unloading bricks out of backpacks

So far this week, three men have received Christ during my visitations at the RJC. One said he was sitting on the fence and it wasn't working for him. Another had been searching and needed to get some answers. The third man said he needed to get relief from a lifetime of anger and bitterness. We talked about the world piling bricks into backpacks we are carrying around. Then, we stop and add some of our own bricks. Jesus is the only One who will help us take off the backpack we are dragging around, unload it, and walk ahead with Him. The Lord wants us to give Him all the bricks and then give him ourselves, Romans 12:1.

Running to the fountain of living waters

On Friday night in the Q unit, one man came in about half-way through, visibly shaken at the very brink of tears. He was a flustered mess and needed a refuge. I welcome him, and after he sat down, I asked if we could pray with him. The other six men were very respectful and helped him feel safe. He was very willing and in now in open tears. He came to our service from a harsh telephone argument. He went into a rapid-fire littany of very real trials. He gave an assured testimony of his faith in Jesus but life has been a twisted mess. I assured him our service is a safe place. Mike Butler, who was serving with me, emphasized, "sanctuary." Mike led us in prayer for this man.

Using the whiteboard, we continued brainstorming things people believe in they perceive will give them life. The Navigators call it "the well illustration." The key verse is Jeremiah 2:13, "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."

When lives are filled with other things that become idols, God says they end up with broken wells that hold no water. They are forsaking Him and their cisterns are useless. The Lord invites His people to come and drink freely from His fountain of living waters. Whatever was in the past, everyone may repent and run to Jesus Himself, the fountain of living waters.

I closed with Isaiah 55:1-3. The Lord graciously and repeatedly invites us to come to His banquet table where He Himself is the host. The guests include others who are hungry and thirsty for God, broken and hurting people, desperate ones. Everyone is welcome! There is a special place-setting and seat with your name on it. The menu is prepared just for us by the Lord. We are invited to come and be delighted with His food to give us living water and life.

This very special banquet, a safe santuary, was hosted by Jesus Himself Friday night in Q unit at the RJC and for you and me whenever we purposefully come together to seek Him.

Obstacles and frustrations

Dwight and I visited the D unit at the RJC Wednesday and had three guests. We watched a video and then moved into a Bible study on forgiveness, like I've used in the past. We got to Isaiah 53:4-6 which presents an incredibly vivid prophesy of the crucifixion. One of the men began to loudly argue this chapter does not refer to Jesus Christ and stomped out of the study. Thankfully, the other two men remained and graciously finished the study with us. Spiritual warfare abounds wherever we are seeking to advance His Kingdom. Some days, we don't see it.

Olympic ministry with Jim

Jim Krueger and I traveled north of Aberdeen and Lake Quinalt to the Olympic facility on Saturday night for an awesome worship service with 12 very appreciative men. We joined together for group prayer and choruses, three great numbers by Jim, my message about Zaccheus from Luke 19, a closing response number by Jim, and responding prayers by the men.

Several of the men, including Jim, were in tears as the Lord was working. I am hoping to go out to Olympic with Jim the first Saturday of each month. Jim shared with me he is seeking to build a team of volunteers to expand the ministry there on Saturday nights. They ministered openly to our hearts so it was a great privilege to share worship with them. They are eager to worship and enjoy fellowship.

On April 20-22, I am scheduled to make my second trip to several Eastern Washington sites with Jim, my precious teammate Dwight, and virtually all of the team that went in November.

Please continue to pray as I make appointments to share this work and pursue support and as I seek full-time employment until my support is raised. On most days, I check on jobs and follow-up in the morning and then head down to the Regional Justice Center to serve with Dwight Hawley and Dick Rothlisberger where I feel useful and productive.

welcoming Jesus gladly

On Friday night at the Regional Justice Center, Dwight and I had the joy of seeing at least two men repent of their sins and believe for salvation. I spoke on one of the great passages in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19:1-10 when Jesus called Zaccheus out of his spectator sycamore tree and invited Himself to his house. There were six men who came in to hear God's word tonight at hte RJC. Dwight Hawley and I were thrilled to read with our guests how the little man came down and welcomed Christ gladly to his house and heart. Despite the muttering and critical residents of Jericho, Zaccheus showed radical repentance, like it was happening right in the unit mult-purpose room where we were.

I asked the entire group several times about repenting to be saved. Repentance means changing our minds about sin so there is a radical change of heart. Do you want to welcome Jesus gladly into your home and heart? Do you want to repent tonight, right here? Do you want to be saved? The men raised their hands in front of their peers. It was a very special moment as Dwight led them in prayer.

The two men actually stayed after to get help filling out kites, or requests, so I can follow-up with them on Monday. Jesus said, "today, today, salvation has come to this house." We had two men join the people of faith as the "sons of Abraham." Glory to the Lord!

Warren Wiersbe on God's thermostat

When God puts His own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much.

If we rebel, He may have to reset the clock; but if we submit, He will not permit us to suffer one minute too long. The important thing is that we learn the lesson He wants to teach us and that we bring glory to Him alone.

We may question why He does it to begin with, or why He doesn’t turn down the heat or even turn it off; but our questions are only evidences of unbelief.

Job 23:10 is the answer: “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come come forth as gold” (NKJV). Gold does not fear the fire. The furnace can only make the gold purer and brighter."

(Wiersbe, W. Be Patient. An Old Testament study. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books)