Well here it goes!
I have been trying to lose weight so I went to a weight clinic where they stick a big needle in my butt three times a week.

 The head doctor there is a very outgoing guy by the name of Paul.  He is very friendly and likes to chat with all of his clients including me. On day two I am sitting in the waiting room looking forward to my shot in the rear when Paul being his jovial self is talking to everyone about why he is always prepared for anything. I must point out that he was not talking directly to me but it was a very public talk so I had two cents to spend.

 He said some words that got my attention about money. He mentioned that he follows spiritual principals about the way he handles his money. I immediately thought I was going to hear something about tithes and offerings. Boy was I wrong! He started to mention how in the bible that God blessed this guy who buried his money in the ground. Paul said, “that he takes a tenth of his own money and socks it away and God blesses him.

Needless to say, I about fell out of my chair at that incredible misquoting of scripture. I waited about two seconds before I responded on the Lord’s leading! I said, “Hey Paul, actually it was the man who took the money from the ruler and invested it and made profit that was pleasing to God. The man who kept the money for himself and buried it in the ground was displeasing to God. God wants us to use His money wisely and to please Him. This is why the one who invested wisely and made alot more was given charge over ten cities.

 Well, at this point the whole waiting room was dead quiet and no one would look my direction. The last time I saw heads down like this was when I was in church on the weekend and we were praying. I am almost sure they weren’t praying. I would venture to say that they didn’t want to make eye contact with me.

 Paul listened intently to the story but just when I was finished a lady walked in with a little kid and Paul’s attention got distracted!

I can’t wait till friday morning when I go again! I think I am getting a leading from the LORD to talk to Paul in his office. I quess we will see won’t we????

 As far as the people in the waiting room go. It will be interesting to say the least. I see most of them every week. Needless to say, they might look me up on twitter and avoid going to were I am at!

FOR HIS KINGDOM!

Yesterday I was at a friend’s house mentoring his son. When I was finishing up his roommate, Peter who is twenty-six, walked in and heard us talking about Jesus.

He said, “Are you guys talking God stuff?” I responded, “We are talking about growing into the image of Christ.” He mentioned that he got saved three years ago and how it was a struggle to walk without sin and that he had fallen away since moving to San Diego. He wanted to give up smoking and alcohol but did not know how because these addictions had such a big hold on him. He further mentioned that he wasn’t comfortable around alot of christians because they always were telling him he needed to quit this or that. This made him feel powerless.

The Lord definetly had a plan for this guy! I asked him if he wanted to go outside and talk, it would allow him to smoke his cigarette while we were talking. He said yes.

I started talking to him about compassion and how Jesus did His greatest miracles when He was moved with compassion. I told him the story of a homeless man I got to know and how after several conversations and several weeks this man told me he wanted to quit using drugs and if I knew any place he could go. I told this homeless man about teen challenge.

After telling the story, Peter stopped me and had a crazy, wild eyed look on his face! I wasn’t sure whether or not he was going to hit me or pass out. He then got excited and said to me, “Chuck you have to know that just last night I was depressed and when I got saved three years ago I went to Teen Challenge and I had fallen away. Well, last night I thought about teen challenge and considered going back. I told God that if someone mentions teen challenge to me that I will go back - and here you are not even twenty four hours later talking about teen challenge!

I remembered reading that morning the God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are higher than our ways. So I asked Peter, “Do you believe God sent me to you?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “would you allow me to mentor you?” He said with an excited look on his face, “YES!” Needless to say, Peter’s life is going to change! I spoke to him further and He now has an increased hope and a new and revived love for Jesus!

I must say,” I did not have a clue as to what God was doing until God did it! God wants to demonstrate HIS power through us! But He needs us to walk closely to Him!