"Brother, Saul..."

Recently, during our regular Wednesday night Bible study, our Pastor covered Acts 9. For us, looking back on Acts as ancient history, we know the "rest of the story" and interpret what we read based on what we know will happen. However, if we open our eyes of understanding and really look at what is happening in this section of Christian history, we see the very first steps in the transformation of a young Christian persecutor named Saul into the Christian hero he became as "Paul."

In this passage, Ananias, seemingly a side note in Paul's testimony, steps out in tremendous faith, to take a message of hope and forgiveness to a man responsible for so much evil. We know Saul's heart had already been changed. We know all the amazing things he would do for the name of Christ. The miracles he would perform, the sermons he would preach, the Inspired letters he would write. We know that Jesus had already performed a miracle in his life, but Ananias only knew that God had a plan for Saul.

When he goes to the home where a blinded Saul--broken and probably afraid--has found temporary refuge, Ananias utters one of the most beautiful phrases in all of Scripture: he calls Saul "brother." There are no recriminations. No demands for apologies or explanations. God has told Ananias that Saul is now His chosen vessel, and Ananias treats him as such.

The lesson we learn from Ananias is that God is not concerned with our past, except in how He has used it to lead us to Him. He is concerned with our future. Because of Ananias' faith in action, Saul/Paul could later write from personal experience, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Take heart! Don't allow the past to become a stumbling block to your future. Know with assurance that "all things are become new"!

Write Your Epitaph

"of whom the world was not worthy" Hebrews 11:38a

As a high school senior, I and my fellow students were charged with writing our epitaphs. It was rather a gruesome thought for a seventeen year old, but the exercise turned my focus outward, on what was truly important to me. To this day, I occasionally find myself questioning what people will remember about me. What will my legacy be? How will I be remembered?

You'll find much today encouraging us to "live big," because success is measured by how much attention it receives. But the most meaningful actions are often the most "meaningless," when it comes to bringing fame or "building important connections."

• One regular donor makes items on behalf of the Mission. She is going to be celebrating her 90th birthday and has been donating for more than 20 years. Things like adult size quilts for our beds are especially needed.
• One gentleman calls and asks what the most needed items are for the kitchen. He just purchases what he can, but he regularly meets immediate needs.
• Some of our donors give every month and include notes of encouragement for staff, to assure us that they are praying for us. They write that they wish they could give more.

You may never know their names, but they are remembered, just as the "unnamed" heroes of Hebrews 11 are remembered. Their actions do not garner success or fame or much attention, but the results are read in the hearts and on the faces of women, children, and men in need.

How do you want to be remembered? In words of stone or letters on a computer screen? Or do you want your legacy to be reflected in the sudden smile of a child who is safe and sheltered; the softly spoken voice of a young woman as she prays with a staff person; the satisfied sigh of an elderly man as he sits down to a warm meal after walking the winter streets; or the tears of rejoicing as a mother gives her burdens to Christ...

What is your epitaph?

"Kids Can Be Kids"

Stopping in the day shelter on a quiet afternoon last Friday, I heard one of our moms reading aloud to her little boy as he crawled around in the child care room. It is a normal enough scene if not the normal "home" setting. However, I was sharply reminded of a recent conversation I'd had with another guest, about how the kids can be kids. She, a single woman, had no children but she spoke in amazement of how "normal" the children acted. I could understand her astonishment and echo her words of relief. While not all of us have had children, we have all been children. Childhood is such a precious time, and the experiences our young guests face, when they come to the shelter with their moms, could be one of deepest tragedy. Praise the Lord, they experience compassion and care. They are protected and they are loved. As is the case in every situation, kids add a measure of chaos, but "kids can be kids" here. And that is truly a wondrous thing. Thank you for your gifts, that enable us to provide food to eat and a safe haven of rest. But thank you most of all for your prayers that strengthen us and enable us to provide hope to those in need.

"It Will Be Worth It All"

Recently, a friend moved back into the area after ten years. The move happened to coincide with my pastor's message series on heaven. As I thought about my joy at greeting my friend, I couldn't help but compare it to the joyous reunion celebration there will be in heaven. Looking over the faces of family and friends will be inexpressibly sweet.

But there is one face in the crowd for which I'll earnestly seek. His face will be one I've never seen but know by heart. The face of my Creator. My Savior. My Rescuer. He'll hold out a hand of welcome, and I'll see the nail prints--those wounds He gladly suffered for my redemption--and I'll finally be home.

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

The Choice of a Moment

Stopping at an intersection on my way to work this morning, I happened to have my window rolled down. Over the noise from my radio, I heard a bird. We're blessed to hear lots of birds, but I turned my head to see this dark, drab fellow perched on a telephone wire and singing his little heart out. Beneath him, traffic rumbled ever on, the bustle of the street all but drowning out his little tune even though his body was so puffed up with his singing that he was practically in flight.

 

The light turned green, and I left him behind. But as I drove to work, I thought about that little bird. I thought about me. About us. How we all have this amazing opportunity, every day, to impact the lives of those around us. By our actions, our words, and our attitudes, we can aid in a person settling for selfishness, for greed, for a narrow, windowless life. Or we can sing our little hearts out. We can, by our actions, our words, and our attitudes, encourage those we meet to be something more. To be someone greater. To be kinder, wiser, more merciful, more compassionate, even more creative. Which kind of person am I? Which kind of person will I choose to be today? Now. Even in this very moment.

 

My prayer for you today, my prayer for me, is that God will grant me the ability to be greater than myself. To stand up for right. To be kind to those who seem uncaring. To show love and compassion without thought of return. To sing even when no one seems to be listening.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21

God was Watching

The story takes only four verses in the gospel of Mark and again in Luke. Four verses to describe an event that has been the topic of sermons and study for hundreds of years. In those days, the temple would have a place for people to deliver their offerings and gifts to the Lord. This special donation "bin" was out in the open for all to see. Jesus Himself was standing there with His disciples, watching the wealthy put their tithes into the box. They were obvious with their clothes and the large amount of their offering, but it wasn't the wealthy to whom Christ drew the attention of His disciples. "Look at this," you can almost hear Him whisper, and the disciples turn to see what amazing gift will come next. But it's only an elderly widow, and all she contributes is a few tiny coins. Perhaps she felt a bit shy about coming to give her gifts in the midst of all the wealth around her. Still, she gave. And she gave not out of her wealth but "out of her poverty," scripture says. What she didn't know was that God was watching. And He wasn't keeping tally of the amount of her gift; He was seeing the generosity in her heart. (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)

 

At the City Rescue Mission, we are constantly blessed by the generosity and support of our fellow rescuers. Without your gifts and prayers, we would be unable to provide food, shelter, and hope to the hundreds of women, children, and men who come to us in need. We are grateful for all gifts, but we are truly humbled by the sweet notes we receive from some of our faithful supporters who give, as the widow gave; their notes include words of gratitude, that they can contribute, and words of regret, that they cannot give more.

 

I truly believe that the heart behind the donation makes a difference to our guests. The food that they eat, the bed where they sleep, the clothes that they wear, and all the other help we can provide, is a gift of love. An act of compassion. It comes from people, our fellow rescuers, who desire to help us help others.

 

Thank you so much for your prayers and your generosity, but most of all, thank you for seeing the "people" beyond the need. People who need encouragement, shelter, hope, and compassion. Thank you for being a rescuer by helping us help others.

Team Rescue

As we drag ourselves out of one of the worst winters we've experienced in some time, I can't help but take a moment to reflect on what have been four of busiest months in our 103 year history. We expect to be "busy" during the winter, but our staff and volunteers have definitely gone above-and-beyond. So far this year, our staff have provided a safe haven for 157 women, children, and men every night and served more than 310 meals every day. Volunteers continued faithfully to arrive, bundled up but ready to serve alongside staff. In spite of the raging winter and frigid temps, we were able to serve our guests as we do every day, as we have done for over a century.

While we have "weathered" Michigan winters before, every day is a learning experience, and we are blessed to have such great "team" members to share the joy and the responsibility of providing food, shelter, and hope in Michigan's capital area.

 

If you are interested in joining "Team Rescue" there are lots of opportunities, both as volunteers and as staff.

Volunteer Information: www.BEaRESCUER.com/volunteer.htm and email volunteers@BEaRESCUER.com

Employment Information: www.BEaRESCUER.com/employment.htm and email Cheryl@BEaRESCUER.com