So open up your Bibles and sing along or just watch..

It's kind one of the hardest things I've ever done.

On one hand: it's a tease. I get three days with my best friend, Emily, and it isn't nearly enough. I've never met another girl like her and I'm hesitant to leave. I don't know if I'm moving back to New Jersey or not at the end of the internship. I don't know if I'll ever make it back to Chicago or if she'll ever be able to get out to IHOP. I don't know when I'll ever see her again and it's all I can think about; the possibility of this one truely being goodbye. Knowing that as I pull away in the car and look back for one last glance, that I may never get another first glance. I can only hope that the One I love will bring us together again. Because I just can't bear the thought of being without her.

On the other hand, I'm anxious to leave. It's so weird. I've been in such a  bubble for such a long time. No television, incredibly modest dress, no newspapers or magazines. It's such a sheltered environment. I've stepped right out of the bubble and into one of the most intensely sin saturated cities in the United States. Everything's too bright, too hard, too loud, too tight, too low cut, too revealing.. I've already been whistled at, ogled, winked at and asked if I smoke pot. And it's just so hard to understand the world anymore.

My spirit is just incredibly sensitive and everything is affecting me twenty times worse than like a normal human being. I heard one of Emily's friends cursing enthusiastically a few hours ago and I felt physically sick.

I don't know if I'll ever be ready for the real world.

I feel like crying. I'm looking forward to going home. Everything isn't so hard or fast or painful. It's just me and God all the time. Even though I know that God is with me always, it's so much easier to feel him when I don't have a choice. I just miss the good ole days.

Since I last spoke to you about my parents and what the Lord has shared with me. I once again found my self in a conversation with my mother about what it is I do. I will say because I prayed before hand and even during the conversation too, I could discern the Holy Spirit in the conversation giving me an open opportunity to speak truth to my mother.

She thinks I'm in some cult and we should be praying to Mary and the saints and angels. Well um! No we should not. No where in the Bible does Jesus nor God (whom are two in one, three in one with the Holy Spirit) say pray to these people to get to Me th Father sept through JESUS. My mom then goes ahead to say Jesus is just a man His not God. Ouch!!! here I thought my mom was just getting all Catholic with the praying to Idols, but she has a little more deeper rooted issues.

During this time as well I have been able to raise the ticket money to go to The Call San Diego. Yet I have not any founds for rent and well thats due in a few days. The support letters I have sent out not a response ( I sadly wait at the mail box for a envelope with my name on it to no avail).

Now so you know I have not just sat around waiting for the money to fall from the sky (that would be nice God) I had a job yet it is to far with out a car, tried getting a job on base three times but nope my Ma schedule doesn't fit theres or some other stuff.

Jobs I could get for no pay...Shuttle driver, filming Praying the News and filming Sunday service. Don't get me wrong I love what doors God has open for me.

My mind keeps going around and around "what am I not doing? What could I be doing?

The Lord Shared with me this;" Trust Me sara and just love Me..." " I am your Husband who will aid you in getting to where you are going, not your task master."

You see I have been trying to work for God in doing task that I would then feel like I was owed.

You see God uses the least server means to accomplish the greatest amount of good in the least amount of time.

Well folks God came through with my rent this month in two days two different people whom I would not have thought would have supported me gave me money.

Plus I have not spoken to my mother in two weeks. The longest ever I do believe.  So till next time my friends

I pray for your parents to be moved by the love of Christ and for God to give you wisdom and knowledge on how to speak to them and stay in His joy  for it is our strength.

So good, so so good to me!

I am my Beloved's and He is mine, so come into Your garden and take delight in me!

This is an amazing song by Cory Asbury, his album is available at IHOP-KC's bookstore and on itunes. You should buy it. He is amazing!

Those aren't all the lyrics because I can't remember them all and I can't find them on google. But I might put up a video of him singing it in the prayer room!

If you are really concerned about the other 99 then get alone with God so that you bring the answer. This was simply  a demonstration that one person has not been given the assignment to heal everybody. All of us function as God has called us so that we are able to bring the break through to everyone around the pool.

They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness."

'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!"

Lamentations 3:22-24

[Image of the Sunrise over the Illinois River]

The way that God shows His love for us is by showing us these little glimpses of undeniably beautiful things. For instance, the sunrise on the way to Illinois this morning. There were more colors contained in that little patch of sky than I've ever seen before. It was as if by witnessing that sunrise, I realized that everything truly has been made new. I could see God placing the stamp of new mercies on the morning. These little snippets of beauty prime our hearts and keep us yearning for the things of Heaven. It keeps our eyes gazing on the things above.

I just love knowing that somewhere up there, God painted that sunrise knowing I would see it. He knew that I would witness it and He wanted to make it as beautiful as possible to please me, so that I would find delight in it. My God is one who cares for me and desperately desires for me to be made into the pure and spotless Bride for His Son. Everything He does, He does out of love for me. And sometimes, He really has to hedge me in. But it isn't because He wants to cause me strife, but because He desperately just wants me to yearn for Him in the same way.

"Praise is awaiting You

Praise is awaiting You, Oh God

You will always be remembered"

-Seth Parks

I have such hope in the Lord. Before me, He was there and after me He will remain. He will continue forever. He is the very definition of eternity.

"One of the reasons I came to trust the God of the Bible was because He was big enough to explain the impostors. In Scripture, God never gets confused about who is and who isn't representing Him. Impostors represent a small god, a vapor in the imagination of a child, a god we could all do well to renounce. The thing...was that I didn't think of God as being very big at all. The god that I was renouncing was more an idea than a person. The god I used to know was a system of beliefs that made me feel right, not a living and active Being." Searching for God Knows What By: Donald Miller

A really good friend of mine, Stephanie "Sandblaster" Sandmeyer, brought that book for me. It really was a leap of faith on her part: Sawyer had just left the internship, I was an angry and volatile mess and I wasn't doing great at receiving...but she took a chance. I'm glad she did because slowly but surely, this book is changing my life.

I'm realizing more and more that God is so much bigger than I've ever known. He is in everything but everything is not in Him. He carries no baggage and no darkness inside of Him. "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5) He is light, pure light. There is no darkness to be found in Him, anywhere. He doesn't need to work on bridling His tongue or cultivate His servant heart. It is just inherent in Him. And furthermore, His light isn't just an ordinary light. His light has things in it, miraculous things. You can't just walk through His light, it is utterly unapproachable. It cannot even be gazed upon or you would die. Ask Matt Gilman. "...(God) who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light whom no man has seen or can see..." (1 Timothy 6:16)

And lastly, the biggest thing I'm realizing is that God does not begrudgingly show us mercy, He truly delights in it. And furthermore, He delights in me, in you. Let's check out the scriptural references and let's also ask Cory Asbury his take on the whole thing.

Isaiah 62: 4 - "For the Lord delights in you..."

2 Samuel 22:20 - "He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me."

1 Kings 10: 9 - "Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you..."

Psalm 22: 8 - "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!"

Cory Asbury: " I am my Beloved's and He is my mine...So come into my garden and take delight in me!"

The Lord delights in me, He delights in you...and everything He does stems from that delight. So do not be offended in the Coming Days because He loves and desires you wholeheartedly. He is consumed by His affections for you. So when you're hedged in, do not doubt His perfect leadership...there is nothing He desires more than to be merciful towards you.

Funny thought, I never thought I would. I kind of tricked myself into believing all the worst things about him so I could just hate him. But, I don't. I miss him alot. He was at IHOP a few days ago for like 5 minutes and I didn't get to see him.

And I was looking at the pictures on his facebook today, trying not to be suprised that he's already surrounded himself with some of the cutest girls I've ever seen, and I was sad. Because I miss him.

And I'm really, really, really pissed off about it.

The perks of a full-time as opposed to part-time, or prayer room staff, is that I'm really much more in the middle of the IHOP life. As I wrote in the other article, The Levites were set apart, as well as David's singers, and musicians, to actually give themselves over to long hours of ministering before the Lord. As a full-time staff, I work 24 service hours, and pray a mandatory 24 hours throughout the week.

The service I hope to be able to spend it in some different aspects, One, being the kitchen. I love to cook, and if there is a position open up I will be able to cook in the kitchen. Another is evangelism, I'm an evangelists at heart, so I hope to be able to do the work of an evangelists. I want to try to come on one of the prophecy teams, so I can minister prophetically to people coming into the IHOP, as well as being able to minister to the IHOPpers. As far as prayer, we have Prayer teams, I can join, and also I have received prophetic words about joining a worship team, so pray for me for that. (I auditioned and it wasn't to pretty).

If I get one of these work scholarships, then they differ in amounts, some $500.00, some more some less. For me to be secure financially in the IHOP's, and IRS' eyes, I have to be bringing in as a single adult, $700.00 at the end of the years, the IHOP checks, because of the IRS to make sure I am making the money I need to live here. This is a job in the IRS' eyes. So we fill out a W4 and everything.

So thats basically what going on with me here. I hope to be able to do the full-time, so if I can get a work scholarship, then I only need to make perhaps $200.00 per month from supporters, I'm not asking for big amounts from people, (unless you want to), or God tells you to. The way I see it is $10.00 a month from 20 people is not to difficult, now  know this nations in a crisis financially, but what better time to sew into a ministry that prays? If you give $20.00 even better, it's the same as a Papa John's pizza. A few people giving $20.00 will definitely keep me here in the house of prayer. I also ask however that you give not undercompulsion, but cheerfully. You say how? easy. Think bout the fact that I pray, and there's a mighty breakthrough in Taiwan (purely hypothetical). Holy Spirit breaks out, and people get saved, healed, delivered.

I might not have ever known that this happened, you might not ever known this happened. God knows, and He will reward you the same as he does me, because God isn't stupid. He knows it took your support as well as my prayers, and the prayers of others, to breakthrough. It was documented of Ruth Ward Heflin, praying and worshipping in Jerusalem, and from her prayers, and worship Holy Spirit broke out in Jerusalem and people were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Charles Finney walked into a Mill, (or factory) and Holy Spirit breaksout, and people are saved, he didn't even preach. Smith Wigglesworth has a woman get into a train car with him and Holy Spirit breakouts, and woman is saved without him preaching.

So thanx for everything. Rem. your reward is in Heaven TREVOR STROUD John 7:37

(13 Oct 2007- 17 Sept 2008)

Love Never Fails

I Cor. 13:8

On Sep 16, 2008, she developed a fever and was rushed to a private specialist hospital in Yangon. The Australian and UK trained Pediatric Consultant, recommended baby Emma to be immediately admitted to Yangon Children Hospital ICU for 24 hours monitoring as Emma has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Comprehensive treatments were given to Emma in that ICU but she didn't respond to the treatment positively.

In less than 24 hours, Emmanuel Lim (baby Emma) finished her race in Myanmar and went home to be with Jesus.

Many in different nations grieve over the lost of baby Emma's presence with them but her legacy in the grace of God will continue to shine brightly.

During her short and meaningful life, her inspirational story has also inspired the founding of Emmanuel Charity Fund Ltd. in Hong Kong and Emmanuel Foundation Inc. in U.S.A.

Emmanuel traveled to many nations with her parents and her brother Samuel Lim from June 24, 2008 until September 17, 2008.

During those days, she brought joy to people wherever she went. She grew stronger and stronger every moment as she has been nourished by love and care that she needs day by day. The traveled did not tired her instead, stimulated her senses and muscle movement. Since 3 weeks ago, she turned over by her own and could sit up straight with a back support and holding her head up. She has also gained much weight and length and head circumference.

She has called out "papa", "bebe" "tata" and made some melody. Her smile had been the most captivating. She lived her happiest moment while she was in Myanmar surrounded by family and grandparents from both parents.

She was scheduled to travel back to USA with her parent on Sep 24, 2008. It was a much anticipated trip by the family as well as many friends in Kansas City waiting to see her moving, smiling and stronger in so many ways that they had never seen since she traveled.

On September 17, 2008, Emmanuel Chia Ai Lim (baby Emma) finished her race in the grace of God and was received into Jesus' presence. She happily lived her final weeks giving hope, joy and love to many who are needy and sufferings in Myanmar through the charities she inspired to form.

Although, we will always miss baby Emma, her legacy will be with us and many lives will continue to bless through her inspiration stories. We wish to thank Jesus for the gift of baby Emma to us and thank everyone who has care, love and supported baby Emma. During her 340 days on the earth with us, she has been a burning and a shining lamp of the love and the goodness of God.

Please lift Daniel, Levi, and Samuel up in your prayers. May the light of baby Emma turn into a burning Lighthouse for the Gospel in Myanmar. May Jesus be glorified through her life may her legacy bring many to Christ.

Click here to read the article.

We are not a church. We are a ministry. David Gordon isn't our "pastor" he is our director. Also, International House of Prayer in Kansas City has no idea who we are. They aren't our "headquarters" but we are modeling our house of prayer after theirs in many ways. Everyone who is a part of IHOP-AC goes to another church. This isn't our church home. Because its not a church. We are a house of prayer. There are 6 of us who are full-time intercessory missionaries. This is our occupation and our passion. We desire to create a 24/7 dwelling place for God in Alamance County!

I just wanted to clear a few of the facts up. In case anyone reading the article looks us up on line and wants to find out more. If you are part of a church, coming to the House of Prayer does not make you a member. We just want to be open for anyone at anytime to come and worship and commune with God!

STOP IN anytime! We are currently located at Life Fellowship Church off of exit 150 on I-85. We will not be moving into the downtown building until construction is done.

While Eastern meditation attempts to empty the mind, this kind of meditation is an attempt to consume it with God. Biblical meditation is setting yourself before the Lord to receive revelation from His Word. The purpose is to receive more of the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 says how to get the knowledge of God and this is the first step: receiving God's words and treasuring His commands.

There is nothing quite like taking an hour to meditate on a short phrase (like "Our Father in Heaven"), asking the Holy Spirit to teach you about it, and receiving your own revelation on it (and then feeling silly that you didn't see that before!)

Practical Steps

Everyone who practices meditation does it a little differently. Here's how I do it:

1. Pick a verse you want to meditate on (or a portion of Scripture you want to take a few weeks to go through).
2. Worship for a bit.
3. Begin to meditate on the first phrase of the first verse (e.g. if the phrase is "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," try just meditating on "In the beginning").
4. Repeat the phrase over and over.
5. Thank the Holy Spirit for the truth of the verse (e.g. "Thank you that You were in the beginning").
6. Ask questions - lots of questions. Write down any answers you get.
7. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more to you

Meditate for 20 minutes before you move on to the next part of the verse. Once you get the hang of it, try going for 2 hours on one phrase. It may seem impossible at first, but it's amazing how long you can stay on one phrase when the Holy Spirit is speaking!

I've made my meditation page available for download here.

Recommended Reading

Revelation through Meditation by Kirk Bennett is a great method for meditation (listen to the teaching too)

Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Madame Guyon is a book written in simple language to make meditation approachable for everyone

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This post is a part of a series on different types of prayer. Click here to read the rest of the series.

Our God is NOT motivated by CONTROL but RELATIONSHIP with Himself.

Here is a cool link regarding prayer. Bottom line be like my friend Nike - "Just do it"

http://www.30-days.net/

Humans are weak — I live in a community of people who pray for a living and this issue comes up over and over again. We live such fast-paced lives (internally and externally) that when we try to sit and focus on an invisible God, we understandably get distracted by the smallest thing.

But there is hope! I've been in a prayer room for a minimum of 25 hours a week for the past 2 1/2 years and I have definitely progressed in the distraction area (though I'm far from conquering it).

"Our minds are so flighty. However, remember that our God-given wills govern all of our strength. We must recall our minds to God. Otherwise, our spirits may wander, dragging us down to the things of this earth. It isn't necessary to be too verbose in prayer, because lengthy prayers encourage wandering thoughts. Simply present yourself to God...and fix your attention on His presence. If your mind wanders at times, don't be upset, because being upset will only distract you more. Allow your will to recall your attention gently to God. Such perseverance will please Him."

-Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
(emphasis mine)

There are many ways to stay focused in prayer — I won't go into them now, but be encouraged that distraction is perfectly normal and nothing to be frustrated about.

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This post is a part of a series on different types of prayer. Click here to read the rest of the series.

Just In Case You've Ever Wondered!

This is a test of faith and patience. We are in total lack - the lack in our material things is a perfect picture of our hunger for God. We feel like Isaiah (well almost):

  "HERE I AM GOD, SEND ME"

.

Anyway, I was in the class, and one student submitted a question that went something like this: "What about the poor and totally oppressed people in the earth who haven't heard about Jesus? Will they be spared the judgments, or will they perish?"

Now here's the best part. The people facilitating the class were Stuart Greaves and Shelley Hundley.

If you're around IHOP-KC, you already know why this is so great. For those of you who may not be familiar with these folks, let me give you a brief summary: Stuart teaches a class called "Theology of Social Justice". Shelley has taught a class called "The Heart of the Judge". Both of them have spent a significant amount of time living in poor countries. Both of them have a lot to say about God's justice as it relates to the poor and suffering. And to them, it's more than just theological banter. They've seen it and lived it. Which is why, upon hearing the question, they both read it again, in unison, out loud, and offered each other the first shot at answering it. I wasn't sure what would come out of it, but I knew it would be really good.

Shelley ended up answering first. I've heard her give this answer before, but because of some recent prayer focuses and giving intiatives here at IHOP, it really struck me. "Actually, I think the poor of the earth are set up in a big way to follow the Antichrist."

There are many reasons why she says this, which are beyond my scope to develop now. One huge reason, though, is a simple one. The Antichrist is going to control the world's resources, and he will have a very specific way of controlling who gets ahold of those resources. It's called the mark of the beast (Rev 13). Economic privileges are given to those who will declare loyalty to him. In tumultuous times when the earth is reeling from the judgments of God, there will be one man who is offering a way to procure the necessities of life, and many will consider that good enough to sell their soul.

I was immediately struck by how dirty of a tactic this was. It made me angry. It's just like the devil to find the poor, the weakest, the most depserate, and then extort them and prey upon them. The Lord has compassion on the poor and raises them out of the ashes. Satan targets them and manipulates their desperation for his own wicked purposes.

This reinforced within me one more reason why God cares so much about the poor of the earth. If we don't reach them with real hope and real substance -- say, a real Kingdom that's coming to the earth that will bring restitution for every injustice suffered -- they will only have one other "logical" recourse. If we don't give sacrificially, now and in the time of tribulation, if we neglect "the least of these", then they will turn to the charismatic leader who is willing to exchange food for worship. If we can't give the poor real hope for their eternity (in addition to giving them aid now), the only sensible thing for them to do is to go with whoever can promise them the most comfortable life in the immediate sense. And in the final 3.5 years of this age, that's a mistake that will sear their conscience and cost them their souls.

God really cares about the poor. So should we. There is a real war over their souls and the church needs to be not only a supplier of their needs, but a crystal clear voice. We need to be contending in prayer that the Lord would "guard [them] from the evil one" (2Thes 3:1-5). God cares greatly about meeting their physical needs, but still He is far more concerned that they be delivered from the power of darkness. We need to become messengers of the Gospel, those who live out the Sermon on the Mount and who have clarity on what it means that God has come to give us salvation. He saves us from our sins, yes, but more than that, He grants us access into His Kingdom which really will come to earth and make all things right. We need to get God's heart for the poor, which is not that of a sentimental humanitarian. It's that of a God whose heart yearns and breaks for the poor of the earth, and who is unwaveringly just in His judgments upon the earth and the Antichrist's kingdom. The Gospel is good news to the poor, so long as the poor do not make themselves God's enemies. Which is why we must pray, serve, and become messengers, starting now.

AWAKENING 2008

Greetings all!  I urge you to register as soon as possible to prevent disappointment.  We have such an amazing response from a much more towns in our nation, then last year.  The wonderful news is that MIKE BICKLE will be one of our guest speakers.  He is the founder of the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, TOM SIPLING founder of the 30Kd prayer movement amongst students and BISHOP  PETER SEKHONYANE  Their main focus are to raise up a generation with a passion for God and His purpose in the times we live in. We would love you and your team of young people to come and join us :  

                           VENUE:          Goudini Spa, Worcester

                                                                      Cape Town

   DATE:            29 Sept – 3 Oct 2008

It's good to have the Prayer Room webstream. It helps to connect. And I've found pacing in my room very helpful to stay engaged, although I keep running against things because I tend to close my eyes while praying;) Anyways, it's better than falling asleep, isn't it.

Well, in my continuous search for good input I found this outstanding post by Randy Bohlender and this nice blog by Joshua Hawkins that I  want to recommend  here. Both of the authors are what they call intercessory missionaries at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City.

Randy's post really stirred me up. And it's like inside I'm saying "Yes, this is what I want" and I have the opportunities for that right at my door step. In contrast to three weeks of IHOP, where - although it's such a great place to spend time with God and all that - I couldn't get around that quiet scary whisper "Here you can forget reality, the fight of life out there, the dying people hidden in the house next to you... if you don't pay attention." And I know I'd rather run away from getting my hands right into the mud. I know, I'm the perfect candidate for looking away and passing by. I know I'm quick to excuse myself with an urgent church activity. Still, this acting love is what I want, because I know it's on the heart of God. I want the heart of God!

And for the sake of those who are not able to follow up with the English language so well I'm gonna paraphrase Randy's post in German.
__________________

Außerhalb des Gebetshauses überleben - das ist die Herausforderung dieser Tage schlechthin. Wie nutze ich effektiv meine Zeit, Wie verbringe ich Zeit mit Gott, wie studiere ich das Wort Gottes, wie kann ich am inwendigen Menschen brennend "on fire" bleiben, während es so viel Ablenkung um mich her gibt??? Irgendjemand da draußen?

Es ist gut den Prayer Room Webstream zu haben. Es hilft einzusteigen. Und ich hab herausgefunden, dass im Zimmer umhergehen sehr hilfreich sein kann, um dranzubleiben, obwohl ich ständig irgendwo gegenrenne, weil ich gewohnt bin, meine Augen zum Beten zuzumachen. Jedenfalls ist es besser als einzuschlafen.

Nun denn, in meiner ständigen Suche nach gutem Input habe ich diesen bemerkenswerten Beitrag von Randy Bohlender und diesen netten Blog von Joshua Hawkins gefunden, die ich hier mal empfehlen möchte. Beide Autoren sind -wie sie sich nennen - "intercessory missionaries" im Internationalen Gebetshaus (IHOP) in Kansas City, was man am besten mit "betende Missionare" übersetzt. Für die, die der englischen Sprache nicht so mächtig sind, will ich Randy's Post auf Deutsch versuchen zu paraphrasieren:

Die Burrito-Gebetsbewegung
In diesem Beitrag erzählt Randy Bohlender von einer Begebenheit während er mit seinem 11-jährigen Sohn auf dem Weg zu einem Gebetstreffen war. Während sie an einem bettelnden Mann auf der Straße vorbeigingen, wandte er seinen Blick ab und ging weiter, worauf sein Sohn Grayson seinen Arm fasste und bemerkte, dass dieser Mann hungrig sei. Die Situation reflektierend schreibt er, er hatte keine Zeit seinem Sohn zu erklären, dass diesem Mann Geld zu geben weder dessen Probleme löse noch ihn sättigen würde, da dieser es höchstwahrscheinlich in Alkohol oder Drogen umwandeln würde. Also antwortete er seinem Sohn, sie könnten diesem Mann nicht helfen, sie seien auf dem Weg zu einem Gebetstreffen.

Eine Antwort, die ihn im Nachhinein erschaudern lässt. Selbst sein 11-jähriger Sohn realisierte, dass sein Vater da etwas äußerst Dummes gesagt hatte, das ihn noch während er den Beitrag verfasst, sehr entsetzt.

Er stellt heraus, dass seit jeher eine tiefe Kluft klafft zwischen dem Handeln und dem Beten und dass Gemeinden immer dazu tendieren in ein Extrem zu fallen: Aktivismus oder Fürbitte. Es steht zur Wahl entweder sozialen Missständen zu begegnen oder eine tiefe Beziehung mit Gott einzugehen, aber nie bringen wir Ersteres unmittelbar mit Letzterem oder umgekehrt in Verbindung und das ist nicht, was Jesus will. Schon die Pharisäer mit ihrer Frage nach dem größten Gebot versuchten herauszufinden, welchen Punkt sie unbedingt einhalten müssten um dann andere etwas hinten an zu stellen. Jesu Antwort ist "Liebe Gott, deinen Herrn, von ganzem Herzen, ganzer Seele und mit deinem ganzen Verstand" und "liebe deinen Nächsten wie dich selbst"  und dann der Hammer: "An diesen zwei Geboten hängt das ganze Gesetz und die Propheten" (Mt. 22, 36-40).

"Das ganze Gesetz und die Propheten" beschreibt Randy als alles, was Gott je in der Geschichte des Volkes Israel getan hat und alles, was er für ihre Zukunft verheißen hatte, sie baumelten zwischen diesen beiden, dem Damals und dem Morgen und von einem zum nächsten zu gelangen, bedeutete also Gott und Menschen zu lieben. Jesus hat beides verbunden: unsere vertikalen und die horizontalen Beziehungen und er hätte jede Gemeinde, die Gott um der Menschen willen geleugnet hätte oder umgekehrt in Frage gestellt.

Bohlender fährt fort die Situation zu beschreiben, wie er die Enttäuschung in den Augen seines Sohnes sah und dieser dann den Vorschlag machte von seinem eigenen Geld einen Burrito für diesen Mann zu kaufen. Den Tränen nahe ging er mit ihm in ein Restaurant und sieht zu, wie Grayson den größten Burrito bestellt und obendrein eine Auswahl von Saucen zusammenstellt, für jemanden, der wahrscheinlich seit Ewigkeiten keine Auswahl hatte. Damit bewaffnet geht sein Sohn schließlich zu dem Mann am Straßenrand und sagt: "Hallo, ich habe Ihnen einen Burrito gekauft, um Ihnen zu zeigen, dass Gott sie liebhat. Bittesehr, und hier noch die Saucen dazu." Der Mann erwidert ein schroffes "Wie?" und Grayson wiederholt. Schließlich schwindet der Unglauben, der Mann ergreift den Arm des Jungen, schaut ihm in die Augen und bedankt sich.

Wieder auf dem Weg beantwortet der Vater so gut er kann dem Sohn die Fragen über Menschen, die auf der Straße leben, dass sie viel durchgemacht haben und dass sie das seelisch und geistlich beeinflusst. Kurz vor Ankunft beim Gebetstreffen fällt Grayson ein, dass er am Besten hätte für den Mann noch beten sollen, das wäre stark gewesen.

In der darauffolgenden Woche gab Grayson alles bis auf den letzten Cent, kaufte Burritos für Leute und betete für sie, fest entschlossen, jemanden befreit werden zu sehen und sagte nach seinem 3. Burrito-Gebetstreffen, ihnen zu Essen zu geben, sei gut und schön aber er wolle jemanden geheilt werden sehen: "Paps, ich werd jemanden geheilt werden sehen, ich werd einen kriegen!"

Randy's Beitrag hat mich echt bewegt. Und ich will sagen "Ja, das ist, was ich auch will!" und ich hab die Gelegenheiten dazu quasi vor meinen Füßen im Gegensatz zu 3 Wochen IHOP, wo ich - obwohl man super Zeit mit Gott verbringen kann und alles - ich nicht um dieses leise, erschreckende Flüstern herum kam "Wenn man nicht aufpasst, kann man hier ein bisschen die Wirklichkeit vergessen, den Überlebenskampf da draußen, die sterbenden Leute im Nachbarshaus." Und ich weiß, dass ich zu der Sorte gehöre, die lieber vor dem Hände in den Schlamm stecken Reißaus nimmt. Ich weiß, dass ich der perfekte Kandidat bin, wenn es um Wegschauen und Vorbeigehen geht. Ich weiß, dass ich schnell dabei bin mich mit einer dringenden Gemeindeaktivität zu entschuldigen. Dennoch ist diese handelnde Liebe, wonach ich mich sehne, denn ich weiß, das ist auf dem Herzen Gottes. Ich will das Herz Gottes!

I’ve just been so consumed with getting everything I can out of this experience. There are only like 3 more months and God knows if I’ll ever get an opportunity like this again. I’m so afraid of going home and realizing that I haven’t changed at all.

I don’t want to be the same anymore.