I have another story to share about my time on the streets of Hollywood last night. To anyone who is thinking, "didn't you just share a story about last night?" the answer is yes. My other story entitled "Enthusiasm for a Parking Lot Church" was about a woman named Essence. If you haven't read that story yet, you should. It's a good one. :)

Well, while our small group which included Essence was having discussions about the sermon last night, I would occasionally look around to see what else was going on around us. (There is always lots of crazy activity going on out there. Last night, some young drunken clubbers who were all friends got in a *fist fight* over who got to sit in the front seat of their car! It all took place just a few feet away from us!) Almost every time I looked up, one of the other ladies from the street was looking at me. This is odd for (at least) two reasons. First, we don't encounter a lot of real women on these streets and last night we had at least four in our church service. Second, it wasn't just one of them. Three ladies were like taking turns. And it wasn't coincidence either. They had to turn their shoulders to see me. So, anyway, after our little discussion group broke up, one of the ladies approached me and I finally got to learn why she kept looking. (The other two will remain a mystery.)

This sermon [podcast] by Francis Chan is based on Philippians 3 & 4. "But I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us....There are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." (Philippians 3:14,18b-20 NLT)

There's very little I can add to the message of this sermon. It wraps up all of the thoughts I could really say on the matter. But recently, I've been contemplating two verses, one where Paul talks about running the race to win the prize and disciplining his body like an athlete. The other is "never grow weary of doing good" (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Both are about constantly working and striving to bring others to Christ, to discipline ourselves like athletes to be able to preach the gospel well and save the lost. I've had several moments of indecisiveness about situations where I could be selfish and do what I want, or do what would be best for someone else. "Never tire of doing good" goes through my mind, and my decision is made.