S.O.C.K. ministry

Faithful God

God is so very faithful. Jimmy and I have mentioned from time to time the desperate need for socks for the homeless. In fact, on June 5^th of this year I put at the end of my post:

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’m not sure if anyone recognizes that type of prayer, but God does and I believe that there is no such thing a small act of kindness in His eyes. He loves everyone of His children, and we honor God when we care for others, even in what may seem to us as insignificant ways.

Here’s the proof. Not only has the Lord answered our prayers for socks, but He has provided a ministry headed by one of His Saints! Praise God for His faithfulness, His goodness, His kindness. His love knows no bounds great or small. Here’s the latest facebook post from Judy Yatarola:

S.O.C.K Ministry!! "Serving Our Christ & King"!

Most of you know that our son and his family, and friends, minister to the Homeless at 19th Street in Norfolk. He mentioned one time that the homeless LOVE getting new socks! Saturday night I was "inspired" to do a SOCK ministry. "Serving Our Christ & King". It's hard to believe in this heat, that winter will be here before we know it. Many homeless will be in the cold. If you would like to donate a package of socks (mostly men's 10-13) to the homeless, you can do so by dropping them off at my house or message me and I will make arrangements with you as to what works best for you! Blessings!

How great is our God! Please join this very important, very significant ministry and donate some clean new socks for those who have none. I assure you every pair of socks will serve the needy. Won’t you serve the Lord in this way?

“I needed clothes and you clothed me.” (Matthew 25:36)

The night I've been waiting for...

The Lord of the Harvest:

Greetings friends,

Last night, several of us headed to the downtown city streets of Norfolk, VA.  We were all in faith that God was going to do something amazing and He did just that.  It was Aaron, Monique, Jeremy, Noah and I and we brought the grill, hamburgers, hotdogs, football, basketball and a guitar.  What we thought would just be a fun night hanging out with our homeless friends, turned out to be a night where men and women encountered God.  Here's what happened:

"A woman caught in adultery"

Yesterday afternoon, I spent several hours praying for our time in the streets.  I was walking in my secret place, where the voice of the Lord seems to pierce my ears and heart so clearly.  I was reading the book of John.  As I was reading, I came across John 8.  Little did I know, the Lord would use this story to change the environment in the city streets last night. 

After serving the burgers, chips, cookies, etc I invited my friends to sit down and hear the story of a women who was caught in adultery and how she encountered God the day she was caught.  Most of them responded and I had an opportunity to share this word with around 25 - 30 people. 

The main theme of my message was that this women was caught "red handed" in the act of adultery.  I reminded them about Deuteronomy 22:22, and how such a woman - according to the law - should have been put to death.  The scribes and Pharisees were exactly right, she should have been killed, but King Jesus makes a stunning statement and he addresses the scribes and Pharisees..."Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone."  Then, they departed one by one and the only one left standing with the women was Jesus.  He was the only one worthy enough to stand there, he was the only one that could have thrown a stone, but he says "neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more!" 

At that moment, he literally saves this woman’s life.  Aren't you glad that he desires mercy more than sacrifice?  Haven't some of us had this same encounter with the Savior that this woman had?  That's not it though.  Jesus says something else after he says, "neither do I condemn you."  He says, "Go and sin no more!" 

This was my exhortation to my friends.  I told each of them that we are all worthy of stoning according to the law.  We all deserve death, as the wages of sin is death and all have fallen short of the glory of God because of sin.  I declared over them, that right now, they were caught in the act of adultery.  Maybe, not specifically "adultery," but God saw their sin at that very moment.  I reminded them of the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus and how he had the power and did in fact "save their life" as he did this woman, when he died on the cross. 

But, I also reminded them of God's justice.  He is a merciful, loving Father, but he is also a "Just" God who desires justice.  I invited my friends to beg God to regenerate their heart and save them.  Some started to step forward as if to prompt me that they wanted to say the sinner’s prayer.  I felt a strong caution from the Lord at that very moment.  One man said, "I want to say the sinner’s prayer."  I said, "Sir, that's fine and I'll pray that prayer with you, but I want you to know that just because you say this prayer one time in your life, you are not safe, repent and believe!  I said, "Sir, the bible says not only to confess with your mouth, but also believe.  How will I know you believe sir?  By the way you live your life!"  I encouraged him to live a life of repentance and to GO and sin no more!

I pulled out my jar of oil and began to start anointing the men and women who stood before me as we begged God to remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  We begged for mercy, mercy, mercy.  I told them that according to the law, they did deserve death and unless God saves them that's exactly what they will get.  As I started praying, I began to prophecy over one man.  I declared over him that he would be a loving father for his daughter.  As I prayed for another the man literally bent over, with his hands on his knees, weeping bitterly, crying out for God to please deliver him and save him.  I confronted another man about how he was dressing in ladies cloths and appeared to be a transvestite.  I told him to repent and believe the gospel and go and sin no more! 

Three men asked God to save them last night and I saw true repentance.  It was accompanied with sorrow, weeping, affection, etc.  I hugged one man who wouldn't let go of me.  This is the power of the gospel!  The true gospel, that goes out into the world to save dead men and women.

My final words to many were, "GO AND SIN NO MORE."  Many walked away with tears in their eyes, sobbing in their hearts, but I believe they encountered God and I'm in faith that God has regenerated their hearts.  We'll continue to encourage these to examine their lives to see if they are in the faith!  A good tree can't bear bad fruit and a bad tree can't bear good fruit!

There wasn't many left at the end, and there wouldn't be any playing football this night!  God had something much larger in mind.  I noticed Jeremy's shoes laying by one man.  I looked and Jeremy was walking around in his socks.  I said, "Did you give the man your shoes?"  He said, "Yeah."  I smiled. 

What a great Saturday night!  How was yours?

Grace and Peace,

"A Church Without Walls"

Pouring down "reign" in Norfolk, VA - Judy Yatarola's testimony

Tonight was my first “hands-on experience” with “A Church Without Walls.”  My son, Jimmy invited me to go with him and Aaron and be a part of the ministry that God has asked them to do each week as they minister to the homeless in Norfolk.

It was pouring down rain when we headed out, and Jimmy commented about the weather, but Noah, my 6 year old grandson was quick to remind us that it was not going to be raining at 19^th Street.   That must be some of that “childlike faith” we adults are supposed to have. The closer we got to our destination, the fewer the raindrops. When we pulled in to the parking lot, the rain had basically stopped, at least long enough to get things set up.  

Immediately, the homeless people began to approach our van.  I could tell that most of them had built a bond with Jimmy and his friend Aaron.  They were smiling, some even laughing.  It was not at all what I had envisioned.  

Jimmy began to serve food, but once my husband and I got the routine down, we fixed plates for several men and one woman.  Again, this week, Noah was faithfully reaching into the cooler handing out drinks. Wow, even this 6 year old knew what to do, without prompting.

Jimmy and Aaron shared the gospel with many, and prayed with those who wanted prayer. I listened to some of them tell about the week they had.  One man was excited that he recently got a job. He was thanking God for providing the job for him.  

From around the corner, I saw a young man who had been drinking a lot. He was shouting, saying things that we could barely decipher.  Jimmy read Isaiah 53 to him, but I’m not sure how much the man actually heard, but this I know, God’s word does not return void!  

Suddenly, a small bird swooped down near that back of the van, looking for even a small crumb from one of the rolls we were serving.  I was reminded at that moment of the scripture, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”  I immediately thought about how God was using us to provide food for them.  It was like the Israelites who had to trust God daily for their food – manna from heaven.

When we were getting ready to leave, I noticed that there was a man who was passing out cardboard, for the men and women to sleep on for the night.  I was reminded at that moment, how just the week before we had lost power for 24 hours and how frustrated I was that our ice cream was melting.  It’s so easy to take things for granted, so easy to “build fine houses and settle down.”  Deuteronomy 8:12-14 

I’m grateful that I had the experience to minister to these folks.  It was refreshing to be a part of this ministry.  I hope to go again, soon. 

God Bless,

Judy Yatarola    

Our guest speaker tonight

Greetings friends,

Blessed be the name of the Lord, who was and who is and who is to come!  May his name be praised!  My goal tonight is to communicate with you what happened as we went to the streets of the inner city.  My hope is to communicate clearly, so that you can see what the Lord is doing in and throughout the earth.  He's releasing his remnant in the land and I hope tonight's testimony blesses you and draws you closer to the one who came to commune with you.

The Preaching of the word:

Typically, when we visit the city streets, I try to encourage my friends with the preaching of the word.  I usually share what the Lord shares with me throughout the week, in the prayer room or in my study time.  This week, nothing really stood out to me, but I was in faith that God would bring me a word or do something different.  Well, that's exactly what happened!  God wanted to do something different tonight. 

We arrived with 10 pizza's, drinks, cookies, etc.  Usually, after everyone eats, I preach the word as they gather on the curb to hear the words of the Savior.  Well tonight, David a man who we've been ministering to for weeks said he had an announcement to make.  Everyone was quiet...as he informed everyone that he would be preaching tonight!  I smiled at him and gave him a head nod of blessing.  He began by saying, "I'm not going to read from the bible, but I'm going to speak from my heart, because His word is living in my heart.  In tears, and very emotional, he declared to the brothers on the street these words, "What are we doing out here?  We need to get up off these streets and live our lives for God.  The devil is trying to destroy us, don't you see that?  He's trying to steal our lives from us, don't you see that?  What are we doing out here on these streets?  Can't you see what these guys (Jimmy, Aaron, Steve, Noah, Jon, Eugene) are trying to do for us?" 

This man was pouring out his heart to the others there.  He took his rightful place of leadership in that moment.  Here's a recovering heroin addict, active alcoholic preaching God's word.  Here's a man that wants more for his life and wants to be all that he can be in the Lord, but recognizes the very pull of this world.  Pray for our friend David!  Thank you Lord for providing the sacrifice tonight in our Abraham moment.

Patrick has a vision:

Another man, who we've been ministering to for several months - Patrick - also shared that he had a vision this week.  He said that one night he was laying under the canopy at the Salvation Army and he saw the earth (in a globe like statue) and he saw his life and his daughter and his problems.  He saw a fire blaring out from the top of the globe in which he believes represents his hurt, pain and problems and he saw a hand holding the globe and he said the globe fit perfectly in the hand.  He eventually saw the hand come up to a face of a man and the man snuffed out the fire.  Wow...what a powerful vision.  Then, I remembered our prayers this morning.  We were in the prayer room this morning praying about the Lord pouring out the Spirit on all flesh and allowing the young men to see visions and the old men to dream dreams.  Here it is...our answered prayer. 

Noah's sacrifice:

God is using my 6 year old son Noah in a mighty way in my life and the life of those we minister to.  I've heard the comments of some in the streets when they see Noah they often think of their kids.  I have to believe that the Lord is working in their hearts, as they see this 6 year old boy come out and serve them.  Noah likes to serve drinks, so we let him do that each week.  He tends the cooler and passes out sodas and water as the folks come through the food line.  Tonight, Aaron and I were serving pizza and cookies and I looked over and Noah was working with no guidance from us.  He was asking what each person wanted and dipping his hands down into the freezing cold cooler, pulling up whatever they asked for.  I noticed him grabbing his hands as if to warm them.  His little hand - up to the middle of his arm - was red and looked very cold.  I said, "Son, are your hands cold."  He responded with a beat red hand, "Yes, but it's ok dad."  I let him continue to serve and watched him do so with a smile.

Then on the way home tonight, we went by the Norfolk Tides stadium (minor league baseball team) and Noah yelled up from the back, "Dad, can I help write the BLOG tonight?"  I said, "Sure son, what would you like to say?"  He said, "Well, I'd really like to be at the baseball game tonight, but I'm really glad I can go serve the homeless people."  I know that Noah's my son and I may favor him some, but something about his comment really blessed me.  I realized in that moment...this is real life "training up a child in the way he should go, that he might not depart from it."  I've seen Noah grow in the Lord rapidly as I've taken him out to the streets.  I realized that my words at home, my rules, my bed time bible times, etc are important, but going out in real life is the best biblical training I can offer my son and God uses him to teach me as well.  He's a faithful member of our team!

I hope tonight you can see the hand of God.  I hope tonight, you consider your ways and what you are giving your life to.  I hope tonight, you are blessed by the words of our testimony!  Rest in God's love. 

Haggai 1:4

"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?"

Grace and Mercy,

"A Church Without Walls"

"Our Church Picnic"

A Church Without Walls 7-7-12

Revival In the Streets of Norfolk

Have you been praying for revival in the land? Well God is answering your prayers. Listen to what’s happening on the streets of Norfolk, Virginia, and praise God with us.

A Church Without Walls met this Saturday night to minister to the homeless of Norfolk. Jimmy was going to cook hamburgers and hotdogs and bring them out to the streets. I really don’t like pre-cooked hamburgers and hotdogs though, so I suggested that we go one step further and bring a grill and have a cookout right there on the streets.

As always seems to be the case, God provided exactly what we needed for a real family cookout. We don’t have a pickup truck so I knew we couldn’t take my grill, but Jimmy had a gas grill that folds down and could fit in the back of his minivan. Praise God!

What a picnic feast we shared last night, fresh grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, macaroni salad, baked beans, watermelon, and a lot of stuff to drink. It was over 100 degrees yesterday and these folks were thirsty!

Testimonies from The Street 

Remember two of our homeless friends, Brian and Alan? Well those two men were baptized last week. God didn’t just take them to a shelter to get them off the streets, He called them to Himself and made them completely new creations in Christ! Children of God. God is moving in the land!

We were told that our friend Bernard had confronted 2 men who were looking to hurt one of the street ladies a few nights ago. They left the woman and chased Bernard, who we heard is now in hiding. Here is a homeless man who is tangibly showing that he loves his neighbor as himself. God even has people on the streets protecting and ministering to others. We gathered together with a large group of street folks, thanked God for Bernard and prayed for him as a group.

Michael came to the cookout hungry… in more ways than one. Before he got in line for food he tracked us down and inquired as to where he might get a study Bible. He wants to be able to defend his faith, and there can be a lot to defend out on the streets. Here is another tangible evidence of God’s mighty hand at work on the streets of Norfolk. People are seeking His face, desiring His word, even in the midst of extreme difficulty. Jimmy promised Michael a study Bible next week.

God is moving and it is a glorious thing to behold.

Preaching The Word

God is so good! We step out and He produces fruit right in front of our eyes. As a result our faith is built, the Kingdom of God is built, and the name of Jesus is preached to a hungry people.

Jimmy preached from John 15 this week:

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

                                                                                             John 15:8 (NIV)

I leave you with a simple question: Are you bearing much fruit, showing yourself to be His disciple?