Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Lord works even in what we think are bad circumstances

I find it amusing what the Lord does to us when we make excuses for what the Lord would have us to do. On Friday morning I woke up to rainy weather and it continued through the day off and on. I was planning to do evangelism that day and I thought to myself. Hmm I kind of don’t want to go out in the rain but I had made a commitment to go out with the guys and so we went out and we had some of the best conversations that we have had in a long time. As the night went on the weather got worse and worse but the Lord was working in the hearts of those people and they stopped to talk to us. The Lord is good. I find that in the worst weather we have some of the best conversations. Praise the Lord for such a great time out evangelizing.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Teach Me What It Means

The original is a hymn called " O Teach Me what it Meaneth" by Lucy A. Bennett. This one has been changed a little bit and put into more modern terms. I hope you enjoy it.

Teach me what it means the cross lifted high
Man of Sorrows condemned to bleed and to die
Teach me what it cost you to make me whole
Teach me Savior teach me the value of my soul

Teach me what it means that Sacred crimson tide
The blood and water flowing from your wounded side
Teach me that if none had sinned but myself
Still your blood, Lord Jesus, would save me alone

Teach me what it means for I am full of sin
Grace alone can reach me and love alone can win
Teach for I need You I have no other way
In you alone I hope and I am here to stay

Teach me what it means the rest you give
To all the burdened people who look to you and live.
Because I am a rebel, Your pardon I have received
Because of Christ’s blood, I can, I have believed

Infinite Redeemer I bring no other plea
Because you have saved me, I cast myself on Thee
Because you have accepted me I love and adore
Because of your unfailing love I praise you evermore



Teach me what it means your love beyond compare
Your love that reaches deeper than my depths of despair
Teach me til there glows in this cold dark heart of mine
A deep pale reflection of your love divine

Monday, October 19, 2009

Do people know what the Gospel is?

Why is it that we think that people know what the gospel is? Many people even people who claim to be Christians do not know what the gospel is. We think that because our nation was founded on Biblical principles that people know what the gospel is. We think that because we are able to worship how we want to and that if you call yourself a Christian then you must know what the gospel is. Many people say the gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. This is absolutely true but when asked to explain what this is they simply say it is the gospel. The question I ask is what is the Good News of Jesus Christ? What is the gospel? This is the question I ask to those people who claim to be Christians. When asked this many of these people get offended that I would ask them that question. Why are they offended? It is because they either don’t know or they don’t like it that I would actually ask a “Christian” that question. If someone asked me this question I would jump at the chance to share the gospel with them. What gets me is when someone who claims to be a Christian says that they don’t want to talk about it. What! You don’t want to talk about Jesus Christ and what He has done for you?! You don’t want to talk about the gift of eternal life that has been given to you?! What madness is this? There is no reason Christians should be offended by that question and why Christians shouldn’t want to talk about their relationship with Jesus Christ.
On the other side we assume that most unbelievers have heard the gospel but in reality they have not and if they have most of the time it has been corrupted with books and movies like the “DaVinci Code” and a lot of other books Dan Brown has written. People read these books to figure out what the Bible says instead of reading the Bible itself and so they get the wrong ideas. Their minds are twisted to thinking that this is what the Bible says but it is not. When I go out to talk to people there are some crazy wild ideas out there. People don’t understand what the gospel really is. That is why we have to tell the gospel to everyone. There is no one who can be checked off the list of people not to talk to. Everyone needs a Savior! I implore all of you to go out and don’t just pass those people who claim to be Christians by, but ask them to explain the gospel to you. Ask them what the Good News of Jesus Christ is and how to get to heaven. It will be a surprising and eye opening experience.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Youth Retreat 2009










Top: Self Study, Middle: Red (Nathan Norberg) excited to be at the youth retreat, Bottom: Group Picture.




What an amazing weekend. Youth retreat went very well. We had a record of 85 people that attended. On Friday night I got to share the gospel with all of the guys for devotions. It was really good. I had forgotten how much fun it was to hang out with all of my friends and getting to know new friends a little better. I am thankful for everyone who came. I am also thankful that the Lord allowed me to stay home this year and I am patiently waiting on Him to see what is going to be next in my life. Can’t wait to see how the Lords going to work!