Friday Under The Stars...

If you don't like to read long blog entries... I encourage you to read on... this is some good stuff.

Never before tonight have I realized the truth of the verse in Isaiah that says the word of the Lord never returns void. Never before have I felt the importance of the intricate details and how God ordains it ALL.

Spending time with my homeless friends is the biggest blessing to my life. Now I know that we make an impact. I know that. By my standards, it was a little one. Never did I know the love that we poured out and the encouraging words that spilled from our hearts would go such a long way. He has proved once again that his words will not return void.

I ran into a good friend of mine tonight downtown, Taz is what they call him and I will use that name here. I didn't really recognize him at first and asked my friend Mary if I was right in thinking that was him. She thought so too... so I ran over to him with excitement flowing out of my eyes. Last time I saw Taz he was planning on catching a train and peacing out of Columbus. It was SUCH a surprise to see him back.

I yelled out his name as I walked up to him and without skipping a beat he threw open his arms for an embrace and yelled "I'm sober!" I didn't want to let go of his embrace because there was so much running through my head... I even thought I just wanted to cry. He will tell you himself... he was a drunk... constantly... but even so, he was awesome. He went on to tell me how he spent some time in rehab and has been clean for nearly 2 months. I don't know if this message can even convey the greatness of this unexpected blessing. It can't.... words can't... just know that I didn't expect this one bit... and its so beautiful.

He's in a sober house getting taken care of and encouraged by the other men in this ministry... and even working on getting his very best friends off the streets and to where he is now. What a witness. I couldn't help but watch him all night long amazed that this was the same creature I had known a few months ago. He has found a new God... and a new way... and he will tell anyone and everyone about it. He is a respected man... and a lover of people. He always has been... but now it seems to take on a whole new meaning. A new life is exactly what God promises... and a new life is exactly what God gives us. I am so so excited to see the wonderful things that will come from this.

Please please pray for the daily fight against my brother, Taz's, addiction. Please pray that he will stand strong today... and tomorrow pray the same thing. One day at time. He will give us what we need for today only... and for that I am so thankful.


Tonight was a night full of miracles... a night full of holy moments... they happen more than we realize... but God took of my blinders tonight.

He is providing and working without my knowledge... and before I even know what for.

From the start of my involvement with this ministry I have felt two kingdoms colliding in a grueling way. Any time there is that kind of collision there is bound to be conflict. But tonight I can proudly say that there was victory!

I am wealthy...

Hallelujah... I've learned again what it means to be rich!

i need a nap.

some say if the door does not open... it must not be meant to be...



i say if the door does not open...





go through the window.

Homelessness and the endless emotions...

I have recently been interested in homelessness. Most likely inspired from the beautiful souls I have been able to become friends with downtown Columbus. I have been looking for literature to get a better insight on the issue, in hopes to learn how to combat it, help it and not feed into it, all sorts of things I want to learn about it.

I started reading a book called "Under the Overpass" written by Mike Yankoski. I was really hesitant at first because it's the story of two college guys who decided to become homeless for a few months and their journey. What better way to learn about it than to become it huh? I was hesitatnt becuase I didn't know how much I would really learn about the issue.

I have learned a whole lot... especially about things I have not ever thought about... about how the dignity of a homeless person can so easily be destroyed...

Here is a little excerpt from the book... its a lesson this guy is learning that I learned my first day with my homeless friends... but he puts it into words so wonderfully...

"Sitting there with Sugar Man, I felt my carefull established definitions of a Christian crack and expand. Here was an admitted addict and user openly proclaiming Christ in his community and asking how he could serve us....

... What's worse? To not do dope or to not love your brother? Why do we kick drug users out of the church while quietly ignoring those who aren't dealing with other, equally destructive sins? Why do we reject the loving, self- sacrificing, giving, encouraging, Jesus- pursuing drug addict but recruit the clean, self interested, gossiping, loveless churchgoer?"

I know that exact feeling of cracking and expanding definitions of what a Christian is. I knew that feeling when I met a 15 year crack addict and HE talked to ME about the hunger and the thirst inside his soul for Jesus, and righteousness, and holiness. Talk about a destoryed definitions.

I'm bothered at the pressure to be
so
damn
perfect.

I wonder what this is like...

" I am hungry, so I appreciate food and thank God for it whenever I find ice cream or other perishables in a condo I am cleaning. I appreciate friendship and don't need a tevevision to keep me company. I appreciate birds chirping, as there is no radio to seduce my ears. I appreciate God, because I live in the house He has made, as opposed to a house I have purchased by my own means."
D.M.

Sabbath thoughts...

It’s really discontenting that times of solitude, stillness, rest, and solid quietness can so quickly start to feel like loneliness.

More delicate and thoughtful words from Don Miller...

"Even if I want to run, it isn't really what I want- what I want is Him, even if I don't believe it. If He made all this exsistance, you would think He would know what He is doing, and you would think He could be trusted. Everything I want is just Him, to get lost in Him, to feel His love and more and more of this dazzling that He does. I wonder at His beautiful system and how it feels better than anything I could choose or invent for myself. I wonder as I gaze up at the night sky, this love letter from God to creation, this reminder that somewhere there is peace, somewhere there is order, and I think about how great His kingdom is, and is going to be, and I wonder, in this rare and beautiful moment, how I could ever want to walk away from it all."