Week 1 Day 5 : EXPLORER

This will be the last e-mail that I’ll be sending for the week. Some of you are happy about that, some are a little ticked off. Regardless of the way you feel, don’t let it stop you from exploring the spiritual lives of your friends and classmates this weekend. The weekend is great because people have some free time. Don’t hesitate to take a little bit of that time. I’m sure they’ll love to talk.

 

For this last exploration e-mail I plan on giving a shout out to the greatest exploration gang of all time:

 

There’s something that we can take from each Goonie in our effort at exploring. If you haven’t seen the movie, climb out from under the rock you’ve been living, see it, and then read the rest of this e-mail, otherwise it will make no sense.

 

Mikey: Come up with a plan. Figure out who to talk to and what questions will really get to the bottom of where they’re at.

 

Brand: If they don’t want to answer your questions the nice way, beat it out of them. Also, riding around on a pink bike with training wheels will probably make them ask questions of their own. You can answer those questions with the Gospel.

 

Andy: Girls, guys will answer any question you ask, I promise.

 

Data: Come up with creative ways of connecting with people. For example, use the slick shoes, when they fall, help them up. Ask them this question, “If you had died, where would you have gone?” Data and his hero, 007, had the solution for any situation. We, however, don’t need to have everything, all we need to do is be willing.

 

Mouth: Clearly we have to open ours to ask questions. (Also remember, we are God’s mouthpiece.) A quick note that I must add here is this: Don’t be annoying!

 

Chunk: Spiritual conversations are always easier when there’s food involved. Take a friend out to lunch or dinner.

 

Sloth: Love the people that most people don’t. Your friends will be able to tell if you love them or not. Exploring is not a chore. It’s a gift and an opportunity. Also, it doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside, the Lord calls your feet beautiful if you bring the good news.

 

With all these qualities in just one person, you and I will be incredible explorers. If you noticed, I didn’t add the other girl, mostly because she didn’t do anything in the film and therefore, she has no attributes for us to learn from.

 

Keep up the great work explorers. One more challenge: Remember that one of our goals was to initiate with three people each week. If you have, awesome. If not, there’s still time. Make it happen, but be sure to do it in the Lord’s strength. I believe in you guys.

 

-A fellow explorer

 

p.s. In case you don’t know what this whole Cojourner thing is all about, check it out here:

 

http://www.godsquad.com/squadroom/evangelism/cojourners/index.htm

 

And as always, if you don’t want this e-mail anymore, reply back, saying “Don’t send me any more e-mails Broseph.”

 

Week 1 Day 4 : EXPLORER

Fellow explorers-

 

Well, the week is almost over. How has it been? Remember that Friday is the day that people chill out and think about the deeper issues of life. Wouldn’t it be awesome if one of you happen to have a chat with them at that moment of deep reflection? What would it mean in their lives?

 

This evening I visited the Explore Store (actual store name) in Wichita Kansas. Yes, I have quite the budget for this piece. I was hoping that I’d find some rare relic that was found by Christopher Columbus or some once-worn horn helmet of Eric the Red’s. Unfortunately, there’s nothing like that at all, instead I found… toys, such as:

 

This was named one of Dr. Toy’s 100 best children’s products, but at $32, it might not quite be worth it. It’s also one of Dr. Toy’s 100 worst children’s products’ names.

 This one’s called Electronic Snap Circuits. It was the Creative Child Magazine’s Toy of the Year, but if you buy it for your kid, he’ll get beat up the rest of his life. He’ll be destined for pure dorkdom. And finally…

 

 Do you think this kid is really this excited to take a bath? The mallets might mean trouble for a parent trying to shampoo his hair.

 

 

So, that was the Explore Store in Wichita, Kansas. Interesting, but nothing that helps us in our role as an explorer. Then, I went to Fort Lauderdale, FL to see the Explore Store there (actual store name). Clearly, we spare no expense for this e-mail. Again, I wanted the head of an Aztec Warrior, or an oar off of Magellan’s boat. Instead I found these…

   

I get the strange feeling that people just don’t know what true exploration is these days. The feeling is actually vomit working its way up. How do Turtley Winks have anything to do with exploration? I’m as puzzled as you.

 

Fortunately, we are into true spiritual exploration. As you go on this week, remember this truth, success in witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit, and ask Him to give you opportunities to ask questions. Be willing to take the initiative. God is with you.

 

-A fellow explorer

 

p.s. Here’s the website if you have no idea what Explorer or Cojourners is. http://www.godsquad.com/squadroom/evangelism/cojourners/index.htm

 

p.p.s. And if you don’t want this e-mail, reply “Don’t send me any more e-mails George.”

Week 1 Day 3 : EXPLORER

Kids, today has been a wild day, so no huge e-mail with profound writings and ancient pictures.

 

How was your third day of spiritual exploration? Did you challenge yourself to talk to one friend today?

 

So what’s the deal with exploration? If you google explore, you’ll find a goooooooooooooooooooooogle number of pages with stuff to explore. I’ve decided to show you just some things people are exploring, along with their respective websites.

 Girls explore, not explore girls. This is about dolls.

Not too close though. If it’s hot, explore running and climbing.

I have been known to explore dance. Of course, it’s only at home… at night… in the dark.

This one’s real specific.

 (This one is about the country, not the food. Remember our partnership? Check this webpage out and then decide what to do for spring break and then this summer.)

This website is all about holistic and alternative medicines. You know, quack stuff.

 On second thought… don’t.

 As a general rule, nothing I post on this e-mail here is affiliated with Campus Crusade for Christ… or anything at all really. I just found it on the internet.

 

 Exploring the spiritual lives of people is even more fun than a week on the beach.

For those of you who aren’t well versed in the languages of yesteryear, this sign says, “Explore the spiritual lives of your friends or God will drop a coconut on your head.”

 ??

Another specific one here.

 From this webpage, there’s a link to “Explore the Man.”

 

And of course, my personal favorite, 

I’m here often.

 

It should be obvious that people are trying to figure this whole life thing out. They need someone to point them to Christ. Keep up the good work explorers.

 

-A fellow explorer

 

By the way, in case you don’t know what this whole Cojourner thing is all about, check it out here:

 

http://www.godsquad.com/squadroom/evangelism/cojourners/index.htm

 

And as always, if you don’t want this e-mail anymore, reply back, saying “Don’t send me any more e-mails Mate.”

Week 1 Day 2 : EXPLORER

Yo Detroit CRU! How was your second day exploring the spiritual life of your friends? If you stepped out in faith and initiated conversations, awesome. If not, there’s still time this week.

 

Well, due to the overwhelming feedback from my last e-mail on the Vikings of old, I’ve decided to add a few pictures of Leif Eriksson, the great Viking explorer.

 

This is the picture of an explorer. Reminds me of a good-looking guy I know (without the beard of course), but don’t worry if you don’t look like this. Not everyone can pull it off. In the old days, to be an explorer you needed a horn helmet and a pair of green pants with those weird sock things on the outside. But today, you can explore peoples’ lives no matter what you look like.

 

In fact, the only prerequisites to be an explorer are these. 1. Loving God. 2. Loving people. That’s it.

 

Today, I’ve decided to give a tip on how to explore. Exploring peoples’ lives is basically just asking questions. Some of these will work great:

 

What is your religious background or experience?

What have you tried in your spiritual journey?

Where are you now spiritually?

Have you ever been to church? What did you think?

Do you think you are moving toward God, away from God, or staying the same?

Also, remember the quest survey. Any of those questions will work great.

 

 

Challenge yourself to talk to one friend tomorrow and watch what God does through you.

 

 

-A fellow explorer

 

 

p.s. If you have a great exploration story, feel free to e-mail back and it’s possible it could end up in this e-mail to Detroit CRU.

 

p.p.s. Remember, if you don’t want to get this, e-mail me back and write, “Don’t send me any more e-mails bub.”

Week 1 Day 1 : EXPLORER

Greetings. I know you might think it's weird getting a Detroit CRU e-mail and it's not from Malissa, but hold on tight. You're riding a new bus and now I'm the driver.

 

Here's the plan. We're all doing this crazy thing called Cojourners. It's coming alongside peoples' spiritual journeys and pointing them to Christ. For some of you, it might be easy, for some it might be difficult, some of you don't care, and some of you are desperate for your friends to come to know Christ. You are all on your own journeys, and that's cool. I will be your daily e-mail pal to hopefully encourage you and motivate you to pursue making a difference for Christ.

 

For most of you, there was a person, or people, who God used to lead you to become a follower of Christ. Now you can play that role in someone else's life.

 

So the first week (this week) we'll play the role of EXPLORER!

 

Tonight I plan to run down my list of top ten explorers.

 

10. Hernando de Soto: I'm not a huge fan of this guy, but I mention him here because he's George Costanza's favorite explorer. He discovered the Mississippi River in 1540, but like Jerry said, "someone would've found that anyway."

9. Hannu: He didn't really do much cool, but was the very first known explorer. How about 2750 B.C.? Thousands of years before anybody else on this list.

8. Jacques Cousteau: underwater explorer and innovator. Everyone under the water wants to be like him. End of story.

7. Ferdinand Magellan: This is Jerry Seinfeld's favorite explorer. He was the first to sail around the world. He also named the Pacific Ocean, which just so happens to be my favorite ocean. When I die, I want my ashes scattered across this beautiful body of water.

6. Lewis and Clark. Planned to drive their Buicks from St. Louis to Oregon and back. Popped a tire after about a mile and then walked the rest of the way.

5. Edmund Hillary: He was the first to climb Mount Everest, which is the tallest mountain in the world. He did it in 1953.

4. Henry (Indiana) Jones: He rescued kids in India from a temple of Doom, he discovered the ark of the covenant, and the holy grail.

3. Eric the Red and Leif Eriksson: I mention these guys together because they're father and son. In any case, they're stinking vikings and that's cool. I especially love they're long, flowing, blonde hair. What did they do? Who cares, they're stinking vikings!

2. Neil Armstrong: (Space explorer) This guy was the first person on the moon. July 20, 1969. He was also, and more importantly, a Purdue graduate. His favorite two sayings of all time are, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." and "Go Boilers!"

1. David Livingstone. Explorer and also a missionary. He journeyed to Africa, discovered many things and led many Africans to Christ. Please, look up more about this guy. Inspiring stuff.

 

That's my list of favorite explorers. Someday, your friends will make a list of their favorite spiritual explorers. Maybe you'll be on that list. Maybe this week starts a lifetime of exploration.

 

-A fellow explorer

 

 

P.S. My plan is send this out every day for the next four weeks. (They won’t be this long.) If you don’t want to get it again, just reply and write “don’t send me any more e-mails Jack.” And you will never get it again, but it’s just a reminder for you to continually think about coming alongside your friends’ spiritual journeys.