Now that I have dug myself out of the snow I'll tell you what hapened next.
The fellow I was talking about last said that he understood that he was a sinner on the road to hell because he couldn't measure up to God's righteous standard. I asked him how he could get to heaven if God will only allow the righteous in?
He said that he didn't know.
I explained to him that God sent his only son into the world to live the perfect life that we can't and offeres that perfect life in place of ours if we would confess that Jesus Christ is God, that God raised him from the dead, and repent from our sins.
He said "oh".
I explained it all to him again as best as I could, praying the whole time for this kid to get it.
I asked him if he would like to make a descision for Christ tonight and know that he will go to heaven when he died.
He said "I dunno".
So, I asked him if he would like to read something alone at home that explaines the Gospel.
He said "sure".
So I gave him a Sk8church tract and asked him to read it and talk with me about it next week.
He said "ok".
That was over a month ago now and the guy still hasn't moved past the point of understanding his need for a Saviour.
But, praise God, he is still alive and coming to Skatechurch with the seed of the truth of the Gospel in his heart. I ask him every week how he is doing and if he has any questions. I give him more to read as well.
Please pray for him. He is normal. Most kids that come to Skatechurch hear the Gospel, understand it, and never make a commitment to Christ.
Next time, I'll tell you about the other guy I spoke with that night and also about the opportunity I have to go back to Ireland this July to help plant a Skatechurch!!
Stay dry.
Keep in the Word.
Be ready in season and out of season...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
"lets take this one step at a time"
I just realized today why it is I don't post on my blog too much. It takes too much time b/c I am trying to include too much info!
So, lets take this one step at a time.
Two weeks ago on high school night after the talk, I got to talk with two very different and neat guys.
The first guy sat down next to me and asked me how I was doing.
I praised the Lord for the obvious opportunity and told him that I was fine. We chatted for a bit about family and school and then I asked him about his experience at Skatechurch and what he believed in. He told me that he had been coming to Skatechurch for a while but that he he didn't know what he believed in.
So, I asked him the obvious question about where he thought he might end up when he died.
He said that he didn't know.
So I asked him if he thought he was a good person.
He said yeah.
I said that I figured that that was probably true if he only measures himself against his friends, family, or even the staff at Skatechurch.
So I asked him how he might rate against God.
"I dunno", he said.
So I led him through Gods righteous standard, the 10 commandments, and asked him after each one if he had ever broken one.
By the end of this wee conversation he admitted that he was not only a thief but an adulterer, a liar, and even a murderer!
He seemed surprised!
I told him that we all have this problem and that the place God has set aside for people like us is Hell.
I asked him if he wanted to go there.
He said "no".
I agreed.
In my future post I'll tell you what happened next!!!
-Joel
So, lets take this one step at a time.
Two weeks ago on high school night after the talk, I got to talk with two very different and neat guys.
The first guy sat down next to me and asked me how I was doing.
I praised the Lord for the obvious opportunity and told him that I was fine. We chatted for a bit about family and school and then I asked him about his experience at Skatechurch and what he believed in. He told me that he had been coming to Skatechurch for a while but that he he didn't know what he believed in.
So, I asked him the obvious question about where he thought he might end up when he died.
He said that he didn't know.
So I asked him if he thought he was a good person.
He said yeah.
I said that I figured that that was probably true if he only measures himself against his friends, family, or even the staff at Skatechurch.
So I asked him how he might rate against God.
"I dunno", he said.
So I led him through Gods righteous standard, the 10 commandments, and asked him after each one if he had ever broken one.
By the end of this wee conversation he admitted that he was not only a thief but an adulterer, a liar, and even a murderer!
He seemed surprised!
I told him that we all have this problem and that the place God has set aside for people like us is Hell.
I asked him if he wanted to go there.
He said "no".
I agreed.
In my future post I'll tell you what happened next!!!
-Joel
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Canada 2008 Slideshow
So I feel ridiculous- I've put video on here before, but I can't remember how, and I don't have time to figure it out. So here's the link to a rad video that one of the staff guys put together from the last trip. Enjoy!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Its the weekend, time to work!
Friday is here again.
Paise the Lord. I've been neglecting my house all week. Hopefully tomorrow i'll be able to get under the house and finish installing the insulation that was given to me last winter.
Work has been great as I now have (due to selling an old tool) a MP3 player loaded with the Bible that I listen to while biking to work or walking my buildings doing inspections.
What a blessing to be encouraged by the truth while working Godless atmosphere.
School is back in full swing at my house with my wonderful wifeLaurel at the helm.
Daisy is in the lead with math, science, english, spanish and music.
Ian is running a close second with reading, writing, and 'rithmatic.
Asher is bringing up the rear (and his loose hand me down pants) with reading and such.
Skatechurch was a winner last Tuesday!
Paise the Lord. I've been neglecting my house all week. Hopefully tomorrow i'll be able to get under the house and finish installing the insulation that was given to me last winter.
Work has been great as I now have (due to selling an old tool) a MP3 player loaded with the Bible that I listen to while biking to work or walking my buildings doing inspections.
What a blessing to be encouraged by the truth while working Godless atmosphere.
School is back in full swing at my house with my wonderful wifeLaurel at the helm.
Daisy is in the lead with math, science, english, spanish and music.
Ian is running a close second with reading, writing, and 'rithmatic.
Asher is bringing up the rear (and his loose hand me down pants) with reading and such.
Skatechurch was a winner last Tuesday!
- I met a great new kid - Who's name I've forgotten already : (
- My old friend Spencer came back by and we were able to catch up- I also tried to wrestle him to the ground and give him a wedggie but, alas, he was too quick.
- The Gospel was presented by Mr. Ben Stormet- A ripping talk that focused everyone in the room on the brevity of life and the shurity of the afterlife; both good and terrible.
- I messed with Nick- another long time attender who, after I doused him with an old water bottle and chased him around the parking lot, said that he was going to get back at me by dressing up as me for the Skatechurch non-haloween party called "Gnlarloween".
- Had an encouraging conversation on the Glory of God with my old friend and fellow staff member Scott. He is 6 years younger than me and yet pushes me toward Godliness more than most who are my elder. Scott loves his Bible and worships Jesus with his life. So good!!!!!!!!
Our Tuesday 6:30 am intern meeting was also great as we spent time following up on the years salvation descisions and then praying for them. We then swept up the warehouse while dave hung up the old Gospel signs that go around the park and show the way to Christ.
Laurel and I hope to have our new support letter out by the end of the month so be looking for that!
Ex. 23:12
12 "Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.
God bless you in your daily work!
Joel and Laurel
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Who's in charge here!!????
Hello again folks!
I wanted to drop you a line and let you know the happenings over at skatechurch as of late.
The tuesday night high school ministry has been going well. We have seen some more kids coming by due to the weather getting cold and rainy. There has also been a new crop of jr. high kids that have moved up to highschool. It has been great to meet these new folks,skate with them, and get to know them.
One new fellow who has just started to attend tells me that he spent his whole summer in Africa visiting his mother. I asked him what it was like to spend a summer in Africa. He said that he did alot of wandering around and playing with weird animals.
The interesting thing is that the first night he came by the talk was a kind of open forum where the kids asked two staff members any questions they had regarding the Bible and christianity or anything else they had on their wee little hearts. The Africa kid asked a really important question: "Does God send the African bushman to hell if the bushman never hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
Everyones ears pearked up in anticipation of the answer. What would the staff say? I know I was on the edge of my seat for the reply.
The high school intern, Dave, calmly responded, " That is a really good question. What do you think?" The kid said that he thought that it would be wrong for God to put someone in hell for being ignorant. Dave agreed, it would be wrong for a righteous and Holy God to condemn anyone to hell if that person had no opportunity to hear the gospel. Dave then did something very wise, he opened his Bible. He read from it passages about the sin nature of man, the duty of believers, the bent of mans heart, and the revelation of God to mankind. He also explained the fact that these bushmen are in this situation because at some point in the past their ancestors rejected the word of God and followed after gods of their own making. He then read passages speaking about the overwhelming mercy God has for us all in that He would that none perish but that all be saved.
The Africa kid had something to chew on now. Not just man's opinion but the word of God. Dave showed him that it does'nt matter what our opinion of morality is or what we think God should do, what matters is what the Bible says.
It's things like this that keep me motivated to work at Skatechurch. When ministry nights happen there, everyone gets convicted by the Bible teaching; both staff and student.
I believe that the ministry of Skatechurch is as relevant as ever.
We are living in a time of man centered opinion/morality is being taught in more and more places, including the church. How refreshing to hear the whole Bible taught, to skateboarders of all people, without any watering down of the message.
I invite you to come by and see what it is all about some night. The times and location are posted on the skatechurch website.
Hope to see you there!
Maby you will catch the bug and want to be a part of the ministry too!!!
-Joel
I wanted to drop you a line and let you know the happenings over at skatechurch as of late.
The tuesday night high school ministry has been going well. We have seen some more kids coming by due to the weather getting cold and rainy. There has also been a new crop of jr. high kids that have moved up to highschool. It has been great to meet these new folks,skate with them, and get to know them.
One new fellow who has just started to attend tells me that he spent his whole summer in Africa visiting his mother. I asked him what it was like to spend a summer in Africa. He said that he did alot of wandering around and playing with weird animals.
The interesting thing is that the first night he came by the talk was a kind of open forum where the kids asked two staff members any questions they had regarding the Bible and christianity or anything else they had on their wee little hearts. The Africa kid asked a really important question: "Does God send the African bushman to hell if the bushman never hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
Everyones ears pearked up in anticipation of the answer. What would the staff say? I know I was on the edge of my seat for the reply.
The high school intern, Dave, calmly responded, " That is a really good question. What do you think?" The kid said that he thought that it would be wrong for God to put someone in hell for being ignorant. Dave agreed, it would be wrong for a righteous and Holy God to condemn anyone to hell if that person had no opportunity to hear the gospel. Dave then did something very wise, he opened his Bible. He read from it passages about the sin nature of man, the duty of believers, the bent of mans heart, and the revelation of God to mankind. He also explained the fact that these bushmen are in this situation because at some point in the past their ancestors rejected the word of God and followed after gods of their own making. He then read passages speaking about the overwhelming mercy God has for us all in that He would that none perish but that all be saved.
The Africa kid had something to chew on now. Not just man's opinion but the word of God. Dave showed him that it does'nt matter what our opinion of morality is or what we think God should do, what matters is what the Bible says.
It's things like this that keep me motivated to work at Skatechurch. When ministry nights happen there, everyone gets convicted by the Bible teaching; both staff and student.
I believe that the ministry of Skatechurch is as relevant as ever.
We are living in a time of man centered opinion/morality is being taught in more and more places, including the church. How refreshing to hear the whole Bible taught, to skateboarders of all people, without any watering down of the message.
I invite you to come by and see what it is all about some night. The times and location are posted on the skatechurch website.
Hope to see you there!
Maby you will catch the bug and want to be a part of the ministry too!!!
-Joel
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Who's out there?
We are just wondering-- does this blog get read? Are you interested in it? Are you a supporter- is this a good way to keep you up-to-date? Please, if you read this blog; whether you are one of our supporters or not--leave a comment. It doesn't have to be big. Just say hi. Let us know if this is worth continuing; if it is encouraging to you............
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Safely Home- Day 5
Well, they all made it back safely!! Thank you so much for your prayers!!! The old vans made it all the way back with just a few hiccups and no stranding.;) Joel is catching up on a week's worth of missed sleep; we are trying to be patient waiting for him. ;-)
So I have to share a story about God's provision from last week.....
On Tuesday, I sat down and balanced the checkbook and paid rent. And put all the rest of the bills back in the drawer b/c we had to money to pay them yet- and I had no idea where we were going to get the money with Joel missing a full week of work. Joel and I talked about it- prayed- and went on with our week. Yesterday, Friday, I had to go grocery shopping. I sat down, tried to figure out what we absolutely needed and what we could go without for awhile. Daisy went out and brought in the mail as I was getting my purse. I glanced at it before we left, opened a letter, and promptly burst into tears. God is so amazing. His timing is perfect, and His care for us beyond imagination. In that letter (from some amazing people who walk with the Lord) was a check. For the amount we needed to make up from Joel missing work. We got all the groceries we needed.
Thank you. Without your prayers and support, we wouldn't be making it very far.
God is good. All the time.
So I have to share a story about God's provision from last week.....
On Tuesday, I sat down and balanced the checkbook and paid rent. And put all the rest of the bills back in the drawer b/c we had to money to pay them yet- and I had no idea where we were going to get the money with Joel missing a full week of work. Joel and I talked about it- prayed- and went on with our week. Yesterday, Friday, I had to go grocery shopping. I sat down, tried to figure out what we absolutely needed and what we could go without for awhile. Daisy went out and brought in the mail as I was getting my purse. I glanced at it before we left, opened a letter, and promptly burst into tears. God is so amazing. His timing is perfect, and His care for us beyond imagination. In that letter (from some amazing people who walk with the Lord) was a check. For the amount we needed to make up from Joel missing work. We got all the groceries we needed.
Thank you. Without your prayers and support, we wouldn't be making it very far.
God is good. All the time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
