Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF BUGBROOKE
Homes were opened up and sometimes Kelly and Norma
would be up all night nursing someone through ‘cold turkey’
and the traumas of withdrawal. Often there was heartbreak
as, around the summer months, many came — only to vanish
again. There were few to care for them, and a lot of those
who received help and prayer went back to their old scene —
some, to an early grave.
Verna, Dave, Kelly, and the rest, considered it an honour to
serve these drop-out friends. How much they needed the love
of God! Verna would weep with joy to see them come through
to Jesus. It was the answer to so many prayers over the years.
‘Let’s have a feast and celebrate,’ the father of the Prodigal
Son had said. ‘For this son of mine was dead and is alive
again’ (Luke 15:24). The fellowship was greatly enriched by
these new young believers who brimmed over with gratitude
and enthusiasm. But there was still the ‘elder brother’ tendency
to reject them. Self-righteous Christianity has so frequently
turned away those whom Christ loves. Those who
identify with them are likewise scorned. At Bugbrooke, being
pentecostal was bad enough, but now they had turned into a
bunch of offbeat hippies! In the eyes of some village folk, and
of some of the other churches, Bugbrooke Chapel had already
gone too far.
Rufus bumped into a transformed Paddy in town, now into
Jesus and looking really healthy. Paddy was off heroin and
had a regular job. Rufus was impressed; both were miracles!
‘This Jesus trip must be good — for a junkie — but, so shallow!’
he thought, and continued on his way, chanting.
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