Disappointed and sad

"Mike" is a guy I met in the jail several months ago. At the time, he was excited about getting plugged into the church, getting involved in a small group and eventually joining the worship team. Mike also had a girlfriend that he was planning on living with when he got out of jail.

Dave and I both talked to him about that living situation. We exhorted him to find alternate living arrangements, so that he could focus on his relationship with Christ and not walk in sin. Initially, when Mike got out of jail, we would talk or hang out fairly regularly. We'd do stuff around the church (he was always will to do work), and we'd talk about his walk with Christ. Mike has a servant's heart and is very compassionate. For now, though, he has chosen to continue living with his girlfriend.

She does not seem to be happy with the time we spend together. She does not want him coming to the church I pastor. She wants to keep living with him, but she doesn't want to marry him because she doesn't trust him. I haven't quite figured that out. Mike says that she is a strong Christian and knows the Word.

Lately, Mike has not returned phone calls from me or other guys in the church. I've told Mike that if he wants the blessing of God on his life, he can't walk in blatant, unrepentant sin. He knows the truth, but does not want to let go of this relationship. I'm sad and disappointed for Mike because he has such great potential. And even though Mike is a grown man and responsible for his own actions, it's hard for me not to be angry with his girlfriend. I need to let that go and pray for both of them. Mike says that she could really be used of God if she would just surrender to him more fully.

"Father, I do pray for both of them that their eyes would be opened and that they would repent and turn to You. You have been patient with me in all my sinful ways. You have never left me or forsaken me. I pray that Your Spirit would show them the truth that they may walk in it and glorify You with their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Go get 'em!

From Dave:

I was sitting at a table with inmate Chuck. Chuck is a Christian, and we had a long time of talking and praying. I told Chuck it was time for another inmate to have the opportunity to hear about Jesus. I suggested that he find an inmate that he thought really needed the Lord in his life, and for Chuck to go get him and bring him to the table.

Chuck did exactly that! John approached and asked why I wanted to talk with him. Well, very bluntly, I told him why he was invited. John and I had an honest, direct discussion about salvation. It turned out that John had been quietly on his own trying to "understand Jesus." This was a "God job" from the beginning. John, this evening, received Jesus and made Him Lord of his life. We had a good time of talking and praying. John left a new man and with a Good News bible unit lesson.

"I'm a spiritual person."

Dave and several others were sitting around a table last week talking about the Lord. Troy was listening intently to the conversation.

After a while, the “Pill Lady” came by the jail unit. The “Pill Lady” is the nurse who brings meds to the inmates. When she arrived, everyone but Troy got up to get their prescriptions. When he was alone with Dave, the first thing out of his mouth was: “I'm a spiritual person!” “That’s interesting,” Dave replied. “Tell me more.”

Troy talked at length about his spiritual life. Dave listened to Troy, and then shared the good news of Jesus with him. Troy accepted Christ that evening. Dave gave him a Bible, and wrote in it the day and time of his salvation. After talking and praying some more, Dave assured Troy: “The angels are rejoicing in heaven because of what has happened to-night (Luke 15:7).”

Let us also rejoice at what God has done!

Where I've been

Wow! It's been forever since I last posted. My church has been busy with a neighborhood outreach and a city-wide outreach the last few weeks. Many people came to Christ and we have been trying to follow up with all the folks. We're pretty new at this and we're learning as we go along.

One thing that I've enjoyed is getting to know people in the neighborhood of the church building. I've done a lot of witnessing in the jails, but almost none in neighborhood! Something's not right with this picture. Anyway, I have a renewed interest in reaching the local community here, so my posting may not be as frequent.

I know, I know, you're thinking, Well, Brian, it wasn't exactly like you were posting a lot before! This is true. We'll see how it goes.