sleep. Nervously, I sprangfrom my sofa and openedthey wanted to hear. - PDF document

sleep. Nervously, I sprangfrom my sofa and openedthey wanted to hear. I feltchurches call it visitation. OthersAssault-Team VisitationWhen Iheard those insistentchurch on my doorstep, I firststate trip to my grandfatherÕshusbandÕs and my clothes weredoing laundry the next morning.later.visiting the church for some timeand Irecognized these men, I didinstincts, Ilet them in because IChristians. However, as I watchednervous. I realized that Ihad mademe. Fortunately, their intentionswere good. However, in retrospect,Immediately, Ifelt like a collegeÒJackie,Ó he asked grimly, Òif youdied today, do you know whereMAY/JUNE 2004ILLUSTRATION BYMARV WEGNERÑPTM Jackie,Ž he asked grimly, if you died today, do you knowhere you would spend eternity?Ž I explained that I was abeliever in Jesus and, ading to his promise, would spendeternity in heaven. He frowned, then asked another question.by Jacqueline Lee me, those church members Iencountered sounded less likempassionate followers of Christ andmore like Christian assault teams,nducting raids on unbelieversƒquestion. ÒYes, but what makesyou so sure that Jesus would allowSavior.Ó He looked dissatisfied.I didnÕt deserve,Ó I blurted out.when I didnÕt deserve forgivenesseternal life.Ó He nodded. I hadfinally given a satisfactory answer.they finally left. I sat in my chair,staring at the floor, feeling as if IhadnÕt seemed completelyBy that point, however, I didnÕtchurch, she smiled sweetly at meand said, ÒWe just canÕt afford toworry about being rude whensomeoneÕs eternal soul is at stake.Ówhat other time could basicpeople who donÕt treat them withMy story is not the only story Iawry. Rebecca Manley Pippert,Saltshaker & Into the World,She was in her car, waiting at aof paper through her openwindow. Shaken, she pulled overA few years ago, a friend fromgrader, some adults from a localchurch came to his house to shareleave until he Òprayed the prayer.Ósatisfy the church members, me, those church members andof Christ and more like Christianunbelievers, shouting ÒVictory!Ówhen they Òprayed the prayer,Ócarving a notch into their heavenlydashboard and moving on to theirnext target. They, like so manythem will make that tragic choice.spiritual record. ThatÕspushy. And thatÕs whenIn reality, God doesnÕtthe circumstances that will finally When I described my visitation experience to a woman on theevangelism committee at the church, she smiled sweetly at me andsaid, We just cant afford to worry about being rude whensomeones eternal soul is at stake.Ž I wanted to laugh out loud. Ather time could basic human courtesy be more crucial?ILLUSTRATION BYMARV WEGNERÑPTM