A Week of Firsts (if that makes sense)

So this week was a long week for us. To start of the first time experiences we'll go with Monday.

Monday: It consisted of a job interview, a job offered and then the same job turned down all in one day. It's all a little confusing but by Wednesday there was another interview and more decisions to make. I know it doesn't all make sense with my vague details but trust me its just easier this way:) All in all we are still looking for the right job. God has given us joy and reminded us that He is our Provider.

Wednesday: We went door to door evangelizing. We both really have never done what they call confrontational evangelizing so we learned. Church has a goal of reaching one whole side of Waco through door-to-door evangelism. During the next 2 weeks everyday there are teams going out. They have a large map on the wall and all the streets and houses numbered. It was impressively organized to track people and make sure people don't get visited twice (good for us and them). Some of you may be thinking: what is that? How do you do that? Why would you do that? Well, we had some apprehension of our own but we were unwilling to let our fear stop us. We showed up and worshiped and prayed together for awhile and then went out in two's. We basically knocked on doors and asked if people were willing to take a short 2-3 minutes survey (which it really was a survey). The last couple questions talked about knowing Jesus and if they wanted to hear more about Him. The houses that Andrew and I approached were welcoming and said that they all knew Jesus. We were encouraged when we went back to hear that a handful of people were saved that night. Yeah Jesus! Needless to say, Andrew went back again last night for more.

Thursday: we witnessed our first crime. We were at the mall and were walking toward a store when we noticed that a policemen up in front of us was holding a young man up against the wall. The kid looked our way, started to struggle and escaped the policemen after falling and wrestling a bit. It happened so quickly. It was like everything was in slow motion. Then a lady came out of the store they were by and motioned to a next by pedestrian to help the cop and together they caught a wrestled the man down cussing and yelling the whole way down. I felt so uneasy after watching all this go down. I told Andrew I felt sick because I hate violence and scary situations. I think most people share my feelings in these situations (if you've even been in one before).

As we drove home I couldn't stop thinking about the situation and then I was stuck by a thought. This sounds like a Life Group icebreaker question. If you were witnessing a crime what would you do? I would have loved to say that I would have helped stop it but that obviously wouldn't have been true. I started to compare the night before (evangelism) to the situation that just occurred. Stay with me here. I told Andrew its kinda like we see people in "danger" or "lost" everyday and we usually do one of three things. We (a.) panic and are paralyzed by our own fear (b.) let someone else do it (like a pastor, worship leader, elder or in our case, the policemen) (c.) don't care and try to put them out of our minds. In both situations there is a great risk. In our situation the person could have had a knife or gun or whatever. In evangelizing your pride is on the line. Are you willing to be made foolish for Jesus? Matthew 10:38 "And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Yikes! That's pretty straight forward. I don't know about you but that gives me something to ponder.

Today: Sydney asked Jesus to come and live in her heart today! The angels are having a party and so did we! She was so cute. Right after we finished praying she jumped up and said, "Mommy, I want to make Jesus a heart and put glue and sprinkles on it for Him." My heart was overwhelmed. So for the next 15 minutes we sat in the middle of the living room floor and made hearts for Jesus! Faith like a child. Luke 18:17 "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it".

In closing (finally right), if you're looking for some devotional reading this week check out Luke 12:35-48 (You Must Be Ready) and Luke 16:19-31 (What will it take you to believe?)

Matthew 10:32-33 "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven".