So this is like shove back in the other direction.
Then we went to a gathering at this one place that was pretty fancy, the guy designed the home himself because he’s an architect . There were a bunch of people there that on my own/my natural self wouldn’t keep company with. I was reminded however, that I have known various people who were/are wealthy and live in a bubbleland. Then following God is what makes all the difference. It isn’t the same because Jesus pretty much sets their head on straight and gets their priorities in a better order.
Like I have a friend (past mentor, now prayer partner kind of) they made a lot of money through gold. They weren’t always in this place, I guess middle class. Now they use their extra money though for missions- to fund missionary work in other countries. They live middle class and aren’t into stuff & status but are basically all about the work of God, seeing the gospel preached, healing, running a church. They are in touch with what God is doing now.
Then we know a bunch of people we once went to church with, some of them had huge places- new ones. One family made a ton of money because the guy owned a construction machinery company. So I take it they were booming with the building boom. This other family that we used to go to bible study at, I used to think you could fit like 8 other families in their house (truth, I don’t really know how many but certainly more than 2 families).
They had so much land attached to their place, their kids had everything including this big trampoline (guess they were popular then).
Most of the families there were like that. On the one hand I wrestled with things even then, I wished there was more outreach going on.. Yea I felt different. I really connected with people on the spiritual level but like on a practical/cultural level it was hard. It was good though, they did increase their outreaches more while we were there, and we were fairly good friends with the ones who headed that area/ministires. We did get involved there too. Still in the natural there was a disconnect with most.
I’m reminded of this one couple we were friends with, I guess. I guess we kind of gravitated to each other Ha and people introduced us because the husband was Hispanic (like that meant we automatically should get along or something). So we all got to know each other, the hubbies got along more not because of that one thing, but because they both are kind of intellectual/cerebral types- this guy is a lawyer. She and I got along because we’re both kind of maveric rogue types, not minding being different. So we would talk (not very deep though) and kind of hang out. Yet she had some issues, like she liked to hang on the spiritual edge, which is definitely not me. I don’t play games with that. Meaning she wanted people to know she was “spiritual” and yet cool at the same time, we were in the midst of revival and she wanted to play around with like being “liberal” yet not so much so as to get kicked out of the church. Then she had this major problem with those she called the “higher ups” . I didn’t hear her mention names, but I had some ideas.. I’m sure that at least one was referring to someone I was friends/friendly/on good terms with.
I know it was like jealousy on their part. I had seen it before. It was like jr. high all over again. My attitude was, and as it turned out in this case, now as a saved adult- the same. Look, I examine the leader(s) if they fit the spot , if they’re decent people and treat others right I have no problem acknowledging someone else’s leadership gift/position. If such people though are: conceited, snobs, have an attitude, treat others like dirt, and are manipulative- then I’m not going to give them anything, such people aren’t leading me anywhere….
So she used to talk about others kissing up and stuff like that, innuendo’s about the “higher ups“- stuff that bugged me. And then it bugged me when they got their new place and had a house warming party, it was like they were showing off. Like all this time they had this place built to show that they were the same as the others, like they had to prove something to people in the church. I’m not with any of that. I don’t get it and I don’t play it. So there is a difference, I can tell between those who have their heads on straight about those things. They didn’t, not just these things, but they had other struggles entering into revival and what God was doing.
Then there was my other friend/mentor (possibly “higher-up” X) who basically had their priorities straight with God first. Their thing was they had always known and grown up with suburban/rural life and they were stuck in that and uncomfortable with other things. I guess also the weakness that they were overcoming was anxiety & fears. So that’s were they were coming out of. We really had a connection in God, but there was such a divide- them being that way and me being such a city person. They just couldn’t understand certain things (neither could I). Once, when I invited them to my baby’s birthday party and they didn’t come (though they did bring a gift to church for them) they admitted they never come into the city- that the city gives them the “hebbie geebies”.
Another time when I was trying to describe why we really didn’t want to move out there (like many people wanted us to, as if that would change us and make us even more like them), and I was asking for prayer and advice. I shared about a key thing, how we believed we were called to minister to those in need. They seemed a bit offended in their dry and mild way, and they were like, “there are needs everywhere, people out here are in need”. They just didn’t get it, and as it was with them (one of the very few people I didn’t like or try to argue with) I just didn’t try to make them understand or change their mind etc.. I knew where they were coming from (frame of reference) and was like inside- “God you have to help them understand”.
The truth is, yes people everywhere at every place are spiritually in need, and even emotionally there may be many needs including by people in suburbia and rural America. However, what about people who have material & practical needs as well? What about people who have needs in all 3 categories? By that fact, aren’t they then, in truth more needy? To me that answer is obvious.
To me also, it hasn’t seemed right to just preach Christ & the gospel if someone has needs in these other areas as well. Jesus didn’t do that. Jesus addressed all the needs, these weren’t too big or unimportant to Him. To me, if someone is at the place where they don’t “get” that obvious fact, then they’re not in the place of understanding for you (me) in order to explain it to them.
I suppose if it was someone else looking at me blankly like that I’d be bothered, but this person l loved deeply (in the Lord).
So, also part of this I was explaining how important this type of ministry was to me (us) and they were like, “Well you can do that from here- go back and forth." Yet, I’ve always seen it like the best way to minister to the needs, is to be right there in the midst of it. Not separated and separated from the people. I guess like a mother Teresa, Bill Wilson kind of thing. Like if you really care, you are there with them, where they are. I have the highest respect for those who have done that, it’s like they take this whole ministry for real. It’s not a part time half-way thing, or like you are ministering down to people. Again, it’s like you’re with them, in it with them, like you can better understand….It’s like I gotta be where the needs are, and for the most part such an environment doesn’t bother me.
Like too, God didn’t just drop stuff down to help us, he became one of us, God walked among us…felt as we did….(though in all things without sin).
So remembering now, revival was great- no other high like it, being in God’s presence, walking in His power. Yet this area was a bit rough. I guess it was the only downside then. Yet, for that time the good far outweighed the bad or uncomfortable. I certainly wouldn’t take it back or trade it for anything. Holy Spirit please help me to fully remember and testify to how great the works of God were!
I’ll never forget that we were part of the first outreach they had to the homeless on Wacker Drive. That day it was freezing cold (really). My kids and others kids were there. A news (think it was FOX) crew happened to be in the area and filmed us, we were on the news that night. I guess because they were so surprised people would be doing this outside in this freezing of temperatures. So there was the weather angle, the homeless angle, the good Samaritans angle, and the fact that it was either Christmas or New Years Eve or New Year’s (one of the 3).
More parts to come...
Then we went to a gathering at this one place that was pretty fancy, the guy designed the home himself because he’s an architect . There were a bunch of people there that on my own/my natural self wouldn’t keep company with. I was reminded however, that I have known various people who were/are wealthy and live in a bubbleland. Then following God is what makes all the difference. It isn’t the same because Jesus pretty much sets their head on straight and gets their priorities in a better order.
Like I have a friend (past mentor, now prayer partner kind of) they made a lot of money through gold. They weren’t always in this place, I guess middle class. Now they use their extra money though for missions- to fund missionary work in other countries. They live middle class and aren’t into stuff & status but are basically all about the work of God, seeing the gospel preached, healing, running a church. They are in touch with what God is doing now.
Then we know a bunch of people we once went to church with, some of them had huge places- new ones. One family made a ton of money because the guy owned a construction machinery company. So I take it they were booming with the building boom. This other family that we used to go to bible study at, I used to think you could fit like 8 other families in their house (truth, I don’t really know how many but certainly more than 2 families).
They had so much land attached to their place, their kids had everything including this big trampoline (guess they were popular then).
Most of the families there were like that. On the one hand I wrestled with things even then, I wished there was more outreach going on.. Yea I felt different. I really connected with people on the spiritual level but like on a practical/cultural level it was hard. It was good though, they did increase their outreaches more while we were there, and we were fairly good friends with the ones who headed that area/ministires. We did get involved there too. Still in the natural there was a disconnect with most.
I’m reminded of this one couple we were friends with, I guess. I guess we kind of gravitated to each other Ha and people introduced us because the husband was Hispanic (like that meant we automatically should get along or something). So we all got to know each other, the hubbies got along more not because of that one thing, but because they both are kind of intellectual/cerebral types- this guy is a lawyer. She and I got along because we’re both kind of maveric rogue types, not minding being different. So we would talk (not very deep though) and kind of hang out. Yet she had some issues, like she liked to hang on the spiritual edge, which is definitely not me. I don’t play games with that. Meaning she wanted people to know she was “spiritual” and yet cool at the same time, we were in the midst of revival and she wanted to play around with like being “liberal” yet not so much so as to get kicked out of the church. Then she had this major problem with those she called the “higher ups” . I didn’t hear her mention names, but I had some ideas.. I’m sure that at least one was referring to someone I was friends/friendly/on good terms with.
I know it was like jealousy on their part. I had seen it before. It was like jr. high all over again. My attitude was, and as it turned out in this case, now as a saved adult- the same. Look, I examine the leader(s) if they fit the spot , if they’re decent people and treat others right I have no problem acknowledging someone else’s leadership gift/position. If such people though are: conceited, snobs, have an attitude, treat others like dirt, and are manipulative- then I’m not going to give them anything, such people aren’t leading me anywhere….
So she used to talk about others kissing up and stuff like that, innuendo’s about the “higher ups“- stuff that bugged me. And then it bugged me when they got their new place and had a house warming party, it was like they were showing off. Like all this time they had this place built to show that they were the same as the others, like they had to prove something to people in the church. I’m not with any of that. I don’t get it and I don’t play it. So there is a difference, I can tell between those who have their heads on straight about those things. They didn’t, not just these things, but they had other struggles entering into revival and what God was doing.
Then there was my other friend/mentor (possibly “higher-up” X) who basically had their priorities straight with God first. Their thing was they had always known and grown up with suburban/rural life and they were stuck in that and uncomfortable with other things. I guess also the weakness that they were overcoming was anxiety & fears. So that’s were they were coming out of. We really had a connection in God, but there was such a divide- them being that way and me being such a city person. They just couldn’t understand certain things (neither could I). Once, when I invited them to my baby’s birthday party and they didn’t come (though they did bring a gift to church for them) they admitted they never come into the city- that the city gives them the “hebbie geebies”.
Another time when I was trying to describe why we really didn’t want to move out there (like many people wanted us to, as if that would change us and make us even more like them), and I was asking for prayer and advice. I shared about a key thing, how we believed we were called to minister to those in need. They seemed a bit offended in their dry and mild way, and they were like, “there are needs everywhere, people out here are in need”. They just didn’t get it, and as it was with them (one of the very few people I didn’t like or try to argue with) I just didn’t try to make them understand or change their mind etc.. I knew where they were coming from (frame of reference) and was like inside- “God you have to help them understand”.
The truth is, yes people everywhere at every place are spiritually in need, and even emotionally there may be many needs including by people in suburbia and rural America. However, what about people who have material & practical needs as well? What about people who have needs in all 3 categories? By that fact, aren’t they then, in truth more needy? To me that answer is obvious.
To me also, it hasn’t seemed right to just preach Christ & the gospel if someone has needs in these other areas as well. Jesus didn’t do that. Jesus addressed all the needs, these weren’t too big or unimportant to Him. To me, if someone is at the place where they don’t “get” that obvious fact, then they’re not in the place of understanding for you (me) in order to explain it to them.
I suppose if it was someone else looking at me blankly like that I’d be bothered, but this person l loved deeply (in the Lord).
So, also part of this I was explaining how important this type of ministry was to me (us) and they were like, “Well you can do that from here- go back and forth." Yet, I’ve always seen it like the best way to minister to the needs, is to be right there in the midst of it. Not separated and separated from the people. I guess like a mother Teresa, Bill Wilson kind of thing. Like if you really care, you are there with them, where they are. I have the highest respect for those who have done that, it’s like they take this whole ministry for real. It’s not a part time half-way thing, or like you are ministering down to people. Again, it’s like you’re with them, in it with them, like you can better understand….It’s like I gotta be where the needs are, and for the most part such an environment doesn’t bother me.
Like too, God didn’t just drop stuff down to help us, he became one of us, God walked among us…felt as we did….(though in all things without sin).
So remembering now, revival was great- no other high like it, being in God’s presence, walking in His power. Yet this area was a bit rough. I guess it was the only downside then. Yet, for that time the good far outweighed the bad or uncomfortable. I certainly wouldn’t take it back or trade it for anything. Holy Spirit please help me to fully remember and testify to how great the works of God were!
I’ll never forget that we were part of the first outreach they had to the homeless on Wacker Drive. That day it was freezing cold (really). My kids and others kids were there. A news (think it was FOX) crew happened to be in the area and filmed us, we were on the news that night. I guess because they were so surprised people would be doing this outside in this freezing of temperatures. So there was the weather angle, the homeless angle, the good Samaritans angle, and the fact that it was either Christmas or New Years Eve or New Year’s (one of the 3).
More parts to come...