(brooke sellers)
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. (Mark 15:21)
God is providing the Stockbridge Boiler Room with Rufus and Alexander.
Mark makes the nod to Rufus and Alexander in talking about Simon of Cyrene because he knows that Rufus and Alexander are part of the church reading Mark's gospel at that time. These sons came to believe because their father walked with Jesus and came to believe that He was the Son of God.
We're beginning to see generations of prayers and relationships unfold at the Boiler Room. This past Sunday at Crossroads Bible Church, nine folks connected with the Boiler Room were baptized. It was beautiful to witness David's dying and his life being hidden in Christ (in photo above). Jenn had met David in the alley two years ago and started praying for him. Later in my life transformation group, we would see him wander the streets looking for cans. Jeremiah, Brad and I prayed for the "guy who doesn't wear a shirt." Just two months ago, David came to the Boiler Room to surrender his forty year addiction to alcohol. And on this past Sunday, Jenn got to pray over David just before Rod baptized him. She thanked God for redeeming David and prayed that God would raise him up just like David, the man after God's own heart. Now when Jeremiah and Brad and I get together and tell stories of the kingdom moving through this neighborhood, we will refer to "David, the guy who used to not wear a shirt" and who now is collecting the lost like he used to collect cans for redemption.
It was just as beautiful to see Scotty, a fifteen year old with cerebral palsy get into the baptismal tub with Rod. Scotty is taken care of by Wendy-our neighbor across the street who one year ago was baptized at Crossroads and then married that same service to James who was baptized a year and a half ago. From James to Wendy to Scotty, Jesus has been moving through the generations in the Stockbridge neighborhood. God is bringing glory to Himself. He calls forth testimony from everyone, including Scotty who has trouble with clear articulation at times. This trouble was not present with Rod's question, "Scotty, do you love Jesus?"
Scotty left no ambiguity in his crystal answer. "More than I can ever tell you."
Our hearts are full as we reflect upon the glory that God gets through the baptisms of David, Scotty, Marv, Don, David F, Mike, Jasmin, Paul and myself. More full than we could ever tell you.
May the descendants of Simon become as numerous as the stars.
::tony::
this is life. :-)
Posted by: april | May 19, 2008 at 02:28 PM