Did my 2nd attempt at open-air preaching about a month ago on a Friday night.  Here are some more things I’ve taken away from the experience to help and encourage you also.  I’m not saying I’m dogmatically right on these, they’re just my personal observations as I’m just trying to be obedient as well.

• It is OK to use notes.  I didn’t think so at first, but I had nothing prepared but an organized list of Bible verses.  I decided to simply use those verses as stepping stones through the gospel.  I would read aloud a verse or two about who God is and His attributes and then simply make a short comment that amounted to basic reading comprehension then I would move to verses about God’s Law, man’s breaking of the Laws, etc.  And then end with verses and a appeal to please listen and repent before it is too late.  The more I do this the more I will eventually remember the verses not need notes. But for now, why not?  It’s better to use notes than listen to the lie that I haven’t memorized enough so I shouldn’t say anything.
• Don’t be surprised if you feel like you might pass out.  Maybe I was breathing wrong in seeking to project my voice, maybe it was also nervousness, but I thought I was going to pass out.  Just keep going and get through the gospel; a ten minute message is better than none at all; trust the Lord for stamina.
• You will get told to shut up.  You will get dirty looks.  You will get the finger.  Don’t get those because you are rude and offensive.  Get them because you are lovingly, soberly trying to warn people; pleading with them to listen and repent.  Preach on.
• Follow Wesley’s method.  Start from who God is, His attributes, His Laws, etc. and work downward through the gospel.  Keep the Lord elevated:  Seek to leave the sovereignty of God as an indelible mark on their hearts.
• Even if only a ten minute gospel presentation, you may be exhausted afterwards.  That’s OK.  In those few moments you are trying to do everything in your power (so to speak) to plead and warn anyone who will listen.

Posted: July 30th, 2008 under Evangelism, Getting Started, Open Air Preaching.
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For someone who just started blogging it was too early to take a break, but for whatever the reasons, the important thing is that the break is over!

Look for more regular posts again starting this week.  Thanks

Posted: July 30th, 2008 under Announcements.
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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”

The word of God is amazing. You can read a sentence 100 times and still receive something new. In this verse I saw that besides the obvious general reminder to “lean not on your own understanding”, an appropriate, specific application could say: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart (because He knows the entire situation and how it will work out) and lean not on your own (incomplete) understanding (of the situation)”.

The gist is the same: You don’t see the whole picture, He does. Trust Him.

Posted: July 12th, 2008 under Encouragement, Scripture.
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I’m not sure why my last post changed the font size on all previous posts, but it did. If you’re using Internet Explorer, just click on the magnifying glass 100% at the lower right of the browser window and it will enlarge the screen. Sorry for the (hopefully temporary!) inconvenience.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blogram.

Posted: July 10th, 2008 under Announcements.
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“Tell me, O you whom I love,

Where you feed your flock,

Where you make it rest at noon.

For why should I be as one who veils herself

By the flocks of your companions?”

-          The Shulamite to her Beloved,

Song of Solomon 1:7

Dear Jesus,

May you be to us as our Beloved.  Forgive us for the ways and times where we do not seek wholly after You, but are content to see You at a distance.  We dishonor You and do hurt to ourselves by not reproving our hearts to pursue after You.  O that You would send your Holy Spirit to awaken love in the hearts of Your people that we would rejoice in You.  Lord, give us hearts that ache to be in Your presence, to be where You feed Your flock, and where You give rest—all of this not for ourselves but entirely for Your glory, now and forever. Amen.

Posted: July 10th, 2008 under Encouragement, Hope, Prayer, Scripture, The Church.
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“Fool’s Gold: noun: Any of various pyritic minerals resembling gold” (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary)

Last night I was at a Panera’s restaurant for a few hours working on college homework.  Right as I was leaving I ended up talking to “Dave”, who I discovered was a practicing Pagan.  I essentially interviewed him about his faith for a half hour.  Since he was not open to the gospel I could learn from him about his religion for my own present knowledge and future use.  Also, the time invested in listening and asking questions allowed me (later) to interject what true, biblical Christianity really is, thus sharing the gospel afterall.

“Pagan” is a broad term under which many variety of earth-religions fall.  Most have in common a central tennent called The Wicca Reed (or “Rede”), which is a roughly 560-word poem of platitudes and religious instructions, the end of which says, “An ye harm none, do what ye will”, which “Dave” said was sort of their version of the Golden Rule.  To the undiscerning it would certainly seem to be so.

However, as I pointed out to “Dave”, Jesus said, “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matt. 7:12).  He also said to love our enemies and bless those who persecute you.  The Reed says ‘do whatever you want so long as you don’t harm others’  One can live however one wants and can disregard enemies and others.  In Paganism one can ignore one’s enemies.  Jesus said to love and do good to them. The “Golden Rule” as it has come to be called says to do for others, not simply be neutral towards them.  What Jesus said far surpasses the Reed’s selfish indifference!

Pray for “Dave”.   He left unimpressed with the message of the cross.  Eschewing the true, precious gold that fades not, I watched him pack his stuff and walk away still admiringly clutching his nugget of fool’s gold.

Posted: July 9th, 2008 under Evangelism.
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