Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Resource Wednesday 09/29/10

This Resource Wednesday, I would like to share with you a project recently undertaken by the pastor of our church (Pastor Doug Roman). About a week ago our church hosted a booth at our local town festival (Otsego Festival). We use the time to connect with the community and let them know there is a Bible-preaching church in the area. As part of the festival this year, we had a board available where people could post their questions. The caption on the board said, "If I Could Ask God One Question....". We then invited the festival attendees to write down a question and post it on the board. And we told them that our pastor would answer the questions on his blog using the Bible as his resource. We placed a few questions on the board to get things started and then replaced them as the day progressed and people began to write down questions. As promised, Pastor Roman is addressing the questions on his blog, and I am enjoying checking out his responses, as well as learning in the process. I believe he was given 8-10 questions and will be addressing them at approximately a one-a-day pace. Click here to check out the questions and responses and feel free to check back as the days progress.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Power of Media

On Saturday, my niece, Emily, spent the night at our house. I had called her house earlier in the day to ask her a question. Her mom said she was outside, playing, and she would call for her. Emily is a bit of a couch potato and not one to play outside by herself, so I thought it a bit odd at the time but quickly dismissed it.

When I arrived to pick her up later in the day her mom told me that the cable stations that are usually devoted to children's programming were blacked out that day. Instead, the screen displayed this message: "National Get Out & Play Day. No programs will be aired until 3:00 pm."
That is the very reason Emily was outside, playing, by herself.

Though this story certainly has an amusing undertone to it, I was struck by this very real example of how strong of an influence the TV media has on the children of our country. Some of the messages are this blatant but most are subtle suggestions of how to think and act, what to wear, how to treat one's parents, how to view God and the like. Be sure of this, your children are watching and learning and..............(as in this case with Emily) paying heed.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Cookie Baking Night 09/27/10

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Ethan and Carissa. With the beginning of the autumn season upon us, we decided to make apple crisp. This is a good activity to do with kids. I peel the apples and they cut them up with a table knife. Carissa and Ethan did a great job cutting up the apples. They also mixed up the crumb topping and covered the apples with it.

In our book Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland, we read lesson 36 "Jesus Commanded Sickness and Death". Ethan read the Scripture passage for us--Luke 8:49-52.

We ended the evening with a rousing game of Mickey Mouse Uno (Carissa was the victor). As usual, a fun time was had by all.


Friday, September 24, 2010

Evangelism Focus 09/24/10

For the evangelism focus this evening, I'd like to share with you a segment I transcribed from Revive our Hearts ministry with Nancy Leigh DeMoss (http://www.reviveourhearts.com/). The subject of this particular segment was evangelism. She shared a story of a woman who first heard the the gospel through interaction with the Revive Our Hearts ministry and then trusted Christ as her Savior. I chose to transcribe this story and share it here because I was captivated by the language this woman used to share salvation. It showed a knowledge of God and desire to know Him more as well as extreme gratitude for His mercy and grace. I think it is worthy of sharing and much can be learned from it. It's a bit on the lengthy side but well worth the read. The story has a few twists, so I encourage you to stick with it through the end.

-------------------------------------

I want to share with you a story of a woman that we have met through this ministry. She is an American who is living in another country. A little over a year ago, she connected with the true woman blog and began communicating with one of our bloggers.

One year ago this month
She wrote and said, “I thought you would want to know that today I confessed my sins to God and that I am trusting Him as my savior. I am so grateful for what he has done for me. It is as if a tremendous load has been lifted. For the first time, it seems as if there might be hope. I realize I have only barely nibbled at the edges, but it has created in my heart a desire to know Him so much more. He is really more than amazing isn’t He? I don’t even know how to sufficiently express my gratitude to you for gently and patiently peeling back the layers for me and introducing me to my Savior. Thank you, really.

Signed,
So Thankful to be called His Friend

P.S. And that with tears running down my face.

That was the first day this woman came to know the Lord. Over the past year, she has sent a series of e-mails as she has been dialoging with a woman on our team who blogs. She has shown this amazing spiritual hunger and growth but also an earnestness in sharing her new faith with others.

Less than two months after trusting Christ
She wrote: “I have had opportunities in the past weeks to explain salvation to several international women within our community. These women were very interested to hear. Clearly, I am not the only person on the planet who has been eager, desperate for someone to explain God and His ways. Do you know of a resource, book, website that I could study to learn how to explain salvation more effectively? Each one is at a different starting place and I really can only share what I know He has done for me, and that very clumsily.

Two weeks later
She wrote: “I thought you would be interested to know that my Russian friend is now trusting Christ as her savior. While I wasn’t able to answer many of her questions, I was able to pass on my copy of Josh McDowell’s “More than a Carpenter”. We spoke this morning, and she is so excited about her new relationship with God. His provision of forgiveness is more than amazing. Thank you so much for explaining salvation to me. Know that your efforts are having a ripple effect here.”

Still thankful to be called His friend,

Three weeks later
She wrote: “I thought you would be interested to know that this morning one of my daughters confessed her sins and is trusting Christ as her Savior.”

A few weeks later:
She wrote: "I thought you would be interested to know that my other child accepted Christ last night. We had been having discussions about it not being enough just to know who the true God is and how Christ is the only way to God. Last night, she was finally ready to yield her own heart. I am so amazed and thankful for His goodness toward my children."

Several weeks later
She wrote, “I have a friend that I help each week with her young son so she can get away for a bit. For several months, we have been having an ongoing conversation about her need for salvation. I thought you would be interested to know that she began trusting Christ today. Again, I want to thank you for making the effort to point me to Christ. It is such a wonder and privilege to know the source of hope and to be able to share Him with those around me. Isn’t His mercy more than amazing? "

Nancy Leigh DeMoss goes on to say: Last week I wrote this woman to wish her a happy 1st spiritual birthday and also took the opportunity to ask her why sharing Christ seemed to be so natural for her when it seems to be most difficult for most believers. I want to share, with her permission, what she wrote in response.

She said, “You asked why sharing my faith was so natural. I’m not sure I would use that word. I am not an outgoing person. It feels very much like work to me to have a one on one conversation with someone. I think from the beginning it has been more of an overflow of a very grateful heart. When God permitted me to begin to see Him as He truly is, then I also began to see myself as I truly am. When I caught a glimpse of the magnitude of what He has done for me, a God hater, when I began to grasp an appreciation for the tender mercies of God in being not only willing to redeem mankind but also taking upon Himself the role of vicarious sacrifice in order to accomplish this redemption, how can I be less than grateful? I am not sure gratitude can be contained and mine wasn’t.
Secondly, God has placed in my heart a compassion for those around me. While traveling in a foreign country for my job, I was raped by a group of men, and in the process my unborn son was killed. Bitterness, anger (more like rage), and hatred oozed from my pores. No amount of alcohol could relieve the pain. Forgiveness was and is a huge issue with me, and God is graciously changing me and softening my heart. When I interact with the women in my life, I am astounded that so many of them have experienced a similar violation as I have or the death of a child. I can relate to the desperation, the intensity of the inescapable pain, and the consuming anger. While this is still a tangled issue in my life, and I have yet to work out exactly how God’s sovereignty, love, etc. play into this, I know in my heart that the answers are found in Christ and revealed in His word. I want these women to know Him as I am beginning to know Him and to experience true hope.
Thirdly, the glory of God. This has become my primary motivator. I am so thankful that God has caused me to cross paths with [Revive our Hearts]. Numbers 14:21 remains in my mind, ‘that the whole earth be filled with His glory’, I want that. The more I learn and experience His character, the more I want Him to be glorified in the whole earth. He is worthy!

Nancy Leigh Demoss closed with these words:
I want to remind you of the passage in Mark chapter 5 where Jesus told the former demon-possessed man, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.” That is evangelism. That is sharing the gospel. Verse 21 says, “He went away and began proclaiming in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Ephesians chapter 1

Why muddle around trying to think of something meaningful to say when God's Word has already done that? Today I leave you with Ephesians chapter 1.

Ephesians 1

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Abhorring All My Sin

Yesterday, as part of one of our church services, we sang My Jesus Fair.

Here's the chorus:

O love divine, O matchless grace
That God should die for men!
With joyful grief I lift my praise
Abhorring all my sin, adoring only Him

I think that chorus does a God job summarizing the gospel (that God should die for men) and our response to it (abhorring all my sin, adoring only Him). That is a power-packed chorus!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Evangelism Focus 09/17/10

This evening was spent in errand running. So, with that, I'd like to speak to the importance of keeping gospel tracts on your person at all times (personally I like to keep a well-stocked purse).

I was especially reminded of this importance when I came out of a shop this evening and found two teenagers sitting on a bench, staring off into space. They looked listless. I pulled an optical illusion tract out of my purse and showed it to them. They responded with enthusiasm and thanked me for the tracts.

I do not know of which hearts God is preparing to hear the gospel. I do not know where the Holy Spirit is working, so I hand out the gospel (or share it verbally) whenever possible. Once you get in the habit of doing this, it becomes part of who you are.

If you're a Christian reading this blog, and you're not in the habit of handing out gospel tracts, I'd like to encourage you to hand out at least one gospel tract this week. If you're looking for innovative, attractive tracts that present the law and the gospel, I recommend checking out the gospel tracts at Living Waters ministry (http://www.livingwaters.com/).

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Evangelism Video 09/16/10

Today I'd like to share with you a video of Tony Miano (from Living Waters/Ambassador's Academy ministry) sharing the gospel with a young man named Alex.



Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Resource Wednesday 09/15/10

This Resource Wednesday I would like to commend to you Scripture memorization. I have been praying lately that God would allow me to know Him more and to love Him more. He has been answering this prayer for me through memorizing passages of the Bible.

After I heard Janet Pope, author of His Word in My Heart, (www.janetpope.org) speak on a radio program recently, I picked up my abandoned project of memorizing Ephesians chapters 1 & 2. I adopted Janet's method of writing the passage of Scripture on spiral bound 3 x 5 note cards (one verse per card). I memorize one verse a day (sometimes I take two days if it's a tough one for me) and add it to what I memorized in past days. As I memorize the passage, I seek to understand it and to understand what it is saying about the character and nature of God.

I put this little book of verses in the kitchen when I'm making supper, I bring it with me in the bathroom when I'm fixing my hair in the morning, and I take it with me when I travel back and forth to my place of employment each day. This method is allowing me to "hide God's Word in my heart" and through it God is answering my prayer and allowing me to know Him more.

And now for my word of caution about methods: With every new method that comes along, I have a tendancy to think "This is it! That method will be the thing that completes my life and changes my behavior. If I get that thing and start working out that method, all will be well with me." But, alas, it is just a method. It is a tool and nothing more. With each new method that comes along I have to check my motives and guard myself against the the sin of self-righteousness (which I can so easily fall into), the sin of wanting to work for my salvation, do my part, get good results, and be happy. It is when this "feeling" comes around that I preach the Gospel message to myself and remind myself that Jesus paid the full price of my sins when He died on the cross some 2,000 years ago. I bring nothing to Him. My faith is in Christ alone for my salvation and not that which I can accomplish.

With that said, again, I recommend this method for memorizing Scripture. I have found it very helpful and enjoyable.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

God's Sovereignty

Today, I share with you what is (for me) a much needed reminder of God's sovereignty and purpose in all things. This thought comes to you from my Grace Gems daily e-mail feed (http://www.gracegems.org/). I know it can be tempting to skip over these posts because they take a little more brain power to read and digest, but I highly recommend reading the whole thing today. It's worth it.

Fate, accident, chance--or SOVEREIGNTY?

(John MacDuff, "The Thoughts of God")

"I form the light--and create darkness; I make peace--and create evil! I the LORD do all these things!" Isaiah 45:7

What a sad world this would be--were it governed by Fate! Were its blended lights and shadows, its joys and sorrows--the result of capricious accident--or blind and wayward chance! How blessed to think that each separate occurrence which befalls me--is the fulfillment of God's own immutable purpose!

Is it the material world? It is He . . .
who "forms the light--and creates darkness;"
who appoints the sun and moon for their seasons;
who gives to the sea its decree;
who watches the sparrow in its fall;
who tends the lily in the field; and
who paints the tiniest flower that blossoms in the meadow.

Is it the moral world? All events are predetermined and prearranged by Him! "I make peace--and create evil!" Both prosperity and adversity are His appointment. The Lord who of old prepared Jonah's shade-plant, also prepared the worm! He gives--and He takes away. He molds every tear! He "puts them into His bottle." He knows them all, counts them all, treasures them all. Not one of them falls unbidden--unnoted.

"The lot is cast into the lap--but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Over every occurrence in nature and in providence, He writes, "I the Lord do all these things!" True, His thoughts are often mysterious, and His ways are past finding out. We are led at times, amid the bewildering mazes of His providential dealings, to exclaim, "O Lord, how great are Your works, and Your thoughts are very deep!" Be it ours to defer our verdict--until their full development.

We cannot envision the thoughts and intents of the architect or engineer in the first clearing of the ground for the foundation of some gigantic structure. The uninitiated eye can discover nothing but piles of unshapely rubbish--a chaos of confusion. But gradually, as week by week passes--we see his thoughts molding themselves into visible and substantial shapes of order and beauty. And when the edifice at last stands before us complete, we discern that all which was mystery and confusion at first--was a necessary part and portion of the undertaking.

So is it, at present, regarding the mysterious dealings of God. Often, in vain, do we try to comprehend the purposes of the Almighty Architect, amid the dust and debris of the earthly foundations. Let us wait patiently, until we gaze on the finished structure of eternity.

Oh, blessed assurance--that the loom of our life is in the hands of the Great Designer--that it is He who is interweaving the threads of our existence: the light--and the dark, the acknowledged good--and the apparent evil. The chain of what is erroneously called "destiny," is in His keeping. He knows its every connecting link--He has forged each one on His own anvil!

Man's purposes have failed, and are ever liable to fail--his brightest anticipations may be thwarted; his best-laid schemes may be frustrated.

Life is often a retrospect of crushed hopes--the bright rainbow-hues of morning, passing in its afternoon into damp mist and drizzling rain. "Many are the thoughts in a man's heart," (knowing no fulfillment nor fruition) "but the counsel of the Lord--that shall stand." "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse My actions!"

Monday, September 13, 2010

Cookie Baking Night 09/13/10

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Emily, Ethan, and Carissa. Finally, the whole gang was here at one time. Tonight we made peanut butter cookies (the kind that you wrap around a peanut butter cup).

We also read lesson 35 from our book Leading Little Ones to God (by Marian Schoolland). Ethan read Mark 4:35-41 for us from the Bible.

And we finished the evening with a walk in the cool late summer weather. As usual, a fun time was had by all.



Greg mowed the lawn this evening, and when he finished, he turned on the the sprinklers. This was almost too much for the kids. They wanted to run in the sprinklers, but I wouldn't let them because it was a little on the cool side, and they didn't have any spare clothes with them. After a couple minutes of watching this enticing scene outside the kitchen window, Ethan loudly exclaimed, "Why must he [Greg] torture us like this?"


Saturday, September 11, 2010

Happy Birthday, Meghan!

Tomorrow my niece, Meghan, turns 15 years old. Today, she and I spent some time together in activities that would fall under the category: Things 15 year olds like to do. We got manicures at the local beauty school (cheap labor, great end product, gotta love it). It was Meghan's first manicure, so that was fun. And then we had lunch at a very girly place in town called Truffles and Tortes. We ended the lunch with fancy desserts.
Meghan started high school on Tuesday of this week and ended the week with her 15th birthday (a big week for her).

She's an intelligent young lady who thinks deeply on important issues. Our conversation was enjoyable. I pray God will call her unto Him, and she will spend her life glorifying His name. No greater calling could I hope for her.

Happy Birthday, Meghan! I love you!

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Friday, September 10, 2010

Evangelism Focus 09/10/10

Tonight I leave you with a video of Tony Miano spening his evening preaching the gospel at a stoplight on a city street in southern California. This is something he does regularly and something he does well. As with anytime the gospel is preached, some listen, some turn away, some mock, and some appear to be soaking in the message. Of this we know for sure, many people heard the gospel preached that evening.



Thursday, September 9, 2010

Evangelism Video 09/09/10

Today I'd like to share with you a video of Kirk Cameron sharing the gospel with some gang members in California. It's a challenging encounter with a lot of activity and questions from the surrounding crowd, but it's worth watching as Kirk sticks with it to the end.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Will Not This Suffice?

Today I'd like to share with you a post from my First Importance daily e-mail feed (http://www.firstimportance.org/).

Will not this suffice?

“Oh, trust Christ with your whole heart, for ‘He is faithful who has promised.’ The love He has already manifested and proved—yes, sealed with His precious blood—is a pledge that He will still be your friend and intercessor with the Father.

His grace is yours to strengthen and sustain you. His Spirit is yours to guide, enlighten, and comfort you. His intercession is yours to secure for you all needed blessing. His promises are yours to cling to in your saddest and darkest hours. His power is yours to defend you from injury, to secure you against defeat. His heart is yours into which you may pour all your sorrows, and feel sure of true sympathy. His home is yours to be your everlasting abode, that where He is, there you may be also. Will not this suffice?”

—John MacDuff, The Throne of Grace

Monday, September 6, 2010

Cookie Baking News 09/06/10

In Cookie Baking News, Allison Rose Oseid (future Cookie Baking Night member) was allowed to come home from the hospital last night. A gathering was held in her honor at Dan and Deena's (Allison's parents) home today.

For many of the family members this is the first time we had a chance to see Allison in person and hold her. We are grateful God gave her such a short stay in the hospital (as you may recall she was born about 6 weeks early), and that He has allowed her good health. She spent just a little over two weeks in the hospital and was allowed home yesterday, weighing in at 4 pounds 13 ounces--just a tiny little peanut.

She's pictured below being held by Aunt Katrina and Uncle Greg.




Saturday, September 4, 2010

My Birthday



Today is my birthday. I spent the day with my good friend, Kim. We organized a closet in my office (more like a birthday present for Kim--she loves organizing, and I benefited from her expertise). I'll blog more about that experience in a week or two.
It was a lovely way to the spend the day because I thoroughly enjoy my friendship with Kim. Our friendship has been, from the beginning, based on growing in our relationships with the Lord. Other than that desire (growing in the Lord), Kim and I have very little in common, but that has never mattered. Jesus Christ is enough upon which to base a friendship. Though we approach situations differently, our goal is always the same (to glorify God), and that unites us in friendship and in love for each other.
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Friday, September 3, 2010

Evangelism Focus 09/03/10

I changed my Friday post name to Evangelism Focus. In these Friday posts, I will share of evangelism encounters, evangelism ideas, and gospel reflections.

This Evangelism Focus evening I'd like to share a reflection. Today, Greg and I spent the evening at the Minnesota State Fair. It's advertised here as the "The Great Minnesota Get Together", and it's quite the event (a very large fair). I've been to this fair nearly every summer since birth. It falls during my birthday, so that is usually how my family celebrated.

I chose to write about this evening because the state fair now serves as a reminder to me of my conversion to Christianity. I have written on this blog before of my experience as a false convert and how God saved me from my sins and regenerated my heart about 6 years ago. Never am I more aware that God saved me and I did nothing to bring about this change than I am when I'm at the state fair.

I used to attend the state fair with great expectations, and I usually left disappointed. I expected it to fill me emotionally. I needed it to be the best day of the year, a memory to last until the next year. I arrived at the fair discontent and I left the fair discontent. Though I called myself a Christian at the time, my hope was not in Christ. My joy and fulfillment were not in Him, and that was magnified for me at events such as these.

When God regenerates a heart, He changes you, and you know it. You know it because you did not bring it about. No work you performed caused it. The work was all on His part. As stated above, never am I more aware of that truth than when I now attend the state fair. I was not aware of my discontentment in those past years. I could not have articulated it. But I am very aware of it now because it has been removed. I notice its absence more than I noticed its presence. It continues to be an evidence (a fruit) in my life of the changing power of the gospel. And to that I say, To God Be The Glory! Amen.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Evangelism Video 09/02/10

Switching up the order a bit this week.

Today I'd like to share with you a video of Ray Comfort sharing the gospel with a young man named Gentry. Gentry is a Mormon. This is an interesting conversation as Mr. Comfort walks through the law and the gospel and brings to light the idea of works righteousness in a religion.

I think it's worth watching.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Resource Wednesday 09/01/10

Today I'd like to share with you the ministry of Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts (http://www.reviveourhearts.com/). Nancy is an author and speaker who calls women to be women of prayer and women of the Word of God. Revive Our Hearts ministry has a daily radio program heard on stations around the country (personally, I podcast it).

Recently, at the end of a program, Nancy addressed this question: "What are some tips that you could give to women who want to be writers some day?"

She gave some very practical advice in this area and then she said this: "In all you do, serve the Lord where you are. Use the opportunities He gives you. Take advantage of those, and then see what doors God opens up to develop those skills in those areas. In my case, I have never sought after or aspired to the things I am doing in ministry, whether it is speaking or writing or leading a ministry. I didn't set out to do any of those things. I set out to love the Lord, to know Him, to know and love His word, and to serve in whatever ways would bring Him the greatest glory. So, I have done a lot of different things that are not very glamorous, a lot of things that are behind the scenes. I have spoken to many very small groups. I found it was important in those years that I not be discontent with that, that I pour my heart into it when its 10 people as much as if it were 10,000 people. I found it was important not to measure success in ministry by how big it was or how famous I was. With bigness and fame come also some other temptations and challenges. God knows if and when someone is ready for that......serve wherever God has you, in your local church, in your dorm, in your workplace. Ask God to open doors to serve and to minister....."

I find that this advice she gave is the same attitude she takes when writing her books, speaking to groups of women, and the same attitude that drives her radio program. I recommend checking out this ministry for some worthwhile resources.

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