I turned 25 today. How crazy is that? I usually don't pay much thought to my birthday but this year is different and I'll tell you why, near the end!
Don't worry. I'm not one of those dudes that gets all freaked out about getting older and trying to look younger and all that nonsense, even though I'm not that old. But of couse it's all in the eye of the beholder! When I'm 30, I'm 30 and when I'm 40, I'm 40. God willing I'll make it that far! I believe what I have to say is much deeper and important than the whole age issue.
I think as adults in general we don't generally think about our child hood much anymore, in a healthy way at least. I still have so many memories and it's insane to think how time flys by, but it is immensly slow when you stop and count the seconds.
I actually remember what the 80's smell like...I know that's weird, but I'll walk into a building and I'm like, "it smells very 80'sish in here". I mean, I know it's because my brain associates specific smells from that time period and then relates my memories to them, but still, how awesome is that? Psychomotor development really is interesting!
Anyways, I remember my mom cuddling with me and taking care of me when I was sick. I rememeber sneaking into my parents bed in the middle of the night. I remember my first day of day care and Saturday morning cartoons. I even remember when me and my sister caught the Easter bunny and my first day of school, lol. I believe we've all had our good and bad memories. Some of us had bad childhoods and some had good, but we're all here now. When I think about everything I went through I'm baffled to think I'm actually a 25 year old man. I remember (I'm going to say that a lot) when I thought 100 dollars could by a house, my first fight, first crush, first race (in a car, I was too fat to foot-race....), friend, time I played a guitar, and so forth.
Our lives, at least for everyone around me, were milestoned like this. 5 years old - go to school - 9ish - friendship is everything - 13 become a teenager (real drama begins) - 16 start driving and hopefully get a car - 18 you can smoke and you have the "right" to say "I don't have to listen to my parents anymore" - 21 - you can drink. Sound familiar? Maybe not.
I wrote many journals when I was in high school and I've been reflecting on my child-adolescenthood lately and have come to this realization. Nothing we have done determines who we are, but it does determine what we are. Sound weird? I think it's true. When I was 5 I hit a kid in the head with a baseball bat for biting me. I thought it was literally the end of the world because my parents would ground me. When I got in my first wreck I thought it was the end of the world. When I was young I thought I HAD to marry so-and-so or get in this or that band or it was the end of the world. The point that I'm trying to make is this; we have no idea of how are life is ever going to turn out or what the repercussions of our decisions will be. Everything we see is from such a narrow perspective no matter how hard we try to think outside of the box.
Who we are is determined by what we believe of ourselves, others, and God. You may believe in Him or not, but it tells a lot about who you are as a person. It doesn't matter if you've broke the law, won the lottery, gave to the poor because they are all "things" that you have done that anyone else could do. What we have done doesn't determine what we are unless you think of it in the the biggest perspective of all. For example: if you've told a lie, your a liar, if you've stolen, you're a thief, if you've used God's name in vain, your a blasphemer. In that perspective (the Biblical one) liars, thieves, and blasphemers will go to hell (Rev. 21:8) But Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead 3 days later forever defeating death for those who will repent (turn away) from their sins and trust in Him fully. He is the only way to heaven and the only way to escape the hell we all deserve. John 14:6
The other perspective is OUR perspective. If we lie we don't think we're liars anymore than if I bake a cake once it doesn't make me a baker. But our own perspective is contradicting. If someone murdered someone 20 years ago and then gets caught now we put him on trial for what....being a murderer. Time doesn't erase the things that we have done, good or bad. See how much our perspective can be flawed. That is why we have to look to the ultimate perspective of God and His word. It is perfect. He is loving, holy, just, merciful, and righteous.
Do you ever have those moments when you're driving or just sitting somewhere and your thinking, "how did I get here"? If not, maybe I'm just deep in a strange way. The reason this birthday (year) is different for me is because that doesn't happen very much anymore. As most of you know I became a born-again Christian this year. Meaning, I didn't just say I was a Christian anymore...I really was. God changed my heart. I began to love the things He loved and hated the things He hated. He gave me the strength and desire to repent from my sins, surrendering and putting my trust in Jesus Christ. I'm not a hypocrite anymore.
I believe it's because I know that wherever I am in my life at this point, I am there for a reason. I don't really question it much or ever ask "what if" anymore. We're all in God's plan. We just need to figure out if we're truly aware of it or not. I don't think the answer to that is reading "Your Best Life Now" or "The Purpose Driven Life". The answer lies in asking yourself this question. It's not, do you know God, it's does God know you? Meaning, are you calling yourself a Christian without being a servant or are you even calling yourself a Christian for that matter.
Many Christians say to live life by asking "what would Jesus do". Well we don't need to ask that. We just need to look at "what DID Jesus do". It's called reading His word, the Bible. That is how we grow closer to Him and that is one very big way we grow closer to Him and He reveals truth and direction to us.
I don't ask how did I get here anymore. Now I ask what can I do now that I am here to glorify God. I find true joy and happiness in doing so. I believe we should all be asking ourselves that question, especially if you call yourself a Christian.
May God bless you and thanks for reading.
Joey
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Another day, another story, praise God!
Yesterday was a slow day at first, but turned out to be nothing less than great. My family and I woke up, ate left over Chuck E Cheese pizza from the night before, lol, and then went to Grayson's friends birthday party. After that we went to my niece's football game where she was cheering. Then on the way to my parents house we found a little boy (between 2 and 3 years old running around by himself in the street). I was disgusted at how everyone (yes, adults) at the park didn't do anything about it. They even told me just that he had been walking up and down the street for a while by himself!!
As I went to talk to the little boy and guided him out of the street he started crying and went to what appeared to be his house down the block, but no one would answer the door so my wife called the police while I stayed with him. He was such a sweet little boy and he sat in my lap until the authorities arrived. That's when the people at the park wanted to come see what was going on....
I told them to go away and that the police didn't need a scene. The reason I'm telling this story is because that is how a lot of Christians are. These people saw a little boy in the street who could have been hit by a car any minute and did nothing about it even as we had to stop not to hit him. People are in danger of hell and could die any minute and Christians stand by and do nothing about it. We have a responsibility! God works through us to bring about His will. I beg you to please share your faith however you can. Please don't be like the bystanders who didn't care enough about the little boy! Christians are ambassadors to the lost, not bystanders.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. - 2 Corinthians 5:20
Everything turned out alright and I was able to have a conversation with the police officer and give him a gospel tract. Please pray for him and other officers for their salvation, safety, and service.
After that, I had a wonderful night of witnessing at the Harbor where the Lord did amazing things as usual. I ran into an atheist who I had met before who denounced his title as atheist and now believes there to be a God, but didn't want to trust in something he didn't understand yet. Our conversation went well and another seed was planted. Please pray for him as he is searching, attending church, and reading the bible. God enabled me to talk to more groups of people which went really well.
I was passing a group of about 6 or 8 guys who were cussing profusely. I walked right by them, but I felt an overwhelming impulse to go back and talk to them. When God wants you to do something sometimes it really is overwhelming if you are open to His will. People expect God to do things, but they don't fully surrender to Him. That's the key and probably one of the reasons people have to hit rock bottom before they turn to God, which is unfortunate that it has to come to that situation.
I went back and gave them tracts and asked them if they had a religious background and sure enough they all said they were Christians, even after dropping numerous f-bombs and other not so nice words. I continued to ask them what they think happens after death and as we went through the law of God (the 10 commandments) their heads immediately dropped and they couldn't look at me. THAT is what the law of God does, they realized what their sin was and that is why we are to use it! Now they were ready for the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
I shared with them why God sent His son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man to die for our sins and to rise from the dead 3 days later forever defeating death. I explained what we are "saved" from if we repent and trust in Him. These boys understood the true loved of God. At least they appeared to. They told me they would definitely think about what I said and thanked me for talking to them. Praise God! Please pray for them!
After that I was on my way to the restroom and then was going to go to my car after that. As I was leaving I got the same feeling again as two girls were walking along the pier. I said to myself, "I'll at least give them a tract". So I did and they kept walking, but my mouth opened, "do you guys have a religious background"? That turned into an over an hour long conversation as we sat on the pier. They were very sweet, intelligent, and unfortunately victims of church corruption which is what I run into a lot.
The Lord guided the conversation without a doubt and I believe important questions were answered. I don't know their hearts, but I truly pray that they come to know the one and only living God, Jesus Christ. It was really a wonderful night. Even if things don't always go the way I want, there is no other feeling like knowing that you are serving the Lord.
My brother Ray Comfort couldn't have put it any better when it comes to witnessing, "sometimes I go in dragging my feet, but I always come out clicking my heels."
May God bless you and yours and PLEASE pray for those who I mentioned and all the others who are lost.
Thank you so much and all the glory to Him.
In Christ,
Joey
John 3:30
As I went to talk to the little boy and guided him out of the street he started crying and went to what appeared to be his house down the block, but no one would answer the door so my wife called the police while I stayed with him. He was such a sweet little boy and he sat in my lap until the authorities arrived. That's when the people at the park wanted to come see what was going on....
I told them to go away and that the police didn't need a scene. The reason I'm telling this story is because that is how a lot of Christians are. These people saw a little boy in the street who could have been hit by a car any minute and did nothing about it even as we had to stop not to hit him. People are in danger of hell and could die any minute and Christians stand by and do nothing about it. We have a responsibility! God works through us to bring about His will. I beg you to please share your faith however you can. Please don't be like the bystanders who didn't care enough about the little boy! Christians are ambassadors to the lost, not bystanders.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. - 2 Corinthians 5:20
Everything turned out alright and I was able to have a conversation with the police officer and give him a gospel tract. Please pray for him and other officers for their salvation, safety, and service.
After that, I had a wonderful night of witnessing at the Harbor where the Lord did amazing things as usual. I ran into an atheist who I had met before who denounced his title as atheist and now believes there to be a God, but didn't want to trust in something he didn't understand yet. Our conversation went well and another seed was planted. Please pray for him as he is searching, attending church, and reading the bible. God enabled me to talk to more groups of people which went really well.
I was passing a group of about 6 or 8 guys who were cussing profusely. I walked right by them, but I felt an overwhelming impulse to go back and talk to them. When God wants you to do something sometimes it really is overwhelming if you are open to His will. People expect God to do things, but they don't fully surrender to Him. That's the key and probably one of the reasons people have to hit rock bottom before they turn to God, which is unfortunate that it has to come to that situation.
I went back and gave them tracts and asked them if they had a religious background and sure enough they all said they were Christians, even after dropping numerous f-bombs and other not so nice words. I continued to ask them what they think happens after death and as we went through the law of God (the 10 commandments) their heads immediately dropped and they couldn't look at me. THAT is what the law of God does, they realized what their sin was and that is why we are to use it! Now they were ready for the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
I shared with them why God sent His son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man to die for our sins and to rise from the dead 3 days later forever defeating death. I explained what we are "saved" from if we repent and trust in Him. These boys understood the true loved of God. At least they appeared to. They told me they would definitely think about what I said and thanked me for talking to them. Praise God! Please pray for them!
After that I was on my way to the restroom and then was going to go to my car after that. As I was leaving I got the same feeling again as two girls were walking along the pier. I said to myself, "I'll at least give them a tract". So I did and they kept walking, but my mouth opened, "do you guys have a religious background"? That turned into an over an hour long conversation as we sat on the pier. They were very sweet, intelligent, and unfortunately victims of church corruption which is what I run into a lot.
The Lord guided the conversation without a doubt and I believe important questions were answered. I don't know their hearts, but I truly pray that they come to know the one and only living God, Jesus Christ. It was really a wonderful night. Even if things don't always go the way I want, there is no other feeling like knowing that you are serving the Lord.
My brother Ray Comfort couldn't have put it any better when it comes to witnessing, "sometimes I go in dragging my feet, but I always come out clicking my heels."
May God bless you and yours and PLEASE pray for those who I mentioned and all the others who are lost.
Thank you so much and all the glory to Him.
In Christ,
Joey
John 3:30
Friday, September 4, 2009
Shenanigans and scientology
I decided to go the harbor Thursday night during a jazz concert at the amphitheater while my wife and son ran errands.
This post is long, but it was an eventful night : )
Everything started out slow as I walked around praying and taking in the beautiful sites. Honestly, it's hard for me to work up the courage to start talking to random people, but they aren't random at all in God's eyes. I usually sit on a bench for about 10 minutes praying for courage, compassion, and that hearts would be unhardened and receptive to the gospel. And most importantly for God to be with me as He always is. After that I'm good to go!
I then noticed two girls walking around, one wearing a large Shenanigans sign around her neck advertising the business, and the other handing out flyers I believe. I walked up and handed them a couple of million dollar bill tracts. They replied by saying "oh people leaves these at our work and people don't like them."
I asked, "Why don't they like them?"
"Well someone said the part about sin makes it seem like people can just sin and live however they want and then everything is just okay if we say a prayer" (This perspective is usually shared by people who turn their back on Christianity due to the modern prosperity gospel, hypocrisy, catholocism or other works-based religions)
I explained that the message shows us how we all have sinned and why we need to be saved.
I then shared with them the law and the gospel. I explained what the gospel really is and why it is good news. As we went through the law I believe their hearts were convicted. They were extremely nice girls. They thanked me and said they were really glad I stop and talked to them. The girl with the sign even gave me a hug and was grateful for our conversation. I truly believe the Lord did a work in their hearts. They seemed very responsive, convicted, and inspired to embrace repentance and trust in Christ.
As I moved on I handed out tracts to individuals and couples walking by as they were on their way to the concert. Next, I saw a group of about 6 teenage guys smoking and talking near the fountain I approached them and gave them a million dollars, they thought it was neat and thanked me. The conversation went like this:
"Hey guys, I wish this was real for y'all, but the message on the back is."
"Do you guys have a religious background or anything?"
They replied, "not really..go to church sometimes."
"Oh okay, well I'm not with a church or anything, but I was wondering what you think happens after death or if you guys even think about that kind of stuff."
"Yeah, we do alot"
"Really? You guys are lot smarter than me when I was you're age! Well, do you believe in heaven and hell, that kind of stuff or something else?"
"Yeah, we believe in heaven and hell."
"Well what do you think you have to do to go to heaven or to hell?"
Two of them agreed you have to accept Christ into your heart. And the others weren't really sure. When I asked about hell they said the kind of people who go there are the ones who don't ask for forgiveness. I asked them if they were sure that's how it works and they replied that they didn't really know.
"Do you want to know for sure? I'm just going to ask a few questions, but you've got to be honest."
"Sure"
I then went through the law, the Ten Commandments, and they learned what their sin was. I believe some of them realized it was serious despite how innocent the world views it and how we have all broken His law. They were getting kind of bummed, and was like..."so we're all doomed"?
"No, I'm going to give you the good news now, it's great."
This is when they're older friend showed up who kind of acted like the leader, joker, of the group. He had a cool English, I believe, accent and was a super-nice guy. I gave him a million dollar bill and caught him up to where we were. Another person showed up and sat down as well. He told me someone just talked to him about Jesus, but he wanted to hear me out anyways, because I really hadn't got there yet.
He took over the conversation for his friends. They all saw it as an opportunity for a cigarette break as he started, but they stayed and listened. He had told me was into scientology and considers himself a scientologist.
I asked, really, so do you believe in evolution? He said yes.
"I believe in science. That science is superior. The bible is just another book."
"Oh okay, I think science is interesting as well, but did you know that their are scientific facts in the bible that science had wrong?"
"Really, and what is that?"
"Well the bible told us the world is round whereas science believed it to be flat for years. The bible also tells us that we are to run our hands through running water as science believed doctors to wash their hands in still water which proved to be wrong."
"I didn't know that, but it's still just a book. What about what muslims believe."
"Well the book is the inspired word of God, it's 66 books compiled over 1400 years by around 40 authors from different time periods without any contradictions to the content and prophecies."
I then explained what muslims believe and how it is wrong, biblically and because of their works based salvation with the denial of Jesus Christ being the son of God.
"Listen, I'm telling you this because I care. I don't know you, but hell is real and so is heaven. If I'm wrong then you cease to exist. If I'm right and the bible is right then you have to face God on judgement day. Does that concern you at all??"
"No, because I'm just going to live my life to the fullest and do what I do. My parents are both Christians and I respect what you believe and what you are doing."
"Man, just consider what I'm saying. It doesn't matter what you believe. The bible says Jesus Christ is the only way and I don't want you to suffer hell."
"I appreciate that, but I believe in science."
"So do you believe in evolution?"
"Yes, I believe everything formed from gasses and we did as well."
His friends started looking at him real funny.
"Dude, are you serious? You believe we came from gas and that we were an accident? You mean more than that and I know you're smarter than that."
My tone developed more into a plea as I saw this young man not wanting to acknowledge truth because of his love for his lifestyle.
"Yes, I believe that and I'm just going to live life to the fullest. I don't believe the bible, but I respect that you do."
I pleaded with him some more and eventually someone later came up and started talking to him. His friends learned forward and said to me, "so what's the good news?"
They were really adamant about me telling them the gospel because of where we had left off, hell.
Alright, I know you guys have heard about Jesus Christ and what He did. You've heard of Christmas, right?" They were all familiar with Jesus as most people are. "Well that is what He saved us from so that we may have everlasting life. We have to trust in Him and repent, meaning turn away from our sins. It has nothing to do with church, hail-maries, confession to a pastor or a priest. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is what differentiates it from other "religions". Do you get what I'm saying."
They agreed and said they were really going to think about it and that they would read John in their bible. I don't if they really would, but I continued to tell them that there is nothing more important than their eternal salvation and I truly cared for them.
Once I was done talking to them the other guy wrapped up with my scientologist friend.
I then asked him, "what did he talk to you about?"
He was talking about how he was saved and Jesus. (I overheard the conversation, but I wanted to ask anyways.)
Man, that's the third person tonight who has shared Christ with you. This is not a coincidence.
"Well how many of you are out here?"
"I have no clue, I'm here by myself I don't even know who this guy or the other guy was. Seriously, just think about what we talked about. If there is a millionth of a chance I'm right wouldn't it be smart to at least consider or look into it. Check out John in your bible, please."
We shook hands and he thanked me and that was that.
I then talked to guy who was sharing his testimony. He was a very nice guy from the Ethiopian church near Dallas. I explained to him what I was doing and the importance of sharing the gospel biblically and gave him words of encouragement. He thanked me and got my number and we were both off in our seperate directions.
It started to lightnening a lot, which looked really cool. Lightening is one of those things I look at and am in awe of God's creation. About that time my wife was leaving to pick me up.
As I was waiting I saw a group of three teenagers. I gave them tracts and started talking with them. The conversation went really well, but they didn't have much to say. The boy in the group said that people have told him about his sin before and said he was going to hell when I asked him what happens after death.
I asked if anyone had ever given him the good news before. He said no and just thought he was going to hell. I then took them through the gospel and it was just an awesome experience as I could see the contrition and realization in their eyes. I thanked them for listening and told them to check out John in their bible.
In all my conversations I explained that God is so good that he will punish all sin. He is a holy, loving, and just God. People usually say it's about asking for forgiveness and trying to live a good life, but it's about realizing what we are and what God did for us and who He is.
If you read all this please pray for all those in these conversations. Unfortunately, I forget many names and tend do it often when I talk to groups of people. But the Lord knows our intentions and directions of our prayers.
May God bless you and yours!
Joey
This post is long, but it was an eventful night : )
Everything started out slow as I walked around praying and taking in the beautiful sites. Honestly, it's hard for me to work up the courage to start talking to random people, but they aren't random at all in God's eyes. I usually sit on a bench for about 10 minutes praying for courage, compassion, and that hearts would be unhardened and receptive to the gospel. And most importantly for God to be with me as He always is. After that I'm good to go!
I then noticed two girls walking around, one wearing a large Shenanigans sign around her neck advertising the business, and the other handing out flyers I believe. I walked up and handed them a couple of million dollar bill tracts. They replied by saying "oh people leaves these at our work and people don't like them."
I asked, "Why don't they like them?"
"Well someone said the part about sin makes it seem like people can just sin and live however they want and then everything is just okay if we say a prayer" (This perspective is usually shared by people who turn their back on Christianity due to the modern prosperity gospel, hypocrisy, catholocism or other works-based religions)
I explained that the message shows us how we all have sinned and why we need to be saved.
I then shared with them the law and the gospel. I explained what the gospel really is and why it is good news. As we went through the law I believe their hearts were convicted. They were extremely nice girls. They thanked me and said they were really glad I stop and talked to them. The girl with the sign even gave me a hug and was grateful for our conversation. I truly believe the Lord did a work in their hearts. They seemed very responsive, convicted, and inspired to embrace repentance and trust in Christ.
As I moved on I handed out tracts to individuals and couples walking by as they were on their way to the concert. Next, I saw a group of about 6 teenage guys smoking and talking near the fountain I approached them and gave them a million dollars, they thought it was neat and thanked me. The conversation went like this:
"Hey guys, I wish this was real for y'all, but the message on the back is."
"Do you guys have a religious background or anything?"
They replied, "not really..go to church sometimes."
"Oh okay, well I'm not with a church or anything, but I was wondering what you think happens after death or if you guys even think about that kind of stuff."
"Yeah, we do alot"
"Really? You guys are lot smarter than me when I was you're age! Well, do you believe in heaven and hell, that kind of stuff or something else?"
"Yeah, we believe in heaven and hell."
"Well what do you think you have to do to go to heaven or to hell?"
Two of them agreed you have to accept Christ into your heart. And the others weren't really sure. When I asked about hell they said the kind of people who go there are the ones who don't ask for forgiveness. I asked them if they were sure that's how it works and they replied that they didn't really know.
"Do you want to know for sure? I'm just going to ask a few questions, but you've got to be honest."
"Sure"
I then went through the law, the Ten Commandments, and they learned what their sin was. I believe some of them realized it was serious despite how innocent the world views it and how we have all broken His law. They were getting kind of bummed, and was like..."so we're all doomed"?
"No, I'm going to give you the good news now, it's great."
This is when they're older friend showed up who kind of acted like the leader, joker, of the group. He had a cool English, I believe, accent and was a super-nice guy. I gave him a million dollar bill and caught him up to where we were. Another person showed up and sat down as well. He told me someone just talked to him about Jesus, but he wanted to hear me out anyways, because I really hadn't got there yet.
He took over the conversation for his friends. They all saw it as an opportunity for a cigarette break as he started, but they stayed and listened. He had told me was into scientology and considers himself a scientologist.
I asked, really, so do you believe in evolution? He said yes.
"I believe in science. That science is superior. The bible is just another book."
"Oh okay, I think science is interesting as well, but did you know that their are scientific facts in the bible that science had wrong?"
"Really, and what is that?"
"Well the bible told us the world is round whereas science believed it to be flat for years. The bible also tells us that we are to run our hands through running water as science believed doctors to wash their hands in still water which proved to be wrong."
"I didn't know that, but it's still just a book. What about what muslims believe."
"Well the book is the inspired word of God, it's 66 books compiled over 1400 years by around 40 authors from different time periods without any contradictions to the content and prophecies."
I then explained what muslims believe and how it is wrong, biblically and because of their works based salvation with the denial of Jesus Christ being the son of God.
"Listen, I'm telling you this because I care. I don't know you, but hell is real and so is heaven. If I'm wrong then you cease to exist. If I'm right and the bible is right then you have to face God on judgement day. Does that concern you at all??"
"No, because I'm just going to live my life to the fullest and do what I do. My parents are both Christians and I respect what you believe and what you are doing."
"Man, just consider what I'm saying. It doesn't matter what you believe. The bible says Jesus Christ is the only way and I don't want you to suffer hell."
"I appreciate that, but I believe in science."
"So do you believe in evolution?"
"Yes, I believe everything formed from gasses and we did as well."
His friends started looking at him real funny.
"Dude, are you serious? You believe we came from gas and that we were an accident? You mean more than that and I know you're smarter than that."
My tone developed more into a plea as I saw this young man not wanting to acknowledge truth because of his love for his lifestyle.
"Yes, I believe that and I'm just going to live life to the fullest. I don't believe the bible, but I respect that you do."
I pleaded with him some more and eventually someone later came up and started talking to him. His friends learned forward and said to me, "so what's the good news?"
They were really adamant about me telling them the gospel because of where we had left off, hell.
Alright, I know you guys have heard about Jesus Christ and what He did. You've heard of Christmas, right?" They were all familiar with Jesus as most people are. "Well that is what He saved us from so that we may have everlasting life. We have to trust in Him and repent, meaning turn away from our sins. It has nothing to do with church, hail-maries, confession to a pastor or a priest. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is what differentiates it from other "religions". Do you get what I'm saying."
They agreed and said they were really going to think about it and that they would read John in their bible. I don't if they really would, but I continued to tell them that there is nothing more important than their eternal salvation and I truly cared for them.
Once I was done talking to them the other guy wrapped up with my scientologist friend.
I then asked him, "what did he talk to you about?"
He was talking about how he was saved and Jesus. (I overheard the conversation, but I wanted to ask anyways.)
Man, that's the third person tonight who has shared Christ with you. This is not a coincidence.
"Well how many of you are out here?"
"I have no clue, I'm here by myself I don't even know who this guy or the other guy was. Seriously, just think about what we talked about. If there is a millionth of a chance I'm right wouldn't it be smart to at least consider or look into it. Check out John in your bible, please."
We shook hands and he thanked me and that was that.
I then talked to guy who was sharing his testimony. He was a very nice guy from the Ethiopian church near Dallas. I explained to him what I was doing and the importance of sharing the gospel biblically and gave him words of encouragement. He thanked me and got my number and we were both off in our seperate directions.
It started to lightnening a lot, which looked really cool. Lightening is one of those things I look at and am in awe of God's creation. About that time my wife was leaving to pick me up.
As I was waiting I saw a group of three teenagers. I gave them tracts and started talking with them. The conversation went really well, but they didn't have much to say. The boy in the group said that people have told him about his sin before and said he was going to hell when I asked him what happens after death.
I asked if anyone had ever given him the good news before. He said no and just thought he was going to hell. I then took them through the gospel and it was just an awesome experience as I could see the contrition and realization in their eyes. I thanked them for listening and told them to check out John in their bible.
In all my conversations I explained that God is so good that he will punish all sin. He is a holy, loving, and just God. People usually say it's about asking for forgiveness and trying to live a good life, but it's about realizing what we are and what God did for us and who He is.
If you read all this please pray for all those in these conversations. Unfortunately, I forget many names and tend do it often when I talk to groups of people. But the Lord knows our intentions and directions of our prayers.
May God bless you and yours!
Joey