But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 

1 Peter 3:15

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Is this a 'God Thing'?

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I was browsing the internet looking at local churches and I came across one named "Rock Church".  Great sounding name, I thought.  So, I looked at the web site and gathered a few details.  I wondered if I should visit this small store-front startup church.  In fact, I felt oddly attracted to the idea.  But, I couldn't come up with a good reason, so I said a short prayer for the pastor and the church and moved on.

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A couple of weeks later, I was shopping for a weed killer in a Lowe's store and struck up a conversation with another shopper.  This fellow was in the same department and look like he had been working in the yard, also.

"So, which of these is a good weed killer for this area?", I asked.

"I don't really know", he replied.  "I was hoping you could tell me".

"Well, this one says it kills fifty or so kinds of weeds and won't kill the grass", I smiled, "But, who knows?  Are you from here?", I asked.

"Yes", was his simply reply.  But he didn't have the North Carolina Mountain drawl, so I took a chance and pressed him.

"So, which church do you pastor", I guessed at this and I really don't know why I would ask such a silly question.

His eyes widened and his jaw went slack, "Whaaaaa?  Do I know you?", he blurted.

"No", I grinned, "I just felt impressed to ask.  So, you ARE a pastor?" I laughed.

"Yes, I am", He announced.  He gave me his name, stuck out his hand and told me his church is a new church named The Rock Church.

Now my jaw went slack.  "The storefront?", I asked?

"That's the one", he replied.

I told him I had visited the Church website and was interested in his church.

He told me a little about himself and how he became the pastor, then he invited me to his church.

"Great and thank you", I said.  But remembering I couldn't come up with a good reason to visit this church I decided to ask him a question.   "First, I have just one question for you".

"Go ahead", he smiled.

"Why?", I asked.

"Why, what?", he replied.

"Why should I visit your church?", I said, again.

He look perplexed.  "Huh?", he stammered.  "Well. because I invited you and would like to have you as a guest", he replied.

"Thank you", I said, "But, why?  Why should I visit your church.  I have a church and I am not a church hopper.  So, I am wondering if I should visit and why?"

This fellow was stumped.  "Well, it's up to you.  We would like to have you visit, but, it's up to you".

I told him I would stay in touch via his church's email and went our ways.

"Well, that was a lost opportunity", I thought.  But it puzzled me why I was feeling this way and why I was having these thoughts.

ONE YEAR LATER

Betty (my wife) and I were walking through a local park the 4th of July evening.  We walked through a pavilion area and I noticed a sign that said "Rock Church Picnic here".  I approached a group of older men sitting in lawn chairs and asked if this was The Rock Church from the storefront.  One man answered with a broad smile, "It sure is.  How are you?"

I answer that I was fine and that I had met the pastor of this church a year ago and asked if he was here?

The man pointed him out and proudly stated that he was the pastor's father.

I greeted the pastor and we had a friendly exchange.  The pastor asked me why I had not contacted him?

I answered that I had emailed him through the church email address.  We shook hands and went our ways.

The pastor's father approached me and invited me to come to their church sometime.  I related my exchange with his son the year earlier about an invitation and said, "So, I would like to respectfully ask you the same question, why should I visit?  Any special reason you would invite me?"

The man look surprised and said, "Well, no.  I am just trying to be polite and invite you to our church."

I thanked him and turned to leave when the man said, "Wait a minute.  Why would you ask me that?"

"Because I was wondering if it was you asking me or if it was God, or if you had a special reason", I replied.

We both smiled and my wife and I left.  As we were leaving, though, I think I saw here roll her eyes.

"So, do you think I was out-of-bounds with that question?", I asked.

She just smiled and told me that if I didn't want to go I should just say so, or I could have told them I already had a church.

"Yes, I suppose I came off a bit weird or rude?" I asked. 

She rolled her eyes again.

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"Well, I'll tell you.  I sort of wanted to go to that church at one time.  Seemed like the Holy Spirit was prompting me.  But, I also felt like the Lord was telling me to ask that question.  It gave them a chance to tell me about the reason for the Hope they have. 

 

"You see, I don't need another church.  I have one.  What I need and want is Hope and a Promise from God.  And I wondered if that was the reason they meet as a church - A Hope and A Promise from God.

"Or are they just meeting?  I am retired now, and believe me, I am plenty tired of meetings."

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You see, I was once lost, without God.  My life had spiraled out of control.

I had no job and a poor education.  My wife and I split up.  We had no children.  My side of my family was worse off than me.

I had no hope.

But, God found me and bought me back from destruction. 

He forgave my sins.  He gave me a new start.
He restored my marriage.

He restored my health.
He gave me knowledge and wisdom.
He blessed us with children.

He gave me a career and money.
He gave me Hope.
He gave me to Jesus, and gave Jesus to me.

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So, if you ever ask, I will tell you that JESUS IS MY HOPE AND  MY FUTURE
 

How about you?  Do you think I was out of line?  Do you have a reason for your hope?

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Your Brother and Friend,
 

 

 

 

 

Mike Young

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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,

firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.

Hebrews 6:19

 

 

Do you have a story or a Reason for your hope?  Share it below...

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