The importance of Prayer

Probably the most exciting thing that I have seen since I have been out here in California is the fact that every morning at six a.m., the men of the church meet to join together in prayer. Just being here for three months, I have had the privelege to see the Lord bless tremendously. The attendance has actually been growing this summer. Usually the attendance is lowered during this part of the year. Obviously, it is nothing that we are doing but only what God is doing to answer our prayers. We have been praying for so many financial needs and it seems that (and I know) that the Lord always supplies in the time that he plans. He has supplied everything for me and for the church. May I post into your mind if any one is on the edge of believing in prayer, Prayer works. Trust God and he will bless. Prayer Works.

THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING. IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE. WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK. "A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST." HE BEGAN. "WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM! BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED." THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY. THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, "GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE? HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT." THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES.
AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, "I LOVE YOU, SON!" HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.
BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. "THE FATHER," HE CONTINUED, "KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEPINTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS... THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. "
HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE." WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL. WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. "THAT WAS A NICE STORY," POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM, "BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN."
"WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE," THE OLD MAN REPLIED
GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED! HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, "IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME. YOU SEE...

I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND."

California

I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay here in California. I truly do not want it to end. I have fallen in love with West Coast Baptist Church. We have such a close knit group of people and they definitely have made me feel right at home. Since the first day that I was here, I felt as though I was home. We are located in Vista, CA; located some thirty five minutes north of San Diego. The weather is great. It never gets too hot but yet it is warm enough to be comfortable in. I have been down to San Diego many times since my arrival but most of the time is simply to go to the airport. Up until last week, the only reason that I have been down there is for that reason. I have been to San Diego three times since then and none of those trips were to the airport, Hallelujah! The first of these trips was to do some business downtown, not very enjoyable and normal business. We had a rather long stay there as we were going to catch the 9:45 train but as we came around the corner of the train station; the train pulled out. We had to wait until 12:45 for the next train. Well, the food was good. I didn't really like walking around the mall. Last Saturday, we went to Seaport Village. It is beautiful. We (Elizabeth and I) enjoyed the time together. We walked around down by the water and then we sat and talked for a while down by the water front. After that, we went through the actual village. It is a pretty neat little village. I think that the most unique thing there was the man balancing rocks on top of each other. The other time that we went to San Diego was on Tuesday. Pastor Clark took myself and Elizabeth down to Old Town so that we could spend time together. We walked around the town. It was a really neat old spanish town. The only bad thing was the Cosmopolitian (spelling?) restaurant. We waited forever for our food while those who came after us came, ate and left before we recieved our food. It was good food, but it would have been better if I could have had some more water. We sat there for an hour and a half and I got one refill. Pastor did not recieve one refill in his cup of coffee. He was not happy. Well, it was a great time, anyways. I enjoyed the museum of the house, and restaurant, and many other rooms. We bought a few souvenirs for some folks back home. San Diego is a place that every one ought to go. I do not want to leave the church though most of all. I guess with the standards that we have, we must be close. California is the place to be right now.

I'm back into it.

I don't know how long I will continue to blog but I have been asked, "Why don't you write some more?" Well, right now I have no excuse. I am not too busy to do it. I have access to a computer. I have all the capabilities to continue blogging so I will. I pray that the previous postings will continue to bless people. I do not claim to be a good writer but I do want to be a blessing as much as I can.