Thursday, February 28, 2008

Troubled Waters

Bro. Elms asked everyone to be fasting for the upcoming revival with Bro. Carl McLaughlin who pastors First United Pentecostal Church of Euless (a place that has become very dear to me as of late). Today was my fast day. I hate fast days.

This afternoon I made a trip to the post office to mail out some very important papers. I had to stand in line to get instructions on how to fill out the forms, because I had to pay to have them rushed to the address and rushed back. Then I had to stand in line to have them sent. The Post Office was packed and it was a forty-five minute process at the very least.

I was somewhat surprised the wait did not put me in a horrible mood, but today I wasn’t. Maybe it was because I had expected somewhat of a wait or maybe- just maybe- it was the whole fasting/prayer combo. Who knows?

The first person I came in contact with was a Nurse who had seen the choir sing at Sheppard AFB and recognized me from being in the choir. She was a member of Eastside Baptist Church and from the moment she asked me if was from Life Tabernacle all she wanted to talk about was church. She couldn’t stop asking questions. She wasn’t the only one.

A few minutes later I came in contact with a teacher from Iowa Park. She just ‘happened’ to over-hear me tell my new friend from Eastside Baptist that I was a teacher. Another conversation started with more discussion about church and such.

On my second trip through the line I met another individual who had been to our church before. He had all sorts of questions. He asked about the choir concert and if we were having one this year.

By the time I got to the line to send my mail I asked the teller why the Post Office was so busy. I was told that the other offices had been shut down due to a bomb threat and all the customers were being rerouted through this branch. I might never had chatted with any of those people had their not been a bomb threat today.

As I left the Post Office I couldn’t help but feel as if my fast day had been a success. I can’t even remember the last time I talked to so many people in just a short period of time about God. I pulled out of the parking lot thinking of the story in the Bible where the angle would come and ‘trouble the waters.’ I just felt as if spiritual waters were being troubled and wondering what miracles I should be expecting?

7 comments:

Madison S. said...

Wow Joseph this is a great report!

Roxana said...

I can't wait to read the follow-up to this report! My bones are getting fatter already!
I plan on being in service with ya'll on Tues, but we have church here the other nights.

Randal Hallford said...

Bro. Joseph,

The combination of prayer and fasting has a great effect on us, no doubt about it.
I really believe you should expect more of these experiences as the time grows nearer. I feel it, somehow.

It is great to hear about it!

Linda Elms said...

Joseph, I love how God puts us in the "right place" at the "right time" with the "right circumstances"! He is definitely troubling the waters and I'm anxious to see who will be the first one to step into them! Exciting nd wonderful happenings are in the heart of God and He can't wait to pour them out on Wichita Falls! Thank you for this report!

Michelle said...

This is so wonderful! Now just think what would have happened if you had been all annoyed at the wait. Glad you were ready to talk to people about the best church in town!

Roxana said...

Your last line asks what miracles to expect...Expect the ones that 'will never happen!' Bro. Halford will get his voice back, lungs clear and strong, many of the people you see and speak to (not even about church) will be filled, backsliders that you know will never darken the doors will be refilled, and on and on and on.....

Madison S. said...

Roxana your comment is sooooo true it gave me pure joy and HG chills as I read this Expect the unexpected!!!!!