Recently we attended the San Francisco Marathon. I’ve been to California several
times but this was my first trip to the Bay Area. I’m used to the summer temperatures
and humidity in Alabama --- 90/90! When Donnie Maner and I flew into San Francisco at
4:30 PM on July 30, it was 54 degrees! It was COLD! During our stay and the race, it
only reached the lower 60’s briefly. At night it dropped into the low 50’s. I told
someone that this was a new experience for me ----
As a southern boy, this just didn’t seem right.
Other weather phenomenon that we experienced included the fog and wind. The fog
rolled in at night and lingered until about mid day. I was amazed at this. I had heard
of it, but I sure had no idea of the significance of these traveling trains of fog. The wind
was constant. It ranged from 5 – 20 miles per hour during our visit. As a young boy
I remember sportscasters talking about how the winds whipped around in Candlestick
Park which was the home of the Giants and 49er’s. After seeing the location of Candlestick,
it made much more sense. August weather like this was a very new experience to us.
We also experience a personal sense of the weather of the heart. During the marathon
expo, we had our usual TEAM 413 booth set up. Our banner hung in the back of the booth
with the large word “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” proudly displayed.
TEAM 413 shirts and literature were available for those who were interested in the ministry.
We talked to hundreds of people......
We saw the response of many......
We felt and heard what others thought.
Just as the weather of the Bay Area surprised us, so did the response of several expo
attendees. Sure we felt the warmth of many even to the point of seeing tears in the eyes
of some who were so glad to see our ministry at the expo. Were heard stories of the winds
of change in the lives of many people. However, we saw the fog in some eyes, witnessed a
cold shoulder here and there, and felt the harsh winds of anger from others.
You’ll read about the miracle of Rob, a major stroke survivor, and his family and other heroes
of the faith in an upcoming edition of GRACERUNNER Journal. This edition is intended to request
prayer for the following individuals. The first was a middle aged man who walked by our booth,
read the banner, looked at our shirts, and then shook his head, rolled his eyes, and walked away
in disgust. He was obviously upset that we had the audacity to be at the expo. The second was a
lady who did the same thing but then tapped a young lady, who appeared to be her daughter, on
the shoulder and pointed at our booth. They both laughed and the younger one threw up her hands
toward the sky signaling NUMBER ONE and muttered the words “OH, BROTHER!” They laughed as
they walked away. I wondered why they would behave in this manner. Donnie Maner and I discussed
it and decided that there was insecurity so significant that they had to show something outward
to convince themselves that they were not convicted by the Holy Spirit.
The third of the trio was a man who stopped at the front of the booth and looked around as if
he were interested in what we were doing. He listened to us talk to others and then asked me
“What is TEAM 413?” When I told him who we were and why we were at the expo, he said “Oh,
you are one of those religious groups.” My answer was that we were not religious but that we had
come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through faith that He was our Savior and Lord. He rolled
his eyes and said that we were religious. I didn’t want to argue with him but I could tell that he certainly
wanted to state his case. I asked him if he was an atheist or agnostic and he told me that he was not.
He told me that he had read the Bible since the day he was born and that he had come to the realization
that religion was just a hoax --- a way to keep fear of the unknown after-life to a minimum. I asked him
to explain. He told me that he believed that there might be a God but when he finally came to the
realization that there was no Heaven or hell that he was satisfied. I shared my testimony with him and
asked him had he ever thought about the possibility that he was wrong. He said that it was a chance that he
was willing to take but it was no risk at all. I asked him how he could believe in God, could have read the
Bible --- God’s word, and then not believe in Heaven or hell. He never answered my question. He continued
to explain why he would not believe and that I was wasting my time talking to him about it. I gave him
one of my cards and wished him well as he strolled away. I have felt a burden for this man since that time.
Why would he stop if he didn’t have questions?
Why would he want to share his story with us?
Why did he listen to me?
Why? Why? Why?
I’m still not sure of this man’s actions. However, I do know that he is lost. I do know that I shared my
testimony with him. I do know that I shared with him how he could accept Jesus Christ into his heart.
I am sure that he was UNSURE. I am sure that he walked away with a seed planted that I pray will
somehow sprout and grow and mature to the point that he will think about his reasons for believing
what he does. The seed is planted --- the Holy Spirit is at work even if this man doesn’t like it!
Please pray for the people that I wrote about above.
Pray for the seeds that were planted.
Pray for their salvation.
~Chris Gillespie
_______________________________
TEAM 413
GRACERUNNER PROJECT
Cookeville, Tennessee
8-8-08
TM
