friday update 8-31-18

Blessed Portion Friday Update 8-31-18

Luke 4:38-40 "Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law as very sick. She had a high fever. They asked Jesus to do something to help her. He stood very close to her and ordered the sickness to go away. The sickness left her, and she got up and began serving them."

Hello Everyone,

Sorry this update is late ...with football on Saturdays now I am hard pressed to get them done as soon as I was :)

So.... Friday night was hot and sticky and we had several who had to cancel serving with us because of some much more needed places they need to be. I personally HATE when its hot and sticky and I fight to not be grouchy. (just saying) I was driving downtown and struggling with the prior week of hearing how many deaths we had. I was struggling with the frustration of "Why cant some just break free?" (I'm just being real here) and I was fighting back tears knowing I wasn't going to see my buddy Dallas come rolling in. He was cremated and to help Billie his sister I was able to pick up his remains for her this week. I have never had to do that before and knew it would be hard but didn't realize how hard till I walked in the building. To see just a box in my front seat with his name on it was almost unbearable. I thought about how many loved him, many who served him and the impact he and the others we have lost have had on me and so many others. So Friday I was struggling to go downtown because I felt I didn't have much to give and not alot to say (which if you know me is a rare thing!

At the first stop we didn't have as many come out but it was good. Got to see our newest addition Amber Rose . She is a cutie pa tutie, she is healthy which is amazing and her mama is doing good. So I took her and sat down most of the time there and just listened to people and watched. As I was heading to leave for The Mission my friend Kenneth Billingsleyjr said he needed me for a few minutes to talk to him and a friend. I listened as my friend (not kenneth) shared how he wanted to get saved...he wanted to give his life to God. He told me how that the night before he had some spice and was going to smoke it..but as he looked at it he knew he couldn't. He said that he took that spice and threw it in the river...and was happy to do it. He shared how he felt God was leading him to get rid of it and make a change. As we talked I could see the tears well up in his eyes as he said he has to change and knows he needs God. So I asked him if he wanted to accept Jesus right then...and he said yes. I prayed first with him as Kenneth Billingsleyjr also was with us and he then prayed. He prayed for God to come into his heart, to forgive him and to be the Lord and Savior of his life!! After that I shared with him he now needs to get baptized and with a big smile said he knew that and was ready. He shared how that he sleeps outside (which we knew) and is in a tent...but we are going to figure out what needs to be his next step to get off the streets.

So....the verse in the beginning of this post was what we shared with everyone. We talked about how that this woman could have said to Jesus thank you and just decided to take it easy for the rest of the day, but she didn't. The Bible says she got up and served those around her. So we talked about how amazing that was because if it were me I most likely would have just took it easy...but she didn't. She cleaned herself up and gave back and served the One who loved her, who healed her and those with Him. The lesson for me the most is Jesus does incredible things for us, for me and sometimes the tendency is to take it for granted and keep thinking about us. I hope that Jesus will continue to cause me to be so thankful for all He does that my heart will always be ready to get up right away and serve Him and those around me. Those that we serve also wanted that to be their prayer as well tonight. They want to be the kind of person who doesn't have to be asked to get up and do what they can at that moment...they just DO because of what Jesus always does for us.

For our friend who accepted Jesus tonight his life has been spared...and he is Gods son. Its not always going to be easy, but he does now have God with him. So for me while I wanted to go downtown tonight but also was struggling I am thankful I went. I am thankful that Kenneth Billingsleyjr has been touched by Jesus and took the time to talk to our friend and that I was able to see God do what He does best and that is love us!! I'm thankful for our team and friends who are downtown that inspire and help me. I'am thankful I see Jesus in them and I'm thankful God has allowed us to be able to be in a position each Friday and throughout the week to love on everyone and encourage them that God has not forgotten about them!!

Tonight we again gave away all we had and had many at The Mission give us items they dont need anymore and want to pay it forward...so thank you to all of you who give to our friends...you are a part of our team and most important Gods team.!! Pray for those downtown to have the courage to move forward, pray for those who are hurting, for those family members who have lost their loved ones and pray that God continues to show up and show off!!!