Jesus is Here 3

Our trip to San Diego was pleasant. Shirley and I talked at times. Other times we relaxed in a comfortable silence. We arrived in plenty of time to prepare for the Meeting.

I enjoy worshipping with the people who are Journey Community Church. On this night I would be speaking. This is what I am made for. Few things thrill me more than to be able to talk about Jesus and the LIFE! He’s made available to anyone; everyone “who receives Him; who believes He is who He claims to be.” So, I was “primed and ready.”

We sang. We ate our Lord’s Supper together, declaring as we did, to the world and to the world of spirits, that He is our “LIFE!” As I spoke I knew God was “with me … in me,” inspiring and empowering me. I was His chosen messenger that night and the affirmations of people confirmed He had used me. One woman, in particular, expressed her gratefulness to God. She said that she was a “Christ follower.” And she thanked our Lord that in following Him that night she’d ended up in “Church,” and was personally challenged to submit, in new ways, to His “training.”

Because Journey people meet on Friday night and twice on Sunday morning we had the day Saturday to enjoy hangin’ out with Jason and Ingvild and their Kids, Marissa, Maddie, and Ethan. They are so much fun! We even got to go Ice Skating. The Canadian in me was cool with that! Those Kids had been to the “rink” before and I was proud of them. It was serendipity to be skating first with Ethan, then with each of his Sisters. Shirley and I enjoyed a couple of times around reminiscing about other days when we’d “skated the night away.” We were ready to eat after that. A Friend had given us a Christmas Gift Certificate for one of our favorite eat out spots – Baja Fresh. The value of the card was so generous that we were able to buy Dinner for everyone! How satisfying to be able to treat our Family in this way! As we thanked God for that meal I was quietly thanking Him for the dignity of giving!

There was a troubling development that night. Our old car started to spew steam from under the engine cover whenever we stopped. There was no evidence of over-heating. So I stopped and checked to see what was happening. Sure enough a fountain of coolant was cascading out of the heater line in the back of the engine. I added coolant. It’s an old car. We carry stuff we might need. With that we were able to drive Home without further complications.

The next morning as I drove into the parking lot for the 8:30 Sunday Meeting the steam erupted from the engine. A quick check under the hood confirmed I’d be going no further without repairs. I was upset! We could not afford a large repair bill now! Walking to the Meeting place I grumbled to God. “You gave me this car!” And so He had – the car was given to us. Then and there, looking over my shoulder and throwing my hand toward the car in disgust, I reminded Him, “It’s your car!”

What followed that morning was a remarkable reminder that, “Jesus is here.” We were dramatically shown how intricately attentive He is to us. I was speaking that Weekend about Jesus’ personal training. The matter of worry came up. Jesus frequently urged His followers not to “worry.” On one occasion He went so far as to say that, like weeds in a field or garden choke out plant life, so “worry” interferes with our personal growth. It can, He taught, prevent any growth at all. So, here I was talking to my fellows about the harmfulness of worry. And all the while I was worrying. I could not pretend. God and I knew the truth. I’ve learned long ago there’s no use pretending when He’s around. I blurted it out. “I cannot have integrity and tell you not to worry.” I insisted that Jesus was quite ready to personally assume our concerns. We can, I assured them, and myself, actually “throw our care on Him.” I told them about the destiny:Life! financial shortfall and how we were trusting our Lord to provide what was needed. I told them about the car. “This,” I said, “is not what we needed. We do not have the money to fix this car. And we have critical matters to deal with when we get Home. WE NEED THIS CAR!” I even told them, “As I walked away from that steaming old relic I looked over my shoulder, shaking my thumb in the direction of the car and told God, 'It’s YOUR car!'” They laughed.

Because the second Meeting follows so soon after the first there was no time to even think about how we were going to deal with this annoyance. I did, however, find it unusual that Jason would come up to me and ask for my car keys in that brief window of time.

After the second Meeting it was all vividly clear. As is usually the case I had several people wanting to talk about things they’d heard me say or were concerned about. The affirmation is so satisfying! It’s difficult to keep it in perspective sometimes. But I know our Lord is training me. One conversation was especially important to me. A young man who’d just finished 3 years in the armed services told me this was his first time “back,” in Church since he’d joined the Service. He said that I and the things I said were intended for him. He’d drifted “away from God,” while a soldier. He told me he’d watched the Meeting on the giant screen in the Video Café because “being in Church” was scary to him. He wasn’t sure what an angry God might do to him since he’d been so rebellious. But God spoke to him, even in his fear, and reassured him that a “prodigal” is always “welcomed Home in His House.” He told me he was “back” for good. I was ecstatic!

At about that time – 2 hours after he’d asked for my keys – Jason came up. “Greg,” he said, “wants to talk to you. He’s fixing your car.” As he said that he handed me an envelope. Another woman had, earlier, given me something. I felt like I was living a drama!

When I got to the car “Greg” was just finishing his repairs. He’d heard my story during the first Meeting. Without hesitation he put his gifts to work, drove Home, picked up his tools and a cooling system hose – exact diameter and easy to cut to length – he “just happened to have” in his shop. He tightened the last bolt just as he finished telling me this story. Unpretentious, inconspicuous, immediate, faithful obedient use of what one has for somebody else’s good. THAT’S 21ST CENTURY FOOT WASHING! He wouldn’t take even an, “I owe you Lunch!” Greg King you will not be forgotten!

As I drove away in “God’s” newly repaired car I could only say “THANK YOU!” again and again …
Oh, by the way: the envelope and the paper handed to me after the 2nd Meeting? They were checks. That morning $2040.00 was given to destiny:Life!

God is so generous! And so are His people! The Christ followers who are Journey Community Church were His chosen agents for our care that day. And oh how encouraged we were.

There is, as I write, more yet to be raised. And the crunch is on! But my assurance that our Father, through His faithful people, will provide every cent has been profoundly strengthened by these marvelous events!

Lord Jesus I am FOREVER GRATEFUL that you have come. Christmas is for real and forever! You are here now! Thank you for the frequent, personal visits to us THIS CHRISTMAS 2007!