http://iamsecond.com

[Travis mendel]

So I just stumbled across this website;

I don't know that much about them, but aesthetically and from a production value standpoint it is well put together. It appears that they have people's life stories who have been changed by God. Some famous, some not so famous.

A few things that I was instantly wondering about however. If the creators of this website, of this movement are wanting to "share" the gospel and tell how God has changed his or her life and can do that for you... I think that was the 90's and is over- saturated! I am personally tired of "hearing" about Jesus, I want to see Jesus living in your life! Is it just me, or do you get the same feeling? Isn't that basically what corporate America is saying more or less, that the church is full of hypocrites? Lastly - Yes, life with God is good, and "CAN" bring goodness and success into your life, but that doesn't mean it is a guarantee. Sure I don't want to be poor either, but I am also tired of hearing about how much better life is once you have accepted Christ. In my bible, it always seemed to me, that Paul and Jesus and few other of those guys' lives became a lot worse- WAAAAY worse, but it was WORTH it when compared to and for Christ.

Just wondering if you have heard of this movement and what your thoughts are.
Cheers from Germany
Travis

[David Hackett]

I admire the Iamsecond series a lot and think it's excellently done. I have to say that some may think that words are not enough, or that directly stated evangelism is from the '90s - but all over the world I'm tracking with people who are encountering through these kinds of testimonies a kind and quality of life that they never thought possible, and are coming to faith in Christ.

Now, do I also think that actions demo-ing Jesus are powerful? Of course. I've long promoted what I call the "both barrels of the shotgun" approach which if you'll pardon the firearm analogy, does a good job of saying we need BOTH the max verbal and the max demo-ed kinds of witness in the world today.

[Clyde Taber]

Travis,
I know some of the folks behind this. Very solid peeps.
CT

[Travis mendel]

did you read this post because of what I wrote on Phil cooke's facebook comment?? :)
Yeah I think your right, and what I think, perhaps I hang onto too much, is that I'm tired of hearing words and want to hear and see more actions! Although who am I too judge. I agree that we are ALL hypocrites; 100%! That's why I do my best to not judge other sinner's! I just also wonder what the difference is between God's promises of fulfillment, joy, prosperity and "good things" and the American churches promise of fulfillment, joy, prosperity and "good things"!

[Paul e Luebbers]

Travis,

I agree that the Bible does not promise an easier life once we choose to follow him (picking up our cross and following Jesus doesn't sound like a "fun time")...still, I don't think that means we are not supposed to stop sharing what God has done for us here and now. I think hearing someone's testimony is a powerful way to share the Gospel and IAMSECOND captures these testimonies in an amazingly powerful way. I don't see this being a "90's"thing at all. Believers have been sharing their testimonies for 2000 years. Still I agree we do need to make sure we follow up our words with actions that support what we say (book of James). This is where we fall short many of the times.

BTW...I believe all humans are hypocrites. Unbelievers just use that as a cop out and a way to not really deal with who God is. All humans tend to say one thing and then do another...it's part of our nature.

okay...i need to get back to work...thanks for the post Travis!