New Orleans, Bourbon Street, and Jesus.
So I just realized its been forever since I last posted a blog. Being in New Orleans for the Saints game(We won 62-7), I figured it would be a good time to write one.
First off, mucho thanks to Will Biestek and the Biestek family, without them I wouldn't have had this chance to come and experience the Big Easy and the Saints game. I can't thank them enough. I also can't even begin to express how blessed I am to have Will as a friend. Thanks God!
Anyways, so while I was here, amongst the excitement for the game, an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and darkness has surrounded me. As festive and "fun" New Orleans may be, it also is an extremely spiritually dark place.
Example A: Bourbon Street.
Obviously, Will and I strolled down Bourbon Street just to be able to experience typical New Orleans. Yes the bright lights and the numerous amount of characters walking up and down the street were great, and I am glad I experienced it. What isn't so great is how the people there are looking for satisfaction in the wrong things. They can say there going to have "fun", but having been in their spots before, I can tell you theres always a deeper meaning. For me, it was acceptance. I went out and partied to be accepted, to be "cool". Those people need Jesus. Don't take me as being judgmental right now, cause I'm not. My heart breaks for them.
Example B: The Homeless.
I thought the homeless population in Charleston was bad, New Orleans definitely tops it. Though that is not a list that any city should be on. Seeing the homeless here made me sense a feeling of hopelessness. See the homeless in NO weren't asking for money, they were living. Drinking water from the fountains in the park, sleeping under a nearby tree. To me, that said, "I'm not going to even ask for help, because I know the people won't give it to me" I pray for these homeless people. No matter what circumstances led them to being homeless, I pray that they can find peace in the ultimate Prince of Peace.
Example C: The Voodoo Culture.
Stroll down almost any street in downtown New Orleans and you're bound to run into either a tarot card reader, a fortune teller, or a voodoo shop. What blows me away even more is there were people at these places. People so desperate for love and desires to know, they were going to other people, who are flawed just as much as them to get them to tell their future. I literally just wanted to grab these people and tell them that no one knows another's future, only God does. When Voodoo is marketed and sold as an entertainment, things get dangerous. See that stuff is real...I've seen it with my own two eyes while in Africa. Black magic is dangerous and Satan is using it to get to people. Its absolutely heartbreaking.
Please don't get me wrong. New Orleans is beautiful and I'm extremely grateful to have experienced the Big Easy, but when you see things through Jesus' eyes, one can't help to see the brokenness of this world. New Orleans isn't alone, every place has some sort of spiritual darkness because Satan is able to control things of this world. That is why as Christians, we aren't supposed to have our hope in this world, but of what it to come.
To end on a happier, yet heartbreaking all at the same time note:
As some of you may have seen on my facebook, while walking down Bourbon St., a man approached me asking for a dollar. I told him I couldn't help with money because I honestly didn't have any to give. He said God Bless and started to leave. As he was leaving I stopped him and asked his name, which he said was Gilbert. I told Gilbert I would pray for him. He then asked my name and responded with I will pray for you too. As he was walking away, he said, "I know you will actually pray for me because you asked my name, most people don't do that."
I ask that you will join in praying for Gilbert and the rest of New Orleans. I do not know what circumstances Gilbert is in but just pray that he will feel the love of Christ surround him. I know from raising support for China, its not easy asking others for money. So I know its extremely difficult when asking people for money when you have nothing else. I also ask that you pray for a revival in New Orleans. Just as the song says, "For greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be in this city". I know God has great plans for New Orleans, especially witnessing the first hand account of the rebound from Hurricane Katrina. As I prepare to leave New Orleans, I pray for local Christians to rise up and fight the good fight. If New Orleans took it's festive and lively spirit and used it to further the kingdom of Christ, what a different New Orleans it would be.
First off, mucho thanks to Will Biestek and the Biestek family, without them I wouldn't have had this chance to come and experience the Big Easy and the Saints game. I can't thank them enough. I also can't even begin to express how blessed I am to have Will as a friend. Thanks God!
Anyways, so while I was here, amongst the excitement for the game, an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and darkness has surrounded me. As festive and "fun" New Orleans may be, it also is an extremely spiritually dark place.
Example A: Bourbon Street.
Obviously, Will and I strolled down Bourbon Street just to be able to experience typical New Orleans. Yes the bright lights and the numerous amount of characters walking up and down the street were great, and I am glad I experienced it. What isn't so great is how the people there are looking for satisfaction in the wrong things. They can say there going to have "fun", but having been in their spots before, I can tell you theres always a deeper meaning. For me, it was acceptance. I went out and partied to be accepted, to be "cool". Those people need Jesus. Don't take me as being judgmental right now, cause I'm not. My heart breaks for them.
Example B: The Homeless.
I thought the homeless population in Charleston was bad, New Orleans definitely tops it. Though that is not a list that any city should be on. Seeing the homeless here made me sense a feeling of hopelessness. See the homeless in NO weren't asking for money, they were living. Drinking water from the fountains in the park, sleeping under a nearby tree. To me, that said, "I'm not going to even ask for help, because I know the people won't give it to me" I pray for these homeless people. No matter what circumstances led them to being homeless, I pray that they can find peace in the ultimate Prince of Peace.
Example C: The Voodoo Culture.
Stroll down almost any street in downtown New Orleans and you're bound to run into either a tarot card reader, a fortune teller, or a voodoo shop. What blows me away even more is there were people at these places. People so desperate for love and desires to know, they were going to other people, who are flawed just as much as them to get them to tell their future. I literally just wanted to grab these people and tell them that no one knows another's future, only God does. When Voodoo is marketed and sold as an entertainment, things get dangerous. See that stuff is real...I've seen it with my own two eyes while in Africa. Black magic is dangerous and Satan is using it to get to people. Its absolutely heartbreaking.
Please don't get me wrong. New Orleans is beautiful and I'm extremely grateful to have experienced the Big Easy, but when you see things through Jesus' eyes, one can't help to see the brokenness of this world. New Orleans isn't alone, every place has some sort of spiritual darkness because Satan is able to control things of this world. That is why as Christians, we aren't supposed to have our hope in this world, but of what it to come.
To end on a happier, yet heartbreaking all at the same time note:
As some of you may have seen on my facebook, while walking down Bourbon St., a man approached me asking for a dollar. I told him I couldn't help with money because I honestly didn't have any to give. He said God Bless and started to leave. As he was leaving I stopped him and asked his name, which he said was Gilbert. I told Gilbert I would pray for him. He then asked my name and responded with I will pray for you too. As he was walking away, he said, "I know you will actually pray for me because you asked my name, most people don't do that."
I ask that you will join in praying for Gilbert and the rest of New Orleans. I do not know what circumstances Gilbert is in but just pray that he will feel the love of Christ surround him. I know from raising support for China, its not easy asking others for money. So I know its extremely difficult when asking people for money when you have nothing else. I also ask that you pray for a revival in New Orleans. Just as the song says, "For greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be in this city". I know God has great plans for New Orleans, especially witnessing the first hand account of the rebound from Hurricane Katrina. As I prepare to leave New Orleans, I pray for local Christians to rise up and fight the good fight. If New Orleans took it's festive and lively spirit and used it to further the kingdom of Christ, what a different New Orleans it would be.
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