Day 21: Dealing with the Police

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 16: Straddling the Fence

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

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 9: " I'm going to hell!"

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?

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

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 1 : Opportunites For Evangelism

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

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