America's President!

I borrowed this from Baptist Potluck!

Wikipedia vs. The Book of Life

Anonymous said...

Well, I believe bringing the Bible to others and teaching them about Jesus is a good thing. But according to Wikipedia, a census in Croatia in the year 2001 has shown that about 93 % of the population are Christians. So the Word of the Lord has already been spread to them. How come you still use the term "needy country", talking about Croatia as a "dark place" when the light of Jesus already shines there? Then what about Saudi-Arabia, China or Turkey, where there are less then 1 % Christians who even are persecuted?
Blessings to you and your family

Johnny said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for commenting on my blog. The Word Christian today is used very lightly. Croatia claims to be 91% Roman Catholic. However, being a Roman Catholic does not make anyone a Christian. I have lived in this country for 9 years and I have asked 1000's of people if they would go to heaven when they die. Overwhelmingly the answer has been I don't know. Many of them wanted to go to heaven, but had no clue how to get there. After talking to them further they would tell me, "I'm trying to be good or I'm a good Cathoilic so maybe I'll go."

Jesus said that no one will go to heaven unless they are born again! (John 3,3)He also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14,6)To be a Christian one must except God's free gift of Salvation! (Romans 6,23 and Ephesians 2, 8-9) You must receive Jesus plus nothing and minus nothing. The Croatian people for the most part believe that Jesus existed, but they do not believe for the most part that He is the only Savior! They take Jesus plus Mary or Jesus plus their good works! Jesus said I am the only way!

I'm sure that at Wikipedia the Croatian people are considered Christian. However, on Judgment Day God is not going to open the book of Wikipedia, but rather He is going to open the book of life and if their names are not found there they will be cast into the lake of fire!

My question to you is: Is your name written in the book of life?

"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20, 14-15)

If you are not sure if your name is there, why don't you right now fall on your knees and ask Jesus to be your Savior! He loves you and wants to save you!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3,16)

God answers prayer! Really!

For years we have been praying for workers to come and help us stand in the gap for the people of Croatia. As many of you know the Holcomb family have answered God's call and they will join us in January! We are rejoicing at the possibilities the New Year will bring!

I was very glad that God answered my prayer for workers, but one thing that I forgot is that God always does more than we ask!



Three or four years ago Bro. Sam Ward came to Croatia on a missions trip. God really moved on his first trip in a mighty way. I believe there were about 15 to 20 saved, and our church was on fire. God really used him to be an encouragement to our people and to me personally! I believe on that first trip something happened to Bro. Sam, and that was the fact that Croatia and it's people got into his heart! He told me then, I don't want to leave I want to stay in Croatia! However, the timing was not God's timing, but Croatia never left his heart and he continued to pray that God would open a door for him to come and join us in the fight for souls in this needy country.




Since that first trip he has returned just about every year and we have had soul-winning marathons. Each time his burden grew stronger for this country, and each time he was a tremendous encouragement to our people and to me personally. Every time he left we were on fire for God! For me it was so nice having someone to stand with me as I fought for the souls of these people.




Now I hope you are sitting down! I got a call from Bro. Sam and he said my boss wants to retire me and his company is going to pay him to be in Croatia for two years! Did you get that? His company a secular company is going to pay him to be in Croatia for two years!

He wants to spend his life here, and he is leaving all behind to follow God's open door! God can do anything! Bro. Sam wants to stay here his whole life, and he has put that in God's hands! Please pray for him! He does have MD, and requires medication which we are checking into! He has many excuses why he shouldn't come, and yet he has said yes to God's call!

He wants to be here by January or sooner. He must sell his house and get some things squared away! Please pray for him, and the work here! I believe God is getting ready to do something big in this country for the glory of God!

Pesky little critters!

For a year our yard has been taken over by moles! We've tried everything to get rid of them. OK maybe not everything, but we want these little critters out of our yard. Today we decided to turn to the internet for help. You know everything on the internet must be true. Boy were we surprised to see all the methods of getting rid of moles. I thought we were at a red-neck convention or something.

Here are a few of my favorites, so sit back and enjoy.

Caution: children do not try these without parental supervision.




This is my personal favorite!





This guy has got to be from Texas!





When nothing else works just blow'em up!





Definitely not the best ideal!

Glory to God!

We had a great day yesterday in both churches! On Sunday mornings the new Church plant meets in Varazdin. We had a first time visitor show up, and he got gloriously saved! He is fruit from the soul-winning marathon. He actually did not get a tract from us, but a friend of his got a tract from us, and gave it to him! God is so amazing how he can work! Pray for him, his name is Dean, and he is an ex-drugatic. He said he's been clean for 18 months and he knows he needs God in his life. Dean told us that he enjoyed the service and asked me if he could come back. I don't think I have to tell you my response.

Sunday evening we meet at the other Church in Cakovec. We had a great meeting there with one visitor. Brother Alen used to come to our church, but he hasn't been in awhile. The people were really happy to see him in church. Also many of our kids came back!

Thank you all who pray for this work. Please continue to do so! We believe that through prayer this wall of religion will come tumbling down!

We're not in Kansas anymore! #4

Last night Cody and I went to visit Brother Alen in the hospital. He is there for therapy due to recent back surgery. He's been there a weak and has two more to go; Cody and I wanted to encourage him. Together we took the short drive through some beautiful country. We had a great time with Brother Alen. He was able to walk with us so he showed us a little of the town. It sets up in the mountains and it is known for its hot springs.

As we were walking back to the hospital, Brother Alen decided to show us one of the hot springs. As we entered the little park area I was amazed at what I saw. There were 2,000 year old Roman ruins everywhere. Apparently it was an excavation sight and it was amazing to see. I've seen a lot since being here, but this place was pretty amazing. I knew that I wasn't in Kansas anymore. How many times do we make a hospital call in the States and then find ourselves in a 2,000 year old museum. What a joy it is to serve God!

I hope you enjoy the pictures. They don't do the place justice, but they'll give you and ideal of what it was like there!


This is what it used to look like or so they think?


This is the main spring. The water is 136.4 degrees at it's main source. I was able to put my finger in here and it was hot!



These are two soul-winners enjoying the day! In case you don't know Cody is on the left, he's my son, Brother Alen is on the right.







The roof over it was built recently to protect everything. In case Christy , my sister, sees this; the Romans did not build the roof!



We are standing in what would have been one of the main temples.

Finaly a visitor?

Well last night we had our first visitor from all the soul-winning efforts. This guy wanted to come to church so bad that he couldn't wait for us to open it up, so he decided to break the window. The good thing is he didn't get through the second pane of glass. This is the first time that someone has tried to break into the church that we know of. Praise the Lord that he wasn't able to get in and do more damage.

I've been in the ministry long enough to know that anytime you win great victories the devil gets mad and starts attacking. It's been a difficult week for us, but God is still on His throne and we are mindful of the devil's devices.

Last night we had a good meeting. God is blessing and I'm looking forward to seeing what He is going to do on Sunday!