From Islam to Christianity

Get the MP3 of "The God Solution" show #64 - "From Islam to Christianity" below! Get all of our interviews here and  get all our previous shows here. We are on the air Sunday mornings at 8:30 am MST. "The God Solution" is an interactive show that will discuss answers to humanity's questions about God and God's answers for humanity's questions. I really hope you'll tune in and listen and share the program with friends as well. If you live in the area listen to the show on 91.9 or 93.9 FM. If you don't live in the area, feel free to check out the show online at http://kdur.org/ and archived here. If you like the show please e-mail KDUR at kdur_pd@fortlewis.edu. Thanks a ton and tune in every Sunday at 8:30 am!

Crush Fear Testimonies

Get the MP3 of "The God Solution" show #62 - "Crush Fear Testimonies" below! Get all of our interviews here and  get all our previous shows here. We are on the air Sunday mornings at 8:30 am MST. "The God Solution" is an interactive show that will discuss answers to humanity's questions about God and God's answers for humanity's questions. I really hope you'll tune in and listen and share the program with friends as well. If you live in the area listen to the show on 91.9 or 93.9 FM. If you don't live in the area, feel free to check out the show online at http://kdur.org/ and archived here. Get this week's notes here. If you like the show please e-mail KDUR at kdur_pd@fortlewis.edu. Thanks a ton and tune in every Sunday at 8:30 am!

Here's last year's Crush Fear video for a bit more perspective (I'll post more video from this year later):

The Greatest Performance in World Series History!!!

What a game last night!!! Pujols put on quite the show, setting and/or tying 3 World Series records in a single game. Historic for sure. After the game, Tony La Russa said, "There it is, the greatest night in World Series history. And we saw it." True to form, Pujols pointed back to God and took none of the glory, saying, "I just thank God that I was able to come out today and help our ballclub to win and hopefully I can do that tomorrow again." Read more on this epic performance here and see the home runs here. I've written before on Albert's commitment to Christ and posted his testimony as well (get that here and another video here). I've written about learning an important spiritual truth after listening to a game that Albert did great in (get that here). I've written about how I use Albert to get into spiritual conversations (get that here and get ideas on sharing Christ from all sorts of conversations about sports, including a list of Christian athletes here). Bottom line, it was great seeing Albert put on what was likely the greatest single performance by any payer in any World Series game ever. I hope you get a chance to talk about this great game and to transition to Christ from that conversation. Way to go Pujols. Check out this picture of our family of Cardinal fans at Busch stadium this summer and check out Albert's testimony below that (and learn how to put your testimony together here)! 

Joseph Fidel's Testimony

"I was raised believing in God, there was never any problem with that aspect, but that never seemed to make a difference in my life style. At most I just feared dying because I knew I was going to go to hell. I was just living my life doing whatever my fancy was and trying to make myself happy any way possible (and hurting many people along the way). I started doing drugs pertty early on in life, around 11 or 12, and dove full force into them from there. That didn't seem to do anything for me except get me in a lot of trouble. As a result I spent most of my youth in and out of juvenile hall, spent 14 months in a group home for boys, and was on probation from the age of 12 to 18. Around the age of 16 I realized that drugs were not the way to go and I discovered the great outdoors. I began rockclimbing quite a bit and turned to that for my happiness. I unfortunately hurt my back pretty severly and I was unable to pursue my dreams of becoming a climber. After a short bout of drinking I decided to go to college. There I found science, and boy did I think I found what I was looking for! I decided I was going to save the world through science, but in the process I decided that science proved that God did not exsist and I was willing to argue it with anyone, and I did! I ran with this idea for quite some time and did away witht the idea of happiness because after all, I was just another organism trying to "eat, excrete, and reproduce" and happiness was just a human construct and by any means, relative. So there I was, an angry, disillusioned atheist. This went on for a time and led me nowhere. I worked, went to school, had my freinds and said I was content. Then I met a girl named Darcy. Darcy was unlike any person I had ever met. She was kind, sweet, genuine, and loving--Darcy was a Christian. We started dating and I thought things couldn't be better. But I soon found out that true happiness couldn't be found in other people either. So if all these things could bring contentment or happiness, then what could!?

Well I din't go looking for it thats for sure, because for one, I didn't even know I was looking for it! But one day for some reason (I would later realize it was God) I decided I wanted to read the Bible, so I asked Darcy to buy me one. As I read throught Psalms and Proverbs I discovered wisdom and knowledge and the perils of folly and sloth. Then I discovered the wisdom and love of Jesus Christ, but at this time I wasn't sure what to think of him. Darcy kept encouraging me and I kept reading and studying and even started to pray, even though I didn't know who I was praying to. Then one day it hit me, maybe I should ask God if he was real or not. So thats what i did, I asked. And you know what? I got an answer. God clearly and blatantly said yes, He was indeed very real. So, I didn't have much of a choice, when God tells you something, you got to believe it! Then I started a new school. I realized that the crowd I became involved in would be very fundamental in my future, so I sought out the Chriastian ministry on my new campus. There I met a man named Nate, and he became an important figure in my life. Nate explained to me why Jesus died on the cross to forgive my sins, and that without His sacrifice, there was no way I could be in fellowship with God. It was very soon after this that I asked Jesus to come into my life. I wanted a personal relationship with God, and I put my faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sins.

I am still attending this college, Fort Lewis in Durango Co. I still love science, but my veiw of it has changed. I now see science as Gods masterpiece and it points me to Him even more. I am studying apologetics in my "freetime" and am a leader amoungst our students. I have started a skeptics bible study, an open safe environment for people to come ask questions about God, the Bible, Church and everything in between. I plan on attending seminary when I graduate to study to become a pastor and an apologist. My life is not easy, and things did not magically become perfect when I asked God into my life, but I know one thing for sure--it is a lot easier now and it is a work in progress! I know that what ever I am going through, Jesus walked there first, there is no temptation I have faced that Christ did not also face, and come through clean on the other side, and no matter what I am not alone because God is with me always, and he will never leave me nor forsake me. Today my joy and happiness comes from knowing that there is a God who loves me enough to come to Earth to live a life I could never live and die a death I should have died so that I should never have to be separated from his love! And as for Darcy, we are getting married July 23, 2011!"

Check out the interview I did with Joseph after he shared his faith for the first time here:

Bono Loves Jesus!

I've always heard Bono is a Christian and was excited to see this interview. Thanks for posting it Angi! "My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love. What does that mean? What it means for me: a study of the life of Christ. Love here describes itself as a child born in straw poverty, the most vulnerable situation of all, without honor. I don't let my religious world get too complicated. There's nothing hippie about my picture of Christ. The Gospels paint a picture of a very demanding, sometimes divisive love, but love it is. With Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship...we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross. Religion can be the enemy of God. It's often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building. [laughs] A list of instructions where there was once conviction; dogma where once people just did it; a congregation led by a man where once they were led by the Holy Spirit. Discipline replacing discipleship. Yes, I think that's normal. It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma. You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff. That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity. I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there's a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let's face it, you're not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That's the point. It should keep us humbled . It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven. the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: "I'm the Messiah." I'm saying: "I am God incarnate." And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You're a bit eccentric. We've had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don't mention the "M" word! Because, you know, we're gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you're expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he's gonna keep saying this. So what you're left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we're talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we've been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had "King of the Jews" on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I'm not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that's farfetched. If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my sin and everybody else's. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that's the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it."

You can get the full interview by clicking here!

Josh Hamilton MVP

Josh Hamilton is the Al MVP!!! He's also your brother in Christ (read more here)! Check out his testimony below and use it to share your faith. If you're talking about baseball or Josh Hamilton, share that Josh is a believer and transition from there to sharing the Good News. Don't miss these other posts on baseball and the Gospel: Pujols, Pujols does it again, good questions, grand slam. Go Josh!

I Am Second - Brian Welch

Hope Brian's story encourages you. This is a great example of how hungry people are for Jesus and the reality that nothing else satisfies. Way to go Eric the real estate agent!!! If you want to be able to share your story check out the notes and MP3 at the bottom of this post.

How to share your testimony (Click here for the notes).

Why Jesus?

This is Brandon sharing at out last seeker Connect meeting. Way to go Brandon. Several students have said this challenged them to consider Christ's claims. One student (Alex) became a Christian 2 days after this and a couple haven't been able to quit thinking about what he said. Way to go Brandon!

15,000 people in Durango just heard the Good News!!!

You probably remember the "Share the Good News with your whole town" idea. I wrote the editor that day and had all but given up on them publishing it. Well, they did, yesterday! Sundays have the highest number of readers (between 12 and 15,000). You can read the letter to the editor below. Please give this idea a try in your town. Writing your editor will open a way for you to share with thousands of people! Click the link above to find out more about how you could apply this idea. Click here to see all 17 new ideas posted last month. and you can get today's idea right here. That's all you'll hear from me today! Have an awesome God empowered, Spirit led time of sharing your faith today! You can click the picture below to get a larger view of it! Update: They just put the letter online as well; see it here.

Idea: Share the Good News with your whole town!!!

I hope you are being encouraged by these ideas and I hope you'll apply this one. Most of you just did the testimony worksheet and put together your testimony. If you didn't yet, you can read the blog post about it here or listen to the MP3 here. With your testimony in hand, I want to challenge you to the next big step! You get to be just like the Samaritan woman who shared with her whole town and saw many people believe in Jesus (Jn.4:39). The idea for the next couple of days is to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. If you live in Durango you can click here to go to the letters to the editor page and click the "write the editor NOW" link at the top of the page. If you live somewhere else go to your local paper's website and go to the letters to the editor page - you'll most likely find the link there. Start your letter by briefly discussing some story in the news that seems hopeless. Then link that to the story of how Christ found you in a similarly hopeless state and saved you (for ideas on transitioning to the gospel click here). Make sure to include the gospel and keep the whole thing concise. You will effectively be sharing your testimony and the gospel with your whole town (and it will only take a few minutes)!!! I would love to eventually get to the point where every day someone in our town is doing this. After your letter gets published, send me the link (e-mail me at neherbst@hotmail.com or just put the link in the comment section below this post). I will make sure to link all your letters in the blog post telling stories about this idea. This will be fun and I can't wait! On a different note, pray for "C" a boy we shared with yesterday who had never heard about God, Jesus, Heaven, Hell or salvation. Also pray for "E," "R," "R" and "J" who Raymond, Jachin, Gerry and I got to share with this morning. It was a GREAT time (after the weekly leaders prayer time) and these people are super hungry for Jesus. The harvest is so, so, so ripe guys (Mt.9:37) - let's get in it! Have a blast, please write your editor and let us know how it goes.

Read what happened here!!!

Story: "N" is so, so close.

I hope you got a chance to put your testimony together using the worksheet and I really hope you shared it with someone this weekend. I had a few opportunities that I hope will encourage you. I did a testimony worksheet training at Ignacio Community Church yesterday morning so the 1st opportunity I had to share my testimony this weekend was at a church with a bunch of Christians. You can listen to the training or you can skip straight to my testimony (it starts at time 29:16).

After church Erin, Eliana, Kara, Dave and I spent the afternoon hanging out in town. We had numerous opportunities to share the Good News. The first was riding the bus around town. I met "M" who was very friendly until I transitioned to spiritual topics. He said he didn't want to talk because he had too much on his mind. We ran into him about an hour later and I trusted by faith that was God's design. I asked if I could just share quickly and he didn't say no. I shared a very quick version of my already short 3 minute testimony and we chatted a few seconds but that was about it. Pray for "M." Later we shared with "M" - she works in town. I finally got to share my normal length testimony with "N." He was begging by Walmart. Dave and I got him dinner and some cash. After sharing my testimony with him he told us he knew God was trying to get his attention. He mentioned a couple recent examples that convinced him of that conclusion. I shared the gospel with him and he wasn't yet ready to make that decision but said, "I really do believe what you are saying is true." He said he would keep thinking about it. Pray "N" will trust Christ today! Anyway, using your testimony is an authentic, relational and humble way to share the Good News. I hope you got a chance to share your testimony this weekend but if you didn't, it's never too late (Read the testimony challenge here and go for it)! Check out another example of a 3 minute testimony below.

Please follow our blog and comment on what has been happening as you've applied these ideas! Thanks.

Evangelism idea - Tell your story!

Personal testimonies drive our economy. Case in point - want to dominate all you do and be the world's best like Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Thierry Henry? Just shave with a Gillette razor (see commercial here). Of course! Who didn't know those athletes dominated their sports because of their choices in morning hygiene? The idea for this weekend is to carefully put together your personal testimony - the story of what God has done in your life. It has been said that "a man with a testimony will never be at the mercy of a man with an argument." No one can deny what God has done in you. I mentioned the testimony tool in a previous idea about asking good questions (check it out here). Today we'll just be more intentional about putting it on paper and being ready to recount it at any moment. This will take a little bit of time but once you've done it you'll remember it for years to come. You will "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15). Your testimony is a powerful tool. Remember the Samaritan woman (John 4) and the many people who believed because of her testimony (Jn.4:39). Remember the promise of Rev.12:11! So, wasting no more time, work through the testimony worksheet linked here and for more training on that check out the MP3 below. Do your best to carefully articulate who you were before Christ, the gospel, how you trusted Christ and what He has done since. He is the focus and this tool is just another way to share the Good News with people that desperately need Jesus. If you want a great Biblical example of a "3 minute testimony" check out Paul's strategic use of this tool, in court, in Acts 26. Also check out the example below for a great idea of how a personal testimony should look. Check out more on putting your testimony together from evangelism.net. Finally, look for an opportunity, this weekend to share your testimony!

Read what happened by clicking here.