Today is Thursday, February 25 and it's my last day on the ground here in Vancouver. It's hard to believe that my time here sharing the Gospel with the world is drawing to an end. I have tried to make some notes of people I've met and all the countries they represent but I know I won't be able to recall it all. But, God knows all the seeds that have been planted and those who will be in Heaven as a result of our obedience in being here and sharing the Gospel.
I do want to share with you about an encounter I had Wednesday night with a young man named Tavi. He was a really engaging young man who was more than willing to share about his beliefs. After having an entertaining conversation with him about the Canada hockey team, I switched the conversation to spiritual matters. That's when it got really interesting. He was raised Hindu but had abandoned his parents faith and had crafted his own, unique belief system that doesn't involve a personal God but rather a force. So, I asked him about Jesus and what he though of him. He gave the typical line of Jesus being a prophet. That's when I asked about Jesus being God. He quickly said "Jesus wasn't God" to which I challenged him about Jesus saying that he and the father was one. He didn't know what to do with that and stumbled through a simple response of "well, I don't know about that, you might be right." I could tell that he was really thinking about what we had talked about. He had to leave as he got a phone call so I gave him the Jesus Pin and tract and asked him to think about what we had talked about.
There is no such thing as a "typical" evangelism encounter. Not here, not back home. Each and every time we are obedient to share the love of Jesus Christ by telling the greatest story of all time, God will use it in unique ways for His glory.
Pray for Tavi that God will continue to reveal his truth to him and that he will respond to Jesus' love.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Winter Games + Jesus
It has been a couple of days since I have posted much of anything other than a quick tweet from time to time. It has been a very busy couple of days and the opportunities to share Jesus has been tremendous! I am so blessed to be here for "such a time as this". I only have four more days to be on the ground and telling the story of God's love for mankind shown through His son, Jesus Christ.
There are several things that make sharing the Gospel at the Olympics so unique. One is the vast number of cultures and countries that you will engage for the Gospel. I have lost tract of all of the people I have shared with from various countries but needless to say, it's been a lot!
I know that today will bring a number of opportunities to engage people with the Gospel and I pray that I will be alert, aware, prepared and bold to share the truth in love with all those I encounter. That is not so unique to sharing the Gospel at the Olympics. No matter where you are today you too need to be alert, aware, prepared and bold to share the truth in love with all those you encounter. Let me encourage you to make the most of every opportunity you have with each and every person you engage with today.
The other special thing about being here is the blessing of sharing with old friends and making of new ones. There really is a special bond with those you serve with "in the trenches". I am grateful for these men and women who are here to share the love of Jesus with the world. There are top notch men and women of God.
The window of opportunity is closing with each passing day here at the Winter Games. My desire today is to make the most of it for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be all glory and honor.
There are several things that make sharing the Gospel at the Olympics so unique. One is the vast number of cultures and countries that you will engage for the Gospel. I have lost tract of all of the people I have shared with from various countries but needless to say, it's been a lot!
I know that today will bring a number of opportunities to engage people with the Gospel and I pray that I will be alert, aware, prepared and bold to share the truth in love with all those I encounter. That is not so unique to sharing the Gospel at the Olympics. No matter where you are today you too need to be alert, aware, prepared and bold to share the truth in love with all those you encounter. Let me encourage you to make the most of every opportunity you have with each and every person you engage with today.
The other special thing about being here is the blessing of sharing with old friends and making of new ones. There really is a special bond with those you serve with "in the trenches". I am grateful for these men and women who are here to share the love of Jesus with the world. There are top notch men and women of God.
The window of opportunity is closing with each passing day here at the Winter Games. My desire today is to make the most of it for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be all glory and honor.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Vancouver Day 3
It's early in the morning and I am excited about what God has in store for today. This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be in it!
I wish I had the same mindset everyday but the truth is, I don't. I know everyday is a gift from God. Why do I feel like I have be somewhere somewhere special or doing something special before I get excited? Everyday is a gift from God and He's just waiting for us to unwrap it and make the most of it.
I claim today for my Lord. I want to be used by Him wherever and to do whatever He has in mind. I pray for opportunities to meet people who need to hear about Jesus. I ask for boldness to share the truth of the Gospel in love and the sensitivity to really hear those I share with today.
Make the most of today, no matter where you are or what you're doing - it's special.
I wish I had the same mindset everyday but the truth is, I don't. I know everyday is a gift from God. Why do I feel like I have be somewhere somewhere special or doing something special before I get excited? Everyday is a gift from God and He's just waiting for us to unwrap it and make the most of it.
I claim today for my Lord. I want to be used by Him wherever and to do whatever He has in mind. I pray for opportunities to meet people who need to hear about Jesus. I ask for boldness to share the truth of the Gospel in love and the sensitivity to really hear those I share with today.
Make the most of today, no matter where you are or what you're doing - it's special.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Vancouver test blog entry
This is just a test to see if my blog will post to facebook.
This is only a test,
Had this been an actual blog entry you would be reading something much more interesting than this.
I do, however, hope to share some of my Olympic ministry thoughts here though so check back.
This is only a test,
Had this been an actual blog entry you would be reading something much more interesting than this.
I do, however, hope to share some of my Olympic ministry thoughts here though so check back.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Coffee for Mom
One of the things my mom really enjoys is coffee. Not the fancy Starbucks with added stuff - just straight forward, black coffee. She likes to drink it all day long. She will drink instant coffee if she has to, but she prefers to "real" stuff. I am trying to go by and visit her daily at the nursing home where she is on hospice care. We are blessed to live just about 4 miles from where she is now residing. While my mom is a coffee fanatic, I am not. I love the smell of coffee beans freshly ground, but all in all I don't care for the taste or smell of coffee, especially when it is old. There is a QT Convenience Store located between my house and mom's nursing home. I decided yesterday morning to stop by and get the biggest cup of coffee they have. She was thrilled when I brought it to her yesterday. Not being a particularly sharp guy, I decided to repeat this gesture today with much the same response - a big smile and a grateful thank you.
While I was reflecting on this today, I realized how the small things matter. The small things that we can do for others can have a significant impact on them. These small gestures are not intended for our benefit, but rather for the benefit of the one we are serving. Granted, we receive a blessing from the service by giving, but that is not the focus - the other person is.
Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
I hope that I can continue to bring mom a cup of hot coffee for as long as I can. In the process I hope I can not only learn more about serving her, but also show her the love of Jesus Christ.
While I was reflecting on this today, I realized how the small things matter. The small things that we can do for others can have a significant impact on them. These small gestures are not intended for our benefit, but rather for the benefit of the one we are serving. Granted, we receive a blessing from the service by giving, but that is not the focus - the other person is.
Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
I hope that I can continue to bring mom a cup of hot coffee for as long as I can. In the process I hope I can not only learn more about serving her, but also show her the love of Jesus Christ.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Great Commission Resurgence
At the conclusion of the first full day of the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention a few things stand clear. We, as God's people with the distinct history of being Gospel-centered, can be a rude bunch. However, by in large, there is a genuine desire to be faithful to the name of Christ and to making His name known. The single most talked about topic this year is the Great Commission Resurgence. This document put forth by Dr. Johnny Hunt, SBC President, is a call to Southern Baptists to return to the heart of the Gospel. To read more go to
http://www.greatcommissionresurgence.com/.
I have read the document, listened to the discussions and most importantly prayed about it's point and purpose and I have to say that I am in complete and full agreement with it. Let me encourage you to read it for yourself, pray about it and ask any questions you might have.
For some this may seem distracting and off point. The fact is our denomination, and often times, our churches, have been distracted and off point for years. You need not look any further than the sobering data released this morning from LifeWay Research that states if we, as a convention, continue the trend we've been on for the last 50 years, we will be a convention with less than half of what we are today, for evidence of our loss of focus.
It is my hope, and prayer, that the Great Commission Resurgence will be a rally cry that our convention, churches, ministers and members can get behind. Not so we can be bigger churches and build bigger buildings, not so we can be a more positive influence in the communiy, not so we can win "our" political point of view in the public discorce, but so we can be Kingdom focused in ALL that we do. And as a result of glorfying God with our re-focus, we can be all that God desires us to be in our families, our churches, our communities, our regions, and around the world.
Will you join me in committing to this Great Commission Resurgence?
http://www.greatcommissionresurgence.com/.
I have read the document, listened to the discussions and most importantly prayed about it's point and purpose and I have to say that I am in complete and full agreement with it. Let me encourage you to read it for yourself, pray about it and ask any questions you might have.
For some this may seem distracting and off point. The fact is our denomination, and often times, our churches, have been distracted and off point for years. You need not look any further than the sobering data released this morning from LifeWay Research that states if we, as a convention, continue the trend we've been on for the last 50 years, we will be a convention with less than half of what we are today, for evidence of our loss of focus.
It is my hope, and prayer, that the Great Commission Resurgence will be a rally cry that our convention, churches, ministers and members can get behind. Not so we can be bigger churches and build bigger buildings, not so we can be a more positive influence in the communiy, not so we can win "our" political point of view in the public discorce, but so we can be Kingdom focused in ALL that we do. And as a result of glorfying God with our re-focus, we can be all that God desires us to be in our families, our churches, our communities, our regions, and around the world.
Will you join me in committing to this Great Commission Resurgence?
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