Stories of Proximity- LONG BEACH, CA

Fellow Influencers, as we wrap up 2016, I wanted this last week of Proximity devotionals to focus on real-life stories of men who are living out this intimate, abiding relationship with Christ.  These are men who have been through The Journey and discovered this missing ingredient in their lives in a new and profound way.  Each day, I will highlight a man's story from a different region.  They are men from all different backgrounds and demographics, but they all share a common thread, or rather, a common Vine.

Jim is a 76 year old businessman who attends Cornerstone Church and the weekly Band of Brothers meeting.  He had known Pete McKenzie and heard something about The Journey from his long-time prayer partner, Bill Hogue, but he never pursued it.  He had been a leader in several churches over the past 50 years and was a man who had a heart for Revival.  He was a successful furniture designer who had traveled the world, and his furniture business had become a platform for ministry.

Terry Miller invited Jim to join a Journey group he was forming, and Jim agreed, though he couldn't imagine that this new "study" was going to yield anything more than he had already experienced in his spiritual journey.  First, the story of Gabe and this man's servant attitude grabbed his heart, and over time, he came to appreciate this process which was so dependent upon the Holy Spirit.  As a man of prayer, He believed in the power of connecting with the Lord.

When they got to the part about the Spiritual Gifts, God opened Jim's eyes in a new understanding.  He knew about the Gifts and had taught about them many times, but as he went through The Journey, he found an empowerment like never before.  As he read 1 Corinthians 14:1, where Paul instructs believers to "eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy," he told the Lord that he truly desired the Gift of Prophecy.  When he took his Spiritual Gift Assessment, he couldn't bring himself to add up the results, so he handed it to Terry.  When the tally was finished, Terry told him that his #1 Spiritual Gift was, in fact, Prophecy.  Jim was elated and affirmed.

Jim is now one of Terry's key leaders in the move of God in Long Beach.  He sees the uniqueness of The Journey and how it can help men and women.  He even sees how this could help fulfill God's desire for Revival, as men and women who learn to abide in Christ live it out in their communities.  He considers himself a "Watchman on the Wall," called to prayer and leadership.

He reminds me of Caleb, who, at 85 years of age, said, "I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then."  Joshua 14:11 NIV  God bless you, Jim.  You are an Influencer!