Exactly what is a miracle?
Doug Brendel, Teaching Pastor
I really have no idea.
And now he’s leaving. We’ve know about this for 30 months but it still doesn’t make the day any easier. He’s moving back to Ipswitch, MA this week.
When God brought Doug to us in 2006 we were still very young and pretty clueless. I believe God brought him to us to help us as well as those we serve.
We will miss Doug and his family. We had a great celebration last Saturday with many folks having the opportunity to share their farewell message to Doug in person.
Carol, Claude, Arnaldo, and Maria
Pastor Dottie and I met with Pastors Vasquez last Friday. You may remember me telling you about them a few weeks ago with the story of their ministry to children and families in the trailer park where they live.
One of the things that was a serious problem was their vehicle. When we met with the Pastors Vasquez, they asked if we knew anyone who could help repair their vehicle. I took a ride in it with Arnaldo, and the car was on its last leg.
So Dottie asked a congregant, Claude Culbertson, for some help as he’s pretty handy in fixing cars. So we agreed for Pastors Vasquez and their son, Eduardo, to attend services at CrossRoads on Sunday, May 24th so Claude could take a look at the car.
I arrive a bit late for the second service and am sitting in the back with the Pastors Vasquez when Dottie asks for Carol and Claude to come up front with the Pastors. Arnaldo and Maria seem unsure as to why they are going up front; which is cool since I am unsure as well.
Then Dottie just blurts it out. Carol and Claude bought a new car the day before, and they were planning on selling their 2004 Ford Taurus when they decided they wanted to give it to the Pastors to help with their ministry.
Maria covers her face with her hands and is weeping. Arnaldo is standing their a bit stunned with tears in his eyes.
I’m standing there with a smile on my face amazed at all of it.
This all happened within the course of 2 hours of Claude looking at the Pastors’ car for the first time.
Does God still perform miracles? I don’t know. I don’t even know what a miracle is.
But what I do know is God showed up on December 24, 2006 when he brought Doug Brendel to us. He showed up yesterday at CrossRoads for the Vasquezes and that community of faith.
Have you seen God show up lately?
Are you looking?