Gone Fishin'

I am one of those who would rather sink with faith than swim without it.
—Stanley Baldwin, British Prime Minister

I had passed him an hour earlier on my way walking to St Jude. Jay, 39, was sitting on a stool in front of his apartment listening to music on his earbuds. So I Interrupted him and struck up a conversation saying, "Wow, you've been out here for a long time!"

Jay is currently on disability due to a back accident and is looking for work. When I commented, "Well, l maybe I ought to be praying for you to get a job then, huh?" for some reason he said, "I went to a Lutheran High School and enjoyed it."

I asked, "Where are you in your spiritual journey today, Jay?" He wasn't very specific so I asked him if he thought he'd go to heaven if he died and he said, "Probably not. You'd have to be pretty good to get there."

I said, "You got that one righ!"  And I told him my testimony about being delivered from a foul mouth and alcohol.

He related to me a story where his father had caught his mother in bed with another man and had tried to stab her to death, and that he had saved her, and his Dad was put in jail.

I said, "About heaven". Jay, I have a really easy way to explain about getting to heaven. Would you be open to me explaining it to you?" He said, "Of course. Please do." We both sat on the curb, side by side, and he leaned in and followed me as I went through it.

I used the Billy Graham Steps to Peace with God and we had a good conversation all the way through it. He gave a verbal understanding as to what was being said but couldn't quite make the leap to say, "Yes, I want to put my faith in Jesus."

I put my name and cell number on the booklet and asked him to read it again. I asked if I could send him something by text, and he said, "Of course." So I sent him a text. It was way past my lunch, so I said I had to go.

I prayed with him about a job and thanked the Lord for the birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He shook my hand three times before we actually parted, and he went back up to his apartment.

Then on the way home, I sent him this text:

"Hey Jay, I'm about 10 minutes from home and I just realized I'd like to give you a free gift card download to a movie. Watch it and ask God to speak to you. He will. Go to Jesusgiftcard.com Please let me know when you're ready to trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior so all the angels in heaven can rejoice, and me too :-)"

He texted back "Great! Will watch it on Sunday."

"Thank you God, for this the third conversation I've had today loving people! You know I told you on the way to the hospital, I felt real blah! But on the way home I am full of joy. I asked you for the power of your Holy Spirit and you answered. Please have Jay respond that he has received you as his Lord and Savior, in Jesus' name amen."

On Sunday we texted after I invited him to come to a Christmas party and have lunch. He couldn't come but let me know he was watching the movie and asked for a rain check for lunch.

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 that Jay will have his eyes opened. Satan is fighting hard to stop that.
Be Encouraged. Be Inspired.
Have GOALS.
Go. Open Your Mouth. Ask Questions. Love. Share your story.

Blessings come when we intentionally love people. Thanks for your time. Gone Fishin' Five is already in process. Just like we all are. Moving others and ourselves "One Step Closer" to Jesus. 

Your brother in Christ, Drake
Most People Say They Have A Bad Memory.