Fish and chips, finally, in America!!!

Even though these last 9 months I've lived right on the gulf coast, finding a decent fish and chip shop that doesn't cost an arm and a leg isn't easy to find... It wasn't until Linda mentioned a store called Mannie's, in Houston, which served plates for $6.95 that we found our fish and chip shop to eat... Simply divine!!! :)

The dish :) fried shrimp, fried rice with shrimp and two fillets. 

The feasters!!!

A Blessing in Disguise (It's Better to Give than Receive)

Freezing cold, wet weather and long hours can make anyone crazy and focused on keeping busy instead of slowing down to take a moment and make a smile, then come back later and have a quick conversation. 

His name I did not catch, but we were on Yale Street, in Houston - a place known for its rich folk and also for the mass of homeless people that live under the bridges in the area, and whilst freezing cold and sprinkling icy rain, he was walking to Walmart in a flannel shirt and ripped jeans a couple sizes too big. His hair was a tossed and he was worn with his journey. But he also had the biggest heart. 

I welcomed him, as he went into Walmart, asking the usual, "Hi, how are you?" And he smiled and replied or nodded back and went on in. I knew he was homeless and I wondered what his story was...

He came out a while later, and even though I wasn't planning in asking him for a donation, only to have a chat, he came I've and put his hand over the bucket and said "God has blessed me with this, so I can bless others". 

What could I say?  I wanted to know his story! But all time pressed was a very big appreciation and if he knew anyone that needed help (trying not to pressure any self impliance) to let them know the information of the given flier. 

He said he knew many and he would give the information to as many as he knew. 

It was not his actions that touched my heart, but his intentions. A man of so little, humble and giving so much. His story reminded me of the Bible story found in Luke 21:1-4. 

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”"

Giving what they had, not out of recognition but because they had all they needed and wanted to bless others. They saw the importance of giving rather than receiving. They saw the importance of being humble and allowing God to bring them up, than trying to create a status of recognition for themselves, puffed up by air. How we too should follow this example... Give often and bless others. Hold onto only what we need to survive and help others with our excess to survive too, and allow ourselves to live by the quote...

IT'S BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE. 

( A photo from the following day, which was drier and a lot warmer, of our friend who was a blessing - in maroon and jeans, walking to his 'fly the sign' place or his sleeping place). 

(Skyline view from the Walmart on Yale St, Houston)

(Downtown Houston)

Will Just One Prayer Do?!?!

Luke 18:1

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

(Parable found in Luke 18:1-8)

How often do we think one prayer will do?  That if God doesn't answer it the first time we pray, He won't answer it at all?  How often do we overcomplicate prayer by thinking that with everything we need prayer for - ourselves or praying for other people, that talking to God once about it will suffice?  How often do we think we're becoming a burden or being a nuisance by constantly praying, asking, seeking God on a topic or two?

I know I've often thought and believed this, but oh how it is a lie! 

God wants us to ask! 

Does it not say is Matthew 7:7 to ask, seek, and knock?  Ask God.  Seek Him.  And talk to Him about it using His Word and continually knocking until the door is open?  Did Jesus not provide a parable for His disciples to not give up on praying and seeking God and His will no matter what?

If we gave into fully believing the lies earlier written wouldn't we in some ways be taking the control that we're trying to surrender to God back into our own hands? God wants us to continually commune with Him. He wants us to keep asking, seeking and knocking. Sometimes it is not the first prayer answered, but the hundredth. The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much - persistent in all their ways. 

*Amy, the women's Director and a growing friend, whom I'm respecting more and more each day, here at Strong Tower, often says how thankful she is that her mum prayed the whole 10 years she (Amy) struggled with her addiction and didn't stop praying for her after nine years. How that we too need to hold steadfast in the Lord and trust in Him   Continue asking, seeking and knocking at His door. 

Pastor Michael Adams, the founder and pastor of Strong Tower, recently shared in class about how prayer isn't duty-bound, but that it's faith.  

Prayer is abiding in God and trusting in Him. Trusting that He'll answer our prayers and believing that He hears us. 

Romans 8:22-27 (NIV)

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

Prayer motivates our spirit and it gives permission for God to move. 

It is and can be a great struggle but it's also a great privilege. No matter how hard it is we should always continue to pray and hold onto God. He is our Rock and He's always listening.  He just wants us to open up to Him.  Why not start now?

NOTE (26 December 2013) 

* Amy is no longer at Strong Tower - this also means she is no longer the women's director either. Keep her in your prayers. 

Psalm 27:7

Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.

http://bible.com/111/psa.27.7.niv