Steve's day.

28 Sep 2009-We got this note from Steve this morning and just had to post it...

I must share my latest example of God’s goodness and rich blessing.

Yesterday, while reading scripture during a service, I heard distinctly the phrase “I don’t believe that.” Troubling? Absolutely, especially when I know better! I spent the rest of the day in a funk. The only activity that made the day worthwhile was reading aloud “More Than a Carpenter” by Josh McDowell. The funk continued through Monday morning, but our amazing God answers prayer and eases pain in the most unexpected ways.

First, I went shopping for a few things. While admiring some computer stuff, a voice from over my shoulder said hello. I have not seen Carl for 15+ years, but he was God‘s first assurance that all is well. I was able to provide a brief testimony, put a tract in his hand, and acquire an email address for future use.

Second, I encountered Delbe one-on-one in the hallway. I have been thinking and praying about talking to him since the basic WOTM course last January. God’s second assurance arrives just when He planned. We chatted for a few minutes, and Delbe cursed using His name 3 times in short order. On the third instance, I asked him (I think/hope with a smile) not to take my God’s name in vain. I was then able to put a tract in his hand, tell him his wife would really love to see it (she has been trying for years to get Delbe to church) and that he should really pay attention to the inscription on the back. Pray for Delbe whom I have known for too many years without sharing Jesus before now.

Third, I met with a young man who arrived at the Cocoa Village Park with his family. I asked him if he had seen one of our Million Dollar tracts and he had not. He actually read the entire thing while I stood there and then the debate began. Initially, he stated he was not worried about Hell because there were so many religions and there was no way to know which one was correct. He pointed out that he did not want to discuss religion and I said I did not want to discuss religion either, rather Jesus Christ. He gave a limp excuse about Jesus being a religion, but I pointed out that religions have at least 2 things in common: ritual behaviors and poorly disguised attempts to bring God to man’s level.

I was then able to share the Gospel with him. He tried a couple of times to bring Buddha and Isalam into the discussion and the Holy Spirit came out with those men, while perhaps enlightened, are dead and in the ground and never claimed to be God. Jesus on the other hand is alive as documented in the Bible and proclaimed himself to be God. I think that reasoning got his attention.

A couple things could have been better. During the discussion I mentioned how God became a man whom we call Jesus so that he was the perfect sacrifice to erase the sin-debt between us and God. I also mentioned sometime that Jesus was God. He thought I contradicted myself and I did not have a chance to describe the Trinity – perhaps a topic for a saved person????

He also asked if a lifelong murderer and rapist could be forgiven of their sins if they repented before dying. I told him that God would indeed forgive anyone who honestly repents, just as Jesus did the thief on the cross. His opinion was vulgar. But I was able to ask him if there was anyone on earth that he would be willing to sacrifice his child for if it would save that other person. He could not. So I was able to demonstrate God’s amazing love because He sent Jesus to die for our sins: full description of the shame, guilt, and worthlessness of all people who ever lived carried by Christ on the cross, culminating with Jesus giving up His spirit willfully. Once again, he appeared fully engaged.

We parted without him changing his mind, but that’s okay. My gift is to be a planter of seeds. Please pray that the waterer will come to this young man and his wife soon.

Off to Oslo

On my latest business trip which was to Denmark and Norway, God gave me a few opportunities just on the first part of the journey.

I tried to talk to the Hollander next to me.. While he was interesting and passionate about his job as a pastry chef in Dusseldorf, (apparently even though he lives in Netherlands he is an hour from Dusseldorf). He looked at the R U a Good Person booklet I had slipped into the airline magazine, but quickly put it back. I did give him a million Euro note which he took and said he would read.

Yes the flight attendant got a MDB as well.

In Atlanta I went to a restaurant and Tenisha was my server. Unlike my usual manner I gave a MDB right away. Usually I wait to get my food just in case they get mad.

She stopped and talked for a few minutes after I asked he where she will go after she died. She said her spirit would go somewhere but not sure where. I explained that God makes it clear she would spent eternity in heaven or hell. She asked if hell and heaven were real physical places to which I replied yes.

She asked me how I knew. I asked her if she read the Bible and she does- Proverbs and Psalms mostly. I asked her if she thought that either were real places and she admitted they were but wanted my opinion.

She went off to other tables and returned with my check. She said she really is interested in the relationship idea with God and not religion. I agreed, however before she can have that relationship she must be right with God- repentance and Faith was explained.

I left her with a "Why Christianity" book and a lot to think about.

More to follow on the rest of the trip....

The Law brings conviction to a Christian lesbian.

Looking up the street I saw 2 teenaged girls and a teen guy near the trash can. I remembered that a few minutes earlier they had passed Dayna and I as we were speaking to someone.

"Let's go up and see if they'll talk to us!" I said. We hurried to catch up to them.

"Hey, how are you guys? Did you get one of these?" We asked. They took the tracts and looked a bit bored. "Where are you going when you die?"

They started reading as the guy, Austin started made faces and poked fun at the subject.

I talked to the girls and they were pretty open. One of the girls claimed to be a Christian but didn't know how to get to Heaven. Austin continued to be obnoxious. Then he took a phone call. As he did another girl joined the group.

"Austin this is way more important than that call." I told him.

"No, it's not." he said. Dayna confirmed that this would be the most important thing he ever heard.

The girls and I continued to talk but before we could present the good news, Austin grabbed them and began dragging them away.

"Hey! I'm not finished yet." I yelled.

A bit frustrated, Dayna and I stopped and prayed for them. We walked back toward the booth as it was getting darker.

About an hour later they stood in front of me. The one who claimed to be a Christian was missing but in her place was the girl who had just walked up before they were swept away. I noticed that the two girls were holding hands. Austin was physically pushing her at me. I looked at him and asked, "What do you need? I thought you didn't want to talk to us?"

Austin was quiet but looked at her as she said, "I want to know how to get to Heaven." You know, I heard a pastor talk one time about how evangelists used to just preach the Law for weeks without giving the Good News of Christ. He said that after several weeks people would come unbidden down the aisles begging to be saved. The Holy Spirit had been convicting this girl.

She introduced herself as Ricki and we began to talk. As we went through the Law Ricki was honest and then saw herself as guilty before God. "But I'm saved." she said very quietly.

I gave her the Good News of Jesus's payment for her. I told her that God was looking for her to repent-leave her sin behind-and put all of her trust in Jesus Christ.

She was very quiet and said nothing. Austin said, "Tell her."

"Tell me what?" I said. I refused to take the bait.

Austin said, "Will she go to Hell because she's a lesbian?"

"Ricki you don't go to Hell because you are a lesbian-you go to Hell for sinning against God and refusing to bow your knee to Him."

"But I'm saved." she said again.

"Look, are you willing to repent-or turn away from your sin Ricki?" I asked.

"No." Ricki said.

"Would you trade your soul for this?" I clarified.

"Yes, I would." she said.

"You are not saved Ricki. I am not trying to be harsh, but I don't want you to go through your life believing a lie! Just because you said a little prayer doesn't mean you got your 'get out of Hell free' card! If you continue to go the way you are going you will one day wake up in Hell!"

The girl she was holding hands with continued to text with one hand as she had during the conversation. Austin and Ricki just stood still.

I gave them a Good Person tract. "Ricki, you are not ready for this. I hope and pray one day you will be, before your soul is lost for good. Have a good evening." I walked away, leaving them standing in the street.

Joe the college student and kitchen knife salesman

A neighbor asked if we would spend about 30 minutes with a college student she knows. Seems like he is selling knives and kitchen stuff to get points for a scholarship. The obvious answer is yes, then he can listen to what we have to say. Jen had an appointment and left me to handle this.

After hearing the pitch about the knives, lifetime replacement, etc., etc. it was my turn. I asked Joe what happens when you die. He said nothing and we just rot away. I asked if he believed in God to which he replied he was agnostic but did not believe the Big Bang idea and also that some ‘higher power’ created everything. At this time I let him know that when we die, we all will face God and let him know about Hebrews 9:27. He was surprised at this. Without going into all the details, Joe admitted he was a liar, a thief and an adulterer at heart. He even said he would be guilty of these things when standing in front of God. Also he felt that ‘if’ God were a righteous and just God he would be sentenced to eternity in Hell.

I gave him the scenario about a local courtroom and if he had committed some crime and sentenced to $10 million but could not pay but someone paid the fine on his behalf, how the judge could let him go since the debt had been paid. I asked if this could happen and what would he half to do. I explained that just because someone offered to pay his fine, that he must accept that payment, not just acknowledge it.
This started making sense. I explained how Jesus is God made in the form of a Man could take the world’s punishment and make the payment of his sin debt and the whole world’s debt BUT he must accept the payment. I explained to Joe that he must admit he is a sinner, repent and put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

We talked some more about religion and a relationship with God and Jesus.
I gave him some tracts, Why Christianity? and a Gospel of John. He thanked me for them, though I know he probably would rather have the sale of a knife set. He did say he would read the booklet and think about what we talked about.

And, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and in which you stand; by which you also are being kept safe, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; 1Corinitians 15:1

Make every moment count.

On the way to the nursing home I stopped to get some flowers for a friend. I went in to the shop and noticed that it was completely remodeled. After asking the gal to help me with an arrangement I told her I really liked the new look. She told me that there was a new owner-just out of school.

"We are excited about the changes."

"I really like it. Much less cluttered." I said.

She began to arrange the flowers in a vase and I watched her. "You really are good at this." I told her.

"Thanks, I like doing this."

Suddenly I came out of my stupor! What was I thinking just standing here???

"The friend I am getting these for is very ill. She probably won't live long."

"Oh, I'm sorry." she said.

"Well, were all going to die one day, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"What do you think happens when we die?"

"Oh, I don't know, Heaven I guess." she speculated.

After asking her some questions Gaylen became very quiet. She finished the arrangement just after realizing why Jesus came for us.

"Have you ever heard that before?" I asked her.

"No, not presented like that."

I paid and handed her a Good Person booklet. "I hope you will take time to think about this Gaylen."

"I will definitely give this some thought."

Psalms 103:15-18 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

Now hear this!!!

Time to participate!!!

Amsterdam: Sin City

While in Amsterdam for business, I took the opportunity to do what believers are told to do - preach the Gospel to all the world.

I started out this afternoon to give out some Million Euro notes but could get no one to take any. So I kept walking one of the main streets in an area known as Leidseplein. It is near the Amsterdam Centraal Train Station.

Since no one would accept the bills, I decided to drop the Euros on the ground. I dropped about 30 and then turned around to walk back to look for them. To my surprise, they were all gone- but the sad part I was out of tracts. So I returned to the hotel for more.

I met a few business associates, went to dinner with them and left a Million Euro along with the tip. That prompted questions from my associates. One said he was off to a bar and he wanted some of the bills to use for tips - he had no idea of the Gospel message on them.

I went out into the main area where the people gathered to listen to singers, street folks begging and whatever else you can think of. People's reception to the bills had changed from that afternoon and I gave out abut 50 of them. However, no one was interested in talking about their eternal destiny.

I feel really good that I was able to see about 80 tracts (plus the 25 I left around the trade show) get out into the hands of these lost people.

Please pray for the people of Amsterdam.


John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin.

Wrong god...wrong road.

As I handed out tracts I almost missed the three young people walking past me. "Hey, wait a minute!" I said to them. They turned to look at me with puzzled expressions on their faces.

As I gave them tracts one of the guys told me that he had a few of the Million Dollar Bills. I asked him if he had read them. He said yes, but I wasn't sure if he was just trying to be nice.

As I began to ask them questions the atmosphere became a little tense. They didn't like the fact that they would be held accountable for their actions. I suspected that the guys were gay. After hearing a few of the 10 Commandments, the girl, Michale told me that she had her own beliefs and was very happy with them. Sam, one of the guys, said he agreed with her.

"It doesn't matter what you believe, it matters if what you believe is true. Would you agree?" I gave them the example of walking off of a 2 story ledge and attempting to defy gravity-it doesn't work.

"What if someone has to tell a lie to prevent a murder? What if it's for the greater good?" Michale asked. Then quickly she said, "Men wrote the Bible."

I told her that God used men to write the Bible. "Oh, how do you know that?"

The Bible says so. "Holy men of old, spoke as they were moved...have you ever read it?"

"Yeah, I've read parts of it."

I could tell that Sam was frustrated but unable to put it into words. The other guy, James piped up that he didn't think God would send them to Hell for one violation.

"One violation? Just one single violation? Are you telling me that you have only violated God's Law one solitary time in your life?" He got so mad he walked off down the beach. I was actually relieved because they all talked at once and it was too hard for me to hear.

Sam agreed with James and said he didn't think that God, or the greater power-whatever it was, would punish us when we tried to be so good. Sam then started telling me that he was 'born this way'. I heartily agreed with him.

"We are all 'born to sin' Sam! None of us are good enough! Sam, God said that if we've broken just one law we've broken them all." I told him. Each time he would pause to think. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would break through to these kids. "Why did Jesus die?" Sam gave me a blank look, while Michale sarcastically said, "For our sins." I took them to a county courtroom where they apologized for their crimes. They agreed that they would not be allowed to go home based on an apology. A fine too high was levied and they could not pay it. When Someone came in and paid it for them, they agreed that they could leave without penalty. "You don't have what it takes."

"I don't think that God, whatever it is-has the right to judge me!" Michale spat out. "And I think it's really egotistical to bring something you wrote and push it at people."

"Now you're making yourself the judge aren't you?" I said to her. "First of all, God wrote it-I didn't. And what would you both think of me if in fact I truly believe what I am saying, but I never bother to tell you? What if I think,'Well I got my ticket!' and so I just go home and sit and think 'it's not my problem'. At least I am out here trying to let you know! I don't know you guys but I DO care-I don't want you to go to Hell! It's one thing to say you seek the truth. But it is only a true seeker of Truth that will actually turn that light around and shine it in his own eyes. All I'm asking is that you guys be open to the Truth. God said 'When you seek Me with your whole heart, you'll find me'."

At this they stopped talking-for what reason I don't know. I am praying that these young people will really think about this. I gave both of them a CD of Hell's Best Kept Secret with True & False conversions. After we read John 14:6 from the Gospel of John, which I get for free from pocketpower
. I always let people keep them hoping they will read some more.

1 Samuel 12:23-25 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

Hope of Heaven

The team from theSowers Class arrived early Saturday to set up a table with gospel tracts and cold water.



Jim was having a great morning, riding along the Constitution Trail. The temperature was perfect at about 65 degrees. AJ got him to stop with an offer of free water. I asked Jim if he believed in an afterlife. "Sure" he said.


Heaven and Hell?"

"Yes."

"Where are you going?"

""Heaven, I hope." Jim said. Man, if I had a new tract for every time I get that answer I probably wouldn't be running out of them right now!

Jim considered himself to be among the 'good people' inhabiting this earth. "I wonder if you'd let me test that theory, Jim?"

"Sure, why not?" he said.

When I asked Jim to review his life and give me the number of lies that he's told, he hesitated. Finally he said, "Quite a few."
.
"Me too, Jim. I couldn't even give you a number. Have you ever used God's name in vain? You know, OMG?"

"Yes, I've done that."

"Blasphemy is really serious. God said, He won't hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain-did you know that? What about adultery? Ever done that?"

"No, I've never done that!" he exclaimed.

"The seventh Commandment says, 'Don't commit adultery but Jesus kicked it up a notch when He came. He said, 'Whover looks at another person with a sexual or immoral thought is guilty in their heart.' Ever looked at another person that way Jim?"

Jim was silent for a moment and then quietly nodded to the affirmative.

"If God judged you today, Jim would you be guilty or innocent of breaking His law?"

"Guilty."

"Heaven or Hell for you?" I asked.

"Well, I still think I would go to Heaven...I believe in God."

"So do demons Jim, are they going, too?"

"Well...no they aren't."

"It's not enough to 'believe' Jim. You've got to repent and put all of your faith in Jesus Christ. He's the only way in. John 14:6 says I am the way, the truth and the life-no man comes to the Father but by Me."

By now Jim was getting antsy on his bike and I could tell he wanted to leave. "Please take this little booklet and read it before you go to sleep. This is so important!"

"I will. Thanks for the conversation."

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Survey your life...

The young man handed Dennis the clipboard as he asked, "Would you be willing to take this survey?"

We were attending the National Kidney Foundation Labor Day Surf Contest in Cocoa Beach and trying to make contact with as many people as possible. Dennis took the clipboard and as he did I said to the guy, "While he's filling that out would you be willing to take my survey?"

He smiled and said, "Sure."

"Now, my questions aren't easy-they're going to make you think."

He told me his name was Lido. I asked him where he would go when he died. He seemed a bit surprised at the question. I believe in getting to the point. (Whenever I speak to someone in a nursing home environment I never know just how long I will have before someone interrupts us-I guess that's what formed my lightning-like approach.) Lido told me he was going to Heaven. When I asked him how he told me, "I believe." Years ago that was enough to get me off the hook, but now...I have to make sure we're talking about the same thing.

I took Lido through a few of the 10 Commandments and asked him how he would fare if God were to judge him today.

"Guilty."

"You are going to Hell, Lido." I let that sink in a minute. "Does that concern you?"

"Yes, very much." He began to look very worried. When I told him about Jesus dying for him, Lido looked relieved. Then he began to tell me how much he tried to do 'the right thing every day'. I reminded him that we can't get there with 'good works' and then suddenly he stopped telling me how good he was. You could see his shoulders slump. We talked about simply believing and repenting. Complete surrender.

I gave Lido a CD of Hells Best Kept Secret and True and False Conversions. These are free for duplication and I try to make sure I always carry some with me. I also gave him a Good Person booklet. These are clear and concise. Good gospel tracts are called 'silent preachers' because people will read them long after we are gone.
2 Corinthians 13:5 examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith, prove your own selves...

Kidney Foundation Surf event and FFM Fishing Event

Cocoa Beach, FL is a prime spot for fishing especially when there are big surfing contests going on.
This audio is just a snippet of what it was like there over Labor Day weekend.



The girl with the back toward the camera was extremely concerned and was the one asking most of the questions. Her friend is the one concerned about Revelation. It started with 5 and ended with 3 – pretty good.

They all got the Gospel of John and I walked away. When I turned back I noticed the 2 who left wanted to see what they got, I then went over and offered Bibles to them and they declined and walked off.
The Truth was given and they are without excuse.