What are you Thankful for?

November 24, 2009

So many churches in America these days are Man Centered, and in this time of Thanksgiving we should be God centered…if there is anything we have it was given to us by our Lord and Savior, even the lost, the unsaved, the people who despise God receive His gifts on a daily basis. 

Just breathing in and out is reason to praise God of the universe for all eternity, destined for Hell, he broke the chains around your neck that was dragging you to the firey pits, and lifted you up, justified you, and saved you. Not because you deserve it, but because He loves you. Yes, I say be Thankful for THAT! 

Yes be thankful for your family, be thankful for your possessions but above all else make Thanksgiving about Christ, what better gift have you than that? 

Look at it this way, you see… it’s like the creation account. Before He saved you… you were like the earth at the beginning, formless and void. Every wind of fleshly desire that rushed by you, you were caught up in it. You’re heart was black and hated the light… until He spoke… “Let there be light” and the light of the revelation of the truth of Christ flooded your soul, mind, and heart. It may have been a mighty wave overtaking you all at once, or like a flood in the natural world, slowly enveloping your thoughts, until you see the truth.  The truth that ALL the good you could ever do will never be good enough, for Heaven. You see the truth that a lie is breaking God’s holy law, and that one single lie is enough to condemn you eternally. You see your guilt before the entire law, (The 10 commandments) and you realize that you can in NO WAY keep them.. 

Then God once again whispers into your heart, and tells you that He sent His son, Jesus to die on the cross for you. That Jesus, the perfect Son of God died a brutal death so that we wouldn’t have to. Then, Jesus was buried, and 3 days later rose again forever defeating death and the grave.  I am thankful that I am not destined to die, what can you do to be saved from eternal punishment? Nothing… 

It’s a free gift, by God’s grace and HIS Mercy alone can you be saved, if we look at the story of Jonah the Lord was going to destroy Nineveh, because of the cities grave sins against the Lord. However when Jonah preached what did the Ninavites do? did they shake their firsts at God and say “That’s not fair!!” or did they say, “Well the torah teaches the earth is flat, and where did Cain get his wife?”  no, they repented in sack cloth and ashes… and the Lord had mercy. 

Repent and turn from your sins, beg for the God of the universe to save you, to forgive your sins, realize that ONLY Christ can save you, and regardless of ALL the good works you’ve done.. they won’t wash away your sins, (Transgressions of God’s law) So repent, and trust in Christ to save you. Find a good Bible believing church and attend fellowship, then share your faith. 

 

now SALVATION is something to be thankful for!! have a great Holiday, see you early Friday morning as we hand out tracts, and witness to those brave enough to go shopping!

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Posted by Tom

Cross Walk

November 22, 2009

Sometimes you feel alone...

Well it’s always interesting when you walk with a 5ft cross, with “are you ready?” written on it.

The day started out fine, I was nervous, but was blessed to have Michele, and the rest of my family there. We decided to only stay there till 3:15 (about 45 minutes to an hour, we weren’t sure when we got there)  right off the bat two gentleman in the ROTC approached and accepted a tract,  they had questions and I pray God was glorified in the answers I gave, I also attempted to explain the gospel message to them. Being a medical recruiter for the Military, I love that I may have some part in the saving of a life. We discussed that for a little bit, and they went on their way.

After another short wait another group of three came to the cross, and asked what I was doing there, and were they ready for what? I explained that it’s appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment.. were they ready for that. They assured me they were and told me they were Christians, I asked

Christians came to see what I was doing...

them if I had three minutes to live how they tell me how to get to heaven? They shocked me with “Repent, and believe”  I’ve heard everything form “be good” to “who cares” finally a right answer, they liked that I was spreading the word, and I asked If they were. It was an encouragement to see other  Christians out there who were actively sharing their faith, correctly.

The whole time I had a few honks, and one guy flip me “the bird”. Several waves, and a thumbs up.. My wife let me know it was 3:15, but I said we should stay till 3:30 – which we did.

About then a very loud motorcycle pulled up to the light, and as I turned to look the guy was looking at me, I could tell through his helmet and visor

Angry, and drunk.... never a good combo.

without even seeing him, he was mad, and he was going to talk to me. Michele walked over near me and I said “I’m gonna have a visitor” and sure enough, he parked his bike, and walked across the street. He was on his cell phone and said “No… he’s out here with a cross that says “are you ready” dunno who he was talking to but he immediately picked out the star of David on my shirt, and let me know he was a “Jew”, told me how 6.4 million of his “kind” had died at the hands of Nazi Germany, and so on… to make a long, obscene conversation shorter he let me know he was an Atheist Missionary sent to save me from Jesus, He let me know that Jesus was simply a jew who had a great marketing gimmic, give me 10% of your money, and I’ll save you and give you everlasting life. I tried to explain his error but he would have none of that, I actually thought at one point he was going to hit me, so I let him rant and move on without saying anything. Wrong approach?? Maybe, but every encounter I have had with drunk people has not been good, why add another one. Perhaps next time he’ll be sober and we can chat.

I pray for everyone who saw the cross, and who talked to me today, Christian or not – prayer never hurt anyone!! So don’t quit, don’t be discouraged, and don’t stop sharing your faith!

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Posted by Tom

Kimmswick Parade..

November 21, 2009

This will be a very short post.. Just wanted to share a highlight.

And one of My wife handing out some tracts!

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Posted by Tom

Cross Walk

November 20, 2009

 Tomorrow for the first time in a while I’ll be taking my cross out to Kimmswick “holiday” Parade. I am looking forward to conversations, and sharing the gospel with people. I do however ask for your prayers. I want to take the cross to places where it will start conversations,  however as most of you know who carry a cross, it’s “offensive” to many people – especially with words “Are you ready?” on it. It brings to mind their own mortality, and makes them realize they’re probably not. Needless to say I am a tad “nervous” 

Kimmswick is a VERY small town who’s only money comes from tourism, profiting from the history of the town Kimmswick’s streets are lined with small shops perfect for a Sunday getaway. Oddly the town has the appeal to draw more than 150,000 people every spring and fall during their annual festivals. We had participated in the fall festival this year, and while the first day was amazing, the second day they shut the preaching of the word down, and told us we were breaking the rules if we left our 10×10 space. With only a few hours left we stayed until the rain started, and headed home. That weekend we passed out literally thousands of tracts, and had hundreds of conversations. One of the chief complaints the city hall had when we spoke to them was the crosses. One man carried his around town, and I held mine near a busy street, they weren’t happy. 

 Tomorrow I am going to take it and stand along the parade route, in hopes of starting conversations about Christ. I am nervous, and a little hesitant. But it must be done. Lately I’ve been really convicted about all the pictures people take, and posting them, it could easily be seen as pride… a “look what I did” type thing. So if we take any pics, I’ll post them, but don’t expect a lot. I would actually like to get pics of my wife evangelizing, she is more than happy to take pics of me, but no one can ever return the favor. She does more than I do typically, especially in planning, photos, the “behind the scenes” stuff. She’s a blessing. 

old and new cross.

 I really would appreciate your prayers; Lord willing we should be heading out around 9:00 or 9:30 am. If anyone is in the St. Louis area and would like to join me please let me know. I honestly don’t expect a big crowd, but… ya never know.  :)

*and sorry if I stole the name of this article from someone… it is familiar, but seemed to fit.

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Posted by Tom

Origins into Schools (WashU)

November 19, 2009

150 years ago a man published a book putting forth a theory that man, instead of coming from one creator, evolved over millions if not billions of years into what we are today.  Since this book the battle has been on, Creation VS. Evolution.

Sadly some have been swayed by the mindless logic of the evolutionist, their lies, and their boldness in spouting false as if it were true.  Fast Forward 150 yrs, The world nearly worships the man who wrote the book “Origin of Species”, Evolution is taught as fact to grade school kids, and God has been forced out the door of the school, out of the public, and kept locked behind the doors of Christians, and churches.

Yesterday Christians burst forth from their locked doors, and hiding places and reclaimed ground lost to the enemy. Yesterday thousands of Christians united on college campuses across the nation, to distribute the truth which exposes the lie. My wife and I were lucky to be able to work with a team of Christians God had truly brought together.

At 9:00 am Christians from various denominations braved the cold, and rain because we care about those students and faculty. They’re being taught a lie, they’re being taught a lie is indeed fact. For the most part yesterday was a blast, regardless of their beliefs it was a pleasure talking to folks.

I saw a post where an atheist said “arguments” were everywhere, which is sadly a mistake. I had one or two conversations with some VERY intelligent people who presented their case very well, sadly my communications skills were not such that I could properly convey my questions to them. My question was “how can evolution cause everything to evolve at the exact same rate? Where are the monkey/men and the blob/monkeys? For evolution to be true it would have to be a continual process.. However it seems to have stopped, even in the species alive today” the “best” answer I got was directed at theistic evolution, which isn’t what the Bible teaches. I have the utmost respect for the people we spoke to, I am certain they think we’re delusional, and we think they simply MUST not know the truth. I think they have had evolution thrown at them from the time they were old enough to watch TV, and taught it is fact. And sadly the parents, even most of the Christian ones don’t make the effort to combat that lie. Christians depend on the church to do it, when it’s not the churches job. It’s ours…. But that’s a rant for another day!

One conversation my wife had concerned her greatly, she handed a man a book, he walked away reading it, and then he returned with concern in his voice inviting her to an evolution class he was in. It touched her a lot. Sadly we didn’t have the time…I am sure she’ll post more at a late date.

The top things we heard:

  • OH! We thought this was a Bible, THANKS!
  • OH! We thought you were Evangelicals (Thats a bad thing?)
  • I am calling security!
  • HA HA HA HA HA HA
  • (Security) Stay where you are, I’ll check to see if it’s our property, if so just move up a bit!
  • THIS IS CREATIONISM, I AM CALLING SECURITY!!
  • This is free? THANKS
  • and one… no thanks, I am a creationist.

  Luckily hundreds of people got the gospel into their hands. We’re praying for each and every one of them. Overall WashU was awesome, beautiful campus, brilliant students and faculty, and kind and open to people with opposing view.

I want to thank the team I was with, what an amazing group of dedicated Christians. Each one a blessing and an asset, without them this would have never happened. Thanks Guys, and Gals.

to know more please click here

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Posted by Tom

Twas the Month Before Christmas

November 13, 2009

I got this from a friend on Facebook.

JesusBirthTwas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas – no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears*
*You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !*

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Posted by Tom

Satan Claus

November 12, 2009

evil-santaI wonder if I should call this

 ”The effects of Santa Claus on the grace saturated, law starved Christians of America.”

 
recently I received an e-mail stating how a local Christian store would have Santa kneeling at the manger with baby Jesus!

This offends me, I posted this on facebook, and wow….got hammered by some fellow Christians, Thankfully however, received some support from great brothers and sisters in Christ.  Now I am not claiming to be “holier than thou” by any means, but when our Lord saved me, I put Him first. My daughter was born, and my wife & I was pressured to let her believe in Santa.. so when she was 2 or 3… old enough to believe this lie. We told her the truth, Christmas is about Jesus Christ, not Santa Claus. Santa is a  fictional Character based on a guy who did something good back in the day, who would probably be appalled that his likeness was now trumping  Christ in the Holiday festivities.

So why so angry? After all “Santa” will tell the real meaning of  Christmas right? first in this day and age of the modern Gospel we have to worry about what story santa is telling, but also it’s still santa. It’s a lie at minimum. Santa even being at the manger to tell the story promotes the idea of santa in a childs life. Christmas is about  Christ… hence the name. It’s not Santamas..

As a Christian we should abolish the idea of Santa, and maintain the idea of a Christ only Christmas. If we let Santa come into the picture, how it demeans what God did for us, and why we even celebrate the day?  If we celebrate because Santa is doing good things, then it’s a 100% selfish holiday. You give because you’re being given to..  However if we look at what God did for us, how He sent His ONLY son, to be a sacrifice for us, then Christmas goes from a day of selfishness, to selfless-ness. When I grew up, I had NO CLUE what Christmas was about, as it is now, we bake a cake for Christ, Although I am certain it’s not the day He was really born, we sing happy Birthday, and release a happy Birthday Balloon into the sky. Cheesy? Probably, but I would rather be looked at as a weirdo, than allow Satan… I mean Santa into my home for one minute. If we’re not always focused on Him, how can we say we love Him?

if this was your wife’s birthday, or husband’s. Would you allow your kids to sing happy Birthday to the Pillsbury doughboy? would you allow your kids to celebrate that birthday to the image of Will Smith, the Easter Bunny, or any one other than you’re spouse?? absolutely not. Yet by allowing Satan… er.. uh.. Santa into your home that’s exactly what you’re doing to Christ, the very one who saves you from eternal damnation.

I encourage everyone reading this to examine themselves, we’re commanded in the Bible to do it. We’re from all walks of life, all faiths, denominations, and beliefs.

Do you, Like Joyce Meyer claim to be sinless? Yet 1 John 1:8 disagrees 8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”

Or perhaps you, like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and so many others, believe that our words have “creative power” or that we somehow give God permission to act in our lives, perhaps Like Creflow Dollar you think we’re “little Gods” ladies and Gentleman, Jesus didn’t die on the cross so you could have new car, Jesus actually told those following him JUST for bread to leave.. remember? Here’s the truth…

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, born of a virgin to be sin for us. 
What’s sin? Sin is the transgression of God’s law. His Law is the 10 
commandments.. You have to ask yourself.. Have you ever lied? if so 
your seen by God as a Liar. have you every hated? then you’re seen in 
God’s eyes as a Murderer (Mtthw 5:21-22) have you ever Looked with 
Lust? Then you’re seen by God as an adulterer (Mtthw 5:27-28)  and 
thats only 3 of the 10 commandments! We should know that if we’re 
guilty of one, we’re guilty of them all!!

But God is not willing that ANY should perish, He sent His Son, Jesus 
to die on the cross for our sins, as payment for our transgressions. Jesus was raised back to life, conquering death and the grave, forever defeating the sting of death. Now, We can’t earn our way to heaven, all our works are filthy rags before the Lord. We can’t buy our way there, for who has more than the God who created everything. It’s a free gift, so that NO MAN can boast.

How do you get there? by a prayer? Someone praying for you? ONLY THROUGH repentance and faith. Repent means to turn from your sin, stop the habitual sin thats in your life.. put your faith in Christ.. He doesn’t need your acceptance, He’s GOD! you can’t just “know” Him, I can know the president, but unless he knows me I am not getting anywhere near the Whitehouse. Cry out to God, BEG for His grace and Mercy, study the  Bible learn God’s word! Put your faith, total trust in Him.. THATS THE  ONLY WAY. Repentance and Faith. Saying a prayer doesn’t guarantee your salvation, I do believe a prayer, with the right attitude and heart 
behind it will brings God’s grace and mercy, however I do not believe 
that “the sinners prayer” as repeated after the evangelist works. If I 
cheated on my wife, how sincere am I if my pastor leads me in an apology to her? Cry out to God, BEG  HIS  forgiveness.. and put your trust in Him, and only Him. Read the Word, Find a Good BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH, and fellowship! Also Share your faith! 

I’d be happy to talk with anyone interested (E-mail me here)

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Posted by Tom

“Latter day saints”

November 2, 2009

Whenever I hear the word “Saints” I think of the song “When the saints go marching in” - It’s a sad to think that few if  any of the Church of Latter Day Saints will be included in that number. I am not picking on LDS.. I truly believe Joseph Smith was a man who had a vision, and I truly believe that vision was spiritual, how else could someone write the things he wrote – that being said, there are TWO sides to the Spiritual world.  I do not hold him to be a prophet, but a puppet. 

On Halloween this year, I encountered several LDS missionaries, cruising the streets, I assume to hand out their literature, and speak with folks. I had given them some tracts, and explained the truth was on the back of them.

Mormonism has an “impossible gospel”, I am hardly eloquent, or knowledgable enough to explain this so please watch this video. If you’re LDS I encourage you to look at ALL sides of the argument.

This is a teaching to teach Christians how to witness to LDS, however I firmly believe that the LDS Person should watch this to see how their gospel fails.

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Posted by Tom