What Is True Jeopardy, Alex?

I was watching the recent Tournament of Champions on Jeopardy! during dinner. One man had been trouncing the other contestants pretty well, and by the point he got to Final Jeopardy, he led the second-place contestant by about $6000. All he had to do was wager one dollar more than the maximum possible bid of his contender to win.

The final category was unveiled: Words In The Bible. Naturally, I got a little excited at seeing this, and jokingly said to my family, "I wager all of my money!" They laughed at my bravado, as I usually make outlandish bids whenever there is a Double Jeopardy question up on the screen.

When they came back from commercial, Alex Trebek read the final question:

"In Genesis 2:24 these 2 words are what a man shall do to his parents & then to his wife; add a letter to 1 to get the other."

Immediately, I shouted the answer. "Leave and cleave! I win the game! Booyah!" My family teased me because they knew I had it right (for a change), and we waited to see who would win the show.

The first man answered, "What are honor & ... ?" That was wrong; fortunately, he wagered nothing.

The second man answered, "What is love and lover?" Again, a wrong answer. Unfortunately for him, he wagered everything he had but $50.

The third man, the leader of the pack, answered incorrectly, too. Luckily, he had wagered only $250, making him still the winner. But it was his reply that intrigued me the most:

"What is be good?"

This is what many people think is the theme of the Christian faith. You become a Christian to add Heaven points to your tally in a goal of getting rewards after you die. God wants you to be good, and hopefully the good will outweigh the bad. And even the smartest of people on Jeopardy! believe this idea, too.

But no one can be good enough to get to Heaven. You see, God is a perfect God, and Heaven is a perfect place. If you're not perfect, you would add imperfection to Heaven, which would corrupt it. All it takes is one mistake, one error, one sin to cause this corruption. But we keep on thinking that we can do good enough to tip the scales to earn our way into Heaven. And that is the definition of true jeopardy.

Maribel The Cashier

I was prepared for battle this afternoon. I had mentally rehearsed my lines. I knew the logic I was going to use in making my points. I was prepared for the inevitable objections and how to escalate the battle to the next level when necessary. And I had an ultimate trump card in my pocket.

You see, as I went to pick up my wife's van from the dealership, I knew that I was going to have to argue why I shouldn't have to pay for one of the charges on the bill. The air bag light had been coming on intermittently, and the mechanics wanted to charge about $150 for their diagnostics. The only problem is that even they couldn't figure out why at random times the dash would light up. They hypothesized that the culprit was a short in the switch that goes to the driver's side seat belt, but that would cost $400 and offered no guarantee that it would cure the problem.

Needless to say, I wasn't keen to the idea of shelling out a ton of cash for an ineffective diagnosis. I could have taken the van in town to my mechanic and had the codes pulled from the computer for free. But against my better judgment, I went back to the dealership after telling them a year ago that they would never get my business again, only because the car was still under warranty, and the transmission also seemed to be having trouble.

After a week of waiting and calls not being returned in a timely manner, I went into the dealership ready to make war, with nothing less than a total waiving of those diagnostic fees as my victory. When I first met the rep who had been handling my ticket, I turned my cell phone to record mode as a precautionary measure, in case I would be given the runaround. He led me into the cashier area and grabbed my paperwork. "Oh, great. Here it comes," I thought to myself.

He turned the pages and explained all of the repairs that were made to the transmission. He hit the highlights for the rest of the analysis of the van, and talked about what work they did. He also remembered to include my free oil change in the mix. Then, he turned to the payment statement.

$100 even. The warranty deductible only.

They waived the fee and agreed that since they couldn't figure out what caused the problem, I shouldn't have to pay it.

I couldn't believe it. I felt so elated and happy that they fixed the problem with the transmission, did the oil change, and were fair with the charges. My frustration and anticipation of conflict dissipated.

I went over to the cashier to pay the bill and started speaking to the young woman named Maribel. I noticed she had a large scar running from her neck down toward her chest and asked her about it. She said that she had a heart defect as a child and the doctors have sometimes cut that area to confirm that everything is working properly.

I gave a complete Gospel presentation to her, and she even asked me to stick around to ask a few more questions. She sounded genuinely concerned with her eternal salvation.

Now, had I remained in my state of anticipating a battle, I can't guarantee that that conversation would have happened that way. I doubt that opportunity would have happened that way at all. The only thing I can say is that it was a God thing.

Summer Silence

Normally, I enjoy how summer is the perfect time for sharing the Gospel with people. The weather is warm, people are happy to be outside, you can see tons of families walking everywhere, and there are a variety of venues for starting up conversations. But, recently I've been feeling really frustrated and perturbed about something.

You see, during this summer my community has a ton of festivals in the parks, summer celebrations, and activities where hundreds, if not thousands will go to enjoy themselves. We're talking fireworks shows, carnivals, parades, movies on the streets, and neighborhood celebrations, to name a few. And many of these activities have the sponsorship of local churches in the area, who are willing to foot some or all of the bill themselves. Yet, they aren't taking the time to share the Gospel directly.

I know that this is not specific to my locale, but symptomatic of a larger problem in America where public events that are organized by churches go out of their way to make things so inclusive that they never take the time to share all of the details of the Gospel. They pass out information about their church services, give handouts and toys to the kids, and shake the hands of people passing by, but do not take the time to ask (as my brother Mr. Genor would say), "Excuse me, sir. Are you saved? If you die tonight, do you know you would go to Heaven?"

What happened to the urgency and duty to share the Gospel with people? Why is it that churches are going out of their way to avoid any sort of conversation that could lead to conviction of sin, faith in Christ, and repentance of sin? When did the idea of inviting someone to church by putting up some amusement park rides become equivalent to evangelism?

Worse yet, there are stories on the web of Christian evangelists who go to these events on public property only to be tossed out. What lunacy is that?

In the coming weeks, I'll be passing out tracts at some of these events and we'll have to see what the outcome will be.

Subjective vs. Objective

I really wish they would teach logic in schools nowadays. I'm not talking about making students into PhDs, or busting out Latin phrases like, "post hoc ergo propter hoc," but just some of the basics of understanding what is sensible and what isn't. Case in point: Monday at the skate park.

One teenager believed heavily that if all the world used psychotropic drugs like LSD, psilobycin, and pot, that everyone would be in harmony. And every time he brought up an argument, he could not understand the logic of what he was saying.

Round 1

Him: "Cannibis is natural, and since God gave it to us, we should use it."

Me: "So your premise is that if something is natural, it is therefore good?"

Him: "Yes."

Me: "So by that logic, why don't we eat the poisonous part of the fugu blowfish?"

Him: "You're not making sense."

Round 2

Him: "Well, even the Bible says they used cannabis to make rope and clothing."

Me: "That would be hemp, which is different than pot, and I don't recall that in the Bible."

Him: "Well, they're of the same species, so that makes it good."

Me: "So by that logic, if something is of a similar species, that makes it good. Why, therefore, don't you eat the nightshade, which is the deadly cousin of the potato?"

Him: "You're not making sense."

Round 3

Him: "Have you ever used drugs like LSD or pot before?"

Me: "No, I haven't. Never will."

Him: "Then you can't comment on it until you've tried it."

Me: "So, by that logic, I cannot comment on murder until I've killed someone, rape until I've raped someone, or cheating on my wife until I've committed adultery."

Him: "You're not making sense."

Round 4

Him: "Drugs are good because the experiences you get shape reality."

Me: "You mean that your subjective experience will alter reality?"

Him: "Yes, it will alter reality for you."

Me: "No, reality shapes your experiences, not the other way around. Reality is objective, experiences are subjective. Reality is in common universally, experiences are not."

Him: "No, they will alter reality for you."

Me: "So if everyone takes drugs and believes that they can fly, will that actually occur?"

Him: "You're not making sense."

Why is it so hard to believe in absolutes today? I blame teachers, partially.

Fishing Season Is Open Again

There was something refreshing about the warm weather and people back at the skate park once more. I had heard from one of the teenagers last week that none of the regulars seemed to be returning, and instead there were just young kids who would stay in the shallow areas of the bowls. But, today proved that wrong.

There were at least two dozen teenagers and young adults at the park today, ranging from some kids who just entered high school to a 36 year-old veteran and his 21 year-old buddy. There were some whom I remembered from the first day I ever went out to preach at the park over two years ago, and some fresh faces who will probably become regulars.

But what I found really interesting was how they were all polite and listened to my complete Gospel presentation. I didn't find a single rejection or any attitude from anyone. Conversely, I found a crowd of people who sat and were focused on my conversation. In particular, one girl named Emily with whom I spoke seemed very convicted by what she heard, and she said that I would see her again soon after I gave her some information about my church.

It may be a good fishing season this year. Please pray for a large catch.

Heaven Is For Bad People

In Heaven, your next door neighbor may be a pedophile. In Heaven, the woman who lives across the street from you may be a prostitute. In Heaven, the two men who live at the end of the road may be murderers of the worst sort.

In Heaven, there will be pornographers, rapists, thieves, cannibals, drug lords, gang members, greedy corporate executives, and corrupt heads of state. But all of these people will have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, who have responded by repentance and faith in Christ.

And do you think yourself any better than these?

What Does It Mean When, "Christ Became Sin?"

When a criminal is punished for a crime, it is the criminal who bears the burden of punishment, though it is the crime that is the source of the wrong. Likewise, when a sinner is punished for a sin, it is the sinner who bears the burden of punishment, though it is the sin that is the source of the wrong.

For Christ to be the substitution for our wrongs, He had to move the source of the wrong onto Himself and take that completely away from us. This is why the Bible says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

(2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13)

The Two Types of Preaching

I am becoming more and more convinced that there are only two types of preaching that take place in American Christianity today.

In the first, the preacher says to his audience that people should be flames of fire for God. "Fire should be hot," he says, and he outlines several goals someone should pursue to become hot. And so the people follow the steps he describes to have heat. "Fire should be bright," he says, and so the people follow the steps he describes for shining brightly. "Fire should burn with an orange flame," he says, and so the people follow the steps he describes for possessing this hue in their lives, going as far as to wear clothes that make them look like giant pumpkins if needed. But yet they remain as they did before, with their fire nothing more than a paper-mache costume wrapped around their souls.

In the second, the preacher says to his audience that people should be flames of fire for God. He admonishes people to examine their lives to see if they qualify. He tells them to look for the heat, the light, and the color they should possess if they are truly alight. And if they lack, he says, then they must repent and turn to Christ that they might become torches quickly. And for those who are already flames of fire for God, he teaches them how they can burn with more fervor, beam more radiantly, and go from being mildly orange to white-hot.

Where Has 2009 Gone?

It's been a year since I last updated this blog, and what an interesting year it has been. Everything from brain tumors and mission trips overseas to learning about ministry in my own home and seeing lives saved.

In the coming weeks, I'll be getting some of the events from the past year up on here. Keep your eyes open and don't give up on this blog yet.

The Evangelists' Guide To Video Recording Witnessing Encounters

I realize that I've been neglecting my blog for a while, and need to get back in the swing of things. And I thought that I'd start things back up with a how-to posting.

A few people have asked me recently how I make videos of my witnessing encounters. Some have thought that I use a body-mounted camera, like those now worn by British bobbies. Some have had questions about the legality of videotaping someone and putting it on YouTube. Some were curious of how I could chat without someone feeling like there is a camera being thrust in people's faces. So, without further ado, I give you:

The Evangelists' Guide To Video Recording Witnessing Encounters

(NOTE: This guide is not to be intended as legal advice. As always, remember to check your local law enforcement agencies concerning filming and open-air preaching in your area. Seek out qualified legal counsel if you have specific questions. Your mileage may vary.

If you choose to use this guide or any portion of it somewhere, all that I ask is that you please give credit where credit is due, and point back to this blog.)

The Goal of Filming:

What is the goal of filming witnessing encounters with people? Is it getting someone in frame? Is it proper lighting or position of the person? Is it making a great piece of cinematography?

No. The primary goal is the preaching of the Gospel.

You may have the fanciest camera, the most ideal backdrop, a physically-appealing subject, and the perfect degree of sunlight imaginable, but all of that is in vain if you are not preaching the Gospel so that the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins through the espousing of the Law and Grace offered through Jesus Christ. If you forsake the preaching of the Gospel because your subject is unwilling to talk on camera, or because you are more focused on how the picture comes out instead of on sharing God's Word, then you could create an Oscar-worthy piece of tape and it would be absolutely worthless. Never take your eyes off of why you are really out there.

That said, when I film someone, I do so for education, information, and self-review. First, I film so that other unsaved people can see someone examined in light of their conscience, and hopefully they will likely respond with repentance and trust. Second, I film so that other Christians can see some of the situations and scenarios they may encounter while open-air preaching and witnessing one-on-one. Third, I film so that I can see if there were any areas in which I could improve, and then use that for learning and to adjust my speech, mannerisms, and approach. But I never lose sight of why I'm really out there--to do as Christ would in reaching out to the lost.

Equipment:

Beyond a Bible and some good Gospel tracts to pass out, the only other equipment I use is a videocamera. No fancy reflectors, boom microphones, or best boy grips running around. When used properly, this allows you to be the director, producer, cameraman, and narrator all in one.

The videocamera I use is a DXG 506V. While I'm trying to not make this sound like a commercial, there are several good reasons why I bought this camera:

Cost. Although it is a fancy-looking piece of equipment, I bought this camera at a retail store for under $100. I wanted something I could use without breaking the bank, and it gives me the functionality for making simple, decent-quality video. It works well for that.

Batteries and Memory. I like this camera because it uses standard AAA batteries, and SD memory cards. I always prefer universal batteries that I can swap out without having to worry about fancy chargers, odd or hard-to-find shapes, or costly replacements. SD memory card prices have dropped to about $6 per GB in bulk, which allows for about 45 minutes of recording time per 1GB card. So, with about $20 in supplementals for some rechargable AAAs and a couple of chips, I've been good to go without any extra spending.

Size. This camera is small. It's tiny. It's about the size of a deck of cards when stored, which means that I can hold it comfortably and near my body without feeling like I am intruding on someone's personal space. I can stash it in my pocket when needed, and don't have to worry about it being stolen. It can also be brought out, powered on, and running quickly. I still lose function of one of my hands while filming (which is irritating because I do tend to talk with my hands or use two-handed props or motions when preaching), but I'm not hoisting a beast of a camera onto my shoulder or peering through a viewfinder all the time.

Durability. My camera has been dropped, thrown, and smooshed countless times. The only damage it ever really took was when my 20 month old nephew did something to the LCD panel which prevents it from staying at a 90 degree angle when open, and that is pretty good, considering how he is a miniature demolition crew. It still works great and slowly uses the battery power, typically good for 4 hours of stop-and-go filming.

Drawbacks. While this camera is great, it has a few drawbacks. It does not zoom large distances well. The microphone has a limited range. It does not record things well in the dark. So, unless your target is relatively close, loud, and well-lit, your video may come out a little bad. But, I think all of the other things I listed are discount these problems, and prove why it is a great camera.

If you pay a few more dollars, you can get a newer HD camera from the same sort of retail stores. Remember to use your money wisely.

Environment:

When filming your subject, be aware of three main things: lighting, wind, and sound.

Your subject should be clearly visible from your filming angle without looming shadows or bright light beaming into the lens. If outside, try to find a place obscured slightly in shadow or away from direct sunlight. At worst, stand with your back partially to the sun to illumiate your subject, but be kind because this will cause your subject to squint, get hot, and not want to talk as long. Indoors, make sure that there is enough light to film, and there are no flickering bulbs, tubes, or monitors that will make the video crazy.

Wind can be obnoxious for two reasons. One, it distracts and interferes with things like hair and clothes. There is nothing like when your subjects have to repeatedly brush their coiffe aside or adjust their shirt just to converse. Don't forget about air conditioner or heater units, too, even when indoors. Doors that repeatedly open and shut, such as in indoor malls, can also send gusts through the area. Two, it can be picked up on microphones and drown voices out. Which leads to the point about sound.

Even though your setting may be well-lit and free of wind, there can be ambient noise that will kill any conversation being recorded. This includes large crowds, construction equipment, nature, or even a refrigerator going through its power cycle (true story--while being interviewed for a TV program at home, they had to unplug my freezer because the wireless mics kept picking up when it clicked on and off). At skate parks, I always have to contest with plywood and fiberglass slapping metal and concrete. Where possible, keep wind and noise to your back to prevent the microphone from picking it up.

Technique:

Remember that you are talking to your subject, and not to the camera. Similarly, remember that you should be looking at your subject for eye contact, and not the camera. I try to square up my subjects after I start filming, and only glance down occasionally when a person is starting to talk to make sure I have them in frame.

If they move around, move with them like a mirror, step for step. If you need to swivel, turn at the waist, not with the arms, or you'll shift attention to the camera, distract the subject, and probably cut off their picture in some weird way. Use smooth, slow, and easy motions, even for fast video.

Permission:

Generally, you can film on public property such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and fairgrounds with no permit or permission required. This can even include public transportation areas like buses and subways. There are some rules about "sensitive" areas like military bases and some governmental buildings, but otherwise you should be totally fine.

On private property, including malls, shopping centers, and movie theatres, permission is typically required to be allowed to film. There are two ways of going about this: start filming and only stop when asked to cease, or go and seek permission before setting up and filming. If you choose to do the former and do it without checking first, know that no one, legally, can require you to turn over or delete your video; it is your property. At worst, the most they can do is ask you to leave or try to cite you for trespassing. And usually if you say that you are leaving, they will let you go and they would have a tougher time of making any charges stick. If you go down the latter route, and choose to make sure your actions will be fine with the property owners, you will most likely run into people not wanting you film in their establishments. They may cite state-church separation, permits, or other wacky reasons why you cannot film, but if it is truly their property, all you need is their permission to do so. It's more of a stigma and worry about liability that stops them from letting you film.

As for the permission of your subjects, the same sort of rules apply. You can film anyone on public property without their permission, so long as you are not intending to profit from the footage for advertising or commercial purposes (if you plan on using the footage for profit, generally you must have them sign or acquiesce to a likeness usage and release form). You can film people for informational and educational purposes, even for news reports. You can film someone on private property with or without their permission, but they may ask you to leave for trespassing. You can film private property from public property without having to require permission, like standing on a sidewalk and taping people walking on a privately-owned mall grounds. Although, you cannot film areas where reasonable expectations of privacy apply (e.g. bathrooms, through windows into bedrooms).

Age can also be a tricky thing while filming, too. If your subject is an adult, no one seems to care, and you can do with the video as you will. If your subject is a minor, sometimes people can get fidgety about them talking on video. The idea is that it can fall under "child exploitation," and someone will scream, "won't someone think about the children?!" Watch news reports interviewing high schoolers and kids, and note how many times they will not show their faces, depending on the nature of the story. Taking a camera and pointing it at kids at a public park will probably get you a visit from law enforcement pretty quickly, for fears you may be a pedophile.

My own take on all of this is to be polite, stick with adults when filming, and be discreet in privately-owned venues. I typically ask someone if I may film them and put the video on YouTube. Many people like hearing that they will be on the web, and say, "Yes." For those who say, "No," I put away the camera and continue preaching the Gospel, sticking with the goal in mind. It's more important that that person hear about Jesus Christ and be convicted of sin than moving onto someone else who will be less camera-shy.

I hope this helps enable you in getting out there and recording your witnessing encounters.