Never fear – God always has a plan! We had our morning service in a new location and I was a little concerned about the crowd – BUT it was great. We had a huge crowd for our morning service in Grand Prairie, TX but the most important thing – the Lord was there in a special way. Keith O’Neal did a great job of fighting the odds – the sound system would not work two things at one time. He truly was a blessing to all of those there. Then we turned it to Ox and he delivered a Word that many of us felt only HE could have delivered. He did a great job … you could have heard a pin drop on the ground as he began to deliver. Then we all sang Amazing Grace – wow – what an experience that was. I love singing Amazing Grace with people in the open air. After the service, I hugged a Vietnam veteran and told him how much I appreciated him. He and I began to weep and then he kissed me on the cheek and told me how much he appreciated our team. Wow – was I ever blessed!!!!
It was great for the IPHC to send Angel & Megan Alba and Greg Kuhn to video, take pictures and tell the story of the IPHC’s involvement in RFTW. We were so honored to have these young ministers come and share a day with us. I am anxiously awaiting the report Megan puts together and the video Greg does.
I had another ‘payday’ today. Last year on a hot parking lot I was checking on all the FNG (new riders). I came to one that looked really sad and when I asked him how things were, ‘not good, I have a bitterness from the way I was treated when i returned from Vietnam’. We talked a bit and then he said, ‘would you pray for me?’ I asked when and he said now. Well, I prayed for the Lord to cleanse him of the bitterness. Each day I would ask him how he was doing and he said better. Tonight he looked me up and hugged me and said he could not wait to see me. He said, “I am cleansed! All the bitterness is gone. I gave it all over to the Lord”. We hugged and shared a moment. Then he asked me to pray over him, his grandson and his bike. I can hardly wait for the opportunity in the next few days to do just that.
I wonder what tomorrow will hold – I can hardly wait. The Lord has so many great paydays for our honored work — remember —- it all started with a cup (bottle) of water! BALNAM (Be A Light Not A Mouth – Matt. 5:14-16)
Shepherd, Gary Burd
