Report from the FIFA Final Draw in Cape Town

On the evening of Thursday December 3, 2009 we had a meeting at Brother Nigel and Sister Charlene Titus’ home in Grassy Park where we discussed the schedule and prayed for the outreach in and around the Cape Town city centre to take place the next day.

By the grace of God and after some time of planning this event, the day arrived on Friday December 4 where a team of evangelists would be taking to the streets of Cape Town to meet sinners whose only interest in this particular day would appear to be “to go out and party in Long Street”.

We left Nigel’s home shortly after 12:00 and proceeded into the city. The team would eventually comprise an “early” team and a “later” team for those joining us after work in the late afternoon / early evening. The members present were Nigel Titus, Donovan Nelson, Timothy Brown, Madge Titus (Nigel’s mother), Veronica Neutt, Bradley Scott, Bernadette Wagner, Craig Ernstzen, Barion Smith, Daniel Manuels (cameraman) and Gary Crous.

THIBAULT SQUARE

We arrived at Thibault Square; Nigel had received a call to collect the gospel tracts delivered to the mail room at his work in God’s perfect timing from Living Waters Africa. At the Square there were many people sitting around, walking through, waiting or taking their lunch break, and some were even on their “smoke-break” from work. Meeting these people allowed us opportunities to witness to them about the Day of Judgment that is approaching them as we opened the Perfect Law of God to their consciences and revealed the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ through the perfect atonement of sins through His sacrificial death on the cross, but most importantly His resurrection to life where He has conquered the sting of death, the grave and sinners’ sins for those who will repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

During this time there were many one2one witnessing encounters undertaken by us zealous evangelists. Challengers were also encountered and overcome by the power of God. One particular incident was when Veronica was approached by a security officer, who is employed at the Square, who questioned her about handing out tracts and whether she had permission to do so. Veronica approached Gary to discuss the situation, whilst he was witnessing to an elderly gentleman who understood the Word being opened to him. Afterwards, Gary explained to Veronica that the Square was public domain unless there was any signage prohibiting the distribution of written materials (including Gospel Tracts) or a code of conduct that was viewable. The situation did not proceed any further as we were not approached again by security. In all that unfolded in the Square He is the One who is glorified in all the good works that took place. We were merely the vessels that were available to God for Him to speak His Words to dying sinners. No praise is due to us – God is the One to be glorified for orchestrating us. There were some persons who were receptive and open to discussion and there were also those who held fast to their unbelief and were prepared to take a gamble with their eternal wellbeing where their consciences terminated the conversations rather than receive the Truth in and through Christ Jesus.

ST GEORGES STREET MALL

From Thibault Square, the soldiers of the cross rounded up and proceeded up St. Georges Street Mall. After taking a short “time-out” the work of the Lord continued with handing out of tracts, one2one witnessing and ministering to believers and the unsaved. Craig Ernstzen shared that there was a security guard who had heard the gospel proclaimed to him once before and was at the point of making a profession for Christ Jesus. We pray the Holy Spirit convicted him of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8) and saved him by reconciling him into God’s family by making him a child of the Almighty.

There were many more opportunities of handing out tracts as we walked the length of the Mall and we also had opportunities of engaging the lost in conversation taking them through the Good Person Test, opening up the Perfect Law and expounding upon the Goodness of God expressing His Mercy and Grace through the cross by the sacrificing of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE GARDENS (Outside Parliament)

This would be where we would do our Project Ezra readings - we had chosen Matthew 5 – 7 and other readings. Today would also be the first time for five of our brothers and sisters in Christ to break the sound barrier. God is gracious in bringing His children to a place of overcoming what we call obstacles. In God’s strength all things are possible. Hallelujah.


(From Top L to R through to Bottom L to R in order of Project Ezra readings – Nigel Titus, Gary Crous, Veronica Neutt (Newbie), Madge Titus (Newbie), Timothy Brown (Newbie), Donovan Nelson (Newbie), Craig Ernstzen, and Barion Smith (Newbie))

While the readings were taking place, passer-bys were handed many tracts and witnessing conversations also took place under the tree lined walkway. It was also at this point that a few of the brethren commenced with open-air preaching as the proclamation of God’s Law and the Gospel of Grace echoed in the Gardens of Cape Town. During the preaching of the Word Nigel handed a Million Dollar tract to a guy named Matthew. On receiving it he looked intently at it and said: “Is this the Way of the Master tract?” A conversation commenced between Nigel and Matthew – who opened his backpack to reveal that he, too, was carrying Living Waters tracts and material. Matthew has recently moved down to Cape Town from Durban to work there and Nigel now has his contact details. It is awesome to know that the ekklesia is being exposed to The Way of the Master Evangelism. Praise God that Biblical Evangelism is being preached!!!

LONG STREET (The Party-Zone)

We proceeded down to Long Street in the heart of Cape Town where the party-zone was cordoned off by the ever present South African Police Services (SAPS). To gain access you had to enter from the side streets – after being bodily searched by SAPS Law Enforcement Officers. It was a sea of humanity and chaotic – we could never even think about having meaningful conversations with the hoards of lost souls from every creed, tribe and tongue who were there for one thing – to party. Long Street was out of the question, but the side street we entered the zone from was ideal. Conversations could be had even with the everpresent soundings of the Vuvuzelas and we were also able to open-air preach to the lines of fans waiting to enter the party-zone.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” – Matthew 24:36-39

There is so much more that can be written about our evangelising the lost and hopefully individual stories and testimonies will be penned and sent in to be posted by our Lord’s labourers. Praise belongs to Our One and Only God – The Lord Jesus Christ for without His Good Works we can do absolutely nothing.

The Class of 4 December 2009 – Back Row L to R – Donovan Nelson, Bradley Scott, Craig Ernstzen, Gary Crous, Nigel Titus, Timothy Brown; Front Row L to R - Veronica Neutt, Barion Smith, Bernadette Wagner, and Madge Titus; Cameraman – Daniel Manuels. Late arrivals Emile & Teri Jansen and their daughter.

After a long day, with tired limbs, hoarse throats, but vibrant in heart we fellowshipped as a family around a meal at Nandos where we discussed our experiences, shared “war stories” and testimonies of how Great and Good our God really is - it was a perfect way to end a perfect day.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

To see all the photographs view them at this slideshow.

Brothers on Mission

There is nothing sweeter than the fellowship of brothers walking with our Lord Jesus Christ in His harvest field. During the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa, four brothers from two continents prayerfully backed by their brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world proclaimed the Law and the Gospel of Grace to the hoards of local and visiting soccer fans.

The Word was proclaimed and preached to a dying, dark world. The Light entered into a spiritually dead and hungering vineyard, and we believe and trust in the Name of Jesus that God’s Word went forth and accomplished what He had sent it to fulfill His purposes.

From the time I fetched Bill Adams and Thomas Nunes from Oliver Tambo International Airport there was a togetherness that was evident. We would all be learning as we got to know one another better and also glean from each other what God had already prepared us to learn. My lesson to be learned up front would be patience. To drive and negotiate the Johannesburg traffic with the additional complications of roads being closed around the stadia we would visit and the “endless” roadworks was a definite test. The first trial was when I picked up our brethren and upon trying to negotiate the roadworks at the airport to get to the currency exchanger we were “swung” out onto the highway leading away from the airport. Patience and a few kilometres of the “scenic route” and we were back on track… mmm … patience.

Let us also not forget our most wonderful hosts who truly have servant hearts for our Lord Jesus, in the families of Michael, Natalie and their two young sons Caleb and Calvin and Grenville, Ruth (Michael’s sister) and their two young sons Joel and Nathan. Their hospitality to us leaves me – and I am sure the brothers, too – speechless, but rejoicing in Jesus. It was truly how the body of Christ should function. The fellowship, prayer and morning devotions were sweet to the soul. Michael Rogers heads up Living Waters Africa, so most mornings we would stock up with Gospel tracts in his study from where he runs the ministry. He was also kind and gave us many discounts and we also thank Grenville and Ruth for purchasing us some tracts, too. We love you all.

Bill and Thomas are true Ambassadors of Christ who are truly on fire for the preaching of God’s Word and engaging in conversation, with the lost and also amongst ourselves. What I was challenged by most of all with Bill is his many, many questions. Here is a man with a servant heart and a probing mind that had me tested to the limits. He is a brother that wants to learn as much as he can from his brothers and sisters around him, and I really enjoyed his probes. It had me examining myself and searching for the correct answers. In our Q & A sessions he also ministered into my life. Thank you brother and I look forward to labouring with you for our Lord Jesus.

Thomas, my room-brother, is a gentle and prayerful soul. He is a brother that has a heart for the lost who not only went the extra mile with his time spent with the lost souls, but made the added effort of taking down many, many, many names that would later find their way into his prayer journal. This brother is a kind man whose love flows towards mankind and children. I saw this trait in Bill, too, the way they spoke to the young sons of our hosts. For Thomas, being an ex-Zimbabwean, he found himself witnessing to many Zim-refugees at the plaza in downtown Johannesburg. I believe this was an appointed time by God for Thomas to be used of the Lord to minister into their broken, poor, sinful lives and those who were encouraged as Christians, too.

Later in the week our brother from Badplaas – Willem Pretorius arrived and joined up with us. Here is a brother who we are sure God challenged and brought him to a place where he exceeded unchartered territory. Here is a young man who has a passion to learn and please God and who broke the sound barrier by reading Scripture and preaching the Law and the Gospel of Grace for the very first time in a public forum. An Ambassador of Christ who stepped out of his comfort zone – and who nearly did not join up with us – and allowed the strength of Christ to overcome his challenges. Thank you Willem for your obedience in joining us in our Lord’s harvest field.

What was also a precious few days was that Thomas travelled from the USA and he got to see his brother Dilip (Botswana) and his dad Mr Nunes (Zimbabwe) who travelled to Johannesburg to visit. A reunion after five years. A wonderful work of God’s Hand bringing family together.

All Glory to God for the time we spent lifting up the precious Name of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. As you can see from the posts hereunder from the FIFA Confederations Cup there are many witnessing stories that have been related to and there will be more to follow.

Under the Photos tab above there is a link to our photo gallery that reflects all the photos from our time on mission. We hope to have a video that captures the full extent of the mission up here in the near future.

The Unadulterated Gospel

This is just a morsel of biblical preaching; not the false doctrines and a soft gospel being preached by masquerading pastors and false teachers.

O Lord Jesus, Almighty God raise up true preachers of Your Word and annoint their tongues to proclaim Your Word in season and out of season. Amen.

Paul Washer sermon jam #1


Paul Washer sermon jam #2


Paul Washer sermon jam #3

Cars In The Park

This past Sunday May 17, I ventured to this annual event that takes place literally on my doorstep in Pietermaritzburg. In the past I, too, went to this event to socialise and satisfy my flesh, but now I see this event through new eyes -- through the eyes of an evangelist. This is an evangelism opportunity for the drawn crowds.

Here is the tract designed specifically for the crowds who would come out today...

CARS IN THE PARK 2009
ALEXANDRA PARK
PIETERMARITZBURG

Welcome to Cars in the Park 2009. Today, as with any other day, you have decided to exercise your freedom and to decide how you will spend this day. You might have risen later than normal today and planned this outing on the ‘spur of the moment’, or today might have been planned by you well in advance. But, how free are you really? Do you really have true freedom? The Bible says that you are a slave to sin ... so how can you think you are free indeed?

Today there is also judging that will take place to determine which automobiles will be judged to receive the first, the second and the third prizes. (please read the reverse side ...)

Gary Crous +27 72 221 1233

(Reverse Side)
However, there is another Judgment Day that has been set aside in the future when Almighty God will judge each and every person with a perfect Law which will not grade people on a slide rule. People tend to think about everything else including attending a ‘Cars in the Park’ event than giving thought about their eternal destiny. Reality is 150 000 people die every 24 hours and if today you had to die as a slave of your sins where do you think you would spend eternity? Will you be good enough for God to let you into Heaven? Most people profess to be good, but by what standard are they basing their goodness on? What about you? To truly see if you are a good person you must use a more perfect standard to judge yourself by looking into the perfect moral Law of Almighty God. This Law is the Ten Commandments. Here goes ... How many lies have you told in your life? Half-truths, fibs, white lies? A lie is a lie and by definition God sees you as a liar. Stolen something? The size or value of the object matters not, and time does not excuse the crime. God sees you as a thief. Jesus said in old times it was said do not commit adultery, but I tell you whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). Ever looked with lust? Had sexual thoughts in your mind? Indulged in fornication (had sex outside the bounds of marriage)? Homosexuality? Porn? If this is you, God will judge you as an adulterer. Ever committed murder? God’s Word says hating someone is murder (1 John 3:15). Abortion is also the murder of unborn children. Ever used God or His Son Jesus’ name to show surprise or disgust? Like, “Oh my G-D!!” This is blasphemy and it is a serious offense in the sight of God. God also says you shall have no other gods (idols) before Him. Are you guilty of idolatry? Maybe your car is your object of worship! Or do you covet (crave) other peoples’ possessions? That is greed. If you have answered “yes” to any of these violations then God sees you as a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer, a blasphemer, an idolater and a coveter. If God finds you guilty and judges you for every crime you have committed against Him, as He sees your every thought, intention of the heart, every word uttered and every deed done, even those in secret, and He gives you the justice you rightfully deserve on the Day of Judgment (Acts 17:31) as a lawbreaker, then will you go to Heaven or Hell? Any person in their right mind will know that breaking the Law demands a payment and God has assigned a place called Hell as His prison for vile sinners who have transgressed His Holy Law. That is the bad news. The Good News (The Gospel) is that God is so kind and merciful that He expressed His grace and love to sinners by choosing to reveal Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully Man and without sin, Jesus gave us the divine standard by which we are to live. He lay down His life for sinners and went to the cross to be punished by God’s righteous wrath. You broke God’s Law and Jesus took your punishment. Your life on earth is not a game to be played by your rules. God’s precious Son Jesus took your filthy sin upon Himself and made unmerited payment with His Holy blood. He died in your place as a curse when you deserve Hell. He resurrected to life defeating death and sin. God saves by offering free Grace so no man can boast. You are not good. God is so Good to want to save evil and wicked sinners from eternal damnation. God commands righteousness, not happiness. He commands holy living. Repent before God’s throne and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith alone while you still have time. Jesus is the only way to be forgiven your sins (John 14:6). Without the Lamb of God Jesus’ precious blood your sins cannot be forgiven and you are damned.

www.NeedGod.com
www.luke923evangelism.wordpress.com
www.chroniclesofafisherofmen.blogspot.com

The crowds were large this day, and if you have viewed this blog it is most probably because you were handed the above Gospel tract. Please do consider your eternal destiny. Cry out to God for His mercy upon your soul if you are not yet reconciled to Him.




These young persons are (l to r) Sarah, Ishmael, Donovan and Jason who travelled all the way from Johannesburg to attend the show -- and they also received the preaching of the Law and the Gospel. The tract can be seen in their hands.


To each and every person who received a tract and was taken through the Good Person Test or engaged in conversation; God knows who you are and His children around the world are praying for your souls.

All the Glory be to God for another awesome day out fishing.

IPL Cricket ~ Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban

On Friday May 1st, 2009 – a public holiday known as Worker’s Day – my family and I together with Gerald traveled to Monteseel to visit my in-laws and to allow my wife, son and grandson to visit my father-in-law while Gerald and I headed off to Durban on our evangelism mission. Durban is situated 85 kms from Pietermaritzburg on the east coast of the province KwaZulu-Natal. This cosmopolitan city is known as Surf-City. This day we would be outside the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead’s gates at the Indian Premier League match between the Bangalore Royal Challengers and the Kings XI Punjab teams.

Since the IPL requested Cricket South Africa to help them out by staging the Twenty/20 format, due to the terrorist problems India experienced in the Mumbai attacks earlier this year, it would appear that this format of the game would appeal to the large Asian community in South Africa, and more specifically in Durban where the Indian community dominates the surrounding areas. Some people have even referred to this community as “the little India”. This was the mission before us - to hand out tracts, witness one-to-one, read Scripture and open-air preach the Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to what turned out to be crowds of approximately 98% Asian persuasion.

From the dress, religious symbols and appearances it was evident that those attending were predominantly of the Muslim and Hindu religions and other Asian cults, as well as some professing Christians and those who don’t believe.

We started out by handing out the following tract, designed specifically for this particular event with a Q & A on cricket trivia from the IPL 2007/2008 season followed with the Law and the Gospel presentation on the reverse side:

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2009
SOUTH AFRICA

QUIZ ~ Q & A
(Test your knowledge and please do not cheat by looking at the answers first)

1. What was the highest total scored?

2. What were the largest victory margins by runs? By wickets?

3. Which Kings XI Punjab batsman scored the most runs in 2007/08?

4. Who scored the most sixes in an innings?

5. What were the best bowling figures in an innings?

6. What were the names of the top two teams in the standings?

7. What holidays do South Africans commemorate on 27th April and 1st May?

~ Please read the reverse side for more knowledge ~

Answers*: 1) 240/5 by Chennai vs. Punjab. 2) 140 runs by Kolkata vs. Bangalore and 10 wickets by Deccan vs. Mumbai. 3) SE Marsh – 616 runs. 4) BB McCullum (Kolkata) 13 vs. Bangalore. 5) Sohail Tanvir 6/14 (Rajasthan) vs. Chennai. 6) Rajasthan 22 points and Punjab 20 points. 7) Freedom Day and Worker’s Day.
* Answers (except 7) were verified on IPL internet sites and are taken as being correct as at 29th April 2009.

Gary Crous +27 72 221 1233

Now that you have answered the questions on the reverse side of this handout ~ how did you score? Some right? Most right? All right? We tend to know a lot about our sport and worldly matters, but spend little to no time thinking about the million dollar question which will make every other question you have ever answered appear to be insignificant. Do you know what will happen to you the day you will die and pass into eternity? People tend to think about everything else including attending a Twenty/20 cricket match than thinking about their eternal destiny. Reality is 150 000 people die every 24 hours and you are guaranteed one thing in this life ~ someday you will also die. If you should die today, will you be good enough for Almighty God to let you into Heaven? Most people profess to be good, but by what standard are they basing their goodness on? What about you? To truly see if you are a good person you must use a more perfect standard to judge yourself by looking into the perfect moral Law of Almighty God. This Law is the Ten Commandments. Here goes … How many lies have you told in your life? Half-truths, fibs, white lies? A lie is a lie and by definition God sees you as a liar. Stolen something? The size or value of the object matters not, and time does not excuse the crime. God sees you as a thief. Jesus said in old times it was said do not commit adultery, but I tell you whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). Ever looked with lust? Had sexual thoughts in your mind? Indulged in fornication (had sex outside the bounds of marriage)? Homosexuality? Porn? If this is you, God will judge you as an adulterer. Ever committed murder? God’s Word says hating someone is murder (1 John 3:15). Abortion is also the murder of unborn children. Ever used God or His Son Jesus’ name to show surprise or disgust? Like, “Oh my G-D!!” This is blasphemy and it is a serious offense in the sight of God. God also says you shall have no other gods (idols) before Him. Are you guilty of idolatry? If you have answered “yes” to any of these violations then God sees you as a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer, a blasphemer and an idolater. If God finds you guilty and judges you for every crime you have committed against Him, as He sees your every thought, intention of the heart, every word uttered and every deed done, even those in secret, and He gives you the justice you rightfully deserve on the Day of Judgment (Acts 17:31) as a lawbreaker, then will you go to Heaven or Hell? Any person in their right mind will know that breaking the Law demands a payment and God has assigned a place called Hell as His prison for sinners who have transgressed His Holy Law. That is the bad news. The Good News is that God is so kind and merciful that He expressed His grace and love to sinners by choosing to reveal Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully Man and without sin, Jesus gave us the divine standard by which we are to live. He lay down His life for sinners and went to the cross to be punished by God’s righteous wrath. You broke God’s Law and Jesus took your punishment. Your life on earth is not a game to be played by your rules. God’s precious Son Jesus took your filthy sin upon Himself and made unmerited payment with His Holy blood. He resurrected to life defeating death and sin. God saves by offering free Grace so no man can boast. You are not good. God is so Good to want to save evil and wicked sinners from eternal damnation. Repent before God’s throne and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith alone while you still have time.

www.NeedGod.com
www.luke923evangelism.wordpress.com
www.chroniclesofafisherofmen.blogspot.com

From using question 7 on the tract, our main springboard would be: What does freedom mean to you? As you will see from the following clip, I read Galatians 5:1-26 to show the True meaning of liberty (freedom) in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Please forgive the shaky filming of the clip as the cameraman is still in training :) - what is more important is that the clip is to encourage our brothers and sisters to step out in faith and believe God will work the miracles of having you out there seeking and saving that which is lost – as Jesus did (Luke 19:10)].



The game had commenced and we decided to leave and to head on home. This is a view of Warriors Gate opposite the stadium as the sun was going down. God painted a wonderful sunset for us…

And inside the stadium, we knew idolatry was taking place. We pray that the idolaters who came to their “shrine” will repent and worship the only True God Jesus Christ and stop their evil and wicked worship of their Bollywood stars and the cricket players (their idols). There is a difference to supporting and worshipping. We hope and pray God will show His Goodness and Mercy and cause the false worshippers (idolaters) to repent of their evil and wicked ways.

An Open Letter to President Obama

This post appeared on Tony Miano's blog The Lawman Chronicles and is posted here with his permission.

Dear President Barack Obama,

My name is Tony Miano. I am a citizen of the United States and you are my president.

While we live in the same country, we also live worlds apart. We are very different--you and I. You are a politician and the most powerful man in the world--known to virtually everyone. I am a retired deputy sheriff, who is now serving in the ministry--known to very few.

Yet while we are different, we have several things in common. We are about the same age. We are both married to lovely, supportive women. We are raising daughters (although two of mine are now in college). We're protective of our families. And we both profess to be followers of Jesus Christ.

Here are some of the statements you have made about your faith:

"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life."

"I am a Christian. So, I have a deep faith. So I draw from the Christian faith."

"I've been to the same church-- the same Christian church-- for almost 20 years . . .I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible."

"It is a precept of my Christian faith that my redemption comes through Christ, but I am also a big believer in the Golden Rule, which I think is an essential pillar not only of my faith but of my values and my ideals and my experience here on Earth."

"My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work."

Mr. President, you profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ, yet you have said nothing about this...

You have said nothing publicly about the use of your image to blaspheme God.

The artist canceled the public unveiling of this blasphemous work, due to the public, moral outrage over the work's content.

Mr. President, since your image was used to blaspheme the God in whom you say you believe, why hasn't your voice been the first and the loudest to be heard? As a professing Christian and the present leader of our country, why aren't you the leading Christian voice to say that you do not condone or appreciate the use of your image to blaspheme the Lord Jesus Christ?

If you were to try to make the case that as a "community organizer" you want to bring people together, and to speak publicly about this would alienate non-Christians; or if you were to try to make the case that this is a "freedom of speech" issue and you would not want to be seen as infringing upon the artist's right to free expression; then I would humbly submit to you, Mr. President, that anything and/or anyone you place before or above God, is your god.

Mr. President, any time you refuse to make a stand for God you are denying God. And the Word of God is clear. "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33).

Could making such a public stand for the name and holiness of Jesus Christ prove costly? Could it cost you your popularity among the masses, both here and abroad? Could it cost you support within the halls of government? Could it cost you the White House? Could it cost you your very life? Jesus had an answer for concerns such as these.

"And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, He said to them, 'If anyone would come after Me, let Him deny Himself and take up His cross and follow Me'" (Mark 8:34).

Mr. President, whatever you are unwilling to sacrifice (even your life) for the sake of Jesus Christ is, in reality, your god. Whatever you love more than Christ; whatever you treasure more than Christ; whatever you will not forfeit for Christ is your god.

While there is only one Lawgiver and Judge and while there is only One who is able to save and destroy (James 4:12), and while I cannot know your heart, because I care about you as a human being I must tell you this. Your seeming indifference to this latest effort to dub you messiah, coupled with many things you have said in the past that run contrary to the Christian faith and the infallible Word of God; I must tell you that I do not believe you are a Christian. While you assert that you believe in Jesus Christ (even the demons believe and shudder--James 2:19), I do not believe you have received Him as Lord and Savior. I believe you are lost and in need of salvation.

Mr. President, I do not make such a statement--one that many professing Christians and non-Christians alike would wrongly deem judgmental--with any ill-will toward you whatsoever. On the contrary, Mr. President: I make such a statement because I care enough about you as a human being to tell you the truth. I love you enough to tell you the truth and run the risk of having you hate me for it.

Mr. President, there is yet another way you and I are very similar. We are both sinners. We have both violated the Law of God. Mr. President, if you have ever lied, stolen, taken God's name in vain, looked at someone other than your wife with lust, or ever hated anyone then God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterous, murderer at heart.

Because God is good--because He is holy, righteous, and just--He must punish your sin. All sin is against God. The punishment God has ascribed for sin is eternity in hell, Mr. President. When you die and stand before Almighty God, He will not see you mounted on a donkey. He will not see you wearing the crown of thorns He allowed His only Son to wear. He will see you naked--clothed only in the filthy garments of your sin. And He will say to you on that great and terrible day, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you worker of lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23b).

Mr. President, I do not want that for you. My wish for you is a very long and healthy life on this earth. I wish the same for your wife and your children; as well as your children's children. But I want so much more than that for you. I want you to receive the free gift of eternal life that only God can give.

Mr. President, allow me to introduce you to the real Messiah--the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Two thousand years ago, God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ (fully God and fully man) to this earth (John 1:14). He lived the perfect life that you cannot live. He was nailed to a cross, shed His blood, and died taking upon Himself the wrath of God sinners deserve (Mark 15:22-26). Three days later, He rose from the dead defeating sin and death. As a result of Jesus Christ's perfect life, shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection, God grants forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16). But in order for this to happen, Jesus said you must be "born again" (John 3:3). Being born again is a supernatural work that only God can do when He gives you a new heart and dwells in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. This change results in a hunger for righteousness that will cause you to repent, turn from your sins, and put your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Please, Mr. President, repent and believe the gospel. Turn from your sins and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Neither you, nor the ecumenical, pluralistic, unjust god you have fashioned in your mind are the true Messiah. There is only One. His name is Jesus Christ--the God of the Scriptures--the Living Word.

Mr. President, it matters not to me whether thousands of people join me by signing this letter or it bears only my signature. What matters to me, Mr. President, is where you will spend eternity. What matters to me, Mr. President, is whether you will stand with me to exalt and glorify the name that is above every name--the name before which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess--Jesus Christ the Lord.

Respectfully yours,

Tony Miano
A Bondslave of the Lord Jesus Christ

(If you would like to add your name to the list of signors, please e-mail me at thelawman104@gmail.com. Please include your full name, city, and state or city and country).

Signers:

Renee Heaton -- Frisco, TX
Katie Neilsen -- Golden River, BC, Canada
Paula Coyle -- Hutchinson, MN
Jason Coyle -- Hutchinson, MN
Jason McClaren -- Witchita, KS
Sarah DuBois -- Middletown, OH
Jeff Guill -- Paducah, KY
Ann Osborne-Reed -- Colonial Beach, VA
Angela Williams -- Hershey, PA
Michelle Miano -- Valencia, CA
Kevin Mollahan -- Topeka, KS
Justine Jacobson -- Farmington, MN
Mahria Miano -- Valencia, CA
Melissa Jarvis Reed -- Benton, KY
Dale Jackson -- Lakewood, CA
Rachel Liebregt -- Redondo Beach, CA
Russ Nymeyer -- Mentone, CA
Patty Nymeyer -- Mentone, CA
Chris Pawlowski -- Annapolis, MD
Robert Hornak -- Sacramento, CA
Mike Leonhardt -- Pheonix, AZ
Kurt A. Simms -- Crosby, TX
Mary J. Simms -- Crosby, TX
Nathan Frost -- Binghamton, NY
Amy Frost, -- Binghamton, NY
Tim Brown -- Galesburg, IL
Dan Duffy -- Bishop, CA
Margi Duffy -- Bishop, CA
Meagan Duffy -- Bishop, CA
Billy Jack Morris -- Witchita Falls, TX
Amy Corinne Morris -- Witchita Falls, TX
Vicki Rumore -- Billings, MT
Kathy Shortridge -- Billings, MT
Rusty Beals -- Rock Creek, OH
Elliot Lui -- Wheaton, IL
Peter Sylvester -- Langley, BC, Canada
Glnis Sylvester -- Langley, BC, Canada
Jason M. Shoots -- Douglasville, GA
Bobby McCreery -- Winder, GA
Kara McCreery -- Winder, GA
Matt Johnson -- Oglethorpe, GA
Billy M. Lauderdale -- Booneville, MS
Rob Vanderzel -- Charleston, SC
Heather Vanderzel -- Charleston, SC
David Barnes -- Manitoulin Island, ONT, Canada
Dan White -- Fairfield, PA
Paul Wilcoxen -- Mount Vernon, IL
Stefano Ashbridge -- Los Angeles, CA
Ian Pari -- Valencia, CA
Cheryl Pari -- Valencia, CA (50)
Evan Miller -- North Canton, OH
Mark Applegate -- Stockton, MO
Alex Burt -- Bethlehem, GA
Sharon Pease -- Fountain Valley, CA
Rick Comforth -- Sycamore, IL
Thomas Paulikas -- Monroe, NJ
Ed Hinckley -- Larkspur, CO
Tama Hinckley -- Larkspur, CO
Dian Corbett -- Jacksonville, FL
Joseph A. Modica -- Charleston, SC
Palmira K. Modica -- Charleston, SC
Jennifer Good -- Melbourne Beach, FL
Patti Golden -- Auburn, AL
William Brannon -- Purcellville, VA
Paul Harvey -- Madison, AL
Christopher Yarzab -- Arleta, CA
Chris Hobeck -- Manassas, VA
Timothy Bock, Jr. -- Fontana, CA
Guy Reynolds -- Ashland, KY
Judy K. Guentzel -- Temple, TX
Susan Altamirano -- Charleston, WV
Gary Upton -- Tulsa, OK
Jeff Wisterman -- Holly, MI
Thomas Foley -- Pawcatuck, CT
Tamara Cline -- Morgantown, WV
Donna Hebert -- Waterboro, ME
Mike Nutini -- Sylmar, CA
Daniel Beaudoin -- San Jose, CA
Terri Nettles -- Houston, TX
Greg Sandoval -- Fontana, CA
Yvette Sandoval -- Fontana, CA
Gary Rink -- Seattle, WA
Joe Harrison -- Monroeville, NJ
Tiffany Marie Soto -- Beaumont, CA
Sherry Pierce -- Sun Lakes, AZ
Chrstopher M. Hohnholz -- Fernley, NV
Kristine J. Hohnholz -- Fernley, NV
Adam Gray -- Juneau, AK
Daniel Kamilchu -- Sacramento, CA
Glenda Barnard -- Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Lisa Cybul -- Castaic, CA
Lili Nguyen -- Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bart McCurdy -- Cottonwood, CA
Scott Bryant -- Ewing, KY
Mistry Bryant -- Ewing, KY
Todd Arnold -- Independence, MO
JonPaul Arth -- Maple Grove, MN
Shari Arth -- Maple Grove, MN
Kurt Michaelson -- Nyack, NY
Grace Nauroth -- Saylorsburg, PA (100)
Darryl Spriggs -- N. Charleston, SC
Devin Schultz -- Hepburn, SK, Canada
Paul Latour -- Ottawa, ONT, Canada
Kim Noel -- Ottawa, ONT, Canada
Chris Jones -- Suffolk, VA
Tammy Jones -- Suffolk, VA
Eric King -- Charleston, SC
Matthew Hadley -- Baltimore, MD
Andrew Ruth -- Myerstown, PA
Mee Leng Foo -- Melaka, West Malaysia
Sara Parrott -- Bolivar, MO
Robert Clinkenbeard -- Sunnyvale, CA
Rob-roy Nelson -- Mesa, AZ
Harry A. Barnes III -- Damascus, OR
Nancy Barnes -- Damascus, OR
Mark Sennett -- Los Angeles, CA
Dorothy Randall -- Sun Lakes, AZ
Gary Crous -- Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Sue Connor -- South Harrow, Middlesex, England
Thomas Zepeda -- Grand Terrace, CA
Evita Zepeda -- Grand Terrace, CA
Danny Allen -- Louisville, KY
John Murphy -- San Martin, CA
Nancy Murphy -- San Martin, CA
Shane Wright -- Lathrop, MO
David P. Schneck -- Cunningham, TN
Evelyn Brister, M.D. -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Thams Bonner -- Kemp, TX
Susan Bonner -- Kemp, TX
James Thompson -- Willow Springs, NC
Vernon Costolo -- Huntington, WV
Ron Berg -- Mesa, AZ
Shauna Lopez -- McKinney, TX
Kenny Swanson -- Chesapeake Beach, MD
Jerry Dorris -- Louisville, KY
Lorene Bevans -- Simi Vally, CA
Ray Comfort -- Bellflower, CA
Alan Pearson -- Riverside, CA
Kimberly Bennett -- Pooler, GA
Angela Snipes -- Mayfield, KY
Mark Phillippo, Jr. -- Northport, AL
Andrew Henske -- Manchester, MO
Cassandra Kyle -- Susanville, CA
Kim Matthews -- Marietta, GA
Joel Nava -- Anaheim, CA
Ralph M. Petersen -- Hemet, CA
Gabriel J. Gonzalez -- Chicago, IL
Danny Goodall -- Pico Rivera, CA
James Braaten -- Burnsville, MN
Jaylene Daugherty -- Bellflower, CA (150)
Michael Ayers -- Providence, KY
S. Robert Musso -- Spanish Fork, UT
Brian Persson -- La Center, WA
Terry Kent -- Orland Park, IL
Jan Kent -- Orland Park, IL
Michael Koiner -- Arlington, TX
Myron "Mike" Taylor -- Mayer, MN
Lisa Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Kenneth Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Justin Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Jesse Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Mark Hall -- Roanoke, AL
Linda Essary -- Apache Junction, AZ
Charles Lowry -- Pampa, TX
Amy Engle -- Kettering, OH
G. Wayne Dodrill -- Frisco, TX
Hector Sanchez -- Rego Park, NY
Wayne Owens -- Frisco, TX
Dennis Cain -- Fort Worth, TX
Laura Smith -- Port Orchard, WA
Nigel Titus -- Cape Town, South Africa
Annie Dearth -- Murrayville, GA
Carl Kalbfleisch -- Carrollton, TX
Doug Tollett -- Auburn, AL
Palmira T. Modica -- Charleston, SC
Berry Davis -- Las Vega, NV
Erin Philleo -- Wausau, WI
Mark Mackey -- Hemet, CA
Frank Redman, Jr. -- San Antonio, TX
Lupe Redman -- San Antonio, TX
Deanna Thompson -- Willow Spring, NC
Norman "Todd" Messenger -- Salem, OR
Lillian Isabel Garcia -- Las Vegas, NV
Larry Vena -- La Crescenta, CA
Dimitra A. Vena -- La Crescenta, CA
Shawn Atchison -- Butte, MT
John Bensley -- Lawrenceville, GA
Toni Gilbert -- Santa Ana, CA
Regina Swart -- Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Gretchen McCauley -- Orange, TX
Joel Jenson -- Thorne Bay, AK
Deidre Jenson -- Thorne Bay, AK
Jay Phillips -- Dothan, AL
Jason Gallagher -- Redondo Beach, CA
Ryan Sprang -- Kenton, OH
Kathryn Billups -- Los Angeles, CA
Tina Carlson -- Derby, CT
Byron Porter -- Allen, TX
Linda Emery -- Greeley, CO
Donald MacPhee -- Abilene, TX (200)
Joel Anderson -- Bagley, MN
Jamie Anderson -- Bagley, MN
Travis Yates -- Tulsa, OK
Amy Barta -- Marion, IA
Betty Taylor -- Brownwood, TX
Gerhard Stander -- South Africa
Ivan Rivera -- Lake Dallas, TX
Corinne Mahan -- San Diego, CA
Adrian Castro -- Las Vegas, NV
Benjamin M. Coyne -- Carroll, IA
Steve P. Sanchez -- Redondo Beach, CA
Jennifer Mattingly -- Chandler, AZ
Pradeep Chellathurai -- Bengaluru, India
Eric Pearson -- Milan, IL
Natasha Millard -- Surrey, BC, Canada
Jill Vanderzel -- Holland, MI
Herbert L. Blickhan -- San Clemente, CA
Gary B. Carter -- Reno, NV
Jeff Weaver -- Palm Bay, FL

... list as at date of this posting. Tony will update the signers so check back at "An Open Letter to President Obama."

MTB World Cup 2009 ~ Gospel Tract

Side One ~

NISSAN UCI MTB WORLD CUP 2009
PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
10TH – 12TH APRIL

QUIZ ~ Q & A
(Test your knowledge and please do not cheat by looking at the answers first)

1. Which team won the 2009 ABSA Cape Epic?

2. What nationality is the 2008 cross-country MTB World Champion, Christoph Sauser?

3. Who is the 2008 Elite Women’s World Champion?

4. Who is the reigning Downhill World Champion?

5. How many cross-country World Cup Series titles has France’s Julien Absalon won?

6. In 2008 which woman was both South African and African Elite women’s champion and 22nd at the Beijing Olympic Games?

7. What holiday is this weekend?

~ Please read the reverse side for more knowledge ~

Answers*: 1. Team Bulls ~ German duo of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm. 2. Swiss. 3. Margarita Fullana (Spain). 4. Greg Minnaar of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. 5. Four – 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008. 6. Yolande Speedy. 7. Passover (Easter).
* Answers (except 7) were verified on MTB internet sites and are taken as being correct as at 3rd April 2009.

Gary Crous +27 72 221 1233

Side Two ~
Now that you have answered the questions on the reverse side of this handout ~ how did you score? 25%? 50%? 100%? We tend to know a lot about our sport and other things, but spend little to no time thinking about the million dollar question that I will put to you now. This question will make every other question you have ever answered appear to be insignificant. Do you know what will happen to you the day you will die and pass into eternity? People tend to think about everything else including attending a mountain bike event than thinking about their eternal destiny. Reality is 150 000 people die every 24 hours and you know that you are guaranteed one thing in this life ~ someday you will also die. If you should die this day, do you think you will be good enough to stand before a Holy God and go to Heaven. If I should ask you if you are a good person, most persons will profess to be good. But, by what standard are you basing your goodness on? Your own standard? To truly see whether you are a good person you should use a more perfect standard to judge yourself by looking into the perfect moral Law of Almighty God. This Law is known as the Ten Commandments. How many lies have you told in your life? Half-truths, fibs, white lies ... it doesn’t matter what you call the lie, by definition God sees you as a liar. Stolen something? It doesn’t matter the size or value of the object, time does not excuse this crime. God sees you as a thief. Jesus said in old times it was said do not commit adultery, but I tell you whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). Ever looked with lust? Had sexual thoughts in your mind? Indulged in fornication (had sex outside the bounds of marriage)? Then God sees you as an adulterer. Ever committed murder? The Bible says hating someone is murder (1 John 3:15). This also includes abortion which is the murder of unborn children. Ever used God or His Son Jesus’ name to show surprise or disgust? Like, “Oh my G-D!!” That is blasphemy and it is a serious offense in the sight of God. If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions then God sees you as a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer and a blasphemer and God finds you guilty and will judge you for every crime you have committed against Him. He sees every thought, intention of the heart, every word uttered and every deed done, even those in secret. If God gives you the justice you rightfully deserve on the Day of Judgment as a lawbreaker then will you go to Heaven or Hell? Any person in their right mind will know that breaking the Law demands a payment and God has assigned a place called Hell as His prison for sinners who have transgressed against Him. That is the bad news. The Good News is that God is so kind and merciful that He expressed His grace and love to sinners by choosing to reveal Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully Man and without sin, Jesus gave us the divine standard by which we are to live and then He went to the cross to be punished by the full wrath of God to pay the price and take the full punishment for the repentant sinner who will hear the Gospel and believe. Not just believe but to put your full trust in Jesus Christ for mercifully dying in the place of you the sinner. You cannot buy your way into Heaven. Your righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) in the sight of a Holy God. You are not good. God is so Good to want to save evil and wicked sinners from eternal damnation. Repent before God’s throne while you still have time.

www.NeedGod.com
www.luke923evangelism.wordpress.com
www.luke923evangelism.blogspot.com

2009 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup ~ Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Post that appears at the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blogs ~ blogspot and wordpress.

Lord willing, the first round of the MTB World Cup is being staged in Pietermaritzburg, KZN from 10th to 12th April 2009. It will take place over the Passover (Easter) weekend and what an ideal and opportune time to proclaim the Law and the Gospel of Grace ~ why Jesus was crucified upon the cross to redeem repentant sinners.

Here is a video clip of the most recent mountain bike event known as the ABSA Cape Epic which was staged in the Western Cape in March 2009.

The schedule is, as the Lord directs:

Friday 10th April 2009:
07H30 ~ Meeting Time at the Cascades Shopping Centre
07H30 - 08H00 ~ Set Up and time in Prayer
08H00 - 19H00 ~ Preaching commences, handing out tracts, one-to-one witnessing

Saturday 11th April 2009:
07H30 ~ Meeting Time at the Cascades Shopping Centre
07H30 - 08H00 ~ Set Up and time in Prayer
08H00 - 19H00 ~ Preaching commences, handing out tracts, one-to-one witnessing

Sunday 12th April 2009:
07H30 ~ Meeting Time at the Cascades Shopping Centre
07H30 - 08H00 ~ Set Up and time in Prayer
08H00 - 19H00 ~ Preaching commences, handing out tracts, one-to-one witnessing