Not so interested

I finally found someone to be on the segment last week. For those of you that were listening, you know that I was having a very difficult time finding someone to be on the air. I have learned to be very flexible and not take it to heart. After all the poor people that get stopped by me are probably pretty nervous or shy or just think I am crazy :-) I guess it makes for good radio. We are all in suspense--wondering who is going to be on the air.

I turned around and this young man (Jeremy) was walking towards me (he was one of the workers at the car wash) so as a last resort, as I was on the air, I quickly explained what we were doing. He nodded in agreement and held his hand out to take the phone. I was relieved.

While Jeremy was on the phone, there was a long line of cars backed up of people waiting to get their cars washed. I quickly went up to each car and made a motion with my hand as if I was rolling down the window and one by one each car followed my directions. I handed the driver a Million Dollar Bill and said, "You're probably wondering why there is such a long line to get your car washed, well one of the workers is live on radio. Right now! And you, too, can tune into 91.3 and listen!" Before I new it there were ten different cars tuning into to the station. All hearing the same gospel message.

After Jeremy got off the air he didn't seem to have a lot to say. He said something to the effect of, "I believe differently than them." He appeared to be disinterested. Either way, I preached the gospel to him again just so he could hear the truth twice. That never hurts.

I was surprised to see a big smile on his face as I held out a Million Dollar Bill tract and then gave him an episode from the TV show. He said he would watch it.

I try to not be moved with how people respond after I preach the gospel to them. Whether they are what appears to be "moved" or "indifferent", I just do my part and share with them what the Bible says. I trust that God will do the convicting.

Click here December 20, 2007 - Hour 1 to listen to the full segment it starts about 40 minutes into the program.

Christmas Songs at a Retirement Center

A Cure for Depression....

I taught a homeschooling co-op today and then we hit the streets for Christmas Carol Evangelism at a retirement center. What a great way to lift your spirit. Sometimes it is hard to go in to these places because they tend to be depressing. But as D.L. Moody said, "Be in the place where people die often."

This is healthy for us Christians. At times our soul can become down cast or maybe we experience what people call the "Holiday Blues" but a good dose of visiting the widows will quickly cure that. I am reminded of the verse in Proverbs that says, "As you restore others you will be restored." I left clicking my heals.

The Gospel in 30 Seconds!

Some of you might remember me mentioning that a wonderful couple (Manuel and Mariya) from Cannes, France (close to Monaco) who let myself and The Way of the Master film crew stay at their hotel (Hotel Alexandre III http://www.hotel-alexandre3.com/) for no cost while we traveled to 13 Countries in 13 days. They are amazing people and they really love the Lord. It is a small world, because I got an email from them, the other day, that they were in the Dallas area, visiting family. After a short correspondence my husband and I met with them at a local mall. I was so happy to see them. I embraced them both and thanked them for all they did for our team when we were in France. We all had huge smiles. What a wonderful reunion!

We talked about witnessing and Manuel explained, "Ever since the team left, that day, I have not been the same!" "Yes!" Mariya added. "He preaches the Gospel now everywhere he goes." We had a great time of fellowship and at one point I shared with them that you can practically share the Gospel with people in about 30 seconds. I thought you, too, might like to read our latest correspondence.

Manuel and Mariya write:

"Hey Trish, while driving back home I tried to remember how did you preach the Gospel in 30 seconds... I couldn’t remember exactly. Can you please write me the logic you use? The way you put it yesterday was awesome and I think that if I can make it in 30 seconds too, will help me to share the Gospel. Sometimes my excuse to not share is that I have to take 10 minutes at least to take them thru the commandments, etc; the WDJD scheme... Can you write me the reasoning you used?"

Here's my response to Manuel and Mariya:

I will usually ask them "Which one is bigger?" While showing them the Pink and Blue Curved Illusion Tracts. Or I will hand them a Million Dollar Bill and say something like "Did you get one of these?" Then all I need is for them to show some interest and say, "Where did you get these" and if they respond like that I will usually say something to the effect of, "These are gospel tracts...they have a gospel message on the back...I got them from a Christian ministry...do you have a religious background?" I let them respond and no matter what religion they are---even if they "say" they are Christians, I will still talk to them about the Gospel because many proclaim to be "Christians" but are not.

So then I quickly go through the good person test and say, "Here's why I give these out. Think about it like this, if you have lied or stolen something in your life (like I have) or used God's name in an irreverent way, the bible says that if you have violated one of the commandments then you have violated all--and because God is a righteous judge he has to punish law breakers and that place of punishment is called Hell -- but there is good news--the reason why Christ died on the cross was because we need someone to pay our fine---you see--you broke the law and He (Jesus) paid the fine for sinners and then He rose from the dead. If you repent (turn) from your sins and trust in Christ you will be saved. Saved from what? Saved from hell."

This seems like a lot but when you practice it over and over it becomes as easy and natural as drinking water. Just to comfort you, I still am gripped with fear almost every time I go to share my faith but I just think about their souls going to Hell and that pretty much will snap me out of it. Besides, it is sort of an adrenaline rush. Once you have passed out your first tract you want to keep passing out more and once you open your mouth and talk to someone sharing with the next person comes much easier. It is always the first encounter that is difficult.

And remember, you can never loose by giving out a tract. Either the person will, 1. get saved, 2. have a seed planted, 3. drop the tract on the floor and someone else will come by and pick it up or, 4. they will get mad at you and the bible says great is your reward, in heaven, when you are persecuted for the Lord's sake. So it is a win win situation! Now if I don't have time to say all of that, I will simply give them the tract and tell them to make sure they read the Gospel message on the back and to think about if they were to die tonight where they would go. That literally takes about 5 seconds to say. Then almost every time, I leave, people have their eyes glued to the tracts and you just put a smile on their face. Hope that helps. Thank you Manuel and Mariya for all you do!

Great Questions to Ask an Unbeliever:

Here are some questions that I use from time to time when I encounter someone who is not a Christian:

1.What do you think happens on "the other side (when someone dies)?
2. What do you think God is like? (How would you describe His character)?
3. Do you think you could prove God exists?
4. Do you think God is angry with humanity?
5. Do you think God should punish murderers?
6. How would you describe your conscience?
7. Do you always listen to your conscience?
8. Do you ever think about death?
9. Are you afraid of dying? Why?
10. If you died tonight, where do you think you would go?
11. If there was a way to avoid death, do you think that you would be interested?
12. Who do you think Jesus was?
13. Do you believe in Heaven or Hell?
14. What do you think a person has to do to go to Heaven?
15. Why do you think God gave us the Ten Commandments?
16. If God gave you your life, do you think you should feel "indebted" to Him?
17. On a scale from 1 to 10, where do you think God fits into your life?
18. What do you think God requires of you?
20. What do you love most in life?
21. Have you ever read the Bible?
22. What do you think is the Bible's main message?
23. Would you consider yourself to be a good person?
24. Do you think you have kept the Ten Commandments?
25. What is stopping you from being born again right now?

Feel free to copy and paste this list and carry it with you. It might help jog your memory right before you go out to witness.

Lucas Funeral Home and The Way of the Master Radio

I was asked the other day, how I found Jimmy Lucas, who is the owner of 11 Funeral Homes in North Texas, and how I was able to get him on The Way of the Master Radio. Well, it sprung up from a sad providence that occurred in my husband's family.

A few months ago, my cousin (through marriage) lost her twins in the womb, just about 1 month before they were to be born. The whole family was in utter shock--as you could imagine. Jimmy Lucas was the funeral director who got the call from my cousin about the death of the twins. Jimmy said he was so touched by their situation that he would cover all of the funeral arrangements and costs for the family. Then when I got the news, I was amazed at his generosity that I decided to call him on behalf of the family to thank him for his kindness. At that point, I offered him the opportunity to be on the air to share his thoughts on spirituality. I could hardly believe he took up the offer.

So fast forward to last Thursday and after Jimmy got off the phone with Ray Comfort and Todd Friel, I asked Jimmy, "Jimmy, if you were to encounter someone who had only 3 minutes to live--how would you share your faith--you only have 3 minutes to do so." So he tilted his head a bit and said, "Well...I would tell them that Christ died on the cross and rose on Easter but there is only one thing I would add, if I had 3 minutes to share my faith, it's what I didn't say on the air--the word "repent"...I would tell them they had to repent".

Jimmy told me that he believed what the Bible had to say, and that Jesus was the only way to heaven. I was very grateful to hear him say these things. But I had a hard time detecting any sort of urgency in him with regards to sharing his faith with the families that come into the funeral home. It didn't seem, to me, that he was looking or digging for any little opportunity that would provide him to do so. I hope that my visit made him think about eternity and the urgency to tell others about the Gospel. As Christian's we should be looking for every open door to preach the Gospel. This should be an all consuming passion.

We talked for a short amount of time, I thanked him for being on the air, gave him a gift filled with a couple episodes of The Way of the Master television show and gospel tracts (which he enjoyed) , and a bag of special Christmas popcorn. He saw the popcorn and said as he grabbed his belly, "This will go good with the episode you gave me." I laughed and so did he. "I will watch this with the whole family." He added. "Great!" I replied. As I walked out of the funeral home I looked back at him and pointed as I said kindly with a smile, "Jimmy don't forget to preach the Gospel." He listened intently.

I had a wonderful time at the Funeral Home--though I hope to not have to go back there anytime soon :-)

Click here December 13, 2007 - Hour 1 to listen to the full segment it starts about 40 minutes into the program.

www.FishwithTrish.com

I rolled down my window a bit and said...

For the second segment of The Way of the Master Radio, last Thursday, we were approached by the mall security that we shouldn't be taking photos. I was glad that at least we were able to finish the first segment with no problems. We apologized, gave the security man a tract, and quickly got in our car to leave for a new location. But before we pulled away I saw a young guy getting into his burgundy truck which just so happened to be parked next to us. I was sitting in the back of the SUV. My in-laws were in the front and my cousin-in-law was sitting next to me. The young man's driver side window was right next to mine.

I rolled down my window a bit and said, "Did you get one of these?" I handed him a Million Dollar Bill tract and he smiled. "Are you going any where-I mean do you have a quick second?" I quickly inquired. "Sure. I'm not going anywhere. I was just doing my Christmas shopping so I have time." He said, to my surprise, as he leaned against his truck. I rolled down my window all the way and said, "What's your name?" I asked. "Ryan." He answered. "Well Ryan, I know this might look really weird, four people sitting in a care talking to you, but we are doing a radio segment and we were just about to leave to go to a new location but would like you to be on it. If you are willing to, you would share your thoughts about spiritual things all over a cell phone." I said as I held up my cell phone for him to see it. "Sure. I'll do it." He said. "Perfect." I smiled. "I can talk about this topic for hours." He added.

Just excellent…I thought…this will be wonderful we don't even need to move. We will stay in the car and take pictures from inside. So I handed him the phone and he sat in his truck while he talked to Ray Comfort.

After he got out of his truck he said, "That's their view and I have my view." So we talked and the more I explained, he seemed to understand where we were coming from and what the Bible warned us of. He really opened up and began to ask question like "How can we trust that the Bible is reliable." And I answered his questions. But shared how we will still have to face a holy God on Judgment Day even if all of our questions are not answered.
I am so honored to be able to follow up with people after they get off the air. It is so needed. So I showed off the Curved Illusion tract. He cracked up laughing. It's such a blessing to be able to make people smile in the midst of such deep things. Right as we were about to leave he added, "I still have a lot of questions." "Great!" I said. My family and I invited him out to a local bible study and encouraged him to bring a note book filled with all his questions. I told him that my husband would be glad to answer them in much greater detail. I pray he will come. But even if he doesn't my prayer is for him to repent of his sins and get right with God. He was a very nice young man.

Click here December 06, 2007 - Hour 2 to listen to the full segment it starts about 20 minutes into the program.

www.FishwithTrish.com