Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday USA!!
Whatever your plans on this day, take a moment to appreciate the freedoms we have. Say thank you for those that gave their lives for our freedom. And also, please take some time to pray for this Country of ours.
These last few years have exposed our painful divisions. They run deep. So let’s be more intent on seeking God’s help.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)
Where is your money going? Part 3
Our third special gift of $12,500 was given to our local Valley Restart Shelter. Helping people at some of the most difficult times of their lives, is where Valley Restart…get’s started! Over the years, besides regular monthly support, we’ve had many groups help with meals by feeding those in the shelter.
Valley Restart Shelter (For their website, click HERE)
In their own words: “VRS has developed a successful program to help those that want help to get back on their feet and restart their lives. The maximum length of stay is 90 days. In those 90 days people are offered intensive case management and connections to local resources. VRS partners with many local agencies to help every person access what they might need. VRS provides shelter, 3 meals a day, laundry facilities, a savings program, case management, and tutoring. The percentage of persons who leave the shelter to more stable housing averages from 80-90%.”
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Matthew 25:40 NLT)
Where is your money going? Part 2
We also gave a special gift of $12,500 to My City Youth Center. This place, for years now, has been one of our key mission partners here locally. Along with monthly support we also have many people from Community who volunteer there weekly & groups do service projects at My City Youth Center on a regular basis.
My City Youth Center (For their website, click HERE)
Here is their own description of all they do for at-risk children in our Valley…
We provides a safe place for at-risk youth ages 8 to 18 to gather. We offer free programs including art, guitar lessons, dance instruction, gymnastics, basketball training, an outdoor skate park, a recreation room, computer programming, tutoring, and after school homework help. At the center, we also have a teen parent program offering support, encouragement, parenting classes and more, including a complete Mommy Shoppe for teenage mothers, where they can easily earn the ability to purchase diapers, wipes, baby clothing, strollers… anything “baby” by participating in enriching and positive activities. In addition to these programs, a Tech & Trade program is currently being developed that will address the job training and employment needs of at-risk youth, ages 16-28.
We also feed all the children in our programs through the generosity of local cooks and volunteers.
The director Dan Harris, and his wife Becky, and their amazing team have made an eternal impact on the lives of SO MANY young people in our Valley! It’s an honor to serve alongside them.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14 ESV)
Where is your money going? Part 1
In our weekend services we began to give some of our local mission partners extra money (beyond what we do monthly to support them). Each of these ministries is on the front lines. Each of my blogs this week will highlight one of the three we “blessed” with a special gift of $12,500!!!
Calicinto Ranch (For their website, click HERE)
Giving Hope…Changing Lives! That’s their motto, and they do a special job of it. So, who are they giving hope to? They work with children, who’s parent(s) are incarcerated.
They literally are reaching out to at-risk children in our Valley. We love that we partner with them…and as you’ll see, all three of the missions we locally support doing something truly special for children and their families.
Besides our monthly support, over the years we’ve done service projects there, helped with camps and provided Christmas gifts for these children in December.
Here’s just some of what we love about Calicinto Ranch:
THEIR MISSION
Giving children a life-changing experience!
THEIR VISION
To break the cycles of at-risk youth of incarcerated parents.
THEIR GOAL
Redirecting lives – Prevent crime.
THEIR HOPE
Together, we can reach lives – help out communities, families, schools, and our country.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14 ESV)
Did you really say that?
Have you ever had that moment when, just as the words were coming out of your mouth, you knew this wasn’t going to end well? I sure have.
On the other hand, have you spoken the truth, even in a nice way, but it wasn’t received well? Probably.
There were times Jesus said things that were eternally true, but some people didn’t want to hear it. Some things he said were met with outright fury.
This weekend we’ll be in the last half of John 6. Jesus says some stuff that literally has the crowd outraged. In fact, by the end of the chapter, most people stop following Him.
I hope you can join us on Sunday! We’ll see what we can do to follow Jesus, even when we don’t fully understand Him. Better yet, we’ll learn how to have faith, even when we have questions.
“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6:66 NIV)
