Trinity Rescue Mission on April 14th

Fellow Christians, please come and help in the feeding of the homeless at Trinity Rescue Mission from 10-1:30 PM. There may be more children at this event, so be prepared to love on some children. If you need more information, please drop a comment with your questions. I'm including some words Bono said in regards 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....

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."

Thanks for helping guys......

I guess we're going to a U2 concert!

Thanks to my bro Luke for introducing us to a new site:
www.godtube.com
Its just like youtube but its all about Christian topics. One in particular that really got to Daniel was "Bono: A Conversation About Christianity". Check it out. The godtube link will be on link list from now on.

Depth of Mercy

In dealing with the homeless and indigent we often encounter people who have committed terrible sins in their life. Often we are tempted to look at these people and think "well they probably deserve to be where they are now."

I came across an old hymn lyric this morning that reminded me of where my attitude and my focus should be in such instances. I have no standing on which to condemn others, because I of all people am condemned first!

"Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.

Whence to me this waste of love?
Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face,
Now before the throne of grace.

Jesus, answer from above,
Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,
Permit me to kiss Thy feet?

If I rightly read Thy heart,
If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,
Pardon and accept me now.

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!
He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move,
Justice lingers into love.

Kindled His relentings are,
Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up?”
Lets the lifted thunder drop.

Lo! I still walk on the ground:
Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut Him down,
Let this barren soul alone.”

There for me the Savior stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more."

Charles Wesley
Depth of Mercy

Making people thirsty

In my quiet time this morning I was reading in Donald Grey Barnhouse's commentary on Romans. Read what he had to say about Romans 1:1 and let it bless you today.

"Look out among the people you know as Christians and you will discover two sorts. One rubs you the wrong way, the other fills you with admiration. One of them boasts that he doesn't do this and doesn't do that until you think that failing to do certain things is the whole of his religion. Those with whom he talks want to go out and do the very things he does not do as a sort of reaction against that in his life which is offensive. The other Christian strikes you as being a holy person. You do not expect him to do certain things because you rather feel he is possessed by higher motives. He has been in the presence of the Lord and is so filled with that presence that he draws you to Christ. If you are not this type of Christian, you are not what God wants. You may bleat from morning to evening that you don't get drunk and don't go in for carnal pleasures, but no one is going to listen to you. You have pumped a lot of things out of your life but you have nothing else in their place and even nature abhors a vacuum.

In a Bible class at the University of California campus, a group of students were considering the verse, 'Ye are the salt of the earth.' They were describing the various functions and qualities of salt for seasoning, for preserving, and for other uses. A Chinese girl said, 'Salt makes you thirsty.' Do you make anyone thirsty for Christ? You never will by separating from something. But you will always by separating unto Christ."

FEEDING JESUS, CLOTHING JESUS, ENTERTAINING ANGELS!

How can I be more grateful? God spoke so clearly to me. He showed me again that my efforts are not what He requires. He showed me that my submission was His desire. People, God moved on Saturday. He took a body of believers and in an instant, moved them to care for His children. I had the privilege of seeing about 30 believers mobilized to do God's work for the homeless of downtown Jacksonville. We had people organizing clothes that were going to be given away. We had people cleaning up a children's playground. We had people preparing food. We had a two young men preparing hearts for praise with the Word of God and with music (on a moments notice!). We had men sitting with homeless hearts, desperate for fellowship. We had a body of believers living out our common faith in Jesus Christ. A faith that is followed by good works. And people? We did it ALL to our God! In serving, clothing, feeding each and every homeless man, woman and child there, we did it unto Him! If that doesn't light you up, I don't know what will! I cannot be more grateful to God! It is my prayer that each of you consider the work God did in you that day and share it here, on our blog. Let this be a place where we can share the stories that will build this body of believers into servants of Jesus Christ!

Gathering outside of the Trinity Rescue Mission. Velma, the Volunteer Coordinator took us on a tour of the facilities to show us what they needed done.

Sorting donations in the clothing room.

They get a lot of clothing donations that have to be sorted out for the men, women, and children. When residents see an item they need or want, they have to "pay" for it by doing chores around the mission.

There are many children that come and stay at the mission with their moms. We got to spend some time with them, reading to them and playing with them. We hope to start a tutoring program with the kids there. These UNF students spent the morning reading with them and helping them practice writing. The kids had a blast!

The Praise Machine, "featuring Joe Dowdy"... :)

During the two service times, we got the opportunity to minister to the residents of the mission through song, testimonies, and preaching. It was a beautiful time of worship. In between the men's and women's services, we served lunch to all of the residents.

Our friends from University Baptist jumped in the kitchen and helped prepare and serve the food to the residents of the mission.

Tomorrow!

9:30am - 1:30pm at the Trinity Rescue Mission (see link on the right)

What will we be doing?

*feeding the homeless
*clothing the homeless
*listening to the homeless
*working alongside the homeless
*providing a worship service for the homeless

And serving the Lord Jesus Christ through all of it!

Please come and join us!

Amazing Grace!

Just got back from seeing "Amazing Grace" about the story of William Wilberforce. All I can say is (to quote Danny here) "Woooooowwww!" If you guys want to see a real testimony to the courage that God can give one man to completely change a nation, watch this movie. God used Wilberforce in 18th century England to peacefully end the slave trade and bring about social justice. Also, Albert Finney does a cameo as John Newton with his usual superb acting.

If you like the movie and want to know more about William Wilburforce, check out these links:

Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce by John Piper (free online book)

A Practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce

God has called us all to live lives of courage through the faith that He has given us. If you think you are not smart enough or strong enough or talented enough to impact your world for Christ, watch this movie!!!

Oh, and thanks Meredith and Danny for letting me post on your blog. For those who don't know I am Meredith's older brother and Danny's less-talented-but-much-sexier brother-in-law!!! ;)