Tag: cold weather

Dunkin For Jesus

10:05 am and I nervously waited for the Dunker and the Dunkees to arrive. Cold weather had suddenly turned a Sunday morning, private outdoor water baptism into a very public hotel pool one. I offered up my hotel pool and hoped we’d get this done quickly before we got the boot.

I waited in the lobby to direct everyone to the pool area. 5 minutes later, it is like I opened up the door to a clown car! Holy Crap on a Cracker! Tons of people streamed in and now I am really anxious! I’m glad I already had put my bag in my car because if we get tossed out, I want to be the first person out of the building! I am amazed, that even at my age, I am still worried about getting 86’d even when the only wine involved, was Jesus!

We all finally get into the pool area and I noticed an older man, older woman and a small child in the pool. You could see they were a little perplexed by all of the people just standing around the pool, talking, with their JACKETS still on! Everyone was super excited to be there, except the people already in the pool.

First the woman got out and literally snorted as she walked past me. Minutes later the man got out, wrapped a towel around his red trunks and started shaking his head. I whispered to the Dunker , “lets get this going before we get kicked out!” Red Trunks, was visibly angry and starts taking photos of the Dunker and the 5 Dunkees who are now standing in the pool. The little girl was still in the pool, but she wasn’t afraid. In fact, she moved closer to the group so she could see what was going on.

Red Trunks left the area to complain and moments later an employee arrives, looks around and leaves. Back in came Red Trunks who paced directly behind me as he took more photos.

The Dunker started speaking to the Dunkees, but I couldn’t hear them. I stood near the door and prayed no one would interrupt. Ok, I really prayed that no one would yell at us. Red Trunks decided to leave and as he walked out two young men and a woman came in. Oh no. This was a very nice hotel on a large university campus and it was a very busy alumni weekend. A lot of people might start showing up to swim. I looked over at the group and gave the TV studio hand signal to wrap it up! Unfortunately, it just looked like I was giving them a whoop whoop!

The young couple continued to stand and watch and then the young man told his friends, “wait, don’t go in there yet. They are doing a water baptism.” I was super impressed that this young man even realized what we were doing. Maybe the Dunker’s Jesus T’shirt was a give away 🙂 I smiled”, Oh that”s okay, you can go in”. “No, this is important. We can wait.” I smiled ” I am just hoping we don’t get booted first.” He looked at me and laughed “Hey how cool that you are doing this out in public like this. Getting tossed out would be a good persecution for your faith.” I nodded and turned to watch the rest of the proceedings.

After that I didn’t worry about anyone coming in. Jesus and me. We had it under control. I just quietly did some warfare to keep Red Trunks or any other forces from coming in to spoil our fun.

I am always touched by a water baptism, but this time it was so much more. I was more touched that, while I was ridiculously afraid of going to hotel jail, this young man thought it was cool and perfectly normal to endure a little pool side persecution for your faith.

No One A Stranger

Today, God reminded me as I sip hot coffee that not everyone will be warm today. I recall one Friday night, my bud Gretchen and I were invited to speak to a group of homeless men at an inner city shelter. A requirement for getting a bed for the night was sitting through some music ministry and a little preachin of the Good Word 🙂 Let’s just say, we had a captive audience.

I was terrified, to say the least. The majority stared out at the ministry team with blank expressions. When it was our turn to speak, I told them at one time I had lost everything and schlepped around on people’s couches for 6 months and felt terrible about myself. That I wasn’t going to pretend that I could really relate to what they were going through, but that I knew God really loved them, right now as there were. Gretchen spoke about a broken tooth being miraculously repaired when she couldn’t afford a dentist and how God cared about our every need. No matter how small.

We then invited the men to come up to get hands laid on for healing. Many came forward and we had some WOK and prophecy for them too. I was surprised at how quite a few wanted to be touched or hugged and cried when God spoke through us with a word of love or encouragement.

Later, Pastor David, who invited us, told us that normally most don’t walk up for prayer. That the men were obviously touched by our transparency and authenticity. We were being real with them! We weren’t preaching at them and just wanted to show them love. The Father’s love.

The homeless may be addicts, mentally ill or had a bad turn of luck. But…..please remember they are someone’s son, brother, husband or friend. Instead of turning away, maybe hand them some money or stop and talk for a moment. Or pray with them. The weather will soon get colder and there won’t always be a bed or space for them.

Not asking you to take them into your house. I am asking you to treat them like human beings. Be terrified and do it anyway.