I very seldom hear stories about people I've previously talked with. This is a very cool one.

In November 2007, I wrote an entry about a guy in the gym named Justin. Some time later, a friend of mine from the church down in south Florida, Danielle, contacted my wife and informed her that she was needing some encouragement one day and, therefore, visited my blog.  The first entry she saw was the post about Justin at L.A. Fitness.  Besides being encouraged, God also laid upon her heart to begin praying for Justin.  And, Danielle did. More...

This past Monday night, I had the privilege of traveling to a homeless shelter in the heart of Altanta.  I, accompanying First Baptist Church of Cumming, had a great time serving approximately 500 homeless men and loving on them.

Two men that I talked with, Dan and Warren, had taken a bus from Florida to Atlanta.  They were originally carnival machine operators.  They, however, quit the current carnival company that they were working for and moved up to Georgia.  They had just gotten off the bus this past Friday.  In other words, as of Monday, they had been homeless for 4 days.  Warren stated that he had been homeless previously and carried a huge chip on his shoulder.  Dan, on the other hand, has never been homeless before; he was tremendously scared.  As Dan, Warren and I spoke for quite a while.  Warren, really, never 'let me in' - he continued to say that "[his] home was currently under construction".  But, I never really got the impression he knew what he was talking about.  His pride kept him somewhat distant from the conversation - only speaking periodically.  Dan, however, gave me his full attention.  There were times when Dan would get seemingly angry, but I think it was the fear trying to put up a strong front.  Dan's constantly fought to hold back tears.  Dan, grew up Catholic but confessed that he knew nothing about salvation and forgiveness; he admitted that if he died that night, he would spend eternity in Hell. 

After some time of discussion, DAN ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST as his Lord and Savior!!!  You could see a new peace in his countenance; his tears were now tears of relief. I showed him some passages in the New Testament that was given to him that night. I showed him how he was a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and how there was no longer any condemnation regarding his sins (Romans 8:1). Finally, the New Testament didn't have the Psalms in it, so inside the front cover, I wrote one more verse: "I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)  I told Dan that whenever he got scared out on the streets to remember that verse.

Dan was so grateful and his demeanor was so much more relaxed and joyful.

Something that is also very cool is most of this entire discussion was RECORDED ON VIDEO!!! I got some general clips of the homeless shelter on video, as well. Once I secure a copy of the videos, I'll post them on here so all of you can watch.  I'll try to get them on here within a week or two.

 Please remember Dan in your prayers tonight - wherever he's at.  Remember to thank God for saving his life.

As you know, I had a great time at the mall the other day as I simply obeyed God and went.  Today has been no different. 

My wife and I, as we have search for a church to attened, have prayed that God would lead us to the church that he desires for us to serve Him in.  This past Sunday, we attended a church called North Lanier Baptist Church.  Both, Jeannine and I, really feel like that's where God wants us.  I met with the Missions Pastor this morning and had a wonderful conversation with him.  He gave me a brief history of the church and I shared with him a little about myself.  He also asked me what areas did I serve my church in Florida.  I shared with him a few things including teaching college students, helping a little with the youth, and also upgrading and running the sound system.  The pastor then began telling me about the needs in the church.  They were needing help with the youth, their website and someone to run sound.  The pastor informed me that their main sound technician just received a job offer in Nashville and will moving in about 5-6 weeks.  Just yesterday the pastor had told the church staff in the meeting that they all knew God was moving the family to Nashville.  The pastor continued to share that if God is moving them out, then God would move someone in to take the sound tech's place.

As I was leaving this meeting, God told me to God to a church in the south part of Forsyth County, First Redeemer Church. So I drove down there.  As I was leaving my car, God told me to take two business cards.  I went to the church office and asked for the Missions Pastor.  He came and met with me for a few minutes.  Somewhere in our conversation he asked me what I was there for exactly and I told him I didn't know, but that God wanted me to come and meet him and introduce myself. So we continued to talk about ministry a little bit more then he had to leave. He asked me if I had any business cards on me and I told him that I did.  I gave him the two that I had and told him to give the extra one to someone who might have a need for it.

Finally, God led me to another church in the north part of Forsyth County, Mountain Lake Church. As I pull into the parking lot, I saw a contruction/surveying crew in the far lot.  I really had a burden to go talk to them, but I continued to the church office.  So I went in to the office and only 2 or 3 people were there.  So I shared with them what I was doing and that I was just wanting to introduce myself.  We talked only for a few quick minutes and they encouraged me to call back next week when their Missions Pastor would be back in town. As I was leaving the office and after the fact, I just knew that I didn't come there to meet them.  As I driving back through the parking lot, I noticed those same three men talking in the far lot.  The burden came back upon me.  So I drove over to them.  Two men separated and went to talk at another truck, while one man continued reading some plans that were laying on his tailgate.  I asked God who did He want me to talk to.  God led me to the individual by himself.

 So, I started talking the gentleman; his name is Dan.  It turns out that Dan is a strong professing Christian.  However, he and his wife have been having a rough time with their second-oldest, Jacob who is 15.  We talked about Jacob and some of the things he was struggling with.  I then had an opportunity to pray with Dan, for him and his family - especially Jacob. When ended up talking for about 30 minutes today.  Dan asked me what my name was and I told him, "Smiley."  He asked if I was serious because that was the nickname that Jacob, his son, was given by his football teammates.  As I we were departing, Dan told me that he appreciated me praying with him and for his son.  Dan said that he "needed that today."

Who says, "God doesn't talk to you anymore."  He will.  Will you listen?

Last week, I stopped in to buy a snack from at a Exxon gas station.  One of Switchfoot's songs was on the radio.  I asked the attendant, Manuel, who is 22 years old, if he had heard the song before. Manuel said that he had.  I asked him if he had ever listened to the words.  Manuel said that he hadn't.  So, I started speaking the words of the song as Switchfoot was singing.  Then I asked Manuel what he thought those words meant.  From that, the door was flung open for me to share, over the next 30 minutes, a full presentation of sin, righteousness and judgment.  He asked questions and I answered them.  Before leaving, I asked Manuel if he had a Bible at home.  He said that he did.  I encouraged him to read it because it would explain in greater detail what I just got through sharing with him.  Manuel said that he would.

Today, I stopped back in the Exxon station to buy another snack (Sobe's and Snickers are great snacks after a workout - carbs and protein). Manuel was in there again.  Immediately he exclaimed, "Welcome, my friend!"  I returned the greeting.  My daughter was in the car so I couldn't stay and talk, but as I was checking out, I asked him if he had thought any more concerning what we talked about.  He said that he has thought alot about it.  I asked him if he has started reading his Bible.  He told me that he had started reading a little bit each day since then.  I told him that I would stop back by later when I had more time (I had a meeting to get to).  He answered, "Okay."

As I drove away, he waved bye to me.

Two prayer requests:

1. Prayer of thanksgiving and praise that God has 'begun a good work' in Manuel AND that God would take the next step in that work (i.e. salvation).
   
2. Forsyth County (the county in which I live) has the 7th fasted growing community in the nation.  Being that there are a lot of home developments, many Latinos are moving to the area to find work.  The Latino population is increasing steadily.  When I was at Carson-Newman, one way I reached out to the Brazilians on the men's soccer team was letting them teach me a little bit of Portuguese - their native language.  You could see they were very grateful and felt honored for someone trying to learn their language and great friendships were cultivated as a result.  I desire to witness to the Latino's, however, I do not know Spanish. Please be in prayer that God would provide the resources to purchase computer software to help me learn Spanish or that God would, perhaps, provide someone in a local church who can teach me. I want to use every opportunity I have to share the Gospel.

As always, thank you for your prayers and e-mails/phone calls of encouragement.

Well I was reading, praying and resting this afternoon and lo and behold guess who knocks on my door!?!?  Yep, some missionaries from the Latter Day Saints church.  One had been on his mission for about 8 weeks while the other had been here only about 6 weeks.  I welcomed them in, gave them some water and we sat down and talked.

I won't write everything on here regarding what we talked about because we talked for OVER 2 HOURS (I wish I had recorded it though). We had a fantastic conversation!

At the end, I told them that I was glad they came and that I hoped they were encouraged and challenged just as much as I was.  I told them that I hoped they felt loved, safe and non-threatened as they talked with me.  They replied that it was one of the best conversations that they've had and that they did feel welcomed and safe.  I invited them to come back any time they wanted to and they said that they would.

Before they left, they asked if we could pray together and I said, "Sure."  Then, they asked me if I would pray because they wanted to hear me pray.  It was awesome and an incredible blessing to pray for them. 

I wrote down a few of their arguments so that I could go back and study the scripture and be prepared next time they return.  Praise God for the opportunities that he brings to my door, literally.