Restoration

 It's easy to pray, "Lord bring the right people to the meeting," but then to mumble, "Shouldn't there be more?"

Why do we often have the tendency to think that more is better? That things aren't worthwhile unless the numbers taking part are huge?

Jesus looks on the crowd as individuals, not on the individuals as just a crowd.

Two men braved the 40 degree (104F) heat to take part in the first day of our restoration course. One of them hadn't even been to the introductory meeting last week. He was the one who thanked Ashley and me so wholeheartedly at the end of the session for giving up our time to show him things he hadn't thought of before; and being willing to listen. He was the one who, after we'd played Elvis Presley singing In the ghetto to illustrate the cycle of crime through the generations, said, that was his life. He wants to break the cycle of drug abuse, crime and prison; to give his children a better role model to follow; to learn how to be that role model.

Music is a great key for unlocking feelings and understanding. During the introductory meeting we played Gungor's Beautiful Things, acknowledging the pain that's all around but declaring our faith in the fact that God can grow beautiful things from wasteland. He sees beyond what we are to who we could be, who we were created to be. He can make it happen.

I thank God for the two men, the right men for this time, that he sent.

Pray for them, their commitment and growing understanding.

Fish and chip shop by the church
where we meet - good positioning!