This Fear Thing

Hi Freinds, 

As part of my ongoing story of the tail gate minister I am going to talk about a subject that has been planted, nourished and worked into the hearts of the people of this country. Firsst, I am not a pastor. I am a deacon and a sunday school teacher who also leads the outreach ministry for our church.

Fear - what is it doing to us and what are the main causes.
1.  Fear causes us not to trust easily
2.  Fear will not let us love other completelyl
3.  Will initially cause us to turn further away from God to seek a solution
4.   Fear will cause us to want and relly on material things more.
5.  Fear will not allow us to make that unconditional committment to others.
6.  Fear causes worry, anxiety and sickness

Fear is a troublesome tool sent by Satan to deflect and defeat our goal in Christ.  The results of the 6 points listed above is stagnation. If you are overwhelmed with fear most of the time you will run and hide. When you become powerless over an awesome fear you will try to duck it by running away.

I f ound the first step for me when fear comes rattling at the door is to identify it. Put a name on it. Tag it. Don't listen to that fool satan who tells you maybe, might, can.  Identify and isolate that fear.

Then, once you can see what it is you are really afraid of pray. And I don't mean just pray. I mean literallly go to your knees. Fear is powerful and it takes powerful prayer to run it off.  I pray beggingly to the Holy Spirit first. Open pleading with Him to intercede on my behalf to Jesus Christ. Then I pray just as hard to Jesus to intercede with the Father.  I pray, I pray, I pray.

I can't give you numbers,I don't keep a log of  prayer result s (I should). But if God has answered your prayers before then why don't you believe He will answer them again.  You weren't given a prayer allotment. Pray often and with fervor.  Also, I pray that if God won't change the sitution, He will change me to accept it. 

Our communities, streets and homes are fearful places these days.  If you are fearing God all other fears will dissolve. When I talk with folks on the streets I stress this message. Seek God and His Beloved Son and you will be able to toss satan out on the street.

Have fun, enjoy your life. It is a wonderful gift we have.

For more information see .....http://olderandhappier-larry.blogspot.com/

God Bless,

Hopelessness - Helplessness

Welcome back friends, 

I continue to seek the lost with the strength and power of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What I do any one can do. If you don't have a pick up truck, take the trunk of your car. Grab a few Bibles and some tracts and head for the a public parking area.  Pray that God will send you someone to share with.  You don't have to be obnoxiou.  Just pray, wait and God will send that person who needs Him. Just a tip I bought a nice banner from Vista Print.com.  I don't support these people or make any money from them. It cost me $20.00 and looks professional. I built a frame for it out of PVC pipe. So, when I stand this up in my truck it looks professional.  And, I feel people are not intimidated.

OK, it's been a cold and long winter here in the north east. Along with the economic gloom there has always been an air of despair in this particular area. It is rural and the work in town consists of a vegetable and chicken processor. I have to tell you it is not booming with vertical oportunities. So, at times like these both hopelessness and helplessness shine through.

As some of you know I was born and raised in the city of  the 1940's. A row house on a dead end street.
see.   http://www.squidoo.com/1022mcdowellstreet.  I have to tell you as poor as it was I never remember being or feeling hopeless or helpless.  Work and opportunities abounded.  And I was continually reminded that if I did not learn I would get a "pick and shovel". I am the only reason why I never became President of the USA.

2010.  The masses of young people today have never been conditioned to taking responsibility for there own actions. We are developing a "victim" society. And, when you feel someone else or something else is causing your despair - you begin to lose hope because you feel you are no longer in control.

Helpless I have felt at times in my life but, hopeless never. And, since I have Jesus I have no reason to feel hopeless or helpless.  The despair of our times can be chased away with the sunshine of Jesus.  How?

1. Jesus will teach you to value yourself and others.
2. Jesus will teach you contentemt
3. Jesus will teach you that you can change the course of your life.
4. Jesus will teach ou that He loves you and you are very important
5. Jesus will teach you that your were created by God in Gods image and God don't make junk!
6. Jesus will teach you that hopelessness and helplessness can be moved out of your life.
7. Jesus will teach you that He can and will do for you what you are unable to do for yourself.

As I tailgate for Jesus, I find these two feelings to be at the top of the list. Kind of like whats the use?..

Hopefully and Ful of hope I go into the streets with the love and good news of the Gospel. By the way I just finished reading the Bible.  I started in Genesis 1: and finished Revelation 22: 21. It took 9 months and I tried to study as opposed to just reading. It really was fun and everyone should do it.  I started immediately in Genesis 1:1 in another translation.

I wish Jesus and His love to each and everyone -seek Him- and you will find Him.

Larry

Because I Deserve IT !

Hi Friends - Welcome,

January 12, 2010.

I would like to update the adventures of the tailgate ministries experience.  To stand alone on a windy cold parking lot, a main street in a small town can only be done knowing you are not alone.  Knowing that Jesus is by my side all of the time allows be to be unafraid.  I never turn my back on any person, no matter how they look or how they are dressed. I think that the organized church today has more Samarias in their home town than are in the middle east.

By the way I just finisked reading Inside the Revolution by Joel C. Rosenberg. Read it. God is working miracles even today.  Read it.

So, last week I am at a small strip malll handing out Bibles and religious tracts. Several people were curious and some took a Bible or a tract. Ususally I get a few of these and then God sends me one or two who look like and act like God sent them.  This young mother with her infant stopped to talk and take a Bible. When i asked her the two questions, If you were to die tonight...and , What would you tell God.... She said "Because I deserve to go to heaven". 

First time I heard this one. I have been doing door to door evangelism (EE) for 20 years. But, it shows us the world is changing.  This mother really believed in her mind and heart that she belonged in God's heaven when she died. No qualifications.  I took what few minutes she allowed me to share about the Holiness of God and the sacrifice His Son made.  Heaven is a free gift but, there are a few qualifications.  Repentance, Lordhsip of Jeus etc,... She left with an invite to our church and the infant.  Pray for her and those like her who were raised thinking they deserved everything. For free.

Pray for Tail Gate Ministries and me.  I want to be an effective tool for the Gospel and an unashamed servant of Jesus to a world that really needs Him

And,       http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/new_workshop/howtogrowolderandhappier

Tail Gateing For Jesus

Happy New Year Friends,  We spent the day , mly wife and I, pretty much quietly.  We have the famly over tomorrow, so that will help us celebrate one of God's wonderful gifts. It is truely a gift of God to us. My wife and I, both my Sons and their wives are born again Christians. Our 4yr old twins and 2year old grandson are being raised in a christian home.  Praise the Lord. And I had nothing to do with it.

As I travel some of the local roads and parking areas in my area with my Tail Gate for Jesus minisstry, I find a cold and lonely atmosphere.  I do this alone so I am open to people sharing more with me than would be possible if there were two or three present. More of a aura of helplessness no, hopelessness.  I believe the latter is worse.  No dreams, no future, "hangin in there" seems to be the mind set.

Whether it is financial, relational or health I try to steer them to seeking the only help known to man - Jesus.
I allowed my self to get caught up in alcoholism which resulted in deep depression.  I have not had to taste alcohol now for 21+ years. Praise The Lord!

But getting back to the real world.  There is a lot of hurt out there today. Long time marriages (Christian and Non Christian) just being put aside for personal feelings.  Children and families torn completely apart. And, many of these parents were subject to divorced parents themselves. If you are reading this and separation or divorce is on your table - let me say this.  Get into a church.  Find a Pastor or Christian Counselor.  At least sit down and talk about your differences with your spouse. So many marriages are lost because of mis-
represented words or feelings.  We don't know how to talk anymore.  With TV and movies we just sit and listen. The marriage is worth it. Fight for it. Don't just tak an easy way out!

If you are one of the caasualties of divorce already and are a Christian, let me say you really need to find yourself a christian mate. Looking around my world I see the many wives who come to church alone each Sunday because Dad doesen't believe. 


God Bless, And I hope to see you in my travels Tail Gating for Jesus.