FIRE ON THE STREETS?

Yesterday we went out to Temple Bar in Dublin to witness and preach. Crowds were large and very cosmopolitan, as one expects here. Although we spent a good time lifting up the wonderful Name above all names we had a limited discussions with people. I did however have a chat with a very foul mouthed Lithuanian who had strong anti-biblical opinions. When his 3 mates came along I said to the friends "You should talk to your friend here... He doesn't realize that he was wonderfully created by God, he actually thinks he came from a monkey!" His friends burst out laughing at this and showed interest in the "Monkey tract" I was passing out. The original chap tried to intercept this and didn't want his friends to have anything to do with it...but God had better plans.
I can only pray that our good Lord uses this encounter to begin to bring conviction of sin to them all. Indeed I could see in the street for most if not all the afternoon that we were in great need for the fire of God to fall on the people. I'm not in any way against those who call for the Holy Spirit's fire in the churches but I find astonishingly few call for it on the streets. Will you join me in this cry to heaven?
The photo is of a current billboard for a new computer game but sadly it is also representative of the attitude of the church (...and mine sometimes!). We have swallowed the worlds' lie that we should "Do what we feel". How about doing what He feels.
On Friday week  we are from 9pm doing some nightime evangelism in Temple Bar. Contact me if you are free to join. Labourers wanted! Observers welcome and Intercessors (on or off street) greatly appreciated.

DESSIE: DUBLIN'S DELIGHT

Dublin is a better city because of Street Preacher Dessie. He has a heart of gold and when he shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ he does it with a deep care for the hearers, even though he has to inform them of the dire consequences of their Christ-less existence. As a street preacher myself I know how important this is. We do not judge people but often pronounce God's judgment over those who reject Him. This we can't do in a heartless way. We don't preach to justify ourselves but to portray Christ who justifies the sinner. I have often listened to Dessie stop his message to engage with people, as he is doing in this photo. Many people think street preaches are simply angry people and yet testify to their approachability and grace in a one to one conversation. If you are reading this and are a bit unsure of the next street preacher let me encourage you to wait until he or she is finished and then talk to them, you will be pleasantly surprised I expect. In the meantime be glad that we live in a free country where the Geneva convention is actually practiced and Jesus is lifted high (on occasion!).

"OFFICIAL BUSINESS'

Having turned down offers to witness at the Croak Patrick Annual Hill Climb and the Saturday U2 gig at Croke Park I made space, by the grace of God to join my pal Oliver tonight (Monday) outside Croke Park for the final U2 concert. As I was arriving on bike I got a call from him explaining how a family matter detained him...so I was alone...Well not quite, I did have the Holy Spirit with me! I chained the bike to a post took a high viz jacket from my rucksack, which also contained coat and hat in case showers came, and walked up to the security barriers. I didn't have a ticket (a Garda requirement) and I did have a rucksack (a banned item). When I approached the Garda I said "I'm on official business" and was flagged through! Hallelujah! I eventually parked myself at a traffic island half way down Clonliffe Road and raised high THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, The matchless all sufficient name, The name by which we are SAVED. JESUS. For the next hour and a half tens of thousands saw the sign and many brief witnessing encounters ensued. I am not ashamed of the one I love and the One who loved me so much that He gave His Blood. One chap I spoke to had been to church for a few years, read the BIble, believed Jesus was innocent but wasn't so sure that he was guilty! I pray that some eternal seeds were sown and that some people call on His name tonight when the music fades away! Hallelujah. Ant

IRELAND STREET OUTREACHES 2009

There may be one, there may be 5 or there may be more but outreaches are planned Outside Dublin throughout 2009 on a monthly basis. See the dates and places on the sidebar! What do you need to come? A new heart and a new spirit. If you are lacking this it is freely available from Jesus Christ, bought not by your good deeds but by HIs perfect blood. The detail agenda of each outreach is available from God after the event (what fun it is to be led by the wonderful Holy Spirit!). If you know Jesus then you know us! It's all for him. We are part of a church but the outreach promotes no church only Jesus. If you love to share your faith..join us. If you don't know how to or are scared of sharing your faith but wouldn't mind some training...come stand beside us and learn. Either way you are more than welcome!and finally...If you are a Dawkinite who thinks God is a myth...come out and talk to us! Ant (O87-9795454 aba@eircom.net)

WHO WILL CRY WITH ME?

Today a man in his late forties went to Howth with a single intention: To end HIs life. He was heartbroken over a rejection by his daughter and was also living a life on methadone. He cried out in prayer and then changed his plan. Hours later he was walking in Temple Bar and met myself and 3 brothers lifting up the Holy name of JESUS. He was bitter over a previous church experience but God gave opportunity to minister to him, pray for protection, minister the gospel of salvation, healing and deliverance and invite him to a place of healing to which he promised to come tomorrow. He may come...or he may not but my sincere prayer is that the destroyer would not have him but that he would fall on the rock which is Christ. That is one side of the story...the other side is that thousands of others today looked the other way and rejected Jesus. Who will cry with me over these two stories?

The Photo is of George Whitfield preaching at Leeds in 1749...I look forward to meeting that chap!

Truly Innocent and Truly Guilty

"Who is the most important person in your life?" I asked the man after him spending the last 15 minutes forcibly telling me that the message of the Gospel is "Loooove". "My mother" he answered. "That's idolatry...It's good to love your mother but to put her before God is to break the first commandment!". Earlier in the evening I asked another chap "Do you think there was ever a time that Jesus sinned", "Sure he sinned" replid my friend. I then looked him in the eye and with pointed finger said "That a lie and the the devil is the father of lies. He was the innocent lamb of God who was slain for your sins and mine".

When I consider the incredible power and simplicity of the gospel (the innocent dying for the guilty) I realize that we need to make sure that people understand that Jesus was truly innocent as we are all truly guilty. As long as souls are separated don't stop outreaching! Ant