Gideon's Des Moines Bible Blitz

 This past week marked the Des Moines Gideon's International Bible Blitz where Professional Christian men and their spouses lovingly, graciously, and bravely distributed God's Word throughout the Des Moines, IA area. I was so blessed to be a part of this awesome en devour.

Throughout the different camps that attended we were met with alot of opposition, prayed, and the Lord helped us through. The opposition I am referring to was weather, and sickness. We were to experience a ton of snow in the Des Moines area at the start of the distribution. But looking at the weather report, even though it was cold, the snow went AROUND Des Moines, and not over top of us. Praise God for His mercy on us. Even though it did hinder those coming in from Minnesota area, we still were able to get the job done. Crunch time came at the end of our distribution and it was a beautiful 70 degree weather. Many of us, myself included, were faced with sickness throughout the time we spent together. Most of us pressed on and were able to get the job done.

The entire event was extremely successful. We set a goal of 30,000 scriptures to be distributed and I was told we overshot that goal by a few thousand! How awesome is God. Why is this number so important?  Gideon International spokesman Woody Murray said: 

"[Gideon Bibles] are spiritual staples of nearly every hotel room and the only item guests are invited to take. Our statistics show one-quarter of all travelers will read the bible in the hotel rooms and each bible has the potential to reach 2,300 people over its six-year life expectancy."

That number is quite amazing. The average amount of rooms for a limited amenity hotel in the USA is 114 rooms. That means in a 6 year period, just one hotel can have the potential to reach 262,200 people. According to an article from business travel news, in 2015 the hotel industry in the U.S. broke the 5 million room mark at 5,001,163 rooms. That is alot of people who have the potential to experience God's Holy Scriptures just in the U.S. alone and why this project is so important to reaching the lost and fulfilling the great commission.

But make no mistake...a bible can easily outlive its 6 year life expectancy. Once a bible gets decommissioned from a hotel room after its 6 years, if it is in good condition, it will be sent out to prisons, shelters, and other places it is needed. This is why programs like the Gideon Card Program is a great way to honor a loved one who has passed on, and a joy, investment, and a legacy in a living soul can be formed.

Though I am not allowed to include the specifics of this blitz, I will say that the men and women of Gideon's International are some of the most bravest, loving, caring, and especially focused people I know, fulfilling the great commission of Jesus to go into all the world and preach the gospel. In each and every one of our minds, as Gideon's, we know we have a job to do, and to distribute God's word to every person we are able to. It is, and always will be, and incredible sight, to see Gideon's come from all over and to walk hand-in-hand together as brothers, to distribute God's word. We may not do it fearlessly, but we overcome that fear because of love of the other person receiving it, and love for our God and creator. 

Please consider becoming a member, a "Friend of the Gideon's", or even giving through the Gideon Card Program so that more scriptures can be given out freely to those who need them. 

Celebrating Freedom in Jesus Christ

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:34-36

Our new "Liberty Pine"

Friday, July 4th, 2014.
Here in the United States of America, we celebrated our 238th year of independence from British rule, and it was a beautiful summer day here in Iowa.
To commemorate the day, we planted a white pine in our back yard, and christened it "The Liberty Pine." Long may it grow.

Mary and I did some shopping together and enjoyed the holiday. At Younkers, I happened across an LED light set on the yellow-dot sale table, and I put them to use later that evening by putting them on my FREEDOM IN JESUS witnessing cross and hitting the street corner by Wal Mart - my usual Friday afternoon spot - for a little twilight evangelism.

Marshalltown does have 4th of July fireworks at the fairgrounds, but there is no public area close by that you could do public ministry. Traffic was light, but in the hour I was out there, I gave away 6 Bibles, along with some tracts and "God of Wonders" DVD's. Had an excellent gospel conversation with a young woman named Jenny, and her parents Anna Maria and Rudolpho. Jenny walked over as I was packing up, just after this picture was taken, and asked for a Bible. Whenever a Bible goes out, the gospel goes with it. Jenny was of the opinion that most everybody goes to Heaven when they die.  I said, "No Hell?" She thought only really bad people went there, so we went through a few of the 10 Commandments to show how we are all guilty and deserving of Hell. I explained the simple gospel message, and it was a joy for me to show her 1 John 5:11-13 in the Bible I gave her. As a former Roman Catholic, I was taught that it is a sin to say that you know for sure you will go to Heaven when you die. But God's word tells us that, indeed, you can know that you have eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Isn't that just awesome? It is to me.

Please pray for Jenny, Anna Maria, and Rudolpho, that they would truly understand the gospel, and join us who have turned to God and placed our faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Need Prayer?

Really excited to get out and minister the gospel in the out-of-doors with my new sign. I started giving away Bibles in 2013, when going out with my witnessing crosses, which has led to many gospel conversations. I really get to talk to many people about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to help them understand about salvation by grace alone, apart from works.

I've been considering other ways to reach out to my neighbors here in Marshalltown, Iowa, and decided on offering to pray for people's needs. Again, it may open doors for conversations about who Jesus Christ is, how we may be delivered from the consequences of our sins through His finished work, or to encourage a brother or sister in the Lord through the trials & temptations of this life.

A big thanks to Ginger at Sign Creations for making the Need Prayer??? vinyl decals to add to the Free Bibles sign. We went with the colors for Iowa State University & The University of Iowa. I am so pumped, I wanted to go out this afternoon with the new sign, but around 4 PM  it was only 12 degrees (F) out there, and dropping, So, praying for tomorrow around 12 Noon at the Wal-Mart corner...the forecast is predicting some snow earlier, but should be finished by then and a balmy 23 degrees. If you know & love the Lord, and are in the area, stop by and join me!

Maranatha!
Paul