So, Secret Agent assignments happen in Boise, ID, too. While on a trip to visit the women serving in churches with their spouses, we went out to lunch. Our server had a brace on her wrist and we asked her what happened. Throughout the meal we learned more and more about the car accident she'd had and that she was a student without insurance and so had not received medical care. The Holy Spirit was speaking loudly in my ear that we were to ask if we could pray for her for healing. Toward the end of our time (and her shift) I told her that I believed God wanted to heal her wrist and would it be okay if we prayed for her. She said yes and so we prayed something very short and to the point for her healing and that she would know how much God loved her. When we were done she thank us and said that it was very touching.
As we left, we saw her sitting with the manager and crying as it seemed she was being reprimanded for allowing us to pray with her. So we prayed some more that she would not have the blessing stolen and that she would have favor with her employer. Bless her, Lord.
I don't know what happened, but I do know that God put her as our server because He is pursuing her with His love.
Lord, keep our eyes open and our hearts ready to be interrupted by You for our next assignment.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Sharing in the Spoils.
How many Secret Agent assignments did we encounter at the Garage Sale this past weekend? Innumerable! Let's hear about them and "share the spoils" with each other.
Sharing the spoils is an Old Testament phrase that explains what armies did after a victory. They would retrieve the valuables and share them. We've had valuable spiritual experiences and it's important that we share them so that everyone gets built up and energized to keep going.
One testimony that came was of a woman who commented that everyone was so friendly for this event. She was assured that we're like this all the time--not just once a year at the Garage Sale! She responded that she is contemplating coming to church at EVFC because of her experience here. Bring her in, Lord, and build her into a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ!
Good job, Secret Agents! Let's hear all about your assignments!
Sharing the spoils is an Old Testament phrase that explains what armies did after a victory. They would retrieve the valuables and share them. We've had valuable spiritual experiences and it's important that we share them so that everyone gets built up and energized to keep going.
One testimony that came was of a woman who commented that everyone was so friendly for this event. She was assured that we're like this all the time--not just once a year at the Garage Sale! She responded that she is contemplating coming to church at EVFC because of her experience here. Bring her in, Lord, and build her into a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ!
Good job, Secret Agents! Let's hear all about your assignments!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Cleaning Up our Reputation
People are known by their reputation and our reputations are made by how we conduct ourselves. Additionally, reputation is built on how others perceive our lives.
This week I was given an assignment by accident...literally. I was in a collision at a stop sign this past week. It was immediately evident that all parties were unharmed but fenders were definitely changed. I heard the Lord say, "consider it all joy when you fall into various trials" and understood that this was going to be an assignment--not only with the woman who hit me, but the on-lookers who came out to watch and see the excitement.
After talking for awhile, it was revealed that I was a pastor at the church down the street. The climate changed from friendly, getting-to-know-you conversation to a pulling back with anger and judgment. The Holy Spirit gave opportunity to listen to their experiences and hurts brought on by others in the name of God - in churches. "Church" and "Christian" were portrayed as words of pain. "God" was still thought of as "good" but not the Church.
Our reputation as the people of God has been damaged not only because of actions in the past but because how they have been perceived. We, The Church, are not perfect and it is hypocrisy to act as though we are.
Our assignment as Secret Agents is about helping people get past the past so that they can connect with the God who loves them and desires relationship with them.
As the Holy Spirit kept working in our conversation, we were able to get past my "title" and part as new friends. It is my hope that more assignments will follow.
This week I was given an assignment by accident...literally. I was in a collision at a stop sign this past week. It was immediately evident that all parties were unharmed but fenders were definitely changed. I heard the Lord say, "consider it all joy when you fall into various trials" and understood that this was going to be an assignment--not only with the woman who hit me, but the on-lookers who came out to watch and see the excitement.
After talking for awhile, it was revealed that I was a pastor at the church down the street. The climate changed from friendly, getting-to-know-you conversation to a pulling back with anger and judgment. The Holy Spirit gave opportunity to listen to their experiences and hurts brought on by others in the name of God - in churches. "Church" and "Christian" were portrayed as words of pain. "God" was still thought of as "good" but not the Church.
Our reputation as the people of God has been damaged not only because of actions in the past but because how they have been perceived. We, The Church, are not perfect and it is hypocrisy to act as though we are.
Our assignment as Secret Agents is about helping people get past the past so that they can connect with the God who loves them and desires relationship with them.
As the Holy Spirit kept working in our conversation, we were able to get past my "title" and part as new friends. It is my hope that more assignments will follow.
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