Final Entries for 2005

After a more-than-packed-out Christmas Eve service at church, I went to my brother's home in the Sheridan area. It was nice. Luke 14:12-14. He is getting the idea, but always did have a better grasp of hospitality than I. A friend had left a package there for me, so I was able to open a second gift on December 24. All of my expected guests came Christmas afternoon (CPC had a service at church in the morning). Two of my guests had trouble with my non-handicap- accessible house, so a priority for me in 2006 is to prevail in prayer for a more ministry-capable house (also for enough income to live on). One of the ladies from the group home is mostly deaf. After most of the other guests had left, she asked me if "tomorrow" was Christmas. I replied that "today" was Christmas. She looked surprised and said, "Today?" Then she started singing Christmas carols. Pretty good for a deaf lady! She loves Christmas, and still believes in Santa Claus (at 81!). I was concerned that the other lady would have an anxiety attack (common for her), due to unfamiliar guests there. That she did not was a blessing for me. It shows that some healing has taken place, and that she is comfortable with me in my home. Praise the Lord! The landlord did some very superficial repairs this week. We'll see how that goes over with the Health Dept. It's their problem now. I had another visitor over for soup yesterday. On the agenda for January is to start a ministry to the persecuted church at CPC. I'm not sure what will become of this blog page. Visits are rare. And though I poke around very lightly and slowly on the keyboard, I have suddenly become unable to open jars. So, obviously this is not healthy for me. I don't make New Year's resolutions and haven't for years. For me, every day is new in the Lord. Happy New Year. Sorry. This computer won't erase the last few letters to your right. oard

Christmas Notes

I decided to do my weekly post today, since the library is closed Saturday, and some friends graciously allowed me to use their computer today while they're away. I'm looking forward to Christmas with friends (at my house). They include a Voice of Martyrs ministry couple, two ladies from a group home, and possibly an old childhood friend. Our church has two Christmas eve services scheduled, as well as one on Christmas day. Am job hunting still. My (abusive) neighbor had announced five months ago, in no uncertain terms, that she was definitely moving when her lease expired (December 31). Today the landlord says she is not moving. Sigh! I'd had my hopes set on the end of the abuse. Well, praise the Lord anyway. He knows what He is doing and is definitely in control. I'm wondering if that neighbor is depressed. There are plenty of signs. Please pray for me, her, work, housing, ministry. Merry Christmas.

Reflections

The temporary/seasonal job I had ended over a week early. Back to the drawing board. It seems the Lord is not leading me to continue my job search online. Am trying to look into some faith-based options. The choir program at church was awesome! So was the message from "Simeon" portrayed by Nate Irwin (Luke 2). The Lord is leading me to have two developmentally disabled ladies, and a few other friends over for Christmas. Another friend offered to buy all the gifts (I didn't even ask). Praise the Lord! Finding my way around in regard to church ministries and programs can be frustrating and bureaucratic, but I guess that's one of the disadvantages of a large church. Small churches have disadvantages, too. And they all have advantages and blessing! God bless you.

Quick Update

I've been busy with a full-time temporary job. Praise the Lord! I've not yet been successful connecting with Christians who can help me with a more permanent job. Still working on it. Please continue to pray for that and for a family reconciliation need that is extremely ugly. Yet the Lord gave me some encouragement in that regard. Thanks be to Him. Am wondering what my next step should be regarding the ministry. Am thinking that the Lord wants me to do it differently than I thought. Christmas is one example, but more on that another time.

What if...

Well, I heard from the Community Development Law Center. I must have been naive. Yes, they will help me, and I'm thankful for that. But I thought they would know groups I could connect with. Not so. The footwork is still mine. They also said my business plan was too vague. I didn't think it was vague. I know exactly what I want! They said I needed to include details that I couldn't possibly know, or even care about. Why have we made ministry so complex? What do I mean? Consider the following possible scenario: Jesus is planning a ministry event. Let's see... Let's plan on having 5000 men, besides women and children. How much food do we need for the event? How much will it cost? I know! Let plan a miracle! We don't have any food. A kid shows up with five loaves and two fish. Then I do this miracle and multiply the food, so that the leftovers are more than we started with! Ridiculous? Of course! Or, what about... let's heal some people. What about a man who has been paralyzed 38 years, 10 lepers, a woman with a hemorrhage, and, I know(!), a dead man I raise to life! We wouldn't have a New Testament if things happened that way. One of the characteristics of Jesus' ministry was its spontaneity! Mairacles were born out of necessity. They weren't planned! You may say, "Come on, now! This is the 21st century. No, you come on! Jesus is always the same. We don't have miracles because we plan them out of existance. Or try to stage them, like many TV "healers". God doesn't work that way. When did you ever hear of Jesus being unavailable because He and His disciples were in strategy meetings? Or the Godhead being tied up in planning sessions? No. I need to find out the next step the Lord wants me to take and do that.