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08-01-11

BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND

(Hosea 10:12)  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground [the ground of your heart]: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

1.      Fallow ground is the soil of the heart that has been so neglected and hardened that it cannot receive God’s loving seed. “The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11).

Dear brothers and sisters, God bless you. May I introduce a fairly typical street couple named Mary and Bob to you, who through a series of all too common economic disasters, have fallen upon hard-times? As I recall, they lived for a while in a back-yard tent located at a loyal friend’s house before they became completely homeless. Mary wrote the following letter to us:

Being homeless was devastating. The Haven of Rest Rescue Mission gave us hope when there was none. They provided physical (food, toiletries, showers) as well as spiritual food. We would have starved if it wasn’t for them. Each worker [Rescue Mission staff member] provided encouragement for the future. Somehow we kept on going day by day. Bible study was most enjoyable for us, and a new relationship with Jesus Christ. When we wanted to give up, they [the Bible studies] were used by Christ to uplift us. We have learned so much and care deeply for everyone at the Haven of Rest. We will never forget the life that they provide every day. Sister Carolyn, thank you for all the prayers you prayed for us. Reverend Lionel, our hearts are forever indebted to you and your staff (servants). We love you. Thank you for our new life. With love, Mary and Bob. 

A very nice letter of sincere appreciation, focusing upon their present transformation (Rom 12:2), and their joyous future in the Kingdom of Heaven; leaving unspoken and hopefully forgotten the dark past years of painful throes and debilitating sorrows they encountered daily in their homeless condition. But it is you, dear brothers and sisters, to whom all the thanks are due. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For if you had not continued to faithfully send your prayers and sacrificial love offerings, we would not have had the wherewithal, the means or supplies, to help this couple recover from their tragic fall, nor indeed any of the other literally thousands of homeless persons who have entered into our Rescue Mission desperately seeking help since our inception in 1988.

COUNTING

Although I take no pleasure in counting and tallying things up, it seems nevertheless the most meaningful and informative way of concisely communicating to you what is happening here in Father God’s Rescue Mission. Last month, thirty-five persons received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, which brought the cumulative total professions of faith thus far for year 2011 to an even 300 persons, instantly reminding me of Gideon’s 300 obedient warriors; may we pray that our 300 be greatly multiplied and serve the Lord as well as Gideon’s 300.

May I also mention that throughout the first seven months of this year, the staff and warm-hearted volunteers of this Rescue Mission have freely distributed an average of 76,774 pounds of food per month, which converts into over 38 tons of food every month (your car weighs about 1 ½ tons). Let us stretch our imaginations a bit and visualize you now looking out your home window and seeing 26 cars, all exactly like yours, lined up in front of your home. Their total weight equals the 38 tons of food that we gave away last month to homeless persons, impoverished families (men, women, and little children), and 171 other nonprofit agencies in Pinellas County. Speaking of which, may I redirect your thoughts to the “distribution” of that food?

MORE DETAILS

A typical month: last month of our two vehicles, the year 2,000 Isuzu 16 foot box truck, mileage 198,867, (that we try to use ever so sparingly) traveled 1,002 Pinellas County miles at 7 miles per gallon, and used 143 gallons of gas at a cost of  $536 (plus repairs), and the year 1997 Dodge van, mileage exempt, (that we try to use mostly) traveled 2,897 Pinellas County miles at 14 miles per gallon, and used 207 gallons of gas at a cost of $776 (plus repairs). The total cost of gasoline necessary to acquire and distribute the food and travel countywide almost 4,000 miles in the month was $1,312. Please tack on about $500 for monthly repairs and we arrive at a grand total of $1,800 per month x 12 months equals a very conservative annual cost of $21,600 for the pick-up and distribution of food. My, my, talk about blowing your budget. Oh, I almost forgot. Our automobile insurance for both vehicles is an additional $5,200. (This gets seriously disturbing after a while).

We could use a little help. How can you help? Well, if you will look at our numbers, and then to your assets, perhaps Father God will stir up your heart with a wonderful revelation. Hints: pray without ceasing, share the cost burden of our monthly food distribution, a newer van would be a great help, donate a gas station, etc., etc. 

WATER BAPTISM IS COMING TO YOUR VENUE SOON

August is a great month for water baptisms in the Gulf of Mexico. With the water still quite inviting, the beach becomes a grand amphitheater of warmth and joy, freckled with tanned bathers placed ever so precisely under the watchful oversight of the beaming Sun, himself encompassed about with a white-robed entourage of softly billowing garments; gently foaming waves washing through the toes of my feet tiny particles of brown sand.

And… you are most welcome, and in fact you are encouraged to come, and to share our joy in our Lord’s sacrament of water baptism. Yep. In just a few weeks, on Sunday August 28, 2011, we will perform a water baptism for whomsoever would care to come (that means you) and be baptized in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, at the main downtown beach of Madeira Beach, Florida. For those saints in need of a ride to and from the beach, transportation vehicles will be available and leaving the Rescue Mission at 1:00pm, and scheduled to arrive at the Madeira Beach parking lot from approximately 1:20-1:30pm. Changing rooms are available for free at the concession stand. For those “whomsoevers” who plan on coming, either to participate, observe, or support, and are not in need of a ride, we shall meet you there. J  No reservations are necessary. Bring your Bibles, your towels, and your best evangelical smile. 

Thank you. God bless you.                                                        

Pastor Lionel                                        

Ps. May I mention that our Rescue Mission is freely offering a new really excellent meeting (I participate as well) every Friday evening from 7-8:00pm entitled New Found Family which is an all inclusive Christian based recovery program that deals with AA, NA, and any other problem that you may have, such as smoking, overeating, depression, pornography, anger, loneliness, unhappiness, etc., etc., and poverty of spirit. I have personally found this program to be quite beneficial. You may too. Try it, you’ll like it. I did. J  The New Found Family recovery program is being newly offered in addition to our regular Thursday evening 7-8:00pm biblically based AA/NA program, and a Tuesday evening 7-8:00pm seminary level discipleship program entitled “Men of Valor” open to both men and women. I don’t teach any of these, but while I am at it (and have the space J ), let me say that I do teach and preach the Sunday sermon which commences with music worship at 10:30am, the message at 11:00am, and is followed by a Fellowship Dinner. Whomsoever is cordially invited to attend any or all of these offerings. Thank you. God bless you.

History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has been either a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster.

                                                                                                     --General Douglas MacArthur

(Hosea 13:4)  Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.