it's been a while

I'm not good at sharing my thoughts and it's been a while since I've been on here. I'm going to try harder to share on a more regular basis. Been prayer walking at the Mission Apts with my buddy Ed at the corner of Garland Rd and Apollo and really feel that God wants us to serve these folks. We visited with one of Garland's finest just after an arrest had been made there, he told us "people really need God here". He also shared with us the need for the kids and youth that are there on a regular basis fighting. We're going to have a cook-out there Friday June 12th at the office swimming pool serving burgers and dogs, wanna come? Just want to meet some folks, invited 20 other churches in the community to join us. Remember, half the battle is showing up! Can't wait to see what God has in store for us!! Peace!

Setting the Captives Free

Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."

Luke 4:18-19

Sometimes I forget what God did for me, for I was a prisoner and downtrodden and blind. D

God's Love

I recently read this statement and I began to wonder how many people feel this way or have ever felt this way. It makes me sad, how does it make you feel?

"I've never had any sense that the God of Creation knew I existed. It has just been within the past three years that I heard in my church that He is supposed to love me. But I don't know what it feels like to be loved by God. What do I look for?"

D

Commitment

2 a : an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date b : something pledged c : the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled

This is straight out of Webster, pretty interesting to actually read the definition. Funny thing is we Christians talk about how committed we are to the cause of Christ, reaching the lost and making disciples, serving the orphans and widows, feeding the hungry, developing fellowship amongst believers to teach and draw strength from one another for the battle at hand, sacrificially giving our time, money, skills, resources, considering others as more important than ourselves...Forgive me but I sometimes think that the definition of commitment for us Christians is: "If nothing else comes up, I'll think about being involved in the work of the Lord". Pretty judgemental, huh? Oh well!

Needed to vent a little! I love God's people and I hurt for those who don't get "it". I challenge the leaders of the Church to pour their resources into those that are interested and passionate and quit wasting so much time on those who don't care or who are not ready yet. Jesus put it this way; "The harvest is ready but the workers are few..." "(paraphrase) Go out in to the cities and take my Gospel to them, whoever receives you, give them your blessing, whoever does not receive you, shake the dust from your feet and move on..." The thing is, there is a large group of people just waiting for someone to bring them the truth but we are so busy in our churches catering and entertaining those who don't care that we don't have time for those saints that God has prepared strong, passionate hearts in. Are we afraid to be challenged by someone with a pure, untarnished heart for God? I wonder...

I'm praying for some committed people that are tired of making excuses and want to seriously know God and follow Him into the Ephesians 2:10's of this world: "We are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works prepared for in advance..."

Anyone out there tired of mmaking excuses? Me too!!

D

Autumn Leaves

Yesterday we started worship services at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home. The folks that were leading worship are moving and will not be able to be there anymore. We meet at 9:00am every Sunday morning and invite everyone to join us. This is a facility that serves alzheimer patients, most of which are physically very capable. All of us are looking forward to seeing how God blesses this little church and getting the opportunity to see how He uses these wonderful people for His glory!!

The Body

I'm continually praying that God will connect us with other churches in hopes that we can connect and possibly work together in our community to serve, love and share Jesus with people. Tonight was an exceptional night! As we were worshiping at Winters Park a group of people came in near the end of our time with packages and a lot of good cheer. Come to find out, they were from New Life Fellowship Church in Garland and had come to sing Christmas carols and hand out gifts to the residents. I had the blessing of meeting the pastor, Ray Galligan, what a wonderful spirit of love and kindness that poured out from him. They brought around 20 of their church members with them, kids and infants and adults, full of love and the Holy Spirit. It was truly a gift from God to see them loving and giving to these wonderful seniors, who in turn loved them right back! The reality of the Body of Christ was overwhelming tonight! Thanks to New Life Fellowship, I look forward to serving with you in our community in the days to come.Ray, thanks for the good work you are doing! I pray that God will give you the strength and wisdom to continue honoring Him through your works of service. You all are an inspiration to me! David

Holiday Giving

What a great Thanksgiving meal we had at the ROM last month! Thanks to all of the volunteers for your service and donations, many people were fed and clothed with coats, sweaters, gloves and caps. Our desire is to model Jesus in giving and then be open for His Spirit to guide us into an opportunity to share the Gospel, not only in actions, but in words. Edward, a great guy and only an 18 month old believer had just that opportunity last month. He shares the story of how God put on his heart to begin working on his second language, spanish, because he felt that there would be a need for it in the future. A few months ago Edward began going to the spanish services at his church and began really trying to speak more fluently and understand more clearly this language. God did not make him wait long to use this training, at the Thanksgiving meal, Edward and several other men were out ministering on the streets when he came across a young hispanic man that God had prepared his heart for the Gospel. Because he didn't speak any english, Edward stepped in right away to speak to him and eventually share the Gospel. God moved in both of them, the young hispanic man gave his life to the Lord. I'm so impressed that Edward was obedient to follow Christ and prepare for the work God had for him! Edward was so moved that God would use him in such a powerful way, he will never be the same!

December 16th is our next meal and I would ask that you would join us and/or be praying for us as we go to the ROM again and serve the "least of these". It's amazing how looking in the face of a homeless person or a poor child that you can see a "breath-taking reflection of God".

God bless you all this holiday season! David