"STAY CONNECTED TO GOD!"

      I was blessed 2 weeks ago! A Spanish church in Farmingville, NY blessed me by GIVING me a sound system! I had asked to borrow it for my Saturday ministry in Ocean Grove, NJ and the Pastor of the church Reuben Cruzate told me "It's yours to keep!" He asked me to come to his church on September 12th to do a program for the church family. On September 11th, I texted asking him if it was still on and I didn't hear from him until late that night that when he texted "Yes, we would like you to come and minister."  I will be brutally honest and tell you all that I felt very empty! With A LOT of personal issues, stitches on my thumb and just being so tired from working, that night I felt like I had nothing to give that wonderful church family. I thought "Maybe if I sleep it off, I'll feel much better in the morning. 

   I open our Chick Fil-A every morning (except Sunday of course) so my body is used to waking up at 5:15 a.m.n that Sunday sure enough I woke up at 5:15 a.m. I tossed and turned for 3 hours and something happened to me that I have not experienced in quite a while. God spoke very strong to my heart! Let me explain that I am not the kind of guy who believes God speaks to me every day or tells you "Eat that Cheeseburger" or "Go over to that man and tell him..." NO! But that morning it was different. I heard God speak to my heart by saying "Stay connected to God." That was all. I heard it over and over and over. All morning I heard his voice. It was not audible but it was in my heart. That emptiness was still there however. I went into the room where I have all my children's ministry supplies and puppets. I prayed "God, what am I supposed to do today for this church? I don't feel anything! I grabbed Grandpa Lou and Shelton the Shark then I realized I need some teaching materials. So I quickly grabbed my Stiff Rope trick and my Holy Bible trick. I was ready but truthfully I still felt empty yet I did still God's still small voice telling me "Stay connected to God." I tried praying and I cried out to God saying "Lord, I need your power right now! I feel empty. I am trying to stay connected to you. I need your help Lord!!" Still nothing! 

     I loaded my car with my stuff and prayed the whole way to the church.It's a little storefront church in Farmingville, NY about 10 minutes from where I live. The church is very narrow with folding chairs and a small platform. I walked in, left my stuff by the door, greeted the pastor and his wife and sat in the back. I prayed "Lord, I still feel very empty. My spiritual gas tank feels like it's on "E." I need a word for these people Lord!" It was then and there that I felt God's presence and heard his still small voice tell me "Tell them they all need to stay connected to me." 75% of the service was in Spanish  and if you know me well you know I don't speak Spanish. The Pastor shared for a bit they had an awesome time of worship all in Spanish. it was my turn. All I can say I felt God's presence so strong and although there were 5 kids siting on the floor in front of me while I was on the platform, my message was really for the adults who were there! They loved the program I did! I was glad! God was doing all the work. It certainly wasn't me!

     We need to stay connected to God! Our world is spiraling out of control! Our Government, our society, our families and the Body of Christ! We all need to stay connected to God. I have felt a lot of sadness in my own personal life. Things I don't want to get into. There are only a few things in my life I am happy about. One of them is my relationship with Jesus Christ. Without Him I can do nothing! Absolutely nothing! Let's stay connected to Him!