Deeper Conference (part one)

Most of you know that I just got home from a trip to GA.  Many of my friends have asked me to share about our trip.  I will now attempt to do so.

I want to start out by telling everyone who wasn't at this conference that they really missed out. :D  (I love making people feel good.)

We had been planning on this trip for months - it was actually a miracle that I convinced Dad to go, but that's a whole other story. :D  So, I'll just share the story of out trip instead.

Wednesday the 15th was a busy day - we were leaving at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.  We did all our shopping and last minuet stuff and then jumped in the van to go pick up my friend Anna who came along with us. (lucky girl)

It was a straight 17 hour drive, which is a very exciting drive when you have 12 people in one van - especially when six of them are under 12. :P  Another problem with that many people is that it's nearly impossible to sleep.  A screaming one-year-old, and a bunch of tired kids doesn't make for a very restful experience.  But I'm used to that.

Dad drove the first nine hours; until like 2:00 am.  By then he was completely beat.  So, naturally, I was the available driver.  Which was great - but also somewhat of a new experience.  You see, I've never driven on anything bigger than a two lane freeway, and as soon as I got onto the interstate it was a six lane highway, and then it was pouring rain, there was construction, and it was 2 am.  I think the worst part was the 2 am thing.  I mean, I was tired.  Anyway, I guess I could go on about that all day, but I won't.  I drove six hours, till we were about 45 min from Atlanta and then Dad took over again. (thank the Lord for that, I was ready to crash. :P)  I was bummed out that I was driving when we went through the beautiful mountains of TN, I would have loved to take some pictures.  It was like 6 am, and the sky was pink.  It was amazing.

We got to the hotel and I was extremely tired.  But I had a dilemma.  I was sharing a room with John-Luke, Michael, and Esther.  None of which we in the mood for sleeping.  So I wasn't able to sleep either - that is till Dad got a message from God, I mean, he decided to take the kids out so I could sleep. :D

Finally.  I slept for about 3 hours, then got up and ate something. (yes, I actually felt like eating.) We had devotions and once again headed for bed.  I couldn't wait for the next day.  I was nearly bouncing up and down.  I was excited. :D  Ever had the "I'm so excited I can't even sleep" feeling?  Well, I nearly had that; but I was so tired I slept anyway. :)

I'll leave you all hanging there till next time.  I promise, next time I'll really talk about the Deeper conference.  Did I tell you it was great? :D  Yes, I will tell you more than that - next time.

Update on Villa of St Joseph's

As you all know, I've been working every Wednesday at Villa of St. Joseph's.  Quite a few of my friends have asked how that's been going, so in this post I will endeavor to share with you all what I've been up to there.

I've been working there for about a month now.  The first couple times I went it was really just trying to get around, learn who all the "sisters" were ect.  (the place is huge - it's hard not to get lost in there :P)  The next time I was there they had me taking care of one of the ladies outside, so she could get some fresh air.  We got to talking (of course :D) and I started asking her about why she became a nun and so on.  She told me she became a nun when she was 16 because she thought they seemed so holy - but she later found out they weren't so holy after all.

Then she asks me what parish I go to.  I explained that I don't go to a parish, I'm not Catholic.  That was the first time I'd told anyone there that I wasn't Catholic and the lady I'm working under was there when I said that.  She looked very surprised but didn't say anything.  

Then it was time to go in and help get the coffee/cookie/chat time ready for the really older ladies.

Yesterday part of my dream for going there was fulfilled! :D I went in and sister Sharon (the lady I work under) asked if I'd like to spend the first hour visiting with one of the sisters that is very sharp, but really likes company and someone to talk to.  I said "YES!" I went to her room and sat down and started talking to her.  I was very happy we were left totally alone because I was REALLY hoping to be share the gospel - after all that's the biggest reason I was there, and I hadn't really gotten to do that yet.

I started out by asking her to tell me why she became a nun.  She said she first started thinking about becoming a nun in 7th grade when she was in Catholic school and the priest called her in from outside and told her he was impressed with how good a job she was doing in school and thought she should consider becoming a nun.  She said after that she decided she would like to be a nun; she loved there "holy, organized" lifestyle, and wanted to serve God.  So she became a nun and taught school for 50 years after that... including theology.  That's when I jumped in and said; "Theology?  I love theology too!"  "Really?" she said.  "Yes!  Would you mind if I asked you some questions concerning theology?"  I asked.  "No, not at all, I would enjoy that."  Sooooo, I started. :D  "Well, what do you think about being born-again?  has that every happened to you?"  "Oh" she said "I (she shakes her head) just don't swallow that 'born-again' stuff!"  I said "That's very interesting because in John Chapter three Jesus says that unless a man is born-again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  She said "Yeah, I believe that's when you're baptised - so yes, I guess I have been born-again."  Then I said "That's interesting that you would say that because Jesus said that unless you're born of water and of the spirit you cannot see the kingdom of God...  so you have to born the first time into this world and the second time into the kingdom of God.  Can I tell you about how that happened to me?"

"Sure" she said.  "Well, when I was about 11 years old I came to see what an awful sinner I was in God's eyes - I saw that I'd broken His laws, I'd lied, stolen, dishonored my parents, ect.  So I knew that when I stand before God on Judgement day He's HAVE to punish me.  I was guilty.  But then I realized something else - it didn't have to be that way; Jesus Christ came down to this earth and paid in full the penalty for my sins.  Just like if I broke the law and couldn't pay my fine, but someone came in and paid it for me than I could go free.  My fine had been paid.  That's what Jesus did for me so I didn't have to go to Hell.  At that moment I repented of my sins and put my trust in Jesus and He saved me."

"Oh, so it was like a new beginning for you - you were turning over a new leaf." Said she.

I said "That's true too, we do become new persons in Christ.  But you see I couldn't make it to Heaven until God could legally see my as Innocent and dismiss my case.  He couldn't do that till I received that gift.  It was at that moment that I was born-again!  He forgave me.  I could go free."

Then she says; "So, are your parents Catholic?"  (I knew that was coming! :D)  I said "No, but they both used to be."  And just after I finished saying that sister Sharon came in and said she needed my help upstairs now. :D

Wow, so I left the lady with the thought that I wasn't Catholic.  Before we went out though, she informs the lady I was talking to that she'd like to have our family sing for them sometime.  Well, I thought that was a good idea because then maybe my dad could get a sermon in there somewhere! :-)

If anyone thinks of it PLEASE pray for this lady that the seed of the gospel will take root in her heart.  

We went up stairs to get stuff together for the coffee/cookie time.  They always sing some songs, and this time they just happened to ask me if there were any songs I knew that I'd like to sing.  "How about 'Amazing Grace"  I said "everyone knows that one"  The administrator says "I don't know that one very well so you're gonna have to help me out."  Some of them knew it, but I mostly sang a solo. :P lol.  We also sang How Great Thou Art.  That was nice.

Anyway.  That's kind of an update on how things have been going there.  I covet your prayers.  Pray that God would be able to use my to spread the gospel in that place.

I'm Encouraged ... please continue to pray!

"To Rebecca's Parents"

"Greetings in Christ,

It has been a very long time since I've written to Rebecca.  I feel that God is telling me to write to you.  When I met your daughter at Monroe County Fair, I think it was two years ago, I was impressed with her.  She had a light that shone and was unmistakably from Christ.  You are doing a wonderful job raising your children to love and serve the Lord.  Your family has been in my prayers and I hope all is well with you.

There is more I'd like to say, but I'm unsure how to say it and whether now is the time.

Please accept my best wishes and prayers for you and your children.  May God's love sustain you."

Molly Shields.

Please pray for this lady, as she said, I met her two years ago at the Monroe County Fair.  When I talked to her I remember that she was a former Roman Catholic, but she had left the church.  But I did not sense that she was born-again.  We emailed back and forth for a while, somehow though, we lost contact.  I had prayed for her a lot... I'm not exactly sure what she meant by this email, but maybe God is working in her heart.  She seemed very open when I talked to her, but I don't think she ever had the "from darkness to light" experience.

I'm just posting this to ask you all to pray.  God has really proven to me the power of prayer lately, and like George Muller said, prayer is like  a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it gets.

Oh, and today I got a call from the Catholic nursing home for the nuns.  They are going to have me work for them.  Next week they're going to call me with a schedule! :D

I'm very excited!  Thank you everyone for your prayers!  Please continue to do so if you think of me!

Answered Prayer!

Okay, there's this Catholic nunnery about 10 minuets or so away from our house, and this past winter I drove past it every week.  I had a burden for these dear older ladies for a long time.  

So, I started praying that God would give me an opportunity to witness to these ladies.  Then I thought, well you know, I should just go over there and volunteer for any work they might have, and maybe then I'd be able to share with them.  I talked to my family about it some, and they all basically told me that I had a great idea but as soon as I went they'd say; Are you Catholic?  and of course I would tell them no.  That would be the end.

I just kept praying about it... 

Today I needed to run some errands, and I thought; It's on the way, so what's the hurt in trying?

I was praying almost the whole way there.  When I went in the first thought that came to my mind was Wow, they really are Catholic! :D (The huge cross necklaces and everything) I went up to the front desk and told the lady I would like to volunteer for any work they might have helping with the "sisters".  She seemed very happy and surprised.  She called the administrator who took me to her desk, had me sit down and tell her a little bit about myself, what I'd be willing to do ect.    After all that she said "Well, Rebecca we'll see what we can do, let me check with my schedule and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.  I think I'll have you work a couple times a week for two hours each time.  Thank you very much for being willing to do this.  I'll have you doing things like; reading to them, writing their letters, even feeding the blind ones their food."

I couldn't believe what I just heard!  It was exactly what I'd been praying for.  I don't know why I was surprised, God can to anything.  I was just think WOW the whole way home. :)

Anyhow, I just thought I'd share this with you all... if you think of me you're welcome to pray that God would give me lots of opportunity's to witness for His name.

God is SO amazing!

I've been gone this past weekend at the La Crosse County Fair, and I thought I'd share a bit of what went on and ask you all to pray.

I'd like to start out by saying; please never doubt God, He is so amazing! I know that might sound weird, but a lot of times I pray for something and then I'm shocked when God answers. I really shouldn't be because God has never failed me, but I often fail Him, I just need to loose all trust in myself and totally rely on Him for everything.

God was so faithful this past weekend, I was able to present the gospel tens of times, and funny how I can share and share and share and I never get tired of telling the beautiful gospel over. I never said "man, I have to tell that again", it was more like "wow, God, you are so good to let a forgiven wretch like me share such an awesome story of God's love for all mankind!" I can't even begin to explain how blessed I was, I mean, nothing match's being able to share of the cross of Christ!

At one point I was talking to a group of young people and I had went through the law with them, and then I presented the gospel, and this young man probably about 17 started jumping up and down yelling "I just got it, I just got it" and his friends were like "you just got what?", and he said "The whole reason why Jesus had to die on the cross, it never made sense to me before, but now I see because of my sin He had to die." It really made me think that the modern day gospel that Jesus died to give people a better life or that He just "has a wonderful plan for their life" doesn't even make sense to people. It gives no reason for the death of Jesus, and then if they "try Jesus" and it doesn't work then they're bitter. We need to remember to share with people that they must come to Jesus for righteousness, because many times people don't have a better life when they are born-again but rather the promise is fulfilled "all they that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

As a funny note, though, I was told that I have a New Hampshire accent, and they wanted to know where I was from. When I told them I'd lived in Wisconsin all my life they said "well, maybe it's just a knock-around country accent." :D LOL. I thought that was so funny. I've never been told something like that before!

Caren witnessing 

Chris witnessing

Me with a pretty wild group! :D

Aubrey and I

Chris and Christy witnessing :)

Dad talking to some friends of ours

See if you can pick Chris and Mr. Mattews out of the crowd. ;)

Mr. Mattews and Chris again

Me and my good friend Kenndal  (thanks for liking me even after all our heated talks ;) :D)

Laren, me, and Aubrey

I love you, Christy!  Thanks for all your help this past weekend!  Your love and passion for God was such a blessing, and I don't think I could've done made it without your great sense of humor!  (I really think that's why we hit it off ;) j/k)

A very Happy belated birthday to you!   (((hugs)))

God's Calling and You're the One...

"Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care
Are you gonna let them drown

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord"
You know it's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear

But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?

Cause He brings people to you door,
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left him out on the streets

Open up open up
And give yourself away
You see the need, you hear the cries
So how can you delay

God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on, get out of your bed

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes
Don't pretend the jobs done
Come away, come away, come away with Me my love,

Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, my love." -Keith Green

"Fish with Trish"

Okay, today I was on the website Way of the Master Radio, (which, I'm sure you all know, has my favorite radio show, hosted by Todd Friel) and I saw a link to a web page done by a lady named Trish Ramos... I had never looked at her blog or anything before. But I went on her page and saw a video clip of her sharing the gospel open-air, I was so blessed by her presentation that I thought I'd do a post to tell you to please go and watch the video clip at the bottom of the page!
Also, much of her blog was very inspiring for me to continue sharing my faith!
Do stop over at her site for a blessing!!!

To Win Souls!

I would rather win souls
than to be the greatest king
or emperor on earth;
I would rather win souls
than be the greatest general
that ever commanded an army...
my one ambition in life
is to win as many as possible.
Oh, it is the only thing worth doing;
to save souls;
and men and women,
we can do it.

R. A Torry
(1856-1928)

The Firefighers

Imagine seeing a group of firefighters polishing their engine outside a burning building with people trapped at a top floor window. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with cleaning a fire engine—but not while people are trapped in a burning building! Instead of ignoring their cries, the firefighters should have an overwhelming sense of urgency to rescue them. That’s the spirit that should be behind the task of evangelism. But according to Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade“Only 2 percent of for Christ,believers in America regularly share their faith with others.” That means that 98 percent of the professing Body of Christ are “lukewarm” when it comes to obeying the Great Commission (Mark 16:15).

Oswald J. Smith said, “Oh my friends, we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the Church, that of evangelizing and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected.” We have polished the engines of worship, prayer, and praise and neglected the sober task given to us by God. A firefighter who ignores his responsibilities and allows people to perish in flames is not a firefighter; he is an impostor. How could we ignore our responsibility and allow the world to walk blindly into the fires of hell? If God’s love dwells in us, we must warn them. The Bible tells us to “have compassion...save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 22,23). If we don’t have love and compassion, then we don’t know God—we are impostors (1 John 4:8).

Charles Spurgeon said, “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.” Please, examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Don’t be part of the great multitude who called Jesus “Lord,” but refused to obey Him. It will be professing believers who will hear those fearful words, “I never knew you: depart from me” (Matthew 7:21–23).                                                                         

                                                                                                                          -Ray Comfort

Backward Christian Soldiers
Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight
With the cross of Jesus nearly out of sight.
Christ, our rightful master, stands against the foe
But forward into battle, we are loathe to go.

Like a mighty tortoise moves the Church of God
Brothers we are treading where we’ve always trod.
We are much divided, many bodies we
Having many doctrines, not much charity.

Crowns and thorns may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus hidden does remain.
Gates of hell should never ‘gainst the Church prevail
We have Christ’s own promise, but think that it will fail.

Sit here then ye people, join our useless throng
Blend with ours your voices in a feeble song.
Blessings, ease and comfort, ask from Christ the King
With our modern thinking, we don’t do a thing.

(Anonymous)

Biblical Evangelism

"Churches divide over carpet color, building additions and budgets. In the meantime, our fellow church members are going to hell by the boat load.

A.W. Tozer said, “It is my opinion that tens of thousands of people, if not millions, have been brought into some kind of religious experience by accepting Christ, and they have not been saved.”

D. James Kennedy said, “The vast majority of people who are members of churches in America today are not Christians. I say that without the slightest contradiction. I base it on empirical evidence of twenty-four years of examining thousands of people.”

Friend, we argue over so many petty things. May I suggest we have lost sight of the most important debate of all, “What is salvation?” My theology teaches that salvation happens when a man repents and places his trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

I would like to present thirteen ways that we have re-defined how a person becomes a true convert. Have we done this intentionally? Certainly not. We have simply created lingo that has a grain of truth in Scripture, but it is so open to interpretation that the un-converted understand it in ways that lead to false conversions.

1. Make Jesus your Lord and Savior. We cannot make Jesus our Lord and Savior, He is our Lord and Savior. We are living in rebellion to Him and He commands us to repent and trust Him.

2. Ask Jesus into your heart. Does Jesus come into our hearts? Yes He does. The question is, “How does He get in there?” It is not by simply asking Him in; it is by repentance and faith.

3. Just believe in Jesus. The demons believe and they tremble. We must repent and trust.

4. You have a God-shaped hole in your heart and only Jesus can fill it. We have far more than a hole that needs to be filled so we can feel complete; we have a wretched, deceitful, sinful heart that needs cleansing. Repentance and faith applies the blood of the lamb for that cleansing.

5. Accept Jesus. Whoa. We need to accept Jesus? This is entirely backward. We need Jesus to accept us–and He will, if we repent and trust.

6. Make a decision for Jesus. Decisional regeneration puts man in the driver’s seat of salvation. When we repent and trust, Jesus decides to save us. That puts Him in the driver’s seat…where He demands.

7. It is easy to believe. While the formula of repentance and faith sounds simple, a complete surrendering of self in repentance is anything but easy. It’s hard.

8. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. The only promises for the convert are trials, temptation and persecution. If that is how you define a wonderful life, fine. Otherwise we must command all men everywhere to repent and trust.

9. Come to Jesus just as you are. We should come to Jesus just as the sinners we are, but He also expects a broken heart and contrite spirit demonstrated in repentance and faith.

10. Come to Jesus and you will receive forgiveness of sins and ________________ (fill in the blank with money, health, a healed marriage). Jesus didn’t promise healed marriages; in fact He promised broken homes because we would divide when one member repents and trusts.


11. Come to Jesus and experience love, joy, peace. Do we get the fruit of the Spirit upon conversion? Yes. But if we come seeking the gifts and not the giver, we will receive neither. Instead, we must repent and trust.

12. Jesus is the missing piece. Um, no, the God of the universe is not the missing piece, He demands that He is the center of our lives when we repent and trust.

13. Jesus is better than fame and fortune. That is an understatement, and frankly, it is insulting. Saying Jesus is better than money is like saying that a steak dinner is better than eating a dung hill. He defies comparison and we trivialize the Son of God. Instead, we should be pleading with all men everywhere to repent and trust.

If I showed up at your door with a can of grapefruit juice and a roll of paper towels and offered to change your oil, you would say, “No thanks.” If we wouldn’t let someone mess with our car using the wrong method, why do we allow the Gospel to be presented so ambiguously?

Would you let a doctor operate on your child who was “sort of” accurate? The salvation of men is far more important than an appendix.

I beg you to consider how you share the Gospel. You and I know what we are talking about when we use these phrases, but do the unregenerate? Is it possible that we have so many backsliders today because they never slid forward in the first place? Is it because they were never told that they must repent and trust?

If we are willing to debate shag verse plush in the fellowship hall, shouldn’t we be more concerned about an issue that has eternal consequences?" By Todd Friel

Take A Look...

My sister Rachel did an awesome job on a post about our last trip to the Monroe County Fair.
I don't have the time to do my own, so, please go over to her blog and check it out!

Dad and Bruce Frye

Seeds Planted

"My friend, I stand in judgment now,
and feel that you're to blame somehow,
On earth I walked with you by day,
and never did you show the way.

You knew the Savior in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim.
You could have led me safe to Him.
Though we lived together, here on earth,

you never told me of the second birth,
And now I stand before eternal hell,
because of heaven's glory you did not tell!"

(anonymous)

Our tent

"Do all you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all times you can, to all people you can, as long as you can." John Wesley

Dad sharing

I spent this past weekend at the La Crosse county fair witnessing to this lost and dying generation. I covet your prayers at this time. Please pray that the many seeds that were planted would take root in hearts, and lives! The gospel message was shared many times, and Jesus said that if He is lifted up He will draw and men unto Himself!

I saw the most beautiful rainbow there that I have ever seen...