This 2 minute video is an encouragement to me. I trust it will be for you, as well.
Choosing Reality of Atheism?
2 hours ago
Friday, January 20, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
THE NARROW GATE
This 2 minute excerpt from a sermon preached by Dr. Steve Lawson, of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, contains a powerful message that we have and will continue to bring to the streets of Ottawa this year: the narrowness of the gate Christ calls His own to enter into and the requirements of doing so. A very sobering and encouraging message, indeed.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH - HERE WE COME!
WOW! 2012 is already here! To reflect on all that has happened in 2011 would require much more than just a blog post. How about a book?!
God was very gracious to Kim and me in 2011 by giving us more than ample opportunities to share the gospel with people all over Ottawa. "With people" in regard to those we gave the gospel to ourselves and "with people" in regard to fellow brothers and sisters we gave the gospel with.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
Aside from the many personal opportunities we were given to share the gospel in 2011, Winterlude, St Patrick's Day Parade, Easter Weekend, College Outreach, March For Life, Ottawa Marathons, Westfest, Canada Day, Changing of the Guard Ceremonies, Bluesfest, Ribfest, Busker Festival, Mission Ottawa, Zombie Walk, Santa Parade, were some of the city events our intrepid team of street evangelists from our church were present at to proclaim the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Lord willing, if there is one thing you are going to be seeing more of in 2012 here on the old blog, it is our church. Our two year old church plant is now a church. We are on our own and on our way to becoming incorporated. The name we have chosen for our church is Emmanuel Baptist Church.
By God's grace, we have been richly blessed with a small and devoted group of men to lead our present congregation of about 35 people. Our pastor, Bob Doble, is a most humble man with a deep love for the Lord that is clearly evident not only in his preaching but in all aspects of his life and ministry.
One of the most encouraging characteristics of our band of believers the Lord has assembled together, from Pastor Bob on down, is a shared burden for lost. We have, therefore, committed ourselves to continue serving the Lord in the building of His kingdom by bringing the gospel outside the four walls of our building and into the public square.
We have every intention to be found continually busy in all aspects of street evangelism, giving God the glory He deserves by exalting the name of Jesus, open air preaching, public Scripture readings, tract handing, one-to-one and group conversations, etc.
The missionaries we will be supporting will be from our own church and the mission field our own backyard - Ottawa - the national capital city of Canada.
There was a time up until a year and half ago we could count on one hand how many regular street evangelists were proclaiming the gospel in this city of almost a million. Now there is Emmanuel Baptist Church. Over the last two years, the Lord has seen it well to answer our prayers that He would give increase to the quantity of gospel laborers here in Ottawa. We are deeply grateful and excited.
If 2011 is any indication as to what it will be like in 2012 on the streets of Ottawa with the gospel, we are going to be in for another busy year. We are looking forward to it with a great sense of duty and anticipation.
Glory to the Lord via the public proclamation of His glorious gospel!
God was very gracious to Kim and me in 2011 by giving us more than ample opportunities to share the gospel with people all over Ottawa. "With people" in regard to those we gave the gospel to ourselves and "with people" in regard to fellow brothers and sisters we gave the gospel with.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
Aside from the many personal opportunities we were given to share the gospel in 2011, Winterlude, St Patrick's Day Parade, Easter Weekend, College Outreach, March For Life, Ottawa Marathons, Westfest, Canada Day, Changing of the Guard Ceremonies, Bluesfest, Ribfest, Busker Festival, Mission Ottawa, Zombie Walk, Santa Parade, were some of the city events our intrepid team of street evangelists from our church were present at to proclaim the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Lord willing, if there is one thing you are going to be seeing more of in 2012 here on the old blog, it is our church. Our two year old church plant is now a church. We are on our own and on our way to becoming incorporated. The name we have chosen for our church is Emmanuel Baptist Church.
By God's grace, we have been richly blessed with a small and devoted group of men to lead our present congregation of about 35 people. Our pastor, Bob Doble, is a most humble man with a deep love for the Lord that is clearly evident not only in his preaching but in all aspects of his life and ministry.
We have every intention to be found continually busy in all aspects of street evangelism, giving God the glory He deserves by exalting the name of Jesus, open air preaching, public Scripture readings, tract handing, one-to-one and group conversations, etc.
The missionaries we will be supporting will be from our own church and the mission field our own backyard - Ottawa - the national capital city of Canada.
There was a time up until a year and half ago we could count on one hand how many regular street evangelists were proclaiming the gospel in this city of almost a million. Now there is Emmanuel Baptist Church. Over the last two years, the Lord has seen it well to answer our prayers that He would give increase to the quantity of gospel laborers here in Ottawa. We are deeply grateful and excited.
If 2011 is any indication as to what it will be like in 2012 on the streets of Ottawa with the gospel, we are going to be in for another busy year. We are looking forward to it with a great sense of duty and anticipation.
Glory to the Lord via the public proclamation of His glorious gospel!
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Sunday, December 25, 2011
ICE FISHING ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Despite the frigid temperatures on the day before Christmas, hordes of people were out busy finishing their Christmas shopping in downtown Ottawa. Despite the frigid temperatures on the day before Christmas, five of the Lord's people were out busy (ice) 'fishing' on a downtown Ottawa street.
Myself, along with Pastor Bob Doble, Elder Denis Pomerleau, his wife, Peggy, and son, Daniel, got all bundled up for a couple of hours of sharing with passersby the true meaning behind what we and the world know as "Christmas", namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ...the same message we preach on the streets all year round.
The Lord blessed us with the opportunity to hand gospel tracts to literally hundreds of people as Denis and I stood at a busy crosswalk and open air preached the Good News of Christ to coincide with the secular side of Christmas that was on the minds of many who walked by.
Two hours after we started, it became obvious that we were in great need to thaw out our hands and feet. A round of hot chocolate and coffee in a warm nearby shop was a most welcome treat for us as we sat for an enjoyable hour of fellowship before heading home.
We were grateful for the time we had to bring the Good News of salvation through Christ to the many who celebrate "Christmas" but know not Christ as their Lord and Savior and the profound reasons why He came to earth in the first place.
The name we exalted is the same we proclaim throughout every winter, spring, summer and fall.
JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, LORD AND SAVIOR!
Myself, along with Pastor Bob Doble, Elder Denis Pomerleau, his wife, Peggy, and son, Daniel, got all bundled up for a couple of hours of sharing with passersby the true meaning behind what we and the world know as "Christmas", namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ...the same message we preach on the streets all year round.
The Lord blessed us with the opportunity to hand gospel tracts to literally hundreds of people as Denis and I stood at a busy crosswalk and open air preached the Good News of Christ to coincide with the secular side of Christmas that was on the minds of many who walked by.
Two hours after we started, it became obvious that we were in great need to thaw out our hands and feet. A round of hot chocolate and coffee in a warm nearby shop was a most welcome treat for us as we sat for an enjoyable hour of fellowship before heading home.
We were grateful for the time we had to bring the Good News of salvation through Christ to the many who celebrate "Christmas" but know not Christ as their Lord and Savior and the profound reasons why He came to earth in the first place.
The name we exalted is the same we proclaim throughout every winter, spring, summer and fall.
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JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, LORD AND SAVIOR!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
SIN IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
We hold dearly to our annual traditions that make Christmas what it is and that in itself can be a good thing. But do we go far enough in appreciating the real "reason for the season"?
When we gather around the Christmas dinner table with saved and/or unsaved family and friends, does the real reason of WHY God came to earth in human form ever come up in conversation? What is the real reason anyway?
There is a familiar phrase that we see and hear around this time of year displaying an attempt by well meaning religious and non-religious traditionalists to keep "Christ" in Christmas, fighting against the commercialization and the 'political correctness run amuck' regarding the "happy holidays".
The popular phrase proclaims: "Jesus is the reason for the season."
True enough. But there is a particular rephrasing of that statement that I have come across recently that I believe exposes a deeper truth. It goes one step further in pointing the finger at you and me.
The unpopular phrase proclaims: "Sin is the reason for the season."
Think about it: had it not been for our sin and rebellion against God in the first place, there would have been no reason for God to provide a sacrificial Lamb, in the person of His Son, Jesus, for our salvation. There would have been no need for Jesus to come to earth to suffer and die for sinners, in their place, to open up the gates of Heaven for all who repent and believe the gospel, alone.
John MacArthur wraps up the real reason for the season and how our almighty and gracious God dealt with it in this short, yet very powerful, expository on 2 Corinthians 5:21.
God's holy word says that Jesus was born to die for "sinners" and the "ungodly". Did Jesus die for YOU?
"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
If you are outside of God's grace and mercy through His one and only provision for your salvation, I pray that He would do a work in your heart to see that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour and cause you to repent and believe in the gospel, that the Lord would once and for all do away with your sins - the real reason for the season.
When we gather around the Christmas dinner table with saved and/or unsaved family and friends, does the real reason of WHY God came to earth in human form ever come up in conversation? What is the real reason anyway?
There is a familiar phrase that we see and hear around this time of year displaying an attempt by well meaning religious and non-religious traditionalists to keep "Christ" in Christmas, fighting against the commercialization and the 'political correctness run amuck' regarding the "happy holidays".
The popular phrase proclaims: "Jesus is the reason for the season."
True enough. But there is a particular rephrasing of that statement that I have come across recently that I believe exposes a deeper truth. It goes one step further in pointing the finger at you and me.
The unpopular phrase proclaims: "Sin is the reason for the season."
Think about it: had it not been for our sin and rebellion against God in the first place, there would have been no reason for God to provide a sacrificial Lamb, in the person of His Son, Jesus, for our salvation. There would have been no need for Jesus to come to earth to suffer and die for sinners, in their place, to open up the gates of Heaven for all who repent and believe the gospel, alone.
John MacArthur wraps up the real reason for the season and how our almighty and gracious God dealt with it in this short, yet very powerful, expository on 2 Corinthians 5:21.
God's holy word says that Jesus was born to die for "sinners" and the "ungodly". Did Jesus die for YOU?
"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
If you are outside of God's grace and mercy through His one and only provision for your salvation, I pray that He would do a work in your heart to see that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour and cause you to repent and believe in the gospel, that the Lord would once and for all do away with your sins - the real reason for the season.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
PREACH THE (CHRISTMAS) GOSPEL !
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." - Luke 2:10
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
ETERNITY
Today, by the sovereign will and grace of God, I am 56 years old.
What am I here for? To love and serve God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength through Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Saviour.
How long will I live for? ETERNITY!
Where? In Heaven.
How? By grace, through faith in Christ, alone.
Sins? Repented of and forgiven, paid for in full by Christ on the cross.
Guilty? Acquitted.
Deserved? Not in the least.
Grateful? Speechlessly so.
For how long? ETERNITY !!
What am I here for? To love and serve God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength through Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Saviour.
How long will I live for? ETERNITY!
Where? In Heaven.
How? By grace, through faith in Christ, alone.
Sins? Repented of and forgiven, paid for in full by Christ on the cross.
Guilty? Acquitted.
Deserved? Not in the least.
Grateful? Speechlessly so.
For how long? ETERNITY !!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
HARK! THE HERALD, JEFFREY, SINGS
Fellow gospel herald and friend, Jeff Mardling, of Ridgetown, Ontario, joined Kim and me this past weekend to herald the gospel of Jesus Christ at this year's 'Help Santa Toy Parade' in downtown Ottawa.
Hundreds of tracts were handed out, a portion of a Christmas carol recited a couple of times (one much better than the other) and one conversation following an open air gospel presentation that resulted in a young woman breaking into tears expressing her desire to know more about God and finding a solid church that preached the right gospel. After a few words of encouragement, we gladly pointed her in the right direction.
Christmas or Santa parades, however they are called, are one of those public events in the year that are a no-brainer when it comes to going out to spread the gospel truth.
The theme, the birth of Jesus, is the obvious springboard to the preaching of the gospel even though it may take a born again Christian or two to dig it out and proclaim it aside the guise of a jolly fat man, commercialism and man-made religious traditions. Keeping the name of "Christ" in the word "Christmas" is not a issue with me. Putting "Christ" in the hearts and minds of the lost who celebrate Christmas but know not Christ, is.
Not that Christians had ever been commanded by God's word to commemorate the birth of Jesus, but Christmas is an opportunity where we can set the record straight to the world, religious and nonreligious, as to why He had to come. Sometimes in creative ways as our dear friend, Jeff, demonstrated.
What a privilege it was to serve the Lord with him again this weekend.
GLORY TO GOD!
Hundreds of tracts were handed out, a portion of a Christmas carol recited a couple of times (one much better than the other) and one conversation following an open air gospel presentation that resulted in a young woman breaking into tears expressing her desire to know more about God and finding a solid church that preached the right gospel. After a few words of encouragement, we gladly pointed her in the right direction.
Christmas or Santa parades, however they are called, are one of those public events in the year that are a no-brainer when it comes to going out to spread the gospel truth.
The theme, the birth of Jesus, is the obvious springboard to the preaching of the gospel even though it may take a born again Christian or two to dig it out and proclaim it aside the guise of a jolly fat man, commercialism and man-made religious traditions. Keeping the name of "Christ" in the word "Christmas" is not a issue with me. Putting "Christ" in the hearts and minds of the lost who celebrate Christmas but know not Christ, is.
Not that Christians had ever been commanded by God's word to commemorate the birth of Jesus, but Christmas is an opportunity where we can set the record straight to the world, religious and nonreligious, as to why He had to come. Sometimes in creative ways as our dear friend, Jeff, demonstrated.
What a privilege it was to serve the Lord with him again this weekend.
GLORY TO GOD!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
WON FOR THE GOOD GUYS!
Here is an encouraging video from Southern Australia where an open air preacher, after being arrested by police and acquitted over 30 times for preaching the gospel on a pedestrian mall, finally had his day in court and the Lord won it for him and his team of street evangelists, enabling them to carry on as usual, despite the protests against them.
"But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God." - Acts 5:39
"But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God." - Acts 5:39
Sunday, November 6, 2011
PASCAL'S TESTIMONY
There is not much more that warms my heart than hearing how others came to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
We can come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different life circumstances and different countries, yet, the end result for God's chosen people is the same: forgiveness of sin and eternal redemption by grace through repentance and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Not long ago, my dear brother in the Lord and friend, Pascal Bougie, was baptized in his 13th year as a born again, faithful follower of Jesus Christ. As you will hear, Pascal was graciously saved from faith in a false religion and eternal wrath for his sins. The Lord Jesus suffered and died for him in his place.
This is Pascal's story, told in his own words to the congregation of our church and his family preceding his long awaited baptism.
We can come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different life circumstances and different countries, yet, the end result for God's chosen people is the same: forgiveness of sin and eternal redemption by grace through repentance and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Not long ago, my dear brother in the Lord and friend, Pascal Bougie, was baptized in his 13th year as a born again, faithful follower of Jesus Christ. As you will hear, Pascal was graciously saved from faith in a false religion and eternal wrath for his sins. The Lord Jesus suffered and died for him in his place.
This is Pascal's story, told in his own words to the congregation of our church and his family preceding his long awaited baptism.
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