When the Storm Comes

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I can hold it. A daily program powered by the Truth Network. This is kind of a great thing, I'll tell you what. Where pop culture, current events, and theology all come together. Speak your mind.

And now, here's today's Truth Talk Live host. They're calling for four, maybe six, maybe ten inches, depending on where you live. Who knows, fourteen inches, I've even heard, of snow. Snow storm warnings everywhere. All the way up, I believe, to our listening area up in Ohio and Michigan, all sorts of places, but Snow is sort of a strange kind of storm.

It doesn't roar, it actually quiets. It covers it and it actually slows things down and it forces us, it disrupts us to kind of stop.

So today I ask. You know, as we all prepare for the storm, which is kind of interesting, it seems like we've had plenty of time to do that this week. As we prepare for the storm, how do we prepare? Especially since you guys up north could really help us down here on what we might do to prepare our houses, our cars. And certainly one of the things that we need to prepare is our hearts.

And what if God uses storms not to scare us, but actually. In a way, to give us shalom, give us peace. And so it's a winnering mix today on Truth Talk Live. We would love to hear from you. When the storm is coming, how do you prepare?

866-348-7884. And you know, I love your calls, and I just am so excited to hear what you may have for me. If you have scripture to reinforce it, all the more. You may have some favorite snow scripture that you always like to use when you see the white stuff coming. 866-348-7884 is the number to call in.

866-348-7884. And so it's interesting to me that this wintery mix, it kind of preaches without yelling, right? A storm outside. In ways, you know, like if you just go walking out in it. It's amazing how quiet it is.

how the sto the snow actually takes the sound away. And I don't know if you knew this, but it's beautiful to me, absolutely spectacular, that the word snow in Hebrew is very connected to the word shalom. In fact, the very first two letters are the same.

So they're. That idea of shalom is that idea of shaleg, which shaleg is snow and shalom is peace. And there's a little different bit on the ending, obviously, as shalom brings this completeness that we're going to all experience someday. But It's kind of a neat thing to know that there's a taste of that as we are checking the forecasts, you know, thinking about generators for the first time in a long time. Maybe you're out of the grocery store on the way to the grocery store right now, stocking up on that bread at that milk.

You know. are you what are your preparations? Especially, you know, i i one of the places that people got hit, and since I am a Christian car guy and I get a chance to see these things every year, you might remember a few years ago the Motorists in Atlanta, many were stuck for hours and hours and hours in the storm. And what did they do? And what do you need to have in your car?

Like you guys in Ohio, I know a lot of folks. When I lived up north, you carried snow shovels actually in your car. Because you never knew when you were going to slide, and you may actually need to do that, or a regular shovel. Or, you know, one of the things that a lot of the motors in Atlanta wish they'd had is one of those candles, right? That's something that can give you light when it's dark and maybe give you a little warmth.

You know, what is your tip? What have you found, like, man? This saved my bacon when I was in this situation. I would love to hear the story. I would love to hear how it worked for you.

866348-7884, 866-348-7884, you know, the the snowstorm that you lived through, you know. And I'll never forget as long as I live. When I came to North Carolina, I was living in Grand Junction, Colorado, actually. And it was such that Um The economic situation in Colorado had gone very, very bad because as the price of oil dropped in those days. Exxon and everybody pulled out of the state of Colorado, causing almost a complete depression in certain areas around Grand Junction as they were mining oil shale up there at the time.

And as a result, man, we were literally, being in the car business, we were repossessing more cars than we were selling. And this was in November, I'm going to say, of 1984. And We needed to get out. And you do, if you're on the western side of Colorado, which is where I was, you have to get out before the big snowstorms hit because once the passes get full, you may not get on the other side for a while, especially if you're taking a rider truck, which is what we needed to do. And, you know, sort of a funny part of the story is.

Um We were loading this rider truck as fast as we could possibly do that. And about the time I got done filling up the rider truck, which was as I recall a 22-foot truck. Um, I went and asked my wife for the keys to her car, which I needed to attach to the back of the truck 'cause we're going to tow the truck to North Carolina, right? And I and I said, uh, have you got the keys? And she said, uh, You remember that box?

Well, you might know if you ever loaded a moving van, all the boxes are in the front of the moving van, and all the furniture stuff is in the back. And so she had left the keys to her car in a box that was clear at the front. And at this point in time, it is snowing, okay? It's not snowing a little bit, it is snowing hard. And I'm thinking, and it's starting to get dark.

I'm like, we need to get over the pass. We need to get on the other side of the mountain. We got to do that pretty quick. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I can't totally unload this moving van. I spent all day loading it up, right?

And so I came up with this being the Christian car guy idea that, wow, well, it's a rear-wheel-drive car. If I got to disconnect the drive shaft anyway, I'll just take the drive shaft out of the car. And I will Just push it up to where I need to hook it up to the trailer on the ramp thing, and away we go. And the one challenge to that was that Y the steering wheel locks. And and again, if you're the Christian car guy, you realize that there's these little fingers that hold those locks into place as you were to turn the steering wheel.

Well, if you took off the horn cover, you could actually bend those metal teeth out as I did in this particular case. which this part of the story will come in handy later as I continue. But anyway, so when I freed up all those teeth, the steering wheel could spin because if you're pulling a car that's the the steering wheel has to be able to spin when the car goes to the right or to the left. You couldn't have it locked like you did.

So I got all that done. Got the car hooked up. It is snowing at this time really, really hard, and it is getting dark. And off we go, headed across the mountain, right? And the further we go, the deeper the snow gets.

And we get about two-thirds of the way up the mountain, and I'm like, oh man. And there's a place where you're usually going to make sure you have chains. We didn't have chains. And they were just about to open that up as we go sliding through and at this point. Point in time, man.

The truck is like, whoa, you know, it's going a little bit to the left, a little bit of the right. And realize these are mountain roads, and you got to keep the speed up on a truck. You're pulling another car behind you, right? And so you got to keep the speed up. You can't go too slow.

You got to make sure the truck gets up the mountain, but you don't want to go too fast that it starts to slide around and all this.

So it's a pretty hairy situation. It's a white-knuckle driving deal. Right.

Well, there's another thing that happens if you get to the very top of the mountain, which we were able to do, as you might imagine. I'm here today, I lived, that you might have noticed that trucks are supposed to be in a lower gear as they go down the mountain. And so there's this point of time where you're trying to keep your speed up to get to the top of the mountain, but then all of a sudden you're going to start to go down the mountain.

Well, you can't just lock up the brakes or whatever, as the case may be, because you've got to. It's just a really hairy situation. And so there I am trying to pull this. Because once it crosses the part where it starts to go downhill, now I've got to get the truck in a lower gear. And if you've ever heard gears grind, because this is a manual transmission on this moving truck, it's like going because if You don't get that truck in a lower gear and you're going to go down that snowy mountain.

I mean, it's like you're not going to live. I mean, it's just a horrible situation. And I'm revving the engine up, trying to double clutch this thing as much as I possibly can. And eventually, yes. I got it into low gear and we eased our way down the mountain.

Meanwhile, My grandmother's prized Afghan was in the front seat of that Pontiac. And the teeth. On that steering wheel thing, it grabbed that Afghan and it. It's Throw that thing around in the car. Quite a story.

What's your snow story? We'll be right back. 866-348-7884. You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Uh Welcome back to True Talk Live.

Today, the storm is coming. How do we. How do we prepare for the oncoming winner remix? Is that With our houses, with our cars, or with our hearts? How do you prayer?

It's It's going to slow down, it's going to be different. Right? And you may be without heat, or you may be not able to get to work, or whatever the situation may be. If you're like me, you're concerned with what happens Sunday morning because I'm supposed to preach and I'm really wanting to, but I don't know that we'll be able to get to church. How do you prepare for all that?

866-348-7884. And again, being a Christian car guy and knowing a little bit about driving in the snow. uh having lived out west and all over actually I've lived in Michigan too and And and but I'm interested in those in Daytona and other places I mean, in Dayton and well, in Daytona, but in Dayton and other places that are used to the kind of thing. How do you prepare your house when you think you may be without electricity or how do you prepare your car? 866-348-7884.

If you've got some fun snow story, I would love to hear that as well. Again, there are.

some fascinating verses in the Bible. that uh you can't help but consider. Uh of course, a lot of people Would think about Isaiah 55:10, where it says that snow essentially accomplishes its purposes slowly. For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, And returns not, but it waters the earth and it makes it bring forth bud. And it says a neat thing, isn't it, right?

How the snow, what it does for the grass and those kind of things. And how does that. Work out in your life. 348788 for my good friend and usually comrade, Dr. Carson.

Dr. Date, the word Carson, you know, one of his. Favorite The things to think about is the story of the overcomer, right? And the challenges of. I'm trying to think of the passage that he has here.

I'm looking in his notes about. Let's see. Where the um He had to fight the lion in the snow. This was one of his. I'm trying to think of it as I apologize.

Usually I find these things better than this, but I didn't. Um Well, we'll find it later, and I will have it for you in the next statement. you know, if you think about of that snowstorm that changed everything. Right.

It it it certainly I can remember back when I lived in Illinois. Um Years ago, there were snowstorms where they had like six or seven feet, and we couldn't even get out of the driveway or open the front door. Have you lived through that? 866-348-7884. I got Mike is in Dayton, Ohio.

So, Mike. Help us out, buddy.

Okay. My wife called me on my way home from work and says, Do you have. Gasoline for the generator? I'm not kidding. That's the total truth.

And I go, yeah, I have gasoline. She's kind of. Kind of nervous about it, but I'm not. It's not that she's from California. I'm from Ohio, so I know what to do.

So it's kind of funny.

So, you guys have a generator. Yes, I have a generator, yeah, just in case, you know. Yep, and I have a snow blower. Just in case, because I am older, I don't like to hurt my back with a show sevel. I I got my um overalls on, you know, the ones that cover your whole face and your body and it's like you you look like a snowman almost, you know, the cover everything.

I got those ready. I got my boots ready.

So I have some salt just in case I want to put some salt down. I washed my car. I don't know why I did that, but I was tired of it being dirty. And then let me. Let me see.

I do have a scripture that I like. They're good. All right. It's the Deuteronomy 31:8. Hopefully, I read this correctly or remember it correctly, I meant to say.

It's It is the Lord who gives you. Goes before you, and he will be with you. I hope I'm remembering this right. And he will not leave you or forsake you. Not do not fear or be dismayed.

And did I say? Hopefully, I did that right. Did you look that up? I can. Wait, it was Deuteronomy.

Uh Deuteronomy 31.8. I apologize. And I found my story from Dr. Karsten. Anyway, and the Lord.

He it is that doth go before thee. He will go with thee. He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee. Fear not. Be not dismayed.

Yeah, so Yeah, I like that because no matter what situation you're in, he's always he's there with you. He's going to go before you. He's going to take care of you. He takes care of the birds. You know, I mean, just trust in the Lord, and, you know, this snowstorm will go through.

You know, I mean, maybe somebody's not in the snowstorm. Maybe there's something else that's hurting, you know, in their life. And, you know, they'll, you know, just lean on God and trust God. And he'll. He'll get you through it.

He has always had my lifetime every time. You know, when I think I get I can't get through it, he's got I got through it.

So, you know, just you know, of all the snowstorms in Dayton that you have experienced. All right. Which one is it that you um can say was like, Oh my goodness, I don't know, but we're gonna make it through that one.

Well, it was In 1974, I was about 12 years old, I guess. I guess it was 74. There was a blizzard. And the snow. It went above the house.

I mean, it was blow drifted. It was unbelievable. I mean, the snow was way above the house. I mean, it was just all over the place, drifts and everything.

Well, me and my friend, his name was um Sean, who was across the street, and we opened the door, and there was snow all the way above the door.

So I call my friend on a rotary dial, you know, and I said, Hey, let's start digging across the road. And then see if we can find each other.

So we dug a tunnel from his house across the street to my house. And literally had a tunnel of snow going through there. I mean, and we found, we end up, it was per it was a miracle. We end up meeting each other halfway with a tunnel, and we were so set together. You're like Hezekiah's tunnel under Jerusalem.

We got through there, you know, and it's that's how high the snow was. It was, it was. 12, 15 feet high. It was. It was unbelievable high.

It was unbelievable. Yeah, we could climb up to a top of our roof with the snow banks. Right, it was the same way in Chicago that year that I recall when I was in. Fourth or fifth grade, that was a long time before that, than what you're talking about, Mike. And and we couldn't get out the front door of our house 'cause it was just solid snow.

And so you like you said, you had to dig a tunnel. And I have a picture somewhere of us in some of the tunnels that we dug in the snow just so that we could get around until I mean, finally had to wait till things melted to be able to even deal with anything.

So, you know, those were times where you had to have milk and bread, whatever you better have in the house, because I I we did have electricity back then and heat. But you you literally You weren't going to go for a walk. Right? Unless you dug it out. Right.

And I remember towards the end of when the snow was melting, all our neighborhood kids get together and we made this giant snowman. I mean, we had like thirty neighborhood kids, and my dad was One of those types of people that minister to all these neighborhood kids. And we made this giant snowman. And this thing lasted till July. I mean, that's how big it was.

There was still remnants in July. Oh, yeah, because right. It was crazy. When you make that great thing, it doesn't melt for a long, long time. And once it gets compressed, it's.

Especially in Ohio where it stays cold. And I guess, you know, so it's kind of an amazing thing.

Well, For those who are wondering, it's in actual 2 Samuel 23:20. And Benaniah, the son of Jehiadah, the son of a valiant man, right, he slew a lion in the midst of a pit in the time of snow. There you go. That's Dr. Carson's story of the lion in the snow.

There in 2 Samuel, we need your calls. Stay with us, Mike. You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Welcome back to True Talk Live today as we prepare for the storm outside. How is it that you can prepare?

For the storm inside inside your heart is Inside your car, inside your house, You know, what does that look like depending on where you live and your experience? Maybe you've got a fun snowstorm story like Mike. We would love to hear from you. 866-348-7884-866-348 7884. Or maybe when the snow arrives like that, then you know, God calls out to you to go check on widows or.

Single moms or Community churches, there were some amazing, beautiful devotional stories about families that were stuck. without heat, without electricity, and No dad at home, and somebody, a wonderful Christian person, came in and helped him out. You know, what is it that you do to begin to prepare? As Proverbs 22, 3 says, right, the prudent see danger. And they take Refuge.

And so, Mike, we're Talking about some snowstorms that Right. They let you know that when God decides to shut everything down, it doesn't matter what your plans were, right? You may plan that you're going to do this, that, and the other. But, you know, if your snow is a foot over the top of your door, you ain't going anywhere, right? Right.

You're not going anywhere. And we had enough food in the house, I guess. I was wondering why I was skinny as a kid.

Well, part of it is you're getting all that exercise digging all that snow tunnel across the street, right? And we would go out there, and I don't know about you, but. There is a piece. Like, do you ever play football in the snow? Oh, that's so much fun.

Oh, gosh. Yeah, that that's Right. You could just slide and and especially if it w was snowing when you were playing. There's just a Yeah, that's a thrill. It is.

And, you know, I think back to things like that, that, you know, just make that. A spectacular thing that only happens right in the storm. Which which is a a fascinating joy that a child can you know So to speak. But I agree. Yeah.

And I I've often thought about the bigger storms in my life, and maybe this is the thought for you to call in and talk about it at 866-348-7884. You know, I've often said when I got lymphoma, when I had cancer, it was It was the worst of times, there's no doubt, but it was the best of times. Because there were certain things when everything slowed down. And all of a sudden what really mattered mattered. Yeah.

You know what I mean? Like when those storms come in. Real heavy storms like that. Uh Then all of a sudden You know, family becomes like way more important. And like I said, what's important becomes really.

Important, right? And I imagine it's just like, you know, you lost your dad not terribly long ago. It was a big storm for you guys, right? Oh yeah. But uh yeah.

Um Yeah, I I it's just one of those things that's, you know, Thank God I was um raised in a Christian home and I had Knowing where my dad was going to Be when he when I die, I'm gonna see him again, you know? I don't know how anybody gets through life When someone that they love so dearly that they don't know Where they've been, or where they're going to go, or what's going to happen at eternal life, you know. knowing that uh I'm gonna see him again is is So comforting. Knowing that I'm going to see, you know, the my loved ones that have passed, you know, it's just. Oh, I I remember well my mother telling me who my mother went to be of the Lord in 2016, but She told me.

She said When someone close to you dies. Your faith will take on a new meaning to you. Yeah. Because uh it you know, all of a sudden Like, you don't want that to be over for eternity. Like, I don't never want to see my mother, my father, or those who have gone before me, right?

And all, like you said, now all of a sudden, John 3:16, it plays a completely different note. Um And you know, a few years ago you might remember um Mike, that Dr. Carson was talking about. And this was before. March 16th was 316, but he always would, for years, has told me, you know.

On 316, you got to preach 316. Actually, I think it was three years ago. A good friend of mine. Older son passed away, and they scheduled his, and unfortunately, a lot of his family were. actually um atheists And they scheduled his funeral on 3.16, which was not last year when it was actually on a Sunday, but it was on a Saturday that year.

And the family actually even asked me not to It's okay if you do the funeral, Robbie. You're a friend. We want you to, but try not to make it much about God. And so, you know, it was fascinating to me that they scheduled this funeral on 3.16, right? But it was a storm, and that's what we're talking about.

And the theme of this is for them, this was a huge storm, right? And it gave me the perfect opportunity at one point in time just to say. you know, it just kind of resonates to me that you guys planned this Um you know, celebration of Greg's life. On March 16th, because that's 3:16, you know? And it kind of explains for those of us who would really like to see Greg again, or those of us who would really like to think.

That there's more to life than what we're seeing here in this celebration of life. Um that God so loved the world. And it gave me a chance to do that. And interestingly, um One of his nephews So I came up to me afterwards and said, you know, Robbie, I've always wanted to read the Bible. I never had a Bible.

But I'm so grateful that you shared that. And with the wonders of Amazon these days, Mike. He had a Bible the next day, a shift to his house, and he began to call me with questions. And it was fascinating that as his faith began to grow, faith throughout his whole family. uh began to grow and it all resulted as of a huge storm, right?

at the loss of his uncle. Um And so you're right. I mean, it's. It's a big part of it. Yeah, Stu had a close person die recently.

I mean, you know. And uh he was talking about how, you know, how this person was uh had a legacy. And There was a friend of mine whose name is Rodney, and boy, he was a A Bible thumper. You know what I'm talking about? He just.

He ra I mean you wanted to be around him And he talked about God and he talked about, he didn't care about anybody. He talked about God, and that's what he was doing. And when he passed away, boy, that him and my dad, it really hurt me. I mean, those are two people that. stood out to me that that Why, God?

Why'd you let these people go? You know, they were on fire for you, you know? And, um, it really touched my heart to realize that That's who I want to be like. I want to be like Rodney. I want to be like my dad.

I want to do those kinds of things. And that's what grief and storms can really turn you around. It makes the important stuff really important.

So. Right.

You know, as you're listening, I know something's welling up inside you, and you just think, man. You got to call because you don't know how many people you might encourage with your story, with your. Snow Adventure 866348 7884866348 Seven, eight, eight, four. There's another aspect to snow. That I find fascinating, Mike, and you know this because having lived in Ohio for some time.

That wherever something goes, it leaves tracks. Yeah. Yeah. You know? And you may know that one of my favorite chapters in the Bible is the Song of Solomon for sure.

Um And early on, you know, the the Shulamite woman asks, you know You know, how can I find you, so to speak? And her beloved says, follow the tracks of the sheep.

Okay. Right? Mm-hmm. And Have you ever tracked anything in the snow, Mike? Oh, yeah.

Uh uh you were a hunter too and so was I. That is the best time to go hunting, is when you can track what's been out there, especially on a fresh snowfall. And um And you know what a squirrel track is, a rabbit track, or even a pheasant or a deer, you know what I mean? Or a bear. Or a bear.

Oh, my. Yeah, yeah. When you come across one of those, like, who's tracking who now? Oh, yeah, right. Bobcat or coyotes, wolves.

Oh, man.

So, you know. Yeah, you could be up in the mountains of Colorado where I have hunted and like. Uh oh. Especially w You know, if you're out and the sun is going down, it's starting to get dark, and it gets dark quick in the mountains. And and and you've seen Wolf Tracks?

And all of a sudden, because the wolves, for whatever reason, howl right before it gets dark. And all of a sudden, you hear that woo. And you're like, all right, who's tracking who here? You know, he was thinking from some scene from Beauty and the Beast, but. Right.

The the uh The The spiritual thing is that we don't We don't realize the tracks we leave. Yeah. Mm. That's beautiful. There really is.

That's really beautiful. And that's what your dad, that's what your. Your friend, you're talking about what's Stu's friend. Right? Yeah.

And the snow just makes them all that much more ele you know. Um Of what's in that track and how they left it and You know, because A lot of people, you know, asked for the ancient past. and walk in them. Right.

the path that somebody with wisdom walks. and and those kind of things in the snow, it it reveals some stuff.

So eh, maybe you're thinking, Robbie, I got a story. Good, good. We want you to call 866-348-7884, 866-348.

Well, we got one more segment. to enjoy the snow time. You know, that's the beauty of seasons. 866-348-7884. Stay with me, Mike.

One more segment. You can do it, can't you? I can't. Thank you. All right, well, thanks.

Okay. Truth Talk Life. You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Welcome back to True Talk Live today as we prepare for the storm, the snowstorm, or maybe it's an ice storm as the case may be in your area. How do we prepare our houses, our cars?

Our hearts Specifically, I love the Our Hearts part uh as I know that uh um You know, one of the things that Dr. Carson would remind you that in Job. That that When Job was asking God about the snow, he told him to stand still. And there's a stillness that comes with this idea of snow. And there's some other aspects of it that I would love, love for you to call in and share about.

Something that touches your heart when it comes to snow. 866-348-7884. So I've got Mike, my good friend, in Dayton, Ohio, with me, which I appreciate you calling in so much today, Mike. Did you ever w like the Bob Newhart show? Did you ever watch that?

I'm dating myself a bit, but you might remember it. Do you remember it? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's all right.

It's all right. He was a comedian. He was actually in the movie Elf. He was Papa Elf. That was Papa Newhart anyway.

He had a show, and it was on in Vermont. It was about a hotel actually in Vermont. And one time they were trying to get skiers up there, and so he he he hired Daryl and his other brother Daryl. To make it snow, right? And I'm trying to, I think it was Larry, Daryl, and Daryl is how it went.

Did you ever hear that? Yeah. Okay, now it's coming into focus. But anyway, so he hires these guys to make it snow. And one of the funniest episodes I ever saw is just classic stuff.

And uh Of course, they made it snow. They did whatever they did, and it snowed, and the lodge was full of skiers and all this. And after it was just so beautiful, and Bob Newhart was just congratulating Larry on an amazing job he did, he walks in so dejected and says, Well, I got to give you your money back. He said, look here. These two snowflakes are the same.

We made defective snow. And then he says, Daryl, I mean, were you facing north when the sun was at half side? And he went into this graping long explanation of how they made it snow. But whatever. That the point being, Which is beyond a cool point that is true.

That there is no two snowflakes alike. Mm-hmm. And the reason they're not alike is because Right, as ice forms or, you know, th if you picture all those different branches on a snowflake, that they have different aspects and they reflect light differently. And so it is with everyone listening. That God made every single one of us absolutely unique, and each one of us has God's glory inside, and you reflect.

God is only you can. Right.

So um imagine if you've listened to Truth Talk Live for some time. You've heard a lot of different voices. Mike's is very unique, like that's Mike in Dayton. Or if you hear my voice, you go, Well, that's Robbie. And you can tell by the way I say words or the way I laugh or whatever, that's Robbie, right?

Or that's Mike. And when you get it just right, and when you hold that person up just right and take a look, all of a sudden. You can see Yeah. And that's his glory. and it shines.

uniquely and the the amazing thing is that that God made you in such a way, Mike, that you reflect him that nobody else can do it like you can.

So if Mike is totally being himself... He has an angle that the angels are longing to see because they can't see that in anybody else in the world. Or your phone? Yeah, it's so true. Yeah, I love it.

Um You know, um Not everyone can go around and say, Hi, how are you doing? Good morning. Not not everybody's that kind of a person, which is fine. But man, I love doing that in the morning. Man, I love saying h good morning to people right away, you know.

And uh And uh The other day, there was this guy who I was at Speedway and he wanted $10 for gas. He came in and he says, Man, I'm in a hard time. I'm getting my coffee. And he says, Man, I need $10 for gas. And his name was Robert.

Pray for Robert out there. I mean, pray for Robert right now, people. And because he needed $10 for gas, he was going through some hard times. And I gave him $10 a gas. And I was able to witness to him because I said good morning to him, and he was really hesitant about getting asking for gas.

I mean, you could tell, you're scared, right? He was scared. He didn't know what to do. He needed to get some place where he You know, he was out of money, he was out of touch. He just didn't, he was at hard times.

And And and and then he started telling me about his life and and and I you know, and then how he's how he how he went through hard times. You know, and I brought up that scripture, Proverbs 3 and 5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he'll make your path straight. And I said, You really do. And he understood. He told me about his salvation experience.

We had about, I had a call in to work because I was late. I'm talking to him. Yeah, I'm talking. I'm sorry, sir. Boss, I'm going to be late.

I'm helping this guy out. He needed some gas. His name is Robert. You know what I love about that? I love about that story is years ago, I.

Oh. lot of years ago. I got stranded in Los Angeles, actually went out there on a business trip when I was selling turquoise jewelry. And for whatever reason, the the the place I was working for got in financial trouble and they essentially went on a business with me stuck in Los Angeles without a job. And they owed me a lot of money that they couldn't pay me.

And so I found myself just totally broke in Los Angeles. And I was trying to get a job that was clear down in Orange County or something. I had to go clear across. which is a long way in Los Angeles, and I didn't have any gas money. And my name's Robert.

I'm just saying, Mike. And I'm not the kind of person to just walk up to anybody and say, hey, I really need to get the other side of Los Angeles. Could you lend me $10? Which at that point in those years would have bought a tank full of gas. I had a Volkswagen Beetle.

Um anyway. As soon as you said that, I can just remember the terror that was in my heart. And I remember going up to the cashier guy. And I had a really nice turquoise jewelry, being from New Mexico at the time, I had a really nice ring on my finger. And I said, man, I said I don't know how much gas you give me for this ring, but I've got to get to the other side of town.

Please, please, please. I said. Whatever you can give me, if it's $2, I don't care. I've got to get to I've got a job back. Application that I can do over there, and I can get on my feet, but I don't have any money.

All I have is this. And he said, just fill up your car. He took the ring and I mean that was it. I went across town. I got the job.

I eventually got to go back to New Mexico. But, you know, it was that guy that helped you out. He'll never forgive you. He'll never forget you. He'll never forget you, man.

Because those are things that it's down in my heart, man. I ain't going to forget it because I know how destitute I was at the time. My at And I was praying this morning and I, you know, and I said, you know, God, lead me to somebody I can witness to or help or, you know, lead me today, Lord. And, you know, right away, right at right at Speedway that day, boom, there's this Robert. He needed gas.

And when you said Speedway originally, I thought you'd gotten into racing. Right, but but that's a that's a I know, it's a gas station chain. I I I got you. I'm not we have them out here too. Just kidding you.

But when I when you originally said it, I said, What are they doing at the speedway? That's all right. And everybody at Speedway, I'm the kind of guy they know. This guy, the manager, goes, Well, here's that guy. Here he is again.

I wonder what he has for us today. And And I'm like And I give them a scripture. And I do. I give them a scripture. I give them what I was studying this morning.

And I. And I don't I don't pull a punch. I mean, this is fun. You're making tracks in the snow, my friend. I know.

Isn't that fun? I mean, it is fun. God is using me and I love it. And then I can't. It's like a drug.

You know, I want to, okay, God, give me another one. Give me some more. You know what I mean? Show me another person. And it is so uplifting in your spirit when you do that.

It's scary at first. I agree. Storms, you see, that's the thing. The man was in a storm. And it leads to those kinds of opportunities.

And so, as we go into this particular storm, You know what, like I said, people write stories about people who help people in a storm. Right? You know, as you see your situation and you begin to like Mike was talking about, just God. Where's the opportunity? What is it that you have for somebody that they'll Take down in their heart, like I remember my friend at the gas station in Los Angeles, and that.

something that will plant a seed. That that you can That you can make grow. And again, when you add some scripture in there, like you're talking about, Mike, then you're planting seeds, man, for the kingdom. And his word does not come back void. It just doesn't.

And there those opportunities are. As this storm comes in, As we prepare our homes and our hearts to take care of our families, and again, it gets down to what's important, becomes super important. Your gas for your generator, Mike. I had plenty. All those trips to Speedway, I hope you did something.

All right. Well, as you guys head into the storm this weekend, you know, God bless. I think it sounds like we may be able to do Christian Corguy Saturday morning. I hope to talk to you then. Once again, thank you for listening.

Thank you, Mike. Have an amazing evening. God bless. Truth talk