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.

Another Telemarketing Success

I subscribe to a magazine which often costs $17 a year. However, I received a telemarketing call from an organization that is able to sell the subscription for $13 a year. I decided to go ahead and renew my subscription (I’ve ordered through this telemarketing company in the past).

I’ve been a little discouraged in my recent phone conversations because so many have been “busy” that they haven’t wanted to take time for the test.

This time it was nice to receive the telemarketing call after work hours when I had plenty of time to share! After we talked through the magazine options and I was all squared away with my subscription, she asked if there was anything else she could help me with – a perfect question!

I said I had two questions, but they were not related to the magazine and were only if she had time. She was curious, and said to go ahead. The first question was whether her accent was from Texas or the south – and she said it was from Tennessee. We talked about accents for a minute, and then I moved on to the good person test.

I again said it was only if she had a minute (which she did), so we started into the test. I asked if she felt she was a good person, and she said yes. I asked if she was familiar with the ten commandments, and she said yes. I asked if she felt she had kept the commandments, all, or some, or none – and she said most of them.

As we started into the commandments, she was hesitant to admit ever lying (perhaps because the call was being recorded?) – but she did come up with the word “liar.” She was also hesitant to admit stealing (she couldn’t recall a specific time but “must have at some point”). She never has taken God’s name in vain (“well, probably accidentally sometime”). When we discussed murder – I started by asking if she had ever killed someone – she said no. She’s the first one that then turned around and asked me if I had ever killed someone (I had admitted to the previous violation’s of God’s commandments so perhaps she thought I had also committed murder?!?). The conversation was still light-hearted at this point, and when I mentioned that God knows our hearts and thoughts, and that Jesus said that if we are angry with someone we commit murder in our heart, she said she had never been “that” angry with someone. I said that Jesus didn’t say “how” angry we had to be, just: angry.

I summarized her condition by saying that others would look at her as a nice person that is friendly, a good magazine salesperson, but when God looks at her, He would see someone that is a lying, thieving, blaspheming, murderer at heart. I said this was the moral to the story (I had mentioned at the beginning that the test had a “moral” at the end – although I need to come up with a better term than “moral” because I don’t like to in any way equate the gospel to a “moral”), if she were to die tonight, and God judged her based on the ten commandments, would she be innocent or guilty? She said she’d like to be innocent, but based on the ones we just talked about, she’d be guilty. I reminded her that we only looked at four out of the ten – and then asked where God sends guilty people – to heaven or hell. She said she knew the answer but couldn’t say it because it would be against their language rules – but that it was OK for me to say.

I then shared some of the ways people try to deal with their guilt before God (confessing their sin, trying to be good, and doing “good works” for God) and how ineffective each of those would be in a regular court of law. I then shared the story of my grandfather paying the fine for a person that caused an accident and was guilty before the court. The telemarketer was touched by the story, and agreed that an innocent person can pay the fine for a guilty person.

I then summarized the gospel, and shared how Jesus had given His life for her, and that He wanted her life in exchange. He didn’t want another hypocrite, but someone that will truly give their life to Him.

I was very encouraged because, despite her not sharing a tremendous amount with me, I truly feel it was because she felt constrained by the rules at her work, and yet she was open to me sharing. At times she reminded me it was OK for me to keep sharing, but that she couldn’t say too much. I encouraged her to read her Bible in the book of John, and to visit www.NeedGod.com for more information.

At the end, she thanked me for sharing with her, and I thanked her for helping me with my magazine subscription.

I was very encouraged to be able to share with someone that was open, and considered this a tremendous success – not because the person immediately repented and gave their life to Christ – but because I was able to share the Gospel with someone that appeared to have a soft heart of “good soil” – the result is up to her.

Another Trip to the Mission

Went to the rescue mission in the nearby large city this afternoon. We helped with a church service, and also did some music.

As we were unloading the van at the mission, I noticed an older gentleman sitting across the street with a crutch. I play the upright acoustic bass and was holding that, but I went across the street to talk with him. I asked how he injured himself and found out his back had problems – and that a few days before he hadn’t even been able to walk at all. He asked about my instrument, and I shared what it was, what it was for, and invited him in to the service. He declined, as he was waiting for friends to pick him up (interestingly enough, when we left, he was still out side but in a different location).

I gave him a tract (Ticket to Heaven) which he was receptive to, so I started into the good person test with him. He was open and interested as we discussed the different commandments. He admitted breaking them, and was quick to come up with the proper terms (“liar”, and “thief”). After summarizing his condition before God, he admitted he would be guilty of breaking them, that he would likely spend an eternity in hell, and that it concerned him. I was able to share the gospel with him, and he was open and listened for several minutes. He was familiar with the gospel (he has likely attended church before) – so I wondered if his heart was somewhat hardened to it (something like “Oh, I’ve heard that before”).

Inside, the group of men seemed a bit colder than usual. After the service, I was a bit disappointed with the conversations (especially considering the last time I was there I had been able to share the gospel with three men who were very receptive!).

I was able to give out a few “ten commandment pennies” (and the accompanying tract that explains it), but the conversations weren’t going anywhere. A fellow at a nearby table called me over, said he knew more about the Bible than I, and started asking questions. It became VERY obvious, VERY quickly, that his favorite verses are ones that are out of context, misapplied, and misunderstood.

He believed that Paul, when he said that he becomes ‘as those without the law in order to win those without the law’ – he feels Paul wasn’t talking about the ceremonial Jewish law, but rather the law of God (do not murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery). He also believed that when Paul said in Romans 7 that he does the things he doesn’t want to do, and doesn’t do the things he wants to do, that Paul was admitting to having committed adultery and fornication numerous times (since Paul had used the analogy of marriage at the beginning of the chapter to illustrate how the law has power over a person while they are alive to the law).

I shared with him regarding his interpretation of those Scriptures, but he was so focused on using grace as an occasion for the flesh and to justify and excuse his sin, that he wasn’t open.

The liberty we are called to, is liberty from sin and from the ceremonial law – NOT freedom to commit sin!

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Eventually, when he saw that I wasn’t agreeing with him but was becoming more direct in discussing salvation and his need for Jesus, he got up and left.

I also had an opportunity to meet the most angry, bitter, and closed person I have ever met at the shelter. While the men were coming through the line getting their meal, we offered them each a large, homemade cookie, as well as a gospel tract. This one person accepted a cookie but was very upset that I would offer him a tract. He said he was unhappy with having to already hear an hour of that stuff, he didn’t need more, and he believed in freedom of religion (interestingly enough, I believe his actual comment should have been “freedom FROM religion”).

Later, after the meal was over I was walking by as he was throwing his plate and napkin away. I asked him why he came to a Gospel Mission if he was so upset with the gospel message. Instead of responding to my question he again expressed his anger, his frustration at having to listen to an hour of stuff he didn’t agree with, and even how he hated our superior “better than others” belief. I said that was not true, and said to the contrary, we believe we are ALL sinners (and such a statement had been made several times during the message!). He didn’t want to hear it and simply said I could do him a big favor by leaving him alone – at which point he turned and walked away.

My heart was saddened by someone with so much obvious anger and bitterness. I would have love to have heard his story – but he wouldn’t consider talking with me because he wouldn’t have wanted me to share anything with him. I’m praying the Holy Spirit will work in his heart, as he is obviously at a point in his life where he has many needs.

A Quick Pizza Discussion

I took a young relative out for pizza today. Two ladies were at the pizza place in front of us, and they were told their pizza would be ready in a few minutes. When we placed our order, we were told it would be just a minute (the type of pizza we ordered was just coming out of the oven – whereas the pizza ordered by the ladies was just being put into the oven). While I was paying for the pizza, my young relative offered the two ladies a million dollar bill tract. She was then explaining to them what it was as I finished paying and joined the conversation.

I knew I wouldn’t have long, so I explained that it was a form of the good person test on the back of the million dollar bill, and asked if they felt they were good people. I was surprised that they both felt they weren’t. I said it was important to deal with because it impacted our eternity in heaven or hell. The one lady asked which church I went to, and after I answered I asked about the two of them (one attends a Lutheran Church and the other is Catholic). After asking the Lutheran (who was raised Baptist and was familiar with salvation and had been saved) if she was living as the Lord would have her to live, she said she was trying. I was a little bold and encouraged her that trying might be good, but we can live as He wants us to if we are obeying Him.

The Catholic at some point made a comment about everyone being headed for hell, and so I took the opportunity to say that that was an unfortunate aspect to being a Catholic – not ever knowing where they will spend eternity. How not even the Pope himself knows if he will enter heaven or hell. I said it was very unfortunate because the Bible is VERY clear that a person that is headed for heaven can know it for sure.

I encouraged her to get her Bible out and read I John 5:13: (KJV) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

What is interesting to note, is that even the Catholic Bible uses a somewhat similar translation for I John 5:13: (NAB) I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

I didn’t share this with them, but Dave Hunt points out in his book “A Woman Rides the Beast”, that any Catholic that believes that their sins are forgiven and that they will for sure enter heaven when they die, that person is anathema (meaning “cursed”). The Council of Trent, Six, XVI, Canon 13 states: If anyone says that in order to obtain the remission of sins it is necessary for every man to believe with certainty and without any hesitation arising from his own weakness and indisposition that his sins are forgiven him, let him be anathema.

I John is written so that we may know we are going to heaven (something which is only possible if our sins are forgiven – because sinners cannot enter heaven).

We only had a minute or two of conversation until the pizza’s were ready – but I pray the Lord will use that time in their lives.

Ordering a Chair from a "Semi-Concerned" Person

We needed a new chair in the office and had recently received a catalog from an office furniture supply company. They had a number of nice-looking ergonomic chairs, as well as an extended warranty. I gave them a call to confirm the length of their warranty (15 years!) and to see about ordering a chair.

I talked with a customer service representative who was helpful and answered my various questions. I then placed a chair on order. In the midst of the call she had to put me on hold to answer another line, so I knew they were a bit busy.

Following the order, I said it sounded like she was fairly busy, but if she had another minute I had a quick off-topic question for her. She was curious, and said to go ahead. I asked if she had ever taken the “good person” test – and she said she hadn’t. She was up for it, so we started into it.

She had fun with the test, and we looked at lying, stealing, and blasphemy. She readily admitted each offense. I had told her up front that there was a moral to the story – so, after summarizing her results (she laughed as we went through the results), I said, here is the moral of the story: if you were to die tonight and God judged you based on His ten commandments, would you be innocent or guilty? She quickly said “I’d be guilty.” I then said, “and where would you spend eternity, in heaven or hell?” She replied, “Hell, I guess.”

I asked if that concerned her, and she said ‘yes.’ After I asked if she had heard the gospel before and if she had a Bible, I once again asked how she was doing time-wise. She said it was a little longer than she had expected (I thought I was going fairly quickly – and had left out the illustration about the car accident and the court of law!) and she would probably need to go. I was surprised that a moment ago she had expressed concern over spending an eternity in hell, but here she was too busy to hear the solution to her problem! I said I understood she was busy, thanked her for helping me with the chair order, and for taking the test, and then encouraged her to think about those ten commandments and her relationship with God, and to visit NeedGod.com for further information.

Another Day – Another Barber

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.

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!).

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!

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!).

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.

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.

A Trip to Wal-Mart

As I walked by the check-out aisle I noticed a lady sitting next to a demo table. I started a conversation (asking how many she had sold) and we chatted for a while. I gave her a tract and a ten commandment coin, and we began working through the commandments. Another Wal-Mart employee showed up (she was going to take over the demo table for the other lady) and all three of us discussed the commandments. Both of them had a Christian background but neither was living for the Lord. Both understood the basics of salvation, but their walk with the Lord was questionable. In fact, one of them believed a person could be “saved” – but not quite yet “delivered” from sin. A lot of our discussion focused on repenting and obeying – along with the tests for salvation in I John. We talked about a person being securely in Jesus’ hands when they are saved – and that NO ONE can take them out of the Lord’s hand. We talked quite a bit about false converts, and how many of Jesus’ parables dealt with false converts (the wheat and the tares, the sheep and the goats, the soil, etc.). Considering the one lady wasn’t attending church and wasn’t reading her Bible, I encouraged her to seriously consider her salvation. I asked if I were to give her a Bible – would she read it? She surprised me by saying she would. I showed her how the chain of Scriptures that deal with salvation work, bent down the page that starts the chain of Scriptures, and also wrote that page number in the front. I gave both of them the more detailed “Are You Good Enough to Go To Heaven?” tracts – and then moved on.

The jewelry counter was next – a watch battery needed to be replaced. I talked with the worker behind the counter as she replaced the battery, and after awhile I gave her a Million Dollar Bill tract and we began through the good person test. She wasn’t quite as open as some, but was still receptive. After a minute or two, the phone rang and she had to go over to the Shoe Department to look something up for a customer. We had almost finished the “bad news” portion of the gospel – so I summarized the rest quickly and encouraged her to get a Bible and seek the Lord with her whole heart.

It didn’t take long to find the rest of the items I needed, and I was glad that the lines weren’t long. As I checked out I gave the checker a Titanic tract – for which he thanked me.

While I was paying, a checker in the next line over said “Aren’t you the guy with the million dollar bills?” I said I was – and asked if she had one. She did.

When I was done paying for my purchases, I stopped over at her register and asked if she accepts large bills. She said they do, and I said I had one for her. I pulled out the Giant Thousand Dollar Bill Tract and she was excited. I again pointed out the gospel on the back and she turned it over and started reading it. A mother and her 11 year-old daughter were just finishing up paying and the mother said she’d be interested in one of those. I said that was all I had, but I did have some Million Dollar Bills. She was even more excited about the Million Dollar Bill – and her daughter wanted one as well. I also gave the daughter an IQ test.

The checker with the Giant Thousand Dollar Bill tract was interested in our church information – and I shared that the tracts are about getting right with God and not attending church – that a person can attend church all their life and still spend eternity in hell. She readily agreed. I did share the time our church meets – but, again, encouraged her that the real issue is a person’s heart.

The “problem” with Sharing Christ while doing routine errands is that routine errands take quite a bit longer – but what better way is there for spending our time?

Phone Rejection…

Phone rejections seem to occur more often than tract rejections. I was in the process of ordering some products for a client, and had questions about the vendor’s web site that I was using to place the order. I called in and talked with Jennifer – who was helpful. It was a very short conversation, and at the end, I didn’t ask about the Good Person test because I felt she would be closed. As soon as I hung up I wished I had at least tried.

Later, as I was finishing up the order on the web site, I ran into additional problems and called back – again, Jennifer answered my questions. This time, after discussing business I asked about the Good Person test. She had never taken it before – but when I asked if she had just a minute she said no… I said that was OK, thanked her for her help, and life went on.

Rejection is never pleasant, but I need to remember that they aren’t rejecting me, but the Lord. On top of that, it’s important to realize that people are busy with work, they are being paid by their employer to do a job, and it might very well be that they don’t have time.

First SOULWINNING Outing - A Report!

Today was the first day that I went out and went “soul winning”. It was a very interesting experience, and I was surprised at how things went…

Yesterday, my sister, while out at lunch with a relative, ran into a believer from a nearby church that shared he was going soul winning in a nearby large town on Saturday afternoon – and that I (or any others) was welcome to join him. My heart confirmed that it would be a good thing to do, so I called him that evening and we talked through the plans.

The idea was to meet up with some other believers, drive to a spot in the city that has a lot of people (a popular shopping district): set up a table with free hot cocoa near the park fountain (with a sign asking “are you going to heaven?”), those at the table would share with the people that stopped for something warm to drink, while others would head out in groups of two and pass out tracts and witness throughout the shopping district.

I rode with the brother into the city and everyone then met at another brother’s house. As we got out of our vehicle to go inside and meet, I noticed two young boys playing football next door. I grabbed a few tracts and went over. I asked if they were playing tackle football, and they said “yes.” I asked what would happen if they were tackled on the cement, and they simply shrugged their shoulders. I pulled out a million dollar bill tract and offered it to them – they were duly impressed. I then pulled out an IQ test (“paris in the the spring”) and went through that. It took them several tries before they saw the double words! I then explained what was on the back of the cards, and began going through the good person test with them.

I found out their ages (9 and 10) as we went through the test. They both readily acknowledged breaking the various commandments. Despite both of them having attended Catholic church, neither one of them had any idea of the good news of the gospel – and they both acknowledged concern over their eternal destiny in hell. I spent 10 to 15 minutes sharing the gospel with them, and encouraged them to get right with God while they are young. I gave them some more in-depth tracts, told them that everything I was sharing was from the Bible, and encouraged them to read it and to find a relationship with Christ. As I headed over to the house we were meeting in, they both thanked me and returned to their game.

After we had a time of prayer and planning at the brother’s house, we set out for the shopping district. We found parking, and loaded up with tracts. Once we were set (while still in the parking lot), I noticed two young fellows walking towards their car to leave the parking lot. I hustled over to them (one was already in the car, but the passenger had only opened his door to get into the car) and asked if he had ever been given a million dollar bill. He hadn’t – and thought it was very cool. I asked if he’d ever taken the good person test, and he said no. I asked if he was a good person, and he said yes. I’ve found it’s a lot more fun to take two friends through the good person test, because you can bounce questions off either one – so I then asked him if his friend in the car was a good person – he said he wasn’t (with a big laugh). I asked his friend if he also wanted to take the good person test, and he said “sure” – so he got out of the car and came around to talk with us.

We had a great time going through the test –as the one fellow continued painting his friend with a broad, black brush! I finally asked him what he was doing with him as a friend – and we all laughed. After the test, they acknowledged a destiny in hell, and that it concerned them. As we talked, the conversation was still upbeat and friendly, but you could see a visible shift as they became more serious and somber. They were truly listening and thinking. We discussed the various methods people use to try and “pay for their fine” (from promising to not break the law in the future, to confessing their guilt, to attempting to bribe the judge with good words), and they could see the futility of each. I then shared the gospel with them, and they appeared to understand. I asked if they had Bibles, and they both did. I encouraged them to read in the book of John – and to not delay in getting right with God. At the end, they thanked me for sharing and then headed off.

As we were walking back through the parking lot a couple rejected a million dollar bill tract, but another couple (with a child) accepted it. Two other young fellows were over by their sporty little car chatting – so I went over and asked if they would like a million dollar bill. They both did. We talked, and neither had taken the good person test – so we started into it. They caught on rather quickly and had fun with it. But, they, too, became more serious as we discussed the consequences to those “commandments” that were fun to joke about breaking. I again shared the various man-centered approaches to God (confession, seeking to do better, and good works) and they agreed that those don’t erase the penalty. I then shared the gospel and encouraged them to get right with God before it is too late. They were receptive and listened attentively (and interjected their thoughts as we talked – it wasn’t a one-way conversation!). We probably talked for about 10 minutes, and then I left them with some more in-depth tracts.

So far, we hadn’t gotten out of the parking lot, and, including the two boys playing football, had already been able to share with 6 people! I had a suspicion, though, that we were doing far better than we would when we got to the shopping district.

In crossing the street we stopped at the island in the middle of the intersection to talk with the homeless man that was holding a sign and asking for money. I said the only thing I could share with him had to do with his eternal destiny, and gave him the million dollar bill – which he thought was great. We started talking, and again worked through the good person test, followed by eternal destiny (hell), and then the gospel. It was probably 10 or 15 minutes of interaction in the middle of the intersection. I again encouraged him to get right with God, and not to simply say a prayer and go to church and be like a hypocrite. He agreed that churches are full of people that go to church on Sunday and then cuss and swear and live dishonest lives the rest of the week – and he agreed that God wanted more than that. Supposedly this man has a master’s degree in biology – and I was inclined to believe him. I’m not sure why he was on the street, but he wasn’t anything like so many whose minds are ruined by drugs and alcohol. Before we left I asked if I could pray with him and he said ‘yes.’ In prayer, I asked God to open his eyes and reveal to him his condition before God, his breaking of the commandments (as we all have), and that he will stand before a righteous judge when he dies. I asked that God would reveal Himself and His Son Jesus to him, and that he would turn over his life to Christ, and would live for Him. Afterwards, he thanked me and we headed off.

We met another homeless person with a sign on the other side of the intersection and tried to talk with him, but he was less communicative and seemed to have a mind that was dulled with drugs or alcohol. We gave him a million dollar bill and started to talk with him, but after awhile he said he wasn’t interested. I said it was fine – he didn’t have to talk with us – but encouraged him to get right with God before it is too late and to read the back of the million dollar bill.

We then arrived at the fountain and talked with the brothers at the table for a few minutes. The initial plan had been an hour and a half in the shopping district, but we only had about 45-60 minutes left. So, we set out.

I have never had so many rejections in trying to hand out tracts or share the gospel as I did in that upscale shopping district. It was amazing! At times, it was actually hard to pass out a million dollar bill – sometimes there would be three or four rejections in a row before someone would accept it!

I was paired up with a younger brother from another family, and we were simply walking around trying to start conversations and pass out tracts. The million dollar bill made a great ice breaker, but it was also nice anytime someone had a dog (I like dogs and enjoy meeting them – although not all of them enjoy meeting me) and we could talk about that. Despite the many rejections, we were able to share with a number of people. Several started through the good person test but would leave as they started to feel conviction. Others went through and heard the gospel and understood it, but it wasn’t resonating within. Several times in sharing with a couple, the lady would be receptive whereas the man wouldn’t be. Or perhaps the mother would be open, but the father would say they needed to run along. I would always apologize for interrupting – and then they would say it was no problem and no interruption (but they still were heading off!).

The challenge was starting conversations with people. I tried to say “Hi!” to almost everyone we passed, and started a number of conversations that didn’t go anywhere.

At the designated time we met back at the table. Several of the brothers went to get the vehicles so they could load everything up. I noticed a lady with a pit bull over by the fountain and asked if anyone had shared with her yet. Since no one had, I headed over.

A bonus when sharing with some that has a pet dog is being able to meet the dog. Keep in mind that not all dogs are friendly – I’ve had several nip at me while I held out my hand to them. Turns out the pit bull was still a puppy (just shy of 1 year old) and was very friendly.

The lady accepted a million dollar bill and then we went through the good person test. When it got to innocence/guilt and heaven/hell she quickly said heaven because God has forgiven her. As we talked further, she mentioned her father was a minister. From our discussion I somewhat doubted whether she had a proper understanding of salvation and whether she was living for Jesus (two clues: she was smoking a cigarette while we talked, and she isn’t in the Word very often) – but it was still a good opportunity to share. We talked for about five minutes, and I encouraged her to be in the Word on a daily basis. I left her with a “Are You Good Enough to Go to Heaven” tract and then rejoined the group.

Interestingly enough, in summary, I found out that:
- Setting aside a time to go “soul winning” doesn’t make the process any easier, it is still difficult to approach strangers.
- As a result of an afternoon of “soul winning”, I was able to share the plan of salvation with about 15 people (and the majority of those were VERY open and realized their need).
- Having someone along with you can bolster your confidence.
- There appeared to be more success in the parking lot, neighborhood, and fountain area rather than in the shopping district.

Two Phone Calls - Two Chances to Share

While making two phone calls this morning related to business I was able to share the complete plan of salvation with two customer service representatives that were very open and receptive to their need for salvation.

The first – after calling and ordering some product for our business, at the end of our phone call, I asked the lady if she had ever taken the ‘good person’ test. She hadn’t. I said it would only take a minute or two, and that if other calls were coming in and she needed to go – it wouldn’t be a problem and she should just let me know. We went through the commandments and she acknowledged guilt in each area. She was hoping to go to heaven, though, due to her confession and repentance. After hearing the courtroom analogy she readily agreed that simply confessing and repenting doesn’t change the fact a crime was committed. We probably spent 5 or 7 minutes, total, discussing her soul as she was very receptive. I encouraged her to repent and give her life to Christ before it is too late.

The second – I needed to call one of our major software vendors to discuss product registration questions. I called their 800 number and immediately got through (which was very nice). It didn’t take long to have my questions answered, at the end it was perfect, because the rep asked if there was anything else she could help me with. I said everything relating to the software was squared away, but I wondered if she had ever taken the good person test. She hadn’t – and I said it would only take a minute, and if other calls were coming in and she needed to go to just let me know… I even gave her a heads-up warning that everyone tends to fail the test – but I said it was fun and had a moral at the end.

I asked if she felt she was a good person, and she said yes. I asked if I could ask a few questions to see if that was true – and then asked if she was familiar with the 10 commandments. She wasn’t! I said most people are, and surely she has heard of some of them. I said one of them is “thou shalt not lie” and asked if she has ever lied – she had. I asked what that would make her, and she said a “temporarily bad person.” True, I said, but particularly, if I told lies what would she call me. She said it wouldn’t be a “liar” unless she knew the background information behind the lie. I said, “Isn’t it true that if I murder someone I’m a murdered, and if I lie, I’m a liar?” She agreed… So, we moved on to stealing, which she readily admitted. She had a hard time coming up with the word for someone that steals (a thief), so I helped her. Next was taking God’s name in vain, which she also readily admitted. For the fourth one, I actually gave her a choice – she could choose between murder and adultery. She laughed and said ‘murder’, but was a bit more serious as we went through the fact that God doesn’t simply see what we do, but also what we think. She acknowledged being angry at people, and laughed as we reviewed her confessed condition: a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart. When asked about guilt before God, she said she would definitely be guilty, and when asked about heaven or hell, she didn’t outright answer but said it is something that concerned her.

We continued talking about how to “fix the problem” – and went through:
- Confession (won’t help a guilty criminal)
- Trying not to do it again (won’t help a guilty criminal)
- Doing good works (won’t help a guilty criminal – as it is considered either bribery or irrelevant to the case at hand)

We talked then about the good news of the gospel, and I encouraged her to repent, acknowledge her sin to God, cry out for His mercy, turn from the sin she’s involved in, give her life completely to Him, and start reading her Bible.

One very interesting aspect of the conversation was the opportunity to warn her of the seriousness of giving her life to Christ. We talked about hypocrites that go to church and know about Jesus, but haven’t been changed by Him – and how that would be similar to jumping out of a plane knowing that a parachute would save you, but not actually PUTTING IT ON. I encouraged her that, when she repents and “puts on Jesus” – her life will change. As we had been talking about the gospel, she had she shared about her “roommate”, who was her best friend. She lives in the same house (or apartment) as he for financial reasons – yet their relationship is completely platonic. His parents were very upset when he moved out of their house and in with her – and even had him meet with a pastor (who basically sided with the young man and agreed he needed to grow up at some point and move out?!?).

I was very surprised that this issue would come up, and was trying to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit in even sharing with her. Generally, as a young man, when sharing with someone that is a young lady, I have generally shared over the phone the first time - but will not follow-up (e-mail or future phone calls) with them to avoid the appearance of evil in my own life; but, if they are interested in follow-up, will encourage them to talk with my mother or sister.

In this instance, I felt the Lord giving boldness to address the issue that she had brought up. It's interesting how often, in talking with a guilty sinner, they will bring up the issue that is weighing on their heart. In talking with her, she agreed that such a living arrangement gave the appearance of evil. As we talked about giving her life to Christ and then fully obeying Him, I shared that one of the first things that would likely change would be the living arrangement – and the difficulty and challenges that would come as a result. And yet, the Lord would give her grace as she obeyed, and she would never regret obeying the Lord once she gave her life to Him.

Another Trip to the Homeless Mission

First time going to the Mission with a supply of tracts. We brought the Titanic story tract and handed them out with home-made cookies as the men came out of the kitchen with their lunch. I don’t believe anyone turned down the tract, and it was good to see how many were reading their tracts.

Before the service started I saw a young African-American gentleman sitting near the front. I went over and gave him an IQ tract and said he would enjoy reading it. We chatted and I brought up the 10 commandments to see if he had kept them. We talked for a while and he admitted guilt, but he didn’t seem to be fully into the conversation. A number of others around us appeared to be listening, and at one point another gentlemen interjected by saying, “Why all this talk about judgment?” I reminded him that we all will eventually die and face judgment, and we’d better prepare now – and switched back to the conversation. I encouraged him to get right with God before it is too late. My goal was to plead with him, not preach at him.

One interesting part of the “good person test” – when I was talking about how anger is similar to murder, he shared that he had NEVER been angry with someone, so he wasn’t guilty of committing murder in his heart. A few minutes later, he was chatting with his buddy next to him, and the subject of the “yellow-vested city workers” came up (I believe these on police or city workers that are attempting to clean up the city and have encounters with the homeless). He said that he wished someone with a gun would go out and take care of them because he can’t stand them. I was absolutely floored, and reminded him that just minutes ago he had professed to be innocent of ever being angry with someone, and here he was – not only angry – but so angry with people that he wanted them to be dead. A perfect picture of someone that is committing murder in their heart!

I didn’t think our conversation had much of an impact on him, but after the service he shared with Dad that he had been deeply convicted by the Lord that he should be living for Jesus – and here he was at 32 years of age (I had shared I was 26) and there was no reason why he couldn’t live right. I was very encouraged to think he had been listening.

After the service and after passing out the tracts and cookies I went around the room to see who was interested in talking. It always seems very difficult to start a conversation with someone. Some of the fellows are open – others are very closed. I’ve had people get up and leave in the middle of conversations before!

I never got past small talk with a few men (I commented on either the food, the weather, the service, or the Titanic tract and would see what their response was). Eventually an older Hispanic gentlemen was open to conversation so we talked for awhile. I asked him about his background (he was a Catholic) and I said he should be familiar with the ten commandments. He was, although he said he couldn’t name them. I laughed and said I couldn’t until recently, and had just started learning them. I asked if he felt he has kept them, and he said “most”. I asked if we could go through some of them, and he said yes. We went through lying, stealing, blasphemy, and murder – all of which he admitted to (in action, or in his heart). He seemed genuinely open as we talked about guilt, judgment, and hell – so we then talked about salvation, and repenting of our sins, turning from them, and giving our entire life to Jesus. I encouraged him to read his Bible and to seek Jesus with his whole heart. He then had a work detail to join, so I prayed with him – he thanked me, and headed off.

It wasn’t quite time to leave yet, so I headed over to another table that still had a few fellows at it. It was about half-way back from the front, and since there was a Bible open on it I asked if this was the ‘Godly’ table where men sat that were seeking the Lord. They laughed and a few of the guys gave different responses. I asked if anyone had read the Titanic tract and we talked about that for a few moments… One gentleman in particular seemed open so I carried on the conversation with him – asking if he had gone through the “good person” test during the message. He wasn’t fully familiar with the ten commandments, but was open to the questions. He readily admitted guilt and an eternity in hell, and said he was in the process of seeking Jesus. He said he was struggling with ‘letting go.’ What a blessing to talk with someone who knows in his heart what is right and is seeking for it! I encouraged him to stay in the Word and continue until he has given up everything and only has Jesus.

On the way back from the Mission we stopped for a soda and chips. While checking out we talked with the clerk – and Dad offered to buy him a candy bar. He declined, but commented on Dad being a “nice guy”. I asked him if he was a nice guy as well, and he said “yes”. I asked if he was good enough to get to heaven and gave him the tract with the same title. I said it had a fair amount of text in it but was something everyone should read through. He took the tract and said he would definitely read it through later on.

Another failure…

While stretching after my walk I noticed a repairman getting tools out of his truck at a nearby house. The Lord prompted me to go over and give him some tracts and perhaps run through the “Good Person” test, but I delayed. By the time I was ready to get up and head over, he was already heading back into the house. If I had obeyed the Lord the first time, the fellow would have been there while I walked over…