Jesus = the cure for sin

Today, I met two friendly visitors - Janet and Margaret. They were traveling to Rosemont for a breast cancer walk on Saturday. Margaret was very open to talking and letting me into her life. She shared about her struggles when her mom died of breast cancer. Margaret said that her mom believed in some higher power, but didn't know much more than that. God allowed me to take the opportunity to share my testimony and to encourage her to read through her mom's Bible to find the only way to salvation. Pray that she will and that Jesus will draw her to Himself.

Another Catholic...wow!

Chicago seems to be overrun with professing Catholics. I met Billy on my way home today. Since I was coming home much earlier than expected, I'm sure that it was a God-thing that I got to talk to him. He had a cap and gown in his lap and is ready for graduation from medical school this weekend. He originally is from the Philippines, but has made Chicago his home. He professes Catholicism, but believes that all religions believe in the same God. I kindly confronted him about that belief and probed more to see what he thought of salvation. Again, he said he believes in a form of works salvation, which I confronted too. Please pray he will meet Jesus despite his false preconceptions.

Going to the Y? Really?

What are the chances? Oh wait, we serve an all-powerful God! God placed Elizabeth on the same train as I was on on my way to visit William at the YMCA. As we began to talk, I found out that just the other day she moved into the Y. We talked for a long time as we transferred to the 66 bus and walked to the building. She has many struggles in life: her husband died a couple years ago, she doesn't have a job, she doesn't have any money. I was able to share my testimony with her and invite her to come to River North Baptist Church, which is just 2 blocks away from the YMCA. Pray that she will come to church sometime, but even more importantly look to Jesus.

God to Elijah: "You are not alone"

The train was packed on the way to work this morning, and I had kept fairly quiet for most of the trip. Just two stations before Monroe, the train stopped because of an equipment failure. I clearly saw that this wasn't just an accident, so I looked for what God was doing instead of complaining about being in a hurry. I started to talk with Janet who was on her way back home after an early morning shift. She recounted to me how Jesus saved her just two years ago. She goes to Salem Baptist Church in the southern side of the city. We enjoyed the rest of 10-minute delay by encouraging each other to be witnessing to lost family, friends, and acquaintances. Praise Jesus for a sister-in-Christ!

Religion: complicated; Jesus: simple

Today God blessed me to talk with Farriel on the train to the Loop. From her first word, I knew she was from England with her distinctive accent. She has spent the last year here in America in many of the major cities working with a travel agency. She claimed to be a Christian since very young, but seemed to know very little about Jesus - which troubled me. I asked her to explain the types of churches and Christians she has been exposed to, and she said a little bit about Catholics and Protestants in England. Then, God prompted me to ask her about the Bible, and she confided in me that she has never really read it (oh sure, a few stories here and there). I was able to share my entire testimony with her and emphasize the importance of what God says in His Word. Pray that God will use His Word, not mine to change her life.

A plethora of cultures

Today, I met Hobitu (sp?) as a friendly international on the train. I lives in LA, but was stopping for a meeting in Chicago for the computer science company he works for. Then, when I mentioned why I am in the city, I found out that he is a Hindu. When pressed to go into detail about his beliefs, he couldn't. All he seemed to understand in Hinduism is that the spiritual is valued over the physical, and a person's goal is to eventually become entirely spiritual. He questioned me on the what the differences are between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. God allowed me to help him see the differences while focusing on the main issue of who Jesus is. A good prophet or God? I encouraged him to at least read the Bible, and when asked why, I through God's power was able to explain why the Bible is such a unique book contrasted to all other religions' holy books. Pray that he'll read it!

More Christians...quite a blessing!

God honored me with the opportunity to meet Bonnie on her way to the airport on Monday. She was on her way back to Houston, but had plenty of time to talk in the train. I quickly learned she was a Methodist, and after a little bit more conversation I became fairly convinced that she is a true Christian. We had a good time of encouraging each other to spend take advantage of opportunities to share the Gospel, instead of fighting over the minor issues. Praise Jesus!

Who's my priest?

Jo Ellen was visiting Chicago for the weekend, and God providentially had me meet her on her way to church on Sunday. She had a cruise planned for the day, so she had decided to attend Mass the night before. I questioned her on the meaning of salvation; and, as I expected, she said that her good deeds would save her. God gave me the words to tell her that I still sin though, and I'm sure she does too. Her response was that we need to be forgiven by the priest. What an awesome opportunity to proclaim to her our Great High Priest! Please pray that she will accept Him and His propitiation for her, and thereby experience freedom from sin.

Many roads up 1 mountain?

While waiting for the train to come on Sunday, I met Benjamin on his way to work. He is a Catholic and was very concerned that I believe in Mary. As the conversation went along, he told me that he believes that anyone - even a Buddhist, Muslim, or Hindu - who believes in a God (or gods for that matter) and prays will go to heaven. I asked him how he received salvation, and he replied that he got it from his parents. How sad! Jesus opened up the door for me to explain to him that people of religions other than Christianity can be very nice and moral, but that outward appearance doesn't mean they worship the same God and are on their way to heaven. Pray that the Holy Spirit will cause Benjamin to meditate on that thought.

Business men...tough!

I met Mike downtown and realized he was on his way to O'hare. He works in the engineering field and had just spent 10 days in Chicago for business. He seemed ready to go back home to Dallas for the Memorial Day weekend. Although he appeared uncomfortable talking about religious things, Mike told me he was raised as a Catholic. I told him that I am a Christian and that I just love Jesus. His attitude, sadly, was one of "been there, done that." God gave me the opportunity to challenge him to read the Bible for himself, forgetting all his preconceived opinions about Christianity and Jesus' followers.

God's timing, not mine

I met Jim on his way to work as an accounting and finance recruiter. He is in his mid-20's and has lived in the city ever since he graduated from college. He claimed to be a religious person, and then told me he is a Catholic. He blatantly told me he believes in salvation by works; just as I was sharing the true Gospel with him, his stop unexpectedly came, and he was gone. All I can trust is that God's timing is perfect. Please pray that Jim will go to the Word!

God's Providence

Michelle (not my girlfriend, but another Michelle) came to church this past Wednesday night for a Bible study that was unknowingly to her canceled. Somehow God didn't let the news spread to Shawn and I, so we both came to the Bible study too. God worked everything out that we could still have the Bible study in a nearby park. He still used His Word despite our little time for preparation. Pray for Michelle and that she will not only come back, but that God will show me (and others from our church) where she is spiritually, so we can reach out to her.

More than just being around Christians

While working at a System Parking office, I met Cynthia. She is a middle-aged, secretarial-type lady, who has the privilege of working close to 3 Christians - Matt, Eric, and myself. So far I haven't seen an openness to the Gospel in her, but God can still be working even when we don't see it. Pray that I'll be able to develop a relationship with her that testifies to the reality of Jesus.

Numerous Perspectives...God has only ONE!

Angelo is a man I met on his way to his downtown office. He travels the world designing power stations. He said he believes that there must be something supernatural up there, but he isn't sure what. As a world traveler, he has seen numerous religious practices and told me that he was disturbed about an incident where a Seattle worker was fired for saying "Merry Christmas." He questioned how I know Jesus is God, so I directed him to search out the Bible for himself, especially what Jesus claimed about Himself. Pray that Angelo will.

Jesus: "Look to Me"

I work with Miguel at the valet parking lot at Monroe and Wells. He confided in me that he has been fighting with his ex-wife and has been unable to sleep much at night. He wants to keep joint custody of his 8th grade daughter, but his ex-wife wants to take her to Florida. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open up Miguel's hard heart during this difficult time in his life.

Taking advantage of construction delays

I met Milan on the Blue train on his way back home to the Harlem area. He is 21 and is attending an institute downtown. He was extremely friendly to me and was willing to talk about the Bulls and Bears (for some reason, he doesn't follow the Cubs). He said that he considers himself to be a religious person, but definitely not a fanatic. After the example of his parents, he calls the Orthodox Church his own. Then, I asked him what his church believed about Jesus and salvation. All he could tell me is that his church believes that Jesus is God, but he had no clue what it says about salvation. God allowed me to share how I discovered what salvation really is and to challenge Milan to search the Bible out for himself to see what God says about Himself and salvation. Pray that God will cause him to go to His Word and that the Holy Spirit will do the work in his life.

God-appointed meeting with Ishmael

Even though he didn't really seem to be the most inviting guy to talk with, I met Ishmael on the train this morning. He is a junior at one of the high schools in the downtown area and rides the train to school every day. He has an intriguing background as a Jew who goes to a Catholic church. He hasn't chosen yet to make his family's religion and beliefs his own and is just open to different perspectives and ideas. I was able to tell him of my own spiritual journey and how I came to the conclusion that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Pray that he will meditate on what God says about sin and the eternal consequences of it and that he will embrace Jesus' substitutionary death as his only hope.