Seedshakers

Christmas in Herman Park 2011

2011-12-15T14:21:00.001-05:00

This is a brief 11 minute message presented at the City of Goldsboro's Christmas in Herman Park 2011. Reading the story of that first Christmas as revealed in Luke chapter 2, then briefly explaining why the righteousness of Jesus has great implications for our lives today, just as it did for the original hearers. And a closing prayer by J.R. Miller called "A Prayer for Christmas Day."

A Husband's Part

2011-11-18T21:05:00.001-05:00

Just a brief snippet from J.R. Miller's "The Family" (a.k.a home-making) on the husband's part.

"Yet there are men who would not willingly tread upon a crawling insect or worm, who would not injure a dumb animal nor needlessly hurt any of the lowest of God's creatures, who every day bring many a pang to the heart of the tender, faithful, loving wife of their bosom by their sharp words or their impatient looks or acts.

The trouble is that men fall into free and careless habits at home. They are not so in society; they are gentle to other women. They pride themselves on their thoughtfulness. They are careful not even by tone or look to hurt a sensitive spirit. But at home too often they are rude, careless in speech and heedless of the effect of their words and actions. They blurt out in their own houses the ill-humor they have suppressed all day on the street. They answer proper questions in an irritated tone. The speak impatiently on the slightest provocation. They are sullen, morose and unsocial."

Miller evidently experienced what most, if not all, husbands fail in their duty to succumb. He writes so that we may be cautioned and take heed not to fall prey to our hard, impenitent hearts. These are great words of truth that every husband (or future husband) should take to heart.

Childbearing and Birth Control

2011-11-08T23:36:00.001-05:00

What is God's will for a Christian couple in regards to childbearing and birth control? I came across an interesting analogy that sheds a little light:

"The fruit of the ground is a reward and a blessing."

"The fruit of the womb is a reward and a blessing."

If a farmer plants as many seeds as he can without consideration for the ground, the health of the plants, etc.
...and thinks the fruit of the ground should be God's area and we should NOT get involved whatsoever in the number of seeds planted, or the spacing of the seeds, or the size of the garden which he can reasonably and responsibly care for...

...the seeds will produce fruit of course (it is the nature of the creation) and he will have more plants!

However, the ground will suffer, the plants will not be healthy (because there are not enough nutrients in the soil to supply that many plants), and the plants will ultimately be neglected since there are more plants than the farmer has time to weed, prune, fertilize, and care for.

Likewise...

If a man plants as many seeds in the womb without consideration for his wife's body (the ground), the health, training, discipling, educating, providing, and loving of the children, etc. and thinks the womb should be God's area and he and his wife (the farmers) should not get involved in the consideration of the number of seeds planted, or the spacing of the plants (children), or the size of the garden (family) which they can reasonably care for, the seeds will produce fruit (children--it is the nature of the creation)...

...they will have more children.

However, the wife's body will suffer as well as her emotional state, the children will not be healthy (because there is not enough emotional, spiritual, and physical nutrients in the parents to supply that many plants/children), and the children will ultimately be neglected to some degree since there are more children than the couple have time, energy, and resources to weed (rebuke), prune (discipline), fertilize (teach, train, disciple), and care for (love and meet their emotional needs).

The farmer is responsible before God to be a good steward of his land and the fruit of the land.

The husband and wife are responsible before God to be a good steward of the womb and the fruit of the womb.

They are responsible in God's Word to provide for them, bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, keep their hearts turned to each of them, and provide a rich example of the love of Christ for the church as the children observe their love for each other and how they relate to each other.

Therefore, since we want to walk in a manner worthy of Christ and the gospel, we must have the same attitude as He had (emptying ourselves, humbly serving, and willing to lay down our lives for others) and to think about the interests of others (our wives/husbands first, and then the other children) more than our own interests (reputation or self-esteem or own desires).

Parents should remember, having children is not about them, it's about Christ. And if all of life is about Christ, then it is about others. So the question about how many children should a couple have can only be answered by each couple accurately understanding their abilities, gifting, health, and God's provision with an attitude of stewardship before God for His glory.

One farmer may have planted 10,000 seeds in his plot and there stands 10,000 stunted corn plants because the farmer did not accurately assess what the ground could supply and he care for.

Another farmer may have planted 1000 seeds in his plot and there stands 1000 healthy, fruitful corn plants because the farmer did accurately assess what the ground could supply and he care for.

Which farmer brings more glory to God in his stewardship?

One husband plants as many seeds as he feels like and his wife allows in her womb and there stands # of children (the number is not important) emotionally, spiritually, physically, neglected children because the couple did not accurately assess what they could reasonably care for.

One husband plants seeds wisely and lovingly guided by the Holy Spirit in the womb of his wife and there stands # of children (the number is not important) emotionally, spiritually, physically healthy children because the couple did accurately assess what they could reasonably care for with the Lord's fulness and strength.

Which couple brings more glory to God in their stewardship?

One couple may not pray or seek the Lord in his (their) stewardship because the law (what is being taught by some as God's law) is "have as many children as God wants you to have". On the other hand, another may have their children conceived and birthed out of faith in fellowship and prayer with Jesus Christ. They may have 1 child after many attempts or they may have 10, but they come together freely and with excitement because they are living by the Spirit, in fellowship with God, and with His attitude for His glory.

So the most important consideration isn't how large the family is, but are they walking by faith, in love with God, living with the attitude of Christ for His glory..."

A couple can have only a few (or no children) out of a heart of selfishness, AND a couple can have many children out of a heart of selfishness. God isn't looking at numbers, or lack there of, He is looking at our hearts. He is looking to see His name glorified, whether it be a couple is led to have 2, 4, or 8, etc. He is desiring us to follow His leading to be good stewards and to be responsible to raise our children for Him and with a heart to love Him and others.

This article is a great encouragement to me - one, because I believe that the fruit of the womb is a reward/blessing from the Lord - yet at the same time, we as a couple are called to be responsible before Him, to seek Him, to fellowship with Him, to ask His will (as a couple) in regards to the size of our family and to live by the Holy Spirit and not out of law.

We are to love God and love others and walk this out in all areas of our life. One thing that constantly motivates me in my motherhood calling is to be a good steward of the children I have. Whether that number is 2 for some, or more for some, we have a calling as parents - in God's Word - to provide for them, bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, keep our hearts turned to each of them, and provide a rich example of the love of Christ for the church through our marriage.

This can ONLY be done out of a relationship with Jesus... a living, daily relationship with Jesus Christ that is the real deal.

Motherhood is a calling that cannot be achieved for His glory without first acknowledging that it cannot be done without HIM! Click here to continue reading...

Crown Rights Media

2011-10-30T16:39:00.000-04:00

A good friend of mine, Marcus Pittman, has started a ministry called Crown Rights Media. He uses "creative media as a tool to restore the Crown Rights of Christ to his rightful place in all areas of life." God has gifted Marcus with the ability to skillfully and creatively use technology and media for Christ's kingdom. Marcus is currently working on a project called the Open Air Preacher profile series. The video below, is an example of some fruit coming forth from Crown Rights Media. God is doing some great things!

I would like you to prayerfully consider supporting Crown Rights Media, with prayers and donations. Producing video is not cheap and takes financial resources to make it happen. Not only does it cost for video equipment and computers, but travelling expenses to document and produce. Crown Rights Media is currently in need of a few items:

1. Firewire Hard drives

2. Computer memory

3. Wireless lapel microphone

Donations to support the project can be made right from his blog http://crownrightsmedia.blogspot.com/

You can also follow Marcus on Facebook by pressing the like button for Crown Rights Media page. This will keep you informed on how the project is coming along.

Thanks Marcus, for your joyful and diligent work in serving King Jesus!! And your desire to see the nations worshipping Him!!

America's Holocaust

2011-10-02T19:27:00.000-04:00

IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THIS 30MIN MOVIE--WATCH IT NOW!

Whiteboard Evangelism in Herman Park

2011-09-15T22:00:00.000-04:00

What a great way to strike up gospel conversations in a park. You don't really need any artistic talent, just a willingness to be used by God (and that willingness comes from the Holy Spirit). On this particular outing, I wrote the following sayings on the board:

Are you a good person?
How do you know?
God's Law is the standard!

Don't lie
Don't steal
Don't covet
Don't commit adultery

That's just 4 of the commandments

I then drew a picture of the earth with a cross coming out of it and sin nailed to it, with some blood coming from the nails. I wrote above the bloody cross that Jesus saves sinners! Repent and trust in Him! Then drew a big arrow showing His resurrection. When a passerby walked near, I asked him . . .what do you think about this. To which he responded, "you did a good job." I laughed and said ha ha no, I'm not talking about how well it looks, it's not very artistic, but what do you think about that saying there--Jesus died to save sinners! He paused. Nodded his head. And I asked him; do you believe it? A quiet yes resounded. What do you think about this question up here on the board, Are you a good person? Would you consider yourself to be one? He thought he was good, but had done some bad things. So, I took him through some of the commandments I wrote on the whiteboard; expounding God's perfect standard of justice, the guilt and condemnation that this young man is under outside of Christ, and the need for a righteous substitute (someone who is perfect and never sinned to bear the just anger and wrath of God). Hell didn't seem reasonable to this man at first. I took him back through the law, laying the weight of it on his back. Picture a guy squashed on the ground with a 2,000 pound rock on top of him--that's the reality, the future plight of a sinner who is crushed on judgment day because of his tresspasses against the Holy God who is a consuming fire. I reasoned with the man about the seriousness of offense. If he were to murder a homeless person, an earthly judge would give a much lighter sentence than if he were to murder the president. How much sorer punishment you suppose crimes against the most high God of all creation would be? An eternal hell is reasonable. We broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. The righteous for the unrighteous. What a great gift of mercy that God would give us a way out from underneath the judgment rock Jesus. "And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him” Matthew 21:44. We wrapped up the conversation with repentance and faith, gave him a Bible and a contact card, and talked about life. It was a great divine appointment. This must have been why Shayna and I didn't make it to Bay Days this year.

On another note, if there is anyone in the area and they want to overcome their fear of man and get out of their comfort zone. Just let me know, I'd be more than glad to help you share the gospel. We can break out the whiteboard and do a little evangelism. If you're not familiar with the use of the law in evangelism, go ahead and watch the video on the front page of http://www.seedshakers.com/ , it's of Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron teaching what may be the most important message you will ever listen to, called Hell's Best Kept Secret.

Conversing with an Atheist

2011-09-04T15:36:00.002-04:00

Evangelist: Hi there, did you get one of these?
Atheist: What is it?
Evangelist: A gospel tract; it's about Jesus!
Atheist: I'm an Atheist; I don't believe in God.
Evangelist. Why don't you believe in God?
Atheist: There's no proof for God.
Evangelist. Sure there is, just look around; a beautiful blue sky, green grass, the sunshine, it really is a wonderful work of God.
Atheist: Haha yeah, that's your opinion. All the evidence points to evolution. Scientists know for a fact that evolution is how things came about, and that there is no need for God.
Evangelist: First of all, not all scientists believe that. And two, it's called the "theory" of evolution because it is not provable. However, I can prove to you that God exists in about 30 seconds.
Atheist: Yeah, right. Let me see!
Evangelist: When you look at a painting, how do you know there was a painter?
Atheist: Because a painter painted the painting.
Evangelist: Very good, that's right. When you look at a building, how do you know there was a builder?
Atheist: Well...
Evangelist: The building is proof there was a builder. And in the same way, when you look at creation it's proof there was a Creator. Your conscience also proves God is real, because God has taken the time to write his law on your heart. You know it's wrong to lie, steal, and commit adultery don't you? Have you ever told a lie?
Atheist. Yes.
Evangelist: What does that make you?
Atheist: Human.
Evangelist: Nah, more specifically! : - )
Atheist: You want me to say liar?
Evangelist: Yeah, so what do you call someone who tells a lie?
Atheist: Not a liar.
Evangelist: Come on, you'd be a liar wouldn't you?
Atheist: Yep.
Evangelist:Have you ever stolen anything? The value is irrelevant.
Atheist: No.
Evangelist: Even if it was small, something from a brother, sister, a friend . . . anything without asking that didn't belong to you?
Atheist: Yeah, just small things though.
Evangelist: The value is irrelevant. If I reached into your pocket and took 5 dollars from you and ran off, you'd be just as upset if I took 100 dollars from you. So what are you called if you steal something?
Atheist: a thief.
Evangelist: That's right. Let's go through one more commandment--the seventh commandment--you should not commit adultery. Have you comitted adultery?
Atheist: Nope. Haven't broke that one.
Evangelist: Jesus said that if you look at a woman to lust for her, you have committed adultery in your heart. Have you looked with lust?
Atheist: Who hasn't?
Evangelist: So by your own admission. you're a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart, and that's just 3 of the 10 commandments. Do you think you'd be guilty or innocent on judgment day?
Atheist: Innocent, because I don't believe in God.
Evangelist: Just because you don't believe in God, it doesn't change reality. Stand in the middle of the freeway and say you don't believe in trucks--you'll get crushed! Innocent or guilty?
Atheist: I told you, I don't believe in God so it doesn't apply to me.
Evangelist: Well, in that case, "if" what I'm telling you is true and "if" God does exist, would you be innocent or guilty?
Atheist: If it's true, then I'd be guilty.
Evangelist: Should God reward you with heaven or hell?
Atheist: I don't believe in God but if it's true then yes, I'd go to hell.
Evangelist: Does that concern you, that you'd go to hell?
Atheist: . . .If it's true it would.
Evangelist: Let me ask you a question, would you sell one of your eyes for a million dollars?
Atheist: No.
Evangelist: How about both of your eyes for $10 million dollars!
Atheist: No.
Evangelist: Why not? It's because your eyes are important to you, how much more precious is your soul that looks out the windows of your eyes?
Atheist: . . . I see what you are saying.
Evangelist: Let me make it a little clearer for you. Put yourself in a courtroom, guilty of serious crimes. Do you think that the judge can just let you off the hook?
Atheist: No.
Evangelist: How much more strict of a judgment do you think God will
impose on you for breaking his eternal law, the ten commandments. He can't let you off the hook, if he did he would be an unjust judge. When human judges let people off the hook, we call them corrupt. God reveals himself in the Bible as a righteous judge, who judges every person's thoughts, words, and deeds! There is no corruption in God, unlike us, and he will give everyone who dies in their sins exactly what they deserve. We deserve to be punished in hell for our sins. The question you should be asking is: how can a just and holy God spare you of his firey judgment?
Atheist: If I try to be a good person, won't he forgive me?
Evangelist: Let's go back to the courtroom a second. You say to the judge, but judge I'm a good person now, I broke the law and committed those crimes 6 months ago. I've gave to charity, done community service, and even helped out in nursing homes, please your honor, I won't do it again--I'm sorry,please let me go. A good judge would respond with, certainly not! You broke the law and the fine must be paid. You should be sorry, but being sorry and trying to change your life isn't going to make up for the law you broke. The fine must be paid.

It's the same way between you and God, you have broken his law by lying, stealing, lusting, and numerous other sins. No amount of good works will ever make up for the sins you have committed. Does this make sense to you?
Atheist: Yes.
Evangelist: Back to the courtroom one more time. You are being handcuffed and led out of the courtroom, and all of a sudden the judge says hold up. You turn and face him, and he says to you, you have broken the law and have not been able to pay your $100,000 fine. As a just judge, I have upheld the law and sentenced you to prison. The judge steps down from his stand, walks over to you, takes out his checkbook and fills out a check for $100,000. He then says to you, but as your friend, I am paying your fine. Not because you deserve it, or because you did anything to earn it, but simply because I was showing you mercy. It is a gift from me to you. How would that make you feel?
Atheist: Pretty grateful.
Evangelist: You bet it would! How would you respond to the judge?
Atheist: I would thank him and not go back to that lifestyle of crime.
Evangelist: That's right. Just like the courtroom, God has judged you guilty of breaking his law and the punishment is hell. But God being merciful, sent his son Jesus to pay the fine for the law you broke. The Bible tells us that God took on human form; Jesus became a man about 2,000 years ago and he lived a perfect life, fulfilling God's law, something you and I have failed to accomplish. Because Jesus had not broke the law he could give up his life as a sacrifice for those that have broke the law--Jesus was a perfect sacrifice for sinners. This was prophesied throughout the Bible and it came to pass. As Jesus suffered on the cross he was actually absorbing the penalty of his peoples' sins in his body--The book of Isaiah puts it this way: God laid on his son the iniquities of the people and crushed him. Jesus absorbed the wrath of God: you broke the law and Jesus paid your fine. The story doesn't end here though. Three days later Jesus was resurrected from the dead proving that he does have the power to forgive and cleanse those who have rebelled against his law. To receive this mercy that God is offerring you through his son Jesus, you are commanded by God to repent (that means to turn from your sins as revealed by God's moral law) and to put your trust in Jesus as you would in a parachute! Does this make sense?
Atheist: Yeah, it makes sense.
Evangelist: When do you think you will repent and put your faith in Jesus?
Atheist: Don't know.
Evangelist: Everyday 150,000 people die and open their eyes in eternity, some open their eyes to realize the flames of hell and torment, others meet Jesus face-to-face. Don't procrastinate, your eternal destiny depends on whether you repent and trust Jesus. Hey, do you have a Bible?
Atheist: Yes, I do.
Evangelist: I want to encourage you to read it, start with the gospel of John (it's the 4th book in the new testament). Ask God to give you understanding as you read it. And don't just be a hearer of it, but obey what it says.
Atheist: Ok.
Evangelist: Hey, thanks for talking with me. If you have any questions just contact me through the website listed on the back of that gospel tract I gave you. Have a great day! :-)

Rethink Gospel Tracts

2011-09-02T10:12:00.000-04:00

Tags: who is Jesus, why Jesus is significant, what did Jesus accomplish, why Jesus is the eternal Son of God, why is Jesus unique, why Chrisianity is the one true religion, why there is none like Jesus, John 14:6,

It's a small tract to carry around with you--the size of a business card--to give to those who are a little confused about who Jesus is, or simply a reminder to anyone about Jesus' identity and why there is none like Him! The tract then swings to a short gospel message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection; and our need to repent and trust in the Savior. A good, little way to plant, water, and grow.

Buy the Rethink gospel tracts here.

How Pietism Deceives Christians

2011-07-23T01:07:00.000-04:00

Read this article tonight: "How Pietism Deceives Christians"; it's good. I can relate to some of what the author is writing about. For several years I had the mind set that I was a "radical" Christian because my life revolved around evangelism--a daily and nightly thing. Everywhere I went: a gospel tract had to be handed out; had to find a way to interject the gospel into every conversation; had to be reading theological books around the clock; listening to sermons non-stop. As a result, I looked down on Christians who were not like me. I was prideful, and a pietist as the article brings to light. My deception of; "a true Christian is someone who focuses all their energy on evangelism, because that's what God cares about," was beginning to affect other areas of my life. Those areas are as follows: when I should have been strengthening relationships with family members, my head was buried in theology books; when I should have been working diligently unto the Lord at work, rather than trying to read my Bible, memorize verses, and witness to co-workers--I was cheating my employer by not setting a good Christ like fruit of the Spirit example. I was neglecting just about every other area of life, failing to see that Christ has come to remove the curse as far as it is found, as Issac Watts once sang, and this happens by living out the fruits of the Spirit in every area of life, by the grace that Christ supplies. God is just as pleased with me when I spend time with my family, as when I am out evangelizing; God is just as pleased with me when I am at my secular (common) job, as when I am out evangelizing; God is just as pleased with me when I rest from my labors and enjoy life, as when I am out evangelizing. Why so? Because Christ is my justification and my sanctification as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians.

Superwoman Appears in Piedmont Park

2011-06-23T22:35:00.000-04:00

Back in April, my wife and I were able to visit a good friend in Atlanta. We all went over to Piedmont Park where the Dogwood Festival was carrying on, and did a little open air preaching. Here is one of the videos from that day.

Calling or Career?

2011-06-09T00:38:00.003-04:00

My wife and I watched Gary North's "Calling and Career as an Austrian School Scholar" tonight. I think everyone should watch it, especially some of my evangelist friends who may think that secular work is a waste of time. I used to think that all I wanted to do, or all that God wanted me to do was evangelize, but that isn't correct; there is calling and there is career. Some may have their calling as career, but in no way does it mean that career or "secular" work is somehow less spiritual. Check out the video:

Twitter Change; Worldview Change

2011-06-08T23:14:00.000-04:00

Here's something I recently decided:

I've decided to use @seedshakers for all my tweeting going forward. I used to think the gospel was just for outreach. It's actually the light in which the Christian does life, which includes outreach. So, @seedshakers, life, my life that God is pursuing will be expressed. Controversial or not, topics of a variety will be discussed @seedshakers and of course here on this blog, no holds barred. Some might discover that I'm not much of a legalist. Everything under the sun is under God's sovereign Son, yes even my beloved arminians :) ; work, home, school, government, everything in light of the gospel.

Thankful for the Shade Tree

2011-06-05T02:00:00.001-04:00

On my lunch break I ran (drove) over to the Walmart to purchase a keyboard and mouse. I had parked under a tree. Walmart was kind enough to plant trees in its parking lot and so I decided to take a short nap in my truck which was parked under the shade tree. Thank you Jesus for the shade tree. How often do we fail to thank Jesus for the small things we usually take for granted? Quite often.

The Law is Light

2011-06-05T01:58:00.001-04:00

This past weekend my wife and I met up with some friends to do some evangelizing. At one point Saturday evening a man who professed Christ, had walked by and upon hearing the preaching he turned to some of us standing there and said, "Is this loving? Is this really benefitting anybody?" He thought that we should be loving people instead of, as he put it, "telling people they're going to hell." What this man failed to understand is that what we were doing, was loving. His failure to comprehend the message of the cross, that we broke the law and Jesus paid the fine, hindered him from recognizing the absolute necessity to preach on sin, righteousness, and judgment. How loving would it be if I see someone who is about to get mugged and I don't warn him or her of the criminal lurking around the corner?! Judgment awaits sinners, and we have the duty to reason with them about the impending judgment. God has given His law as a tool to do just that! The law is the standard by which Jesus will judge the world, and so it is the very thing we should use to persuade sinners to come to Christ. For without the law, there is no knowledge of sin. The law is light; exposing darkness and revealing depravity.

OA at Sears

2011-06-05T00:47:00.003-04:00

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OA at Sears

OA at Staples

2011-06-05T00:47:00.001-04:00

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OA at Staples

Open Air Preaching at Sears

2011-06-05T00:46:00.001-04:00

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Open Air Preaching at Sears

Is Dontae a good person?

2011-06-05T00:45:00.001-04:00

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Is Dontae a good person?

OA at HP in May 2006

2011-06-05T00:42:00.002-04:00

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OA at HP in May 2006

Rod swings from natural to spiritual

2011-06-05T00:40:00.001-04:00

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Rod swings from natural to spiritual

Carl open airs at the Clayton Festival

2011-06-05T00:38:00.001-04:00

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Carl open airs at the Clayton Festival

Virginia Beach Mini-EBC

2011-06-05T00:36:00.001-04:00

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Virginia Beach Mini-EBC

A Taste of EBC11

2011-06-05T00:34:00.001-04:00

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A Taste of EBC11

Mt. Olive Pickle Festival

2011-06-05T00:33:00.001-04:00

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Mt. Olive Pickle Festival

Conversion of Anthony Carter

2011-06-05T00:31:00.001-04:00

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Conversion of Anthony Carter

Sebastian and Dillon at Riverfest

2011-06-05T00:30:00.001-04:00

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Sebastian and Dillon at Riverfest

Lady That Is A Very Good Person

2011-06-05T00:29:00.001-04:00

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Lady That Is A Very Good Person

Girl Convicted In Truck

2011-06-05T00:26:00.001-04:00

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Girl Convicted In Truck

God Bless the million

2011-06-05T00:24:00.001-04:00

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God Bless the million

OA Compilation at MOP

2011-06-05T00:22:00.001-04:00

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OA Compilation at MOP

Bird at Front St.

2011-06-05T00:16:00.001-04:00

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Bird at Front St.

Marv at Front St.

2011-06-05T00:15:00.001-04:00

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Marv at Front St.

Sheep in the snow

2011-06-05T00:13:00.001-04:00

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Sheep in the snow

Happy kids in Herman Park

2011-06-05T00:09:00.001-04:00

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Happy kids in Herman Park

Seven Springs Park

2011-06-05T00:08:00.001-04:00

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Seven Springs Park

Not a comfortable crowd at Herman Park

2011-06-05T00:06:00.001-04:00

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Not a comfortable crowd at Herman Park

Herman Park OA

2011-06-05T00:05:00.001-04:00

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Herman Park OA

Nathan at VCU, Abnoxious Heckler

2011-06-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

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Nathan at VCU, Abnoxious Heckler

Nathan at CNU

2011-06-05T00:00:00.001-04:00

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Nathan at CNU

Tony at CNU, Abortion is Murder

2011-06-04T23:59:00.001-04:00

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Tony at CNU, Abortion is Murder

Tony at CNU, Sept. 11th Springboard

2011-06-04T23:57:00.001-04:00

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Tony at CNU, Sept. 11th Springboard

Brother Judah preaching

2011-06-04T23:56:00.001-04:00

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Brother Judah preaching

Adrianne open airs at Dogwood Festival

2011-06-04T23:55:00.001-04:00

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Adrianne open airs at Dogwood Festival

Conversation with Marquis and Damian

2011-06-04T23:53:00.001-04:00

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Conversation with Marquis and Damian

Suzanna preaching on the horse carriage

2011-06-04T23:50:00.001-04:00

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Suzanna preaching on the horse carriage

Preaching the Everlasting Gospel on Marta

2011-06-04T23:49:00.002-04:00

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Preaching the Everlasting Gospel on Marta

Joseph speaks with Jonah

2011-06-04T23:48:00.000-04:00

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Joseph speaks with Jonah

Gary and Jose on carriage

2011-06-04T23:46:00.002-04:00

Audio
Gary and Jose on carriage

Brother Dave talking to muslim waiting for Marta

2011-06-04T23:45:00.000-04:00

Audio
Brother Dave talking to muslim waiting for Marta

Brother Dave open airing on Atlanta Streets

2011-06-04T23:44:00.002-04:00

Audio
Brother Dave open airing on Atlanta Streets

Bird preaching on Willy’s horse carriage

2011-06-04T23:43:00.000-04:00

Audio
Bird preaching on Willy’s horse carriage

Bird and Tony preaches

2011-06-04T23:41:00.003-04:00

Audio
Bird and Tony preaches

Bird preaches about Eternal Life

2011-06-04T23:41:00.000-04:00

Audio
Bird preaches about Eternal Life

Talked with Matt and LeighAnn at Judgment House

2011-06-04T23:40:00.000-04:00

Audio
Talked with Matt and LeighAnn at Judgment House

Mr. Rogers and I teamed up for an open air in HP

2011-06-04T23:39:00.001-04:00

Audio
Mr. Rogers and I teamed up for an open air in HP

Kids singing after an open air in Herman Park

2011-06-04T23:37:00.002-04:00

Audio
Kids singing after an open air in Herman Park

Shayna talks to some youths at Herman Park

2011-06-04T23:36:00.002-04:00

Audio
Shayna talks to some youths at Herman Park

Wakeup call for a product of the modern gospel

2011-06-04T23:35:00.000-04:00

Audio
Wakeup call for a product of the modern gospel

Justin has some things to think about

2011-06-04T23:33:00.000-04:00

Audio
Justin has some things to think about

Brian talked to a lady named Billy

2011-06-04T23:31:00.003-04:00

Audio
Brian talked to a lady named Billy

And Another Interview with a guy at Church

2011-06-04T23:31:00.000-04:00

Audio
And Another Interview with a guy at Church

Another Interview with a guy at Church

2011-06-04T23:29:00.000-04:00

Audio
Another Interview with a guy at Church

Interview with a guy at Church

2011-06-04T23:28:00.000-04:00

Audio
Interview with a guy at Church

A couple at the outlet stores

2011-06-04T23:26:00.002-04:00

Audio
A couple at the outlet stores

William at Walmart

2011-06-04T23:25:00.003-04:00

Audio
William at Walmart

DJ at the Movie Theatre

2011-06-04T23:25:00.000-04:00

Audio
DJ at the Movie Theatre

A great talk with a Christian, Muslim, and Atheist

2011-06-04T23:23:00.000-04:00

Audio
A great talk with a Christian, Muslim, and Atheist

1-2-4 at Walmart

2011-06-04T23:21:00.000-04:00

Audio
1-2-4 at Walmart

Good talk with Katie

2011-06-04T23:20:00.000-04:00

Audio
Good talk with Katie

Interview with Dalton

2011-06-04T23:17:00.000-04:00

Audio
Interview with Dalton

Talked with Courtney at Target

2011-06-04T22:10:00.000-04:00

Audio
Talked with Courtney at Target

Shayna 1-2-1 at MOP

2011-06-04T22:09:00.000-04:00

Audio
Shayna 1-2-1 at MOP

What’s After Death?

2011-06-04T22:08:00.000-04:00

Audio
What’s After Death?

5 young people at Walmart

2011-06-04T22:07:00.000-04:00

Audio
5 young people at Walmart

Two guys would save a human over a cat

2011-06-04T22:02:00.000-04:00

Audio
Two guys would save a human over a cat

Mr. Jim at Walmart

2011-06-04T21:59:00.002-04:00

Audio
Mr. Jim at Walmart

A short talk with a Radio Shack guy

2011-06-04T21:58:00.003-04:00

Audio
A short talk with a Radio Shack guy

An ordained minister that is perfect

2011-06-04T21:57:00.004-04:00

Audio
An ordained minister that is perfect

Brother Nathan Open Airing

2011-06-04T21:57:00.000-04:00

Audio
Brother Nathan Open Airing

Open Airing in Herman Park

2011-06-04T21:56:00.000-04:00

Audio
Open Airing in Herman Park

Encouraged by Libra after preaching at MOP

2011-06-04T21:55:00.000-04:00

Audio
Encouraged by Libra after preaching at MOP

Bird and Tony at Front St.

2011-06-04T21:54:00.000-04:00

Audio
Bird and Tony at Front St.

Herman Park at Night

2011-06-04T21:53:00.002-04:00

Audio
Herman Park at Night

Labor Day compilation at Mt. Olive Park

2011-06-04T21:52:00.002-04:00

Audio
Labor Day compilation at Mt. Olive Park

Speaking to loud insects & birds in Mt. Olive Park

2011-06-04T21:51:00.000-04:00

Audio
Speaking to loud insects & birds in Mt. Olive Park

Under 3 minutes to live in Mt. Olive Park

2011-06-04T21:49:00.000-04:00

Audio
Under 3 minutes to live in Mt. Olive Park

Bird Street Preaching from Bible

2011-06-04T21:46:00.000-04:00

Audio
Bird Street Preaching from Bible

Loud Annoying Music at Beaufort while Preaching

2011-06-04T21:44:00.000-04:00

Audio
Loud Annoying Music at Beaufort while Preaching

Beaufort Waterfront

2011-06-04T21:43:00.000-04:00

Audio
Beaufort Waterfront

Speaking to Youths at Pizza Inn

2011-06-04T21:40:00.000-04:00

Audio
Speaking to Youths at Pizza Inn

Christian Fellowship

2011-06-04T21:37:00.002-04:00

Audio
Christian Fellowship

Ex-Muslim Zachariah Annani

2011-06-04T21:36:00.002-04:00

Audio
Ex-Muslim Zachariah Annani

Psalm 1 Compilation

2011-06-04T21:35:00.000-04:00

Audio
Psalm 1 compilation

The Missing Sweater (Keys for Kids)

2011-06-04T21:33:00.000-04:00

Audio
The Missing Sweater (Keys for Kids)

Restructuring the Site

2011-06-04T21:28:00.000-04:00

I'm going to change the site up a little bit. Doing away with the Resources tab and entering all of the videos and audios into the blog as posts--making them searchable through the blog. This will clean the site up a little bit making it easier to navigate. We'll start with that for now, and see how it turns out.

My Westminster Shorter is ruined

2011-03-06T19:35:00.001-05:00

This is my beloved Westminster Shorter Catechism after going through the washer and dryer.

When my wife and I go for walks, sometimes I will put this catechism in my back pocket and we will go through some questions and answers. This time I forgot to take it back out of my back pocket when we got home.

Another one will definitely be purchased!

Fretting is futile

2011-03-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

"This is the way to treat the hard, discouraging things in life. It is useless to fret over them -- fretting will never remove them, and it only weakens our energy and mars our life. But if we meet them with undismayed courage and persistent resolve, we shall conquer them, and in conquering them carve royalty of character and noble worth of ourselves."

J.R. Miller

Christmas Parade Preaching

2011-01-04T16:09:00.000-05:00

Here's a few videos from the past month of some preaching at a couple Christmas parades. If you watch them, pray for the people you see in the crowds:

1. That God would strengthen the believers who heard the word preached and motivate them to live as they are called.
2. That God would grant repentance and faith to the unbelievers who heard and cause them to be born again.
3. That the gospel would affect change in the communities of the hearers.

Why is the law of the Lord perfect in converting the soul?

2010-11-13T16:03:00.000-05:00

Psalm 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect in converting the soul."

Psalm 19 gives us some insight into why God's law is used to revive someone's life. The law (the Ten Commandments) makes those who are simple to become wise--it enlightens one's eyes to fear the Lord! God's commandments are true, right, and enduring. The law is used to discern the error of our ways as the psalmist explains. The apostle Paul put it this way in Romans 7:7: "Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." As a result, the law stops a sinners mouth from justifying himself before God. Romans 3:19-20 informs us that the law stops our mouths from justifying ourselves, leaves us helpless and guilty before a holy God, brings the knowledge of sin by defining it for us, and points us to the Savior! "Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."

I love what Charles Spurgeon said concerning the Ten Commandments in regards to the use of the law in evangelism:

"But more, there is war between thee and God's Law. The Ten Commandments are against thee. The first comes forward and says, "Let him be cursed, for he denies Me. He has another god besides Me, his god is his belly, he yieldeth homage to his lust." All the Ten Commandments, like ten great cannons, are pointed at thee today, for you have broken all God's statutes, and lived in daily neglect of all His commands. Soul! thou wilt find it a hard thing to go to war with the Law . . .What will ye do when the Law comes in terror, when the trumpet of the archangel shall tear you from your grave, when the eyes of God shall burn their way into your guilty soul, when the great books shall be opened, and all your sin and shame shall be punished?"

God's law has its appropriate place. It's not used as a moral ladder to climb yourself into heaven. It can't be done! You will never be good enough to earn or merit forgiveness from God--no matter how hard you try--your efforts are futile and an insult to God's holiness. Picture yourself in an earthly courtroom, all the evidence is laid out--you are guilty! You have been sentenced with a $100,000 fine or time in prison. You don't have the money, so you are handcuffed and led off to jail. All of a sudden, the Judge speaks up, "Hold that young man there!" The Judge steps down from his judgment seat and walks over to you and pulls out a checkbook and writes in a $100,000. He says to you, "I've just paid your fine, you are free to go!" You see, that makes sense in light of the fact that you broke the law and that there was a consequence to it.

If we go around telling people that they need Jesus without taking the time to show them why they need Jesus, that they have offended God by breaking his law, they will not come to Jesus with the right motives. They will come seeking an improved life of health, wealth, happiness, and an easy life. But the Bible promises persecutions, trials, and temptations--and peace in Jesus, knowing that you're saved from God's wrath. You see, the law makes us realize that God's wrath against our sin is just, and that we actually do deserve to be punished in hell for eternity. This bad news about the law makes the good news of Jesus make sense! He paid our fine!

In closing, hear the words of Dr. Martin Loyd-Jones:

"A gospel which merely says, 'Come to Jesus,' and offers Him as a friend, and offers a marvelous new life, without convincing of sin, is not New Testament evangelism. (The essence of evangelism is to start by preaching the Law; and it is because the Law has not been preached that we have had so much superficial evangelism.) True evangelism... must always start by preaching the law."

Learning from Call Centers

2010-11-07T15:59:00.000-05:00

How can we learn from call centers?

I'm not talking about a call center where agents simply dial up numbers and read a piece of paper asking you for a donation. No, I'm referring to a troubleshooting call center. One in which call agents know their products in and out thoroughly. It's very interesting seeing these people in action, but more specifically their training. The training I have seen consists of a new agent learning the products through specially prepared training manuals, lectures, listening in on conversations and watching other agents talk with customers, and role playing. Even after the initial training is complete, the agents continue to craft their abilities to deliver a correct diagnosis and give a solution to their wearied customers.

Why should the training of a Christian be less? It shouldn't. Learning to share the gospel should be a priority whether or not you are called to be an evangelist. I personally believe the best way for a new Christian to learn how to biblically share the gospel is to first listen to a message titled "Hell's Best Kept Secret" by Ray Comfortand Kirk Cameron. Doing so will give you an understanding between the modern false gospel presentation and the correct biblical presentation of the gospel (using the law to drive sinners to Christ). This is the message that God used to light a fire in me to spread the fame of Jesus! WARNING -- The same may happen to you!