It was the 1970s toward the end of the “Jesus Movement.” After Shirley and I became Christians, we began working with kids off the streets. Christian coffeehouses were popular with young people who were searching for the meaning of life. Two high school kids started such an outreach that met in a classroom in our church.

After a few years, we moved it to the streets where the kids were. “The Lighthouse” became the place for young Christians to bring their friends who were also searching. We were located in a business district several doors down from a “biker” bar.

With LIGHTHOUSE COFFEEHOUSE painted boldly across the entire front window along with a large lighthouse on the rocky shores of the water, I was always surprised when people strolled in thinking it was the biker bar. Alcohol may have been involved … just saying.

One night after a local artist sang, I was talking to some of the kids about God’s love. Even though I was a fairly new Christian myself, the love of God was very real to me. I was pontificating about love pretty well when the side door opened. It was winter in Nebraska and windy (it’s always windy); the cold air chilled me.

I was praying for those present to know the love of God in a real and personal way. With the cold air came the distinct odor of someone who had not bathed for some time. Confession is good for the soul. Even though I asked everyone to bow their heads as we prayed, I peeked toward the door to see who this smelly person was.

Standing in the door was a young man wearing a fatigue jacket, holding two brown bags of alcohol, one in each hand, and sporting a big, red afro haircut. He looked like someone who had escaped from the cast of “Hair!” You have to be of a certain age to understand this.

As I pondered this strange, smelly intruder, I asked, “Lord, what is this?” That still small voice of the Holy Spirit answered, “This is what you just prayed for. You asked for more love for the unlovely and he’s your object lesson!” Not the answer I was hoping for. I introduced myself to “Roger.” I’m thinking, He’s got a good name; he can’t be all bad! Roger had a drinking and drug problem, a criminal record, and was just surviving.

I met with him several times to go deeper into his past and try to provide some direction. But it seemed Roger just disappeared from the face of the earth. I was lovingly rebuked by the Lord because I wanted to love on normal people, people like me, the problem being that not that far back I was just as wretched and lost as Roger No. 2.

In reality, none of us is deserving of God’s love. It is given as an act of grace. Today we live in a society that turns us against one another just for our different beliefs. It “seems” we are a very divided nation. I don’t believe that’s true! I choose to love and accept people for who they are, just as He accepted me. I refuse to hate those who may hate me for who I am and what I believe. That’s called the Jesus Way! How about you?

Several years later, I shared my testimony at Job Corps in western Nebraska. Job Corps was an alternative-sentencing program for offenders to turn their lives around. I gave an invitation to ask the young men if anyone wanted to accept God’s free gift of salvation. A number of young men came and prayed. Several stayed and talked.

One young man hung back, and when he came forward, he just stood there smiling at me. I smiled and stood there looking at him. He said, “You don’t remember me, do you?” That was obvious. I said “No” and he replied, “I’m Roger!”

You can run from God, but you can’t hide forever.

Something to pray about!
Semper Fidelis