Last Friday I was off to another speaking engagement in Vincennes, IN. This one was going to be a little different than the time before. My friend Brad Delp (not the former lead singer of Boston, he's dead) asked me to speak to the Daviess County R.A.R.E Substance Abuse Program in Washington, IN. This program is for prisoners with drug offenses on their record. He asked me to speak to prisoners on the program he is in charge of. At first I was a little leery. I have spoke to some rough crowds before but this would be the roughest. He reassured me it would be fine. So I agreed.
I checked in at the front desk with the Pastor of Brad's church accompanying me. We walked into what appeared to be a waiting room. Finally Brad meet us. We began to walk through some thick steel doors and to what he called the "pod". An open room with two floors filled with what looked like little rooms with about 4 beds in each. Concrete, steel and no windows. As I walked in about 30 men began to gather around metal tables with bolted down chairs. And then I heard that sound. If you have ever been in prison or jail you know the sound. That echoing thud of the locked door shutting behind you. YOU ARE LOCKED IN!
The service began with Brad introducing me followed by singing. They had these paperback hymnals filled with the classics. Several began to shout out page numbers or song titles. Then something amazing happened. As we sang, the spirit of God fell down on that place. These men sang these songs as if the words meant something to them personally. Or as if they really were singing to God. You know the songs that are not contemporary enough for our generation. The ones we have passed up for more "relative" songs. Their voices blended together and rang out in that pod. After the last song Brad asked if anyone had a testimony. At first no one raised their hands and then Brad began to call on guys. They began to share how God was putting their lives back together for them and how He was repairing relationships and bringing forgiveness to their lives. After each testimony everyone would clap as if on Que. After each testimony someone would offer an encouraging word specifically to that person. Some who testified would even get a hug from a guy standing next to him. This was unreal to me. I have not felt this spirit in a long time. I was trying to remember when I had felt like this before. Oh yeah, in Church many years ago. Yeah, Church used to be like this. People honestly praising God with song. Sharing testimonies of what God was doing in their lives.
Then I spoke for a few minutes and they all listened intently. No ones cell phone went off. No one was texting. No one got up and went to the bathroom. A few got up when I first started speaking, but they ran to get their bibles. It was a beautiful service. God moved in the "pod" that day. He not only spoke to prisoners He spoke to me.
As the Pastor and I were driving back to the Church I shared with him how amazing the service was. I asked him, "what's the difference between those prisoners and people in Church, besides the obvious?" He looked at me and said, "they(the prisoners) have tried accommodating themselves, that's what put them behind bars. It doesn't work. It's now all about Jesus for them. He is the only thing that can help them now. People in the Church are still trying to accommodate themselves they're just not in a visible prison yet." That is it exactly. It was honest worship, a transparent relationship with God. They honestly need Him. That is what is missing in most Churches. That is what is missing in most followers of Christ. And that is what I need more of in my life as well.
Thanks Brad Delp. Your program spoke loud and clear to me. I have become a prisoner to accommodating myself. It is not about me, it is all about you God!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
The $88......
Over the weekend I was in Middleton, WI speaking to some students from the Chicago Central District in the Church of the Nazarene at a Ski Retreat. On my way I finished another "Big Chap" original coloring page. A young man by the name of Josh from Chicago was the highest bidder. He and some friends pooled their money together to win the picture.
Unfortunately the coloring page came up missing, so have no fear Big Chap was there to save the day. Josh received a Big Chap hoody instead. Way to go Josh. It always amazes me how generous Christian students are. I shouldn't be, but I am.
So Sunday morning Josh prayed that God would lead me to the right person to give the money to. On the way home Josh's Youth Pastor (who was taking me to the airport) said, "in these economic times anyone really could use that money" he's right. There are so many people hurting financially who couldn't use $88.
This morning I found just that person. I was on my way to Target when I drove passed a woman walking out in the cold. As I went by her I felt like the Holy Spirit said, "her, that's the one." So I pulled into the next parking lot and waited for her to walk by. I jumped out of the car, it startled her a little. She was probably thinking, "who is this guy?" I have done this enough that I have a standard opening now, "your probably going to think this is weird, but.... ." I told her who I was and that a group of students from Illinois collected $88 of their own money to give to her, and they did so to show her God's love and care for her. Her mouth literally dropped open. She said, "I don't know what to say, I have had two major strokes and almost died twice, I know that it was God who saved me, twice!" Looking at her I could see the toll the strokes had taken on her. She was paralyzed on the right side of her face. I hugged her and said, "God Bless you, have a great day!"
As I jumped in my car and drove off I thought to myself , I don't deserve to be a part of this. God has blessed me with the opportunity to see the end result of the generosity of teens all over America.
Josh you did good man, and thanks to all of Josh's friends who gave sacrificially as well. Today you helped someone see Jesus! This generation does have a chance! Thank you God for living through them!
Unfortunately the coloring page came up missing, so have no fear Big Chap was there to save the day. Josh received a Big Chap hoody instead. Way to go Josh. It always amazes me how generous Christian students are. I shouldn't be, but I am.
So Sunday morning Josh prayed that God would lead me to the right person to give the money to. On the way home Josh's Youth Pastor (who was taking me to the airport) said, "in these economic times anyone really could use that money" he's right. There are so many people hurting financially who couldn't use $88.
This morning I found just that person. I was on my way to Target when I drove passed a woman walking out in the cold. As I went by her I felt like the Holy Spirit said, "her, that's the one." So I pulled into the next parking lot and waited for her to walk by. I jumped out of the car, it startled her a little. She was probably thinking, "who is this guy?" I have done this enough that I have a standard opening now, "your probably going to think this is weird, but.... ." I told her who I was and that a group of students from Illinois collected $88 of their own money to give to her, and they did so to show her God's love and care for her. Her mouth literally dropped open. She said, "I don't know what to say, I have had two major strokes and almost died twice, I know that it was God who saved me, twice!" Looking at her I could see the toll the strokes had taken on her. She was paralyzed on the right side of her face. I hugged her and said, "God Bless you, have a great day!"
As I jumped in my car and drove off I thought to myself , I don't deserve to be a part of this. God has blessed me with the opportunity to see the end result of the generosity of teens all over America.
Josh you did good man, and thanks to all of Josh's friends who gave sacrificially as well. Today you helped someone see Jesus! This generation does have a chance! Thank you God for living through them!
Monday, August 24, 2009
NWIL Camp $200 given away!!!!!!!
Okay, this has been a load lifted. I was really feeling pressure to give this money away. What I realized though was that it really isn't so much about choosing the perfect person to give it to. It is about giving it away. All people need to be reminded of God's generosity and His special care for His creation. And this is a great way to remind people.
I make a couple of stops at the local goodwill store a year. It has always intrigued me about the feelings of those individuals who receive other people's junk. I've wondered how it must feel to receive people's discarded, unwanted, stuff (junk). Usually people throw their stuff all over the dock at the goodwill store. I don't know if you have seen this before, but usually there is a sign that says "no dumping when store is closed". And people usually pile up their stuff right in front of that sign. The employees have to cart all that stuff inside first thing in the morning because people can't wait to come back when the store is open.
A couple days ago I was passing by the goodwill store and saw a young man carrying some one's junk into the store. He looked like he would rather be doing something else. The thought occurred to me, "why not him?" Yeah, this guy could use some encouragement, he needs to know that some people want to give him something other than their junk. So the very next day I walked right up on the dock and introduced my self. "Hi I'm Jim!" "Hi I'm Jake", he said. I continued, "you are about to have the weirdest conversation of your life. Do you ever get tired getting other people's junk thrown at you?" "Yeah." "Wouldn't be nice if someone gave you something that was valuable, and it was yours to keep?" "Yeah!" I told him that I was a youth speaker that traveled around the country speaking to students at camps. And I was just at one in central Illinois. I told him the students there gave me $200 to give to someone that God said needed it. "We prayed about it, and I have been praying about it, and I believe God wants me to give it to you! God loves you Jake and this is His way of showing you how much He cares about you. Enjoy it Jake! God loves you!" "Really!" he said, "really!' I said. "This money is yours, not a gift to goodwill, but truly yours!" He watched me all the way to my car. I am assuming he was looking for the video cameras or Ashton Kutcher.
Way to go NWIL! You have been Christ to His creation. Great attitude!
Philippians 2:5 (The Message)
5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
I make a couple of stops at the local goodwill store a year. It has always intrigued me about the feelings of those individuals who receive other people's junk. I've wondered how it must feel to receive people's discarded, unwanted, stuff (junk). Usually people throw their stuff all over the dock at the goodwill store. I don't know if you have seen this before, but usually there is a sign that says "no dumping when store is closed". And people usually pile up their stuff right in front of that sign. The employees have to cart all that stuff inside first thing in the morning because people can't wait to come back when the store is open.
A couple days ago I was passing by the goodwill store and saw a young man carrying some one's junk into the store. He looked like he would rather be doing something else. The thought occurred to me, "why not him?" Yeah, this guy could use some encouragement, he needs to know that some people want to give him something other than their junk. So the very next day I walked right up on the dock and introduced my self. "Hi I'm Jim!" "Hi I'm Jake", he said. I continued, "you are about to have the weirdest conversation of your life. Do you ever get tired getting other people's junk thrown at you?" "Yeah." "Wouldn't be nice if someone gave you something that was valuable, and it was yours to keep?" "Yeah!" I told him that I was a youth speaker that traveled around the country speaking to students at camps. And I was just at one in central Illinois. I told him the students there gave me $200 to give to someone that God said needed it. "We prayed about it, and I have been praying about it, and I believe God wants me to give it to you! God loves you Jake and this is His way of showing you how much He cares about you. Enjoy it Jake! God loves you!" "Really!" he said, "really!' I said. "This money is yours, not a gift to goodwill, but truly yours!" He watched me all the way to my car. I am assuming he was looking for the video cameras or Ashton Kutcher.
Way to go NWIL! You have been Christ to His creation. Great attitude!
Philippians 2:5 (The Message)
5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
What I did with God's $70!
Well NEI camp I have given the $70 away! I prayed all the way home that God would provide a person to give the money to and it didn't happen until I got home.
I was leaving my youngest son's baseball game and on the way to another one, when I realized I needed gas. I missed the first exit I was going to take and had to drive onto the next exit only to find a truck pulled over to the side of the road with it's hazards flashing. Oh by the way before I left the game I had just finished writing on twitter that I still had the money. Several cars were pulling around this truck not willing to help. I pulled in front of the truck and got out. There was a woman behind the wheel crying. At the same time another vehicle behind her began to push her to a safe spot. I jumped back in my car and thought, "oh well those other people are helping her." Then God told me to pull up into an Arby's that was around the corner. So I did. Then it hit me. This one could be it! I prayed "God if this is the person then have them pull into the Arby's" I looked up and there they where. I still was not convinced. (oh you of little faith) I walked over to the truck and asked if I could help. The couple behind her was bringing out a gas can. I asked if they knew the lady in the truck and they said "no". I asked her, "are you okay?" She said she was out of gas and had no money. I stopped in my tracks. I said "wait a minute I'll be right back!"
By this time my chest was pounding this is it! Her name was Lana from St. Charles, MO. I said "Lana I am a youth speaker that just finished speaking at a camp in Indiana, and a group of the students gave me this money to give to somebody that God wanted to have. I just finished praying and God has showed me it's you! Here is $70!" She began to cry. The couple behind me was dumb founded. After walking across the street to get gas in the can I poured it in and prayerd with her. I told her, "Lana God has gone a long way today to show you how much He loves you. Can I pray for you?" She agreed and I prayed and went on my way.
Lana told me she left for work that morning not knowing if she had enough gas to make it home. She thanked me continuosly through her tears. As I drove off God said to me, "Jim that's how much I care about all my creation!" In that moment three strangers saw God's love poured out!
NEI Sr. High Camp you are awesome! God used you to fullfill this scripture passage.
Matt. 25:40NIV
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
I was leaving my youngest son's baseball game and on the way to another one, when I realized I needed gas. I missed the first exit I was going to take and had to drive onto the next exit only to find a truck pulled over to the side of the road with it's hazards flashing. Oh by the way before I left the game I had just finished writing on twitter that I still had the money. Several cars were pulling around this truck not willing to help. I pulled in front of the truck and got out. There was a woman behind the wheel crying. At the same time another vehicle behind her began to push her to a safe spot. I jumped back in my car and thought, "oh well those other people are helping her." Then God told me to pull up into an Arby's that was around the corner. So I did. Then it hit me. This one could be it! I prayed "God if this is the person then have them pull into the Arby's" I looked up and there they where. I still was not convinced. (oh you of little faith) I walked over to the truck and asked if I could help. The couple behind her was bringing out a gas can. I asked if they knew the lady in the truck and they said "no". I asked her, "are you okay?" She said she was out of gas and had no money. I stopped in my tracks. I said "wait a minute I'll be right back!"
By this time my chest was pounding this is it! Her name was Lana from St. Charles, MO. I said "Lana I am a youth speaker that just finished speaking at a camp in Indiana, and a group of the students gave me this money to give to somebody that God wanted to have. I just finished praying and God has showed me it's you! Here is $70!" She began to cry. The couple behind me was dumb founded. After walking across the street to get gas in the can I poured it in and prayerd with her. I told her, "Lana God has gone a long way today to show you how much He loves you. Can I pray for you?" She agreed and I prayed and went on my way.
Lana told me she left for work that morning not knowing if she had enough gas to make it home. She thanked me continuosly through her tears. As I drove off God said to me, "Jim that's how much I care about all my creation!" In that moment three strangers saw God's love poured out!
NEI Sr. High Camp you are awesome! God used you to fullfill this scripture passage.
Matt. 25:40NIV
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)