Thursday, November 10, 2011

US IN CONTROL vs GOD IN CONTROL

To say that life is interesting, albeit out of our control could be an understatement.  We have no idea of what we're doing (could be much of the time). Sometimes we feel like we are just hanging on, like a kid out of control and completely inept. We feel like there's no holes in our bowling ball. It feels big and clumsy and awkward and we can't get a grip on it.  We can't control what is happening.
God doesn't come with handles. He doesn't want to be controlled and thrown down the bowling alley everytime for a perfect strike.  Life's not like that and neither is God. We will never totally understand God.  And He will never spoon feed us with all the answers about life. Somethings we just have to figure out for ourselves, others, He will show you in due time. In His way and His time.
When we try to control our lives, even trying to control the ministry He's given us, the stress level jumps at us, screaming!
I am learning how to give over control of my life.  It is challenging but I also know that when I give the Lord control over my life and circumstances, I can rest that He will take care of me and the circumstances.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

THE ORDINARY LIFE

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

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

Friday, August 26, 2011

NOW I KNOW WHAT I FORGOT!!!

Our web site is up and running. It is a nice and well done site and it was done by a clvr.tv and looks good.
http://www.soxplace.com/
Check out stories by and about some of the ones who have come through Sox Place. View bios of the staff here at Sox Place, including a short one on me, Food Service Coordinator.  There are photos, history and much more.
Come check it out.

IT'S JUST SAME OLD SAME OLD........NOT!!!!

How can it be same old same old when lives are touched for Jesus?  Yes, we do the same old thing day in and day out, however, lives are being touched and changed here at Sox Place.  Consistancy is very important in loving and ministering to these young people. We fix a creative hot meal, and I tell them, "You won't find this in any restaurant."  We don't serve them the meal, they are free to get as much as they want and whatever they want from the table and refrigerator, just like at home.  They watch movies, check out their facebook accounts or surf the web. Some are sleeping, probably because they weren't able to get any sleep last night. Some play pool, talk, sit around, hang out outside. Some bring their pets in, dogs mostly, some cats, mice, and two snakes (shiver,shiver). One girl had her snake down her blouse while she lay down.  To each their own.

I have heard many times, "Thank you for the food. I'm so hungry".  Once in awhile we get someone coming in who got here after the food was gone. I remember one girl who almost cried because she couldn't get her in time and she was so hungry. At times like that we get a Cup o' Soup or ramen noodles so they have something.  We are running low or even out of some items. We need cans of black olives, black eyed peas, sweet peas (I need these for my Eyeball soup). We have almost no canned tomato products, ie, diced, stewed, paste,juice, etc. Pray that these items start coming in. Won't be long before we will need bags or boxes of elbow macaroni, or boxes of mac and cheese. Since we buy no food we look for and appreciate food donations so very much. That's when creativity in cooking comes in to play....

We are thankful for the donation of a Ford Windstar minivan, don't know the year, and we purchased a 2002 Dodge cargo van for $2500.  Already they have helped us out.

Keep praying for a building for Sox Place to move to.  We have a year and a  month until we have to move, but we are looking for something soon.  We are looking for and seeking God's will and His plan for Sox Place.

I recently was asked to serve on the Christian Indian Center church Board in a non-voting, advisory capacity.  I am both humbled and honored to serve this church in this way.

Remember the 5280 Club. It is a way you can help Sox Place continue to minister to the street connected youth here in Denver. It is simply a commitment on your part to partner with Sox Place by giving $52.80 a month. Your church should be your first commitment to giving, and then consider Sox Place. You can get more info by contactiug kara@soxplace.com

I know there's more I need to bring to your attention, but it will have to wait until I find my written notes.

Can you even imagine the reunion that we will have when all get to heaven?

With you in His service,
Troy

Sunday, July 17, 2011

AT AGE 22,I HAD MY LIFE ALL PLANNED OUT, HOWEVER...

I was 22 and serving aboard a US Navy Ammunition ship operating off the coast of South and North Viet Nam. I am a dues paid, lifetime member of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.  I had arrived at a plan for my life.  I was going to be a missionary.

I became a Radioman to learn all I could about radios and communications from remote areas. I was going to use my GI Bill to learn to fly and then offer my services to any missions organization that needed me.  That didn't work out.

I was a Construction Superintendent on some commercial office buildings in Houston in 1973.  I and the architect on our buildings were going to start taking our vacations and pay our way to some mission outpost and offer our services to design and build houses and churches at no cost to the missionaries.  Or just go and teach their children, fix their vehicle, fix meals, baby sit, whatever was needed to free them up to do the work of a missionary.  That didn't work out.

I was attending Calvary Chapel Albuquerque and was putting together a group to smuggle Bibles into China.  Then we were going to travel to the Philippines for two weeks to work with some native leaders in the interior.  I had a passport and was applying for a visa.  That didn't work out.

I started a church in Albuquerque, Hope Chapel Albuquerque, and helped others go on the mission field and go on short term missions trips.  But not me.

But the Lord showed me something recently, I am a missionary.  I am working in a mission field that is almost cross-cultural, a different language, and different customs than I am use to.  I fix meals and help out where ever needed.  My brother Doyle has been a missionary in this culture for over 12 years.  He is supported by believers giving. 

I am fulfilling my plans, though they are different from what I had thought they would be.  I know it to be true, the Lord has plans for each of us.
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Sox Place has started a monthly Enewsletter.  In it we talk about current events, upcoming events, articles about staff, and stories about the young people who come to us.   If you would like to receive this Eletter, email kara .@soxplace.com
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In about two weeks we are to have our new website up and running. Keep checking back for updates.
We were going to purchase a 2002 van for SoxPlace use but the owner back out at last minute.
An update on our looking at a new location.  The building I wrote you about has received an offer to purchase.  It is not a done deal and we are still praying for that building.  Thank you for praying with us.
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Have you ever seen a homeless person on the street asking for a hand out, but you didn't have any change or didn't feel comfortable giving them money?  Consider this: use a ziplock bag, fill it with small food items like you would put in a child's lunch box (does that still happen).  Things like small boxes of raisins, small juice boxes, cereal bars, any thing edible that is non-perishable and will fit in the bag. No fruit or any thing that needs special care. You can put some in your car and hand them out at the intersections.  You can carry a few bags for days in you car.  Most homeless are not sure when their next  meal will be.
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Remember the 5280x club.  More coming out soon. You can start this anytime. It is your commitment to give $52.80 a month for one year to Sox Place to help us further the ministry God has given us.
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Proverbs 14:31 "...whoever is kind to the needy honors God."

I leave you with a Christian Navajo blessing: May you walk in the beauty of the Lord.  Beauty before you, beauty around you, beauty above you.  Walk in the beauty of the Lord.

Love ya'll
Troy

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I'M BACK WITH SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS.

I know it has been almost three months since I last posted.  I'll talk about that in a moment, however right now I have an urgent prayer request.  We are needing to move to larger quarters and we have located a building, 8000sq ft, about half a mile from our present location.  WE are suppose to be getting some word on their acceptance or not in the 48 hours.  Owner has agreed to reduce rent by $1100 a month.  Pray for 1. God's will in all this and 2. For favor with the building owner.  It is almost perfect for our ministry.

I haven't posted here for almost three months. Various reasons I guess but couldn't seem to sit and write.  I have had all I wanted to say in my mind but had hard time sitting and writing. Probably depression but I don't like that word because it is so depressing.  Let's just say I was out of sorts.  Last day of March I was struck with Bells Palsy on the left side of my face and almost gone now. Two weeks later I had a sinus/allergy attack that turned into a bronchial problem that lasted 5 weeks. As that drew to a close I had all my money disappear from all my bank accounts. Got that straightened out and back to "normal".  So I guess I haven't been in the mood to write.

We had a Human Trafficking Seminar here in May and lots of shocking and informative information. One statistic has stayed with me...within 48 hours of a young person going homeless, 1 in 3 will be under the control of a pimp.  Our young people are at great risks.

There are two or three reasons that the Lord has sent me here, but one Doyle keeps trying to get through to me on - I'm here to rest and heal.  It took me some time, months, to get that into my head. My main focus here is to cook.  I'm also to pray over Sox Place and all that are connected to this ministry.  Then I'm to take it easy. The last 5 years, and even before, have been very stressful.  The Lord keeps assuring me that He has plans for me, that He loves  me, that He will guide and counsel me.

While I'm here I am to cook. I have to come to realize that that is a very important part of this team. WE are a team and everyone has there part to play so as to have the ministry go smoothly.

In the past, some of you have asked how you can help us, praying but is there more.  One thing that I am aware of is that we do not purchase food. I cook what has been donated, and sometimes I have to get very creative!  We have to purchase paper plates, spoons, forks, napkins, cleaning supplies, cups, and one way that you can help is with Sam's Gift cards in any amount.  A native American church stopped by to visit us here at Sox Place and wound up donating a whole processed hog !  Around 450lbs to 600lbs.  I'll be driving back to Muskogee, OK, to pick it up sometime in the next s2 months.

There is another opportunity for you to give into this ministry. Soon we will be informing you of a "club" that will be announced to the public.  You are hearing about now before it becomes official. Our 5280x club will be a way to help us here.  The 5280 is the designation for Denver, it is the mile high city (now you people from New Mexico know that Denver is not the only mile high city). This club will be made up of people who commit to giving $52.80 a month for one year.  This will go to operating expense. As we expand, there will be need for more resources.  You can help in this. If the Lord leads you to do this, mail to Sox Place, PO Box 544, Denver, CO, 80201, and note that it is for 5280x.  Soon we will have the capability to take credit cards at our new website.  There will be some benefits of belonging to this club, but that will be announced later.

Love getting to see my son, Brian and his wife, Sarah and my grandson Gage.  My daughter, Chelley, is keeping me fed by trying new recipes on me and taking me up into the mountains for long drives. Ahhh, being a dad and granddad! Loving it.

See you next week sometime.

Troy