Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1491406
A Testimony of Two Boots! John Lyons, BSHDFC Mississippi I was at a huge biker event in Reno, Nevada a few years ago tending a boot shine booth with our motorcycle ministry, Black Sheep: Harley-Davidsons for Christ. We often do this, setting up a booth, offering prayer and a free boot shine. As our Lord works in our lives, a woman walked up behind me and tugged on my shirt. I turned around and there was this woman with her seventeen year old son, both obvious bikers that belonged to a biker M/C. I asked her, "How can I help you?" She looked right into my eyes and said, "I want you to put Jesus in my son's life." I told her that nobody could do that unless they themselves wanted Jesus in their life..."it's their choice and decision to make." Then she started telling me about her life as a biker's wife and had decided she didn't want her son living that kind of life anymore. I asked her how her son felt about this because he has to make this decision on his own. She then introduced her son to me and I asked him how do you feel about what you mom is saying? He told me, "I'd liked to know more about it." He opened the door and as our Lord was working I'm thinking, "Lord Jesus give me the right words to show this young man how Jesus can work in his life just as He has in mine and so many others!" As I cleaned and shined one of his boots the Lord said, "There John! Now stop and compare the shined boot with the scarred, unpolished boot ...which represents the life he is living now." I said to the young man, "I want you to look at both your boots. One is still scarred and dirty, and the other has been wiped clean and is polished! The shiny one, young man, is what Jesus will do in your life if you decide that's what you want. Would you rather live a clean life rather than the one you're living now? Jesus will do that for you once you ask him into your life and ask Him to forgive you of all your sins. He will make you a clean, shiny boot just the like the one I've just shined. But you have to truly want to change from being just another dirty boot walking through life. Jesus will give you a clean heart, a clear mind and your heart will want a better life now and in eternity. Your mom and I can't think for you or make that decision. It's a choice only you can make for yourself." He sat in the chair as I shined his other boot not saying a word. When I finished I looked up at him and said to him. "You know, I just planted the seed of God's grace and love into your heart. He has a wonderful plan for your life and wants for you to accept His only son Jesus Christ who died for all mankind on the cross, paying the price in full for our sins so that we may live with Him forever. I asked him if he would mind if I prayed for him and he said, "No sir, I'd like that !" And so we prayed. As he left, he gave me a huge hug and said thank you. I don't know if that young man ever accepted Jesus into his life, but what I do know is God gave me and this young man a full picture of what Jesus can do in our lives if we would only accept Him into our lives. The two boots show us one life scarred with sins and the other clean and bright, shining with the love of Jesus Christ. The question now is, "Are you ready for the grace of Christ in your life?" a What's Love Got To Do With It? Tom & Dee Sanchez BSHDFC National Chaplains As we head into the month of February, I am confronted with the popularity of Valentine's Day. I hate it. I've never been a big fan of this holiday. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my wife and love making her feel special. I just resent the notion that I am expected to do it on a specific day. If I truly care about her and want her to feel special, I show her by bringing flowers on some random Tuesday rather than on the day everyone else says to do it. And she knows. She understands that I take my commitment to her seriously and want her to see that I am intentional on my own, without society telling me to tell her I love her. God was also intentional when He showed how much He loved us. "For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." Everyone knows John 3:16, but I am more interested in v. 17 & 18. "God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son." – NLT This last line is what should be motivating us to share God's love with those around us. We all stand condemned until we believe in Him. Romans 10:14 says, "…And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?" We are called to this ministry, not to shine shoes, feed the homeless, ride awesome machines or enjoy beautiful scenery. We are called to share the love of God with a broken and hurting world, many of whom will never consider going to church. We must go to them. Will you commit to sharing the Gospel with someone this year? We are not called to make converts; we are called to tell what we know – to tell how He has changed us. There are several great resources available to you through our Chaplain's Resource page of the website. As Chaplains, will you work with your chapter to help others be prepared to share the Good News? a 10 - BlackShepHDFC.org - Feb 2023