Mike Paschall . com

… another from the project.  – mdp-

“Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.”  Proverbs 16:22, NIV

I have to confess that I am having so much fun today as I write this entry.  I’m in the largest cigar lounge in Central Texas.  To make it even better, it’s in my hometown!  So, it’s the ultimate man-hang for a little God reflection!  This isn’t my first rodeo here and it is one of my happy spots.  It’s interesting what happens when you allow God to show his face in such surroundings.  The understanding, referenced in today’s text, is a little different from the standard words commonly used in the scripture.  This is understanding that is like insider trading, information that has gone deep and because it’s gone deep, it insures success.   The corollary of a person, who possesses this knowledge, has the chance to be a source or spiritual vitality to those who need it in the natural nasty now!  Stewardship of such a spiritual water supply means that you are “on call” 24/7.  You never know when God might want you to do a little gushing!

So, I was in this very lounge a couple nights ago.  Actually, it was Valentines and the joint was empty!  Patti was in another town and it was the perfect opportunity for me to flop on a big leather couch and partake of what makes the lounge so appealing.  I did what you’re supposed to do… I fired one up!  It was the ultimate chill, just hanging out, enjoying my alone time!  A couple puffs on my CAO, and a guy I’d never met or seen, walks in with his wife.  They had cigars and an iced-bottle of Champagne.  They nestled in a couple couches away and the guy starts engaging me in small talk.  Honestly, I was annoyed and slightly pissed that he wouldn’t shut up.  He needed to be lovin’ on his woman and I needed to be lovin’ on my stogie!  After about 5 minutes Sherman said, “Man, who are you?  There is something about you.  Do I know you?  What’s the deal?” I raised my eyebrows and thought, “Really dude, you don’t want to go there right now.” Then he said, “Are you a preacher or something?” I guess the busted look was a dead-give-away.  Before I could respond, “Would you come over and pray for my wife and I?” I looked around to make sure we were still the only ones in the place, set my cigar down, and started walking over to sit on the couch with them.  By the time I got there, Sherman was crying uncontrollably!  His wife’s hands were up and she was calling out Jesus’ name.  I placed my hands on his head and began to prophecy to him about his natural dad’s love for him.  “Your dad is proud of you… he loves you… you’ve done good Sherman… you’ve done good!” Come to find out, Sherman buried his preacher dad about a year ago.  He had serious doubts that his dad was proud of him.  He had been striving for a long-time to get his dad’s approval.  It hurts your heart to see such pain in a 57 year-old man.  He was pretty busted up and my cigar went out, but God showed up!  The deep fountain gushed.  That is what fountains are designed to do!  Our job is to let it happen, anywhere, at any time!