Sharing

Lily called me up a few days ago. I had not talked to Lily and her family in years. We used to go to the same church but she moved and I moved and … you know how that goes. Well, she said she wanted me to share the gospel to Buddy, a family friend, who is dying in a hospital in downtown L.A.. Of course I was willing to help.

“Buddy is a lifelong atheist but now that he is facing death, he is willing to listen to the gospel,” Lily said, “I’m not good with words so I want you to do this.“

Lily said she would pick me up and bring me to the hospital. The logistics didn’t look good. Lily lives in Santa Clarita. I live in Whittier. The hospital is 60 miles away. That’s a good 3 hour drive one way. I also need to drive to another meeting soon after. But I can see how important this is to Lily. Saving one soul is all important. (Hey, just let me know if you want to talk about the gospel … I’ll make time for you). So I told Lily to skip the driving and do a zoom meeting instead. This meeting will be happening today (Friday) afternoon. Please pray for our conversation.

I am no evangelist. And I’m not that good with words either (I write better than I think on my feet). But I realize that it isn’t words nor the brilliance of logic that saves the lost soul — that’s the Holy Spirit’s job. The Holy Spirit determines who will be saved and who will not. My job is to simply share: We are all sinners and we deserve to go to hell but Jesus Christ intervened and died for our sins because of His love for us. No, we don’t need to work hard or do anything to deserve to go to heaven. No need for long prayers, no need for sacrifice. Simply believing that our hope is in Christ makes us born again; and when we do, the Holy Spirit will enter into our lives and transform us to live as God’s children.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” — Romans 8: 26-27

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this is what Christians do. We have a duty and a privilege to share the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins. Sounds weird, huh? Yeah, I get that all the time but this is who I am and I’m not ashamed of it.

I’m super tired. I need to rest. I need to have a clear mind tomorrow. I grew up Catholic, lost my faith in college, became an atheist, lost my moral values, prayed for God to be real to me and became a born-again Christian in my 30s. Buddy is a younger version of me. This should be interesting.

Yawn — I gotta sleep. TGIF people!

Raoul

“Though the Bible was written over sixteen centuries by at least forty authors, it has one central theme–salvation through faith in Christ.” — Max Lucado

“Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way.” – AW Tozer

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come..” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

Thanks to Bob of Placencia

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!

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Get On Board!

Warning: Serious thoughts and religious topic. Please move on to the jokes if you aren’t in the mood.

I had a physical exam the other day. Before seeing the doctor, I was given some standard health questions about smoking, drinking, allergies and family history, etc. but there was a new section that gauged any loneliness and depression — alluding (I assume) to suicidal tendencies. I guess the hospitals are finally addressing the growing epidemic of suicide all over the world. Indeed, more and more people have lost hope in this confusing world. What a tragedy.

John the doctor

John F., my business partner, wasn’t his jolly old self when I called him this afternoon. Apparently, his friend (John P. MD) had just passed away a few hours ago. Doctor John and his wife had just moved in to their new down-sized home when he fell down the stairs, cracked his skull and never recovered. My partner is devastated but I’m sure it doesn’t even compare with the family’s grief. They had just seen the movie “Freedom” and they had plans to help stop child trafficking … but God had a better plan. “Sad. See you again, John,” said my partner in their group chat.

Bob the harmonica player

None of my band members heard from Bob (our harmonica player) all of last week. I only found out from a mutual friend that he had a near-fatal heart attack. Thanks to the doctors who put a stint on his artery on time. I had a long chat with Bob on the phone. I enjoyed sharing ideas with a friend whom I almost lost. I’m looking forward to Bob’s melancholy woodwind in a few weeks.

Jerry the gentle giant

Jerry, was a genuinely nice 6’2” giant with lots of friends and a huge family. In the last 5 years, he had his knees and hip replaced. He battled with chronic pain for months after and practically lived off pain killers. No one realized he was that sick. There was always hope that he would return to our breakfast meetings. Even though I knew Jerry didn’t share the same faith, something prompted me to text him and I sent him a long prayer. “Thank you dear friend,” he said, “I can use all the help you can muster.” The following week he was gone.

“People get ready there’s a train comin’.
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board.
All you need is faith to keep the diesels humming.
You don’t need no ticket. You just thank the Lord.”
— A song by Curtis Mayfield

If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m part of the Baby Boom generation. My circle of white haired friends are boarding that Train in record numbers. Life is fleeting.

People came knocking

As I was walking our dogs this morning, a herd of church people entered my community dressed in their Sunday best and with pamphlets in hand. Although I don’t particularly agree with their beliefs, I was open to have a discussion with them; however, when I returned home, they had already knocked at my door and left a pamphlet. Their brochure was an invitation to their upcoming convention on how to “Exercise Patience.” I appreciate the boldness of these well-meaning witnesses but I question their beliefs — do they believe that Jesus is the son of God? May God humble our hearts and guide our path to the truth.

All of this is a reminder of my mission to spread the gospel. Think about it: If being “saved” is all that matters, why didn’t God let the “saved” get on board the train immediately after they accepted Christ? If you are “saved” why aren’t you “saving” others? I believe Christians are here to lead others to the truth before the wrong crowds lead them elsewhere.

Sure, I respect other beliefs and I am willing to listen to other ideas (if you have questions, I have time for you) but so far, the truths in the Bible have answered all my questions without a doubt. Although we’re curious how people die and speculate what could have been, the fact is, the Train is coming for everybody. We just have different scheduled boarding passes. It isn’t about works — it’s nothing we can boast of. It’s about faith. It’s about God’s grace. Do your research, discuss, question, do what you have to do to settle things now. Get your ticket to get on board before it’s too late.

“for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”
— 1Thesolonians 1:5

Blessings to you all. TGIF people!

Raoul

BTW, thanks for all your prayers for my Ai talk. It went very well. People hung around for half an hour in animated discussions. I will be writing an article about this soon for travelingboy.com.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Marilou of Pila Laguna, Philippines

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines.

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Anger Management appeared first on Traveling Archive.