Our imperfections are loved by a Perfect God ...

I love the Bible!

I wanted to make that very clear to the readers of this blog... I love the Word of GOD.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Earlier this afternoon, I came down to PB and spent time reading chapter 2 of Mark's gospel with Sid. I'm very encouraged to see the excitement on his face, as Sid is learning the scripture and the significance of each detail. After the study, I went back home to load up for tonight, which leads to the following...

Having the benefit of reading about the mistakes & failures of others, and the lessons taught from them, really gives helpful insight for all of us to learn whether or not we should do something. Tonight I used "Imperfect Pete" as the perfect example of somebody that failed in many ways; as somebody who struggled with keeping promises; and fell short of being a faithful friend... and more importantly how in the 3 years Peter had spent with Jesus, how Jesus was always there to continue loving on him and still helping to teach him. The Lord used the example of Imperfect Pete tonight, in a way that I couldn't have even imagined.... it was a real blessing to see the response from those that paid attention to the message.

The Lord brought us another strong team of people willing to serve for His sake.
Today being the first of a new month, means a few things for us- 1) It used to be customary that our gatherings were smaller due to people receiving their SSI checks and what not. 2) Summer is officially here, which brings lots of tourists to the beach... more availability to plant that much more seeds as people witness what GOD is doing. 3) This marks the 27th month of GOD's faithfulness through Loving Thy Neighbor Ministry, serving the people of Pacific Beach. It's cool to think back and see what GOD has brought us through over the course of time.

New faces came through the lines. I had the opportunity to pray with a few of them. One guy that sticks out, goes by the name of 'Sage'. He would not shake my hand... he's a hugger! He has a gentle and peaceful spirit, and he loves our Lord Jesus Christ.

From the reports of the night, everybody was able to eat today.

We were blessed by a generous donor who provided men's clothing, of which we desperately needed. I heard that one of our regulars was very happy to find some shorts that were an exact fit for him. I find that particularly awesome... the man is of some foreign decent. We think maybe Yugoslavian, but it's hard to tell because he speaks 0% English. James and this man have worked out a fun system of communication through hand gestures since his arrival nearly a year ago. Amanda's friend James, is a valued asset to the Ministry. He has built an incredible rapport with most of the people unlike any of us. I couldn't do that if I tried... but GOD has chosen to use his gifts for that very purpose.

One of the man we serve, has given back to us what GOD has given him, and my prayer is that GOD would bless Tommy for his giving towards the Ministry to further His works. Tommy is another clear sign of good fruit this Ministry has produced.

Each week, a handful of our neighbors ask which bus route would get them to our church. Today was no different. I wish there was a way to make it easily accessible (and financially wise) for more of the neighbors to make it to service Sunday mornings. I simply just can not pick them up.

I mentioned of an upcoming Baptism that our church is doing in Mission Bay and got an interest from a few folks. Most of them already know the area, due to the 'feeds' that happen throughout the week on whichever day they meet at this particular spot. I'm curious to see who will come out and take those steps into the water.... 'excited' might be a better word to describe what I'm feeling inside.

Even with all my imperfections over the time I've spent with this group, they somehow see what I've been sharing with them. Jesus loves us regardless of how many times we mess up or fall short of success. As long as we are willing to reach up and call out to Jesus (like Peter in the lake)... He (Jesus) is there to reach down and lift us up on solid ground, through faith.

I'm sorry for going on and on.... it's been a long day and I'm exhausted. As I turn around to stare at my bed calling my name, I can't help but thank GOD for what He's given me. I pray that GOD would soften the concrete for our neighbors, and turn their cardboard mattresses into temporary mansions for the night.

Good night and GOD bless!

Summer is here!

The summer has officially hit and with the awesome weather, it brings hoards of hungry people to our lines... homeless or not. We all try to look at it from the perspective of planting as many seeds as possible. We would never turn anyone away because of how well they are dressed, because the truth is... everybody needs to hear about Jesus!

The unfortunate thing about the larger gatherings, is that it's more likely that we would run out of food before everybody gets something to eat. It is our custom to start the evening in prayer and ask for GOD's blessing. We ask for Him to multiply the meals, and for the most part... He does just that. This week He had others plans...

Amanda and I were so blessed to see so many of our family from church come out to support and serve with us tonight. We had an additional 9 people help give a hand, not counting our regular team that consists between 7-10 of us! Each of us have different gifts to bring to forth. That's the beauty of GOD's design for us as individuals... no two people are exactly alike. We all see things under the same Light (Jesus Christ), but from different angles & vantage points. Some of us sense things that others don't see and vice verse.

Enough about us though..... "not to us, but to His name be the glory!"

We kicked off the mid-afternoon Bible study today at 1pm. It was a success! I had the privilege of spending an uninterrupted hour with Sid. It was really sweet to have that time, to help build him up in the Word, and to be of encouragement to him, and to pray for him.

GOD is continuously teaching me how to see things as He sees them, and not so much as to how I see them. It's not about numbers. I am 100% happy that 1 person came to the first study this week. I was totally blessed, because I was just obedient to the call that He had laid before me.

His love was present when I returned a few hours later.

We witnessed how GOD touched the heart of a regular, who usually is somewhat of a problem, and how that man served one of his peers. We witnessed the power of Him, as we stood and listened to Pockets share that he's been sober since last Saturday, where he met with the people for his SSI. We heard the gratitude in the voices of those that spoke as they humbly passed down the line... and we even saw them as some held back their tears.

For me, to be a part of something that has such a positive impact in some one's life... it blows my mind! Over the time, we've had people we've long since seen, come back just to say thank you for helping them during their hard times... Several have moved on, gotten jobs, are off the streets, sober, going to church or bible studies.

I'm often reminded by family from church, of the impact that my life has on those serving next to me. Knowing for myself, of that which I was delivered from... I can sit here and testify that Jesus Christ is alive and well and living inside of me. My own life has been impacted by those I serve with. I am very encouraged to see how GOD uses people for His kingdom and feel very honored to be a witness of that.

As long as it's in His plan, we will continue to come back week after week, to be used by Him, to pour out His love on the needy, less-loved, house-less, and lost people of Pacific Beach.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins...

There are a few neat things to report tonight.

GOD has been putting it on my heart for the past several weeks, to start a Bible Study in PB... I tossed the idea to the crowd a few weeks ago, and a few said they were interested in joining that... but I hadn't brought it up again. Tonight one of the guys asked me when that was going to start because he's really eager to have that time getting to learn GOD's word with me. Seven other guys heard us discussing it and also want to get in on the study!

We will be starting that next week at 1pm, right on the grassy area above where we serve dinner. (Please pray with me about this and GOD's plans.)

I discovered that GOD provided transportation for Pockets and helped meet his needs. Sadly, Pockets was in & out of the hospital for the past few weeks. His drinking is wrecking him. His health is deteriorating and unless he fully surrenders and allows Jesus to work in his life, his days on Earth are numbered.

Our precious friend, Lisa, made it out tonight! She is always a joy to see. I thank GOD that He has given her strength and for Him healing her fragile body. Weeks ago, she fell while she was at home and broke a bone.

We had a great number of volunteers tonight. It freed some of us regulars up, which allowed us to move around as the Spirit led and minister to our neighbors.

Jason was able to make it out again and bless us with his anointed worship music. Through worship music, GOD brings an indescribable peace to the area. You can almost feel the presence of His angels standing guard and singing with us.

Something very interesting happened with Amanda and a regular attendee...
Trials and tribulation hit all of us at certain times. There is no escaping it, but comfort comes to those who put their trust in The Lord when they come your way. The time for Amanda and I is now. I've chosen to withhold burdening those close to us with what we are experiencing, but GOD knows. For whatever reason, Jesus sent Eva, an elderly woman, to share His good news to Amanda. It was delivered in the form of Psalm 41:1 - "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble".

I look forward to seeing what happens next. I'm thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who promises to look after His children and provide our needs. I'm thankful to be in a position where we can serve and share our hope in Jesus Christ with others.

GOD is so good!

A new season has started... (Friday 6/10/11)

It was a good night...

Though in the 26 months we've been done in PB, there is still a majority of the same people coming through our lines... we always have a sea of new faces from time to time. We call those seasons.

The Lord showed Himself faithful again. He stretched the amount of food so that those who came were able to fill up, literally... some got 2nds and some even got 3rds. Although the crowd seemed smaller last night, the food logically couldn't have spread out as much as it did, without Him doing it. Thank you Lord!

We were able to sit and pray with those who asked for prayer.
Our worship leader, Jason was able to bless us with a few songs towards the tail end of the evening. His anointed guitar playing and singing really blesses all of us. I can't even begin to think how much it pleases GOD.

We've been running really low on men's clothing the past few weeks, and last night I met a local resident of the area, who shared with me that he would like to donate some things to our Ministry.... including clothes! GOD is so rad. He doesn't always use "Christians" to provide for the needs of the people, but He is still the GOD of all things, and this is just another way He gets the glory. GOD rocks!

As I shared the devo with the group, I was really encouraged to see more and more people listening to what the Bible has to say. Another proven sign that GOD answers prayers.

While we were packing things up for the night, I stood back and took a long glance at what we have going on down there. I couldn't help but laugh with joy. Amanda and I started with just the 2 of us, 1 small pan of spaghetti, 1 loaf of bread, and 1 table. Now we have a full blown team of volunteers, 3 large pans of pasta, a crock pot full of meatballs, bowls of salads, 4 loaves of bread, dessert, an assortment of hygiene materials, misc clothing, and 5 tables.

I've also discovered that the local churches have added us to a list of 'feeds' for people to come to find a hot meal of Friday nights. As encouraging as that might be... I really wish that those who did that would have at least spoken to us first. Many people show up later than 5pm, because "the list" says we start serving at 6pm. I really need to straighten that out. Understandbly, alot of hungry people get angry when they arrive by 6 and the food is gone. It's not their fault, nor is it ours. This is still a learning process for us, so I've learned that communication is essential.

Jude 1:22-23

"Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear..."

This week I struggled with concentrating what to share with our neighbors. Just this very morning, GOD gave me what was to be shared, through a daily devotion that my Pastor shares, via email. I asked GOD if that was what I was supposed to share, and tonight He proved that it was exactly what somebody needed to hear. The devotional was from the Gospel according to Mark, where Jesus warns about the one & only unforgivable sin... blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

GOD spoke directly to an older gentleman named Rupert. He and I discussed in detail what that really meant. After explaining it to him, he asked for prayer to be cleansed of all his sins and made a decision to accept Jesus Christ into his heart. Praise be to the King of Kings!!!!

We had a smaller crowd... probably about half of what we're used to serving. Once in a while we enjoy those smaller gathering, because it allows us to slow things down and everything seems a bit more intimate & personal.

Jason blessed the immediate area with his beautiful worshipping to the Lord with his acoustic guitar. Our sister Dina just returned from a mission trip to Scotland and surprised us with her presence and assistance. It still amazes me how well our entire team flows as far as the Ministry is concerned.

We celebrated our sister, Danna's birthday tonight. I was able to have a handful of the neighbors join us in song to bless her..... Lord knows I have a horrible voice, so getting others to drown me out worked really well.

Over all, it was a really fun night. I announced my future plans to have a mid-day Bible study before all the food arrives. I asked to see who may be interested in attending and got some positive feedback, so I will soon be adding that to the Ministry.

Sweet Fruit...

There are times in one's life where you start to feel worn out, but that's just life. Our retreat get away couldn't have come at a better time for me. I was refreshed, encouraged, and blessed while absent from the Ministry.

I see now that it was in His plan, to give me the strength and compassion to see what would come this week. Being a holiday weekend, Amanda suggested we arrive early for the sake of parking, which we did... Even arriving at 4:30, I was surprised to see such a large crowd waiting for us! I could easily sit here and share of the discouraging events of the evening, but I won't. I'd love to share what Jesus did and how He was able to work through everything.

My good friend, Jason, blessed us with some sweet worship music. It was a real treat, as it was totally unexpected. Many people passing by stopped and listened, while a handful of those we serve, joined in the praise songs! A few people received prayer, at their personal request, in which all of us were more than happy to lift to the Lord.

Another surprise was our friend, Mark, who is such a gentle spirited guy came down and was able to spend good, quality time one-on-one with individuals as was needed. It was great to have him back for the time being.

One might look at our Ministry as a waste of time serving a group of ungrateful people, but when we see the results of those few that are starting to bear fruits in their lives, and we see the slow transformation.... it is so worth it!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.... this is surely a hard, difficult Ministry. It is ONLY by the grace of GOD and through His strength alone, that we are able to endure. Jesus never gave up on us, so we should we give up on them.

May 20th 2011 - Spring in The Air

We could definitely see Spring had arrived even though it was partially cloudy at the beach on Friday night. How? New things were sprouting all over the place in Loving Thy Neighbor Ministry!

Our fearless pioneers, Beau and Amanda were gifted anonymously by someone at Horizon Christian Fellowship to attend a married couples retreat. If that wasn't awesome enough on its own........the men and women who regularly come down to the beach were excited and happy for Beau and Amanda. We know the people we serve missed Beau and Amanda because we must have answered the question "Beau and Amanda aren't here. Where are they? Are they alright?" about a dozen or more times. It was so sweet to see people who are poor, homeless, and possibly living in terrible addiction be so genuinely happy for someone else.

More victory to report: 10 highschool kids from Ohio came to help us serve and they were such an incredible blessing. Sometimes the "regulars" allow the clothes giveaway table to be overwhelming. The sweetest high school girl worked that table with not only the skill of folding clothes faster than anyone but more importantly she had a pure servant's heart. She said she was a Senior and never wanted to leave San Diego. We laughed because once you've spent much time here; it truly is hard to leave.

It seems to us that God does things differently sometimes just to surprise us. The kids were so excited to serve that they started almost before the devotion was given but the man appointed to give the devotion did manage to read some scripture. It just meant the line started probably 10-15 minutes earlier than normal. That meant those that habitually come late came too late. Hopefully it teaches them to come earlier so that not only do they get fed physically but also hopefully feed their souls. It is sad to see someone rush up at the very end and give us their reasons for being late but have to tell them there is no more food when we know they are really physically hungry. Sometimes we think they probably could arrive on time but chose not to do so. It is all in God's hands and that is one of the biggest lessons we are learning at the beach.

Knowing God has annointed this ministry is what makes it so easy sometimes and yet so challenging. We always start with prayer and we did so as usual. The prayer circle was large and more of those we serve joined us in the prayer circle than on most usual Friday nights. Occasionally we have 3-4 homeless join us in the prayer circle but it seemed like that number was almost doubled this week. We look forward to the day when everyone we serve will join hands with us in prayer.

One sad note is that for the known time; pregnant women were in line to be served. Three pregnant women. It broke our hearts. Especially when Danna would recommend the San Diego Rescue Mission as a safe place to live and encourage them to check it out because they could keep their baby with them at SDRM and the women would say they didn't want to go to SDRM because they'd couldn't live with their boyfriend there. At SDRM, the men and women are seperated. Our Core Group prayed for the women and their babies that night at bible study. The lies of the enemy blind people and it is so sad. Blindness physically can be sometimes be overcompensated with skillsets and technology. Blindness of the heart can bring about problems here on earth but more importantly eternal devastation. This is what breaks our heart.

Oh, back to spring.........We rejoice in those 10 teenagers who joined us with joy and energy! They were the fresh air of Spring!!! May God always keep them close and may they sense His Presence in their lives. Our prayer is Col 2:2-3 and Isaiah 33:6 will continued to be manifested in these young peoples lives and God will always be glorified in their lives.

We remind Beau frequently how this ministry teaches those of us that serve as much as those we serve. It could just as easily in the blink of an eye be us on the other side of the serving table.

Thank you Lord for Your mighty acts at Crystal Pier every Friday night! You are GOOD!