The Lord is faithful again...

A sense of sadness filled my heart, as I stood in the baggage claim line at the Rochester International Airport.  Countless memories filled my head of the week that just past.  I had just returned from the Reinhard Bonnke, School of Evangelism in Orlando, FL.

A part of me longed to be in the dusty fields of Africa preaching the gospel to the masses, witnessing the cripples walking, the blind seeing and the deaf hearing.  I had just spent a week with modern day apostles and witnessed things, I've never seen before.  I saw the power of God operate like never before through ordinary men, with an immovable faith.

Can you imagine seeing fields of 3 million people crying out to God?  Can you imagine 100,000 people crying out to God for Salvation in one single meeting, at an alter call?  Can you imagine the fear of people suffocating because of the multitude of people pressing in to hear the gospel preached?  I couldn't imagine, but I did witness it at the School of Evangelism through a multitude of film footage, photos, etc.  

I was so excited, but when I hit that Rochester Airport, a sense of sadness came over me.  I was returning to small town America where I see little hunger for God, sin running rampant, empty churches and full bar rooms.  I prayed in that moment, "Lord, what could you do with this little town?  Send me to the plentiful harvest fields, like I see in Africa!"  Then, the voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "You're already here."  I said, "But Lord, these people are opposed to God?  This has been known as the "preacher killer region."  There are millions of souls crying out for the gospel in India and Africa, why not send me there Lord?"  He said, "The harvest is plentiful right where I've planted you!  People are suffering, families are breaking, addiction and bondage have ravished many lives.  This is a plentiful harvest!"

Fast Forward...It was a normal Saturday, as I drove back and forth on my riding lawn mower.  As I was mowing, I began to pray.  I began to ask the Lord where I should have our first gospel crusade?  I was eager to preach the gospel and the fire of God was burning in my heart.  Then, the Lord spoke to me...He said, "They're not coming to "church events," you'll have to go to their events."  I pondered what He could have meant, when I remembered the Little Falls Canal Days!  I felt a pounding in my heart, which is usually the confirmation that the Lord has spoken.  The following Monday, I began to inquire about how to get in and how we could participate in this event.  

The director was very friendly and welcomed my call.  I said, I'd like to provide a free cookout to the community, free bounce houses, live music and I'd like to encourage the community.  He did not hesitate to agree.  He said, "I'll give you Burke Park, if you want."  With no hesitation, I said, "Count us in!"

In the meantime, I received a call from a friend.  He said, "Hey, the Ilion Days Committee is wondering if you guys could do anything at this years festival?"  Of course, I was very intrigued, as I knew what the Lord said about not doing "church events."  I went to the meeting and before I knew it, we were signed up to host bounce houses, face painting, free popcorn, ice pops, nail painting, live worship and offered an opportunity to preach the gospel.  Again, we quickly agreed.

One small problem, these events cost from $500 - $1000.  We had the Ilion Days covered in our ministry account, so we just started with what we had.  We held the Ilion Days event and it was our first crusade in a non-church event.  It went very well and we learned a lot.  Six people made decisions to follow Christ that day and the Presence of God stamped Central Plaza in Ilion, NY.  When we finished, you could have heard a pin drop in the event.  The peace of God was all over.

Fast Forward...Christina Vedder has been amazing at organizing and making sure we have what we need for these events.  Well, the Canal Days was fast approaching and we only had $200 in our ministry fund.  However, we did have freeze pops, popcorn, etc left from the Ilion Days.  Shamefully, I called the director of the Canal Days and said, "Hey, we have lots of popcorn, ice pops and stuff left over from our last event, is it ok if we just keep it simple and not do the hot dogs and hamburgers?"  He said, "Well, I would be totally fine with that, but I've already printed the flyers, that state you would provide them."  I responded, "Okay, no problem, we'll carry on with the original plan."  However, when I hit end on my cell phone, I whispered, "Lord, you have to move and provide for this event."  

In our early estimates we came to a figure of about $800 that we would need to pull the event off.  Again, we only had $200 in the account and now we were two weeks away from the event.  As many of you know, we don't ask people for money, raise support or get donors.  Simply, we pray and ask God for everything.  (To date, He's never not come through)  

I walked up the stairs for our Monday night prayer meeting where we pray for various things.  A dear friend walked up to me and handed me an envelope.  He said, "Here, the Lord said to give this to you."  I had a feeling it was money, but wasn't sure how much.  I didn't open the envelope, but simply slipped it into my bible.  To my surprise....I opened the envelope after the prayer meeting to $600.  Exactly, what we needed for the crusade!  Other money began to come in through the mail and different donations and by the time we were done we had well over the $800 for our Little Falls, NY Gospel Crusade!  The Lord knew we would need extra....

When we arrived at 3 pm, I noticed that there was a big party tent set up and there were 8-10 picnic tables as well.  The picnic tables weren't there the previous day when I was there in the park to pray for the event.  The city of Little Falls set these items up for our event! :)  Again, the Lord knew every need.  We set up our sound system, our bounce houses, warmers for the food, etc.  All of the sudden, we started tripping our power strips.  Uh oh...now what?  Christina responded quickly and within 30 minutes, a couple of the city maintenance workers were on site plugging us into separate circuits.  Even that was such a blessing! 

There's one thing I've learned over the years of doing ministry in the public...the Lord cares more about the gospel being preached than I do.  He's got every detail!  

The event was underway...people were coming and going, passing through the park, some were setting up lawn chairs to settle in.  Shaun and Jenna began to worship the Lord and usher us into the Presence of the Lord!  You could sense the Holy Spirit all around that park!  It was glorious!  Then, I began to preach the gospel.  I preached about the prodigal son and the mercy and love of God.  I shared my own story of being a prodigal.  The Holy Spirit was moving and convicting of sin.  You could see it all over peoples faces.  Then, the alter call....I called people to repentance and had a heavy sense that the Lord was speaking to people, but no one came when I called.  I heard the Lord say, "Be still."  I waited and waited for an awkward couple of minutes, when a gentlemen stepped forward.  It wasn't long after a second man came.  I still waited...more people started coming.  It wasn't long after when 20-30 people stood before me, some weeping, hugging and crying out to the Lord.  Salvation invaded that park!  

It was a glorious moment!  These people had no idea that they would come to this park and meet a Savior that day.  They came for a community cookout, some bounce houses, etc.  However, they were the dearest people and God had a different plan for them.  That's why he provided everything, that's why he sent our team there and that's why he drew them there.

Next stop...Martinsville, VA.  Please pray for us if you think of us.

God bless you!

Jimmy 

Another need...

Greetings friends,

I trust this post finds you experiencing the tangible grace of God today.  Today is a new day, full of new mercies!  A fresh start, a new perspective, a new mind, a new heart.  Will you rejoice with me, for this is the day that the Lord God has made?

Many of you know, that "A Church Without Walls" was a ministry that we started back in 2011.  A friend of mine - Steve Zollos and I were having a bible study on Saturday morning and God began to move our hearts to bring forth this ministry.  

One of the things we felt strongly about was that God wanted to express his love by meeting the "practical" needs of his people.  Therefore, we started feeding the hungry in the inner city of Norfolk, VA.  Our goal is simple - "find a need, meet a need," while trusting God to pour forth the resources we need to help the hurting and the broken.  

You'll also remember that we attempt to do everything from the place of prayer, meaning, we don't just come up with good ideas to overload ourselves with "good deeds".  We actively pursue God in prayer and as we do he begins to twist and prod our hearts to what he wants us to do.  We're open to the Holy Spirit and we knew early on what Jesus meant when he said, "I only do what I see the father doing."  Doing ministry from the place of prayer is very fruitful.  

Many people have asked me, "What's your secret?  How did you get so many people to come to the Christmas Parade?"  Well, it's simple....One night I was praying and the Lord told me to do a Christmas Parade.  He gave me a lot of details and then the work began.  What you don't know about the Christmas Parade, is that it seemed like everyone I asked to help said they couldn't for some reason.  However, God was sending random people, many of whom, I didn't know.  He orchestrated the whole thing.  The good news about this is that they were hand picked by God.  What I witnessed through this event was totally amazing.  

Well, last night, Laura and I met with some dear friends.  God was speaking to me throughout our whole conversation with them.  After they left, I laid in bed praying and seeking the Lord.  It wasn't long after, God began to show me a need.  I couldn't sleep, the hound of heaven was communing with me.  Here's what he was showing me:

"I'm turning the hearts of the fathers to their children, I'm reuniting the family."  He began to show me how the enemy of our souls, sought to disrupt the relationship between Adam and Eve, causing the first broken relationship.  Then, he moved me to the story of Cain and Able and how directly after the disruption of the relationship between husband and wife, sin destroyed the relationship between children.  It was very clear that the enemy knew if he could break the family, he could hurt people.  That's what he's doing today all over the world.

From this place, I began to pray.  As I look around the world, I'm seeing more and more broken homes, more and more single moms, more and more fathers disappearing.  It grieves me to think about the men who've abandoned their children, their wives, their homes.  This has nothing to do with anything other than, "The enemy, seeking to steal, kill and destroy."  It's important that we remember that each man was created in the image of God, but the enemy lies and harasses us.  He desires to kill God's people, he desires to wreck our homes, he desires to break up our families.  We must recognize this, we must turn to the Lord. 

This my friend is a huge need in the region in which we labor.  Last night, the Lord made it clear that it's time to gather the men.  Therefore, this Wednesday we will begin to meet as men at The Village House of Prayer at 6 pm.  "MEN OF VALOR" that's who he calling us to be.  Men of honor, courage and bravery.  I believe that as men stand up, as they begin to stand at the door post of their homes, honoring their wives, protecting their children, providing and caring for them, we will experience refreshment in our land. 

Men, will you join me?  Will you stand up with me and fight this giant?

God bless you all,

Jimmy

Our latest "Church Plant"

Greetings!  I'm so excited to write to you and inform you about all that the Lord is doing in our midst in upstate NY.  I'm experiencing God in new ways and we're seeing his love having it's effect on peoples lives.  There are so many testimonies of lives being changed and God is meeting the needs of many in our region.

Meet Michelle!  Michelle is my cousin, whom I love dearly.  I'll never forget the day we moved back to upstate NY and I ran into Michelle.  We immediately embraced one another and many tears were shed.  Michelle has always had a huge heart, but through many circumstances found herself broken and hurting.

I'll never forget one of the first things she told me when we reunited.  She said, "I've prayed and prayed that God would bring you here."  Well, here I was standing before her, now a resident in upstate NY.  Could God have heard her prayers?  Could he have answered her, as she cried out to him?  Does he really care?  Yes, he really does!  He loves us so much, he loves to restore us, he loves to rescue us and he loves to use us for his glory.



It was July 13, 2013 and it was the first of many outreaches the Lord has planted in my heart.  It was "Power in the Park," a free community cookout in the local park where we gave away free food, had live music and I preached the gospel!  Michelle was one of the people who responded to God's call that night.  I prayed with her and she surrendered her life to the King of Heaven that night.  From that night on, she has not been the same.  She's abandoned her former life of alcohol and drug use and has been clean for many months. I've seen her change before my eyes.  God is restoring every part of her life!  Not only is he restoring her life, he's now using her to restore the lives of others.

Fast forward.....

It's now the middle of December and a couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from Michelle.  She said, "I was praying and I feel like the Lord is calling me to take care of single moms and help them feed their babies."  She said, "I started crying immediately and felt the Presence of God with me as He spoke."  Knowing that voice myself and having similar experiences when the Lord calls me to something, I knew that God was working in Michelle's heart and indeed was inviting her to join him in the great commission and in the ministry of reconciliation.  Wisely, Michelle didn't act right away, but rather she prayed and she continued to seek the Lord regarding this.  I knew about it and told her I believed that God would use her in this way.

Now, let me introduce you to another friend - Ronnie.  Ronnie has been faithful to deliver toilet paper and paper towels to The Village House of Prayer, often.  This has been a huge blessing, because it's one of those things that I don't always think of, so it was cool that God was prompting Ronnie to bring those couple of things.  I am very grateful for Ronnie and how he listens to the Lord.

Well, Ronnie walked in this week, but this week he didn't have his normal paper towels and toilet paper.  He had 3 or 4 larger bags, but I couldn't tell what was in the bags.  I said jokingly with a grin, "That's a lot of toilet paper, Ronnie!"  He chuckled quietly.  He said, "I'm not sure why, but the Lord wanted me to bring this to you today."  As I walked towards him, he opened the bags wide and in the bags were diapers, baby bottles, and several baby clothes.  He gave us over 100 diapers, two boxes of infant formula bottles and the clothes.  I immediately thought of Michelle.

I called Michelle immediately and told her the news.  She just started crying and laughing all at the same time.  It was a holy moment!  Michelle came up and picked up the items a few hours later.  She is excited about gathering all the different sized diapers and making them nice for the ladies who will receive them.  Michelle was obedient to God's voice and now he is using her to accomplish his purposes.  Now, she is "A Church Without Walls"

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Jimmy - I am "A Church Without Walls"

Do you know what I saw today?

Greetings, friends and family of the eternal Kingdom of God!  The Kingdom that will never perish, that will never fade, that will remain unchanging forever, even when everything else passes away.

Today, was a beautiful sight from Heaven.  Today, a group of passionate people moved the very heart of God, as they exhausted themselves on the renovations of our small outreach center/prayer room.  It was beautiful!

As I was driving home tonight, I was thinking of all that we accomplished. I caught myself reflecting upon each person who poured their energy, minds, muscles and talent into "The Village House of Prayer."  I started thanking God, right there in my car and then something happened...He said, "Son, come up here, I want to show you what I saw today?  I want to show you what the view looked like from my throne room this afternoon.  I want to show you what the elders and the angels saw today.  Oh son, it was beautiful, it moved my heart!  I saw it...."

He said, "I saw a young man who left this little town 14 years ago, broken and alone, now leading an army of men and women.  I saw the same man who I rescued from addiction, bondage and sin serving and working along side this army of God to accomplish every little detail.  I saw the woman who was bound by an alcohol addiction 4 months ago, sweating, smiling, pouring her life out for the sake of others.

I saw the father who hasn't had a relationship with his son in years working along side of his son, instructing him, helping him, serving with him.  I saw the family who 2-3 months ago was separated and ravaged by the plan of the enemy.  I saw them holding one another in prayer tonight.  I saw the joy in their heart, I saw my love beaming from their smiles.

I saw the young man who didn't believe I existed 4 months ago, digging through the rubbish of rotten wood, rusty nails, dust and dirt, serving me with every piece of debris he threw in that trailer.  I saw the young man who just lost his family, who's been broken in every way pounding those nails out of that lumber, son.

I saw the Christian woman who was discouraged wondering if I had forgotten her, sweeping that floor, singing and exalting my name.  I saw that couple who 4 months ago was on the verge of separation working, serving, leading the charge son!  I saw that man who just came through brain cancer carrying those heavy sheets of sheet-rock, feeding that insulation blower.  I saw that woman who cries out for her lost son covering every scratch on those book shelves with Old English - making it beautiful again!  I saw that woman who has felt rejected most of her life, smiling, working, laughing.  I saw it son...I saw it all and I am so pleased.  You've found me son....you've sought me with your whole heart and here I am!"

You see, you're renovating a building, but I'm renovating a people.  You're renovating a building built with brick and mortar, but I'm renovating a temple where my presence will dwell.  I don't live in temples built with brick and mortar, but I live in every heart that will open that door to my steady knock.  This holy place where my spirit lives is being reborn! 

Just as you ripped out all that rotten wood, I'm ripping out all of those rotten childhood memories.  I'm ripping out every rotten piece of their heart son.  Just as they swept the dust and the debris son, I'm sweeping the very depth of their soul.  I'm sweeping every bit of dust off the shelf of their heart.  Just as they ripped down every warped, decayed piece of sheet-rock, I'm removing all warped, decayed piece of thinking that has existed in their minds.  You see son, you see things from the mind of man, but I see things from a realm you don't know of.  Just as, you hung every new piece of sheet-rock today, I'm redecorating them son.  I making them beautiful!  I'm conforming them to my image son.  I love them and it is my delight to heal them, it's my delight to reconstruct their broken lives.  It's my delight to restore, to renew, to remove every piece of death and replace it with life.

Son, I saw another scene today.  I was looking back and forth to that old building to the aisles of that shopping center where those moms and their children shopped for Operation Christmas Child.  I saw that woman son, who left that city where everything she knew was comfortable, as she walked down the aisle of that store shopping for those poor kids in a foreign land.  I saw each child she led today, as they combed the shelf for the perfect gift to put in that shoe box that would bless another needy child.  A child they didn't know, a child they've never met.  I saw those little kids as they picked each gift carefully, making sure that the child who would receive it would experience my love.  I saw it, I saw it son...and it moved me.

Today, Heaven and earth became one.  Today, you caught our gaze son!  Today, I saw every movement of your heart towards me.  I saw your desire to bless me son.  I saw it....and it blessed all of heaven!  I love you son, I love those beautiful people that worked so hard.  I'm with you son, I will never leave you nor forsake you son!

The House Church - Upstate NY

Hello Friends,

I greet you tonight in the wonderful name of Jesus!  Blessed be the name of the Lord, the one who is, who was and who is to come.  The one who transfers us from the kingdom of darkness, to His marvelous light!  The one who lifts us up out of the horrible pit and sets our feet upon a rock, that we might stand firm, that we would stand on the unshakable promises of Jesus!

Tonight, was a special night at "The House Church."  There was a special anointing present and God spoke to each of us through his Word.  Today, as I was praying for our meeting, God told me that there was going to be a special anointing, tonight.  Oh...and he did not disappoint!

I heard the Lord clearly instructing me to feed his sheep through exhortation, tonight.  The word was specific to each person, the word was life to each hearer.  Right there in my living room, the voice of God was loud and clear.  Not only in my living room, but even the children who were in the loft upstairs, quieted themselves before the holy, reverent, anointed word of the Lord.  It's really true...He does hold the words of life in his very hand.  I didn't have to plan a bible game, I didn't have to keep their attention by giving them candy and snacks, their hearts burned within them to hear the Word.  No kids programs, no puppet shows, no lights, skits, just the Rhema word of the Lord.

As I was preaching, one little girl who was upstairs was listening, intently.  No one knew she was listening, but the word had captured her.  Remember, In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  Ryanne encountered the Word tonight.  Here's an 8-9 year old girl, who I don't believe is a Christian nor has any biblical knowledge.  Here's what was brought downstairs, as she listened to the Word.  Ryanne, encountered the Word, the Word that has become flesh, was made alive in her tonight.

The Lord said, "I use the weak, not the strong.  I choose the broken, not the well.  I use simple fishermen, not the educated and the well spoken.  It is no longer YOU that live, but I that live through you.  With you this is not possible, but with me all things are possible.  Set your gaze on me and me alone.  Don't turn to the left or to the right, where the wind and the waves crash, but keep your eyes fixed on the one who called you out of the boat, onto the water.  

Look to the one who is mighty to save, to the one who will not faint, who will not grow weary.  The one who holds the universe together, by the word of his power.  Many of you don't believe, many of you don't think you have what it takes, many of you think you have nothing to offer, many of you are downcast, but I say to you LOOK to the hills, to where your help comes from.  LOOK, to the one who gives you the keys to the Kingdom, to the one who has made you an heir, a family member of the King.  

I love to use the least expected, I love to use the one who everyone else gave up on, I love to use the ones who have been battered and bruised, the one who has lost hope, the one who has no strength.  It's not for your sake, but for the sake of my great name that I will use you.  Through you, my glory will be on display!  Through your weakness, I will show myself strong.  All men will know that I am the Lord!"

It was very obvious, as we all shared our testimonies tonight that the Lord had something to say to us.  He wanted to encourage his children, he exhorted us to press on to the prize that is in Christ Jesus.  This world has nothing for us, but pain and heartache.  But, take heart, He is the one who overcame the world and greater is He who lives us, than he that is in this broken world.  

He says this day, "Joshua, Get up!  Why is your face downcast?  I have called you and my word will remain.  The flowers and the grass will wither, they will fade away, but my word remains!  Cling to my word, so that when the one who comes to kill, steal and destroy....you will stand like a strong warrior with the word that is sharper than any two edged sword.  The word that has divine power to separate bone and marrow.  The weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God.   Blessed is the man who meditates on my word day and night!  For He will conquer!  For he will stand when everything else is laid down and laid bare."

Blessed be the name of the Lord!  Praise his holy name!  Sing to the one, who puts a new song in your mouth!  Lift up your head you ancient gates, lift them up you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in - who is this King of Glory?  The Lord strong and mighty!  The Lord mighty in battle!  The ancient gates of Church traditions are lifting, the ancient, cold, heavy doors of denominations, pew sitting and the modern business church are being lifted by this good news, by the drawing of the Holy Spirit!  He's raising up the true worshipers, who will not bow their knee to the Baals.  The remnant, the ones who will worship in Spirit and in Truth!

God Bless You,

Jimmy Foster 

When God says, "Do it" - Just do it!

Wow, what a week it's been!  Many of you have read the testimony about the detail business in VA and how God's faithfulness continues in the life of our ministry.  What Steve forgot to mention is... that a women donated $15,000 for me to purchase this business.  She didn't just donate the equipment, but she literally sent me a check in the mail for $15, 000.  This blew my mind and took my faith to another level!

However, the crazy part is that not long after this lady donated the money to our ministry, God began calling our family to Upstate NY.  I questioned God in that moment, wondering if what I was hearing was accurate.  I'm like..."God, but the ministry is going well here, you just gave us this business, are you really calling me to upstate, NY?"  I understood in that moment what Abraham must have felt like when God gave him a son and then he instructed him to take him to the top of the mountain that day.  How bizarre!

Well, after months of letting this detail business sit in a man's garage, out of no where yesterday, I received the call notifying me of the large contract we signed with a local hospital that would soon employ some of our homeless friends in the inner city.  Again, here I was being taken from faith to faith and glory to glory.  

I must confess, it's been hard in Dolgeville, NY for me and my family.  Not because we don't like it here, but we desire to be a part of what is going on in Norfolk, VA as we see the fruit of this intense labor being born.  I see blossoms from heaven all over the ministry in Norfolk, and I feel like were back to tilling the ground up here in NY.  I find myself asking God, "Why God, why would you call us to move in the early stages of this very fruitful ministry?"

But, thanks be to God!  He hasn't abandoned us!  Today was full of his glorious power!  It started this morning, when I contacted my friend at Bethany Bible College.  They had offered to allow us to use their movie projector for our "Movie in the Park" that's coming up in just a few days.  Well, when I sent a text to my friend this morning asking what time I could pick it up, he notified me that it must have been packed and sent with them to VA.  It wasn't supposed to have been, but he couldn't find it.

My heart sunk, as I know these things cost well over $300-$400.  (That doesn't include the screen)  He apologized and was so sad that this had happened, so I closed my eyes and sent him a text saying, "It will all work out," even though I was having trouble with my faith in that moment.  I really didn't know what to do, so I started looking online to see if I could rent the complete set up.  I mean...here we are...a couple of days from the event, I couldn't stop now.  I didn't have much luck with the rental idea, as the closest places were in Saratoga Springs or Albany, which are both a little ways away.  I stopped and prayed..."God, I know you told me to have this event.  You remember that Saturday a couple weeks ago, as I sat on my mower and you spoke to me.  You have to do this!"

I drove up to the school - thinking - I could speak to my old football coach and maybe he would help me.  Well, when I got there he wasn't in his office, so I went up to the football field and he wasn't there either.  I said, "God, what am I going to do?"  At this point, I was about to drive to Utica, NY to Best Buy and make the purchase, but I knew God told me to do this event and I also knew that anytime he asks me to do something, he ALWAYS has provided.  But, here I was again, consumed with doubt, considering the cost of buying a projector, a screen and whatever else was needed.

I was supposed to meet with Ken Jaquay today to test the sound for the event, but there was one problem....I didn't have a projector.  I called Ken and said, "Ken, I'm sorry, but I have a problem and we won't be able to test the sound today."  I told him how my plan fell through and I was going to make a couple more calls and if something didn't work out, I would go buy one so we didn't disappoint those who planned to come.  We hung up the phone....

I went out for a while racking my brain as to who else I could contact.  I called my uncle Chris, I went by the Skywave in town and no luck.  I came home a little discouraged and Laura said, "Hey honey, Ken called and wants you to call him back."  I said, "okay, I'll call him in a minute."  I called Ken and said, "Hey Ken, Laura said you called, what's up?"  He said, "This shouldn't be this hard," to which I agreed.  I thought about the churches who had these things to project their worship lyrics every week, I was so frustrated.  Ken said, "I have a projector."  I was stunned!  I was thinking to myself, "Has he been holding out on me after all this stress?"  :)  Then I found out that God told Ken to go to the Ebay store in town and check for a projector, so he obeyed and went.  He purchased the projector that would serve our community on Saturday night.  I was in shock, I was like, "Ken, I want to pay you, thank you, thank you, thank you, this is so great!"  Not only did we get the projector, he found a screen for $15 and we purchased that too.

Now, here I am...all proud saying, "I knew you would do it God, you always do!"  Like I really believed that 2 hours ago. :)  The best part about the whole story is this...  

Tonight, I met Ken to do a trial set up to make sure everything was good for Saturday night.  I said, I'm going to pay you for the projector, to which he responded, "I can't let you do that."  I plead my case saying, "Ken, no, please let me."  He looked me dead in the face and said, "Jimmy, I don't hear God speak that much, but today I know he told me to go to the Ebay store and I'm just glad to hear him speak."  I was like wow....God didn't break his promise to me.  He was always going to provide for this event, but he cared more about Ken hearing his voice than he cared if I was a little stressed out.  It was a holy moment for me, it was awesome!

He really is our provider!  He really is the great and awesome one!  Hope to see you Saturday!  We'll have the free movie, free popcorn, free candy for the kids, free drinks, games and live music as well.

God Bless You!

Jimmy

This just doesn't make sense! Why? How?

The things that boggle my mind:

How O' God could you take this ash heap and restore its beauty?  How O' God could you take this broken vessel and fill it with your love?  How could you take a wretch like me and call me a son, a Royal Priesthood, a family member of the King?  Haven't you seen me in my darkest hour?  Don't you know how I've mocked your name?  Don't you know how I've pierced your hands and feet?  How O' God? Why?

I've heard that you love those who hate you.  I've heard you died for those who mocked you.  I've even heard that as those soldiers stuck you to that rugged cross you were lavishing your love on them.  Why are you so different?  Why is your love so amazing?  Why O' God do you love us so much?  Who is like you O' God!?  Who can compare to you and your endless love?

These were real questions I asked God this morning as I pondered his goodness and mercy.  Sixteen years ago, broken and beaten, cursing God, heading rapidly down the path that leads to destruction and in a moment He screams, "NO MORE!"  He literally plucks me off the wide road that leads to destruction and places me on the narrow path that leads to life!

Did I deserve it?  Absolutely not!  Aren't I the one who ignored him?  Aren't I the one who mocked him and those who followed him?  O' how can it be, that this Righteous King would rescue me?  I can't explain it, it's an astounding mystery.  

In an instance I thought about how I treated those who mocked me.  I thought how I treated those who hated me.  It thought about how I treated those who were hopeless, desperate, in need.  How I ignored them and cursed them.  What a wretch, yet he chooses to use me, he chooses to anoint me, he chooses to love me.

I'm in awe as I think back to how I left this place I call "home".   I'm in awe, when I think that God is showing his love through my mess.  I'm in awe when I think of the families who sat in my living room last night, worshiping the King, praying for one another, talking about the hope of Glory.  I'm in awe as I saw kids from a year old to 15 years old running around my yard playing the games I remember playing when I was young.  Manhunt, capture the flag, O' the memories that filled my mind.  O' the joy that met me last night!

I'm in awe when I ponder the fact that I did nothing to deserve this.  I realized that he really does use the weak.  I realized that he really can restore what has been broken.  I realized that he really is a life giver!  He really does give us ABUNDANT LIFE!  Not because we deserve it, but because he loves to restore, he loves to heal, he loves to take the heap of rubble and make it a glorious statue!  He loves to use the unlovable, the broken, the hurting, those that all have given up on.  You see, his love remains when everyone else's love quits.  He's amazing!  Bless his name!  Praise him in the sanctuary!  Praise him with dancing!  Praise him with the way you walk this earth!  Praise him!  Let everything that has breath Praise His holy name!

God bless you!

Jimmy