A few days in Birmingham

WOW! It was such a blast being back with all my friends over the past few days. God has truly blessed me with friends that love me and understand me without me saying a thing. All of my friends just wanted to know how I was doing and it was so refreshing to share with them where I am in life. It was also awesome to hear where they were and the their thoughts of what they want to do with their lives.

God revealed some things to me during my time there that were truly remarkable. There was a conversation we were having about someone going through something. And one of my best friend’s, Martin was being somewhat critical of how this person handled a situation. He then asked me what I thought about it, then he quickly caught himself and said, “Elliot will forgive them and he does not pass judgment on people.” He said this in front of my other friends. Martin knows me very well and has recognized that I hate to get in conversations where someone is being talked badly about. His comment made me start thinking about gifts of the Spirit. I then got into a conversation later that evening with my buddy John and shared with him Martin’s comment. John didn’t hesitate to say that the Lord has blessed me with a gift to see the good in people and look passed their sinful actions, recognizing the goodness in their heart. I was blown away as we continued discussing this, merely by the revelation I was having. It started to make so much sense. I know this had always been in me, but it took me finding salvation for this to take fruition in my life. God has given us all gifts and a purpose to carry out for His kingdom. Life matters so much more when things like this are opened up.

Also, during my time in the ‘Ham I was able to meet with Robert Record, the Director of Church of the Highland’s downtown Dream Center. It was so funny how this happened. John and I were at church Sunday morning, and as service was nearing to an end I asked him if we could try and find Robert. We bumped into Pastor Steve Blair and I asked him if he knew where we could find Robert. He said he is actually right behind you. Wow! I walked over to Robert and nervously introduced myself. I told him that I had sent him an email a few weeks back concerning the Dream Center. He was amazed that he had not read it, because he normally was very good about checking his emails. Anyways, he asked if we would like to grab lunch that afternoon. Dumbfounded, I said absolutely. So, John and I went to grab some Mexican food with him. Robert shared with us how he got started with this and the vision for the Dream Center. Believe it or not he is from Louisiana, seems like everyone I meet is from this great state (I have no idea what God is trying to tell me by this). John and I were blown away by the vision for the Dream Center, as it is going to be a full circle economic development center for downtown Birmingham. I was under the assumption it was going to be a glorified homeless shelter. It will be far more than this, providing: housing, medical clinics, job placement, recreation, and much more for those people struggling in this area. I then shared with Robert how I felt God calling me to this ministry and my vision for how God wants to use me to expand ministries like this around the country. It was such an amazing conversation we had and I know this is going to be blessed.

There were other things revealed to me, a truly heartfelt conversation between my buddy Trey and I on the way to airport, as I was getting ready to leave. I was able to share with Trey that I had been praying for him and I was so happy to see where God has brought him. It was an answered prayer to go to church with John and Trey on the Wednesday night I got into town. It was also awesome to see where Trey and his girlfriend Haley are. He was in a similar place in his life that I was at during my last semester in Gainesville. It was God revealing to Trey what was in front of him and thank the Lord Trey was able to recognize God calling out to him.

Plus, in the first time in my life I was given the opportunity to pray for all my friends before we had breakfast one morning at the lake. I felt like my dad, as I recall from my childhood days my dad was always asked to pray before a group of us would eat. I was so excited that they asked me to pray for the meal we were receiving. I am so thankful I was able to go home and visit with all my best friends.

Thank you Lord!

be blessed,
your boy elbow