If you know me at all, you know that I love to hug! There are times when I hug first, and think later that maybe I freaked that person out! Hugs are good, I believe we all need them. So, that is what I do!
Tonight I had the privlege of going to Old Savannah City Mission with 7 other people to help serve dinner. We got to sing some good ol' gospel songs with everyone and then hear God's word. Afterwards we broke bread with those who needed dinner and a bed for the night.
Savannah Christian Church has an amazing program called, "Celebrate Recovery." The program was started by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church. He wrote, "Purpose Driven Life." Each Friday night, people with "hang ups or hurts" come to worship Jesus and then break into small groups. Basically, it is a 12 step program that is Christ centered. I have started going each Friday night, and I love it! I go for 2 reasons;
The first reason is, I have hang ups and hurts, (don't we all?) and the second reason is because I invite people we feed each Sunday to come on Friday nights. So, how can I invite people to something and not be there to welcome them?
Tonight was awesome to see so many people that I have become friends with through Celebrate Recovery and my Sundays in the park! There was a lot of hugging going on at the mission!
One more note about hugs....when you hug someone and they have perfume on, you will smell their perfume on your clothes. My favorite perfume is what I call, "Jesus Perfume!" That is what you will have on when you take the time to hug on someone who does not smell like what you are used to smelling. But know that person needed that hug more than you will ever know. I love me some "Jesus Perfume!"
I encourage you to hug 5 people this week. Hug on people that you would not normally hug. We all need to know that we still matter, and hugs are the best free thing you can give to someone that can validate their importance to you. We must all be important to the kingdom of God, or we would not still be here!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Some more catch up for you burger!
So, I have been a slacker in the blogging department...again! Take off your bun, (did that sound right?!) and I will add some catch up on your burger!
Update on the homeless evacuation in the tent cities (see blog from January 7th).
The City of Savannah's Police Department has decided there are not enough shelters for all the homeless people to stay in. DUH...oops, was that un-Christian like? Anyway, they are now going to let the people living in tents, stay where they are! And, they are putting porta johns in these "cities" along with handing out blankets. Well, that is what the paper says, but neither has happened as of yet. Don't make me call the T.V. station again and do another interview! Ha Ha! Bottom line is, someone listened and I find this as a huge praise Jesus!
Brian, Halton and I went to Texas last week to see Brian's family. We had a great time! Of course our diets went out the window as soon as we started our travels! Brian's nephews, age 15 and 13, are in a Praise and Worship band so we had fun sitting around and listening to them play. I got to play the tambourine and tried to make a joyful noise unto The Lord! It was fun!
We all went to see the movie, "Mall Cop!" It was sooo funny! Not one curse word..now that is a miracle!
Halton and Brian in line for popcorn. I thought this pic was sweet with Halton's hand on his dad's shoulder!
On our flight home, I sat next to a guy who is in Savannah working for a couple of months. We talked for a long time, really nice guy. Halfway through the flight, I put my iPod in and started listening to a sermon. That's when I heard it. A voice inside my head said, "Ask him to church." What? That would be awkward. Nah, I am just going to finish listening to this sermon. "Ask him to church." I heard it again. My mind would not let me concentrate on the sermon any longer. I knew if I did not do what God was telling me to do, I would beat myself up later. So I took out my headphones and looked over his way. He was just staring out into the darkness. Before I knew it, I just blurted it out. "Have you found a church to go to while you are working in Savannah?" He looked at me like he had just seen a flying saucer pass by this window! He told me that he was just looking into space and thinking about how he needed to get back into touch with God and start going to church again! He said he used to be really involved in church and how he missed that feeling of peace. I told him all about my church and he said he would come visit! How stinkin' cool is that? I just love "God moments!"
The park ministry is growing by leaps and bounds. It is growing by the number of people we are feeding and by the number of volunteers that are showing up to feed and minister. With the economy the way it is, I anticipate more and more people in need of help. God continues to amaze me with His many blessings. For Christmas, some friends sent me a gift card for $100.00. They said to use it for what is needed for the park. Little did they know we desperately need a karaoke machine so everyone (all 150ish people) can hear the message. So thank you, Lynn and R.D.! Because of your faithfulness to God, everyone can now hear God's word each Sunday! You rock for Jesus!
What we do!
Raising of hands as to who believes!
Our gentle giant David, and a friend in the park. When you find yourself not having a good day this week, look down, count you feet and you will be counting your blessings!
Update on the homeless evacuation in the tent cities (see blog from January 7th).
The City of Savannah's Police Department has decided there are not enough shelters for all the homeless people to stay in. DUH...oops, was that un-Christian like? Anyway, they are now going to let the people living in tents, stay where they are! And, they are putting porta johns in these "cities" along with handing out blankets. Well, that is what the paper says, but neither has happened as of yet. Don't make me call the T.V. station again and do another interview! Ha Ha! Bottom line is, someone listened and I find this as a huge praise Jesus!
Brian, Halton and I went to Texas last week to see Brian's family. We had a great time! Of course our diets went out the window as soon as we started our travels! Brian's nephews, age 15 and 13, are in a Praise and Worship band so we had fun sitting around and listening to them play. I got to play the tambourine and tried to make a joyful noise unto The Lord! It was fun!
We all went to see the movie, "Mall Cop!" It was sooo funny! Not one curse word..now that is a miracle!
Halton and Brian in line for popcorn. I thought this pic was sweet with Halton's hand on his dad's shoulder!
On our flight home, I sat next to a guy who is in Savannah working for a couple of months. We talked for a long time, really nice guy. Halfway through the flight, I put my iPod in and started listening to a sermon. That's when I heard it. A voice inside my head said, "Ask him to church." What? That would be awkward. Nah, I am just going to finish listening to this sermon. "Ask him to church." I heard it again. My mind would not let me concentrate on the sermon any longer. I knew if I did not do what God was telling me to do, I would beat myself up later. So I took out my headphones and looked over his way. He was just staring out into the darkness. Before I knew it, I just blurted it out. "Have you found a church to go to while you are working in Savannah?" He looked at me like he had just seen a flying saucer pass by this window! He told me that he was just looking into space and thinking about how he needed to get back into touch with God and start going to church again! He said he used to be really involved in church and how he missed that feeling of peace. I told him all about my church and he said he would come visit! How stinkin' cool is that? I just love "God moments!"
The park ministry is growing by leaps and bounds. It is growing by the number of people we are feeding and by the number of volunteers that are showing up to feed and minister. With the economy the way it is, I anticipate more and more people in need of help. God continues to amaze me with His many blessings. For Christmas, some friends sent me a gift card for $100.00. They said to use it for what is needed for the park. Little did they know we desperately need a karaoke machine so everyone (all 150ish people) can hear the message. So thank you, Lynn and R.D.! Because of your faithfulness to God, everyone can now hear God's word each Sunday! You rock for Jesus!
What we do!
Raising of hands as to who believes!
Our gentle giant David, and a friend in the park. When you find yourself not having a good day this week, look down, count you feet and you will be counting your blessings!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A true emotion from God and for God!
Every time I listen to Graham Cooke preach, my heart feels like it is going to pound out of my chest, literally.
Do you ever love on God so much that your heart hurts? It is a feeling of wanting to get soo much closer to Him. If only I could touch a piece of His garment for a split second....
I encourage you to listen to Graham's divine words with your eyes closed. Then listen to it again with your eyes open to see the pictures. Lose yourself in Him.
I would love to hear your comments after listening to his video.
click here
Do you ever love on God so much that your heart hurts? It is a feeling of wanting to get soo much closer to Him. If only I could touch a piece of His garment for a split second....
I encourage you to listen to Graham's divine words with your eyes closed. Then listen to it again with your eyes open to see the pictures. Lose yourself in Him.
I would love to hear your comments after listening to his video.
click here
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Don't mess with MY people!
Yesterday there was a story on the news about homeless people in Savannah. The police are making all the people who live in tents, evacuate their "camps." The officer went on to say that the homeless need to take advantage of all the different programs to help them get off the streets. He also said that they need to use the shelters as a place to stay. The story came across as there are a plethora of options for the homeless.
I was livid after watching the video a few times. First of all, there are not enough programs offered. Secondly, there is not enough shelter space now, for those who want off the street. One shelter has a 5 days in, 5 days out rule. So you get to stay in for 5 days, then you have to be on the streets for 5 days before you can come back.
Other shelters charge $10.00 a night to stay. The Salvation Army charges you 30% of your income to stay there. So if you are homeless, that means you have no money, and they want to charge you to lay your head?
The more I brewed about the story the madder I became. So, I called the T.V. station and spoke to the reporter. He graciously listened to me and told me that MAYBE he would call me for a follow up story. Imagine my surprise when he called me this morning and asked me to meet him today! I quoted Jesus in Gal 6:2 Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. I also referenced what we do each week in the park is being Jesus to the hurting. Unfortunately, all my God references were cut out.
Here is the interview.
http://www.wtoc.com/global/category.asp?c=153752&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15094&topVideoCatNoB=153746&topVideoCatNoC=133146&topVideoCatNoD=135069&topVideoCatNoE=153742&clipId=3225256&topVideoCatNo=15094&autoStart=true&clipId=3314483&topVideoCatNo=15094&autoStart=true
(you will have to copy and paste because I am not a savvy at this as some people, KRISTIN!)
I would love to for the person who came up with the "evacuation" idea to come to the park this Sunday and look into the eyes of people we feed and hear their stories. Tears flow freely when grown men talk about their prize procession of a shower curtain and a sheet to shield them from the elements of night.
I was livid after watching the video a few times. First of all, there are not enough programs offered. Secondly, there is not enough shelter space now, for those who want off the street. One shelter has a 5 days in, 5 days out rule. So you get to stay in for 5 days, then you have to be on the streets for 5 days before you can come back.
Other shelters charge $10.00 a night to stay. The Salvation Army charges you 30% of your income to stay there. So if you are homeless, that means you have no money, and they want to charge you to lay your head?
The more I brewed about the story the madder I became. So, I called the T.V. station and spoke to the reporter. He graciously listened to me and told me that MAYBE he would call me for a follow up story. Imagine my surprise when he called me this morning and asked me to meet him today! I quoted Jesus in Gal 6:2 Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. I also referenced what we do each week in the park is being Jesus to the hurting. Unfortunately, all my God references were cut out.
Here is the interview.
http://www.wtoc.com/global/category.asp?c=153752&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15094&topVideoCatNoB=153746&topVideoCatNoC=133146&topVideoCatNoD=135069&topVideoCatNoE=153742&clipId=3225256&topVideoCatNo=15094&autoStart=true&clipId=3314483&topVideoCatNo=15094&autoStart=true
(you will have to copy and paste because I am not a savvy at this as some people, KRISTIN!)
I would love to for the person who came up with the "evacuation" idea to come to the park this Sunday and look into the eyes of people we feed and hear their stories. Tears flow freely when grown men talk about their prize procession of a shower curtain and a sheet to shield them from the elements of night.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
A mother's heart broken
Cynthia did leave the hospital without Christopher today. It was incredibly sad. The same time she was being wheeled out, two other mother's were leaving, with their babies.
My heart broke and still is.
The last few minuted in her room, I explained how God has his hands on our life and that He makes decisions on our behalf, for our good. I tried to explain it in a way that she could wrap her broken heart around. She told me that she knew a lot of people are praying for her. However she did not understand if a lot of prayers are being said for her, then why is she leaving her baby behind. I did my best to explain trust and faith. We need to always trust that God is in control of ALL situations and He knows what is best for us.
I found out tonight that DFACS has made their decision that there will never be a time Cynthia can have unsupervised custody of baby Christopher. Her family is going to try and talk her into giving them temporary custody. That way, she will be able to visit him and he will not go into foster care.
Her court date is this Thursday, so I humbly ask you to offer up prayers to our, all knowing, ever loving, constant rock.
I cannot imagine going through life without my faith and trust in Jesus. Cynthia is facing all of this without a relationship with Jesus. Please pray this will bring her to Him.
My heart broke and still is.
The last few minuted in her room, I explained how God has his hands on our life and that He makes decisions on our behalf, for our good. I tried to explain it in a way that she could wrap her broken heart around. She told me that she knew a lot of people are praying for her. However she did not understand if a lot of prayers are being said for her, then why is she leaving her baby behind. I did my best to explain trust and faith. We need to always trust that God is in control of ALL situations and He knows what is best for us.
I found out tonight that DFACS has made their decision that there will never be a time Cynthia can have unsupervised custody of baby Christopher. Her family is going to try and talk her into giving them temporary custody. That way, she will be able to visit him and he will not go into foster care.
Her court date is this Thursday, so I humbly ask you to offer up prayers to our, all knowing, ever loving, constant rock.
I cannot imagine going through life without my faith and trust in Jesus. Cynthia is facing all of this without a relationship with Jesus. Please pray this will bring her to Him.
Catch up..and not the kind you put on a burger!
So, it has been quite some time since I have sat down in front of the keyboard to blog.
This is probably going to be a very random writing since there is so much to catch up on.
Christmas was good. After much prayer, I invited a couple of people from the park to our home for the day. I was nervous about it at first, not knowing how it would all play out. Everyone in the family (except Brian), could not understand why I would want to invite homeless people to our house for "their" Christmas. I think they were all just anxious about the unknown. Luckily, it went great! Everyone showed up sober and we shared a lot of laughs! I had a whole new captive audience to show my Haiti videos to! Hey, who does not like home videos, right! Ha Ha!
Megan, Heidi, Brian, Steve...my friends from the park
New Years was pretty much uneventful. We went to a party a couple from church was having. Whew, drank way too much diet coke! P A R T Y! We were home in time to watch the ball drop (why would anyone want to be part of that crowd, I do not know)!
New Years day, Brian cooked amazing hamburgers! Byron and Sherrie spent the day with us, so that is always a good day in my life! After dinner we played Cranium, and I laughed so hard I could not speak! It was a fantastic way to start 2009!
I have been excited about the new year. Excited because I cannot wait to see what The Lord has in store! He gave me John 3:30 as my verse:
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 NIV
This is the ASSIGNED moment for Him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. JOHN 3:30 The Message
God has been growing the park ministry like crazy! Last week I got a phone call from a lady saying that her mother was turning 50, and all she wanted for her birthday was to help the needy! Whooo Hooo, come on down! They brought all the food, and tons of it!
Talking to them after everyone was fed, they asked a lot of questions about why we do what we do each week. It was an amazing time of evangelism because none of them go to church. We got to share why we love on God's children. We explained that we don't just show up and hand out food, but that we are in relationships with those we feed. I know seeds were planted.
Speaking of relationships, we have been feeding a pregnant lady named Cynthia each week since March. This past Sunday we were going to do our inaugural baby shower in the park! We had it all planned, cake, decorations and lots of gifts. Well, I got a call on Friday saying she was in the hospital and in labor! She was not dilated enough and she told me the baby would not come until Saturday. I went to see her around 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, and she was still was not dilated very much. When the doctor came in, he discovered the baby was breech. Off to surgery Cynthia went. Now mind you, all of her family lives local, but not one of them was there for her. It was very, very sad. Before she went to surgery, she asked me if I could please stay until she came out of surgery. Sure, no problem. Baby Christoper was born at 5:54 p.m., weighing in at 6lbs 8oz! When she got back into her room, she found out that she could not have Christopher in her room with her all night unless someone stayed the night with her. She started to cry. I looked around the room, and I was it...no one else. How could I not stay? I wanted to go home and sleep in my bed. Quickly, God reminded me about the scripture He gave me a few days before. This was not about me, it was about Him and his hurting child. It was time for me to put "me" on the sidelines. So I did. I got home Sunday morning at 8:00, with no sleep.
Without breaking any confidential trust, I ask you to PLEASE pray for Cynthia and baby Christopher. Their futures are very fragile right now. I am giving her a ride home from the hospital tomorrow and I am not sure baby Christopher will be going home with her. Why God thinks I am capable of handling these situations, I do not know, but He keeps putting me in them. If God can use me, He can use you.
I know it is kind of late for a New Years greeting, but I wish each of you a year of falling deeper in love with the One who paid an incredible price for each of our sins.
You are each precious to me! I love you xoxoxo
This is probably going to be a very random writing since there is so much to catch up on.
Christmas was good. After much prayer, I invited a couple of people from the park to our home for the day. I was nervous about it at first, not knowing how it would all play out. Everyone in the family (except Brian), could not understand why I would want to invite homeless people to our house for "their" Christmas. I think they were all just anxious about the unknown. Luckily, it went great! Everyone showed up sober and we shared a lot of laughs! I had a whole new captive audience to show my Haiti videos to! Hey, who does not like home videos, right! Ha Ha!
Megan, Heidi, Brian, Steve...my friends from the park
New Years was pretty much uneventful. We went to a party a couple from church was having. Whew, drank way too much diet coke! P A R T Y! We were home in time to watch the ball drop (why would anyone want to be part of that crowd, I do not know)!
New Years day, Brian cooked amazing hamburgers! Byron and Sherrie spent the day with us, so that is always a good day in my life! After dinner we played Cranium, and I laughed so hard I could not speak! It was a fantastic way to start 2009!
I have been excited about the new year. Excited because I cannot wait to see what The Lord has in store! He gave me John 3:30 as my verse:
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 NIV
This is the ASSIGNED moment for Him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. JOHN 3:30 The Message
God has been growing the park ministry like crazy! Last week I got a phone call from a lady saying that her mother was turning 50, and all she wanted for her birthday was to help the needy! Whooo Hooo, come on down! They brought all the food, and tons of it!
Talking to them after everyone was fed, they asked a lot of questions about why we do what we do each week. It was an amazing time of evangelism because none of them go to church. We got to share why we love on God's children. We explained that we don't just show up and hand out food, but that we are in relationships with those we feed. I know seeds were planted.
Speaking of relationships, we have been feeding a pregnant lady named Cynthia each week since March. This past Sunday we were going to do our inaugural baby shower in the park! We had it all planned, cake, decorations and lots of gifts. Well, I got a call on Friday saying she was in the hospital and in labor! She was not dilated enough and she told me the baby would not come until Saturday. I went to see her around 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, and she was still was not dilated very much. When the doctor came in, he discovered the baby was breech. Off to surgery Cynthia went. Now mind you, all of her family lives local, but not one of them was there for her. It was very, very sad. Before she went to surgery, she asked me if I could please stay until she came out of surgery. Sure, no problem. Baby Christoper was born at 5:54 p.m., weighing in at 6lbs 8oz! When she got back into her room, she found out that she could not have Christopher in her room with her all night unless someone stayed the night with her. She started to cry. I looked around the room, and I was it...no one else. How could I not stay? I wanted to go home and sleep in my bed. Quickly, God reminded me about the scripture He gave me a few days before. This was not about me, it was about Him and his hurting child. It was time for me to put "me" on the sidelines. So I did. I got home Sunday morning at 8:00, with no sleep.
Without breaking any confidential trust, I ask you to PLEASE pray for Cynthia and baby Christopher. Their futures are very fragile right now. I am giving her a ride home from the hospital tomorrow and I am not sure baby Christopher will be going home with her. Why God thinks I am capable of handling these situations, I do not know, but He keeps putting me in them. If God can use me, He can use you.
I know it is kind of late for a New Years greeting, but I wish each of you a year of falling deeper in love with the One who paid an incredible price for each of our sins.
You are each precious to me! I love you xoxoxo
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