Sharing the gospel with middle school squad

One thing I love about Asbury College is the freedom to talk about the Lord and its not awkward....usually. Being at a conservative Christian college that emphasises holiness has been encouraging in my evangelism efforts. Today I had another privilege to lift up Christ and share His gospel. A former Asbury basketball player brought his middle school basketball team to our game tonight. A few hours before tip off me, my coach, and another teammate had a chance to meet these young people, encourage them, tell them about Asbury, and most importantly share the gospel.

My teammate Daniel spoke first, he talked about utilizing the simple gifts God has given us to be the best we can be. Daniel is a great teammate and that is saying alot in a generation of selfish players. Then I spoke with a bible in one hand and basketball in the other. I started with Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." I grew up playing with & against some great ball players in Louisville, but the best would have to be Rajon Rondo. He's the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics and we grew up playing with or aganist each other from church league, YMCA, middle school, high school, and even won an AAU state championship together. I realized at a young age that I was never going to be as athletic as Rajon so I'd have to work very hard and become as skilled a player as I could to compete at a high level. Working hard is rewarding & a must in life but to work hard as unto the Lord rather than men is the prime objective. God alone deserves the glory and its His favor and blessing that one must truly have when its all said in done.

I then took my bible and showed them how I had exchanged God's Word for a basketball when I was their age (12-14 yr old). Basketball is a blessing but not the reason for our existence...in the end the most important thing is if we have a right relationship with God. To hammer this home I scanned the room & asked, "Did anyone see how many points Michael Jordan scored last night?"....their faces seemed blank & confused....I answered, "Of course you didn't, MJ doesn't play anymore because he is to old now"....the kids smile back...I then ask, "Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game once but did anyone see how many points he had last night?"...blank looks again...I answer back, "You didn't see Wilt Chamberlain score last night because he's dead".....now I'm getting sober looks from these kids with pin drop silence.

I said this to bring to light the fact that we're all going to die one day and have to stand before a holy God and give an account for our lives. Basketball won't really matter on this day, all that will matter is if we are right with God. These kids may be young, but they're old enough to sin and they're old enough to die and I care about them & their souls. Life is but a vapor, yesterday I was in their shoes and tomorrow I'll have grandchildren (Lord willing). I then guided them through the standard of God's law (10 commandments) to show them their need for a Savior. Explained sin, God's justice and why we deserve nothing but a place in hell. All this was to bring forth the glory of Christ our only Savior who takes away the sin of the world!!!

As I was unpacking the gospel and explaining all that Christ accomplished on the cross I was encouraged to see a young girl in the back nodding her head as if the light bulb had come on. I finished with the power of Christ's resurrection and the command to repent & trust in Jesus for Salvation with a new heart. These kids were very attentive and that's all I could hope for when sharing the good news. There is no feeling like sharing the gospel, its like beginning born again & again....it reminds us of the miracle of our own conversion. Lord I praise You for Your loving kindness toward sinners, glorify Your great name by saving those who heard Your gospel today. Amen

Winter Storms glorify God

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge. -Psalms 19:1-2






Over the last week we have experienced an amazing winter storm. Its just been freezing weather, power outage, falling tree branches, snow, ice, ice and more ice. Through all this I have tried to enjoy the beauty of God's power in creation. On my way to the gym or class I have seen some of the most beautiful and breathtaking views I have ever witnessed. Massive ice sickles hanging from power lines, frozen trees sparkling with thick ice, and a soft canvas of snow covering the ground.... these are just a few of the glories of God's hand.

I pray that this winter storm only points believers to love, adore, fear, and worship God even more. To be in awe of His power, creativity, and his transcendent nature that makes us finite humans lay our hands over our mouths in reverence of the only One worthy to be praised. May we give glory to God...not sleding, not frosty the snow man, not days off from school, not snowball fights. These are fun & can be blessings but may we treasure God and see His beauty in all that He reveals to us.

Dear Father, be merciful to me a sinner. Thank you for your love and patience through Christ. You truly are long suffering and full of lovingkindness...You not only give rain to the just and the unjust....you also give snow. To You belongs the glory. Amen.

Home for the holidays...or better yet CHRISTmas!!! I am truly blessed, my wife and I are back home for a week to enjoy family, great food, relaxation and even gifts. But as a follower of Christ I am on guard and aware of all the idolatry and silly things that are done in the name of Christmas that bring empty satisfaction and false hope. I'm not trying to put coal in anyone's stalkings but I'm so grieved that everything seems to get glory around Christmas except Christ. Santa, the mall, wrapping paper, football, food, Christmas trees, etc. all of it seems to get more attention and adoration this time of year than Christ Himself! Is not this Savior who came to save His people from their sins (Mt. 1:21) the reason for the season?

Sure the world will ignore Christ, this babe in a manger who would soon call men to repent and follow Him. But even the church in America seems hypnotized by rampid materialism and a fat jolly myth who lives upon parent's lies and stealing God's glory. Santa works for Jesus, and he was once a saint who would be appauled at what his story has become. I am a pilgrim who journey's through this world until I am at home with Christ. May Christ get the glory on Christmas in the hearts of His people whom He has redeemed with his very blood.

I pray that my heart is kept from loving this world or anything else for that matter anywhere close to my passion and love for Christ. I don't want to waste my life, or my marriage, my abilities, opportunities, holiday, or money on anything. But Lord, may all that you give me to stewart be used to bring glory to your awesome name!

Speaking at 'Fields of Faith' event

The FCA (fellowship of Christian Athletes) held a nation wide event on many college athletic fields recently called 'Fields of Faith'. College students gathered to tell their testimonies, worship, and pray. I had the privilage to be one of the speakers and this is how it went down.

I know I go to a Christian college but this one of the most dangerous places to be for 'good kids who aren't saved but think they're saved'. On top of that, the staff talks to every student as if they're a Christian....but what if they aren't a Christian? What if their superficial and they've never recieved a new heart and biblically repented? Jesus is the one who told us that very few people who call themselves believers actually enter through the narrow gate and walk on hard path that leads to eternal life. Most are decieved... I was decieved most of my life so I know first hand that its hard to see when you're blind. So I wanted to make the most of this opportunity and be faithful to God.

I incorported verses from Matthew 7 into my testimony. I wanted people to see how we can decieve ourselves into thinking we're saved by being around believers or knowing orthodox creeds but never really examine our hearts in light of Scripture. Mt. 7:21-23 states a terrifying fact, many people who call Jesus their Lord will die and think they're right with God and on their way to heaven but will be rejected and sent to hell! Why? Because only those who do the will of God will be saved. ITS NOT WHAT YOU SAY, ITS WHAT YOU DO,HOW YOU LIVE, AND WHAT YOU'RE REALLY TRUSTING IN! So if so many people are decieved how can we know we're not one of them?

We must examine our lives, what we desire, and see our fruits we produce to be able to know what kind of tree we are. In Mt. 7:16-21, Jesus lays out a way for us to test ourselves, by looking at our fruit. All the lost (including self-decieved false Christians) are bad trees who only produce bad fruit. Refering to a unregenerate heart that loves sin and is a slave to sin. Their fruit is evil, sinful, and self-righteous with no self denial and following after Christ. Out of this heart they may be able to fool themselves and other people but they're fruit isn't out of love for Christ or to the glory of God. They're trusting in all the they're deeds and things they've done in ministry rather than in the atonement of Christ alone. But Christians are good trees bearing good fruit as a style of life. Christians still sin and mess up but they're greatest desire is to be like Christ and to know Him. So they are constantly battling sin, overcoming, and denying themselves the fleeting pleasures of the world to follow Christ.

I closed with a plea to abandon any reliance on self or their good deeds. Only those who see themselves as hopelessly lost sinners will ever be saved. Only those who admit their guilt in killing Christ on the cross by their sin will ever recieve the grace it exhibits. Only the few who know they're sick will ever get the desire to seek healing from the doctor (Christ). So I finished with a call to repent and believe the gospel, don't decieve yourselves.

Lifting up Christ at Northpoint prison!!!!

After a passionate pursuit to know & treasure Christ, preaching the gospel is the greatest most satisfying blessing this side of heaven. I've shared the gospel many places and with many people but I've never had the opportunity to go into a high security prison and preach the gospel. That was until the Lord used basketball to open a door for his glory. On tues. I played a pre-season game with my team (Asbury) against Northpoint prison. The whole experience was awesome.

ENTER THROUGH THE PRISON GATE
It was pretty intimidating when we arrived. We went through many barb wired fences, checkpoints, and met cool correction officers. As we walked through the courtyard to the gym we received lazier stares and comments from prisoners. When we entered the gym it was loud, hostile and packed......I loved it. The court was caged in so imagine a cross between nba jam and street fighter. The prison team consisted of hyped-up, athletic brothers ready to throw down.....this was going to be fun.

THE GAME
I prayed over the game and then we tipped off. We came out hot and got the prisoner's in the gym all hyped up...(I was talking a little bit to the crowd but it was all in fun). The game was fast and intense, lots 3's, lots of cross overs, lots of nice moves, and one sweet dunk by Jordan Hammond. We had the game but it slipped away in the final minutes as the prison beat us 98-94. Our guys never backed down but it was all in the Lord's hands. If we would have won those prisoner's would have been fighting & cursing each other out. They would have never listened to me share the gospel. Both teams gathered together as my Coach said a few words and then handed it over to me.

THE GOSPEL
I knew I only had one shot with these guys and wanted to glorify God and lovingly speak eternal truths to these men who need hope. So I trusted in Christ that he would make himself known to the prisoners and my team through a broken and unworthy vessel. I wanted these guys to consider their soul and its worth and view themselves in light of God's standards not mans. I let them know we're all in the same boat, we're all in a prison waiting to die and stand before God in judgment. That this judgment would be of righteousness and that God will punish every sin and not accept anything less than perfect.
So I took them through God's law to expose our sinfulness, the filth that's hidden deep in our hearts that will leave us condemned and hopeless. The prisoner's minds really started turning when i said 10 out of 10 people die and we're all going to have to face this judgment. our only hope is that the God who will judge us would be the same one who show us mercy and provides a Savior to rescue us from the wrath we deserve. I then unfolded the glorious gospel, that Christ was the sinless man who died to as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. To pay the penalty we deserve and than grant us his righteousness through faith. Repent and believe the gospel.
The prisoners really embraced me afterwards, they said they'd be discussing what i said with each other. One guy said he was going to be reading his bible and I encouraged him to trust in the person and work of Christ for sinners not in what he is going to try to do in his own will power.
It was an amazing experience, I know I'm unworthy to speak of Christ but I'm so humbled to think God may of used me to draw some struggling men to himself. I hope to see some of those guys one day in heaven.


Here's a link to an article written in the jessamine journal about this event: "RAZOR WIRE, BASKETBALL AND FAITH"

Amazing Grace!!! 3 year Anniversary

On September 18 Amanda & I celebrated our 3 year anniversary of regeneration! Just 3 years ago God graciously opened our eyes, raised us to spiritual life, made us new creatures, gave us new hearts & His Spirit, and granted us repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To God I lay my life, talents, and gifts at His feet. I praise You Lord, for your faithfulness. You alone drew me to Yourself when I was a wretch pursing sin and even now you continue to cleanse me of my filthiness. To You alone belongs all glory, praise, worship, power, and dominion.

Here is a personal reflective piece I wrote for my English class recently about this glorious experience:

Very few believers in Jesus Christ have had such a dramatic conversion to Christianity as that of Saul from Tarsus. Saul was on the road to Damascus with intentions of violently jailing more Christians for their faith when he encountered Jesus Christ. After Jesus revealed himself to Paul it changed him forever. Paul’s purpose, desires and efforts conformed to an agenda that would please and glorify God. I, like Paul, have had a unexpected encounter with God that left me changed forever. My conversion was not so dramatic but it was definitive. It occurred on September 18, 2005 at a small church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Nearly all of my childhood I remember attending a Christian Church and was convinced that I was a Christian. Nevertheless, as I grew into my latter teenage years my lifestyle and desires were no different than any of my non-Christian friends. Sure I went to Church on Sundays but that was the depth of my Christian commitment to Christ. The rest of the week I was too busy serving and pleasing myself to ever consider that I loved sin and the things of this fleeting world more than my supposed Savior. I inched through life reaching out for anything that would temporarily satisfy my wondering heart and reckless teenage appetites.

At the age of 19, I began examining my own heart and considering my own ways and what my life was becoming. I had wasted a college basketball scholarship, dropped out of school, severed a relationship with my parents, quit my job, and turned to drug dealers for

friendship and a place to live. My life was a down spiraling party with no sense of peace or direction. I can remember sitting around with my intoxicated friends and asking them in a tone of disgust, “Don’t you think there is more to life then getting drunk and high?” Their blank looks and responses compelled me to blow the dust off my Bible and begin reading it for answers. I was living around constant drug abuse and violence but was intrigued by what I read in the Scriptures.

Following this crazy summer I received a post card from a local church advertising a drama they were performing called, “Final Destination.” It was attractive and interesting so my girlfriend, Amanda, and I decided to go. This drama didn’t contain great acting or stellar visual effects but it exposed something deep within me that I had never seen before. These actors seemed just like me as they committed everyday sins that I habitually did without any remorse. The drama and following message from the pastor helped me understand that there would be a day of recompense and I would have to give an account for every sin I have ever committed life.

To an extent I had always affirmed this intellectually but it was evident that I didn’t really believe it when one looked at my careless and sinful lifestyle. This terrified me because I honestly knew who I was in my heart and what I did when the pastor wasn’t looking. God was unlike any man, he could see through my shallow confessions and into a cold heart that was arrogant enough to think that empty lip service was required rather than an earnest heart. God had seen my every word, thought and deed. My conscience condemned me and my heart wouldn’t give me any rest at that moment.

For the first time in my life my eyes where opened to see how sinful I was and that I deserved to go to hell when I died. It didn’t matter that I was a church member, or had been

baptized, or that I had looked the part on Sunday mornings. My faith was self-serving and superficial. I had only made a glib decision in my mind but my heart had never truly changed. There was no fooling myself when I examined what I watched, whom I hung around, how I talked, and what things I occupied myself with. There had never been a turning away from sin in my life with an embracing of Christ as my all-satisfying joy and treasure. I had been a harlot to God by asking for his blessing on Sunday and then sleeping around with a sinful world the rest of the week. God would judge the heart and not the mask that showed up at church on Sunday morning.

The guilt I felt at that moment was nothing less than crushing. God was perfect and holy and demanded this of me if I were to be in a saving relationship with him. But it was plain that I was stained and filthy by my sinfulness. I was drawn to my precious and gracious Savior, Jesus Christ, who desired to rid me of my guilt and cleanse me through his death and resurrection. I trusted that Jesus died form me as a sinless and perfect sacrifice to satisfy the penalty of my sins. He amazingly died on a cross but not because he had sinned but because he was paying for the sins of others. I had broken God’s commandments but by faith I trusted that Jesus paid my sinful depth that I owed God and gave me His righteousness so that I could now be his child forever!

Since this day I have grown to love and treasure Christ more and more without ever looking back. Daily I stumble but the faithful God who saved me is quick to discipline me so that he may keep me. It seems that from the day of my conversion until now there has been a cleansing of my past love affair with sin and a growing desire to love God and the things he loves. I don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t encountered God on September 18, 2005. I’m just glad that I’m now fighting for God rather than against him.

Today I am so passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ that I regularly go out to the streets to share the good news of Jesus Christ with any and all. I hope to go into full-time ministry one day with my wife. And yes, I did mention the blessing of a wife. I married that lovely girl who went with me to the drama on September 18, 2005. She also became a child of God that night.

Do I have the right to Command???

I now attend a Christian college (Asbury). But biblically I know most of those around me are not Christians, they have just put on a mask & learned what to say & do when being watched. Its all head knowledge, their isn't a deep heart love for Christ like they have for the world or sports or reputation. So, when I hear them speak of Christ, the gospel, Christianity, etc. it is as if they have made a decision to better themselves and sin is reduced to bad choices we need to overcome. This will of course effect the way you share the gospel. It leads to depending on methods rather then simple truth, building friendship to replace gospel proclamation.

Which brings me to my point: can I command someone to repent & believe the gospel? Or should I merely make suggestions & give advice? I think the issue is authority & understanding if I actually do have a right to do this. Lets examine what Paul spoke to those unbelievers on Mars Hill:

"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."(Acts 17:30-31)

Paul commanded unbelievers to repent because God commands unbelievers to repent. In love, we also have the right & authority as ministers of the gospel. God saves men, not our methods, not our programs, or personalities or charm. With complete reliance upon the Holy Spirit and the power of the gospel we are to faithfully preach the word. Men have rebelled, sinned, hated their Creator and made gods to suit themselves. Men are ruined & headed for destruction so with the love of God in our hearts we must command them to turn from their evil ways and be restored in Christ. Let us be faithful to God, who alone deserves all praise & glory.

Here's a video from Paul Tripp that may help you.....our task is hard but is the most important thing in the world, we deal with souls.