I first wrote about “Brother Paulding” in my journal entry for July 22, 2002…
Yesterday, he was released from prison. He walked out the doors with a smile on his face. And now he is back in New York City.
The night before he left, brother Paulding came to the chapel to attend his last Bible study here, and to say goodbye. We prayed for him. I wept. A good man has gone out to a world that will not welcome him. I pray, however, that the church does. He has no mother to welcome him home with a hot meal. Instead, he was headed to a large shelter where bad influences abound, and temptations are laid out like deadly mines.
I have been praying for my dear friend in the faith. May he find a place of safety and refuge. I told him many times to make sure he finds a good church where the Bible is preached. I urged him to go to Times Square Church in New York City, at West 51st Street and Broadway. A lot of “street people” can walk in and find warmth and love, and they can hear the gospel preached in power.
Part of my prayer for brother Paulding is that he continues to seek the Lord and to follow Him. That he finds other Christians to fellowship with. Also, that he finds a job, and may his health hold.
I know the Lord will watch over this precious man. God is close to the outcasts. He may have to stay in that shelter for a while and until he gets on his feet. Yet I know he is really being protected by a living “Shelter.” The Lord is His name.
D.B.
The night before he left, brother Paulding came to the chapel to attend his last Bible study here, and to say goodbye. We prayed for him. I wept. A good man has gone out to a world that will not welcome him. I pray, however, that the church does. He has no mother to welcome him home with a hot meal. Instead, he was headed to a large shelter where bad influences abound, and temptations are laid out like deadly mines.
I have been praying for my dear friend in the faith. May he find a place of safety and refuge. I told him many times to make sure he finds a good church where the Bible is preached. I urged him to go to Times Square Church in New York City, at West 51st Street and Broadway. A lot of “street people” can walk in and find warmth and love, and they can hear the gospel preached in power.
Part of my prayer for brother Paulding is that he continues to seek the Lord and to follow Him. That he finds other Christians to fellowship with. Also, that he finds a job, and may his health hold.
I know the Lord will watch over this precious man. God is close to the outcasts. He may have to stay in that shelter for a while and until he gets on his feet. Yet I know he is really being protected by a living “Shelter.” The Lord is His name.
D.B.