For years I have been going to the Hospital cafeteria praying and ministering to whomever the Lord sends my way.  I have met many different sorts of people with various problems, questions, and needs.  Usually, people are polite and open.  There are the exceptions.  The heart of man can be an open door or a vault locked as airtight as Ft. Knox.

This past week I experienced the miraculous opening of such a heart.  She is a middle-aged lady, I would guess mid 50’s.  I have tried on many an occasion to communicate with her to no avail. 

Read more: The Key to the Human Heart

This is the statement that a man recently gave me as a reason for not wanting to believe in Jesus.  After hours of answering all kinds of questions about God spanning from “Christianity” in History to God’s very existence.  In the end, this was his holdout.  “I was told what I must do throughout my childhood, youth and as a young adult in the former GDR.  No one will tell me what I must do.”

After explaining that Christ is the exclusive Way, Truth and Life as the only means to the Father, I gave him this example; “I don’t know how to get to your house and you tell me to follow you, but I refuse, as I don’t want anyone telling me what to do.  Will I find your house?”  This example got him thinking.  Please pray for Mr. R.   Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to remind him of his need.

Read more: “I will not have anyone tell me what I “must” do.”

The last few months have been full of transitions.  In our area, two refugee centers were opened providing new ministry opportunities.  I quickly made friends with the refugees, the volunteers and the administration.  Over the last few months, I have been on call as camp chaplain and God gave many opportunities to witness to the refugees and staff.  So many doors have been opened.  Due to the refugees’ needs, our church’s name has been associated with caring, helping and most importantly the Gospel. The Government had made plans to close the camp. Today (12.12.15), I went out to the camp and with tears and passed out the newly arrived NTs to all the men there.  They received them happily with hugs and many thanks. The NTs have the plan of salvation in the fly leaf.  I have truly enjoyed praying, ministering, discipling, and working with these men.  May God’s Spirit continue grow the seed of salvation in each heart!  I can’t wait to see the harvest of the seeds sown!  UPDATE - Thankfully, the officials relented and the camp is going to stay open!

Read more: Transitions

For my birthday Chelli and the kids invited friends and acquaintances to surprise me that Sunday morning.  It was great!  I thoroughly enjoyed preaching to a full house of guests, many of which have never been to a service and normally wouldn’t come to church. 

Two weeks later, at our annual teen meeting one of the young people was still commenting on the sermon from that week.  The Theme of the teen meeting was “Discernment – How to make good decisions” focusing on God’s leadership. 

There was a lot of good feed back such as; “that was really good”, “spot on”, “I really needed that”, and ”I will be back!”  Tonight one of those teens is bringing a guest.  The parents of the young teen that was so impressed with the sermon on my birthday are bringing him and his sister from a neighboring city.

Read more: Blessings and Blessings

I had a wonderful trip to my childhood.  As a young person, nothing was more precious to me then meeting Jesus on my knees, having Him use me in unexplainable and sometimes radical ways.  Soon after trusting Christ, he used me, as a little boy, to lead an adult to Him.  Man was I excited!  As ministry can become a thing you do rather than a miracle that God is doing with you, so have I at times sensed the wonder of my childlike fascination, dependence and joy, becoming foggy through the stresses of adulthood.

Read more: Back to being a Child

We just finished the book of Hebrews and are starting James.  Our people are excited about what they are learning.  More exciting is that they are not just listening, but it is changing their everyday interactions with friends and family.

Hebrews stressed an enduring faith that withstands every down setting.   Such faith is not dependent upon present results and miracles, rather on the promise of eternity.  During this series my prayer was, “God grow me in faith”.

Read more: Be doers, not just hearers