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SOS Monthly Newsletter - December 2006No Room At The InnDear Christian friends, As we read the Christmas story, it shouldn't surprise us to learn that there was no room at the Inn. After all, many families were visiting Bethlehem because of the census. What surprises us is that nobody opened their home to Joseph and Mary, especially since she was about to give birth. The Hebrews were known for their hospitality and God had commanded them to take the poor and the stranger into their homes. In Genesis 18, three men (whom we later learn were angels) visited Abraham, warning him about the judgment God had intended on Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham immediately told his wife to bake some bread and told his servant to kill a choice calf. Abraham knew nothing about these three strangers but he was extremely hospitable to them. If three strangers came to our door, would we let them in? Would we let Joseph and Mary into our homes? Probably not. We live in dangerous times and will not risk the potential danger to us and our families. In Genesis 19, two angels visited Lot in Sodom. Sodom was certainly a dangerous place, filled with men who wanted to rape the visitors. For Lot, this was all the more reason to insist that these strangers stay at his house. He knew they would not be safe in the streets. In Judges 19, an old man in Gibeah saw a traveler who had no place to stay and insisted he stay at his house, knowing the streets were not safe. Again, the men of the city wanted to rape him. The Bible has much to say about taking in strangers, "The stranger did not lodge in the street; but I opened my doors to the traveler" Job 31:32. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen...that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house" Isa. 58:67. "Come...inherit the kingdom prepared for you...for I was a stranger and you took me in" Matt. 25: 3435. "No widow shall be put on the list unless...she has lodged strangers" 1 Tim. 5:10. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares," Heb. 13:2. Most Christians argue that it's too dangerous to take in strangers. They might steal your possessions and, worse yet, might harm someone in your family. These are valid concerns. I believe we should exercise discernment and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in determining whom we should let into our homes. Lot and the man of Gibeah probably sensed that the strangers visiting them were decent men. I believe that if God has blessed us with a house, at times He will lead strangers to us that he wants us to take in. There will always be an element of risk, but we must allow our lives to be directed by God's Word and His Spirit, not by our fears. SOS-San Francisco August 10-18, 2007We have set dates for our 28th annual outreach to the people of San Francisco. This is the 40th anniversary of SF's "Summer of Love." Please set aside these dates for this important outreach. Ask your employer for the week off. ON THE STREETSOn October 13, we witnessed on Broadway St. in San Francisco. This area is known for topless bars and pornographic bookstores. We set up in front of a store that appeared to be closed. The door was locked and nobody was inside. When the owner arrived, he told us to move away. He told us we couldn’t stand on the sidewalk anywhere near his store. We took our amplifier across the street and moved everyone else to the far side of the sidewalk away from his store. Nonetheless, he called the police. The officer told me that I should assume a business is open, even if the door is locked and nobody is inside! We have been arrested twice at this location, so I am learning never to argue with police officers, even when they make ridiculous statements. On Sat. October 7, Pastor Mark Whitehead brought 35 Christians from Victory Assembly of God in Ceres (near Modesto). They led worship and ministered to hundreds of people. Afterwards, Mark told me that his church is really getting excited about evangelism. On October 14, we witnessed in Berkeley. Paul Coca played music and several Christians preached that afternoon. Mike Hunziker prayed with Hong, a homeless man from China. He had received Christ a week ago, but needed strength and encouragement. On October 21, we attended an evangelism conference in Sacramento taught by Ray Comfort and Todd Friel of Way of the Master Ministries. It was exciting to see about 1200 Christians, including many youth, attending an evangelism conference. Afterwards, about 100 of us witnessed in Old Sacramento. Todd aired tapes of his witnessing conversations from that night on hundreds of radio stations. On Friday October 27, we witnessed on Valencia St. Tom and Carol sang worship songs. Suddenly, we noticed several thousand people pass by us on bicycles. I was able to preach to this crowd. An extremely anti-Christian movie was playing at a theater a few feet from us. Here is an excerpt from the movie’s description: “The Root of All Evil? The God Delusion: How is it...that despite science having exposed old religious myths, militant faith is back on the march? The mechanism for perpetuating beliefs...leading to murderous intolerance, is by imposing religion on children who are too inexperienced to judge it for themselves...” As you can imagine, the people watching this movie were quite hostile towards us. Matthew Ray, age 23, was visiting us this weekend. As he preached, about ten young people gathered around to listen to him and ask questions about Jesus. By the end of the evening, we had several good conversations and prayed with one man. On October 28, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Paul Coca sang and several of us preached. One police officer threatened to arrest us and confiscate our sound system. Eventually he allowed us to continue ministering after we agreed to be very quiet. He did not confront other groups that were playing very loud music that afternoon.
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