Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
8/17/09 Video - Andy, at 31st Street Beach
8/18/09 Gail and Elicio, 40’s, late teens
After a year of regularly starting witnessing conversations with strangers, I still get paralyzing panic attacks, though not as often, and today was another one of those times. I went to the parking lot outside Cellular Field where many fans were having post-game parties celebrating a White Sox win as they waited for the traffic to disperse. I felt totally intimidated and an outsider, like an alien from another planet. Some people may think evangelists are cocky and arrogant, but I think this has to be one of the most humbling activities one can engage in, and I am constantly reminded that I can’t do it with my own strength. I had million dollar tracts tucked away to hand out and help me start a conversation, but even to take them out in the open seemed the equivalent of suddenly brandishing a loaded gun; I imagined it would set off a huge negative reaction in all the people around me. I can’t believe how easily my irrational fears can take over. I finally got started and talked briefly with several groups, the last being Gail and her teenage son Elicio. They both felt like God would see them as good people and that they would go to heaven. They easily agreed that they weren’t perfect, so I asked “if you aren’t perfect then how do you know when you are good enough?” They quickly stated that they had put their trust in Jesus, who had died for their sins. I believe there is a fine line between those who believe they deserve heaven because of their good deeds, and those who believe their good actions are evidence that they have truly put their trust in Christ alone for salvation. Gail and Elicio seemed to be in the latter group. They don’t go to church, however, and I told them that persevering in faith is evidence of saving faith in Jesus, and encouraged them to find a Bible-based church to get involved in.
8/19/09 Tim, early 20’s
While grocery shopping in the produce section, I began a conversation with Tim using a million dollar tract. I took him through the “good person” questions, and Tim quickly realized he is not the good person he assumed he was. He knew he was guilty and deserved punishment. “Are you concerned about this?” I asked and he told me he was and had never looked at it this way before. “I’ve got some serious thinking to do, thanks for talking to me!” he concluded. But Tim is no random stranger. Halfway through our conversation he asked, “You know who I am don’t you?” I thought he looked familiar. Turns out he has lived across the street for about a year though we hadn’t met. In the past I’ve been hesitant to be upfront about my faith with my neighbors, relying instead on subtle clues that I am a Christian and hoping they will ask me more about my faith, but now I believe it is silly to expect unbelievers to be more bold about matters of faith than I as a believer should be. Tim now knows what I believe and that he can talk to me when he has further questions about Biblical teachings, and he knows exactly where to find me!
8/20/09 Leroy, 52
At another grocery store, I gave the man in front of me in the deli line a million dollar tract, and later saw him on the other side of the store where we began a good conversation. When I asked about his spiritual beliefs Leroy confidently told me he was a Christian. I told him I’ve met a lot of people with a lot of different ideas of what being a Christian is, so Leroy went on to say that he goes to a “New Thought” church. He told me they don’t really read the Bible, but they have many guest speakers on a variety of “spiritual” subjects about how to live a better life here on earth, not about eternal life. Leroy believes in a spirit world, but said that this life is our heaven or hell depending on our attitude toward it. I talked of our responsibility to follow God’s law, but despite a past that includes four marriages, Leroy believes that he would be judged as a good person based on the improvements he has made and the lessons he has learned from all his past “mistakes”. I explained what the Bible teaches about God’s justice, about the consequences of our sin and the reality of eternal life or punishment. I talked about God’s provision for salvation through Jesus; how he taught that He alone is the one way to the Father. We were in the juice aisle, and I pointed to the dozens of juice choices and explained that we live in a culture that expects personal choice in everything we do, but if God is truly in charge then we are in no position to demand our choice on how He should reveal himself to us. I was glad to give Leroy a booklet explaining biblical Christianity and I believe he was truly glad to receive it.
8/21/09 Bernie, about 40
While at Jiffy Lube getting an oil change I gave a million dollar tract to Bernie, a serious looking man who was also sitting in the waiting room. He gave a surprised laugh. “Where did you get these?” I told him they came from my church and have an important question on the back – “Will you go to heaven?” He said “A nun told me that we will all go to purgatory.” He believes everyone will have to spend varying amounts of time getting punished before going to heaven. I explained that purgatory isn’t taught in the Bible, but Jesus did teach about judgment and eternal life in heaven or punishment in hell. After reviewing several individual commandments Bernie could see that according to God’s standards he deserves punishment. I told him how it is easy to fall into the trap of believing we can earn our way to heaven but we can never do enough good to pay for the bad we have done. We deserve to be punished but Jesus suffered in our place on the cross. “What kind of church do you go to?” Bernie asked. I told him that it is a non-denominational church and we try to follow the Bible rather than all the church traditions that have built up over the years, like non-biblical teachings about purgatory. After all, its hard enough to follow what is in the Bible, why would we want to add more to it? I left him my contact info and encouraged him to read his Bible and call if with any questions he might have.
8/22/09 Jim and Victor, 32 and 18
Jim was sitting at Burger King, reading a book. I asked if he would be willing to tell me about his spiritual beliefs. He told me he believes Jesus alone is the basis for his salvation, and I initially felt glad to discover a fellow believer. However, as we talked I noticed a pattern of disobedience: no difference in his behavior from his non-Christian friends; no church involvement; no desire for spiritual growth; no desire to know his spiritual gifts (“then I would have to use them!”); and no desire to tell others about Jesus. Jim was influenced as a child by reading Hal Lindsey’s “Late Great Planet Earth” and it seems that his faith is continually short-circuited by the thought that the world could end at any time. After encouraging him to take steps toward helping his faith grow, I went over to talk to Victor, a Burger King employee sitting at a table during his break. Victor told me he is a Christian, yet he doesn’t read the Bible, go to church, or understand why Jesus came. Victor told me he believes all religions basically teach that those who are good will go to heaven. Before his break was over I explained how Christianity alone solves the problem of our sin which separates us from a holy and righteous God and gave him more info. Then I prayed for God's blessings on Victor and for some of the problems Victor told me about while we talked.
Gospel conversations from the streets and marketplace....
August 10-16
“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' " Luke 17:10
8/11/09 Luis, about 30
After some casual conversation with my neighbor, Luis, I asked him about his spiritual beliefs. He told me he is a Christian, which surprised me because his lifestyle shows no evidence of commitment to Christ. A lot of people have different ideas of what it means to be “Christian” so I asked more about his beliefs. I asked what happens after people die and he told me “I think we will all go to hell.” He believes that since no one is perfect we will all have to suffer a little bit. God will dangle us in the flames to make us know how bad we’ve been. He told me that “some will only have to dip their feet in”. “How about you?” I asked. “I’ll have to put my entire legs in”. He told me he thinks it’s hypocritical to confess our sins to God and then just keep on doing them and that he’s not ready to repent, so he’ll just take whatever punishment he has coming to him. I asked what it might look like in his life to repent right now, before judgment, and he suddenly told me he had to get going. I think that last question might have hit a little too close to home, but I hope we can talk about it some more.
8/11/09 Whitney, about 20
As I left a hospital after a visit I heard a younger African American woman using a string of profanity to tell about the social dramas in her life to an older black woman, who was a patient audience. “Can I ask a few questions about your spiritual beliefs for a project I’m doing?” I asked, pen and paper in hand. After an awkward few seconds of switching conversational gears, the older woman began to share her Christian faith but the younger one, Whitney, jumped in with all the animated passion (minus the profanity) that she had used to describe her social life. She talked about our freedom to choose, ever since Adam and Eve chose to eat the apple breaking God’s orders, and how we are responsible for the consequences. As a young, unwed mother of two, she claimed to fully accept the consequences for her actions. She said she believed in God but was not ready to repent for her sins, knowing she didn’t intend to give them up. She believed herself to be a good person anyway, until she realized she had broken every commandment I mentioned. We talked a lot about repentance, that it is not a one-time event but an ongoing process, and how it is the appropriate response to what Jesus had done for her on the cross. I encouraged her to get involved in church again, even if she felt that many church people were hypocritical, so that she could have a spiritual family to raise her children in. After a long fruitful conversation, I prayed for God’s blessing on her and her children, and through her tears she thanked me for stopping to talk to her. I’m glad I did. As I drove out of the parking lot I looked to see the older woman giving her a hug.
8/12/09 Jesus and Chris , about 25
I used a survey approach to start a conversation with two young fathers watching their kids at the playground. I asked if they would answer some questions about their spiritual beliefs. Chris remembered me from a conversation I had with a group he had been in several weeks earlier. I asked what he thought about that encounter and he confessed he thought I was a little crazy, but I could tell from his attitude that he appreciated my efforts. He wandered away to take care of his kids, but his friend Jesus welcomed my questions. He told me he had checked out all the major religions and had come to the conclusion that they all worship the same “supreme being” and that they all follow basically the same code of ethics. I began to explain what the Bible teaches and he received it very positively. After a long two-way conversation I believe the Gospel was clearly explained and Jesus understands it. May God give him the faith and repentance needed for it to grow.
8/13/09 John, about 65
On my way into a store I noticed an older man, John, patiently waiting in his car for his wife to finish shopping. I had paper and pen in hand and walked over and asked if I could ask some questions about his spiritual beliefs for a project I’m working on. No response. He just kept looking straight ahead through his dark sunglasses. Several long awkward seconds passed. I decided that “silence gives consent” so I cleared my throat and began, “Well, do you believe in any sort of an afterlife?’ Again, no response. I was about to nervously restate the question when he answered quietly, “I don’t think so. Not any more.” I realized he had been thinking the question over carefully. “Do you believe there is a God?” I asked. “I used to, but now I don’t think so” came his slow, quiet response. I asked if there was one particular point in his life when he began to doubt. He really couldn’t say. He had learned about God in catechism class, he told me, but had never read the Bible for himself. He had no reason to be angry with God. “I don’t think I have much time left, but I have nothing to complain about”. We talked about our purpose in life. “I’ve thought about that, and I don’t know what it could be” he said. He was well aware of his own sins and said very thoughtfully “I think everyone has something in their past they are ashamed of.” As I thought of “law to the proud, grace to the humble” I felt that John was truly humbled at this late point in his life and needed to hear more about God’s grace. I talked about God’s love for us, but also God’s love for justice, and how by grace Jesus paid our sin penalty on the cross Thinking back, I wish I had shared even more about the grace that is only found in Jesus.
8/14/09 Mike, 23
This morning I heard an excuse I’ve never heard before. Most people try to excuse their sin by saying that its not as bad as other people, or that they are only human and everyone does it, or that their good deeds make up for the bad they’ve done. I met Mike for the first time at the weight room: he had come earlier than usual, and I had arrived late. Through casual conversation I knew he had a rough past on the streets, but despite his past he believed he was still a pretty good person. His excuse? “I did a lot of bad things, but I never took pleasure in them. I just did what I had to do.” Even after acknowledging he had broken most of the Ten Commandments, he believed he deserves to go to heaven because of the good he things he does – making people smile, going to work each day, loving his family, etc. I told him how the Bible teaches (in James 4:17) that we OUGHT to do good, that God expects it of us and we can’t bribe God into forgetting about our sin with the good that He rightfully expects of us in the first place, but Mike held tightly to his claim to goodness. He says he doesn’t think about being rewarded, he’s just naturally a good hearted person. Compared to his past, he may well be. But God has a much higher standard, and I pray that Mike’s pride won’t keep him from seeing it.
8/15/09 Andy and Rosie, 39 and mid 20’s
I met Andy and Rosie at an information booth for a local community center that they work for as resident artists. Andy is heavily tattooed and pierced and a self-described atheist. Rosie described herself as “spiritual” though she does not believe in God, and is also very committed to artistic expression, though not as heavily decorated as Andy. Our conversation lasted over two hours and is hard to sum up, but I can say that we covered a lot of spiritual ground and remained very respectful of one another’s beliefs. Andy grew up Jewish and Rosie grew up Catholic, but both had long since abandoned their parent’s beliefs. After listening to their current beliefs and asking some questions about many contradictions that they really hadn’t thought about, they asked me what I believe. I agreed to tell them if they would just try to listen to understand the Biblical world view, rather than trying to disagree point by point. I openly explained that I would definitely like to convince them to put their hope and faith in Jesus Christ because if I truly believe what He said about being the only way to a right relationship with God, then “what kind of a person would I be to keep it from them?” They had tons of questions, and I believe I helped change their opinion that many Christians judge outward appearances and force their beliefs on others without mutual respect.
8/16/09 Celia, 23
At church this morning I met and talked afterward with Celia, who was visiting for a second time. As of this writing she is “counting the cost” of repentance and faith in Jesus. Since some church members who will read this may know her or will meet her, out of respect for her privacy I want to leave out the details of our conversation, and instead just write prayer requests: that Celia will come to repentance and faith in Jesus; that her unbelieving family will respect her decision; that they will be led to faith in the Lord as well; and that Celia will find in our church a spiritual family that respects and nurtures her in a continual and growing faith relationship with Jesus. For my part I am grateful that my goal of everyday evangelism has helped me to be well prepared for a conversation with a young lady who is so close to entering into a right relationship with God through Jesus.
8/11/09 Luis, about 30
After some casual conversation with my neighbor, Luis, I asked him about his spiritual beliefs. He told me he is a Christian, which surprised me because his lifestyle shows no evidence of commitment to Christ. A lot of people have different ideas of what it means to be “Christian” so I asked more about his beliefs. I asked what happens after people die and he told me “I think we will all go to hell.” He believes that since no one is perfect we will all have to suffer a little bit. God will dangle us in the flames to make us know how bad we’ve been. He told me that “some will only have to dip their feet in”. “How about you?” I asked. “I’ll have to put my entire legs in”. He told me he thinks it’s hypocritical to confess our sins to God and then just keep on doing them and that he’s not ready to repent, so he’ll just take whatever punishment he has coming to him. I asked what it might look like in his life to repent right now, before judgment, and he suddenly told me he had to get going. I think that last question might have hit a little too close to home, but I hope we can talk about it some more.
8/11/09 Whitney, about 20
As I left a hospital after a visit I heard a younger African American woman using a string of profanity to tell about the social dramas in her life to an older black woman, who was a patient audience. “Can I ask a few questions about your spiritual beliefs for a project I’m doing?” I asked, pen and paper in hand. After an awkward few seconds of switching conversational gears, the older woman began to share her Christian faith but the younger one, Whitney, jumped in with all the animated passion (minus the profanity) that she had used to describe her social life. She talked about our freedom to choose, ever since Adam and Eve chose to eat the apple breaking God’s orders, and how we are responsible for the consequences. As a young, unwed mother of two, she claimed to fully accept the consequences for her actions. She said she believed in God but was not ready to repent for her sins, knowing she didn’t intend to give them up. She believed herself to be a good person anyway, until she realized she had broken every commandment I mentioned. We talked a lot about repentance, that it is not a one-time event but an ongoing process, and how it is the appropriate response to what Jesus had done for her on the cross. I encouraged her to get involved in church again, even if she felt that many church people were hypocritical, so that she could have a spiritual family to raise her children in. After a long fruitful conversation, I prayed for God’s blessing on her and her children, and through her tears she thanked me for stopping to talk to her. I’m glad I did. As I drove out of the parking lot I looked to see the older woman giving her a hug.
8/12/09 Jesus and Chris , about 25
I used a survey approach to start a conversation with two young fathers watching their kids at the playground. I asked if they would answer some questions about their spiritual beliefs. Chris remembered me from a conversation I had with a group he had been in several weeks earlier. I asked what he thought about that encounter and he confessed he thought I was a little crazy, but I could tell from his attitude that he appreciated my efforts. He wandered away to take care of his kids, but his friend Jesus welcomed my questions. He told me he had checked out all the major religions and had come to the conclusion that they all worship the same “supreme being” and that they all follow basically the same code of ethics. I began to explain what the Bible teaches and he received it very positively. After a long two-way conversation I believe the Gospel was clearly explained and Jesus understands it. May God give him the faith and repentance needed for it to grow.
8/13/09 John, about 65
On my way into a store I noticed an older man, John, patiently waiting in his car for his wife to finish shopping. I had paper and pen in hand and walked over and asked if I could ask some questions about his spiritual beliefs for a project I’m working on. No response. He just kept looking straight ahead through his dark sunglasses. Several long awkward seconds passed. I decided that “silence gives consent” so I cleared my throat and began, “Well, do you believe in any sort of an afterlife?’ Again, no response. I was about to nervously restate the question when he answered quietly, “I don’t think so. Not any more.” I realized he had been thinking the question over carefully. “Do you believe there is a God?” I asked. “I used to, but now I don’t think so” came his slow, quiet response. I asked if there was one particular point in his life when he began to doubt. He really couldn’t say. He had learned about God in catechism class, he told me, but had never read the Bible for himself. He had no reason to be angry with God. “I don’t think I have much time left, but I have nothing to complain about”. We talked about our purpose in life. “I’ve thought about that, and I don’t know what it could be” he said. He was well aware of his own sins and said very thoughtfully “I think everyone has something in their past they are ashamed of.” As I thought of “law to the proud, grace to the humble” I felt that John was truly humbled at this late point in his life and needed to hear more about God’s grace. I talked about God’s love for us, but also God’s love for justice, and how by grace Jesus paid our sin penalty on the cross Thinking back, I wish I had shared even more about the grace that is only found in Jesus.
8/14/09 Mike, 23
This morning I heard an excuse I’ve never heard before. Most people try to excuse their sin by saying that its not as bad as other people, or that they are only human and everyone does it, or that their good deeds make up for the bad they’ve done. I met Mike for the first time at the weight room: he had come earlier than usual, and I had arrived late. Through casual conversation I knew he had a rough past on the streets, but despite his past he believed he was still a pretty good person. His excuse? “I did a lot of bad things, but I never took pleasure in them. I just did what I had to do.” Even after acknowledging he had broken most of the Ten Commandments, he believed he deserves to go to heaven because of the good he things he does – making people smile, going to work each day, loving his family, etc. I told him how the Bible teaches (in James 4:17) that we OUGHT to do good, that God expects it of us and we can’t bribe God into forgetting about our sin with the good that He rightfully expects of us in the first place, but Mike held tightly to his claim to goodness. He says he doesn’t think about being rewarded, he’s just naturally a good hearted person. Compared to his past, he may well be. But God has a much higher standard, and I pray that Mike’s pride won’t keep him from seeing it.
8/15/09 Andy and Rosie, 39 and mid 20’s
I met Andy and Rosie at an information booth for a local community center that they work for as resident artists. Andy is heavily tattooed and pierced and a self-described atheist. Rosie described herself as “spiritual” though she does not believe in God, and is also very committed to artistic expression, though not as heavily decorated as Andy. Our conversation lasted over two hours and is hard to sum up, but I can say that we covered a lot of spiritual ground and remained very respectful of one another’s beliefs. Andy grew up Jewish and Rosie grew up Catholic, but both had long since abandoned their parent’s beliefs. After listening to their current beliefs and asking some questions about many contradictions that they really hadn’t thought about, they asked me what I believe. I agreed to tell them if they would just try to listen to understand the Biblical world view, rather than trying to disagree point by point. I openly explained that I would definitely like to convince them to put their hope and faith in Jesus Christ because if I truly believe what He said about being the only way to a right relationship with God, then “what kind of a person would I be to keep it from them?” They had tons of questions, and I believe I helped change their opinion that many Christians judge outward appearances and force their beliefs on others without mutual respect.
8/16/09 Celia, 23
At church this morning I met and talked afterward with Celia, who was visiting for a second time. As of this writing she is “counting the cost” of repentance and faith in Jesus. Since some church members who will read this may know her or will meet her, out of respect for her privacy I want to leave out the details of our conversation, and instead just write prayer requests: that Celia will come to repentance and faith in Jesus; that her unbelieving family will respect her decision; that they will be led to faith in the Lord as well; and that Celia will find in our church a spiritual family that respects and nurtures her in a continual and growing faith relationship with Jesus. For my part I am grateful that my goal of everyday evangelism has helped me to be well prepared for a conversation with a young lady who is so close to entering into a right relationship with God through Jesus.
August 1 - 9
James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
8/1/09 Steve, 49
Walking down my street after a morning workout, I ran into Steve, a neighbor I’ve only said hello to from a distance for years. An ex-marine, he had his dark sunglasses on as usual and sat expressionless and unapproachable on his front steps, and I wanted to just do the usual macho head nod, say “whasup” and call it a day. But God has challenged me to get out of my comfort zone, so I stuck out my hand for a handshake and asked what he’s been up to. Steve was happy to talk as long as I put up with all his profanity and highly opinionated and negative attitudes about everything we talked about. I thought to myself “there’s no way I’m asking spiritual questions unless he takes his sunglasses off so we can talk eye to eye about a serious subject like that”. Less than a minute later he took off his sunglasses which took away my excuses, so I asked what he believed would happen after he died. “Oh I’m a born-again Christian and all that so I know I’m going to heaven, no doubt. My mother was an evangelist and my father was a deacon. I don’t go to church now but I watch Joel Olsteen on TV.” Long story short, he believes he will go to heaven because he has confessed his “mistakes”, but he really doesn’t consider the tremendous price of those sins, or his need to repent and follow Jesus.
08/02/09 “Uncle Ta”, Jim, and others
I arrived half an hour early for a church-related home visit, so I went for a walk to a nearby park. At the crowded basketball courts a group of young men were waiting for the next game, so I handed them million dollar tracts to get a conversation started. I told them on the back of the tracts was the question “Will you go to heaven?” They all told me they would, admitting they weren’t perfect but they were good enough to make it. I asked if they could pass a “good person test” and one guy confidently told me he could so I began to ask him about some of the ten commandments. His confidence faded quickly as he admitted he had broken each one I brought up. Then an older man jumped in, saying “But God is supposed to forgive, what about that?” I started to explain but he would hear none of it, giving me a “talk to the hand” gesture. We talked a while and he told me they called him “Uncle Ta” and he was a Christian and was trying to keep these boys off the streets and out of trouble. He said he believed everyone would go to heaven, “even Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and Osama Bin Laden” and that my talk of God’s judgment and punishment for sin was scaring him and he would hear no more. He sat down about 30 feet away, but one of his players named Jim and the first guy whom I had given the good person test to came to ask more about what the Bible said, clearly concerned and hungry to know more. They ignored Uncle Ta “loud talking” me in the background, and I answered their questions as best as I could. In the end they shook my hand and thanked me for what I was doing. I went over to Uncle Ta, shook his hand and wished him well.
08/03/09 Chris & two friends, all about 16
Late at night, 3 teens hung out on a desolate side street. I was on my bike, and surprised them when I stopped to talk. I told them I had an interesting question. “How old will you be when you die?” About 70, they said. “I do hope you live long, but where would you be tomorrow if you died today?” They all believed God would send them to heaven because they were good people. “How do you know if you are good enough?” They didn’t know and wanted to take my “good person test”. I began to ask one named Chris about the Ten Commandments, and he told me he had never lied (other than a “white lie”), never stole, never called anyone a name in anger (which Jesus said is like murder), never looked at anyone with lust. He only admitted to using God’s name in vain. Though I didn’t believe all this, I took him at his word, and told him that the Bible says if we break just one law we are guilty of breaking all of it (James 2) so he would be guilty on judgment day. They didn’t seem at all convicted, but agreed that eternity shouldn’t be taken lightly. I pray it won’t!
8/04/09 Basia, 52
I’m learning that I shouldn’t make assumptions about a person’s beliefs based on their church involvement. I was at the hospital again visiting Paul in intensive care and his friend Basia was also visiting, whom I’ve known as an acquaintance. I asked about her background and found out she grew up Catholic and attended a Lutheran Church which helped her through a divorce, but stopped going to church when she began working weekends four years ago. Did she miss church? “Not at all” she replied. “What do you personally believe about God?” I asked her. She told me she believes in reincarnation. I spent some time asking about this and found she really had no basis for her belief other than wishful thinking. I didn’t argue with her belief, but just went on to explain biblical teachings and God’s judgment based on the standard of His law. She adamantly insisted that she has broken none of the Ten Commandments except for the fourth – taking the Lord’s name in vain (just like the teens I talked to last night). I took some time to explain our guilty standing before God and His sacrifice of His Son for our sins, and she seemed interested, but not convicted. Her “default” mode, like so many people, is to return to her identity as a “good” person whom God will reward on judgment day. I pray God will grace Basia with a new heart that has a humble and repentant spirit. I look forward to further conversations.
08/05/09 Angel, about 45
Over the past few years I have seen and talked with Angel occasionally at the local gym, but really didn’t know where she was at spiritually. This morning during a conversation I happened to find out that her husband had been shot to death seven years ago. I wanted to be sensitive to what was obviously a painful memory, but decided that it would be okay just to ask her about her spiritual beliefs, and see where the conversation would go from there. She believes “there is something out there” because she has felt a sort of supernatural help through this very difficult time in her life, but she has a hard time believing in a God who would “allow children to get sick and gangbangers to go free”. She said “I’m a “cafeteria Catholic - I pick and choose what I want to believe”. I told her the story of Job, which she had never heard, and how it shows us that though we may wonder why bad things happen, God sees the big picture, and that He may do things we don’t always agree with. But if he is truly God we can’t just pick and choose what we want to believe about Him. I didn’t share much more because I felt this was enough “seed planting” for that conversation, and I’m reasonably sure we will be able to continue the talking another day.
8/06/09 Michael & Michael, about 17
On the campus of IIT I asked several people if I could interview them on camera about their spiritual beliefs. Two young men were the first to agree. “Michael #1” told me he was a Christian, and so believed he would go to heaven after he died. Michael #2 told me he believed that when we die, his soul would die too. I asked both what would happen if the Bible were true and they stand before God to be judged. They both thought they will go to heaven because God would find them to be good people, until I started asking in detail about how well they had kept some of the commandments. Their confidence began to fade and they began to realize they needed saving, and I felt they were ready to hear about the Savior. Of course, like so many Americans, these guys had heard the phrase “Jesus died for our sins” many times, but not many people have really thought through it’s implications, so I tried to stress that because God is good, He loves justice and will punish sin. We don’t deserve Heaven, we deserve punishment, but Jesus took that punishment for us. They joked around a bit at the end of the interview, but I hope something sunk in. (note: to view this video, click HERE)
8/07/09 Nikolae, Phillipe & friends, 20’s
I handed out souvenir million dollar tracts to fans in the parking lot after a Sox game. One group of two guys and two girls asked what they were for and I told them “They have a good person test on them” “I can’t read it” they said. (It was too dark in the parking lot) “Okay, I’ll give you the test. How many lies have you told in your life?” “42,000” Nikolae said. How many lies does it take to be a liar?” “One” they finally conceded. “How many times have you stolen something?” “Six” Nikolae said. “How many times does it take to be a thief?” “Seven” Nikolae joked. After the game it was obviously a party atmosphere, and our conversation was lighthearted, but as they were convicted by more of the commandments they started to look for ways to excuse themselves on technicalities. These four said they didn’t have any religious background, but finally a fifth friend who was more experienced in such things jumped in to “save” them. “I have one thing to say”, he said, “predestination. If we are meant to be saved, we will be. If not, so be it. Look it up – Romans 9” as they walked away. Taken out of context, he was right, for it says, among other things, "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” Taken in context, however, the Bible also commands us to repent and believe, so again, “who resists His will”? Was the conversation in vain? I trust that it wasn’t, for seeds were planted, and God alone can make them grow.
8/8/09 Joe, about 25
Today I had the opportunity to deliver the sermon at a memorial service. I was asked to share an evangelistic sermon because this was a crowd with many people who rarely set foot in a Bible-based church for any other reason. I spoke about the rich young man who asked Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10), and was able to invite the crowd to participate in the “good person test” that Jesus gave the young man. I was glad to share the good news that “with man this (salvation) is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Afterward a young man named Joe had to talk to me, tears in his eyes.. “I needed to hear that”, he said. “I’m not right with God”. What would it take for you to get into a right relationship with God?” I asked. He said he would have to leave everything – family, friends, neighborhood – because of the sinful lifestyle he is so deeply involved in. I believe he understands that a right relationship with God requires repentance, and he is counting the cost. He asked if I would pray for him, so I did right then and there, and he was very appreciative. Pray that Joe will not only count the cost of following Jesus, but also of NOT following Him.
8/9/09 Danny, about 25
I gave celebrity million dollar tracts to a group of six 20-somethings hanging out in the parking lot after a White Sox game। They were friendly enough, until I pointed out the question on the back. “Will you go to heaven?” “No way” a few said. “I wouldn’t hang out with anyone who would” a guy named Danny said. ‘What do you think happens after we die?” I asked him. At this point the rest of the group edged away to start other conversations. Danny answered, “I’ll just turn into dirt. I’ll probably have a fancy casket, but that’s about it.” I asked if God did exist, how would he be judged? “I think He would send me to hell”. I asked why. “Because I don’t believe in Him”. “Other than not believing in Him, do you think you’re basically a good person? “Oh yeah” he answered. I asked why he didn’t believe in God. “I’m very scientific. I have to see something in order to believe in it. And besides, what sort of god would allow all the wars and suffering in this world?” He also said he didn’t think he would do very well following the God’s rules. At this point, parking lot security started moving us along, wanting to clear out the parking lot. In hindsight, as usual, I thought of things I wish I had told Danny. I could have pointed out that a true scientist is open to all possibilities – even that God exists, or that we can know there is a Creator by looking around us and seeing His creation, or that it’s not really up to us to decide how God should reveal Himself to us. I believe every witnessing conversation helps teach and prepare me for others, and though much was left unsaid, God can use this conversation as He reveals Himself to Danny in tangible ways.
![blogspot<br />statistics]()
8/1/09 Steve, 49
Walking down my street after a morning workout, I ran into Steve, a neighbor I’ve only said hello to from a distance for years. An ex-marine, he had his dark sunglasses on as usual and sat expressionless and unapproachable on his front steps, and I wanted to just do the usual macho head nod, say “whasup” and call it a day. But God has challenged me to get out of my comfort zone, so I stuck out my hand for a handshake and asked what he’s been up to. Steve was happy to talk as long as I put up with all his profanity and highly opinionated and negative attitudes about everything we talked about. I thought to myself “there’s no way I’m asking spiritual questions unless he takes his sunglasses off so we can talk eye to eye about a serious subject like that”. Less than a minute later he took off his sunglasses which took away my excuses, so I asked what he believed would happen after he died. “Oh I’m a born-again Christian and all that so I know I’m going to heaven, no doubt. My mother was an evangelist and my father was a deacon. I don’t go to church now but I watch Joel Olsteen on TV.” Long story short, he believes he will go to heaven because he has confessed his “mistakes”, but he really doesn’t consider the tremendous price of those sins, or his need to repent and follow Jesus.
08/02/09 “Uncle Ta”, Jim, and others
I arrived half an hour early for a church-related home visit, so I went for a walk to a nearby park. At the crowded basketball courts a group of young men were waiting for the next game, so I handed them million dollar tracts to get a conversation started. I told them on the back of the tracts was the question “Will you go to heaven?” They all told me they would, admitting they weren’t perfect but they were good enough to make it. I asked if they could pass a “good person test” and one guy confidently told me he could so I began to ask him about some of the ten commandments. His confidence faded quickly as he admitted he had broken each one I brought up. Then an older man jumped in, saying “But God is supposed to forgive, what about that?” I started to explain but he would hear none of it, giving me a “talk to the hand” gesture. We talked a while and he told me they called him “Uncle Ta” and he was a Christian and was trying to keep these boys off the streets and out of trouble. He said he believed everyone would go to heaven, “even Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and Osama Bin Laden” and that my talk of God’s judgment and punishment for sin was scaring him and he would hear no more. He sat down about 30 feet away, but one of his players named Jim and the first guy whom I had given the good person test to came to ask more about what the Bible said, clearly concerned and hungry to know more. They ignored Uncle Ta “loud talking” me in the background, and I answered their questions as best as I could. In the end they shook my hand and thanked me for what I was doing. I went over to Uncle Ta, shook his hand and wished him well.
08/03/09 Chris & two friends, all about 16
Late at night, 3 teens hung out on a desolate side street. I was on my bike, and surprised them when I stopped to talk. I told them I had an interesting question. “How old will you be when you die?” About 70, they said. “I do hope you live long, but where would you be tomorrow if you died today?” They all believed God would send them to heaven because they were good people. “How do you know if you are good enough?” They didn’t know and wanted to take my “good person test”. I began to ask one named Chris about the Ten Commandments, and he told me he had never lied (other than a “white lie”), never stole, never called anyone a name in anger (which Jesus said is like murder), never looked at anyone with lust. He only admitted to using God’s name in vain. Though I didn’t believe all this, I took him at his word, and told him that the Bible says if we break just one law we are guilty of breaking all of it (James 2) so he would be guilty on judgment day. They didn’t seem at all convicted, but agreed that eternity shouldn’t be taken lightly. I pray it won’t!
8/04/09 Basia, 52
I’m learning that I shouldn’t make assumptions about a person’s beliefs based on their church involvement. I was at the hospital again visiting Paul in intensive care and his friend Basia was also visiting, whom I’ve known as an acquaintance. I asked about her background and found out she grew up Catholic and attended a Lutheran Church which helped her through a divorce, but stopped going to church when she began working weekends four years ago. Did she miss church? “Not at all” she replied. “What do you personally believe about God?” I asked her. She told me she believes in reincarnation. I spent some time asking about this and found she really had no basis for her belief other than wishful thinking. I didn’t argue with her belief, but just went on to explain biblical teachings and God’s judgment based on the standard of His law. She adamantly insisted that she has broken none of the Ten Commandments except for the fourth – taking the Lord’s name in vain (just like the teens I talked to last night). I took some time to explain our guilty standing before God and His sacrifice of His Son for our sins, and she seemed interested, but not convicted. Her “default” mode, like so many people, is to return to her identity as a “good” person whom God will reward on judgment day. I pray God will grace Basia with a new heart that has a humble and repentant spirit. I look forward to further conversations.
08/05/09 Angel, about 45
Over the past few years I have seen and talked with Angel occasionally at the local gym, but really didn’t know where she was at spiritually. This morning during a conversation I happened to find out that her husband had been shot to death seven years ago. I wanted to be sensitive to what was obviously a painful memory, but decided that it would be okay just to ask her about her spiritual beliefs, and see where the conversation would go from there. She believes “there is something out there” because she has felt a sort of supernatural help through this very difficult time in her life, but she has a hard time believing in a God who would “allow children to get sick and gangbangers to go free”. She said “I’m a “cafeteria Catholic - I pick and choose what I want to believe”. I told her the story of Job, which she had never heard, and how it shows us that though we may wonder why bad things happen, God sees the big picture, and that He may do things we don’t always agree with. But if he is truly God we can’t just pick and choose what we want to believe about Him. I didn’t share much more because I felt this was enough “seed planting” for that conversation, and I’m reasonably sure we will be able to continue the talking another day.
8/06/09 Michael & Michael, about 17
On the campus of IIT I asked several people if I could interview them on camera about their spiritual beliefs. Two young men were the first to agree. “Michael #1” told me he was a Christian, and so believed he would go to heaven after he died. Michael #2 told me he believed that when we die, his soul would die too. I asked both what would happen if the Bible were true and they stand before God to be judged. They both thought they will go to heaven because God would find them to be good people, until I started asking in detail about how well they had kept some of the commandments. Their confidence began to fade and they began to realize they needed saving, and I felt they were ready to hear about the Savior. Of course, like so many Americans, these guys had heard the phrase “Jesus died for our sins” many times, but not many people have really thought through it’s implications, so I tried to stress that because God is good, He loves justice and will punish sin. We don’t deserve Heaven, we deserve punishment, but Jesus took that punishment for us. They joked around a bit at the end of the interview, but I hope something sunk in. (note: to view this video, click HERE)
8/07/09 Nikolae, Phillipe & friends, 20’s
I handed out souvenir million dollar tracts to fans in the parking lot after a Sox game. One group of two guys and two girls asked what they were for and I told them “They have a good person test on them” “I can’t read it” they said. (It was too dark in the parking lot) “Okay, I’ll give you the test. How many lies have you told in your life?” “42,000” Nikolae said. How many lies does it take to be a liar?” “One” they finally conceded. “How many times have you stolen something?” “Six” Nikolae said. “How many times does it take to be a thief?” “Seven” Nikolae joked. After the game it was obviously a party atmosphere, and our conversation was lighthearted, but as they were convicted by more of the commandments they started to look for ways to excuse themselves on technicalities. These four said they didn’t have any religious background, but finally a fifth friend who was more experienced in such things jumped in to “save” them. “I have one thing to say”, he said, “predestination. If we are meant to be saved, we will be. If not, so be it. Look it up – Romans 9” as they walked away. Taken out of context, he was right, for it says, among other things, "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” Taken in context, however, the Bible also commands us to repent and believe, so again, “who resists His will”? Was the conversation in vain? I trust that it wasn’t, for seeds were planted, and God alone can make them grow.
8/8/09 Joe, about 25
Today I had the opportunity to deliver the sermon at a memorial service. I was asked to share an evangelistic sermon because this was a crowd with many people who rarely set foot in a Bible-based church for any other reason. I spoke about the rich young man who asked Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10), and was able to invite the crowd to participate in the “good person test” that Jesus gave the young man. I was glad to share the good news that “with man this (salvation) is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Afterward a young man named Joe had to talk to me, tears in his eyes.. “I needed to hear that”, he said. “I’m not right with God”. What would it take for you to get into a right relationship with God?” I asked. He said he would have to leave everything – family, friends, neighborhood – because of the sinful lifestyle he is so deeply involved in. I believe he understands that a right relationship with God requires repentance, and he is counting the cost. He asked if I would pray for him, so I did right then and there, and he was very appreciative. Pray that Joe will not only count the cost of following Jesus, but also of NOT following Him.
8/9/09 Danny, about 25
I gave celebrity million dollar tracts to a group of six 20-somethings hanging out in the parking lot after a White Sox game। They were friendly enough, until I pointed out the question on the back. “Will you go to heaven?” “No way” a few said. “I wouldn’t hang out with anyone who would” a guy named Danny said. ‘What do you think happens after we die?” I asked him. At this point the rest of the group edged away to start other conversations. Danny answered, “I’ll just turn into dirt. I’ll probably have a fancy casket, but that’s about it.” I asked if God did exist, how would he be judged? “I think He would send me to hell”. I asked why. “Because I don’t believe in Him”. “Other than not believing in Him, do you think you’re basically a good person? “Oh yeah” he answered. I asked why he didn’t believe in God. “I’m very scientific. I have to see something in order to believe in it. And besides, what sort of god would allow all the wars and suffering in this world?” He also said he didn’t think he would do very well following the God’s rules. At this point, parking lot security started moving us along, wanting to clear out the parking lot. In hindsight, as usual, I thought of things I wish I had told Danny. I could have pointed out that a true scientist is open to all possibilities – even that God exists, or that we can know there is a Creator by looking around us and seeing His creation, or that it’s not really up to us to decide how God should reveal Himself to us. I believe every witnessing conversation helps teach and prepare me for others, and though much was left unsaid, God can use this conversation as He reveals Himself to Danny in tangible ways.
July 23 -31
Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. -Psalm 96:2
7/23/09 Ray, 60
I’ve known Ray, my neighbor, for 20 years, and I am ashamed to say that I have never asked him about his spiritual beliefs or shared mine until yesterday. While unloading firewood from my pickup Ray walked over and we talked for a while about the economy. I told him I had an interesting conversation with his son a few weeks back and wanted to ask him the same question – what do you believe happens after we die? Ray stated “I believe I’m already in hell here on earth so it will just be more of the same. I’ve been too bad for heaven and I’m not going to make any changes so if I go to hell, so be it.” He told me he grew up Lutheran and I asked when he stopped going to church. “After I got divorced” was his answer. I suspected his statements about hell were just a show of bravado, so I asked him “Would you sell one eye for a million dollars?” “No” “How about both eyes for 10 million?” “No way” Then I told him “You care so much about your eyes, and your soul is infinitely worth more – don’t you think its worth thinking about where it will spend eternity?” He joked that he would be willing to sell his soul for a million. We parted on friendly terms, but I just pray that this conversation would help him to take eternity more seriously.
7/24/09 Tony, about 70
Today I walked down the sidewalk a few blocks from our church and came upon an older gentleman sitting on his front steps, so I stuck out my hand and introduced myself and he returned the greeting and said his name was Tony. After some small talk about our church and the neighborhood I asked about his spiritual beliefs. He is a “non-practicing Catholic” but said “I never talk religion or politics”. I could tell he intended to stick to this policy so I just reminded him as kindly as I could that eternity is too long of a time to be left to chance and I asked him to think seriously about it, and he told me he would. Then I wished him well, we shook hands, and I went on my way. No, I didn’t share the Gospel in its entirety but I really feel I was able to plant a seed that with our prayers and whatever else the Holy Spirit orchestrates might grow to produce repentance and faith in Jesus. In some conversations I feel I need to challenge people a little more than this, but in this case I felt at peace about it. Was this the Holy Spirit telling me that I had said enough? I hope so.
7/25/09 Tim, about 40
Tim is another neighbor I’ve known for years but never had more than a superficial conversation with, so at their garage sale today I said “Tim, I’m sorry I haven’t asked you about this before but I’m just wondering what your spiritual beliefs are.” This has been a good way to start a spiritual conversation because most people like to talk about themselves, and Tim was no exception. He smiled at the question and told me he is a “fair weather” Catholic (Christmas and Easter) and that his wife is the religious one. It turned out that she is heavily involved in a nearby Bible-based church, and she really seemed to welcome my spiritual conversation with her husband. Tim said “I just don’t think we can know what will happen after we die. It’s all in God’s hands, and I find great freedom in that.” After hearing him explain this I could tell what he really meant was that his “freedom” came in not having to think about God at all, and just living as he pleases. We talked for some time, and a good point our conversation brought out was that instead of the guilt and bondage that comes from constantly wondering how many good deeds one must do to make it to heaven, true freedom comes from doing good in order to express our love and gratitude for what Jesus has already done for us on the cross. Pray that Tim can know true freedom in Christ.
7/27/09 John, about 30
Despite being out in public all day, I hadn’t engaged anyone in a spiritual conversation and I was about to give up when at about 11 PM I saw a heavily tattooed neighbor sitting out on his front steps for a smoke. I went over and introduced myself, and found out his name is John and he had recently moved in our neighborhood with his girlfriend. He was just laid off of his sales job, and works part-time as a bartender. I asked about his spiritual beliefs and he told me his father is a physics scientist and his mother is a Catholic theologian, and he now views Christianity as a “nice story” that “works for some people”. As we talked I could tell that John clearly has devoted a great deal of time and energy trying to discredit any sort of organized religion. He avidly believes in a wide variety of far-fetched explanations and conspiracy theories that rationalize away the divine inspiration of the Bible. For example, he said the cross and resurrection of Jesus was an ancient story made up to explain the rising of the sun through a constellation of stars in the form of a cross. By claiming religion to be nothing more than an invention of man, he sees no need to be held accountable to its precepts and in his mind this allows him to justify living any way he chooses. John appreciated my willingness to hear his views as I shared mine, and told me he’d like to talk further.
7/28/09 Nick, 34
On my way home after running some errands I realized I had a full evening scheduled and probably would not have an opportunity to share my faith later on, so I stopped at a park to see who I could talk to. I didn’t feel quite up to it though, so instead I decided to walk around the pond and hand out million dollar tracts to all the people fishing there just to see what would come of it. I didn’t get very far when I gave one to Nick, who was very interested to talk about spiritual things. He had long since stopped going to church regularly because of the hypocrisy he felt there. He wasn’t using this as an excuse but was truly offended that people would bring their worldly attitudes and activities to the house of God. I sensed in Nick a heart that loves God but has not been exposed to truthful teaching to develop that relationship. At the same time I pointed out to him that ignorance of God’s law does not give us an excuse to break it. If he was serious about following God, he would seek Him out on his own, and he readily admitted his failure to do so as he thought of some of the people he had hurt in his past. We talked a long time about how he can have a right relationship with God through repentance and faith in Jesus, and how he can nurture that faith through reading His word. Nick was very thankful for the conversation and additional info I gave him.
7/30/09 Robert, 50
I was on my bike on the shadowy outskirts of the White Sox parking lots during the late innings of a night game, and a thin and nervous looking black traffic controller named Robert flagged me down. He asked what the neighborhood was like, wanting to know if he was safe there, and I assured him he was. We began to talk and I soon realized that he seemed to worry about everything. I asked him what he believed happens after we die. He said all he could do was to wait and see. I was surprised because he had shown his anxiety over everyday problems, yet was very nonchalant about eternity, and I pointed this out to him. I went over some of the 10 commandments and he quickly realized he had broken God’s laws and began to be concerned when he realized he wasn’t as good of a person as he thought. I explained the good news of salvation through Jesus very clearly, I thought, and he responded very positively, until he began to get distracted once again with all of his current worries in life. He truly fit Jesus’ description of the seed sown among thorns, “choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures” (Luke 8) so that it did not mature. I left him with some good literature and just pray that he will read it and come to know the “peace that passes all understanding” that people have when they know they will spend eternity with Jesus.
7/31/09 Lori, about 30
After visiting my friend and Christian brother Paul in the hospital I happened upon an African-American lady reading a book in a waiting area. I said “Excuse me, I don’t mean to bother you but I have a question for you.” She said it was no problem and after making sure she wasn’t there at the hospital in some crisis situation – her 12 year old son was undergoing minor surgery – I asked what her beliefs were about what comes after this life. Like the majority of people I’ve talked to lately, that question put a smile on her face as she tried to formulate her response. She talked about giving up on going to church because she had met so many hypocritical people there, and how she wanted to determine for herself what the Bible had to say. I asked if she had been reading her Bible on her own and she somewhat sheepishly said she had not. I told her that church is a kind of spiritual hospital – that it’s meant for people who need spiritual healing but that the problem too often is that people think it automatically makes them better. I asked what would happen if today were her judgment day, and we talked about the various ways people believe they are justified before God. She was interested to hear about both God’s judgment based on His law and salvation through Jesus. Before leaving I prayed with her for her son Jonathan’s surgery and recovery, and she thankfully took more info to read.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)