I’ve decided to visit some new barbers so I can share the gospel with some new people. I’m quickly learning that most regular barbers (I’m not referring to “hair stylists”) are older fellow’s that are generally “good” people: they attend church, are easy-going, very easy to talk to, and know about God - - but don’t seem to have any real relationship with Him, and likely are thinking somewhat about the “tip” a person might leave all throughout the haircut and conversation.
I’ve also found it is a little different in sharing with a barber that you don’t know. Today I started by asking about his background – and we talked about my occupation at the same time. The first reference to spiritual issues occurred when he mentioned that he cuts hair a few days a week at the VA facility that is nearby. As we talked about the VA facility and the latest Veterans Administration funding cuts, I asked if they still had a nursing home at the VA. He said they do. I mentioned our church meets in a local nursing home once a week.
Eventually, I mentioned that the other barber who worked at the same store and had cut my hair last month was a Catholic – and I asked him if he was a Catholic. He was. We then began discussing the commandments. He was very defensive of his lying! He felt white lies were just fine, as long as they weren’t hurtful to others. He wouldn’t readily admit to stealing, but said he must have when he was young. He said he had definitely taken God’s name in vain (and, since I knew he was a church-attending Catholic I was able to be surprised and say, “What?? I thought you said you were a Catholic?? Taking God’s name in vain?!”). I asked if he had children (four – and a number of grandchildren), and I said I hoped he didn’t swear around them (he assured me he hadn’t – and I said that was good). When I asked if he wanted to talk about murder or adultery he said either was fine with him because he hadn’t done either of them! As I shared how God looks at the heart and that anger and hate are similar to murder, he only partially agreed. He shared how he gets angry at people at different times, but has never wished anyone dead (other than perhaps Hussein or other dictators).
I then shared the moral of the story: how others would look at him and see a good, church-going person, but God would look at him and see someone that has lied, stolen, blasphemed, and committed murder in his heart. I then asked if God were to judge him based on those commandments, would he be innocent or guilty – and he said he would be as guilty as everyone else. I asked if he would go to heaven or hell and he said he hoped heaven.
There wasn’t a whole lot of time left, but we did then talk about “false” hope and the various analogies of a criminal before an honest judge. It was neat because the story I share about my grandfather being in a car wreck occurred in front of the very location I was having my hair cut!
I left him with the “Are You Good Enough to Go To Heaven” tract (which is very detailed) – and encouraged him to read his Bible. I also left an IQ Test bookmark. I’ll be praying for his salvation and will be interested in having my hair cut by him at least once more to see if I can follow-up on our talk.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
A Telemarketer Hangs Up On Me!
I spoke with a telemarketer that was attempting to sell us VOIP service (telephone over internet). I talked with her for a while and explained how we don’t currently need the service – but I took down all her information so that, should we need the service in the future, I will be able to contact her.
After doing so, I asked about the good person test – and she had never taken it. I started into the test but could tell she was fairly nervous. I guess the Lord was bringing great convicting to bear in her heart, because as we started talking about stealing, she abruptly hung the telephone up (without even saying goodbye!).
After doing so, I asked about the good person test – and she had never taken it. I started into the test but could tell she was fairly nervous. I guess the Lord was bringing great convicting to bear in her heart, because as we started talking about stealing, she abruptly hung the telephone up (without even saying goodbye!).
The Friendly Tax Agent
While on the trip out of country I was preparing a workshop that dealt with business. Since a portion of the workshop addressed taxes, I realized I needed some information about that country’s tax system (yes – the smart thing would have been to deal with the issue before leaving on the trip, but I don’t recall ever referring to myself as smart). While at the hotel I did a little research on the internet and then called their tax agency. I spoke with a helpful lady about the various tax laws – probably 15 minutes of tax talk. Afterwards, I thanked her, said all my tax questions were set, but mentioned that I had an off-topic question if she had a minute.
She was curious, and asked what I wanted to know. I asked about the good person test and then started into it. She was open – and laughed as we worked our way through it. She admitted guilt. But it was interesting to hear her arguments against God when we got to guilt/innocence and then destiny. On the one hand, she was amazingly open and understood everything I was sharing, and yet on the other hand she didn’t seem to fully believe in God. I attributed some of it to the different culture (less open belief in God) – but what a blessing to be able to share with someone that was so open!
She was curious, and asked what I wanted to know. I asked about the good person test and then started into it. She was open – and laughed as we worked our way through it. She admitted guilt. But it was interesting to hear her arguments against God when we got to guilt/innocence and then destiny. On the one hand, she was amazingly open and understood everything I was sharing, and yet on the other hand she didn’t seem to fully believe in God. I attributed some of it to the different culture (less open belief in God) – but what a blessing to be able to share with someone that was so open!
Friday, February 10, 2006
Talking with the Hotel Staff
I’m out of country right now at a conference. The conference is being held at a hotel/conference center facility – and we’re staying at the hotel. We’ve had opportunity to interact with a number of the hotel/convention staff over these days – and I thought I would write about two of the more memorable instances (several times conversations were started, but the person had other things to do and needed to leave part way through the conversation).
While the staff were cleaning up the conference center one night I started talking with two of the ladies that were cleaning up. As we talked, I gave them souvenirs from the States (million dollar bills) and explained that they were tracts. We started talking through the commandments – and they were open to the discussion. We made it through most of the commandments (of which they were guilty) – even though they didn’t really have a belief in God (we found more people with such a belief while we were in the other country – as compared to America). Unfortunately, after discussing their guilt and destiny in hell, another staff member came by lugging some heavy water containers and asked for their help. The two ladies seemed glad to help and end the conversation – but they left with tracts and an encouragement to read their Bibles and get right with God.
In riding an elevator one evening I was with a member of the hotel staff – and offered him a souvenir from the States (a million dollar bill). He took it – and was VERY happy with it. Turns out he collects currency, and was anxious to take this one home, flatten it (I had folded it in my pocket), and mount it in his collection. I did share that it was a gospel tract, and he said he would read the back, but he wasn’t too interested in talking about the gospel (but he was willing to talk about money!).
While the staff were cleaning up the conference center one night I started talking with two of the ladies that were cleaning up. As we talked, I gave them souvenirs from the States (million dollar bills) and explained that they were tracts. We started talking through the commandments – and they were open to the discussion. We made it through most of the commandments (of which they were guilty) – even though they didn’t really have a belief in God (we found more people with such a belief while we were in the other country – as compared to America). Unfortunately, after discussing their guilt and destiny in hell, another staff member came by lugging some heavy water containers and asked for their help. The two ladies seemed glad to help and end the conversation – but they left with tracts and an encouragement to read their Bibles and get right with God.
In riding an elevator one evening I was with a member of the hotel staff – and offered him a souvenir from the States (a million dollar bill). He took it – and was VERY happy with it. Turns out he collects currency, and was anxious to take this one home, flatten it (I had folded it in my pocket), and mount it in his collection. I did share that it was a gospel tract, and he said he would read the back, but he wasn’t too interested in talking about the gospel (but he was willing to talk about money!).
Friday, February 03, 2006
Overcoming Fear of Man!
Another good title for this post would be “Giving Directions (a wonderful way to share)”.
While on my walk this morning I saw a large truck with roofing supplies drive by. Since the street I walk on has several new housing developments, I assumed they were headed for one of them. Sure enough, as I approached my turn-around point I saw the truck parked by the exit to one of the developments. In fact, he was blocking where I needed to cross the street and rolled back a few feet as I walked past (I smiled and waved at him – I always try to be friendly). Shortly thereafter I hit the turn around point and started back, and saw the truck still parked there.
I figured he was lost and wondered if I should stop and see if I could help, and perhaps have an opportunity to witness. I quickly figured it wasn’t a good idea as I was busy, I’m not very familiar with the new developments in town and probably wouldn’t be able to help him, and he was probably already late for making a delivery. (It’s amazing how quickly logical reasons why not to share the gospel come to mind in various situations) But when the Lord reminded me I would probably never see him again and it wouldn’t hurt to stop and try, I walked up to the truck (passenger side – there were two fellows in the cab), and then climbed up the step as they rolled down the window.
They were both Hispanic, but spoke rather good English (the driver much better than his helper). They had a map and were looking for a particular development – the name of which rang a bell but I couldn’t recall where it was. We chatted about the delivery for a minute or two (they had called their boss for more info and were waiting to hear back) when I pulled out some million dollar bills and asked if they had seen them before. They hadn’t.
The helper was handing it back when I said they could keep them. I shared that it was a gospel tract, and said the back had something similar to the ‘good person’ test that talks about the ten commandments. I asked if they had ever heard of the ten commandments and they said no. I asked if they go to church, and the driver said sometimes. So, we started into the test. There were occasional language issues – for example, at first he said he had never told a lie. As I questioned him further, he realized what I was asking and said ‘yes’ – he does that daily! His helper was engrossed in the map at this point and, since he didn’t understand as much English, I kept talking with the driver.
Next we discussed stealing (he admitted to that), blasphemy (readily admitted), and murder of the heart (also readily admitted) – and he understood as I shared how God would look at this heart – and how he had a conscience that tells him when he does something wrong. When I asked if he were to die and God were to judge him based on those commandments if he would be innocent or guilty, he thought for a moment and said ‘guilty’. When I asked if he would go to heaven or hell, he said he wasn’t sure.
I didn’t belabor the point but explained how all crime should have a punishment, and if we break God’s law it is fair and reasonable to expect punishment. He agreed. We went through some of the various analogies: a guilty criminal before a good judge, the futility of trying to simply live better (“judge, I promise I’ll never murder someone again”), the value of his soul compared to his eyes, the blessings of his family and job that the Lord has given him.
It was a little awkward hanging onto the mirror and standing on the fuel tank/step while talking, but it was the only option. We spent about twenty minutes talking, and then I gave them some more tracts and they headed off (they waved several times as they drove off).
My only regret was not encouraging him where to read when we talked about Bible reading. He had a Bible at his house (in Spanish – I told him my Bible at home is English and Spanish since I’m trying to learn some Spanish) and I did encourage him to read it as he gets right with God, but I didn’t encourage him to read in the book of John.
While on my walk this morning I saw a large truck with roofing supplies drive by. Since the street I walk on has several new housing developments, I assumed they were headed for one of them. Sure enough, as I approached my turn-around point I saw the truck parked by the exit to one of the developments. In fact, he was blocking where I needed to cross the street and rolled back a few feet as I walked past (I smiled and waved at him – I always try to be friendly). Shortly thereafter I hit the turn around point and started back, and saw the truck still parked there.
I figured he was lost and wondered if I should stop and see if I could help, and perhaps have an opportunity to witness. I quickly figured it wasn’t a good idea as I was busy, I’m not very familiar with the new developments in town and probably wouldn’t be able to help him, and he was probably already late for making a delivery. (It’s amazing how quickly logical reasons why not to share the gospel come to mind in various situations) But when the Lord reminded me I would probably never see him again and it wouldn’t hurt to stop and try, I walked up to the truck (passenger side – there were two fellows in the cab), and then climbed up the step as they rolled down the window.
They were both Hispanic, but spoke rather good English (the driver much better than his helper). They had a map and were looking for a particular development – the name of which rang a bell but I couldn’t recall where it was. We chatted about the delivery for a minute or two (they had called their boss for more info and were waiting to hear back) when I pulled out some million dollar bills and asked if they had seen them before. They hadn’t.
The helper was handing it back when I said they could keep them. I shared that it was a gospel tract, and said the back had something similar to the ‘good person’ test that talks about the ten commandments. I asked if they had ever heard of the ten commandments and they said no. I asked if they go to church, and the driver said sometimes. So, we started into the test. There were occasional language issues – for example, at first he said he had never told a lie. As I questioned him further, he realized what I was asking and said ‘yes’ – he does that daily! His helper was engrossed in the map at this point and, since he didn’t understand as much English, I kept talking with the driver.
Next we discussed stealing (he admitted to that), blasphemy (readily admitted), and murder of the heart (also readily admitted) – and he understood as I shared how God would look at this heart – and how he had a conscience that tells him when he does something wrong. When I asked if he were to die and God were to judge him based on those commandments if he would be innocent or guilty, he thought for a moment and said ‘guilty’. When I asked if he would go to heaven or hell, he said he wasn’t sure.
I didn’t belabor the point but explained how all crime should have a punishment, and if we break God’s law it is fair and reasonable to expect punishment. He agreed. We went through some of the various analogies: a guilty criminal before a good judge, the futility of trying to simply live better (“judge, I promise I’ll never murder someone again”), the value of his soul compared to his eyes, the blessings of his family and job that the Lord has given him.
It was a little awkward hanging onto the mirror and standing on the fuel tank/step while talking, but it was the only option. We spent about twenty minutes talking, and then I gave them some more tracts and they headed off (they waved several times as they drove off).
My only regret was not encouraging him where to read when we talked about Bible reading. He had a Bible at his house (in Spanish – I told him my Bible at home is English and Spanish since I’m trying to learn some Spanish) and I did encourage him to read it as he gets right with God, but I didn’t encourage him to read in the book of John.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
A Customer Service Call with a Backslidden(?) Believer
I needed to call my insurance company, and as I was dialing through their phone system I received a pop-up message on my computer from a family member asking that I not use the phone so they can make a call. Since I wasn’t talking with anyone at the moment, I hung up and waited until the phone line was available to make the call.
I called back in and had business taken care of in a few minutes. Many companies have their customer service reps – before hanging up – ask if there is anything else they can help with. I said that my business was all squared away but I had an unrelated question for him – had he ever taken the good person test? He hadn’t – so I started right into it. He felt he was a good person, and that he had kept most of the commandments.
We started with lying (he felt everyone had done that – but yet it was hard for him to admit the word “liar”), then stealing (again, something he feels everyone has done), followed by blaspheme (taking God’s name in vain). He chose to discuss murder instead of adultery (when I gave him the choice), and then he agreed that God looks on the heart. It didn’t seem like he was really getting into the test as he was a bit quiet – so I was wondering how much farther he would go (would he make it to the gospel part?). When I told him that – compared to man – he’s probably better than most, but God would look at him, as he has admitted himself, as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart – I didn’t hear him laugh as some people do. I told him this was the moral to the story: if he were to die and stand before God, and God were to judge him based on the 10 commandments, would he be innocent or guilty. His response: “Guilty, but I would go to heaven because I am trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins.”
I was very surprised, as his response was one of the most theologically correct responses I’ve ever received from a believer who has taken the test. As we talked about salvation and what it means he was started becoming more open. I asked if he was living for the Lord and he said “not really.” I asked if he was attending church – not regularly. I asked if he was in the Word on a daily basis – no.
As we kept talking it became apparent that – assuming he is saved (which he genuinely believes that he is) – he has backslidden in his faith. I asked if there was any particular sin that he was bound to and he said there was. I asked if he was living on his own or with his family – and he said he has a family. My heart went out to him, and I gently encouraged him to get right with God, as the proof of our salvation isn’t in our verbal testimony but rather the way we live. We aren’t saved by living a certain way, but the way we live demonstrates our salvation.
I asked if there were any Godly men that he would look up to as a mentor and be willing to go to and share his struggle with, and who he would be willing to be accountable. He said he had someone he could do that with. I encouraged him to not delay – and that no matter what he was struggling with, all temptation is common to men – he isn’t alone in his struggle.
We talked for about 20 to 30 minutes, and then I asked if I could pray for him. He was grateful for the prayer and the sharing and said it was a blessing to him and that he needed to hear it. He genuinely sounded contrite and you could tell a spiritual war was being fought in his heart (as he acknowledged was the case).
The one regret I have is not specifically asking if I could call back and see how he is doing. I still can do so as I know the 800#, and have his full name – so he wouldn’t be hard to get in touch with. He’s been on my heart all today and I’ve been praying for him.
I also had my hair cut today, and went to a different barber. I’ve already shared with my regular barber, who believes he will go to heaven because he strives to keep the ten commandments (and he feels God will simply forgive his past failures). Since he has clearly heard the gospel, I thought I would try a new barber and see how it works to share with a captive audience. It was perfect because the new barber has his shop in the front portion of a grocery store, and the conversation he was having with another client as I waited my turn was regarding shop lifting. Later, as I was having my hair cut I asked about his background and found out he is a Catholic – and feels he has kept most of the commandments. I only was able to work through three of them (which he readily confessed), because we were talking about other subjects in-between. I didn’t get to judgment, or the gospel, but the foundation is definitely laid for the next time I get my hair cut. In the mean time, I’ll be praying that the Lord will be working in his heart.
I called back in and had business taken care of in a few minutes. Many companies have their customer service reps – before hanging up – ask if there is anything else they can help with. I said that my business was all squared away but I had an unrelated question for him – had he ever taken the good person test? He hadn’t – so I started right into it. He felt he was a good person, and that he had kept most of the commandments.
We started with lying (he felt everyone had done that – but yet it was hard for him to admit the word “liar”), then stealing (again, something he feels everyone has done), followed by blaspheme (taking God’s name in vain). He chose to discuss murder instead of adultery (when I gave him the choice), and then he agreed that God looks on the heart. It didn’t seem like he was really getting into the test as he was a bit quiet – so I was wondering how much farther he would go (would he make it to the gospel part?). When I told him that – compared to man – he’s probably better than most, but God would look at him, as he has admitted himself, as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart – I didn’t hear him laugh as some people do. I told him this was the moral to the story: if he were to die and stand before God, and God were to judge him based on the 10 commandments, would he be innocent or guilty. His response: “Guilty, but I would go to heaven because I am trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins.”
I was very surprised, as his response was one of the most theologically correct responses I’ve ever received from a believer who has taken the test. As we talked about salvation and what it means he was started becoming more open. I asked if he was living for the Lord and he said “not really.” I asked if he was attending church – not regularly. I asked if he was in the Word on a daily basis – no.
As we kept talking it became apparent that – assuming he is saved (which he genuinely believes that he is) – he has backslidden in his faith. I asked if there was any particular sin that he was bound to and he said there was. I asked if he was living on his own or with his family – and he said he has a family. My heart went out to him, and I gently encouraged him to get right with God, as the proof of our salvation isn’t in our verbal testimony but rather the way we live. We aren’t saved by living a certain way, but the way we live demonstrates our salvation.
I asked if there were any Godly men that he would look up to as a mentor and be willing to go to and share his struggle with, and who he would be willing to be accountable. He said he had someone he could do that with. I encouraged him to not delay – and that no matter what he was struggling with, all temptation is common to men – he isn’t alone in his struggle.
We talked for about 20 to 30 minutes, and then I asked if I could pray for him. He was grateful for the prayer and the sharing and said it was a blessing to him and that he needed to hear it. He genuinely sounded contrite and you could tell a spiritual war was being fought in his heart (as he acknowledged was the case).
The one regret I have is not specifically asking if I could call back and see how he is doing. I still can do so as I know the 800#, and have his full name – so he wouldn’t be hard to get in touch with. He’s been on my heart all today and I’ve been praying for him.
I also had my hair cut today, and went to a different barber. I’ve already shared with my regular barber, who believes he will go to heaven because he strives to keep the ten commandments (and he feels God will simply forgive his past failures). Since he has clearly heard the gospel, I thought I would try a new barber and see how it works to share with a captive audience. It was perfect because the new barber has his shop in the front portion of a grocery store, and the conversation he was having with another client as I waited my turn was regarding shop lifting. Later, as I was having my hair cut I asked about his background and found out he is a Catholic – and feels he has kept most of the commandments. I only was able to work through three of them (which he readily confessed), because we were talking about other subjects in-between. I didn’t get to judgment, or the gospel, but the foundation is definitely laid for the next time I get my hair cut. In the mean time, I’ll be praying that the Lord will be working in his heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)