Showing posts with label #284. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #284. Show all posts

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Sam the Jesus Shouter - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Sam the Jesus Shouter

Now Think On This
Steve Martin


“Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. (Matthew 16:24-27, NASU)


Often during my 40-hour a week accounting job on the 16th floor in uptown Charlotte, NC, I will walk to Romare Bearden Park, located just two blocks from the office. If you have seen my Facebook pages (Steve Martin and/or Love For His People), or just know me through my writings, you have seen that I like to observe people, buildings, and especially flowers on my way there. And usually a photo (or more) will appear on my social media outlets an hour or less later.

With the prophetic gifting I believe that the Lord has given me with some perspectives I have, I can sometimes see beyond the outward shell people have encased themselves with, while putting forth something else in their public presentation. We all have done it – wanting to please men rather than please God, or even know Him in many cases.

Uptown Charlotte has really been booming with new office space, new city parks, new apartment buildings, and thus, new people. Many of the private companies, commercial banks and real estate profit-makers rise up far above the Trade and Tryon Street level below. Most of the days these past few years, an abundance of cranes have lifted heavy steel girders, massive loads of concrete, and men (along with women) construction workers to the 10, 20 and 30 floors sky bound.

At lunchtime the building builders fill the park, eating Mexican, Vietnamese, or assorted pizza pies, often from the food trucks that are close by. As for me, I hustle over to the 7-Eleven on Martin Luther King Blvd. to get a Big Bite and Big Gulp (for $2.00) before the construction workers clean out the condiments!  

That I do most Fridays. Monday-Thursday I always enjoy the leftovers from the supper before that my good wife Laurie always prepares, and carry it to the park bench in a blue plastic grocery bag. Works for me.

Watching the young people, which now make up a large percentage of the task force, make their way to the sit-down restaurants, is an altogether different sight. Dressed up in suits, ties, and fine dresses or slacks, or as the ones do on 3rd and 4th in our building, using Microsoft Surface or laptop computers primarily at an online marketing firm - torn jeans and a t-shirt are the preferred choice of attire.

Though many seem to have a great time, as they laugh and walk in confidence at their quickly achieved success, I tend to wonder what lies beneath the proper hair, smile and exterior given to the world around them? Is there meaningful life beneath? Do they have the character and strength to resist the temptations to get drunk, party on the latest drug, or have sex with the other gender, or same gender, in the cubicle next to theirs?

They need Jesus.


Sam Bethea, the “Jesus Shouter”
(Photo by Steve Martin May 19, 2017 in uptown Charlotte, NC)

I agree with Sam Bethea, the “Jesus Shouter” as some call him, laugh about him, and resist the Holy Spirit trying to change their heart for eternity through him. He has been calling out, like John the Baptist, loudly and clearly on the city sidewalks for many months now.

“I have Good News. Jesus loves you. He really does!”

Yesterday when I asked him his name, at Trade and Tryon, he told me he was arrested 29 times before he came to repentance, and now loves Jesus with all his heart.

Save them Lord. Save the people in our city, in our nation, in our world.

Let us be Your instruments of peace and salvation, as you have called and anointed us to be, on the jobs where we toil so many hours a week. This is where us church people should be Monday through Saturday. Touching the lost found among the glamorous city concrete towers.

They need Jesus too.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.




Sam Bethea's tracks he hands out 
on the corner of Trade & Tryon in Charlotte, NC. 
(Photo: May 19, 2017 by Steve Martin)


P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

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Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

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Now Think On This - In the Year of our Lord 05.20.17 - #284 – “Sam the Jesus Shouter” – Saturday, 8:30 am

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This



Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve