THE THREE KEYS

It all comes down to this.

Learn their story. Take time to listen to the story of where the individual stacks up on the spiritual line. Listen. Don't judge: don't be shocked. Respect their story. Remember listening can demonstrate love. Ask them questions. Repeat some of the exact things they tell you. Be genuine. After you've established a level of comfort and expanded the conversation, then try to peal back some layers. Pastor Wagner, whom I must give credit for much of this entry, suggests questions such as "Did you grow up in the church?"

This can lead to sharing of our faith. Be ready. Organize your story, be deliberate, be intentional and be concise. Some questions to help you formulate your story, again courtesy of Pastor Rob Wagner, what was your early spiritual background? When did you consider following Jesus? How did you take that step? How has your life changed after you trusted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?

But you're not done. Next is to share His story. A plan of salvation card may be helpful. I have some laminated that I keep in my Bible. The operative word there is keep--they're not doing anyone much good unless I help spread the gospel. There are also tracts that explain how to become a Christian. What I like about the cards and tracts is that they give bible chapter and verse, so one can get into The Word.

If you possess neither, after you've established a comfort level through conversation and shared your story, I'd suggest a synopsis as brief as possible without leaving out any of the vitals. If one believes by faith that Jesus was God's own son who came to live on earth, died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins, and rose from the dead, then all we have to do is pray that we believe and are willing to turn from our sinful ways and trust Jesus. We are saved by God's magnificent grace.

The benefits of following Jesus on earth are tremendous, but pale in comparison to spending eternal life in heaven with Him and the Father.

GOD PROMISES

EVERY BIRD HIS WORM, BUT HE DOES NOT TOSS IT INTO THE NEST.

That's what the caption says above the cardinal. Another expression urging the Go- Mission as our pastor has been preaching about for the last few weeks is "Prayer has feet."

I like all the expressions that encourage. Another one from The Truth Project is in the form of a question: "Do you really believe what you really believe is true?" And if so, how would that change your life?

If we really believe there is a heaven and hell, if we really believe Jesus is the only way to secure an eternity in heaven with Him and the Father, then why don't we take a more active role in evangelism? Why don't we try to warm or help win the lost? Especially our family, our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors, our acquaintances?

It perplexes me why we don't. And a heavy emphasis on we, or more pointedly--me.

In my next entry, I'll try to get out of my nest. I'll attempt to show you how you can get out of yours. There's a lot of kingdom work to be done. We've put it off long enough.

SEEK HIS LOVE, FEEL HIS PRESENCE, TRUST HIS WORD

SFT--That's what Golf's Sacred Journey by David L. Cook is all about. That explains the picture to the right.

Well, sort of. The tombstone is for burying the lies of our lives and relishing in His love, His presence, and His Word.

And what exactly are the lies of our lives that need buried? "The lies you have learned along your journey in life, those lies that you have established in your heart even though the weight of them has been crushing your soul." Those things that have made you rebellious. Those holds on your life. Those things that made you run to Tarsus rather than Ninevah. Those doubts caused by living in the flesh, living in the comforts of a secular world.

Once those are buried and the new you emerges, you'll find a life of meaning, an intimate relationship with God, a view of His handprint on everything you see.

You'll find Utopia. And it's not in Texas, though that is the setting for the novel, and you won't find it on the bookshelf, though Thomas More wrote it many years ago. You'll find it in your heart. SFT.