Chocolate Chip Cookies

I need to pick up some chocolate chips to make some delicious cookies today (a recipe from my wonderful cousin). So I stopped at Walmart and got them and headed to the checkout. I thought for sure that it would be a checker who I've seen before, but it wasn't this time! I handed her a tract as I paid and she started to flip through it. There was no one in the checkout line behind me so she was still reading it as I left. Amen!

Shopping trips bring so many opportunities

I needed to stop at Walmart today, but I was unsure if I would get to hand out a tract to someone because it seems as if a lot of the people there have already gotten them...Praise God! But I got to the checkout and didn't recognize the lady so after I paid, I handed her a tract. She started to flip through it as I told her that it changed my life and that she should read it.

Food Stop

Handed out a tract to a lady at Hyvee. We got through the checkout things picking up some needed food for later that night. I forgot to hand the tract to the checkout lady so I quickly pulled out my tract and handed it to the bag lady. She took it, but looked at me like I was crazy. I pray that she reads the message and learns about the crazy love that Jesus has for her.

Opening up doors

I tried to find a parking spot in the valley, but all were taken up tonight so I headed over to the garage to park. As I was walking back I prayed for an opportunity and that God would make it very clear. This girl started walking towards me and I thought for sure this was the girl I should give it to, but before I got to her she turned to go down a different sidewalk. So I kept on walking and saw up ahead another girl! I gave her the tract as I came up to her and told her what it was about. She said I think I've gotten one of these before...where was it...are you from the rock? I told her, yes I am. And asked if she read it and she said she had, but lost it. I asked if she was a part of a group on campus and she said she wasn't. She was so friendly and seemed interested so I told her that if she wanted I could give her my number if she wanted to go to the Rock and didn't want to walk alone. She said yes, so I wrote it down for her. Praise God for opening up doors like that, that I could never do myself.

Movies

Handed a tract to a guy that takes our movie tickets last night. He told me that he had already gotten multiple tracts before. Amen! It's encouraging to know that my brothers and sisters are running this race right beside me.

Another shopping trip

Stopped at Target to pick up a few things I needed and some much needed ant spray to kill those annoying ants that have been taking over out kitchen. I got to the checkout and then another lady called me to her lane because she had no one. She said I was her last checkout for the day. So when I check out I handed the lady at the checkout a tract. She took it, surprised and said thanks.

Answered prayer, but not quite what I expected

I prayed today that God would give me an opportunity to hand out a tract as I walked back to my dorm that I couldn't miss, like someone walking right by me. So as a man was about to cross my path I thought in my head...okay I have a choice. I would rather it be a girl walking by me, but what if I don't have another opportunity? And clearly God brought someone to me, so I need to obey Him. So I went up to him and asked, "Can I hand you this? The message inside changed my life." He put up his hands and stopped walking and asked, "what is it about?". I started saying "It's about Jesus and..." He cut me off there and threw up his hands telling me, "Don't advertise to me!" I pray that even though he didn't take the tract that that conversation would get him to think about Jesus and what he has done. God wanted him to hear that today.

Subway

After I got my sandwich last night at subway I remembered that I forgot to hand the tract to the lady who checked me out. Becca suggested I go up to this girl sitting by herself. I was hesitant but she came with me and she took it, looking a little surprised.

Sweet

After church we decided to stop by Arby's for some delicious chicken fingers. We went through the drive through and the food was going to take a little longer so she told me to pull around to the front and they would bring it out to us. A man came out to hand me my food and I handed him a tract. Telling him that the message inside changed my life. He enthusiastically took the tract saying "Sweet!" I pray he reads with enthusiasm what Jesus has done for him.

Out and About

Last night we stopped at Walmart to grab a few things for...you know...so as we checked out I handed the cashier a tract. Telling her that the message inside changed my life. She said ok and that she would read it when she got a chance. Praise God for always giving us opportunities.

March 1st

I have been so busy this past weekend I haven't had time to write on here. And now I've forgotten what exactly I did. But on Saturday night I went to hand out a tract to a girl and a guy walking as we were headed to the clubhouse. I asked, "Can I hand you this, it changed my life." She said no thanks and walked by. I looked for someone else, but no one else was out. Then yesterday I went to Target to get something, but I couldn't find what I wanted. I still need to hand out a tract, which was mostly the reason I stopped so I grabbed a bag of Doritos and went to checkout. I handed James at the register a tract telling him it changed my life.

Crossing Paths--Feb.24

I forgot to give out my tract when I ordered some lunch so on my way to the library I passed by a girl and handed her a tract. I tried to make it as quick as possible, because we ended up crossing paths right in the middle of the street and a car was waiting to pull out. But I told her that it changed my life and she should read it. She said okay and thanks.

Do You Know?--Feb.23

I was on my way back to my dorm after having dinner with my dad. As I parked I prayed for an opportunity to hand out a tract. I passed by this girl and handed her a tract. She said to me..."oh I already go to church." But she still took it. I pray that she's not relying on going to church to get her to heaven and actually has a personal relationship with Christ.

Not Ashamed--Feb.22

So I didn't get to hand out a tract yesterday. So I thought I would try to hand out more than one that day. On my way to babysitting I passed a girl and handed her a tract. She took it saying thanks. Then on my way back from babysitting, I was praying for another chance to hand out a tract. I walked passed a girl on my way back to my dorm, so I handed her a tract and told her it changed my life.

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."~Mark 8:38

It's about a Relationship--Feb.20

Today I got a chance to go to lunch with a classmate. We had class together freshman year and then randomly had class together again. We went to panera and sat down and talked for a while about life. I told her about the rock and asked her what she had grown up as or what she thought. She told me that her parents were Hindu, but she wasn't sure what she believed. She was even trying to figure out if she even believed that there is a God. She said that she's not into religion. But she told me that she was leaning toward Buddhism. Then she asked me what about me. So I told her what has changed my life--a relationship with Jesus Christ. I've been praying for opportunities to share with this girl and God gave me such an awesome opportunity today. Praise God. I pray that she thinks about it more after today.

Coincidence? I think not!--Feb.19

Today me and Bec went out sharing together. The first girl we came up to we found out the girl was a Christian. She was a highschooler visiting for this band competition. She said she was actually learning to evangelize. Amen! So we handed her some tracts that she could hand out to her friends or people she meets.

The last girl we talked to was from Canada and originally from China. She said a lot of her friends from Canada talked about Islam and she was leaning towards that. We talked to her for a little while about how Jesus is the only way. She told us that she had grown up with Christian parents. She said she had gone through a lot of hard and painful things when she was a Christian and that's why she was going to Islam. She was trying to decide what to do. We talked for a little while longer and then she asked well how do you do that...do you pray or read the Bible? So we told her that it's about a relationship with Jesus Christ. She said she just need more time to think about it, but asked for our numbers and we got hers. We told her that it's not just a coincidence that we just randomly started talking to her today. God planned this for a reason. I just about started crying during this conversation. God just pierced my heart. This woman was definitely searching and looking for answers. God is the only one who can give her those. She was close to making a decision. And she can go one of two ways. I pray she chooses God and turns to Him.

"It changed my life"--Feb.18

We were on our way back from prayer late last night before I handed out a tract. I was looking for a girl to hand it to, but there were none in sight. So I handed it to this guy walking by and told him it changed my life. He said thanks and started flipping through it as he walked away!

Let's spread the message--Feb.17

It wasn't until after the Rock last night before I was able to hand out a tract. I walked by this girl and handed her a tract telling her that the message inside changed my life. She seemed surprised and said thank you as she was leaving. The good news is going out and I pray lives are changed.

"Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored."~2 Thessalonians 3:1

Passing By--Feb.16

As I was walking back to my dorm I passed a girl. I handed her a tract saying "I like to hand these out. It changed my life. You should read it." She left saying "Thanks" as she walked away.

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."~Mark 2:17

Looking Around--Feb.15

Last night I walked around a while looking for someone to hand a tract to. These girls were up ahead of me, but they were too fast and I couldn't catch up to them. So I walked by the library and two girls were standing outside. I only had one tract with me so I just handed one of them it and told them, "I like to hand these out. It changed my life."

Feb.14

Last night I actually never did hand out a tract. I had thought about it earlier that day, but it wasn't until I had changed for bed before I realized that I didn't hand out a tract. I don't want to be legalistic about this. God knows my heart for this and I'm not about to stop trying because of one day. Although I did get to invite a girl to church yesterday. I pray that she can come.

FIshers of Men--Feb.13

It was late on Saturday night before I handed out a tract. I got back from church and realized I hadn't handed one out yet. So me and Becca ventured out into the snowy weather to find someone who needed Jesus. The first girl was walking by us and I handed her a tract telling her it changed my life. We then walked up to a car as a girl was getting out. Bec handed her a tract telling her about it.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."~Mark 1:17

He Has Come to Seek and Save--Feb. 12

Today me and Aimee went out and shared with some people at the student center and library. We started out in the student center and the first two girls we walked up to declined our question asking if they had time to answer questions. We weren't having much luck at the student center so we ventured on to the library hoping to find more people. And we did!

The first girl we introduced ourselves to, agreed to talk with us for a few minutes. She was a Catholic and didn't have a relationship with Jesus. She was very sweet, but she was deceived saying that she agreed with us, but her answers told us differently. We left her with a tract and information about the Rock. I pray that she reads that tract and learns about God's truth.
The second girl we talked to was also a Catholic. After talking with her for a while we found out that she was saved. Although she kept talking about how she was in the military and had seen a lot of things. I think she still had a lot of guilt about things. I hope that she can understand better God's forgiveness and love.

The last girl we talked to was a really hard conversation. She also said she was a Catholic. After we asked her the question about if she was sure she was going to heaven she said she'll leave that up to God. It was funny because she started going into the Ten Commandments right after that and we hadn't even said anything else. She said, "It says not to lie, well...I've lied. Stealing, I haven't done that. Murder, I've never murdered anyone." We talked with her for a while longer and I think she started getting angry with us. She was talking about how she doesn't believe what we were saying because you have to do good things to get you there too. It was sad, because at one point in the conversation she said something and then said that's what my priest said. So many people are listening to all these other influences and are being deceived, instead of seeking Jesus himself. After talking longer we left her with a tract and I suggested that she read John, because our words really mean nothing. By this point she was not happy with us at all. I pray that this will make her think more and ask questions and seek God for them.

Familiar faces--Feb.11

I needed to pick up some stuff at Walmart so what a great opportunity to hand out a tract too. I got to the check out lane, but I realized that I had already given the cashier a tract another time when I was there. So I quickly switched lanes, hoping no one noticed, and bought my stuff. I handed the lady a tract as I left telling her it changed my life.

Arbys--Feb.10

I ate lunch at the food court yesterday and got some Arbys. After I paid, I handed her a track telling her what I usually say "this changed my life, you should read it." I pray she does.

"We loved you so much that we were DELIGHTED to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."--1 Thessalonians 2:8

Let's be delighted to share with the lost because of our love for them!

Helping Out--Feb. 9

Me and Jillian were coming back to the dorms late on Tuesday night and both needed to hand out a track. We walked around for a while and came to the Maverick Village clubhouse and saw a guy inside trying to get his mailbox open. He was having a lot of trouble with it and we were just standing outside knocking because the door was locked. But because of the double doors he couldn't hear us. I was telling Jillian how perfect it would be if it wasn't locked then we could go and help him open the mail box and give him a track after. So we waited for a while and eventually he came to the door, unable to open his mailbox. As he opened the door, I handed him a track. At first he wasn't going to take it, but reluctantly he did. Then before he was going to leave he asked if we could help him get his mailbox open. So helped him and then walked back out. I don't think he noticed that we actually didn't do anything in there!

The Power of the gospel--Feb. 8

After working I again stopped by the store to hand out a tract. But I thought I'd switch it up a bit and go to Target. Once I checked out, I handed the man at the cash register the tract saying I like to hand these out, this changed my life.

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power."--1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
My words may be meaningless, but there is power in the gospel.

An Extra Stop--Feb. 7

I was on my way back to the dorms from home last night and I still need to hand out a tract. I decided to make an extra stop at Walmart for the sole purpose of handing out a tract. I really didn't need anything from Walmart so I glanced through a couple of isles and grabbed some cards...I'll use them sometime. I got through the checkout and handed the nice asian lady a track, telling her that it changed my life. She took it saying thanks as I began to walk away. I pray that she learns about how Jesus can change her life.

Walmart Stop--Feb. 6

As we were on our way back from church last night we stopped at walmart to pick up a few things. When I checked out I handed the man at the register a tract and said "You should read this. It changed my life." He seemed suprised and took it saying Thank you. God gives us so many opportunities to be bold for Him. Just like I read today in Acts 28:31 about Paul, "Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." Let's be bold for Him.

Knocking on the door--Feb. 5

Today me and Becca went to the student center to eat and talk to some people. We got our lunches and found a table by a girl. We got into a conversation with her and told her that we were from the Rock. We found out that she had talked to some people awhile back and said that she didn't really like talking about it because it's personal. But we asked her what exactly she talked about then, because we weren't there. She said that she wasn't sure what to think. She had two close relatives die within a year of each other and was angry with God for it. We talked with her a little longer and she said that she knew what we were talking about. She said that in high school she was a really strong Christian and would have been saying the same things that we were. I told her that if she ever wanted to hang out I could give her my number, but she didn't want it. But I hope she thinks more today about God's love and can truly understand how much he cares for her.

We then met another girl at the student center. She was from another country; I can't remember where exactly. We got to talk through a tract with her and tell her about Jesus and what he has done for us. She listened intently as we talked and seemed genuinely interested. I pray that she reads through that tract and surrenders her life to Christ.

Finally we talked with one more girl. She said she had grown up Catholic, but now was just trying to figure things out. I went through the gospel with her and asked what she thought. She said that it made her think more. We gave her a tract, a Rock card, and our numbers. And as we walked out I saw her flipping through the tract.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."--Revelations 3:20
I know God is knocking on the doors to their hearts. I pray that they open it up to Him.

Late Night--Feb. 4

It was really late last night before we got back from women connecting with women. So I had to make an extra trip out to hand out a tract. Jillian, being the amazing woman that she is, came with me to look for someone. I handed it to a girl walking by telling her "This is about how Jesus changed my life." She grabbed it saying thanks as she walked away. She may not know it, but I know that God wanted her to have that tract today.

Searching--Feb. 3

As we were on our way to the Rock last night I realized that I hadn't handed out a tract yet. So me and Becca took a detour to the walk space over by the clock tower so that we could possibly walk by more people. I handed a girl a tract as we walked by her saying "This talks about how Jesus changed my life, it could change yours too." And heard a "thanks" as we walked away. As we walked by another girl Becca handed a tract to her too. Two tracts, two lives that could be changed by hearing the good news.

Jimmy Johns--Feb. 2

Yesterday was a very busy day. I had class all day and then babysat till 8:30. And after I got off I still needed to hand out a tract. So I stopped by Jimmy John's to pick up a sandwich and hand out a tract. I walked in and saw that there were just three guys working there. I admit, I was a little intimidated. I got done paying and handed the guy at the register a tract. He started to flip through it, as I said, "This is the story of how Jesus changed my life. You should read it, it will change yours." I pray it does.

February 1

Today I needed to go to target to grab some food for dinner tonight. So what a great opportunity to hand out a tract. I got to the check out and regretted the lane I picked. This lady didn't seem too happy. But she needs Jesus just as much as anyone else. I thought in my head, "Oh great, I'm going to make this lady mad". I got done paying and handed her a tract saying, "You should read this, it changed my life." She just took it and set it along the register. I pray that she does pick it up and read it today.

Courageous Acts

At the end of Faithwalkers 2009 I was very convicted about sharing the gospel. I had been focused on myself and my fears and what people thought of me instead of caring about the souls around me who don't know the love of our Savior. I decided to commit to do a courageous act for the gospel every day. I don't want to sit back indifferent to the lost, broken people around me. God has asked so much more of me than to be lukewarm. He deserves so much more than that.