Do you hear him calling?

Everyone that knows me and my past would know that I have been running away from my past. A friend (Bert I hope I can call you friend) wrote this, "When the devil tries to remind you of your past, Just turn around and remind him of his future." The problem is I am afraid to see his face, I think it might be a relative. 

I am terrified of what God thinks of my past. I know that Jesus is our savior and he died in order for our sins to be forgiven. I have talked with so many people including pastors about forgiveness and our past sins. Not one time have I recieved the answer I seek. I may never find this answer. Now a new question comes up. What would happen if God calls out to me, would I hear him? This answer came in the 24 hours.

Last night we met an very angry guy. He was angry. He went on and on about how every church never comes through with promises. He raised his arms in anger a walked away. It was at this point, I heard it. It was something from inside. It was like I was letting this person walk away, and I was not to let him leave. I have had so many campers walk away, because they where upset, but this was different. I chased him down. God called out and told me to grab this guy and show him that Christ cares. I had to show him that we cared. I was so angry at that second, not because he was walking away from me, but that he was walking away from something God wanted me to say. I didn't know what he wanted me to say at that second, but I just knew the words would come. So as I followed him, my friend Ward got out of his car and it was like all of a sudden everything was clear, we where meant to be there at that moment. We where directed by God to help this angry man. So, was he turned around I could hear something inside me to keep going. We where able to talk him down from angry, no question it was threw the Holy Spirit. At this point he followed us to our car. Then the world around us was focused on him and his needs. And then it happened, a prayer. Where two or more are gathered! The three of us said a prayer, not just a simple prayer and send you on your way, but a prayer that touched his heart as well as ours. As the prayer ended there was relief on his face. And that angry man was smiling. He then went and told us that he was ready to turn his life around. He wanted off the crack, and he knew it would only happen through God. Then the next question happened, can you get me to a church?

Okay we went from a angry man, to a man listening, to a man praying, to a man confessing his adiction, to a man in tears and then this man asking for help through God. We are talking Holy Spirit acting through us, using Bert for wanting us to find Shaggy, so driving in an area we don't go to. Ward for stepping out of his car and joining me, to my wife praying over him.This was Sister Lisa feeding him with a smile. This was God using all of us as his tools. I heard the voice, and I thank you God for using us.

 This was just last night. So, we made the arrangements to pick him up at the same spot this morning. I worried all night that he would not be there. Then as soon as we saw him, my heart leaped. I saw him look up and he still had this smile. We all went to church and the praise team never sounded so wonderful. Our new friend Bo had his arms in the air praising Jesus, he was singing, I saw tears in his eyes and I ask are you alright? And the words came out "I found a home." This was not a story being told by a Pastor on the radio, or a story I was reading. This was happening in front of my own eyes. This was the Holy Spirit working.

We spent most of the day with Bo. We found him a sleeping bag, pillows, clothes and some other things he needs. We fed him and we where able to find out all about him. While he ate he looked over at my wife and said that for the first time in years he was at peace. It takes allot for this big Bubba to tear up, but how could I not. We all laughed and we had a wonderful time. We have made arrangements to help him some more through the week, and we are going to help him get the help he needs to free himself from the addiction. So please pray with us and pray that Bo keeps finding the peace he is so needing. Pray that he hears that voice calling out his name, and he answers "Lord here I am".

When we had to say goodbye we saw a change in our new friend. He forgot something in the car so we followed him for a second and that smile was already gone. Within 2 blocks the power of the streets that Satans rules took over his thoughts. I know he feels a trust with us now, but in order to walk the streets alone, you change. We saw God's child in Bo, and we know with the love of Christ,  the love he has for God, and friends that care, he will make it. He will be off the streets and it would not suprise me if he will be telling the story on how a group of strangers stopped him on the streets and shared God's word with him, to a church that he calls his home.

I love sharing this journey with you, and whether you are donating clothes, feeding the hungry with us, or even saying a prayer for our campers, it means you hear God calling out. You have acted on his word. When you ask me if you can join us this week and go out and serve, it's my family that is blessed. It's not my voice calling out for you to serve, it's our Lords.

Am I preaching right now, absolutely, because when you experience our Lord work the way he did, and use us for his purpose, you can count on me preaching like no other. It would be a sin to hold this feeling inside me and not share what we have witnessed.

As ask take a second, close your eyes and prayer for Bo.

I didn't say what to prayer for, because that was something that you needed to feel. You have read this, so you know what he needs. I will let our God call out to you and you pray what comes into your heart.

Did you him him calling?

Amen

Now meet Robert "Bo" Campbell

With his donated bike from the Norwich Township Fire Department. This was this morning, you know that smile that left his face yesturday when he walked away from us. It came back as soon as I pulled up. First thing he asked is "are you going to pick me up on Sunday for church?" Bo ask me to thank everyone at The Church Next Door, the Webers and at the Norwich Fire Department for giving him a new found hope.