Another God Moment, praying on the street in Ardmore

Have you ever made a decision to do something and then try to figure a way to get out of it elegantly? I was the only one on our Main Street Board to possibly attend some mandatory training in Ardmore as everyone had other commitments and the training was geared toward Directors of which we don't have at the moment.

My morning had already started early with physical therapy for ninety minutes, then back home to shower and the temptation to get a few more moments of snooze time was really getting to me. I called the state coordinator to see if I needed to drive the 2:30 min to just participate for a couple of hours then drive back home.

I was told that yes I could miss it and we could make up the training later. The he said something that caused me to commit. "We have a box here for your Main Street, it's 40 lbs of coloring books." I said, "I'm leaving in a few moments and I'll see you at 12:00."

I grabbed some cold water, camera, iPad, and headed to the car. I had the oil changed right after Physical therapy, so I was done. No problems on the drive through the two lane back roads of southern Oklahoma. The land looked a little parched, but still beautiful.

I arrived at the Ardmore train depot, walking into a room full of people listening to a man talking about restaurants from a customers perspective. It was informative and enlightening for this eating machine. I found myself agreeing with many of the perceptions that are the norm. I was starting to feel alright about the trip.

We were broken up into groups of five to assess a local restaurant with our group looking at food and the menu. Right up my alley. We walked over to the restaurant, which was finishing its heavy lunch hour. It was nice and worth another visit from me. I took some photos and was compelled to step out the back and look at the neighboring buildings. I stepped out and saw some boarded up brick buildings across the street and a large three story building across the intersection. While I was outside I glanced up at a man on a ladder next to me washing the windows. I asked him about the three story building, and the Lord presented me with a God Moment. Frank got off the ladder and introduced himself as a religious philosopher. He shared the story of a man that owned the building giving hope to the lost, those addicted to drugs and alcohol. How the owner's building was condemned by the city, but he was still committed to the lost. Frank told me how he moved his shop of hope downtown. I was being poured out by Frank as he shared his philosophy.

I was being filled up and prayed that God would reveal himself through the Holy Spirit as Frank was talking. I listened to Frank and he stopped and said, "Brother Chris let's pray." We jumped right to it. As I was praying I asked the Lord to show me truth from Frank, take deception away and share, just as I prayed that, Frank spoke those same words. My flesh was alive as my soul rejoiced. As we continued I wanted more divine truth, Lord was this why I'm in Ardmore? Frank then spoke words that have been on my heart about bridging the churches as we all are Christ's and we will meet Jesus in His kingdom not in different denominations of Heaven. He shared his background and how the Holy Spirit has moved him to share The Church with the lost. Jesus you move me past myself!

He left me on that corner to get information to me on the History of the True Church before it was made in man's perception. Well, as a History person, I was overflowing. We hugged and shared information. I humbly walked back to the train depot, touched that God would share himself to me on such a beautiful day in a different town.

The rest of the afternoon was wonderful. I gathered some more restaurant information and completed two more assessments. I picked up some sushi and came home praising the Lord for taking me to the street.

Take those moments to share our Creator, as he will share himself with you in the most wonderful places.

God Bless

Sorrow of Death and Joy of Life

I was reminded today about the sorrow of death and the joy of life.  We sometimes look at our eternal perspective backwards especially if we don't know the person's faith.  A blog I read this morning remains strong in my heart as the young person related visiting a children's hospital in Africa.  While looking over all the children within the ward a young child looked her in the eyes and God made a connection.  This young infant was beautiful in spirit and the young lady went over and held this little girls hand and continued to look her in the eyes.  The lady was holding this waif of a child while the grandmother watched.  The young lady was praying for the infant to live and that the Lord would be there for her healing.  The girls breathing got more shallow and shallow until there was no movement in the chest at all. The young lady was angry that no one was there for the infant as she died in her arms.  Finally the grandmother was deeply saddened and the staff took over.  God spoke to this young woman as the mother returned to check on her daughter and found her dead.  The girls heart was full as she was given the blessing that she was holding this young girl and passed her into the arms of Jesus in that moment of love.  She was there to witness to the girl and the grandmother, just as the infant was witnessing to her upon her eternal life with the Lord.

A wonderful woman was sent to the Lord this week.  I had the pleasure to work as a mediator in her court a few years ago.  She was a compassionate Judge for our County.  She was a servant and loved by her family and those she came in contact with.  She will be missed.

Today a niece was born into this collective family and we have such joy for our nephew and his beautiful wife in the birth of their first baby a beautifully healthy red head.  There is so much love and gratitude for this birth of family and friends.

That is the joy of everyday life, and in our spiritual life we continue to have joy as a loved one or friend passes into the hands of our Heavenly Father having no more pain or suffering of their human condition. What a Blessing that is. Imagine though the sorrow of someone that we know isn't a believer and has rejected the gift of eternal life.  Oh, the pain knowing that we could have shared Jesus with them and didn't.  How painful that is.  Sorrow of true death, without the love of the Savior, for all eternity.

Breaks your heart doesn't it?  What about those that think about waiting until the last minute and then just in case they've been wrong they ask the Lord into their life before they pass?  What a sad way to spend a lifetime, not living the life that they know they could enjoy, but deciding to play like  God?   That's living a life that is a lie.  So be true to yourself.  If the call of the Lord comes to you, embrace it. Give Him all that he asks of you.  Because He gave it all for you, His Blood took all our sin off that cross.  Love Him and find the Joy of life.

See that blog here, be prepared to cry...

http://www.sethbarnes.com/?filename=holding-a-life-in-your-hands

The Living Water... Really? Yes, Really!

This morning the Lord spoke to me as I returned from Physical Therapy.  He placed upon my heart to go out into our backyard and water the plants.  Something very simple right?  Oh, my no.  As I started I looked out over all of them and noticed some looked really tired and worn down from the heat that has been beating us all down.  I looked at them and thought let me give you some water to revive you so you can grow to be what God wants you to be.

 I started with the first pot which has a tomato plant that is thin and has had some  spider mite issues.  When I turned on the water and approached the soil with the water spraying from the nozzle something amazing occurred, the soil wasn't ready to take the water full force, it had to be tendered.  Meaning that I had to adjust the flow so the water wouldn't run all over the pot and find a quick exit out of the bottom. This was done and all the insects that have found a happy place were disrupted at first.  I'm sure they will go back once the ground is moistened up and the water gives them cool and calm conditions once again.  The tomato plant  responded with sturdier leaves and stood a little taller after filling the pot with water.  I proceeded to go to all of the other pots and filled them with the living water, watching the results as the plants responded to this gift of life.  It was truly a God Thing.  

He reminded me that I am just like one of the pots.  Sometimes even with the right amount of watering, if I'm left to my own and don't receive the special attention that I need I can either wither or not grow correctly  or even provide good fruit because I let the water go right through me.  So it is important that I listen to my Heavenly Father as He gives me His Spirit of Living Water in order to grasp the gift He has so graciously provided.  I can then respond and give back His gift for others to enjoy.  The little bits of my sin are like those insects that get displaced, I can respond in any given manner by fleeing, fighting, or surrendering to the Plan.  God gives me that choice. When I accept and surrender my sin, it can provides a means for change within me, to work it out  by showing others that I am not perfect and don't have all the answers.  That I can bear good fruit, and show love to others. I do know the Lord has all of that for me. My desire is to provide Good Fruit for my Heavenly Father, it should be all of ours.  So let's share that with others.  For the Water of Life leads to eternity, not to drought. 

Thank-you Lord for giving me Hope for a better tomorrow as I yearn to seek you in others I love on today.

God Bless My Friends.