Friday Night Notes

me??? I'm just wasting my time...
I made it out of the lab early today, so Pastor Tim and I were in the marketplace, preaching the Gospel just after supper time.  It was good to evangelize in daylight, when the temperature is warmer (however, after hour two of our evangelistic effort, it got down right chilly).  We had a steady flow of people walking by our preaching spot for pretty much the whole time we were out; I gave out a significant number of Bible tracts!

The evening wasn't without its challenges however.  For example, being out in the early evening got us a couple of visits from the marketplace city monitors.  Think of these monitors like outdoor versions of "mall-cops".  You see, according to one of my city's 1,034,256,522,094 bylaws, before 8pm, Pastor Tim and I aren't allowed to stand on a street corner to evangelize.  We can walk around with our Bible signs and preach while walking, but we are not allowed to stay in one spot.  I was pretty annoyed, but managed to diplomatically request some grace stating that we were out earlier tonight by mere chance and that it was doubtful they would see us again in the foreseeable future.  It worked.

It was pretty funny, when the monitors, a young man and a young lady, spoke to Pastor Tim, he asked the young man: "How old are you?"  The young man replied that he was 23 years old.  The good preacher just smiled and said: "I was preaching the Gospel on this very street corner when you were a 1-year-old... I'm sure you understand that no matter what... I'm not going anywhere."

I laughed... and laughed... and laughed.

About an hour later, however, I wasn't laughing at all. A very drunk man who identified himself as Blair came by to express his views on religion.  He claimed he was "the closest f____ thing to Jesus Christ one could get."  As any of you can well imagine, I took exception to that, noting that Jesus wouldn't be walking around drunk out of His mind.  Well, Blair didn't like my retort and threats were uttered.  The man was quite bigger than me so I discreetly put away my tracts and readied myself for trouble.  Thankfully though, the Lord saved me out of my trouble: the man's girlfriend called him from across the street, and he left, continuing to curse and blaspheme.  The Lord have mercy on him.

As Blair walked away, a man drove by in a BMW.  He rolled down his window and slowed down just to say: "You're wasting your time."  After uttering this brilliant assessment, he drove off.  I had to laugh.  No doubt, with carnal eyes, I totally am wasting my time.  A shame the poor soul doesn't see how my Friday night efforts are the best uses of my time.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Pastor Tim and I had a few conversations with sinners tonight, but had more conversations with saints who were walking through the market.  It was nice to have regular interludes, in which we were encouraged and blessed by dear brothers and sisters.  The Lord bless them all!

Finally, had a short conversation with a man who works in the same research institute I work in.  I've spoken to him a number of times in the past during our time of evangelism and he has expressed that he admired and supported our efforts.  The man isn't saved, I'm pretty sure of that, but he sees merit and righteousness in our work.  I have prayed and will continue to pray that the Lord will give me an open door to minister further to this man... he truly is a "nice guy".

With that, dear readers, I'm off to bed.  It's been another busy week, and now I'll take what God promises to His saints in Psalm 127: "... for so He giveth His beloved sleep."

God bless you!

Rand

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2)