"Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as ....[a] sacrifice that pleases God." --Ephesians 5:1-2
My wife shared this verse with me a couple of nights ago, and it has impacted me on so many levels ever since. This is one of the verses that the older translations say, "Be imitators of God." One of the objectives of this ministry is to encourage the people that I meet to simply do better, whether it's to make better daily decisions or to live at peace with themselves and the world. We all carry baggage around with us. Some of it is ancient history from growing up and some is more recent. One of the men yesterday shared briefly about the physical abuse he endured growing up. Another shared with me some of the abuse he suffered going to a Christian school in an east coast state. Wherever and whenever these times occured, it stays with us and affects the way we look and react to current life situations. Yet Paul's advice in the verse quoted above is profoundly simple. Be like God is. Does it have to be a life-long process to overcome things that happened to us as kids. I don't know, but it probably does take a long time to retrain ourselves to being controlled by love first and not fear and anger. The best thing about having the barbecues is that I get to spend a lot of time talking to these guys while the food is cooking. Yesterday, was probably one of the best times for doing just that. I got down there shortly before 4 pm and stayed til almost 7 pm. There is a core of about 5 or 6 men who live on this alley off Hooper St and another 3 or 4 people wandered through while I was there. Everyone was fed, everyone had a good time. At the time of day that we started, it had begun to cool off and within a short time we were in the shadows of the buildings around us. Chris told me that every Friday, on the other side of the buildings directly south of where we were, someone barbecues a bunch of chickens. The smell of that barbecue reaches them and it's hard for them to endure the smell since they can't afford to go over there and 'buy' a meal. He laughingly called yesterday's barbecue, "Our revenge." As a first, I brought potato salad on ice. It was a huge hit with the guys.
Testimonies are a way of reaching peoples' hearts with real events and circumstances. Originally I began this ministry to simply be where God was working. Little did I know that the first place He starts working is on the heart of the one who's doing the ministry. I guess to be effective in ministry He has to start by preparing your heart. So here is my story. I'm not proud of it, but if it helps someone else, then it's His story. Two months ago, when I did the last barbecue, it didn't go the way I wanted it to. I had 'my agenda' and very little went right. Sure, everyone had a good time, the meal went off well and I got to pray with everyone there, but something bothered me that I only shared with 2 or 3 people afterwards. What that 'something' was, was no one down there helped me. I was cook, waiter and busboy all rolled into one. By wearing all those hats, I didn't get to talk as much with the people as I wanted. So, leading up to Sunday, I was a little concerned about how this one was going to go. After all, I'm having more difficulties lately with the physical exertion of doing these kinds of things and I knew it would be a struggle. Yet the Lord spoke to me on this manner reminding me of something. "John, are you my servant? Aren't you doing this because you're serving me? It's not your concern what they do or don't do to help you" I have always said these folks downtown are flawed people, their flaws just manifest in different ways than ours do. So here I am grumbling about it. Then it struck me right between the eyes so to speak. Jesus' words, "Remove the log out of your own eye before you try to take the speck out of your brother's eye!" I was immediately humbled. I had no right to complain. I asked for His forgiveness. I was still a little concerned about my ability to put on the barbecue, but so what. If it took extra time, so be it. So when I pulled up Sunday and started to get out, you wouldn't believe what happened. Dave started opening up the back door as I was getting out and started unloading everything. Chris helped me prepare and serve the food. When we were done, they both helped me load up the car! I said nothing about my 'problem' to anyone down there! It just happened!! God was so gracious to me!
As we sat around after the meal and talked Tara asked me about some of the 'things' that have happened to me during my trips downtown. So I got to share my "Muslim" story along with another story about God answering my 'desparate' prayer one Sunday afternoon when I couldn't find anyone to help. Santa Barbara said the Muslim story gave him goose bumps. Chris told me he's trying to get into a room down in the skid row area. They call them SRO's which stands for single room occupancy. He wouldn't let me leave until I prayed for him to get a room (gee, twist my arm will ya?) Dave wanted me to just, "Throw out a prayer for me." (I had asked him if there was anything special he wanted me to pray for.")
All in all, it was a great day. I got to pray for people, share scripture with my friends as well as help meet their physical needs. I have always wanted these barbecue days to be like a family picnic. Sunday was perfect. --Until next time. John
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Downtown 9/23/2012
You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand. Galatians 6:2
I had other plans for Sunday that didn't come about, so I was able to make a regular trip downtown instead of just driving through. I had planned to drive through there and remind my friends about next week's barbecue, but it turned out I had more time. In essence, it was still just a reminder about next week's barbecue (one guy referred to it as a 'party'). It was really a quiet visit, not everyone was there, but Tara and Dave were there, and I did see Santa Barbara. I also made a visit around the corner to Richard Brown. Richard turns 65 next month and is eagerly looking forward to collecting social security. His sister is helping him get things set-up to start receiving his checks. This means he will finally be able to get off the streets. I've known Richard since the first time I went downtown. I think he is planning on moving to Mississippi, I believe that is where he is from originally. I'll miss him, but I'm glad he has a place to finally go to.
There really wasn't much that happened on this trip, although when I walked inside the Jack in the Box, one of the girls behind the counter called out to me, "20 big cheesburgers?" They're catching on. Please continue to pray for next week, and a bit of a break in the heat would be nice too. --Until then. John
I had other plans for Sunday that didn't come about, so I was able to make a regular trip downtown instead of just driving through. I had planned to drive through there and remind my friends about next week's barbecue, but it turned out I had more time. In essence, it was still just a reminder about next week's barbecue (one guy referred to it as a 'party'). It was really a quiet visit, not everyone was there, but Tara and Dave were there, and I did see Santa Barbara. I also made a visit around the corner to Richard Brown. Richard turns 65 next month and is eagerly looking forward to collecting social security. His sister is helping him get things set-up to start receiving his checks. This means he will finally be able to get off the streets. I've known Richard since the first time I went downtown. I think he is planning on moving to Mississippi, I believe that is where he is from originally. I'll miss him, but I'm glad he has a place to finally go to.
There really wasn't much that happened on this trip, although when I walked inside the Jack in the Box, one of the girls behind the counter called out to me, "20 big cheesburgers?" They're catching on. Please continue to pray for next week, and a bit of a break in the heat would be nice too. --Until then. John
Monday, September 17, 2012
Downtown 9/16/2012
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ---James 1:22
My own understanding of this verse is, "You don't know scripture (the word), until you are willing to be changed by it". I heard Bill Johnson, from the Bethel Church in Redding, California, speak on testimonies a couple of weeks ago. I was so taken by this message that I used some of the high points with just about everyone I met downtown yesterday. One of the points he made concerned the story in John's gospel in chapter 8. It is the story of the woman caught in adultery who is brought before Jesus as he is teaching in the temple. The people who brought her before Jesus did this, in reality, because they were only interested in testing him. This is where Jesus makes the famous statement, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." Then Jesus bends over and he starts writing in the sand and suddenly all the woman's accusers leave. Much speculation over the years has been made over what Jesus wrote in the sand, but no one really knows. Whatever it was that he did write, created such an atmosphere of grace, that everyone bound by law had to leave. So in the end, Jesus is left alone with the woman. While Jesus did not condone what the woman had done, he didn't condemn her either. He finally told her, "Go and sin no more." What Bill Johnson pointed out, and what I had never heard said about this story before, was that this was, ultimately, a 'father/daughter moment'. Jesus told his disciples, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." I have a daughter. If she was ever in trouble, I wouldn't care what anyone had to say about her, no matter how negative and hurtful. She is my daughter and I love and care about her as only a father can. In a circumstance as dreadful as the real life episode that this woman and Jesus were confronted with was, I would hope my daughter would "run" to the throne of grace that only a father could provide. You can see how a story like this could reach the people I see downtown every week. They are the rejected ones. The ones who feel, "outside the camp." The last man I helped last night had his mouth wired shut. I'm guessing he had a broken jaw. He couldn't eat the burgers I had and asked if I could get him a milk shake. So we drove back to the Jack in the Box and went through the drive thru window. When I took him back to the alley, he said something I'll probably never forget. He said a lot of the homeless are the way they are, in part, because of their upbringing (no real surprise there). They were told at an early age that they were no good and will never amount to anything, and unfortunately, when things get difficult in life as an adult, they begin to believe it. The bridge they have with their family is, sadly, the first one burned to the ground.
The first man I met Sunday was a man named Doug. I had never met him before. When I pulled into the parking lot at the Jack in the Box I saw him pushing a shopping cart and I waved to him (I wasn't sure if I had seen him before or not). When I parked the car he came over and asked if he could wash my car windows for some change. I told him I had just hosed my car down a couple of hours before, but I did have some cold bottled water and was going to get some burgers inside in a few minutes if he wanted to wait. He took the water and said he would wait. While I waited inside, I suddenly felt like I was supposed to invite him in to join me while I waited which I did. We had a good time talking, and got to know each other. He was from St Louis and had been out here since 2003. He told me he had spent some time in prison and was out on parole until 2014. We seemed to have an instant connection. The burgers came and I gave him two and we continued to talk together at the table. I had ordered a cup of coffee that I had now finished. I asked Doug if he wanted me to get a refill on the coffee so he could have it. He was delighted about that. When we walked outside, wouldn't you know it, but about 3 or 4 other homeless men showed up. Most of them I knew, but Doug was waving them to come over. It is interesting how a place of grace, beckons to others to come and join in. It was a wonderful time and half the food was given out before I left the parking lot. When I got to the alley, where my 'regulars' are I quickly gave out the rest of them. Prayer, burgers, chilled water and laughter were enjoyed by everyone there. A vanilla milk shake was enjoyed by one, but the trip downtown, was anything but vanilla. Until next time. --John
PS. I reminded my friends in the alley that in two weeks (Sept 30th), we'll have the next barbecue. Please be praying for this day. Pray that an afternoon of God's grace will cover the alley and their hearts. That they will be receptive to God working in their lives and this day will be a testimony they will remember always.
My own understanding of this verse is, "You don't know scripture (the word), until you are willing to be changed by it". I heard Bill Johnson, from the Bethel Church in Redding, California, speak on testimonies a couple of weeks ago. I was so taken by this message that I used some of the high points with just about everyone I met downtown yesterday. One of the points he made concerned the story in John's gospel in chapter 8. It is the story of the woman caught in adultery who is brought before Jesus as he is teaching in the temple. The people who brought her before Jesus did this, in reality, because they were only interested in testing him. This is where Jesus makes the famous statement, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." Then Jesus bends over and he starts writing in the sand and suddenly all the woman's accusers leave. Much speculation over the years has been made over what Jesus wrote in the sand, but no one really knows. Whatever it was that he did write, created such an atmosphere of grace, that everyone bound by law had to leave. So in the end, Jesus is left alone with the woman. While Jesus did not condone what the woman had done, he didn't condemn her either. He finally told her, "Go and sin no more." What Bill Johnson pointed out, and what I had never heard said about this story before, was that this was, ultimately, a 'father/daughter moment'. Jesus told his disciples, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." I have a daughter. If she was ever in trouble, I wouldn't care what anyone had to say about her, no matter how negative and hurtful. She is my daughter and I love and care about her as only a father can. In a circumstance as dreadful as the real life episode that this woman and Jesus were confronted with was, I would hope my daughter would "run" to the throne of grace that only a father could provide. You can see how a story like this could reach the people I see downtown every week. They are the rejected ones. The ones who feel, "outside the camp." The last man I helped last night had his mouth wired shut. I'm guessing he had a broken jaw. He couldn't eat the burgers I had and asked if I could get him a milk shake. So we drove back to the Jack in the Box and went through the drive thru window. When I took him back to the alley, he said something I'll probably never forget. He said a lot of the homeless are the way they are, in part, because of their upbringing (no real surprise there). They were told at an early age that they were no good and will never amount to anything, and unfortunately, when things get difficult in life as an adult, they begin to believe it. The bridge they have with their family is, sadly, the first one burned to the ground.
The first man I met Sunday was a man named Doug. I had never met him before. When I pulled into the parking lot at the Jack in the Box I saw him pushing a shopping cart and I waved to him (I wasn't sure if I had seen him before or not). When I parked the car he came over and asked if he could wash my car windows for some change. I told him I had just hosed my car down a couple of hours before, but I did have some cold bottled water and was going to get some burgers inside in a few minutes if he wanted to wait. He took the water and said he would wait. While I waited inside, I suddenly felt like I was supposed to invite him in to join me while I waited which I did. We had a good time talking, and got to know each other. He was from St Louis and had been out here since 2003. He told me he had spent some time in prison and was out on parole until 2014. We seemed to have an instant connection. The burgers came and I gave him two and we continued to talk together at the table. I had ordered a cup of coffee that I had now finished. I asked Doug if he wanted me to get a refill on the coffee so he could have it. He was delighted about that. When we walked outside, wouldn't you know it, but about 3 or 4 other homeless men showed up. Most of them I knew, but Doug was waving them to come over. It is interesting how a place of grace, beckons to others to come and join in. It was a wonderful time and half the food was given out before I left the parking lot. When I got to the alley, where my 'regulars' are I quickly gave out the rest of them. Prayer, burgers, chilled water and laughter were enjoyed by everyone there. A vanilla milk shake was enjoyed by one, but the trip downtown, was anything but vanilla. Until next time. --John
PS. I reminded my friends in the alley that in two weeks (Sept 30th), we'll have the next barbecue. Please be praying for this day. Pray that an afternoon of God's grace will cover the alley and their hearts. That they will be receptive to God working in their lives and this day will be a testimony they will remember always.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Downtown 9/10/2012
Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, Lord, and am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple. You do what is right and I ask you to guide me. Make your teaching clear...---Psalm 5:7-8a.
Sorry I was unable to get a blog out last week. I had to work Sunday the 2nd and ended up making the trip downtown on Monday the 3rd. With all the stuff I had to keep up with the next couple of days, I just couldn't get the blog out. Luckily, since Monday was the Labor Day holiday, it was pretty much like going down on a Sunday. Yesterday's trip (the 9th) was a good trip. I met with most of the people on the alley off Hooper St where I'll be doing the barbecue at the end of the month (the 30th). It appears as though I've hit a time or a season where my closest homeless friends have stayed in the one location and have looked forward to seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing them. Yesterday, when I showed up I ended up sitting on the hood of my car for probably 30-40 minutes just talking with everyone. I left the trunk of the car open and let them have access to whatever it was they needed; clothes, food and water. It has been so hot here lately that the cold water is one of their favorite things. So the usual gang of Tara, Willie, Dave, and Chris were there. Champagne showed up and a couple others came by but they didn't stay long. Still it was a very enjoyable and satisfying time. I told them I think I'm going to bring some potato salad to the next barbecue. I don't think any of them have had any in a long time. Willie wants me to bring the Jalapeno sausages that I brought to the one last October (he still talks about how he loved those). Please start praying for the barbecue. The plan is for it to be Sunday the 30th at 4:00pm.
Before seeing the barbecue group, I went down to skid row. As I prayer-walked the area, I was specifically looking for someone to pray with. I met Zachariah who was sitting in a wheelchair at sixth and San Julian. He was looking for a meal from me, I was looking for someone to pray with from him. Zach was a big man and said he had gout in his legs. They seemed swollen. He was wanting me to get him some fried chicken at the store he was parked in front of. We talked for a while about the recent changes there on skid row. The police don't let people camp out there on that side of the street until 6:30pm. By 7a.m. you have to be up and out of your tent or you will lose it and end up in jail. I told Zach I would come back and bring him a meal. When I returned after visiting my friends in the alley, I found Zach still waiting for me. He was thankful for the two burgers and the bottle of cold water. He got one meal, I got two opportunities to pray with him. He asked why it took me so long to come back, so I told him about some of the other places I go to to help people. I hadn't told him what I do down there when I first saw him. I'll start looking for him now, he shouldn't be too hard to spot, although he told me he was going to check into a hospital later.
Before leaving I drove by the small street off 9th and Wall St where I started the burgers and doorways ministry. I only had two burgers left and a few bottles of water. I gave them all out, but a couple of people who I had helped on previous trips on that street were a little bummed out that I was out of burgers. I gave out some cans of ravioli and spagetti, but they still seemed disappointed. I'll have to start there the next time when I have more food to give out. --Until next time. John
PS. I have been getting readers to this blog from all over the world. I would love to hear from you and how this blog is of interest. Please feel free to send a comment if you want to. Thanks John
Sorry I was unable to get a blog out last week. I had to work Sunday the 2nd and ended up making the trip downtown on Monday the 3rd. With all the stuff I had to keep up with the next couple of days, I just couldn't get the blog out. Luckily, since Monday was the Labor Day holiday, it was pretty much like going down on a Sunday. Yesterday's trip (the 9th) was a good trip. I met with most of the people on the alley off Hooper St where I'll be doing the barbecue at the end of the month (the 30th). It appears as though I've hit a time or a season where my closest homeless friends have stayed in the one location and have looked forward to seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing them. Yesterday, when I showed up I ended up sitting on the hood of my car for probably 30-40 minutes just talking with everyone. I left the trunk of the car open and let them have access to whatever it was they needed; clothes, food and water. It has been so hot here lately that the cold water is one of their favorite things. So the usual gang of Tara, Willie, Dave, and Chris were there. Champagne showed up and a couple others came by but they didn't stay long. Still it was a very enjoyable and satisfying time. I told them I think I'm going to bring some potato salad to the next barbecue. I don't think any of them have had any in a long time. Willie wants me to bring the Jalapeno sausages that I brought to the one last October (he still talks about how he loved those). Please start praying for the barbecue. The plan is for it to be Sunday the 30th at 4:00pm.
Before seeing the barbecue group, I went down to skid row. As I prayer-walked the area, I was specifically looking for someone to pray with. I met Zachariah who was sitting in a wheelchair at sixth and San Julian. He was looking for a meal from me, I was looking for someone to pray with from him. Zach was a big man and said he had gout in his legs. They seemed swollen. He was wanting me to get him some fried chicken at the store he was parked in front of. We talked for a while about the recent changes there on skid row. The police don't let people camp out there on that side of the street until 6:30pm. By 7a.m. you have to be up and out of your tent or you will lose it and end up in jail. I told Zach I would come back and bring him a meal. When I returned after visiting my friends in the alley, I found Zach still waiting for me. He was thankful for the two burgers and the bottle of cold water. He got one meal, I got two opportunities to pray with him. He asked why it took me so long to come back, so I told him about some of the other places I go to to help people. I hadn't told him what I do down there when I first saw him. I'll start looking for him now, he shouldn't be too hard to spot, although he told me he was going to check into a hospital later.
Before leaving I drove by the small street off 9th and Wall St where I started the burgers and doorways ministry. I only had two burgers left and a few bottles of water. I gave them all out, but a couple of people who I had helped on previous trips on that street were a little bummed out that I was out of burgers. I gave out some cans of ravioli and spagetti, but they still seemed disappointed. I'll have to start there the next time when I have more food to give out. --Until next time. John
PS. I have been getting readers to this blog from all over the world. I would love to hear from you and how this blog is of interest. Please feel free to send a comment if you want to. Thanks John
Monday, August 27, 2012
Downtown 8/26/2012
Rejoice in the Lord always... Always be gentle with others... Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.--Philippians 4:4-7
It is difficult to describle in words how moving this trip was. On the surface I only went down two alleys and under one freeway, yet I handed out close to twenty burgers and about the same number of chilled bottles of water. Since these trips are more a spiritual journey and stem from a desire to "be close to where God is working", the fact that I prayed with just about everyone I met with made this trip the success it was as much as anything. I also need to say that these trips also require prayer ahead of time too. I was unable to make the trip last week. I had been suffering from an abcess tooth and after taking some antibiotics for about a day and a half the pain was subsiding, but the lack of sleep the previous couple of nights had left me exhausted. I must say as I approach another birthday in a couple of months, age has a tendency to talk a little louder than it used to. I can come up with all kinds of reasons to stay home and rest. Yet, if I don't go (when I've been called) who will go in my place? Who will pray with these people and tell them God loves them? It has taken me these three plus years of going to have a place in these peoples' hearts where they not only trust me, but know I'm there to hear and listen to their troubles. Because they know I have a life that is not devoid of problems and burdens, they know I can relate to them.
One of the men Sunday, goes by the name of Santa Barbara. He was with a woman when I met them in the first alley. I was helping another man a couple of hundred yards away when he saw me and told the woman, "That's John, he'll have something for us!" They waited for me to come down to them. Santa Barbara started telling me he was recently released from the hospital where he found out he had a tumor on his kidney. He had been feeling weak and dizzy and started bleeding profusely. He ended up in a hospital for a week. They are scheduling surgery in another week or so. Knowing that he is facing an uncertain future and that that can be unsettling I told him of a recent diagnosis of my own. Then the three of us prayed as I gathered the two of them in my arms. I acknowledged "Lord we know these bodies wear-out and they have defects, but you are the Great Physician. You can heal us or you can use this as a means to draw us closer to you." I continued to pray for His presence and comfort in our lives. When I finished, Santa Barbara started praying. He thanked God for me! He thanked God for me being so faithful as to keep coming down there and ministering to them. I was so humbled. To think I almost listened to that voice that was telling me to stay home and rest, that no one will miss me down there!
I went over to the next alley and saw my friends, Willie, Tara and Dave. A couple of others came by while I talked with them. They always ask how my son is doing and are concerned for my well being. We talked about God's power over human events and how important prayer is. Just before I left them I remembered and shared with them a recent bible teacher teaching about the story of Hannah and her son Samuel. You may recall Samuel was promised and dedicated to the service of God before he was born. He grew up with Eli the High Priest in the temple. Eli had two sons who didn't care about the things of God and their jobs as priests, but cared more about the things of this world and satisfying their lustful desires. This is the environment that Samuel grew up in. This bible teacher said despite this environment, Samuel grew up favored by God because he had a praying mother! I'll always remember this example when it comes to my family and friends and I'll be praying for them!
Well, I had given out all the burgers and only had three bottles of water left. I decided to go by one of my regular stops under the I-10 freeway by San Pedro. On the way over, while waiting for a signal to change at Central, I was approached by a Latino man who held out his cap to me. I gave him some water and a can of beef ravioli. He spoke no English. I would have tried to talk with him more, but the light changed and I had to move on. Under the freeway I found a man named Charles. He was laying down on a blanket, but now the sun was down and it would be dark soon. I got out and gave him the last bottle of water and 3 cans of food. He told me he was hungry. I guess he would have gone to sleep that night without eating if I hadn't come by. I prayed with him before leaving. In fact, the only one I didn't pray with was the man on the street corner.
Well, here was another trip where I started with little energy and my passion was low. I prayed for God to intervene. He did. He multiplied what I had to give and made it cover everyone I met. All praise be to Him! --Until next week. John
It is difficult to describle in words how moving this trip was. On the surface I only went down two alleys and under one freeway, yet I handed out close to twenty burgers and about the same number of chilled bottles of water. Since these trips are more a spiritual journey and stem from a desire to "be close to where God is working", the fact that I prayed with just about everyone I met with made this trip the success it was as much as anything. I also need to say that these trips also require prayer ahead of time too. I was unable to make the trip last week. I had been suffering from an abcess tooth and after taking some antibiotics for about a day and a half the pain was subsiding, but the lack of sleep the previous couple of nights had left me exhausted. I must say as I approach another birthday in a couple of months, age has a tendency to talk a little louder than it used to. I can come up with all kinds of reasons to stay home and rest. Yet, if I don't go (when I've been called) who will go in my place? Who will pray with these people and tell them God loves them? It has taken me these three plus years of going to have a place in these peoples' hearts where they not only trust me, but know I'm there to hear and listen to their troubles. Because they know I have a life that is not devoid of problems and burdens, they know I can relate to them.
One of the men Sunday, goes by the name of Santa Barbara. He was with a woman when I met them in the first alley. I was helping another man a couple of hundred yards away when he saw me and told the woman, "That's John, he'll have something for us!" They waited for me to come down to them. Santa Barbara started telling me he was recently released from the hospital where he found out he had a tumor on his kidney. He had been feeling weak and dizzy and started bleeding profusely. He ended up in a hospital for a week. They are scheduling surgery in another week or so. Knowing that he is facing an uncertain future and that that can be unsettling I told him of a recent diagnosis of my own. Then the three of us prayed as I gathered the two of them in my arms. I acknowledged "Lord we know these bodies wear-out and they have defects, but you are the Great Physician. You can heal us or you can use this as a means to draw us closer to you." I continued to pray for His presence and comfort in our lives. When I finished, Santa Barbara started praying. He thanked God for me! He thanked God for me being so faithful as to keep coming down there and ministering to them. I was so humbled. To think I almost listened to that voice that was telling me to stay home and rest, that no one will miss me down there!
I went over to the next alley and saw my friends, Willie, Tara and Dave. A couple of others came by while I talked with them. They always ask how my son is doing and are concerned for my well being. We talked about God's power over human events and how important prayer is. Just before I left them I remembered and shared with them a recent bible teacher teaching about the story of Hannah and her son Samuel. You may recall Samuel was promised and dedicated to the service of God before he was born. He grew up with Eli the High Priest in the temple. Eli had two sons who didn't care about the things of God and their jobs as priests, but cared more about the things of this world and satisfying their lustful desires. This is the environment that Samuel grew up in. This bible teacher said despite this environment, Samuel grew up favored by God because he had a praying mother! I'll always remember this example when it comes to my family and friends and I'll be praying for them!
Well, I had given out all the burgers and only had three bottles of water left. I decided to go by one of my regular stops under the I-10 freeway by San Pedro. On the way over, while waiting for a signal to change at Central, I was approached by a Latino man who held out his cap to me. I gave him some water and a can of beef ravioli. He spoke no English. I would have tried to talk with him more, but the light changed and I had to move on. Under the freeway I found a man named Charles. He was laying down on a blanket, but now the sun was down and it would be dark soon. I got out and gave him the last bottle of water and 3 cans of food. He told me he was hungry. I guess he would have gone to sleep that night without eating if I hadn't come by. I prayed with him before leaving. In fact, the only one I didn't pray with was the man on the street corner.
Well, here was another trip where I started with little energy and my passion was low. I prayed for God to intervene. He did. He multiplied what I had to give and made it cover everyone I met. All praise be to Him! --Until next week. John
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Downtown 8/12/2012
"Some of God's best lessons can't be learned in a class, they can only be learned on a journey." Bill Johnson, from his book, 'Hosting the Presence'
I had to make a trip out of town on Sunday and didn't know if I'd feel up to stopping by downtown on my way back or not. It was going to be a long trip, three hours of driving each way. I knew it would be another hot day like it has been all week, so on the chance that I'd feel up to stopping on the way back I packed the ice chest and took 15 or so bottles of water with me. On the way back, I went ahead and bought some ice in Bakersfield and started to chill the bottles. I didn't stay too long downtown, just long enough to see some of my regular friends and hand out the cold water. Didn't have any food to give out, just the water, but all who received some were grateful. For people living day-to-day, any help is appreciated. Many times days go by for them without anything to eat or drink that's cold or hot. Receiving a cold drink on a hot day is precious. There is a story in all four gospels about the feeding of the five thousand. Usually, when we hear about it, we are told that this story is repeated four times so we understand God's ability to use underwhelming rescources to cover overwhelming needs. Yesterday, I looked at it a little differently. I was the kid with the five loaves and two fish. I gave what I had away for the Master. He can do amazing things with 15 bottles of water. --Until next week. John
I had to make a trip out of town on Sunday and didn't know if I'd feel up to stopping by downtown on my way back or not. It was going to be a long trip, three hours of driving each way. I knew it would be another hot day like it has been all week, so on the chance that I'd feel up to stopping on the way back I packed the ice chest and took 15 or so bottles of water with me. On the way back, I went ahead and bought some ice in Bakersfield and started to chill the bottles. I didn't stay too long downtown, just long enough to see some of my regular friends and hand out the cold water. Didn't have any food to give out, just the water, but all who received some were grateful. For people living day-to-day, any help is appreciated. Many times days go by for them without anything to eat or drink that's cold or hot. Receiving a cold drink on a hot day is precious. There is a story in all four gospels about the feeding of the five thousand. Usually, when we hear about it, we are told that this story is repeated four times so we understand God's ability to use underwhelming rescources to cover overwhelming needs. Yesterday, I looked at it a little differently. I was the kid with the five loaves and two fish. I gave what I had away for the Master. He can do amazing things with 15 bottles of water. --Until next week. John
Monday, August 6, 2012
Downtown 8/5/2012
"Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth, sing the glory of his name, give to him glorious praise. Say to God, 'How awesome are your deeds!'" Psalm 66:1-3a
I decided to go a little earlier Sunday so I could get home sooner for my daughter's birthday celebration that night. I arrived down at skid row around 1:30pm and prayer-walked the area. I had asked God to give me someone to pray with, but nothing materialized. In retrospect, there were proably a couple of opportunities that I didn't pick up on at the time. I've got to get better at listening to Him.
I had already picked-up some bottled water and ice before leaving home, but hadn't hit the "Box" yet to pick-up any food. I drove by a couple of places to see who was around and found Willie, Dave and EJ in one of the alleys. They told me Chris and Tara Lee were over on the other alley where we had the barbecue last month. I told them I'd go get some burgers and meet them over there. When I returned what unfolded was one of my most memorable times ever downtown.
As I pulled down the alley I could see these five men sitting around waiting for me. Keep in mind these are five African-American men who are all within a couple of years of my age except for Chris who is about 30 years old. So as I pulled up, with the windows down, I started singing Otis Redding's classic, "Sittin' on the dock of the bay". Wow, did their faces light up! EJ said, "Oh boy, John's singing Otis Redding!" For those of you too young to know this song, you'll have to pull it up on youtube. Suffice it to say, it's a perfect song for a lazy, hot summer afternoon. Well, I pulled over and parked and after handing out burgers and water EJ said, "John, sit down here (pointing to a milk crate) and pray for us." It was equal parts a command and a plea. What happened next was totally unplanned and unrehearsed, there was no fear and no nervousness. I simply started telling them about a couple of things from the church service I went to that morning. One of which was a short video that consisted of 7 or 8 very famous people who experienced failure early in their lives. I only spoke of two. They were Michael Jordan, who didn't make his high school basketball team and went home and cried. The other was Abraham Lincoln who had 2 failed businesses and lost eight elections before becoming president. I shared with them how I related to these people because in my 20's I led a life of recklessness and irresponsibility. I always had a job and worked hard, but could never get ahead because of my self-destructive behavior. You think maybe I had their attention by now? I went on to say that there was a verse the pastor quoted that, although I had heard it many times before, there was one word in it that jumped out at me like never before. The verse was in Hebrews 4:14. It talks about Jesus being our high priest before God, but the writer uses the adjective "great" high priest. The verse goes on to say that Jesus is able to sypathize with our weaknesses because he had been tested in every way like we have, but he was without sin. We even talked about Peter denying him 3 times (Peter's failure). Then the verse finishes with, "let's approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need [because of our 'great' high priest]." I ended by praying for us all and when I finished Tara started singing the old gospel song, "He was alone". It was really a special moment.
About four years ago after reading Hudson Taylor's biography I felt the desire to preach the gospel in non-church settings and started praying about it. I've preached the gospel in churches on Sunday mornings many times and adult bible classes too. But none of it compares to giving a short gospel message in a dusty alley downtown to five needy people who desparately wanted to hear it. I felt like George Whitfield and John Wesley must have felt when they started preaching in open fields in England to people who weren't welcome in the churches of that day because they were too poor or led 'sinful' lives. I've got news---we're all in that group. It's not every week that I get an opportunity like this, but it's memorable when these times do happen.
I must have stayed and talked with my friends for about an hour, just hanging out and talking about 'stuff'. We even tentatively scheduled the next barbecue for the last Sunday in September--before my schedule changes back to nights.
Remember when I started this blog today and asked God to "give me someone to pray with"? I said I think I missed a couple of opportunities to pray with some folks on skid row. Yet God graciously gave me this other opportunity a little while later. Luckily I didn't miss this one. Praise His name always, for He will give you the desires of your heart. ---Until next time. John
I decided to go a little earlier Sunday so I could get home sooner for my daughter's birthday celebration that night. I arrived down at skid row around 1:30pm and prayer-walked the area. I had asked God to give me someone to pray with, but nothing materialized. In retrospect, there were proably a couple of opportunities that I didn't pick up on at the time. I've got to get better at listening to Him.
I had already picked-up some bottled water and ice before leaving home, but hadn't hit the "Box" yet to pick-up any food. I drove by a couple of places to see who was around and found Willie, Dave and EJ in one of the alleys. They told me Chris and Tara Lee were over on the other alley where we had the barbecue last month. I told them I'd go get some burgers and meet them over there. When I returned what unfolded was one of my most memorable times ever downtown.
As I pulled down the alley I could see these five men sitting around waiting for me. Keep in mind these are five African-American men who are all within a couple of years of my age except for Chris who is about 30 years old. So as I pulled up, with the windows down, I started singing Otis Redding's classic, "Sittin' on the dock of the bay". Wow, did their faces light up! EJ said, "Oh boy, John's singing Otis Redding!" For those of you too young to know this song, you'll have to pull it up on youtube. Suffice it to say, it's a perfect song for a lazy, hot summer afternoon. Well, I pulled over and parked and after handing out burgers and water EJ said, "John, sit down here (pointing to a milk crate) and pray for us." It was equal parts a command and a plea. What happened next was totally unplanned and unrehearsed, there was no fear and no nervousness. I simply started telling them about a couple of things from the church service I went to that morning. One of which was a short video that consisted of 7 or 8 very famous people who experienced failure early in their lives. I only spoke of two. They were Michael Jordan, who didn't make his high school basketball team and went home and cried. The other was Abraham Lincoln who had 2 failed businesses and lost eight elections before becoming president. I shared with them how I related to these people because in my 20's I led a life of recklessness and irresponsibility. I always had a job and worked hard, but could never get ahead because of my self-destructive behavior. You think maybe I had their attention by now? I went on to say that there was a verse the pastor quoted that, although I had heard it many times before, there was one word in it that jumped out at me like never before. The verse was in Hebrews 4:14. It talks about Jesus being our high priest before God, but the writer uses the adjective "great" high priest. The verse goes on to say that Jesus is able to sypathize with our weaknesses because he had been tested in every way like we have, but he was without sin. We even talked about Peter denying him 3 times (Peter's failure). Then the verse finishes with, "let's approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need [because of our 'great' high priest]." I ended by praying for us all and when I finished Tara started singing the old gospel song, "He was alone". It was really a special moment.
About four years ago after reading Hudson Taylor's biography I felt the desire to preach the gospel in non-church settings and started praying about it. I've preached the gospel in churches on Sunday mornings many times and adult bible classes too. But none of it compares to giving a short gospel message in a dusty alley downtown to five needy people who desparately wanted to hear it. I felt like George Whitfield and John Wesley must have felt when they started preaching in open fields in England to people who weren't welcome in the churches of that day because they were too poor or led 'sinful' lives. I've got news---we're all in that group. It's not every week that I get an opportunity like this, but it's memorable when these times do happen.
I must have stayed and talked with my friends for about an hour, just hanging out and talking about 'stuff'. We even tentatively scheduled the next barbecue for the last Sunday in September--before my schedule changes back to nights.
Remember when I started this blog today and asked God to "give me someone to pray with"? I said I think I missed a couple of opportunities to pray with some folks on skid row. Yet God graciously gave me this other opportunity a little while later. Luckily I didn't miss this one. Praise His name always, for He will give you the desires of your heart. ---Until next time. John
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