Apple Days Festival

A joy shared is a joy multiplied. Please share in my joy as you read this newsletter. These stories happen rapidly in one day. At the time, I am not able to take it all in. Sharing with you helps me to remember, process, and give thanks. If you are able to read this in its entirety, please do. I think you will be really blessed. It should take about 25 minutes. Maybe you can read it in segments. Much love,

Mike

The Lord opened a door for us Oct 3 and 4th to share the gospel in our first festival this year. (Post Covid-19) As He so often does, He moved in a very special way. Thank you to Pam and Alan Foster and Rob Gilmer for their help in sharing the gospel. Favorite pictures and stories follow. Enjoy.

Right off the bat I got to share with a couple, Bill and Myrna. Bill already professed Christ but Myrna did not know where she would go if she were to die. She did mention believing in God.

The law showed her that she did not measure up to God's perfect standard. In the courtroom, as usual, Myrna tried to measure up through her own efforts...'try not to do those things, try not to do those things again, please forgive me.'

I told her, "There's nothing you can do. There's nothing you need to do. He has already done it for you. Stop trying to justify yourself. Let Him justify you based on His work, not yours."

When did she want to transfer her trust from herself to Christ alone? (Repent)...'Right now.'

We prayed...

With tears in her eyes, Myrna told me...

'HE SAVED ME BECAUSE I TRUST IN HIM.'

The gentleman in the middle of the picture is Tony Bennett. My dear friend Mike Adams told Tony to come out and support us. Tony watched as I shared with Myrna and Bill. They actually already knew one another!

At this point, I could have closed up shop and gone home for the day and it would have already been an amazing day. There was so much more to come...

Mary initially told me that 'no one can be 100% sure'. Then she followed it up with, 'I'm born again'.

I am not sure what the disconnect was here. She did mention 'living right' as part of the reason she was going to Heaven. Maybe she was mingling grace with works as the reason for her justification.

After sharing the law and gospel, I asked Mary when she wanted to place all of her trust in Christ alone...

'RIGHT NOW.'

"HE CAME INTO MY HEART. THANKS FOR SAVING ME.'

I think Mary was initially hesitant to come over. So, at the end, I asked her...

"Why did you come over here?'

With a thumbs up and a big smile, she answered...

'YOU KNOW WHY I DID! IT'S BEEN A GOOD DAY!'

Closing shop at this point would have been a great day for me as well. God had more in store...

Mom and Dad allowed me to share with little Sophie and Bailey. Both were not sure they were going to Heaven. They mentioned 'believing in God' and 'being nice'. Many people believe in the existence of God and are hoping that they are 'nice enough' to get to Heaven.

Kids can and do understand the gospel. After hearing about sin, both understood that only God was good and that they couldn't save themselves. After hearing grace, both wanted to trust in God alone.

Listen to their precious prayers to God after receiving Christ...

'I LOVE YOU AND HELP ME TO KEEP TRUSTING YOU TO ALL ETERNITY.'

'I LOVE YOU AND I TRUST YOU TO ALL ETERNITY AND PLEASE BE WITH ME ALL THE WAY TO THE END.'

The next gentleman actually came and sat down in one of our chairs as I was sharing with Sophie and Bailey. As he helped himself to one of our chairs, he exhaled and said...

'I REALLY NEED TO SIT DOWN. I AM IN A LOT OF PAIN.'

So, after sharing with the girls I moved over next to him and asked...

'WOULD YOU LIKE ONE OF OUR BRACELETS?'

Yes, Tracy wanted one and yes, he wanted to hear our message. Tracy was '98% sure because he believed in God and tried to live right.' This is probably where most people are.

It took awhile for Tracy to see that he couldn't save himself. Eventually he saw it. It also took awhile for him to see that Christ was indeed God Himself, the second person of the Trinity.

Salvation is trusting in Christ alone in two respects: (1) His person and (2) His work.

Tracy wanted to trust in Christ alone. I also was able to minister to him about the blessing of pain...our thorn's in the flesh. When we are weak, God is strong. I mentioned that if he hadn't had the pain and sat down, I wouldn't have shared with him. Listen to his beautiful prayer...

'THANKS FOR THIS HIP PROBLEM AND MAKING ME WEAK. THANKS FOR BRINGING ME HERE. THANKS FOR ENTERING ME. I LOVE YOU.'The next gentleman actually came and sat down in one of our chairs as I was sharing with Sophie and Bailey. As he helped himself to one of our chairs, he exhaled and said...

'I REALLY NEED TO SIT DOWN. I AM IN A LOT OF PAIN.'

So, after sharing with the girls I moved over next to him and asked...

'WOULD YOU LIKE ONE OF OUR BRACELETS?'

Yes, Tracy wanted one and yes, he wanted to hear our message. Tracy was '98% sure because he believed in God and tried to live right.' This is probably where most people are.

It took awhile for Tracy to see that he couldn't save himself. Eventually he saw it. It also took awhile for him to see that Christ was indeed God Himself, the second person of the Trinity.

Salvation is trusting in Christ alone in two respects: (1) His person and (2) His work.

Tracy wanted to trust in Christ alone. I also was able to minister to him about the blessing of pain...our thorn's in the flesh. When we are weak, God is strong. I mentioned that if he hadn't had the pain and sat down, I wouldn't have shared with him. Listen to his beautiful prayer...

'THANKS FOR THIS HIP PROBLEM AND MAKING ME WEAK. THANKS FOR BRINGING ME HERE. THANKS FOR ENTERING ME. I LOVE YOU.'

Again, if I left for the day at this point, how I would have already been so blessed. There was more...

Peggy was a true jewel. God has chosen the weak things of the world, the despised, the base, to bring to naught the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Peggy hoped that she would go to Heaven. She proceeded to share something like this...

'MANY YEARS AGO, I USED TO DO A LOT OF BAD AND RECKLESS THINGS WITH MY BOYFRIEND IN NELSON COUNTY. I COULD HAVE DIED. GOD PROTECTED ME. I DON'T DO THOSE THINGS ANYMORE'

Many 'sincere nice' people used to be bad, and then they turned over a new leaf and are now 'good'. Yes, this is wonderful. Unfortunately these people are deceived into thinking that this saves them.

We went through the law and she saw that she wasn't good. What would keep her from the electric chair?...

'STOP DOING THOSE THINGS.'

Again, here is someone who has 'changed' and is thinking that this is what justifies them before God. The mirror illustration showed Peggy that keeping the commandments (doing better) would not clean/save her.

When Peggy saw that God had done everything for her in the person and work of His Son she exclaimed in answer to all my questions...

'GOD!...GOD!...GOD!...GOD!'

After understanding and praying with me, listen to what Peggy had to say...

'HE JUST CHANGED MY LIFE..(HER HEART FELT)...LIGHT, LIFTED, FREE.'

Isn't it interesting that Peggy had already 'changed for years', but in a single moment the Spirit of God...'CHANGED HER LIFE'? Powerful!

Her prayer at the end...

'THANKS FOR SAVING MY LIFE TODAY.'

The blessings were abounding. Yes, more to come...

Karen also mentioned something about being 'saved'. However, she was only 99% sure she was going to Heaven.

I don't remember the specifics of this one, but listen to what she had to say after understanding the finished work of Christ and placing her trust in Him alone...

'I'VE TAKEN GOD IN. HE TOOK ME IN BECAUSE I REALIZED IT'S ALL HIM.'

Her prayer to God at the end...

THANKS FOR TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ME AND BEING A TRUE FATHER TO ME.

Karen said she was now...

'110% SURE OF HEAVEN BECAUSE I TRUST IN HIM.'

Then she said to me...

'I WASN'T SURE IF I WAS GOING TO COME HERE TODAY. MAYBE THIS IS WHY I CAME.'

Yes, there is more. I am blessed. Thanks for allowing me to share these blessings. Pastor Kerry Willis used to say that a joy shared is a joy multiplied...

I don't know if I have ever experienced something like the following two encounters...

Michelle (mom) and son Austin both were initially unsaved and after hearing the message wanted to trust in Christ alone. Yes, this is not unusual. What she shared next is...

Mom lost a son in a house fire when he was eleven years old. Can you imagine what that must have been like? Unfortunately, at this point I was becoming tired and didn't delve into that more to see if I could minister to her in this area.

However, this did prepare me for the next one...

Debbie, as Michelle, was initially unsaved and after hearing the gospel wanted to trust in Christ alone. After prayer she said...

'HE SAVED ME.' 'I LOVE YOU AND I TRUST YOU.'

This mother then proceeded to share that she also had lost a child. This time it was a daughter...19 years old. How? In a train accident in Lyndhurst.

It's something to realize what so many people are dealing with. Most times we are completely ignorant.

Being prepared by the previous missed opportunity, I was ready for this one. I spent some time ministering to this precious mother in this area.

With tears in her eyes, Debbie agreed to pray with me, completely releasing her precious daughter into the hands of her loving Heavenly Father.

How richly blessed I am. Yes, more blessings were to come...

Lucille was a confident '100% SURE!' Boy, it was good to hear this! I was tired and was thankful that someone initially understood the gospel.

Remember to ask the second question, 'How do you know this?"

'I'M A GOOD GIRL'.

The ten commandments showed Lucille that she wasn't so good. What would she do now???

'TRY TO DO BETTER.'

So many sincere Lucille's out there who just have no idea. What a blessing to be able to tell them about the work of Christ alone which will save them!...'Right now!'

'HE SAVED ME. I TRUST HIM.'

Then her prayer at the end...

'THANKS FOR LETTING ME INTO YOUR LIFE.'

Little Gideon had read the entire bible. Little Gideon had not yet trusted in Christ, not understanding who He was, and what He had done.

This day, Gideon came to understand that Jesus is God in the flesh and that His work on the cross was enough to save little Gideon.

When did little Gideon want to trust in Christ alone?...'Right now!'

'THANKS FOR COMING INTO MY LIFE.'

Yes, more blessings...

William was a very sincere young man whose brother is a local pastor. William was very humble, teachable and submissive.

He started out 80% sure because he had helped a lot of people. He was like Cornelius in the bible who had done a lot of good things and gotten the Lord's attention, but as of yet was not saved.

By trusting in his works, what was he saying about God's work on the cross?...'not enough.' Did he want to do this? By no means! He wanted to trust in Christ right away...

'HE OPENED MY HEART BECAUSE I PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.'

You really had to be there for this next one...

A DRIVE THRU salvation...

A young man drove past in a large black suburban, turned his head and looked right at me...

I yelled...'YOU WANT A FREE BRACELET!'

Unexpectedly, he responded...'ABSOLUTELY!'

Wow. I've had people agree to come over before on 'drive thru's', but I don't remember an 'ABSOLUTELY!'

Torrence made a bee-line to a parking space, and then made a bee-line over to talk with me.

How sure was he?...'100%' (Yay!)

Why?...'I live a righteous life.' (No!)

Same law shared. Same gospel shared. Every time. Same way.

Same truth received...'I'M NOT GOOD.' 'I CAN'T SAVE MYSELF.' 'I'VE BEEN TRYING TO.' 'I REPENT'. 'I TRUST IN CHRIST ALONE.'

Torrence was so eager to place his trust in Christ alone that he wanted to do it...'ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.'

Same prayer prayed and his response...

'HE CAME INTO MY HEART. HE SACRIFICED HIMSELF FOR ME.'

Torrence told me...

'THANK YOU. I REALLY UNDERSTAND NOW. YOU OPENED UP MY EYES. YOU REALLY EXPLAINED IT WELL.'

Here's a three minute testimony from Torrence after hearing the gospel.

As I was packing up to go home, a young lady walked by with one of those special walkers for people who have cerebral palsy. Her mom was with her. Your heart goes out to people who suffer much.

Yes, I got to share the gospel with her, and yes she wanted to trust in Christ alone...

This last story of the day was pretty remarkable. Honestly I was really tired and just wanted to go home. It was a really good tired, but a tired nonetheless.

God had one more blessing in store for me...

A lady who was walking with her two children into the Roses store saw me and got really excited...

'IT'S YOU! I DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE TO WAYNESBORO!'

It was Katie with her two children, Jason and Briana. Katie is now 33 years old. Turns out that I had shared the gospel with her and her family when she was just 14 years old.

Back in 2001, I went from house to house 'door knocking' and sharing the gospel in Harrisonburg. Where did I do this in Harrisonburg?

In the section of Harrisonburg, right behind...

THE ROSES STORE.

Where was I now, meeting this lady again 19 years later?

In a section of Waynesboro, right in front of...

THE ROSES STORE.

What an amazing end to a glorious day. Yes, mamma allowed me to share with her son Jason. He wanted to trust in Christ alone. Then I got to share with her daughter Briana. She too wanted Christ alone. Katie prayed right along with her.

Waking up Sunday morning, I was pretty bushed. Prayer time gave me some strength back, and then the Lord sent the cavalry...

Rob Gilmer.

He not only supported a weary soldier, but did a tremendous job himself of sharing the gospel. I was amazed at the number of people with whom he got to share.

No sooner had he finished with one person or group, that he was right back up at the front ready to share again. Most of the time he wasn't at the front 'fishing' for more than a few minutes when someone would come over and agree to sit down with him.

Rob has a special way with people. He really loves them and they know it. That is why they so readily sit down with him.

People like to say, 'Don't tell them Jesus loves them, until you're ready to love them too.' The implication is that you have to wait before you tell them. Can't you love them when you first see them? Then, you can share right away! Amen and Amen! Hallelujah!

God has really helped me with this over the years. I used to struggle with just 'getting them saved' and not having much love. Now, the more I just unconditionally love them as I am sharing with them, the more they want to 'get saved', 'right now'. Rob does this very well and I have learned a lot from him.

Here is Rob sharing with a large group of children. Their mother was a pastor who came over at some point and was excited to hear what he was sharing with her children.

What she didn't hear was the original responses of her children. They were 'hoping' to go to Heaven because of their religiosity...'go to church, pray, read the bible, are good etc.' Rob did a great job of explaining that their salvation wasn't because they did these things. It was because of the work of Christ alone.

As Rob was sharing, mom made the comment that she had taught her children the Word of God. Rob, being very gracious, didn't correct her that her children didn't understand the gospel, but affirmed her answer...'Wonderful, thank you. That's great.'

When Rob gave the invitation for the children to transfer their trust from their 'religiosity' to the work of Christ alone, mom was seen praying with all of her children.

Again, I was amazed as I sat back and watched the Spirit of God upon Rob draw many people into our booth. Thank you dear brother.

I had some good ones in the morning but also some difficult ones. It wasn't like Saturday, but I think the Lord was letting me rest some and blessing Rob with the fruit.

Well, Rob got tired and then it came back around to me. This is Trey and his son Wayne. Trey had actually read scripture at his church this particular morning. He wasn't initially sure of going to Heaven, mingling works with grace.

After understanding the gospel, listen to what he told the Lord...

'THANKS FOR CLARIFYING THINGS AND GIVING ME THE REASSURANCE THAT IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU. THANKS FOR THIS GENTLEMAN.'

Here was another 'DRIVE THRU.' Rob saw it and chuckled. These two ladies didn't say 'ABSOLUTELY' but they still came over to hear the gospel.

Virginia really seemed to get it. She was trusting in her works and was a church lady. In fact, she and Catherine were coming to the Roses to buy gifts for people in nursing homes.

At the end, she wanted to trust in Christ alone...

'THANKS FOR TAKING MY SINS AWAY.'

This was probably my favorite one for the day. A lady pulled up in her car with her children in front of the Roses. With her windows down, I could hear the very loud music playing, with words that were less than edifying. Did I mention that it was loud?

I walked over to the rolled down window, smiled, and held out the bracelet tree...

'WOULD YOU LIKE A FREE BRACELET?"

Her expression changed immediately. Almost just as quickly, the music was turned off. She said yes and her three children came over to hear the message.

She backed up her car closer to where I was sharing since she had a baby in the car. Then she came over to listen as well.

She was grinning ear to ear. At one point she got up and put some money in our donation container. She spoke up...

'I KNEW THIS WAS ABOUT GOD. I AM SO GLAD TO BE HERE. I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU ARE SHARING WITH MY CHILDREN.'

Here was a precious mother of four. It would have been so easy to judge her for her loud obnoxious music. I am glad the Spirit just loved her and gave her and her children the gospel.

Mom and the children really seemed to get it. They initially thought they were going to Heaven because they were 'good'. After talking about sin, they knew they were not good.

They wanted to trust in God the Son instead. Mom understood and prayed with her children.

These kids were shouting..."GOD!' as they understood the gospel.

Their prayers blessed me...

'THANKS FOR TAKING MY SINS.'

'THANKS FOR ETERNAL LIFE.'

'I BELIEVE.'

This would have been an amazing finish to two glorious days. But the Lord had two more in store...

Husband Will and wife Erin were initially unsure. Erin's response was textbook...

'I DON'T WANT TO BE ARROGANT.' (If we are trusting ourselves then it is arrogant to be 100%, but if we are trusting Christ alone it is humility)

After sharing the law, we were in the courtroom. I asked them what would keep them from God's electric chair?

Erin spoke up...

'SALVATION.'

To see where the disconnect was, I wanted to unpack this. So I asked,

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SALVATION?"

'Please forgive me and I will right my wrongs.'

This is why many do not understand salvation. Salvation is 'there is nothing I can do to save myself. God has done it all already in Christ. I must trust Him alone.'

The light came on for Erin. It was glorious to behold. After praying she said...

'HE CAME INTO MY HEART BECAUSE I LET HIM IN AND I GAVE HIM CONTROL.'

It is interesting that I can only give Him control when I recognize there is absolutely nothing that I can do.

Husband Will was really struggling to understand that by trying to save himself, he was the savior, not God. I pulled back, exhaled and gave it all to to the Holy Spirit.

The light came on for Will as well...

'I GET IT NOW.'

His prayer??

'I TRUST YOU.'

Last but not least...

Miranda and Julio both were initially unsaved, heard the gospel, and wanted to trust in Christ alone. Both prayed. At the end, I asked them...

'ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH ME?'

Julio spoke up, unsolicited and off the cuff...

'I'M SAVED.'

What an amazing two days at a small festival in an obscure town. Thanks for sharing my joy. I am blessed.