welcome back! to myself, and to you. after a months-long writing hiatus, i am back and busting with many overdue words about where God took me this past season. and, oh, have we gone places–deep, wonderful places.
let’s begin with the basics: since i last posted, i have graduated from cssm (the ministry school), turned a quarter of a century (without being raptured), am driving a new hand-me-down car (three letters: b. m. w.), and living in a home of ten residents (i made my room up in the garage–come on smoldering texas summer); all the while remaining in texas. there may be a lack of salt water waves and green mountains in this region, but man, are these people really something. if the fried chicken does not keep you, the little community sure will. in a city of over 700,000, the church i attend only boasts of about 800 members, and from within those beautiful people our school only enrolled around 35. not a lot, but i come from the notion that God rather enjoys those little things that can really pack a punch. like mustard seeds, for instance. and atoms. and whispers. and children. and loaves. and fishermen. and, well, you get the idea. Jesus said that God’s kingdom starts as a seed smaller than most, but when planted grows larger than any other. His creation consists of very small particles and strings that when vibrated or cut explode into life and power. for elijah, God waited until all the big winds and earthquakes passed before inhabiting a gentle breeze. He grants entrance into heaven to those with child-like semblance, and multiplies kids’ lunches to feed thousands. and let us not forget simple disciples and fools whom He chooses to dwell inside of. that proverbial quip flippantly thrown about–”good things come in small packages”–proves to have more umph than i often give it credit. same goes for water bottles. i cannot imagine you followed me to that logical latter sentence, so allow me a quick antidote from my life, specifically from this morning…
about two months ago (i know i said “from this morning,” but you need some back story, so stay with me) our school fed a few homeless on a well-known poverty-stricken street, lancaster avenue. throughout our school year, a group of students went on weekly outreaches to worship at the women’s shelter there as well as help tenants at a nearby motel. we came with tuna sandwich lunches and water bottles. yes, the water bottles proved to be quite appreciated, and the whole experience left a lingering desire in myself and a couple others to return. i like spending time with these saints; i have fallen a little bit in love with the people on this street. it gets hot during the summer, and seeing as a 24-pack of water costs less than a few dollars, they seem like a sustainable gift we could carry out all summer long–these plastic hydration stations an ongoing excuse to spend some time seeing thirsty hearts refreshed with love.
so this morning, my friend and i loaded these bottles into a gym bag and began to our walk down lancaster. and i will tell you, i woke up not especially ready to run out and love–my head hurt, and that to-do list beeping on my phone kindly reminded me i did not have the time for extracurriculars on my day off. but then my heart started beeping, recalling how much i desire these people to know how much Jesus loves them, and if i sow my time, i can reap it later. as i walked out the door, my headache left and i realized how much power awaited release in this next hour.
we prayed and blessed each little bottle to break addictions, to be filled with ‘new wine’ and be packed with healing love (like i said, “good things come in small packages”). great things awaited each pair of famished lips; God’s Spirit ready to lavish Himself on them through a simple gift. after handing off a few of these anointed waters, we rounded a corner and found ourselves sitting on the sidewalk with two men–and for the next hour, sat with them amidst the heat and aroma of weed. i saw their hearts as God gave us words to share with each of them about their true identities–both of these men have amazing days ahead of them. at one point, one remarked, “normally this street is full of cracked-out people and death, but today the air is clear and the birds are singing.” when the presence of God comes into a place, even the air changes. upon leaving, we hugged our new friends and enjoyed their blessing upon us before realizing we only passed out half of our water. from the car window, we drove out the crowded block rapidly tossing the remaining bottles proclaiming, “holy water! filled with love and healing! be blessed!”
our only direct interaction centered around two, but i know God would not resist watering their souls as we watered their throats. i believe each bottle handed out in love watered the mustard plants within each recipient, as indicated by the smiles and bless you‘s given back in response. and because i know that God tends towards the little things, done in His name, i rest assured that what we saw seeping up from cracks in the cement within lancaster’s hearts only indicates a rushing torrent of His transforming power about to rush out. and not to mention, i seemed to have an extra measure of time to complete every task i needed to for the day. i cannot wait to get back.
as for me, i have quite a stream running through my own veins. this july i roadtrip out to california with a friend–to go camping, celebrate a holy matrimony, rekindle relationships and minister with each turn of our tires. upon my return, i will join an ministry trip to mozambique and south africa for a couple weeks in august. i do not want to hoard any longer the acts of God through my life, so i intend to upkeep this small blog with what He is up to with me–even the small places. in the same way, i know that prayers of righteous ones bring about great results, so do not hesitate to pray blessings for me (yes, you read correctly, you are righteous ones). if you want to give monetarily, go ahead! your small amounts grow just the same, and prunes your own money tree to bloom even more robustly than before. check out the [help me go] tab. these ways you can go with me, for when your heart strings attach to something, you can not help but feel the resulting tugs and surges of living water rushing into your veins and onto your own streets…
i think quite a lot, read a bit, and write even less...but God still works with me, so i'm following Him: wherever.
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