I arrived at Mill Ave while Tom was up "on the box" open-air preaching.  He was talking to some girls that sadly couldn't any less about what Tom was saying… or at least it didn't appear to me that they cared.  They were four lesbian girls that simply cared about getting a glow stick neckless from Tom.

We give away glow stick necklaces to people to encourage them to take the "good person test."  This is the primary tool that we use to get to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The good person test walks a person through several of the 10 Commandments showing them that they are not good compared to God's standards.  We offer people a glow-stick necklace if they can prove that they are a good person (of course we know that they aren't good enough).

After taking a person through the test, we advised them that like God, we will show them grace by giving them the necklace even though they don't deserve it.  Just like God gives us Grace in that we get salvation, even though we don't deserve it.

I had the pleasure of meeting Brian and his son on Mill Ave.  He stated that he was a Christian but that when it came to sharing his faith, the Gospel, with others he took a less direct approach.  That is, he lived his life in a way that people would see Jesus in him.  He said he was "timid" when it came to sharing his faith.

Two thoughts on that… 1) Of course we should live our lives in a way that others would see "Jesus in us," but Jesus said to go into all the world and "PREACH" the gospel to every living creature… it seems only reasonable that we could preach the gospel to humans that are around us.

2) The fact the he was timid to share the Gospel also makes sense.  I would be timid to share the Gospel if I didn't know how.  But I do, and moreover I've made it a goal to teach other Christians to do the same. There are a couple of Evangelism Seminars coming up soon. One I am helping with, and the other I am putting on.  If you're interested, keep an eye on this blog or my Facebook posts. This seminar is free… and it will change the way you think about evangelism for good.

by God's Grace
~ brandt dary

Many think of Tim Tebow as the greatest football player in the NFL. In addition to many thinking that he's a good football player, which may be correct, many also may think that Tim Tebow is a good person. Sadly, there are possibly ten reasons why Tim Tebow is not a good person, certainly not good enough to go to heaven.

Tim Tebow has likely broken God's Law by violating each one of the ten commandments, multiple times.  The 10th Commandment is that you shall not covet, Tim Tebow has likely violated this commandment.  Tim Tebow has likely lied, breaking the 9th Commandment.  The 8th Commandment is not to steal, Tim Tebow is likely guilty of stealing. The seventh commandment is not to commit adultery… Jesus said that when you look at another with lust, you are committing adultery in your heart.  Tim Tebow is likely guilty of breaking the 6th commandment, 'thou shall not murder.'  Not because Tim Tebow has taken the life of another but because Jesus said to hate someone without cause is to commit murder.  The fifth commandment is to honor your father and mother.  Tim may have been a decent kid, but he has likely violated this law, at least once.  The fourth commandment of God is to honor the sabbath, to keep it holy - Tim Tebow didn't always keep this commandment.  He's likely used God's name in vein which is a violation of the 3rd commandment and he's likely broken the 2nd and 1st commandment by making a god in his own mind to worship and he hasn't always put God first in his life.

Did you notice all the "likelys" above… why are those there?  Because I don't know what Tim Tebow has and hasn't done.  But even Tim Tebow knows that he has violated God's Law.  That's why Tim Tebow is not good enough to go to heaven.  But what about you?  Do you think you're good enough? If Tim Tebow is not good enough, and even Tim Tebow would tell you that he knows he deserves to go to hell... where does that put you?

Tim Tebow would tell you this… there's good news for you!  If you've read the 'guilty' paragraph above and understood that YOU are guilty and you deserve hell when you die, then listen to this.  Tim Tebow would likely tell you that God demonstrated His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for your sins - Jesus was then buried, but God raised Him from the dead.  You broke God's law and deserve death, but Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay your fine.  Now God commands all men everywhere to repent and trust in the work of Jesus Christ.  God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (Jesus) so that whoever would believe in Him would not perish, but have their sins forgiven and have everlasting life.

You lived a sinner's life and Jesus lived a sinless life.  Not only will your sins be forgiven, but you will get the righteousness of Christ credited to you. That means when you die, you'll be seen as an innocent righteous person before God and you'll get to avoid hell and live in God's holy presence for ever.

Tim Tebow won't get to go to heaven because he's a good person, or a good football player, but rather Tim Tebow (and you) will get to go to heaven because you're a bad person, who's been forgiven by a good God by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

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First Friday of the month, and year.  Last night was an event in downtown Phoenix called First Friday.  For some, they go down to see art and walk the streets… I go to reach those people with the Gospel.

My wife and I got there about 8:00 pm.  Right away, I thought it would be interesting to have a little competition with my wife to see who could hand out a pack of Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts the fastest.  There are 100 gospel tracts in each pack.  I realized that people would take them if the person in front of them took one, and generally people wouldn't take one if the person in front of them didn't.  So I started advising people that "the person in front of you took one… and then most of them took one.  I beat my wife in our little competition, but the great thing is that we handed both packs out in about 20 minutes.

Isn't that great!  The Gospel of Jesus Christ was freely given to over 200 people in just a short period of time. Of course some of those people will throw it to the ground or in a garbage before they ever read it, and others will quickly discard it after they realize it's about Jesus -- but still, the Gospel was given out.

After handing the tracts out, I got up on the stepping stool to preach the Gospel open air.  My friend Tom has some glow sticks that he brings for the purpose of giving away.  I tell people that they can have a glow stick for free if they pass the good person test. Of course, no one proves to be a good person (by God's standards) because they have all lied, stolen, lusted, blasphemed, etc. But to show a small example of Grace, we give them one anyways after we share with them the good news. The good news is that despite the fact that they are guilty and deserve hell, God demonstrated His great love towards them in that He sent Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross to take the punishment that they deserve. They are thankful and they walk away with a glow stick, and something to think about.

At one point I offered to give $20 away to the next person that could prove to be a good person.  I had no intention of giving the money away, since I assumed that Jesus would not be taking the test.  A child about 8 years old came up and took the test with his father and a few others standing by him.  On a side note: I always am amazed that parents are willing to let their little children listen to 'just some random person on the street.  But then again, God is sovereign and maybe it's something that he wills to happen.

I gave the little kid the good person test and of course he failed, even though I'm convinced that he was not always being honest with me… this child claimed he had never told a lie or stolen anything.  I asked if he had always honored his father… he looked at his father… so I looked at his father and the father shook  his head no. I advised the kid that he had actually broken God's law by dishonoring his father.  Even though I normally don't give out money (at least for someone being good), I wanted to make an impression on this little kid.  So I gave him the money and used it as an example of grace - getting something you don't deserve.  I know that even if the kid won't remember that night.

After we were done myself, my wife, Tom and one of Tom's friends Matt and another guy named Sean went out to Denny's to both fellowship and talk about the truths of God.  I'll do another blog about what we talked about later...

Saved by Grace,
~ brandt dary

The Bible says The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10, ESV) Why would we fear God?  We should fear the Lord if His wrath abides on us. Why would a loving God have wrath, especially towards us?  The reason God has wrath is because He's loving.  God loves the truth, so He hates lies (Proverbs 12:22).  God loves life, so He hates murder. (Proverbs 6:17) God loves righteousness and hates sin and those who sin. (Psalm 5:5)

Does that make sense why you should fear God?  He is the creator of the universe and the just Judge of all mankind and He hates things that you have done… Lying, Stealing, Lust, unjust hatred, and especially idolatry: creating a god in your mind to suite yourself.  We should fear the Lord because we have sinned against Him and have done what even we knew to be wrong (because God gave us a conscience to know the difference between right and sin).

Here's another verse that talks about fear… "By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil."  This doesn't mean that if we have steadfast love and faithfulness that our sin will be forgiven, or atoned for, but rather that God, who is love, showed mercy to us by making ONE way for our sins to be forgiven, and that is through sending His Son, Jesus Christ into the world to live a perfect sinless life and die a sinners death on the cross.  We broke God's law and Jesus Christ paid our fine.  Now God commands everyone to repent, because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:30).

To repent means to turn from their sinful ways and beliefs with towards God and to trust alone in Jesus Christ for your salvation.  Godly sorrow produces repentance; you should have godly sorry when you think about all the sins you've committed and how God loved you enough to pay the price for your sins by dying in your place.

"The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil…" (Proberbs 8:13a, ESV)

Do you hate what is evil? Do you love what is right?  If not, then you don't fear the Lord and you haven't even begun to have wisdom.  Repent today.  Understand that Jesus Christ is the only way that your sins can be forgiven. Thank God for his steadfast love and faithfulness in making a way of salvation.  Unless you repent, you will perish.

By God's Grace

~ brandt dary

Things I'm thankful for… In no specific order.

I'm thankful for my wonderful wife for loving me and serving me.
I'm thankful for my brother Ryan for all his help with programming.
I'm thankful for my Mom for helping me with country shows, accounting and more.
I'm thankful for Samantha for making snack packs and inviting us for dinner.
I'm thankful for God saving a wretch like me.
I'm thankful for my church.
I'm thankful for my community group.
I'm thankful for my house.
I'm thankful for my wife.
I'm thankful for my new computer.
I'm thankful for Scrum Brothers.
I'm thankful for Tom, Al, Marcus and other Seed sowers.
I'm thankful for 180movie.com
I'm thankful for Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron and the Living Waters ministry.
I'm thankful for my Washington friends, because I know they're their if I need them.
I'm thankful for Steve Jobs…
I'm thankful.


Happy Thanksgiving!

by God's Grace,
~ brandt dary

The fact that people are even asking "Should I get an abortion?" is ridiculous to me.  I understand that people may say stupid things like: "If I get an abortion, it will make my life a lot easier".  Or, "I'm not ready to have a kid, so I'll get an abortion..." or "It's better for the kid if I get an abortion."

What If I said that same thing about stealing as people do about abortion?  or murder?  I think I should steal this from the store, because it will make my life a lot easier.  Or "I think I'll steal money from the bank because I'm just not ready to get a job."  Or "I'll just murder a homeless man, because it's better for him if I do.

People are so blind.  That's why I like the statement Ray Comfort asks people to fill in to help them understand regarding abortion:  "It's okay to kill a baby in the womb when __________."  It's never okay to kill a baby in the womb which is exactly what having an abortion is.

Other STUPID QUESTIONS you could ask yourself:

Should I steal something that I'd like to have but can't afford?
Should I lie to someone if it keeps me from getting in trouble?
Should I murder someone that I think doesn't deserve to live?
Should I dishonor my father and mother so I can have a fun life?
Should I create a God in my head that is okay with the way I live?
Should I rape someone that doesn't want to have sex with me?
Should I use God's name as a cuss word or to express disgust? (Oh My G* !)

If this isn't obvious to you, and you think abortion is okay.  Then please watch the 180movie.

by God's Grace,
~ brandt dary

I'm pro choice because choices are good...  I love the ability and freedom to make my own choices. And I don't just think that I should have the right to choose, I think women should have the right to choose as well.  People that aren't pro-choice don't understand that that's their choice.  Everyone should have the right to choose.

For example, if you don't like this blog entry... that's your choice.  You're pro-choice too.  I can't think of anyone that isn't pro-choice.  What's the opposite of pro-choice?  Not being able to choose. That would be terrible.  Choices are a good thing.  Anti-choice would be a bad thing.  Imaging if you weren't given a choice.  That would be bad, right.  Imagine if you weren't allowed to choose who to marry, which God to worship or even what you were able to eat everyday.  That sounds bad doesn't it.

Imagine if someone was allowed to choose for you rather you would live or die.  That would be crazy! You would hope that they let you live, right.  What if this person wanted you to die just because they thought they were doing you a favor?  What if they choose to kill you because it would give them a better life. Wouldn't that be selfish.  That would be unjustifiable murder!  That's what people who have an abortion do.  They make the choice for someone else, the baby.  They say that they want to be pro-choice, but they take away another's right to choose.  Abortion isn't pro-choice, it's anti-choice of the baby.  It's murder.

If you think that it's good to be pro-choice, meaning giving a woman the right to choose to take away a baby's right to choose and life... please check this pro-choice article out.  Also, check out the pro-choice / pro-life documentary below.  It's 33 minutes that will rock your world.  This You Tube video has received over 1.5 million views.

by God's Grace,
~ brandt dary

Last night was "First Friday," an Art Event in downtown Phoenix that usually draws a pretty big crowd.  I prefer this event much more than "Mill Ave." We showed up and because of the weather... the RAIN, we left about ten minutes later.

God is sovereign and the rain didn't surprise Him.  We headed to Taco Bell and we still had good fellowship afterwards. Plus Haleh and I had a few errands we needed to run in Downtown Phoenix... so it wasn't a lost cause.

Tonight is Saturday which means I'm heading to Mill Ave. (Mill & 6th St.).  I pray that the weather will be better than last night (if it's God's will).  I also pray that the Lord would see it fit to use us to faithfully preach the biblical gospel message to those that He draws to hear it.

Sometimes people ask about the "results" of our work on Mill Ave.  It surprises them when I tell them that we lead 100% of people to Jesus, and we have a 100% decision rate.  What I mean by that is that everyone we talk to, the goal is to lead them to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  So WE lead everyone to Jesus, and 100% of those people make A decision when they get to Him… they either decide to repent and believe, or to reject the gospel truth.

Mark Cahill explains it this way: When we share the Gospel with another person we have a 100% success rate.  If we are biblically preaching the Gospel to someone than there's a WIN, WIN, WIN possible outcome.  1) We WIN because they repent and trust in Jesus Christ. 2) We WIN because we've planted a seed that God may grow later and they may come to salvation, or 3) We WIN when they reject the gospel because we are still being faithful to our Lord's command to do so.

I want share with you how heavily I was recently persecuted for sharing the Gospel.  On Saturday (day) I went with my niece to the Mesa Marketplace so she could walk around and get free candy and so I could distribute the gospel in the form of a Gospel Tract.  Then on Saturday (night) I went to Mill Ave. in Tempe as normal. Both places I received a great deal of hard core persecution.

The Mesa Marketplace is an outdoor swap meet or 'flea market' that has a few hundred vendors.  Normally, I wouldn't go there to hand out gospel tracts because I would imagine they might kick me out… but Halloween was a special day.  I know that as a Christian it is very scary to share the gospel (as we're commanded by God to do…) but I stepped out in faith and did it anyways.  Since it was Halloween, I told people that I was the US Government and that this (the million dollar gospel tract) was their bailout.  I was shocked by the heavy opposition I received and the hateful words people hurled at me. Here is a list of what some people told me:

• That'll make my day!
  
• I need this.
  
• I'm rich!
  
• Thanks!
  
• Thanks a lot!
  
• Thank you. I love this.
  
• I really, really needed this.
  
• Thanks for the million.
  
• I can retire now!
  
• Oh God! How funny is that? (Blasphemy, with a smile on their face)
  
• This is awesome.
  
• Thank you.
  
• Nice!
  

Do you see how heavily I was persecuted?!! NOT AT ALL!  Not a singe person rejected the bill.  Now you might say, "that's because you didn't tell them that it had a gospel message…" -- that's probably true.  But I didn't have to… almost every person flipped the bill over to see what was on the back side.  They will find out.

Saturday night on mill I actually received some physical persecution… a man hit me in the finger.  And actually, this was because of something I probably shouldn't have said.  I don't think it was sinful what I said… but it wasn't the smartest thing to say.  Here's the story… And keep in mind, I'm well aware that I didn't handle this situation correctly.

It was Halloween, as previously mentioned, so people were wearing costumes.  Several people were dressed up like Mormon missionaries.  This black man came up and said to me "Tell those Mormon missionaries to stop raping little boys…"  (Which, is good advise.)  It reminded me of what Paul said in Romans 2:21b - 22 "While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?…" -- So I asked this man "You say it's wrong to rape little boys.  Do you rape little boys?"  (TIME OUT: Remember, I'm well aware that I didn't handle this situation correctly).  This man was angry by what I said (and understandably so).  He angrily asked me to clarify so I repeated myself… he then called me some name, like an idiot or something, and swung his fist at my face.  I'm not sure if he missed on purpose, but thankfully he just hit my finger and knocked my tracts to the ground.

I then proceeded to ask him why he was such an angry black man… He called me prejudice. I informed him that I'm not pre-judging him at all… he was angry, black, and a man. This didn't help the situation, but it did get a lot of peoples attention.  I MESSED UP.  I wasn't thinking clearly…  I am sharing this to show you that the only real persecution I received was not due to the Gospel, but because I said something stupid… I don't think I sinned, but I know that I certainly could have handled it in a better way. So just don't make the same mistake I made when you are sharing the Gospel.

Charles Spurgeon says "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that."  I state this because even though I'm a dope that messes up sometimes, I still have a desire for others to be saved and also to be obedient to God when He commands us to share the Gospel.  Maybe you're not ready to get up on a soap box and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the open-air, but you can still evocatively share the gospel by using Gospel tracts.  There's no excuse for you not sharing the Gospel. CORRECTION: There's likely no good excuse for you not sharing the Gospel.

By God's Grace
~ brandt dary

Here are some recommended websites for Biblical Gospel tracts:
Living Waters Publications
One Million Tracts
Custom Tract Source