Day 13:: Sharing Tools: Sharing the Gospel with Muslims

"Do you know what I notice about you Christians?  You always want to tell others about your religion, but you know nothing about what other people believe!"  He made this statement to me on a flight from Japan to Los Angeles.  After visiting family in Bangledesh, he was making his way back to Texas where he was currently living.  The 12 hour flight afforded us time to talk about many things, including the gospel of Christ and Islam.  The truth of his words stung at first, but then fueled a desire in me to learn as much as I could about other religions.

In the next couple of weeks, Calvary Chapel La Habra will be hosting a truth series during their Sunday and Wednesday night services.  If you are in the area, services begin at 9am and 11am on Sunday mornings and 7pm on Wednesday nights.  If you are not in the area, you can watch live here during service times.  If you are unavailable during those times, services will be archived here.

 This is another way that we could equip ourselves to share the gospel with others!

Find all 31 Days here

Day 12:: Sharing Tools: Building Upon His Foundation

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Early on in my attempts to share the gospel with others, I found myself making some pretty incredible mistakes.  Looking back at those times makes me want to do two things.  One, apologize for being such a sad misrepresentation of God's love to those I was trying to share with. Two, shrivel up in embarrassment for how silly I must've sounded.  When I beat myself up, however, the Lord reminds me that there is no condemnation in Christ, and that it has all been necessary for me to grow in my ability to follow His lead when I am sharing.  He also reminds me that it really all about Him and that He has already laid a foundation in each individual that I am to build upon.

In Acts 17:18-34, we are given an example of the Apostle Paul when he was sharing at the Areopagus with the men of Athens.  The first thing that Paul did was observe the people.  “...for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.  Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you...Acts 17:23.  As he passed through their town, he made it a point to see what the people worshiped.  

Paul was very careful in how he addressed the crowd.  He didn't criticize their beliefs but acknowledged their religious activities as a sincere attempt to reach God.  Many times I have participated in endless debates that did not lead to anything except a loss of respect from my hearer.  Our goal is not to prove that we are right, but to prove that God loves them enough to have sent Jesus Christ, God incarnate, for their salvation. 

Finally, Paul built upon some religious relic to lead them into sharing about the one, true, living God.  Each and every person on this earth has had some experience with the living God.  Thus, asking the person you are sharing with questions about their experience with Him, and building upon those experiences becomes a tool in leading them to Christ. A life or death situation, a loved one or friend who may have already planted seeds, or simply something in nature that spoke to the individual's spirit. 

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse...

Romans 1:20

Find all 31 Days here

Day 11:: A Life That Ended Too Soon

They were not together more than a few weeks, nevertheless, it felt like they had know each other for years.  My brother's unit combined with another unit and the crew chiefs were flying on the same Black Hawk.  On this particular day, however, they were on two different birds.  The wind in the Middle East commonly whipped up without notice, and the helicopters weighing so little, were taken into the subjection of the gust.  My brother's helicopter made it out without to scratch, but the other was not so fortunate.  Along with varying degrees of injuries, the full helicopter suffered a couple of casualties.  Cote was one of them.  

In his early 20's, Cote had recently had a baby that he had not yet met.  They were just a couple of weeks away from returning from their deployment.  This was a very great loss for my brother and the men that had the privilege of serving alongside him.  

My brother had the opportunity to share about his time with this young man at our church.  He mentioned the rapport that the two men built in such a short period of time.  He also mentioned that he was not certain of what he shared with Cote, whether or not he was able talk to him about eternal things.  He could never have imagined how brief the time would be with his friend.

This year marked 5 years since his passing.  We thank him for his service to our country and pray his family.  May his life inspire us to share that blessed message with those around us. 

...whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

 James 4:14 

Find all 31 Days here

Day 10:: Only A Vapor

There was a ton of traffic that night.  My brother had picked me up from my house and we were running against the clock to make it to the hospital before the doctor came in to talk to my father.  The cars inched forward in slow motion as the minutes on the clocked ticked quickly by.  When we had finally made it to the hospital, we ran through the halls in search of his room.  Dr. Chen was already finishing up his conversation with my parents.  It was not necessary for him to repeat his prognosis, I could see it all over my sister's face.  It was terminal.  He predicted 3-4 weeks without treatment. 

Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my age is as nothing before You;
Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah

Psalm 39:5

I have heard it said that death is the only certainty in life, and the reality is that not one of us knows when that time will come.  I don't bring up this topic to be a downer or to instill an irrational fear into the reader, but to bring up the fact that we do not know how long we will have the privilege of abiding with those in our lives. What are those important things that we need to say to one another?  Do they hold an eternal weight of glory 2Cor4:17?  Do they hold the keys to the door of eternity?  

"You have the words of eternal life," Peter said in John 6:68.  Let us entreat our Lord in how we are to reach out to those around us. 

My Dad lived 2 years and 2 months from the time of his diagnosis.  We were blessed to have many conversations with him about what would happen when we passed into the realm of eternity.  We are confident that he gave his life to Christ, and look forward to seeing him again.

Find all 31 Days here

Day 9:: He Was Clearly Offended

He was clearly offended when I told him that my daughter was praying for his salvation.  How you could reject the prayer of a sweet, three year old little girl is beyond me, but that was Jorge, our mailman, and professing atheist.  We started sharing with him in the winter of 2011 and continued until we moved away in the summer of the next year.

Friendly and inquisitive, it was always very easy to talk to Jorge.  My family grew to have an affinity for him and he to us, so it was not difficult to share with him even though we definitely had differing opinions about whether or not God existed.  We got as far in our conversations as to the root of why he did not believe in God, but never had enough time to truly hear the complete account.  He alluded to a war that he had fought in and the suffering that he witnessed.  How could God allow such horrible atrocities?

There was a time when he did resentfully ask me why I talk to him about Jesus even though he told me he was an atheist.  I simply told him what I shared on Day 8.  I fear not taking the opportunity to give someone I see so regularly, the chance to hear the gospel of Christ and secure their eternal salvation.

We still see Jorge from time to time when we are in the old neighborhood and we continue to pray for him.  

Read all 31 Days here

Day 8:: What Happens in the Afterlife?

There is one story in the New Testament that has always haunted me.  It is the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.   The part of the passage that makes me uneasy is the part that talks about the great gulf that separates Hades from Abraham's bosom.  I suppose it's the fact that the rich man was able to "lift his eyes up and see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom".  When I get to heaven, will I be seen by those in Hell, people who were in my community? 

As I ponder this question, I am reminded of all the people that I see on a daily basis but do not necessarily have a relationship with.  The mailman, the gardener, neighbors, school staff, co-workers...to name a few.  Is there a possibility that we could have a meeting in eternity where they could possibly ask us, "I saw you everyday (every week), I came to your house (I saw you in the office), why did you not warn me about what would happen in the afterlife?"

The mere thought of that question is chilling, yet some have had this question asked of them this side of eternity.  Needless to say, you may be surprised at who is just waiting for you to bring up the topic.

How then shall they call of Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe if Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tiding of good things!"

Romans 10:14-15

Read all 31 Days here

Day 7:: Healing to a Hurting World

"What are you doing to cope with this?" I asked him.   "Are you drinking?"  "I don't drink and I don't do drugs.  I work 12 hour days every day," he replied.  I can only imagine that working himself to the bone was his attempt to avoid those harsh memories of what had happened.

Photo Credit

First impressions alone would not have given me any indication that this young man was going through any kind of suffering.  I would suspect that most people you happen upon would not express their true emotions either.  Along with their hats and shoes, they put their best face forward as they walk out the door, but on the inside they are battered and maimed.  I would also suggest that many people keep their sufferings to themselves without having another person they could share them with.  Many who have a desire to be released from the bondage of their afflictions but having no way of escape except to drown them in their vices.

Jesus is the answer that these individuals are in need of and we are the ones who hold this answer within us. 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Isn't it intriguing that the Lord puts another reference in there about them becoming "trees" of righteousness and the "planting" of the Lord?  May He be glorified!

Read all 31 Days here

Day 6:: Life's Little Interruptions

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this next post and felt that I needed to share the story before talking about the actual step.  This particular story was posted in December of 2010.  There was already a tug in my heart to begin sharing the gospel with others, but having two small children at the time seemed more than I could handle.  Something very powerful happened in my heart after sharing with this young man that really showed me that it is so necessary to share with others.

Click here to read the story.

Find all 31 Days here

Day 5:: The Grocery Store Checker

I wasn't sure I was going to make it!  It was about a quarter till midnight and my Dad was craving some snacks.  He was in the hospital again and losing his appetite, so any opportunity for him to eat was taken with great importance.  "Heading home from the hospital?" the grocery checker asked me.  "No, I'm grabbing these snacks and heading back there.  My Dad has leukemia," I replied to his question.  "I'm so sorry.  I just lost my Grandmother to leukemia a few months ago," he said.  "I'm sorry to hear about your Grandmother, but please don't be sorry for me.  I believe in a good God, and this is all part of His plan," I said assuredly. 

This is how the conversation began.  He told me about his Grandmother.  I told him about how Christ was working in our lives through the illness.  He asked me about my church.  I shared with him how I was raised Catholic and was invited to a church where we were encouraged to read the Bible.  He mentioned that some friends had been sharing with him about what it means to be born again.  Then the transaction ended and I grabbed my groceries.  I was the last customer and the doors had been locked, so he walked me to the doors.  As I exited the store, I felt compelled to ask him if he wanted to ask Christ into his life.  And right there, at the door of a Food For Less grocery store, he asked Jesus Christ to be his personal Lord and Savior.  It was a 12 minute interaction.

Photo Credit

Looking back, I can see that this was completely the work of God.  The seeds were planted as others had been sharing with him already.  It was clearly evident that the Lord led my conversation and  I still feel so blessed and privileged that I got to be the one to lead him in that prayer.  I was mutually reassured of the purpose that God had for our family to go through such a difficult time.

For in this the saying is true: "One sows and another reaps."  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.

John 4:37-38 

 

Find all 31 days here. 

Day 4:: Time

One of the biggest struggles that I battle with everyday of my life is time management.  I like to blame it on my Mexican heritage, but there never seems to be enough time for me to get things done or to make it anywhere on time.  The thought of carving out time to share the gospel with another person seems like a complete impossibility.  That is, until I come to the realization that God has complete sovereignty over time and operates outside the limits of a dimension that we are confined to.  The measurement of time, money, physical and emotional strength, are all quite different in our economy than they are in God's economy.

  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9

When the disciples were concerned about whether or not Jesus had eaten in John 4:31-38, He remarked to them that there was more to life's sustenance than just meeting the needs of physical thirst and hunger.  He had just received a drink of water from the Samaritan woman at the well, but He took the time to speak with her about salvation while He met His own physical need.  He exhorts His disciples to follow along in this pattern of sharing the gospel as they go along in their daily routines.  In the same way, we can take those little moments to share with those we encounter.  We simply need to look up and see that they are there, take the time to speak, and believe that He will multiply the time. 

Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields for they are already white for harvest!

John 4:35

 Photo Credit

Many possibilities broaden when you realize that sharing the gospel is possible in very ordinary circumstances and with very limited time.  Some of the most divine of appointments were not a result of a date set with another individual, but in a grocery store aisle, a call from a telemarketer, in line at the DMV, pushing my kids on a swing...diminutive, miniscule moments in time seemingly extending into sufficiency as the conversation of eternity ensues.

Find all 31 days here. 

Day 3:: Tony's Testimony

He stared at the mantle in his living room with an ensuing loneliness that led him to wonder what the purpose of life was.  A series of events had brought Tony to this point of questioning what life was all about.

Within a few weeks, several small occurrences began to form a path in his heart and mind to a greater purpose and meaning to life.  While shopping at Nordstrom's a woman and her child came up to him to say that she felt led to tell him that Jesus loved him.  A friend of his, who he caroused with on the weekends, let him know that he had become a Christian and would no longer be clubbing with him.  On a random afternoon at work, a sign was placed in the window of his office that read, "Be aware of God." 

If you would've asked him about his religious background, he would've told you that he did not believe in God.  It was becoming quite clear to him, however, that he needed to look deeper into this God, who was obviously pursuing him.  After a few weeks of reading the bible, he was ready to go to church and called his friend who had recently given his life to Christ.  Unbeknownst to him, this friend had rallied up a group of people to pray for Tony's salvation just the night before the call.

Tony is my husband.  Today, he is is an amazing man of God.  A wonderful husband and father, full of wisdom and integrity.  Such a different person from the man he was back in those days of uncertainty.

The journey of finding Christ began before any one person shared the gospel with him.  It began with a prompting from the Holy Spirit to question the greater meaning in life.  Along the way, different individuals made themselves available to be used to touch his life.  The mom with the child, the friend, the person who placed the sign, the people who prayed for his salvation.  One planted the seed, others watered, and the Lord brought the increase of faith in Tony's life.

Lord, help us to be willing to be used by You to become a part of someone's testimony.  

Find all 31 days here. 

 

Day 2:: One Plants, One Waters...

I used to think that the whole measure of a person's salvation rested on what I was going to say to them at that moment...on that street corner, park bench, Starbuck's line...and what their response would be.  I had built the process up so considerably in my head, that I infused a great deal of fear into something that was not mine to worry about.  My role was merely to share.

 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 Mark 16:15

Freedom from those fears came when I realized that I am not responsible for the eternal salvation of another.  Or even any measure of eloquence or persuasiveness for that matter.  I am to be obedient to the call to share the Good News and put the rest in God's hands.  It really has little to do with me, and it has everything to do with what He will do in their lives.  Of course we do want to be sensitive, prayerful, and loving in what we say to others about Christ, but our focus alters from what "I can do" to what "He does".

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:7

Oftentimes, there is a progression of  faith in an individual's life which comes from a series of experiences, conversations or just plain observation of God's work within one's surroundings.  In fact, I have heard it said that it takes between 7-15 times for a person to hear the gospel before they make a decision to follow Christ.  Our willingness to share, could be the one proverbial seed or watering that a person needs to have their spiritual eyes opened. 

What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.

Luke 13:18-19

Find all 31 days here.

31 Steps to Sharing the Gospel of Christ

Day 1:: Sharing the Gospel of Christ

Day 2:: One Plants, One Waters

Day 3:: Tony's Testimony

Day 4:: Time

Day 5:: The Grocery Story Checker

Day 6:: Life's Little Interruptions

Day 7:: Healing to a Hurting World

Day 8: What Happens in the Afterlife?

Day 9:: He Was Clearly Offended

Day 10:: But A Vapor

Day 11:: A Life That Ended Too Soon

Day 12:: Sharing Tools: Building Upon His Foundation

Day 13:: Sharing Tools: Sharing the Gospel with Muslims


Please tell me your stories in the comments section!

Day 1:: Sharing the Gospel of Christ in 31 Days

Palms get sweaty, butterflies begin their flight, encircling the deepest parts of the stomach.  Thoughts of uncertainty begin contending with the determination that brought you to the point of making that effort to open your mouth and share...

These impulses began for me the first time I was taken out by our youth group to street evangelize.  In my heart, I was willing to share the gospel with others, but to actually find the nerve to approach a complete stranger seemed an impossibility in my mind.

It's been 15 years since the first opportunity I had to share.  Since then, I have gone on short-term mission trips, lived in Japan as a missionary, become a wife and mother, and now live a very quiet and simple life as a housewife and homeschool mother.  It's no longer my job to share the gospel with others, but the call to be a light in my community endures.  We have all been given this wonderful gift of salvation, and we are called to share the gospel to a hurting world of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates...

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies at write31days.com.  Join me for these 31 days in October as we look into the scriptures to seek the Lord's wisdom in fulfilling the call of sharing His good news and to challenge ourselves to take that step in sharing with someone.  We'll look at:

• Excuses that impede us from sharing
• Why it is important to share with others
• Tool belt of resources we have been equipped with
• Practical sharing tips
• Personal stories

You can find all 31 steps here.  I look forward to being encouraged by your stories in the comments section!

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen"

Matthew 28:19-20 

You Have Reached Our Automated System

Thank you for calling....  You have reached our automated system...  Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed...  For English press #...  For account information press #...  For directions and hours press #...  To speak to a customer service representative press #...

We are all familiar with this phone call.  It's the never ending maze that we have to find our way through just to get some information.  For me, this call ended up lasting about an hour and a half.  Not because I was on hold waiting for my call to be answered in the order it was received, but because I had the chance to share the gospel with the person on the other line.

I was pleasantly surprised when I spoke to Diondre.  He was cordial and helpful and actually seemed enthusiastic to give me the information that I needed.  I was sure he was a believer, and after complimenting him on his service, I asked.  He gave me the answer that I have been hearing more and more these days.  He respects all religions and all walks of life but has not come to any solid conclusions for himself.  I asked him if he was raised with any particular religion and he said that he was raised in the Christian church.  Upon asking him why he did not continue with his church he gave these three reasons:

1. The hypocrisy of the church
2. Authenticity of the bible
3. Christianity claiming to be the only way to heaven

The next hour gave me the occasion to demonstrate to him that we are all sinners and are continuously going through the process of sanctification.  The church naturally has the semblance of a group of hypocrites because we are all "works in progress".  Authenticity of the bible led to the mention of the Trinity and how the Holy Spirit works through us despite our human deficiencies.  God was able to work through the authors of the bible to bring us His word by His Spirit, the Spirit of God.  I addressed his final objection by explaining that religion is man's attempt at reaching God.  At its core, each religion requires its followers to do certain actions so that one may find a right standing with God.  They are all similar in that they require one to discipline themselves to achieve righteousness.  The bible teaches that we surrender ourselves to God by "confessing with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).  Salvation comes not by what we do, but by what Jesus Christ has done for us, and by His power we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:7).  It is something very different from a man-made religion, it is God's way that He provided for us to have a relationship with Him.  Even to those who have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel are being reached out to by God through His creation. 

By the end of the conversation there was no certainty that he was persuaded, but I did give him the challenge of reading the book of John on his own by sincerely asking God to reveal Himself through the pages.  He said he would read it but that he couldn't promise me that he would read it right away.  I told him that I would be praying and asking the Lord to send him another indication that it is He that is ultimately seeking to woe Diondre to Himself.  Diondre reassured me that if he saw another sign that he would be compelled to read. 

Lord, I pray that you would send another sign to Diondre to show him that You are seeking him.  Please give him that change of heart that can only come from You to seek You.  And may he find You in the pages or Your scripture. 

Divine Moment....At the DMV

As I approached the counter I saw her fumbling over her papers.  To my surprise, she was trying to figure out which Betty Boop sticker to put on her stapler.  This put me at ease as I was at the DMV to process some paperwork for my Dad and wasn't sure how I would be received.  The woman who helped me was very endearing as she asked me what my Dad's needs were.   She was surprised to read on the paperwork and that he has leukemia.  Eleven years this month, she had lost her Mother to leukemia.

She recounted the story as if it were just yesterday.  How she and her 7 siblings came together to support their Mother who was given only 3 months to live.  How her Mother lived passionately and wanted her children to celebrate passionately at her memorial service.  Her request was that they all wear red.  As she processed my request, she took the time to share her entire story with me.  It was a blessing to hear her encouragements.  Her Mother actually lived 8 months from the time the doctors had given her. 

I told her how much I had appreciated her story and asked her where she stood with Jesus.  She told me that the Lord used these difficult trials to draw her into a relationship with Him.  I thanked her and rejoiced that the Lord had put someone in my path that could share with me in my time of trouble.  Divinity could happen anywhere, even at the DMV.

Becoming a New Creation

We had to take my father to the ER on Thursday night.  After a 3 hour wait just to get into an examination room, we found out he needed a blood transfusion and a platelet transfusion.  My parents ended up going to the ER just before having dinner.  He had been saying that he was craving certain snacks, so just before midnight, I went out in search of them.  I slipped into a grocery store just before closing and was the last customer of the night. 

The young man at the cash register asked me if I was getting a snack after being at the hospital.  I told him about my Dad's leukemia and how we were going to be there for several more hours.  His Grandmother had just passed away the month before from leukemia he told me.  This common thread brought us to the topic of where he stood with Jesus.  We talked about religion and how it was man's futile way of reaching God, and how by believing in Jesus, we could be connected to Him in a relationship all through the work that Jesus did on the cross and not by any effort of ours.  A friend of his who had been raised Catholic and had begun going to a bible teaching church, had already been sharing with him.  I too was raised Catholic and I told him about the change that had taken place in my life from reading the bible.  Just like the metamorphosis of a butterfly, I too had become a new creation. 

Several co-workers were demanding his attention during our conversation.  He needed to walk me out and lock the door behind me.  So at the door, I just took the risk and asked him if he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart.  "Yes, I want to, but I don't know how."  "Repeat after me,"  I said, and he gave his life to Jesus. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new...2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Coming Back Around

I saw a great deal on tomatoes this week.  So I decided to do my grocery shopping at a supermarket that I do not usually shop at.  As I was on my way out the door, I spotted someone that looked familiar to me infront of the Redbox.  For the first 2 minutes we did the whole: "Do I know you from somewhere?"  "You look familiar to me."  "What highschool did you go to?"  Then it donned on her.  "I met you at another grocery store and you asked me if I knew Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior."  I had told her about my endeavor to share the gospel with at least one person a day after I had found out that she was already a believer.  I have not been able to share every single day like I would like to, but that meeting encouraged me to keep going.   

Lord Jesus, help me to continue to share Your good news with those around me.  Remind me that I am a missionary here in my own hometown. 

Please Mr. Postman!

We have a very friendly mailman.  Very jovial and inquisitive, he loves to start a conversation and ask questions about various topics.  I do not mind whatsoever because I believe that it gives me license to ask whatever questions that I want.  Of course the topic about God came up, and I was very surprised to find that he is an atheist. 

Now Jorge is someone that I will be seeing on an ongoing basis, so I am going to take this one slow.  Our first topic of conversation in regards to God was whether or not we believe that man is innately good or evil.  I told him that we are evil and he believes that man is good.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?      Jeremiah 17:9

I think my next question will be about whether or not he has peace.  I have not run into many atheists when I am out there sharing, so I think that is why it was such a shock to me.  Please leave me a comment if you have any suggestions you can give me.

Lord, I pray for Jorge, that You will begin to reveal Yourself to him.  Surround him with others who can share with him and may he even have a personal encounter with You.  Give me wisdom as I interact with him.

Delighting in Preschool

For the last three years, my children have belonged to a preschool that is connected to our homeschool group at church.  We are so blessed to be connected to such a wonderful group of people.  We operate as a co-op, meaning that each family participates to keep the classes running and to organize field trips, our newsletter, a Mom's Night Out fellowship, and other fun activities throughout the year. 

Today we had the privilege of going to the California Science Center.  One of the families arranged for us to get there on a school bus.  I couldn't help but marvel at how generous the Lord is to us to give us such a wonderful experience!  And my kids being of preschool age!  Our favorite part was probably the marine aquarium where we had a chance to see a scuba diver give us a presentation about his gear and the fish he had in the aquarium. 

There were also three rooms that were perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  I was very impressed by the fact that they supervised the rooms with plenty of help.  One room even had three helpers that were there to guide us through the rooms and play with our kids.  At one point is was just my children and I in the rooms so we had their undivided attention.  I was able to share my testimony with them about what the Lord did in my life when I was their age.  I shared with them about the love of Christ, His desire for us to know Him on a personal basis, and the plans that He will reveal about our lives as we draw nearer to Him.  One of the girls was very open to hear my message.  She admitted that this was something that she knew she needed in her life.  We prayed and I could see that there was an instant change in her countenance. 

Lord, I pray that you will continue to draw her closer into a relationship with you.  Draw them into a church where they can be led to You dear Jesus Christ.