Update on LTW Video and More...

Well, I am up late working and am off to bed now to pray and read. I have now finished the text and all of the photo compilation for the "Venice Beach" portion of our video. The other locations should be much easier, and I plan to do at least one other location per day for the rest of the week. We have a tech guy here in Atlanta who is helping convert this to DVD.

NYC: I have worked for hours in the storage unit today. I have a big shipment of resources to send tomorrow to NYC for our outreach there and plan to order more materials by John Blanchard from Evangelical Press this week. We will give these materials to atheists who approach our table:

"Is Anybody Out There?"
"Which Way to God?"
"Where is God...?"
"Evolution, Fact or Fiction?"
"Can We Be Good Without God?'

In addition to these materials, I will be ordering more of "The Atheist Test" by Ray Comfort for atheists and "After Death, Then What?" for people who do not believe in hell God brings up to our outreach table where all materials are free. I am also shipping out more Bibles.

Venice Beach: We are hoping to get a spot tomorrow at the lottery drawing for setting up this Saturday.

Music: My new CDs have arrived, and I will be sharing more information about them as soon as possible. We are working on an online store where they will be sold via our LTW web site.

Why I Don't Wish Anyone "Good Luck"

An Alternative Deity
(by Daniel Mann)

We all need confidence. Without this intangible ingredient, we wouldn’t pursue any new goals or perhaps even have the courage to pick up the telephone. But where we do we find this confidence? In a Psychology Today article, “Get Lucky,” Matthew Hutson writes:

“People who believe luck works in their favor are motivated to try challenging tasks and persist at them. Feeling in control breeds confidence.” (August 9, 2009, p.18).

This is an ambiguous statement. When we feel that we’re in control, we usually don’t resort to a confidence in “luck.” Luck represents an agency external to ourselves, a providential force or guidance that we can trust in when we believe that we can’t fully trust in ourselves. Resorting to luck suggests that it’s difficult to trust in self, and it is! It requires the denial of our life experiences and psychic manipulations to convince ourselves that we’re worthy of trust, especially in view of the fact that we’ve often failed ourselves. Besides, trying to trust in self, when the evidence says “baloney,” breeds internal conflict.

While “luck” removes this weight from our shoulders, it introduces a similar problem—believing in the unbelievable. This takes many forms. In the same issue, Joshua Gowin notes our tendency to trust in super-heroes:

“We want to believe in heroes, especially when the world feels unsafe. [Robin] Rosenberg [the author of Psychology of Superheroes] notes that Spiderman, Smallville, and 24 all came out after 9/11. ‘As a country, we were just sucking up the concept of someone coming and rescuing us’” (“The Pedestal Awaits,” p.15).

Indeed, we yearn for a rescuer, even if it is merely a good-luck charm, but what’s the matter with God? Spiderman and Superman might rejoice our hearts, but they are no more believable or substantial than “luck.” Why have they won our hearts while the idea of a divine Savior is scorned?

Jesus explained this paradox to his physical brothers: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil” (John 7:7). We intuitively know that any God would have an intimate interest in justice and morality, especially our own moral blemishes! Therefore, our relationship with God represents the ultimate generation-gap. We’re the teenagers and God the super-Parent. However, while the teenager can often get-over on his parent, we are left without such hope in regards to an all-knowing God. It therefore becomes easier to change God into a benign, smiling Santa Claus or simply to deny His existence. However, in doing this, we condemn ourselves to finding an alternate super-hero, one who will inevitably fail us.

------------------------
My heart breaks when even Christians say, "Good luck," to me as if my life is based on chance. I tell them, "I don't believe my life is based on chance, so I don't believe in 'luck'." --Dwayna

Following Jesus and No Turning Back

“…another also said, ‘Lord, ‘I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is ‘fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:61-62

"Then Peter said, 'See, we have left all and followed You.' Luke 18:28

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

Who will follow Jesus, in life’s busy ways,
Working for the Master, giving Him the praise;
Earnest in His vineyard, honoring His laws,
Faithful to His counsel, watchful for His cause?

Refrain

Who will follow Jesus? Who will make reply,
“I am on the Lord’s side; Master, here am I”?
Who will follow Jesus? Who will make reply,
“I am on the Lord’s side; Master, here am I!”

(from http://www.crossroad.to )

"Sola Scriptura"

Here is an email exchange from this morning:


Dear Dwayna at Lighting the Way Worldwide, I'm glad you believe in Christ. I read your article on "Lent Has no Basis In Scripture". It is written, "when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast." (Mt. 9:15) But could you tell me where is the idea of "Bible alone" in Scripture?

----------------------------

Part of the Protestant Reformation was "Sola Scriptura". Here is a link about what we, as Protestants, believe about finding our truth in the Bible...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_solas

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "...that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for EVERY good work."

Blessings,
Dwayna

LTW Update: Friday Night in West Hollywood

These captions come from our team member, Eileen. Our witnessing team this weekend in West Hollywood consisted of Mike, Eileen, Dan, and Joe...These photos and summaries are from Friday night, August 28th.

The people in the picture might seem small, but this is just to show an overview of the whole ministry scene tonight--that is, Dan, Mike & Joe sharing the gospel on the left, while the 'Free-Huggers' stand in the corner to attract people passing on the right. There were definitely a lot of people on our side of the block.
Here is a photo of our team sharing the gospel and God's love to these guys....
As our team continues to minister the word, the "Free Huggers" group suddenly dropped by to take post at the corner beside us to offer "free hugs" to people passing. Joe, a member of our team, momentarily said hello to the "Free-Huggers", then he went back to continue his Bible-sharing with the Muslim guy.
Dan and this guy were getting deep into the topic of relationships. Dan continues to help the guy see relationships in God's light, which is based on love, purity, etc.
As I was taking this pic, I overheard Dan getting indepth into a discussion about relationships with this guy. The man was giving his secular views about relationships, while Dan was showing him God's view.
More pics of Dan & Joe furthering the gospel...
Dan showing the books and testimonies on CD to another man God led up to our table
Here's our team - Dan, Mike & Joe - completely engaged in sharing the word of God. Dan is focused on the guy at the table, while Mike & Joe are both sharing with the Muslim guy on the left wall side.

Joe reading the Bible to man, sharing with him how to be saved...

Joe sharing to the same guy who stopped by earlier for directions. They are having a deep spiritual discussion.... The young man is a professing Muslim.

Joe shares Jesus with this man who approached our table asking for directions. But our group pointed him out to a better direction, which is toward Jesus as Savior and Lord. (Dan wrote later that the man prayed to receive Christ as Savior!)

Here's a picture of a cross dresser who was visiting from out of town. He was interestingly excited to see us sharing the gospel, as he looked over everything on our table...

Here's a pic of Dan & Joe sharing with a guy who happened to stop by the table, asking what we were selling. Dan & Joe told him that our materials are for free, and it's about a Christian perspective....and offered him the "free gift" of salvation at our "Heart for Him" table.

Here is a text I received from Dan Hubbard, the ministry leader, at the end of their witnessing time:

Hi Dwayna, it's 2:42am Sat. morning, and I just got in from West Hollywood. Thank everyone who's been praying for us, because we had a fantastic night of ministry with great conversations and people asking for prayer.

One man, visiting from Austrailia, said he struggles with same sex attraction and was on his way to one of the gay night clubs across and down the street; he said it was very popular with the Hollywood stars; he and I talked for well over an hour. When he left he thanked us for our ministry and was glad he did not go to the club . He also took one of our new books on Sexual Integrity. He asked we not take his photo.

Also, a young man professing Islam, prayed to receive Christ tonight. We talked to many more! It was great.

For God's glory,

Dan

LTW to Angola Prison

Angola is the largest land based prison in the south and used to be known as the bloodiest. I am heading there to share my testimony and sing on Sept. 10th. God has been at work at Angola to give many of the prisoners a dynamic testimony of His love. Churches have been built on the property, and prayer meetings are held regularly. I am thankful to be sharing my testimony there soon...

Brothers in Christ unite in prayer

Chapel dedication

New chapel

Bible Study and a Beer?

These links provide information about "Bible studies" offered in bars over beer. Times sure are changing. I guess the verse "be sober in all things" is one they are not studying.

http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/2009/08/09/0809theology.html

http://tot.austindiocese.org/about/

http://ulcaustin.com/theopub.html

http://mosaicaustin.org/small-groups/
(Theology Pub down the list)

http://immanuelaustin.com/gatherings.html
(Austin inklings)

LTW Update: Last Sunday at NYC Booth

This update comes from Christine, the new leader for our NYC location. She did not have a camera with her last Sunday, so there are no photos to post with this summary. Now that I know my shipments for this LTW ministry are being received, I will be sending more Bibles and resources for the table. Christine said that the next time she sets up, she hopes to take photos on her cell phone and get them to me for sharing on the blog. Pastor Matt did announce the outreach Sunday morning, and many of the members of First Baptist NYC stopped by the table. However, Christine was the only one working at the table. She writes below that she appreciated the pastor bringing her water and helping her get the supplies out of the church to the right location on the sidewalk. Shannon, Matt's assistant also helped. I told her that I knew her labor brought God joy. We pray other Christians will want to sit with her at the table to witness in time. The next time she will be setting up will be Sunday, Sept. 13th, right after the church service at First Baptist NYC on 79th and Broadway.

Pastor Matt did get your shipment, they received a notice from USPS that it is ready to pick up. He said he is still working on the sign. He helped me set up and stuck around for a bit, then supplied me with water to drink (because it was an extremely humid day!) but had to get home to his wife and baby. It looked like it was going to start raining at any moment at times, but the Lord held it off until I put everything back inside the church-- then it started raining! :)

I was out there alone and it was fine, Shannon (Matt's assistant) was inside the church at the doors; they left the church open, so she was sitting there. And then when I was ready to put everything back inside, she helped me out.

I was finally set up in front of the church around 12:45pm and stayed out until around 3:15pm. There was a woman who came by from another church, who saw the Hebrew New Testaments and asked if she could have one for a friend of hers. I said sure, but she asked to make a donation and again I said sure, if you'd like. [We only take donations from Christians; everything is free for the lost.] She gave me $17 for the 2 Hebrew/English Bibles.

A man from the church came up and asked if there was a Bible in Arabic for an Islamic man to whom he is talking, and he took the booklet on John and Romans.

A lady came up and was looking at the table, and I saw that her eyes and hands kept going back to the NKJV Bible, so I told her that it was free for her to take-- she was very happy to take it and started reading as she walked on down to the subway station. Another man took the Moshiach book and the Far From Rome book. A lady came up and laughed at the offerings of books and commented, "only in NY." Then there was one other strange incident where this homeless looking man came up and stood beside me and was talking to someone through his shirt "over there" and stood there for a bit. Because of that I was a little nervous about what he might do but then prayed to God to please send him away, and he then went away!

All in all my first day ever was interesting and went well. There weren't too many people who came up to the table, but I enjoyed being out there for Jesus. The NYC Atheists still have their table set up in front of the Time Warner building and Planned Parenthood is patrolling the streets these days. I know the Lord was with me!

The weekend after Labor Day will be when I can next set-up the table. Until then, Bibles are most needed, I think-- English and Arabic.

Praise to our Lord always and I am thankful for Him leading me to this ministry!

Christine

Circumlocutory Atheism

Atheism Can’t Escape God, Not Completely
By Daniel Mann

The world-renowned atheistic ethicist, Peter Singer, sometimes sounds like a Christian:

If it is in our power to prevent something very bad from happening, without sacrificing anything morally significant, we ought, morally, to do it. An application of this principle would be as follows: if I am walking past a shallow pond and see a child drowning in it, I ought to wade in and pull the child out. This will mean getting my clothes muddy, but this is insignificant, while the death of the child would presumably be a very bad thing. (Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life, Christina and Fred Sommers, 836)

This bit of Scriptural wisdom (James 4:17) shouldn’t surprise us. We are made in the image of God, and He has written His law upon our hearts (Romans 2:15). However, we are left to wonder how an atheist makes this leap from following our moral impulses to something we all “ought” to do for ethical reasons. An impulse is just an impulse. We don’t follow all our impulses. Most of us don’t murder and steal. Why does Singer obey certain impulses and not others? Why are certain impulses more morally binding than others? This question is highlighted by the fact that elsewhere Singer writes,

When we reject belief in a god we must give up the idea that life on this planet has some preordained meaning. Life as a whole has no meaning. Life began, as the best available theories tell us, in a chance combination of gases; it then evolved through random mutations and natural selection. (500)

If life came about by chance, without any intention or purpose, then it can’t contain meaning or values, and Singer is correct. How can an explosion in a godless universe have meaning and value if there is no one to value it? How can music be pleasurable if there is no one to listen to it?

How then can Singer conclude that there are certain acts that we “ought” to do when there is no intrinsic meaning to determine what should and shouldn’t be? In Singer’s world, we’re no more than specks on the broad expanse of existence, left to ourselves to create our own meaning and moral truth. A speck can no more guilty than can a tree for falling on someone’s head.

Why then the necessity to act morally? Specks and other products of chance aren’t moral agents. We can’t expect a moral response “from a chance combination of gases” anymore than we can from the dust on my bookshelf. Where then does Singer find justification for his moral “ought?”

I begin with the assumption that suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care are bad. I think most people will agree about this. (836)

What is the basis for his “assumption that suffering and death…are bad” if “life has no meaning”? What authority or standard can determine that these things are bad? Indeed, our feelings tell us that they’re bad, but why should we regard our feelings as standards for moral truths if none exist? Some people feel that suffering and death are worth pursuing, at least in respect to others. If there is no higher, objective standard of moral truth, how can we object or discredit psychopathy? Singer seems to base his assumption on the fact that “most people will agree about this.”

Although he is correct that most people do agree, does majority opinion establish truth and moral obligation? Should our assessment of what is moral change once the majority changes its tastes and adopts a trendy moral novelty?

For the Christian, the sentiments of the majority do carry some weight. This is because Scripture declares that God infused us all with a common and uncompromising truth so that we can agree about right and wrong. It is because we all do have access to a transcendent truth that we can find wisdom in the perspectives of others. But is majority agreement, by itself, a sufficient basis for moral absolutes and judgments? Even if every Nazi agreed that it’s right to murder Jews, this wouldn’t make it right. Likewise, if every scientist deemed that leeches cured cancer, this wouldn’t make it true. Truth isn’t established by the majority; the majority can only bear witness to it.

Majority opinion doesn’t establish reality, or even moral obligation. It’s like saying that the earth revolves around the sun because most scientists agree that it does. Indeed, if most scientists agree, wisdom requires us to pay some attention to their claims. However, the fact that they agree cannot be the basis or reason why the earth revolves. Their opinions do not effect the earth’s rotation, however prestigious they might be.

Likewise, popular agreement may be a good indicator about what is ethical, but it fails to provide a basis or rationale for what is ethical. Even if every ethicist agreed that torturing babies was right, this wouldn’t make it so. (Interestingly, when we make such judgments, we consult our moral feelings, as if these revealed an authoritative judgment—and they do!)

Also, Science can’t establish moral “oughts”. Although science can help us determine how to deal with parasites, it can’t tell us why we should! The philosopher David Hume famously asserted that there is no way that we can get from an “is” to an “ought.” Science can tell us about what a parasite is and does, but it can’t tell us what we “ought” to do about it.

Transcendent values and morals do that job! These can only come from above. If there is moral truth, it must transcend us. Without a transcendent and independent truth, which stands in judgment of us, Bob’s feelings and inclinations are no less valid than Betty’s even if Bob is a serial killer. We may feel that Bob is acting inappropriately, but Bob feels he’s not! What makes our feelings any more authoritative than Bob’s? There has to be a higher court of last resort where this type of thing can be conclusively adjudicated.

The atheist has to get off the philosophical fence. Either there is a moral truth above what we feel, will or think and to which we must conform, or there isn’t. In this last case, our conscience is no more than a mad clatter of changing chemical-electrical impulses. The atheist can’t have it both ways.

Elsewhere, Singer attempts to base morality on what works for us individually (pragmatism):

Most of us would not be able to find happiness by deliberately setting out to enjoy ourselves without caring about anyone or anything else…Our own happiness, therefore, is a by-product of aiming at something else, and not to be obtained by setting our sights on happiness alone…normal lives have meaning because they are lived to some larger purpose. (500-501)

It is quite true that fulfillment is often a by-product of ethical, self-sacrificial living, and it should be this way. God commands what He blesses. Consequently, it’s a joy to serve Him, as Psalm 1 affirms:

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Verses 2-3; also John 4:34)

We perceive that there is a divine harmony between moral truth, following this truth, and the blessings we derive. But the atheist can provide no explanation for this glorious harmony, but can only acknowledge “Most of us would not be able to find happiness by deliberately setting out to enjoy ourselves.” Although this is true, it doesn’t explain anything.

As a painting says a lot about the painter, life preaches a continuous sermon about its author. We continually marvel at the design and harmony surrounding us, whether physical or moral, and its glorious Designer. Consistent with this, C.S. Lewis pitied the poor atheist in his desperate attempt dodge God: "A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere -- 'Bibles laid open, millions of surprises,' as Herbert says, 'fine nets and stratagems.' God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous." We can close our eyes to His things, but eventually, we’ll stumble.

There’s an additional problem with pragmatism or, as some call it, “enlightened selfishness.” There is something grotesque about it. It declares, “The only reason I’m doing good to you is because I’m profiting from it.” It also acknowledges, “As soon as I don’t profit from loving you or helping you, I no longer have any reason to do so.” So much for marriage!

Similarly, Singer acknowledges that his moral system, based upon “enlightened selfishness,” has its limitations. It is sometimes “prudent” and “rational” to not act in highly ethical ways:

“Why act morally?” cannot be given an answer that will provide everyone with overwhelming reasons for acting morally. Ethically indefensible behavior is not always irrational. We will probably always need the sanctions of the law and social pressure to provide additional reasons against serious violations of ethical standards. (503)

Singer admits something we already understand— if all we have is this life, it’s not always rational to act morally. Hiding Jews from the Nazis put one’s entire family in jeopardy of a bullet to the head. Self-interest is sometimes ill-served by truly moral behavior, unless we broaden our vision to include an eternal afterlife, where God will right all wrongs and comfort all hurts.

Singer would therefore legislate against what, in his opinion, is rational, thereby admitting that rational self-interest doesn’t always equate with morality, and that pragmatism sometimes produces selfishness. Well, what’s the matter with selfishness? Wasn’t it selfishness that empowered the survival of the fittest? Why then would Singer disdain selfishness in favor of something higher? This suggests that he recognizes that there is higher ideal than his this-worldly rational constructs. But what is the source of such an ideal?

To find an enduring meaning in our lives it is not enough to go beyond [the behavior] of psychopaths who have no long-term commitments or life-plans; we must also go beyond prudent egoists who have long-term plans concerned only with their own interests. The prudent egoists may find meaning in their lives for a time, for they have the purpose of furthering their own interests; but what, in the end, does that amount to. (501)

I think it’s impossible for an atheist to live in a consistent manner. Not only does Singer admit that he cannot formulate a coherent and comprehensive ethical system, he also admits that having a meaningful life requires that we go beyond a strictly materialistic worldview and adopt transcendent values.

Even Singer’s language is God-breathed. He writes about finding “enduring meaning,” not creating it! How can he find something that, according to him, doesn’t exist? He also rhetorically asks what it is all worth “in the end.” A consistent atheist shouldn’t be unduly concerned about the end as long as the ride was fun. However, Singer seems to recognize that life is more than just the ride. Clearly, Singer needs a broader worldview, one that can only come from God!

Daniel Mann
www.Mannsword.blogspot.com

LTW Update: Venice Beach

I am waiting to hear back from Mike and Eileen for confirmation, but they are planning on setting up at Venice Beach on Saturday, Sept. 5. As soon as I get confirmation, we will work on getting a spot reserved on the boardwalk.

LTW Update: Our Exciting Boulder Outreach

I have such great news about Boulder. God sure knew what He was doing when He appointed Jonathan as leader. And, now that he is married to Carrie who shares Jonathan's heart for missions, they sure make a dynamic team for God's glory.

I spoke with Jonathan this week, and I plan to be calling him regularly to post updates about our work in Boulder. Recently, Jonathan and Carrie were married. They plan to go out on Saturday, Sept. 5, which will be their first time out in ministry since their wedding. On Saturday, Sept. 5th, they are going to approach the people of Pearl Street afoot with tracts. Because of Jonathan's busy schedule--he is taking a preaching class in seminary on Tuesday nights and has a Greek tutor to learn Greek, plus he works full time--they can only set up the table one time per month on Pearl Street.

They plan to set up the table next on Saturday, Sept. 19th.

I will be calling them for updates and prayer requests, and they plan to send photos. Plus, a Facebook account is going to be started with regular ministry updates, and I will link to that through our web site.

I am honored to be working with Jonathan and Carrie for God's glory in Boulder. Jonathan has written a dynamic tract for Buddhists to expose the errors of the belief of Karma. There is no web site where it is for sale currently. Hopefully, we can make these tracts available through our LTW web site soon.

LTW in Action Videos to Soon be Posted on LTW Web Site

Boulder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrZ1uJMMiSg

West Hollywood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgDESWKJAlk

“LTW to the Smokies”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp9ah3rln2Q

Witnessing at Gay Pride Parade 2005 West Hollywood, CA, and More
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_gJ5mpIG-Q

West Hollywood Outreach Begins (2005-2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxhcgxoZK3E

New Books Donated for West Hollywood and Long Beach

We have just had books donated for West Hollywood and Long Beach for people with AIDS. These are devotionals from the dynamic ministry, He Intends Victory (H.I.V.). Bruce Sonnenberg has offered to send them for free, and LTW will cover the shipping. Praise God for these books--we have used them from the beginning but have run out and need more.

www.heintendsvictory.com

MUST Start a New Outreach in Atlanta

Well, the Lord surely wants me to start a new table outreach in Atlanta, because I just cannot wait to do this and feel that my life is lacking without being physically at a table telling others about Jesus. I have some friends from my church who know about the area well, and they organize events for Atlanta. They know of an area where other tables are set up, and I look forward to checking this area out as soon as possible.

Goals:

Our web site will be updated soon, and I have been in touch with our designer about this. We will be updating the videos and music (media), as well as new ministry locations.

I am calling my tech guy and will be speaking to people at my church about helping with a new video for LTW which requires me to speak about my testimony and our work. (Though I have tried to do this on my own, the quality has not been good enough for our purposes.) I can do this with a new FLIP camera donated; I just need proper lighting.

TODAY I will be sending my tech guy here in Atlanta photos for all of our ministry locations. We are doing a compiled video to the song "Come To Jesus" to show ALL of our ministry locations in action. This is an overwhelming project, but I will be starting on it today. It has to be done for churches, pastors, and people interested in giving.

Workers for the Harvest--Ministry to Orphans in the Philippines

Christ has sent us (Jn.20-21) to preach the Word (Mk.16:15; 2Ti.4:2) and make disciples (Mt.28:18-20), as well as to live the Gospel and reflect His kingdom (Mt.25:31-46). That is why we at Workers for the Harvest Ministries preach, baptize, gather the believers in churches and train indigenous pastors and elders. We also participate in their suffering, living with the marginalized. We bring food and blankets to the cold mountain areas, care for the widows and the orphans with our own Children’s Home, as well as help the sick. We do all of this in Jesus name and for His sake as we follow our Savior. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will obey My commands.” (Jn.14:15; 21; 23-24; 15:14).

“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.’” (Mt.9:37-38)

Workers for the Harvest Ministries (Mt. 9:37-38)
Dedicated to obeying the Commands of Christ

1.) Preach the Gospel- We Preach the Word, Baptize and make Disciples. (Mt. 28:18-20)

A. Where there are no churches we gather believers and plant them.
B. We support, encourage and pray for struggling remote churches.
C. We train indigenous leadership to lead and continue evangelism.

2.) Live the Gospel- Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked and help the sick. (Mt.25:31-46; Ps.146:5-9)

A. We bring food, clothing, blankets, etc. along with the Biblical message.

After an accident clearing the first road to his village, Tolino lost both arms and eyes. God used Workers for the Harvest Ministries to get Tolino an operation so he could see again, in Jesus name. (Lk.4:18-19). After seeing his children again for the first time in three years, he began sharing his testimony about the God who hears and answers prayer. (Ps.92:15-16; 116:1-2; 120:1)

B. We assist Widows and the Orphans in the field. (Js. 1:27)
C. We also care for Orphaned and Abandoned Children at our Children’s Home.
D. We pray for and assist those who are ill or in need.

Workers for the Harvest Ministries Children’s Home and Mission Base

The Workers for the Harvest Children’s Home and Mission Base, provides a safe haven, clothing, food, Biblical training and a chance to go to school, for children that have been abused or abandoned (Ps.68:5-6).

The same facility also functions as a mission base for short and long term missionaries, a community church, and venue for pastor’s training as well as for prayer and praise meetings for Christian churches of many denominations.

Non-denominational church planting organizations like the CMC (Church Multiplication Coalition) also partner with us and meet at our location, bringing together church leaders from all over the island with a common goal.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isa. 61:1-2; Lk. 4:18-19)

In Nov. 2009 Craig, Mary-Anne and Patrick McCord will select three student pastors and a Bible translator and hike into the mountains of the northern Philippines in the Province of Abra. Their plan is to break strongholds, preach the Gospel, gather believers and deeply disciple them. Mentor pastors and begin a Bible translation.

We plan to revive one small church in Kili, that has struggled for decades without a pastor, or significant teaching. Once that church is edified, we will hike several hours into the surrounding mountains to plant two other churches. These are hardcore pagan areas where animal sacrifices to the spirits continue to the present. This area is also thick with Communist rebels and shootouts are not uncommon.

At the same time, we will be mentoring our student pastors to someday stay there are lead the flock as well as continue evangelism on their own. Finally, we also hope to spearhead efforts to begin the translation of the Word of God in to the Maeng Itneg language for the first time as well as encourage them to create worship music in their own language and style.

Those who wish to monitor our progress and pray for us may use our website (after Sept. 1,2009) which will contain a blog and all information coming out of this ministry. Due to the remote nature of our evangelism, we do not know how often we will be able to get reports out.

We at Workers for the Harvest Ministries, strive for a holistic ministry which unites the Gospel’s spiritual salvation by grace through faith (Eph.2:8-9) with the Gospel lived out in believers as the workmanship of Christ doing the good works that He has created us for (Eph.2:10). Those verses were never meant to be separated! The Epistle to Titus tells us that Christ died for us to separate for Himself those zealous to do good works. Be zealous to follow the commands of your Savior! (Ti.2:13-14). Help the helpless (Ps.82:3-4).

Help us, Help them, in His name, while changing you forever.
Contact us at c-mccord@sbcglobal.net WFTH@sbcglobal.net
Our website (after Sept. 1, 2009) WFTHministries.com

Apostasy Alert (from Jackie Alnor)

Father-Son Disharmony

(from Jackie Alnor)

I observed a very sad scene on TBN last week, August 20, 2009, on the Praise the Lord program originating from TBN's new studio in New York City. The night's hosts were Matthew and Laurie Crouch and their first guests were TBN's founder Paul Crouch Sr. and his best friend, Benny Hinn. Hinn was there to promote his new book, Blood in the Sand, a book on the subject of the Middle East in Bible prophecy. Very little time was spent on the book. Host Matt Crouch took this segment as an opportunity to confront his elderly father about his belief in the soon return of the Lord, a hope that the younger Crouch obviously does not share with his dad.

The disrespect Matt showed in confronting his dad on world-wide television -- on the network his dad built -- was astonishing. Paul Sr. has had a divided family on this issue of Dispensationalism as his wife, Jan, bought into the "Kingdom-Now" heresy of the late Earl Paulk decades ago and even won her husband over to it, at least for a short time. But now, as he is facing the declining years of his life, he is taking a strong stand...resulting in the scorn of his son who seems to despise his eschatology. (to continue reading - go to link)

http://www.apostasyalert.org/REFLECTIONS/crouch_family_feud.htm

Witnessing Tips for West Hollywood, Long Beach, or San Diego

I was asked this morning to give tips on witnessing to homosexuals and prostitutes. I wanted to share my answers on the blog.
---------------------------------------------

Here are some thoughts, and I hope this is useful. It is quite simple and not scary at all in witnessing to people struggling with same gender attractions, prostitution, etc. Why? Because we are all the same when it comes to our need for a Savior and our capacity for depravity. Here is what I tell our team is NEEDED in order to witness in places like West Hollywood:

1. Humility
2. Biblical knowledge, proper hermeneutics
3. Patience
4. Caring more about what someone thinks of Jesus than what the person thinks of you
5. An example of a PURE life from the person witnessing
6. Proving by Scripture and example that God’s character is pure, and we cannot worship Him apart from purity; any other (impure) god is a figment of one’s own imagination, not the God of the Bible
7. I usually tell them, “Satan sets us free TO sin; Jesus sets us free FROM it.” He gives us our struggles and weaknesses (lonliness, etc.) NOT to sin, but to draw us to Him IN THE MIDST of the temptation, because in our weakness He is strong.
8. I point out that most single heterosexual people do NOT live pure lives. God calls us to purity if we are to know Him. The Bible says that anyone “in the flesh” cannot please God. When homosexuals tell me they “cannot” live a pure life, I tell them that I am living a pure life, and I could easily say, “I cannot do it.” God gives me a desire for purity, and, by His grace and the protection of His Word, He keeps me pure. Then I read Romans 12:1.
9. It is no mystery when we sin and get enslaved. The Bible says this very thing will happen. Yet, we have a merciful Savior who “sets the captives free”.

With Victory for Any Temptation or Trial

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..."

Ephesians 2:1-6

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

(For new articles check out www.crossroad.to, as we walk in God's victory day by day!)

Studying "Utopianism"

I am going to be ordering Utopia: The Perennial Heresy for research and reference. It documents the true beliefs of Bonhoeffer to prove he was not a true believer. I am looking forward to all I will learn! (I just ordered a copy for less than 5.00).

More on Rick Warren's Affiliations

From LTW research team:

Saw an article on True Discernment:
http://truedsicernment.com/2008/06/02/purpose-driven-reformation-includes-the-assembly-of-god/

Would like to validate Steve Svendsen's comment "This would make AG national leaders not only followers of Bono, but partners with practicing homosexuals, New Agers, Moslems, and Rome (Warren has made it clear they are all welcome)."

I did validate Rick Warren as saying, "he's already secured personal commitments from influential leaders in the Salvation Army and the Assemblies of God (the largest Pentecostal denomination.) "They've said, they're in, and they have to get their boards along," he reported."
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1809833,00.html

I'll like to find more information concerning homosexuality and Moslems being included in a one-world religious organization...The top heads of the Salvation Army and Assembly of God have made their personal commitments.

God's Encouragement Through His People

I am posting this NOT to bring glory to myself, but to bring glory to God. I have been listening to a sermon this week by Walter Martin entitled "The Foolishness of God." My work looks foolish to the world, and, as souls are getting saved, the enemy often sends insults and times of hurt. Yet, the Lord is faithful to raise up prayer warriors and true friends who encourage me in HIS Truth and righteousness. It is such a glorious battle to be fighting. We will always, always have strength for VICTORY in Jesus no matter what He allows to come our way in testing and trials and demonic attacks. He never allows more than we can handle in His strength. He is a mighty warrior on my behalf. Years ago I memorized Psalm 26. What protection that chapter has brought to my life as I walk in God's high standard for me. In Christ alone is my hope and my shield. He is faithful to raise me up as I humble myself before Him in obedience. Satan does not have one thing to offer me!

Dear Dwayna,

I PRAISE God for your example. You truly shine God's glory in the darkness. Your Father in heaven is pouring out His spiritual blessings on you because you obey His commandments and you love others in Truth leading them to salvation through the knowledge of our precious Savior Jesus Christ...Dwayna, you are such a blessing and I'm sure a constant delight to the Lord.

In Christ Alone,

****

10 Indictments Against the Modern Church in America (A Historical 21st Century Message) - Video Part 1 of 2

This sermon series by Paul Washer is not to be missed!

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=102308839520

"The Way of the Monk" at Redeemer Presbyterian Church NYC

Here is an interesting email I received recently...about Redeemer Presbyterian Church. This person is now happily attending First Baptist NYC and plans to join soon.

Dear Dwayna,

...After browsing through your website and blog and reading some of your articles, I'd like to share some things with you first. I live in NYC and have been here for almost 11 years. I am a born again Christian from Chicago, where I was raised in Bible-believing/Bible teaching churches. Since coming to NYC, I first attended 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church; although it was unlike the Bible churches I attended, it was “close enough”. The preaching was good though it lacked teaching from the Bible, and the fact that they offered AA and 12 step group recovery/ support groups was a little uncomfortable.

So after the Senior Pastor left the church I found Trinity Baptist Church; and while the preaching and focus on the Bible was sound, I was again uncomfortable with the contemporary worship style and with the use of media/videos/DVD/ movies during the service as well as some of Rick Warren’s materials and association with Willow Creek’s Leadership summit, which I questioned.

During this time I attended an evening service at Redeemer Presbyterian Church as I heard about it and Tim Keller a lot, so I thought I’d try it out. On this night there was a tribute concert to the jazz artist John Coltrane, whom I learned was “spiritual”; even though we were told he came from a Christian home, we were also told that he drifted into spirituality and practices such as meditation and becoming involved with eastern religions, and, as I learned later on at home, naming albums after syllables or chants used in the eastern religion mystical practices. So this, of course, bothered me as to why is this guy was being honored in this church...? So I didn’t go back until about one year later (last Aug 2008) for another try at the morning Eastside service. It is more traditional in style, which is what I was brought up in, and the pastor at this service was good. So I went back again and liked it more after I heard Tim Keller, because he uses more of an intellectual approach to his preaching, which can help someone understand the Bible more on an “intellectual/ apologetic level.” So I became a regular attendee and liked it more with each passing week, even though I did learn that the 6-day creation period is not taught (but also not really dwelled on). And that abortion is wrong except in the case of saving the mother. (I believe both of these ideas are biblically wrong)

But God started to work in me and was opening my eyes further. I learned after reading the bulletin and their website that courses were being offered in lectio devina. I was again disturbed by this as I remembered the tribute to John Coltrane, but did not dwell on it at that time and I still attended the services. At the same time, I was also becoming aware of other prayer classes being offered such as “Quiet Times in a Noisy City” which was about finding silence and solitude with Jesus in prayer, which is fine if in prayer as God instructs us…. But then I came across another class being offered; “The Way of the Monk”. The class was described as discovering “age-old methods of contemplative/centering prayer”, chanting the Psalms, “authentic Christian meditation” and using monastic prayer tools such as prayer ropes and the practice of Compline… things that will help you to create your own private monastery! In other words, classes were offered to learn ancient Roman Catholic practices, with roots in mysticism. This sent alarm signals off inside me and I proceeded to write a letter to Tim Keller and the Assistant Pastors and Elders of the church about teaching and misleading the congregation on this false teaching/practice.

I sent this letter to them by email and postal mail early April. Since then I have prayed for the church and its leaders and for a response to my letter, but, unfortunately, I am still waiting, and, as far as I know, the class went on as scheduled. Because of this and the fact that I do not believe this teaching is biblically sound, I stopped attending Redeemer Presbyterian Church. I do not want to cause division in the church and especially one that could lead to giving Jesus a bad name to outsiders/non-believers. All I am doing right now is keeping Redeemer in my prayers.

...Recently, on some days as I walk thru the park or the streets of the city I am approached by someone asking me if I want to learn about the “mother-god” of the Bible. A friend of mine also gets approached by these people and even while in a place like Barnes and Noble. I am kind of shocked and clueless when asked this—I have somewhat of an idea of what they might mean (such as “mother earth” or possibly Mary) but I have not engaged in conversation with them. As it stands, I want to know more about how to answer such ideas with true and sound biblical doctrine.

I am becoming more and more aware of how prevalent the practices of the New Age and Eastern Religions are in our culture. Even through the practice of the popular Yoga—to which some people may be “innocent” participants—unaware of its roots. I have no experience in any of these religions or practices, but I am aware of their false doctrine...

God bless you,

****

Comment By Email on Rick Warren at the Harvest Crusade

I received this comment by email from one of our prayer partners yesterday and wanted to share it on my blog. This concerns the perils of subjugating a sound gospel presentation to the seeker-friendly movement, man based instead of Christ centered.

I am sure some of you have already heard about Rick Warren giving one of the opening prayers at the Sunday evening closing service of the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, CA. Here are the references and my thoughts.

Greg Laurie at Saddleback 8-9-09
http://saddleback.com/mc/services/currentseries.aspx?site=yDi0V4EwP58=&s=vsqSbxM5CDU=

Rick Warren at Harvest Crusade 8-16-09 - webcast and slideshow:
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2009/anaheim/
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2009/anaheim/webcast/player.php?id=136
Chuck at minute 14, Rick at minute 17.
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2009/anaheim/slideshows/sunday.html

I have come to the conclusion that I am totally against what Greg Laurie did at the convention. This has nothing to do whether Warren is saved or not, whether Chuck Smith agrees or not, or whether Calvary Distribution carries Warren's books.

It has everything to do with recognizing him at this venue and thus giving the opportunity of the uninformed, with whom we share our concerns over the heretical contents of Warren's books, to say, "Well, Greg Laurie and the Calvary Chapel movement must agree with him. Why should I listen to you?"

This kind of thing has happened many many times over the years we spent within the 'cults movement' when witnessing to them. We must now deal with how to answer this when it comes.

Incidentally, Greg Laurie gave a very good sermon at Saddleback and asked for an alter call at the end. I think that Rick Warren was in the audience too.

Avoiding the "Lordship of Others"

“Only when Jesus is our Lord will He protect us from the lordship of others.” Occult Bondage and Deliverance, Kurt Koch, p. 126.

"He must reign, and we must act, for God has put all things in subjection under His feet. Above and beyond the catastrophe awaiting this world He stands, and His promise is with Him: 'Surely, I am coming soon. Behold, I make all things new.'” Occult Bondage and Deliverance, Kurt Koch, p. 131

Preparing for NYC Outreach this Sunday!

I just sent this to about 20 people who have expressed interest in working with us at the NYC table outreach location, givng them Christine's contact information. I am praying that she will have people working with her this Sunday at the table.

Hello to my friends in NYC (who have expressed interest in working with me in evangelism to New Yorkers!),

The Lighting the Way table outreach of apologetics and evangelism is beginning again this Sunday in a new location, as an outreach to New Yorkers. If you are receiving this email, you have either worked with me in the past at Columbus Circle or you have expressed interest in working with me.

As many of you know, I have moved to Atlanta to save operating costs for this ministry as a new home base. BUT, GOD HAS PROVIDED A NEW LEADER WITH AN EXCITING PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST BAPTIST NEW YORK CITY. WE WILL BE KICKING OFF THIS OUTREACH THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH WITH CHRISTINE AS LEADER.

Attached is a photo of Christine and me from just a few weeks ago when I flew up to NYC to train her at the table outreach. It rained that Sunday, so we had to set up the table indoors. She is in need of volunteers to help her witness at the table. If you are interested, please get in touch with her.

The new location for this outreach with be the area of 79th and Broadway. Pastor Matthew Carpenter has been storing the supplies for this outreach at the church since I moved, as we have been waiting for a leader. We are thankful that God has provided a leader and partnership with First Baptist NYC as we make a stand for God’s name together in telling New Yorkers about Jesus, GIVING THEM ANSWERS.

Please come check out the table. You will see that we have in-depth resources to give to people from all walks of life. More have been ordered and are on the way. I wish I could be there with you this Sunday, but I will be praying for you. Please get in touch with Christine if you are interested in working with her!

To God be the glory,
Dwayna

"Apostasy Alert" Interviews

From my friend, Jackie Alnor:

http://mp3.olivetreeviews.org/OTM2009_08_08B.mp3

Here's another interview I did over at Rapture Ready Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RaptureReadyRadio/2009/08/15/jackie-alnor-on-rapture-ready-radio

At this summer's Christian Booksellers convention my publisher condensed clips in this promo from an interview with me about my book, The Fleecing of Christianity:

http://www.youtube.com/user/AnomalosPublishing#play/all/uploads-all/0/9ivgWcZZhEo

For those of you planning on attending the second annual Women on the Watch conference next month in So. Calif, please register asap since we need a head count for the food order. Even though this conference is by women, for women, men are also welcome. The conference is free, but if you're going to join our luncheon you'll need to pay for that in advance. We're going to have a great time and I hope to get to meet many of you face to face. Here's a link to the brochure:

http://www.apostasyalert.org/Ontario2009brochure[1].pdf

Also, I wrote another Reflection you can check out on the subject of believers' meetings.

http://www.apostasyalert.org/REFLECTIONS/closedoors.htm

Watching & Waiting,
Jackie Alnor

Was Bonhoeffer a Believer?

Research gives no evidence that Bonhoeffer was a believer:

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/bonhoeffer/general.htm

Dr. G. Archer Weniger declared, "If there is wholesome food in a garbage can, then one can find some good things in Bonhoeffer, but if it be dangerous to expect to find nourishment in a garbage can, then Bonhoeffer must be totally rejected and repudiated as blasphemy. It is worse than garbage" (FBF Information Bulletin, May 1977, p. 12).

Ministry to Orphans in the Philippines (from Craig McCord)

Years ago, I had posted photos on the LTW web site of this ministry to Philippine orphans. I have known Craig since LTW began at Venice Beach. I told him I would post this letter from him, so others could join me in prayer for this ministry to orphans in the Philippines.

Dear Dwayna,

I have been so awestruck by all that God has been doing through you in the past few years. I have finally finished my M.A. work in missions and we are about to return to the remote places of the Philippines. We hope to evangelize until we can gather and disciple three churches in unreached areas, mentor three indigenous student pastors, begin Bible translation in to Maeng Itneg, and help the people create worship music in their own language and style for the first time.

We are in serious need of prayer. The only time to deeply disciple these farmers is during rainy season when no one can get in or out of the area. So we will stay there and live like they do eating only fish and insects and the occasional game animal. The area is largely run by Communist rebels, and the spiritual darkness is almost inconceivable with constant animal sacrifices to the spirits. It is two days to the nearest store during the dry season (not at all in rainy season).

We just want to bring the light of Jesus to this dark place that has been largely avoided by missionaries (indigenous and otherwise). So pray for us, I know you are a prayer warrior. Help us pray to get a full-time translator. My wife and I have tried it, and it took about two months for the first two chapters of Philippians. The Word is so important; we really need a Maeng Itneg translation, so they acan deeply understand it in their own heart language! We are currently trying to get help from SIL and Wycliffe as well as smaller groups.

If you have a group of prayer warriors (I am sure you do) maybe you could pray for us (effectiveness not safety) and a Maeng translation. We may not reach as many as you do, but God has opened specific doors for us to do what has not yet been done (by insiders or outsiders). Thanks.

Love in Jesus,

Craig, Mary-Anne and Patrick
servants

Update from Tel Aviv

(LTW sent Dov and Olga over 100.00 worth of materials for the outreach, including shipping, last week. Thank you for your prayers for this dynamic ministry location!)

Dear praying friends,

We have got a small ministry update for you:

One day a woman called me (as I understand, one of Tel-Aviv prostitutes gave her my telephone number) and asked for my help. Her name is Tanya, she is 32 years old. Many years ago she was promised a job and was brought to Israel, but then she realized she had been cruelly deceived: the “job” was prostitution and the living conditions were that of a slave… Today Tanya lives in a shelter for women like her, with her two little children (aged 4 and 5), after she ran away from her unofficial husband. The shelter, however, cannot keep her any longer and forces her to move out and rent an apartment, but she does not have Israeli citizenship and does not get any allowance as a single mother, so her financial situation is very complicated. The Lord put it on our hearts to try and help Tanya, so we contacted different organizations (Christian and non-Christian ones), but none of them seemed to be willing to help her. Please pray for Tanya and for us – that the Lord would give us wisdom and show us what we should do.

We have also got acquainted with representatives of an amutah (non profit organization) of drug addicts’ mothers and were invited to a conference this amutah will be holding soon. We hope God is opening a new door for our ministry this way. Please pray.

Thank you very much and may God bless you all,

Dov and Olga Bikas

Defending the Bible

We use materials from Living Hope Ministries to witness to Mormons. Here is an update from them. (Lord willing, as He provides the funds, we will order new, exciting resources from this ministry to better defend the Bible to people in our street ministry locations of apologetics.)

Here within Living Hope Ministries, we have worked to produce strong and convincing evidence for the falsehoods of Mormonism through our documentaries. But how do Mormon scholars respond to these challenges? Do they attempt to defend the Book of Mormon and show their Scriptures to be true, and our claims to be false? That's what we may have expected, but not what we found. Mormon Scholars avoid these challenges altogether, and instead shift the focus to the errors that they claim are found throughout the Bible.

Once we presented enough compelling evidence from multiple angles, we realized the next phase in our work towards reaching Mormons is actually to be able to defend the Bible. As God has led, and in order to take this next step, we have relocated Living Hope Ministries from Utah to Israel. We have now been gathering footage, interviewing archaeologists, epigraphers, linguists, etc., from here in the very Land of the Bible.

We have taken Mormon scholars' challenge, and put the Bible to the test, because we believe that if the Bible is true, then we should be able to investigate its claims and not fear what we find. This is exactly why we have begun to make documentaries that provide a window through which you can see evidence that exists here regarding the Bible. We challenge our viewers to "See For Yourself." And now we ask that of you; see for yourself how Mormon scholars have challenged us, and how we have responded.

CLICK HERE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF

Waiting...

Waiting on God is not a passive time. I wait in expectation as I study and worship Him...


“My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense; I shall not be moved."
Psalm 62:5-6

Update on Goals This Week

I have had the surprise of spending some time with my family this week. I sure am thankful to be living closer to them now that I am living in the South in Atlanta. I am enjoying some great times in prayer daily and am reading a book by Kurt Koch, teaching me more about spiritual warfare and "not giving the devil an opportunity". (I first heard about Kurt Koch through Walter Martin and John MacArthur and now have all of his books.) I am also keeping up with emails and updates from our various locations, preparing a newsletter to be sent out tonight to prayer partners on our email list.

The 40 minute video that I recorded about this ministry, sharing my testimony, did not turn out well after all. The lighting was too poor in my condominium, so I will have to redo it. I cannot give this to pastors, etc. looking like it does now. I spoke with my tech guy, explaining that I could not use the DVDs, though I paid him for his help with them. I explained that we are low on funds now, and it made me sad realizing that I had paid him for something we cannot use, and I will have to do it all over again. He said he would make it up to me and would not charge as much the next time when I re-record the video. I am not sure when or where I can do this, but I am thankful for the donation of a Flip video camera which will allow me to do this over and better for God's glory to explain to others the work of Lighting the Way.

I am practicing songs daily, preparing for a conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where I am singing and speaking in about a week. I have ordered $300.00 worth of materials for our NYC outreach, which will start this Sunday with a new leader! All funds go to pay expenses for resources in all of our locations. I sent a package of resources yesterday to the Rio Grande Valley location, and this package was worth about 100.00 at cost for the books, etc. Thank you so much for your support of this ministry. Every little bit adds up, even postage for the shipments.

My new music CD should be done by the end of the month. I will be sending a copy to anyone who has given in 2009 as a thank you gift.

New Video for Women's Conference in Baton Rouge

Here is a new video I just recorded to be shown to the women at Crosspoint Baptist Church in Louisiana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlyyuKUHrs

Essay by Daniel Mann on "Maturity"

Where do I Stand in God’s Eyes?

What is maturity? Something we all tend to fear that we lack! For years, I was convinced that I was a spiritual failure, even though I gave myself many pep-talks to convince myself otherwise. Even for the first several years as a teacher at the New York School of the Bible, out of a deep sense of shame, I was afraid to be real and transparent, lest others find out the truth about me.

Where and who should we be in the Lord? What progress should we be making? In this climate of spiritual uncertainty, we become obsessed with ourselves and fail to be transparent with others, burying our secrets, where they fester in darkest, intensifying our sense of shame and isolation. This problem is compounded by the fact that without a clear standard to measure spiritual maturity, our minds go wild in this absence of certainty. Pollster George Barna reports about this confusion:

People aspire to be spiritually mature, but they do not know what it means. Pastors want to guide others on the path to spiritual wholeness, but they are often not clearly defining the goals or the outcomes of that process. http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/264-many-churchgoers-and-faith-leaders-struggle-to-define-spiritual-maturity

In the midst of our confusion and uncertainty, we tend to regard spirituality as something that can be seen, measured, and compared to the performance of others. Barna continues:

One of the widely embraced notions about spiritual health is that it means “trying hard to follow the rules described in the Bible” – 81% of self-identified Christians endorsed this statement, and a majority agreed strongly (53%). Even among those individuals defined by their belief that salvation is not earned through “good works,” four out of five born again Christians concurred that spiritual maturity is “trying hard to follow the rules.”

Below, I hope to Scripturally define what maturity is all about and, in doing so, to comfort believers that Christ is guiding them in the right direction. When we are confident of this, we are freed to take our anxious eyes off ourselves and place them upon our only true hope, our Savior. This then will enable us to be transparent, and to have a good hearty laugh at ourselves.

First of all, maturity is a gift! It has to be so. True maturity is no more possible for us than is lifting ourselves off the ground by pulling up our legs. Consequently, Jesus taught that we are not able to do anything of real substance (John 15:4-5; 2 Cor. 3:5). Instead, we are His workmanship (Eph. 2:10). He provides the growth (Eph. 4:16). He leads us in paths of righteousness (Psalm 23). Therefore, every good thing we have comes from Him (1 Cor. 4:7; James 1:17), and we have to give Him the credit even for our efforts and accomplishments (1 Cor. 15:10).

Knowing these things is liberating! It gives me the freedom to not obsess about my failures and limitations and to know that it’s not about me; it’s about Him (Rom. 5:8-10). It also reassures me that if I don’t see the healings or victories that I so crave, I know it’s just a matter of time. This is because it doesn’t depend on me but on Him! This understanding also allows me to be patient and encouraging in regards to others.

How then does God grow us? By humbling us, by breaking our pride and self-trust—anything that would encourage us to take credit for His provisions! Humility must precede honor (Proverbs 15:33). He must first humble us before He exalts us (Luke 18:14). Consequently, it’s those who see their poverty of spirit who are blessed (Matthew 5:3). Paradoxically, it’s the weak who are actually strong, because in our neediness we are more amenable to receive God’s blessings (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Isaiah 66:1-2) without then thinking “Well, I deserved them!”

However, we can’t simply make ourselves humble. We are too blinded (Jer. 17:9) addicted to thinking well of ourselves and trusting ourselves. Our Lord must first open our eyes to our true status. He did this for Israel by constantly showing them their inability to handle their own lives:

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord (Deut. 8:2-3).

He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you (Deut. 8:16).

Humility isn’t forged in a vacuum by experience alone. The Word of God must test us to show us that we aren’t the faithful, spiritual people we always thought we were. How does the Word accomplish this? It tells us what to do and what not to do and then shows us how we’ve failed and how we need to depend on God for His mercy (Romans 3:19-20). In light of this, failure is a good thing, chastening is an act of mercy (Hebrews 12:5-11), and brokenness is a doorway to blessing (Psalm 34:17-18). They instruct us that we are sinners in need of a Savior—the very thing our Lord wants us to understand (Psalm 51:6). When we fail and are humbled, it feels like we’re going backwards and that we can’t live up to God’s expectations. But these are the first stirrings of humility that lead us into the inner presence of God (Matthew 5:3-8). This awareness teaches us that He deserves all the praise and thanksgiving, and we deserve none of it—as it truly should be! It also reassures us that we are going in the right direction—the road of self-despair, the road that gives us the very angle to perceive the glory of God. Humility opens the door to wisdom. Its road, however, goes through the valley of the shadow of death, death to self.

But please understand that this brokenness will not be achieved until we place God above all else in our lives and abide in His Word as we have been instructed to do (John 15:10). And this is something we will do if we have His gift of faith. If I have faith in my doctor, I will take the medicine she prescribes. If instead I toss it out, I didn’t really have faith in her. Faith therefore is measured by obedience. If you find that you don’t have faith, just ask. He will not deny such a request (Matthew 7:9-11).

It is only as I follow the Word in faith that I will grow (1 Peter 2:2; Romans 12:2; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Psalm 1). But what if God is not first in my life? Then you will harden your heart against your convicting conscience and run from Him. In this state, it is not possible to gaze upon God in a way that transforms us (2 Cor. 3:18). You must repent (and keep on repenting if necessary), knowing that you will be received (John 6:37), forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:9).

But what if the pull of the world is so great that I can’t put God first in my life? By yourself, you can’t, but He can. Just continue to ask, and He will answer (it’s according to His will), although perhaps not according to our time schedule.

Without humbling, we will never be weaned from self-trust and learn to place our trust in God alone (Psalm 62). We will never learn how to abide in His transforming Word (2 Thess. 2:13). It’s like the hiker who had fallen off a cliff and was clinging to a vine crying out for help. A voice answered, “Just let go my son, and I, God, will catch you!” He then cried even louder, “Is there anyone else there to help me?” We will not learn to trust God until we exhaust all other options.

We usually think about spiritual maturity in terms of acting spiritually. Although our behavior (ultimately, walking in love) is a good and necessary indication of maturity, before we can even think about outward fruits, the soil must first be prepared. Seeds will not take root on hardened soil. Without the preparation of the soil, good works will merely make us into self-righteous Pharisees and programs will make us into arrogant bureaucrats. Brokenness is the fertile soil of fruit-bearing. Its fruit is repentance.

This understanding is liberating. It reassures me that although I might be failing to love my brother as I ought, the fact that I am broken, repentant, and am crying out for the Lord’s help in this regard assures me that the Lord is at work in me. The natural man cannot receive this understanding (1 Cor. 2:14).

It might seem that we are going in the wrong direction, but we are actually learning to place ourselves in His arms alone (Psalm 62), and this is the way it must be! The road to death is the road to maturity.

Likewise, before we can truly act spiritually, we have to know what spiritual maturity is all about. We have to become cognizant of the depth of our own sins. We can labor for the church 70 hours a week. We can sacrifice ourselves for righteous causes, but if this isn’t built upon the 1st commandment of loving God, it is all for naught (1 Cor. 13:1-6). Clearly, love isn’t primarily a matter of externals. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Our Lord must humble us by showing us that many of the “good” things we do, we do to be seen by men or to convince ourselves that we are a superior person. Of course, these things are antithetical to the will of God and must be exposed. Although we will continue to struggle against these impulses (Gal 5:17), the repentance of faith is the victory (1 John 5:4), not sinlessness.

How then do we love God? Well, we keep His commandments (1 John 5:2), but it’s far more than this. Jesus castigated the religious leadership for not having the love of God in their hearts (John 5:42). Indeed, love is a verb and so it must be acted upon, but it’s also a predisposition of the heart. We therefore must be born again. Jesus informed them that they couldn’t love God because their heart was self-satisfied, not by the love they had received from God, but by the adoration they had received from men (John 5:44).

You may feel that your heart is cold to loving God, and that this is above your ability to change. You’re right. You can’t change it, but God can. Repent and cry out for His help. He has never turned away from a repentant sinner. Growth is a process, sometimes long and painful, and fruit can only be borne in its appropriate season.

But I must return to the Word of God. For a season, God has given us teachers and pastors, even though, in the most ultimate sense, He has ordained equality for His children (Eph 3:28). The reason for this is that we must be established in His Word before all else. Maturity cannot be otherwise. Maturity is not a matter of being above the painful temptations of life or even above failure. This is something that just isn’t attainable in this life. Instead, it’s fundamentally about embracing and internalizing His Word:

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth [of Scripture] in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ephes. 4:14-16).

Before I was established in the Word and in the confidence that it’s all about Him (Gal. 2:20), I was vulnerable to every doubt, obsession, and guilty feeling. I had no defense against them. If things were going well, I felt that I was OK and that God was on my side. But when things weren’t, I crumbled, doubted God and vainly looked to myself for the answers.

It’s the Word that brings us into relationship with Christ, and it’s the Word that nurtures this relationship, rightly connecting us to Him through whom we receive growth. Consequently, when we have Christ, we have everything (Col. 2:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:21-23). Knowing this gives me the confidence that my life is fully in His hands. I don’t have to worry that I’m missing out on something—some new therapy or way to be self-actualized. I’ve got it all, because I’ve got Him! Even if I die, I go to be with Him who loves me with a love that goes beyond anything I can conceive (Eph. 3:17-20). I’m safe, because He keeps me safe. This has given me a freedom to look beyond my own circumstances to the needs of others. It has also given me the freedom to face my own failures and inadequacies. This is because it’s no longer about my righteousness but His! It’s out of this understanding that goods deeds are born (Titus 3:3-8).

Please, dear struggler, know that God is faithful and that He doesn’t turn away any who come to Him (John 6:37). I still struggle intensely with the sin within, as we all do, but I’ve learned where to turn for the answers, and this has made all the difference.

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From Daniel Mann:

I recently responded to the blog of atheist and scientist Massimo Pigliucci. He claimed that if the Bible is truly from God, then God would have given us a foretaste of future scientific discoveries:

“Many religious people since Thomas Aquinas actually want to argue that their beliefs are also rational, that there is no contradiction between the book of nature and those of scripture. If so, then they need to answer Sagan’s question about why it is that the so-called holy books don’t tell us anything at all about how the universe really is.” www.naturallyspeaking.blogspot.com.

Here’s part of my response:

Even though it doesn’t seem to be Christ’s first concern to provide previews of future scientific discoveries, Scripture nevertheless condescends to provide this very thing, contrary to your assertion otherwise. Here is a small sampling:

1. Scripture claims that the universe was created, rather than having existed eternally, as the atheist had supposed.

2. Genesis 1:14 states that the “lights in the expanse of the sky… [would] serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years.” Indeed, science has subsequently found that the movements of the stars are so regular that they do serve as “signs” and markers. While the Bible predicted this, naturalism would not predict such a thing in view of an expanding universe.

3. Hebrews 11:3 claims that what we see had not been made “out of what was visible.”

4. Jeremiah 33:25 states that God accomplishes His purposes through “fixed laws of heaven and earth.” Although science demonstrated that phenomena operated according to laws, the Bible long before posited the operation of the God’s laws. (Also Job 38:33)

5. Scripture also predated science in its understanding of the water cycle. Job 36:27 states "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams.” Amos 9:6 states that God “calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land.”

6. Scripture also demonstrates an awareness of dinosaurs. One evidence of this comes from Psalm 74:14: “It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.”

7. While you claim that Scripture is unaware of the vastness of the universe, Jeremiah 33:22 states, “I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars of the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore." (Also Job 11:7-8; 22:12)

Scripture is also aware of a round earth and an expanding universe. He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in (Isaiah 40:22; 42:5).

9. Scripture claims that the earth isn’t flat or rests on the back of a huge turtle, but instead it rests on nothing (Job 26:7).

You conclude that,

“The various gods people worship are simply far too small for the universe we actually inhabit, which is no surprise once we accept the rather obvious truth that it is us who made the gods in our image, not the other way around.”

On the contrary, what can be greater than the God of the Bible! If our omniscient, omnipotent God is “too small” to explain our universe, what then can? Are you suggesting that your natural, unintelligent forces are adequate to explain the origin of life, DNA, the cell, consciousness, freewill, the unchanging laws, the fine-tuning of the universe, and the existence of moral absolutes?

LTW to the Smokies (Update from Last Sat., Aug. 15)

From Claudette Litz, leader:

As I drove to the mountains this morning, I was listening to Uncle Charlie on the radio. What a blessing the Bible Broadcasting Network is to my life! The first thing I do when I awake each morning is turn on my radio, which is always set on that station. Each Saturday morning the Children’s Bible Hour is on with Uncle Charlie. To me, living the “good life” is driving through beautiful mountains listening to children sing: “Let’s talk about Jesus. Let’s talk of His love. Let’s talk about Jesus and heaven above. Let’s go about living for Jesus the Lord. Let’s talk about Jesus and live in His Word.” Uncle Charlie’s Keys for Kids booklets were given to several children today at our ministry table, although there were not as many coming to the table as usual. Perhaps that is because tourists with children are getting ready for school to begin.

The Bibles on the table were gone very quickly. Each person had a need for taking one. One man said his wife did not read the Bible, and he wanted to give it to her. She listened as I told her how much Jesus meant to me. I explained how it is God’s Word to us and how He will speak to her as she reads it. They were with another couple who stood listening. They also took a Bible and promised to read it, confessing they had never seen the importance of reading it before. Only God can bring people like this to the table and show them the mercy even to want to know Him enough to read a Bible. They took sermons on CD by my pastor, Hollie Miller, at Sevier Heights Baptist Church and by my former pastor, Tommy Fox, at Theta Baptist Church in Columbia, TN.

Many families with teenagers took New Age tracts such as “Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve,” “Christian Yoga,” and the booklet, Autobiography of A Yogi. The books: Deceived On Purpose, Not My Child, and The Light That Was Dark were taken by Christians who had friends and family who were being introduced to occult practices or actually taking part in them. Almost everyone left with the booklets, Where Do We Go From Here? and The Way of the Shepherd.

One lady took the DVD, Six Secrets to Creating Your Dream Marriage by Dr. Randy Carlson. Although she and her husband were on an anniversary weekend, they are considering a divorce. She asked me to pray that watching it would be a meaningful experience in keeping them together.

When people took the witnessing cards to use with Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, I encouraged them to order more from the website on the back of each card. The cards effectively point out error in their theology and give scripture to refute it.

Although I thought I had enough materials to meet the needs of the day, I needed more, because God brought more folks up to the table than we had resources. Due to not having my camera today, I am unable to show you the way the table looked at 9 A.M. and the way it looked by noon. There was practically nothing left. One lady came asking for a Bible as I was packing to leave, and I did not have one to give her.

There is always a need for more materials and for more to say about Jesus. Dwayna is shipping a box of Bibles and more materials for this location this week. Thank you for your support of this outreach and prayers. More resources are needed.

“More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show,
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me!”

LTW Update: Witnessing at Heart for Him Table Last Night in West Hollywood

The team set up early beside the AIDS testing...(Joe is pictured here at the table waiting for God to bring people over in a spirit of prayer.)

God brought many people over to be encouraged and hear how to be saved. Joe explains about God's character to someone here at the table, as he offers materials for encouragement and Bibles for free.
All materials on our table are free, including the book When Lost Men Come Home. These guys took a copy and promised to read it. (The book explains the testimony of a former drug addict and sex addict who finds PURE life and love through Jesus.)
Dan witnesses at the table to someone who is open. God is using our team mightily as they show up with just the prayer that God would be glorified as they represent Him in West Hollywood at our "Heart for Him" table.

One of our signs at the table reads "We are sorry for the way we have mistreated you" on behalf of so-called Christians who have been rude, unloving, and self-righteous to the lost. We come in humility and God's pure love and Truth.