Why Do We Evangelize?

We evangelize because God commanded us to.

Ezekiel 3:18-21
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.


That is a very strong warning about the consequences of not speaking out. We are not held responsible for the results of the decisions that others make, but we are definitely held responsible if we do not even make the effort. It is not up to us to decide if we think someone will listen to us or not.

There is another reason to evangelize. We know that God is not willing that even one of His children shall perish. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that Jesus will not return for us until every person that can be saved, is saved. If we are serious when we say, “Lord Jesus, come soon” then we have to get out there and make certain that the very last person on earth has heard the message of salvation. We never know if that person that we are afraid to speak to is the last person Jesus is waiting for.

When the Operation is a Failure

A woman went into the hospital for major surgery. Afterwards she awoke, back in her room , but all the drapes and blinds were closed. When her doctor came in to see her she asked why the room had been darkened."Well", he replied, "there's a huge fire burning across the street, and we didn't want you to wake up and think the operation was a failure."

If the operation was a failure do you know what would be next for you? Do you know that you would be in Heaven? The way to really know is simple.

John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The plan for salvation has been set out in point form in the Book of Romans:

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Do it now. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Tomorrow may be to late. Simply pray the following prayer:

Lord, I admit that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus died for my sins so that I wouldn't have to and that He rose again on the third day so that I too would have the promise of eternal life. Right now I ask Jesus to come into my heart and to live within me and through me. Thank you Lord for loving me so much that You have done for me what I cannot do for myself. Amen

Perspective

This is absolutely fascinating. It kind of puts us in perspective.

It makes me feel very small.

Inside Ed's Head

The following essay was written by my 35 year old son. He has a wife and three pre-school children. Please pray for them.




History of the inside of my head...


I got a really nasty sinus infection 5 years ago, antibiotics didn't fix it and it persisted until I needed surgery to fix the problem. The first surgery(*1) didn't work, and it took almost a year to convince the surgeon that it was getting worse, not better. It was so badly infected by that point I required surgery(*2) again and hospitalization for almost a week, and then I needed antibiotics for 8 weeks via IV... and a large tube sticking out of my head. 6 months later I was still sick and not getting better. I asked for a second opinion and he told me about this expert specialist in Vancouver and that they had 'discussed my case' and they were going to have to do this really nasty procedure (opening my head up and obliterating my sinus and this really huge scar, lots of complications...), so he talked me into letting him try again since he had some 'new technologies that should make the difference'... Once I came to after the surgery (*3) he told me that he couldn't do anything useful after he opened me up and he was going to have to refer me to Vancouver for the nasty procedure after all... I was sooo angry... The specialist in Vancouver is like a surgical ninja... he told me that the stuff my old surgeon described was stuff they did like back in the dark ages and they don't do those things anymore. So he did some CT scans and figured he could fix me, only problem being the old surgeon did such a hack job the 2nd time around there is permanent structural damage that can't be fixed... so he was going to have to do a workaround.The first surgery(*4) in Vancouver fixed part of the problem. 2/3 of my upper sinus worked perfectly now. To fix the whole problem was going to require some creative solutions, here comes surgery (*5). This one didn't quite get the job done. Well I just had my 3rd surgery(*6) in Vancouver 2 weeks ago, that should correct the problem for good now...It had better...! So the last few years have been a lot of pain, suffering and sickness that could have been remedied by referring me to the right surgeon at least after the first one didn't work.


(*1) - drilled holes in my eyebrows, into the upper sinus's to allow the surgeon to flush the sinus's and clear the blockages.


(*2) - drilled a large channel through the existing left sinus passage connecting the upper sinus to the nose. Inserted a large stent (similar to surgical tubing) from eyebrow to nostril the new passage was to be larger than the original passage to better facilitate future drainage. -problem - once stent was removed, the original structure being completely obliterated, the body had no 'guide' to heal by...so the entire new 'channel' fused shut with osteneogenesis (new bone growth). Not such a good plan.



(*3) - drilled, looked around... realised...oops... no idea what to do now... closed me up and gave me the news....nice. Referred me to the expert.



(*4) - using laser guided surgical imagery, completely reconstructed the right sinus passage, opened up existing (but plugged) drainage passage from left sinus into the central sinus, allowing the left to drain that way. Unfortunately due to the size of the passage, drainage was easily inhibited by recurrent infection.


(*5) - drilled a new connective passage from the left sinus into the central sinus. Due to hypersensitivity of the sinus membrane from continual and recurrent infections, the membrane inflamed first cold I got and promptly plugged the new passageway.


(*6) - completely removed the dividing bone structure between the left sinus cavity and the central sinus cavity, merging the 2 cavities into one large one.That's about it.... at least it had better be.





What is frontal sinusitis? The frontal sinuses are air-filled cavities which lie between the lamina of the frontal bone. The size and shape of this sinus varies among individuals. Frontal sinusitis occurs from the inflammation of the frontal or ethmoid sinuses. The frontal sinuses drain into the nose through the ethmoid sinuses. If there is any obstruction or blockage of the ethmoid sinuses, this usually causes inflammation of frontal sinuses, which results in impaired mucous drainage. Accumulation of mucous secretions inside the moist, warm and dark sinuses promotes growth of infectious agents.

What causes frontal sinusitis? Bacterial infection, Viral infection, Polyps, Tumors, Septal deviation or Traumatic injury.

What are the symptoms of frontal sinusitis? The symptoms are: Severe frontal headache, Symptoms are worse when lying on your back and when pressing against the area over the eye on the side, Nasal congestion, Nasal discharge, Severe cough, Facial swelling, Facial Pain, Tooth ache. If frontal sinusitis is not treated promptly it can lead to meningitis.

Summer Solstice

It is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. On the longest day of the year, should we get more accomplished? Or maybe just enjoy it more? We should definitely praise the Lord. He is the Creator and the Author of all things. He has given us so much more than we deserve and yet we're never satisfied. How much more of our evil ways can we expect Him to tolerate? He has promised to love mankind always, must we always test His love? Or are we able to humbly say, "Thank you Lord for being God, and that we are not."




Psalms 104

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD

Back on the Streets

Monday June 18th was our first day back at work. The things that happen when you turn your back - or take a three week vacation. Two employees resigned and are already gone. Two employees who had resigned are back. Keys for the ministry van went missing. Another employee gave birth to a beautiful 11 lb 3 oz baby girl. Apparently clients missed us, they were asking for "big Ed and his woman". At least they didn't ask for "big Trudy and her man". We got lots of hugs, lots of reminders that what we do is appreciated. It is good to be back. Our first day was somewhat hectic but at least for now, until God calls us somewhere else, this is where we belong.

Matthew 25:38-40
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Vacation 2007 [part 5]

The Final Chapter

June 6 We took the kids to Storybook Island. It's a wonderful, free park in Rapid City operated by one of the service clubs (I can't remember which one for sure) running entirely on donations. The boys had a fantastic time there. Afterwards we had a picnic in the park until a thunderstorm started. There were tornado warnings that night!

No, I didn't take this picture. I found it on the Internet and liked it so much I couldn't resist.

That night we said our goodbyes and in the morning we left Rapid City. We drove through South Dakota & Wyoming, making a stop at Garyowen in Montana at a museum of Custer's Last Stand.

They had a lot of wonderful displays and a 40 minute video that considered if the story would have had a different ending if Major Reno and Captain Benteen had not hated Custer so much and had gone to his aid.

We spent the night in Billings Montana. The next day we headed out and drove straight through, arriving home at 2:30 AM on June 9th. We were exhausted and worn out but we had an exceptionally great time.

Vacation 2007 [part 4]

June 3rd Old McDonald's Farm

We took a 2 hour driving tour through Bear Country. As well as bears there were elk, riendeer, wolves, big horn sheep, dall sheep, Rocky Mtn. goats and buffalo. There were Texas gates to keep the animals separated but we did see wolves in with the bears. It was interesting to see the bears try to chase the wolves away from their food and then watch the wolves slink back.


On the way back to the hotel we stopped at Fort Hays, the set for "Dances With Wolves". I'm standing in Kevin Costner's footsteps where he got his orders to go to the frontier. Ed is trying out a casket for size.

June 4th We took a trip through the Black Hills on the 1880 Train. The scenery was breathtaking. Apparently the Black Hills were originally reserved strictly for the natives. There weren't supposed to be any white people at all. Then gold was discovered and all bets were off.

June 5th We spent the day at Circle B Ranch where we had a bar-b-que and there was a country music concert in the evening.

Vacation 2007 [part 3]

On June 2 we visited Flintstones Bedrock City. The Flintstones have always been a favorite of Rob's and Bedrock City was a major consideration when they were choosing a vacation destination.

Check out Ed's new ride. "Look out Sturgis. Here I come."

When we had our fill of The Flintstones and the Rubbles, we headed for Mount Rushmore.

Then Rob, Michelle and I decided we wanted to take a helicopter ride. Ed wasn't interested in going up if they wouldn't let him do the flying so he stayed with Zach & Ian.








We flew over the site of the Crazy Horse Memorial. The picture in the background shows the current extent of the construction. The picture in the foreground shows what it should look like on completion. The Mount Rushmore sculptures took 14 years. In contrast, The Crazy Horse Monument was begun in 1948 and it is estimated that it will take another 50-75 years. This picture was taken from Wikkipedia. You can go to their site for more information or to the Crazy Horse Memorial Site.

Vacation 2007 [part 2]

On May 31, the third day of our vacation we arrived in Yellowstone National Park. There were herds of buffalo not 5 feet from the highway that were not fenced in and we saw a grizzly bear but it was too far away to get a picture. We crossed the Great Divide - altitude 8390 feet - and lots of snow. We saw Old Faithful as well as several smaller geysers. Old Faithful erupts on an average of about every 90 minutes but we only had to wait about 40 minutes to see it. We also saw Fountain Paint Pot. The minerals in the ground makes swirls of different colors that give the natural phenomenon it's name. Mud Volcano is a fascinating sight; apparently in the 1880's the mud actually shot out of the ground like a geyser until it finally literally blew itself apart. It still bubbles and boils.

We stayed in Cody Wyoming that night. The next day - June 1 - we drove straight through to Rapid City, South Dakota where we met up with Rob, Michelle, Zach and Ian about 7:30 PM. We spent the evening in the hotel pool.

Edwin A Madge

We came home from our vacation to the sad news that on Saturday June 9 at about 6:00 AM Ed's dad died in the Royal Alexandra Hospital just short of his 87 th birthday after a lengthy illness. He never totally recovered from a broken hip last summer. He leaves a wife of 56 years and 7 children, 20 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, 2 brothers and a sister.










This picture was taken in 2005 [all Edwins]
The baby is the 6th Edwin Madge

Vacation 2007 [part 1]

We're baaaack! We left Tuesday, May 29. The 1st little kink in our trip had happened a couple of days before we left. Ed had taken the car to Midas Muffler for an oil change and tune up. They told us that we needed $3000.00 worth of work and the car was a road hazard. It seems that whenever we go to them that is the diagnosis. We didn't believe them. We drove over 5000 km on pretty rough terrain [up and down a lot of mountains - that still had snow - and over a lot of road construction] and did not have a single mechanical problem, not even a flat tire. This picture was taken in Wyoming on June 1st.

We spent the 1st night in Lethbridge and tried to cross the border at Coutts on May 30th. That's when we ran into our 2nd kink. We were aware that you don't need a passport yet when you're driving to the US, only ID unless you are flying. Unfortunately Mr. Ed lost his birth certificate years ago and never replaced it. The border guard asked for our drivers licences and birth certificates. When Ed told him he didn't have a birth certificate he got really snarky. He told us to get out of the car and go into the building, where he questioned Ed about if he has ever had a criminal record. Being honest, Ed admitted that he did from over 30 years ago and that he has a pardon. He was grilled for some time. It really didn't look like he was going to let us in. I was literally praying the whole time and suddenly the border guard just stopped and said "Oh. Go ahead." We got out of there real fast before he could change his mind. [on the way back the Canadian border guard was very surprised that he had let us through] Oh the power of prayer! Thank you God!!! We spent the 2nd night in Bozeman Montana.