Psalm 27.13-14

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Another Friday...all is well!

Another hot Friday morning. Pastors Dave & Jimmy along with Kristina, Erin and others were out of town for the week. We who were in town gathered beneath the trees while some moms and their children used the gazebo. Connie said they would be done by 11:15 which was perfect for us. Pastor Richard came today by request since we were so shorthanded. He had never been before.
The police came, too. Someone had called them out to the park. They knew we met there every Friday and thought maybe we were in trouble. They were great and let us know they were there for us if we ever needed them. We asked them to stay for lunch but they had to go. Pretty cool picture to see us and some of the homeless ones and the police all standing around smiling and laughing and talking together.
One of the things I am learning out here is that there really isn't any "us vs. them". There is definitely no room for that. They are in the struggle of their lives and we have to be willing to reach out to them. Notice I did not qualify who "they" are. I am learning that "they" are anyone without Christ, whether they are wearing a uniform or digging through the garbage to find food to eat. "They" are who we once were.
A short time later the Director of Parks came by. It started out to be a tense situation but that ended well, praise God!
Pastor Dell taught from the Word. Six men knelt with him and Pastor Richard to receive Christ and give their lives to Him. The enemy stirred up some trouble but God's plan was not thwarted!
I tell you, it is absolutely amazing to be watching all this and it is not just the homeless ones who God is speaking to. Pastor Richard said he will bring some hats for these guys next Friday. Pastor Dell who has been with us for a few months now had never dreamed he would be preaching and loving on these homeless ones is now ministering five days a week all over town. Said he can't help it, he doesn't want them to go to hell after living hell on earth. They love him dearly. Pastor Dell is a big guy, former biker, hard core Marine guy. These guys bring him to his knees. They all sang "happy birthday" to him today.
I don't know, I just don't know where this is going. I am rambling today. Don't want to forget anything I guess.
All of who I am is being gently unraveled by Him- opinions, ideas, agenda, motives are all being shown for what they really are deep inside me. It doesn't hurt, there is no struggle, grave clothes come off best if removed slowly and gently. Like Lazarus I stand before Him, once dead, now alive; If I don't resist, I will be unwound shortly.

6 comments:

Happy said...

Good morning, my friend! I was thinking of you this morning as I was praying, so I thought I'd stop by to say hello. :)

Linda, I am so blessed by what you write here - challenged to look at my own life and its shallowness at times, my lack of passion to pursue those whom Christ pursues, my indifference. Thank you for sharing so openly the stories that affect you so deeply and the way that Christ is changing you as He allows you to be His hands and feet. He is using you here, too, my friend...

Be encouraged this day in all ways that you need it... may the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, turn His face toward you and give you peace, both now and forever. Amen.

faintnot said...

Good Morning Happy,
Thank you again for always coming here with confirmation when it is needed most.
This morning I will be sharing with the church I attend about handfuls of purpose (Ruth 2:16)which is what I have been living by these past few years...(another post altogether)...sometimes we do not know what far reaching effects an obedience to God has.
Be encouraged as well ...and be gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up His Countenance on thee and give thee peace...(KJV)

Happy said...

mmm. I knew there was a reason you were on my mind this morning. ;) I love how God does that...

Cannot wait to hear how things went this morning, and to read that post... :)

love and hugs,
Happy

Percipia said...

May I ask where you guys are located? We're in Ontario Canada, so church in the park isn't much of an option. :-)

faintnot said...

Understood!
We are near Las Vegas, Nevada; desert, hot, sometimes unbearably but the winters are very tolerable to say the least.
Welcome, by the way...

Nate said...

I love your journey, and especially your recounting of it for us.