LAST WEEKEND AT OUR SMALL GROUP...

On a much more serious note-
 our small group (9 people) last week 
discussed the chapter 
THE RESURRECTION OF RUSSIA
in Dr. David Jeremiah's book-
IS THIS THE END?

STUDY AND DISCUSSION  FORMAT:


In our small group we alternate homes for each chapter. Each host is responsible for the main course dinner and leadership in the facilitation of going through the chapter highlights and questions...
Tudi prepared a delicious main course and I facilitated the lesson and discussion.


The highlights of the discussion centered on the prophecies in the Bible- especially Ezekiel 38 & 39- the prophecy of the future Russian leadership role of attacking Israel...everyone in our group participated in the lively interaction 

A VERY SIGNIFICANT highlight to me- I now think of Israel as the center and focus of the world- versus America. That may sound strange and disrespectful to America... that's not my intent at all. However, Scripture does not give me a choice because the actual prophecy is being played out before our eyes

The study is ENLIGHTENING, SOBERING and AMAZING at the same time. 
Our entire group recommends the book highly



THE NEXT DAY- MOTHER'S DAY 

Also, very amazing,
in a totally different way the following day...


STARBUCKS &
A CRYING CASHIER/BARISTA...
on Mother's Day

As we traveled to gather for a family MOTHER'S DAY lunch 
to honor three mothers.... 
Tudi and our 2 daughters, Trisha and Trinda...
 
left to right..Joseph, Jeremiah, Trinda, Trisha, Zoe, Mae Mae, Emma Grace, Noah,
 Grand Bear, Emma 
NOAH (17), EMMA GRACE (16) and I were in Starbucks 
ordering a beverage before our drive to Alabama for the family gathering

 As we ordered the cashier/BARISTA said in response to something I said "It's like telling your ex where to get off."
 I don't have any idea why she said that statement, but her comment stirred me to tell her my brief testimony during a lull in the action- I was an atheist, from a broken home a number of times...
I then took off my wristband and walked her through the 
rest of my 30 second testimony...
"I am a sinner, Jesus Christ is my Savior..." and asked her if she knew what John 3:16 says...
She did not.

I quickly handed her the wristband and told her to think about what it says about God's love 
for her...she put it on her wrist and began to cry. 
She said, 
"My boyfriend and I are discussing God in our lives..."
Tears were continuing to flow and people began coming up to the counter. She was so thankful, she could hardly talk .... Other staff briefly took her place as 
she got herself together...AN AMAZING ENCOUNTER!

  
THE NEXT DAY...GOLF

I had a very inspiring mid morning meeting in 
Atlanta with  Rick  and a new friend John
 
to discuss 
John's ministry and 
Witness Breakthrough

After the meeting...

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO WITNESS 
FOR MORE THAN 23 YEARS...

 is North Fulton Golf course, a public golf course in the heart of Atlanta. It's a melting pot of people from all areas of society. By God's grace over the years I have had the privilege of sharing my faith in Christ with businessmen, drug dealers, homosexuals,an all pro running back, sex club reps , religious people, beverage cart employees,  and youth . 

As a result a number of people have claimed Jesus as Savior. Mostly, I have been able by God's grace to be part of the process of them hearing the Gospel...

During the last 23 years of witnessing at the golf course I can think of only 1 person who was openly turned off by me sharing the Gospel -and said so .

UNFORTUNATELY, I very rarely play golf at North Fulton these days so I was quite excited about teeing it up and seeing who might join me

I was asked to play to the back nine first.. it was mid afternoon and I was walking and carrying my clubs...a man pulled up in a cart and said 
"Because you are walking and I am in a hurry...
I'm going to go ahead"

  
OKAY, LORD PLEASE-

I prayed , "Okay, Lord please send someone to join me"

I got to the 2nd hole- the man who sped ahead was waiting for me. He told me there were groups stacked up ahead so we might as well join up

I found out the man was an executive with a large 
Finish Pulp and Paper company

He came from Finland
17 years ago and has lived in Seattle, New York, and Atlanta

He and his wife have 3 children and 8 grandchildren

His first name is Olavi. He asked my business background...
I told him about the Convention and Tourism industry and my family.

Olavi asked me what I am doing now...
I told him about Witness Breakthrough and shared my testimony...He asked a number of specific questions and said.  "I TOO HAVE PUT MY FAITH IN CHRIST AND I AM A CHRISTIAN"
He said he was interested in what he could do for the Lord after he retires and that was the reason for many of his questions

I WAS SHOCKED

because most people I have met from Europe in the business world are agnostics/atheists

I asked him what percentage of Finland's population are followers of Christ- He estimated 10%


They attend a wonderful and well known church in Metro Atanta

We had great fellowship...

WHAT A SURPRISE and JOY!!!





RUSSIA, STARBUCKS AND GOLF...
Jesus Christ is the way, truth and the life...in every situation! 

Ted
John 14:6
 
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