Settling in After an Amazing Week!

It is Tuesday night, and I am reflecting on what I've been privileged to experience over the last week. I'm pretty sure that I'm God's favorite kid. If not, then He certainly treats me like His favorite..

On Sunday the 9th, I was privileged to speak at the Living Waters Missionary Church in Gary (or maybe it's Hammond) Indiana. That was a wonderful time spent with some wonderful folks who really love Jesus. Leading worship and then being "the preacher" is all an experience that I never had planned in my life, but I'm very thankful for the privilege.

Some of you may already know that I am a high energy multi-faceted dude. Along with being a gospel blues guy, there is an extensive list of other "hats" that I get to wear. The list follows: Gideon, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Chaplain, Worship Leader, Computer Consultant, Counselor, Sound Reinforcement Tech, Aviculturalist, prospective Assistant Pastor, Researcher, Biochemist, Truck Driver, Mechanic/Maintenance Tech, and most importantly Husband to the greatest woman on the planet, and servant (slave by choice) of the Most High God. Starting Monday the 10th, I got to exercise little pieces of all those tasks as I was deployed as a chaplain to Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, the scene of the violent murder of 5 students on Valentines Day, 2008.

As RRT Chaplains, we are called and deployed by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to provide comfort and solace to souls that have been grieved by crisis events, from tornadoes and hurricanes to terrorist attacks and school shootings. We are trained to be there for people at a time when they need some stability, and encouragement. Sometimes it is a hug, sometimes it is a prayer, but mostly the need is just for the presence of another human being that cares. One of the wonderful privileges of this assignment is to be able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people who know that they have a need for something the world can't offer, peace that passes understanding. I got to interact with dozens of folks, and even got to be there while one young man cemented his relationship with Jesus. What a joy and privilege it is to serve a God who loves EVERYONE.

If you feel called to bring help in a time of trouble to hurting people, check out the BGEA website (just google Billy Graham, and it will show up). Maybe you will get to be the next person to comfort a hurting heart..

Much Grace in Him

Large Al