Occupy Heaven

There has been a lot of coverage about the "Occupy Wall Street" (and locally, "Occupy Portland") movement recently. But I am much more concerned about another movement that started thousands of years ago, that I would like to call "Occupy Heaven".

All of us want to "Occupy Heaven" one day. Who wouldn't? Gone is the hardship and sin of the world. Instead of a 9-5, bills, bosses, disease, pain and the curse of pride, we get to spend forever in an infinitely rewarding relationship with our creator and all of the other people in heaven in a city so beautiful it is beyond words.

Most people think they are good enough to get to heaven just the way they are.  The fact is NO ONE is good enough just the way they are to enter heaven (Romans 3:23).  Anyone who says different is a liar (1 John 1:8).  Since no one who has sinned can get into heaven (Romans 6:23) that means that ALL of us (myself included) are marching toward hell (Revelations 21:8).

Does that concern you?  How does that make you feel to know that as of right now (if you do not believe in Jesus Christ) that you are headed for hell?  I hope that concerns you greatly, because I do not want to see you go there!

But there is good news; If you repent of your sins (change your mind about sin) and believe in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15) you will be saved!  There is no "catch".  No amount of "good deeds" that can get you into heaven.  Only trusting in Jesus Christ as your lord and savior can get you there (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

I pray that I see you "Occupying Heaven" one day with me.

God bless you!

Kneel

Waterfront Outreach: 10/15/11

...Yes He is...

Today we had quite a turn out downtown (at least on the evangelists side of things).  There were nearly a dozen people there with the intention of sharing the gospel in one way, shape or form.  I finally got back up on the box for the first time since July and, though it was scary, it felt really good.  

Carlen got up to preach first this morning and I couldn't help but totally dig his sweatshirt.  He preached a very biblical message and it struck me how kind he was in the middle of his sermon to help a lady get a leaf out of her hair.  I know it seems like a small thing, but I think him doing that really shows his heart for how he cares about people, weather it is helping them with a small aspect of their physical appearance, or giving them the life saving message of the gospel.

After Carlen, I got up to preach.

I hadn't preached since late July and in another state, so to say that I was rusty was an understatement.  I tried tying in the "Occupy Portland" movement with my own spin by using "Occupy Heaven" as a tie in.  Foolishly, I tried to depend on my own cleverness instead of simply preaching the gospel, and my preaching suffered because of it.  I should have a video of it posted here soon.  Kind criticism and advice is welcomed. 

Justin  got up and preached after that.  Jared was confronted by someone asking where Cain got his wife (a common objection that is easily answered).  I only caught part of it because I was talking with my friend Jared, who came out for the first time to witness (praise God for his willingness and spirit!) and ended up talking to a man named Todd for quite a while.  Todd's father is having some major health concerns at the moment, so please keep him in your prayers.  Also keep Todd in your prayers as he is wrestling with his faith at the moment.

It was a great day to be down there and I can't wait to try out the prayer stand next week.  My mother (bless her) has the flu and was unable to finish the sign.  

If you would like to join us one day, let me know.

God bless you!

Kneel

Gleefully Excited About the Prayer Stand

(This prayer stand isn't the one I built.  I will be posting a picture and instructions on how I made mine in a later post.)

Tomorrow I go out to the streets of Portland to witness for the first time in almost three months.  It has been a long time since I have witnessed on the street, and I am going with a new tool: My own home made Prayer Stand.  Ever since I fist heard about the prayer stand in late July, I have been dying to get one.  Finally after two months of gathering funds, materials, ideas and help from various places, I will finally get out there with my buddy Jared and my dad to witness to the lost at the "Occupy Portland" site.

I am very excited to see what happens over the next few months with this project.  My hope is that, without committing the sin of pride, I can lead and encourage other believers to get out there and share their faith.  My church has been very supportive and I hope that I can honor them with my behavior as a servant leader.

I remember my first time sharing my faith in public was pretty scary...and incredibly rewarding.  The very first person I had approached was a homeless man in his late 20's - early 30's.  It was obvious that he has been without a shower for a while and told me that he had a past of serious drug use and that he had killed someone.  I'm not kidding.  Not that I want to read to much into things, but in retrospect, I wonder if the enemy wanted him to be my first experience to scare me off.  Now it did scare me, but the leading I feel from the Lord is so strong, that I don't think anything could stop me.  I feel like my life's purpose has finally been discovered.  It's like I finally know what God really wants me to do...and i'm totally hooked.

Please pray for me, Jared and my father that we would all honor God with our behavior.

Kneel