killers of Swami Laxamananda Saraswati.
- Stop all Christian conversions and the slaughtering of cows in Orissa.
- Grant national awards to the slain Swami for his service, like those granted to famed Catholic nun Mother Teresa, who ministered to thousands of poverty-stricken Indians in Calcutta during her lifetime.
If these demands are not met by December 15, the extremists say they will organize a bandh, an illegal statewide strike that shuts down all transportation and commerce, on December 25. Some are saying the ultimate purpose of the threats appears to be preventing Christians from returning to their villages in time to celebrate Christmas.
The Sangh Parivar and VHP speakers at the event said they were simply demanding that Orissa officials properly enforce the Orissa “Freedom of Religion” Act. In spite of its name, the law places restrictions on people who choose to follow Christ or become Muslims.
 Anti-Christian extremists have been on a rampage against Christians since August 23. Now they have presented the Orissa government with a list of demands and are threatening to shut down the state on December 25. (Photo courtesy of the Global Council of Indian Christians) |
Speakers at the rally also lashed out at state and federal politicians who have condemned the violence against Christians, saying they are simply protecting the Swami's killers. Three people, including two Christians, were arrested for the murder of the Swami, in spite of the fact that the Maoist group known as the Naxalites has taken responsibility for the murder.
Although the offer of government assistance to rebuild churches is appealing to Christians, they also express concern that excessive demands for documentation will prevent the churches from actually receiving the funds. The VHP is actively opposing the move, saying the government has no right to spend taxpayer funds to appease the Christian community.
Gospel for Asia's leaders in Orissa ask for prayer for wisdom for the government in dealing with the extremists' demands. They also ask you to pray for the many Christians who are still hiding out in the jungles and forests as the bitter cold winter weather arrives in the state.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Simplify Your Spiritual Life (by Donald Whitney)
Does your spiritual life sometimes seem more like a burden than a blessing? Does your spirituality seem to exhaust you as often as it refreshes you? Have your spiritual practices become "just another thing to do" in an already overcrowded, stress-filled schedule? If so, then you need to simplify your spiritual life.
We should expect part of true spirituality to exhaust us, for it exists not merely for our own edification, but to serve the glory and purposes of God. Jesus' spiritual labors occasionally so fatigued Him that He could fall asleep in an open boat in the middle of a lake during a life-threatening storm (Luke 8:22-25). Likewise, the Apostle Paul knew the depletion of inner resources that results from the willingness to "spend and be spent" for the sake of the souls of others (2 Corinthians 12:15). All aspects of externalized spirituality—serving people's needs, doing good works, taking the Gospel to the spiritually lost, working in church ministries—all these expend the reserves of both body and soul.
There's a problem, though, when the inflow of spiritual renewal doesn't replenish the outflow of spiritual ministry. For the spiritual life should also be the source of inner recreation and restoration since it is the way we most directly experience the Lord Himself in daily life. Through our spiritual disciplines (rightly motivated and practiced) come many of the most refreshing blessings of knowing Christ.
An example of how the spiritual disciplines can be an ongoing means of reinvigorating the soul occurs in Psalm 1:2-3. Frequent meditation on (and not just reading) God's Word so continually refreshes the meditator that, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."
However, as everything else in our lives becomes more complex, so can our spirituality. As one writer observed, "The pattern of overinvolvement, clutter, and busyness that is a part of our lives at home and at work will follow us into our spiritual lives unless we are vigilant." With increasing prosperity and technology come increasing opportunities and options—even in our spiritual practices—that weren't available a short time ago. For instance, instead of simply sitting in a comfortable chair by a sunny window with our Bible, journal, and pen, now we can
Receive devotional readings sent daily by automatic email.
Read the Bible in several of the many translations we possess, including those on our computer.
Make journal entries on the computer by keyboard or voice-recognition software, inserting interesting graphics along with the text.
Envelop our devotional experience with worship-enhancing audio and/or video.
But it all needs to be done faster than ever before because of the strangling demands on our time.
The growing frustrations of hurry and complexity affect the practice not only of our personal spiritual disciplines, but of our congregational spiritual disciplines (the ones we practice with other Christians) as well. There's less time for church involvement than previously, and yet there are more church activities to choose from. We're so far behind in so many things that sometimes we wonder if what we receive from church is worth the overwhelming effort just to get there.
In some ways we're doing more than ever spiritually, but enjoying and profiting from it less. Many areas of our lives are productive and prosperous, yet we've never felt so spiritually withered. Our calendars are full, but our souls are empty.
The time has come to evaluate whether what we are doing in our spiritual lives is taking us where we want to go. There is hope. Read on.
From Donald S. Whitney, Simplify Your Spiritual Life (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2003). Copyright © 2002, Donald S. Whitney. All rights reserved.
We should expect part of true spirituality to exhaust us, for it exists not merely for our own edification, but to serve the glory and purposes of God. Jesus' spiritual labors occasionally so fatigued Him that He could fall asleep in an open boat in the middle of a lake during a life-threatening storm (Luke 8:22-25). Likewise, the Apostle Paul knew the depletion of inner resources that results from the willingness to "spend and be spent" for the sake of the souls of others (2 Corinthians 12:15). All aspects of externalized spirituality—serving people's needs, doing good works, taking the Gospel to the spiritually lost, working in church ministries—all these expend the reserves of both body and soul.
There's a problem, though, when the inflow of spiritual renewal doesn't replenish the outflow of spiritual ministry. For the spiritual life should also be the source of inner recreation and restoration since it is the way we most directly experience the Lord Himself in daily life. Through our spiritual disciplines (rightly motivated and practiced) come many of the most refreshing blessings of knowing Christ.
An example of how the spiritual disciplines can be an ongoing means of reinvigorating the soul occurs in Psalm 1:2-3. Frequent meditation on (and not just reading) God's Word so continually refreshes the meditator that, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."
However, as everything else in our lives becomes more complex, so can our spirituality. As one writer observed, "The pattern of overinvolvement, clutter, and busyness that is a part of our lives at home and at work will follow us into our spiritual lives unless we are vigilant." With increasing prosperity and technology come increasing opportunities and options—even in our spiritual practices—that weren't available a short time ago. For instance, instead of simply sitting in a comfortable chair by a sunny window with our Bible, journal, and pen, now we can
Receive devotional readings sent daily by automatic email.
Read the Bible in several of the many translations we possess, including those on our computer.
Make journal entries on the computer by keyboard or voice-recognition software, inserting interesting graphics along with the text.
Envelop our devotional experience with worship-enhancing audio and/or video.
But it all needs to be done faster than ever before because of the strangling demands on our time.
The growing frustrations of hurry and complexity affect the practice not only of our personal spiritual disciplines, but of our congregational spiritual disciplines (the ones we practice with other Christians) as well. There's less time for church involvement than previously, and yet there are more church activities to choose from. We're so far behind in so many things that sometimes we wonder if what we receive from church is worth the overwhelming effort just to get there.
In some ways we're doing more than ever spiritually, but enjoying and profiting from it less. Many areas of our lives are productive and prosperous, yet we've never felt so spiritually withered. Our calendars are full, but our souls are empty.
The time has come to evaluate whether what we are doing in our spiritual lives is taking us where we want to go. There is hope. Read on.
From Donald S. Whitney, Simplify Your Spiritual Life (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2003). Copyright © 2002, Donald S. Whitney. All rights reserved.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Moments at the fishing hole - 4
This morning I stopped in for coffee at a neat little coffee shop for a cup of joe. It was rather interesting. Each table had a pad of paper and pen on them. People would jot down notes, questions and deep thoughts. Some were really deep and far out.
I read one particular note that read ‘our hearts have a song to sing and that love speaks to us if we would listen’. As I read this I flipped to the Scriptures reading for the morning. It was Psalms 84. How fitting. That’s just like God to plug into our lives. “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
So, I responded to the quasi-instant message coffee shop notepad with an evangelistic message and sited Psalms 84.
You never know when fish catch your eye.
GO FISH!
I read one particular note that read ‘our hearts have a song to sing and that love speaks to us if we would listen’. As I read this I flipped to the Scriptures reading for the morning. It was Psalms 84. How fitting. That’s just like God to plug into our lives. “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
So, I responded to the quasi-instant message coffee shop notepad with an evangelistic message and sited Psalms 84.
You never know when fish catch your eye.
GO FISH!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Memory Verse for the week
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Moments at the fishing hole - 3
Results?
We like to see the results of our work, no? I remember as a kid my Grandpa would take me fishing. We would get up early before sunrise and gather our gear, make breakfast and a sandwich or two for the trip. We did a lot of work to prepare. On the way Grandpa would tell me what to do. He would give me tips to reel in a good one. There were apparent techniques.
We would get there while it was still dark and find a good spot. He gave me last minute instructions and said to have fun. The gnats and skeeters, that’s country for mosquito, were thick like jam on biscuits. We would watch the bobber through the bugs in hopes that one would bite, a fish that is. There were days we just fed the fish and went home empty-handed and bit up by them skeeters. Grandpa would say, maybe next time. He kept hope alive for our next outing. Sure enough we tried again and landed quite a few fish.
Isn’t witnessing a lot like that? We prepare with prayer, fasting, reading and pack a lunch and find a spot. We even know of a few people that come to mind we could share with. If they received what you were sharing, we thought that was good. A lot of times they didn’t. Both were important and successful.
We are called to plant the seed of the gospel and water it. It is God that gives the increase. Our mission is 'process' based. We are to faithfully give the message that we have sinned against a holy God. We have broken his commandments and will have to face him on judgment day. Because he is good and loving and just, he will have to pronounce us guilty. Our punishment for that judgment is hell. God doesn’t want that for us. He wants you to be free from sin and hell, so he sent his Son Jesus to live the life we could not live and take our punishment on himself by dying on the cross. His death satisfied the God’s judgment and paid our fine so that we could be acceptable before God and enter his kingdom. (life now and heaven in the future)
Jesus rose from the dead and overcame death and hell, so we could be raised to life and live with God for eternity. To get this gift of life, we are told to repent and trust Christ for our salvation. We can’t do it by being good or doing good things. We can’t work our way into heaven. It is by grace through faith alone.
Be of good cheer oh fisher’s of men, God has overcome the world and he will fill our nets!
GO FISH!
We like to see the results of our work, no? I remember as a kid my Grandpa would take me fishing. We would get up early before sunrise and gather our gear, make breakfast and a sandwich or two for the trip. We did a lot of work to prepare. On the way Grandpa would tell me what to do. He would give me tips to reel in a good one. There were apparent techniques.
We would get there while it was still dark and find a good spot. He gave me last minute instructions and said to have fun. The gnats and skeeters, that’s country for mosquito, were thick like jam on biscuits. We would watch the bobber through the bugs in hopes that one would bite, a fish that is. There were days we just fed the fish and went home empty-handed and bit up by them skeeters. Grandpa would say, maybe next time. He kept hope alive for our next outing. Sure enough we tried again and landed quite a few fish.
Isn’t witnessing a lot like that? We prepare with prayer, fasting, reading and pack a lunch and find a spot. We even know of a few people that come to mind we could share with. If they received what you were sharing, we thought that was good. A lot of times they didn’t. Both were important and successful.
We are called to plant the seed of the gospel and water it. It is God that gives the increase. Our mission is 'process' based. We are to faithfully give the message that we have sinned against a holy God. We have broken his commandments and will have to face him on judgment day. Because he is good and loving and just, he will have to pronounce us guilty. Our punishment for that judgment is hell. God doesn’t want that for us. He wants you to be free from sin and hell, so he sent his Son Jesus to live the life we could not live and take our punishment on himself by dying on the cross. His death satisfied the God’s judgment and paid our fine so that we could be acceptable before God and enter his kingdom. (life now and heaven in the future)
Jesus rose from the dead and overcame death and hell, so we could be raised to life and live with God for eternity. To get this gift of life, we are told to repent and trust Christ for our salvation. We can’t do it by being good or doing good things. We can’t work our way into heaven. It is by grace through faith alone.
Be of good cheer oh fisher’s of men, God has overcome the world and he will fill our nets!
GO FISH!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Moments at the Fishing Hole - 2
Ideas for Evangelism
At some point we all eat at the local restaurant. Make it a point to speak to the wait staff. Intentionally plan to do so. Before you eat, ask the waiter or waitress if there is anything you can pray for them about. Most people accept prayer and this opens your conversation to the needs of those around you. See where God leads the conversation.
Mark down their name and continue to keep them in prayer. Leave a good tip along with a tract and your Church's business card.
GO FISH!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Memory Verse for the week of August 3rd
Proverbs 4: 4
Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.
Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Tozer Devotional
Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Set of the Sail Chapter #34
Why Faith Is Indispensable (3/4)
Acting Out Unbelief
Human sin began with loss of faith in God. When our mother Eve listened to Satans sly innuendoes against the character of God she began to entertain a doubt of His integrity and right there the doors were opened to the incoming of every possible evil, and darkness settled upon the world. The Bible talks about mans being alienated from and an enemy to God. Should this sound harsh or extreme you have only to imagine your closest personal friend coming to you and stating in cold seriousness that he no longer has any confidence in you. I do not trust you. I have lost confidence in your character. I am forced to suspect every move you make. Such a declaration would instantly alienate friends by destroying the foundation upon which every friendship is built. Until your former friends opinion of you had been reversed there could be no further communion. Only a restored faith could bring about a restored friendship. Now, it is well known that people do not go boldly to God and profess that they have no confidence in Him, and no one except the rare professional unbeliever is willing to witness publicly to his low view of God. The frightful thing, however, is that people everywhere act out their unbelief with a consistency that is more convincing than words.
Prayer
Forgive me for doubting You, Lord. It is often covered over with faith-talk. But only You can be fully trusted.
Scripture
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, he said, why did you doubt?— Matthew 14:31
Thought
Why do we doubt God? Is there a question about His character or His power? We often attempt to hide our doubt but it is evident in our prayer and our daily living, isnt it?
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Set of the Sail Chapter #34
Why Faith Is Indispensable (3/4)
Acting Out Unbelief
Human sin began with loss of faith in God. When our mother Eve listened to Satans sly innuendoes against the character of God she began to entertain a doubt of His integrity and right there the doors were opened to the incoming of every possible evil, and darkness settled upon the world. The Bible talks about mans being alienated from and an enemy to God. Should this sound harsh or extreme you have only to imagine your closest personal friend coming to you and stating in cold seriousness that he no longer has any confidence in you. I do not trust you. I have lost confidence in your character. I am forced to suspect every move you make. Such a declaration would instantly alienate friends by destroying the foundation upon which every friendship is built. Until your former friends opinion of you had been reversed there could be no further communion. Only a restored faith could bring about a restored friendship. Now, it is well known that people do not go boldly to God and profess that they have no confidence in Him, and no one except the rare professional unbeliever is willing to witness publicly to his low view of God. The frightful thing, however, is that people everywhere act out their unbelief with a consistency that is more convincing than words.
Prayer
Forgive me for doubting You, Lord. It is often covered over with faith-talk. But only You can be fully trusted.
Scripture
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, he said, why did you doubt?— Matthew 14:31
Thought
Why do we doubt God? Is there a question about His character or His power? We often attempt to hide our doubt but it is evident in our prayer and our daily living, isnt it?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A letter from an Atheist
This is an excerpt of an e-mail to Ray from an atheist.
"You are really convinced that you've got all the answers. You've really got yourself tricked into believing that you're 100% right. Well, let me tell you just one thing. Do you consider yourself to be compassionate of other humans? If you're right, as you say you are, and you believe that, then how can you sleep at night? When you speak with me, you are speaking with someone who you believe is walking directly into eternal damnation, into an endless onslaught of horrendous pain which your 'loving' god created, yet you stand by and do nothing.
If you believed one bit that thousands every day were falling into an eternal and unchangeable fate, you should be running the streets mad with rage at their blindness. That's equivalent to standing on a street corner and watching every person that passes you walk blindly directly into the path of a bus and die, yet you stand idly by and do nothing. You're just twiddling your thumbs, happy in the knowledge that one day that 'walk' signal will shine your way across the road.
Think about it. Imagine the horrors Hell must have in store if the Bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right then you're an uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring."
"You are really convinced that you've got all the answers. You've really got yourself tricked into believing that you're 100% right. Well, let me tell you just one thing. Do you consider yourself to be compassionate of other humans? If you're right, as you say you are, and you believe that, then how can you sleep at night? When you speak with me, you are speaking with someone who you believe is walking directly into eternal damnation, into an endless onslaught of horrendous pain which your 'loving' god created, yet you stand by and do nothing.
If you believed one bit that thousands every day were falling into an eternal and unchangeable fate, you should be running the streets mad with rage at their blindness. That's equivalent to standing on a street corner and watching every person that passes you walk blindly directly into the path of a bus and die, yet you stand idly by and do nothing. You're just twiddling your thumbs, happy in the knowledge that one day that 'walk' signal will shine your way across the road.
Think about it. Imagine the horrors Hell must have in store if the Bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right then you're an uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring."
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Week of July 27th Memory Verse
Hebrews 9:27
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes the judgment.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Problem of Evil
Have you ever heard some say they have an issue with evil and why doesn't God do anything?
It is recorded in Genesis that Satan infected other angels and Adam and Eve. He placed the temptation before Eve to willfully choose evil rather that trust God’s words. So, she chose evil over good and infected Adam. Adam chose evil too. They knew, consciously they had disobeyed God. This disobedience in attitude, thought and deed was an evil act. It was not a ‘thing’ or substance like in the movie Spiderman. It was not a Symbiant goo that is external to us that makes us evil. Since the fall of Adam and Eve this evil is built into our nature.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned
Psalms 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,and in sin did my mother conceive me.
This sinful nature was and is from our conception as David said. This original-sin spread from Adam and has infected us all. Not only are we predisposed to sin, but we choose to do evil rather than good. Ephesians 5:8 further states that we were once darkness. The evil is us. We are liars, fornicators, adulterers, covetous, murderers, haters and we love our sins more than God. That is the judgment, the light came into the world, but the world loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil. The Reformers called this total depravity. We stand condemned before God for the original-sin, thoughts, words and deeds.
God has done and will do something with Evil. He sent his Son Jesus to live a sinless life (no evil) and died our death on the cross. On Him was put the sin (evil) of the world and took God's wrath and rejection, so we could be holy and blameless on judgment day.
Those that don't repent and trust Christ, they and their evil will be cast into hell.
Be careful about asking God to get rid of evil because evil is us. Look into the mirror of the law and truly see yourself.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Weely Memory Verse
John 1:12
But to all who did receive him,
who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become
children of God.
But to all who did receive him,
who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become
children of God.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Beyond the neighborhood
Acts 1:8 …all Judea and Samaria
Do you have plans beyond your neighborhood?
Many individual Christians are content with fishing at home. This is good in a sense. This is our most important place to start. We train our families in the way they should go and we model the lifestyle of Christianity to our children.
Are you modeling a Christian lifestyle? If not, what are you modeling? (Another blog)
Acts 1:8 says we will be witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria … This is a strategy for ministry we can follow as individuals and corporately as the body of Christ. It is a pattern of concentric circles. Picture dropping a pebble in a pool of still water and notice how it makes circles outward from the point of impact.
Take this visual of concentric circles and realize that God has impacted your life. Can you see the potential impact of your life on your sphere of influence? You have affinity with a good number of people. Stop and think about those circles. Draw it out on a sheet of paper.
Center – Home
1st ring – parents
2nd ring- friends
3rd ring – neighbors
4th – co-workers
5th- city
6th –counties
7th – State..
Do you get the picture? Jesus modeled this for us in Matthew 4:
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Jesus' expectation for his disciples is to the spread of the Gospel and follow his plans to accomplish the Great Commission. The Church ‘must’ focus on building the Kingdom. Many individuals and Churches never get beyond Jerusalem. Christ expects us to be fruitful and multiply at home, in our city, counties, state and abroad.
Are any of you numbers people?
Numbers help us understand how big a mission this is.
Barna Group- Approximately 75 million disconnected Americans (not connected to any Church)
28% in the South and Midwest
43% in the West
40% Northeast
Here some stats close to home. These are population stats in St. Johns County:
1990-2007 they had 52.5% growth
2003 – Population 142, 949 and expect 210,052 by 2012
There would need to be 420 Churches (500 members each) to cover the growth.
That being said, do you or your Church have a plan to reach those who don’t have a relationship with Christ? Do you have tears and a heart for the lost? Their lives now and eternally depend on God’s people working to expand the Kingdom of God. Start reaching those in ‘your’ sphere of influence today.
Learn to fish and GO FISH!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Where is my Jerusalem?
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
We are called to be witnesses in Jerusalem?
In the early days as a fisherman I recall asking, where do I fish? Where is my fishing-hole? Every fisherman has a favorite spot to fish. The problem was I didn’t know many fishermen who regularly went fishing. Most of them were tournament fishers. They would wait until big events to fish. (aka. Outreach)
One day my Dad was telling me a story about a young man in college that felt he was being led to fish in Africa. That’s a big sea! The professor was very encouraging and comforted (prodded) him with these words: (my paraphrase)
That’s great! Before you go all the way to Africa, head across campus to this housing project. Canvas the area and share the Gospel with each family. Get to know them and minister to them. The student replied, but there are Black people living in that community! That’s right said the professor. What do you expect to find in Africa? Sadly, this student no longer felt called to fish in Africa.
Fish are fish, man! (That’s another story and soap box moment)
While it’s exciting to think of going to foreign lands to fish and plant Churches, we cannot forget our Jerusalem. Charity starts at HOME says Paul to young Timothy. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. The provision, first, is to their souls. Our primary fishing hole is our home. Next, our neighbors, neighborhood, and our city all fall into our Jerusalem. Where is your primary fishing hole? Are you fishing there? How many fish are there? One, great! Two, wonderful?
Can you say, “I see fish”, I knew you could.
If not, ask God to show you where the puddle, pond, lake, sea and oceans are. Pause for a moment and do that now. While you wait, one, two, three, ah-ha He has given you some fishing spots, right?
Be prepared. This is the motto for the Boy Scouts, but it’s what we need to be as fisher’s of men. Learn to share your faith (fish) and share it! (Go fish) Time is not on the world’s side. The Rolling Stones were wrong on that. Many fish in your Jerusalem are dying each day (150,000 worldwide) and the owner of all the ponds, lakes, and seas is returning soon and will close this season of fishing. It will be too late.
All uncaught fish, those that have not ‘repented and trusted Christ’; will be cast into a new lake, the lake of fire. They will remain there forever and ever and ever and ever…
FISH while you still can! They are biting and need the hook of the law that pierces their dead hearts. The hook of the law is perfect in converting the soul. You will save some and yourself in the process.
Be trained to fish. Be equipped to fish. GO FISH!
We are called to be witnesses in Jerusalem?
In the early days as a fisherman I recall asking, where do I fish? Where is my fishing-hole? Every fisherman has a favorite spot to fish. The problem was I didn’t know many fishermen who regularly went fishing. Most of them were tournament fishers. They would wait until big events to fish. (aka. Outreach)
One day my Dad was telling me a story about a young man in college that felt he was being led to fish in Africa. That’s a big sea! The professor was very encouraging and comforted (prodded) him with these words: (my paraphrase)
That’s great! Before you go all the way to Africa, head across campus to this housing project. Canvas the area and share the Gospel with each family. Get to know them and minister to them. The student replied, but there are Black people living in that community! That’s right said the professor. What do you expect to find in Africa? Sadly, this student no longer felt called to fish in Africa.
Fish are fish, man! (That’s another story and soap box moment)
While it’s exciting to think of going to foreign lands to fish and plant Churches, we cannot forget our Jerusalem. Charity starts at HOME says Paul to young Timothy. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. The provision, first, is to their souls. Our primary fishing hole is our home. Next, our neighbors, neighborhood, and our city all fall into our Jerusalem. Where is your primary fishing hole? Are you fishing there? How many fish are there? One, great! Two, wonderful?
Can you say, “I see fish”, I knew you could.
If not, ask God to show you where the puddle, pond, lake, sea and oceans are. Pause for a moment and do that now. While you wait, one, two, three, ah-ha He has given you some fishing spots, right?
Be prepared. This is the motto for the Boy Scouts, but it’s what we need to be as fisher’s of men. Learn to share your faith (fish) and share it! (Go fish) Time is not on the world’s side. The Rolling Stones were wrong on that. Many fish in your Jerusalem are dying each day (150,000 worldwide) and the owner of all the ponds, lakes, and seas is returning soon and will close this season of fishing. It will be too late.
All uncaught fish, those that have not ‘repented and trusted Christ’; will be cast into a new lake, the lake of fire. They will remain there forever and ever and ever and ever…
FISH while you still can! They are biting and need the hook of the law that pierces their dead hearts. The hook of the law is perfect in converting the soul. You will save some and yourself in the process.
Be trained to fish. Be equipped to fish. GO FISH!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Moments at the fishing hole
We are called to be 'fishers of men', but do we fish?
We are called to 'go and make disciples', but have we gone, going, quit or never got started?
My hope, as I reflect on moments at the fishing hole, is that these stories will encourage and challenge you to share your faith. They will not always be successful outings. Some will be good catches. A few will be like trying to catch a barracuda. Fish have teeth and sometimes you get bit. Other times you'll find the fish aren't biting or at least it appears that way.
Background of a fisherman
Back in 1999, while attending Southside Methodist I watched an evangelistic video, Hell's Best Kept Secret. This video impacted me greatly. It hit straight to my core. The presentation was clear and effective. I repented and trusted Christ for salvation. This commitment to Christ changed me forever. I've been on a fantastic journey ever since. I will have to tell that another time.
Soon after that great day, I began to thirst and hunger for God. I was taken under the wing of my Pastor and friend Dale Tedder and was discipled in the faith. It was clear to me early that God wanted me to share my faith too. I was being called to fish. Pastor Dale had a set of VHS Pre-way of the master videos that he let me borrow. Hey! those might be worth some big bucks now! :)
After viewing the videos, I was 'prepared to share'. I ordered some of the pennies with the 10 commandments on them. Special note: These are the best and easiest icebreakers. Right around that same time, Here's Life Inner-City, was holding an evangelism training class. Ben Goldsmith was leading the class. This was great! I was primed and ready from Ray Comfort's tapes and now was getting a crash course from Campus Crusade. Ben surprised the class. We thought this was just an in-class course, but Ben told everyone that we were going out into the streets later that day to practice what we just learned. Many of the people were freaked out. One reason, we were in the inner-city and many were from suburban areas. Second, they were afraid to share their faith. I was a bit nervous, but ready.
Ben and I teamed up and found a guy named Cyrus. We started with an icebreaker and then moved to the Gospel presentation. Ben prayed while I shared. Cyrus told us he had a church background, but didn't understand the message. We explained it to him and by the time we were finished, the dude repented and trusted Christ as his Savior and Lord.
It really blew me away. That was like adding gasoline to a fire. That was six years ago and I'm still on fire today!
I encourage you to learn to fish. You will get hooked. Go fish! There are people who need to be caught before they go to hell.
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