COMPELLED TO TELL

NEW BOOK RELEASE

Compelled To Tell: A Fascinating Journey From A New York Dead-End Street To A Lifetime Of Ministry And Soul-Winning

By Claire H. Goodwin

Available Now Through PayPal

IS THIS WHAT IT WILL TAKE?

Valuable treasures...that's what they are! You've seen them. Maybe you know one. Maybe you are one. I do know that they are rare. I suppose that's what makes them so valuable. But what a pity it is that there are not more.

What will it take to increase the number of dedicated, sold-out, genuinely consecrated Christians in our churches?

Today we visited a place that seemed to have the answer--not the answer most would want.

We are in Bartlesville, Oklahoma this week holding revival at the Revivaltime Outreach Center, and had the privilege of driving over to the huge facility belonging to the Voice of The Martyrs. What a heart-stirring experience it was.

 I took a few pictures to share with you. They say it all. After you view them, you will know what produced dedication and evangelism that is almost unheard of in our part of the world.

THE GRANDMA WHO BELONGED TO ANOTHER WORLD

THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN HIGH-TRIPLE-DIGIT OUTSIDE so you can be certain we are ready for some cool air. No doubt our friendly 2006 Chevy Equinox knows exactly where to go. Sure enough--- this “Red Salsa” swings around a curve and pulls into another Texas mall.

WHO KNOWS WHAT OPPORTUNITY IS HIDDEN BEHIND THOSE HUGE GLASS DOORS? I HAVE THE FEELING THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.

As senior citizens, we know our need to exercise more so we frequently make use of mall walking space. But don’t’ think that is the main reason we are here. One look and your vision is filled with shoppers and walkers from all over the world. The Lord must surely agree when we transpose His command into “Go ye into all the malls…” for all the world has now appeared within their walls.   

I LEARNED TO LEAVE MY HUGE PURSE AT HOME and instead use this unique lightweight, over the shoulder bag that has about four zippered pockets to hold my variety of gospel tracts. One pocket gets international and specialty tracts, in different languages, or for specific religions. Another holds my small business card type tracts like the great Man-Card tract and the ones I get free from the online Bezeugen Tract Club. Another holds my million dollar tracts and larger sized gospel tracts. I save the back for my personal items.

NO ONE IS SITTING ON THAT BENCH. 

Let’s just stop here and leave a million dollars! It is always interesting to look back and see who picks it up after you walk away. Each tract is a gospel seed planted.

BOB SEES A SOLDIER SEATED IN A SMALL SIDE AREA and heads over to him engaging him in conversation and leaving a ManCard in his hand. The friendly smile of appreciation for just being thanked means a lot. We often try to express appreciation to military people and offer them the gospel.

I leave a few more million dollars along the way hoping for an opportunity to converse with someone.

After walking steadily for awhile we find a sitting area where others are also relaxing in the comfortable coolness of the mall.

MY EYES ARE DRAWN TO A LADY SEATED ACROSS FROM US.

She seems to be staring at a card and not moving. What is she doing? Her long flowing, colorful dress, and uniquely twisted head wrap appears to belong to another world.

She is still looking at that small card and now her lips appear to be slightly moving. Is she praying? Looking closer I realize that she is holding a prayer card with the picture of either Mary, or some other saint on the back. 

ALMOST HIDDEN IN THE FOLDS OF HER MODEST DRESS ARE BEADS OF VARIOUS COLORS---a long strand of beads. I conclude that they must be rosary beads and continue to pray that the Lord will allow me to speak to this lady.

Having been to Kenya, East Africa, and associating with people there makes me suspect that this is an African lady—not a young one, but perhaps a grandma.

THIS IS MY MOMENT.

While she is still seated there I get up and walk over to her with a smile and kneel down beside her as she turns her eyes toward me with curiosity.

“Who is this woman and why is she kneeling here?” I’m sure she wondered.

“HELLO,” I SAY, AND QUIETLY WHISPER, “ARE YOU PRAYING?”

“Yes,” is her quick response as she shows me her prayer card and tells me that she always prays.

“DO YOU KNOW JESUS?”

She becomes exuberant, and her face becomes one large grin. She knows about Jesus.

I tell her, “Jesus loves you.”

Her gentle brown skinned face nods in agreement as I tell her how Jesus died for her sins, and that He is the only One who has the power to forgive her and to save her.

“DO YOU KNOW THAT JESUS WANTS YOU TO TALK TO HIM? HE IS WAITING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE TALK TO HIM.”

Although she has been earnestly talking to someone else in her prayers, she seems to be receiving the words I am speaking to her.

“You can talk to Jesus! He will listen to you. You don’t have to ask someone else to talk to Jesus for you.”

“Are you from Africa?” I ask.

“Yes, from Lagos, Nigeria.” She is anxious to tell me that she is here visiting family and will soon return to Nigeria.

MY HEART REACHES OUT TO HER, WANTING SO MUCH TO MAKE THE GOSPEL CLEAR TO HER, BUT TIME IS SO LIMITED.

So I turn to another tool that I have tucked away in that little over-the-shoulder bag---the JESUS DVD that is used all over Africa and other mission fields to present the whole story of Jesus to Muslims, and others, concluding with a wonderful invitation to come to Christ for salvation.

“I am so happy to meet you,“  I tell her as she reaches to touch my arm expressing her thankfulness that I came over to talk with her.

“I HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GIFT THAT I WANT TO GIVE YOU TO TAKE BACK TO NIGERIA WITH YOU.” 

I hand her the DVD and explain that it is the story of Jesus, and is in English, as well as some African languages.

This dear lady seems overjoyed to receive my little gift, and my heart is filled with thanksgiving that I could present even this much of the gospel to her. It was with smiles and handshakes that we parted and went on our way.

She may listen to that story of Jesus and receive Him as her own personal Savior. She may let others listen to it also, and who knows how many may be touched, through that little meeting in the center of that Texas mall. Thank you Lord!

DO YOU KNOW THAT A MALL SOMEWHERE IS WAITING FOR YOU? NOT TO SHOP, BUT TO GO ON A SPECIAL MISSION FOR THE MASTER! GO AND DO IT! YOU CAN

IT HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 70

I WAS ON MY WAY TO SPEAK AT A CHURCH IN OHIO WHEN I SUDDENLY HAD THIS FEELING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

My foot went to the brake to slow down, just as the minivan I was driving began to shudder and jerk and steer out of control.

“Jesus, help me!” I cried out, and struggled to guide the van past speeding vehicles to get to the side of the road.

When I was able to stop in a safe spot I sighed with relief and said, “Thank you, Lord!”

WHAT WAS WRONG? WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

I got out and saw a long rod protruding out of the rear wheel area and a wheel spinning around on the end of it. Not being mechanically inclined I had no idea what it was.

FOR THE MOMENT I WAS GLAD I WAS SAFE, AND THANKFUL TO THE LORD THAT JUST THE NIGHT BEFORE SOMEONE GAVE ME MY FIRST CELL PHONE, SO I WAS ABLE TO CALL FOR HELP.

It would be about an hour before my help could arrive at my location. There I stood on the side of the road on busy interstate seventy in Pennsylvania, all dressed up for church. There was no place to sit as the hillside rose straight up and I didn’t want to sit in the van with all the traffic passing so fast. So I stood there watching and waiting when the Lord spoke to my heart.

LOOK AT ALL THESE VEHICLES FILLED WITH PEOPLE… 

FLYING BY… 

MOST OF THEM SPEEDING ON THEIR WAY TO HELL.

“Lord,” I said, “I have a whole hour to wait. Send some people that I can witness to while I wait.”

 I reached into the van and grabbed a handful of Gospel tracts, stuck them in my pocket, and situated myself in a visible spot, “looking as helpless” as I could look.

Well, it didn’t take long.

First a white van stopped. It was filled with ladies and they were concerned about my situation. I thanked them and told them help was on the way and gave Gospel tracts.

Next came a guy on a motorcycle who said he was a Marine. He said my axle had dropped and it looked bad. I thanked him for stopping and said, “I thank the Lord I am safe, and that He watched out for me, getting me my first cell phone just last night, so I could call for help.  Do you know anything about a God like that?  He mumbled something and I offered him the Gospel Tract that would tell him all about that God, and how He could give him Salvation and eternal life in heaven. He received it and went on his way.

Then a farm truck stopped and the kind farmer was worried about me waiting on such a dangerous highway. I assured him that help was coming and started to talk to him about the Lord. He was very receptive and also took the tract as he left.

GOD WAS ANSWERING MY PRAYER! PEOPLE WERE STOPPING! BUT THIS NEXT ONE WAS THE REAL REASON WHY THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED.

I will always believe that God planned it just for this person. He was travelling in the opposite direction and saw me standing there across the highway, drove down to the exit and came back on my side offering his help.

As he examined this fallen axle I began to tell him how the Lord was so good, that He had taken care of me, protected me, got me this cell phone just last night so I could call for help…”Do you know anything about this kind of God?” I asked.

He was a young man about 25 years old. He stood up and said, “Yes, I know about Him.” 

“Really? What do you know about Him?” I asked.

“Well I used to go to church all the time.”

I COULD ALREADY SENSE THAT GOD WAS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING GREAT.

“Where did you go?” I inquired.

“My father is the pastor. It’s a Pentecostal church.

“Well, I’m Pentecostal too. Don’t you go to church now?”

“No, I haven’t gone for a long time now.”

“You mean you are a backslider, drifted away from the Lord?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he admitted. I was praying and could feel the Spirit of God stirring inside of me to reach this young man.

“OH, MY FRIEND, YOU ARE THE REASON THIS HAPPENED TO ME!

God allowed this so you would stop here and I could talk with you. He loves you so much that He has sent me to tell you it is time to repent and get back to God. You don’t need to continue down this road that leads to destruction.  Right now you can come to the Lord and find forgiveness and a brand new start.  Isn’t it time you made things right with God?”

By this time things had become very serious.
Tears were already whelming up in his eyes.
He responded with his head bowed,
acknowledging his need for God.

Right there on I-70 I laid my hand on his head and prayed earnestly for him, as cars and trucks sped by.

He called on the Lord for forgiveness and made an altar right there, surrendering once again to Jesus.

With tears and thankfulness he finally went on his way to a new beginning with the Lord.

WOW! WHO COULD HAVE FORESEEN HOW THIS VEHICLE FAILURE WOULD TURN INTO A CAMP MEETING IN HEAVEN WITH ANGELS REJOICING! FOR THE BELIEVER, ALL THINGS DO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!

How great are the tender mercies of the Lord, ever reaching out for one more soul. I have no doubt that his Pentecostal father and mother had been praying, “Lord save our boy.” 

It is amazing to see what great lengths God will go to in order to answer those earnest  prayers, even letting an axle drop to make one more soul drop to their knees.

If you are praying for a lost loved one, don’t quit.

Keep on interceding. God will move.

IT IS HIS WILL!

He moves Red Seas, fish, and axles

to meet the needs of His children.

THIS ACCOUNT IS TAKEN FROM THE BOOK

REACH THEM ONE BY ONE

By

CLAIRE H. GOODWIN

Purchase the book today and let the Lord awaken a new burden to reach the lost within your heart. The harvest is great and the laborers are few.  

Will you answer his call to be a soul winner?

A DOG’S TEETH AROUND MY ANKLE

IF YOU EVER WONDER WHERE YOU CAN FIND SOMEONE TO WITNESS TO—just go out of your door and down the street…knocking on each door and greeting the people.  

I recall a Christian man who had just retired after thirty years at his job. He said that his only regret was that no one knew that he was a Christian!

30 YEARS!!

HOW WILL HE ANSWER TO GOD FOR THAT FAILURE
TO BE A WITNESS?

Could it be that some of your own neighbors would someday
stand up and witness against you?

 “YOU WORKED WITH ME ALL THOSE YEARS,
 BUT NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT JESUS.”

SOME PEOPLE ARE INTIMIDATED by the Great Commission where Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

“How can I go into all the world? I can hardly go out of my town.” “I don’t have the ability or money to travel to all the world.” 

I wonder what the Lord thinks about such responses to His call to every Christian! How about bringing it down to your level? “Go ye into one square mile around your house and preach the Gospel.” 

HAVE YOU DONE THAT?

WHERE THERE IS A WILLINGNESS TO OBEY
 THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT!

Some experiences can be unforgettable like this one.

Sometimes I would knock on doors in the daytime, but sometimes it was in the dark of the night. That was how it was the time no one answered the front door of a 31st street house. I had always taught others not to give up, but to try another door. Maybe they don’t use that first door. So I bravely headed around toward the back of this house.

IN THE MOONLIGHT I SAW SOMETHING
 THAT STARTLED ME. 

A distance away was a large dog. He growled...and then suddenly leaped at me. My heart almost stopped until I saw that he was chained and jerked to a full stop after a few feet.

Feeling safe I stepped up on the porch. Next came an unwanted revelation. That chain was merely caught on a rock, and now that dog came flying at me, leaping past the rock and setting his teeth around my ankle. 

I could not move. There I stood looking down as my prayers started going up.

“Nice doggy, in Jesus’ name let me loose. Nice doggy, let go in Jesus name” I quietly and prayerfully intoned to his perked up ears.

WHEN HE FINALLY DID LET GO, IT ONLY TOOK A SPLIT SECOND FOR ME TO PUSH THROUGH THAT DOOR AND INTO THE KITCHEN OF A VERY SHOCKED STRANGER. 

“I am so sorry, “I explained to the lady, catching my breath. “Your dog had his teeth around my ankle, and this was my only escape. Please forgive me!”

We both laughed with relief. I was safe, and this was not a home invasion, and I was not a thief breaking into her house.

As crazy as it all seemed, as the situation unfolded, somehow the Lord turned even this around into a great opportunity to witness to this lady.

THIS ACCOUNT IS TAKEN FROM THE BOOK

REACH THEM ONE BY ONE by

CLAIRE H. GOODWIN

GOD FOUND THE THRIFT STORE MAN

I am overwhelmed with joy at the blessing
God gave me today!

We stopped in a little thrift store just to browse and as I was paying for a purchase I noticed a man walk in the door. He was dressed shabbily and had the appearance of a homeless person. It didn’t take much to realize the man had little. 

I felt like I wanted to help him in some way, so as I put my change away I grabbed a couple of dollars and then pulled out of my purse a very good, colorful and clearly presented gospel tract, as well as a million dollar tract. I asked my husband if he would watch my cart as I headed through the store in search of that man. I went all the way through and headed back unable to see him anywhere.

A worker at the store, probably in his sixties, was seated on the side and as I passed him he asked if I found everything I was looking for. 

“No,” I said. “Did you see that man who came in the store who appeared to be homeless?” 

He said, “Oh, yes. He asked if he could use the restroom.”

So that’s where he disappeared to! 

Walking over to this gentleman I said, “When I saw him I just felt I wanted to help him. 

When he comes out would you tell him a lady wanted to give him these couple of dollars?

And would you also give him these gospel tracts? They tell all about how we can be saved and ready to meet the Lord.”

“I sure will,” he replied as he looked more closely at me. “You’re a holiness woman, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir, I am, all because of Jesus.”

“Yes…because of Jesus. You’re Pentecostal aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am….”  I hardly got the words out of my mouth until I noticed his eyes begin to squint and tears begin to slip out….

“I could tell,” he said, as his body began to tremble with emotion. His quivering lips spoke with a voice broken by tears: “It’s all over you. I can see it.” His big eyes just stared up at me.

This was amazing! I had never seen this man before and I couldn’t help being awed at what God seemed to be doing right before my eyes. I had an immediate awareness of the presence of God, and of a divine moment in process. It all happened so quickly. I could feel the Spirit of God moving me as I stepped closer and put my hand on the man’s shoulder.

“What you see and feel is the presence of God! Are you ready to meet Him? Is your heart right with God?”

A cloud of sadness hung over him as he shook his head from side to side and told me, “No. I drifted away.”

I knew I was facing an event prepared by heaven. God was in control! It was powerful!

“Then what are you waiting for?” I urged him, “You need to pray now and get back to God. Jesus could come tonight and you wouldn't be ready. You could face eternity tonight, and where would you go?” 

I started to pray for him: “Lord, help this man to repent of his wandering and return to you right now.”

He was crying and praying with me: “Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord.”

I kept praying. “Ask the Lord to forgive you and cleanse you from all sin.” 

I felt His power and knew that He was at work in this man’s life.  

“God brought me here, just for you. What is your name?”

“James,” he replied.

“Now, James, are you ready to meet the Lord? You prayed with me. Did you repent? If Jesus came tonight would you be ready to go with Him?”

He hung his head and said, “No.”

“Then, we need to pray again, James. Whatever stands in the way, whatever you are holding on to that will keep you out of heaven, whatever is still sin in your heart…has to go. Are you willing to turn away from all sin and let Jesus come in and give you a new beginning right now?”

As he positively responded, we prayed some more until he acknowledged that he had surrendered it all, and was ready to live for God again.

His background was in good churches, and I urged him to come to the church where we were presently holding a month long seminar on “Commissioned to Discipleship; Commissioned to Ministry; and Commissioned to Evangelism.”

What great thrill filled my heart as I left that store and realized what God had done! 

And the story isn’t over yet. What about that homeless man! Wouldn’t it be an ironic twist if James gave those tracts to that homeless man, and then gave him his newfound testimony, and won him to the Lord!!

How many more are out there, just like James, away from God and ready to come to the Lord at the urging of someone who cares, someone who has a burden to see the lost get saved. Will you let the Lord lead you and use you today?

Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

EXCITING NEWS

 
IT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER since I have put anything on this blog, and there's a good reason.  I've been pretty busy, between ministries, and---here it is---writing a book! It's my second one, and I'm so excited. I feel the Lord has directed me and inspired me all along the way. 

I preached to this Massai tribal man and more
  out of the top of our African Safari Land Rover
 when we were in Kenya, East Africa.

THE MANUSCRIPT IS FINISHED NOW, except for the editing. That's the phase I'm in right now. If you've never written a book, you should try it!  You probably have many stories to tell, and most important, if you are a Christian, you have Jesus who has worked in your life to give you those stories. (Maybe there are some He can't be blamed for! I have a few of them included in my book!) 

This lady is reading the Chick Tract 

we just gave her in the laundromat.

AS I BEGAN TO WRITE THIS BOOK, ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO, I could hardly believe all the memories and stories I came up with. I'll be 72 soon, on March 7th, and I look back in amazement at the miraculous, providential workings of God behind me.

When I tried to get all of it together in one gigantic view (impossible), I felt compelled to tell how God took this girl from the front stoop of a dead-end street in New York....through so much...and just kept working on me... and gave me such a wonderful life of ministry and the privilege of winning souls for Him.

 That's exactly what this book is about.  It is titled:

COMPELLED TO TELL: 

An Adventurous Journey from a Dead-End Street

 in New York, to a Lifetime of Ministry and Soulwinning.
By Claire H. Goodwin

Man with prosthetic leg picked up the Million Dollar Tract
we had laid on this bench. He stayed and read it thoroughly.
We do feel COMPELLED TO TELL the good news
of the Gospel wherever we go.

I AM SIGNING A CONTRACT WITH WESTBOW PRESS, an affiliate of Thomas Nelson Publishers, tomorrow. As I said, I am so excited about it! Please pray with me as I work out all the editing, and other necessary steps to bring it to publication.  

Bob and I, six and a half years ago,
when we were just engaged to be married.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE RANDOM PICTURES.

GIVE ME A COMMENT TO LET ME 

KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN HERE!