Evangelism Opportunity

I know that evangelism can seem to be intimidating, especially if you have never done it.  But I ask you, if  you are a Christian, and someone who had only three minutes to live came up to you and ask, "What must I do to be saved" or "I am scared to die what can you tell me?"  Would you be able to help them?  I think being able to give a response to this is very important.  If we truly have been born-again, we know enough of the Gospel to share with someone how to receive salvation. (Romans 10:17)

We (Magic Valley Bible Church) have a great opportunity at the fair this year.  We are gong to have a table/booth.  It will be a great way to tell people about our church and what activities we have going on, but more importantly, it will be a great way to share the Gospel, people come up to you!  Russ Buffalo and I are trying to put together a group of people who want to share their faith, so that we can man the fair table and have people walking the fairgrounds witnessing.  I know there are people out there who want to share their faith but are unsure how to do it or even scared.  Do not worry, we have a solution.  There are going to be plenty of events coming up that will be great for training and practice.  Russ and I would like to incorporate some book training, role-playing, and some "in the field" training.  Please contact either one of us if you are interested.  We have a couple of months before the fair gets here, let's get equipped and trained and share he Good News of the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins!  Remember, experience is not required nor is actually witnessing at first.  If you want to come along just to see what is like that is fine, you can be a shadow.

We have one such event coming up on Friday, May 7th at 6pm.  One of the local churches is putting on a Battle of the Bands in the City Park.  I have read up on this event, and it looks like a great opportunity.  according to the event organizers they are hoping for about 2,000 people in the park.  Also according to the organizer, it appears that the Gospel being proclaimed to the people is not a priority:

“It is an outreach program; in our minds we are trying to gain exposure to let kids know that there is a safe place for them to hang out. We are not pushing God or religion. We just want to give the youth an option of a safe environment to hang out and ask questions."

"We tell the bands that they don’t have to play Christian music, but we want them to have music with positive lyrics that inspire and encourage.  We are looking for a diverse group of bands with all types of music with a diverse, positive sound.”

-Youth pastor Josh Jensen

Source: http://www.magicvalley.com/entertainment/article_3ae9e916-3740-5e13-9b94-b52712340d5e.html

We ask that you come along with us.  There is going to be a diverse group of people attending this from true Christians, to lukewarm self-proclaimed followers, to the admittedly lost.  Please come along with us, you do not even have to say anything or pass out any tracts.  Just come along and see what it is all about!  Email me at: three_min_to_live@hotmail.com

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

"Crucify!"

Click the picture to see larger

Although I am now saved by the Grace of God, I was in the crowd yelling "Crucify!" at The Son of God's trial. From a human standpoint it seems as though God was not in control, but according to Isaiah 53:10, "Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him..." 

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Welcome to the World!

I would love to introduce Andrew Ezekiel Marshall!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Special Audio for Easter

As anyone who has read my blog or knows me knows, I kind of like Wretched Radio and Wretched TV. When it used to be called Way of the Master Radio, they put together a poignant show about Good Friday and Easter. I know last year I posted it, but I though it would be beneficial to post it yet again please enjoy!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Our God is in Control

As I sit here trying not to read or hear anything about what is going on in Washington, I could not help come across this picture.  It sure does say a lot about how I feel, in fact I kind of feel the same way I did in November of 2008.  I can feel myself staring to get apprehensive, and freaked-out.  But, by God's grace, I also feel the Holy Spirit convicting me of my sin.  Did God not know that our current President would get elected? Did He not know that he would then reverse and enact measures that would cause abortions to be more readily available?  Was our God asleep, away, or maybe He is not powerful enough to stop it?  I think not!  To think so would strip Him of some of His attributes, which is idolatry.  We may not know what our future holds or how our God is orchestrating events, but I do believe that  what ever happens, God will receive glory and honor from it.  This glory He gets could come from Christians crying out to Him in prayer: lamenting, interceding, praying for the lost, praying for those who are going to be effected by this, etc.  Glory can be given to Him by people being more motivated to hit the streets seeing the signs that changes are on the way (check out this post from Tony "The Lawman" Miano.)

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

I immediately thought of this hymn.  This where I hope, this is where I cast all my concerns and worry.  May God be glorified!

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Apologetics , Topic 1 - God Is Not Real

I was recently asked to teach the junior and senior high school kids for a few Sundays to cover for the current teacher.  I was surprised and humbled by the request.  It is a daunting task.  I would not consider myself a teaching kind of person, but I was told I would be teaching on basic apologetics and tie it in to witnessing.  I was given the added help of teaching through a book called The Ten Most Common Objections to Christianity by Alex McFarland.  Although I have not read the entire book as of yet, I have found the book to be a good resource thus far. After going through the first chapter; I came to the conclusion that this is an important area to learn and was very glad I agreed to do it.  I think this can be beneficial for everyone who shares their faith.  You are bound to run into one the these questions at some point, which is why I decided to post the notes/handouts that I make based off the book for all to read and learn from.

1 Peter 3:15
...Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you...

Please note, unless otherwise expressed all of my notes are either directly taken from the book or my paraphrase from the book.

Ok, to start off we should probably define what apologetics is and define some terms: