October 2006

"And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire..."

***I know I'm a bit behind on my SynoptiBlog entries. I've just been kind of busy and my family wins out over the SynoptiBlog. I'll be updating it soon!!!

October 27-29, 2006 - KFEC Flea Market Booth - This was our eighth time at the show! There were thousands of people that attended. We took advantage of lots of opportunities to get tracts into people's hands, do One-2-One witnessing and to give solid Biblical evangelism tools, like Hell's Best Kept Secret, to fellow Christians to equip them for the work of Evangelism. We were be in South Wing C. Be sure and check out the pictures!

October 25, 2006 - 11:00am - 2:00pm - University Of Louisville Campus - Free Speech Area. We metat the end of the Student Activities Center ramp which is near the University of Louisville Clock Tower at 10:30am for prayer and setup.

October 20, 2006 - 6:30pm - We met in the Highlands on Bardstown Rd across from Ear X-Tacy in the Highland Chiropractic parking lot. We will do some One-2-Ones and later go to The Morgue on Baxter Ave to hand out tracts and do some Open Air (AO) to those waiting in line on the public sidewalk. The Morgue is open from 8:00pm to 1:00pm.

October 18, 2006 - Sylvester and I met at the U of L Campus and did OA to a large crowd of students! It was awesome!! We handed out lots of Way of the Master materials and tracts. We spoke with some of the same students and seem to continue to build a rapport with them. One thing that's great is that we are building the relationship in the right order. They heard the Gospel and we are getting to know them. Not the other way around. If any of them that have heard the Gospel were to die tonight in their sin, they died with saving knowledge that Jesus Christ died for them, but they rejected the Gift. We continue to pray for the students on the U of L Campus.

October 14, 2006 - We rented a booth at the Ford Motor Company Craft and Flea Market on Chamberlain Lane from 7:30am-4:00pm. We handed out tracts and did One-2-One witnessing to those that stopped by the booth. It was a cold and blustery day. I was still sick and the wind was not helping matters! Danny, Sylvester, Jerry and his oldest son Jeremiah were with us. There were not that many people that attended the event, but the ones who did were witnessed to and given tracts. Jerry and Jeremiah had to leave about noon. We were able to equip multiple Christians with Biblical Evangelism materials from Way of the Master. I would say the highlight of the day for me was meeting an itinerant evangelist, Peter Rahme and his wife. I had a great conversation with him and listened to many of his stories of the great things that God has done through his ministry. I was even able to get some footage of him and hope to use it in a future episode of The Jude 23 Network. I gave him lots of Way of the Master material and he said that he had actually met Ray Comfort. He blessed me by giving me one of his hand-made vases. We were all tired and worn out at the end of the day, but were glad we were able to be faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ!

October 13, 2006 - We met in the Highlands on Bardstown Rd across from Ear X-Tacy in the Highland Chiropractic parking lot. We did some One-2-Ones and later went to The Morgue on Baxter Ave to hand out tracts and do some Open Air (AO) to those waiting in line on the public sidewalk.

October 11, 2006 - First of all let me say that I am sick! I started experiences the good old common cold symptoms yesterday and I woke up today with a confirming sneeze and runny nose. Anyways...our permit to speak on the U of L campus was granted that allowed us to speak and distribute literature from 11:00am-2:00pm. After the "BSU Incident" (see October 4), Jerry felt it important that he have another meeting with the BSU. Jerry met with Bill Noe, The Baptist Campus Ministry's Campus Minister to further explain who we are as The Jude 23 Network. He met with Bill at 10:00am. He gave him a copy of "The Way of the Master" book which includes an audio copy of "Hell's Best Kept Secret". Jerry said that Bill seemed to be "on board" with what we were doing. I pray that Bill reads the book and listens to the CD. I met Jerry at the Free Speech area at 10:30am. Sylvester showed up around 11:30am and Mark arrived a little after noon. The weather outlook was bleak for the day and it was misting on and off while we were on campus. We decided not to do Open Air (OA) and set everything because it appeared as if it would pour rain at any moment. We handed lots of tracts (easily over 500) and did multiple One-2-Ones. We met up with a lot of familiar faces and seem to be building somewhat of a rapport with some of the students. Considering the weather, we decided to leave early (around 1:00pm) and eat lunch. Mark recommended a Chinese restaurant called the "Chinese Chef". We went and had an interesting time and a thoughtful discussion. I passed out a couple of tracts to some patrons and we left to take Jerry and Mark back to their vehicles. I took Sylvester home and headed home to get some rest. We thank God for each opportunity He gives us to be faithful witnesses!

October 6, 2006 - I did not become a Christian until I was twenty-eight years old. Prior to becoming a Christian I remember going out on the town with my "boys" and staying out late...all while I was married with children. Tonight reminded me of those times, but in a more positive way. First, I was still with my "boys", except they were Christians. Second, I was actually with my oldest daughter. Finally, we were out seeking and saving the lost instead of being lost. I didn't get home until after one o'clock in the morning!!!......Emily and I pulled into the Highland Chiropractic parking lot across from Ear X-Tacy in the Highlands at 6:35pm and John Kent (JK) and his mom Jo were waiting on us. Danny pulled in shortly thereafter. While we were waiting on everyone else to show up I did a One-2-Five right by where we were parked. It was four girls and one guy who was acting somewhat feminine. I was taking them though the Law and they were steadily refuting God and the Bible altogether. They then asked me what my opinion on homosexuality/lesbianism was. I told them that my opinion did not matter, but only what God had to say about the subject in the Bible. I then told them what God said in Romans 1:26-28 and that it was detestable behavior in the eyes of God. I told them, however, that God was not focused on one individual sin, but any and all sin leaves us in tough spot with God on the Day of Judgment. I told them that liars, thieves, blasphemers, etc. were as guilty before God as a homosexual or lesbian. I was able to convey the complete Gospel presentation to them although they did not seem to be receptive. I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts their hearts and that the Father draws them to Himself. Just a few moments later another group of teenagers came by and I was able to witness to them. One girl said that she had been brought up in church, but had recently left the church. She said that her parents were very religious and went to church all the time. She was there with her boyfriend. As I was taking them through the Law, the subject of Adultery/Fornication came up with the Seventh commandment. Conviction was all over her and she grabbed her boyfriend's hand and said that they had to go. As they were about to walk away I stopped her and told her to please consider what I was saying. She said that she appreciated what I was saying, but didn't agree with the Bible. I reminded her of the heritage her parents had given her and that they were probably praying for someone like us to talk to her about the things of God so that she might come to her senses. She agreed, but walked away. One young lady, who was Jewish and her male friend, who mentioned he was gay stayed and talked with me for a few more minutes. I had related the parallels about the Passover Lamb to her and the history of the Bible being true. I was able to go through Law, then Grace with them both prior to them leaving. I thanked them for talking with me. During that One-2-One, Jerry showed up and Danny and Jerry prayed and took off. Sylvester showed up around 7:30pm. Sylvester, JK, Emily, Matt and I prayed and then we headed down the sidewalk. We did another "quick" One-2-One with these teens. We were about to cross Eastern Pkwy at Bardstown Rd when we were actually approached this young woman who asked us what we were doing. I guess because I had all these "Million Dollar" bills and JK had the big camera. I told her that we were asking people the "Million Dollar" question..."Would you go to Heaven?" She said that she would. I asked her if she considered herself to be a "Good Person". She said that she did. I asked her if she thought she was good enough to go to Heaven. She said that she was. I asked her if she thought she had kept the Ten Commandments. She said that she had kept most of them and that her good was going to outweigh her bad. More to come!!!

October 4, 2006 - Our permit to speak on the U of L campus from 11:00am - 2:00pm was granted. Jerry, two of Jerry's friends from his church, Josh and Bert, and I met at the Free Speech area just at the end of the ramp by the Student Activities Center (SAC) at 10:30am. Jerry and I prayed. Sylvester joined us about 11:30am. We set the coffin display up (to get people to think about the reality of death and consider what will happen after they die) as well as the OA flipchart and good old Captain Ryker! I stepped up onto the OA stool and began asking trivia questions to give away free money. The crowd was initially about ten people, but grew to maybe twenty. I asked three questions and then asked who wanted to volunteer for the "Good Person Test" to go for a larger sum (a whopping $3!!!). Jake stepped up to the Heckler's Mic and to take the test. I heard a bit of commotion behind me and noticed that a person from the Baptist Student Union (BSU) was putting up a sign on an easel that said, "This man is not associated with the BSU/BCM". He then proceeded to come over to the crowd and made the announcement that we were not affiliated with the BSU at all. I must admit that I was a bit shocked that he was coming over to the crowd we had gathered so I reinforced what he said and told the crowd that we weren't associated with the BSU, but with Jesus Christ and the God of the Bible. Apparently, this guy and the BSU didn't like us...for reasons that we are unaware of. I proceeded to OA for about an hour or so and then turned it over to Jerry. Jerry OA-ed for about an hour or so and then turned the mic over to Sylvester. After I was finished OA-ing, I grabbed a "Way of the Master" book and "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven" book and headed to the BSU. I went in and asked if I could speak to the person in charge. I was directed to a young lady. I explained to her about The Jude 23 Network and our affiliation with the WOTM and the GNN. On my way out I spotted the man (Josh) who had put the sign up and came over and addressed our crowd. I approached him and introduced myself. I then explained to him the Biblical Gospel presentation of the WOTM. Here's more on using the Law in Evangelism. He wasn't very receptive so I asked him how he would witness to someone. He said that he would build a relationship with someone (Relationship Evangelism) and then, when the time is right, share the Gospel with them. That response seemed too simple so I asked him to tell me how he would witness to me when "the right time came". We role played. I asked him, "So how can I go to Heaven?" He said that you had to accept Jesus into your heart. I asked him where it said that in the Bible. He didn't know. I asked him what I was being saved from. He said "sin". I said, "What about Hell?" He said, "Yes, that, too." Again, role playing, I told him that I thought I was a pretty good person and that God would let me into Heaven. Would he tell me differently? Why did I need God's forgiveness? He told me that I needed forgiveness of sin. I said, "What sin? Are you calling me a sinner? What have I done?" He attempted to skirt the issue by saying, "Anything that's bad in the sight of God." I said, "Like what?" He then said, "Lying, stealing, etc." AHA! Breaking the Law! Well, the Bible does say that "sin is transgression of the Law" in 1 John 3:4. We continued talking and I explained to him that people must first be convinced of the disease before they will appreciate and appropriate the cure. I told him to pose this question to the next group of Christians that God allowed him to speak to, "By show of hands, how many of you have presented the complete Gospel presentation to another person in the last week/month/year, etc." I told him that I'm sure he would find the results to be alarming. I told him that the church has sat back for too long and that we must do something. I wrapped up the conversation by telling him that I loved him and did not want any division between us and that I considered him a brother Christ. I told him to be sure and check out the information that I left. I find it very amazing that our fellow Christians are the biggest hindrances and opponents when trying to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On a positive note, there was one Christian who was with Campus Crusade Ministries and had a great and positive conversation with Jerry. Jerry gave him a copy of the WOTM book. When I came back out to the Free Speech area, Jerry was still OA-ing and I noticed some guys that we had talked to the first time we were on campus standing near our table in the crowd. They are with the Nation Of Islam (Read more about "Blue-eyed devils, the Mother Plane (UFO) and how white people are not yet evolved human beings here.) I approached them and shook hands with them. They seemed to remember me as I had remembered them. One of the guys made a comment to Jerry while he was OA-ing and I told him that he need to step up to the mic. He did. After he had finished, they all came up to the table and we talked about the authenticity of the Bible, Heaven, Hell and Jesus...among many other things. Then a crazy thing happened...they challenged us to a debate on the school campus in an auditorium. He said that he had been out to our website and noticed we had a whole "crew". He said for us to bring our "crew" and he was going to bring some representatives from the NOI and we would have us a good old fashioned debate. I initially thought, "No, we're not supposed to be debating and arguing with others about Christianity." I then looked at it as an opportunity to reach the people that would come to hear the debate with the Gospel. He is supposed to EMail us to set up the time and guidelines for the debate. I must say that I really do love these guys. They are very genuine and sincere in what they believe. They have simply been misled. Remember, people can be sincere and wrong at the same time. It's what is known as being "sincerely wrong". I pray that they would repent and place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15) We talked with a few more people and wrapped it up for the day. As we were about to leave, I had one lady who was a Christian come up and tell me that we were giving Christians a bad name. I asked her if she had heard us go through the whole Gospel presentation. She said, "No, just bits and pieces." Aaaahh! No wonder! I asked her if she regularly shared her faith. She said that she did. I asked her how she did it and it was pretty much the same conversation that I had with the BCS guy (see above) . How ENCOURAGING!!! Anyways...We had great conversations with everyone who was hanging around when we were finished. We packed everything up and headed out. I drove over to the parking garage to drop Jerry off. We all prayed before he left that God would seal the events of the day and that the people would come to know Jesus Christ. "This is eternal life, that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3).