March 28, 2011 |  | |  |  | Elizabeth Taylor, 1981.
Photo by Alan Light. | Liz Taylor, Seven Husbands,
$600 Million, and God
It's well known that Elizabeth Taylor had a number of brushes with death, including at least one near-death experience (so-called "out of body" experience) during her 79 years. She starred in 50 movies in her colorful life, was troubled with drugs and alcoholism, had serious health issues, amassed a stunning collection of jewelry, was said to have a fortune of $600 million, and even managed to collect seven husbands along the way. She once told an interviewer, "I believe you can be close to God anywhere...I believe in a Higher Power...I believe in one God. I'm so glad I asked for help." The Bible talks about another woman who had seven husbands (see Matthew 22:25–28). But this one came from the imaginations of the "Sadducees" (biblical free-thinkers) who tried to rationalize away Heaven's reality. Elizabeth Taylor's death reminds a world that doesn't want to remember, we each have an appointment to keep. Read more about Liz in this week's "Words of Comfort" below. |  |  "Save With Fear" Poster
You may be familiar with the analogy between firefighters and Christians. Firefighters deal with their fears and deny themselves legitimate pleasures while they're on the job, because they aren't thinking of themselves but of the fate of those caught in a fire. Dale Jackson, our talented graphic artist, did a wonderful job of portraying this in a graphic, to remind us of our sobering task to "save others by snatching them from the fire." 18” X 24”
$5 each, or two for $7.50 NOTE: These are smaller than the one you will see on the ministry wall in the Behind the Scenes video below. | A short weekly video clip to keep you up-to-date on what's going on at the ministry. |  |  Something to Think About
This long-time favorite booklet tract has been given a facelift, and who is going to refuse a face like this? Something to Think About is the favorite tract of one of our CSR-s, who consistently gets laughs as she gives these out with the phrase, "Would you like a picture of my brother?" We are not sure how her brother feels about this... |  The Only Metal Gospel Tract
Lasts for Months in Someone's Bag...
"About ten months ago I was walking from work to my house when a woman stopped me and said, "You look like a nice person," and handed me a little paper wallet. Inside was a coin with the Ten Commandments on it, which are the same ones you sell on your online store. Little did I know that from that moment a seed had started to grow inside. I read it, and put it in my bag. For months it was in my bag… in November I attended a local church and my faith has just grown and grown. This all started from a little seed and a little coin I was handed." - Simon H (UK). | |  From a Grateful Pastor
"We sat in a little room, total strangers. Even for a pastor, starting these conversations can be awkward. 'We've never met, sir, but your daughter asked me to visit you and tell you about God's love.' The response was not unkind, but it was clear: 'I'm not too sure about that.' 'You're not too sure about God's love? Why?' 'Well, I'm in a bad way here. I'm suffering.' This I could not deny. He was dying. I did not try to persuade him of God's love. I told him instead about God's Law. As we touched on a few of the Ten Commandments, his tone softened. Time and again, this elderly man quietly agreed he had broken God's Law. A few minutes later he confessed his need for the Savior, and placed his trust in Christ. God's Law had helped him see God's love." Pastor Bruce (CA) |  | "Love wins." —Rob Bell "Farewell, Rob Bell." —John Piper | | | There has been quite a firestorm lately among pastors over the nature of God's love. Some would have us believe that a loving God would never send anyone to Hell. "That's not loving," they say. But the same people who say that don't have a problem with God sending Satan to the Lake of Fire, exterminating evil, or wiping out wickedness for the good of people. "That's very loving!" they might rightly reason. God certainly loves people (as demonstrated at the cross where Jesus died to save us). But He also loves justice, righteousness, and the glory of His great name. Is a judge not "loving" if he rightly puts a guilty serial killer under the sentence of the law? Is a good judge not "loving" if he correctly punishes a pedophile for his acts of violence and cruelty? So I don't buy the line that if God is love and love always wins, then nobody goes to the Hell that Jesus so clearly warned about. I believe love does win—every time. But not by removing its backbone and compromising the justice of the Almighty. My Savior vanquishes evil, redeems the world, and defeats His enemies by giving rebels justice and making repentant sinners His friends. | ~ Kirk | |  | |  |  | Liz Taylor, $600 Million, and God Recently, death didn’t just come near to Liz Taylor. This time it took her. Death is the ultimate level playing field for all of us. Her fame and $600,000,000 fortune couldn’t hold off its inevitable, cold hand. There was once a famous and sobering song called “Is That All There Is?” It was sung by Peggy Lee and had haunting words about the futility of life—how humanity experiences life’s fleeting pleasures, but they soon fade. The song’s conclusion didn’t offer God as the solution. Instead it recommended hedonism, before death grabs us and pulls us from this precious life. It suggests that we “break out the booze and have a ball / if that’s all there is.” The composer spoke about how the now deceased Peggy Lee recorded it without any changes to his original composition, which he said was very unusual. Of course, it’s just a matter of time until he follows Peggy and Liz out of this world into the next. What a terrible tragedy for those who die without the Savior. This isn't "all there is" for those who trust in Jesus. I have asked many people if they are afraid of dying. The question is a powerful pride-meter. Proud people are quick to say they are not afraid, but I know better. I have a... | | | |  | | |  | | Omar
Watch as Tony shares the gospel with this college student... |  | Witness to Atheists This year's National Atheist Convention is being held in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 21–24 (Easter Sunday). Christians there would welcome anyone who would like to join them to reach these people. Contact Paul VanderKley at http://thywill.webs.com | | | |
