- Ezekial 18:5-9; Not helping the poor is the same as oppressing them. When I do not oppress the poor I will not hesitate to “give bread to the hungry and cover the naked with clothing.” Oppressing the poor and needy is equated with (v 11-13) defiling my neighbor's wife, committing robbery, idol worship, and usury. The result of which is… death. Seems to me God’s righteousness requirement for me is to respond “fairly.”
- How do I respond fairly when the needs are so great, stories are exaggerated, and the faces of the poor coming for assistance never seem to change? By executing true justice – not man’s justice – but a justice that provides for love, mercy, and grace – equipping and encouraging people through relationships that (v23), rather than taking pleasure in the circumstances and death of the wicked, that they might turn and live. But in order for that to happen I must “Therefore, repent and live” (V32).
- Father, forgive the callousness of my heart and may your justice and righteousness guide my steps and guard my heart in all my relationships … for Christ’s glory, Amen.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Least of these, Study pt 2
What is a righteous response?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Considering the "least of these"
Our Outreach Ministries Director, Rick Rutter, recently left Water Street to begin a new adventure as a small business owner (Quick shameless plug: When you just gotta have a quality cheesesteak, sub, or wrap visit Bubba's Breakaway on Lincoln Highway East).
Before departing, Rick helped us develop a new strategy for how we can do our Outreach Ministries (providing food, clothing, and furniture to families and individuals in need) in a compassionate and empowering manner. He also laid the groundwork for future partnerships with churches and other agencies so that we can serve the community together in a way that builds the kingdom. Part of his process in developing this strategy was taking time to think about, study, and discuss with others issues related to poverty, the poor, and what a biblical response to those in need really looks like.
Before he just tells us all the answers (just kidding), we thought some of you might want to wrestle with some of these questions yourself. Rick has organized some of his thoughts and questions in a semi-devotional format. We'll be posting it here in 5 parts over the next few weeks. If you're up for a challenging exercise, give these studies a try. Here's #1:
How do I see the poor?
Polar opposites in Scripture include:
Before departing, Rick helped us develop a new strategy for how we can do our Outreach Ministries (providing food, clothing, and furniture to families and individuals in need) in a compassionate and empowering manner. He also laid the groundwork for future partnerships with churches and other agencies so that we can serve the community together in a way that builds the kingdom. Part of his process in developing this strategy was taking time to think about, study, and discuss with others issues related to poverty, the poor, and what a biblical response to those in need really looks like.
Before he just tells us all the answers (just kidding), we thought some of you might want to wrestle with some of these questions yourself. Rick has organized some of his thoughts and questions in a semi-devotional format. We'll be posting it here in 5 parts over the next few weeks. If you're up for a challenging exercise, give these studies a try. Here's #1:
How do I see the poor?
Polar opposites in Scripture include:
- Job 16:1-5, 10-11; How do I respond to another in crisis? Empty words? Lip service in the name of encouragement – remember that the friends started out with good intentions. Blaming others for their circumstances? Judgmental and condemning? Do I make the poor feel defensive? Do I make them feel even more guilt and shame than they probably feel coming to me for help in the first place? Have I replaced (or am I doing) Satan’s work in eroding another’s confidence and moving them further from the kingdom of God?
- Luke 7:36-50; Am I so certain of my own poverty, my own sinfulness, and my own need for forgiveness that I respond out of humility and love? Do I embrace others as true co-heirs (or potential co-heirs) created in the Imagio Deo – the very same image of the very same God who loves them the very same that He died the very same death to spend the very same eternity with us?
- Pharisee or forgiven, condemning or consoling, executioner or encourager? How will I see the poor today?
- Father, remove the scales from my eyes and turn my heart of stone to a heart of flesh that I might see and be Jesus today to the people that you bring across my path… Amen
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
He's in it all
We often remind clients that God is aware and a part of everything in our lives. We cannot hide from Him, nor do we ever take Him by surprise. We are continually reminded of this fact when God shows up in the little things of life.
Several years ago, as I prepared for a missions trip (teaching English in Macedonia), I realized that I did not own a dependable, trustworthy camera. As I am not a world traveler or a skilled photographer, and because this trip marked a turning point in my life as well as one of my most exciting adventures, I wanted to be sure I had a reliable camera with which to record my memories.
One of the other things I am not (in addition to world traveler/photographer) is a yard sale enthusiast. This is not because I have any aversions to used items. In fact, one of my most prized possessions came from the dumpster behind Water Street Rescue Mission’s Thrift Store. No, distancing myself from yard sales stems from the abundant accumulation of “things” (qualified “yard saleable” stuff) left in my home by my three children and six grandchildren - all provided free of charge! However, as I prepared for the Macedonia trip, I ventured to a neighborhood yard sale – in my own neighborhood -where I found a Kodak 35mm camera (with tattered case) for only $5. When my neighbor heard I was headed for Macedonia, she offered the camera at the reduced price of $2.50. As a result, my Kodak and I preserved some wonderful memories from both Macedonia and Vienna.
Somehow that leads me to Christmas. You see, last year, my son and grandson woke up at 4 a.m. on black Friday to camp out in the Mall parking lot so they could purchase a digital camera at a great price for my Christmas gift. Since that time, my trusty Kodak has laid idle in a dining room cupboard. This year at Christmas, my children and I were all snapping photos with our digital cameras. My son and grandson, who had just returned from a weekend-before-Christmas trip to St. Louis (for a pro-football game) wanted to share the pictures taken on their trip by downloading them onto my daughter’s lap top. And so he said, “Mom, where is the computer cord for your camera?”
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays had ended, and the house guests had gone home, I began to think about the photos I had taken and needed to download to my home computer. As I searched for my camera computer cord, my son’s words echoed in my ear. At my next opportunity, I asked my daughter if she recalled where that cord had been placed after they used it. She confidently stated that she had given it to one of the grandchildren to put away. Several phone calls later and still no cord, I was pretty much resigned to purchasing a new one.
About that time, a friend invited me to a birthday party for her 10-year-old daughter. Although I couldn’t attend the party, I purchased a gift for her – a scrap-booking kit which had been reduced from a price I could not afford to one I could easily afford. Pleased with my purchase, I wrapped the gift to present Sunday morning when I picked the family up for church. I was, however, bothered by the fact that this family had no camera and couldn’t afford one for the child. During my Sunday morning devotions, I was reminded of the old Kodak in the cabinet and strongly felt I should give it to the child. When I opened the case to check the batteries and film, out popped the missing camera cord.
Had I not been prompted to give that camera away, the missing cord may have remained hidden for who knows how long. It could even have eventually been discarded. Now, not only was my gift complete, but the rightness of passing on the camera He provided for my trip was confirmed. This was just another reminder of how many times each day I need to acknowledge the reality of His presence in all things big and small in my life.
Vicki Bollman, Women’s Ministry
Several years ago, as I prepared for a missions trip (teaching English in Macedonia), I realized that I did not own a dependable, trustworthy camera. As I am not a world traveler or a skilled photographer, and because this trip marked a turning point in my life as well as one of my most exciting adventures, I wanted to be sure I had a reliable camera with which to record my memories.
One of the other things I am not (in addition to world traveler/photographer) is a yard sale enthusiast. This is not because I have any aversions to used items. In fact, one of my most prized possessions came from the dumpster behind Water Street Rescue Mission’s Thrift Store. No, distancing myself from yard sales stems from the abundant accumulation of “things” (qualified “yard saleable” stuff) left in my home by my three children and six grandchildren - all provided free of charge! However, as I prepared for the Macedonia trip, I ventured to a neighborhood yard sale – in my own neighborhood -where I found a Kodak 35mm camera (with tattered case) for only $5. When my neighbor heard I was headed for Macedonia, she offered the camera at the reduced price of $2.50. As a result, my Kodak and I preserved some wonderful memories from both Macedonia and Vienna.
Somehow that leads me to Christmas. You see, last year, my son and grandson woke up at 4 a.m. on black Friday to camp out in the Mall parking lot so they could purchase a digital camera at a great price for my Christmas gift. Since that time, my trusty Kodak has laid idle in a dining room cupboard. This year at Christmas, my children and I were all snapping photos with our digital cameras. My son and grandson, who had just returned from a weekend-before-Christmas trip to St. Louis (for a pro-football game) wanted to share the pictures taken on their trip by downloading them onto my daughter’s lap top. And so he said, “Mom, where is the computer cord for your camera?”
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays had ended, and the house guests had gone home, I began to think about the photos I had taken and needed to download to my home computer. As I searched for my camera computer cord, my son’s words echoed in my ear. At my next opportunity, I asked my daughter if she recalled where that cord had been placed after they used it. She confidently stated that she had given it to one of the grandchildren to put away. Several phone calls later and still no cord, I was pretty much resigned to purchasing a new one.
About that time, a friend invited me to a birthday party for her 10-year-old daughter. Although I couldn’t attend the party, I purchased a gift for her – a scrap-booking kit which had been reduced from a price I could not afford to one I could easily afford. Pleased with my purchase, I wrapped the gift to present Sunday morning when I picked the family up for church. I was, however, bothered by the fact that this family had no camera and couldn’t afford one for the child. During my Sunday morning devotions, I was reminded of the old Kodak in the cabinet and strongly felt I should give it to the child. When I opened the case to check the batteries and film, out popped the missing camera cord.
Had I not been prompted to give that camera away, the missing cord may have remained hidden for who knows how long. It could even have eventually been discarded. Now, not only was my gift complete, but the rightness of passing on the camera He provided for my trip was confirmed. This was just another reminder of how many times each day I need to acknowledge the reality of His presence in all things big and small in my life.
Vicki Bollman, Women’s Ministry
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Challenges
As the Volunteer Coordinator, I find that I am constantly being challenged… Challenged in my faith. As part of the application process, prospective volunteers need to provide me with references. It is so encouraging and challenging to hear what these references have to say about the prospective volunteer.
I called a reference for one prospective volunteer. My first question to the reference was how she knew the prospective volunteer. She then described that they were neighbors. And more than that, they prayed together, watched each other’s children, and were great friends.
I was challenged by that conversation. After all, I moved into a new neighborhood half a year ago and have had only a couple of conversations with my neighbors. Never have I prayed with my neighbors. I would not be able to list one of my neighbors as a reference as this prospective volunteer did.
I am often challenged in other conversations with references when I ask the questions “Is ________ a Christian? How do you know?” The “how do you know” question is where I really am challenged. I get answers like, “because they keep their temper in difficult circumstances”, “they want to know and follow God’s will in every situation”, “by how they treat their family”, “they have such a concern for those who don’t know Jesus”…
I have to ask myself what people would say if they were asked how they know that I am a Christian. I hope they would know that I am a Christian! I hope that God is evident in my life. But I know that all too often I do not resemble Jesus at all.
God, thank you for these challenges that you have built into my job. Help me – help us – to live and act as your children.
- Carissa Martin, Volunteer Coordinator
I called a reference for one prospective volunteer. My first question to the reference was how she knew the prospective volunteer. She then described that they were neighbors. And more than that, they prayed together, watched each other’s children, and were great friends.
I was challenged by that conversation. After all, I moved into a new neighborhood half a year ago and have had only a couple of conversations with my neighbors. Never have I prayed with my neighbors. I would not be able to list one of my neighbors as a reference as this prospective volunteer did.
I am often challenged in other conversations with references when I ask the questions “Is ________ a Christian? How do you know?” The “how do you know” question is where I really am challenged. I get answers like, “because they keep their temper in difficult circumstances”, “they want to know and follow God’s will in every situation”, “by how they treat their family”, “they have such a concern for those who don’t know Jesus”…
I have to ask myself what people would say if they were asked how they know that I am a Christian. I hope they would know that I am a Christian! I hope that God is evident in my life. But I know that all too often I do not resemble Jesus at all.
God, thank you for these challenges that you have built into my job. Help me – help us – to live and act as your children.
- Carissa Martin, Volunteer Coordinator
Monday, January 15, 2007
Progress Reports
It’s that time of the year again. Not only is it the beginning of a new calendar year, but it is also midpoint for the school year. It is that time when we take a good hard look at out students, assess their progress, and then sit down to share with the parents the progress their child is making. For the past week or so the teachers at Wonder Club have been “testing” the children on their knowledge of numbers and letters, colors and shapes, and all sorts of other early learning and kindergarten skills. Their main concern: is to have an accurate and realistic picture when they sit down to share with the parents just what each child knows and how well prepared he/she will be for kindergarten or first grade next fall.
As I was driving to school one day this week, I was reflecting on how thorough the teachers are with their assessments and how careful they are to give an accurate picture. I couldn’t help but wonder: What kind of progress report would God give me if we sat down for a conference? How would He assess my knowledge of Him? What would He say about my social and emotional relationships? What would my spiritual growth and development look like? There’s no doubt about it – He would be accurate and thorough and quite truthful in His assessment. I wonder how I would respond to my progress report from God.
Recently I had an opportunity to evaluate my spiritual progress. At our church on the last Sunday of December, we always have an opportunity to fill out a 3x5 card with one or two prayer requests we have for the coming year. These cards are then put into an envelope which we address to ourselves and seal. The envelopes are collected and the church office staff and prayer teams faithfully pray for the requests every week (even though they don’t see the actual requests). In early November they are mailed to us. As part of our celebration at the end of the year, we share testimonies of how God has worked in our lives. It is always interesting to see how God has answered our prayers during the past year, even though the answer may have been “not yet” or “no”. And often we see that God has faithfully gone over and beyond what we asked.
Well, this year the pastor asked us to take a spiritual inventory before we wrote our prayer requests. We were asked to divide our card into 3 columns and label them past, present, and future. Then we spent a few minutes on the first column listing all the blessings we already have. We looked at what is currently happening in our lives, and finally what we would like to see happen in the future. After we had completed that little spiritual inventory, we were told to turn the card over and write our requests for the year. Next November when we get the cards back, we will be able to see how we viewed our spiritual lives at the end of 2006 and whether or not we have made progress in 2007. Now that’s a progress report!
-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club
As I was driving to school one day this week, I was reflecting on how thorough the teachers are with their assessments and how careful they are to give an accurate picture. I couldn’t help but wonder: What kind of progress report would God give me if we sat down for a conference? How would He assess my knowledge of Him? What would He say about my social and emotional relationships? What would my spiritual growth and development look like? There’s no doubt about it – He would be accurate and thorough and quite truthful in His assessment. I wonder how I would respond to my progress report from God.
Recently I had an opportunity to evaluate my spiritual progress. At our church on the last Sunday of December, we always have an opportunity to fill out a 3x5 card with one or two prayer requests we have for the coming year. These cards are then put into an envelope which we address to ourselves and seal. The envelopes are collected and the church office staff and prayer teams faithfully pray for the requests every week (even though they don’t see the actual requests). In early November they are mailed to us. As part of our celebration at the end of the year, we share testimonies of how God has worked in our lives. It is always interesting to see how God has answered our prayers during the past year, even though the answer may have been “not yet” or “no”. And often we see that God has faithfully gone over and beyond what we asked.
Well, this year the pastor asked us to take a spiritual inventory before we wrote our prayer requests. We were asked to divide our card into 3 columns and label them past, present, and future. Then we spent a few minutes on the first column listing all the blessings we already have. We looked at what is currently happening in our lives, and finally what we would like to see happen in the future. After we had completed that little spiritual inventory, we were told to turn the card over and write our requests for the year. Next November when we get the cards back, we will be able to see how we viewed our spiritual lives at the end of 2006 and whether or not we have made progress in 2007. Now that’s a progress report!
-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club
Friday, January 12, 2007
He makes all things new
The new clinics will be opening to see our 1st patients this month. Last year we thought this day would never arrive, and now we are overwhelmed with the thousand details that are coming at us to actually get the clinics open! Lord, we are overwhelmed! The Water Street Medical and Dental Clinic staff has been meeting frequently to work out the details, but more importantly to pray! Without prayer and God’s calming, reassuring hand upon us, we would be in a panic. Each time we go to Him, and not try to do it on our own, He gives us His peace beyond understanding.
We have had so many wonderful volunteers helping us in the move. The Medical/Dental volunteers are truly demonstrating their servant hearts for Christ and others when they make the 100th trip over to the clinics carrying boxes. This is truly faith in action! Working in the warehouses to bring together all the items that have been donated to the clinics is tiring, dirty and some days cold hard work! Dean and his crews have been awesome in helping to move the furnishings & skids of supplies.
As we look at the new clinics compared to where we currently have been taking care of patients, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. He has provided for us beyond our expectations! Our current 1200 sq ft area has no separate areas for: lab, pharmacy, storage, office space, dental lab, dark room and kitchen. The new 6,000 sq ft clinics have this and more! From two exam rooms to six exam rooms, and from 2 dental operatories to 4 dental operatories. We have seen over 6,000 visits in 2006 in our small area and lives have been changed! Lord, we are excited to see what you have in store for your new clinic. With Christmas like anticipation we wait upon you!
The connection to this time of year is perfect! As He makes a new clinic we are remembering how He came to earth as a tiny baby Jesus, so that we can have new life! As we open the new clinics in 2007 we know that He will be there to make our patient’s hearts and lives new. All we have to do is ask for His help. I love the words of Jesus when He says we do not have, because we do not ask. He never forces anyone to follow Him or listen to Him.
Even thought He knows perfectly what we need and what is best for us. Choices, choices, choices…
We know we cannot open the new clinics without Him and so we are asking, Lord, please lead the way & we will follow. In the days ahead we will have great need for many more medical dental volunteers, and the funds to cover the clinic operations. May he touch the hearts to serve as Dr’s, dentists, nurses, hygienists, dental assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, registrars, data entry, physical therapists, social workers, housekeepers, counselors…. And we are open Lord to whomever you bring to do your work in your clinics!
Hallelujah, Jesus Christ is Born…the Savior of the World!
Merry Christmas from the Water Street Clinic staff!
- Gale Thomason, Executive Director, Water Street Clinics
We have had so many wonderful volunteers helping us in the move. The Medical/Dental volunteers are truly demonstrating their servant hearts for Christ and others when they make the 100th trip over to the clinics carrying boxes. This is truly faith in action! Working in the warehouses to bring together all the items that have been donated to the clinics is tiring, dirty and some days cold hard work! Dean and his crews have been awesome in helping to move the furnishings & skids of supplies.
As we look at the new clinics compared to where we currently have been taking care of patients, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. He has provided for us beyond our expectations! Our current 1200 sq ft area has no separate areas for: lab, pharmacy, storage, office space, dental lab, dark room and kitchen. The new 6,000 sq ft clinics have this and more! From two exam rooms to six exam rooms, and from 2 dental operatories to 4 dental operatories. We have seen over 6,000 visits in 2006 in our small area and lives have been changed! Lord, we are excited to see what you have in store for your new clinic. With Christmas like anticipation we wait upon you!
The connection to this time of year is perfect! As He makes a new clinic we are remembering how He came to earth as a tiny baby Jesus, so that we can have new life! As we open the new clinics in 2007 we know that He will be there to make our patient’s hearts and lives new. All we have to do is ask for His help. I love the words of Jesus when He says we do not have, because we do not ask. He never forces anyone to follow Him or listen to Him.
Even thought He knows perfectly what we need and what is best for us. Choices, choices, choices…
We know we cannot open the new clinics without Him and so we are asking, Lord, please lead the way & we will follow. In the days ahead we will have great need for many more medical dental volunteers, and the funds to cover the clinic operations. May he touch the hearts to serve as Dr’s, dentists, nurses, hygienists, dental assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, registrars, data entry, physical therapists, social workers, housekeepers, counselors…. And we are open Lord to whomever you bring to do your work in your clinics!
Hallelujah, Jesus Christ is Born…the Savior of the World!
Merry Christmas from the Water Street Clinic staff!
- Gale Thomason, Executive Director, Water Street Clinics
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Where have we been?
Hey Everyone (the thousands of you who check here daily) -
If you haven't already written us off completely for not posting anything new in almost a month, you're probably wondering where we've been. Well, we've been right where we've always been... doing our best to not get in God's way (and maybe even be available for Him to use) while He works to change hearts and lives, bring sight to the blind, freedom to the captive, and hope to the lost here in Lancaster.
The reason there haven't been any recent posts is really all Jack's fault (that lazy bum). It seems that he allowed himself to get distracted by a busy December of work/family/church/holiday stuff, etc., and once you break a good habit it can sometimes be hard to restart it (if only that were true of our bad habits).
Well, starting today, you should be able to find something new on this site just about every weekday - that will be our goal. Some weeks you may only see 3 or 4 new posts, but our hope is to get back to having a new story, thought, picture, testimony, or some slice of life from here at the mission (or our other sites) each day - so check back regularly to see what God is up to here at the Water Street Rescue Mission.
Thanks for checking us out. And to learn more about who Water Street is, check out our regular website at www.wsrm.org (I think we may be seeing a transformation of that site sometime this year as well).
Peace -
Jack
If you haven't already written us off completely for not posting anything new in almost a month, you're probably wondering where we've been. Well, we've been right where we've always been... doing our best to not get in God's way (and maybe even be available for Him to use) while He works to change hearts and lives, bring sight to the blind, freedom to the captive, and hope to the lost here in Lancaster.
The reason there haven't been any recent posts is really all Jack's fault (that lazy bum). It seems that he allowed himself to get distracted by a busy December of work/family/church/holiday stuff, etc., and once you break a good habit it can sometimes be hard to restart it (if only that were true of our bad habits).
Well, starting today, you should be able to find something new on this site just about every weekday - that will be our goal. Some weeks you may only see 3 or 4 new posts, but our hope is to get back to having a new story, thought, picture, testimony, or some slice of life from here at the mission (or our other sites) each day - so check back regularly to see what God is up to here at the Water Street Rescue Mission.
Thanks for checking us out. And to learn more about who Water Street is, check out our regular website at www.wsrm.org (I think we may be seeing a transformation of that site sometime this year as well).
Peace -
Jack
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