It is my desire to, at this time, express my thanks to all of you who visit this blog, read the posts and leave an occasional comment. This blog started in August of 2006 out of a sense of frustration over what I had seen going on in the name of "Christianity". And so much has happened since then, both in professing Christianity and my own personal life. The Ted Haggard scandal. A multitude of posts regarding "Rick Warren and Friends" among other things.
Then of course was adjusting to the passing of my father, who died a year ago this past November. He, of course, is sorely missed for his wisdom and comfort. His ethics and standards were so high. When he said you were ok, you knew you were ok.
But God is faithful. Regardless of what we face in society, "Christianity", or in our personal lives God is faithful. All these other things simply push us in to trust Him all the more.
So I give thanks in all this, giving praise to God for the fact that no matter how bleak things look He is there and His Word can be trusted.
Yes, it's a dark world out there. And it is likely to become much darker before it gets any better. May we press into our Lord as we end 2007 and begin the new year.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" -- Proverbs 3:5,6
Wishing the best for all of you and giving thanks for you,
Tim Brown
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16 comments:
Thanks Tim. I have a flashlight so if it gets too dark, I am ready! just kidding! Time to get out and reach at least two people per day for Christ!!
Pastor Brian,
Ouch! Two people a day???
But I don't have the gift of evangelism!
Can't I just live well and let them see..."Christ in me?"
You might have figured out...I'm being a little factious..
You mean you didn't get the gift of evangelism for Christmas?? This past year, I figured I reached about on average, one person per day for the year. I plan to double that this year (ultimately, I would love to just blow that number out of the water!). The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing, mainly to reach the lost for Christ! I hope you had a safe and enjoyable New Years Eve.
Pastor Brian,
Nope...I didn't.
Hopefully I got the gift of obedience!
I've been so disappointed in myself so many times this year. It takes so little effort to grab a few tracts, or keep my eyes out for opportunities to talk to people. I'm never sorry when i do it but I battle the flesh constantly on this.
I'm glad that I have friends in my life, and people like yourself online to give me a dose of reality when I shirk what I know to be the right thing to do...
God bless,
bob
Bob:
You're not alone. We all have our dry spells. Brian can tell you about mine.
We are all responsible to do it (as you noted) but Brian and others are gifted. For us, it's just harder to do.
The last time I did it was Christmas Eve at WalMart. I had some Gift for you tracts with a dollar bill in them. I gave one to the cashier and when I was walking out, I handed one to the woman who was greeting at the door. All I did was hand it to her and say "here, hold this for me!"
It's cold snowy days like this that I stumble over but like Brian told me, and you already mentioned, just be ready for the opportunities. Most of my "losses" are because I don't have some loaded "Gift For You" tracts.
Also, here's a suggestion. Next time your area paper has an article on some health issue, or something about how we should all bust our behinds to save the planet, submit an article to the editor about "Hey, if you're worried about that, think about this..." See if they will publish it. I'm thinking of doing that kind of thing. It's easy...and my paper actually printed it. You may have seen my blog entry about it but here's a link to it.
Tim,
I had not seen that before; thanks for linking to it. That's something I can do on these cold days...
I noticed that you must be a "WOTM-ite" by your description of what it means to "get it together"...
I am one also....
Thanks for also letting me know that I'm not alone in my shirk...it's not an excuse but it helps me to know that others struggle....
I spell dry D R Y
Good idea about posting an article in the paper. If you have gone the 8 weeks or whatever the time limit was, I would suggest writing another article. It is a great way to reach over 40,000 people at one time!
When I compare what I did (prior to this year) as far as fulfilling the Great Commission, I realize that I did absolutely nothing! So now, I reach out to others. Some times, I am just not around any new people that I can witness to. It happens. Don't stress out on it, use that time to get back into God's Word and to be fed. Then get out there the next day and keep your eyes open!
That's ok. I'm already up to date @ 2 per day.
The newspaper article:
42,000 readers.
42,000 / 2 = 21,000
21,000 / 365 = 57.53 years.
So, I'm good for quite a while...
may your years increase 10 fold!!!!
Actually, I think what I meant was that we actually get out in the streets and talk to people there, you know, where they are at!!!
Good logic though. I don't know if that was the strawmans logic or not. If it was, then I would also need the tinman and the lion's logic. And don't forget toto!!
Pastor BC,
That's the only saving grace that I can point to...this year I read the bible all of the way through for the first time...and I did a load of studying.
I didn't want to use that as an excuse but since you brought it up :)
PS: if you haven't seen this site...prepare to be humbled...this guy lives in Canada and hits the streets every Friday no matter how cold it is or how bad the weather...it's actually great to read his war stories, it's inspiring. He's a good guy also.
http://www.aformofsoundwords.blogspot.com/
It has been zero degree's here the past couple of mornings. Pretty hard to hit the streets when no one is outside! wind chill has been about 15 below zero! good time to read the Bible!!!
Pastor BC,
It's been very cold here too...relatively speaking. Right now it's 6 deg F...burrr....
If you can believe this: the church that I recently left had ONE group that did "evangelism." When it's cold like this, they would put a table up outside a store and give away hot chocolate and coffee to those who go in and out.
They had a strict rule...you CANNOT mention Jesus' name UNLESS they bring it up first!
If someone asked why we would give away something for free, the answer was supposed to be: "I'm showing you God's love in a practical way"....
They would NOT engage anyone in a conversation.
That's not the only reason I left but it was part of it. I brought up the issue of not "actually speaking" to people about Jesus to them and they looked at me like I had 3 eyes growing out of my head!
They really didn't want to hear that stuff!
I think that they were modeling the approach after a Vineyard church in Ohio or somewhere...Steve Sogren was the guy who started that approach...
You know how it is...
if you mention the name of Jesus you must be one of those christians radicals!! glad to hear you left there. Is your current church doing any evangelism?
Pastor BC,
When I left that church, I came to my current church on a recommend by a member.
I called the Pastor and gave him Todd Friel's "How to pick a good church" questions over the phone...he did great.
I started attending and my first impression was that they were VERY evangelism minded...they had a huge 10 commandments hanging in the hall way....they had a sign over the exit "you are now entering the mission field"....lot's of talk about reaching people....
Unfortunately, they are little different than any other church...it's VERY hard to get anyone to go and witness. I've given several "Way of the Master" type classes, I've given away tracts for them to hand out, I've offered to go anywhere anytime to help someone who is willing but a little afraid....
So far, nobody really want's to get out there.. :(
I did get the Young Adult Pastor to go out a few times but we clashed a little as he is a "God shaped hole" person.
I'm afraid that in the future I'm going to be looking for another church that's more "reformed" and also more evangelism minded...
This time it's very hard because I like the staff so much in a personal way...they are great people...we just don't agree on some fundamental issues.
Sounds like what Tim and I have found too. Lots of talk but very little action. People know they should be doing it and yet that is one of those things that they pick and choose and say, it is not for them. Regardless of whether they do it or not, we are responsible for ourselves, so get out there and remain faithful to God by reaching the lost the way Jesus did!
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