Honey-Baked Hams

You are probably wondering what the title "Honey-Baked Hams" has to do with anything. Let me tell you a great story. One of my staff members, Eddie Correll, came to work for me a few years ago. After he had been here for awhile, Eddie made arrangements to bring his parents to the south from New Jersey. Soon, Eddie's parents would make a trip to Atlanta to get a scope of their future surroundings. I had the privilege of going out to eat with Eddie and his dad and several other staff members. Eddie's dad was rough, to say the least; it seemed that every other word out of his mouth was that of profanity. He would slip up and use a four-letter expletive, and say to me, "Sorry, Father." I told him that he didn't have to call me father, so he reverted to calling me "Rabbi."

In the course of time Mr. Correll and I became friends, because of the common ground we shared, and that being his son Eddie. A little over two years ago I was given a Honey-Baked Ham gift certificate for Christmas. Eddie had to go back to New Jersey for a funeral, and God began working on my heart about witnessing to Eddie's dad. My wife and I redeemed the gift certificate and headed to the Corrells with a ham in hand to give as a Christmas gift.

Both Mr. Correll and his wife were so impressed that the preacher and his wife would make a visit bearing gifts. After spending a few minutes talking about nothing, I made this statement, "Mr. Correll, I am one of your son's best friends, and I am so burdened for him about you. It would break your son's heart if you weren't ready to go to Heaven with us. Would you please allow me to take a moment and tell you what the Bible says about Heaven?" He motioned for me to proceed. In the next few minutes both of Eddie's parents trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

I will never forget the response of Eddie when I called to tell him what had just happened. He cried, he laughed, and then he shouted. When he returned from New Jersey he hugged my neck and kissed me on the cheek (it's what northerners from the Bronx do), and picked me up off of the ground. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. Shortly after that, Mr. and Mrs. Correll were baptized. Eddie's dad had to be helped into the baptismal pool by two men. When he came up out of the water, the whole church broke into applause. I don't think that there was a dry eye in the place. What a day!

I said all of that to say this, Mr. Correll went home to be with the Lord this past Friday. I was preaching in San Diego, California, when I got the call. Eddie and I reminisced, cried, laughed, and thanked God that he was saved and now in Heaven. That Honey-Baked Ham is the best one I have ever had, though I never got a bite. Another one of my staff men is Kenny Garland. It was my privilege to win his mother to Christ just recently. Kevin Soles, an executive for the southern region of Coca-Cola, is my friend; and it was my privilege to win his parents to Christ. I tell you there is nothing like winning someone to Christ, but especially the loved one of friend. Can you give a Honey-Baked Ham for Jesus?