|
|
|
 19 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. - Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)
|
|
| Newsletter Vol. I, Issue 2 | April 2010 |
|
Personal Message
We've delivered over 4900 meals so far this year. Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers every Thursday morning and night that faithfully continue to serve. If you would like to be part of building relationships, experiencing community and serving, then join us each week. Every Thursday morning from 9-11 am assembling the over 300 meals and every Thursday night from 5:30-8:30 pm deliveriing the meals. We invite you to "Come and See" God at work. |
|
 SHINY-ITIS
Ok it's now official. After Amy read last week's newletter/blog she confirmed that I have a bad case of "shiny-itis". If you remember I was talking about how "shiny and new" things look in the retail stores and how I can get distracted by it. Apparently my wife has diagnosed me with a classic case of "consumerism". Consumerism is defined as the equation of personal happiness with consumption and the purchase of material possessions. After giving this a lot of consideration I discovered it's not that we don't sacrifice our time, energy and money, we just do it for the wrong reason. For years my shiny-itis controlled me. It wasn't that I didn't like people it was that my shiny-itis had me so distracted, that all my time, energy and money was going to save up for, buy for, or pay off something new and shiny. Very rarely was it really something I needed, but if you asked me I could sure justifiy the purchase, and almost always it was just something I wanted at the time. I think the "Enemy" has crafted a very sneaky distraction. Instead of spending time, energy and money on loving people we end up doing these things just to buy stuff. All he has to do is just keep us chasing the American Dream, to keep up with the Joneses, to borrow more than we can afford and to indulge ourselves as though we are a kid in a candy store. The dream that we should be chasing is to strive to be more Christ-like which consists of loving people and not "stuff or money". The funny thing is that I can go into a store today and still get excited about all the stuff for ME and not even think about all the people right here in our community that need food, clothing, shelter, love, hugs, smiles and dreams.
Obviously, I'm still a huge work in progress but part of my journey on this path was being tired of being tired from just working for stuff. I have never had the energy or felt the joy that I feel now doing "little things with great love" for people. I won't be able to keep up with the Joneses any longer. I just hope I can get grace and forgiveness from those living in poverty and on the margins of life. I never realized we are commanded by God to give generously to the poor until I read Deuteronomy 15:11 - 11 There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. (NLT)
Our Sunday small group has been looking at our "dash" the past few weeks. The "dash" I'm referring to is the mark between your born date and died date. None of us said we wanted our "dash" to represent stuff. We didn't want people to remember our life by saying, "he/she was a great person because they owned a lot of shiny stuff". We do want people to remember us as "loving the unloveable, being a giver, sacrificed for others, community servant". Now it's up to us to learn to live it.
10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT)
|
|
Click on Shelby to hear why she delivers food
 | VOLUNTEERS SERVING
Shelby is a Branson High School student that comes with us on Thursday nights to help feed meals to those in need. Click on her picture to hear why she comes. "Hey my name's Shelby and I go to Branson High School and I deliver food on Thursday nights to bring smiles to people's faces that don't always have people to do that for them.
My friend Robert has been coming with us on Thursday nights for the past few weeks. Robert really has a fantastic heart. Robert installs tile for a living and he is currently doing a job that requires him to find some additional help. While delivering food this past Thursday he came across a man at one of the weekly stay motels that has been struggling finding work. Robert offered him a job of helping him out for the next couple of days. That's what it's all about. Helping each other out. He could've asked someone he knew to help him but he took a chance on this stranger because he was in need. I bet I will be sharing a lot more about Robert in the weeks to come. Way to go Robert that's a true example of Christ!! |
Click on Dennis' picture to hear him play
"Motel Blues"  | BEING SERVED
We've known Dennis for quite a while now. He even comes with us to church on Saturday nights and recently he has been playing harmonica with the Church Army Band on occassion. About a month ago he was at a club playing and had put his harmonica's down and they were stolen. We've sure missed hearing him play lately. This past Thursday some volunteers had gotten him some replacement harmonicas and he was so happy. Those harmonicas could have been a million bucks to him. So of course we made him play us a tune. We named it "Motel Blues". |
 PRAYER REQUESTS
Ron and Nancy LaDuke - Ron had a stroke while raking ditches.
Abby Lewis and her family - Against the Enemies' attacks.
Jodelle Fitzwater - Her friends, Justin and Stefanie Boyce have two beautiful children who have both been diagnosed with MPS III, Sanfilippo Syndrome which is a rare genetic disorder that causes the body to slowly lose its ability to function.
Suzette and Jim Brawner - Jim's brother Joe and Suzette's dad are both battling cancer.
My friend Steve from school - He just relocated and is struggling.
My mom & dad, Tom & Carol Stallings - My dad had ankle surgery and has to be down for at least 3-4 weeks. If you know my dad he's struggling with this, so if you know my mom then you know why she'll need prayer too. |
Click Book to Read More About It | BOOK REVIEWS
IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne
This is so far my favorite all-time book. It's about a guy who decribes finding God among the poor. It's all about intentional living. To learn more about Shane Claiborne visit his website at http://www.thesimpleway.org Click Book to Read More About It | NO PERFECT PEOPLE ALLOWED by John Burke This book is written by the pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas. It is designed for those that want to become leaders within their church but I think it's a good read for anyone that wants to learn how to meet people where they are in life. Visit Gateway at http://www.gatewaychurch.com Click Book to Read More About It | ENOUGH: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity by Adam Hamilton Great tips on how we should be looking at "stuff and money". To learn more about Adam Hamilton visit http://www.adamhamilton.cokesbury.com Click Book to Read More About It | NOT JUST A ONE-NIGHT STAND: MINISTRY WITH THE HOMELESS by John Flowers & Karen Vannoy
Fantastic book about a church that learned the only way to be a hand-up instead of a hand-out was to build long-term lasting relationships with those living in poverty and on the margins. |
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aunt Mollie's Garden Day April 24th, 9:00 AM | Aunt Mollie's Garden Day - Calling all "Green Thumbs" we need your help. Please join us Saturday, April 24th at 9:00 am as we begin to work planting and spreading dirt for the garden at Aunt Mollie's Extended Stay Motel. Even if you can only join us for a short time please come and experience "fellowship and community" with those that live there. Aunt Mollie's is located at 251 Expressway Lane by the Sight & Sound Theatre.
| |
BBQ at Payless Inn May 2nd, 4:00-6:00 PM
 | "Love Your Neighbors" BBQ Event - Join us for this free and fun event celebrating the true spirit of "community". Share life with someone that lives on the margins. There will be food and games for the kids as we cook-out at the Payless Inn parking lot on W. Hwy 76 (Across from Rib Crib) |
Faith Promise Banquet May 7th, 2010 @ 6:00 pm | Faith Promise Banquet - We're excited about the opportunity to share the experiences of Church Army Branson at their 8th Annual Faith Promise Banquet to be held on Friday, May 7th, 2010 at 6:00 PM at Our Lady of the Lake Parish Center. Hear real stories from real people that have struggled for years with alcohol and chemical addiction and how God's tranforming power has led them to being RECOVERED. For more infomation or to make your reservations by contact Michelle Harllee at 417.339.3804 or michelle.harllee@hotmail.com |
|
NEW LOOK
Thanks to everyone that responded. We had overwhelming agreement about the new look. I just needed to fix some cosmetic things like colors and font sizes. Have a blessed week!! |
CONTACT INFO:
Jesus Was Homeless
Amy Stallings - 417.335.0266 |
|
|
|
|
