Just wanted to share this...

Each month I participate in a ministry with my singles group at church to go and feed the homeless downtown at Linn Park while also just taking time to hang out and love on them as well. As of about 4 months ago, I was asked to take the lead on this ministry in regards to our group with coordinating and handling all the details, so each month I ask God to give me something to write out and present to our singles group that would encourage participation and involvement in this awesome ministry. Yesterday, sitting in Sunday School, it kind of all took over my mind and here is what came of it...

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring the good news to the poor..."

(Isaiah 61:1)

What does this look like?

You may think you need to go and just outright share the gospel with a random homeless person by reading this, but there really is more to it than that.

Just being real with others whether homeless or not is in itself one of the most insightful and compelling examples of the gospel at work in our lives. The personal investment of our lives into the lives of others is in itself what Jesus love, grace, and acceptance is all about.

Can you be real? Can you let your mask down long enough to allow someone a real glimpse into your own life? To see you as your really are, a sinner, one that falls often, one that isn't perfect, one that doesn't have it all together and THEN reveal that God's love, grace, and mercy has NOTHING to do with how or when you stumble and fall but, ALL to do with the sacrifice of Christ - His gift of grace - that has already been done - already completed - FINISHED!

His Grace is Our Freedom!

So...will you come? Come to "bring the good news to the poor" next Friday, August 8th at Linn Park in downtown?

Please lift this event up in prayer as that day draws near and if you are lead, please join us that day as we come together to provide our homeless friends with hot meal, some love, and most importantly, "the good news"!

Sincerely In Christ,