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Monday, September 24, 2007

Of Seeds, Salt and Light

The other day I watched as the husband of a woman, who was resting on a chair inside our church's tent, paced back and forth on an invisible line, waiting for her to come out. We had the opportunity to share a little bit about salvation, and about what Jesus had done in our life. The woman was indeed curious, perhaps, deep down in her heart, even willing to accept Jesus, but she was resistant because of her fear of her husband.

It was obvious that he wanted her to come out and that he was not going to come in. He was tired, he tried leaning on a tree, stooping momentarily with his hands on his knees but he was not about to enter some church tent to take an empty chair.

The woman's friend had told us of the husbands position. No church, no God, NEVER! One has to wonder what happened in this man's life to leave him so bitter and dead-set against the things of God. As the woman continued to rest and the husband saw that we were only extending the kindness of a chair in a shaded tent, he began to soften and stepped inches closer.

Once the woman was rested, she stood up, thanked us and, grabbing her husbands arm, begin to walk off. To our amazement the husband stopped, turned around and thanked us. Did they accept Christ that day, not to our knowledge. However, a seed was planted.

Rather than standing in the aisles of the market screaming, "Repent or you're going to hell," we offer a non-threatening place to rest, talk and relax. I am amazed how this surprises people. Nothing to sell, everything to give, should they accept it.

A little light in a dark place goes a long way!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Long Time In Coming

I have been wanting to start a blog for a long-long time. I'm not sure why I haven't. Maybe its because I write in other areas, websites and e-letters and that has kept me busy. But the idea of expressing some honest thoughts from where I am in life is far too intriguing to pass up.

Lately, I have been experiencing a mix of emotions, thoughts and feelings. God has been faithful in allowing a good "mix" of positive and, um, not so positive things go through my mind. I thank him for all of those things because even the ones that are unpleasant remind me of my dependence on him.

Like starting this blog, most of the things in my life were a long time in coming. Like answering a long-time call to ministry after 20 plus years. So here I am at 40 still completing a ministry degree from SAGU, still waiting on God for my first pastorate or ministry ( that will at least help me provide for my family of 6) and waiting on God to reveal his further plans and purposes for my life.

You know, it is often the best things in life that come after a long wait. Perhaps God is preparing me, molding me, and shaping the events that need to be in place in order for me to fulfill the destiny he has for me. Sure it's easy for me to say it, even though I believe it. Yet, if I'm completely honest here, I don't like to wait.

Maybe that's what God is waiting for.