HOLLYWOOD 12-31-10

Today was a great day to end 2010!! Was blessed to go to Hollywood for a little while with Tony, his daughter Marisa and Mark.

It was SUPER crowded and so far we have had NO police intervention.

Tony preaching in front of Manns Chinese Theater with his cross. You can hear Tony's gospel presentation HERE.

We handed out several hundred tracts, did some quick stoplight preaching then headed back to Noho where Tony preached again. I was very blessed to share the Gospel with Henry who is a Catholic. The Lord was giving me great verses to share with him and Henry seemed to "get it". By God's grace... maybe we'll see him in heaven.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Believer in Christ: How would you live this year if you knew it was your last?

Hollywood 12-27-10

Nathan, Steve and I went down to Hollywood Blvd. the other day. So far NO police problems. It was a busy day. Nathan was bold and preached it! We probably handed out about 700 tracts in an hour then we went to Noho for a little while afterwards and Steve and I preached. All in all a great time! God has been faithful to protect us and open up doors for the gospel.

Leonard Ravenhill Biography

Pray for Terrence

Had a neat thing happen today. Was with some dear friends and my family strolling through Huntington Garden when I saw a family taking photos. When the father walked by I recognized him as this actor... Terrence Howard. I remember reading an article in a magazine that he is a Jehovah's Witness... so the Lord gave me the boldness to walk up and give him a tract. I said, "I know you are a famous actor but you probably don't have one of these." He responded "Now I do." I wished them a happy New Year and walked away. Please pray for him.

Christmas Worship Piece

Every Christmas that my mom comes out to visit us, I get the opportunity to draw a live worship piece while we listen to Handles Messiah and various other music that stirs the soul. This is the piece from this year for you all to enjoy!

A Little Christmas Cheer

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Luke 2:15-20

Just as birds were made to sing, Christians have been made to bring the good news of the Mighty King!! I encourage all my brothers and sisters to take part in what the angels and shepherds did the first Christmas by telling others of all that your Great Savior has done in your heart and life!!

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,

Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! The incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
In the arms of my dear Savior,
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Charlie Brown

What would you do?

If you are doing open-air preaching and street witnessing, listen to me carefully... you WILL probably have to answer this question one day. What would you do?

Every year...

Every year Christians have to navigate a verbal & CHRISTMAS DISPLAY "minefield" that we don't offend the 4 atheists who have a thin skin.

I've personally felt the pressure of not saying "Merry Christmas" to people in the work place in case I might offend them. Whats sad is when I think I was being bold when I said it.

Are we so ashamed?

Creation Calls -- are you listening?

Joy from Christ, not your performance - Paul Washer

A Powerful Lesson From ER

RAIN DELAY

NO EVANGELISM TONIGHT. POURING RAIN! :(

Scolding from "Christians"... really?

The other night I had a young woman who claimed to be a Christian reprimand me after I open air preached saying that "What I was doing was being more like the Pharisees praying in the market place"... and questioned if what I was doing "repels people from God"? We certainly have to be careful that WE are not offensive but the truth is that the Gospel IS offensive. That night I knew I preached the straight gospel. Sadly almost half of the opposition I have had to the public proclamation of the gospel has been from those who claim to be Christians.

To those who claim to be Christian and are offended at the public heralding of the Gospel you need to ask yourself if you are even in the faith. I challenge you to read the book of Acts and ask yourself: what was the primary method the Lord used to advance His Kingdom?

The blood stained cross has no need for you to try to rescue its dignity. Jesus Christ died an undignified, public death for your sin. He bore your shame and guilt on the cross and when you share the gospel you will bear the shame that goes with identifying with Him.

Crossing Guard

MY TWO CENTS: Yesterday I was driving and saw a crossing guard walking a young teenage girl across the street. I couldn't help but think how most public schools spend thousands of dollars to protect students from danger while they cross the street but teach them things that will destroy their lives and ultimately lead them down the broad road of destruction. The schools will teach them "safe sex" and even provide prophylactics to encourage fornication, that homosexuality is a normal lifestyle and that they are merely animals that evolved from a Big Bang. But whatever you do... make sure they get across the street safely!

That isn't loving them. Love does what it BEST for the person. I want these kids to have a blessed life that gives glory to God, which is why they were created.

Isaiah 53

"Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
And they made His grave with the wicked But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."

Can We Trust the Bible?

I witnessed to someone the other night who made the statement, "You can't trust the bible it was written by men." My question for him was, "Have you ever written a letter?" His replied, "Yes." I then asked, "Was it you or the pen who wrote it?"

Burbank Media Center Follow-up 12-11-10

Forest, Dean, Sai, Steve, Nathan, Tony & myself were out this past Saturday night at Burbank Media Center.

We arrived to find that our usual spot to preach was blanketed in snow and we were not about to preach somewhere that had unlimited "ammo".

We set up shop in a big open area on the sidewalk.

I had a great conversation with a nice couple Danielle(? Seemed to be raised with some biblical background but thought she was a good person) and David(believed god was in everything and you could attain that). The Lord is faithful and His word doesn't return void!

Spurgeon quote for the day! 12-11-10

“Are we earnest enough about the souls of others? Christian men and women, do you love your fellow-creatures, or do you not? How few there are of us who make it our business to be constantly telling out the sweet story of Jesus and his love! I read, the other day, of a chaplain in the Northern army in the lamentable war in the United States, who, while he lay wounded on the battle-field, heard a man, not far off, utter an oath. Though he himself was so badly wounded that he could not stand, yet he wished to reach the swearer to speak a gospel message to him, and he though, “I can get to him if I roll over.” So, though bleeding profusely himself, he kept rolling over and over till he got to the side of the poor blasphemer, and on the lone battle-field he preached to him Jesus. Some of the other men came along, and he said to them, “Can you carry me? I fear that I am dying, but I do not want to be taken off the field. I should like you, if you would, to carry me from one dying man to another, all the night long, that I might tell them of a Savior.” What a splendid deed was this! A bleeding man talking to those who were full of sin about a Savior’s bleeding wounds! Oh, you who have no wound, who can walk, and possess all the faculties to fit you for the service, how often you miss opportunities and refuse to speak of Jesus! “Thou art now the blessed of the Lord,” and at this moment I would have you think that the blessed Lord lays his pierced hand on thee saying, “Go and tell others what I have done for thee.” Never cease to tell the divine tale, as opportunity is given, until thy voice is lost in death; then thy spirit shall begin to utter the story in the loftier sphere.” C.H. Spurgeon

The Sillyness of Atheism

The Unconditional Love of Christ - Paul Washer

Man on Fire! - Ian Paisley

There are 4 parts to this video, I highly recommend hearing all of them! You may not agree with everything said... but man this is some preachin'!!

Don't Waste Your Life

Trials Before Glory - Pastor Jack Hughes

This was such an encouraging sermon. PREACH THE WORD while you can!!

HOLLYWOOD FOLLOW-UP 12-4-10

We just got back from Hollywood Boulevard... PRAISE THE LORD!! We had a great night out at Hollywood. Honestly, I was expecting to be given the boot or worse from the police, but the Lord was faithful to open doors for the good news with NO problems. I'm SO blessed to serve with these bold brothers in the Lord!

We planned to go hand out tracts an talk with people 1-on-1

When we got there is was business as usual. TONS of costume people and street performers.

Even saw an E.T. out there.

At one point I was blessed to open air and the Lord drew several people to listen intently. Had some great hecklers that drew even more people to hear about what Christ has done for them. Lately I've been amazed at how the Lord has drawn people to hear the Gospel with absolutely NO gimmicks. No chalk lines, trivia, heckler mics... nothing but the pure word! GLORY TO GOD!!

Please pray for: Derrick (thought he was Christian but denied, hell, that Jesus died for sins and God isn't angry with people), another Derrick (wanted something "deeper" than the Gospel...:|...believes in other gospels that were "left out " of the bible), Walker (young guy who heckled me... thinks he's just going to "hang out" with God and has no problem with fornication... took him through the law and the gospel) Tim (a young Scientologist who needed the Lord)

Chickenhead

This was boosted from Atheist Central... I thought it was funny.

Prophecy

This is such a good idea! Its really that obvious.

God or Science: Stephen Hawking's False Choice

During part of my continued "debate" with my evolutionist high school friend, the question I asked was "where did everything come from?" Everything cannot come out of nothing. Right? I mean I'm no rocket scientist but doesn't nothing come from nothing?

Here is Steven Hawking's "theory":"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing...Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. "Stephen Hawking: God did not create Universe."

We want to prepare ourselves for confronting these ideas when we witness to people. These ideas are like fads that come and go with what is popular. Here is the first part of a critique from Ravi Zacharius:

PART 2:


For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, - 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

The Ultimate Proof

I've been talking lately with a dear friend of mine I've known since high school. He's an evolutionist and we have had some great e-mail conversations. I just happened to listen to this audio from AIG and I thought it would be helpful for everyone in the area of apologetics. We know its the gospel that saves, but it is interesting to learn more about not only how science matches up with the bible but also how logic does as well.

Pastor Arrest in Kansas

WELCOME TO POST AMERICA

NO FREE SPEECH IN KANSAS

BY

PAUL L. WILLIAMS, PH.D.

Attempt to address Muslims in Kansas and you’ll be hauled off in handcuffs to the local police department.That’s what happened to Pastor Mark Holick of Spirit One Christian Center when he visited the Wichita Islamic Society to speak about the gospel and to distribute religious tracts. Pastor Holick and fourteen other Christians, including two additional senior ministers, did not step foot inside the mosque – - but merely attempted to engage Muslims in dialogue on a public sidewalk as they left the building.When the police arrived on the scene, Mr. Holick was handcuffed and forced into a squad car. When asked what crime he had committed, the police, according to the pastor, said “loitering” and “failure to disperse.”Mr. Holick told OneNewsNow that it was “very disconcerting to see the gospel squelched — especially on a public sidewalk in a country with a constitutional guarantee of free speech.” The police allege that the pastor and his followers were blocking a driveway. Mr. Holick denies this charge by saying: “Of course we never did do that.There would be no reason for us to block vehicles — and they probably have no idea how much I like all of my organs and bones perfectly in the position they’re in right now.” Previously, Mr. Holick captured headlines by positing this message on the marquee of the Spirit One Christian Center: “America, we have a Muslim president. This is a sin against the Lord.”

Last year, the fiery pastor was taken into custody by the Wichita police for communicating his religious views to gays and lesbians at a homosexual festival that was held in a public park."

There is more up to date info on this case HERE. You should listen to the audio follow-up... very interesting.

Spurgeon quote for the day! 11-27-10

And He came to Bethsaida and they brought a blind man unto Him, and besought Him to touch him. And He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes, and put His hands upon him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that He put His hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up. And he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” Mark 8:22-25.

The next was a very strange act, too. He brought him under ordained but despicable means—He spit on his eyes. The Savior frequently used the saliva of His mouth as a means of cure. It has been said because it was recommended by ancient physicians. But I cannot think that their opinion could have had much weight with our wonder-working Lord. It seems to me that the use of spittle connected the opening of the eye with the Savior’s mouth, that is to say, it connected in type the illuminating of the understanding with the Truth of God which Christ utters. Of course spiritual eyesight comes by means of spiritual Truth, and the eye of the understanding is opened by the doctrine which Christ speaks. Yet it seems to me that the association which we naturally put with spittle is that of disgust, and that this was intentionally employed by the Savior for that very end. It was nothing but spittle, though it was spittle from the Savior’s mouth. And so, mark you, Friend, it is very possible that God will bless you by that very truth which you once despised, and He might even bless you through that very man against whom you spoke the most bitterly! It has often pleased God to award to His ministering servants a gracious kind of vengeance—many and many times those who were the hottest and most furious against God’s own servants have received the best blessings from the hands of those men whom they most despised.

You call it, “spittle”—nothing but that shall open your eyes. You say, “The Gospel is a very common-place thing.” It is by such common places that you shall have life. You have sneeringly declared that such a man speaks the Truth of God in a coarse and vulgar style—you shall one day bless that vulgarity—and be glad enough to receive, even after a coarse fashion, the Truth as his Master bids him speak it. I think that many of us had to notice this in our conversion, that the Lord chastised our pride by saying to us, “Those poor people of whom you thought so harshly shall be made a blessing to you, and My servant, against whom you were most filled with prejudice, shall be the man to bring you into perfect peace.” It strikes me that more than that, a great deal but all that, is in the thought of the Savior’s spitting on his eyes. No powders of the merchant, no myrrh and frankincense, no costly drugs—just a common spittle on the lips. And so if you would see, my Hearer, the deep things of God, it shall not be by the philosophers, nor by the profound thinkers of the day, but he that said unto you, “Trust Christ and live,” teaches you better philosophy than the philosophers! And he who tells you that in Him, in the Lord Jesus, dwells all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge, tells you in that simple statement more than you could learn though Socrates and Plato should rise from the dead, and you could sit, a scholar, at their feet. Jesus Christ will open your eyes, and it shall be by this ignoble means—the spittle of His mouth.

C.H. Spurgeon- Seeing and Not Seeing—Or, Men As Trees Walking

THANKSGIVING PRAISE!!

On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the LORD:

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!

Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

O seed of Israel His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,

The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac,

And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant,

Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance,"

When you were few in number, Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

When they went from one nation to another, And from one kingdom to another people,

He permitted no man to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,

Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm."

Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place.

Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength.

Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

Tremble before Him, all the earth. The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.

Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD, For He is coming to judge the earth.

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

And say, "Save us, O God of our salvation; Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise."

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting!" And all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD.

1 Chron. 16

Resource for witnessing to JW's

Laurena asked in reference to the "Cheat Notes":

Can you make one for use with JWs? They are always coming to my door -- apparently we are the training ground neighborhood for the local church. It seems like they have an answer for every verse I quote. And when I give a gospel message they nod and agree with everything I say. Which verses will actually get me somewhere?

Hey Laurena,

THIS BOOK was an invaluable resource for me after the first JW I witnessed to was a 40 year JW it went for almost two hours! I felt the same way you did. David Reed was an "elder" in the command chain of JW's and started to read his bible and saw(by God's grace) that it didn't match up with what the Watchtower taught. He came to know the Lord and was then dis-fellow-shipped for asking questions and began his ministry. This book is great because he goes through verse by verse in the bible and how the JW's twist the scripture and now as a Christian he shows you some of the "Achilles heal" of their arguments.

HERE is an audio of when I had two ladies come to my door.

HERE is some advice from Paul Washer.

Below is a quick video a did a while ago on answering a JW. Hope this helps.

Bottom line Laurena, don't feel like you have to win an argument... they are trained to argue. I have learned to make it a point to just share the GOSPEL and trust the word of God that it does not return void and that it is the power of God unto salvation!

The Rapture

A very creative and talented interpretation of the Rapture.

HOLLYWOOD FOLLOW-UP 11-21-10

Aaron, Dean, Jorge, Debbie, Sharon, Mark, Tony and myself went to Noho. It was pretty dead at Noho so some of us decided to go to Hollywood Blvd. where it was lively and active with drummers, Hare Krishna's and break dancers. Tony preached once using an amp and box. Then later he held his wooden cross while I preached using NO amplification, NO box and moving as to not give the police an occasion to cite me for "loitering"... well that didn't last long. We were approached by about a dozen officers and shut down. Being told by the Sergeant that Tony couldn't have that cross and I couldn't open air preach! We complied with their order (thankfully didn't get a ticket) and went back to Noho where I preached once more. Tony was able to give a bible to a young lady named Jocelyn. Please pray for her.

God is sovereign, please pray for wisdom as we try to figure out what to do about our ministry in Hollywood as the police there have essentially stopped free speech.

You can read a more in-depth follow-up at Tony's BLOG.

PLEASE PRAY

Living Waters Visit

Today I was blessed to go visit Tony the Lawman at Living Waters. It was the first time I've ever been there. Had a great time and was blessed to meet several faithful evangelists. Before I knew it I was in a car with Tony, Chad and Ray Comfort going to Fullerton College. This was the second time I've seen Ray open air and I always learn a lot. PRAISE THE LORD FOR THIS MINISTRY!

Magnet Evangelism Follow-up 11-18-10

Had a great time witnessing last night. Our dear brother Aaron is out visiting from Mexico. It was good to see him. He continues to boldly preach the gospel. You can follow his ministry HERE.

Please pray for those who heard the good news, took bibles and tracts.

John Piper - You Need the Gospel Every Day

Hollywood Street Performers

For everyone who regularly goes out to Hollywood Blvd... this is an interesting article in the L.A Times about the Street Performers. I wonder if we can use a box & amp again?

Burbank Media Center Follow-up 11-13-10

Sometimes its hard to witness to teens ...

BEAUTIFUL!

They author of THIS VIDEO did not allow anyone to "embed" it on their blogs but this is a must see... THE LORD IS A GREAT AND GLORIOUS CREATOR!!

The Five Steps to Genuine Revival

"The church used to be a lightning bolt, now it's a cruise ship. We are not marching to Zion – we are sailing there with ease. In the apostolic church it says they were all amazed – and now in our churches everybody wants to be amused. The church began in the upper room with a bunch of men agonizing, and it's ending in the supper room with a bunch of people organizing. We mistake rattle for revival, and commotion for creation, and action for unction."

Leonard Ravenhill

The Idolatry of Street Preaching

The Idolatry of Street Preaching from pat necerato on Vimeo.

Noho Follow-Up 11-6-10

We had a good turn out for evangelism night at Noho. Its always a blessing to fellowship as well. Many bibles went out that night. Several people open air preached. It was sad, at one point two lesbians were purposefully engaging in "PDA" in front of me while I preached the cross. They may have been trying to provoke me to say something hateful to them... I just continued to preach trusting that the gospel is what will save them from their sin. "Father forgive then for they know not what they do." comes to mind.
This young man tied up Nathan for quite a while with some pretty bad scripture twisting. He believed you could become as a god and thought he had attained that. Also he believed Jesus was just a man... seems he had himself and Jesus confused.

One thing that I have a very difficult time doing is keeping my cool with hecklers who like to wrangle. Sometimes they can just get under your skin. But I have to remember:

"A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." - 2Ti 2:24-26 NKJV

The MISTRO of handling hecklers is none other than Ray Comfort. Watch the video below to see how Ray avoids "smoke screens" and continues to deliver the gospel. Watch closely how it ends.