.shockwave challenge - day 92

Today my brother officially used shockwave as a verb. Shockwave - v. to share the gospel with an unsuspecting stranger. "I shockwaved the waiter yesterday!"

That's pretty cool! I'm definitely adding this to the book.

Karis and I went to WalMart after church today to pick up some eggs so YaYa could make brownies. While we were walking through the aisles I felt led to talk to a couple, but shrugged it off. I've been doing more of that than I care to admit, so I've been even more aware of it lately. So before we left, I went back through the aisles and looked for the couple I passed earlier. While waiting for the opportune moment to invite them to church, I decided just to interrupt them and hand them the card. We talked about the church for a little while and found out that they were in between churches right now. I asked them the million dollar question and the wife laughed and patted her husband and said, "I know he's going to heaven but I'm not sure. I think I've backslidden." I shared the story of the prodigal son with them and assured them of their salvation because they had both accepted Christ earlier in their lives. Even though the son turned his back on his father, it didn't affect his status as a son. But it did affect his view of their relationship and the intimacy they experienced.

They were encouraged by our conversation and told me they would come to church soon. Which reminds me that a couple I invited to church about 6 weeks ago came to church today and recommitted their lives to Christ during Pastor's invitation. It really is wonderful to be used by God to do a simple shockwave and watch Him work in their hearts and lives!

Go out and shockwave somebody today!

.shockwave challenge - day 91

We had a great time in Atlanta today hanging out with my bro and going to the Georgia Aquarium. We were by the fountain in Centennial Park taking a few pictures with the self timer on our camera when a guy walked up and asked if we wanted him to take a few. We agreed and then I returned the favor for his family. After they walked away, Gregg busted me. He said, "I thought you were about to shockwave those people and I'd get to see you in action." I told him that sometimes I miss 'em and sometimes I don't. I knew I should have shared the gospel with them after I let them get away. It's just another reminder that opportunities are coming toward us or past us everyday. I was certain I wouldn't let another one pass by today, so after we ate dinner, I asked our waitress if she needed prayer. She said she could use a prayer for health and strength. I said we could take care of that and then I asked her the big money question. She told me she hoped she would go to heaven and I asked her what would qualify her to get in. She answered that she tried to do everything right and live up to the Bible. I shared the gospel with her and learned that she had accepted Christ when she was younger but didn't get to church that often now because of her job. I assured her of her salvation and told her that getting into heaven isn't based on what she does, but receiving what Christ had already done. We prayed for strength and healing and then she said, "Thanks! That made my night!"

On our way back to the car, Gregg and I had a great chat about evangelism triumphs and tips. It's really cool to see how God is working in his church to reach the lost in Colorado. It reminds me of 1 Timothy 2:4 - "He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned." God desires all people everywhere to be saved and the only way that's going to happen is if His people everywhere share the gospel everyday.

What are you going to do about it?

.shockwave challenge - day 90

It's been 90 days of shockwave in my life! I've had the privilege of leading 72 people to Christ and praying with even more people about their lives, bodies and relationships with God. I've seen miracles and lives changed right in front of me. I've done a number of other challenges in my life (including a 90 day fitness challenge), but none have been more fulfilling than this. Praise God!

Today we went to Atlanta to hang out with my bro. After we had lunch together, my crew had to go to the store for a few things and I met a young guy who didn't know if he'd go to heaven when he died. After I shared the gospel with him and told him about Romans 10:9, he told me he'd already prayed that prayer. I assured him of his salvation and encouraged him that it wasn't about what he had done in his life, but receiving what Christ had already done for him.

Later we were at Centennial Park downtown and Karis met another little girl and began playing together. I talked with her parents and found out that the dad was a PK (preacher's kid) and had accepted Christ when he was young. We prayed together for his family and asked God to help them fulfill His plan for their lives.

Are you taking the challenge? Commit to taking time on purpose to share your faith each day. God will bring people across your path who need Him. Do your job and point the way to Christ!

.shockwave challenge - day 89

I went to Wal-Mart tonight to do my shockwave challenge. After grabbing a Christmas present for Karis (I couldn't resist) I was walking out to my car and saw two cart pushers standing around talking. I approached them and invited them to church. I asked them the million dollar question and one of them said he hoped he would go to heaven and the other said he knew for sure. After I shared the gospel with them, I found out that both of them had already confessed Jesus as Lord. I prayed with them about their job and encouraged them to not let the mistakes they make discourage them from being secure in their salvation.

Don't forget about the challenge! Get out there and share your faith!

.shockwave challenge - day 88

Today at church, we were having some plumbing repairs done and one of our volunteers was having a hard time finding the water supply shut off valve for the main water.  After looking around for a while myself and looking around where the water meter is outside, we couldn't find a way to turn it off.  So I called Augusta Utilities and they sent someone over to turn it off for us.  It turns out that our volunteer had actually put the grate from one water meter box on top of the shut-off valve hole, so we couldn't see it when we were looking around.  After I discovered this riveting knowledge from the crew member of AU, I thanked him, asked him his name and if I could pray for him.   He told me to pray for his family.  I told him we could do that and then I asked him the million dollar question.  He was certain of his salvation and attends church across town.  I prayed for his family and God's plan for their lives to be fulfilled.

In spite of feeling like a dimwit for not looking under the grate, I was glad I had the opportunity to minister to this gentleman and ask him the million dollar question.  When you begin to take advantage of the moments to share the gospel, it gets easier and easier to do so.  I recommend you start where you are and make it a point to share the gospel with at least one person a day.  Join the movement!

.shockwave challenge - day 87

Kristen and I went to Target tonight to do a little shopping before a meeting we had. While we were in the toy section, we ran into a young woman with a one-year-old daughter. We approached her and invited her to church. She thanked us and then we started talking about her daughter a little bit. I then asked her if we could pray for her about anything. She said no, so I asked her the million dollar question. She said she didn't know whether she would go to heaven or not. I shared the gospel with her and prayed with her to be saved. Kristen talked with her further and before we walked away, I felt led to give her some money. I handed her a twenty and told her God loves her. I'm learning to be more and more obedient and sensitive to the Holy Spirit than ever before. I remember about a year ago I sensed God leading me to give a stranger in the grocery store some money to help with her groceries and I didn't do it. I hate that feeling of remorse you get after you don't do something you know you should. I'm ready for that emotion to be a thing of the past. With every obedient action, it fades away into the distance more and more.

Perhaps God has urged you to share the gospel with someone and you didn't. Don't let it happen again. Remember that feeling of remorse and act in a way to banish it forever. Start today!

.shockwave challenge - day 86

Tonight we took Karis to the park at Evans Town Center and she had a great time playing on the playground. After we left, we went to grab a bite to eat and we met an older woman and her son in the parking lot. Karis asked them what their names were and made them laugh so I took advantage of the opportunity and invited them to church. They said they would definitely come check us out. I asked if they had any prayer needs and they told me about the woman's sister who was scheduled to have surgery at the end of the month. Before we prayed, I asked them both the million dollar question and they were very upbeat and positive with their answer. They believed in God and depended upon Christ daily. We prayed together for their health as well as her sister. They left encouraged and strengthened.

Who could you encourage today? You never know how you might brighten a stranger's day by simply offering to pray for them. Go for it!