Becoming Oaks

Today I’ve been working on the plans for a leadership retreat for our Teen Haven youth and some of our partnering churches. I’m really struggling coming up with a “catchy”, or “hip”, or “urban” sounding title for it. And I’ve finally decided (with help from Lisette –one of our staff) that it doesn’t really matter.

The point is the content, the fellowship, and the investment we will be making in our youth that weekend, not whether we have a great title or fancy brochure that gets the kids hyped up for it. On that weekend, we will be talking about the potential that resides in each of these youth to become an “oak of righteousness” (check out Isaiah 61:1-4) and the impact they can have on their cities. (Maybe some other time I’ll share how God has been challenging me through these verses)

Each of the teens that are involved in Teen Haven is like an acorn, full of the incredible potential to become a towering oak. But just like an acorn, certain things need to be present in their lives to bring that potential to its fruition.

An acorn needs 1- the right kind of soil, 2- sufficient water and sun, 3- fertilizer, and 4- timely pruning and care to reach its ultimate potential.

Each of our youth needs 1- to be planted in a nurturing environment (home or church family), 2- to be fed by the Word of God and times of communion with the Lord, 3- the presence of trials that mold and build us up in our faith, 4- timely refining and pruning in our lives to help us remove the things that hold us back from being what God wants us to be.

I may never come up with just the “right” title for our retreat, but as long as each teen who attends that weekend leaves knowing the incredible potential that God has created in them and desiring to see that potential realized, I’ll be happy.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

A "routine" taxi run

I came into work one morning knowing I had to take one of the shelter guys to MH/MR for an appointment. Before I knew it, two other gentlemen were joining us – one needing a ride to the bus station, and one just needing to talk.

As we started on the road it wasn't long before Brad (the one catching a bus) started sharing. He started out by saying how thankful he was for the mission. Brad works delivering trucks all over the country, and he was catching a bus back to Wichita, Kansas where he lives. He delivered a truck in the Lancaster area and then because of a mix-up and argument with his dispatcher, he missed his bus and needed a place to stay. Someone told him about the mission. He said he had a good meal, great musical chapel service and then a good sleep - mentioning how helpful everyone was. He actually said he was glad that he got stranded. He was reminded he needs to let the Lord have control of his life again. He could do nothing but give thanks and ended by giving thanks to God for a very inconvenient but wonderful change in his plans.

As Brad was talking, he started rubbing off on Mike, a blind man who is also very glad he came to the mission and is so thankful for the help he is receiving and is excited about the possibility of getting some part time work – he had an interview the next Monday.

Then as I began to talk with the 3rd passenger it was rather dreary - he also is stranded - from Ohio. Ron is at least temporarily disabled - from a September fall off a roof where he broke both ankles. He has pain as he walks. He had a chance at a temporary job, but a “friend” left him hanging. So here Ron is with no money, no way to make money and no friends who can send him money. I encouraged him to join the program and let God change the direction of his hopeless life. He is considering.

Finally, I got back to the mission and met a man who was born in Vietnam and had just gotten out of jail. He is also happy for the help he is getting here and was excited when he found out I knew his pastor here in Lancaster!

In the course of making a routine trip one morning, I ended up fellowshipping with:
a rejoicing man from Kansas who had his life pleasantly interrupted;
a rejoicing blind man who is glad to be off drugs in his right mind and with a plan;
a man from Ohio who suddenly found himself in a strange place and state and now has to consider which direction his life will take;
and a Vietnamese man whom I’ve never met before, but I know his pastor!

What an exciting place to work! I never know who I'll meet! God is on the move!!! Granted it isn't always so rewarding, although then I probably wouldn’t appreciate the unusual times.

-Chuck Albrecht, Chaplain

God's plan, not mine

The Lord has a wonderful sense of humor and puts up with a lot of foolishness in us, His children. I can't count how many times I have heard people say that they held back from yielding to Jesus because they were afraid He would ask them to give up all they loved and do something they hated.

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a nurse, serving the Lord. But in my teens I found that I loved to help the younger girls understand their homework, and my goal changed to becoming a teacher, serving the Lord. In college I saw those who sat behind a desk typing and answering the phone, and thought how boring that must be. I would never want to do that!

I started out as a teacher of French in the elementary grades. (Don't ask me to speak French now! That was over forty years ago!) Then babies came along and I was nurse, teacher and scrub woman at home for several years.

When I returned to the work force I asked the Lord to open the right door… and where should I land but in a front office, behind a desk, typing and answering the phone!

In a secular company, I found my assignment and my challenge were to live the love and integrity of Jesus in such a way as to make people hungry for a Lord they had no time for. It is still my challenge, and it is anything but boring!

- Eunice Kolb, WSRM Receptionist

What can we do for you?

The great poet, Bob Dylan, asks this question, 'You have given everything to me, what can I do for you?' This line reflects an utter humility and dependency on the God of the universe. It also portrays the vast gulf between God's demands - even His love - and our ability to save ourselves.

To me, Dylan hits the proverbial nail on the head. And this thought speaks to both staff and residents here. Staff needs to rely on God and operate within God's grace - and live as though we really need God - because we do! And our residents need to get the idea that though we occupy different roles this side of heaven, all - staff and residents alike - have been given everything and can do nothing but respond to God with graciousness and humility.

And Dylan concludes,

'Pulled me out of bondage,
You made me renewed inside,
Filled up a hunger that had always been denied.
You opened up a door no man can shut and You opened it up so wide...
And You've chosen me to be among the few,
What can I do for you?'

Good question for all of us Bobby!

-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries Director

Meditation

What is one of the most exciting experiences in my life?

• Joshua 1 and Psalm 1 tie this activity to success.
• I have had the joy of sharing this with clients and have personally experienced the benefits from this activity while at Liberty University.
• A day I had been deeply troubled, the sorrow turned to joy when involved with this.
  

The activity is meditation on Scripture.

My father told me that all forms of meditation are passive except for meditation on Scripture. It starts with memorizing a passage of Scripture and studying it to understand. From there meditation can begin. This involves personalizing the passage in prayer, then repeating the section, emphasizing a different word, and finally defining each word as far as possible in its context.

This activity redirects the mind, will and emotions.

The goal is not to feel good (that is a benefit), but glorifying God in communion with Him.

-Michael Haines, chaplain

Recycled

(inspiration: saw an empty bucket in the trash while gazing out the window of the Men’s Emergency Shelter while on “desk duty” at 3:00am):

An empty bucket has a story to tell
That’s much the same as yours and mine;
Where as we were once full of promise
Now we have reached the end of the line.

Contents are empty, with nothing left to give
Tossed aside, discarded, thrown away on a whim;
Viewed by most as being totally worthless
No longer useful, the future dark and grim.

When suddenly, from the darkness, a hand reaches in
Pulling us from the trash heap with a warm tender smile,
“I can make something beautiful from this vessel”
Something all else would consider vile.

With a thorough cleansing, inside and out;
After a careful inspection and a period of rest
The vessel is granted new life and refilled
To be used as the “Rescuer” deems best.

With an attitude of gratitude, a sense of purpose renewed
We the vessels have a new lease on life
Recycled, replenished and now fit for His use
Blessed to be freed from Satan’s web of turmoil and strife.

-Don, WSRM resident

Fear

It was a Friday evening and my weekend to work in the shelter. I was feeling fearful because I had been out sick the day before and wasn’t really sure what I may be walking into (each day/evening is different). Plus, it was my wedding anniversary and I really wanted to be out having a nice dinner with my husband.

As the evening started my stomach churned in fear and in my mind was racing of fearful thoughts like “what’s going to happen” or “what may happen?”

I then remembered a verse from I John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear….” As I repeated this verse over and over in my mind throughout the evening going about my various tasks, my fears disappeared.

Later in the weekend, I had a couple of opportunities to comfort some children who were ill or who needed some help to get to bed. As I sang to them “Jesus loves me…” the song reminded me again of how God’s love is bigger than circumstances or me.

God’s perfect love drives out fear and since we are God’s children we can rest in his loving arms.

-Mary Minnich, Women’s counselor

Fellowship and fun in the mail room

My name is Shirley Dabler. I have been a volunteer with the Mission for about 12 ½ years. I had decided early on to offer my time and talents with the Mission upon my retirement from my profession. My reason for doing so was to be able to give back to the community. I was so blessed to have worked for my company for 40 years—I wanted to take the talents God gave me, and use them for the good of others.

My main duty at Water Street is helping to get the monthly mailings processed and out the door. For about six years I have been the Team Leader of the mail crew. I must say the experience has been both challenging and very rewarding. One of the greatest gifts I have received is the fellowship and friendship among the group. It sort of became like a family. Although we work very hard, the times of laughter and fun outweigh the task at hand.

Don’t miss your opportunity to use your gifts that can affect the lives of others. To see the life of someone change because of something you do is the most rewarding gift in life.

-Shirley Dabler, volunteer

No shoes allowed?

You are walking into work and you notice a sign on the front door. As you get closer, you read “NO SHOES OR SOCKS ALLOWED”. In order to be obedient you take off your shoes and socks, putting your socks into your shoes so that you don’t lose them. You keep on your way, but then feel something mushy on your foot. Looking down you are a little startled to see dirt and bugs all over the floor. You think, “This will be an interesting day…..

The Wonder Club children (Kindergarten and Pre-K) experienced this one morning during chapel time, except for the dirt. We did have bugs on the floor, but they were plastic. In order for the story to come alive for the children, we had the children imagine being back in Jesus’ day and walking bare feet through anything… bugs, dirt, mud and so forth. Then we retold the story of Jesus washing his friends’ feet. The children were reminded how Jesus would have been gentle and loving while washing their feet.

Now, it was their turn. The children were partnered up and used baby wipes to wipe their friend’s feet. To get everyone involved, the teachers also participated. As the music played, the children and teachers wiped. They got to experience loving others as Jesus did and being loved by Jesus.

-Nicole Imhof, Wonder Club Teacher

It's about real change

When I first met Norm he was bitter, full of rage and ready to ‘go off’ over just about any issue. He was scary. One morning I saw Norm standing across the street from the Portland Rescue Mission yelling obscenities as if the building was a person. I don’t know why, but I walked across the street and asked if I he wanted to talk. Norm seemed to calm when I talked with him. I enjoyed talking with him, even though I was afraid of him.

Norm came and went from the shelter for a few months. Then one day the Director came to me and said that Norm would be joining the mission’s “NewLife” program. I sarcastically said, “Who’s going to have to work with him?” He replied, “You are.” I was terror struck. Sharing occasional brief conversations with Norm was scary enough, but being closed into a counseling room alone with him seemed downright foolish.

Over the next three years of working with Norm my fears gave way to a deep abiding love. We chased every rabbit down every trail and he finally softened and began to listen. The changes were profound. Norm soon began to disciple the new men coming into the program.

When I left Norm in Portland he had become a staff member at the mission. During the 1 ½ years that Norm and I were apart he continued to grow in his walk with the Lord. The Lord eventually convinced Norm that he was headed for the ministry. Norm contacted me and asked if I would help him work through some more issues while equipping him for ministry.

Norm is now here with me at Water Street. He is an Intern, training hard in all aspects of our ministry. Already he is proving himself to be an effective channel of God’s grace to our men. Norm is a genuine success story, a living testimony to the power God’s love to change lives.

-Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Prayer to the Master Gardener

Father,

I want to thank you for replanting my life (bulb) into your garden. You have removed me from the thorny and weedy garden plot were I could not live or survive.

You Father, The Gardener, gently lifted my bulb and transplanted me among all your other beautiful, full-bloom, fragrant and always in season, flowers and plants in your vibrant garden. You prune my weakened leaves and transform me to health. You strengthen my Love and Honor to you, Father. Your Love for me puts the nutrients in my roots as you strengthen my faith in you, Father.

I am blessed to have you as my Master Gardener (Father).

You have blessed me with such a Father loving family, such a variety of Brothers and Sisters; you have placed me among your best bouquet. I have always sensed your presence in my daily life.

I know that storms, hail and wind will from time to time damage us or even kill us. We know that you will always tend to us and if we don’t survive you will move our bulbs and roots into your Heavenly Garden.

Thank You, Father for adopting me, loving me and treating me as your own. Thank You for teaching and sharing with me, your ways.

-First Bloom, Pauljay, Learning Center Graduate

License to drive

I grew up in a pretty typical suburban family. It still amazes me how many of the things that were “normal” to my experience growing up (things that I take for granted) can be extraordinary in the life of a kid growing up in the city. I could share many, many examples.

Today, I’m thinking about driving a car… when I turned 16, I took my permit exam, and about a week later passed the test to get my license, and I’ve been driving ever since. No big deal, just like riding a bike.

Not quite the same experience for most of the kids we work with. A license is a rarity, access to a car - a luxury, motivation and support from parents to pass your test – often non-existent. So many of the teens we work with never get a license, or else struggle through the process. 8 years ago, when I ran a “driving club” at our Lancaster youth center to help kids learn to drive, only 2 of the 10 who started actually got their license (although maybe that’s more a reflection on their teacher…naah).

With this in mind, I was ecstatic when I received this understated email from John (our Philadelphia Field Director) about Aaron, a Teen Haven alumni and camp counselor:

Aaron is in his early twenties. Like many city kids, he did not get his drivers license while a teenager. He told me that he wanted me to teach him to drive. So I used my personal car on the Philadelphia zoo parking lot and had several sessions with him. Last Thursday I met him at the Island Avenue Penndot center at 8:30 in the morning. He used my car to take his test and passed. He is very happy about this.

Sometimes it’s about the “little” things that aren’t so little.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

We need each other

Last week we had a meeting with male and female program staff. Now that doesn’t sound like a big deal until you realize that everyone is incredibly busy and our census (the number of residents) is high so it’s difficult meshing staff calendars. And it is extremely easy to unthinkingly operate more as a Martha than a Mary when so often the latest crisis and our ever-present "day-timer" govern our agenda!

Adding to the mix was the intention of the meeting – to develop a philosophy of ministry that could be embraced by all program staff! Talk about a difficult task!

And I can say this – the meeting went very well! Now quite honestly, the philosophy of ministry statement is yet unformed. But I am gently reminded of this: that we are more effective and reflect Christ more clearly when we work together and value the contributions of all. Stay tuned.

-Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

In plain sight

Have you ever driven the same streets, oblivious to the changes that are taking place, until one day you notice a building seemingly appear out of thin air? It happened to me yesterday as I was driving home from softball practice. I was following the same route I drive every day when picking my daughter up from Pre-K, and I saw two churches I knew existed, however, I never saw – really saw – their houses of worship until yesterday afternoon.

My Wednesday mornings can be like that too. I gather with pastors from the city for prayer and then we eat together at McDonalds and share ideas and thoughts for how we can be united in ministry in Lancaster City. On my way, I often walk in past people I know from WSRM, but sometimes I struggle to SEE them – really SEE them – because of how my SEEING them would interfere with my morning agenda. If I SEE them, I might have to be obedient and actually do what I am going there to talk about doing (OUCH).

The part that hurts the most is that I remember when I was invisible too.

Anyway, I reread the following essay that was posted on ‘The Purpose Driven Life website on March 30th, 2oo6. It was written by John Fischer and I originally read it on Larry James’ Urban Daily weblog. I pray that the Lord would open the eyes of my heart to see Him and His ... every time I go by.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries Director

The following essay was posted on The Purpose Driven Life website on March 30, 2006. Written by John Fischer, I found it on Larry James Urban daily Weblog. Who are you missing on your daily trek’s through town?
_________________________________________________
“In plain sight, yet invisible at the same time.” This statement struck me from a newsletter I received on behalf of an inner city worker. It was how one person described a time when she was at a low point of homelessness in her life. “Out of sight, out of mind” was one thing, she said, but to be “in plain sight, yet invisible at the same time” was the worst.

This has to strike a cord in all of us. Our societies are so fragmented now that there can exist a great divide separating us from the people we encounter every day. Here in southern California, just to drive from one place to another you can pass through districts of enormous racial, social, and economic disparity. I can’t imagine it is much different in any other city. In such an environment, I can feel the temptation to make whole people groups invisible to me so I don’t have to deal with what scares me or what I don’t understand about them. But if my purpose is to serve, I don’t get to write anyone off. Part of serving is seeing. And part of seeing is becoming sensitive to the invisible people who are in plain sight.

It appears that Jesus was always drawing a crowd made up primarily of invisible folks. It was a lame, blind, leprous, and insane group of left-behinds that seemed to gather around him wherever he went – people who if society had some place to put them so they would be out of the way it would. But since they can’t be put away anywhere, they become invisible. But not to Jesus.

Making people invisible is also a way we can avoid being called into service. “If I make eye contact with that guy, he might ask something of me.” Well of course he will! (I know what I’m talking about here, because I’m always trying to get off the hook.) And if I don’t have money to give him, I have something. Perhaps it starts with seeing him, and then I might discover what to do. Peter once healed a lame man begging by the road, because he didn’t have any money to give him. Imagine that! Well I don’t have any money, but I can heal you and completely turn your life around from here on out!

No one is invisible to Jesus. And if you and I have Jesus, we have something to give. For starters, we have the gift of seeing someone, and for someone who has been invisible in plain sight for a long time, that is an incredible gift in and of itself.

A place of grace

Last night I was at the annual banquet of the York Rescue Mission – a fellow member of our 300 member Rescue Mission association. It was a nice banquet with singing, testimonies, and special presentations. However, I was particularly struck by the stories of the former guests of the Mission. They had the same stories as many of the men and women guests I have gotten to know at Water Street Rescue Mission:

A life of pain and difficulty
…numerous attempts to escape by self effort
…descent to emptiness
…surrender of self to God
…transformation of the heart that infuses hope, joy and power into life
…then pain and difficulty, again
…but this time, with a power to live above it.

I was convicted by the reality of this pattern in my own life. There are things in my life that are painful and difficult and my first reaction is too often to deal with it by self effort. A process which seldom produces peace that is sustainable.

As I listened to the testimonies last night, I had to wonder: Since I know that surrender of self to God provides a grace to live above the pain and difficulties, why I am so slow or reluctant to surrender? At times I suspect it could be my stubbornness, or perhaps I am often not sure how or what to surrender. Regardless, I am grateful for God’s perseverance with me and for friends who walk with me thru the pain to find that place of grace.

It was a blessing to be reminded of the power and grace of God to deliver us from our own humanity.

-Jere Shertzer, WSRM President

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Where I am in life...

My name is Bill. I was born in Philadelphia and raised in the Richard Allen Project. In 1959, we moved to Germantown where I grew up in a poor environment within a dysfunctional family. I experienced the negative effects of poverty, mental illness within family members, mental abuse and physical beatings. As a result, I suffered from depression and low self-esteem which led me into drug and alcohol use.

When I grew older, I began to live with my girlfriend and we had a son together. However, I did not treat her well, and we finally broke up and she left taking my son with her. I continued my downward path which included having to deal with my mother and elder brothers’ mental illness. As well as that, I was also responsible for taking care of my two younger brothers. All this time, I was trying to deal with my own depression.

I finally ended up in a rehab program in 1998. It was there that I was first introduced to God and His love for me. I welcomed these new ideas because they brought me comfort. When I left the program, I once more became immersed in my old problems with my family. I found that my new awareness of God was not enough to keep me from falling back into my old ways. I groveled around in Philadelphia for a while falling into and out of meaningless little jobs.

I finally hit rock bottom and turned in desperation to my younger brother, Warren who had moved to Lancaster to attend Millersville University. I followed him to Lancaster and found a place to stay… Water Street rescue Mission. This is where I finally met God in a life changing way.

What happened next? Well that will be in the next installment…. WATCH THIS SPACE.

-Bill, WSRM resident

A phone call

Today, I received another call from someone mistaking Teen Haven for a detox center or drug and alcohol rehab facility (we get these calls occasionally, sometimes because people mix up Teen Haven with Teen Challenge – an excellent Christ-centered rehab program).

Honestly the way I handle these calls can depend on how my day is going and how busy I am. Sometimes, I will fumble through my files and provide phone numbers to the person in need (usually a parent or friend of the person with the substance abuse issue), other times when I’m really busy, I may only provide the name of a program or just politely let them know that Teen Haven isn’t a rehab program.

For some reason, today I lingered for a while and talked with the mother of Michael, a 20-year-old who is using cocaine and slowly destroying his life and his relationships with those who love him most. While directing her to some ministries that hopefully can provide her and her son some help, I realized that God had a small role for me to play at this moment in this woman’s life whom I had never met.

As she shared her brokenness and fear and tears and lack of faith, I was able to reassure her that the God she knows and who loves her and her son more than she ever could, is still present even when things are dark. And that He is more than able to deliver her son, if Michael is willing. It may happen instantly (the way she was delivered from her alcohol addiction) or it may be a long, exhausting struggle. But either way, God will be with both her and her son as they walk through this. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

As we prayed together before saying good-bye, I thanked God for causing me to pause and listen rather than rushing off the phone and back to the task I had been working on when she called. Occasionally, I get so busy doing “ministry” work that I miss the ministry opportunities that God puts before me, today He allowed me to recognize and respond to one. “Thanks God.”

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

The best job in the world

I have the best job. Day after day, phone call after phone call, email after email, people contact me to give. They offer their skills, their talents, their time, their love for Jesus. It truly is rewarding to see Christians putting their faith into action by volunteering to serve at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

Sometimes, though, despite having the best job in the world, it is easy for me to get frustrated. Thoughts like “No! Not another volunteer application to process!” and “I’m not going to answer the phone one more time today, no matter what they want to give!” sneak in and try to steal the blessings that God is trying to give.

I was having one of those days the other week. You know, the kind of day that adheres to Murphy’s Law that everything that can go wrong, will. I was feeling overwhelmed and had definitely forgotten that I had the best job in the world. I flew in to the mail room to get my mail on the way to accomplishing another task, but Lorraine, the Director of the Wonder Club, stopped me.

“Carissa, I was thinking that it would be really great to have a volunteer who was willing to teach music to our children. Could you start trying to recruit someone for that position? Maybe we could try to have someone in place for next fall.”

I responded that I would work on that for her, all the while thinking that here was just another thing to try to squeeze into my already packed schedule. I smiled, but I wasn’t overly excited about the new task I had just been given.

I picked up my mail, and went back to my desk. I opened the first piece of mail to find a volunteer application that needed to be processed. Oh great, like I need more of these, was my overwhelmed response.

Then I flipped the application over to the part where the applicants list the positions they are applying for. There, written in the margin was a comment to the effect of, “I didn’t see a position listed anywhere, but would love to teach music if there is an opening. I especially have a passion for preschool-age children.”

Of course, I jumped out of my seat and ran wildly to the mail room to where Lorraine was still working and told her how God had provided in record time. What does that verse say? I think it’s something about God knowing our needs before we even ask…

Yes, I have the best job. And even when I forget that, God has a way of blessing until I remember.

-Carissa Martin, Volunteer Coordinator

God's heart for the poor

I have always counted it a privilege to work with the poor and homeless but I never thought of it as work specifically blessed by God. However when you look at what the Scriptures say, it is true. (Proverbs 19:17, 21:13, 22:9, Isaiah 22:16 to name a few)

God has a specific concern for the poor; I always knew this and it motivated me to work in this population. But, I had never thought about the personal benefits of serving the poor. God assures us this work is blessed and we can be involved with a people of great concern to God and close to his heart.

Working at the medical clinic has given me a wonderful opportunity to observe firsthand lives changed by the grace of God and a chance to serve the poor with my nursing skills. However the greatest benefit I now realize: I can be involved with a work God considers vital and is completely blessed.

I have selected several quotes from Bono’s (yes, the lead singer of U2) speech at the National Day of Prayer Breakfast which apply to the poor in general and may help explain some of what I wrote.

"Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives. Check Judaism. Check Islam. Check pretty much anyone.

I mean, God may well be with us in our mansions on the hill… I hope so. He may well be with us as in all manner of controversial stuff… maybe, maybe not… But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths and ideologies, is that God is with the vulnerable and poor.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.

'If you remove the yolk from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places'

It’s not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. [You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.] ‘As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.’ (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor.

.... A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it… I have a family, please look after them… I have this crazy idea…

And this wise man said: ‘Stop.’

He said, ‘Stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing—because it’s already blessed.’

Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing. And that is what He’s calling us to do."

02.02.06 BONO'S REMARKS TO THE NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST Entire speech if you are interested: http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php

-Kim Herr, RN staff, Water Street Medical Clinic