Tuesday, April 30, 2013

MEETING THE NEED


            Men, women and children are coming to our doors each day in numbers we have not experienced before now. I believe this economic mess is creating greater misery than many of us read or hear about from news organizations. These people come for many reasons. Some seek food. Others need overnight lodging. Parents search for programs to help them find jobs and be able to afford a place to live. Voucher requests covering rent, utility and gasoline assistance are common. Some people come to us from medical facilities and have no other place to go to heal from their illnesses.

          Some days I wonder how the Lord is going to meet all these needs. We seem to have so little at times. But when think this, God reminds me from his Word that Jesus is not unaware of these needs and my “little faith”.

As the day was drawing to a close, the twelve came to Jesus and said, "Send the crowd away to the neighboring villages and farms so they can rest and get some food, for we are here in a deserted place.  But Jesus said to them, "You give them something to eat." 
Luke 9:12-13

           Thank you for supporting our Mission to these people.Your support will help us feed, clothe, shelter and LOVE the many people God sends us each day. 

Monday, April 29, 2013

CERTAINTY IN UNCERTAINTY


            There is much uncertainty in the news these days. Credit problems for businesses, skyrocketing fuel costs and uncontrollable food costs have everyone scrambling to make ends meet. Where can we find some measure of stability? What does next week have in store for us? Will my job be secure for the future? As you and I grapple with these issues, we need to remind ourselves that God is still in control. He alone knows the number of hairs on our head. He knows that the birds of the air need food and He provides for them each day. Should we be any less of a concern for God? No. He knows exactly how our needs will be met each day of our lives.

              For the men and women in our Shelter the struggle to be free of their besetting sins brings concern and confusion. But we are the first light of help for them. They have come into Jericho Road as the first step in seeing how their lives can be changed. Here at the Mission, God begins to reveal His love and grace for them through the meals they eat, the home they now occupy and through the encouragement of our staff. In trouble times they now have a place where God can provide for them like He provides for you and I, as well as the birds of the air. We thank God daily for the blessings we have and are reminded to be grateful for all that He does for us.

             Your support is God’s gift to us for providing the needed help to men and women who are weak, helpless and alone. Because of your support, God is making His goodness reach the least and the lost among us. We thank God for His enabling you to support this Mission. 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

HOPE


             God gives us each day what He knows we need. Not only us individually but us as a community and as a nation. In Jeremiah 14:22 the prophet says: “Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God.  Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.”  What a great reminder of God’s ever-present goodness to us and our greatest hope in our daily life.

              Hope is one of the greatest gifts we can share with our clients. Having been lost in a world of selfishness, sin and disappointment, our clients are beginning to find hope in the promises God has made with His people. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our clients are beginning to understand and experience the freeing power of Christ in their lives. No longer are they grumbling about what they have lost or left behind in their lives. Hope is springing up within them and helping them live in faith as they allow God to fulfill His purposes in their daily lives here at the Mission.

            Together we are bringing this hope to the lost. Together we are providing them a glimpse of a new and exciting future as they anticipate what God has in store for them. May God bless us all as we walk in faith with Him.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS


             No matter how difficult life can be at times, God reminds us in His Word that all things are under his control. In Romans 8:28 we read: “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” What an encouraging verse for our clients and staff to remember. God is working through us as we focus on loving Him. When our eyes fall from his face then we will slide back into worry and concern over things for which we have no ultimate control. We may fret about wayward children, rising prices for food, where to find a job and other of life’s concerns. This all arises from our failure to look to Him for direction, encouragement and peace.

              Working with our clients today gives our staff the opportunity to demonstrate our faith and trust in God through these difficult times. When we help them pray and trust God in our daily walk they begin to see His hand of provision during their stay with us. This living witness will impress upon them the real nature of God and his presence in our lives.

             By trusting in Him we will all be reminded of His ever-present nature and love for us. We pray that God multiplies your offering to us to His glory and for the benefit of the men, women and children we reach out to each day.

Friday, April 26, 2013

THE POWER OF LOVE


              The power of love is immeasurable. Love shared with another person entails a relationship of patience, kindness, truth, trust and perseverance. Can you measure any of these attributes? In fact if we think about it, each of these attributes go on and on without end. Love is immeasurable in our relationship toward others. Transformation occurs in people’s lives when they experience these things in others.

              The men and women in our programs here are learning to receive our love. Patiently they are now loving themselves, allowing themselves to change and grow in Christ one step at a time. They are learning the truth about Christ and sharing that with new men and women that come in each day. As staff, we trust God that He will begin and complete the transformation in men’s and women's lives. Despite momentary set-backs and trials, both our clients and staff are persevering in their program, trusting in the love of Christ to renew and restore them.

            Thank you for supporting our daily work of sharing the love of God in Christ with these men and women.  Your support enables us to offer these men and women the power of God’s love for their recovery and the family atmosphere of a warm meal, soft bedding and people that love them dearly.  May God bless you for loving the least and the lost at this Mission through us.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

STRONG FOUNDATION


          Laying a strong foundation is critical to many things in our lives. If you build a home on clay here in Brooksville, you are asking for disaster. The home can shift and the walls crack if the foundation is built on clay. Jesus says that if we build our lives on the shifting sands of man’s wisdom or the popularity of others, our lives will eventually fall.

          The men and women we help at the Mission come to us with foundations that have been built on selfishness, drugs, pleasure, greed and isolation. Can you imagine having these things as the foundation for your life? We are courting disaster to allow ourselves to live in such a manner. But when the men and women come to the Mission we begin to excavate these shifting sands and replace such ideals with the truth of God’s Word. Upon such a foundation no storm in life can shake. God promises us strength for each day when we build our lives on the foundation stone, the cornerstone of Jesus Christ.

          We recently celebrated the graduation of two of our clients Jeremy and Judy. They spent nine months with us studying, working and rebuilding his life on Christ. We had 50 Mission friends join Jeremy and Judy in celebrating the accomplishments they were able to achieve with God’s help.

          I hope you will praise God for His work in the life of Jeremy, Judy and the other men and women we are blessed to assist here at the Mission. Pray that God will continue the good work He has begun in Jeremy’s and Judy's life. God bless you and your support of His work in this place.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

NEW CREATURES


              It is amazing to see the progress that men and women make at the Mission. They come to us “strung-out” on drugs or alcohol. They are thin in body and their appearance is one of someone lost and down-trodden. Within days they begin to change in appearance. Regular meals and sleep, clean clothes and a shower begin to bring about change. In their afternoon classes they begin to participate in discussions about their past and their hopes for the future. They listen, read and study God’s Word daily as their program progresses. The truth of God’s Word begins a new transformation in these men and women. Their hopelessness gives way to a new and healthy anticipation for life. The anger and frustration they once had subsides as they learn to forgive and to be forgiven. These inner spiritual changes are the work of the Holy Spirit. As the weeks pass, the men and women that remain become new creatures. Many of them confess their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their true Lord and Savior. We praise God for all these changes.

          I hope you will continue to lift these men and women up in your prayers. Prayer is our most powerful tool in helping these men and men. Pray as well for the staff here at the Mission. May we continue to glorify God through the faith we share to His work in this place.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

THE JOY OF GIVING


          The joy of giving is evident in the lives of our clients. Eighteen year-old Harry is no longer bouncing from one juvenile detention center to another. He has enrolled himself in a GED program that will enable him to earn his high school equivalency diploma. Because of your support, he is able to work on his GED from our new learning lab at this Mission Shelter. We are partnered with Pasco-Hernando Community College to offer this program to young men like Harry. Harry hopes to enroll in the college’s career program when he has completed his GED here at the Mission. One day Harry wants to work as a nurse in a local hospital.

              Men like Harry are experiencing the joy of your giving. Your generous and faithful giving is allowing our clients to better their lives and also learn about the joy of salvation we share in Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to be a part of God’s plan of renewal for these men!

              Your support allows you and I to share in God’s Mission to the least and the lost in our community. I pray that your heart will be encouraged from hearing of Harry’s progress and God’s provision here at the Mission.

Monday, April 22, 2013

DO NOT BE AFRAID


            The news broadcasts lately seem to paint a picture of much peril both abroad and in America. We seem to be reminded daily of the many things that threaten to take our life. Cancer, drunk drivers, terrorists, poorly constructed bridges, and more are out there waiting to attack our lives. The list is endless for remedies and actions that need to be taken to keep ourselves safe in a world that, despite our technological progress, seems to get more dangerous every day.

              The people we work with at the shelters and our thrift stores come with hopes to alleviate their own world of dangers. God’s word, however, speaks of allowing ourselves not to be caught up in fearing the enemies of this world. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” It is challenging work explaining this truth to people who are consumed with controlling their lives with drugs and alcohol. But there is hope for them when they turn to Christ for relief from the perils of this world.

            Your generous support enables us to help people battle their individual fears with the power of God’s Word.  By giving to this Rescue Mission you are helping clients realize the power of God available to them through faith in Jesus Christ. May God bless your faithfulness.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

SHEPHERDING CATS


              It seems to me that God has each of us here at the Mission working our own programs. As Christians we are constantly being renewed into the image of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. As Chaplain here at Jericho, I am finding my role evolving into that of a shepherd among both the staff and clients. Much of my time with clients, staff, volunteers and visitors to our stores and shelters has focused on how to point them in the direction of Christ. Only Christ is able to heal their hearts, dissolve their anger, provide them hope, encourage their obedience and give them new life. My role as shepherd is to lead them to Him.

             Someone once wrote that shepherding people is more like trying to shepherd Cats. This is because we humans are very independent. Independence is what we are taught from an early age to achieve. Our culture exhorts us to be independent and free. But I am finding that for myself, and others here at the Mission, independence needs to be overcome so that together we may live as the body of Christ. This is the shepherds challenge.

              Clients here at the Mission have been independent for too long. They have found their independence has almost completely destroyed them. Because of your support and prayers, we are able to help these people recognize their need for the Good Shepherd to gather them into His flock. 

              I pray that Christ will continue to bless you as one of the sheep of His pasture!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

GOD, FORGIVE AMERICA

              I have a new idea for a bumper sticker. The idea has grown out of seeing the “patriotic” stickers that read: “God Bless America”. They seem to be on the majority of cars lately. But I wonder what people would think of replacing these with my new idea that reads: “God, Forgive America”. It's not that I do not want God’s blessing but I believe we need more of God’s forgiveness in our lives first. We need to acknowledge our words and deeds that displease God, first.

Working with the men and women at our Mission, I recognize their desire for change is rooted in a repentant heart, one that seeks forgiveness. With such a posture, many clients begin to see God’s blessing in their lives. It is the prideful few among our residents that seek His blessing without giving up their old ways.

              This day, be mindful of the need for each of us to humble ourselves before God in the knowledge that we have been given more than we often deserve. Your ongoing support of our Rescue Mission continues to allow us to help clients reorganize their lives and seek God’s forgiveness for their sinful past.

              May your day be filled with His goodness and grace. It is a blessing to this Mission to have your continued support for our efforts.

Ministry Scenes

Have The Homeless Become Invisible?