Then and Now

The last time I saw Donna was at her home in 2012.  She was distraught.  Her home had been burglarized and she felt violated.  Being a single woman, she also felt vulnerable in her own home.

Fast forward to December 2014.  When I met Donna at her house again, I immediately recognized her and she as well remembered me.  We briefly spoke about her prior burglary.  I then informed her of my brush with death and being shot by some petty thieves.  She was amazed at the circumstances that had occurred.

In speaking about our recovery, we were both fascinated at the similarities of how the healing process was attributed to much prayer and forgiveness of our transgressors.  Donna now has no malevolence towards the perpetrator of her burglary.  I shared a study Bible with her.  We parted ways again but this time with a shared belief in a sovereign God.

Take Me To The King

I’ve noticed that people that are blessed with a beautiful singing voice can also hum a tune and it sounds nice.

I was at a house and met with the homeowner’s daughter.  As I was inspecting the house, she was walking through and humming and it sounded good.  I caught my attention because it’s something that I don’t get to hear much anymore because everyone walks around with something stuck in their ears listening to music. They don’t create their own song.

I stopped her as she passed by and asked what she was humming. She said it was the Blues. So I figured that if she knew Blues music that she probably knew some Gospel.  I ask her and she confirmed that she did.  I ask her what was one of her favorite gospel songs. She said “Take me to the King”.  I asked if she could sing it to me.  Of course she looked surprised and said “right now?”  I responded with a “yes please”. Then like a sweet instrument her voice began singing that song. The lyrics immediately began to make me smile. I could feel my spirit’s pleasuring hearing the lyrics of humility and despair before his throne. Then they turned to confidence and adoration in his strength and glory.

I thanked her for singing. I was able to share a daily Bible and a study Bible with her. I’m including the YouTube link for that song.  I hope that whatever may be on your heart that you would take it to the King and place it before his throne then rest in his assurance of care and provision.

http://youtu.be/wU3qgPn3bGA

Theft From The Body

I met Mr. Mosley for a theft claim. He had been putting in many hours renovating a house to make it a rental property. As he was relaying the circumstances of the theft, he expressed discouragement. You see, he was a giving person and to have someone come and steal property that he worked hard for was a blow to his altruistic nature. That was on top of knowing his insurance coverage may be limited.  Then from his heart, he expressed his faith by stating that he “had faith in the Lord’s provision”.  I later asked him if he had a study Bible. He actually has four different ones.  His daily reading, however, was from multiple sources.  I shared a daily Bible that reads a little from the Old Testament, Psalm, Proverbs and the New Testament.  

Before I left, I invited him to my church to hear great expository teaching at Houston Northwest Church.  I told him that our church was very blessed to have leaders that displayed love to our community and our neighbors regardless of skin color. We both agreed that as a Christians, each person has a role as a member of the Body of Christ. To limit our love based on race would not be love at all.  In today’s world, where darkness succeeds at racial divide, the Followers of Christ must make every effort to show love across every nationality. To do otherwise would be theft from The Body.

Take This Message With You

I recently received my latest CD sermon from John MacArthur at Grace to you. I was planning on listening to it on a drive for a Fourth of July trip.  As that plan was canceled, I decided that today would be a good opportunity to listen to it while driving to Beaumont. What an awesome message titled “The Invincible Christian.” A study out of Romans 8 that if God be for us, who can be against us?

I met Ms. Ramirez for a roof leak claim.  She mentioned a few times during my inspection some of the things that she has had to deal with this year.  Later, after a few probing questions, she really opened the emotional reservoir that she had dammed up inside of her. She was struggling with the loss of her mother and her husband’s sudden liver illness.  She began speaking about her faithful God. How he was supporting her. Then she quoted Romans 8:28 “all things work together for good for those who love God, to those that are called according to his purpose.”

I then realized that the CD sermon was for Ms. Ramirez also. I told her about the message out of Romans 8 and how God had me bring it this very day so it would be a word of encouragement to her. I shared the CD, a daily Bible and a study Bible with her so that she may be encouraged, spend daily time in the word and search the scripture’s meaning.

The hope she displayed in Christ was inspiring to me. Please pray for healing for her husband.

A Burning Love

Mark 11:25  “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

I met Ms. Deane at her home that was now burned to the ground.  Although she had another place to reside, she had fond memories at this house and treasured keepsakes there that were now lost. Based on circumstances involved with discovery of the fire, there is a person that is now a suspect for committing arson of the dwelling.  Ms. Deane knows who the suspect is and believes the same person has broken into this house in the past.  As you can imagine, anyone might feel hatred toward someone for committing such a horrendous act.  

Ms. Deane says that it was not until last night during the worship service that she was able to forgive this person. At that point I shared my testimony of forgiveness with her.  As we sat in my truck, she began to cry as though she were feeling the freedom of forgiveness and confirmation from the Holy Spirit for her obedient act.  As for God’s timing, he again displayed such grace and sovereignty.  Prior to our meeting today, I set the inspection appointment one day later than usual. Without my knowledge, this allowed her to hear from the Holy Spirit the prior night in worship and experience blessed peace in her act of forgiveness.  Ms. Dean said it was a divine appointment today.  I agree.  I shared a daily Bible with her and gained a sister in Christ.

I ask for prayers for the capture of the suspect that he may placed where he could hear the Gospel, repent and believe.

His Eye is on The Sparrow

Luke 12:6     Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

I recently received a reinspection request to confirm completed repairs in a home.  When setting the appointment, the lady said in broken English that she couldn’t meet in the morning because her son had cancer.  I took that to mean that she had doctor appointments in the morning.  So the appointment was set late in the morning. 

As I pulled into the cul-de-sac, I began feeling that I have been to this street before.  The house looked very familiar.  Shortly after I arrived, the homeowner arrived and I meet her and her son.  He was obviously going through chemotherapy as he had no hair on his head.  I briefly discuss the claim and then ask the son Michael how his treatment is coming along.  He smiles and says that his body is responding to the chemo and the cancer is appears to be fading.  Although he smiles, you can tell that the battle has been difficult and the chemo tires his body.  He is a young 26 years of age.  He and his mother return to the vehicle to wait as the paint fumes make him nauseous.  As I’m completing my inspection, I’m prompted in my thoughts to ask him about his faith.  I’m hesitant to do this as I was listening to their conversation in Arabic. 

I complete my task and as I complete my final explanations, I ask him if he would mind telling me where he places his faith.  He smiled and said that he was Christian.  My memory now is complete.  I said “you’re Egyptian”.  He said yes.  I told that them I had adjusted a claim for them back in 2008.  Except for then, I had only met his father.  We had discussed Christianity in Egypt and the status of the country even back then.  I was able to share an ESV study Bible with Michael to compliment his orthodox study Bible.  I offered to pray for healing over him and he asked that I keep him in my prayers.  He mentioned not having patience in dealing with the insurance company due to his condition.  I said to have patience because as you can see, GOD is over all things.

I’m amazed how the dynamics such as time, distance and schedules never deter the plans of the Lord.  I guess because he controls all those things and everything else.  I’m thankful that he has his eye on Michael and brought someone to encourage him with a soothing word, a strengthening prayer and the Truth of his Word. 

The Apathetic Servant

Have your ever received a task or assignment and you really did not want to even deal with it.  I received an assignment in Beaumont and, well I really did not want to go on this assignment.  It would take extra time and expense due to the distance to inspect the location.  But, I went ahead and set off for the inspection. 

In the story of the lost contact lens, an Ant was carrying a contact lens along saying “Lord, I don’t why you have me carrying this lens but if you want me to I will”.  In that story, a lady found her lost lens on a hiking trail because she discovered it moving across the ground.  Little did the ant know that what seemed like a burden for him was a blessing to someone else.  Today I was the ant.  Only the ant was smarter because he realized that he was working for the Lord.  Even though he did not realize why what he was doing was important, he was obedient.

During my conversation with Ms. Parker of Beaumont, we learned of each other’s Christian faith.  She told me about reading Job multiple times as she was attempting to learn truth from that particular book of the Bible.  As she was explaining some of the things that she is learning from her studies; I asked if she had a study Bible.  She said that she did.  It was an older Bible in the NAS version.  I went to my truck and returned with a John MacArthur study Bible in the ESV version.  I asked if I could give that to her.  She was quite surprised.  She said that GOD has used me to answer her prayers.  I asked what her prayers were about.  She said that she had prayed for additional resources to study the book of Job.  She began to cry and said that the Lord had answered her prayers.  I confessed to her that she was the only inspection that I had there today.  I felt too guilty to say that I did not want to go initially.  She said that she was thankful that I was obedient in sharing God’s word.  Later, I was thinking “next time, I hope that I will be as smart as the ant and trust in God’s leading”

Colossians 3:23-24

 ²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

My Brother’s Keeper

I was speaking with the insured Mr.  Ruiz on the roof.  He was a natural talker.  As we discussed things such as his roof and his plans for the house, I began to think, Lord how will you move this conversation to things spiritual.  It was shortly after that very thought that Mr.  Ruiz mentioned that his older brother had passed away.  He began describing him as a good person that didn't drink or use tobacco.  Mr. Ruiz said that his brother was in heaven.  

I said well, that’s not how you gain entry into heaven.  I said it’s through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  That you place your faith in him that he died for your sins.  He said that his brother always preached to him.  I said that’s because he loved you.  You can tell by Mr. Ruiz’s voice and brief pauses of thought that he missed his brother.  I asked Mr.  Ruiz if his brother was a believer in Christ.  He said most definitely.  I said that the only way that you will see your brother again is to place your faith in Christ.  He said that he knew that he needed to but it seemed that he was always running away from Christ.  I smiled and said that we all have done that.  

I took a daily Bible and told Mr. Ruiz that I don’t normally give away Bibles to unbelievers but I felt that he should have one.  I explained that he would only take 20 minutes each day to read it that it could change his life.  I told him that I would pray for him.  I hope that you as a reader will also.   

Romans 1 “¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

The Bible and The Blues

I met Ms. Moore on an inspection recently.  Somehow, the conversation came about that her home had been burglarized in the recent past.  She knew that it was a young man who lived down the street.  She stated that he was suspected of committing multiple burglaries in the area.  He had evaded capture until he broke into a house and the residents were home. The burglar’s luck ran out on that day when the homeowner held a gun on him until police arrived.  The suspect was convicted and is serving time in jail.  At that point in the story, Ms. Moore said that she hopes that he rots in jail.  I could tell that she had still not forgiven that man in her heart.  I said to Ms. Moore that she needed to forgive him. I then told her my own forgiveness story that the Lord had allowed me to forgive the man that shot me. This turned the conversation toward God. We both spoke of his faithfulness and our favorite places to read from Scripture. I learned that Ms. Moore did not have a study Bible and was able to share one with her. She said that she couldn't believe that someone would want to give her such a book. I said that it was from the Lord so that she could know him better.  She said she felt like crying.

In continuing to get to know Ms. Moore, I found out that she was from a Blues musical background. She was a Blues singer and was in a band at one time.  She shared with me stories about meeting BB King, Elvis, Miles Davis and others.  I always feel that I’m the one blessed in sharing God’s word. And by taking some time to ask questions and listen, I met someone that was fascinating to listen to and has personally met so many musical legends.

The Argentinian Preacher

I met a young man on the roof of one of my inspections.  He represented a roofing company that was assisting the homeowner.  He didn't seem to have a great deal of knowledge concerning roofs at the time. However, during the inspection, he would interlace his conversation with religious terms and sayings.  Based on his accent, I believed that he might be from a Latin American country. I began asking direct questions concerning Catholic theology. He was very knowledgeable on the subject but spoke as if it were not a faith that he practiced. I quickly learned that the young man Jonathan was an evangelical Christian.  

Since our first meeting, I was able to not only share an English version of a study Bible with him but also a Spanish version for him and his mother.  I've since become good friends with Jonathan Resquin from Argentina.  He is not only a pastor at his church but also does work as a translation pastor.  He has assisted me with translation many times and was even able to share the gospel with the homeowner at one inspection. How did God know I needed a good friend like Jonathan.  And to meet him on a roof, wow! I love the sovereignty of the Lord. 

Conditional Confirmation

My appointment was supposed to be with a woman that I had previously spoken to on the phone.  Instead, I met with a man at her residence.  The man explained that his mother couldn't make it because she had checked into a hospital.  He was unsure of her condition.  I proceeded with my inspection and before the inspection ended, his mother called the house.  She asked to speak with me.  She apologized and said that she planned on being there but that she had a sharp pain in her abdomen area.  After additional details, I said that her condition sounds like it could be a gall bladder attack.  She was amazed that I had said that because that’s what the doctor was telling her.  I explained that I had the same condition and had undergone surgery to remove it.  She was amazed again because she was praying that morning to the Lord for confirmation of the diagnosis.  She was astonished that she would receive it by calling her house and speaking to her adjuster that she had never met.  I told her that I would pray for her.  Before leaving, I gave her son a Bible and ask that he deliver to his mother.

The Prison Minister

While concluding my time with Mr. Ugalde, he began telling me that he was retired.  After retirement, he began a prison ministry.  He said that he was always asking questions about scripture so that he may present truth when he spoke to prisoners.  I ask him if he had a study bible.  He thought that I meant a standard bible used for reading.  I explained that it was one that explained scripture in footnotes.  He said that he did not.  I presented him with a John MacArthur study bible and his eyes were like so many others.  They have a look of awe that the Lord saw their need and desire for wisdom and was there present meeting their need.  I left as I usually do after these encounters, humbled and amazed at God’s providence and faithfulness.

The Woman Drawing From The Well

As I was inspecting a house, I noticed the lady of the house turning through various pages of her Bible while seated at her dining table.  I asked her what she was studying and she replied that she was trying to get to know God better.  As we concluded our business, I asked if I could give her a study Bible.  She accepted it.  I said that God knew her desires for knowledge and saw her studying his Word.  I said that I believed he wanted to provide a resource for her to know him better.  The look on her face was one of awe that God had his eye on her.  Just like for the Samaritan woman, the Lord provides “Living Water” from his word. (John 4:07-14)

The Beginning

I’m beginning to record my stories of the Bible sharing ministry that the Lord has allowed to be a part in his reaching out to his children.  I've been sharing Bibles through my work for some time now.  It never ceases to amaze me how the sovereign LORD can place people from different places and walks of life together at the same place and time to accomplish his purposes all the while being glorified. 

Each story is different because each person is unique.  I love hearing stories from people because that is where you hear and see the hand of God in their lives and his Word coming to life. 

I’m going to begin posting weekly until I’m caught up to date on my stories.  I hope that you see God at work and will praise his Holy Name.  J

The Korean That Spoke Spanish

I met a missionary from Korea on a roof.  I learned that he makes mission trips into Latin America.  It was interesting to see that culture, race and language are no barriers for the Word of God.  I shared a daily Bible with him.  He was grateful to receive it.

The Roof Foreman

I met a man on a roof inspection who stated that he was Christian but was having difficulty with cursing because of the workers that he was around during the day.  I said that he needed to transform his mind with the Word of God.  I asked if he had a daily Bible and he said that he did not.  I shared a daily Bible with him.   When the inspection was complete, he passed by my vehicle.  As he drove by, he held the Bible up to the window and mouthed the words “thank you”.  It was humbling to see God deliver to that man the armor necessary for standing with Christ.