tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757771194344206269.post8174271662882072401..comments2008-03-25T20:41:19.399-07:00Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890434512045376878noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757771194344206269.post-15825756057430373442008-03-25T20:41:00.000-07:002008-03-25T20:41:00.000-07:00So true, Jeff. The meal that Jesus had with his friends (as shared in John 21) is something that still occurs today. It reminds me that "resurrection" is not just a 'pie in the sky' metaphor, but a lived reality in the here and now (as well as into a future that I can't comprehend). <BR/><BR/>Thanks Jeff - great story!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890434512045376878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757771194344206269.post-7900039323621767152008-03-24T16:49:00.000-07:002008-03-24T16:49:00.000-07:00I am blessed to be a witness to a beautiful resurrection story. Most of you know that I'm part of a small group serving breakfast to homeless people living in the woods in Marietta. We have been building many relationships and friendships there. Al was one of our "first customers" of our "scorched pancakes" (we have since moved on to grits - a huge hit). Al, we learned, was a veteran of the Vietnam war that found himself, after a number of tragic events, living alone in the woods. He claimed that he was "fine" with this arrangement. <BR/><BR/>As we progressed in our relationship and got more "brave", we invited him to church with us (you can imagine some of the looks we got...). One of Ray's sermons (I don't remember which) seemed to be the "breaking point". Al began to weep bitterly and we whisked him off to Ray's office to pray with him. It was there that Al shared this poem he had written:<BR/>Friends are like an undying breed of loving hearts and caring needs<BR/>Hope of giving and sharing things<BR/>that only faith in each other brings<BR/>A friend is there night and day<BR/>to help chase your doubts away<BR/>So in my heart I know God is with me till the end.<BR/>So that is why I have a Host of Friends. — Al <BR/><BR/>Al wanted to change. He wanted out of the woods. He wanted a resurrected life. Through the blessing of many connected people and the power of prayer, we were able to help Al get his VA papers, and the help he deserved. On April 1st, Al will be moving into transitional housing!! We can't wait to have the house-warming party for him!<BR/><BR/>You can read more of our homeless friends story here: http://oldtimer.wordpress.com/<BR/><BR/>The John 21 story we read on Sunday was about Jesus cooking breakfast. How cool that Al's resurrection story began over breakfast...<BR/><BR/>Shalom,<BR/>JeffJeff Strakanoreply@blogger.com