Humble Apologetics

How many of us are afraid of offending other cultures or other faiths with the Good News of the Gospel? John G Stackhouse has written a book called Humble Apologetics that talk more about assisting one's neighbour to an encounter with Jesus rather than winning a religious argument. We've always had a defence for the Gospel but not always the spirit of loving the person one step closer to Jesus. Have you ever asked your non-Christian friends what they think of Christians?

Encouragement from Brian and Doris, Edmonton

Melody* is in her 20s; her son Dave* is about 10. Rick,* her dad, had twisted both of their lives with his malign influence.
The dictionary defines a curse as: an appeal or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall someone or something. The Bible promises freedom from such things: John 8 :31-38 and Romans 8:2.
“My dad’s an atheist,” was Melody’s reply when we invited her to do a Survey. It was like she was saying, “This can’t be for me. This is not the world in which I have been brought up.” The curse Rick had imposed on Melody and Dave was, “I’m an atheist and you are too.”
Being part of a visible minority family, Rick was no philosopher. In his vocab atheist simply meant, “I intentionally exclude God from having anything to do with my life.” Who knows? His thinking may well have been caused by experience with “organized religion” i.e. folk Christianity, Canada’s popular religion.
So Melody said No to the Survey. She was afraid; just like I’d be if someone invited me to a seance.
Then we offered her an evangelistic booklet. She reluctantly agreed to take it. Curses never take away a person’s ability to choose, they just pervert a person’s interests and desires.
The further we proceeded in the conversation the clearer the conflict became. Her heart said one thing; her upbringing said something different. A battle was taking place on her doorstep between the Holy Spirit and the forces of evil.
Her outside lights were not working so communicating was something of a challenge, but God is in control even of burnt-out light bulbs. For our interview with Melody semi-darkness was the divinely ordained perfect ambience. We praised God for the semi-darkness.
After she’d accepted the evangelistic booklet we offered to show her the Life Circles. She agreed.. This may well have been the very first time in her life that Melody had heard a summary of the Good News.
“What’s in this for me?” is always the first question that pops into a listener’s mind. “This circle here represents those people who are enjoying pardon, peace and purpose in their lives. Is that something you’re interested in?” we asked her.
If you’re created in God’s image you’re interested in those things; so everyone is. “Yes, I guess so,” Melody replied.
“Maybe we can give you a brief summary of what’s in the rest of the book?” She agreed to that suggestion. We read the Great Invitation to her. We reminded her that those enjoying pardon, peace and purpose in their lives are those who have said Yes to Jesus’ invitation.
Melody wasn’t prepared to say Yes to the Great Invitation, but the curse was broken. She’d listened to a brief presentation of the Four Fantastic Facts: love, guilt, forgiveness and choice. In her heart she knew all of them. But she’d never heard God’s view of them.
Later we were able to leave her a Children’s Jesus DVD for Dave to watch. It’s a fascinating presentation; our guess is that Dave and his mother have already watched it many times.
*=not real names

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Eva's November 2007 Update

Hello again from Greece,

Most of the time, I am spending on a one to one basis
with trainees/co-trainers that will continue the work
once I leave Greece. Our time involves visiting thier
other friends, outreach, praying by the mountain,
devotionals, and lots of souvlaki tasting.

Prayer Requests:
1. Elgin, one of the first trainees here works part
time. We meet Monday-Wednesday AMs for practice,and
outreach. She asked me if I could teach her more. LAst
Monday, the boyfriend of her boardmate was visiting.
She requested him to sit down beside her and listen to
the Gospel presentationas she practices before we
would go out that affternoon. Sure enough, Philip
prayed to receive Christ during the practice. Elgin
was even able to do the first follow-up meeting on
assurance of salvation.

2. Geraldine is a young Grade One teacher at the
Philippine School here in Athens and a teacher of
Elgin's daughter. I met her when we picked the kid to
school and had a short conversation. When I told what
I do, she was so keen to listen. I am taking her out
for coffee on Wednesday after school. Pls. pray that
she will welcome the Jesus DVD for Kids in Greek that
I brought and eventually connect with the Filipino
principal of their school to show this film.

3. Nini, Shirley, Elgin, Analyn, Maria and Lily are
the key leaders that I am eyeing to do the job here.
Thank you for praying for them.

4. Aloha whom I mentioned before with snatched bag. To
get another passport and working permit is in the hand
of her lawyers but no action has ever been done since.
She walks around uneasy when she sees a police
approaching.

Thank you for your patience with my plain viewing
update that's unedited and no attachments as I do this
in the internet cafe: I have to be quick as it is so
smoky, loud music, and since I only work with my left
hand and right's point finger due to my right arm's
dead nerve. I am rejoicing for sustenance God is
giving.

Love and prayers,
Eva

Eva Bagasao's Greece Update 22 Sept

Praise the Lord, I arrived here in Athens rejoicing!!I
was met by 3 ladies at the Elefterios Venizelos
Airport at 6 PM Sept 20 after a long and delayed
flight. It is home sweeet home to my cute spot at the
Sister Nini's living room where my bed is. I have to
cover the bed every time friends come over as the kids
love to jump on it. I thank God for her hospitality
along with her daughter.

About 8:30 of my arrival, two of the ladies were on
their way to the Bible study in church when 2 men
riding on a motorcycle sped away once they grabbed
Aloha's purse just a block from where I live. Her
passport, money just withdrawn at the airport,
employers' house key, working permit, newly bought
cell phone, etc. were in it. They ran to ask help from
our Greek senior friend below our building and
reported to the police but got no help. Her lawyer is
the only one who can help her secure again a working
permit but when?

Thank you for praying for Aloha. She prayed to receive
Christ in one of our training sessions about 2 years
ago, a lady in her mid-20s. This is one of the
realities here in Greece and thank you for praying for
us.

I will start to meet some of the trainees as I visit
their churches tomorrow to conect for the training
sessions. In here, it is better to meet them in person
than calling on the phone which cost much euros of
cell phone load but slower.