Fish Tales 6/3/2016

A whole new world..

It's been at least a year since I've had a discussion with a homosexual friend.  Prior to that person coming out, I had been reading a number of articles from "First Stone" and a couple of books.  My own denomination, Anglican, had a major split with it's USA group and the global south.  (Another story)
I've felt the need and have prayed regularly for God to connect me with someone that I could disciple that is gay.  Last month while prayer walking, God answered that prayer.  It wasn't until our second meeting did I find out that he was gay.  Our initial conversation was about truth and about sect of Christianity that the majority view as a cult.

We both realized our meeting was an answer to prayer.  He was asking God for a person to explore the truth of the Scriptures and help him to be a disciple.  As he shared about himself, he asked what I thought about homosexuality? He said, I'm gay.  We chatted for a while about what God thinks of him specifically.  I wasn't harsh. Nor did I avoid it.

What I realized was, he was open.  He understood that from the Scripture, active gay lifestyle is sin.  That's not what God wants of him. His openness, honesty and ownership of his sin was refreshing.  It's down right painful when a person is in denial and justifying it.

Now we have committed to meeting weekly to become a disciple. Also, we are trying to figure out accountability.  This is new territory.  I know that God is in it.  I'm hopeful for this young man.  Your prayers are needed.

As you become fishers of men, we encounter challenges.  Do not be afraid. God is working on you as you are working with them.

Be encouraged.  Go Fish!

Fish Tales 6/26/2016 Tat-versation!

Say what!?

There are different times I'm in situations that I'm looking for ice breakers to start a conversation.  One of the places I'm trying to start up conversations is in the gym.  I feel awkward.  While there are a lot of people in the gym, it's very individualistic.  There isn't much conversation.

People are very focused or listing to music that will psych them up mentally so they can do a workout.  As I was on the treadmill one day, I began looking around at all the different kinds of people.  Everyone there has goals they are trying to accomplish.  Many are trying to achieve a certain look or  level of health.

Some people are there to be seen.  They draw attention to themselves.  Some gain attention by the clothes they wear or lack there of.  Some do it by flexing in the mirror. (not me) Occasionally, you get a captain oxygen.  The captain won't stop talking or making noise.

Who could I talk to? As I walked to the free weights I noticed a guy that had a tattoo of Scripture on his chest.  Could he be a Tebow fan? Is this just another tat? Did this mean he had a relationship with Jesus?  I thought I'll ask him.

Initially, he looked right at me and I pointed to his tat and gave him a thumbs up.  He smiled and went back to working out.  He couldn't hear me for the headphones, but understood the sign language.  Later, I walked by and said hello.  Then, I asked him.  Are you a Tebow fan? Is that just another tat? Or are you a follower of Jesus?

He laughed then, said he was a believer.  I asked him what his story was and he shared some deep details of some trails he has gone through.  Jesus and working out has help him get through it.  He thanked me for the conversation and gave me his name.  Discipleship will soon follow.  Based on his response I could tell he wasn't in a discipleship relationship.

As I went back to workout, I noticed all these other people that had tattoos.  Many of the guys had cross tattoos or religious icons.  It looks like I'll be having a lot of tat-versations!

Look around.  You will see ways to connect.

Be encouraged. Go Fish!