Grandma's Marathon

This past weekend was a definite learning experience. There were literally thousands of people who stormed the city of Duluth for running, fun, and seemingly most of all drinking!

We went out on Friday from 11am - 8:45 pm and Saturday from 8am - 8pm. It was a long and grueling weekend. At this point I don't have the time nor space to explain all of our encounters.

Tina came out with us on Friday and mentioned that although we didn't have a single conversation in the first few hours, just about EVERYONE who passed by was reading the sign - the planting of seeds!

Matthew 13:3-8
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

At one point, Tina left to go get some ice cream and when she came around the corner she was met with quiet a scene. I was engaged in a heated debate with a group of about 10+ homosexuals, some of which we had talked to on Tuesday. A few seemed to be mocking, but some were generally (seemingly) interested in what we had to say. The neat thing is that Tina was able to get much of the conversation on video, so be looking for that on the blog time in the future.

After the group dispersed, Josh was approached by two guys who, although "ok" with the message, did NOT like the method we were using. Very frustrating because there is little, if any, scriptural support to alter the method of "marketplace preaching" based on our culture today. These gentleman figured our method does not work in today's culture, trying to prove that by my conversation with the homosexuals. It seemed any "negative" response to our message was not a "success" to them. Hmmmmmmm

John 6:65-67
And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more (see verse 60). Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"

As the day progressed we were in and out of small conversations. At one point the POTATO CHIP guy approached us, pulled out his cell phone, and preceded to call the police. His message to them (a few feet away from us) was that we were "scaring little kids and telling them they are going to hell." He also stated that he was a "christian" and was offended by this message. Remember, he's the guy that throws potato chips around us and calls us "pieces of sh%$". As he walked away he said, "That's it guys. You're done. You're outta here." About 20 min later the Police showed up, and as usual, had nothing really to say to us. They know we are in our rights, even if we were telling "little kids they are going to hell" (which we were not). We shook the police officers hand and he went on his way.

The rest of the evening was spent in some good conversations.

Saturday was a long, long day. As I stated earlier, we got there around 8am, set up, and stayed until about 8pm. Nick joined us for most of the day, and Sam came around 4pmish, Tina was with us from 8am until around noon. It was a great day with MANY great conversations (too many to go into). As usual, we were approached by all types of people, attitudes, and backgrounds.

Sam did an EXCELLENT job when he and I were "manning" a sign. He came out just to "observe" but got thrown into the fire as soon as we put the sign out. We were approached by a small group (8 people). Half came to me, half to him. We spent a good 20 or 30 mins with our groups talking about sin, righteousness, judgment, and the Gospel, as well as answering their questions. As Sam was finishing up, I noticed he was praying with one of the gentleman, and the guy seemed to appreciate it because he thanked Sam and shook his hand. NICE WORK!

One thing that stands out to me more than anything after this weekend is just how full of sin our world is. The atmosphere done in Canal Park was one of sex, music, and drinking. The majority of women were dressed with such provocative clothing. The drinking was non-stop from 9am until we left. The music that was being played was loud, with a theme of sex, heartaches, drinking, and "having fun". At one point I saw a couple (I don't know if they were married) go into a porta-potty and not come out for about 15min. When they did, they were both "adjusting" themselves. My guess is they were having sex, in "broad-daylight", as kids were walking around.

The evening, by a large majority of the public, was spent in front of Little Angies with a mass of people playing drinking games, taking shots, while to hardly dressed "DJ's" were calling on people to drink more and more. All the while, families were walking around and being subjected to this. Don't fool yourself, God is NOT blessing the U.S.A. like most people think He is. Our Judgment is coming!

In the end, the weekend was, I think, a huge success (if you mark "success" as planting and/or watering "seeds"). We have a lot to learn for next year in terms of our approach because although we planted many seeds, many more seeds could have been planted if we were more prepared. I was a little disappointed to the lack of response to my invitation to join us. Again, please don't let the fear of man, doubt, or our "method" scare you way. Do you love to talk about Jesus and what he has done for you? Trust me, you'll be able to do that AND THEN SOME if you come out on the streets!

2 Timothy 1:6-8
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you...For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord