Lady or Woman are not fit terms for her, but this very grown little girl named Debbie Moser lives in a place called "happy town". This so-called town is a block of slum smack in the middle of West Columbia where happy is defined by level of intoxication. Debbie, 39, lost her mother a couple of years ago and still struggles with how to live on her own, because letting her grow up was something her mother was unwilling to do. Debbie's never had a job in her life, but wishes she could somehow change that. Living on a disability check, because she can get away with it, she pays rent for a home with tarp as windows and lets three homeless people stay with her when they need to.
The other day, as I passed her house walking my dog, she was sick and running a fever. She was not going to the doctor so, even as she told me not to worry about her, I went to get her some medicine. She needed it. I came back with Tylenol cold & flu, and Ibuprofen (the same stuff most of us always have around) and she began to cry. As she took them in her hands she said to me, “This is the nicest thing anybody’s ever done for me… Thank you.”
I stayed and we talked awhile. Then, as I was leaving she hugged me, which is something this grown girl doesn’t do, and said, “I love you.” Her facial expression, as she said those words, was almost as if she had never had the chance to say them before. This place called happy town is about 150 yards from where I live. A place in need of True Love. The Love of God. That I have access to. That they have access to and just don't know.
My point in sharing this is, no matter how lost, un-loved, judged or alone you may feel at times, being a part of the family of faith we all have in Christ, you ARE loved and NEVER judged. And when you need something, or go through struggles or lack of faith, remember what Jesus said as they spit on his face...
"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
And then you can do as Paul says...
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fullfill the law of Christ. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galations 6:1-2, 9-10
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Amy, The Messy Miracle
This is what He has done! Know that I had nothing to do with it.
I've been learning more and more everyday to totally let go of myself through continuous prayer and let Him Live through my steps, breaths, touches, looks, everything, because I now know more than I did a day ago that I can do nothing without Him. Ha! It brings on a whole new meaning when communion comes into the picture. I will never forget my lesson learned in Guatemala last year (see "Guatemala Supper" blog). There's no excuse to live a totally human life after you've gone through it... if you really understand what you're doing.
The reason I went to Beach Reach this year is because I used to be the Spring Breaker-type we went there to reach. I grew up in a Christian home and didn't realise God was my confidence until I walked away from Him. Because I did so, He walked away from me. I blamed Him and rebelled even more. I then found confidence in nothing but alcohol. I relied on it to go to social events, work and even class. Unbelievable, I know. But, it never measured up to the satisfaction I had in Jesus. Since then, I gave up on mself and turned to Him. Being alive is a blessing after that. I have my struggles, but that is why I'm broken for these college students!
Here is my living proof of Romans 8:28. I was walking on the strip of Panama City with Christiana Bredeweg & Ashley Wagster (two close freinds). This night had been more difficult to reach people, because it was our last night and either no one was out or the ones that were were totally slaughtered wasted beyond the ability to carry on conversation. I've got a "thing" for the moon, and as I had been praying and preparing my heart earlier that day I was reading through Psalm 63 with verse 3 as a prayer for my own heart and verse 11 for the lost (read it now).
We were walking down the strip and I was noticing how these dark clouds were rapidly trying to cover up the moon and started talking to God out loud saying, "He thinks he can cover the radiance over this city?... I don't think so!..." Ha! As I was carrying on, Christiana was just laughing, but she knows my thing with the moon, so she let my acts of insanity get by this time. We kept walking, knowing we couldn't be defeated by the darkness! The conversation was brought back as Christiana noticed the clouds were nolonger covering any of the moon and she said "The clouds have stopped!" Immediately, I just about fell on my face remembering the NASB version of Psalm 63 verse 11 when it says "...and the mouths of liars will be stopped."
Just then, there was a girl, Amy Evans, who decided peeing on the side of the road would be quite convenient. My heart burst for her, so I grabbed her friend, Brooke, and told her to go help her, as a guy was walking up about to do who knows what to her. Brooke got her and we called in to get them a ride home. As we were waiting, we began walking toward the landmark I had told the van to meet us at. The girl had no shoes on, y'all! ... In that moment, I couldn't help but let go of myself and give her my shoes. We stopped for a moment as I tried to get her skirt zipped up, something her"friend" didn't feel was necessary several stumbles ago. Those kind offriends were too common down there. I asked Amy if I could pray for her andshe was fine with it. As we kept walking, I said something along the linesof, "Father, I praise You for Amy and the chance to meet her. I pray thatin this very moment You would wake her up! Make her sober to hear the wordsof Your Truth. Make her know and understand that You value her and Love herbeyond what she could imagine and draw her to come and know You and LoveYou and Live for You, Father! I love You. In the name of Your Son, I pray.. . "
He showed Himself to Amy that night in a way that no one can deny! Immediately she was awake! She was Sober! She was walking andready to hear the gospel! She wanted to stop and tell Him! She was ready to confess herself a shameful sinner, that she believed in Him and His Son who died for her and that He was the change she needed in her life. She was ready. She asked me for help, and we prayed. This was no scripted prayer. It was a prayer from the words of the Holy Spirit who knew her heart far more than I ever will! As the praying came to an end she was hugging me with everything she had and wouldn't let go. She was saved! And hearing her say that she just couldn't explain the happiness she felt inside was what the Lord used her to tell me this was real! That He was real and THIS REALLY HAPPENED! ... I looked up at the moon and the clouds were totaly gone! ...and they were calling for rain.
Wow... is all I can say to my Jesus! This had NOTHING to do with me. Nothing.
In being prepared through "Share Jesus... " & "M.A.D." & various situational testimonies, I had no excuse (in not sharing my faith) to begin with. But now, because of this event, I cannot shut my mouth about Him and what He CAN DO! With this living proof and others who saw it, I now know and fully trust with all of my heart God is stirring up a revival in His children! Right now! And whatever we are willing to allow Him to do for the WHOLE WORLD through us, is what He WILL DO! So, I don't know about you, but I'm gonna keep takin' off my shoes and praying for people, even if it means walking on broken glass! I never thought I'd get to the point where the pure pleasure in the gift of Christ would feel so good, Iwouldn't even be curious to consider a minute without Him!
I've been learning more and more everyday to totally let go of myself through continuous prayer and let Him Live through my steps, breaths, touches, looks, everything, because I now know more than I did a day ago that I can do nothing without Him. Ha! It brings on a whole new meaning when communion comes into the picture. I will never forget my lesson learned in Guatemala last year (see "Guatemala Supper" blog). There's no excuse to live a totally human life after you've gone through it... if you really understand what you're doing.
The reason I went to Beach Reach this year is because I used to be the Spring Breaker-type we went there to reach. I grew up in a Christian home and didn't realise God was my confidence until I walked away from Him. Because I did so, He walked away from me. I blamed Him and rebelled even more. I then found confidence in nothing but alcohol. I relied on it to go to social events, work and even class. Unbelievable, I know. But, it never measured up to the satisfaction I had in Jesus. Since then, I gave up on mself and turned to Him. Being alive is a blessing after that. I have my struggles, but that is why I'm broken for these college students!
Here is my living proof of Romans 8:28. I was walking on the strip of Panama City with Christiana Bredeweg & Ashley Wagster (two close freinds). This night had been more difficult to reach people, because it was our last night and either no one was out or the ones that were were totally slaughtered wasted beyond the ability to carry on conversation. I've got a "thing" for the moon, and as I had been praying and preparing my heart earlier that day I was reading through Psalm 63 with verse 3 as a prayer for my own heart and verse 11 for the lost (read it now).
We were walking down the strip and I was noticing how these dark clouds were rapidly trying to cover up the moon and started talking to God out loud saying, "He thinks he can cover the radiance over this city?... I don't think so!..." Ha! As I was carrying on, Christiana was just laughing, but she knows my thing with the moon, so she let my acts of insanity get by this time. We kept walking, knowing we couldn't be defeated by the darkness! The conversation was brought back as Christiana noticed the clouds were nolonger covering any of the moon and she said "The clouds have stopped!" Immediately, I just about fell on my face remembering the NASB version of Psalm 63 verse 11 when it says "...and the mouths of liars will be stopped."
Just then, there was a girl, Amy Evans, who decided peeing on the side of the road would be quite convenient. My heart burst for her, so I grabbed her friend, Brooke, and told her to go help her, as a guy was walking up about to do who knows what to her. Brooke got her and we called in to get them a ride home. As we were waiting, we began walking toward the landmark I had told the van to meet us at. The girl had no shoes on, y'all! ... In that moment, I couldn't help but let go of myself and give her my shoes. We stopped for a moment as I tried to get her skirt zipped up, something her"friend" didn't feel was necessary several stumbles ago. Those kind offriends were too common down there. I asked Amy if I could pray for her andshe was fine with it. As we kept walking, I said something along the linesof, "Father, I praise You for Amy and the chance to meet her. I pray thatin this very moment You would wake her up! Make her sober to hear the wordsof Your Truth. Make her know and understand that You value her and Love herbeyond what she could imagine and draw her to come and know You and LoveYou and Live for You, Father! I love You. In the name of Your Son, I pray.. . "
He showed Himself to Amy that night in a way that no one can deny! Immediately she was awake! She was Sober! She was walking andready to hear the gospel! She wanted to stop and tell Him! She was ready to confess herself a shameful sinner, that she believed in Him and His Son who died for her and that He was the change she needed in her life. She was ready. She asked me for help, and we prayed. This was no scripted prayer. It was a prayer from the words of the Holy Spirit who knew her heart far more than I ever will! As the praying came to an end she was hugging me with everything she had and wouldn't let go. She was saved! And hearing her say that she just couldn't explain the happiness she felt inside was what the Lord used her to tell me this was real! That He was real and THIS REALLY HAPPENED! ... I looked up at the moon and the clouds were totaly gone! ...and they were calling for rain.
Wow... is all I can say to my Jesus! This had NOTHING to do with me. Nothing.
In being prepared through "Share Jesus... " & "M.A.D." & various situational testimonies, I had no excuse (in not sharing my faith) to begin with. But now, because of this event, I cannot shut my mouth about Him and what He CAN DO! With this living proof and others who saw it, I now know and fully trust with all of my heart God is stirring up a revival in His children! Right now! And whatever we are willing to allow Him to do for the WHOLE WORLD through us, is what He WILL DO! So, I don't know about you, but I'm gonna keep takin' off my shoes and praying for people, even if it means walking on broken glass! I never thought I'd get to the point where the pure pleasure in the gift of Christ would feel so good, Iwouldn't even be curious to consider a minute without Him!
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