Dude! Share The Food!

Good news and bad news.

Last Tuesday there were 10 people who helped make the
sandwiches and lunch bags to be distributed later in the day.

That is the largest crew we have ever had.

The reason- – -4 of the workers have been freed up to serve
the Lord this way because they are currently unemployed.

To many it might seem strange that the unemployed are
feeding the homeless.  But aren’t we, who
name the name of Jesus, called to improbable situations?

When Moses asked God how he was to convince the Pharaoh to
release Israel God replies “What is in your hand?”

When the disciples told Jesus about the 5000 hungry people
Jesus asked “What do you have?”

In Ecclesiastes we are told to cast our bread upon the water
and that we should sow in the morning and evening because we never know which
act will produce fruit. We are cautioned that if we consider what is going on
around us we will never do anything.

These people are doing what they find in their hand to do.

As a collateral benefit those further into the job search,
unemployment rules are helping the newbies.  And sharing job sites and encouragement.

Is there a better example of it being impossible to outgive
the Lord?

bring some supplies, y’all !

so, the other day, i pulled in the driveway, and the neighbor girls were jumping on their trampoline. except the little one, who was walking around the grass.

i walked over and started talking to her. she’s about 4, maybe..?? super cute, carrying around this long, forked stick, like she could be searching for water.

she finally asked “what’s your name?” (cool, now she can’t hold it against me that i forgot her name…)  i said “mr. erik. what’s your name?” (i thought it was Grace, but sometimes my memory can’t be trusted.)(usually).  she said “mumble GRACE mumble mumble” i said “hillary grace?” she said “no. mumble GRACE mumble mumble” i asked again, and she gave up and said “i don’t know”

i let my little dog out, and we chased him around for a minute. then, as i was trying to break away and go inside, she said “maybe i can stay at your house tonight”!!  in this day and age, one just doesn’t quite know how to respond to that…  so i said “maybe sometime. we’ll have to check with your mom.” she paused, looked over at my house, thought for a second, then said “which room could be mine?”

sooooooo  cute.

but now i’m wondering about my own spirit of hospitality….  or lack thereof.

i’m also reminded (by her name) about a sermon i think everyone involved in sharing food should hear;  GRACE, by Francis Chan.  please, please, PLEASE go listen to it.  it’s your homework for the week…..

here’s a link to it;

http://www.cornerstonesimi.com/media_player.php?f=2007-10-14_Francis_Chan_Grace.mp3

eh

http://chasegentes.blogspot.com/

thoughts from chase, who joined us saturday.

I am going to admit something to you that I have been in denial about for quite some time. I, Wil Fowler, am a cat person.

I know my Dad will be upset about this. Just kidding. Anyway… On Saturday, Carrie and I got a cat from the Douglas County animal shelter. He has white and red fur. Carrie thought about naming him Red but, when she said “Rusty,” I thought of Rusty (from the “Dude” group) and it just fit.

I was amazed at how quickly I loved and had affection for Rusty and I asked myself, “Why don’t I love people like this?”

Then Sunday I went downtown with Erik and my heart went out to Charles who lives under “the bridge”. I asked him if he needed anything. He wanted some aspirin for his leg and then he wanted me and Erik to pray with him. He was so appreciative.

God does answer prayers. I could tell through my interaction with Charles that He was working on my heart. He is awesome…

Wil

so, i’m sitting here at my computer, and i reach for my bottle of coke.  i put it up to my mouth, only to find out that the lid is still on!!  don’t ya hate that?

two days ago, i get in my truck, and spill my coffee all over my pants.  don’t ya hate that?

or, you grab the wrong drink, and you’re expecting root beer, but it’s diet pepsi!  don’t ya hate that?

or, you’re in public, and you reach out to pull the door handle, and you don’t get a good grip, and you stumble backwards.

or, you tie your shoes, and, 2 minutes later, one of them is untied again.

or, you’re driving and eating fries, and you dip it in honey mustard, and it drips on your shirt.

or you smash your thumb with a hammer.

or you get to the mall, only to realize you forgot your shoes.

or you forget to share food.

don’t ya just hate it when that happens??

eh

This mission has taken on a very different complexion since Danny Cox and I got started about 4 years ago. Here lately, God has just been revealing Himself to me in a very cool fashion.

I have met almost a dozen people in the last few months, primarily due to this “food-sharing effort”, that want to offer God their diligent service. They may not be able to offer themselves to a ministry that commits them every waking hour. But, they want to align themselves with God’s people and help those that have “fallen”. In my opinion, that is the essence of “Christ-like” ministry. Jesus almost always started out taking care of a person’s “primary need” (i.e. – health, food, etc.) and then He had opportunity to move on to their souls.

We typically hear more about bad news. However, I am telling you that God is moving in a lot of hearts and lives. I, personally, feel like Paul so much of the time. I want to do good, but evil is just staring me right in the face. In those times, it is so helpful to be with the brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe that is why we are instructed to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves” (namely, Christians in fellowship – not just “worship service”). The first century believers spent a lot of “personal” time together, also.

Thanks for letting James and me help with what we are doing. I pray that God will touch every single heart that is involved in His Kingdom’s work and those that are looking for His “door”!!

I love you and appreciate your participation, assistance, and friendship!! What we are doing matters a lot, and I know that God can do something good with it.

Lord willing, we will see you Saturday.
Britt

check out this cool cafe, which helps the homeless.

http://www.cafe458atl.com/

i was just looking at some older posts, and noticed that last year at christmas time, we’d shared about 6000 meals. so, that means in 2008, we shared more than 20,000 meals!!

y’all really know how to pass on what you’ve been given…. way to go! keep it up!

eh