Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Jesus Loves you


Last night I prayed, I always pray between half an hour to 2hrs every day. That took 6 years of spiritual disciplines to get there. Now its part of life. In my prayer I told God I loved him. How I miss him.

Anyway I asked God if He loved me. (I know He does) I just wanted to hear it. I tell God I love Him all the time. I can safely say I’m into God. Editor of http://www.thechristiannetwork.com, A Street Chaplain, Trainee Male Nurse (as part of missionary training), Pastor (even got the theology degrees) and run http://www.harvestofhope.com.au All of which, of course, isnt enough :-)

So amongst all that and planning to head off on mission to Africa (India was 6 months ago) I ask God do you love me. Because I want to hear it. I even said - well everyone wants to hear it. Women want to hear it from their husbands, Kids from their Parents. Lovers from each other. I suppose even dogs like the odd cuddle and told I luv you rover..

So I want to hear it....

Nothing, no reply, hello darkness my old friend (due to my eyes being closed, something I tend to do when praying, call me old fashioned)

Oh well I know you love me.

The following day walking around the University Campus I happened to be looking down. I live on campus in a one bedroom studio flat that God gave me right across the road from the School of nursing. Much to the annoyance of most fellow nurses (there isn’t any flats around) And no one believes me (of course) when I say God gave me it. After people ask how did you get that place?! I might aswell say from an alien.

Anyway, looking down as I walked, in an area I’m very accustomed to, I noticed a small section of concrete near a road drain had some words edged into the stone work. They dated back to when the concrete was first set so they were not recent as it was not new work. I’m also not one to look down much. Joy of the SPirit, Missionary purpose in heart, clouds giving messages. No point looking down I’m not depressed. Thus it was by chance (which I dont believe in, more a providence type of man myself) that I noticed these words I had never seen before. After living next to them (the road drain was only 5 metres from my front door) for over two years.

The words?

Jesus Loves you






Friday, July 19, 2013

Nurses, Street Chaplains, Police and Bikies - Seek and Find

After finishing another three week nursing practical, this one within acute medical, I left with mixed feelings. Witnessing dying patients and people taking the very last gasps of breath, whilst you pray earnestly holding their hands (pretending you are involved in taking Heart Rates so as not to arose suspicions) you stand begging God for answers. I had learnt a great deal, including helping to control emotion. My last practical within palliative care for the dying had been an emotional rollercoaster, this one was more like the dodgem cars. Quite smooth until you bounce against something! As a missionary and Pastor the learning curve is steep. I drove away from the hospital choking back tears, literally begging God to console me. Such was the impact a particular patient had just had on me.
 
During the practical i asked God for signs of His presence, feeling alone amongst unbelievers. All be it unbelievers with compassionate hearts. Nurses are compassionate and often shine far brighter than many a ‘Christian’ I have met. No sooner than voicing that prayer, God introduced me to a fellow senior Nurse who was also Christian. I had worked with her for three days prior to knowing. The day after my prayer I noticed a crucifixion around her neck and within hours was invited to share testimony at her church! God is always present when you sincerely seek Him (Mt 5).
 
Yet upon leaving the hospital I really needed to be used by God in a way that was completely non secular. I wanted to be used spiritually again. To be affirmed as His servant and not only a Nurse within the health industry. God answered that yearning only a few hours later.
 
The Street Chaplain backpack needed replenishing and placed in the Closed Circuit TV Control room, ready for the Friday night Fremantle Shift. I was at my mother’s house a good hour drive away. I contemplated when to go. Now or later? Tired from the final shift and emotionally drained I was unsure. My phone rang at that precise moment. My Indian friend, a follower of Christ and fellow nursing student was ringing me. He had an amazing experience with God he wanted to share. I smiled knowing God was involved, I needed the fellowship with a true believer. One whose eyes were open spiritually. We arranged to meet an hour later in Fremantle.
 
He shared how he had asked God to ‘take’ a particular patient in great suffering (aged 84). How he had prayed holding their hand. Only 10 minutes later he noticed the nursing board had been updated with a cross beside the patient’s name. Only ten minutes after the prayer, God had taken the patient! My friend had to hide the tears that welled in his eyes, knowing God had answered his prayer. The contrast and message for me was startling. I was continually holding on to older patients, begging God to not let them go. I felt answers and direction. Refreshed and consoled I took the backpack to the CCTV room.
 
No one was there.
 
The room was unmanned thus I could not drop the bag off. It was near seven o'clock now and I just wanted to go home and rest in front of a movie. I had been on my feet since 5am. Standing praying asking God why no one was here. Knowing God was in control I tried to trust and wait. After 30 minutes nobody turned up. The Street Chaplain shift doesnt start till 11pm. I walked off into Fremantle wondering what God was doing. I knew there was a reason, I just didn't know what it was. As usual.
 
Drawing near the main street of town I noticed Police everywhere. Something was happening. Looking around, the Street Chaplain bag in my hand, the focus of all the attention came into view. Five Bikies, wearing their Rebel patched leather jackets and surrounded by at least ten officers, three cars and a Police Commissioner! This was the reason I was still here in town.
 
I sat and began to pray, watching the area but remaining incognito. ‘Brother undercover’. As I prayed my Indian friend rang me. As he called he drove past ! He drives a taxi and was looking for a sick bag, something we Chaplains carry. I could literally see him on his phone and he had no idea I was sitting and praying about 20 metres from the bikies. I told Him where I was and he turned the taxi around and came back. Handing him the sick bags he stated he would also pray for the bikies. Two sons of God were now praying for peaceful resolution and for the bikies to leave town, without any aggravation.
 
No longer than 4 mins later, the first Harley Davidson roared to life. The bikies left. As they did so, i felt what could only be described as fire in my veins. A surging, wether it was adrenalin or completely spiritual I could not stay, yet all I did was praise God and His supreme Authority over ALL creation. Standing I walked off hoping someone saw a solitary figure lift up a Street Chaplain bag and leave the precise moment the Bikies left. Mission Complete.
 
Arriving back at the CCTV room the staff where now in residence. God’s prefect timing. I was so filled with Joy I told the on duty staff member how the bikies had came to town and how I had prayed for them to leave. He laughed sincerely, not mockingly. Testimony complete.
 
Seek God and you will find Him.