A "Smash" Hit for Evangelism

I was watching a show last night on NBC called "Smash." The premise of the show is to follow the characters who are involved in some form or fashion with the making of a Broadway Musical. Lots of singing and dancing and of course, drama.
I have a background in drama. I have written a play that has been performed over a dozen times (though not on Broadway just yet) and I have been fortunate to be producer, director and actor in many others. I love singing and I love acting, as sometimes the part allows me to be the real cut-up that I am. So naturally, this TV show has held my interest.
There are things that have happened so far this season that I do not like. There is a homosexual man who went on a date and they have been shown kissing and embracing, and lying in bed either covered or clothed. I'm not a homophobe, but in the bible God says it is wrong, so it is wrong. Period. see Leviticus 18:22
There have also been some other situations, such as one of the writers who is married having an affair with one of the actors who is married. Last night it was brought to an end, with both deciding that their marriages were worth more. I applaud the writers for showing how an affair can hurt relationships, and from the previews of next weeks episode, I think there is more fallout to come from this even though it is over.
Sooooo ... by now you're thinking, "Pastor, why do you watch such shows?"
Well, good question.
#1 ... I still love watching quality talent in singing and acting.
#2 ... Sometimes you can still learn something that can help you reach the world today.
Our world is so different today than it used to be. There are a lot more situations in the world that are dragging it downward. Internet porn, hatred against another man because of his religion, open homosexuality and sanctioning of their marriages among many others.
A lot of it I don't understand. But some of it I do.
I have a very colorful history in my past. I have been many places and done many things that I definitely am not proud of. But it has allowed me to understand what some people are going through in their lives.
I used to drink quite a bit, (though I was never a mean drunk, thank goodness), I had a love of drugs, especially "uppers" and marijuana. I also lived with two lesbians for quite some time and have several convictions on my record, both here and abroad. I've ridden with motorcycle gangs and the Buncombe county sheriff dept recognizes my name.
I'm not proud of this, but it has given me a perspective that many others simply don't have. People want to reach others who are not saved. But often times we try to reach them with the way that we would try to reach any other person who was brought up in church.
So many times you see the words, "Jesus Saves" written on churches, billboards and signs across our land. Yet this is probably the poorest excuse at an attempt of witnessing that can be done. People look at that and it means nothing. Jesus Saves. SO WHAT! I do when I shop at most larger chain stores, or at least that is what they tell me on the receipt. So to the world this is useless, Jesus saves, they save, their situation around them is no better. Big whoop.
When people see druggies, prostitutes and homosexuals they want to bash them. If you constantly get in someone's face and tell them how bad they are, the only thing they probably want to do is either walk away or bash your face in. And truthfully, I don't blame them. If anyone had gotten in my face like I've seen others do who are "witnessing", I probably would still be doing some really hard time.
Read the four gospels in the bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and watch how Jesus handled communicating with these people. He sat down and talked with them. Had meals with them. The only part of the confrontation in that situation was the religious "Do-Gooder's" who didn't get what Jesus was up to.
I'm not saying go out and whore yourself, shoot up some coke, or smoke a substance, but I am saying at least learn what makes these people tick. If you don't understand their way of thinking, read. Watch some shows that accurately portray that situation. Do more than just watch what is happening on the screen. Listen to what they are saying. Realize what makes them tick. Then you'll know what you can say to them to make them change their mind.
And if you've been there, go back. I walk up to some old buddies and something usually gets pulled out of their pocket and offered to me. Then I tell them about another high that I've found, that is everlasting and won't land them in jail. Some people say, "well, I could never go back around that crowd, the temptation would be too much." Okay, you're either a new Christian, which you do need to take some time to grow in your faith, or you've turned into a Sunday Christian and you have no solid substance to your beliefs that you espouse in your Sunday School class or Small Group study.
Grow Up! Grow Strong, then go back and share with the world how they can change their lives. Those people will remember you from back then, and hopefully see the change in you now, and they will want what you have. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
And if you don't know about that situation, but have a desire to reach out to them, not just bash them, then learn where they are coming from. Read, watch and observe. Sit and talk to them. Get to know them. Find out what lead them to the place where they are now. THEN you will have opportunities to witness to them.
Then you can reach people for Christ.
One World changed by reaching One Person at a time. That is how evangelism can be done every day.

(10) Baptism is referred to as "branding."

(10) Baptism is referred to as "branding."
(12) Finding and returning lost sheep is not just a parable.

I’ve never worked on a farm or ranch, but as I understand it, you “brand” your livestock with whatever emblem is custom to you so that everyone will know that the particular animal belongs to you. That way if it wanders off of your property, the person who finds it can return it to its rightful owner.

Unfortunately, there are also people who wish to steal what isn’t theirs and keep it for themselves. As long as they need to property to stay alive, they always run the risk of someone finding out that the item isn’t theirs. When they are finished with the item, they dispose of it where no one can discover their secret. For an animal, a thief could simply “skin” the critter and the branding would be gone, plus they could provide themselves with food for a short period.

Satan is like this thief. I mentioned in an earlier blog about people who are “backslid.” These are Christians who for whatever reason let themselves be used by Satan for his purposes, which is to keep them from doing anything that might glorify God. He’ll use them to get others to trip and stumble also. But then when they are “used up,” he will toss them away, possibly “skinning” them, i.e. fatal effects from unsafe sex with multiple partners, drug use, alcoholism. He delights in watching them curse God and walk away as their lives diminish and they soon perish. Then he moves on to the next victim that he can find.

Ranchers often use fences and dogs to protect their livestock. The herd will hide behind the protecting animal in an attempt to hopefully stay safe. We as Christians need to do the same. We need to put God before us and let Him fight for us. He is all powerful, all knowing and He is capable of a lot more than what we are. We shouldn’t run in front of God exclaiming, “I can fight my own battles!” We usually wind up quite wounded and retreating hopefully instead of being devoured.

So if you are “branded” as a Christian, let your Shepherd do His job. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have battles or problems. But you will have someone who can help you succeed and defeat the enemy of the situation!
In celebration of Independence Day which is celebrated in the US on July the 4th of each year, Monday's blog will be on a related subject. Number 11 in this series will continue on the 6th of July.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU'RE A WINNER!!!

Congratulations! You’ve won!

Isn’t this what we would all love to hear? Publishers Clearing House standing at our door. That guy with the balloons and the oversized check, and our faces frozen in exclamation at the idea of winning a sum of 7 figures or more.

Wanna know a secret how to be guaranteed to win?

Nissi. It means “Standard of Victory.”

When the camera crew and everyone else are on your front lawn and your neighbors are calling to let you know that you’ve got company, then you can be pretty sure that if it isn’t the SWAT team, you’re in luck today. That would be your Nissi. Your standard of victory.

Why do I say that? Because that is what we use to measure success. Wealth. And millions of dollars certainly seems like success to us. (unless you robbed someone to gain that, then shame on you (no politicians, that doesn’t exclude you if your conscience is suddenly screaming.)

How should Christians measure success? Ultimate success is making it to Heaven, and receiving your rewards (should you get any…. Another blog, another day).

But success can be measured here on earth too. Were you able to get thru that test in school today? Were you able to complete your assignment at work that needed to be done for the boss? Were you able to get all of the laundry done and the house cleaned, even though it didn’t seem as though there was time enough to complete the tasks?

That is success! Success is also measured in:

Staying sober for one more day, whether it be from alcohol, drugs or whatever.

Being able to gain your mobility back through therapies.

Stopping yourself before you commit suicide or kill someone/something else.

Keeping yourself from committing any sin, whether it be eating too much, lusting after what someone else has (including their possessions, wife, husband), or a host of other things that we shouldn’t do.

Success! Even though you may sometimes feel like a failure. Success! God knows you are a sinner. He has told us all so! In His word. But how many of us have read His word? The Bible! Start taking time to actually read His words. Quit taking your pastors sermon as a substitute. Start your “fact checking” today! You’ll discover so many people who seemed like failures, so many who seemed as though they would be doomed. Yet they became a success in God’s eyes.

Read ‘em and weep! The tears will bring a cleansing and renewing inside of you and you can begin your road to success.

(next blog…. Hello!?! Is Anybody Here?!?)

The Sleeping Giant Gets a Wake Up Call

What started out as being a way of life for me became how I didn’t want to live my life. I started working in the cotton mill when I was 16, cleaning the air units for the different floors, and turning pic clocks on Sundays. Mom insisted that I take the job, and after I found out that I would be working on Sunday mornings, I didn’t argue. Finally, a break from having to listen to the same things I had been taught all my life. Or had I? If I had been taught, then wouldn’t I have a better understanding of what Christianity meant? Some would say yes. I probably would agree, especially now that I have thought more closely about it.

For 2 years I enjoyed having at least one service that I didn’t have to attend. Besides, Sunday nights were usually more casual, and I didn’t have to dress up to go then. But I was still expected to attend every service when I wasn’t working. I lived with my mom and grandparents, and as long as I lived under their roof, so be it.

I couldn’t wait to escape to the next level; Not having to attend at all.

When I was a senior in high school, the pastor talked me into taking a day off from work near graduation, and participating in “Youth Day” at the church. The youth of the church would take over all of the responsibilities for a Sunday, and usually a Senior would be the one to deliver the sermon. Guess who was picked? 3 Guesses and the first 4 don’t count!

After the service, the preacher walked up to me and said, “You’ve found your calling. You’ll make a fine preacher one day.”

“Oh my gosh, get me outta here,” was all I could think. Church people … Jesus Freaks … Stuff Shirt Preachers … HELP!

I graduated from High School, and turned down a scholarship and went in the Army. I wanted to be as far away from home as I could be. I succeeded. West Germany would be my home for the next 2 years. I was happy, with very little complaints.

I moved up in rank as I became eligible, but I was injured while on maneuvers, and so I was discharged on an Honorable, Service Connected Disability discharge.

The back injury brought a lot of pain, but it posed no problem, as I knew how to deal with the pain. Alcohol was cheap, Drugs were easily obtained while I was in service. When I got out, I found out that the same was true in civilian life. People who sat beside me in church were the same ones sitting beside me now that I was back home getting drunk, stoned or a raucous combination. And we wonder why the “outside” people view us as hypocrite’s?

(Next segment: Not only is my view of Christianity getting turned upside down, but I’m now dizzy from it spinning!)