Pray for Pacific Islands

Waves 20 feet high have literally swept what is believed to be at least 100 people into eternity yesterday in the Pacific Islands. I got the news from Pete while eating a Smores at their home last night.

God empower your church to reach out in compassion that's stronger than 8.0 in magnitude and higher than 20 foot waves. Shine the light of Christ and him crucified for your glory in the hearts of thousands.

"Let them give the Lord the honor he deserves; let them praise his deeds in the coastlands (Is. 42:12)."

Trying to Cast a Net in Fish Express...

I don't know if I should have gone further or not--but I definitely felt both the tug of the Lord to get out of my comfort zone as well as His grace to greet the lady next to me waiting for her to-go order today at Fish Express.

My mind was busy thinking about other things and I could tell she was in a hurry too.

"Is it slower today than usual?" [legit question--really was slow]

"Yeah...it's very slow today..."

"I sometimes meet people for lunch here--I serve as a pastor in a church and our offices are in the building across the street." [hoping for a door to open in the conversation here]

"yep." [no go. I didn't have much else to say here]

It seemed like all the elements were there for an opportunity for the gospel, but the conversation never really got off the ground. Maybe I should have been more bold, but this is how it goes sometimes.

Leave Myopia

You know what it's like to be nearsighted or myopic?

The other day I found myself in an Autozone picking up some parts. As I walked up to the counter I was aware of my coldness toward the young man at the counter. Well, let's be honest. I was not aware of my coldness at all. I saw a guy that was not like me in many ways--and to be honest--in that moment--I didn't particularly like him. Yep. The Pharisees got nothing on my spiritual maturity (Luke 18:11). There you go. It's the backward forest my heart often retreats to. The caverns of tunnel-vision. The hills of self-preservation and short-sightedness.

Myopia.

In the mercy of God I had to go back to the same shop in less than 30 minutes for a different part. The thought crossed my mind, "is there a second chance here?"

I wish I could say that upon seeing the young man the second time waves of bubbly love swept over my soul like a Journey song but I'd be lying. As I got the part from the young man and went to pay I didn't feel different about him. Nothing seemed to change until I decided to climb what felt like the high dive and could feel my need for God.

"Hey, here's an invitation to our church--we'd love to have you sometime." [wanted to leave it there]

[and for the dive] "...and this booklet talks about what I live to tell people--that Jesus died for me and rose from the dead." [not that clear...a bit choppy]

I'm not sure what happened in the young man's heart, but as he took the lit and thanked me, something happened in me. Suddenly, unexpectedly, and subtly I could see his eyes for the first time. My ears could hear his voice. My mind could think about his family--his sister he mentioned living with nearby. He became a guy with a story complete with his own dreams, hurts, and needs--most of all the need for Jesus.

He suddenly became very much like me.

I want the picture of his eyes to burn off the frost that collects like cataracts on my own. Jesus gave his life away to free me from myself and give me power to walk in His reconciling love and away from joyless self-interest. He lives in me to empower me to leave my kingdom and live for His.

For the eyes of tomorrow--let's exodus Myopia and get on with it...

What is Faith?

Let Peter describe the essence of saving faith...

And though you have not seen him, you love him, and though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).

There are 3 things Peter describes in these two verses as aspects of the word "faith" and they all relate to the activities of the heart in relation to the invisible King and Savior Jesus.

1. You love him (v. 8)

2. You believe in him (v. 8)

3. You rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory in him (v. 8)

Peter assumes all those activities are involved in some measure in "your faith." No wonder it's a miracle. No wonder only God the Spirit deposited in us can pull this off. No wonder we need to recover this understanding of faith and share with the world that it desperately needs God's own power in them to produce a faith of love, belief, and joy in the living Christ to be saved forever.

It's Free...Really...

The small groups (called Care Groups) in our church have leaders called Evangelism Coordinators that serve their group by keeping up prayer for lost friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers along with organizing outreaches into the community.

To conclude our orientation for the new "EC"s on Saturday we split up in teams of two and went to high traffic areas around town to give away $1 McDonalds coupons attached to a "How Good are You?" booklet that has information about our church. The goal was not to get into as many long conversations as possible, or to bait and switch, but to give them something for free as an expression of the free offer of God's love in Christ and in hopes of generating some "wow" which could lead to a conversation about the gospel.

Me and a friend named Will stood outside of the front of the mall and fanned out $1 coupons and said, "hey, free coupons to McDonalds if you're interested...grab a sweat tea or ice cream." As easy and fun as it was, I was still in need of grace. I find getting "out there" and doing anything in the name of outreach is like throwing on a Halloween costume--you know it will be fun--but you still have to get comfortable with it and make it your own.

It's amazing how easy it was to do, as well as how many folks assumed a catch at first glance. "Free" doesn't mean free in a consumer culture. Some folks were just plain suspicious. I don't blame them. I'm usually in lock-down "robot" mode when I see dudes passing out stuff. But the majority of people were surprised and thankful. Helping to demonstrate what "free" means can be a great avenue for communicating the love of Christ.

It took only 30 minutes and made a great memory as well as opened up several conversations about the gospel.

Find something to give away to folks and tell someone today...

Dude Looked Like a Lady

Okay, so I'm sitting in Starbucks at Main and Teel yesterday in the second notch of Bible Belting suburban Frisco doing some planning when a guy walked in wearing a yellow dress and a purse.

No joke.

He wasn't a dude trying to pass as a female. He was a guy in a dress getting coffee. He strolled in with as cavalier a demeanor as the cable guy on the second day. I moved my eyes around the shop to see if anyone seemed shocked, embarrassed, startled, or anything.

Not even a ruffle or nervous giggle.

I just wanted to pop my head up and say, "dude---help me understand--why?" But I just stared at my computer as if we were in downtown San Francisco at the Jamba Juice and this is normal. He got his coffee and left as Tuesday afternoon as it gets.

There are a couple of things that make me thankful for the guy in the yellow dress. Here they are...

1. Thank you for coming clean. We live in a very moralistically blurry area indeed. Unless this was a dare or something you seem to be showing your stripes. You love the world. We get it. You haven't left us wondering if the allegiance of your heart is with Jesus Christ, or the world that He's made. It's very easy for folks to hide their true allegiance and their primary love in a melting pot of affluence, churches, causes, and family values. I don't know you yellow dress man, but if that's for real--what you communicate is an honesty of your heart in what can be a synthetic carnival of shadows.

2. Thank you for rebuking me. I so rarely get asked the fundamental question I want to ask you, "why?" I want to ask you the reason why you're driven--even in the face certain opposition and suffering--towards that decision? Why does hopelessness seem to beget more courage than hope? Peter says the normal Christian life can at times be described as "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15)." I'm not saying that you wearing a dress on Tuesday afternoon doesn't have an obvious advantage to a Christian being faithful in his cubicle week after week, but it does beg the question, "where does my allegiance to Jesus make those around me ask, what in the world is up with that guy--what is the reason for the hope that he has?"

Pray for the yellow dressed man--and for us to out-hope, out-rejoice the promises of the world by the hope that is in us...

Next Door Neighbor...

Yesterday I was getting out of my car and my neighbor across the street came over and said hello. He told me he just lost his job and has begun looking for a new one.

I was able to pray for him and was thankful that he told me. Moreover, I was thankful that the Lord gave me the courage to walk across the street and meet him a few weeks ago. At the time it felt awkward but the Lord gave grace. I've never read Bill Hybel's book "Just a Walk Across the Room" but the title alone challenges my unbelief.

There are untold numbers of relationships the Lord is eager to give us if we respond to His leading.

Assume Nothing...

I was in Autozone again yesterdy getting a battery recharged. Part 9 of Lessons from the Nissan. It was not busy and I talked to a very nice older man who I've seen in the store before. As he was charging my battery we chatted about my car, his family, and the weather.

I was aware that the conversation had gone well and I was equally aware that I didn't want it not to. My flesh was resisting the Spirit's desire to to move the direction of the conversation to the eternal big time. Nothing new--typical garden variety fear of man. I never look the part in Autozone as it is and I didn't want to be considered a foolish zealot to the men there.

As I walked around the store texting I thought about the fact that the guys at the counter will one day stand before Jesus as supreme Reality. On that day nobody is going to wish we had talked about him less--no matter how poorly we got the words out--or how foolish we felt.

I asked the man if he went to a church somewhere. He looked surprised but not as surprised as I was about to be. From the bottom of my heart I assumed he didn't go anywhere. So goes my hunches.

"well...I go to the LDS church in Denton."

Surprised, I asked, "wow...so you've been a Mormon for several years...were you raised a Mormon?"

"no...32 years ago a Mormon missionary knocked on our door. Seemed like the right thing for my wife and I to do. Our kids have all done missionary work. Our church is busting at the seems and we're needing to build."

[waves of sinking feelings come on me when I hear of happy news like this]

We talked briefly about how their services go on Sunday and that our church meets across the street from the church in Frisco he referenced. The battery was handed back to me charged and he had some other customers and our conversation ended. As a parting word from a sensed interest from me he said, "you should come and visit sometime...see you later."

In a terribly awkward way of saying goodbye I squeaked out, "Thanks. I might do that."

If he could read the thought bubble above my head the sentences would have said something like...

"I mean that. I would like to visit but never to listen for one moment to a gospel that promises a jesus that is not equal with the Father--a jesus that is created and who is simply us at our best. I would like to visit and tell everyone that there is freedom from the cozy bars of blind legalism--of emotionalism--of subjective stirrings based not on truth--of the treadmill of religious performance--of a heaven and no hell--of the lies of the devil who would seek to cloud you from the truth of the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). I would like a chance to dare everyone to read the Bible on their own and come away with any sense that the Bible leaves open the possibility of new revelation to come, or a future restoration. I would like to see the Jesus written of by the Apostles be bowed down to like Thomas when he looks at the resurrected Christ and declares "my Lord, and my God (John 20:28)"--to see whole groups of families discover freedom and joy in being saved by the works of Another and declare Joseph Smith as a false prophet who wandered from the faith and renounce any other means to God except personal trust alone in Christ alone of the Bible alone."

Pray that we will see Mormons come to faith in Christ through our witness in Frisco. Pray that the love of Christ from the church would be a compelling voice to the revelation of Christ in his word. God burns for his prodigal sons and daughters.

Again. Assume nothing in reaching out to people. Let's tell people the news they've never heard.

Going for Broke in Walmart

Last night Michelle kindly asked if I could run to Walmart and pick up the nectarines and bananas she didn't make it home with. I "acted" like a sacrificial husband about as good as Jackie Chan acts in any movie. Truth is, I rode to Walmart aware of how I just blew an easy opportunity to lay my life down for my wife. I was also aware that I'd probably be missing an opportunity to invite someone to church because I didn't have my NT with any invites/booklets.

I thought, "okay, so what do you do if you don't have an invite?" The thought crossed my mind, "well, homeboy, maybe you just trust the Lord and ask him to tell you what to say to someone." Whoa. I've seen prophetic people in action and I wouldn't consider that my gift. However, I also believe that God pours this gift out on the church broadly for the purpose of witness (Acts 2:14-41). I thought, "why not go ahead and trust the Lord and ask him?" The worst that could happen is I look like an idiot--which given my interaction with my wife would simply be expanding the audience.

Since I'm no spiritual slouch--the first thing I did walking in to the store was repent for my attitude. In case you're wondering--it's difficult to call upon the Lord when you're angry. Done.

When I got inside I went to customer service and was told by the sales clerk it was okay to get my fruit and return to her. Super. I got my fruit and while I was bagging it up--I asked the Lord if there would be anything I could share with her.

I thought one thing and just as quickly recoiled, "no you're just making that up." Then another thought ended up being "no. that's not the Lord." I did this for a while before I asked what she may be burdened by. The thought crossed my mind that she was burdened for someone in her family. The more I thought about it I wondered if it was a sister. Staring at the marinade I prayed really hard one last time. "Lord, I'm willing to share this, but I don't want to get this wrong--please help me in this." It was about that glamorous.

I got back in line at customer service and approached the clerk. As she was writing my information down we exchanged a few lines and I decided to go for broke and throw it out there.

"You wouldn't have a concern for a family member right now would you?" [gulp]

She stopped what she was doing and stared at the paper. I couldn't tell if my impression jarred her or if she was mentally reviewing her Walmart safety manual under "handling freaks". Still writing she said,

"Yes...I have a family." I was aware that any human being on the planet could say yes to that question. I was also aware that outside of thinking it may be a sister it was all I had--and couldn't help but wondering if it was right.

"Well...I was just praying when I got the fruit and had that thought cross my mind. I felt the Lord wanted to communicate his concern and love for whoever you're concerned about." She nodded like she was trying to process it all.

Feeling unusually bold and really pressing in I said, "is it a sister?" [double gulp]

With the same look that I couldn't quite figure out she responded, "....I have 6 sisters." [score...I thought better than "uhh...I'm an only child"].

I told her I was a pastor in a church and hope that my thoughts didn't freak her out and wished her a goodnight. I walked out thinking either I was right on and I could have asked her some more questions, or I was way off. Either way I felt that I'd acted in faith and that pleased the Lord (Rom 14:23).

I'm learning that living by faith is messy. Like anything, evangelism is not about getting to a place where you have no more fear--it's about growing out of love with not looking like a fool. I don't care how cool you dress--how culturally relevant--how missional--nobody gets away with attempts at exalting Jesus with their image intact (John 3:30).

In the end, the Lord would make us His ambassadors through varied gifts and experiences (2 Cor. 5:20). May we put our pride to death and let Him speak through us. I believe He will do it.

"She Died 3 Months Ago..."

The past few days have been learning the art of breaking down on the side of the road. I'm thinking of a whole new series of posts, "what you should do if your car volunteers itself for top dollar from government initiatives." Since the last post the Nissan has died two more times on Legacy and gone through three new alternators. On Monday afternoon its life slipped away for the second time and my mechanic called his friend to tow the car home. I'll call him Henry.

I was hot and sweaty. Not at all in the talking mood--but my friend Aaron encouraged me to share the gospel with whoever tows the car. So with all the power of my now drained Duralast car battery, I agreed.

Henry let me climb right into the cab (I only asked if it was cool after I was in the truck).

In situations like these I usually ask about any points of contact that could bridge over into talking about the gospel. In this situation, we ended up talking about his friend who is my mechanic which led to us talking about family. I was jarred by what he told me.

"Do you have a family--are you married?"

"Yes.......but my wife died 3 months ago."

He went on to tell me that she suffered from a brain tumor that she fought for months in pain until it finally took her life. He said he has a 12 and 13 year old who are functioning ok despite the loss of their mother.

It's not everyday you get a chance to see past the clouds of temporal to the blue of eternal. In the midst of things as common as alternators breaking down, sun-glassed successes on cell phones, and the smell of Marlboro came the uncommon reminder of mortality. The pain still raw. Tomorrow my boys' mom will take them to Chuck E. Cheese for Joel's birthday. His will be getting ready for school next week without their mom--for the first time in their lives.

We ended up talking about Jesus, church, and how he turned to Christ in prison 9 years ago. He talked of the difference that receiving Christ has made on his life--although the love that he experienced in a prison ministry was never replicated on the outside. I invited him to our church. "If you want to find a loving church--you will find it here." I'm thankful I can say that with sincerity.

I was thankful for the life-giving breath of the reality of death on Monday. Every day thousands of people all around us walk away from this tiny, broken world and step into eternity. Even more bow down to it in blind madness (John 3:19; 1 John 2:11; 2 Peter 2:17).

I pass by a thousand Henrys a day who have never been fortunate enough to spend time in prison to hear the gospel. Am I reaching for them (Jude 1:23)?

Don't Waste Your AAA...

On Friday after work Craig Cabaniss and I were driving home from the office in my rockin '98 Nissan Sentra. When we got to Legacy and Main here's what the conversation in the car was like:

Rob: "Uhhh...Craig it's dying. Uh..my car is literally dying." [trying to cover the panic]

Craig: "do you have AAA?" [radio-voice cool as the car slowly grinds to a halt]

Rob: "uhh...I decided to not renew it this year." [honestly...I haven't used it in 2 years]

Craig: "well...at a 187,000 miles--it might be a good idea." [leadership gift in action]

Rob: "right about now we need a pastoral prayer Craig." [err...totally serious as Craig hits the flash button]

Craig: "Well...pull over to the side, I'll use my AAA card and there's a shop down the road we can tow it to." [...like Jesus sleeping in the boat]

You have to love guy that doesn't freak out on you when your car dies during 5:00 traffic on a Friday. Moreover, a Frisco police officer drove up and I wondered if I was going to get a ticket. Instead, he asked us to push it to the other side of the road. You need to picture Craig pushing a beater down Legacy while Beemers and Jags drive by in a huff and I clumsily steer to get an idea of his friendship. That's love guys.

You also have to love that Craig took the opportunity to get to know the Frisco police officer and hear his story and invite him to church. While I was on the phone figuring out rides, I could hear him asking him questions, giving witness to God's grace on our church, showing respect and taking an interest in someone who is not in a church.

I don't recommend this outreach as a mission strategy to reach the city--but on Friday--it was God's open door for us.

Don't waste your AAA--buy up the opportunities and tell someone today...

Never Trust Your Gut...

I recently read about the value of trusting your "gut" when it comes to making decisions as a man. It's very funny and although I can see some truth to this, it simply won't work if you take that advice and apply it to living out the good news of the gospel with strangers. Here's why...

1. Your gut lies to you. Call it your "intuition" or your "sense" or your "feeling" or your "wisdom" based on the past, or whatever, Jeremiah will call it the heart and he tells us its not to be trusted as ultimate truth--especially when our pride tells us we could lose some face (Jer. 17:9). Your gut doesn't always get it right.

2. You're an idiot. Don't get angry--it's just that you don't know everything and that's okay. Only God is omniscient (all-knowing) and that means we're supposed to do what the old song says when it comes to reaching out, "trust and obey...for there's no other way..." In other words, we fool ourselves when we assess a situation based on human wisdom, and then make a decision to either act in self-effacing love or defer based on what we evaluate about the individual or situation.

Today I was at Verizon getting info from my old phone (that recently took a dive in the toilet) to my new phone. The woman that served me was very helpful and cheerful--but for whatever reason, I just didn't have a strong "sense" that much would happen one way or another if I initiated an invite to church.

I was once again *dead* wrong.

We had a great conversation. She shared about her life and was thankful for letting her know about our church. She is in a place of looking for a church in the area.

I left reminding myself I don't know anything about anybody at anytime and that's a good thing. I'm a creature dependent upon a Creator who has come to me through Christ.

Trust and obey--there's no other way to be happy in Jesus--than to trust and obey...

Put your gut to death...

Don't Invite Like a Wimp

Yesterday was yard day. I had to go by Lowes (or Woes for my boys) and pick up some weed eater wire for my slammin B&D electric Grasshog. Since we came from the gym I promised them a drink and we got a red Gatorade to share. I bought it right out before getting the wire.

"You guys busy today?"

"...not bad for a Monday"

"Here's an invite to church.....if you don't have a church..." [I could see the cloud of witnesses collectively roll their eyes..]

"It's away from here, but I do have one I go to sometimes."

I went to get the wire and thought about intensity and whether that last attempt was done with any real enthusiasm. Seemed like she might as well asked, "bro, do you like your church?" based on that effort.

Note to myself and anyone reading--if you're going to invite someone to church man up, and do it with boldness. Don't invite someone to church like a wimp--as if it's a great alternative to a dentists appointment. Talk of it as what it is--the place of joy, deep community, and transformation by Christ's unique presence. Better for them to think you're a freak than unengaged with ultimate reality.

I got the wire, we played on the John Deere's and I went to pay. I noticed there was someone else.

More enthusiastically this time, "I serve as a a pastor at this church. We'd love to have you come out sometime." [I know I used the pastor line--but didn't lean on it too hard]

She paused and looked over the card like she was really considering.

"Where do you meet?" [yeesss.....] I told her.

"What denomination are you?" [interesting question that comes up a lot] "we're non-denominational."

"okay...okay....I'll consider it.."

Don't be like attempt #1. Go bold. Tell someone today...

Blockbuster Bondage...

Tonight we loaded up the family to go look at our house being built in Paloma Creek. It was a blast to walk around the framing and watch the boys imagine their rooms.

On our way home we decided to stop at McDonald's to get the boys some cheeseburgers (yeah...can you say Sunday and we like it easy?) and after a conversation with my brother (who I trust with any movie recommendation) to Blockbuster to rent "Taken" (which we just finished watching...not for the faint of heart but A+)

When we stopped at McDonald's I found it fairly easy to invite the girl to church and give her a card--although Michelle told me she was taking an order while I was going outreach. Oops.

Then we drove across the street to Blockbuster and I jumped out to get the movie and I felt a tug that made my heart sink a bit.

I reached back in to grab my pocket NT with the Piper booklets church invites. Having that with me as we drove into the parking lot kept me honest.

"You know what's tough for me Michelle (stating the obvious)....here it is...Blockbuster." I closed the van door and walked inside--going straight for the T's. [I've learned over the years it helps to know what you're going for when you're heading into a video store]

Maybe it's the fact that you can hardly rest your eyes anywhere in the store, or the Speed-racer attitude I have inside Blockbuster but frankly thinking Kingdom in video stores is the farthest thing from my mind. My faith usually feels pretty small. Today I feel like the Lord helped me.

I got the movie, my cash, and the Piper booklet with the invite tucked inside. The guy who took the video went right in to talking about the movie.

"Yeah we've seen these go fast. It's one of my favorites. In this movie you finally see the action hero do everything you want him to do."

We talked briefly about the movie, I paid and then I invited him to church. He seemed a bit indifferent but was polite.

Michelle and I watched Taken tonight and it's true. Liam Neeson plays an ex-spy father who goes after his daughter's kidnappers and rescues her by relying on his skills as a killing machine. His love for his daughter is relentless and he stops at nothing to get her back and bring about justice.

If we ever get a chance in the future I'd love to tell the young man I met today of another Father who goes beyond this father's love for his children--and of a Son who rescues sons and daughters not by killing but by being killed himself. He's more relentless than the dad in Taken.

Thankful for the Lord's help in Blockbuster today.

CiCi's To Go...

Today I stopped off at CiCi's To Go to get lunch for the family. Our total was $6.48 for a pizza and cinnamon roles. Sweet.

While I was in there I met a guy waiting on his pizza. Great conversation. I was aware I didn't have any church invites or anything else. I asked him if he goes somewhere. He said he worked on Sunday but was thankful for a local church where his teenager daughter goes.

He seemed like a great guy to get to know. I invited him to our church.

Michelle at the Gas Station

Today we had the joy of participating in a wedding in the county with our friends Shayne and Vevian. It was a two hour drive into the country--Sulphur Springs for Texas natives. We had a blast at this wedding--a joy to see what God has done.

We had to get gas on the way. Michelle ran in to get coffee. I stayed behind and pumped the gas.

Michelle decided to give whoever was at the counter a booklet on the gospel--even though we were miles away from the church.

When she got back in the van we sipped hot gas station java. She said a lady was a the counter.

"I just wanted to give you this...it talks about joy in God and you can read it sometime today."

"okay...thanks..." She responded.

Michelle said she wished she'd said something else--like it was a half-hearted effort.

I disagree. I believe she read or will read that sometime today--and there is power in the gospel.

David Lived Bold...

Read this morning...

"I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation." (Ps. 40:10)

God dropped my cell phone in the toilet...

If I believe in the sovereignty of God (which I do) and that God is doing a thousand things behind the scenes in any and every single event to glorify himself (which He is) then how hard is it to believe God had my 11 month old son Asher drop my cell phone in the toilet Saturday (yes...I'm still using it...yes the toilet was flushed)?

You see, I joined my wife at Costco yesterday for cheap lunch and to see about getting a new phone (I want to upgrade but it's not in the budget..or cool with my plan). I can currently receive calls but can't see who's calling, text, or anything--just a blank screen.

I went to the Verizon kiosk and was surprised to see the same guy that sold me the phone a year ago working there. I had recently returned from the Pastor's College and needed a phone. He was very helpful and we ended up talking about religion. He described himself as open to Christianity but studies all the religions of the world. I sent him an email once after our conversation but never heard back and don't remember seeing him in any of the trips back to Costco.

When he said, "Hey I remember you" and we started talking, I was surprised. It's been a year. I'm Joe Everyman. I don't even have a tattoo. But God opens doors right (1 Cor 16:9)?

He's still a student studying for premed at Collin. I hope to get to know him better. Pray for this.

Its made me think of the value of returning to the same places regularly and getting to know folks in hopes of sharing the gospel. Dever is strong on this...

tell someone today...

Help in 24...

The last two mornings I've heading back to the gym since I overdid it last Tuesday on legs and hurt my back. (I feel like I'm always heading back to the gym..)

Maybe it's the early morning. Maybe it's the atmosphere. Maybe it's the workout clothes. Maybe it's the "You have what it takes" slogans. Maybe it's the feeling of walking into a realm of frozen time--where I'm back in high school baseball off-season--with only the interruptions of "Total Access" from the NFL station reminding me it's 2009. Whatever it is, I never quite feel on my game. I don't have much of a burden for the lost nor much desire to get to know folks I'm battling Frisco restaurants with.

Well, the past two mornings the Lord helped me. Yesterday instead of ducking the church invite cards I gave one to the lady welcoming me and invited her to church. However, although it was genuine, it felt very awkward. I fumbled over my words and felt like my smile was a bit happy-clappy evangelical. The card weighed 35 pounds, but the Lord helped me.

This morning it was much easier. Different gal. Very joyful. I invited her to church and learned she went down the street to CrossRidge. A great church. We chatted briefly. She said "enjoy your workout." I once again said, "you too." [dummy]

Thanks for praying. It was tiny trusting...but it was a win.

However, where I need to grow is in reaching out to some of the folks working out. I find it much easier to talk to someone working than a dude that looks like he could squash me. There are a few guys that look like they could bench press Rhode Island that I was working out close to today. For a brief moment (can we say nano-second) I thought about engaging in a conversation but feel at a total loss on how to do so--the prospect feels as distant as me looking like one of those guys someday.

Pray for boldness...

Loving Mormon Missionaries

Two of my friends in the church Aaron Mayfield and Jonathon Sawyer invited me over to their home last night. They had a couple of Frisco Mormon missionaries coming over to pick up the conversation where they left off. Over several months Jonathon and Aaron have been having missionaries over to their home and have developed genuine friendships with men they respectfully disagree with.

They are broken for them to believe the gospel of the glory of Christ. The Christ whose glory is not a better version of us--but is set apart in unique holiness (John 1:1). The Christ that is equal with the Father and therefore able to reconcile us to God through his atoning sacrifice on the cross and justifying resurrection (Heb 9;14). The Christ whose glory shines through His perfectly preserved word without mixture of error or need for revision or restoration (Jude 1:12; 2 Tim 3:16).

I was literally there just to be a fly on the wall and learn from my friends.

You see if you want to learn how talk to Mormon's you need to take a class in Jonathon 101. He is a former Mormon and knows how to humbly address the Mormon doctrine in light of Scripture. Moreover, for those who know Aaron--he's no slouch either and knows how to speak the truth in genuine love.

I'll leave the content of the conversation to Jonathon, but here are some things I took away from the evening...

1. The gospel of God's love (Eph 2:4; Acts 20:24) must be proclaimed through love. I'm not talking about acting loving in order to get a point across--but through the genuine love God has given us for those we're sharing with. Jonathan and Aaron modeled that. They prepared food for their guests. They bought an Edward's pie. They made coffee (just kidding--that was for me). They gave them gift bags filled with books! They desired to get to know them--their family--their interests--their history. I was humbled and challenged to see the level of Christ-like love on display.

2. Mormons believe in a different Jesus. I know you know that but really get that. For all the adopted Christianese--Jesus remains created by the Father as we are. He's only a better version of us. His life and death is a great example of intense morality--but something we can match in our own process of exaltation. His death on the cross is not absolutely necessary for our salvation--for we save ourselves through the rigors of morality. Bottom line--our Mormon friends are blinded by the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4) to glory of the worth of Christ and lean their full weight on the false hope of their personal goodness before a Holy Judge. The consequences couldn't be more serious (John 3:36).

3. God loves Mormons. Every Mormon was created and fashioned by God (Ps. 139; Acts 17:28). He loves them more than I could ever imagine for He is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus died that the gospel would be freely proclaimed to every bishop, every missionary, every little boy and girl. He doesn't desire any Mormon to perish (2 Peter 3:9) and takes no delight in punishing those reject the the Son (Ez. 33:11). Moreover, Christ makes his appeals of repentance and faith in Him through us (2 Cor. 5:20)--sinners who know what it's like to be rescued from eating the slop of self-sufficiency every day. I watched the One who wept over Jerusalem appeal through these men in a living room over pie.

4. Mormonism is not unique. When I see the intricate structure, the buddy systems, the scripts--I sometimes wonder if engaging with Mormons is really worth it. I think, "at the end of the day--will it really matter?" But this just exposes my unbelief in the power of the gospel (Rom 1:18). Mormons are blinded by morality--but not more blinded than I once was--or more blinded than the sea of the religious lost of north Dallas. God can turn the lights on in a moment. Moreover, we aren't going to catch a disease--for we already have it. However--they could hear of the One who has healed us and can deliver them.

May the Lord send us out with more joy, more strategy, more sacrifice based on better promises, a better hope from a resurrected and reigning Lord.