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As a teen, I learned many evangelistic methods for telling others about Jesus.  Three that stand out are Evangelism Explosion, The Romans Road, and The Four Spiritual Laws.  A few years later I added Steps to Peace with God.

The interesting thing was that not all of my friends were as excited about these methods as I was (and we were an aggressive evangelistic group).  Their main concern was that these tools were too cut and dried – too stamped with “the man” and not open to The Man.

The Four Spiritual Laws, for all the truth contained therein, could often be used as a club to determine who was in or out, not to invite others into a warm and compassionate relationship with Jesus.

When the tool becomes a way to expose truth and not to hear the heart of the person sitting in front of you, I tend to think that you will have those who can understand your version of truth (con-version), and may even acquiesce to it, but will not be able to put this into practice in their own culture.

The author of the Four Spiritual Laws booklet, Bill Bright, would often tell stories of his use of the booklet.  He worked on college campuses, he was outgoing and, in his own way, heard what people were saying.  Before he dropped the Four Spiritual Laws on them.

Recently I came across a term that is gaining in popularity.  Cultural apologetics, in many ways, deals with the culture a person lives in first, before proclaiming the “cure” of Jesus. 

I think nowadays we need to help people to see their culture in a Christianly way.  They need to aspire to become like Christ.  That effort will spur them on to love and good deeds.

My last few years have been a search and research into a return to winsome evangelistic methods.  The resources are scattered (you would expect this with the diversity that is required to just be relational with people, to listen to them and then to address the needs that would lead them to Jesus).  I haven’t found a single gold nugget that is the cure all.  I have found many shining examples.

What are you finding?

A catholic friend had a symbol of a cross on the wall in their house.  A Pentecostal had a picture of fire on top of people’s heads.  Another Christian, evangelical by label, is more inclined to show an empty tomb.

Christians focus on Jesus.  Today is resurrection Sunday.  We will look into a grave and then watch Jesus appear to many – the living dead.

I have gone through various focus stages in my life. 

• As a youth, the importance of the cross was impressed upon my heart.  My sins are cared for, they are gone. 
• In my early adult years, I began to focus on Pentecost.  There Jesus gave power for service and Christian Living – directly through his Holy Spirit. 
• In my middle years the focus tended to be upon the resurrection – all these great ideas come to nothing if Jesus didn’t really die and come back to life. 
• And now, I am sensing a movement to the ascension and exaltation.  As my world becomes busy and stressed, I need constant intercession for me.  I realize that, as God in Jesus’ resurrection, honored Jesus by placing him at His right hand, so God honors me in like manner as a brother of Jesus.

I wonder, as I continue to grow up, which aspect of Jesus I will find surrounds my thoughts.

Harkening back to an earlier English, there is a never plumbed depth about Jesus that beckons me to focus on Him.

I awoke today to an epiphany – which merely means I’ve been surrounding myself with various thoughts, dreams and desires and this morning something became clear.

My training has pushed me to love footnotes (sometimes), create bibliographies (I have a Master of Library Science), and research thoroughly.  I have often felt that I couldn’t let a piece of written material pass through my fingers without complete regard for plagiarism.

I’m 60 (actually 61) now.  I’ve decided I’m going to plagiarize my life.

There are things that I see my way.  I’m not sure what others’ positions are on them, but this is me.  If I don’t write from my perspective, I’m not true to myself (a current fad in life coaching).  There is some truth to that deep down desire – I surround that desire with the greater desire to know God and be an individual “under God”.

With that codicil in mind, I am feeling a deep urgency to write.  God pounded that word into my head a few weeks ago when I asked him what I should do with my life when I grow up.  I was secretly hoping for things like influence people, be a success, be financially stable.

None of that!  Just write.

And then I realized that I have been less than forthcoming with my writing – perhaps fearing rejection (a grade six phobia spurred on by a class of laughing students after I had poured my heart into a short essay on the white tailed deer).  But maybe more fearing that moral and ethical dilemma of not having researched enough, or asked enough questions, or perfected the art of my writing.

I felt that burdened lifted this morning.  “Write about your side of the fence.”  That was the striking epiphany as I pedalled leisurely on my exercise bike.

Yes, I’m positive I will plagiarize someone’s idea that has become my own.  I will be excited about a twist of phrase that I have jotted down from somewhere and I won’t be able to find the author’s name.  I will even find myself going in circles and probably contradicting myself (may someone point this out to me as I go!).

My thought is to create another publishing effort – another blog.  Not sure how it will look – just thoughts from my side of the fence.

Let’s see how that goes.

Yesterday we entered a home of a friend where grief has buried a jewel, and is seeking to understand the light that still shines.

When I lost my first wife, I wasn’t sure what that would be like.  I hadn’t done this before.  Much like my friend, I sought out others, read and journeyed as best as possible.  For two years and a half years I have trusted in God and placed one foot in front of the other.

There are many good things that followed from that obedience.  I am remarried to an amazing lady, I have additional family, I am headed towards retirement (which is really a way of saying that I am busier than ever pursuing new visions), and I have a greater appreciation for the church (which needs to be redefined in this day and age – it’s not the building or a one hour meeting – helpful items but not the core).  And that is just a sample of those things that I am thankful for.

And so, we talked yesterday of downsizing.  Logic says that a large percentage of the “things” around the house needed to be divested.  But as you examine them individually, the words arise, “I’m not sure.”

While there may be some  indecision in this statement, this is not necessarily a way to put off a decision.  The light from the past is still shining and the reflections strike us at odd times.  We soak in the light – not rushing but intentionally pushing forward to absorb what is given, and then we release the slivers that are left.  For others to enjoy.

Some of the light will remain in our possession for years and may even be passed on as a shining beacon to the next generation.

I stood as we contemplated various “things” and was thankful that my friend is seeing the light that shines even in death!