How Close to the Edge Can You Get?

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Do You Truly Desire Him?

You Know You Are An Evangelist....

From Last Words Radio

You Know You’re An Evangelist…

10. Because every time you take your wife out on a date, you’re secretly scoping out prime open air spots.

9. When you ask for Gospel tracts on your birthday, Christmas, Fathers Day, Independence Day, Columbus Day, and the Martin Luther King Jr holiday.

8. When you buy shirts because they have pockets for tracts.

7. Because you lose friends on Facebook on a daily basis.

6. When a character is dying in a movie, you can’t help but hope they hurry and put their faith in Christ.

5. When you take out a home line of credit and convert the cash into dollar bills.

4. When nobody wants to invite you anywhere, because you’re "that guy" who's always sharing the Gospel with everyone.

3. When you hear a Christian say “God bless you” to someone who sneezes, and you ask them if that’s the extent of their friendship evangelism.

2. When you find yourself starting to preach the Gospel to your Sims family.

1. When there are so many tracts, charts, and pieces of open air equipment in the trunk of your car you discover there is no room for the kids.

Luke Warm & Loving It

Excellent sermon! Watch please!

Is It Legal To Place Tracts in Books?

The Lawman answers the question on the legality of placing gospel tracts in "Christian" books and/or religious books in the library:



Placing tracts in books is an excellent way to share the Gospel! I encourage those who might be starting out to consider trying this method.

Who Can Find A Virtuous Woman?

What are you looking for in a relationship? Is it biblical virtue or is it sensuality? Paul addresses this in the clip below:

Paying Fines

Today I was waiting outside the municipal court to pay my ticket that I had gotten a few weeks ago. I have never been to this court and didn’t really know what to expect! I ended up showing up a little early and the court was not open yet. As I waited for the court to open, I really wasn’t planning on talking to anyone as there wasn’t any one around. In fact, my one-on-ones lately had been few and far between and I had been pleading with God to use me. Then, Anthony, 15, got out of his Mom’s car and stood right next to me and I thought I’m going to talk to him.

I asked him if he had gotten a ticket too and he said yes. When I asked him what for he said he had gotten suspended for fighting at high school. I reached into my purse and handed him a million dollar bill and said, “Hey, read this. This will make you think about what happens when you break God’s law.” He smiled and said that he had gotten one of these before which is something I hear quite a lot lately! I asked him then what he had thought about it when he read it and he said that it made him go to church. I said, “So after reading that you went to church but yet you are still in trouble for fighting?” He kind of smiled.

I asked him then if he knew where he would go when he died and he gave me the typical answer that he was going to heaven because he was a good person.

I said, “Anthony, since you are in high school you are used to taking tests right? Mind if I give you a little test right now to see if you are that good person? You’ve heard of the 10 Commandments right?”

So I took Anthony through the Law and he was guilty of being a liar, thief, blasphemer and adulterer at heart but he still thought he was going to heaven. So I took him through the court of law just as we were somewhat about to do to pay the fines for the laws that we had broken. This made sense to him. Then Anthony got quiet and I could tell the conversation was going to stop there.

We had a little more small talk I learned that he was from Chicago and was planning on moving back there. He also mentioned that he went to church every Sunday with his five brothers and sisters.

I left Anthony pleading with him to think about what we had discussed and I gave him the Mind Game tract as well. Even though my encounter was brief, only the Lord knows what was really going on in his heart as outwardly I could not tell from his expressions but my faith and hope remains in what I can not see.

Lord, bring Anthony to you. Open his eyes so that he will have a change of heart and turn from his sins.

Death To The Sinner's Prayer

Lord, Grant Me Compassion

(Repost of 4/07)

A few days ago I received my class of '93 newsletter from Texas A&M. As I was reading the first page, I was really a little surprised at what it said. Obviously lots of my class members have been going through some hard times. It actually mentioned the letters and updates they had been receiving about all the bad news and changes that were taking place. I know it is going on. I see it happening all around me. Divorce, death, people with broken hearts and spirits, and a lot of us walking around with numbness -- no compassion, no feelings. Where has the compassion and down home friendly support gone? I am just as much to blame. Sometimes I can get so caught up in my own world and I just ignore or pretend that there is no one hurting out there. It is too much of an inconvenience to get involved in someone else's problems. Or, when I do, they pull away, which in turn discourages me making me hold back even more.

Our pastor one Sunday even mentioned it. His wife was on her way to take their dog to the vet. She ran out of gas. No one stopped to help. No one. Finally, a Frisco police officer pulled up to offer assistance. She mentioned no one would stop to help her. They were pulling up behind her in the turn lane and honking! He said "Yeah, no one stops to help anymore. They just don't do it."

A couple of months ago, I had just left the hospital from visiting our friend who had surgery. I was feeling an extreme amount of love for mankind that day. The Lord was opening my heart for his people. A feeling of helpfulness came over me. Soon after, I saw a car parked on a side street of a busy road. I thought maybe that person needed help or could use my cell phone. So I pulled up behind the car and stopped. It was an elderly woman who was having problems with her radiator. I offered her my phone but she already had one. We discussed what to do and she finally got her mechanic on the phone. I drove away. She would be fine.

I wasn't able to help much. But I stopped. Something I have never done or least not in a very long while. I just didn't stop for anyone either.

But I stopped.

I think the fact that I recognize my need to offer more compassion and help is God reminding me that he is there to heal the pain and hurting. He is there with arms open wide with more compassion and love than we can ever imagine. I want to cry out to him immediately when a painful memory or situation crosses my path. I don't understand all the reasons that he brings pain. But I do know that it makes us cry out to Him...he wants us to cry out to Him. He is the healer and deliverer of all pain and hurt. And, he reminds me that we will suffer pain. It is part of our growth as believers in Him.

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Those verses are powerful. Judgment begins with HIS people. Pain can be judgment from God. I have been in this judgment. I have endured the pain of turning from his ways, even if it seems ever so slight. Most of the time what keeps me on the right track is fear of this pain! The pain that I do endure calls out to me to seek Him with more hunger than ever before.

When Beth or Parker come in with a boo-boo we wash it, kiss it and patch it up and make it all better. This kind of pain is temporary, probably not one that is going to make them cry out to the Lord. Sometimes my compassion in these instances even is lacking because it's not any deep heartfelt pain or suffering. The type that everyone says "time will heal". I want to have compassion in the little things as well as the big things. My love and care with the little "boo-boos" will help me give support when it's needed for much larger ones.

As I pray for the Lord to continue to work compassion in my heart for his hurting people, I rest in His hope. Hope that by our suffering our characters are strengthened for His glory. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

My prayer also is for those that are hurting to reach out to the hope and comfort of our Lord, for His compassion is great.

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him." (Lamentations 3:25)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

"Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to your laws." (Psalms 119:153-156)

Stupid Evangelism

The greatest lie in American Christianity is to say the "sinner's prayer" and declare yourself saved. We must stop promoting this!

I Am Repenting But It's Not Working

Listen, Just Listen

Are you truly a Christian? Do you want to know for sure?

The Most Important Message You Could Ever Hear

"Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me you who practice lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23)

A Lesson In True Conversion

25 Random Things About Me

1. When I was growing up I lived on a farm in East Texas. I had to milk the cows before and after school -- well one cow. I would get up at 5 a.m. and call the cows in from the field. One morning my cow wasn't cooperating and I was frustrated. So I did the only logical thing you could do--- I bit her on the ear. I'm not kidding . I bit her. You should have seen the look of surprise on MY face!

2. I've owned and driven about six cars in my life. I drove a small Chevy truck in high school, then a Geo Spectrum (don't ask), a Honda Accord, two Honda Odysseys (death to the mini-van!) and now an Aggie maroon Hyundai Santa Fe.

3. I love Sonic. In fact I go just about every day! A very bad habit I tell you. What do I get? Plain, ole unsweet iced tea with lemon! I can't start my day unless I have a huge 44 oz foam cup in my hand.

4. I stopped drinking diet coke about two plus years ago now. It's one of the reasons I now drink a lot of tea!

5. I have a shoe fetish. No, not that I love to buy shoes but I must be wearing shoes at all times. I never like to go barefoot unless I'm at the beach. Otherwise, shoes must be on my feet at all times preferably with socks.

6. I picked the names of both of my kids when I was in high school. No joking. I'm still amazed by it.

7. I absolutely detest unloading the dishwasher.

8. For some reason, I add random numbers together. If I pass a sign with numbers on it like the speed limit I automatically add them together.

9. I like numbers but I hate math!

10. I am so glad to know there is more required for eternal life than just saying a Christian sinner's prayer. By grace I have repented, become born again and put my trust in my Lord Jesus Christ.

11. I try to leave gospel tracts everywhere I go. One of my favorite places is credit card machines at gas stations, restaurants (like Sonic), and bank ATM's.

12. Everyone should take the Good Person Test (www.thegoodpersontest.com). I did and I failed!

13. I've discovered that I battle sin more now than ever in my life but it doesn't bum me out. It's better to battle it now than to answer for it later. (For more on that see my blog post "Shades of Gray")

14. I love peppermint candies. I pretty much have them with me wherever I go and have withdrawals if I run out.

15. I found the best prayer for true repentance is Psalm 51.

16. I use the 10 commandments in witnessing to bring about the Law in the sinner's eyes to see how they have disgraced God and deserve judgment.

17. I have a huge compassion for the souls of non-believers and false converts.

18. I would absolutely love to go to theological seminary. I would fail but oh, what I would learn! For now, I just listen to courses online.

19. I would also love to go to culinary school and there is no doubt I would really fail that! But boy that would be fun (not failing) but learning more creative things! Guess I'll have to stick with Food Network for now!

20. I lately have been battling some weird physical things going on in my life. I am thankful for my prayer warrior friends who have lifted me up when the hard times call and thankful that the Lord will not leave me or forsake me.

21. One of my favorite prayers to pray is Psalm 51:10-13 "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from thy presence, and do not take thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will be converted to Thee."

22. I have given away about 20 - 25 copies of two of the greatest books The Way of the Master by Ray Comfort and One Heartbeat Away (English and Spanish) by Mark Cahill.

23. I met hubby Trey in high school but we didn't start dating until after I graduated. In March we celebrate 13 years!

24. My parents used to own a Christian book store/health food store which I worked in all growing up. The things we sold the most of were vitamins and Bibles and frozen yogurt!

25. I love my Lord and Savior more than this life!

Shades of Gray

What does the life of Christianity hold for the believer? Is it so black and white that there is a dividing line between the struggles of this walk with no gray areas in between?

In today's modern Christianity, people seem consumed by critiquing the lives of Christians who do seem to be struggling in the gray area. I find that those who are weak in biblical understanding do not comprehend why so many Christians can be hurting or struggling with certain problems or sins. They think that so and so must really messed up and they are so amazed at why the struggle seems so difficult and long. They think that after all they are a Christian and they shouldn't be having all these problems. I was of this mindset about myself at one point because I wondered how in the world can I be battling these kinds of things? In my own understanding I concluded that there must be something really wrong with any Christian who could walk in such unjoyful melancholy. I struggled with putting up that perfect image that portrayed unbridled happiness because I was a Christian. To struggle against sin certainly seems like it portrays weakness when in the worldly view all Christians should be strong.

My understanding of this certainly has changed because I know why there is a battle.

Why do we see this struggle? Because we live in a depraved world and we battle sin just like anyone else does. It is a learned process sometimes to believe in the grace of our Lord and Savior. It is part of our sanctification that we learn and grow in this belief and sometimes it does not come easily but through continual prayer and studying the Scripture.

I don't believe that we should walk in constant sorrow by any means. There are countless people of God who battled sin including David who I think is the greatest example of one who went through some very despairing times. He was constantly crying out to God to restore his joy because of his conflicts with sin.

So, we know that Christians do sin. Even Paul in Romans 7 says that he battles with the things that he does not want to because there is ongoing conflict with two natures. This is why we must be careful with how we label Christians. The battles they face can be far and wide but we must remember to show compassion and love for those who are struggling.

For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand, for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing that I hate.
(Romans 7:14-15)

A believer does not have the mindset to just chuck sin aside like an unwanted toy. Instead, we set forth to go into battle with our sins. In our own strength it is too hard. We can't stop it ourselves but must receive the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in order to change our minds about our sin. After all, if it looks like it is so easy then how will the sacrifice that He made for our sins be seen and understood? He sacrificed His life for us -- that could not have been an easy task to take on the wrath of God for our sinfulness. The difference now for a believer is that we have the power to resist the sin even if at times it seems daunting and difficult. And, as we grow in our sanctification we will see more of that sinfulness revealed.

In Romans 6 Paul says this:

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2)

Paul goes onto say in Romans 6:11 that as believers, we are dead to this sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ. But we must know that because of our depraved situations there will be ongoing battles with our sinful natures. In his article Gospel-Driven Sanctification Jerry Bridges explains it this way:

"But the question arises, 'If I've died to sin's dominion, why do I still struggle with sin patterns in my life?' The answer to that question lies in the word struggle. Unbelievers do not struggle with sin. They may seek to overcome some bad habit, but they do not see that habit as sin. They do not have a sense of sin against a holy God. Believers, on the other hand, struggle with sin as sin. We see our sinful words, thoughts, and deeds as sin against God; and we feel guilty because of it. This is where we must continue to go back to the gospel. To consider ourselves dead to sin is to believe the gospel.

This doesn't mean that we just believe the gospel and live complacently in our sin. Absolutely not! Go back to Paul's words in Romans 6:1-2. We died both to sin's guilt and its dominion. Though sin can wage war against us (hence our struggle), it cannot reign over us. That is also part of the gospel. But the success of our struggle with sin begins with our believing deep down in our hearts that regardless of our failures and our struggle, we have died to sin's guilt. We must believe that however often we fail, there is no condemnation for us (Rom 8:1)."

We must continually lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer who are battling some of life's harder moments and to remind that we are not under the condemnation of sin and darkness instead of criticizing. Because through criticism, whether it is of ourselves or others, we are not showing the love of Christ.

As believers, let's keep our faith in the saving grace of the gospel!

Deluding Influences

I have written a post on this topic before (And the Wind Doth Blow) and am planning to go further into the topic at some point about hearing God. We do not hear God "in our head" but only from his words in Scripture. Deceit and deception is all around us and we must be warned of that. I am in constant prayer about this for myself as I do not want to be influenced into believing delusions and signs.

In the meantime, here is an article that touches on this topic by Warren Smith.

"Today it is very sad to see so many believers falling under the influence of the same spirit that influenced me when I was in the "new age." This spirit says that it is a time for "breakthroughs" and for the fulfillment of our "destiny"; that there is something "new" and exciting in the wind. This teaching claims that we are in the midst of a great "transition" that will result in a "paradigm shift," and that through "new revelation" and "personal experience" God is in the process of taking the church to a "new dimension" and to a whole "new level." Many Christian leaders these days are so sure that what they are hearing and experiencing is from God, they are rarely testing the spirits, or even considering the possibility that they are being deceived."

(From Christians Under the Influence of Another Spirit by Warren Smith at Lighthouse Trails Research)

I Grew Up A "Christian"

I have always wanted to do a post on my testimony but I couldn't quite put into words anything about it. I think probably because some part of me was still shocked that I had called myself a real Christian.

See, I did grow up in a Christian home. I did all the "right" things. No smoking, drinking, cussing, and I hardly dated at all until after high school and I didn't participate in the things that "dating" included either. I was a good person with a good heart. However, now I know my definition of good did not meet up with biblical standards. My parents owned a Christian book store that I worked in all through high school. I felt that it was very important to keep up the image that I should be portraying Christ in every word and manner. And I did. I kept up with the image because I thought I needed to. But there was no sense of sincere conviction in my life. No sense of who Jesus is and what He had done for me. When I did do something that I felt was particularly bad I would just feel bad about it and move on. There was no feeling of true repentance and utter distaste for sin. I still longed to do what everybody else was doing and I told myself that I was a better Christian because I didn't follow through with all of those actions. How bogus I was! I knew what God did for me. I believed it. I longed for others to have that closeness and understanding with me. But that was just it. I did it for me. I didn't do it for the glory of God.

In college I believe that God worked more diligently with me. I did continue to grow and learn about the things of the Lord. But I still wasn't regenerated into a new person. My understanding was still very shallow.

Until just a few years ago, I was still on this path until God really moved my heart and began to show me that I wasn't such a great person after all. He shook me to the core and my walk and my talk has not been the same since. He literally broke me and it was my questioning and crying out to Him as to what He was doing that eventually changed me. My heart is different. My outlook on sin is completely different. My hope and my compassion for others has truly changed. Even now, He is still working with me in quite a few areas. But my understanding of what is required to enter the kingdom of heaven is quite different than what I thought I understood about it years ago.

If you have a few minutes (the video is about 17 minutes and well worth the time) watch the following testimony of Susan Yenser. She is a basketball player with the University of Florida. As I was listening to her testimony I was floored at how similar to mine it was. Towards the end of the video she says so many people thought she was crazy because she had always proclaimed that she was a Christian and now she was denouncing that and saying no NOW she really is a Christian. This describes me to a tee. Self-righteously, and I see this a lot in modern Christianity, it is hard to admit that I am really just a filthy rag and no amount of labeling or church-going or looking like a "Christian" will change any of that.

God says that He will give us a new heart. One that despises sin and wants to put on the new self. Perhaps you are in that place and are not quite comfortable with where you are. You feel like something is out of place and you are not feeling like God has your whole heart. You might be right. Examine your life. Pray that God places the desire in your heart to truly turn to Him. Pray that He grows that desire stronger in your life everyday and that He creates in you a clean heart. As Susan mentions in her testimony, you might find that you are battling sin even more as God begins the sanctification process in you. I find this to be absolutely and honestly very painfully true as God works in my life to expose the areas of darkness.

I am eternally grateful that the Lord had me examine my life and that I listened. I am praising Him for choosing me and supernaturally changing me!

Please watch the video!

What is God Going to do In 2009?

He went out, not knowing whither he went.
(Hebrews 11:8)

"Have you been ‘out’ in this way? If so, there is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is this question—‘What do you expect to do?’ You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in perpetual wonder—you do not know what God is going to do next. Each morning you wake it is to be a ‘going out,’ building in confidence on God. “Take no thought for your life, . . . nor yet for your body”—take no thought for the things for which you did take thought before you ‘went out.’

Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you go out in surrender to him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does?

Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him, what an impertinence worry is! Let the attitude of the life be a continual ‘going out’ in dependence upon God, and your life will have an ineffable charm about it which is a satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences, until, so far as your faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God."

FROM: My Utmost For His Highest: Selections for the year (January 2)

Real Self-Esteem

NOTE: This is a repost of one of my favorite posts in 2008. If you haven't seen it take a moment to watch it.

Blessings to all of you in this new year! May we continue to seek after our Lord and Savior and to hit the pavement to bring the lost to Him in 2009.

You have probably guessed by now that I am a fan of Paul Washer -- I should say that I am more of a fan of the truth. When I listen to Paul preach my eyes are wide open and my mouth is SHUT.

This video is approximately 7 minutes.

I dare you to watch all of it.