Dear Readers,
Taverns are places for stories. We learn through stories. We form our opinions and categorize life through stories.
Any public speaker knows that when you are talking logic, stats, principles in a public setting you can watch the audience’s eyes glaze over. Then when you start in with a story to illustrate what you are teaching the change of attention is palpable.
At times here in The Three Taverns I have shared stories from my ventures around the world and close to home. Here’s one that came to mind this morning…
CARLOS HAD A GUN
My family used to live near downtown Nashville on Murfreesboro Road, still a financially depressed area and crime-ridden street. I would often walk up and down the street to see who I could reach.
I had heard about this guy named Carlos, well-known as a dealer who also sampled his products too much. I wondered if he was reachable. Someone had told me, "Don't even try. Carlos is a lost cause. You can't make friends with a guy like that."
That was all I needed to hear to check and see if it was true.
I went to his apartment complex on a hilltop looking down on Murfreesboro Road, asked around for where Carlos lived, and knocked on his door. The next thing I know the door flew open, and Carlos, a gang-banger from Puerto Rico, put a gun barrel to my forehead. He stood there with no shirt and a loose pair of dirty khakis, staring at me with his gun barrel right between my eyes.
Neither one of us said anything for several seconds then he asked, "What do you want?!" I told him, "Someone told me that I couldn't make friends with you. I wanted to see if that was true."
He stared at me through narrowed eyes wondering what planet I was from, then he took the pistol down and waved me into his dark apartment. It smelled of crack cocaine, a very distinct scent. The walls were painted black and his girlfriend was laying passed out on the couch stark naked. That was our first encounter.
Over the months, we spent more time together. He stole from our family a few times. He was a sampler of his own products too often so he had to find ways of getting extra money. But I learned a lot about him and also pressed into his life more and more the need to think differently about God and change directions.
He had a lot of occult paraphernalia and a few months into our friendship, we piled it up in front of my house on the sidewalk and burned it. A short while later his girlfriend, who had grown up in a rich family in Franklin TN but had long since left the fold, ended up giving her life to Christ and going back home. Soon, it was Carlos's turn and he yielded to Jesus and I baptized him.
We spent a lot of time together. Our family moved out of the area and we lost touch, but a couple of years later was the last time I saw Carlos. He was walking down Murfreesboro Road and while dressed nicer than I remembered seeing him, he looked quite different. I stopped and waved him down.
As he got closer and we hugged I noticed his face was scarred, had obviously been smashed violently and healed, but it had definitely altered his appearance. He told me he was jumped several times by old associates but he was still walking the walk with Jesus.
One lesson I learning through Carlos…don’t write anyone off. God is being patient for all our sakes.
God's desire is that none perish. (2 Peter 3:9)
TUESDAY TAVERN TALKS
Tavern Talks started in April 2024 as a way to get guys together to talk about walking with Jesus in today’s crazy world. We tell stories, laugh, talk scripture, cry, challenge each other and pray.
This group of men meeting at The Mission Cigar & Social on Tuesday mornings at 7am has turned out to be incredibly encouraging. Open, honest, unedited is our policy.
"God and man, no religion" to quote David Bowie's song.
Real faith for real men facing the world's challenges.
FORWARD THIS INVITATION ALONG TO SOMEONE ELSE AND INVITE THEM TO JOIN YOU THERE!
One of the things we do regularly is invite one of the guys to tell their story, the struggles they have overcome, how they have encountered God along the way. Sometimes tears, sometimes laughter, but always a deepening conviction, enlightenment, understanding and further commitment to Jesus and each other.
Bring your coffee, your Bible, Febreze if you go to the office after, an open mind and open heart. You can purchase a cigar as well to enjoy your first cigar of the day.
We are really grateful to Mark, Monte and Willie for opening up The Mission early each Tuesday and participating in Tavern Talks!
EPIC DOGE
If Elon and Vivek and DOGE are really allowed to do what they are appointed to do it will be EPIC.
It could literally save the Republic.
And it could literally raise the income level of every single American citizen 2.5 times current levels.
This simple and brilliant article explains why. It is worth reading, even if you break it up over a few days.
Meanwhile, if you read or listen to any financial advisors today they are telling you to get your hands on gold and silver as a security for your savings. I put together just one small example of PROOF that our network is the best and cheapest way to do that. Take 3 minutes, click this link and check it out.
PROOF! - by Tod Bell - At Cost Metals Substack
Get in touch with me and let’s talk about gold and silver!
Looking Up! (Luke 21:28)
Tod Bell
Chief Tavern Host
P.S. I am so thankful for that “One Guy!”
