A Pastor and a Catholic Teen - 10/30/09

Today I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted. I arrived at 2:45 and stayed until 5:00. It was in the low 70's today and I really think this is it for the warm weather. After a short while, a man came up and said he wanted to extend his blessing to me, "For standing on the battlefield, for the kingdom of God."

I really appreciate when I get people who stop and give throw their support behind the cross. His name was Dennis and he pastors a local church that gathers in the west side of Cleveland. I showed him a Way of the Master tract and went through a quick law and gospel presentation to show him how I evangelize.

Dennis asked me if I met anyone from Islam or a Jew yet, and I said I had not. He told me Jews are interesting because they are God's people, but they don't think they need to receive Christ. His timing was impeccable, as I encountered a teenager shortly thereafter who said he was Jewish.

I told Dennis about how I just had a Bible study on that in Romans 2:26-29, about how the Jews' circumcision is regarded as uncircumcision if they fail to keep the Law. He told me he can only imagine what Jesus went through in His day.

A little later, I had a group of three male teens walk by and the cross caught one of their attentions. He told me he was Catholic and pulled a gold chain of a cross out from underneath his shirt to expose it. I asked him if he knew any of the commandments. He mentioned, "Don't disrespect your parents. Don't kill." Either him or his friend mentioned "Love thy neighbor."

I asked him, "Let me ask you this- do you think you've kept the Ten Commandments?" He said, "No, because I don't know the rest. What are all of them?"

I proceed to go through the first seven and when I got to the seventh (adultery), he said he had never broken that. I asked him, "Well, have you looked at a woman with lust, sexual desire?"

"Yea...."

I say, "Jesus says if you look with lust, you've committed adultery in the heart. Have you ever called someone a fool or an idiot?"

"Yea."

I say, "Jesus says you are liable to judgment."

"Well, that's not my fault."

I say, "It's not your fault? Who's fault is it?"

"I dunno..."

I gave him a tract and told him to read the backside of it. "I have a question. Doesn't it say in the Bible God is going to forgive you for all your sins?"

I told him, "God is a forgiving God, and He will forgive you of your sins, but do you know what you must do for God's forgiveness to apply to you? It doesn't just apply."

"You have to pray."

I ask, "Pray?"

"Yea, and try to follow His commandments."

I say, "But none of us have kept His commandments. We've all broken them. Have you kept them?"

"No."

I say, "OK, neither have I. That leaves us guilty. God should send us to hell because we've broken His commandments."

"That's why we pray for forgiveness."

I ask, "But how does that forgiveness apply? Does He just grant it willingly?"

"No... we sacrifice ourselves, right?" His friends were starting to distract him a bit at this point.

I ask, "Do you understand why Jesus died on the cross?"

"To forgive us of our sins."

I explained the necessity of repentance to him to have the forgiveness of sins. I asked him if he had ever heard the word repent in church, and he said he hadn't. He told me he had gone to a Bible school and how he had to memorize certain prayers for his first communion. At this point, he and his two friends walked away.

I handed out 3 tracts today.

Center Ridge and Wagar/West 210th in Rocky River/Fairview Park - 10/29/09

Today I went to the intersection of Center Ridge and Wagar/West 210th in Rocky River/Fairview Park. I was out with the cross from 3:10 to 5:00. This was only the second time I have been at this spot with the cross at this time of the day. I gave a tract to someone who asked me what church I was from, and I told him that this wasn't about a church, this was about the Gospel and he was pleasantly surprised at that.

The cross definitely was drawing a lot of looks today- probably because this is only the second time at this spot at this time of day. I handed out 2 tracts today, but otherwise, it was pretty quiet today.

Why I Am Opposed to Hate Crimes Legislation

Today, President Obama signed into law an expansion of hate crimes legislation. The AP reports, "The new law expands federal hate crimes to include those committed against people because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also loosens limits on when federal law enforcement can intervene and prosecute crimes, amounting to the biggest expansion of the civil-rights era law in decades."

Let's consider this when dealing with speech condemning homosexuality.

On the surface, this law may sound like nothing to worry about, but this is the first step towards limiting free speech. Read on in the article: "We must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break bones, but to break spirits; not only to inflict harm, but to instill fear," Obama said.

"Not only break bones, but break spirits?" If we speak out against homosexuality, aren't we going to be breaking people's spirits?

"Not only inflict harm, but instill fear?" Aren't we instilling the fear of God by telling people homosexuality is a sin and they need to repent? The writing is on the wall.

The article continues: "At the urging of Republicans, the bill was changed before it was passed in Congress to strengthen free speech protections to assure that a religious leader or any other person cannot be prosecuted on the basis of his or her speech, beliefs or association."

While this may be true for now- we have a president who speaks of people's "spirits" being broken. Doesn't this sound like we are going to be arrested for hurting someone's feelings?

Center Ridge and Columbia in Westlake - 10/28/09

Today, I went to the intersection of Center Ridge and Columbia in Westlake. I was there from a little after 3:00 to 5:00. I have never been at this intersection during this time so I am hoping a lot of new eyes got to see the cross today.

Today was a pretty quiet day. When I set up my tripod to take this picture, someone in one of the north bound lanes of Columbia asked me what I was taking a picture of. I told them I was an evangelist and take the picture for this blog. I handed her a gospel tract and told her to read the back side when she got a chance.

I gave a tract to someone walking by and she wanted to make sure I was advocating the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. Also, a security guard came out from the Cuyahoga Community College Corporate Campus (to the right of where I am standing in the picture) and politely asked me if I would considered moving.

Tri-C has an issue on the local ballot to fund education and he mentioned they didn't want my sign to be confused with all their campaign signs. He acknowledged that I wasn't doing anything wrong, and I told him that he was correct- that I was on a public sidewalk. I asked him if it would help if I crossed the street to an opposite corner, and he said it would, which is what I did for about the remaining half an hour.

I know I didn't have to move, but I completely understand their position and after this coming Tuesday, the signs will be gone and it will no longer be an issue. I gave the security guard a tract after I told him I would move and he gladly accepted it, saying he likes to have things to read. I handed out a total of 3 tracts today.

A Converstaion With Steve - 10/27/09

Today, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Center Ridge in Westlake. I started displaying the cross at about 12:55 and stayed just shy of 2 hours.

Shortly after arriving, a woman came out of GetGo (a gas station), came to the corner and was waiting to cross the street to go to Circle K. I gave her a gospel tract and she asked what it was. She told me she had just gone to a women's retreat. She said it was fun and very inspirational. She said a guy had come into the store and asked her if she was a Christian, and she answered she was. She said he mentioned she should read "The Shack" and asked me if I had read it. I gave her my disapproval of it.

At about 1:45, a man approached me. I gave him a gospel tract and he said he had to come over and see if I was real and he proceeded to poke my arm. He said, "I've seen you out here a couple times." I asked him what he meant by if I was real.

He told me, "I've been having dreams, manifestations." We just had missions conference at our church recently and a missionary spoke of people in their respective countries they serve in having dreams, and I honestly believe God works through dreams.

I replied, "OK, what's your name?"

He replied, "Steve."

I said, "Steve? I'm Mark."

"I' saw you out here a couple times, and I thought, 'That's weird.' Some of them are apocalyptic, some of them are this verse."

I asked, "Mark 1:15?"

He said, "A lot of people drive by and pay little or no attention. If anybody will believe me, it will be you. I have met Satan- twice. It's just good that you're out here."

I asked, "Are you a Christian?" He affirmed he is.

I told him I was just out here trying to sow some seeds, and hopefully another will reap. Steve mentioned this is a fallen world we live in. He mentioned that he's made his mistakes, and I replied we all have.

I said to Steve, "Well, you understand that Jesus died on the cross, but do you know what Jesus tells us to do?"

Steve replied, "To preach the good news."

I said, "That's part of it- that's the Great Commission, but do you know what you must do to receive His forgiveness?"

He said, "To accept Him."

I said, "That's one part, but the other part is repentance- turning from your sins. That's what I'm trying to get people to think about. I've believed in Him for as long as I can remember, but I never repented of my sin. I never turned away from my sin. That's what Mark 1:15 says: 'The time if fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.' There's so many people who don't repent and continue to live in their sin."

Steve mentioned this world is full of corruption, filth and garbage. I told Steve that the Bible tells us to live in the world, but not be of the world. Steve tried to reference the verse and I pulled out my Bible and turned to 1 John and read 1 John 2: 15-16: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world."

It was when I started reading these verses that a guy across the street started heckling me and startled me a bit. I started again and finished it.

I told Steve about how Jesus views lust as adultery in the heart and if you hate someone or so much as call someone a "fool," you are liable for judgment.

Steve told me, "The biggest misnomer, I think, is that people don't realize how grave it is to judge. You notice the splinter in your neighbor's eye, but not the log that's in your own. We're so quick to look upon other people and scrutinize them but we ourselves are just as prone to the same error."

I mentioned if you finish reading that Scripture, you will see that it says to first take the mote out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to deal with the spec in your brother's eye. "It's not necessarily saying, 'Don't judge,' but first deal with the problem in yourself, and then you will see clearly."

I mentioned that if I were to go around and curse and blaspheme, I would have no right to go up to someone and say to them, "How dare you do that?" Once I have dealt with the problem in myself, then I will see clearly to help them.

Steve mentioned that it's unfortunate that inevitable things are going to unravel. I told Steve the end is coming, but we don't know when it is- not even Jesus knows. He mentioned the way things are shaping up, he tends to think it could be sooner rather than later. I told him I tend to agree. He mentioned that about 1.5 million abortions are performed each year and the disintegration of families.

Steve and I talked about some of the signs that the Bible talks about. He said, "They were talking about these wildfires in California. They're talking about the flames being 3 to 400 feet high. Now if that's not Biblical... Could you image the 2 of us standing here with flames coming at you?"

Steve mentioned, "You have earthquakes, mudslides- I remember there was an earthquake a couple of years ago in Iran. It killed 40,000 people. 40,000 people died in a matter of... moments."

I told Steve that 150,000 people die everyday and most of them don't know Jesus as their Savior. At this point, I said to Steve, "Let me ask you- are you ready?"

He replied, "Yea." I asked him if he practiced repentance and faith. Steve said he prayed every day and night. He mentioned some of the sinful things he had previously done, but I pressed him again on repentance.

"The thing I am trying to get people to understand is that they need to repent, also. We need to trust Jesus. It's like being on an airplane that is going to crash and there is a parachute that can save you. You need to do more than 'believe' in the parachute to save you. You need to trust that parachute, strap it on, and jump from the plane to be saved. In the same sense, we need to trust in the Lord Jesus. Strap Him on and abandon our sins."

Steve asked me if I ever go to other places, and I told him about some of the other places I went and mentioned this blog and my church's website, which are both on the tract I gave him. At this point, he had to get going.

A while later, a woman stopped at the light on Dover Center asked if my sign was about the Apocalypse and I told her it was just a general salvation message and walked over to her car and gave her a tract. After about 10 seconds, she said, "You know, Jesus said love thy neighbor. Jesus forgave. We are all God's children." If I had to make a guess, I would say she was feeling convicted for her sins.

I handed out a total of 5 tracts today.

Brookpark & Great Northern in North Olmsted - 10/26/09

Today I went to the intersection of Brookpark and Great Northern in North Olmsted. I arrived at 12:30 and I was warmer than I expected to be with the sun beating down on me. I hadn't brought my water, so I left after only an hour. I handed out 2 tracts to people passing by and one man declined a tract when I told him it was a gospel tract- he said he wasn't religious. I tried to get him to keep it and take a look at it later, but he declined. Also, someone yelled "Hail Satan!" as they drove by. If they only knew what they were saying... maybe they do.

WeST LIFE News Article About the Cross

Dover Center and Center Ridge in Westlake - 10/22/09

Today I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Center Ridge at 12:45 and stayed until 2:45. The leaves are really starting to change around here and it is really beautiful! What an artist God is!

A man asked me, "Ready for what?" I told him about the message of the cross, and he told me he was ready. I should have given him a tract anyways, but I didn't. I haven't been handing out many tracts lately due to decreased traffic on the sidewalks, and I need to get back into the mode of handing them out. Chance of rain is 100% for tomorrow- not sure if I will find a break in the rain to get out.

The Pharisees and the Catholic Church

If the law was enough for people in the Old Testament and Jesus had to sternly correct the Pharisaical additions to it, why isn't the Bible (the doctrine of Sola Scriptura) enough for us today?

The Catholic Church amounts to the same as the Pharisees of Jesus' day. It is they who Jesus spoke of in Matthews 23:15: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves."

Motivation and Effectiveness of Standing With the Cross

I have a family member who has said to me that "standing around with a cross doesn't impress anyone." My motive for standing with the cross is not to impress anyone. When I was interviewed last week by a newspaper, I tried to make the interview as much about the cross and repentance as I could, even when the reporter asked me about my motivation to start doing this and other questions.

I am not trying to impress anyone, nor am I trying to earn my salvation. I have even spared the local public from giving me a nick name by putting on my cross "Google: Cleveland Cross Guy." My hope is that people will be curious enough about the cross, do a search on Google, find this blog and be brought to salvation.

This family member also said this to me: "As I have said before, if you demonstrated selfless giving, that would be more of a reflection of Christ. I know a lost of people that have lived at the Rescue Mission (an organization in Youngstown, Ohio). They are taught Christ but after they are fed, clothed and have a bed to sleep in. Words are meaningless if you don't show kindness."

It is useless for me to try to justify what I am doing to this family member- explaining the ineffectiveness of "Friendship Evangelism," the fact that we never know when we are going to die, or not dealing with the fact that we are all sinners and that is the real reason we need a Savior.

The people I am targeting with my cross don't need fed, clothed, or a bed to sleep in. They have all that. Therefore, I have to come up with a different way to reach them. I do not know what the outcome of my evangelistic efforts will be, but I do have these words of Jesus in John 4:37-38: "For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

I am sowing seeds by standing out with my cross, even if they take years or decades for another to reap. I have also had the privilege of reaping what others have sown by being on the streets through one on one conversations.

It seems like I can never do the right thing or do enough- not that it is any of their business of how I serve the Lord. It is often said by them that I am a "fanatic" and apparently there is something wrong with that. I do not have a problem- it is the rest of the world who thinks they are "Christians" because they prayed a prayer and never made a lifestyle change and surrendered their life to Jesus.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:25: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." He also said in John 12:24: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

Unless you die to yourself, you will never produce the fruit God has intended for your life.

Center Ridge and Wagar/West 210th in Rocky River/Fairview Park - 10/21/09

Day two of our Indian Summer here in Northeast Ohio and I have to admit- I love the warm weather! If you look at my post from this location on Sunday, you will see I was bundled up in a winter coat. Tomorrow has 65 to 70 in the forecast and after that, I fear it will be cold until next Spring!

After awaiting for and receiving the shipment of Origin of Species - Origin Into Schools with my pastor and a few others at church, I headed out to Center Ridge and Wagar/West 210th in Rocky River/Fairview Park. I was officially in Fairview Park, but the cross was visible to traffic coming from and entering into Rocky River as well. I arrived at 2:50 and stayed until 5:00. This is the first time I have been at this location at this time.

Around 3:15 a man came up to me on the sidewalk and asked what Mark 1:15 is. I told him, "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel."

He replied, "That's the law of God." He mentioned that it applies to us today.

I responded, "I know. That's what I'm trying to get everybody to think about. Scripture says, 'It is appointed for a man once to die and then comes judgment.' That's what I'm trying to get people to think about- are you ready for judgment? It's not an 'end time' message'-it's like you mentioned- it's for everyone."

I gave him an Obama Trillions and he told me the message is lost when I hand out a tract with him on the front. I gave him a Celebrities Million instead, which he said was better. He said, "God Bless" and departed.

A man stopped at the light gave me a thumbs up and said, "Praise the Lord! It's great to be reborn!"

There was also a man who was heckling me from his car, asking me, "Why don't you go help somebody?" I think it is the same guy who has heckled me twice in Lakewood.

I have noticed a few more people have found this blog by searching Google for "Cleveland Cross Guy." My prayer is that they read The Message of the Cross post and be brought to salvation, if they aren't already saved. Knowing what Jesus said in Matthew 7:14, though, I know most of the world isn't saved.

A Conversation With Ron - 10/20/09

With Indian Summer in effect here, I went to Sinagra Park in Lakewood from 1:00 to 4:00. I haven't been in Lakewood for a while and I ended up stayed for 3 hours today.

After a while, a man named Ron passed by on the sidewalk and took an extended look at the cross. Ron told me he was named after Ronald Reagan, back when he was an actor. I handed him a Celebrity Millions gospel tract and he offered up some laughter. He started reading the back of the tract and got to the part about lust being adultery in the heart.

During out brief chat, Ron told me that he is Catholic, but he admitted he doesn't attend church regularly. I told him the law was not given for us to keep it, but to show us our sinfulness and our need for Savior. I also told him about the necessity of repentance and offered up the parachut analogy.

Ron asked me for some descriptions of hell, so I offered up these: a place where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth," and "where the worm never dies." It sounded like Ron knew about hell being fiery, but he cringed when I told him these two additional descriptions.

After reading the tract, Ron and I ended up talking about the commandments and I told him that the Catholic church leaves out idolatry. I told him Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Ron told me he had a close experience with death. He told me he had been mugged (although he said he had no money on him) and during the ordeal, he heard a gun shot go off. He told me that at this point he prayed to Mary and hoped she heard his prayers. I told Ron I had just finished re-reading the New Testament and no where does it say to worship Mary.

He also mentioned Purgatory and I explained to him why Purgatory doesn't make sense. The Catholic church teaches that one goes to Purgatory for refining before they enter heaven. I told him this amounts to us doing something for our salvation- which is not what the Bible teaches. I told him there is only heaven and hell.

I gave Ron my pastor's business card and he also left with a Big Money tract, an Obama Trillions tract and with an extra tract for his friend. Ron seemed interested in the message of the cross and although he said he didn't have a computer, he was going to go to the library after our discussion. He wanted to look up my blog to read about the message of the cross that I have posted here. Please pray for Ron that he comes to repentance and true faith in our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dover Center and Detroit in Westlake - 10/19/09

After leaving North Olmsted and stopping at home for a minute, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Detroit in Westlake at around 3:10. Not very long after I arrived, a Westlake police officers pulled up in the parking lot behind me.

Knowing that they were there to talk to me, I walked over to him and he asked, "Just standing out here with your sign? That kind of stuff?" I said, "Yea."

"We got some calls, some people who are concerned for some reason. Is there something going on with you? What have you got with the tripod?"

I told him I just like to document where I go and I mentioned that I was taking pictures of myself and that I was on a public sidewalk. I started talking about the cross and quoted Mark 1:15. It was clear I wasn't doing anything wrong and they received a call and just had to respond to it. Apparently people were concerned I was taking pictures- the officer said people are watching too much TV.

Another officer pulled up and I gave the officer who I was talking to a tract, telling him they are what I hand out. I also gave one to the other officer. They said "Hey! It's a trillion dollars!" with a laugh. I thanked the officers for their service in the community and told them to read the back of the tracts when they got a chance.

I went back to the sidewalk and then headed back to officer in his patrol car and gave him a Big Money tract also since he liked the trillion dollar tract. I asked him if he happened to know an officer in Fairview Park who I had spoken to at Summer Fest because I was wondering how he was doing. He didn't happen to know him. I left at 5:15 and on the way home, I exchanged waves with someone on Detroit who had stopped to talk to me once before.

Brookpark and Great Northern in North Olmsted - 10/19/09

My first stop today was Brookpark and Great Northern in North Olmsted around 2:20. I was hoping to stay for two hours, but there were some moderate wind gusts, so I packed up after about 20 minutes and headed north to Westlake.

God Working in My Life

Usually every Monday I meet my pastor at a coffee shop in Rocky River by the church. I showed up today and after waiting about 15 minutes, I called my wife (who works with his wife) and found out that his son was sick today and he wasn't coming. At this point, I headed out to my wife's employer's parking lot to swap cars to take her car to get an oil change.

As I was getting in her car, I noticed a man walking on the sidewalk with a bag. I started her car and went to leave and saw the man fallen, lying in some brush. I asked him if he was OK and it was clear he needed help. I tried to help him stand up and he said he needed to sit back down, so I helped him back down and parked my wife's car (it was in the middle of the parking lot) and came back to help. He tried to stand up again with my help but wasn't able to gain enough strength to continue to stand.

At this point, someone came out from my wife's employer and someone had called for an ambulance. The fire station was within about 200 feet of where we were, so they arrived very quickly. At this point, the paramedics took over and started treating the man. You may say this is just a coincidence, but I know it isn't. My wife mentioned that I have been having a lot of these situations lately- and I know they aren't just coincidences. If you want to see God working in your life, surrender your life completely to Jesus and just see how God will use you.

When I took my wife's car to get an oil change, it turned out her car need two new tires, brake pads and new spark plugs. There was an issue getting the parts, so I ended up waiting a few hours to get this all done. During this time, I was able to strike up a little rapport with the guy working there by showing him some websites on the 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) written on the back of his jacket. I wanted to show him the gospel tracts I give out so I gave him one, and it turns out he is familiar with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron.

After he left, I went up to the guy at the counter and showed him the tracts, also. I most likely wouldn't have given him a tract otherwise. This is something I really need to work on- giving tracts out to cashiers. I am so nervous of being rejected, but I need to remember that by not giving people the message of eternal life, it is the opposite of loving others. Even if I am rejected, so what? I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me!

"Jesus Judy"

My wife and I had dinner with my parents today and my mother asked me if I remembered one of her friends named Judy. I didn't go into this with the intent one way or the other to talk about religion (I knew if I did, it would only be a dead end), but it came up. She said she called her "Jesus Judy" because all she talked about was Jesus. She was making a reference to how I always talk about Jesus. I do not think Jesus is the only thing I talk about (to say that literally is a stretch for anyone- for "no seeks after God" [Romans 3:11]) , but it must come off that way.

If anyone else were to tell me that, I wouldn't have much of a problem with it, but when it comes from family, it rings a little differently for some reason. What is even more troubling is that it comes from someone who claims to be a born again Christian.

Ezekiel 36:26 says, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." It should be natural for a born again Christian to want to talk about Jesus. Consider all he has done for us.

We (myself included) have all sinned and deserve death for our sin (Romans 6:23). That is not harsh- that is the truth. I think more people need to be told this. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and died as a propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25). He took on death so you wouldn't have to go to Hell if you repent and trust in Him. He paid the ultimate price for nothing of his own doing, but something we did, and you want to scold someone for "only" talking about Him?

I can't talk about religion to my father. He is Catholic and when I try to bring up Scripture, he always blows me off. I tried explaining that I don't watch Dancing With the Stars because they dance around practically naked on that TV show and I don't want to fall into lust by watching it. He compared me to a legalist and he didn't see the problem with occasionally having a thought like that.

He told me the way I am acting (in his mind, legalism) is how it used to be and how the Catholic church has gotten more "liberal" recently. He described how it used to be prohibited to eat anything from 12:00 on the night before service down to just one hour before if taking communion. The ironic twist is that this is legalism and he doesn't see it, yet calling sin for what it is in one's life is prohibited because Jesus said not to judge. This is so frustrating because so many people use this as a defense! Read the rest of the paragraph and don't take it out of context!

Matthew 7:1-5: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

It would be wrong for me to call out sin in your life that I am participating in myself, but once I have dealt with it in my life, I see clearly to help you.

He also acted like every "translation" of the Bible had different meaning. I mentioned they had the same meanings, except the New World Translation (used by Jehovah's Witnesses) and he asked me how I couldn't be sure about it, also. This is about where I cut my losses.

He also scoffed at me when I mentioned repentance and said he had just repented- through confession. I tried to explain the difference between the two but he wouldn't let me.

It is very frustrating to have two parents, one who says they are a born again Christian and then my father, a Catholic, who won't talk about religion- even his own. My mother thinks MacArthur is too harsh on the Catholic church. My father is the product of a religion where he is taught he can earn his way to Heaven by going to confession and not having any mortal sins on his soul when he dies. This is self-righteousness at the core and I will continue to condone Catholic doctrine.

What in the world is going on here?

Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted - 10/18/09

This was the second spot I went to today. I arrived around 1:10 and stayed until 2:10. If you look in the picture above, you can see some on the opposite corner with a sign promoting Halloween. I normally don't have competition on opposing corners, but I did today. Here is a close up of them:



There were a lot of horn honks today, but they were for the person in the costume. Someone also found it necessary to curse at me while driving by. A photographer for a local newspaper also showed up to get a picture of the cross for the new article I was interviewed for last week. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather forecast for this week before winter sets in.

Center Ridge and Wagar/West 210th in Rocky River/Fairview Park - 10/18/09

I went to two locations today, this being the first of the two. I went to this intersection after church and arrived around 12:15 and stayed until about 12:45. A friend happened to be eating with her family at Chipotle and came out to see me. I gave her a tract and soon after I headed to my second spot for the day.

A Conversation with Kevin - 10/16/09

Today started out with sprinkles that I hoped would stop- but turned into a steady rain! It was worth it, though. Today I was blessed to meet a young man named Kevin. Kevin asked me about what the cross meant, and I told him I was trying to spread the Gospel. As it turns out, Kevin goes to a C&MA church, just like I do, and is going through some of the same trials I have gone through.

I took Kevin through the law presentation and clearly, Kevin understood we are all sinners. I also took him through the good news of the Gospel- Jesus' atoning work for us on the cross. Kevin mentioned he quite didn't understand how the blood of Jesus applies to our sins. I explained to him how in the Old Testament that God required animal sacrifices for the covering of sins, but Jesus was the perfect, final atoning sacrifice for our sins. I was able to explain imputed righteousness to him- how Jesus' perfect, sinless state, is imputed to us when we repent and believe in Jesus.

Kevin told me he had been a Christian for 3 years. He told me he was struggling with deciphering how God speaks to him. I told him I was struggling with the same thing- trying to figure out God's will for my life.

I told him that I had sin in my life and as long as I refused to deal with that sin, that I was impeding God's progress in my life. I also told Kevin that God speaks to us through His Word. I told him that Scripture is God's communication with us and that when I am reading the Word, God reveals new things to me that I may not have previously seen.

I asked Kevin if he was born again, and he said he wasn't sure. I told him what it meant to be born again was to repent of your sins and place your trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation. Once you have done that, God will give you a new heart with new desires to serve Him. I told him that it may sound foreign that someone would desire to do something like hold a cross on the side of the street, but I once used to think like that, also.

I also told Kevin about how I continually asked God to take away my sinful desires but nothing was happening, until I took the first step in repentance and turned away from my sin. I told him that God wants us to take the first step in obedience. Once I had taken the first step, then the desires started to subside. Kevin said maybe that's what he had needed to hear. I told Kevin how we needed to be "Dead to Sin, Alive to God" as Romans 6 says.

We also had similar concerns about our fathers and their eternity. I was able to explain some of the other analogies of Way of the Master, and I told Kevin how taking the WOTM really cleared up my understanding of my faith. We also discussed a few other things, like how we should "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

I gave Kevin a tract with my church's website and encouraged him to read the post on "How to Get to Heaven" which contains more WOTM analogies and also how there was a message posted by my pastor about "Do I Need Jesus?" Please be in prayer for Kevin and his relationship with our Savior.

Center Ridge and Columbia in Westlake - 10/13/09

Today, I went to the intersection of Center Ridge and Columbia in Westlake. I arrived at around 12:50 and stayed for an hour. I was not well prepared for the cold- it's not so much the temperature that is rough (in the upper 40's/lower 50's- about the same as yesterday), but the wind. It's in the upper 50's in the lower part of the state- I hope they are enjoying it! I think I finally need to break out the winter coat. It was just about a month ago that I was in shorts, flip flops, and worried about a sun burn.

A guy in a truck asked me what I was protesting and I told him I was just trying to get people to think about their eternity. I saw someone do a search yesterday on "Cleveland Cross Guy" on Google and found my blog and also someone today. I am hoping they will click on "I have seen the cross. What does it mean?" to get the law and gospel presentation.

Interview by WeST LIFE Newspaper - 10/12/09

Today I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Center Ridge in Westlake after the light rain stopped around 2:10. I added an arm to the bottom of the cross that says "GOOGLE: CLEVELAND CROSS GUY." My hope is that people will go home and look it up on Google, find my blog, and be curious enough to click on the banner that says "I have seen the cross. What does it mean?" which links to a law and gospel presentation.

Around 3:45, Kevin from the WeST LIFE news walked up and asked if he could talk to me about the cross. He said they had received a few calls about me standing with my sign and was wondering if I would talk to him. I told him, "Sure."

Kevin had some general questions, like what had inspired me to take the cross to the street. I told him about Tony Miano's (not by name) cross out in California and gave him a tract and told him about Living Waters. I quoted Hebrews 9:27 and told Kevin I just wanted to get people thinking about their eternity.

He asked me if this had anything to do with a doom's day scenario, and I told him it wasn't- just to get people to think about their eternity. I told Kevin I didn't want this to be about me, but about the gospel message. I made clear the necessity of repentance and also shared a few Scripture verses with him about repentance and the Great Commission. If it is posted online, I will link to it once it is published. I hope the article will at least plant some more seeds.

On a side note, I was talking to my father yesterday about religion (which I wrote about previously in my "Holiness" post). I was trying to explain infused righteousness versus imputed righteousness to him, among a few other things, and the conversation got a little heated. My father got dizzy and temporarily blacked out on the freeway. His doctor told him to minimize the stress in his life and my discussions are one of those things.

My mother has ordered me not to talk about religion to him ever again, which I don't think I will. My mother says he is happy and content in his faith, but I know that doesn't mean his salvation is secured. Please pray for my father that someone else will reap what I have hopefully sown.

Holiness

I know a lot of us know the question, "Would you consider yourself to be a good person?" from Way of the Master. I have a question to ask all of us, though: "Would you consider yourself to be a holy person?" You may think this is a pretty arrogant question to ask or to assume a quality to have upon yourself. If you do, I ask- why? The Bible calls us to be holy. Why shouldn't we be doing things to set ourselves apart from the rest of the world to be holy? Isn't that what the Bible calls us to be?

2 Corinthians 7:1 says, "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."

Ephesians 4:24 calls us "to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

1 Thessalonians 3:13 says may the Lord "establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification (or your holiness): that you abstain from sexual immorality."

Hebrews 12:14 says, "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

These are just a few of the verses calling us to be holy. A search for "sanctify" or "sanctification" also returns several verses.

Is there something wrong with me because I stand at street corners holding a cross- or is there something right about me? We are always told to conform to the world and if we are a "religious zealot" we are the ones considered to be odd. This is the way Jesus calls us to be- so why are you still conforming to the world? I don't care what the thousands of people who see me with my cross think about me- I only care what my Savior thinks.

Why is it OK to display a cross in a church or outside a church on their property- but as soon as someone holds one on the street corner, they are the nutcase? 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Are you willing to be associated with the cross? Aren't you trusting Jesus' atoning death on it for your salvation?

I generally don't watch TV, aside from possibly the news, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy (although these aren't even always safe) with my wife. I also may watch some sports occasionally (typically they do not interest me, but sometimes something will catch my interest as my wife has it on) or other things on the weekend with my wife, but that is becoming less and less, also.

I have a "blasphemy rule" for TV and radio. If I was watching a TV show and I heard a blasphemy, I would either change the channel or turn the TV off. I cut the cable a while ago because of the garbage on it, but even the networks are full of sex and violence. I started to watch TV shows with my wife, but I soon figured out that nothing was safe- not even PBS. So, I just stopped watching TV (aside from the two shows I mentioned). I haven't forced this on my wife- although she knows I will not watch TV with her.

This frees up my nights for Bible study and prayer. 8:00 to 10:00 is usually my dedicated time with the Lord during the week. I do pray, go out with my cross, and sometimes read during the day, but I try to dedicate these two hours every week night to the Lord.

I wish I could fully explain how liberating it is to not have TV polluting my mind. How often do you find yourself talking about what you watched on TV the night before? I don't have that. That space in my mind is reserved for Scripture and prayer. I'm hoping to be able to start memorizing more and more Scripture- and it is a lot easier when I don't have TV shows competing for the space in my brain. I am not trying to boast, but encourage you to be holy.

I was talking to my father yesterday and he gets pretty heated pretty quickly over religion. My father is Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic and culture and religion with him go together, even if he is what is often coined as a "Sunday Catholic." He asked me yesterday who I was to judge what he believes and tell him what he believes is wrong. In this age of "tolerance," I can understand why this isn't accepted. Remember, it's not what you "believe" or think is true- it's what is true.

He freely admits he is not well verse in the Bible, but he is quick to point out the verse about "judging not" like so many are. I didn't even mention to him that the Bible says you will also know a tree by its fruit. Everything I know about the Bible is just my "interpretation." I tried explaining that the Bible was written to a specific set of people in a specific time in history and it had to be interpreted that way, but I wasn't getting anywhere.

Catholicism is idolatry and the Bible says no idolaters will inherit the kingdom of God. You may say I need to respect my parents. Remember, though, if someone were headed toward a cliff, I wouldn't not warn them because they like the scenery along the way.

What are you relying on for your salvation? If you say anything except Jesus' atoning work on the cross- baptism, confession, communion, good works, tithing, fasting, etc., you are trusting in yourself and not Jesus. These are things we ought to do, but they, in and of them self, will not save us. They are done in obedience and a willful, submissive heart- not coercion. I do not understand why someone would get mad or offended by talking about the most loving thing Jesus could do for us and call themselves saved.

Keywords

If you have found this page, please click on
"I have seen the cross. What does it mean?"

I needed to create a blog with just keywords in the body:
Ohio Cross Guy, Cleveland Cross Guy, Westlake Cross Guy, Rocky River Cross Guy, North Olmsted Cross Guy, Fairview Cross Guy, Fairview Park Cross Guy, Lakewood Cross Guy, Bay Village Cross Guy, Bay Cross Guy

Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted - 10/08/09

Yesterday, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted. I stayed for a little over an hour, when rain started to move in. It was a quiet day and I handed out 4 or 5 gospel tracts. I also added the web address to my blog at the bottom of my cross, hoping people would check it out and see the image that says, "I have seen the cross. What does it mean?" So far, I haven't seen any new local traffic yet, but it was only the first day with the new addition to the cross.

A Conversation With Pastor Gary of the Church of Christ

If you were driving around Westlake today, there is a good chance you saw the cross. After being out for a little over an hour and a half earlier, I was out at the intersection of Detroit and Dover Center from 2:25 to 5:15. There is a wind advisory tomorrow and my cross doesn't fair well in high winds, so I wanted to go out twice today, plus winter is coming and I'm not sure how long I will be able to take it in the cold, so I want to take advantage of the nice weather while I have it.

As I made my way out, I gave a gospel tract to two of the workers at my apartment complex. One asked to see my sign and he told me to keep up the good work. I was hesitating on giving them tracts, but I'm glad I did. I need to get back in the habit of giving everyone tracts.

I saw a high school student on his way home from school that I had met previously when I was at this intersection. He offered me some more encouragement and we talked for a few minutes. A young lady came by a little later and I offered her a gospel tract and it turns it was his sister.

A woman driving by asked what my sign meant, and I told her to go to NEEDGOD.COM. I put the address at the bottom of my cross, but I'm not sure how far it is visible from. She asked me again what the address was, and I told her, and she wrote it down. It is so great to have this resource available to give to people.

Around 3:20, Pastor Gary pulled up. He inquired about the cross and we soon got into a conversation. He started talking about baptism and I had a feeling this was going to be like a conversation I had a few weeks ago with someone else.

Gary told me he was pastor of a church in Kansas City and recently came to Ohio. My feeling was correct- Gray belongs to the Church of Christ. I had made a decision not to get into religious debates like the one that followed, but I did.

My conversation with Kevin a few weeks ago revolved around there being 5 things necessary and I couldn't seem to figure out all of them. I kept coming up one short. Gary gave me a card that answers this. It says, "Jesus taught, and the apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, taught that in order for one to be saved it is necessary that one... BELIEVE, REPENT, CONFESS, BE BAPTIZED, LIVE GODLY," with Scripture to back each one up.

This is where the debate started. Baptism does not save- it is just a symbol (although it should be done in obedience as commanded by Jesus). I was getting the same language from Gary as I was from Kevin about baptism- quoting Acts 2:38: "And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

I also had my question answered from my discussion with Kevin about what it means to "put on the Lord Jesus." According to Gary, when we are baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ.

Gary also told me that he believes there is a church of the Bible- he doesn't believe there are many churches. He also quoted (from KJV or NKJV- I am using the ESV) Matthew 7:21: "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." I asked Gary point blank if baptism was a requirement for salvation, and he said yes. Going back to Acts 2:38, he said that both baptism and repentance are necessary.

Gray didn't bring anything up about communion, but a few weeks ago, Kevin was on my case about my church only practicing communion once a month. He had asked me why we practice communion. I said we do it in remembrance of Him. He said that if we were only practicing it once a month, we were only remembering Him once a month.

He said that Jesus said that "as often as you take and drink this cup, you do this in remembence of me." He told me the disciples came together every first day of the week to break bread. I looked at the Lord's Supper in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25 and Luke 22:14-23, and Jesus did say to partake in remembrance of Him, but I do not see Jesus making any references to the frequency of it.

Gary also quoted (from KJV or NKJV- I am using the ESV) Mark 16:16: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." I pointed out that the latter part of this verse doesn't say "whoever does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned." Gary said that if you don't believe, then what's the use of getting baptized, and that's why it isn't said.

I am not discounting communion and baptism and that they should be done in obedience, but to make them a requirement of salvation is getting into a works-based salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In John 3:3, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When one repents of their sins and places their trust in Jesus Christ, He will give you a new heart with new desires to serve Him. This is what it means to be born again. Repent and trust in Jesus, like you would a parachute on a plane that is about to crash.

Center Ridge and Columbia in Westlake - 10/06/09

Today I went to the intersection of Center Ridge and Columbia in Westlake. I arround 11:20 and stayed until 1:00. Today was mostly quiet, aside from a guy rolling down his window to curse at me and another guy yelled out, "I'm ready for anything!"

Tomorrow is supposed to be very windy, so I am headed out in a few minutes with the cross to another location today.

Center Ridge and Wagar/West 210th in Rocky River/Fairview Park - 10/05/09

Today, I went to the intersection of Center Ridge and Wagar/West 210th in Rocky River/Fairview Park. Depending on which corner you are on, you are either in Rocky River or Fairview Park. In this picture, I am in Fairview Park.

I showed up around 11:10 and stayed for a little over 2 hours. While I was there, I am pretty sure there was a guy with a sign up the road in front of Planned Parenthood. Someone asked me if I was holding a sign for abortion, and I told him I wasn't, although I am against abortion.

Two men walking on the sidewalk in ties came past and I gave them both gospel tracts. I told them to read the back side and they said thank you for the tract. They then asked me what my favorite cologne was. I told him I don't normally wear cologne, and he asked why not. One of them mentioned something about God's anointed with oil or God anointing with oil and made some reference to how I should want that in view of or in front of God. I told him the only thing I was concerned about was how God viewed me- a sinner saved by grace. At that point, they moved on. I saw them right before I left crossing the street again- they were probably selling something.

One man driving by asked what church I go to. I told him Lighthouse Alliance in Rocky River. I handed out five tracts today.

Encounters With the Police

I have had two experiences with the police- both times were with officers of the Westlake Police Department. The first time an officer asked me to consider not being out with my cross immediately following school hours and someone called the police a few days ago while I was out saying I was making gestures.

With both encounters, the officers made it clear that what I was doing was not wrong, and the second time the officer said they have no problem with what I'm doing. After the officer told me why he had stopped and I told him that I hadn't been doing the things alleged, the officer left.

So far, I have only had positive experiences with the police. When I am approached by the police, I am not nervous and am friendly with the officers. I know I'm not doing anything wrong and there is nothing for me to be nervous about. I also understand the police are here to protect and serve and are just doing their job, even if it someone lied about me making gestures.

I am assuming they were said to be obscene gestures- I occasionally wave or give a thumbs up to people who give them to me, but I can't see the police responding to a call because the "cross guy" smiled and waved to me. Making obscene gestures while holding a cross would contradict the message I am promoting, and I'm sure the police know that and just have to respond to the call. After this officer left, I stood with my cross for another hour and a half with no problems.

If you are out on the streets with a cross or evangelizing, know your rights if you are approached by law enforcement, but please also be respectful of the police. I know that I am not doing anything illegal and there is no reason for me to be nervous when the police approach me. I also understand they are just doing their job. I will probably be approached by the police in the future, and I want to make it a habit to thank the officers for their service to the community.

Remember Romans 13:3-4: "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." If you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about.

Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted - 10/03/09

Today, I went to Dover Center and Lorain in North Olmsted. As you can see in the picture, I added "NEEDGOD.COM" to the bottom of the cross. It isn't as visible as the other text, but some people will be able to see it. It was a pretty quiet day, aside from someone rolling down their window and telling me that God didn't exist. I said, "OK," and then said to myself, "says the fool in his heart." That's the response I should have given instead of just "OK." I was actually across the street from where I took this picture. I arrived around 2:00 PM and stayed for a few minutes past an hour.

Hostility Growing in Westlake - 10/02/09

After the rain cleared up, I went to the intersection of Dover Center and Center Ridge in Westlake around 4:20 and stayed for about 50 minutes. The day started off good with a brief conversation with a young man named Philip. After giving him a tract and him asking me if I was Mormon, he told me that he had just got out of basic training and started reading the Bible. He told me he mentioned a few things out of the Bible to a few people and they wondered what had happened to him. He told me he just started believing in the Bible for once and started going to church. I told him to take a look at the tract and he said he would.

Another young man named Alex pulled up and told me his wife, who works nearby and told him about me with my cross. He told me that he attends a local church in Westlake called Church on the Rise. I talked to him for a few minutes and gave him a tract and a few other things.

After Alex left, I went back to the intersection and a woman crossing the street and on her phone saw me and started looking at my cross and telling whoever she was talking to on the phone about. She looked at it once and repeated what it said- "Are you ready and Mark something." Then she looked at it again and she said "Are you ready? Mark 1:15 and NeedGod.com" to the person on the phone.

She mentioned I was an evangelist and something about how I was probably promoting a very limited message. I told her, "You're right. Jesus said 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.' " She continued to rant about what I was doing called me a hypocrite among other things. She mentioned something that made me want to quote 1 Corinthians 1:18 (For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God), but I just kept my mouth shut instead of saying anything. I did not attempt to give her a tract.

I was called "freak" by someone passing by. Also, after the previous encounter, two people pulled up in a car in the parking lot behind me and were parked near me and I was getting a little nervous as they were there. They ended up leaving the parking lot and saying something to me, but I forget what it was exactly, but I think I remember hearing cursing.

A passenger in a car also took my picture as they were traveling west bound on Center Ridge, turning left onto Dover Center. I noticed a flash go off and the driver side window was up if I remember correctly- which will produce a lot of glare in their picture.

It is not my fault if any of these people get in an accident because they were trying to take my picture in traffic. If they want a picture of me that bad, they can park and come up to me. I still get the waves of approval, but I am seeing more hostility crop up. I think it is mostly the high school crowd. Someone also called the police on me yesterday saying I was making gestures.

Pro-Choice is Pro-Murder, Even if the Government Lets You

I want you to watch the following video before reading my blog post:



The preceding video was from an actual abortion of a 12 week fetus. I don't know how any one can watch this video and tell me that is not a human being. My heart broke after seeing this baby, who was in the womb sucking it's thumb at the time, was murdered. You can actually see the baby "scream" for it's life. Not only is it murder, it is cruel and unusual punishment. The baby in the womb was ripped apart by a suction device and the head was crushed once the body was torn away from it.

"Pro-Choice" should be called what it is- "Pro-Abortion," or better yet, "Pro-Murder." A lot of people are "Pro-Choice" and see nothing wrong with this. They say it is a "woman's right" to have an abortion. The fact that this child was conceived was no fault of its own. A lot of people may say this is a matter of the law, and since the law allows it, it is OK. I want to discuss that.

Romans 13 tells us to submit to authorities. Romans 13:1 says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." I am not denying the fact that government has been instituted by God, but as my pastor said in a sermon on Romans 13, there are both godly and ungodly government. A government that endorses murder is definitely not a godly government.

What would you say of the Nazi Germany government? They endorsed and executed the murders of millions of Jews and others.

I have linked Planned Parenthood to Nazi Germany before and have taken heat for it. I posted this status on my Facebook profile after attending the Komen Race For the Cure in Cleveland with my cross: "20,000 people saw the cross yesterday at Komen Race for the Cure. Supporting Komen (who gives money to Planned Parenthood) is like supporting Nazi Germany for their revitalization of the German economy in the 1930's." I stand by that comparison.

I do have an issue with Planned Parenthood. Others have pointed out to me that Planned Parenthood provides other services besides abortions. Yes, that is true. Hitler also revitalized the German economy and put many people back to work and made Germany into a military powerhouse. Should Hitler be commended for that?

This argument reminds me of witnessing to people who think their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds and that will earn them their salvation. In light of the above example, do you see how faulty that argument is? A lot of people say Planned Parenthood does a lot of good. Some will say that about Hitler, also.

A government should govern according to God's Word. That includes making laws that prohibit the murder of unborn babies. That being said, obviously not all the laws instituted by a government (and subsequent rights granted by) comply with God's will. Just because the government gives you the right to fornicate outside of marriage and have an abortion doesn't make it right.

A prime example is Roe Vs. Wade (which legalized abortion). You may say, "I don't believe in God- don't push your agenda on me." It doesn't matter- God exists, whether or not you want to believe it. That doesn't change the fact that you will ultimately face Him on Judgment Day and stand accountable to Him.

You may say a woman has a right to her own body. To this I say everything we have has been given to us by God. You don't have a "right" to do whatever you want. You may think you do, but you don't. All your actions should bring honor, praise and glory to the Lord.

There are a lot of "rights" given to me by this country that contradict God's laws. Fornication (a major reason abortions are taking place) is a prime example. Again, you may say you don't believe in God and don't push my agenda on you. It doesn't matter- He still exists.

You may say that this baby will be born unwanted. That is not the baby's fault- that is a result of your sinful nature to break God's laws. The Bible calls us to repent of our sins and place our trust in Jesus Christ. Had you been practicing repentance as the Bible calls us to, you wouldn't have been in the situation to begin with.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." Even if you have had an abortion, God wants you to repent and trust in Jesus as His Savior. Jesus said in Luke 5:32, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

We are all sinners and have broken God's laws. We have all told lies, stolen, used the Lord's name in vain, looked with lust (which Jesus says is adultery in the heart), hated one another (which Jesus says is murder in the heart) and we will all stand guilty before God on Judgment Day and He would rightly sentence us to Hell for all of eternity- but God loved you so much that He sent His One and only Son into this world to die on the cross for your sins, your transgressions. Jesus paid the penalty for your sins in His life's blood. The Bible tells us we must repent of our sins and place our trust in Jesus to be saved. If you haven't done that, I plead with you, please make today the day you do.


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Police Called On Me - 10/01/09

Today was a lot nicer than yesterday- the temps were in the upper 50's or lower 60's and the wind was very light (barely noticeable). I arrived at the intersection of Center Ridge and Columbia in Westlake around 12:30.

After no more than 15 or 20 minutes, a Westlake Police officer drop by and motioned for me to come over to his car. I offered a warm, "Hi," and he told me that he had received a call that I had been making gestures as cars were going by. I told him that wasn't true and that I was just standing there, silently. I do occasionally wave to people if they wave to me or give a thumbs up, but nothing obscene.

He asked me if I was taking pictures, too (I bring along a tripod so I can set up my camera and set it off by remote). I told him that I like to document where I go. I told him again I wasn't making any gestures and was just trying to warm people or their impending judgment. I told him we never know when we're going to die. He answered, "Absolutely. We have no problem with that." I told him that I am sure there are people opposed to the message (obviously). I did not try to give the officer a tract (another Westlake officer told me they weren't allowed to accept anything), but I wish I would have tried.

I had a man ask if the message on the cross was in reference to Judgment Day. I told him it was. He told me he was ready, although God would find him guilty. I am assuming that since he said he is ready for Judgment Day and he acknowledges his guilt that he also knows of the forgiveness offered through Jesus' blood. I think I also told him to look up Mark 1:15 and do what it says.

Two younger people drove by and sneered at me "God doesn't exist. You're wasting your time."

Another woman also asked me what Mark 1:15 is, and I told her- "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel." She said she would look it up. I passed out a Big Money tract to someone passing by, but missed a few other opportunities to hand out tracts. I stayed at this location for 2 hours today. I'm not sure how much longer I will have the opportunity to be out on the street and also the winter is right around the corner.