Tuesday, April 22, 2008

• There's no God like Jehovah!

  Wow!  Incredible!  Beyond words!  The memories bring tears to my eyes.

  This past weekend, my family was privileged to host the 2008 SMBI 4th term choir.  I don't even know where to start. . .the whole weekend was incredible, God-ordained.

  I've been to L.A. before, I've passed out tracts, I've sung, etc., But never before have I lived in this great metropolis.  Now in the last two weeks, this place has suddenly become my home. 

  We took the choir to many places, but I think some of the more significant places as far as ministry goes were:  Joni and Friends, Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade, Huntington Beach, India Christian Assembly, Living Waters Publications, and a seafood restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier.  These are the places where they sang their hearts out--declaring that "There's no God like Jehovah," "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it," and how we need to "Row together to the Kingdom." And many other powerful declarations of praise and worship to our Mighty God.  We met with some criticisms along the way, but we also met with many people who were very blessed by the choir.  Many people were very receptive, but I have to think mostly of the last night when we were down on the Pier for a seafood restaurant.  As soon as the "greeter" discovered that this was a choir she said, "You have to sing for me before you leave."  And we trooped in there--all 54 of us--and the waiters immediately became "friends."  There was such a cameraderie between the choir and the waiters/waitress.  The waiters were so friendly and they, too, said they wanted to hear the choir sing.  So after we were done eating, everyone gathered outside for the choir to sing.  Once again they sang "Days of Elijah"--everyone's favorite, I think (the sign language adds so much to the song)!  They waiters/waitresses stood there thoroughly enjoying every bit of it.  And before we left one waiter declared, "You guys are the best customer's we've ever had!"  I have never before experienced such receptivity to a conservative Christian group in that kind of a setting!  It was absolutely amazing!  God's hand was seen throughout the whole weekend, working everything out.

  But, I believe that it was all made so special because this was now "my" city, so to speak.  God has placed my family here to minister and be a light for Him...and here was this group of bright, radiant, Godly young people spreading God's light everywhere they went.  It was such a blessing to see that though this place is terribly ungodly, it is possible to be a blessing--there are people out here who are hungry for something different, something better, and they just soak it all up! 

  I don't know--I'm not sure I can really describe the weekend the way I want to. . . it was just too amazing!  God knew what He was doing when He laid it on Elijah Yoder's heart for the group to stop here.  He knew what He was doing when He delayed my family's move until just two weeks before the choir came--He knew this would be a good way to "kick off" conservative Anabaptist ministry here in this great city.  He had just the right places picked out for the choir to go, and He knew who He wanted them to meet along the way.  What an awesome God we serve!!

  There truly is "no God like Jehovah"

  "Behold he comes
  Riding on a cloud
  Shining like the sun
  At the trumpet's call
  Lift your voice
  It's the year of jubilee
  And out of Zion's hill salvation comes"

  Days of Elijah   by Robin Mark
  

  • 9:50 PM
  • 11 views
  • 24 eprops
  • 13 comments