I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.I’ve been told by friends there once was an evangelist in Texas called “Angel” Martinez. Evidently, he drew large tent crowds as a result of his many sportcoats; one for every color in Crayola’s big box of crayons. People would come from all around just to see what color of coat he’d be wearing that night.2 Timothy 4:1-2
Martinez was well-know to at least one deacon chair for something other than his wardrobe. The man had invited the soul-winner to dinner for one of his wife’s special Mexican dinners. Once the food had been served, “Angel” brought a bag of dried jalapeño chili peppers from his jacket pocket and crushed them on his food.
The deacon, mindful of appearances, asked if he could have some for his own plate. He sprinkled them as generously as seemed reasonable, and then dug in. As the story goes, he was soon in the kitchen drinking directly from the faucet.
Walking back to the dining room, red-faced and sweating profusely, he said, “Brother Martinez, I know you preach hell-fire and brimstone but I did not know you carried it in your pocket.”
We’d all do well to carry a little hell-fire and brimstone in our pockets; perhaps a little in our hearts wouldn’t hurt either.
Our societies are becoming increasingly permissive and rebellious; I personally think it is due to the incomprehensible biblical ignorance among our laity. There appears to be no hunger for the word because their faces are not red and foreheads not sweating … the problem? Same as in Paul's day: there’s no fear of the Lord!
Showing posts with label Boldness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boldness. Show all posts
Monday, January 14, 2008
SOUL WINNING: Hellfire - The Pocket Version!
Monday, August 13, 2007
BOLDNESS: Of the John Wayne kind!
GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY: John 16:8-11; other topics - Attitude, Commitment, Conviction, Courage, Fear, Right (opposed to wrong)
The gunman found Ponsett sitting on his horse waiting for him; he asked, “Who are you?” He said, “Britt Ponsett” and laid a shotgun over his saddle as the tough started to draw. And in his signature style he drawled, “How come you're stopping? Go ahead, draw!”
The bully was so flabbergasted he couldn't find his courage; he never showed his face in the region again.
Fantasies concerning life and its living are common to all people … one of mine is stepping toward the next illogical, irrational, relativistic humanist or atheist and saying, “Go ahead, draw” as I lay the sword of the Lord across my saddle horn.
In my vision the rascal doesn’t turn and run; instead he comes under conviction, drops to his knees and pleads for God’s forgiveness.
I fear many of our brothers and sisters have become so fearful of the world and its minions they’ve rendered themselves powerless in the battle for souls.
The Six Shooter was an extremely popular western, broadcast on NBC radio from 1953-54. Jimmy Stewart starred as Britt Ponsett, a Texas plainsman.
On one broadcast (“Duel at Lockwood”; 3/21/54 - Radio Spirits) Britt called a young tough’s bluff … even though it was possible the kid might be faster.
A teen-aged killer went after The Six Shooter in a town called Lockwood … he bragged to everyone if he ran into Ponsett he’d kill him. Well Britt showed up one day; the outlaw heard the quiet gunman had come to town, so he sent a messenger to warn Ponsett he was on his way. Ponsett didn’t wait … he rode out on the trail and waited for the kid on the trail.The gunman found Ponsett sitting on his horse waiting for him; he asked, “Who are you?” He said, “Britt Ponsett” and laid a shotgun over his saddle as the tough started to draw. And in his signature style he drawled, “How come you're stopping? Go ahead, draw!”
The bully was so flabbergasted he couldn't find his courage; he never showed his face in the region again.
Fantasies concerning life and its living are common to all people … one of mine is stepping toward the next illogical, irrational, relativistic humanist or atheist and saying, “Go ahead, draw” as I lay the sword of the Lord across my saddle horn.
In my vision the rascal doesn’t turn and run; instead he comes under conviction, drops to his knees and pleads for God’s forgiveness.
Clearly, there is a present need for more boldness amongst the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t die in order for us to become doormats for every godless heathen we encounter. After all, Jesus was no wimp! [Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-17]
I fear many of our brothers and sisters have become so fearful of the world and its minions they’ve rendered themselves powerless in the battle for souls.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Courage
The Six Shooter was an extremely popular western, broadcast on NBC radio from 1953-54. Jimmy Stewart starred as Britt Ponsett, a Texas plainsman.
On one broadcast (“The New Sheriff”; 6/10/54 - Radio Spirits) Britt called a bully’s bluff … even though his gun was several feet away on a dresser.
In his signature style, Stewart (as Ponsett) told the tough he could draw his gun anytime he wanted. The surprised crook stammered, “B-b-b-but you a-a-a-ain’t got your six-shooter.”
Ponsett stepped toward the thug and drawled, “Things might not work out the way you think they will.” The Six Shooter’s bold confidence made the rascal turn and run.
Fantasies concerning life and its living are common to all people … one of mine is stepping toward the next illogical, irrational, relativistic humanist and saying, “Things might not work out the way you think they will.”
Only in my vision the rascal doesn’t turn and run; instead he comes under conviction, drops to his knees and pleads for God’s forgiveness.
Only in my vision the rascal doesn’t turn and run; instead he comes under conviction, drops to his knees and pleads for God’s forgiveness.
Clearly, there is a present need for more boldness amongst the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t die in order for us to become doormats for every godless heathen we encounter. After all, Jesus was no wimp! [Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-17]
I fear many of our brothers and sisters have become so fearful of the world and its minions they’ve rendered themselves powerless in the battle for souls.
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