We've started our second Bible study now. It meets at the crisis pregnancy center here in town (AKA Change Point). This past monday night there were 10 people there. It was great! I wasn't there (I had to work), but Dave got to be there. We're having doors open up to us through Change Point to reach some of their clients for Jesus. We never know exactly what areas God wants us to get involved in, but there are more opportunities in Hot Springs than we can realistically become involved in. We're having to say no to some things that although they would be good opportunities, we don't feel that God is leading us to spend considerable time on them. Maybe in the future though...
Keep praying. He is still the God of this city!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
God's Amazing Timing
Today stunk. My attitude was pitiful and nothing suited me all day. I didn't want to have to work today and had volunteered to be overstaffed if the hospital census was low--and they overstaffed someone else!!!! I felt so slighted--and I dwelled on it all day. I'm serious about my attitude being sorry. The bad part was, it would've been a good day at work, if I'd just gotten over my selfishness and moved on. I did get off early and I am thankful for that, but I still have to get past this little disappointment before tomorrow morning (when I go back to work).
I got home this afternoon and checked Facebook (doesn't everyone do that when they get home every day?) and there was a message from a girl I went to high school with. I saw her name and it immediately took me back to my senior year....
**this is me reminiscing**
I remember our guidance counselor asked me to talk to this girl and to try and share the Gospel with her. I'm not sure what all she was into in high school, but she ran with a rough crowd and was seriously in danger of making nothing productive of her life. She and I had been friends in middle school, but rarely saw each other in high school. But my counselor thought it would be in her best interest to hear from me. So, she gave us her office one morning and I told this girl that I thought she could make more of herself than she thought. I remember very specifically sharing the Gospel with her. She didn't have any intention of accepting Christ at that point, but I promised to pray for her.
So today I got a message from her. She told me thank you for praying for her and told me that she wasn't saved back in high school, but is now. She is married and has 6 beautiful children.
I was humbled by that message. I can't believe she even remembers me, much less thought to write me and let me know what became of her.
God really is in the business of restoring lives! He reminded me of it through that one little Facebook message. What a great reminder to keep praying for restoration in people's lives. No one is "too far gone" for God's restoration. His word is true when He says He came to seek and save the lost! Praise God the lost are still being saved!
I got home this afternoon and checked Facebook (doesn't everyone do that when they get home every day?) and there was a message from a girl I went to high school with. I saw her name and it immediately took me back to my senior year....
**this is me reminiscing**
I remember our guidance counselor asked me to talk to this girl and to try and share the Gospel with her. I'm not sure what all she was into in high school, but she ran with a rough crowd and was seriously in danger of making nothing productive of her life. She and I had been friends in middle school, but rarely saw each other in high school. But my counselor thought it would be in her best interest to hear from me. So, she gave us her office one morning and I told this girl that I thought she could make more of herself than she thought. I remember very specifically sharing the Gospel with her. She didn't have any intention of accepting Christ at that point, but I promised to pray for her.
So today I got a message from her. She told me thank you for praying for her and told me that she wasn't saved back in high school, but is now. She is married and has 6 beautiful children.
I was humbled by that message. I can't believe she even remembers me, much less thought to write me and let me know what became of her.
God really is in the business of restoring lives! He reminded me of it through that one little Facebook message. What a great reminder to keep praying for restoration in people's lives. No one is "too far gone" for God's restoration. His word is true when He says He came to seek and save the lost! Praise God the lost are still being saved!
Friday, June 25, 2010
What all has happened in the lull.
I apologize for writing so little (none) over the last month. To say I let time slip by is an understatement. But let me catch everyone up on the goings on in Hot Springs.
We are still having our Friday night Bible studies at Mike and Deby's. Our crowd fluctuates, but we are still encouraged. Our study in James is going well and I think there is some real growth going on.
Since I last wrote, we have started a second Bible study. This study meets on Monday nights at Change Point, the local crisis pregnancy center. It is our newest endeavor, and is just getting off the ground, but we have great hopes for what God will do with it.
Dave continues to work several jobs. Aside from our Garage Church ministry, he is part of the interim pastor team at Antioch Baptist Church. Our goal there is to help bring restoration to that struggling church. We're building relationships with the people there and helping them to identify areas that need improvement. They are wonderful people and I believe truly have a heart for Jesus. Dave is also working part time at Chick-Fil-A, which I love--who doesn't love their chicken!? He is finding his niche in the team there and establishing some relationships. He's busier than ever, but doing well.
I'm still on at the hospital. I've been able to do some work as charge nurse which is a big thing since I've only been there since April. God has definitely blessed in my job. He is bringing some patients and their families into my life in ways I didn't think possible. The only downside to my job is the long hours. I'm getting to work as much as I want to--and more. The 12 hour shifts are long and by the time I get home, I'm beat (hence the lack of blog posts). God has been SO good to me lately though. He is blessing my job in ways I didn't even know to ask Him for.
I'm hoping that Dave and I will be able to travel to Alabama next week for the Fourth of July. I'm definitely going, but we're still waiting to see if Dave is off work yet. I'm really excited to get to see my family. Seems like forever since I've seen them. I'm really eager to see my grandparents. I'm becoming more aware that they will not be with me forever and I needs to make the most of the time with them.
The ministry of the Garage Church is taking a more solid shape every week. We're able to reach out to a very eclectic group of people. Some have car/motorcycle interests, some don't. But God promises that He will give the increase, so we just keep trusting.
Just one story to share about one of the people we're getting to know:
Mike has been able to get to know a man named Hank who is associated with one of the motorcycle clubs here. This many is a serious biker and pretty rough. When they meet, Hank is always eager to talk to Mike, but it was never about anything very serious--until the other day. A close friend of Hank's recently passed away and he was telling Mike about it. Mike took the opportunity and asked him, "Hank, what do you think happens when someone dies?" Hank became very quiet and then said, "Man, I don't know." He quickly changed the subject then and Mike let him. Please pray that Hank thinks more about that question so that we will have the chance to tell him that there is more to this life and then even more after that!
Thank you to everyone who has put up with my lack of posting. I really will try to do better.
Thank you to all you prayer warriers who have texted me that you're praying. We're doing well and God is blessing.
Keep in touch and stay tuned...
Lad
We are still having our Friday night Bible studies at Mike and Deby's. Our crowd fluctuates, but we are still encouraged. Our study in James is going well and I think there is some real growth going on.
Since I last wrote, we have started a second Bible study. This study meets on Monday nights at Change Point, the local crisis pregnancy center. It is our newest endeavor, and is just getting off the ground, but we have great hopes for what God will do with it.
Dave continues to work several jobs. Aside from our Garage Church ministry, he is part of the interim pastor team at Antioch Baptist Church. Our goal there is to help bring restoration to that struggling church. We're building relationships with the people there and helping them to identify areas that need improvement. They are wonderful people and I believe truly have a heart for Jesus. Dave is also working part time at Chick-Fil-A, which I love--who doesn't love their chicken!? He is finding his niche in the team there and establishing some relationships. He's busier than ever, but doing well.
I'm still on at the hospital. I've been able to do some work as charge nurse which is a big thing since I've only been there since April. God has definitely blessed in my job. He is bringing some patients and their families into my life in ways I didn't think possible. The only downside to my job is the long hours. I'm getting to work as much as I want to--and more. The 12 hour shifts are long and by the time I get home, I'm beat (hence the lack of blog posts). God has been SO good to me lately though. He is blessing my job in ways I didn't even know to ask Him for.
I'm hoping that Dave and I will be able to travel to Alabama next week for the Fourth of July. I'm definitely going, but we're still waiting to see if Dave is off work yet. I'm really excited to get to see my family. Seems like forever since I've seen them. I'm really eager to see my grandparents. I'm becoming more aware that they will not be with me forever and I needs to make the most of the time with them.
The ministry of the Garage Church is taking a more solid shape every week. We're able to reach out to a very eclectic group of people. Some have car/motorcycle interests, some don't. But God promises that He will give the increase, so we just keep trusting.
Just one story to share about one of the people we're getting to know:
Mike has been able to get to know a man named Hank who is associated with one of the motorcycle clubs here. This many is a serious biker and pretty rough. When they meet, Hank is always eager to talk to Mike, but it was never about anything very serious--until the other day. A close friend of Hank's recently passed away and he was telling Mike about it. Mike took the opportunity and asked him, "Hank, what do you think happens when someone dies?" Hank became very quiet and then said, "Man, I don't know." He quickly changed the subject then and Mike let him. Please pray that Hank thinks more about that question so that we will have the chance to tell him that there is more to this life and then even more after that!
Thank you to everyone who has put up with my lack of posting. I really will try to do better.
Thank you to all you prayer warriers who have texted me that you're praying. We're doing well and God is blessing.
Keep in touch and stay tuned...
Lad
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