To my delight, as we arrived, I noticed my buddy, Ron waiting to help us unload. I didn't care that he was there to help unload though, because I was more happy to see him mobile again. It was evident that he was in pain, but he said it was bearable for the time being. (Please continue to pray for a complete healing.)
The message I gave was based on the historical account of 'The Poor Widow'. Through that, God touched the hearts of 2 men, Doug & Mike, which lead them to making a decision to drink from the Living Water and follow Christ. (I pray that the seed planted would be secured by the Holy Ghost.) At a last moment's though, I brought down a case of booklets: Living Water (The Gospel of John) I handed out about 15 booklets to those that asked for them. We are starting to see fruit!
We were blessed with a hefty food donation, through left-overs from a benefit dinner, the night before. It consisted of a large salad & dressings, tons of spaghetti with a delicious meat/mushroom sauce, and close to 50 dinner rolls. Danna, contributed her crockpot full of meatballs. (Ruben is sick, and was unable to join us. Please pray for his health) Our dear friend, Lisa brought down her plate of cookies to provide dessert for the evening. Altogether, it was another wonderful spread of a feast.
Recalling that it's the first weekend of the month, we assumed that we'd have less of a crowd, but that was not the case at all! The amount of people waiting in line seemed to never end... unfortunately, the food ran out before everyone made it though the line with a bite to eat.
This week we also obtained a large pack of razors to hand out, thanks to a generous brother. Nearly everyone was happy about those being available. James passed out what few socks we had left, and took care of all the hygiene materials. (Standing from an observation perspective, I think the crowd has taken a real liking to James.)
Perhaps some of you might remember me sharing about 2 brothers, Daniel & Keith (June 2010). They went to Ramona to get in a rehab program. Well, sadly enough they returned to PB this week due to lack of funding. Daniel was in really bad shape. He's an alcoholic and to my surprise, he's also a severe heroin addict. He's trying to kick that habit on his own and was suffering with withdrawals tonight. Amanda almost had to call the paramedics for him, but he refused. As I sat with Daniel, I tried to reach out and encourage him that Jesus is bigger then any addiction and can deliver him from the torment, but he'd need to be the one to ask for His help. He's too hard on himself and doesn't feel that God would help him due to the path he's on. Another 'person in need' named Roberto, came to my aid and together tried to be encouraging and prayed with him. Daniel is aware that I've never been in his shoes having to struggle with such an addiction, and is quick to tell me so. I let him know that Christians aren't perfect and we come from many different walks of life before knowing Jesus. (I'm praying that God would help me find somebody this week, who has been in his shoes, that would be willing to come down next week, to specifically speak with Daniel.)
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Love That Goes Beyond The "Normal"...
I am reading a book named "Crazy Love"... It's about Christians breaking out of the "Christian routine" and living a life that is extreme for the Lord, leaving aside all comforts and just going for it. There was a passage in the book that I recently read that talks about the profiles of people that are obsessed with God and consumed with Jesus. This one in particular was the profile of "Lovers". It talked about how we as Christians sometimes think that being nice or polite people will make people want to come to Jesus, but in fact there has to be more.
The Bible teaches us about how we should love and not just loving the people we care about or like, but our enemies; the people that are unlovable; difficult; will probably never love us back; that are hateful of us.
Luke 6:32-36 says... “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
It is so awesome and amazing to see this very act poured out by the people who give their time and resources to this ministry. The love of our Lord looks so different and it stands out. I felt so honored and thankful to have such a large group come along side of us and be able to love the way that Jesus tells us to.
With Beau and a few others being away at the men's retreat Lamarr gave the message. I had a lot of extra help (thank you all so much for your heart and willingness to help)... We had a large crowd and thank goodness for Dana's smart thinking she made some sandwiches in case we ran out of food (which we did). Nobody went away hungry thanks to the sandwiches. The food went very fast as well as the hygiene supplies.
We had a few pleasant surprises! Ron was back! He is in a lot of pain from the pinched nerve in his back so please remember to keep him in prayer. Despite his pain, which was visible, he was the first one to come and help us unload the truck and then helped me set up as he always does. He really is an amazing guy, really different from a majority of the people we minister to, always willing to help with a big smile on his face despite his circumstances.
Another wonderful surprise.... Jersey Jeff has been sober for 3 weeks, he has a job and he looks like a whole new person. We all are so proud of him. He commented that when he was drinking he knew God was with him but now that he is sober he knows that even more. He gave the credit to God for his sobriety and said that we (the people of LTN) helped him too.
In closing, it was a great evening. The power of the Holy Spirit was evident. I was blessed by so many helping hands and hearts that over flow with the love of our Lord. Many people were fed, physically and spiritually. I know with out a shadow of a doubt that God is doing a mighty work among us (the volunteers) and the people we minister to. I thank God for this opportunity that He has given us to be involved in what He wants to do and my prayer is that day by day our lives as Christians will be transformed into lives that are completely sold out for Him and completely obsessed with Him.
A huge thank you to all of you that help, support and pray for us and most of all thank you for loving the people that are unlovable, difficult, and will probably never love us back. You are making a difference! We know it and the Lord sees it!
God Bless!!
The Bible teaches us about how we should love and not just loving the people we care about or like, but our enemies; the people that are unlovable; difficult; will probably never love us back; that are hateful of us.
Luke 6:32-36 says... “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
It is so awesome and amazing to see this very act poured out by the people who give their time and resources to this ministry. The love of our Lord looks so different and it stands out. I felt so honored and thankful to have such a large group come along side of us and be able to love the way that Jesus tells us to.
With Beau and a few others being away at the men's retreat Lamarr gave the message. I had a lot of extra help (thank you all so much for your heart and willingness to help)... We had a large crowd and thank goodness for Dana's smart thinking she made some sandwiches in case we ran out of food (which we did). Nobody went away hungry thanks to the sandwiches. The food went very fast as well as the hygiene supplies.
We had a few pleasant surprises! Ron was back! He is in a lot of pain from the pinched nerve in his back so please remember to keep him in prayer. Despite his pain, which was visible, he was the first one to come and help us unload the truck and then helped me set up as he always does. He really is an amazing guy, really different from a majority of the people we minister to, always willing to help with a big smile on his face despite his circumstances.
Another wonderful surprise.... Jersey Jeff has been sober for 3 weeks, he has a job and he looks like a whole new person. We all are so proud of him. He commented that when he was drinking he knew God was with him but now that he is sober he knows that even more. He gave the credit to God for his sobriety and said that we (the people of LTN) helped him too.
In closing, it was a great evening. The power of the Holy Spirit was evident. I was blessed by so many helping hands and hearts that over flow with the love of our Lord. Many people were fed, physically and spiritually. I know with out a shadow of a doubt that God is doing a mighty work among us (the volunteers) and the people we minister to. I thank God for this opportunity that He has given us to be involved in what He wants to do and my prayer is that day by day our lives as Christians will be transformed into lives that are completely sold out for Him and completely obsessed with Him.
A huge thank you to all of you that help, support and pray for us and most of all thank you for loving the people that are unlovable, difficult, and will probably never love us back. You are making a difference! We know it and the Lord sees it!
God Bless!!
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