Brother Bob

I was at the Infirmary one day when Brother Bob, an itinerate preacher, showed up with an assistant. They went through the wards, preaching. I was curious about how they would preach as so much of the church "seems" to be very legalistic...kind of stuck in the 50's era. I wondered if it would be hellfire and damnation kind of preaching. But to my delight, Brother Bob was the gentlest of men, and his preaching was nothing but the word of God, emphasizing the love of God and salvation through His Son. He talked about sin and told the truth...but presented it as I believe scripture does...in love, and stressing God's desire for us. Later, after we introduced ourselves, Brother Bob told me he had preached in a church in Cincinnati!! He gets around! Richard followed him from the men's building into the women's to listen to Him. He gave enough feedback for the whole ward, shouting "YES", and "AMEN" , "HALLELUIA"at regular intervals. Then he would raise a finger and say, "Brother Bob? Brother Bob?" like he wanted to ask questions. Evidently this is a problem , and Brother Bob, deftly kept everyone, including Richard on track until he finished. I think Richard interrupts his sermons on a regular basis. Afterwards we were going through the women's ward praying for people. Margaret has been in a lot of pain, and I'm worried about her as she seems to have a mass in her abdomen. We pray for her by turns, and she cries grateful to be prayed for. As we make our way to the back ward, Brother Bob striding up and down the room prays us right up into heaven. I am kneeling by Princess' bed, praying and open my eye's to look at her. I wish I had my camera so I had a picture of this, but it would have been too intrusive anyway. She lays half on her back and half on her side, but her hands are folded together as best as they can with the contractures she has, on her chest, and her face is pointed to the heavens, and I'll forever remember the look on her face. She had this seraphic smile, eye's closed....love. It was just a look of love. I'm not sure when, but felt the Lord speaking to my heart that she was an intercessor. I told her that later, and she shook her head, with a look like "what use am I?" I talked to her about what intercession is and does, and gave her some assignments. She lays all day and watches everything that goes on. I told her to pray for the employees as they worked, the residents...for the Matron, Juliette, who at that time, was experiencing real hardship because she was making everyone tow the line and holding them accountable. She had death threats on her life, and her children....finally, I think the abuse must have been too much and she left. Maybe Princess' prayers protected her. I hope she is still praying. I wrote her a letter not long ago. I need to do that more often and encourage her. We all have purpose. Even the least of these, the most childlike, uneducated, unsophisticated, unlikely. I'm thinking...their purpose is even greater than most.
Whoever humbles themself as a little child, is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Matt.18:4
I'm thankful for Brother Bob, who sees the treasure living up there, and doesn't consider it beneath him to preach in such a humble pulpit.

Martin Luther King

"He whom you would change, you must first love.

A worthy thought to contemplate.

To be known

One of the things I've had on my heart is a simple thing to do, yet every time I go to Jamaica, there doesn't seem time to do it. I would like to make pretty placards to hang over the head of each bed with the name of the person on it. Many can not speak, and some, if they do, you can't understand, and so we remain unknown to one another. It's so sweet to hear your name spoken kindly. It makes a heart connection that just asking "how are you today" doesn't do. We need that.
John 10:3 says that Jesus knows us by name. And in Revelation, when He comes back, He will give us each a new name, known only to ourselves. Rev.2:17
Our names are an integral and personal part of us. We need to know that it's on God's lips, and we hear that through the lips of those loving us through Him. Maybe that's why it's so sweet to hear your spouse or loved one use your name. It could be Jesus speaking to us....I love you....don't worry, it will be all right.....I won't leave you, ever.
I heard Mike Bickle teaching about washing each other in the word. We need to do that for one another...it's like an audible word from God when we speak God's heart and truth for someone. I need to start asking myself, who does God want me to wash with His word today... whose name is He speaking and laying on my heart? What do you think of them Lord? What do you want them to know?
If we all did that...I wonder what would happen? I think we would be filled with courage and confidence in God.

Alvin

One of my many favorites is Alvin. He told me he has been in the Infirmary for over 20 years. His legs are malformed, and he has very limited use of his twisted arms. His bible lies by his head. A very intelligent man, he loves to talk. He always starts out by telling me "Lisa...you are looking fabulous today!" It always makes me laugh as I stand there sweating (the staff tells me I'm melting) with my hair tied up in a kerchief. Alvin loves to read, and can converse on about anything. He's waiting on the Lord to come get him, but until then, he will live each day with gladness, and patience. His theology at times can be a little confusing to me, but we call on the same Lord, so we are family. I know if I'm going over to his section, to grab a chair because there is no quick "hi, how are you", with Alvin. One of the amazing things about him is his attitude. There is no impatience...no seeming unhappiness...just an ever present contentment and joy that has nothing to do with his circumstance. He has made up his mind to be happy.
Paul said, " Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:11-13
Alvin carries that treasure in his "earthen vessel."

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world, to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world, to put to shame the things which are mighty, and the base things of the world, and the things which are despised, God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Cor. 1:26-29
Don't you love that?!!