Ben Smith

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I Like Scrambled Dogs!

We are natural evangelists. We need no training or class. We are born knowing how to lead others to experience what we love. We are born with a natural desire to tell others about the good things we have discovered.

In my hometown of Columbus, GA, there is a pharmacy that still has a lunch counter. It seems that anyone who is anyone in Columbus eats lunch at Dinglewood pharmacy. I have been going to this place to eat all of my life. Every time I get a chance to visit my parents, who live in Columbus, I make sure I schedule a time to have lunch at Dinglewood.

The main dish at Dinglewood is what is known as a Scrambled Dog. It is a boiled hotdog in a steamed bun, covered in chili, topped with pickles, American cheese, onions, oyster crackers, ketchup, and mustard. It is served in a hot dog-shaped bowl and eaten with a spoon. I love it! Most people order just a Scrambled Dog with a drink (which will be either sweet tea or cherry coke). There are other things on the menu, but the Scrambled Dog is the most popular. I have personally never ordered anything else.

I do not make a trip to Columbus without having at least one lunch at Dinglewood. When I am there, I make Facebook and Twitter posts proclaiming my love for Dinglewood. When I know of someone who is going to be traveling to Columbus, I encourage them to make a trip to Dinglewood. When I have the opportunity to travel to Columbus with those who have not ever had a Scrambled Dog, I take them there and buy their lunch. I am a natural evangelist for a hotdog covered with chili because I really like it.

How much more of a natural evangelist am I for the God who rescued me from sin and death?

How much more of a natural evangelist am I for the God who has radically transformed me?

The psalmist David declared:

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 (ESV)

Evangelism is not for the professionally trained. Evangelism is not for the specially called. No! Evangelism is the response of those who personally know how good God is. To know the goodness of God's grace is to declare the goodness of God's grace.