Well, wife and I are on different shifts for work and she had last night off, yeah!!! So, we went to our nephews skate party... Glad to be out of that atmosphere, the young unguided youth are so out-of-control. Screaming, yelling, cursing, hanging on others, just inappropriate. (not my nephew by the way, just the other youth at the location) When we got home we watched the new movie with Kirk Cameron called Fireproof. Excellent movie and it was Christian based, totally glorifying God. Awesome.
Then today we (my wife and I) got to spend some time together doing some shopping and getting new shelves for our laundry room to add some needed decluttering storage. And possibly the best part of the day, are you ready for this... My wife handed out a tract, DOUBLE YEAH!
1 Peter 4:12-17
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:
13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.
14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed (are ye); because the (Spirit) of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters:
16 but if (a man suffer) as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
17 For the time (is come) for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if (it begin) first at us, what (shall be) the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?ASV
Yeah, so that is me on my way out the door to hand out tracts in downtown Bremerton. This was technically only my second time (I think) going out with the intention of handing out tracts. It went pretty well, I only had two guys refuse to take one. One gentleman about slammed himself against a wall almost like I had a knife but, he saw what I had in my hand. The other guy... I said, "here is some reading material while you wait," he was waiting for a bus or ferry. He asked me if it was religious and I said, "yeah, a little." He didn't want it saying that he is an atheist. So, I set it on the seat next to him and told him it was there in case he changed his mind. As I walked away he yelled that I was littering so, I said I would come back around to pick it up. A few minutes later I went back and said something like, guess you didn't change your mind, he said, "nope." I wished him a good day and he did the same.
I learned a few things that I will do differently next time. Like maybe trying to talk to the atheist about his "beliefs." Or trying to engage someone in conversation, with the good person test.
Below is a picture of one of the tracks I was handing out with a stamp that leads people to this blog if they have questions or just want to harass me. Also, a picture of the new stamp.
I had two tracts together, one inside the other. One from Livingwaters.com, which seem to have some of the best for getting people interested in reading them and one from the Tract Fellowship League (which you need to be careful with because some of theirs can be taken wrong. What I mean is that without knowledge it would seem like the ask God into your heart and you are eternally saved, which is not accurate and wrong.
Here is a video from John Piper about some decision coming from our newly elected president... While I know only a little about Mr. Pipers views and he tends to seem a little mellow dramatic, only for my personal taste, I do not question his motives or views on this matter.
A few more resources on this topic that is so "debated." (The fact that it is so debated is disgusting to me. It should be a hands down no questions asked, NO, on the whole issue of is it acceptable):
Abort73.com is a great site. If you are looking for ways to discuss this issue even without bringing faith into the equation take a look at the argument on this page - http://www.abort73.com/index.php?/abortion/inconsequential_differences
Personal testimony time... When I was in my early twenties I was not a Christian, far from it. I slept with a girl (ex-girlfriend that I was no longer dating at the time). Then several months later I got a call (may have even been an email, I don't remember) from this girl telling me that she had an abortion (I did not know that she was pregnant).
Why do I tell this story? For a few reasons; 1) to confess where I came from and to show where Christ has led me and is leading me 2) so that no-one can say that I have not been there or don't know what I am talking about 3) so that others know that there are alternatives or there are people they can talk to...
Of course, I was very angry at first. I was angry at her for doing it but, then the anger transferred to myself. I knew better, I even knew that she had had another one in high school. Did this change my lifestyle? Not at all, in fact, I think I got worse. Why, some might say depression but, truth is I loved my sinful ways. Sure I was more "careful" but really, sin is sin.
I now know that not only was I a fornicator but I also took part or contributed in murder. I thank God that he has changed my heart through Jesus Christ so that I know hate the things He hates and love the things He loves. I pray that this testimony is able to help someone at minimum decide it is wrong to abort but, my ultimate prayer is that this leads at least one person to faith in Jesus Christ. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But by grace through Jesus' blood we are able to be washed and through our continual repentance and faith we are able to be presented holy and clean.
Romans 3:23-26 KJV
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Acts 2:38-39
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Ephesians 5 (New International Version)
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a]
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
What have you done to progress or expand or enable the Kingdom of God here on Earth today? Have you talked to someone about Him? Have you passed out even one tract? Have you read His word? Have you worked to memorize a verse? OR Have you even represented Him in a Christ like manner? If people looked at you today, would it be obvious that you are set apart for Him and His glory? Or would the world simply say there goes one of us? Should we not feel ashamed if this is true of us?
We should question our salvation if we are not consistently conforming to His image.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
One thing we tend to forget, we are never truly not in His presence. We are called to workout our own salvation. What have you done to do so?
With fear and trembling... we are right to fear the wrath of God and should tremble. Also, we should tremble with excitement. Why? Because, one day we will be in His presence, with His people, in His kingdom... What a glorious day.
If we are saved... Why do we fear losing this earthly existence? This earthly, sinful shell of a body?
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. (KJV) Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. (NAS)
If you are not making room for God, you are allowing the devil his opportunity!
I feel the need... the need for tears. I am so ashamed at my timidness in Christ. I am still shaking off the world in this mortal coil. What am I afraid of??? I or not even just my self but all those in the body of the church, the holy bride, so badly need to get out and speak to people about Jesus. Don't we freely tell the world of our love for our spouse and our children. We even us the word love in reference to possessions like televisions, vehicles, or even food which are here for only a moment and mean absolutely nothing. BUT, we cannot muster the strength to relate the word of love in relation to our savior in public. How many choke on it just in prayer as if we are afraid someone may hear. We are not so bold as we think or wish ourselves to be. What are we so afraid of? We may get an odd look, our cheeks may turn red, we might stutter over the words, we may have to say "I don't know, but I will find the answer," or we may even lead someone to salvation and then what do we do? How dare we fear such things. We should fear the look of disappointment on His face when we pass up the opportunities to share. Can you imagine it, there you are at the register, obviously the cashier is having a bad day, you have a tract in your pocket and you think about handing it to her and maybe even talking to her about our Good Lord, as you reach for the tract and just then someone walks by and out of fear your stay your hand and your words and turn red while accepting the receipt, walking away. Can you see His face during this encounter? As your reach for the tract His eyes open a little wider and He starts to crack a smile with eye brows raised. Then as you pull back your hand His head drops and He shakes his head as a tear wells up in His eye. Whose shame should we fear? Shouldn't we be more afraid to disappoint our Holy God than our own possible embarrassment?! Personally, I am ashamed. How can I not be? He was spit on, beaten, mocked, stabbed, hung on a tree, put on display... I cannot believe it, as I look at these words and see the images in my mind of what happened and the way they make me feel, there are no words to describe or relate the emotions they invoke. Think of it in these terms: if I were to take my fist and knock your mother or father or brother or cousin our next door neighbor (or even the person you sit next to on the bus to the ground and spit on them every time you; curse, or stare at a woman's cleavage, or you go out with your body on display, or gossip, or lie and so on. How long would it be before you promised to stop doing those things? BECAUSE WE DO MORE THAN THAT EVERY TIME WE SIN. EVERY TIME WE BREAK HIS LAWS WE RECRUCIFY HIM. We say to him your pain means nothing to me, your humility was for nothing, I don't love you. What will you do? Will you feel bad for a moment but then go back to watching those horrible movies? Remember, I will set no evil thing before my eyes... Hmm, why does that sound so familiar. Ok, I must interject a story at this moment, the brownie story. I heard this analogy sometime ago. There was a father whose teenage children wanted to see a certain movie with their friends. He questioned them about it and discovered that there was a brief nudity scene and some minor foul language. He said, "no." But they pleaded and begged so he said he would think about it. A few days later when they got home from school there was a fresh batch of brownies on the counter. The kids wanted some very badly. The dad said they could have them after he read the ingredients. So he started, eggs and flour and etc then he got to the chocolate only the finest, the kids grew impatient and begged for the brownies... then the final ingredient a teaspoon of a special blend of chocolate that included cat feces it is said to make it especially creamy. The kids suddenly lost their desire for the brownies. Funny how a teaspoon that only included certain things could ruin ones appetite for the whole batch. SO, those movies aren't THAT bad you say... Would you sit down and watch it with Jesus on the couch with you? Anyway, I have ranted enough for the moment. All I meant to say is that I am going crazy not going out and speaking for Him.
This rant was done in love...
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?... James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
My goal is God's will... I want to get His word out to those that are not in a church building. The plan - join with others to spread the Word. How - any biblical means... tracts, street preaching, open-air whatever the Lord wishes...
