Martin Luther King had a vision and it still resounds till this day. I too have a vision, and that would be that God would open the hearts of people to care enought for the up and coming generation to make a difference in their lives. Truthfully, as a church we reach out to who ever comes through our doors, or to the loveable outging sector. But who did Jesus reach out to?
My heart would be that everyone would have the opportunity just one day to follow Judy and I into the Detention Center and Boot Camp one Saturday morning an experience the kids who have little hope, or know of a way out of the enviroment they are in. Most of all I would love for everyone to see God at work in a place that most do not want to enter.
Every Saturday I tote my guitar and Bible (and Judy...what a blessing she is to me and the kids) into an eviroment of the unloveable, confused, mistreated and misunderstood. The kids that have been there and know us always welcome us. For the newcomers it is the same familiar stair and expressions of "Who is this old bald guy toting a guitar and his wife in here?" I am convinced that they believe "Oh know, their here to preach to us." Things can change fast though. Their draws drop and stare as if to say "Where did that old guy get that voice?" The music and lyrics ebgin to melt their hardened hearts.
When it comes time to ask them who is blessed for being in here the strange looks begin. Ironically the ones who have been in their and heard the truth every week raise their hands. The others look at them with confusion. As they ask questions (sometimes smart allically) God begins to move and it opens the door to open the Bible and share to them what He says about their questions overcoming their opinions. Today we talked about 'grace' and what the true meaning of it is (Not the standard church definition). As we talked and shared they began not to slouch over in chairs anymore, but sit up and even place their elbows on their knees to hear more. Hope was and always will be in their grasp now.
After playing 'Jesus Paid it all' (And watching them sing to this great hymn) two young men wanted to talk with Judy and I alone. They want to desperately change and wanted know if it was to late for them. We told them that God slowed their lives down to be there in JV for such a time as this, to hear, surrender and begin a new life in Him. You see they are just kids no different than our kids. They need hope and many of them don't think that they could be loved or forgiven for who they have been. Personally, I once was lost and now am found, was blind but now I see. How about you? God can use you to help the helpless, the broken and all who are in need. The question is "Do you truly know and experience His grace, or is it still about you~
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