It is Autumn in Colorado. The trees have turned, the temperatures are still somewhere between 50 and 70 degrees, the air is crisp and I have the best times with God this time of year. I was first introduced to studying the Bible the end of September by a childhood friend, Jim. He had joined this controversial church that had our families in an uproar and the girl he was dating resentful to his spirituality. I was curious and had to figure out why he didn't do things like he used to do.
I later found out, these things are not what true Disciples do. They know how to party, with Christ as the center of the things. They know how to love one another and get into each other's lives, as Christ did with others. They didn't mind giving a helping had when someone did or didn't need it. It was just strange to me to see this. The last time I saw people like this was the Kung Fu students when it came to my dad needing some help. They would rally and dad would cook whatever we had in the house.
I had started working for Old Chicago August 25th of 2000. I was looking for a job that would just be fun and be exciting to have a new set of friends. At the same time, I had just moved into a new apartment and Jim asked me if I would be interested to study the Bible. His attempts to get me to do church things would fail more than succeed then. I said yes under the condition that Flavian would be the one I could learn from. The motive was to get more out of what Jim was doing with a Bible in tow.
If you are familiar with the protocol of studying the Bible in our family of churches you know how it all happens. (I'll elaborate some time.) We were in his dorm room, I was tired and falling asleep, but Flavian let it out and preached a sermonette about how this was God giving me my sign. The next time we got together, Steve was there and just sat there to listen in. The next time I would study the Bible, Steve would lead the studies, Jim would be in attendance and I would learn about the Bible, myself and where I fit in with God.
Anyway, it has been six years since then, I have been grateful to God for plucking me out of my life then. I still have to die to myself everyday. I have to fight to have my quiet times and prayers with God, but in the end, it is all worth it!
