Day 13:: Sharing Tools: Sharing the Gospel with Muslims

"Do you know what I notice about you Christians?  You always want to tell others about your religion, but you know nothing about what other people believe!"  He made this statement to me on a flight from Japan to Los Angeles.  After visiting family in Bangledesh, he was making his way back to Texas where he was currently living.  The 12 hour flight afforded us time to talk about many things, including the gospel of Christ and Islam.  The truth of his words stung at first, but then fueled a desire in me to learn as much as I could about other religions.

In the next couple of weeks, Calvary Chapel La Habra will be hosting a truth series during their Sunday and Wednesday night services.  If you are in the area, services begin at 9am and 11am on Sunday mornings and 7pm on Wednesday nights.  If you are not in the area, you can watch live here during service times.  If you are unavailable during those times, services will be archived here.

 This is another way that we could equip ourselves to share the gospel with others!

Find all 31 Days here

Day 12:: Sharing Tools: Building Upon His Foundation

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Early on in my attempts to share the gospel with others, I found myself making some pretty incredible mistakes.  Looking back at those times makes me want to do two things.  One, apologize for being such a sad misrepresentation of God's love to those I was trying to share with. Two, shrivel up in embarrassment for how silly I must've sounded.  When I beat myself up, however, the Lord reminds me that there is no condemnation in Christ, and that it has all been necessary for me to grow in my ability to follow His lead when I am sharing.  He also reminds me that it really all about Him and that He has already laid a foundation in each individual that I am to build upon.

In Acts 17:18-34, we are given an example of the Apostle Paul when he was sharing at the Areopagus with the men of Athens.  The first thing that Paul did was observe the people.  “...for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.  Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you...Acts 17:23.  As he passed through their town, he made it a point to see what the people worshiped.  

Paul was very careful in how he addressed the crowd.  He didn't criticize their beliefs but acknowledged their religious activities as a sincere attempt to reach God.  Many times I have participated in endless debates that did not lead to anything except a loss of respect from my hearer.  Our goal is not to prove that we are right, but to prove that God loves them enough to have sent Jesus Christ, God incarnate, for their salvation. 

Finally, Paul built upon some religious relic to lead them into sharing about the one, true, living God.  Each and every person on this earth has had some experience with the living God.  Thus, asking the person you are sharing with questions about their experience with Him, and building upon those experiences becomes a tool in leading them to Christ. A life or death situation, a loved one or friend who may have already planted seeds, or simply something in nature that spoke to the individual's spirit. 

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse...

Romans 1:20

Find all 31 Days here

Day 11:: A Life That Ended Too Soon

They were not together more than a few weeks, nevertheless, it felt like they had know each other for years.  My brother's unit combined with another unit and the crew chiefs were flying on the same Black Hawk.  On this particular day, however, they were on two different birds.  The wind in the Middle East commonly whipped up without notice, and the helicopters weighing so little, were taken into the subjection of the gust.  My brother's helicopter made it out without to scratch, but the other was not so fortunate.  Along with varying degrees of injuries, the full helicopter suffered a couple of casualties.  Cote was one of them.  

In his early 20's, Cote had recently had a baby that he had not yet met.  They were just a couple of weeks away from returning from their deployment.  This was a very great loss for my brother and the men that had the privilege of serving alongside him.  

My brother had the opportunity to share about his time with this young man at our church.  He mentioned the rapport that the two men built in such a short period of time.  He also mentioned that he was not certain of what he shared with Cote, whether or not he was able talk to him about eternal things.  He could never have imagined how brief the time would be with his friend.

This year marked 5 years since his passing.  We thank him for his service to our country and pray his family.  May his life inspire us to share that blessed message with those around us. 

...whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

 James 4:14 

Find all 31 Days here

Day 10:: Only A Vapor

There was a ton of traffic that night.  My brother had picked me up from my house and we were running against the clock to make it to the hospital before the doctor came in to talk to my father.  The cars inched forward in slow motion as the minutes on the clocked ticked quickly by.  When we had finally made it to the hospital, we ran through the halls in search of his room.  Dr. Chen was already finishing up his conversation with my parents.  It was not necessary for him to repeat his prognosis, I could see it all over my sister's face.  It was terminal.  He predicted 3-4 weeks without treatment. 

Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my age is as nothing before You;
Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah

Psalm 39:5

I have heard it said that death is the only certainty in life, and the reality is that not one of us knows when that time will come.  I don't bring up this topic to be a downer or to instill an irrational fear into the reader, but to bring up the fact that we do not know how long we will have the privilege of abiding with those in our lives. What are those important things that we need to say to one another?  Do they hold an eternal weight of glory 2Cor4:17?  Do they hold the keys to the door of eternity?  

"You have the words of eternal life," Peter said in John 6:68.  Let us entreat our Lord in how we are to reach out to those around us. 

My Dad lived 2 years and 2 months from the time of his diagnosis.  We were blessed to have many conversations with him about what would happen when we passed into the realm of eternity.  We are confident that he gave his life to Christ, and look forward to seeing him again.

Find all 31 Days here

Day 9:: He Was Clearly Offended

He was clearly offended when I told him that my daughter was praying for his salvation.  How you could reject the prayer of a sweet, three year old little girl is beyond me, but that was Jorge, our mailman, and professing atheist.  We started sharing with him in the winter of 2011 and continued until we moved away in the summer of the next year.

Friendly and inquisitive, it was always very easy to talk to Jorge.  My family grew to have an affinity for him and he to us, so it was not difficult to share with him even though we definitely had differing opinions about whether or not God existed.  We got as far in our conversations as to the root of why he did not believe in God, but never had enough time to truly hear the complete account.  He alluded to a war that he had fought in and the suffering that he witnessed.  How could God allow such horrible atrocities?

There was a time when he did resentfully ask me why I talk to him about Jesus even though he told me he was an atheist.  I simply told him what I shared on Day 8.  I fear not taking the opportunity to give someone I see so regularly, the chance to hear the gospel of Christ and secure their eternal salvation.

We still see Jorge from time to time when we are in the old neighborhood and we continue to pray for him.  

Read all 31 Days here

Day 8:: What Happens in the Afterlife?

There is one story in the New Testament that has always haunted me.  It is the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.   The part of the passage that makes me uneasy is the part that talks about the great gulf that separates Hades from Abraham's bosom.  I suppose it's the fact that the rich man was able to "lift his eyes up and see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom".  When I get to heaven, will I be seen by those in Hell, people who were in my community? 

As I ponder this question, I am reminded of all the people that I see on a daily basis but do not necessarily have a relationship with.  The mailman, the gardener, neighbors, school staff, co-workers...to name a few.  Is there a possibility that we could have a meeting in eternity where they could possibly ask us, "I saw you everyday (every week), I came to your house (I saw you in the office), why did you not warn me about what would happen in the afterlife?"

The mere thought of that question is chilling, yet some have had this question asked of them this side of eternity.  Needless to say, you may be surprised at who is just waiting for you to bring up the topic.

How then shall they call of Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe if Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tiding of good things!"

Romans 10:14-15

Read all 31 Days here

Day 7:: Healing to a Hurting World

"What are you doing to cope with this?" I asked him.   "Are you drinking?"  "I don't drink and I don't do drugs.  I work 12 hour days every day," he replied.  I can only imagine that working himself to the bone was his attempt to avoid those harsh memories of what had happened.

Photo Credit

First impressions alone would not have given me any indication that this young man was going through any kind of suffering.  I would suspect that most people you happen upon would not express their true emotions either.  Along with their hats and shoes, they put their best face forward as they walk out the door, but on the inside they are battered and maimed.  I would also suggest that many people keep their sufferings to themselves without having another person they could share them with.  Many who have a desire to be released from the bondage of their afflictions but having no way of escape except to drown them in their vices.

Jesus is the answer that these individuals are in need of and we are the ones who hold this answer within us. 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Isn't it intriguing that the Lord puts another reference in there about them becoming "trees" of righteousness and the "planting" of the Lord?  May He be glorified!

Read all 31 Days here

Day 6:: Life's Little Interruptions

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this next post and felt that I needed to share the story before talking about the actual step.  This particular story was posted in December of 2010.  There was already a tug in my heart to begin sharing the gospel with others, but having two small children at the time seemed more than I could handle.  Something very powerful happened in my heart after sharing with this young man that really showed me that it is so necessary to share with others.

Click here to read the story.

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Day 5:: The Grocery Store Checker

I wasn't sure I was going to make it!  It was about a quarter till midnight and my Dad was craving some snacks.  He was in the hospital again and losing his appetite, so any opportunity for him to eat was taken with great importance.  "Heading home from the hospital?" the grocery checker asked me.  "No, I'm grabbing these snacks and heading back there.  My Dad has leukemia," I replied to his question.  "I'm so sorry.  I just lost my Grandmother to leukemia a few months ago," he said.  "I'm sorry to hear about your Grandmother, but please don't be sorry for me.  I believe in a good God, and this is all part of His plan," I said assuredly. 

This is how the conversation began.  He told me about his Grandmother.  I told him about how Christ was working in our lives through the illness.  He asked me about my church.  I shared with him how I was raised Catholic and was invited to a church where we were encouraged to read the Bible.  He mentioned that some friends had been sharing with him about what it means to be born again.  Then the transaction ended and I grabbed my groceries.  I was the last customer and the doors had been locked, so he walked me to the doors.  As I exited the store, I felt compelled to ask him if he wanted to ask Christ into his life.  And right there, at the door of a Food For Less grocery store, he asked Jesus Christ to be his personal Lord and Savior.  It was a 12 minute interaction.

Photo Credit

Looking back, I can see that this was completely the work of God.  The seeds were planted as others had been sharing with him already.  It was clearly evident that the Lord led my conversation and  I still feel so blessed and privileged that I got to be the one to lead him in that prayer.  I was mutually reassured of the purpose that God had for our family to go through such a difficult time.

For in this the saying is true: "One sows and another reaps."  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.

John 4:37-38 

 

Find all 31 days here. 

Day 4:: Time

One of the biggest struggles that I battle with everyday of my life is time management.  I like to blame it on my Mexican heritage, but there never seems to be enough time for me to get things done or to make it anywhere on time.  The thought of carving out time to share the gospel with another person seems like a complete impossibility.  That is, until I come to the realization that God has complete sovereignty over time and operates outside the limits of a dimension that we are confined to.  The measurement of time, money, physical and emotional strength, are all quite different in our economy than they are in God's economy.

  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9

When the disciples were concerned about whether or not Jesus had eaten in John 4:31-38, He remarked to them that there was more to life's sustenance than just meeting the needs of physical thirst and hunger.  He had just received a drink of water from the Samaritan woman at the well, but He took the time to speak with her about salvation while He met His own physical need.  He exhorts His disciples to follow along in this pattern of sharing the gospel as they go along in their daily routines.  In the same way, we can take those little moments to share with those we encounter.  We simply need to look up and see that they are there, take the time to speak, and believe that He will multiply the time. 

Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields for they are already white for harvest!

John 4:35

 Photo Credit

Many possibilities broaden when you realize that sharing the gospel is possible in very ordinary circumstances and with very limited time.  Some of the most divine of appointments were not a result of a date set with another individual, but in a grocery store aisle, a call from a telemarketer, in line at the DMV, pushing my kids on a swing...diminutive, miniscule moments in time seemingly extending into sufficiency as the conversation of eternity ensues.

Find all 31 days here. 

Day 3:: Tony's Testimony

He stared at the mantle in his living room with an ensuing loneliness that led him to wonder what the purpose of life was.  A series of events had brought Tony to this point of questioning what life was all about.

Within a few weeks, several small occurrences began to form a path in his heart and mind to a greater purpose and meaning to life.  While shopping at Nordstrom's a woman and her child came up to him to say that she felt led to tell him that Jesus loved him.  A friend of his, who he caroused with on the weekends, let him know that he had become a Christian and would no longer be clubbing with him.  On a random afternoon at work, a sign was placed in the window of his office that read, "Be aware of God." 

If you would've asked him about his religious background, he would've told you that he did not believe in God.  It was becoming quite clear to him, however, that he needed to look deeper into this God, who was obviously pursuing him.  After a few weeks of reading the bible, he was ready to go to church and called his friend who had recently given his life to Christ.  Unbeknownst to him, this friend had rallied up a group of people to pray for Tony's salvation just the night before the call.

Tony is my husband.  Today, he is is an amazing man of God.  A wonderful husband and father, full of wisdom and integrity.  Such a different person from the man he was back in those days of uncertainty.

The journey of finding Christ began before any one person shared the gospel with him.  It began with a prompting from the Holy Spirit to question the greater meaning in life.  Along the way, different individuals made themselves available to be used to touch his life.  The mom with the child, the friend, the person who placed the sign, the people who prayed for his salvation.  One planted the seed, others watered, and the Lord brought the increase of faith in Tony's life.

Lord, help us to be willing to be used by You to become a part of someone's testimony.  

Find all 31 days here. 

 

Day 2:: One Plants, One Waters...

I used to think that the whole measure of a person's salvation rested on what I was going to say to them at that moment...on that street corner, park bench, Starbuck's line...and what their response would be.  I had built the process up so considerably in my head, that I infused a great deal of fear into something that was not mine to worry about.  My role was merely to share.

 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 Mark 16:15

Freedom from those fears came when I realized that I am not responsible for the eternal salvation of another.  Or even any measure of eloquence or persuasiveness for that matter.  I am to be obedient to the call to share the Good News and put the rest in God's hands.  It really has little to do with me, and it has everything to do with what He will do in their lives.  Of course we do want to be sensitive, prayerful, and loving in what we say to others about Christ, but our focus alters from what "I can do" to what "He does".

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:7

Oftentimes, there is a progression of  faith in an individual's life which comes from a series of experiences, conversations or just plain observation of God's work within one's surroundings.  In fact, I have heard it said that it takes between 7-15 times for a person to hear the gospel before they make a decision to follow Christ.  Our willingness to share, could be the one proverbial seed or watering that a person needs to have their spiritual eyes opened. 

What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.

Luke 13:18-19

Find all 31 days here.

31 Steps to Sharing the Gospel of Christ

Day 1:: Sharing the Gospel of Christ

Day 2:: One Plants, One Waters

Day 3:: Tony's Testimony

Day 4:: Time

Day 5:: The Grocery Story Checker

Day 6:: Life's Little Interruptions

Day 7:: Healing to a Hurting World

Day 8: What Happens in the Afterlife?

Day 9:: He Was Clearly Offended

Day 10:: But A Vapor

Day 11:: A Life That Ended Too Soon

Day 12:: Sharing Tools: Building Upon His Foundation

Day 13:: Sharing Tools: Sharing the Gospel with Muslims


Please tell me your stories in the comments section!

Day 1:: Sharing the Gospel of Christ in 31 Days

Palms get sweaty, butterflies begin their flight, encircling the deepest parts of the stomach.  Thoughts of uncertainty begin contending with the determination that brought you to the point of making that effort to open your mouth and share...

These impulses began for me the first time I was taken out by our youth group to street evangelize.  In my heart, I was willing to share the gospel with others, but to actually find the nerve to approach a complete stranger seemed an impossibility in my mind.

It's been 15 years since the first opportunity I had to share.  Since then, I have gone on short-term mission trips, lived in Japan as a missionary, become a wife and mother, and now live a very quiet and simple life as a housewife and homeschool mother.  It's no longer my job to share the gospel with others, but the call to be a light in my community endures.  We have all been given this wonderful gift of salvation, and we are called to share the gospel to a hurting world of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates...

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies at write31days.com.  Join me for these 31 days in October as we look into the scriptures to seek the Lord's wisdom in fulfilling the call of sharing His good news and to challenge ourselves to take that step in sharing with someone.  We'll look at:

• Excuses that impede us from sharing
• Why it is important to share with others
• Tool belt of resources we have been equipped with
• Practical sharing tips
• Personal stories

You can find all 31 steps here.  I look forward to being encouraged by your stories in the comments section!

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen"

Matthew 28:19-20 

Cuban Style Party

My lovely friend Karen turned 40 this year, and her husband asked me and a couple of our friends to help him give her a surprise party.  When he mentioned that he was ordering Cuban food, our minds instantly went to Havana themed party, and since Karen is Cuban, it just seemed all the more appropriate!

We kept our table settings simple with cigar boxes, fedoras, palm fronds and flowers in coffee can vases.  The cigar boxes were found at the local smoke shop for $1 a box.  The shopkeeper thought it was bizarre that we wanted to boxes and not the cigars!

 We scoured the community for palm branches and asked our neighbors if they wouldn't mind us taking some cuttings.  No palm tree was safe!

 

  

As well as being a very talented photographer, our friend Jacque put these flower arrangements together. 

Some pineapples, wooden skewers, your neighbor's palm fronds and voila, the perfect centerpiece for a tropical party!

There were so many inquiries about where the food came from that I am adding a link to Rumba's Cafe.

Rumba's Cafe in Whittier

We asked our friends to come decked out in their Cuban garb.

Here is my inspiration photo for my outfit.

Photo Source

Photos by Portrait Bliss Photography

Karen and Jacque

Happy Birthday Karen!  We love you!

DIY:: Pineapple Tree Centerpiece

 

Supplies:

4 Pineapples

6 Wooden skewers

6 Palm fronds

1 Tray or plate

Directions:

1. Cut the top and bottom ends of 3 of the pineapple and cutting only the bottom end of one of the pineapples

2.  Place the first pineapple on your plate making sure that the plate is sturdy

3.  Stick 3 skewers into the pineapple

4. Slide the second pineapple over the skewers

5. Stick 3 more skewers into the pineapples

6.  Continue to add more pineapples, placing the final pineapple that only had one side sliced at the very top

7.  Trim the palm fronds to be proportional to the tree

8.  Stick the ends of the palm fronds into the pineapple

Place your choice of fruit around the tree!  We put grapes around ours and used it to decorate our food table. 

 Dressed up our food table nicely!

It was a nice touch to our friend's 40th Cuban Surprise Party.

Photos by Portrait Bliss Photography

Cuban Style Outfit

We got all dolled up for our friend's 40th surprise birthday party.  Found some inspiration for the look I was hoping for.  It was a Cuban themed party:

Photo Source

Added the red flower for a finishing touch.

Photos by Portrait Bliss Photography

Decorating Your House with Yard Sale Finds

When we first purchased our home, finances were allotted to new homeowner expenses and  renovations that were so desperately needed.  Moving into a house with more square footage made our current furnishings look so inadequate.

Today's find: Set of 2 Gold Peacocks

The cure for a small decorating budget?  YARD SALES!!!!!

Two years later, I am still at it.  In fact, my daughter really enjoys it too, and it's become our time to hang out together.  Just the two of us on a Saturday morning. 

Growing Vegetables in the Backyard

It's been so wonderful cooking dinner with vegetables from my own yard.  Feels so fresh and organic.

Summer Mantle

I shamelessly steal rocks from the beaches I visit as my souvenir.  Surrounded by so much beauty on our trips, I feel like I want to bring some of that beauty into my home this summer!

Earthquake Casualty

So we had a medium-sized earthquake recently.  We live near the epicenter and were quite rocked by all the little aftershocks.  Not a big deal compared to Chile or Japan, but when I grabbed my camera to get a shot of a picture of my family getting picked up by a school bus to head off on a fun birthday adventure, I was shocked!  Apparently, my camera fell off the shelf during the earthquake.  So bummed! 

10 Years

It rains very little in Southern California, but 10 years ago, we managed to get married on the rainiest day of the year.  Although it was challenging for our photographer, it made for a very romantic honeymoon  :)

10 years later, we managed to find ourselves in the biggest storm of the year!  We were, however,  able to enjoy the sunset on the first night of our stay.

We will have to come back to enjoy the beach another time :) 

This is the very same bluff where I said yes to his proposal.  

The scenery may look untouched but much transformation has occurred within the two of us.  Not just more wrinkles around the eyes or thinning of the hair, but a real appreciation for one another.  Life has brought us added responsibilities, loss of a parent, little hearts to shepherd...circumstances that have challenged us to truly get to know one another for who we really are good or bad.  And we hold each other close on this bluff and the smiles on our faces don't show two people who are giddy to start something new together, but one unit who are living life and loving one another.  Love you Mi Amor!