Canvassing Experience: The Odd Day

Canvassing Experience from Summer of 2012

So, day started off on a very hot foot. Our leader dropped me off on a stretch of houses facing a mountain. However, that mountain was not doing its job because the Sun was hitting me like nothing else, and the road was going up hill. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled, but I set out anyways.

Well, first couple of houses, no one was home. I kept getting rejected and the Sun was blazing over me like nobody's business and I was beginning to feel my frustration spike. I hate hot weather; desert weather, humidity, Sun with no clouds = can't emotionally or physically do it. So you can imagine that on top of being rejected at doors, and I felt anger growing inside of me and resentment towards God. I felt like the Devil was whispering to me, "Curse God."  Now I didn't actually hear anything, but that thought came to my mind. 

And I praise God because as soon as that thought came I shut if off, took a breath and said "Lord, I'm really frustrated right now, but I'm going to praise Your name anyways because there is a blessing on this street." I then started singing a hymn (my favorite being "Do Lord" during canvassing). Honestly, if it wasn't for the grace and strength of God I would not have been able to do that. 

So there I was, singing away my frustration, that Sun still on me, when at the very next house I meet a woman and her son climbing into a car. So I made my way quickly to them, smile on my face, and introduced myself. The woman was visibly upset about something, the son who was standing next to her looked miserable as well, and so I gave her the book Peace Above the Storm - a Steps to Christ Devotional. For about a minute they just stared at the book. They then suddenly opened up about their bird who had died that they had loved so much and they were shocked that the cover of the book actually had a bird on it. They then told me that they knew I was a canvasser because they had been canvassed last year. They then started telling me how much they love God, that He had sent me to show them these books and give them comfort, and it was just so beautiful to see their happiness. They introduced me to the father of the home and ended up buying three books!!! The most beautiful part about it though, was that I was able to pray for them and see God soothe this family. 

That's not all though. The very next door, I knock on the door and chihuahuas suddenly go running out and I join the owner, a young girl, in trying to catch them. Little buggers... for stubby feet they're freakishly fast... So that was odd, but afterwards, the young woman started talking to me and I described to her the books. Her father, in the background, was anxious in me leaving, but she told me to wait because she was going to ask her mother. Next thing I know, I'm in the house canvassing to a woman on bedrest from having surgery. I introduced myself and showed her the books, and she ended up buying three! Very nice family, and I pray that the husband gives God a chance to be a apart of his life and show him how much He loves him.

Thats not all though lol. I was finished with that street so was moved to another one some blocks down - a much shadier street (by the grace of God!!!). First house, woman ends up buying Peace in Spanish which was an interesting conversation. But a couple of houses over, I meet a family (mother, two daughters and their two kids) drinking horchata on the lawn. Next thing I know, I'm drinking horchata and eating peaches with them as I'm listening to their stories and showing them the books. They told me how their husbands were atheists and how they were looking for a church to attend in the area that could give them and their husbands Bible studies. I invited them to one, and they ending up getting five books. I prayed with them and will continue to pray for them, their beautiful families, and their willing hearts. 

In the evening, events went by really quickly that were just...odd. Firstly, I was offered chips that turned out to be lard (thank God I had politely declined), I ended up telling them I was vegan and they offered me tomatoes, but not really lol. Odd. I met a woman who used to be Adventist and ended up buying I believe Peace from me in quarters. And then the last house was just WEIRD. Last house of the night, and it was an older Hispanic woman who didn't want to buy books. Which was fine, so I asked if I could have a glass of water or water bottle instead. I was running that day, so Priscilla was thirsty haha. Anyways, she comes back with a glass of water that smelled like garlic (not judging) and had lukewarm water in it. Hmm. Well, needless to say I was thankful. I took a drink -- not complaining but that water was so gross - and I forced myself to take a few more sips out of politeness and then moved to give the glass back to her. With the most serious face and blunt tone, she said, "Finish it." ... O.o ... *awkward silence* ...So I ended like really forcing myself to drink the remainder of the water, and in my head I'm like "if there's a roofie in here, unlikely, the team is just across the street..." I gave the glass to her and she nodded, dismissing me to leave. So I slowly left, very confused at what just happened. Suddenly, her son just parked in the driveway, and I was able to talk to him and show him the books. He was super nice. Next thing I know he buys a cookbook and children's book! Wow!

Praise God!!! We all ended up shouting goal into the walkie talkies at the end of the night and our team leader was going to treat us to some Naked juice or Jamba, but they were all closed so we ended up getting stuff at a Latino food market.... It was an odd day, but full of amazing blessings and I had my dried mangos as a treat.  =)

Grace.Faith.Works.

So many times, we become confused with what the Bible says and certain terminology that is used over and over yet is failed to be explained good and properly. So today, we're going to talk about being Saved by Grace, Saved by Faith, or Saved by Works. As a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian, I cannot help but be saddened when I hear people who are not SDA say that we are a cult that solely believe in works. I cannot express how further from the truth that can be. As an SDA, we are taught to follow what the Bible says, and that is that we are saved by grace (praise God!), but that faith and works do play a vital part in our approach to that grace and our relationship with God. As you go through this study, I pray that you have not only a better understanding of my church and where it stands, but more importantly, on what God teaches in His lovely Bible.

Salvation/ Growing in Christ

• The first step to understanding salvation, is understanding redemption
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-21  There are two concepts: one, is this concept of Christ taking on our sin and the work God is doing for us, and secondly, this concept of dying to self

God’s Part

• Romans 3:21-26  For all have sinned, but notice that last part – there is redemption
• So the question remains: what is redemption?
• 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7- through His sufferings, we are made whole, we are made part of the genealogy of God!!! Do you see that? Now what does that mean?
• Illustration: I am the daughter of M and R – physically, I look like both of them, mainly my mom. In character, however, I’ve taken the loud social traits of my dad, and the artistic introverted side of my mom, and I battle with myself everyday, but that’s the character that I have through them. Now understand what God is saying is that like His Son, we can be heirs of His! So, putting traits and inheritance together, God’s character can be manifested in us.

• Sanctification: Hebrews 13:20-21 It is God’s will to begin a good work in you -- God is giving us grace by His Son – sanctify means to make holy. So when we are redeemed, giving our lives to Christ, He begins a sanctifying process in you.
• God is a true forgiver isn't He!
• Hebrews 8:7-12   God wants to make a covenant, a bond, a promise with us. Physical Israel wouldn’t do it, now God is looking at His spiritual Israel and saying I will write My character on your hearts and minds – the Law = the Character – sanctification is having the character of God

• Jesus – going to learn about His work in the Sanctuary later – reconciled us through His sufferings! – John 16:8-11, Col 1:13,14 Helps us to see our need for a Savior and for a relationship with God unaffected by the world around us. Does that make sense?
• So that we can begin to establish our characters with God

• Holy Spirit – 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:24, Romans 8:14-17
• Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life.
• The Holy Spirit is like our care giver, until Jesus comes He is here interceding in our hearts to give God our entire being, and be servants one to another

• Us – in Romans 3:24, we saw that we were saved by the grace of God,
• This faith – Galatians 3:26– saved by faith (faith is the activator of the grace)
• Illustration: Blender and power chord – I am into natural medicines and I know that the shake I would make with the blender would make me feel better, make me feel healthier, lighter, save my body in a sense – but if I don’t turn that blender on, what happens? Nothing. Same thing here. God gives us that grace, but if we don’t believe Him, then your basically calling Him a liar, and pretty much saying that He can’t help you. So God’s grace is given to those who believe (who have faith) in that saving grace. If I don’t believe that Christ’s grace can save me, will it? No, because I’m doubting that God can have an active part in my life. Now where does works fit into all this?

• Works -- Romans 10:17; James 2:18,20,26
• we are not saved by works, but what we do directly affects us, and gives a reflection of faith.
• When you read a great book, you have a reaction and you tell people about. Reading God’s love letter and the best reaction is what we see in our lives – do, say, feel, etc.
• When I began to believe in the saving grace of God and realized just how much I love Him, I couldn’t help making changes in my life that glorified Him and not me. I went from eating meat to going vegan so I can be healthy and glorify God through my health (it was a slow, careful process though), I truly started to keep the Ten Commandments which God does ask us to keep if we love Him, and I began to dress more modestly because I wanted to respect my body and how I presented it to others. Plus, music, movies, don’t really care for anymore, because (for the most part) they do not glorify my Father in Heaven. Now do all those things save me, NO! We’re not saved by digestion, or by fashion, but what I do affects my faith and my relationship with God. 
• By giving up meat and go towards a vegan diet, I have faith that Christ is going to provide for my nutrition, sustenance, etc - God cares about your body and your health, but we'll go over that later. My faith grows in knowing my God supplies my physical needs
• What about entertainment. In letting them go, I have faith that God will satisfy me beyond what media or culture can offer. Honestly though, to think that the entertainment industry doesn't affect your spiritual walk is putting yourself on dangerous ground. I know so many people that have a hard time even thinking about picking up and reading their Bible's because its not as exciting as movies or music. Honestly, it won't be as exciting unless you get to know Jesus and what Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are doing for you right now. 

• World and Me: We’ll go over more on this later– hit on relationships, music, movies, entertainment, words, dress, everything that we know what God has in store for us – which is ten times better than anything we can want
• Phillipians 3:7-14 – Paul counted everything dung that had to do with his life before Christ. Nothing in this life is worth anything more than a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

• End Justified – Titus 3:1-7 through the Trinity we can have the victory

1 Thess 5:23 Can we allow God to sanctify us wholly and make us heirs of His kingdom? We battle against flesh and blood but in Luke 17 God says He will guide in treading on serpents so nothing can harm us, and we can take on divine nature. Can we start walking by faith in grace?

Experience at 8:55 PM

This experience happened my 2nd year of canvassing, first/second week I believe.

It was nearing 9 oclock and so we were running trying to finish the streets we were at. As I was nearing my last house, I noticed that the garage was open, and it was very dark inside. Suddenly, out of the blackness comes two dogs (a pit and a shepherd) running towards me. I thought they were going to attack, so I prepared to defend myself with my books (I know "don't damage the books"). I then noticed that they were wagging their tails and they actually turned out to be really sweet dogs and they followed me to the front door of the house I was at.When they woman answered, she shooed away the dogs and went on this mini rant about how her neighbors were gone and these were their dogs and she was fed up with everything. 

So I made quick friends talking to her about the dogs and her troubles then quickly handed her our book Peace Above the Storm, and her whole demeanor changed. She looked at the book and began to tell me how she had just finished a phone call where her family had told her that her father has Alzheimer. I then shared with her how Alzheimers runs in my family as well, and how when my grandfather died from Parkinsons, my mother and grandmother really had to pull together and that this book truly helped them. I remember she went inside with the book (always let them take the books with them - assuming their coming back of course), and she came back with the book and her checkbook. She sat down on her small bench and started to cry. I can't remember word for word what she said, but she was saying how God had answered her prayer and knew that she would need peace right now. She was clutching the book to her and kept saying "This is my book. This is for me." I held her hand and started crying with her and was able to pray for her. 

God was and is so good, and many times the circumstances may not seem divine, like those dogs. God's hand, however, moved so mightily and that was a beautiful experience for me that day. Bare in mind, these are not rare occasions, so many people have similar experiences. If you have experience where it didn't seem like God was there but then at the end everything made sense, feel free to share.  =)  GB!