The Father's Love

There has been much growth in my relationship with Jesus over this last week and this summer project is really stepping up to be more than I could have imagined.  I have learned a lot about what it means to trust and have faith in the Lord in the face of adversary, even when you might feel distant from God.  Nothing can separate you from the Father's love, although some times we trust in our emotions instead of our faith.  God put me to this test last week to see if I would continue to search for Him and get to know Him despite the emotions I felt.  And between the quiet times I had, the encouraging people I talked to, and an amazing Prayer and Vision Night in which I focused on the Gospel-centered life, I grew to feel the Holy Spirit's strong presence in my heart again.  It's amazing how a community of believers can make such a big impact on how you follow the Lord.

Today, we went to the homeless shelter and prepared dinner and ate with  some of the residents there.  It was a very moving experience and a great way to shine the Gospel here in Clearwater!  The two guys I talked to were Paul and Tom.  Paul is a strong believer and we had a pretty deep conversation about daily faith in the Lord.  Tom believes in God and is spiritual, but he doesn't have his trust in Jesus.  I shared with him many ways that Jesus has impacted my life and how I have trusted Him and seen Him change my life.  Tom gave me a hug when I was about to leave and had also bought me a Coke to drink.  Even though he had little money, he wanted to serve me as well.  This was very moving and I felt a deep passion for this guy and a hope for his future relationship with Jesus.  I ask that you pray for these two guys and their sanctification and salvation.  Also pray that the Lord continues to speak through us here in Florida and that we work well together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

I also want to say happy Father's Day to all the readers.  My Dad has been an inspirational part of my life and has helped me become the man of God that I am today.  Thank you Dad, I love you!  Let us not forget our spiritual Father on this day and how he has adopted believers as his children.

~JKW