Welcome to "Little Five Points", a popular area in Midtown Atlanta where university students gather and people from all walks of life come from Atlanta to "be themselves" in homosexuality, drugs, alcohol and promiscuity.
Not at all like the conservative neighborhood of Buckhead where I live, "Little Five Points" makes for an exciting place to converse about a pure God who loves sinners. I don't feel the least bit at home there, but I sure do like the thought of setting up a little table in the heart of such darkness as a beacon of Light--the true Light, not the dark light who is the rules this age.
God gave me a place to set up the table of apologetics, right across from the police station, in the heart of the outdoor courtyard surrounding the stores.
As I was thinking about where to put the new table (with books, articles and CDs to give answers in defense of the Bible against New Age spirituality, Buddhism, atheism, Hinduism and the occult, as well as free Bibles), I saw a policeman. I asked him if it would be okay for me to set up a table in this area. He said, "Sure, as long as you don't cause any trouble."
I was reminded that I was given the same answer when I began my table at Venice Beach. Leaders in our table outreach locations have never caused any trouble, but the Gospel sometimes does. Yes, the demons tremble in such areas when the Holy Spirit comes to draw people to the pure love Jesus and His overwhelming power, subjecting demons to their defeated, satanic demise.
As I observed the area, I prayed that the Lord would protect me and help me, as I hate this area but love the people there--people who are lost like I would be apart from God's grace. Homeless hang out there, so I am bringing some free snack food for the people who approach.
So, tomorrow we will be beginning the new table outreach in Little Five Points. Please pray for me as I set out to begin this. A friend is going with me, so I will not be alone. After this first day, I will then know more details about having others join me there in evangelism based on apologetics. We want to give the people answers and meet them right where they are. More than anything, I want them to know I love them and realize I am no better apart from Jesus and His unmerited favor toward me.
I pray I will welcome the people passing on the city street as they see my anomalous table about Jesus and salvation with a banner reading, "A Free Gift for You."
The Gospel of grace is free, though it is costly. Sometimes people say to me, I would give my life to have a ministry like yours, and I respond, "I have." Yet, when I feel Jesus with me by the power of His Holy Spirit living with me, and when He lets me feel His love, I feel like I have not given enough! It seems too good to be true that such a God would give me so much and only want all of me in return. No "slain in the spirit" required or silent, monastic retreats to come into the "practice of the presence" through "contemplative prayer." Just my heart is "all" that God wants. When I think of His rescuing, faithful Love toward me, my heart can't help but love Him in return. He makes it easy for me to give Him everything, and going to such dark places to shine a light for Him is such an honor. I am honored that God would let me do this.
Here is where I plan to set up the table tomorrow, in the middle of the courtyard. He even gave me a cool place of shade,
right across from the police station.
"...Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." Acts 18:9-10
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one would hardly die for a righteous man...But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:3-8
(For more information about our materials at this table see blog post here.)
Because He first loved me,
Dwayna
