I can't wait. Four more years...of evangelism training

I remember it like it was yesterday...I am sure you all know what you were doing doing the Vice Presidential Debate in the fall of 2004. Well maybe I am the only one who can definitely remember what I was doing.

I had attended a Leaders for the Harvest Retreat the weekend before the debate. On the retreat we had a time of scripture reading, solitude, and prayer...just some good ol' quit time. I remember thinking I paid to come to this retreat, now they are sending me out into the woods to meditate on one paragraph of scripture.

It was a new experience for me. I remember how the first 45 minutes kind of drug on. It was hard for me to slow down and just think about nothing. Then I began to read the scripture passage over and over. (Still nothing - no great ah-ha moment for me) Well I continued to pray and read the same verses...about to hours into it I really was wondering what I was doing. Then as it came closer to the time to get back to the main cabin...I began writing, and writing and journaling some more...my ah-ha moment came on so fast it almost scared me. I could not write fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. It was a truly Spirit-filled moment for me.

I came away from that meeting with the name of a book in my head. Permission Evangelism by Michael Simpson. I looked back at my notes. I did not see where I jotted the name down or where the guide book referenced it. I just knew I had to buy this book.

I bought it on Monday, then started reading it during the VP Debate. I started Permission Evangelism and did not put it down until I had read it all. At 2 am I was so pumped about this book I just finished. That was my first time reading Permission Evangelism, since then I have reread it several times and taught through a discussion of the book.

I look forward to announcing some very exciting news about Permission Evangelism and Westview Church. I look forward to seeing God use His people to initiate conversations, engage people, and bless those relationships.

Drop back soon for a special announcement!

Resource Provider

Bill Hybels wrote in his book Just Walk Across The Room, about being a resource provider. I don't always know the answer to the tough questions people ask about Christianity. It is safe to say I all to often I am left saying "that's a great question or I don't know." Even if it is not a direct question there are many times a conversation sparks a memory of something I may have read. There are so many great books out there about relationships, leadership, etc...Many books authored by Christian Authors can create conversations points, lead people to seek out God, and really impact people's lives.

Lola Kenworthy shared at Westview Church on Jan 14th, about how God has been encouraging her to be bold about her faith. One thing that she took from Just Walk Across the Room, was that God can use her to plants the seeds of faith in people's lives. She has really challenged herself to be a "resource provider" She has seen how easy it is to suggest a book to someone. She has even taken steps to have materials ready to share. ( I have yet to see her balancing a book on her head walking through the mall:) She does however make sure she has access to books, cd's, dvds, etc...

Think about where and when you can share a good book, a cd, or even the Bible with someone. God can use you as a Resource Provider! HE can do the rest! Be willing to Initiate, Engage, and then prayerfully wait on God to Bless!