this is great, if you think God can't use you just remember

my buddy brad recently put a posting up on his blog http://www.reachscottsdale.com that i thought was great...

when you think you can't be used by God because of who you are remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious and killed christians
Timothy had an ulcer…
AND
Lazarus was dead!

What do you have that’s worse than that? So no more excuses!
God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren’t the message,you are just the messenger.

one of my favorite passages of scripture!!!

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” - Ephesians 2:4-8

if there was 1 scripture that has always reminded me of what i have, who i am, and who i belong to, it would have to be eph 2:4-8...all i can say is God loves people, regardless if they are of another faith, if they have murdered someone, if the are horrible parents, if they are homosexual, if they are preachers who judge, God simply loves us...and i am glad for it. one of the hardest things in the world to do is to love unloving people, good news is it is possible. we are commanded in the Bible to "love thy neighbor as thyself." God never tells us to do something impossible. if God tells us to do something, it is possible to do. God expects us to love others. so on the flip side i can put my faith in what God has given me, His love...it's so easy to love like he loves if we let him love through us...i can actually love people of other faiths, murderers, bad parents, homosexuals, and preachers who judge...i can love people, i do love people because God through me loves people...

just reminding myself of how much he loves me...

peace

another unknown worship guy...

here is another worship leader i randomly
found on itunes by doing a search for
"here am i send me", after listening i
liked what i heard...he is a completely
unknown however his music gets you...
check him out...

mattpapa.com
http://www.myspace.com/mattpapa

my new favorite worship leader

ok, so i am always looking for new worship leaders for new and old songs, and in some chance i might find someone that gets it...a worship leader that has a real passion for ministry and the people he is leading...for the last several months i kept hearing about this guy named jason upton ...not by one person but several people.  i, of course, am so on it all the time.  so i immediately looked him up ummm, well, not really!!!  actually i forgot about him and i was reminded once again of his ministry and worship albums this past weekend while visiting home NC...so, yes i finally took the plunge, made the effort, made the journey up the mountain, i got crazy, i did this amazing thing called a google search for jason upton.  yes i know, intense yet intriguing.  i also did a search for him on youtube and godtube and found some great footage of live events he has done.  after watching several videos i became instantly became a fan, and now have gotten several songs off of itunes.

ok so here's the deal...this guy can get really intense, almost weird at times so be ready for it...BUT, i can't help but be drawn to his REAL passion for leading people into the presence of God, it isn't a show and of course he has a great voice...below are a couple of links to get you started...here you go...

   

father of the fatherless

http://www.1200ftbelowsealevel.com 

http://www.jasonupton.net

peace 

seeya

this is long, always enjoy apologetics

this is a pretty long but good read if your into apologetics...i mostly just put this on here because i didn't want to forget the link and or what it was saying...and i wanted to show everyone that christian are superior to all other relgions :) just kidding...well, we are more awesome than all others...i must say!!!!!

got this from http://www.atsmail.org/ a christian tracts company. i talked to a representive there and thought there site was good. below is a very long read but i thought it was good...

Is the Bible a trustworthy, supernatural book? Or is it an antiquated collection of folk tales and superstitions?
Many people reject the Bible, dismissing it as full of errors and therefore unreliable. So they ignore its message and say it has no relevance for them.
Is there any evidence to back up the claims that the Scriptures are true? Suppose you were in a court of law where the Bible was on trial. Could a defense attorney bring forth any evidence to support the view that the Bible is reliable? Actually, there are a number of pieces of evidence that can be examined. Here are several.

Evidence from Prophecy
No book other than the Bible has ever given precise predictions of future events (prophecies) hundreds of years in advance, predictions that were fulfilled exactly. Far from vague generalities or general guesses like those given by fortunetellers, the prophecies in Scripture contain explicit details which no human could possibly devise on his own. Imagine trying to come up with the name, ancestry, birthplace, and kind of death for a person who would be born in AD 2800. That would be humanly impossible! Only God could make such predictions and see them carried out perfectly. But that is exactly what we have in the Bible. Jesus’ identity, name, birthplace, triumphal entry, betrayal, suffering, death, and burial—all were foretold in the Old Testament seven hundred years before He was born.
If only 48 prophecies about a person were fulfilled, the odds would be 1 in 10157. That’s a one followed by 157 zeros! And Jesus fulfilled more than 300 prophecies!
God’s prophets also predicted the downfall of many nations—Ammon, Edom, Moab, Philistia—and cities such as Babylon and Nineveh.
About 150 years before Cyrus, king of Persia, was born, Isaiah predicted his birth, gave his name, and told that he would release the Jews from captivity (Isaiah 44:28). And Josiah, one of Judah’s kings, was named 300 years before he was born (1 Kings 13:2). Only God could have revealed these facts, a clear indication of the supernatural nature of the Bible.
Prophecy, then, stands up in court as a strong witness that the Bible is true!

Evidence from Archaeology
Critics have questioned many of the Bible’s historical statements. Yet archaeological discoveries in recent decades have turned up evidence that proves them wrong.
For example, the Bible refers to the Hittite people 36 times. Since no record outside the Bible had affirmed their existence, objectors said the Bible couldn’t be trusted. However, excavations in Turkey have now shown that the Hittite Empire was extensive.
The Ebla tablets, discovered in Syria in the 1960s, include the names of Ur, Sodom, and Gomorrah, cities that Bible opponents said did not exist. These tablets also dispel the notion that since writing was not practiced in the 1400s B.C., Moses could not have written the first five books of the Bible. Yet these tablets were written about a thousand years before Moses! The Bible’s references to the many Assyrian kings are accurate. Archaeologists have uncovered Assyrian artifacts that record the names of all these kings. Certain customs recorded in Genesis are also noted in the Nuzi tablets found in present-day Iraq.
So again and again archaeology gives strong court evidence that disproves the claims of the plaintiffs of the Bible.

Evidence from Impact
Read the Muslim Koran, the scriptures of Hinduism, or the writings of Buddhism, and you will find no satisfactory answers to the questions: Where did the universe come from? How did the human race originate? What is wrong with the world? Why is there suffering in the world? What is the answer to people’s sense of guilt? How can people live upright lives? What will happen to the world? Only the Bible answers these questions. Only the Bible gives an answer to people’s grief, loneliness, sadness, bitterness, and hatred. Only the Bible tells what is wrong with the human heart and gives a solution. Unlike any book written by a mere human, the Bible can transform people’s lives, make people good inside, and give them peace, forgive- ness, and purpose.
Countless numbers of people through the centuries have been rescued from despair, despondence, and distress by the message of the Bible. This book has given hope to the spiritually hopeless, life to the spiritually dead, deliverance to the spiritually enslaved. No other book in the world can make such a claim.

Evidence from Science
Does the Bible have scientific errors? Many people think so. But the Bible is accurate when it addresses various aspects of science. Take water, for example. It evaporates from the ocean, collects in clouds, and falls on the earth as rain or snow. This cycle accords with what the Bible says in Job 26:8; 36:27-28; and Ecclesiastes 1:7. But for centuries scientists did not understand this phenomenon.
Up until only a few centuries ago people believed the earth was flat, but several hundred years before Christ Isaiah wrote of the circular shape of the earth (Isaiah 40:22). And centuries before that, Job had said that the earth is suspended on nothing (Job 26:7). In 1628 William Harvey discovered the circulation of blood in the body. Yet long before that, the Bible recorded the fact that the life of living beings is sustained by their blood (Leviticus 17:11).
Here stands yet more evidence for the defense of the Bible.

The Defense Rests Its Case
Prophecy, archaeology, impact, and science—this huge body of evidence gives testimony that the Bible is God’s reliable truth. If the Bible has mistakes in history, science, or geography, we might wonder if it is reliable when it discusses spiritual subjects. But because it is trustworthy in physical matters, it is also dependable in religious issues.
The Bible’s central message focuses on the problem of sin—and God’s answer. Jesus died on the cross to deal with sin. In fact, He carried our sins on the cross so that we may have salvation by trusting in Him as our Savior. Because the Bible is trustworthy, Jesus Christ can be trusted. He said, “I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6). That is, He is the way to God, He is trustworthy and true, and He offers us spiritual life. By trusting in Him, you, like millions of others throughout history, can find salvation and peace in Christ.

Here’s how to become a Christian:
1. Acknowledge that you are a sinner who God love dearly and wants a relationship with you!
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
2. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and was resurrected.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Christ died for our sins...he was buried...[and] was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
3. Turn in faith to Jesus Christ by praying a prayer like this:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am sinful and I need your forgiveness. I believe that You died and rose again to pay the penalty for my sin. I now receive You as my Savior. Please forgive me and give me eternal life. Amen.

Written Roy B. Zuck

In Your Face Evangelism, Does it work?

first of all let me say that i am always for getting people saved any way possible and i might even get flamed for saying that but if interested read this link first. it might mean more to you regarding why i am posting. i read today of some big named preachers promoting soul winning camps that show how you can go out and just be in peoples face with the real truth of their situation. i have heard them say that some of their tactics are very upfront and don’t pull many punches. they often claim that they just walk up to people on the street and ask them do you want to go to heaven or hell. they claim that some walk away and some respond. here is my problem with this type of evangelism.

this method is designd for people who are identical with these preachers personalities. it really is a personality driven approach. the reason these guys can stand on a bench in the middle of town square is they were given that type of personality from God. it is a blessing to have, but not everyone has that. the real problem I have is that, they often look at people who don’t do this , like they are spiritually broken. if you don’t get aggressive in your approach than something is wrong with you. if you don’t have 100 bible studies a week your sinning, more on this later...sorry so long for not posting

mr. president

pretty good song. i sit a listen sometimes to try and get the bottom line out of a song...i take away from this song a since of care for our leaders in government...why in the world would anybody want to be the president of the united states? especially right now!?! i do feel like there is a mess to clean up in washington and whether obama or mccain is elected i am praying for them and hope the right man gets in...and sorry democrats sometimes the right man is a republican...sorry republicans sometimes its a democrat, either way it's not my job, as a christian, to be angry either way, rather it's my job to pray for my leadership and this song reminds me to do that...anyways i thought this was a pretty good song and wanted to share it...

McBama 08

seeya in a few days

uh...this is true!!!

here is a video with ed gungor, a pastor in tulsa ok, articulating reaching people in a very understandable way...even practicle. this was a very simply put and very well said. i related with about everything he said and thank God i realize now that full time ministry isn't getting a paycheck from a church or a ministry, rather full time ministry is a way of life. it's what i am not what i do...i have worked for churches. i have worked for ministries. i have been paid extremely well and have been paid very little for my work "in the ministry" but when it comes down to it working with a bunch of christians in a christian environment, talking about christian stuff is not minisry!!! yes you can minister in those environments of course but just because i work "in ministry" doesn't mean i am in full time ministry. ministry is serving people, sharing the gospel, helping those in need...whether someone is paid for it or not doesn't dictate it. well put ed, well put!

all i got for now...peace!

i love to see this...there really is nothing better

so uh some friend of mine...well, acquantinces that i have known for a long time recently sent me an update on there website that i thought was really challenging and rewarding to see. the site is http://www.globalventures.tv and there names are john and martine smithwick . they are relentless at going to unreached nations and i love it. i was recently asked by them if they could use some of my songs about "reaching people" for an upcoming reality show that shows real life evangelism and of COURSE i said yes. it's why i wrote the songs...i was super blessed by some of the videos that had on there new globalventures.tv page and wanted to share it with you as well...i sat and watched a few of them with tears in my eyes watching people come to jesus. man! it really is the best thing to see. when 1 person comes to jesus man all of heaven rejoices. when someone who doesn't have any hope of hearing the gospel because they are unreached and someone like john goes i have to sit back and ask myself how can i help? what can i do to further the gospel...i hope the video below touches your heart like it did mine...



peace seeya next time!

thoughts from a fallen champ

most of you know how mush of a crazy MMA or mixed martial arts fan i am...one of the best was found dead last week while on a desert excursion all by his self...this is a link to a news page that talks about it...he was a former UFC middle weight champ, and i was surprised at some of the things he said in this video that was filmed a few weeks before his death...

back in the studio

finally back in the studio. i am recording 4 "full productions" songs. at this point i am really happy with the way things are coming out. and it is going very fast where as before it took, it seemed, forever to get something done...not only that but the songs seem better and more thought out than before...the songs just seem better. i think the biggest thing is i am not going into it blind like before. i knew what to expect therefore it has made it easier to get things done quicker. i am really excited about the songs i am doing and i can't wait for you guys to here what we have been working on. for the most part most will know 3 of the songs because we do them at church, but to hear them with full production on a cd is exciting to me...i will probably make this small project some sort of an EP and send it off to some labels, you know, see what happens. either way i am glad to be recording again.

peace out

like a good neighbor

ok so i haven't posted in awhile...and i realize that you can get busy and not make it a priority. not that posting on a blog is a huge priority but i do enjoy it and wanted to get going again...the whole reason i started this blog was to keep myself accountable and to share my walking out of witnessing to people...you know, talk about telling people about jesus without reservations!!!

so the other night i had to get something out of my car around 1030 at night. this would be a walk to my car that would open up a door, uh not a car door...wow that was stupid, ok nevermind, anyways... it would be a walk to my car that would mean more than getting something. so my neighbor who we've known since we lived where we live was sitting outside taking a late night smoke and of course i said hello as normal...got what i needed to get out of my car, walked past her again, and again said the normal seeya...then the door opened wide, somehow a question was raised about my church and next thing you know i am sharing the gospel with her...i was simply talking to her about jesus taking our place, and that God is not mad at us...as i was just getting done sharing 2 other neighbors showed up and interupted (not on purpose) the conversation...because of it i really had no way of praying with her at the moment. although tonay and i would have made a it a point to finish that conversation, pray with her...none the less my neighbor asked about our church. i gave her the information and went back home...

sunday rolled around and incomes my neighbor and her daughter who is 6 years old. my wife pulled her in and had her sit next to her during service...long story short mark one of my pastors gave an invitation to receive jesus at the end of the message...my neighbor raised her hand and prayed the prayer...prayed the prayer of salvation...yes she in fact asked jesus to come into her heart!!! this my friends made so happy because we have been planting and watering "if you will" for months and to see it walked out on sunday was really a wonderful thing...my neighbors for the most part know why we are in scottsdale and why we moved here...so 1 by 1 they are hearing about why i am here and who i believe in...thank God he is faithful...

below is one of my favorite hymns and i have always loved singing it. this whole thing with my neighbor reminds me so much of this song and how jesus paid it all...seeya next time...

man what a sobering message...

if you can watch the whole thing it will definitely remind us of the work ahead of us as the church. i am so inspired about reaching people. hearing this message i am reminded of how much i love to see the lost, those who don't know jesus, reached. at the end of my life i want to say that i lived to see this world reached with the gospel...what a great and wonderful job we have!

just found this interesting read, hmm might be an idea

found this article surfing the internet and thought it was interesting. sounds like we might need to revisit this idea. although it didn't bring the results they intended it's still something we should always be pursuing, reaching people with the gospel, bringing people to jesus! take a read...

In 1972, Campus Crusade for Christ had a huge evangelistic conference in Dallas, TX called Explo ‘72. Attendees were equipped and sent home with the vision of sharing the Gospel with every person in the United States of America by 1976. Though it did not happen, the campaign did “reach” millions with the Gospel.

Phase One of the project was to wear buttons and have billboards and newspaper advertisements that read: “I Found It!” (’it’ meaning eternal life). Phase Two involved trained volunteers making millions of evangelistic telephone calls. Those who prayed with the volunteers, were “visited by the volunteers, given follow-up literature, and encouraged to join a Bible study group in their neighborhood.”

By the end of 1976, 6.5 million people had been contacted, and 536,824 people had indicated they trusted Christ for salvation (60,000 of those joining the neighborhood Bible study group). It was estimated that 50 million people saw the television special that went along with the campaign! Amazing stats...seemed quite effective at “reaching” the United States with the Gospel.

“Though the campaign’s statistics seemed, good, the campaign drew criticism from experts on church growth. Win Arn noted that few of the converts actually joined local churches. For example, in Edmonton, Canada, 1,700 workers from 63 participating churches recorded 1,009 decisions for Christ. Only 250 of those people actually attended one Bible study, and not a single person became a church member as a result of the campaign. In Indianapolis 823 volunteer made 28,976 telephone calls. These calls produced 1,665 decisions for Christ. However, only 242 attended a Bible study, and only 55 became church members. Of these, 23 were transfers from another church. Therefore, the net gain in membership in area churches was 32”

Now this is singin!!!