Thief

I am a thief, I am a murderer
Walking up this lonely hill
What have I done? I don't remember
No one knows just how I feel
and I know that my time is coming soon.
It's been so long. Oh, such a long time
Since I've lived with peace and rest
Now I am here, my destination
guess things work for the best
and I know that my time is coming soon
Who is this man? This man beside me
They call the King of the Jews
They don't believe that He's the Messiah
But, somehow I know it's true.
And they laugh at Him in mockery,
and beat Him till he bleeds
They nail Him to the rugged cross,
and raise Him, they raise Him up next to me
My time has come, I'm slowly fading
I deserve what I receive
Jesus when You are in Your kingdom
Could You please remember me
and He looks at me still holding on
the tears fall from His eyes
He says I tell the truth
Today, you will live with Me in paradise
and I know that my time is coming soon
and I know paradise is coming soon.

On God and Evangelism... Take 2

OK, so I guess it is time to put a clarification/continuing a thought/whatever you want it to be post on evangelism. I have had a couple of good conversations with some friends of mine and that fact that I don't feel that well (not physically) gives me permission to do some writing in a cathartic manner. Therefore, it has come time for me to post once again on my current thoughts on God and Evangelism. Please note that these are "thoughts" and not yet beliefs. I'm still working through all this as I continue to study and learn from God what needs to be done.

Also please understand, that though I am a writer at heart, I'm terrible at writing what I intend to most of the time when it comes to these kinds of post. So when reading think of the person who is saying it, and not just the words. Thank you.

So to begin. I was told how I was wrong on a couple of things about evangelism. These things as I've come to think on them have proven to be things that people have just misunderstood what I was saying. For instance, when I said that opem-air preaching and one on one evangelism in a ten minute session was the most effective. I realize that wasn't the best choice of words, but take into consideration that I also said that it depends on the person you are trying to reach. For some it takes days, weeks, maybe even years to reach some, and for others they can simply see it in your life and want what you want. What I meant by "most effective" is merely that MOST people are able to understand a ten minute presentation of the gospel and not be offended, as well as see where their life is in dire need of change (aka salvation). That being said, I still believe in relational evangelism just as much as I believe in the one on one presentation.

But to be sure, the message of the gospel isn't JUST a message. It is a lifestyle, an attitude, and of course the action of sharing our faith. Everyone's heard it "Go therefore to all nations, teaching them all that I have commanded you..." So it isn't just preaching.... it's teaching. There are differences, though sometimes it is hard to see it. (And yes, I realize that I probably misquoted that verse) My youth pastor said that he believes in "spirit-led evangelism" I do to. I think people don't realize that. I was not saying that I would walk up to just anyone and witness. Only if I feel like God is telling me to share with them. So I think it is good to always be ready to share your faith to anyone you pass by, because you never know when God might have you speak to a total stranger.

I read recently that 53% of all converts come from tracts. I think this is fascinating. But it makes sense. You can put them anywhere, and you don't have to share your faith personally if you are too afraid. It's a good first step as we learn to conquer our fear of people. Not only that but they present their case and you can't argue with them. You either accept it or you don't. tracts are certainly a good tool, that is why I said I would have a tract on me. (Still need to find some though).

So for all my friends who care about me, and don't agree with what I say. I thank you for your feedback on the previous post as well as this one. I like feedback because it allows me to think things through, and get new perspectives on same issues.

Now that I've said that, I want to continue with the fact that though there are so many ways to evangelize... only some work with certain people, so it is my goal, as well as it should be to all Christians to, as Paul said, "become all things to all men... so that I may save some". We as Christians need to stand before the gates of Hell fighting everyone from walking into it's clutches (figuratively at least). But so many Christians do nothing at all. They forget the freedom of God's love and suddenly their fear of people outweighs their fear of God... how could we? We might as well call God a liar, because we obviously aren't relying on His promises that say He is greater than the one who is in the world, or that He will never leave us or forsake us, or even the commands He has given us.

The Kingdom is for the humble at heart, the humble at heart are those who seek, everyone is searching for the answer, but no one knows what the answer is. That is why we must live a righteous life. We must be the saints that we have been made into by accepting His gift of salvation. That being said, we need to evangelize... but through modern means, rather may we be creative in our ways and rely on God to do the rest. As I said before we "lead" people to Christ, but only He can "convict and save"

I suppose that's all for now. Again, remember that my words aren't the best way to express my heart, but is the only way I can communicate through this form of mass media. Be nice, but please post your thoughts.

On God and Evangelism

So I have been going through this course that was started by Ray Comfort, who is (for those who don't know) a well known evangelist and highly respected by professors at TFC and I'm sure lots of other people. Well whatever his fame is irrelevant, just the fact that you need to know the author's name of the books that I will be referencing throughout this post which are: School of Biblical Evangelism and Out of the Comfort Zone which is actually a Bibliography.

Anyway, I digress a little, and this is about my thoughts more than anything. So lately I have had to put myself through the "School of Biblical Evangelism" which is an online course in which I have to read, you guessed it, School of Biblical Evangelism as the major text book. As I have progressed through this I have begun to see the differences between "Bullhorn Preachers", "Relationship Evangelism", and of course "Open-Air Preaching". As I started this course I had the mindset of a Relationship Evangelist. I would say that one needed to build relationships before sharing one's faith. I still say that, but with a completely different concept behind it.

As I have read up to 36 of the 101 chapters/lessons I am sure that my thoughts on this will continue to change and my beliefs will begin to take a more firm shape, but as I was inspired by a good friend to write my own thoughts on something, I decided to take this step for my own sake if for nothing else. I have been asked multiple times by people when talking about relational evangelism, "how long is long enough before sharing your faith." My usual answer is that it depends on the person, and that is true to a certain extent. There are some people who you have to know for a few weeks, months, or even years, before they accept the message of salvation. However, I also believe that one can make a connection and build a relationship with a person in 5 minutes and can then share their faith, leading that person to Christ, all within a 10 minute setting. Now notice I said "lead them to Christ" and not "save" them. One of the things that I have learned (more relearned and really grasped) is that we as humans can save no one. We cannot give people the salvation that we need, we can only offer the direction to the person who can. We have to leave the saving up to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

I say this realizing that I am sounding like an "Evangelist" I hate having that title. I know I have Evangelist qualities, but I don't want to be associated with the modern day evangelist who promises that Jesus will offer you peace, joy, and happiness if you only say some pray that acts like magic words and vwallah! You are instantly saved. I suppose that goes right up there with the over emphasis of what has become our "magic book" as a good friend of mine says all too often. He's right though, people focus too much on the Bible that it becomes an idol. Yes the Bible is important, but it is an instruction manual provided by the creator, not the Creator himself. See the difference? Ah, another bunny trail...

Evangelism, I am a evangelist, but I am not an "Evangelist" that you would consider thinking of. I am not one who stands on a street corner and proclaims "turn or burn". No, I am one that will approach someone, give them a tract, ask them a few questions and see where God takes it from there. I am very inexperienced in this, but as I continue to read these books, I begin to see the Biblical truths in them. Jesus himself was an open air preacher who constantly told the people of the reality of hell, and begged them to repent and believe. That is where I am at now. I am at the point where I say that relational evangelism is important but is not the most effective. People always go to the extremes. I was one of them. "Preach the gospel to all the world and if necessary use words" I liked that quote, it meant I didn't have to conquer my fear of man and actually do what I am commanded. By the way, you can't preach without using your mouth. I've been fighting my way out of the "Christian Ghetto" for many years, and I have to say, I pity those who are in it. They have no faith that the God who gave them life and promises that He will in fact never leave us or forsake us.

"If you love me, you will obey my commandments." I hear that, and look at my life. I try to love Him, but can I truly say I love Him when I can't keep even one, ONE, of his commandments? I suppose that is why we have grace. But grace cannot be revealed without a conviction of transgression. I don't know if I am making my point, or if I'm just rambling, with a truth hidden under it. I'm trying to be a bit logical in it all, and not pass as the average Christian who is stuck in their own problems that they think they are alone not remembering the very things that are promised to us.

Suffice to say, my opinions on evangelism is changing, and I believe at this moment the best way to lead someone to Christ is to show how they have sinned by point out the law (Ten Commandments) that they have transgressed, show them how they are doomed to an eternity in hell and finally offer the salvation that comes from repentance and belief in a man who died upon a tree for all the world. The ultimate gift at the cost of the ultimate sacrifice.

I think I am done for now. I suppose more will come.

Another Week, Another Day, Another Update

Seems that God is being nice to me lately. Well, He is nice to me all the time, but I meant that life doesn't feel like it sucks right now, which is cool. I don't doubt that it will come, and when it does I'll rely on God, but as of now, I will thank Him for his goodness and trust that He will continue it even through the bad times, but that is not why I am posting today. No, no, no.

Yesterday we had a group come to the church who had spent the entirety of last week at the LIFE conference, Mission Possible. They did a few dramas for us and we got to spend time with them afterwards. It was really good, and enforced my desire for wanting to be at LIFE but I couldn't and that is OK, because God had me learning something else. Anyway they did some "drama" or "mime" or whatever you want to call them, and it really hit me hard a couple of times. Mostly because I could relate by way of friends or issues of things that I knew could create problems and I almost cried a couple of times. There were a lot of teens who rededicated their life to Christ last night, and I couldn't be happier for them.

The skater thing seems to be growing a bit and I think I've been getting some "respect points" (as I call them) from the skaters, which is good because it means I'm not just some outsider, but a person they can relate to. My knee still has some of the scratches on it from my attempt to drop in, but it doesn't hurt so no harm done... at least, nothing terrible.

Watched Bruce Almighty last night. I hadn't seen it in a while and I just felt compelled to watch it. Although it is a bit crude there are some very deep concepts that Christians can pick up on. There was one point that "God" was telling Bruce that "parting your soup, that's a parlor trick, but a single mother with three children having two jobs and still finds time for her family... that's a miracle." then later he states, "You want a miracle, then be the miracle" I thought that was a very interesting concept and I think we could learn a lot from something as simple as that. OH! I also watched Transformers yesterday evening, and I have to say that it was Good, I liked it bunches, and I will probably buy it when it comes out on DVD.

Other than that, there is only one thing I have to say. I got a tattoo.
That is all, thank you.

I Skinned My Knee

If you know anything about skateboarding or me you would know that I don't skate. Well that's not entirely true now. There are these kids who go over to the youth pastor's house on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday evenings who skate. In fact the reason they do is because the youth pastor, Larry, Built a mini quarter pipe outside in his back yard. So because I want to be able to connect with the punks (and they ARE punks, just very fun ones) I have been attempting to learn to skate. I can pretty much skate on flat land and can even pull off an ollie (which is causing the board to jump with you). So God is definitely helping me in that.

Well I said all that to say. Yesterday, I decided to drop in on the quarter pipe. I was REALLY close too! I stood on the edge and everything in my body was telling me "NO NO NO NO NOOOOO!" But you guys no me. I don't listen to anyone sometimes and well, I ignored my body's objections and leaned in to "drop in". Well everything went by quickly after that. I went in, leaned back too far as I fell, and landed on my knee (I have no idea how I pulled that off) and skinned it as I slid down the rest of the pipe. From what I understand my front wheels were about half an inch away from touching the side and so that was the reason I fell. I was close! I think I earned some respect points for trying though. I mean, to them I'm an old guy trying to be hip.

So all that being said, I am not going to attempt that again until I get my own board and get a little more comfortable just sliding into a vert position, but I WILL try again. Maybe by the time December rolls around I can do some tricks while rolling, what a thought!

Other than that, there really hasn't been anything too exciting going on, I wonder how everyone is doing at life... Welp, catch ya laters peeps.