A COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT!

Manchester, Tennessee

Hosts: The Sojourners Fellowship

New Christians - Right After They Prayed to Receive Jesus

Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:3-4

What a coincidence! The couple in line behind us had just graduated from my nephew Bill Milligan’s high school, Douglass Anderson School of the Arts. 100,000 people at a concert in Manchester, Tennessee and Bill met people who attended his high school in Jacksonville, Florida. Ali Bruce and I listened as they shared teacher tales and school gossip. The tickets to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival had been the young couple’s graduation present. I fretted that because of all the connections, Bill might decide not to give them the Gospel but I shouldn’t have worried.

“Let me ask you a question,” Bill said. “Do you know where you will go in the next life?”

“My grandfather asks me that all the time,” the girl said. “He says Jesus is coming back and is always calling to ask if I’m ready.”

The boy, a film major in the arts school, said that he used to be an atheist but now was more open to spiritual matter. Bill gave them the complete plan of salvation but neither was interested in meeting Jesus. That was fine. We'd planted seeds. The word of God convicts hearts. Only about 3 out 10 encounters result in a salvation. Our job is to give the Gospel. God’s job is to convict hearts. It was then that I noticed the young man's cold.

“Are you sick?” I asked.

“I am,” he said, sighing. “I was looking forward to this and now I’m sick.”

“I am an evangelist,” I told him. “The Bible promises me that I can call on God to demonstrate His power through wonders and miracles. May I pray for your healing?”

“Absolutely,” he said enthusiastically. I prayed for his healing in the name of Jesus. In my prayer, I gave the Gospel as second time.

“God is going to heal you,” I promised. “When he does, I want you to realize who healed you and accept Jesus as your Savior.” The skeptical young man nodded. We handed him a tract and showed Him how to meet Jesus.

I walked off a little nervous. I had boldly claimed the power of God through what the scripture promised but in my flesh, I didn’t feel nearly so bold. God, I prayed. Your word is faithful. I’m counting on it.
Ali, Bill, and I had a great day leading people to Jesus. Many called on the name of the Lord. With over a 100,000 people in attendance, we didn’t expect to meet the couple again but coincidentally, about mid afternoon, there they were, sitting on the ground under a tree.

“How are you feeling?” I asked the young man.

“I feel wonderful,” he said excitedly. “I am completely healed.” His face glowed. Surprise washed over me and it is only through the grace of God that I didn’t exclaim, “Really?”

Aloud I said, “Of course you are. We called on Jesus to demonstrate Himself to you. I’m really happy we ran into you again. We usually never see people again in this crowd. That was God working as well. Are you ready to meet Him as savior now?”

“I am,” he said firmly. Ali sat down on the ground beside them and Bill and I joined her. The three of us made a circle with our knees touching.

“What about you?” I asked the young lady. “Are you ready thrill your grandfather by meeting the Savior that he loves so much?”

“Why not?”

There on that dusty ground, we held hands and led that talented and formally skeptical couple to Jesus. When they finished praying, they looked completely different. Gone were the cynical expressions, replaced by what I call the Holy Spirit glow.You can see that glow in the picture above.

“Call your grandfather as soon as you can,” I instructed. We got their contact information said our goodbyes.

Coincidence? Exactly how many coincidences does it take to make a miracle? Was it a coincidence Bill stood in line with people from his high school? Did the young man coincidentally recover from an illness right after we prayed for him? Did we coincidentally meet them again in a crowd of 100,000 people? I think not! When we go out into the world, God opens the doors and prepares the hearts. When we speak boldly for the Lord, God confirms our message of grace by enabling us to do signs and wonders. When we witness those miracles, our faith soars as if on eagle’s wings. God is in the business of sending miracles when we obediently share His love with the world.

Top Ten Perks to Being an Evangelist and Christian Writer

By Cheryle M. Touchton

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Phil 4:4 NIV

My Christian writer’s group asked us to come up with the perks of being a Christian writer. In 2002, I left a lucrative and exciting corporate career to answer God's call to evangelism and writing. Since then, I have traveled to all fifty states evangelizing and published five books. I had only planned a 2-month sojourn between executive jobs but life became so interesting, I simply forgot to job hunt.  If you don’t job hunt, I suppose you never find a job. I pondered my "Top Ten" list and altered it to include both my call to writing and evangelism. As I wrote it, I realized that I enjoy my life.

Top Ten Perks

1. I am no longer tempted by the "evils" of money.
2. Since I spend much of my life in campgrounds, I really enjoy nice hotels.
3. I can't always get showers on the road so I now appreciate showers. It is a real bonus when they are clean, hot, and bug-free.
4. Other people now get to talk at parties and Bible Studies. I now have an outlet for the stories running around in my head. 
5. My husband makes more money than I do, which is really good for his male ego. (He has offered to get over the ego thing in exchange for my former salary.)
6. My own ego is kept in check by humiliating book signings where people walk by me while avoiding eye contact.
7. If the writing thing doesn't work out, book signings have prepared me to work at carnival booths.
8. The galleys I deal with are less fattening then the galleys of yachts and cruise ships. (Galleys are the type set proof copy that writers review just before a book goes to press.)
9. I spend so much time with my dog that I hear her voice. My readers like her voice better than mine.
10. My clothes cost a lot less and are more comfortable and interesting.

I enjoyed my last job and I enjoy this one. In fact, I rejoice in my life. I love being with people when they pray to receive Jesus. I love people saying my books helped. Would you believe I almost rejoice in the Lord when showering with bugs? I once showered with a mouse and discovered just how well Baptists could really dance. I enjoy my life. 

The Gift

 

Nancy Norris Edwards

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.James 1:17-18

A life time friend is a gift. A life time friend who who shares your values, faith, and interests is a really "good" gift. Nancy has been my best friend since high school. She knows all of my secrets. She knows everything wrong with me and loves me anyway. She has been a faithful friend and a supporter of Pocket Full of Change Ministries since the beginning. She prays for me, has donated money, occasionally evangelizes and travels with me. She keeps me sane.  Nancy is a gift from from God.

Time together is also a gift because she lives in Georgia and I live in Pennsylvania. A few years back, I had planned a visit to Nancy. In anticipation of our time together, I had asked God for a special gift. God, Nancy is so faithful to this ministry. It would be a special gift to both of us if you would let us lead someone to Christ together.

We went to dinner that night and I looked for the gift I'd hoped God would send. Nothing happened – no doors opened. I was leaving early the next morning so I accepted that God had said no to my request.

Just before bed, Nancy suggested we go out to breakfast the next morning. I slept later than I expected and woke up rushing. I forgot about my request to God.

At breakfast, I did something I often do. I asked the waiter, “We’re Christians and are going to bless the food. Is there anything you’d like us to pray for?”

“Yes,” he said, grinning. “Pray for my hockey team to win.” Matt was a college student about to graduate. I knew the twinkle in his beautiful eyes was going to serve him well.

“What if someone from the other team is also praying?” I quipped.

“You’ll just have to pray harder than them.”

We prayed for Matt’s hockey team. That began the conversation where Matt talked about Jesus and growing up in a church school. He wasn’t in church and had never actually prayed to ask Jesus to become his Savior. I pulled out a tract from my purse.

“This is written by Billy Graham.” I said. “Do you know who that is?”

He thought for a minute. “I don’t think so,” he said. Nancy and I had never met anyone who didn’t know Billy. “Trust me,” Nancy and I said almost at the same time. “His work is worth reading.” Matt took it and promised to read it. Matt kept returning to our table to talk about jobs, his future, God, and life issues. Suddenly, I knew God was going to give Nancy this gift and was going to give Matt "The Gift."

“Matt,” I asked. “Would you like to change your destiny right now?” Matt looked interested so I continued. Together, Nancy and I gave him the Gospel. I ended by saying, “You could pray right now and become a Christian. We could read the prayer that is in that tract.” 

“Ok,” he said.

Wow, I thought. That was easy.We opened the tract and Matt invited Jesus to become a part of his life. I gave him a card and left thrilled with God’s gift to Nancy and me. I thought about my doubts from the night before. God was waiting for just the right time to answer my prayer.

Nancy already knew she was a part of everyone this ministry leads to Christ because of her support. She had read all of the stories I posted so she already knew what happens on the road. Knowing and experiencing it are two different things and I was grateful that God gifted us with being able to, together, be a chapter in Matt’s story, “The Day My Destiny Changed.”

Since Matt's story, Nancy and I have have led many people to Jesus together. Thank you Nancy for being my friend. Thank you God for gifting me with Nancy.Thank you Jesus for being "The Gift" to a lost and dying world.

How and Why to Love Our Enemies

by Cheryle M. Touchton

This week, our nation watched, prayed, and cried as horrific events unfolded in Boston. As Bob and I watched the news, my roboticist hubby also gave me unsolicited lessons about LRADs (long range acoustic device,) robots neutralizing the IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) by detonating tiny explosives of their own, and FLIRs, (forward looking infra red cameras.) Those devices are necessary because we have enemies. Fox News talked about our enemies going to hell. The news caster mentioned that one of the bombers was already in hell and the youngest of the bombers, Dzhokhar will soon be there. I wanted to weep. If someone had loved those young men enough to introduce them to the Prince of Peace in time, so much heartbreak could have been avoided. Yes, they are our enemies. Yes, I too struggle with anger. However, the Bible clearly states what our response to enemies is to be. While praying for the victims, will you join me in praying that young Dzhokhar meets Jesus?

How to Love Your Enemy

Step 1: Know your enemy: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matt 10:16

Who in your life:

• Is an adversary or foe?
• Is someone you consider an enemy?
• Hurts you in some way?
• Is using you selfishly?
• Is keeping you from reaching God’s purpose for your life?
• Does not have your best interest at heart?
• Is trying to manipulate your behavior?
• Gossips about you?
• Enables or encourages you to live contrary to God’s word?

Step 2: Examine your own behavior and confess to God and to someone trustworthy: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:9-10

Who do you:

• Criticize or complain about?
• Try to control or manipulate?
• Try to rescue?
• Gossip about?
• Keep from reaching God’s purpose for their life?
• Deliberately do damage to?
• Enable or encourage to live contrary to God’s word?
• Use selfishly?

Step 3: Ask for forgiveness and for God to help you change your behavior and attitude: For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Heb 8:12

Step 4: Change your behavior. Stop acting like an enemy! Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

Step 5: Begin doing good to your enemies: If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

Step 6: Love and pray for your enemy: But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matt 5:44

Why to Love Your Enemy

There is a physical benefit: A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

• There is a psychological benefit: As a person thinks within himself, so he is. Proverbs 23:7
• There is a relationship benefit: Overlook an offense and bond a friendship. Fasten on to a slight and goodbye friend. Proverbs 17:9
• There is a spiritual benefit: If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15 and The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed. Proverbs 11:25
• There is a kingdom benefit: If all you do is love the lovable, so you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. You are kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live generously and graciously toward others the way God lives towards you. Matthew 5:46-48

Open the Ears to My Heart Lord

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Change Ministries

For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Matt 13:15

I don’t know about you, but my heart becomes easily calloused without my even realizing it. After all, life on earth is full of stress, drama, surprises, disappointments, distractions, and heartbreak. Even something delightful can callous my heart when I focus on that instead of God. Often, I don’t recognize my calloused heart until a chance to join God where He is working passes me by. When I analyze why I missed such a blessing, I look back to see that I had stopped hearing with my ears and started closing my eyes to the needs around me. Thank God, the solution is easy. All I have to do is open my eyes and ears so that I can understand with my heart and turn back to God. When I pray the sweet words written by Michael W. Smith, “Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord,” God says yes every single time and heals me.

When the eyes of my heart are open, I can hear and see where God is working and join Him in that work. I jokingly call it the spiritual gift of “eavesdropping.” Tuesday was “open the eyes of my heart day” for me. My life had been busy and full of drama and excitement. I had been taking care of everyone but me. If it hadn’t been for my best friend Nancy being observant, I would have missed an opportunity to lead someone to Jesus. I needed a day to take care of my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

On Monday night, I went to a Bible Study. I started Tuesday morning with a lengthy prayer, meditation, and Bible Study. I went to a weekly meeting that brings me spiritual strength and encouragement and stayed afterward to talk with a Christian mentor. I even took the time to take care of my neglected hair and nails. As I sat in the chair with someone working on my feet and toes, I felt like a new woman. That was when my spiritual gift of “eavesdropping” kicked in.

“I met my boyfriend’s mother this week,” a lovely young woman said to her friend. “She asked if I went to church. I told her I hadn’t been to church in five years and she was shocked.”

Samantha and her friend were getting their nails done together. Samantha’s friend didn’t respond and Samantha continued.

“It is not like I’m an atheist or anything. It is just that I don’t know much about that kind of stuff. My dad’s Catholic and my mom’s Christian. I can’t go to church with them together.” Samantha’s friend made some kind of noncommittal response and their conversation wandered on to other topics.

The shop was crowded. I was stuck with my feet in water and something blue on my legs. Samantha was too far away to start a conversation without everyone overhearing us. A nail technician called Samantha to her table and Samantha moved even farther away. I began praying, watching, and listening as the two friends laughed and talked from across the rows of women being buffed, cut, and painted.

I briefly considered stopping my pedicure to talk to Samantha but felt the Holy Spirit whisper, Trust me with the timing. I sat back and relaxed into the soothing pedicure but kept on the ears of my heart.

God’s timing was perfect. We finished at the same time. I paid first and waited as Samantha and her friend paid.

“Can I help you?” The woman at the cash register asked when she noticed I was waiting.

“No,” I said and pointed to Samantha. “I just want to talk with this young lady.”

“Am I in trouble?” Samantha asked worriedly.

“No,” I laughed. “Even though, when people say they have to talk to me, I’m usually in some kind of trouble.”

“Me too,” she said. “That’s why I was worried.”

“I have what I call the spiritual gift of ‘eavesdropping.’” I said, smiling. "The Bible says that he who has ears to hear should hear and I take that literally.”

She smiled back. “I think I do too. I listen to people all the time.”

“I overheard you talking about boyfriends, mothers, and church. What a combination.” She nodded.

“You said you didn’t know much about that kind of thing and that you were afraid you had shocked your boyfriend’s mother. I'm a Christian. My job is to help people find faith. God sends me to people through what I call Divine Encounters. I’ve been listening and praying for you the entire time you were getting your nails done. I think God has sent me to you. Would you like to know more about church, God, and the faith thing?”

“I would,” Samantha said excitedly.

It was so easy to join God as He brought Samantha into His family. She had a basic intellectual belief in God, Jesus, and the resurrection. God had been working in Samantha’s life for a year. The tragic deaths of two close friends had her thinking about eternal matters. A boyfriend growing up in a Christian family brought matters to a head. A strategically placed evangelist joined God where He was working and helped Samantha step up and change her eternal destiny. Only God could bring things together in such an amazing and complicated way.

“Thank you so much,” she wept, after praying to invite Jesus into her life. “I feel warm all over.”

“I call that the Holy Spirit Glow,” I said, while explaining to her about the Holy Spirit. We talked for a few more minutes about church, Bible reading, and the like. I suggested she visit church with her boyfriend.

Through all of this, the friend had listened silently. I had included her in the conversation and knew she was interested. I turned and said, “I noticed you didn’t pray with us.”

“That is because I’ve already done that,” she confessed. “I became a Christian a long time ago.” I was surprised. God curbed my unruly tongue that wanted to ask why she hadn’t responded to her friend’s spiritual seeking. Again, God opened the ears of my heart and I knew the answer. The friend had suffered through everything Samantha had with the deaths of two close friends. The friend knew Jesus but had been wounded by the reality of how hard life on earth can be. Like what often happens to me, her heart had become calloused by the tragedies surrounding her. I’m praying that watching the miracle with Samantha will bring healing to her and open the ears of her heart.
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Cheryle M. Touchton, the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady, is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. Her call is to the streets of America, where she travels as an evangelist. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org. This ministry exists because people like you see the Holy Spirit working to bring salvation to America and decide to join Him in this work. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, donate at

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Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

The Secret to Everything
Goodbye Sweet Belle – Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Change Ministries



There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, Eccl 3:1-4

It is hard to believe. She was only 10 years old. One day Belle was chasing me in the yard. The next, she was too sick to stand. In three short days, my sweet Belle was gone. Now she will not be joining me on the 2013 missionary journey. Her joyful barks will no longer greet me at the door. She will not share Jesus at any more Bible Schools and never chase me in the snow again. We’ve led our last person to Jesus together and she won’t warn me when I’m driving Hallelujah and about to back into something. All who work with or follow Pocket Full of Change Ministries will miss talented Belle and her role in ministry. I will miss my canine companion.

People asked what happened and how it happened so fast. Sometimes, life is just like that. The official diagnosis was a ruptured inoperable heart tumor. March 15, 2013 was Belle the Missionary Dog’s appointed time to die and the beginning of a season of weeping and mourning for the Touchton family and Belle’s followers and friends.

I was so grief stricken that the details of the March 15th were unclear so I asked Bob to refresh my memory. I remember driving Belle from the animal hospital that tried to treat her to the specialty hospital we hoped would cure her. While waiting in the reception area, I looked up and my best friend Nancy Edwards was there. Bob and I were buying a home that day. Nancy has always been our realtor and had driven from Atlanta, Georgia to Jacksonville, Florida to help with the purchase. It was almost time for our final house walk through so I was expecting Nancy to be with Bob.

“I had to hug you and Belle,” she explained. “Don’t worry. I’ll still get to the walk through on time.” I’ve known Nancy for 50 years and God has put her by my side every time I’ve needed her.

After Nancy left, I remember holding Belle in a tiny room as they explained diagnostics, treatments, and the financial implication. The financial estimate was staggering and I burst into tears. I didn’t have that much money and panicked. I called Bob to ask what to do but he didn’t answer. I looked at the assistant giving the estimate and asked, “Are you a Christian?” She said yes. I confirmed that she knew where she was going in the next life and explained Belle’s role in my life and ministry. She nodded empathetically and waited for my decision.

I remember thinking, Thank God she is already saved. I’m too upset to give the gospel. It turns out I was wrong. I said aloud, “James 1:5-6 promises wisdom. Wait while I pray.” After praying, I knew I had no other choice but to try to save Belle. I peacefully gave the hospital a credit card for 75% of the staggering estimate and left praying they would cure her.

I drove across town to catch the end of the house walk through. Afterward, Bob, Nancy, and I pulled into a fast food drive through lane to grab a quick lunch before going to closing. That is the beginning of where my memory started to get unclear.

While waiting in line, the vet called. I put the phone on speaker and got the bad news that an electrocardiogram revealed a ruptured heart tumor. My heart grew cold.

“Get out of line and pull into a parking place,” Nancy instructed. Bob did as she suggested. The doctor gave details that I’m fuzzy about and told us there was no hope and that Belle was suffering. We knew what had to happen but the logistics overwhelmed Bob and me. The house closing was in 45 minutes. Should we close on the house and then go the hospital to be with Belle? Making her suffer longer seemed horrible and we were not sure she would live that long. Should we let them do what was necessary without us?

“Tell them to wait for us,” Bob urged. “We need to be there and Belle doesn’t need to suffer any longer. Let me try to postpone the closing.” Bob succeeded as we grabbed some food to eat on the dash to the hospital.

The hospital took us immediately and the vet came in to talk. Later, I wondered how I was so sure that the vet was saved and understood that I was not only losing a pet, I was losing a ministry partner. Bob says I asked the vet if he was Christian and confirmed that he knew where he was going in the next life. Apparently, I evangelize on autopilot.

A lab technician whom we had not met before brought us a gasping weak Belle, wrapped in a blanket, and placed her in my lap. I showered Belle with hugs and kisses through my tears. I rocked her and sang the songs we had used to lead people to Jesus. She didn’t do her tricks but she looked into my eyes, groaned occasionally, and blinked at the cues where she was supposed to sit, circle, lay, bark, or reach out her paw to Jesus.

I remember noticing the crying lab technician, Charee, and feeling the need to help her understand why I was singing Jesus songs to Belle. The next part is foggy. Apparently, I asked if Charee was a Christian and she gave a hesitant yes. I must have missed the hesitancy. Bob thinks I asked how long she had been a Christian but it could have been Nancy who asked.

I do remember her story. Charee had walked completely away from God. She said, “After last night and today I “must” be a Christian.” Again, I missed the words “must.” Someone in the room, we are not sure who, asked what happened last night.

Charee and her daughter had a divine encounter. Her daughter had noticed a struggling “handicapped” (her words) man and begged her mom to help. When they helped, the man rewarded them by telling them how wonderful Jesus was. Charee was crying in the room with Belle because she knew the events from the night before and what she was witnessing with Belle wasn’t a coincidence. God was calling her to Himself.

Bob said someone asked if the man the night before had prayed with Charee to receive Jesus. I’m told that she answered he had talked about Jesus and his love, but they had not prayed. All I remember is Nancy looking me firmly in the eyes and saying to Charee, “We will pray with you right now.” Clearly, Nancy meant, “Cheryle, I know you are upset but ‘you’ need to lead Charee to Jesus.”

The Holy Spirit took charge of my grief. It turns out that a season of weeping doesn’t mean I can’t give the gospel. I should have remembered that because we led a waiter to Jesus an hour after my precious Aunt Ka Ka went to heaven. After all, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Everyone, including the vet, cried while Charee accepted Jesus. While we prayed, Belle stared lovingly into my eyes.

Next, the vet stepped forward and released Belle from her suffering. I rocked and sang to Belle as she left us. Nancy held her paw and Bob held me. Afterward, the vet offered condolences and assured us we had made the right decision. Then, he thanked me for helping Charee and teaching him how to share his faith at work.

It wasn’t until later that I realized what a gift God had given us by letting Belle and me lead one more person to Jesus before we parted. Nancy figured it out while it was happening and refused to let me miss that blessing.

I thank God for a Savior who is worth sharing through our tears. I thank God for a best friend who, while she doesn’t have the gift of evangelism herself, understands that I do and insists that I use it. I thank God for a husband who never blinked over the amount I put on our credit card and held me while we cried together. I thank God that the caring, honest, Christian veterinarian figured out a diagnosis quickly, credited back my credit card for that staggering amount, and recharged a manageable amount. I thank God for sending a special blessing at the end of Belle’s life to help begin my season of healing.

We did finally close on the house. I don’t remember much about that either. Bob and I spent the night sleeping on an air mattress at our new house. Mostly, we just comforted each other.

We will miss Belle the Missionary Dog. God used donkeys in the Bible and Belle in Pocket Full of Change Ministries. She faithfully earned her missionary title. Well done good and faithful servant.

PS – I look forward to meeting the next canine missionary companion God is preparing for me. I need a little healing time, but if you know of anyone with Sheltie puppies, let me know. If they want to donate one to help people meet Jesus, that would be even better. I’ve already had two people jokingly offer their adult dog and say it could “quickly learn about Jesus.” I’m on to that trick. Besides, I look forward to training a puppy and I’m a Shetland Sheepdog kind of gal.

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I’ll us this closing one more time: Cheryle M. Touchton, the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady, is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. She and the Missionary Dog Belle travel the country as missionaries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org. This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep Belle the Missionary Dog and the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at

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Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

Race For Eternity

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Change Ministries

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:4

“It is not a race,” someone said as I lamented over being six people short of our ministries’ 2012 salvation goal of one person for each day of the year.

It was December 31 and I had done my best. I wondered if I was being silly by trying to reach a number. After all, evangelism wasn’t a race…was it? It was 2:00 PM and I was feeling time pressure. It would be another hour before we could start the 14 hour drive back to State College, Pennsylvania. Bob had to be at work at 9:00 AM on January 2nd. It seemed like we were out of time for 2012.

At the beginning of each year, I ask God for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out. I create a yearly prayer list and write specific goals based on what I hear God saying. At the beginning of 2012, I'd heard God say to reach one person for every day of the year. It was a Leap Year so that made the number 366. I'd wondered if that was possible but decided to say yes to a goal that was higher than I'd ever reached before.

It wasn’t as if we hadn’t tried. When Bob and I left for Jacksonville, Florida two weeks before Christmas, the number was at 359. During the frantic two weeks before Christmas, we’d given the gospel and had one salvation. At 3:30 PM on December 31st, Bob and I climbed wearily into Halleluiah to begin the long familiar drive.

“What are we going to do?” Bob asked.

“Someone told me evangelism wasn't a race,” I said. “We tried. Maybe we are making the numbers too important.”

That sounded good. Neither of us wanted to stop. We rode in uncomfortable silence for about thirty minutes.

“Bob,” I said finally. “That number came from God. God says He gives us the delights of our hearts. Six more people would really delight me. Can we stop again?”

We turned off of 95 at the exit for the lovely Jekyll Island, Georgia. We spent two wonderful hours walking through shops, talking and praying with people, and giving the gospel. One woman, who looked like she was about to deliver her first child any minute, prayed to receive Jesus. If we hadn’t have been trying to reach 366, we would have felt good about our time there but we climbed back into Halleluiah a little discouraged.

Since campgrounds are usually full on holidays, we decided to spend the night in a Wal-Mart parking lot. I pulled up my Wal-Mart iPhone app and found us one in South Carolina. At 11:00 PM, an exhausted Bob and Cheryle pulled in knowing we were going to try one more time to give the gospel in 2012.

We walked through the parking lot behind two women on a mission to prepare for a busy evening. They shivered because their low cut blouses, short skirts, and black fish net stockings gave no protection from the cold damp night air. Their heavily made up faces sparkled with New Years Eve glitter. We could hear the clomping of their high heels as we walked.

“You look like you have a busy evening planned,” I said as we walked into the warmth of the store. Even though I desperately needed to join Bob as he headed to find the rest rooms, I kept talking. “It is a dangerous night. I hope you plan to be careful.”

“That’s why we’re here,” one of them snapped. Her comment and attire gave me an idea of what they were shopping for.

“Are you from around here?” I asked.

“I don’t have time for this,” the one in the shortest skirt said as she stormed off. The other woman stopped to answer my question. I followed it by asking the important question, “If the worse happened and you didn’t make it through the night, do you know where you would go?”

“I know where I want to go but I just keep making mistakes,” she whispered as tears filled her heavily lidded eyes.

“We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” I encouraged, taking a trembling ringed hand. “The Bible says the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. All who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. That word “all” can include even you.”

“Really?” she asked. “I went to church as a child but I’ve given up trying. I keep messing up.” We prayed together, inviting Jesus into her life. We prayed for healing for her and for a new start. When we finished, she threw her arms around me and sobbed on my shoulder. I knew my shirt was going to contain the precious stains of makeup-filled tears. “Thank you,” she whispered as she left to find her friend.

“We are at 361,” I cheerfully said when Bob returned from the rest room. It was 11:20. He waited for me to visit the facility and we headed to the most popular Wal-Mart isle on New Year’s Eve – beer and wine.

Then flood gates of heaven opened. Every encounter was blessed. First, we led two young men who had a cart full of beer to Christ. They reported that they were heading to a New Years Eve party and eventually to hell. When we finished the encounter, they might still be headed to a New Years Eve party but they were not going to make it to hell. The next three people we gave the gospel immediately prayed to receive Jesus.

“Now can I go to bed?” a tired Bob begged after the 366th person said yes to Jesus. It was 11:45 PM. I started to say yes and noticed 3 girls I had seen earlier.

“Sorry, Bob,” I whispered. “I’ve noticed them several times and have felt drawn to them each time.” He sighed, nodded, and followed me without argument.

“I don’t see beer in your cart,” I joked to them.

“No,” one of them giggled. “We like to eat, not drink.” It was an open door to share how God had released me from the stronghold of gluttony. They listened intently to my story and seemed moved by it. Two already knew Jesus and by the time we left, the third had met Jesus.

“Now, we can go to bed,” I said to Bob. I didn’t have ask him twice and we bolted for the door.

As we walked, he grinned. “God gave us 366 people and one to grow on.” Yes, God had given me the delights of my heart by allowing us to lead 367 people to Jesus in 2012. I realized it was race – a race for souls for eternity. Satan was racing to kill and destroy. Jesus came to save for all eternity. Those six people who met Jesus that night were partying on the most dangerous night of the year. Numbers matter when sent by God, especially when each number represents a person saved for all of eternity.

"So, God," I prayed on New Year’s morning. "What is the number for 2013?"

"400," He whispered in that still small voice.

Gulp!

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Cheryle M. Touchton, the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady, is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. She and the Missionary Dog Belle travel the country as leading people to Jesus. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to

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