September 23,
Youth Church, Joy Fellowship Church
My friend Levi, is the youth pastor at his church and each Sunday Morning he holds a Bible study for the youth. I was privileged to be able to be a part of this particular morning when the Lord moved.
Levi shared on the names of God and the power in praying specifically to each of God's names, which led to a open discussion in what we each needed to call on God for in this season.
One of the young men, Eli, shared his addiction to Tobacco and asked for prayed and accountability. This guy looked tired, fighting addictions since his mom had passed away just a year earlier leaving him to finally put full trust in God.
We all prayed for him and as we did the Lord gave me a picture of him in a jail cell, with chains around his feet, yet they were not attached to him. Once Eli saw he was actually free he busted down the cell door and ran around the prison freeing everyone else! I then had him confess with his mouth that he was free so the Devil and all of Hell would know they have no power over him!
PRAY that Eli keeps walking in freedom and find satisfaction in Christ.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
RICHARD
September 15
Bus bound for Asheville, NC
A full bus forced me to sit next to an older man, dressed in bright colors and smelling quite strongly of marijuana. I was extremely tired but every time I closed my eyes he would start talking so I came to the conclusion I would just have to go without a nap.
Richard introduced himself as a man who was private and soon after he began spilling out his life story...
He had been in Ohio at his sister's in Cincinnati after not having seen or talking to her in over 40 years, The family tracked him down because they're parents had passed away and they wanted him to have his part in the inheritance. While he was visiting she told him that all growing up their father rapped her and his older sister, and Richard never had known. Of course back in the 50's sexual abuse wasn't heard of and the woman were taught to stick by their husbands, leaving the men to do what they wanted while the family faked a smile. He could hardly stand to think of it and expressed such hated for his parents, that his dad was "such a pig" and that his mom knew and let it happen.
He told me at a very young age he started stealing, by age 12 he'd robbed jewelry stores and stolen cars, therefore he wasn't home much, at least not enough to catch on. After years of stealing he finally got caught for armed robbery and was locked up for 19 years. Once he got out he settled into a new town and never contacted his family, until now...
He didn't take much from his parents, he mentioned they were wealthy but he didn't want anything from them, especially now so all he took was he his old stolen jewelry. He even pulled out a bag of watches to show me and gave me a couple of them. "I'm not like I used to be so I figured I might as well give this stuff away.."
So now I'm rocking a 'vintage' gold watch he stole back in the 60's :)
Richard and I talked a bit about his world view as well; I shared the gospel with him and my testimony but he was persistent in telling me the only logical solution is reincarnation, that I was blessed because I'd been a good person in my other lives... But as all 'new age' believers say, "You believe what you believe and I'll believe what I believe and someday we'll make it to Heaven." As I tell everyone else, "I'll pray for you and I believe the Lord will prove himself to you, like he did to me."
PRAY restoration for his sisters, that Jesus would heal their heart wounds and fill them with His abounding love. Pray Richard is confronted with the Truth of the Gospel, of Jesus, that he needs a savior and that he would fully commit his life to God that he might be able to minister to his sisters and forgive his parents.
Bus bound for Asheville, NC
A full bus forced me to sit next to an older man, dressed in bright colors and smelling quite strongly of marijuana. I was extremely tired but every time I closed my eyes he would start talking so I came to the conclusion I would just have to go without a nap.
Richard introduced himself as a man who was private and soon after he began spilling out his life story...
He had been in Ohio at his sister's in Cincinnati after not having seen or talking to her in over 40 years, The family tracked him down because they're parents had passed away and they wanted him to have his part in the inheritance. While he was visiting she told him that all growing up their father rapped her and his older sister, and Richard never had known. Of course back in the 50's sexual abuse wasn't heard of and the woman were taught to stick by their husbands, leaving the men to do what they wanted while the family faked a smile. He could hardly stand to think of it and expressed such hated for his parents, that his dad was "such a pig" and that his mom knew and let it happen.
He told me at a very young age he started stealing, by age 12 he'd robbed jewelry stores and stolen cars, therefore he wasn't home much, at least not enough to catch on. After years of stealing he finally got caught for armed robbery and was locked up for 19 years. Once he got out he settled into a new town and never contacted his family, until now...
He didn't take much from his parents, he mentioned they were wealthy but he didn't want anything from them, especially now so all he took was he his old stolen jewelry. He even pulled out a bag of watches to show me and gave me a couple of them. "I'm not like I used to be so I figured I might as well give this stuff away.."
So now I'm rocking a 'vintage' gold watch he stole back in the 60's :)
Richard and I talked a bit about his world view as well; I shared the gospel with him and my testimony but he was persistent in telling me the only logical solution is reincarnation, that I was blessed because I'd been a good person in my other lives... But as all 'new age' believers say, "You believe what you believe and I'll believe what I believe and someday we'll make it to Heaven." As I tell everyone else, "I'll pray for you and I believe the Lord will prove himself to you, like he did to me."
PRAY restoration for his sisters, that Jesus would heal their heart wounds and fill them with His abounding love. Pray Richard is confronted with the Truth of the Gospel, of Jesus, that he needs a savior and that he would fully commit his life to God that he might be able to minister to his sisters and forgive his parents.
ANDRE
September 13
Metro Station. Venice, Virginia
Waiting to be picked up from the Metro in Virginia I saw a homeless man holding a sign asking for help. At first I avoided him but the Lord convicted me and told me not to just give him money, but that he also wanted me to talk to him...
After fighting it for a minute I was finally obedient.
I handed him the cash I hand and asked his name, "Andre" he replied, I asked him if I could pray for him [realizing I didn't have a lot of time I wanted to get to the point.] After praying for him he expressed how thankful he was that someone cared enough to stop and talk which made me feel sick, I wasn't stopping out of love, but by the obligation I felt by the Lord...
He went on to share his story, he had recently gotten out of jail and wasn't able to find a job with a felony on his record. He told me later she had cheated on him while he was in jail and gotten pregnant, she was now 8 months pregnant and he was begging to make sure she didn't have to sleep on the streets. He told me they'd be taken care of once the baby was born they'd get into a family home but for now he was stuck.
In the eyes of the average american we'd see this as pathetic and ignorant but the Lord showed me something in his story.
As Christ is the bridegroom, and we are the bride, we mess up constantly and prostitute ourselves to idols and conceive unrighteousness yet, God will not leave or forsake us. TRUE God doesn't have felonies on his record but He did pay the price for our sin despite our unfaithfulness.
Andre has the love of the Father but is blinded from the truth.
I sat talking to Andre for awhile and he explained he'd been to church and knew the right answers but it was apparent he didn't have a relationship with His Creator.
PRAY Andre, his girlfriend Chelsea, and they're unborn baby are taken care of, but more than that, that they would encounter the truth and love of the Father.
Metro Station. Venice, Virginia
Waiting to be picked up from the Metro in Virginia I saw a homeless man holding a sign asking for help. At first I avoided him but the Lord convicted me and told me not to just give him money, but that he also wanted me to talk to him...
After fighting it for a minute I was finally obedient.
I handed him the cash I hand and asked his name, "Andre" he replied, I asked him if I could pray for him [realizing I didn't have a lot of time I wanted to get to the point.] After praying for him he expressed how thankful he was that someone cared enough to stop and talk which made me feel sick, I wasn't stopping out of love, but by the obligation I felt by the Lord...
He went on to share his story, he had recently gotten out of jail and wasn't able to find a job with a felony on his record. He told me later she had cheated on him while he was in jail and gotten pregnant, she was now 8 months pregnant and he was begging to make sure she didn't have to sleep on the streets. He told me they'd be taken care of once the baby was born they'd get into a family home but for now he was stuck.
In the eyes of the average american we'd see this as pathetic and ignorant but the Lord showed me something in his story.
As Christ is the bridegroom, and we are the bride, we mess up constantly and prostitute ourselves to idols and conceive unrighteousness yet, God will not leave or forsake us. TRUE God doesn't have felonies on his record but He did pay the price for our sin despite our unfaithfulness.
Andre has the love of the Father but is blinded from the truth.
I sat talking to Andre for awhile and he explained he'd been to church and knew the right answers but it was apparent he didn't have a relationship with His Creator.
PRAY Andre, his girlfriend Chelsea, and they're unborn baby are taken care of, but more than that, that they would encounter the truth and love of the Father.
Friday, September 21, 2012
IGLESIA CRISTIANA
September 9
Daniela's Church
I was the only white person in the entire church that Sunday! I was a bit intimidated but still expecting the Lord would speak despite the language barrier, and He did!
Worship was entirely in Spanish but I could feel the presence of God so strongly, tears were rolling down my face. After worship I was releaved to see a translator when Pastor Rafael started preaching. His message was based on the idea of bearing fruits - the very idea Polus Digital [the marketing company I will be working for, see 'JOB OPPORTUNITY' post] is founded on. "Are you sewing fruit of appearance or fruits of repentance?"
I was so blown away by how 'spot on' the message was that I told Daniela I wanted him to pray for me. She told me he didn't speak English so she offered to translate and then said, "He actually has a marketing degree, he markets for our church!" HOW COOL!? With the help of Dani I explained my job opportunity and that his message was confirmation and I asked for him to impart some knowledge and wisdom into me! He prayed and as he did he got a Word from the Lord for me, "You have abandoned everything for me, but it has not been lost, I have it kept safe and in due time I will give those things potential and bring them back to you." This man just prophesied the very name of my core group I had at Teen Mania just months before! RECKLESS ABANDONED!
[For those of you who don't know] This past year I mentored a group of 5 women and wasgiven the title, Core Advisor, they were called a core. We lived together for a year while in the internship and the Lord gave me the vision and name Reckless Abandoned for our core. Based on Hebrews 12:1-2.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Last year we learned to forsake all for Christ's namesake and now this man who had never met me was telling me this Word from God!
I was completely amazed, if you've read the other posts you realize it just keeps getting better!
PRAY for Pastor Rafael and Daniela's church to stay steadfast and united in their pursuit of God's glory. Blessings and favor in the name of Jesus!
Daniela's Church
I was the only white person in the entire church that Sunday! I was a bit intimidated but still expecting the Lord would speak despite the language barrier, and He did!
Worship was entirely in Spanish but I could feel the presence of God so strongly, tears were rolling down my face. After worship I was releaved to see a translator when Pastor Rafael started preaching. His message was based on the idea of bearing fruits - the very idea Polus Digital [the marketing company I will be working for, see 'JOB OPPORTUNITY' post] is founded on. "Are you sewing fruit of appearance or fruits of repentance?"
I was so blown away by how 'spot on' the message was that I told Daniela I wanted him to pray for me. She told me he didn't speak English so she offered to translate and then said, "He actually has a marketing degree, he markets for our church!" HOW COOL!? With the help of Dani I explained my job opportunity and that his message was confirmation and I asked for him to impart some knowledge and wisdom into me! He prayed and as he did he got a Word from the Lord for me, "You have abandoned everything for me, but it has not been lost, I have it kept safe and in due time I will give those things potential and bring them back to you." This man just prophesied the very name of my core group I had at Teen Mania just months before! RECKLESS ABANDONED!
[For those of you who don't know] This past year I mentored a group of 5 women and wasgiven the title, Core Advisor, they were called a core. We lived together for a year while in the internship and the Lord gave me the vision and name Reckless Abandoned for our core. Based on Hebrews 12:1-2.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Last year we learned to forsake all for Christ's namesake and now this man who had never met me was telling me this Word from God!
I was completely amazed, if you've read the other posts you realize it just keeps getting better!
PRAY for Pastor Rafael and Daniela's church to stay steadfast and united in their pursuit of God's glory. Blessings and favor in the name of Jesus!
YOUTH NIGHT
September 7
Connection 24:7 Youth Group
Daniela's youth group had gotten cancelled so some of the people decided to gather in a basement, not to loose the night. The leaders and myself decided we'd pray, worship and then let the Spirit lead from there. Everyone started to come in but as they did I met Valerie, a college student who began to tell me about when he Dad was asked to leave the church when she was 16, even after 4 years I could see the pain in her eyes and she shook her leg nervously as if to keep back the tears. She told me she packed a box of stuff with her church dance team 'things' among other things, and she said she hasn't opened the box since.
It was at that moment the Lord told me, "She needs to open that box and deal with the pain, that I might heal her of it." We continued to talk and she told me how she knew she was called to do international business and eventually she wanted to be involved in supplying third world countries [Africa specifically] with basic needs, but doing it with the government's money, "Government funded missions," she called it. I affirmed her in that and told her about South Africa and my experience doing missions there.
We finished talking as they gathered us around to pray, we all started praying for requests and in no time it became rapid fire prayer, which lead to worship. I got on my face in awe of all God was revealing to me and then he gave me 2 words for Valerie, first, that she needed to open that box, second, that her calling is anything she can gain by works.
I went to Valerie and gave her the words and as I began to pray for her I prayed, "Lord there is something she's afraid of, break it in the name of Jesus and paralyze her from moving until she confronts it." It was defiantly the Holy Spirit speaking, I finished praying and then went back to my corner to worship.
Worship lulled out and they gathered us back to pray. "We're going to pray for each other, anyone who can't pray in tongues go in the middle so we can pray and you can receive." Valerie reluctantly came forward only by the nudges of her friends. Daniela told me to pray for her, so I and a few others began praying in the spirit that she too would receive the gift of tongues. As we were praying I felt some God's power and goodness." She turned to me and said, "This is my fear! Tongues, this is what you were praying for earlier!! I'm terrified!" "Okay Valerie, there is no fear in Jesus, perfect love casts out fear, begin to pray out loud so the devil can hear how dumb he is and there won't be anything to stop you from receiving this gift!"
She started praying out loud and within a few words spoken in true faith, her words turned into her prayer language! From then on she kept praying in her tongue as tears rolled down her face. God is completely purposeful in all things.
PRAY Valerie continues to pray with power and realizes fear is only a lie. Pray she opens the box and deals with the pain the church caused her. Pray she relies on God alone to fulfill HIS purpose in her life and she understands His grace abounds.
Connection 24:7 Youth Group
Daniela's youth group had gotten cancelled so some of the people decided to gather in a basement, not to loose the night. The leaders and myself decided we'd pray, worship and then let the Spirit lead from there. Everyone started to come in but as they did I met Valerie, a college student who began to tell me about when he Dad was asked to leave the church when she was 16, even after 4 years I could see the pain in her eyes and she shook her leg nervously as if to keep back the tears. She told me she packed a box of stuff with her church dance team 'things' among other things, and she said she hasn't opened the box since.
It was at that moment the Lord told me, "She needs to open that box and deal with the pain, that I might heal her of it." We continued to talk and she told me how she knew she was called to do international business and eventually she wanted to be involved in supplying third world countries [Africa specifically] with basic needs, but doing it with the government's money, "Government funded missions," she called it. I affirmed her in that and told her about South Africa and my experience doing missions there.
We finished talking as they gathered us around to pray, we all started praying for requests and in no time it became rapid fire prayer, which lead to worship. I got on my face in awe of all God was revealing to me and then he gave me 2 words for Valerie, first, that she needed to open that box, second, that her calling is anything she can gain by works.
I went to Valerie and gave her the words and as I began to pray for her I prayed, "Lord there is something she's afraid of, break it in the name of Jesus and paralyze her from moving until she confronts it." It was defiantly the Holy Spirit speaking, I finished praying and then went back to my corner to worship.
Worship lulled out and they gathered us back to pray. "We're going to pray for each other, anyone who can't pray in tongues go in the middle so we can pray and you can receive." Valerie reluctantly came forward only by the nudges of her friends. Daniela told me to pray for her, so I and a few others began praying in the spirit that she too would receive the gift of tongues. As we were praying I felt some God's power and goodness." She turned to me and said, "This is my fear! Tongues, this is what you were praying for earlier!! I'm terrified!" "Okay Valerie, there is no fear in Jesus, perfect love casts out fear, begin to pray out loud so the devil can hear how dumb he is and there won't be anything to stop you from receiving this gift!"
She started praying out loud and within a few words spoken in true faith, her words turned into her prayer language! From then on she kept praying in her tongue as tears rolled down her face. God is completely purposeful in all things.
PRAY Valerie continues to pray with power and realizes fear is only a lie. Pray she opens the box and deals with the pain the church caused her. Pray she relies on God alone to fulfill HIS purpose in her life and she understands His grace abounds.
MARCUS
September 7
Bus ride to Virginia
For the first time the Lord put a man next to me on the bus, a 27 year old black man, with dreads, baggy pants and a flat bill, [I wasn't really intimidated after ministering in Harlem.] He was heading to D.C. to "visit a friend" and he made small talk which eventually lead to talking about religion [as always...]
Marcus believes "He is God, because God created him and therefore we're all partly God [some truth.] He doesn't believe Jesus was bore of the virgin Mary or that we even had a need for a savior. "Karma," was the way you live life, always reincarnating to a better or worse life depending on the way you live. "This is Hell,... there is no heaven... and the Bible is just a book."
After a while I decided to stop throwing out my Christian beliefs because he wasn't buying it, I mustn't have been very discreet, "You probably don't think I'm worth arguing with do you? You think I'm too stuck in my ways to even waste your words??" I didn't see that coming... "Do you want to hear what I believe? Okay!" I proceeded in explaining how the Devil was cast into Hell and when the fall of man happened in the Garden of Eden we gave Satan dominion of the earth therefore, this world is fallen and we ALL need a savior. I explained Christ coming of a virgin and dying on the cross to pay for the sins and then he ascended into heaven, sending us the Holy Spirit to live inside of those who accept it, which is the power that raised Christ from the grave.
"You know your stuff... you should teach or something..." He said it all sounded good and if He was able to experience God like I had told him I had he'd believe all of it too.
PRAY Marcus has a encounter with the living God who loves him that he will wake up from his slumber and open his eyes to the truth.
Bus ride to Virginia
For the first time the Lord put a man next to me on the bus, a 27 year old black man, with dreads, baggy pants and a flat bill, [I wasn't really intimidated after ministering in Harlem.] He was heading to D.C. to "visit a friend" and he made small talk which eventually lead to talking about religion [as always...]
Marcus believes "He is God, because God created him and therefore we're all partly God [some truth.] He doesn't believe Jesus was bore of the virgin Mary or that we even had a need for a savior. "Karma," was the way you live life, always reincarnating to a better or worse life depending on the way you live. "This is Hell,... there is no heaven... and the Bible is just a book."
After a while I decided to stop throwing out my Christian beliefs because he wasn't buying it, I mustn't have been very discreet, "You probably don't think I'm worth arguing with do you? You think I'm too stuck in my ways to even waste your words??" I didn't see that coming... "Do you want to hear what I believe? Okay!" I proceeded in explaining how the Devil was cast into Hell and when the fall of man happened in the Garden of Eden we gave Satan dominion of the earth therefore, this world is fallen and we ALL need a savior. I explained Christ coming of a virgin and dying on the cross to pay for the sins and then he ascended into heaven, sending us the Holy Spirit to live inside of those who accept it, which is the power that raised Christ from the grave.
"You know your stuff... you should teach or something..." He said it all sounded good and if He was able to experience God like I had told him I had he'd believe all of it too.
PRAY Marcus has a encounter with the living God who loves him that he will wake up from his slumber and open his eyes to the truth.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
JOB OPPORTUNITY
September 6
5:00am
Carla and I were just walking up the steps to her apartment after ministering on the stoop that night when we decided to finish watching the rest of the "Father of Lights" documentary [of miracles of God.] We ended up talking through most of it because we were so excited of all God had just done in the past hours.
I couldn't believe that 3 days before I had never met her and now it was like we'd known each other for years. It was only because she was a friend of a friend willing to let a stranger come live with her for a few days that we had experienced all that we had that night.
We went on talking more about how she ended up in New York City, graduating Women of the Year from Virginia Tech she came to the city to be an apprentice. She since has built a branding and marketing company that she runs by herself called Polas Digital, with a vision based on the parable of the sower, to plant seeds of righteousness in the business world.
I loved it and told her about my year at Teen Mania working in Development and then we went on talking about my trip and our families and on from there. We kept agreeing and finding common interests in the most random things, we are such kindred spirits.
"This is just divine Carla, if you ever have a job opportunity or anything, call me I'd love to be a part of what God is doing in NYC." She smirked and said, "That's funny because I'm looking to hire in the next month, I've been taking a class on how to hire and make this company official and I have had it prophesied over me that Polas Digital will be a 'real' company in 2012." She went on to say, I've been praying for someone like you to come work for me who understands this is God's business and can be spirit lead." By then my jaw was on the floor, "Carla I would love to but I haven't been to school and I just have a year experience..." She laughed and said, "I was in college 4 years and I haven't used anything I learned the Lord Literally built this company on my obedience, not by my knowledge, I trust your love for God much more than a degree."
She told me to pray because I was basically hired, I would be able to stay at her apartment until I could afford a place of my own and she was ready to have me as soon as I was done with my trip.
My mind was blown I never ended up going to bed that night I was up praying and journaling it all, and began to put all the pieces together.
First, Rene, my friend, said when he was looking for a place for me to stay in NYC the Lord told him I was supposed to stay with Carla, and in the end she was the only one willing to take me in.
Second, everyone I had met everywhere else I'd been people would always just say, "Thanks for coming good to meet you etc." BUT literally every person I met while in New York would say,"So good to meet you, when are you coming back?!" confused I would reply, "Never I guess..." Yet it kept happening over and over...
Third, I called my mom to tell her and she told me growing up I always talked about going to New York City. I didn't believe her but she insisted I always would talk about the city. When I shared that with Carla she told me she said the same thing when she was a little girl!
Since then I've gotten plenty of other confirmation and I know this is what the Lord has for me next.
5:00am
Carla and I were just walking up the steps to her apartment after ministering on the stoop that night when we decided to finish watching the rest of the "Father of Lights" documentary [of miracles of God.] We ended up talking through most of it because we were so excited of all God had just done in the past hours.
I couldn't believe that 3 days before I had never met her and now it was like we'd known each other for years. It was only because she was a friend of a friend willing to let a stranger come live with her for a few days that we had experienced all that we had that night.
We went on talking more about how she ended up in New York City, graduating Women of the Year from Virginia Tech she came to the city to be an apprentice. She since has built a branding and marketing company that she runs by herself called Polas Digital, with a vision based on the parable of the sower, to plant seeds of righteousness in the business world.
I loved it and told her about my year at Teen Mania working in Development and then we went on talking about my trip and our families and on from there. We kept agreeing and finding common interests in the most random things, we are such kindred spirits.
"This is just divine Carla, if you ever have a job opportunity or anything, call me I'd love to be a part of what God is doing in NYC." She smirked and said, "That's funny because I'm looking to hire in the next month, I've been taking a class on how to hire and make this company official and I have had it prophesied over me that Polas Digital will be a 'real' company in 2012." She went on to say, I've been praying for someone like you to come work for me who understands this is God's business and can be spirit lead." By then my jaw was on the floor, "Carla I would love to but I haven't been to school and I just have a year experience..." She laughed and said, "I was in college 4 years and I haven't used anything I learned the Lord Literally built this company on my obedience, not by my knowledge, I trust your love for God much more than a degree."
She told me to pray because I was basically hired, I would be able to stay at her apartment until I could afford a place of my own and she was ready to have me as soon as I was done with my trip.
My mind was blown I never ended up going to bed that night I was up praying and journaling it all, and began to put all the pieces together.
First, Rene, my friend, said when he was looking for a place for me to stay in NYC the Lord told him I was supposed to stay with Carla, and in the end she was the only one willing to take me in.
Second, everyone I had met everywhere else I'd been people would always just say, "Thanks for coming good to meet you etc." BUT literally every person I met while in New York would say,"So good to meet you, when are you coming back?!" confused I would reply, "Never I guess..." Yet it kept happening over and over...
Third, I called my mom to tell her and she told me growing up I always talked about going to New York City. I didn't believe her but she insisted I always would talk about the city. When I shared that with Carla she told me she said the same thing when she was a little girl!
Since then I've gotten plenty of other confirmation and I know this is what the Lord has for me next.
CARLOS
September 6
135th St, Harlem, NY
We rolled out of the rooftop party around 1:00am and were dropped off at my friend Carla's apartment where I was staying. As we were getting out of the car Carla turned to me and said, "That's my friend out there on our stoop, God is about to rock him!" She wasn't kidding.
Two little blonde girls in dresses hanging out with 3 grown men on a stoop in the middle of Harlem at 1:30am. We weren't scared.
We began talking to her friend Melvin, a new age believer from the neighborhood. I knew he had already told Carla his beliefs but I asked for him to share with me. We began talking and I started sharing my faith and asking questions, when all of a sudden a man sitting a few feet away piped in with, "I have a question."
His name was Carlos, and he was chilling with his friend Jay, they didn't know it but they were just waiting for a message from the Lord. He asked me, "What do you think about people saying "God Bless you," when people sneeze because haven't we already been blessed by God when he sent Jesus on the cross?" That wasn't exactly what I was expecting from a middle aged black man but I was pleasantly surprised. I told him, that was true but we can all receive more blessings from God, we were created to continue to experience God more and more everyday. Meanwhile Melvin had to go, and Carla and Jay were having a separate conversation, Carlos began to open up about his testimony once he realized there wasn't an audience.
He looked around to make sure no one was looking and he pulled up the sleeve of his shirt and showed me his tattoo. It was a picture of the devil cowering under an angel of the Lord. He said the Lord showed him that when he was 5 years old and he knew that he stopped seeing spiritual things because the world had clouded his vision. Carlos knew God had victory over the enemy and then had a story to back it up about how the Lord took a situation meant for evil and turned it to good.
This past June he was locked up with a bail of $3,000 and had no means at all to pay it. While in jail he had began to write letters to God and reading his Bible knowing God would be the only one that could help him. One day he was let out of his cell to go to eat when he walked by a familiar face just coming into the jail, a man from his neighborhood dressed in a full white sweatsuit. They talked briefly, long enough to share why they were there and what their bail was for. His friend told him, "Bro I was sent in here for you." and told him he was going to get his bail paid for and told him he didn't expect payback. Within the next day he was out and he told me he told everyone the story of how God helped him out. I challenged him to live his life in a way that would prove he was still thankful for God showing up, he paused and said he was trying.
He told me he has a court date October 2, and he wanted me to be there. I told him I would be on the road but I could pray for him for beautiful outcome and release, it was as I wrote those words in my phones calendar that my phone started freaking out! Literally starting doing things all by itself and it would not cooperate [and even since it hasn't been right] and I started laughing because I knew why. The Lord has a plan for Carlos and Satan does not want me praying for this mans victory. So of course I layed hands on him and prayed that the supernatural power of God would touch Carlos in a way he would not be able to deny.
Meanwhile Carla had prayed for Jay and he received the Holy Spirit and walked back home laughing with the joy of the Lord.
PRAY for Carlos to find more and more reason to follow Christ fully, pray the Lord moves in his favor October 2 for his court date and that even now God would come to him and encounter him in a real way.
By the time we got up to the apartment it was 4:00am and by then we were so hyped up on what God was doing that we sat up talking read 'JOB OPPORTUNITY' to hear how the rest of the night [morning] ended up.
135th St, Harlem, NY
We rolled out of the rooftop party around 1:00am and were dropped off at my friend Carla's apartment where I was staying. As we were getting out of the car Carla turned to me and said, "That's my friend out there on our stoop, God is about to rock him!" She wasn't kidding.
Two little blonde girls in dresses hanging out with 3 grown men on a stoop in the middle of Harlem at 1:30am. We weren't scared.
We began talking to her friend Melvin, a new age believer from the neighborhood. I knew he had already told Carla his beliefs but I asked for him to share with me. We began talking and I started sharing my faith and asking questions, when all of a sudden a man sitting a few feet away piped in with, "I have a question."
His name was Carlos, and he was chilling with his friend Jay, they didn't know it but they were just waiting for a message from the Lord. He asked me, "What do you think about people saying "God Bless you," when people sneeze because haven't we already been blessed by God when he sent Jesus on the cross?" That wasn't exactly what I was expecting from a middle aged black man but I was pleasantly surprised. I told him, that was true but we can all receive more blessings from God, we were created to continue to experience God more and more everyday. Meanwhile Melvin had to go, and Carla and Jay were having a separate conversation, Carlos began to open up about his testimony once he realized there wasn't an audience.
He looked around to make sure no one was looking and he pulled up the sleeve of his shirt and showed me his tattoo. It was a picture of the devil cowering under an angel of the Lord. He said the Lord showed him that when he was 5 years old and he knew that he stopped seeing spiritual things because the world had clouded his vision. Carlos knew God had victory over the enemy and then had a story to back it up about how the Lord took a situation meant for evil and turned it to good.
This past June he was locked up with a bail of $3,000 and had no means at all to pay it. While in jail he had began to write letters to God and reading his Bible knowing God would be the only one that could help him. One day he was let out of his cell to go to eat when he walked by a familiar face just coming into the jail, a man from his neighborhood dressed in a full white sweatsuit. They talked briefly, long enough to share why they were there and what their bail was for. His friend told him, "Bro I was sent in here for you." and told him he was going to get his bail paid for and told him he didn't expect payback. Within the next day he was out and he told me he told everyone the story of how God helped him out. I challenged him to live his life in a way that would prove he was still thankful for God showing up, he paused and said he was trying.
He told me he has a court date October 2, and he wanted me to be there. I told him I would be on the road but I could pray for him for beautiful outcome and release, it was as I wrote those words in my phones calendar that my phone started freaking out! Literally starting doing things all by itself and it would not cooperate [and even since it hasn't been right] and I started laughing because I knew why. The Lord has a plan for Carlos and Satan does not want me praying for this mans victory. So of course I layed hands on him and prayed that the supernatural power of God would touch Carlos in a way he would not be able to deny.
Meanwhile Carla had prayed for Jay and he received the Holy Spirit and walked back home laughing with the joy of the Lord.
PRAY for Carlos to find more and more reason to follow Christ fully, pray the Lord moves in his favor October 2 for his court date and that even now God would come to him and encounter him in a real way.
By the time we got up to the apartment it was 4:00am and by then we were so hyped up on what God was doing that we sat up talking read 'JOB OPPORTUNITY' to hear how the rest of the night [morning] ended up.
ROOFTOP PARTY
September 6
New York City
At church Wednesday I was invited to a penthouse rooftop party/fundraiser, of course I wasn't about to pass that up!
The next night we got dressed up and made our way to the rooftop of the Corinthian building. The party was hopping, an open bar and dancing, so naturally I made myself comfortable in a corner away from the people looking out to the city lights of Mahatten. Peroidically my friend Rene would introduce me to his friends and I ended up meeting some amazing people and in the midst of it all God showed up.
ARLENE
This woman had survived Cancer 4 times! If that in itself isn't a testimony, she went on to tell me how she brought revival to a hospital. Arlene was taking treatments and kept at a hospital but she told me she was too social to sit around, so she would go visit the other patients and in a short time was known around the floors as a friend to talk to. She would minister to all of the patients and before long she had the staff of the hospital joining together every morning to pray. She told the story but took not pride in it as anything she had done, understanding it was just the Lord using a willing vessel to do His ministry.
NATHAN
A former atheist who while studying philosophy but in his search for the truth he found even science pointed to a 'higher power.' After 5 years of studying and looking for truth Nathan found Jesus and has now been a believer for less than a year. My friend Carla and I listened to his testimony and talked more about God's power with him and when we told about the baptism of the Holy spirit and his ears perked up. Nathan wanted it and therefore we prayed, despite us being in the middle of a party God showed up and Nathan began speaking in tongues!
STEVE
An Italian man in his early 30's who was throwing the fundraiser/party finally took a break from dancing and entertaining to come hang out just as Nathan was being prayed for. Steve himself had just gotten radically saved in March from what I had heard and asked that He would share his testimony with me. He began by telling me he had been hooked on drugs since age 14, starting with weed and then quickly got hooked on Cocaine and Heroine. He told me how he would rob anyone he knew for drug money, sold everything as he was taking $500-$600 worth of drugs a day. He eventually got caught stealing $100,000 worth of jewelry and got put in jail, from there went to recovery programs where doctors kept Steve hooked on medication to keep him off of Cocaine. Steve told us he would ask the social workers,"How do I get free from this addiction? How do I stop thinking about getting high?" they would tell him, "You'll just have to learn to ignore it." Steve told us he started looking into becoming a Muslim, ghost hunting, anything besides Christianity [he had been hurt by the church as a little kid,] but every time he googled, 'Muslim man gets freed from addiction' Jesus would pop up so he would get mad and log out. A friend of a friend invited him to the Hillsong church and he was guilted into going. He sat front row and told us he wept through the entire sermon and that night he was radically saved, within a week he was off all his medications and has been clean ever since. Now he goes to all 7 services each Sunday and can't get enough of God's glory.
While he was sharing his testimony my friend came up to him and asked him to pray for her, she had been medication for ADD and wanted to be freed, and Steve gave her a blank look as she knelt by his chair waiting for him to pray. "I've never prayed for anyone before..." I looked at him in amazement, this man was one of the most socialable, outgoing men I've ever met! "Well then now's when you start, go ahead" He prayed and then I encouraged him. The enemy had put fear in Steve so that he wouldn't use the very thing God had gifted him in, and I wasn't about to leave that party until Steve knew that.
We were the last ones to leave but the night wasn't over, Read the next post 'CARLOS' to hear about the rest of the night.
New York City
At church Wednesday I was invited to a penthouse rooftop party/fundraiser, of course I wasn't about to pass that up!
The next night we got dressed up and made our way to the rooftop of the Corinthian building. The party was hopping, an open bar and dancing, so naturally I made myself comfortable in a corner away from the people looking out to the city lights of Mahatten. Peroidically my friend Rene would introduce me to his friends and I ended up meeting some amazing people and in the midst of it all God showed up.
ARLENE
This woman had survived Cancer 4 times! If that in itself isn't a testimony, she went on to tell me how she brought revival to a hospital. Arlene was taking treatments and kept at a hospital but she told me she was too social to sit around, so she would go visit the other patients and in a short time was known around the floors as a friend to talk to. She would minister to all of the patients and before long she had the staff of the hospital joining together every morning to pray. She told the story but took not pride in it as anything she had done, understanding it was just the Lord using a willing vessel to do His ministry.
NATHAN
A former atheist who while studying philosophy but in his search for the truth he found even science pointed to a 'higher power.' After 5 years of studying and looking for truth Nathan found Jesus and has now been a believer for less than a year. My friend Carla and I listened to his testimony and talked more about God's power with him and when we told about the baptism of the Holy spirit and his ears perked up. Nathan wanted it and therefore we prayed, despite us being in the middle of a party God showed up and Nathan began speaking in tongues!
STEVE
An Italian man in his early 30's who was throwing the fundraiser/party finally took a break from dancing and entertaining to come hang out just as Nathan was being prayed for. Steve himself had just gotten radically saved in March from what I had heard and asked that He would share his testimony with me. He began by telling me he had been hooked on drugs since age 14, starting with weed and then quickly got hooked on Cocaine and Heroine. He told me how he would rob anyone he knew for drug money, sold everything as he was taking $500-$600 worth of drugs a day. He eventually got caught stealing $100,000 worth of jewelry and got put in jail, from there went to recovery programs where doctors kept Steve hooked on medication to keep him off of Cocaine. Steve told us he would ask the social workers,"How do I get free from this addiction? How do I stop thinking about getting high?" they would tell him, "You'll just have to learn to ignore it." Steve told us he started looking into becoming a Muslim, ghost hunting, anything besides Christianity [he had been hurt by the church as a little kid,] but every time he googled, 'Muslim man gets freed from addiction' Jesus would pop up so he would get mad and log out. A friend of a friend invited him to the Hillsong church and he was guilted into going. He sat front row and told us he wept through the entire sermon and that night he was radically saved, within a week he was off all his medications and has been clean ever since. Now he goes to all 7 services each Sunday and can't get enough of God's glory.
While he was sharing his testimony my friend came up to him and asked him to pray for her, she had been medication for ADD and wanted to be freed, and Steve gave her a blank look as she knelt by his chair waiting for him to pray. "I've never prayed for anyone before..." I looked at him in amazement, this man was one of the most socialable, outgoing men I've ever met! "Well then now's when you start, go ahead" He prayed and then I encouraged him. The enemy had put fear in Steve so that he wouldn't use the very thing God had gifted him in, and I wasn't about to leave that party until Steve knew that.
We were the last ones to leave but the night wasn't over, Read the next post 'CARLOS' to hear about the rest of the night.
Enneagram Test
This is a personality test my friend showed me while I was in Connecticut, it's pretty accurate from what I've found.
http://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test.php
[Take the classic test.]
http://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test.php
[Take the classic test.]
Thursday, September 13, 2012
BOB
August 29
While to visiting home, Brooklyn, MI
I had surprised my family, they had no idea I was coming home for a visit, [it was epic.] So I caught my Dad as he was headed to get a haircut so I joined him and we just went to the first barber shop we could find.
We walked into to the shop and found a note in sloppy handwriting, 'take a seat, I'll be back in 5 minutes' I sat on a bench clearly bought in the 70's and marvelled at the walls literally covered of everything from antique knifes to vintage military posters. There was an old black and white movie playing and all that was around the barber chair was white hair clippings.
An skinny old man came in through the door, "Well heyyah there," shook our hands, "Bob Jackson" he said. We talked as he cut Dad's hair, he told us he was 79 and had been working as a barber since he returned from the Korean war. Which lead to stories of the war and he told us what it was like being drafted at 17 years old and working in the tanks [or whatever they were called] his job was to fire the 50 Calliper.
He changed the subject by askings, "wanna know how I met my wife?" He told me at 15 years old all the nieghborhood kids were playing baseball an he was up to bat. Bob hit the ball and when he threw the bat it made like cupid's arrow and hit her right upside her head. The next day he went to her house to check on her, she came out with her head stiched up and he offered to take her out for ice cream, they've been together ever since [58 years.]
I never got the chance to minister to Bob but I am such a sucker for old love stories that last :)
PRAY for Bob's wife Pat, as her health is "not so good," and pray the Lord blesses Bob for his faithfulness.
While to visiting home, Brooklyn, MI
I had surprised my family, they had no idea I was coming home for a visit, [it was epic.] So I caught my Dad as he was headed to get a haircut so I joined him and we just went to the first barber shop we could find.
We walked into to the shop and found a note in sloppy handwriting, 'take a seat, I'll be back in 5 minutes' I sat on a bench clearly bought in the 70's and marvelled at the walls literally covered of everything from antique knifes to vintage military posters. There was an old black and white movie playing and all that was around the barber chair was white hair clippings.
An skinny old man came in through the door, "Well heyyah there," shook our hands, "Bob Jackson" he said. We talked as he cut Dad's hair, he told us he was 79 and had been working as a barber since he returned from the Korean war. Which lead to stories of the war and he told us what it was like being drafted at 17 years old and working in the tanks [or whatever they were called] his job was to fire the 50 Calliper.
He changed the subject by askings, "wanna know how I met my wife?" He told me at 15 years old all the nieghborhood kids were playing baseball an he was up to bat. Bob hit the ball and when he threw the bat it made like cupid's arrow and hit her right upside her head. The next day he went to her house to check on her, she came out with her head stiched up and he offered to take her out for ice cream, they've been together ever since [58 years.]
I never got the chance to minister to Bob but I am such a sucker for old love stories that last :)
PRAY for Bob's wife Pat, as her health is "not so good," and pray the Lord blesses Bob for his faithfulness.
LELA
August 26
Bus headed to Rockford, Illinois
I loaded the bus and saw a blonde headed lady in her 40's and felt that the Lord told me to sit next to her. I introduced myself as I tried to squeeze my backpack in the overhead compartments, and asked her where she was headed.
Lela was on trying to get to Iowa, she was going to get re-certified as a truck driver. This is only the surface of her story. I kept prying at her with questions and her dry answers evenutally turned to real talk.
Turns out she had a boyfriend who was, "doing her wrong," and she talked of the awful names she told me she was going to true school to get away from him, and she told me of her "friend" who wants her to come be with him and is a much nicer man. I encouraged it, though it probably wasn't the most pure relationship I know she deserves better.
She told me about her 5 kids, the first one she had at age 14 and all of them had different fathers. She hadn't raised any of them, she would tell me she was afraid so she would give custody to other people who were more willing to be tied down while she ran from herself. She was still running and has been for almost 30 years.
Soon we got to talking about God and she told me she had experienced God's protection, she said, "I have 9 lives!" I giggled and she said, "No! I'm serious!" She began to explain the following near death experiences to me:
1] When she was 13 she had Hepatitis and Mono, as well as a ruptured spline. The doctors had given her hours to live and they told Lela's mom to call in the family, instead her mom called the deacons of the church. The deacons prayed for her and when she woke u the next morning she was healed completely.
2] Her crazy Ex boyfriend had stabbed her 5 times in her throat and chest region, [she showed me scars] yet she drove herself to the hospital and admitted herself, "so they say, I don't remember any of it" she told me.
3] She was in a car accident and thrown from the truck leaving her only with a broken ankle and wrist.
4] Lela was driving and had a seizer while driving and her 12 year son [at the time] moved her foot of the pedal and took the wheel, driving them to safety.
5] She was in another car wreck where they had to use the Jaws of life to get her out, leaving her with nothing but a scratch.
6] Another crazy Ex boyfriend held her at gunpoint, and then Lela's mother came out of nowhere with a gun and shoot him in his leg. Lela ran outside and said she counted 19 cops standing around their house.
3 left.
That's not all
Over 15 years ago she was thrown in jail for over $10,000 in bad checks, meanwhile her 12 year old son was staying with Lela's mother. One night Lela's mother heard the boy talking to someone in his room, when she opened the door she saw the back of a man sitting on his bed, assuming it was her husband she closed the door and went to bed. She went to her room, turned off the light and climbed into bed and when she rolled over she felt her husband. She was scared and shook her husband to wake him, "there's a man in the house!" and half still sleeping her husband replied, "He's a good man." The next morning the boy told his grandma, "God came and talked to me last night, He told me Momma is going to be okay."
After Lela had told me All of this I looked at her and simply said, "All of that and you're still running?!"
I told her that is a supernatural protection on her life and the Lord has plans for her, she can't deny Him much longer.
PRAY The Lord would show himself again, this time in a way that would paralyze her from continuing to run. That she would run into the arms of the Father who can love in a way her earthly father never did.
Bus headed to Rockford, Illinois
I loaded the bus and saw a blonde headed lady in her 40's and felt that the Lord told me to sit next to her. I introduced myself as I tried to squeeze my backpack in the overhead compartments, and asked her where she was headed.
Lela was on trying to get to Iowa, she was going to get re-certified as a truck driver. This is only the surface of her story. I kept prying at her with questions and her dry answers evenutally turned to real talk.
Turns out she had a boyfriend who was, "doing her wrong," and she talked of the awful names she told me she was going to true school to get away from him, and she told me of her "friend" who wants her to come be with him and is a much nicer man. I encouraged it, though it probably wasn't the most pure relationship I know she deserves better.
She told me about her 5 kids, the first one she had at age 14 and all of them had different fathers. She hadn't raised any of them, she would tell me she was afraid so she would give custody to other people who were more willing to be tied down while she ran from herself. She was still running and has been for almost 30 years.
Soon we got to talking about God and she told me she had experienced God's protection, she said, "I have 9 lives!" I giggled and she said, "No! I'm serious!" She began to explain the following near death experiences to me:
1] When she was 13 she had Hepatitis and Mono, as well as a ruptured spline. The doctors had given her hours to live and they told Lela's mom to call in the family, instead her mom called the deacons of the church. The deacons prayed for her and when she woke u the next morning she was healed completely.
2] Her crazy Ex boyfriend had stabbed her 5 times in her throat and chest region, [she showed me scars] yet she drove herself to the hospital and admitted herself, "so they say, I don't remember any of it" she told me.
3] She was in a car accident and thrown from the truck leaving her only with a broken ankle and wrist.
4] Lela was driving and had a seizer while driving and her 12 year son [at the time] moved her foot of the pedal and took the wheel, driving them to safety.
5] She was in another car wreck where they had to use the Jaws of life to get her out, leaving her with nothing but a scratch.
6] Another crazy Ex boyfriend held her at gunpoint, and then Lela's mother came out of nowhere with a gun and shoot him in his leg. Lela ran outside and said she counted 19 cops standing around their house.
3 left.
That's not all
Over 15 years ago she was thrown in jail for over $10,000 in bad checks, meanwhile her 12 year old son was staying with Lela's mother. One night Lela's mother heard the boy talking to someone in his room, when she opened the door she saw the back of a man sitting on his bed, assuming it was her husband she closed the door and went to bed. She went to her room, turned off the light and climbed into bed and when she rolled over she felt her husband. She was scared and shook her husband to wake him, "there's a man in the house!" and half still sleeping her husband replied, "He's a good man." The next morning the boy told his grandma, "God came and talked to me last night, He told me Momma is going to be okay."
After Lela had told me All of this I looked at her and simply said, "All of that and you're still running?!"
I told her that is a supernatural protection on her life and the Lord has plans for her, she can't deny Him much longer.
PRAY The Lord would show himself again, this time in a way that would paralyze her from continuing to run. That she would run into the arms of the Father who can love in a way her earthly father never did.
SANDINA
August 24
Bus bound for Kansas City
I had struck conversation with a man in line while we waited to board our bus [which I never got a name] and we talked bible and God for a good hour. He was referring to Titus 2 as he gestured towards a young girl that had been standing behind us and leaned in close and whispered, "I think you need to talk to her."
We kept talking as this girl listened to me get passionate about the father heart of God and how this generation is hurting because there are not any men walking in their roles as fathers or leading in example. I mentioned how it causes young woman to find love in other men and leads to a life of self destruction and she piped in saying, "thats what happened to my sister..."
I knew a seed was being sown and I wanted to water it...
When we boarded the bus I offered her to sit next to be and within minutes of asking her, "Her story" she had completely opened up about everything as if she was just waiting for someone to ask.
Her name was Sandina and she began to tell me how when she was a as young as 10 years old her mom would leave her home alone with nothing to eat and how one day 3 grown men broke into their apartment she told how they were drinking, smoking and they all had weapons. She ran to lock herself in her room but they kicked in the door, one of them kicked her and yelled nasty things to her, threatening her. Just minutes later her older sister and her sister's boyfriend came in and drove them off and her sister took her with them to take care of her. In effort to calm her down [in the only way she knew how] her older sister gave her weed and she told me she had been smoking ever since that day.
At age 13 her Dad finally came into the picture and decided to be a part of her life and after never knowing him she went to move in with him. She told me how her dad was sexual with her and would always make her lift up her shirt so he could touch her stomach, but only when no one else was around.
She got sick of her dad and at the age of 14 moved in with her boyfriend who was a drug dealer and began hustling drugs. By then she was hooked on Meth and told me how it completely controlled her, selling drugs to get drugs, doing anything to get her next fix being in and out of pysch wards all the time because she would hallucinate on these heavy drugs.
At age 16 she had gotten pregnant and had enough sanity to know she had to get sober for this baby, she and her boyfriend both got clean [even though they were still selling drugs] the whole time she was pregnant and she had a beautiful baby boy, Josiah.
Two months after the baby was born she left the baby home alone, got drunk and arrested and had Josiah taken by CPS.
Now Sandina was headed for Kentucky to stay with a friend to get sobered up so that she could get custody of her son back. She didn't tell anyone where she was going, not even her boyfriend[/baby daddy.] "I know this is what I have to do to live right, I have a baby and he needs his mom, I can't live that life anymore." Sandina is 18 years old.
I felt the Lord tell me, "She's running," so I asked her, when are you going to stop running? She looked at me with eyes full of pain and fear and didn't say anything.
We talked more about God and what she believed about Jesus, she said she had accepted him into her heart and I explained the power that raised Christ from the dead that live inside her, that she could use that power to stop the addictions and terrible things that the devil puts in our way. We talked about getting sober and she said "Once I've been free from drugs awhile I want to help other people get clean." That's when I explained that God would be her hope because when we're weak he is strong and He can sustain us.
When I asked about a church she said she used to go, and these older leaders would pray for her every week and she would feel so happy but none of the kids her age would talk to her so because she didn't feel accepted she just stopped going [Wake up church!] I apologized on their behalf and explained that God hasn't rejected her and even though she's running he hasn't lost sight of her and how His hearts aching for her to come to Him because He loves her SO much, that even through all these terrible things the devil has thrown at her. God has protected Sandina and even now He is pulling her out of her old lifestyle that she might be able to stand on her feet.
PRAY this young girl has been through SO much suffering and seen things a girl her age should have never seen. Pray purity and a clean mind, a new hope in Christ alone, for a church that will embrace her and build her up to be the woman of God she is called to be. Pray that she would be able to gain back custody of baby Josiah and be his mommy again.
Bus bound for Kansas City
I had struck conversation with a man in line while we waited to board our bus [which I never got a name] and we talked bible and God for a good hour. He was referring to Titus 2 as he gestured towards a young girl that had been standing behind us and leaned in close and whispered, "I think you need to talk to her."
We kept talking as this girl listened to me get passionate about the father heart of God and how this generation is hurting because there are not any men walking in their roles as fathers or leading in example. I mentioned how it causes young woman to find love in other men and leads to a life of self destruction and she piped in saying, "thats what happened to my sister..."
I knew a seed was being sown and I wanted to water it...
When we boarded the bus I offered her to sit next to be and within minutes of asking her, "Her story" she had completely opened up about everything as if she was just waiting for someone to ask.
Her name was Sandina and she began to tell me how when she was a as young as 10 years old her mom would leave her home alone with nothing to eat and how one day 3 grown men broke into their apartment she told how they were drinking, smoking and they all had weapons. She ran to lock herself in her room but they kicked in the door, one of them kicked her and yelled nasty things to her, threatening her. Just minutes later her older sister and her sister's boyfriend came in and drove them off and her sister took her with them to take care of her. In effort to calm her down [in the only way she knew how] her older sister gave her weed and she told me she had been smoking ever since that day.
At age 13 her Dad finally came into the picture and decided to be a part of her life and after never knowing him she went to move in with him. She told me how her dad was sexual with her and would always make her lift up her shirt so he could touch her stomach, but only when no one else was around.
She got sick of her dad and at the age of 14 moved in with her boyfriend who was a drug dealer and began hustling drugs. By then she was hooked on Meth and told me how it completely controlled her, selling drugs to get drugs, doing anything to get her next fix being in and out of pysch wards all the time because she would hallucinate on these heavy drugs.
At age 16 she had gotten pregnant and had enough sanity to know she had to get sober for this baby, she and her boyfriend both got clean [even though they were still selling drugs] the whole time she was pregnant and she had a beautiful baby boy, Josiah.
Two months after the baby was born she left the baby home alone, got drunk and arrested and had Josiah taken by CPS.
Now Sandina was headed for Kentucky to stay with a friend to get sobered up so that she could get custody of her son back. She didn't tell anyone where she was going, not even her boyfriend[/baby daddy.] "I know this is what I have to do to live right, I have a baby and he needs his mom, I can't live that life anymore." Sandina is 18 years old.
I felt the Lord tell me, "She's running," so I asked her, when are you going to stop running? She looked at me with eyes full of pain and fear and didn't say anything.
We talked more about God and what she believed about Jesus, she said she had accepted him into her heart and I explained the power that raised Christ from the dead that live inside her, that she could use that power to stop the addictions and terrible things that the devil puts in our way. We talked about getting sober and she said "Once I've been free from drugs awhile I want to help other people get clean." That's when I explained that God would be her hope because when we're weak he is strong and He can sustain us.
When I asked about a church she said she used to go, and these older leaders would pray for her every week and she would feel so happy but none of the kids her age would talk to her so because she didn't feel accepted she just stopped going [Wake up church!] I apologized on their behalf and explained that God hasn't rejected her and even though she's running he hasn't lost sight of her and how His hearts aching for her to come to Him because He loves her SO much, that even through all these terrible things the devil has thrown at her. God has protected Sandina and even now He is pulling her out of her old lifestyle that she might be able to stand on her feet.
PRAY this young girl has been through SO much suffering and seen things a girl her age should have never seen. Pray purity and a clean mind, a new hope in Christ alone, for a church that will embrace her and build her up to be the woman of God she is called to be. Pray that she would be able to gain back custody of baby Josiah and be his mommy again.
LAURA
August 21
Bus Ride to Colorado Springs
We made a stop somewhere in Idaho when a lady walked onto the bus while I was on the phone with my mom, I interrupted my mom to compliment the cool leather purse she carries and scooted towards the window and let her in. After I got out off the phone I turned to her and we began to talk small talk, before long I found out she was just another divine appointment.
Laura was her name, bubbly, singer and songwriter from Michigan, a wife of a youth pastor and mother. This woman was oozing with inspiration and ambition, she would would ask me about my passions which lead to discussions about God the depth of His affections.It was as if I was looking at myself 16 years from now, such a free spirit, and a heart for worship, using her gifts to serve God.
Listening to her talk about all her dreams made me realize a lie I was believing. I thought someday when I am married I would have to stop dreaming and be stable, and that always sounded so dull. Laura helped me to realize we are meant to go from glory to glory, always having ambitions to see more of God fulfilled and experience new things. It was then that I decided I would never be the lady that says "I miss those times," but instead I will always embrace my season and find adventure in everything the Lord sends to me. The Lord is not a boring God so why do we have to live a boring life??
She had to get off in Montana but before she did she handed me her card and told me "if you ever need anything or get stuck anywhere call me! I know people everywhere and I can hook you up.... I mean it!" I nodded but already had decided I wouldn't need her help but appreciated her gesture. Little did I know that was God!
August 27
6 days later I was traveling from Rockford, IL to Jackson, MI to visit home, and when I looked at the bus schedule I realized I was going to be stuck in the downtown Chicago bus station from 7pm - 6am the next morning. I was stuck and had no one to call.... so I broke down my pride and texted Laura. Within an hour she had a couple for me to stay with in downtown Chicago and come to find out she had 2 other families lined up for me just in case.
Tell me that wasn't God!
PRAY for Laura and her singing and songwriting that she would have more opportunities to play, to travel, and record albums and that her name would be known in the Christian community for worshiping with power. Pray for her husband to have more influence and ministry in the youth of Michigan, in our nation and across the world. Pray for her relationship with her daughter to be strengthened and that she would enjoy her more and more everyday.
Bus Ride to Colorado Springs
We made a stop somewhere in Idaho when a lady walked onto the bus while I was on the phone with my mom, I interrupted my mom to compliment the cool leather purse she carries and scooted towards the window and let her in. After I got out off the phone I turned to her and we began to talk small talk, before long I found out she was just another divine appointment.
Laura was her name, bubbly, singer and songwriter from Michigan, a wife of a youth pastor and mother. This woman was oozing with inspiration and ambition, she would would ask me about my passions which lead to discussions about God the depth of His affections.It was as if I was looking at myself 16 years from now, such a free spirit, and a heart for worship, using her gifts to serve God.
Listening to her talk about all her dreams made me realize a lie I was believing. I thought someday when I am married I would have to stop dreaming and be stable, and that always sounded so dull. Laura helped me to realize we are meant to go from glory to glory, always having ambitions to see more of God fulfilled and experience new things. It was then that I decided I would never be the lady that says "I miss those times," but instead I will always embrace my season and find adventure in everything the Lord sends to me. The Lord is not a boring God so why do we have to live a boring life??
She had to get off in Montana but before she did she handed me her card and told me "if you ever need anything or get stuck anywhere call me! I know people everywhere and I can hook you up.... I mean it!" I nodded but already had decided I wouldn't need her help but appreciated her gesture. Little did I know that was God!
August 27
6 days later I was traveling from Rockford, IL to Jackson, MI to visit home, and when I looked at the bus schedule I realized I was going to be stuck in the downtown Chicago bus station from 7pm - 6am the next morning. I was stuck and had no one to call.... so I broke down my pride and texted Laura. Within an hour she had a couple for me to stay with in downtown Chicago and come to find out she had 2 other families lined up for me just in case.
Tell me that wasn't God!
PRAY for Laura and her singing and songwriting that she would have more opportunities to play, to travel, and record albums and that her name would be known in the Christian community for worshiping with power. Pray for her husband to have more influence and ministry in the youth of Michigan, in our nation and across the world. Pray for her relationship with her daughter to be strengthened and that she would enjoy her more and more everyday.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
CHRIS & RYAN
August 22
Spokane, Washington
We had an hour layover in Spokane to find something for Dinner, I asked the attendants to point me towards the nearest fast food and I started walking. No one told me downtown Spokane was so sketch so in effort to make myself feel better I made a call to keep anyone from talking to me... It didn't work.
At a crosswalk I caught up with two men I recognized from the bus, One looked to me in his late 40's skinny, white in an old Jimmy Hendrix tshirt, the other was a tall broad white man in his 30's dressed in baggy jeans with long slicked back hair. Not exactly the most friendly looking guys but they commented that they remembered me and though I tried to stay back but I could tell they were waiting up for me and were watching out for me so I followed them into Arby's and made small talk.
This was exactly what they were talking about when they said not to talk to strangers... my bad...
We grabbed some beef and cheese's and got to know each other, Chris was the older guy in the Hendrix tshirt, he told me all summer he traveled around to music festivals selling marijuana accessories , and from the stories he told I could tell he was much more creepy then he looked... Ryan was the younger, much more "America's most wanted" looking one, who turned out to be a father of 3 girls, on his way back to Chicago, he told me how he missed them while he was in Seattle finding work and how even though his baby momma wasn't "ideal" he was trying trying to make it work for his girls. Come to find out they didn't know each other, but that's how people roll on the greyhound.
How wrongly I judged them, It was then that the Lord started showing me how wrong I am sometimes.
PRAY for Chris and Ryan to both find Jesus, whether it means visiting them in a hallucination while their high or in a dream, Lord you know what they need and we pray you would draw them to you and show them your grace and love that they might stop searching for it everywhere else.
Spokane, Washington
We had an hour layover in Spokane to find something for Dinner, I asked the attendants to point me towards the nearest fast food and I started walking. No one told me downtown Spokane was so sketch so in effort to make myself feel better I made a call to keep anyone from talking to me... It didn't work.
At a crosswalk I caught up with two men I recognized from the bus, One looked to me in his late 40's skinny, white in an old Jimmy Hendrix tshirt, the other was a tall broad white man in his 30's dressed in baggy jeans with long slicked back hair. Not exactly the most friendly looking guys but they commented that they remembered me and though I tried to stay back but I could tell they were waiting up for me and were watching out for me so I followed them into Arby's and made small talk.
This was exactly what they were talking about when they said not to talk to strangers... my bad...
We grabbed some beef and cheese's and got to know each other, Chris was the older guy in the Hendrix tshirt, he told me all summer he traveled around to music festivals selling marijuana accessories , and from the stories he told I could tell he was much more creepy then he looked... Ryan was the younger, much more "America's most wanted" looking one, who turned out to be a father of 3 girls, on his way back to Chicago, he told me how he missed them while he was in Seattle finding work and how even though his baby momma wasn't "ideal" he was trying trying to make it work for his girls. Come to find out they didn't know each other, but that's how people roll on the greyhound.
How wrongly I judged them, It was then that the Lord started showing me how wrong I am sometimes.
PRAY for Chris and Ryan to both find Jesus, whether it means visiting them in a hallucination while their high or in a dream, Lord you know what they need and we pray you would draw them to you and show them your grace and love that they might stop searching for it everywhere else.
DANA
August 19
Bus ride to Seattle
I boarded the bus to Seattle, this one was packed and I walked towards the back of the bus scanning for the right seat. If there is one thing I learned is the front of the bus is for the older women, the middle is mixed with people my age and the farther towards the back you get the sketcher the men. I was well towards the back and I decided to sit next to the only girl left. She looked hard starring out the window with a slicked mohawk and baggy shirt, she mugged me when she had to move all her stuff.
I thought to myself, "theres no way I'll be able to minister to her now, this girl hates me..." She continued to stare out the window until finally after about 3 hours and a stop at the gas station she made a comment about one of the crazy men in the back.
"Finally.." I thought to myself, we made small talk and asked me about what I "do," I explained about doing ministry in Texas and she replied "I used to be into that "Religious stuff..." I asked her what she meant and she gave me a quick answer, "I used to be on fire, I've just been stumbling a bit." "Okay God, use me," I prayed.
We continued to talk small talk about her job, med school, her family and that's when she began to tell me about what she meant by "being on fire." She had been in a group of anointed people of God praying for a man, they were praying for healing and she told me she literally saw the hand of God touch this man's body and in that very moment he was healed!
Dana had experienced God's power and was still living in confusion! I looked at her with wide eyes as she told me about this story, when she saw the look on my face she stopped and just smiled. "What are doing Dana?!, God doesn't just show himself to anyone, He has a plan for your life and He misses you!" I couldn't stop smiling because I knew I hadn't sat next to her on accident, this was divine.
I asked if I could pray for her, she looked at me like "are you crazy?!" "I promise I won't make a scene..." I prayed for her under my breath as we pulled into the Seattle greyhound station.
PRAY the Lord continues to draw her unto himself and she would respond to his amazing grace.
TESTIMONY Just 2 days ago I saw on her status [because we're Facebook friends] she posted
"This speaks to the warrior inside me Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.""
We've kept in contact through messaging and I fully believe she will be serving the Lord again very soon!
Bus ride to Seattle
I boarded the bus to Seattle, this one was packed and I walked towards the back of the bus scanning for the right seat. If there is one thing I learned is the front of the bus is for the older women, the middle is mixed with people my age and the farther towards the back you get the sketcher the men. I was well towards the back and I decided to sit next to the only girl left. She looked hard starring out the window with a slicked mohawk and baggy shirt, she mugged me when she had to move all her stuff.
I thought to myself, "theres no way I'll be able to minister to her now, this girl hates me..." She continued to stare out the window until finally after about 3 hours and a stop at the gas station she made a comment about one of the crazy men in the back.
"Finally.." I thought to myself, we made small talk and asked me about what I "do," I explained about doing ministry in Texas and she replied "I used to be into that "Religious stuff..." I asked her what she meant and she gave me a quick answer, "I used to be on fire, I've just been stumbling a bit." "Okay God, use me," I prayed.
We continued to talk small talk about her job, med school, her family and that's when she began to tell me about what she meant by "being on fire." She had been in a group of anointed people of God praying for a man, they were praying for healing and she told me she literally saw the hand of God touch this man's body and in that very moment he was healed!
Dana had experienced God's power and was still living in confusion! I looked at her with wide eyes as she told me about this story, when she saw the look on my face she stopped and just smiled. "What are doing Dana?!, God doesn't just show himself to anyone, He has a plan for your life and He misses you!" I couldn't stop smiling because I knew I hadn't sat next to her on accident, this was divine.
I asked if I could pray for her, she looked at me like "are you crazy?!" "I promise I won't make a scene..." I prayed for her under my breath as we pulled into the Seattle greyhound station.
PRAY the Lord continues to draw her unto himself and she would respond to his amazing grace.
TESTIMONY Just 2 days ago I saw on her status [because we're Facebook friends] she posted
"This speaks to the warrior inside me Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.""
We've kept in contact through messaging and I fully believe she will be serving the Lord again very soon!
MARLENE
August 19
Seattle, Washington
My friend Sam and I were walking back after a long day of touring the city when a lady shouted after us to catch our attention. Professing herself trustworthy by pointing out her injuries, this woman didn't even stop for a breathe until I interrupted her and asked for her name. Marlene, and older black woman stuck on the street left desperate looking for $17 to be able to get a hostile for the night. We handed her the money and I have never seen anyone so thankful for such little but she taught me something that night.
Hunger that brings humility, when you have nothing, there is nothing to compare it to.
To think she had no one to take care of her, leaving her trusting only in complete strangers for her next meal and or shelter.
PRAY provision for Marlene, that God himself would show up and provide, and she would understand her Father in heaven hasn't given up on her.
Seattle, Washington
My friend Sam and I were walking back after a long day of touring the city when a lady shouted after us to catch our attention. Professing herself trustworthy by pointing out her injuries, this woman didn't even stop for a breathe until I interrupted her and asked for her name. Marlene, and older black woman stuck on the street left desperate looking for $17 to be able to get a hostile for the night. We handed her the money and I have never seen anyone so thankful for such little but she taught me something that night.
Hunger that brings humility, when you have nothing, there is nothing to compare it to.
To think she had no one to take care of her, leaving her trusting only in complete strangers for her next meal and or shelter.
PRAY provision for Marlene, that God himself would show up and provide, and she would understand her Father in heaven hasn't given up on her.
MARK
AUGUST 18
Ashland Oregon
My mentor and friend, [now] Petra Strickrod celebrated her last hours as Petra Noble the morning of her wedding day, a small group of us went to spend the afternoon in Ashland, Oregon, a hippy town near her home.
While on our way to grab coffee we walked through the park and passed a shirtless man playing guitar in the grass next to walk he called a 'love shrine." It was a collection of hearts and crosses but among the bible there was also books of Buddha and the Torah, etc. Surrounding the 'shrine' were pieces of paper with other peoples ideas of love written on it.
Curiosity caused us to stop and ask what inspired this 'shrine' and what he wanted to come of it. His name was Mark and he began to share his worldview with us, which was new age, about "how we are all 'God'" and "all ways lead to heaven." As he shared with us we each wrote out our idea of love on the papers, mine read, John 15:13, True love is sacrifice. Mark spoke about his spiritual encounters and even talked about how he had experienced Jesus, how Jesus held him in his arms while he wept, but he also talked about seeing other prophets of old and talking with them.
It caused me to realize that the enemy doesn't mind if we encounter God, as long as he can deceive us into believing that Jesus is just another 'spiritual experience' and not let us know that the truth is He is the only way.
Mark is deceived just enough that he will not do anything for the Kingdom.
PRAY that the Lord visited him in a new way and that Mark would begin to question his new age beliefs and find the truth of the cross, that Jesus is the only way to the Father.
Ashland Oregon
My mentor and friend, [now] Petra Strickrod celebrated her last hours as Petra Noble the morning of her wedding day, a small group of us went to spend the afternoon in Ashland, Oregon, a hippy town near her home.
While on our way to grab coffee we walked through the park and passed a shirtless man playing guitar in the grass next to walk he called a 'love shrine." It was a collection of hearts and crosses but among the bible there was also books of Buddha and the Torah, etc. Surrounding the 'shrine' were pieces of paper with other peoples ideas of love written on it.
Curiosity caused us to stop and ask what inspired this 'shrine' and what he wanted to come of it. His name was Mark and he began to share his worldview with us, which was new age, about "how we are all 'God'" and "all ways lead to heaven." As he shared with us we each wrote out our idea of love on the papers, mine read, John 15:13, True love is sacrifice. Mark spoke about his spiritual encounters and even talked about how he had experienced Jesus, how Jesus held him in his arms while he wept, but he also talked about seeing other prophets of old and talking with them.
It caused me to realize that the enemy doesn't mind if we encounter God, as long as he can deceive us into believing that Jesus is just another 'spiritual experience' and not let us know that the truth is He is the only way.
Mark is deceived just enough that he will not do anything for the Kingdom.
PRAY that the Lord visited him in a new way and that Mark would begin to question his new age beliefs and find the truth of the cross, that Jesus is the only way to the Father.
JACKIE
August 17
Traveling to Medford, Oregon from Anaheim, California
My transfer was in the downtown LA station, I sat and watched as people of all different walks of life sat together in the same place. I was asking God, "They're are so many people... God I pray you bring someone to me, whoever you want."Just then a lady dragging twice her weight in luggage came rushing up to the line, with sweat beading from her forehead she expressed in exasperation her relief, "I made it" she grasped. We made small talk as I helped her with her bags and when we had boarded she asked to sit next to me and I agreed.
This was it, God had brought her to me.
She didn't take long to open up with me about her life, Jackie, was her name a 28 year old living in LA with her boyfriend. Seven years ago Jackie got pregnant with a baby girl, she was in no place to raise a child so her mom took custody of the baby and kicked her out. While her little girl Adalynn was being raised by Jackie's mother, Jackie moved to California and went about her life of drugs, being addicted to meth and drinking, she told me crazy stories of all the "dumb sh*t" she did. Finally sobering up in 2008, since then she's realized how "stupid" that lifestyle is and now she had decided she was ready to be a mom again. By this time she was crying, telling me how hard it was to leave her boyfriend in LA to move to back Portland, Oregon to be with her now 7 year old daughter. She knew it was what she had to do, leave the old life behind and go gain back the trust of her mom and daughter.
Though I saw the pain in her eyes I sensed the hope in her story, the Lord had pulled her out of the lifestyle she was living and was about to restore her, it was then that the Lord told me to share this verse with her.
Jeremiah 29:14
I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you form all the nations and the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
I also shared with her Jeremiah 29:11, which talks about God having good plans for her life. She received it and judging by the look on her face it surprised her a bit :)
We stayed together until I reached Medford, Oregon and it was a bittersweet to say goodbye but we exchanged information so we could stay connected and now we're facebook friends.
GREYHOUND TRIP
GREYHOUND TRIP
My name is Brooke Blair, a 20 year old seeking adventure and finding God's glory in the midst of it all. Originally from Michigan, recently graduated from Teen Mania Ministries's internship known as the Honor Academy. While in Texas at Teen Mania I served the ministry and studied about the life of Jesus, learning to build a Godly character and gain vision for my life. After 2 years at the Honor Academy I felt lead to 'go' and Lord sent me on a Greyhound bus.
I bought a 60 day 'discovery pass' with Greyound and since August 17th I have been traveling around the country on a greyhound bus visiting friends and doing ministry. God has given me opportunity to see America as well as hear the stories of the amazing people put next to me one the bus.
This blog holds the stories I've journaled and experiences I've encountered.
Enjoy :)
My name is Brooke Blair, a 20 year old seeking adventure and finding God's glory in the midst of it all. Originally from Michigan, recently graduated from Teen Mania Ministries's internship known as the Honor Academy. While in Texas at Teen Mania I served the ministry and studied about the life of Jesus, learning to build a Godly character and gain vision for my life. After 2 years at the Honor Academy I felt lead to 'go' and Lord sent me on a Greyhound bus.
I bought a 60 day 'discovery pass' with Greyound and since August 17th I have been traveling around the country on a greyhound bus visiting friends and doing ministry. God has given me opportunity to see America as well as hear the stories of the amazing people put next to me one the bus.
This blog holds the stories I've journaled and experiences I've encountered.
Enjoy :)
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