Friday, December 21, 2012

Stories from the road, Part 2: George's Story

George:

Let me tell you about George. Totally never expected to meet him. Me and my 4 friends encountered him in Minnesota on our road trip out to Montana.

When we met George he was panhandling, trying to raise enough money for a bus ticket to Virginia. We offered to buy him some food, and all went to the Mall of America together.

While there we ate, shared stories, and walked around for a few hours, enjoying each others company. George told us how he has been traveling since he was 17. He hit the road shortly after his father passed away and over the last 15 years has never been in one place for very long.

While in the mall we stopped at a barnes & noble. George asked if we had any good book suggestions, something to read while he is traveling.  One of us suggested the book "Wild at Heart" by John Eldridge, it seemed fitting since George has such an adventurous spirit.

I told him it was a book about hope, and he responded "Boy I could really use that right now." Wow. Perfect timing. You better believe we made sure he walked out with a copy.

I wish my words could perfectly capture how positive of an experience it was for George and our group. The time with George showed me how God perfectly plans our steps and puts the right people in our path. We just need to be discerning and faithful to respond when we hear the prompting of The Holy Spirit.

Stories from the road, Part 1: Dwayne's Story


I need to tell you about 2 people I met while traveling this month. First, let me provide context.

The past few weeks have presented many circumstances that have been threatening to plunge me into despair.

Many of you are aware of some of the situations (i.e. The shooting in Vegas I witnessed), but there have been many more challenges that both myself and my loved ones are facing. Overall it has been a mix bag of internal and external difficulties, and it has all felt very overwhelming.

But, Christ is Lord and Savior, and knows what he is doing. He has very purposefully put 2 people in my path these last few days to minister to me: Dwayne & George.


First, Dwayne's Story.

Dwayne:

I met Dwayne at our Las Vegas laundry project. He was there to get his laundry done for free. So, naturally I thought to myself "I'm gonna go meet this guy and be Jesus to him." Only, I forgot that where the Spirit of God is, mutual transformation happens.

We ended up talking and sharing stories for over an hour. Dwayne told me his story of being involved in a gang, turning his life to Jesus, and becoming involved in church. He also told me of his eventual disenchanment with the church, his life of many struggles, and his desire for community.

However, what kept coming up with Dwayne was theme of Gods faithfulness. Dwayne told me that he has seen God come through too much to ever be done with him for good. Dwayne lives this out by being faithful to help others when given the chance.

Being that I was hearing this the morning after I witnessed a man kill a woman and then himself, I needed to be reminded of Gods faithfulness through even the toughest situations.

Dwayne provided encouragement and a new perspective, I am a better person for having spent time with him this past week.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Faded? or Glorious?

When I look at the stars...
well its hard for me to see any light at all.
They often seem faded.
Just a glimmer off in the distance.

Yet I know that so far away
that same star is burning brighter than I can imagine.
It's stunning.
It radiates glory.

Deep in the cosmos
I wonder what wonders await.
Because here on the Earth
I sometimes doubt things will ever change.

While wonders do await
Our goal is not detachment
from the things occurring right now
that deserve our investment.

Our investment is in those stars
shining around us all
our friends who seem faded
but who deep inside radiate glory.