Mission trip to the Los Angeles Dream Center - PART1 - SKID ROW

Statistics from www.csm.org:

There are at least 91,000 homeless people each night in Los Angeles County. About 15-20,000 homeless people live on “Skid Row”. This is a ten square block area at the center of downtown Los Angeles. At any given time at least half the homeless population literally sleeps on the streets. The average age of homeless person is around 40 years old. One third to one half of the homeless population is women and girls.

Causes of homelessness shown in research tend to include the following:

• Lack of affordable housing
• Poverty
• Low-paying jobs and labor market changes
• Unemployment
• Mental illness
• Substance abuse
• Changes and cuts in public assistance
• Domestic violence
• Changes in family structure
• Prison release
• Chronic health problems
• Lack of access to affordable health care

Heading to the LA Dream Center, I expected to learn a lot of "facts" and information about budgets, help with establishing a non-profit organization, securing funding, etc., to help our church establish a Dream Center here in Collinsville, VA.  While I did learn a lot about these things, I am SO grateful for the life-experiences that I was not expecting - like the time our group spent ministering to the people who call Skid Row "home".

Trying to describe Skid Row is like trying to describe labor pains to someone who has never experienced childbirth.  Words cannot fully describe the intensity of the sights, sounds and smells that make up Skid Row - amongst which, people are existing - not living, existing.  Stray animals live in better conditions.....

I felt a little desperation come over me when I realized that the cookies and water our group was distributing was gone within a matter of minutes - leaving me looking into the eyes of three dear souls who were waiting for their portion.   Telling them that we had no more, was heartbreaking.  I was quickly aware that I had nothing to offer except a few moments of my time, the offer of a prayer and a hug.  It wasn't until after our group was back at the Dream Center that I realized that those things were, in fact, the best things any of us had to offer.  NO ONE turned down my offer of prayer; NO ONE turned down my offer of a hug.  They accepted those gifts as quickly as others had taken water and cookies from me.

Holding filthy hands in prayer, hugging someone who smells of old body waste, urine or alcohol becomes a precious experience when you realize that you are an extension of Christ's love to that person.  It was truly a privilege to spend time with these precious people who God loves as much as you and me.

We may not have a Skid Row here in Henry County, VA but pain, loneliness, hunger and despair are universal languages which are spoken as clearly here as in Los Angeles.  As Christians, we are called to address these issues.  James 2:14-17 says, "What good is it my brothers if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?"  Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food?  If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well fed." but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead."

God has called us to action - to build a Dream Center here in Henry County in order to demonstrate His love; to meet  people at the point of their needs, to rebuild lives and offer hope that is only found with a relationship with Him through Christ.  Visiting the LA Dream Center - seeing their ministries in action and hearing testimonies of lives changed - allowed me to clearly understand the impact that a Dream Center can have in our community.

To learn more about the (original) LA Dream Center and it's 200+ outreach ministries, please click this link:  www.dreamcenter.org/  

I AM my brother's keeper.

By the time a man reaches the age of 57, he's most likely looking forward to retirement or at least easing back a bit on his workload.  But, what happens when this man finds himself laid off from his job, lost within a sea of others who comprise a (now) 30% unemployment rate in our community?  He becomes a statistic within the new generation of homeless in our country.  A generation that is growing at such a rapid rate that government agencies, faith-based and benevolent groups cannot keep up with.

Meet James.  He is not an alcoholic, not an addict, not a felon and does not suffer from mental illness.  If he fit into one of these "categories" it might be easier to understand his current situation.  James has worked hard his entire life, beginning as a child picking tobacco at the farm where he grew up.  As an adult, he worked at one of our local furniture manufacturers, ultimately becoming a supervisor.  When that company relocated overseas, James went to work for another manufacturer which, ultimately swept him out with dozens of other workers in one of its many layoffs.  That was a year and a half ago. 

When his unemployment compensation could no longer keep up with rent, utilities and other basic expenses, James found himself with barely more than the clothes on his back.  A local church paid for several nights in one of our low-cost motels which, is where I first met James.  The motel manager called my pastor because it was obvious to her that James was in need of assistance.  He was not expecting me, so when I met him sitting with his Bible open and TV tuned to a church service, I knew he was not setting a stage for my sake.  Rather, he was clinging to his faith while trying to wrap his mind around the circumstances that had now become his life.  A life that no longer supports a once hard-working man's basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. 

So what does the future hold for James?  The answer to that monumental question is not clear right now.  What is clear though - I AM my brother's keeper and so are you if we are followers of Christ.  

When you meet (a) James, and chances are you will, what will you do? 

1 John 3:17 "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him?"

1 John 3:18 "Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions." 

1 John 3:19 "Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord."

My Brother’s Keeper Prayer

Lord . . .

When I have food, Help me to remember the hungry.

When I lie in my bed, Help me to remember those who sleep on the floor.

When I have a warm home, Help me to remember the homeless.

When I have work, Help me to remember those without jobs.

When I experience the joy of giving to my children, Help me to remember the agony of those who must watch their children go without.

By remembering, Help me to destroy my indifference and arouse my compassion.

Make me concerned enough to act in your name, to help those who cry out to you for that which I so often take for granted.

Amen  

(Prayer from www.mybrotherskeeper.org)


A portion of proceeds from every purchase you make from one of my Websites goes to help someone who is hungry, hurting or homeless.

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com

Haiti - what will you do to help?

Prov. 21:13 He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.

Mother Teresa said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." With the greatest depth of compassion, she did what she could with what she had in order to bring the love of God to hurting souls. She did not allow the magnitude of the work ahead of her to overwhelm her to the point of doing nothing. Perhaps it is a coping mechanism, but often when faced with a crisis as large as Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti, we do nothing because we feel our efforts would be insignificant. Please don't buy into that lie! Certainly, most of us will not be called to physically go to Haiti, but each of us can show love and compassion to these precious people. Every dollar helps! Each of us can do something. No good, done in the name of God, is insignificant. Please, open your heart and your wallet and give what you can to one of the wonderful agencies who are already operating within Haiti. For a partiall list of some of these agencies, you can follow the link below: http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5521 God bless you and the precious people in Haiti.

"A True Christmas Miracle" (by Hope Kerkof)

The power of God's love can cut through the hardest of hearts. The power of His compassion can restore hope to those who have long ago given up on themselves and society. The power of His mercy and grace can transform an existence into life, restoring dignity and self-worth.

The following link takes you to one of the most compelling stories I have read in a very, very long time, "A True Christmas Miracle" by Hope Kerkof. Them power of God's love, compassion, mercy and grace flow from Hope and Kevin Kerkof into the life of a homeless man, "William".

Grab a handful of Kleenex, you'll need

http://blog.lightunderthebridge.com/2009/12/30/a-true-christmas-miracle.aspx

PLEASE, remember the forgotten at Christmas!

Stock photo, not necessarily depicting homeless in VA.

Dear Friends and Family,

It is hard to believe that 5 years have gone by since Tom and I moved to Martinsville, VA. Even harder to believe is the continual rise in unemployment and poverty in this area.

This region of VA has a rich history rooted in furniture manufacturing including such companies as Hooker, Bassett and Stanley. Martinsville was once known as The Sweatshirt Capital of the World, and was home to America's largest contract embroidery company. Sadly, these companies, along with many others, have either closed altogether or moved their plants out of our country. Martinsville and Henry County are now known for having the highest unemployment rate in the state, currently at 19.7 percent.

Adding to the struggles of the unemployed is the fact that many people have seen their electric bills double within the last 5 years due to Appalachian Power Co. rate hikes. Unemployed and underemployed people simply lack the funds to adequately heat their homes. Yet, they are the lucky ones – at least in the eyes of the homeless here; earlier this year, Martinsville’s homeless shelter closed its doors.

Though the facts of life are tough for so very many here, the people are some of the finest I’ve met in my life. There is a true sense of community here, the type I used to only here as elders spoke of, “the good old days

when neighbors helped neighbors.” I’ve seen time and time again, people willing to give to others in need when they had virtually nothing to give. You’ve heard of the type of folks who would give you the shirt off of

their backs? These are the type of people I’m proud to say live here.

Local churches and individuals are launching programs to do what they can to assist the people in Martinsville and Henry County. I’m excited to say that Tom and I will be helping as our church begins feeding the homeless and others in need in January. And, recently I began a blanket program to purchase washable wool blend, American made blankets for the homeless and those who cannot afford to adequately heat their homes.

Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” It is with this philosophy in mind that I am asking those of you who can, to please consider making a donation of $12.66 to purchase one blanket. Should donations exceed the number of blankets needed, 100% of any remaining funds will be used for our church’s meal program.

This has been an extremely tough financial year for most of us. If you are not able to make a donation, would you please add the blanket and meal programs to your daily prayers? That would be a wonderful gift!

God bless,

Donna

Donations can be sent to:

Donna or Tom Pratt

P.O. Box 4669

Martinsville, VA 24115

Please make a notation on your check: Blanket Program

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

We are Christ's "body" on earth

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours, no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which to look at Christ's
compassion to the world.

Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.

And yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now."
~St. Teresa of Avila 1515-1582

Though these words were penned in the 1500's, they are SO very true today. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our fellow man as He would. We are to do the work that He began here so long ago. As individuals, we fall short of the ability to change a nation but, as individuals, we can each do something to make someone's life better. If each of us do something our community will be a better place.

Today, pray asking God what He would have YOU do. Then, open your heart, your eyes and your spirit for the answer.

Father, open my eyes, my spirit and my heart today and show me what I can do to help even one person. Help me to be sensitive to your Holy Spirit's leading so that I don't miss an opportunity to serve others for you. Amen

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18



Please support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.66, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!
www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

Words to live by.

Thanks to Rose who sent this to me.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you'e got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway."

~Mother Teresa

Please support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.50, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!
www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

He is in control of all situations.

I'm a pretty upbeat and positive person by nature but yesterday I found myself feeling a bit blue most of the day. Lingering within my thoughts was the fact that sales have dropped on my websites rather than increasing during what is typically known as the start of the Christmas shopping season. My desire for sales is truly not for personal income because I'm blessed to have a husband who provides very well in that area. But, I want to serve God by helping my church family provide food and blankets for the homeless in our community. God has clearly put in my heart to give 100% of all profits made from the sale of any cross pendant or cross necklace I sell to buy blankets. I am to give 10% of all other profits to help buy food.

Seeing no sales the past week, left me feeling discouraged. By the time I was ready to turn the computer off last night, my discouragement had turned to a low-grade anger. From the desktop view on my computer monitor, I saw the links to my two websites. I sat there looking at the links for a few moments, then decided to step out on faith, put my fingers on the screen, and pray. If this seems foreign to you, let me just say that touching the screen was simply a tangible point of contact for my prayers nothing more. I prayed that God would allow me to make a sale on both of my websites. This was truly stepping out in faith because I'm used to making a sale on one site or the other, not both in one day. I told God that I would give him the honor for the sales.

Well folks, this morning when I checked my e-mails, there were two sale notifications - one for each of my websites!!! My heart was so full that my eyes were flooding with tears. God was clearly reminding me that He is in control, that He hears my prayers, and that He knows the attitude of my heart.

I was also reminded that because I am obeying what God has directed me to do, I can rest in knowing that He will handle the outcome. I must trust in God's timing, not my own. I must trust, knowing that though I may not understand, HE does. I am simply a vessel doing what I am purposed to do. I am not responsible for anything other than that! Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success."

Father, I thank you for the lessons you continue to teach me as I struggle to remove my feelings and emotions from situations, to do what you have called me to do, and to turn the rest over to you. I thank you Lord for answering prayers and renewing the passion that is in my heart to help others. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a vessel to show your love to others. Forgive my doubting heart and I thank you for for reminding me that your timing is perfect in all situations! Amen.




Please support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.66, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!
www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

Friendship Blankets for the homeless

Matthew 25: 35-40

Too often, I think that most of us (myself included) feel that we can't possibly do anything to make a difference with situations as overwhelming as homelessness, so we choose to do nothing. We divert our eyes, avoiding personal contact with the homeless. After all, it is much easier for us that way. If we allow ourselves to look into their eyes, the image of the homeless may be etched in our minds so deeply that we are compelled to do something. And, that requires us to move out of our comfort zone. Are we really so selfish that we can continue to do nothing? God forgive me, because I have been.

If each of us did something for the homeless, our collective efforts could have a huge impact on their lives. God gives each of us different talents or gifts and if we could just realize that each of those talents fit together like puzzle pieces, we may catch a glimpse of God's plan.

Recently, God placed in my heart a very clear direction to buy blankets for the homeless. He pointed me to a wonderful American blanket manufacturer, Northwest Woolen Mills in RI, that has a program in place that allows the general public and advocates to purchase blankets for the homeless. I am excited to now partner with the program, Friendship Blankets, by selling the blankets on my websites. For a very modest fee of just $7.95 - $12.66, you can purchase one or more blankets and offer hope and warmth to someone who lacks in so many of life's basic comforts that we take for granted. I make no monetary profit on these blankets but the profit in my heart, knowing that you and I can make a difference, is priceless.

Please, follow the links to one of my websites, open your heart and purchase a blanket.
www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com







www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Taking Blessings For Granted

Yesterday was "one of those days". Evidence of this is the fact that there are 3 pair of shoes sitting behind my bathroom vanity chair. A pair of sneakers, boots and clogs never made it to the closet yesterday. A cozy sweater hangs on the back of the vanity chair. I sit wrapped in a beautiful robe that my husband gave me a few years back, while another robe hangs on a hook on the back of the bathroom door. It hit me this morning, that I am so very blessed to have an excess of clothing and shoes. I own enough shoes that I can have 3 pair sitting outside of the closet. I have an extra robe, and more than one sweater. I am blessed and yet take so very much for granted. There are thousands of people, hundreds in my own community, who don't have an extra sweater or pair of shoes. They don't own a single robe...because, there is no need for one when you don't have a bathroom door or closet to hang one in. Here I am with an excess while so many people don't have the basic comforts of life - food, clothing and shelter. God forgive me for taking your blessings for granted. Open my eyes and my heart, Lord, to the opportunities to share the abundance you have given me.
Amen.
"...If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21
"Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you."
Deuteronomy 16:17




BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS - 100% OF ALL PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF ANY CROSS NECKLACE ON OUR WEBSITES GO TO PURCHASE BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR AREA.
PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN IN YOUR AREA!

COUPONS! USE CODE, CHRISTMAS09, DURING CHECKOUT ON LITTLE CHERUBS BOUTIQUE AND USE CODE, CHRISTMAS, ON INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS AND DECOR - SAVE 20% ON YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE! YOU MAY USE EACH COUPON 4 TIMES BETWEEN NOW AND MID-DECEMBER.

TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. PLEASE, do what you
can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

"There but by the grace of God, go I."

I love fall. It's always been my very favorite time of the year. There's always a sense of anticipation in the air for me during this time. I'm a true "nester" and fall ignites my senses and I'm flooded with wonderful memories of home from the first crisp days of this season. It's a time of making homemade comfort foods like chili, stew and vegetable soup, smelling and hearing a fire in the fireplace and feeling the warmth of a snuggly blanket or down comforter. A perfect day to me is to have a fire in the fireplace, something wonderful in the crockpot sending inviting aromas through the house, snuggled up in a throw, watching snow falling outside.

This year, I'm finding my thoughts turning more and more to those who may be dreading this time of year. Their anticipation is not of the blessings of this season, but of the added burdens it brings. For many, there is no warmth, no shelter, no food. Others aren't sure from week to week if they will have to choose between shelter or food because their funds are so limited that they cannot afford both. Food and shelter should not be considered luxury items and yet it seems they've become so for many precious souls. "There but by the grace of God, go I."

As I enjoy the beauty of this fall season and the comforts I have, I pray that God shows me many ways in which I can share these comforts with folks who otherwise wouldn't have them. I pray that He will open my eyes to all opportunities where I can serve Him by serving others.

Father, let my eyes, my heart and my spirit be open to see others as you do. Let me not pass by a single person with a need that I can meet either in part or in whole. Lord, as I enjoy the comforts of home and food in this season, let my thoughts and prayers turn to those dear people who have so much less and move me to action. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.




TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. PLEASE, do what you
can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.


www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Rest in times of stress.

So many people are living under stress and pressures these days. If not kept in perspective, the pressures and stress can mound upon us pushing our spirits deeper and deeper into darkness until it seems that there is virtually no light around us. But, there IS light, we just have to catch a glimmer and FOCUS on it instead of the darkness.

Are you burdened down with worries these days? Call upon the Lord in prayer. Close your eyes and see yourself laying your head upon his chest as he embraces the cares of your heart away.

Come unto Me and rest

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one,
Lay down Thy head upon my breast.
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink, and live.
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
I am this dark world's light;
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I'll walk
Till traveling days are done.

By Horatius Bonar, 1846

"My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:27

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Do you have " X-Ray" vision?

Some of us are old enough to remember comic books. The comics may not always have been entertaining to me, but the ads contained within, sure were. One of my favorite ads was for x-ray vision glasses,
proclaiming, "...many amazing, astounding, illusionary "X-ray" views are yours to see..." If these glasses had really worked, they would have given us a very different view of the world around us. We could have seen things that people usually kept hidden from our view.

How differently would we treat people if we could "see" what they keep hidden from the world? What if we could see their hurts, their inner pain, their struggles? Well, we can. We don't need a special pair of glasses because the Holy Spirit can reveal those hidden hurts in others if we are truly seeking to help them. While we can't meet every need that every person has, each of us can do something to meet someone's needs. "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you . . ." Acts 3:6

Today, begin praying for God to give you "X-ray" vision. Ask him to reveal those hidden hurts and needs in others. Then, open your heart and listen for the Holy Spirit to move you to compassionately meet those needs.
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45




www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Finding shelter in God during times of trouble.

"Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life. I'm hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over." Psalm 57:1 (The Message translation)

If you are a parent, you have probably experienced a time when your child was frightened enough to cling to you for comfort. Sometimes, words are not enough to calm a frightened child. They need to bury their little faces into our chest and feel our reassuring embrace until the upsetting situation passes.

We adults can find ourselves in such despair that, like children, we need to feel the arms of our Father holding us securely. We need to be reassured that everything will be all right.

The next time you find your heart breaking, your spirit wounded, your mind spinning or in such despair that you don't know what to do, remember David's words in Psalm 57. Close your eyes and picture yourself safely sheltered under God's wings. Feel his reassuring embrace as you bury your face into his chest. Take a long, slow, deep breath and breathe in the calming attitude that surrounds your Father. Let all fear and despair leave your body, mind and spirit as you breathe out.

Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." (NIV translation)

Psalm 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge: his faithfulness wil be your shield and rampart."

Trust in the secure love of our Father to comfort and shelter you during times of trouble.



www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Remembering 9/11

Ground Zero.......let us NEVER forget to pray for the men and women who lost their lives during this tragic day in our country's history. Let us also pray for the families left behind.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

You are a light.

This will be my last post until Labor Day. Heading out for vacation!
May God bless each of you!

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14-16

How brightly are you shining the love of Christ to a needy world? Everyone is going through difficulties and the light and love of God that shines through your spirit may be just what someone needs! If you are letting God's spirit shine from within you, people will notice and be drawn to you. In turn, you will be able to help them with a word of encouragement, prayer, hug, etc.
I encourage you today to greet everyone whom you come in contact with, with a sincere smile & open heart. Let your life reflect the light from within you!

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Going through the motions?

Have you ever found yourself growing complacent in your walk with God? When things are going easily in life, it's easy to find ourselves simply going through the motions. This is a dangerous place to be. Not only can we be caught off guard and end up in situations that are detrimental to us but also we can so easily miss God's blessings.

Life is short; this is not a dress-rehearsal. Let's purpose to not allow ourselves to simply go through the motions in life. Seek God's direction, get excited about life and live each day with His perfect passion!

Let the words of Matthew West's song, The Motions, really sink into your heart.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ~Revelation 3:15-16


www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

The HHH people.

For far too many years, there have been Homeless, Hungry and Hurting people living among us. The numbers of these precious HHH (Homeless, Hungry and Hurting) people is now staggering! Except by the grace of God, you and I could find ourselves among the HHH. If you think otherwise, then you need a reality check.

I was born in Washington, DC and spent the first 14+ years of my life in the Alexandria, VA area. I clearly remember the first time I saw a homeless man - literally laying in the gutter of a side street in DC. My mother's explanation of this man's situation seemed reasonable and acceptable to me as a young teen.

Gone are the days of seeing an occasional alcoholic laying in an alley or street gutter. Gone are the days in which any halfway intelligent person can steriotype the HHH as "bums" or "alcoholics". (Reality check here: "Homelessness in suburbs, rural areas increases" Read: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-07-09-homeless_N.htm And, GONE are the days of there being ANY 'reasonable and acceptable' explanation that makes sense to me. There is NOTHING acceptable about anyone being Homeless, Hungry or Hurting in America.

Gone also are the days of sitting back and waiting for our government to solve the problems of the HHH. It is time for the collective church to roll up their sleeves, dig their heels in and commit to helping the HHH in our communities for the long haul. It is wonderful to feed the HHH on holidays, but we need to feed their bellies and their souls every day.

I am grateful beyond words that God has recently led my husband and me to The Community Fellowship in Collinsville, VA. *Pastor Michael, TCF's leadership and the congregation have true hearts to serve the HHH in our community and beyond. They may be a relatively small congregation but there is nothing small about their vision and there is nothing small about the impact that these precious people have already made in our community (and beyond).

One of the members of The Community Fellowship who has a God-driven passion for helping the HHH in our community is Vicky English. You can read as Vicky shares her heart and vision on her blog, Serving With All My Heart: http://vickysheart.blogspot.com/

If every church in America put faith into action to help the HHH in their communities, the impact would be a tidal wave of hope for the Hurting, housing for the Homeless and food for the Hungry across our country.
In a matter of days, we could be reading of the "staggering" drop in the number of the HHH instead of the "staggering" acceleration we now have!

Matthew 25:40 "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
* Follow Pastor Michael Harrison's blog: http://e-devotion.blogspot.com/





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"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Inspiration for the week

Walking along the paths of life, there are level, smooth paths and there are those that are uneven, steep or rocky; the later requires more attention than the first. We must carefully choose our steps, mindful of our footing so we don't veer off into a ditch, turn an ankle or stumble and fall.

The older I get the more I've come to realize that my walk with Christ is often on the challenging path. I need to stay focused, be mindful of my steps, careful not to veer off.

Smooth paths are easily forgotten as we walk aimlessly along, our thoughts drifting. The challenging paths are the ones we remember and often take us to places the smooth ones cannot, where the view is spectacular!

"My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped."
~Psalm 17:5

Daily inspiration

If we reach up as far as we can towards God, he will reach down the rest of the way to meet us.


This is a paraphrase of something I read years ago. It creates a picture in my mind of a toddler reaching up for his father to pick him up. Though the child's reach is not nearly sufficient to touch his father's hands, the father can easily reach the child. What father can resist the heartfelt plea of his child's little hands extended up towards him? Can't you see the delight and comfort on the child's face as the father reaches down and scoops the child up into his loving arms?

I can envision the Lord doing just this with us. There are times when we need our Father to reach down and scoop us up into his arms to comfort us. He is always there, ready for us to reach up as far as we can in praise and prayer towards Him. Trust that He will reach down to meet us the rest of the way!

1Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,..."

Psalm 103:13 "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;"


www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."