We spent a long weekend in the Denver area. KK and I enjoyed the scenery but were especially refreshed by the 1-on-1 time. (After all her “Love Language” is Quality Time).
I woke up early Sunday morning and went to the lobby for coffee. Since it was about 5:30, and no one was in the lobby, I struck up a conversation with the night manager at the desk.
After a few minutes, I asked Justin for a late checkout time–explaining that I was heading to the Riverside Church (about a block away) and it would really help if I could stop by and change clothes before checking out.
He said, “Sure. Do you have friends there?” I responded, “Actually I am speaking there this morning.”
His countenance totally changed and he asked, “Are you some kind of priest, a pastor, or something?” I responded, “Yes, something like that….”
Then Justin asked, “Would you pray for me? My life is kindda a mess right now.”
Justin and I talked about why we can’t earn our way to heaven and why Jesus had to die on a cross. Justin and I prayed together and he started a new journey of understanding what it means to be forgiven and know Christ as his life.
I took Justin’s phone number and invited him to the 8:00 service. I told him that I understood that he had been up all night and might need to come to church another time. He got off at 7:00 and waited around so he could attend the 8:00 service! After the service, I introduced Justin to the Associate Pastor. The Pastor reported to me that Justin seemed very interested in building a relationship and said, “I’m really new at this….I could use a lot of help!”
Me too Justin! Every day I need the Gospel! Every day I need to know Christ as my life!
Pastor Al Gilbert 