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"