Starbucks Coffee Shop

I don’t drink coffee, but some in my family do. While we were traveling this evening, we stopped at a Starbucks Coffee Shop. There were two young fellows having chilled coffee drinks and talking together. I only had one million dollar bill tract with me, but I gave it to one of them and we started talking.

One had recently graduated from his first four years of school on his way to becoming a dentist (his father is also a dentist). The other fellow used to work construction, but is not currently working anywhere.

After talking about the region for awhile, I mentioned the conference we were at was a Christian conference, and asked if they had a Christian background. One had been raised as an Episcopalian, the other a JW. All three of us went through the “good person” test. They were OK with the test, but the mood became a bit more somber.

At one point the young man who used to be a JW did aske me if I believed Jesus was God, and I shared for just a few seconds that that was what Scripture says, and gave a brief example of how Jesus accepted worship, whereas angels never did (Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.) Jesus accepted worship from men – for Him to do so, if He isn’t God, would be blasphemy. Then we went back to the law.

We talked for probably 15 or so minutes, and they both agreed with much of what I was able to share – and I encouraged them to get right with God before it is too late.

As the conversation drew to a close I said I hoped I hadn’t spoiled their evening, and they both said I hadn’t (perhaps they were simply being polite). And yet I did share that while guilt and discussions of hell are not pleasant, they are needful for us all to address.

The conversation was doubly-encouraging considering a young man I tried to share with at a park earlier in the day – and whom had been open enough to talk for a little while, but was clearly not interested. He was an environmentalist that was raised a Catholic. He went through the commandments, but didn’t want to admit any guilt – “his god” doesn’t see things so black and white, and is more forgiving. We talked a little about idolatry, but it was clear he was happy in his own religion… The goal isn’t to argue, and seed cannot be planted on rocky soil (in fact, according to Jesus’ parable, planting in rocky soil will actually result in a false convert that dies out later and isn’t genuine), so hopefully by sharing the law in a loving manner he would have something to think about which might eventually be used of the Lord to soften his heart (so it would no longer be considered “rocky soil”).

Talking with a driver. . .

While driving this morning we ran into some bad weather: snow, strong winds, slipperly roads, and ice. The Lord was very gracious and protected us as we drove. We passed several accidents, including an overturned semi and a jackknifed camper/trailer.

We stopped for lunch, and I started chatting with a gentlemen that was also waiting for his lunch. Turns out, he had been driving a uHaul that morning and had been blown off the road. A rail possibly saved his life as it kept him off of a steep slope. He said he sat in the cab (in the ditch) for about ten minutes after the wreck trembling. I said that it sounded like the Lord saved his life for a reason – and he agreed. I then gave him three tracts: the million dollar bill, the IQ test bookmark, and the “are you good enough to go to heaven”. I explained each one – and he was grateful for them.

Later, as he was heading out the door he thanked me again and said he would read each of them.

Our waitress at dinner tonight was also very grateful for the three tracts...

Another Backslidden Believer (cell phone customer service)

A few days ago we received a cell phone bill that included hundred’s of dollars of overage charges (the bill itself was 30 pages long!). I had to dig out all our recent phone bills and do a lot of comparing and researching to figure out what went wrong. I traced the error back to something we were incorrectly told by the cell phone company on a specific date, and some of it to us using more minutes than we expected (meaning we did owe some!).

I called in and spent quite some time with the cell phone company, politely working through the issues. The main gentleman that helped me took a lot of time to understand the issues, and then spent time working further on the issues to correct them. He called back later that evening (as I was having dinner) and spent another thirty minutes reviewing the final changes with me.

A failure: I was anxious to get back to my dinner and didn’t feel like sharing with him – so I didn’t share. I did ask to speak with his manager and shared with her how much help this individual had been to us.

However, the next day, in the evening, unexpectedly, this young man called back with a further update on the cell phone situation; he shared that all the credits had been approved, and he was going to follow-up with our other phone company to make sure we weren’t charged late fee’s while they waited for the credits to flow through. This time, the Lord put it on my heart to share with him.

As usual, at the end of the call he asked if there was anything else he could help with. I said there wasn’t anything relating to business, but I had a person question for him. He laughed (but was curious), and asked what it was. I asked if he had ever heard of, or taken, the “good person” test. He thought it sounded funny – but said he hadn’t. I again gave the usual “if you’re too busy and need to go, no problem, just let me know” and then started into it. I also gave him a heads-up that there was a moral at the end (otherwise I believe people have tended to feel that I’m “baiting them along” somewhat).

He readily admitted to lying, and even came up with the proper label. He readily admitted to stealing, and came close with the title (first guess was “a stealer?”). He readily admitted to taking God’s name in vain (which I said I hoped had never happened at work! – and he laughed and said, unfortunately, it had). Next I gave him the choice of looking at murder or adultery – and he choose adultery. He was then the first person I have ever had admit to committing adultery (and this was while on a customer service phone call – which could be monitored by his employers!). I still went on and shared how God looks at the heart, and even the thought – in God’s eyes – is a sin before Him.

I summarized his condition before God, and asked if he, when God judges him as He says He will, would be innocent or guilty. His response: guilty. I asked if he would go to heaven or hell, and he said: heaven. I asked why, and he gave one of the most theologically correct answers I’ve heard: because he was hoping (perhaps he said trusting) in the blood of Jesus to cover his sin.

I said that was wonderful (Praise the Lord!) and affirmed his faith with him. Then, I moved on to the follow-up test for believers.

I shared how Scripture encourages us as believers to examine ourselves to see if our salvation is genuine:

• 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

I also shared that anytime Scripture refers to a person’s salvation and walk with the Lord, it never refers to a prayer that was said, but always refers to the person’s way of life:

• 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (and many other verses)

I then asked him, brother to brother in the Lord, if he is currently living as the Lord would have him to live or if he is bound by sin. He paused for a moment, and said that he is bound by sin.

We continued talking for a little while, and I shared a brief portion of my testimony with him. He asked if it would be OK to call back at some point to discuss further – as he said the Lord has been doing quite a bit in his heart and life lately. I absolutely gave him permission and encouraged him to surrender everything to Jesus, and to be reading the Word and obeying it.

I’m praying that – whether or not he calls – God works in this young man’s heart and transforms him into a powerful, dynamic, believer that is not encumbered with sin.

• John 8:34-36:
• 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Fishing at the Pond

This past week the Lord has dealt with me regarding some sin that had been in my heart. I had several people that I needed to set things right with. While driving back from my last appointment, I passed a little pond in our town, and saw a fellow out fishing. The thought crossed my mind that I should pull over, walk through the grass, and see if I could share the Lord with him. I instantly dismissed the thought as I needed to get home and back to work, but also realized that the thought was likely from the Lord (I doubt it was Satan giving me such an idea) and, hence, was important to obey. I pulled off, parked, put some tracts in one pocket and a Bible in the other, and set out. Since this was the fourth day of my fast, and I had already been out all morning, I was a bit light headed and feeling fairly sick.

I walked over to the fellow, and prayed for the Spirit's continued working in my heart and in the heart of the gentleman. The conversation started off easily enough in talking about the fish and the pond. He had caught a few small perch. He had been in town only about 9 months so doesn't know how much fish are usually stocked in the pond. I mentioned that the pond is next to the nursing home where our church meets (first mention of something relating to the Lord to see how he responded).

After we finished talking about fish, I pulled out a million dollar bill and asked if he had ever gotten one of them. He hadn't. I mentioned that the back of the bill was a gospel tract. He wondered what church we attended, and so we talked churches for a few minutes (he attends a different church in town). I shared that the tracts aren't about a church, but about dealing with sin and our eternity.

I found out his name was John.

I was able to share some of my testimony with him, and how the Lord wants everything from us - not just lip service. As we talked further, he opened up and shared more and more about his background. Turns out his struggle is with alcohol, and he had gotten drunk the previous night, been rude to his wife that morning, was practically out of money, behind on his bills, had two small children, and was out fishing to try and clear his mind.

As we talked there were several times the conversation could easily have come to a conclusion, but it continued. His background was a difficult one, and included being jailed in the 90's for murder. He shared that the real murderer had turned state's witness and as a result was never prosecuted. John said that he only had a Public Defender, and that the trial was a long ordeal. He feels he was close to God while in jail – but went right back to the way he was when we he was released. In fact, he said the real murderer was the one who gave him a ride home from jail. He readily agreed that it is easy to act like a hypocrite – and that the heart has to be changed.

Now, he is here in our town, with no job and pretty much out of money. He’s done some odd jobs for his pastor and the pastor’s son-in-law and family, but those jobs are coming to an end. I encouraged him to be willing to give everything up and surrender to the Lord. But I also encouraged him that it would be a difficult thing for him, as he would probably have to give up those things he loves most: his alcohol, his bitter custody fight for more visitation, his reputation, etc. He agreed that what was the Lord wanted, but I’m not sure he is willing.

Hopefully, the Lord will work mightily in his life as he considers surrendering to the Lord.

No matter what decision John makes, I was tremendously encouraged in obeying the prompting of the Spirit in my life - and was praising the Lord for what He is doing in my life.