The Biggest Project comes to UTA

What happens when 22 people hand out 2200 DVD's in 2 hours?

Well, let’s just say that it's not without problems (watch till the end).  

(Oh and the mascot managed to make her way in there)

Ray Comfort's Conversion 40 years ago from an eye witness...

I was too encouraged today after readying this account of Ray's conversion to not share it with you.

Below are Ray's words and then his friends.

Happy NEW Birth Day- Ray Comfort

On the 23nd of April, 2012, it will 40 years since I was born again. I am still exploding with gratitude, firstly to God, and also to a young surfer named Graham Read, who led me to the Savior. I recently contacted him and asked him to give his side of what happened. Here is his reply:

An old car weighed down with surfboards headed north out of the city of Christchurch late on a Friday afternoon for a weekend of surfing and fun. There were five of us packed in and I was the odd one out in this group because a month or so earlier I had become a follower of Jesus. This new life brought changes that were making it hard to ‘hang out’ with my old buddies who couldn’t understand why I had changed so much. However, the anticipation of great waves united and energized us on the two-hour journey to Kaikoura.

Ray was an icon in the Canterbury surf scene – one of New Zealand’s top surfers – owner of the local surf shop – an enthusiast for life, and fun to be around. Novice surfers like me had huge respect for him as he seemed to have it all together… Little did I realise the search Ray was on.

Being a little on the shy side I found his confidence and wit a little scary. Surprisingly, we somehow ended up bunking in the same room at Kaikoura. We were heading for bed when Ray started asking questions about the new changes that had taken place in my life. As we talked an amazing sense of God’s presence took over our conversation and before long we were talking at a deep spiritual level. As the Holy Spirit guided us, Ray acknowledged his need as a sinner to receive Jesus to be his Saviour.

Time seemed to stand still as God dealt with Ray, bringing repentance, forgiveness and an amazing joy… Wow! The room was full of God’s presence and for a number of hours we praised and thanked God for the new life he had blessed us with. Talk about a hungry new born baby! Ray was so determined to gain all he could from the Bible that the next morning, even though the surf was pumping and much to the dismay of our friends, he and I stayed back and read the Bible. We also prayed for our friends to find this new life in Jesus.

Our prayers were answered when, the next evening, my best friend Brian also welcomed Jesus into his life. A weekend of surfing and fun changed some of our lives forever. God began a deep work of grace in us that has multiplied to others many times over, bringing praise to our most awesome God.

~ Graham Read, Christchurch, New Zealand

What it means to be a Man

100 years ago from today a man named John Harper boarded the Titanic (with daughter and niece) headed for New York in hopes to accept a pastorate position at The Moody Church. Although his 2 traveling companions lived, He never made it to America. His last words before going under in the frigid waters were, "Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Accounts say that he very well could have saved his life and jumped in one of the life boats, but he didn't. Instead he allowed others on. He didn't count his life dear to himself and at one point while in the cold waters he willingly surrendered his life jacket and gave it to another that was in the water who "needed it more" because they weren't saved. Then he pleaded with the individual to turn to Christ.

The Baptist press makes this clear by saying that, "Harper ran person to person, passionately telling others about Christ. As the water began to submerge the "unsinkable" ship, Harper was heard shouting, "women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats." Rebuffed by a certain man at the offer of salvation Harper gave him his own life vest, saying, "you need this more than I do." Up until the last moment on the ship Harper pleaded with people to give their lives to Jesus.

Mr. Harper's preaching style was suited for an evangelist as testified by the words of another local pastor. "He was a great open-air preacher and could always command large and appreciative audiences. ... He could deal with all kinds of interrupters, his great and intelligent grasp of Bible truths enabling him to successfully combat all assailants."
While studying his life late last night and today it made me think of two words: 1. Hero and 2. Coward.

Revelation 21:8 says, "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

The dictionary online defines "Coward" as:

Noun:	A person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things.
Adjective:	Excessively afraid of danger or pain.

Wikipedia says that, "Cowards are usually seen to have avoided or refused to engage in a confrontation or struggle which has been deemed good or righteous...

In direct opposition to the "coward" is the "hero".

A person, typically a man, who is admired for courage or noble qualities.

John Harper was anything but a coward. What a wonderful example he has set before us today. As we reflect upon his life and his incredible example may we, too, persevere like he did in the face of death.

In honor of his life, a group of us will hit the streets tonight saying the same thing he did. (Worth your time to read both: http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37601 and http://www2.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/docs/titanic4.htm)

Listened to this song 3 times tonight....I"m going on my fourth

What the New Religion of Atheism Has to Offer

Hat tip to: James White

Cool Testimony from my Assistant Kristen

Yesterday a man knocked on my door and said he was running for judge in the upcoming election. He told me about his qualifications, that he was a Christian and that God was first in his life, which I thought was very bold considering he didn't know my spiritual beliefs at all and he was campaigning for my vote.

I asked him if he had seen "180 Movie". He hadn't, so I gave him a copy.

A few hours later I received a "friend request" from him on Facebook from his campaign account. I accepted his request, and was surprised and delighted to see that on his Wall he had posted the link to "180 Movie" along with the comment "Watch this movie. It's only 33 minutes, but it makes all the sense in the world."

He has 840 Facebook friends, so pray they all watch it!

He is Alive!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3

It's a Good Friday indeed!

Hat tip: The Biggest Project