Conversations for Conversion Sake, An Ongoing Series That Will Chronicle My Experiences in Sharing the Gospel

Conversations for Conversion Sake, An Ongoing Series That Will Chronicle My Experiences in Sharing the Gospel

Let me give some context. I work on a 3rd shift crew of eight other people. We drive around an airport ramp loading planes all night. It is actually a very fun job. Quick sprints between planes, loading "cans", driving belt loaders, pulling dollies with tugs. Wearing flourescent yellow smocks that have reflective stripes. As a crew we ride around in an old UPS delivery truck which has been gutted and now has van seats bolted to the floor against the side of one wall. The other side of the truck has two shelves. These are convenient and lengthy enough to hold four resting bodies. So...we spend lots of time in the truck...hurrying up to wait. This affords lots of time for conversation.

I will begin posting parts of conversations which tend toward God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I need prayers. You may or may not know me. Regardless, pray for me. I am saying to anyone who reads this, "Pray for me." Beyond and in addition to that leave comments to help me think through the conversations. That is, if you think I blew it, then tell me. If I "accidentally" said something brilliant, then give God the glory and let me know about it. If you have advice on what could have been said, or might be said in future conversation then by all means chime in.

I wonder if we did this sort of thing on Wednesday or Sunday nights if it wouldn't lead to more fruitful conversations and conversions. What would happen if on Wed night the goal was to walk through and talk through the witnessing we'd done through the week and began praying and strategising through how to continue in the next opportunity? What kind of learning and inspiration would churches begin to experience in "evangelism" if we simply started these kinds of bull sessions, brainstorming sessions, critical assessment sessions?

My goals in this ongoing series is to get prayers for them and for me. My other goal is to encourage you to be bold in your witness. The world forces its way very boldly on us and them. Why not respond with even more boldness for Christ. I am already a "Jesus Freak" to my crew. Others might argue for some milder form of "friendship evangelism" to which I would reply, "This is friendship evangelism!! I love them and they know it! I am honest. To the point. There is no second guessing whether I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I smell like death to most of them but I smell like Life to others!"

A conversation with the black man, I was talking to the young Christian about what I taught in the abstinence classes...the infamous 4 questions,1- Why do you and everything else exist? 2-What does it mean to be human? 3-Why is there Good and Evil? 4-How do you know your answers to these questions are True? I was telling young Christian that I wanted to tack on some others questions which include, 5-Why do we demand and hope for Justice? 6-What is with this deep longing for happiness? 7-What/Why is guilt? The black man at this point asked, "Have you been reading Plato?" I was pretty suprised by the question and said,"No, but why do you ask?" He said, "That sounds like what he talked about. Especially, the what is happiness question. That sounds just like him." I nodded. He asked, "Do you like Plato? Have you read him?" I said, "Yes, I enjoyed reading Plato, that is I enjoyed the dialogues with Socrates. Socrates is a lot of fun. He asks good and hard questions." He nodded but I could tell that he hadn't ever read Plato but had obviously heard about or been taught some sort of overview of Plato. So, I went on to say, "You know what interesting is that the manuscripts we have of Plato's Socratic Dialogues are miniscule compared to the New Testament." He looked interested so I went on, "Yeah, most people have no problem accepting that both Plato and Socrates both existed and what they said is contained in the writings. But, people flip out as to whether Jesus ever existed or whether He really said what the Bible says He said. There are over 5000 manuscripts which are amazingly consistent and only differing in relation to use of some words. There is not a single doctrine or truth which is called into question with any one of these differences."

Of Pagans and the Work Place

I have started a new job. Tonight I finished class room training and will begin next week with my "crew" for several weeks of probationary working. Essentially I'll make it to seniority as long as I don't run over anyone, don't run into anything, wear the right shoes, show up to work, show up on time to work and do the job.

I know several guys who work at a different location for the same company doing a different function. They and many of those they work with are fellow seminarians. I would have been heading in the same general direction had an oportunity to work on "the ramp" not happened.

As it is, I work with only one fellow brother in the Lord. The rest are quite clearly pagans. I would imagine there are other seminarians on the ramp. I hope to meet them.

I thought it would be interesting to quote some conversations and interactions I've had:

The guy who sat beside me in training:

The smell of cigarettes came wafting into the room and I said, "I'm going to shut the door. That cigarette smoke stinks." Looking over to him, "Do you smoke?"

He said, "Yeah."

I said, "That'll kill you. I'm telling you, I used to smoke and it is nasty stuff. It'll kill you."

He said, "Oh, well."

I said, "So you don't mind living your last days choking on your lungs?"

He said, "We're all going to die. Why not get there quicker."

I said, "Ok, but then what?"

He said, "Huh, you're dead."

I said, "You're just dead? That's it? What's after that?"

He said, "I don't know, I guess just nothing."

I said, "If there were judgement or something to fear afterwards would that change how you live now?"

He said, "Yeah."

Another conversation with later in the week:

I asked, "Did you get your check?"

He said, "Nope."

I joked, "It's a conspiracy. The government is doing this on purpose."

He said, "Yeah, you're probably right. I hate the government. If I had the chance I would kill George Bush.

I exclaimed, "What!? You'd do what?"

He said, very confidently, "I mean it, if I had the chance I'd put a %$#@!*^ bullet in his head. He's screwed up the country. I wish Bill Clinton was still president."

I shook my head and said, "I'll be glad when Jesus comes back. He's the real King."

He said, "I don't believe in Jesus."

I said, "He believes in you."

He said, "I mean, I'm an atheist."

I said, "Well, He isn't."

He said, "I don't know anything and I don't care about anything."

I said, "Well you better hope you're right in atheism, because He is very sure and He does care."

He got very quiet and thoughtful. If God led you here and you happen to read my post, then pray for this guy. I'll see him a lot on the job. We have a good comradery so understand that the conversation we had was in a very relaxed and friendly context. He isn't avoiding me now as a result. In fact, I think it safer to talk about most anything.

I am hopeful of the Lord's work at this job. Pray for me that I would be filled with energy to do the job and do it well (it's 3rds). Pray that I would have wise judgement in choosing my words with others. To be more afraid of God's rebuke at not taking the opportunities than of the rebuke of those I plead with.

parable of a preacher

An Edward's quote regarding true and false religion...

". . .till we have learned well to distinguish between true and false religion, between saving affections and experiences, and those manifold fair shows, and glistering appearances, by which they are counterfeited; the consequences of which, when they are not distinguished, are often inexpressibly dreadful. By this means the devil gratifies himself, by bringing to pass, that that should be offered to God, by multitudes, under a notion of a pleasing acceptable service to him, that is indeed above all things abominable to him. By this means, he deceives great multitudes about the state of their souls; making them think they are something, when they are nothing; and so eternally undoes'em: and not only so, but establishes many, in a strong confidence of their eminent holiness, who are in God's sight, some of the vilest hypocrites. By this means, he many ways, damps and wounds religion in the hearts of saints, obscures and deforms it by corrupt mixtures, causes their religious affections woefully to degenerate, and sometimes for considerable time, to be like manna, that bred worms and stank . . . And by what is seen of the terrible consequences of this counterfeit religion, when not distinguished from true religion, God's people in general have their minds unhinged and unsettled, in things of religion, and know not where to set their foot, or what to think or do; and many are brought into doubts, whether there be anything at all in religion; and heresy, and infidelity, and atheism greatly prevail." Jonathan Edwards, preface to Religious Affections, 1746

The Reality of Satan and the Fall of Man

The title is important. The reality of satan’s existence is a powerful fact in the Garden. The fact of satan’s reality in the garden seems ample enough argument for believing his lie. Think of it in terms of this, here is one who is openly defying the Lord God and yet is still alive. This is a powerful reality. And this fact brings to question the validity of God’s statement. Several things begin to be in question, “how can God allow such a being to continue in existence?" With energy, cunning and vitality he challenges the very rule and the very interpretation of that law which demands death for disobedience and yet this serpent lives. How can this be?

Perhaps if such defiance does not result in death then neither would defiance against eating of this fruit. Again, the argument is compelling and strengthening.

Only if God is not believed to be as He has so far appeared to be, i.e. the Sovereign God of all creation and from whom obedience is demanded, can this be so. Existence, which derives from God, becomes part of the argument against God. Satan is alive and well. He is real and he exists. The facts seem to mitigate against God’s sovereign rule in the universe. Things do not appear to be as obedient to Him as He claims they ought to be. The dragon asks, “Who is He to make such demands?” (which questions God’s character) He has not stopped this being from open defiance. (which questions God’s power). This being gives me choice in the matter. (which questions the sovereign rule and legitimacy of obedience to God).

That which is seen becomes more convincing than what is unseen. Where is the omni-present God? It is not merely the silence of Adam which is compelling but most certainly the silence of God. The lusts of the eyes (the fruit is appealing and the existence of very real opposition to God) the pride of life (i exist and no one stops me in my choice, I decide whether God is a liar and a lie) and the lust of the flesh (what I can see, feel, taste, touch; that which is sensate is ultimate reality and the definer of what is true).

We repeat these things daily.

He's got a gun...

I love my wife. She is wonderful. I am blessed. I read Proverbs 18:22 tonight and wow, it is so true. I have been favored of God to be blessed with her as my body and soul mate. These past two days I think I have told her at least 300 times, "I Love You!" I thank God for giving me a heart to love like this.

I love my son. He is five years old. Today we played hide and seek in the park. He covered his eyes and began counting. I ran behind a tree directly behind the bench he was leaning over to count. I waited, hoping he would not notice me and he didn't. I watched him turn in the opposite direction. He began walking with his fingers pointing like a pretend pistol. He edged close to each tree, inspecting slowly, no doubt prepared to engage in close quarter combat. I suppressed laughter as I watched him. As he continued to other trees I could see as he looked around a look of concern. He was talking to himself, pointing "with frightful seriousness his little finger". In some sense I was testing him, letting him feel alone-ness in the wood. I didn't want to scare him . Yet, I wanted to see what sort of response he would give to the situation. His confidence and seriousness were inspiring. He continued on to each tree with utter intensity, full of hope that this tree would be the tree which hid his father. I loved the fact that he wanted to find me. I watched his smile. He was thoroughly enjoying himself, but I was noticing that his frustration at not finding me. And the concern on his face was beginning to show more. So, I crept very quietly until, SNAP!, a twig broke. He wheeled around, pistol-finger pointing, squeeling with laughter and shouted, "Daddy! I got you!"

It was a wonderful time.

God is good.

A wonderful Baxter quote

This is a wonderful quote from the voluminous Puritan Richard Baxter. This is from his work Saint's Everlasting Rest.

"What weight and worth is there in every passage of the blessed Gospel! enough, one would think, to enter and pierce the dullest soul, and wholly possess its thoughts and affections; and yet how oft does it fall as water upon a stone! The things of God which we handle, are divine; but our manner of handling is human. There is little we touch, but we leave the print of our fingers behind. If God speaks the word himself, it will be a piercing, melting word indeed. The Christian now knows, by experience, that his most immediate joys are his sweetest joys; which have least of man, and are most directly from the Spirit. Christians who are much in secret prayer and contemplation, are men of greatest life and joy; because they have all more immediately from God himself. Not that we should cast off hearing, reading, and conference, or neglect any ordinance of God; but to live above them while we use them, is the way of a Christian. There is joy in these remote receivings; but the fulness of joy is in God’s immediate presence. We shall then have light without a candle, and perpetual day without the sun for “the city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God lightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof; there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; and they shall reign for ever and ever.”"

You can also read the entire book online at Christian Classics Ethereal Library:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/baxter/saints_rest.pdf

up on a roof...

(I am posting old blogs from a previous blogsite, which i no longer use, because it has adds which make a man fall....otherwise the posts here, I think, may be worth keeping and sharing.)

I was sitting on a roof recently and was watching the clouds, large and majestic moved by the wind. The sun seemed to fight for attention and place in the sky, but in its efforts only added to the colorful movements of billowing waves of air and water.
These words came quickly and nearly left and changed as the clouds I was watching:

The clouds are answering
the call of God
to take flight and move
They are gathering where He bids them be
In Him
they move
and have
their being
Before our eyes
a watching world
sees the purposes of God
blindly
And we do not interpret
rightly

On preaching sin and grace to sinners like myself...

Some of my greatest effect/affect on others regarding sin and grace is when and because of God's deepest dealings in my own soul. As the Holy Spirit opens to me the lies of my own heart, the underlying lustings of my motives and the consequences of my own words and actions and thoughts, then and most only then am I able to aim with masterful accuracy that lethal grace which intends to nullify the effects of and kill the life of sin in myself and others.
Others must feel in my speaking and preaching and living that I truly do know where sin hides and they must feel within themselves sin, itself, that evil principle, rise up with horror as God's truth comes through the windows of the eyes and the side-doors of the ears. Their souls must either anguish as they struggle to find new places within themselves to hide their sin or they must rather rejoice and triumph as their sin, which once was hiding insides themselves is found out, cast out and given a public execution.

Television

Here is a recent article I read:

Channel 23
By: Michael Pearl
A modern Psalm taken from “The New International Unchristian Perversion.”
“The TV is my shepherd, I shall not want anything else. It maketh me to lie down on the sofa. It leadeth me away from the Scripture. It destroys my soul. It leadeth me in the paths of sex and violence for the sponsors sake, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will enjoy the evil, for blood and sex they excite me. It’s cable and remote they comfort me. It prepares a commercial before me in the presence of my children. It anoints my head with humanism, My coveting runneth over. Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow my family all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.”
But don’t worry parents, as you know the TV doesn’t have any influence on the children of parents who don’t want it to influence them. That’s why the sponsors only advertise products you have already decided to buy.