Doing The Assignment
I enjoy doing the month’s assignment because God is creative. Opportunities arise at unexpected times; God works in diverse ways. This keeps things from becoming boring.
This week I attended the Movie Guide Fundraiser in Atlanta, GA. I was the guest of my mother, who knows many of the people who work so tirelessly to bring a godly influence to Hollywood.
I was very impressed with their strategy, which includes an annual awards dinner at which they honor secular moviemakers who have had a positive influence on society. Perhaps it’s my upbringing – I often heard that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar – but I can’t help feeling that a loving and affirming tone will be more likely to touch hearts in Hollywood than the mean-spirited boycotts I am often asked to join.
Though many of the people they honor are not Christians, the award winners often are very touched; one asked for extra programs so he could send them to his family. I plan to visit the awards event in Los Angeles in February.
Here is my report on the assignment for this week. As a few of the ministry times were very personal, I’m being careful not to be quite as specific in public as I would be in the privacy of my own journal.
8. Soaking, Oct 14. Soaked to prepare for an out-of-town trip to visit friends. Basically asked God, “Is there anything You want to tell me?” Sensed a word for one of the men.
9. Soaking, Oct 19. Looked for blog inspiration. KEY: I’m reminded to look for a metaphor for each article. I received one for the music blog as I soaked; sense that others will come spontaneously.
14. Ministry, Oct 15. Most of this report is too personal to tell. JoAnn and I met a friend for lunch. I felt to share something about the calling I sense in His life. The Holy Spirit bore witness in an unusual way; he had an open heaven experience in the restaurant, fulfilling the words of Hebrews 12:22-24.
15. Ministry, Oct 15. Visited a family whom I very much look up to. They showed us a house they are ready to move into and asked me to bless it. I sensed a prophetic flow as I spoke to their home.
16. Ministry, Oct 17. I had a prophetic word for an internationally-known singer. In spite of a chaotic environment, I was able to share the word with her in a conversational way that did not attract undue attention.
17. Ministry, Oct 17. I met a woman whose father had just taken his own life and shared a simple thought with her from Romans 8; she said it was wonderfully comforting and thanked me profusely.
As far as ministry is concerned, my personal philosophy is much like what I saw at the Movie Guide Fundraiser. I know there is much that needs to be corrected in the lives of people around me, but feel that most of it will happen if people simply begin to follow Jesus. I don’t try to correct everything that’s wrong; instead, I look for what people are doing right and look for ways to affirm it.
The Holy Spirit does such a good job of convicting people of sin that I want to be careful to leave room for Him to do it. My role? To pave the way for Him, by giving people a loving touch from Jesus.
October 27th, 2008 at 1:03 am Hi Stan, can I ask the simple thought from Romans 8, I have a friend who has had 2 children suicide (separately) and it may also be a comfort to her. Thx
October 28th, 2008 at 8:23 am Hi Michelle — I can hardly imagine your friend’s pain after the suicide of two children. Every situation is different, and I’m not sure the thought from Romans 8 will necessarily fit for your friend. That said, Romans 8:35-39 says nothing separates us from the love of God. Some have preached that Paul lists everything but ourselves — “I can separate myself from His love,” they tell us. Sounds good, but one day I was convicted that I am listed among the “things present nor things to come.” I shared with the woman that her father’s strong faith didn’t necessarily evaporate just because he took his own life. For your friend, soak and listen. It may not be anything you can tell her. God may show you something to do that will help her or simply express His love. The ministry of comfort isn’t always in words - blessings, Stan.