Today Christianity seems to be void in all aspects of life.   There is no Christian influence in our day to day life.  Christian teaching has been pushed out of the mainstream culture.  We live in a post Christian culture - where Christian values and worldview are no longer the dominant system of beliefs.  

So how do we share the gospel in a post-Christian world.  

1. We should live "life on life"
2. We need to go and give 'em heaven.
3. We need to be reminded of our purpose to love the lost and hurting.
4. We need to learn and teach how to filter the world values from Christian values.
5. Remember:  God is in control.  

We want to encourage you everyday, to Go and Give 'em Heaven.

Visit our website with questions or comments.  We would love to hear your story!  giveemheaven.life

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We just returned from a mini vacation to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky.  We highly recommend that you make a trip to these exhibits.  We guarantee that it will strengthen your faith.  

One exhibit helped answer a question that we have been hearing over and over from seekers.  They have asked:  Why did God make people?  

Of course our answer has always been:  for His glory.
Isaiah 43:6-7, Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name whom I created for my glory.

But seekers don’t like that answer:   They challenge:  

1.  So it seems rather selfish of God to make people so he can receive the glory.

2.  If we were created for God’s glory, is God merely using us?

We discuss the answer to this on today's podcast as well as giving some travel pointers about touring the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. 

Our website:  giveemheaven.life

Ark Encounter website:  https://arkencounter.com
Creation Museum website:  https://creationmuseum.org

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Give 'em Heaven Facebook:  #giveemheavenwithscottandtina

Nate says that his quarter life crisis was actually the reality that his quarter life might be over.  In the hospital room he began questioning, "What was the purpose of life?"  It was there that God reached out and asked him, "Do you believe?  Do you believe?"  During this interview  we asked Nate, "Why did you choose to follow Jesus?"  Nate responded with conviction, "I wish I could say that I chose to follow him, but honestly, I really think He picked me.  He chose me, He gave me the opportunity [to be a part of His family]. Yeah, I have free will, but it was in my heart, it felt right.  I realized that doing it my way wasn't working, there was something missing.  Jesus was the right way, there is no other way!"  And now I look at other people and ask them, "Why not?"  Why wouldn't you want to follow Jesus?

As you listen to Nate's story through his college football career and up to today, let some of his story soak in.  Listen for the people in his life that introduced him to Jesus.  Who were the instrumental players?  Challenge yourself with the question, "I am influencing others in my life?"  Listen to the fun ways Nate ministers to people today.  And ask yourself, "How can I use Nate's story  to encourage my life's journey?"

Sometimes, sharing our faith with those around us seems intimidating - but most of the time all it takes is to live our lives out loud, let people see Jesus through your life and be available to mentor and speak life into others lives. 

Learn more and ask questions on our website:  giveemheaven.life
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Hang on tight!  This was a chaotic episode because we interviewed 3 siblings in their early teens. You will hear a lot of bings, bangs, breathing, whistles and giggles - we teased them for being ADHD!!   We reviewed the foundations of their faith: basic things like who is God, what is sin, who is Jesus, and how do you get to heaven.  Their answers were solid; kudos to their parents who gave them their firm foundation.  But as the conversation continued you can hear the challenge of being a Christian in today’s world and hopefully your heart will be broken for teenagers all over the world who are being attacked viciously by the enemy of God.

Join in the conversation and send some encouragement to Lilli, Taylor and Caleb on our website:  giveemheaven.life

Or engage with us on Facebook or instagram!

Our Grab-n-Go's are quick little motivational tips to keep you focused on sharing your faith with the people God puts in your path.  Today we want you to make a list of people that you want to pray for.  Take some time this week and make a detailed list of all the people that you encounter on a daily or weekly basis.  Make a list of your family then your co-workers and your friends.  Finally list any other acquaintances that you see every week.  Then look at that list and put a cross on all of the people who you know are followers of Jesus Christ.  Next, draw a heart on the people in your circles of influence that you are not sure if they died today would they meet Jesus in heaven?  Now, create your prayer list.  Choose 3-5 from that list of hearts that you are going to commit to pray for this week.   

Your prayer is just simple.  Talk to God about those people.  Ask Him, "God, do you want me to share your love with this person?"  "God give me wisdom on how to love this person."  "God, please give me boldness to shine your light in front of them." 

At the end of the week meditate on what you learned.  How did praying for these people change your heart?  Did praying for people in your circle help you see people differently?  Then send us a note and tell us what you experienced.  You can type it in the contact page of our website or leave us a voicemail. We would love to know how this small little homework assignment changed your heart for people.

giveemheaven.life

Grab-n-Go's are our summer time snack.  Something short for you to listen to while you enjoy the summer time sun.  We like to joke about pop tarts.  Did you know that there are directions on the packaging that tells you how to cook them.  There are 2 options.  1) You can pop them in the toaster for one minute or 2)If you are in a hurry pop them in the microwave for 2 secs!  And we have concluded that if you are so busy and only have 2 secs for breakfast then you need to slow down. 

Don't be a microwave tart!  Be a pop tart! 

Seriously though, it does seem that life flies by and when you finally get to lay your head down on your pillow you have a brief moment to think about your day.  Was it productive?  Did you accomplish everything you needed?  And most important did you see people?

We do need to slow down and live intentionally!  If you want to lose weight you need to be intentional about it.  Weight just doesn't fall off miraculously (believe me I know - the struggle is real).  If you want to save money you have to be intentional - money doesn't grow on trees (believe me I've been searching). 

Dr Randy Carlson explains what it means to live intentionally:  The Intentional Life is a practical way of living as God would have you live, designed to help you solve common problems you encounter in your personal and family relationships. It will help you make better decisions in every area of your life. But more than that, Intentional Living can empower you to move beyond mere problem solving to achieve your greatest hopes for the future.

We at Give 'em Heaven want to encourage you to be intentional about being a witness of Jesus Christ to the world around you.  But that just doesn't happen naturally, just like my weight doesn't miraculously fall off, or my college saving account  just doesn't grow on trees. 

Jesus tells us to "take up our cross DAILY and follow Him."  In simple terms: 
Daily we should acknowledge our Lord and Savior and praise Him for His incredible underserving love towards us and then we should go out into the world and share that Love with others. 

Don't be a microwave tart - Be a Poptart. 

How are you living intentionally?  We would love to hear from you.  Your story may be an encouragement to someone else.  We are all in this journey together.  Send us a message either by email or voicemail on our website:  giveemheaven.life

This is our first Grab-n-Go post.  A short word of encouragement from Scott and Tina.  Today we just want you to answer the question, "Why did you choose to follow Jesus?" 

We have always asked people - so tell me your God story, your testimony, how did you come to know Jesus?  But when you change the question to "why" it seems to become more personal, a little bit deeper.

Dictionary.com defines the word "why":  for what cause or reason.  Think about that for yourself personally.  What was the reason that you chose to follow Jesus? 

I asked a young lady that very question the other day and she had to think about it for a minute.  Then she responded, "Because I tried everything else and there was no where else turn but Jesus."  This person tried everything the world had to offer:  drugs, sex, partying, alcohol, and more but nothing satisfied.  Finally,  Jesus met her while she was sitting in her car feeling like she had no where else to go.  It was there she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. 

Her journey is similar to the journey the disciples took.  John explains in John chapter 6:
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

So your homework this week is to ask people around you this question:  Why did you choose to follow Jesus?  

Adam Demark, missionary with Ethnos 360 and founder of Equip2Serve shares his passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  At 12 years old Adam  overheard a conversation between his  dad and the village Chief.   They were discussing the need for more missionaries in Liberia.   As young Adam listened  and he saw the need and realized that this was something that he could do with God's help.   His life verse became Romans 15:20, "it has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." 

Adam shares his passion for sharing the gospel in Liberia as well as sharing his faith in his business, the LOZ Golf Lounge.  Adam's LOZ Golf Lounge, a virtual golf simulator,  in Osage Beach, MO gives back 25% to the mission in Liberia.  If you are in the area, please come support Adam and play a round of golf.

exchange-ministries.com
LOZ Golf Lounge
Equip2serve.com

In this episode we interview Chris Byington, Dean of Students at Camdenton High School, MO.  We ask Chris this question, "how do you  share your  faith in a public school?"  His answer, "I try to live my life as consistent as possible.  With my values and morals consistent in the classroom and out of the classroom."  In this podcast he will encourage you to live consistently and to care about the people God puts around you, either your students or co-workers .  His advice is, "I  try to learn 3-5 things about my students besides the classroom and soccer.  That helps to open up conversation."  He also shares, "When you live out your faith and when you make a mistake it is so vital for them to see the redemptive side -  hey I messed up and here is how I messed up and here is how I am going to reconcile with you. "  This teaches people the redemptive side of Christ.  You will be encouraged to live authentically! 

exchange-ministries.com

Chris Byington, Facebook

Ed Harrison is our guest today.  Ed is the founder and president of a custom home building company, Harrison Homes, in DeSoto, TX.  Throughout the years of owning his own business Ed was the President of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas.  Ed also dabbled in politics where he became the Republican nominee for the US House of Representatives for TX District 24.  Yet his greatest passion is teaching God’s word.  He was an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, TX for many years and his greatest passion is teaching Sunday school which he has been doing for over 40 years.  

During our conversation with Ed we asked about his God story - one that he struggled to tell because he kept saying that he was ashamed of the things he did.  But it is what has made Ed who he is today.  Ed also shares about a time he started a church for truckers.  He shares so many nuggets of truth that will bless our listeners in their journey of sharing their hope with others.   Ed also ends with some great questions that we can use when we want to pop the question and start the conversation about Jesus with others.