The "Jesus Pin"

10,000 pins = 10,000 lives touched with the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Twenty-five years ago, at the Calgary Olympics, the concept of the “Jesus Pin” became the foundation of a ministry that would become internationally recognized for its effectiveness in sharing the Gospel. While people from all over the world join together for the Games, our International Sports Chaplains use the spectator sport of pin-trading to create an instant bridge of communication with others.

The key to the success of our ministry is the “Jesus Pin.” Tens of thousands of pins are traded on a daily basis at the Olympics. The New York Times stated that “pins are a kind of social currency, a pre-Facebook form of social media that gives random fans a reason to start a conversation and even form a friendship.” By taking advantage of this popular activity, our Chaplains are able to open conversations with hundreds of people each day. Since the initial topic is the “Jesus Pin,” the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of attention and the path to Salvation is the story told each time a pin is shared.

As we enter into our fourteenth Olympic Games this February, we will be taking 10,000 pins with us into Russia. Each person that receives a pin will also be introduced to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Divine appointments are waiting for us and our veteran Chaplains know how completely we are held in the hand of God during this time.

Just as salvation is a free gift, so is the pin we give. We do not ask for a pin in trade, instead, we only ask that the recipient listen as we share our story. We would like to ask for your help in making this possible.   

Each of these beautiful pins are only $2. Would you consider helping us cover their production costs? Every $2 you contribute is another person our Chaplains are able to meet, allowing the Spirit of God to move in hearts from across the world. The shipment of pins arrives December 14^th and WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Donate through PayPal by clicking here:

Or send your donation in care of:

David Guinn

1300 County Road 222

Lanett, AL 36863

The Right Words

The “Right Words” NEVER spoken... can hurt the most! A withheld blessing... becomes a curse. An unspoken apology... builds walls of division. An uncommunicated expression of affection... can end a relationship. Today, intentionally express... "I love you... I'm proud of you... I'm sorry... Forgive me... I believe in you... I thank God for you!" The "Right words" sown today will bear fruit tomorrow. 

Discouragement evolves into encouragement. Friendships are bound together with cords of love. Walls of separation dissolve into bridges of communication. The right word of encouragement spoken in the darkest hour can change lives. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my God and my redeemer." The "Right Words"... spoken straight from your heart... will penetrate other hearts!  

You take the first step!

Instead of sitting back… feeling ignored & rejected… feeling sorry for yourself… & waiting for a blessing to come your way... assume the ‘Jesus Attitude’. Take on the role/actions of a servant… begin serving those individuals God has place in your arena of influence. You wanted them to come to you. Realistically you need to go to them… FIRST! Amazingly, every relationship will begin improving when you begin treating, those God has given you, the way you want to be treated. That Do-unto-others-as-you-would-have-them-do-unto-you-attitude… has its roots in the God’s Love.

Put self behind you… do what you know is right. Take the initiative. YOU take the First step! It may not be comfortable… it may not be easy… but you know it is the right thing to do… and God will bless your obedience!!!  

Deliverance from the Fire

When the three Hebrew children were in the fiery furnace...God could have lowered the heat each step they took towards the fire... but instead... the fire grew hotter & hotter. When the Lord finally did deliver them... they were in the midst of the hottest flames. God may not deliver you before the fire... you may not avoid the heat... but He may choose to deliver you while you're in hottest flames... and will probably do it in the most surprising way. You'll discover later that you were never at risk... not actually hurt... and that the smell of smoke is no where on you. God deserves to be praised for the way He is about to deliver you!!!

It may be a good thing that God doesn't show us the fiery trials... from which He will deliver us... that are just around the corner. If we knew it before hand... we might get ahead of Him... avoid the trial... miss the lesson that God has for us to learn... be weakened instead of strengthened... and not finish our present assignment. Just be faithful... stand firm... trust God... even if the heat seems unbearable. He will give you everything you need... the moment you need it... to endure. He is opening a door of escape... 

YOUR DELIVERANCE IS AT HAND.

Worry

So many people live their lives overwhelmed with worry and stress. Worry is a by-product of a lack of faith in God's ability to handle your life challenges. Worries & stress create disharmony... uncertainty... doubt... and disrupts God's peace and provision. The word says, "Cast your cares on me for I care for you." When you release your concerns... worries... stress... and give them to God... He will fill you with His peace... God will fight your battles for you.

Forgiving Others

I was telling a friend yesterday that sometimes you just have to "Build a bridge... and get over it". Do what you can to make things right... but you have to learn to forgive others... AND... forgive yourself! Everyone makes mistakes in life. But that doesn't mean they have to pay for them the rest of their life. Sometimes GOOD people make bad choices. It doesn't mean they are BAD… It means they are HUMAN.

Answering the Call

I remember the night many years ago at the end of my workout… I sat alone… under a pitch-black sky sprinkled with starlight… seemingly isolated far away from the rest of the world… searching for my purpose in life… seeking God & His direction… desiring Godly leaders as examples & encouragement. I was feeling somewhat abandoned… isolated like an island in the middle of the ocean… cut off from the world… My inner spirit began to churn…. for more than an hour I cried out to God, “Where are the Godly leaders who seek you first and foremost?” those who can speak to me with wisdom from on high?... Those who put you first?... Where are your Godly leaders?

Then God dropped a “Suddenly” on me. Suddenly… His peace filled the darkness… a calmness came over my spirit… my questions dissolved… the atmosphere was thick with the presence of the Lord. God communicated with me in the darkness. You ask, “Did He speak with an audible voice?” No, it was more penetrating than that. In my spirit I understood Him to clearly say, “David Guinn, YOU be the leader you are seeking in the others.”

From that encounter with God … I stopped questioning… stopped second guessing… stopped criticizing other leaders… and strongest motivation of my life is to become that Godly leader that God called me to be.

Beware: Guard your mind...

Your enemy is NOT your parents! Your enemy is NOT your boss! Your enemy is NOT your spouse! Your enemy is NOT your neighbors! Your enemy is NOT your children! Your enemy is NOT your co-workers… or your teammates!

The word of God says that your ENEMY IS the devil! Don't get confused! “For we wrestle NOT against flesh and blood...” Don't get confused between the ‘real thing’ and a ‘decoy’! Reject enemy's lies. The devil would twist your emotions to Hate People. We should not hate people. Pray for them. Identify & reject the evil spirit that God's word tells us is behind the scene maliciously prompting their actions. The word says, “Submit yourself, then, under God’s mighty hand. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you! Come near to God and He will come near to you.” If you give in to the enemy and let him control your thoughts & emotions… he will control your whole life... and make you miserable!!! But the devil doesn't have the final say… the enemy has already been defeated… God has the final say! Therefore you have power over the devil… the same power that raised Christ from the dead is inside of you. And God says, "I will always cause you to triumph. Be strong and of good courage. The Lord your God is with you."

It's Worth It.

“It's a fact of earthly life that when God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil opens the doors of hell to blast us. When God begins moving, the devil fires up all his artillery.” said Adrian Rogers. At times in your battle God may be silent… but He is not still. God does some of His most calculated work in the dark. Trust Him… He's there. God knows… God sees… God hears… & God cares. He is strategically moving behind the scenes in your behalf. God will often use those same challenges to prepare you & move you into your destiny. There are times when God may let you hit rock bottom… so that He can build your faith by discovering that He is the rock at the bottom. Before you ever think about giving up… look up. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Watch as He transforms any obstacle into a stepping stone… any trial into a triumph… & every ambush into an advancement. What is meant for harm… God transforms it for good. Gen 50:20. Hang in there. He's got you covered. The enemy fights the hardest against the toughest warriors… that may be why you are facing so much opposition. A Kingdom believer understands that God never said a Godly life would be easy… He just said it would be worth it.

Impressions

I believe that you can tell a lot about people by the way they treat those who serve them… such as a waiter or waitress. I don’t appreciate people who are rude, short tempered, inconsiderate, or treat servers like they are inferior. Whenever we go out to eat at a restaurant where you actually sit down, order from a menu, not off the wall or from car window, I often ask our server if there is anything they would like for us to pray for them about while we're saying thanks-to-God before our meal. We have had so many unique and precious responses. They range from surprise… delight… instant tears and confession… some will bring friends & fellow servers over to talk… others share deep concerns for close family members facing cancer & other health issues… one girl’s husband had left them, house caught fire and burned 1 week later, needed a place for her and 3 kids, & we were able to help… broken family relationships… straying from God… seeking a local church… single-pregnant-no one knows-alone-? what to do next… some have asked questions… found answers & have asked Christ to become boss of their life…& still other times> silent shock. Some will tell us and hurry off… some hold hands with us as we pray… others ask us to wait and please talk at their break time. People have asked, “How you able to get folks to talk about their relationship with God so easily?” I give them my complicated, highly technical formula…Lol… I simply ask them to, “Tell me about your relationship with God.” And they tell me. It’s that simple… but we have to open the door. We don’t have to blast a horn… or push our beliefs… but we do need to do is show the respect, concern and compassion Christ had so that people can see Jesus through us. Let’s keep on lifting Jesus up… The word says, When He is lifted up… ALL men will be drawn unto Him!!! Hallelujah!!!  

Looking Back

I remember when I was in college... feeling stressed about finals and graduation... scraping the bottom financially... wondering how I would support myself... making a commitment to spend the rest of my life committed to one person... wondering what life would be like in 5-10 years... what a comfort it was when a friend took me to the side and told me that, 

"YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS... ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THAT GOD HOLDS TOMORROW!!!"

He was right. It was a comfort then to realize that simple truth and apply it... and it has been a constant comfort for the last 45 years since... and it will be for as many more years as God gifts me with life.

-- David Guinn

Happy in the Hallway

God can see things that you can't see. Everything may not make sense right now... but one day... when God's whole plan unfolds... you will understand... and you will rejoice over what God has been up to. Why wait until "Someday" to rejoice? While you are waiting for that door of understanding to open... rejoice with me in the hallway!!! -- David Guinn & the happy hallway crowd.

Attitude

God has promised that if you remain faithful and obedient... He will take what has been done to cause you harm... and reconstruct it it for your good. So Shake-off any attitude of self-pity... any attitude of anger... any attitude of resentment... any attitude of revenge... or any attitude of bitterness. Your attitude should be... "I am not going to blame anybody else! Nobody owes me anything! I am anointed, equipped, and empowered by Almighty God. It is not over until God says it is over! He promises He will work things out for my good if I remain faithful and obedient. Since I have done my part... I know SOMETHING GOOD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN... cause my God ALWAYS has the final word!!!"

Worry

"Don’t be anxious (or worry) about anything… but in EVERY situation… by prayer and petition, with 'thanksgiving'… present your requests to God" Philippians 4:6. 

If financial debt seemingly overwhelms you… prayer can bring the change to relieve the pressure. If there are family conflicts/relationships that plague you… prayer can usher in the answer of peace & forgiveness. If you have knocked on every door for a job... or a better job… prayer can make a way where there seems to be no way. If you need healing… prayer can bring the touch of the Great Physician. If your marriage needs repair… prayer can restore the commitment & love needed to strengthen your marriage. Worried about the upcoming election… do your part and vote… but prayer will bring the answer of needed leadership! Prayer changes EVERYTHING! I encourage you to begin/or increase your life of prayer… presenting your requests to God in faith. Please remember to also pray for others. God hears your prayers!

"In the day of trouble I will call to you, O Lord, for you WILL answer me." Psalm 86:7

ENCOURAGEMENT...

I watched as a little boy trotted to home plate to take his first bat ever in a T-Ball game. He picked up the bat... almost as big as he was... and took a mighty swing. In fact he swung so hard his momentum swung him all the way around and he fell down.

Unfortunately, the ball was still on the tee. His dad walked over to him and said, “You missed the ball.” The young boys face became filled with disappointment. However, the dad followed up with... “but that was an awesome swing. I believe you will hit a home run with your next swing”! The young boys face was filled with a big smile and he beamed confidence after those words of ENCOURAGEMENT!

William Arthur Ward said, "Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you."

Don’t forget. Even in a world of oppression, injustice, suffering, heartache, disappointment, discouragement, etc. Real encouragement, real joy, real happiness, real fulfillment, real peace is GOD IN YOU.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,

Just when I falter, just when I fear;

Ready to help me, ready to cheer,

Just when I need Him most.

Be an ENCOURAGER to someone today.

Have a "Blessed" day!!!

Expectations

We can so quickly mis-judge someone's salvation because they spoke a curse word… or drank alcohol… or slipped in one way or another. Do we expect all Christians to walk a religious tight rope perfectly and never once stumble? Do we walk perfectly? 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "The Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." We need to ‘see’ others as Jesus sees them… we need to ‘love’ those around us like Jesus loves them… and we need to let God do the rest. Live in God’s love. Look at other people through God’s lenses of love. This is how you walk in the light of His love… this is what pleases God. Maturity takes time. We should not judge a person’s total character based on one action. Instead of jumping to conclusions… & expecting instantaneous perfection… focus on loving… excepting… encouraging… and allow God to love through you!!!

Names

A person has... 3 NAMES.

First... you have the family name you inherit.

Second... you have the name your parents give you at birth.

Third.. you have the name you "make for yourself".

WARNING... BEWARE:

DOUBT KILLS more DREAMS... than FAILURE ever will!!!
Solution: Step out in Faith... quote over and over out loud, "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world"... and attempt what you know God has called you to do. You do not necessarily need to know what tomorrow holds... all you need to know is that God is holding tomorrow! The great missionary William Carey said, "Attempt great things for God... Expect great things from God."

Were your Mom & Dad mean?

Mine sure were. We had the meanest mother & father in the whole world!

While other kids ate candy for breakfast… we had to have healthy stuff like cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch… we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too. 

Mom & Dad insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were convicts in a prison. They had to know who our friends were… and what we were doing with them. They insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour… we would be gone for an hour or less. 

We were ashamed to admit it, but they had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, empty the trash and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think they would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do. 

They always insisted on us telling the truth… the whole truth… and nothing but the truth. By the time we were teenagers they could read our minds.

Then, life was really tough! Mom & Dad wouldn't let our friend’s just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so she could meet them. While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16. 

On Sundays there was no question whether we would get up & go to church or stay home. They took us to church whenever the doors opened… they taught us to love God… love others… and love ourselves… and then they often stayed to say good bye to the last person at church. Then they expected us live out what we learned at church. 

Because of our Mom & Dad we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other's property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all their fault. 

Now that we have left home, we are all educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents just like Mom & Dad were. I think that is what's wrong with the world today. It just doesn't have enough of the right kind of mean Moms & Dads.

 Blessings on you!

Ministry is...

"Ministry is giving when you feel like keeping, praying for others when you need to be prayed for, feeding others when your own soul is hungry, living truth before people even when you can’t see results, hurting with other people even when your own hurt can’t be spoken, keeping your word even when it is not convenient, it is being faithful when your flesh wants to run away."
-- John A. Holt

Here is a suggestion for this Sunday...

Show-up at church... Be early... SMILE... GREET everyone you encounter... SING praises as if God was the only audience... PRAY like the sermon depended on you... LISTEN intently to what the Lord says. EXPECT to be ACCEPTED in the fellowship... LIFTED by the music... CHALLENGED by the message... CHANGED by God. Then... you'll be ready to GO... & TELL the world how BLESSED you are... and HOW GREAT YOUR GOD IS!

When do we start?

After two years of applications... months of talking... praying... being commissioned... and prayed for... the little missionary family was finally arriving in Liberia. The airport at Monrovia, they said, is something like 60 miles out from the city... and they arrived in the middle of the night. They awakened their 6-year-old daughter and dad lifted her into his arms. As they stepped off the plane and stared into the darkest night they had ever seen, the little girl said, "Daddy, are we going to tell the people about Jesus tonight? Or... are we going to wait until in the morning?"

Remember...

Remember... when your wealth is gone... you have lost little. When your health is gone... you have lost more. But when your character is gone... you have lost nearly everything. God assures you that if you will keep your trust in Him... He will always make a way for you even though it looks like there is no way. He will give you strength for every battle... guidance for every choice... wisdom for every decision... and strength to carry-on faithfully. Make up your mind today that nothing that life throws your way is going to alter your commitment to God. For that commitment to God... is what gives real meaning to your life!!!