“What a waste!!”
This was the accusing thought heavy in the air when my warm bare feet finally hit the cold rubber floor of my van. Thud! The morning jeer was meant to derail my day. But I immediately tuned my mind to The Principles and The Keys (how to apply them with Christ) and after quickly assessing the blustery weather conditions concluded that sleeping in was totally acceptable. It’s my healing mode anyway.
I am camping at Lake Cascade, Idaho. Perched on the edge of its wavy blue waters, near a clean sandy shore, and snow spotted forested peaks all around, but the breeze is cold. Weather report says winds dying down after sunset, so I plan up an evening campfire to warm my bones.
I slowly drive the two minutes into town for a fill-up and shopping (firewood too), then pizza, and happened upon a coffee shop – “Double espresso please.”
Pleasant bunch of smiling college gals enthusiastically manning the counters. I also notice a small collection of framed Bible verses (word art) hanging on one wall and ask when the next Bible study is? One gal named Sophie laughs “That was yesterday.” Then they all got more interested in the convo.
So, I gave them my elevator pitch about The Milky Way and it sparked some honest intelligent curiosity. This scene ends with me giving them a set of all the books, eagerly accepted, and my promise to discuss such if ever contacted. Seed planted.
That’s a win for me. He usually sends me to believers needing what my fellowship brings – The Principles, The Keys, and The Song. And, I had prayed for such opportunity on the day I first pulled into the quaint little village called Cascade.
Then it happened again. The Camp Host (Larry) stopped by around noon and after some friendly convo about him and being dead bored with life and his current book reading, I asked if he was a believer in Jesus Christ? He affirmed so firmly. I replied, “Me too!” and told him I was a writer of Christian things – original first century things. This scene ends with me offering him The Milky Way, and he took it.
A final scene plays out the next morning. The neighboring campers noticed my QR Code – author advertising on the back windows. They clicked in apparently and a friendly middle-aged guy brought a book over that he wrote “Mission Accomplished”, Marty Meyer. He’s the founder of YWAM, Idaho (Youth With A Mission).
I returned his favor with a copy of The Milky Way and his wife extended an invite to join them for morning pastries at their campsite. We shared some Christian centered thoughts relative to each of our lanes, and I promised to read his work. It reminded me I have one last simple book to write – The Gospel.
I’m 121 pages into Mission Accomplished and it’s well written. I find it curious how many common believer-esque experiences we share, his more dramatic maybe, more global impact certainly.
The Milky Way principles, however, could serve his mission very well as a strong undergird for the reason all believers ought to do missions – witnessing. These same principles plus the keys would likewise bless new converts and YWAM students with a firm first century faith foundation. That, is becoming a more popular pursuit as this Age begins to close.
So, one brief prayer and three quality encounters for the sake of Christ. Please join me with your prayer for Sophie, Larry, and Marty. May they all perceive the value of applying an original believers’ path- The Way.
BYW, if you hear the accuser of the brethren, punch him in the snout.