5/31/10 Jack, 23
At a deli on Chicago's near south side I bought some coffee and asked a young man (Jack) if he had a minute for a few questions. He was on his break from a store nearby. He has a Catholic background but has dropped away from church involvement due to disagreements between his scientific beliefs and church teachings. The full meal he had ordered arrived, and although we had a good two-way conversation going I began to talk a little more than usual to give him a chance to eat his meal. It seemed like his biggest issue was indeed science and faith, and that he wasn't just using this as a smokescreen to hide other hidden reasons for avoiding God's authority over his life, so I explained some ideas I have about the "young earth" issue. I asked him to imagine a scientist in the Garden of Eden. His observations might tell him, for example, that the trees are many years old. But in reality, God simply created them in a mature state. This should not be seen as deceitful because God states very clearly that this is what He did. The scientist would need to choose between what God said He did and what only appears to be true. And it seems to me, though more complicated, that this is the choice before us. God took six days to create, step by step, a mature creation that he could have created in an instant. Man can benefit from a growing knowledge of our world that seems to be ordered according to natural laws without having to believe it is any older than God says it is. We talked about many issues such as this before Jack had to get back to work. He had already set a life goal of "reading" the Bible (I offered him a Bible but he told me he has one downloaded to his phone) and he was enthusiastic about reading the law & grace Gospel summary I gave him.
Gospel conversations from the streets and marketplace....
5/27/10 Jaime, about 35
I used a "million dollar bill" tract as a conversation starter with Jaime, who speaks limited English. He grew up Catholic, but doesn't seem to be thinking much about God or eternal life. I hope our conversation could be used by God as an attention-getter to get him thinking in that direction. I have been learning Spanish in order to share the Gospel with the many Spanish speakers around me, although my slow progress can be frustrating. The thing I took away from this conversation is the realization that as language learners we can understand a lot more than we are able to speak, and so I was able to share quite a bit in English with Jaime even though I could tell he really couldn't hold up his end of an English conversation. At the same time, I used my limited Spanish to let him know that I truly understand the frustration. I was glad to have a law/grace Spanish Gospel tract to leave with him.
I used a "million dollar bill" tract as a conversation starter with Jaime, who speaks limited English. He grew up Catholic, but doesn't seem to be thinking much about God or eternal life. I hope our conversation could be used by God as an attention-getter to get him thinking in that direction. I have been learning Spanish in order to share the Gospel with the many Spanish speakers around me, although my slow progress can be frustrating. The thing I took away from this conversation is the realization that as language learners we can understand a lot more than we are able to speak, and so I was able to share quite a bit in English with Jaime even though I could tell he really couldn't hold up his end of an English conversation. At the same time, I used my limited Spanish to let him know that I truly understand the frustration. I was glad to have a law/grace Spanish Gospel tract to leave with him.
5/27/10 Conrad, 39
At the park was a man (Conrad) who had the body build and hairstyle of the "Johnny Bravo" cartoon character. (not trying to be demeaning, but this is the best way I could describe him). When I asked for permission to run some questions by him he asked for my business card, and I was glad that I happened to have one from church. This seemed to give me some legitimacy in his eyes, and he gladly answered all my questions. His favorite view of God, though he hadn't thought about it much, is that he is the ultimate energy source to which we will all return one day. I asked if he meant something like the tree of life in the movie "Avatar", and he agreed enthusiastically. He had no religious upbringing, and for most of his adult life has been heavily involved in the party and club scene as a participant, a bouncer, and now as a promoter. He views himself as a highly enthusiastic and positive person, and since becoming a club/event promoter believes he has become more enlightened than his peers who are still caught up in the vanity of the club scene. He also believes himself outstanding among his fellow promoters whose priority is more about making money than about safety concerns. I tried to get him to think about the possibility of eternity and God's judgment, and although he remained very positive it seemed like he just couldn't comprehend the entire concept. He would nod with enthusiasm about different points I made but just revert back to talking about his work and his positive attitude. I gave him a Bible and gospel summary, and can only hope he will be a better reader than he was as a listener.
At the park was a man (Conrad) who had the body build and hairstyle of the "Johnny Bravo" cartoon character. (not trying to be demeaning, but this is the best way I could describe him). When I asked for permission to run some questions by him he asked for my business card, and I was glad that I happened to have one from church. This seemed to give me some legitimacy in his eyes, and he gladly answered all my questions. His favorite view of God, though he hadn't thought about it much, is that he is the ultimate energy source to which we will all return one day. I asked if he meant something like the tree of life in the movie "Avatar", and he agreed enthusiastically. He had no religious upbringing, and for most of his adult life has been heavily involved in the party and club scene as a participant, a bouncer, and now as a promoter. He views himself as a highly enthusiastic and positive person, and since becoming a club/event promoter believes he has become more enlightened than his peers who are still caught up in the vanity of the club scene. He also believes himself outstanding among his fellow promoters whose priority is more about making money than about safety concerns. I tried to get him to think about the possibility of eternity and God's judgment, and although he remained very positive it seemed like he just couldn't comprehend the entire concept. He would nod with enthusiasm about different points I made but just revert back to talking about his work and his positive attitude. I gave him a Bible and gospel summary, and can only hope he will be a better reader than he was as a listener.
5/27/10 Israel, Martin, Martin, Erica - late teens
It was late afternoon as high school students were getting out of school, and I asked a group of four high school students on a sidewalk about their views on God and eternal life. One student took the lead in answering my questions, with comments like "I think I'll end up in hell, I hear that's where the party is" - which he said more for the sake of bravado in front of his peers. They all basically agreed they thought they were overall good people, and a few said they thought they shouldn't be punished because although they have sinned they haven't had a chance to do the good things they think they should do to make up for those sins. The whole "conversation" was hard for me because the lead kid I was talking to received phone calls that left me with the other kids who only wanted to listen. This was partly because other teens would walk by and of course they are all very self-conscious of how they appear in front of each other. The group changed over the course of the 20 minutes or so that I talked, with some original kids leaving and new ones joining. Israel, Martin, Martin, and Erica heard most of what I had to say about our accountability to God, His judgment, and his mercy shown through Jesus Christ. In hindsight I feel like a busy sidewalk is not the best place to talk to easily distracted teenagers.
It was late afternoon as high school students were getting out of school, and I asked a group of four high school students on a sidewalk about their views on God and eternal life. One student took the lead in answering my questions, with comments like "I think I'll end up in hell, I hear that's where the party is" - which he said more for the sake of bravado in front of his peers. They all basically agreed they thought they were overall good people, and a few said they thought they shouldn't be punished because although they have sinned they haven't had a chance to do the good things they think they should do to make up for those sins. The whole "conversation" was hard for me because the lead kid I was talking to received phone calls that left me with the other kids who only wanted to listen. This was partly because other teens would walk by and of course they are all very self-conscious of how they appear in front of each other. The group changed over the course of the 20 minutes or so that I talked, with some original kids leaving and new ones joining. Israel, Martin, Martin, and Erica heard most of what I had to say about our accountability to God, His judgment, and his mercy shown through Jesus Christ. In hindsight I feel like a busy sidewalk is not the best place to talk to easily distracted teenagers.
5/26/10 Rachel, about 24
My son, Sammy (16) missed his youth group Bible study tonight but when I asked if he'd like to go with me on a witnessing outing he said "That can be my Bible study!" I believe in learning by doing, so I think that was a great idea. At a downtown mall we happened upon a young lady (Rachel) who was obviously a body-builder with huge tattoos on her muscular arms. She told us she is from a small Bible-belt town and has become an agnostic because of all the in-fighting between the churches and pastors there. She still believes in God but rejects organized religion and doubts that Jesus is the Son of God. I explained to her the "Lord, Liar or Lunatic" argument (if Jesus is not who He said he was, then He must be lying or crazy) Rachel was very familiar with the idea that one cannot earn salvation, yet believes she will go to heaven despite her sins. I told her that while it is true that God loves people, He also loves justice (Psalms 33:5 for example) and if Jesus is merely a prophet then his sacrifice couldn't pay for our sins. On our way home, Sammy and I wondered if Rachel truly can't believe as a result of disunity between Christians, or if this is just a sort of smokescreen to hide the real reason.
My son, Sammy (16) missed his youth group Bible study tonight but when I asked if he'd like to go with me on a witnessing outing he said "That can be my Bible study!" I believe in learning by doing, so I think that was a great idea. At a downtown mall we happened upon a young lady (Rachel) who was obviously a body-builder with huge tattoos on her muscular arms. She told us she is from a small Bible-belt town and has become an agnostic because of all the in-fighting between the churches and pastors there. She still believes in God but rejects organized religion and doubts that Jesus is the Son of God. I explained to her the "Lord, Liar or Lunatic" argument (if Jesus is not who He said he was, then He must be lying or crazy) Rachel was very familiar with the idea that one cannot earn salvation, yet believes she will go to heaven despite her sins. I told her that while it is true that God loves people, He also loves justice (Psalms 33:5 for example) and if Jesus is merely a prophet then his sacrifice couldn't pay for our sins. On our way home, Sammy and I wondered if Rachel truly can't believe as a result of disunity between Christians, or if this is just a sort of smokescreen to hide the real reason.
5/26/10 Dan, about 50
I went for a jog near Cellular Field where there are very expensive homes and I met Dan, the owner of a million dollar mansion, as he was watering his ornate shrubbery. I complemented him on his beautiful home and as we talked he proudly told me about the three restaurants he owns, one of which is a well-known Chicago landmark. After a few minutes I swung over to spiritual topics: "I have an interesting question for you." He looked intrigued. "It's probably a question you've never been asked before in your life". Now he looked challenged, like he would maintain his cheery disposition no matter where this went. "Where do you think you'll be in a hundred years?" He said "Oh I'll be in the grave", still smiling. "Do you think there's any kind of life beyond this one?" I asked. He honestly didn't know, and admitted he has been too busy to think about such things. He believes in God and, though he had never before thought about it in these terms, believes he will do very well on judgment day. Even after I asked about some of the Ten Commandments and he freely admitted he is a liar, thief, and a murderer and adulterer at heart (Do you ever take God's name in vain? "Oh God no" he said) he still believes he is "an extremely good person" because he attends mass every week ("I put in my 45 minutes for God") and "I help everyone around me". During all this, he still maintained his friendly, enthusiastic, positive attitude, but now he suddenly had to get going. My line of questions didn't go the way he had hoped. For a man like this, with the wealth and power that comes with his position, I doubt he had ever been asked questions like this, and I hope he will never forget it.
I went for a jog near Cellular Field where there are very expensive homes and I met Dan, the owner of a million dollar mansion, as he was watering his ornate shrubbery. I complemented him on his beautiful home and as we talked he proudly told me about the three restaurants he owns, one of which is a well-known Chicago landmark. After a few minutes I swung over to spiritual topics: "I have an interesting question for you." He looked intrigued. "It's probably a question you've never been asked before in your life". Now he looked challenged, like he would maintain his cheery disposition no matter where this went. "Where do you think you'll be in a hundred years?" He said "Oh I'll be in the grave", still smiling. "Do you think there's any kind of life beyond this one?" I asked. He honestly didn't know, and admitted he has been too busy to think about such things. He believes in God and, though he had never before thought about it in these terms, believes he will do very well on judgment day. Even after I asked about some of the Ten Commandments and he freely admitted he is a liar, thief, and a murderer and adulterer at heart (Do you ever take God's name in vain? "Oh God no" he said) he still believes he is "an extremely good person" because he attends mass every week ("I put in my 45 minutes for God") and "I help everyone around me". During all this, he still maintained his friendly, enthusiastic, positive attitude, but now he suddenly had to get going. My line of questions didn't go the way he had hoped. For a man like this, with the wealth and power that comes with his position, I doubt he had ever been asked questions like this, and I hope he will never forget it.
5/25/10 Felix, 32
Besides the fear of the unknown and the effort it takes to get out of my comfort zone, I think another major obstacle to evangelism is the difficulty of putting my agenda aside and just making time to give another person my full attention. My "to do" list of everyday tasks can seem so important. I want to get so much done in a day and I keep telling myself it's all a part of serving God, but I suspect much of it is for my own selfish pride. God gives me enough time in the day for me to do what He wants me to do, so if I feel overwhelmed I must have added my own items to His agenda. That's how I felt yesterday, when my own busy-ness had left me tired and ready for bed at almost 11 PM, but I still hadn't met my goal of having a Gospel conversation that day. I'm glad I set a goal rather than make a promise about this because I didn't feel obligated or trapped by the guilt of a foolish promise hanging over my head. I believe the one who has made the promise is God, that He will help me as I put my own agenda aside to serve Him. So I left the house late at night to go far a walk, praying that I could meet someone to talk to on the deserted streets. A few blocks away I happened upon a man (Felix) who had come out of his house for a smoke on the front steps and to work on his laptop. His house is for sale so I used that topic to start a conversation and soon swung it around to spiritual topics by asking his opinion on life after death. He said he doesn't think about it much because there is no way to know and even when I asked what might happen to him if there IS a judgment day, he continued to work on his laptop and show disinterest in the topic. Some interest was sparked when I asked how he intends to raise his children: "I just want to make religion optional and let them make their own choices" he told me. I talked about how one really can't make their own choice if they aren't aware of what the options are, and as a father he won't be able to tell them about their options because he really isn't aware of them himself. I gave him some common sense advice about God, explaining the four options created when we combine our belief or unbelief and God's existence or nonexistence. I was "reasoning" with him like Paul did with the Athenians in Acts 17. This sparked enough interest for him to gladly take additional info comparing Christianity to other world religions.
Besides the fear of the unknown and the effort it takes to get out of my comfort zone, I think another major obstacle to evangelism is the difficulty of putting my agenda aside and just making time to give another person my full attention. My "to do" list of everyday tasks can seem so important. I want to get so much done in a day and I keep telling myself it's all a part of serving God, but I suspect much of it is for my own selfish pride. God gives me enough time in the day for me to do what He wants me to do, so if I feel overwhelmed I must have added my own items to His agenda. That's how I felt yesterday, when my own busy-ness had left me tired and ready for bed at almost 11 PM, but I still hadn't met my goal of having a Gospel conversation that day. I'm glad I set a goal rather than make a promise about this because I didn't feel obligated or trapped by the guilt of a foolish promise hanging over my head. I believe the one who has made the promise is God, that He will help me as I put my own agenda aside to serve Him. So I left the house late at night to go far a walk, praying that I could meet someone to talk to on the deserted streets. A few blocks away I happened upon a man (Felix) who had come out of his house for a smoke on the front steps and to work on his laptop. His house is for sale so I used that topic to start a conversation and soon swung it around to spiritual topics by asking his opinion on life after death. He said he doesn't think about it much because there is no way to know and even when I asked what might happen to him if there IS a judgment day, he continued to work on his laptop and show disinterest in the topic. Some interest was sparked when I asked how he intends to raise his children: "I just want to make religion optional and let them make their own choices" he told me. I talked about how one really can't make their own choice if they aren't aware of what the options are, and as a father he won't be able to tell them about their options because he really isn't aware of them himself. I gave him some common sense advice about God, explaining the four options created when we combine our belief or unbelief and God's existence or nonexistence. I was "reasoning" with him like Paul did with the Athenians in Acts 17. This sparked enough interest for him to gladly take additional info comparing Christianity to other world religions.
5/23/10 Sergio. about 40
I brought my son early to church this morning and had some extra time on my hands so I went out to see what sort of conversation the Lord would allow me to have. Half a block from church a middle aged Latino man seemed to be waiting for something on the corner, so I asked if he had a few minutes to answer a few questions. He did, and we went on to an interesting 20 minute conversation. Sergio grew up in a Catholic church but has long since stopped attending. A few months ago he had a conversation about God with a young lady who impressed him with her sincere faith. He has been reading the Bible she gave him and has attended a few more Bible-based churches and was impressed with the sincere worship he witnessed, yet the strange thing about him today is that although he said he believes in God, he doesn't believe there is life after death. Why? "Because there is no evidence of it." I pointed out that there is no direct "evidence" for God either, yet he believes in Him. This really seemed to get Sergio's attention, and he wanted to hear what the Bible has to say about eternal life. By the end of our conversation, Sergio was all smiles, thanking me for taking the time to talk and telling me he would read what I gave him. He was running late to meet someone and had to get going, and for me church was just starting.
I brought my son early to church this morning and had some extra time on my hands so I went out to see what sort of conversation the Lord would allow me to have. Half a block from church a middle aged Latino man seemed to be waiting for something on the corner, so I asked if he had a few minutes to answer a few questions. He did, and we went on to an interesting 20 minute conversation. Sergio grew up in a Catholic church but has long since stopped attending. A few months ago he had a conversation about God with a young lady who impressed him with her sincere faith. He has been reading the Bible she gave him and has attended a few more Bible-based churches and was impressed with the sincere worship he witnessed, yet the strange thing about him today is that although he said he believes in God, he doesn't believe there is life after death. Why? "Because there is no evidence of it." I pointed out that there is no direct "evidence" for God either, yet he believes in Him. This really seemed to get Sergio's attention, and he wanted to hear what the Bible has to say about eternal life. By the end of our conversation, Sergio was all smiles, thanking me for taking the time to talk and telling me he would read what I gave him. He was running late to meet someone and had to get going, and for me church was just starting.
5/22/10 Noel, about 22
I think I know a gangbanger when I see one, and the young man I talked to today (Noel) clearly fit the bill. He dressed the part, talked the part, and his friends were obviously running the streets too. I happened upon him on the sidewalk outside a store and he was clearly caught up in the everyday street drama, judging from his interactions with others while we talked. Yet Noel claims to be a Christian, having attended a local Pentecostal church as a kid and claiming faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of his sins and as the basis for his salvation. He was able to explain his faith in Christ more clearly than most churchgoers I have talked to, but although he says he has a positive relationship with his church, he no longer attends, saying "I need to work to take care of my (4) kids". However, he sure wasn't taking care of any kids or showing any sign of being responsible when I saw him. He last read his Bible a week ago. I tried to encourage him to in his faith and in daily Bible reading and regular church attendance which he seemed to truly appreciate, but in hindsight I think I should have talked more about repentance.
I think I know a gangbanger when I see one, and the young man I talked to today (Noel) clearly fit the bill. He dressed the part, talked the part, and his friends were obviously running the streets too. I happened upon him on the sidewalk outside a store and he was clearly caught up in the everyday street drama, judging from his interactions with others while we talked. Yet Noel claims to be a Christian, having attended a local Pentecostal church as a kid and claiming faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of his sins and as the basis for his salvation. He was able to explain his faith in Christ more clearly than most churchgoers I have talked to, but although he says he has a positive relationship with his church, he no longer attends, saying "I need to work to take care of my (4) kids". However, he sure wasn't taking care of any kids or showing any sign of being responsible when I saw him. He last read his Bible a week ago. I tried to encourage him to in his faith and in daily Bible reading and regular church attendance which he seemed to truly appreciate, but in hindsight I think I should have talked more about repentance.
5/21/10 Paul, mid 50's
While grocery shopping I used a "Million Dollar Bill" tract to start a conversation with Paul, an African-American CTA bus driver, and soon found out that he is mourning the recent loss of his parents and his wife of 30 years, who passed away a little more than a year ago. Our short conversation turned into what was truly a pastoral counseling session of well over half an hour, right there in the paper products aisle. Several times I thought he would lose his composure as he told about his wife, his grief, and his questions why God would allow this to happen. To make things even more complicated, he is in a new relationship, and wonders what his relationship with his wife in heaven would be like were he to marry again here on earth. He clearly needed someone to talk to and appreciated my advice in many areas. I think my initial concern for his soul and his relationship with God had quickly won his trust. Though he is in a season full of mixed feelings of grief and confusion and the hope of this new relationship, I believe he has faith in Christ for salvation. I ended our "counseling session" by praying for him which he truly appreciated.
While grocery shopping I used a "Million Dollar Bill" tract to start a conversation with Paul, an African-American CTA bus driver, and soon found out that he is mourning the recent loss of his parents and his wife of 30 years, who passed away a little more than a year ago. Our short conversation turned into what was truly a pastoral counseling session of well over half an hour, right there in the paper products aisle. Several times I thought he would lose his composure as he told about his wife, his grief, and his questions why God would allow this to happen. To make things even more complicated, he is in a new relationship, and wonders what his relationship with his wife in heaven would be like were he to marry again here on earth. He clearly needed someone to talk to and appreciated my advice in many areas. I think my initial concern for his soul and his relationship with God had quickly won his trust. Though he is in a season full of mixed feelings of grief and confusion and the hope of this new relationship, I believe he has faith in Christ for salvation. I ended our "counseling session" by praying for him which he truly appreciated.
5/20/10 Tony, early 20's
At a Burger King I asked a heavily tattooed young Latino (Tony) if he had time for a few questions about his spiritual beliefs. "For example, do you believe in God or some sort of higher power?" He said "Sure I believe in God. I just don't go to church all the time like some people. I think they're hypocrites. I just go when I feel like it" I guess I could have pointed out the inconsistencies in this statement but I had just sat down to talk with Tony and I know its especially important at this stage in a witnessing conversation to just ask a lot of questions and get a feel for where the person is at spiritually without being judgmental in any way. When I do begin to use the Ten Commandments to expose sin, it is used to help a person judge themself, much like getting them to look in a mirror. Tony didn't know any of the Ten Commandments, so I explained a few, asking how well he kept them as I went. "How many lies have you told?" I asked. "Oh, I'm a GOOD liar". He took pride in his ability to get away with lying, but after the Law revealed he is also a thief, a blaphemer, and a murderer and adulterer at heart, he was making all sorts of excuses. His basic argument was that sin is "only natural" and he is prepared to just take his chances with either heaven or hell when he dies. I told him I had given him the bad news about his sin and judgment, but there is good news if he wanted to hear it. Tony shook his head. "I'll take my chances" he said again. I asked "Do you think it might just be that you don't like to think about repentance? Do you know what that is?" "Yes, but its not like that" he assured me, but I'm not so sure.
At a Burger King I asked a heavily tattooed young Latino (Tony) if he had time for a few questions about his spiritual beliefs. "For example, do you believe in God or some sort of higher power?" He said "Sure I believe in God. I just don't go to church all the time like some people. I think they're hypocrites. I just go when I feel like it" I guess I could have pointed out the inconsistencies in this statement but I had just sat down to talk with Tony and I know its especially important at this stage in a witnessing conversation to just ask a lot of questions and get a feel for where the person is at spiritually without being judgmental in any way. When I do begin to use the Ten Commandments to expose sin, it is used to help a person judge themself, much like getting them to look in a mirror. Tony didn't know any of the Ten Commandments, so I explained a few, asking how well he kept them as I went. "How many lies have you told?" I asked. "Oh, I'm a GOOD liar". He took pride in his ability to get away with lying, but after the Law revealed he is also a thief, a blaphemer, and a murderer and adulterer at heart, he was making all sorts of excuses. His basic argument was that sin is "only natural" and he is prepared to just take his chances with either heaven or hell when he dies. I told him I had given him the bad news about his sin and judgment, but there is good news if he wanted to hear it. Tony shook his head. "I'll take my chances" he said again. I asked "Do you think it might just be that you don't like to think about repentance? Do you know what that is?" "Yes, but its not like that" he assured me, but I'm not so sure.
5/19/10 Corine, 24
Today I met with Marty (church elder) after work for a "fishing trip". A young lady (Corine) came walking down the sidewalk, dark sunglasses on, earbuds in. She had that look so many people have when out in public; in a hurry, intent on her destination, avoiding eye contact, in her own world, unapproachable, unstoppable. I caught her eye, smiled and said "Excuse me. I have a question for you." She stopped and took off the earbuds. "What kind of question?" "Kind of a crazy question, really. What do you think happens after we step off this world? What's on the other side?" "You mean after we die right? Wow, that IS kind of a random question" She thought for a while and said, well, I'd like to believe there is a heaven, but it's really wishful thinking because I really think we just die." Corine had grown up with almost no exposure to religion and although she has a master's in social work she had never read a Bible and had no idea what the Ten Commandments are. She had many of her own ideas of what God should be like if there is one - ideas based on her preference that she could run her own life rather than submit to some "higher power" invented by humans. She wondered how God could allow suffering in the world, yet didn't think he should hold people accountable for their sins, putting the blame on society and its corrupt institutions instead. We had a long and very interesting conversation with Corine, answering many of her questions and giving her a Bible and a lot to think about.
Today I met with Marty (church elder) after work for a "fishing trip". A young lady (Corine) came walking down the sidewalk, dark sunglasses on, earbuds in. She had that look so many people have when out in public; in a hurry, intent on her destination, avoiding eye contact, in her own world, unapproachable, unstoppable. I caught her eye, smiled and said "Excuse me. I have a question for you." She stopped and took off the earbuds. "What kind of question?" "Kind of a crazy question, really. What do you think happens after we step off this world? What's on the other side?" "You mean after we die right? Wow, that IS kind of a random question" She thought for a while and said, well, I'd like to believe there is a heaven, but it's really wishful thinking because I really think we just die." Corine had grown up with almost no exposure to religion and although she has a master's in social work she had never read a Bible and had no idea what the Ten Commandments are. She had many of her own ideas of what God should be like if there is one - ideas based on her preference that she could run her own life rather than submit to some "higher power" invented by humans. She wondered how God could allow suffering in the world, yet didn't think he should hold people accountable for their sins, putting the blame on society and its corrupt institutions instead. We had a long and very interesting conversation with Corine, answering many of her questions and giving her a Bible and a lot to think about.
5/18/10 Natale', 31, and Nzi, 28
Today I enjoyed some time with Adam, a brother from church, as we walked over to the IIT campus to witness. At the student center some older students were involved in a chess game at a table so I went over to see if they'd be willing to answer some questions about their spiritual beliefs. They were, so Adam and I introduced ourselves as we sat down to talk. Natale' is a graduate architectural student from Sudan and has been in the U.S. for about 2 years. He grew up in a Catholic family, but at college in Sudan he became an evangelical Christian, committed to the Bible as God's word rather than the traditions of his church. Nzi (did I get that right Adam?) is an electrical engineering students from Nigeria and has been here in America just a few months. He grew up in a Pentecostal family, and seems to be solid in his Christian faith also. Both were committed to Christian outreach and evangelism in Africa but since coming to America have discontinued this, saying they have been busy with their studies. They also don't seem to be a part of a local church other than a Christian organization on campus. I tried to encourage them to reach out with their faith and told them they were welcome to our church, just a few blocks away. Afterward, Adam and I - both fisherman- couldn't help comparing witnessing to that feeling in fishing when "you never know just what is on the other end of the line".
Today I enjoyed some time with Adam, a brother from church, as we walked over to the IIT campus to witness. At the student center some older students were involved in a chess game at a table so I went over to see if they'd be willing to answer some questions about their spiritual beliefs. They were, so Adam and I introduced ourselves as we sat down to talk. Natale' is a graduate architectural student from Sudan and has been in the U.S. for about 2 years. He grew up in a Catholic family, but at college in Sudan he became an evangelical Christian, committed to the Bible as God's word rather than the traditions of his church. Nzi (did I get that right Adam?) is an electrical engineering students from Nigeria and has been here in America just a few months. He grew up in a Pentecostal family, and seems to be solid in his Christian faith also. Both were committed to Christian outreach and evangelism in Africa but since coming to America have discontinued this, saying they have been busy with their studies. They also don't seem to be a part of a local church other than a Christian organization on campus. I tried to encourage them to reach out with their faith and told them they were welcome to our church, just a few blocks away. Afterward, Adam and I - both fisherman- couldn't help comparing witnessing to that feeling in fishing when "you never know just what is on the other end of the line".
5/17/10 Taylor, Nehemiah, Thomas 17, 20,30
At Starbucks today I asked people at several tables for permission to ask questions about their spiritual beliefs. The first young lady said she is a Christian but would rather not talk about it. The second, Taylor, is a high school student and a believer who is involved with a Christian club at her school that actively seeks to build relationships with non-Christians in the hopes of sharing their faith. They do this through various events such a bowling, but don't have any overtly Christian activities such as Bible studies. I tried to encourage her in her efforts, and told her that ever since I was in high school I too have wanted to share my faith but never really knew how until only recently when I heard of using the law to help others see their need for Jesus. At the third table was a young man named Nehemiah whom I had talked with months earlier and, though he didn't have time to talk, told me our conversation had been very encouraging and helpful to him. Finally, at the fourth table was Thomas, whom I also talked with months ago. He is a follower of Lois Farrakan and the Nation of Islam, and our conversation picked up where we had left off. It took a while but I think I made some progress in helping him understand that God is holy and His justice can't be bought with bribes in the form of good works - a key difference between Islam and Christianity.
At Starbucks today I asked people at several tables for permission to ask questions about their spiritual beliefs. The first young lady said she is a Christian but would rather not talk about it. The second, Taylor, is a high school student and a believer who is involved with a Christian club at her school that actively seeks to build relationships with non-Christians in the hopes of sharing their faith. They do this through various events such a bowling, but don't have any overtly Christian activities such as Bible studies. I tried to encourage her in her efforts, and told her that ever since I was in high school I too have wanted to share my faith but never really knew how until only recently when I heard of using the law to help others see their need for Jesus. At the third table was a young man named Nehemiah whom I had talked with months earlier and, though he didn't have time to talk, told me our conversation had been very encouraging and helpful to him. Finally, at the fourth table was Thomas, whom I also talked with months ago. He is a follower of Lois Farrakan and the Nation of Islam, and our conversation picked up where we had left off. It took a while but I think I made some progress in helping him understand that God is holy and His justice can't be bought with bribes in the form of good works - a key difference between Islam and Christianity.
5/16/10 Jason, about 30
I brought my daughter Hannah, 16, to the IIT campus to witness, and we met an IIT graduate (Jason, his American name) with a Ph'd in mathematics studying at a picnic table and asked if he would answer some of my questions about his spiritual beliefs. He warned us that he has no religious beliefs or interest, but he graciously answered my questions anyway. He said he had rejected any ideas about God a long time ago as a student in China and now his only interest is working with numbers. I tried different arguments for the existence of God, but to no avail. He seemed not at all impressed by various ideas about God's infinite existence since as a mathematician he deals with ideas about infinite all the time. Unlike so many atheists, Jason was closed to any possibility at all that God could exist, which made it hard to share the Gospel with him on a "what if it IS true basis." Instead I shared why I, as a Christian, am so concerned that other people receive Christ. I compared it to having the cure for cancer - what kind of person would I be if I didn't tell others about it? In so doing I was able to briefly share how Jesus is the cure for the cancer of sin in our lives. As we walked back to the car I told Hannah that I believe Jason is being sincere and true to his logic - he is truly convinced that there is no God, but this strong belief had developed over years of rejecting God and replacing Him with alternative beliefs. As a result he seems totally calloused to the things of God, but my prayer is that God isn't through with him yet.
I brought my daughter Hannah, 16, to the IIT campus to witness, and we met an IIT graduate (Jason, his American name) with a Ph'd in mathematics studying at a picnic table and asked if he would answer some of my questions about his spiritual beliefs. He warned us that he has no religious beliefs or interest, but he graciously answered my questions anyway. He said he had rejected any ideas about God a long time ago as a student in China and now his only interest is working with numbers. I tried different arguments for the existence of God, but to no avail. He seemed not at all impressed by various ideas about God's infinite existence since as a mathematician he deals with ideas about infinite all the time. Unlike so many atheists, Jason was closed to any possibility at all that God could exist, which made it hard to share the Gospel with him on a "what if it IS true basis." Instead I shared why I, as a Christian, am so concerned that other people receive Christ. I compared it to having the cure for cancer - what kind of person would I be if I didn't tell others about it? In so doing I was able to briefly share how Jesus is the cure for the cancer of sin in our lives. As we walked back to the car I told Hannah that I believe Jason is being sincere and true to his logic - he is truly convinced that there is no God, but this strong belief had developed over years of rejecting God and replacing Him with alternative beliefs. As a result he seems totally calloused to the things of God, but my prayer is that God isn't through with him yet.
5/15/10 Me (again), 48
I need a constant and ongoing walk with God to keep being encouraged and positive about stepping out of my comfort zone to reach out to strangers. Yesterday morning I made the mistake of sleeping in rather than spending my usual morning time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading before the rest of my family wakes up. This had a negative effect on my whole day that culminated in an argument with someone I love very much and feeling disqualified to reach out to others as a result. The devil (or my flesh more probably) won a battle yesterday but it will not win the war!
I need a constant and ongoing walk with God to keep being encouraged and positive about stepping out of my comfort zone to reach out to strangers. Yesterday morning I made the mistake of sleeping in rather than spending my usual morning time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading before the rest of my family wakes up. This had a negative effect on my whole day that culminated in an argument with someone I love very much and feeling disqualified to reach out to others as a result. The devil (or my flesh more probably) won a battle yesterday but it will not win the war!
5/14/10 John, about 60
As I left a Lowe's Home store I noticed an older black taxi driver parked next to me so I used a MDB tract to start a gospel conversation. When I asked if he had any spiritual beliefs, he became emphatic "Oh I know there's a God. How else could we exist? A lot of people say WE are god, but that crazy". John said he has been a lifelong churchgoer yet when I asked later how he can be sure of heaven, his trust was in his good deeds: " I've done so many things right. I have 8 kids and 16 grandchildren, and I try to give them a solid foundation." Much later, after I had established his guilt in breaking God's commandments, John maintained his goodness, dismissing and trivializing his sin by saying "Nobody's perfect" and "Everybody sins, its just natural". I tried a different approach, drawing on his church background: "What do they say about Jesus in your church? Why did He come?" "To save the world, I guess" "So if you are good enough for heaven, you wouldn't need to be saved, right? He answered "You know, the Bible is full of contradictions. It's just a man-made book anyway" We talked some more but John couldn't bring himself to admit his sin and need for salvation. He got a call from his dispatcher for a pickup, so he concluded by saying "You know, we need more people like you. White people I mean. So many of them hate us but I appreciate what you're trying to do." This might have been a nice compliment but it was also a smokescreen to get away from the topic of John's sin and need for repentance.
As I left a Lowe's Home store I noticed an older black taxi driver parked next to me so I used a MDB tract to start a gospel conversation. When I asked if he had any spiritual beliefs, he became emphatic "Oh I know there's a God. How else could we exist? A lot of people say WE are god, but that crazy". John said he has been a lifelong churchgoer yet when I asked later how he can be sure of heaven, his trust was in his good deeds: " I've done so many things right. I have 8 kids and 16 grandchildren, and I try to give them a solid foundation." Much later, after I had established his guilt in breaking God's commandments, John maintained his goodness, dismissing and trivializing his sin by saying "Nobody's perfect" and "Everybody sins, its just natural". I tried a different approach, drawing on his church background: "What do they say about Jesus in your church? Why did He come?" "To save the world, I guess" "So if you are good enough for heaven, you wouldn't need to be saved, right? He answered "You know, the Bible is full of contradictions. It's just a man-made book anyway" We talked some more but John couldn't bring himself to admit his sin and need for salvation. He got a call from his dispatcher for a pickup, so he concluded by saying "You know, we need more people like you. White people I mean. So many of them hate us but I appreciate what you're trying to do." This might have been a nice compliment but it was also a smokescreen to get away from the topic of John's sin and need for repentance.
5/13/10 "Jose", 17
While out for a run I saw three teens hanging out on a low fence. They looked like they had some time on their hands so I stopped to talk. "Hey, I have a crazy question for you. What do you think happens after this life? What's on the other side after we step off this planet?" The first guy said he believes in some sort of afterlife, but doesn't want to offend anyone so he doesn't talk about it. He said he's content to just live one day at a time "since I can't change the future anyway". I challenged him on this, comparing the shortness of this present life to eternity and wondering if the possibility of eternal life might be something worth talking about. It was a struggle trying to engage these three in conversation. I think they were each worried about what the other was thinking. The first guy eventually claimed he didn't believe in God and he answered a phone call and wandered away. The second, a girl, listened for a while but never said anything and also wandered away, leaving me to talk with Jose (really Jesus but I'll call him Jose to avoid confusion). Jose had quietly stated he believes in God in front of his friends, but didn't really open up until after they left. He felt he had been close to God through faith in Christ years earlier when he lived with his mother, whom he described as "born again", but since moving in with his Catholic father he has neglected the things of God. He is heavily into sports, having played on Chicago's city champion basketball team, and said he is very busy and doesn't have enough time for God at this point in his life, yet he also said he knew this was no excuse. "Do you have time for TV?" I asked. He knew where I was going with this. He considered our conversation to be a wake-up call, and said he had stayed around to hear what I had to say because he knew God had something to tell him.
While out for a run I saw three teens hanging out on a low fence. They looked like they had some time on their hands so I stopped to talk. "Hey, I have a crazy question for you. What do you think happens after this life? What's on the other side after we step off this planet?" The first guy said he believes in some sort of afterlife, but doesn't want to offend anyone so he doesn't talk about it. He said he's content to just live one day at a time "since I can't change the future anyway". I challenged him on this, comparing the shortness of this present life to eternity and wondering if the possibility of eternal life might be something worth talking about. It was a struggle trying to engage these three in conversation. I think they were each worried about what the other was thinking. The first guy eventually claimed he didn't believe in God and he answered a phone call and wandered away. The second, a girl, listened for a while but never said anything and also wandered away, leaving me to talk with Jose (really Jesus but I'll call him Jose to avoid confusion). Jose had quietly stated he believes in God in front of his friends, but didn't really open up until after they left. He felt he had been close to God through faith in Christ years earlier when he lived with his mother, whom he described as "born again", but since moving in with his Catholic father he has neglected the things of God. He is heavily into sports, having played on Chicago's city champion basketball team, and said he is very busy and doesn't have enough time for God at this point in his life, yet he also said he knew this was no excuse. "Do you have time for TV?" I asked. He knew where I was going with this. He considered our conversation to be a wake-up call, and said he had stayed around to hear what I had to say because he knew God had something to tell him.
5/12/10 Fred, Karen 40's
Outside a store in Chicago's South Loop, a man (Fred)was talking on his cell phone. I could tell he was waiting for his wife to finish her shopping so I asked "While you're waiting, can I ask a few questions?" I quickly found out he grew up Pentecostal and his wife (Karen) is Catholic. This led to an interesting conversation but even more interesting was when I found out that, though we were all far away from our neighborhood, we live within two blocks of each other and their son attends our church youth group. I'll leave out the details of our conversation because they can be easily identified, but I believe this encounter was a good example of God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the spread of the Gospel from one person to another.
Outside a store in Chicago's South Loop, a man (Fred)was talking on his cell phone. I could tell he was waiting for his wife to finish her shopping so I asked "While you're waiting, can I ask a few questions?" I quickly found out he grew up Pentecostal and his wife (Karen) is Catholic. This led to an interesting conversation but even more interesting was when I found out that, though we were all far away from our neighborhood, we live within two blocks of each other and their son attends our church youth group. I'll leave out the details of our conversation because they can be easily identified, but I believe this encounter was a good example of God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the spread of the Gospel from one person to another.
5/11/10 Jay, 17
The challenging and often intimidating thing about reaching out with the Gospel is the need to respond on the spot to wherever people are at spiritually. No evangelistic "script" or method will suffice; only the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) working in our midst can speak to people wherever they are with God. At Starbucks today I met Paul, a fellow Christian and ex-Marine, and after an encouraging conversation I moved on to the next table where Jay, a student at a Catholic High School, was doing his homework for his religion class. Jay was especially open to spiritual things due to this class but also due to the death of a childhood friend just two weeks ago. I needed to be sensitive to the pain of this loss while still bearing witness to the truth of God's word. Our conversation covered a lot of ground, but perhaps most importantly was a basic understanding of man's relationship with God as a result of our rebellion in the first few chapters of Genesis. Without a basic understanding of God's justice and wrath, the whole Bible can seem to be full of contradictions. Some of the implications of this seemed to be at odds with what Jay was learning in his religion class. Hopefully, he will look to God's word as his final authority rather than blindly accepting everything his teacher tells him.
The challenging and often intimidating thing about reaching out with the Gospel is the need to respond on the spot to wherever people are at spiritually. No evangelistic "script" or method will suffice; only the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) working in our midst can speak to people wherever they are with God. At Starbucks today I met Paul, a fellow Christian and ex-Marine, and after an encouraging conversation I moved on to the next table where Jay, a student at a Catholic High School, was doing his homework for his religion class. Jay was especially open to spiritual things due to this class but also due to the death of a childhood friend just two weeks ago. I needed to be sensitive to the pain of this loss while still bearing witness to the truth of God's word. Our conversation covered a lot of ground, but perhaps most importantly was a basic understanding of man's relationship with God as a result of our rebellion in the first few chapters of Genesis. Without a basic understanding of God's justice and wrath, the whole Bible can seem to be full of contradictions. Some of the implications of this seemed to be at odds with what Jay was learning in his religion class. Hopefully, he will look to God's word as his final authority rather than blindly accepting everything his teacher tells him.
5/10/10 Frank, about 30
A stocky and serious looking young man walked quickly down the sidewalk, and when I asked if I could get his opinion on a few things he agreed but just kept right on walking, so I walked with him. When I asked about his spiritual beliefs he said "I pick and choose the things I like from all the different religions". "How do you know what to pick?" I asked. Frank answered "I think it's different for everyone. You just have to choose what is right to you and don't force it on anyone" Questions about eternity and God's judgment revealed that Frank sees himself as a good person who will go to heaven, at first simply because, as he said, "I believe in God". But more questions about what he actually believes in helped Frank to face the truth - that he really believes he will be saved because he is simply a better person than people who are not - despite his claims not to be judgmental. After five blocks trying to keep up with Frank's fast walk he finally became interested and engaged in the conversation enough to stop and sit on a low fence, where we had a good long discussion. He thinks he can't control his anger around his ex-wife and her boyfriend and says his new girlfriend, who is Buddhist, is the most peaceful and spiritual person he's ever met. I could see he has compromised and accommodated his beliefs in God to fit his lifestyle and this new relationship. He began to talk about having faith is Christ and sharing it with his girlfriend, but has one big hurdle to overcome - repentance.
A stocky and serious looking young man walked quickly down the sidewalk, and when I asked if I could get his opinion on a few things he agreed but just kept right on walking, so I walked with him. When I asked about his spiritual beliefs he said "I pick and choose the things I like from all the different religions". "How do you know what to pick?" I asked. Frank answered "I think it's different for everyone. You just have to choose what is right to you and don't force it on anyone" Questions about eternity and God's judgment revealed that Frank sees himself as a good person who will go to heaven, at first simply because, as he said, "I believe in God". But more questions about what he actually believes in helped Frank to face the truth - that he really believes he will be saved because he is simply a better person than people who are not - despite his claims not to be judgmental. After five blocks trying to keep up with Frank's fast walk he finally became interested and engaged in the conversation enough to stop and sit on a low fence, where we had a good long discussion. He thinks he can't control his anger around his ex-wife and her boyfriend and says his new girlfriend, who is Buddhist, is the most peaceful and spiritual person he's ever met. I could see he has compromised and accommodated his beliefs in God to fit his lifestyle and this new relationship. He began to talk about having faith is Christ and sharing it with his girlfriend, but has one big hurdle to overcome - repentance.
5/9/10 Dillon, 19
While out on my bike I found myself next to a skateboarder (Dillon) as he headed down the street, so as soon as we stopped at an intersection I asked if he had time for a few questions. "Until the bus gets here, sure. What kind of questions?" he said. "Oh about your beliefs about life and stuff. Like, would you say you have a purpose in life?" Dillon didn't really know, and this quickly led to a discussion of religion. He is in his first year of college, and has had some philosophy and humanities classes that had left him with a lot of questions. He doesn't believe there is any way to know if God exists. I asked "What would God have to do to convince you?" Dillon laughed - "He'd have to come to earth and read the Bible to me for forty days! So how about you, what do you believe?" he asked me. This gave me a good opportunity to correct the version of Christianity taught to him in his textbooks, that Christians just believe if they are good enough they go to heaven and if not they go to hell. Dillon had said that he didn't need the threat of hell or promise of heaven to be a good person, so I explained that real Christians, not just churchgoers, really understand that we have rebelled against a holy God and deserve His wrath and so we need His mercy. I said that atheists commit the same sin as Adam in the Garden of Eden, thinking they can be good people - "like God" - without God's help. Dillon felt like he has a more open mind than an atheist, but he understood my point. As his bus arrived he thanked me and said he really enjoyed our conversation, though he didn't feel he needed to take any further info.
While out on my bike I found myself next to a skateboarder (Dillon) as he headed down the street, so as soon as we stopped at an intersection I asked if he had time for a few questions. "Until the bus gets here, sure. What kind of questions?" he said. "Oh about your beliefs about life and stuff. Like, would you say you have a purpose in life?" Dillon didn't really know, and this quickly led to a discussion of religion. He is in his first year of college, and has had some philosophy and humanities classes that had left him with a lot of questions. He doesn't believe there is any way to know if God exists. I asked "What would God have to do to convince you?" Dillon laughed - "He'd have to come to earth and read the Bible to me for forty days! So how about you, what do you believe?" he asked me. This gave me a good opportunity to correct the version of Christianity taught to him in his textbooks, that Christians just believe if they are good enough they go to heaven and if not they go to hell. Dillon had said that he didn't need the threat of hell or promise of heaven to be a good person, so I explained that real Christians, not just churchgoers, really understand that we have rebelled against a holy God and deserve His wrath and so we need His mercy. I said that atheists commit the same sin as Adam in the Garden of Eden, thinking they can be good people - "like God" - without God's help. Dillon felt like he has a more open mind than an atheist, but he understood my point. As his bus arrived he thanked me and said he really enjoyed our conversation, though he didn't feel he needed to take any further info.
5/8/10 Edward, Ned both about 40
Outside Cellular Field there is a smoking area surrounded by a low fence, making it an excellent place to have unhurried conversations with fans during White Sox games. I started a conversation with two smokers (Edward and Ned) who are Lithuanian immigrants, working in Chicago as truck drivers for the last ten years. It was interesting to find out about their upbringing in the Lithuanian Catholic Church, both before and after the fall of communist rule, and their views of religion and American society in general. They believe in God but haven't given much thought much about eternal things. They assume that they are good people who will end up in heaven and are somewhat shocked at the rampant sin of American culture, especially given all the churches we have here - and they seemed to feel blameless in comparison. I walked them through an explanation of God's law as His standard of judgment, the demands of His justice, and the mercy He offers through faith in Christ. This was all clearly new to them, and they listened with interest. Their only Bible is written in Lithuanian so I gave them an English version as they headed back inside the stadium.
Outside Cellular Field there is a smoking area surrounded by a low fence, making it an excellent place to have unhurried conversations with fans during White Sox games. I started a conversation with two smokers (Edward and Ned) who are Lithuanian immigrants, working in Chicago as truck drivers for the last ten years. It was interesting to find out about their upbringing in the Lithuanian Catholic Church, both before and after the fall of communist rule, and their views of religion and American society in general. They believe in God but haven't given much thought much about eternal things. They assume that they are good people who will end up in heaven and are somewhat shocked at the rampant sin of American culture, especially given all the churches we have here - and they seemed to feel blameless in comparison. I walked them through an explanation of God's law as His standard of judgment, the demands of His justice, and the mercy He offers through faith in Christ. This was all clearly new to them, and they listened with interest. Their only Bible is written in Lithuanian so I gave them an English version as they headed back inside the stadium.
5/7/10 Andy, 28
I stopped at a Burger King on my way home after work where a businessman (Andy) was sitting in a booth talking on an ear-bud style cell phone. When his conversation was over I walked over and asked if he had a few minutes for some questions. He took off his ear buds. "I've got a few more calls to make, but sure - what's up?". An hour later, we were still talking. I asked about his spiritual beliefs, and Andy said "Oh, I believe in God, but I've always had one question, and no one has ever been able to answer it. Why did God abandon Jesus when he hung there on the cross?" Andy was wondering how God could allow suffering and such an obviously imperfect world. Had He turned his back on his own creation? He was filled with questions like this, and very glad to have someone to talk to about them. He claimed his questions weren't an excuse for not following God, but when it came to his view of his own sinfulness Andy came about as close to claiming perfection as anyone I've met. He just couldn't openly admit that he breaks the Ten Commandments like everyone else. He did say that he had developed an extreme hatred for Islam as a result of his overseas business experiences. He also claimed to have had a supernatural vision of the virgin Mary as a child, and three near-death experiences that have left him believing in God but disbelieving the idea that God would punish unrepentant sinners in hell. I challenged Andy to consider that his trust is more in the impressions left on him by these experiences than in God's revelation of Himself in the Bible. God is definitely working in this young man, but had I pressed for a "decision" (do we choose God or does God choose us?) I believe it would be the equivalent of picking unripened fruit or opening a cocoon before the butterfly within has fully developed. All in God's perfect timing....
I stopped at a Burger King on my way home after work where a businessman (Andy) was sitting in a booth talking on an ear-bud style cell phone. When his conversation was over I walked over and asked if he had a few minutes for some questions. He took off his ear buds. "I've got a few more calls to make, but sure - what's up?". An hour later, we were still talking. I asked about his spiritual beliefs, and Andy said "Oh, I believe in God, but I've always had one question, and no one has ever been able to answer it. Why did God abandon Jesus when he hung there on the cross?" Andy was wondering how God could allow suffering and such an obviously imperfect world. Had He turned his back on his own creation? He was filled with questions like this, and very glad to have someone to talk to about them. He claimed his questions weren't an excuse for not following God, but when it came to his view of his own sinfulness Andy came about as close to claiming perfection as anyone I've met. He just couldn't openly admit that he breaks the Ten Commandments like everyone else. He did say that he had developed an extreme hatred for Islam as a result of his overseas business experiences. He also claimed to have had a supernatural vision of the virgin Mary as a child, and three near-death experiences that have left him believing in God but disbelieving the idea that God would punish unrepentant sinners in hell. I challenged Andy to consider that his trust is more in the impressions left on him by these experiences than in God's revelation of Himself in the Bible. God is definitely working in this young man, but had I pressed for a "decision" (do we choose God or does God choose us?) I believe it would be the equivalent of picking unripened fruit or opening a cocoon before the butterfly within has fully developed. All in God's perfect timing....
5/6/10 Marcos and Romero, both about 35
A middle aged father (Marcos) and his friend (Romero) were at the park watching his young son while his older son practiced with his Little League team. Jake and I had come early to our softball practice looking to initiate a witnessing opportunity, so I asked them if they had time for a few questions. They welcomed my questions so I asked "What do you think happens after this life, what comes next?" They had very different answers. Marcos said "Oh, I'm goin' to heaven. no doubt" but Romero said: "I'm goin' straight to hell". Both went on to tell about a rough, drug and gang filled upbringing in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Marcos felt like he's already been through hell, and would now go to heaven "because I believe in God". He looked very thoughtful when I reminded him that the devil also "believes"(.James 2:19) He agreed that he often wondered if he "believed enough" and I told him he could have just a mustard seed of faith, but its who he believes in that really matters. Romero had spent nearly all of his adult life in prison, and had his share of jailhouse "Bible thumpers" as he called them. I think he felt he had heard it all before and took pride in shocking religious people by saying he was going to hell; but I don't think he really believed it. When I asked if he feared hell, he just shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile - "Hey, I got it coming to me" Both of these guys were familiar with the idea that God is loving and merciful, but they didn't know about his justice. I tried to help them understand that God's in his perfect holiness will punish sin, but in His infinite love provided the perfect sacrifice in our place - His own Son. I challenged them to put their faith in Christ today and we prayed for them right there on the ball field; later the rest of our softball team prayed for them as well.
A middle aged father (Marcos) and his friend (Romero) were at the park watching his young son while his older son practiced with his Little League team. Jake and I had come early to our softball practice looking to initiate a witnessing opportunity, so I asked them if they had time for a few questions. They welcomed my questions so I asked "What do you think happens after this life, what comes next?" They had very different answers. Marcos said "Oh, I'm goin' to heaven. no doubt" but Romero said: "I'm goin' straight to hell". Both went on to tell about a rough, drug and gang filled upbringing in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Marcos felt like he's already been through hell, and would now go to heaven "because I believe in God". He looked very thoughtful when I reminded him that the devil also "believes"(.James 2:19) He agreed that he often wondered if he "believed enough" and I told him he could have just a mustard seed of faith, but its who he believes in that really matters. Romero had spent nearly all of his adult life in prison, and had his share of jailhouse "Bible thumpers" as he called them. I think he felt he had heard it all before and took pride in shocking religious people by saying he was going to hell; but I don't think he really believed it. When I asked if he feared hell, he just shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile - "Hey, I got it coming to me" Both of these guys were familiar with the idea that God is loving and merciful, but they didn't know about his justice. I tried to help them understand that God's in his perfect holiness will punish sin, but in His infinite love provided the perfect sacrifice in our place - His own Son. I challenged them to put their faith in Christ today and we prayed for them right there on the ball field; later the rest of our softball team prayed for them as well.
5/5/10 Nick, Jaime, both about 25
Passing out "million dollar bill" gospel tracts is a fun way to start witnessing conversations, and I was doing just that after work today when I saw two businessmen (Nick and Jaime) sitting and talking in their SUV. Their window was open so I gave them both MDB tracts and told them about the "good person" questions on the back. They immediately began to read them with great interest, so I waited until they were done and a good conversation began. Nick agreed with the conclusion - that we have broken God's laws and don't deserve heaven - and were surprised when I told them that "purgatory" (the idea of temporary punishment to cleanse our sins) is not a biblical option. I explained that God's justice demands punishment for sin, but in His mercy He allows someone else to take our punishment for us. However, only a perfect person who isn't also guilty of their own sins would be an acceptable substitute, and that's exactly what Jesus did on the cross. After we talked a while Nick said, "Thank you for these insights, you've given us some good things to think about, but we do need to get back to work." and they gladly took my contact information. In hindsight, from the way they interacted I think Nick was Jaime's boss or supervisor and they were having some sort of business meeting, and I'm grateful for his graciousness in taking the time to talk.
Passing out "million dollar bill" gospel tracts is a fun way to start witnessing conversations, and I was doing just that after work today when I saw two businessmen (Nick and Jaime) sitting and talking in their SUV. Their window was open so I gave them both MDB tracts and told them about the "good person" questions on the back. They immediately began to read them with great interest, so I waited until they were done and a good conversation began. Nick agreed with the conclusion - that we have broken God's laws and don't deserve heaven - and were surprised when I told them that "purgatory" (the idea of temporary punishment to cleanse our sins) is not a biblical option. I explained that God's justice demands punishment for sin, but in His mercy He allows someone else to take our punishment for us. However, only a perfect person who isn't also guilty of their own sins would be an acceptable substitute, and that's exactly what Jesus did on the cross. After we talked a while Nick said, "Thank you for these insights, you've given us some good things to think about, but we do need to get back to work." and they gladly took my contact information. In hindsight, from the way they interacted I think Nick was Jaime's boss or supervisor and they were having some sort of business meeting, and I'm grateful for his graciousness in taking the time to talk.
5/4/10 "Guy", about 35
Who says a witnessing conversation has to take a long time? I didn't feel well today and am not up for a long conversation so I kept them short while grocery shopping with my son. Here's how one went, nearly word for word: Greeting a fellow shopper with a smile I said "How you doin'? I have something for you today" and gave the guy (I didn't get his name) a Million Dollar Bill tract. While he's laughing at this I said "It's a great collector's item but it's also a Gospel tract, and it has what I call a "Good person test" on the back. Are you a good person?" "Oh definitely" he says so I asked if he has a church background. "Yes I go to church" he told me. "So you believe in God and that you'll go to heaven right?" Oh yes, of course" he said. "Well I just want to be sure I'll see you there one day so I hope you don't mind my asking, but how can you be sure you'll go to heaven?" "Well no one can be sure..." "Well, what do you believe in, what is your faith in?" Well I believe that if I'm a good person with a good heart, I'll go to heaven" was his answer. I told him, "Well, I have one last hard question for you - If you could go to heaven by being a good person, then what did Jesus die for?" He replied "Now that IS a good question" He thought for a while about it and with some prompting from me finally said that Jesus died for our sins. "Well I just want to give you a friendly reminder today to put your faith in Jesus, not in being a good person, okay brother?" "Okay, thanks" as we shook hands to leave. Total time for a quick reminder that could possibly have eternal value? Probably less than a minute.
Who says a witnessing conversation has to take a long time? I didn't feel well today and am not up for a long conversation so I kept them short while grocery shopping with my son. Here's how one went, nearly word for word: Greeting a fellow shopper with a smile I said "How you doin'? I have something for you today" and gave the guy (I didn't get his name) a Million Dollar Bill tract. While he's laughing at this I said "It's a great collector's item but it's also a Gospel tract, and it has what I call a "Good person test" on the back. Are you a good person?" "Oh definitely" he says so I asked if he has a church background. "Yes I go to church" he told me. "So you believe in God and that you'll go to heaven right?" Oh yes, of course" he said. "Well I just want to be sure I'll see you there one day so I hope you don't mind my asking, but how can you be sure you'll go to heaven?" "Well no one can be sure..." "Well, what do you believe in, what is your faith in?" Well I believe that if I'm a good person with a good heart, I'll go to heaven" was his answer. I told him, "Well, I have one last hard question for you - If you could go to heaven by being a good person, then what did Jesus die for?" He replied "Now that IS a good question" He thought for a while about it and with some prompting from me finally said that Jesus died for our sins. "Well I just want to give you a friendly reminder today to put your faith in Jesus, not in being a good person, okay brother?" "Okay, thanks" as we shook hands to leave. Total time for a quick reminder that could possibly have eternal value? Probably less than a minute.
5/3/10 Kenson, 22 Jim, 32
Today I talked with two men (Kenson and Jim) as they hung out at their car outside a Dunkin' Donuts, and they seemed typical of the secular mindset of the our day. They don't believe in God, not necessarily by choice but by neglect, because they are so caught up in day to day concerns. They are content to take a "wait and see" approach to eternity and felt that if there is a hell, it is here and now in this life. 20th century evangelistic methods are quickly becoming outdated in our world because they assume prior knowledge of God and the Bible. So how do we reach people and cultures that lack a basic Judeo-Christian understanding? We have to return to the beginnings of the church, where the Gentiles needed a whole new world view in order for the Gospel to make sense. They needed to know that there is only one God, who alone determines morality, and that we will live but one life followed by judgment, the demands of God's justice, and the hope of His mercy in Christ. Church attendance is very foreign and unlikely for most people today so instead of expecting them to come to church, we the church must go to them. Yes, Kenson and Jim were shocked by my bold approach and questions that challenged their comfortable world view, but I believe they will never forget it.
Today I talked with two men (Kenson and Jim) as they hung out at their car outside a Dunkin' Donuts, and they seemed typical of the secular mindset of the our day. They don't believe in God, not necessarily by choice but by neglect, because they are so caught up in day to day concerns. They are content to take a "wait and see" approach to eternity and felt that if there is a hell, it is here and now in this life. 20th century evangelistic methods are quickly becoming outdated in our world because they assume prior knowledge of God and the Bible. So how do we reach people and cultures that lack a basic Judeo-Christian understanding? We have to return to the beginnings of the church, where the Gentiles needed a whole new world view in order for the Gospel to make sense. They needed to know that there is only one God, who alone determines morality, and that we will live but one life followed by judgment, the demands of God's justice, and the hope of His mercy in Christ. Church attendance is very foreign and unlikely for most people today so instead of expecting them to come to church, we the church must go to them. Yes, Kenson and Jim were shocked by my bold approach and questions that challenged their comfortable world view, but I believe they will never forget it.
5/2/10 Sergio, Cordell, 17
Two gangbangers, a wannabe friend and a girlfriend were sitting talking on a park bench, away from the distractions and drama of the street corners so I went over to find out about their beliefs. They all said they believe in God and were confident that they would go to heaven when they die - one because he is a good person, one because he prays and asks for forgiveness every night, and two said they say the rosary every night and don't really think that hell exists anyway. I told them that the Bible teaches there is a day of judgment after we die and we will be held accountable to God, and I challenged them to take my "good person test" to see how they'd do, which Sergio volunteered for. First I asked how many of the Ten Commandments he knew (2) and then just for fun I asked how many brands of beer he knew (13). Just asking about five of the Ten Commandments found Sergio to be a liar, thief, blasphemer, and a murderer and adulterer at heart. Is he guilty? "Yes". What would his punishment be? "I'd still go to heaven" By this time, two of the four had drifted away to answer cell calls or whatever, and Sergio and Cordell weren't quite sure what they should do with this adult who didn't water down the harsh truths of God's judgment. They said they needed to catch up with their friends. I wanted to run after them and tell them the good news of Jesus but they weren't ready to hear it.
Two gangbangers, a wannabe friend and a girlfriend were sitting talking on a park bench, away from the distractions and drama of the street corners so I went over to find out about their beliefs. They all said they believe in God and were confident that they would go to heaven when they die - one because he is a good person, one because he prays and asks for forgiveness every night, and two said they say the rosary every night and don't really think that hell exists anyway. I told them that the Bible teaches there is a day of judgment after we die and we will be held accountable to God, and I challenged them to take my "good person test" to see how they'd do, which Sergio volunteered for. First I asked how many of the Ten Commandments he knew (2) and then just for fun I asked how many brands of beer he knew (13). Just asking about five of the Ten Commandments found Sergio to be a liar, thief, blasphemer, and a murderer and adulterer at heart. Is he guilty? "Yes". What would his punishment be? "I'd still go to heaven" By this time, two of the four had drifted away to answer cell calls or whatever, and Sergio and Cordell weren't quite sure what they should do with this adult who didn't water down the harsh truths of God's judgment. They said they needed to catch up with their friends. I wanted to run after them and tell them the good news of Jesus but they weren't ready to hear it.
5/1/10 Friends, Relatives
Today I was with friends and relatives all day, and though I want to share Jesus any way I can I know I need to go about it differently than with those on the street I may never see again, so what to do? Well one good thing about actively witnessing with strangers is that it gives me a chance to tell friends and relatives about my experiences and what I've learned from them. For example, I tell them that the vast majority of people believe that if there is a heaven, they will be there simply because they are good people; and that even the majority of churchgoers I talk to believe the same thing, even despite the fact that they say they believe that Jesus died for their sin. That's what I did today and I felt like it was a non-confrontational way to remind others of our need for forgiveness that can only come through faith in Jesus.
Today I was with friends and relatives all day, and though I want to share Jesus any way I can I know I need to go about it differently than with those on the street I may never see again, so what to do? Well one good thing about actively witnessing with strangers is that it gives me a chance to tell friends and relatives about my experiences and what I've learned from them. For example, I tell them that the vast majority of people believe that if there is a heaven, they will be there simply because they are good people; and that even the majority of churchgoers I talk to believe the same thing, even despite the fact that they say they believe that Jesus died for their sin. That's what I did today and I felt like it was a non-confrontational way to remind others of our need for forgiveness that can only come through faith in Jesus.
5/1/10 Kim, Charlie both about 30
I'm visiting relatives on New York's Long Island, and went out late last night to cause some godly trouble (Acts 17:6) in the middle of the lively nightlife scene. A couple, dressed head to toe in leather and sporting dark sunglasses and army-style helmets, were getting on their motorcycle when I tried to engage them in conversation. They looked at me like I was from another planet (because of course I don't have that Long Island accent) when I told them I had an interesting question to ask of them. Kim was more interested in finding out where I was from, guessing first that I was from Ireland, then Canada. Charlie was curious about the question I was about to ask. I told them a little about myself, then asked if they had any spiritual beliefs. "Do you believe there's a God, or such a thing as eternal life?" In my experience most people love to talk about their beliefs, but not these two. "Well if we did, we wouldn't tell you" Kim answered. "Just give me your pamplet or whatever you have because we've got to go". Not a great start for a conversation, but I was somehow able to talk quite a while with these two through a series of "Isn't it possible" questions: "Isn't it possible that God DOES exist, wouldn't he would try to communicate with us somehow?" "Isn't it possible that there IS eternal life - wouldn't it be an important subject to talk about here on earth?" "Isn't it possible that there IS judgment, and we will be held accountable to God?" These questions sparked some good conversation, even though neither of these two did share what they really do believe. Toward the end I asked "I'm not claiming this is true, but isn't it possible that God would send a complete stranger to you in the middle of the night, as a way of getting a message through to you?" Charlie had an interesting response: "That's exactly why I'm still talking to you"
I'm visiting relatives on New York's Long Island, and went out late last night to cause some godly trouble (Acts 17:6) in the middle of the lively nightlife scene. A couple, dressed head to toe in leather and sporting dark sunglasses and army-style helmets, were getting on their motorcycle when I tried to engage them in conversation. They looked at me like I was from another planet (because of course I don't have that Long Island accent) when I told them I had an interesting question to ask of them. Kim was more interested in finding out where I was from, guessing first that I was from Ireland, then Canada. Charlie was curious about the question I was about to ask. I told them a little about myself, then asked if they had any spiritual beliefs. "Do you believe there's a God, or such a thing as eternal life?" In my experience most people love to talk about their beliefs, but not these two. "Well if we did, we wouldn't tell you" Kim answered. "Just give me your pamplet or whatever you have because we've got to go". Not a great start for a conversation, but I was somehow able to talk quite a while with these two through a series of "Isn't it possible" questions: "Isn't it possible that God DOES exist, wouldn't he would try to communicate with us somehow?" "Isn't it possible that there IS eternal life - wouldn't it be an important subject to talk about here on earth?" "Isn't it possible that there IS judgment, and we will be held accountable to God?" These questions sparked some good conversation, even though neither of these two did share what they really do believe. Toward the end I asked "I'm not claiming this is true, but isn't it possible that God would send a complete stranger to you in the middle of the night, as a way of getting a message through to you?" Charlie had an interesting response: "That's exactly why I'm still talking to you"
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