Handouts 2 and Confirmations

 

 

Handouts 2 and Confirmations

 

On the tails of my last post Handouts, I was at peace with where God has placed me, and thankful for showing me to people that I can love. I didn't feel the need to have confirmations, but in His gracious, loving Spirit, He blessed me with one today anyway.  A friend sent this to me today. . .

 

 "Miracle in the Mountains" is a sweet book by Lonnie and Belinda Riley of Meridzo Ministries in Eastern KY. Page after page of how God has answered prayers. Incredible! This is for you (pg 105): A volunteer who came to help in Lynch said they were giving away too much food. He cited an old adage, teach people to fish, not just give them fish. Lonnie said, "As I recall that is a Chinese proverb, not a biblical story. So let me go to my Father and see what He has to say." He prayed intently, listening for God and this is what He heard: sometimes it is necessary to give a person a fish, because that's the only way they survive, and sometimes it is time to teach them to fish, but only when ready to learn. What good does it do to teach them to fish and then put them in a desert? His conclusion was not only give food and teach to fish, but also help them to build lakes where they can fish. As they have trusted God to provide for the immediate physical and spiritual needs, they have also trusted Him to provide lakes for long-term needs and produce a quality of life that will honor Him. "The poor and needy are thirsty, but there is no water. But I, the God of heaven, have heard them. I will make a river to flow from the mountains so that all men will know that God has done this thing." Isaiah 41:17,20(Lonnie's paraphrase)"

(thank you Mylinda:)

 

Today I have rejoiced in my heart for two of our bridge friends.  One came to us the other night and said the magic words.  In the last two days, he has gotten out of his tent from the woods and made it to three AA meetings, got himself a sponser and will be entering an outpatient rehab.  He is leaning on his newfound faith and is surrounded by people who care about him. He already is looking better!

 

The other friend was just hired by the college in our town as a chef on their campus after passing all his tests. This man has a bad leg and yet walks because he has no transportation.

 

I guess our handouts didn't hurt them.

I have always believed since being in this Blanket Ministry and now the Homeless Outreach Ministry, that taking care of the immediate needs first, will give them the strength and encouragement they need to stand on their own two feet and move forward. We all need our physical needs met and we all need to have cheerleaders behind us and we all need to know that someone cares.

 

Again, with what they need to survive, whether that be a tent, blankets, coats, a hot meal, friendship, prayer, love and a lot of cheerleading. . .they can get on their feet and begin a new life. . .a new life with Him, Jesus.

 

It's so wonderful to hear them praising God, thanking Him, pointing to the sky giving Him glory.

That's what it's all about!