THE CALM AFTER THE STORM

February 23, 2012, University of Arizona

      The students pretty much shot everything they had at me in yesterday's firestorm; therefore, I expected them to be more subdued today.  I used as my text Mark 16:15-16, the Great Commission.  Since I already had the students' attention, I did not have to resort to my entertainment maneuvers.  I spoke without many interruptions.  Few of the questions were frivolous.  There are a couple of wild girls, who daily sit in front, who today, as usual, tried to turn the conversation to sex; however, I pretty much ignored them.  Several students were polite one even offering to buy me lunch or get some water.  I sensed that some were ashamed of their behavior yesterday. 

Atheists promote their skeptics club with Bro. Jed Bingo, prizes and atheist magazines.

      The white sheeted winged ones were out again today; however, they were no problem.  I did not rebuke the students' sins too much today.  I continually gave them reasons to believe and spoke on the nature of faith and contrasted faith with credulity.        

     Tom introduced himself and asked to speak.  He commended and fully endorsed my ministry before the crowd and said that he was converted as a result of hearing me thirty years ago at UA.  He said that he occasionally preaches on campus.  After he testified a number of students applauded.

UA students engrossed in the Bro. Jed Bingo game.

     I asked others to testify.  A girl said that she believed in the Lord from the age of five and had never gotten involved in gratifying the lusts of the flesh.  She emphasized that she was not perfect.  I tried to gently instruct her to "go unto perfection."-Hebrews 1:1.  At first she protested but as I taught her and corrected her on her misunderstanding on Romans 7 she seemed more open.  I gave her a copy of Walking in the Spirit.  If she will read the book, she should be convinced that we have the power to live a consistently holy life.

Christian girl testifies at the University of Arizona.

     Pat preached for about an hour.  About 2:00 PM I gave my testimony.  For some reason I was very tired and even sleepy for an hour.  So I gave my testimony since I can do that on automatic pilot.  Even with that, I told the story slower than usual.  Sometimes it might be good to be tired; I tend to speak more softly, which can be an effective contrast to my normal energetic self.  As Paul said, "when I am weak, then am I strong."  By 3:00 I had preached my way back to my normal dynamism.  My last two hours the teaching anointing was on me in a mighty way; student were attentive as I spoke on the love of God and how to establish a relationship with God and how one learns to hear from God.  I sensed conviction in many.  I was very pleased with the day.  I concluded in prayer.   We left campus at 5:30.

Atheist organizer (left) listens to Bro. Jed. The atheist on the right was a proud three-time winner of Bro. Jed Bingo.

    There are two boys who are really interested in preaching.  Sister Pat has been encouraging them on the sidelines.  One of them is Dean, whom I mentioned previously in a journal entry.  The other, who testified yesterday, asked me how to convince students that God is good.  I answered by demonstrating God's discipline through strong preaching on his righteousness and holiness.

As the day closes, students listen attentively to Bro. Jed's explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes it takes a few hours or days to get to that point.

Bro. Jed concluding the six-hours of preaching with prayer for the students.

THE KISS OF DEATH

February 24, 2012, University of Arizona

     "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."-1 Cor.15:56. 

      Today we returned to the sexual issues for the students are consumed with gratifying the lusts of the flesh.   Our objective is to convince sinners that sin is deadly.  Most Christians do not even think sin is deadly.  Oh yes, they might consider unbelief in Jesus to be deadly, but not sin in general.  According to them all are born sinners and all (even Christians) will die sinners.  Therefore, they cannot understand why we preach so much against sin since in their mind it cannot be overcome in this life anyway.  We emphasize the law to the lost because Paul said "by the law is the knowledge of sin."  Romans 3:20.  Often when sinners hear the law, it hardens their hearts and they are determined to sin all the more to spite the law and flaunt their sin.  

"For by the law is the knowledge of sin."

        I had more people request to be photographed with me this week then I can ever recall.  Two lusty girls, one in spandex pants and tattoos on her shoulder and arm, posed with me for a picture, which was taken by the friendly atheist, who leads the skeptics' club.  Shortly thereafter to my surprise the girls went running up beside Sister Pat and passionately kissed for about a minute.  It is not unusual for lesbians and homosexuals to ostentatiously kiss in front of the crowd.  Pat ignored them and continued preaching.  I was surprised since the girls did not look like lesbians (Rosie O'Donnell).   After looking at and laughing over their picture, later they gave an encore performance before running off.  What was really surprising was the atheist informed me that this was the first time either girl had ever kissed another girl.  I asked, "Are you telling me they were not lesbians?"  The atheist replied, "I guess they are now." 

Sister Pat proclaiming the truth at UA.

     Paul was right; the law often strengthens sinners in their sin; instead of softening sinners' hearts, the law usually hardens their hearts.  Often sinners have to fall further in the pit before they start looking up.  But, alas, most never look up and sin never bottoms out.  Malefactors will forever hate God and hate one another as they weep, wail and gnash their teeth in "the bottomless pit."  

Socialist argues with Bro. Jed.

     The crowd was smaller today; nevertheless, we had about fifty around us for most of the afternoon.  From 3 PM to 5:30, I emphasized the gospel and taught the reason the atonement of Christ was necessary for God to wisely and justly offer forgiveness of sin and to transform the hearts and characters of men in order that they might be inclined to love and obey God.  Students were generally respectful and civil during this session.  As the end I reminded them that God's spirit will not always strive with men.  Nor will I always be available to return to UA to give them the straight gospel, not a sin excusing gospel.  I was heartened when a student asked, "Who is going to continue your ministry after you are gone?"  Dean Sexton, who has been out all week, jumped up and said, "I will."  Who else will rise up?

Dean, whose parents run an International House of ministry has continued preaching since we left UA.

    A 6 PM we arrived at the International House, which is the home of Dean Sexton and his parents.  The parents are students at the Phoenix seminary.  They have purchased a large old Tucson mansion with adjoining buildings and have converted it into a rooming house for mainly foreign students and as a place for ministry.  They held the barbeque in the elegant courtyard of the property.  About a dozen students showed up mostly unbelievers including some of the regulars from The Hill Society, which is a group that regularly gathers on the hill where I preach to discuss philosophy, theology and politics.  They are an interesting and polite group of mostly unbelievers.  

The preaching draws to and end but many are still listening after six hours.  These are some of the best teaching moments of the day.

     I taught for a few hours covering many subjects including reasons for my hope, my testimony and call to the ministry, and war stories from campus experiences over the decades.  Sister Pat gave her testimony including being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. The students were attentive.  I prayed for Dean at the end for an anointing to preach in the open air.  I asked if anyone else wanted prayer, especially for salvation.  I directly asked Paul if he wanted to be saved.  He said he still needed evidence.  I discerned that he was just weakly reiterating an old excuse because I had given him plenty of evidence.  I explained to him and the others, "What you need to do is to count the cost of discipleship."  Paul and the only girl present, Amelia, both said that I had given them a lot to think about.  I answered, "If you will think clearly and listen to your consciences and seek God with all your heart, you will find him."  It was a great evening and a wonderful seven days on campus.  I am always sad to leave UA.