All posts tagged Prayer requests

Here We Go Again!

by Alpha Omega Institute on May 16, 2013 in Nuttings from the Front with No comments

 

Hail ice ballYep, here we go again. Mary Jo & I are in Texas for a homeschool conference. Yesterday morning, we were in Waco, Texas, heading for San Antonio.  Can you believe it, a big tornado was hitting just north of us.  One system was heading for Waco.  A thunderstorm nearby had dropped hail ice balls the size of a soft ball –  that is 4 inches in diameter.   The picture is what I snapped off of the TV report.

Sure hope these storms don’t hit any closer! Reminds me of Revelations 16:21 in the Bible, where it warns of huge hail stones of about 100 pounds each coming down from heaven! Softball size hail is big enough, but can you imagine hail stones 50 times larger?

So why did I say, “Here we go again”?  Well dodging tornadoes is what we did a couple of years ago when we were driving from San Antonio, Texas, to Missouri. We dodged tornadoes at Austin, Texas, through Oklahoma and managed to get through Joplin just two hours before the big tornado demolished much of that city. (See our blog called “Ducking the Tornadoes.”)

It looks like strong storms will be with us for the next several days, so we don’t know what to expect.  Please keep us in prayer for a successful conference in San Antonio, as well as the weather.

 

Dave & Mary Jo Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

A Primary Intent….To Reach The Lost

by Alpha Omega Institute on May 10, 2013 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

 

Just ThinkingAs I reflected on my last speaking trip to California, a couple of thoughts stood out in my mind.

A pastor from Eureka, CA, asked if I did debates or if I was, instead,  just interested in teaching on a university campus.  I informed him that I was not interested in debates, but I was interested in teaching and dialoging about scientific ideas.

The primary reason I hate debates is that people who disagree with my ideas, on the origin of life and the universe, are not my enemies.  I love those people and so does God.  God actually loves them so much that He died for their sins, so He could have a close relationship with them.  I would sooner be seen as a fool, so they can have a close relationship with the God of creation, than win any debate.  Debates have the atmosphere of a battle, or war.  I am not at war with flesh and blood.  My enemy is much more powerful and resides in a different realm.  I see people who reject God’s Word and His plan of salvation as victims of a masterful deception.  This concept does not come from my own thoughts, but from the Word of God.

I spoke at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, CA, this last trip.  We had a good turnout, but only people favorable to my ideas seemed to have attended.  This was in a way sad.  Please do not get me wrong, I was very glad they attended, but I knew where most of them will spend eternity (in heaven).

It was very good to encourage and edify the saints, but what about all those who have rejected God and His salvation?  Where will they spend eternity? This I felt was the matter at hand.  Evolution is the number one reason why people reject God’s love.  My teaching at the university was not so much a discussion about evolution and creation, but more about where we will spend eternity.  What was sad is that those who would disagree with me did not even attend, so they could learn about my arguments for Genesis and creation, and be able to dialog about creation/evolution and the scientific concepts in Genesis.  They don’t seem to be concerned about their eternal state.  I pray for these people and I hope you do to.

 

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

Geology Field Trip 2013

by Alpha Omega Institute on April 9, 2013 in Nuttings from the Front with No comments

 

Once again, I’m with another group of energetic and fun-loving Bible college students from Jackson, Wyoming, on a geology field trip for the better part of 2 weeks (24 students and 15 staff).  Some of these high energy students (usually the guys) like to climb on anything they find, and showoff how close they can get to the edge.

As you can see from the picture below, that could be a deadly mistake. Sandstone tends to be undercut. If one would walk out to the edge without knowing this, the already cracked slab and the unfortunate person on it would likely fall over 1000 feet straight down to their death below. So, one of the very first things I warn those students before they have the opportunity to try their wings is, “WATCH OUT and don’t get close to the edge!”

Today, a woman who happened to overhear my talks on the rim told me she wouldn’t have enough nerve to take college students to places like this. Since she was a college professor, she knows the nature of the breed.

We not only warn and point out hazards, but also do a lot of praying and careful watching. This group is doing great and is taking the warning seriously. For that, we as the staff are very thankful. So please pray with us for safety on this trip, and also for the educational and spiritual results as these students see first-hand evidence for the Flood of Noah’s day.

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

Creation in Mexican Drug and Rehab Centers

by Alpha Omega Institute on January 3, 2013 in Nuttings from the Front with No comments

 

Two of the locations where Mary Jo & I had opportunity to speak while in Mexico last month were at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. Both of these facilities were “lock up” facilities, meaning that the people in there were not allowed to leave. These centers were last chance facilities in lieu of actually being put in prison.

In other words, we had a captive audience for the creation and Gospel message. Of course, while we were there, we were also locked in close quarters with them. As some of them looked like pretty rough dudes, we were very happy that the crowd was quite attentive and responded quite well to what we were saying. There was also quite a mixed group from two 10-12 year old boys, several young ladies, and men up to at least 50 years old.

The message we gave was definitely a creation verses evolution message (What’s the Evidence?). It was coupled with the fact that they are not the products of accidents. Instead they are uniquely created in the image of God. Some of these men and women have been told that, or at least have thought, they are worthless. However, they responded well to knowing that they are important to God since they were created by Him. Questions after the presentation continued for quite some time afterwards. One of the men, who was actually originally from California, told me that the presentation was so very important. He said that what I had presented “blew my mind.” The last time I heard that exact phrase used by a participant was many years ago. It was from a “former” atheist who had heard Mary Jo & I speak 7 years prior. The former atheist, who had become a deacon in his church, asked if we knew what we were doing. He then said, “You guys are running around the country blowing people’s minds. (PTL! And Lord, allow us to keep doing that!)

We certainly hope and pray that these men and women who were at these rehabilitation centers, find this material, and a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to be a real spiritual “mind-blowing experience” and that they can be set free from their addictions which physically “blow their minds.”

 

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

Creation in Mexico

by Alpha Omega Institute on December 6, 2012 in Nuttings from the Front with No comments

 

Mary Jo & I are “on vacation,” but, as you can see, we are in the midst of speaking on Creation vs. Evolution at several locations in Mexico. (What better thing to do on vacation? And yes, we will get some good R&R time!) On the right is Mary Jo giving evidence for creation and the problems with evolution through our Spanish translator to a group of 75 people who have congregated to hear about this issue on a Saturday afternoon. I wonder how many in the States would give up a prime shopping day on a Saturday just prior to Christmas to hear the truth. These people are hungry to hear the other side of the issue.

Actually, evolution is being taught in most places around the world. AOI speaking staff has now had opportunity to speak in about 30 countries around the world and has found that evolution is just as much an issue in these countries as in the States. We also find that there is good interest in Creation in virtually all the places we have gone.

We are thankful to be able to bring the message of Creation and the difficulties with evolution to people anywhere we are asked to go.  This is a big world, and our limited staff can only go to a small part of it. We need many more people to take this message far and wide! On this trip, we have given seminars/presentations to 3 different groups and still have more to do including a 3 day seminar at a large church. Already this week, 4 individuals told us they desire to be trained to help spread the message. We have been formulating how best to expand AOI’s training program and to do this in light of limited finances –  both AOI’s and those who wish to have the training. Pray with us for wisdom to find the best way to move forward.

 

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

“Portraits” from a University Campus

by Alpha Omega Institute on November 29, 2012 in Nuttings from the Front with No comments

 

Presenting creation programs on a university campus brings out a variety of students with different backgrounds, different perspectives, and different motivations for coming. It’s quite a challenge to meet these varying needs in one presentation. That’s why we are glad for the Q&A time and one-on-one time before and after the presentations. Here are some “portraits” from just 2 nights of recent university presentations:

 

  • Twenty-year old history major – grew up in a “fundamental evangelical” church – now claiming to be an evolutionist – looking for something “new”—almost seems he is crying, “Convince me.”
  • Middle age man – going back to school to become a middle-school science teacher – church member – taking a class on Evolution vs. Creation – coming to learn more about creation model
  • Biology major – also in the Evolution vs. Creation class – identifies himself as an evolutionist — polite and attentive  — has questions about science and the Bible
  • Graduate student – says as he comes in, “I don’t know why I’m here. Maybe morbid curiosity.” – Lots of objections to creation – leaves halfway through presentation
  • Biology student – also in the Evolution vs. Creation class — says he believes in God – asks some penetrating questions – later says he likes playing the “devil’s advocate”
  • Young man – identified by his smile – lights came on for him when he came to our presentations last year – now a happy and devoted follower of Jesus

 

We plant, others water, but the Lord brings the harvest. Please join us in praying for these students, that God would bring forth abundant fruit from the seeds that have been planted. Pray too, for those who diligently work and witness and build relationships on campus throughout the school year.

 

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing.  Thanks for your partnership.

Be like an Aspen Leaf

by Alpha Omega Institute on July 17, 2012 in Nuttings from the Front with No comments

Good friends of ours were visiting with us recently. While up on the Grand Mesa, she was walking and praying in a beautiful area with a lot of beautiful Quaking Aspen trees. Quaking Aspens derive its name from the fact that the leaves quiver at the slightest breeze. Her prayer that morning was that she and all of her household, as well as the families at AOI, would be like the Aspen, and that we would be sensitive to the slightest movement of the spirit of God, going in whatever direction He wishes for us. She said that the greatest part of all this, is that this is exactly what God wants for us, as well.

As I think about what she shared, I would think that that is a wonderful prayer for each of us and for those reading this. Be like an Aspen leaf – ready to move at His movement. Not ahead of him, not behind Him, but with Him.

 

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

Junior Rodeo Bible Camp

by Alpha Omega Institute on June 19, 2012 in Johnsons from the Front with No comments

Following the Senior Rodeo Bible Camp and the Pee-Wee Rodeo Bible Camp in Johnstown, NE., Marilyn and I were able to teach for three more days at the Junior Camp (ages 10 to 12 years old).

These kids, like the kids of the other two camps, were very serious about learning new skills and improving the skills they already had. Most of the kids were in riding events of some kind, which included: Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, Break-Away Calf Roping, Calf Tying, and Goat Tying. Most participated as well in Dummy Roping.

This age group was not allowed to ride the “rough” stock of bucking bulls, bucking bare-back horses, or bucking saddle broncos; however, the boys were allowed to try to ride a bucking calf.

Another competition was also taking place in the Senior and Junior camps – scripture memorization. Some of the campers competed for the grand prize of a very beautiful hand-tooled custom saddle. To win this prize, they had to recite from memory Romans 12 through 15 without stopping! Only one saddle prize is given at each camp, and this year two sisters (one in Senior Camp, and the other in Junior Camp) won the saddles.

Others were given prizes based on how many, of 25 bible verses, they could quote. They had to get at least 12 verses to receive a prize … the more verses, the better the prize.

What a wonderful opportunity we were given to be able to share the truth of the Bible and Jesus with all of these campers. Our greatest joy was to witness many put their faith and trust in Jesus for the first time. At Senior Camp… 3 gave their life to Christ, at Pee-Wee Camp… 8 campers were saved, and at Junior Camp… 20 put their faith in Jesus and 10 others re-dedicated to the Lord. What a blessing to be able to see God at work in all of these kids lives. Pray that they will continue to grow in their faith as new-born Christians.

 

Lanny Johnson

 

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

“My Church Beat Me Up”

by Alpha Omega Institute on May 2, 2012 in Johnsons from the Front with No comments

“You forgot to talk about ‘panspermia’ when you talked about the options about where we come from,” challenged a teenager after a Creation Science Fellowship meeting in New Mexico.

I explained to him that panspermia was just a variation on evolution … because there is no true evidence for life beginning by itself here upon the earth, panspermia was proposed as a theory that life on earth originated from organisms coming from outer space.

He then shared that he enjoyed my presentation on “The Miracle of Life,” and it had given him some things to think about. He went on to admit that he was really struggling in what to believe about evolution or Creation.

My next question to him was, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?”After a long pause he stated, “I used to, but now … no I don’t believe in Jesus.”  “What do you mean, ‘you used to’?”, I asked?

“The church I go to has really beaten me up. They keep teaching that the church is the authority and not the Bible. I don’t know who to trust. I am really confused.” I asked him what church he attended, and by his answer, I then knew why he was so confused. Not only does this church teach it is authority, but it also teaches that evolution is true.

Unfortunately, all of us at AOI have met many youth struggling with the same issues. Tragically, it is not just the outside worldview they are in a battle with, but many times that battle rages on within the church.

My advice and challenge to that young man … don’t put your trust in a religion; rather put it in the Word of God – into a personal relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ. Start reading and studying the Bible and go to a Bible believing church. Recognize all the artwork that is rampant in the books, movies, magazines, and museums is just that – ARTWORK! Then with an open mind begin asking, “What’s the Evidence?” Hopefully he will then be led to the Truth of Jesus Christ our Creator (Col. 1:16)

 

Lanny Johnson

 

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

The Birth of the Genesis Project

by Alpha Omega Institute on May 1, 2012 in Stepaneks from the Front with No comments

The idea for the Genesis Project started years ago in Africa.  It all began when Lanny and I traveled to Africa a few months after 9/11 to teach about creation and the new age movement.  It was during the last few days of our one month tour and we were finishing up in Johannesburg, South Africa.

It was Saturday night and we were approached by an elder from the church where we were teaching the next morning.  He informed us that his pastor did not want us to teach, but to preach.  Preach only from the Bible, and leave our creation slides at the motel, he said.  We informed the elder we are not preachers, but teachers.  He was not impressed.  The order was to preach from the Bible or stay home.

After the elder left, we contemplated what we should do.  Lanny had the bright idea to preach what we teach.  We taught creation, and where do you find creation?  That’s right, it is taught in Genesis!  Lanny said he would preach on Genesis chapter one and two and for me to preach on chapter three.  That was our plan.  After the preaching on Genesis, a lady was saved!  The pastor was surprised.  Never before had anybody trusted Jesus Christ by the preaching of Genesis!

Then in 2008, I was invited to come to India and teach creation.  The first year I taught primarily the scientific evidence for creation.  The second year, I discovered my teaching was ‘going over the heads’ of most of my students.  They did not understand some of the scientific information.  Most of them were taught evolution, and many believed in some form of evolution. There had to be a better way to teach these scientific concepts.

I realized that most, if not all, the students had Bibles.  So again, I turned to Genesis.  This they could understand.  All I did was add the scientific information as I taught through the book of Genesis.  Because what we observe today is what the Bible has been telling us for thousands of years. They understood!  They were overjoyed to discover that Genesis and creation were true!  Because of the hunger to know the truth, we at AOI are now in the process of putting the Genesis Series  down in writing as well as on DVD’s.  So stay tuned for further developments.

 

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events page or our donate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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