Robert introduced himself with a firm handshake, but hesitant smile.
He stayed the duration of worship, but left not long after the sermon
began. That smile. Never left his face. I'd heard that Chris had
come the week before. This week he made sure he didn't miss the chance
to come to service. His arms were lifted high in praise as we sang "You
are the source of life." Indeed, Jesus, You are the source of life.
Lunch together after church is really deepening our relationship with
him and the others. Later, Bible Study at Covenant House. He said he
felt all tingly inside and it was good.
I didn't think Derek,
dressed in his shirt and tie, was engaging because he was looking down
almost all of worship. But after service he said he didn't want to
leave. He felt safe at Remnant. The music was good. The sermon was
good. It really touched him when PB said that we are either working for
the glory of our master or striving to be our own master. He's got a
loving heart that wants an intimate relationship with God, but
sometimes everything is just so hard and confusing.
Jon arrived
in NYC two months ago. Things have gone downhill for him since a
falling out in Michigan. He has a strong Catholic background and is not
afraid to share what he knows about the Gospel. He likes to play guitar
and composes his own pieces; he played two songs for us.
The
fact that all three who stuck around for service and lunch came back to
Bible Study a little later that afternoon says something about the love
that God is pouring out on His people.
Jamali couldn't stay awake during Bible Study.
Francisco missed Bible Study but said he wanted to come to church the next week.
Tricia
is in school studying to be an RN. She says that at first glance,
people think she's mean, but she really isn't. She is moving to Florida
soon to continue her schooling. She came to Bible Study just because
she was curious and her other friends were coming too. She has no
Christian background, but wants to know more about who Jesus is.
Mandy
is expecting in October! She stopped by at Bible Study on her way out
to satisfying her craving for cake, chocolate or strawberry. She was
pregnant this past year as well, but had a miscarriage only four weeks
into the pregnancy. She is so excited for her baby and just hopes that
her baby will be healthy.
Shia feels like God is always near to her. She learned that Jesus is the one that bridges the gap between man and God.
Wilfredo came a bit too late.
Menana missed Bible Study but blessed us all with a song she wrote about God.
I believe that these are some of the ways that God is enlarging my heart.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set
me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless
to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending
his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so
he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous
requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live
according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit (Romans
8:1-4).
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