Trying To Explain Some Embarrassment
I just got back from a vacation in Florida. I took a few books with me because I thought that I would spend time on the front porch and along the ocean doing a lot of reading and relaxing.
Laurie and I flew out of separate airports because she booked her flight a month before I did, and we were trying to save my in-laws a buck because they were paying for the tickets. The airport is charging $30 dollars per luggage item checked in, so we were creative in our packing. I took my golf clubs to check in, and I had two carry-on bags. One of those bags was my backpack with books that fit nicely under the seat. The other bag I assumed was a mix of clothing that couldn’t fit in the big suitcase that Laurie took with her.
As I went through the security and my carry-on bag was being x-rayed, they saw something in my bag that was a cause for alarm, it looked like a container of hair gel. They pulled me aside and frisked me and asked me if I knew everything that was in my bag, and before I could answer them, they pulled out everything in front of everyone. It was filled with clothes for my 7 year old daughter Emily, and a pottery candy dish holder that she made for her Grandparents Christmas gift (which looked like a bottle of hair gel in the x-ray).
But knowing that I am traveling alone, and finding out that there is little girl clothing in my carry-on bag, that just was awkward. I just didn’t bother trying to give an answer for that one. They let me through with some smirks, and I meekly shoved everything back into my bag and I hoped that only a handful of people on the flight caught this incident, and if they did, they would see my daughter run to me when we arrive at the Orlando airport. That would be the easiest answer to why I am traveling hundreds of miles with little girls undergarments.
In the bible, we are told in 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” That tells us our faith is a very public lifestyle. Some Christians believe that faith is a personal matter that should be kept to oneself. It is true that we shouldn’t be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith, our life-style, or our Christian perspective. Can others see your hope in Christ?
Penn Gillette is a comic/magician who is one half of the famed Penn and Teller comedy team. Penn Gillette is also an outspoken atheist. Feel free to check out his video blogs on youtube if you don’t believe me. Anyways, Penn shares about a Christian who gives him a Gideon Bible. This follower of Christ approaches Penn and tells him that he appreciates his talent and wishes him well. He then hands him the little bible. Penn was touched by this act because the gentleman was humble and gentle in his approach.
Then Penn posed this question: “If you are a follower of Christ, and you really believe that Jesus is the only way to get into heaven (and stay out of hell), how much do you have to hate somebody not to share what you believe to be good news?”
Laurie and I flew out of separate airports because she booked her flight a month before I did, and we were trying to save my in-laws a buck because they were paying for the tickets. The airport is charging $30 dollars per luggage item checked in, so we were creative in our packing. I took my golf clubs to check in, and I had two carry-on bags. One of those bags was my backpack with books that fit nicely under the seat. The other bag I assumed was a mix of clothing that couldn’t fit in the big suitcase that Laurie took with her.
As I went through the security and my carry-on bag was being x-rayed, they saw something in my bag that was a cause for alarm, it looked like a container of hair gel. They pulled me aside and frisked me and asked me if I knew everything that was in my bag, and before I could answer them, they pulled out everything in front of everyone. It was filled with clothes for my 7 year old daughter Emily, and a pottery candy dish holder that she made for her Grandparents Christmas gift (which looked like a bottle of hair gel in the x-ray).
But knowing that I am traveling alone, and finding out that there is little girl clothing in my carry-on bag, that just was awkward. I just didn’t bother trying to give an answer for that one. They let me through with some smirks, and I meekly shoved everything back into my bag and I hoped that only a handful of people on the flight caught this incident, and if they did, they would see my daughter run to me when we arrive at the Orlando airport. That would be the easiest answer to why I am traveling hundreds of miles with little girls undergarments.
In the bible, we are told in 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” That tells us our faith is a very public lifestyle. Some Christians believe that faith is a personal matter that should be kept to oneself. It is true that we shouldn’t be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith, our life-style, or our Christian perspective. Can others see your hope in Christ?
Penn Gillette is a comic/magician who is one half of the famed Penn and Teller comedy team. Penn Gillette is also an outspoken atheist. Feel free to check out his video blogs on youtube if you don’t believe me. Anyways, Penn shares about a Christian who gives him a Gideon Bible. This follower of Christ approaches Penn and tells him that he appreciates his talent and wishes him well. He then hands him the little bible. Penn was touched by this act because the gentleman was humble and gentle in his approach.
Then Penn posed this question: “If you are a follower of Christ, and you really believe that Jesus is the only way to get into heaven (and stay out of hell), how much do you have to hate somebody not to share what you believe to be good news?”
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