Greetings Friends,
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm eager to tell you about today. I trust that as I share my testimony of God's great love and his mighty work, your faith will be strengthend and your love for God will grow.
Today was a little different at "A Church Without Walls," for which I'm thankful for...I'm thankful that there is no set routine for our ministry. My prayer is that I don't get in the way of what the Lord is doing in the earth. I often find myself trying to manage things and I'm learning that when I just let God do what he wants to do, many people are blessed and he remains faithful to carry out his purposes.
I'm not sure if many of you will remember, but last week I shared that Laura and I hesitated to use all of the money we had for providing for my new homeless friends. We even thought about putting some of the funds aside to make sure that we had enough for this week. I felt as if God was calling us to trust him and provide all that we could for the homeless last week, so we sowed all that we had. The Lord made it clear that he was providing for his children and we were simply the vessels that He would use to deliver his love to these men and women.
Well, this week, we received $165.00 in the mail for "A Church Without Walls." I was able to bless the homeless with many things this week. On top of receiving the funds, we were blessed with 288 tubes of toothpaste, several coats, 5 hats, sweat pants, and a couple of warm shirts. We were blessed with 2 backpacks, 2 canvas bags and even a snuggie. Then today, I went to purchase 20 bibles and walked out with 40 for the same price that I usually spend on 20. I was able to use $139.00 of the $165.00 to purchase 10 more blankets, more food, several new hats and gloves, socks, etc. All of this stuff was given away tonight and everyone is so grateful for what we are doing for them. They are experiencing God's love in fresh ways and they are hearing the word of God as we continue to minister to their souls.
Today, while I was in Wal-mart picking up the things for tonight, I was in the check-out line and I heard someone say, "Excuse me, sir?" I turned around and there was a middle aged black lady, with 2 little girls around 7-9 years old. She had a buggy full of food and she said, "Sir, my girls and I are victims of abuse and I am trying to feed my little girls, could you help us?" I said, "How can I help you ma'm?" She then asked if I would pay for the items in her buggy. "Yikes!" I looked in the buggy and realized there was probably around $100 worth of food. I already had a buggy full of gloves, hats, and the things I was bringing to Norfolk tonight...I pondered for a minute and must confess that I was tempted to start wondering if I was about to be hustled. I stopped for a second and looked at the little girls...I decided that I would buy 4 boxes of cereal in the buggy, which was around $17.00. While I was waiting to check out, many thoughts were running through my mind. At one point, I was even thinking of turning around and saying, "Ma'm, I just don't feel right about this...but I decided that since I already made the committment, I would follow through with what I said I would do. As I was checking out, one of the little girls came up to me and put her arms around me and said with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, sir." I too began to tear up and I asked her what her name was. She said, "My name is Kayla and again she said thank you." I was wrecked by this little girls hug. She was so grateful. I realized that out of all of the people in Wal-mart, she asked me...I had to ask why? I also realized that ministry is everywhere, the question is, are we willing to lay aside our selfishness, prejudices and our presumtions to embrace the opprtunities that God provides for us to share His love with others? This was one of the highlights of my day.
I did something to my back today and am having trouble walking. I couldn't stand straight up while walking, so I was walking in a hunched position. I also have an ear infection, so needless to say, I wasn't feeling top notch today and even had thoughts of passing on going tonight. However, I started to think about these folks and I knew that many of them were expecting me to show up tonight. Many of them are there early now, as they know I'm coming. It was almost as if I was being attacked today, but then I thought about the pain that Jesus went through during his ministry. Not only was He rejected by many, He was beaten, bruised, betrayed, spit on, laughed at, etc, but He did not waver in His ministry. He stayed focused on his purpose and fulfilled His calling. As a matter of fact He endured the cross, enduring excruciating pain for the sake of His ministry - saving you and I.
I was running a little late tonight and decided to go straight to the bus stop, where once again there were over 40 + people waiting to get shelter for the night. I went alone tonight and spent most of my time just serving the men and women that God gave me this week. I usually, like to wander around and minister to individuals as the Lord leads, but when I'm alone it's harder, as there are so many people and serving food is a large task. I just felt like tonight was another night of just "washing their feet." Many of them are starting to know me by name and many of them came right up to me and gave me a hug. One of the ladies came up to me and the first thing she said to me was, "Are you coming to pick us up for Church tomorrow morning?" This made me smile!
I came home with nothing but a few bottles of water and some bibles. Laura made Chilli and cornbread for them tonight. They loved it! Many came for seconds and for the first time I brought home an empty kettle. :) I was able to meet a few new folks and share my testimony with 4 men who were standing at the back of the van talking with me. Tonight was great, even though my back was hurting and I wasn't as mobile. I was sitting on the bumper of the van, just having a conversation with many folks. We talked about a lot of things, not only their need for God, but we talked about some of their skills, pasts, families, etc. Many of them won't stop talking. I'm sure they are just grateful to have someone to talk to, who will listen to their burdens, cares, etc. Many of them want to go worship tomorrow and I'll be picking them up at 9:30 at the bus stop. These folks are people and they just need to be loved. Many of them are fatherless or alone. They have made poor decisions, which many have regrets, but they are real people, with real hearts. I'm grateful for their friendship and I'm grateful that God has not forgotten them.
"Though I am weak and I am poor and needy, still I give you my song. You're worthy of my adoration, worthy of my affection. I give you my love because I believe that I ravish your heart with just one glance. I believe that you're overwhelmed with my song, so I'll keep singing to you O' God. Here I am, receive my sacrifice of praise. Though it's not much Lord, I give it all to you. I know it's all you want, all you want is my heart. In the highs and in the lows I will give you my love.. You're worhty of my devotion and my song. I'll break my vile of costly perfume, I'll pour out my heart in the presence of you."
Blessings to you my friends,
Jimmy
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm eager to tell you about today. I trust that as I share my testimony of God's great love and his mighty work, your faith will be strengthend and your love for God will grow.
Today was a little different at "A Church Without Walls," for which I'm thankful for...I'm thankful that there is no set routine for our ministry. My prayer is that I don't get in the way of what the Lord is doing in the earth. I often find myself trying to manage things and I'm learning that when I just let God do what he wants to do, many people are blessed and he remains faithful to carry out his purposes.
I'm not sure if many of you will remember, but last week I shared that Laura and I hesitated to use all of the money we had for providing for my new homeless friends. We even thought about putting some of the funds aside to make sure that we had enough for this week. I felt as if God was calling us to trust him and provide all that we could for the homeless last week, so we sowed all that we had. The Lord made it clear that he was providing for his children and we were simply the vessels that He would use to deliver his love to these men and women.
Well, this week, we received $165.00 in the mail for "A Church Without Walls." I was able to bless the homeless with many things this week. On top of receiving the funds, we were blessed with 288 tubes of toothpaste, several coats, 5 hats, sweat pants, and a couple of warm shirts. We were blessed with 2 backpacks, 2 canvas bags and even a snuggie. Then today, I went to purchase 20 bibles and walked out with 40 for the same price that I usually spend on 20. I was able to use $139.00 of the $165.00 to purchase 10 more blankets, more food, several new hats and gloves, socks, etc. All of this stuff was given away tonight and everyone is so grateful for what we are doing for them. They are experiencing God's love in fresh ways and they are hearing the word of God as we continue to minister to their souls.
Today, while I was in Wal-mart picking up the things for tonight, I was in the check-out line and I heard someone say, "Excuse me, sir?" I turned around and there was a middle aged black lady, with 2 little girls around 7-9 years old. She had a buggy full of food and she said, "Sir, my girls and I are victims of abuse and I am trying to feed my little girls, could you help us?" I said, "How can I help you ma'm?" She then asked if I would pay for the items in her buggy. "Yikes!" I looked in the buggy and realized there was probably around $100 worth of food. I already had a buggy full of gloves, hats, and the things I was bringing to Norfolk tonight...I pondered for a minute and must confess that I was tempted to start wondering if I was about to be hustled. I stopped for a second and looked at the little girls...I decided that I would buy 4 boxes of cereal in the buggy, which was around $17.00. While I was waiting to check out, many thoughts were running through my mind. At one point, I was even thinking of turning around and saying, "Ma'm, I just don't feel right about this...but I decided that since I already made the committment, I would follow through with what I said I would do. As I was checking out, one of the little girls came up to me and put her arms around me and said with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, sir." I too began to tear up and I asked her what her name was. She said, "My name is Kayla and again she said thank you." I was wrecked by this little girls hug. She was so grateful. I realized that out of all of the people in Wal-mart, she asked me...I had to ask why? I also realized that ministry is everywhere, the question is, are we willing to lay aside our selfishness, prejudices and our presumtions to embrace the opprtunities that God provides for us to share His love with others? This was one of the highlights of my day.
I did something to my back today and am having trouble walking. I couldn't stand straight up while walking, so I was walking in a hunched position. I also have an ear infection, so needless to say, I wasn't feeling top notch today and even had thoughts of passing on going tonight. However, I started to think about these folks and I knew that many of them were expecting me to show up tonight. Many of them are there early now, as they know I'm coming. It was almost as if I was being attacked today, but then I thought about the pain that Jesus went through during his ministry. Not only was He rejected by many, He was beaten, bruised, betrayed, spit on, laughed at, etc, but He did not waver in His ministry. He stayed focused on his purpose and fulfilled His calling. As a matter of fact He endured the cross, enduring excruciating pain for the sake of His ministry - saving you and I.
I was running a little late tonight and decided to go straight to the bus stop, where once again there were over 40 + people waiting to get shelter for the night. I went alone tonight and spent most of my time just serving the men and women that God gave me this week. I usually, like to wander around and minister to individuals as the Lord leads, but when I'm alone it's harder, as there are so many people and serving food is a large task. I just felt like tonight was another night of just "washing their feet." Many of them are starting to know me by name and many of them came right up to me and gave me a hug. One of the ladies came up to me and the first thing she said to me was, "Are you coming to pick us up for Church tomorrow morning?" This made me smile!
I came home with nothing but a few bottles of water and some bibles. Laura made Chilli and cornbread for them tonight. They loved it! Many came for seconds and for the first time I brought home an empty kettle. :) I was able to meet a few new folks and share my testimony with 4 men who were standing at the back of the van talking with me. Tonight was great, even though my back was hurting and I wasn't as mobile. I was sitting on the bumper of the van, just having a conversation with many folks. We talked about a lot of things, not only their need for God, but we talked about some of their skills, pasts, families, etc. Many of them won't stop talking. I'm sure they are just grateful to have someone to talk to, who will listen to their burdens, cares, etc. Many of them want to go worship tomorrow and I'll be picking them up at 9:30 at the bus stop. These folks are people and they just need to be loved. Many of them are fatherless or alone. They have made poor decisions, which many have regrets, but they are real people, with real hearts. I'm grateful for their friendship and I'm grateful that God has not forgotten them.
"Though I am weak and I am poor and needy, still I give you my song. You're worthy of my adoration, worthy of my affection. I give you my love because I believe that I ravish your heart with just one glance. I believe that you're overwhelmed with my song, so I'll keep singing to you O' God. Here I am, receive my sacrifice of praise. Though it's not much Lord, I give it all to you. I know it's all you want, all you want is my heart. In the highs and in the lows I will give you my love.. You're worhty of my devotion and my song. I'll break my vile of costly perfume, I'll pour out my heart in the presence of you."
Blessings to you my friends,
Jimmy
We love this blog! A Church Without Walls is blessing so many people in need, not only of provisions, but also in need of God's grace. God bless you as you, Laura, and even your little ones, continue to reach others for Christ!
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom and Art
I'm proud of your work, commitment, and you compassion. The three things that distinguishes us men. I'm proud of you and love you.
ReplyDeleteDad
Great post Jimmy...I would love to follow this when you post new things. Can you put a like button for facebook so I can see when something new has posted? God bless!!
ReplyDeletenevermind..lol. I figured out what I did wrong. :-) I'm following you now!
ReplyDelete