What does it take to be an effective evangelist? I don’t mean that in the “big hair, traveling sideshow” sense but in the living my faith day by day sense. How do I become effective in sharing Christ with a lost world? It is not nearly as complicated as we want to make it. You don’t have to be a “high pressure” salesman or a “Bible scholar.” You just need to be you! As you seek to live out your faith rubbing elbows with and running into your neighbors, coworkers and folks around town – live your faith. And when given the opportunity speak your faith.

Don’t compartmentalize your faith. Don’t put it in a separate category; make it the center of your life. So that speaking about your life in Christ and your commitment to His church comes as naturally as speaking about any other part of your life. No one has to goad you into talking about your children or grandchildren. You don’t have to be “guilted” into talking about the Sooners or “the big one that got away.” You naturally talk about what matters to you. The better we understand the Gospel the easier it is to share. When you really do understand that you are a sinner and that the only hope you have of life eternal and life abundant is God’s incredible grace. Once that really gets hold of you – talking about it is easy.

When a beggar finds bread he doesn’t mind telling other beggars where to find it. As one “messed up” human being to another I know where you can find help. What’s so hard about that? It’s worth thinking about. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

I can’t believe I didn’t win anything. I chose Avery to help me by drawing names and she didn’t draw mine? Something is not right about that. But I’m not bitter. I’m just going to let it go. I do want to congratulate those who did win. Congratulations to Jerry Deason, Samuel Hoyt, Judy Ryan, Rose Pilon, Adina Hill and Betty Jones I hope you enjoy spending my, excuse me, your gift certificates. We had a great time in fellowship around the tables Sunday evening that thanks to those who brought ice cream and those who made cookies and brownies. Some have suggested we do that every Sunday night. If we do we’ll have to vary the menu, ice cream every week? Though it would be one way to “grow” the congregation. But I’m not sure increasing pant size is considered church growth!

Don’t forget Sunday Sunshine following the morning service this Sunday. Senior Adults – bring a salad or dessert sandwich fixings will be provided. The cost $1.50, $2.00 per person. It will be a great time especially if you are part of it.

I hope to see you and your family this coming Lord’s Day for Bible Study at 9:30 and then worship at 10:50 as we continue our study of the book of Revelation. Don’t forget Sunday evening as we continue our walk through Jeremiah. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

It seems that daily I’m reminded that things have changed. I’m approaching the age when things quite working like they used to. I’m finding I can’t eat some of the foods that I’ve always loved. Oh, I can it them but they are not as enjoyable they don’t “set well” if you know what I mean! I occasionally drive around the old neighborhood and it has changed. I realize that part of what I’m remembering is in idealized version of what once was. But I remember freshly mowed lawns and neighbors actually out in their yards talking to one another. As a kid I knew everyone on the block and they knew me. Which was great unless of course I’d done something wrong. When they happened by the time I got home mom had received 6 or 7 calls and she was waiting on me.

Even so I miss those days. I guess what I miss most is that sense of “community.” That sense of belonging to something bigger than myself. Today we are individuals existing in the same space. With our hectic lifestyles we don’t have time for neighbors or getting to actually know that person I wave at pulling in or out of my driveway. There is a lot to be said for a “simpler” life. A life less cluttered with business and more open to “wasting time” just laughing with a neighbor or talking about the mundane routine of life together. Of course a simpler life is not an easier life. In fact it is really quite a bit of work. I’m not sure I’m up to that. I’d have to make some conscience choices. I’d have to change some things…change? That going to add another dimension. Maybe I’ll just be satisfied with my memories. I mean why invest so much time, energy and effort into getting to know my neighbors? It’s not like I owe them anything…He sure has a way of throwing a wrench into my thinking! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40.
I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

I often find myself in a conversation where I’m really behind the times. People are talking a language I do not understand. Oh, they’re speaking English (at least I think they are) but I don’t understand what they are talking about. They’re talking about “blogging” and “Facebook” and “My Space.” Just the other day one of my friends said to another, “Yeah I’ve been blogging for a few years. I enjoy blogging but my new thing is to twitter.” They looked at me and I “knowingly” nodded approval though I had no idea what they were talking about!

While I was inwardly gratified that I was not a nerd, another part of me really wished I could join in the conversation. It made me think about the way I often discuss issues of faith. How often do I use language that “insiders” know well but the uninitiated haven’t a clue? How often have I caused those who do not know the language of Zion to feel excluded and unwanted? What I often assume is a lack of interested may be a lack of understanding. In fact what I take as hostility may be frustration. It just might be they would love to join in the conversation but pretty much shut them out of the conversation by throwing up a language barrier.

I’m not suggesting that we gut the faith of all religious language. There are great terms that must be retained. But we must be careful to draw others into the conversation and then teach them the wonder and the depth of the language of Zion. It’s just something I learned the other day when traveling through Nerdville.

I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod