Growth

His word was more encouraging to our neighbors than any of us could have ever imagined.

His love through our works of charity and willing hearts, has made an impact on people we would never have imagined. His ways are not our ways... and I thank GOD for that. Perhaps had any of us had the ability to look into the future of our past, we might have gotten in the way of what GOD had been planning from the beginning.

Our team was blessed to have some extra hands tonight. For those new friends, it was a completely new experience for them, which I can only trust to be a satisfying feeling at the end of the night.

Our team is currently going through a transition in the growth process where we are now starting to be at the point where leaders take ownership of their duties in whatever the LORD has called them to do in the Ministry.

This week we received a blessing of additional food, which is always a great help financially. That growth is leading us towards the purchase of more materials such as extra chaffing dishes and tables.

I often find myself, during my alone time with Him, asking things like: 'What next?' or 'Are you still leading or am I stepping over you?' My position in the Ministry has given the freedom to roam the area, pray with people, and to join Jason in worship. It seems like GOD always sends the right people in my path to be the right encouragement that I need at the exact time... Tonight, our of our long time guests, had mentioned her car was having mechanical problems. She asked if I would pray with her regarding the issue. Together we lifted it up to the LORD and by the time we were done, she was crying because of the love that she's been shown through GOD in our faithfulness.

It is soooo worth it, even if 1 more person comes to know the LORD!!

The truth must be told!

For almost everything, there are two sides. Tonight our neighbors heard about GOD's love (which is typically expected) but they also heard about judgment of sin... perhaps for some, it may have been the first time, and for others is may have been the thousandth time. What good is always talking about Salvation, if they know not what they are to be saved from, unless somebody shares?

Shortly after the message was giving and the line started moving towards the dinner, then was some type of conflict between two of our guests. Loud words were exchanged, violent outbursts were witnessed, and episodes of spitting on anyone and anything in reach took place. Long story short... Satan used his ancient tactics to cause a distraction tonight. There seemed to be more drunkards present as well.

I think that both Jason and myself would agree that it was a bit frustrating while we were worshipping to our Father, the troubles that came along.

It's good though, because this was the exactly the type of lifestyle without Jesus, that people need to see from which they need to be saved. There is no hope, no peace, no love, no joy, no happiness, no sobriety, no purity, nor satisfaction apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The episode tonight was an eye opening reminder for those present that there is an enemy out there roaming and seeking whom he may devour.

What a wonderful GOD...

I apologize for another delayed entry.... this is for the last Friday of 2011.

The past few weeks, we've been blown away at His provision for this Ministry. Our home church, Horizon Christian Fellowship, was gracious enough to mention that our team was starting a Sleeping Bag Drive. Through that, we've obtained 10 new sleeping bags so far. I have a theory that will hopefully work out well if all goes as planned - There is alot of theft between the people on the streets, mostly blankets.... I figure if everyone gets a new warm sleeping bag, there won't be a need and hopefully they won't need to steal from each other. Unfortunately, we still have a long ways to go before we reach that goal... but GOD can do anything and we're trusting in Him.

Earlier this week, a sister in the LORD donated a freezer full of bread and 11 giant pies from Costco to help our Ministry share in His love. That bread is a huge relief and will save us money for awhile.

Now onto the evening at hand-
It was a mellow night. I can't tell if the gathering was smaller than normal or if less people desired eating a healthy salad, but we actually had left-overs. (Our team determines how many guests we serve by either how fast the food goes or by how much we serve and if we have left-overs.) Some of our volunteers we unable to make it down, so I was actually able to do something other than just share a message this week. It felt good to be back in the thick of the crowd, passing out waters. It had been such a long time since I've been able to help, due to the number of volunteers coming to serve.

It seems to me like more people are being encouraged through the messages that are shared. It's rewarding to see that we labor not in vain, that the LORD is touching people and giving them the ears to hear what He's saying to them.

One particular gentleman that comes to mind is a brother named Ron. I'd first met Ron during our annual Thanksgiving Outreach at church. He'd come to help wherever he could be used. He'd shared with me, that he'd been an attendee of our Ministry for several months at this point. Since that time, I've gotten to know him more & more. He truly has a heart to grow in the Good LORD and to live for Him. I now see Ron during service on Sundays.

It's just a cool thing to see that we are somehow helping to bring love, hope, and joy to our neighbors, simply by telling them the Truth.

Merry Christ-filled Christmas

Wow! Tonight really felt like Christmas... from the crisp air, to the warm & fuzzies.

I'm not even sure if I know how to put all this together without sounding jumbled.

Our LTN family was fully staffed tonight and that was a huge blessing for many people. Some of our team members had been collecting clothing donations over time and brought a van load to distribute... others brought individualized gift packs... while others presented a variety of sweets for dessert. It is so neat to see the team working together, allowing GOD to use their gifts in whatever capacity He wills.

Amanda and I were blessed with a couple Christmas cards from our neighbors. Actually reading what some of them wrote to our team has touched my heart in ways that I can not explain. My last entry, I shared 1 John 4:19... not that this even comes close to such a thing, but somehow I'm drawn back to this verse because in all reality, our friends in PB would not love us, had we not first showed them love.

It was a long night. Lots of ministry went on, people sought prayer, others wanted bibles and counseling... hopefully those seeds with bring forth good-solid fruit for Him.

Lights out...

This past Friday totally reminded Amanda and I of what it used to be like when we first came to PB, nearly 3 years ago. This night, at most... we had 20 people, but the sweet thing about such a small gathering is the more time we got to spend in fellowship, giving that extra one-on-one time for prayer or simple friendship building.

It was a very windy night. So much so, that the wind caused one of the electrical wires above to arc. The authorities were notified immediately but for just over an hour, the bright flashes lit up the area, giving all of us an exciting show wondering what was going to happen next...

Eventually, all power to the PB area went down. Nobody likes to stay indoors with no power, so numerous folks came out on their balconies or on the pier. Our brother, Jason continued to play worship music with his guitar in the thick of the black night. The wind seemed to wind-down and the waves started to calm, and everybody was able to hear the delight of worship to our Creator on this night.

Because we had such a small attendance, there was PLENTY of food to go around, but we try our best to be good stewards of GOD's provision, so the majority of our team stayed with us for the long haul. I think we stayed on the boardwalk until around 8:30 or so.

People often ask us why we do what we do. The answer is so simple- "We love, because GOD first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Double post for the past 2 weeks

December 2, 2011

Amanda shared her testimony to the smaller crowd of approximately 75 folks. The LORD used her to be of great encouragement to those we serve, and have gotten to know through time. It was a blessing for me to see my beautiful wife sharing her heart and what Jesus has done in her life, to such a crowd.

It's always a treat to see other brothers & sisters from our church (who are not part of our team)coming out to give our Ministry a hand. As was the case this week, with our brother Richard. It's very encouraging to see how GOD has taken our small steps of faith and turned it into a full blown Ministry that He continues to provide for each week.

December 9, 2011

We have been collecting blankets for this cold weather season. I can't recall another time that has been as cold as it has been this year. Tonight we handed out all that we had, which wasn't very many... maybe 15 or so, but at least we know that 15 or so people can now sleep just a bit warmer, and with full stomachs.

It was a relief to be near full restoration in my health. Tonight I was able to again speak, and share what the LORD put on my heart for our guests. I received confirmation that the LORD was indeed speaking, when 5 people came forward after the message. One man in particular, Tobin, stands out from that group. He is back-slidden, and was convicted by the Holy Spirit of GOD tonight to repent and move forward in His relationship with our LORD. Together he and I prayed, and I was able to direct him to a church in the area that he sleeps. It's really sweet to be a part of something so amazing that GOD is doing. I'm humbled by His love.

The gathering attendance was nowhere as large as it's been in the recent past. I stopped trying to count and keep a toll. There is no importance in numbers when it comes to Ministry. Jesus even makes mention of this in Luke 15 - "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” I only speak of the size tonight for the sake of mentioning how warm & full the people were tonight. Im pretty sure that everybody was able to have a second plate, while some even got thirds.

While we were setting up, I met a couple, from out-of-town, that showed interest in volunteering with us. That was a real blessing! We just so happened to be short handed a few folks. It worked out perfectly, and I'm sure that the couple were blessed to help out too. It's so beautiful that our team is so flexible and isn't caught up on who we allow to participate. (I'm not much for being a 'red tape' kinda guy.) I didn't get a chance to speak with the couple before we parted ways, but I was happy to see our team receiving them well as they served together.

*A praise report! I'm told that Quentin was welcomed into the home of brothers from a church he used to attend. These men have been loving on him, encouraging him, and building him back up in the LORD. Quentin has again stepped away from the alcohol and is back on the narrow path. That is such an answered prayer... Praise Jesus!

I've never been so thankful for them...

Even I as I write this now, I am still amazed and humbled by the thankfulness, appreciation, and love our team was shown tonight by our guests...

As usual, we parked and were greeted by those who have grown faithful to help unload and set up. As I walked over to the tables, one of the women came up to me and handed me an envelope. With a bright smile, she said "This is from all of us. It's not much, but it's all that we can give."

It was the most beautiful Christmas card! It was full of names signed by our neighbors. I was completely taken back for a moment and started to get teary-eyed, so I had to walk away. Talk about the effect love has on people...

The night went without any problems. In fact, everybody seemed to be on their best behavior. There are times when we can not only feel the presence of GOD, but there are also those times where we feel the thickness of oppression lingering in the air. Tonight was not of the latter.

Our team has gained a few more volunteers which has allowed others to freely be available for prayer needs (as they come) or for opportunities to simply sit and minister to one another. One of our newer volunteers, Nicole, has come from Horizon Christian Academy, where I was privileged to speak at chapel a few weeks ago. It is so encouraging to see young people catch the vision to love our neighbors through action and not words.

As the winter air strikes the our coastal sands, it's a reminder of how cold it can get on the streets without any shelter. The biggest demand at the moment is for SLEEPING BAGS. (If anybody reading this, feels like helping to meet that need... please contact us through email.)

Tonight GOD really showed me something... two things actually.
The first is very sad. Our dear brother in Christ, Quentin, has fallen back into alcoholism and is once again back on the streets and has given up on hope. (I urge all prayer warriors to please pray for him!) GOD showed me the importance it is to dilgently seek Him, not only each day, but every hour, every minute, and every breathe that is given to us, because we are all at risk of falling if we're not.

The second thing He showed me that it's not always about the outward appearance that defines 'bearing fruit', but how the hearts of those we serve has transformed.

I am truly humbled by their act of kindness to us.