TOMORROW I report to work at Lindbergh Elementary, a public school just down the street, as honorary principal for the day. We have workshop preparation going on in big ways, but this venue puts me in the middle of community action. Besides, why not be the boss of everybody for a whole day. Would that be my job? I have no idea what I'm going to do. Hopefully, my eyes will be available to see things intended for kingdom usefulness! Would you think a bag full of candy bars would be a good idea?
FRIDAY I'm to meet with a reporter from the Daily Oklahoman. I don't know much about that paper; rephrase, I don't know anything about that paper. However, they are coming to Tulsa from somewhere to do a story on Baseball Evangelism with St. Louis Cardinals. Sounds right to me!
And then MONDAY I am to speak at lunch time to the downtown Kiwanis about Easter. I'm not to preach, they said, but talk about Easter. Okie Dokie. That I can do. If you had such an opportunity, what would you say at this event?
6 comments:
Will you be dressed in a rabbit outfit for that Kiwanis luncheon? Don't you love it when you are invited, as a preacher, to speak but are asked not to preach??!!
Greg,
It's a strange assignment, huh? However, I am pumped. I'll share with the readers my plans, but I really would like readers' insight on the subject.
I plan to talk about (which is different than preaching) Easter being significant because of the resurrection of Jesus. That's a fact. I want to address how desperately individuals and corporations are seeking the dream of starting over in life.
The business community and the volunteer organizations need encouragement to rebound from both setback and defeat and try again...and again.
I'm happy to get to go to downtown and "not preach" such a thrilling message!
Terry,
Praying for you this Am as I fly to Dallas to speak at Mesquite's 50th. anniversary.
Found this I thought you would like from Louis Palau on Christianity Today
Do you feel that American Christians have lost a sense of evangelistic fervor?
When I was in Chicago doing launch rallies for "Say Yes Chicago," a taxi driver took me to a press conference at Grant Park. The driver was a Muslim from Sudan, very talkative and eager to make me a Muslim. He was trying to convert me in the course of a ten-minute drive. I told him I was a Christian, which began a quick discussion about Jesus Christ. After a few minutes, he said, "Islam is going to win in America. And we're going to win in the world. You Christians do not really believe Jesus Christ is the only answer and the only One."
I said, "Of course we believe that." He said, "No, you don't. I've been here for six years, and I've hardly met a single American that believes Jesus is the only One and the only way and the only answer."
I was amazed, moved, rebuked, and ashamed. Here was a foreigner in America unashamedly trying to convert me in ten minutes. And meanwhile, we Christians beat around the bush. We are not convinced that people without Christ are truly, truly lost forever. If we did, we wouldn't be able to rest. We would jump at the chance to be part of a citywide crusade. If we believed that people were irrevocably lost without Christ, we would take advantage of every chance to preach the gospel.
Larry Wishard
Word of advice, don't say the words "Rotary" or "Lions" when you are at the Kiwanis meeting. You will be looked at with contempt and disdain, plus they will fine you and make you pay for your own lunch.
(Acceptable alternatives - round and round club, roaring club, etc.)
Have fun and give em' Jesus.
Terry: I'm thrilled you are the guy doing this! I suppose my point was that the world has such a negative view of "preaching" and yet anything we do or say should be a message about Christ! After all, he lives in us so whether we teach or preach or just serve, they don't know it but they are experiencing a sermon! Or they should be . . .
Winston Churchill was always succinct...when I read your blog, the first thing that crossed my mind: "He lives, He lives, He lives." (never give up, never give up, never give up)
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