|
Powered Circuits |
BARBER SHOP PREACHINGBy Dr. Jack CanadyDear Leader Chosen of God, Yeah, you're right; this is another installment from my visits to the Great America Barber Shop. I stopped by today because we have company coming tonight and Norma said, "You need a haircut." There are two chairs in the shop. I take whichever opens up first. This time it was John the owner. His son, who is new to the profession, was my barber the last time. It was his first time to work on me. He did a good job, but he does not know me, AND dad was not there. Because of that and the fact that he is young, single and looking, the conversation was more about the pretty girls and ladies who walked by the shop than anything else. My attempts to steer the conversation away from that vital subject met with ignoble defeat. The shop was filling up as I climbed into John's chair. "Hey, Pastor Jack, how have you been doing?" "Fine," I answered; "but, as you can see, I need this haircut bad." As he took my glasses I asked, "John, didn't you tell me some time ago that your pastor asked you to teach some kind of class on substance abuse?" "You're right," he answered, obviously pleased that I remembered. "It's called HURTS, HANGUPS, AND HABITS." Before I go on let me describe the setting. I was in the barber chair which faced the men who were waiting their turn. The barber is behind me. In order for me to carry on a conversation with him I have to speak up. Being a preacher by trade I got the distinct impression that my congregation was sitting in front of me. They were talking about the Super Bowl but they were not going anywhere. God seemed to be whispering in my ear, so I said, "Why not Lord". John and I began to talk. "You know Pastor Jack, I haven't been involved with this church stuff very long." "No kidding," I answered. "When did you come to Christ?" "Not until I was 38." "Wow; you did a heap of living before that took place. How did it happen?" At that point the Super Bowl conversation began to fade. "Father, I think you are doing something here," I prayed. For the next few moments John told me his story. He had kids. The school system was not good. He and his wife heard about a religious school. They did not do too much checking but signed the kids up. It sure couldn't hurt; after all it was a church. Maybe they ought to attend a couple of times, just to be sure. The people were a little lively (on the Pentecostal side,) but they were nice. The second Sunday a missionary spoke. He wanted money. That's all these churches do; try to get your money. I was ticked. I asked for a meeting with the Pastor. I brought my list with me. I had it written down. You know that Pastor patiently answered every one of my questions. We were there at least an hour. By now it seemed that the only sounds in The Great American Barber Shop were John's and mine. The spotlight was on. I could visualize heads bent our way. As the scissors went clickity-click all ears were on our conversation. Suddenly I felt a little uncomfortable. "HOLY SMOKE! Everybody is listening. MaybeI have gone far enough with this." Now, where do you suppose that thought came from? Two places: my own ego and the supernatural powers of darkness. But make no mistake - that emotion was real and powerful. Though it did not last long, it almost shut me down. I want you reading this to understand that because that happens to most of you too Two seconds later I asked, "What happened next?" He chuckled and went on. "The Pastor said, ‘I've answered your questions John. Now may I ask you one?" "What was his question?" "He asked me if I was ready to go to heaven?" "WOW!" I exclaimed. He quit cutting my hair, walked around to the front of the chair. Waving his scissors in the air as he looked me straight in the eye, he said, "Then - right there in his office - before I left - HE LED ME TO THE LORD!" I'm telling you I was ready to give the invitation! That as far as things got this morning - but the Gospel was given; the seed was sown. In His love, Pastor Jack
You can subscribe to Pastor Jack's e-mailings. Click Here
|
Copyrights: Content (c) 2010 Circuit 'Riter Ministries. |