evangelism for normal people

I wanted to share some great thoughts from Patrick Mead on evangelism. But, before I do let me say…I am not into door knocking or tracking people down to beat them over the head with the Bible. If someone invites me into their home for Bible study, then I will go. But, I believe that if we want the right to share the gospel with others, we first have to live the gospel in our own everyday lives before others:

“Two phrases need to be a part of your everyday life. You need to seek for opportunities to use each of them around three times a day. Do NOT try these once or twice or for a week and decide they aren’t for you. No, if you are going to do this, let it be a promise before God, a permanent change in your life.

‘What is the best thing I can do for you right now?

This is a simple way to enter a person’s life. Use this at the checkout counter, at the gas station, as you negotiate your way through your day at work or school, at the mall, or as you are standing in line at security at the airport. If they say “nothing, really” look to see if they might have missed something… When this is a part of your daily life, God will send you all kinds of people to serve in His Name.

Once you serve them… and this is key… do NOT launch into an invitation mode or ask for a Bible study. Smile at them sweetly and let them know you would be happy to help in the future. Eventually, if we “go about doing good” we will see tons of fruit for the kingdom. People will take these seeds, these bits of bread on the water, and make them into something great. It is the way Jesus did things, right? (remember Bartimaeus?)

‘I’m going to be praying later. Is there anything I can pray about for you?‘

If there is, write it down, take it seriously, and follow through. Offer to pray with them right then. If they say no, honor that and assure them that you WILL pray for them later. If they say “no” and seem to mean it, ask them if there is anyone else they can think of who might need prayer since you are going to be praying anyway! It amazes me, but people who refuse to let me pray for them can almost always name a person or two who needs prayer!

Do those two things, three times each every 24 hours and see what happens after six months or a year. Get group of twenty or thirty of you in your congregation to make the same pledge and arrange times when you can get together to share stories about what God did when you changed your life to be other-focused rather than self-focused.

Eventually, some of these people will show up to worship with you. If they don’t want to come into the building, arrange other places and times for them to worship. Do NOT require them to cross a street to be saved! Instead, take the church where they are and enlist them in your mission to serve, love, and pray for others. You will be shocked at what God is ready to do once you get started.” “

May we all commit to using these phrases daily!

from the mouth of babes…

Walmart. It is our home away from home, away from church. If we aren’t at home or at church, there is a good bet that we are at our Walmart. We try to make our treks to the stroe a family time. Well, last night my oldest daughter and resident theologian schooled me in the ways of God. We were in the produce aisle, and Rachel tells me that she can talk to God and that God talks to her. I proceed to ask her then what God is telling her. She places her hand up to ear, to hear better of course and then has a conversation with God.

So, I ask her, “why doesn’t God talk to me that way?” Rachel’s answer was, “because you don’t pray.”

I was floored. I am a minister, work with a great congregation, teach others, serve in the community. She doesn’t know it, but from all outward glances I am doing all the right things. But, inwardly I am hungry, desperate to hear God in my life, desperate to know what he has in store for me. But, my busy schedule has been my excuse to not spend time in prayer. I don’t think there is a right answer about how or when to pray. I do like Paul’s words in 1 Th. 5:17, to pray continually (NIV) or without ceasing (NASB). I am trying to become more aware of my on going conversation with God throughout the day. I don’t often hear God. Or let me state this differently, because I don’t make time to hear from God, I don’t.

Prayer is essential to this life of faith. I am so thankful for my precious theologian princess who reminds me so subtly of what really matters.

my academic progress

Well, hopefully after this term is over at LCU, I will have 30 hours left towards my M.Div. I am planning on taking an internship course in the Summer. Summer’s are crazy, but hopefully I can knock this class out. Then in the Fall, I am planning on taking, American Church History and World Religions. I am sure both will be quite the reading intensive courses. But, hopefully going into the holidays this year, I will have 63 hours done, and looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

I think back to when I started my grad. classes, and then I wanted to get a comprehensive education in Bible because I didn’t go to Bible college for my undergraduate. I am ashamed to admit it, but there was a time that I thought  I couldn’t be a minister if I didn’t have a Bible degree. I don’t think this is true anymore. If as Scripture teaches, the church is a “royal priesthood,” all of God’s people are ministers. I think my education is certainly a helpful tool, but there are a lot of overeducated bad ministers and a lot of undereducated good ministers that love Jesus and doing his work in this world. So, where does that leave me? I want to learn all I can, to help all I can, and be like Jesus all the time. Hopefully, someone won’t say of me… “he was well educated but he stunk as a minister.” I would rather here, “yeah, that boy loved Jesus with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength.”

could you help?

I need some help sending cookies overseas, shoot me an e-mail and I will give you more information. Please in the subject line write, “cookies.”

my e-mail:

jason [dot] retherford AT gmail [dot] com

Hopefully you can peace together what the e-mail is. I didn’t want to receive a whole bunch of spam!

Thank you in advance!

Tulsa Workshop day 2 and 3

Well, Day 2 @ the workshop was great. God saw fit to make it like Minneapolis in Tulsa and provide a river to wade through in between buildings. Being the incredibly intelligent (or just lazy) person that I am, I stayed in the pavilion all morning. I got to sit at the  feet of Atchley, Mead, and Walling. Great stuff.

Atchley concluded his class titled, “born again identity.” It is important for believers to know who we are. We consistently behave according to the perceptions that we have of ourselves.  Instead of a better self image, what is needed is a God-self image. What God says of us is more important than what self-hope books or Oprah or Dr. Phil says.

Walling talked about LIFE, “Living intentionally for eternity.” Good stuff. He always has a great message. Walling’s second class was about “opening the lips of the silent believer.” The main idea was that love speaks. The workshop is devoted to encouraging the church to see evangelism as more than a door knocking campaign, but an everyday adventure of living out the ethics of the gospel.

Patrick Mead’s class was good too. His vision of the kingdom and how to partner with God is so refreshing. We would do well to cross the streets and begin making relationships with our community. We can’t tell others about Jesus, if we don’t have a relationship with people first. I pray that I can begin to communicate to my teens at church that we must be outposts for the kingdom. My prayer is that we can continue to push the boundaries of God’s influence further and further into our neighborhoods.

I didn’t make it back to the evening key note last night.  I don’t want to sound critical, I though the line up for the evening wasn’t the typical home run that the evening sessions have been. This is just me. Maybe, my heart wasn’t in the right place.

Tulsa Day 3: Snow everywhere

I didn’t make it down to the fairgrounds today. Roads where I am, and down in Tulsa were snowy. I will be through then night, maybe tomorrow after lunch the temps will rise and we will be on our way to continue loving our community and showing our neighbors the love of Jesus.

Tulsa workshop day one

Today was a good day. It started early, actually it didn’t start any earlier than any other day except with a late night last night with some unhappy kiddos, 6am seemed awful early!

The first class was “born again identity,” with Rick Atchley. Wow! One of the key points from this morning was when he pointed out that God sees us as “saints.” And yet, we often times see ourselves as what will be and not how God already views us in Jesus. Our consistent perception of ourselves determines how we live. Are we living up to our potential? For many of us, we need to work on our perceptions, and have a God-self image, not just a good self image.

Next I went to John Dobbs‘ class on blogging as a ministry. It was a good class. I got to catch up with an old friend from Dayton, Ohio! I have been blogging since 2004, and well, I realize that there is greater potential here than I first realized.

I also went to the NCYM forum class. I wanted to check things out. Dudley was tackling the question of Westerhoff’s research, “will our children have faith?” The bottom line is that if we want our children to have faith we have to help facilitate faith in their parents.

Lunch time came, and I go to eat with my wife and daughters. We went to Mc Donald’s. There was a beggar/homeless man standing outside of the restaurant asking for help. I didn’t have any change. I was bothered by not being able to help him. Here I am at a conference about winning souls and evangelism and here was an opportunity to share the gospel through loving this poor man. I went back outside, and please don’t take this as tooting my own horn, but I bought the brother a big mac. It was the best I could do, I told him that because I loved Jesus I wanted to help him.  So, who knows what this man’s day ended like. But, I do pray that any hunger pains that he may have had were stilled and that he felt and saw God reaching out to him this afternoon through a short, stuttering, white guy with a slight southern drawl.

After lunch, Jen and I visited booths. I often have to practice great restraint from buying everything in sight. Argh! There are so many good things to choose from.

I took my oldest daughter to the “born again identity part 2.” I thought she would enjoy getting to spend some time with me, and hearing and seeing all the other brothers and sisters gathered to learn more about what God has to say about who we really are.

Then, my late night really began to catch up with me so I caught back up with the wife and we watched our girls play till dinner time. Chili’s is always good, and then the pm session. It was okay. I do certainly agree with brother Harris that family is the place where God calls, and that our families should be places where we are leaving a trail for our children to follow that reaches to Jesus.

And now, my bed has never looked so sweet. Good night Tulsa, see you in the morning.

Revelation 13-14

Revelation, is a highly imaginative book, full of symbolic language and Revelation 13 is one of the richest examples of John’s symbolic imagery.

The images:

· The dragon standing on the shore of the sea…who gave the beast his power

o I agree with Reddish here that the dragon is representative of Satan, the representative of the reign of all that is opposed to God’s rule.

· The beast coming out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads and on each horn he had a blasphemous name, resembling a leopard, bear and lion…this same beast was given a mouth to utter blasphemies against God…for a time of 42 months and given power over the people of God.

o John is drawing upon the Leviathan (sea monster myth) that was a prevalent cultural myth. Leviathan represented the forces of chaos that was opposed to good God.

o Ten horns and seven reads, as in other places represent rulers or nations

o On each horn he had a blasphemous name

§ I think this refers to claim of the Caesars’s and the emperor cult in general that claimed divinity for the emperor.

§ 42 months or 3.5 years is the allotted time by God for evil to triumph

· One of the heads of the beast appeared to have a fatal wound

o John drawing from a wide body of apocalyptic material, OT allusions, and other socio-cultural images and ideas employs the Nero redividus myth. It was rumored or feared that Nero didn’t really die and fled to the Parthians where he would one day return, riding in the front of a massive army on a full out assault of Rome.

· Another beast came up out of the earth, with two horns like a lamb, but speaking like a lion. Exercised authority of the first beast, lead the people astray in the worship of the first beast, able to perform miraculous deeds, gave the followers of the first beast a mark so that no one could buy or sell, unless they had the mark

o John again draws upon a well-known myth of Behemoth, the land counterpart to Leviathan. “In Jewish legend, Leviathan and Behemoth were primordial monsters who would be killed in the end time when the messiah comes.” (Reddish, 257).

o With the reference to two horns like a lamb, John is saying that what we are observing is a parody of Christ. But the voice of the fake Christ reveals his true nature, he is really from the dragon.

o John also labels this second beast as a false prophet able to deceive the people by his trickery which promotes the worship of the first beast, or the imperial cult.

o Reddish provides a great summary of both beasts, “if the first beast represents the empire and particularly the emperors,…the second beast…represents everyone, who encourages and fosters emperor worship (local magistrates, imperial priests, provincial councils)” (Reddish, 258).

o Reddish quoting, Boring, would go on to say of the second beast that, “all who support and promote the cultural religion, in or out of the church, however Lamb-like they may appear, are agents of the beast. All propaganda that entices humanity to idolize human empire is an expression of this beastly power that wants to appear Lamb-like” (Reddish, 258

· The mark of the beast = 666 (the number of a man)

o As the scene in chapter 7 describes the sealing of God’s people, a sign of protection and a claim of divine ownership, here in chapter 13 the antithesis to God, the beast marks his own followers as well. The mark of the beast is seen by one’s loyalties. What we do, is more important that what we claim we believe.

• also, it must be pointed out that Hebrew and Greek letters had numeric value, Gematria, and as such each name also has a numeric value. Nero works out to be 666 or some scholars see this also as 616 (reference to Caesar Neron).

Reddish 265, “Revelations 13 is a reminder that no person or institution deserves our ultimate allegiance,” with American nationalism is by saying that there has been a tendency in our country to drape the flag around the cross. In other words, I see a blending of two very distinct loyalties. As a Christian and as an American I confess my own sin in this regard where at times in my past my highest allegiance has been the nation instead of God. There is danger for all of us when we blindly assume that our loyalty to our nation = our loyalty to God. This seems to be the inherent struggle that John is writing about (how urban Christians living in the great cities in Asia Minor can be Christians and Romans). John’s answer is that there can be no middle ground. There is only one loyalty, that to be divided is to have chosen a lord, and it isn’t Christ. And yet, Christians that become aware of the intoxicating passion of nationalism packaged as the only version of faithful Christianity are furthering the lie and promoting the worship of the beast.

Secondly, I would communicate this sentiment to my congregation in a time of war, by trying to focus on the images here in chapter 13, also talking about the kingdom of God and asking and teaching about priorities and loyalties. Also, I would try to help my congregation here afresh the struggle of the first century Christians as they struggled to live out their faith in an environment that put nation first, and allowed only one loyalty and that of Caesar. I would invite the congregation to think through this text, to think through their commitments, to think through what it means to be a Christian and an American. I would try to remind them of Philippians 3:20 that our citizenship is in heaven. I would remind them that this world is not our home. I think the bottom line here is that all Christians need to agree that we cannot get to cozy in this world. To become so comfortable here that we blend in to the prevailing culture is a victory for the forces of evil that are opposed to God. If Christians lose our distinctiveness from this world, we are just like the world.

I am of the opinion at least now in this point in my studies and my understanding of the text that the two judgment scenes in Revelation 14:14-20 depicts judgment against the wicked and an ingathering of the righteous. I thought Reddish’s reminder (281) about the polyvalent nature of images is important. That these images can have more than one meaning is important, and I think it helps us to be able to continue to apply Revelation throughout time. The scene in Rev. 14:20 is one of judgment and Reddish points out, “as a symbol for God’s judgment, this harvesting may connote both negative and positive meanings. The judgment of God will be a time of ingathering for the faithful, while at the same moment a time of punishment for wicked (cf. Matt 13:41-43). John is borrowing images from Joel and has been the case in other places, John is a master of reworking images and metaphors in new ways to make his point.

Tulsa Workshop

In just over four hours, our family will head to Tulsa for the annual International Soul Winning Workshop. I have been blessed with the privilege of getting to attend for the last four years, with this being my fifth.

I love the fellowship together with brothers and sisters from all over the states and beyond. Last year, I got to meet John Dobbs and am excited to hear that he is getting to teach this year. My heart is encouraged by this brother, who has endured so much this past year. John, my heart still goes out to you.

The classes are always encouraging, and this year’s schedule is full of good choices. I am hsvomg trouble deciding where to go. But, one thing is for certain, wherever it is…it will be worth it.

The worship is amazing. Thousands of voices blending together is moving.

The exhibitor booths are always fun. My children love the little toy booths, and I will be buying bouncy balls again, I am sure.

But, most of all I enjoy going because of the encouragement to me. I get to go to NCYM in January, and the workshop falls at a great time between NCYM, and the crazy schedule of summer.

I can’t wait till 3:30 pm!

This morning, I got to my office and in my mail box was an envelope addressed to me. I opened it, and it was a letter of strong critique from my most recent sermon.

Some of the key elements in this letter were the person didn’t like my style. They wrote that my quick pace contributes to my stuttering, actually my quick pace is my style and well my stuttering is a problem that I have been dealing with for years and years. I don’t stutter intentionally, it is something that is present with me in every conversation, every sermon, every lesson, etc.

Second main critique was the length. I went a little long, but what is frustrating is that the majority of people have told me that they liked my lesson, that they were into it.

So, once again I apologize for my length. I do not preach week in and week out. Am I trying to get better? Yes. Do I love to preach? Yes. But, preaching is no easy task. I am working on it, when I get the opportunity. I take it seriously. I know that someone each week is going to not care for what was said. I get that. What I don’t understand is #1 — how our church members can sit through a double over time football game and be into it the whole time, but when a lesson runs long on Sunday morning, they are up in arms. #2 — many good people often offer critiques, but how many have ever preached?

So having said that, I appreciate this brother’s openness to write a letter to me and he even signed his name.

Dear brother,

I am working on things. Thank you for your critique of my lesson. I realize that my lesson was lenghty, and that I speak rather quick. I can assure you that my next lesson won’t be so long, and secondly my speed, well I am working on that too. Just so you know, I am a work in progress. I don’t get to preach that often. So, church please bear with me. I am not a pulpit minister by the way, I am a youth minister who just so happens love to preach.

parenting 101 from Eli the priest who sort of loved his sons…

Doing some re-reading of the 1 Samuel, before diving into 2 Samuel. At least one of the weeks of our camp this summer will be from there, and well, LTC and Bible Bowl for ‘10 will be in 2 Samuel.

Anyway, I couldn’t help but notice a couple of things this morning in 1 Samuel. Take Elkanah, and Hannah. They were a very devoted family, making worship a family priority. Also, prayer plays a huge role in the life of Hannah. I love how in her anguish she pours out her soul to the Lord, and Eli the priest thinks she is drunk.

Also, contrast Elkanah/Hannah with Elia and his sons. Eli was a religious man working in the service of the Lord and his two sons also are servants in the service of the Tabernacle. Yet, they were wretched. They played the role, but changed the rules. Their example is one of devotion turn askew. They were devoted to the Lord alright, just not to Yahweh. It seems that their Lord was whatever they wanted to do, they did. Changing the rules of the sacrifice, having sex with the women who were serving in the Tabernacle as well. These are not the kind of men you want others in ministry to model. Eli had no power to restrain them.

Eli’s lack of ability to restrain his boys or steer them in a different direction says a couple of things about his parenting.
1. There was no real relationship there. Apparently, Eli didn’t know his boys and turned a blind eye whenever they did things that weren’t right. His children didn’t respect their father.
2. Did Eli pass on the story of God’s involvement with his people to them, and their role in that story. It appears that Eli’s boys weren’t familiar with God or his commands.
3. We don’t know much about Eli or his family. But, we do know that somewhere along the way, his boys missed out on valuable teaching time, mentoring with their father.
4. Eli’s son’s sinful activity had caused a stir among the Israelites. Sinfulness doesn’t stay hidden. Everyone knew that Eli the priest’s boys were wicked.

To me, as a minster and a daddy when I read this narrative I hurt for Eli. I don’t want my children growing up living a duplicitous life, and people wondering why their parents didn’t teach them better. Our relationships with our children are a precious gift, each day is an opportunity to mold and mentor them. One day, they will go off to college, get married, move out, whatever, will the time we’ve spent with them, and the life we’ve modeled for them be enough to spring board them into adulthood? I pray that it is, and like Hannah may we learn the value of pouring out our hearts to the Lord in good times and in bad times.