your soul matters
One man's attempt to glorify God through the preaching of His gospel.
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Why I Choose To Believe the Bible
The series of videos below is one of my favorites. Voddie Baucham is a very intelligent, very articulate, and on occasion very funny speaker, and this presentation of the reliability of the Bible is excellent. I would encourage you to spend the time to listen to the entire message. It is well worth the time. If you are a believer in Christ, it will strengthen your faith and give you a better foundation for defending the Bible. If you are not a believer, it should give you something to think about. Be sure to visit his ministry at:
On Facebook
At their web site
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The Gospel Burst My Sanitized Christian Bubble | Dena’s Testimony
If you haven’t done so already, take 40 minutes (believe me, it’s worth it) to watch my friend Dena’s testimony video. It’s very powerful, particularly if you grew up in the church. In fact, it could just change your life. Watch it, and share it with your friends. When you’re done, I’d love to hear your comments. Thanks to Jared Duba of Depraved Wretch for putting it together. If you’ve ever seen any of the other videos from our team (Norcal Seedsowers), they were probably done by him. He specializes in this type of work.
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Norcal Fire – Our First Annual Evangelism Conference!
I’m happy to announce that the Norcal Seedsowers, our local evangelism team, is almost finished working through the details for our first self-sponsored Biblical evangelism conference! The flyer is posted below. Please consider attending if you can, and let your friends and church family know. Hope to see you there!
Web Site: www.norcalfire.org
Team Web Site: www.norcalseedsowers.com
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The Gospel – Norcal Seedsowers
This is an updated and shortened version of our recent Halloween Evangelism video. It’s only a bit over 4 minutes, so it’s a good length to share through email or social media, and is a complete presentation of the gospel. I pray it’s a blessing!
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What Do You Believe? Truth That God Exists
The link below is to an excellent page put together by my friend Sye TenBruggencate. That’s OK, I can’t pronounce it either. However, despite the rather unusual name, the information on the page is powerful. It will walk you through proof that God exists, provided your presuppositions allow you to continue. If you are not a Christian believer, it will challenge how you think about truth, similar to another previous post of mine called Nuclear Strength Apologetics (which you can find under the Videos section). I’d love to hear your feedback. God bless!
www.proofthatgodexists.org
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Today on a Street Corner
Today I headed out to a local street corner with my Are You Ready cross. It has become something of a ritual, and I go out almost every Monday morning after dropping my girls off at school. It’s a time to think, reflect, sing a few worship tunes under my breath, and pray for those who are driving by. The intersection of Cottle and Palmia is pretty busy in the mornings, since there is a freeway entrance a few blocks away, and the intersection borders on a good size housing development and one of the larger medical centers in the area. Thankfully, although the weather has been very cold and wet lately, this morning was relatively mild and dry.
It’s interesting to watch people’s reactions as they drive by and see the cross, which has Are You Ready on one side, and Mercy Justice on the other, in reflective lettering. Their reactions run the gamut, from very positive to very negative. Some, particularly some who work in the area and are used to seeing me, will smile and wave. Others will honk with a smile on their faces, and sometimes point upward. Still others (not common, but they are there) will yell something sarcastic or nasty, and maybe offer a one-finger salute, as someone did today. I have to wonder why they are so mad, although based on what the Bible says, I think I know. But most look and drive by with a confused or quizzical look on their faces. I tried to particularly look at and pray for some of those faces today, wondering what they were thinking.
My prayer is that those who see that cross will be encouraged to think about eternity, and that the Holy Spirit will use the sight of it to convict them and draw them to Himself. Some would probably ask how effective this type of evangelism is. Sometimes I’m not sure, as I stand on the corner with few interactions as people speed by. But other times I am very firmly convinced that it is a powerful witness. When I have taken the cross to public festivals, and street corners where there is more foot traffic, it’s not even a question. I have had many, many people come up to me and ask “Ready for what?” This has led to more witnessing encounters than I can count. Contrary to common wisdom, most people don’t mind, or are even anxious, to talk about spiritual things, if they are approached with respect and compassion, by someone who knows what they believe. I really wish more Christians would realize that this is the case and be bolder in sharing their faith. But every time I begin to doubt, whether about the cross on a corner or some other style of public evangelism I engage in, God gives me clarity, and shows me how He can use the simplest, most imperfect means for His purposes.
This morning I did have some interaction. Paul walked by, and stopped to talk about the cross. Paul appeared to be at least semi-homeless, and looked like he had lived a hard life. I’ve talked to many such men, particularly during witnessing encounters downtown, who have blown out their minds on drugs and alcohol. About half of Paul’s comments made some sense. The other half was somewhat random gibberish, some of which had only vague connections to what we were talking about. But I believe in a God of miracles, one who healed the sick, cleansed the leper, gave sight to the blind and even raised the dead. He is certainly capable of reaching Paul, so I tried, as compassionately as I could, to work the core of the gospel message around his ramblings, and gave him a tract. He clearly understood his sin, and judgment made sense to him. I wasn’t able to go as deeply as I wanted to into the cross and grace before he wandered off, but thankfully the results are in God’s hands, not mine. The quality is in the seed, not the sower. As Paul wandered across the next intersection, I even saw him holding up the million dollar bill I gave him, showing the drivers who were trying to avoid running him down as he pointed back in my direction.
Only God knows what impact that tract and our conversation will have, but I will keep praying for Paul, and I hope some of you will too. Conversation like the one I had with Paul can be a challenge, but they can be a great blessing too. They are a great reminder that God is faithful, and will carry you through difficult circumstances. They are also a good reminder that the people we see on the street every day are more than just faces. They are souls, desperately in need of a savior. If you have been discouraged with your past witnessing encounters, or have felt fear of approaching someone with the gospel, worried that you might say the wrong thing and scare someone off, put that fear aside. God is big enough to take your poorest, most inept attempt at evangelism and turn it into something amazing for His glory. I’m praying that someday I’ll find out that is exactly what happened with Paul. If you don’t know Christ, I’d love to talk to you sometime too. Just as is true with Paul, I care about you and where you will spend eternity. There is nothing more valuable than your soul, and nothing on earth worth trading it for.
Dan
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A Christmas Story
The letter below is from my good friend and evangelism partner James Bynum. He wrote it following a Christmas evangelism outing, and sent it to members of his church to encourage them in their evangelism efforts. I think it will be an encouragement to many of you too.Dan——————–Dear Brothers and Sisters,As I write this, Diane is sleeping in the other room. After service tonight, I dropped off Diane at home (because she has bronchitis) and I went to “Christmas in the Park” to share the Gospel. I was alone this time, but that’s okay, as a Christian I know I’m never really alone.I handed out a few hundred Gospel Tracts, then I read the story of Christmas from the Bible aloud. I actually drew a crowd of people who listened. I ended with the Gospel, and explained why Jesus came, and how their sins could be forgiven.When I finished and decided to go home as we have to get up early in the morning. I walked to the parking garage praying for all those I shared the Gospel with.
A man approached me with a paper cup with a dollar in it and asked if I could spare some change. I could smell alcohol on his breath. I explained that I don’t hand out cash because some might spend it on drugs or alcohol. I offered to feed him if he was hungry, and he said he was. I walked with him a short distance to a restaurant that I know is open late.As we walked, I asked him if he knew the meaning of Christmas. He said he didn’t, so I explained it to him. He did have a Christian background, and I was able to explain how we have sinned against God, and how Jesus came to earth to save men who had condemned themselves by sinning against an infinite and holy God, who is a just judge.
As it turned out, the restaurant was closed, but we stood there on the street and talked for a while. I told him all about Jesus, and his loving sacrifice for sinful men like us. I told him how He had made a way that men could be saved. I explained repentance. I explained faith. The man’s eyes teared as he spoke of his own sinfulness. He freely admitted his guilt. He was deeply moved…I could see it in his eyes. He told me that he was thankful he had met me. He said he believed it was not a coincidence, and I had to agree. He has been struggling, and he knew that he was not right with God.I apologized that the restaurant was closed because of Christmas, but I gave him some gift cards I had for a nearby McDonalds. I gave him a Gospel Tract, and copy of the ‘Gospel of John’. He set down his cup and took my hands and asked if we could pray. He called out to God with a thankful heart. When he finished, I prayed for him. I asked God to grant him repentance, and to forgive him as he has forgiven me. I asked God to bless him.We had talked for quite a while before I wished him a Merry Christmas, and explained that I needed to go home to my wife. It was hard to leave. The man’s heart was overflowing with joy and thankfulness. I would say good bye and he would come back after me time and again. He said he hoped we would meet again. I gave him information about our church, and told him how to find me downtown on Saturday nights. After a second loving hug, we parted ways. As I drove home, I prayed for him and I wept for joy.I set out on Christmas Eve to bless the Lord, and to bless the Lost with his Gospel. As He does so often, it was actually me that He blessed. Who would have dreamed that a man on the street with a paper cup in his hand, and a soft heart overflowing with joy for the Lord, would become one of my all time favorite Christmas memories?Praise you Christ Jesus, you are righteous, and loving, and kind. No one is like you O God, forgiving, and full of mercy and grace. You have blessed me all my days, and filled my heart with joy. I love you with ever fiber of my being, and I owe you everything. Please let the seed of your Gospel grow in this man’s heart Lord, and save many with your Gospel. How can I help but love you O God, my God. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Glory to God in the highest!Brother…Sister…We must NEVER rest while there is even one who does not know Him.Merry Christmas,~James
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Halloween Evangelism – 2010-2011
Hello all! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to post anything, but God willing, I will be able to get back to posting more regularly. It’s tough during the holidays, since I work in retail, but there are a lot more subjects I would like to post on, particularly in my WHAT ABOUTS section, and I don’t want to get out of the habit. If there is a commonly asked question about Christianity that you have heard while sharing your faith, or have wondered about yourself, please let me know and I will start looking for some good materials on it or start writing something myself.
The two videos below were put together by Jared Duba of Depraved Wretch, and are records of our Halloween Weekend outreaches for 2010 and 2011. There were some amazing interactions, particularly for 2011. I pray that they are an encouragement, and would love to hear your feedback.
2010
2011
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Tri-fold Million Dollar Bill Tract – Re-printing Soon
This is the text for a tri-fold million dollar bill tract I had printed a while back. I’m starting to run low, so I will likely be printing more soon. If you are interested in getting some, let me know. If you have any feedback regarding the text, please let me know that as well. I want the text to be the best, and most biblical, that it can be, and have already made several changes based on feedback I have received. Your input and prayers are appreciated!
Dan
TRACT TEXT
The million dollar question: where will you go when you die? Everyone has an opinion on the subject. Some say Heaven or Hell, or even multiple levels of Heaven, some say purgatory, some say paradise on earth or destruction, some say nirvana, or enlightenment, and some say nothing. But SOMETHING is true about eternity, and although all these ideas could be wrong, there is no way they could all be right. You can be sure that all of us will be dead a lot longer than we will be alive, so it’s a good thing to think about now. After all, none of us are promised tomorrow[1].
The Bible says something specific is true about eternity. It says it is appointed unto men once to die, and after that, the judgment[2]. But most people don’t think much about judgment very often, because they figure that if heaven exists, they are good enough to get in on their own merits[3]. Does that describe you? Do you think you are good enough to go to heaven? Are you sure you are ready to stand before God?
Listen to what the Bible says about God. It says He is perfect and holy[4]. It says He hates sin and that His eyes are too pure to look on evil[5]. It says He is angry with the wicked every day[6]. And it says that He is a just judge who must punish moral crimes, which the Bible calls sin[7]. Have you committed any moral crimes?
Take a moment to look at the 10 Commandments[8]. God gave them to us to act like a mirror, giving us a true reflection of how we compare with His perfect standard, provided we will look with a tender conscience. So ask yourself, have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen something, even if it’s small? Have you ever used God’s name lightly or disrespectfully, or even in place of a curse word? God says that all thieves and liars will not inherit the kingdom of God[9], but will have their part in the lake of fire[10], and that He will not hold him guiltless who misuses His name[11]. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
But God will not only look at our actions. He even knows our thought life[12]. Every impure thought and desire that crosses your mind is known to Him. Jesus said that anyone who looks with lust has committed adultery[13], and no adulterer will inherit the kingdom of God. He said that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and that no murderer has eternal life in him[14]. God also said that anyone who breaks even one commandment is guilty of breaking them all[15], and like hitting a mirror with a hammer, it is impossible to break only a small piece of his law while leaving the rest intact. Jesus said to be perfect, as His heavenly father is perfect, and none of us comes close.
So that’s our problem. God is a just judge who must punish moral crimes, and by God’s standard each and every one of us has committed more sins than we could count. The Bible says God will do right, and justice must be satisfied, so if we get what we deserve, we will end up in hell. But God is not only a just judge, but a loving father[16]. Being rich in mercy[17], and abounding in steadfast love[18], He calls His children to him. But the bible doesn’t just say that God is love, but tells us how God showed both His love[19] and His justice, not by ignoring our sins but by paying for them. God demonstrated His love in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us[20]. 2000 years ago Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully man[21], and without sin[22], came to earth, lived a perfect life, and then died a perfect death to pay the fine we couldn’t pay. When He was on the cross, it wasn’t just the nails He suffered from, but the wrath of God[23]. God’s anger and hatred of sin was poured out on Jesus Christ so it wouldn’t have to be poured out on us[24]. Then Jesus rose on the third day, proving His power over death[25], and He sat down at the right hand of God[26] as our advocate[27], our lawyer for the Day of Judgment. God said there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood[28], and in His love, He was willing to shed His own son’s blood so that you could be forgiven. Jesus Christ, the creator, sustainer and Lord of all that exists[29], humbled Himself, took on human flesh, and chose to die for the sin of His creation. No other love story in history even comes close.
So what does that mean for you? It means there are two possibilities. You can repent of your sins and trust in Christ[30], as the Bible commands, so that Christ’s death will be the payment for your sins, or you can deny Him and reject Him, and pay for them yourself. Please, examine yourself[31], as the Bible says, to see if you are in the faith. See if you are bearing the fruit of the Spirit[32], which the Bible says shows you are trusting Christ. And if not, throw yourself on God’s mercy, confessing your sins, and trusting in Him alone. And when you do, the Bible says God is faithful and just and will forgive your sins and grant you everlasting life[33]. Please, turn to Christ today, while He has given you time.
Don’t take my word for it. READ IT FOR YOURSELF!
[1] James 4:13-14 2 Heb 9:27 3 Prov 20:6 4 Matt 5:8, Rev 4:8 5 Heb 1:13 6 Ps 7:11, Ps 5:5 7 1Jn 3:4 8 Ex 20, Rom 2:12 9 1Cor 6:10 10Rev 21:8 11 Ex 20:7, Mt 12:36 12 Heb 4:12, Ps 94:11 13 Mt 5:28 14 1Jn 3:15 15 James 2:10 16 2Thes2:16-17 17 Eph 2:4-5 18 Joel 2:12-13 19 Jn 3:16 20 Rom 5:8 21 Rev 1:8, 17-18 22 Heb 4:14-16 23 Isa 53:10 24 1Jn 4:10 25 1Cor 15:3-5 26 1Pet 3:22 27 1Jn 2:1 28 Heb 9:22 29 Jn 1:1-3 30 Acts 3:19, 20:21, Eph 2:8-9 31 2Cor 13:5 32 Gal 5:18-23 33 1Jn 1:9
