SOUL WINNING; IT AIN’T YOUR MOMMA’S DOOR KNOCKIN’

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who wins souls is wise.

I was raised in a Pentecostal church that strongly believed and taught that we were to be “soul-winners.”  I’m not sure if the leaders had a difficult time getting the “nuts and bolts” message across to us, of what it meant and how to accomplish the mission or if I just didn’t “get it.”  From my observations over the years, it would seem that a lot of people in these congregations didn’t “get it,” either. 

The definition of soul-winning became, GET THEM!  “Invite someone to church or teach a Bible Study to them and GET THEM to church.  Whatever you do, the goal is GET THEM TO CHURCH!  Once they come to church, GET THEM TO THE ALTAR so they can repent.  Then, GET THEM TO THE BAPTISMAL TANK, so they can have their sins washed away.  Next, GET THEM BACK TO THE ALTAR and pray with them until they are filled with the Holy Ghost.  

Then FOR GET THEM!” 

 I spent many years dreading the frequent “door knocking,” struggled with ways to broach the subject of salvation with the “heathen,” and lived with the guilt-ridden worry that there would be “no stars in my crown.”  That all changed on November 7, 2009.

Steve and I had moved into our new home in 2005.  Most of the residents of the neighborhood worked during the day, so for the most part the “friendships” included a hello and a wave as we walked or drove down the street.  Once in a while, we would pause to talk to the next door neighbors as we planted flowers or mowed the lawn, there were even times that I stopped at a garage sale and introduced myself to a neighbor down the street, but my friendship with the couple directly across the street consisted of a casual meeting at the mailbox, a “how are you, today,” and a smile.  On November 7, 2009, my neighbor needed me, she ran screaming for help into the yard, my door was open but I never heard her.  The ambulance came then left, the police arrived and then the County Coroner and the hearse; her husband had passed away suddenly and I finally knocked on Sharon’s door.

Sharon fell into my arms, weeping and saying, “I screamed for help, your door was open but you didn’t respond.”  I felt as if someone had landed a fist in the middle of my stomach, it was all true, my door was open but I was so preoccupied that I had not heard her screams.  Compassion overwhelmed me and in the next few days, I took over dinner to the family, set up, served and cleaned up after the funeral gathering.  Over the next several months, I became a close friend to Sharon, going over to check on her, visiting her in the hospital and bringing her home from the hospital.  She gave me cooking tips and I gave her birthday flowers.  One day as we visited, Steve said, “Sharon, I would love to give you a Bible Study.”  She replied, “I would like that.”  So once a week, for the next 3 months, Sharon and her daughter in law sat with Steve and I as we shared the Word of God; God’s love for us and his plan to save us.

I would like to say that Sharon came to church with me, got baptized, filled with the Holy Ghost and brought in her whole family, but that is not what happened.  I do remember the day, however, that Sharon showed me her new study Bible and how excited she was to tell us that she had begun to attend Sunday service at a local church.  Somehow, I prayed I had made a difference by showing her God’s love.

We moved to Tennessee in August, 2010 but I still kept in touch with a Christmas Card, a birthday card or a quick visit if we were in town.  I thought about Sharon often in the last 4 years and wondered if anything we said or taught in our Bible Study got into her heart.  Had it turned her eyes toward Jesus; did she think about preparing for eternity; had anything in her life changed?

Yesterday, 5 1/2 years after a Saturday in November that changed both of our lives, I attended Sharon’s funeral.  The usual scriptures were read, there was a prayer and a hymn, then the Minister read a letter written by Sharon to be read at her death.  It talked about how much she loved her family, especially her granddaughter, great-grandson and daughter-in-law (her son had died several years earlier).  She named several friends and family that had a special place in her heart and then she told them of her love for God, how important it was that they keep God close in their life and go to church.  Tears filled my eyes and I prayed that I had made a difference by showing her God’s love.

I learned so many things on November 7, 2009 but the most important thing I learned is “Soul-winning is about LOVING PEOPLE.”  It isn’t about knocking on a door, handing or voicing an invitation to church, winning the “most visitors” contest or counting the “stars in your crown.” I am convinced that we would have never taught Sharon a Bible Study if I had not first become her friend.

My youngest son, Phil, after the police returned his stolen lawn mower, found the man who had stolen it, gave him the lawn mower and hired him to mow his lawn…He who wins souls is wise. 

My son, Steven, said recently, after paying a water bill for someone in need, “How do you put a value on a soul?”

Is a soul worth a few hours a week of your time?  Can you spare a few dollars or even a hundred to supply a need so that you can reach a heart?  Are there times your door is open but you are too busy to hear the screams?  What are you willing to do or to give to win a soul? 

SOUL WINNING; IT AIN’T YOUR MOMMA’S DOOR KNOCKING!

A TRIBUTE TO MY HERO

A HERO… It seems that we all need a person in our life to hold up as the ideal; a person we admire for various reasons; someone we strive to emulate.  A HERO, when measured against his/her peers, stands head and shoulders above everyone, even if only in your estimation.  Sometimes we set a person up as a HERO in our mind for reasons that may not be shared with our friends, family or anyone in our circle, but to us they perfectly fit the definition. 

Ask someone to name their HERO and you might be surprised at some of the answers.  We give HERO status to the famous, the rich, Hollywood actors and actresses, singers and musicians, sports stars, police officers, firefighters, military warriors, teachers, preachers, moms, dads, husbands and wives, for a mixed bag of reasons; some deserving and others questionable.  So what makes a HERO?  Let me tell you about mine.

My HERO is a man of high character, faithfulness, honesty, kindness and love.  In a world of selfishness, situational ethics, sinking morality and hedonism, he stands head and shoulders above those surrounding him.  You guessed it…my HERO is my husband, Steve.

FAITHFULNESS and COMMITMENT.  At the age of 12, Steve committed his life to Jesus Christ, was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.  At times he has been knocked down by those he trusted, stumbled and had to pick himself up a time or two.  You see HEROS are NOT PERFECT but they ARE FAITHFUL to the commitments they make and HEROS are the ones who pick themselves up and keep moving forward no matter how many times they get knocked down.

At the age of 18, Steve stood at an altar and declared his commitment to me.  He promised to be faithful, to love and honor me until death.  For 40 years he has never wavered from that commitment.  Yes, HEROS remain faithful when others break promises.  They choose to love and honor those commitments when temptations present other options.  They make a covenant with their eyes and purposely look away because they are FAITHFUL.

HIGH CHARACTER AND HONESTY.  A HERO ceases to be, once his character comes into question.  Once he makes a decision to set character aside and follow desires, convenience or the crowd, all the other hero ingredients are of no value.  A loss of character nullifies faithfulness, commitment, honesty and trust and the pedestal crumbles.  I have watched my HERO say NO when yes would have been easier and seemingly more beneficial.  Several years ago, he lost a congregation and many friends and opportunities because he would not compromise his character by signing a Ministry Agreement by which he could not honestly live.  He refused to find loop holes or justification for noncompliance because Steve is a man of high character and honesty.   A HERO DOES THE HARD THING BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING!!!

HUMBLE.  A HERO is not self-promoting.  He doesn’t stand on a pedestal of his own making and would probably consider it a stumbling block to be avoided.  He would be shocked to realize that anyone considered him a hero or that he has accomplished anything worthy of hero status.  He gets up every morning and does the right thing, not for recognition or accolades but because he loves others more than himself and just because IT IS THE RIGHT THING!  I have watched my HERO stand invisible in a crowded room, ignored and overlooked for position or honor because he refused to “blow his own horn.”  I have seen him give of himself, sacrificially, with no expectation of anything in return; sometimes not even a thank you; because HEROS ARE HUMBLE.

Steve Niswonger is the love of my life, my best friend, my staunchest supporter and cheerleader; MY HERO!  He may never run into a burning building or fight off a villain; but he WOULD to save someone that needed saving.  He may never be asked to preach to 20,000 at a general conference; but he COULD with passion and anointing.  He may never throw a baseball at the World Series or a football at the Superbowl; but WOULD TRY if asked.  My hero can always be counted on to be FAITHFUL, COMMITTED, HONEST, OF HIGH CHARACTER AND HUMBLE.  After all, isn’t that what being a HERO is really all about?

LIVES MATTER!

Last summer after a shooting in Missouri, the phrase, “Black Lives Matter” became a protest and rallying cry.  Crowds gathered carrying signs and chanting the phrase, voicing their displeasure.  Soon other placards were made with variations touting “All Lives Matter” or “Blue Lives Matter” or whatever cause was being promoted.  There were many posts on social media regarding the protests and statements about American culture including the culture of the serial killing of pre-born babies.  Their LIVES MATTER too!

I am unashamedly PRO-LIFE.  To me ALL LIVES MATTER…yes, even criminal lives and terrorists lives…because they matter to God.  Legally, the government has a right, after a criminal is found guilty, to impose a penalty of death.  The government also has a right to go to war to defend our country and the innocent lives of our allies.  We each have a legal right to defend our families and properties and unfortunately, that has at times involved the loss of life.  The government has also passed laws that allow women to choose to kill their own babies in the womb and there are those states that have even gone as far as to say that a baby born alive from a botched abortion should be left alone to die.  Nurses in Illinois testified that they had witnessed some babies just tossed aside, given no life saving measures or even love as the life slowly drained from their bodies.  AND GOD WEEPS because ALL LIVES MATTER!!!

What about SPIRITUAL LIVES?  Do they matter?  I fear we have aborted too many “spiritual babies” before they have ever had a chance at the abundant life that is promised through Jesus Christ.  Some, we have never even given a chance to breathe in the Holy Spirit and experience its awesome power in their life.  We work so hard to prepare the soil and plant the seed and at times before the seed can even take root, someone comes along with their “Holy Plow” and starts tilling the tender shoots.  LEAVE THEM ALONE; LET THEM GROW!!!

But every now and then, despite our best efforts to discourage and destroy the tender plant, someone falls in love with Jesus Christ and they burst forth into “newness of life.”  Oh, we rejoice that a “new name is written down in Glory,” BUT THEN, they are on their own. If they are hungry, they can come to Wednesday Bible Study.  If they need a little extra love and care, they can just “encourage themselves in the Lord,” after all it was good enough for the Psalmist David.  We hang around just long enough to “cut the cord” that tied them to the world and then bind them with ropes of CHURCH TRADITION, PASTOR PREFERENCES and our list of RULES AND REGS, until the bondage of the world doesn’t look so bad.   LET THEM BREATHE!!!

Since the beginning of the year, God has allowed so many of these precious lives to come into my world.  I have sat at dinner and wept as they wept, listened for 2 hours on a plane as a dear woman poured out her heart, read and answered countless emails of people who wanted to live; they wanted to breathe but something inside had been destroyed.  Many had been born but before they reached the “Abundant Life” stage, the breath of God had been choked out of their spirit.  Through the tears, I felt their hunger, their longing to return; to be reborn, if there was only someone that would open their arms and welcome them into their world; show them that their LIFE MATTERS!!!

The Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor welcoming citizens and visitors to the greatest country on earth.  Inscribed on the base of the statue is a poem by Emma Lazarus.  Here is a portion of that poem:

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she with silent lips.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

America is known as the “Land of Opportunity,” to millions of immigrants and those blessed to be born on her shores.  What about the CHURCH?  Our arms should be opened wide, welcoming those who are oppressed, bound and hopeless.  “Give us your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” should be the cry of the Church.  We have the PRECIOUS SEED to plant, LIVING WATER to quench their thirsting soul and the LIGHT OF SPIRIT to sustain and guide these young lives.  Their LIVES MATTER!!!  LET THEM BE BORN!!! LET THEM BREATHE!!! LET THEM LIVE!!!

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”  And let him who thirsts, come.  Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely.

PLEASE DON'T OPEN THE DOOR

Sitting back to enjoy a steaming cup of my favorite coffee, I proudly surveyed all of my accomplishments from a busy morning. The floors were swept and steamed clean, the granite countertops were cleared and washed and the stainless steel appliances were polished and gleaming.  Yes indeed, I had earned a break and as I inhaled the delicious aroma ascending from my cup, I felt so satisfied and was so proud…then I opened the refrigerator and my momentary euphoria evaporated as swiftly as the steam off the cup of coffee.

I wanted to quickly shut the door.  Who would know?  My neighbor, stopping by for a little chat, had no need to open my refrigerator for a quick peek.  Steve wouldn’t notice. To his undiscerning eye, the refrigerator looked the same as when he opened it and pulled out a Diet Coke yesterday.  Just sit back, enjoy the coffee, read a little face book; no one can see inside the door…but I knew!!!

Finally giving in to the aggravating little thing I call a conscience, the coffee was set aside and I tackled the task of cleaning the inside of the refrigerator.  There were week-old leftovers and year-old pickles, stale, moldy bread ends, month-old almond milk and an expired jar of salsa.  After throwing out the old and setting aside the fresh, the shelves and drawers were scrubbed clean…how could I have ignored the sticky goo of dripping syrup or the multiple rings of dried milk, a little applesauce in this corner and dried crumbs in the other.  Did I really ignore them or had they just become such a part of the refrigerator that I no longer even noticed?  After a little elbow grease and mercilessly tossing stale and expired food in the garbage, the job was done…now for that cup of coffee.

Back to my life…how many times have I gotten everything “just right” and settled back in satisfaction only to have God open my “refrigerator door.”  Oh yes, the outside was polished and gleaming.  I had on the right clothes, my hair was fixed to perfection, my shoes and purse matched and a self-righteous smile was plastered on my face.  I said all the right words at the appropriate times, nodded my head in agreement to all the correct Biblical passages and prayed my pious little prayers before I nodded off to sleep.  But please, DON’T OPEN THE DOOR!!!

Sometimes we become so accustomed to the dank, stale air on the inside that it becomes a new normal.  We shove in a fresh word, pushing back the stale, moldy bread of yesterday’s experience hoping no one will notice.  We keep little bowls of envy and a jar of bitterness to remind us of ancient hurts, not realizing that they have multiplied and taken root…there are actually things feeding off them and growing in those containers.  Then there are the little crumbs and bits of goo in the corners that have been there so long that we have begun to embrace them as just part of the scenery.

It is time to apply some “Spiritual Elbow Grease.” 

Don’t be afraid to exchange yesterday’s experience with a fresh encounter in the presence of God…get rid of that moldy bread.  The bitterness and envy that has been growing and multiplying, TOSS IT OUT; container and all.  Finally, spend some time on your knees and allow the Holy Spirit to sweep away the crumbs and wash away the goo.  Now, pick up that Bible and put all the good and fresh stuff back on your shelves…It’s time to enjoy that refreshing drink from the Springs of Living Water.  Go ahead; don’t be afraid, OPEN THE DOOR!

I CANNOT UNSEE YOU

“Why I do not post selfies.  I am well aware of what I look like, I have a mirror.  That does not mean that you need to be subjected to the visual also.”  I posted this “tongue in cheek” update a couple of weeks ago after seeing some particularly unflattering selfies posted on personal Face book pages.  We are subjected to pictures of people looking in a bathroom mirror, holding a phone in front of their face; pictures of cut toes, bruised fingers, spider bites, surgical wounds and the before pictures as we are wheeled into surgery; pictures of appetizing and half-eaten, unappetizing meals and the list goes on.  I enjoy seeing pictures of your kids, grandkids and the fun vacation you are enjoying but here is a bit of wisdom, “EVERY PICTURE YOU POST, ONCE VIEWED CAN NEVER BE UNSEEN!”

I was raised in an innocent environment, where the “evils” of television included “I Love Lucy” and “Leave it to Beaver.”  During my teenage years, the sit-coms became more “risqué,” with shows such as “Happy Days” and the “Brady Bunch.”  Since I was raised without a television in my home, I was for the most part, blissfully unaware that such “hedonistic” offerings were available for my viewing pleasure. (Yes, I am being a bit sarcastic).  I wonder what the Fonz would have tweeted or what provocative poses Joanie would have posted on Chachi’s wall?  Would Mr. & Mrs. Cleaver have explained how to respect others and post responsibly on Social Media to Wally and The Beav?  They dealt with the issues of their day and time just as parents must do now.  PARENTS, in order to deal with the issues of today, GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND and make yourself aware of how SOCIAL MEDIA is affecting you and your children; THEY CANNOT UNSEE THINGS ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN SEEN!

WARNING….DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU ARE ALREADY OFFENDED OR FEAR YOU MAY BECOME OFFENDED!  Now I know I have your attention and you have no choice but to keep reading….so here goes.

PARENTS, ADULT ROLE MODELS, YOUNG ADULTS WHO HOPE TO BE ROLE MODELS SOMEDAY, this segment is for you.  The pictures and status updates you post MATTER!  You are affecting and influencing someone; someone you may not even know, YET!  This weekend I saw a picture posted by a sweet lady of herself and a friend in a provocative pose.  Now before you accuse me of being a PRUDE (which I am guilty as charged), let me say, I’m sure she meant it to be funny but anything ONCE SEEN CANNOT BE UNSEEN!  How do you desire others to view you; as the latest sex symbol or faithful wife; partying playboy or adoring husband; available bombshell or the girl that cares enough about herself to use a little discretion.  Every day I read stories of people being fired from jobs, being eliminated as a candidate from a position, being cyber-bullied, and arrested for forwarding nude pictures sent to them from a friend – if the subject is under 18, it is called “Child Pornography.”

A few years ago, when SEXTING first became popular and was actually given the name, I talked with a Godly mother who had found provocative and pornographic pictures on her son’s phone.  Unfortunately, she knew the young lady who was the daughter of another Godly mother.  After explaining the sin and the legal ramifications of sending and receiving such pictures, her next warnings to her son were so awesome that I have never forgotten them.  She said, “Someday this young lady will grow up and God has great plans for her.  Unfortunately, these pictures will still be out there somewhere, on someone’s phone or in someone’s cloud, how do you think she will feel if that someone wants to post them or share them, then?  What if she repents and becomes a pastor or missionary wife and suddenly her ill-chosen selfies goes viral?  You need to delete the pictures, now and tell her to please not send anymore.”

Social Media gaffs are not just limited to high school and college students; PARENTS what are you posting on your page, tweeting on your Twitter or forwarding through Instagram?   IT MATTERS!!  Do I reflect Jesus Christ in my pictures, my poses, the clothing choices I pose in, my status updates or articles shared?  Do I point people to the cross or titillate their imaginations with me as the central character?  Do I encourage or stir up a “Hornet’s Nest” that would best be left alone?  Whatever you post will help form an image of you that will stick in the minds of the people to whom you are connected.  The next time you are ready to click “share” on your phone, remember, once the picture is posted, I CANNOT UNSEE YOU!

FITLY JOINED TOGETHER

There is no better activity on a snowy winter day than putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  My favorites include the ones that are 1000-1500 pieces with big splashes of color.  The first step is to separate all the “edge” pieces from the "interior" pieces and began assembling the puzzle’s frame.  Sometimes I actually set up a series of small plastic bowls and sort the interior pieces by dominant color, before I begin.  Whatever method you use, it is so very satisfying to step back and view your progress as you steadily fit the pieces together.  As I continue “working it,” I keep sneaking glances at the top of the box, which shows a picture of the completed puzzle, to remind myself that if I can find and fit in only a few pieces an hour, my reward will be a beautifully completed jigsaw puzzle, “FITLY JOINED” together; creating a finished masterpiece.

Have you ever felt as if your life is a “jigsaw puzzle?”  Perhaps you have found all of the “edge” pieces and managed to build the puzzle frame.  You’ve accomplished the first step of putting your puzzle together and you are on your way.  Now comes the hard part, putting all the interior pieces in their exact locations.  You step back to take a look and instead of viewing the beginning of a beautiful masterpiece, you find an “outside” of perfectly joined “edge” pieces surrounding a jumble of ill-fitting “interior” pieces lying in chaos.

As you put the “interior” pieces in their rightful place, it may seem at times, that a piece is missing.  You look at the colors and can find no match or the piece may be oddly shaped and seem to not belong anywhere in the picture.  Keep “working it,” allow God to guide your hand, and eventually you will find the perfect piece to fit in that exact spot and the puzzle will become just a little more clear.

Colossians 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

You plod along, one piece at a time and suddenly realize that the small part of the puzzle you are working on is actually a picture within a much larger picture.  In reality the “Big Picture” is simply a collection of smaller pictures that unite together to make an awesome finished puzzle. 

1 Corinthians 12:20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 

Today you are on a roll.  You fill in your part of the puzzle rather quickly, when suddenly you notice there is a piece that is not quite right.  Although you were able to fit the piece into the space, it is a little crooked.  And while it may have the perfect colors for that spot, it just doesn't fit with the piece you are holding.  If it is not corrected, the whole puzzle will be incomplete and you will have leftover pieces that don't mesh with anything.

We must realize that just as a puzzle fits together perfectly and each piece needs the one right next to it to be complete, so is the Body of Christ.  Here's an idea...what if God says NO when you think He should say YES and it is all because the piece you are trying to fit into your puzzle doesn't fit with your brother or sister's piece, which it rests against.  If God says YES, that piece will "throw off" the whole picture and the puzzle will never reach completion according to His plan.  So the next time that it seems you can't make a piece of the puzzle fit perfectly, ask yourself, "Is there something about this piece, if inserted in this part of the puzzle, will affect my brother or sister adversely?"  If the answer is yes, through prayer, God will show you the right puzzle piece that will fit perfectly into the spot you are trying to fill.

Ephesians 4:15 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.   

God’s Kingdom is a “Complex” puzzle that consists of mini puzzles implanted within a master puzzle.  Some may call it the “Plan of God” but it is really a Masterpiece consisting of many differently shaped pieces that the Creator is fitting together and one day we will be able to view the entire completed puzzle.  What a day that will be!

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face.  Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.