wow... This is the longest in a long time that I've been absent from my blogger. Internet activity is way cut back on account of not working in the computer lab this year and not having access in my apartment.
I could update on the activities of the last few weeks, but that's not what's on my mind right now. Yesterday's occurences are what my thoughts are dwelling on.
I had arranged to go take some engagement pictures for my friends Leanna and Brandon. They had a couple things to do right after classes so I went home. While I was sitting at the table, eating and talking with my roommate, I get a phone call. This guy, Gary, had received my name and number as someone who would talk with him about "Christian Doubts." I arranged a time, 4pm to meet with him at the Public Library. I took pictures at the Rose Garden of Brandon and Leanna and then they dropped me off at the Library.
Gary... A guy who has had a hard life, bouncing from job to job, from city to city. Got saved in New Orleans (maybe ten or twenty years ago) but because of his appearance the churches wouldn't accept him. His story is typical - he has been burned by people who wouldn't put action behind his love. I started to try and encourage him, but he cut me off with "I've heard all the pat answers... and I know the Bible." He mentioned James 2. And then he told me that he had a chance at a good job down in LA but needed money to get into a rooming house.
Of course, I was suspicious, but then I thought about it - this guy has met Christians who talk about love, but don't put action behind their words. I could give him a sermon, pat him on the back, and send him on his way, but would that really bring him closer to Christ? Well, I gave him some money and told him that the reason I was giving him this was so that he would know that there are Christians who put action behind their words and who truly love.
Maybe I was taken for a sucker, maybe not, but I feel I did what Jesus would have had me do. Talking with Isaac and Heather afterwards (they had given him my number), we compared stories and senses of what God was doing in this situation. He had said the same thing to Isaac and they had talked about some theological stuff. It's tough to know what to do in those situations, and I have second-guessed myself, but I still think I did what God wanted me to do.
I have his email address, so I'm going to see about keeping in touch with him.
So if you have a minute, pray for Gary.
I could update on the activities of the last few weeks, but that's not what's on my mind right now. Yesterday's occurences are what my thoughts are dwelling on.
I had arranged to go take some engagement pictures for my friends Leanna and Brandon. They had a couple things to do right after classes so I went home. While I was sitting at the table, eating and talking with my roommate, I get a phone call. This guy, Gary, had received my name and number as someone who would talk with him about "Christian Doubts." I arranged a time, 4pm to meet with him at the Public Library. I took pictures at the Rose Garden of Brandon and Leanna and then they dropped me off at the Library.
Gary... A guy who has had a hard life, bouncing from job to job, from city to city. Got saved in New Orleans (maybe ten or twenty years ago) but because of his appearance the churches wouldn't accept him. His story is typical - he has been burned by people who wouldn't put action behind his love. I started to try and encourage him, but he cut me off with "I've heard all the pat answers... and I know the Bible." He mentioned James 2. And then he told me that he had a chance at a good job down in LA but needed money to get into a rooming house.
Of course, I was suspicious, but then I thought about it - this guy has met Christians who talk about love, but don't put action behind their words. I could give him a sermon, pat him on the back, and send him on his way, but would that really bring him closer to Christ? Well, I gave him some money and told him that the reason I was giving him this was so that he would know that there are Christians who put action behind their words and who truly love.
Maybe I was taken for a sucker, maybe not, but I feel I did what Jesus would have had me do. Talking with Isaac and Heather afterwards (they had given him my number), we compared stories and senses of what God was doing in this situation. He had said the same thing to Isaac and they had talked about some theological stuff. It's tough to know what to do in those situations, and I have second-guessed myself, but I still think I did what God wanted me to do.
I have his email address, so I'm going to see about keeping in touch with him.
So if you have a minute, pray for Gary.
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