The Beautiful Snake River Runs Parallel With The Highway We Traveled On To Boise.

After a great cross walk in Olympia, Washington and a good night’s sleep, Jeanette and I headed southeast and toward Boise, Idaho, some 535 miles away. The drive was very pleasant and the scenery was beautiful as we traveled through eastern Oregon and to Idaho’s state capital.

Resting for the night, we couldn’t help but reflect upon God’s goodness to the people living in the states and state capitals we had cross walked in the past few days. Although each of the states was small in total population compared to our home state, California, we understood fully just how important it was for every person living in the United States to know just how much God loves each and everyone by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to give eternal life to all who accept His free gift of salvation simply by accepting His Son as Savior and believing that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

For Idaho’s 1.6 million souls,  the message of the cross is the same as it is for all people: the Cross of Jesus Christ is God’s Plus Sign to the world! There isn’t one thing negative, but all things positive about this cross! One sinner + the cross of Jesus Christ = Salvation; one drug addict + the cross of Jesus Christ = Set Free; one Christian + the cross of Jesus Christ = Victory; and so forth!

WALKING THE CROSS IN DOWNTOWN BOISE

Hoisting The Ten Foot Cross And Praying For the Salvation Of Boise’s 215,00 Souls.

And now, we had the opportunity to not only pray for the entire state of Idaho, but to share God’s Good News with the people living in its capital city as well! We found this city of 215,000 souls very friendly. Boise is a beautiful city. And, what was really great is that the motel we stayed at was just a few blocks from downtown as well as the Capitol Mall.

We always try to find a motel just a few miles from each Capitol Mall because I like to walk the cross down the major streets leading to our destination so that hundreds, often thousands, of people passing by in vehicles or walking on the sidewalks get to see the cross, too. And, of course, this also gives me the opportunity to pas out special tract cards as well as ask individuals if they are in need of prayer and if they have accepted Jesus as their Savior.

Many have! And they let me know — often, loudly and proudly!!

Downtown Boise Is Beautiful And The People Were Friendly To The Cross Walker.

Because I arrived at City Hall before the Capitol Mall, I hoisted the 60-pound cross upright at the entrance to this majestic building and prayed long and hard for the mayor and all city leaders, that not only would each one eventually accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, but that they would also allow God to direct them as they served the people of Boise. I also claimed the city of Boise for Jesus, and asked Him to send the Spirit of grace and supplication throughout the entire city and strongly show all people not only who He is, but His great love for each one as well.

As I walked toward the Capitol Mall just a few blocks away from downtown, I also hoisted the cross upright at each major street corner and prayed loud and long for great revival, great awakening, great godly sorrow leading to godly repentance and great restoration to take place in this the largest city in Idaho. I also handed out several special two-sided tract cards, including the one that shared why I was in Boise. The response was great, and several individuals acknowledged that they were born-again believers and that the sight of the cross had stirred their hearts to share their faith with other people!

That’s what the cross does so often!

HOISTING THE CROSS AND PRAYING HARD AND LONG AT THE CAPITOL

Praying Hard And Long For Great Revival To Break Out Throughout The Entire State of Idaho.

Idaho’s Capitol Mall is also beautiful, and it was already busy in spite of the early hour. The Capitol building is patterned after the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. As is my normal routine, I walked the cross to each of the Capitol’s four main entrances, hoisted the cross upright, and prayed hard and long for the Gem State’s Governor and all other state leaders, including its representatives and senators. My prayer is that each state leader would accept Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and allow Him to be Lord of their lives and their decision-making.

Idaho’s nickname is the “Gem State“, because nearly every known type of gemstone has been found here. In addition, Idaho is one of only two places in the world where star garnets can be found in any significant quantities, the other being India.

As is my custom, when I got to the visitor’s entrance, I hoisted the cross upright, lifted it a few inches from the ground and gently but firmly slammed the ten-foot crux to the ground. At the same time, I asked the Lord of Hosts to start statewide revival right here by sending forth His mighty “dunamis” power to both explode and implode from this epicenter and ground zero and, like a holy firestorm or divine shock wave, spread throughout the entire land and start a mighty and great revival, great awakening, great godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance, and great restoration!

WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS TRUE LIBERTY — AND LIBERATION

The Cross And The Liberty Bell At The Capitol Mall.

I felt God’s mighty Shekinah glory unleash as I prayed, and I knew that, indeed, the Lord of the Harvest was sending out His word of great salvation throughout Idaho’s diverse fields of souls! I then positioned the large cross next to the replica of the Liberty Bell and asked God to show all the people living in Boise and throughout Idaho what true liberation is:  the genuine freedom that is found only through accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord — for only He can really break every chain, every dysfunction, every enslavement, every yoke and all bondage in our lives and bring lasting peace to each and every soul!

There is most certainly a big difference between liberty and liberation!

Liberty allows you to do anything and all things what the state deems lawful. Liberation in Christ means that we are free to do anything and all things the state allows, but we understand that not everything the State allows is permitted by the living God. Liberation in Christ gives believers the ability to do what is right in God’s eyes and His will while abstaining from that which a nation allows, but which is in direct conflict with God’s moral laws and precepts.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power [influence] of any.”  —The apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:12

GOD’S TEN COMMANDMENTS — NOT TEN SUGGESTIONS

The Ten Foot Cross And The Ten Commandments.

After cross walking and praying throughout the Capitol grounds for over an hour, I walked across the street to St. Michael’s Cathedral, where a beautiful monument inscribed with The Ten Commandments had been relocated from a state park in 2004 after several individuals threatened lawsuits against Idaho for not separating “church from state.” The compromise was to relocate the beautiful monument to St. Michael’s.

As I walked across the street to the monument, a Capitol policeman walked up to me. “I love what you are doing. I know you have been praying for Idaho and for our leaders.” I smiled and shared, “And, I prayed for all Capitol police officers as well. You are part of America’s Thin Blue Line, and I greatly appreciate your service to this state.” I gave him the special two-sided card I hand out to all police officers. “Now, I’m going to pray at the Ten Commandments monument, that our nation truly returns to God and His laws.”

The Capitol policemen smiled and nodded his head, then continued walking his beat.

I DON’T KNOW IF JESUS LOVES NATIVE AMERICANS

Jesus Love Native Americans, Too! I’m Living Proof Of This Truth.

After a great time walking the cross and praying long and hard for the people living in this great state, I began the pleasant walk back to our motel room. As I was about to turn into the motel’s parking lot, a man and woman approached. “Hi,” I greeted. “Jesus loves you!” The man was taken back. He looked at the woman, then at me. “I don’t know if Jesus likes Native Americans,” he answered. “Why do you think that?” I asked. “Well, I thought He is the white man’s God, he remarked.” I smiled, but then got serious.

“Jesus is everybody’s God and Savior! He loves all races, cultures and nationalities, no matter what.” I paused, “You are Cherokee, aren’t you?” He nodded. “I am, too,” I shared. The man stared intently at me. “Oh yea, I can tell.”  I smiled again. “Jesus loves me. He died on that cross for me. You know the story.” I paused long enough for the two to take in my words. “And, He loves you, too. He died on the cross for you. I know this is true…again, because I am Cherokee as well.”

We spoke for several minutes about Jesus’ love for him and his wife. I then asked if he would like to accept Jesus as His Savior. “I really need to think about all this,” he answered. “But one thing is for sure  I now know that Jesus loves me! He loves Native Americans, because you told me He loves you and changed your life.” He paused, then smiled. “Still, let me think about what you’ve told me.”

I nodded, then gave him two 16-page booklets that I always carry in my special “man purse,” entitled “WHY JESUS SAID YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN” and “NOW THAT YOU ARE BORN AGAIN.” Then I prayed with them both, asking God to reveal Himself strong on their behalf and show them just how much He loves them!

As we said goodbye, I smiled at both of them and said, “Don’t ever forget: Jesus loves Native Americans so much that He died for you — and for me! OK?!” They both nodded, and continued walking down the sidewalk toward their destination with big smiles on their faces.

I believe that God not only showed these two precious souls just how much He loves them, but that He will also convince them through His Holy Spirit to give their hearts to Him! God’s Word of Salvation will not go back to Him void or empty! Amen and amen. –\O/