Sept. 29, 2010
Just had to share as I’m soooo excited!
I went to Olive Garden late afternoon to EAT (love their Linguini and Meatballs) and study Joshua. It’s so cool how God speaks to us in His Word and sometimes even when we’re studying a particular thing, He uses it to venture off into other areas as His Word truly is Living! Here I am studying Joshua and feeling a bit perplexed in how it relates to me in this 2nd chapter. Because of the study Alex and Candi have, I sat there asking the Holy Spirit with more intention how it might apply to my life. Anyways, God started pouring out things to me with regard to His care and intimate love for me; a further needed healing from what I’ve already been receiving at The Way. Seems like The Way is breeding ground for experiencing personal and intimate love from our Lord Jesus! My waiter, David, kept coming to my table and I noticed him trying to check out what I was writing and my Bible being opened to Joshua. I was a little self conscious because of the spread of material I made on the table, but tried to dismiss being too concerned. Well… he finally stopped and asked if he could ask me what I was writing and I had the opportunity to share that I was writing how I’ve gone through some difficult stuff, but how God has been caring for me. I also shared how I hated to appear religious, because I’ve had my fill of religion and churchianity, but that God has become personal and intimate. He opened up and said he noticed I was reading Joshua and because of that Book, he and his wife named their son Caleb, because of Caleb having the courage with Joshua to go into the land of Canaan and return with good report rather than fear. He also shared that his dad was a Pentecostal preacher and although he loved his parents there was stuff. I told him that I came from Pentecostalism and saw a lot of bad stuff and including abusive power and control, but I also knew the Holy Spirit was real. I was able to tell him about The Way and how we believe in the Holy Spirit without the craziness and that there’s an emphasis on Servant Leadership rather than power and control. I also had the privilege to share about Datron and it’s miracle and that we also get to meet at Datron!
In short, I left him the bookmark I had from the Servant Leadership Institute and briefly told him to check out the website for more information and then left a great tip! I left with such a “bless your socks off” heart in that I actually had opportunity to share. There have been other times people have asked me what I’m writing and I’ve gotten all tangled up trying to make it concise and relevant. This time it just flowed and I was SO happy I had a place to point David to and a tool to use! Plus, it’s a cool looking tool! : )
Please feel free to share any of this information with Art Barter or Kathy Sivba if you think it would encourage them.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God!!!!
Love you guys!
Melody Bollinger
But if from there you will seek (inquire for and require as necessity) the Lord your God, you will find Him if you (truly) seek Him with all your heart (and mind) and soul and life. Deuteronomy 4:29