Lynn Park Outing

Lynn Park Outing

I was coming home from an interview Monday and just felt like I needed to go to the park and preach. I called my wife to see if she wanted to go and take the kids. So I came home we got ready and headed out.

I had not been in over a month. The last time I drove by to do it, the fear/anxiety was so high that I chickened out. While I can go out alone, it is easier when you have a brother or sister there praying for you.

We arrived had to pray a few times before we started because of family tensions. We were not united in purpose and attitude. I called everyone back into the van, so we could work out our issues. We prayed, talked, and then got out again.

The wife and kids went to invite people at the edges to come toward the middle. I raised my voice and started calling to them as well. Two young girls were walking by so I called out to them to join us for some Christmas Trivia. Ashley, 17, stayed with us.

I asked some easy questions and started swing from the natural into the spiritual. I then asked if anyone would make Santa’s nice list, if he used the Ten Commandments to measure them. I then asked if anyone to go through a couple and see. Ashley volunteered. It turned out that Ashley and the rest of us would be on the naughty list.

I then had to let them know that while Santa might not use the Ten Commandments, God in fact will. I went on to share the gospel with Ashley and the rest. I could see a change in Ashley as we talked about sin and why we can not earn our way to Heaven. We talked about the fact that around 2000 years ago a way for the debt to be paid came into the world. We talked about his lack of sin, but having such a great love for us that He paid our fine Himself.

Afterwards, I talked to James. James is a homeless man that is turning his life around. He wants to reenter society, and he realizes he is the reason for were his is now. His words not mine. I told him that I see no reason for God not to let him be reconciled to his family and rejoin society. So I offered to pray with him. Looking into his eyes I could see this spark of life that is many times absent in those without hope or without Hope (Christ). He claims the Lord and I believe him.

I got many encouragements from those listened. They were genuinely receptive and appreciative that we came out to share the gospel with them.

On the way out of the park, Walker asked if he could go and do the pink and blue tract with a man sitting on the bench. I said yes. Then Ginger said,” is that not Larry.” I looked over and saw that it was Larry. Therefore, I went over to talk to him.

Larry and I had met at one of the first times I had preached at Lynn Park. He is homeless as well. However, he has never asked for money. We talked about the Bible and I spent two hours talking to him one day. I realized that day why evangelism and counseling were both laid on my heart by God..

He told me that he has not seen his son in about 10-15 years. When he told me his son’s name I was shocked. Because his son is in the Marine Corps and is a sergeant. I worked with a Marine Corps sergeant by the same name. Well it turned out that they were not the same person. I did call the Marine Corp and try to track down his son. His son was deployed over seas, but I forwarded information to him on were his dad is and my contact info.

He had a ticket previously for beingin the park after curfew.. I asked him how it had turned out. He told me when he got their there was a guy he did not know. This guy walked up and asked his name. This guy told him he would talk to the judge for him. This mystery man walked up to the judge and talked to him. Then walked back to Larry and told him the charge was thrown out. Larry asked if he needed to wait for a piece of paper or something. The man said that the charge was already erased from the computer.

The funny thing is that I use a courtroom illustration sometimes. I tell them that they have a fine they can’t pay and will have to go to jail. Then I say but what if a someone, you don’t even know, was to walk into the courtroom and pay the fine for you. What would you think of that man? Then I let them know that is exactly what Jesus did for them 2000 years ago.

I want to ask all of you that might read this to lift up Larry and his son Allan. That God protect his son from harm in the Middle East, and that he reconcile them to each other on this side of heaven.

Chronicles of Narnia

Chronicles of Narnia

This book series by C.S. Lewis has the gospel of Jesus Christ woven into its story line. Check out this website and listen to an explanation of the first book.

http://www.narniastory.com/