Ministry of Hanging Out, Really!!
Just Hanging Out!!
That is what I am doing. I never gave it a thought or a name before. I didn’t know that it was a ministry
Last Friday while I was on my way to VA Medical Center, I stopped by the Starbucks in Powder Springs.
As I sat there resting, enjoying my coffee, a gentlemen came in and got his cup of coffee and sat at a table near me, and as I normally do, I introduced myself and we began to talk and he shared a little about himself.
I began to smile, here was another brother in the Lord, who didn’t fit the mode that we “create for ministers”.
When he came in, I would have never thought that he was a minister, he was wearing jeans, riding a motorcycle, just didn’t fit the “mode” but as he talked and shared, you sensed here was a man allowing the light to shine, it reflected in his life and was an encouragement to me and how did he do it?
By “Hanging Out.” As a matter of fact, I found out that he was a blogger and you can read a post that Spencer posted called “The Ministry of Hanging Out”, as well as Jim Elliff’s article “The Value of Hanging Out.”
As I read these posts, I smiled, as I realized, that this is what I have been doing for the last three years! In Texas, at Issacks, Sunshine Café and here in Kennesaw, Georgia at Starbucks, The Canvas, Cocoa Bean, IHOP and many other places.
I could have chosen to stay in my room/study/office and just write and post from here and that is what I did for awhile, I allowed the enemy to convince me, that is what I should do, you know, you might have a medical emergency and then what will you do.
The Lord has help me to conquer that fear and to step out each day, trusting Him to lead, guide and order my steps and I have put it into His hands.
Each morning, I get ready for the day and say “Lord, today is your day, open the doors that need to be open, open the hearts that need to be touched and let your light shine forth this day.” It is amazing to see how the Lord has brought this together as I look back over the last three plus years and I stand amazed.
Each day is an adventure for me. Never knowing who I will meet, listen too or talk with. Often time just listening has been one of the things that I do. To be able to encourage others, that is my desire, to let them know that we can walk in the ways of the Lord. No, it is not easy but Oh, it is worth it!
If you have time, check out Spencer’s post and Jim’s article, and see if you don’t come away with a smile, as you realize, you too have a ministry of hanging out and allowing the light of Christ, the inner beauty of the Lord, to shine forth and draw others to want to know about the peace and rest that reflects from within!
See you all later, I gotta hang out for a little while longer
Till later,
Paul
June 8th, 2006 at 21:12
Stopping by to say hello…see how you are doing….God Bless…
Donna
June 9th, 2006 at 08:03
Hi Paul, what a blessing for anyone popping in to a Starbucks and meeting you:-) I wish I could. Loved your post. Hope you have a blessed weekend. Hugs Denise
June 9th, 2006 at 12:57
Greetings Paul
This is a great blog … had to come visit again!
Also, letting you know that I am including your letter of encouragement to me & AWFSM in the ‘new’ Readers Comment area within the magazine. Also, inviting you to send in an article for submission if you are inspired to.
Would love to hear from you either way. Thanks again and
Write On!
Catherine
June 9th, 2006 at 13:38
I never thought of ‘hanging out’ as a ministry before. Maybe I need to find a place to minister
Have a very blessed weekend Paul. Hugs!
June 9th, 2006 at 20:21
June 9th, 2006 at 20:26
June 9th, 2006 at 21:35
June 9th, 2006 at 21:38
June 9th, 2006 at 23:34
Day by day, doing what seems simple tasks, may be just exactly what God had mapped out for us that day. I am learning that more and more. Today my son had surgery, so daughter and I went up to take care of the 3 little ones under 5 (she was certainly needed in taking care of that many little ones). So we know that today at least, we did what was mapped out for us. We came home to sleep some more!! HA! Sometimes what God has for us to do is rather exhausting work, even if we love the ones we are helping!! Blessings…keep us all posted with where and what God has you doing next…it is quite an adventure you have had especially since you went to Georgia!!
June 12th, 2006 at 08:06
That sounds like the way Jesus would do it!
June 15th, 2006 at 15:36
Hanging out is great!!!!
June 15th, 2006 at 21:40
June 15th, 2006 at 21:41
June 15th, 2006 at 21:43
June 17th, 2006 at 21:23
HEY…so glad all you are doing is moving to a larger room!! That is great! Should be an easy move for ya!
My kids came up tonight to celebrate some birthdays and cook steaks on the BBQ…rarely do any of us get such fare, so it was a royal treat!! I appreciate the times spent with family and am so happy for you that you will still be with family!! Blessings on ya!!
June 24th, 2006 at 04:41
Really good posts Paul. So were the two articles that you had a link to. Never thought of it the way you and the other authors had wrote.
July 14th, 2006 at 07:37
Thanks for a great post. I never thought about that before.
As you were talking about the minister that really didn’t look like he was a minister just by the way he was dressed, and it made me think our the “biker ministry” at our church. Minister France to look at him you would not think that he was a minister, he has long hair, a beard and wears jeans and t-shirts, but that is what he does, he ministers to bikers. My husband Doug and I were talking about that the other day.
Thanks for reminding me that just hangin out, is a ministry too.
Love & prayers to you!