10 months ago

153

Shaking My Head Productions

https://youtu.be/aVPsyUsKI7w?si=Soz2yRD8hGGRa79n

•••
.sLICE OF LIFE
How God Open A Door

Revelation 3:20
Amplified Bible
20 Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.
•••
It is interesting how God talks to humanity. The year, was 1999. I sensed God was talking to me about working with the homeless in Portland Oregon.

I was selling new mobile homes just North of Portland. Sales are typically slow on any lot. A fellow who also worked on the lot. Volunteered at the Rescue Mission in Portland.

I don’t recall his name anymore. He volunteered at the Portland Rescue Mission one night a week, so I asked him how he got started.

Getting started volunteering was not the difficult part. Getting hired was another story. Wife and I volunteered at the Rescue Mission until I met with management.

I often intimidate people or at least that is my perception. I met with someone from the Rescue Mission’s management team. I asked about any positions that maybe opening up in the near future and their mission and faith statement.

Well that didn’t turn out well. I knew there was a ministry position opening somewhere in Portland and I was determined to find it.

The Lord put on my to pray about The Salvation Army. I briefly argued with the Lord about any potential at that organization.

What I didn’t know about the organization, was being sent to work with the homeless was considered punishment to the rank and file of the pool of Salvation Army Officers, i. e.
Trained Ordained Ministers.

The Salvation Army, well okay, I’ll do it Lord. But you’ll see. I’ll tell you whats what, Lord. I’ll go there, put my fleece out but. They have to hire me the very first meeting I met with them.

What I didn’t know then, Jesus loves a good challenge, and The Salvation Army was desperate for a Chaplain/Program Manager the Harbor Light.
Additionally there was a need for a chaplain in a domestic violence shelter-housing facility about a mile away.

So, after arguing with the Lord about it.
I called the Front Desk at The Salvation Army Portland Harbor Light. Expecting to be told that they didn’t need any volunteers.

I spoke to man over the phone who later I would know him as Beau. An imposing figure of a man. Flaming red hair who is the hight of 6”6’ but of a gentle spirit.

So Wife and I shows up at 8:30 Sunday morning. We had been in between churches. Not knowing where to go for sure.

I figured I would put out my fleece out by telling God I didn’t want The Salvation Army to waste my time.as did the Rescue Mission.

We were learning the fine art of making 6” pancakes on a three foot square hot griddle.

When Bobbi, the cook on duty that morning slipped up behind me to tell me. “You’re going to be our next Chaplain.”

I said. “What are talking about?“

Bobbi, went on to explain how Major Hogan, the Director of the Portland Harbor Light had been looking for someone since Nick had to go to work somewhere else.

I knew she had no power to hire, but there was an open door in this facility.

Next, Major Hogan opened the door to the chapel and the dining hall; when he began to call out row numbers to be dismissed into the dining hall.

Each homeless person would receive a hot meal of scrambled eggs, a piece of mystery meat and a couple flapjacks on their plate. Harbor Light had one of the best homeless hot breakfasts in downtown Portland in the early 2000.

This was late 1999, my father had just passed away! I had been laid off my job working construction driving a dump truck with a smaller dump box called a pup.

I had been praying and fasting at least three a week, seeking God’s will God’s way.

So Major Hogan was last in line to receive a breakfast. When he asked Wife and I what we were doing in downtown Portland volunteering.

I was direct and to the point. “I’m looking for a job in Portland.”

He returned with, what I would later learn, was his signature understated query.

“What type of work are you looking for?” He said.

“Well I can operate road building equipment and drive a dump truck. And I am also ordained minister with a small holiness church organized out out of Rock Island Illinois.”

He motioned toward the staff dining room and asked us to sit with him for a few minutes.

We got a breakfast trey ourselves to sit down with a very proper man in his full Army uniform. After meeting with Major, (as we would come to know him) for a few minutes while we all ate our mystery meat and pancakes.

Major said. “You know, I may know some people who can help you get a job.”

He did say what type of employment, but I was hoping something along the lines of a ministry to the souls of men and women.

We went back into kitchen to assist Bobbi with the cleanup.

Afterwards I went back into the chapel. I began to thank God for his mercy and grace to me.
God had directed Wife and I to the ONLY church organization who were looking for a chaplain to the homeless in all of Portland, Oregon.

Wife and I worked as Employees and Ordained Officers in The Salvation Army for the next 16 years when both of us retired, wife in 2015 and I in 2016.

I look back my years with fond memories of how God mercifully worked his Holy Spirit among the spiritually poor homeless population.

May God continue to encourage the few brands we were able, with God’s help.
To snatch a few brands the fire from the fire.

Snatch a brand from the fire
•••
Jude 22-23
Amplified Bible
22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting;

23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy but with fear, loathing even the clothing spotted and polluted by their shameless immoral freedom.
•••
I found people from all walks of life. Many people who come from alcoholic and drug addicted parents. .
But mostly I found people who were hurting for multiple reasons.
Mostly people, who were in a position in which they had sabotaged themselves. The homeless are more in danger to themselves than to others.
•••
Having More Fun
Than I have Funds
Brozme

•••

Loading comments...