Still a Slave?

More folks came to the Downtown street Church. Great to see some new faces and old ones as well. It is a delight to see friends but when they are in the same old stuff it hurts. Last week sharing the story of the Declaration of Emancipation in the U.S. in 1865 was such an appropriate way to begin the Street Church. Why? Because the folks in the streets have heard the Good News of their freedom but still operate as slaves. The Negroes who received the announcement that they were free did not believe it, ignored it or had that freedom kept from them.

People in the streets and in the church have many great questions about faith, they receive the answer and go away and treat it as information but at the time of hearing it tickled their ears. When and how will the Good News become real for them? The street motto seems to be 'Repay Good with Evil', you don't believe that? Come and spend some time with folks who are addicted to this street lifestyle. The way of the streets may have been watch out for each others back but that was more of a selfish act than anything else. Life in the streets is look out for number one and the life the Church at times as well.

Matthew 5:21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment".

The Good News is God has taken care of our sin. First the folks in the southern U.S. needed to know they were slaves and then they could begin to understand the Declaration that was made for them. As Law (Ten Commandments) breakers we need to take care of that sin in our lives that separates us from God. No more taking things into our own hands and comming up with the punishment, the punishment has been taken care of as well. If you have seen the Passion of the Christ or read the Gospel narratives about the death of Jesus you know how severe his punishment was. The Father allowed this to happen to His One and Only Son, so how do you think He is going to be with us if we don't come to His Son and receive His Gift, his payment in full for our sin?

The folks in the street and the Church need to hear the Good News but first they need to know they are enslaved to sin first.

Downtown Street Church Jan 31 2007

Notes from StreetHope’s Downtown Street Church

The Downtown Street Church the Lord gave us to start will be definitely in Gods' time. He will draw people to the evening. Our efforts to put together an agenda have not worked out precisely to what we thought we heard God speak to us about. I was not very patient in the beginning of the evening but as the evening pressed on I was pleasantly reminded of the Lord's timing is not the same as mine. We will have to rebuild the trust and relationships we had with people in the Downtown again. It has been 10 months since the closure of the drop-in on Pauline Street.

Eight years ago the first female to come into the FVCC or StreetHope as it became to be known was Tia and tonight she returned and unfortunately back in the streets and practicing prostitution. Penny came in withTia, Penny has been in the streets for the last years and continues in her addiction. Penny told me tonight that the doctors are saying Rick is dying (Her male companion for 20 years). Please pray for how the Lord wants us to intervene in the lives of Rick and Penny?

Rick Mickelson and Lance came via an invitation from Ward Draper (volunteer) to help with the food prep and they want to come back and organize the food for the Street Church. Carole Springthorpe came in the role of Intercessor and prayed continually until the time the service began. Catherine Morris led in the prayers, I addressed everyone and welcomed people and told a story about the 13 Amendment (The Declaration of Emancipation) to lead into the study on the Apostles Creed led by Ward Draper. Wayne Griffith provided us with his ability to run the sound system and Lori Macdonald, Tim Ogden and Paul Deary helped with security, setup and take down.

Maggie teared during the prayers and the Lord answered a prayer for a place to stay the night for her. She is very abused and hurting woman that comes across as a tough sort but we know she is frightened and in need of the Love of God. Bill inquired if I married people because he and Sandy are considering marriage. Ben came back and brought with him the couple wanting to get married. Bobby and his dog Brandon arrived and his well behaved dog began the evening waiting at the entrance of the church until I said he would be able to come in. Bobby was delightfully surprised that I would let Brandon enter the church building.

Ernest arrived while we were in the service and promptly got food and joined in the discussions. One other gentleman showed up got a sandwich and left. Karl came at the beginning but chose not to stay.

Questions arose about God and His character.. We spoke of God and His patience and Love for us and we know that He will be faithful and show each and everyone who comes in His Deep, Deep love for them. Sandy has the thought that God is a mean Father. She will shrug off her comments when we say that He isn't and so that reminds me to let people give their opinion and feelings about who God is to them and correct their misconceptions right away.