The First Love Experience

I have come to learn not to despise a small group when I teach Bible study.  Because usually those who don't generally open up, will when there is a smaller group. A more intimate group tends to give that quiet one a chance to get in there and say something.  I don't know if they feel safer or that less voices give them an opportunity to share.  Well that was the case Tuesday night. 

We've been watching Beth Moore's DVD Bible study on the book of Revelation.  That particular night we were on the 7 churches listed in chapters 2 and 3. When we begin, we review our homework, watch the DVD lesson, and then I will ask was there anything that stood out to anyone. After some silence, one of the ladies shared that when Beth talked about returning to your first love, she had never understood it.  But now that she explained it the way she did, she wants it badly.  She said it with tears.  She had been coming from a worldly perspective. 

I love how Beth Moore explains things.  When she began with the concept forgiveness, this lady now had a scriptural basis from which to build upon.  Beth showed that you can't hang on to unforgiveness and your first love with the same set of hands.  Then, in a Beth Moore fashion, she shared what first love with Jesus is.  Realizing this, she challenges us, something has to go.  Beth speaks from an experience that gives her a voice where some of us cannot speak from.  She also speaks from such love.

Once Beth Moore had explained it, my friend knew that this was what she wanted.  She never really had a first love experience. When we all had shared and were ready for prayer, she asked that she would be able to have that experience for herself.  Most of these ladies that I teach grew up in the church, but they had wandered far from it once they were on their own.  I ask that you join with us in prayer that these ladies would all have that first love experience and have that desire to maintain that relationship as well.

 

Clairton Ministry

I've had the privilege to minister to some wonderful ladies in studying the Bible.  It has been a little over a year that I have been digging into the Word with them. We started with Hannah's prayer and we have just finished studying the book of Ruth.  

These ladies live in the projects of Clairton, right in the heart of chaos and crime.  Most times my arrival is met with drama.  They live in default mode.  Their social life revolves around this community of ladies who all live on the same street very close to each other.  In the summer you will find them outside hanging out on their street.  They get into each other's lives, raising each other children.  For me, this is a very different way to live.  I am having to learn a new culture and a new language, yet they have won my heart.

It has been wonderful watching these ladies grow each at their own rate.  When I arrived, a good many of them were nominal Christians at best.  They wanted to keep their worldly habits and still be called a Christian.  But over the last year I have seen such a transformation in them.  

Two of these ladies rededicated their lives to the Lord and were water baptized on a very cold fall day.  Two weeks later, they had their babies dedicated to the Lord.  Each of these ladies let their light shine wherever they go and share the Word of God as the Lord leads. I am so proud of them.

Another young lady has such a hunger for the things of God.  She is quiet, watching what goes on around.  But as of recent, she is beginning to come out of her shell.  When I can, I take her to the church I go to Sunday evenings, which is about every other week.  She loves that little store front church.  There she can be herself.  It's a small enough group of people that we can be free to worship as we choose.  We laugh, we cry, we jump up and down, we bend our knees or even lay on our faces.  She feels right at home there.  And I'm beginning to see such a change in her.

Recently, I was referred by one of these ladies to a friend who was going through some difficulty.  She lived on the next street up.  She just asked me to listen to her and see if I could be of any help.  I had never counseled an adult before.  I've mentored, befriended, and lead Bible studies before, but this was again something new to me. My pastor encouraged me to go ahead with it.  He said that I did have it in me.  So that's what I did . . . I listened.  I visited her often, sharing the Word with her and again just listened.  I would often say a silent prayer asking for wisdom as to how to answer her.  She was so hurt and bitter, I felt I needed the wisdom Solomon to help her.  She was not a believer, but as time went on she asked Jesus to come into her life and show her His Words.  Immediately her countenance changed.  I gave her a little booklet called "The Roman's Road to Salvation".  She couldn't get enough of it.  She has been asking questions and learning. 

It's been a joy to meet in their living rooms and fellowship with them each week.  And it's exciting to be a part of God's work and to be where He is moving.  I do ask you to pray with me for this ministry.  The enemy is such a great force there and darkness abounds. Along with my ladies' Bible study is a children's ministry and a youth group.  I work with a great staff!  God put Clairton on Pastor Brent's heart several years back, he works with the teens.  Brittany and Megan work with the kids.  They can have up to 40 kids at one time.  We are currently looking for a building right on that street to house the ministry.  Pray that we have favor and that doors will open.