GOD is definitely doing something!
This afternoon, I was informed by the owner of a surrounding business, that he is losing some serious money, and he claims it's because of our ministry... Not due to 'us' but rather the gathering of people who are "a problem for the area".
It's been a very long time since we've had an issue from a neighbor complaining. The man has a valid excuse, and rather it's true or not, is strictly between him and GOD. I admitted to the upset man, that I never once took into consideration that angle in respect to the businesses. Again... this is all a learning process. Homeless or rich... Jesus called us to love all neighbors, and that includes respecting them as well. We wish to cause no harm to anybody or their livelihood.
Praying for guidance from my heavenly Father, I wondered what His plan is for us as a Ministry. I prepared those we serve, that there may come a time where we are no longer coming to the boardwalk. I passed around a notepad for those that wish to stay in touch with us via email and some wrote words of encouragement. It was very touching to see the positive impact we've had on their lives. Thank you Lord!
Stephen is really moving forward in his walk with Jesus! For the past week, he has donated his time in helping with Ministry stuff. He's completely sober and going to church on his own. Please keep him in your prayers. GOD used His own power, through Stephen to show the rest of the crowd standing in line, that He can work in anybody... that nobody down there is unreachable. Stephen is now reaching out to his old friends, praying with them, for them, and sharing words of encouragement and trying to get others to come to church! It's really amazing.
Other than the phone call, our evening went well. There are other things that our team is praying about, but I'll share that another time. We're just trusting Jesus that When one doors closes, it's an opportunity to step in faith and walk through the next open door.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
On rare occasions....
This entire week GOD has been revealing things to me like never before: Fresh Fruit, the Humility in others, Love, Rapid Growth... and yes, it's a trip!
I don't typically share during the week on here (as most of you can tell) but after reading this morning's devotional from an awesome book titled 'Breakfast with God', I was really blessed by what I read and wanted to share this with others.
The following is exactly what I read-
Feeding the Poor
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 NASB
One day a young executive was asked to share with his fellowees employees how he felt about participating in the company's voluntary "feeding the poor" program. He took one early-morning slot each week to ladle soup and pass out sandwiches to nearly 400 homeless and street people in his city. The young man said:
"I go on Tuesdays to feed those we call poor, and in fact, they are poor in material things. Some of them are poor in many ways, and we also try to help them with encouragement, advice, and on occasion, a word of prayer. But in many ways, these hungry and poor men and women have nurtured something in me - they have made me more aware of the pritual side of my life and they have led me to be aware that we all 'feed' each other in many ways every day - either good nourishment for the sould, or poison.
"I have a new understanding that when I go home and genuinely compliment my wife, or sit down to read a story to my daughter, or toss a ball with my son, I am feeding something inside them. I no longer see myself as part of the Tuesday-morning feeding team, but as a 24-hour-a-day feeding volunteer."
Who will you feed today?
And what will you feed them?
Mother Teresa wrote in A Gift for God, "People are hungry for something more beautiful, for something greater than people round about can give. There is a great hunger for God in the world today. Everywhere there is much suffering, but there is also great hunger for God and love for each other."
Today you will encounter people who are hungry - outwardly and inwardly. God has equipped you in unique ways to "feed" them with natural food as well as His Word, His love, and His presence. He invites you to volunteer to participate in His feeding program.
I don't typically share during the week on here (as most of you can tell) but after reading this morning's devotional from an awesome book titled 'Breakfast with God', I was really blessed by what I read and wanted to share this with others.
The following is exactly what I read-
Feeding the Poor
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 NASB
One day a young executive was asked to share with his fellowees employees how he felt about participating in the company's voluntary "feeding the poor" program. He took one early-morning slot each week to ladle soup and pass out sandwiches to nearly 400 homeless and street people in his city. The young man said:
"I go on Tuesdays to feed those we call poor, and in fact, they are poor in material things. Some of them are poor in many ways, and we also try to help them with encouragement, advice, and on occasion, a word of prayer. But in many ways, these hungry and poor men and women have nurtured something in me - they have made me more aware of the pritual side of my life and they have led me to be aware that we all 'feed' each other in many ways every day - either good nourishment for the sould, or poison.
"I have a new understanding that when I go home and genuinely compliment my wife, or sit down to read a story to my daughter, or toss a ball with my son, I am feeding something inside them. I no longer see myself as part of the Tuesday-morning feeding team, but as a 24-hour-a-day feeding volunteer."
Who will you feed today?
And what will you feed them?
Mother Teresa wrote in A Gift for God, "People are hungry for something more beautiful, for something greater than people round about can give. There is a great hunger for God in the world today. Everywhere there is much suffering, but there is also great hunger for God and love for each other."
Today you will encounter people who are hungry - outwardly and inwardly. God has equipped you in unique ways to "feed" them with natural food as well as His Word, His love, and His presence. He invites you to volunteer to participate in His feeding program.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Faith like a child....
I apologize for yet another delayed post.
I'm just coming off of a spiritual high.
These past few days, I've been blessed to spend some time with an incredible youth group of God-loving teenagers called Identity, based out near Palm Springs, CA. For those that know anything about HSE, this program is pretty much just like that.
There were 20 teenagers: Servants, Bold, Eager to bless, Prayer Warriors... who came out to give a hand with us. The Lord used this group to speak to the lives of our neighbors, through a drama skit 'The SIN chair', through some powerful testimonies, and a full night of worship music teamed up with my buddy Jason. The sound of 2 acoustic guitars and 2 sweet voices leading, with others singing along was amazing. I know our neighbors enjoyed it.
Before we served dinner, an invitation was given to accept Jesus... 3 or 4 people embraced that free gift and became part of our Eternal Family in Christ Jesus. Bibles were given out to those that wanted them.
Our weekly volunteer team has grown as well. To see others catch the vision and following the calling the Lord has put on their hearts to come participate with us, is touching. The men we serve, have become regulars at helping with the unloading and setting up. All the extra help and ministering going on was nothing else than the work of our Good Lord. I tell ya, it's no coincidence that all those young soldiers came the same week that we had another record breaking attendance... and of course, The Lord multiplied the food enough so that not 1 person went away hungry.
All in all, it was both encouraging & refreshing to see such love & compassion for the lost from the next generation. Those kids wear their full Armor of God, and they wear it proudly. I had the honor of joining them on other occasions while they were in town, and as we said our good-byes, I kept hearing the Jars of Clay song 'Faith like a child' playing in my head.
I'm just coming off of a spiritual high.
These past few days, I've been blessed to spend some time with an incredible youth group of God-loving teenagers called Identity, based out near Palm Springs, CA. For those that know anything about HSE, this program is pretty much just like that.
There were 20 teenagers: Servants, Bold, Eager to bless, Prayer Warriors... who came out to give a hand with us. The Lord used this group to speak to the lives of our neighbors, through a drama skit 'The SIN chair', through some powerful testimonies, and a full night of worship music teamed up with my buddy Jason. The sound of 2 acoustic guitars and 2 sweet voices leading, with others singing along was amazing. I know our neighbors enjoyed it.
Before we served dinner, an invitation was given to accept Jesus... 3 or 4 people embraced that free gift and became part of our Eternal Family in Christ Jesus. Bibles were given out to those that wanted them.
Our weekly volunteer team has grown as well. To see others catch the vision and following the calling the Lord has put on their hearts to come participate with us, is touching. The men we serve, have become regulars at helping with the unloading and setting up. All the extra help and ministering going on was nothing else than the work of our Good Lord. I tell ya, it's no coincidence that all those young soldiers came the same week that we had another record breaking attendance... and of course, The Lord multiplied the food enough so that not 1 person went away hungry.
All in all, it was both encouraging & refreshing to see such love & compassion for the lost from the next generation. Those kids wear their full Armor of God, and they wear it proudly. I had the honor of joining them on other occasions while they were in town, and as we said our good-byes, I kept hearing the Jars of Clay song 'Faith like a child' playing in my head.
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