Lighting The Way Worldwide

Sending Out Receipts

2012-01-27T00:19:00.000-05:00

Work this week involves sending out receipts to anyone who gave last year. I hope to be done by Saturday. I am looking forward to setting up the outreach table with the team this Sunday after church. We are planning our next outreach for Feb 11th at the Pennsylvania Station/Long Island Railroad.

LTW Update: Boulder

2012-01-25T22:12:00.001-05:00

From Tracy and Boulder team:

Hi All!

Patty will have a table...this Sat on Pearl st in Boulder...We are really trying to have a consistent, weekly, if possible, presence there since we have returners who tell us they were searching for us again but couldn't find us.

Last week was a wonderful blessing with lots of good conversations. (Details below.) We had 9 Christians doing evangelism on hand ( ranging in age from 20 to 80)!!

Some of the Christians prayed while conversations were going on; some manned the table, others walked up and down Pearl giving out tracts and/or having conversations. Some were still new at this, so mostly listened in and prayed. No matter what the involvement, it was a huge blessing to have Christians out there. Please consider coming out on one or more of these outreaches. It is such a blessing to have the prayer backing, the help and the moral support. It really is much harder without that. Please invite other Christians who have interest in evangelism, too. If you are interested in reading about some of the conversations, I will review what I remember below. Also, below that, I will cut and paste some great (suggested) answers to some of the issues that came up. (These come from Ray Comfort and the team from Livingwaters and/or Mark Cahill and are so helpful to review...)

Tracy

Details from last week:

One young red-headed, who was Jewish and had been terribly hurt by previous run -ins with so-called Christians as a younger boy, spoke for a long time with two groups of us. At the least, it seemed his very bad feeling towards Christians was lessened. Another guy, tall and blond, said he was agnostic but wanted to raise the kids he eventually hopes to have in a church, simply because it's " a better way". I once thought the exact same thing, so I was able to tell him of my own experience and conversion.

Another guy was raised in the church but left Christianity entirely because of hypocrisy and misconceptions about the authenticity of the Bible. We had long conversation with him, too, and it seemed God is really working on him. I caught part of the conversation that Kari was having with some guys. I was blown away and so encouraged to hear how incredibly well she fielded questions! She's only 20! There seemed to be many other fruitful conversations, but I don't have the details--just that every evangelist that showed up helped the team so much. Please pray.

Some suggested answers to objections about the Bible

Objection: “I am not concerned or worried about hell.”

Answer: "Do you know what hell is like?! It’s the complete absence of God and all that is good. Jesus is Love; there is only hate. He is peace; there is only torment and turmoil. God is light; there is utter darkness in hell. Jesus is Living water; there is only a horrid thirst ,weakness, isolation, loneliness, hopelessness! It is real and you do not want to go there!"

Objection: "It is about the journey. I am not worried about what happens after death."

Answer: "Not if you end up at the wrong destination. Better to have a lousy journey but end up at the right destination. You will be either in heaven or hell a lot longer than you will be alive on earth! Be prepared."

Objection: "How do you know the Bible is true?"

Answer: "1) It’s the best selling book in the world. This should want to make you at least take a serious look at it. 2) The Bible claims to be written by God. (2 Tim 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration from God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for for correction and for training in righteousness; 2 Peter 1:21: Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit). 3) Historical evidence supports the Bible. No one as yet has been able to identify a single historical mistake in Bible. Books: New Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell, The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel, The Signature of God by Grant Jeffrey. 4) Archeological evidence- nothing yet discovered in the Middle East or anywhere has proved the Bible wrong. There have been less than 25,000 archeological finds relating to people, places and events in the Bible. 5) Fulfilled prophecies validate the Bible. 25% of the content of the Bible predicted future events; all have come true in minute detail except a few remaining about the future return of Christ. Micah 5:2 told of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem; Zechariah 11:12 the betrayal of Christ for 30 pieces silver; Psalm 22- pierced in hands and feet. (This was even before crucifixion existed. 6) I have experiential evidence: I know Him. The Bible carries its own authority and power to move men to God. This has been true throughout all ages. It needs no apology and no defense."

Objection: "The Bible was written my men who make mistakes.

Answer: "No, the Bible was written by God, using men as instruments. 2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for teaching , for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Tracy Anne Haines

Organizing Feb. Outreach in NYC

2012-01-21T10:28:00.000-05:00

Today I will be working on organizing our outreach for the month of Feb. in NYC. Because we now have to get a permit each time we set up underground at the Long Island Railroad, we are required to plan ahead. Today I plan to schedule specific dates with people working with me for the month of Feb.

New LTW Web Site!

2012-01-21T10:25:00.000-05:00

Our new web site is finally up! The web designer said it was the largest site by far he had ever done with over 400 pages. Over time, I have written almost everything on the site. Today I plan to do more editing. I have edited the whole thing already, but I feel it should be re-edited, because there is so much. Please visit the new beautiful site at http://www.lightingthewayworldwide.org/ .

Update from Israel by Dov and Olga

2012-01-18T14:18:00.003-05:00

Ministry update - January 2012

Tel-Aviv Outreach: Aviv Center

The work in Aviv center continues. At this time we are open four days each week. One of these days is only for women. Volunteers from the ministry called “Abundant Life” provide professional manicure and pedicure for those women who come. Drug addicts and prostitutes come eagerly. The half hour while they are receiving the treatment gives the volunteers an opportunity to minister to them and share the Gospel. By contrast, when we try to contact these women in the street, it is usually very hard to have a good conversation; they are always in a hurry and are not able to have much of a conversation. One day we had two transsexuals come; they are usually quite hard to reach (we see transsexuals in Te-Aviv from time to time, but they had never agreed to talk to us before). Recently we have noticed there are fewer addicts in Tel-Aviv streets. One reason is that the police are trying to introduce proper order in the area. On the one hand, it is a good plan, but in reality the addicts are still there. When they hide from the police, it becomes harder for us to find them. They keep attending our Bible studies in Aviv center and are seeking God, but evangelism on the streets has become more difficult. Please pray that God will give us wisdom to understand how we can reach out to these people in the most effective way.

Maxim’s center

Recently, two more former addicts from Maxim’s center have been baptized. We have known these young men since me met them on the streets of Tel-Aviv. One of them had been a Muslim, and the other one was a cruel criminal. Today, he is the most good-natured person you can imagine! Praise God! Sadly, sometimes former addicts fall and return to drugs. We ask you to pray for a young couple, Max and Julia. They had been clean for four years and even helped us actively in our ministry, but when they moved to another town, they eventually returned to drugs. Now Maxim has taken them back to his center. The couple has a two-year-old child.
Anatoly and Marina

Please pray for the young couple we met a year-and-a-half ago, Anatoly and Marina. We were in touch then, but after some time, they moved to another town and did not want to continue our relationship. Recently, however, their two boys have been taken away from them by social services because of the mother’s problem with alcohol. She is also a recovering drug addict. The couple asked me to start visiting them again on a regular basis and support them spiritually. They are even ready to host a Bible study at their home.
Rivka

We told you in the past about Rivka and Eli, a native Israeli couple who are also of former addicts. Rivka is suffering from the last stages of cancer. Recently, she has told us about her life. Her mother was an alcoholic and at the age of seven, Rivka was put in a foster home. The foster family abused her sexually and emotionally for the next seven years. One of the reasons she turned to drugs was to forget these terrible years. Then, she married her husband who was also an addict. He spent 20 years of their life together in prison. Then Rivka got sick with hepatitis and cancer. Today, praise the Lord, Rivka is a true believer. She loves Jesus and has no bitterness toward Him for anything that has happened to her in her life. Please pray for Rivka’s health – that God would ease her suffering and support her by His loving grace.

Thank you for your prayers and may God bless you richly,

Dov and Olga

LTW Update: NYC

2012-01-18T11:06:00.000-05:00

WE GOT THE PERMIT! WE WILL BEGIN SETTING UP THE TABLE OUTREACH AT PENNSYLVANIA STATION/LONG ISLAND RAILROAD ON JAN. 29TH.

What is "My Ministry"?

2012-01-18T11:03:00.001-05:00

I was just asked to provide answers for a Christian young girl in Awana.

Where do I work?

I have begun outreaches all over America and in places like Pakistan, the Philippines, England and Mexico. We set up tables and have a sign reading “A Free Gift for You” and offer Bibles and materials about salvation to people for free on city streets. I am currently working in NYC in missions, and we plan to set up the next table outreach on Jan 29th at the Long Island Railroad/Pennsylvania Station.

What do I do?

We work as missionaries and offer people answers in love based on the Bible about life to show them what the Bible says about how to be saved. I tell them why Jesus is different from the other gods and the only Savior for mankind.

My Mission in Life:

To please God in whatever I do. My mission in life is to live for Him through obedience to the Bible, no matter the cost. That is my greatest mission. Romans 12:1 says that we must present OURSELVES to God, because my body is my “spiritual form of worship.” So, I give Him myself. I don’t live for “Lighting the Way” or for the title of being a “missionary,” but to please Him in all I do. He does whatever He wants to do in and through us when we are willing to submit to Him in obedience. From this Love relationship with Jesus my true joy comes.

Bookkeeping Today

2012-01-16T14:03:00.000-05:00

I am working with the new bookkeeper here in NYC at 2:00. We will work on getting all of the bookkeeping done for 2011, so I can send out receipts this week to anyone who made a contribution in 2011.

I was heading out to go the Long Island Railroad to turn in our application for a permit, and I realized it was Martin Luther King's birthday. The office would have been closed, so I plan to take care of that tomorrow.

I am hoping we get a permit for the 29th, to set up the table outreach in the Long Island Railroad. If not, we will set up the table in the Times Square subway.

LTW Update: NYC

2012-01-14T22:23:00.000-05:00

It is looking great for us to set up the outreach table on Jan 29th after church, so great that we may get a permit for setting up underground at the Long Island Railroad. I am excited about it! I will go to the permit office this Monday and hopefully hear back for confirmation by the end of next week. If we are denied the permit for any reason, we will go to the Times Square subway, because I feel we need to do outreach this month somewhere. If we DO get the permit for the LIRR, it should be much easier for us to set up there in the future. We hope to set up a minimum of twice a month.

LTW Update: West Hollywood

2012-01-14T13:05:00.003-05:00

Here are some photos Dan sent me last night before the other members of the team arrived. This shows our table set up on Santa Monica Blvd. last night, alongside the gay bars. I hope to have an update from him today with more photos. He called me before he set up the table to pray with me for God to use him and the team to draw people to Jesus. We have been setting up in West Hollywood since 2005, and we are thankful that we have drawn no media attention and have caused no problems in the community. We used to set up right beside the AIDS testing. Now we are right across the sidewalk from it. (Our signs at the table read "A Heart for Him" and "A Free Gift for You.")

[From Dan, leader of West Hollywood outreach]

Here are summaries of just a few conversations we had last night. We did not have as many people stopping, perhaps because it was a little chilly out, all the way down into the 50's,

We had an older man mid-60ish stop by with I might assume his younger boyfriend...He had several crosses he wore around his neck. He told us about his very religious family history with a Christian background and various denominations, I simply said at the appropriate time, "It's a relationship we need with the Lord, not religion." He took several items from the table, promising to read them and bring them back to get more. He was very happy to get the material.

Mike told him it wasn't necessary to bring back the materials; we would bring more. Mike also spoke with a couple of Christian ladies who were very impressed with the table ministry.

We'll be back out soon.

LTW Update: NYC

2012-01-14T12:26:00.001-05:00

Here is an email I just sent out to the team here in NYC. I don't want to wait any longer to begin doing outreach in winter months. Hopefully we can get together next Sunday after church to set up the outreach table and do some outreach.

Hello to my friends who work with me in NYC ministry,

How about planning on meeting at the church office next Sunday ( a week from tomorrow) at 2:00? We can go from there to the subway. I want to do outreach, and the permit is complicated for the Pennsylvania Station/LIRR. I hope to get that worked out in the future, but for now let’s plan on next Sunday. It will be too cold probably to set up on the street, so we could just put some materials in a bag and take a small table for display. I will get to the office right after church and organize. Please let me know if you would be interested in meeting me there at 2:00 next Sunday to do a few hours of outreach with me in the Times Square subway. Hopefully, Heidi can be there to show me how they have set up the table in the subway in the past. I am not sure how this will go, so I will be bringing my backpack. If any of you have a large bag or backpack, maybe we could use it. WE NEED A TABLE AND A SIGN AND TRACTS AND A FEW BOOKS. We don’t have to have the full set up.

See you next Sunday after church. Please respond and let me know if you can come, because I cannot do this by myself. If next Sunday won’t work, we can set another time.

In the joy of serving Jesus with you,

Dwayna

------------------
I just heard back from Debbie Recker, my pastor's wife, and Sunday, Jan. 29th, will work out best for her. I sent the team a new email about the 29th to see if that will work. (Working in the Times Square subway is just what we will do temporarily until we get the permit for the LIRR.)

Lectio Devina (Contemplative Prayer) at Redeemer Presbyterian NYC

2012-01-10T18:57:00.000-05:00

Click HERE for link of Lectio Devina practices at Redeemer Presbyterian NYC. I just wanted to post this in case anyone wants to research the contemplative prayer practices of this popular seeker-friendly church in Manhattan.

LTW GA Tech Outreach This Week

2012-01-10T12:12:00.001-05:00

Georgia Tech Campus Outreach
Come and participate in the Georgia Tech Apologetics Table Outreach
When: Thursday, January 12th
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Georgia Tech Student Center

This will be an opportunity to share the gospel and interact with students while giving sound Christian apologetic answers with materials to students with various worldviews.

www.john-lee-ministries.org

LTW Update: Rio Grande Valley

2012-01-04T21:32:00.002-05:00

Update by Curt and Janie Rolf:

Even though we got our order in 2 weeks in advance, we almost were not able to set up our table for the first Saturday of the month of December on Jackson St. All booth slot requisitions had been filled by the first week of November. Our church was unable to use their spot and generously donated it to us. We were so grateful. The Christmas month of December is one of the most fun Saturdays of the year for us on Jackson St. What an opportunity to share what Christmas is all about-- JESUS CHRIST!

Our kids’ coloring pages were, of course, on The Christmas Story…the birth of Jesus. These were accompanied with a small packet of crayons and a candy cane, as well as “The Legend of the Candy Cane” tract depicting ‘Jesus, the Shepherd’, ‘Jesus, the Rock’, Jesus’ shed blood, Jesus’ purity, etc.

Even though by 9:00 a.m. the clouds loomed overhead with a few sprinkles, we praise God that He provided a beautiful day in more ways than one.

A lady stopped by being very interested in “Keys for Kids” for her grandkids. She also took 2 DVDs: “God of Wonders” and “Messages from Heaven”. Our supply of both DVDs was depleted.

Our Spanish speaking friend that last month took two Bibles stopped by and gleefully said his "friend" [which we believe is actually himself] is very content in reading the Bible he gave him.

Two ladies were very interested in materials for a 10 year old. Though they spoke Spanish, they requested English materials and took an NIRV Bible and The Most Important Story Ever Told, a Spanish pocket New Testament and a Spanish Gospel of John.

A pastor stopped by, as if to "check us out." When Curt described the apologetic ministry defending the Bible, he blessed our efforts and agreed to bring by a booklet containing both the Gospel of John AND the Book of Romans, which he regularly distributes.

A couple of books on the seeker sensitive movement were taken, including Redefining Christianity, along with The Light That Was Dark by Warren Smith on the New Age movement. One of our visitors is quite the ‘reader’ and has become quite a regular visitor.

Our Daily Bread devotional was quite a hit today.

A fellow who was interested in Sunday School materials for kids (in Spanish) stopped by. We were grateful that 5 of the coloring-page lessons had been translated into Spanish. He was pleased to receive them.

A lady stopped by and, in the course of our conversation, said her 6 year old son asked, “Why are you so ‘Jesus-y’?" She took him our Christmas coloring pages with the story of the birth of Jesus along with crayons/candy cane and ‘Legend-tract’ as well as a copy of “The Most Important Story Ever Told."

A fellow stopped by quickly and asked if he could have a copy of Evolution – Fact or Fiction by John Blanchard.

A dear lady with a ministry for battered women took a few materials for the ladies whom she described as "angry at God." They recycle things and make useful items from what otherwise would be thrown away. Her ministry is called Recycled Dreams. She was thrilled to receive a bilingual New Testament for herself.

We actually gave out many color-pages but very few directly to children. MANY moms and grandmas are interested in their young loved ones coming to know Jesus. Many copies of the toddler’s booklet Would You Like to Know Jesus? left the table. Our last Toddler’s 1st Bible was given out for a 1st-time great-grandma. We knew there would be many shoppers here for what we call "Market Days" and by 1:30, several of our children’s supplies were depleted.

Here’s hoping y’all had a blessed Christmas, and we certainly are looking forward to our table ministry to welcome in the New Year!!!

Relying on Him as “He Directs Our Paths” (Prov. 16:9),

Curt and Janie
Rio Grande Valley
Harlingen, Texas

Do the Dead Communicate with the Living?

2012-01-04T20:07:00.000-05:00

Here is an excellent article from my friends at Herescope about necromancy.

http://herescope.blogspot.com/2012/01/do-dead-communicate-with-living.html

Triumphant in Christ

2012-01-03T21:35:00.000-05:00

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial
Feeds me with the living Bread
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be
Gushing from the Rock before me
Lo! A spring of joy I see

"In My Seat"--AA Pilot Explains 9/10-11/01

2012-01-03T12:34:00.000-05:00

This is a very moving testimony, and I wanted to share it. Please view this video to the end. That's where it all comes together. It is about a pilot that was supposed to be on American Airlines flight 11 the morning of 9/11. If you remember, Flight 11 was the first Boeing 767 to fly into the World Trade Center. It is WELL worth watching. I initially thought it was going to be another heart rending story about 9/11 or a video centered around the airline industry. It takes a turn half way through the video as this pilot shares his testimony.

http://www.youtube.com/user/peterscheibner#p/a/u/0/cLj4akmncsA

Those who will not be ruled by GOD will be ruled by TYRANTS ." ... William Penn

Long Island Railroad Outreach

2012-01-01T21:36:00.000-05:00

It has been quite a process figuring out how to go about legally setting up the table outreach at the Pennsylvania Station/Long Island Railroad. It is privately owned property. I feel like now the hardest part is behind us, and I just have to figure out a date with no more than three people committed to doing this with me. The dates have to be specific, as well as the times that we will set up the table outeach. The volunteers have to be committed to doing this, because the Long Island Railroad requires their ID and addresses (as well as mine). Permits are only issued for one day or night of the specific outreach time. We have to get permission many days in advance, and we also have to be prepared to wait on an answer as to the specific times we can set up. It is not that easy, but it will be worth it as an ideal place, two blocks from where we store our materials at the Heritage Baptist church office on 8th Avenue and 35th Street. It is a clean, safe area with even a K-mart, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, etc. all underground as a busy thoroughfare for commuters. It would be the perfect place for a table outreach. Thanks for your prayers as I continue to organize this.

LTW Update: Jerusalem Table Ministry

2012-01-01T21:10:00.004-05:00

(LTW just sent Rami over $300.00 worth of books, Bibles and materials for evangelism to Arabs and Catholics and Jews in November, 2011, thanks to your donations.)

From Rami and team:

It has been a good week, especially because this week reminds us of the born King in this Holy Land and this same King in people, as they invited Him to stay in their hearts as a shelter in this cold winter (and forever). As a team we have been out in the street giving out brochures of the salvation message for everyone in Bethlehem...(mostly to Arabs). We gave out 5000 brochures. (THANK GOD FOR YOUR HELP). We went to share God's message to many places: Haifa, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It was a blessing unto our Lord. And we want as a team to share with you this happy news about people with Muslim backgrounds who have accepted JESUS into their lives through our web site on Facebook. We need your prayers to support them, as they are taking this new step toward the Father's kingdom.

God bless you and have a blessed New Year.

IN JESUS' NAME,

http://www.facebook.com/cmajerusalem.tableministry

Rami
Table Outreach
P.O. BOX 50
Jerusalem 91000
Israel

LTW Team Feeding the Homeless for Christmas

2011-12-28T20:56:00.000-05:00

Dan Hubbard and the team were busy this Christmas feeding the homeless in Venice Beach, Skid Row (downtown LA) and Mexico...

The team plans to set up the "Heart for Him" outreach table in West Hollywood again this Friday night on Santa Monica Blvd. alongside the gay bars.

Work Today

2011-12-28T20:42:00.000-05:00

I wish I could say I am done with all of my bookkeeping, after working on it all day, but I am not done. I am close, though, and plan to be done by the end of this week. I have had a huge mountain of receipts to sort through and file for my bookkeeper, starting from last November, as I was packing for my move. It feels great to be getting more organized.

Tomorrow is a big mailout day. Today I have been preparing some packages to be mailed out to various locations.

I have also been working more on the new LTW web site. The web designer is fixing the Pay Pal connection for online donations. Then, I think we will be ready to go live.

I have also been working a lot on my new music video for "America Come Home." This is a special song I have written, which will be involved in the Presidential campaign and go out to our soldiers in the military. The video has to be perfect, because so many people will be seeing it. It is about 75% done.

The team in CA plans to set up this Friday again in West Hollywood. I will be praying for them. I have photos to post tonight from their recent outreach to feed the homeless at Venice Beach.

I am enjoying NYC on this cold, winter night. It is one of the coldest we have had, and I am so happy in my warm apartment. My mother is with me, and she has had a slight earache today, so we did not make it to church prayer meeting tonight. I am so thankful to have her here with me.

Christmas Outreach in Celebration of Jesus

2011-12-25T18:49:00.006-05:00

We wanted to set up the outreach table last week in celebration of the birth of Jesus to let others know why we believe in Him. What a pleasure for me to work with my pastor, Matthew Recker, of Heritage Bapt. Church where I am a member. (http://www.hbcnyc.org/ ) I want to say that I thank God to have a pastor who loves evangelism and is humble enough to want to reach the lost from all walks of life in NYC, enthusiastically and sincerely working at a table outreach with me. Andy Santiago was also a blessing. He was home from Bible college in North Carolina, and he also joined us. We had a great time telling people about why we love Jesus and offering free materials. We had planned to set up in the warm hallways of the Long Island Railroad, underground at 34th Street and & 7th Avenue, just a couple of blocks from the church office. I found out I must get a permit to set up down there, so back out in the cold we went. It was really too cold to do outdoor ministry, so I am praying for God to give us the safe, warm, clean mission field of the Long Island Railroad in winter months. I plan to turn in the application for a permit this week.

Yet, as we stood out in the cold fighting the wind, God brought people over with questions, many open to know more about Jesus. One man came over interested in the difference between Buddhism and Christianity. He said he was a Christian. He took Zen Buddhism Part 1 and Part 2 by Walter Martin and promised to listen to the sermons on CD, explaining Zen Buddhism from a Christian perspective. I reminded him that Zen Buddhism offers no pure Savior for sin, and no Savior that rose from the grave! He spoke with Pastor Recker for a while and said he would listen to his sermons on the radio in the greater NYC area and hoped to visit our church.

Pastor Recker offered a man a tract, and the man sat down beside him. Pastor Recker began speaking with him. Pastor Recker said, "I want to pray a blessing for you this season." The man said, "Pray that I will repent of my sins."

God was really at work! He brought over a woman with faith in Jesus who needed encouragement. She was living in a homeless shelter with her kids. She said, "I need to have wings like an eagle to rise above my situation." We prayed with her, and she began to weep. We promised that God will be faithful to her as she keeps her eyes on Him. She took materials for her kids and teenager from our table for Christmas, explaining that they love to learn about Jesus.

A Catholic man came over, and we offered him "Scripture vs. Tradition." He read the timeline of the Catholic church with interest and then the comparison between what the Bible teaches and what the Roman Catholic Church teaches. He said he never knew the RCC has teachings so different from the Bible. He said he would share the tract with his family. (Everything was documented from the worship of Mary to the Mass vs. repentance from the heart over sin, as the Bible teaches for salvation, with a relationship with God vs. man-made religion and traditions.) He said he had been in the Catholic church all of his life, but he had never read the Bible before.

One woman approached our table with a background in Hinduism, from a Hindu upbringing. Now, she stated, she did not know what to believe. I started to explain that we are all in a spiritual war, and it is differnt from the battles we face physically. As I continued speaking about a spiritual battle for her soul, she began to nod in aggreement. She replied, "I know I am in a battle. I know about dark spirits." I began to explain the difference between the Holy Spirit and the other impure spirits who lead people away from Jesus. We began to speak about the difference in Jesus vs. the millions of gods and goddesses, which are demons, in Hinduism. She took materials for Hindus, explaining the dangers of the demonic realm. She seemed very open and promised to read all we gave her. She saw a Bible on the table and asked, "May I have the Bible?" I answered, "Yes, but only if you promise to read it." She said, "I promise," and I turned to read her the passage in James 2:19: "You believe in God; you do well. The demons also believe and tremble." She promised to read the book of James and the book of John on the train back home.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth." John 1:14

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Hebrews 2:14

"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." John 1:18

"For God so loved that world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:18

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T21:42:00.001-05:00

I am having a wonderful Christmas Eve. I wanted to post about why I have not yet updated the blog with the recent photos from the outreach. I got a sore throat from standing out in the cold. It was great to be used of God to tell people about Him, but it was really too cold. I hope we get the permit for setting up in the Long Island Railroad tunnel. I plan to turn in the application next week. I have just needed to rest a few days, because I have felt like I was really getting sick. I am much better now.

I plan to get the photos and update posted tomorrow. It will be too cold, though, to set up on the street tomorrow on Christmas like I had hoped. I pray He gives us a warm place to set up in the winter. It is a pleasure to set up the table outreach and speak with people about Jesus. (I know I don't "have" to. I get to!) The Long Island Railroad is so clean and warm and only 2 blocks from the church office where our supplies are stored. It seems like the perfect place, but we can't set up there without a permit. It brings me so much peace to know that God has the pefect plan and is never taken by surprise.

We can never repay God for all He has done, but we can give Him ourselves. That's "all" He wants!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

In Jesus and His faithfulness,

Dwayna

NYC Outreach Today in Celebration of Christmas

2011-12-22T22:21:00.001-05:00

We had a great outreach. I had three people joining me, and it was an honor for me to serve the Lord with them as we got to tell people about why Jesus was born.

I wanted to set up in the warm and clean tunnels of the Long Island Railroad (at 34th and 7th), but we found out we have to get a permit to set up down there. I am working on that now. The office said it would take some time to get approved. I pray that Lighting the Way will get permission to set up there. It seems so perfect, because we wouldn't have to deal with the cold weather in the winter months. It is much nicer than the subways and only a couple of blocks from the church office where we store all of our materials.

I want to thank anyone who prayed for us today. God was at work, and it was a blessing to be part of that work. I will post photos with a summary as soon as possible.

Celebrating the incarnation of Jesus with you,

Dwayna

Hoping to Set Up Outreach this Sunday on Christmas

2011-12-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

I am going to scope out the area for a warm place to set up the outreach table this Sunday after church. I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas than to set up the outreach table in NYC in celebration of the glorious birth of Christ.

All Settled in NYC

2011-12-17T20:44:00.000-05:00

I join church tomorrow morning at Heritage Bapt. NYC. I am all moved in and settled. However, I will be focusing daily on catching up on bookkeeping next week. I have everything else pretty organized in my new apartment.

We plan to begin the outreach somewhere warm in January in a location we have not yet discovered. When I have lived here in the past, we only set up in warm weather. I am not opposed to the subways, but there are so many cultists setting up there that it makes our job more difficult. I saw a table that looked like a Christian table as I was passing through on the way to church last Sunday. Sure enough, it was the Jehovah's Witnesses.

This is a wonderful time in my life and a very precious time with the Lord. I am leaning on Him, excited about all He has in store.

I have had to focus on bringing two very important music projects to fruition since I moved here. I have written a song called "America Come Home," and we have had to work on the video. We are going to get the song to Newt Gingrich and others, so the video is very important. My other music project, "Counting Your Blessings" is also under a deadline. It needs to be done by Jan. 1st. I am thankful that we made our deadline for mastering, and I am now working with a graphic arts team for design. I have the opportunity to get it to key people who book rooms like the Kennedy Center for orchestras and singers Jan 4-10th, so I am praying daily that God will let the CD be done by Jan. 1st. It would help pay my high bills in NYC if God provides such singing jobs. Of course, I realize it is all in His hands.

Dwayna

Update: Georgia Tech Outreach

2011-12-14T11:38:00.000-05:00

Come and participate in the Georgia Tech Apologetics Outreach

When: Thursday, December 15th

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Georgia Tech Student Center

This will be an opportunity to share the gospel and interact with students while giving sound Christian apologetic answers with materials to students with various worldviews

If you are interested in participating in this outreach, please contact us by e-mail.
**************
Contact John Rosser: e-mail- jrosser@john-lee-ministries.org
http://www.john-lee-ministries.org/

LTW Update: Table Outreach in Israel

2011-12-09T13:07:00.002-05:00

From Rami:

Dear brother's and sister's in Christ,

In the coming days and during the month of December 12th, there will be celebrations in the city of Haifa. We pray that we serve every Saturday during the activities that take place. We will set up the table ministry, which has books, the Holy Bible, brochures and other materials helpful to someone who needs God.

Please pray for us, as well as our evangelistic team of missionaries in the West Bank.

Two days ago we had a day of service in Bethlehem. In that day we met many people, and we shared the message of salvation. Some people did not care about the subject, but two of them ( Edward and Audrey ) did accepted Jesus to be their Savior. We prayed with them and gave them our team phone number as follow up. We pray for them, that they will be blessed by the Name of our Lord Jesus .

Please be praying for the services in Bethlehem, which take place on this month ( Christmas services ) ... Pray for the service team : Rami, Eveit, David, Sally, Jabra, Jeo, Rose, Joseph, Paul, Ronit .

Also, we are always praying for more workers to be added to the team.

Thank you, and God bless you where you are.

Rami (and team)

Table Ministry in Israel

2011-12-06T23:59:00.001-05:00

Update from Rami and Evette in Israel

First of all I want to thank the Lord for everything He did for us, for the way He stands before us as we contact with the people. Secondly, I thank you, brothers and sisters, for your prayers. Without your prayers and without our Lord we couldn't make it.

Today has been very blessed by the Lord as we shared the message of salvation with the people in Haifa. The people coming to our table to have a look took some of the books, brochures, Bibles, children's stories in 3 languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Russian. Also we thank the Lord for His love as he prepared two people to come today who opened their hearts to accept Jesus Christ the Lord.

So we ask you to continue your prayer for our Table ministry service Team in Haifa and for this husband and wife to continue their journey with the Lord Jesus and for God to bless everything He has given out in the hands of His people.

God bless,
C M A
P.O BOX 50
Jerusalem 91000
ISRAEL
http://www.facebook.com/CmajerusalemTableministry

LTW Update: GA Tech Outreach This Thurs.

2011-11-28T18:07:00.001-05:00

Georgia Tech Campus Outreach
Come and participate in the Georgia Tech Apologetics Table Outreach

When: Thursday, December 1st
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Georgia Tech Student Center

This will be an opportunity to share the gospel and interact with students while giving sound, Christian, apologetic answers with materials to students with various worldviews.

If you are interested in participating in this outreach, please contact us.

e-mail- jrosser@john-lee-ministries.org
http://www.john-lee-ministries.org/

LTW Update: Feeding the Homeless on Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T21:35:00.000-05:00

God bless Dan and the team. They fed the homeless a hot Thanksgiving meal at Hermosa Beach. I wish I could have been with them.

LTW Update: Rio Grande Valley

2011-11-27T14:59:00.001-05:00

from Curt & Janie Rolf
leaders, Rio Grnde Valley

Though every slot was filled with a booth, shoppers didn’t really start showing up in full force until around 10:00. It was such a beautiful, cool morning. For the first time, a Jehovah’s Witness young man was drawn to the table by the Evolution or Creation booklet (Chapel Library). Though we disagree on who Jesus Christ is, neither could argue against the beauty of God’s creation.

Simultaneously, as she discovered all of the materials were free, a lady started taking books. We requested she limit herself to two. After taking our last copy of Out of India, she took Deceived on Purpose and asked if she could also take Who’s Driving the Purpose Driven Church. We gave her all three books.

A very soft-spoken, Spanish speaking gentleman saw the Bibles and asked for one for his‘hija’ (daughter). I gave him the NlRV version in Spanish. He then asked for an English Bible for a friend, choosing the King James version. When I showed him the bilingual New Testament, .his eyes lit up, and I said, “Para ti” (for you)! Another return visitor had it in mind to check out materials on Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism. His wife is Hispanic, so we were grateful to have most of those materials in English and Spanish. A couple of teenage gals whizzed by the table and grabbed a Spanish CBH Devotional.

Anthony likes to color and also was interested in the Nov.-Dec. CBH devotional. I encouraged his mom to take “The Most Important Story Ever Told” for Anthony and his older brother. The live music was loud, but I think Anthony’s dad was wanting him to go to church. They left before we could pursue that topic.

Our color page today was on a tract, “Pick’n Pumpkins,” explaining that when God created pumpkins, no two were alike, just like snowflakes. "YOU ARE ONE-OF-A-KIND!" All of our English toddler booklets, Would You Like to Know Jesus? were taken, as well as all of our English tracts, “The Most Important Story Ever Told." (We are pleased that we now have this booklet in Spanish.)

On the lighter side, I had a lot of fun watching, listening, and talking to a group of high school orchestra members, who performed at my request. I couldn’t figure out why a young man stood in front of the three members playing violins and was NOT about to move. I positioned myself to capture the three violinists on a photo. It finally occurred to me that he had their music pinned to his back! :-). They were very good!

Relying on Him as “He Directs Our Paths” (Prov. 16:9),
Curt and Janie

Why I Love to Fast

2011-11-26T23:38:00.001-05:00

I was asked to write a testimonial for fasting for a Christian web site. Here it is:

Jesus calls Himself the “Bread of Life,” and we have a blessing like no other on earth as Christians when we feast on Him. Thank you for your web site! It fills up my heart with inspiration as I read the testimonies posted of how God heals through fasting both physically and spiritually.

I am someone who loves to fast, but I find myself misunderstood often among Christians for fasting. This is paradoxical, because Jesus did not say “if you fast,” but “when you fast,” as He taught us how to pray. I feel convicted that if I cannot control my flesh enough to fast and pray, I am really not in a position to be self-controlled in other areas. It is a litmus test to me in that regard. Of course, we don’t fast to have a relationship with God; our relationship with Him is not based on works (Eph. 2:8-9). We fast to “put to death the deeds of the flesh” as we “deny ourselves” and draw nearer to the Lord in prayer. Nowhere do we find in the Bible that God wants us to have what we want whenever we want it. The amazing thing is that as I deny myself, He changes my desires to make them more like His: He changes me to make me better. What could be a greater reward?

He heals me emotionally and makes me less hungry as I fast. Fasting is an excellent discipline to enjoy as Christian. I don’t have to; I get to! When God is all I have, He is all I need. (Not eating definitely makes me feel as if God is all I have in problem solving, and that is a very sweet, authentic, needy place for me to be as I pray for His wisdom in situations.)

The power in fasting is just yet another example of how God humbles us as we humble ourselves through prayer and fasting. Some things only come through prayer and fasting—some things like self control, a more mature life, a better perspective on “problems,” clearer thinking and self destructive patterns of strongholds broken. It is not just about avoiding food but being able to see why so many feelings and insecurities need to be stuffed in the first place.

As I fast, I am taught in a more intense way to “wait” on God. This waiting is not passive. It helps me better manage my time and frees me up to journal, to read and study more and take walks as I pray. It also frees me from distraction to enjoy the reward of seeing projects come to fruition as I see goals accomplished I set for myself and work. When I am not feeding my physical appetite, I can let God feed my spiritual needs and fill me up to overflowing with happiness and contentment in Him. It is supernatural the way the Holy Spirit meets us in such a place of surrender to give us peace that no one can take away. Suddenly fears become more present, fears that God can heal. Anxieties surface for God to heal them as we turn to God to fill us up and not food. I love how it gives me confidence and energy, clears up my skin and mind and makes me need God every hour when I am hungry in my soul for what only He can satisfy.

Feeling good about myself is better than any food tastes. Fasting destroys food addictions and helps me stay a size 0 to 2, which is the perfect size for me. It also gives me confidence—a confidence the enemy of my soul cannot destroy. There is a strength that God gives me as He lets me see situations more from His perspective. It is healing to me like nothing else on earth. I love to fast. After the first day or two it is not as hard. I feel my being is in more of an emotional and spiritual state than a physical one as I walk through days of physical denial, letting my mind and body clear from the world’s decay. I know of no better way to handle stress. Fasting on fresh vegetable and fruit juices and eating nothing with much prayer has become my favorite way of handling stress.

It is only by God’s grace that I can fast for any length of time. I see every day and night of fasting as a gift from God. The ability to fast is an answered prayer for me, and I know of no greater blessing with God to experience as a Christian. Especially in the midst of stress or sadness, it is transforming as the Lord fills us up with His peace and love. Food is a weak idol in comparison to the euphoria of feeling close to God and feeling good about myself.

With a Savior who satisfies my soul,

Dwayna Litz
http://www.lightingthewayworldwide.org/
http://www.lightingtheway.blogspot.com/

http://www.bygodsgrace.org/

Giving Many Thanks Today Unto God

2011-11-24T18:25:00.001-05:00

I can't express what a blessing it has been for me to journal daily about God's blessings. I love my new diary, and it keeps me in an attitude of praise. I realize that God does not give us everything we want; He wants to mature us and make us rely more on Him. He also teaches us to wait by not giving us everything we want. I am learning afresh that such a time of "waiting" is not meant to be passive as we are growing more in the Lord. He is teaching us new things daily as we obey and wait, changing us to make us more like Him.

I got this email from a pastor, and I am also thankful for this encouragement today.

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

Good for you, Dwayna! Great website!

A freind of mine has been sucked up into the Hebrew Roots movement. It's been tragic to watch. He used to teach at our local church camp, and we've had to ban him from the campgrounds. We've had multiple kids go home from the camp, crying (and that's a lot for a high school student) because they are not righteous enough to follow God or smart enough to know all of these obscure Hebrew laws that they need to follow.

I've been trying to work with him in a one-on-one bible study to explain to him why his theology is so amiss, but he won`t listen. I'm a preacher and a bible college professor, and in his home learning from online "rabbi's" he thinks that he has just as much authority to teach with his lack of anything other than hometeaching as I do with a couple of Christian degrees and teachings from qualified PhD's and bonifide scholars of the Bible.

It's frustrating, and there's not enough online material to combat this ridiculous threat to the faith. I'm grateful for your website. Really very good.

If you have any other resources to help, I would be grateful. His reliance on some of the Ray VanderLaan's more esoteric teachings is easy to shoot down, but there's not a lot online about Brad Scott's crazier theology.

Jason Brandon
Pleasant Hill Christian Church, Murphsyboro IL
Morthland College, West Frankfort, IL

Dead Sea Scrolls Online

2011-11-24T16:51:00.003-05:00

What a great resource for study--Check out the Digital Dead Sea Scrolls here.

Update from Jerusalem Outreach

2011-11-23T09:36:00.000-05:00

from Rami
November 23, 2011

I want to share with you about Mr. Rita, who just accepted the Lord Jesus a few days ago. Sister Rita has been learning the Word of God, also. Please pray for her to continue studying the Bible without ceasing, so she can grow to be more like Jesus and to be a blessing to her family.

Today I met a guy called Ibrahim, who found a brochure on the ground next to his house. This was because the guys of our team from Bethlehem put it where he could find it. I can share with you this wonderful story of God's love to this person, as he came to me and told me the way he accepted God's message to his life. He read Accept Jesus As Savior of Your Life, which was the brochure left by our team. We spent time together praying and have started to study the Bible. He asked me to study the Bible in his house with his family, so they can be the children of God and share His kingdom. Please pray for Ibrahim and his family and also for the preaching service team.

C M A Table Ministry

P.O BOX 50

Jerusalem 91000

Israel

Update

2011-11-20T20:55:00.001-05:00

I have had such a great day. I am really ready for this move to happen, BUT, as God would have it in His perfect timing, I have written a song called "America, Come Home" and have spent my time recording it and researching avenues to get it involved in the presidential campaign for the last week here in Atlanta. I've worked with a very talented producer and co-writer of mine, Jayne Olderman, and I am so thankful God gave me this idea before leaving Atlanta. Jayne and I now wish we had been working together the whole time I have been living here!

I have been either packing, working on LTW web site edits and updates or researching ways to earn revenue for myself and for LTW via my new song about America. There is a lot of opportunity for independent artists, but it takes a lot of work. I feel the Lord close to me, encouraging me, and I have been reading Psalm 121 daily. It is such a sweet time with God, as I am moving to NYC holding His hand. I have no idea what lies in store and feel concerned that my rent is so high. It is making me turn to the only thing I have been trained to do to make money, and that is music. If my song about America could be heard and touch people it would be an answer to my prayers on many levels, and the funds would be used to sustain and support Lighting the Way,

“...giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:12-14

We are ALL commanded to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Timothy 4:5)

2011-11-20T11:05:00.004-05:00

I believe that [in] each generation God has “called” enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth…everywhere I go, I constantly meet with men and women who say to me, “When I was young, I wanted to be a missionary, but I got married instead.” Or, “My parents dissuaded me,” or some such thing. No, it is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!

–Isobel Kuhn

(Missionary with the China Inland Mission)

My Verse for this Season of my Life

2011-11-18T22:28:00.000-05:00

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip. He who keeps you will not slumber...The Lord is your Keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil. He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever."

Psalm 121

Jerusalem Table Ministry Birthday

2011-11-16T10:05:00.001-05:00

From Rami & Evette
November 16, 2011

Today is the birthday of our table ministry of evangelism in Jersualem. We have been telling people about Jesus in the streets of Jerusalem for five years. Our ministry started on Nov. 16, 2007. Thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray for us.

Pray for the ministry needs.
Pray for Rami.

Pray for everyone who needs to know our Savior, Jesus!
Pray for Sharef to have a strong relationship with Jesus and to be able to share his faith with others.
Pray for support for our family. 100% of Rami's time is given to this ministry.
Pray for wisdom, strength, protection, and faith for spiritual seekers.
Pray for faithful, Arabic-speaking volunteers from local churches.
Pray for pocket money for food and travel for volunteers.

P.O BOX . 50

Jerusalem 91000

Israel

www.facebook.com/cmajerusalem tableministry

Editing New LTW Web Site

2011-11-13T21:26:00.000-05:00

I have been editing the new LTW web site. Only I can edit it, because there is so much that only I can decide about. It is so much work. It really makes me thankful for all God has done since the outreach began in 2002.

I am happy to announce that I am almost TOTALLY packed for my move to NYC.

Soon to come: photos and summaries and prayer requests from our new outreach to the homeless in Atlanta.

Update from George and Goldie at Cal State University Northridge

2011-11-11T16:49:00.000-05:00

From George and Goldie Shaw
November 9, 2011

Dear Intercessors,
As with the previous week, we questioned going to CSUN on Nov.9, with a forecast of strong winds. Early that morning, the Lord showed each of us that we have a "GO." George opened his Bible to 2Chronicles 11:23, which has the word, "distribute." Goldie read from Colossians 2:6, "Walk in Him," which meant action to us. What followed was an extremely fruitful distribution day.

Things blew off the table at times, but we have our box of little rocks to hold down the Word. George took a long time to find parking, because of the students coming in for classes. Goldie was overwhelmed with giving out bookmarks, Bibles, CD-ROM's, and DVD's, a good problem. After thirty minutes, George returned. We both kept busy, as your prayers worked, and we gave all of the above away by 1:00 P.M., plus Where Do We Go From Here booklets and Pure Gold booklets, plus many more extras that the Evangelical Sisters of Mary in Arizona sent us.

We have picked only a few of the long list of beautiful students to tell you about. Saba, a dark-eyed Persian, young lady, asked for something in Farsi. George gave her a Gospel of John in Farsi, and her friend, also Persian, wanted a Magdalena DVD, the story of Mary Magdalene and the Life of Jesus Christ DVD; both have Farsi on them. Adriana came before we could set up and asked questions. She took materials and said she hoped to be a missionary, since she recently came back from Honduras. Luz, Alex, Chanel, Jasmine, and Genesis came for Bibles, etc. Elizabeth, a pretty Jewish student, saw our signs and wanted a Hebrew/English Tanakh; she was willing to take the Hebrew New Covenant, also. Later, she came again to get two more Tanakhim, one for her mother and one for a friend. She told us that she knew Jesus was Jewish, but that He was not the Messiah whom she expects to come someday. She stayed to choose several Jewish things from the table. Elizabeth saw that only one Hebrew Tanakh was left, and she hovered over it and called on her cell for her classmate to come. She waited on the grass across from us for a long time. Finally, Gabriela came, and the Bible was still there for her. Please pray that they will both see the Davidic lineage in Matthew and the birth of Messiah in Luke. Suzanne took one of five VMC Spanish whole Bibles. Terrifico! Isaac came to give us ministry cards from their Christian Club on campus, called The Vine. We did. How glad we are to see two such clubs on compus now! When on the first day we ever saw this campus, in 1999, signs along the free speech zones advertised sororities and fraternities. During the morning, we met several believers who were going to one of these clubs, like Felipe, who did not have a Bible. It was his first time at the club. When he saw our table, he said to his friend, "God provides." At the very end, three bright young ladies came to chat and offered to help us pack up. That's a first for this campus.

"If that isn't love, the ocean is dry;

There's no star in the sky,

And the sparrow can't fly. . ." by Dottie Rambo

Thank you for going before us in prayer.

George and Goldie Shaw

Email: ivrit@juno.com

LTW Update: Campus Outreach in the Philippines

2011-11-11T09:46:00.001-05:00

“ROCK (Reaching Out for Christ’s Kingdom) campus ministry of Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Batangas held a Free Movie event on November 11-12, 2011. The movie event was held in SHL Bldg. Case Room 202 and was attend by students of the Criminology Department headed by Mrs. Rowena Mojares (Department chair and R.O.C.K. adviser)…Aside from the movie, Aaron (the campus ministry president), Mheann (the secretary) and some youngsters of Good Shepherd Baptist Church set up a table outreach (courtesy of Lighting the Way Ministries) where they place booklets, magazines, and tracts, not only for those who will attend the movie, but for students passing by. As for me, I was able to share the Gospel with a group of students. Elaine (a dean’s lister) and her buddies’ listened attentively, as I show them how sinful we are by God’s standard (the 10 commandments) and how Christ paid the penalty for sin…” --Nitoy

LTW Update: University of TN Campus Outreach

2011-11-09T11:02:00.008-05:00

Claudette Litz, leader
November 8, 2011

I am praising God, as I write about the wonderful day in ministry that God gave us on the campus of the University of TN. LTW joined with a team from Words of Life ministry to reach students for the glory of Jesus Christ. I invite you to go to the web site for Words of Life to see the effective work this ministry is doing. It was such a blessing to watch Royce DeVault and Ed Hester engaging with the students and handing out over 1000 tracts. Also, I want to thank Tom Duvall, who continues to secure our permit. Tom was our faithful leader last year, and without the permit, we could not set up our outreach.

Students with many belief systems came to the table. The first student who came over was an atheist. While I unpacked the items for him to view, Royce shared Jesus with him. Their conversation lasted for over an hour. Although the student wanted to debate the lack of absolute truth in Christianity, Royce kept taking him back to John 14:6 were Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." After their lengthy conversation, this student took How Can I Know the Bible Is the Word of God? and a DVD, God of Wonders.

A student from Nigeria was interested in comparing the teachings of Christianity with other religions. I gave him a card referring him to the apologetics LTW web site Dwayna created for this purpose, http://www.bygodsgrace.org/ He seemed to think he wanted to be a Christian but wanted to postpone making that decision until he had studied all other worldviews. He left with several materials from the table, after I shared with him how there is only one way to God and eternal life. The foundation of Christianity is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. That makes the Christian faith very different from any other belief system. I tried to convey the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus and how he could experience this only by receiving His Gospel.

One student from China was excited about receiving the DVD of the film, Jesus (The Greatest Gift), especially since it was in the Mandarin language. Other students came by who were interested in sharing materials with their roommates and friends about the Islamic faith. Copies of the Gospel of John in both Arabic and English, as well as the tract, Dear Muslim Friend, were available for them. It was encouraging to be thanked by students for having the presence of LTW on campus, and they appreciated the selection of literature displayed, especially the booklets, DVDs, CDs, and magazines relating to evolution. Two students were interested in Buddhism and took the tract, Euro Karma, which looked like legal tender from the Dalai Lama. On the back, however, was the gospel and the website of the publisher at http://www.eurokarma.com/

God blessed us with sunshine and warm weather, but most of all, He gave us a special sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our team prayed together before we arrived on campus and ended the day with prayer for each student that received materials and those that interacted with us.

Today at the University of TN Outreach

2011-11-08T21:32:00.002-05:00

The Lord blessed with a new, strong team for evangelism on the campus of U.T. I only wish I could have been there with them. I called my grandmother to pray with her over the phone for the team while they were doing outreach. We will have an update posted soon, along with photos. I got this encouraging email tonight. (I post this, not to bring glory to ourselves, but to remind us that the Lord can bless a little effort on our part to make a huge difference in His Kingdom to reach the hearts of people. The team just gave a few hours this afternoon, but we know through our talks and distribution of literature about how to be saved through Jesus, that this afternoon in mission work had an eternal impact. How nice of this man, John, to take the time to write to encourage us. How sweet of the Lord to allow us to be used by Him to tell someone the Good News of Jesus. There is no greater honor in the world.)

Hello, Dwayna,

I was encouraged by talking to your mom today on the University of Tennessee's campus. She was at a table displaying lots of Christian literature of sorts. I approached the table and ended up talking to your mom for a while before leaving with several books and a cd. Your mom also gave me your card for organization you started. After checking that out I am encouraged and inspired by God's work in your life. As a fellow believer in Christ, I was am encouraged and uplifted by talking with your mom, receiving the free books (what a blessing!), and checking out your website. Keep up the great work and thank you very much!

God Bless,

John Randolph

Georgia Tech Campus Outreach

2011-11-07T17:41:00.000-05:00

John Rosser, Leader

    Come and participate in the Georgia Tech Apologetics Table
    Outreach

    When: Thursday, November 10, 2011

    Time: 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

    Where: Georgia Tech Student Center

    This will be an opportunity to share the Gospel and interact
   with students, while giving sound, Christian apologetic
    answers to questions, with free materials to students with
    various world views.

    If you are interested in participating in this outreach,
    please contact us.

    e-mail: jrosser@john-lee-ministries.org

    www.john-lee-ministries.org

My Hiding Place

2011-11-06T19:38:00.005-05:00

"You are my Hiding Place. You shall preserve me from trouble...and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

Research on C.S. Lewis

2011-11-04T21:32:00.000-04:00

One of my best friends and fellow researcher, Charisse, sent me these links today. I wanted to publish it on the blog for anyone who wants to do more research on the true beliefs of C.S. Lewis.

Michael John Beasley's new book uncovering the very dangerous ideas of C.S. Lewis that are contrary to Scripture

The Legacy of Lewis

Work Today

2011-11-04T10:14:00.002-04:00

We are preparing for our first day back in outreach at the University of TN next week with a new team. We have had to wait on His provision, since our former leader, Tom, can no longer lead the outreach. We are hoping for good weather next week, because the team still has to set up outside on campus. It is exciting!

My goals today include finishing packing up all my kitchen. (Though my place has been small here in Atlanta, I have had a lot of cabinet space in my kitchen, and my cabinets have been full of ministry materials, so it has been quite a job packing it all.)

I'm going to continue to proof the new LTW web site.

I have to type up a book proposal for Broadman and Holman publishers on the longshot that they will be interested in my book of quotes from our founding fathers called 'America Come Home.' I am also writing a song with that title to be pitched to the Herman Cain campaign.

I'm looking forward to not turning on the TV for the next few weeks. Whenever I am going through times of stress I find that TV makes it worse. I just want to read and pray and listen to sermons, keeping a quiet heart and focused mind before God as I continue to make this (expensive) move to New York. Television can be such a waste of time. I asked the cable company to disconnect it, but they were going to charge more for me to have only the Internet than my basic channels and the Internet, so I'm keeping it--just the basic channels and no cable-- until the end of the month. I have always admired people who go for seasons without watching TV because of all they get accomplished. When I stayed with a Christian family in England, they had no TV. They knew they would be watching it all of the time, and it would be a waste of time. They spent time together playing music and singing around the piano and lots of time reading. It made a lasting impression on me of a godly, sober and focused life.

I will start a new LTW e-newsletter today and get it out this weekend.

In His faithfulness,

Dwayna

Update from Jerusalem Table Outreach

2011-11-02T18:43:00.001-04:00

In the last months, we met many people around Jerusalem, and we spoke with them about Jesus. Some of them received Him with tears in their eyes. Some, however, did not want Him, and they started to hit us. We prayed with the people who wanted salvation through Jesus. One of them has died, and now he is with our Lord.

Today, we prayed with a person at the Bethlehem checkpoint. In a two week period, we printed 1000 tracts about the salvation message, and we gave them to believers who helped us distribute them to the unbelievers around the Holy Land. Some people have called us, because they wanted to know more about Jesus. The Lord blessed us with another table ministry in the Bible college in Bethlehem. We spoke with the Muslim people who came to the college to take courses.

Please pray for the Jerusalem table ministry in the Holy Land, and ask God to send us volunteers to help. Also, pray for Rami.

C M A

P.O. BOX 50

Jerusalem 91000

Israel

LTW Work, etc.

2011-11-02T16:40:00.001-04:00

In addition to all of my packing, we have been working hard to get these goals accomplished:

We are sending a shiment of materials to Rami for table outreach in Jerusalem. (This will be at least 50.00 in shipping costs, using a flat rate international box.)

We have sent the program director of Salem Radio my Christian music CD with the prayer it will get some air play. I have it all registered with ASCAP, and I am so in need of funds now, so I pray the program director will listen. I was told by the nice receptionist that they often play unknown artists if they like the original music. I have sent them "My Prize." If they play it on the air, I will get royalties, which will go to help pay my bills in NYC and fund Lighting the Way. I also sent an mp3 of the song to the FISH Christian radio station here in Atlanta, but I have not heard back from the program director.

I am working more at music, because it is the only thing I have been trained to do to earn income. Since I am working full time in "non-profit" and donations are down, how I pray that the Lord will bless my efforts to support myself and pay my basic living expenses to put less of a burden on Lighting the Way.

I plan to get an e-newsletter sent out this week. I am in the music studio tomorrow recording a song I have written, which I hope to profit from in 2012. I am also calling Christian book publishers about my book idea called 'America Come Home'--a book of quotes from our founding fathers and past presidents and original precepts from Yale and Princeton to show we were once a a Judeo-Christian culture in America,

I am also proofing the new LTW web site.

Life for me is busy and rich in God's faithfulness, as tight times financially certainly serve to make me lean more on Him.

Dwayna

The Blessing of Suffering for a Christian

2011-10-30T21:32:00.002-04:00

I wanted to check in with everyone via the blog. I have been so busy with move to NYC that days have passed without a blog entry. It is really hard to determine all the reasons why a move is so stressful. There is so much to remember, and moving is always so expensive, and the whole place is in disarray with boxes everywhere...but I feel the Lord with me, and His Presence steadies me as I go.

Today I was reading the Bible, and God reminded me that we learn obedience through suffering. I wish there could be an easier way. I was thinking about my time in Atlanta over these last three years and how God allowed me to spend some money in recording costs while here on songs with people who did not know what they were doing (long story short). I am still waiting on "Soon And Very Soon" to be mixed, and the session for that song was first set for last January! We finally recorded it, and now the mixing keeps getting postponed. Yet, I know there is a reason for everything, and I realize that in everything I am to give thanks.

I'm so thankful for this season. I have never had a happier time, though I am keenly aware that I need the Lord every hour. This is the most expensive move I have ever made, and I can't wait to move and stop spending money on moving costs. I got my finances on my mind today, and found myself wishing God had stopped me from working with various people in Christian music here in Atlanta who were not capable of getting me the finished product I needed. (No ministry funds were used for this.) As I ponder "why" God allows us to make such mistakes, I realize that I sure do learn a lot from my regrets, and I am comforted knowing that everything falls within the safe sovereignty of God for me as a Christian. As Christians, we are certainly not immune from suffering; rather, we are guaranteed it. How I pray that I learn obedience from it and become more like the Lord.

I plan to write an update this week and get it out in an e-newsletter as soon as possible.

I appreciate so much my sermons, which I hear at night as I drift off to sleep. I recently heard an inspiring sermon and testimony by Dr. David Reagan on Trusting God. It was a beautiful reminder to me that my greatest hopes and dreams are always, always found in the center of God's will.

I am remembering to pray for my friends. As I am going through a stressful time with my move, it is nothing compared to what some of my dear, Christian friends are walking through now. It is a privilege to bear one another's burden's for Christ's sake.

In His hands,

Dwayna

The Invincible Love of God

2011-10-27T20:28:00.000-04:00

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." --Romans 8:35-39

LTW October Update: Rio Grande Valley

2011-10-27T10:54:00.002-04:00

By Curt & Janie Rolf
Harlington, TX

It's 9:00 A.M., and it’s already been an interesting day. Our booth was set in the midst of a few vendors with whom we have established somewhat of a relationship. Eduardo, with his items from Kenya, Africa, came to visit. He, the music man, is just next door to our left. A dear couple whose wife, some time ago, told Janie her story about her battle with cancer were on our right.

Dante, around age ten, loves to stop by and see what we have; his mom seems quite uncomfortable with the message our banner projects. Today’s color pages emphasize God’s creation of the seasons. Since pumpkins are a fall product, we were able to find a tract, “Light-up-the Night," (ATS) which does a great job with light in windows, pumpkins, and in Jesus Christ!

One of our first takers of 101 Prophecies was interested in prophecy and insistent that God creates the weather. (Picture #1) A dad with 2 daughters was interested in the book, Not My Child, and he also was interested in teaching his daughters about evolution and took Evolution or Creation – Answers to Questions –(Chapel Library).

Another mom brought her little daughter, Jasmine, and was interested in anything that would tell her about Jesus. She took the toddler booklet Would You Like to Know Jesus? We also suggested mom read her The Most Important Story Ever Told. The mom was pleased to see the booklet started with the creation of Adam and Eve.

(Picture #2) Curt called Janie’s attention to the fact that at one of our first Table set-ups here on Jackson St., Jasmine’s mom and Janie had a rather intense discussion about Catholicism. For several months she avoided our booth. She’s now bringing little Jasmine and is VERY interested in Jesus Christ. She had to be the special visitor of the day for which we were waiting.

A lady was interested in the book Out of India and also Heaven Can’t Wait. These two books brought on a discussion of the purpose of this ministry, which is defending the Bible and exposing false teachings. She was pleased about the whole concept, as well as our discussion about spiritism.

(Picture #3) We do believe God had us hold one last copy of a LARGE PRINT-SPANISH BIBLE for a fellow who was absolutely thrilled to receive it.

Two young ladies shyly approached the Table and were curious about the children’s materials. I told them about the “Light-up-the-Night” tract and how it expounds on light in windows, pumpkins, and Jesus, the Light of the World. They also took a copy of The Most Important Story Ever Told.

It’s always encouraging to have men stop at the table. An elderly gentleman took 101 Prophecies and Facts About Jehovah’s Witnesses (the Spanish version). Another lady conversed at some length and eventually took a couple of Chapel Library tracts (both in Spanish and English), as well as the little book on Promesas de Dios (a topical devotional on the promises of God). A fellow took The Light That Was Dark by Warren Smith and a bilingual New Testamentas, as well as a Spanish pocket Bible. He was very grateful.

(Picture #4) Meet Alexa Presley Silva que chula!! (what a cutie!!). She likes to color! What a fun, busy day! The temperature was down (94 vs. 99+), just enough to bring people out. Next month the ‘Winter-Texans’ will be arriving in full force.

We were able to find Jesus Blesses the Little Children story booklet at a local dollar store. It tied in so nicely with the banner and was a big hit. All of the copies disappeared. Here’s hoping we can find more.

Nothing is more encouraging than people from our own church checking over our materials and ecstatic about this part of our ministry. THANK YOU PAT AND LAURIE!

As expected, we got a return visit from our vendor friend, Eduardo. He came looking to buy something. He was stunned when we said that everything is free. He took a bilingual New Testament, The Most Important Story, a CBH kid's devotional, and Our Daily Bread. He also took the CD, Noah’s Ark: Fact or Fiction by Mike Riddle. He insisted on giving a donation for his materials.

Blessing upon blessing, a lady stopped by in search of a Catholic Catechism. Having none, she found the small pocket New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs containing a small topical index. When I gave her our only copy of the full Bible with a similar index, she was so excited and said, “I can’t thank you enough!” She gave me a huge hug. (I love hugs!)

Relying on Him as "He directs our paths" (Prov. 16:9),

Curt and Janie Rolf

His Power Toward Us Who Believe

2011-10-25T21:11:00.000-04:00

"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him... that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion..." Ephesians 1:16-21

Keeping A Quiet Heart Before God

2011-10-23T14:22:00.001-04:00

You'd think with all of my moves that I would get to the place of another moving experience not being stressful, but I have certainly not arrived there yet. I feel the need to pray a lot for God to help ease all that is going through my mind concerning moving responsibilities and unexpected costs.

The moving companies have given me such expensive estimates. I decided that my large couch, which makes a bed, is too large for my new apartment, so I am having 2 major moving companies return to give me new estimates, minus my heavy couch and end tables. I hope I can get the moving costs down. I realize that dealing with large moving companies makes the risk a little higher when it comes to damaged or lost things, but I will just have to pray that does not happen. The larger moving companies always quote the least expensive quotes, so I have called Mayflower and Allied, hoping one of them will be more affordable.

I could not sleep last night, and I prayed and read. I also worked on a new lyric for a song I wrote years ago called "In America," which really needs to be re-written with updated lyrics to address all that is going on now in America and how much we need God. I called my co-writer this morning, and he agreed we need to work more on the lyrics and pitch it to Tim McGraw or to a conservative radio host for airplay. I hope it works out, because I sure could use the money.

The Lord has confirmed, though, that my expensive move to NYC is His will. I was praying with my pastor's wife, Debbie, at church on a Wed. night this month, and she asked God to ease my financial worries by just laying it on someone's heart to give.

I got home and I had two emails waiting: one from a man who had given an unexpected 50.00 and another unexpected contribution for 500.00. I am so thankful for the ways that God lets us know He loves us and is with us in stressful seasons.

I have moved some things to TN and have been working in the LTW storage unit there to organize everything. We will be starting back up in outreach at the University of TN soon, and we are working out details for that location. We also got shipments of materials to send out, including cards to give to people who are struggling with homosexuality and gender confusion, as we are referring them to the impressive counseling of Arthur Goldberg in New Jersey.

Thanks for your prayers for me during this time. I can't wait to be in my new apartment on Dec. 1st.

In God's hands,

Dwayna

LTW Update: GA Tech

2011-10-22T10:44:00.002-04:00

Come and participate in the Georgia Tech Apologetics Table Outreach

When: Thursday, October 27th

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Where: Georgia Tech Student Center

This will be an opportunity to share the gospel and interact with students while giving sound Christian apologetic answers with materials to students with various worldviews. If you are interested in participating in this outreach, please contact us by e-mail.

**************

jrosser@john-lee-ministries.org

www.john-lee-ministries.org

Update: George & Goldie, Los Angeles Valley College

2011-10-22T10:40:00.001-04:00

From George W. Shaw
October 19, 2011

Dear Praying Saints,

George likes empty boxes to bring home; the Bibles are now blessing many students on L.A. Valley College campus. What a great day! The very first student was Arabic, and he wanted a Hebrew/English New Testament to study. Oh, Lord, You work in wondrous ways! Many study Bibles that people have given us went out to serious students who desire deep study.

Armenian and Russian adults attend this college; many came to the table where we gave them Russian Bibles and CD-ROM's with Russian language. We ran out of Armenian Scriptures and hope to obtain more for the future visits. Hazzy, an Armenian adult, melted our hearts; his first request was for a Bible with pictures. We found one; then he wanted a Russian Bible, a Jesus DVD which has Russian on it, and much more material; he also took our contact address. "The Lord knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever." Psalm 37:18.

Chadwick is a construction worker who has a Jewish client; pray for P. as Chadwick gives her a Tanakh to remember Succot and later on, after he studies about it, he will give her the Hebrew/English New Testament for a Hanukka gift.

Larysa, a Russian lady, asked if we had a Russian Bible, and when she saw it, she hugged it to herself. "I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments...." Psalm 119:131

Miriam, a believer, asked for materials because she, too, is a soul-winner. We supplied her with a variety of literature & Bibles. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for preparing John to receive the Lord into his heart and life. It was a thrill to let him read the Scriptures that led him to salvation. It is all because you prayed.

We praised with the song, "How Great Is Our God" on the way home. All glory to His Name!

George & Goldie Shaw

Moving to NYC

2011-10-19T23:41:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to check in. I am overwhelmed with work for my move to NYC. Every day I am getting more accomplished and busy between Atlanta and TN, before moving to Manhattan. I'll get an e-newsletter out to everyone soon sharing details about how God has been faithful in confirming this move in so many ways! I had a great time in prayer today, thanking God for all of the seasons of my life, especially this happy one. I've never been more surprised or happier, especially for the gift He has given me of bringing back the music to my life.

I am excited about working with the outreach team this winter in NYC, too. We are looking for a place to do outreach in the cold winter months ahead.

LTW Update: Venice Beach, CA

2011-10-19T18:36:00.002-04:00

From Daniel Hubbard
Oct. 15, 2011

Our day began with a cool morning, as we set up to feed the homeless and for evangelism across from the Shul on the Beach, a Jewish temple. Jennifer could only stay part of the day. She is very capable and has a real heart to serve God. However, we need to keep her in our prayers because she may have to stop helping for a while, due to a troublesome job situation at the school where she teaches. We had interesting conversations all day, many lasting for at least a half hour. Eileen, Jennifer, Mike, and I dealt with people struggling with additions, beliefs in evolution, new agers, and those who claimed to be Christians without knowing how to live out the Christian life. Some listened intently and took our contact information for follow up. Later in the day, we received help from a minister, who happened to be passing by with his family, who were on vacation from Arizona. Once a rapper came over and sang a couple of Christian raps which he wrote. At the end of the day, the wind was becoming a distraction, so we packed up for leaving. A popular new ager came to our spot on the boardwalk and sang to a gathering crowd. We have much work to do here in Venice. Please keep us in your prayers, as we pray for you, also.

From Mike Sanders:

Joanna, a Christian from Poland, stopped by the table. She was very happy to see a Christian table at the beach, and she was looking for a Turkish Bible for her friend. Unfortunately, we didn’t have one. Her Turkish friend is not a Christian and is into science and evolution. We gave her our contact information. She said her Turkish friend is planning on visiting next year, and she would like him to see us. She also mentioned that it’s hard for her to find a Christian church in Poland. She was raised Catholic, and when she returns to Poland, she would like to take her Catholic mother to church. She took two copies of the DVD, Unlocking the Mysteries of Life--one for herself and one for her friend.

A family of three stopped by, and one of the ladies asked if we were selling all our books. When we told her they were all free, her eyes got big “like a kid in a candy store”. She asked if we have anything about healing a marriage, and Eileen directed her to the part of our table about family and marriage. The lady found a book that seemed to address her needs. They said that they were looking for a church in the area, but since we don’t live locally, we were unsure what church to recommend. Jennifer then suggested Grace Community Church and gave them the address (even though it is some distance away from them). They asked about the book, The Light That Was Dark by Warren Smith. Mike explained that Warren Smith is a man formerly involved with the New Age movement who discovered that New Age teachings are contrary to the Biblical message of salvation. He mentioned that the New Age teaches that there is a divine part of all of us and that we are constantly evolving and improving, but the Bible teaches that we are enemies of God apart from Christ (Romans 5). In addition to the books they already took, the family added an NIV Bible. Just before they left, we emphasized that salvation is through Christ’s blood alone and not by works, and the man nodded in agreement. Eve and Ruben then stopped by and looked at our materials. We asked them if they go to a church nearby. They said they go to church but that they’re from the Central Valley (several hundred miles north of L.A.). We started explaining what our books/tracts were all about, and as we pointed to the book “Deceived on Purpose” by Warren Smith, we mentioned that it exposes the Purpose Driven movement and how it waters down (hides) important aspects of the Gospel. As we did with the previous group, we explained that apart from Christ we are enemies of God, and we need a Savior. They smiled and agreed. They took the book “The Light That Was Dark” by Warren Smith. The wind started blowing some of the tracks off of the table. As Mike walked around to pick them up, a young man rode up in a bike and asked about our table. Mike explained that our materials are free and after speaking to the man briefly, Mike asked him if he had a Bible. The guy said he had one and had read it numerous times. Mike also asked what he believes regarding spiritual issues, and he said he tries to live by the motto that we should love others as ourselves. Mike then pointed out that Jesus said to first love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. He replied that you can’t truly love others without first truly loving God, to which we agreed but added that we all needed a Savior.

(Photos and summaries from Dan, Mike and Eileen)

Prayer Request for LTW at the Angola Rodeo

2011-10-18T16:22:00.000-04:00

Please keep the inmates and tourists at the Angola Rodeo in your prayers. The Fall Rodeo takes place every Sunday in October, and we need to pray for God to use our LTW outreach there for His glory. Only God can save the lost, and only He can bring the people over to hear His Word and receive a free gift about His Truth. God gloriously saved one of the inmates, and he asked to be at the outreach table to share his testimony with those who come over. The chaplains are also at the table. LTW is honored to have Bibles, tracts, CDs of sermons, DVDs, and books available to give to anyone seeking answers about how to know God and live a life of obedience to Him. The Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) invited LTW to set up an outreach table at their 2011 Spring Rodeo, also. The Holy Spirit ministered to many people at that time, and we are looking forward to seeing Him at work again this fall. Pray for discipleship training for the people He touched on Oct. 2, 9, & 16th and for the seeds that are planted for eternity on Oct. 23 and 30th. Pictures and updates will be posted later.

October NYC Outreach

2011-10-17T22:50:00.003-04:00

SUMMARIES AND TESTIMONIES OF OUR TIME TOGETHER IN EVANGELISM THIS MONTH IN NYC ON 34TH STREET:

I spoke with a woman who was obviously in an abusive marriage. She was very angry and said she was not going to "submit" to her husband. I took out my Bible and read her the passage in Ephesians to lovingly explain that God NEVER meant for the woman to "submit" without the husband loving his wife like Christ loves the church. Still, she got very irate and said she did not believe in such a structure for the home. Geoff reminded me that it was God's mercy that brought her up to the table and allowed her to listen as I read to her the Bible. She said, "I just hope you don't get in abusive marriage." I said, "I would be out of God's will if I got in an abusive marriage. That is not God's plan." Finally, Elaine agreed that there was no getting through to the woman, though she and Heidi and I tried our best to encourage her in love. I said, "We are the Bride of Christ," and she said she had a hard time believing that. I must remember to pray for her, because she was so broken from her abusive marriage and obviously had a hard time accepting how God's plan for her is so much higher than what she has experienced. --Dwayna

Christian had the opportunity to share the Gospel with a woman and speak with her at length about what it means to be saved. She was very open and prayed with him. He even stayed behind to continue to explain what it means to know God personally after our team had headed back to the storage to put the supplies away and pray. We praise the Lord for such supernatural encounters, realizing that God is at work to save. We plant the seeds and sometimes water, but God is the only One who can regenerate a broken, lost, dead heart to LIFE in Him.

Hi Dwayna,

I was speaking with a man who was of latino heritage and a Catholic who expressed his views concerning belief. I was able to give him the basic gospel about the need for salvation from sin and repentance to God unto salvation and the new birth of the believer and the empowerment to live as a Christian, that it is faith, not religion; it is about a relationship with God and obeying and living by His Word, the Bible. I expressed that I was also once a former Catholic but am now a Biblical Christian.

Additionally, we were blessed to have the opportunity to hand out Brit Chadashas (New Testaments) to Jewish believers and/or seekers.

The one blessing that I remember is the fact that I was reconnected with my brother, Mike, and his friend Ramiro. God continues to connect the dots and brings us together for His purposes.

Shalom,

Heidi

Hey, Dwayna,

This is Mike, from last Sunday's outreach. First off, I was totally blessed beyond belief, to have met and served alongside all of you...and to see God's mighty hand at work. Ramiro and myself were fortunate enough to witness to a man of Malaysian decent, who at first told us he kinda bounced around a bit in his faith back home. But, here in Queens, he had tried a Christian church and learned about Jesus. He stopped going, though, because although the people were kind to him at church, the same people would ignore him on the streets. We told him that the love of Jesus should always extend outside the church as well. We prayed with him and gave him the address to both your home church and ours. In agreement with Heidi, it was awesome to reconnect and serve with my sister and friend again.

God bless you, Dwayna, and keep you safe.

Mike

Update: George and Goldie, Grace Community Church

2011-10-17T18:42:00.000-04:00

From George W. Shaw
Sunday, October 16, 2011

Dear Prayer Warriors,

"...Satan hath desired to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee. . ." (Luke 22:31-32)

This verse became very real to us as we began to prepare for going to the large congregation of Grace Community Church. Many circumstances interfered with our plans; you prayed, and our Lord Jesus is the victor! Neva, Goldie, and George arrived early in time for the 8:30 service, which Neva and Goldie attended. George went to the second service. Pastor John MacArthur was at a satellite church in Italy; Pastor Michael Mahoney preached from Exodus 12 on redemption in preparation for the family of God communion service.

This congregation is vitally involved with outreaches to various nationalities, including the Jewish people. Our intention is to communicate the Gospel to both Jew, first, as it says in Romans 1:16 and the Gentiles. It is estimated that there are now over 800,000 Jewish people in the greater Los Angeles area. How do we reach them? J. came even before we set up the table properly. She wanted one of everything we had there. "I am so glad to be back at Grace; my Hebrew class here will be glad to see the Scriptures and materials." Your prayers brought a saleslady, a pediatrician, a Holcaust survivor, a whole Jewish family, a synogogue witness, a caregiver; these, plus many more, all came eagerly wanting to be a witness to their beloved Jewish acquaintances. How thrilling to see the zeal they had! We told them to study about Succot/Feast of Tabernacles and to know more than their Jewish friends. Paul in Romans tells us to "provoke them to jealousy." M. and S., a bright young couple, know an Hasidic Jewess; they asked us what that meant. We explained it, and they went away with a Tanakh, expecting wondrous happenings. L., a Russian lady, laughed with Neva as she spelled out her rather long name, and her friend will receive a Tanakh. All the Tanakhim went out along with New Testaments. This was why you prayed! Thank you from our hearts. Pray for courage for all these who will share Scriptures.

With much shalom over your heads and love in your

hearts toward Him,

George and Goldie

Little 5 Points Update: Atlanta

2011-10-16T11:50:00.000-04:00

Anthony Woodard
October 15, 2011

The fall season is a great time for many activities such as festivals, football, sightseeing, and many other things, but all of these things are no match for sharing the gospel on a Saturday afternoon in L5P (or anywhere for that matter). God has been faithful in giving us great weather throughout this year, but more importantly, He has given us the freedom to proclaim the gospel and receptive hearts to listen as we do. It is amazing to witness the impact of the gospel on the hearts of many... whether those hearts are as hard as rock or as soft as fertile soil that produces a crop. The gospel alone has the power to save, and God's Word is sufficient. It will accomplish His purpose. Our duty, as Christ's ambassadors, is to lovingly share God's word with anyone and everyone...first and foremost for the glory of God and then for the saving of souls. It would be great if everyone who heard the gospel repented of their sins and placed their trust in Christ, but even if they don't, we can remain faithful in planting seeds and praying that God would give the increase. Such is the case when we encounter those who are receptive to the gospel and are willing to listen. Only our Lord knows the impact that it is having in that person's life. However, if facial expressions are any indicators, then I'm willing to bet that many have been and prayerfully are still being convicted of their sins and guilt before a Holy God. May God grant repentance that leads to life for those who are dead in their sins and trespasses. Please continue to pray for us that we would be speaking the truth in love and that the fragrance of Christ would permeate L5P. As always, if you are interested in partnering with us, please give me a call at 404-895-9385 or e-mail me at Anthony@epointchurch.org. We typically set up 2nd and 4th Saturday's from 1 - 4, but we can be flexible with the time in order that you might be able to experience the grace of God in the proclamation of the gospel! God bless!

LTW to the Smokies Update

2011-10-15T20:08:00.003-04:00

From Claudette Litz
October 15, 2011

For months, many of you have been helping us pray for LTW on the UT campus. Today we thank you, and most of all, we thank God who is so faithful in overseeing this ministry. When I arrived at the Sugarlands Visitor Center today, there was another outreach team near the spot where I set up the materials on the table. Royce DeVault, Jr. is the leader of Words of Life ministry out of Knoxville. Immediately, we began talking with each other and could see that our beliefs and strategies in effectively carrying out the Great Commission were quite similar. As we discussed our goals and prayer needs, the ministry to students on the UT campus was mentioned. Although his team sets up off campus sometimes at the football games, their need was someone to secure a permit for the work they wanted to do on compus. I became excited, as I told him about Tom Duvall, our leader from last year, being able to get a permit for us. We could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as we began planning to work together. Today both LTW and Words of Life became part of God's work at UT. We will be in touch with each other and look forward to working together there. God knew all along about both ministries' needs and prayer requests, and He knew we would be at the Sugarlands Visitor Center today to join in the battle for Truth together. I am tempted to say this was the best thing God did today, but only He knows His plans for all of the tourists who came by to talk and take materials.

One man from India took a book in the Hindi language, as we ended our discussion about the various hiking opportunities, which lead to me explaining my purpose in being there. He listening politely and was impressed that he found God Almighty in his native language. A young lady, who teaches Sunday School in a small church, came by with her little brother and was thankful for the children's material available to help with her teaching. A couple, who were on their honeymoon, looked over the materials while I was talking with an older couple. They asked for a Bible, stating that they wanted to start their marriage God's way. The older couple had been married for seventy years and were so happy to share with them the importance of reading God's Word together and praying together each day. This was another divine appointment, as the young couple listened...

Perhaps, today was the busiest I have experienced in three years of ministry in the Smokies. When I put the last three books in a box and folded the table up, I thanked God for every person He sent my way today. A park ranger and I agreed that the traffic was so heavy, I should come home through Wears Valley, instead of the usual route. Even then, it took thirty minutes to get out of the parking area and start in that direction. As I was in bumper to bumper traffic much of the way home, I had time to consider the way God was so faithful and began singing to Him the following hymn:

Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient.
Have faith in God; He'll answer yet.
Have faith in God; He's on His throne.
Have faith in God; He watches o'er His own.
He cannot fail; He must prevail.
Have faith in God; Have faith in God.

Update from Israel from Dov and Olga

2011-10-14T09:05:00.001-04:00

Ministry Update: October, 2011

In the past I saw nothing special about working with drug addicts. I saw this ministry as just another work among the poor and the sick. But now when I see what is happening during our outreach and in the rehab centers, I understand that this is one of the most effective and fruit-bearing evangelistic activities in today’s Israel. The potential is great. Why?

Drug addicts are very open to the Gospel. They take Bibles eagerly, they are ready to talk about God, to pray and confess, to ask questions and accept the answers. By contrast, regular Israelis are usually very difficult to reach. Even when they are ready for a conversation, they listen only to themselves, argue with you and push away all your reasons. The Lord tells us to “shake the dust off our feet” and go to those who will hear. Sometimes people ask: “Is it very hard to serve in these dark places, ministering to the outcasts?” On the contrary, it is quite easy to go to those who are ready to accept us and our message. It is much harder to go to "problem-free" people who reject you on the spot.
We see that God’s heart goes out for these people in a special way. Today I do not see another area of ministry where so many miracles are happening and so much healing is taking place. We know that addiction to drugs is an incurable disease, but God sets the addicts free quickly and easily; He changes their lives in miraculous ways.
The name of the Lord is mightily praised through this ministry. This happens by offering practical help to the needy and the outcasts, and by the dramatic changes in the lives of former addicts.
Ministry to the addicted has great potential. Whoever has been forgiven much, loves much. Former addicts, as a rule, are more dedicated, serious and zealous believers and grow faster than their brothers in the Lord with a “normal” background. When I look at them, I see future leaders and pastors of Messianic congregations in the Land. For example, our congregation in the Negev consists mostly of the elderly people and we always experience lack of leaders and of dedicated youth. We are beginning to pray about a rehab center in the Negev that can lift up and strengthen our local believers there.

Family

Yossi has his new wheelchair, but he is still very uncomfortable in it. No specialist seems to be able to solve this problem, so we are asking you to pray. Please keep praying for Yossi’s health. We live in two different modes: times of crisis (when we suddenly face a new complication and do not know how to deal with it), and times of relative peace (when we find some help and gradually get used to the new circumstances). This month has been a calm period for us; though a couple of weeks ago we had a frightening event. We went to a doctor to receive a special injection to ease Yossi's pain. During the procedure, Yossi fainted for the first time in his life and remained unresponsive for several minutes! Because of his weak heart, we even thought he had gone to be with the Lord. Then he regained consciousness, and now he feels fine. This was a stressful time for all of us. The injection proved to be helpful. But now we are afraid to take another injection, yet we do not want Yossi to begin suffering from again.Please pray for my mother, Sonya, who is 78 and has a weak heart. Sadly, she is not a believer. Pray also for my elder brother, Tzvi. He is not a believer either. But on this year’s Day of Atonement, he was ready to talk about our faith and listened carefully to my answers to his questions for the first time in the last 25 years!

Thank you very much for all your prayers and support!
May God bless you richly,

Yours in our Savior,

Dov and Olga

LTW Summer Update: Boulder, Colorado

2011-10-13T20:09:00.007-04:00

Patty Peterson

October 13, 2011

Over the summer in Boulder, we set up the table at least once a month, in combination with an Intelligence Test sign. The sign is a great draw, and many who stop also browse at the table. One Saturday afternoon in August, we were swamped with people for three hours. It was such a privilege to see God at work as we talked and joked and challenged people's beliefs. In one picture you can see a man holding a paper copy of the Intelligence Test. If they take nothing else, we try to give them this one-page tract since the gospel is presented on the back.

At the table I try to display as much as possible (so thankful for an abundance of materials). I have the CDs and DVDs in a tray with dividers labeled by topic for easier browsing. We're excited about the recent shipment of books and tracts from Mark Cahill. These are terrific for answering the tough questions posed by these deep thinkers in Boulder, plus "One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven" is good for helping believers learn how to share Christ in everyday life. Your prayers for us and those to whom we witness are much appreciated. They give us courage. Here are a few people for whom we can pray...

July 23, 2011

I spoke with two young men, one of whom proudly said he was a physicist. The other, named James, was very open and said he enjoys debating. He listened intently as I used the courtroom illustration in which he was guilty of a serious crime, and the judge was ready to pass a sentence of life in prison, when into the courtroom came a man who said, “Wait a minute Your Honor, let me take the punishment instead.” “Jesus stepped in and took your place,” I told James, “so you could go free.” He broke into a smile and said, “Oh yeah, I totally get it! That’s a great analogy!”

Taylen was a young man who said he was raised Catholic, and his name was Irish. He enjoyed the IQ test questions and admitted his sinfulness but didn't believe in Christianity. Pray his heart will soften to the gospel and others will water the seed so one day he will be saved.

August 13, 2011

Miles is the balloon guy near our table. His IQ is just short of genius level. He was raised in a pentecostal church, then drifted away and became a psychic to earn money, and would do voodoo. He told me he walked with Christ for six years, but when his life fell apart, he turned his back on God. Now, he's waiting for a miracle or sign from God that He is real. He's a likeable guy but won't humble himself. I expect to see him again on the mall and will keep up the conversation as God leads.

Two young men and their wives who follow the Sikh religion (India) were interested in the gospel message, but they still think all paths lead to heaven.

A husband and wife took the IQ test and said they were youth pastors for a church. We talked about using the 10 commandments as a way to help people see their need to repent before a holy God and be saved. They had been considering what evangelism method to teach to youth and thought this encounter might be an indication from the Lord to use the Way of the Master. Thank the Lord for their interest in evangelism and in training others.

From Brent: A mother and son were walking their dog. The conversation started out with some fun, light-hearted humor doing the intelligence test, but once we began going through some of the ten commandments to see if they were truly good people, the mother became very defensive about it and seemed to have a difficult time saying she is a liar/thief/blasphemer/adulterous/murderer at heart. She couldn't fathom God being a judge, but insisted how loving and merciful he is and that the Bible is contradictory because God is so judgmental in the old testament, yet so merciful and loving in the new testament. She had issues with God having a male gender, calling him God the father/mother. Well, the list goes on with her oppositions, but fortunately God seemed to have been working on the son's heart in the midst of his mom's objections. He was all ears when I told him that I wasn't there to judge them because I was guilty of breaking the same commandments. Unfortunately, the mom urged the son to leave before I was able to share the good news of what God did to save us from hell and condemnation. I told the son to read the back of the paper that shares the gospel message. Please pray he reads it and ask God to reveal Himself to him to the point of repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus. Also please pray that God would begin a work to humble and soften the mom's heart.

Brent, two: A mother and daughter stopped and both claimed to be Christians, but the mom didn't agree with the black and white approach I had of using the law to reveal sin. She also thought that the Bible was corrupted by misinterpretations of those who translated the text from its original language. She claimed to have studied Hebrew and Aramaic and believed that we can't trust the different translations out there. Please pray that God would reveal the folly of her argument soon and that she would humble herself before a righteous and holy God before it's too late.

Fighting the Good Fight.

Patty

Last Friday Night in West Hollywood

2011-10-10T23:59:00.003-04:00

(Photo of Dan and Mike at our "Heart for Him" literature table in West Hollywood, alongside the gay bars, as people stop to take testimonies of people who have left the homosexual lifestyle for new life in Jesus)

Summary from Dan: The highlight of the evening was seeing our Muslim materials put to good use. A couple with another young lady came to the table; I had prayed for this opportunity as I set up the outreach table. They were visiting from Iran. I shared the gospel with them, making it clear that it is the sinless blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that made atonement for our sins. They seemed very interested and took two CDs. One was David Woods vs. Ali Ataie; they also took the book, Jesus, Prophecy, and the Middle East. One man, who spent time in China and the Middle East, was not thrilled about the Gospel and left abruptly. Still, we know that the Lord was glorified by the opportunity He gave us to share the Gospel with the man, and we'll pray for him.

NYC Outreach Yesterday

2011-10-10T11:52:00.000-04:00

We had a beautiful day in outreach, and I worked with a large team. God really kept us busy, and we are all looking forward to working together again after I return in Dec. We are asking God to provide a warm place for us to do outreach during the winter months. I will post photos as soon as possible. (I am working from a slow Internet connection in my room in Manhattan, so I'll have to go somewhere to post from a faster connection for all the photos uploads or wait until I return back to Atlanta this Saturday night.) Praise the Lord for how He is at work in this ministry, which belongs to Him.

LTW to the Smokies Update

2011-10-08T17:20:00.010-04:00

From Claudette Litz

October 8, 2011

With the beauty of the fall colors blanketing the mountains, there were more visitors at the Sugarlands Visitor Center than I had ever seen. With such long lines inside the center, many tourists came by the outreach table for directions to various hiking trails. Usually, they stayed long enough to inquire about the materials on display. This made for easy conversations about the wonderful grace of Jesus, which is greater than all of our sins. The Holy Spirit pointed many people to Jesus today, and I am always in awe of His work. There were more decisions made for Him than I know about, but there was definitely the love of Jesus being shared. I could feel His pleasure as each visitor left my area. Young children led their parents over because of the banner around the table about a free gift. The Child Evangelism materials, especially the Wordless Book, are great tools for them, as well as their listening parents. The older children enjoyed hearing about God’s creation of the beautiful world around us vs. the theory of evolution. They were eager to take the booklets about how the Bible supports science and the DVDs, God of Wonders. They are so well done and attractively designed. What a blessing it is to have them available as gifts to students! Two men from China, who are students at Duke University, were so appreciative and interested in them. They also wanted Gospels of John and a CD of Dwayna’s music. They listened as I shared why I was doing this work and stayed with me long enough to hear the Gospel and talk with me about my beliefs.

I prayed with a lady whose sister is suffering with cancer. She brought her husband back to have a picture made with me, and we are going to stay in touch via Facebook. Another precious lady had recently lost her daughter to cancer; we encouraged each other in the Lord. Her daughter started a prison ministry before her death, and we talked about the possibility of LTW partnering in outreach in some way. A man who is recovering from a stroke came by with his wife. We also encouraged each other and thanked God for His healing power. A student from William Carey University needed several materials to use in Bible studies with other students. Another lady, who works with international students, took several of the How to Know God tracts in the Arabic language. She also took the Gospel of John in Arabic.

As I reflect on the way the Holy Spirit worked to point people to Jesus today, I am reminded of John 16:7-8. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has

come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

LTW Financial Needs (Moving Expenses to NYC)

2011-10-05T17:16:00.001-04:00

Some ministry prayer partners have emailed me about my moving expenses to New York, so I thought I would list these financial needs. No extra funds have come in as of date for my move, and I wish I could report that my basic living expenses were being met by other means. At this time, however, my basic living expenses are still being covered by Lighting the Way funds. I have no doubt that God is leading me to move to NYC, or I would not be moving. It is the most expensive move I've ever made, and I am trusting the Lord to provide.

My rent has a little more than doubled, beginning Dec. 1st. I can use my apartment as my office space, because it is only one room, so that will be helpful when filing taxes. My mother flew up to help me look for apartments last month, and she agreed that God has provided a safe, clean room for me. I am really thankful for it. My queen sized bed won't even fit in my "bedroom", which is really just an area of this loft designated for a bed. I am leaving it in Atlanta and had to buy a full size mattress and box springs and frame yesterday because of lack of space in my new apartment. I got the mattress set on sale, half off at Sleepy's, but it still really added up to be a lot with NY taxes and delivery fees.

After three estimates, the moving company which quoted me the least expensive price was still 3600.00 for me to move to NYC! The reason it is so expensive is that NYC will not allow semi-trucks in the city, so any moving company, which could normally save me costs by combining my move with other moves on a big rig truck, has to charge me to remove everything from the semi-truck to put on a smaller truck to drive in Manhattan.

I am prepared to no longer go out to eat and not do any shopping. I have enough clothing and shoes. And, thank the Lord, I have enough warm winter coats. I will be living away from the nice shopping, so that will make it easier for me. I love steaming vegetables and will be living right across from a juice bar where I can get fresh vegetable juices, so that will be all I'll need. I don't plan on taking taxis and will even try to save on taking subways daily, because I really will have all I need on a daily basis in my neighborhood.

Of course, it cost 400.00 to just move the storage unit from Atlanta to TN, by the time I rented the Uhaul truck and paid for gas round trip.

Moves are expensive, but I am thankful that I have a Father who is rich and who holds the whole world in His hands. He has always taken care of me, though I never want to presume on His faithfulness in unwise decisions. I feel this move is a test of faith for me. I am excited as can be, but my life will be changing in that I won't have the extra money even for flights to various locations of outreach unless more funds come in.

Thanks for your prayers and support in ministry.

I am off to prayer meeting now at Heritage Bapt., getting to the church office early to prepare supplies and resources for our outreach this weekend, thankful to be joining the church tonight.

In His hands,

Dwayna

Beautiful Weather for Outreach this Sunday in NYC

2011-10-04T10:24:00.002-04:00

I am so happy to see beautiful weather in the forecast for this Sunday. I am expecting a rather large team, so I have surveys, which we use at GA Tech, to engage in conversation with people as they are passing. The survey asks questions about spirituality. It is easy then to talk about why we believe in Jesus and share the Gospel with people, inviting them over to the table afterwards for anything free. This will be a useful tool if more than 3 Christians are working at the table, because it will keep us all busy in conversation with people about Jesus, and anyone stopping at the outreach table won't be overwhelmed by so many Christians standing there waiting.

I have pre-shipped many boxes of resources for the outreach, which I will be preparing this Wed. night before church in the church office and after church this Sunday, before the outreach. I praise God for how He is at work!

NYC

2011-10-03T21:28:00.001-04:00

It has been COLD and rainy every day since I arrived in NYC. I really hope it clears up and warms up by this Sunday. A team of people are planning on meeting me for the table outreach, but it is way too cold already. What happened to the beautiful fall? Maybe it will warm up, and we can set up in outreach this Sunday after church. It is such a blessing to be working with Heritage Bapt. NYC in evangelism.

I am also here to work on some music projects. If it does not clear up and get warmer, I'll be flying back soon to get back to packing in Atlanta with so much still to do there. I am staying busy here in NY on the cold and rainy days, working on a new song I will be video taping and two new songs I will be recording including "He Looked Beyond My Fault And Saw My Need."

Off to NYC

2011-10-01T11:28:00.002-04:00

I'll be in NYC and not available for much posting the next few weeks, other than ministry updates. I am singing at Heritage Bapt. tomorrow and working with the team in outreach next week. I see a lot of rain in the forecast, so I look forward to setting up the outreach table on the first sunny day. I will be in touch with photos.

Photos from GA Tech Outreach

2011-09-30T21:06:00.000-04:00

God is really at work with our busy team at GA Tech. I got to the Student Center only to find Taylah and her dad, Troy, engaged with students speaking with them in the hall, long before I got to the table. As usual, John and Lee had such a strong team for this outreach. The students are very open and happy to stop to take our survey, which leads us to speaking more with them about WHY we believe in absolute truth logically and a God outside of ourselves. Since many of the students consider themselves to be atheists already in life, we must first talk to them about the existence of God, before sharing what the Bible teaches (since they would consider that circular reasoning). It is great to see God at work to open their eyes, as we point out that God reveals Himself to those who are willing to repent and come to Him in humility...After the conversation about salvation and why we believe in the Bible as God's Word, they are invited to the table to take anything they want for free. The team sets up every other Thursday night from 7:00 to 9:00. (How I pray that God will do the same thing for our outreach at University of TN, as we are looking into setting up in the Student Center at U.T., inspired by how God is using this dynamic, Christian team doing evangelism at GA Tech.)

Muslims Proselytize on City Streets in NYC Suburb of Queens

2011-09-30T20:25:00.001-04:00

When I saw these photos they made me want to work even harder in evangelism. Satan never sleeps! Take a look at this Muslim table offering free materials to people in support of Islam. A Christian friend of LTW stumbled upon it about a week ago in Queens and took photos to send to me. I guess it's just a matter of time, sadly, before I see such a table in Manhattan. (Notice there are no women behind the table with the men in this misogynistic religion.) These photos serve as even more confirmation to me that God will be glorified by my move back to NYC to keep our table outreach to share the Gospel of Jesus going strong, as we set up on 34th Street and/or Columbus Circle for the glory of our pure God (as opposed to the perverted 'Allah' in Islam). Notice these Muslims even have books about Jesus out on their table. It would be laughable if it were not so sad. Surah, chapter 4, teaches that Jesus never died, so there is no Savior in Islam. If they are zealous enough to spread these lies, we should be even more eager to proliferate the Truth about God and explain that, contrary to popular belief, all religions and belief systems are not one.

Never Give Up

2011-09-30T20:09:00.000-04:00

As I've been preparing to move, I came across this quote sent to me from George and Goldie Shaw, (missionaries to the Jews in CA). I don't know who said it, but it is no wonder that I have kept it all of these years.

"Slow down, we say to ourselves; you've given much. Isn't it time to refrain from further sacrifice? Spare yourself. Why go on reading, studying, pursuing God? Stop this strenuous following after.

No! I say. That is not true. We can never stop growing toward God. Holiness is a dynmanic thing, a matter of motion. There is no static balance in the spiritual life. We're either moving toward God or away from Him...

So we must never let up, for our adversary does not...To know Jesus, to experience more of His life-giving power, to patiently bear our portion of His humiliation and suffering, to become like Him in self-sacrificing love--this is the work that must keep us busy to the end of our days."

Praying About New LTW Table Outreach in Philadelphia

2011-09-30T15:49:00.001-04:00

Please help me pray about the possibility of having a new table outreach in Philadelphia to begin in the spring of 2012. I just got off the phone with someone who could lead it so well. We just have to pray for God's provision...

GA Tech Outreach Tonight

2011-09-29T18:16:00.002-04:00

I am heading out to work with the team at GA Tech tonight. I'll post photos...

Work Update

2011-09-29T12:53:00.000-04:00

(I wanted to explain that I have not been making blog entries, because I have begun packing boxes from morning until night for my move to Manhattan. It is an overwhelming task. I appreciate the prayers during this move, and I also HAVE NO DOUBT IT IS GOD'S WILL. I would certainly not be moving otherwise. I will be leaving for NYC again this Saturday to sing at Heritage Bapt. this Sunday and work with the team in outreach.)

"He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory." Luke 9:23-26

LTW Update: Rio Grande Valley, Sept. 3, 2011

2011-09-27T11:55:00.002-04:00

By Curt & Janie Rolf
LTW: Rio Grande Valley Leaders

It was 8:45 A.M. in Harlingen, TX, and the temperature was 90 degrees and rising! All was quiet until about 10:00 with only this sweet, elderly, Hispanic lady stopping to look over all of the materials on the table, especially Spanish materials. She took a Spanish Bible. It was good practice with my poor Spanish. She found the Spanish tracts, Facts About Jehovah's Witnesses and asked if that was the name of our church. We told her it was not, and we tried to explain our purpose of defending the Bible. She understood and took that tract, as well as Is Mormonism Christian.

A young lady asked, “How much is a Spanish Bible?" She was astounded that it was free. Since her English was perfect, I asked if the Bible was for someone else, and it was for her mother. She took it with our blessing. Another visitor seemed intrigued with materials about Catholicism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormonism. We were pleased when he took them. A grandma, sporting her bright, orange umbrella because of the sun, stopped by with her granddaughter. After they took a few materials, we asked if they would report back next month on what they read. The granddaughter said she would. Some of our special friends, who love the Lord, came by and appreciated the gift of Dwayna's CD, Music For Kids. Little Jaime stopped by and wanted the booklet, Where is God When Things Go Wrong. He had asked for it in the past, so we gave it to him today.

We found some booklets, Jesus Blesses the Children, at a Dollar Store, which visually depict the verses on our banner. (Mark 10:13-16 “Let the Little Children Come to Me.") We’ll keep our eyes open for more. Our coloring pages for this month were God’s Creation-Day Six, Animals/Dinosaurs. We have had Sunday School teachers looking for materials in Spanish, and we have copies of the coloring pages available for such needs. Since the temperature reached 104 degrees, we left around 2:00.

Relying on Him as He directs our paths (Prov.16: 9),
Curt and Janie Rolf

Needs in the Rio Grande Valley

2011-09-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a request of materials. I am praying for God to meet these needs, because my move to NYC is very expensive, and there is no extra money at this time...I know God will provide as we pray for these needs to be met.

CHILDREN'S MATERIALS

1) "The Most Important Story Ever Told" - (I even prefer this to a Bible) - Now can get in Spanish -
about $2.00 ea. (could use 25 in Spanish and 25 in English) - Goes from Creation to
Resurrection + salvation message (animated pictures-great for kids of all ages).

2) Childlren's Bibles - NIrV - $4.99 ea. or $3.99 in case of 20 - Need at least 10 SPANISH (Santa
Biblia)

3) "Would you Like to Know Jesus?" - Toddler booklet - (could use 10 in Spanish and 15 in English) -
about $1.25 each.

4) "La historia de Jesus" - (The Story of Jesus) - story and activity booklet - (need 30 in Spanish
only) - about .75 cents each.

Vanity Fair Praises King James Bible

2011-09-24T13:44:00.002-04:00

I've been meaning to write about this for a while. In the May 2011 issue of Vanity Fair Christopher Hitchens lauds the King James Bible!

"An unbeliever argues that our language and culture are not complete without a 400-year-old Book--The King James translation of the Bible. Spurned by the Establishment, it really represents a triumph for rebellion and dissent. Accept no substitutes!"

"A culture that does not possess the common store of image and allegory [of the KJV] will be a perilously thin one.To seek restlessly to update it or make it 'relevant' is to miss the point, like yearning for a hip-hop Shakespeare. 'Man is born into trouble as the sparks fly upward, ' says the book of Job. Want to try to improve that for Twitter?"

Then Hitches, the author of the article, mocks the American Bible Society's "Contemporary English Version," and rightly so. The author quoted Philippians at his father's funeral from the KJV, and looked up the same passage in the "Contemporary English Version":

"...Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise."

At such a translation, he responds:

"Pancake flat: suited perhaps to a basement meeting of A.A., these words could not hope to penetrate the torpid, resistant fog in the mind of a 16-year-old boy, as they had done for me. There's perhaps a slightly ingratiating obeisance to gender neutrality in the substitution of 'my friends' for 'brethren,' but to suggest that Saint Paul, of all people, was gender-neutral is to re-write the history as well as to rinse out the prose. When the Church of England dropped the King James Bible, in the 1960s, and issued what would become 'The New English Bible,' T.S. Eliot commented that the result was astonishing 'in its combination of the vulgar, the trivial and the pedantic.' "

"...The Tyndale King James translation, even if all of its copies were to be burned, would still live on in our language through its transmission by way of Shakespeare and Milton and Bunyan and Coleridge, and also by way of beloved popular idioms such as 'fatted calf' and 'pearls before swine.' It turned out to be rather more than the sum of its ancient predecessors, as well as a repository and edifice of language which towers above its successors. Its abandonment by the Church of England establishment, which hoped to refill its churches and ended up denuding them, is yet another demonstration that religion is man-made with inky, human fingerprints all over its supposedly inspired and unalterable texts..."

[Though Christopher Hitchens is not a believer, even he appreciates verses from the KJV and the maturity and wisdom of God's precepts. I enjoyed the points he made in this article very much. I agree about some of these slang, dumb-downed "Bible" translations. It is a reflection on our culture, as our immature culture is a reflection on them.]

Email Exchange Today on "All" and "World" in Scripture Interpretation

2011-09-23T20:34:00.002-04:00

An email I received today (concerning the Hebrew Roots Movement):

Dwayna,
I was surfing found your blog today. Then I ran across this posting: http://lightingtheway.blogspot.com/2008/10/beware-of-bill-cloud-and-decoding-bible.html
[...]

Then I read your words: “Nowhere in Romans 11 does it say that ALL of Israel will be saved.” But surely you have read: Romans 11:26 "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob"...I pray that I turn away from all ungodliness as well as His body of believers so that we may do His word and love our neighbor.

My answer:

Dear His Bondservant,

Thank you very much for writing. I am happy to explain.

“All” needs to be qualified when interpreting Scripture, just like the word “world.” For instance, in 2 Cor. 5:19, the Bible teaches that God was reconciling the world to Himself. Really, the whole world? The whole entire planet? If He was reconciling the entire world, then there would be no existence of hell, because the “whole world” would be reconciled in salvation. The word “world” there is in reference to every nationality; meaning, there are no distinctions when it comes to God’s grace. So, “world” has to be qualified.

Take Romans 5:18 for instance. The Bible teaches that “all” men died through Adam, so that justification of life could come to “all” men through Jesus. Does justification /eternal life come to all men in that no one perishes in hell? Do we believe in universalism? Of course, we know that people perish and go to hell apart from repentance and salvation, because Jesus taught more about hell than He did heaven. “All” has to be qualified. It means that only “all” who have been predestined to be justified and given life; so the “all” is limited and has to be qualified. How do we know this? In Matthew 20:28, the Bible teaches that Jesus gave life to “many” (as opposed to “all”). In that verse we see that Jesus only gave His life as a ransom for “many.” Does this mean the Bible has contradictions? Absolutely not. It is just that we have to use proper interpretation by taking verses in context with other verses.

See 1 Timothy 2:4-6. In this passage, it is written that God desires “all” men to be saved. Really? So God does not get what He wants? He wrings His hands in frustration, because, although He is God, He can’t have His way? OF COURSE NOT. That is not what the verse means. God would not be God over all if He were not powerful enough to get His way.

See John 10:11, 20-27, and we see that Jesus has “His sheep” and not all people are included as “His sheep.” See verse 26: “You don’t believe, because you are not of My sheep.”

So, in Romans 11:26, you are right in that the Bible does say “all”, but that “all” has to be qualified, because it does not mean universalism for Israel!

Thanks again for writing. Remember that if you turn your back on Christians, you are turning your back on Christ, because we are His Body.

Sorry for the confusion, but the Bible very clearly teaches that NOT all Jews will be saved just because they are Jews. God will be true to His people, just like Romans 11 teaches, and He will stand by His covenant with the Jews, but that does not mean that if a Jew does not believe in Jesus that Jew will not perish. There is only ONE way to the Father, and that is through the Son. By God’s grace, He will draw many Jews to Himself and save them BY GIVING THEM SAVING FAITH IN JESUS AS MESSIAH, not just because they are “all” of Israel.

Grace upon grace,

Dwayna

Running the Race to Win

2011-09-23T11:15:00.004-04:00

"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2

LTW Update

2011-09-22T21:12:00.001-04:00

I begin work on the next Lighting the Way unpdate tomorrow. If you would like to be added to the list for e-newsletters, please email me at Dwayna@ltwinternational.org .

Dan Hubbard let me know today that he has been asked to speak at a Calvary Chapel about our outreach in West Hollywood, hoping to get more Christians involved and educated on reaching the homosexual community for Christ. We rejoice in this opportunity and are very thankful for the prayers and support from the pastor in Southern CA to have such a seminar on "A Heart for Him" to teach how to reach people with the Gospel who are struggling with same sex attractions and gender confusion.

'The Purity Principle'

2011-09-22T21:08:00.001-04:00

I want to recommend a great, little book by Randy Alcorn called 'The Purity Principle.' Here is an excerpt:

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Jonah 2:8...An idol is a God-substitute...Our sexual behavior reveals who or what rules our lives...Purity is always smart. Impurity is always stupid...The punishment is built into the sin. Shame, degradation, and warping of the personality follow as a matter of course. Scripture describes those who have surrendered to their lust to live in immorality as "receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." Romans 1:27. That's the way God's moral universe operates. We get to choose our own path...

Work Today

2011-09-21T14:11:00.000-04:00

It is a bookkeeping day for me, as I have a mountain of receipts to go through from my last month in New York. I am also trying to sell my car, now that I am moving. It is such a busy day with so much bookkeeping and an apartment filled with boxes to pack. I also need to prepare for singing at Heritage Baptist NYC and my next session of piano/vocals next month in New York. It is so great to be busy doing work I love. I am heading out of town to meet with ASCAP soon, in order to get all of my songs registered properly. The days are flyng by...

LTW Storage Unit Now in TN

2011-09-20T16:06:00.000-04:00

By Claudette Litz, Lighting the Way to the Smokies Outreach Leader
September 19, 2011

As I have been unpacking boxes of LTW materials and trying to organize the new storage unit in Sevierville, TN, I am so excited about how God has blessed this ministry. Only He could have burdened hearts to give the money necessary to purchase the Bibles, books, tracts, cds, dvds, and other handouts. Although I could not capture the extent of His materials in photos, I have tried to show the size of the unit and the amount of work done by Dwayna to pack many boxes and unload them in their new space. God will continue to use each item for His glory, as I send the needed ones to each of the leaders in the various LTW locations across America and abroad. Retirement has been a great blessing in my life, because serving Him has taken on a new adventure through this ministry. May God continue to be glorified as we are obedient to His Great Commission. --Claudette Litz

Recommending 'In My Father's House' by Corrie Ten Boom

2011-09-18T21:34:00.000-04:00

I can’t say enough good things about this new book from Lighthouse Trails, ‘In My Father’s House,’ by Corrie Ten Boom, telling of “the years before the Hiding Place.”

I began reading the book on a plane and could not put it down. The maturity of Corrie, even in her youth, will inspire any Christian to live according to the wisdom of God. It is obvious that such maturity is produced as a result of sober obedience to the Bible and a serious life lived in light of eternity. I also appreciate how Corrie recounted that her family never had to be told to respect their father as the head of the home. It was understood in the home by everyone, as if there was no other way to engage in decision making.

Her father and mother raised the children in such a way that respect came naturally. Corrie’s parents made Psalm 32:8 their life verse when they married, and it became a directive for Corrie’s life as well. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

This book is a companion for anyone who loves the Lord enough to experience the honor of persecution to any degree as a result of obedience.

It is encouraging to see through Corrie's life how the Lord prepared her for the concentration camps and sustained her faith supernaturally, even as a child...It testifies of God's faithfulness to His own.

On pages 81-82, Corrie recounts how her mother was deathly sick, and she was afraid. The family did not have hardly any money. She was sitting in the dining room discussing the situation with her father.

“Father, what must we do? Everything is so terrible!”

“Don’t forget, Corrie, underneath us are the everlasting arms. We won’t fall.”

I didn’t know that expression, and I asked, “Is that in the Bible?”

“It certainly is. Moses spoke those words to the sons of Israel.”

“How does that help us right now?” I asked rebelliously.

“Girl, it makes all the difference. Moses tells us in the Book of Deuteronomy that God is a dwelling place. We have the promise of security when His arms are beneath us…holding us…supporting us…strengthening us.”

Thirty years later I was lying on a dirty mattress in a concentration camp. It was pitch dark, and in that restless room, Betsie lay so close to me that I could feel her heartbeat. It was irregular and feeble. I tried to think of something comforting to say to her…and suddenly I remembered the dining room, the red and black table cloth, and Father saying in his calm voice, “Underneath are the everlasting arms.”

“Betsie, are you asleep?

“No, not yet,” she said weakly.

“Remember what Father told us, ‘God is our dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms.’”

I can’t be sure, but I believe she must have smiled in that black barracks.

“Oh, yes, Corrie, and they will never leave us.”

“The eternal God is their refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27

Prayer for Pakistan

2011-09-18T13:38:00.000-04:00

Our leader for the Pakistan outreach, Pastor Babar kamran, asked for prayer that he and his family stay healthy with the Dengue Virus going around, which is causing Dengue Fever with 33 people killed by this disease in Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan. There is also much flooding in the area.

Moved the LTW Storage Unit to TN this Week

2011-09-17T22:39:00.000-04:00

We hope to post photos soon of the storage unit to show just how much we have done this week in order to keep it all organized. It was no small job packing up all of the materials and renting a Uhaul to transport the storage to TN (in order to save money and be efficient with my planned move to NYC to lead the outreach there.) It has been a very busy week. My mother, Claudette Litz, will be handling the mailouts from the storage location now in Sevierville, TN. It is half as much financially, so I am thankful for the monthly savings in funds for LTW. I got the truck back to Atlanta last night, and I slept really well!! I am thankful the ministry locations here in Atlanta are going strong now without me, but I do hope to join the teams some time this month. I am preparing to move back to NYC to lead the outreach there, since our former leader, Christine, is now off to Japan to work as a missionary there and hopefully begin a LTW table there at some point.

This Week at Sovereign Grace Bapt. Church

2011-09-17T22:33:00.000-04:00

It was so kind of Jon Cardwell to invite me to sing and share about LTW at a pastors' conference this week in Anniston, AL, at his church, Sovereign Grace Bapt. It was a full day, as I left Atlanta around 8 A.M. and returned at 11:30 P.M. I'm thankful for my dear friendship with the Cardwells and greatly appreciate their prayers and support of our evangelism through Lighting the Way. They are hoping to eventually begin a table outreach in the Anniston area with their church.

LTW Update: Last Night in West Hollywood

2011-09-17T10:53:00.009-04:00

From Dan and West Hollywood team:

Mohammad and his friend stopped by at about midnight. We believe Mohammad was from Egypt because of his dialect. Mike started to talk with him in his native language, which caught him by surprise. We just happened to have some materials from Ministry to Muslims. After looking over them, he took some and went on to find his friends. Another man came by, and we prayed with him. I asked him if there was a time when he asked God into his life. He answered in the affirmative. I told him that the struggles in our life are meant to show us our total dependency on Him; that is the first step in a personal revival--seek His face by prayer and read His Word. He took You Are Precious In God's Eyes, and we put our email sticker on it, so he could follow up with us, if he wished. He said we would hear from him soon.

A man about seventy years of age kept walking by and looking at the signs. Eventually, he stopped and asked how he could have assurance of salvation. This began a lengthy discussion. Mike referred him to 1John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." He stated that he was under a huge burden of sin. The Lord continued to lead people to our table. Many stopped to read the signs, as they looked surprised to see us there. In one of the pictures, you will see the gay flag flying nearby. It is very touching to see some obviously under conviction who pass by several times and finally get the nerve to stop. We had an endearing conversation with such a person last night, and he was receptive to everything we told him about how to abide in God's pure love...He took several resources from our table. God revealed Himself in us tonight, as we reached the lost in West Hollywood.

A homeless man came over and told us he was hungry. Mike took him to the pizza place and bought him a couple of slices. Mike asked him if he knew the true Christ, and he answered that he was saved by the blood of Jesus. He wanted one of Dwayna's Meditate On This booklets. I spoke to a vendor near our table, and he wanted to talk about the Islamic religion. At his request, I brought him a tract which points out the difference in Islam and Christianity. After many other conversations with people God brought to us, a lady came by to encourage us in our service to the Lord. She was a graduate of a Christian university, and we appreciated her interest in missions. To God be the glory in this outreach of evangelism He began for Himself and for the glory of His pure love, as He continues to keep it unadulterated in West Hollywood, CA, alongside the gay bars.

LTW to the Smokies Update

2011-09-16T07:25:00.001-04:00

From Claudette Litz, leader
September 9, 2011

The highlight of today's conversations with people about Jesus was with two young men from India. As I introduced myself to them, I could tell they were eager to hear about the materials on the table. I showed them the book, God Almighty in the Hindi language, and one of them took it with much appreciation. As he continued to look at other books on display, his friend and I talked about how Dwayna went to India and sang in the schools there as a young girl. He listened as I told him about how this ministry was about Jesus Christ and His love for all people. We have tables like this to honor Him in Pakistan, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines, and across America. He asked for one of Dwayna's music CDs were she sings three original songs, "Wish I Could Give You Jesus," "Prayin' You Back Home," and "Give Me Jesus." They left with the DVD by Eternal Publications, God of Wonders, and the book, First Steps. Only God knows how He will use these materials in their lives. I told them He is the One who gave them these gifts, but the greatest gift He gave to all of us is His Son.

It was a beautiful day with hardly a cloud in the sky, and there were buses of tourists in the area for various events in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Most of them stopped by the outreach table. Each conversation was meaningful, from children listening to the story of Jesus using the colors in the Wordless Book, to a very sweet couple from Egypt. They took the DVDs, Countdown to Eternity and God of Wonders, and repeatedly hugged me with kisses on the cheek, as is their custom. A pastor and his family, from the 1st Baptist Church of Dixon, TN, was very complimentary of our work, and we had fun talking about their great school system, since I retired from the Williamson Co. Schools in 2007.

After receiving a call from my mother saying she thought her foot might be broken, I started packing up, and immediately a local family came over and offered to help me. All of us worked together, and they carried everything to the car for me. They will be visiting our church, and the wife is planning to be at our ladies' mission group for Bible study on Monday night.

I am reminded of a hymn about missions that I sang as a young girl at Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN:

There's surely somewhere a lowly place

In earth's harvest fields so wide

Where I may labor thro' life's short day

For Jesus the crucified

So trusting my all unto Thy care

I know Thou lovest me

I'll do Thy will with a heart sincere

I'll be what You want me to be

Claudette Litz

Little Five Points (Atlanta) at the LTW Table Last Month

2011-09-10T23:24:00.003-04:00

Anthony is doing such a great job leading the team in outreach at Little Five Points. He and a team of Christians from East Point Church set up the table outreach every other Saturday, answering questions based on the Bible from people of all ages and all walks of life. I am so thankful that the Lord had me move here to begin this outreach, and now Anthony and team are doing great leading it without me! I hope to have a more detailed update from the team to post soon. Anthony sent these recent photos last week for posting and said that the team is challenged most to reach nominal/cultural "Christians" with the Gospel --people who are actually not saved according to the Bible (but believe they are.) The team explains what it means to be a Christian, as it is a relationship with God no religion or hierarchical piety can offer. It is a relationship with Jesus, the only pure God that death could not hold...The team explains that we know this pure God through the Bible. All the sermons on CD and DVDs and tracts, articles, books and Bibles are free to anyone passing interested in turning from sin and knowing God as a Father and Jesus as a Friend.

LTW to the Smokies

2011-09-10T22:57:00.005-04:00

From Claudette Litz, leader of Lighting the Way to the Smokies
August 20, 2011

“Make me white as snow.” These are the words of a little boy whose parents brought him to my table for a free gift. After discussing the Wordless Book, which I was giving him, I asked him to repeat what I had told him about the meaning of the colors. As a five year old, he remembered the important part. He opened to the white page first and said he wanted to be made white as snow by the blood of Jesus. That is a good start for a little boy his age. All the people around the table were listening to me and to him. It was a special moment when he received applause for his explanation, which included how the gold page tells about heaven as he said, “That is where I want to go!”

Another meaningful moment today was when two ladies came by who did not speak English. The man with them explained that they were from Kentucky and were hoping I had something in Spanish to give them. I gave them a CD, two books, and the Gospel of John in Spanish. When they understood they were free, they hugged me repeatedly with much appreciation. Two young people listened as I explained about the book, Knowing Aslan, An Encounter With the Lion of Narnia by Thomas Williams. We talked about how the Lion is a picture of love, as C.S. Lewis meant for him to have the nature of God. God protects us, rescues us, fights for us, teaches us, and weeps for us. Later, they brought their parents over, and they took several sermons on CD and a New Testament. At my suggestion, several visitors took a copy of Where Do We Go From Here? Life After Death, which is published by the Radio Bible Class Ministries. One lady wanted it for herself and the others wanted to give it to friends who did not know Jesus as their Savior.

One family was eager to read the testimony of Warren Smith in his book, The Light That Was Dark. Their children are being exposed to the occult and the New Age culture. I shared several copies of Charles Stanley’s In Touch magazines with a man who was handing out gospel tracts. He was there when I arrived, so I set up my table in a spot with some distance between us. At that time, I did not know about his beliefs. He thought my table looked like a mini-Christian bookstore. As I was invited to look at his tracts, I realized he was serving the Lord in Truth, and we exchanged experiences we had in common, as we serve the Lord. He was a homeless preacher who was working each day for the Lord. When he left, he was on his way to Ashville, NC, to continue his ministry there. I gave the DVD, Countdown to Eternity, Scripture lays out mankind’s destiny in the last days! Are you prepared? to a lady who was ill and was not sure she was saved. We had prayer together. Several Christians always come over to give encouragement and appreciation for the LTW outreach. They usually ask for 101 Last Days Prophecies and 101 Scientific Facts and Foreknowledge by Eternal Publications. One couple taught Bible study classes and wanted to use them as references. A Christian school teacher asked for the DVD, God of Wonders, to use as part of her lesson plans.

As the rain came quite unexpectedly, two members of Bikers For Christ helped me pack the materials left on the table and load them into my car. Without their help and God holding back the rain, our materials would have gotten soaked. The rain became heavy, and I drove home with my headlights on, so I could see clearly remembering the words of a Child Evangelism song...

“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 our Lord
             Let’s talk about Jesus
             And live in His Word.”

Claudette Litz

LTW Update: Labor Day Weekend at Venice Beach

2011-09-10T19:37:00.001-04:00

Update from Jennifer Kim:

First off, poor Dan got to the beach at 4:45 A.M. just to find a spot for us. But because of the Labor Day weekend, all the sites had already been taken. Bless Daniel for his faithfulness and his determination!

So we ended up in front of the trash cans again, but it was actually convenient for us, because we utilized them throughout the day as we made dozens upon dozens of egg salad sandwiches for the people at the beach, as well as distributing yogurt. They were all leftovers from a conference we had at Grace Community Church.

There were a couple of outbursts that we had at the table and around us. One was with a gentleman who wore a "There is no God," T-shirt who had a yelling contest with a sister (Messianic Jew) who came to our table and wanted to proclaim the gospel on the boardwalk. At first I was a little nervous about what she would say to the people all around us, but it turned out that she seemed to have an accurate knowledge of the gospel and the Bible! Then this gentleman came up with her with his T-shirt and the first thing she said to him in a loud voice was, "The Bible says that those who say there is no God are fools!" The confrontation between the two then started. After a bit, Daniel was able to talk to that gentleman and calm him down.

Not many people came to the table, but I was encouraged by the few that did who seemed to really take an interest in the pamphlets that were on the table and took a few with them.

Mike also displayed incredible patience with a man named Ken who talked non-stop for an hour about his interpretation of who Jesus was, backing up his arguments with theology from various religions. It was hard for me to hear him and to see how Ken would not let Mike have a word in edgewise.

[We continue to be reminded that we are rewarded for our labor as "Christians" with an anomalous "Christian table" at the pagan Venice Beach, and we thank God for allowing us to represent Him there. The results are up to God, not us, as we are faithful to tell the people what the Bible teaches about salvation and knowing Jesus in His love.]

Gladness!

2011-09-10T18:31:00.003-04:00

"I have set the Lord always before me
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices
My flesh also will rest in hope."

Psalm 16:8-9

Thank You

2011-09-10T12:07:00.000-04:00

I got back to Atlanta Thursday, and it has been non-stop. I want to sincerely THANK EVERYONE who has made donations to Lighting the Way. I don't have time to thank people individually now, but I went to the P.O. Box today and was humbled by the contributions. We need every penny with the moving expenses. I will be packing up the storage unit tomorrow to move it to TN (driving a U-haul truck roundtrip there), preparing for my move to NYC. Every penny is needed and much appreciated! May the Lord be glorified through this transition and in every area of our lives as we live for Him and tell others about Jesus through the outreach locations of LTW.