In Service

testimonies

our wednesdays continue to be fruitful and God is so amazingly faithful. after a couple of rough weeks, we had a phenomenal time yesterday with our group.

we had all of our vols back and all of our regular friends were there as well. we even got to meet 3 new people!

last nite was just different. i felt like we really reached a new plateau. i think with the increase in number of people, the event has become much more social and less awkward. there are a lot more side conversations happening and some good one on one counseling. however, we are also still able to quiet everyone down to have a more group oriented discussion about the sunday sermon. people have made some big strides in the group, whether it be coming out of their shell a little in our discussions, to making it a goal to make it to church on sunday mornings. the little wins have been abundant.

the greatest testimony from last nite though, came from one of our new friends. he is an alcoholic and is really struggling with it mentally and physically. as we sat and waited on the food, he looked over and asked me if it was a bible that was in front of me. i answered yes- and he asked if i knew of the book of james... i said of course (i had just read the entire book several times last week and blogged about it in the social justice xanga) he asked if i could read him the first part of the beginning of the book. here is what it says:

James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

and then James 1:12
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

wow- he was moved by it... i was definitely moved by it. he then went on to tell me how amazing it was that Christ went on the cross to carry the burden of all of our sins- but he said that he still struggled with sin. he even went on to ask me what to do when the devil attacks him, and tells him that he is worthless and will never become what he is supposed to be, and that he belongs to him...
wow. this guy needs some major spiritual covering- but i went on to say that while we were in the book of james- that we turn to where the answer is to that question:

james 4:7
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you.

finally he told me that he had already encountered healing. he said that while he was in jail, he was reading a book about oral roberts. he said that at the time he was suffering under some kind of nerve problem in his face that caused his eyes and cheek to twitch. the prognosis was that it would eventually spread to his entire face- after he finished the book, he said he felt someone tell him to just concentrate on the left side of his face- as he did this- the twitching stopped- he was healed!

man, do we need these stories. we need a greater faith! i really feel that God is prepared to do some great miracles in our midst with the homeless community.

i ask and challenge us all to be more mindful and intensive about our praying for this ministry and the individuals involved. i ask that we continue to press forward and allow God to enact all of the radical change in our city that He has planned. anyone want to be a part of that?
i do-

peace
jh

posted by jh @ 11:12 AM