Stories from the Firehouse (Part 18)

My verse of the month comes from John 10:10.  “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  What we wish and pray for each of our guests, is to experience life to the full in this world, and to share in eternity with them in our lives eternal.  Where else but in an atmosphere of warmth & safety can we nurture relationships with those who come, with those who have needs.  Community forms, discussion takes place, and how Jesus fits in with the realities of life becomes the subject.  May you too, experience life to the full!

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 17)

I recently had a young man suggest that we just close our doors and relocate for the night at his church because of a concert that was taking place there.  I pointed to a table not 10 feet from us and explained why on a nightly basis, Firehouse was important to each of the six people at that table.  Each came looking for something undefined, were embraced as family, and now journey together seeking answers to life’s questions. 

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 16)

Affirmation is a wonderful thing.  Let’s use art as an example: take the same theme, add several high school students, give them some time to create… and poof!  You have an art show that is as diverse as each personality that created it. 

A few years ago, a local art teacher displayed her own work on the walls of Firehouse at a show done by Dordt College art students.  It was her own experience as an art student that compelled her to do for her students what she knew to be affirming towards their efforts.  These kids were encouraged and made to feel significant by bringing attention and honor to their months of work. 

If you could have only seen the excitement and pride of these young people as they showed off their work during a special reception introducing the show!  It reminded me anew of how important it is to have a gathering place in the city that nurtures the delicate hearts of our teenagers. 

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 15)

A couple of years have passed since we first met Karen.  But here she was again, after many months of absence, wanting to reconnect and share her life.  She was so excited to tell us that her sobriety count was now over 100 days, she was working, and she felt good.   This was extraordinary news coming from a young teenager previously entrenched in drugs and alcohol.   

Before leaving, she said she had something to give us.  Much to my surprise, Karen gave us back an unused $25 Firehouse gift card.  We had given it to her in an act of love & encouragement almost a year ago.  For her, it was a gesture of appreciation and respect as she said “I’ve kept it in my wallet and think of you guys whenever I see it, right next to your business card.”  Now she was giving it back, unused, because she had a job and wanted to pay for whatever she needed.  We’ve learned that no act of love is ever too small or insignificant, for love never fails.  

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 14)

On quiet nights when we see few guests, it gives us pause to ask stuff like “What am I doing here?”  Then someone passes through our doors in a moment of pure mystery – of divine intervention…arriving with no understanding of their own as to why they’re here, but clearly in need of something.   It is not for us to ask why, but instead, to embrace the encounter as divine, privately knowing what that something is that the world seeks.  On such a night, I met Casey (not real name) in a moment of desperation as she ran from the pull of her addiction to alcohol, a gangsta lifestyle, and domestic violence.  The call upon her heart was unmistakable, yet, in the end, she was unable to separate herself from the only life that she knew.  Although I don’t have a happy ending to this story, it is a reality that drives us ever harder to prayer.  Please pray with us! 

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 13)

A teenage boy surprised us by dropping in after a long absence while in treatment.  It was so good to see him.  The changes in him were striking: absence from his attitude was the anger he always carried around.  He had a small smile (he never smiles) and had lost weight.  I greeted him warmly by welcoming him back, and telling him how great he looked.  The moment was fleeting, but it was crystal clear I had hit a nerve. 

 

In this case, an encouraging word moved mountains.  We all utter words all day long, for the most part, thinking little of it.  But sometimes a huge moment of change takes place with little or no fanfare through the power of our words.  Isaiah 1:17 tells us to “encourage the oppressed & defend the cause of the fatherless”.  What could be more important than to speak encouragement, speak love, & speak life into those who need to hear it the most? 

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 12)

I have a friend who recently shared her thoughts with me about what Firehouse means to her.  She tried to explain that there is a calm and peace that she feels when she visits Firehouse.  In the chaos that is so predominant in her life, she finds time spent at Firehouse comforting.    

 

She had not yet considered the source of this peace, she was only aware that she had received it.  A trust has carefully been built through the faithful presence of the Holy Spirit to those who seek. 

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 11)

Recently I was touched by the movie, ”Beauty and the Beast,” and what a great character Belle was.  For she overcame her revulsion and fear of the Beast, and allowed an openness and compassion to take its’ place.  She looked past the physical to see the heart and soul of Beast.  It wasn’t ugliness she saw, but rather someone who lived in isolation and had never experienced love or compassion. 

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  Seek is an active verb, requiring intentional pursuit.  There is a whole world out there which we have been commanded to pursue.  At Firehouse, we have many friends who are lost, and there are those who wander in whom we will never see again.  But like Belle, it is how we receive those who come that allows a dialogue to begin.  We pray for God’s love to be known for each of our guests.  To look beyond the visual stuff, and know there is so much more is how we work.  Know that seeds are being planted…pray with us for those seeds to take root. 

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 10)

The relevance of a walk-in ministry place such as Firehouse is apparent in some of the regulars that we have come to know and love.  They are young people who are lost spiritually, caught in life the way the world hands it to them.  Their stories are often times ugly, tragic, & Godless.  The work we do here is Kingdom-work, and it is done with God’s grace and a persistent love that comes from Him.  The Lord deeply loves these people and longs for them to know Him.  We believe Firehouse is here because God wanted to plant His Presence smack in the middle of the downtown area to reach the lost.

Stories from the Firehouse (Part 9)

We recently had a band from New Life Church come down to play on a Sunday night.  Their music was great, but it was their raw passion for the Lord – bold & with authority, that truly spoke the message that Jesus is the Savior of the world.  We were well aware of those in the room who are lost and who needed to hear that message of Jesus.  It is for them that we live out our faith through music, fellowship, care, & acceptance….planting as many seeds as we can along the way.  May we ask for your help by interceding for the lost at Firehouse in daily prayer?  Kingdom work is a battle, and we need to partner to win souls for Christ.