One of the things I know about myself is that I am a “high” justice and “low” mercy type individual.   Fortunately Mike is just the opposite.  He is high on the mercy scale and low on the justice scale.   God knew what He was doing when He put us together.  Here is a great example.

As we were getting into our cars on Tuesday evening a lady approached and asked us for $2.  I asked what she needed it for and she said she needed it so she could stay at the mission for the night.  When I asked her the name of the mission she couldn’t tell me, but said it was on Agnes (I did not know of any missions on Agnes).  I asked her how much lodging for the night cost and she said it was $8.   I commented that she then obviously had the other $6.  She said she had $5 and that she was going to ask someone up the street for the rest.   I then told her that I would think if she really needed lodging she would ask for the entire $8, and that I was concerned she was looking to use the money for other purposes.   At that she left and walked off.

Mike and Kim got in the van and we began to talk about the conversation.  I could tell Mike was troubled and he said that he believed we were supposed to take her to the shelter and provide for her room.   So we went and looked for her.  We caught up with her a few blocks down the road and ended up taking her to a shelter in the area.  I found out when we arrived, that she had been staying there and had left a day before.  They were happy to welcome her back…God’s will was done…and I had to repent.   I’m so thankful for balance in the body of Christ.

Today a woman and man entered the building.  The man asked if I remembered him?  He had entered into our service about 6-8 weeks ago and asked us if we could pray for his mother.  He had received word that she had nearly died that morning and was in ICU.   We had all gathered around him and prayed over him and his mother.    Today he stopped by to tell me the story of the miracle that had taken place in her life.  He had called to check on her that afternoon and learned that she had made a miraculous recovery.   What was more profound to him though was the way he had entered our door.   He explained to me that he had actually passed by and was nearly 2 blocks down the street when he was compelled to cross the street and come straight towards the water jug.  He told me, “I even remember what it said: ‘Cold water compliments of Jesus Christ.'”   He told me he had no intention of coming here, but the compulsion was too strong and the words on the water penetrated deep within him.

In talking with this couple (over a cup of cold water from our new fangled refrigerated water cooler, donated by one of our overseer’s church) I found out that they are needing to find housing in the next day or so.  His companion once served the Lord in ministry, but she fell into sin and has walked away from the faith.   The Lord impressed upon me that the stain of her sin, makes her feel unworthy and that she has given up.   Before they left I prayed for them hand in hand and asked them to keep me informed of how they are doing.

This visit was a validation for me once again.  I found myself wrestling with doubt as I got here today and this encounter was helpful in crucifying those lies.

This past week and weekend was filled with great reminders of God’s work all around us.   The man we had met the previous Sunday, spent several hours with me on Tuesday.   He was able to get settled in at the local mission, and he is interviewing to do carpentry work on behalf of the Marine Corps for the families of soldiers who are deployed.   He is still fighting the old ways and habits, but I believe he will see victory, if he will fully surrender himself to the Lord.

Wednesday, my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and my niece came down for a Labor Day weekend visit.   My brother-in-law twisted my arm real hard to go deep sea fishing on Thursday and Friday.   Here are the results of our time together:

Thursday's catch aboard the Gulf Eagle

Friday's catch aboard the Gulf Eagle

Sunday was another great day of ministry.  Our morning service had ended and we were all sitting around talking.  A woman, named Elizabeth,  walked in and asked if we would pray for her.  In fact her request was worded this way:  “Please pray for me.  I am in bondage to addiction.”   We gathered around this precious woman and prayed for freedom in her life.  Her tears flowed and joy entered her countenance.  When we were finished praying, she allowed us to minister to her with food and water.  One of our ladies then took her where she needed to go.   I believe Elizabeth has received freedom; however, she must now choose to walk in it.

This morning as we were getting ready for worship.  A couple of guys came across the street to get water out of our cooler.  I brought some donuts out and while we were talking another man came across the street.   We talked a few minutes and he asked when service started.  I told him, and invited him to come on in, since the coffee was hot and the chairs were plentiful.   This man told me how he had returned to Corpus Christi from San Antonio and was here to do some work for a man for a few weeks.  He said that he normally lived in one of the shelters when he came to town.

As the morning went on, I learned that he had once been on fire for the Lord, but had made some choices that led him into the land of the prodigal.   He went on to say that God had been convicting him about his need to return to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father.   He admitted that he had been fighting the conviction that he needed to return to church, and in fact had no intention of being in a church today, but when he saw Mike and I talking with the other two men, he knew he had to come.

Before the day was over we prayed with him, had him join us for lunch and got him a shower and fresh change of clothes.  Tomorrow he will be looking to get into one of the missions and I invited him to spend the morning with me down at the church until his work begins in the afternoon.

Also this morning I got a phone call from a man who had no food in his house and does not receive his monthly money until the 3rd.  His request was simple:  some eggs, some bologna and a loaf of bread.   The Lord prompted me that I needed to respond.   I showed up on his doorstep an hour later and he invited me in.  He was somewhat surprised that I had actually followed through on my promise.   As we talked I learned that he suffers from severe diabetes and that he is trying to make things work on $767/month.  His rent takes $450 and his medicine takes another $200.

As we talked he said, “I need to be truthful with you.  I got your number off of your TV program.”  I laughed and told him, that I was glad somebody was watching it.   As we talked further he shared his uncertainty of whether or not he was truly a redeemed child of God, bought and paid for with the blood of Jesus.   I shared with him, how he could have certainty today.  He told me that he would not pray in front of me, because he didn’t want my presence to influence his response, but the mist in his eyes told me that my words had gone straight to his heart.

He hugged me as I left and I now have an open invitation to come and see him anytime.  I will take him up on that offer…he loves coffee, so next time I stop by it will be with a fresh cup in hand.