Bar mission

Saturday night I went to buy shredded cheese at Meijers before the sale ended, I mean 1.49 for 8 oz is good enough reason to leave the comfort of my home. On my way home I stopped at the Hiway Inn for a beer, I don't really know why.

Earlier in the day I participated in the GH Potatoe drop where you drive thru a parking lot and volunteers from the Eagles Ottawa club fill your car with pumpkins, potatoes, and apples. They gave me like 20 bags of each, so I justified my trip to the hiway inn by the implication i could give bags of potatoes and apples to the bartenders and patrons, which I eventually did.

So there I am sitting at the bar with my blue moon beer just people watching which is always fun. It was a pretty jovial crowd really, lots of smoking though. At one point I asked the guy and his girlfriend next to me(who were smoking) if they ever saw those people who have a device which they talk thru from a hole in their throat. They got up and left within the next 30 seconds, i guess it wasn't the greatest conversation starter. I haven't been out to a bar in a VERY long time, so i was pretty rusty on my talking points I guess.

Then this guy a few seats down asked me if I went to his high school...I didn't, but he seemed nice enough and I hadn't insulted him yet so the conversation began. Super nice guy, complete atheist, and actually reminded me of myself a little. He had this sort of raw nervousness and vulnerability about him, but he seemed gentle enough. He was drinking, and drinking and I was doing what I do best...talking. He asked me how I ended up in GH, and I gave him the scenic version of the story which is laced with radical debauchery and momentuous foolishness, but makes for a good story I suppose. The best part was when i got to the ending...of that life...and how I came to know Jesus Christ. He didn't believe me. Then I got the chance to testify about a life of hope where "with God, all things are possible", not some things...but "ALL" things.

So my new friend told me about his drinking problem, and how he had a 15 and 10 year old son and daughter who he hadn't seen in almost 2 years...the tears were there but restrained and the hurt was obvious. With God, all things are possible. I could understand the hurt, i lived without God for most of my life and without him, we can do nothing, and life is hopeless and wonderless.

So my new friend came to church with me Sunday night, praise God! And church was in a bar, praise God! And my friend seemed somewhat uncomfortable, but I think thats somewhat normal, right? Its hard to understand a christ centered life when you're in/part of the world for most of your life.

lets pray for Tracey, and his friend Jeff Olger for new life, new hope, broken addictions, and restored family ties. God I give you the glory today for the things of tomorrow...because your word says that with you...All things are possible!