This Brother

This brother by Gods grace has had a huge impact on my life. I'm not by any means putting man before God. But I would just like to mention him and encourage you to listen to his sermons.

I was born again for about 2 months before I first heard of Paul Washer. Like many others the first sermon I heard was "The Shocking Youth Message" or as some call it "Modern American Christianity" and the Lord has used that to move me into a different mind set towards Christianity in America. The "radical" type. Or as he puts it the true Christianity. At first I couldn't listen to the sermon all the way through due to the fact that I felt he was speaking directly to me. That is my testimony, saying a prayer, asking Jesus to come into you heart and then you're set to go to Heaven. But after I was truly converted, I knew that there had to be something deeper than just "asking Jesus to come into your heart". Brother Washer explained that in that sermon, and the Lord has used it.

His name is not famous, unlike some preachers in America. Most Christians have not heard of him. Some Christians don't like him. But the more I look at websites, news articles, sermon forums, and Christians blogs I see his name come up. In my group of people I hang around, his name is top on our lists. The brothers and sisters I speak to, I encourage them to listen to his sermons. Not to make him famous, not to boast, but to challenge them with preaching and teaching with sound doctrine.

In the coming weeks I will be putting his sermon links on the blog.
for more information about his ministry go to www.heartcrymissionary.com

Are we not moved?

This question came up last Wednesday. Sitting on the side of the road in a section of town where the houses aren't even 6 feet from each other, you would think that there would be people looking up at the lunar eclipse. It struck me funny that as I stood across the street I could see multiple TVs on. Now don't get the idea that I'm bashing TV or trying to be all super spiritual, but here is something that will not happen until 2010. I can understand that some people can't go outside, kids need to get in bed, and all the everynight events that have to happen, but how many times in your life do you see things like this happen? How come we are more entertained by hollywood and TV shows and not moved by the things of God? Or even if there not Christians, why wouldn't you come outside to see it? I don't know if it is just me, but i'm entertained by stars. I may have to much time on my hands but I truly love looking at stars. Gazing at a black sky, fulled with little drops of light makes me feel so small and helpless. Also, the sky is the only form of entertainment I have due to the fact I have no TV, DVD player, etc. But beside that point, I know I would be outside trying to find the moon.

Are we more moved by watching someone stuck on an island, someone make of fool of themselves, someone spin around a floor, someone walk across a stage, then watching the moon turn red? Once again, I'm not saying TV is bad, nor am I judging anyone for watching TV. Please don't get that idea because I know someone people will think I'm saying that I'm more spiritual than they are because I watch a stinkin lunar eclipse. No, I'm saying that we are more shocked and awed over some girl getting kicked off a TV show then watching God yes God Himself turn the sky into a spectacle.

Sorry, I had to vent.

Also I have to make a pitch:

If you haven't read Revolution in World Missions pick up a copy from Cornerstone Church or check out the website www.gfa.org

Another good one is The Road to Reality!

Inside the heart.....

Sitting here at the office I can’t help but think about the events that we call “School Shooting” This is a touchy subject in regards on who you talk to about why it happens. I was just reading about the NIU shooting that happened just yesterday. The shooter was a young boy who was very good in his school work. Smart boy I guess you could say. It was a theory a couple of years ago that music effects the actions, which interned caused the Columbine Massacre. Okay I can give you that, but my reasoning and thought may come to an offence to you or even over biblical and super spiritual.

I’ve read articles in titled “Inside the minds of school shooters” and saw how the upbringings, music, school life, social life, video games, etc can affect the mind to make them go on a rampage. True…but my question is…where does that thought to kill come from?

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Now here me out before you say “There has to be something else wrong” I don’t believe there is. Honestly I don’t. God deals with the heart.. The only problem with the kids is their own depravity, just like every single person on the face of this earth. We are dead in our sin and hate God therefore we rebel. Christ said hatred is the same as murder, and now think about this. Remember the last time you got angry. How did you feel, what was your first reaction towards them. The modern phase we use to express anger towards someone is by saying “I’ll kill them”. Now I know that there isn’t anybody on the face of this earth that wouldn’t kill if the strings of common grace were to be lifted off of us. Why because the heart is radical depraved and God hating, therefore we need the Holy Spirit to convict and regenerate. That is some pretty strong words but we follow the heart. Our conscience bears witness that it is wrong, which is a gift from God, but the heart is wicked. It’s not the music, or video games, which yes they do effect but it is so much more. The question isn’t what is inside the mind of a shooter, but what is in the heart? I can tell you that from scripture it says that an unregenerate heart produces murders. That is why the Gospel must go forth. There must be a change of heart in order to be saved. You must be born again. Only a loving, holy God can change a heart made out of stone. People aren’t going to change, until Christians can stand up and speak truth. Jesus Christ died, was raised from the dead and sits at the right hand of God. Therefore all men everywhere must repent and believe the Good News.

Outside of the Walls

The Lord has been working in my heart. Showing me things, convicting me, and teaching me about myself. Since being back from India I've been shown a lot. Before India I without a doubt lost my passion to see the lost saved. Before India I was dry and selfish. Now I'm not saying that seeing India did it, I'm saying that the Lord has and still is chipping away pieces of my selfish heart and allowing me to see His glory. It's hard to work for a missions organization but not really be a missionary yourself. It's really hard to say I want to see the lost saved but not take the same Gospel that the brothers and sister have on the mission field to the people around me. Little by little God is showing me that we are all called to be missionaries. Missions is not what we do but who we are. That is our call! Something stuck out to me last Sunday at church. Brother Buddy kept on saying the phrase "outside of the walls". I've heard that before I was even born again. My dad said that. But over the past few weeks, God has drilled it in my brain. We must be missionaries in America. Just because we have 10 churches every 2 miles doesn't mean that people are born again. We must grab these people who are drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, liars, etc and show them the love of Christ.

I was so moved to see a family I know sell their home and move down to Mexico just to preach the Gospel and show the love of Christ to the lost and dying. It's time we start moving outside of the walls of the church and start loving people. Reaching out the community. Showing people the Gospel through our actions not only in words. Being a people sold out to win the lost at any cost.

I'm excited to start going to school and living back down in Mabank. I feel the Lord calling me there to help the church reach out. Who knows start a street ministry team, meeting in peoples homes in the middle of drug traffic, and do all this by Gods grace! I'm not saying I'm going to do all this, it is just what the Lord has laied upon me. If He chooses to use me, praise Him..but if He also wants me to sit in a room praying for the souls of that area...then praise Him. We must be missionaries. Think missions, be missions.