So I'm sitting at the downstairs bar top after having take a shower in an 8ft by 4ft sauna/shower, sitting next to the pool table, with a poker table in the corner, in the same room as the 100+ inch t.v. screen, next to the workout room!
We're up here in Louisville, KY, at the home of Rocky. We got in last night, greeted with such a warm hospitality. Coffee, brownies, pumpkin cake, and so much more. The house tour was pretty cool, just because everything was so nice. This is seriously as multi-million dollar home. One Lexus, two BMW's, at least six bathrooms, and I don't know how many bedrooms.
As welcoming as the hospitality, what tops it all in Rocky's story. He became a Christian 2 years ago, was baptized one year ago, and is combusting in a ball of fire. He has definitely, as it's been said, "been ruined by Jesus." One of Rocky's friends told him, "Wow it must be nice being retired, you can play golf all the time." But Rocky doesn't play golf. He's so involved in church, he's leading Bible studies–one in particular of nine friends, all of whom weren't Christians! Talk about an influential person. Two of them were recently baptized, and I fully expect they won't be the last.
I said that Rocky doesn't play golf. That's not entirely true. A couple of months ago, he played a Pebble Beach with a friend. Yes Pebble Beach. Anyway, they got a caddie and started their game. Through conversation Rocky found out the caddie had a pretty troubled life–drugs, alcohol, pornography–a lot like many American men. He said, "Rocky, I have a problem." to which Rocky replied, "You don't have a problem, you just need God!" This began a long conversation that whole day, and the next when they played another round of golf. There are pictures of Rocky and this caddie, Tommy, walking with Rocky right up in his ear. He's just exploding with passion from Christ.
Well, even though Rocky is in the East Coast, and Tommy is on the West Coast, they kept in touch. Rocky told him he was going to mail him a package with a book to read, and other material to try to get Tommy to realize his need for God. It was a long time in getting their, way to long. It didn't make sense that a package would take three weeks to arrive, when 5-7 days was the limit. One day, Rocky called Tommy at 10am (7am California time) and he actually answered. When they spoke again, Rocky found out that Tommy had been on a five day binge on drugs and alcohol, and was looking up online how to kill himself. Right before Rocky had called, Tommy's son had called saying, "You have a package here (at his divorce's house) from Rocky." "Son, just keep that safe," Tommy replied, "that's from a special man!" It also came out in the conversation that it had to be God working through the timing and the phone calls. Tommy gave his life to Christ, and is now attending support groups at a local church and learning the Way of following Christ.
Rocky has a business background, a history of Catholocism, and 56 years of life without Christ. He may have had all the toys, maybe even more before Christ. But they all pale in comparison to his joy, excitement, and just straight up pure passion for Christ and his glory and fame. He has a sales background, so much of his philosophy is, "I have the best thing in the world, and you need it." While this may come across "pushy" to some people, he's right. He doesn't just say that he has the best thing either. He lives it, passionately. His eyes burn with fire whenever he tells you about anything, seriously, anything that has to do with God, or the work he is doing for God.
I heard it said recently, "Transformed lives transform lives." Rocky is just one example. His life has been turned upside down by Christ, and he's doing the same in the lives of others.
