Also, there is an awesome ministry, that the Lord used Brutha John Rood to start, every Friday night. I prayed to have Friday nights off from work, which is the busiest night at the restaurant, and the Lord touched my Jolly South African Boss's heart. 

"Sure, sure you can have it off. No problem," he said. Praise God!   These nights are frightening yet give me more joy, adrenaline, and spiritual angst in the end than anything. A group of variety from age 14-20ish gets together and we go to pretty much the heaviest populated street in Vermont, Church Street, and break into groups of two or three and spread the good news! This is hard for me because I run into old friends there and lots of people are set financially and don't think they need a savior; It's a little easier because I don't have to talk in Spanish. My work place has given me so many opportunities to share my faith. The Lord has given me courage and wisdom. He has blessed me, I even have an automatic humbler. Most mornings before guests arrive I strap a vacuum to my back and enjoy being called a "Ghost-Buster" and my favorite, "Johnny Quest," haha. The Lord really prepares me each day and gives me many opportunities to minister to people.

            I was told a while back that we connect well with specific people for a reason. God has a plan with it. Last night, a high school guy I work with and connect with very well, hit me with a nuke, a divinely appointed appointment. We were drying cups side by side when he said,

"Hey Joe, I'm looking for a religion I can go all out in, I mean I'm a Christian (then with an excited look) but I want to just find that religion." I asked him a few more questions but then the conversation came to a light-hearted subject and before I knew it, it was over. I have quoted scripture to him before, "Those who work deserve to be fed," Mathew 10:10, and I think he knows I am a Christian so I decided not to jut-in and say that following Jesus is the greatest thing in my life...but I hope to get there with him. I praise God and pray he can use me in his plan. Please pray for this, the Church street ministry and the Men's Breakfast. John Rood is currently serving the Lord with all his heart (passing out Gospel track from busses, playing the drums) in the Bronx, NYC. Pray for his protection and for God to show up in power wherever he goes.

            Turn to John 10:2-4. It says, "The man who enters by the gate is the Shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." It goes on in verse 9-10: "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. This last verse is one of my favorites and it should have two exclamation points in the Bible. Read verse 11-15.

My father in heaven

How your splendor shines

And a field of your chorus hums what I can imagine,

with each sound,

"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord almighty."

A breeze is gentle when it needs to be

as the unseen flows from your lips.

Though when the sun scorches hot I will endure

and praise your name just the same

with your flame in my heart.

Let each inhale of air draw me nearer

and each inspired text I read be written forever

on my heart.