Our Year In Review - 2008

2007 was a bad year for us with the deaths of my younger sister Jenni, grandmother, and two cats…it was a hard year and couldn’t wait to roll into 2008. Things looked hopeful, with Mike Huckabee, a God-fearing man running for the Presidency who won the Iowa caucus, there was light at the end of the tunnel. But what was waiting for me after the ball dropped was something entirely different, and was not expected. You just never know what God has in store for you, and how things can go from great, to miserable, to fantastic all in the same year. This year my faith and Matthew 6:25-34 would be tested unlike any other time.

Houston, we have lift-off!

January and February were looking good for Lisa and I. I was still at Opex, working on mail equipment, doing my job as usual. Lisa on the other hand was working for our friend, Brooke Goranson (PR-31 Real Estate Marketing Services), cleaning new construction dwellings for Regency Homes. It was a nice set up for her, and she could make her hours flexible to minister to people and take care of me in the home. Lisa was working a ton, and the business was looking good. This was a great sign since Lisa and I were to take over the business when the Goransons left to start a mission in Costa Rica, South America in March. The money that we would pay for the business would help get them started down there before they started building homes in Costa Rica for Regency as well.

Before we acquired the business, Lisa and I planned to take some time and go to some conferences to help us in our walk with the Lord. In the Beginning of April, first conference was in St. Louis, MO for Personal Freedom Outreach (PFO) which was an apologetics ministry teaching people how to defend the Christian faith. We learned so much during those couple days…and had the privilege to be in the same hotel as the speakers themselves. Men like Jay Wegter, Donald Whitney, and Ron Rhodes. We learned how to meditate on scripture, make right decisions by using the Bible, and even how to pray. We also learned how to defend the faith against The Secret, the emerging church, and other groups that come against Christians. It was such a wonderful experience, and we even got to go up into the Gateway Arch which was a sight. What a wonderful week and we took so much from it. We can’t wait to go again.

The next conference at the end of April was the 2008 Calvary Chapel Leadership Conference in Wisconsin. What a fun trip with different people from Heartland Christian Fellowship. We went in Jaws (the church van) with Brent (our new pastor) and Tracy Fees, Kenny Roach, and Rick Freeze. The conference went very well as we learned about David’s mighty men, and had a lot of fun doing other things in the area. We took a trip to Lambau Field where the Green Bay Packers play and got a tour of the stadium. We also went out to eat occasionally, and had a lot of fun in the traveling. I cannot wait to take the trip again. We said that we would make it a once a year event.

Houston, we have a problem

While Lisa and I were in Wisconsin at the Green Bay Packer stadium, we got a phone call from Brooke in Costa Rica. Two days after we signed the papers for the new business, Regency Homes, where we received 99% of our work for the new business laid off all their employees, and stopped construction on all projects immediately. I was devastated, and I started to worry about surviving on one income. It was too late to give the business back, but this was the start of the housing crash in Iowa, and looking for more work was impossible. When Regency went out of business, they also pulled the plug with building homes abroad as well, and now Wayne, Brooke, and the Beards were stuck in Costa Rica too with no job and a baby on the way. Two other families at Heartland were also affected from the fallout as well. The best I could hope for is that God would take care of us in the midst of what was going on.

This is a test…I can do this.

And I failed miserably. At first I was really stressed out. I would panic, then be ok, then panic again. It was hard especially being the man of the home, and my name on the paperwork as President of PR-31 Real Estate Services. We had some marriage counseling, with Brent, and we fought more than usual. But the fighting and worrying never made the situation better. I had to give it up to God in prayer and ask him to help us get through it. For God’s Word says:

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. –
Philippians 4:6-7,13

We relied more on God in the next few months than we ever had in the past. He provided 6 months. We were living on one income and with all the debt we have we should have been bankrupt months ago, but there we were paying all the bills and on time for the most part. GOD IS GOOD!

The blessings only came when I trusted fully in God to provide. We were invited to different friends’ houses for dinner which took care of some meals. Gifts out of the ordinary were given to us. Our moms gave us a couple hundred to get us by. I was blessed with extra work at Opex, which always seemed to come at the best times. One trip I needed to go to Davenport, Iowa after the floods came. I hit road blocks until I had to drive way out of my way to get to the site. I had a lot of overtime for that, plus the mileage helped pay bills. Since Lisa wasn’t working, she was a blessing to her mom. In the process of getting a divorce her Mom needed a ton of help to update the house to sell. So Lisa went out there to help her paint, and get the house ready. It was really cool, because if Lisa was working, she wouldn’t have been able to go out there. God is good and His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). But one of the greatest blessings came when it was getting closer to take a trip to North Carolina for a much needed vacation with my family from NJ. Things were at the lowest point, and I was just planning on going to the airport with my bags packed and watch God show up. Well, that never had to happen because He put it on my cousin Danielle and Randy hearts to bless me with their air travel miles, and my Aunt Dot to help me with bills. I was so blessed to be there and see my family that I miss very much.

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
- Proverbs 3:5-6

Houston, we are on approach

Now things are “starting” to get back to normal. Lisa got her job back with Ankeny Pet Salon as a dog groomer, and is doing well. We decided the best thing to do with PR-31 Services is to dissolve the company. We held on to one more account until this month, and canceled the insurance on the company. I am still teaching Sunday School and Wed night at the church. I also joined a group in June called Toastmasters International where I practice speech writing and public speaking every Monday at 7 am which is cool.

It’s so amazing how God brought us through this, not only to test us, but to grow us. No matter what you are going through, it is always a way to train, test, and grow you. As it was with Joshua and the children of Israel attacking the city Jericho (Joshua 6), they walked around the city 14 times staring at the wall that was between them and victory. But what happened when the wall came down flat? That which was their biggest stumbling block, became the tool used to get them into the city and they walked over it. As this company was our biggest stumbling block, ultimately became the very tool used to bring us in a more loving and trusting relationship with God.

28And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

So if you know the Lord, I pray that you trust the Lord Jesus more each and every day. Seek him first always, and the rest will follow (Matthew 6:25-34). Read the Bible daily, obey what you read, and God will never let you down.

If you don’t know Jesus as the Lord of your life, there’s no time like the present. You may be thinking, “I don’t need saving…I’m a good person.” Well, consider God’s standard of “good”. How many lies have you told in your life? Have you ever stolen anything? Blaspheme God’s or Jesus’ name this past year? That would make you a lying, blasphemous, thief…and that’s only 3 of the 10 Commandments. There’s another 7 to go. Covet anything or hate anyone? You know many of us are guilty. So what should God do with you? God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins. Those who repent (turn from sin and walk the other way), and put their faith and trust NOT in their good works, but in the sacrifice of Jesus will be justified in God’s sight. We go to heaven not because we are good a good person, but because we are bad people that have been forgiven. We broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. The only sacrifice God accepts (Hebrews 9:22; 1 Timothy 2:6-7; John 14:6; John 3:16-21; Acts 4:12), and that’s why we celebrate Jesus’ birth. Praise God!!!

Love always, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukka …Frank and Lisa.

Fellowship of the Unashamed

by Dr. Robert Moorehead, former Pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church.


I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. the decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me… my banner will be clear!

HOW TO FIND A GOOD CHURCH

Almost 25 questions that will save you a lot of Sundays
by Way of the Master Ministries

Looking for a good church? Join the club. Church-shopping can be a long and painful process. To shorten your search, call the pastor of the church before you visit and ask the following questions. This might save you a lot of Sundays.

1. What is man's biggest problem, sin or self esteem?
Seeker sensitive and felt-needs churches focus on man's hurts and problems. The Bible says
that man's biggest problem is sin.

2. What must a man do to inherit eternal life?
Repent and trust is the Biblical answer. If the word "repent" is never used, say, "Thank you."

3. How do you deliver the salvation message?
Ask the pastor to describe specifically what he says. Does he encourage people to simply say a prayer? Does he tell people to ask Jesus into their hearts?
The salvation message should include: God's holiness, man's sinfulness, God's response (hell), God's kindness (Jesus on a cross), man's response (repentance and faith).

4. How hard is it to become a Christian?
The "formula" is simple, doing it is not. It is not easy to believe.

5. How often do you talk about sin, righteousness and judgment?
Balance is key. This should not be the only emphasis, but it should be a regular emphasis.

6. How seeker sensitive is your church?
It is o.k. for a church to be "seeker aware" but seeker sensitive means that they lean toward
seekers and not the saved.

7. Who do you do church for, seekers or members?
"Both" is not acceptable. Church should be done for members and the unsaved are welcome to attend.

8. Do you dumb down your sermons?
If he says yes, he is probably not trying to wean his members from milk to meat. Answers like,
"We try to make our sermons accessible to everyone" are sermons that are not meaty.

9. What is your mixture of topical vs. expository preaching?
Topical preaching is fine, but if a pastor never or rarely preaches expositionally (verse by verse), then you are going to be learning from the pastor and not God's Word.

10. Do your sermons emphasize theology or are they just relevant?
Everyone should say their sermons are relevant, what you are looking for is if they teach
theology.

11. Describe your youth programs.
If fun and games is the major (and usually first) emphasis, you have a youth program that is trying to compete with MTV.

12. Describe your evangelism programs.
Don't just accept, "We have an evangelism committee." Dig. Are they serious about saving
souls?

13. What church growth model do you follow?
Hopefully they don't have one. Churches should be reaching out to the lost, but churches that
are plugged into new church growth models tend to follow man's modern ideas rather than the
Bible.

14. How much do you give to missions and the hungry?
Again, this reveals the heart of the church. While most churches give to missions, many never
consider the poor.

15. Do you believe the Bible contains no errors or contradictions?
No equivocation allowed here.

16. Do you believe in a literal 6 day creation?
Jesus did (Matt.19:4).

17. Do you believe in a literal hell and eternal punishment?
Jesus did (Matt.25).

19. When you distribute the Lord's Supper, do you emphasize the need to examine
yourself? Paul did (I Cor.11:27-32)

20. Can a person who is living in a persistent lifestyle of sin inherit eternal life?
Sinners can certainly be forgiven, but practicing sinners cannot inherit eternal life (I John3:8,9).

21. Does your church exercise church discipline?
Paul said we should (I Cor.5).

22. Do Sunday school teachers, nursery, and youth volunteers fill out an application to answer questions about their core beliefs and salvation, or are all volunteers accepted because of a lack of volunteers?

23.What are the essentials of the faith?
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Salvation through faith alone, the inerrancy of Scripture.

24. Do you have a cross in your sanctuary?
Many remove it because they fear it will turn off seekers. They should glory in the cross.
Let us want to go to church not to gain anything from God, but to worship Him just because He is.

Paradigm Shifts in Technology Hurt Evangelism Efforts

Introduction

Technology is a wonderful thing. It has not only improved our way of life, it’s also has made things easier for us in our daily routines. With advancements in washing machines, clothes have never been cleaner, and done as fast. The automobile has helped us work longer distances from home. The airplane helped us stay in touch with people far away, and also travel the globe and experience different cultures other than our own. The internet and personal computer helped some of us stay home to work, and students home from the library. Within evangelism, advances in technology has both helped, and hurt the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ. In the areas of helping…the internet has been a key figure in sharing the gospel with others. Information on different worldviews is at your fingertips. We are able to network with others of the same faith, and share information with each other through e-mail, blogs, and chat rooms. Video that was only available to certain clubs are now spanned over places like YouTube, MySpace, and other private websites. But for this blog, I want to concentrate on how changes in technology hinder evangelism in the United States.

Gas Station Pumps.

One such invention that hurt evangelism efforts was the evolution of gas station pumps to what we have today. Now you may be wondering how a gas station pump can hurt evangelism. Well gas station pumps have been around for a long time. They were born in 1898, and quickly became an American icon. They were another place where guys can be guys other than the barber shop. Humans have not changed in this aspect, where every person has a “third place” to go (first and second being home and work). For men, this third place consisted of where guys can be guys, and talk about cars, get dirty, and the smell of gas was an attraction. At these stations, you didn’t buy gas from Mobil, Exxon, or Shell, but you bought it from Tony Monoco, Joe Orwell. You bought gas from people.

Between 1933 and 1970 things started to change a bit. Gas stations became “service stations”, where not only did you buy gas, but also your oil was checked, windshield was washed, and the air was topped off. Even though service was quick, it was still personal. You as an employee knew your customers and your customers knew you. It was easy to build relationships with each other, and you still bought gas from a person. Combined with car repair…you had a favorite mechanic, knew him by name, and spoke with him frequently. He was trusted more than a doctor or dentist.

In the 1980’s, self service was mainstream in most states. Even though you pumped your own gas, you still paid someone to take your cash or credit card. At this point the level of service changed dramatically…none. No service whatsoever. If you wanted your windshield washed, you must do it yourself…along with checking your oil, and tires. Air wasn’t even free at some stations. These were combined with convenience stores instead of car repair which destroyed the “third place” for men. Things were made easy…”in and out” were the new paradigm shift.

In the 1990’s, a new shift basically destroyed all hope of having a conversations and witnessing opportunities between attendants and customers. Bullet proof glass was now the ultimate conversation killer. The attendant talked through a microphone 2 feet away which sounded worse than NASA talking with Neil Armstrong on the moon.

But just when you thought it couldn’t get worse….it was “swipe the card” in the new millennium. Here all transactions were done electronically. No one was there to check the oil, windows, or air. Now you didn’t have anyone to take your money. Just swipe the card and you are good to go. This paved the way for attendentless gas stations, and you were lucky to even find water or a brush to clean your windshield. Now if you talked to customers you were labeled weird, or worse…a stalker. Just watch out…that mother of 2 may be carrying Mace. My point is that the more advanced technology gets…the less face-to-face human interaction there will be. The world in all it’s busyness has become a very lonely place.

Internet

Well if you don’t believe me yet…let’s look at the internet. Now in the beginning I showed how the internet advanced evangelism efforts…now we will look at how it hurt efforts.

Not only did the internet promote “surfing” and looking for useless information which replaced exercise and learning a musical instrument, but it limited human interaction. Email, instant message, chat rooms, replaced talking face to face. Facial expressions were replaced by “smiley faces”, “quick texts”, and coded messages. This made writing between teenagers and parents seem like the Tower of Babel. MySpace replaced learning about each other through relationships and long talks to personality profiles and surveys. Not only that, but coffee shops were created so that people can talk to each other. People paid $4.00 a latte to talk face to face…but what happened…Wi-Fi happened. And people started doing the same old thing, therefore getting the same old results.

So what am I getting at?

People don’t want to get personal with each other because the paradigm shifts in technology have prevented this from happening. People in one sense or another hate human interaction because they have been programmed by technology ignore it, or frankly, be scared of it. So where does that leave the Christian evangelist trying to witness to a person on the street, who has a hard message anyway…but now the heavy burden of sharing that message to a person who does not want, or is scared to talk.

Gospel tracts have been a key at sharing the gospel with people and not having that face-to-face conversation. They are effective against this paradigm shift for several reasons.
1. Tracts provide an opening to share your faith. When you don’t know what to talk about or how to start a conversation…these do the work for you.
2. They can do the witnessing for us. If we are too timid to speak we can simply leave one somewhere for others to pick up.
3. They find themselves in homes where the evangelist cannot go.
4. They speak to individuals when they are ready. People don’t read them until they want to. (This is a key reason right here).
5. They don’t get into arguments…they just state their case.
Of course another rule of thumb is that people don’t care what you know…until they know that you care. Have a genuine, honest interest in other people. Treat them the way that you would want to be treated. Love them. That’s the way God did it. Jesus never had a laptop, Paul never had a PDA. Get to know a person by the God given talents we were born with…our eyes, our ears, our mouths. Reach out and touch someone. Not only touch them physically, but in their heart. The quickest way to a person’s mind…is their heart.

Conclusion.

So the next time you swipe your card at the pump, give a friendly hello to the car next to you. When you are at your favorite coffee shop, ditch the laptop and PDA and have a conversation with the person next to you. Start another paradigm shift in the right direction. You’ll be glad that you did.