... a biker blessing

Something cool just happened!  I was sitting in a Starbucks meeting with one of my staff guys, we were talking about our lives, and had our Bibles & journals open... all of the sudden, I heard in a rough voice, "is anyone sitting here?"  I looked up to see two 'biker dudes' (beards, tattoos, leather, long-hair, etc) standing there - we smiled and said, "nope, please sit down" - I love this kind of stuff!  So, my friend and I went back to talking about the Lord, our church, visions, burdens, passions, and others cool topics.  We were being open & honest - and, we were oblivious to the conversation of the men sitting next to us. They were eventually joined by a third friend.  I thought, to myself, what a unique paradox of guys this is - we (yeah, WE) were a pretty tough looking group of MEN! Ha!

Before, they sat down I had been sharing some personal stuff about how God had been leading me to 'peace' - IF you know me very well, you know I've never shy-ed away from 'conflict' and perhaps reveled in it.  But, I was just asked this week about our relationship with the Muslims, Catholics & others in our community.  A friend said, "are you experiencing attacks and conflicts from these religious groups?" and, I said, "no, they like us... respect us... and are thankful for us." - each time I share this, people look at me like this isn't right, they should hate you...almost as IF we are compromising in some way. I don't think we are... I'm just trying my hardest to keep obeying God and living the way He tells me to live.

So, back to the biker(s), as we were packing up, one of them spoke up and asked what I was studying, I told him I was a pastor & church planter and that we were talking about the Bible and seeking God's direction.  He smiled and said, "I have a word for you, my friend... 'when a righteous man lives to please the Lord, God causes even his enemies to be at peace with him'. That IS you, did you hear me? That word is about YOU.  Be encouraged buddy, you're being exactly what God wants." - whoa! You have no idea how encouraging this is and how timely it was.  I'm glad God used a unique messenger - I'm still wondering IF he was an angel... it wasn't all spiritual or preachy, it was straight-forward, without doubt or fear, and yet kind.  Very cool.

I've since looked the verse up and read it in every translation - it's Proverbs 16:7 - check out how the message puts it:  "When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand." - I pray that this is my testimony in Hamtramck & Detroit ... I think it is...

• what 'unique' person has God used to bless you?
• are you sure that you're obeying God right now?
• interested in joining our team in Hamtramck?
• don't make me send a biker to 'convince' you! Ha!

Comments

[steve]

I had someone speak a word to me - I was in Florida at a phone booth with a friend from Australia, and this woman walked up to me, asked my name, where I was from, and then spoke a word to me. It was very incouraging!

It's so amazing to think that God knows exactly where we are and what we need! Thanks for sharing!

[Donny Cordero]

Hey Chilly...Wow! What a story?! Thanks for sharing that it was very encouraging...love ya!

[Adam Forsythe]

WOW! that is so awesome.
Im sure that I obeyed God in my coming out here, but sometimes I think I settle for that too much. I need to be more open to letting my plans be messed up so I can obey Him.
thanks for sharing this.

[Coach Luis]

That's such a true & powerful word! Its amazing how God will take time to speak to us, all we have to do is be listening. Thanks for sharing the story!

[Fred Chilton]

Son, I am well pleased with you.

Dad

[Kari]

that is awesome Captain! who would have thought? It is so cool when God confirms stuff like that. It's like a seal of approval that out ways any trash talk you've been enduring. sometimes I think we're like John the baptist...what we are doing is crazy. and maybe even we are crazy. but it is undeniably God and it draws people. and even the overly-religious people and the skeptics can't explain it. so cool.
heart and soul

[Chris Chowdhury]

What an amazing blessing! Right on time! I've really been blessed by "needy people" - the sort of people I think need my help so much tend to teaching me much more than I can offer them.

If there's anything I'm sure of, it's that I'm obeying God with my life. And wow, it's a ride!

Hamtramck! I dunno...
Just kidding - I'm there with you heart and soul AND for REAL!

[Anthony]

God used my pastor last night to speak to me the exact words I needed to hear at the exact moment I needed to hear it.
I know I am where God wants me to be, but I need to get better at obeying God in the small details too.

Awesome story!

[Erin]

how encouraging! God speaks.

[E]

thanks for sharing!

The coolest messenger that God sent to me was a lady when i was in LA she just came up to me and shared God's heart with me and encouraged me with a gift.

I love that God is so creative and uses others to speak into our lives. thanks for the encouraging story!

[Jon Neumeister]

amazing...thats all i can say...wow...

[Ruth Chowdhury]

God uses little kids to bless me a lot. I believe they have an "in" with God. :)
Yes, I am 100% sure I'm obeying God right now. Not that I am obeying him all of the time; I just know that with the decisions we are making & the direction we are headed is beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt where God wants us.
Well, yeah... Actually that's what we're doing! :) (But you knew that already.)
I won't!

[Kali Mock]

that is sooo kool Pastor Chilly...OMGSH thats AWESOME!!!

[Edgar Cabello]

Love it!

[ellis]

that's awesome. what a cool, REAL story!

[TJ Reid]

What an amazing story. Praise God! Its so cool when God sends people like that or an angel to you to encourage.

We had a guy do that at the New York Youth Convention at a Denny's one time. He was a photographer and handed me a picture of power lines in the sunset, and said that I needed to rely on God's power. it was a timely word. incredible!

thanks for sharing this!

TJ

[crystal]

WOW!!! this is so cool!Thanks for sharing