Good morning…
Last night we shared cocktails with a changed man. Humbled. Engaging. Down-to-earth. He told one God-story after another, effortlessly, honestly. My favorite story includes a couple conniving Christians and a hand-me-down book in the hands of a stranger, a wife and a husband on a brand new Harley and being at the end of our human rope when God showed up big. I hope Ron Hall, co-author of Same Kind of Different As Me, will share this story that transformed their book into a movie when he speaks with us on October 25th at the Carry The Torch luncheon at the World Congress Center.
Published in 2006, Ron wrote his book with Denver Moore, a homeless man he and his wife Deborah met at the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth, Texas. On page 183, Ron writes of Denver: “Then tears spilled from his eyes. I had never seen him weep. His tears flowed into the lines in his face like rivers of grief, and it hit me again how much he loved Deborah. I marveled at the intricate tapestry of God’s providence. Deborah, led by God to deliver mercy and compassion, had rescued this wreck of a man who, when she fell ill, in turn became her chief intercessor. For nineteen months, he prayed through the night until dawn and delivered the word of God to our door like a kind of heavenly paperboy. I was embarrassed that I once thought myself superior to him, stooping to sprinkle my wealth and wisdom into his lowly life.”
Before Denver died in March of 2012, “he lived with me for twelve years,” Ron told us last night. “He came to my house with nothing and he gave me everything. We saved each other, but I was the one who needed most of the saving.”
We need to be reminded again and again, “Don’t miss out on a blessing because it isn’t packaged in the way you expect it.”
If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God. After all, he’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises (Job 5:8, MSG).
…Sue…
