Kentucky Fried Church

Oh Precious Saints How Are You Today ?!!!

This past two weeks God has just given me so many opportunities to minister the Truth of the Gospel to people in everyday life. Now ministry isn't always what we think it is. Nope, sometimes ministry is just a smile, a light touch, lending your ear to listen and sometimes it's something you do that the other person is not even aware of. To minister in the world around us we often have to gain people's trust by showing them the love of God before we can talk to them about the love of God. Also know this, that even the smallest act of kindness stands out in stark contrast to the general ways of this world. Sorry my friends if you just go waltzing around telling everybody that Jesus loves them and then think you are doing an ace job, well you are not.

I went off to have my hair cut on Saturday morning and as I passed KFC there were about 10 or so of the Bothasig street people sitting on the low wooden fence. I greeted them as I walked past. I was in a caste iron hurry, so many things to do. As I was zooming past (clunk, clunk, caste iron, gettit? OK if you don't) one of the guys called out to me "Hey dominee I've got a question on holy communion?" I turned back, all my priorities seemed to instantly change. I walked back and chatted to them about the Gospel. There I was, speaking to the "dregs" of society, the people who this world system has vomited out, sorry no place for you, you drink, you stink (no serious they smell). As I was talking to them about God's love and sin, I was really looking at them and there was a yearning in my heart to see them all in heaven, to see them all glorified. What a sight that will be! After about 15 minutes I closed off and left. It was an awesome time with God.

Allie and myself were also on soup kitchen duty that Saturday night. During the course of the afternoon though this kind of don't wanna do, don't wanna go feeling crept into my soul. So I really had a battle to get up and go and be obedient to His will. Me selfish, no ways! But that's wot it was.

As it so often happens God blessed us all so much at soup kitchen. Again seeing the people in God's stark but loving reality, the lost, broken, homeless, helpless, hopeless. All we could do is show them all that God loves them. We fed them, shook hands, hugged, listened, spoke to and prayed for them. It was an almost unobtrusive ministry it just fitted in and was so spiritual. Ever tried praying for someone who is just weeping quietly in their brokenness and then you suddenly have a self appointed prayer partner who shouts in your ear every two seconds, "hallelujah, yes Jesus, praise the lord..." and so on. While we were trying to leave (most nights people just don't want to let you go) one of the men, Conrad, well spoken and eloquent (no seriously) just spoke out in excitement, "What those two men (Craig & Peter K) have told me has really changed the way I think about myself." I was also so blessed by those working all around me just showing God's love.

Now and again I question myself as to what we are really doing at soup kitchen. The whole practical accountant side of me kicks in and I start thinking of programs, sustainability, economics, job creation, education and I can go on and on (I'm good at that, going on and on..). But that's me talking and thinking. What we are just trying to do is show them the greatest gift of all which is God's love through the death of His son Jesus Christ. On the way home I just felt so humbled as I always do when God, who is always looking for available and obedient people which He can use, uses me.

In the early hours of Sunday morning I woke up with my left eye feeling really painful my right eye was not feeling too good either. I stumbled to the bathroom, switched on the light and checked out my eyes in the mirror. My left eye was swollen and bloodshot and my right eye also was not looking too good. I put some eye drops in both eyes and crept back into bed. I just said to God if this is the price I must pay for working in His kingdom today then that's okay. But if it is His will then can He take the pain away and heal me. I fell asleep and when I awoke about three hours later my eyes were absolutely fine and I was ready for another day with our creator.

So today even if it is a black and blue Monday, smile, be kind 'cause you are showing the gospel of Christ! And if you open and read this on Tuesday or Wednesday that ain't no excuse either.

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know : the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. - Albert Schweitzer (they say this oke was quite clever)



Its crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

A traveller is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgemental glances
Tell him that his chances are better out on the road

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

Jesus is the way

And now dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that God is always right, we also know that all who do what is right are his children. ( 1 John 2 : 28 & 29)

LoCTY !!!!!!!!