Did you feel the earth shaking last night...

A Church Without Walls 6-23-12

The Night the World Changed

The world changed last night. Did you feel it? The hand of God split the heavens and His mercy poured forth like a raging river. A life was saved, a heart reborn, and the darkness was dispelled by the light of the gospel.

Were you there? Did you see it? Did you feel the earth shaking? Could you sense the power of God? Did you hear His voice thunder? Did you rejoice in His presence?

Last night A Church Without Walls met in Norfolk, and thankfully our numbers grew from 4 to 7 as my son Andreas, my niece Nicole, and my nephew Ian joined us. Andreas and Ian served the homemade chicken barbeque, potato salad, and chips while Nicole served the water, and sodas. Noah did a great job serving the hot sauce too. It was a real blessing because it freed up Aaron, Jimmy, and me to talk and minister to our friends on the street.

Sometimes we don’t realize that homeless people are just like us. They have physical ailments, and domestic concerns… real life concerns that are often times greater than their need for shelter. Jimmy, Aaron, Noah and I gathered around one man to pray for his wife who is 47 years old and suffers from Alzheimer’s disease… at 47! We prayed for her healing and for God to strengthen him to serve her in her need. His world changed last night as the people of God gathered around him and prayed for him and his wife. We brought hope in the name of Jesus to a hopeless situation.

In response to God’s presence, Jimmy preached a word from Romans Chapter 4:

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead — since he was about a hundred years old — and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God

Rom 4:18-20 (NIV)

You could feel the world move – a light in the darkness. As Jimmy finished I noticed a young man approach the boys. “Do you have anything left?” He asked timidly. All we had was a small scoop of potato salad, and ice cream. “I’ll have whatever you can give me,” I heard him say. As the boys gave him a nearly empty plate with the last small spoon of potato salad I asked him if he had eaten at all today.

Lowering his eyes he shook his head to say ‘no he hadn’t.’ The earth went silent.

We were out of food and he had missed his opportunity… and he was hungry. I didn’t think about it, it was a natural response. “We’re going to get you something to eat,” I said. “What restaurants are around here that you like?”

He let me know of a Wendy’s, Doumars, Taco Bell and few others. He said just something off the dollar menu at taco bell would do… because he didn’t want to be a burden. The earth shook.

We brought him two ‘taco supremes’ and made sure he had something to drink. I handed it to him and said, “God is good,” and left him alone to eat.

About 20 minutes later he approached me. He told me he is 23 years old, and that he served 2 years in the military. “I heard Mr. Jimmy’s message and I was just thinking about the story of Abraham today. Funny isn’t it?! I have God in my head,” said he, “but not in my heart.” The heavens shook and the skies split open as the Spirit of God poured from the throne of God to fill a desperate soul with hope.

He asked questions and I encouraged him with scripture. He asked how he would know the will of God and the Lord poured forth His mercy. “God has done the hard part,” I told him, “knowing His will is easy. You see Jesus had his hands and feet pierced with nails, and when He was on the cross being mocked He turned and said, ‘Forgive them, they know not what they do.’ He showed mercy in the most difficult situation. Our role is simple, we are to ‘go and do likewise,’ in our much more simple situations.”

I told Him when I heard that He hadn’t eaten all day, the will of God was easy to discern. I was to show mercy and went straight away to get you something to eat. When someone yells at you, even though you know you are right, you are to ‘go and do likewise,’ showing kindness in your response. This is the will of God, that we should show mercy.

We spoke for a long time and I finished by encouraging him to wake up each morning this week and start his day by praising God for just a minute, and then ask the Lord to reveal His will to him, so that he, like Abraham, might not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but would be strengthened in his faith and give glory to God.

I told him that today I fulfilled the will of God by giving him a couple of tacos… in the future he will fulfill the will of God by laying a banquet before someone else.

The world changed last night. Did you see the heavens open and the Spirit of God coursing through the air?

What a glorious God we serve.

My Abraham/Issac moment...

Hi Friends,

I trust this note finds you enjoying the grace of God in tangible ways today.  I wanted to take a moment to share a testimony that should encourage you and expose the faithfulness of the Lord once again.  Over the past few months I have been pressing into the Lord, asking him to make clear his path for our family.  I've been torn by many things, family, ministry, work, etc.  I have been crying out to God asking him to make known to me the path he has for our family.

A couple of weeks ago, although I still didn't have a direct, clear path as to where the Lord was taking us, I felt like he was telling me to be "free from the lender" and pay off any and all remaining debt that we have. (Prepare our field for rain)  He was charging me to do this through many ways, like shutting off lights that weren't being used in the house, minimizing water usage, cutting off cable and even as extreme as downsizing our housing costs. I began discussing this with Laura and she was in agreement, so we discussed and put our plan in place.  We agreed that we would rent a small house for one year and reduce our housing cost significantly, so last night I sent my notice to "terminate lease" to my landlord.  Although, we weren't sure where we were going to live, we felt that we both heard from the Lord in regard to this and trusted that God would provide a place for us to live.

Last night, as Laura and I laid in bed talking about our decision, Laura said, "Let's pray."  I said, "Ok, what would you like to pray about?"  She was open and honest and said, "I'm anxious, as I know this is the right thing to do, but I'm thinking of packing a house up with four kids and moving right when homeschooling starts."  She said again, "I feel like we are doing the right thing, but I'm just a little anxious."  I reminded Laura to be anxious in nothing and to join me as we make our request known to God.  I prayed specifically that the Lord would work on the heart of our landlord and that our landlord would respond to my termination letter with a rent reduction.  I was reminded of the scripture where God said, "You have not because you ask not."  I reminded him of his promise with reverence.

Well, this morning around 10 am I received a reply from my landlord.  Her reply said, "Jimmy, we hate to see you and your lovely family go, would you consider staying if I reduced your rent by $200 per month?"  I literally bursted out laughing and then tears of joy began to well up in my eyes.

I was reminded of the Abraham/Issac moment.  It was almost like God was saying, "will you throw off the things of this world, your personal comforts for the gospel to go forth?" (Abraham will you sacrifice your son)  Will you sell everything you own for the sake of knowing me and so others may know me, regardless of if you have a nice house or material things?

When I sent that letter it was like when Abraham had the knife up in the air ready to come down and sacrifice his son to be obedient to the Lords call, but then the Lord stopped him and said, "You have showed yourself faithful and you have passed the test."  He's such a kind loving father and serving him is not only a privilege, it's a blast!

That's my God and King!

"Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God."  Romans 15:17


Commissioned for his service,

Jimmy

You visited me while I was sick..

A Church Without Walls – 6/16/12

When you’re part of a church that has no walls you become a minister of the Gospel everywhere you go. Instead of waiting for Sunday when you can put your Christianity on display you become a minister of the gospel of God wherever you may be. Take a look at our time out on the streets tonight and you will see what I mean.

Laura, Jimmy’s wife, began the ministry tonight. She was at home getting things in order for our ‘church service’ while Jimmy and I picked up ice and gloves for serving. Laura has 4 small children to take care of but every week she becomes a minister to a lost and dying world as she lays down the important for the sake of the Gospel. Tonight she prepared a homemade meal for those without a home, putting together 80 tacos and a large pot of ‘Mexican rice.’

Think about it. In a very real way she invites the poor into her home every Saturday night. She puts herself, the needs of her husband, and the needs of her children aside in order to be faithful to her call to ministry and to serve those whom Jesus calls ‘the least of these.’

John Murray, Jimmy (along with his young son Noah) and I made our way to 19^th Street.  The Tacos were gone literally in a matter of minutes and we began to talk to our friends individually. Terry was there and asked for prayer because he was certain that he and his wife were going to have to ‘split up.’ He confessed that he had not been faithful to the calling of God on his life, that he was hanging in the streets while he should have been looking for work. That his wife had been trying to get him to go to church with her, but hadn’t been going – amongst other things.

I encouraged him to step into his calling. To repent of his laziness, to overlook the shortcomings of his wife, and to bless her and the Lord by going to church tomorrow. I let him know that restoring his relationship with his wife was a small thing for the Lord. He told me that next week he would tell me about the message he hears in church tomorrow. Will you please stop for a moment right now and become part of a church without walls by saying a short prayer for Terry and his relationship with his wife? …Thanks…. Now back to Saturday night….

Jimmy announced that he had an encouraging word for the group and literally everyone gathered around. They were hungry for the gracious Word of God. Jimmy didn’t prepare a message in advance but the word was in his heart and on his tongue. He preached a word that encouraged everyone to consider God. The group interacted with the message, adding a comment or a ‘that’s right’ here and there… it was reaching their hearts. Afterward more people came for prayer.

When we learned that one of our homeless friends, Gary, had been admitted to the hospital our church building drove to Norfolk General. On our way we made a quick stop a Chipotle to pick up something other than hospital food for our friend. We found our way up to his room and this homeless man had three friends visiting him. Friends who missed him. Friends who went out of their way to serve him. This homeless man has real friends. Isn’t God great!

We spent some time with Gary. Jimmy encouraged him to quit smoking and to get off the streets as he has a severe breathing problem. I prayed for him and Noah watched and understood how a church is supposed to work.

It was a late night, but the need was great and we gladly obeyed the Lord’s call to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth… the great commission. What a privilege to be in His service.

No coincedence, but God moving and working...

Happy Wednesday friends!

I hope you are enjoying the grace of God in tangible ways this week.  Tonight, I had an opportunity to head to the city to "A Church Without Walls."  No need to look at your calendar, you're right it is Wednesday, not Saturday.  Just one more reason I love the vision God has given us.  It's not bound to a day or a time.  We can minister anytime and anywhere and I love the freedom in that! 

Over the past couple of months, some of our friends on 19th street have been talking about another group of people who come out on Wednesday.  They also bring food, worship, pray for folks, read scriptures, encourage, etc.  I was excited about this as I realized, although I didn't know these folks GOD had provided others to care for these people that he loves so much, even though I am constrained by a busy work schedule and raising a family.  It's not our work, it's His! 

Last month, I started meeting with my pastor about ministry in downtown Norfolk.  During our conversation, he informed me that he was with a friend recently, down by the "Up Center," in Norfolk.  I thought, "Wow, that's where we minister on Saturday night."  It seemed as though this was a coincidence, but as we continued to discuss, we realized that this was the handiwork of the Lord and no coincidence.

You guessed it...the very people who go down on Wednesday and minister to the same group of people we minister to, are very good friends with my pastor.  The Lord is raising up an army!  His army - mighty warriors ready to do battle with the works of darkness.

Well, I contacted Travis who originally had the vision to go out to 19th street and I was excited to go out and minister with them tonight.  One thing I noticed that was so obvious, was the sense of unity I had with Travis, Tim and their crew.  This is John 17 when Jesus is praying for unity among the body.  I was thrilled to partner with my brothers and sisters in Christ - whom I don't really know and serve along side them as they fight the good fight of faith!  It was so encouraging to know that God provides people, resources, etc for his work.  It's not about our ministry, it's about Him caring for those he loves through our hands and our feet. 

What a privilege it is to serve in the army of the Lord!  Be blessed and find the narrow way that leads to the small gate.  The road is wide that leads to destruction and many are on it.

1 Timothy 1:12-16

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy.  I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

"A Church Without Walls"

What if you couldn't remember the last time someone said, "I love you"?

Tonight, Aaron, Jon and I headed to the streets at around 5 pm.  We thought it would be nice to take a "cook out" to our friends, so we bought 80 hot dogs and fired up the grill.  We also had individual bags of potato chips and some soft drinks, as a special treat for our inner city friends.  It was a perfect, warm, sunny day here in Virginia, so it was a perfect setting for grilling out!

Aaron preached for the first time tonight.  He shared a simple gospel message about God's love to those who rejected him.  He preached on the cross and how while we were still dead in sin, God sent his son to save us.  It was clear, simple but powerful! 

Tonight, was a special night for me as, I felt like the Spirit of the Lord was upon me to preach good news.  For the first hour, we served several folks food and drinks and then we took some time to sit down and talk with them about their week and their day.  Many of them have made comments as to how much they like having someone to talk to, as loneliness is something that haunts each one of them in some form or fashion.

I had a special conversation with two individuals tonight.  I had the opportunity to pray for a couple of folks, but these two individuals really stood out to me.  The first man was a middle aged man named Elwood.  Elwood explained his drug addiction and how serious his addiction had affected every aspect of his life.  He recognized its destructive power. 

However, he believes that God delivered him three weeks ago.  He told me that God has taken away the cravings and he has been clean for three weeks now.  Elwood was born again and acknowledged the grace of God in his life.  He was very excited to be clean and he's trusting God to continue to open doors for him and make a way for him to get off the street.  I was encouraged at his humility and how he walked in the light!  He was open and honest, not hiding anything and this is true humility.  I prayed for Elwood and he's considering going into the discipleship home in Richmond, VA.  Please keep him in your prayers.

"Cookie" was the other person who really blessed me tonight.  She was sitting on the wall on the other side of the street, alone.  I saw her from a distance and I felt prompted to go to her.  As I approached her, I greeted her and asked if she minded if I pulled up a seat on the wall by her, to which she responded, "please, sit down."  I asked "Cookie," how she was doing, but she was very quiet and I could tell, she was very shy.  I asked her if we could pray, as I felt like the Lord wanted to minister to her, but I didn't have the words to say.  She agreed and I began to pray.  After we prayed, these words came to mind, "Ask her when the last time someone told her they loved her was."  Wow, I thought, really Lord?  I said, "Cookie, when was the last time someone told you they loved you?"  She paused and replied with tears filling her eyes, "I'm not sure."  The Lord knew exactly how to speak into her life, although I didn't.  I then continued by saying, "The Lord wants to tell you tonight that he loves you and that he sees you where you are.  He has not forsaken or forgotten you.  He says, "A bruised reed I will not break and a smoldering wick, I will not snuff out."  He says, "Cookie, you're bruised, but I won't break you off, you're a smoldering wick, but I won't snuff you out." 

I told her that God not only wanted to tell her that he loved her, but could show her that he loved her.  I told her, although we hated God and mocked him, he sent his son to die to defeat the power of sin and death, opening a way that we could approach God again.  I asked her if she knew anything about God or scripture, to which she responded, "I know Psalm 23, but that's about it."  I walked back to the van and got her a bible.  I read her a story about the demon possessed boy in Mark 5.  Then, I prayed for her and asked God to have mercy on her.  She was a mild mannered, meek women. 

Here's why Cookie affected me so much...Everyday, when I walk out the door of my house, someone tells me they love me.  When I go to bed at night, my wife or kids tell me they love me.  This lady doesn't remember when someone told her those three special words.  It's so easy to take for granted these things that seem as such a given.  Although, I often think of how cliche it sounds to tell someone God loves them, but for those who don't hear these words often, it's LIFE.  Have you told the poor or the oppressed that someone loves them and that they do have value in God's eyes?

On a side note...Joey, a man that my brother-in-law took to Richmond and who is living with my dad found a job this week.  He's making $25 per hour as a welder.  The man who hired him told him that he's never seen someone weld as good as him.  God is restoring lives...one at a time.  Blessings to you!

"A Church Without Walls"

Not your typical ice cream truck...

A Church Without Walls – 6/2/12

Saturday was a hot day, and I thought, ‘why not bring ice cream to the homeless tonight?’ When Jon called and let me know that he and Aaron would be coming out to 19^th street tonight I was encouraged. They brought pizza and water, and I brought three large containers of Neapolitan ice cream on ice, along with 50 cones. As you can imagine, every bite and every lick was gone by the time we left.

“Pizza and ice cream…. Pizza and ice cream, who could have ever thought that I’d be having pizza and ice cream tonight,” one man repeated in amazement.

“You know it’s been years since I’ve had an ice cream cone,” said another.

The time out on the streets tonight reminded me of when my dad took us to the Dairy Queen, and we’d all sit on the back of his station wagon, look at the stars and eat our 15-cent cones. It was pleasant; it was fun; it was family.

That’s how it was on the streets tonight. Some of the rougher crowd came by, but ice cream can’t help but melt a hardened heart. There was no trouble, only good conversation and thankful hearts all the way around. ‘X’ was there and I asked Him how he was and if he might want prayer. He was satisfied with pizza tonight and that was good. Bones was there too, with his pregnant girlfriend. I asked if she was getting prenatal care and she assured me that she had.

My friend Terry came to ask for ‘the word’ tonight. “I need that,” he said pointing to my Bible. “I really need the word tonight.”

He asked me some questions and I said, ‘well let’s ask everyone.’ So I took my Bible and asked the group why they thought Jesus healed people? I told them it wasn’t so much for those who were healed as it was for us, right there on the street. He wanted to show us that what he was saying was true…. I read the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount… blessed are… blessed are…. Blessed are…. And I told them that it is true that in heaven there is no pain, there is no suffering, there is no hunger, there is no sin, and that Jesus has a place for every one of His sheep. It’s true, He proved it by His miracles.

I exhorted them to love God and to seek Him.

Aaron, John and I spoke with everyone privately or in smaller groups too. Sam talked to me about being drawn to the Word. It was encouraging because I know that this is a real evidence of faith. We had many prayer requests too.

I am hoping to have a ‘sock night’ in the near future. Could you spare some new socks for those who don’t have any? God will provide I know… but perhaps He will use you to serve ‘the least of these.’

I so enjoy being with our friends on the streets, it is a true joy to serve them.