For Christmas this year my brother gave me a book called Journey on the Hard side of Miracles by Steven Stiles. I'd never heard of it before, the further I got into it the more it amazed me. It is a true story about a ministry that began back in the 1970s on an old schoolbus with a "pea-green ceiling". The real stories of a family of believers and the way in which
"the Shepard" continually guided them and shaped their journeys, first on the roads of the U.S.A. , onto their continued efforts of street ministry, eventually bringing about a worldwide mission equipping ministers to those who want to be freed from addictions. The story fits perfectly with one of the parables Jesus used to describe what the kingdom of God is like.
" Another parable He put forth to them saying: ' The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."- Mathew 13:31-32 (NKJV)
New Life Ministry in Santa Cruz, California began as a small seed but God has caused it to grow into a great tree where many can come to find refuge and strength. Throughout the book the author emphasizes that their ministry to people of the street was not about doing what they wanted to or going where they desired to go. Again and again God gave them unexpected directives and difficult miracles. He kept teaching them that He was the One in complete control, He was who was truly driving the bus. It was a continued lesson taught in living words all about how Jesus truly is The Good Shepard who gives His life for His sheep.
As the Jesus Movement was shaking up the church in America a growing, extremely alive youth group in Santa Cruz was were beginning concert trips destined for different locations across the U.S. in the old bus they named Greenie. They experienced many adventures throughout the changing years. A road chase involving armed cowboys in Oregon, multiple mechanical difficulties and failures, financial struggles when they were established as a domestic shelter, running completely out of fuel on the road...those were some of the trials, from reading what God was able to bring about, the miracles He chose to perform in the midst of those trials- it showed that God will do what He desires, and what He desires to do is right.
One particular miracle stood out to me. In the summer of 1970 the group started on a tour that was to begin in Caldwell, Idaho. Due to certain circumstances both the Ford and Greenie became extremely low on fuel. They arrived at a town during the night but the gas stations were closed. They were trying to decide whether to stay in a parking lot until morning or head out and trust God to keep them going. They decided they would continue and keep in constant prayer and worship throughout their journey. They started out into the night and eventually the fuel gauges fell on empty but both vehicles continued on for many miles and hours until they saw the lights of a town called Marsing appear. As they coasted down the hill towards the town those on the Ford decided to stop singing, as soon as they did the engine stopped.
" We should never presume we know where the story of our salvation began, for God has had us in mind since before creation."
At the end of the book Stiles shares some of his family history and the happenings, some seemingly insignificant, that had huge impact on the future. He points out that themes of struggle, purpose, and deliverance are a part of every life. Through all generations God works out His plan...He will use of if we choose to follow Him and take those opportunities He calls us to. There is a plan that involves every story...this book in some way gives a greater glimpse of that.
" Faith is not blind. Indeed, the more we trust God, the more we see His purpose."
" God can do anything he wants, anywhere he wants, anytime he wants, and in any way he wants. Sometimes he lets us see."
"the Shepard" continually guided them and shaped their journeys, first on the roads of the U.S.A. , onto their continued efforts of street ministry, eventually bringing about a worldwide mission equipping ministers to those who want to be freed from addictions. The story fits perfectly with one of the parables Jesus used to describe what the kingdom of God is like.
" Another parable He put forth to them saying: ' The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."- Mathew 13:31-32 (NKJV)
New Life Ministry in Santa Cruz, California began as a small seed but God has caused it to grow into a great tree where many can come to find refuge and strength. Throughout the book the author emphasizes that their ministry to people of the street was not about doing what they wanted to or going where they desired to go. Again and again God gave them unexpected directives and difficult miracles. He kept teaching them that He was the One in complete control, He was who was truly driving the bus. It was a continued lesson taught in living words all about how Jesus truly is The Good Shepard who gives His life for His sheep.
As the Jesus Movement was shaking up the church in America a growing, extremely alive youth group in Santa Cruz was were beginning concert trips destined for different locations across the U.S. in the old bus they named Greenie. They experienced many adventures throughout the changing years. A road chase involving armed cowboys in Oregon, multiple mechanical difficulties and failures, financial struggles when they were established as a domestic shelter, running completely out of fuel on the road...those were some of the trials, from reading what God was able to bring about, the miracles He chose to perform in the midst of those trials- it showed that God will do what He desires, and what He desires to do is right.
One particular miracle stood out to me. In the summer of 1970 the group started on a tour that was to begin in Caldwell, Idaho. Due to certain circumstances both the Ford and Greenie became extremely low on fuel. They arrived at a town during the night but the gas stations were closed. They were trying to decide whether to stay in a parking lot until morning or head out and trust God to keep them going. They decided they would continue and keep in constant prayer and worship throughout their journey. They started out into the night and eventually the fuel gauges fell on empty but both vehicles continued on for many miles and hours until they saw the lights of a town called Marsing appear. As they coasted down the hill towards the town those on the Ford decided to stop singing, as soon as they did the engine stopped.
" We should never presume we know where the story of our salvation began, for God has had us in mind since before creation."
At the end of the book Stiles shares some of his family history and the happenings, some seemingly insignificant, that had huge impact on the future. He points out that themes of struggle, purpose, and deliverance are a part of every life. Through all generations God works out His plan...He will use of if we choose to follow Him and take those opportunities He calls us to. There is a plan that involves every story...this book in some way gives a greater glimpse of that.
" Faith is not blind. Indeed, the more we trust God, the more we see His purpose."
" God can do anything he wants, anywhere he wants, anytime he wants, and in any way he wants. Sometimes he lets us see."