getting on the Romans road

I’ve been taught that using the Romans road to salvation was the best way to evangelize to someone. Well, I was talking to an old childhood friend recently about salvation. As kids and teenagers we were inseparable, even went to the same church growing up. I started out by explaining things with the Romans verses as I was shown; about how we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and how Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, and everything I could think of.

But as I was explaining things I realized by the look on his face that he wasn't wanting to hear this. I began to realize that it doesn’t matter what the Bible says unless the person first believes the Bible is God’s Word. The Bible is seen by many people as just an old outdated and dusty book that religious people read. Or maybe it is thought of as a rule book, or something people grab “positive” ideas from. But unless a person looks at scripture as truly being God-breathed, it is useless quoting it to them. They will just roll their eyes at you and want you to shut up.

So, I asked my friend, “Do you believe the Bible is God’s Word?” He said yes.

So, I said to him, “If you believe it is God’s word, then you have to believe what it says, otherwise you are calling God a liar.”

He said I made a good point! So, from there, I was able to go down the Romans road and to share what God’s word actually says about our sin condition, how we are all sinners, and how being "good" or being "spiritual" isn’t going to get us to heaven, but that it is a gift that Jesus died to give us when we place our faith in what He did, and how Jesus said He is the ONLY way to the Father. I shared what a person must do (believe) to be saved.

I found it much easier to share scripture by starting out with the premise that the Bible IS God word, and it is the TRUTH. Without that truth to stand on, the Bible just becomes a meaningless book of poetry and stories, with a lot of drama and adventure, and some crazy imagery thrown in.

My friend didn’t get saved that day, but I was able to put forth God's Word to listening ears.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 4:25
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Acts 16:31
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

2 Corinthians 6:1
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Listen, God is speaking to YOU!

my new best friend, and other oddities

I got an Urban Rebounder today. It is so cool!! It bounces better than my old cheap one, and I am anxious to lose the few pounds I put on over Christmas break. I will be doing that instead of taking a trip to the tornado ravished areas of Alabama to work with Samaritan's Purse. Oh well, maybe next time...

I've been really emotional and bummed out lately, so I thought a few funny pictures would cheer me up. So here they are for all internet eternity...haha.

It was Crazy Hat night at CBC last night. Here's the hat I made with Ben's help.It went well with my Rocket Dog shoes!

This is the crazy hat that Ben and I made for him. I know he doesn't look too thrilled but we did have fun making them.

Jennifer, Isaac, and Ben all set for CBC

Kyle and his friend at GBC. Sweet....

Kyle wearing someone else's hat (no, it is not his gf)Look at those straight teeth!

Ryan having a lot of fun playing in the snow at GBC.

Here are a few current pictures of Ethan.

So, there you have it....

some dinner pics

I got some pics from the 10 year celebration dinner so thought I'd post some of them of our fam.

Kyle reading this thing that I liked(I know it is a crumby picture, but sadly, it is the only one I have)“A pastor is one who has taken up God’s calling to learn in depth about scriptural meaning, in order to teach others. A pastor could also be called a shepherd, one who leads us in the ways of the Lord. A good shepherd watches over his flock, concerning himself with any who go astray. Many times a pastor is held to higher standards than we hold ourselves, which is not what the Bible teaches. A pastor gives up himself and sacrifices time with his immediate family for the good of us, his extended church family. He tries to keep us together and focused on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A pastor tries at all times to set an example of how Jesus taught us to live our lives and how we should treat others.” ~David Ashely

Darryl, the tech guy (as I said before, without his help, the night would have been a disaster)Our table (why is everyone else smiling and I'm serious with my eyes shut? Was I praying?)A video greeting from the Tommee Profitt Band, and the awesome slide show.Isaac and RyanRyan singing "Thank You For Giving to the Lord" with PowerPoint.Pastor Karl and I after the gift presentation...phew!Hectic night. Nice memories....

saying bfn

I had to say goodbye to my beautiful boys today as they head back to Grace Bible College. I try to comfort myself with the fact that I know they need to be there to gain knowledge, and to help them prepare to follow God's will for their lives. I love them so much and I so enjoyed having them here for the past month. I know they will be OK!

As for me, I plan to keep myself busy with one project or another. Think we will do some redecorating/remodeling.

Keep them safe God, physically and emotionally.

saying goodbye, and last minute hugs"what have I forgotten?""trying to pack here, Mom"one last pic with Dad

Life is like a yoyo

Kyle and I spent yesterday at church. He recorded a yoyo vid with the pews in the background, so it should be pretty stinking cool when he gets it done!

I was glad Kyle got to help with CBC once before he goes back to GBC. He had a very fun time with the kids, and even ended up being part of the Bible lesson with his yoyo.

fun Christmas pics

It's time to take our tree down so I thought we'd better hurry and get a picture before we do it. And I had to memorialize our crazy stairway. I think if you don't know how to decorate in the traditional sense it's ok to go overboard with wackiness....so that's what I did.



That's a wrap.

Bethlehem

Ryan and Kyle did Theocracy's song Bethlehem at church yesterday. I was so excited that they got to do it, since I always thought this would make a great Christmas song!

Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

Happy birthday, Ben

I made cupcakes for Ben's late birthday celebration. Had fun making the "fretzel" toppings.


Darryl, the boys, and I had such a nice evening at Russ and Robin's last night! Happy to share Ben's birthday with Pastor Karl and Jenn.

Dinner was great, lots of laughter, singing, and a little tackling. Next time maybe I need to wear a helmet. hehe j/k

home-sewn stuffed animals

Kyle pulled these cute little critters out of a closet today. I made these when the boys were little. Haha... I can't believe how adorable they are. Can't believe I used to sew so much!! Maybe I'll get back into it some day. I used to like making my own stuff: clothes, curtains, slipcovers, stuff for kids.

Ok, so here we have a frog, teddy bear, snake and a dog, all sitting on top of a sleeping bag. Aw come on. Tell me you're not smiling.

one decade later...

edited...Well, at long last it is over and I can take a deep breath and relax, which is exactly what I did today. Maybe you could call it collapsing!! lol Anyone who knows me knows I've been consumed for the past couple of months planning this super surprise event for my awesome pastor. Think everything went well and it was a great night. So happy that it all came together at the last minute. But now that it's technically in the past, I can get back to my normal life. House needs to be cleaned, take down tree and decorations, laundry needs to be done, need to make beef jerky, take Kyle for haircut, make almond butter, make granola bars, and bread, make Mexican Lasagna, and whatever else I've been putting on hold.

Me giving a little speech... haha! I was nervous, but glad I got my words out without stumbling too much!
Pastor Mark
Pastor Karl and Joe
Gen Y Presentation
Some awesome kids doing a little thing called "My Pastor is:_____"
Ryan singing Ray Boltz's song "Thank You For Giving To The Lord". He did a fantastic job, and I loved having the folks join in with the singing!! Very touching. (Glad Darryl was there to handle all the tech stuff. The slide show would not have happened if he hadn't helped out so much!)

Awesome Pastor :)
Feel utterly stupid for not getting at least one picture of Kyle when he was reading. Sorry Kyle.

And I forgot to record Ryan's song. =(

Goodbye 2011

I am happy to say goodbye to 2011. Looking forward to changes this year. Not sure what they are yet, but I welcome the change. That's one thing good about coming to the end of a year, it forces me to take a look at things. Ask myself if I want to keep doing things the way I have been. Ask myself if it's been worth it. Ask God what things need to change. I think these past couple of months have been quite an eye-opener for me.

So anyway, last night we celebrated the New Year at Grace Church like we did last year. It is nice to be invited somewhere, even if it is at my old church! It is better than staying home! I know Darryl and the boys had a great time and had a chance to reconnect with friends, so that was good.