Fondest memories—
I went on that trip broken, in bondage to anger and hate in my heart. On Monday night, I was really touched by the message at Club. I found a quiet place afterward and got on my knees and prayed a prayer of forgiveness, for the Lord to take that burden away… and BOOM! Like lightening it was gone. I was free. I felt like doing that run… you know the run… the run that those folks do on those faith healing shows… the crutches tossed aside, tears rolling down, their arms waving in the air like they are trying to flag down an oncoming car. My heart rejoiced… I exalted the Healer. The weight was lifted and I was free to do the rest of the work I had to do that week.
That ROCKED!
Next memory—
I remember Aldger at the foot washing playing Better is One Day over and over again with conviction filling the room. The Holy Spirit—full force—breaking down those who need the humbling, reaffirming those who need building up—all the while he played that song.
Then the amazing things happened, things words can’t describe so I wont even bother… but let’s just say this Lutheran can get as Charismatic as his Pentecostal brothers and sisters.
That was the night that Megan rededicated herself to the Lord. Megan and I are so close, now and forever, because our faiths arched at the same time… we both quit pretending and started living. Her testimonial was like food, to taste and to nourish.
“I put my heart right in my hand and I lifted it up to God and said, ‘Here.. this is yours now… I am going to live my life for you… everyday!”
These words burrowed into my soul. And forever I am different because of my friend Megan, whom I respect so much that I have trusted her with the discipleship of my daughter Charisa. No better godparent can a child ever have. Megan is my hero.
That night, I surrendered to the Lord in a way I never knew I could. I prayed… prayed until my shirt ran with tears, both mine and those of my youth. I prayed like their lives depended on it and used every last ounce of strength. It was sweet beyond words. I collapsed in a corner and wept tears of joy. I even woke up at three in the morning... weeping tears of joy. I remember thinking, 'why me, Lord? Why when I am so small and YOU so awesome... why would you ever choose to do this massive resurrection in my life?'
I still search for that answer today.
Memory three—
I remember the feast some time later that night. At the stroke of midnight, the four staff let me into their inner sanctum to partake of a great feast. Unknown to any of us, these wonderful staff members, on our great day of service and evening of spiritual awakening, had deprived themselves by fasting. I will never forget Aldger eating that cobbler. It was epic! It was like the first taste of food he had ever eaten. He loved food. He ate with such enthusiasm. In fact I remember him describing eating food with even more gusto. So there in that kitchen we sat up till all hours of the night and ate, laughed and smiled.
It is memories like these of Jake and Aldger that really make the trip special. They weren't just there to help... they were 100 percent our brothers! MAN, THEY ROCK!
Memory four—
I remember riding home with Justine and having a great talk about who we were and who we wanted to become. We shared so much true life stuff… That talk was amazing.
Memory five—
I remember Ashley and Megan (and the Drew Crew as well) making a pact to keep it going. And oh boy did we ever. We did prayer walks, bible studies, started bands, youth services… oh the West Virginia afterglow. I need afterglow now. I need that feeling of total emersion in The Spirit. I need that newness. I need it like I need oxygen… EVEN MORE!
Oh, to feel that way again.
After the foot washing, Megan told me to hold on that feeling… and a year to the day later she told me those same words again, at a foot washing ceremony on a different mission trip (one I am sure I will write about later). But that second time it became so clear to me that even here on earth when we become so swept away by the Spirit… even when we are encompassed like Soren into that energy ribbon on the movie Star Trek: Generations, we are only dipping our toe into the pool of what heaven has in store for us. When we weep HE will bend down and wipe the tears from our eyes! Bring it on! THAT DAY, sister Megan, I WILL WHISPER IN YOUR YEAR… “HOLD ON TO THIS FEELING FOREVER!” And we will.
4 comments:
And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:14-17
Here is a message from our old pal Aldger. He speaks way too highly of me... but that is his way. Check it out. Also, he says, "WAASSSUP" to all the youth that went on the trip.
Hey man! Dude! It is SOOOO good to hear from you! Man, its just refreshing just to see your name, let alone to see you and be in your presence that would be awesome! Man, the Lords doin a revival of intimacy in my heart! He's so good, and mighty (Psalm 62:11-12, One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you,O Lord, are loving.) Man, my church and I just got done with a season of pressing into the Lord through fasting and right now, its just reflection upon that season, and really making fasting a lifestyle and not just some spiritual event, ya know? Not to relapse back into the idolization of things that are unfruitful. God's restoring His Word in my heart, restoring a love for His Word, a craving and taste for Truth. Its been a struggle just staying excited about the Word. The enemy has been trying to rob me and discourage me; to disarm me and render me powerless. Oh that the Warrior
inside of all of us would rise to the challenge of this battle that is waging for our hearts, minds and souls. You my man are a mighty warrior (1 Chro. 12:14, ...the least [ of David's mighty men] was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand). Its soo awesome to hear that God is working in Elk Horn. Its a real testament to know that Faith in who God is, is opening the door for Him to do what He wants to do. He's anxious,desiring to show us compassion and tenderness (Is. 30:18) I wish you would have been my youth pastor when I was in high school, I'd be leaps and bounds from where I am now. Praise God for you and your heart, He's done a mighty
work makin you the man that you are. I pray that you continue to pour
yourself into this generation, building them up to be the kings and queens that God has made us to be. (Jeremiah 1:10, see today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant) I speak a blessing over you and yours. Strength, favor and love from your head to toe. Keep bringin the fight to the enemy. (Isaiah 40:29-31, He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.) You're awesome man. Take care and write me back soon.
Oh and the Lords really puttin this on my heart. He showed it to me yesterday and I want to share it with you.
Jeremiah 17:7, But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat come; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
God's Spirit be On You.
Aldger
Hey! I went on this trip also and I have a few memories that I would like to share:
One day our group was told that we were going on a prayer walk. We were all equally nervous but we knew that we had to do it. There was something inside of us telling us to go. We came upon this one house that will always be in our hearts. We walked up to the door and this guy answered. We said we were with Youthworks and were wondering if we could pray with them. He said that his mother wasn't doing very well and we could pray for her. He led us into his house and to his mother's bedside. She was so frail and looked like she was going to die any day. We held hands and started to pray. While we were praying we saw a tear run down her cheek... We all could feel the Holy Spirit present in that room. When we got done and started to walk back to our work site, we were all overwhelmed. We were all nervous about going in the beginning but we were rewarded in the end with blessing a life. While droving by her house on the last day we were there, we looked up at her house and saw her son and her on their porch. She saw it was us and a huge smile came over her face and she waved to us. As I looked around the van everyone had a smile on their face. We actually saw our prayer answered! Some people will never see the work of the Lord but each one of us experienced it that day. That day will forever rest in each one of our hearts! God brought us there for a reason and now we know why!
Post a Comment