Independence Day Message at the Des Moines Farmers Market: Free Indeed

Posters & Freedom In Jesus Cross Used at the Market

Saturday, June 30th, 2018
Independence Day falls on a Wednesday this year, so Mary and I used this hot & humid Saturday to deliver what has become our annual Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech, and to discuss what the Lord Jesus Christ says about true freedom - real freedom - that comes when we believe on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and are delivered from the bondage of sin & the fear of death and Hell.

I took my posters of Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, and the "Freedom In Jesus" cross to share the message, to remind us that the freedoms we enjoy in America were purchased at great risk and great cost by our forefathers. And of course, what God did for us in sending Jesus to deliver us from our sins. I finished up with Jefferson's quote about how he trembled for our country when he remembered how that God is just, and that his justice will not sleep forever.

You can listen to the message by clicking on this LINK.

My Notes - Getting Some Wear & Tear Over The Years!

 Mary gave out all her tracts, and I was able to share everything I had prepared for this annual outreach. I find that I can give out a lot more tracts if I do so before getting up on my box and speaking publicly. When I try to do it after speaking, I don't get as many takers (I wonder why?)

But it was a good day. I don't remember exactly how I got started using the Patrick Henry speech as a springboard for sharing the gospel, I look forward to doing this every year. Kind of like seeing familiar landmarks when traveling: there is a fondness in remembering, and an anticipation leading up to them. Soon it will be the Oktemberfest outreach up here in Marshalltown, and then Thanksgiving evangelism, and Christmas & New Year's ministry. Lord willing, we hope to take every opportunity to share the glad tidings of Jesus Christ, until He comes, or we go to be with Him.


We finished up and stopped by to see our older brother in the Lord, Terry Daniel, who was out sharing with his Jesus poster, as usual. We prayed together for God to bless the tracts, conversations, and the word shared with our neighbors at the Market. Please join us in that prayer for the souls of men & women if you can. If you think of it, pray for us, and also  pray for God to send laborers in His harvest field. Thanks - Paul.

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.