Detention was definitely not fun back in the day. What were those teachers thinking? I am not even sure they have detention nowadays.
Once a week, I do a morning Bible study with some Ukrainian friends. Never done something like this before, but it has been a real good time. We are going semi-deep into the book of Philippians. And, of course, with the shape our world is in today, we find ourselves going off on some interesting tangents, and we try to see what the Bible has to say about them.
As I was on that side of town yesterday, I decided to visit this one Peruvian restaurant that I visited a few years earlier. My waitress came over to bring me some water, and she walked away from the table. And then, something totally crazy happened.
Jimmy, a waiter there, walked over to me. Very friendly and very kind. And then he said, “I know you.” I asked if he had met me at this restaurant a couple of years earlier. He let me know that wasn’t the case. So I asked him how he knew me. He said he had read one of my books. I asked him where he got it, since he didn’t get it at this restaurant. He said, “A detention center!” Wow. I was really intrigued. It didn’t even cross my mind to ask him whether it was an immigration detention center or a prison detention center because it really doesn’t matter.
I asked him where that detention center was located, and he told me, “Texas.” I asked how long ago he was there, and he responded, “Ten years ago!” Okay. I was flipping out. So, I said, “How in the world can you remember me from a picture on the last page of a book from ten years ago?” He said that when he got out of the detention center, he googled me. He knew my name, that I had played basketball, etc. We had a most interesting give-and-take.
Before I left the restaurant, I went out to my car to get a bunch of both of my books in Spanish and some Spanish tracts to bless the workers in the restaurant. They were very grateful.
But what I really want to say to all of you is “thank you.” When you donate for products or just send in donations, this is one of the ways we use your blessings. We give a ton of materials to jails, prisons, and immigration facilities. Matter of fact, as I was typing this paragraph, another chaplain got a hold of us for materials!
2 Corinthians 9:12
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Psalm 26:7
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
You just never know what God might do with a seed that’s been planted. He might have someone thank you for that book ten years later! But we do know what God does with a seed that has not been planted: Nothing.
The bottom line is that you and I both want a lot of people in Heaven to be incredibly thankful for all of the seeds we planted down here!
Another day is another opportunity to plant a seed with a lost soul. Go for it, and don’t look back!
Until the nets are full,
P.S. Thanks to all of the soul-winners who made it to Las Vegas last week! We heard some great reports about their conversations with the lost and the tracts and books that were handed out. Please pray for those seeds to grow mightily!
P.P.S. You can be a faithful witness who plants seeds in your city, just like those men were in Las Vegas. The highways and byways of life are where we will find the lost. One Heartbeat Away will not only equip the lost with the answers they’re looking for, but it can equip you to be ready to give an answer for your faith. These books are discounted this week at 10% off Bundles and 30% off individual books. That makes it only $7.50 per book when you get a bundle. You can pick up copies for you and the people you are reaching for Christ at the link below. Have fun planting many seeds for the Lord!
