12/31/10 Seeking the Lord...
Although I will continue with my everyday witnessing goal, I will take a break from writing these stories during the month of January. I am participating with my church in a 25-day period of fasting and seeking the Lord prayerfully with the additional time and focus this fast will allow me. A particular prayer focus will be that, though witnessing is primarily a "seed-planting" ministry, our local church would have the privilege of ministering to some of these same people through the growth and harvesting of these gospel seeds that are being planted. I welcome your prayers and will begin to write these stories again, Lord willing, in February.
Gospel conversations from the streets and marketplace....
12/31/10 Woods about 50
I was on a short witnessing outing with Luke, our lead elder at church, when we ran into an older man in a wheelchair on the sidewalk. I gave him a trillion dollar bill tract, telling him it was from our church and has the "trillion dollar question" on the back. He turned it over to look but I said "before you read it I want to ask you what would be the most important question in the world. You know we're from a church so you know it has to do with religion" He thought for a moment - "Am I saved?" he asked. I agreed with him and asked "So how about you, do you think you'll go to heaven?" '"Well, I'm working on it, but it ain't easy!" This wasn't the answer I hoped to hear, because it sounded like a works-based religion to me, but as we talked further it seemed to me that his faith is indeed in Christ. We talked a bit about what it means to "work out your salvation" as is written in Phil. 2:12-13 We had a good-natured mini-theology session right there on the sidewalk - do we believe our good works lead to salvation, or are they the result of salvation? Among other things, Ephesians 2:8-9 ("by grace are you saved through faith") helped clarify things for "Woods" as he called himself, and we encouraged and prayed for him to keep "working out his salvation" - battling against the temptations of the flesh - and to share his faith with others.
I was on a short witnessing outing with Luke, our lead elder at church, when we ran into an older man in a wheelchair on the sidewalk. I gave him a trillion dollar bill tract, telling him it was from our church and has the "trillion dollar question" on the back. He turned it over to look but I said "before you read it I want to ask you what would be the most important question in the world. You know we're from a church so you know it has to do with religion" He thought for a moment - "Am I saved?" he asked. I agreed with him and asked "So how about you, do you think you'll go to heaven?" '"Well, I'm working on it, but it ain't easy!" This wasn't the answer I hoped to hear, because it sounded like a works-based religion to me, but as we talked further it seemed to me that his faith is indeed in Christ. We talked a bit about what it means to "work out your salvation" as is written in Phil. 2:12-13 We had a good-natured mini-theology session right there on the sidewalk - do we believe our good works lead to salvation, or are they the result of salvation? Among other things, Ephesians 2:8-9 ("by grace are you saved through faith") helped clarify things for "Woods" as he called himself, and we encouraged and prayed for him to keep "working out his salvation" - battling against the temptations of the flesh - and to share his faith with others.
12/30/10 Dave, about 30
Late tonight I found Dave, a positive and friendly young man, in the liquor section at the grocery store, using a MDB tract to help start a conversation. He laughed that his belief in God depends on his mood. In general he doesn't believe but tries to have an open mind to the possibility. He thought maybe later in life he might take religion more seriously. He grew up Catholic, but he and his wife are not churchgoers. He would like his 3 children (all under 10) to be Catholic, mainly because he believes it promotes good morals, so I talked about this a while: "Your children are young, but I have three teenagers and, believe me, when your kids get older they are going to see some inconsistencies in your life. Your relationship with God isn't just affecting you but your children also. I hope you'll take it as friendly advice that you need to take God seriously now, before its too late." I began to explain about God's judgment according to the law and our need for faith in Christ, and Dave was very positive about all this, but a few glances toward the cashiers told me he was in a hurry so I asked if he needed to get going. He did, and I told him I'd make it quick. I think this is important because I reassured him that I was sensitive to his need to leave and it gave me a chance to sum up what I needed to say more quickly. This is part of what I think it means to be "winsome". The truths of the gospel can be confrontational, but we Christians don't need to distract from its message by our own insensitivity or rudeness.
Late tonight I found Dave, a positive and friendly young man, in the liquor section at the grocery store, using a MDB tract to help start a conversation. He laughed that his belief in God depends on his mood. In general he doesn't believe but tries to have an open mind to the possibility. He thought maybe later in life he might take religion more seriously. He grew up Catholic, but he and his wife are not churchgoers. He would like his 3 children (all under 10) to be Catholic, mainly because he believes it promotes good morals, so I talked about this a while: "Your children are young, but I have three teenagers and, believe me, when your kids get older they are going to see some inconsistencies in your life. Your relationship with God isn't just affecting you but your children also. I hope you'll take it as friendly advice that you need to take God seriously now, before its too late." I began to explain about God's judgment according to the law and our need for faith in Christ, and Dave was very positive about all this, but a few glances toward the cashiers told me he was in a hurry so I asked if he needed to get going. He did, and I told him I'd make it quick. I think this is important because I reassured him that I was sensitive to his need to leave and it gave me a chance to sum up what I needed to say more quickly. This is part of what I think it means to be "winsome". The truths of the gospel can be confrontational, but we Christians don't need to distract from its message by our own insensitivity or rudeness.
12/29/10 Lenny, 55
Today I was the chauffeur for my family, dropping them off in downtown Chicago to shop while I waited with the car nearby in Grant Park. While there I gave a million dollar bill gospel tract to a man named Lenny, who was also waiting by his car, telling him it was from my church. "I've been looking for a church" - he told me - "The one I go to is too far away" "What do you look for in a church?" I asked. "I just want to be sure they are preaching the Word" was his answer. I went on to ask about his church history, which is always interesting to hear, not just to get an idea of where people are at with the Lord but how God has orchestrated events in their lives to bring them to faith. In Lenny's case, he was raised in a solid church home but left the faith when he moved to California. After a divorce about five years ago he has begun to attend his mothers church back in Chicago and to check out a few others, only to get turned off by church politics. When I asked what he thought about heaven, he said he believes a loving God won't send people to hell, though if He did he said "'I would be in big trouble". I used the 2nd commandment - against false idols - to help Lenny see he has imagined a "god" he is more comfortable with and explained how a loving God would indeed punish sin. "What kind of God would have no concern about child molesters and murderers?" Then Lenny began to downplay his sin, thinking it wasn't that serious, so I used his prior knowledge of the Garden of Eden to show him that the real problem is our rebellion against God - that no sin, large or small, is acceptable. "Ï guess we just have to believe in God" he said - so I used a parachute analogy to explain what real belief looks like. "It's not enough to say you believe in parachutes when you jump out of a plane, you have to put one on, and in the same way you must 'put on' the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14) Lenny had to leave but excitedly asked for info about my church.
Today I was the chauffeur for my family, dropping them off in downtown Chicago to shop while I waited with the car nearby in Grant Park. While there I gave a million dollar bill gospel tract to a man named Lenny, who was also waiting by his car, telling him it was from my church. "I've been looking for a church" - he told me - "The one I go to is too far away" "What do you look for in a church?" I asked. "I just want to be sure they are preaching the Word" was his answer. I went on to ask about his church history, which is always interesting to hear, not just to get an idea of where people are at with the Lord but how God has orchestrated events in their lives to bring them to faith. In Lenny's case, he was raised in a solid church home but left the faith when he moved to California. After a divorce about five years ago he has begun to attend his mothers church back in Chicago and to check out a few others, only to get turned off by church politics. When I asked what he thought about heaven, he said he believes a loving God won't send people to hell, though if He did he said "'I would be in big trouble". I used the 2nd commandment - against false idols - to help Lenny see he has imagined a "god" he is more comfortable with and explained how a loving God would indeed punish sin. "What kind of God would have no concern about child molesters and murderers?" Then Lenny began to downplay his sin, thinking it wasn't that serious, so I used his prior knowledge of the Garden of Eden to show him that the real problem is our rebellion against God - that no sin, large or small, is acceptable. "Ï guess we just have to believe in God" he said - so I used a parachute analogy to explain what real belief looks like. "It's not enough to say you believe in parachutes when you jump out of a plane, you have to put one on, and in the same way you must 'put on' the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14) Lenny had to leave but excitedly asked for info about my church.
12/28/10 Mark and Javaid, both about 40
After an evening church meeting I stopped at a "Jason's Deli" and found two college professors, Mark and Javaid, a Buddhist and a Muslim, who were happy to talk with me about their respective beliefs. Both took an intellectual approach toward their own religions and seemed to value human reasoning and discourse more than even their own beliefs. I could tell they enjoyed feeling part of the enlightened elite who rise above the ignorant masses, and their intellect clearly caused them to ignore their consciences as I tried to use the law to show them their need for God's gracious forgiveness. I didn't get very far. They found many "spiritual" ways to rationalize their sin. In fact, after we talked for an hour and a half, they both thanked me for the reminder to be more faithful to the faith they professed. They asked if I enjoyed the conversation as much as they did and I said "Well, it was kind of frustrating, because I feel like you have in your mind an idea of what Christians believe that keeps you from listening to what I'm really saying" They had been happy to discuss their own beliefs but never once asked me about mine, feeling they already had it figured out. So I told them they had fallen into the same trap that most people fall into, including many church people. They trust in their good works for a better life to come. I challenged them to really listen to what I was saying and to read what I gave them, a "Why Christianity" booklet that compares world religions and explains how only biblical Christianity deals with our sin problem. They listened but simply could not comprehend what I said, even though I spoke plainly about it, almost as if they had blinders on that shielded them from the truths of the gospel. It was a real-life reminder to me of the truth of 1 Cor. 2:14 "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."
After an evening church meeting I stopped at a "Jason's Deli" and found two college professors, Mark and Javaid, a Buddhist and a Muslim, who were happy to talk with me about their respective beliefs. Both took an intellectual approach toward their own religions and seemed to value human reasoning and discourse more than even their own beliefs. I could tell they enjoyed feeling part of the enlightened elite who rise above the ignorant masses, and their intellect clearly caused them to ignore their consciences as I tried to use the law to show them their need for God's gracious forgiveness. I didn't get very far. They found many "spiritual" ways to rationalize their sin. In fact, after we talked for an hour and a half, they both thanked me for the reminder to be more faithful to the faith they professed. They asked if I enjoyed the conversation as much as they did and I said "Well, it was kind of frustrating, because I feel like you have in your mind an idea of what Christians believe that keeps you from listening to what I'm really saying" They had been happy to discuss their own beliefs but never once asked me about mine, feeling they already had it figured out. So I told them they had fallen into the same trap that most people fall into, including many church people. They trust in their good works for a better life to come. I challenged them to really listen to what I was saying and to read what I gave them, a "Why Christianity" booklet that compares world religions and explains how only biblical Christianity deals with our sin problem. They listened but simply could not comprehend what I said, even though I spoke plainly about it, almost as if they had blinders on that shielded them from the truths of the gospel. It was a real-life reminder to me of the truth of 1 Cor. 2:14 "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."
12/27/10 Roberto, about 30
I was waiting to pick up a prescription at Walgreens and wandered outside where I found a young man named Roberto out for a smoke. He agreed to answer some questions and I found out that although he is Catholic and believes in God, he doesn't really believe in any sort of afterlife like heaven or hell. What he did have however, was an open mind - open enough to consider the possibility that there is indeed an afterlife and a judgment day. This is all I needed to help him consider what the Bible actually teaches about such things and where he stands with God if it is indeed true. After he considered these things I asked why he hasn't believed or taken the things of God seriously. It wasn't really a conscious decision and he really didn't know why so I asked if he had just gotten caught up in daily concerns like working and paying the bills and taking care of his family. He agreed that this was probably the case. So many people like this just seem to have never paused to think seriously about such things and just need someone to stop them right in the middle of their busyness and help them do so.
I was waiting to pick up a prescription at Walgreens and wandered outside where I found a young man named Roberto out for a smoke. He agreed to answer some questions and I found out that although he is Catholic and believes in God, he doesn't really believe in any sort of afterlife like heaven or hell. What he did have however, was an open mind - open enough to consider the possibility that there is indeed an afterlife and a judgment day. This is all I needed to help him consider what the Bible actually teaches about such things and where he stands with God if it is indeed true. After he considered these things I asked why he hasn't believed or taken the things of God seriously. It wasn't really a conscious decision and he really didn't know why so I asked if he had just gotten caught up in daily concerns like working and paying the bills and taking care of his family. He agreed that this was probably the case. So many people like this just seem to have never paused to think seriously about such things and just need someone to stop them right in the middle of their busyness and help them do so.
12/26/10 Tommy, 26
Today was so much more peaceful at the grocery store than it was before Christmas, with people much less frantic about their shopping. I spoke longest with Tommy, a young African-American man who was shopping for his mother. Though I didn't realize it, he was on the phone with her when I first started the conversation and he told her he'd call back. Tommy came across as a little slow intellectually, with a childlike faith that wasn't exactly correct theologically or able to be clearly expressed, but he easily agreed to sound doctine, namely faith in Christ alone for salvation, when he heard it. His mother seemed to be the driving force for his faith, but neither of them were active church members so I focused on encouraging him to become involved in a biblical and Christ-centered church family, and what to look for in order to find one.
Today was so much more peaceful at the grocery store than it was before Christmas, with people much less frantic about their shopping. I spoke longest with Tommy, a young African-American man who was shopping for his mother. Though I didn't realize it, he was on the phone with her when I first started the conversation and he told her he'd call back. Tommy came across as a little slow intellectually, with a childlike faith that wasn't exactly correct theologically or able to be clearly expressed, but he easily agreed to sound doctine, namely faith in Christ alone for salvation, when he heard it. His mother seemed to be the driving force for his faith, but neither of them were active church members so I focused on encouraging him to become involved in a biblical and Christ-centered church family, and what to look for in order to find one.
12/23/10 Reuben , about 50
At a busy grocery store just before Christmas I found it hard to engage anyone in much conversation. Maybe it was my own imagination, but people just seemed to be in such a hurry and focused on their shopping. I had a few short conversations, reminding people of our need for faith in Jesus because our own efforts at good works fall short. Reuben, a friendly man about my age, stood out to me not for what he said in response but for the look on his face. After explaining of our need for Jesus I concluded by saying "And that's the real meaning of Christmas, right?" He looked very thoughtful, shook my hand, looked into my eyes and said very sincerely "That's right, yes it is, thank you so much!".
At a busy grocery store just before Christmas I found it hard to engage anyone in much conversation. Maybe it was my own imagination, but people just seemed to be in such a hurry and focused on their shopping. I had a few short conversations, reminding people of our need for faith in Jesus because our own efforts at good works fall short. Reuben, a friendly man about my age, stood out to me not for what he said in response but for the look on his face. After explaining of our need for Jesus I concluded by saying "And that's the real meaning of Christmas, right?" He looked very thoughtful, shook my hand, looked into my eyes and said very sincerely "That's right, yes it is, thank you so much!".
12/22/10 Tony and Michelle, early 20's
Walking into a busy fast-food restaurant or grocery store I don't often know who I will end up in a conversation with, but as I parked outside a Burger King today I could see the only customers inside were a young couple, so I prayed specifically for them before going inside to talk. They agreed to answer my questions, saying, "Knock yourself out" as I pulled up a chair. I caught their secret questioning looks at each other as I did, so I introduced myself and said "I know this doesn't happen every day, right?" It's usually awkward like this at first but we were soon fully engaged in a great conversation. My first question was "What do you think is the meaning of Christmas?" Their answer - "being with family and being cheerful." We laughed about times when these two goals aren't always compatible, and this helped them open up more as I asked what they thought the religious meaning of Christmas is and if they had any spiritual beliefs. Tony looked like a fierce warrior with his multiple tattoos and piercings and said he does not believe in God because he cannot believe in what he cannot see or measure. Michelle described herself as a Christian, but doesn't believe in taking it very seriously. Tony couldn't understand how there can be one God with so many religions, and what about religious wars and evolution? I listened to all his questions and then picked a few to talk about, showing him some reasonable answers before moving on to allow the law work with their consciences. I was able to explain the full gospel - both law and grace - because I kept reminded them that I was just explaining what the Bible teaches and that I am aware that they may not believe it. I challenged Michelle, who felt that her sins "really aren't serious" ,to put her faith in Christ rather than her own goodness and I gave Tony a book by Mark Cahill that answers various questions that non-believers have. As I left he said "That was the most intelligent conversation I've had in a long time!" That was encouraging to hear, though I know I shouldn't take it too seriously.
Walking into a busy fast-food restaurant or grocery store I don't often know who I will end up in a conversation with, but as I parked outside a Burger King today I could see the only customers inside were a young couple, so I prayed specifically for them before going inside to talk. They agreed to answer my questions, saying, "Knock yourself out" as I pulled up a chair. I caught their secret questioning looks at each other as I did, so I introduced myself and said "I know this doesn't happen every day, right?" It's usually awkward like this at first but we were soon fully engaged in a great conversation. My first question was "What do you think is the meaning of Christmas?" Their answer - "being with family and being cheerful." We laughed about times when these two goals aren't always compatible, and this helped them open up more as I asked what they thought the religious meaning of Christmas is and if they had any spiritual beliefs. Tony looked like a fierce warrior with his multiple tattoos and piercings and said he does not believe in God because he cannot believe in what he cannot see or measure. Michelle described herself as a Christian, but doesn't believe in taking it very seriously. Tony couldn't understand how there can be one God with so many religions, and what about religious wars and evolution? I listened to all his questions and then picked a few to talk about, showing him some reasonable answers before moving on to allow the law work with their consciences. I was able to explain the full gospel - both law and grace - because I kept reminded them that I was just explaining what the Bible teaches and that I am aware that they may not believe it. I challenged Michelle, who felt that her sins "really aren't serious" ,to put her faith in Christ rather than her own goodness and I gave Tony a book by Mark Cahill that answers various questions that non-believers have. As I left he said "That was the most intelligent conversation I've had in a long time!" That was encouraging to hear, though I know I shouldn't take it too seriously.
12/21/10 Greg about 50
I stopped by Starbucks and found a well-dressed gentleman working on his laptop. He looked busy but I thought to myself "We're adults here, if he doesn't want to talk he can tell me" so I walked to his table and said "Excuse me, I don't mean to bother you but I'm wondering if you have a few minutes to answer some questions" "What kind of questions?" "Well I'm from a local church and I ask various people about their spiritual beliefs" He smiled confidently and agreed so I introduced myself and sat down. Greg is in Chicago visiting his father for Christmas. "Do you have any spiritual beliefs?" I asked. "Well, I'm Presbyterian. In fact I work for the Presbyterian Church as a consultant with about 80 different churches" Greg grew up Presbyterian and, after leaving the church during college, came back in his 20's. He said he isn't sure he will go to heaven, saying he believes a person must work hard at being a good person, but he believes he is better than average. I asked if he reads the Bible much. "Yes, Ï've attended Bible studies" he said. I talked some about God's standard of goodness - perfection (Matt 5) compared to man's standard, and described how we fall short compared to the Ten Commandments. I started with myself as an example first but helped him to see that he too would be found guilty. He agreed that no amount of future goodness woud erase the sin he has already done. I asked "ïf I came up to you - a church guy - and asked how I could go to heaven, what would you say?" He had no idea. I told him how I was shocked to find out how that Jesus warns of hell more than he talks of Heaven, after having read through the four Gospels to see for myself. Greg agreed to all of this - maybe out of courtesy - but suddenly couldn't take it anymore, saying he had to get back to his work. I so wanted to tell the rest of the story - about God's grace - but I think he needs to face up to God's law and justice first.
I stopped by Starbucks and found a well-dressed gentleman working on his laptop. He looked busy but I thought to myself "We're adults here, if he doesn't want to talk he can tell me" so I walked to his table and said "Excuse me, I don't mean to bother you but I'm wondering if you have a few minutes to answer some questions" "What kind of questions?" "Well I'm from a local church and I ask various people about their spiritual beliefs" He smiled confidently and agreed so I introduced myself and sat down. Greg is in Chicago visiting his father for Christmas. "Do you have any spiritual beliefs?" I asked. "Well, I'm Presbyterian. In fact I work for the Presbyterian Church as a consultant with about 80 different churches" Greg grew up Presbyterian and, after leaving the church during college, came back in his 20's. He said he isn't sure he will go to heaven, saying he believes a person must work hard at being a good person, but he believes he is better than average. I asked if he reads the Bible much. "Yes, Ï've attended Bible studies" he said. I talked some about God's standard of goodness - perfection (Matt 5) compared to man's standard, and described how we fall short compared to the Ten Commandments. I started with myself as an example first but helped him to see that he too would be found guilty. He agreed that no amount of future goodness woud erase the sin he has already done. I asked "ïf I came up to you - a church guy - and asked how I could go to heaven, what would you say?" He had no idea. I told him how I was shocked to find out how that Jesus warns of hell more than he talks of Heaven, after having read through the four Gospels to see for myself. Greg agreed to all of this - maybe out of courtesy - but suddenly couldn't take it anymore, saying he had to get back to his work. I so wanted to tell the rest of the story - about God's grace - but I think he needs to face up to God's law and justice first.
12/20/10 Marcelini 50
Spoke with a man from Puerto Rico while picking up some groceries. At first he said he will go to heaven because as a Catholic he repents of his sins regularly. I talked about how if we were to go the rest of our lives without breaking another of God's laws, we would still be guilty of the ones we have broken in the past, so Marcelini switched to "plan B" - his good deeds will offset the bad things he has done. He mentioned he had spent some time in state and federal prison, but just as quickly talked of his good deeds. In fact, he was in the middle of buying some groceries for a friend in need, telling me he had driven across town to do so. His friend was waiting so he had to get going, so I summed up some important points I felt he needs to remember - how Jesus didn't die for "good people" (there are none) but for sinners like us, and how we need to have faith in Him, not in our own perceived goodness. It wasn't a long conversation - maybe ten minutes - but I hope God will use it and Marcelini won't forget it.
Spoke with a man from Puerto Rico while picking up some groceries. At first he said he will go to heaven because as a Catholic he repents of his sins regularly. I talked about how if we were to go the rest of our lives without breaking another of God's laws, we would still be guilty of the ones we have broken in the past, so Marcelini switched to "plan B" - his good deeds will offset the bad things he has done. He mentioned he had spent some time in state and federal prison, but just as quickly talked of his good deeds. In fact, he was in the middle of buying some groceries for a friend in need, telling me he had driven across town to do so. His friend was waiting so he had to get going, so I summed up some important points I felt he needs to remember - how Jesus didn't die for "good people" (there are none) but for sinners like us, and how we need to have faith in Him, not in our own perceived goodness. It wasn't a long conversation - maybe ten minutes - but I hope God will use it and Marcelini won't forget it.
12/19/10 Luis, Martin, and Jose 18 to 22
I found three friends finishing their meal at McDonald's and asked if they had time to answer some interesting questions. They said they were just leaving, but stayed another half hour to talk. My questions about their spiritual beliefs kept the conversation going, especially with Luis. The other two directed their attention back and forth between our conversation and texting on their phones but they all had questions of their own at various points. They had short attention spans when I tried to explain the gospel but listened attentively when I answered the variety of questions they asked me. They all seemed to believe in God but felt they weren't religious enough to gain His approval as far as they knew from the Catholic background, and they weren't sure it was worth it compared to all the tempting worldly pleasures all around them. I presented the law, hoping it could help lead them to Christ, (Gal. 3:24) but they seemed too distracted. I think the value of the conversation was that they had an honest discussion with a Christian adult who gave some reasonable answers to their sincere questions, no matter how worldly or outrageous they may have been, and hopefully they will be interested enough to read the info I left them.
I found three friends finishing their meal at McDonald's and asked if they had time to answer some interesting questions. They said they were just leaving, but stayed another half hour to talk. My questions about their spiritual beliefs kept the conversation going, especially with Luis. The other two directed their attention back and forth between our conversation and texting on their phones but they all had questions of their own at various points. They had short attention spans when I tried to explain the gospel but listened attentively when I answered the variety of questions they asked me. They all seemed to believe in God but felt they weren't religious enough to gain His approval as far as they knew from the Catholic background, and they weren't sure it was worth it compared to all the tempting worldly pleasures all around them. I presented the law, hoping it could help lead them to Christ, (Gal. 3:24) but they seemed too distracted. I think the value of the conversation was that they had an honest discussion with a Christian adult who gave some reasonable answers to their sincere questions, no matter how worldly or outrageous they may have been, and hopefully they will be interested enough to read the info I left them.
12/18/10 Ralph about 55
I stopped by a neighborhood laundromat today and walked around giving MDB gospel tracts to everyone there. They all smiled and laughed when they received them. Then I went back to the first person I had given one to - an older man named Ralph, and asked what he thought of the questions on the back. He didn't have his reading glasses on so I offered to explain it to him. Ralph was not so sure he will go to heaven when he dies because of all the bad things he has done. He did have hope though, because he said he has saved five people from dying, simply by being in the right places at the right times and getting involved to help when he was needed. "That has to be worth something," he concluded. Now I understand the principle that we as evangelists should give "law to the proud and grace to the humble". I really didn't know which of these Ralph was. In effect, it seemed like he still trusted in his own good works for salvation, just not the traditional religious kind, so I still asked him the ""good person" questions based on the Ten Commandments even though he seemed humble about his sin. I think it is better to err on the side of caution, because if a person truly believes they deserve the punishment of hell when they die I wouldn't be telling them anything new, but if indeed they trust in their own good deeds and are informed that the Bible teaches that they need faith in Christ for forgiveness and salvation, then they have learned some truth that will help them along the right path. When I finally told Ralph about the hope he can have in Jesus, he acted like he knew this all along. I hope he did, and I hope our conversation just served to strengthen what faith he already had.
I stopped by a neighborhood laundromat today and walked around giving MDB gospel tracts to everyone there. They all smiled and laughed when they received them. Then I went back to the first person I had given one to - an older man named Ralph, and asked what he thought of the questions on the back. He didn't have his reading glasses on so I offered to explain it to him. Ralph was not so sure he will go to heaven when he dies because of all the bad things he has done. He did have hope though, because he said he has saved five people from dying, simply by being in the right places at the right times and getting involved to help when he was needed. "That has to be worth something," he concluded. Now I understand the principle that we as evangelists should give "law to the proud and grace to the humble". I really didn't know which of these Ralph was. In effect, it seemed like he still trusted in his own good works for salvation, just not the traditional religious kind, so I still asked him the ""good person" questions based on the Ten Commandments even though he seemed humble about his sin. I think it is better to err on the side of caution, because if a person truly believes they deserve the punishment of hell when they die I wouldn't be telling them anything new, but if indeed they trust in their own good deeds and are informed that the Bible teaches that they need faith in Christ for forgiveness and salvation, then they have learned some truth that will help them along the right path. When I finally told Ralph about the hope he can have in Jesus, he acted like he knew this all along. I hope he did, and I hope our conversation just served to strengthen what faith he already had.
12/17/10 Miguel, Christian, late teens
I found two older teens, Miguel and Christian, in the magazine isle at Target and used MDB gospel tracts as conversation starters. Miguel said he believes in God and heaven and hopes he will end up there, but had no idea how. He obviously hadn't thought about it much. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he said he really does not believe in hell. After all, what better way to ensure heaven than to deny hell? I talked about the futility of denying reality, much like closing ones eyes and denying an oncoming train. I went on to talk about our sin, our accountability to God, judgment and the reality of eternity but as I went along Miguel, the talkative one of the two, acted less interested and turned back to the magazine he'd been looking at. I was beginning to overstay my welcome with him a bit but the quiet one, Christian, was reading the tract and seemed to be hanging on every word I said so I went on a little longer. He never did verbally join the conversation, possibly because he was afraid of what Miguel might say, but his body language told me he was very interested nonetheless.
I found two older teens, Miguel and Christian, in the magazine isle at Target and used MDB gospel tracts as conversation starters. Miguel said he believes in God and heaven and hopes he will end up there, but had no idea how. He obviously hadn't thought about it much. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he said he really does not believe in hell. After all, what better way to ensure heaven than to deny hell? I talked about the futility of denying reality, much like closing ones eyes and denying an oncoming train. I went on to talk about our sin, our accountability to God, judgment and the reality of eternity but as I went along Miguel, the talkative one of the two, acted less interested and turned back to the magazine he'd been looking at. I was beginning to overstay my welcome with him a bit but the quiet one, Christian, was reading the tract and seemed to be hanging on every word I said so I went on a little longer. He never did verbally join the conversation, possibly because he was afraid of what Miguel might say, but his body language told me he was very interested nonetheless.
12/16/10 Ricardo, abvout 35
This morning I realized I had some time before work but will be busy all evening. Since intentional evangelism means one must plan ahead at times, I headed to McDonalds near a Home Depot where a lot of Mexican immigrants, hoping for temporary day jobs, tend to congregate. I introduced myself to Ricardo as he had breakfast, finding out he knew no English and asking if he would help me practice my Spanish. He agreed and was very patient with me and open to answering my questions about his beliefs, helping me find the right words when I couldn't think of them. Ricardo is Catholic but doesn't think much about his faith, telling me his wife is the devout one in the family. He believes in God and Heaven but rejects the idea that God would punish anyone in hell. "But if all people go to heaven then it won't be any different than this earth" I told him. He hadn't really thought about that. In much of the rest of our conversation I just focused on what the Bible actually teaches about our sin and judgment and the hope we can have in Christ. After I gave him a Spanish New Testament and an ¿Eres una buena persona? gospel tract, he told me he can't read but said he would have his wife read it to him. I thought "Well, at least that way they will both hear it!" I know there is a lot of concern about illegal immigration these days, but what a tremendous opportunity we have to share a living faith in Christ with people who are too often stuck in religious tradition. Instead of sending missionaries the mission fields are coming to our own backyard!
This morning I realized I had some time before work but will be busy all evening. Since intentional evangelism means one must plan ahead at times, I headed to McDonalds near a Home Depot where a lot of Mexican immigrants, hoping for temporary day jobs, tend to congregate. I introduced myself to Ricardo as he had breakfast, finding out he knew no English and asking if he would help me practice my Spanish. He agreed and was very patient with me and open to answering my questions about his beliefs, helping me find the right words when I couldn't think of them. Ricardo is Catholic but doesn't think much about his faith, telling me his wife is the devout one in the family. He believes in God and Heaven but rejects the idea that God would punish anyone in hell. "But if all people go to heaven then it won't be any different than this earth" I told him. He hadn't really thought about that. In much of the rest of our conversation I just focused on what the Bible actually teaches about our sin and judgment and the hope we can have in Christ. After I gave him a Spanish New Testament and an ¿Eres una buena persona? gospel tract, he told me he can't read but said he would have his wife read it to him. I thought "Well, at least that way they will both hear it!" I know there is a lot of concern about illegal immigration these days, but what a tremendous opportunity we have to share a living faith in Christ with people who are too often stuck in religious tradition. Instead of sending missionaries the mission fields are coming to our own backyard!
12/15/10 CJ & Lindsey, he - 30, she - about 25
At a "Jason's Deli" in Chicago's South Loop, I asked a young couple if they had a few minutes to answer a few questions. "What about?" they asked. Ï'm from a church nearby and I ask different people about their spiritual beliefs" "That's funny, we were just talking about religion" CJ told me. He had been telling Lindsey about a friend of his who grew up going to a Christian church and had decided to research all the major religions and decide for himself what he wanted to believe. He decided to become Muslim. As it turned out, both CJ and Lindsey had this same attitude - that they would decide what they wanted to believe based on their own rational thought and research. CJ had once been an enthusiastic Methodist and Lindsey had grown up in an evangelical church. Both rejected their childhood faith and were attempting to construct their own belief systems. They were fellow teachers in the Chicago public schools, and both agreed that the more they had become educated the harder it was becoming to believe in God. They rejected biblical miracles as being unscientific - not realizing that this is what made them "miracles"in the first place! I talked enough about basic apologetics topics - such as evolution, origins, hypocrisy among church people, the claims of Jesus - to let them know there are reasonable answers to these questions. Then I let the law do its work to reveal their need for the forgiveness found only in Jesus. Lindsey seemed thoughtful, CJ returned back to his apologetics questions - a smokescreen I believe - to cover over the real issues he wasn't willing to face.
At a "Jason's Deli" in Chicago's South Loop, I asked a young couple if they had a few minutes to answer a few questions. "What about?" they asked. Ï'm from a church nearby and I ask different people about their spiritual beliefs" "That's funny, we were just talking about religion" CJ told me. He had been telling Lindsey about a friend of his who grew up going to a Christian church and had decided to research all the major religions and decide for himself what he wanted to believe. He decided to become Muslim. As it turned out, both CJ and Lindsey had this same attitude - that they would decide what they wanted to believe based on their own rational thought and research. CJ had once been an enthusiastic Methodist and Lindsey had grown up in an evangelical church. Both rejected their childhood faith and were attempting to construct their own belief systems. They were fellow teachers in the Chicago public schools, and both agreed that the more they had become educated the harder it was becoming to believe in God. They rejected biblical miracles as being unscientific - not realizing that this is what made them "miracles"in the first place! I talked enough about basic apologetics topics - such as evolution, origins, hypocrisy among church people, the claims of Jesus - to let them know there are reasonable answers to these questions. Then I let the law do its work to reveal their need for the forgiveness found only in Jesus. Lindsey seemed thoughtful, CJ returned back to his apologetics questions - a smokescreen I believe - to cover over the real issues he wasn't willing to face.
12/14/10 Mike, 32
At a McDonald's on a busy drug-dealing corner in our part of Chicago, Marcus (from church) and I sat down to talk to Josephine and Mike, two very street-wise and street-involved individuals who nonetheless also had a church background and could use "church lingo" with ease. Their religious talk made it seem like they had great respect for the Lord, when in reality they showed no signs of repentance. Their attitude was that "God is supposed to forgive", and they felt like they could just go on to live life as they chose. Josephine, who has a hard-drug habit, talked more freely with us but had to leave early. Mike, who kept sizing up the people around him the way street hustlers do, became more and more interested and focused as we talked and had some good questions after Josephine left. "Would God forgive even the worse sinners? How can that be?" was his main question. He also admitted that the one thing that he would not be willing to give up to follow Jesus would be his marijuanna use. This sparked some more good discussion. One thing that really seemed to hit home with Mike was that the longer he waits to repent and follow Jesus, the more calloused his heart is becoming and the harder it will be to repent later. (Ephesians 4:17-19) We gave him a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet and prayed with Mike that he will heed the words of the Lord.
At a McDonald's on a busy drug-dealing corner in our part of Chicago, Marcus (from church) and I sat down to talk to Josephine and Mike, two very street-wise and street-involved individuals who nonetheless also had a church background and could use "church lingo" with ease. Their religious talk made it seem like they had great respect for the Lord, when in reality they showed no signs of repentance. Their attitude was that "God is supposed to forgive", and they felt like they could just go on to live life as they chose. Josephine, who has a hard-drug habit, talked more freely with us but had to leave early. Mike, who kept sizing up the people around him the way street hustlers do, became more and more interested and focused as we talked and had some good questions after Josephine left. "Would God forgive even the worse sinners? How can that be?" was his main question. He also admitted that the one thing that he would not be willing to give up to follow Jesus would be his marijuanna use. This sparked some more good discussion. One thing that really seemed to hit home with Mike was that the longer he waits to repent and follow Jesus, the more calloused his heart is becoming and the harder it will be to repent later. (Ephesians 4:17-19) We gave him a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet and prayed with Mike that he will heed the words of the Lord.
12/13/10 Shaun, 30
Today Nolan (from church) and I "fished" while he picked up some groceries. As we gave out MDB gospel tracts and engaged in short conversations in the marketplace it truly felt like fishing, because one never knows when someone who is very hungry spiritually will "bite" at the chance to talk about their relationship with the Lord, leading to a much longer conversation and the chance to proclaim Jesus to a heart ready to receive Him. Besides the fear factor, for me the second biggest difficulty in witnessing is just putting aside my busy agenda to focus on someone else, especially a stranger. But the way I see it, if someone really does want to talk about spiritual truths, no matter how busy I am it should be worth giving them some of my time and energy. Unfortunately, no one seemed to want that longer conversation today. I talked with Shaun the longest. He feels that since he hasn't died yet there is no way of knowing what happens next after this life so I talked some about how we can't know about God unless He reveals Himself to us, and he has done just that in the Bible. "No, I haven't seen God or heaven myself, but I can tell you what the Bible says about Him" - which is what I did.
Today Nolan (from church) and I "fished" while he picked up some groceries. As we gave out MDB gospel tracts and engaged in short conversations in the marketplace it truly felt like fishing, because one never knows when someone who is very hungry spiritually will "bite" at the chance to talk about their relationship with the Lord, leading to a much longer conversation and the chance to proclaim Jesus to a heart ready to receive Him. Besides the fear factor, for me the second biggest difficulty in witnessing is just putting aside my busy agenda to focus on someone else, especially a stranger. But the way I see it, if someone really does want to talk about spiritual truths, no matter how busy I am it should be worth giving them some of my time and energy. Unfortunately, no one seemed to want that longer conversation today. I talked with Shaun the longest. He feels that since he hasn't died yet there is no way of knowing what happens next after this life so I talked some about how we can't know about God unless He reveals Himself to us, and he has done just that in the Bible. "No, I haven't seen God or heaven myself, but I can tell you what the Bible says about Him" - which is what I did.
12/12/10 Marty, about 60
Though I strive for a two-way conversation with everyone I meet, I need to accept the fact that some people just need to hear gospel truths without that personal interaction that I truly enjoy. Marty, who I used a MDB tract to try to start a conversation with at the grocery store, really didn't seem to have any spiritual beliefs other than a simple belief in God and a willingness to just wait and see what will happen in the next life, "if there is one". So I spoke to him some truths about our sin, God's justice and judgment and His love and mercy in Jesus. He listened without much reaction either way, and we both cordially wished one another well as we went on our way.
Though I strive for a two-way conversation with everyone I meet, I need to accept the fact that some people just need to hear gospel truths without that personal interaction that I truly enjoy. Marty, who I used a MDB tract to try to start a conversation with at the grocery store, really didn't seem to have any spiritual beliefs other than a simple belief in God and a willingness to just wait and see what will happen in the next life, "if there is one". So I spoke to him some truths about our sin, God's justice and judgment and His love and mercy in Jesus. He listened without much reaction either way, and we both cordially wished one another well as we went on our way.
12/11/10 Tim , about 40
This morning we had our monthly men's breakfast at church, and I enjoyed the fellowship centered around God's word. Afterward as I left the building I ran into a man out front on the sidewalk named Tim, who had apparently been painting, judging from all the white paint spattered on his clothes. I introduced myself, that I am from the church, and asked his opinions about spiritual things. He doesn't believe in God's existence, he said, because he believes in science and has never seen God, but also because he has "been through a lot" as he put it, and can't see how God could possibly exist. Like Art yesterday, he also can't see how the God of Christianity could punish people simply for not believing in him. He hadn't thought he would be judged according to the moral law, and when he thought about it, felt like he would be a good person based on this standard because "Ï pay all my bills and take care of my family". He had to get to work so I walked with him a few blocks, and on the way told him about the Ten Commandments as God's standard for judgment. This was all he had time for but it's a start. It only seemed right that the truths of the Bible were getting out of our church and into the neighborhood.
This morning we had our monthly men's breakfast at church, and I enjoyed the fellowship centered around God's word. Afterward as I left the building I ran into a man out front on the sidewalk named Tim, who had apparently been painting, judging from all the white paint spattered on his clothes. I introduced myself, that I am from the church, and asked his opinions about spiritual things. He doesn't believe in God's existence, he said, because he believes in science and has never seen God, but also because he has "been through a lot" as he put it, and can't see how God could possibly exist. Like Art yesterday, he also can't see how the God of Christianity could punish people simply for not believing in him. He hadn't thought he would be judged according to the moral law, and when he thought about it, felt like he would be a good person based on this standard because "Ï pay all my bills and take care of my family". He had to get to work so I walked with him a few blocks, and on the way told him about the Ten Commandments as God's standard for judgment. This was all he had time for but it's a start. It only seemed right that the truths of the Bible were getting out of our church and into the neighborhood.
12/10/10 Art, 20
I stopped at the grocery store and found Art, a sophomore in college who is working as a Salvation Army bellringer, taking a break in the coffee area. He agreed to answer my questions and I found him to be interested in religion but he was of the opinion that no one has the right to say that their beliefs are any more true than any other. Where do I go from here? I told him that I am a Christian and asked him to look at things from my perspective: If I really believe that without faith in Christ people are condemned, then what kind of person would I be if I didn't tell them how they could be saved, whether what I believe is true or not? I compared it to having the cure for cancer but not sharing it with anyone. Art said "But if people want to find out about Christianity they can just look it up on a website or something". "True", I told him, "but people don't look for a cure unless they know they are sick". Art also wondered how people could be punished simply for unbelief. I agreed with him, saying "Ëven if I gave you a million dollars to believe the world is flat, you couldn't force yourself to believe it. But the Bible teaches that we should know our Creator exists simply from the fact of creation, so we are without excuse. (Romans 2) I explained how it is rebellion against God's rule for which we are condemned. He had to get back to work so I quickly explained the gospel and gave him Cahill's book "One Second After You...Die" along with my contact info. "You really want to convert me, don't you?" Art asked. "Well" I said, "Jesus said to count the cost (Luke 14:28) but we aren't promised tomorrow and yes, I want to see you in heaven one day".
I stopped at the grocery store and found Art, a sophomore in college who is working as a Salvation Army bellringer, taking a break in the coffee area. He agreed to answer my questions and I found him to be interested in religion but he was of the opinion that no one has the right to say that their beliefs are any more true than any other. Where do I go from here? I told him that I am a Christian and asked him to look at things from my perspective: If I really believe that without faith in Christ people are condemned, then what kind of person would I be if I didn't tell them how they could be saved, whether what I believe is true or not? I compared it to having the cure for cancer but not sharing it with anyone. Art said "But if people want to find out about Christianity they can just look it up on a website or something". "True", I told him, "but people don't look for a cure unless they know they are sick". Art also wondered how people could be punished simply for unbelief. I agreed with him, saying "Ëven if I gave you a million dollars to believe the world is flat, you couldn't force yourself to believe it. But the Bible teaches that we should know our Creator exists simply from the fact of creation, so we are without excuse. (Romans 2) I explained how it is rebellion against God's rule for which we are condemned. He had to get back to work so I quickly explained the gospel and gave him Cahill's book "One Second After You...Die" along with my contact info. "You really want to convert me, don't you?" Art asked. "Well" I said, "Jesus said to count the cost (Luke 14:28) but we aren't promised tomorrow and yes, I want to see you in heaven one day".
12/9/10 Dave, Sam both 22
As they finished their meal at a Subway restaurant, I asked two young men, Sam and his friend Dave who had just returned back to the neighborhood after graduating from college, if they'd be willing to answer a few questions about their beliefs. Sam described himself as a "seeker", having tried to learn about all religions and definitely believes that there is some sort of higher power out there. Dave was a little more reserved, not sure if God exists but they both agreed that they take a "cafeteria" approach to religion, picking and choosing what ideas they will accept or reject. At this point I was glad my purpose was not to debate the merits of Christianity over every other religion. Instead I could talk about something Dave and Sam both agreed with me on - the existence of a moral law and their failure to keep it. This made sense to them and they could see that the common thread of most major religions and many who call themselves Christians is a belief in man's ability to earn an eternal reward through ones moral efforts, but as I explained, they would be found guilty on judgment day, deserving punishment rather than a heavenly reward. Unfortunately, they had to leave at this point but my hope is that Sam, the "seeker", will read the "Why Christianity" booklet I gave him to see why it is not good people but forgiven people who have the hope of heaven.
As they finished their meal at a Subway restaurant, I asked two young men, Sam and his friend Dave who had just returned back to the neighborhood after graduating from college, if they'd be willing to answer a few questions about their beliefs. Sam described himself as a "seeker", having tried to learn about all religions and definitely believes that there is some sort of higher power out there. Dave was a little more reserved, not sure if God exists but they both agreed that they take a "cafeteria" approach to religion, picking and choosing what ideas they will accept or reject. At this point I was glad my purpose was not to debate the merits of Christianity over every other religion. Instead I could talk about something Dave and Sam both agreed with me on - the existence of a moral law and their failure to keep it. This made sense to them and they could see that the common thread of most major religions and many who call themselves Christians is a belief in man's ability to earn an eternal reward through ones moral efforts, but as I explained, they would be found guilty on judgment day, deserving punishment rather than a heavenly reward. Unfortunately, they had to leave at this point but my hope is that Sam, the "seeker", will read the "Why Christianity" booklet I gave him to see why it is not good people but forgiven people who have the hope of heaven.
12/8/10 Marvin, about 50
The frigid temperatures have made it harder to have extended conversations with people outside so I've had to be creative. Today I went to a few fast food restaurants after work, but most of the adults in them were there with young children, so I didn't ask to talk with them. Usually one of the first few people I ask are willing to talk, but today it wasn't until the fifth, an older black gentleman named Marvin, and, praise the Lord, he already has a solid faith relationship with Jesus. So instead of witnessing, I shifted my focus to trying to help him understand the importance of using the Law when sharing the Gospel. I told him how the vast majority of people trust in their good works rather than in Jesus for salvation and asked Marvin "What would you tell them?" "They should read their Bible" was his simplistic answer, so I went to talk about the rich young man who asked Jesus how to obtain eternal life. Jesus used the Law to show him his need for forgiveness. People come to Jesus as their Savior when they know they need saving. Just like John the Baptist and his voice of one calling in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." (Mark 1:3) we must call people to repent and turn to Jesus.
The frigid temperatures have made it harder to have extended conversations with people outside so I've had to be creative. Today I went to a few fast food restaurants after work, but most of the adults in them were there with young children, so I didn't ask to talk with them. Usually one of the first few people I ask are willing to talk, but today it wasn't until the fifth, an older black gentleman named Marvin, and, praise the Lord, he already has a solid faith relationship with Jesus. So instead of witnessing, I shifted my focus to trying to help him understand the importance of using the Law when sharing the Gospel. I told him how the vast majority of people trust in their good works rather than in Jesus for salvation and asked Marvin "What would you tell them?" "They should read their Bible" was his simplistic answer, so I went to talk about the rich young man who asked Jesus how to obtain eternal life. Jesus used the Law to show him his need for forgiveness. People come to Jesus as their Savior when they know they need saving. Just like John the Baptist and his voice of one calling in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." (Mark 1:3) we must call people to repent and turn to Jesus.
12/7/10 Anthony and Erhan, early 20's
Today Marcus and I met at our church and walked over to the neighborhood laundromat where I handed out MDB tracts and spoke with two young men as they folded their laundry. Erhan, who said he is both Turkish and Austrian, had no religious beliefs or background. He was open to the idea of God's existence and the idea of judgment day, believing he would be seen almost perfect in God's eyes. He was willing to talk more but I thought I'd try to include his friend Anthony in the conversation, who had been silently listening to this point. However Anthony had "been there, done that" when it came to Christianity. He grew up in a Christian home, went to a Christian school and church and seemed to have heard just about every defense of the faith but had rejected them all. It seemed that there was no argument for the faith, no matter how compelling, that he hadn''t heard and rejected. His unbelief really seemed to rub off on Erhan, who really didn't seem interested in talking anymore either.
Today Marcus and I met at our church and walked over to the neighborhood laundromat where I handed out MDB tracts and spoke with two young men as they folded their laundry. Erhan, who said he is both Turkish and Austrian, had no religious beliefs or background. He was open to the idea of God's existence and the idea of judgment day, believing he would be seen almost perfect in God's eyes. He was willing to talk more but I thought I'd try to include his friend Anthony in the conversation, who had been silently listening to this point. However Anthony had "been there, done that" when it came to Christianity. He grew up in a Christian home, went to a Christian school and church and seemed to have heard just about every defense of the faith but had rejected them all. It seemed that there was no argument for the faith, no matter how compelling, that he hadn''t heard and rejected. His unbelief really seemed to rub off on Erhan, who really didn't seem interested in talking anymore either.
12/06/10 Julio, about 35
While at a Target store I knew I would find some people with a little extra time on their hands in the books and music departments and I did indeed, using a MDB gospel tract as a conversation starter with a man named Julio. Like so many people, once I met him his personality seemed very different than what I imagined. From his clothes style to the way he carried himself, he didn't appear to be the "brightest light on the tree" but he turned out to be very intelligent and inquisitive, especially about spiritual things. However, this same intelligence is what has made it impossible for him to be in a right relationship with God (outside of God's intervention of course) for he has applied his intelligence toward trying to explain away and disprove every major point God has revealed about himself in his word. We talked there for almost an hour, and I'm sure dozens of customers heard parts of our conversation. Trying to explain all the errors in Julio's thinking would be like trying to describe all the symptoms of a disease without talking about the disease itself. The root cause is idolatry, worshipping a "god" of his own making. And in so doing he is falling for many of the original temptations of the serpent in Genesis 3: - he questions God's word, he scoffs at God's warnings of punishment, and he is attracted to the opportunity to be "like God" without God's help. He freely admitted he would be the first to bite from the forbidden fruit just to gain the promised "knowledge". I felt that relating his sinful errors all the way back to the third chapter of the Bible might help him realize he's not the first to think of these things, and that his fate won't be any different either.
While at a Target store I knew I would find some people with a little extra time on their hands in the books and music departments and I did indeed, using a MDB gospel tract as a conversation starter with a man named Julio. Like so many people, once I met him his personality seemed very different than what I imagined. From his clothes style to the way he carried himself, he didn't appear to be the "brightest light on the tree" but he turned out to be very intelligent and inquisitive, especially about spiritual things. However, this same intelligence is what has made it impossible for him to be in a right relationship with God (outside of God's intervention of course) for he has applied his intelligence toward trying to explain away and disprove every major point God has revealed about himself in his word. We talked there for almost an hour, and I'm sure dozens of customers heard parts of our conversation. Trying to explain all the errors in Julio's thinking would be like trying to describe all the symptoms of a disease without talking about the disease itself. The root cause is idolatry, worshipping a "god" of his own making. And in so doing he is falling for many of the original temptations of the serpent in Genesis 3: - he questions God's word, he scoffs at God's warnings of punishment, and he is attracted to the opportunity to be "like God" without God's help. He freely admitted he would be the first to bite from the forbidden fruit just to gain the promised "knowledge". I felt that relating his sinful errors all the way back to the third chapter of the Bible might help him realize he's not the first to think of these things, and that his fate won't be any different either.
12/5/10 Jose, about 65
In the parking lot at Home Depot I used a MDB tract as a conversation starter with an older man named Jose, and quickly found out he has been a long-time member of the main location of my church, so although we hadn't met before we knew a lot of people in common and it seemed like we were brothers in the Lord. Yet I've learned not to take the salvation of others for granted, but to ask some key questions that help me know where their faith is at. I asked how he knows he would go to heaven on judgment day. He told me he can't know for sure, but believes he is a good enough person and has been a faithful church member. Why is it so hard to say "Because of Jesus my sins are forgiven!" or something like that? I know that's what is preached at our church. I've also learned not to take an answer like Jose's at face value - it could mean one of three things: 1.) He really is a believer in Jesus alone for salvation, but has gotten confused by the temptation to trust in Jesus + good works; 2.) He sees his own good works as evidence that his faith in Jesus is real and God is at work in his heart; or 3.) He really does think that his good works have earned favor with God for salvation. Unfortunately for Jose, I believe his faith is in his own good works and, judging from the way he dismissed my talk of faith in Christ alone, he seems to have somehow been inoculated against the true gospel.
In the parking lot at Home Depot I used a MDB tract as a conversation starter with an older man named Jose, and quickly found out he has been a long-time member of the main location of my church, so although we hadn't met before we knew a lot of people in common and it seemed like we were brothers in the Lord. Yet I've learned not to take the salvation of others for granted, but to ask some key questions that help me know where their faith is at. I asked how he knows he would go to heaven on judgment day. He told me he can't know for sure, but believes he is a good enough person and has been a faithful church member. Why is it so hard to say "Because of Jesus my sins are forgiven!" or something like that? I know that's what is preached at our church. I've also learned not to take an answer like Jose's at face value - it could mean one of three things: 1.) He really is a believer in Jesus alone for salvation, but has gotten confused by the temptation to trust in Jesus + good works; 2.) He sees his own good works as evidence that his faith in Jesus is real and God is at work in his heart; or 3.) He really does think that his good works have earned favor with God for salvation. Unfortunately for Jose, I believe his faith is in his own good works and, judging from the way he dismissed my talk of faith in Christ alone, he seems to have somehow been inoculated against the true gospel.
12/4/10 Bill and Jennifer - both about 40
I dropped Anne off at a store to do some Christmas shopping and headed to a nearby Burger King to strike up a witnessing conversation. A couple were there nearly finished with their lunch and I greeted them, telling them I am from a local church and asking if they'd be willing to answer a few questions about their beliefs. They were willing, so I pulled up a chair and we had a nice long chat, which was very friendly for two reasons: 1.) Because I was asking them about their beliefs (Catholic) and responding to their answers in a conversational way; and 2.) Because early in the conversation, they had stated that they had tried to read the Bible but had given up, so I gave them some friendly advice on how to read the Bible as a beginner. This seemed to establish me as the religious authority, which helped as I directed my questions toward an understanding of their sin, God's righteous wrath and judgment, and His love and mercy so evident in Jesus. They seemed to agree with this all the way to the end, until Bill said "Ï still prefer to believe in a God who doesn't think my little sins are any big deal". Now it was time to state firmly that this belief was in direct contradiction to the Bible, that he was constructing in his imagination an idea of "God" that he was more comfortable with, and that he needed to rely on God's revelation of Himself in the Bible rather than his own idea of what God might be like. It was getting late, so this is the challenge I left them with.
I dropped Anne off at a store to do some Christmas shopping and headed to a nearby Burger King to strike up a witnessing conversation. A couple were there nearly finished with their lunch and I greeted them, telling them I am from a local church and asking if they'd be willing to answer a few questions about their beliefs. They were willing, so I pulled up a chair and we had a nice long chat, which was very friendly for two reasons: 1.) Because I was asking them about their beliefs (Catholic) and responding to their answers in a conversational way; and 2.) Because early in the conversation, they had stated that they had tried to read the Bible but had given up, so I gave them some friendly advice on how to read the Bible as a beginner. This seemed to establish me as the religious authority, which helped as I directed my questions toward an understanding of their sin, God's righteous wrath and judgment, and His love and mercy so evident in Jesus. They seemed to agree with this all the way to the end, until Bill said "Ï still prefer to believe in a God who doesn't think my little sins are any big deal". Now it was time to state firmly that this belief was in direct contradiction to the Bible, that he was constructing in his imagination an idea of "God" that he was more comfortable with, and that he needed to rely on God's revelation of Himself in the Bible rather than his own idea of what God might be like. It was getting late, so this is the challenge I left them with.
12/3/10 Guran, about 20
I went out jogging with my dog and walked through the IIT campus where I met a Chinese engineering student named Guran. He had been riding his bike down the sidewalk toward me and stopped when I greeted him and told him I had a question. I asked what he thinks about life after death and God's existence. He said he had no idea and honestly looked like he had never even considered this question before. He told me he had no religious background when growing up in China. We talked some about how the mere fact of creation reveals a creator: there is no physical law that says that either matter or energy could create something out of nothing. He had very limited English and I could tell he was getting confused, wondering what I was getting at, and possibly wondering how he could graciously exit the conversation. I felt led to leave him with a simple truth: "It may well be that God sent me to tell you this - I want you to know that God exists, He created you and He wants you to know Him"
I went out jogging with my dog and walked through the IIT campus where I met a Chinese engineering student named Guran. He had been riding his bike down the sidewalk toward me and stopped when I greeted him and told him I had a question. I asked what he thinks about life after death and God's existence. He said he had no idea and honestly looked like he had never even considered this question before. He told me he had no religious background when growing up in China. We talked some about how the mere fact of creation reveals a creator: there is no physical law that says that either matter or energy could create something out of nothing. He had very limited English and I could tell he was getting confused, wondering what I was getting at, and possibly wondering how he could graciously exit the conversation. I felt led to leave him with a simple truth: "It may well be that God sent me to tell you this - I want you to know that God exists, He created you and He wants you to know Him"
12/2/10 Lena, Brad, both about 22
"There but for the grace of God go I" As I share the gospel on a regular basis I'm constantly reminded of who I really am if it wasn't for the grace of God working in me. Today I met with Santosh, an IIT grad student and fellow believer at church. We headed to Starbucks, where we met two education students named Lena and Brad. Brad's mother was a legalistic Baptist and as he grew older he realized she was merely going through the motions of faith, and he rejected organized religion and the idea of a personal God who holds people accountable. He seemed to have been greatly influenced by Lena, whose mother encouraged her to try different religions as she grew up, which she did. She ended up in the "Ünity Church of Practical Christianity", having served as a youth leader for several years and is now in a regional position of some sort for the Chicago area. Lena agrees with her "church" teachings that there is no personal God (therefore he can't get angry with us); that we create our own reality through the power of thought; that there is no good or evil (only things that make you feel bad or good, which affects ones ability to create your own reality); and that the Bible is just a collection of allegorical stories. Lena kept referring to the importance of having fun, laughing a lot, and enjoying life when it comes to religion, and all references to what she perceived as "good" were based on how well they made her feel. She denied any sense of right or wrong, even when it came to extremes like Hitler and the Holocaust. We talked on a more theoretical level, but later it hit me how horrible the reality of what she was saying really was - millions of people being tortured and killed wouldn't be a bad thing unless she felt bad about it. Since having an "öpen mind" seemed to be one of her highest ideals, I appealed to the possibility of a personal God who holds us accountable for our actions - but she and Brad mocked the idea of a God who would "lord it over them" and tell them what to do. They were becoming uncomfortable with my questions about accountability to God, so as they prepared to leave I warned them that, just as an atheist can't erase God by refusing to believe in Him, so they can't erase God's laws by refusing to believe in them either.
In hindsight, I believe I could have taken a better approach: Lena claimed to have read the Bible through seven times and that she accepts all other religions. I could have asked what she knew of biblical Christianity, correcting her false perceptions as she went. At least that would have allowed the gospel to be more clearly discussed.
"There but for the grace of God go I" As I share the gospel on a regular basis I'm constantly reminded of who I really am if it wasn't for the grace of God working in me. Today I met with Santosh, an IIT grad student and fellow believer at church. We headed to Starbucks, where we met two education students named Lena and Brad. Brad's mother was a legalistic Baptist and as he grew older he realized she was merely going through the motions of faith, and he rejected organized religion and the idea of a personal God who holds people accountable. He seemed to have been greatly influenced by Lena, whose mother encouraged her to try different religions as she grew up, which she did. She ended up in the "Ünity Church of Practical Christianity", having served as a youth leader for several years and is now in a regional position of some sort for the Chicago area. Lena agrees with her "church" teachings that there is no personal God (therefore he can't get angry with us); that we create our own reality through the power of thought; that there is no good or evil (only things that make you feel bad or good, which affects ones ability to create your own reality); and that the Bible is just a collection of allegorical stories. Lena kept referring to the importance of having fun, laughing a lot, and enjoying life when it comes to religion, and all references to what she perceived as "good" were based on how well they made her feel. She denied any sense of right or wrong, even when it came to extremes like Hitler and the Holocaust. We talked on a more theoretical level, but later it hit me how horrible the reality of what she was saying really was - millions of people being tortured and killed wouldn't be a bad thing unless she felt bad about it. Since having an "öpen mind" seemed to be one of her highest ideals, I appealed to the possibility of a personal God who holds us accountable for our actions - but she and Brad mocked the idea of a God who would "lord it over them" and tell them what to do. They were becoming uncomfortable with my questions about accountability to God, so as they prepared to leave I warned them that, just as an atheist can't erase God by refusing to believe in Him, so they can't erase God's laws by refusing to believe in them either.
In hindsight, I believe I could have taken a better approach: Lena claimed to have read the Bible through seven times and that she accepts all other religions. I could have asked what she knew of biblical Christianity, correcting her false perceptions as she went. At least that would have allowed the gospel to be more clearly discussed.
12/1/10 Mike, late 50's
Before my grocery shopping I stopped by the coffee/cafe area at the grocery store and found a man who, judging from his unshaven face and dirty clothes, looked like he was homeless, yet he was charging a very expensive cell phone. He name is Mike and after he agreed to answer my questions I found out he grew up Catholic but left the church in the sixties, feeling like it wasn't relevent. He practices Transcendental Meditation, viewing it as a harmless form of stress relief. He introduced it to other family members and described feelings of complete peace after being given his "mantra" to repeat and meditate on. But he seemed anything but peaceful as he told about his life now. Mike had a web-design business with a partner and they had deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars in an offshore bank account, and now his focus has been on trying to retrieve $180,000 dollars that he believes is owed to him. For the last four years he has lived from month to month, believing the money is just within reach, like a carrot on a stick. He prays to God for help, but also believes he must lie, cheat and steal to get his money back. He gets angry at God for not answering his prayers, feeling like God owes it to him, so when I began to give him the "good person" questions about how well he has kept the Ten Commandments to show him his guilt, he didn't handle it well, blaming God for putting him in this predicament - "Ï don't even have heat or electricity in my home" - he said as he left our conversation.
Before my grocery shopping I stopped by the coffee/cafe area at the grocery store and found a man who, judging from his unshaven face and dirty clothes, looked like he was homeless, yet he was charging a very expensive cell phone. He name is Mike and after he agreed to answer my questions I found out he grew up Catholic but left the church in the sixties, feeling like it wasn't relevent. He practices Transcendental Meditation, viewing it as a harmless form of stress relief. He introduced it to other family members and described feelings of complete peace after being given his "mantra" to repeat and meditate on. But he seemed anything but peaceful as he told about his life now. Mike had a web-design business with a partner and they had deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars in an offshore bank account, and now his focus has been on trying to retrieve $180,000 dollars that he believes is owed to him. For the last four years he has lived from month to month, believing the money is just within reach, like a carrot on a stick. He prays to God for help, but also believes he must lie, cheat and steal to get his money back. He gets angry at God for not answering his prayers, feeling like God owes it to him, so when I began to give him the "good person" questions about how well he has kept the Ten Commandments to show him his guilt, he didn't handle it well, blaming God for putting him in this predicament - "Ï don't even have heat or electricity in my home" - he said as he left our conversation.
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