So Your an Atheist?

Last night my youngest son and I did a sleep-over in our new home that is STILL under construction.  I woke up around 5:30 in the morning and since I couldn't go back to sleep, I began to pray.  After praying, I looked on Facebook and read a post from a friend.  For the purpose of this post I will refer to him as "John".  I couldn't sleep after reading "John's" post, not because it upset me but that I was very upset for him.  I thought and prayed about what I would say (write) if anything, and was compelled to write this;

Dear John (you like it already, haha)

Seriously, my Dear Friend John, I just want to get the story straight.  You were on private property (a church parking lot), playing a game on your phone I am guessing, when you were approached by the Pastor of the church at which time he tried to have a conversation with you which turned ugly (to say the least) and you told him off by telling him you were an atheist and didn't care about God, church or him and then finished by saying you would leave when you were done (after he asked you to leave) and "hail satan"!  Close enough?

I won' even mention the fact that you were trespassing at that point and as a former LEO, we would have arrested such person if they refused to leave.  Oh wait, I did mention it - sorry.

John why do atheist's (meaning yourself) have no problem using the name of Jesus as a swear word? Why don't atheist's use their own name or my name or their spouses name?  They don't because there is no Power or Authority in those names.  I have heard other so called atheist's then invoke satan's name, typically to irritate (I'm guessing) Christian's, not realizing that they/you are falling right into his plan and actually speaking a truth they/you WILL regret.

Nothing I am writing is to put you down or condemn you.  We have conversed very respectfully about this before and I have since stopped saying anything to you about it.  I have no intention of pushing Jesus on you - He might though! :)  For me to continue is what the Bible refers to as "casting pearls to the swine".  It means, it is a waste of time, unless or until something different happens to you.

HOWEVER since you wrote a public post and I know you appreciate honesty and forwardness even if you don't agree, I wanted to cast one more pearl or at least some corn.

Here it comes; John you are NO ATHEIST, you are to angry at God not to believe in Him!  I don't know what you blame Him for, loss of a loved one or love ones, poor health, poor finances or something further in your past, BUT He cares for you and proves it that day.  How you say?  By your own words, the man who approached you identified himself as the Pastor.  He is God's rep, whether you like him or not.  Even if he did a poor job representing The Lord and Christianity, he did a better job at it than you were as a former LEO and just plain citizen.  I mean come on John, he was on the churches property and doing what he should be doing and you say you didn't want to hear it, then WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THAT PLACE TO PLAY OR WAIT FOR YOUR FRIENDS???????  Coincidence?  "Coincidence" is God's middle name I always say.  No, your there waiting for God to make Himself known to you.  I would bet at least one time you have thought or said that, most likely with a sarcastic chuckle.

Well guess what "JOHN", He did make Himself known to you and let you know He was watching you too!  By your words the "Pastor" said he recognized you.  God uses His people to reach other people.  That Pastor had been watching you and was prompted by God to talk with you on His behalf.

It was NO coincidence of the meeting or timing.  Well Ernie I didn't like his approach or him telling me to leave, you say.  That Pastor, just like me is a sinner like you.  Our only difference is that we have received the gift of Eternal Life by asking Jesus to receive us and forgive us of our sins and repenting of them.  We have heard the Gospel of Christ, that Jesus left heaven, was born of a virgin, suffered for our sins and crucified for them on the Cross.  On the Third Day, He was raised to life so that ALL THOSE WHO CALL UPON HIS NAME WILL BE SAVED!  (Romans 10:13)

John, 

Time is short,

Heaven is real,

Hell is hot, and

Eternity is long!

Still love you Brother

ern