A Soccerdad’s Love

Wednesday, March 26, 2008 The Great Conversation leads to a Great Impact

A guy named Curtis Tanner served as the best man in my wedding. Curtis and I both attended Samford University. He was a few years older.

Curtis was the primary founder of the ministry known as Campus Outreach. Campus Outreach is a student-led ministry which is committed to helping folks grow in their spiritual life and then teaching them to help others. Some would call this the ministry of Second Timothy 2:2 where Paul tells Timothy, ‘And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many, these entrust to Faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (II Timothy 2:2).

The Great Conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus that night in the house took place before a small gathering of folks. These men were followers of Christ. They were the type of “faithful” men Paul talks about in II Timothy 2:2 who heard Jesus discuss a life with God in the presence of many.

Those present must have wondered what impact the words of Jesus would have on this leader from the Pharisees named Nicodemus.. It was during this conversation that the term, ‘you must be born again,’ was shared. Christ would eventually share the meaning of ‘born again’ through the declarations that God loved the world so much that He sent His Son Jesus from heaven and that whosoever would fully embrace God would have the opportunity of spending eternity with Him.

We would later learn that after Jesus was crucified that Joseph of Arithmathea from the Jewish group known as the Sandedrin and Nicodemus himself would ask the man in Charge (Pilate) for the body of Christ. John 19:38-42 shares that Nicodemus brought 75 lbs of various incense and with Joseph, wrapped the body of Christ. One can easily see that years after the meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus that the Great Conversation had a great impact of Nicodemus.

We also must teach ‘faithful’ men about God in the presence of others — and have faith that in due time, a Great Impact will occur.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

I have been away from my diary for much too long. I actually have spent the past few weeks working off and on with Wordpress.com. Wordpress closed my blogs because of the referral links.

I spent countless hours on the matter. I had understood, incorrectly, that by getting hosting at Wordpress that the links would be allowed. I eventually moved the hosting to Hostican’s service but it will be awhile before get everything restored correctly. Unfortunately that was time and $ that was lost.

Yet, the one thing I have been able to count on during this struggle is the goodness of God. And, I believe in that goodness and the mystery that ‘all things work together for good for those that love God” even though life may become more difficult.

This morning was time to get back to blogging and sharing the things God places on my heart. Max Lucado’s book, 3:16. The Numbers of Hope has been a godsend in so many ways. He is of course right about John 3:16. So many of us pass on the offer of eternal life and God’s peace until our lives become quite desperate.

One of the biggest joys in my life recently was to learn that Jonah had attended a campus ministry event at UAB. I can recall how God used the ministry, Campus Outreach, at Samford to change my life. My hope is that each of the boys learn the value of living a life consistent with God’s Word and a time of regular prayer for direction from Him.

Mr. Lucado is correct when he discusses the comfort that John 3:16 can bring:

” For God so loved . . .

That He gave . ..

His ONE AND ONLY SON . . .

That whoever believes

Shall Have Eternal life.

That indeed is the eternal life vest of hope.