A new season!

So it's been nearly 3 weeks since my last post entry. It's with good cause...

Our time serving the community of Pacific Beach has come to an end as if last Friday, so tomorrow will feel awkward for most of us when we don't do our normal routine.

We gave ample notice to our neighbors before leaving them. The last thing any of us wanted to do was leave our dinner guests with the feeling of abandonment or guilt. It was God's calling for us to relocate for a new season, after several months if diligent prayer. Most of them understood what that meant.

Our last night (last week) was monumental. I believe that the word got out that our team was packing up and moving out. We had the largest gathering ever! There was close to 300 people who came out to say their good-byes to us. We would've normally ran out of food for such a large group, but in God's perfect planning, He supplied and met our needs before we knew what was going on. A food donation came to us in addition to what Amanda usually cooks, which left us with just one single plate left after it was all said and done. "God trips me out!" I love the fact that I'm clueless most of the time, because its exciting to see what He's going to do next.

As our friends said their good-byes, they greeted us with warm heartfelt hugs and lots of thankful handshakes. There was even some shedding of tears. I shared the vision God gave us along with the new location we will be setting up in January. Several of our regulars promised to commute to stay in touch with us and continue in their spiritual growth. I am so blessed at the relationships built over our time spent in PB.

This past week, I was given the privilege to share about LTN during chapel at Horizon Christian Academy. Some of the students recalled my visit last school year. We included a sign up sheet for those desiring to become involved... I was blown away at the positive response from the youth.t In addition to volunteers signing up, we received an abundant donation of needed items to continue the work of the gospel through the love of Christ.

It's late and I'm exhausted, so that's all for now folks. Be blessed and please be praying for us.

Proverbs 20:24

"A man's steps are directed by the LORD..."

This week our team had a meeting in which we discussed what GOD was leading us to do. A decision was made and we will be headed in a new direction as He leads us.

Tonight I made the announcement to our dinner guests, which I anticipated negative remarks, but to my surprise came blessings and words of encouragement! Those who 'have the ears to hear' asked that we keep them up to date with our movements because they would like to go where is necessary for fellowship and continual growth in their walk.

Our entire team is excited about this new seasons that He has planned for us, and although we are unsure what it's going to look like exactly, but we walk by faith and not by sight... Right?

The LTN team will finish out October and then we will be spending the rest of this year getting organized and figuring out how to be more productive for the sake of the Gospel. (As we proceed in certain areas of our planning, I will update on here.)

What I will say for now is... "This new venture will give much more opportunity for others to get involved, if they have a heart to serve."

Tonight something really rad happened while in PB... With our Worship Leader unable to join us (due to calendar conflict) our nights have been somewhat hectic. The sound of worship music has a special supernatural power that has kept the area mellow over the years. Most of the fellow musicians have grown an appreciation for Jason's faithfulness and have taken notice of his recent absence, so tonight... Although these two men did not play 'Christian music', they did what they could and did a peaceful jam session with an acoustic guitar and bongo for us while we served everyone dinner. It was pretty sweet!!!

I know we are going to miss the friendships of those we've grown to know during this season, but we understand what it means to follow in obedience when The Lord says to move.

"No fisherman ever stays in the same pond for too long."

Putting things into perspective...

This past Friday in addition to the events if last week has really opened my eyes to the spiritual battle that goes on.

As I gave the message, I'd asked by a show of hands, who believes the statement Jesus said in John 14:6. There was a significant number of hands raised... (somewhere around 30 if I had to guess a number)... but what was revealed to me at that moment wasn't how many people were saved, it was the number of those with hardened hearts and deaf ears unwilling to change even after so many years of hearing the Good News that will save their life.

Months ago, there was an issue with a woman who comes through our line. This time she was so out of control and disrespectful that I had to ask her to leave. She refused and became even more belligerent that I ended up calling the SDPD to handle the situation. Some of her friends, became angry at me and could not understand why I made such a decision, but those of sound mind understood. There has been a great and damaging sense if disrespect for what we are doing in PB. It breaks my heart to see so many people unwilling to receive the goodness of God. Some of our regular guests have shown that they feel they are entitled to something, which I'm afraid is not the case at all. There's. fine line between friendship and ministry. Personally speaking, I feel that if ever there comes a time when somebody after investing so much into their lives, they feel comfortable enough to be your friend and stay in that previous state, rather than change and be fruitful.... one must evaluate and figure if it's time to move on.

We all know that Jesus is bold, direct, and speaks with clarity. He didn't beat around the bush in Luke 9:3-5.

There's no doubt there's a spiritual battle going on, just as the Bible says. One of my brothers in Christ told me after the outraged woman left told me something that really ministered to me: "Thank GOD that's the only thing that happens tonight!" I'm pretty sure the devil wasn't too pleased to see so many people raise their hands without any shame that Jesus Christ is their LORD and confess that He is the only way to salvation.

Here I am Wednesday morning still with a heavy heart, but encouraged in the LORD by my brothers, and seeking direction from our Father. Please join me in prayer what to do.

Thank you and GOD bless you all.

Some thoughts to think about....

When Amanda and I first started this Ministry, we didn't have any expectations... All we knew was that God called us to be down there to feed the people (physically or spiritually at that time, I do not know).

Here we are now 42 months (183 weeks) later and we still see most of the same people in the same position we met them in. Sure... now they listen to the sermons and are thankful and some are actually truly grateful for our kind acts, but it breaks my heart that except for a very few, there has been no change.

There have been several people who have prayed to accept Christ during an invitation, but there hasn't really been any real growth. There are times like tonight, that I wonder if we're spinning our wheels. Should we move to plant seeds elsewhere?

I had a conversation with one of our guests this evening and he'd been around for about 2 years now. He shared with me the perspective from a 'homeless person' towards us and what we do. "As good as the food is, and as nice as you guys are to us, it gets old hearing the same thing and eating the same food over and over again." When I heard that, I was at a lose for words... What does one say to that and still remain walking in the Spirit? I respect his brutal honesty, but it got me thinking about the balance in the fruit we've produced in Pacific Beach and whether or not it's time we relocate to start a new work.

I'm feeling a little defeated... Maybe just discouraged.... But I know this feeling will not last, because I have the promises of a Comforter who will always lift me up when I'm low and He will direct me where He wants us to go.

Earlier this week, some women from our church mentioned that they're starting a women's Bible Study in PB, very close to where we meet on Fridays. They asked me to mention an open invitation to the women that attend the dinner... None of the women were interested.

Don't get me wrong, there are genuinely nice and grateful people who we are helping, but are we now enabling them? There is a difference from a hand-out and a hand-up... so which is it that we are doing?

Tonight I watched people take full advantage of our teams generosity. It was a restless night and there was lots going on: bike theft right behind me while I'm preaching... People barking demands at our team for clothing... Folks cutting in line to help themselves, rather than wait... People changing clothes they just receive from us, only to walk back thru to get more items despite our limitation policy... Cursing towards us when we ask for cooperation... Grumbles when we tell them we don't have an item like razors....

That's not the majority but only a few, but as I said earlier, where is the fruit of our labors?

The one thing I'm asking prayer for myself at the moment, is for wisdom. With wisdom comes clarity. I do not want to make a move without the direction of God, especially of it's based on emotion.

Right now I feel like Peter when he said to Jesus "We've fished all night and have caught NOTHING!"

Off my soapbox and going to sleep now. Maybe God will speak to me in my sleep.

The angels dance...

This week was another miraculous one. A man named Pete came came to the saving grace and found salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We were blessed with a food donation, so we had a change of menu, which I believe is needed every once in awhile. We served cheeseburgers, hot dogs, Mac & cheese, and baked beans. Something happened that I think impacted one of our guests in more of a way than we would suspect. This particular man has lots of health issues and is very selective as to what he eats. Amanda (being well aware of his condition) made this man a special plate of spaghetti, packaged just for him in a container to-go. When he came through the line, he was blown away that Amanda did something out of her way, specifically for him.. And because of that, he was able to join us for dinner.

It was a good fruitful night and it's those times far and few between that make this Ministry so rewarding.

Hello, hello readers! This is sadly the longest I think I've gone without posting reports of what's been going on. Our home computer broke, so finding the time to write has been a big challenge for me. I'll do my best to update everything from memory.... A couple from out of state came through our line for the first time a few weeks ago, and the woman was moved by the Holy Spirit as God directed the message directly to her. That was pretty cool. I had the privilage to pray with them before they left for the evening. We had a young female passer-byer join us in serving a few weeks ago. She was a big help, as we've been short handed on more than one occassion lately. I believe that this experience has touched her in a way that she's never felt. She plans to return and help again. God's timing is awesome! We've had a handful of misc food contributions come in, which has helped us financially. I'll write more after tomorrow's outreach (if I get the chance).

More love, more power...

The doors that GOD has been opening for us, has been exciting to say the least! Our team is seeing a steady flow of volunteers catching the vision and coming to our side to share His love through simple acts of kindness.

Due to the approach that GOD has given us to use to our neighbors, we are witnessing hearts becoming softened. More of our neighbors are wanting to join us in opening prayer, and more are listening intently to the sermon shared. One of the first things that changed, that has been a huge blessing for Amanda and I.... (and my back...) was the amount of men who help unload our truck and set things up with us. We are in this Ministry to give without the expectation of getting anything in return, especially from a group as our neighbors in need, yet they give what they can through serving with their hands. I appreciate them more than words could ever explain.

This week, we had the company of our high school youth group join us. It was beautiful to see young brothers & sisters sharing His ultimate love, with pure hearts and genuine smiles. There is something very special about seeing young people having a heart for others. I hope and pray those are the events in life that will catch the heart of somebody else who maybe doesn't know Jesus, and seeing that will win them over. There was the laying of hands for physical healing this evening and we're excited to see GOD do the healing.

Our church has a very simple, yet very profound vision statement: Win, Disciple, Send. Tonight, as I'm writing this entry, I feel like GOD has shown me how we can apply that vision to our MInistry. We don't know what HOF has planned for any of us... for any of our houseless neighbors... or anything, but we can win the hearts of people (always pointing to Christ). That is something we know we can do if we keep doing what we're doing in love. We can disciple in the sense of biblical discipleship to our neighbors but we can also disciple volunteers in the sense of education of this culture and how to show the way it's best been effective for 'us'. In that same token, we have also send those that have caught the vision, to other parts of the community to do the exact same thing.... Share the love of Jesus Christ in truth and action.

I was surprised to learn that Amanda and I have earned somewhat of a reputation within the community. People from afar talk about the Christians that feed people pasta on Friday nights by the pier. Perhaps we're not known by name (which is fine by me) but there is undeniable doubt that word on the streets is we are feeding Physically & Spiritually.

I mention that because my heart broke when I first heard that although plenty of churches or facilities will hand out some food, not too many places or people are sharing the Word of GOD to such a crowd as these. I thank my Heavenly Father for calling me to this Ministry and gifting me with a way that I'm able to reach my neighbors without cramming the Bible down their throats and scaring them off... They actually keep coming back, knowing they will hear about Jesus. It's awesome!