Moving with the Spirit

This morning at our urban conference I had to fill in for the devotional speaker who had been in the hospital earlier this week for gallbladder stones.

My morning reading as I travel through the Bible was Joshua, which I had also been reading about in the Circle Maker book, concerning walking around Jericho before the battle. We planned to pray in the nation's capital, so this formed a perfect text for our day.

Later we prayed in front of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial, and as we finished the song came to mind "on Christ the solid rock I stand." Then we visited a church, where the pastor quoted that song.

Next we saw the United Methodist building where another of our Free Methodist church plants worships. The church I pastor started in a United Methodist building, which they later gave us, so I prayed this would happen to New Vision in the City as well. I look forward to hearing the future results of those prayers.

Passing the Baton

In 1987 I took my first born child to our Free Methodist urban conference (CUE), a babe of two months. This morning that baby now grown taught a workshop at CUE on race in the church. I have heard Nora share her material before. But the first time today that I heard her step up with authority and exercise group management, calling out adults more than twice her age and keeping them on track, even I was taken aback. She not only knows her material, she knows how to facilitate a difficult topic with a group.

This particular group of people have prayed for her over the years, today they saw the fruit of their prayers.

Flying

Not a new miracle, but still unbelievable that a heavy piece of metal full of people can soar like a bird and deliver me in one hour what takes all day to drive, and even longer to walk. Modern transportation provides us with access to events previously not possible, as I attend our denominational urban conference today. I will reunite with friends from California, all able to gather because of this modern miracle of human ingenuity and the laws of the universe created by an amazing God.

I am grateful for flight. (I left today from the Dayton, Ohio airport, the home of the Wright Brothers!)

Orders My Steps

Today I was frustrated when I realized I forgot my coupons so I had to go home after my therapy appointment before stopping at the grocery.

When I got home I arrived at the very moment a friend was bringing clothing to donate to Roger's work. He was able to load it all into my van directly for Roger to deliver.

Then I had to take crutches to an injured parishioner. I arrived when the physical therapist was visiting, which answered a question about why his nurse hadn't come, and took care of another issue for me.

On this day before I leave town, I appreciate God's extra help.

God Knew

This winter I saw my friend's wife in Santa Barbara the week before her mother died. I have only met her twice, her husband travels more so I have seen him more often.

Her mother died on the same date as my mother years ago. So a month after her mom died I contacted her to tell her I was thinking about her on that date.

Sunday morning I dreamed that this couple came to visit me and I was able to comfort her in person. When I emailed her about my dream, she responded, "Such timing – today is my birthday – thanks for sharing your dream."

I didn't know it was her birthday. My first birthday after my mother died was one of my hardest days, and if I had known, I would have certainly reached out. But I don't think it was a coincidence I dreamed about her on that day.

Circles

The same day I finished reading the Circle Maker, which talks about marching around places we want to claim, I called my friend Erin. She said her husband John wanted to apply for a job that seems like a great fit for him at the VA Hospital, and she wanted to march around the hospital 7 times like Joshua did Jericho. I told her I'd come too! I had just finished reading about that very thing, and I don't believe in coincidence.  I believe in God's timing.

So today their family and I marched around the hospital, praying for favor, asking God to install John there where he could share the compassion of Christ with veterans. Looking forward to good news!

Drumming

Earlier this week I mentioned our need for a drummer. Tonight we had a guest at our church who is a drummer. That doesn't mean he's staying, but I did ask the group to pray for a drummer for us, so we'll see what happens.

Also at this meeting (a city wide invitation) was a woman who used to work for Roger when we first met. I hadn't seen her in years so it was quite a treat to reconnect. I was admiring her for how she worshiped, then figured out I knew her.

Tonight was also Roger's birthday, and the group sang to him and prayed for us. Without any family in town that felt like a nice substitute.


Send that drummer Lord!