(Not Necessarily in that Order)
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Hebrews 4:12, NLT “For the Word of God is alive and powerful...”
I love to study about Jesus, the incarnate Word of God. (John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God”) I love to study the words of God that are in the Bible. I also love to read other peoples writings about the Word and the words. My favorite types of books are those that address apologetics. (Apologetics is the reasoned defense of the Christian faith)
But as fascinating as I find apologetics they are a little dry and maybe not the best witnessing tool. So when people ask me how I know God exists I don’t start talking apologetics. Instead I answer “Jeffery Dalmer, Alice Cooper, me and the chickens at the Big Fresno Fair – not necessarily in that order.” It is a great first line because it is absolutely unexpected and I always get asked to explain it. I say that I believe that God created the universe and I base that belief on the chickens at the Big Fresno Fair. Have you ever seen the chickens at the fair? It is astounding how many different varieties that there are. Some of them are so big and fat that you wonder how they can move. Others are perched up on these tall, skinny legs. They are all sorts of colors, some of them solid, spotted or other patterns. Some of them had feathers that looked like fur and this comical dandelion of feathers on their head so thick you couldn’t see their eyes. Others had these long feathers at their feet that looked like a dust ruffle. Evolution says that species evolve to enhance their survival – so why did so many different chickens evolve? Why not just the standard white, Kentucky Fried Chicken? And why the dandelion or the dust-ruffle chickens? The one chicken can hardly see, the other can hardly run. They have not evolved to survive better but rather to be a coyote’s next meal. And the chickens are only one example of the endless variety in our universe that can only exist because of the creativity of our God.
I talk about how God’s love and mercy reaches out to everybody. And is there a better example of God’s love than Jeffery Dalmer? There are not many people as vile and evil as this cannibal serial killer. While he was in prison Dalmer made a confession in Christ. When you first hear about this you think “a jailhouse conversion looks good to the parole board.” But Dalmer was serving 15 consecutive life sentences, he wasn’t ever getting out of prison. There wasn’t any reason for him to fake a conversion. After his confession of faith there was an obvious change in Jeffery Dalmer.
Next I talk about how God changes lives. Do you remember Alice Cooper, the father of shock rock? For years he outraged parents and delighted young people with his outrageous lyrics and on-stage antics. Then in the ‘80’s Alice met Jesus in a personal way. His music changed – no longer did he sing his songs that glorified violence, promiscuity or heavy partying. His new music had a better message. He and his friend established the Solid Rock Foundation that funds a Christ-centered home for troubled youth. In an interview Alice Cooper said that he had been one thing at one time, but that now he was a new creature, and then praised God for what he is now. God made a 180 degree change in Alice Cooper – He can change anybody.
Last I talk about me and what God has done in my life. I talk about the angry, bitter, unhappy woman I had been 11 years ago and about the joy that my life is now. I talk about Care Fresno Kids Klub and how God uses me to make a difference in a child’s life. I tell them that when I look into the mirror, I know that I am looking at God’s miracle.
Then I talk to my friend about their response to the God Who creates the universe, Who loves Jeffery Dalmer and loves them, Who changed Alice Cooper and wants to change them, Who gave me a life of joy and purpose and wants to do the same for them.
So you may be saying, “Well all of this is interesting – but what difference does it make? Why should I care about any of this?” The answer is – you shouldn’t. Knowing how I answer people does not make any difference in your life. What does make a difference in your life is how YOU answer the questions. Are you ready for the questions?
In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul tells Timothy (and us) to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;” In other words – be prepared to answer the questions. Be prepared when they are asked; be prepared before they are asked. The best way to be prepared is to be in the Word of God and to study the words of God. The next way is to practice your answers. I didn’t just come up with the Jeffery Dalmer, Alice Cooper, me and the chicken’s answer. I have had one version or another ready for years.
Be prepared to answer the questions before you are asked. A soul may hang in the balance.
LORD Jesus, I thank You that You have made such a tremendous difference in my life. Help me to be prepared for the questions that I am asked so that someone else can receive this same joy.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Posted by Valerie at October 27, 2006 09:36 PM