What You Missed At Deeper

For the last two years Living Waters/Way Of The Master (the evangelism ministry of Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron) has held a conference called Deeper. I am one of the priveledged people to attend both conferences. Coming from the reformation watelands of europe it was such a rush to fellowship with thousands of like minded Christians and be assaulted by powerful sermon after powerful sermon. It can be quite overwhelming for someone living in an apostate land. For those of you who weren't there here are some bite sized samples (the DVD's can be purchased here) . . .

First up is the man with a brain that's bigger than Richard Dawkins' faith in himself . . .



Deeper is so huge that even Mike Seaver got excused from detention . . .



And the stage had been sanitized to the point where Todd Friel will even venture onto it . . .



Mark Cahill - a man so intense his head could explode at any moment . . .



Johnny Hunt downed a Red Bull before he preached . . .



I cannot reveal this man's identity but I can tell you that his intials are EZ . . .



And how about the man who was genetically engineered in the 50's using DNA from George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, and Mini-Me . . .



For some reason the video of Greg Koukl is not available on youtube yet but I can tell you that it was an outstanding apologetic presentation on the Trinity. It is a great ride when you get to listen to a top drawer apologist when he is "in the zone".

In hindsight, the only counsel I can offer is to be there when Deeper 2010 rolls around!

Is Kirk Cameron An Evangelism Actor?

Do you ever wonder if Kirk Cameron is an evangelist or an actor whose acting career has extended into evangelism videos? Do you wonder if witnessing encounters like this are engineered events far removed from real life? It's a fair question . . .



Reality TV has become an oxymoron. It seems that most things get staged, one way or another, and are rigged in an effort to improve ratings or gain publicity. Kirk Cameron is someone who learnt to thrive in this environment. He grew up in "Tinsel Town" and became very successful at Hollywood's game of succeeding at pretending to be someone else. In the late 80's and early 90's Kirk won adoration in living rooms all over America as a fictional character called Mike Seaver. Mike Seaver might be long gone but Kirk Cameron soldiers on as a co-host of the TV series The Way Of The Master. This time around he's kept his real name but you may be left wondering if the character is still fictional. Does he revert back to an insecure celebrity in an ivory tower once the cameras stop rolling? Is the evangelism captured on film a thin veneer for a man who likes to live in isolation from the general public? Well I know the answer!

I got to scratch through that veneer and guess what I found - more veneer! To put it more accurately I found out that there was no veneer. What I found was a humble man (almost as humble as I am) who is keen to share the Gospel with strangers and hungers to learn how to better represent Christ on this planet. What you see on film is "reality reality television". It's how he really is!

Recently, when visiting Atlanta for the Deeper Conference, I had the great fortune of eating at a restaurant with a group of people, one of whom had an uncanny resemblance with Mike Seaver. Kirk, not being a local in Atlanta, asked his hosts if the restaurant had been "sufficiently tracted" (that's Raycomfortese for making sure all staff have received Gospel tracts). When he found out that it hadn't been "sufficiently tracted" he then took it upon himself to hand out tracts to each of the staff and then proceeded to preach the Gospel to them. Kirk is definitely the real deal. It was me who walked out of the restaurant feeling like an actor that night!

Stay At Home Moms/Mums Are My Heroes

I had the great fortune of being hosted by three different families during my recent trip to the USA. In a world that seems to have gone totally mad, I have found some oases out there. They are the households of true Christian families, and these are households that run largely on the labor of stay at home mums (that's moms for you Americans who can't spell).

Though it is an occupation of ridicule among feminists and social engineers, it is a pursuit that exceeds the demands of "higher education", is way more important than any other career, requires skills beyond any rocket scientist, greater sacrifice than any political office, and a lot more intelligence than any social worker. These women are the true heroes rising above the ashes of "feminist utopia". The guys from Go Fish might not be able to spell mum correctly but they do get it right when they say that it's the most important job in the world . . .



So to Laura, Susan, and Chelsea - I cannot thank you enough for going the extra mile for me when I stayed in your homes. You all have full plates as it is and I am truly humbled by the kindness, selflessness, and amazing hospitality you all extended towards me. Your amazing children shine in a dark world as a testimony of your godliness and discipling. You've all chosen the narrow road that requires sacrifice but also yields the greatest rewards as you nurture a new generation of Christian missionaries. It is also the career for women that God is most pleased with due to it's alignment to His plans and purposes . . .

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:3-5).

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:10-31)

And finally, the even greater blessing in my life! God, in His immense kindness, granted me a wife, who surpasses anything I could have hoped for, and goes way beyond any blessing that I never deserved. To my darling Mrs Buettel - thank you so much for your constant integrity, support, and selflessness. I am already seeing real dividends from your immense investment in our three children. How could I ever thank you for your Christ-like love that hides my failures and makes me honorable among my peers. The favor I gain from being the husband of you is a revelation of what grace really means - undeserved favor.

My words fall short of doing justice to the labor of these amazing women. Nevertheless - to all you stay at home mums out there, especially Laura, Susan, and Chelsea, and none more so than my gorgeous wife - you are all true heroes, missionaries, and world changers. The Bottom Line salutes you!

Crossing Paths With The FBI And A US Marshall - In One Day!!

Most of us watched enough TV as kids to gain at least some sort of fantasy based understanding of the FBI or what it's like to be tracked down by a US Marshall. Yes, I must confess to my own personal guilt of watching too many Tommy Lee Jones movies and having a twisted fascination with alien conspiracies. I'm no dummy - I know how many spaceships they've got impounded in Roswell and I know that a US Marshall is someone who persitently pursues people who are convicted of crimes they never commit . . . or so I thought.

While attending the Deeper Conference at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia (The church that Johnny Hunt pastors) I had the great fortune of brushing with the law. Two members of the church, Todd and Jeremy, were on the scene to help me with a transport dilemna. They were two of the kindest people I could encounter to help me out - a couple of godly men. Once they had sorted my transport problems we were able to engage in a bit of social chit chat and it was then that I saw their badges! Todd informed me that he was an agent with the Federal Bereau of Investigation (FBI) and Jeremy was a US Marshall. They had plenty of cool stories to tell but there's only one that I will share today. And that is the huge challenge faced by Christian men and women within these organizations to glorify God within their professions.

The pressures come from every side for our brothers and sisters that work within these agencies as well as those serving in the military and police. Life threatening dangers, temptation to compromise integrity, the infringements shift work can make on family life, and being an active member of the local church are all challenges that can conspire against our brothers and sisters within these services. Couple those pressures with the challenge of continually dealing with, and working alongside, unregenerate people who are hostile to Christianity and you've got a dangerous mix of ever-present obstacles to running a strong race and finishing well. So please pray for them and next time you bump into one on the street (regardless of their profession of faith), thank them for the job they do . . . and tell them your praying for them . . . and slip 'em a Gospel tract.

To Todd and Jeremy, thank you for the job you do! It was a real priveledge to meet you. May you both abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Been To America, Back In Denmark

Well yes, I have returned from the USA and what an amazingly good trip it was. So good in fact that I'm still processing and digesting all the great things I learnt, experiences I had, and the profound level of fellowship. I'm just not ready to talk about it yet. The Deeper Conference in Atlanta was definitely a major highlight. The sheer caliber of preaching and teaching in such an intense format is overwhelming for someone like me coming from the barren land of Denmark. Here is a little bite sized piece of Deeper for you to snack on:



I'll be speaking more about the Deeper Conference in some later posts but one thing I will mention, which was of great encouragement to me, was the number of people who recognized me and thanked me for this blog and some of the videos I've made. I do need to be wary of flattery but it is comforting to know that my tiny labor in an obscure part of the world is touching the lives of people. One of these people interviewed me between messages while I was sitting in a pew at the conference. I've posted it because it gives an update on our labor in Denmark and desire to see biblical churches planted - and thankfully we are now seeing some positive signs!

Coming To America

Dear fellow readers, my bags are packed and I am about to catch a plane to the USA in order to attend the Deeper Conference in Atlanta featuring Ray Comfort, Krk Cameron, Todd Fiel, Emeal "EZ" Zwayne, Mark Spence, Ravi Zacharias, Johnny Hunt, Greg Koukl, and Mark Cahill.



I can't wait and if you are attending keep an eye out for me and say hi. Soon after "Deeper" I will be attending First Baptist Church in Cullman, Alabama where Kirk Cameron will be preaching. If you're anywhere in the area I'd love to see you there!

Due to my absence and uncertainty over internet access (do they have it in America?) I have already written my blog posts for the next fortnight. Commencing tomorrow I will be publishing a seven part series on the often taboo subject of spanking. It is a sacred cow that needs a good grilling (especially for those of us in ultra liberal Europe). So be sure to tune in and check out this series and the subsequent inside info from my trip the the USA!

Way Of The Master Profiles - Hip Hop

DAVID "HIP HOP" SHANNON

Hip Hop is the editing maestro at Wretched Radio (formerly Way of the Master Radio). All the good meat as well as a lot of funny stuff comes from Hip Hop's labor in sifting through the web and editing the gems he finds for each 50 minute program. I must say that due to much of Hip Hop's work on Wretched Radio, it has served on many occasions as my personal launching pad for finding golden nuggets of godly wisdom and/or narrowing the search.

I met Hip Hop last October when visiting Atlanta for the Deeper conference. With a name like Hip Hop my imagination conjured images of Snoop Diddy P Puffy Doggy with droopy drawers. What I found instead was a guy whose pants don't hang around his knees, and always has Purell on tap should any unclean redneck (I couldn't possibly be talking about myself . . . or could I?) enter the studio. Yes, that's right, Hip Hop has succumbed to Todd Friel's germophobia and now dwells inside a germ free bubble . . . at least that is what he thinks.

When I visited the studio last October I made a very serious breach of hygeine protocol with Hip Hop. Yes that's right, I drank from his can of drink (and the bottom dregs at that). Hip Hop wasted no time in pronouncing my crimes against the microscopic world of germs by informing Todd Friel of my misdemeanors. I told Hip Hop how sorry I was (not at all!) for drinking from his can. Please don't blame Hip Hop for his germophobia. It could only be the corrupt influences of Todd Friel that brought this about. The truth of the matter is that my breach was deliberate and I was merely testing the Wretched Radio office speed of response to any hygeine threat.

Hip Hop is actually a big part of what makes Wretched Radio and Wretched TV so hard hitting and powerful. He is the guy that makes Todd look good with his punchy and nicely edited audio and video clips. And not only that, Hip Hop adds a distinct dimension of humor to the Wretched Radio team as he satirically looks back on his church background.

Hip Hop is a guy who is passionate for the Gospel. As such he counts himself priveledged to be able to labor daily in his passion and even get paid to do so!

Hip Hop Trivia
Hip Hop and Mrs Hip Hop are the last known surviving case of people using cloth daipers on a baby . . . I guess we all have a claim to fifteen minutes of fame!
Hip Hop does the best ever impersonation of Creflo Dollar . . . better than Creflo himself without the Rolls Royce!

Other Way Of The Master Profiles Can Be Read By Clicking On The Links Below:
Brainiac
Duane The Producer
EZ
Hip Hop
Kirk Cameron
Lawman
Mark Spence
Ray Comfort
Scotty
Todd Friel
Trish The Phone Fisher

My Hero Ralph

Last October I had the great joy of attending the Deeper Conference (run by Way of the Master) in Atlanta. It was an awesome conference featuring speakers Paul Washer, Ken Ham, Marshall Foster, Johnny Hunt, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, Todd Friel, and Emeal "EZ" Zwayne. At the end of the conference many of the attendees gathered to hit the downtown area of Atlanta to preach open air and witness.

I have listened to Todd Friel on his radio show Wretched Radio (formerly Way of the Master Radio) for 3 years and I was thrilled to not only meet Todd for the first time but to also drive into Atlanta with him. Also in our car was a pastor from Pittsburgh called Ralph. Ralph witnessed fervently all night and the fact that he was usually the last to finish witnessing attested to his desperation to reach the lost. It is great to know that there are still many low profile pastors out there faithfully serving God and carrying out the Great Commission.

At the end of the night we all said our goodbyes. But within several weeks I recieved an e-mail from Ralph . . .

Hey Cameron! I was the guy in the back seat with you and Todd from the 500 outreach. I just wanted to send you an e-mail to let you know that I am praying for your ministry. I have continued to read your blog daily and have found it to be a blessing. I pray that the Lord continues to use you in a greater way. You have been blessed with many talents and gifts. From the brief time in Atlanta I know that you want to glorify God with your heart, mind, soul, and strength. The day after the outreach I drove back home 12 hours. I was home for 1 hour and had a stroke that paralyzed my right side. I also lost my speech. While I was in the hospital I used the passion that I saw exhibited that night by both you and Todd as motivation to draw strength from. I have to say "Thank You!" May the Lord bless you and your family.

Considering Ralph's condition I was humbled by his willingness to be such an encouragement. I shudder to think how much selflessness I would display in that situation. I wrote back asking Ralph for updates on his condition. He wrote back . . .

Hey Cameron, I been getting better. The doctors have me going to physical therapy to get my strength back. I only have about 1/3 the strength in my right side. My speech is better and my memory is improving. I was able to witness to all the doctors and nurses in the hospital. Many came to tears so I was grateful that the Lord provided me the opportunity.

I am so inspired and honored to know Ralph. Instead of wallowing in a situation and asking for God to remove the trial, Ralph used it to glorify God and witness to his doctor who had a far greater physical ailment than Ralph - the wrath of God abiding on him (John 3:36).

I am all for praying for the sick and wholeheartedly believe that God still heals. But in a consumer driven society I believe we can sometimes obscure the most important need, that of righteousness found only in Christ, by making people's felt needs our first port of call. If their "felt needs" are fully met initially they can end up worshipping the "Problem Solver" rather that the "Rightoeusness Giver". I know this today because many modern churches are full of people who have realised their satisfaction in healing, love, acceptance, and community but without hungering and thirsting after the righteousness found only in Christ. May we tread with wisdom and care in this matter. We should be salt and light in a fallen world and we are compelled to love selflessly and sacrificially as our Lord commanded us - but beware lest you become the doctor who binds up wounds and never treats the cancer.

Ralph has a serious medical condition and I can only hope and pray that I would exhibit half as much godly character as Ralph did in that hospital. Ralph sent a message loud and clear to the doctors and nurses in that hospital . . .

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36)

The medical staff in that hospital would have been strongly reminded that no matter how many lives they save, those lives (and their own) are still ultimately subject to the law of sin and death. Doctors can only temporarily save a life - and only God can save a soul. It is a powerful truth we should regularly remind the surrounding world of.

Ralph has since found out that his condition is more serious than first thought. Please pray for him and send notes of encouragement as comments under this post. Ralph is a regular reader of this blog and he will get to read them. If you are a member of Ralph's church count yourself very blessed to have a shepherd of this calibre. People like Ralph are the real heroes this side of eternity.

Leaving On a Jet Plane

Here I am on a plane over the Atlantic flying to the USA for three weeks of intense evangelism experiences. First stop Atlanta where I’ll be attending the Deeper conference featuring speakers like Paul Washer, Ray Comfort, Ken Ham, Todd Friel, Johnny Hunt, Marshall Foster, Kirk Cameron, and Emeal “EZ” Zwayne. There won’t be a dull moment.

It will culminate on Saturday night with 500+ evangelists converging on the streets of downtown Atlanta to open air preach. The big Rap/Hip Hop awards night is happening in Atlanta on that night so who knows??!! Maybe I’ll get heckled by Eminem (sorry my computer doesn’t do back to front letters) and P Doggy and Snoop Daddy and Puff Diddy and Diddy Doggy and Puff Snoopy and ummmm . . . ok so I’m not so “jiggy with it”! What I mean is there’ll be lots of droopy drawers in downtown Atlanta on that night. Can’t wait!

Is there anyone out there who knows neutral gang colors for downtown Atlanta. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about the USA it is that “Drive Thru” trumps “Drive By” every time. Mmmm I can taste that Chick Fil A already!