Oct 31, 2025 – Volunteer
Two days ago I went to a groundbreaking ceremony for Tunnel to Towers here in Birmingham. T2T bought a hotel in the Colonnade area to renovate and eventually house homeless veterans. I got an invitation to this event partly because I’ve donated in the past, but I think mainly because our dear friend Pat gave a generous donation to T2T in memory of my father after he died. The day started with rain and I was tempted to not go, sort of even wondered if this was a real event or not. I’m so glad I went. Chief John Carroll began things by telling of his experiences on September 11th, 2001 and the days of recovery afterward. He brought the reality of it to us when he said that there were multiple funerals per day for the next year that they all went to to honor the fallen and to support the families. I can’t imagine the toll of going to funerals day after day.
He said the something good that came out of September 11th was Tunnel to Towers. Chief Carroll said $.96 of each dollar goes directly to T2T. It was a very moving morning, and like my father always did, I was almost the last to leave. I felt tears most of the morning thinking of my father and of all the men and women who have served and sacrificed. It made me wonder about being a volunteer. I “lost my job”, so to speak, when my father died, so maybe this is what is next for me. I’m trusting You, Lord, to open and close doors as You lead me to what is next in my life.
Streams – Romans 8:26-27 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the Saints in accordance with God’s will.”
Power – “The mature believer is a person who learns to do the will of God no matter how it feels or how difficult it is. Mature believer works with the Holy Spirit continuously to be changed into the image of Jesus Christ – learning to say what God says and live a life dedicated to God and His purposes. God’s goals for you are to mature you spiritually and no longer be controlled by your own thoughts, emotions, and desires He wants you to learn His word and direct your life accordingly, being ready at all times to be His representative in the Earth.”
Prevail #304 – Colossians 4:12 – “Epaphras, who is one of you in a servant of Christ Jesus, since greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Larson writes, “I’m mentoring a young woman who is a gifted writer, full of insight, rich in character…. I encouraged her to start a blog and a podcast. She replied, I’d love to but every time I start, the enemy rails in my ear, ‘Who do you think you are?’… You face the same battles. Live assured. Persevere. Stand firm in His will. Know His ways.“
The message I think I’m getting is that the Spirit prays for me. I need to be a mature believer and be ready for what God asks me to do. Others are wrestling in prayer for me and I should start a blog and a podcast. Interesting……
