The Gentle Nudge

Following the elders meeting on Tuesday night, I was driving home and began to pray through the prayer list that I keep on my phone. Now, before you think I was looking at my phone, I wasn’t! I have a number of these requests that are on going so recall to memory was what I was using.

As I drove, I asked the Holy Spirit to begin prompting me when I need to be more sensitive and responsive to those around me that I may or may not see. As I drove home I stopped at the McDonalds for a quick meal and ran inside. Usually I would use the drive through but I was nudged internally to go inside.

Once inside, the sitting area was empty and greeted by a member of the staff.

I made my way to the counter and in front of me was a man that had ordered a McChicken and a hot fudge sundae. Hearing the order and watching him dig through all his pockets in his worn out jeans and jacket, I was nudged again to pay for his meal.

I reached forward and gave the cashier the money while he wasn’t looking and mouthed to her to pay for his meal and give him the change. Her response was encouraging as she said, “Kenny, the gentleman behind you has paid for your meal!”

Kenny although standing with a slumped posterior attempted to straighten up and turned with a smile and a tear on his cheek said, “Thank you! I didn’t have enough tonight to by my dinner. My name is Kenny and may God bless you sir!”

Extending his hand to me, we shook hands and then he turned around and told the cashier how blessed he was by my act of kindness.

Now, it was my turn to order and as I placed my order and the cashier thanked me for paying for Kenny’s meal, she said it blessed her heart that someone would do that.

I told her that I was blessed and thankful that I listened to the Holy Spirit when He prompted me.

As they were preparing my dinner I felt another nudge inside.

This time nudged or prompted to buy a gift card for Kenny and bless him with it for another meal or two at a later time.

As I paid for the gift card, the cashier asked me why was I doing this. I explained to her what I was just praying and that I felt that I needed to be more aware of the needs of people around me. This was why I was doing this.

With a huge smile on her face she said that was amazing that God answers prayers that quickly. She then asked if I believed that what God says in the Bible is real. I responded, “It is not only real, it is alive and living! It is His love letter to those that believe in Him and follow Him.”

Shocked by my response she said, “Good for you!”

My heart now is nudged to ask her, Chrissy, if she knew Jesus. Her response was, “No it isn’t really for me but maybe something that I should think about.”

As I took my food and started to leave, I told Chrissy that every time I drive by this McDonald’s I will pray for her. She smiled and said thank you.

In reflecting over this the past few days, I know that the Holy Spirit does nudge us to respond as He is prompting and that we need to respond according to His nudges and direction.

Would you join me in asking the Holy Spirit to nudge and prompt us as He sees and knows best? Would you also be willing to respond to Him when He nudges and prompts you?

Doing this, will change us, our circumstances and outlook when we follow Jesus!   

Realizing it has been a while since I posted on our blog I had a cute little meme to share that fits well with our ministry direction. Ministry to the the military and coffee! A great combination!!

We are so excited about the way that the Lord is opening the doors for us to return to setup an international church! We now have the organization that will sponsor us for our Visa and is providing additional members to our pray and pay teams! God is so good!

Keep praying and we will keep you updated as to His plans.

Shack and Julie

The Night of Joy!

Last night, we had the privilege of going and enjoying our oldest grandson Garrett's school Christmas program.

It has been two years since we got to enjoy his last one and we were excited.  The auditorium was almost completely full with parents, children, friends and of course...grandparents!  I was one of them and not ashamed of that one bit!

As the older students began to play their musical instruments, the sound filled the room and the JOY of the season came flooding in.  I even found myself remembering the years that I played the trumpet at our Christmas programs and the joy that others felt as we played.

In the first act of the night, the kindergarten class preformed two short songs including the ringing of their hand bells.  Of course, as you know...there is always one child that is the center of attention. Dressed in a nice new black suit, white shirt and tie, he rang his bell proudly and in open view of all to see. What a joy to watch them perform without any hesitation or fear that Simon Cowell would reject their vocal efforts.

Then, it was time for the 1st and 2nd graders! (drumroll please) As this is my moment as a grandfather to be proud, excited and full of JOY! There, dressed nicely in his freshly ironed white shirt and sharp tie, stood center stage...the one and only Garrett! Okay...give me a break as I write...I love the little man! He sang well, smiled when cued to and even made eye contact with the audience...he I think is on his way to audition for the VOICE soon.

They sang their first two songs with no hitch and received positive affirmation from the crowd.  Then almost all the way through their third and final song, the most dreaded thing happened.  No, not to my Garrett thankfully, but, to one of his classmates. No, this student didn't pass out either...worse!

Yes, the nerves of the evening or the dinner he had just eaten, came out with a vengeance! Sorry, it did happen. While snapping photos, I caught the before shot of the group singing and then, looking through my view finder, I snapped the next picture and sure enough, the student was not in the frame. What happened...who knew but the night of JOY, well let's just say this will be a program we talk about for quite sometime.

When all was done, cleaned up and the next group of students took the stage, the night went on without any other  moments to steal the JOY of the night.

Well, as I wrap this up, I want to encourage you to not let something snatch the JOY of the season from you. Remember that the true reason for the season is JESUS!

Oh and yes, the student is doing better now!

Love the SMILE on his face!!!  

Merry Christmas to each of you!

May the Lord bless you!

Transitions!

Over the course of the last five years, we have experienced as a family a number of different transitions and one thing we have found for sure, only ONE thing remains the same in all transitions.

No matter whether the transition was changing ministries, moving to a foreign land, starting all over in school for one of our daughters, learning a new language, going off to war for a second time, having the blessing of grandsons and many other ones, transitions come.

How we respond to each one of the transitions really makes a big difference in how the transition goes as well as how we see the transition.

No one ever said that transitions are easy. Even transition in music is tough.  There are key changes that are very difficult and yet, when done properly, the sound is beautiful!

So to with transitions in life, when done properly and in the right way, the transition is beautiful.

We are so grateful for all that the Lord has and is doing in our lives during the latest transitions. We have seen the Lord doing some amazing and beautiful things in our lives.  From numerous people, gifts, efforts and relationships, God is making something amazing and beautiful!  

We may not like the transition or the situation we are in but as long as we remember the ONE thing, God is in control! He is making the transitions in our lives and even though we don't see it, the end result, we can rest in the fact that God is making the changes and transition for us to see and know that He is the ONE thing that remains.

Scripture tells us this, "Jesus, the Messiah, is the same yesterday and today  and forever!" Hebrews 13:8.  As you  move through and wrestle with the transitions in your own life, take joy in the fact that He is the same!

The Challenge of a New Day

This morning at 0600 hrs, my cell phone went off. It was my son and my daughter in the states calling to let us know that Julie's mom, Darlene McCaw had suffered a massive heart attack.  Now that is a wake up call.

We began to pray and knowing that we were so far away, I loved how our children stepped into roles there by mom's bed to help us feel a part as well as give direction and comfort to others that were there.

You see, the challenge of a new day starts the minute we wake up. The minute we determine to rejoice in the days events that have happened, will happen and maybe even in those that won't happen we had planned.

Well, that all said, we do rejoice in the fact that mom is still alive a the time of this writing.
Mom has labored for her Master well through out everyday of her life.
Mom has passed on to her children and her grand children and even her great grandchildren the fact that the most important thing in life is what you do with Jesus.

Just hours before mom's heart attack, she was loving on our two grandson's Garrett and Jaxon at Jaxon's 1st birthday party.  I can imagine to, mom holding Jaxon and saying, "I love you, I am praying for you and Jaxon, you are Thumb body special!"  You see, mom used that line to tell people young and old that they were someone special.

Mom has faced the past 13 years of challenges with the knowledge that God loves her, that others were praying for her and that yes, she is Thumb body Special!!!!

Mom, we love you and are honored to be your kids as well as to be Team mates for the kingdom together!

How will you face the challenges of your new day today and tomorrow?

Know that God loves you and that you are "Thumb body special!"

The 3L's...Learning Life's Lessons

Today I was working on the final touches to my sermon for tomorrow at Chapel Next on post and listening to KLOVE radio, two songs just struck me in a real powerful way.

The first one helps us recognize who we are in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.  It isn't about whether we fit the mold of the world.  The most popular or the most successful.  It matter that I know I belong to  Him and that I am His Beloved!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSIVjjY8Ou8 Song By Jason Gray, Remind me who I am.

The second one was, Your Love Never Fails.  Listening to it and then seeing the lyrics, really struck me...You make all things work together for my good! and Your love never changes!!  These words brought an ocean of joy, peace and encouragement over me.

God works all things out even though it isn't always in our time line.  Preaching last week on 1 Peter 2:4-10...I gave a one line summary..."His People and His Plan for His Purpose!"  When I place all things in that perspective, my struggles, issues and concerns, pale in what He wants of me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2qG22SPwU Song by Jesus Culture, Your Love Never Fails

Thank you Father that you never change, move, leave, drift, wander, question, doubt or do any of the things that I do.  Thank you for forgiving me and restoring me.  Thank you that part of Your Purpose is to RESTORE!!  Not destroy but to RESTORE!!!

If you get a chance, listen to both of these songs and ask the Holy Spirit to just speak TRUTH into your heart, soul and mind.  You will find and receive strength and peace when He delivers to His Beloved!!

My prayer as you read this and listen to the songs, that the Holy Spirit will do for you what He did for me.  That He will meet you where you are and how you are and the you will surrender to Him!
May the Lord bless you as you seek Him and travel in the journey of life!

Together we can make it as we walk with and in Him together!

Fourteen Days of Dependence

Over the past fourteen days, I have found them very difficult!  It came on all of a sudden on Friday two weeks ago after our monthly CSM staff meeting.  Assuming that it was simply the usual allergies that have popped up since our time in Baumholder and now in Idstein with the pollen!  Oh no...it wasn't allergies.

Having spent the entire weekend taking allergy meds and no relief, then heading to a World Wide CSM staff conference, I was not winning the battle.  I spent that whole week sleeping every free minute I had, coughing and feeling miserable...only to find out that I had walking pneumonia! Yep...what a shocker.

Now, fourteen days later, I am at about 60 percent of my energy and the coughing is getting better. Thank the Lord for medicine and a caring doctor!  Just a few more weeks and I may be better!  Can't wait!

Now, the whining is over and the lesson is being learned.  The lesson, is I have to put my FULL dependence in the only ONE that can make a difference. During the sleepless cough filled nights, God and I did some serious talking.  The reality that I need Him and must fully depend on HIM is crucial.

I am so glad that HE is a loving and patient GOD that loves me even when it takes me a while to learn the lesson HE has for me.

After having to cancel the last several days of ministry due to my health, I asked the Lord to provide the strength to teach on Wednesday night at Refuge, (our high school ministry) and HE did. I went to the office to get final prep done and then to hang out with our students at our coffee shop, Chatterbox, and then having several of our volunteers there, they ran games, the meal and I just observed.  Then, it came time to teach the lesson...GOD was so good...Thank you Lord.  My energy came back, sustained me for the entire time and in addition, HE held of any coughing fit the entire time I was teaching HIS Word and the lesson this week on..."I AM in Christ!"  A series that I have been working through with the students for the last few weeks!

Thanks Lord for helping me learn to fully depend on YOU!  YOU are always faithful and I am grateful for that.