I have thought about my life, this journey my Lord has me on. thought about it more of late. While my life may not seem great to others, to me it has been one of steady progression, never dull, sometimes exciting, doing with out, tired, lonely, happy, fulfilled, but always learning. My course altered a number of times through the years but never truly deviated from the plan God had for me.
I'm reminded of the verse in Acts 4:13, "...they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Did you notice the words, 'ordinary men' 'that had been with Jesus". Love that picture.
Real living is made up of ordinary moments all strung together like the notes on a sheet of music. And in the end of life all those ordinary moments will make one eternal symphony of praise in heaven.
I talked with a Navy fighter pilot ( I tried to be one) and he was describing what it was like flying into the battle zone. Hours of sheer boredom flying in, then suddenly, 90 seconds of sheer terror. Sometimes life is like that, we live our 'ordinary lives' then something happens that causes us to start going to pieces. That's those times we cry out to God to hold our hands and get me through this storm. And He does.
Might it be said of us, They are ordinary people who have been with Jesus.
I sincerely covet your prayers during this time of seeking the Lord for His direction in my life.
With you in His service,
Troy
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
WOW! I'VE BEEN HERE A YEAR...and other similar profound observations
Yep, a whole year of experiences and changes. I started out being the cook here at Sox Place, interacting with the young people, attempted some GED help, and I'll cover the rest toward the end of this writing.
We recently had someone (probably 3) come into Sox Place at night, through the garage door, and take a big screen TV, one computer (not the newest), x-box and controls. While it was a feeling of violation, I am thankful for one thing...they did not come upstairs where I was sleeping. It was only stuff that they took and that can be replaced.
Those of you who understand something of the spiritual battle that is faced here every day, think about this - within the distance of one city block of Sox Place, there is one large Buddhist temple, two legal marijuana stores, three former brothels (one is Sox Place), and nine bars. Sox Place is at the gates of hell and making a difference in young street connected lives. The spiritual battle here is 24/7 and is engaged in on a continual basis. Our weapons? prayer, ours and yours. Our weapons are not carnal (earthly) but are spiritual to tear down strongholds.
Sox Place is having a Fund Raiser on November. This is sponsored, organized and directed by corporate friends. If you are in the Denver area, look up on the website to get more information - http://www.soxplace.com/. And pray for this event.
On a more personal note...this journey that my Lord has me on, continues. What has the Lord in mind for me in the future? I don't know but I got off track in seeking that plan and am now back on track, at least as much as I can see it. When my brother Doyle and I began talking about me coming here to serve, we both (and one other person, without talking to me or Doyle) understood that Sox Place was only a place to come and rest, be healed and seek God's face for the next season of my life. Also, I have been able to spend time with my daughter, Chelley, my son and daughter in law - Brian and Sarah and my grandson Gage. And now wait for my next grandchild!
I lost my focus over the last several months. Along in June and July I had occasional thoughts that I could do this ministry from now on...that is I could stay here at Sox Place and cook and serve and be content. But those thoughts did not feel right. Then, along about the middle of September, Doyle and I talked and he was having STRONG impressions from the Lord that Sox Place was becoming a distraction for me from hearing from the Lord. Remember what I wrote just a few sentences ago? I was to rest, be healed, the last 10 years have been very stressful, even before Jeanne's battle with cancer and her death. I understand healing a little bit, but rest, now that is another thing. Do any of us really know what it means to rest in the Lord? Having been raised that to not be working was being lazy, therefore, to cease doing was wrong. Rest...I can get good night sleep, take a nap, read a good book, but after a few days that gets old. So what is rest?
I'm beginning to get a handle on what rest is, still trying to put into practice. Strong's defines rest this way:
1) to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength; 2) to give rest, refresh, to give one's self rest, take rest; 3) to keep quiet, of calm and patent expectation.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still" means to be quiet, to sink, to relax, or to let go.
Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30(The Message), "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I wasn't fired! I wasn't layed off! I lost my focus and my Lord used my brother Doyle to speak to me about it. He and I both want/need each other in our lives. I'm still living at Sox Place for as long as I need to.
Pray with me as I listen for the Spirit's guidance.
Troy
We recently had someone (probably 3) come into Sox Place at night, through the garage door, and take a big screen TV, one computer (not the newest), x-box and controls. While it was a feeling of violation, I am thankful for one thing...they did not come upstairs where I was sleeping. It was only stuff that they took and that can be replaced.
Those of you who understand something of the spiritual battle that is faced here every day, think about this - within the distance of one city block of Sox Place, there is one large Buddhist temple, two legal marijuana stores, three former brothels (one is Sox Place), and nine bars. Sox Place is at the gates of hell and making a difference in young street connected lives. The spiritual battle here is 24/7 and is engaged in on a continual basis. Our weapons? prayer, ours and yours. Our weapons are not carnal (earthly) but are spiritual to tear down strongholds.
Sox Place is having a Fund Raiser on November. This is sponsored, organized and directed by corporate friends. If you are in the Denver area, look up on the website to get more information - http://www.soxplace.com/. And pray for this event.
On a more personal note...this journey that my Lord has me on, continues. What has the Lord in mind for me in the future? I don't know but I got off track in seeking that plan and am now back on track, at least as much as I can see it. When my brother Doyle and I began talking about me coming here to serve, we both (and one other person, without talking to me or Doyle) understood that Sox Place was only a place to come and rest, be healed and seek God's face for the next season of my life. Also, I have been able to spend time with my daughter, Chelley, my son and daughter in law - Brian and Sarah and my grandson Gage. And now wait for my next grandchild!
I lost my focus over the last several months. Along in June and July I had occasional thoughts that I could do this ministry from now on...that is I could stay here at Sox Place and cook and serve and be content. But those thoughts did not feel right. Then, along about the middle of September, Doyle and I talked and he was having STRONG impressions from the Lord that Sox Place was becoming a distraction for me from hearing from the Lord. Remember what I wrote just a few sentences ago? I was to rest, be healed, the last 10 years have been very stressful, even before Jeanne's battle with cancer and her death. I understand healing a little bit, but rest, now that is another thing. Do any of us really know what it means to rest in the Lord? Having been raised that to not be working was being lazy, therefore, to cease doing was wrong. Rest...I can get good night sleep, take a nap, read a good book, but after a few days that gets old. So what is rest?
I'm beginning to get a handle on what rest is, still trying to put into practice. Strong's defines rest this way:
1) to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength; 2) to give rest, refresh, to give one's self rest, take rest; 3) to keep quiet, of calm and patent expectation.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still" means to be quiet, to sink, to relax, or to let go.
Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30(The Message), "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I wasn't fired! I wasn't layed off! I lost my focus and my Lord used my brother Doyle to speak to me about it. He and I both want/need each other in our lives. I'm still living at Sox Place for as long as I need to.
Pray with me as I listen for the Spirit's guidance.
Troy
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