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    I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith....

    On a recent trip to the California coast, I was delighted and amazed by someone I met, a brother-in-Christ that I will name "Randy". He was sitting on a bench at the beach park, reading. Next to him was a stack of books. It was then I noticed the handwritten sign "FREE BIBLES". When I asked him what he was doing, he explained that he came to the beach park two to three times per month and just sat there with his sign and bibles, available for anyone who may want to take a bible or to talk with him.

    My heart was so very touched. No loudspeaker, instead, a gentle spirit. No plaquard sign, just a tattered handwritten paper one. No warring or condemning posture, but an open, invitational nature. So much like my Jesus! When I asked if he received resistance to being there, It saddened me to hear that Randy's primary difficulties have come from other Christians.

    "You should be in their face! Not just sitting there!" "You need to be telling them about hell" "Don't be so passive!"

    All this from Christians who were making their way to the pier for lunch while Randy chose to sit patiently proving his love to Christ and to the lost. He told me stories of some of the surfers who after seeing him month after month, began to sit on the park bench with him, telling him their stories. Then slowly slipping away with a bible in hand.

    Randall_lightened_up
    Randy has only walked with the Lord for three years, but as we talked about Jesus, it was apparent that he has consumed scripture and spent many hours at the Master's feet. I can't help but see the parallel between him and the Lord's disciples. 

    "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

    How many has he impacted by his visible testimony of faithfulness? How many who have yet to know Christ? But even moreso, how many that already do know Christ? Randy encouraged me that day to remain faithful to my life verse, Philemon 6.

    The first part of the verse is not so surprising given our call as Christians..."I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith..." but it is the second half that thrills my heart..."so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing you have in Christ". As we recite the "good news" story to others, we are reminded again of our great privilege in following Him! We continue to discover the "good things" in Christ our Lord. I have seen this truth play out in the lives of believers that take seriously the mandate to share their faith. They are filled with joy and gratitude for all He is and all He has done! Randy is one of them; filled with deep understanding of the gospel and intimate knowledge of Christ.

    I don't know about you, but I'm ready to find a parkbench! Thank you Randy, for reminding me to share the gospel of Christ in the love of Christ!

    (If you would like to learn more about sharing your faith effectively, go to the Resource Page and check out "Prepare to Engage")

    • 29 October 2011
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    4 months ago madonnamarron responded:
    madonnamarron
    Randy is a sweet example. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story Tina. You are such an inspiration. Love you sister in Christ!
  • Tina Marie's Space

    Everyone has a story! And I'd like to tell you a little about mine... I placed my faith in Christ at the age of 15, even at that young age I realized that there were radical life adjustments needed to follow Him. I can remember the very first Scripture the Lord used to impact my life, it was in the Book of Matthew. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Although the riches of the world were far from my grasp then, I knew that He was calling me to lay down the things that I treasured above Him, so that I could experience an abundant life here and beyond. It was the beginning of an incredible love story for me! Since then, my daily desire has been to live out that scripture. And the key to accomplishing that for me was found in the following Scripture written by one of my mentors, the apostle Paul. “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 I find myself daily needing to "choose Him" over my own desires, but the more I know of Him, the easier it is to die to me! My passion is to share this adventure with others, helping them to live up to their God-given potential. Following Christ isn't always easy, but it is incredibly fulfilling. I love to speak at retreats, conferences, and special events. My adventuresome spirit has lead me to places around the world to teach and to minister in a variety of ways. I am always amazed at how the Spirit of God connects us and transcends even language barriers. I strongly believe in the ministry of the local church and have been a part of ministry staff in years past. But my greatest joy is pouring into others in such a way as to see real, authentic, life change! There's nothing like it. I am currently becoming certified as a Life Coach, and I'm looking forward to coming alongside individuals to assist them in making progress both personally and spiritually. It's something I have enjoyed doing informally for many years, with great results. Just a few quirky things about me... The only ice cream I will eat is Baskin & Robbins "Chocolate Fudge", thrift stores are my weakness, and my two Jack Russells, "Pete" and "Penny" keep me young! (And stressed) I hope to meet you soon and to hear your story, perhaps we can write the next chapter of our lives together... Because He Lives, Tina Marie To learn more about me and the ministry the Lord has called me to, you may want to go to my "Travels with God" page.

  • About Tina Marie

    Everyone has a story! And I'd like to tell you a little about mine... I placed my faith in Christ at the age of 15, even at that young age I realized that there were radical life adjustments needed to follow Him. I can remember the very first Scripture the Lord used to impact my life, it was in the Book of Matthew. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Although the riches of the world were far from my grasp then, I knew that He was calling me to lay down the things that I treasured above Him, so that I could experience an abundant life here and beyond. It was the beginning of an incredible love story for me! Since then, my daily desire has been to live out that scripture. And the key to accomplishing that for me was found in the following Scripture written by one of my mentors, the apostle Paul. “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 I find myself daily needing to "choose Him" over my own desires, but the more I know of Him, the easier it is to die to me! My passion is to share this adventure with others, helping them to live up to their God-given potential. Following Christ isn't always easy, but it is incredibly fulfilling. I love to speak at retreats, conferences, and special events. My adventuresome spirit has lead me to places around the world to teach and to minister in a variety of ways. I am always amazed at how the Spirit of God connects us and transcends even language barriers. I strongly believe in the ministry of the local church and have been a part of ministry staff in years past. But my greatest joy is pouring into others in such a way as to see real, authentic, life change! There's nothing like it. I am currently becoming certified as a Life Coach, and I'm looking forward to coming alongside individuals to assist them in making progress both personally and spiritually. It's something I have enjoyed doing informally for many years, with great results. Just a few quirky things about me... The only ice cream I will eat is Baskin & Robbins "Chocolate Fudge", thrift stores are my weakness, and my two Jack Russells, "Pete" and "Penny" keep me young! (And stressed) I hope to meet you soon and to hear your story, perhaps we can write the next chapter of our lives together... Because He Lives, Tina Marie To learn more about me and the ministry the Lord has called me to, you may want to go to my "Travels with God" page.

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