Stone the Preacher

This has never happened to me. I could hardly believe it. God still works miracles…

As I sat in my van at Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Sonie the service writer asked, “How are you today?”

“I’m thankful. Are you?”

“Me?” she asked with surprise, “For what?”

“I don’t know, is there anything you are thankful for?”

“My life? My kids?”

“Who are you thankful to?”

“I don’t know…Jesus?”

“Oh. Are you a Christian?”

“I’m Catholic,” she replied.

“You know that God loves you.”

“If He loves me, how come my life is so hard? I’m having nothing but problems. When will it all end?”

“Being a Christian doesn’t stop you from having problems,” I explained, “sometimes you may even have more.”

“Why is God doing this to me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe He’s trying to get you to come to Him. Jesus died for your sins, was buried for three days and rose again. Do you believe that?

“Yes I do.”

“Would you like to become a Christian now? Life is hard; imagine dying and having these problems and more for eternity in Hell.”

Due to her Catholicism, she was unwilling to make a commitment. We spoke a little more and I promised to give her a Gospel of John. I walked over to the waiting room and sat down.

Then the unbelievable happened! Was it a dream? A hallucination? A vision? I had just pulled out my Bible when Sonie entered and asked if I would explain the way of salvation a little further.

Nobody ever asks that! Explain further? Ridiculous! Didn’t she know proper evangelism etiquette? She’s supposed to listen distractedly, nod politely and just say goodbye. I give the Gospel, then leave. Nobody gets hurt and we both go our separate ways. Simple.

Sonie confessed, “You know, two weeks ago I couldn’t take it anymore and got on my knees and asked God to forgive me of my sins and show me what to do.”

My eyes opened wide. I could barely contain myself. I may have laughed out loud. “Did you really mean that prayer?”

“Yes.” Sonie said sincerely.

“Well then, God answered it! He brought me here today to explain what happened.”

We talked about Adam and Eve’s original sin. I explained that God demanded blood to atone for the sins of His people and how the sacrifices of the Old Testament could only cover over sin, but not take it away. And that Jesus was God in human flesh who came down from Heaven and was the perfect sacrifice for our sins; now she could have a relationship with Him by repenting of her sins and turning toward Jesus.

Sonie believed and we prayed right there. I invited her to our New Believer’s class and told her to contact me if she had any questions.

Then she handed me the bill.

Just who is that “Jesus Guy” with the “Jesus Truck” festooned with old Christmas tinsel and a million Jesus signs? And why does he leave his similarly decorated “Jesus Bike” in front of a parking lot in South Redondo for all to see? At Trader Joe’s I asked the checker, Skye, about him…

“You mean Robert?” she replied.

“Yes. Does he really live out his truck?”

“Yeah.”

“How does he get by?”

“He collects bottles and cans, then recycles them. He never panhandles. People don’t like him ‘cause he preaches Christ. I say to these people, ‘Look at that panhandler! Those others just want your money, but when the cops show up they disappear, but not Robert.’ They don’t like him ‘cause he preaches.”

“Yes. When you talk about Jesus people will persecute you. Skye, do you believe?”

“Yes I do,” she said in a lower voice. “They told me I couldn’t say ‘Merry Christmas’. I said it anyway.”

“Do you go to church?”

“No. I used to go to Rolling Hills Covenant, but I work two jobs. You know, a kid was over here and got all excited ‘cause he just got saved and people didn’t like it. He was excited for what the Lord did for him.”

“Yes. It’s pretty exciting when you think of all the eternal benefits of believing in Jesus.”

After purchasing my items I walked over to the “The Jesus Guy” to bless him with some cash. I was touched that this man didn’t panhandle but apparently trusted God to provide for him.

With wild eyes he peeked out from behind a blind that partially covered the driver’s side window. Dressed in a white-collared shirt, he looked a little like Robert Duvall from the movie, “The Apostle”, and kind of sounded like him too. I tried not to look too surprised at the large Jesus Tweety Bird attached to the truck door.

“Where do you go to church?” I asked.

“I don’t believe in organized religion. They’re all demon followers.”

After he rambled on for a good ten minutes I asked if we could sit down for coffee some time.

“I don’t drink coffee.”

“We can get something to eat then,” I persisted.

“I don’t eat. Just the Word of God, brother.”

Walking away, I noticed “HE IS HOLY” painted on the front bumper.

Click here to see some photos of this dude.

He stood on the side of the road in front of his car. The hood was open and his hands were out-stretched holding jumper cables desperate for someone - anyone - to stop and help…
I’m speeding north on Normandie Ave. and late already to a CPR class after dropping my kids off at a friend’s house.

A sermon illustration came to mind from a few weeks prior: The speaker was in a hurry to pick up his children when a guy was looking for help to jumpstart his car. “It will only take a minute,” the guy said. The speaker thought about his kids…how he was running behind…yet he helped the guy anyway – and it only took a minute!

In my rearview mirror, the man with the dead battery got smaller and smaller.

Then I remembered something else: A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

I hung a U-turn. Hooked up the cables and the car started. The way of salvation was shared as the gentleman nodded in agreement. Prayer. Laughter. A sinner repenteth!

Didn’t happen.

The CPR instruction began at 8:30, it was 8:36 and I had six more miles to drive. This was very important, God would certainly understand. I kept looking in the mirror; silently hoping another person would see the waving little speck in the distance.

Skidding into the parking lot, I shut off the car and made it… fifteen minutes late! After signing in, I sat down and breathed a great sigh of relief. The instructor then said that my class didn’t start until 9:30!

A few hours later, I paid penance by helping an over-worked Starbucks barrista carry out two trash bags.

God understood all too well.

*****

Did I let God down? Have you ever missed a “Golden Opportunity” because you traded it for selfishness?

*****

A lady had just rung up over $62.00 worth of groceries in the fifteen-items-or-less line at Albertson’s. Of course, I was in a hurry…

She said, “I hope you’re not in a hurry and if you are, tough bananas!”

My mind swirled. Shock and awe gripped me. Tough bananas? The nerve. What would Jesus do? Ah, yes. Yes. He’d knock all her items off the conveyer with one swipe of his hand then pull out his whip and…and…

Nope can’t justify it.

I gathered my senses and said with a grin, “Well, I am in a bit of a hurry, but that’s okay. But ‘tough bananas?’ Just for that I have to ask you a question. If you were to die today would you go to Heaven or Hell?”

“Hell,” she answered, “Because I’ve been a bad person.”

“What if I told you that bad people don’t necessarily go to Hell? In fact, there are more good people there. Why is that?”

I had her attention now. “I don’t know.”

“You want to know why?” I baited.

“Yes.”

“It’s a matter of sin. If your sin isn’t forgiven, you go to Hell to pay for it. Do you know how to have it forgiven?”

“Ask God?”

“Yes. Through whom?”

The customer behind me blurted out, “Jesus!”

“That’s right,” I affirmed. “When you have your sin forgiven by Jesus you get to go to Heaven. What’s your name?”

“Dee.”

“Well that’s what you get for telling me ‘Tough bananas!’ I just had to give you the Gospel.”

Dee let out a large party laugh and we gave each other a hearty “High Five”. As she left, I invited her to Hope Chapel. I then asked the customer behind me if she was born-again.

“No, I’m Catholic.”

“It’s not about what church you go to, it’s about a relationship with Jesus.”

“I know,” she said, “Hope Chapel helped me out during the grocery strike.”

Now the checker piped in, “You didn’t ask me.”

“Oh are you born-again?”

“Yes.”

“Oh great,” I said enthusiastically, “Tell others then.”

“Oh I can’t here.”

“Do you know your new Supervisor? I just said hello to him as I came in. He’s born-again and goes to our church!”

I was late.

*****
Have you had any interesting conversations about your Savior lately? Tell me.

The unexpected occurred. It was awesome…

Part of my pastoral responsibilities at Hope Chapel include a weekly POD shift. As the Pastor On Duty from 1-5pm on Wednesdays, I field calls, answer Bible questions, pray with people and attend to those who come into the church with various problems.

Last week, three people came into the office needing help so I grabbed my Bible, went downstairs and invited them into our counseling room.

I shut the door.

They had fallen on hard times and needed shelter, some food - whatever we could offer. I was happy to oblige in whatever way possible but before I did anything, I asked if they knew Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I explained that the root of all their troubles began with this thing called sin and if it wasn’t dealt with there were bigger problems to face than the ones they were up against now because they were enemies of God.

They listened attentively.

I explained that belief in Jesus and repentance was necessary to have their sins forgiven otherwise they would end up paying for their sins in Hell. I invited them to repent, pray and accept Christ’s offer of forgiveness.

They did. We prayed.

I ran to Hope in Action, grabbed three bags of food and asked Roberto to put some extra meat in them. And some extra bread! And cookies! Heck, if I had a fatted calf I’m sure he would have stuffed it in too. I gave them McDonald’s coupons, Bibles (out of my personal stash), and promised some bus tokens. I gave them my card, told them to call me and invited them to church.

I had to celebrate and be glad, because these people were dead and alive again; they were lost and are found!

*****

Do you think it was fair to take advantage of the situation they were in and present the Gospel at this vulnerable time in their lives? Let me know.

*****

I steeled myself with prayer and loaded a Gospel of John into my back pocket while strapping my cellphone to the belt. As I straightened my back, I resolved to trust God or die. With the wind at my brow, I hunkered over to the Chinese fast food joint next to Hope Chapel.

It was time and I was ready to face him.

I swung the glass double doors open wide. Chong’s was completely empty. There might have been a scream but my pounding heart drowned out all noise.

And there, standing all alone behind the counter, staring me down was… Andy the manager…

Then up pops someone I’d never seen before; a new employee who was apparently tying her shoes as I walked in. And she was very deliberate and careful as she served up the smallest serving of chow mein ever!

Then something amazing happened. Andy walked around the counter and shook my hand!!! I asked him if I could give him something, a Gospel of John.

“Sure!” he replies. He takes it and puts it into his shirt pocket.

“I’d like you to read it, it’s what I’ve been talking to you about. By the way, my name is Steve and I’m a pastor at the church next door.”

“I will read it.” He walks back to the register.

“Hey, is the food free today?” I ask half-seriously.

“No. I won’t be able to pay my new employee.”

I complimented him on his Scooby-Doo tie.

“I’m a cartoon guy,” Andy says smiling.

*****************************************************

SUBWAY GETAWAY

The solemn-faced sandwich-barista ignored me as I waited with my kids, ready to place an order at Subway…I stood there with D.D. and Laurel Ann, wiggling my eyebrows, mouth agape, hoping she’d notice me with my two very active children in tow.

She didn’t. Or wouldn’t.

In fact, she popped out four trays of freshly baked bread, fiddled with something, did another thing and spoke to a co-worker while I bounced on my toes and opened my eyes real wide hoping to grab her attention. Apart from asking what type of sandwiches we wanted, she barely made eye contact.

Then a friendly girl rang up my order. She actually smiled. She was nice even.

So I asked, “Can I give you some good news today?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Great. Here’s a Gospel of John. In this little sample of the Bible, you’ll find that Jesus died for your sins…”

CRASH!!!

I knocked over a metal bowl of mints and they scattered all over the ground. A little flustered, I stooped to pick them up, and over my shoulder said, “…was buried for three days…”

As my kids crammed a cup into the drink machine, they shouted,”Daddy! It’s not working!”

I picked up the last of the mints and said, “…and He rose again! What’s your name by the way?”

“Nay-oh-my-ee,” she answers.

“Nay-my-oh-mee?” She had a thick accent so I couldn’t tell what she was saying.

“No. Nay-oh-my,” she corrects. “It’s in the Bible.”

“Oh. Naomi! Yes, it’s in the book of…uh…book…uh…ahem…it’s somewhere in the Bible. Yes. It is a Bible name.”

I glance to my left and a customer has the biggest, grouchiest frown ever. She is clearly not amused by this repartee, the spilled mints, the kids, nothin’.

And neither am I.

I pay. Leave the restaurant. Load the children. Start the car. And then remember what book “Naomi” is in.

I went back to Chong’s last week and there behind the counter is…Andy, the Manager!

Out of courtesy, I open the door for a few people coming into the restaurant. Some stood around looking at the wall menu while others poked at the safety glass that seperated noses from food. Let’s see, I’m right after the guy with the T-shirt…he’s behind the smily lady who is next to the…oh to heck with it! I’m trusting God with my “to go” box this time (see last week’s E-vangie Tale).

A guy in jeans and a casual shirt asks me what I want. Assuming he’s the owner I exclaim, “I love this place!”

Another customer says, “Best fast food around.”

I ask the server if he is indeed the owner.

“Yes,” Mark answers.

All of a sudden Andy appears and stands right next to him.

“Oh noooooo!” I think to myself, “I’ve got to say something… and fast.” So I do. “You know, Mark, Andy’s the hardest worker I’ve seen.”

“I’m too busy,” Andy says with a huge grin while slightly averting his eyes from mine.

“Give Andy a raise,” I say to Mr. Chong.

Andy begins to wait on me. “Did you have a good holiday? he asks.

“Yes.”

“I drank a little too much,” he confesses.

“Not me. Hey do you remember what we talked about last week?”

“Yes. And I’ll tell you something. You are a god!”

“Oh no,” I protest, “Not me. If I was God we’d all be in trouble.”

“Even the Bible says we are the Body of Christ,” another customer who was obviously eaves-dropping says, “So you have to tap into the Christ-conscienceness.”

“Let me tell you something,” Andy says seriously. “You can do what you want.” He points to his head and continues, “It’s all up here. If you want to be president you can do it. It’s the god in you.”

“Oh. I just want to submit to my God and try and do what He wants,” I explain.

“Not true! Not true! It’s all up here. You do what you want!” Andy says emphatically.

“I’m just trying to do what Jesus wants.”

Too many customers. Too much intensity. I gotta get out of this place.

Blind-sided again.

***** Now what would you have said in response to all this? Let me know.

***** Last week, Andy said that Christ died just so He could be famous. I didn’t know what to say, so I asked you how you would answer him. Here are some great replies:

1) “Let him know this, if he does not believe Jesus, then he will be sitting in the burning wok for the rest of his eternal life… -David in Huntington Beach.

2) “Well, this famous man also said some famous things. He said not to cast your pearls before swine, so I guess I should have known.” -Pat in Hawthorne.

3) “Why would you believe something like that?” -Jerry of Lomita.

4) “Jesus didn’t die to become famous, Jesus died so that you might have life after you die and all you have to do is believe that to receive it.” -Nadine of Torrance.

5) “Yeah, some do die to become famous but how many of those dead famous people actually ROSE AGAIN?” -Melisande. *****

When I go to Chong’s for some Chinese fast food I try to avoid one particular man as he serves up my order…
It’s not that he’s a bad guy. And it isn’t because I don’t like him. In fact it has nothing to do with his character. I have to admit though, that sometimes I’ll count the customers in line and hope he doesn’t wait on me. Sometimes I even let people cut in front. Why?

Because he’s the manager of the place and he serves up really dinky portions.

Last week I successfully avoided him and encouraged the pimple-faced kid to give me a heaping helping. Then they tricked me! The manager switched places with the kid and then…and then…only asked for my cash. He didn’t open up my “to go” box to inspect it. Whew!

As I started to pay Andy the manager, I asked him a question, “Do you know what happened 2,005 years ago?”

“I don’t care,” he replied.

“C’mon. What happened?” I continued.

Emphatically, but still smiling, Andy repeated, “I don’t care!”

“You don’t care about the most important event that’s ever happened on earth?” I persisted.

“The Red Sox won!” a customer chimed in.

“No,” I gently corrected, “That was the second most important event.”

I again turned my attention to Andy. “C’mon. Why do we celebrate 2005? I’m not going to pay you until you answer,” I said with a grin.

Andy reached for my money.

“Okay. I’m gonna tell you anyway. Jesus Christ was born 2,005 years ago to save sinners.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“You don’t believe that God loved you so much that he sent his Son to die for your sins so you would go to Heaven?”

“No!”

“No?” I asked incredulously.

“No! He died so He could become famous.”

“Huh?”

“Like a painting. It only gets more valuable after the artist dies. That’s why He did it.”

“To be famous?”

“Yes,” Andy said confidently as he prepared to wait on the next customer.

Believe it or not, I didn’t know what to say.

*****

What would you have said to Andy? Let me know.

This is a departure from my regular “evangelistic adventure” of the week, but I thought with the new year I could share what I’ve learned in 2004 since I made this commitment to evangelize (nearly) everyday. It all started with a challenge from my pastor, Zac, in a New Year’s message entitled “Spiritual Game Plan for the New Year”. There were six challenges, all of them important, but the one that convicted me the most was the challenge to openly tell others of Him. I decided to do just that. Everyday. Here’s what I learned while doing it…

1) It’s an incredible burden and privelege to share the Lord everyday.

2) People are pretty open to the Gospel. I was outright rejected less than a dozen times.

3) People are really going to Hell - and some are looking forward to it!

4) No matter what I say or how I say it, God will use every truthful word about Jesus.
(Isaiah 55:10-11)

5) As I witnessed about Christ it became easier and I was able to think of more creative ways to do it.

6) The goal of evangelizing everyday got me “used” to starting up a conversation about Jesus.

7) People actually got saved when I was bold enough to make “the close”.

It became fun to evangelize and my faith got energized as I did it.

9) Everybody can share about Jesus using their own personal style.

10) Most won’t.

I am renewing my commitment for another year and am excited to share these E-vangie Tales with you as I continue to learn.

But really, I’d love to hear of your experiences most of all. Take a step of faith and let me know about it.

***** If you’d like to make a commitment to pray for me and my family, we’d appreciate it greatly!

I had a short interview with the Daily Breeze last week and the reporter asked me what I thought of the current secular trend of combining the winter holidays and calling them Chrismakkuh or Chrismahanukkwanzakah. Here’s what was printed in the “Faith and Values” section on December 25, 2004:

“Christmawhat?” asked the Rev. Steve Sanchez of Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach.

“I’ve never heard that before. That’s hilarious and sad at the same time,” he said. “They’re taking the Christ out of Christmas. Christmas is Christ-mass. It’s about the birth of Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners.”

After the interview I asked the reporter, Cerise Valenzuela, if she was a Christian. She said she was.

I invited her to Hope Chapel.

*
At Big Lots!, in the days leading up to Christmas I wished the cashier a “Merry Christmas!”

She responded with, “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!”

“Remember, it’s about Christmas…,” I answered.

“I know,” she replied, “But we have all types of different people.”

As I finished my purchase I said, “Remember, Mr. Happy didn’t die for your sins.”

She gave me a bemused smile.

Children laugh with anticipation. Stockings are hung with joy. Chestnuts roast on an open fire.

Sleigh bells jingle. A list is checked twice. “Ho, ho, ho!”

Happy Hanukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Holidays!

BAH, HUMBUG!!!

It’s Christmas time and I’m going to do something about it. I’ve got a radical idea. Subversive even. Everywhere I go I will wish people a…a…Merry Christmas!

Unashamed and unabashedly. Politely and graciously. Firm and gentle.

What child is this?

*

At Starbucks I asked the Barista why she didn’t wish people a “Merry Christmas”. “Is there a policy against it?”

“No,” she answered. “I just don’t want to offend people.”

“Well,” I said with a grin, “I’m offended that you don’t say ‘Merry Christmas’. This season is about the birth of Jesus Christ who came into this world to save sinners.”

A second Barista piped in that she believed in Christmas and God.

Across the room, a mother and daughter were waiting for their double-expresso-soymilk-half-caf, free-range latte with extra whip. Mom said to me, “I’m offended.”

“Why?” I asked.

She didn’t answer because I think she was joking. So I took the opportunity to share my sixty second testimony with her, her daughter and the second Barista. I gave each of them a Gospel of John and invited them to my church.

The first Barista refused her Gospel of John.

Joy to the world!

*
At Rite-Aid, I asked Helen the cashier if they were allowed to say “Merry Christmas” here.

She answered, “Yes.”

“You mean you don’t have to say the generic, politically correct ‘Happy Holidays’?”

Paul the store manager overheard our conversation and interrupted. “We can say whatever we want!”

“That’s great!” I exclaimed. “You mean you can even say that Jesus died for your sins, was buried for three days and rose again?”

Paul nodded. Helen was quiet.

“That’s awesome,” I declared. “I’m coming back here. Merry CHRIST-MASS!”

Go tell it on the mountain.

*****At another Rite Aide, the cashier’s name was Manuel. What do you think I said? What would you have said? Let me know.

-At “Why-Not Burger”, the counter girl wore a button that read, “Naughty or Nice?” What would you have said to her? What do you think I said? Let me know.

***** Will you please pray for me and my family? Since I’ve made this commitment to evangelize daily the spiritual battle has really been brutal. I need your support! Thank-you, Steve

“So what do you think?” I asked the the cashier at Petsmart as I purchased a bottle of dog ear cleaner.

“Huh?” Rachel answered.

“Do you think dogs go to Heaven?”

“Oh Heaven. Definitely!”

“Then what about people?” I continued.

“Oh I don’t know. That’s up to them.”

“What about you?”

“I don’t know, really…”

“You know, with that answer, according to the Bible, you wouldn’t be going to Heaven. You know where you would go? Hell.”

“Oh, really.”

“Yes. If you have sinned just one time then you will have to pay for your sin in Hell. But if you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried for three days and rose again -and turn from your sins- you will be forgiven. And then you will have a guaranteed future with God in Heaven and a relationship with Him now, right here! Think about it.”

“I will.”

“We have a great church called Hope Chapel if you’d like to come.”

Somewhere, a dog barked off in the distance.

***** Have you told anyone about Jesus this week? Tell me about it.

As I entered the doors of Target I asked two very serious security guards where I might find an item. Of course, I also had to ask my favorite question, “If you were to die today, would you go to Heaven or Hell?”

“Hell,” said Sid.

“Heaven,” said Daniel.

“Why are you going to Hell, Sid?”

“‘Cause I’ve done a lot of bad things that I can’t atone for. Besides, all my friends will be there.”

I asked Daniel, “How about you? Why are you going to Heaven?”

“I go to church and I believe in Jesus.”

“Good,” I replied excitedly. “Daniel, you are going to Heaven. Sid, you’re right too! But you don’t have to go to Hell.”

As he listened, I gave him the Good News that Jesus died on a cross for him and that he didn’t have to atone for his own sins. Meanwhile, another security guard named Hector approached exclaiming, “I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear it!”

“Do you know what I’m talking about?”

“No.”

“I was asking Sid and Daniel if they were going to Heaven or Hell when they died. Where are you going?”

“Nowhere. In a coffin.”

“According to the Bible, you’re either going to Heaven or Hell.”

“Oh yeah? Has someone told you this? Have you met this person?

“Yes.”

As Hector walked away I said to Daniel, “You need to tell these guys about Jesus. Okay?”

He nodded his head.

*****

- Does someone have an E-vangie Tale of their own? I haven’t heard any of your stories in a while. Please let me know who you have shared the Gospel with lately. I’m thinking of having a guest spot on the website. steves@hopechapel.org

I wanted to see who was truly thankful last week, why, and to whom. So I asked a few people and got a variety of answers…

At Joe’s I asked the waitress, “What are you thankful for?” She looked surprised and didn’t answer.

When she came back I asked her the same question. She replied, “That I’m alive!”

I said, “I’m thankful that I’m alive too, and that I’ll be alive after I die because of Jesus.”

***

At Blockbuster video the counter guy got the same question. He said he was thankful for his job, life, and other things. So I then asked, “Who’s your god?”

“The Lord,” he answered.

“Jesus?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Oh are you born-again?”

“No.”

I gave him the Gospel and recommended our church.

*** As I took a walk around the block with my girls we encountered a neighbor we hadn’t met before who was thankful for a variety of things. When I asked her who her god was, she said He was Jesus. Just then her live-in boyfriend drove up and she introduced him to me. After some pleasantries were exchanged I asked Elizabeth what church she attended. “Oh I do my own thing, I don’t go to church.” I explained that I was a Pastor at Hope Chapel and invited her to come visit. She politely declined and beat a hasty retreat into her home.

*** I asked Dean on Thanksgiving day what he was thankful for as I picked up some videos for my wife.

“Nothing,” he said.

“There is nothing you can thank God for?”

“I don’t believe in that (expletive).”

G.K. Chesterton observed, “One of the sad things about being an atheist, is feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude without having anyone to thank.”

I don’t know what he would have said about Dean.

***** ???What are you thankful for? Tell me at steves@hopechapel.org

Sometimes a whole day can pass by without any opportunities to give the Gospel to an unbeliever because I’m holed up in the office or inside my home. What should I do then?

I could shout on a street corner, “REPENT!” Then duck for cover…

I could force a conversation with my neighbor: “Hi Bill. I’m Steve, your neighbor down the block. Sorry to interrupt your dinner but can I ask you a question? IF YOU WERE TO DIE TODAY WOULD YOU GO TO HEAVEN OR HELL?”

Or, I could pray for telemarketers to call, but that would be putting God to the test…

What I did last week was take advantage of a natural opportunity at our “For Men Only” event. I saw my friend and co-worker, Pastor Jeff Lewis, staring off into space so I interrupted him, “Hey Jeff. Jesus died for your sins, was buried for three days and rose again.”

He replied, “That doesn’t count!”

Now Jeff is indeed “born-again” and evidences much fruit in his ministry, so I didn’t say this because I wasn’t sure. Nor did I say this to bug him and make him think that I thought he wasn’t saved. Nor did I do it as a joke. I said this because I wanted to keep getting the word out there even if I have no opportunity to tell an unbeliever.

We as Christians have a ministry of reminding.
“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body…” (2 Peter 1:12-13)

And it’s always good to be reminded of the wonderful things God has done on our behalf through His Son JesusChrist. It reminds us to be thankful.

What do you think? Does it count to give the Gospel to a believer? steves@hopechapel.org

So there I was, sitting with the Scientologist “volunteer minister” hoping that the Daily Breeze or Easy Reader wouldn’t take a picture of us on stage together…
The Reverend Friend had asked me to give the invocation for the Redondo Beach Veteran’s Day memorial at Veteran’s Park last week and told me that I could pray anything without limitations. That came as a bit of a shock because in general, city events are fairly ecumenical and “safe” (gotta watch out for those lawsuits). I was honored and said I’d be subtle.

“No,” Reverend Friend replied with great consternation, “Give it to ‘em!”

I was excited to do this and thought and prayed about what I would say exactly. Maybe something like, “OOOO Holy and Awesome Father in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thank-you that the sinners of Redondo Beach have gathered to hear Thy humble servant’s prayer pleading for You not to smite this great city.”

Uhh, maybe a little too strong. I had a few weeks to meditate on it.

I received a proof of the event’s program, and made sure that my name was spelled correctly. It was. Oh look, Assemblyman George Nakano will be there! The Redondo High School Band and Choir will be there too! World War II vets! Soldiers from Fallujah!

And..and.. and…a… Scientologist would be giving the benediction! Oh nooooooooooooo!

Oh yes.

It was now the day of the big event. Everyone was asking where they should sit on the stage. No one knew. I walked up and took the last open seat. Walking down the aisle was the Scientologist. Pat was her name. There were no more seats. Where would she sit? Ha ha ha! God has a great sense of humor. I gave her mine. I grabbed an old seat from the side of the stage and sat next to Pat in her big ole yellow jacket emblazened with the words, “SCIENTOLOGY VOLUNTEER MINISTER!” We both sat on the very front of the platform. Maybe no one would recognize me.

The band played. The choir sang. Pledge of Allegiance. Right hand over the heart. Check out the audience to make sure. Yep, the right hand. National Anthem. Color Guard. Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Cagle announces, “Now Pastor Steve Sanchez from Hope Chapel will give the invocation…”

I had prayed about what I would say. I was gonna write it out but remembered that Pastor Zac wouldn’t do it that way. Besides, I wanted to demonstrate that I can talk to God one-on-One.

“Thank-you Lord for this day. This is indeed a day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I thank-you for the sacrifice that the men and women of this country have made on our behalf to make us free, a sacrifice that reminds us of the sacrifice that Your Son, Jesus, made on a cross 2000 years ago to set us free. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

No boos. No shouts of protest from a disappointed electorate. No loud “Amens” either. The program continued. The wonderful veterans were honored. Then the benediction…

Pat came up to the podium, unfolded a piece of paper and said, “I would like to read a prayer written by L. Ron Hubbard.” As she read something about a mystical, grand, omniflourescent, beneficent light bringing true freedom, I half-bowed my head and didn’t really close my eyes but looked at the top of the trees through my eyelashes. I didn’t want to be seen praying this nonsensical mumbo jumbo, yet I didn’t want to be a bad sport either.

The Scientologist said “Amen.”

The people applauded.

- Steve Sanchez

???Should I have been more bold in my prayer? Would you share the platform with someone who prayed to a different god than you? E-mail me. ssanchez@hopechapel.org

Sometimes a simple prayer may be the best witness…

Nettie had a sad, somewhat grumpy face as I picked up the egg, bacon and cheese biscuit from the drive-thru window at McDonald’s. I wanted to encourage her a little and find out if there was a way I could lift her spirits. “How are you today?” I asked.

She said nothing and gave me a frown.

Not knowing exactly what to say, I said something like, “Are you happy to be at work today?” (Of course she wasn’t happy to be at work! Remember, I didn’t know exactly what to say…so please, just keep on reading.)

She replied, “I had to be here at six this morning.”

“Oh. That’s pretty early,” I said with genuine concern. Still wondering what I could use as a hook to transition into a short spiritual antidote for her depressed condition, I received a bit of inspiration and asked, “Do you have anything to hope in today? Something to give you hope?”

Nettie thought about it a little then declared, “I have my driver’s test today!”

“How old are you?”

“Nineteen,” she said, handing me the bag with the biscuit.

“Can I pray for your driver’s test?”

Nettie turned her back to get another order and didn’t answer my question.

“If you want me to pray, you have to stay right here,” I said gently. She stayed.

I began praying, “Lord, I ask that you would bless Nettie today on her driver’s test and allow her to pass it. In Jesus’ name, Amen. I hope you do well. I want to find out how you did, okay?”

“Okay.”

I checked back a few days later to find out how it went and found that the Lord did indeed answer my prayer. He said no.

Nettie didn’t pass.

*****

Comments? Questions? Let me know at ssanchez@hopechapel.org

Kylee waited on me as I returned two heaters and a pair of jeans to Costco last week.

“Why the returns?” she asked.

I answered, “The heaters are a fire hazard, can you believe it? You can’t leave them in the kid’s room unattended and they can’t be around anything closer than three feet.”

She processed paperwork without comment. “Costco card?”

I continue trying to break the ice. “And I’m returning the jeans because they are a fire hazard too. If I walk through a fire, they flare up!” (Like those reading this, she didn’t even crack a smile. Can you guess my transition line? That’s right…) “So Kylee, if you were to die today, would you go to Heaven or the place of fire?”

“I don’t know.”

“Here’s a Gospel of John. You’ll read that Jesus died for your sins. Do you believe that?”

“Ummmm, hmmmmmm,” she says with great disinterest, as she stamps something, signs something else, then files away the something she stamped and signed.

Still attempting to get some type of response, I clear my throat and go for it again, “The Bible says you must be “born-again”. (Pause) “Uh, that if you…ahem…repent from your sins… you will…” I interrupt myself. “Do you believe this?”

“Yes. I went to private school for ten years.”

Encouraged and with renewed vigor I say, “Oh! Well, you’ll really like this new translation. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you read it.”

With a no-nonsense finality Kylee says, “Your credit is $100.64.”

End of conversation.

*****

Renee

It was Halloween week-end and I was back at Cosco, when my two girls spotted Renee, the grandmotherly sample lady who has no grandchildren of her own.

They shouted, “Renee!”

She asked them, “How come you’re not dressed up for Halloween?”

“We don’t celebrate Halloween, we celebrate the harvest!” D.D. answered.

“Also,” I said, “That is Reformation Day, the day when Martin Luther protested the Catholic Church by posting his 95 theses on the Wittenburg door.”

“Ohhhhhhhhh,” Renee replied politely.

“Can I give you a Gospel of John, Renee?”

“Oh noooo,” she protested. “I don’t put anything like that in my house. I’m Jewish.”

“You know that Jesus is your Messiah?”

“He’s not my Messiah!”

“And he died for your sins…”

“He didn’t die for my sins, I don’t sin. I’m one of the Chosen people.”

“Yes, if you believe in Him. God bless you.”

“God bless you,” Renee replied.

End of conversation.

*****
Q: What would you have said to Renee? Let me know at stevepsanchez@yahoo.com

I went to See’s Candy in the mall last week and knew that I would give the Gospel to one of the two girls serving behind the counter. Standing in line, I reflected on why I waited until now to share. Why hadn’t I spoken of Christ earlier in the day when the opportunities arose?

Well, at Randy’s Produce the guy looked too disinterested - and kinda suspicious.

And I just didn’t feel like sharing the Gospel at the Ramada when I stopped in asking for directions to “See’s”.

At Sushi Boy, I was a little frustrated that “See’s” was replaced by this fast food joint, so I didn’t share there either.

No, it had to be at See’s Candy in the mall. I would share the Gospel with a spiritually starved waif desperate to hear the good news of Jesus. That was my assignment. I had the words of eternity in my mouth and God had determined that I, Steve P. Sanchez, would speak and the captives would be set free. Hallelujah! Many are called but few are chosen.

“Next!” said one of the counter girls. She handed me a sample of chocolate.

I noticed the motto: “Smiles, Samples and Service”. Smiling, I asked, “May I give you a sample of the Bible called the Gospel of John?”

“Yes,” she replied.

I handed her the little book. “Do you know that Jesus died for your sins?”

“Oh yes!”

Darn! I wasted the Gospel on a Christian.

Then the customer behind me pipes up and asks the sample girl, “Are you going to read that?”

“Yes I am,” she says almost defiantly.

I ask the customer behind me, “Would you like a Gospel of John as well?” She says that she would. “Okay then, wait right here and I’ll run back to my car and I’ll get you one.” I’m thinking to myself, “I just wish the sample girl would give up hers and save me all this trouble…”

Huffing and puffing I come running back and give Stephanie four copies. Praise the Lord! I was obedient to what God called me to do today. I was faithful and God is rewarding me according to my faithfulness. Here is the spiritually starved waif! Thank-you God!

“Excuse me, Stephanie. Are you going to Heaven or Hell when you die?”

“Heaven,” she says.

“Why?” I ask.

“Cause I’m saved!”

*****

Q: Was it a waste of time witnessing to these Christians? I want to know what you think at stevepsanchez@yahoo.com

It’s been six months since I started writing these E-vangie Tales and it’s been a challenge to witness nearly everyday. To keep it fun and interesting, I like to experiment with various opening lines when starting a conversation about the Gospel. When I go to a place, I try to think of a “hook” in which I can capture the attention of the person. These are some of the “hooks” I tried last week…

I saw a guy at the water store wearing a provocative T-shirt that read: “Admit nothing. Deny everything. Counter-attack!”

Me: “My motto is: ‘Consider others better than yourself, speak the truth in love and love your enemies.’ ” (I know this is a bit prideful, but it’s just a hook.)

He: “That’s the Christian motto.” (He was a Christian who didn’t go to church, so I invited him to Hope Chapel.)

At McDonald’s I struck up a conversation with a kid who had three pieces of metal hanging from his lips:

Me: “Hey, those are some pretty cool piercings. You know who else had some gnarly piercings?” As I pointed to my wrists and ankles I said, “He was pierced here, here, and here.” I gave him a “Pocket Testament”.

To Alby, the waitress at Carrow’s as I paid for my meal:

Me: “May I ask you a personal question?” Realizing the question sounded a little weird I said, “I’m married so you don’t have to worry about that.” We had already established a relationship because she waited on a table of pastors and myself. As I gave her the Gospel, she said that a friend had been talking to her about Jesus and she was thinking of going to a church. I gave her a “Pocket Testament”.

To Julius at “Instant Oil Change”:

As I looked around the garage I pointed to one of the undergound work areas and asked, “Has anyone ever fallen down one of those bays?”

Julius: “Yes. A guy in San Diego.”

Me: “What would happen if you fell down one of those and died, would you go to Heaven or Hell?” I gave him a “Pocket Testament” after I witnessed to him.

To a homeless lady:

Me: “Do you know Jesus loves you?” When I said this I thought I noticed a tear form in her eyes, softening her weather-hardened face. Then I told her that since she was a sinner, she needed Jesus’ forgiveness.

She: “I’ve never sinned! Don’t preach to me!

She accepted a Gospel of John.

To Jonathan at Coldstone Creamery:

Me: “Where do you think you will go when they lay you out on a cold stone?”

*****

Q: What creative hook have you used when giving the Gospel? Tell me about it at stevepsanchez@yahoo.com

As I was shopping at Albertson’s in Lomita, I noticed a little kid with a patch of flames sewn to the back of his pants. I caught a glimpse of the T-shirt he was wearing and was curious as to what it said.

“Excuse me. What does your shirt say?” As he turns around I see that it says: “Why would I lie? If I were to lie, my pants would be on fire.” So I ask him, “Do you know what commandment you would be breaking?”

His Mom answers nicely, “We don’t know them in order…”

I continue, “Do you know what happens if you break just one?”

Silence.

“Do you know how to be forgiven when you break a commandment?”

“Uh, uh,” stammers the kid. “Pray?”

Mom coaches him. “Repent,” she whispers.

The kid replies, “Repent? Pray?”

“What else?” I ask.

“C’mon,” says Mom with a bit of frustration. “Now’s the time to show off your Christian education.”

No answer.

I prod a little further, “You need to believe in Jesus, right?”

There’s an uncomfortable silence as mother and son start to ignore me as if I’m some sort of Christian fool, of which of course, I am. To relieve them of their misery I start to walk away. But before I do, I leave them with some food for thought. “Remember, it’s more than having a Christian education. It’s about Jesus.”

Mom brushes me off with an unconcerned, “Mmm, hmm.”

*****

Question: Have you ever felt like an idiot for Jesus when witnessing about him? Tell me at stevepsanchez@yahoo.com

While my daughters were waiting to get some teriyaki chicken at the Farmer’s Market, I happened to strike up a conversation with a wild-haired homeless man wearing cool sunglasses…

“Hey man, you know Jesus loves you?” I asked as he approached.

“Yeah”, he replied, “you told me before.”

“I did?”

“You know, I hear voices,” he explained. “At the courtroom I heard them… I was abused at the McMartin Preschool and the Manhattan Beach cops didn’t listen and…”

“You know that Jesus died on a cross for your sins…”

As he rambled on I looked over my shoulder to make sure that my girls were okay standing in line.

“Yeah, no one listened and they were all against me and-”

“He was buried for three days and rose again,” I continued.

“So, the voices I heard were all saying the same thing, and I’m not sure that..”

I interrupted, “Hey sorry. I have to get my girls.”

“YOU DON”T CARE!!!”

“Huh?”

“YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT WHAT I’M SAYING!!! He stormed away.

He was right. I didn’t care. I wanted to get my daily “Evangelistic Adventure” out of the way. What’s the point of doing this if I don’t care?

***

Q: What would you have done in the same circumstance with the responsibility of looking after two little kids in a busy market place? I want to know. E-mail me. ssanchez@hopechapel.org

***

Look up, Steve

It was a Monday night and my friend Tom came over with two teens to help me with some “Honey-Do” projects around the house. After the work was done we all sat down to chat because Ashley and Cameron (their real names, used with permission), had some questions that they wanted to ask a pastor. I had chicken wings on the barby and the timer was set so I wouldn’t burn them while we conversed.

Ashley asked if she needed to be baptized in order to go to Heaven. I explained that she did not need to be baptized to go to Heaven, but that she should be baptized in obedience to Christ’s command after she was “born-again”. Then I asked, “By the way Ashley, are you born-again? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”

She replied, “I believe I did when I was little…”

“If you were to die today, would you go to Heaven or Hell?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Would you like to be sure?”

“Yes, I would.”

The timer went off, and I excused myself to check on the chicken. When I returned I continued, “Let me explain about what happened in the Garden of Eden a long time ago. Adam disobeyed God and sin entered into the world. Because of his sin we are all sinners condemned to Hell. The only way to have our sins forgiven is to believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried for three days and rose again. When we believe this, God cancels out our sin and then we have a guaranteed future in Heaven when we die and a relationship with God now while we live. Do you believe this Ashley?”

“Yes I do.”

Cameron and Tom had been listening quietly so I asked Cameron, “Do you believe this Cameron?” (Tom was already saved.)

He replied, “Yes I do.”

Then I cautioned him, “Now you don’t want to do this because Ashley is doing it, you have to really believe. It’s hard to be a Christian. People will make fun of you, avoid you… in fact, everything they did to Jesus they will probably do to you.”

Cameron said, “I understand.”

“Then let’s bow our heads and pray, you guys.”

The dang timer went off again. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.”

Heaven hung in the balance. The eternal destiny of two young souls sat in limbo while I fulfilled my family commitment to have tasty meat cooked just right. I wondered if Billy Graham started out like this?

When I returned to pray, Cameron confessed that he wasn’t really sure about all of this and decided to wait.

I warned him though, “If you were to die on the way home tonight, you realize that you would go to Hell?” He said he understood.

So I prayed with Ashley and she left a Christian.

The timer went off again.

I burned the chicken.

Look out and speak up,

By: Pastor Steve Sanchez

It was getting late and I still needed to find someone to tell about Jesus. At the week-end service we were reminded to ask God to bring someone into our paths each day and watch what He will do. I prayed, yet no-one had crossed my path so I was forced to take matters into my own hands…

I went to the “7-11″ with the express purpose of giving the Gospel to whoever was behind the counter. This time though, I would buy a pack of gum because I had learned my lesson from Anton (see E-vangie Tales #6 at www.thirst4God.com ).

I held the door open for an elderly lady named Dorothy as I made my way to the check-out line with my pack of Carefree Wintergreen. She stood behind me with a half gallon of milk and a banana. “I need something to eat for breakfast.”

I asked her,, “Would you like to read something in the morning? I have a Bible for you.”

“I’m blind,” said Dorothy.

“How are you able to get around here?”

“Someone drives me.”

“Well, it’s pretty important to know that Jesus died for your sins, and was buried for three days, you know.”

“I know. I go to church -a pack of Marlboros please- I’m a Catholic.”

“It’s more than going to church. It’s about having a relationship with Jesus.”

“I know. Bye bye.”

Innam the counter guy said to me, “$1.09 please.”

“Hey Innam, I want to give you something. Is that your full name?”

“No. It’s Innam-Ul-Hague Lone.”

“Whew! I’ll call you Innam. Here’s a part of the Bible called the Gospel of John.”

“Thanks.”

I walked outside and saw Dorothy standing against a wall taking great drags from a cigarette. I asked if I could pray for her to receive her sight back.

“That would be wonderful,” she replied.

As I laid my hand on her shoulder and prayed earnestly to my Father in Heaven for this poor little lady to see again, a cloud appeared and enveloped me.

It was a great plume of smoke as Dorothy exhaled directly into my face.

Look up and speak out,

By: Pastor Steve Sanchez

“The Passion of the Christ” was scheduled to be shown at our Sunday evening service and I was excited to host this evening since I had seen the film four times before. The “Thirst Band” had prepared some great Christ-honoring songs to prepare the hearts of those who would come and I had prayed about the short Gospel message I would deliver afterward. Tissue boxes lined the aisles. We had three screens set-up so everyone had a clear view of the movie. There would be no announcements between the end of worship and the start of the film. The tone of the evening had to be just right. Solemn. Reflective.

About 150 people showed up. Mostly on time.

The worship was truly awesome. Holy. Jesus Christ was exalted. Praise Adonai!

During the film there was reverent silence, occasional sobbing. The woman next to me munched on popcorn… until that awful scourging. Then she fell to her knees and started genuflecting, crying. She’d leave then would come back. Leave. Come back. She witnessed the murder of God on our behalf. Also, The Resurrection. The End.

I stood up, walked to the front and explained that Jesus Christ had to die for our sins according to the Scriptures. That He was buried for three days and rose again to give us all the hope of eternal life. This was a slam-dunk! All those unforgiven sinners in the audience would leap to their feet faster than that crippled guy by the temple gate called Beautiful!

NOT!

No one answered the call of salvation that day. No one winked, raised a hand, lifted a head, cocked their neck, or gave a little whistle. No one stood, shimmied, danced a dance, or ran forward with a shout! Man, I felt stupid.

Of course, it was all my fault. I didn’t pray enough, or prepare enough, or fast enough, or read the Bible enough. I must have hidden sin in my heart! Maybe I didn’t use the right words or formula or something!

DOUBLE NOT!!!

I do have to admit that all those things passed through my mind after the evening ended and I had to remember once again what Jesus said: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me drags him…” (John 6:44)

In other words, it ain’t about me!

By: Pastor Steve Sanchez

Sometimes the unremarkable can be incredibly significant and wonderful…

My family and I had just enjoyed a great dinner at “The Spot” in Hermosa and then walked down to the beach under a brilliant moonlit evening. There had been no natural opportunity that day to share the Gospel and I wondered how I was going to present the Good News to someone now that it was getting late and the people were few.

We took off our shoes and walked on the soft warm sand towards the water while a refreshing breeze caressed our faces. As we strolled together, I was reminded once again how blessed I am to have such a gorgeous wife and two cute and lively little girls. God gave this to me! He entrusted me with a family! What was He thinking? What a great and awesome God I serve!

D.D. and Laurel Ann climbed excitedly into the swings on Second Street and I began to push them slowly. Karen sat down to gaze at the still dark ocean while a hint of sunlight protested as it melted into the Pacific.

I spoke softly to my girls, “Jesus Christ died for our sins…”

They repeated, “Jesus Christ died for our sins…”

“…He was buried for three days…”

They said, “…He was buried for three days…”

“…and rose again!”

“…and rose again!”

The waves lapped gently against the shoreline. Stars peeked out one by one through heaven’s black canvas. Silhouetted against the horizon was my beautiful family.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

By: Pastor Steve Sanchez

There we were, the two kids and I, ready to get some pizza in the little outdoor place at Costco, when a big burly bearded dude wearing a long black robe approached the order window…around his neck was a huge wooden crucifix, the vampire-repellant kind. Obviously this guy was a faker or a too-hip-post-modern-hippie making a statement.

Just who is this guy anyway? Halloween is over two months away! Hmmmmm. What should I do?

I know. I’ll ask him if he’s going to Heaven or Hell.

“Excuse me sir, may I ask you a question?” I didn’t wait for him to respond. “If you were to die right now, would you go to Heaven or Hell?”

“Heaven,” he said in thickly accented English.

“Why is that?”

“Because I love Him.”

“Who?”

“Jesus,” he replied confidently.

“All right. Good answer. Bye.”

Who was this guy? What’s up with the robe thing? At Costco, even. I had to find out. There he was again, standing in line waiting to order.

“Excuse me? What’s your name?”

“Padre something or other.” (I couldn’t understand him for the accent).

“Huh?”

“Father blah blah blah.” (I still could not understand him.)

“Oh! God Bless you.”

I gave up. We sat down to eat.

By: Pastor Steve Sanchez

I couldn’t believe it…I must have been daydreaming…somebody pinch me…

I have added a new weapon in my evangelistic arsenal that people actually appreciate and an opening line that causes everyone to respond with slight embarrassment. The weapon? A pocket-sized Gospel of John.

The line? “I’ll bet it’s been awhile since you’ve read the Bible…”

I signed up with “The Pocket Testament League” a few weeks ago (www.pocketpower.org), and made a commitment to read a portion of God’s Word each day, carry it with me and share it with others. As I share the Gospel, it’s great to put it in someone’s hands afterward.

I’ll also say this to a person, “Here, let me give you a little something, it’s a Gospel of John and you can read about how Jesus died for your sins, was buried for three days and rose again.”

On Sunday in Murrieta, the effeminate Starbucks Barista said, “Thank-you.”

So did the McDonald’s counter guy in South Redondo, on $1.00 Chicken McNugget’s Tuesday.

As did the homeless guy on a bike at Veteran’s Park on Wednesday.

And Thursday, at the Redondo Beach Farmer’s Market, Raphael the olive oil guy was genuinely enthusiastic when getting his Good News!

Go figure.

By: Pastor Steve Sanchez

Hi Justin,

What a great meditation you just wrote, it was very interesting and I can see you are a very bright guy. I want you to look up a verse and write back and tell me what you think it means, it’s very important in terms of understanding who God is and what He requires.

Last night you crossed over (according to the Bible) from darkness into light, your eternity changed from Hell (eternal punishment from God for sin), to Heaven (where there is no more pain, fear, crying or death). It was awesome to pray with you.

Contact me with any questions you may have and send me an address where I can send you a Bible and info about being a new believer. You can call me at 310 374-4673 x.121 anytime, I’ll give you my cell phone number as well if you need it.

May I have your permission to post your E-mail on a web-site that covers my evangelistic endeavors? It will be posted next week probably by Aug.21. You will also read about my encounter with you! Awesome! Check out the site anyway it’s: www.thirst4God.com and click on E-vangie Tales. By the way, the church where I’m an associate Pastor is Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach.

Oh yeah… the verse I want you to look up is found in the book of John, Chapter 14, verse 6. Write me back with your thoughts and questions.

God bless you, Pastor Steve

********(Then he wrote back to me again…)************************

Well I’m glad you responded Steve. I must admit, I wasn’t sure of how you’d respond. You may most definitely post my meditation, and I thank you for doing so! I liked John 14:6, Jesus is a Way to God, no doubt. I don’t know, I might be wrong, but I believe God has a path for us all, and I’m just trying to follow mine. One of my favorite verses that I’ve read so far (I’m kind of jumping between the Old and New Testaments) is Genesis 11:6, because I think it’s true even today. If you want to mail me anything, I’m at: (his address) I thank you for your thoughts and your prayer, these are things I will not forget. I wish you Peace on your path, my brother of God.

Much Love,

JG

********(Steves E-mail back )**********************************

Hey Justin,

Sorry for the late response but I was prepping a sermon for last week-end and went down to Murrieta on Sun./Mon. Anyway, I will be sending you a “New Believer’s Bible” that answers a lot of questions you
might have and a Bible study that I want to encourage you to work through.

In response to your answer about Jesus being “a way” to God, remember he said that he was “The Way” to God and there is no other way to have a relationship with the one true God. I know this is really narrow minded but check out what Jesus said about following Him in Mathew Chap. 7, verses 13-14. Pretty gnarly, huh?

Also check out this narrow-minded statement found in the book of Acts Ch. 4, verse 12. I know you said you were raised to be open-minded, and I can appreciate that, so was I. But there can only be one way to God according to Jesus (unless of course he’s lying). So as you check into this yourself, please feel free to contact me with your concerns because it’s awesome to live for the Living God!

I was a major drug addict before I became a Christian, if you’d like to hear my story go to www.hopechapel.org and click on “media site” then click on “here” under the “MyHopeChapel.net and scroll down to June 22, 2003 and you can hear my story called “The Worst of Sinners”. If you’ like to hear the reason why Jesus had to die and why he is the only way, listen to my talk called “The Greatest Verse in the Bible” on March 28, 2004. I hope all this helps!!!

God bless you,

Pastor Steve

Justin’s Version:

Whoa. I’ve come a long way on this one. In fifteen years, I’ve gone from the absent-spirited acceptance of my birth-given Christian faith, appropriately titled “God-fearing”, to a journey through Buddhism that I am still traveling today, to a kind of lazy, rebellious attempt at breaking away from any religion to form “independent” party.

Recently, God has been unmasked before me, of course having been always there in a formless omnipresence. So having found him, or as I like, It through a reintroduction into Christianity, I have begun reading the Bible so that I may understand this Faith. It is the Way of things that, through doing this, I have stumbled upon my personal bond with faith, and with spirituality.

It goes like this: I’m out walking my grandma’s dog today, and I roll over to Jamba Juice for a soothing Mango Mantra smoothie (oh I love this story) and a Minister from the Calvary Church, which I hadn’t heard of, comes out of Trader Joe’s a few doors down with his two daughters. So I’m sitting here listening to Coldplay-right on- and one of his daughters starts pettin’ the dog.

The minister’s dressed in plain clothes, and he asks, “What are you reading?”

Well Breeze had shown me this book written by her college professor, Edgar J. Goodspeed (not as pompous as he sounds), which was this modern translation of The New Testament written in good old 1923.

So I says to the good minister Steve, I says,” The New Testament.”

“Well la-dee-dah! I’m a minister.” He does this program where he hands out pocketbooks of the Gospel according to John, which is very cool I must say. Here’s the good part. Steve introduces himself (wasn’t that good?) and asks me exactly the kind of question I love to hear,

“Reading the New Testament, do you think you’re going to Heaven or Hell?”

Nice. I was floored.

“Well…Uh yeah I’d say for the most part I agree with what the Bible says is good and I am compassionate and loving and I have sinned but nothing too serious (there’s no such thing buddy).”

So he has me look at a few verses, basically explaining that you can’t earn the love of God, but through redeeming or repenting from your sins you can go to Heaven, basically by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

And then, in so many words he says, “Have been born-again?”

“No.”

“Well, would you like to?”

“Sure.”

“Well then let’s pray.”

I gotta love the guy for this. I say anyone that is willing to pray with someone, to teach them the way of God, to give that gift of absolution, is very brave, and very great. He asked me to repeat this statement with him about the fact that because I have sinned, I need the life of Jesus for my sins. Basically I was born again in about a minute.

“So can I tell you right now that you’re getting into Heaven? If that prayer was sincere, of course.”

And it was. I took this very seriously. I joke about it now but that was one of the most important experiences of my Christian journey, one I am still traveling right now. We exchange e-mail addresses and we move on.

So I turn to Cleo and say, “well that was interesting.”