precious memories, broken hearts

Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

hey guys,

sorry it's been so long, but i've had alot on my mind lately.
last night, i did something that i love and loathe at the same time. you see, i live with packrats. 2 of the worst that i've ever met. my wife and my son. i am one of those people that believes that everything has a place, and should be there in it, while they believe that if i ever touched it, i should never be thrown away. so, imagine my angst when i needed to find something that i hadn't seen or thought of in several years. uggghh.

however, the cool part is that while looking for that thing, i found some "old" tapes of me. preaching and singing. from like back in 1998 through 2001. these were some of the first times that i ever stood before the entire congregation to give the word of God. wow. it was very humbling as i listened to them. there was some good word there, but i am my own worst critic. i found myself listening to me grow over those first years. i saw the transformation of me trying to sound like other preachers and finding the voice that God has givin me. like i said, it was very humbling. sermons like "Jesus or Barabas" "taking back what the devil stole from me" "even tough guys need a friend" "forgiving yourself" and others actually brought back memories of church family that has gone on to heaven, and those who i haven't been in touch with for a long time. precious memories of the journey that God has brought me through.

the one that really got me though, was a tape that i found from way in the beginning. you see, when i first started preaching, a good friend of mine answered his call on the same night that i did. we often would do "tag-team" style sermons and anytime one of us was invited to preach, the other would go to support and encourage the other. he was my assistant youth pastor. he was my best friend.

as i listened to the tape of him preaching about the "wheat and the tares" being seperated, my heart began to break. he gave a great sermon and had me misty eyed. you see, a few years back, his heart was broken. the church let him down. and he turned his back on God. i'm not making excuses for him, don't get me wrong. i'm just saying that i saw what happened and know when the turning away started.

for the last several years, he and i have had a truce. i can talk about Christ, but not try to "win" him back. and we can still be friends.

he actually told me that he was going to come hear me the last time i preached, but he backed out. i believe that God is dealing with him right now. and, i need you guys to help me pray for him. his name is joe.

i honestly don't know what to do right now. my heart is broken for my friend, but i know that if I try, i would do more harm than good. but if God could send someone. if God would open the windows of heaven and pour out His spirit on him, i believe that he would come home. like i've said before, i don't consider myself a prophet, but i do hear from God. and right now, i'm hearing pray for joe. so, please, all of you that pray, please, pray for joe. God knows what he needs more than i do, so just let Him lead your prayers.

thank you, and i love you all
much love
theoldmusicbox