Bums off not on seats!

Grafton Street 11pm Friday and 3pm Saturday and Temple Bar Square 10pm Saturday were our fishing grounds and times this weekend and the Lord was continually with us. He was with me as I grabbed Wes' hand and let him call on the only name by which we are saved. He was there when Wes was then miraculously and instantly healed of a groin injury (see Mark 16:18, Hebrews 13:8). He was there when a demonized drunken pre-believer tried to punch and headbutt me. He was there when saints gathered from Killarney Dublin Liverpool and Africa and together held up "Jesus". He was there when the enquiring Dutchman ignored the mocking of his friends and asked my wife about the way to Heaven. The meat is on the street and we are living in one of the most magnetic cities in the free world!

We can be too concerned about getting bums on seats when God's plan is to get them off! Step by step the church is waking up...to the fact that Jesus wishes none to perish but all to come to repentance. Thanks for all who prayed. We ground troops appreciate air cover more than you can ever imagine!! Now you dear reader are you a good or bad person. If good click on the tab on the right called "Good anough for heaven?" and have a wonderful week.Ant

Heavy stuff eh? You bet!

John, my friend from Limerick rang this morning and said that following the mowing of an injured Methodist minister's vast lawn he was so wrecked, still in bed, (God's undercover agent) and wouldn't make it to Dublin today to join us in witnessing and preaching on the street, instead he thought he'd go fishing (for souls) on Cruise's Street Limerick. So off I went this afternoon on my own but that didn't last for long as God brought a free P bro to join me momentarily and then I met up with my friend and brother Maurice from Dundalk (remember the shirt!). The streets were packed and numerous witnessing encounters ensued including a time of preaching at Temple Bar Square. God gave me a clear word to preach as follows: We have taken the matchless name of Jesus, the only name by which we are saved and the name of the precious son of God and we have dragged it down to the same level as the word for human excrement, a fourletter "s" word used as a curse! How can we be such idiots to expect this blasphemy to go unnoticed on judgement day. Heavy stuff eh? You bet, but how would you respect a surgeon who knew that you had a fatal disease and failed to mention it for fear of "frightening" you or "offending" you. I publicly declared that I deserved Hell and separation from Holy Creator God but I was forgiven because of the shedding of His Son's pure and sinless blood at calvary. After preaching Maurice shut his eyes and prayed out a public prayer that penetrated the throne room of the Living God...all the way from hedonistic stag and hen party filled Temple Bar...What a moment! A hardened African Muslim, soft spoken but unwavering in his rejection of the new testament engaged us. We showed him old testament scriptures testifying of Jesus (Isaiah 9 and 53) and even though he was willing to receive prayer in Jesus' name for his neck, which our gracious Lord healed, he stubbornly persisted in his rejections. Heartbreaking. Many other encounters today though and last night have encouraged me. Ant
So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.Isaiah 55:11 (Amplified Bible)

We NEVER outgrow the Gospel

Just back from Scotland where we had a family holiday for a week. the country is awesome. Beautiful scenery, all shouting out God's praise and wonder! ...and those hairy highland cattle are gorgeous, just giant pets. they have 2 coats, one to keep them warm and one to keep them dry. The Darwinians no doubt are baffled as to which one they got first! On returning to Ireland I was very aware of the sense that we are in a revival and there is an open heaven over this country. That does not mean that multitudes are entering the kingdom, though some are, but it means that years of targeted intercessary prayer for this nation are bearing fruit in that there is a shaking in the spiritual realm and many ancient principalities are being torn down.

Tonight we are returning to Grafton Street evangelism and I just heard yesterday that another senior pastor in the greater Dublin area has joined us in witnessing for the King. I believe God is calling the leaders out to "do the works they did at first" (Rev:2:4-5). We never never never never outgrow the Gospel. NEVER

The photo is of a hotel we stayed in at Tarbert in Argyll, Scotland. Be blessed by our wonderful Lord and Saviour! Ant

Evangelism is not eternal but the reward are

What a joy it is to be led by the Holy Spirit. On Saturday as I went solo on the outreach, not solo really when God is with you! I was approached by Anna Lina, a German Girl who a number of months previously declared that she would follow Jesus, after she heard the Gospel from us. She asked me if I remembered her and she then told me that she has been talking to Jesus ever since and that she bought a story book on Jesus for her 3 year old son! God is clearly working in her life. I asked her if she was reading her BIble and she bowed her head a bit and said not much. I said that God gave her 66 wonderful love letters and she should at least read them and not leave them sealed up! I also told her that she would find them powerful and life giving. It made me think of the importance of encouraging new believers to look at His word. On Friday night we were literally swamped with enquirers around 2.30am. The harvest is huge!! Remember that Evangelism is not eternal but the reward are!!

40,000 women see "Jesus"!

40,000 women (and a few men in drag!) saw the name of Jesus at the 1 mile mark of today's womens mini marathon. Some cherred, some called out his name, some smiled, some were puzzled, some mad, some mystified, some mocked, but few were unaffected...all in the space of 40 minutes! I have no idea how God has or will use this witness but I know He called me to lift high HIs name today and it was a privilege. I pray it encouraged the saints and convicted the sinners. Ant.

Wonderful fish tank for fishing!

The matchless name of Jesus! No other name under heaven by which we can be saved and reconciled to God. We sensed that God wanted us to leave Grafton Street this Saturday afternoon and go elsewhere. So we ended up on Henry Street, wonderful fish tank for fishing! The name was lifted, the word preached and worship lifted to the King of Kings! Anjola preached and the impact was significant. We were joined by Norman from the North of Ireland who, though confined to a wheelchair with MS, was proud and delighted to hold aloft the precious name. We were greeted on Henry Street by a brother in the Lord who had an eastern european friend with him. I had a private chat for about 10 minutes with this man and he heard the gospel clearly and expressed a desire to know God more fully. I told him about repentance and faith in the One who took ALL his sins and he promised to consider it. What I only found out later was that his believing friend had cried out to God that morning that somehow he (the european friend) would hear the gospel that day!! What a mighty God we joyfully serve.

Last night on Grafton street some people prayed to receive Jesus. Much seed was sown. Only eternity will reveal the true and lasting impact of what went on. If you are reading this and you know Jesus personally...Pray that the Lord T H R U S T S labourers into the Harvest! If you are a pre-believer and don't know Jesus yet then go to the VIdeo Vault on the Right hand side and listen to "Ant in Liverpool" where I preach my socks off!! Then post a comment or e-mail me with your reaction.

66 unopened love letters

The greatest injustice in all history was the death of the innocent Son of God at Calvary. It was a great obscenity yet it satisfied the justice of Holy Creator God in a way so clever that even the devil didn't see it coming! What a Gospel we have! No need for gimmicks and free lunches to "sell" it. It is the most powerful message imaginable and it was again offered to the people of Grafton Street this afternoon by way of public preaching! After I preached for about ten minutes to a moderate crowd I thanked the people for listening and jumped off my pulpit (plastic 2 step stool from Woodies!) to be greeted with an enthusiastic handshake from a chap who a few weeks prior had prayed a prayer of salvation outside the central bank. I asked him was he reading his BIble to which he said "no". I asked him how he would feel if his girlfiend returned 66 unopened love letters he'd sent .... he got the point!

Earlier I was talking to 2 young chaps who were real messers and their attitude changed in a dramatic way when the Lord first healed one chap of a sore knee (he asked for prayer after I told him that Jesus was the same today as he always was and will be) and the second of a head cold. Although they were not converted I have no doubt that they experienced a demonstartion of the Spirit's power and so had more than a wise argument to contend with! He wishes none to perish but all to come to repentance!! Believe it. I was greatly blessed to see while preaching a certain cross dressing gent who has been a client of the Mustard Seed Team (Trinity Church's homeless outreach). He stopped and listened to the clear Gospel presentation. Hallelujah.

The photo shows a Brazilian believer holding up the name of Jesus with us. Often when we evangelise we are joined by other believers and this chap, like others, was trulty blessed and encouraged. Ant

UK Report: Her darting eyes saw "Jesus"

Hi There! I am just back from a 2 day trip to UK with my good evangelist friend Oliver. We arrived in Liverpool very early on Friday morning and with the aid of our wee PA preached the cross and the message of salvation to hundreds of unsuspecting commuters coming off buses at Queens Square Centre. GO TO THE VIDEO VAULT TO SEE VIDEOS OF THIS PREACHING. One beaming black brother joined us briefly and encouraged us greatly! The call is to preach and the results??...That's God's business and He promised that His word would not return void (Great motivation to preach...THE WORD!! and not fancy religous ideas!). We were equipped with our permits (small laminated cards containing articles 18, 19, 20 and 30 of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights / Geneva Convention") in case the Police tried to stop us. I think they backed off in Liverpool however when they saw the video camera I had!

When leaving Liverpool a while later we both felt that it was right to take a small detour to Manchester which we did. Outside the Arndale Centre we set up stall and first Oliver preached on the matchless name of Jesus while I held the "Jesus" sign aloft prayed and handed out some tracts. A few believers went by and encouraged us, one of whom was a traveller from Carlow who loved Jesus. I told him that the book of Acts was full of "Travellers"! Some discussions ensued with enquirers but it was only the next afternoon in Leicester City outside McDonalds that most interaction happened. On either side of the road at a busy intersection of pedestrian streets we both sat on bins 5 feet high and held "Jesus" aloft. Lots asked us either "Who is Jesus?" or "Why are you holding that up?". I was amazed how the Holy Spirit gave me a different answer for each person. That was very exciting. I also asked them in return "Why did Jesus die on the cross and not just forgive us without the cross?" Nobody could answer that and so I had ample opportunity to let them hear the good news for the first time. Wonderful but shocking too!

Later on, when I got off my perch and crossed the road to assist Oliver who at this time was being questioned by about 10 muslim males, at least 2 of which were somewhat agressive (vocally), I got stuck in and asked one chap in particular who was more genuine in his questions "Do you believe God is Holy?", "Of course" he replied. "Are you Holy?" I asked to which he replied "NO". "That's the problem I said and praying 3 times a day will not make you perfectly Holy for God...That's why Jesus came for you". Minutes later another muslim asked me 3 times to pray for his father who had a bad back. "I will only pray in the name of Jesus..do you stil want prayer?" "O yes please" he replied after which I grabbed his hand, called out to Jesus to heal his father (by name). I then looked at my watch and boldly said. "Look it's 20 to 5 now. Ask your father what time he got healed when you get home". Hallelujah I believe God worked a miracle even though I saw no evidence myself. We will have plenty of time in heaven to review all such prayer and outreach but for now we must be obedient to the call.

I missed my dear wife and fellow worker on the trip but she was out on Grafton Street late on Friday ploughing the corner of the field God called her to at the same time I was in UK. It was the highest privalege to hold up the name of the King of Kings in a foreign land...and something tells me that I'll be doing it again sometime!!

One moment that blessed me mightily was the sight of a muslim girl covered completely in black but for the one slit where her darting eyes could be seen. Her eyes fixed onto the name of "Jesus" and I called to her saying "He loves you". I then saw the shape of the black fabric change below her eyes which indicated that this wonderful name brought a smile to this oppressed young lady!
The photo is of Oliver talking to Barbara (a pre-believer from Poland) in Liverpool. She was a bit of a tough nut but boy did she have the gospel explained clearly to her.

Post a comment to this one!!

After preaching about the wonderful cross where our punishment was taken for us I stepped off my wee steps and was greeted by one or two lads who ushered a third teenager to me saying that he wanted prayer. Thinking they were messing I was slow to take them at their word but as I spoke to the chap called Craig I soon realised that he was deeply affected by both the word of God and by the fact that only 2 weeks previous he nearly died but was saved by his mother. I asked him if he harmed himself to which he said he didn't but that he didn't want to elaborate on the details. Never have I met a guy so ready to receive the free gift of God's grace. I said he'd have to overcome his pride and not care what his mates thought, and there were about 4 of them in close proximity who were getting increasingly agitated and distracting. He said he didn't care and by his demeaner I believed him. I took his hand and led him in a prayer of repentance and faith. It was wonderful.
What next you ask? I gave him a tract, after giving him a Bible and explaining how trustworthy God's word is, and pointed out my name and mobile number at the end of the tract. I said I wouldn't text him or contact him until he contacted me. I left him at that. Why didn't you get his number for follow up? Because I believe that true converts follow us up. Last night when on outreach at 12.30am Joao from Brazil came up smiling to me, for the second week running. I first met him 3 weeks ago just after Cece (from Metropolitan Church) prayed with him to recive Jesus. There may be principles but THERE ARE NO RULES and our calling is to be led by the Holy Spirit. I'm not an expert in these matters and I am being taught of the Lord on an ongoing basis but I do honestly believe that much traditional evangelical "Follow up" methods are non-biblical and ultimately counter productive. Come on guys and girls now is the time to post a comment!
I spoke on Friday to my good friend Ray Shiels, pastor of Every Nation Church and he said that his church has been transformed of late by 2 things, one is the gathering of citywide pastors for prayer for the city and the second was the "John 3:7" nighttime outeach. Both of these he stressed were kingdom projects seeking the welfare of the city and not his church! I know that as we seek first THE KINGDOM all these things will be added. Sowing and reaping they call it.
If you are a intercessor don't think that we are always "fired up" and have no needs. All evangelists will agree that we are in desperate and constant need of E N C O U R A G E M E N T and the fresh I N F I L L I N G of the Holy Spirit. We are so grateful for those in Trinity Church and elsewhere who pray for us. THANK YOU! Pray for Craig (mentioned above) and do ask the Lord if he is sending you out to join us. I'm encouraged but today we had just 3 on Grafton Street witnessing...

I deserve to go to hell!

"But we're Catholic" the two chaps said to me as I offered them a gospel tract on Grafton Street on Saturday afternoon. Without delay or even thinking I said to them "What's that?" Then they stopped in their tracks and struggled to find an explanation for their beliefs. They explained briefly that they were following the teachings of "the church". "Are you Born again?" I asked. "No" they both said. "But Jesus said you must be Born again...", "Ah but we were born again at our baptism..." one of them replied. "It didn't work , did it? I mean we still have a heart that belches out sin in thought word and deed after baby baptism". The main talker replied "Oh yes but we go to confession..". "If you told the priest all your sins at confession you'd keep the poor man half his life, but you just tell him a selected few off the top. Confession of sin is biblical but it is for believers after they have entered into God's kingdon through a genuine repentance and trust in Jesus at the cross" I replied. The 2 chaps said earlier in the conversation that they were seminarians but I was left grieved in my heart at the thought that the traditions of man had nullified the word in God in their lives.

Was I any different? Absolutely not. They said nothing that I didn't myself believe in the past until the day I let go of my pride and stuborness and sin and asked Jesus to forgive me for living for myself. Only then did God intervene and come into my life, that was on Ash Wednesday in 1985 at Belfield Church. I am certain that in myself there is no good thing and that I DESERVE TO GO TO HELL becuase I offended a Holy God, I slapped my creator in the face and poked my arrogent fingers of sin in his loving eyes. I trampled underfoot the precious spotless blood of Jesus. I joined the mocking crowd in spirit calling for the death of Jesus. Even his name was offensive to me...but now, by His miraculous and wonderful grace I loooove the name and I proudly lift it up on Saturday afternoons for all to see (again by His grace). If you are reading this and have not yet turned to Him in repentance (180 degree turn) and faith than go to the sidebar of this blog and click on "Good enough for heaven?" for your wee test. Following this shut the door, fall on your knees, and call on the name of "Jesus". You can e-mail me then if you wish . Click on "View my complete profile" to get to the e-mail. Respond to the voice of God, not that of the enemy!

Oh yes, the photo!! That's Maurice who joined us on Saturday afternoon wearing the shirt I told you about. When you think of the utter nonsence of most logos on clothing today it nice to see a shirt that has an eternal message...even if the colours clash a bit! Maurice was in his mid 50's and had wasted his life,wife and family in gambling before he met the One who paid everthing so we could have a free gift of salvation.

Last Call in Killarney!

We have just returned from our first "mission trip" outside of the pale! We went to Killarney to meet our good evangelist friend Oliver and his friend Kenny who is home from the Phillipines for a short while. The fellowship hugely blessed us and then on Saturday afternoon we went onto the main street in Killarney to lift up the name of Jesus in the forms of worship, praise, sign and preaching. What a privalige it is to proclaim the gospel and yet what a serious work it is too! I believe that the Lord showed me that one person who clearly heard the message was hearing the call for salvation FOR THE LAST TIME. This I also proclaimed.

My wife's sister who is born again had recently been deeply burdened for the salvation of her cousin who resides in Italy and had only a few days ago sent her a text relating to this matter. As my wife finished preaching a heartfelt message in Killarney she was approached by her aunt and this same cousin (whom she hadn't seen in years and was over from Italy for the weekend and had travelled a further 30 miles or so to be in Killarney at the exact right time!). It struck me how amazing God's timing is but that we should not be surprised when such things happen as He is the one who created and ordered the entire universe! To Him belongs ALL the glory.

I was also greatly blessed to hear of other weekend outreaches in Dublin and Limerick. Pray for Tuesday evening Roscrea outreach which for the local believers is a new departure! God bless them! The picture is of me (taken by Noah!) and no...I don't believe that all routes lead to Jesus!! Ant

Less Jaw ... More Awe

How did Peter have faith to raise Tabitha from the dead in Acts 9? Yes he was called for by the disciples but dont forget that in Mark 5 Peter saw Jesus raise Jairus' daughter to life! If you see somebody operate in spiritual gifts of healings or raising from the dead I think you'd find it easier to step out yourself and pray. I haven't yet seen the dead raised but over 20 years ago on the street i saw Kyle Holland pray for the sick and them miraculously recover. That's why I find it easy to pray for the sick and love to encourage others to do the same. When the pre-believers get healed, as has happened in recent weeks on Grafton Street their attitude to the Word of God and the messae of the cross changes instantly. Acts 2:43 "EVERYONE WAS FILLED WITH AWE". Less Jaw more Awe I pray for!!

We are off to Killarney(see photo) via Limerick this weekend (Fri and Sat) for evangelism. God is leading us to take a day off work and beat a trail southwards to meet up with our friend John (Limerick) and Oliver and Kenny (Killarney), evangelists one and all. Last night at the Trinity Network Prayer meeting we received prayer, encouragement, prophesy and anointing and are mightily blessed of the Lord! Thanks to ALL for the encouragement! DOn't forget that the Friday night Grafton Street "John 3:7" outreach is carrying on in our absence..they meet from 11pm to 2am near the top of Grafton Street. Join them and be blessed and be a blessing. Ask for Shane, he's the main man.

Jesus had the power to save himself from the cross!

Last night we were on the street with the John 3:7 team between 11 and 2.30am and again saw people repent and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. We have been entrusted with a message of GOOD NEWS which has POWER to SAVE. If people are breathing then that is evidence that God is merciful towards them and wishes them not to perish but come to repentance. This afternoon we were on Grafton Street and then in Temple Bar Square witnessing, holding up the JESUS stickers and preaching. We were again honoured to be joined by Maurice the evangelist from Dundalk (I promise I'll try and get a photo of his scriptural shirt for the next blog entry, it's worth seeing!) and Frank. We later met up with Keith and Robert from St Mark's who were a real blessing.
I preached a few times and the word the Lord gave me was Isaiah 53 and the message that "Jesus had the power to save himself from the cross...Why didn't he save himself? Why did he choose to die for us?..why did he not come to earth, give good teachings, examples and miracles and go back to heaven telling us we can come later. He didn't do this because the justice of God would not allow a single sinner in heaven!...".
The photo is of Temple Bar Square on a sunny day, like today!

Lost in humble prayer to the forgiving King...

"Well C. would you like to pray at home or now to ask God's forgiveness?". "I'd like to pray now" said he. So the three of us knelt on the granite cobbles outside the central bank on a crowded Saturday afternoon (today) in full view of all the passers by but lost in humble prayer to the forgiving King who offers new life. "Jesus is my Lord " C. then proclaimed and with a smile and huge relief he rose and shook our hands. God wishes for none to perish but all to come to repentance. Others in the afternoon today heard the truth and responded in different ways. It's been a good week for evangelism with 8 from our Blackrock home group going out on Thursday in Blackrock to share the gospel. Although the numbers out shopping on Holy Thursday night were limited there were some who heard the truth and were blessed by a combination of tracts, gospels and easter eggs. The "Why? hot air baloons from Thursday were brought in to Temple Bar today but eventually given away to the teens who begged to have them.

Pray for L. who claimed to be an athiest but was deeply touched when some personal matters were ministered to. Pray also for J. who is deeply curious and hungry yet has adopted a lifestyle in defiance to the way God made him. When he asked me a direct question on this matter I said that God himself will answer that as soon as he humbles himself and enters the kingdom through the new birth. The photo shows some of the team sharing Jesus with a chap. The building behind them was turned around when the central bank was constructed, let this be prophetic of the many who will "repent" and turn their lives around to the One who died for their sins. AB

"You are riddled with sin but He loves you and wants to set you free"

"Your entire life is an offense against God. You are riddled with sin but He loves you and wants to set you free" I said "will you kneel down with me on the street now and ask Jesus to forgive you?" I said and Tom replied "I will". Heaven met earth today at 6pm on Grafton street as the bemused masses passed by no doubt wondering what these 4 people were doing on their
knees with heads bowed in prayer. The creator of the universe was meeting them and they didn't care what anyone thought. Humility opened the door for God's grace and presence. it was a sweet moment and one of eternal significance for both Tom and those who are yet to encounter God through whatever ministry He has for him.

Before this encounter the word was publicly proclaimed preached and sung. Boy does the enemy hate God's praises being sung (check out Psalm 149 to find out why!). Myself and the 3 other team members prayed together on the street before it was proclaimed that there is no other saviour, no other gospel, no other God who offers forgiveness only Jesus. It pleased the Father to crush the Son for our redemption. How can we neglect such a great salvation.

The photo at the top is of John preaching 2 weeks ago on Patrick's day and stopping to answer an enquirer. Oliver told John later that when preaching it's best to not stop for individuals. Although we can't make rules but have to be led by the Holy Spirit in all we do we ned to be mindful that the enemy can send people to have the preaching stopped....christians and unbelivers alike!

Guilty

Guilty...We are all Guilty before Holy God, who keeps up alive during the night only for us to wake up and seek out more ways of sinning and offending HIm. Why does He allow it then? Because He wishes none to perish but all to come to repentance. If you think this message is not for you then that is evidence that Jesus did not come for you. Huh? Yep. He said He did not come for the righteous but for the lost. "The healthy have no need for a doctor" Jesus said. More to the point: those who think they are healthy don't see any need a medic. We're all guilty, not in the eyes of our equally guilty friends but in the eyes of our perfect creator God. I know Cheltenham Racing festival is on and a lot of gambling is happening but dont gamble with eternity, repent today and receive God's forgiveness and new life. Yes we're all guilty so make sure that your judgement is on Jesus and not yourself!

It's St Patrick's weekend and God is gathering his troops for a lot of street outreach on Friday and Saturday. Believers: pray that Patick's Gospel is proclaimed this weekend with power.

"So are you going to arrest me?"

Thus said the Garda to me on Grafton Street this afternoon. He had come in response to "numerous complaints" and as a follow up to our first caution. He had just cursed by using the Lord's name in vain and I immediately told him it was blasphemy. Oliver my Evangelist friend, who himself was a former Garda, stood silently by but couldn't help but smile to see the law man meet a higher authority. It was just another one of those brief Holy Spirit moments when we realized God was with us and protecting us. Oliver , myself and L. as well as Maurice, a believer from Dundalk who faithfully comes down to Grafton Street on Saturdays to spread the word, had all been preaching at different times over the previous hour or two and many had watched and listened to the eternal Word of God about our sin and idolatry and God's solution in the death and resurrection of Jesus at Calvary. God's word will not return void. Other believers came at different times to encourage and help us but if another 10 or 12 came there would have been much work for them.

Last night between 11 and 2 about 14 believers shared the word and again there were very significant discussions of eternal value. Check out the video vault for some excerpts of video testimonies by the believers. We were particularly blessed by the addition of about 4 new evangelists who came from the Harp and Bowl meeting. I trust that God used them mightily for HIs glory.

"I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." (Acts 26:17-18)

Dave Davidson said "If you found a cure for cancer, wouldn't it be inconceivable to hide it from the rest of mankind? How much more inconceivable to keep silent the cure from the eternal wages of death." Hmm.....food for thought. Cheers. Ant

She chose Jesus

Pray for Annalina from Germany. She was on Grafton Street this afternoon and stopped and stared as we held up the "Jesus" stickers. When we asked her if she knew Jesus a conversation began and soon she understood that she had offended God and wanted to say sorry to Him. Out of the blue an emissary of Satan arrived and butted right into the conversation uninvited. He insisted that she should trust Mary the mother of Jesus and not Jesus alone. I said to the man it is recorded in the Bible that Mary confessed to being a sinner, when he asked about this I pulled out my pocket BIble and together we read (Luke 1). This made the man very annoyed but when we all turned back to Annalina and asked her if she wanted to thrust in Jesus alone or in Mary and Jesus she said "Jesus". She left us soon after this but with the promise to close the door of her room and pray to Jesus directly asking his forgiveness.

God was clearly reaching her and the devil knew it but as has happened so many times in the past...he failed. Hallelujah. We were honoured today to be joined by John "the bull" from Limerick who spoke of the B.I.B.L.E. Basic Instructions before leaving earth to the people and to us about F.E.A.R. Fake Evidence Appearing Real.

And the photo above? The blind, white, crablike creature dubbed the "yeti crab" was just one of many new sea creatures discovered this year by the international Census of Marine Life ocean survey. The census is now in its sixth year and seeks to record all life, living and extinct, in the oceans by 2010. Never before has this perfectly adapted and designed beautiful creature been seen. Give thanks and praise to the Creator.

Healed of influenza

As myself and Oliver Hurley were sharing Jesus with some young people today on Grafton Street the Lord put it on my heart to declare that Jesus was here and that he would heal them if they had any ailments. They all looked at a girl at the end of the line who had been suffering badly from flu. I asked her if she would like Jesus to heal her (I never presume they want healing). She asked for it. After a brief prayer (check out Mark 16!) she went wide eyed and stared and laughed at her friends and said she felt better. A wonderful peace descended on the group of four and very precious seed was planted while they stood in awe of a miracle in Jesus' name. Miracles are the dinner bell of salvation. This is just one of the many encounters we had today. The harvest is rich but...

How bad is sin?

Look at the punishment given by the good judge for the crime. If we see in the paper that a man got a €5 fine for something we conclude that his misdemeaner is only trivial. If another got 5 life sentances we know it’s a terrible crime. The wages of sin is death and judgement in the eternal fires of hell. Think of it. "What is sin?" people ask. Sin is slapping the face of The Very One who is giving you your every breath. Think of it and go to the "Good enough for heaven?" at the sidebar on the right. Ant

John returns to Croke Park

Saturday night saw the return of the "John 3:7" sign to Croke Park when Dublin Played Tyrone in the first floodlit game at the stadium. Well done to Pat McMullen and Shane O'Brien for having the vision to go up to the gate. They were greeted royally and ushered in without charge. Televison viewers on Setants sports (live) and RTE (delayed transmission on Sunday) would have seen them behind the goal at HIll 16. The sign had not been at Croke Park for more than a year. Members of the public had been on to the GAA asking where was the John 3:7 man was! Although the children of Israel were saved from death by looking at the brazen serpent (Numbers 21:8) and in the same way we are saved by believing on Jesus (John 3:15) people will not be saved by looking at the "John 3:7" sign but as has been proven by the street outreach it has lead to many asking how they can be born again. The night before the match 6 such people received this new birth and countless others heard the truth of the word of God from the 12 evangelists who braved the cold. If you are reading this you are either a missionary or else a mission field. Either way come and visit us on a Friday night at the top of GraftonStreet between 11 and 2. God Bless.

Short and Scary!

How short is the time we have left? Who knows. Jesus said that only the Father knows and that His return will be like a thief in the night (when least expected). It could be this weekend, it could be ten years or more. All we can say for certain is that the time left is short. When we spend eternity in heaven our view of the small time we spent on earth, even if we live to be 100, will get smaller smaller and simply vanish away, yet the work we do here now for and with Jesus in evangelism is of endless significance. I was speaking to a pastor in town this week and he spoke of evangelism as “scary”. I agreed that it was indeed scary without the Holy Spirit but with Him by our side we have His love which drives out fear.

“Hit me in the chest” he said

First of all, thanks to all who prayed for the Friday night outreach. We, and others, are eternally grateful for that!

I have lost count of the number of evangelistic encounteres we had over this weekend but some have stood out in my memory as wonderful exmples of the grace of God. On Friday night at about 12.30am 2 intoxicated chaps asked what the “John 3:7 “ signs were about. A Christ centred discussion ensued and during the discussion the lesser intoxicated chap said that he was in a bad car crash a week ago and was amazed that he only had a broken rib. When I told him that Jesus is risen, he is here and he can heal his rib if he would like the other guy pushed him on his sore ribs and said “Yeah, you need a miracle..” or something to that effect, to which the boken ribbed chap recoiled in pain asking him to not do that. When I again asked he said he would like prayer for healing.

I then asked the risen King of Kings to touch him, open his heart to the gospel and heal his ribs. Immediately he confessed to feeling better and when I asked him to test his ribs he turned to his friend, arched his shoulders back and asked the friend to hit him in the chest. The friend obliged with a good thump. The healed chap beamed from ear to ear with amazement and testified to me and his friend that he was completely better!

Immediately the pal who thumped him and had been more intoxicated and originally more vocal and joking about our outreach confessed that he had deep needs in his life, that he was adopted and had some heavy famility situations. He wanted prayer and I obliged, soon after that they disappeared down Grafton Street but I know that they experienced an unforgettable encounter wth the King which they will never forget, hopefully in heaven with thankfulness as belivers and not in hell with regret as unrepentant sinners.

I bet there was some intersesting chat in the night club that night!

Then today, Saturday, I was invited to join my good friend Oliver Hurley (check out my video interview with him in the video vault section of my blog) to hold up the “Jesus” stickers (Lift Jesus higher!) outside McDonalds on Saturday afternoon. This we did nd again had much witnessing oppertunity the most memorable of which was Seamus (about 18 and from Portlaoise) who was aBible reader but not born again. After hearing both the bad news and the good news we prayed not just to receive Jesusbut also the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. At the end of this prayer he began joyfully laughing and speaking a heavenly language given to him by the Holy Spirit. God is good and the harvest is rich and the number of labourers is increasing but boy is it still few. God Bless. Ant

Want to learn how to share your faith?

Let Jesus teach you. How do I do that? Step out with a large John 3:7 sign with other believers and answer as the Spirit leads you when an unvbeliever approaches and asks: “What does this mean?”. Over the last 6 months as I have gone out on Friday nights at 11pm on Grafton Street I have learnt soooo much by simply doing. God is good. He has been with me, and the other believers of course, and has taught us directly how to witness. He sent them out in the gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles and he is still sending them out. If you want to come ring me on 087 9795454 or simply turn up at 11pm at the top of Grafton Street on Friday. Graduate from the university of Evangelism…on the street! God Bless. Anthony

Half Formed in the image of the Lord

I think I may say to every person whom I am addressing: if you are saved, the work is only half done until you are employed to bring others to Christ. You are but half-formed in the image of your Lord. You have not attained the full development of Christ's life in you unless you have begun in some feeble way to tell others of the grace of God. I trust that you will find no rest for your feet till you have been the means of leading many to that blessed Saviour who is your confidence and hope. His word is "Follow Me, not merely that you may be saved, not even that you may be sanctified;" but "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Be following Christ with that intent and aim. Fear that you are not perfectly following Him unless in some degree He is making use of you to be fishers of men. The fact is, that every one of us must take to the business of man-catching. If Christ has caught us, we must catch others. If we have been apprehended of Him, we must be his constables, to apprehend rebels for Him. Let us ask Him to give us grace to go fishing... C.H. Spurgeon from "The Soul Winner".