My Heroes

Such a day of mixed emotions.

Last night we were blessed to take part in celebrating Pastor Walt Rattray's 70th birthday.  What an amazing man he is.  Pastor Walt is the man God has used to establish Church on the Street a ministry that has been duplicated across our country and overseas as well.

Truly I look to Pastor Walt and see the heart of God.  He has ministered to the down and out, the crazies of the world, those who no one else gave the time of day.  He has done this day in and day out with an amazing sense of energy and zeal that most certainly comes from the Lord.  When other men may have been enjoying retirement for 6 or 8 years now this man of God has not even shown signs of slowing down.  Paul and I were both snapping pictures from the front row but were hard pressed to get a good one - most came out in a blur because the man does not stand still.

His wife Louene, my friend, has been by his side through out the years of ministry and is truly one of the role models of a christian woman for me.  She too is amazing and words will never be adequate to describe the woman referred to as "Miss Louene" by all the disciples of Church on the Street.

The birthday cake was ablaze but more so were the hearts of those in attendance - ablaze with love for a very special man.  My hero, Pastor Walt!!

Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of one of my heroes and on the same day grieve the loss of my other hero.  David Wilkerson 79 years old was killed in an automobile accident in Texas and his wife badly injured also.  

This is the man that established Teen Challenge Ministry that is very similar to Church on the Street.  He was the "Skinny Preacher" that led Nicky Cruz to the Lord and was the basis of the movie, The Cross and the Switchblade".   I watched this movie when I was a teenager in our little youth group in California.  

David Wilkerson too had an amazing heart for the hurting and an amazing ministry.   I have kept all the newsletters I received from his ministry and they are never old or yesterday's news because they are full of the Word and full of God's encouragement to the hurting.  They spur me on in my faith.

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Yes, I have mixed emotions this morning but so thankful to God for such godly examples to me for these many years.  David Wilkerson is basking in the Lord's presence today for which I praise God and Pastor Walt is again today doing what he does best, loving and winning people for the Lord.

Lots of Needs

Yesterday I received word of a friend in the hospital undergoing tests.  Today another friend called who was admitted to ICU.  There are so many needs around us it seems.  Such times call for abundant prayers.  I take such encouragement knowing I can pray and trust the Lord for answers and for peace to my heart.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  3 John 1:2

The Prayer of Faith] Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.  James 5:13

 

Time to go to prayer for friends. Prayer is what I would want from my friends.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Broccoli Salad

Now that I found the recipe for Broccoli Salad I won't have to go to Sweet Tomatoes' Soup and Salad Bar any longer.  Oh, my is this salad ever good and it is the actual recipe from Sweet Tomatoes.  Try it and see if you don't agree that it is yummy yummy in the tummy!

Sweet Tomatoes’ Broccoli Salad

1 bunch uncooked broccoli*
½ cup crumbled cooked bacon
½ cup cashews
1/3 cup raisins
¼ cup chopped red onions

Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Mix the first five ingredients in a large bowl.
In a second bowl, beat dressing ingredients together gently until smooth.
Toss the salad with the dressing approximately 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve on chilled salad dishes.

Serves 6-8.

Delight Yourself . . .

 

It has always been my desire - this concept of open heart - open home.  Concept is one thing.  Bringing a concept to fruition is quite another.  My heart is open.  My home is open.  But pride raises it ugly head and makes this whole delight of my heart quite a challenge.

Anthony had been here since his surgery on Thursday and Jason came down on Friday for the weekend.  The brothers had a good time together doing what they do best.   I spent Saturday in the kitchen most of the day putting together a dinner for Easter afternoon.  

Needless to say the house - our home - became a little messy.  Bird seed covered the floor in the family room.  Dust covered most everything else - hey, just being honest here.

Sunday usually is relaxed because till now our service had been 3 PM.  I loved this time because it meant a little sleeping in and a leisurely morning and lunch before leaving for church at 2.  But yesterday we changed service time now starting at 10 AM which meant we had to be on the road by 9:00 AM. 

I did not hustle my little self quite fast enough and the house was left in some disarray to be sure.  

This disarray was the first thought in my mind when Precious Husband told me we were bringing home someone who would have otherwise been alone for Easter.  Immediately PRIDE kicked its ugly head up and all I could think of was 2 guest rooms with beds not made and bird seed all over the floor. What would he think?

Praise God I am growing and my heart's desire is greater than my pride which I took a big gulp of and swallowed hard.  We had a lovely day getting to better know a member of our church and share our family with.  Our guest got quite a kick out of watching me attempt to get a picture of our 4 TLCs in their matching summer outfits they got for Easter.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

Yes, I desire to have a home that is open and enough love to conquer the pride that would challenge me in this area.  God is good.