Journal: Acts

Here is my very delayed posting of a journal entry as I read through the book of Acts:

Acts 20:17-38

This passage points out the example of Paul teaching everything God had commanded – he didn’t sugar coat or skim over certain “tough” teachings.  He taught it all and with grace.  Do I do this?  Not as much as I should I’m sure.  Paul talks about not having any responsibility for any blood being shed, referring to Ezekiel 33:1-6 where a watchman is appointed over a city and if he sounds the trumpet of warning (the Gospel) then the people who hear it and don’t receive it have their own blood on their hands.  But if the watchman does not sound the trumpet and people die because of their iniquity, then their blood is on the watchman’s hands for not warning them when he had the chance.  This is Paul’s example, saying that he has sounded the trumpet and that once he dies, that no blood should be upon him because he proclaimed the whole gospel and taught what God commanded him to teach; all of it. 

If we are teachers of God’s Word, would we handle it with care, so as not to mislead or turn away people from God’s grace; on the flip side, may we handle it with integrity, communicating the bad news as well as the good news, for it is the fact that there is bad news that makes the good news so incredibly and scandalously great.  With the balance of care and integrity in mind, as well as grace and truth, would we be good watchman who, like Paul, will not have any blood on our hands because we always alert those around us to the death and danger that awaits them without Jesus Christ as their Savior. 

To those who are skeptics, thanks for being so.  Your questions will cause others, and, hopefully yourself, to seek truth.  Be a true truth seeker, really look into the claims of Christ, and I don’t think you will be disappointed.  Please inquire with comments or questions as you wish.

Quick Ministry Update

The last 3 months I have been living in Spring Valley, working here and there in the school system as a substitute teacher and an aide, and raising support for my full-time job as a campus minister on the campuses of Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru).  God has graciously brought in 1/3 of the support needed to work on campus and bring the good news of Jesus Christ to lost college students.  While this time has been filled with high highs and low lows, I am battling on as I trust God to provide the resources needed for His work through His people.  It hasn't been easy, but it's so worth it, and no doubt God always does something good in our lives through the driest and hardest times of our lives.  Here are some student comments from a recent Fall Retreat that the Twin Cities Metro Area Cru took:

Anoka-Ramsey Community College student – “I finally surrendered all of myself to God this weekend.”

Anoka-Ramsey Community College student – “I was nervous coming because I didn’t know anyone very well.  I was able to open up to a group of people and they helped me to be able to finally forgive a guy who had really hurt my girlfriend.”

Normandale Community College student – “Really got set on fire here.  Good teaching, man, that’s exactly what I needed this weekend.”

University of Minnesota freshmen – “God’s been laying it on my heart that we don’t have to go somewhere to do missions.  We can do it here.  The campus is our missionfield.”

Anoka-Ramsey Community College student – “The Lord has been teaching me the importance of making Him my first priority.  I’m really thankful for that.”

University of Minnesota junior – “Enjoyed my discussion group, had opportunity to share my testimony with him.  That’s something I can take back to campus.”

Metro State University student – “great to room with these guys that we were able to go deep together.  We talked about leaving a legacy on campus, not just knowing the people around us.”

University of Minnesota senior – “There people all around us on our campuses who are dying and need the gospel.  Hell is real.  We are called to live out the gospel in every area of our lives.  I want to encourage you to take that an apply it everywhere.  How are you living?  Would Jesus say, he/she is my child?  Would he be proud?  If not, we need to make a change.”

Minneapolis Community Technical College student – “While I can be 100% sure I’m going to heaven when I die, I don’t know that I can say that I’m 100% sure that I could stand before God and say that I’ve given everything for God.  There’s no guarantee of tomorrow, so we need to go for it today.”

I hope you are encouraged by what God is doing on the college campus.  He is drawing an increasing number of college students to himself, even in the face of LOTS of things that compete for the hearts and minds of these students.  The impact had on students lives in college will no doubt effect them until they die.

If you'd like to invest financially in my ministry, you can do so @ give.ccci.org/give/View/0618178

Thanks for your prayers and support!