The Road to Decapolis

Day 30: Practice Practice Practice

2010-10-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

One of my most favorite ways to witness is through passing out tracts. I have no problem the majority of the time engaging people with a tract and putting it in their hands. Friends have joked about me callings me the "tract-master" due to the fact that I know where to get tracts and always have some and love passing them out.

Well recently, I have been running low on tracts. Normally I have a good stash ready for any event or opportunity, but certain things have kept me from ordering as much as I do. I took my lack of tract to God in prayer and left with seeing my predicament as a way God was telling me to be bolder, engage people in conversation rather than just give them a tract and off I go.

Today was that day. I would be bold. I would engage people in conversation. As I made my way around downtown, I handed out tracts here and there, telling people what it was but not really engaging them in conversations.

One by one, I had opportunity to talk to people, even the mayor of Montgomery. I saw him walking and as he neared the crosswalk, I handed him a million dollar bill tract. He looked at it and asked what it was, and I explained to him that it was a gospel tract and off he went.

Another guy I met was a young man. He did not stick around to talk much, much after briefly emphasizing that we all die; every last one of us. He said by the was he lives his life; he would go to hell and just scampered on down the road as if that was just the way life was.

There were a few more people I spoke with but during all of my quick encounters, I found it hard to engage people in conversation. I had gotten so use to just passing out tracts and moving on, I was out of practice with one on one conversations.

I love tracts and don't ever see myself abandoning them. They are a great tool to witness with and can go places I can't. But, as we practice sharing our faith, I believe we should pray to be more bold in other avenues of witnessing.

Such as of course, engaging people in one two one conversations, maybe open air preaching or Prayer Station evangelism. There are many way to be a witness and I encourage you to look for opportunities to do just that, be a witness of the hope that is in you.

I have enjoyed these days writing this journal. It has been an interesting thirty days for me and I have thankful that I can look back on them and read about the opportunities given to me to practice sharing my faith in my own town and beyond. I hope you have been encouraged by this journal and are lighting the darkness in your own city.

Light the darkness~

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 29: Witnessing at the Courthouse

2010-10-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

The other day I came across some pictures and testimonies of some guys in California witnessing and preaching at their local courthouse and was reminded of a great opportunity to witness on the first Monday of each month at the local parole board. When I first began to open air preach; this was one of the first places I went to practice sharing my faith by preaching.

I woke up early and walked out the door prepared, as so I thought. I had forgotten my keys. I went back into the house and looked everywhere but they were no where to be found. My wife assisted me in locating them but by the time we found them, I knew I had missed the window to witness before they opened the doors to let people in.

I still made my way downtown and by the courthouse to see about six people standing outside waiting for the doors to open. I figured it was to small a crowd to preach so I just passed out some tracts and tried to engage some people in conversation.

As I was talking to a guy about the tract and the message, they opened the doors and he excused himself.

Afterward, I walked around and spoke with a few more people that would listen and passed out some more tracts. There wasn't as many people as in a big city, but still it was people in need of a savior.

Let me encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to share the gospel at your local courthouse or DMV. Go one day and do recon you might say. Log the time of day in the morning when they unlock the door to let people in. Then go back one day early enough to engage them in conversation or to reach the gospel.

Here are a few links and resources I found that may offer some encouragement.

Facebook page for Courthouse DMV outreach
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163168873693810&ref=mf#!/group.php?gid=113144578745766&ref=mf

A great tract made just for this type of witnessing, any tract will do though.
http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=122&category_id=8&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=199&lang=en

"At the Courts" preaching."
http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&layout=category&task=category&id=34&Itemid=308&lang=en

One more day left! I honestly hope these journal post have encouraged you somehow to be a witness in your own city, sharing the gospel with all you know.

Lighting the darkness~
David

Day 28: Family time at the park

2010-10-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

In previous post, I have in written about witnessing adventures that involved my kids. I find it a great joy to have them tag along when witnessing and I strongly encourage it. Sharing your faith does not need to be a hobby you may have away from your family,but a lifestyle that your family and you can practice doing together.

On this particular day, the weather was beautiful. It was nice and cool with a great breeze. A perfect day to take the youngsters to the park.

While at the park playing with my kids, I planted a million dollar bill tract on part of the kid's castle at the park and waited.

Before long, I noticed a group of young kids gawking over it. Each of them gazing at the big money one of them had found. Before we left the park, I gave one to a lady playing with her child and one of the kids that had seen the million I planted, spotted it as if it was the best thing since sliced bread.

He immediately ran up to her and asked her about the tract. I then pulled out my stash and handed him and the rest of the kids at the park one, explaining to them what it was.

As we made our way to the van, my three year old took some and handed them out to some parents sitting along some benches as their kids played.

I love being a dad. I find it a great joy to call my kids mine and to take them along and teach them how to share the greatest message there is with all we can.

I look forward to Day 28 of this journal and hope that you are encouraged by this journal as I have been with the opportunities given to share such good news.

Lighting the darkness~

David

www.EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 27: Every opportunity , even at a job interview

2010-09-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I went to a job tour with the state at a local youth facility. The tour consisted of them two other guys and myself around the facility grounds, informing us that if we are hired, what will be expected as am employee.

The tour lasted just over an hour. It did offer a few opportunities to share my faith in which I am grateful. My memory has failed me when it comes to the names of both of the guys I witnessed with but one man was named Nick.

Along with these two, I was able to give a tract to the driver who escorted us onto the property grounds;which she was delighted to get.

I gave a tract to each of the guys who took the tour with me;telling them that the one thing we all have in common was that we all die. The look on their face said it all. Limited on time, I left them with a few more words and that was it.

Not to many days to go. I hope that somehow this journal has been encouraging. That you are shairng your faith in your own town.

Light the darkness

David
www.EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 26: Bible Study Interupted...

2010-09-30T06:54:00.001-07:00

Day 26~ Went out to the State Capital for a bible study at night on the steps and during the study, was interrupted by the Capital Police. Ended up talking with Officer Rich for a bit and thankfully had the chance to ask him about life after eternity and give him a tract. He mentioned that he was not going to hell, which is good;but keep him in your prayers.

Day 25: Taking your kids witnessing

2010-09-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today I had to go to Wal-Mart to drop some paper work off to get permission to place my Prayer Station in front of the store and I took my 3 year old along with me.

After speaking with a manager up in the front of the store, I was sent to the back by lay-a-way to speak with a person from personnel.
As we waited, I tried patiently to keep my three year old calm and in control. She has attention span that is shorter than my pinky toe and enough energy to to get the shuttle to the moon and back...

During our wait, which seemed like days....crickets chirping; there was a guy who was waiting for something else on a nearby chair. I had a few football trivia tracts that I just got in the mail from Bezeugen Tract Club and offered him one.

That was simple... I'm sure that as the guy waited, longer than us in fact, he was delighted to find something to read to help pass the time;and what better than God's word...

It is always a joy to hear my kids talk about witnessing. My kids always enjoy going places with me and passing out a few tracts. They even have a special word for it as well. It's called "gospel-ing."

I asked my little girl today as we drove to the store, "Who do you tell people about when you go gospel-ing?" With a big enthusiastic yell she said ,"Jesus."

Let me encourage you to take your kids witnessing with you. Teach them, let them see and hear you do it. As they grow, they will become great ambassadors for Christ in their own schools and around their friends.

Light the darkness~
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 24 : Door to Door Opportunity

2010-09-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

It has been more than a few days since I last posted and I hope you are still hanging in there with me. It looks like the closer I get to the end, I get farther behind on posting. But not because I haven't had the opportunity, there has been many, it just has been a busy thankfully and just not finding the time to post.

But today was a great day...I must continue on and finish this blog..

I was invited today to help out a new church in town canvas the neighborhood surrounding the church and invite people to worship on Sunday. We walked to about one hundred homes and passed out fliers and tracts.

There were a few opportunities to witness and speak a little more than just come to church which I was very thankful.

One yard I went up to had chickens running around. In the city!

During our walk, I thought about the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons who do this all the time and thought, we should be doing the same. What a great opportunity to talk to people.

If I haven't mentioned this in the past, there is a great brother who does door to door ministry and has some great resources. Check him out at http://www.bezeugen.org/Bezeugen/Door_to_Door.html

Stay encouraged and share your faith.

Light the darkness~
David

Day 23: Third run- in with the law in three days, but a good one

2010-09-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Last night I found myself at my new fishing spot in town, Troy State Montgomery. I have sort of adopted this new spot recently and found it to be a great place to go at night as students and other people who are downtown walk and drive by.

If you have read any of my last post, A few weeks back, I had a run in with the campus police about preaching downtown in this area. You can read about that by following this link.

Tonight, I had a run in with the same officer, but much different than previously. As I scanned through my bible and prepared to lift up God's name, the officer approached me and asked what section I would be in tonight.

A little confused, I asked him what he meant. "What are you preaching on tonight?" To my surprise but delight, I told him 2 Corinthians 5:21. " He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him"

As we talked about the text, I came to find out more about Officer Jones, that he was a former police officer and school teacher. As well as this Sunday he would be ordained as a deacon in his home church. We discussed some scripture concerning deacons as well as issues of the day.

Our conversation lasted maybe 20 minutes, but what was great, and all glory to God is given is that a few weeks ago, Officer Jones was telling me I wasn't allowed to preach, and tonight, we found ourselves on the same side talking about God's word.

Day 22 : Witnessing At The Mall

2010-09-15T12:14:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I mentioned how the security at the campus of AUM, Auburn University of Montgomery discussed with me the rules and regulations of free speech on campus after someone reported me preaching. Well today, another run in with the law, but at the local mall in town.

For some time, well over a year, I have been standing around at intersections in town with witnessing signs that tell people to be "sanctified or french fried." Just kidding... "Where will you spend eternity? Repent & Believe the Gospel is what it actually says.

Since I began doing this type of evangelism, I haven't had many issues with the law or owners of properties except when I first began, the owner of a jewelry store across the street from the mall said I could not stand at the intersection in front of his store, for the reason that if he let me, he would have to let skinheads, crazy people, and so on stand there. So I moved across the street in front of the mall. I can say too, I haven't seen any skinheads, crazy people or any other group come and stand on a corner as I did, thankfully I moved...

Well today, I made my way out to Eastdale Mall with my sign. Within minutes, mall security showed up informing that the corner was mall property and I would have to move along. "No problem," I said, as I made the point that for over a year, I have been doing this and no one has said a thing. "We have a new mall manager and he is cracking down on things", he replied.

As we walked toward my car and his vehicle, I tried to witnessed with him, giving him a gospel tract and quickly explaining it to him. He gladly took the tract and told me where I could stand that was a good spot down the road that was a good intersection and off of mall property. I shook his hand and thanked him.

If you have done any evangelism, mostly likely you have tried the mall. There are lots of people and it is temperature controlled. A great fishing spot. If you have witnessed there, you probably have had run-ins with the mall security and told you could not pass out tracts. I posted a link on yesterday's journal post on dealing with the police, witnessing at malls, and dealing with security somewhat falls in the same category but the mall has a few more things than just dealing with security.

I found a few more links I would like to share. I hope it helps you if you witness at mall or if you have been kicked out. Thank you for your time and I hope you were encouraged to share your faith as I am sharing mine.. By the way, the picture of the man and young girl holding signs, aren't of me, but or Roger who makes my signs for me. If you desire your own sign, check him out at WatchmanGospelSigns.com

http://www.chick.com/bc/1997/smalltable.asp

http://thelawmanchronicles.blogspot.com/2008/06/now-thats-great-question_06.html

http://thelawmanchronicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/great-news-for-evangelism-in-california.html

Light the darkness
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 21: Dealing with the Police

2010-09-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

As I went out today, in search of a new job, I stopped by AUM, A local university in Montgomery to pass out some tracts and preach the gospel. This would be my first time preaching on this campus, so I wasn't sure how things would pan out.

After speaking to some students for some time, I found my spot and began to preach. My sermon wasn't elaborate and filled with great illustrations, but it was the gospel. As I spoke, I panned the area to make eye contact with those looking on, in hopes that I as looked at them, they would get the perception, that I was speaking directly to them.

I closed and began to distribute tracts again. Within a few minutes, the campus police was on me. They politely questioned me if I had a free speech permit. "Wasn't aware I needed one," I said. They asked for my ID and ran it and all the millions I paid to the police must have cleared my record, I was clean.

As I dealt with the police, I keep my confidence and stood my ground and played dumb, I was confident at least that the last part would work; I had used it enough in as a kid to get out of trouble. :) I spoke politely to the police, inquiring about a permit, where and how I get one. They nicely gave me all the info I needed without incident.

Other than preaching, I was blessed to have witnessed one two one with a few groups of people. One being with a young man named Diablo (wasn’t his real name). Please remember him and all that received the gospel today in your prayers. May our Lord draw them all to Himself.

I know dealing with the police; can go many ways at times. There have been times, dealing with them, that I have almost ended up getting three hot’s and a cot, that’s going to jail by the way. But avoided it simply by being respectful and treating them not as I have a right to be here and share my faith, but being grateful for the opportunity to share His gospel. But, knowingly, hopefully not anytime soon, there will be that day when jail it will be.

Let me share with you a link that better explains dealing with the police. From a person who deals with them a lot more than I, Steve Sanchez or Stone the Preacher, that is him by the way in the above picture, check out the link and be ready next time you have a run in with the badge…

http://www.stonethepreacher.com/2008/04/15/on-dealing-with-the-police.html

I hope you find this day’s journal encouraging and that you are sharing your faith regularly. As you pray, please remember those I witnessed with and all I encountered.

Light the darkness,

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 20: A Dead Battery & Missed Opportunity

2010-09-13T17:31:00.000-07:00

It appears as if the closer I get to the 30 days, I am slacking on posting my journal each day. I can be honest that sometimes, I'm beat and have had a long day and just too tired to put my thoughts and opportunities down on paper per say.

But... Let me get started. As I say often in this journal is that everyday we get opportunities to share our faith. To pass out a tract or speak to a person. Either pumping gas or going to the market. Opportunities are everywhere, happens though we just aren't looking.

Today, I had a great opportunity to witness to a very nice lady that offered to assist my family by jumping our van off after the battery died in a Walgreen's parking lot.

She was rather up in years so she told me that I had to connect them and I gladly did. The entire time, I had a tract in my pocket and was preparing to witness to her. After I got our van running, I shut each of our hoods and placed her jumper cables back in her trunk. I had many opportunities to witness, but....FAILED.

Honestly, this little old lady put fear in me. I was afraid that she might not take it. I think it was more PRIDE. I was more afraid of what she would might think about me.

Anyhow, I know it isn't how much you witness, but that we should, not just because God commanded it, but out of gratitude for the cross..

Light the darkness~
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 19: Iron Sharpening Iron

2010-09-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes sharing God's truth is not always with a lost person, but reminding a Christian of the truth of God's word, iron sharpening iron per say.. Proverbs 27:17

Today, I spent most of my time at home, but had the chance to speak with a brother in Christ over the phone that had been dealing with a few things. I won't elaborate on the specifics of our conversation, I feel I must be respectful to the privacy of the one I spoke with.

I can tell you and I am sure you know, no matter how long we have walked with God, there are many seasons of trials and good times. That is one thing our Lord does tell us we will have, trials and tribulations and persecution because of His name. John 16:33

But He continues to comfort us, in the same verse, "But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Indeed He does. There are many things that come against us, especially when we try to share our faith. The road can be hard and tiresome, but praise be to God, at least it His road.

As always, God gives opportunities for us to glorify His name, even if it would be done by sharpening another follower of Christ.

Light the darkness
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 18: Are you making a god to suit yourselves?

2010-09-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

Many people would not admit that they worship a god made with human hands of wood, stone, or precious metals, but many do worship a god that they have formed in their own minds, a god to suit themselves, a Santa Claus or grandfather figure that is all good and forgiving. Not a god that would send them to hell for the things they have done.

Today, as part of Project Ezra, a project that encourages the public reading of the bible, I was joined along side a friend in downtown Montgomery to read from the book of Deuteron omy chapter 4:15-40.

We set up our mic and amp that we use and continued to offer prayers to God for the words and favor from Him. That he would use us to draw men to Him. There weren't slews of people who were downtown that we saw listening. Car would drive by and people would look and keep going. People would poke their heads out of buildings and go right back in. You would see people standing and looking at some points and then walk away.

As I read from the book, my prayers were that God would pierce the heart of the listener, that He would convict them of their need for a Savior. That they might examine themselves to see if they are truly in the faith, the One True God and not a figment of their imagination.

I expressed the Law, God's righteous standard, the Ten Commandments. Emphasizing how each of us is guilty of breaking them, that all have fallen short of the glory of God ~ Romans 3:23. For who has not lied or stolen or looked with lust which is adultery of the heart.

Who is not guilty? I proclaimed.

Why God is a jealous God, and will not be controlled by men, He also is loving and has provided a way for our sins to be atoned for. I shared Christ and Christ crucified wit them, explaining what took place on the cross many years ago. What our Lord had done for us, people who show no gratitude.
People who reject and rebel against Him even after He shows them unmerited favor or grace. That while we ere yet sinners, Christ would die for us. That He gave His life as a substitute for us, taking upon Him the wages of sin, which was meant for us.

In light of this good news, how should we live? As holy and righteous examples to those around us and to Him, the One True God; turning from sin, repenting and placing faith and trust in the only cure for this world, Jesus Christ.

I closed with words of encouragement to all that may have been listening. To examine themselves and choose this day whom they will follow, that no man is guaranteed the next day or next breath. In one instance, you can go from life to eternity,and where would you spend it? That Christ will either be your Judge or your Savior, you decide.

I was also joined by Jeromy Mashburn, a young man that I had been on the streets with a few times. He read from the word and offered some commentary to go along with it. It was his first time doing public reading and I'm grateful he chose to take that step. Please keep this young man in your prayers, that God would continue to knead him as He see's fit and keep him humble and to make him a man after God's own heart. He has a blog and website, check it out maybe offer him some encouragement as he practices sharing his faith. ChristMade.org

Please remember too, those who heard our preaching, that our gracious God would draw them to himself and save them.

On reading this selection from the word of God, I had lots of help from Daniel from Project Ezra. He had written a great commentary to use while preaching that assisted me as I read and shared God's word. Please check out Project Ezra and consider going out by yourself or with a group and reading God's holy word in the public square or nearby.

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

Until tomorrow,
Light the darkness~
David
www.EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 17: We Fight Not Against Flesh & Blood

2010-09-07T19:16:00.001-07:00

Today started out just as I had planned for the most part. I made my way out near Eastchase Mall to stand at the busy intersection with one of my witnessing signs. The weather was fine, not to hot with a cool breeze. I had been out there for about thirty minutes when I began to fill trapped in the middle of the intersection between on coming traffic.

I found myself hard to breath and a bit nervous. I drank some water and continued praying. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I was having an anxiety attack of some sort. As I prayed, I felt as if it was just a mind thing and I kept telling myself that over and over. As quick as it came on me, it left.

As traffic slowed down, I made my way across the street back to my vehicle, where I relaxed and prayed. I felt as if this was more than just a simple anxiety attack.

Later in the day, I prepared to go back out to the Troy Montgomery and do some witnessing in the campus, when just the thought of it, I felt a type of fear, much like earlier in the day besiege me.

I knew that I was fighting more that nerves and fear, but the enemy. I figured I must have done something to get him on my tail. I called a few buddies and voiced my concern to some online friends to pray for me as I still prepared to go out witnessing.

My fears subsided once I made my way downtown. I continued to pray and thank our Lord for the opportunity to share His word and prayed that he would speak through me.

I was not able to preach as I had planned, but was blessed to have met and spoke with many people, one who said he was an agnostic. After speaking with him, he had been searching and was very open minded to a point. He knew there had to be something out there but figured if he just lived a good life, then God would understand.

Others that I met was Freda, an older lady who lost her job and decided to go back to school to finish her Masters. She actually encouraged me on a few things since I recently lot my job.

There was more people I had the privilege to talk and hand a tract to, including some Christians who asked for extra tracts to hand out.

I wonder who was so important that the enemy would have to try to discourage me from going out? The answer to that is simple, everyone. The Everyone is important as everyone needs a Savior.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I once heard an evangelist speak about when we begin to share our faith, we make in onto Satan's top ten list. We can often forget when we share our faith, that he is very displeased. He is very happy if we remain fearful and never share our faith. If we never step out of our comfort zones to tell others of the hope that is within us.

I am not worried about more attacks, my trust is in the Creator God, the Almighty King. He is my refuge, My God.

Please pray for those I met today and for more opportunities to continue sharing my faith as I am able to. My prayer is that God would use this journal to glorify His name and encourages you and others to go out and share the gospel with all you can.

Light the darkness
David
www.EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 16: Straddling the Fence

2010-09-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

This past weekend has been a blessing and an eventful one filled with opportunities share with many the gospel of Jesus Christ as a handful of fellow brothers and sisters teamed up at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the race on Saturday.

Lead by Justin Peirce, from Evangelism Alliance, we began the day by offering prayers to God, that He would use us to reach these people and to glorify His name. As well as make a point to each of us to make a covenant with our eyes as Job did, not to look with lust at a person and to confess and be accountable to one another as people inside would be dressed sparingly. Job 31:1

The entire day consisted of great fellowship as each person sharpened and encouraged one another. Sharing stories and what brought each of us here to this day from across the country to share with those around us the hope that is within us.
Each person left that day with a miraculous story of a person in whom they witnessed to and how our Lord was involved. Many times we were amazed by the work God was doing, that he led us here, for this specific purpose.

There will be many faces of people I will remember from this outreach, but no more than the face of a young man by the name of Craig. I ran into him as we made our way through the campgrounds speaking and passing out tracts. He approached me as I offered some of his friends some million dollar gospel tracts. After speaking with him, he was like many we had spoken with throughout the day.

Good regular people; well behaved, showing some sense or morals and God fearing to a degree. Except in the fear of God they possessed, it was more of a false God that simply forgives and loves and would never send a person like them to hell.

After discussing God’s standard of righteousness, the Ten Commandments, Craig admitted that he wasn’t as good as he proclaimed to be. He understood that he had broken the Commandments of God and would be guilty and therefore would not go to heaven but hell if he were to die.

He admitted that as he understood the wages of sin and struggled with it and expressed his concern over his witness to his friends, as around them, he wore the Christian t-shirts and tried to tell them about Christ.

I noticed at one point, behind me, were the rest of my team looking on. Later I would find out that as they stared at me speaking with Craig, they assumed I had somehow invoked him to anger as he expressed his words with the waving of his hands.

I continued on speaking with him and was joined by Justin. Justin shared with him some great points about being a witness to his friends and not causing them to stumble as well as emphasizing, that if he truly saw his sin as it was, he would have no issue turning from it and never returning. Using an analogy as being able to step one foot in hell and then come out looking at the cross, you would never want to step foot back in it.

Craig was filled with many should and shouldn’t do’s. He knew truth, and that he was straddling the fence between heaven and hell. God doesn’t want a little bit of you my friends, He wants it all, I expressed.

Justin and I spoke with him for a little while longer. Constantly sharing with him scripture and the importance of following Christ no matter what other s may think. We gave him some tracts and info on some churches to get himself planted into and thanked him and his buddies for their time and for the chance to meet them.

Craig was a young man filled with tattoos and ear rings, and bushy hair. His outward appearance might run many off, but to me, he was my brother. We might not have the same mother, but God’s word does say we are all descendants of Adam. In turn, every one of us is related and part of some tree that joins us.

It bothers me that I saw so many that day that were lost, so many depending on their own goodness for salvation. It is my prayer that as we tried to be obedient to the Great Commission, God drew many to Himself, saving them.

Please keep Craig in prayer and even those I can’t mention that we spoke with or handed a tract to. God is good and is the Almighty. I trust that he was glorified that day. Also please keep in prayer this ministry at the races. If you have a desire to join us and others at sporting events or racetracks, follow the links below for more information.

http://www.Evangelism-Alliance.com/

Sports Fan Outreach International!

I hope you were encouraged somehow to step out in your own city to tell others of the hope that is within you. To share the gospel with all you can.

Light the darkness~
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 15: Freedom of Speech & Buddha

2010-09-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe I have made it halfway through this journal. Writing it, I had really no expectations on what to expect and honestly, how hard it would be to sit down and write out my experiences. But even though, I missed a few days here and there, those opportunities were there as they are for each of us everyday.

So halfway through, let me share with you Day 15 out of 30.

The last game was here. The end had come. The Montgomery Biscuits, one of our favorite fishing spots to witness was coming to a pause till next year. Not wanting to miss the opportunity and also distribute the last few remaining baseball tracts we had, Jeromy Mashburn and I made a last effort to share the Gospel during America's favorite pastime.

We arrived at the ball game and completed our task as we planned. The opportunity gave us some one two one conversations as well as the opportunity to preach. Later on that evening, we made our way to Troy Montgomery, a local university with night classes.

This would not be a new spot for any of us. Both Jeromy and I had been here before, passing out tracts and I preaching. Never had we had any altercations or situation with the law enforcement. As I said in a previous post though, every day brings something new.

While at Troy by myself, Jeromy had gone to get his car around the corner. I passed out a few tracts to people coming and going and especially to one young man sitting near a fountain outside the school.

Afterward, I set my stool in place and prepared the word I would begin with when, I could not speak. I tried, but nothing would come out. I just couldn't preach. Taking that as a cue, that God wanted me to sit down, I did just that, next to the guy I gave the tract to sitting on the fountain.

It turned out that his name was Frank. A young man with a funny dialect to the way he spoke. After speaking more with him, about the tract I gave him, he was a Buddhist. I found it very hard to understand much of what he said due to his accent. But still carried on as if I new what he was saying, expressing the tract and God's standard of righteousness.

When out of nowhere, an older lady who apparently knew Frank appeared. She came up and began to speak to each of us, inquiring about the tract I had. Explaining it to her, she became loud, telling me that she too was a Buddhist.

I questioned her on what happens when she dies and she said her body goes to the ground and her spirit or entity goes to the sky and floats around until it is reincarnated. Interesting I thought. The interesting part was just about to come with my next few questions. I asked her relating to her answers about life after death, how she knows that will happen, what proof she has. Her next few words threw me for a loop. Come to find out she was Buddha. Yes, she said she was Buddha.

A little confused, I told her that I thought Buddha was the little fat bald guy. Her temper began to flair. She told me not to think that I knew everything. "Ma'am, I don't pretend to. I know I don't know half the things I want to," I said.

At this point, she was ranting about Karma and other things. Looking at me, she told me that she wasn't going to argue with me. Politely, I responded by telling her that I wasn't arguing with her either. That she can walk away anytime. Fumy though, she chose to continue.

She carried on about god and that there were many gods. When she said that, I told her she was speaking blasphemy. That there is one God. One Creator. One mediator between God and man and His name is Jesus. She just got louder. I looked at her calming repeating scripture and recalled saying in Jesus name she needed to leave. She blurted out a few more words and off she was.

As she walked away, I felt that fire in my bones to rise. I positioned my stool and began to preach. I was able to preach for about a good 4 minutes when the local police arrived. Keeping my stance on my stool, I stopped preaching and greeted the officer.

Very politely, he informed me that I could not preach here. Asking why, he said because it was disorderly conduct. Really? I asked. How so? The officer replied, "Well you’re drawing a crowd." When he said that, I almost placed my hand on his shoulder and said, "You see them too?"
But trying not to play, I kept it serious.

I told him that he could easily see that there was no crowd. Just people going to and from classes. Maybe a few people standing on the sidewalk across the street. He persisted that I just couldn't preach.

Not really accepting his argument, I told him that I just left the Biscuits game where there were more people that this there and that right down the streets, I use an amp and preach and have no problems with the police. He seemed to be shocked at that.

He asked me nicely, if I would give him two minutes to check with his commander. I had no problem with that. After a few phone calls, he said it would be OK, but with one condition. As long as I did not draw a crowd.

I knew that even if there was a crowd, I still had the freedom to preach. I used the opportunity to witness to him and the other officers that arrived on the scene. Jeromy discussed with them why we were out here and the urgency as Christians to share the gospel. The police were nice and although they were kind of restricting our freedom, it was just an opportunity that night to witness to them by remaining calm and orderly and respecting them as officers and letting them hear the gospel as I continued to preach.

As I write this journal, I recall the spot where I was standing. Behind me stood the Rosa Parks Museum. Inside tells of a lady and an era where people's liberty and freedoms were denied. Ms. Parks refused to give up her seat, her right you might say to be equal and sit where she chose. That night, I was practicing my freedom, that we all have. I'm sure there will come another night or day where I will be told to stop or go to jail. Maybe that day will come for many of us who go and stand on the corner to proclaim His word. It's not a day to look forward to, not a day to plan. Until though, we all should go and proclaim the good news.

I hope you enjoyed and have been encouraged by this journal and seek to do the same. To seek out opportunities in you own area to preach and share the good news. I will not be posting any entries this weekend. I have been invited to tag along and do some witnessing at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Nascar race. Please keep myself and others in your prayers.

Light the darkness

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 14: Is there any reason-ing?

2010-09-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

On this day of the journal, I was once again at Reproductive Health Services in Montgomery, which just so happens to be the only abortion clinic in town. While there, not much had changed. I was met by the same escorts as normal and the same scenarios of women and men.

All was the same except for the sound of a hurt lamb screaming for help. That noise came from the ram's horn that was brought by one of the counselor's father. As he blew the horn, I could not help but think about how terrible it sounded.

Listening to the sound of the horn, imagining the screams for help, you can't separate the distinction between a hurt lamb and a child about to be murdered. If only that child could scream for help...

While at the clinic today, I looked at Jeshau, one of the sidewalk counselors and said that this had to be the worst place on earth. Honestly... a place where children can actually be murdered legally. You would have thought I said to him, with all the churches and many that profess, Christ, there would have been more people standing for life.

I want to share with you something one of the counselors that come on Friday mornings before work said to me.

"Imagine if one of the disciples from the first church had a vision of the church in 2010. In this vision, he described with enthusiasm seeing church building everywhere. One nearly on every corner. And with these buildings, there were people going in and coming out, going in and coming out. He was filled with such delight. As he continued down the street, he saw another building. Not a church, but one where children could be murdered legally. As he saw this, he cried and thought, what has happened to the church?"

My friends, this is truly the worst place to be on earth. The thought of it, should make every person weep and beg for forgiveness. I have spoken with many people, pro life and pro-abortion. Everyone has their own opinion on the case. But our opinions don't matter.

No matter how we reason against or for it, plead for the life of the child or the choice the mother should have, God our creator has formed this child in the womb. Even if the child doesn't have a heartbeat till 9 months, just the fact that God Almighty knows this child and has designed and formed them, is all the reason one needs.

As I write this journal, I don't plan what I will do to make it interesting to the reader. I pray for opportunities and they come. This particular day, even without the blowing of the horns, offered other opportunities to talk with people, to pass out a tract or simply lay one day. My pray is that you, as you read and as you go, you would do the same. Share your faith with all you can. And too....Does the issue of abortion affect you? There is something you can do?

If you read this post and want to get involved, send me a message with your first name, email, and what city and state your in to David@EvangelizeYourCity.org and I will try to contact others in those cities that stand for righteousness and for life in your area.

Thanks
Light the darkness,
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 13: Witnessing to a Sabir a Muslim

2010-08-31T11:06:00.001-07:00

There has been alot of discussion recently about Muslims due to the mosque that is planned to be built at the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York. While the topic is a sensitive topic, it does offer a good opportunity to talk with people and especially Muslims on what they believe and why.

In sharing my faith, I have had some opportunities to talk with Muslims and share viewpoints on why I believe what I do and vice versa. If I can't answer a question or understand something, I find it helpful to be ready the next time by studying what that person believes and the next time hopefully be able to answer any questions of defend my faith better.

On this particular day, I found myself on the campus of Auburn University of Montgomery or AUM. While there, I was able to distribute many tracts as well as have some great conversations, one conversation being with a young student named Sabir.

I had given him a tract and walked with him as he read it. Making conversation, I pointed out that the tract used God's Law or Ten Commandments to show a person their sin, as a school master of sort ~Galatians 3:24.

Carefully examining the tract, he asked if I made it. I told him that they were from Livingwaters.com. After discussing a bite more, he told me he was a Muslim. In my head I was was delighted, because I had just read up on what Muslims believe a few days before and loathed at the opportunity to ask him about what I learned.

It was then, that my mind went blank; reminding me of school during a test, all the studying you did the night before, just seemed to disappear. My mind went blank, all but the Five Pillars of Islam. I questioned him on them and he politely explained to me what they were.

Known as the 'Five Pillars' of Islam, they are the foundation of Muslim life:

Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;
Establishment of the daily prayers;
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
Self-purification through fasting; and
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

Looking at the pillars, I asked him why does he keep them. "To help keep you free from sin," he said. Much like the way a Christian prays and fast and gives to the needy and believes in God. I responded.

Continuing on, I recalled that Muslim's believe in the first five books of Moses or the Torah. And after speaking with Sabir, he said that they believe that Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead and was a prophet that will one day return and judge the earth.

I found it interesting that we agreed somewhat on the first and last parts, but in the middle, there were alot of discrepancies. To them, by Sabir's account, you do good deeds and you are forgiven.

Sabir shared with me as well that I find worth sharing is that if you commit a sin, you can ask for forgiveness from Allah and he will forgive you, if you do it again, there can not be no forgiveness. When he said that, I asked him how many times he has apologized for lying and did it again the next day. He looked at me as if caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

I then continued on with Law, which he agreed with and the understanding that a price had to be paid because we broke the Law. That the fine for the sins we have committed against God is death and that we could not earn our salvation, that God demands payment. Then giving him the gospel, what Christ did on the cross, and how He paid for our sins, paying the fine for the crime against God.

Sabir just looked and I'm not sure what was going on in his head or his heart, I pray though that God was working with him. Afterward, we talked a bit more then shook hands and both departed on our way.

The point to be made here, is that it was not my intention to outsmart him or know more than he did. But to be honest with what I believe and let the spirit do the work in his heart. Why it is important to be able to give an answer of what and why you believe what you do, we should never just rely on our intellectual knowledge to win a person to Christ. All should depend on Christ working in that person.

Sabir without a doubt knew more than I on the Muslim faith and I more than him on the Christian faith. But keeping it simple and showing him what all men from everywhere have in common, that we all have broken God's Law, that a payment for doing so much be paid, which is death, and the good news of the Gospel that Christ went to the cross and paid that fine. That God calls all men to repent and faith in His son Jesus for the forgiveness of sin~ Acts 17:30.

I hope you find this day encouraging as I did. I did not know what this day would hold, that I would meet Sabir and have the chance to share with him the Gospel. My pray and I hope that it would be yours would be that God would indeed draw this young man as well as the many others that received a tract or spoke with me to repentance and faith in Christ.

Below are a few links that provide information on what other religions and cults believe. You may find them helpful as you study some of what others believe the next time there is are Jehovah Witnesses at your door or your own encounter with a Muslim. But do remember that it should not our goal to simply win arguments and debates, but to win souls for Christ.

Be well and light the darkness,

David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 12 : Evangelism doesnt have to be legalistic

2010-08-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

If you are following this blog, you may have noticed that I did write any post for the weekend. Thankfully, some of that was due to a busy weekend and some of it is a reminder that evangelism, sharing your faith should not become legalistic. What I mean is that why it is a command for us to share our faith and make disciples, if doesn't have to be a burden to us, as something we must simply do everyday just to do it.

Now don't get me wrong, we should in some manner share our faith regularly, be ready in season and out of season and able at any moment to share our faith 2 Timothy 4:2. We need to be prepared to make a defense to anyone that may ask us for a reason for the hope that is within us 1 Peter 3:15.

There are opportunities everyday that are given to us to practice sharing our faith. If we miss a few, that's fine. I don't believe God will beat us with a stick. Sharing your faith as I try to emphasis is simply practice, practice, practice. There will always be more chances and opportunities. As we grow and learn, it will get easier to do and you will get more confident.

I did have opportunities this past weekend though to share my faith. Each day offered a festival or opportunity at the store to talk to a person or fill up on gas. I am very grateful for each opportunity.

Over the weekend, I was able to sit back and watch some videos on evangelism training. This was one thing I did this weekend. Sometimes instead of going out to witness, it is just best to sit and read God's word and study, one day, I did just that. They are from The Ambassadors Alliance Academy part of Livingwaters Ministries or Way of the Master. Each video consist of different speakers speaking for about an hour. Please take some time and watch these videos if you have not done already so. I will post a link to the videos below and once agin, strongly encourage you to view them.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ambassadors-academy

I know that his post is somewhat different to the direct purpose of this journal, but in the end, I want you to be encouraged to share your faith, not just read what I do.

Thank you,
David
www.EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 11: 21 Days & A Heartbeat

2010-08-26T06:51:00.001-07:00

Most people don't know that 21 days after a child is conceived, they have a heartbeat. This is one of the bits of information others and I share with people that come to the abortion clinic in town.

I can't say that every time I have mentioned it to them that they realized that the child in the womb is indeed living and decide to keep the baby. Sadly, more people continue inside and go forth with the abortion.

Today was no different. I arrived at the clinic to find around 7 cars already in the parking lot. There were two escorts standing nearby. My entire time there, I spoke with the ladies and men that were coming and going. Some were loud with me; others just tried to pretend I did not exist.

The two escorts have become listening ears to me though. When people aren't coming for an abortion, I stand there and read form God's word and preach the law & the gospel to them. Some respond with anger, while others just play deaf. I've learned not to depend simply on what I say, but be faithful to the word and trust that it is God's word and will not return void. Isaiah 55:11

I have been to many places and seen lots of wicked things. This by far is the worst place of them all. The sheer realization that there is actually a place where people can go and murder their young is appalling and strictly unimaginable. Second to that is knowing that it tales place and doing nothing to stop it...

In Montgomery, abortions are held on Wednesday & Friday mornings at Reproductive Health Services at 811 S. Perry St. People normally arrive between 7am thru 9am. Please consider coming out and just standing and praying if anything. Below are a few local ministries in town that are working to give women information on abortions and help stop it. As well as a few links for those considering abortion or facing an unplanned pregnancy.

The Ministry of Life

Save A life Pregnancy Center

First Choice Women's Medical Center

AbortionNo.com (Graphic site)

This is a post I wrote about a year or so ago with the same title ... "21 Days and a heartbeat"

I never enjoy sharing stories like these. However, I hope that as you read it, you might be moved to stand for life in your own city.

David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 10: Why didn't someone tell me?

2010-08-25T07:12:00.000-07:00

What is the temperature in your area? 89 degrees? How about 74 degrees? If your like many in America, it is probably more like 101 degrees. I recall hearing a few weeks back that this past summer has been the hottest summer on record. I don't have a problem agreeing with that and I doubt anyone would disagree with me.

In my own city it has been an extremely hot summer. To make matters worst, my truck doesn't have an air conditioner, hasn't had one in over 7 years. Reason being is that 7 years ago, the heater core went bad and leaked out all the coolant and in doing so, made my truck run hot causing a head casket to blow.

Total price for the head casket was around $500 bucks. To repair the heater core would have cost another $500 bucks on top of that. So being me and frugal, just settled for a 220. That is 2 windows down and at least 20 miles per hour.

For 7 years, that has worked just fine. There have been days though when a nice cool air conditioner would have been great to have, like this past summer for instance.

The topic of having no air conditioner has came up many times in the past years, just as it did a few weeks back. A good friends and I were discussing the heater core situation when he told me that the heater core had nothing to do with the air conditioner. "Really?" I thought. So yesterday I decided to take a look to see of that was true. After examining the fuses, I realized I had taken the ac/heater fuse out.

After taking a fuse from the horn to place in the ac/heater slot, I cranked my truck up. Instantly I felt something coming out of my truck I had not felt in some time. It wasn't cold brisk air, but it was cold air. I had an air conditioner!

To my amazement, I sat in my truck turning the air off and on. Something I had not done in years. Wow...then I felt dumb. All this time, all these summers, all these sticky hot days and all I needed was a fuse?

I went to the parts place to get some more fuses to replace the one I took from the horn. Inside I could not help but share it with people. Everyone I spoke to thought it was pretty funny and indeed it was.

Having to go to the store gave me the chance I wanted to pass out a few tracts. Since I had already spoken to some about my mishap, giving them a tract and them receiving it, was allot easier.

Looking at this situation, I kept telling myself that there is a sermon in here somewhere. For over 7 years, I have driven this truck everywhere through the blistering heat. If I had only known that I needed was a simple little fuse. As many that I shared with that my air did not work, you would have thought, one person, at least one person would have told me that the heater core has nothing to do with the air. If they did, could you imagine how different some of my days would have been?

When I look at the situation, I can't help but see the importance of sharing the gospel with others. Can you imagine how different your life would have been if you have heard the gospel at a much earlier age and responded with a true repentant heart? If only someone had told you?

Imagine all those lost in this world? Imagine all those placing their trust in things other that Christ? Imagine how different life would be or how different eternity would be? Although there is some humor in this story, there is none whatsoever in the fact that we do not share the gospel with others. Christ has commanded each of us, everyone who is a follower of Christ to share the good news, to make disciples of all men. Matthew 28:19

If we are truly saved and know Christ, we have a testimony on what our life was like before we were saved and what life is like now. While life may not be full of the best all the time, we have something great to share. All the motivation we really need is that He saved us. Please look what our Lord has done for you. Look at the great length God has went to save each of us, by sending His son to die on a cross in our place. What more motivation do we really need than that?

I hope you would continue to pray for those opportunities and the people I witness with and that you may be encouraged somehow to be bold and to seek out those opportunities in your own city and to share the gospel with all you can and bring glory to our Lord and Savior.

Lighting the darkness,
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 9: " I'm going to hell!"

2010-08-23T18:22:00.001-07:00

In life there are many things to be proud of. Having that first child or being able to purchase that first house. As a teen, getting that first car.

When these things happen we are so happy that we tell everyone that will listen. On another note, there are a few things that we just should not be so proud of. One of them is going to hell.

For sometime now, I have been using signs to witness with along stretches of high traffic areas around town. My signs vary between asking questions such as the sign I was using today. "Where will you spend eternity? Repent & Believe the Gospel."

Others give a scripture verse that I feel will speak to those that may see it. With the right sign and a good busy day, you can plant a seed in hundreds of people in just a matter of minutes, similar to the way billboards work.

As I was out today with them, standing in front of Eastdale Mall, I saw lots of people drive by and look. Some honked their horns, some gave the thumbs up, some took pictures, and one brother in Christ felt the need to bless me by bringing me some Gatorade. My desire though, was that people would not see me, but Christ and that those who are lost to see the sign, for God to use it and stir their hearts and draw them unto Himself.

As the sun beamed down hot rays, my time was about up on this corner. I had plans to go and stand elsewhere around town hoping the same thing. As the clocked winded down, two young boys pulled up next me and stopped at the light. They looked at me and my sign and I quickly explained it to them. That we all die, there is a 100% chance of it. Where will you go? The boy on the passenger side, jokingly said he knew where he was going. I told him to make sure as the light quickly changed.

The light changed and off the two went pulling into the mall parking area. Not before yelling proudly out the window that they were going to hell. I shook my head and faced the oncoming traffic and prayed for God to save them.

Then my spirit began to talk to me. "Go find them." So I packed up my sign and I and with a handful of tracts, went walking around the mall looking for these two young men. Once inside, they were easy to find sitting at a table in the food court having lunch.

Walking back and forth, I gave them a careful glance to make sure it was them. I was sure these were the two. I hadn't seen anyone else in the mall fitting their description, so I approached them without further hesitation.

Excuse me guys, my name is David, shaking each of their hands. I was standing outside with a sign that asked, "Where will you spend eternity." When two guys drove by yelling that they were going to hell. I'm not sure, but I think it was you two.

Nearly choking with shock and fear and maybe some chicken, the two quickly corrected me that it wasn't them, but admitted that they had seen me standing outside with a sign. Since I apparently had the wrong guys, and did not have to flog them until they repented, I offered an apology as I took a seat next to them. I wish I could describe the look on their faces. Just try to imagine!

I asked each of them about the question on my sign. What happens when you die, where are you going? Each of them responded that they were going to heaven. Good, so why should God let each of you into heaven?

A received a normal reply from them both. "I'm saved and gave my heart to Jesus and repented." Good answer I thought. So what is repentance? "Asking for forgiveness," they said.

I looked at each of them and calmly explained repentance to them. Explaining that repentance is not asking for forgiveness, but a turning from sin. That it was more than just saying I'm sorry please forgive me.

As continued on with the Law & the Gospel with them both. Taking them through civil court, showing that crimes aren't just forgiven, but that a penalty has to be paid. That a good judge will not simply sent you free because you said you were sorry and promised never to do it again. The truth is, you should be sorry and you should never do it again.

That the only way the good judge can legally set you free was if you paid the fine. Problem is, the fine is so great, you could never pay it. So off to prison you go.

One of the young men, then turned his chair around toward me as I seemed to grab his attention. I continued to explain how all of us have sinned. How each of us has broken God's Laws, His Ten Commandments.

I shared a few with them, and each admitted to lying, stealing and looking with lust which is the same as adultery. With that, I told them that Revelation 21:8 says that, "All liars, thieves and adulterers shall have their part in the lake of fire."

Guys, If God were to judge you on the Day of Judgment by His Commandments; you've admitted to me that you have broken at least three of them, where will you go? Hesitantly, hell was the answer.

Being in Alabama, there doesn't appear to be many that don't know what God did to save us, or at least some part of it. Many admit some knowledge of knowing that God sent His Son to die for us. The problem is why would God do such a thing? Why not just snap your fingers to make everything alright. Why go to such great lengths to save people that aren't very appreciative?

Taking them through civil court once again, I told them that if they committed a terrible crime, the only chance of being free was to spend twenty years in prison or pay a fine of one million dollars. The fine is so great, you could never pay it. So off to prison you go, for the crime you committed.

Well, as your being lead off, a complete stranger burst into the courtroom and tells the judge to stop. Then looking at the judge, telling him that he has sold all he had, his car, and his house, everything to pay your fine. I asked the two young men, how would that make you feel.? "Grateful." they said. Indeed you would, I exclaimed.

In the same why guys, Jesus has come into the courtroom, dying on a cross, paying a legal transaction for the sins we have committed. Taking on God's wrath that was meant for us.

I expressed to them that in the same way as in civil court when the man sold all he had to pay our fine, how should we live knowing what Christ did for us?

Again they said grateful. I told them that the bible says that if you love me, you would obey me. If we say we love Christ, yet ignore Him, then there may be something wrong in our salvation.

Continuing speaking with them, emphasizing, the importance of trusting in Christ and true repentance, I closed by telling them that I may never see them again. But this chance encounter was no accident. To search their heart to see if there is anything in their life, that is sinful and to turn from it and to see the cross and be grateful for what Christ has done for us.

This day was a good day of practice. There may have been some things I would have liked to share with them and maybe a few things, I would have like to keep to myself. Thankfully though, their salvation is not dependent on me. We are told simply to preach the gospel.

These two boys' names were Tanner and Matthew. Please keep them in your prayers.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. I hope you enjoyed Day 9 of the journal and that somehow, it is an encouragement to you to boldly step out in your own city and communities and share this great news of the gospel of our Lord. I myself look forward to the opportunities that wait as I set out on Day 1o of my own Road to Decapolis.

Lighting the darkness~
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 8: Did you get one of these?

2010-08-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

If you have been following my post, you are aware by now that to share your faith you don't always have to open air preach or have a 20 minute conversation with a person. Many times all you need to do is hand a tract with a good biblical message to someone or lay one down in a store or where ever you may find yourself during your average day.

On this day, I found myself in two places. Church and at a Buckmasters event. Well, my pastor preached a good message that if someone needed the gospel, he took care of that, so after lunch, two of my kids and I headed on out to the
event to see what was going over there.

As we drove near the event facility looking for a spot, I was encouraged to see slews of people everywhere. I saw so many opportunities to speak to people and even preach a sermon or two. However, with my two kids in tow, wasn't about to happen. So a little simple tract passing would have to do.

Before we even made it into the facility, I was able to quickly hand some trivia tracts to people leaving the event. Once inside, it was an evangelist playground. People everywhere! So here and there, I would slip a tract to a person or lay one down on a table as I moved about the convention area.

Places tracts are pretty simple. As I mentioned in a previous post, they can go places I can't.

Try passing out tracts as you go through the day. Below is a video of a guy who is actually walking through a local eatery and laying tracts down on tables. I saw this video a few years back and offered some encouragement to me. I have dome this many times and not once, have I had any issues. Check it out and give it a try.

I look forward to Day 9 of this journal and hope that you are encouraged by this journal as I have been with the opportunities given to share such good news. Please share your faith!

Lighting the darkness~

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 7: Drive Thru Evangelism

2010-08-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

Day 7 did not offer as much excitement as yesterday, but still provided an opportunity as everyday does with probably just about one of the easiest ways to share your faith there is. "Drive Thru Evangelism."

On the way to my in-laws for a day of swimming and playing golf on the Wii, I decided to take the few bucks and stop by McDonald's for a cheap burger and fry for the kids and I. After my food was ordered and I was waiting in line, I added a Million Dollar Bill tract to my bill.

As I pulled up to the window and paid for my food, I told the cashier that this was for her, quickly explaining that it was a gospel tract and has a good message on the back. She smiled and said thank you.

One way of doing Drive Thru Evangelism, is to ask about the price of the person behind you and tell the cashier that you would like to pay for their meal and give them a tract to hand them as they drive up to the window to get their food.

Just another way of practicing sharing your faith. Below is a video from Fish With Trish where she practices Drive Thru Evangelism herself. Check it out and I hope it brings you some encouragement to do the same.

I look forward to Day 8 of this journal and hope that you are encouraged by this journal as I have been with the opportunities given to share such good news.

Lighting the darkness~

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 6: Witnessing To Those That Had been Drinking

2010-08-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

On Day 6 of this journal, the opportunities given to practice sharing the gospel was again nothing short of interesting and a learning experience. There was preaching, tract passing, one two one conversations, bibles slapped out of hands and people cursed out. As well as some that seemed to come to the knowledge that they were sinners in need of a Savior.

I was joined this night by a group of friends as well as about 20 youth from Operation Impact that had been traveling around the country in a bus preaching on campuses, streets, parks, wherever given the opportunity to, they were there. I watched as these young people preached and witnessed, it was pretty amazing to see young people carrying conversations with people on things other than music or the latest fad of the day, but that of the good news of Jesus Christ.

As I mentioned, this was a learning experience for myself, even though I normally go out in this area weekly and preach and witness. As I go, I typically stray from those that a had been drinking. Personally, I find it very hard to reason with one whose mind is intoxicated so much that they even have trouble standing. I would rather just give them a tract and prayerfully after they sober up, read it them and repent and come to Christ.

These young people though, had no issue with it. I watched them speak to a few people that had been drinking that had gotten upset with the preacher. To them, the preacher was condemning and judgmental them for preaching repentance and to put off all ungodliness ~ Titus 2:12

Those that were sober either walked away or stood around as the drunk people, just brought attention to themsleves by yelling, cursing, and making excuses for themselves.

One man, who said he was a Christian that was indeed drunk, became so angry at a young man witnessing to him, that he slapped the Bible out of his hand. While another cursed profanities at those preaching and witnessing that again professed to know Christ and that no one can judge him.

Later on, I would get a chance to share Christ with those I normally stray from. Walking with Rafael, a good buddy, we came across about 5 people sitting across the Alley Bar downtown. As we walked toward them, I mentioned to Rafael that I hate dealing with drunk people and thought about going the other way. Little did I know, God had different plans.

As we approached the small group, I started by giving each of them a tract. One man had indeed had way to much to drink. Cursing profanities as if he had no other words in his vocabulary. All in a calm manner by the way thankfully, not a mean drunk.

Somehow, I found myself speaking and explaining to them the tract instead of a drop and go tactic. They all, as usual professed to know Christ, but I explained to them that if we love Him we would obey Him and turn from all sin~ John 14:23. I continued to explain the importance of repentance, a turning from sin and shared an illustration that I use on the consequences of sin and how we should have nothing to do with it.

Imagine later tonight as they shoot fireworks off, they let your mom or your child participate by lighting them. As your child or mother lights a firework, you realize that they had just lit a stick of dynamite. Well you take that dynamite from them and throw it as far away from them as possible. Then you wrap your arms around them and run as far away in the other direction as possible. Why did you do that?

"To save their life." They replied. Indeed, because if you are anywhere near the dynamite when it goes off, it will destroy you. Sin is the same way. It will destroy you. For the wages of SIN is death I continued ~ Romans 6:23. Not to just leave them with bad news, I made sure they were ready for the gospel. As I tried to explain what Christ had done for us and why, one man kept butting in cursing, but everyone else listened hard. I just ignored him and continued with the gospel. That although, the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. I encouraged them to examine their hearts, to repent of all sin and to turn to Christ as the only hope for their salvation.

Each of them, even the loud cursing man, thanked each of us for sharing this with them. It is my prayer for them and all who heard the preaching, received a tract or had a conversation with someone would indeed be drawn to Christ. It was a great night filled with lots of encouragement.

Dealing with drunk people is still tough, I would still rather pass a tract and go. If the spirit leads me to continue with a one two one, I pray I take it. Other wise they make great hecklers to draw a crowd.

I look forward to Day 7 of this journal and hope that you are encouraged by this journal as I have been with the opportunities given to share such good news.

Lighting the darkness~

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 5: Project Ezra

2010-08-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

As part of Project Ezra, a project started to encourage believers to take to their communities with the public reading of the Bible, I went out this afternoon to the court-square downtown and set my mic and amp up and proceeded to read from the book of Jeremiah chapter 7.

In this particular chapter, God is calling Jeremiah to stand in the door of His temple and confront pretenders to the faith. If your reading the Bible publicly, this is a great book to read. As you read the text, you will see many similarities between the way Israel had forgotten God and the people of today.

Many people fear public speaking and I am one of them. Many times I am "kicking up rocks" per-say when I stand in front of a crowd for some open air preaching. Praying and praying before that first word rolls off my tongue.

It doesn't matter how nervous ones is, if God has given you a word to share, you will not be able to keep it in. Like Jeremiah, it is like fire in your bones. Jeremiah 20:9

During our reading, we passed out some tracts and had some one two one conversation. One man we spoke with was Calvin. A drug addict that needs Christ desperately as we all do. Please remember him in your prayers.

Also check out Project Ezra by following the link attached for more on taking part in the public reading of scripture in your area. There is a participation map that those who read each week and just may be some in your area.

If your into Facebook, there is a page as well for that. Check that out by clicking this link.

Thanks very much for letting me share this with you. I hope you find these opportunities an encouragement to you as I do finding and writing about them. I hope they lead you to do the same and share your faith in your own city.

Lighting the darkness~
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 4: Let Me Live

2010-08-19T12:16:00.001-07:00

Today offered one opportunity to share the gospel that made my heart sink and become angry at how the power of sin and how it destroys life.

I had been out only once today and didn't get the chance to witness, so I was anticipating the telemarketers that call to offer a great deals to eliminate my debt so that I could share with them much the same thing, if you you get me.

However to prove that God is the one who gives opportunities to witness, a different phone call came. It was a parent of a young girl that I knew and shared the gospel with many times. As the parent and I talked, first it was good news and glad to hear from you, then words about the daughter that made my eyes swell and my heart sink.

The parent placed the girl on the phone and our conversation began with good to hear from you and some reflecting on some past memories. Then the news no parent looks to hear to hear. That she was with expecting a child.

She discussed with me the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, un-married, the father, and fear of bring a child into this world and being unable to care for it.

Careful not to focus simply on the fact that she had done something she should not have been doing, I tried to offer her encouragement on the fact that this child is no mistake. That God's word declares that He has formed this child's inward most parts and knitted this child in the womb and how wonderfully made the child is ~ Psalm 139

She told me that she thought of adoption as an option but was fearful that ten years or so down the road, having a child that hates her because she gave the child up. I assured her that at any point down the road, if that child thinks of it's mother, even if that child is upset over being placed in the care of another family, the joy that, that child has simply to live will over shadow any emotion that may arise. Simply that she chose life and let her daughter or son live.

I offered her ever example or scenario that I could think of that I have learned while standing at abortion clinics in town. That the child at only 21 days after conception has a heartbeat and if it could express to its mother, all it would say would be to, "Let me live, let me live."

As our conversation progressed, my heart continued to be torn to shreds, I had no magic wand or words to just made everything better. I could not imagine what she is going through.

While not trying to ignore the real issue of the situation, she knew what she had done and knew the consequences of it very real. I spoke to her about sin and how each of us have committed numerous crimes/sins against God and have fallen short of God's glory ~ Romans 3:23

That each of us are guilty and in need of a Savior that can only be found in Christ.
Having witnessed to her in previous times, I told her her biggest problem is not being pregnant, but more of a heart issue; that God's ears are tuned to a repentant heart. That every situation is given by God to draw us to Himself. That if we would turn from our sins and repent, He would be our God and we would be His people. He would save us because he loves us.

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear Isaiah 59:1-2

The best I could, I continued to offer her encouragement that as God provided a way for His people to be saved, as He showed in the sending of His Son, He would indeed provide a way for this child. That as this may be a surprise to us, it was not to Him, He knew long before we did the situation concerning the child.

As I mentioned, no magic wand or words to simplify the situation. She is in a tough spot and many young girls out fear, shame, uneducation about abortion make the terrible decision everyday to end the life of their child.

My prayer is that God would use this to save her and her baby and those involved. Plain and simple. She could keep her child, give the child up for adoption or sadly abort it. Without Christ, any decision she makes, still ends her separated from God for eternity in hell.

Please pray for her and her family. I knew it was just a few days before she was to decide on what decision to make. I plan to send this to her and I pray she reads it. If you see fit, share your comments on the bottom as if you were speaking to her.

To my friend, I love you as does God more than you know,your not alone...

Thanks you,
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 3: In Need of Gas

2010-08-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

While out running errands today, my van began making a pinging noise, alerting me that my "gas-aholic" van needed a drink at $2.52 a gallon. Knowing this was coming, but like the thoughtful husband I am, I had hoped I could make it home and let my wife do it later.

However with two kids in the back, the last thing I wanted was to run out of gas and be stranded on the side of the road with a 3 year old reminding me over and over she needed to go potty and a 15 month old that already did.

With that said, I steered toward the nearest gas station and drained my wallet as I filled up my van. As the gas pumped, I reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a few tracts to give to a guy pumping gas next to me. As I gave him the tract, I briefly explained to him that it was a gospel tract and had a good message on the back. His only response was a few glances at me and the tract, as if I had given him a speeding ticket.

Back at my van, I placed a tract on the sign over the pump and finished pumping gas and got my receipt and off I went. While this doesn't sound at all exciting and to some not worth mentioning. I mean, where was the open air preaching, where was the one two one conversation, or the discussion on evolution and Darwinism. All it was, was simply one man giving a piece of paper to a stranger with the gospel written on the back, which Romans 1:16 tells us that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

And also trusting in God's word that whatever God's says will not come back void, always accomplishing what He desires and without succeeding in the matter in which God sends it . Isaiah 55:11

That tract also can go places I can't. If the guy were to take it home and lay it down, possibly someone else could read it and God could use it to draw them to Himself, saving them. Or the guy I handed it to, could read it, see his need for a Savior and place his trust in Christ.

Then repent of all his sins and be so overwhelmed with gratitude that God, the Creator of the universe would go to such great lengths to save him by sending His Son to die in his place, that he gets some tracts himself and goes out witnessing sharing the good news. How great would that be!

As simple as today was, as I mentioned, it was nothing spectacular by some degrees, but seriously, that one tract could possibly be used to save someone. You don't always have to go witnessing per-say or need a special even to practice witnessing. The best practice comes in our every day lives, going to the store, work, school, or simply pumping gas.

Below is a short and fun video I saw on passing out tracts and how easy passing out tracts truly are. I hope you enjoy it and that it brings some encouragement to you.

I look forward to Day 4 of this journal and hope that you are encouraged by this journal as I have been with the opportunities given to share such good news.

Lighting the darkness~

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Cartoon by Richard Gunther

Day 2: Ever Been To Prison?

2010-08-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

I set out last night after dinner and headed to Troy Montgomery, a local night school downtown. I had been through this way before and saw such an opportunity to practice witnessing with people going to and from classes.

I found my spot and placed my stool and just let it out, "Turn or burn, be sanctified or french fried!" Just kidding, it was nothing like that. I did preach to the crowds and did some public reading of the Word. Using a springboard that people typically spend 12 years in school, then if they go to college, maybe another 2 to 7 years. Simply to prepare for this world.

To get a nice job, a nice house, family and all the fix-in's. In turn spending up to 19 years in college simply to prepare for this world and doing so little to prepare for the next. Where we will be dead a lot longer that we will be alive. Continuing making the point that we all die with a 100% chance of it. So when that happens what next? Where will you be? Then preaching the Law & the Gospel. (Click the link to watch a video on what I mean when I sat the Law & the Gospel)

To my surprise, a few people came up to me thanking me for proclaiming the Word. Thanking them, I gave them a tract and encouraged them to do the same as we all should.

One young man that I tried to give a tract to freaked out a bit from me and turned and ran into a nearby building standing inside till his ride showed up.

After about an hour, the crowds had gotten pretty low and it was getting late. I was about to pack up when Ken, a young college student walked by. I handed him a " 2+2 =" tract that I got just today "FREE" from The Bezugen Tract Club and spoke about no matter what we do, 2+2 will always equal 4, no matter how you look at it. In turn it is an absolute as is the fact that we all will die.

In my conversation with Ken, a father of an eleven year old son, told me that he has spent some time in prison 3 years ago. I asked him which one, all of them, he said. Ken mentioned to me some issues he carries but believes he is saved. Since I do not know his heart, for only God knows the hearts of man, I gave him the Law and the Gospel and the Law proved to be a schoolmaster as it is intended to do. (Galatians 3:25)

Ken saw his sin through the mirror of the Commandments and I then gave him the gospel and he admitted that he should be more grateful as seeing what a great price our Lord paid for us on the cross.

Continually speaking with Ken and sharing some truth with him, He tilted his head and asked me if I had ever spent time in prison as well. I mentioned to him that I had once taken some of my boys from my group home, showing them where they needed to stay out of, but never locked up thankfully. When I asked him why does ask, his reply was...

He said that the only type of people he knows that only goes on the street and preaches on corners and witness are those that have been in prison and that normally the other church people are to comfortable where they are at to do such a thing.

Are people that don't share their faith to comfortable? If you don't share your faith, you tell me. His other statement however was as truthful as the sun is hot.

I know personally, that I never shared my faith until I saw how bad my sin was. That I was guilty of breaking His Laws and just how serious my crimes were. I saw the prison of hell before me and was terrified. Did I want to go there? No way... Did I deserve it? Every inch of it.

Being able to understand how great and hideous my sin truly was enabled me to really see and appreciate the great length that God went to save me. By sending His son to die on a cross for me, even while I was still a sinner. ( Romans 5:8 ) For each of us, sharing our faith is simply out of gratitude for the freedom and salvation Christ gives. As we witness, a reminder is that if not one person shows interest or gets saved, God was glorified that some one, cared enough to share His good news.

As a prisoner, once locked up and only dreams of freedom, we now have it. Don't be comfortable, look at the great price our Lord went to save us! Then go out and share your faith.

Ken and I spoke a bit longer. He allowed me to pray for him and his son. I told him that I plan to return to this area and hoped to run into him again. I gave him some contact info for me and on his was he went.

I hope you enjoyed Day 2 of the journal and that somehow, it is an encouragement to you to boldly step out in your own city and communities and share this great news of the gospel of our Lord. I myself look forward to the opportunities that wait as I set out on Day 3 of my own Road to Decapolis.

Lighting the darkness~
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 1 : Opportunites For Evangelism

2010-08-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

After church on Sunday, Kevin a friend and witnessing buddy, came by our house for some lunch and afterward, some fellowship with the family. Before he left, I had gave him a sign for his car that I was given to me by WatchmanGospelSigns.com and he was seeing how it would appear on his rear window.

( Opportunity 1 ) We had some new neighbors moving in next door and the wife saw us and came and sparked a conversation and asked about the sign we had. Kevin & I showed her the sign and what it read in bold letters on top ," Seek the Lord while He may be found~ Isaiah 55:6"

( Opportunity 2 ) She then asked each of us, what church we attended and that she was non denomination. She shared with us, some likes and dislikes with church that many of us have. Her husband came over as well as a family friend that was assisting them in moving in. My new neighbors seems to be some really nice people so far. No telling what they think of me, as my dear wife would says.

I never once shared the gospel with them or passed a tract. On my first day of this blog, I failed to do what I had intended to do. Was the opportunity given? Indeed, at least 2 times.

My point for this first day, is that opportunities are given to each of us each day, we just aren't always looking. Will there be more opportunities, for sure.

I hope you would continue to pray for those opportunities and the people I witness with and that you may be encouraged somehow to be bold and to seek out those opportunities in your own Decapolis to share the gospel with all you can and bring glory to our Lord and Savior.

Let me share this blog post with you, "How to be bold in witnessing~ 2 Timothy 14-18

Lighting the darkness,
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

The Road To Decapolis

2010-08-09T13:17:00.000-07:00

Located east of the Jordan river, rest the cities of Decapolis. Just outside those cities are a set of tombs or graveyard that was the setting for what the gospel of Mark records as an encounter with a man many considered demented and could not be bound with chains.

Mark chapter 5:9-13 tells us that Christ had been traveling by boat across the Sea of Galilee and stopped in this area. As He and His disciples arrived, they were met by a man filled with many demons who called themselves Legion, for they are many. Upon this encounter with Christ, the man is set free from his torment and the demons were driven out and into a heard of swine that had been feeding in a nearby mountain area.

Afterward, the man who had been demon possessed asked to accompany Christ with Him on the boat. Christ refuses the man's request and instead instructs him to go home to his own people and tell them what great things the Lord has done for him. The man leaves and goes to Decapolis, obeying Christ and begins to proclaim the good news of what Christ had done for him, amazing everyone.

Before the meeting with Christ, the man lived in the tombs and was known to gnash himself with stones and was tormented screaming day and night among the tombs and mountains. The condition of the man before this encounter is not a far contrast from the state we were in before Christ called us to Himself, saving us. We were lost, controlled by evil desires, separated from God. But Christ has indeed saved us, and like the man, setting us free.

It is very important to bring attention to the fact that after the man had been set free, his actions that followed. Christ had done something very wonderful for him. With anticipation, the man desired to follow Christ. In doing so, he obeyed Christ when given instruction to go home to his own people and to proclaim what Christ has done for him.

Just like the anticipatio0n of the man, this should be our example, but we should have an even greater zeal to follow Him, knowing that Christ not only is Lord, but that he would lay down His life for us, even while we were sinners. Romans 5:8

Even though, we may not have been delivered from many demons or maybe healed from some terminal illness or ailment, Christ however has indeed saved us. He has saved, what other motivation do we need?

Christ gave the man a command of sort in the instruction to go home and tell what Christ had done for him. Christ has also commanded us, through His Great Commission to,"go into the entire world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

"The Great Commission is not an option to be considered but a command to be obeyed." Those were the words of the late missionary Hudson Taylor and a firm statement on what Christ has called all believers to. To take this good news to our homes, to our people and communities and to tell others what Christ has done for us.

My friend, the Gospel is good news. Great news in fact. It is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 There are lost people everywhere and it would be a shame that any man, any neighbor of ours would perish without first hearing what Christ had done in our own lives. Recall how Christ changed this man, setting him free! Christ saved him and has done the same for us. Like the demon possessed man, what more motivation does one need?

Starting on August 15, 2010, I will be recording a daily journal as I set out each day in my own Decapolis of Montgomery. I plan to write about those that I share the Law & the Gospel with and what Christ has done for me. It is my desire to use this journal to help me grow in boldness and faith as I practice sharing my faith with others and to glorify my God. Also is is my desire to hopefully be of some encouragement to those that may follow me each day as I write about these encounters and that they may grow as well in boldness and faith and to reach out into their own Decapolis, telling others what Christ has done for them in sharing the Law & the Gospel with those around them.

In all, may God receive all the Glory, for He is King.
Light the darkness~
David
www.EvangelizeYourCity.org