Tuesday, January 29, 2013

"Far Right" Extremists


You should read this article from the Washington Times:
West Point center cites dangers of ‘far right’ in U.S.

An interesting part to make note of:
“While liberal worldviews are future- or progressive -oriented, conservative perspectives are more past-oriented, and in general, are interested in preserving the status quo.” the report says. “The far right represents a more extreme version of conservatism, as its political vision is usually justified by the aspiration to restore or preserve values and practices that are part of the idealized historical heritage of the nation or ethnic community.”

Gee... I wonder who the "progressive oriented" culture will start to equate "far right" extremists with?

Preach the "past-oriented" GOSPEL of the old rugged cross while you still can!



Pastor Saeed- 8 YEARS!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Sword of the Spirit 1/26/2013

It was great to have Forrest back on the team tonight. He is still recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out of action for many months. Praise the Lord for His gracious work of healing in all our lives. Our dedicated group also included: David, Mark, Sharon, Debbie, Ruth, Dean, Sai, and Steve.

It was a chilly and uneventful night in Burbank. Displaced from our usual spot by a cacophony of "musical" efforts by disparate instrumentalists, our hearty band of diehards set up on the sidewalk at the busy intersection of Palm and San Fernando. The Truth was proclaimed. Many Bibles and tracts were given out.

David had a lengthy discussion with our friend, Roger, "the Nemesis." It is not slanderous to say that Roger holds fast to, and contends vigorously for, every "wile of the devil" one can imagine. At the root of it is the lie that man is god. And, of course, that is true for those who exalt their own intellect above the revealed Truth of God's Word, the Bible. Although he is familiar enough with the Bible, Roger has a false interpretation for every word of it. And yet, ironically, Roger is drawn to dialog with us, dine with us, and fellowship as well. Would it be inconsistent with God's sovereign grace to consider that our entire team effort has been, all along, to fulfill God's plan by witnessing to this one man? Please pray, with us, that the scales would fall from his eyes, and those of all who rebel against the plain and true meaning of scripture.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."  (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Holy Spirit at Work 1/19/2013

This evening's team, including Mark, Sharon, Debbie, Dean S & Dean C. , Clint, Jack, Elder Bob, and Steve, were joined by first-timers and long-time CBC members, Wayne and his son Dylan.

Things started quietly, with several one to one opportunities, including one couple who were seeking a new church home.

Dean S. initiated several conversations by conducting a "survey," which he says he learned about from Tony Miano. He approached people with a sign showing 3 unidentified verses (Isaiah 53:4-6). Participants were asked to read the verses aloud and identify who they thought was being described. Most people correctly identified Jesus as the one clearly described. Then a follow-up question is posed. "Would you be surprised to learn that the prophet Isaiah who wrote this lived over 700 years before Christ was born?" This naturally leads to a discussion of the Bible and how hundreds of fulfilled prophecies, such as this one, demonstrate that it is the Word of God.

As the movies let out the crowds grew and several stopped to heckle the preacher. Dean C. was confronted by a young man who claimed to have studied the Bible, and also claimed to have prayed many times, but was disappointed and cynical, saying: "He has never answered any of my prayers. I think God is just an idea like Santa Claus. I believe in evolution, that's how we came to exist." When answering this type of question we have found that it is best to present a short response, which addresses the science issue, and then to re-direct the conversation to the Law and the issue of our sin before a Holy God. All the best and truest answers to the issue of origins are rooted in a solidly Biblical worldview. Evolution, as a scientific theory, is hopelessly inadequate and incorrect. Here is an excellent resource for explaining some of these problems. But until the conversation addresses the conscience, there is little hope for reaching people who have been thoroughly indoctrinated by the secular educational system. This is why we use the "Good Person Test" to challenge the assumption that we are all "good enough" to go to heaven.

Elder Bob had his share of heckling on the box. A young man named Paul, expressed dissatisfaction with the idea of predestination, which the Bible clearly teaches. Although he was unwilling to stick around long enough to hear the full answer, (i.e. that both God's election [Romans 8:29-30] and man's need to respond to the gospel [John 3:16] are taught in scripture) Bob did manage to share that predestination is the view from God's perspective, since God alone has this knowledge.

The chief competitor (sound-wise) for the hearts and minds of the souls of Burbank, this evening, was an affable man named John who claimed to have been born-again 4 months ago. After giving "thumbs up" to Mark's gospel message, he boisterously and proudly displayed his medical marijuana card and confessed to being "high as a kite." He generously offered to sing a song ("Day by Day") from the musical "Godspell" into our heckler mic. Mark politely declined, cautioning him about his need for true repentance.

Unaffected by such counsel, he set up shop across the way with his aquarium-sized tip jar, and began singing along with the music in his head, supplied by the headphones connected to his laptop computer. He accompanied himself by using a crutch, not as a means of ambulatory assistance, but as a pretend guitar. Please pray for John's deliverance.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Trusting the Holy Spirit 1/5/2013

"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." (John 15:26)

It was a quiet night in Burbank as team members David, Mark, Sharon, Debbie, Ruth, Nathan, Dean, Sai and Steve, gave out tracts and the gospel was preached. Sometimes we are tempted, when there is little or no outward response to the our efforts, to assume that the "tree" is bearing no "fruit." However, scripture teaches patience: "Therefore be patient, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)

The Bible also shows that the saving work of the Holy Spirit often involves the efforts of several unrelated workers: "And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together." Perhaps this is so that many laborers will be blessed by each soul who is won to Christ. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30) "Say to the righteous that it shall be well
with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings." (Isaiah 3:10)

It is worth noting that the fellowship that is shared each time the team goes out, is another clear fruit of the Spirit. The prayer time when we gather before hitting the street, is a time of comforting ministry and exhortation. It's been likened to a small campfire upon which each one adds a log, resulting in a huge bonfire. Jesus describes, "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17)