It was a blessing to have The Rev. Dr. Don Sweeting, President of Reformed Theological Seminary here in Oviedo as our guest preacher on Sunday and he challenged us to walk the days of Advent with repentance, renewal, and bearing fruit.  You can listen to his sermon. (Click Here) You can listen to an online radio show he does called TAKE 5 (click here)
  
I was in New York City last week at a training  specifically designed for Conference Center Directors.  It was a rich experience and I learned a great deal. I walked by and in the magnificent Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine (right) a few times while there.  Manhattan is a different landscape and the buzz never seems to stop. While there I had to take a few taxis and in one thirty minute ride I had a conversation with the cab driver Jaaman, from Bangladesh. He picked me up near Columbia University and made the assumption I was a professor.  I corrected him but let him know that I did have a doctorate in theology. This opened the door to theological discussion.  After exchanging a few details about our lives, he was intrigued that I was priest and pastor and asked me this question, very simple, very direct; Who is God?

I shared with him who God is: all powerful; all knowing; all present; holy and all loving. I told him of Jesus and His mission into the world to seek and save the lost, to redeem and reconcile, I explained the necessity of the cross as the place of justice and mercy, the means of grace and salvation. He listened intently, asking questions and as it seems to, it always comes down to faith. I asked, Do you believe this? He was not sure. I encouraged him to pray simple prayers;  God if you are there show me. Pray for Jaaman, that God would reveal himself and send others into his cab that will proclaim the Gospel to him.

When we talk of evangelism, we can get uncomfortable. Using an agricultural metaphor true evangelism is preparing the soil, planting the seed, tending the growth and harvesting fruit.  We often focus evangelism on that moment of harvest, praying the Sinner's Prayer with someone.  You do not get to harvest unless the other work is done. So we participate in evangelism in many ways, in kindness, service, sharing the faith, caring for others.  It truly is as our baptismal covenant states, proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ by word and example.

There are people all around us who need Jesus.  In this holiday season especially I find there is a little more openness to the message of Jesus.  So open your eyes, pray for opportunity, be ready to share the Gospel, I like the way the Message translation of 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us of our calling to be a witness...  "Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy."  In this season of Advent as the light glows brighter let it be so in your life and...

                                                                       in the mission,

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