LA Fitness Fiasco....

I'm in Houston till tomorrow. We fly out for a few days in Mexico to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

On Thursday morning to prepare for the onslaught of the American feast I went searching for a place to work out. Although I have a membership (till January) at 24 Hour Fitness I went to the LA Fitness down the road to see if they'd let me work out for free.

There were not many people there but the 3 salespeople (2 girls and 1 guy) were there to hear my pitch. I'll spare you of the details but I went in to the situation very sales-like. I have an agenda. I'm going to appeal to their desire to sell. I'm going to present myself as a buyer in the hopes of getting a free pass for a few days.

And that's what I did. I told them I canceled my membership at 24 Hour (true) and I was in town with family (true) and that I'd like to see if they'd give me a pass for a couple days because who knows, maybe I'll become a member of Lifetime in the future (not true). I acted a bit arrogant and pushy. I was wearing clothes that didn't fit.

I justified this language purely from a sales perspective. Even though I know there is no Lifetime even close to our home, I knew it unlikely to get anything free if I went completely honest. Therefore I did what you learn from the world and the American mileau.

"Well...since you don't live in the area...we can only offer a pass for $15 a day." I declined it and said there were plenty of Lifetimes in Dallas. The guy said "Let me look them up for you..." in hopes of probably convincing me that I should buy a plan today etc.

"No thanks...if there's no option to try the gym..I'll go down the road."

And I did. I actually found a 24 Hour down the road and they let me work out for free. Mercy.

However, while I was working out I was convicted about the approach I took. What I thought was a sound, legit approach actually was worldly and dishonest. What I thought was wise was only according to worldly wisdom and didn't reflect the pure honesty of Jesus Christ my Lord. I was reminded that I had wanted to share the gospel with folks in Houston while I'm here, and now the Lord was giving me a chance.

You want to share the gospel? Go back and apologize to those salespeople and tell them why--Jesus is your Lord and you spoke dishonestly.

Gulp.

I work out extra hard when there's something I'm nervous about later in the day and that workout was no exception. Those 20 pound dumbbells took a beating.

I drove back to the LA Fitness. All three salespeople were there. Egads! Breathing heavy from my workout and from nerves...

"Hey...uhh...just wanted to come back and apologize. I'm a Christian and Jesus is my Lord and I think He wanted me to come back and tell you that I spoke dishonestly. It would have been fine to present myself as a buyer if I really was one--but I'm not. I was just trying to get something for fee. I apologize. I should have just asked if you had any free offers."

I noticed as a shared the girls seemed to smile and let their guards down. The guy expressed appreciation. The Lord seemed to be at work. Moreover, I felt power from the Lord where before it was purely flesh.

Thankful for the unexpected opportunity to witness the freedom that Christ brings--from my own unbelief.

Joy...

I hope and pray I can write about a conversation I had with someone today with permission in the future.

Lottie Moon once said "there is no greater joy than the saving of souls"

Spurgeon once said, "it is a joy worth worlds to win souls."

Jesus said, "there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

Tonight I concur.

"It Comes From Yourself"

Last night Michelle and I were on a date. We ended up at at a furniture store to look at some things. We ended up talking to a very nice salesmen who shared his story with us briefly. Having lived in Houston before, Michelle and he talked about the area.

It turns out he's Jewish. He mentioned some tragedies he's experienced and how death doesn't frighten him.

I asked if he has a local synagogue he attends and he said he hasn't been for many years.

At one point he mentioned pursuing happiness.

I asked, "where does happiness come for you?"

As an intro to his answer he said, "well...it comes from yourself."

I Shared the Gospel!

Yesterday I got a call in the middle of the day from a college single in the church.

His first words,

"Rob! I shared the gospel!"

He went on to tell me the details about how the Lord impressed him to share the gospel with a guy he met and how he struggled through his fears until he called him up and shared the good news of salvation through Jesus. It's an amazing story.

I was stoked.

About a half hour later I'm washing my hands in the restroom and noticed a guy who works landscape next to me washing what looked like pears.

I left the restroom and suddenly remembered the story of how God used my friend, and considered the guy still in the restroom. The thought crossed my mind that we had Spanish-written booklets in the office. I could grab one and come back.

So...I did.

I came back to the restroom. There was the guy. There were the pears.

"Do you speak Spanish? [affirmative]

"Hey here's a booklet in Spanish that talks about Jesus." [grateful response]

He went on in broken English to tell me he is from Honduras and spoke favorably about Christianity. He even said that based on my pronunciation of his name and the word "Honduras" that I should consider taking more Spanish because I'm "good" at it.

Thankful for God's work in my friends life. His work with the guy with the pears. His getting me through Spanish 3. His getting me out of what has felt like a dry and weary land.

Pray for Boldness...

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

One thing I'm painfully aware that I should have been painfully aware of the past few weeks in my growing decrease of talking with people about Jesus Christ has been my lack of being with Jesus Christ, asking for what I need most.

You see, it's tough to talk boldly about Someone you're not seeking boldly.

Moreover, it's tough to have the kind of burden that embraces people when you're lacking time in prayer asking God for it.

Yesterday I was in Subway eating a $2.50 turkey sandwich a few feet from a white collar guy with his tie tucked in his shirt. He was a furious eater, but didn't seem like he was too much in a hurry. We're just digging in. Seemed like a ripe opportunity to say...I don't know...something...anything to talk about Jesus.

Here's where I started...

[....................]

And the more I thought about it, I considered saying...

[.....................]

Then on second thought, I wondered about this approach...

[....................]

So, after a while of nothing, I left Subway. That's right. Back to my cozy chair in my sheltered office consoling myself the way you do when you missed an opportunity, "oh...well...better effort next time."

Today I'm aware that what was missing was not a card, a booklet, a catch-phrase, a penetrating question, a mysterious Christian t-shirt, the offer of a minty Testimint, a U2 cross-over, or something ultra-relate-able that would be a Golden Gate Bridge to gospel conversation.

I was missing a boldness that only comes from being with Jesus.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Gloriously and painfully simple.

Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?

Do you remember that song from Sesame Street? Can you answer that question?

Michelle and I are now living in a new neighborhood.

So far we've been here for 2 weeks since the move. With all the activity that goes with a new move, I don't want to miss out on an opportunity to connect with my neighbors and set a good tone. My experience has been that it's much more difficult to reach out to your neighbors after 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, go by and you haven't walked across the street yet.

I once read something challenging in a Willowcreek magazine that basically charged folks to be known on your block as the most compassionate person around as a witness for Christ--to pursue people in such a way that they know they can turn to you in need.

Please send me any suggestions you have that have worked for you, or that you've seen demonstrated in others that incarnate the greatness of Jesus in a neighborhood...

rob@gracechurchfrisco.org

Going Solo in Subway...

Last week I was in Subway attempting to read Your Jesus is too Safe. I am never able to eat and read at the same time. Plus I hate getting honey mustard and smudges on a new book. So, I settled for perusing at best. Stetzer writes a great introduction and I was surprised by the data he collected on what young professing Christians feel unable to affirm strongly--including the resurrection of Jesus.

I noticed two guys sitting next to me that appeared Indian. With little thought (and in reflection almost zero prayer contributing to the progress of the conversation) I decided to ask them if the resurrection of Jesus would matter to them.

"Sorry to interrupt. Just reading a book about the resurrection of Jesus and was curious if you believed in the resurrection of Jesus and if it matters to you."

Both guys were cordial--one guy talked for them. "It doesn't matter. It wouldn't matter."

"So if you knew with certainty Jesus rose from the dead proving himself to be God--basically that Christianity was true--it wouldn't matter?"

He said confidently it would not. He and his friends are Hindus. We talked a little bit about how he believed in many gods and sins are forgiven simply by appealing to the god(s) of your family and saying you're sorry. When I asked him if the many hundreds of gods would compete for your alliance he said, "it doesn't work that way" and said the gods of your family pretty much stay with you. Up until now it was cordial but very cold--with no seeming interest I just felt totally at loss to keep the conversation going. In retrospect I was foolish to go into that flying solo without really pausing to call on God's power and help.

The "this is awkward" part came when I said thanks and was picking up my things to leave. I felt like I couldn't at least invite them to church. When I said I was a pastor and would love to have them come to the church sometime I received an immediate shaking of the head like I was selling a new and exciting business opportunity.

"no. no. uh uh" while heads wagged to say, "never in a million years." I said thanks but turned around licking my wounded pride at the tiny rejection and wondering if anyone in Subway saw the evangelical shoot the air ball.

These moments are good for me. It teaches me about my total need for God's help and dependence on Him. It reminds me that I've got no power on my own and only God's power can deliver. It reminds me that I'm often more concerned about my reputation and the way I look than about people.

Do you have a Church you go to?

One of the easiest ways to bridge to the gospel in a churched culture is to talk about "church." Literally every person you pass by on the street, sit next to at work, or live by as some affiliation--past or present--with a church. Inviting someone to church is one of the easiest ways to potentially get into a conversation about the gospel.

Last night we

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...