“Please don’t tell me that, I’m going to pass out”. Those were the words of desperation from the businesswoman standing at the end of the bar.

I was sitting at the Genius Bar in an Apple Store fifteen years ago and could always count on it being an experience.

But this one topped them all.

“You don’t understand. I travel the country and have dozens of important speaking engagements and contact information that disappeared – they’re all gone!”

When the tech asked, “I don’t know if we can get it back, did you back up your laptop?”, her face said it all.

And it’s a look I’ll never forget.

As he walked away with a less than reassuring “I’ll see what we can do”, she paced, muttered, lamented out loud and was obviously distressed.

I offered to pray with her, said that I was a pastor, and knew “Someone” who might be able to help.

It was clear to everyone around us that prayer was not her thing. Hesitating but desperate she said some words I’ll never forget.

“If this prayer works and I get my contacts and calendar back, I’ll let you baptize me”.

Everyone laughed.

I told her she had a deal.

Then we prayed.

A few minutes later the tech walked out and announced the good news.

Not the gospel, but that all her data was recovered.

She was ecstatic, everyone celebrated and it was a fun moment to be part of knowing how serious the situation was for her.

After things settled down, I reminded her.

“You made a promise and there is a fountain here in the mall. We can take care of that baptism right now.”

The place erupted with cheers, but she was nervous in a new kind of way.

It seemed like every eye in that Apple Store was now looking at that woman at the end of the bar.

Then that look that said it all reappeared on her face.

Distressed and stammering she finally gave the answer you wouldn’t expect from such an accomplished woman:

“Uhhhh, I’m going to have to ask my husband first”.

With a big grin on my face, I suggested we call him since there were plenty of phones in the place.

We all laughed, rejoiced that she got her data back and went on with our day.

A promise made.

A promise unkept.

There was no need to press the point because it was a moment that pointed toward God that none of us would forget.

It makes me wonder how many times I’ve made a promise to God and have no excuse for not keeping it. Those are moments He doesn’t forget and neither should we.

You have God’s word on it (Eccl. 5:4-5).

Here’s my question for you: What promise to God have you forgotten to keep or excused yourself from that He hasn’t forgotten about?

I’d love to hear your answer. Reply and share it with me, or better yet, jump into our community and share your comments about this post with others.

PS: Forwarding this email regularly is a great way to encourage others and partner with me in growing this ministry. Can you forward it to a few people you know and encourage them to subscribe? Thank you.

New (8/21) Upcoming Book Excerpt:

…But that was about to change. Bible now in hand, I sat back on that couch, looking at my daughter, having had my first real conversation with God. I just invited Jesus into my life and didn't know what to do next. But I did know it started somewhere in that Bible.

Lorie and I had gone through quite a rough spell in our young marriage and had come to the place where we knew that God needed to be a part of our journey forward. Neither of us grew up with religion and we had lots of questions. It seemed like everyone had an opinion but neither of us thought it would start on the floor of a little cape cod in Greece, NY.

At age thirty-one, and for the first time in my life, I believed I was holding God’s word and the key to a brighter future. That Bible was the biggest book I'd ever picked up. It was intimidating to say the least and I was clueless how to begin. I didn't know what to expect but I had heard enough about it to feel overwhelmed before I even began.

So, I started where most people do: “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1). I couldn't explain it at the time, but those words felt right. A shift had occurred and I was feeling something new and inviting. When you finish chapter two of this book, you'll understand what I didn't at the time.

Because of my brother Scott's love and genuine concern for Lorie and me, we finally had the map and compass for the journey we were about to set out on. Walking into a new paradigm of life full of adventure and discovery, we had God’s word to guide us…

You can read the rest of the excerpt in the community space. Just click on the link below:

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