Apple picking and Gospel giving!

I am sorry for not posting in so long. The harvest season is in full swing up here and it seems that everything ripens around the same time, which leaves us harvesting and preserving from morning 'till night.

My Mom and I went apple picking. We had a great time taking pictures, laughing and enjoying each others company. : )

My Mom Picking apples

Myself picking apples

My Mom with an apple leaf smile. : )

Apples!

We also have continued the pro-life and gospel ministries.
On the 9th we went to the University of Minnesota Duluth to hold the gospel signs and give the gospel. When we arrived, Steve told us that he was not planning to preach that day because it was only his second day on the campus but as soon as we came up to a large group of students who were waiting for a bus, God opened Steve's mouth and he began to preach on sin, wrath, judgment and mercy. One lady on a cell phone told the person she was talking to, "I've got to go, there's this guy yelling about Jesus over here. I can't take this anymore!" She then left.

After the students had boarded the busses, a young lady came up to Steve saying she had heard him preaching and had questions about what he had said. That led to a long conversation in which she seemed to understand the gospel message but was not yet willing to follow Jesus. It was encouraging and yet sad. She agreed with every thing that was said about her need for the Savoir for forgiveness of sins but in the end said that she didn't need the Bible. We pray that God will use the seed planted in her heart to bring her to true repentance and belief in Jesus Christ.

One student asked me what Hell is like and so I described it from the Bible. Then he asked what Heaven is like and this also I described from the Bible. He asked if all other religions are going to hell and I told him that the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. He asked if someone lived a sinful life until their death bed and then repented and believed, would they go to Heaven. I said, "yes, God is merciful." Then he said "That's what I'm going to do, live a sinful life until my death bed, then repent."! I responded, "What if you are in a car crash and die instantly?" He said, "It's risky isn't it? But it's a chance I'm willing to take." As he walked away my brother said, "It's not worth the risk!" Wow, that one left me floored, but it shouldn't; our sinful nature is such that, apart from the grace of God we would all be saying the same thing.

A number of times God prompted me to go talk to this young lady or that and I always would begin to struggle. It would go something like this. "I can't talk now, she is on her cell phone, oh, not anymore, but the bus might come soon...all the more reason to go talk to her. I don't know what to say...I do. How serious are you about the condition of her soul? Do you truly believe that she is on the brink of death? Then I would go and the Lord would speak through me. It doesn't matter if we don't have the words to say, in fact, if we think we do they will most likely get in the way. God is faithful and He does guide by his Holy Spirit, the words are there, scriptures are called to mind and answers to tough questions will even surprise you. It is an absolute joy to share the glorious hope of the gospel, it goes beyond words.

An atheist named Art, talked for a long time with Steve. He kept saying that he wasn't going to waste his time talking anymore, but then he would stay and continue trying to refute the Bible. He left at one point but returned, as though he could not resist talking to us. Steve kept pointing him to creation and the conscience as evidence for a creator. Art listened and talked for a very long time then said, "I don't know why I keep talking to you guys." Steve told him. "I know why."

"Why?"

The answer came ominously and with lowered eyelids, "It's God."

"But, I don't believe in God."

"It doesn't matter if you believe in Him or not, He is still real."

"I'm not going to talk to you again."

"Yes you will."

"No I won't!"

"Yes you will, you can't not talk to us."

"I'm leaving."

He then left, but I'm sure he will be back. We have great hope that God will have mercy on him and bring him to saving faith. Please pray for Art.

We had many other great conversations that day and hundreds of students saw the signs.
A couple different young guys made up their own signs to hold next to ours that had words of blasphemy on them. One was shaking in rage and could not stay very long when Josh began talking about Jesus. The other was very open to hear the gospel and it seemed as though his sign had been more of a plea for help than anything else.

Think of it, this was only one day of a handful of God's people obeying Jesus' last command. Think of the seeds that were planted and imagine how much God can use what was said and done out there! God can use you too. Please pray about it.

There is so much more to write about but that will have to come later...hopefully sooner than later. Be looking for a post about my brother's high school graduation!