The Live-In Back-up

Now that I finally posted about the live-in I can tell you that we have been to another live-in as back-up.

You can only be a live-in-er once but then you can go back as back-up to pass on the blessing to more people.

Back-up is even more blessing. Not greater blessing but continued blessing. Serving as back-up is fantastic! When you see how people's lives get changed right in front of you, it changes you. It is very addictive and I think I'm on the way to being a live-in junkie!

We saw healings, breakthroughs, people set free. One woman told us she had not been out of her home for six years! Somehow she got enough courage to come to the live-in. For the first day and a half she kept saying she couldn't do it and she had to leave but God is faithful and continued to give her the strength to stay.  During the weekend she got a huge deliverance from the bondage she was in and when the time came for testimonies she was the first one to the microphone to give God the glory for setting her free!  What a change!

Yes I'm hooked!

The Live-In

In January we were invited to something called a "live-in". We were told that it was about getting closer to Jesus and that it was about love.

Somehow the fact that it is put on by the Catholic church was withheld from us. Not by the people who invited us but I believe God kept it from us. Why? Because I probably wouldn't have gone.
And that would have been very sad because it was one of the best weekends of my life.

I have always thought the Catholic church was a lost dead church, full of empty ritual and idolatry and devoid of the love of Christ.

I was dead wrong!

I still see a lot of ritual but I also see a reverance for God that is often lacking in protestant churches. I have listened to many preachers talk about using the power of God like it is their right. They exalt themselves to the same status as God Himself.

At the live-in I saw very humble people worshipping and honoring God by serving others. I saw more true love from these Catholics in one weekend than I have seen anywhere else my whole life. It was an incredible experience and I am glad that God knew how to get me there!

Live-ins are held all over the country so if someone invites you to go to one, GO! You will never be the same again, you will be much better!

How do I reach you brother?

I had a good talk with a brother who I will call "Valiant". Valiant is a lost soul who lives on the street in Saskatoon. He isn't lost because he doesn't know Jesus. In fact, he professes to know Him quite well and can quote scripture all day long. He even considers himself a warrior in God's army. But Valiant is so very lost. I believe he has had things happen in his life that caused him such pain that it overwhelmed him. He lives on the street, owning nothing but what he carries in his backpack.

His story is all too familiar and he and others like him are who I wrote about in
"Brothers Under The Bridge".

Valiant is a Vietnam vet. He was involved in mass murders and has personally known serial killers, plane hijackers, big drug dealers, etc. He saw his own son killed in a tractor accident.

At least these are the things he talks about. Very troubling memories. . . . .if they are real. They may not be, or at least they may not ALL be. They may be something his mind has invented because of the trauma in his life but it doesn't matter, they are the reality that he lives in.

God has given me a burden for Valiant but I am at a loss to know how to reach him. He is a great challenge to me but God's call to me is greater and I have to believe God knows what He is doing and will equip me to accomplish His will.

Recently Valiant came to the local farmers market and set up a table and started preaching. He didn't ask anyone's permission and his language is quite colorful. The market manager was quickly called and Valiant pulled out a knife to help make his case. I got there and took Valiant aside. Everyone gave us a lot of space (Valiant can be a little intimidating), and we had a good talk until the market was over.

I love Valiant like the brother he is and I ask you to pray for him and pray for me that I can be a channel for God to use to reach Valiant and the others like him.

Remember, we're all in this together. . .

Jim