In Honor of...

To my Nana, who is the strongest woman I know. Standing at about 4' foot nothing with flaming red hair, this woman could be heard from at least a mile away just with her laugh. She wasn't just your avg old woman. She always had something to say. Being raise and living in the south will do that to you. Her humor, love, care, and personality made up "Silly Philly." It seems like yesterday that I was helping her plant flowers, putting up bird houses, and laying stone in her yard, which she loved. Oh, and just yesterday it seems like we were in the mall buying luggage for my trip to India, and just yesterday my grandmother passed from this life into the arms of Jesus. Yes she will be missed, but praise God she is in a much better place then this world.

She is a beautiful woman. Inside and outside. I will miss her coming over just to say hi. I will miss the stories of her. I will miss her smile. It just wont be the same without her.

You see, I'm sorry there are so few words but if you knew her, you would agree with me in saying that there is no way you can describe someone like her. No word explains or even comes close to touching the surface of my Nana.

That cancer the doctor said she had, didn't kill her. The fluid on her lungs, that didn't either. The infection in her body didn't phase her one bit. It just seemed right to God to take her out of this world for Himself. None of that stuff whatsoever could have held her down anyway.

I thank her for everything she was done. She is an example to me to keep on fighting. I love you, and I will miss you.

Phyllis Powell
April 15, 1946 - July 29, 2008

Great Stories of Christians

There are many stories in the Christian world that just make you sit back and marvel at the work of God. I want to share a few stories with you and every Christian I believe needs to know by heart.

Here is a Story About Charles Spurgeon.

In 1857, a day or two before preaching at the Crystal Palace, I went to decide where the platform should be fixed; and, in order to test the acoustic properties of the building, cried in a loud voice, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." In one of the galleries, a workman, who knew nothing of what was being done, heard the words, and they came like a message from heaven to his soul. He was smitten with conviction on account of sin, put down his tools, went home, and there, after a season of spiritual struggling, found peace and life by beholding the Lamb of God. Years after, he told this story to one who visited him on his death-bed.

A Missionary Story

In September of 1955, Nate Saint Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian found a Huaorani settlement while searching by air. In order to reach the remote tribe, Saint and the team lowered gifts, including machetes and clothing, to the Huaorani in a bucket tied to the plane. The Huaorani were a widely feared tribe, because of their chronic fear and anger. They tended to attack and kill any outsiders without provocation. Nevertheless, the tribe displayed excitement on receiving the gifts, and soon gave back gifts of their own. After three months of successful air contact, the missionaries decided to attempt to meet the people on the ground, and on January 3, 1956, they set up camp four miles from the Auca settlement, using a portion of the beach as a landing strip. Their initial personal contact with the Huaorani started out encouraging; however, on Sunday, January 8, 1956 the entire team was killed on the beach when armed Huaorani met them.

John Wesley

No church in England would allow John Wesley to preach. So he decide to open air preach. After seeing the results he never again hesitated to preach in any place where an assembly could be gotten together, more than once using his father's tombstone at Epworth as a pulpit. He continued for fifty years — entering churches when he was invited, and taking his stand in the fields, in halls, cottages, and chapels, when the churches would not receive him

The Two Moravian Missionaries

Two young Moravians heard of an island in the West Indies, where an atheist British owner had 2,000 to 3,000 slaves. And the owner had said, “No preacher, no clergyman will ever stay on this island. If he’s shipwrecked,we’ll keep him in a separate house until he has to leave but he’s never gonna talk to any of us about God. I’m through with all that nonsense.”Three thousand slaves from the jungles of Africa brought to an island in the Atlantic and there to live and die without hearing of Christ. Two young Moravians heard about it. They sold themselves to the British planter then used the money they received from the sale, for he paid no more than he would for any slave, to pay their passage out to his island for he wouldn’t even transport them.And as the ship left the …river at Hamburg ...left its pier at the river at Hamburg and was going out to the North Sea, carried with the tide. The Moravians had come from Herrnhut to see these two lads off, in their early twenties, never to return again. For this wasn’t a four-year term, they’d sold themselves into lifetime of slavery. Simply that as slaves they could be as Christians for these others were.The families were there weeping for they knew they’d never see them again. And they wondered why they’re going and questioned the wisdom of it. And as the gap widened and the houses had been cast off and were being curled up there on the pier. And the young boys saw the widening gap, one lad, with his arm linked through the arm of his fellow, raised his hand and shouted across the gap the last words that were heard from them. They were these: “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering” And this became the call of Moravian missions. And this is the only reason for being, that the Lamb that was slain may receive the reward of His suffering.

The Last Story...

267 years ago on July 8, 1741 Jonathan Edwards preach one of the most famous sermons of all times. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. The rest is history.


Here are just a few stories that have impacted me. Let me know about a few stories that challenge you!

Oh the Law Which Shows It's Might

Well God has been faithful in answering my prayers! I've been praying each week that God would allow me to witness to someone. I want to share with you one witnessing experence.

I was sitting here on Monday messing around on my laptop when I felt a sudden desire to go outside. I don't know why but if it was God urging me to go forth I didn't wanna grieve the Spirit. So off I went....

I sat on the front steps praying "Lord bring someone." I prayed that then went inside to grab a "What If" tract, and as soon as I came out, 2 guys were walking down the street. I knew God heard my prayer, ordained this time, and so I knew I had to witness. The 2 guys came walking by the house so I met them before they passed.

mc: can I ask you a few questions, it's for a class?
guy1: ummm, I guess....
mc: okay, well who were the first the presidents of the USA?
guy1: Washington, Adams, Jefferson....
mc: you know, you'd be shocked at how many Americans do know that.(keep in mind that this guy had a darker skin tone, and middle eastern accent)
mc: okay next question...when was the Declaration of Independence signed?
guy2: July 4, 1777...dang i mean 1776.
mc: sweet..okay next question...how many types of beer can you name.
guy2: oh, a lot!
mc: oh really...start naming them.
guy2: bud, bud light, miller, etc...(he names about 15)
mc: oh okay wow...do you drink?
guy2: no, my dad's a drunkerd
mc: okay okay no big deal, okay last question. how many 10 commandments can you name?
guy1 and guy2: ummm...hummm.....well
guy1: dont lie, dont steal..(guy2...ummmm) oh what is that other one...dont cheat.(?)
mc: okay, that's pretty good..well have you kept them?
guy1 and guy2: haha...no

this was a great lead! God opened up the door to very clearly use the Law to show sin

then...

mc: well hey, I'm a Christian, and I just wanna talk for a little bit if you dont mind. Do you believe in God?
guy2: yeah...I believe
mc: how about you?
guy1: well I'm an atheist.
mc: okay! well that's cool...where are you from?
guy1: Pakistan
mc: oh okay, so you were probably raised Muslim?
guy1:.......yeah
mc: so what made you decide to become atheist?
guy1: well because why would I believe in a god that would make me fast for a month, pray 5 times a day, and do all this s*** to please him?

oh what a door God opened up!!! Guy1 was still relating everything back to Islam.

mc: makes sense...you're right. You know what Christianity says about that?
guy1: not really.
mc: You can't do anything. It is free! God became Man, and died for your sin. The Law that you have broken is for us to see our sin. It also shows us that we need a Savior! 2000 years ago Jesus Christ was crushed. The full wrath of God was poured out on Him. The same wrath that will be poured out on all who reject Him. Christ bore the weight of sin and died. 3 days later He rose again from the dead and now sits at the Right Hand of God waiting to judge. God now commands you to repent and put your faith in Christ. Repent means to turn away from your sin! God will put a new desire for you to know Him, and a desire to hate sin. That is what God did. If you dont repent, God will find you guilty and cast you in hell.

guy1 and guy2 thought for a little bit and didn't say much.

mc: from the Fall. the Fall meaning when man fell into sin, we are born dead in sin. Depraved, and God-hating. We love our sin, and would do nothing else but sin. Therefore God is totally justified by sending all of us to hell or our sin and rebellion. BUT..He provided A Way through Christ's blood.


both of their heads were down at this time


mc: do you think that lying is bad?
both: yes
mc: how about stealing?
both: ........yes
mc: how do you know that? where did you get that moral law?
guy2:....it had to have come from God.
mc: that's right. God gave you a conscience. you know right and wrong. God did that. this just proves that you need a Savior.

mc: you see that tree over there? that proves that there is something Bigger out there.

both of them agreed

mc: now which religion is right? you have Islam which tells you believe in allah and work your way. or Hinduism..just pick one of the 330 million gods. or Christianity which says that God did everything for you just repent and believe in Him and He will put a desire in you, He will grow you. God does it!

after that I shook their hands and told them I'd be praying for them. Oh I gave them the one tract that I had on me. the "What If" tract....

Please pray for "Ray" and "Sean"

Stone to Flesh

I was once Your enemy as I stood before the Law.
Damned to condemnation due to the effect of the Fall.

Rebel, God hater, all burning within
lover of pleasure was the weight of my sin.

My heart so black so wicked unclean
Your wrath poured out was what I should glean

As coming Day in which You should judge
knowing that I would be bound in the Grudge

But by Your grace have I been saved
and by Your blood I am no longer a slave

The work You did to change my heart
from stone to flesh a work of art

The faith You gave the repentance You granted
is something that I could have never chanted

For that wrath oh in which you took
so that my name could be found in that Book

And to You who died and rose again
My love is due until the end.

Goin' Back to the Roots: Faith in Christ and the Repentance of Sin

I've learned a lot since I first started to share my faith about 2 years ago. Things to say, things not to say. Having a street-side debate on creation and the big bang theory with a drunk 25 year old woman. (By God's grace, He sobered her up to hear the Gospel) Long talks about the antichirst, end times, and all the problems with America. (Which actually all can be turned back to the Gospel) Getting the cops called on you and them threating to arrest us. (Which lead to me getting pulled over for the first time and the cops saying they were sorry they made the threat)

I could go on with times I've talked to people. I honestly think that every Christian should do that. I've learned so much about people, and how they act just by handing them a tract or just sparking a convo about God. I don't feel as if Christians need a "Sudden Passion" or "Divine Calling" to talk about the Gospel...I think we should be able to talk about Jesus..the One that saved us. As Mark Cahill said "We GET to share the Good News!" I know for me, it was hard to start a convo, but in the end I'm glad God gave me the words to speak. As I've heard over and over again..."just open your mouth."

There is no way I can boast in myself about the times I've witness or the talks I've had with people because I didn't do anything except for open my mouth. God has promised us that He would speak through us. I just want to encourage you and myself with the truths that God has in His Word about salvation and some keys to witnessing. I don't claim to know a lot about witnessing but I do know Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1Co 2:2)

Faith in Christ:
Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Mar 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

These are real verses! As Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Which means....we must witness. If people are saved by faith, and faith comes by hearing the Word, we must proclaim the Word so people can receive that faith and put it in Christ. I use to down play faith. I didn't express it while I was witness, but after reading the NT, I've come to find out that everything done in the Christian life has to be done by faith. Meaning that the faith in Christ that we have in very important, and we must share with people that faith in Christ is important.


Repentance of Sin:
Luk 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Mar 6:12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.
Act 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Rev 16:9 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

The other thing needed to be expressed in witnessing is the need of repentance of sin. Even in my Christian life, I've learned that repentance is key. Some people may take this to be the whole "turn or burn" style of preaching or witnessing. Which, in fact, with an honest heart...yes that is what it is. I may not say it, but I sure do mean it. I do preach it with grace though. Not trying to be harsh, even though it may come across that way. But the need is there. Repent of sin. Turn from it and live. This came to life for me as I was saved. All I knew was sin and evil. But God allows me to turn from my sin and believe the Gospel. I didn't have to sin anymore! I didn't have to go to Hell! God commands us to repent from sin and put our faith in Christ.

Goin' Back to the Roots: Thoughts of the Weekend

This weekend, let me tell you was great! Spending time with mom and dad, swimming with Amanda, listening to Kenneth preach what I thought was a great sermon, hanging out with Melissa's family, and of course spending time with her as well! I honestly can't wait to be back in Mabank and be around the lake. My desire to be back down there was sparked by something Kenneth said. I'm going to parapharse it, but here we go. In his sermon, he was speaking about Paul in Acts 21 and 22. He mentioned that Paul lived among these people, they knew his old life. But as he gave his defense, Paul made it very clear that he was a changed man.

Kenneth brought up a good point being that for so of us, we live among the same people who knew us in our old lives. Who all they ever knew was the old man. But now since we are saved, we need to live a totally new life. A life in Christ!

For me, I lived among the people of Mabank. People knew me as I once was (you can ask Melissa) but by God's mercy and grace, He saved me! He saved me...

Now, just as Paul, I can make my defense and say that God has worked through my life and change who I am. God did it, not me.

Tonight, many Mabank High School students just graduated. Some know where they are going, some don't. Others don't care, and others..well are just glad they made it this far. I remember that. I knew what I was suppose to do. God told me. I was called to live like Christ and tell people about Him. This is what I'm still called to do. He has provided me with a wonderful family. An encouraging best friend Melissa. A supportive church family, and most of all I have the Holy Spirit. He does all things well!

As I was driving home yesterday from Melissa's house, I crossed a bridge. It's a good size bridge in length. As I drove, I watched the sun fall behind the trees and rays of light peered upon the open face of the lake. I missed that so much. But then I realized that only about 5 miles down the road lies one of the darkness places on the lake. People who don't know Jesus. The "unchurched people". But watching the sun fall, God gave me hope that He is in control of all things. He is in control of all the ones who graduated, the drug addicts, unsaved church-goer, and everyone else around the lake. He put on my heart to pray for revival around the lake. Going back to the roots of Truth, and telling people about the Risen Christ!

As I heard this weekend, open your mouth and let people know about Christ. The Christ of the Bible.

Old Paths Combined With New Roads Make Up My Life

I'm sitting here...alone...in the dark...without any noise, well except for the washer and dryer. But anyway, soooo I've been thinking about some things.

As some of you may know, I've been going through some struggles these past couple of months. I've had some questions, issues, and etc come up in my life and it really brought me down in my faith. But as God's word says, He causes us to walk in His ways, He came and started working, and revealing sin in my life. As God being the loving One He is, He allowed me to repent. But here are some things that have help me grow closer to Him.




Mat 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Mat 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Mat 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Mat 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Here are some passages that have helped me out along the way. Also some other things the Lord has used to help me.

God has once again used the book One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven by Mark Cahill. Along with Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper.

Getting hammered by Paul Washer.

God has also showed me the need to be urgent in my prayers and have faith that in all things He will be glorified!

Knowing that I have the Holy Spirit indwelling. That is all the power I need to walk in this world.

Picking up my old study Bible. The first Bible I actually read after I was born again.

Reading the Way of the Master website.

Praying for the mission field and believing that God will make His name great among the nations.

Something struck me as I was looking at myself and wondering why I felt so dry and weak over the past couple of months. I was trying to think up new ways to serve and worship God. I'm not going to go into detail but in a sense, the things were not me. I know I have grown so much in love and grace but I missed so much about thinking about things that really didn't matter. Trying to look for the things that would work for "me and my personal walk" with Him and not really looking into the Word to find out.

"Even though we may think something might work, we should do what is right, even if it works or not."
- Paul Washer

For me...that is so true. I was trying to find things that worked instead of doing what is right. Right being to repent, forsake sin, love others, and live like Christ. I wanted to love others, and be like Christ. But I couldn't do it unless I repented.

So my point is this, I've learned so much about love and grace. Becoming more mature as a young man, but I forget that I must be like Christ and hate sin. In a sense I'm reverting back to who I was, but in a totally difference sense, I'm becoming more and more like Christ. Amen!