As always, on the way to our TRC church service last night, I prayed with my boys that God would give me an opportunity to share the gospel with someone. Last night after the service, I got my chance.
I was standing in the back lounge by the kids area when a man in a tie-dye Bob Marley T-shirt came up to me and told me he thought I did a great job with my message. His name is Clay and he told me a bit of his rough and sad story. He had come to church with a friend of his named Patricia. Clay and “Trish” had both had dear friends die in the past week. I deduced that she was a believer but he probably wasn’t. Clay told me he wasn’t religious at all, but was a peace with what he believed about God –that he’s some kind of a spirit and as long as you live a good life, everything is cool.
Clay mentioned that he only comes to church because Trish asked him to. BUT, he informed me enthusiastically, that he loved the message and was hanging on my every word tonight (his own words). He was very sincere.
I asked him if I could give him something that I think would help him understand God. He said “Sure.” I handed him a tract and actually thumbed through it with him, explaining how he could know God personally. He listened as I said, “Clay, God isn’t interested so much in religion – Jesus didn’t come to start a church –he came to have a personal relationship with you.” We talked some more, he said he would read it. I prayed for him and Trish and then asked them to pick up a “Diagram” DVD on the way out. They said they would be back.
God answered my prayer last night. Pray that God speaks to Clay in a very personal way.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Day #26 - Ultimate Valentine
Last night, Mary and I took our two younger boys out to a restaurant for fun (the older ones were leading worship in Provo). We also had a coupon that Timothy earned from school for excellent work! We all had a blast together.
Mary noticed right away that our waitress, Shannon, had very pretty pink and red decorated nails. My sweet wife engaged in conversation with her and told her how beautiful she thought her nails were. Shannon lit up and said playfully “It’s for Valentines - even though I don’t have a special ‘someone’" She half-joked that she hoped her nails would help her get someone.
After dinner, I got out my tract ready to give it to her and my wife suggested what I should say as I offered her the gospel. I said, "Shannon, I've got something here that is better than any Valentine you could ever get. It talks about how Jesus has changed our lives. We go to the Rock Church and love to tell people about Jesus."
She looked it over, smiled and said, "Oh, thank you." My wife chimed in, "And, you were a wonderful waitress!"
Shannon laughed and said, "Maybe you could tell my supervisor on the way out" ... which we did.
Pray that Shannon comes to church and meets the One who loves her more than life itself - Jesus!
Mary noticed right away that our waitress, Shannon, had very pretty pink and red decorated nails. My sweet wife engaged in conversation with her and told her how beautiful she thought her nails were. Shannon lit up and said playfully “It’s for Valentines - even though I don’t have a special ‘someone’" She half-joked that she hoped her nails would help her get someone.
After dinner, I got out my tract ready to give it to her and my wife suggested what I should say as I offered her the gospel. I said, "Shannon, I've got something here that is better than any Valentine you could ever get. It talks about how Jesus has changed our lives. We go to the Rock Church and love to tell people about Jesus."
She looked it over, smiled and said, "Oh, thank you." My wife chimed in, "And, you were a wonderful waitress!"
Shannon laughed and said, "Maybe you could tell my supervisor on the way out" ... which we did.
Pray that Shannon comes to church and meets the One who loves her more than life itself - Jesus!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Day #25 - Famous Daves & Jesus Saves
I had my monthly meeting with a great group of pastors this morning for prayer and accountability. Also for lunch!
We tend to head over to Famous Daves BBQ after our times together - it's kind of tradition.
These men know about my "Forty Days of Sharing" and were anticipating me handing out a tract - which I did as soon as our waitress handed us our bill.
As has become my custom, I simply handed her a tract and said, "I'd like to give you something to read. It talks about how Jesus has changed my life. We are all pastors here and we love telling people about it."
She looked at it for a second and asked, "Is this a Christian church?" We all chimed in to the affirmative, and assured her we were indeed Bible believing Christians.
She exclaimed, "I'm a Christian!"
"Where do you go to church?" one of my buddies asked. She responded, "I really haven't gone since we've been in town (6 years!), but my kids are getting older and we would like to find one." We encouraged her to do just that, even though she was moving in the next month or so.
So, there you have it. BBQ for Jesus!
We tend to head over to Famous Daves BBQ after our times together - it's kind of tradition.
These men know about my "Forty Days of Sharing" and were anticipating me handing out a tract - which I did as soon as our waitress handed us our bill.
As has become my custom, I simply handed her a tract and said, "I'd like to give you something to read. It talks about how Jesus has changed my life. We are all pastors here and we love telling people about it."
She looked at it for a second and asked, "Is this a Christian church?" We all chimed in to the affirmative, and assured her we were indeed Bible believing Christians.
She exclaimed, "I'm a Christian!"
"Where do you go to church?" one of my buddies asked. She responded, "I really haven't gone since we've been in town (6 years!), but my kids are getting older and we would like to find one." We encouraged her to do just that, even though she was moving in the next month or so.
So, there you have it. BBQ for Jesus!
Day # 24 - Bacon, Egss & Jesus
Sorry this is a day late - I was traveling most of yesterday. It's good to be home!
I did get a chance to hand our waitress a tract on Wednesday, though. She was very friendly and I simply handed her a tract (after getting my bill) and said, "Isabell (by the way, isn't it nice when waitresses wear name tags?! ;-)), I'd like to give you something to read. It talks about how Jesus has changed my life, and I love telling people about it."
She was a bit tentative, but smiled and said, "Thank you."
After breakfast and a couple more hours of meetings, I got on a plane and headed west to Utah!
I did get a chance to hand our waitress a tract on Wednesday, though. She was very friendly and I simply handed her a tract (after getting my bill) and said, "Isabell (by the way, isn't it nice when waitresses wear name tags?! ;-)), I'd like to give you something to read. It talks about how Jesus has changed my life, and I love telling people about it."
She was a bit tentative, but smiled and said, "Thank you."
After breakfast and a couple more hours of meetings, I got on a plane and headed west to Utah!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Day #23 - Eternal Tips
I've had a busy day of meetings - all day (it's 9:53 PM) ... but got a chance to hand our waitress a tract this morning after she delivered our complimentary eggs & bacon breakfast.
I said, "Here's something for you to read - it talks about how Jesus has changed my life." She seemed a bit taken back, but quickly composed herself and thanked me for the gift.
She was very attentive the rest of our meal and we gave her a good tip. But, not as good as the eternal tip she got earlier - a tip that can save her soul from death. Only Jesus tips like that. Amen!
Off to bed - I'm tired. Back to Utah tomorrow! Yee ha!
I said, "Here's something for you to read - it talks about how Jesus has changed my life." She seemed a bit taken back, but quickly composed herself and thanked me for the gift.
She was very attentive the rest of our meal and we gave her a good tip. But, not as good as the eternal tip she got earlier - a tip that can save her soul from death. Only Jesus tips like that. Amen!
Off to bed - I'm tired. Back to Utah tomorrow! Yee ha!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Day #22 - Front Desk For Jesus
Yes, it's both windy and SNOWY in Chicago today! I can't wait to get back to Utah...
Staying in a hotel makes it easy to hand out tracts - everyone absolutely must be kind to you - "The customer is always right", or in my case, "The customer's gospel literature must be taken with a smile." ;-)
I decided to double my efforts as I stopped by the front desk today to pick up some breakfast vouchers. After getting my coupons, I offered the attendant a tract saying, "Here's something for you to read - it tells about how Jesus changed my life. I like to tell people about him."
She hesitated, looked at it and smiled - "OK, thanks". Again, something for the staff to talk about during a break - maybe read it, maybe get saved!
After all, "The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16) I believe it.
Staying in a hotel makes it easy to hand out tracts - everyone absolutely must be kind to you - "The customer is always right", or in my case, "The customer's gospel literature must be taken with a smile." ;-)
I decided to double my efforts as I stopped by the front desk today to pick up some breakfast vouchers. After getting my coupons, I offered the attendant a tract saying, "Here's something for you to read - it tells about how Jesus changed my life. I like to tell people about him."
She hesitated, looked at it and smiled - "OK, thanks". Again, something for the staff to talk about during a break - maybe read it, maybe get saved!
After all, "The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16) I believe it.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Day #21 - Hotel Hand Out
I take it back - Chicago IS windy!
It's been raining most of the night and also today. It stopped for a while, so I took a prayer walk around the hotel area. Not much to see, but since it's relatively warm (44 degrees), it felt good to breath fresh, clean Midwest air.
When I returned to my hotel, I stopped by the gift shop and bought a juice. There was one older woman doing a crossword puzzle manning the very un-busy counter. After paying, I thanked her and handed her a tract. I said, "I'd like to give you something to read. I'm a Christian and I like telling people about how Jesus has changed my life." She looked confused at first, but after looking at the tract, she lit up, smiled and said, "Oh, that's nice. I will read it!" I smiled and told her goodbye.
Back to my room for some more time with the Lord. I like to periodically get away like this to just spend time with my Savior. It helps me get grounded and a fresh perspective on life, family and ministry. I'm thankful to be able to tag on a couple extra days during this trip for that purpose.
It's supposed to get cold the next few days - and that probably means snow. I'll keep you posted.
It's been raining most of the night and also today. It stopped for a while, so I took a prayer walk around the hotel area. Not much to see, but since it's relatively warm (44 degrees), it felt good to breath fresh, clean Midwest air.
When I returned to my hotel, I stopped by the gift shop and bought a juice. There was one older woman doing a crossword puzzle manning the very un-busy counter. After paying, I thanked her and handed her a tract. I said, "I'd like to give you something to read. I'm a Christian and I like telling people about how Jesus has changed my life." She looked confused at first, but after looking at the tract, she lit up, smiled and said, "Oh, that's nice. I will read it!" I smiled and told her goodbye.
Back to my room for some more time with the Lord. I like to periodically get away like this to just spend time with my Savior. It helps me get grounded and a fresh perspective on life, family and ministry. I'm thankful to be able to tag on a couple extra days during this trip for that purpose.
It's supposed to get cold the next few days - and that probably means snow. I'll keep you posted.
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