Gone Fishin’ Threeናሙና

John – visit #2 at the Healthcare Facility

“You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky

Just like the first time, John asked about my family and how I am treating my wife.

It was a clear opening for me to share my testimony. So I did and he asked questions all the way through it. Why did I call myself an atheist? Did my wife feel okay about me becoming a Christian? I explained I became one before I met her. He asked me later if I raised my kids to be religious.

Interspersed throughout the testimony, I would ask him questions like “Where are you in your spiritual journey?” He said, “Oh, I've been religious all my life.” And I asked the question, where would you go if God asked you why you should get into heaven?


I asked if he thought heaven would be a perfect place and he said, “Yes, of course.” I asked, “If imperfect people went there, wouldn’t that mess heaven up?” He said, “Yes, I guess it would.”

I asked if he had heard of the Four Spiritual Laws and he said he hadn’t. I told him that this was how I became a follower of Jesus Christ. Would it be all right with him if I read these Four Spiritual Laws to him, from Steps to Peace with God by Billy Graham? He said, “Sure.”

I went through them and asked him questions along the way to see if he was tracking. His eyes were drooping, so I asked, “Do you want me to continue? It looks like you’re having trouble staying awake.” He said, “Yes, please do.” So I did.

When it got to the prayer, we discussed what a sinner is and he finally agreed we’re all sinners and there’s a difference between children of God that go to heaven and children of God that are just created by God. We went over repentance, but he wasn’t getting it.

He said that he is on the right-hand side of the gap between God and men, and that he is going to heaven. He acknowledged that he had made the choice to follow God. When I finished the Steps to Peace with God, he asked me, “What religion is this from and who did the booklet?” He seemed quite content that it was by Billy Graham.

So I shared the final promises for anybody who decides to choose to follow Jesus, and we said our goodbyes for today.

“Father, only you know where John is. Please use this to draw him one step closer to you!”

I am learning to love the people with whom God’s Spirit is prompting me to share his story. I never know what God might already be doing in their lives. The love of Jesus has stirred within me and completely overcome my fears and obstacles to sharing. Praise the Lord!

What an adventure! To God be the glory!

Please say a prayer for John.


Be encouraged. Be inspired.

Have GOALS:
Go
Open your mouth
Ask questions
Love
Share your story

Thanks for joining me on my journey. Gone Fishin’ Four and more are in the works. I pray you have been encouraged to simply grab the initiative. Be around people. Listen for things that might move the conversation to your story. Think about your story. Say it out loud into your mobile device. Think of places where you’ve seen God move in your life in amazing ways. “Let me tell you a story” always gets a ready ear.


Memorize and meditate on verses that you love.

Did you know that if all you memorize is Romans 6:23 you can tell the Gospel to anyone?

Practice drawing this, filling it in as you TALK your way through the verse, starting with “WAGES.” God will give you the words. Practice out loud with ANYONE.

I was told recently by the now Director of a Young Life organization that he trusted Jesus as his Savior while we were in a park – I was just trying out yet another method of telling a hippie about Jesus. I didn’t know that's when my friend became a Christ-follower until years later. Plant those seeds!


Most of the following scripture passages are in our Mobile App, Mac or Windows programs HERE.

God’s Word changes hearts.

God bless you,

Drake Mariani